Hot!

It has been really really really really hot here! And school starts very soon. So we have been trying to stay cool and have lots of fun! We spent a nice day with friends at the beach, visited dear old friends in Malibu, the big kids attended Wizard of Oz dance camp for a few hours one day, and Gordie and Chessa have been loving the kiddie pool (Adelee has been staying in the AC playing dolls and dress up). One more week until Adelee is off to Kindergarden. I wonder what fun we will come up with next week.

JULY

Oh my! We have been busy! Chuck was gone for a few weeks. In that time we had a couple of pretty nasty illnesses (Gordie and Chessa). Once we recovered from those we were full force ahead including lots of bowling! Chuck returned from New York City and played hookie from work the following day. We hit up California Adventure. By then I was getting a little bit nervous about the last week of the month. We had swim class everyday, vacation bible school everyday and Adelee's KinderAcademy for 4 mornings. So I begged my parents to come out. Ok, it wasn't really that hard, I promised lots of cuddles from Chessa. Thankfully, they jumped on a flight and were here to help! While they were here we learned about the Philippines at the Hollywood Bowl, hung out at the Splash Pad, Chuck and I got to go out on a date, and they got to enjoy soccer practice and swim class. Gordie had a wonderful time at Vacation Bible School. He new exactly what he wanted to do to his hair on "crazy hair day." He remembered Noah's halloween costume from last year. Oh and I am not worried about that kid going off to preschool in a few weeks! Adelee and I had a wonderful time at the parent and me Kinder Academy at her new school. We met wonderful families and she is already singing songs in Spanish, after only 4 short days! Chessa couldn't get enough of Papa and I'm sure was very thankful to not have to be dragged around town everyday this week! Here are some pictures. I'm sorry they are not in order I am sure. But this is July! w

Happy 4th Birthday Gordie!

4 years ago today I got to cuddle with my sweet, loving, caring, funny, did I mention loving...little baby Gordie for the first time. Oh what a blessing! His kisses his hugs, his smile- he could cuddle all day. Oh so sweet! Now lets not forget that he loves to wrestle, play superhero...all of the time, he can hit a hockey puck, smash a baseball, zip around the block on his bike, and climbs like a monkey. He is our Gordie Russell and we love him so much!!! 8:00am We started opening presents at 8:00 this morning (we got a late start this morning because they got to stay up/wakeup for the fireworks last night). We skyped with Daddy, then we skyped with Auntie Jenny and Unkie Bobo, then we talked to Gramma on the phone. (Happy Birthday Sung by all) Then we had cupcakes for breakfast (thanks Laura Lappenga). 10:00 Played Superhero Shoots and Ladders and read the book "I Stink" 11:00-1:00 WENT BIRTHDAY PRESENT SHOPPING AT ALL THE PLACES GORDIE HAS SAID TO ME "Mommy I want this for my birthday" Plus a stop at the sporting goods store to buy all his soccer stuff. Home for lunch (and a breathing treatment) 3:00 ICE CREAM!! 4:00 More birthday present shopping (the book store!) 5:00 PIZZA FOR DINNER (a call from Grampa) 6:00 Abby Sophie and Noah sang "Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha" to Gordie 6:30 Skype with Nana and Papa to sing Happy Birthday again!! 7:00 Mommy got to cuddle and read all of his new books that he got to buy with his birthday money. (and a breathing treatment) PLUS PICTURES OF HIS SUPERHERO TRAINING CAMP BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

a collage for you

Last day of preschool

Here's a photo of all the girls in there hip hop costumes at Adelee's 5th birthday party.

Lemonade Stand

Loved this day!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Adelee!!

Really? 5 years ago right now I was laying in a hospital bed freaking out because my baby kept sneezing and worrying that she was allergic to the world!? And Chuck and I would take turns laying awake at night with one hand on her belly, just to make sure she was still breathing--that is when she was not sucking, and sucking, and sucking...ouch that was a painful first few days!! We were in complete awe! Like nothing else we had ever or would ever experience. Adelee Rose. Now look at her! She is smart, beautiful, kind, caring and confident...oh yes confident! And she has made friends with, who without a doubt are the nicest girls at her preschool. And those girls came over for a hip hop/popsicle party to celebrate Adelee! They painted with "popsicles," learned a dance to "California Girls," ate popsicles and cake (strawberry cake coated in chocolate), and played. It was a beautiful day!

This is how we celebrated on her birthday... 7:00am- Opened presents. (thanks to Gordie's insisting)

12:00 noon- Ice Cream with lots of candy on top

5:00pm- Dinner at Fabrocini's of course. (pizza and lasagna)

7:00pm- Dessert

Chessa is loving all the commotion, music, paper, plastic, and balloons...yikes!

Gordie has handled everything very well. It must be hard for a 3 year old to watch his sister get all the attention and gifts, but he has been so happy and even said to me on May 31st "mommy, I want to make sure Adelee has the best birthday ever!" And he made it happen, cause she did as she told me tonight "this was the best birthday ever...I want to do this every year!" It's been a fun filled 2 days! Thank you to everyone for thinking of her on her birthday and for the lovely gifts! She loves them all! (sorry the photos are so bad, I decided I'm not really good at taking pictures and even worse with my iphone and a baby on my hip...but you get the idea.)