Disneyland

We finally took our kids to the Magic Kingdom.  We held out for a long time and I'm glad we did.  This was a good age for the girls to experience Disneyland.  Although I think Georgia was scared on most of the rides.  I didn't realize how scary the rides were until I actually went on them as a parent.  Even the skeletons and gun shooting on Pirates of the Carribean seemed too disturbing for a 4 year old.

Just in case she got lost.

 I was surprised that Georgia was the only child (that I saw) with a phone number pinned to the back of her shirt.

 Parker was a super trooper on all rides.  She really got a kick out of them.  She even went on California Screamin' at California Adventure.  I couldn't believe it.  Afterward, she ran up to me and said "I'm definately not going on that again until I'm an adult." She said she was really scared and had her eyes closed the whole time.

The 'Finding Nemo' Submarine Ride

  Both of the girls were obsessed with going on the Monorail.   We ended up leaving it for last but we were too late.  The girls were disappointed and made us "pinky promise" we'd go on it next time.

Going down the big drop on Splash Mountain

After seeing Georgia's face in this picture, I felt like a very bad mom.  This was the ride that finally made her cry.  And I don't blame her.  That was a very steep drop.  Poor kid.  We didn't do any more scary stuff after this.

Georgia recovered quickly  from the scare.

Peachy wearing the dollar store Mickey ears daddy picked up before the trip.  The price tag for Mickey ears at Disneyland: $22.50.

Thanks to Grandma Powers for the souvenir money.

We stayed at the Howard Johnson across the street from Disneyland.  I thought this would allow us a restful night sleep before we went to Disneyland the following morning.  Boy was I wrong.

I think Parker expected the room to be like Grandma's timeshare condos.

 Parker voluntarily journaled about our stay.  It was very difficult sleeping in a room with Georgia.  For a girl with such a tiny little nose, she sure does snore loud.  In addition to that, we could hear the roar of the abominable snowman on the Matterhorn until midnight.  We all slept terribly and then Georgia woke up at 4 in the morning, only to fall back asleep at 6.  Fortunately we still made it to the park as soon as it opened at 9am.

The pool at the hotel was awesome though.  Very nice!

Farewell Jack

It has been a very sad few months.  The Hawleys have moved back to Colorado leaving a big empty space next door and in our hearts....especially Parker's.

These two were inseparable in the days before he left.

Jack has been Parker's very best friend since they moved in when Jack was 3 and Parker was 2. Really it was like losing a brother.   

Jack - age 3, Parker -  age 2

  I have been especially sad on Parker's behalf.  One evening about a month after they had left, Parker said to me, "Mom, I don't want to be pen pals with Jack.  I just want to be real pals that can play together".  Parker also asked me if instead of getting her ears pierced for her 7th birthday, if we could go to Colorado to visit Jack instead.

Jack & Ella at Georgia's 4th birthday party

The Neighbors - Michelle, Sara and Gina.
 I will miss our impromptu gatherings at Sara's for a glass of wine and girl talk.

Jack was such a good sport even when he was the only boy at the party.

Parker, Jack and baby Georgia

We spent many holidays with the Hawleys

Halloween

Jay and Jack pulling Georgia at Push 'em Pull 'em Parade 

Jack is one of the sweetest little boys I know.  I don't ever remember a time he was mean to Parker.  They rarely fought.  He was an easy kid to have around.  He and Parker just clicked.  Parker has been handling the loss pretty well. But Jack's absence is noticed daily. Parker doesn't have the constant playmate that she used to. I have to say I feel bad when I see her trying to play with Georgia and Bella; something she rarely did when Jack was around.

The girls love Sara

Our final farewell to Jay and Charlie.

Jack and Sara left in August so Jack could start school on time. Jay stayed until September and got the house ready to rent. The night Jay left, Georgia cried. I think it finally hit her that the Hawleys were really gone. We will miss our neighbors and friends. We wish them only the best as they start a new chapter of their lives in Colorado.

Little House in the Suburbs

This was taken at the Santa Paul Ag Museum; a very interesting place. I've yet to figure out which one these two is going to be Nellie Olson.

Becky Wicks won't get this reference because she's never read nor seen an episode of Little House on the Prarie. She's missing out. Michael Landon was on the show!

Consider this my annual plea for my wife to return to this blog. Her priorities are somewhere else. I know she watches t.v. every night so she has the time. Is Dancing With the Stars more important? I guess it depends on who's competing. Laura, come back and contribute. I can't be the pillar of posting (blogs) for too much longer.