A Day with Thomas the Train at the Edaville Train Theme Park

Catchy Title, huh? Well we had a great day meeting Thomas the Train. But Before we went on our train ride we were able to check out some of the rides at the park. Tyler loved the Red Baron especially once he figured out how to get the airplane to go up.

I thought for sure he wouldn't go on it once we found out daddy couldn't go with him but he didn't mind at all.






Kendall went on her first carousel ride and she really enjoyed herself in fact once we got off you couldn't keep her off the rides. We all flew on Jumbo and mommy just has to say that these rides were really her speed. Some rides mommy wasn't allowed on but they actually let Kendall go on them by herself.










I was a little worried at first but she did great. Once we finally got on Thomas, Tyler declared "He needs to go faster" I guess he had one too many rocket rides. Good thing we didn't put him on the tilt-a-whirl. We didn't get too close to Thomas for a picture there were just too many people at the "photo opportunity spot".








I think we'll definitely go again because even if Thomas isn't there, Tyler enjoyed all the other trains too.

Pre-School or Prep School?

Whatever we call it Kendall is a Honor Student in training. She had a great first day. It started out a bit rough. Having had to wake her up this morning at 7:15 so we could get out the door in time she managed to put on a smile anyway. She was excited to see her new backpack but since it was packed with wipes and diapers she wasn't the least bit happy to put it on. As you can see she was just crying out for sympathy but mean mommy said "buck it up, this is the beginning of the rest of your life and if you think your bag is heavy now just wait until you get a big purse and get to stuff it with other people's crap!" No mommy did feel bad especially since Kendall had no idea what was in store for her after we left the house. We made it to school on time but as soon as we walked into the "classroom" she knew what was next. She grabbed a hold like I've never felt her do. But Tyler and I sat down with her and talked to the teachers for a bit and then within 5 minutes she was ready to meet some new friends, pointing to all the girls. Tyler and I sneaked off and when we returned 4 1/2 hours later she was beyond exhausted. The teachers said she did really great and no one believed them when they told people it was her first day. I guess she was waving at everyone and saying Thank You (she must have learned that at grandma's house). She passed out in the car on the way home so I transferred her to bed and hopefully she'll get all the rest she needs. Tyler starts his new school September 9th.

We're BACK!!!!!

And boy does it feel good to be back. Don't get me wrong we had a great time and we're quite happy we got to see Grandma & Papa Q as well as Cousin Ashley and Auntie Kathy. But wouldn't you know it my plan of seeing all my friends back in Livermore went bust because Kendall and I think Tyler too got Hand Foot Mouth disease. (not to be confused with hoof and mouth that cows get). The trip started out OK. Well we were delayed in Chicago but if you're going to be delayed at an airport for 2 hours with kids that's the place to be. They have a nice little play space for kids so Tyler and Kendall really enjoyed themselves and Tyler wanted to go back but thankfully on the way home today the flights ran a bit more smoothly. Anyway we got to Kevin's parents house just in time to figure out that Kendall who had been quite crabby some days before broke out with a nice little blister on her lip since she hadn't been eating for the past few days and also had a high fever the day before and broke out with a rash all over her body. Yes from the tip of her fingertips to the tips of her toes. And eventually some blisters on her toes started to show themselves too. I self diagnosed her with Hand Foot Mouth. How in the hell she got that is beyond me but we do go to lots of indoor play places. Tyler complained a bit too but he didn't have anything on Kendall. I can't tell you how bummed I was when I called my old Thursday playgroup to tell them I couldn't come. There were so many new babies that had arrived in our little circle I was so anxious to see them. Yes girls I cried a good 30 minutes Wednesday morning when I realized I wouldn't be seeing you and that Tyler wouldn't get to see his old pals again either. (you guys were really the reason I agreed to the trip and bypassed a week on a lake in New Hampshire) It was so hard because I wished I could have said "well I'll see you guys again soon" but honestly I just don't know when that will be. Why couldn't she had just had a cold, I would have made you all suck it up for that. But NOOOO she has to get the most contagious and the one virus you don't want your child to get. ugh! Ok well enough of that. So anyway like I said we still had fun with grandma & Papa Q, they celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Congratulations on that great milestone. Kevin and I celebrated our wooden anniversary (that's 5 years by the way) on the 23rd. One of Kevin's friends got married so we celebrated in style with free food and drink all night (in honor of them of course). And finally one last milestone was reached this week while we were gone. My dad at the ripe young age of 57 is retiring! In fact today was his last day. Now with both Renee and my dad retired I wonder what they plan on doing with themselves. I hope a trip back to New England is in their immediate future. We sure do miss you guys and wish we could have had you on our agenda while we were back in Cali. Ok well I think that's enough for now. I'm beat after a day of flying with two kids and no naps. We have an exciting week planned ahead. Look for more posts to come....

California Here We Come . . .

. . . right back where we started from. We will be visiting family and friends in the Northern California region of our home town. It's been a year and we're really looking forward to seeing everyone again. I know Kendall looks a little sad in this picture but really that's her just being crabby. I'm sure she'll be very happy go lucky on the flight. (yeah, right). Anyway our blog will be on a little hiatus until our return in about 2 weeks (or so). And I'm sure I'll have lots to post once we get back. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and we'll see (most of you) in a few short days.

Pump, Pump It Up!

Does that Salt N Pepa song come to mind? I had the kids singing it before we left. Anyway we went to a little party this afternoon at Pump It Up. I think Kendall actually enjoyed herself more than Tyler did. Too many kids around and Tyler gets a bit stressed. Kendall on the other hand will cry if taken out of a bounce house.




She just loves it and doesn't care how many bigger kids are in there. I think she's our little daredevil. I did manage to talk Tyler into going down the big slide, he was a little spooked afterward and wouldn't do it again.
I think all in all we had a good time.
Both kids are now napping so that's a great thing.

Hudson Hot Air Balloon Festival

Well this afternoon we headed off to a nearby town where they were having their 4th annual hot air balloon festival. We probably should have went first thing this morning so we could watch them take off but that was happening at 6am and that just wasn't happening in our house. But family events were scheduled from 2pm on so we figured we'd take some naps then head over. We managed to see a few balloons but it just wasn't really what I expected. They were supposed to take off again at 6pm but by 10 after still only 1 balloon was filled with air. We were getting hungry and decided to leave and head out to dinner instead of waiting to see if it was going to happen or not. We did end up seeing 4 balloons in flight at the restaurant so I guess that was something. We still managed to have a nice time at the pavilion field where it was all happening. We went on a little train ride, had a clown make an Elmo balloon for Tyler and watched a couple of balloons get filled with that hot air. Mommy wanted to go on a test flight (meaning they just took you up a few feet and it was still tethered to the ground) but Tyler didn't want to go on it. He said "that fire is scary".

National Night Out

Last night the town next to us, sponsored what they call National Night Out. Basically the event is sponsored by the police department and they have lots for the kids to get up and personal with. They were supposed to have police helicopter but we didn't see it. But what we did see were local police cruisers, police motorcycles, a tank, firetrucks, bulldozers, and lots of other fun things. Tyler was a little skittish at first to touch stuff but he warmed up after a bit. Kendall was there too though she's still not a walking fool so she just sat in her stroller and looked at everything. She managed to get out for a little bit to enjoy the surroundings.


The best part of the evening was that everything was free. Kevin was in line to get our cheeseburgers, chips and drinks and asked where he was supposed to pay and they said "oh it's all free". Wow! I hate to say this but if anything like this was held in our former home town there would either be a riot breaking out or the crowds would be so bad you'd just want to stay home. It's events like these that really make us enjoy our new home town.