Sea World 2011 pics

Rylan and I waiting for the sea show...sitting in the soak zone! Per Rylans request

Waiting for the Show -Caden and DAD

*Mommy and Caden*
Still waiting

It is a breathtaking view... We never got wet!!!!

getting a little bored... though he loved the whales shaking their booty(tails)

Petting Star Fish

getting ready to feed seals

feeling a glacier...its cold!

at shamu show



Dolphin feeding...we waited an hour to get into feed them. It was worth it to allow Rylan to ask questions about her favorite animal.




Look at her face. So cool.



Sea World 2011

We've been wanting to take the kids to Sea World even before Caden was born.  Rylan hated Disneyland. She hated the rides, heat, and is not a fan of characters(men dressed up as cartoons).  She has a point. Usually in the summer are funds are low due to the month that I do not get paid.  We make it a point to go to the beach because we make that 400$ trailer payment.  This year I worked hard to pay off bills and put money aside to go towards vacations.  We were able to go!!! The kids loved it. We splurged and ate lunch with Shamu. Rylan go to ask a dolphin trainer questions about how  to have her job. They kids got to feed the dolphin. Rylan asked her what she would need to have her job. The trainer said to be a strong swimmer, any degree, animal experience(like 4-h). She was excited. The kids also got to feed a seal, pet a starfish, feel an ice burg. It was an educational, fun, day. Caden got to play at sesame street and ride the spinning tea cup ride. He loved it! We are wanting to buy season passes. It was a great day.

The zoo was ok... not fun! Not boring! somewhere in between.  It was hot.  The kids liked the elephants and the monkeys were to cute. So we finally figured out that the best way to see the Zoo was to take the bus. We sat on the double decker bus and was able to see it all! we probably will not go back to the zoo anytime soon. Possibly the wild animal park....

We indulged the kids at the hotel and let them swim at night! I love that its the small things that get her excited. We small for an hour or less, but she was so excited. FYI we will never stay at that hotel again. Dirty rooms, and breakfast was a joke. sooo not worth it.

Annual Trip to Pismo Dunes August

digging with rylan

walking to the water for family time

Dad and Mikey on his quad.

Rylans new quad. I traded Kimmie

Every year we take a trip with Mikey's Family to the dunes. Mikey's family has been going for many years.  I love the trip and dread it.  We spend so much money getting the trailer, bike, kids ready. Typically Mikey gets stuck trying to park on the beach and he patently asks for his dad to pull him out he yells and hits his truck until his dad pulls him out. It is so frustrating.  This year I missed the first couple days because I had college classes to take.  So sadly happily I missed the drama. I did miss the kids. I got to hang out with cheree a lot and be alone...that was nice.  It turns out that Mikey didn't get stuck. He credits it to his new dodge truck. 

We had a wedding to attend for Mason and Morgan. Yes They looked beautiful, but Caden was so handsome and carried those rings masterfully.  Mikey drove the kids home for the wedding then the following day we headed back to the beach to complete the vacation.  I really wanted to go to Avila Barn. We fed the animals, ate corn, Mikey got fudge.  At Avila Barn they have a huge trailer that is set not to move, and built around it are stray bails for people to sit on and eat their corn.  We did that. Caden slipped and fell, we laughed(as good parents would), he got up and says"that was my trick!"  Well he attempts the trick again, only this time he fell all the way down off the staggering bails of hay. He got a scratch on his head. Most of all his ego was bruised.  That "trick" didn't go as planned. It was on this trip that we also figured out Caden gets car sick. I put the barn in to google maps and it misled us to a winding road.  When we made the correct destination... Caden threw up!!! he was car sick!

We then headed back to the beach. Caden rode the ryno, Rylan rode her quad... even in the dunes.  We went to pismo to the Pier once.  As Mikey and I always do got into a huge fight...HUGE!!! We now call it THE ANNUAL FIGHT... which is why I dread the trip. I hate to fight especially in front of the in laws. Caden did not have any asthma this trip and did well. Mikey even walked to the water, he never has done that in the last 5 years Ive been going to the beach.  It was good for the kids, they got star fish, Mikey tripped Rylan into the water, Caden got to his chest with a small wave. 

Bright Side: Sacagawea (May 2011)

Bright Side: Sacagawea (May 2011)

Bright Side: Boys will be Boys (accidents and bad choices)

Bright Side: Boys will be Boys (accidents and bad choices)

Boys will be Boys (accidents and bad choices)

This is the day that mommy went to clean up Cadens room and found a surprise in his toy box.  I open the box and the smell waifs up.  Caden had just a few nights before got a T.V. in his room and had been watching Toy Story 3 often.  Apparently he had decided to pee in the toy box and not go to the restroom.  So together we clean the toy box. He gagged and was very upset. Some toys had to be thrown out. He sat in time out and had never made that mistake again.  Love you much Caden.   

Sacagawea (May 2011)

May 2011
Rylan and Dad

Ry and Mommy



Rylan

Rylan has a horrible case of anxiety.  Her teachers have been sensitive to her needs and cautiously encouraged her to work through her anxiety.  The have made accommodations such as allowing her to record her stories at recess, allowed her to have a speaking part if she requested it, and not making her speak aloud when the anxiety is too much. In first grade, a new student arrives to her class. The teacher asked everyone in the room to say their name and favorite color. Rylan anxiously obliged her  teacher, but cam crying to me after school. As a mother I felt so sorry for her. It was then that I knew she really did have issues.  As a smaller child ages 3-4 Rylan would cry if I made her  go to school a little late because she could not walk into a room already filled with children. If she was first and 30 children filled the room after her she would be ok.  One Christmas, we came to my uncles... as we approached the door Rylan tensed up. She did not want to walk into the room filled with her family. I always try to be early and keep a schedule.

If you look at the above picture you'll see a green dot.  Parents, children and teachers walk to the child and press their button.  She the child speak as  though they are the character.  Rylan says "I'm Sacagawea. Im famous for helping Lewis and Clark expedition." She stated some facts and was the best! I was so proud. Even took the morning off  to share in her moment.