SoCal Cubbies come to town!

We had such a great weekend with Caleb, Jill, and Bella!!  It is so cool that they are within driving distance and can pop up for a weekend visit...

On Friday afternoon, we walked to the park.  I think Caleb and Jill had just as much fun on the playground equipment as Cole! Thanks guys!

On Saturday night, Rod and Kristen came over and we grilled hamburgers and stayed up way too late chatting :)

On Sunday afternoon, we took Bella to a dog park that was on the bay.  There were some gorgeous views of the city and the mountains!  

Cole seriously loves his Uncle Caleb and Aunt Jill!  Thanks for coming to visit guys!

Cole loves Bella

I thought Cole was obsessed with balls, then he met Bella...

My baby's going to school! :)

I love observing Cole to see how he continues to learn and develop each day... 

Today we went to preview a toddler co-op school for the fall.  Little Wonders is amazing!  (check it out at www.littlewonders.org if you are interested!) I was concerned that Cole would have a hard time separating from me, but he almost jumped out of my arms when we entered. He was so excited!  He ran to the art table, asked to sit in the chair, and couldn't wait to start! For over 2 hours, Cole enjoyed circle time, a snack, and all of the centers.  The best part for me was the discussion group.  Half of the moms are stationed at centers to monitor all of the kids, while the other half get to sit down with the teacher to learn about and discuss something relating to our child's development.  Today the teacher was teaching about praise vs. encouragement.  After the discussion, I felt so encouraged in my journey as a mommy.  So, I came home and immediately registered for the fall!  We will be going to "school" once a week for 2 hours.  Also, I will have a "job" for the school that I will find out about soon.  My first choice was Photo Album Coordinator, where I will help to create a scrapbook for the year of all the events and classes.  I am really looking forward to this school being another way to connect with other moms, and I LOVE being back in the classroom.  And it is so fun to be there with MY SON!  It is amazing to watch him spread his wings and explore new things!  

Later in the afternoon, we went to Barnes and Noble.  As I watched Cole play with the train set, I continued to reflect on how quickly he is changing!  I remember meeting the Branyons at B&N shortly before we moved, and Cole wasn't really interested in the train table.  He would pick up the trains, but really didn't understand what to do with them.  Today, he walked confidently up to the table and started to push the trains along the track.  And this activity actually held his attention for longer than 1 min!  I am continually amazed at my little man...

Around the house

This back-flipping doggie is one of the presents that Henrietta gave to Cole to occupy him on the plane.  Even though he loves it and thinks it is hilarious, it still startles him every time it jumps!  Too cute!  Thanks Boota family!

Ok, I know that rule #1 in the parent handbook is "never let your child jump on the bed", but Cole has recently learned to jump and we thought the softest place to land would be the bed!  Oh well!

Soccer with Daddy

On Tuesday, Cole and I went to cheer for Jesse as he played soccer with some co-workers.  Cole had a hard time understanding why Daddy kept running away and why he couldn't run out on the field after him!  So, eventually we ended up on the playground next to the soccer field.  We had a great time and are so proud of Jesse scoring a goal for his team!  

"Let's play Daddy!"

Cole is obsessed with balls... seriously, he didn't want to let this one go!

Enjoying riding the rhino at the playground

A crazy day...

So, today has been a crazy day!  This morning, I was supposed to take Cole to a free class at a local gymnastics place.  Well, we were running late and then he fell asleep (and I mean hard asleep!) on the way there.  As I near the address, I think the GPS must have made a mistake.  I am driving through a neighborhood and come to an open fence.  I continue through the fence to find a high school.  What?!?  But after spotting a sign, I realize that it is a school/community center and that I need to find Building F for gymnastics.  Ok, I see A and B and even G, but no F!  There are only a few cars in the parking lot and after unsuccessfully trying to wake Cole up, I decide that this whole thing is not worth it!  But then I realize it is only 9:30am and I don't have a single thing to do!  

Then I remember a conversation I had with a mom at McDonald's.  She told me there was a free children's museum and zoo in Palo Alto, which is about a 20 min drive.  So, I get back on the freeway and head south.  Little did I know that the traffic was going to be stop and go the entire way!!!  Cole has woken up by this time and is very anxious to get OUT!  It is after 10:30 by the time we actually reach Palo Alto.  My nerves are frayed, but I am looking forward to enjoying an outing with Cole.  

And it was worth it!  He had a ball!  So, this place is free, which equals small, but Cole doesn't know the difference :)  Inside they had all these "science experiments" that the kids could do.  And then outside, they had a "zoo" with animals ranging from a peacock to bats to ducks to a bobcat and many others in between.  Here are some pics of our time there:

Cole enjoyed climbing in and out of the "animal habitat".  It was a cute cubby-like area with stuffed animals and log shaped pillows inside.

The peacock had it's feathers on full display!

Cole is learning about circuits! haha!  Really he is enjoying flipping the switches to make the fan and the buzzer turn on... ah, the simple joys of a toddler!

Cole is using wind power to generate electricity for the city... a little environmentalist in the making :)

Cole helps out...

Cole has entered the "helping" stage.  His recent faves are helping to throw his diapers in the diaper pail, throwing trash in the trash can, and sweeping with the broom.  Even though I could definitely do these things a lot quicker myself, the joy it brings to Cole is worth the slower pace!  Today we enlisted Cole's help to wash the car...

A few clips from our beach day...

Phase 1: Cole is interested in the water

Phase 2: Cole gets scared when the water gets too close

Phase 3: Cole enjoys being held, while Daddy's feet get frostbite!! haha!

(sorry the video is sideways again! I forget not to hold the camera like that!)

To the beach!

It has always been a dream of mine to live close to the beach.  I have this picture of waking up on a lazy Saturday morning, Jesse turning to me and asking, "What do you want to do today?" And I reply, "Let's go to the beach!"  So, we pack picnic lunches and pile in the car and go to the beach for the day.  And that is exactly what we got to do this past weekend!!!  

We timed the drive with Cole's morning nap.  The car has always been like a sleeping pill for him... when he was a newborn, if we couldn't get him to stop crying, we would just head out for a drive on the interstate.  Instant snooze session! :) 

The drive was absolutely beautiful.  On the map, it is labeled as a highway, so I pictured in my mind a 4 lane, 60 mph ride.  Not so!  After getting out of San Mateo, the road turned into a 2 lane, windy mountain highway, curving through forests and over a lake.  We passed many farms and nurseries along the way, even one that offers pony rides!  

Then after arriving in Half Moon Bay, we decided to give Cole a little longer of a snooze, so we continued south on the infamous Pacific Coast Highway.  It is amazingly beautiful!  One minute we were looking over a cliff edge to the awesome expanse of ocean and the next, we were laughing at the cows and lamas grazing in the fields... next to the ocean! (a very weird juxtaposition in our Southern minds!)

Then we decided on a beach... Pomponio State Beach, just north of Pescadero.  Jesse and I enjoyed a picnic lunch on the beach, while Cole, who was too distracted by the sand, played with his shovel and bucket.  Then we took Cole down to the water.  He was very curious at first, but when the waves came close, he wanted Daddy!!  Now we are glad that his little feet didn't touch the water, because it was FREEZING!  Have you ever been white water rafting in the mountains?  That's what the water reminded me of.  Later a co-worker of Jesse's told us that it is so cold because the water comes down from Alaska.  We are used to the warm waters drifting up from the carribean!!  What a difference!  

We ended our trip with a walk along the beach.   It is amazing to look left and see huge waves, ahead and see sandy beach, and to the right and see gigantic rock cliffs!  What an amazing creation!  And what an amazing day together as a family.  We are so blessed!

He slept the whole ride like that... with his little arm propped up :)

Isn't it amazingly beautiful?!?  This looks like a postcard...

Cubby Family Day at the Beach!

Cole really enjoyed the sand... it was so fine and soft.

A great example of the beach and cliffs

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July weekend!  We had a 3 day weekend together as a family.  On Friday, we had to take care of getting our cars smog tested and registered in CA and taking the driver's test for a CA license... not fun, but necessary!

On Saturday, we decided to go to Foster City for their 4th of July celebration.  There was a pancake breakfast, rides for the kids, people selling things in booths, but mostly people were camped out along the lagoon to enjoy cooking out.  As you can see in the pics, Cole enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie which ended up all over his face!  

That night, we decided to grill out.  Jesse grilled the MOST delicious steaks ever!!  Seriously, Bobby Flay better watch out!! 

And then on Sunday, we took a day trip to the beach... more on that soon...

At the Foster City 4th of July Celebration

"I LOVE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!!"

The Grill-meister

Behold, the unrestrained exuberance of a child...

“What’s going on in this clip”, you ask? Well, here’s the play by play:

1. Cole drops the ball.
2. The ball bounces one time.
3. Dad catches the ball.
4. Cole gets the Holy Ghost.

Oh to know such a thrill at the smallest wonders in life. 

Looks like we may need to teach Cole how to “play it cool” when uber excited

- Jesse - 

Our Little Musician

The other day, I was attempting to prep for dinner.  This task is especially challenging with a toddler who wants my attention 100% of the time :)  So, I decided to give him some pot tops to play with.  He is quite the cymbal player... Mr. Brad would be proud! At the finale, he decided that it would be the most dramatic to throw the tops, so this game didn't last for very long!  Haha!

17 Months Old!!

On June 30th, Cole turned 17 months old!  It has been a while since I took a "froggy pic" so here is the best shot of an EXTREMELY active toddler! :)  It has been a crazy month with the move, but Cole has adjusted well and is learning so much every day!  Here are some quick Cole facts:

1. New words:

cracker - "ca ca"

apple 

mama - (he used to call me "dada"! haha!)

thank you - "tain too"

outside - "ah"  (we'll keep working to get that second syllable)

chicken

turkey

2. He loves to be outside!  Anytime he is fussy, I just put his shoes on and take him out.  Instant happy!  He enjoys playing with balls, bubbles, the hose, his shovel and bucket, and his dump truck outside.  When we were in the hotel, there were snails in the courtyard area, so he is always looking for a "nail" when we are out :) 

3. He recently added a teddy bear to his night night time :)  Uncle Caleb and Aunt Jill gave him a white teddy for his birthday and he has enjoyed hugging it while sleeping.  He was having a hard time transitioning to being back in his crib, so we thought he could use a friend!  I hope to be able to get a pic of him loving on blankie and bear while he sleeps... too cute!

Sunday in the Park

On Sunday morning, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and take a walk to the park.  Washington Park in Burlingame is about a 15 min walk from our house.  On the way we walk through a nice neighborhood full of cute houses with tiny extremely well manicured yards.  There are sidewalks the entire way, which we love!  Also, near the park is a Royal Donuts, where we got our morning coffee and doughnut!  We are sad that there is no Dunkin' Donuts here, but Royal Donuts comes in at a close second.  

Cole absolutely loves this park!  It is so great because it has a play structure just for little kids.  There are always lots of families to meet there as well.  Next to the park is the rec center, baseball fields, tennis courts, and walking trails.  I have to say that California definitely does a great job with its parks!  And you can't beat the 75 degree weather to be able to enjoy them everyday!

Cole and Mommy on a train ride

Cole playing the chimes 

"Look at me Daddy!  I'm so strong!"