Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

This year we decided to check out the Irvine Pumpkin Patch, located in Irvine Park, and we were so impressed with the place. They had a nice little set-up for the pumpkin patch. Jack spent a lot of time in both of the bounce houses and he made a little friend to run around with. Luke had fun with the pumpkins, and was able to ride a hay horse(see below). The park itself was great! There were peacocks roaming around freely, beautiful duck ponds, nice trails, and a little zoo (it was closed by the time we got there, but a good note for next time). They also offered tractor rides and train rides for the whole family. I love going to the pumpkin patch each yar, and it was especially fun this year with two boys!

Our handsome little man, Luke.

What a big boy!

Jack arranging pumpkins.

Our boys

Too cute!

Cute little piggy

Riding the hay horse.

Jack in the hay maze.

Jack's First Day of Preschool

I can't believe this day has come so quickly, but Jack started preschool today, and he was very excited. To prepare, we found a few books about what to expect at preschool, which we've read over the last couple of weeks. We've also been practicing making lunch and packing his lunchbox, and then having him eat his lunch all by himself (maneuvering those juice box straws all by yourself can be a challenge when you are 3!). So this morning we were as prepared as we could be... We got ready, and then just as we had practiced, we made lunch together. Jack picked dinosaur PB&J for his first day, along with carrots, Veggie Tales fruit chews, Teddy Grahams, and apple juice.

Yummy Dinosaur PB&J!




Ahhh...lunch box packed- CHECK!


All ready for school! Cool Lightning McQueen lunch box!

So I didn't cry, but oh how I wish there were spy cameras in the classroom. I threatened to go peek in the windows a few times, but controlled myself.

What a big boy!

Here we are in Ms. Elisia's class

Jack found the dinosaurs, so he was as happy as can be at preschool!

The green happy card means he was a good boy and had very superstar behavior! Notice there is another Jack in his class. Our Jack's cards are the ones in the top row.

Making friends and playing with animals...

Checking out his classroom.

Cute class!

The sign he is holding says "Jack had a great first day!" He also got a hippo sticker on his shirt for taking a good nap! Jack told us that Ms. Elisia read a story, they played with animals, he cut a square with safety scissors, and the slide that "goes round and round and round" is very scary. He made his bed at naptime, but tells us it got messed up. He also tells us that Ms. Elisia told him to sit down (not surprising, but he must have listened well since he got the big sign in the picture, and only a few kids had one hanging in their cubby hole.) He used the potty all by himself and was very impressed with the Dora the Explorer booster seat that Ms. Elisia showed him how to use. He is excited to go back, so I'd say it was an extremely successful first day of preschool. Great job, Jack!

Adventure City

We had a great day at Adventure City with the Peterson family. Adventure City is a great amusement park for little guys. They are able to go on all of the rides (parents can go on most of them, as well!), so we definitely felt like we got our money's worth. They have a play area dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and the boys spent at least an hour just playing with the trains. It was such a nice day with friends!!

Carter playing with the train tables.
A close up of Luke...my handsome little man!

Jack deep in thought...very busy planning the design of his train tracks!

Even Luke enjoyed the trains. He was so proud of himself for sitting and playing with the other boys. It was clear to us that he was thinking he is a very big boy!

Baby Cooper- what a cutie!!!

Carter and Jack riding the hand-cranked trains (with a little help from their parents!)

Knott's Berry Farm

We recently took a trip to Knott's Berry Farm with Charlie, Julie, Tiff and Will. When I heard about the plans, I have to admit that I was less than enthused...It had been close to 20 years (wow) since I had last been there, and my memories were that it was getting a little ghetto (Cloud 9, Studio K, anyone?). In fact, I think the last time I was there was for Knott's Scary Farm, which lived up to it's name and scared the hell out of me. I might have vowed not to go back... But when I was a kid, my dad used to take me to Knott's all the time, and I do remember loving it. A LOT. I don't know how many times I made him ride the soap box race cars, and I always did like the Mystery Lodge (which, by the way, has now morphed into a much bigger attraction than I ever remember). So I hoped for the best with this recent trip, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't crowded at all, which I loved (hate me the crowds!), was clean and just overall good, wholesome family fun. Camp Snoopy was great for Jack, who, unlike his father, is not afraid of a rollercoaster or two. So I guess Camp Snoopy was also great for Nick, who bravely road a few kiddy coasters (always amazes me that a man who will climb rocks and frozen waterfalls can't stand rollercoasters...he says it's something about being in control). It's nice to see that this So. Cal treasure is back to living up to my fond childhood memories and is now adding to the childhood memories of my boys.

Luke with Nana. He was a little fussy for a while. Turns out he was hungry. Will I never learn???

Jack picked out the blue race car (I'm sure he thought it was the Dinoco car from Disney's Cars movie!)

Jack with Auntie Tiffany

Ok, so I TRIED to win him a Cookie Monster. I should stick to accounting.

Hawaiian Hullabaloo

Jack and I went to a Hawaiian Hullabaloo at our church. He had a great time with the other kids. All summer long they've had preschool events and we've been fortunate to be able to attend each of them. He's been to a wacky bubble day, an animal adventure, a Tarzan movie night, and now the Hawaiian Hullabaloo! He was his usual charming self, and had the other moms proclaiming how cute he is. I can't deny it!

Here he is with his first snow cone. He first surveyed the other kids to see what kind they had, then confirmed that he had bubble gum flavor, too!

Coconut bowling! He was cheering on the girls in his group, and when Abigail took a turn, Jack yelled out "That's my girl!" Not sure where he picked that one up, but it had us all laughing!

Searching for seashells in the sand!

Playing traditional Hawaiian instruments!

Learning a Hawaiian hula dance...he's quite a little dancer!

Decorating his bag to collect his seashells.