4th of July week

I'm starting the week early...on Wednesday, July 1 because we decided to have some more fun at the SD Fair! I can't believe I braved taking both of them by myself...the verdict -we had a blast! We arrived right as they opened the gates and stayed for a couple of hours. I was able to get my fix of the few food items I missed the first time around (the spiral fried potato on a stick and cotton candy) and Caiden had fun riding some old and new rides.

Grace got her first hair clip at the fair!

On Wednesday afternoon we started potty training so Caiden went without pants and a diaper for a good part of the day. He had a couple of accidents the first two days but after that he's been pooping and peeing in the potty successfully! No turning back now.

Grace got her first taste of meat on Thursday -some ribs. She loved it!

Caiden playing with no diaper on and some short shorts ;)

On Friday we went to a party and the Santoros were in town. Here is Anne and Grace!

On the 4th we went to the Taylors for a pool party. I found these fun fruit wands on Pinterest and they ended up being a big hit with all the kids. I loved it because it was something Caiden could eat, too. 

On Sunday night we even got a babysitter and went out to dinner with Anne and Noah to one of our favorite restaurants, Monello. It was such a fun weekend and I'm sad it's over.

2 weeks of fun!

Part 2:

On Monday we went to the beach with Marc's parents. It was the first time we put a swimsuit on Grace and let her play in the sand and the water. She loved the water (even though it was so cold) and was squealing with excitement and just wanting to walk out farther and farther.

On Tuesday we went to the San Diego County Fair. I was hesitant to go but I'm SOOOOO glad we did. We all had a blast, well except for maybe Grace. She is the reason I didn't really want to go. She was pretty much stuck in the stroller the entire time but wanted out to see what was going on. She only took a 20 minute nap before some kid came running by screaming and woke her up.

I knew before we went that Caiden was just barely tall enough (about half an inch) to go on some of the kid rides but I had no idea there were so many he could ride all by himself. We were only a few minutes in when we spotted the pony rides, he played it cool through the entire ride. It's so cute, he does this shy face when he knows he's doing something new that we are so excited watching him do it.

After the pony ride we walked around and checked everything out before heading to the kid zone. It was quite impressive. 

The first ride when you walk in is this slide so Caiden and I went on it.

Then came this ride. I really wasn't sure if Caiden would be cool going on it by himself but we gave it a try. You could tell when it started he wasn't sure what he should do -and kind of looked scared. Luckily there was a bigger girl that was in front of him that he could watch and see that she was having fun so he played it cool.

Then he did the mini ferris wheel and was on a roll!

Then Marc tried to go on this ride with him. He got all the way on it  and then Caiden told him to get off, that he wanted to do it by himself. So bittersweet. I kept saying I can't believe how big he's getting. This is his embarrassed, shy face again.

I really can't believe he went on this one and was smiling the entire time. Such an independent boy and not even three years old yet! He was seriously the smallest kid on all these rides and probably the youngest, too.

Digging into his corn on the cob.

On Wednesday Fery had some friends come over to our house that are visiting San Diego from Iran. Grace was so cuddly with Soudi and was giving her nose kisses and rubbing her face all over her face for so long. It was so cute.

On Saturday we went up to Orange County to see the new baby and have lunch with some of Osi's family. My parents were also in town staying with my sister and Dustin so it was a big family affair. First we stopped by to see Theo. Grace was pretty crazy while I was holding him. She was either pulling on my arm or pulling on Theo. I think she's a little more possessive than Caiden was/is. Caiden was all talk. He was talking about baby Theo all day but when we got there he really didn't pay him much attention.

Sara bought Grace this awesome donut skirt!

After spending a little bit of time at Sara's we all went to Marc's uncles house. They hosted a lunch for all of us.

Sunday was Landon's 3rd birthday party. He had a pool party and even Grace got in on the action!

That was all of the adventurous stuff we did while they were here. Here are a couple more random pics that were taken over the last two weeks. So sad to see this vacation end.

2 weeks of fun!

PART 1:

We have had a very, very busy last week over here. Marc's parents came in town last Wednesday and are staying for two weeks. We've been doing so much that I'm going to break this post into two.

They came bearing gifts! The most fun was the bounce house. Caiden was so excited watching it blow up but after a few minutes he asked if his friends could come over. He so badly wanted someone else to come in and play with him. There's only so much an adult can do in there. Grace also loves it so much. Caiden gets a bit rough when she's in there so you constantly have to 'bird dog' him to be careful.

Marc's dad even got in on the human bouncy ball action!

Then, on Thursday, I became an AUNTIE!!!! On Thursday morning around 2am I received a text that Sara's water broke and they were headed to the hospital. By the time I got out of the house and drove up to LA I arrived to the hospital around noon. She had my nephew at 5pm that night. It was one of the coolest experiences in my life...watching him be born. It was so much fun being there and "helping" her push through all the contractions. I'm so happy Sara and Dustin allowed me to be a part of this very special day. Happy Birthday, cousin and nephew Theodore David Soeker!

On Friday Marc's cousin got married. It was a such a fun night and a much needed night out for us. We got a babysitter and it was the first time the babysitter had to feed them dinner and put them to bed. In the past we've always put them to bed before going out. She said Caiden did fine (which is what they always tell you), more importantly they were both alive when we got home so it was a success!

On Saturday there was a day after wedding brunch. It was at his cousin's in-laws house and they have a pool. We brought Caiden's pool stuff and he pretty much just stayed in the pool the entire time. It was perfect.

Grace hung out with Marc's cousin's baby girl, Leah.  She is 5 months old.

On Sunday we went downtown to the Sheraton Marina for Father's Day brunch. It was nice being able to celebrate with both Marc and his father, I just wish my dad could have been there as well.