Brand Park...

So today I decided I needed to go somewhere I felt like home. So much craziness lately, and each day I feel as if I am forgetting who I am. I really need to get me back away from all the sadness that has been going on for the past 2 months. I needed to go way way back! So I put myself back to Nicky and Jacobs age.

When I was there age I used to go to Day care and in the summer it was the best because we always went places and did activities. So many great memories. I loved going to Brand Park each week. We would walk up to the park and have our sack lunch. Then we would go swimming in the children's wading pool, play in the playground. And when all were good we would go to the Japanese Tea house and see the Koi fish (this was a treat!)

So today I tell the boys we are going to do what I used to do on Mondays in the summer when I was your age. They were so excited something "new"for them. Which has made me decide we are going to have weekly schedules I am making my own summer day camp for them! I want them to have fun and have great memories of summer, and I want to share them with them.

Before we go to the park I take them down my old street, Thompson Ave. Wow that street was not as small as I remember I remember just crossing the street seemed like forever. Nope I passed it! LOL Well we went back and showed them. They asked if we could move there. I said no but maybe we could by a house further up if they begged Daddy. They thought that was cool. we arrive around 11 a.m. at the park no one there. And the worst that I feared had happened too, The wading pool wasn't open today. They were OK with it, but made me promise to bring them back one day. I am more than happy too.

So next thing thing to do play at the playground. Man it has changed def not like before. It used to be wood with these huge bridges! So much fun! Now it is like any other playground. They would have loved the bridges. Oh well :(

We had lunch unlike I had planned. I was hoping to lay the blanket out and have a picnic HA! Caleb was hungry after 10 minutes of playing so I gave him his sandwich. Then the others followed and we kind of just ate sitting on the bench. Oh well we ate lunch. Remember this!

They played a total of maybe 40 minutes. From there I said are you guys ready for the special treat? Oh yeah they were now I had to warn them it wasn't food and it wasn't super exciting it was just something to look at and to please not be noisy.

So we got in the car and drove across the parking lot to the Tea House. We went inside and they were so happy to see the big Koi and on top they have turtles now! I do not remember these turtles. So cool! We were there for about 20 minutes. Walking back to car they all said thank you mommy for taking us here. it was so nice. They really enjoyed it it wasn't much but it made me feel good because they enjoyed my memories.

So I told them next we would drive by my school Balboa Elementary. What a sad site one of the blacktops with the playground was now full of trailers. Still loved seeing the old school though.

I told them ok one last stop where my mom would always take me. We drove to McDonald's I pulled in and they said mom can we go inside. I said yes since today was a special day and I used to with my mom. They always want to go inside I never do. To my surprise remodeled too. Much nicer but alot smaller. Now remember we had lunch already?! Well I let them each get a Happy Meal. They all ate them except Caleb it was ok.

We had a good time being together. It was a such a easy flowing day with them no fighting no crying. This is another reason for my summer camp with them. They enjoy exploring and learning new things, and I really enjoy hanging with them. I needed today very bad. They did too I think. Thank you my 4 little monkeys for being such wonderful boys today. I love you!

Starting Summer Fun!

Our first visit we had no idea what to expect. All I knew was it was 2 and 3 dollars to get in, you have to be there early or you wait in line, and that they had a 0 entry pool , and a waterslide. Well we decided to go with our friends the Paits and it opened at 11, well we ended up getting there at 11:30 after we had to stop at Babies R us to get Swimmers lol



We arrive and as we all get in we are the cut off for capacity wow talk about timing!

The place inside is great they have the 0 entry so we can just sit and let Brody hang out, and then they have a playground , and a huge water slide not too mention the other side with a pool and diving boards.

All the kids loved it including all the grownups such a great place. Nicholas got to go on the big kid slide. I had separation anxiety because he could go all by himself :(

Jacob played I barely saw him, and Caleb he was in HEAVEN!!! Jumping into foot deep water he thought he was so great!

Brody enjoyed himself too much! He would crawl into the water till it got in his face, such a fun site to watch, he continued to do it over and over.

All of us took home one thing...a Sunburn. Especially Mondo. But we definitely look forward to the next time. I highly suggest going it is super cheap just get there when it opens. The line got huge FAST!