Geese don't have hands...

We only have one car. Which worked out okay when we lived in Mayberry because we could walk any where we needed to in our town. We now live in the city and since I have regular office hours it's become more complicated for us. Marcus, Eli, and Emmy have been going a little stir crazy so they drove me to work today.

Emerson was so excited because she thought she was going to work with me, Eli thought he was going to school, and they were both incredibly disappointed when they discovered they weren't even getting out of the car. Poor babies.

Their sadness was short lived because Marcus took them to a children's museum and "mini zoo" and they had hours of fun.

Marcus mentioned that they both were intrigued by the geese for different reasons.

Emerson just decided that she would mimic the goose. The goose made a noise, Emerson made it back. The goose shook it's head Emerson did the same. Every move the goose made Emmy did it back. This has been her new thing lately. I catch her mimicking me all the time.

Eli on the other hand is an observer. He likes to study things and try to figure them out. He has a great memory because he pays close attention to everything around him (I think this is why he walks so incredibly slow he's got to take the world in).

This morning offered him the chance to study a goose close up. His question to Marcus, "Where the geese hands is daddy?" Haha 3 year olds are cute. Marcus answered, Eli asked why, Marcus answered Eli asked why. 

They also saw some bats which where kept in a cave area. Eli & Emerson in describing their morning to me called it the "too dark" the bats where in the "too dark"

They loved it.

The climbed...

And where spiders on a web,

And made silly faces at their dad

And had a great morning.

Later they all brought me lunch at work. So even though the day started out as a dissapointment everything ended up being okay. They're both still adjusting to my working full time again.

I really really hope we can find a way to make sure they can go to preschool. Their preschool is at my church, it's a great program, and I think they will love it. Here's hoping and praying Marcus can find work. 

Before she sleeps...

Emerson wasn't quite ready for sleep when we put her to bed, so Marcus put up a little reading light so she could write.

A few minutes later we went to check on her and found this...

I guess she was tired after all. Marker in hand, notebook, and of course piggy. My sweet girl.

Some Family Pictures...

I officiated my first wedding a couple of weeks ago. My camera died so I didn't get any pictures but a friend of mine emailed a few of the pictures she took.

The wedding was at Vineyard in Wine Country, CA. It was gorgeous.

My silly girl. Ever attached to her mama

Again with her "cheese" face on.

Mama and her babies. Again notice Emerson's attachment. Eli looks a little bored with the whole thing.

And our whole family. Look how gorgeous it is. Beautiful setting for a wedding. Plus my kids are super cute!

Disney Day #4...

Finally, our last day in Disney. On our 4th and final day in the parks we decided that Eli & Emerson had to be allowed to sleep until they woke up on their own. We really pushed them the previous three days with late bedtimes and early wake-up times and they did great, but Marcus and I were exhausted so I can only imagine what they must be feeling.

It ended up being a great decision on our part. They slept until about 10am and then after breakfast we headed back over to the park.

We waited in line to meet Rapunzel. Out of all the Disney characters and princesses this was the only movie Eli & Emmy had seen.

The loved her. Especially Emmy.

Emmy didn't want to let go.

More hugs

And the whole family

A quick Walk with Snow White

And we ran into the fairy godmother too.

And this white rabbit guy.

Eli & Emerson had cotton candy for the first time. When we handed it to them, they weren't sure what to do with it, and didn't believe me when I told them they could eat it. However, once they did they were hooked. Good thing they had lots of cousins willing to share.

This picture is kind of a joke. When we went to disneyland 10 years ago as seniors in high school some guy stood next to this statue and said, "you did it Walt, you did it."

Of course as ridiculous 18 year olds we thought this was hilarious. So I had to go and tell Walt that he did it. (The sign on the statue says "I think most of all what I want Disneyland to be is a happy place where parents and children can have fun together." ~Walt Disney)

We did have a lot of fun.

The rest of the day we went on some other rides with Eli & Emmy, later in the day we met back up with my Aunt and she took the kids so Marcus and I could use our fast passes or Indiana Jones and Space Mountain and then we headed over to California Adventure. We hit up as much as we could (but avoided Cars land). Cars land had only been open for a few days when we were there and it was crazy. I had no desire to enter into the crazy. I figure we'll go to Disney again someday and we'll see it when the big appeal dies down a little.

A family picture in front of the castle and Tinkerbelle showed up.

Marcus and I giving Disney a thumbs up (the photographer made us do it) haha.

The very last thing we did was ride on the roller coaster "Screamin" with my cousins. So fun. It's been a long time since i was on what I consider to be a "real" roller coaster.

I loved, loved, loved, Disneyland and can't wait until we can go back again. This time maybe in the fall.

Eli & Emerson still talk about Disneyland and the Princesses that they got to meet. Lots of fun. 

Remember the scene...

from Cinderella when the little mouse Gus-Gus is trying to pick up a bunch of the chicken feed. He uses his chin for leverage and stacks as many as they can only to have them all fall again.

This is by far my favorite scene in the movie (random I know, but I love it). When I was younger I often tried to duplicate his strategy using a variety of things, just to see how much I could carry.

Eli's never seen the movie but he sure did nail the skill:

I was so amused when he came out of his play room carrying his blocks just like GusGus haha. 

Eli didn't quite understand my amusement he kept asking, "what mom?"

On a different note in the latest on funny things my kids say. I have a tendency to call Emerson a little turkey. I have no idea why I just do.

The other day she was begin silly and I said, "Stop being a little turkey"

And she looked and me and said, "you're a ham" 

Then she said, "I not a turkey, I'm just a Emmy" funny girl.

Disney Day #3...

Day three was another early morning (but not as early as day #1). Eli and Emerson now had an idea about what Disneyland entailed and they were excited to go back and see some Princesses.

But first we started our day at Toontown. We got to the gate right as it was opening and Mickey and Minnie Walk down to let everyone in. 

Then we met Mickey. (Emmy still wasn't into hugging the characters). This would change soon.

Then we got the whole family involved and spent some time touring Mickey's house. (Which is actually what Eli calls him. Instead of Mickey Mouse he says Mickey House)

Hanging out on the dog bed

Eli loved this camera (he loves all camera real or fake)

Riding in Mickey's car. A big highlight. Eli kept saying, "I ride in Mickey's car but you too big"

Then over to Minnie. Emmy loved Minnie and had no problem giving her a hug. I think maybe it's because Minnie had on a dress. Emmy does love her dresses.

Tea party time.

Then we met goofy. Eli handed goofy is puppy, and goofy gave it a big lick.

Emmy was willing to stand next to him but only with Marcus

And then we got in line to meet the Princesses. It actually wasn't a bad wait only about 30 minutes and they were very patient. It was so worth it. 

The both loved loved loved the princesses. Even now they still talk about them, and Emmy had no problem hanging out with them. We met Belle

And Jasmine

And Princess Tiana who was Eli's very favorite. He saw her and said, "I go see that princess"

Then we went and had a dance lesson with Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty

Eli loved it and closely followed Snow White where ever she went.

Then we met some more new friends and by this point Emmy had it figured out and didn't have a problem with any of the characters.

Mickey & minnie changed their clothes

We also went to a dance party with some of the "Lesser" seen characters. Emmy & Eli would have danced all day if we would have let them.

We headed over to California Adventure in the afternoon to go and watch the Aladdin Show. It was so well done and Emerson loved it. She was captivated the entire time. Eli on the other hand was scared as soon as they turned down the lights so Marcus had to leave with him.

This was one of my favorite acts. The Newsboys. It made me wish I was involved in music theater. 

After the parade in California Adventure we went back to the hotel for a break because the park was getting really busy and we were all hot and tired.

We headed back to Disney that night and I honestly don't really remember what we did. It was crazy busy, people everywhere and it was hard to move. Our entire group rode on the Tram, and we shoved ourselves into an over filled car. They almost didn't let Marcus on with the stroller but were all sitting on each others lap.

Unkie (what I call my uncle) and Emerson look a little bit tired on the tram.

I think the other people we shoved ourselves on their with were less than amused by our huge group of 18. The previous day my cousin decided that as a means to determine if we were all present and accounted for, we should have a roll call system. We were each assigned a letter in which we were suppose to spell Disneyland.

The entire phrase was suppose to be "D-I-S-N-E-Y-L-A-N-D Let's All Go"

(The babies didn't get a let to call) It never worked out at all but it didn't stop us from trying.

We got back to the hotel late, and we had to go to a different room because our room's air conditioner wasn't working. Eli & Emerson were so tired from the long days and so were Marcus and I.

And that was Day #3. Lot's of Disney Fun!

Disney Day #2 Hollywood...

Our second full day at Disney wasn't at Disney at all (which I recommend doing). Taking a day away from the park is good.

The big extended family group of 18 decided we'd take a day and do a tour of Hollywood. We rented a Hummer limo which comfortably sat all of us (including the 3 in carseats) and off we went.

Eli was ready to go and he insisted on bring his mickey ears

As did Emerson.

And the other little carseat friend Maecyn (I have no idea how to spell her name) My cousin's daughter.

We went and saw some stars. I was surprised at how run down so much of this area is. There were stars  on the sidewalk by a pep boys. I wonder if those one were cheaper to purchase. 

The Hollywood sign off in the distance.

And this place...

Our ride for the day.

We spent some time at the Greystone Mansion

My cousin and Eli

Eli & Emerson ran up and down that path multiple times

The patio area of the Limo

We ended the day with some time at Venice beach. Where we had lunch

On the grass with crazy seagulls circling us

Emmy had a large snow cone

And my girl loved loved loved the beach and the ocean. We went into the water and she had no fear. She kept trying to let go of me. It scared me so much. I had all these horrible images of her begin swept away by a wave. She would have stayed all day.

Our family on the beach

They were exhausted by the time we drove back home for the evening. 

And that was day #2.