San Diego Weekend

We used Addie's school being closed for Rosh Hashanah (officially referred to as an Unassigned Day by LAUSD) as an excuse to go to San Diego for the weekend. The temperatures were reaching 100 when we got in the car. It might be the only time I would have been glad to be in traffic as it meant air conditioning! Our mini-trip was also another reason to celebrate Eliza's birthday between her actual birth day and her birthday party at our house.  We stayed at Aunt Karen's pad, played at the beach, hunted for hermit crabs at La Jolla Cove and then on Monday spent the day at Legoland. Eliza at 39 inches (90th percentile for height!) is now tall enough to go on most of the rides at Legoland. She and Addie both loved the roller coasters which we went on 5 times in a row.  We saw tons of hermit crabs and seals but less pleasant animal encounter was when I stepped on a live mouse with my flip flop at the Park. It was less alive afterwards. Super ew!  I also somehow forgot to pack shirts for Xavier and clothes for Eliza. Everyone had plenty of socks and underwear though and a Target is never far away.

Hunting for hermit crabs

Eliza The Little Mermaid

Legoland

So long Legoland

Eliza's Ladybug Birthday

Saturday we celebrated Eliza's third birthday (again!) with a ladybug bash in our backyard. Ten of her friends came to jump in the bounce house, eat cake and run around like wild beasts (or pre-schoolers). She loves parties and was beyond excited to have her friends over. Our close friends stayed for the after party too which is really the best reason to have a party at home.


Make a wish and . . .


blow!




An hour and a half before the party started Cap picked up the cake and found a green, brown and orange "rainbow" cake with Happy Birthday Ilisa written on it. I don't think this quick fix version is going to win a spot on the Martha Stewart show but I must compliment Cap for his last minute creative directing using the available talent, such as it is, from our local grocery store.


Ladybug lanterns. Both girls decorated them with dots before the party. They came out great!

The Sumo Match

This is a must see. We were at MOCA to see the Mike D curated exhibit  back in May when we wandered across the street into Little Tokyo because I had read about a temporary zen rock garden installation. We found, much to our surprise, a world champion sumo wrestler as well as our friends. Emi and Addie were shy during the sumo demonstrations but at the very end they both got up their courage to step into the ring as the last match of the day. Thankfully you can't hear me screaming, "Get her, Addie!" from the sidelines.

Bunk Beds

Ah the sleeping saga. Our girls would happily give up their own beds to snuggle up with us in our King. However, in a quest for space of my own, I would end up sleeping in their room at 2 am while they stretched out in my bed.

Addie has been sleeping in and out of our bed since she was a baby. Eliza, never once slept in our bed until she figured out how to climb out her crib at 2 1/2 and refused to sleep in the toddler bed. Hello bunk beds (excellent Craigslist score!). We told the girls that if we got them a bunk bed that they would have to sleep in their own room, in their own beds. That was the rule. No more Mommy and Daddy bed. This rule is sometimes harder on us then on them.

People have passionate opinions about co-sleeping.  I would say that, in theory, I'm all for kids sleeping in their own beds. In practice, that hasn't been the case. The girls are very sweet sleepers and I do like seeing their angelic faces when I wake up. But then again I like more than 8 inches of space to call my own. For the most part the girls have stayed in their beds and we have had to be disciplined about escorting them back to their own beds when someone tries to sneak in at 3 am. I'll even admit I've slept in the top bunk with Addie for a few hours in the wee hours one time. Okay, two times -- reminds me of my days at summer camp. Maybe I'm the one that really wanted the bunk beds.

Happy Birthday Eliza!

Today is Eliza's 3rd Birthday! She's super excited and we are celebrating with molten chocolate lava cakes and presents tonight. We sent her off to school with fruit kabobs (no sugar policy at school so not cupcakes) to share with her classmates. Her birthday party is the 22nd but we are sneaking off to San Diego for a long weekend and a suprise trip to Legoland on Monday since LAUSD is closed.

Happy Birthday to my lovebug!



(the pants were her idea. She is VERY proud she can dress herself now)

Creepy Crawlies

How awesome is this photo (thank you instagram filter)! Sunday we went to the Eco Station for their bug festival. The girls each got to hold some butterflies perched on the end of a sugar soaked q-tip but this butterfly must have thought Eliza was extra sweet.

In addition to the craft tables and a bounce house, they also have an infamous Bug Buffet. For $2 bucks you can eat a a bug and come back for seconds or thirds if you want. Apparently if a bug isn't venomous it's edible. Addie was our brave taste tester eating a sugar and sprinkle coated meal worm. Crunchy she said but she wasn't up for a second helping.

Oh Nuts

Thursday we had Xavier allergy tested. There is good news -- he's not allergic to milk or soy. The bad news is that he is very highly allergic to tree nuts (cashews and hazelnuts especially), highly allergic to peanuts, sesame and eggs, and mildly allergic to lima beans. They aren't able to test for pine nuts, garbanzo beans or lentils which is what he ate that night we landed in the hospital, but based on the rest of his results, we are going to avoid them too. So long hummus!

I'm still digesting what life is going to be like with a kid with food allergies. I'm scared for his safety, terrified the worst will happen and then sometimes I think, you know what, this is manageable. We will need to carry an Epi pen with us and have one at school in case of emergency but otherwise it will just be a lot of label reading. Sesame oil and nuts are hidden in so many foods and eggs can be anywhere, but there is so much he can eat still including meats, vegetables and thankfully most store-bought dried pasta. We have already informed his school that, when it comes to food, we have a zero sharing policy for him. He only eats the food we bring for him - no snacks from school, no birthday cake from parents. I don't want a caregiver to decide if this cracker has sesame or that pretzel has an egg wash on it. We have a lot to learn and maybe his exzema will clear up too. Bonus!

He was such a sweet baby through the skin tests, not bothered at all by the fact he had 10 potential allergens swelling up on his back. What a trooper!

Stick Baby

Eliza drew her first stick figure - baby Xavier. I'm so proud! She's taking more of an interest in drawing and painting lately and here is a lovely watercolor she did recently. She starts pre-school on Wednesday, moving from the infant-toddler building. She is ready for the challenge. Eliza will be in the same room Addie was in, but sadly her beloved teacher Ms. Amy left the school over the summer to pursue a high school teaching career. I haven't met Ms. Lauren, her new teacher yet, but I'm full of optimism. Plus, Eliza will be joining many of her toddler room friends who moved up 6 months ago.