Lemons 2 Aid

A classmate from high school started a wonderful organization (Lemons to Aid, teaching kids how to help others) and we decided to join in the fun of teaching the boys about giving back and helping those affected by the Tsunami. We joined with 2 other families and set up camp outside Ralph's one morning.

Our little setup!

Our children, graciously asking for donations as people come from the parking lot to innocently buy groceries. They didn't know what was ahead!

Matt, Jonathan and Waylon, hanging out at the entrance, nabbing people as they finished their shopping!

All hands on deck for this important cause!

At one point, chairs were moved to the front door!

Haley, Anna and I tried to wrangle the kids, and keep them from crossing the line into harassment. Luckily no one felt we got that far, and they were throwing money at us left and right! Cute kids and a great cause work every time!

Ryan was such a ham for the camera, while Matt wound down a bit with some play dough.

The big brothers in this venture talked with everyone that passed, but all 3 of them were captivated by Sophie and her owner. Little did we know that Sophie and her daddy walk on the trail behind our house almost daily and we see her frequently. Matt shocked the owner by calling her by name and saying hi through the fence as they walked by over a week after the lemonade stand. Kid's got a crazy memory for things!

Matt and Waylon rested while we started clean up. Although they look tired, they never stopped asking for donations to "Help the people of Japan!"

Avalon, Noah, and Jonathan, the littlest helpers of the day, made a camp outside the front door.

Teamwork was essential to filling all lemonade orders!

We couldn't believe the wonderful response we had. We raised $150 and the boys and I took our donation to The Red Cross the next week. They were grateful for the donation and all of the children received pencils, a pin, and a certificate with their name on it as a thanks for their donation. Thanks to Melissa and Lemons to Aid for the wonderful start of a life long of teaching our children to help others!

Picnic at the Beach

The boys and I packed up a picnic lunch, intending on meeting some friends at the playground around the corner from our house, but they were sick and cancelled. So, we decided to take our picnic on the road... to the beach!

We parked and ate near the car (so I didn't have to lug so much down to the beach!).

Tough guy Matt in his Spiderman glasses, urging his brother to finish his chips and get ready to play!

While I finished my lunch, the boys ran, kicked off their shoes, rolled down the hill, practiced sliding around, and I am sure much more!

Man down!

A graceful fall!

A game of chase/who is going to get to ______ first began and it was time to head to the beach. My restless boys!

See, lugging lunch to the beach would have been a bit much with all the other stuff they talked me into bringing! Matt's pointing at the train going by us as we played in the sand.

It was a great day, and an introduction to the frequent realization of sand in their beds after nap time. With the smiles that precede it, I think I can handle the sand in their beds!

Whale Festival

In March, shortly after our arrival back in California, Dana Point had their annual Whale Festival. We decided to take the boys for the parade. Though they were quickly ready to go home and play at the playground, a few things did pique their interest.

Firetrucks rarely go unnoticed!

What's a parade without a big floating whale?

This little boy photobombed us with a tootsie roll wrapper oragami. He cracked me up! Notice the pirate behind us.

Our boys, looking like they were going to jump into the parade any minute. Anxiously awaiting what was heading over the horizon.

Woodies!!!