36 hr getaway

Chet and I had to make a last minute trip to the Brazilian consulate in Los Angeles (long story, passport issues for Julia's upcoming trip to Brazil). While we were there, we also made the kids full Brazilian citizens- dual citizenship like I have and they are allowed to have as well. And we applied for marital status (in Brazil) as well which links us all together by Brazilian law and makes it easier to travel as a family. All of this isn't *necessary* but a legal link to their Brazilian heritage and a neat opportunity!

We invited the kids to come with us but they declined after learning of the drive time and quick turn around. Thank goodness- Bella can barely make it to the freeway without whining! :)

Anyway, Chet and I took full advantage of our trip. We went to Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Blvd to see the stars and "stars". (This one was for the kids)

After the long morning at the consulate (phew!), we continued our Brazilian day by shopping at the Brazilian grocery store and stuffing our faces with Brazilian pizza (which is so yummy!).

Indescribable dessert pizza. I may or may not have had 5-6 slices!

Before heading home, we stopped by a few nurseries to feed Chet's addiction of fruit trees and plants. And that concludes our fun (yet tame) trip!
It's amazing that we did all of that in less than 24 hrs in LA.

*one funny side note. All the way home I teased Chet about us being legally married in 2 countries. Hypothetically, should we ever divorce, we'd have to travel to Brazil together and finalize the divorce there too OR stay married forever under Brazilian law. I teased him that I'd forever remind his 2nd wife that I was still married to him. I think I scared him straight with my ideas! :-)

Wonder Twins 2.0

We lovingly call Bella and her cousin Brennan the Wonder Twins. They are inseparable, live in their own little world and sometimes get into trouble together. I think we have a Wonder Twins 2.0 on our hands. Now that Camille is almost 3 (!), the age difference between her and cousin Isaac doesn't seem so big anymore. Camille used to be the bothersome little cousin but now they are becoming best buds!

We met up with Isaac and Keeley at My Gym and these 2 had so much fun on these bouncy balls. I don't know what's up with Camille's weird face- I think she didn't want to stop bouncing for a picture.

And they're off again!

Farm fresh

We recently got to tour Shamrock Farms dairy farm near our house. I mostly buy Shamrock organic milk since it's local (well, our only local choice) and seeing this farm's operations made me even more supportive of them. Chet is still on his "let's live on a farm and live off our own produce and livestock" kick but for now we'll have to resort to buying from the store. :-)

Okay, back to the fun excursion... It was so much fun and so eye opening to all that goes into getting milk! My mom was visiting for the week and was able to come with us.

It was so neat to see the milking operation as it was happening. The milk being pumped would be on the store shelf the next day!

Camille and my mom feeding the calf.

Green thumbs

We are still having such fun (and success!) with our garden. We harvest from it every day- we have lettuce coming out of our ears.
Notice the pots in the background? Chet has started a mini farm and is growing peaches, grapes, blueberries, and raspberries. The peach tree already has a bunch of blossoms that will be ready to eat in a few months. I grew up with a huge producing peach tree in our backyard so I am ready for peaches!

Ode to summer

I LOVE summer! Yes, it's stinkin' hot (in the words of my girls) but I love not having school, staying in our pj's past 7am, and all the fun we have. The girls and I have been practicing for summer during our President's Day holiday today.

Julia and Bella spent hours on their scrapbooks (a Christmas gift) while Camille and I enjoyed the company of our borrowed pets.
*They don't normally live in a cardboard box but it's the only way to allow
them to be outside without slowly walking off.

The best part of my job is coordinating the indoor baby tortoise habitat. During the first few months of these cute little creature's lives, they lived at our house while their habitat was being completed. I brought them home again for this 3 day weekend so they could be well taken care of. The girls love taking care of them and so do I! I have always wanted a tortoise but given the fact that they live 80 yrs, I am no where near ready to commit to a pet for that long yet!

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday too!

Daddy Daughter dance 2012

Bella & Julia went to the Daddy Daughter dance with Chet last weekend. To say that Bella was excited is a huge understatement. It was her first dance with Daddy, her first corsage and a chance to dance (the girl loves to groove!).

The girls got to each wear something special from my jewelry box. Bella wore the pearl clip that I wore at our wedding (her eyes lit up when I told her that!) and Julia got to wear a special gold necklace of mine.

The girls looked so pretty and Chet was so handsome! When they got home, Bella's hair was soaked in sweat and her face was beet red from her 2 hrs of straight dancing (according to Chet). After seeing the video that Chet shot, I can see why Bella was exhausted- she never stopped moving! Julia was a little more subdued- she loved being with Chet and dancing with her friends.

Under pressure

Julia was chosen to represent her school's Academic League (4th and 5th graders). Even with weekly after school practice and extra homework, Julia is so excited to be part of this team!

Yesterday was the first competition and I'm not sure who was more nervous- me or Julia. Her team did so well and won! Julia answered 1 right (and knew many of them) for her team. She was so hesitant to buzz in first, for fear that she was wrong. You could see her little hand on the buzzer, just wanting to buzz in! We are going to work on her confidence for next time. We are so proud of you Julia!
Julia's good friend and teammmate, Imani.

Jackie (Chet's mom) and the family were all there to be Julia's personal cheering squad!
*Notice Julia's collection of good luck necklaces. :)