So Long Summer...

School is officially here...at least for Masyn! Zain has one more week before the fun comes to an end!

Tomorrow Masyn will be entering the First Grade...crazy! Although if you met her, you'd think she was going into Fourth Grade!! To get ready for the big adjustment (waking up early, staying in school an extra 2 1/2 hours, the big kid playground, etc.) I have been staying up late doing lots of prep work! Mornings in our house are no fun...well, I guess I should just say when it comes to getting Masyn out of bed, it is a CHALLENGE! We have tried everything under the sun to get this girl out of bed peacefully. She lets her loud, annoying buzzer alarm ring for 20 minutes before she even bats an eye. She will easily go without breakfast if it means sleeping in for an extra 10-20 minutes (although I always pack her something to go, afterall breakfast is the most important meal of the day). So this year we are trying something new!!

Daddy Dollars...every morning she gets up on time, gets ready and does her morning chore she gets daddy dollars! And these are no ordinary dollars, they have daddy on them! And to top it off, they can buy much cooler things than real money!In addition to Daddy Dollars, I wanted to welcome Masyn home from First Grade with something special...her own "Homework Hideout". A place where she can do her homework without interuptions that is made especially for her! She's got supplies, school pictures, incentive charts and post-its to add her own touch to the board! WELCOME FIRST GRADE!!

Two Front Teeth

Masyn lost her 2 front teeth within 2 days of each other! Dad pulled the first one and mom pulled the second. It was my first tooth I'd ever pulled (it is usually Dad's job) and it was quite satisfying I have to admit! The thing had been hanging there for 2 days too long and it was definitely bothering her! She looks sooooo cute with her little toothless smile now and it is so funny to hear her talk. Our baby's growing up! Ahhhhh!

Camp Joy!

Changing the lives of homeless children one heart at a time is basically what Camp Joy is in a nut shell! Last week the kids and I (dad had to work at his new job) got to experience what giving back is truly all about. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights camping and mentoring to homeless children at Green Valley Lake. The kids came from all over Orange and LA County and ranged in age from 4-16 years old. We were paired up with a 5 year old boy from Costa Mesa named Mekhi (how weird is it that Nick and I used to have a dog with this same name!?!)

The entire experience was challenging at first I will admit, but after a day all of the kids had definitely won my heart over. We spent four days just enjoying and living life with kids who honestly appreciate all the small things. There is so much we take for granted weekly, daily and by the minute. But after experiencing Camp Joy, and coming home to my own bed, car and belongings I am truly grateful for all that God has blessed me with. Especially the people in my life... my amazing husband, silly kids, great family and friends. This is what it is truly about! It is about being grateful, thankful and humble for what God has given and provided us with and above all giving back to others!

Too Cool!

Zain had his last skateboarding lesson at the Etnies Skate Park in Lake Forest. After 4 short lessons he is finally riding all by himself...we are so proud of him! He started off a little nervous and now we can't get him off his board. He rides it when he wakes up at 6am through the house, he rides it after school in the backyard and he rides it before he goes to bed at night through the house once more. In fact, we had to put a ban on skateboards in the house because he was crashing into every wall while trying to do some crazy trick he would make up. He even already got his first black eye from skating. We went to the skate park one evening and he fell into a concrete step....ouch! But he took it without a single tear (you could tell he was trying really hard not to cry in front of the older boys) and got back on his board!He still has a ways to go, but he definitley has the basics down for 4 years old! Oh ah...in addition to learning to skate he feels the need to address everything and everyone one with "dude"! He is just too cool!

Take a peek at the videos below!

Finally...on Two Wheels!

Yeahhhhh!! Masyn finally learned to ride a bike without training wheels! Although, I only recall her ever riding a bike with training wheels maybe all of 2 times! If it were up to her she would probably skip the whole bike thing and just go straight to driving a car!! But dad wasn't havin' it. He was determined to teach Masyn to ride in one day, and he was successful believe it or not! He had a little wager going with her...if she could make it to the gate then he would buy her a new bike. TIME TO PAY UP DAD!!

Our Little Skater Dude!

Zain started skateboard lessons tonight! He recently got a new big boy skateboard and has been soooo excited for his first lesson...in fact, he slept with his skateboard and attempted to ride it every morning when he woke up at 6 am. I thought he was going to break his arm before lessons even started, he was on his board so much! It was pretty cute! But when tonight actually came, a little bit of fear set in. With the help and confidence from his coach he did great though (especially for his first lesson). He can't wait for the next one now! I'm sure he'll be doing ollies in no time...hehe!!

New Beginings

Nick said good-bye to his job of 6 1/2 years at The Montage Resort & Spa on Tuesday night...and hello to his new position as General Manager at Nick's Laguna Beach restaurant! There were so many mixed emotions for him, but above all we welcome this new chapter into our lives with excitement, rejuvenation and passion. He said farewell with a huge party and lots of fun, food, drinks and dancing with good friends. It was a great night and it truly meant the world to Nick to see how much he was going to be missed by everyone at The Montage.