Beach Trip

For spring break we decided to take the kids camping at the beach. We discovered Doheny Beach last year and decided that's where we would head. The girls had a blast! Here are a few things we did:

Chased Waves

Cooked Over the Fire

Roasted Marshmellows


Flew Kites


Checked Out the Tide Pools


Climbed Trees

While the girls had a great time, Kaleb struggled with sleeping in a strange place and not liking the feel of the sand and gritty ground beneath his hands and knees. We all took turns carrying Kaleb (thanks goodness Cera and Camila were along to share that load!)

As we left today, the girls wondered when we could do it all again, and Frank and I spoke of what we need to bring next time, and what gear we should add to our camping supply. Larissa, in Larissa fashion, when she realized where we were headed, exclaimed, "I don't want to go home!" Poor girl, we always go back home.

Frank and I are happy to be back in our own bed tonight -- not only for the comfort, but because it means Kaleb is in HIS bed. Hopefully he will sleep well, so we can sleep too.

The Cleaning Lady

The other day we were in the toy aisle of the store when Larissa excitedly points and says, "Mommy, look! Cleaning things!" It was a toy cleaning cart. Larissa is my little helper around the house. She loves to help me clean. Maybe it's just a stage, but I'm hoping it's here to stay.

Can't We Just Get Along?

A few days ago, as I was upstairs getting ready for the day, I hear Brenna (who is downstairs) screech and then yell that Larissa is pushing her. My first thought is, "Already?" My response is to do nothing. I wait to see if they can work it out. (It doesn't last long...usually.) Before long, I hear Brenna screaming, "Let me out!" accompanied by scuffling sounds. Then Larissa screams, "I don't want mommy!" -- more scuffling -- "I want out!" -- "I don't want Mommy!" This is not normal. So I go to investigate.

They are in the computer room with the door locked. Obviously, Brenna wants out and Larissa doesn't. Apparently, they are pushing and pulling each other, trying to ensure they get their way. They had worked themselves into a frenzy and couldn't seem to stop the madness. I start laughing. The door has a key lock, but we don't have a key(It was that way when we moved in). So, I kneel in front of the door and say, over the screaming, "unlock the door." That's my mantra, "Brenna, unlock the door." -- crash -- "I can't!" --"Larissa open the door." on and on. The drama was high, but no one seemed to actually be getting hurt. It was slightly horrifying, but still funny. "What if they never opened the door?" - "What if someone really were hurt?" - "Frank is going to take the lock off this door." - "How long can this go on?"

Finally, Brenna wins, and they come out. No bruises, no more screaming, just tired out girls. Crazy!