Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band

So the kids and I took off to the park thursday to listen to some music and they had so much fun running around hitting beach balls watching the show.

The Great Park

Stephanos waiting for the balloon ride

Amelia on the balloon

View from above

For years I have been driving past this big orange balloon you can see from the freeway and have been reading articles about all the amazing stuff that the great park is going to be doing so this past saturday I packed up the kids and decided we should go. Well it didnt disappoint and it was free there was no wait and the kids got to run around in misters, go up in a hot air balloon and ride a carousel-what a fun morning.

Sherman Gardens

So this past week when reading the paper I saw a free guided tour of Sherman Gardens and Library in Newport Beach, well it intrigued me because I had driven down PCH many a time and never even knew there was a library and gardens right on the main road. So I packed up the kids and jumped in the car and proceeded to find this elusive place I had never even noticed. Sure enough there it was on the right side of the road, it even has it's own parking lot. Well we got out and went in not knowing what to expect and you walk throught the gates to be greeted by some beautiful flowers and a wooden otter holding a hose sprinkling water over 4 turtles. Amelia and Stephanos were excited. Each corner had a different suprise. It is such a small place but so big considering it didn't exist just days earlier in my mind. Something you should see even if you haven't ever noticed it before.

Puff the Magic Dragon

Last night Carla and I took the kids to a puppet show in the park outside of the hb library and had a wonderful evening and picnic. Amelia liked it but i think she had more fun on the stage behind the puppet stage dancing and running but wouldnt do a photo op after stephanos wasnt sure what to make of the dragon puppet. Gary met up with us at the end and walking home what a great sunset over the lake.

4th of July

We had an amazing day that started bright and early for me. I participated in the 4th of july 5k run, struggled but didnt stop running. Then I headed home to get jenny and the kids to head to the johnson's for the parade and a day of swimming, BBQ then fireworks our kids passed out around 3 then got a second wind because they love the fireworks!!!!

VBS Picture

It was really nice to go to our churches website to see some of the things the kids did at VBS since we only received limited information from Amelia hey she's three but i wanted a complete synopsis. They had truck come in with ocean life and had a puppet show as well as crafts one of which was a snowglobe. Here is a photo the church posted

Happy 4th of July!!!!

We had a wonderful day celebrating! Strary started with the 5k HB run, then we loaded up and headed to the HB Parade. It was a warm day! Amelia and Stephanos both loved all the floats. Amelia stayed till almost the end! The we walked back to the Johnson's house for a full day of swimming and eats! Amelia watched the kids with their floaties, which she's never wanted to try in the past. Today she did! She was soooooo happy kicking around the pool. "I may never us the raft mommy anymore." Stephanos started jumping into the water, the little dare devil! The day ended with a walk to the beach to watch the fireworks. What a wonderful day! tomorrow Amelia goes to her first VBS!!!! Our little girl with a sack lunch and away for 4 hours! I think mama is nervous:) I'm so proud of her though!

East Coast Trip

My own ocean swimming pool

Walking with purpose, to the beach we go!!

Kickin it at the shore

Lending a helping hand

Adventure in Cooper park

Goofing around at Vito's Pizza

The Hadjiyannis family packed up suitcases and headed out for an east coast adventure.....We spent the first few days in Cherry Hill then headed to the Beach for a week in Ocean City what a cool little place we stayed less than a block from the beach and right at the end of the pier. Far enough away from all the noise but still close enough to go to and have fun.

Getting ready for the Trip

Soon the whole family will be getting on the plane and heading to NJ for a trip to the jersey shore. The kids had to be in tiptop shape for the greek grandparents so they were in rare form for the Skyping last night.

Mountains

Amelia went to the mountains with out mommy, daddy or brother because Stephanos had a fever. The Hegenbart's and Bobar's had Ame on her first sleepover in a timeshare in big bear without us. Carla slept in the room with Amelia and the quote of the night had to be "Nana yoooouuuurrrrr snnoooorrrrring!!!" She also had encounters with many creatures but no fear. It's a fake snake:) We missed her but it was fun being with just stephanos getting all our attention, his fever seemed to break saturday and yesterday he was eating like a champ again. yesterday we had some wierd weather it rained in the morning when we went to church and then it got really sunny and windy so we worked on the yard after lunch planting flowers and cleaning up then we went to the park to fly kites amelia was running around with her penguin kite following her doing tricks she kept trying to get the streamers to hit me what a fun day.