"The Biggest Little City" right in Grandpa & Tutu's backyard

How lucky are we that these two live within driving distance?

And lets not forget this little happy guy too! Hi Winston (Cruz likes to call him Winstie)!

We had fun staying in their new house, waking up at sunrise, learning how to water flowers, having a fun dinner party, relaxing and doing a little bit of this

and this

and ending our visit at a fun little park in Reno where the log ride was a hit for Oshyn (and others that may not have shown their perma grin on their sleeve).

He loved it so much that he went

TWICE!

We left for Lodi straight from the park with tears shed the whole way out of "the Biggest Little City" and the question of, "But when do we get to come back to Grandpa and Tutu's?" We will have to come back soon!!!

Thank you for having us and we love you.

Houdini

Cruz decided that his late night hang out (the crib--in case you were wondering) wasn't "the hot spot" anymore last night.  He usually sings, talks, and rocks from about 8-9:30p nightly.  I know, that's quite sometime, but he's not even 2 and needs to be put to bed by 8 at least...and he's happy in there--or so I thought.  One leg over and a shimmy to the ground--without making a sound. The little munchkin starts coming down the steps and  sticking his little cute face by the stair rail.  Maybe its because it was the first night he climbed out (about 6+ times) or maybe because Oshyn didn't ever try it, but Beau and I thought it was hilarious and before I got home--Beau and Cruz even hung out for a bit.  This morning the usually rocking and uh uh uhing didn't happen.  Why?  Well that little string bean shimmed his way out this morning and the only thing that woke me (and Oshyn) was his struggle with a sticky door.  This guy is definitely his own man.  I say "man" because he still uses an unusually low voice when he talks, so low and gravely even O can't imitate him.

Let the splash season begin!

Yesterday after the boys got home from camping and Oshyn had a warm morning soccer game we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at the pool.  What a fabulous way to spend Saturday.  Oshyn was a fish as usual and Cruz (after getting over the fact that Miss Julie was there to be our friend, not swim teacher) got excited and was swimming a bunch too.  This was our first trial of the underwater case.  I have a feeling there will be many an underwater picture taken these next few months---and movies too.  This is going to be fun!

Father/Son campout

The 2nd Annual Father/Son camp out was a success once again for the city slicker Dad and his Pops. They came out a bit more prepared and as far as I know, had a camp-a-rific good time. Oshyn and Pop Pop shared a teepee & Beau and Cruz shared a wigwam. I'm not sure what sounded better to me, their yummy fajita dinner (Beau is not a novice in the cooking department) or the glow stick covered tennis balls in the launcher.

I had Oshyn convinced that he better stay close to Daddy with him camo-plane pj's on or Daddy might loose him in the wilderness. He thought that was pretty cool--almost like he was invisible.

Ever since the camp out, Cruz has been a bit obsessed with Pop Pop holding him. Whenever Pop Pop is on the phone or we happen to see a car like his, Cruz says, "I wanna hold you!"

This has been a super fun little tradition to start up with the boys.

Small dose of freedom, BIG smile

 We rode our bikes to school today, but I drove to pick Oshyn up.  Whenever I take the car back instead of my bike we just throw his bike in the trunk and call it good.  He was a bit bummed that I didn't ride back, which doesn't always phase me, but today I decided to let him try and ride home alone...semi-alone, that is.  I was driving right next to him, hazards on, but I think he felt like a brand new man.  It was fun to witness him feeling so independent and proud of himself.  Spiderman is growing up in so many ways and it is definitely showing in his high water superhero clothing (Superman and Flash included).  I've stopped fighting the formatting of blogger--too late tonight, happy I finally made a post.

Pleasurable sleeping arrangements

I guess the shirt trick wasn't enough for Cruz last night and 

does this remind anyone else of the Wizard of Oz?

Stepping into reality

This may come as a disgrace to the law abiding citizens out there, but after 5 years in denial of our move to CA (not the 10 days they "suggest"), I went to the DMV this week to submit my Hawaii license.  This was a sad day for me, but the years of holding off most definitely helped keep my eyes dry.  At times it feels like a dream that I lived in paradise.  I have to admit, it was mostly for the expiration date of this summer coming up that I didn't really want to deal with, and also my kids trusty 2nd mother going out of town soon that made me give it up.  I guess I won't be hearing "WHY in the world did you move HERE?" anymore when showing my ID.  Aloha 'oe.    

The new guy

After taking off enough hair to create a wig (summer is coming & he does need to see while swimming) and getting a pair of new specs with a grander prescription (maybe he will be swimming blind anyways), we often have looked around our house recently and wondered who the "new guy" was.  Even Oshyn himself looks in the mirror and is staring at himself.  He definitely looks older, so I will be happy when his locks start to grow a bit and he can be my little boy for a little longer, but change is good too.

*the foot next to Oshyn's hair is from a high school junior...so it is a BIG one--I am not kidding about the wig either* 

Tight squeeze

but still fit!  Cruz and Sophie are two peas in a pod...as long as the one doesn't try to take the others toy or drink out of the others cup.  Couldn't have planned this friendship any better.

A Warm night in Lodi

Cruz took matters into his own hands and had a night bare chested.

1/2 a DECADE

Wow.  I have a five-year-old today.  I can hardly believe it, yet it seems hard to fathom that life was without him only a hand full of fingers ago.  What a fabulous young boy he is.  Oshyn has many superpowers and I'm not just talking Spiderman, Superman or Flash.  He has a heart of gold, a keen sense of humor, a mind of his own, crazy physical abilities, a large amount of brotherly love and an explanation for most everything (plus a bazillion more powers--I only have so much room here).  We love him dearly and I am so thankful for the many moments I just sit back and smile at my life because of him.  

The Mouth Runner

On our drive to the coast this weekend, we left at about 5 pm.  We figured that way the boys could sleep for half of the drive thus making it pain-free for all.  Oshyn was out at about 8, but the Cruz-man, well, he was a different story.  He talked non-stop for HOURS.  No exaggeration.  I kept looking at Beau wondering who this kid was and then for about 5 minutes I wrote down everything he said.  I don't know if I was amazed that he could talk so much with so little response back from the peanut gallery or if I was amazed that this was my second child that had the ability to run his mouth to no end.  Here is a small taste of what we heard from about 9:35-9:40pm... 

 

All my single ladies.

Look!  Triangle!

Jingle Bells (to the tune)

Buddy!

Lambie!

Don't throw it Daddy.

Daddy bonk his head?

Eat it in my mouth?

Look!  2 Big Rigs!

We made it!

Itsee spider...ha ha ha!

No, no, no, I don't like cheese!

Look at my hands going in here!

Oshyn sleeping?

There's a slide...go weeeeee!  (it was pitch black)

That's pretty cool.

Oshyn trying to go ni ni.

Do Chantilly Lace!

Mom, I wanna listen to Teen Angels!

Spiderman!

Look at my hand.

High fives Dad fives!

Do that fives Daddy.

Do that fives Daddy.

Do that fives Daddy.

Daddy driving?

No Mommys driving too Mom.

Let me tell you something Mom.

You get it Mom.

Help put my socks on.

My cars fell down.

Wait wait wait...let me tell you something Mom.

Come see the temple Mom.

No close your eyes Mom.

Mom I want my towel.

Look at temple Mom.

Going bye bye.

(This is the point when I handed him the ipod with a movie on it...whew!  The silence was golden...but don't think I would ever want him any other way.)

This picture is from the way back to Lodi on Sunday.  Same story.  Oshyn slept for about 2 hours and Cruz finally submitted to the heavy eyes with about 45 minutes left.  Wowza.  

NOB-ISMS

Here are some funnies I didn't want to forget from the past few months...

Oshynisms #127, 365-127,369:

"I cannot resist why I'm not feeling good."

"It's lovely!!" (ipod music)

"Those green beans are WICKED good!"

"Amani?"= said whenever he means "aren't I?"

Cruzisms #15,743-15,752:

11/08 "Bathshower!" said whenever he sees bras or underwear...at home or at stores

12/08 "Sure Mom, okay!"  sweet high voice, when he is not being Jekkyl

    "That's cool!"  when something cool happens...obviously :)

3/09   He calls ALL bugs butterflies

    "Already did!"  When asking him to do something he doesn't particularly want to do

    "I wanna hold you."  This means he wants to be picked up

4/09   "Can I whack my balls?" I am too immature to be a parent at times...sorry.  Cruz says this when he wants to play baseball.

    "Can I bonk my head?" Before he takes a nap he asks if he can hit his head on his crib.  How long can he do this without damaging his little noggin?

Spring Training paid off

Cruz came up with this trick on his own.  I am a little biased but this kid never ceases to amaze me.

Caught green handed

This is how I found Cruz this morning.  Hiding behind the bed, rubbing a big fat...excuse me...rubbing TWO big fat bars of soap on his face with a super serious face.  I stood there and watched without him knowing for a little while but then the laughter came bursting out.  Later on when we went to pick up Oshyn from preschool I thought he had yogurt on his face.  Nope.  It was soap scum all over his cheeks, chin and everywhere in between.  

Couldn't wait

Fish boy had been out of the water just a bit too long and at the hint of warmer weather, decided it was time to get in.  I'm not quite as brave (without a wetsuit), so when he asked I just laughed and said "Sure!"  He swears it was warm, but seeing him hyperventilate and make it to the side in record time, I'm a bit suspicious that it wasn't.  Fish boy liked it and just gets us pumped for the season to come...kind of like the smell of sunscreen. 

The Newest member of our family

A friend of Oshyn's passed this on to him--he had outgrown it.  Oshyn has currently worn it three days in a row.  He beams with pride as people in the grocery store, on the street, or at the park know his name.  It's SPIDERMAN!  I hope he can see through the mask when he's riding his bike--so far so good.

Think happy thoughts

Ode to happier weeks when climbing fences and licking trees was funny, green mocos weren't flowing from little raw noses and coughs were just to get someone's attention.   

Seattdoe and the Garage sale bachelorette

Last weekend Beau took the crew up to Seattle (or Seattdoe as Oshyn calls it) for a bit of male bonding experience.  He had his 10 year high school reunion and stayed with his older sister Janaea.  They had a blast--forgot the camera, so who knows what really went on, but I trust them. 

 I stayed in Lodi...by-myself...and worked at a ginormous garage sale for our Young Women.  We raised almost two thousand dollars, which is going to pay for almost everyones entire Girls Camp cost.  I also pounded out as many pages of Cruz's baby book as I could, along with a nice run and wandering in stores as long as I wanted just because I could.  A nice weekend for everyone & even nicer when I picked them up from the airport and out of Cruz's little boy voice I heard, "I missed you Mom".  Fun to be a bachelorette for the weekend, but ONLY because I knew they were coming back. 

Spring Training

Boy are we happy to see buds on the trees and blue, sunny skies.  We have had a lot of rain and welcome with open arms the spring weather.  What goes better with this time of year than a little baseball?  The little men have been honing their skills this past weekend.  Here's a clip of Cruz during batting practice.  

 

I, too, had a little batting practice.  Beau was pitching with Oshyn in the outfield.  Quite a few pitches came my way, but didn't make it past me.  I was having a good  'ol time.  Finally I missed a pitch and Beau commented, "I got you with the change up!"  From then on, if I ever missed a pitch, Oshyn would yell at the top of his lungs, "Got you with the CHAIN SAW!"  What a funny start to a Saturday.  Here are a few pictures from later on in the day...at Target. 

Scrumptious Zucchini Bread

It is hard to find a delectable GF bread-like anything.  After making and trying this, I have new hope for baking.  Not only was it good for me, Beau thoroughly enjoyed it...which proves it is a winner.  There was no crumbling or grainy texture, just a soft, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.  Try it, you won't be sorry.

FYI: I used 1/2 c oil (no applesauce in the house) and oat flour instead of tapioca.  Regular flour would work too I am sure.  It was fine and dandy with those two alterations.  I also dusted the top with powdered sugar.  MMM good.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
• 3/4 cup rice flour
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 Tbsp xanthan gum
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups fresh zucchini, grated
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the eggs until foamy, adding sugar, oil and apple sauce (using wire whip attachment for mixer).
3. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients and then add them to the egg mixture (switch to the flat beater or dough hook attachment) and beat in electric mixer for about 3 minutes or until batter is well mixed and becomes very thick. Add nuts.
4. If baking as a loaf, grease two large loaf pans and fill each 1/2 full. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, testing to be sure the middle is cooked through. If your oven cooks the tops of these loaves too quickly, cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning (after about 25-35 minutes). If you want to use this as a breakfast bread, you can sprinkle the tops with Confectioner's sugar.
5. If baking as muffins, grease and 1/2 fill 24 muffin tins. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, testing to be sure the middle is cooked through.