The more things change...the more they stay the same...

Car Show and Tea Time

Last weekend we did something for the first time...split the kids up on outings. It was the first time they have been apart, other than the occasional doctors apt when one is sick...even then, most of the time I take both with me. But the Car Show was in town and Young really wanted to take Timo. So I decided to take Cameron out on our first tea date. It was quite the ordeal and we can decide if we need to do it more often or if it's just too much trouble.

First off we had to move one of the car seats out of our big car and put in Young's car. Then there was a huge melt down by Cameron because Timo got to ride in Daddy's car and she couldn't. The small backpack of diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes, etc had to be split into two bags...ugh, it was a hassle. Not to mention the 10,000 times Cameron asked "Where's brother?" "Where's Timo?" "Mommy, where's my brother?"

But we did it and I think it was a good thing. The boys had fun at the car show and Timo even talked his daddy into buying two little cars for him.
And Timo got to do a little test driving too...start them young as his Daddy says...

While the boys were being boys, the girls were having fun on the other side of town at the new Citizen Cake location. For those of you who didn't know, I was the pastry chef at Citizen Cake for 12+years...before the kiddos came. Cameron and I tried out their new location on Fillmore street with my good friend Annelise. We had to test out the cupcakes...of course. And I love, love, love how much Cameron loves tea! She was really into the whole tea service, tea pot, stirring the tea and drinking like a "big girl." I can't wait to take her to fancy afternoon teas!

All in all it was a great morning being one on one with the kids, so easy taking just one kid out! I was amazed at how fast we got in and out of the car, how fast we walked to the restaurant and back and how nice it was to focus on just one sweet little face and one sweet little conversation at a time. I think we'll have to do it more often, just get a better system down. And I know having some time apart from each other was good for the kids too. Cameron nearly tackled Timo with a the biggest hug ever the second he walked in the door!

Operation Christmas Child

We had Operation Christmas Child at our church last weekend and it was a huge success. Our church wanted to pack at least 200 boxes and we ended up with close to 250! Just think of all the little lives we can impact with such a simple and fun task. The church supplied enough toys/supplies for 50 boxes and we prayed for our church family to supply the remaining 150 boxes...our God is good!

The packing party was the night before and I had hit up the Dollar Store for enough supplies for our family to pack two boxes, one for each of the kids to pack. I was a little nervous taking the kids to the packing party...thinking they would want to play with the toys more than pack them in shoe boxes. But as I'm learning more and more, talking about it way ahead of time helped a lot. I started telling the kids we were giving toys to little children who didn't have any toys because we loved them like Jesus loves us and Jesus loves all the little children. I talked about it and talked about so by the time we got to the packing party the kids were so excited, they couldn't wait to pack the boxes. Timo was a little sad that he couldn't actually give it to the little boy he was packing it for...guess I forgot to mention that we were sending them half way round the world!

Here are some pictures of our packing party. I'm so proud of the Timothy and Cameron...they had such loving hearts when packing. I hope some seeds were planted in their hearts for giving an loving others.




After we finished packing our two boxes we started on some supplied by the church. There was several tables of "loot" laid out around the room and prewrapped boxes. We just needed to make our way round the room, load them up and put a tag on them.

Then it was time for a little pizza and a special little cupcake treat for a job well done!

Baby's Got New Shoes

For the holiday pictures we went to Target that morning to get some new shoes and the kids couldn't wait to get home to try them on. Even though we don't wear shoes in the house, I let them play in them because they were new and hadn't gotten all dirty yet.
This is one of those pictures where as soon as Timo saw the camera he leaned over and put his arm around Cameron, shouting "cheese!" I love how Cameron's belly is hanging out of her t-shirt...
I also got Cameron two new headband on sale and it's a good thing...as soon as timo saw her shinny new headband, he needed on too. He thinks he's a pirate with it on...go figure...
There's something so fun about new shoes. They had to check out everything about the shoe, examin the bottoms, lace and unlace them, buckle and unbuckle...they must get that from their Mommy!
I was having trouble getting them to sit still for one last photo so I turned on the TV...worked like magic...just chillin' in our new shoes and sparkly headbands!

Picture Perfect!

I've learned the key to success with most outings involving the kids is talking it up days, if not weeks, in advance. When we decided we were going to do holiday pictures of the kids, I started talking about the big camera and new clothes days before our actual appointment....and we had a successful photo shoot!

I received a coupon in the mail for Picture People so I thought I would give them a try. I've never tried them but have heard good things and really like the fact they have your pictures ready to go same day. Luckily we went on a Wed. and the place was empty. I took the kids' clothes with us and changed once we got there (didn't want to take any chances) and off we went behind the curtain. Because I had talked about it so much, the kids were so excited about having their picture taken, they were such the little hams!

Again, I had a lot of pictures so I built collages to help manage space. If anyone (Grandpa) would like to download a single photo from a collage, just email me and let me know and I'll email you the photo(s).

Flu Shots!

The kids and I went together to get our flu shots last week. Cameron was such a big girl, the first to jump in the chair and no crying! Timo was a little scared when he saw the shot but was fine as soon as it was over. We all got stickers and band aids to match...Yeah!! Who knew getting a shot could be so fun!

(I'm holding the camera out in front of us so it took about 10pics to get one good one!)

Day At Giant's Stadium

Last Saturday we were invited to a little World Series party at Giant's Stadium by our friend Bobby who is an executive for the Giants. He wanted to have a celebration for all his friends and family that had supported him and the Giants over the past few years....how thoughtful is that?? But amazingly, we ended up thanking him over and over for the opportunity to be in the stadium and partake of all the luxuries the park had to offer. He had so many surprised in store for us that made the day one of the best of our lives!

As you can see, my blog is a little different today. We took over 100 pictures and I really wanted to post ALL of them but that would have taken forever. I started playing around with Picassa and discovery the "collage" feature...so enjoy...

We took the kids gloves and make sure we got a few games of catch in. The kids could not get enough of throwing the ball. I really feel like they understood the significance of being able to play catch and run the bases in this now historic ball park. Their excitement level was higher than I've ever seen...such a heart warming experience as a parent to see.

Timo Pitching from Sara ko on Vimeo.

Running the bases and just soaking it all in...

Timo running the bases from Sara ko on Vimeo.

Cameron running the bases from Sara ko on Vimeo.

One surprise Bobby had for us was player Andres Torres! He was so gracious to take photos with each one there. The next surprise...being able to go in the dugout! Wow! And Cameron's favorite thing...meeting Louseal, the Giant's mascot.

After playing catch and running bases, we headed to the pitcher's mound to toss a few pitches. Young got Timo a Giant's baseball and had Andres sign it...Timo now sleeps with the ball every night!

And there was ball park food! Cameron went back for seconds of hot dogs!!

But by far, the most amazing event was being able to see and touch the Championship trophy! Bobby was such a gracious host and catered to every detail of the day. The scoreboard was going with images of the World Series celebration, inspiring worship music was playing over the stadium sound system and even gave us a discount in the Giant's store for that day. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough but that's all I can think to say over and over...Thank you Bobby!

Daddy's Helpers

Young was putting up some new track lighting in our hallway a few weeks ago which required a trip to Home Depot and some little helpers! The kids LOVE to go to Home Depot because the shopping carts are shaped like race cars...so it's a no brainer to take them along. This particular Saturday, Home Depot was having a kids day of fire a safety. All the kids got stickers, coloring books, fire hats and little HD aprons with their name on it. So cute!

As you can see, Timo couldn't wait to get home to put his tools in his pockets...while Cameron just put anything she could find.

All set and ready to go! Young was very good and very patient about letting the kids sit and "help" him. Such a good Daddy!

San Diego Roundup

Our time in San Diego was spent just at Museums...we did manage to get a few other things in too. There was the typically fight over who would pull Daddy's suitcase...Timo won this time...
Once we landed, we needed to ride the bus over to the car rental...I think this might be the first time the kids have ever taken a ride on a bus!
One of our nights was spent celebrating my birthday...a little belated, but festive just the same. I celebrated with our friends Daryl and Mindy and baby Josiah!
Everyone had a festive time...Timo and Daddy dancing while Cameron finished off the ice cream!
The hotel room had a pull out sofa bed...we called it the magic bed. It was a sofa and then "presto!", it's a bed! They look so big sleeping in a big bed!!
Within Balboa Park there are trolleys that take you from the parking lot to the museums...this was not the kids first trolley ride...but probably the longest. We happen to get on at the end of the route, our museum was the first stop and our lot was the last stop...the driver circled the whole park before letting us off. I think the kids actually got a little bored riding so long!
Playing in the dirt, throwing leaves in the water...the joys of being a kid!


I'd like to say the kids are seasoned travelers by now because they did so good on the flights...but it was only an hour flight, so that's not really a good measure. But they were amazing good on the flights, keeping themselves thoroughly entertained.