Daddy’s Day Off

Wednesdays seem to be the best days to visit Disneyland if you want to avoid large crowds.  Jason took the day off, and we did both parks in 5 hours!  The weather was perfect – warm and mostly cloudy, and best of all, the park was empty!  

 

Michael is in this really goofy stage where he makes funny faces for the camera

See, I told you. But maybe he gets it from his daddy…

There was no need for a fast pass for the Haunted Mansion.  We walked right on.  Michael was a little scared in the first room where you take the elevator ride down, but he LOVED the actual ride.

Jason and his mini-me. This little boy likes to dress like his daddy.

The sword stayed in the stone…

Our stay ended with a visit with few characters and checking out the Cars Land Preview Center.

Great-Lola turns 90!

We helped celebrate Lola’s 90th birthday at the Diamond Bar Country Club.  It was the perfect venue to entertain people of all ages.  Michael spent a great amount of time on the putting green with Lolo.  And when he wasn’t putting, he was busy playing with all his cousins, whom he doesn’t get to see very often.  It was truly a special birthday as we got to party and spend time with old, familiar faces again.

<3 Me and Jason <3

Me, my mom (Lola) and Carmel

Michael in his element on the putting green

The Cornelius Family

(this is what happens when dozens of cameras are snapping pictures – we’re never looking into the right camera)

Top Row: Lauryn, Desiree, Jake, Kaleo, Gangsta Michael and Me

Bottom Row: Jordan, Cozmo, Violet, Jillian, Aidan, Daryl

Great Lola with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren

 

Happy Birthday Lola!  You are the glue that holds this family together. We love you!

Halloween Time at Disneyland

Summer is officially over, and Disneyland finally has its Halloween decorations out.  We met Auntie Karen and Ethan there for a nice playdate.   

From the very beginning, Ethan told Michael to be nice and didn’t want to be bothered by him.

It didn’t last long. Michael was being his normal self.

Michael and his mischievous grin crept up behind Ethan and poked his hat.

And made Ethan sad.

But they became friends as they waited to board the Small World boat. =)

They played “nicely” on Toontown’s firetruck.

We went on a few more rides and had lunch before they turned into monkeys and hung from the railings.

Before we headed home, Auntie Karen bought both boys a Cars toy of their choice.  Thank you Auntie Karen!  Michael brings his new cars with him everywhere he goes.

My First Potty Prize

We’ve had the froggy potty since his first birthday, but he hasn’t shown much interest in it…until lately!  About a week ago, I took out the potty and asked Michael if he needed to pee.  Of course he said no, but I took a chance, removed his diaper anyway, and left him diaper-free around the house.  He went a good hour without it on, and finally he told me he had to go!  I could not believe it!  He peed in the potty for the first time ever!  He was so proud of himself; he jumped up and down and yelled, “MOMMY, I DID IT!  CALL DADDO!”  And since then, he’s gone at least twice a day, everyday.  We created a reward chart, and everytime he fills his chart with stickers, he gets a prize.  At first when I asked him what he wanted as his prize, he said candy or a popsicle.  Sweets? Go figure.  But no, I wanted his first prize to be super special, something he can keep and not swallow – like a toy.  So we went out, and this is what he picked…

A Build & Decorate Your Own Wooden Race Car

 

Step 1: Assembling the Car

His hands are still too big to grasp onto little things…

But he’s so focused

The car is now ready for paint!

 

Step 2: Painting

 

Step 3: Applying Stickers

The Finished Product!

Happy Birthday Coz!

Cozmo celebrated his birthday with a bunch of family, friends and Captain America.  Michael was so excited to wear his Halloween costume to the perfectly themed birthday party!  He loved wearing the mask, and when he was asked who he was, he wouldn’t say Michael but Captain America.  It was the cutest thing!

Michael was the littlest Captain America at the party.

Peanut free cupcakes. The cupcake toppers were made by Emily.

Waiting in line for their turn to hit the piñata. Michael’s big muscles were too big to participate so he stood on the sidelines and let all the other kids swing at it.

Lil Captain America can’t pass on sweets though…

After food and games, a Captain America magician swung by for some entertainment and tricks.  Even Tita Jay and Tin thought he was hilarious… They kept laughing for some reason(?)

The birthday boy helped out with a few tricks.

Captain America made balloon figures for all the kids.  Michael asked for a gun, and this time he was very careful with it.  The last time he had a balloon toy, he popped it within minutes.

Thanks for inviting us to your fun birthday Cozmo!

Halloween Costume Choices

Michael’s favorite colors at the moment are red and blue.  He likes EVERYTHING red and blue!! When we eat at Yogurtland, he asks for a red or blue Hello Kitty spoon, and those spoons go everywhere with him!  So when it came time to choosing his Halloween costume, he picked Spiderman or Captain America.  I don’t even think he knows who either superhero is.  It’s not like he’s seen their movies and is a fan now, so it’s safe to assume that he picked those costumes out based on their colors.

Spiderman – Size 3T/4T.  This one was way too big.  It makes him look like a “Little Person”.

Spiderman – Size 2T.  It’s about an inch too short but it looks better than the 3T/4T.

Captain America

Michael was definitely more comfortable and happier as Captain America so that’s the superhero we’re leaning towards.  Halloween is over a month away, and I’m pretty sure he’s gonna grow and the costume will be even shorter for him.  But why is the next size a 3T/4T?  The sizing chart says a 2T is for kids up to 34" and a 3T/4T is for 39+”.  Michael is only 35.5” so what happens to those trick or treaters who are 35-38” tall???  If you happen to spot a 2T/3T, please let me know!

Where its COOL to be a kid

We were undergoing a heat wave, and yesterday, the temperature hit over 100 degrees! It feels like the months and seasons are off by a month nowadays, and our summer heat peaks in September.  We don’t like to stay at home, and it was definitely way too hot to be at the park or Disneyland, so the next best destination was Chuck E. Cheese.  Nana and Ethan joined us for some cool fun too.  Michael and I saw that Chuck E. Cheese offers 10 free tokens when you bring in a completed ‘Reward Calendar’.  They have all sorts categories that kids can develop in, and the only one fitting to Michael and Ethan were the ‘Good Nights Sleep’ Calendar.  **A side note: About a month ago, we bought Michael his own big boy bed (a full-sized bed so that I can fit in it too because he always needed me to fall asleep).  But I’m happy to say that he is completely ferberized!  He takes naps on his own and falls asleep on his own at night.  We read stories, sing songs, do puzzles, say goodnight…and he falls asleep!**  So, it was only appropriate that we filled out that calendar for free tokens.

They had to shoot the moving spider.

Air Hockey for Little People!

Ethan was thinking: Here it comes! Wait for it. Wait for it.

Awesome! I got it!!!