In a big girl bed

 

I knew that we would have to put Sabrina in a big girl bed at some point.  After all, I was sort of prepared; on Craigslist I found a fantastic deal for a white bunk bed that can be used as a traditional bunk bed or two separate twins.  However, I had been a bit resistant to transitioning Sabrina to a big girl bed.  By a bit resistant I mean I didn't want to do it at all.  I was hoping not to have to deal with it until October, but Sabrina forced the issue on us by figuring out first how to climb out of the pack n play we use at my parents house the weekend we were in L.A. for my cousin's wedding and then promptly using that information to climb out of her crib when we got home.  She was perfectly happy with herself!  I heard her playing with the doorjam, opened the door and there she was.  "Hi Mommy!!" and all pleased as punch. 

She would have been fine with sleeping in a crib but we were concerned that she would hurt herself trying to get down.  So out with the crib and in with the bed.  We spent an afternoon looking for a mattress, I found a couple of cute sheet sets and Sabrina and I watched a movie while Jerry set up the bed.  We made it a surprise for Sabrina and she just loved it.  All in all it's been a real non-event.  Evenings so far are very easy, she goes to sleep without any issues.  Naps can be a bit of a bigger challenge.  I mean, I keep the door closed and she's in there for two hours but if she doesn't want to stay in bed what can I do?  I can't force her to nap.  But actually (especially in the morning) it's been even better than the crib, because when she wakes up she can entertain herself.  She doesn't scream for us anymore; she reads a book or plays with some toys in her room which is a nice change. 

Pony Up!!

This summer our mom's group had a big bash at the Pony Up Ranch in Gilroy.  I think over 35 families showed up and we had a fabulous time!  Every child got to ride a pony, there was a petting zoo, power wheels, a water play area, a "treasure dig" and just tons of room for the kids to run around and have fun.  AND the event was fully catered, so all we had to do was show up and have a good time.  Fun for all!  Sabrina loved riding the pony.  She is growing up too fast for me!!

Look at me Mommy I'm a cowgirl!  Yee-haw!!!

After the pony ride Sabrina checked out the petting zoo.  She liked the bunnies but apparently the chickens freaked her out.  In fact Jerry told me that after seeing the chickens she promptly left the petting zoo area and never returned. 

The water play area was also a big draw for Sabrina, although I think she really liked just about everything (except the chickens).  Here she is playing with some of her best buds, Lia and Dillon. 

The power wheels were a big hit with the kids.  While Sabrina looks like she knows what she's doing, she just couldn't quite figure out that you had to hold the button down continuously to keep it going.  After awhile, she decided it was time to play on the play structure and do something she's good at.  :)

Michelle & Tamir's wedding

In mid-August we flew down to L.A. to be a part of Michelle & Tamir's wedding.  Michelle is my 1st cousin, her mom and my mom are sisters.  I was a bridesmaid and Sabrina was a flower girl.  She did a great job.  Jerry walked her down the aisle without any issues and she had a fantastic time.  There were some older girls there, around 6-9 years old and Sabrina was just completely taken with them.  She would dance on the dance floor with them, play ring-around-the-rosie and just generally couldn't get enough of them!  Sabrina shared flower girl duties with her cousin Hannah.  Hannah is Michelle's niece, Michelle's sister Alycia is Hannah's mom.  Where are photos of the bride and groom you might ask?  Well, they had a professional photographer following them around all evening and since this was the only time Sabrina was going to wear this dress, we needed to make sure there was documentation!!!  Seriously though I was kind of mad at myself for not getting any shots of them, but we did get one of the bride and groom with Sabrina, however their photographer took it. 

Here is Sabrina and Hannah playing with some flower petals during the cocktail hour.  Sabrina really liked the appetizers!

Throwing rocks and keepin' cool

What's great about Las Madres is that almost every time there are friends available to have fun with. This day we put together a playdate to take a nature walk at Rancho San Antonio and Lara & Lia and Elaine & CJ were able to join us. First we let the girls walk about 1/2 mile (which takes forever because the kids are not about the destination, they are about the journey) which leads to a completely shaded pool of water that the kids love to wade into and throw rocks. I tell you, what's more fun than throwing rocks into the water with friends? Not very much!

San Jose Children's Discovery Museum

We have have a membership to the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum. Our membership allows us to bring a couple of people with us for no extra cost. Our friends Ashley and Vander have only been to the CDM a couple of times so we thought it would be fun to go and have a playdate together. We started in the Wonder Cabinent, then made our way to the bubbles and followed up in the water area. They offer smocks but I'm not sure why because they are pointless. The kids get soaked either way so we didn't even bother. I think the water area was Vander's favorite. He was there forever! Sabrina was there for awhile and then we walked around to other areas of the museum. I brought a blanket and for lunch we laid the blanket down outside of the museum and we ate lunch together.

 
Here Sabrina is using her kung fu powers on the water.

Visiting the Percheron Horses

Recently we drove up the Santa Cruz Mountains to visit big giant Percheron horses. They are similar to Clydesdales and are they HUGE!!! I don't think Sabrina even made it to their knees. The horses are very gentle though and are used during the Christmas season to drive Santa's sleigh and such. Sabrina was very brave and fed the horses and when the owners asked if the kids wanted to sit on the horses Sabrina was all over that. She gave the horse a hug and was really excited. There were dirt paths and when Sabrina was bored of the horses we walked around the path. A really nice way to spend the morning!

Mommy I'm a fish!

The title of this post is what Sabrina said to me this morning.  This has been the summer of the pool. I don't think I've been in the water this much since I was a teenager. We've had a great summer so far. Sabrina loves loves LOVES the water. Anything about the pool. She can go swimming everyday. I haven't seen her get tired of it yet. At the beginning Sabrina would hold onto me and wouldn't let go. Over time she has gotten more and more brave so I bought her a swim vest. Now she swims all over the pool and loves putting her head in the water and just going! She goes around all day saying "Swimming! Swimming! I wanna go swimming!!! Swimsuit! Swim diaper! Swim vest!!" She can be in the pool for over a hour and a half and she's still going strong.