Duck, Duck, Goose

Shelby wanted us to play Duck, Duck, Goose this weekend. So, we grabbed the camera so we can share with everyone.

Kidsfair

September 26th we attended the Kidsfair in Pleasanton. We rode some rides, then Nicole and Nicholas joined us. It was sooooo HOT that day! In fact, poor Nicole passed out after we left! Check out the video and supporting pics. Fun times!

In the video, watch for the ending on the rollercoaster.....Stacy & Nicole had bruised up knees and aches & pains after this ride.

We rode rides, waiting on Nicholas and Nicole.

Shelby took a face plant down after this photo.Trying out for the blue man group.Don't we all have those days when we feel like a hamster in a wheel?Nicholas and Shelby did great! I got nausea!Shelby and Mommy being goofy.We got to meet lots of fun characters. Shelby made us stand in line for Dora and boots for 20min in the sun, then freaked out when it was his turn. Okay, lets face it, the head that's 3 times bigger than the body freaks me out too, but come on! So, after that, he promised not to be scared of any more characters.I don't know who made funnier faces...the camel or the kids!So, I instructed him to kick it. Apparently he was to go around them.....hehehe....my bad!Shelby...hot, tired and ticked off about leaving.

Livermore Fountain Fun

And, as referenced below (full slideshow above) here are a few of my favs from the new fountain downtown.Notice the rainbow in the next two shots?And...as with any kid, when you decide the fun time is over, Shelby is no stranger to the "I'm really peeved with that announcement, Mom" face.

Parenting and teaching life's lessons

Stacy had to work on Saturday, so Shelby and I had a good Mommy/Shelby day. We went downtown to watch the antique car show! Shelby was sooo excited! Till we got there and realized I had read the poster wrong and it was the next day. Nice. I let him get soaking wet in the fountain instead.

I learned that life lessons to kids come out of the most random moments:

Lesson 1

We were walking around so he could dry and there was a group of puppies for sale. One was a Dalmatian, which he adores. There was a couple there playing with the puppies. They were very polite and friendly to Shelby, moving to let the puppy sniff him through the fence. They said good-bye to us and we were on our way. We ran into them later and again they were friendly. The third time the lady said, "No disrespect, but as you can see, we just got out of the shelter. (she pointed to suitcases) We haven't eaten since yesterday and we could really use a meal." I usually say "I'm sorry" and move on, but she looked me in the eyes and said, "Ma'am, I promise it's for food." Shelby heard all of this, so I decided to make it a teaching moment. I had 3 $1 in my wallet that I gave to Shelby and asked him to give it to the lady. He smiled and gave it to her, they thanked us profusely and we were on our way. Shelby wanted to stop and get a pizza by the slice and sit on the tall bar stools by the window. When we were sitting I talked to him about why they needed money and told him that not everyone has money to buy food like us. And that we should always be grateful for the things we have. I also told him they don't have a house. He said, "We have a house! It's a nice one!" and high-fived me. Then he was saddened about them not having food and glad we helped them.

Lesson 2

Shelby and I were playing with a hard bouncy ball that lights up. I showed him how to stand in the hall and throw it so it bounces from side to side. I walked away until he called me, "Mommy, come look!" I rounded the corner and the timing couldn't have been more wrong. It was like slow motion. He threw the ball full force and it smacked me hard right in the right eye. I thought I was blind. I saw stars, it hurt like hell, and I hit the ground crying. And all that little S&!* could say was, "Mommy, you gotta move outta my way!" He was scared, so he just kept repeating it until I caught my breath enough to scream at him to STOP SAYING THAT! He ran and hid under his covers. When I finally dug my contact out from under my eyelid and put on my glasses I went and found him. We talked about how when you hurt someone you don't blame them. You say you're sorry and you ask them if they're okay and you love on them to let them know you feel bad.

PS. No black eye, but tender as all get out.

Thank you, Stacy.

I would just like to thank Stacy for his blogging of video efforts lately. I hope you've all enjoyed them! I would like to comment though, that he cracks me up when he blogs and then references "stacy" as if it's me blogging then switches half way through and identifies himself. These are my favorite. I know it's Merry-Go-Round...not Mary-Go-Round...hehehe....

Honestly, though, it think it's the cutest when my husband makes the effort to participate in this online journaling and I truly do want to say THANKS and hope you all encourage him to continue.

Thanks, Hon!

Kids and Mamas Dancing

After watching the movie Marmaduke, the kids and mamas wanted to dance.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

On our beach vacation last week, we went to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Here are some videos of the rides and activities. On the mary-go-round, we are grabbing a ring and then throwing it at the clown on the wall. The clown is painted on the wall and we are trying to make it in his month. If you cannot tell, Stacy does get one of the rings in the clown's mouth. You should hear the bell ring and the siren sound.

Daddy should have warmed up first.

I (Stacy) think that the radar gun was off. It said that I only through 57 mph. You be the judge.

Shelby loves black licorice!

Shelby was so upset that he could not ride on one ride, because he was not tall enough. He didn't believe us so we had to walk him over to the ride and show him the height allowance chart. When he got up there and saw where our hand was showing the mark he got a sly look on his face and started getting up on his tip toes, then climbed up onto the fence to get his head up to the line. Determination!

Shelby and mom riding the gondola, and yes they do serve deep fried twinkies in California.

Steam Train!

We took a trip to Monterey Bay this past weekend with a friend of Stacy's from work (Brian, Rebecca, and Nina). Here is one of many videos we took from our 2 hour train ride through the redwood forest. There will be many more photos and videos to come.

Texas: Nonna & Granddad

After the Jones reunion, back in August, we dropped Shelby off with Nonna and Granddad and Stacy off at the airport. Pics from my week in Houston to come.

Nonna & Granddad had Shelby rolling like a king with a new car seat and cool pillow thing.
After his week with Nonna & Granddad (you saw videos many blogs ago)...I arrived and we took off for Saige's birthday party! Okay, my precious little niece still looks EXACTLY like my mother! It's crazy...And check out Daxton! I couldn't believe what a little man he sprouted into!Hey, Alligator!For those that know Shelby well, you know this is a classic Shelby attitude/expression. He's basically telling Uncle D..."are you kidding me? You'd better catch me."Zoomed in.Whoa! Uncle D has big muscles!He gets it from Nonna...Back and forth...1...2...3...no, Nonna, don't throw him in the water! Just kidding, Shelby.LOL! Okay....I couldn't resist....mmm...who wants Shelby's boogers in their Tinkerbell cake?Happy Birthday to Saige! Make a wish, Baby Girl!Hey, what color's my tongue? I'd ask my dad, but he's color blind.Shelby helped Nonna pick these hair holders out.Then, he waited very patiently for his turn to give Saige the present he and Mommy brought all the way from Cali. We were in an antique store one day and I saw original Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls. I told Shelby I had dolls just like them when I was a girl. He insisted we buy them for his cousin, Saige for her birthday. Weeks later we packed them up and hauled them to Texas.But, just as his turn came up, one of Sharla's nieces took the bag from him and handed it to Saige. He was absolutely crushed... but soon recovered with another allowed time in the fun water.Me & My Little Bro! (well, used to be "little")

More to come!

HAPPY GRANDPARENT'S DAY!

Sunday is Grandparent's Day! We'd like to take a moment to let our own Grandparents know how much we love them:

Granddaddy, PaPa & Zsa Zsa....Nonny & Grandma

and those we've lost:

Grandmother...Papa & Grandpa.

THANK YOU for all your love, support and wisdom.

And to the Grandparents of our precious Shelby:

Grandpa Dino & Grammy, Tehya & Papa John...Nonna & Granddad

THANK YOU for loving our little man so whole heartedly!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Stacy, Christina &

SILLY SHELBY

Jones Reunion completed

Back to Texas Memories...and the Jones Reunion.

Grandpa Dino and the Shelbster
This would be cuter, if Shelby wasn't making his fake cheese, but they're still such sweet cousins, I couldn't resist.This swing was quite popular.Hannah was an excellent hand. Always swinging high and running under to make the kids giggle.What would a summertime trip be without the toss around of the old ball.G-G-Daddy capturing the moments.What's up, Grammy!Aunt Linda was drawn into the Pirate world.Shelby working Hannah.Sweet moment with Mommy & Baby GirlAnd, from beautiful moment to....what in the world...Shelby threatened we couldn't find a timeout spot in Texas.I loved this moment I accidentally stumbled upon. Grandpa Dino was playing hide and go seek with the kids. He just couldn't seem to find them, so he announced the need to just lie down and take a nap, while the kids giggled uncontrollably under the bed.Sweet kids.Can you find the horns? Which one of these is not like the other...Ciotka taking the kids on a search for cool fossils and things. Notice MAWJ in the water in front of themPrecious little man!!!Uncle Stacy's boyIan was an excellent sticker activity guyand Grandpa Dino can sure tell a good nighttime story!

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful Jones Reunion! Love you all!