Afternoon at the Long Beach Aquarium

We've spent the last day or so being sick with a stomach bug, so today we felt like we needed to get out of the house. We opted for the Long Beach aquarium which is about a half-hour drive from our house. It turned out to be a nice place and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Little Erik

playing in the water

admiring the sea creatures

If Jason wasn't there Erik would be swimming with the fishies. He can get a bit ...how should I put this... "rowdy" sometimes

don't even think about it sharks. You have no idea who you're messing with

This shark had a tendency to give evil glares at the people watching it

playing around

Nemo and his daddy

Petting the sea creatures

Erik looking at the nice fishies

Erik getting his Lady Gaga on in the tub

Rainy Friday

Liam and I made a tree while Erik was napping. Liam was not in a crafty mood, but I bribed him with strawberries (he forced me to admit this on the blog. He also wants me to write that he's afraid of monsters)

the apples

finished

Liam took a pic of Erik and me after Erik woke up

Liam and I also cooked up some play dough, since Erik loves to eat the stuff. Making play dough was more fun, Liam thought

the home-made stuff was gross, according to Erik

Ode to a Three-year-old

sometimes I yearn to smell you hair
touch your soft chubbiness
not so chubby anymore

sometimes I see the battle within you
you want to sit in my lap
your mouth is pouting down
but you're too proud
your integrity is strong

you can be shy if you want to
you can be blunt if you want to
you can be sad if you want to
you can say no if you want to

I learned my lesson
I will put my trust in you
always stand behind you
never be ashamed of you

because I see you
I know you who you are
I see hints of who you will become

you talk really loud
beg me for stories
you're so enthusiastic
about life and those around you

please don't let us change you

Monday

We've had quite an uneventful Monday, passing the time in the backyard and inside the house.

"look they match" said Liam about my shoes

giving water to the birds

of course, little brother wants to do the same

climbing the walnut tree

checking out ants

hello there!

snack

Felix, Annika and Åse visiting

we've been lucky to find friends like them here on the west coast. We have a lot of fun whenever we see them! Liam looks up to 4year old felix a great deal and annika is just too cute!

Annika relaxing

boys are all smiles

reading spiderman books

flashlight game

some pics from Liam's new school

We've had a rough week with all family members being sick one way or another.

On a positive note, Liam is doing great at his new preschool. The teachers say he's doing awesome and making friends. He is not even sad at goodbye anymore. It's a great little preschool. They have a ton of creative stuff going on. The kids spend most of the time outside, but they come in for circle time, music and drama. Liam loves the drama class! It's also walking distance which is a huge plus.

They grow flowers and vegetables in the front

It was rainy today

saying goodbye by the fence

Some of the kids and teacher Kathy

bundled up with a sick daddy

New school

Today was the first day Liam attended his new preschool. I gave Jason the honors to drop him off because it's usually not a very pleasant experience. Of course, Liam was upset, but after 5 minutes he went on to having a great day with the rest of the kids. I'm so proud of him!

I dealt with my own anxiety by cleaning out the boys' room.

Before

After

Liam came home with this surprise for his daddy. He proudly announced that his creation's name was "mr Butthead." I guess he learned a new word at school today!