Rockin my Bmx outfit

So in my attempt to cut down on the rode rash (skin left behind at the track) we geared Braedyn up for this new sport of his. He loves his new gidup and would wear it every wear if allowed. We tried it out at the track and it worked great, and he fell a lot less, which also helped. He can do the whole track now on his new big bike and Chantal (bmx chick) is trying to get us to sign him for a bmx camp this summer. But mom's a little unsure since he is the youngest one. But he does love love love it and he rocks his gidup too! He'll be racin in no time. At least there are no cars to contend with on the race track.

Dori

Braedyn wanted to make sure Dori had a cozy blanket to sleep on. He fixed her bed all up for her.  Braedyn makes sure she gets all her kibble and plenty of treats. I never have to feed her anymore!  Sometimes he makes her work for her food; he throws her food and she chases it down. Now if only he could walk her!

Summer is here (most of the time).

However mild the season changes are, we do have them!
Winter is rainier with a mix of cooler days (high 50's, low 60's) and glorious spring
like days in the low 70's. Summer is, well, just about nearly perfect weather all the time (mid to upper 70's) with occasional fog that clears by mid day (if you live on the beach side of the 101). Last year we were rarely fogged in; just being a few minutes further inland, so we will see what living, blocks from the ocean, is like. Summer is most likely not here to stay for good, but this day was one of the many reasons I LOVE this town!

Tarpitts rock



Check this out mom! It's ALVIE.

Brown Bags for those in desperate need

If there is one thing we have learned, from living in Santa Barbara County, is that there is a vast gap between the incredibly wealthy and the desperately poor. We see too many of these needy on street corners, under the piers or freeway bridges, and in the shade of trees at a few of the local parks. While it is almost to easy to turn the other way or go numb to the problem; I'm quite confident that is NOT what Jesus would have done. So in our attempt to put a smile on a few faces we packed up some sack lunches and, at Braedyn's request, a McDonald's gift card, and headed out to spread a little love. It was beyond precious to see Braedyn in action handing the homeless a sack lunch and "a hamburger card". He received many, "God bless you little one(s)", that day. This little activity made quite an impression on his little heart and he is asking when we are going to go feed the homeless again. I, once, tried to give him an apple out of one of the brown bags because I had forgoten his snack and he was complaining of hunger pangs, but he told me no; "he didn't want to eat all the homeless people's food, he would wait."

Happy Birthday Daddy

Braedyn and I went and bought ballons to ring in daddy's birthday. Braedyn also made daddy a special card and sang him happy birthday.


We love you daddy!

Wipeout on the bmx track

One of many! But he still Loves it!!

Riding the bmx track

BMX fun

With Braedyn's love for his bike and the great outdoors we attempted to combine the two. This was his first day out on the Bmx track in Santa Barbara. It was clear after the second day out, on a much busier track, he would need a bigger bike to really be able to ride this track without great risk of injury. His little 12 inch wheels and small crank just didn't get him over the steep inclines. But he peddled his little heart out regardless. Braedyn's first 5 dollar bike, found for him at a garage sale by loving grandparents, has brought him so much fun!

Pro Bmxer showing Braedyn the ropes




Taken just before a bad digger...(caught on video).
Usually, still comes comes up with a smile and a few more bruises!


Here I come mom! (you can just see his helmet)

Finally... the last legoland pictue!

LegoLand

Splash Pad Fun

A world of Legos

Miniature cities made of Legos. Braedyn and Marek had to fight the urge to jump the fence and get their hands on everything lego.


Lego replica of NYC. well kinda.


just havin fun!


Braedyn and mommy.

Boating

Karen and Marek


And again with the hands in the air....Notice my expression does not seem to shout the same excitement. I have to admire his pure joy.

LegoLand continued

Braedyn and Marek waiting to get on??? i have know idea.
 
The boy's loved this ride and did it several times.


I take my driving very serious!

Hands in the air or not.

Braedyn likes to "be brave" on the rides. Doesn't matter if the rides are slow moving and totally not, hands in the air, worthy.

whoo hoo I'm a wild man, see my hands mom!


OK so my hands are getting tired.....


How about a wave instead!

LEGOLAND

We headed down to LegoLand with one of Braedyn's buddies, Marek and mom, for a 3 day trip. It started off rough with Braedyn puking on the way there. He almost always gets carsick these days, but totally loves roller coasters. So strange to me. Once he pukes life is all good again. The rest of the trip was perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better day. (70's and sunny, typical southern CA!) It also helped that there were NO LINES. Some rides they just stayed on and went again.



Braedyn with Lego Dude


Braedyn and Marek were laughing so hard on this ride. funny!


This was a favorite and we spent about 15 minutes doing it over and over.

Hotel swimming at Lego Land

We were not able to check into our hotel in Carlsbad (Lego Land) for a few hours after our arrival so we spent some time swimming while we waited for our room to be cleaned. One of the great things about Braedyn being able to swim is that we don't have to get in with him all the time. This doesn't mean we aren't close by and alert. Braedyn swam across this pool all on his own without us in the pool. Kinda nice since we had to change him into his suit in the parking garage (not so easy for mommies and daddies!).