Father's Day 2015

Father's Day kicked off with gifts for Daddy. Samantha made Todd a newspaper. 

I have to say, every single night Todd reads the kids stories. Once in awhile I have to pinch hit and they say, "daddy doesn't read it like that," expressing their disappointment with the substitute storyteller. Then I have to do something drastic like act out the story which is totally ridiculous but hey, I've got to try something to one-up Todd with. It still doesn't work. 

"Thank you for supporting me. I love you. Thank you for watering the garden. You are the best every single day." This sounds like an acceptance speech. One I want to keep forever! 

Todd does order a soccer banner each year online for her AYSO team. Not sure how hard that is BUT making the gold ceilings is definitely not an easy task ;) It's cute though that the simple task of ordering a soccer banner is something she feels is important that Todd does. 

From a Maserati to Lake Tahoe to a Disney Cruise! 

And from Thatcher.....

He stapled a Yogurtland gift card inside two pieces of paper. That gift card was Samantha's so she ripped it out of Todd's hands and said, "hey, that's mine!"  Thatcher needs a lesson in gift-giving now too. 

Another shirt for Todd's standard uniform meaning it is a button down from Vans or Channel Islands or some other surf/skate shop. 

The rest of Father's Day was spent at Todd's parents house swimming with the Jones/Fallon families.  

We managed to get this guy out of the spa and into the big pool to guess what? SWIM! FINALLY! 

The kids always know where Grandma keeps her stash of silly toys. 

Grandma Marilyn made a delicious barbecue dinner. 

Papa Ward generously passed out lotto tickets to all of us and guess who came up the big winner?! $40 bucks for Thatcher! One of these times someone is going to hit the big one, I just know it! 

Brothers!

Grandma with the kiddos. 

And here's a pretty good Father's Day present, check out Thatcher swimming from each end of the pool unassisted. What's funny is I had called around to get him in private swim lessons for the next week because we'd be leaving on vacation and I really, REALLY wanted him to be swimming. All of the swim instructors in town did not return my calls except for one FINALLY called while we were on vacation and I was able to say TOO LATE, he's swimming!

Happy Father's Day, Toddy! 

Palm Springs Part II

Day 3 in Palm Springs and she is still writing in her journal.  So proud!

Translation: I just woke up and had a special surprise. My Elf came! Then I went to breakfast. Then I went to the pool. Then I got in the shower. Then I went to dinner. Then I went to the movie theater and it was fun. My favorite was Olaf. (editors note: Olaf is the funny snowman in the movie we saw).  Then I went to bed. Then I saw my Elf.  Then I went to breakfast.  Then I went to the pool.  Then I went to the game room.  Then I went in a jump house. 

Translation: Sorry Frisbee (editors note: That is the Elf) for knocking you over. 

Mama had to move a little bit to compensate for all the non-moving we did on the pool loungers.   

Lovely wreaths down the halls. 

Brunch in the sunshine.

Hydrating after my run.

Throughout the property they had different kid zones set up. 

 

This little guy will sun bathe anywhere. 

How they do it in Palm Springs.

Out of her way, time for the pool!

Out of his way too!

Samantha was hailing golf carts like a pro at this point. 

Since kindergarten started, naps have fallen by the wayside. 

For this guy too only because of our schedule but that doesn't mean that either of them don't still need them.  What ends up happening is they fall asleep in the car or on the couch or in this case, at the pool. 

Quick cat naps and then it was back to more of this. 

I tried my best to throw Sam over that net.  No such luck.  

Future water polo player maybe?

I suppose we need to get rid of that Spider-Man inner tube first...

Being silly on the way back to our room.

Gorgeous palm springs afternoon. 

Fruity drinks from the bar. 

Off to dinner at the Yard House at The River at Rancho Mirage. 

Mac and Cheese Queen. 

Burger King

The birthday that keeps going on and on and on. 

We saw Frozen at the movies.  Super cute movie!

Another great day for this six-year-old.

On our last day we had another breakfast at the hotel. 

Spent some time in the resort game room. 

By the way, Thatcher started to take on other kids in the room and he was holding his own.  

Then the sunshine came out and we were back at the pool although Thatcher made himself right at home at the bar ordering another fruity drink.  Someone thought we were still at an all-inclusive…..  

We took advantage of the 4pm late check-out and just swam and swam in the sunshine.

Speaking of swimming, look at our little swimmer in this video.  Talk about improvement.  In the first part you better believe we were ready to dive in and save her with her frantic doggy paddling across the pool but as the day went on she got a lot more confident.  And surprisingly, even little Thatcher ditched the Spider-Man inner tube for a few seconds. ;)

And just like that, we returned home with the kids sleeping exactly like we had arrived.

Happy Birthday Samantha!