Birthday Fun

Today we went out to Issaquah to a little neighbor's 2nd birthday that they had at Gymboree Play and Music. The kids had a really fun time. I think Emilio had forgotten the times we had belonged to Gymboree in Chicago. We went to music class there for a while in the winter when it was too freezing cold to do anything outside. Anyway, at the birthday today the kids got to play on all the soft appartuses they had available in the gym. They also did some singing with the Gymboree staff member, the parachute and bubbles (an all time fav of all the kids). Gymboree bubbles are a trip too because they last forever. We have some and we call them Phantom Bubbles because the next day you'll see a random bubble that lasted all night come around the corner. Wierd! Anyway, the kiddos also got all sugared up with cake and juice (my kids slurp the stuff down quick cause they don't get juice at home). So, overall it was a nice b-day party and a fun outing with Milo and Gabi. Nice way to do a party for the parents too, it is organized, fun, ran by someone else and no mess to clean up at home. Too bad it is way too expensive for our budget! Emilio is starting to study other kids birthdays and wonders when he'll get to be the center of attention. September is approaching all too quickly, so I better get on the planning train quick! This year I'll have a three year old that expects a little more than a Move In/Cinco De Mayo/b-day party which is what we did for Gabi on her 1st this year. Poor little thing, but she still had fun. I'm thinking a Monster's Inc. theme for Emilio since that is the movie he choose to watch over and over again. But, it could change, we shall see.
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by Christina
9:42:00 PM

First Timer

So, this is the first time I've tried blogging. Thought I'd give it a try after admiring others from some mamas I know. I also thought it might be a cool way to keep in touch with all my friends and family around the country. We've moved so much in the last few years that my heart is in lots of different places. Of course my hometown is Portland, Or but we moved to Albuquerque, NM right after we were married 5 years ago. We were there 2 1/2 years and then headed to downtown Chicago, IL for 2 years. We most recently moved back to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We are in Renton, WA now and have the most social neighborhood ever. God really blessed us with our new house and the area we are in. There is also hiking a few blocks from our house. It is so cool cause after dinner sometimes we will just put the kids in the jogging strollers (we recently purchased a $30 dollar one at a garage sale because John didn't like carrying Gabi on his back in the Kelty backpack anymore....too heavy!) and we are in the forest in a matter of minutes. We saw two owls a few weeks ago while on an evening hike. They soared above us and landed on some tree branches and just stared at us. It was awesome. We see a lot of wildlife around here. The other night we were looking out Emilio's bedroom window, it faces the back of our house where our garage is and an alley way with a grassy hill behind it. Emilio said, "I see a pony." John and I thought he must have been imagining things, but then John looked a little closer and said, "That's not a pony, it is a deer." Bambi was just grazing away in our alley way. It was very fun. They next day we saw a doe and her two babies walk right down the alley way as well. We've also seen a bald eagle fly over our heads as the kids were in their wading pool in the backyard. It is pretty fun to see the nature all around us. We also have a view of Mt. Rainier from our den window. Pretty cool. Missed the mountains while I was away. I 'm 12 minutes from my sis in law Emily now who is such a dear friend of mine. We hang out often with the kiddos going to story times, swim lessons, playgroups, etc. Anyway, I'm signing off for now. I have loads of laundry to catch up on. Fun, fun, fun!

Our Cute New House!