The Happiest Place on Earth!

Growing up in Southern California, Disneyland was as much a part of our childhood as was going to the beach.  The feeling of driving along the 57 freeway and seeing the white-capped mountain of the Materrhorn ride was just too much excitement for a kid to take.  Back then we didn't have a lot of money so we couldn't go very often. But it made our trips there that much sweeter!  I remember feeling so special on Disneyland Days!

Even as a teen and an adult I never stopped loving Disneyland.  We used to go all the time.  And I remember always thinking how awesome it would be to take my own kids one day. Well, my friends, that day finally came last month.  Even though my family bugged me almost weekly to take him from the minute we moved back, he just wasn't ready last year.  But we now felt this was a good time and that he could appreciate the experience.  So we gathered the entire David, Varela and Martinez clans and headed to the happiest place on earth.

I will admit that going with 4 kids under the age of 3 was no easy task.  But with the help of Mimi and Papa, we did pretty good. Gavin was a dream baby that day and all the other kiddos were so well behaved so it was a really nice day...perfect weather, decent lines and just a lot of family fun to be had! 

I honestly think I had more fun than Jack did.  Just the feeling of walking through the gates and stepping onto Main Street with him, was very emotional for me.  It was like a full-circle moment that I had been waiting for for a long time.  Jack was a little overwhelmed at first but soon he was just having a blast....dancing, singing and enjoying the rides with his cousins.  I can't tell you how cool it was to see him so happy at the place that brought me so much joy as a kid.  I'd have to say his favorites were Toontown, the Carousal, the Cars, Small World and of course Dumbo...one of my all-time faves at Disney.  Going on that ride with him was simply awesome. 

Jack is already asking to go again.  But we don't want to take him too often because I want him to feel like I did when I was a kid - that going to Disneyland is a really special experience.  The CARS Land is opening at California Adventure this summer so we're planning a little stay-cation in September.  I am pretty sure he will freak out when he can walk through Radiator Springs and see Lightening McQueen and Mater.  For now, here are A LOT of pictures from our Disney Day...

Easter Fun!

All About Jack...

There are so many blogs I'd like to write and so many that I am behind on.  We went to Disneyland over a month ago and still no blog.  And don't even get me started on Christmas....I can't believe I haven't posted those yet!  The problem is that I spend a lot of time writing the "must-do" blogs about Gavin....all of his milestones and monthly updates, which are all very important to document, but they do take a lot of time.  So the other blogs take a back seat...including Jack's.  So today I think I need to give some screen time to my first born.  Even though for 2 years the blog was ONLY about him, he still deserves his time in the spotlight now.

Jack will be 3 in July and he continues to provide Christian and me with endless entertainment.  We just love being with him and hearing the hilariously funny things that come out of his mouth. He's so full of life, fun-loving, affectionate and smart!  Yes, he does have the occasional two-year-old "moment" but I think all kids have those.  We don't call him bratty, we call him "spirited!"  I don't ever want to take the feistiness out of him - I love that about him. He's strong, independent, passionate and loves people....especially if they give him candy or toys.  Which is actually pretty scary because he'll go to anyone who will give him a tootsie-pop!  He's still a pretty big kid - tipping the scales at close to 42 pounds and he wears an 11 shoe!  But he's got a sweet heart and really loves his family...he always wants to make sure that mommy, daddy and baby Gavin are near.

We're currently in the throws of potty training which is actually going very well.  We have had some accidents and I will spare you the details, but overall I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I bet he's fully trained by his 3rd birthday in July.  His pre-school has helped this process a lot - they are true saints!  He loves his school and has made a lot of new friends there....Joshua and Gavin C. are his besties.  And here in the hood he has Owen and Jack S.  I love that he has a lot of friends here after having to leave his behind when we left Atlanta.  We go to the neighborhood park A LOT to play with all the kids but it honestly never gets old because I know he's just having a blast....and I get some time to catch up with all the ladies.

I'll finish up by listing all of Jack's current favorite things....candy, Batman, swords, CARS underwear, the color pink, his cousin Marseille, candy, group hugs, the word poop, dancing, fast shoes, warm-up pants and t-shirts, candy, Lightening McQueen (yes, he's still around), Phineas and Ferb, the Disney Channel, karate tricks, Chick-fil-a, pizza, did I mention candy, his brother Gavin and of course...his daddy! And I'm pretty sure he loves me too.

Ok, so I know I bragged a lot here but Jack deserves the acknowledgement - he's an amazing son and a great big brother too.  I have done enough complaining in other posts - this one was just intended to be about all the awesome things Jack does and what he's up to these days.  Here are some pictures so you can see for yourself...

"I'm only doing this until my band gets signed."  So rock and roll...

Proof of his new love of the color PINK....notice the pink ice cream too!  He looks so thrilled that I am taking his picture....as if he knows one day it will embarrass him!

I was trying to get a super cute pic of the three of us and as you can see, it just didn't work.  There are about 10 of these and not one is good.  So I told Jack just to make a silly face and he gladly obliged.  I love this kid's sense of humor...

As incentive to use the potty we created a chart and every time Jack went to the bathroom he got a sticker.  Once the chart was full he got to pick out a new toy...

So he chose this little gem...

And one for daddy too, of course!  Daddy swore that Jack really wanted that Nerf sword but I'm thinking it was just as much a gift for  him as it was for Jack.  They play with them all the time...

Ok, spoiler alert...I'm adding a few photos of Easter even though I probably won't get around to posting the rest of them until Thanksgiving.  But Jack was so handsome that day, I had to share.  Here is is looking East Coast prep in Easter outfit numero uno...his Vineyard Vine shirt from Mike and Mandi... 

Going full force on the slide at church.  It was a pretty big and fast slide and he just flew down it.  This kid lives life with no fear.  I love it!

With his cousins at Mimi and Papa's house, in adorable outfit numero dos.  We couldn't get all the kiddos to smile at the same time so Jack yelled out "POOP!"  As you can see that got a big laugh from the girls....

We are so lucky to live in abundant sunshine all year round so Jack and daddy's favorite thing is just to go outside to run around, play sports and wrestle.  I think this is what Christian always envisioned when he had a son...

I think daddy needs a hair cut...

I had to share a picture of Jack in his favorite jacket - an Underarmor hoodie from his cousin Carson.  The kid would live in sweats, t-shirts and hoodies if I let him...

Jack and his favorite girl Marseille in La Jolla on a perfect family beach day.  She thinks he's a real prince and he seriously thinks she's a princess.  I hope they always feel that way about each other....

Just Jack lovin life...