Some things from May

May has been a busy month with all kinds of activities.

First of all before I get into what we've been doing, have you seen this extremely funny video?

We can't get enough of it here. The first time James saw it he laughed and laughed and wanted to keep watching it again and again. Now he is constantly asking to watch it and imitates it. Here's a couple of videos of him watching it a couple hours after his initial introduction to it.

So the first Saturday of May, we hoped on the commuter train and enjoyed a day at the beach.

As soon as we could spot the ocean from the train,
 James shouted out, "I found it."
Guess he was happy to see the ocean.

Daddy and James having some fun.

And if playing at the beach wasn't enough, we also took him to the splash pad by our apartment and let him play while we had Frozen Yogurt.

It was a good day.

On the 9th was Tracy's birthday, we waited till the 11th to celebrate. He invited his school friends over for a BBQ and we had a great time. I was lame and didn't get any pictures, plus since we partied by the pool, I had to keep a close eye on James.

The night before Tracy's party was the father and sons camp out. Tracy decided to see how James would do for an over night camping trip. It certainly wasn't James's first time camping, we just weren't sure how he'd do for a night with out me. He hadn't had a night with out his mom since he was 6 months old. James did great and they had a fun time. I got a whole night "off" as my mother's day gift. I set out to just relax, but it is amazing how bored one gets when you're not use to being alone. So I entertained myself by cleaning and baking a cake. Umm, the cake was delicious. I'll have to post the recipe later.

The following week, Tracy headed to Utah for a... I'll call it a pre- summer research trip. Each year all grad-students working with his adviser visit another grad-students research area. Since they each have different expertise it gives them each an opportunity to learn and see things they might miss on their own. But because they had some scheduling conflicts it ended up being just him and another student going on this particular trip. And it had been decided on months ago that they'd be going to his area, so the place had been planned just not the dates. Any way, it was a 5 day trip. He learned some new things he would haven't known and discovered some new stuff. Now he has just a little better idea on what he should spend his summer months doing. 

Last Monday, James was being extra sweet and extra whiny. Yes, sometimes he can actually be both one minute sweet then next minute a major melt down. You could say he had the case of the Mondays. So, I broke down and put batteries in his electric train he got for Christmas. He literally ran that thing to death. Killed the batteries in one day. Now I remember why it hadn't had batteries in it for almost 6 months. However, it sure made the day that much better.

Train happiness.

Now to end the month off, besides our St. George trip I already posted about. We are taking advantage of the nice nights and hitting the drive in tomorrow. James did so good last week on our first attempt, we figured we'd do it again. Last week we saw the Star Trek movie and this week we'll be seeing the Fast and the Furious. Maybe we'll actually be able to see some more movies this way.

James and I at the drive in

Oh, and one day last week when Tracy as avoiding grading papers, he pulled out the Apples to Apples game and we played for awhile. One of the deals got us this great combination:

I played the Alfred Hitchcock card and Tracy played the Bates Motel.

Memorial Weekend

Memorial weekend we found ourselves in St. George. Tracy's parents called us up a few weeks earlier and said they had a deal for a hotel room for the weekend, so they booked us one too. So we made plans and away we went to visit St. George again.

Tracy took advantage of being there and did a little work for a paper he will be writing as well as some work for his thesis. The rest of the time we played. It was a good little trip, except the drive home. We tried to leave early to avoid the traffic, but ended up not quite early enough.

I'll let the pictures and videos do most of the talking.

James checking out the park map.
He would point to one of the mountain peaks on the sign then turn around and it.

He would get really happy when he could find the mountain peak.

Riding the park shuttle.

I love this place. So pretty.

Having some fun at a river bank.

Playing at the splash pad and stream area in Town Square.

Visiting the temple.

A picture of a picture in the visitor center.
St. George is a pretty area.

Looking at Jesus.

Just walking around.

Busy Day Taco Soup

When we were in St. George last month this is what my friend served us for dinner. It was delicious. It is so easy to make and it cooks in the crock pot. I wanted to not only have it in permanently written down, but to share it with you.

Busy Day Taco Soup

• 1-1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 2 cans corn (undrained)
• 2 cans kidney beans (drained)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning mix
• sour cream
• cheese
• tortilla chips

Brown the beef draining excess fat. Drain only kidney beans. Put all ingredients in a crock pot and turn to low. Cook for 6-8 hours. Stir before serving. Serve in bowls topped with cheese, a dollop of sour cream and crushed tortilla chips. 

April (complete with pictures and video.)

I can't believe it is already May. Where did April go? It just went by way to fast. Here's a little break down of what we have been up to during the month of April.

St. George

We took a trip to St. George the first part of the month. I did a post about that previously, so you should check it out if you haven't already.

Here's a picture from the Valley of Fire that didn't make it to the previous post cause it was on Tracy's camera.

And a video.

James's Room

I found some fun vinyl stickers for James's wall. I needed to fill the empty wall above his bed. Since I can't hang pictures up, because of earthquakes, I had to find a different solution. They make a great addition to his room. Now all I have left is doing his wall above his reading corner and then his room will be done (for now).

I love them.

Beach Day

We took a Saturday to distress and went to the beach. It was a beautiful day. We had a really great time, like always.

James is still a little afraid of getting his feet wet.
He loves to get near the water, but has to be held.

Digging a big hole.
Tracy took over and made it big enough for James to sit in.

James playing in his hole.

Having fun with daddy in the waves.

My first try at recording a video with Tracy's camera. It is blurry at times.

Potty Training

Potty Training attempt #1000. OK, maybe not quite the 1000th, but it sure seems like it. We've been working on it on and off since oh, I don't know... November.  At first it was just a trying to get him to understand what the potty was for not really trying to train him. But since the beginning of the year I've been really trying to train him and he would fight and scream. So I'd stop then I'd try again a few week later. Finally this week after upping the ante of prize and redoing his potty chart. He finally seem excited to use the potty. Now just to get him to recognize when he needs to go and use it on his own. So far we get about one success per day. He just doesn't go that often. I've read to pump your kids full of fluids to get them to go more often and well he just doesn't want to drink that much. Even if I give him lots of salty snacks. So I have resign to just try to let him go as usual and try to catch the times he does. I have kind of figured out his potty schedule, so maybe we'll have a potty trained kid soon.

Los Angeles

Last Saturday, we took a trip the the City of Angeles for some sight seeing and fun. Especially since we hadn't been there since we moved here. We had a great time going to the La Brea Tar Pits, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory and driving down Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd. Will probably go again sometime and see more stuff.

Tar Pits

The Page Museum

A Columbian Mammoth found in the pits on display in the museum.

Predator and Prey

Walking around the Atrium

Helping walk down the steps.

Santa Monica Pier

Tracy at the top of the California Incline.

James having fun on this wooden boat while I took a picture of Tracy.

James and I at the top of the California Incline

Walking around this fun park area in Santa Monica over looking the ocean.

Sunset Blvd. Street Sign

Griffith Observatory

Hollywood Sign. Maybe next time we'll go see it.

James and I hanging out outside the observatory while Tracy was parking the car.

Looking at the solar system

Looking out at L.A.
James showing off his new Space Shuttle.
I think he was watching a helicopter that was flying by.

Now we are into May and we'll see what fun stuff we do this month.