No Cavity Club!!!!

A few weeks ago,

Sophie and Blake visited the Dentist for the first time.

I was a little anxious, especially with Sophie.

At 4, perhaps she should have already been 

to the Dentist a few times already. 

But, there is the first time for everything ...

and Blake went first.

 In the waiting room, drawing and waiting to be called in ...

So, Blake wore his "Candy Monster" t-shirt.

I thought it was funny ... until I thought, what if he has cavities ...

or if the doctor thinks it's not funny ...

Fortunately, none of it happened - 

Blake joined the "NO CAVITY" Club ... and

the doctor thought the shirt was funny. 

She wanted to buy one herself!

Inspecting the tools.

Blake only got as far as inspecting the tools

and the doctor inspecting his teeth (while he screamed).

It's not expected for a 2 year old to get his teeth cleaned.

It's more about the experience so someday, he will get his teeth cleaned!

A few days later, 

it was Sophie's turn.

She has a few more photos since she had 

a great dentist visit ... cleaning and all!!!

 Drawing a card while waiting to be called in

 They even had a chalk wall!!!

 Trying out the equipment before the teeth cleaning

 Glasses to shield from the bright light

 Teeth cleaning in progress!

Coincidentally, when I arrived, I saw these wall decals

and realized that they were decals designed by my friend,

Mia, and her wall decal business "Pop & Lolli" - exciting

to see these decals out in the world!

 Sophie's teeth were white and shiny

after the cleaning! 

 Sophie was so excited!

And happy to show her teeth ...

 Doctor checking for cavities ...

Celebrating the NO CAVITY Club!

Naturally with a sugary fruit smoothie.

Don't worry, we brushed her teeth afterwards!

The 4th of July!

We often don't appreciate our freedom 

or think about not having it

because most have us, have never experienced oppression ...

or not being able to do what we want to do, 

when or wherever we want to do.

But if there is a day to appreciate it,

to celebrate being an American,

it is on the 4th of July ...

On this 4th of July,

we started by being in our little hometown parade.

 Our family ... 

getting ready to be a part of the parade!

 "The Freedom Riders"

 Charlotte, Christy and Patty

 Our little American Girl! 

 Steve and Andrew

The American Twins!

 Mommy and her "Freedom Riders"

 Daddy and his "Freedom Riders"

 Christy doing a trick

A Cookie Reward for Blake

for completing the parade route ...

Then after a quick rest and nap for Blake,

we headed to our friends, Francois, Mia, Anabelle and Magalie's house

for a 4th of July BBQ.

 Little Miss Magalie,

chowing down on some 4th of July cheerios

 Mia created this amazingly fun car wash for her girls.

My friend is so creative! 

 Playing in some sand

 CHEESE!

Sophie and Anabelle -

Good Friends!

 Blake loved the car wash!

 The guys - Justin, Francois and Andrew

The girls - Charlotte, Mia and Brooke

We ended the night with our annual trip to watch the fireworks

on the sidewalk, next to the Brentwood Country Club.

Each year, they have an amazing fireworks display,

and since my parents live in the neighborhood, 

we have always gone to enjoy it,

with about 100 people from our neighborhood ...

that we haven't seen since the year previously.

And to think, the 4th of July was on Thursday ...

and the start of a great weekend ahead! 

Sophie and Blake's Garden

For a long time, my mom has been preparing Sophie 

and Blake that she had prepared a spot in their yard to 

plant some strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes. They were going to call it "Sophie and Blake's Garden".

 

Well, this week, Sophie has been on summer break so we took the opportunity to make it happen.

On Wednesday, we went to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market

and picked up 2 types of strawberries and 2 types of tomatoes. 

There were no cucumber this week but the gardener told us 

that the cucumber plant itself is actually quite prickly so it wasn't

all that good for kids to plant. I'm not sure yet what they

plan to replace it with ... but we'll see ...

Yesterday, my parents' gardener, "Grandpa George" came for his

normal Friday date with their garden ... and planted "Sophie and Blake's Garden".

Now ... grow, grow, grow!!!!

Blake's 2nd Birthday Party

For Sophie's first birthday,

we threw a big blow out birthday party.

For Blake's first birthday 

... a small family dinner

Doesn't seem fair does it?

I didn't think so either.

On Blake's actual 2nd birth-day,

we went to Disneyland which was a treat for both kids ...

and a few days later, we threw Blake a 2nd Birthday party.

It's funny because we weren't all that sure we wanted to throw

a party. It wasn't until about a week and half before the party day 

that we actually sent out a save-the-date and a few days before

that I sent an actual invite with all the party info.

Fortunate for us, 

we are blessed by friends and family

who love our little guy and were able to

change their schedules around to celebrate

at the park. With the airplanes.

We are so lucky. 

 Grand Auntie Elaine, Blake and Auntie Hannah

The only people besides my parents who have babysat Blake.

He loves them!

  Madison Faith and Sophie

 Eloise, Iris and Blake

 Auntie Christy and Blake

 Look at all the friends and family that came! 

A CAKE!

Candle Blowing ...

He's participated in many imaginary birthday party

thanks to his birthday party obsessed sister,

that he knew exactly what to do!

 This was as much of the cake that Blake had.

He apparently doesn't have a big sweet tooth ... boo.

 Blessed by 2 members of my small group - Christy and Jenise

 Magalie and Sheppard

 Sophie

Sophie and one of her besties, Alexi

Siblings are the BEST type of friends

We LOVE You Buddy!

We hope felt loved and celebrated

not only on your birthday but every single day!