Aspen's 1st Build-a-Bear

Last week Justin had to work on Saturday which meant he got to take a day off during the week. Everly was already scheduled for summer camp  and we paid for it so Justin took her to camp and then had a day with just Aspen. Since it was so hot out, he decided to take her to the mall. She loves playing at the kids area in the mall and then he also took her to make her first build-a-bear. Everly was actually a lot smaller when she first went (HERE). I don't think she has even been back since so I probably should take her back sometime. Justin took some pictures while he was there and it looks like she had a good time. When I got home that evening she told me about the heart and about tying up the bear. It was very cute. Can't wait to take her back sometime!

stuffing her bear and giving it a bath

At first he was just called "Bear" but she has since started calling him "Teddy Bear." Very original.

Weekend in Review

July was sooo crazy with vacations, birthdays and trips so I haven't done a weekend in review post in a while. Last weekend we didn't have a ton on the schedule which was really nice to have. I have a few things coming up in August as well so it is going to get busy again which made last weekend even more nice. I even managed to get in two naps, haha! On Friday night my mom and sister came over to watch the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics. The girls had their Olympics outfits on and looked so cute. Saturday morning I got up early for a solo hike. I didn't really want to go so I was proud of myself for knocking it out anyways. The trail was still a bit worn down from some of the rain but it actually made it a lot less dusty so that wasn't too bad. Shortly after I got back home we went to home depot for the August Kids Workshop. This month it was a skateboard pencil box. It turned out really cute, although I think I glued Everly's box shut so we might need to work on that. Saturday night the girls went swimming and then Sunday morning we did a little shopping at the mall. Sunday night we had dinner at my sisters while watching some Olympics which was a pretty good end to the weekend.

 

these girls are sooo cute!

 

Everly's apron is getting full!

 

A little pre-lunch park time on Saturday

Mall train!

Nora really liked the Olympics too (and drooling on me).

Play Nintendo Tour

On Saturday we headed over to the mall when it opened to check out the Play Nintendo Tour. I liked playing Nintendo when I was younger. We had a Nintendo64 and loved it. Justin and I have a Wii but we haven't turned it on in forever. When I saw this event would be at the mall near us, I thought it might be fun for Everly who has had almost no experience with video games. The night before going my sister brought over her Nintendo DS and so Everly got to check it out. Since then my sister let her borrow it and she has been trying to play the Princess Peach game my sister had because that is her new favorite character. She has a lot to learn but it is fun to watch. The event at the mall was a bit crazy. Thankfully my mom and sister watched Aspen so I could go through everything with Everly. She did like it but it was all new to her so she wasn't really good at playing any of the games. At the event you could collect stickers at each of the games by answering questions. They were kind of tough but eventually we got all the stickers which allowed us to get in a line to play a crane machine game to win a prize. We had two tokens and somehow we managed to win a plush Yoshi on our first try! I was so excited because  I thought she would probably melt down if we didn't win something! This all actually turned out to be really good timing because I think it will be good entertainment for our trip to New York next week. I have already thought about getting her a new NintendoDS for Christmas possibly!

 

I was actually at the mall on Sunday too and it was even crazier!

 

 Playing Mario Kart and a picture with Kirby!

playing donkey kong!

 

Aspen hanging out with my mom and sisters

Everly with her new Yoshi plush! She slept with him that night.

Easter Bunny Pictures

I have lots to post and share about our Easter weekend but I just wanted to do a quick post to share the pictures from visiting the Easter Bunny at the mall last week. My sister and I kind of decided at the last minute to go last Thursday and so we met at the mall before dinner. There were two different places to take the picture, one with and one without the bunny. Aspen did fine without the bunny but the girl was nearly hyperventilating in the picture with the bunny. Seriously she was having a panic attack. It was so sad. Teddy was a little suspicious as well but probably just because Aspen was freaking out. Everly did great and gave the Easter Bunny multiple hugs and Cam did good as well considering he was tired and didn't really want to sit on the bench. To be honest, I can't really blame Aspen because the Easter bunny is pretty creepy looking but it was sooo sad to see her so upset. Hopefully she gets a little more brave before we go to Disneyland in the fall!

Teddy and the egg props!!!

sorry, Aspen!

The way Ted is looking as Aspen...haha.

Arrowhead Mall Carnival

Last week we drove by the mall and saw parts of a carnival in the parking lot. I wasn't sure if it was being set up or taken down but later when I went on their website I saw that it was starting Friday and going on for a week so we decided to wait and go Monday night so there would be no crowds. There was definitely no crowds so that was nice. It was a small little carnival but it had some different rides than we are used to with the church carnival we go to every year so it was fun. There were of course lots of rides that Everly couldn't go on but there was more than enough that she could ride. There was this cool boat one that I had never seen before. I had to ride on it with her but it was fun. She wanted to go on this really fast ride (the one that the kid in Sandlot throws up on) but luckily she does not meet the height requirement. She also wanted to play all of the carnival games but insisted on the balloon darts. Justin won her a Twilight Sparkle My Little Pony and she took that thing with her to school today. I think its weird, but whatever. Aspen went on one of the rides too but had fun just walking around and seeing all of the lights. We are typically pretty boring during the week and just go straight home and have dinner, baths, bedtime, etc. so it was fun to mix it up a little for once.

Perfect Carnival weather!

 

She had zero fun.

The cool boat ride

Santa Pictures 2015

Last night we took a quick trip to the mall to take pictures with Santa. My mom had to go to get a few things so she met us there with the boys and my sister came when she got off work. I made a reservation with Santa online through Arrowhead Mall and while we still had to wait a little, it did help. It was super easy, too so I recommend it. Everly was pretty excited to see Santa this year. She wrote her name on a letter to him while we waited in line and then told him what she wanted. Teddy was really great about talking to Santa too and Cam was just chill. Aspen cried immediately but stopped for a second when we moved her next to Everly. She looks sad in the picture but it is not as bad as Everly's from 2012 (here). I still love our picture from last year and I just noticed it is the exact same santa (here). Aspen definitely looks sad in the picture but it is not too bad! One more week until Christmas!

 

 

Mall Trip

One of the things we love to do on weekend mornings in the summer is go to the mall. It always cracks me up when we get there early and no stores are open but there are plenty of people there. Apparently it is common for people (generally elderly) to get there exercise in by walking laps around the mall. I get it, I guess. It's air-conditioned and that is the same reason we are there instead of outside at a playground. Anyways, Justin had an appointment at the apple store that morning so it was perfect. My sister was working but my mom met us with the boys and they all had a lot of fun. This 5 or 6 year old boy came up to Everly and asked her if she wanted to play tag. She got shy and didn't say anything but it only took a couple of minutes before she was giggling and chasing him. It was so cute. Cameron had a blast as well and was a little giggle monster. The play area is right next to the Disney Store so we obviously went in there after. We often don't buy anything in there but Everly loves it and calls it the princess store. We walked around the mall a little more and took a ride on the little carousel before visiting the puppies and heading out. Everly almost passed out before lunch so I guess she had fun! I know Teddy fell asleep on the way home!

 

Also, can we talk about these boys in baby blue...