Nickelodeon Night

What a fun night we had! It was so spontaneous and I didn't know what we were actually doing until we were there doing it. My brother had called me earlier in the day and told me he got a room at the Renaissance Esmeralda for the night and that Layla and I were more than welcome to come hang out with him and the kids. So, you know us, we're always up for new adventures, we were totally there. They ended up having this awesome Nickelodeon program at the hotel for the kids. There was a "mass slimming" where all the kids stood on the grass and then the slime was spayed on them. It was so cool, I would have loved doing that! When I was little I always watched kids get slimmed on Nickelodeon and thought how cool it would be if I could get slimmed too. But Layla didn't think it was very cool, just look at how scared she looks! This picture cracks me up, it totally captures what she was thinking. LOL After all 3 kids ran and hid behind us when the slime started, we decided it was time for swimming. And not just any swimming, it was movie swimming night. This means that while the kids were swimming there was a movie playing on the grass. Tonight's movie was the Spongebob Movie, the kid's favorite! Once it started getting dark, the kids got wrapped up in towels and cuddled in their lawn chairs to watch the rest of the movie.

Layla's 2nd Haircut

The last time that Layla had a haircut was when she was about 2.5 years old. She loves her long hair, so do I, but her ends were starting to get kind of uneven so I decided it was time for a haircut. Layla was so upset when I told her we were going to cut her hair, she kept telling me she didn't want to look like a boy. I had to repeatedly tell her that we were only going to cut the very ends off and that her hair would still be very long. As soon as we got to the salon, she was fine and was ready to get her hair done. I have been going to the same hair dresser for over 13 years so of course Layla had to go to her too. She ended up taking about 2-3 inches off Layla's hair. I can't even tell you how much better it looks! Her hair is so beautiful and shiny and this just makes it look even better. And of course Princess Layla couldn't leave without it being curled and styled too. We picked a couple pieces of her hair up from off the ground so I could scrapbook her 2nd haircut. We got enough so we could send some of it to Ed too, I know he'll appreciate it since he couldn't actually be here to watch her get it done. Not too much longer though, we're already in July. Woo hoo!

Our week in San Diego - Part 2

After checking into our hotel the kids were ready to head out to the beach and get their feet wet in the ocean. The hotel was right on the beach and it was so nice to not even have to worry about sandals. We were barefoot 90% of the trip (but let me just say, as soon as we got home I realized I definitely needed a pedicure) and the kids thought it was so neat that they didn't have to worry about putting shoes on. Later that night, around 830, after it got dark outside, we headed to the hotel pool where they played Monsters Inc. Not only could you take a nice swim but you could watch a movie at the same time. Unfortunately it was freezing so we stayed on the pool chairs and bundled up with towels to watch the movie. But it was a lot of fun and our $40 hot chocolate was amazing! LOL The next morning we woke up to perfect weather! Even the kids enjoyed their morning newspaper out on the balcony. The next couple of days were filled with the same thing... more and more beach time (and swimming in the late afternoon). On Thursday night we even got to make Smores on the beach, right next to the water. Layla has never made Smores before so she thought it was the coolest thing although she didn't even take a bite of hers. She was so full from dinner and so exhausted from the beach, as soon as we went back up to the room she was out. We had such a great time in Coronado, thanks Mom for making it so special. It'll probably be awhile before we make it back to the beach since we'll be moving to Colorado in September. I'm so glad we were able to have a nice family trip before we move, it was so much fun and a time that I'll never forget.

Our week in San Diego - Part 1

Wow, what a wonderful week it has been, I didn't want it to end. Layla and I had such a good time in San Diego with friends and family. My mom had been planning a trip for us (her, my brother, his kids, Layla and I) for a few months now for the 22-25th so when Jessica called me and told me she wanted to go to the beach for her birthday (HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY, JESSICA) on the 21st, I was all for it. Hey, the more time at the beach the better. Jessica and I decided we would go up with the kids on the 21st and she would drop me off with my mom on the 22nd. It worked out PERFECT! I couldn't have asked for a better vacation (well, minus the sunburn on the first day. And minus breaking my Nikon D60! Don't even get me started on that one, it still hurts too much to talk about). Jessica, Ana, and Sarah came and got Layla and I around 8am on Monday so we could start our beach journey. The girls just love each other and were so happy to be able to sit next to each other on the car ride there. Layla read Ana books, they would throw a blanket over their heads and just laugh and laugh under it, they shared food and drinks, and just had a good time in the car. After a couple stops for food and potty breaks, we got to Ocean Beach at around 11am. It was freezing cold (well, I thought so anyway, I guess I have acclimated back to the desert heat) but the kids and Jessica ran to the water and jumped right in. I was back on the towel taking it all in and basking in the sun, hoping to warm up. We spent about 4 hours at the beach and had a great time. Ana even knocked out and took a good nap while we were there. It was such a blast! It was then time to check into our hotel so we headed up that way so we could take showers and get ready for a night on the town (okay, not really, we were all ready for bed by 8. But, we did have to get ready for a nice dinner). After we were sand free and starving, we headed over to Old Town to go to the best Mexican restaurant ever! They even make tortillas fresh right in the front window so while you're waiting you can watch, the girls thought it was pretty neat. And of course Jessica and I found something to entertain ourselves with... MUSTACHES! The next morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Coronado, I don't think it gets much better than this! They have this great park right next to the water where the kids got to play at and then we had a nice walk and found bicycles! Okay, these things are so much fun and totally one of my favorite things to do. Not only do I get a work out (trust me, you get a GOOD workout), but the kids have a blast! We rode the bike over to the water when it was low tide and explored. Jessica and I were turning over all the big rocks so the girls could see all the little crabs everywhere. Layla, of course, wanted to hold (and then keep) all of the crabs that we found. After we turned the bicycles back in, it was pizza time and then we had to get in a little more beach time before Jessica had to leave us. It was time for our vacation with the girls to end and time for our family vacation to start! Jessica dropped Layla and I (and alllll of our luggage because hello, I stayed there for a week, you better believe I over packed) off at Del Coronado where we met my mom, my brother, Chloe, and Jaydan! We were sad that Jessica had to leave but happy we got a few more days at the beach.
To be continued...

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to one of the best daddy's around! Layla is such a lucky girl, Ed is such an amazing father and so hands on with her. I love watching them together, all they do is smile and laugh the entire time. We really wish we could be with Ed on Father's Day, we miss him so much and I know Layla really needs her Daddy. We sent Ed a package about a week or so ago with his Father's Day present in it. I took some pictures of Layla holding a D and an A and then got a 3 slot frame and used the pictures to spell out DAD. It turned out so cute, but it does help having an adorable little model! :) We also threw in cards, more pictures of the two of us, and loooots of Hot Cheetos. So HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to an amazing Daddy! Layla is so lucky to have you, babe, we cannot wait to hug you again! xoxo P.S. I also put this message in the Stars and Stripes (our military Newspaper) European edition! :)
http://messages.stripes.osd.mil/2010/fathersday/edward-loredo

Happy 6th Birthday, Chloe

Today my niece Chloe turned 6 years old and we had a mini party at the house for her. I know I say this over and over again but I really cannot believe how fast the time goes when you have kids you're watching grow up. I can remember the day that Chloe was born. I was waiting in the hospital all morning to see her but she took too long to make her appearance and I had to leave and go to work (I was working at Windsor at the time). As soon as I got in my car and headed toward work, I got the phone call that she was born and to hurry up and come back to see her. I was the first one (other than her Mommy and Daddy) that got to see her, it made me feel so special and I was so excited that I was going to have a little niece to spoil rotten. Now, 6 years later and I still do my best to spoil that little girl.

This morning we started off with swimming. Chloe and Layla have been doing so, so good with their swimming that we want them to get as much practice as possible so they don't forget what they're doing. The water was a little chilly this morning thanks to the wind that decided to show up last night but the kids didn't seem to mind. They jumped right in and swam all morning. My mom got Chloe her favorite food, McDonald's, for lunch and after that it was time to open presents. She definitely got spoiled and got lots of nice stuff. I think her favorite present was her Twinkle Toes though! Last but not least, cake time. I made her a simple chocolate cake (her favorite) this morning and Layla, of course, added the sprinkles to it. It was really yummy, I love me some chocolate cake! :) Happy 6th birthday, Chloe!