Tonight we went to the park for some fun after dinner and Katelyn got a bit parched. She told Liz that she was thirsty to which Liz responded that they should go to the water facet. Katelyn looked at Liz in dismay and said, “But mommy, I want spring water.” Ooops, guess we’re ruining our kids early on. I feel so Beverly Hills…

Originally posted on The Dad’s Group

Last night Joshua fell out of the bed. It is one of those pull-out couch beds and he was sleeping with sissy. Liz barricaded the sides but I forgot to put the chair at the foot of the bed like previous nights after reading e-mail at the desk. Sure enough at 2:30 a.m., Liz and I were awaken by our little 2 year old crying. Fortunately, it appears that he fell on his buns and not his head. I think he was more shook up then hurt, which I was thankful for. Liz grabbed him and put him in our bed and then Katelyn started crying. She was lonely, as she told me this morning, and wanted to be with us. Good thing the hotel gave us a king sized bed.

What a wonderful day we had today. We went to the beach at Santa Monica and the weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cold. There was barely anyone there, too! We were a few feet from the waters edge and had a blast for the entire afternoon there.

While this isn’t the first time the kids have been to the beach, it is probably Katelyn’s first time that she really “gets” it. She was scared of the rushing tide but ventured out to her ankles in it as long as she was holding tightly to daddy’s hand. We would run in and away from the wave and at first she would scream in fear but then it quickly turned into excitement for her. I had such a good time with her. I can tell she’s going to be just like me when it comes to water: she’ll love it forever!

Up on the sand, Joshua was a bit timid to go anywhere but from mommy’s arms. About an hour later, he finally got out and plopped himself in the sand digging with his shovel. He and I then played “bury daddy’s arm and make it come out” for a while. I also dug a deep hole and fell into it to allow for some burying of daddy in the sand.

I couldn’t get anyone all the way in the water so I was solo for the body surfing stuff. I went in and out throughout the afternoon and caught some sweet rides in. Man, I had a blast! The water was a warm 66° (this is the Pacific folks) and I never once shivered. I could have stayed in all day.

Around five-ish, we bailed up the street to Santa Monica and 3rd. We ate at this awesome Italian place (can’t spell it’s name) and dined outside. Crowd watching is always a fun thing in Santa Monica (as Brian pointed out Thursday.) The food was incredible and I got a parking spot right there by the restaurant. When we left, a convertible Ferrari was behind us (see the modi). Nice.

Okay, now where off to the pool. I’ll blog more later.

Last night, we went to LAX for dinner at the Encounters Restaurant. You know, that famous building in the air in the middle of the airport. Well, it was the first time I’ve been there even though I’ve flown in and out of the airport many times. Guess you have better things to do with your time, huh? Anyway, since Joshua and Katelyn love planes so much, I thought it would be a great place to have dinner since post 9/11, we wouldn’t be able to get to a gate inside the airport. As I figured, the kids loved it. Joshua was not concerned about food at all which was good because the restaurant didn’t seem to be either. Man, the menu stunk and it was bank! We ended up getting two drinks and chicken strips with fries. Not worth the $15 but the children had a blast so in the end, that was worth it.

We ended up leaving for Marie Callender’s for our real dinner and Liz over heard the waitress complain that no one was buying anything. I can understand the poor girls frustration, but man, get a better menu! Since we are in LA, it took nearly an hour to get to Marie’s during rush hour (and that’s with double car pool lane most of the way!) and only 20 minutes on the way back to the hotel. Yup, good ‘ol LA.

Tonight, I was cuddling with Katelyn in bed, something we do as a treat with her at bed time, and we were just blabbing away. I then said to her, “Let’s talk about Father’s Day,” to which she responded, “We can’t talk about that, Daddy.” She then proceeded to change the subject and even started talking about Mother’s Day. I protested and told her it was a year away and she continued to talk all about her desires for it. Shesh.

I tried another avenue to travel down and said to her, “Katelyn. Am I your father?”

“Yes, daddy.”

“Is today a day?”

“Daddy, I can’t tell you about Father’s Day,” is what she immediately said. No thinking, no taking her down a path, no fooling. She nailed me! Dude, she’s only 4 and a half, this is not fair!

Originally posted on The Dad’s Group

We’re at BK Lounge having French Toast Sticks for breakfast. Since thb BK has free Wi-Fi, I’m surfing while the kids finish. I love free hotspots.

Off to get Nana’s surprise after this.

Tonight we ate dinner outside in the cool 85 degree breeze and just enjoyed God’s creation while eating, umm, His creation. At one point during dinner, Joshua, sitting across from me, looked at me and said, “Hey!” I looked at him and asked what and he replied, “What’s up, duuude!”

My two year old has learned daddy’s language. How sweet!

Originally Posted on The Dad’s Group

We were at the sliding-glass door just now petting Zoe when Joshua, the 2 1/2 year old, realized something was wrong with Zoe. He shouted, “Hey, Zoe doesn’t have shoes!” Yup, our outside cat doesn’t have shoes. Good catch, son.

Originally Posted on The Dad’s Group

To our great pleasure, Joshua has just gone Number 1 and 2 on the potty!! How did we finally get him to do this after months of suggesting it to him?

Well he’s been going on for days how he wants to ride a motorcycle. He keeps telling us over and over how he want to ride one. I guess Joshua had already dirtied a diaper and Liz was cleaning him in the bathroom and he once again mentioned that he wanted to ride a motorcycle. So since suggesting a candy as a potty treat hadn’t been a good enough enticement, Liz told him that he could ride a motorcycle if he went potty on the pots. He said he had to do more and the he would.

Boy, the little buddy was true to his word and did his business on his little mini-toilet! It was funny to watch his face go from all smiles to a full concentrated look while doing his business. After he had finished, he got up with Liz’s help and turned around and just stared at his work. It was a comical event to be sure!

Katelyn, the sweet big sister she is, went and got her own candy and rewarded Joshua with it after he was all cleaned up. He gladly took it and was pleased with his accomplishment.

Now Liz and I have to figure out where to get a motorcycle and how he’s going to ride it. Uncle Pa, get your battery fixed, buddy!

Orginally posted on The Dad’s Group

Tonight while praying at bed time, Joshua, last to pray, prayed for many things, mostly mimic of Katelyn. As he got near the end, he prayed, “pray for sissy, mommy, daddy, my PJ’s, and my cup (his water cup).” Now how cute is that?! hehehehe, what a riot.

Originally Posted on The Dad’s Group