Helmet Adventures - week 9

9 weeks down, 8 weeks to go (give or take a little). I guess we can officially say we are "over the hump."

There isn't too much to say this week...things are progressing and moving along as usual.  I guess the biggest thing that happened regarding the helmet this week is that Geoffrey has managed to release the velcro strap twice in the past two days.  It was actually kind of amusing.  I was driving home from work yesterday, when I hear this slow velcro-releasing sound, only to look back and find Geoffrey in his carseat, gripping the loose strap with his hand, smiling at his enthusiastic sister, who was cheerfully exclaiming, "Look, Mommy!  Geoffrey's taking his helmet off!!" :)  As a result, the specialist had to add an additional strap over the existing one today, to keep him "locked in."  Poor guy.  Now the velcro reaches halfway around his head.

I think the other thing I've noticed this past week is how much hair our little man has under that helmet.  As if you hadn't noticed, the hole on the top of the helmet gives way to a delightful tuft of blonde hair, which tends to stick straight up.  Of course I have seen it getting longer, but haven't really thought much about it.  However, when I've been drying his hair after a bath, I notice how much more hair he has and how long it is getting.  I know that sounds so obvious, but trust me, when all you see day in and day out is a plastic shell over his head, the moment you get to run your hand over all of his blonde hair, it can take you by surprise.  At least for me.  In a way, I kind of feel like I am missing out on a part of his growing up, by not being able to watch his hair grow over time.  As silly as that sounds, it's true!  But on a side note...how adorable is he?!?

So, as we wait for another 8 weeks to go by, we will continue to enjoy life as a happy little family, one day at a time.

A Sunday Drive

Pasadena is nestled up against the San Gabriel Mountains, and for the past 2 years we have lived here, Brant has had a yearning to drive up and do some exploring.  Let me be clear from the beginning, because most of my faithful readers hail from the Pacific Northwest.  No, these are not "mountains" in comparison to the Cascade Range, but rather, really grand hills.  However, I have come to terms with the fact that the map indeed has them labeled as mountains, even though they really are not enormous like the mountains I know.  I digress.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, we packed a picnic lunch and made a trip up the Angeles Crest Highway, which starts about 9 miles away from our front door.  We had a wonderful time exploring the backside of these "mountains," which to our delight, truly opened up to a full mountain range that stretched out into the horizon.  We made several stops, including our picnic stop at the bottom of a valley, providing us shade, a little trail to walk along and a creek to enjoy.  The conclusion of our drive brought us to the summit of Mt. Wilson, where all of the radio towers are located, alongside an observatory.  In typical LA fashion, the smog had made its usual appearance that afternoon, limiting what could have been the most spectacular view ever, stretching all the way out to the ocean.  It just means we will have to do it again on a clear day.  Bummer. :)

Ready for lunch, but not before a picture!

Green trees do exist in California!! :)

Happy picnicking!

Someone just woke up from his nap, but was still happy to be with us on a picnic.

Beauty exploring the great outdoors.

Sweetness.

Self-family portrait. :)

Right after this picture was taken, Maddie managed to get her foot wet in the creek.  Fancy that.  Should have seen that coming - I mean, just look at her face!

Hooray for our special day!

 

Pretty up there, isn't it?

That's Pasadena down there, and the 210 Freeway, which is right by our apartment.  Crazy!

Young LA love. :)

Little cutie-pie, so happy to be on top of a really high mountain!

Somebody lives near Hollywood...

She's got personality, that's for sure!

 I love her!

Part of the highway we traveled on.  Definitely a beautiful, fun adventure!

Disneyland with the Van Clan!

To conclude our phenomenal week with my family, we made a trip to Disneyland, which was pretty special for us to all be there together.  Being the opening week for Cars Land, Disneyland was not crowded at all, allowing us to truly take advantage of absolutely everything we wanted to do, sometimes three times in a row!  I know my faithful readers are so patient with my photos of Disneyland on here, but I have to post more after each special trip, because to me, they are so different each time. :)

Happy Father's Day, to my incredible Dad!!  What a way to spend this special holiday! :)

Mouse ears.  Check.

And a very Happy Father's Day to my man, the most perfect father for our beautiful children.

Wohoo!  We're about to get our magic on!!

Hugs from Donald.

Ahh.  Chip love.

About to board Star Tours, first time for all three us since it reopened last year.

Love her. Love her. Love her.

They can hardly contain their excitement!

Maddie, and her amazing Daddy.

Grandpa and Maddie, ready to take Ellie on her first tea-cup experience!

Two mamas, taking a break. :)

If you look closely, you can see Maddie with her hands up in the air - atta girl!

For whatever reason, the girls continued to come back to the white rabbit statue and pose, if we were in the area.

Ben's first Small World experience - it's a lot to take in!

My blue-eyed boy.

Sweet innocence. (You wouldn't believe this cute little face is capable of mischief!)

Ready for the parade!

The parade is a lot of stimulation for a 6 1/2 month old!

And a lot of crazy excitement for a 3 1/2 year old!!  Ellie is extremely excited to see Mary Poppins coming down the route.  Truly.  She was THAT excited!!! :)

Thank you, my dear family, for the magical day, and the incredible week we spent together!  We love you all so much!!

Party time!

We couldn't have family visiting from out of town a few days before Maddie turned 3, without having a party!  In between our theme park excursions, we had a day of rest, which included an evening birthday party for Maddie Mae.  We had a nice dinner, pink streamers, pink balloons, pink cake, and birthday presents!  She was in heaven - especially when she realized we were going to sing "Happy Birthday" to her once again. :)

The banner made a second appearance - I mean, c'mon!  That took a lot of work, and I wanted to enjoy it more than once this year!

Brant, Sarah and I had a plank contest, to see who could hold it the longest.  I would have won, but I decided it would be kind of me to include the girls in on our fun, so I stopped my plank early, and had the girls climb onto Brant for this fun picture. :) (Yes, Brant won).

Grandpa Pat, combing Ben's hair for the birthday party.

Grandpa and his boys!

Who's excited for pink cake??

3!!!

Brant, er, I mean, Maddie got a new Rapunzel t-shirt from Ellie.

 

All of the remaining pictures were taken on Maddie's actual birthday which landed on Tuesday, the 19th, after everyone had left.  We went to a local park for a pizza dinner with our good friends, Micah and Hannah (and some of Maddie's favorite people). I thought I'd just add them to finish off Maddie's birthday posts in one place. :)

Maddie and Micah were taking turns being silly and pretending not to smile for the camera. :)

Maddie's special birthday present, saved for her actual birthday.

A special Belle doll for her to love.  :)