'Zilla's 18mo Red Chair Pics!

That's right!  We've made it to yet another Red Chair Picture.  Camren Grace Marie is 18 months old.  As you can see, she is still quiet the little Ham.  At 18mo, Camren loves the camera and will mug it up while saying her version of "Cheese" which cracks me up given that she's never had a piece of actual cheese.  However, this dairy allergy isn't slowing her down when it comes to food.  This girl loves to eat and will try just about anything (as long as Jaxon isn't around to influence her).  Edamame, asparagus, kiwi and fish are some of her more recent culinary loves.  

Still the ever moving monkey, Camren seems to have realized that Jax is a great subject for study.  She is definitely in a "Monkey See, Monkey Do" kid.  If Jax' jumps, so does 'Zilla.  Jaxon dances, Camren dances.  Jax says he's finished eating...suddenly Cam's full too.  Super cute and super frustrating to watch all at the same time!  But don't let this phase fool you.  She is still an "I can do it" kid.

"I can do its" of late... dress her self and  undress herself.  Picking out her clothing daily. Take off her diaper (she's super interested in potty training and has had quiet a bit of success, fingers crossed!)  Putting on and taking off shoes.  Also, she is a firm believer that she is now too old for this hand-holding stuff and tries to bolt anytime we are in a situation where I want/need control over her.  The girl is one parking lot dash away from giving me a heart attack. And I am positive that this will not be the last time that Camren engages in a heart stopping activity, nor will it be the last time that we result to spanking for running in a car infested parking lot. :-(

At 24lbs and 32 3/4inches tall, Camren is a shrieking tornado of activity.  As I've said before...she is a girl of passion and extremes.  Running or sleeping.  Happy or angry. Loves it or hates it.  And I for one am glad that she is passionate and voices her opinion (loudly) because I know that Camren is destined for greatness and these traits will help her achieve it with flair!

Easter Eggs

The Friday before Easter Dad was working, the weather was beautiful and the kids (ok...kids and I) were getting a little stir crazy. So out came the egg dying kit! The kids had a great time. Jax loved actually dying the eggs. Camren was at her 'Zilla best, and throroughly enjoyed smashing the eggs together and attempting to drink the dyes.

Jax was very proud of his color creations.

Camren with a death grip on a particularly flattering shade of green. (and thank goodness it was flattering since she got it everywhere!)

The results of their joint efforts. Colors by Jax. "Distressing" by Camren!

*I swear to my self and my children that we won't attempt 1 adult egg dying for many years to come. I am sporting a few grey hairs as a result of this year's session!*

Spring Break Get away

This year for Meemaw and Mamoo's Easter Break the family vacationed in Aptos. We had such a great time at Hidden Beach last year, we decided to do it again!

This is the walk that we took every day (ok multiple times a day) to Hidden Beach. Just up the hill from this spot is a playground that Jax and Camren frequented as well.

The weather was gorgeous and our days were filled with baseball on the beach, running in the waves and sand castle building.

Technically, the majority of construction done was on ramps and race tracks for the kids sand cars...but sand castles just sounds so much more nostalgic than race tracks! ;-) Also built was a baseball luge type of track that had a tunnel under a sand berm and everything! Jax loved it. Camren just really loved stuffing sand in her pockets. Which I'll consider a huge improvement over stuffing her cheeks!

Sand smuggling

These tired kiddies generally hitched their rides home! Playing in the sun and sand proved to be exhausting business.

On our final night the group took a trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk. This year, Jax and Camren were old enough to ride the kiddie rides! They had a blast "driving" the cars.

Jax took his driving so serious! Even turning the wheel in the direction that the car was "turning" He posted up like a cool guy as soon as his seat belt went on.

And what's a trip to the Board Walk with out playing some carnival games? Near the kiddie rides, they have games just for kiddos like Jax and Camren (and B and Tia and Daddy and Meemaw and Mamoo). This one was a huge Go-Fish game that everyone had a blast playing and winning toys!

This vacation has quickly turned into one of our favorite destinations. Such a relaxing week...This Mama can't wait to go back!

Date Night

Jaxon and Camren were recently requested for a Date Night with their Meemaw, Mamoo and B. Here's how the dates went...

Jax and Meemaw met B in Modesto to have dinner and attend a Gallo Center play "Are You My Mother". The book has been a favorite of Jaxon's since the first time B read it to him (complete with sound effects and songs of course!)

B did a great job of jogging Jaxon's memory of the events in the book over a dinner of grilled cheese and oranges! From all accounts, Jaxon had a great time at his first play. He was a super deliriously happy kid when he arrived back at the house...a sure sign of a good time!

Jaxon and his Meemaw waiting for the play to begin.

While Brother was broadening his cultural horizons, Mamoo and I decided to broaden Camren's dining experiences. With her allergies, dining out with Camren isn't always an option. So where'd we go? Sushi!! And she loved it. Edamame was her absolute fav, picking that over her rice and foiled chicken!

Nothing washes sushi down better than fro-yo. So down the street we walked to grab a little sorbet for the non-dairy kiddo.

As you can see...we don't miss the milk at all!! She looooved her sorbet and had a great time drumming on the chairs with Mamoo.

Both of the kids had a great time trying new things and I love watching them grow and brave new experiences!