Trick-Or-Treat & Malia's First Halloween!

Whoever designed the whole concept of "Trick-Or-Treat" clearly had the mindset of, "How can I get something for free, but not have to do the work? I know, I'll make the kids do it!" Because really, thats what trick-or-treating is... walking your kids around in your neighborhood in their cute (and sometimes scary!) costumes, and then at the end of the night, reaping the rewards of it by digging through their loot and helping yourself. Because let's face it, they most certainly can not begin to eat all that candy themselves, and really, what kind of a parent would you be if you did let your child eat through all of that!! I guess, the kind of parent that has limitless amounts of money and time to take their kids to the dentist afterwards, eh?? :)

Kekoa and Malia BOTH had bags, but only Koa walked up to front doors with it. And by the third or fourth house he FINALLY got the hang of getting free candy from people simply by greeting them. And too, some people made the mistake of allowing Koa to pick his own candy... being MY son, he of course, helped himself to a whole handful of candy!! Which really, by his toddler hand size was really only 2 or 3 pieces, but still, we had to teach him not to be greedy!! Luckily our neighbors found it adorable and funny... but in about 2 years or so, it won't be so cute anymore, so I should commend him for taking advantage of his age for once!

Like last year's costume once again, we centered the kids around Daddy's faves... and who else other than Star Wars does Daddy obsess over? Superman!! And to kind of go with his look, we matched Malia as Batgirl. And yes, I know that Batgirl technically wasn't in the Justice League, but they didn't make Wonder Woman costumes for infants!!

Mommy's Batgirl


With Daddy, getting ready to head out


My little Superman


We went cruising the neighborhood with our next door neighbors Katrinah, Isabell and their mom Lynn


Koa slowly getting the hang of this free candy business :)




And this one is hillarious because in the background you can see Uncle Kitch already checking out his godson's stash!! LOL!


Family Pic (I love how Malia is reaching out to her brother in this one... soooo cute!)


...And everybody's looking!! A success! Happy Halloween!!

Halloween Spooktacular at California Oaks Sports Park

Murrieta is a BIG family oriented kind of town. This is one reason why we decided to move so far from what we knew before as "home." Luckily we've quickly made our house really feel like a home and Murrieta is definitely where our heart is now.

Every year they do something for the little kid sect where they charge only $3 per child to play unlimited Halloween carnival games and receive candy as their prize. If you are between the age of 3 and 12, this place is for you. You easily fill up that gigantic plastic bag that they give you, chock full of goodies to rot your teeth... and there's still trick-or-treating to look forward to!

We tried, we went... and unfortunately, like many things our kids are still too young to partake in, we left not completing the entire thing. But being newbies to the area, we tried it, liked it and decided that we will come back again... in about 2 more years. :)

Family Pic on our way into the park


And with Lolo and Lola


Not yet at the carnival and already trouble abrewing. Koa decided that his hands were for pinching and apparently, his sister was his intended victim!


Don't let this pic fool you, he's not carressing her face, but trying to slyly pinch her again!


Poor Malia... she loves her brother so much and he's so naughty!


Lolo snuggling Malia in the cool night air.


Lola joining in for some sweet baby kisses. :)


P.S. Like Lola's glasses?? She's covering the big 'ol shiner that she got from tripping over our lawnmower! Poor Lola!! But she's a toughie!!


Koa waiting patiently in line for a game with a balloon, which to Mommy's relief, Daddy quickly deflated (and saved Mommy!!) because Kekoa kept trying to sit on it!


With Ninong Kitch


Happy Family Time!


The rest are pics designed to melt your heart... of such an amazing Daddy. :)







We came home to find Malia all tuckered out in her carseat from the night's festivities...


Only to find that it was short lived!!! So, an impromptu photoshoot ensues!!!


"I got feet!!"


Kisses from her BFF... Malia & Dini


And just for laughs. A video clip of Kekoa playing one of the carnival games taken on Uncle Kitch's phone. Watch how Koa actually tried to eat the ball and then proceeds to care only about his Sonic cup at the end. Cwaaaazzzy baby! :)

Pumpkins For Malia & Kekoa

I am big on holidays. Now that we have kids, I want each and every holiday to be that much more important.

Growing up as a child my parents, though they were immigrants coming to a new country and trying to adapt new culture for their kids, did their best to bring in new traditions for us. Pumpkin carving was one of them. I remember going to the pumpkin patch (ok, it wasn't a real patch, but really a parking lot with a ton of hay bales right in front of NBC Studios... but living in Burbank, its not like we had access to actual farms) and picking out my pumpkin to take home to carve. Granted, I got to draw the face, and my Dad always cut and carved it out. But still, it made for good times and good memories.

I wanted my kids to be able to do the same. Yes, they're 1 and 5 months now, but I want them to be able to look back and see that we ALWAYS made a big deal of holidays no matter what the time.

Kekoa waiting to help scoop out the pumpkin insides while I get them ready. Like his makshift seat?



"Mom, hurry up!!! Stop trying to make it too perfect!"





"Maybe I'll make my own pattern!"


"This was NOT what I had expected!"


Time to scoop!!! This gets messy, so must take the proper precautions! :)



Soooooo over this already


Inspecting Mommy's work thus far




And the finished project! Ta da!!! Elmo for Kekoa (of course!) and Big Bird for Malia!

Sometimes You Just Need A Break

Kekoa has been going through some rough times lately with not being able to communicate. We will try and do all that we can to see what it is he is asking for or needs, but sometimes, we're just so completely unsuccessful and its so heartbreaking to see the frustration on his face... not to mention the tantrums that ensue when it happens.

And today, was one of those really sad and frustrating mornings. Koa woke up really early and apprently on the wrong side of the bed. All morning it was tantrums and tears and we just couldn't get through to him.

So with the help of Lola and Lolo who watched Malia at home, Mommy took Kekoa to Los Alamos Hills Sports Park, which is just on the other side of the hill, and he had a blast. Luckily he was able to just expend all his energy and pent up frustrations and let it go on the slides and swings.

It really was like I had a whole new little boy. Honestly, it is moments like these, even with the trantrums that I can't explain, that makes me feel so lucky to be the mother of this amazing little boy. :)

A much happier boy!


Showing off what a big boy he is by going down the slide unassisted!!



So happy to be airborne!!


Driving the playground


Showing off his monkey climbing skills


My little digger (And how appropriate for the moment is his sweatshirt?)