TOBIN'S 4-YEAR CHECK UP!

Tobin had his 4-year check up today. He did great! It helps when it's a "no shot" year. Phew! Tobin weighed in at 44.6 pounds, and is 44 inches tall! Our big boy!

 

 

 

When the doctor came in, Tobin was making letters with tongue depressors.  The doctor seemed impressed.  He asked Tobin if he could make a "T".  No problem.  He then asked Tobin if he knew a word that started with T (thinking he'd say Tobin).  Tobin said "turtle!"  Dr. Maneffa laughed, and asked if he knew any other T words.  Tobin said, "tree!".  The doc asked if he knew anymore, and he answered "Tobin!".  Dr. M asked if he could spell it, which of course, he could.  Well done.

 

Later in the exam, the doctor asked Tobin what his favorite food was.  Tobin said it was tomatoes.  This is a total lie, but made me proud.  Dr. Maneffa seemed impressed, and even though it wasn't true, it made me feel like I'm taking good care of this kid.  Ha!

 

Tobin was able to hop on one foot, tell the doc how many eyes he has, count his own fingers and toes, name his shapes and colors - passed with flying colors.  We left with a  Cars sticker and a lab request to finally get Tobin's blood work done to test for his allergies.  Fingers crossed that he's only allergic to peanuts, and not any other nuts.  He'll also get tested for environmental allergens like grass, dust, mold, etc.

 



And here is Tobin waiting for the doctor.  He's directing airport traffic with tongue depressors.  Gotta love this kid's imagination. 

 

(And just for the record for those that know Tobin's imaginary brother, Jake...I checked with Dr. Maneffa just to make sure that it's OK that Jake is always around and that it's "normal".  He responded by saying that his own imaginary brother was sitting in his office and hangs out all the time.  Guess I need to keep setting an extra seat at our table, and making extra food for Jake!)    :)

The Birthday Celebration

Of course the theme of Tobin's 4th birthday party was Monster Jam!!!  Here is a sampling of the day.  It was about 100 degrees out, so most of the time was spent in the pool by all!

 

 

Homemade cupcakes

 

 

Lollipops for the kids to take home

 

Jolie and her friends PJ and Brinn helped Tobin celebrate.  (Maggie was our photographer, so she's missing from the pics).

 

The birthday boy makes a wish and prepares to blow out the candle.

 

Tobin and his friends have a water balloon fight!

 

 The monster truck pinata was FULL of treats and surprises!

The adults even managed to have some fun and keep cool.  All in all a successful day!

 

Tobin Turns 4!!!

Tobin's birthday proper...

 

 

Started off at his favorite, regular breakfast spot with Mopsy and Popsy for blueberry pancakes.

 

Daniel and I worked 1/2 day, so we could celebrate with our big boy.  Presents couldn't wait until the end.  He was thrilled with monster trucks and more monster trucks!

 

Then it was off to Tobin's favorite activity - mini golf.

 

(Sorry for the blurry pic)...the day ended with dinner at Mopsy and Popsy's.  Mopsy made brownies a la mode for the birthday boy!

 

 

 And of course, Tobin gets to celebrate at school too.  Popscicles for everyone!!

King Tobin holds court.  All his friends wait patiently for their treats to help "toast" the birthday boy!

A Visit From the Neuenschwanders!

Garner, Patrick and Piper were in town from Tennessee, so we got some good visiting time.  Daniel had met Patrick and Piper, but it was nice for the rest of us to get to know them and spend some good time!

 

 

 

The whole crew.

Can you tell Daniel took them to Strand Brewing Co during their visit?

 

Piper taking in her first Dodger game and showing her True Blue spirit.

 

Garner and Piper getting some sun at the beach!

 

Part of Daniel's tour, of course, was the beer scene.  Good bonding.

 

TEE BALL!

We started Tobin in Tee Ball.  He keeps saying that now he's in Little League!  He had so much fun today at his first practice!

 

 

 

Pre-workout stretch!!  Very serious!

 

Tobin practices his catching ground balls.  Such concentration! 

 

 

 They learned about all the bases.  The kids kept calling home base "house base" since it's shaped like a house.  Very confusing!

 

 

 

 Dreaming big dreams!

Tobin's 1st Dodger Game

We took Tobin to his 1st Dodger game, and he loved it!  We were lucky enough to get to sit in a Luxury Box, which is the way to go.  Hopefully Tobin doesn't think this is the only way to see a game, since it may not happen again!

 

 

Tobin and dad getting geared up for the exciting game!  Go Blue!

 

Not too shabby!  Tobin is ready to catch a foul ball!

On the way to the game.  Looks like a true fan.

 

Our family photo at Dodger Stadium

 

 

Love the enthusiasm!

Staycation

We really felt like we needed a break.  A relaxing vacation was in order.  But reality hit that we don't really don't have the funds for a vacation, not even a local one, so it was decided...time for a STAYcation!

We each took a whopping 3 days off of work, and added in our regular days off for our 4 day staycation.  I have to say, I loved it.  There was none of the stress of traveling (and sleeping in a hotel room with a toddler), we didn't spend much money, and we had a great time!  It really turned into lots of beach days, but we weren't complaining.  It was almost too hot to do anything else anyway. 

Day 1 - Hermosa Beach.  Doesn't he look relaxed?

Successful beach day.  Tobin and the surfer at Hermosa Pier.

Day 2 - Laguna Beach.  We started off the day with a light bite on a sunny patio.

We rode the free trolley in Laguna up and down the main drag.  Fun for Tobin.

The waves were surprisingly big in Laguna.  We had fun playing in them, but it was hard work to keep Tobin standing upright.

Summer Fun!

Daddy and Tobin admiring the nice view.

Tobin fast asleep after getting taken out by a wave with Daniel.  He was a little traumatized and to deal with it, he passed out for at least an hour!

Our beach boy

Knee deep is doable!

The boys clowning around.

We finished the day with Miniature Golf (Tobin's favorite).  But we couldn't document, because both of our phones were dead after the long, exciting day!

Day 3 - Manhattan Beach

Of course we had to bring Monster Trucks and make them a track.  Here is Tobin racing "U.S. Airforce After Burner" over the ramps and bumps, and cheering him on.

 Daniel and Tobin throw a little pig skin (not really - it's nerf, so soft plastic?)

We visited our old stomping grounds in Playa del Rey.  We brought some bread to feed the geese, who were all still there - ready for a hand out!

We couldn't go to Playa without eating at our old favorite Cantolini's.  Tobin LOVED it like a good Hackney!

Day 4 - Home Sweet Home.  We took Tobin to school, and had a relaxing (adult) day at the pool.  Daniel made margaritas and we did a whole lotta nothing!  (Actually I did work 1/2 of the day, but it didn't feel quite so bad from here). 

We decided that Staycation was quite successful.  We would do it again in heartbeat!



July 2012

 Daniel & I took a short trip to Vegas for our anniversary.  We stayed at Caesar's for free, and they upgraded our room.  This was our lovely room view.

And our fancy FREE room.

I got a new hat to protect myself from the sun.  Funny picture of me.

Anniversary tiramisu - YUM.

Somebody likes his spaghetti dinner.

The mop-top gets a hair cut.

Tobin cruising down the street with Taylyn.  His first drive.

We've been going to the library and picking books.  We get ones that have CD's that play the story, so Tobin can follow along with the book in bed.  Bugs!  Bugs!  Bugs!

Our new tradition is to go to the Bay on Mondays with friends.  Maggie and Dad go to work, the rest of us go play!

Jolie and Tobin collect Sea Snails

The lifeguard boat comes to the shore and sprays all the kids with their fire hose.  So fun.  Can you pick out Jolie and Tobin?

Jolie is a great big sister that gives Tobin a lot of attention and love!

 

We usually bring Tobin a spare set of clothes to change into after the beach.  We forgot this day, so he opted to take off the wet/sandy clothes and ride home naked.

Tobin leads story time at school.  He must take after his dad.

Maggie is so grown up.  She got a student internship in the Mayor's Office for the summer.  Doesn't she look so professional?  Daniel is so proud!

And here is our little Maggie. All decked out for a friend's birthday dinner.

Date night again!

Daniel relaxing after a long, busy month.