What Wittle Stella Wore

She insists she is big enough to go to Preschool with brother. To wear lipstick and not hold hands on walks. She is not interested in being my sweet bebe anymore. Yesterday she was over the moon as she and I tagged along on one of JQ's school field trips. She told me very confidently, looking over her shoulder, that she was going to school and took off with the other kids. Off she went without hesitation. Sitting beside the other little ones wagging her legs back and forth under the bench. Partaking in activities and following instruction.Both mis bebes seem so eager to "be big kids" which I can vaguely remember wanting to do the same at one time. All I keep thinking is please don't hurry to grow up. Milk this baby thing for as long as you can little ones!!

We are linking up to What Kids Wore today. A fun little kiddo fashion link up hosted my One Little Momma. Stella Wore an OshKosh blouse, Calvin Klein leggings and Hunter boots. I have just discovered Wittlebee.com for kids clothes. A bit late to the game as always, perdon! What a fabulous idea though! Like many of the other monthly mail services like diapers and woman's clothing, makeup and even men's clothing now. This company takes the headache out of shopping for our little ones at the store where someone is sure to have a meltdown or take off down an aisle or two. I love this as a gift for new Mom or as a gift from Grandparents or anyone that has a tough time putting together outfits for their kids.

Boy Meets Preschool

Hoy Joaquin va a visitar Una Escuelita. Today Joaquin is going to visit what will be his Preschool. It's a big day with first impressions being made and all and this is just a visit, an introduction. He is scheduled to start next month. Those that follow this Blog or know us in person are aware JQ has never been in Daycare or Preschool or even away from me for more than one night! So starting Preschool for two days a week, three hours a day is pretty humungous. Mi Escuelita Maya seems to be the perfect fit for our little guy, our parenting style and family values. I met with the director, Maria a couple weeks ago and am excited for JQ to do the same today. Here's to hoping he loves it!!
Linking to Small Style hosted by Mama Loves Papa.
JQ wore:
Hurley hoodie, OshKosh jeans, Black leather Converse high top.

Improvements

The days have been long and productive. S & J have been total champs by playing and staying busy while we remodel the house. trips to the home improvement store, appliance and tile stores. The first bits of our belongings are being unpacked while the kitchen, dining and living room are under construction. I snapped these Instagram photos while taking a much needed break in beautiful Bidwell Park with the kiddos. It was so incredibly cold but they didn't seem to notice at all. Running and giggling while they played chase, went down the slide and went on the swings. That said I underestimated the cold weather when I packed the bags we would be living out of for these few weeks. Born and raised in Northern California I have no excuse as to why I only packed light jackets and mostly shorts. It is so cold! There is not enough I can say about having family close again either! I am so completely thankful for my family. Without them I'm not sure this remodel would have happened so smoothly or at all.
Linking up to Small Style

Leaves And Things

At the park the leaves where slowly falling and floating off the trees. From the top of the slide Stellita called to me, " Mami, what happy(happened)?" I replied, " the leaves are falling mija (las hojas están cayendo)." She promptly slide down and announced, "I catch'em!" And trotted off to catch the leaves. Which she attempted for all of two minutes before running off to the Cheese(pictured). Because let's face it playing in a huge slice of Swiss cheese made of concrete is pretty awesome.
Linking to Small Style
Stella is wearing OshKosh overalls(hand me down) and top, shoes Saltwater.
Joaquin is wearing Maui shirt from My Grandma, jeans OshKosh, shoes Keen.

Skate

He mostly lugs it around or lies down on his belly pushing along with his hands. The moving Estimator came today to add up all our possessions into some sort of packing and moving equation. Joaquin marched proudly after him, skateboard in hand. My almost four year old little man! The breeze is pushing today and the cool air brings much welcomed change. Change in seasons, change for our sweet family.
Join me in Linking to Small Style
Stella wore: shirt-Target, shorts-Children's Place, bow-Adornme Girl, shoes-L'amour
Joaquin wore: shirt-Gap, shorts-Cherokee, shoes-Saltwater

Romp At Padaro

Not until yesterday did I feel a sense that fall is approaching. This seasons are subdued here at the beach. The evening comes earlier and the nights and mornings colder. Fall! I realized Stella has but ONE pair of closed toe shoes! Time to do a bit of shopping? Putting away things like this sweet romper and sandals in exchange for ruffled hoodies and fringed boots will be happening very soon. Miss Stella has already been walking about the house in my socks and shoes so fall dressing should be right up her alley.
Linking to Small Style
Stella wore: Romper-Jelly The Pug, Sandals-Saltwater

Rocking

I have a hard time getting ride of JQ and Stella's things. Like 'lita's high chair, baby dresses and booties and this rocking horse which was actually Joaquin's. I have trunks and boxes full of things that they will probably never need again. My things on the other hand, are easily given away or donated. Strangely I rarely get attached. No doubt there is some psycho babble explanation for this predicament.  'Predicament' only because we will be moving again soon and what, oh what, to do with all this stuff? .

I think this pony at least will be moving with us!

 Linking to Small Style at Mama Loves Papa

Stella wore:

Embroidered blouse-Gap

Bloomers- Made by GiGi

Clogs-Hunter

Turquoise necklace, headband -Gifted

Trencita

When I was pregnant and told we would be having a girl I began dreaming of a little one climbing trees and playing baby dolls and of long dark hair. My sisters, cousins and I all had long hair growing up. And although I don't remember being particularly fond of baby dolls I did have quite the hot wheels collection! My nieces both have long curly hair as does my Stella. She gets it from her GiGi, her Abuelo and great grandfathers etc. Its a bit unruly and charming just like my sweet girl. Now that it is long enough and she'll sit long enough, I've begun braiding it. Trenzas, mostly my own version of a French and traditional braid combined because it seems to hold best, err a few hours at least. 

                                         Late to the game but still joining Small Style today.

Dress made by my Mom

Bow by AdornMe Girl

Small Style & Disney!

We are still riding the Disney high around here. To my relief the little ones have been playing about the house and yard happily for the past few days. There minds full of Mickey Mouse and flying and music and I am right there with them! I snapped a few unwilling photos for this weeks Small Style while they played in their room yesterday.

We came home with Mickey ears and hands, a pirate sword and hook and a plush Donald Duck. These few items along with the toys they already had have JQ and Stellita immersed in imaginative play most of the day, and thank goodness!!A Mama never really gets a day off but this stage of happily playing together for an hour or so at a time is divine.

Stella is wearing:
 a vintage dress, hand me down western boots from JQ and a hair bow from AdornMe Girl.
Joaquin is wearing:
Polo from Old Navy, Circo shorts and Leather Converse C/O GiGi & PopBee

For those of you that are wondering or have never been. Disneyland IS all that it is cracked up to be. This being Joaquin's second visit at almost four years old, he was genuinely enamored with every bit. The imagery, the characters, the rides...he got it. Today he quite sincerely told me that he loved Mickey Mouse and I sincerely believe him. Stella had a wonderful time too. A lot of it she doesn't quite understand yet though. She adored The Little Mermaid ride in California Adventure (we rode it twice), It's A Small World and the Parade. Singing and Dancing is her thang!! 

We saw MM no less than four times among many other characters like Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Chip and Dale and New Characters like Jake and The Neverland Pirates walking about and visiting with children. Suddenly I was 8 years old and so excited for my little ones (we were cool with waving and saying hello from a few feet away). California Adventure had a fantastic live Mickey Mouse Club show that both the kiddos loved. Bugs land was nice and shaded and ideal for little ones under 5 or so, Cars land was awesome too. The 90+ degree heat was the only drawback to our visit so the live shows indoors and many of the air conditioned rides where a welcomed treat. We went on weekdays and during the off season so riding rides more than once was easy and we did not deal with crowds! We stayed close enough to the park to leave at nap time. Going to the room to freshen up, swim in the pool and nap was awesome with or without little ones! We returned to the park just before dinner and staying for the Parade and Fireworks. I am hoping to make another trip before the end of the year!

Linking up with...

Pirate Play

Sometimes I drive to another city so that my kids can play at a pirate playground. JQ is all about finding treasure and pirate ships these days. Guaranteed while we are at the beach he spots what he is sure is a pirate ship and spends a good amount of time digging for treasure. So this playground in a neighboring city, was a big hit. We were there for hours! Certainly worth the 20 minute drive.

Miss Stella still gets excited just seeing and hearing the other kids play. JQ keeps track of his little sister as he runs from slide to swing to rock wall. He encourages her to try the big slide and stuff that freaks me out. Most of the time she is game for it too. So you can imagine me trying to play it cool as I follow them both around the play structures. 

JQ is wearing Old Navy Polo, Circo khaki shorts and Puma sneakers

Stellita is wearing Disney shirt, Circo denim shorts and Dingo boots.

We are headed to Disneyland tomorrow for an impromtu visit. Everytime Stellita wears this Figaro shirt JQ asks for a "NO-KEY-OH" (Pinocchio) shirt for himself, so I will be on the look out. They were also singing "yo ho, yo ho"  while on the teeter totter. So I think they are ready for Disneyland!!

Linking up with Small Style and What Kids Wore

Sushi+FroYo = A Happy Mi

There are a certain foods that I am always game for and a good saki roll is one of them (along with Orange Chicken, Clam Chowder, horchata, and mangos). These past ELEVEN months have lacked good sushi. Pure torture i tell you!! My excuse? Impatient and hungry toddlers can be a tough crowd to go seeking out new food establishments with. But alas Mr. and I were unusually well rested and adventuresome this past week and thank goodness!!!! It was no small task but we found a terrific sushi spot near the house. The service was awesome and they were in love with the kids, which helped seeing that we left somewhat of a sticky rice situation behind. Does this look like a guilty face?

A few doors down was a frozen yogurt shop so of course we had that for dessert. The kids had some sort of chocolate gummy bear concoction while I THOUGHT Mr. and I were going to share Dulce De Leche and Toffee with nuts. Unfortunately I handed off the yogurt to Mr. to pay while I chased our lovely brood outside. When Mr. came out he had added a few toppings like coconut (yum!) and Oreo cookie??? An interesting choice but one I could work around. Miss Stella was such a ham with the waitresses and the other people having yogurt on the patio. In these photos she is saying "cheesebugga!".

It's back!! Linking up for weekly Small Style at Mama Loves Papa and What Kids Wore. 

Dress is Nosilla Organics, shoes are See Kai Run and hair clip from AdornMe Girl

Happy Lil' Hoedown, Small Style

I had to use restraints in order not to do a total photo overload here. I have a ton and a half of happy photos from Stella's second birthday party last weekend. It was a western theme which was a blast for me to plan and watch unfold. One kids and adults can get into! Mr.'s Mom is a party planner and went ALL OUT with caramel apples, popcorn, balloon sculptures and decorations. The entirety of my immediate family traveled here to attend and spend the weekend which was extra special! Stella had all of her cousins, both grandparents and all but one uncle present. Seriously. How often does that happen?



Stella's outfit was a group effort between myself, my Mom and my Mother in Law. It came together super cute. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the fringed cowgirl vest my Mom made to go with it. 

Stella's Outfit:

Shirt- ChiTown Boutique, skirt- made by my Mom, boots- hand-me-downs from Joaquin, hat- Disney, gifted from my MIL & SIL

We celebrated twice, once on Stella's actual birthday and once for the big bash over the weekend. I have a pretty sweet/funny video from the first party I'll share soon!

Linking up for Small Style!!