Music Appreciation on the Lawn {Pacific Symphony Orchestra} 7-26-13

So this was a fun little outing that was planned last minute. I saw online around 2pm that the Pacific Symphony Orchestra was going to be performing outside in Costa Mesa and there was going to be a conducting lesson and instrument petting zoo starting at 5:30pm with a first time ever outside performance at 7pm.
I called Robert who was at work and asked him if he would like to go and the kids and I could pick him up on the way. Robert said, sounds fun so the prep began. I only told the kids that we were going to have a picnic with daddy after we picked him up from work. Then I decided to make some oatmeal cookies to surprise daddy. Everyone was getting surprised! The kids didn't know where we were going and Robert didn't know about the cookies. ;) Fun stuff!
I got the cookies done and the kids together and got to Robert's work and then we headed to the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa. Totally forgot and didn't plan to pay for parking so we drove around (wasted time) to try to find free parking but ended up settling for $10 parking. We got on the lawn about 6:30pm and saw a few things. A cellist played for us and the kids all got batons (bendy straws) and learned how to conduct from the maestro who was going to be leading the orchestra that evening. Nathan still carries his baton with him. How cute is that!

So with all that said, here are some pictures from our night.

 Learning how to hold his "baton".

 Conductor in training.

 heehee little Monkey

After we ate the kids got a bit chilly so they ran on the grass for a bit and then we walked over to the info tent to see what cool things are happening this fall/winter and the rest of the summer. The kids liked the lights in the sidewalk and Blake was dancing so hard he kept falling down. haha it totally reminded me of that scene in Jungle Book where the monkey's are playing the music and Baloo can't help but dance. haha that was totally Blake with the music. :)

On the ride home Blake (who doesn't like to drive when it's dark) wasn't happy and wasn't going to make it home so we stopped in Anaheim to wait for the fireworks. It was good because last time we had made a trip to see the fireworks Domenic had fallen asleep so he was able to see them this time.

So that was a little fun "surprise" family outing. :)

Nathan's hair cut {April 2013}

Nathan's hair is super thick! He has had the most haircuts out of all the kids. He had his first haircut at 9 months old. I love long hair on boys but sometimes it needs to be tamed and what better time for a buzz than in the summer. I know this was in April but our spring days can be pretty hot.

She always wants to be close even if she's not part of what's going on. She's been like that since I can remember. :)

He has had another hair cut since this day (the end of April) but just had it cleaned up around the bottom and by his ears, as per his request. :)

Evening Bike Riding {April 2013}

Just an evening where we hung out in the front for the kids to ride their bikes while Robert watered the grass and I took the opportunity to grab my camera and get some action shots. :)

Robert made a bit of an challenge for the kids to ride by without getting sprayed. :)

Super Dad right there

Nathan took off his training wheels about a month (if that) after this day. He just decided one day that he didn't need them anymore.

She wasn't fast enough. haha

Just chillin' ;)

Blake's 1st birthday {April 2013}

I just realized that I haven't posted anything since March. Not even Blake's 1st birthday! So here it is!

Robert and Kiera made 2 catapillars. I think they came out great!

His little party was only 2 hours but he spent his first hour like this. I had to wake him up.

 Mr. Shy Guy

It was a Quinoa cake and it was yummy (I thought). Though Blake didn't really want to eat food until he was 13 months (yes a month later) then food was like this amazing thing all of a sudden. haha

This picture makes me laugh, it looks like Domenic's drinking a cup of coffee. 

Kiera reading the cards to Blake

Love him!

 Since he was so shy with everyone watching I thought I would try the whole cake smash thing again. He wanted to share with Obadiah.

Here Mommy

He would squish it, see the intense look on his face. haha

He's such a sweet boy!

And of course the best way to end a warm day of celebrating is with splashing in the water.

I'm thankful for our little Blakie. Having him gave me this renewed love for babies and all their little stages and milestones and helped me to appreciate my other 3 children so much more. That might sound bad or odd but I am so glad we didn't stop at 3. Kiera, Nathan and Domenic adore Blake and are all crazy protective of him. I am so content and happy to be a mom of 4 and I love their differences and similarities. They will all be amazing world changers.

If you're wanting to, you can look back at Blake's birth story here. :)