Central Bark- Irvine

The ritual butt sniff to say hello!

Tonight we took Chloe and the boys to Irvine's dog park- Central Bark. This is our third time coming and each time is so much fun. The park is divided into a big dog area and a little dog area. Chloe goes into the little dog area and is kind of on the bigger side. There are tons of toy breeds and other fast runners in this area.

Chloe has a great time, but I think Nathan and Jason have as much fun if not more. Why we never brought them here before we had the dog is beyond me. Now that they have their own dog they have street cred. They are running around with the dogs, petting them, throwing balls for them and even carrying some. The owners love it since they are all sitting around shooting the breeze with other dog owners.
Oh my, this is a whole other culture- people who own dogs and go to dog parks. Sometimes you see the owners of certain breeds hanging together and it is true- dogs due tend to look like their owners. There is a lot of sniffing, pooping, peeing, running and laughing at the dog park- check it out sometime (even if you don't have a dog).

Jason's little buddy BOO

Imagination Comes Alive!!

Today the boys and I met some old friends at Pretend City. This is our third time there and our best one yet. If you haven't been there, you must go. It is a bit pricey, but worth it if you stay for a few hours. I love how they have something for all different ages and interests.

Pretend City is set up like a little town. There is a library, Art Studio, Cafe (Veg-in-Out), Beach and water area, doctor and dentist offices, grocery, farm, construction site, community park, theater/stage, fire and police stations, a full house== it is MAGICAL.

The last time Nathan was there he got enough money to buy Ralph's market. Today he wanted to do the same thing. For $300 he became the owner of the store. Before he bought it he earned extra money by working in the store. The workers at Pretend City or so great at engaging the kids and letting them go wild with their imagination. They totally supported Nathan in his effort to buy the store and then run it. The art department made him a sign for his neck that said "Owner of Ralph's- Nathan Crout". They also made he and Jason wallets to hold all their money (which you get from ATM machines around the place).

Nathan even got other kids to work for him as check-out help, shelf organizers, and food collectors. The fire in his eyes as he was working and creating this life for himself was so amazing. Check out the pictures below to see the evolution of his ownership!!

Nathan working the register
(with bow tie and ownership plaque hanging around his neck)
Proud owner of his store- with his uniform on!

Before Nathan bought Ralph's

After the purchase-
"Welcome to Nathan's Fresh Fare"
Nathan calling his distributors- "I am always on hold"
"911- help me, I worked too hard and I am all busted up!"

Jason had a blast as well, but he was busy in every area in the city. He was happy to get money (and even stole some from the cafe). We decided that what Pretend City was missing was a jail for those future criminals!! We could have stayed here longer, but the dog needed as home for a walk. Again, come to Pretend City sometime and let your children's imagination run wild (and yours too)!!

"I so happy"

Jason loved his window, window, door, door house.
There are lots of ways to get in and out!

Fun With Friends

Today we visited our dear friends, the Hammonds, in Vista. We both have two sons and our eldest boys spent a lot of their formative years together. Carrie, their mom, and I have known each other since we were preteens. This journey of motherhood has been so much fun to do together.

Unfortunately it has been a whole year since we saw each other face to face- we both have such busy lives and there were some missed opportunities due to poor health or full and differing schedules.

I could see Carrie every day or once a year and it feels like no time has passed. She is one of the easiest, carefree people to be around and she is balm for my soul. The kids play well together and she and I chat non-stop till we part again. We have vowed that it won't be another year till we are hugging and laughing together.

Forever Friends

Melissa & Carrie

The boys-
Jason, Derek, Burke, Nathan

A visit to the chicken house

Chloe Time

Chloe has endeared herself to our family. We are ALL enjoying time with Chloe- whether we do it together as a family or in our own separate time. She loves people- can't get enough of them. She wants to be petted, played with, held, walked, read to and more!!
Nathan has begun his summer reading with "The Wind in the Willow". Chloe loves it when you read on the couch so she can cuddle up next to you. It is hard to see in the picture, but she was sitting up right next to Nathan!

Dan and Chloe have a cuddle. She loves being held like this and it reminds us a bit of when the boys were little and we cradled them in our arms. Having her is like having a baby again, but she doesn't wake us up in the middle of the night and all the other JOYS of babies!
Ryan got to meet Chloe this past weekend when he was home for a quick visit. She took to him right away and he found it hard to resist her charm. She presented her wagging tail (and bottom) for him to pet.

I love my sweet girl. She loves the whole family, but I am her mom and she follows me wherever I go. She is always waiting for me unless I have the left the room or am sitting down. She doesn't want to miss a moment of my actions. One of the reasons I was keen on getting a dog was to have someone to go walking with. I love our morning walks (and runs)- rain or shine the dog needs to get her exercise and it is good for me too!!

VBS 2011:: Salvation Speedway

This week the boys have had the privilege to attend Vacation Bible School at Voyagers Bible Church. They attended this VBS last year and just loved it. It is a small group and has a much more personal feel then some larger churches. Another plus is that they know lots of other kids. It was especially fun for me since many of my friends have their kids go too so we got to do some hanging out while the kids had fun at camp.

The theme this year was Salvation Speedway and they learned all about how they need to listen to the right voice (God's) when driving on the race track we call life.

Holiday, Nathan & Claire

Summer has arrived

Today really felt like summer. The kids went to VBS in the morning and after I picked them up we went to a local pool with some of our dear friends. The kids are at such a great age where they can be off swimming and us moms can catch up. It helps that there are 2 lifeguards at the pool and lots of friends to play with (oh and a high dive too). I love feeling the warm sun on my skin, dipping my feet in the cool water, watching my boys have fun and hanging out with my gal pals!!

Ready to jump off the high dive!

So much fun!!

Jason, Zach, Josh & Reed

Claire & Jason

Holiday, Elise & Claire

Claire & Tricia (30 weeks pregnant!)

Clean Chloe

Today Chloe had a puppy bath at the groomers. Since this is all new to her, they did a minor trim around her rump and legs, a good bath and brush. She smells so good (not to last long I am sure). She actually looked bigger since her fur was so fluffed up.
We took her to the vet for an initial check up and she still has an ear infection and in addition to that has a parasite (we are treating both). Besides being under weight, she is good all around- we just need to feed her more and help her gain some weight. I am happy to say that she had gained 2 pounds in the 10 days we have had her.

Phineas & Ferb- Studio Visit

Phineas and Ferb is this great show on the Disney Channel about two brothers who come up with crazy inventions every day of their summer vacation. What better way for my two crazy boys to start their summer vacation by visiting the production of P & F at Walt Disney Television Animation (WDTVA).

As you may know, I worked at WDTVA from Nov. 1994 to May 1998. I was an Art Coordinator on Aladdin King of Thieves and The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. I then became a Production Assistant on Mighty Ducks The Animated Series. I then was an Assistant Manager on The Lion King 2 - Simba's Pride and then was Production Manager on Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. I left the studio in 1998 to go on a 6 month mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I never did go back to work there, but visited again in 1999. That was the last time I was at the studio.
Fast forward 13 years! I have two sons who have seen some of my old productions that I worked on but can't really put it together that their mom did something else besides being their mom. We were watching Phineas & Ferb one day and I saw a name I recognized- Natasha (Niki) Kopp. We worked together on my first project and are Facebook friends. I asked her if we could come by and visit sometime and today was the day.

Nathan as Ferb
Jason holding Perry's tail

Niki graciously took us on a tour of the production area- the storyboard artists, leica reel editors, color stylists, and writers- they saw it all!! I am sure a lot of it was over their head, but I loved hearing how production is now done (and compare it to the time I worked here). So much is done digitally- no more slaving over the copy machines and scanners!!

Boys with Dan Povenmire-
Co-creator and voice of Dr. Doofenshmirtz

Martin Olson- Writer
Jim Bernstein- Writer
Posters that Jim and Martin signed for the boys- so cool!
Our gracious guide Niki Kopp- Line Producer

Boys with statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse

Boys with Rob LaDuca-director/producer

Rob was one of the director's on The Lion King 2-Simba's Pride. He now produces and directs Jake and the Neverland Pirates (cute show)! Rob was one of three surprised today on our visit to the studio. I saw one of my old producers and friends, Michelle Robinson (who happened to be in her office) and the other surprise was Mike Moon. Mike was (and is) an amazing animator who I was friends with and he is now the Vice President of Animated Series. Seeing the three of them today really was the icing on an already tasty cake!!

Dan signed our magazine and told the kids to
"Stay Evil!"
Some Character Turnarounds that color stylist, Nancy Ulene,
gave to the boys to take home!!

Thanks everyone at Disney Animation and the Phineas and Ferb crew for making our day spectacular!! We can't wait to see what your going to do today!!