Exposition Park--3 in 1

The boys and I are loving our weekly museum days. This last week we headed to Exposition Park (across the street from USC) to cross three fun things off of our bucket list.  

First up, Natural History Museum. Supposedly they just did a major remodel and we really liked it. T still doesn't have the patience to read anything about any exhibit, but he does enjoy running around like a crazy man from one thing to the next...and seeing the dinos was his favorite!

I loved, loved the rock exhibit. There were hundreds of gorgeous stones and rocks--including some breath-taking diamonds.

The butterfly exhibit was well worth the extra few dollars. Talmage really wanted a butterfly to land on him (like it did on that grandpa's head) but unfortunately it didn't happen this time. We did have a fun time looking at them though.

 T and his T-Rex friends.

Talmage just got a new book from Grandma called Mammoth and Me so he was really excited to see this Mammoth and take his picture with it.

After leaving the NHM, we walked next door to the Exposition Park Rose Gardens. There were tons of beautiful flowers and it was the perfect place to eat a snack and shake our sillies out.

Lastly, we went to the California Science Center. This was actually on my to-do list and I hadn't realized it was right next door to the other two. I'm so glad we went...it is the perfect place for kids.

Everything in this museum was hands-on and science based. Talmage had so much fun touching EVERYTHING! One part of the museum focuses on ecosystems and there was a whole aquarium (funded by the Monterey Bay Aquarium). It was amazing!

We finished our afternoon with froyo at Yogurtland (my new favorite place). I couldn't shovel it into Evie's mouth fast enough, hence the grumpy mug. I hadn't planned to be gone so long so we hadn't had lunch, so I don't blame him. T was so happy. Really, really happy. And while they both slept on the drive home, I got lost and ended up in Chinatown. Always an adventure!

One Year Later...

Everett after his first surgery. July 5, 2011.

One year can make a world of difference, that I know for sure. One year ago today Everett had his first heart surgery. I remember following his processional to the OR in my wheelchair, still in pain from a fresh c-section, but mostly numb from the shock of our sweet boy's diagnosis and surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and his life was spared. I think about that day often and feel so much gratitude. He is a special boy and has been growing and progressing every day since.  

The last few days, however, I have seen more progression and at a much more rapid pace than ever before. I always found it humorous when people asked the birthday person if they felt older or more mature on their big day--as if the day circled in red sharpie on the calendar posessed some magical maturing powers. BUT, in the case of Everett Knight, June 30th had just that effect!

Two nights before his birthday, Everett slept through the night for the first time. I thought it was a fluke, but knock on wood it hasn't stopped. Hallelujah for a full nights rest. He has also started talking. His favorite word is ball (ba), but he also says mama, dada, wow, oh, yum and mmm. It is so darn cute to hear words come out of those little lips, and he never said any of them before his birthday. The week before his birthday, Evie started pulling himself up, rolling over and sitting himself on his bottom by himself...and today, HE CRAWLED! Talmage came into our room saying, "Mommy, Evie's crawling" and I went into the front room and sure enough he was crawling across the room. WOW!  I think he was proud of himself, or maybe he was just amused by my reaction! Regardless, one year has been really good for Evie so far--and we can't wait to see what's in store for him next.

Everett, only slightly amused, at the Pacific Palisades Parade. July 4, 2012.

a ONEderful weekend

Everett's birthday weekend was one-derful for many reasons. First, it was his birthday and we were able to celebrate his one-year-old-awesomeness. Second, we were able to eat donuts, cake, cookies and other sugary things for days on end with a very good birthday excuse. And third (save the best for last) my padres decided to come spend the weekend with us in LA--a party is always more of a party when they're around!
I thought about breaking this post down and making it four posts...but that thought made me tired and grumpy...so instead I am doing a mega-weekend-post. Enjoy, if you survive!

Live music at our Thursday farmers market. T danced around in circles and Evie sat there, mesmerized more minutes.

On Friday night we went to 800 degrees, a pizza place that was given rave reviews by one of our neighbors. They are made-to-order pizza and they did not disappoint. It was kind of like Subway (you go down the line and pick all of the toppings you want) except it was super classy. I would definitely recommend it...and I'll probably go again.

Then we headed to Griffith Observatory. The Hollywood sign at sunset--yum! It made my heart pitter patter.

The Observatory was way cooler than I even expected it to be. And it's free, which always makes things 10 times cooler in my book!

Pepa and T didn't see much out of this little telescope (although the pics of them trying are awfully cute), but there were multiple AMAZING telescopes set up and we were able to see the moon and saturn. I somehow have never seen a planet with my own eyes (and a telescopes help) and I was awe-struck.

The view from the observatory was also beautiful. You could see everything in every direction. Loved it!

Saturday was the main event--Evie's first birthday! We decorated the house and waited patiently for him to wake up (he slept in super late after being kept out until almost 11 the night before!)

He looked so cute in his birthday hat and bib. That was the same bib that T wore on his first birthday. Aww!

He laughed and laughed as we sang him happy birthday, and then he devoured his donut! He was so cute and fun to watch. 

I decided to get Talmage a birthday hat also so that there wouldn't be any fights or grumpiness and I think that was a very, very good idea! I also told James to bring home two donuts with sprinkles so there wouldn't be any craziness there either. Talmage loved his donut too, if you couldn't tell.

We spent the whole day at the beach and it was perfect! Everett bum-scooted all the way from the towels to the water and everyone on the beach was entertained by his mode of transportation. He loved playing in the water and with the sand toys and he ended up conking out in Jim's arms. I forgot my camera, but we took lots of pics with my moms so I'll get those soon. When we got home from the beach we did the first birthday cake smash!

I ended up getting the cakes made at our local bakery and it was perfect. We are living with the barest of essentials and I didn't have the energy to buy all of the cake making/decorating tools, and this turned out to be a delicious and easy alternative. So delicious and easy, in fact, that I'm thinking about making it a tradition!

He loved the cake. He went from putting his fingers in the frosting and licking them, to sticking his face in the cake, to picking it up and putting it in his mouth, to destroying it! Here is the pic progression:

The whole time he said, "Yummm. Mmmm." It was adorable, especially since we didn't even know he could say those words!

 Not to be outdone, Talmage also decided to stick his face in the cake! 

My parents know that I am obsessed with straws and they brought me a straw that is shaped like sunglasses. I'm so cool!

On Sunday we walked around the temple and took in its goodness, and then decided to take a little walk at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. No offense Hollywood, but you're kind of shady. And even though I loved marking you off of my bucket list, I'll know for next time that you're not very Sunday appropriate :)

Did you know that street people are drawn to me? Seriously. My first kiss (on the cheek) was from the silver man in San Fran. No joke. And this guy (whoever he's supposed to be) came running after me on the street offering me a free picture with him. I'm such a scaredy cat sometimes and was trying to run away from him, but he caught up to me and said, "I've been watching you. You can have a picture for free." Slightly freaky, yes. Awesome picture and memory, mostly yes.

 Walt Disney's star.

T at the Chinese Theatre in Will Smith's footprints. How cool is that? I actually really loved the theatre and searching for the names of my favorite movie stars.

On Monday before my parents headed out (and T and I bawled our eyes out) we went to Hole in the Wall burgers for lunch. This place is seriously a hole in the wall...a very, extremely, completely delicious hole in the wall.

Seriously, this is the place. It's tucked behind a Winchell's donut shop and you can't even see it from the street. It's ranked on LA's best burger list as #5. All I have to say is I can't imagine what #4 tastes like because this place was amazing. {And just fyi, we ate at Umami Burger, ranked #6, on Evie's birthday and it was good--especially the truffle burger--but this was more filling and in my opinion more delicious.}

My hamburger and sweet potato fries. I stuck with the regular bun and the boring burger and it was fab...that says something. The sweet potato fries were the  best I've ever had. EVER.

My dad got his burger on their famous pretzel bun with an egg, bacon and avocado. He was floored with how good it was, and both of my parents said that it was an LA must-do when visitors come.

So friends and family, want a hole in the wall burger? Come visit and we'll get you one!!!

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to visit and partying with us. You guys rock.

And happy birthday again until next year little Ev! Loves.