AJ's First Hike!

A couple weekends ago some of my girlfriends invited me to go on a hike with them in El Moro Canyon, between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. It sounded great! I have been wanting to hike for months now, especially with other moms and kids. I've been looking for a way exercise with AJ, in which we can enjoy each other and have fun too. Health is definitely becoming more valuable to me and I want to instill that into AJ. This was the perfect opportunity for us!

The other kids going were at least 10. AJ is 6 1/2... that is quite a difference. I had hesitations about going, but decided we should just get out there and try it; we'd learn along the way.

Sunday morning we met the group at 9am. AJ had a great attitude, but had no idea what we were about to do. He liked the fact that other friends were with us though. We started to walk the trails and learned that many were closed as they had been washed out in heavy rains in the few weeks prior. We found one that was open.

We walked up a large hill... up and up and up. About 10 minutes into it, it became obvious that our pace was slower than the rest of the group. AJ started whining about having asthma and his legs hurting and everything going wrong. I tried to motivate him through it. I told him lets go slow and steady, not worry about staying with the group, and just give it our best try to get on top of the hill. After some coaching, he pulled through.

We not only made it to the top of that mountain, but continued on three miles out! It was continuously up and down, not many flat stretches to relax on. At one point, we reached the bottom of an extremely steep hill. It was very symbolic. I saw it coming up and tried to motivate AJ beforehand to know that he could make it. I took some great pictures of him working his way up that big mountain. He made it up, slowly and steadily, without much of a problem at all. I was so proud!

On another part of the trail, we found fossils! Dirt had washed away from the recent rains to uncover five fossilized shells on the path. One was very large and they were all in perfect shape. It was awesome to see them in nature - and even more awesome to share that with my son.

On the way back, AJ tripped on a loose rock and scraped his knee pretty badly. He was very upset to see it bleeding. I picked him up and carried him for a few minutes. I cuddled with him and told him he'd be okay and that we just needed to make it back but that I couldn't carry him the whole way. I put him back down and he just kept right on going.

Shortly before making it back, it started sprinkling rain. We just stayed focused and before long it was done. AJ was the youngest kid on the entire trail. Many adults looked at him surprised that he was out there.

Throughout the six mile hike, AJ kept a great attitude. He was not always all smiles, but he tried his best - and did an EXCELLENT job! I was amazed this boy could go that far and long. He helped motivate me as well. As soon as we got down the hill he said, "I miss it up there". CUTIE!

YEAAAHHHH AJ!!!!! I love you baby!

AJ Got Red!

“I got red Mom!” AJ excitedly exclaimed as I first saw him on Monday evening.

I was delighted to hear the news. He had been trying all year long to get a red marking for his behavior at school. He is graded daily on how they behaved in class, on a scale based on the colors of the rainbow. Red is the highest mark possible. Every morning I send him off saying, “Go for red baby”.

He’s come home many days saying, “Mom, I try my best and I just can’t do it.” He felt disheartened as he hadn’t ever achieved the high ranking. We went over details about what he could try to make red and we’d discuss it daily.

He was so excited that he finally reached his goal, as was I. I agreed to take him to a special ice cream treat the following day.

Tuesday we went to a special gelato shop in Laguna Beach that has 6 flavors he can choose from. That is a great treat for someone who is allergic to dairy. Usually ice cream shops don’t have anything he can eat. Special ice cream shops may have 1 flavor that he can have. This one is super special – it has six!!! Not to mention that this gelato is extremely delicious.

We not only enjoyed ice cream together, I took him by Whole Foods to get some things he’s been asking for but we haven’t had for quite a while: soy whip cream and non-dairy cream cheese. He was elated to finally taste these foods that he hardly gets to enjoy. What fun to see him so happy.

Great work AJ, my love. Keep doing your best. You amaze me cutie boy.

(Pictured: A different treat I got AJ. He wanted me to take a picture so he could remember it. He was very adamant about it.)

AJ Lost His First Tooth!

Yesterday when I picked up AJ from Cami’s house after work, he came to me with a big hole in his smile and a plastic bag in his hand. He had lost his first tooth at school earlier that day! He was so excited and proud of himself, as was I.

It’s shocking how quickly this magnificent boy is growing up. I’ve always heard parents say that, but now I understand why. TIME FLIES!!!!

We also had an appointment at the dentist that day for 2 fillings. The dentist was extremely impressed with AJ’s bravery at taking the shot. He had an appointment the day before for fillings as well, so he was well aware of what was coming. He did not shed a tear or flinch at all. The dentist said he is one of the best kids he’s ever had. All this even without the TV working in his room to help distract his attention. =P

I’m so proud of AJ’s strength and independence. What a joy to see my son growing up into a strong, healthy young man.

He wasn’t too happy about losing his perfect baby teeth or having a missing tooth in his smile. To be honest, I will definitely miss that beautiful pure smile too. He is very serious about taking care of his adult teeth and is kind of stressing about the pressure. What a cutie. I guess we are both dealing with him growing up, but we are making the best of it and enjoying every moment of it that we possibly can.

The tooth fairy visited last night for both AJ and Mac. Mac had lost a tooth two days prior, but left it at school. It’s so much fun to see them have each other…. Both in the times they appreciate it and when they don’t. What a treasure it is to have someone who feels like a sibling in this world.

Okay… enough from this proud mama. =)

I Love You

Dear Ayin,

You have been my greatest blessing in this life. Through you, I’ve gotten to see myself and the beauty of life in a whole new perspective. My ability to love has grown beyond what I previously could have imagined possible. My greatest joys have been brought to me through you. My deepest sorrows have been felt wishing I could do better for you. My most treasured memories star you. I feel like I can capture a glimpse of what God must feel looking down on his beautiful creation as I watch you grow and smile.

Every day the first thing I give thanks for, is you. I am so happy you came to me. It’s hard to see you grow so fast, knowing that time is passing by. However, it’s amazing to see you growing into a strong, healthy boy. Every age you are becomes my favorite. I hope that we never grow apart. You have been my best friend, with your beautiful innocent loving smile. You’ve taught me so much about enjoying life.

I love you, my beautiful son. Thank you!

Love,

Mama

Whatever I Say Day

While making our summer bucket list for kids, AJ and I found an idea of having a day in which the child gets to pick whatever they want to do for the whole day. I thought it was cute, but didn't put it into action until AJ reminded me - several times. I could tell how much he liked the idea, so I thought that it would be fun to try.

Well scheduling is difficult... we first found a day in which we could do a half-day "Whatever I Say Day" and agreed to follow up soon with a full day as well.

AJ seemed more interested in picking where he could eat than the activities he wanted to do. It was adorable. He had fun planning for quite a while before we even left the house.

He decided that he wanted to go to an arcade. He wanted my brother Mac (8) to come along as well. So after some preparation, we all hopped in the car and went to Boomers, a large arcade with go karts and other attractions.

The boys had a blast in the arcade. They took turns picking which game to play next and played very well together. We put all the tickets into one big pot and split them between the boys for them to pick prizes. We ended up eating there and AJ made sure to get dippin dots ice cream, as he so desired. He made a point to let me know that he should get "whatever he wants today". It was sooo cute! He had some cotton candy as well.

We went outside and the boys rode on mini go-karts and a train. We then had to head home to make it in time for a family dinner, so we didn't get to do the laser tag that they wanted to do. They were very happy with our trip though - we'll go back and do that sometime soon as well.


I loved the idea and I know AJ had a blast getting more say in what we did - without me saying we were too busy and couldn't do what he wanted.
Great idea! Can't wait to do it again! =)

The nametag from AJ's kindergarten class...
All done, he's a big first grader now!!! =O

Wish List

I told AJ to make a list of wishes and here's what he came up with:

1. Monsters, ghosts, and bad guys aren't in the Earth.
2. Mario, Princess Peach, Daisy, and Yoshi are real. And Toadette, Toad, all the good guys from Mario. And if Blooper's nice, I'll let him be real too.
3. Henry & Kathleen are nice and friends with me, not mean.
4. There are no bad friends at my school.
5. I never have to do work when I get old to a dad.
6. There was a surprise party for my mom and dad.
7. Mom and Dad would never die because you guys are the best mom and dad in the whole world and I love you very much.
8. Wubzy, Daisy, Widget, & Walden are real too.
9. I had a heart collection of all the heart things and I had a gold heart necklace.
10. I had every sparkly heart in the Earth.
11. The world would live in peace, love forever.
12. I had wings so I could fly, and Alli.
13. We were staying here at Long Beach at our house and we didn't have to move.
14. The Earth to sparkle and shine.
15. I had a real golden crown with yellow and blue stars on it. In the middle, big, it says, "AJ's mom and dad are the best".
16. I had every DS game I like.
17. Alli would play with me very much and stop not playing with me.
18. I had a heart and start and dad and mom batch that are gold.
19. My dreams were always good.
20. I could be one of the persons not allergic to anything.
21. Everybody in the world was nice and good and never wishing bad things like destroying the world.
22. I had a big back yard with a slide in it.
23. Spiders weren't scary and weren't really in the world.
24. I could stay in Long Beach forever and ever.
25. I had this circle watch thing where when you touch someone's hand, you change into them. But mostly I don't really want that.
26. My talking magic gold fish was back.
27. Roller coasters weren't scary.
28. Every day was a good day.
29. Mom had all the money we need so she could buy anything in the world. And then she wouldn't have to say, "No we can not go there because we don't have enough money".

I was quite impressed with his thorough creativeness. =)

Amazing Treasure

Sometimes I awake in the middle of the night and hug you tight. I thank my lucky stars for you, baby. I'm soooo glad you're here with me. So grateful for every moment we've shared. I feel like the most blessed person in the world for having you come to me. What an amazing sight to see. You are my greatest treasure. I love you baby.

Love,
Mama