An Evening Out

After our long day out with Parker for his Birthday it was time for Gabe and I to celebrate our Valentine's day. Gabe had made dinner reservations at the fabulous Dal Rae restaurant.

The had a great Piano bar performer going on in the lounge so we decided to have a martini before dinner.
We brought a nice bottle of wine from one of the many wine clubs we belong too and had a very lovely dinner. I had a Salmon Oscar (which means grilled salmon with crab meat,asparagus and Bernese sauce) and Gabe has the Steak Diane. We didn't order dessert cause at home I had a nice basket of strawberries and whip cream and also some assorted cheeses and meat at home with Champagne for our dessert so it was back to home we go.

Lounging outside while we waited for the Valet to bring our car

This is just really the most classic restaurant ever! I feel like when I walk in the Rat Pack is going to be dining in that corner booth. While Gabe and I were sitting in the Piano bar having a cocktail we were asking ourselves why don't we stop by the place more often..so we made an agreement to spend more time at the Dal Rae.

Ride Makerz

Sunday besides it being Valentine's Day was also Parker's birthday. We planned his party however to be the day after but we could not leave him hanging on his bday so we took him to Downtown Disney to Ride Makerz.

Ride Makerz is like Build A Bear but for Boys. You go in and first of all you see a bunch of kids playing with remote control cars at the entrance. Then you go in and pick your car body you would like.

They had a pretty big arrangement to choose from. Parker got a old hot rod.

Next you go and pick out your tires and your rims

Then it is off to pick a chassis. They have the reg and the Monster. They asked if we wanted to make it a remote control car cause I guess you can just make a car too if you don't want the extra fee..we ofcourse splurged and made Parker's a remote and bought the additional rechargeable power pack.

Ava was clapping at each station when one thing would get completed

Time to put the chassis and wheels on the car. They have a little station there and a tech works with the kids and lets them do all the drilling and attachments

Parker was having fun with the tools

My mom and dad went with us to downtown Disney..my dad was helping Parker out

Parker got the hang of it pretty quickly

After putting the body together it was time for the fun part..picking out the cool accessories that attach on to the vehicle. Parker got police sirens to add, and a rocket pipes with a rocket hood scoop and a spoiler and a bunch of decals. I bought him also a ridemakerz t shirt to wear while he is out playing with his car.

When we finished up we walked around downtown disney for a bit and got some Jamba juice and looked at the big Disney store where Parker bought himself a Mickey Mouse watch with some money my mom gave him. Afterwards we took Parker over to play with the remote control Jungle cruise boats and he drove those around for a bit..but he had to put his new shirt on first before going any further.

A day of Play

We spent the day pretty much at home just playing we the kids.

Ava was having so much fun while Gabe pushed her around on her Paul Frank ride on toy

she was giggling so loud

Hold on!!

She loves this toy!

After awhile we had went shopping for the rest of the goody bag supplies for Parker's birthday and while we were out we discovered these little Disney character figurines and bought them up.

Ava's ultimate favorite toy right now is this vintage Fisher price little people house.
She immediately knew what room each Disney figure was going to stand in
She can play with this doll house for hours.
When she is done eating and we take her out of her high chair she RUNS every time to play with her doll house

Ally's Puka Party

Friday night we celebrated Ally's birthday at The Puka Bar in Long Beach.

What's a better way in celebrating then with Mai Tai's and Cupcakes.
I made these fresh for the Birthday Kids..which was Ally and my uncle John was there too and his birthday is the same day too.
Ally opening gifts

Ally showing off her gifts from me..I bought her a really sparkly bracelet,necklace and cocktail ring.

All of us enjoying Mai Tai's..after the first one I think we were all feeling pretty good...

So I decided..hmmm Let me pass around the camera and do funny self portraits..

Here is mine

Ally's

Arnold refused to participate so I just took a picture of him LOL

John's

Kirsten

Scott's....charming.........

Toni's...I think she is a pro at self portraits

Holly..giving the thumbs up!!

Chris

After having fun with the self portraits we continued with a couple more drinks before ending the night

It was great we started the night early cause for awhile we had the whole bar to ourselves. After awhile it started filling up so we were out. Ally carpooled with me and of course we had to stop for fast food on the way home. It was a good night.

Top 5 Childhood Fantasy Movies

When I was a KID I just loved a good fantasy movie. I just cued up a bunch of my favorites on Netflix and hopefully get my son off the video games for a change and enjoy some of things I enjoyed.

Of course there are a plethora of fantasy movies out there I could choose like Star wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the rings and not to mention all the disney movies and puppet movies like Dark Crystal but I thought I would go to those forgotten movies..such as.. Labyrinth staring David Bowie..oooo How I loved this movie. The last time I saw this I was probably about 13 years old..I'm kinda excited to watch it again

I remember my parents taking me to see this at the drive in. My dad would stop at the liquor store and stock up on snacks and we would watch the double features at the local drive in every Friday night. Good times.

I first read this book in the 3 grade with all my classmates then we watched the movie..I really wished there was a totally amazing chocolate factory in my neighborhood

I really love Tim Burton and this was the movie that made me a fan! I would have to say Beetlejuice was a tie with Edward though...

I am so excited for the New Alice in Wonderland to come out by the way..maybe it will be a childhood favorite for my son to remember once he is all grown up.

A thing for Owls

For the past year I been finding myself extremely attracted to Owls. see I am more of a old Vintage Long Neck Cat person but the Owls are gonna give my cats a run for their money.

I don't know if is the Big mesmerizing eyes or the cute feathery wisps above their brow but I just find them truly adorable.

I absolutely love this Owl radio. I have come across them many times at the big vintage collectibles swap meet in Long Beach that happens every month but I never purchased one simply for the fact that I collect way to much stuff and do I really need to start on another??
These are just the sweetest Owl dolls..I can justify purchasing one of these..It's for Ava..yeah yeah that's it......for AVA.......

I just love this little artwork...this would be fantastic in a Shadow box..

Speaking of artwork..I have loads and loads of scrap vintage jewelry and I been thinking about making some art pieces out of it all. Maybe I will make a big frame artwork of an owl made completely of miscellaneous rhinestones,beads and other scrap jewelery....

Superbowl!! Go Saints!

Superbowl Sunday we headed over to the Henry Household to watch the Superbowl..All of us were rooting for The New Orleans Saints except for my brother's friend Paul he was going for the Colts.

There was plenty of drinks and food. there was BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Potato cheese wraps,deviled eggs, chips and salsa and Kirsten made these fantastic macaroons..even some with added chocolate chips and dipped in chocolate.
Saint's WON! My friend Holly was in New Orleans and Gabe had to call her to see how it was over there and she said it was just nuts and was so glad to be there to see it.

All the kids were there playing. The twins were attacking my brother.

Kirsten had the dining room table set up full of craft supplies and the kids all made handmade Valentine's day cards for their classmates.

They were having a blast being creative with their cards.

Tons of cards..I helped Parker with a few..He had 20 to make for his classmates.

The adults got involved as well making cards. It was a fun time had by all.