Pretend City

We were invited by Rubie's family to go to a place called Pretend City in Irvine. It was a little bit of a drive, but totally worth it. I don't know who had more fun... the girls or their parents! It's a giant building set up like a miniature city. When the kids get there, they get a time card, a map of the city, and then they're off to work.Here are Leilani and Rubie after they convinced some poor little boy to clean the windshield of their sports car. I doubt that's the last time something like that will happen with these two!
Leilani working the cash register at one of the stores.
Making some calls
Then pulling up to the drive up ATM machine that actually dispenses money when they insert their time card.
Cha ching!
There are tons of things for the kids to do. There's a marina, a beach, 2 theaters, a gas station, a first station and even a farm. Here's Leilani picking apples off the tree.
A few of the kids failed to realize that the apples are plastic.
Doing a little farming
At the end of their "shift" (whenever they're done playing in each area) they get a stamp on their timecard to show that they have worked there.
Buying some groceries at the supermarket.
She could hardly wait to pay "Grocery Checker Rubie" for all the things she had in her basket.
Then they made pretend sandwiches at the deli counter.
After that we went to the pretend hospital where Rubie got a knee brace and some crutches.
Leilani's calling to get a second opinion. Should we tell her that the phone is upside down?
Here are the girls working at the post office. The whole day was great and we all had such a fun time. We can't wait to go back again!

Back to School Night

Tonight was Back to School Night at Leilani's preschool. It was a big event for her and she was so excited to show us all around her classroom.
The first stop was the ball pit.

Then it was on to her classroom where an entire bulletin board was dedicated to our little student of the month. In case you're wondering how you get chosen to be the student of the month when you're 3 years old, let me zoom in on her certificate...
I love that she's being recognized for her "awesome cutting skills."
Here she is with Miss Mimi her teacher (who is VERY patient, by the way)
And with the director, Miss Cece, who has already had to have a talk with Leilani in her office about not listening. More on that later.

Leilani's portfolio

We had Leilani's pictures taken by a wonderful photographer named Becca. She was so excited to have her hair and make up done by the stylist. At the end of the day she told me, "Don't kiss my lips Mama... You'll mess up my lipstick." These are some of our favorite shots. Her portfolio is awesome. Now if we could just get her a job!

I love this peek-a-boo face she's making.

I can't believe how old she looks in this one. She looks like a 5 year old little girl who should be on her way to Kindergarten.

Leilani the budding artist

We got Leilani an easel for her to do her artwork. It has a chalkboard on one side and a dry erase board on the other. She loves it. She can't wait to get in there everyday. Today she said, "Mama can I draw on that weasel downstairs?" So obviously we have now named it The Weasel.
The beginnings of a masterpiece.
Please notice the orange dry erase marker on the side of her face. She was really getting into her work. This is a picture of Mommy, by the way.
Now that's the whole family. Daddy is on the left and Leilani is the little one in the middle. I asked her why I'm the biggest on in the picture and she said, "Because you're boss." Michael didn't think that was nearly as funny as I did.
The artist showing off her work.

Lani's Hair Tricks

Sometimes on a day when it's too hot to go outside and play, you have to find ways to entertain yourself inside the air conditioned house. Today's game was "Hair Tricks."

Hair moustache

Hair beard

Hair uni-brow

Hair blindfold

Happy 4th

Here's Leilani in all her 4th of July Fabulousness! We took our annual trip to Mission Bay and spent the day at Aunt Patsy and Uncle Bob's beach house.

Leilani really likes to play in the sand. She decided that she wanted to build a sand castle so she spent 10 minutes scouting out the perfect spot.

She had a basket full of sand toys and castle building tools.

Then she collected a bucket full of shells to add as decorations.

This is very serious business. She wouldn't let anyone help her because we were clearly messing up her "vision" of what her castle would look like.

PS- I would kill to be able to squat like that!

The water was actually quite chilly. Nevertheless, Leilani had to take a quick splash.

Here she is lounging on Uncle Matt's boat. Can you believe this pose?

Walking down the beach with Daddy. Notice the bathing suit. When she put it on she came running out and yelled for everyone to "look at my new zucchini!!" I tried to explain that the word is actually bikini, but what do I know?

Mike and Samuel spent most of the afternoon running along the shore pulling Leilani on Samuel's boogie board with her screaming, "Faster! Faster!!" at the top of her lungs.

The little daredevil.