The Longest Post Ever - A Trip Report on Santa Monica and Disneyland & Caroline's Spring Break Visit!

Caroline's week long visit has come and gone and we had a great time together.

Started off en route to Santa Monica at the Shake Shack off Pacific Coast Highway. Gorgeous views for lunch.

The longest rainbow loom kept the littles tied together.

Checked into this no frills, but quaint little motel just blocks from the Santa Monica Pier.

Fun fact: This tiny motel room cost the same as a large, high end one at Disneyland.

Location!

We walked to the pier to check things out night 1.

Day 2 brought us back again and Laine shocked everyone by climbing up this exercise rope effortlessly.

These pictures are from the original Muscle Beach, just south of the Santa Monica Pier.

Littles helped out in a magic show!

And, we saw the end of the famous Route 66, which we've been on before during our Griswold trek years ago from KC to Dallas to San Diego and back through the Grand Canyon and Telluride.

After looking at the pictures, Blake sent me this gem from when Lainey and Jack were just 1 and 2.

Still having fun together.

Zoltar's fortune telling machine was unplugged!

We left the L.A. area and headed back south to Anaheim. Had to stop for sunblock and Caroline treated Lainey to a fringe suit so they could match.

We swam and slept and prepared for an early start at Disneyland the next day.

We were there for Rope Drop and Carter secured our spot in line to meet Anna from Frozen.

Elsa was not there, so Lainey filled in. Anna told her she couldn't wait to tell her sister about Lainey's darling dress.

After a 16 month refurbishment, Big Thunder Mountain....one of our favorites.....is back and better than ever!

While waiting for our dinner reservation, Laine enjoyed the band.

We enjoyed dinner at the very pricey Blue Bayou in celebration for Caroline's birthday....and Jack's, too!

Everyone was fast asleep.....even Lainey, who sleeps like a princess.

The next morning, Lainey buckled in new friends and we set out for the parks again.

Our Disneyland visits with Caroline are so special. 

The rest of the week was low key with a movie, some shopping, baseball and more.

So glad Caroline was here for so much!

Next time we see her will be at Orlando International when we land around the same time in July for our mega trip to Disney World and the Florida Keys.

We're so excited!!!!!!

Now, it's Spring Break for the Starnes children and I'm busy making plans. Back soon!

Little League

We've moved from Basketball to Baseball!

Both littles are doing well. Lainey is the only girl on her team and from all accounts, is the strongest player thus far. She's playing first base and routinely takes over each play because the other kids aren't sure what they're doing.

I don't know how she knows, but she's catching on quick!

Pa was in town for Opening Ceremonies and played with each kid prior to the big night.

The Oceanside School of Rock provided the music and the mayor came, too!

Saturday morning brought us out to the games.

They say the Pledge of Allegiance prior to playing and the Little League pledge, too.

Neither Jack nor Lainey have any experience with the sport, yet they're both excelling. Jack plays machine pitch and with 4 'at bats' so far, has hit the ball and gotten on base each time.

So proud!

Waiting for big brother.

All of Lainey's accessories are pink. :)

Jack will likely survive on ball park nachos between now and the end of the season. 

After our day of baseball, we saw Frozen again. Pa loved it, too!

Now, we prepare for Caroline's visit and a trip to Santa Monica and Disneyland.

So much more to come!

Friday 5: I'm Co-Hosting!

Hello, there!

I'm co-hosting today with Emmy Mom.....her site HERE.

We met a couple of years ago at a blogger lunch with mutual friends in Huntington Beach and reconnected on Instagram and in this crazy online community! She's a ton of fun and has cute design ideas (on a budget - you know I love that) including her Master Bedroom Redesign and also her Important Date Artwork Tutorial. Check out those posts for sure.

So, Friday 5 is easy. Post 5 stories/tidbits from the week and 5 photos. That's it! You can join, too, and link up to meet some new peeps.

Here are my 5:

1. We are leaving the Middle School basketball world behind after my 13 year old son won 2nd place in the city! Now, on to baseball for the littles (6 and 7 year old Irish twins). We have always been super laid back about team sports and aim to allow each child to do one sport a year. With snow skiing and travel and beach time and exploring this amazing place we live in SoCal, I don't want to be strapped to commitments like these year round. So far, it's working for us.

2. I loved the Oscars on Sunday, but wish Leo had won. Matthew deserved the Oscar for best leading man, but I'm dying to see Leo win after 20 years of nominations. Hopefully soon!

3. I found the most darling Elsa dress for our 6 year old daughter to wear on an upcoming Disneyland getaway. The usual variety is hard to locate and so I combed Etsy to find this option. (Picture below) LOVE this designer.....affordable Disney princess wear.....this dress and the bow (cape and shoes not included) cost only $35 shipped. Her Etsy shop is HERE.

4. I haven't read anything I absolutely love lately and would love suggestions for a meaningful non-beach-read book. With that being said, I did love Divergent and can't wait for the movie out soon!

5. My sweet older brother came to visit recently and we, as always, enjoyed our visit with him. We seem to never see him enough, but hopefully again soon!

And, my photos:

With my brother, Chris and my three.....Lainey, Carter and Jack.

Father-in-Law, "Pa", Carter (13 year old) and handsome husband, Blake.

Dumb and Dumber  Jack and Lainey

Elsa dress!

And, my wish for you....Dole Whips and Disney trips.

I write for www.dlrprepschool.com, a Disneyland planning site.

Come see me!

www.facebook.com/dlrprepschool

www.instagram.com/dlrprepschool

www.pinterest.com/dlrprepschool

Thanks for checking in and I'll come visit you soon!

Snow Valley - A First for Us!

Southern California was just graced with a crazy, powerful storm. It rained here by the water and snowed inland. We live just a few miles from the beach and about 100 from ski resorts. Seems weird to think of it like that, but it's true and was a major factor in our decision to settle in San Diego.

So.....when the mountains predict snow, we embrace it!

Some photos from our recent trip:

Chains required.

We own most of our gear, but needed to rent some this round because Jack and Lainey are growing fast. 

Much less expensive to rent outside of the resort itself.

First time to Snow Valley! It's 8 miles down the mountain from Big Bear and Snow Summit, where we've gone several times.

Carter was first up.

Lainey had a slow start and we suspected she was sick for a while, but rallied quickly and had a great day.

Jack is an awesome skier. It comes naturally to him, like Blake.

Blake helped Lamby make ski goggles while waiting to see if she was going to be sick.

She felt better quickly!

BFF.

It must have snowed 6 inches when we were on the mountain. Returned to the car to have a big project ahead....removing snow just so we could drive out!

This was a big trip for us. After teaching kids for nearly 10 years, we can finally ALL ski/ride well....get on and off lifts with ease.....and manage the mountain smoothly.

Gone are the days of my double stroller in the Rocky Mountains. 

I like life with big kids!

Super busy week ahead:

Baseball practice.

Opening Ceremonies.

Basketball play offs.

Fat Tuesday.

Ash Wednesday.

And, Pa is in town to enjoy it all with us!

Back soon with more!