Gardner Village- Petting Zoo & Wee Witches

Last Thursday we decided to go to the 2008 debut of Wee Witches Weekend at Gardner Village! We started out the evening at the petting zoo. Zachary was able to pet a goat for the first time. Mommy made him feel safe every step of the way! Zachary seemed to be in awe of all the animals around him while Dimitri was an old pro of the petting zoo!

(Zachary's favorite goat)

Dimitri liked the goose and would try to talk to it!

Now, as parents you worry about those around you setting bad examples for your children. Sure enough the petting zoo was NO EXCEPTION! Here we are telling our two precious boys not to fight with each other and BOOM along comes two goat siblings that start fighting in front of us. Thank goodness an elder goat broke up the fighting!


Off to the festivities...
Not knowing which direction to go Mommy & Zachary led the way!


While there we visited a "witch" and "bribed" her with chocolate to make sure that Zachary has a fantastic birthday next week!


and of course Zachary loved all the pumpkins!


Dimitri would yell out "pumpkin where are you" when he would see one (one of MANY) and then say "there it is". Let's just say that if you have been to Gardner Village you would realize just how many pumpkins there were!

We had a great time and it was the PERFECT activity to get us in the holiday spirit!

Other IMPORTANT information

While on vacation Zachary learned to clap and it is cute because he will do it on demand. Zachary has also learned how to blow kisses. You have to see it to believe it but I must warn you that once you see it it will make your heart melt. It is so cute because he gets so excited when doing either one!

Dimitri chipped a tooth within the last three days, we will be calling the dentist to see if he can file it down a little bit (it sounds worse than what it really is but we don't want to take away from that cute smile). It is only a baby tooth but still he will have them for the next four years or more right?

Dimitri became MR. INDEPENDENT while we were on vacation. Now he has to dress himself (pants, shirts, underwear, socks-you name it). We know this is a great step forward but it was frustrating when we were in a hurry. Dimitri would get angry when we would try to help him. Within the last 24 hours he thinks that he can tie his own shoes too! We are trying to encourage him and we are trying to be patient but this is definitely frustrating stage for ALL of us! He has started singing little songs too (Head, shoulders, knees and toes is our favorite). Just another reminder that our little boy is growing up!

We will try to get these events on video to share with everyone!

Coming Home...

We are finally home after our WONDERFUL vacation! Thank you to my beloved who made sure that every detail was taken care of and made sure that we all had a FANTASTIC time. The boys both did great on the plane ride home (portable DVD players saved us). Again, it is a bitter sweet feeling to be back home but honestly...

there is no place like home!

Day six & seven

Day six...By the time day six rolled around we were exhausted and decided to take a day to relax! It felt like we were on the go nonstop.

Day seven... This was our last full day to get out and play before returning home. We decided to go to the Kids Fair in Costa Mesa. Of course, Dimitri loved anything he could bounce or ride on. Lets not forget the Wiener mobile was there!

Zachary loved the animals! We knew that with his cooing that he was looking for us to adopt the iguana he was playing with.

Both boys loved meeting Curious George (we were all a little star struck).

Later that day Uncle Tony let Dimitri sit on his bike!

We think that Dimitri was trying to hint to us what he may be asking Santa for this year.

At the end of the day Aunt Sarah cooked a wonderful meal for dinner. Sarah's parents came over for dinner too (they are the nicest people)! It was bitter sweet to think our vacation was finally coming to an end.

Anthony & Sarah's Wedding Day

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Day four...swimming & visit grandma

Today we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for lunch! If you have
not tried the shrimp salsa it is irresistible! Again, the weather here has been very HOT and we had to cool ourselves off in the pool! We also went to see Grandma Sally over in Fullerton, who shared her gummy drops with Dimitri! It was so wonderful to see her with the boys!


Just one more day until the wedding!

Day Three...Pumpkins, Trains & Swimming

Today we went to the Irvine Park Railroad and to Orange County Zoo (not sure why they call it a zoo). Dimitri & Zachary enjoyed their first train ride, it was very exciting for the both of them.

We went to the pumpkin patch and had a great time! Zachary loved the pumpkins while Dimitri was looking forward to the next ride to play on.

Zachary found the pumpkin that he wants this year.

The two of them are so sweet!

After, we went to the Orange County Zoo! We would have to say that the best part of the zoo was the bears.

It has been HOT here in California (we're talking 90). We decided to end our day by swimming! The water was very refreshing!

Taking pictures of flowers like this, is how we know we're on VACATION!

Day two...Sandcastles, Firetrucks & Family

Yesterday we went back to the beach. Zachary ate brunch on the beach and Dimitri decided to make some sandcastles in the morning. It was breathtaking to see the waves crash upon the shore.
We believe that Dimitri has found respect for the ocean and will always love to be near water.


I told Dimitri that we would go back to the beach to say goodbye before we left for our next destination.




I see this young man



standing before me but in my heart I see


his little footprints

After the beach we went to visit Uncle Tony and Aunt Sarah (aka the soon to be bride and groom). .

The boys loved playing cars with Uncle Tony.

Zachary loved playing with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tony! Thank you for a delicious meal! See you on the big day!