For the past few months I have been taking part in #ThrowbackThursday on Instagram.
For those of you not familiar with it, Throwback Thursday is a fun way to share old pictures of “way back when” and of course it’s all about the #hashtag on Instagram, Twitter, and Google+
Today I came across an old picture of Dylan from 2006.
He was 3 years old and it was his first visit to the Orange County Zoo.
I love looking through old pictures and reminiscing, so I look forward to Throwback Thursday.
Christmas is probably my favorite time of the year. As a child, Christmas was a time filled with excitement and hopes of getting everything I asked Santa for. As a parent, Christmas became a time of making memories and hoping that my child’s wishes came true.
Christmas is about more than just Santa Claus, but Santa does remind us about giving from the heart.
Aside from all the marketing, Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday sales, and what seems like the never-ending slew of commercials for this years hottest toy, Christmas remains a special time of the year for me. A time that I can sit on the couch at night and gaze at the Christmas tree. A time when I feel more relaxed. I take the time to reflect on all the good things that have happened over the year.
I even find myself getting lost in the memories of Christmases past – especially when I see ornaments that my son made when he was just a toddler.
I can remember the look of pride on his face when he gave me that ornament, wrapped up in green tissue paper and tied with a red piece of yarn. It didn’t cost a lot of money, but it was made with love and given with love. The giving is what Christmas is all about to me.
So the other day when my son came to me in tears because he didn’t have money to buy me a special Christmas present, I reminded him of the snowman ornament he gave me when he was just 3 years old. The same popsicle stick ornament that hangs front and center every year on our tree. This is what brings a smile to my face. I told him to make me something special – a card, a drawing, anything that he made would be the best present I could ever ask for.
The gift of giving is what makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.
Today is my first day back to work after having the month of July off. I go back to work with mixed emotions. Part of me is so happy to get back and do busy work, see my friends, and meet the new students – but the other part of me will be missing the lazy days of summer.
The late nights and sleeping in. The carefree days of nothing planned and then ending up at a park. Oh, and the infamous late night trips to get a frozen yogurt before they close. The not wearing makeup – now that part I will really miss! However, I have grown to like myself with less makeup and may just keep it that way.
Either way, getting back to a routine will take a few days. We always have the weekends to look forward to right?
We all take pictures of our children – it’s what parents do. Birthday parties, holidays, vacations and now with cell phone cameras, there isn’t a reason we can’t snap a picture at any time of the day or night. Sometimes we think we take too many pictures and sometimes our children don’t want us to take their picture.
Well, the next time your child says No more pictures Mom! – think again.
Last night I was looking through old pictures on the computer and realized that sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Sometimes a picture, no matter how many times you have taken the same picture, same pose, same location … is priceless.
The sign stayed the same, but boy did my son grow up! Not to mention the tress and the plants.
Yep, he always wants to pose in the tree by the hippos. I won’t be telling him not another picture in the tree anymore.
This has got to be one of my favorite “then and now” pictures from the San Diego Zoo. Ever since he was a toddler, he asks to eat at the Treetop Cafe – at his table. Yes, he actually believes that this is his table and we always sit here. In all the times we have visited the San Diego Zoo, these are the only two pictures I have of him at his table … now I’m wishing I had taken more.
So wherever your “picture spot” may be, keep taking those pictures. There is a reason you stop each time to take a picture here – and nothing is more priceless than watching your child grow up in photographs.
Yes, as you know Dylan and I spend lots of time in San Diego. Starting to think we should just move down there – but that is another story. Over the Mother’s Day weekend we had the opportunity to attend a VIP tweet-up during the Garden Festival at the San Diego Zoo – so I figured we could make a weekend out of it and have some fun. Together, we shared some amazing experiences and created memories that will last a lifetime. Of course I documented the 20+ hours spent at the zoo with over 500 pictures … don’t worry, I’m not going to post all of them.
Day 1 started bright and early leaving home at 7 a.m. so we could get to the San Diego Zoo in time to see the macaw fly over and be one of the first people in the zoo. The Garden Fest tweet-up started promptly at 9:30 a.m. and Dylan didn’t want to be late. We were treated to a behind the scenes look at some creepy crawlies in the Insect House. One of Dylan’s favorite places to visit at the zoo – and one that took me some getting use to a few years ago.
Dylan was always front and center asking Kelli and Paige a million questions. He was in his element. Thanks for being so patient with him ladies – and fellow tweeps 🙂
Since it was the Garden Festival I took my time looking at all the beautiful flowers on display and at the various exhibits. Sometimes I get so caught up with the animals that I forget the San Diego Zoo is considered a world-class botanical garden.
After making our usual route through the zoo, we decided to make one more stop at the tigers in hopes of seeing them. When we went by earlier, the tigers were way up at the top and we like seeing them up close. Boy were we in for a treat!
Not only did we get to see the tigers, but we were front and center for play time in the water. After 20 minutes and taking close to 50 pictures, we peeled ourselves away from the glass so others could get a look.
Every now and then I find myself lost in time as I look through old pictures of my son. Where did the time go and how did he get so big, so fast? Holidays are one of the best times to reminisce for me because we have some family traditions that are fun to see in pictures.
During the month of October we visit Disneyland and pumpkin patches. And on Halloween we always take a picture of Dylan in front of the pumpkin statue at Grandma’s house. It’s fun to see how he has grown.
We also have many family Halloween traditions that we do at home. Decorating, baking, making crafts, and of course carving a pumpkin! Be sure to read about our family traditions over at OC Moms in my recent article and leave a comment after the article sharing your family Halloween traditions!
Last week was my Grandma’s 90th birthday and the entire family got together on Sunday to celebrate this milestone in her life … Italian style! The family took over a back room at Lascari’s Restaurant in Whittier. We may be a wacky bunch, but we know how to eat and laugh and we know the meaning of family!
The food was amazing, but I would expect nothing less!
gnocchi with brown butter and garlic
lasagna, just like Grandma makes
cheese ravioli
Aside from the food, we were here to celebrate a birthday. The woman who raised me because my mom worked full-time and was a single mother … much like me now … has spent 90 years on this planet. Ironic how history repeats itself. I hope Dylan has a bond as strong as I do with my Grandma with my Mom when he is older.
I can’t believe summer is over and my little boy will be starting 3rd grade in just two days. Where did the time go?
It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by … and the more I wish I could freeze time. My cuddly little boy is growing up so fast.
As I look at school pictures from the past 3 years, my mind is flooded with memories and my heart is filled with love. Through pictures like these, I can freeze time … at least in my mind.
But we were just there. Oh wait, that was 6 weeks ago.
Yes, it must be time for another visit. Besides, this time was different because our friend Paul was coming down from Big Bear and going with us. Boy, if I had only known what I was in for with these two goofballs!
Anything and everything from insulting Mom, to water-spitting fights, to jumping out and scary each other, to attempting to ‘read’ the map and get us around the zoo with the least amount of back tracking, while still seeing everything!
So much for a relaxing day at the zoo … geesh!
As usual, we started at the reptiles and insects. Only this time Dylan got to have a first hand look at a stick bug. Thankfully it was only a stick bug and not one of the many other creatures they could have pulled out like the Hissing Madagascar Cockroach or the giant Bird-eating Tarantula!
Well, now that we’ve seen the creepy crawlies it’s time for a trek to see all the other animals.
Time to stop for some lunch at Dylan’s favorite spot high above the trees and monkeys. This is where the two decided to plan out our route … scary. Little did I know this was going to be a full 8 hour day walk through the zoo!
Although Dylan doesn’t remember, these bronze gorilla sculptures were another one of his favorite places to stop and play when he was a toddler. This is where his love of animals all started.
Now on to some other primates. Paul and Dylan seemed to enjoy these furry friends the most.
Getting up close and personal. Male bonding at its best …
This orangutan was hilarious. At the bottom of the glass was a piece of black rubber, like a piece of weather stripping or something. A small piece was missing and this big guy proceeded to pick up a leaf of some sort and start digging away.
His hands and fingers were so human-like. Especially the way he used his fingernails (if that’s what you call them) to pick the piece of rubber out and break it off. After all this work, he put the rubber strip in his mouth and decided it didn’t taste too good.
And what would a trip to the zoo be without Rhinos and Giraffes?
My personal favorite … the reason I go to the San Diego Zoo … Koalas!
Now, the last few times Dylan and I have gone to the zoo he has begged me to let him go on the bungee bounce contraptions they have recently added. Just another way to get you to spend money right? This area use to be a nice grass resting spot where Dylan would run around and play, but now it is where he wants to bungee … and this trip I let him! Thankfully Paul was there to help get him going higher and higher.
Just as I stopped recording, Dylan actually did a back flip. The look on his face was priceless. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or cry. I think it surprised him as much as it surprised us!
We had a great day and made more memories of Dylan’s favorite place to spend the day. His home away from home with all of the animals that he loves so much … and his ‘rock’
Not really sure what brought his on. Maybe it was Dylan bringing home the worm farm from Cub Scouts or maybe it is because of all the talk about BBQ’s. Either way, both make me think of my Grandpa. He was not the typical Grandpa who gave hugs, but rather the one who showed his affection by putting me in playful headlock. He taught me how to fish and I remember playing with his big old bucket of earthworms when I was a small child. This would make my Grandma so mad. He taught me how to build the perfect BBQ with charcoal, newspaper, and small pieces of wood … layers were the key according to Grandpa. Oh how I loved watching him BBQ. He made the best BBQ chicken ever!
Growing up without a father in my life I guess I clung to my Grandpa for the male figure I needed so much as child. Like me and Dylan, my Mom was a single mother who worked full-time and I went to my Grandma’s house every day after school. My grandparents meant the world to me. Funny how when I think about, life has come full circle with my parents and Dylan.
When my Mom re-married, I was 10 years old … but never lost that connection with my Grandpa. His funeral was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and sad to say, I have not been back to visit him often enough. I guess it’s just too hard for me.
As I write this, I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Being the first grandchild of many, I have always felt a special connection to my grandparents. I so wanted my Grandpa to see his first great-grandson. I am thankful that he was able to attend my wedding and in an odd sort of way, thankful that he was ailing when I went through my divorce. This way, he did not need to see the pain I went through. I remember when I was pregnant thinking if only Grandpa were here.
Sad to say, I have no pictures of me with my Grandpa. I will have to ask my Mom if she has any. If she does, they are probably very old. He was not one for taking pictures, just as he was not one for showing his emotions or saying I Love You. I remember seeing him in the hospital during his final days and I leaned down to give him a kiss. He hugged me and said, “I Love You Michelle.” Wow, this coming from the man who only gave playful headlocks with a ‘hey you, glad you could make it.’
This is the only picture I could find of my Grandpa. It was taking at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary in May 1996. My grandfather passed in September 2001.
Friends, take those pictures … no matter how much others say no or I didn’t do my hair. Take those pictures. Because one day, a picture is all that you will have left with your memories of earthworms and BBQ’s.
This picture of Grandpa’s burial site was taking in 2005, the last time I went to visit. Before that I went one time when I was pregnant to talk to him and introduce my unborn child to him. I think it’s time Dylan and I took a trip to see my Grandpa. It’s time Dylan starts learning some of things his great-grandpa would have enjoyed teaching him and telling him some of the stories about me and my Grandpa.
Maybe, just maybe the earthworms coming home with Dylan was my Grandpa’s way of saying ‘hey, glad you could make it’ …
Life with Dylan 