Friday, October 18, 2013

The Corvette Diner

Tonight we ate dinner at the Corvette Diner - an INSANE 1950s throwback restaurant with oldies music, hamburgers, milkshakes, a video arcade, and spontaneous synchronized dances from the waitresses who are dressed in poodle skirts.  It was pretty much HEAVEN for all little kids and old retired folks.


Hunter enjoyed the extra straws



In this atmosphere, dancing is inevitable




After dinner it was arcade time


For now the kids haven't figured out that you need to put quarters in the games to play them . . . suckers!


Ski Ball score was above zero - that's considered a big win in my book.









Wednesday, October 16, 2013

First Dental Visit

This morning Axel had his first visit to the pediatric dentist (I know its late!), and I was surprised to discover that those are SUPER FUN places to go compared to regular dentists.  The waiting room had video games, books, and toys everywhere, and the first thing the dental technician said to Axel was,  "Hi! Can you help me pick out a movie to watch during your cleaning?"

He picked Cars, and basically stared at the TV attached to the ceiling the whole time.   
He was a great patient, as the sticker notates. 


At one point Axel was escorted to a special room to get some X-rays done.  He received a coin to insert into the "toy tower" (a gumball machine without gum) which earned him a prize bouncy ball.  

 


Afterward, the dentist counted and checked his teeth - so far, looking very good!  The dentist taught me all sorts of new information such as when to expect his first teeth to fall out (age 6), which desserts are the worst (sticky chewy candy like gummy worms are bad - luckily ice cream and chocolate are OK - whew!), and when Axel should graduate to using"big boy toothpaste" (now).  I learned a lot.



Finally it was time for the cleaning: 
"Which flavor toothpaste do you want?  Chocolate, Birthday Cake, Bubble Gum, Strawberry. . . .?"


When we left they sent us home with all sorts of swag: not just the normal tooth stuff but also a tote bag, coffee mug, and even a kids T-shirt.  Wow! Why they don't they do all this for adult patients?






Sunday, October 13, 2013

Down came the rain

So it rained the other day for this first time in - well - forever. What does a true southern Californian kid do when it finally rains? Rushes out to stand in the rain with his umbrella.




USS Midway

Uncle Xaq and Ines invited Axel and I to the USS Midway. A huge aircraft carrier with tons of fighter plans that you can actually sit in - what's not to love for a 3 year old? 



"Your ego is writing checks your body can cash!...."
                            


"God dammit, Mustang! This is Ghost Rider 117. This bogey is all over me. He's got missile lock on me. Do I have permission to fire?"

Wainting in line to try the next jet

Uncle Xaq got in on the action too

Lots of buttons to push


Safety first

Axel played the famous "We're crashing!"-game

Learning how to read the flags

A great day!


Saturday, October 12, 2013

World Traveler

Today I took Axel to update his passport photo since his old passport has expired.  Flipping through the pages, I am reminded that he has stamps from SIX different countries and has already visited ELEVEN states within the US.  Wow, that's a lot for a three and a half year old!

He sure has been my favorite travel companion - exploring the world together is pretty fun


Painting on a Saturday Afternoon

He came up to me and said, "Mommy, can I paint?"  
Even though it was past time for his nap, this was one request I just couldn't deny.