Lucas is FIVE - Cali Day 5

My boy is 5!

We woke up and sang our USUAL birthday song. In our jammies in the hotel!

Then we drove up to Grandpa's so Lucas could get a special ride with Grandpa to breakfast.

Lucas only really cared about Golfing. He was dying to go.

We ate at good ol' VIP for Breakfast. The ladies love my dad and it was time for him to show of the babies.

Lucas ordered 2 Scrambled Eggs, 2 Pancakes, 4 pieces of Bacon, and Toast.

He ate the ENTIRE meal!

Then the ladies of VIP brought this out as a surprise!

A chocolate mountain with whipped cream and strawberries!

Then we went back to my parents house.

He needed to look the part right?

And he needed the right equipment...

(video will not upload in hotel)

Lucas was thrilled!

Even more thrilled that he matched Grandpas!

Time to hit the Linx

They got to the club and started at the driving range.

Grandpa's dream came true. A family golfing buddy!

The girls played at the putting green.

They really were so happy for Lucas and then Bridget said "Yea for my 5th birthday I don't want to do this"

It was so funny.

Lucas decided it was time to work on his short game so he went to the putting greens.

After loosening up Eddie the Golf Pro Came.

Lucas got a private golf lesson!

He was smiling ear to ear the whole time!

You could see so much improvement just from what Eddie taught him.

Lucas then asked if we could move to California so he could golf as much as Grandpa. :)

After the lesson we took a joy ride through the west course.

 Lucas literally couldn't contain his excitement - or how much fun 4 wheeling in a golf cart can be!

Then we parted ways and Lucas got to play 3 real holes with Grandpa.

He got to eat lunch on the deck and meet all of Grandpa's friends.

They came home for a little rest.

After about an hour Lucas asked Grandpa if they could go golfing again.

How could he say no?

So they went back to the driving range again.

Its a good thing the club is so close to the house!

Juliet was raising her hand leg cause she wanted to come too!

After all the fun we came home and the girls each got a present. It was so nice of Grandma and Grandpa to get them something. The girls - all 3 of them LOVE their presents.

Then we went back to the club for dinner.

They were running a special because of Carmegeddon.

I love this shot.

7pm - 78 degrees 

Stephanie and Philip were there.

 So cute.

 Lucas was so surprised to get a cake at a restaurant.

 AND another present?

 Lucas thinks Lego City is the coolest.

The entire ride home was - "and then I got to do this..."

or "I am so lucky mom!"

He had the best birthday EVER!

Cali Day 4

Cue - Natasha Bedingfeld's song "Unwritten"- and Lauren Conrad in a convertible. J/K

We drove down PCH...

Showed Lucas where he will be going to college...

Then we went down past Malibu and Zuma - 2 of my most favorite beaches and went to Leo Carillo State Beach.

This is the first time we went here. 

There were discovery pools and a bunch more here to do - keep scrolling down...

Lucas collected clam shells - we inspected the insides.

Bridget found some really neat sea shells. We kept them in our collector bag.

Something really awesome about this beach was that they had a marine biology camp going on so my Witte's got to watch the mini scientists at work. Each scientist got a box and had to try on the costume/outfit and then put on special pieces that the animal exhibited. They had to maneuver and measure certain things and determine if it were a special classification of sea life.  I got to take with me each and every handout because I asked the kids/scientists for them and they didn't care. I am totally recreating this in a few summers!

This beach is covered with cool things to look at.

But before we delve into the coolness - we did the ocean running thing.

Until a giant wave came and knocked Scarlett off her feet. She wasn't having it after that.

Lucas and Bridget were so enthralled with the sounds and smells and "feels" of the ocean.

I am glad Lucas was leading the science talk behind the whole experience. 

Bridget just listened and contributed.

 Juliet - is such a crack up. She was talking the entire time. It was hilarious!

 I tried to get one of the 5 of them - but you know kids...

 Juliet was kicking and trying to get in that water. She reminds me of Bridget at this age and all I can say to that is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! for the future. - Just Kidding - well, a little bit.

 Love these people.

 Me and my booty made it in this picture!

 Scarlett was visited by a lifeguard who bandaged her up. She fell on some driftwood.

 Scarlett tried to go back in the water but it knocked her down again. 

She kept the shoes and the car seat safe.

 Bridget was in heaven. If we let her be free and try not to reign her in as much she is such a better little girl. Picture wild mustang. That is Bridget.

 This boy is honestly why I keep having kids. He is such an amazing little boy. He is a great brother and he reminds me everyday why I am the mother I am. Love this kid to pieces.

 This kid on the other hand...Just Joking. She is the kid that teaches me so much. Our family would be so quiet without her and who wants quiet? Exactly - so we kept her.

*PSA about my Bangs* This is why I never had bangs in HS - the humidity and my hair = CURLY HAIR. This is why it is UP! It was a hot mess of wringlets.  Okay back to the post.

 Now on to the awesome beach. They had a Junior Lifeguard Program on the other side of the cliffs. So we went and discovered what was over there. Lucas tried to out baywatch them but his pecks aren't big enough yet - and he just doesn't tan. So that's out. 

These kids were in the explorer program. The park Rangers handed out the shovels and they had to see how many scoops until they hit water.

 There were also wading pools through out for the kids to play with fish. You can't see them in this picture but Bridget was all over it.

 Scarlett chased Scuttle.

 Then we left. 

This beach is at 16 feet elevation. Haha.

I love taking the kids to the beach next time the kids want to boogie board and stay longer.

2 1/2 hours is a long time but for kids who burn its never long enough.

Cali Day 3

This is from the night...

The kids jump out of the car to be greeted by Stephanie and Bridget asks - "Is Fio and Baby Philip here?"
Steph felt left out. Haha.

Of course they were there, so in we went -

 Bridget is pretty much more baby hungry than me. 

 She is also a baby hog.

 The two babies. Philip is 7 weeks and Juliet is almost 5 months.

Dad made a small Brisket on the Grill of Fury for dinner.

 The kids swam while Dinner was cooking. I hung with my sweet nephew and Steph got to hold a baby who holds her head up and laughs. Sometimes - when you are a new mom you just need that. Haha.

 Oh Juliet - how I love thee.

 We had Brisket, Baked Beans, ColeSlaw - my dad's recipe, Baked Potatoes, Grilled Corn. You know it was a small and intimate meal. :)  I ate Juliet's weight in Brisket. It was SO good!

 The kids got some Theo time.

 

Everyone took a picture with Grandma and Grandpa.

 Seriously my dad kills me.

 Okay that one's a keeper. :)

One last kiss before we left.

It was a fun and low key night.

I needed every minute of it!