Our Vacation

Last week was Blake's last full week of Summer Vacation. I decided to take some time off and go on our annual Legoland Vacation. It was amazing!

My dad is working in San Diego and offered his hotel room to us so we ended up staying there the whole week.

Monday...we woke up early, did some laundry, cleaned house, packed, cleaned the car, got the car washed, oil changed, signed up with AAA, paid tags and got the car smogged. It was a very busy morning but we did all we needed to do before we left on our vacation.

By the time we got to San Diego it was late in the afternoon and my dad had just got off work and need a nap. So, Blake and I headed for the pool. I sat in a chair reading my book (finally finding time to read The Hunger Games) while Blake swam.

He was being so hilarious and having so much fun that I only got to read a few chapters. He wanted me to record him swimming and goofing around. It was fun! He had a great time and there's nothing better than hearing him laugh!

After the pool and my dad's much needed nap (grumpy dad is no fun) we decided to order in pizza and hang out in the room.

It's been years since we've been out of town with my dad. It was great!


Tuesday & Wednesday...we got up early and headed over to Legoland. We love that place! It's so much fun. We went on every ride, got our portraits drawn, panned for gold, went miniature golfing, went to the aquarium, lounged around in the lazy river, soaked up the sun, laughed, smiled, hugged, held hands, took pictures and brought back our special bond. It was a great couple of days. We were exhausted both nights. We got fast food, went back to the hotel, ate, showered and then passed out.

Thursday... We spent the day at the beach and driving around San Diego. There's a lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon near Encinitas that we love. It's absolutely beautiful and where I want to live. We love the beach. Time stands still. It rained most of the time we were there and it was pretty miserable for me but Blake had a great time. He boogie boarded and swam in the lagoon but only up to his waste cause he was afraid there were "creatures" in there! :). After the beach we drove around San Diego. We went to the harbor, mission beach, downtown, old town and eventually back to our hotel.

Friday... We had breakfast with my dad then headed home.

It was a great week and a much needed week of bonding with my little man. We've had a rough schedule this summer and were starting to have some issues but I think last week made things 100% better.

Blake is such a great kid and I'm so happy that I can take him on vacations and give him great lifelong childhood memories. Can't wait for our trip to Costa Rica! I know he's gonna love it!

Flashback

I miss these days..It's hard to believe that he was this little before.  He's so cute!  I miss baby Blake.

Update on US!!

Baseball season has started! I love this time of year. Although, the schedule is a little crazy this year...4 days a week of at least 3 hours but it's all worth it. Blake is having a great time. He's learning a lot and having a lot of fun.
What a difference a year makes. Blake is turning into a baseball player. He is loving the game and wanting to learn and master all. He's been doing great. His team has been struggling the past few weeks and Blake has been struggling at hitting but that all turned around this past Saturday. After a painfully long but much needed practice on Friday the boys have finally started to hit and field like a real team. They looked awesome!

Blake got student of the month! I had parent/teacher conference last Thursday. I don't know why but I was nervous. Maybe because in past years I was able to volunteer in his classroom and always knew if he was or wasn't doing well in a certain area before the conference. This year I had no idea what to expect. I have had very little communication with his teacher. It's been a difficult year of letting go and trusting that we're doing all we can at home without knowing for sure. Well, my worrying was for nothing. He is doing awesome! He's reading at 4th grade level, he scored 100% on reading comprehension, 98% on accuracy and reading 134 wpm which is also 4th grade level. :) He has passed all of his multiplication & division math facts and is moving on to 4th grade math, as well. :) His teacher said that he is so polite and a great joy to have in class. She says that his behavior could not be any better. She can sit him next to anyone with out worry of him getting along with that kid. He helps her a lot in class and she has really enjoyed having him. :) I could not have asked for a better conference. I'm so proud of Blake. He's an awesome kid!

Blake and I have been so busy lately. I feel like we've put our relationship low on our priority list. I don't want to lose my bond with him so we made an agreement on Friday night to spend one night a week together doing something fun. Saturday night we laid in my bed watching movies together and talking. It was great! We needed a quiet night at home. We've been on the go for weeks. Next week we're gonna get Disneyland passes and we plan on going as much as possible. I can't wait! I love spending quality time with my little man!

Although, being a mom is my number 1 priority, I have recently realized that I need to have some fun and friends in my life too. I have been making an effort to spend time away from Blake and away from being a mom. I've been going out a few times a month, spending time with friends and hanging out with coworkers. It's been so much fun and I now realize just how important it is for me to have time to myself. It's not selfish, it doesn't make me any less of a mom, it makes me happy and well balanced. :)

I have also made a commitment to start school this year. I have decided that this year I will start working toward getting my BSN. I'm so excited to start school. I think it will be so fun and although I know it will extremely stressful at times, especially since I will still continue to work full time. I am going to stay positive and keep my eye on the prize. I love my job now and I can't wait till I'm a nurse. My brother has also committed to going to school. That would be awesome! It would be such a huge accomplishment for both of us and even sweeter if we do it together! I can't wait!

LULU...is great! We love her so much! She makes us happy. Though it's so hard to have a dog in the house, we tolerate it because we love her and we now can't imagine our lives without her. She's so sweet and we're so happy she's a part of our family!

That's the latest for us. Hope you've enjoyed reading!

Flashback : Blake's 1st Easter

Since Easter is one week from today, I thought I would share a picture of Blake on his first Easter. 9 years ago! Holy crap! I can't believe it's been that long. He's so cute and little. I miss the little Blake but am extremely proud of the boy he's turned into.

This year, for Easter, we're going to the LA Zoo with our family. We're very excited. It will be fun to do something different. I will definitely post pictures. :)

Flashback: Blake's First Time at the Beach

These pictures are from our vacation last summer. We spent a few days in Encinitas, California. We rode bikes, walked on the beach, swam in the ocean and spent a few days at LegoLand. We had a great time! We will definitely be doing it again this summer!

Blake's first time at the beach! :) 2003!

I think he had sand in his mouth in this picture!

Our first time at our favorite place!

These pictures are from the first time we (Kellie and I) took Blake to the beach. He was almost 1 year old. We had a lot of fun but didn't stay too long. It was a hot day and we were afraid of Blake getting a sun burn. Plus, he kept eating the sand and seashells. :)

I remember putting his feet in the water. He didn't like that too much. Now, when we go to the beach, I can't get him out of the water. He can spend hours entertaining himself in the waves or on the sand.

We love to spend time at the beach. It's our favorite place. I lay on the sand reading a book and listening to music while Blake rides his boogie board and builds things in the sand.

This summer Blake wants to learn how to surf. We found a Mommy & Me surf class that we might have to sign up for. I don't know how good I'll do in the water, since it's freezing cold and I'm totally uncoordinated, but I think Blake will be less freaked out if I'm learning with him.

One day I will live at the beach! I guarantee it! :)

Flashback!

This flashback is from when Blake was about 9 months old. I spent every day at home with him. I had quit my job and was a full time mommy. I loved those days. We spent most of our time outside hanging out with our dog, Rusty, going on long walks, playing at the park or just hanging out in our living room. Kellie and my mom were, of course, our most frequent visitors.

It's so weird how time changes once you have a child! Time flies by. Yet sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday when he was a baby. It's hard to believe that it's been 8 years since these pictures were taken.

Blake's eyes have changed colors over the years. His eyes are so bright blue in these pictures. Now he has one light blue eye and one green eye. I tell him that his green eye represents the Kruse in him and the blue represents the Smith. He likes to hear that. Although, his latest thing is wishing he had dark brown hair, brown eyes and brown skin cause he says he's the only blonde in his school. Which is not true, at all! Though it does seem that way sometimes. I know he'll appreciate his looks a little later in life when he's fighting off all of the girls.

I miss those days! I miss being a full time, stay at home mommy. I am so thankful for that time in my life. I developed an unbreakable bond with my baby boy. I was going through a lot and being home with him was what got me through it. He helped me to realize what was important in life and what I had to do to give him the best life possible.

Every time I look at him I still can't believe he's my son. He's too perfect! It's hard to believe that I was given such an amazing son. I love my Blaker boy (that's what I called him when he was a baby...he would kill me if he heard me say that now :))

Recipe: My Salsa

I get lots of compliments and requests for it so I thought that I would share my salsa recipe with all of you. I love it and I hope you do too!

You will need:

8 large tomatoes

6 tomatillos

3 bunches of cilantro

3 bunches of green onions

2-3 jalepenos (depending on how hot you like it)

1 can of diced tomatoes with green chiles or mexican style

1 lemon

1 lime

2 tbsp of garlic powder

salt to taste
Finely chop 2 tomatoes, 2 tomatillos, 1 bunch of cilantro, 1 bunch of green onions and 1 jalepeno. Place in large bowl.

Use a food processor to chop up the rest. Start with the canned tomatoes. Empty juice into the large bowl with chopped items. In food processor, chop up canned tomatoes, remaining tomatoes, tomatillos, cilantro, green onions and 1 jalepeno. Empty into large bowl. Mix. Add garlic powder, juice from lemon/lime and salt to taste. Mix. Add more salt if needed. Salt helps to bring out the juices/flavors so don't be afraid to add a little more.

If you would like it hotter, add jalepenos. 1 at a time. Trust me, 1 at a time! Some jalepenos are hotter than others.

At times, I have added tomato paste (small can) and/or serrano chiles (2-3). The tomato sauce makes the salsa a little thicker and the serranos add a different flavor.

I've never written a recipe before. Hope it makes sense. Let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it!