What Was I Thinking?

I've created a monster -- it's me.  I thought it would be fun this year to do a "Countdown to Christmas" starting on Dec 1.  Twenty-four days of holiday cheer, each day bringing a new Christmasy activity, event or craft.  So come rain or shine, sniffles or sore throats, we are finishing this countdown!  Actually, it's been very fun for the kids and mostly fun for me.  The good thing is, I can change the activity the night before if I need to because they are written on slips of paper and put in an advent calender.  Which explains last week's "movie night"  followed by "coloring Christmas pictures", due to Daniel and I having colds.  Some highlights thus far have been:

St. Nicholas Day with Cousins

Reindeer Cookies

Santa Train at Irvine Park

Preschool Christmas Show

She's a Big Girl

I finally took Lauren to get her hair cut today.  I'm not sure why I have waited so long, I guess I kept wanting her hair to grow more.  I realized today that instead of her having long hair, she had a semi-mullet with scraggly ends.  Not a super cute look.  So, I took her to a kids hair salon and watched her scraggly ends fall to the ground.  I didn't tear up...well, not really.

PS - they gave her a certificate for her first haircut with a lock of her hair.  Totally worth the money.  I mean, from now on I don't need to go there, but worth it for the first time.

10 Things to Smile About in November

Wow - where is the time going?  Here we are again at the end of a month and ready to list out my 10 Things to Smile About in November.  Let's get started...

A last minute 3-day getaway to Palm Springs for the four of us.  The weather was perfect, the hotel was almost empty and the rate was dirt cheap.  What more could you ask for??

A spa day with my sister two weeks before she gave birth to baby #3.  We had massages, ate lunch and shopped all day.  I'm guessing we won't get a chance to do that for a while.

Enjoying Lauren's last day of "mommy and me" school before the holiday break.  She is crazy about her teacher and just loves her time there.  I'm hoping we get into the next session--the class fills up FAST!  Here she is proudly showing off the bead necklace that she made.

The birth of my brand new niece!!

Giving thanks for my family on Thanksgiving and the day after.  We spent time with my in-laws and my parents and enjoyed the holiday while stuffing ourselves.

My kids enjoying special time with almost all of their cousins.  First it was a sleepover at our house the night my sister had her baby, then it was Thanksgiving dinner with the cousins on my husbands side of the family.

My amazing friend Shannon (known as Aunt Shannon) who comes to my house, helps with the kids and is always the most supportive friend.  Here she is leading "Princess Storytime" for Lauren and my niece.

My husband's Christmas spirit.  Joe is as excited about Christmas as the kids and it makes the whole season so fun.  We are fortunate to have a house in our neighborhood that is AMAZINGLY decorated for Christmas and we walk to it a few nights a week.  This is our first visit of the 2010 season.

The first birthday of my good friend's son.  He was born with many complications, spent time in the NICU, been on a feeding tube and has already undergone several surgeries.  Celebrating his first birthday was an emotional event for all of us.

Visiting with my (almost) 95 year old grandfather.  I'm so thankful my kids are able to get to know their great-grandfather, such a rare gift.  His health has only recently been on the decline and I'm realistic that his time is limited, but he has always been such a special man to me and I'm so happy he now is to my children as well.

What made you smile in November?  Remember, a smile is contagious -- it's hard not to smile when someone is smiling at you.

I'm a Way Better Mom

I'm a way better mom when I'm watching someone else's child.  Take the last two Tuesdays as examples.  After busy mornings of speech therapy #1, playdate, lunch, speech therapy #2 I got home just in time to watch my friend's daughter "A".  Normally 2pm is the time in the afternoon when I get Lauren to nap and Daniel to, well... "rest."  Resting generally means him watching tv for a while and then incessantly interrupting me to play with him. 

However, I just don't feel comfortable telling a friend's child, "go watch more tv."  So, last week I spontaneously created three Thanksgiving crafts, held storytime in my living room and played freeze dance with two 4-year olds (thankfully, Lauren napping at 2pm still held true).  This week I set up our bounce house in the front yard and Daniel and "A" had a blast bouncing out their energy (again, bless Lauren's little heart she napped).  Following bounce time was snack time, then more bouncing.  No wonder Daniel loves having friends over! 

10 Things To Smile About

Another month has come and gone so it's time to look back and remember 

October's 10 Things to Smile About:

Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins!

A baby shower for my oldest friend (oldest in years of friendship!).  So excited for Tracie and Neil to welcome baby Reese to their family.

A very special visit with our newest nephew (and cousin), Simon.  My kids adored spending time with him and kept kissing and hugging him.

A couple of rainy days so the kids could put on their rain boots and splash in puddles.  

Then back to sunshine!  The weather has been weird, but it's been nice to enjoy all seasons within a month.

A fun evening with the "older" kids and my parents at the Pirates Dinner Adventure Show.

Watching Lauren really think she is part of Daniel's preschool class -- marching in the Halloween parade, posing in their class picture and eating lunch with them.

The knowledge that Daniel and Lauren are still small enough (and Joe is still strong enough) to comfort both kids at once.

Trick-or-treating with friends

Daniel and Lauren playing together and enjoying toys we thought they had outgrown.

Feeling a sense of calm before the storm of the holidays.  Enjoying some crazy, event-filled days, but also some calm, lazy days.  Knowing that things only get more busy during November and in the years to come, so to enjoy the simple things.  Walks around the neighborhood, baking muffins, carving pumpkins, coloring, and snuggling up to watch a movie.

Be sure to check out what made others smile.

I Actually Feel Their Pain

Last night Lauren woke up crying for me at 12:30am. Very unlike her. I went into her room and she was burning up and had that weird croup-cough (honestly, it sounded like a dog was barking in her room). I gave her Motrin and cuddled her...what more could I do? Every time she coughed I literally felt the pain in my own chest. Her cough was so awful and her little body was burning hot to the touch. Fortunately she fell back to sleep. She woke this morning with her usual smile, but still coughing like a barking dog.

Until I became a mom I didn't understand what my mom meant when she said she felt my pain. When they are hurt or sick, I want them to be better because it is painful to see them suffering. I can handle scraps and falls, bumps and bruises (that is a normal part of their age), but when they are actually sick, really hurting, it breaks my heart.

Tonight the humidifier is on high in Lauren's room and I'm hoping that she quickly gets over whatever it is that she has. She is such a little trooper you would hardly know she is sick. But I know and I don't think I can be as strong as she is.

Here Come the Holidays!

Every year the holidays come quicker and quicker. I just know that once we start hitting up pumpkin patches and collecting leaves on our walks, Christmas is right around the corner. So, here come the holidays!!

We visited Tanaka Farms this part weekend with my mom's group. Our first pumpkin patch of the season, but I know there will be lots more within the next two weeks.

Weekly Dinner Menu

If I post this, I feel more accountable. So here is my Weekly Dinner Menu:

Monday - BBQ ribs in crockpot, scalloped potatoes and steamed artichoke
Tuesday - Veggies and hummus, rice and grilled chicken wraps
Wednesday - Chicken fried rice
Thursday - dinner out with the kids and friends
Friday - pizza night
Saturday - Taco salad, rice, cornbread
Sunday - leftovers (I'm guessing, or we'll go out)

10 Things to Smile About

A friend of mine (who I actually haven't seen in years, but feel connected to her because of her blog) introduced me to the idea of posting a monthly "10 Things to Smile About" list. September was a busy month, but there certainly were at least 10 things for me to smile about...

A great start to Daniel's second year of preschool
My first experience with a weekly "time to myself" while Daniel is at preschool and Lauren is at nursery care (which she calls "baby preschool")

A playdate with a friend who is the busiest mom I know and whose abilities to handle
her life amaze me

Unbelievably, as a life-long OCer my first duffy boat ride in Newport Beach

A clean bill of health at Daniel's 4 year check up and no reactions from either
child after their flu shots

A much needed mom's only evening with great friends, food and wine

Getting my eyebrows waxed (again, much needed)

A warm up of weather that allowed us to bring out the slip 'n slide one more time
A noticeable improvement in Daniel's speech after just one month of speech therapy

Starting my first mommy-and-me class with JUST Lauren

What made you smile this month??

When they drive me crazy, I am thankful

I've been trying really hard lately to remain calm with the kids when things get frustrating. It's hard, but at least I'm trying. So I'm reminding myself of the following...

When the kids drive me crazy because they suddenly are hungry right before bedtime, I am thankful they are growing and healthy.

When the kids drive me crazy because they demand another book at bedtime, I am thankful they still want me to cuddle and read to them in bed.

When the kids drive me crazy by not napping or resting in the afternoon, I am thankful I am home with them to enjoy that extra time.

When the kids drive me crazy because they insist on dressing themselves or buckling their own seat belts, I am thankful they WANT to do things for themselves.

When the kids drive me crazy talking non-stop in the car during traffic, I am thankful for their sweet voices.

When the kids drive me crazy because they overreact to a bump or scratch, I am thankful that is the extent of the pain they have ever felt.

When the kids drive me crazy because they are tired and cranky, I am thankful knowing it is only for a limited time and they always wake up happy the next day.

I've always tried to be a "glass is half full" type of person. Seeing the positive and realizing how good I have it. There are moments since becoming a mom that my optimistic nature has been tested, but if I stop and think about it; if I don't allow the lack of sleep and over-caffeinated brain take over, I can see the positive in the situation and usually even enjoy it.

Don't feel bad though if you do lose it at times. I certainly have yelled, over-reacted and mumbled angrily under my breath.

Picture Day

Daniel's preschool had picture day (again!). Since both kids were dressed and hair combed I tried to snap a picture of them on our way out. I'm thinking the professional ones will be better and they won't be holding their fruit snack bags. Still though, I think they are pretty damn cute.

Weekly Dinner Menu

I'm sticking with my organized dinners...I'm really doing it. (Patting self on back.)

Monday - planned to go out, but it was too hot so we stayed in and had leftovers
Tuesday - homemade "Italian" hamburgers and oven fries
Wednesday - soup and sandwich night
Thursday - baked lemon and caper chicken, scalloped potatoes, salad
Friday - crockpot chili and cornbread
Saturday - plans to go out
Sunday - sweet and sour chicken and rice

Weekly Dinner Menu

In an attempt to be organized and avoid dinner disasters, I'm trying to make a weekly dinner menu on Sundays and stick with it. Here is this week's menu:

Monday - Pork chops, baked potatoes, salad
Tuesday - Mexican stir fry (basically fajitas, but without the tortillas) and rice
Wednesday - day off. Joe is gone so that means the kids will likely eat buttered noodles and fruit and I will eat leftovers.
Thursday - breaded baked chicken, corn on the cob, salad
Friday - Pizza night
Saturday - bonfire at the beach (hot dogs, chips, fruit)
Sunday - Chicken sausage, artichoke and sun dried tomato pasta

Speaking of food, Lauren LOVES corn on the cob and for some reason I think it is hilarious to watch her eat it...

Mini Me

What can I say, Joe and I created mini-me's. Daniel is a mini Joe and Lauren is a mini Kristi. My little twin and I even dress the same sometimes...Seriously, jean leggings on a 2-year old...might be the cutest thing EVER!

Oh What Busy Days

We have a book called "Oh What Busy Days" that I read to the kids. These days, I find myself looking at our calendar and saying "Oh what busy days!" Summer has officially come and gone. Daniel is back to preschool this week and he is also starting speech therapy -- no biggie just a little behind on his articulation. The bigger issue is that means we have to be out of the house, dressed, fed and at a different location by 9am five days a week. Ok, ok all you working moms...I know 9am is already your first coffee break. However, this is all new to us around here!

So today I tried really hard to get them back on a semi-schedule and get them eating better again (what is it about summer that makes me feel like popsicles are a good food choice??). Lauren was not happy about napping, but after talking to her dolls for an hour she fell asleep on the floor in the middle of her room. I like her protest style.

Daniel handled the "new" routine without any issues. I think that mostly has to do with the fact that his routine now includes 1 hour of my undivided attention while Lauren is napping (or talking to dolls) to help him write his letters and do workbooks, plus I read some longer books to him that Lauren doesn't have the patience for. Speaking of writing, I tried and tried this summer to get Daniel to write his name but he refused. Not that he couldn't, but he wouldn't. I'm talking refused to pick up the crayon. Not so sure about that protest style. However, literally from one day to the next he wrote his name. Check out how proud he is!

Just so we are clear, the first line I wrote, the second I wrote in highlighter and he traced it, the third line I wrote in dots and he connected the dots, but the fourth line....ahhhh yes, completely on his own! No joke, the day before this picture he refused to hold his marker.

My Little Boy

My little boy is not so little anymore! Well, for those with teenagers I realize 4 years old is still little, but I just can't believe my first born turned 4 today. Daniel is such a sweet little guy - although we have had our moments lately as he pushes my patience to the edge - nonetheless he has been and continues to be an amazing little guy. I'm able to see his compassion expanding as he comforts Lauren when she is hurt, his independence growing as he has a sleepover without a whimper, his patience developing as he restrains himself from hitting Lauren back when she hits him, and his curiosity expanding as he questions when and how his new baby cousin will be born.

Daniel has always been my timid child, taking time to warm up to new situations, but the changes I have seen in him in the past year are astounding. Last year at this time I was losing sleep worrying about how he would handle preschool, this year we are excitedly discussing the new school year approaching and wondering which of his friends will be in his class.

I'm crazy about my little guy. He will often stop in the middle of playing, turn to me suddenly and say, "Mommy, I love you all the way to the moon."

Happy Birthday Daniel - I love you to the moon...and back.

Two Years and More in Love Than Ever

Tomorrow is Lauren's 2nd birthday. I can not believe my baby is two. She is growing and developing such a little personality. I really, really hope her funny and sweet personality continues and we don't come across any terrible two's this year. Honestly, she has been such an incredibly good baby and now toddler that I feel like the shoe is going to drop soon. I have been too lucky and blessed. She does have a flair for the dramatic which I'm sure will be a pain when she's 13, but right now it's just funny. I'm so incredibly in love with this little girl!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Lauren.

Caterpillar Craft

One of our favorite books around here is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." It teaches kids the days of the week, counting and how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly -- genius! The other day Daniel was looking at the book and said, "I want to make a caterpillar." Oh boy, now that it's summer break coming up with crafts is up to this mom instead of his fabulous preschool.

I grabbed a few supplies (colored beads and some pipe cleaners) and made what ended up being a pretty cute craft. Daniel patiently dug through the colored beads to find different shades of green to make the caterpillar's body (using good fine motor skills he thread each bead), then made the red face, and a small piece of pipe cleaner twisted around the body for the antennae. We curved it into the shape of the caterpillar and VIOLA! Of course after he made the caterpillar we had to make a bee, a butterfly...needless to say we have several pipe cleaner/bead bugs in the house now.

Kindle Kozy

I didn't think I would like reading on the Kindle. I received it as a gift and left it in the box for month before I figured I should check it out. Now, I love it. I love how small it is, how I can finish a book and start another one within minutes, how I can throw it in my purse and if I find myself with 5 extra minutes at preschool pick-up I can fit in a quick read. I still don't know all the features on it, but I don't care. I recently decided it was time my tech friend received an update - not a software upgrade or anything, but a comfortable place to rest.

I created a Kindle Kozy. Well, I sewed two scraps of material together and called it a Kindle Kozy. Here are some pictures of the process:

Outside material is a cotton with a fun retro orange flower print; lining is white fleece.


Sewed the pieces together, turn it inside out, added a loop of elastic (for the closure) and stitched up the sides, leaving a flap to go over the top.


Made a fabric flower out of the same material to hook the elastic loop on.


Super easy and fast project and just what I needed to store my Kindle in. I think the real reason I love my Kindle is because it is the one piece of technology my kids (so far) have no interest in -- it makes no sounds, doesn't play cartoons and doesn't take their picture. I love having something all to myself.

Master Bedroom Remodel

I'm obsessed with remodeling my master bedroom. It's like a light switch went off in my head and I want it done NOW! Do you ever do that - are fine with something but then decide it's time for a change and even though it's been forever all of a sudden you can't wait a day longer?!?! Well, that's where I am. My master bedroom had never really been done to my liking and I've pretty much been ok with that for eight years, but now I can't stand it. Here's my problem...my wonderful husband. Not that he doesn't want to make changes, but that he is semi-handy and wants to do them himself. Sometimes I think it would be better to have a husband who can't hammer in a nail because then the DIY thing wouldn't even be an option. The big hurdle is we don't want to move forward with anything until we put in new flooring (bye-bye nasty carpet, hello wood). That means Joe has to do it. But WHEN??!!! He's been working like mad lately and when he's not working we are busy with birthday parties, family parties, trips, etc. So when the heck is he going to find the time to do it??

After the flooring goes in, the decor type stuff should move along quicker. We already bought new bedding, but I don't even want to use it until everything else it done. Sort of reveal it all at once. The other things we want to do are relatively easy - new bed (just a basic frame and upholstered headboard), new corner reading chair (possibly with ottoman), get rid of current tv and put up a flat screen (already know which tv we want, but I don't want to order it and have it sit in a box in the garage for weeks or months). I'd like a more modern look overall.

So I'm thinking I might have to trip in the middle of my bedroom with an open bottle of red nail polish. That might move the flooring issue along.

Where Did the School Year Go?

Tonight was Daniel's preschool promotion night, meaning it's the end of the school year. He's been promoted to the 4-year old class...we are so proud ;). Really though, I just can't believe the school year is over. One of my very first posts was about Daniel starting school and I feel like I just wrote it. Everyone who has older children tells me "they grow so fast, enjoy this time." I'm starting to believe them.

In the Desert

In the desert we like to...

go on water slides


play with cousins


pick flowers


jump off rocks


build human pyramids


chase bunnies


play with grandpa


create wonderful family memories