These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

December is full of fun activities and events for the kids (and the parents!). It's also full of to-do lists, stress, shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, etc. Just have to remember to take a step back and remember a few of my favorite things...

Fun with Cousins


My Silly Daughter


Giggling with Grandpa


The Beauty of Christmas Lights


Sharing a Meal


Between the craziness of the holidays and it being a rough cold/flu season I sometimes lose sight of what is important. But my kids are always there to remind me. Daniel reminds me by telling me "Mommy, I love you bigger than a dinosaur." While Lauren reminds me by giving the sweetest, unexpected hugs. I sometimes wonder what great deed I did in my previous life to be so blessed in this one.

It Rained Today!

It's amazing - it finally rained in Orange County. I honestly don't remember our last rain, and apparently neither do my kids. They looked out the window this morning in amazement.

Kings Don't Get Better Treatment

I'm pretty sure princes of small principalities don't get better treatment than my son. On a typical morning he gets pancakes cut into seasonal shapes (right now it's Christmas trees), juice and a tv show of his choice. Recently there has been an upgrade - using a "breakfast in bed" tray so he can sit on the sofa to enjoy his morning meal. Oh man, I know I'm going to pay for that parenting decision. Or his future wife will...

Christmas Photo Shoot - Take 1

Not only do I have the "joy" of trying to get a decent picture of my family for my Christmas cards, but I get to do two extra photo sessions for the grandparents. Each set of grandparents wants to proudly show off their grandchildren (who can blame them?) by sending out cards with pictures. It always cracks me up how we somehow eventually end up with great pictures and how the receivers of the cards have no idea about the chaos surrounding the photo shoot. Today was no different...we had our photo session for my in-laws. The truth is their card is going to be awesome, but if you could have seen the dramatics of my lovely daughter during the whole process...well let's just say she might have been crossed of Santa's nice list. Here is a sneak peak of some of the pictures that will be used as bragging rights by my in-laws.

All Aboard!

Today we decided to hop on the local Metrolink train and head south to San Juan Capistrano. The train ride was about 40 minutes, which was about 35 minutes too long for Lauren. That girl can NOT sit still. We had a great time though - the kids loved being able to get out of their seats while the train was moving and walk all over. Daniel also thought it was pretty great to use the potty while the train was moving. Once down in SJC we headed to Zoomars petting zoo followed by lunch at Ruby's. My parents met us for lunch, which was wonderful. It was especially helpful because I decided another hour of hanging out at Zoomars followed by another 40 minutes on the train was too much for Lauren, so my parents took us girls home while Daniel and daddy stayed to catch the train home.

Waiting at the train station


Enjoying the ability to move around in the train


Lauren NOT sitting down


Daniel having fun at Zoomars


Joe and the kids playing at Zoomars

More crafting

Today I had the chance to work on some craft projects - thank you daddy for taking both kids to judo practice. I'm sort of bummed I missed seeing Daniel and Lauren at judo (because I'm pretty sure there was little judo going on and a lot of mischief instead), but I LOVED having the morning to myself. I'm really trying to make as many Christmas gifts as possible and I'm almost done with my niece Julia. Her basket of felt food just has a few pieces missing and today I made an apron. I cheated a little though and used a dress that had a big stain on the front to make the apron. I cut apart the dress and only used the back (un-stained) side. I added a pocket because I found some little wooden spoons that needed a home and then I hemmed the sides and added bias tape on the top. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I love the idea of re-purposing an adorable dress that had been previously thought as ruined. Here is the finished project.



I also made a little something for myself. I saw this tutorial for making a fabric flower pin . It was super easy and I used various materials and tulle I had on hand. I actually made two because I wanted a big one for using on a jacket or to hold a scarf in place and a small one for a t-shirt or something.

Letters to Someone

Dear Extended Day at Preschool,

Oh how I love Thursdays and Daniel's extended day at school. 9am to 2pm is an enormous break for a mom, especially when little miss Lauren still naps for a good part of that time. Sheets and towels are in the wash, house is tidy and all forms of computer communication have been checked (and responded to!). Time, sweet precious time how I love you! We'll be back to craziness tomorrow, but let's just enjoy today.

From,
A Sane (for the moment) Mommy


Dear Daredevil Daniel,

I told you to stop diving into the pillows on mom and dad's bed. I warned you there was a hard wood headboard behind those fluffy pillows. I'm sorry you got a nice bloody gash on your forehead, but I told you so!!

Love,
Your First Aid Mommy


Dear La Habra Children's Museum,

My kids had a blast visiting you and they both fell asleep on the way home, so that was pretty much a perfect afternoon. But I'm just not too sure how I feel about your animal exhibit. I get that you are a museum, but the animals on display are slightly creepy looking. And I might have been extra creeped out by how much Lauren loved it. Maybe it was that she kept poking at the eyes of your animals that worried me. But, don't worry, we'll probably visit again. Who am I to stop visiting a place that entertained and tired out my kids?
From,
A Slightly Bothered Museum Visitor