Tree Decorating

We picked out our Christmas tree the Monday after Thanksgiving.  It's the first time Piper has ever had a real tree at home.  Our first year in Ohio we borrowed our landlord's four-foot artificial tree so that's doesn't really count.  Piper just went crazy at the Christmas tree lot.  The lot even delivered and positioned it in the house.  How nice!  It's the first tree we've had (this is our fourth, if you count that fake one) with a true tree topper.  We're all grown up.

The next day Piper and I decorated the tree while Simon napped.  I made sure to get some new extra ornaments that Piper could put on the lower half of the tree that Simon could remove/mangle without injury.  She did an awesome job decorating.  Her favorites were all of the ones with our pictures on them.  We have quite the collection of personalized ornaments.  Surprisingly Simon has been really good with the tree so far.  He's only removed a few ornaments and he doesn't really seem to notice it any more.

I still need to take a picture of the full tree and our house decorations.  That'll have to be another post.  My mom came and did some wonderful Christmas crafts with Piper.  I'll feature those later too.

Trip to Nan and Chad's

The day after Thanksgiving Rick took off to Vegas with some of his brothers to watch the Jayhawks play in a tournament.  My mom suggested that we take a little road trip to see my sister.  What a great idea!  Crazy enough, the last time I was at Nan and Chad's house was also my first visit and I was five months pregnant with Piper.  

Despite a slight hiccup at the beginning of the trip (read: drove over a screw and got a flat tire), we had a blast.  Piper AND Simon were equally enamored with their cousins.  Simon really loved Chad too - can't you tell?  It was like having built-in babysitters.  We decorated gingerbread houses, ate amazing food, were serenaded by Emma and Claudia, toured the Jelly Belly factory and just laughed and laughed.  Such a fun time.  Glad we could do it.

Park Day

Sad as it may sound but this particular park day was only our second since moving to our new digs.  Most parks around here only have sand which I'm not fond of.  Give me wood chips or mats any day.  We joined some friends this time and had lots of fun.  We even broke out Piper's old jacket for Simon.  Too cute!  

Piper just loved having all these playmates to play with.  Simon liked the steering wheel, and the snacks too, of course.

Beach Trip

Here is Simon's true first trip to the beach.  We went once in Ohio but it was more of a short, impromptu visit.  This time we did it up right.

As usual when it comes to swimming, Simon is more interested in the graham crackers, or any food for that matter.  We saw a sandpiper which was fun.  The water was cold but it was a beautiful day.  

I caught a crab for Piper which she proceeded to completely bury in her bucket.  I couldn't believe how daring the seagulls were.  At one point, they were trying to get the crackers out of my bag.  I had to close things up good after that.

Don't be hatin' all my cold-weather friends but we could probably do another beach visit now if we wanted to.  It's been that warm lately.  That's SoCal for ya.

He's demonstrating how to properly eat a graham cracker.

Knott's Berry Farm

Rick's folks came to visit a month ago.  During their visit we ventured to Knott's Berry Farm.  Now, despite being from L.A., I hadn't been to Knott's in probably twenty years.  It was fun to go back and see what's changed (a lot) and what hasn't (the bad-guy shoot-out on the train and funnel cakes).  We had lots of fun.  It was very warm but great.  

Piper had a blast.  Her favorite ride was the only one that was self-propelled (you had to pump it with your arms).  Simon was pretty content sitting in his stroller since he was too small for any of the rides.  He didn't conk out until late in the afternoon but he was so well-mannered.  He was fascinated by the balloon-man, as he is a sucker for balloons.  

Thanks for the wonderful day out Ann & Rich!

He's just like his Dad - beautiful eyes and adorable dimples.

Piper's favorite ride

Finally Halloween - Yea, I Know It's Almost Christmas

Piper decided to go as a secret agent for Halloween this year.  Easily done.  Black shirt, black pants, black shoes, black knit cap, black utility belt for her flashlight and rope, and black "night vision" goggles.  Do you sense a theme?  

Simon went as a cowboy though we did contemplate Piper's old pirate costume for a bit.  Piper requested that both girls go as secret agents so I donned a black shirt and cap too.  She also wanted both the boys go as cowboys so Rick donned one of his check shirts and an extra cowboy hat we had hanging around.

As you can see, they are both such cuties in their costumes.  We ventured out to our ward's Trunk or Treat where Piper practically galloped from car to car.  Simon stayed in the stroller while Rick handed out candy. 

We went to Grandma and Papa's house on Halloween night but Piper didn't want to put on her costume for them.  I wasn't about to fight her on it since I was at the beginnings of a bout of the flu.  She enjoyed handing the candy out more than getting it, I think.  She would stand on their porch yelling, "Kids, kids, I've got candy.  C'mon!"

                                       

All done with pictures, I guess.

Ready for action!

Last Day of Thanks - just for November anyway

1.  Although Simon woke up way, way too early, both his nap and bedtime went off without a hitch.

2.  The beginning of Christmas time at our house.  We got the tree tonight.  I need to get lights tomorrow.  I think the kids will have a fun time decorating it tomorrow.  I even boiled some cinnamon with nutmeg and cloves which gave the house that holiday scent.

3.  The prospects of some fun trips in the next six months.

4.  Nutella on toast.

5.  My brother-in-law hooked me up with the info on how to access some MS Office-like programs for our new Mac.  Best part is they're free.

Thanks for Monday

1.  We're weaning Simon from his pacifier.  Today was the first day without it at nap time and bedtime.  Nap time was a no-go after an hour and a half crying.  But I'm grateful that he took no time at all to go to sleep at bedtime.  And he went to sleep 20 minutes early too!

2.  Central heating.

3.  Rick taped a House Hunters International for me that took place in Brittany, France.  Ah, it made me homesick for France.  I miss it!

4.  A day without plans.  I was anticipating Simon crying a lot without his pacifier so we just laid low.  The day was spent in jammies and TV-watching but I did happen to do dishes and laundry.

5.  Some light at the end of the tunnel regarding Simon's eczema.  I read something that short, daily baths can be beneficial.  I plan to grease him up with Aquaphor before the bath, no soap in the bath, and then grease him up again after the bath.

Gratitude on the Sabbath

1.  A safe, if long, road trip home.  Mom, thanks for entertaining and tending to the kids in the backseat.

2.  Portable DVD players.  We don't have one but my mom is smart and thought to bring it with her.  Two movies for Piper makes the time in the car go much faster.

3.  Thanksgiving leftovers to come home to.  A good, no-fuss dinner is always appreciated.

4.  I heard Simon say "baby" which I hadn't been around to hear yet and he played peek-a-boo on his own for the first time.

5.  My sister and her family.  They sent us home with a bunch of toys and books for the trip home.

Saturday Thanks

1. Sleeping in. I'm thankful for my mom and nieces/nephew who watched Piper and Simon this morning so I could sleep.

2. Modern manufacturing techniques (shout out to Musso). We toured the Jelly Belly factory today and it was just crazy to see all the work, research, and money that go into just making jelly beans.

3. Hilarious times playing games with family which create memories.

4. Jayhawks dominated yesterday and won tonight.

5. My health.

Post-Thanksgiving Post

1. Despite a flat tire at the beginning of our road trip on Friday, we got to my sister's house safe and sound.

2. I'm grateful that my mom has AAA road-side assistance. And that the tire salesman didn't gouge me.

3. I learned a new recipe for stuffing that rocks. Thanks Nan!

4. Pumpkin crisp. I haven't had it in years so it was a nice walk down memory lane.

5. I've missed seeing my brother-in-law Chad. It's been almost three years sibce I've seen him last. Too, too long.

Full of Thanksgiving

1.  I'm grateful that my first solo Thanksgiving was delicious and hot.  I was worried about getting everything hot on the table at the same time.  Rick's surprise pumpkin pie from Le Pain Quotidien was wonderful.

2.  I'm grateful for my family.  'Nuff said.

3.  I'm grateful that I didn't have to do dishes after dinner.  Our guests took over while Rick and I cleared.

4.  I'm grateful for a yard.  It's not big, but with the driveway included it gives the kids some bigger space to play and be loud.

5.  I'm grateful that I am not a born shopper and that Black Friday has NO appeal for me.  It's the crowds, jostling, lines, cut-throat people, and hassle that would drive me crazy.  It's online shopping for me, mostly.

Pre-Thanksgiving Thanks

1. I'm thankful for PBSKids.org and NickJr.  The PBSKids website helps Piper learn fun stuff and I love that NickJr. doesn't have any commercials so I don't have to worry about what she's watching as much.

2. Rick didn't get a ticket today even though he was parked in his spot for two hours over when he should have been.

3. I got some Christmas shopping done today which felt great.

4. Piper loves playing with Simon.  She was luring him into her room with toys so that he would come with her.

5. I'm thankful for my brother, Mark.  It's his birthday tomorrow and I wanted him to know how important he is to me.  He is such a great brother and I love watching him with his family.  I couldn't have picked a better match for him than Kristen; they were made for each other.  Mark introduced me to a lot of great music.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and it was always a point of pride if I could get him to laugh.  Mark is very patient and is also brilliant.  It was also a point of pride if I could beat him in any game (he's very competitive too, so you know he plays to win).  I love you Mark.  I'm glad you're my brother.

Today's Thanks

I'm thankful for...

1. A home.  Yes, we're renting but I'm grateful for a home which gives me the opportunity to keep it clean, make good food, snuggle and read to the kids, play games, watch the occasional TV show with Rick, and to make a home.

2. A productive day.  Today I was able to vacuum and detail my car while the kids played outside.  Piper and I dusted the house and then I proceeded to sweep, mop, and vacuum.  Tonight I cleaned one bathroom, with only Piper's small bathroom to do tomorrow.  I also did dishes, and swept and mopped the kitchen floor, which had looked atrocious.  We did prodigious amounts of laundry too.  Whew!

3. The faith of little ones.  I couldn't find the garage door opener and, of course Piper decided, on her own, to say a prayer.  It worked.  I love that girl!

4. Simon's growing vocabulary.  Yesterday he learned to say "whee!"  Today it was, "no, no, no" and "eat."  Such a sweetheart!

5. Our things.  I'm not by nature a materialistic person but someone once told me that "home is where your stuff is."  I thought that a little shallow when I heard it, but it can feel all to true when you come home after being away for a while.

Day #22

1.  My friend Mindy sent me the cutest card for my birthday and a very appropriate gift card to Outback.  She's always good for a laugh.

2.  We got everything for Thursday's dinner today.  I'm excited to get cooking.

3.  Simon went on the kiddie slide by himself for the first time today.  He also learned to say "Wee!"

4.  Piper has a great ear for music and instruments.  She got that talent from her two grandmothers and Rick.  She told me today when we were listening to the radio that she heard a keyboard and drums.  Her version of Feliz Navidad is pretty funny too, mispronunciations and all.

5.  Like Scarlett O'Hara, tomorrow is another day.  I didn't get a whole lot done today besides grocery shopping.  On the docket for tomorrow is laundry, tidying the house, and cleaning bathrooms and floors.

Pumpkin Patch

I'm almost caught up on my posts.  Stay with me here.

Before Halloween, the kids and I joined a bunch of other moms from church for a trip to the pumpkin patch.  It was sure crowded.  I couldn't believe how much stuff there was to do and how many people there were, and on a weekday.  We got a fabulous wagon ride too!

The spacious pumpkin fields

Piper is getting so tall.

I love the look on Simon's face here.  He had just been freed from his stroller and loved exploring the hay.

Hometown Fair

Manhattan Beach hosts a Hometown Fair every year.  I believe it even coincides with Homecoming at my Alma Mater.  Unfortunately, it's held in October so I haven't been able to go in fifteen years.  Well, this year we got to go.  They almost cancelled it at the last minute but thankfully it went off without a hitch.   

I ran into a few friends from high school and church.  The food stands brought back lots of memories for me.  The kid's section had long lines but it was all free.  Piper had a ball!