Last Day of Thanks (for this month anyway)

1. Successful and fun playdates
2. The weekend is here
3. Our new advent calendar starts tomorrow
4. Cuddles from Simon
5. Clean dishes

11.29.12

Today I am grateful for...

1. Simon's sweetness even in the midst of a bad asthma attack tonight
2. Modern medicine
3. An informative and fun stake leadership training meeting
4. My mom for taking care of my kids while I went to the doctor, among other reasons I'm thankful for my mom
5. The fact that baby girl is growing and well

11.28.12

1. Piper and Simon played so well together today.  After dinner, we made a food craft together.  That time spent together made them amenable to cleaning up the living room.  After which I rewarded them with a little time playing Just Dance Kids 2 on the Wii.  They took turns nicely and even though Piper kicked his bum, she was very conciliatory and complimentary of his efforts.
2. Yummy chicken chili soup for dinner.  It was easily made in the crockpot and all I had to do was break out the tortilla chips and drinks.
3. Great gift inspiration for my family's Christmas
4. Rick enjoying a boy's night out.  I know he misses seeing his family at night but it's good for him to get some free time with friends too.
5. iTunes

Lemonade Anyone?

Just like last year, we had having a lemonade stand on our list of things to do this summer.  The kids decided to sell licorice too, though no one bought any.  Piper made the sign all by herself.  Not too bad.

Chilling at the Grove

One day during the summer we went to the Grove to hang out.  The kids met these cute puppies and couldn't get enough.

Here We Go Dodgers!

We got to attend several Dodger games this summer.  We made a poster for Mormon Night and then we found out we weren't allowed to have them.  We did the next best thing and took a picture of it before we had to toss it.  We took our friend Jacques from church with us.

People taking pictures with Alex Boye who sang the national anthem.

Ayyy batter, batter!

Piper and I enjoying our wonderful seats behind home plate provided by my parent's friend.

I think there's a little love affair there.

11.27.12

1. An awesome report about Piper from her teacher at today's parent/teacher conference!!
2. Clean dishes
3. See's candies
4. I cleaned out the fridge.  There's so much room in there now.
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas

11.26.12

1. Lots accomplished and planned for at the craft store today
2. Homemade keepsake cinnamon ornaments we made together today
3. Easy bedtimes
4. Fun, new recipes I'm excited to try out.
5. Rick handled Piper's bath this morning and Simon's tonight.

Berry Picking

The kids and I went strawberry picking this summer.  I didn't get any pictures of the actual picking part but this is us taking a break, relaxing in the shade afterwards.  The kids shoes got really muddy.  I brought Piper's boots but we didn't put them on.  Then the next time we went to the farm (3 months later) Simon reminded me that we needed to take boots so we don't get muddy.  Good thinking.

Summer Barbecues

Here's my two kiddies after an evening of fun at our ward's weekly summer barbecues.  Think they had fun?!

11.25.12

1. My brother Mark.  Today is his birthday and I am very grateful to be his sister.  He's funny, smart, and has great taste in movies and books.
2. School is back in session tomorrow.  I'm tired and I welcome the break.  
3. My dad's homemade tacos
4. Antacids (see #3 above)
5. Pinterest

11.24.12

Today I am grateful that...

1. I blow-dried my hair this morning.  I wasn't going to because I was tired and just wanted to leave.  But it made me feel better about how I looked.  Small thing, I know.
2. Rick was able to go to the USC/Notre Dame game tonight.  He joined my brother and they had a fun time.
3. My sister-in-law Kristen rocks!  Kristen, I'm so glad you married my brother; we love having you in our family.
4. We got to have Round Table pizza for lunch today - Rick's favorite.
5. Rick has been so accommodating in letting me sleep in these last few days.  I've needed it so badly and I didn't even have to ask him.  Very nice indeed.

11.23.12

1. Even without a nap today Simon was mostly pleasant and obedient.  He did get in trouble a few times for hitting his cousins with golf clubs and baseball bats.
2. Watching Piper interact with her little three-year old cousin.  She was helping her color and acting like such a grown up girl.  What a nice big sister she is, and will be!
3. Homemade turkey noodle soup (with homemade noodles!) and Virgil's root beer floats.  My sister and brother-in-law were the chefs, not me.
4. Sleeping in despite the kids waking up at 6:00am
5. My niece Emma's wonderful talent of composing music and also her lovely singing voice.  It always brings tears to my eyes.  Rick can never get enough of her either.

The Big Day of Thanks

1. Great food
2. Lots of wonderful family
3. Fun times catching up and reminiscing
4. My relatively well-behaved children at our holiday celebration today.  I was worried about Simon missing his nap but he fell asleep for 15 minutes or so on the drive down.
5. This overheard exchange from my kids at 6:30 this morning - 

         Piper: Simon, you know what I'm thankful for today?  
         Simon: What?
         Piper: You.
         Simon: You know what I'm thankful for?
         Piper: What?
         Simon: You and mom.

11.21.12

1. Waldorf salad.  It is a must at family Thanksgiving gatherings.  The smell of it just bring back such nostalgia for me.
2. Answers to little prayers.  Piper had a big spelling test today that was a review of the year so far.  We were only able to spend precious little time studying this week.  And then I was worried because I gave her a practice oral and written test and she didn't do as well as I would have hoped.  She is an excellent study though.  I sent up a little prayer that she would do well.  Her results today were 20/20!
3. Chats with good friends
4. Rick was home early today
5. An efficient but fun shopping excursion alone with Piper this afternoon.  She needed something festive for Thanksgiving.  We scored a little dress and also got to take a little detour to American Girl Place.
6. This is a little premature but I have high hopes that our oven will be fixed soon.  It has been hit or miss lately which causes me anxiety.  It keeps turning off unexpectedly, sometimes without warning.  A repairman came yesterday to make judgements and then to order parts.  It worked okay for my prep cooking tonight.  I can only hope that it will hold out for pies tomorrow morning.

It's a....

After our little weekend down south for the 4th of July holidays where I was feeling extra tired, we learned that we are expecting another baby in March.  It was a little surreal at first (it still is a little now) because we hadn't been planning to have another baby yet.  It's a little girl which we are thrilled about.

Having taken a pregnancy test one night, I was in shock.  Rick was just about asleep.  I thought to myself that I couldn't tell him that night or he wouldn't be able to sleep at all.  The morning after I took the test, I told Rick, "I don't think that I'm going to be able to lose the weight I wanted to in time for the photo shoot."  (We were having a family photo shoot a few weeks later.)  He asked why and I told him, "Because I'm pregnant."  His immediate response, which is always his response when I tell him I'm pregnant, was "No, you're not?!"  After a bit of discussion it started to sink in, for the both of us.

And, I actually was able to lose weight - 11lbs!  I had no appetite and constant nausea during my first trimester.  I lost eight pounds with Simon so it wasn't a surprise.  But not the funnest way to lose weight.  I wouldn't recommend it.

Celebrating July 4th and Another Year of Rick

This year's Independence Day celebration started off with, what else, a church pancake breakfast.  Then it was off to Dana Point to enjoy Rick's birthday.  The weather down there was unseasonably cool but we braved the inversion layer for the beach.  Oh, and this was the first year that Simon was actually awake for the fireworks on the 4th.  Happy birthday Rick!

Swimming Lessons

Piper took swim lessons this summer through the city's Park and Recs department.  They were 25-minutes long every day for two weeks.  Piper's teacher Jacob was very cool.  She even jumped off of the diving board several times.  Of course, he was there to support and guide her to the side.

We'll probably do them again next year but though they wanted to advance her to the next level, I think she needs to do this one over again, at least until she learns how to put her face in the water better.

By the way, recognize the pool?  It's at the local high school but more importantly it's where the famous swimming-pool-under-the-basketball-court scene from "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed.  So cool.

11.20.12

1. Simon slept in until 8:00 this morning.  He did climb into bed with me around 5:45 but at least he slept later.  I wish I could have slept in until 8:00.
2. Therapeutic music
3. Hot showers.  My legs have been so achy lately and the warmth of the water helped with the pain a little.
4. Repentance
5. Delivery pizza

Today's Thanks - Day 19

Today I am grateful for...

1. The happy and cheerful attitude Piper had at her school pick-up today.  She was telling me that it was just the best day ever.  She had a substitute and she and another girl in her class were the only ones to receive purple cards (outstanding behavior) today.  It's not unusual for her to get these cards but she felt particularly proud of herself.  Plus, she had been such a great example of being quiet in the halls that another first grade teacher had her come get a prize for a job well-done.
2. Taking it easy this evening.  Today was a day that was just go, go, go.  Once I got the kids in bed, I fought the urge to do dishes and tidy the house.  I even left the non-perishable stuff from our shopping trip on the counter for tomorrow.  My legs and belly have been aching today.  It felt good to rest.
3. Cold glasses of milk
4. Comfy beds and warm blankets
5. The kids falling asleep easily tonight.  It may have been because it was 45 minutes later than usual but they went straight to sleep.

Papa and the Firehouse

We realized that our kids had never been to Papa Allen's old firehouse.  We remedied that one afternoon in June.  Simon wanted to drive the truck and carry all of the hoses.  Pretty cool to have an "in" at the fire station.  Thanks Dad!

Water Fight

To celebrate the end of the school year, we threw a little "Welcome to Summer Party!"  I stole the idea from Rick's cousin Stacey (thanks Stacey!)  We invited school and church friends over for water balloons, squirt guns, popsicles, and watermelon.  It was the perfect day for a water fight.

Piper with Ashton, Scarlett, Gabby (Celina in the back), and Simon

Easton, Tristan, and Haydn

Scarlett refilling her squirt gun

Last Days of School

Piper's school had an End-of-the-School-Year carnival.  The bouncy house was a big hit with my kids. My mom and Rick were able to go with us.  Hooray for living close to family!  

Eating a lollipop

My friends Andrea and Lisa.  Piper went to preschool with Lisa's son and now they've been together in kindergarten and first grade.  And Lisa and I are room parents together for their first grade class.

Piper signing yearbooks with Scarlett and Amy.

Piper's last day of school was Pajama Day.  Here she is at pick-up.

18th Day of Thanks

1. Children's antihistamine.  Simon had a reaction to something he ate at church today.  We suspect possibly something in the wheat bread that was used for the sacrament.  His eye got really red, watery, itchy, and very puffy.  So we left a little early.  A little children's antihistamine got rid of the reaction and helped Simon sleep for two and a half hours.
2. Piper was so thoughtful with Simon today.  She earned a lollipop somehow at church and she automatically gave it to him.  When she saw how happy it made him (and me), she told me that she loved the feeling she had inside.  
3. A little rest time this afternoon.  Dinner was in the crockpot keeping warm, Simon was napping, Piper was quietly playing blocks and watching TV.  This allowed me to have a little snooze on the couch.  Bliss.
4. Hearing all about Rick's visit with old friends in our ward back in Cleveland.  We miss you all so much.  So wish I could have been there as it made me homesick for our life there.  If his job hadn't had been so rough while we were there, both of us would have liked to stay there longer.  (That said, I do not miss the cold.)
5. Getting to see so much family this week.  It will be over far too quickly but I will soak it up as much as I can.

Simon Turns Three!

To celebrate Simon's 3rd birthday, he requested a Dodger game.  We went, we won which was a spectacular ending.  We ate lots of junk food; it was just loads of fun.  Then on his actual birthday we had my parents and Rick's brother and his fiancee (now wife) over for dinner, cake, and presents.

WHAT A DOLLFACE!

My mom had brought over these extra cowboy hats and kerchiefs she had leftover from a party.

Petting the neighbor's dog Tootsie

These two serenaded Simon with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" which he sings really, really well.  Piper strummed while my mom handled the chords.

"I'm 3!"

Can you tell what Simon got for his birthday?  We got him the Cozy Coupe, the bike helmet, and the fireman rainboots.  My parents got him the awesome Lynx golf clubs and bag.  He insisted that his car was a golf cart and so in went the clubs.

What else - a baseball cake!  (Do you see a theme with all of the sports?  Last year's cake was a soccer ball.)

Piper was super excited because we got her this Jessie cowgirl doll.  We try to give the kids a little present on the occasion of their sibling's birthday.  It lessens the jealousy a little, we find.

Petersen Museum

Piper's school has monthly restaurant nights where local restaurants donate a portion of their sales to our school.  The last one was held at the Johnny Rocket's inside the Petersen Automotive Museum.  Piper and I had been before for a birthday party but Simon had never been.  We didn't get to go the kid's level as it was closed for a private event but here are the kids in front of their favorite cars on display.