Happy Birthday

We celebrated Big Sis' birthday today. The actual day of her birthday we went shopping for the party. As we were driving home Big Sis asked if her friends would be waiting for her at home. I had a tough time explaining to her that we were celebrating days later. She still has no concept of time/days.

We had a fun party with friends despite our colds. Check out the pics.

Blowing out the candles on the cake she helped decorate.

Yummy!

Happy to be with her BF eating cake, what could be better?

Opening gifts, this one happened to start some serious fights with her friends. She just wouldn't share. Now I know why its best not to open gifts at the party.

Lil Sis trying out the gift from her Tante. Now they have dress-up masks to play cat and dog!

Cat and Dog meet!

Lil Sis and friend waiting for cake.

I've been tagged...

I got this from a friend. If you feel up to it, you too are tagged....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial, but I love the smell of a real tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?
After Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?
After new years, but we are living with my parents so July! :) (jk mom)

5. Do you like egg nog?
Yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Barbie and NKOTB

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes we have two.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Dad

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Daughters

10. Mail or email Christmas cards
Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
None

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Don't have one.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes (don't hate)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cookies/anything with chocolate

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Big Sis singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Both

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blizten, Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or star?
Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve (Austrian tradition)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Bah-humbugs

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Silver and Glass/Crystal

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, anything my mom makes.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Books and PJs

26. Who is most likely to respond to this?
Not sure

27. Who is least likely to respond to this?
My DH

Shaving

Yesterday at the welcome home party for my brother, my sis-in-law noticed that part of Big Sis' eyebrow was missing. I immediately started laughing (I know bad bad mom). Then I asked her what happened. "Nothing mom, I didn't do nothing". I wandered up stairs to the bathroom to compose myself and try to find evidence. My brother's razor was lying out. So I figured that was what she must have done. I went back downstairs and she still wouldn't fess up, just continued to lie.

The truth it turns out is even worse. The other day DH found her with my razor. She was running it through her hair and hair was falling out. He confronted her and told her that she shouldn't play with mom's razor. I had cleaned the bathroom Friday and thrown my old razor in the garbage (once again bad mom), which is where apparently Big Sis had found it. She is so lucky that she didn't cut herself. When my mother remarked to her how lucky she was that she didn't get hurt, Big Sis replied "I know lucky girls are really careful".

Lessons learned, depose of razors properly, teach kids about their danger, and teach Big Sis about telling lies. (I still can't believe she full on lied to me)

Grüezi, Elder

By brother came home from his mission (Zürich, Switzerland) on Friday night. It is so fun to have him home. Here are some pics of the event.

Chicken Pox and the Toilet

Yesterday while getting Lil Sis ready for Church, DH noticed that she had some blisters on her shoulders and chest. Turns out she has chicken pox, even though she had the vacination. It is however, a super mellow case. Only 4 or 5 and they don't seem to be bothering her. We think we may have gotten it from my grandma. She had the shingles and we visited with her after they had scabbed over. Apparently they hadn't all scabbed over. So now Lil Sis is on house arrest.

Today as I was doing my business Lil Sis decided to take an interest. As soon as I was finished she declared that she wanted to poop. I set her up on her toilet and gave her some privacy. And.... she did it! We have a break through. Some good is going to come from this chicken pox.

Sassy Lil Sis

Tonight we went for a drive with Oma and Opa to look at the christmas lights in Chino, CA. Lil Sis was chatting non stop. She was repeating over and over again (about 10 times) to Big Sis, "I see bubbles,Big Sis". Translation, "I (want) to see bubbles, Big Sis".

After about the tenth time Oma said, "You want to see some bubbles, Lil Sis?"

Lil Sis: "I talking to Big Sis, okay!"

It was so sassy it was cute, way to tell Oma off! I normally don't encourage that kind of behavior, but everyone was rolling.

The lights weren't all up. We'll have to go again in a couple weeks. The girls were excited by what we did see. They'll have a blast when its all up.

Polar Express

Last night we watched the Polar Express as a family. I thought no one had seen it before. Big Sis kept exclaiming that she had seen the movie before at Oma and Opa's. I however don't remember ever watching it and neither had my dad. So I thought Big Sis was just telling a tale. "It's soooo amazing mom, and not scary at all"

At the end during the intense action scenes Big Sis would tell us how the part would end. And what do you know she was right every time. So weird, she must have seen the movie.

Lil Sis has been a challenge lately. She is so Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I love Mr. Hyde who cuddles and obeys. Dr. Jekyll oddly enough is only displayed when Big Sis is present. If Lil Sis is alone she is just angelic.

My assignment in the nursery (kids age 18 months to 3 yrs.) at church has been challenging. Two kiddos cry almost the whole time and one kiddo tries to escape every 5 seconds. I was literally running after him about 5 times yesterday. And we had 9 kids and only 2 leaders. Time to get some parents involved. My problem is that I really don't want to bug the parents. I don't know if thats because I don't want to feel like I've failed or that I remember waiting longingly for the day my kids went to nursery so that I could enjoy class and I don't want to take that away from these parents.

What to do?

Dancing Elf Family

I friend of mine just sent me an email of her kids as dancing elves. Big Sis and I thought it would be fun to create our own. Enjoy a giggle on us!

Robins Nest as the Dancing Elves

Singed Birthday

Lil Sis' birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, so we decided to wait and celebrate with cup cakes on Sunday. I think it would have been over kill on Thanksgiving. As it was my mom's dinner was truly a feast to behold. We are still eating leftovers (yummy yummy yummy).

As I handed Lil Sis her cup cake with two candles and a "Nemo" decoration she stared at it mesmerized. She didn't know what to do when we finished singing. We all leaned forward to show her how to blow out the candles. She did as she was told (rare occasion lately) and what do you know the candles were spaced perfectly apart. Perfect for her eyelashes and eyebrows. Yep she singed them! Poor kid is going to be terrified of birthday cakes and candles. She didn't cry, so I take it that she wasn't hurt. Scary.

What it's all about

Isn't this what Thanksgiving is all about...


I want to list some things I am thankful for today (random order)
- DH and all that he puts up with from me and my never ending list of desires
- DH for working so hard for our family and braving a strenuous commute to work
- Big Sis and Lil Sis for helping me learn patience
- Big Sis for providing ample entertainment and chuckles
- Big Sis for being to willing to do a little better
- Lil Sis for her cuddles
- Lil Sis for being so ready to say she's sorry
- My parents who are willing to put up with our family until we find a home
- My brother and sister-in-law for being super cool and design savvy
- My brother and sister-in-law for introducing me to photography
- My Lil Bro for serving a faithful mission in Switzerland (only 3 more weeks!)
- My Father in Heaven for providing me with so many blessings and guiding my life in ways I would have never thought possible to be where I am today.

Choo Choo

Yesterday we went to South Coast Plaza and the girls went on a train ride. They were so excited. Lil Sis chanted, "choo choo" the entire time. There was a giant tree in the center of the mall with mini trains and a some really cool homes attached to the tree. The girls loved watching the trains.

Online Shopping

This year I'm trying to get most of my shopping done online. It's so nice and convenient and some places even offer free shipping! I dread this time of year. Lil Sis' birthday falls right on or around Thanksgiving, Big Sis the day after Christmas. It's like we have no expenses the whole year and then wham, huge chunk at once. Guess that's my fault for getting pregnant when I did! hehehe. And Birthday parties, I don't even want to go there. My poor kiddos. Although Lil Sis asked for a princess cake and Big Sis is now aware of what a birthday party is and has been talking about it non stop. So I may have to break down this year. Am I an awful mom or what?

Finding Nemo

DH and I were talking last night about what to get Lil Sis for her birthday next week. As we thought about some of her favorite things like Minnie Mouse and Finding Nemo. I was reminded of a car ride the other day.

I had borrowed my dad's Toyota that has a DVD player. We only had two movie options for our drive Aladin or Finding Nemo. Big Sis chose Aladin for the drive to the destination. On our way home I asked the girls what they wanted to watch. Big Sis had no response, but Lil Sis loudly proclaimed she wanted Nemo as she does every time I ask her what movie she wants to watch. Okay. So as I'm getting it ready I hear Big Sis say, "argh, I hate that movie" (sulk). I guess I would too if thats all my little sister wants watch.

Finished

Well I finished all three books in the Twilight series. Now life is back to normal :) The girls and I are meeting DH for dinner tonight at his school. They are super excited. They miss their dad a lot. The other night as Big Sis was saying her prayers she started crying and asking Heavenly Father to bless her daddy, she misses him when he works at night. She also mentioned that she wanted new cabinets, a new room with pink walls, new toys, and everything new!

I guess we have been talking about getting a new house a lot around her. Better watch out we don't want her to become too materialistic!

No Posts

Haven't posted in awhile cuz I've been busy reading "Twilight". Thanks to my wonderful friends who recommended the book my children haven't had a decent mommy! I loved it. Takes me back to Harry Potter when I just couldn't put the book down. I had made a goal to finish War and Peace, but once I started this book I couldn't put it down. So War and Peace will have to wait.

Its a Teen Lit novel by Stephenie Meyer about a girl who loves a vampire. I know you're thinking vampire, sounds weird, but its just awesome. A fun easy read that is way entertaining, clean, and not gory at all.

Fishing

Lil Sis went fishing today in the swimming pool. Pole, hat, nightgown and princess slippers are must have accessories for every fisher woman. As you can hopefully tell she dressed herself today.

Do Dogs wear clothes?

Flashback to yesterday in the car:

Big Sis: Mom, do dogs wear clothes?
Me: No they don't have to, they have fur.

Today, Big Sis came to me wearing nothing but her skivvies and carrying my necklace.

Big Sis: Can you put this necklace on me. It's my dog license. I'm pretending to be a dog.
Me: Why don't you put your clothes on.
Big Sis: Mom, dogs don't wear clothes!

Maybe we need to take a trip to Target and check out the dog clothing and accessories.

Case of Mommy Guilt

To preface why I felt so bad/guilty today I have to tell you what happened last week. Last Wednesday Big Sis had her dance class and wanted to leave early because she was tired and hungry. I hadn't fed her a snack before class like I usually do so she kept telling her teacher that she was tired. After leaving the class a few times I asked her if she wanted to leave early. She did, so we left.

Skip to this morning 10am. We are on time for her class, pancakes for breakfast insured us a full tummy and Big Sis is committed to staying the entire duration. In the parking lot I notice the other little dancers are all wearing Halloween costumes. Oh, crap! Okay, we can handle this. Well, as it turns out they gave an announcement last week that today they would have a Halloween party and everyone should dress up and bring treats for the class.

The look on Big Sis' face when she noticed that she was the only one not dressed up, can I just say crushing. I pulled her aside and told her that I didn't know and that I loved her and thought she was beautiful. I was on the verge of tears. Big Sis however enjoyed her class and the other girls costumes and got over it so quickly, no embarrassment. I on the other hand was mortified. The other mommies were bringing these cute little treat bags and goodies that were so Martha Stewart. I felt like screaming "I can do that too, if only I'd gotten the memo!". What is it with me and my pride? Lesson learned from Big Sis' example, it really doesn't matter. There are more important things in life, ie. feeling loved.

Carving Pumpkins

We had a lot of fun last night carving our pumpkins. I know way last minute but we made it. Big Sis drew the face for her very own pumpkin (it's the girl) and DH helped her carve it. Lil Sis and I opted to use cut outs, only free handing the star and moon. Lil Sis thought the wax crayon was lipstick and as you see was trying to apply it generously.

Twins

DH was just remarking on how much Lil Sis looks like him tonight. So we pulled up a picture of him as a kid. And what do you know, they do. They even have the same grin! Check it out.

Trunk or Treat

We love sugar. We love sugar. We love sugar. Tonight was "Trunk or Treat" at church. Big Sis and Lil Sis enjoyed treating and enjoyed their spoils. So did mom and dad. Lil Sis did not want to wear the bunny head, oh well at least she put the costume on. I didn't think she would care about her costume this year, but apparently having an older sister who is way into princesses and dressing up has an influence. I should have bought Lil Sis the Tinkerbell costume, she has been wearing it everyday this past week. So I forced her into the hand-me-down bunny costume all in the name of saving a buck! Before we left tonight she was quite distraught and would just hang her head and cry. But once she caught on to the spirit of Halloween (aka Candy) we were cool.

What is up with that smirk?

"Mom do I have to?"

Pumpkins

We went to the Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Patch tonight. It was awesome. DH was reminded of the good old days in Grad school. The girls loved running around the patch and inspecting the gourds. Lil Sis wasn't as interested in the pumpkins as Big Sis. She picked up sticks instead, but soon caught on to her sisters enthusiasm. We found two big pumpkins and then the girls each bought a mini pumpkin. Here are some of my favorite shots.

I'm in love ...

with this wrapping paper. I have an addiction to paper, I'll admit it. Scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, and I'm sure once we have a house wall paper. It's so beautiful I hate to cut it up and gift it. I did like the idea of framing it and putting it on the wall. I also would like to get these prints for the girls future room. Can't wait to see what else I can find on Etsy.

Balancing

Lil Sis loves to walk on the edge of the sidewalk or planters. In the parking lot we have to take the long route so that she can balance on the 6 inch swath of concrete. Or I have to forcefully remove her since the swath will not take us in the direction we need to go. Well Sunday afternoon we went on a fun walk with my Brother and Sister-in-law. Lil Sis decided to take it to the next level and follow in Big Sis' footsteps.

Don't you just love Saturday?

As usual DH and kiddos washing the cars. They have been doing this since Big Sis could walk.





Lil Sis loves to imitate Big Sis.

Recent Conversation

Recently had a conversation with Big Sis that went like this:

Big Sis: Mom, what if you didn't have eyes?
Mom: You couldn't see.
Big Sis: What if you didn't have a nose?
Mom: You couldn't smell.
Big Sis: What if you didn't have ears?
Mom: You couldn't hear.
Big Sis: Mom, what if you didn't have a head?
Mom: Well you couldn't do anything, you can't live without a head.

Getting Upset

Last night was crazy. After dinner I took the girls with me to Costco. Big Sis brought her "magic wand". As she sat in the cart she started whipping it around nearly smacking Lil Sis and I on the head. After warning her that it would be taken away, she proceeded to cast her crazy wild spells and whip the wand, which smacked me. Well of course I followed through and took the wand away placing it in my back pocket. Two seconds later Big Sis tested the waters again and snatched it from my pocket. I then told her she would not get it back until tomorrow. Sobs and more sobs.

Why does everyone in the store have to stare? I felt awful. Then at the check stand she was still whimpering. When the check out clerk tried to cheer her up Big Sis gave her the dirtiest look and started crying again. Argh!!! But the funny thing is that she totally gets it from me. My mom was right when she said many years ago, you get exactly what you dished out. So after some reflecting, I realize I need to be a better example.

This is the "dirty" look. (captured 9/27/07)

Movie Screening

I'm off to a movie screening. I went a couple of months ago with a friend. We had a lot of fun and decided to do it again. Free entertainment. You can't beat that. The movie is called, "Made of Honor" with Patrick Dempsey. So DH has the girls (thank you for supporting me). It will be fun to see what kind of adventures they go on.

Walking

We went on a walk tonight after dinner, just the girls and I. DH would be proud. He's always trying to talk me into a walk. Big Sis couldn't get over how much dog/coyote poop there was on the trail. She kept warning me when we came upon some and made sure none of us stepped in it. Lil Sis did not want to walk on the trail and kept saying "huggie", which means I want to be carried. No wonder I'm tired, I got a work out.

Imitating me.



Looking for Sis

We found her!