Funny Moment

Christmas Eve, Santa came to our Family Christmas party. Big Sis had us in stitches that night. Santa went over some things on his good and bad list for each of us. My Sis-in-law recently got a ticket for talking on her phone while driving. Santa asked her who she was with (referring to her insurance carrier), Big Sis turned to him and said, "She's already married, Santa." Hilarious. She was on a roll that night. Unfortunately I didn't get a single photo, we couldn't find my purse. Thank goodness I have my Sis-in-law. Look here to view.

Happy Birthday

Big Sis had a birthday. She is now "6". We had a fun family party on Sunday to celebrate. She picked her own breakfast the day of her birthday. Donuts and green eggs and ham. Random. It was a little heavy for me and I felt ill afterward. For her birthday dinner she requested Chicken Pot Pie, her favorite dish.

We have had a lot of fun this past weekend, then I got sick. Thank goodness my parents took the girls home with them Sunday night. I was able to sleep and recover peacefully. While they were at my mom's they went bowling, to the movies twice and rode an elephant at the zoo. As I opened the door when I went to pick them up last night they were shouting hooray for Opa. Turns out it was me and they were super bummed about going home.

Christmas Baking

My favorite Christmas music blaring from the radio and my two little girls helping me bake. That is what I call a memorable holiday moment.

Fashion Model

Big Sis is learning about cultures and countries around the world in school. I even went in one day to tell the kindergartners about Austria and share some goodies. It was really fun. One little boy asked me to sing O' Tannenbaum in German. I was so nervous, you'd think I was singing at Carnegie Hall. A week ago Big Sis and her class put on a fashion show and invited their parents. They all wore costumes from their country of origin or the country that their ancestors came from. Big Sis delivered her memorized line very well and gave a twirl to show off her dirndl. Very endearing.

Big Fat Turkey

Big Sis' kindergarten class puts on a big production every year. The same program has been performed since I think maybe the 70's? Anyways a long time. Big Sis got the part of the "big fat" turkey. At least that is what she called it. The costume was amazing. The kids all did a great job and had so much fun. I took a million photos and if I can ever figure it out a cute video clip of Big Sis' dance.

She is still singing the songs all day long! She and Lil Sis gave us a performance the other day in the living room.


Oh boy are we in trouble. She has quite a following of admirers. I mean look at that flirty smile in the last photo. Where did she learn that? Everytime we walk across the play ground kids are shouting hello to her. It is such a crack up.

Happy (Un) Birthday

Bad mom. I forgot to mark Lil Sis' special occasion. She turned the big "4" two weeks ago. I love how happy she is. She picked out her own gift, breakfast, and birthday cake. We feasted on Lucky Charms and sprinkles cake with sprinkles frosting. My mom made schnitzel, a family favorite. Best of all the very next day she got her cast off.

Wow that was a nasty looking ankle/leg. I couldn't believe they didn't wash off her foot for me. I mean they are getting paid over $1,000 dollars! We went straight home and did some major scrubbing. It looks like she might have a minor scar. Time will tell.

New Improvements

Lil Sis got a new cast yesterday. This one she can technically walk on. However, I think she is still a little too scared to try it out. I am sure that by the end of the 2 weeks that she has to wear it she will be walking. It took some time for her to just bend her knee after getting used to being immobilized from the last cast. This one is a really cute little red sparkly cast. It matches her Minnie Mouse costume for Halloween perfectly.

My Man Delivers

While I was hosting the book club at our house, dad took the girls to a 3D viewing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. They had a blast. Dinner at their favorite, the golden arches and a movie, life is good for them.

I had a great time at book club. We read The Shack. I haven't finished it yet. It has been difficult to read. I am half way through and I don't love it. It is always hard to keep moving on in a book that hasn't grabbed you from the beginning. It reminds me of the many books I was required to read in my literature classes in college. Painful. However, I am determined to see it through so that I can give an honest review.

After discussing the book in heavy debate we loosened things up by playing Rock Band 2 on the Wii. Our new favorite game. I felt like a teenage girl with my girlfriends. We really let our guard down. Too bad there are no incriminating photos or videos!

Really?

Why on earth would a favorite store of mine carry this item in Orange County California? Really? Perhaps my hairdo needs a little lift?

Actually my fabulous hairdresser friend has given me an update. I love it. After trying to grow it out for two years it was time to go short again. I don't know why but I am much more comfortable with short hair. So here is the new red headed me!

A Blue Sparkly Cast

Lil Sis is doing so well. One would almost think she loves the new cast. This weekend at church she soaked up all the attention. When I took her with me to shop at my local Henry's supermarket she actually chatted and initiated conversations with fellow shoppers. Wanting to inform them of her situation. This is not typical of Lil Sis. She loves to cast dirty looks when strangers try to talk to her. Now she is like a completely different person. She hasn't complained about having to sit in her stroller. Just yesterday she was sitting in the stroller for at least 4 hours straight. I kept asking her if she wanted to get out. Nope. Today she helped me at the Book Fair at Big Sis' school. When dad came home to watch her while I finished my shift she cried because she wanted to stay at the book fair. I think she really loves the attention all the kids coming in would give her. Is my little introvert going to become an extrovert through this experience?

Peace out!

My Poor Baby

Yesterday, while I was volunteering in Big Sis Kindergarten class, Lil Sis had a bike accident. She fractured her ankle down to the growth plate. She was riding a bike with dad and decided to get off the bike by placing her foot on the moving tire. Well her foot ended up caught between the spokes and the front fork in the bike. Dad removed it and took her to the doctor. Poor guy, I didn't have my phone on and he had to track down which doctor I took the girls to amidst her panicked cries. I really should have a list of those kinds of things for him. You never think about those things until a crisis.

Today she received her first cast. It's a beauty. Dark blue with sparkles per her request. Pictures to come soon. She didn't complain too much! But there were a few moments of panic and crying. There is a scrape or burn on her ankle that bothers her, but other than that she has been great. Tonight she was scooting around the house on her bottom, since she cannot walk. The doctor doesn't want her to place any weight on the ankle so that the growth plate isn't affected. They placed her leg in the cast in a bent position to prevent her from trying to walk. It looks like we will be carrying her around for the next three weeks. 40lbs never seemed so heavy.

On our drive in the car she told me, "Mom, when dad asks me if I want to come work with him in the yard, I have to tell him I can't." That seemed to be what saddened her the most about not being able to walk.

A huge thank you to our amazing home teacher and my awesome visiting teacher. Last night our home teacher came to help dad give Lil Sis a blessing. She loves our home teacher. As luck would have it, his wife is also my visiting teacher. She took Big Sis for me this morning and dropped her off at school for me, so I could take Lil Sis to the Orthopedic Specialist.

They weren't kidding

I never believed people when they would tell me how busy I would get once the kids started school. Between volunteering at school for Big Sis and doing Joy School/Pre School for Lil Sis, life is moving at lightening speed.

Big Sis wanted to take some photographs for a Reflections contest at school. The theme was "Beauty is ...". When we asked her what she would like to photograph, she said "a valley of flowers". Since we do not have a valleys of flowers nearby, dad took them to the Huntington Library a couple weeks ago. I let her use my nice camera. Dad got some crazy looks from people. They were probably questioning our judgment in letting a Kindergartner use a expensive DSLR!
Here is the photograph that she decided to enter.
Some more photos she took.
And this is what "beauty is" to me.

First Day

I didn't think I would cry, but I did. (not at school mind you!) Big Sis started her first day of school today. She loves her kindergarten teacher. I think she is going to do well.

Yesterday I dropped Lil Sis off with Oma so that Big Sis and I could go to the school for a meet-n-greet. While we were driving around getting together some last minute things Big Sis would need, Big Sis asked me, "Am I going to get paid when I go to school?" I swear I saw the wheels in her head turning, contemplating the things she wanted to do with her salary. Ha ha ha. Wouldn't that be nice, but no! She was a bit confused because dad goes to school and he gets paid. I had to clarify that teachers get paid, but students do not.

Why do we do it?

It seems there is a natural impulse when feeding a baby to open your mouth while offering them a spoon. I've been caught myself many times when the girls were little ones.

Company

Aunt L and the Frog came for a visit. We really had fun and took them to all our favorite haunts. Thank you for visiting. Aunt L is a dream guest. She is always so helpful and somehow manages to still keep up with little Frog.

He must be thinking about how sandy he's going to get.

Maybe having sand all over your face isn't such a great idea.

Lil Sis actually let me take her out waist deep to jump over the surf. This is a major breakthrough.

Dad taught Big Sis how to make drip castles. Very cool.

Family photo, many years ago DH and I took engagement photos at this very beach, Victoria Beach.

The wave was coming, guess that photo session is ended.

A favorite haunt. In-n-Out. I generally don't like to eat burgers, but I do love eating an In-n-Out Burger, with Coke and fries. We took Aunt L and the Frog have some (of course not the coke!). I think he liked it.
Our other favorite haunt is Yogurtland. Can you tell who the yogurt belongs to? Lil Sis had already devoured most of her sugary choices. Sometimes the girl's toppings make me sick just looking at them.

Happy Birthday!

The next day we went to another haunt, Zoomars Petting Zoo. Aunt L had her work cut out for her keeping the Frog from eating the bunnies and guinea pigs treats. He loved crawling around and chasing the little critters.
Lil Sis was so animated and excited after her pony ride. That girl just loves horses.

The Frog's smiles are just too cute. The girls really miss him.