Hey, mom ....

The following is a re-creation of an actual conversation.  This is not an actor.

One of my pet peeves is when people misuse the whole hand-quote thing.  But in this case, it just cracked me up.

Tea Party

Nothing says 'class' like a tea party .... at McDonald's.

We got some funny looks and a few moms who complimented me on my creativity, but it was really Elle's idea. Watching them pour their chocolate milk into those tiny cups was the highlight.

Happy Valentine's!

* Check out my other favorite Valentines ...

http://yenniper.blogspot.com/2012/02/harry-potter-valentines-part-i.html

State Hopping

Haley and her cousin, Sydney, are 6 months apart in age and they've been thick as thieves for most of their lives. That is, when Syd's family lived up the street from us. But since moving to California a couple of years ago, the girls' time together is much more precious and definitely more rare. They talk on the phone a lot and play internet games together now. Modern technology is so cool, sometimes.

Sydney's 11th birthday was last month and all she asked for was "a visit from Haley." And then she'd always follow up with, "But I know she can't come here." So Erin hatched a plan to actually get Haley there and surprise Syd. Over her birthday weekend, Haley flew to California with Erin's in-laws, who were also going that weekend. Haley couldn't believe her good fortune! The other 3 kids couldn't believe they weren't going themselves. (I took care of them, though -- more on that in a second...)

On the morning she flew out, Elle & Paige gave Haley cards and paper hugs.

And then I dropped her at the airport with the Millers. Very weird to leave your child at the airport to fly somewhere without you.

Erin picked Haley up at the other end and promptly drove the girls to the beach. Happy Birthday, Syd!!

They built a huge fort that they slept in every night, they played a lot of Wii, watched Toddlers & Tiaras and Dance Moms (cracks me up), played with baby Kate, and just entertained each other.   They also went out for a birthday breakfast,

saw the Hollywood stars and signatures at the Chinese Theater,

and went to City Walk at Universal Studios where there is neon as far as the eye can see....

The long weekend was a hit for both girls. Mike & I took the other kids to a hotel for the weekend where we swam to our hearts' content. Not such a bad trade-off afterall.

Later, Elle told me that all she wants for her birthday is for 2 yr old Kate to fly here to stay with us. Work on that one, ok Erin?

Should I be alarmed?

I found this slightly disturbing scene today...

What the?? Not sure still exactly who the culprit is. Could it possibly be this adorable child?

Or this innocent-looking one?

Christian doesn't generally play with their teddy bears but I suppose he could be sending a message. We'll be having a full investigation at dinner tonight, I guarantee it.

Scary time to be a teddy bear.

Two's

2 things I'm wearing: Black, sparkly Ugg knock-offs and a comfy hoodie
2 favorite addictions: My iPhone (and all that includes) and Diet Coke (as always)
2 things I did last night: Went to cheer on our Young Women at their basketball game, and had a small group of friends over for 'Pinterest Night' where we make a craft we've seen on Pinterest.
2 products I can't live without: lip gloss and dry shampoo (it has saved my oily hair)
2 things I ate today: a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats and a protein bar
2 fond memories: Our former house (makes me smile to think of all of the memories there) and traveling with Mike
2 things I did this week: Went to Maturation with one of my daughters (she'd be mortified if I mentioned which daughter she is - wink, wink) and went to a late movie with a friend (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - liked it a lot)
2 goals for the future: re-landscape the front of our house (namely ripping out all of the evergreen hedges that we're currently blessed with, and take the fam on another cruise
2 people I last talked to: Elle (my constant sidekick) and Steph via text
2 apps I love: Pinterest and Lose It (I'm down 10 pounds and counting)
2 things on my to do list today: clean the house (it's amazing what I've found under beds so far) and go to a work party with Mike tonight
2 things to do tomorrow: Paige & Elle's dance pictures and hoping to tackle the garage and the rest of the boxes
2 things I'm looking forward to: Turning 40 in March and doing so on the beach in Hawaii (thank you, Legal Seminar, for making this possible!)
2 most recent visitors to our house: Nana (my stepmom) who came and stayed with us last week and said Pinterest group
2 things I'm currently involved in: Volunteering at 3 schools (Christian, Haley & Paige are all at different schools) and Young Women's at church
2 books I've recently read: The Kitchen Boy (about the Russian Tzar and his family who were murdered in 1918) and Cutting for Stone
2 things about me you may not have known: I'm an NPR junkie (my kids hate it) and I'm not a fan of any kind of melon
2 favorite foods: sugar and carbs, in almost any variety (hence, the need for the Lose It app)
2 places I want to visit: Alaska via cruise and more of Europe
2 purchases I'd like to make: a piano and bedroom furniture
2 things I'm great at: procrastinating and finding time for a good book or movie