Simple Pleasures

Swimming pools and Cake-in-a-Jar

Emily started swim lessons today. She hasn't really had much practice in a pool, as most of our swimming is done in the ocean. I was a little nervous about how she would handle it, especially since I wouldn't be going in the water with her. Surprise, surprise, she did great! She got right into the water and quickly began chatting away with the other children in the pool. I was so proud!

My little swimmer hanging poolside.

She wasn't too sure about floating on her back.

This poor girl was trying desperately to get Emily to put her face in the water.

Lobster crawl along the side of the pool.

Emily did so great today and I was so proud of her. She got a little testy when she had to get out of the pool. So I guess that means that she will eagerly get back in on Thursday.



Ive already gotten started on Corey's first care-package. One of the things he said he was going to miss the most while he was gone, was my baking. This was a little surprising to me considering he almost always protests when I offer to bake. Although I'm pretty sure that's because he has little-to-no self control when it comes to baked goods.

I recently discovered the concept of baking in canning jars and then sealing them up so that they are preserved longer! Imagine my excitement! Not only do I feel like I'm conducting a science experiment in my kitchen, but I also have the reward of knowing that though I cant take care of him personally, I can send a little bit of home to Corey. So tonight I made his fave. Cinnamon Coffee cake. It turned out great! So I have 3 to send him right away. He is going to be so excited.

As it turns out, Im mother of the year.

Things have been really crazy around here. In getting ready for Corey's departure, I managed to let a few things slip. So imagine my JOY (eye roll) yesterday, when I realized that Emily had a "Dress as your favorite book character" party at school today. I started brainstorming some ideas with Lori and decided that Emily would go as "Brown Bear, Brown Bear". Now on to the hard part. Finding a costume. I started digging through every closet and drawer and all I could find was Emily's cat ears from Halloween. Yikes! I decided I couldn't do very much with the kids running around, so I got them bathed and down for the night....and out came Mommy McGyver. Let me tell you, I was pretty excited. Turns out you can make anything out of a pillow case, some cat ears, a couple pieces of ribbon, construction paper and the holy hot glue!

I shall take a bow now!

A very pretty brown bear.

Her Bear tail. That is sewn on (with a sewing machine!) and then shredded.

The whole get-up!

Bear Crawl!

I'm going to have to toot my own horn and add that Emily had one of the best costumes in her class! Almost every other girl came in their princess costumes!

... and that is why I am mother of the year!

The Long Trip

Corey left for his extended business trip today...after three days of good-byes, tears and delays. The girls and I are going to need some time to adjust and get into our routine. We are used to doing things on our own, but Corey is woven through every aspect of our lives and it takes time getting used to not hearing from him so often.
The girls and I saw him off at the airfield today. We were able to park right by the runway, so he literally flew over our heads on departure. Quite a sight to see. Emily promptly requested that we follow him. This is all very new to her. We have been discussing "Daddy's Long Trip" with her for quite some time now, but I'm pretty sure the concept will be lost on her until he comes home. She is, however, looking forward to sending her Daddy presents in the mail. She already has a long laundry list of things she feels he might need. Important things like crayons, fruit snacks and binoculars. She is so funny.
Sam is pretty oblivious to everything that is going on. She has been following Emily's lead quite a bit today. I had the girls wave to the airplane as it took off. Emily yelled "Bye Daddy!" at the top of her lungs. Sam yelled "Corey! Where are you!". I, of course, just laughed through my tears. My girls definitely help me with my perspective.
I'm starting my reading challenge on Monday. So if you haven't had a chance to pick up "The Great Gatsby" then get on it. I wait for no man!
Take care everyone!
Me

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte

Jr.



Samantha has recently been given the unfortunate nick-name of Nick Nolte. It seems when the day is busy and we are engaged in lots of activities, Sam's appearance seems to morph from a tidy little girl, to a crazy ragamuffin! One must admit, the resemblance is rather scary! I'm sure she will grow to appreciate the comparison...maybe!

A 5K and the musings of a 3 Year Old

Things have been super busy around here lately, and life is good. Yesterday we did another 5k, this one to benefit Parkinson's Disease. Our wonderful neighbors, whom we did the St. Patty's Day 5k with in March, invited us along and we couldn't resist. (If you've had the pleasure of meeting our neighbors you would know why! They are pretty fantastic.) It was a beautiful day and the kids had lots of fun. Tons of people brought dogs with them to the race so the kids had lots to look at, and even tried their hand at running a portion of the course. I think we have a few athletes in-the-making!

Family Photo Pre-Race

Sam-Bone

Yesterday afternoon was primarily spent outside, basking in the glorious San Diego sun. Emily sat with me for awhile, eating her snack and discussing the things that were on her mind.

Emily: Mommy, Why is the sky blue?

Me: The sky is blue because the sun reflects on the ocean. The Ocean is blue and so the color is reflected in the sky.

Emily: (Blank, confused stare)

Me: The sky is blue because it's God's favorite color.

Emily: Oh!

Emily: Mommy?

Me: Yes Emily?

Emily: I have hairy legs.

Me: Oh yeah?

Emily: Yeah! I have hairy legs like Daddy! (Insert giggling) Mommy, you don't have hair on your legs!

Me: Well no, today is a great day. Mommies don't have hair on their legs on great days!

Emily: Why Mommy?

Me: Because on great days, Mommies get to take showers and shave their legs. One day you will shave your legs too, but not for a long time.

Emily: If Mommies don't take showers, they have stinky butts! (More giggling)

Me: Yes Emily. (Giggling)

What can I say! That kid is fantastic! I love that she comes up with these thoughts and ideas and wants to discuss them. I love to see what her little brain is thinking and the way she puts her ideas together. She is a very smart and observant little girl. She has me laughing constantly. What a blessing!

Clean Carpets

I was very excited when I got out of bed this morning. It was gonna be a great day! My carpets were scheduled to be cleaned this morning, and for me, it doesn't get much better then a stain free carpet! I scheduled the early morning appointment so the carpets would have all day to dry, I would have my day organized in such a way that I wouldn't have to worry about the girls being on the carpet. I glided downstairs (yes...glided. I'm telling you! I really love clean carpets) and anxiously awaited the carpet man! Now I must admit, my appointment was supposed to fall somewhere between 8am and noon. Don't you hate it when they do that 4 hour time frame! People have lives you know! I most certainly have better things to do with my time, and my children for that matter. Tick-tock, tick-tock went that little clock in my head, as I paced back and forth in my living room, trying desperately to keep the girls from making messes. Both girls have been sick and so of course were cranky. The minutes crept by and then the hours slithered away. Sam gave up waiting and decided to crash, two hours before her regular nap time, I might add. Emily was rolling around on the floor, begging to have a picnic lunch in front of the television. Things were definitely not going according to plan.
Finally, the carpet guy shows up....AT 11:55!!!! TRUE STORY!!! Are you kidding me!
My whole morning was wasted! Emily was sent upstairs for a nap, and I was banished to my bedroom so as not to get in anyones way. 10 short minutes pass by and the man shouts upstairs that he is finished and then goes along his merry way. What?? That's it? My 4 hours of punctual agony for 10 measly minutes of carpet shampooing? What a let down!
I shake it off and decide to finish some reading while I have some forced down time while the carpets dry. The girls wake up from their naps ready to go and quickly become upset because I wont let them go downstairs until the carpet dries a little more. Boo! Don't you hate it when you are forced to play! I decide that since they would be trapped for a bit, I would run downstairs and bring them up a snack.
Now, I had yet to go downstairs, so imagine my surprise when I come down and find a giant coffee stain still on my living room floor! (Yes, this would be the same coffee stain from the coffee incident in my previous post...Thank you Sam.) 10 deep breaths later and I was on the phone with our housing office explaining to them that they needed to send someone out to finish the job...They put me on the waiting list for May.
Now all I can do is just laugh. I guess I cant complain. It is a complimentary carpet cleaning. Doesn't make it any less frustrating. I mean, I glided down the stairs and everything!