Uniqua

One of Mr. A's favorite shows for a long time was a Nick Jr. staple - The Backyardigans. Pablo was his favorite character (he even had a Pablo cake for his birthday last year).

Mr. A has since moved on from the Backyardigans. He quite enjoys Super Reader or a little Scooby Doo now and then!

Apparently the Backyardigans love runs deep, however, because when we told Mr. A that we were going to have another baby in our family, he quickly informed us all:

"Mom, it's a girl baby and her name should be Uniqua."

We'll let you know in a few weeks if Mr. A is right - but only about the girl part - the name might require some further consideration. Welcome, Baby U!

Sucked In

Every morning I watch the re-cap and every night I stay up WAAAYYY too late watching the live results. I love, love, love all seasons of the Olympics. I am a sucker for the back stories. I'm a puddle of tears for every American on the podium whose proud mother is crying even harder than I am. That must be such a satisfying moment for all. Go USA!

Snowpocalypse 2010

That's what they were calling the massive snow storms we have had here lately. Friday night into Saturday dumped 2 feet. Tuesday night and ALL day Wednesday dumped an additional 18 - 24 inches.

On Saturday DH was home to hit the driveway with his trusty shovel and his two overqualified assistants (4 yr old Mr. A whose attention span with his large blue beach shovel was maybe a minute and Miss M, the 20 month old whose small yellow plastic beach shovel kept getting lost in the pile that the snow plow was leaving at the end of the driveway).

Yesterday, however, DH had gotten smart and left town. Our very generous (with his time AND his snowblower) neighbor schlepped over to our driveway and cleared us out. He wouldn't take my money, so I think I smell the cookies baking now. So thankful for nice neighbors!

There is so much snow on the ground and piled high on the streets that I have still not figured out how the mailman is delivering our mail because we can't even reach the mailbox (the snow is piled all around it and comes up to just below the door). That USPS - award-winning, I tell ya.

Meanwhile, the public schools are having a field day with this. 2-hr delay on Monday (from the storm that ended Saturday at noon), school cancelled Wednesday (understandably), today (also somewhat understandable to allow people to dig out and roads to be perfectly clear), AND tomorrow. Seriously? Tomorrow is just flat over the top. So ridiculous. As a result, Mr. A (whose preschool that we PAY for but runs off of the public school calendar b/c they think they can) has not had school this entire week. Anyone want an energetic 4 yr old to come burn some energy at their house?! :)

And, finally - they're calling for 3-6 inches of snow on Monday night. Awesome.

The Best is Yet to Be

Sometimes it can be scary and daunting and sometimes it's never looked better

I just read my new favorite inspirational article for the year here. I am now going to look forward to the future and to all of the great things that lie ahead - for me, for my family, for my kids. I often find myself wanting to stop time and enjoy the moment or fear leaving the present behind. Yes, I need to do that. But, too, I need to not be afraid of tomorrow or the tomorrows after tomorrow.

There is truly much to look forward to and much for which to be hopeful.

Each week we have our "Best of the Best" at Monday night's Family Night. And for this year, our motto: "The Best is Yet to Be." There's always more best to come.

Here's to a great 2010 for our little family.

Happy 4th Birthday, Big Stud!

Happy Birthday, Mr. A! The Big 4! We love you and are so happy you're ours. Let the balloons and bowling balls fly today!

California Dreamin'

19* or 32*. Frankly, I don't care. It is just plain cold right now. And, really, 19 feels just like 32. I've been in denial all week and keep thinking that we'll go right back to where we started from a week ago - Sunny, bright, warm, southern California. I'd just like to be beamed back for a few days a week that's all. This cold stuff stinks.

And, see, we all just smile more when it's warm and sunny (unless you're Miss M and you're just plain tired most of the time so you tote your blanket and binkie around far more than you should).

More pics to come of our wonderful, packed 2 weeks on the West Coast for the holidays. We missed the massive snowstorm of the century here and smelled the roses of the Rose Parade floats in sunny 75 degree weather! We romped on the beach, biked along the beach path, visited Mickey and Minnie's house and playground at Disneyland, saw lots of friends and family, and generally loved the getaway.

Our kids, of course, got sick, but with a dr in the house, that was all quickly righted. Thanks, Big D!

Back to my fleece pajamas, slippers, and flannel sheets. DH, when do we leave for Hawaii??

Sweet Cheeks

(Miss M at the Mars Boo Bash double-fisted these packages around with her the entire time)

See that cute left cheek Miss M is showing off? It must just be so yummy. Today she was bitten AGAIN in her Nursery class - by the SAME girl as before. Only, this time it was on her cheek instead of her arm. Seriously?

I even covered her up today - tights on legs, sweater with long sleeve shirt and high collar.

I guess she needs to go in a snow suit and hat now. That is if I can even get her to go back to that room. I'm doubtful.

Looks like at least a few more months of hall-wandering for us ladies during church.

Neither of my kids have been biters so I am at a total loss on this one. Any suggestions on how to deal?? Maybe just turn her into a Cullen already?! :)

So Neglectful

I've got more pictures to download than I know what to do with.

I've got plenty to write about - more than I have time for.

I am feeling way way behind - more than I should when it's only December 4th.

Can I have more time? Ok, thanks.

A few things to note:

• I love preschoolers. Mr. A goes 3 days a week. And, every single day, he comes home with multiple answers to - "How was school today, Mr. A?"
• "It was good, Mom. Rachel didn't steal my toy today."
• "It was good, Mom! But, Mom! Rachel took my toy! And she take Michael's toy too. Mom, she was a naughty girl and didn't get a sticker."
• "Oh! Good! Mom, Owen was the line leader today. I was not the line leader because I not bring the snack. And, Mom, Mara was in trouble because she not get out Owen's way."
• Every.Single.Day.

• I love Nursery class at church. Miss M finally hit the magic 18 months mark where she can officially spend her time during church playing, singing songs, and eating snacks with others her age, instead of leading me up and down the hallways.
• I'm not sure, however, that Miss M will go back to Nursery. Her first Sunday - she was bit on her arm by a little girl not much older than her. This bite drew blood. That night in the bathtub her arm was so red with the mouth outline still there. Poor thing!

Just have to mention how very thankful we are for our Thanksgiving holiday. The time away from reality was delightful. If only we could have taken more naps!

Done

Mr. A -Mom, I'm all done with my spaghetti.
(said with a defiant humph)

Me - "Why? You still have half a plate full."

Mr. A - But, Mom, my spaghetti is being so naughty. I not like it anymore.

When you try and try and try to get spin your fork and wind up your spaghetti and it doesn't stay on, that really is downright naughty.

Freeze Frame

I had one of those moments today where I hoped the world would stand still for just one minute and time wouldn't go on anymore.

It's been baseball-crazed around here as of late. If you didn't know, the local town team was playing in this kind-of-a-big-deal sequence of games - the World Series. So, we've walked around like zombies while we hang on every pitch thrown into the wee hours of the morning. And, thanks to the kindness of almost perfect strangers, DH and I even got to attend one of those games. And we hung on almost every pitch. Until the wee hours of that morning.

Mr. A has even gotten in on the action. "Mom, are the Phillies playing tonight?" he asks me every night. "Mom, I want to watch the Phillies," he tells me every morning.

Fast forward to the gorgeous day we have outside today. We went to the park. The one with lots of play equipment for toddlers and big kids alike. The one where the swings are set up on the hill where you can see the fall beauties for miles and miles around. The one that has a baseball diamond next to the swings. (see where i'm going with this?)

After a few minutes on the swings...
DH: "Mr. A, come with me."
Mr. A: "Where we going, Dad?"
DH: "Just follow me."

Out they walked onto the baseball diamond. The one with no bats and no balls and no bases. Just dirt and grass and a pitcher's mound. And DH proceeded to show Mr. A how to play baseball - with imaginary bats and imaginary balls and imaginary bases. It was so simple. And so sweet.

After some coaching from and practice with his dad, Mr. A even hit an imaginary home run. And he ran the bases. First. Second. Ooops. Forgot to tag the base. Second. Third. And then home. He touched the plate (unlike Ryan Howard-who got credit anyway).

"Mom!!!" he yelled to me while I pushed Miss M on the swings. "I did it! I hit a homerun!"

Miss M wanted to go too. And so Mr. A hit another home run. And he touched all the bases this time. And guess who chased him all the way around? His little sister who wants nothing more than to be just like her big brother. And do what he's doing. And run where he's running. And swing where he's swinging. We all cheered when she touched homeplate.

I really kind of like that they have each other to cheer on. Miss M claps for Mr. A when he hits his homerun and Mr. A claps and screams for Miss M when she runs the bases and into her daddy's arms and up into the air.

You two - I hope you'll cheer each other on forever - in whatever you're doing. Love you both.