Memorial Day

 

I am sort of confused by the new Blogger post editor thingymahooha. I can't get it to arrange my pics the way I want, so I simply did the same thing for them all: HUGE! 

For Memorial Day we went to one of our favorite places...Laguna Beach. I wish I were a decent photographer, and I could capture some of the beauty of this town. I tried, though, and here are a few shots I took of Laguna today. Laguna is a beautiful town. It has a creative, artsy vibe, which I love. It reminds me of the NorCal town where I went to college...but more beautiful and with a beach. The downtown has golden fire hydrants, hand-painted parking meters, London-style phone booths, and plenty of art, statues and unique shops.

Residential:

The gardens in this neighborhood were gorgeous! Here is a sample:

 

More residential. There was a gap between these two houses. This pic gives you an idea of the view.

 

Taking a little path to a secret beach. Shhhh!

 

Playing soccer in the grass.

Nobody took my picture, so I took my own. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear...

Slumber Party and Food Allergies

Check out all that pink! For Zach's bday we invited all of the cousins over for movies and popcorn. Too bad only the girls could make it. I painted the girls' nails while they all watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks Squeakwel". Zach loves to sing "All the Single Ladies" from that soundtrack. The kids all had fun singing and dancing. Zach even wanted me to paint his nails. I did a few, but he just wanted to lick it. Gross!

P.S. I've started Katelyn on a gluten-free, dairy-free diet because we suspect she might be sensitive to those foods. If anyone reading this has any experience with eating this way...PLEASE let me know! I feel so overwhelmed and confused. I bought her fortified orange juice to supplement the calcium from milk, only to discover that the calcium in the oj was derived from milk protiens...or something like that. Bottom line--she can't even drink the fortified oj. Plus, I feel clueless with Zach's party coming up. Our traditional party foods are pizza, cake and ice cream. That translates to: dairy, wheat, more wheat, and more dairy! I don't want Kate to feel like she's missing out, but I don't want everyone else to feel like they have to eat weird stuff, either.

It hasn't been long enough for me to decide yet, but she seems to be healthier and happier on her new diet.

Maybe. 

I don't know...

Help!!!

Happy Birthday Littleman

I love you, Littleman...what more can I say?

Par' Mee the Pirate

I found a new book of crochet pattern dolls by Amy Gaines. I think they are adorable! I made this pirate panda for Zach and I was really excited to give it to him. I was nervous because I wasn't sure how the bonding would go. I know that sounds weird, but you must understand...the doll is HANDMADE...by ME. If they didn't hit it off I would be very disappointed. Well, it's taken some time, but I think they are friends now. And I noticed that Zach started calling the pirate panda "Par' Mee". You don't even know how pleased I was by this. I was hoping he would give the panda a name.

What does Par'Mee mean?, I wondered. I had a few wrong guesses, but I think I've finally figured it out. We were all in the bathroom one day: Katelyn on the potty, Zachary watching, and me standing by to supervise the quality of wipeage. Zach grabbed the almost empty roll of toilet paper and put it to his eye like a pirate scope and began dancing and singing "Par' Mee, Par' Mee". Then I figured it out...and I laughed. From the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland:  "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" I love how sometimes a mom is the only one to speak their kids' language! In Zachary-land, "Par' Mee" = "pirates life for me!" Soooo cute! I'm so glad that Zach and Par' Mee are friends!

Here is a kitty we made for Katelyn's cat friend, Kedareda, who is moving. :(
Katelyn chose the color of the yarn to match Keda's fur. I thought Keda turned out cute, too!

Meow!

When I Grow Up...

When she grows up, Katelyn would like to be...

an American Idol

a mommy

a chiropractor
a piano teacher
and a "kitty cat doctor".

And Zachary?

...just wants to be like his dad!

He did the laundry!

This morning Adam woke up early. He didn't make me breakfast...

He did the laundry!

Best Mother's Day present EVER!

Adam and the kids took me shopping yesterday. I seriously can't remember the last time I went to the mall. (Ever since we went on a new budget I've been avoiding it. Haha!) I chose the gray cardigan I am wearing in the photos above. Katelyn made me promise that I would act surprised when she gave it to me, and in church today, while I was teaching singing time, she announced to all her friends and teachers that she had bought me the cardi I was wearing for Mother's Day and that later she would be throwing me a special tea party. Fancy Nancy!

In church, Katelyn's teachers helped her make a little gift bag with a photo. She told me all about how she chose a pink ribbon and a white bag, and how Daniel chose a pink bag, but later traded with Avery for a brown bag since Avery wanted pink. And how Katelyn did NOT want to give me a brown bag because it was just so plain, and how Avery's gum was showing in her picture, which Katelyn thought was very funny, but her mom probably wouldn't think it was funny, and on and on... I love it when she shares these little things with me!

Littleman made me something, too. He was very proud!

Thanks for the hug, Littleman!

I got myself something, too. Is that allowed? Ever since I found the bugs in my flour I've been eyeing the 10-piece Oxo Pop airtight container set. There's so much more space in my pantry now. I love it!

No bugs allowed!

Happy Mother's Day!

Motherhood is Beauty