Christmas Tree

This past weekend we were in Sacramento visiting my sister and brother and their families. It was my nephews birthday. The girls and I had a great visit. We were up late and O didn't have a nap other than an hour in the car. We got home on Sunday tired. CK fell asleep about 10 minutes before getting home.

When CK woke up (about 7:30pm) the first thing she said was "Can we put up the Christmas Tree now?" I was tired, but thought okay. We'll put it together and finish it tomorrow. So...we did. We put the tree together, rearranged the furniture. I put the lights on the tree on Monday afternoon. I must say, I didn't want to put it together on Sunday night, but I'm glad I did. NOW, I'm really in the Christmas spirit.

Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to C's parents house. C, his sister and I made dinner. It was very yummy! D did a WONDERFUL job on the turkey. We enjoyed our leftovers for a week!

While the turkey was cooking D washed her car. The girls, of course, wanted to help. They had a great time. Auntie is a great teacher. CK now knows how to wax a car. While CK was waxing the car O was making a rock cake. We had a nice visit and a very delicious dinner.

New Dishwasher makes EVERYONE happy.

I know, I haven't put anything new up in a while. It's not that nothing has happened......I've just been really busy. My photography business is taking off and with C's schedule, Thanksgiving and now Christmas coming. I don't have to explain, I'm sure.

Our dishwasher, which was about 15 years old, decided it had enough. Fine with us. That thing was SO loud. We purchased a new one and when it was installed I told the guy we would keep the box. Oh, my gosh! That was the best thing. The girls just love that box. I made two windows and a door and they play in it all day. As for our new dishwasher.....it's SO nice. You can hardly hear it. We just LOVE it.

Now the box house is starting to get in the way. Our house is not big enough for this thing. I don't know how I'm going to get the girls to let it go. Too bad it's raining now, I would just put it outside.

Family Movie Night

We had our first real family movie night last night. I put a fire in the fireplace, made some popcorn, and we all sat, in the dark, and watched Shrek. It was great. The girls loved it. Especially eating popcorn out of the fun popcorn boxes I found at the grocery store.

I want to do this at least once a month. It was nice family time.

She Falls Asleep at 10:30am!

Yes, O fell asleep today (second time this week, actually) at 10:30am! WHY? Because she wakes up at 4:30am!!!!! 4:30AM!!!!!!
Do you realize that is before C wakes up to go to work. Goodness! Her wake up and nap schedule is all off because of the time change.

CK was also waking up early, but was napping (at a normal time) because she has been sick with a cold. CK is back to her normal wake up time now. I hope O gets back to hers soon! I can't take this 4:30am wake up time much longer. They DON'T let me go back to sleep! I should just get up, shower and get stuff done, but I just don't have the energy to do so when it's STILL DARK OUTSIDE!

Trick-or-Treating

Here are some pictures from trick-or-treating last night. We had a great time. As I told you CK wanted me to dress up. Next year I'm going to have Daddy dress up as a chimney sweep. That should be fun.

This was the first year O really got into trick-or-treating. Last year she like it, but I don't think she really got it. This year she did. She said trick-or-treat and thank you happy Halloween to every house. It was so cute. PLUS, every house you get candy! That was the best thing ever! Every time someone put candy in her trick-or-treat bag she would say "my candy". It was so cute.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Halloween Party, Parade & Concert

CKhad her first Halloween party, parade and mini Pre-K concert at school today. O and I were able to join her. We had a great time, but we missed Daddy.

O was SO excited to be able to stay at school with big sister. That just made her day. I'm not looking forward to Wednesday when she realizes she doesn't get to stay. The good thing is, O and I have a mommy and me class starting on Wed. that should help.

It was wonderful to see CK with her friends in school. They are all so cute. We even got a class picture. O sat next to CK for the class picture and circle time. CK was so good at including her little sister in everything.

The Pre-K classes got all together and sang about four Halloween songs for the parents. It was wonderful. I recorded two short mpg movies of those. I wish I knew about the mini concert. I would have brought the video recorder. Next time.

We had a wonderful time. The girls came home tired. CK is starting to get a cold. We'll nap this afternoon and out again for trick-or-treating tonight with Daddy. We can't wait.

Since I made the girls their costumes and we have been talking about Halloween for weeks, CK has been asking me what I'm going to be for Halloween. I finally thought of something I could do without purchasing a whole costume or making a costume (since I don't have time now). Mary Poppins! I have to put the flowers on my hat, but by trick-or-treat time I'll be ready! Check tomorrow for pictures.

Decorating for Halloween

Last week the girls and I were just getting home from something and CK says, "Mommy, our house is the only house in the neighborhood that is not decorated for Halloween." Okay, goodness. How dramatic. About 1 out of every 10 houses decorate for Halloween in our neighborhood. I did want to decorate. I've just been a little busy making their Halloween costumes. I have all the stuff, so I told CK we would do it that afternoon.

We did and it looks great. Both girls helped. They loved decorating. The wind took care of some of the cob webs on Friday, but it still looks great. What do you think?

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch one night after dinner with some friends. The girls had so much fun seeing the rabbits and going through the tunnel made of bales of hay.

CK was scared to go through the tunnel at first. Then a little boy let her borrow his flash light. I went through with her and she was fine. O went through with the girls friend, K, and she loved it. She didn't care that she didn't have a flash light. O was holding K's hand and she was fine. It was so cute.

The girls picked out a pumpkin each and we went home. What a fun evening.

A Day at the Mall

Yes, my girls LOVE the mall. I know, I'm in big trouble. They get it from Mommy and I LOVE it! The three of us are going to have so much fun at the mall when they are teenagers. I can't wait. Daddy better start saving up.

We had several errands to do at the mall this past week, so we spent a good number of hours there. The girls were so good. They had so much fun. I thought I would share some pictures with you.

Two mall highlights for them are the rocket in Old Navy and the playground. You would think I never take them to the park. There is just something about the playground at the mall they love!

Ironing Board Cover

I've had my ironing board with same cover on it for about 16 years. I thought it was time to get a new cover. Especially since I am getting cross marks in my clothing when I iron.

I thought I was so smart when I bought an ironing board cover at IKEA for $5. What a deal! When I tried to put the cover on, it seemed way to small. I thought that was funny, but figured in Sweden the ironing boards must be smaller. Oh well, I'll return it.

Today, I finally, went out and bought a cover for a standard size ironing board at Target. Went to put it on. Again, it seemed too small. About 1 or 2 inches. I checked the package - it did say standard size. I even measurred my ironing board to make sure. Yep. Should fit.

OH MY GOSH! It took ALL my strength to get that darn cover on that _______ ironing board. Good thing I didn't care about my nails, I think I broke a few. There really should be a warning on the package - Takes extreme strengh to put cover onto ironing board.

Now that I finally have a nice new cover ON my ironing board, I'm ready to make Halloween costumes. The easy part!

In preparation for Thanksgiving....

I guess I won't have to go to the grocery store and buy a Turkey. One might just walk up to my front door!

The girls and I were on our way out of our neighborhood this morning for errands, lunch, and a playdate. CK is looking out the window and asks "Mommy! What's that?" I tell her I don't know, you need to be more specific. She asks again, "Mommy! What's THAT?" I look over and there is what I believe is a TURKEY. A real live Turkey.

I stop (there were no cars behind me or coming toward me) I look in my side mirror and the Turkey is running down the middle of the street toward my car. I tell CK to look out her window the bird is going to run by.

I start driving down the road out of my neighborhood. I look off to my left side and there are about 10 Turkeys walking down the street. I couldn't believe it. I just HAD to stop and take pictures. It's not every day you see a bunch of wild Turkeys walking and running down the street.

I guess I DO living in the country! First wild Pigs and now wild Turkeys! Goodness, what's next?

Note: If you double click on the pictures you can see them full size.

"Hold your sleeve."

We were getting ready to bring CK to school this morning. I put a long sleeve shirt on O and I was trying to put her sweat shirt on.

I told her "Hold your sleeve." She just stood there looking at her sleeve. I knew she didn't understand what I wanted. I took her left sleeve and put it IN her left hand and told her again, "Hold your sleeve." O took her right hand and held her left sleeve/arm! Oh my gosh, it was SO FUNNY!

After I stopped laughing I tried it again. O did the same thing, but looked at me with a smile and said "That?"

Trying not too laugh too much I took her fingers and closed them with the shirt sleeve IN her hand and again said, "Hold your sleeve." She seemed to get it this time - enough anyway so I could put her sweat shirt on without her sleeve up at her arm pit.

Birthday Celebration

We celebrated CK's 4th birthday over the weekend. All the kids had a great time playing, making tiaras or fire fighter hats and eating cake! I can't believe my little girl is already 4 years old. Time does fly!

CK wanted a Barbie cake. We visit the one on display at the grocery store all the time. So, I made her a Barbie cake. I was going to go the easy way and order one, but I had problems with the grocery store. Who doesn't have a decorater working on a SATURDAY. Hello! Anyway, it turned out fine. I was a reck that morning making it. I was worried it wasn't going to look good, or I wasn't going to be able to do it or something. I don't know why....it turned out wonderful. CK and all the girls at the party LOVED IT!!! So, it was a success!

Fabulous Friday

Today was the first day CK did NOT cry or fuss when I left her at school! YEAH!!!! Neither did O for that matter, she just wanted to go to her own school. "Me school Mommy."

When CK woke up this morning she asked me if it was a school day and was looking a little unsure. I figured it would just be another day when I leave her crying with her teacher. We got into the classroom and I told CK to hang her school bag on her hook. It was hat day, so I took her hat out of her bag and put it on her. She then RAN to the tables to play. RAN....she RAN! I was so excited. She didn't even say good-bye. I smiled at her teacher and told her I was going to take off before she noticed. Thank goodness. The teachers did say it takes about two weeks to get adjusted. Imagine that, the teachers DO know what they're talking about. (smile) No, I knew it wouldn't take that long. This is CK after all. Miss I make a friend everywhere I go.

Hope you had a wonderful Friday too!

My little shopper

After dropping off CK at school today (yes, still a few tears), I was planning to just go back home. As soon as we get into the car O says "Mall, mall. Mall Mommy!". I hadn't planned on going to the mall. There are some things I need there, but wanted to wait and go when CK was with us.....she needs jeans. I did have to go home to put away the cinnamon rolls I made this morning. O was so upset driving home. We put away the cinnamon rolls and headed to the mall!

O sees the mall and with a BIG smile on her face says "MALL my side Mommy! MALL!" Yes, we were at the mall at 9am! I figured I could get some things at Target, I know they are open early. We get into Target and O was VERY upset. "NO! Mall!" Okay, so I guess I'm NOT getting anything done at the mall today. We started walking through the mall. So far, the only store open was Borders. She didn't want to go in there. She was having a blast! We walked around and she pointed to everything in the windows and the store signs. She had a GREAT time! That's all she wants to do is walk around and look at everything. It's just the cutest thing! (definitely MY daughter!)

I see Old Navy is open and since one of the things I wanted was some new jeans I thought I would go in. O was VERY upset we went in Old Navy. She really just wanted to walk around the mall. She was fussing a little but then pulled the top down on her stroller and hid inside. She was quiet so I figured I would start looking around and see how far I could get. I found some jeans and headed for the fitting room. O was awfully quiet and when I got to the fitting room I peaked in at her and SHE WAS ASLEEP! Miss I want to go to the mall, was asleep!!!! Why, you may ask, was she asleep at 9:30am!!!! BECAUSE SHE WOKE UP AT 5:30AM!!!!! Crazy child! (that she gets from her Daddy) It's going to be a LONG afternoon!

I took advantage of having once child with me and that one child asleep and tried on jeans. Found two pairs! Yeah! I was even able to go back to Target and look for stuff there. Didn't find what I needed, but was able to walk around and do what I wanted. (I'm LOVING this school thing!)

O ended up sleeping for at least an hour! She woke up as we were leaving Target. We got in the car and it was just about time to pick up CK. O was SO upset that we were not in the mall anymore. I told her we WERE in the mall, she just fell asleep. We made one more stop and then headed over to pick up big sister. Perfect timing! Once we picked up CK, O was better.

It's still going to be a LONG afternoon, but at least I got two pairs of jeans for myself!

Second Week of School

It's the second week of school (third day) and it's not getting better. O is doing great. She's adjusted. I have left CK crying with the teacher Friday and this morning. She's fine after just a few minutes, but it just breaks my heart to see her so upset when I leave her. I know she LOVES school. She has so much fun and tells me all about her day when I pick her up. She just doesn't want to go in the morning and doesn't want to stay. It's funny, because CK will get ready for school, she seems okay. Then she started crying when we are getting out of the car. She cryed all the way to the classroom. I know it's just an adjustment period. She'll be fine in a week...I hope.

I even called the school when I got home from the grocery store this morning. Just to double check to make sure she is doing okay. She is! Her teacher told the office lady that she is fine, participating, rubbing the frogs tummy (or something). They were going to start their music lesson. Sounds good. They are SO nice at her school! So understanding!

I think the reason O is fine is because she is SO concerned for CK. It's so cute. She askes me about CK the whole way to the car. It's all an adjustment. As soon as we get adjusted there will be a vacation, right. Please don't tell me I will have to go through this again after Christmas break!

Dancing girls...

This is my very first blog. How exciting.

We went to a family wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding! So meaningful! Very special, just like the bride and groom! The girls had so much fun dancing. I can't wait to see the professional photos. Here are just a few of mine.

O got so tired (no nap) that I ended up holding her for about an hour. Poor thing. CK danced and collected flowers and bells.