Brooke's Thing

Right now Brooke's thing is drawing in magazines. She takes a pen and delicately draws two or three small squiggles on carefully chosen areas of the page and then turns to the next page and does the same thing again. She will do this for long periods of time and she treats it like it's a very important task. She looks like a mini secretary or something.

Her other thing right now is walking around the kitchen yelling, "More Chee!" (cheese).

Preschool Commencement -- doesn't that sound fancy?

So Emma finished up preschool last week. She has one more year until kindergarten, which gives me one more year to feel like she's still my little baby. She had a blast with her friends this year-- until she started being possessive and controlling-- we've been trying to work on that. I think she had her first crushes who will remain nameless (. . . cough-Clark & Connor). Her favorite thing she learned is how to write her name. At this point, she writes all the right letters, but they are in various orders and I LOVE it. I think it's so artistic! Preschool has benefited me, as well, because I can get stuff done while she's there. It's the best money I've ever spent! Okay, maybe not the best, but close!

(thanks again for the pictures, Jenn. My camera died. What would I do without ya!?)

Horton Hears a Who!

We took the girls to see "Horton Hears a Who" on Saturday and it was really cute and the girls did well. We attribute our movie-going success to our supplies, though. And by supplies I mean popcorn, Red Vines, and Skittles. (Which costed more than all 4 of our movie tickets combined). But they were well worth it as they kept the girls (particularly Brooke) happy throughout the movie. The best part was that we actually did something together as a family! With Alan in school this last year, it has been a LONG time since the four of us just spent the day together.

Heat Wave

We recently had a heat wave (over 100 degrees) so the girls were pretty much living in their bathing suits for several days. They've been out there having fun in the warm California sun. :) We've stocked up on sun screen and Otter Pops-- the necessities.

Blast It All To Heck!!!!

DANG IT!!! David Archuleta is not the American Idol. I am so bummed right now, I had to do a post to express myself. Don't get me wrong--David Cook is amazing-- but David Archuleta is pure magic to me. And it's not just because he's Mormon. In the words of Andrew Lloyd Webber, "He's a prodigy." David A., you may not be the American Idol, but you're a winner in my book! Can't wait to see what you do next!!!! And will you marry one of my daughters? Who cares that you're 13-15 years older! It's all good. ;)

Oh Emma

Today at the gym when I was taking Emma and Brooke to the Child Care Center so I could work out, Emma was having a fit about something (I can't remember what) and one of my friends saw us and said to me, "Having a bad day?" I thought for a moment and replied, "Actually this is quite normal." Does anybody feel me on this? I mean, do other people have a child that is determined to be contrary about everything? Or is it just me?
I have been told that I was a pouter as a child, so I guess this is pay back! :)
Emma, I never knew I could love someone so much who frustrates me so often. You've taught me how to be patient and firm. . . VERY firm. :) I honestly didn't know I had it in me.

Just because. . .

I just like these pictures I took of Brooke. Enjoy!

Living vicariously isn't all that bad

These last couple of days we've been busy helping my sister Cori Ann and her hubby move into their HUGE, BRAND NEW house in Rancho Cordova. It's been fun for me because I've been able to live vicariously through them and pretend it's really my house. Thanks guys! ;) And it's also been extra special because Auntie Carli came up from San Diego to help so we were able to spend some time with her. Brooke calls her "Ca-yee."

The BIG 3-0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!
I can't believe my husband is 30! I always tease him that I'm almost 5 years younger and always will be. :) He said all he wants for his birthday is a new set of nice recording head phones. Sounds good! Get it? Sounds good!? Hee hee.

To Be a Kid Again. . .

We went to the park in our neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful weather today. Watching Emma and Tyler make dandelion wishes and play "pirates" made me wish I could be a kid again!

Fashionista

Emma's preschool put on a fashion show in honor of Mother's Day last week. We went shopping together to find a cute new outfit and she kept saying, "This is fashionable!" Where did she even learn that?!

Acrobatics

GUESS WHAT-- Not only can my studly husband juggle a full-time job, law school, and the demands of being a wonderful husband and father, but the other day he showed me he can do a walking handstand!!! Am I the luckiest woman alive or what!? :)
As of tonight at 9:00pm, he will be DONE with his first year of law school. It's been a LONG year; we felt like we were barely hanging on by a thread nearly every day. But thanks to many answered prayers and the Lord's sustaining influence, we have completed what everyone says is the hardest part. Whew! I'm glad we never have to do that again! Now it's party time! (Til next Fall). :)
Disclaimer: he rolled his eyes at me when I told him about this post, but of anyone, he should know about the right to self expression.

Silly Emma

The other day while we were eating lunch Emma was suddenly very distraught. She looked at me very seriously and asked, "Mommy-- Why don't I have any suction cups for climbing the wall!?" Don't those exist only in stuff like Mission Impossible movies? If I were more witty, I would have had a come back like telling her she climbs the walls just fine without suction cups!

Cheers To A Little Therapy. . .

You Know Your Husband Is In Law School When...

*You go the gym on Friday nights just to kill time while he's studying.
*You feel like you're on vacation if he actually comes home earlier than 10:00pm.
*He forbids your children from certain activities because of the Tort liability involved.
*You realize it will take longer to pay off his student loans than your mortgage.
*He actually looks forward to reading the cable/internet contract.
*He is so exhausted that not even 3 Super Big Gulps and a little romance can keep him awake.
*He considers quitting until he realizes he's in too much debt to be anything but a lawyer.
*Your one-year-old says "bye-bye" every time she sees him because that's what she associates him with.
*He buys a lap top that's worth a small vehicle.
*Neither of you can remember if he's in law school because he wants to help people or because he hates himself.
*He uses up all his vacation time during finals.
*Your kids have watched certain Disney movies so many times (so you can stay sane) that they've memorized the lines.
*You start to notice wrinkles on your face and bags under your eyes that were NOT there before law school, and you're not even the one who is a student!
*You wonder if you'll ever have a Saturday together again in this life time.
*You eat a lot of chocolate every day to make yourself feel better (oh wait-- I did that before law school. . . )
*You start to think maybe the Iron Man Marathon would be easier than law school because it takes less endurance and at least the pain doesn't last for 3+ years.
*Despite all the trials, you are so proud of him you can hardly stand it. Love you babe! You can do it! :)

Happy Mother's Day To Me

Alan got me a new digital camera for Mother's Day! He was too excited to wait-- what a cutie. Our old camera has seen better days and since I take photos almost every day, I'm really excited to have one that works like it should. See?! Thanks babe! (I hope my awesome self portrait makes you smile-- though it will probably be more like laugh.)