Sofia Freestyles

Sofia shaking her money maker. Play close attention to the second video, William in the background and what a *great* and helpful sister Sofia is.

William the Multi Tasker

Welcome to My World

This captures quite well the level of noise that generally occurs in our house. Actually, this is quite tame, but you get the idea.

Caterpillars and Airplanes

As someone who grew up without a mother, I still get a bit verklempt as Mother's Day approaches. As much as I complain and whine about how difficult and challenging motherhood is, I can't help but pinch myself at my predicament as there was a time - not so long ago - when I wasn't sure I'd ever experience motherhood. Oh, the irony!!

As a celebrator of all things Motherly, I'm fairly simple. All I really want is to sleep in and have the house to myself for a bit. So, yesterday was good. I was able to "sleep in" until 7:30. Steve woke up and brought me coffee in bed while I lollygagged and watched "This Week..." It was nice.

Late morning, I sent Steve and Sofia off to a birthday party and Target run, ensuring they'd be gone for hours, thanks to the glorious weather and typical hellish traffic that usually accompanies such a day.

I decided that if we are going to need to move possibly anytime in the next 3 months, I had better get to preparing the house. (I really know how to show myself a good time, I know.) I went through the boys' closet and finally organized their hand me downs into sizes of 2's, 3's and 4's. If the hand me down stream continues, I may never have to purchase clothes for the boys. While I was working away in their bedroom, they were playing in the family room. I could hear them, so I wasn't concerned. There were a few times when I thought "I should probably go check on them..." but was so in the zone, I didn't want to break my momentum. Well.

I finally came out to find the family room completely upturned, as if a tornado had hit it. Every basket with toys was emptied. All the bins under the train table were emptied and upturned. The bins themselves were in the kitchen, turned upside down, clearly being used as stepping stool to reach to things on the counter. David was walking around with an open water bottle in his hands. I quickly got them down for a nap and spent the next half hour putting the house back together.

After nap, we hung out in the yard. It was probably about 75 degrees, with a slight breeze. I let the sun melt over my skin as I listened to the waves and the boys explored the yard. It was a day perfect in its simplicity. David's current obsession is caterpillars. They are everywhere in our yard right now, serving as a great source of learning and wonder for the boys. When David sees one, he just about comes out of his skin, becomes very animated and exclaims "Ah-per, Ah-per!" (See video below - you can also get a taste of Sofia in the background) We're also under the flight path of the local airport, so small planes are flying out to see every 10 minutes on a clear day like yesterday, providing even more entertainment. "Ehhhh-puh! Ehhh-puh!" they exclaim, pointing to the sky.

Caterpillars and airplanes. That's what it's all about.

The Disneyland Reveal

The Big Disneyland Reveal. In all its confusing glory.

She so doesn't get it, but that's ok. She will. :)

All Aboard, the Yip Yip Railroad!

The boys at playgroup today, hogging what is probably the coolest toy of the century.

Good times.

It's What They DO

Say it Isn't So

He's almost there...and I'm sooooo not ready. Sofia was in her crib until close to her 3rd birthday, so this is a whole new world for me.

This may explain the possible speech delay.

Clearly, William has been working on his gross motor skills. I suspect a crib tent is in our near future.

They Love Them Some Birdies

Oh, didn't realize the wind was whipping so loudly in this one.

The boys, showing off their mad verbal skills yet again.

Birdies ("bah") are probably their favorite thing on the planet right now, right after their "bah"...which would also be known as..."bah" or their binkies...which is also "bah..." We keep it simple at our house.

David lover of Play Dough, William Lover of Shoes

William walks better in my high heeled Crocs than I do.

As you can see, they have ZERO interest in television. I suppose that's a good thing.

FYI, popcorn and play-dough do not mix.

Guilty Pleasures

Project Runway tonight. Woo hoo! I am starting to think that Leanne may win. I sort of want Korto to win, but dunno, they have really been liking Leanne's simple elegance and she may.just.sneak.in.under.the.radar.

How sad that my days are highlighted by my favorite shows. Sad, but true.

Sunday - Mad Men, Charm School 2 (haven't started watching yet!)

Monday -- Dancing with the Stars, The Hills

Tuesday -- DWTS again, Frontline

Wednesday -- Project Runway (almost over), The Island

Thursday -- The Office, 30 Rock

Friday -- Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) What will I do when my free HBO goes away?

Saturday -- Saturday Night Live (watched on Sunday via DVR, I do *not* stay up that late )

I also DVR the View every day, watch when I have time or there's someone interesting on...

DVR Conan and Jimmy Kimmel, Oprah, skim through to make sure I don't miss someone interesting...

Watch Hannity and Combes, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow and Keith Obermann pretty much every day (as I cook dinner, do baths, etc.)

I think that's it! Talk about TMI!

And yes, I know, I watch too much TV! (If you're thinking "when does she find time?" I would just say that everything is DVR'ed and watched when I have a moment. I don't always watch things the day they are on. The boys are asleep by 7 p.m., Sofia by 8...)

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Friendship

Do you remember who your best friend was when you were 3.5? I don't. I mean, I sort of do, in the murky recesses of my brain, but it seems like a dream. That was the year I was taken away from my mother, so mostly I remember being with my brother and my cousin.

I wonder if the girls will remember these times they spend together. I suppose if they didn't live cross country from each other, there'd be a chance they'd grow up together, but for now, there's always air travel and new memories to look forward to.

Good times...



Girls just want to have fuh-uhn...

Videos 18 months

William, lover of 80's hair metal



Work it Out, Boys!

Boys will be Boys

William, lover of 80's hair metal



In the words of Tim Gunn, "work it out" boys.

Body Slammin' Babies

Hollywood

So I received the local park and rec booklet a few weeks ago and haven't had time to look at it.

The other morning, I opened it up to find Miss Thang staring back at me. I remember the photog coming one day and Sofia posing for her. This is what we like to call her "Hollywood smile." You have to click on the photo and see it large to fully appreciate the cheese level.

I love how the other girls are looking cute and sweet in the background and there's Miss S., hamming it up to the camera.

That's Steve's side 'cause she sure as heck didn't get that from this camera shy chick. ;)

Sofia videos

Sofia makes a letter (possibly an F)



Sofia "reads" the Story of Pinkie Pie
(she insisted on getting a "My Little Pony" book, much to my dismay. She makes me read it every.single.night. Hence, her memorization.)



Sofia makes a grocery list (cracker strawberries)



Buh-bye!!




Future quarterback?

We Love Peanut Butter

So, last night was awful, getting Sofia to bed. Ugh. Typically, getting her dressed in the a.m. is also a battle. Today, I got her clothes and told her if she could get herself dressed, I'd give her a jelly bean. She got herself dressed pretty quick (with a little help) I'm clearly not above bribery.

Taped this little video last night.

Peanut Butter, We Love Peanut Butter!

I love it as it captures

a) a typical evening for us

b) the personalities of all 3 kids

3) dynamic between the kids.

Oh and the irony of it all is that WE CAN'T HAVE PEANUT BUTTER! :)