Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Turkey day 2008




Low stress. That's what it was actually. We had Nancy, Gideon and clan over as well as a couple of Alan's tennis friends. I didn't actually cook but rather ordered from Paradise where I knew the food would be edible. I've done this a couple years now and not only is the food delicious but the day of Thanksgiving is NO BIG DEAL! I'm not cooking all day, I spend time with the family and don't stress when guests arrive early. Really, I just need about 20 minutes before people sit down and dinner can be ready. That's about my style of cooking anyway. Mmmm...mmmm....good. Besides, this way I got to concentrate on my favorite part - setting the table!


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Brunch and catching up



Whilst the hubby and oldest child were away, I took advantage of the simplified life and had Kim and her brother Brian up for brunch. There is always much laughing and on this day eating. I actually cooked.

The couch

My girlfriend said to me the other day that she was waiting for the guy to come and clean her leather couch. She has four kids (two of which are under 6) and lots of spills, tips and near misses. She was lamenting about how nice their couch had been at one time and try and they might, it just was never going to be a kid friendly couch that one wouldn't have to worry about.

Well, it got me to thinking. I guess I never think about our couch (click here for how we treat ours!) Clearly.....as this video shows. Although in my defense, I have thrown quite a cozy blanket over it to HIDE all the stains. That's trying right?

Gotta love Rennie....when he sees an opportunity for an extra snack - he takes it!

Nightmares



Kiira has been having nightmares. It's always the same thing. A coyote eating a lamb. She says she saw it on a video at school in the library (a substitute day). No matter, she would have found something else to have a nightmare about if it weren't that. Several people have said their 5, almost 6 yr olds have been going through the same thing. It is said to be one of those developmental stages. I'd like to take it in stride but I know she'd get more sleep if she'd stay in her own bed.

The poor thing is literally scared to sleep in her bed. We have a "nest" set up in our room. This translates to a small tent that has a bunch of blankets etc in it. This is her second choice place to sleep. She requests our bed every night but I just can't do it. She's very snuggly and all and we have reached a nice understanding in that she doesn't try and make the letter "H" between Alan and I anymore and we'll give her the occasional mommy/daddy bed night.

We've tried sprinkling the fairy dust, we've tried leaving the door open, the nightlight, the singing, the books, the checking in on her often and even the stay with her in her room until she falls asleep (which does work but is quite time consuming....) tricks. Sooooo.....if anyone else has any tricks up their sleeves, please, feel free to pass them on.

Oh, and how does this tie into this photo you ask? Well, when we are in her room and she is trying to get to sleep, she often says this bad dream is on her mind. So, I try to make her laugh and forget about it. This is my funny face that she is doing.

Bar mitzvah



Cousin Sandwich



Can't you just see the adoration?!



They made it. I'll tell you, traveling with Kiira is a piece of cake. Yes, she does like to talk with you quite a bit but she truly is a good listener if you say that you need some quiet time. She's happy to watch her ipod video or draw or, her latest focus, practice her letters and write sentences.

Isaac did great on his big day and everyone had a grand time. Kiira didn't want to leave the cousins and now says that her wish is that she could have the cousins as her brothers. Man she loves those cousins!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Gone baby gone



Kiira is excited to see the cousins. She and Alan left today for Boston. She was, in fact, so excited, she tried to pack herself in the suitcase.

Evan and I drove them to the airport this morning and after a whiny, headache inducing 45 min trip to San Bruno, we both decided, in fact, that it was good neither of us had to be on board an airplane, confined to a small seat with a 2 yr old and 5 hours of parental entertaining ahead of us.

Evan and I are sorry to miss your bar mitzvah Isaac but believe you me, you will love us for this in the end. Mazel Tov!

Muskrat "Muskie"



This, after much debate, has been declared a muskrat. At first I was calling it a sea otter as it does in fact strongly resemble one. Save for one fact - not sure sea otters have tails and this one indeed does. Hence the title of muskrat. Unless anyone else things it is something else...

Anyway, Evan won't let it out of his sight. Sleeps with it, cuddles with it, kisses it. He got it Halloween night and thankfully has not asked for any candy since.....