First Day of School

Here is Grace ready to go to Kindergarten. She was so excited to finally wear the uniform outfit that she picked out two months ago when they arrived in the mail. She planned out her first three days the first time she tried them on. 
And here is Miss Annabelle, excited to go back to preschool. She will only be going three days a week again this year. I don't think Michael and I are ready for her to go all week yet. 
They skipped all the way to the car. (For those of you that know about the intruder I happened upon in the garage, you understand why we are going out the front door. )
This is a picture of Grace during her orientation. The kindergarten classroom is pretty small, so a mini loft was installed. The kids love it, except for the one or two who are too tall to stand up straight. 

Best Buddies

Book Review: The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

I really want to raise readers. It is important to me that my kids like to read and like to talk about what they read as well. So far, the girls love to pour over books themselves and love even more to have someone read to them. I am hoping that Michael will follow in their footsteps as he gets older, and I think books like this one will help ensure that is happens. 

The father of a 10 year old son, James Patterson has taken the challenge of engaging reluctant readers with his writing, making it incredibly visual, reminding many of comic books and action movies.  (He is pretty successful with the adult crowd already, so why not branch out?)

It begins with the death of Daniel's parents, and what follows are his adventures in finding those responsible. A lot of action, drama, and a bit of humor follow along with this wonderful character. 

While at first glance, it may seem that story line may bend toward the male gender, but I have to admit I was taken in.  It was fast paced and made me stay involved, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Normally science fiction would not be something I would seek out, but good writing is good writing, and this did not disappoint. 

If you are looking for something to engage your reluctant reader, or to fulfill someone with an interest in action from beginning to end, pick up a copy of The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson. 

Us

Unfortunately, Miss Grace was being a bit camera shy when we took this. 

The Boy and His Truck

Here are some shots of Michael with the truck his Daddy got for him for his birthday. 
Michael really loves this truck, I think mostly because he can push it and then chase it. Chasing is one of his favorite things to do. 
You will also notice that most pictures these days of Michael are of him in his high chair. Unless you want a blurry streak across the picture, the high chair is the only way to keep him still for a second or two to get a picture. 

The Return of the Arm

It was six long, sweaty and eventually very smelly weeks with the cast, and we couldn't be more excited that it is finally off. 

No tumbling, tae kwon do, or monkey bars (to name a few things) until mid October, but Grace doesn't seem to mind. 
You can't really see it in the pictures, but there is a noticeable bump on her arm, but that will go down as she grows. For now she is enjoying doing all the things with her right hand that she couldn't do with the cast. 

Question and Answer

Question: What happened when the nurse at the doctor's office tried to prick Annabelle's finger?

Answer: Bellie made a mad dash for the door, causing three nurses to have to track her down, hold her, and finally prick said finger.
What you see here is the aftermath. You can see the bandaid on her finger in the picture above. She is recovering very well and the finger will not, in fact, fall off as she had feared. 

Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy - Guess what? I have learned a new trick already. Check me out. 
That's right, I am officially a walker. I know you saw me take a couple steps, but you should see me now.  I am working on being a sprinter in London 2012. 
I practice really hard and like to make Mama chase me around as much as possible. I think she likes that part the best, because she never knows where I will end up. Today, I found George's food. It smells pretty bad, but I ate it anyways.
I wish you could be here to see me, so I thought I would post some pictures for you to enjoy. Please note my super cute sock monkey jammies. They are my favorite. 
Well, I am pretty tired from all this running, so I better get to bed. I miss you tons and I love you even more. Big Hugs, Michael.

Bath Time

Annabelle is funny, too

We are all in the kitchen having lunch. Michael eats his sumer squash medley and I pull out the baby peas and brown rice, since his mind-numbing screams are letting me know he is still hungry.

As one spoonful goes in his mouth, he grins and spits it all over the kitchen and the freshly cleaned floors. 

ANNABELLE (laughing): I guess that is not his favorite.

MAMA (not laughing): No, I guess it isn't.

Ready To Go

Got Cute?

The Child Thinks She's Funny

We were in the car recently and a song came on that is part of my workout mix. Since the girls love to cheer me on while I work out, they are very familiar with all the songs on my playlist.

GRACE: Mama, this is one of your exercise songs! 

MAMA: Yes it is. 

GRACE: Sure haven't heard it in a LONG time.

 

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Grace at Bedtime

Grace came to my bedroom door at about 9:25pm, whimpering a bit. She had gotten into trouble and as a result was in her bed sans Papa and blankie. 

GRACE: Mama, I need to talk to you.

MAMA: (An hour and a half after bedtime, I was a little tired of her coming to the door at this point) Go ahead.

GRACE: I just don't know how you expect me to fall asleep. The only things in my bed are sheets and pillows and me. You can't sleep with just that stuff. You need fun things, like blankies and snuggly teddy bears named Papa, and other fun toys. So could you go get that stuff for me, because I just don't think I can fall asleep without it. 

MAMA: Maybe

GRACE: Ok. And there is one more thing that would really help me fall asleep.

MAMA: And that would be?

GRACE: Chocolate pudding. Could you bring me some chocolate pudding, too? Thanks Mama. 

Ears

Do you notice anything different about Miss Grace? After years of debating (actually it wasn't much of a debate - I wanted to do it and Eric continually said no, wanting to wait until she was 10), Eric and I finally agreed that in honor of starting Kindergarten this fall, Grace could get her ears pierced. 

I took her yesterday afternoon and she was SO excited.  She took a few minutes to pick out the earrings, debating between dark and light pink. 

She chose the light pink and they really do look pretty. She spent the rest of the day asking us to look at her ears. 

 

Beach Bums

Grace Gets her Yellow Belt

Grace was able to test for her Tiger Cub yellow belt, cast and all. She did very well with her punches, kicks and blocks. She even recited the Tiger Cub creed in front of a whole gymnasium full of people. Also as part of the test, all the white belts had to stand perfectly still for 30 seconds, which was probably the toughest part of the test for many of them. Next Saturday there will be an award ceremony where she will receive her new belt.  

Blogging from the Beach

The view from the second floor balcony.
Nami and Annabelle in the pool.
Miss Grace floating on her lobster. Unfortunately, the lobster has a hole in it already. 

Daddy and His Girls

I was trying to get a candid shot, but Annabelle would not allow it. Too cute.

Three Stages of Grace and the Arm

This is Miss Grace in the ER waiting to have her arm set and put in the temporary cast. She was such a good girl, even with all the cords, the IV line and everything else hooked up to her. Papa was quite helpful keeping her arm in a good position while we were waiting for the Orthopedic Surgeon on call. 

This is just before Grace had her x rays done this afternoon (wearing the beautiful sling custom made by moi). Everything is healing as it should. She just has about 6 weeks left in the cast.
And this is her new pink cast. Unfortunately there was no purple, but she didn't seem to mind. There was a fabulous leopard print that I tried to convince her to get, but she was totally not interested. 

Swimming

Here are some pictures from the girls at swimming lessons. Grace was doing such a great job. She loved every second of it. Here she is floating with her instructor.

Annabelle had a blast as well, although she spent most of her time trying to figure out how she could do everything the instructor asked her to do without going under water or even getting her hair wet. 

We're Back!!!

Ok, so I finally broke down and bought a new cord. Who wants to bet on how long it will be before the lost one shows up?

So, new pics are coming. Please stop sending me hate mail. 

Awesome

Grace was getting ready for bed and wanted to wear one of my shirts. I helped her put one on and noticed she was looking particularly cute.

ME: Grace, you look pretty awesome.

GRACE: Guess what, Mama?

ME: What?

GRACE: I am pretty awesome. 

I Have A Strawberry for a Daughter

Annabelle has a new obsession: Strawberries. Every time we go past them in the store, she wants some. I have been trying to come up with some new ways to serve them, but I always seem to come back to the same recipe for strawberry shortcake, from Gourmet Magazine. It is heavenly and I will share it with you all now. Please make it, and enjoy!

1 1/2 pints strawberries, hulled and quartered lengthwise

1/4 C granulated sugar, or to taste

1/2 C well chilled heavy cream

3T sour cream

1T confectioners' sugar, or to taste

1/2t vanilla

4 cream biscuits (recipe follows)

In a large bowl, combine 1 pint of the strawberries and the granulated sugar. With a potato masher, mash the berries gently until they release their juices, being careful not to crush them to a pulp. Add the remaining 1/2 pint of berries. Let the mixture stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.

In a bowl beat the heavy cream with the sour cream and the confectioners' sugar until it holds a soft shape and beat in the vanilla. Split the biscuits horizontally with a fork, arrange bottom halves on 4 plates, and spoon the strawberry mixture over them. Top the strawberry mixture with some of the whipped cream and arrange the biscuit tops on the cream. Serve the remaining cream separately. 

Cream Biscuits

2 C all-purpose flour

1 T double acting baking soda

3T sugar, if desired

1/2t salt

1 1/4 C heavy cream

Milk, for brushing tops of biscuits

In a bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the cream and stir the mixture until it just forms a dough. Gather the dough into a ball, knead it gently six times on a lightly floured surface, and roll or pat out to 1/2-inch thick. Cut out as many rounds as you can with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter dipped in flour and transfer them to an ungreased baking sheet. Gather the scraps, reroll the dough, and cut out more rounds until you have 10 total. Brush the tops of the rounds with the milk and bake the biscuits in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until they are pale golden. Transfer the biscuits to a rack and let them cool for 5 minutes.

For more great ideas and information on strawberries, check out www.strawberryville.com

and www.calstrawberry.com

 

Grace and the Arm

So, many of you know by now that Miss Grace had a little accident and broke her arm. I just want to let everyone know that she is fine, but in a cast up to her shoulder. She decided it would be a good idea to climb over the gate that keeps Michael from falling down the stairs. 

She didn't fall very far, or very hard. But she did fall just right so that she broke both bones in her forearm. To provide you all with a visual (I do have pictures, but you know the story about that) stick your arm straight out forward with your palm facing downward. Now raise your fingers toward the sky. Grace's arm was pointing straight up from the middle of her forearm. OUCH.

We took her to the ER on base, and they were WONDERFUL. For those of you that know all the "fun" we have had in our experiences with military medical care, we were pleasantly shocked. They only waiting we did was for the orthopedic surgeon on call to arrive and during that time they gave her meds to keep her very comfortable. 

For now, swimming and tae kwon do are done. It was her right arm, so the countless hours she would spend drawing and coloring have become shorter and a bit frustrating for her. We will have to get a bit creative to keep her entertained during our week at the beach, but overall she is handling it extremely well. 

*Note - this is an old picture, but we are seeing a lot of this face from Grace right now.

Preserve Your Teeth

Recycling is something that everyone should be familiar with, but you might not think about it while you are brushing your teeth. But if you are using a Preserve toothbrush by Recycline, then you are brushing with recycled Stoneyfield yogurt cartons. Seriously.  

Available at Target for only $2.04, these brushes are sure to please everyone in the family. I have been using them for a while now and I love it (despite the funky curved handle that I was, admittedly, not so sure about in the beginning. It actually makes for a very pleasant brushing experience). The kids ones are especially cool. If you are not so sure, go to the Recycline website and print out a coupon for $1.00 off when you buy two.  That might be my favorite part (you all know how I love to bargain shop).

But perhaps the most unique and environmentally savvy thing about these brushes is that when you are done with them, you can go back to the website and print out a shipping label (the postage is on them!) and send your brush back to be reborn into something useful like a park bench. They actually want, and appreciate, your old toothbrushes. That makes them good people in my book, so go try a toothbrush. Seriously. 

Happy Fourth of July!

Have a wonderful day. Be safe and enjoy the fireworks.

Sailing

Courtesy of our friend, Beth, this is the only picture I can post of Eric and I in Newport. Still looking for that damn cord...

My Michael

Teething

Michael has been having a tough time with his teeth coming in. This is new for me since the girls never had an issue at all. 

He doesn't seem to like teething rings, cold damp washcloths, gnawing on frozen waffles, or anything else I can think of to ease the pain.

Apparently this morning he figured out his own remedy. I glanced over as he was playing on the floor and saw he was chewing on one side of George's rawhide bone. And George was chewing on the other side. 

(I would love to post a pic of this, but I think by now you all know why that won't be happening)