in-car picnic

Yesterday was rainy and cold for the most part, mixed with times when the sun would come out and heat up the world- especially our car on the highway. We drove to San Luis again for our 2nd Face to Face meeting with Isabella's CAVA "teacher". She wouldn't even speak with her- let alone do a music lesson sample. She can be so shy sometimes! The meeting was fine- lasted all of 5 minutes. Afterwards, we looked around Borders, got a couple of new coloring books (and I found a really cute little purse/bag- 5.99!!) Then we drove down to Pismo to have a car picnic by the beach. McDonald's! Yummy. (note sarcasm!!)

reminder!

A few years ago, a friend of mine had a dream. In the dream, she was walking through the woods on a path towards my daughters. As she was walking, she looked to her left and to her right where she saw 2 giant hummingbirds. She said they were flying still in the air, and watching her. She said in the dream, she knew they were there protecting the girls, their guardian angels.

I know it is a dream, but I have remembered it these past few years. It is amazing whenever I see a hummingbird- because it reminds me that God is protecting us, that He is watching us. It reminds me that He commands His angels concerning us- and that we have them guarding us at all times. Like, once when we went camping. We were just sitting in our little camping chairs, when really, out of nowhere, a little hummingbird flew right above us, hovered there for a few seconds, and then went on his way. Just a little reminder!

Outside my kitchen window, every single day I see hummingbirds!! (Well, we are in California!) They love the plants- especially the lavender that is growing there. So everyday, I look out and see God's reminder that He is with us. I was finally able to catch one today with the great new mega-zoom on my sister's canon! He tried to elude me once, but I caught him resting on this branch!! So here he is for you all to see. He has a green body and a bright red head, but it was too dark and foggy to pick it up!

CAVA

Today we had a "CAVA Fun Day"!!! We went up to San Luis where CAVA had set up an activity day for our local students. Bella loved it and Abigail and Emma got to participate too. Isabella really enjoyed the craft table (duh!) where she got to make a penguin thermometer and a snowflake bead keychain. Abigail's favorite was the game table. They had "Topple" and she loved it! Emma's favorite was, of course, the snack table!! She just wandered around with snacks in hand!

It was nice to meet other students and parents. It is always a little awkward to go to these things. We don't know each other, we're just all in the same program. We've seen each other at other outings, but don't know each other well at all. But it was fun to push through it and make conversation with the other moms. We even got to give some encouragement to a mom who is considering using the program next fall. And we got phone numbers! Yay, new friends!

Now we are home and exhausted from our day out. the girls are taking a break by watching Ice Age 2, which is the current favorite. It's so funny!! That's all really. All for today. :)

the latest

Another holiday! A nice 3 day weekend for most of America. But Todd had to work. And I think we'll still do some school. Even though it is almost 10 and everyone is still in their pajamas!

We have been busy- to explain the lack-of-blog. :) Last Thursday Todd and I got a babysitter and joined some friends for a show at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez!! We went to see Kathy Griffin! She is so funny. Todd and I have been hooked on her since we started watching her show on Bravo "My Life on the D-List". It is hilarious! So we went to the Chumash, met some friends, had some buffet and delicious chocolate desserts, and saw the comedy show. As we were standing in line, we saw signs everywhere that said "You are being photographed!" They were taping for "D-List"!!!! So we kept trying to find the cameras!!! :) It was pretty fun.

Now that all the birthdays and holidays are over, we are trying to get back to normal life. The house is like a tornado hit it and the laundry is in piles!! I need to get out of holiday mode and get in to gear!! (But today is a holiday.....so.........)

And Emma is getting to be such a character! I realized that she will be 2 in 6 months! How is that possible? It seems like she was just born. And she has been such a funny stinker the past couple of months. It is really funny. She makes these faces and does the cutest stuff. Like last night. She kept saying "what's that?" and pointing to Todd's soda. "What's that?" I'd say "Daddy's" and she'd make this sad face and say "ohhhhhhhh" and then it would all play out again. We did it about 4 times before she just walked over and started drinking it- with the "I'll just go over and drink it face" to go with it. Funny. And she loves this giant pink headband I brought home for Bella and Abi. She puts it on everyday and walks around the house. She takes it in the car. It is really cute- I'll have to take a pic and post it. (Notice how I spelled Abi. She has started writing her name- but she can only get to ABI- which is pronounced like Abby, according to her. I guess that's how we'll spell it!! :) )

quick

When I woke up this morning the floor was covered with candy wrappers!! Apparently the girls decided they could have all the candy from their party bags from Ab's party. And Todd said- well, they should be happy today, they had candy for breakfast! grand!! And Emma is totally chewing gum. She'd been chewing on something for a while and I thought it was a tootsie roll candy the girls gave her. No big deal, one piece of candy, right? Well then I looked and she was still chewing. And still chewing. She has had it in her mouth for about an hour!! I know I should take it away, but I am kinda proud of her! She is chewing gum!! I know!! Anyway- just thought you'd like to hear about it :)

4!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I ever posted the cute kitchen the girls got for Christmas. Isn't it sweet? And they absolutely love it. And of course, Happy B-day to Ab! She is 4 years old. I can hardly believe it. I was remembering when I realized I was pregnant with Ab. The day we packed all our belongings in a truck and moved out of our house on Fulton Street!! Crazy what a difference 4 years makes!

Well, she had a great birthday. We woke up to Christmas-style excitement and opening of presents. She got a ton of cool stuff, including a mp3 style Barbie radio. We didn't even realize it came as a bonus with another toy we got her- but I think it might be her favorite gift!

We went to the park for a picnic lunch. Bella and Ab picked tiny flowers for me while Emma and I fed the ducks our leftovers. I had a huge pile of flowers next to me, which Emma kept picking through, to the girls dismay. We finally decided they would be good for a Barbie wedding- so we threw them all up in the air like confetti. As soon as we did, all the ducks started quacking and swimming over as fast as they could. All of a sudden we were surrounded by hungry ducks! We threw the flowers up again and all the ducks were so excited! It was kind of funny until these three giant geese swam over and stood 3 feet away from us. They are aggressive! So we threw them all the flowers and ran away! It was fun! :)

And tonight Abigail had her strawberry shortcake birthday party. We played throw-marshmallows-in-the-buckets and who-can-eat-2 marshmallows-the-fastest. Pretty fun. We had strawberry cupcakes with strawberry frosting and strawberries on top. With bubble gum ice cream. And we sent the kids hom with bags full of candy! Yeah, their parents love LOVE us!!! :)

So no more birthdays for a while! Tomorrow we will open all these new toys and play play PLAY!!