Miles Again

Miles stopped by on his way back to New York after closing Hair in Arizona. It made my entire week to see him again. We talked, laughed a lot (as I always do when Miles is around), played, ate yummy Mexican food, and iChatted with some of our best friends. Tyler remembered Miles right away and they bonded over their mutual love for Wall-E. We decided to throw a little impromptu birthday party for Miles and Tyler, who both have February birthdays (Miles is a Leap Day baby). I made a pot of Taco Soup, ordered a delicious ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, Anne picked up decorations, and Voila! Happy early birthday Miles and Tyler! Here are some photos from the party. Maybe they will convince Miles to come back and play some more... we miss him so much already!

Me, Miles, and Anne. The combination of Miles and Anne means a lot, a lot of laughing. Like belly-ache, your stomach hurts kind of laughing.

Party Girl

Opening his super cool My Little Pony birthday card.

I have never seen Tyler devour anything as fast as he did this slice of ice cream cake. He was all business. 

And how about this face! After her first bites of ice cream.

Cousins Wall

Since the New Year I have been trying to add to our apartment. Part of this is finally framing photos of Audrey, and giving some sort of pretty purpose to my fireplace mantel. My kids hardly ever see any of their ten cousins, so I also want to create a Cousins Wall in their room - similar to my friend Kage's Sisters Wall. I'm inspired by the far end of this wall featured on Design Mom, and some things I've seen on Etsy as well. Kind of a fun, creative work-in-progress.

For Hire

My sister Lauren has unfortunately found herself unemployed. Babystyle is the latest casualty of the recession. So sad! Good thing that, in spite of it all, she has such a great sense of humor. Read about her misadventures here. Thinking of you Lauren.

Flight Plan

Monday morning over breakfast:

Tyler: "Mommy, say what are you going to be when you grow up."

Me: "Okay, what are you going to be when you grow up?"

Tyler: "I'm going to be a pilot to fly planes way up high in the sky, just like we went on a plane mommy."

Well alright then.... sounds like a plan.

Happy Anniversary

Five years ago today. Hoping for many more to come.

Newest Trick

Mr. President

In a word - AMAZING. I tried to share it with my kids today, but no such luck. I did get Tyler to finally say and recognize "President Obama", but in the end we ran an errand to Target. The whole thing is on my TiVo and I can't wait to watch it later. History in the making... I have a lot of hope for the future, come what may. And don't you just love Michelle Obama?!

Around Here Lately

I have to say I enjoy January a lot more now that I live on the West Coast. It's a slow month, but the 70 degree weather really helps keep my mood up. It has been gorgeous here... warm, sunny - we're spending a lot of time at the park, going on walks, playing in the sandbox on the balcony, keeping the windows open and enjoying the fresh air. Not too much to blog about, but here are our current goings on:

Tyler is pretty much potty trained (Hurrah!), and I'm signing him up for preschool in a couple weeks. He's turning three next month! Seriously?... What happened to my little boy? He is a pro on his trike, and spends his days playing with his Thomas trains, dinosaurs, and reading all things Richard Scarry.

Audrey is sitting up by herself and waving bye bye. She's getting really good at finger food. She steals all of Tyler's toys (within reach), and wants to crawl so badly... it's only a matter of time.

Adam is back at work, going on auditions, and teaching acting class again. He just signed with a manager, which he hopes will help get him into some better auditions. He's looking to sign up for a new acting class.

And I'm having a great month with my kids. Minus the fight I had with Tyler today after church, we've really been bringing out the best in each other. I love my weekly hikes with Anne, and am slightly addicted to eBay and online shopping right now (winter sales anyone?). I have a new church calling teaching music to the primary kids which, after today, I'm feeling better about. This week I'm looking forward to Adam's parents coming to play, Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration, a girls night/baby shower for Kelly, Saturday's anniversary plans, and a possible visit from Miles. Here are a few January shots:

Tyler and Audrey are really starting to play together now... so cute.

Daddy's girl

First snow. Is this the face of an LA boy who has never seen snow before or what? It snowed at Adam's parents' house and Tyler jumped right in to play - even without his gloves.

"I need my makeup"

Here's a sure fire way to guarantee an almost peaceful morning with a two-year-old: Give him his own makeup bag. Nothing too girly (except the bag - an old Clinique freebie that happens to be purple). Now when I do my makeup in the morning, Tyler runs into my bathroom exclaiming, "I need my makeup!", and proceeds to paint his face, the walls, and mirror with his little empty cartons and brushes. Brilliant! My eye shadows are now safe from chubby two-year-old fingers, and what's best - we are actually spending some quality time together in the morning rather than fighting to get out the door. Very exciting stuff... even for a little boy. 

Contents of said makeup bag: 

Too Much TV

Wahoo it's back! Countless hours of my life will be wasted, but I can't help it... I love this show.

 Thank goodness Jack Bauer is finally back to save the world - again.

And I'm ashamed to admit that after four seasons away I'm getting sucked in again. But this time it really does look like "the most dramatic season ever"! 

New Balance

Inspired by Sarah's recent post on motherhood I ordered this book used from Amazon. I'm in a very "renew for the New Year" kind of mood right now. Cleaning house, buying some new things for the apartment, organizing my children's clothes, donating to Good Will, making some realistic goals for 2009 - for myself and my family. I'm hoping this book will help give me a little uplifting perspective on motherhood, especially on those days I feel a bit drained. I'm not much of a self-help guru, but I'm tired of being bogged down in it all. And since Audrey got here I've been guilty of that... focusing more on the work of motherhood than the joy. For me the key is balance. So far 2009 has been all about that - balancing myself, my kids, my husband, a new church calling, the mundane chores and everyday stuff of life. Some days it is a mental battle and I'm chanting mantras to get to bedtime. Other days it's a Tyler hug filled with nothing but love, a perfect Audrey smile, or hiring a babysitter for a couple hours of me time. Balance - this is my focus this year... and so far, so good.

Japanese Cherry Blossom

I'm not a huge Bath and Body Works fan, but Adam filled my Christmas stocking with this stuff and now I'm hooked. It smells so pretty. Go stock up at their Big Semi-Annual Sale. It ends this weekend.

Rite of Passage

I called poison control for the first time today. Just in case you're wondering, if you find your 8 month old chewing on a partially opened bottle of clear nail polish, "Don't worry... this happens all the time. Just give her a little juice or water. She may experience some nausea but everything's fine." Wow. Thanks poison control guy. You really are as nice as I've heard. All this and potty training in one week. I really do feel like a mom.

Monday's Pick

Resolutions

I'm not necessarily big on New Year's Resolutions, but here's my attempt for 2009:

Drink more water
Read more scriptures
Go on more dates
Spend more time "in the moment" with my kids
Schedule more me time

Sing more
Be more budget conscious
Rely more on Heavenly Father
Connect more with my friends
Create more balance in my life

And a few things I'd like to accomplish:
Potty train Tyler and sign him up for preschool
Get Tyler and Audrey to successfully share a bedroom
Do a little apartment makeover

Buy a new car
Plan 5 year anniversary trip

Here's to a safe, healthy, and very happy 2009! Did you eat your black-eyed peas yet?