Internet Findings

Whenever my laptop is lying out Tyler says, "Show me a picture of a train, Mommy". So I google "trains" and we look around at what pops up. This has to be the most random photo that popped up this morning:

Huh??? Seriously? Makes you wonder who came up with this? Here's to the strange, random, waste-of-time junk you can find on the internet. Happy Friday!

Three

Birthdays Past

One

Two

Three

Happy Birthday Tyler! Sweet and sensitive. Very smart. You speak so well to which I credit your love of books. You are just now learning to sing and it is the cutest thing I've ever heard. You have an awesome jump shot (thanks to Daddy), and I hope you continue to love sports as much as you do now. You are into all the typical boy things - cars, trucks, dinosaurs, trains, tools. Thank you for being a caring big brother. Thank you for the hugs and killer smiles, and your sweet little voice. You are growing up fast, and I know it's hard - but you're doing a great job. Thank you for making me a mama, and for helping me to grow in ways I couldn't imagine possible. I love you little man. Being your mom is the greatest joy. I hope you have the best time being three!

Party Time

Tyler turns three on Wednesday. We opted for a small family birthday party this year, so last night we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Tait's for Hawaiian Haystacks (Tyler's dinner choice), ice cream sundaes, and family fun. I think Tyler felt like it was his very special day. My favorite moment was watching him sing "Happy Birthday" to himself. So cute! He's growing up for sure.

Dad and the Birthday Boy.

 Mikey and Adam posing with our awesome Thomas the Tank party supplies.

Troy and Weslie hangin' with little Audrey... she doesn't look amused.

Building ice cream sundaes. Tyler went for hot fudge, cherries, whipped cream, and extra, extra sprinkles.

Playing with all the birthday presents - blocks, trucks, balls, and tinker toys galore.

This is the best family photo we managed to get with two wiggly kids.

Uncle Mikey's birthday present for Tyler - fireworks! Well, sparklers at least. Tyler was a little intimidated, but once he got over the initial shock of the "sparkle" he had fun and Mikey won a ton of "cool uncle" points. 

Thanks for coming out everyone, and for helping to make Tyler's birthday party a great one!

Things I've Learned This Week

1. Being lazy about going to the grocery store forces me to finally eat up all that random stuff in the back of my cupboard. It is, however, difficult to be the mom of two very messy kids and go without paper towels for a week.

2. Mrs. Meyers lavender scented products give me a massive headache - and I so wanted to love them.

3. Watching American Idol alone is nowhere near as fun as watching it with Adam.

4. Giving an almost three-year-old medicine is a major test in patience... along with the best wrestling match I've ever had. And this stuff has to have been invented by a mom who was tired of said wrestling matches. Just call it "special vitamins that make your cough go away". Works like a charm.

5. I have West Coast allergies.

6. Baking cupcakes from scratch is a tad overrated (although I did botch the recipe a bit, so maybe that was the problem).

7. Bare Minerals Eye Glimmer rocks! So pretty and shimmery. My favorite is "Bare Skin", but I'm sure I'll be investing in several other shades.

8. Since my baby turned 9 months old being my kids' mom seems so much easier.

9. Trader Joe's Everything Pretzel Slims are addicting and quite possibly my new favorite snack. And Lara Bar's Lemon Bar is delicious! I just threw one in my bag for tomorrow's outing.

10. No matter how many times I declare, "tonight I'm going to bed early", it will rarely - if ever - happen. And I won't do the sit-ups I'm supposed to do during my evening shows either.

And one to grow on...

11. Having Travelzoo's Top 20 sent to my email rules! Maybe I'll find a great deal to New York this spring, or a little inspiration for my 5 year anniversary trip.

Spotted on Shelves

I just indulged in my first one of the season. Yum. The orange ones are good, too. Thank you Cadbury!  What's your favorite Easter treat?

She's Movin'

This is for all those who have requested a video of Audrey in action. How funny is she? We now have our hands very full.

Clara Turns Two

Happy birthday sweet girl! We can't wait to see you again!

My Yummy Valentine's

This Valentine's Day we are going to try our hand at making these delicious cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery (this also serves as practice for Tyler's birthday). I'm a little intimidated to bake these from scratch, but with help from my trusty cookbook I think I'll be okay. I'm also going to start the day making baked oatmeal with apples, milk, and a bunch of toppings on the side. The recipe is similar to this one. I'm an oatmeal lover so it sounds like perfection to me... maybe with a cup of peppermint tea. Yum. Now I just need a little dinner inspiration... or maybe I'll leave that up to Adam.

I Like You

I was reminded of this book on Design Mom today. It is such a sweet little book and a perfect Valentine's gift for anyone. I've given it to Adam and a couple of my best girlfriends. I think I will read it to Tyler tomorrow. It puts a smile on my face just looking at the adorable illustrations, and the writing is clever and so true! Perfect for anyone who is still shopping for a last minute Valentine.

Zits Happen

Help! I have had the most horrible skin since Audrey was born. Please divulge your best kept skin care secrets now. I'm feeling pretty desperate, and am starting to have 13 year-old, junior high school flashbacks.

Engaged!

Congratulations to our wonderful friends Adriana and Jason who are now officially engaged. This close to Valentine's Day... what a perfect time to celebrate! We love you guys, and think you should go forward with your Los Angeles wedding plans (for obvious reasons). 

All of us a year or so ago in San Diego.

You've Got Mail

How cute are these little mailboxes I just picked up from the dollar bin at Target? Soon to be filled with all sorts of Valentine's Day goodies.

Sunday Best

Ready for church. Can you see her newest tooth on the bottom? She's working on number six. And she crawled today. We officially have a mover on our hands. Nine months old this week.

It's Been A While

Yesterday I sang and it felt really good. I sing for my kids, and I have sung at church a handful of times, but yesterday I really sang. And I didn't sound half bad. And I know my kids liked it. Maybe I'll take a lesson and learn a new song - just for fun. The creative juices were flowing and I felt grounded in a way I hadn't in a loooong time. It brought me back to myself - to the possibility of finding that missing piece. It left me feeling hopeful for a talent that has laid dormant for quite some time, and curious as to what the future might bring.

Potty Talk

Last night Tyler got out of bed saying he had to go #2. Here is what transpired - secretly videotaped by Dad. He has this book completely memorized. I guess reading on the toilet starts young. (Just ignore Audrey crying herself to sleep in the background.... that's what we try to do.)

Bugged

Things that are bugging me today:

My health insurance premium went up - AGAIN! Seriously, there has to be a better way. At this rate I won't have any more kids because I can't afford to insure my family.

Tyler peeing on the couch - twice in two days.

A gardener who gives me attitude when I ask him to simply do his job.

Having to watch Chuck in 3D. I don't get it??

Jury duty - I hope I can get excused.

Apartment manager paperwork that is hanging over my head.

Audrey eating everything off my floor. I guess it's time for twice daily vacuuming.

Whining.

A slow internet connection even though I pay for high speed.

Laundry that is still unfolded after being washed at least three days ago.

A headache and not being able to escape from under the fog.

Maybe writing this stuff down will help me purge so I can get on with my day. I'm looking forward to a nice afternoon in the park with some friends, enjoying the gorgeous LA weather. Sunshine, warm weather, quality time with happy kids, and a diet coke. Here's hoping for a nice, relaxing evening - and maybe I can finally fold my laundry tonight while watching American Idol.

Open Call

In my New York City, pre-kids life I stood in plenty-a long line hoping to audition for the latest Broadway show. Waking up at 6am, packing a bag full of clothes, make-up, magazines, and music to get through the wait. Stopping at my favorite deli by the 46th Street subway stop for a coffee and doughnut. Braving the cold with hundreds of other girls waiting for the same chance to sing for such-and-such casting director. I wish I had a picture of it... as a wanna-be actor it is quite the rite of passage. Well this morning I'm going to my first "open call" in four years, but it's not for me. I'm going to sign Tyler up for preschool. I will be in line outside the school at about 6:30am, braving the LA cold with my tea and muffin in hand. Not quite as hard core as my city days, but a rite of passage nonetheless. This is my first venture into school land, and because this particular preschool signs up "first come, first served" I will be there bright and early with all the other mommies, hoping to be one of the first in line to guarantee Tyler's spot. Actually a few hours alone with some magazines and yummy breakfast sounds a bit like heaven. Wish me luck.