Parkinson's Walk Update

We have collectively raised $1,145.00 for Parkinson's Disease in only one week! Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect this time around because I felt so lucky to have raised the nearly $2,000.00 we did last year. But dare I say I think we can reach $2,000 again? (Or more?). I think we can. If you would like to donate to our walk, please click here. We are so grateful and overwhelmed by all the love and support being sent our way for a cause so near and dear to our hearts.

And in the spirit of donating, I also love this. Operation Backpack. Check it out. I think it's a great way to get your kids involved in doing something for Japan. I think I will take Tyler and Audrey to Target or the dollar store and we will each fill a back pack to send overseas.

Future Broadway Star

When we were watching the 25th Anniversary performance of Les Miserables last week, Audrey and Tyler came into the living room and were completely enthralled. Tyler kept asking, "Who is coming on stage next? What is happening now"? Audrey kept demanding, "Where is Cosette"? When the Thenardiers came on stage, they hid behind the couch cushions yelling, "The bad guys! The bad guys"! I was honestly surprised they were this into the show. How cool to see my kids have a genuine interest in theatre at this early age. I decided to see if I could teach Audrey "Castle on a Cloud", younger Cosette's song. And she learned it! (For the most part). Pretty good for a 2 1/2 year old, if I do say so myself.

Mom School

Audrey has been hard lately. HARD. Like we think she's asleep at night, go in to check on her, and find her in our bathtub in the dark pumping soap and shampoo all over the tub and herself. At 10:30pm. For who knows how long. That kind of hard. She's both lovely and destructive. Adorable and explosive. Spunky and sneaky. There is so much about her I can't figure out. And yet I look at her, completely in awe that someone this amazing is my little girl. She's two, about to be three. That's probably where our trouble lies, but this weekend out of desperation I got on Amazon and researched parenting books for at least an hour. Ordered three (and the Tangled DVD), with a resolution to have a better plan when it comes to Audrey. Especially in channeling her energy, honoring who she is. Also with discipline, since sometimes I feel like I'm grasping at straws - making threats, promising treats for good behavior, snapping, yelling (hate that), impatient. I need a place to list the parenting books I want to check out over time. I think I'd like to always have one on my book shelf that I'm reading through, because maybe I'll get a good idea or two. Here's my list, and please add your favorites:

1-2-3 Magic
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
Parenting the Strong-Willed Child
The Parenting Breakthrough
Have a New Kid by Friday. (How hilarious is that title?)
Parenting with Love and Logic, and their other one for early childhood.

Audition

Adam is auditioning for The X Factor on Sunday. Wish him luck, and send him lot of good vibes. He sang his audition songs for me and the kids tonight and we quizzed him on his "story" (because you know with these shows it's all about having a good story). He sounds awesome! If nothing else it will be an adventure, but hey - you never know, maybe he'll get to sing for Simon. And if he does, hopefully Simon won't be making this face:

Back Online!

Our computer needed a checkup this week. Man, not having internet access stinks. Mostly. In some ways it's nice - I was definitely less distracted playing with my kids. The evenings with Adam were more connected. That was nice. But I missed it so when nap time came. Checking blogs, or working on mine. This week I spent most of my time potty training this little girl:

How cute are these legs!

I don't know if I'd say she's 100% potty trained, but she wore underwear all week and we've had minimal accidents. I pretty much stop at a bathroom everywhere we go. When we get to Target, when we leave Target. I carry a change of clothes at all times. She's still working on recognizing she has to go herself. But there's no going back. One whole week in undies. Progress! And I have a nice prize for her when she fills up her sticker chart, so that kind of motivation seems to help. Oh, and Audrey is officially accepted into the Bumblebee class at her new preschool this fall. More motivation to go potty, as she has been waiting to go to school all year, and I've been telling her, "you have to go in the potty if you want to go to preschool". The girl is ready!

I love this face. More updates to come!

Happy Birthday Adam

Happy 38th birthday to my love and best friend. What an old man! (Wink, wink). Recently Adam got a bunch of new head shots. He got some really great ones because he's very photogenic, but here are a few of my favorites:

Sexy

Silly

SmileyBut this is most like the guy I love.

We celebrated with the kids yesterday. Out to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen (Adam's choice), then home for cake and presents. My wonderful friend Michelle offered to make a cake. She is an amazing baker. I told her toffee is Adam's favorite, so she made us a chocolate caramel toffee cake. Deeeelish!!!!! Anne is babysitting for us tonight, so it's date night. Whatever Adam wants to do, we will do. Dinner, movie, maybe going to see a musician friend play here.

Here are a few things I love about Adam lately:

He stayed in with Audrey yesterday to potty train while I was out and about running errands.
He is budgeting now more than ever, wanting so badly to get us into a bigger place.
He works hard. Really hard.
He is patient with me when I'm cranky.
He rubs my feet or back seriously almost every single night.
If he can, he will say yes to helping anyone.
He gets on the floor and really plays with the kids.
We share housework.
He is optimistic.
The best dad. Wonderful husband. Funny, charming, easy to be around. We are so lucky he is ours. Happy 38 years, Adam. I'm so glad you're always older than I am.

Sunday Night at Our House

Tyler hard at homework.

We're Walking Again

We are so excited to walk in the 2011 Parkinson's Beach Brigade on May 1st. Last year we were one of the top ten fundraising teams, raising almost $2000.00 for Parkinson's Disease thanks to you and your generous donations. Here we are at the 2010 walk, almost one year ago:

It was truly a wonderful experience, and a no-brainer when we were asked to walk again this year. Check out our team page here. If you're interested in donating click on any of our names, and then click "support me". Or if you're interested in walking with our team, just let me know. Our families have been touched by Parkinson's and we've seen the effects first hand. We are grateful to share in this experience two years in a row, and to walk in honor of those we know and love. (These are the family members we walk for).

Last Year's Bridemaid

Remember Anne's wedding? When I was the sickest bridesmaid on Cape Cod? (Still can't eat shellfish, thank you very much). Well here's proof that Adam and I did in fact make it to the ceremony. We look pretty good, even though 10 minutes after this photo was taken I almost passed out and didn't make it down the aisle. But at least I made it into one wedding photo. Looking all bridesmaidy, too. And Adam sure looks cute.

Still so sad I wasn't more a part of that day, but happy Anne was soooo happy.

This Afternoon's Teatime

Tea and cookies with Audrey and Capri.

Perfect Quote

Tyler walked into my bedroom this morning and said:

"Mommy, you are a thousand times beautiful."

Now that's the best way to start the day.

This Was Dinner Tonight

And it was sooooo good. Find recipe here.

Thoughts Today

What a beautiful day! Zoo all morning with my family. Too bad my camera battery died the second we got there. My favorite time of year begins this weekend: Daylight Saving Time. More sunshine = so much happiness. I will gladly lose one hour of sleep for more vitamin D. My heart and thoughts are with Japan today. Man, nothing like a huge natural disaster to make you snap out of all the silly things you worry about during the week. When will we own a home? When will we make more money? Who cares! We have plenty. We are blessed to live where we do, in a very nice apartment, full of things we love, that mean something to us. We are healthy and strong and together. Every night Tyler prays "that we will be a family forever and ever". I know we will. (Last night he also prayed for green eggs and ham for breaksfast, but still...). Today at the zoo he and Audrey threw a penny in the pond and told us their wish (because it's hard to keep a wish a secret when you're itty). Again his was "that we would be a family forever". I know we will. (Audrey's was that Grandma and Grandpa would come take care of her. Seriously, is this girl a teenager already?). Maybe it's because I live in a city where the threat of an earthquake is also real, but my heart truly is heavy today. Because 70 degrees and a gorgeous day to walk around the zoo isn't happening everywhere. It's also a wake up call to double check emergency supplies, so I'm reminding myself to stock up once again. Much love and prayers sent half way around the world.

Busy, and a Recipe

Man, I have been a little busy over here (one of my excuses for bad blogging, but I also love looking at our Disneyland photos, so I've wanted to keep them on the front page). I will catch up soon, and post pictures of how we've been spending our days. The weather here could not be more gorgeous. Pretty sure it's a zoo day tomorrow. We've done very well on our vegetarian diet. One thing I like about eating this way for a couple weeks is I test new recipes (and Adam is around so it's actually possible for me to make something - not just Trader Joe's frozen pizza). Here's what we've been snacking on this week, courtesy my super healthy, nutritionist friend Suzanne.

Black Bean Hummus

15 ounce(s) beans, black, drained

1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 tablespoon sour cream, light or fat-free
4 cloves garlic, minced (mine was really garlicky, so you might use less)
1 tablespoon tomato(es), minced
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon cumin, ground

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. You can even garnish with some fresh cilantro. So yummy with Trader Joe's Baked Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, (or carrots if you wanna be all healthy about it). Enjoy!

My other favorite snack is protein bars. I kinda have an obsession with them. Favorite being Luna Bars. I have one pretty much every single day. These two are new finds that I love:

Luna Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars. (All the flavors are good, but the cookie dough is great).

Dark Chocolate Cherry Kind Bar. Soooo good! Pick one up at Trader Joe's.

Happy Snacking.

No, I Didn't Forget the Birthday Boy

I was slightly sidetracked by Disneyland, so I'm playing a little catch up. Here is what we did Tyler's birthday weekend. On his actual birthday, Friday, February 25th, it was raining so Adam and I took the kids to an indoor playground then out for fro yo.

Tyler and Audrey having lots of fun at The Playroom.

Saturday was more celebrating. Tyler went to a friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. (Thank you to Sarah for taking him, since Adam and I both had to work). This is where he passed out after the party. One tired birthday boy.

Sunday was a family birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa Tait's. Here's Audrey and Uncle Troy with Audrey's best pal, Buddy.

Tyler said, "Take a picture of me looking out the window".

He got his big boy bike. Very exciting.

The decor.

The cake! Tyler asked me for a Thomas the Tank birthday cake. Not being the master cake decorator (I needed Cherrie or Amber around to help!), I came up with this. Not too bad, and Tyler looooved it.

The party guests - Uncle Mikey and Troy. Grandma and Grandpa Tait were there, and Great-Grandpa Mecham. So fun!

Dinner, cake, presents, and of course the big surprise - Disneyland. This was one happy five year-old.

Delivery

Today I got a package delivered to my front door. My wonderful friend Cherrie (who recently moved from Los Angeles to Illinois) gifted me this cookbook. We both, once upon a time, lived in New York City and shared a love for Alice's Tea Cup and their delicious pumpkin scones. How incredibly thoughtful! Don't you just love a surprise? I have already thumbed through all the recipes, and dog-eared the ones I want to try. Pumpkin scones first, of course. Who wants to come over for a little Pride and Prejudice (or something very Britishy), tea, and scones? If you're not sure, take a look at these and then decide. Soooooo good. Thank you Cherrie!

Have A Good Recipe?

We are vegetarians for the next couple weeks (per Adam's request, since I assume he eats a lot of crap on set, and now he's on hiatus for a bit). We do this a lot when we want to focus on eating clean (whole grains, fresh veggies and fruits, nuts, dairy - like yogurt, lite on the cheese). It feels really good. I have a bunch of stand-by recipes, but it's always good to get new inspiration. Any favorites out there? We'd love to try them. I got a bunch from facebook friends - I'll try them and pass along any keepers. Here's one we are trying this weekend: Vegetarian Chickpea Burgers. Oh, and I also want to make Bailey's favorite pasta recipe, and Chickpea Chili, too. And for breakfast this looks yummy.

Disneyland - The Rest

Truly the only word for our day at Disneyland was perfect. The weather was fantastic, lines were short, we rode pretty much every ride we wanted to, no fighting, kids saw princesses, Mickey, and friends. It was magical. We stayed until the park closed. The kids want to go back, and so do we! We had saved up for this day, and didn't worry about money spent on food or souvenirs - just enjoyed every minute, and made it as special as possible. We took a ton of pictures. Here are a few:

Tyler and Adam on Dumbo.

Audrey - so happy to ride the teacups.

More teacups.

The kids exploring Toon Town.

We ate lunch in New Orleans by the water, the perfect place to watch passerby riverboats.The carousel.

Jungle cruise!

Look at that gorgeous sky.

So grateful for this wonderful day! Nothing better than playing hooky, and creating magical memories with our little family.

Disneyland - Girl Stuff

We split up at the park for about an hour. Adam and Tyler rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, while Audrey and I went in search of princesses and Tinkerbell. (This was one of my favorite parts of the day - spending time with my little girl, one on one). We almost stood in line at the Princess Faire, but the wait was about an hour, (the only long line of the day). Since Audrey really wanted to see Tinkerbell, we headed over to Pixie Hollow instead. On the walk to Pixie Hollow we saw Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, Ariel, and Snow White. What luck! Audrey was a little shy with Snow White, so I jumped in the picture with her:

We arrived at Pixie Hollow, and only had to wait about 15 minutes. Hurrah!Well worth the wait! Audrey and Iridessa, one of Tinkerbell's besties.

Then.... Tinkerbell! Audrey still says this was her favorite part of the day. (You can't really tell from the photos, but Audrey was wearing a Tinkerbell t-shirt).

Audrey was a little star struck.

Time to say goodbye.

In Adventureland we caught a glimpse of Princess Jasmine and Aladdin. Then wandering around New Orleans after lunch we saw one of Audrey's favorite princesses. She ran right up and gave Tiana a big hug.

They chatted for quite a while. (Tyler was there for this part, but said he just wanted to watch).

I wouldn't say we are princess obsessed over here, but we are big fans - and meeting these girls made Audrey's day at Disneyland. She felt quite special. At the end of the day, Audrey's souvenir was a "very beautiful Snow White dolly" (in her own words).