First Grade

School pictures came home today. Seriously love this kid.

This Week

It's almost October!? Crazy. I can get kinda obsessed with Bath and Body Works candles, and this one is making me happy right now. Also Farmstand Apple - I kinda have an apple thing goin' on, too. Try the Honey Autumn Apple body wash. Also Trader Joe's has pumpkin fat-free greek yogurt, their pumpkin puree, and pumpkin cereal bars. Mmmm. Welcome Fall!

Went on Audrey's field trip to CPK. Man, the smell of a restaurant first thing in the morning sure brought me right back to waiting tables at The City Grill on the Upper West Side. It was a right of passage for a NYC actress, some good friends and memories made, but I sure hope my waiting tables days are behind me.

The littles on their restaurant tour.

They each made their own pizza. After CPK we fed ducks at a nearby pond and played at the park. Nice morning with Audrey and her awesome school friends and teachers.

I taught a pilates class for my workout-lovin' church friends. Did I tell you the girls in my new stake get together three times a week and exercise? Sometimes four. Very dedicated girls. Amber asked if I'd put together a pilates class since I've been taking on and off for ten years. I was kind of nervous about it because I'm no professional, but it ended up being pretty great. Good for me, too, to try something new, and will help keep me in pilates shape now that I'm a little far from my favorite studio. 

Volunteered in Tyler's classroom. Helped his teacher with reading groups. So happy he's in a great class. The kids were sweet, such good workers, really great with me. His teacher is on the ball. After only spending an hour in the classroom I left thinking how do teachers do it all!?

Tyler started karate again this week.

My dad is here! Got here Thursday afternoon, went to karate with us, then we all went to Souplantation (another awesome thing about our new neighborhood - love that place). Kids are so happy to see him, he pretty much spoils the heck out of them when he's here. Here are boys putting together legos:

Pondering his big escape this morning.

Today Tyler is doing a walk-a-thon for his school. Little man has a lot of school spirit. He's really loving his new school.

After school is more time spent with Grandpa - I think a trip to Toys R Us is inevitable. Happy to have family in town.

This Morning

Sometimes you can't decide which photo to choose, so you just upload all of them. Primary Program was today. Kids did great! Happy Sunday.

Cole's Turn

Every Friday it used to be Tyler. Then Tyler and Audrey. Even though Cole's been going to music class since pretty much in-utero, today was his first time solo. Friday mornings are now Cole, Mommy, and Ladybug.

 His big Ladybug-bug stamp.

Oh My....

There are no words. This is my husband on set today.

I think it's the first time he's ever painted his nails.

Audrey

Two mornings a week she's home from school. Today she did this:

Audrey loves to dress up. Loves stuffed animals, dolls. Sleeps with about 15 of them on her bed each night. She plays pirates and legos with Tyler, talks about running with the boys at school, takes rubber snakes and Batman for show-and-tell, but is a girly girl, too. Loves when I paint her nails, wants to be a princess for Halloween - probably Tiana from Princess and the Frog, a big hit at our house. I want to start reading a chapter book to her on days it's just the two of us (Cole usually takes a nice, long morning nap). I'm thinking Charlotte's Web (because I love it, even if the end is sad), but let me know if you have any suggestions. Girly ones - we read plenty of Magic Tree House at night with Tyler. Trying my best to enjoy this last year before full-day Kindergarten, although this girl is ready to go!

Arrrrr Matey

Did you know today was Talk Like A Pirate Day? I found out Krispy Kreme was giving away free donuts to pirates. Didn't take much convincing to get Tyler and Audrey to play the part, seeing they're big pirate lovers. We already had the pirate gear, threw it in the car, and picked up Tyler a little early from school (he was soo excited). First we stopped for flu shots at our old doc's office, (donuts were a good incentive for the shot, although you'd never know by the way Audrey screamed bloody murder). Got into "character" in the parking lot, and hit up Krispy Kreme. They gave us three dozen donuts since all three of my kids dressed up, plus three donuts to eat in the store. Needless to say we shared with friends, and are especially looking forward to breakfast in the morning.

Love these two pirates so, so much!

 Sad pirate Cole didn't stay in his get-up for long.

 Three dozen!!! A pirate's perfect treasure.

Such a fun event, even met the Bartys there. Wasn't too crowded, but there were a bunch of kids full of pirate spirit. Also an awesome dad who I swear may have been a real pirate - he was so into it (although clearly he hasn't met Captain Stink Eye). All the dress up made me excited Halloween is right around the corner.

Mmmmm... Lasagna

Totally yummy dinner! Crock pot lasagna. Found it on pinterest and will definitely make it again. Really it's a base recipe and you could add whatever to make it your own. Tonight I made it with ground turkey, and added mushrooms and onions to the sauce. Done and done. So easy - the best for busy days. Also the best for busy days is calling Adam to pick up Chick fil A on the way home from work (which is what I did last night).

Aren't you glad shows are coming back? Like Parenthood tonight?! Missed that show, one of our favorites. Adam and I are also obsessed with watching every single 30 Rock episode right now. We're up to season 5. A little late to the party maybe? Not sure what took us so long, but it's sooooo funny, and now I understand why Alec Baldwin was winning all those Emmys.

Okay, and who wants to join us for Talk Like a Pirate Day tomorrow? We are going after school and we are dressing up. We have so many pirate dress up clothes thanks to Tyler and Audrey's pirate obsession. Free donuts!!

Work

Ladybug Music's Fall session begins tomorrow. Purple CD - download it, it's a good one. Been teaching for over two years now and love my families. Lots of exciting things in the mix for Ladybug. Fingers crossed some of them come to fruition, and I think they will. My boss is such a wonderfully awesome, generous, hardworking lady. I swear she has some good karma coming her way. Adam's shooting another pilot for Nickelodeon right now. Recently got some good feedback on his writing. Starts teaching a new acting workshop this week. Making it work, doing what we love. Busy, busy around here this week.

Little Gymnast

Audrey started gymnastics today and had a blast. I wasn't sure about taking a break from dance because she's so good at it (if I do say so myself), but she really really wanted to try gymnastics, especially after watching the Olympics and the big girls in our new ward do back bends, handstands, and somersaults over the summer. Audrey's so strong, feisty, fearless. She jumped right in. Great fit.

10 months

Everyone should have a baby to smile at on 9/11. Makes the day hopeful, brighter, happier. Fills me with gratitude on a very thoughtful day. 

Today Cole is ten months old. Crawling. Eating a ton. Weighs what feels like 50 lbs., but is probably more like 24. The happiest kid alive. Starting to wean him, working on the sippy cup. Mixed emotions as nursing comes to an end (for good). I'm not one to love nursing my babies, but I'd say Cole was my most enjoyable, seeing as some days those were my only quiet moments with him. Our snuggle time. He's baby-talking more, and starts music class next week. Loving these last couple months of his first year, before our little baby becomes a toddler.

Today

Two of Audrey's best girls came to play. The Snow girls - Becca and Sadie. We are working on getting them to move up near us since they have a lot of family in this area. Sadie and Audrey in Kindergarten together would be a dream! Thick as thieves.

How cute is baby Bridget? She was a little bummed today, seeing her best bud Cole was under the weather. They were born exactly two weeks apart.

Oh baby Cole. Our sweet boy is fighting a bug. Fever got up to 104 last night and it was so, so sad. He is sad. Stays awake long enough to nurse and eat, then fusses and falls back asleep. Luckily his fever is back down to 101ish. Poor little guy.

Adam spent the morning at the temple. This is in the crock pot today. Super easy. Made it with turkey meatballs, added some onions, and a little less sugar. Hope it's yummy - meatballs are always a hit with my kids.

Rain Day In LA

When it finally rains in LA it kinda feels like this:

 Lit some yummy candles today, baking chocolate chip cookies for after school, and I might've stopped at the Dollar Tree and picked up a few Halloween decorations - just for fun. (Also decided dollar stores are the way to go with Halloween decor and little kids). Even though I'm sure it'll be back in the 90's tomorrow, I'm happy for a September day that feels like Fall.

Labor Day Beach Day

Hit Zuma today with a bunch of friends. Might be the last beach day of the year, unless we sneak out again this fall.

Love these three!

Oops - Tyler tries to catch him.

Just the boys.

It's been a great long weekend. Tomorrow, back to the grind. Starting to feel ready to welcome Fall.

Sunday Dinner

Hot dogs on the grill, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, watermelon - all eaten and enjoyed outside. Another reason why having a yard is awesome.

Look Out, People!

Cole is 9 1/2 months old, and on the go since yesterday.