Birdies and Babes

Dec. 29, 2010

Caleb got two Lego castles for Christmas this year. Today was the big day to take it back to Toys R Us and exchange it for something else. We left early this morning, ran a few errands and then were off to the Toy store as soon as I returned something to Michael's. Caleb threw a tantrum about... I don't remember as we walked through the door and during the 3 minute exchange process. Luckily, (for him I mean) it wasn't bad, but embarrassing none the less. After we walked out of the store I told him that if he threw one more we would not go to Toys R Us. He quieted down quickly and buckled his seat belt, so I drove down Ming to the Toy store. I parked the car, got Hannah out and jacket on. I asked Caleb to put his jacket on and guess what? He threw a tantrum right there in the parking lot! About putting his jacket on. I said, "Okay, get in the car." We left. How sad is that? He cried and cried but I it was good for him



After a few more errands we went to my Mom's house. The kids both took naps (Yea!!!) so I made these cute little birdies from Jocelyn's blog.
My Mom was also sewing away. She is busy making a Vintage Vogue dress for Hillari. It is going to be amazing when it's all done.

Outside at Play

Dec. 28, 2010

One of the last things Cory said to me last night was to remind me that a storm was coming late Tuesday/early Wednesday so I should take the kids outside while it was nice today. I cleaned out the garage (something I do a lot because I am always collecting "stuff" and I need to go through the stuff and whittle it down to the things I will actually use). While I cleaned out the garage the kids played on the grass right by it and had some fun of their own. They hiked around in the dirt, went camping, built a fire, ran down the hill, laughed, cried... it was good.
I usually get timid to do stuff like this by my self because I am worried I won't get anything done or I think that I have to keep my eyes on them every second. Because of this fear i wait until Cory is home and so we can watch the kids and work on the garage together or whatever the project is. Yikes! I need to relax.
Needless to say the garage is organized and swept, the kids are alive and unhurt and I feel charged up to take on another task tomorrow.

"R" week

Week of Dec. 27 - Dec. 31, 2010

Monday: Animals - Ray and Roadrunner
Tuesday: Social Studies - Ancient Rome
Friday: Craft/Activity - Running and Race
Composer: Rachmaninoff
Poem: The Rainbow (Victorian Women Writers Project)

A bird

Dec. 28, 2010

My sister is very creative. She makes animals with fabric and stuffing and I think she could sell them for $15 a piece. I tried to make one of my own today and it didn't turn out nearly as darling as hers do but it got me excited about making other animals, or maybe just different birds.

Something for both

Dec. 27, 2010

Hannah loves the dollhouse Connie gave her. She sat down in the sun with it this morning and began to play with the little family. Caleb joined her and pretended to be the daddy, "Honey... I'm home." I listened as the two of them acted out what I thought was more about what they heard from Cory and I. I watched them and waited to hear what they would reveal about what kind of parents they thought we were. The "mommy" and the "daddy" were nice. I watched them I realized I don't do enough playing with them on their level. That was revealing.

Christmas Day p.m.

Dec. 25, 2010

We went to my parent's house this evening to open presents with them. Hannah's Christmas could be summed up in one word... "Ariel."
Caleb got more of a varity of gifts. He and Cory were really excited about the foot ball from the Marchesini's and the Lego castle from the Randall's



















Caleb loved playing with the RC helicopter Nono bought.















I was a very nice Christmas. Everyone was happy to be around our kids. The adults seemed to enjoy the season so much more because of Caleb and Hannah. They were so excited about everything.

Christmas Day a.m.

Dec. 25, 2010

Cory is really excited about those biscuits! His brother Ben an wife Janae were supposed to come to Bakersfield this Christmas but because of all the rain they received in Long Beach (15 inches) the golf course he works for is literally under water so he had to stay and help clear the water before the course is destroyed.
It made for a quiet Christmas morning but still it was nice to be with his family.







Hannah and Caleb got chalkboards and chalk.


























Caleb also got a Lego castle. Cory and he put it together this morning. Before the storm hit we went for a walk out in the foothills. The wind started to blow so hard that the wind pushed us around. We made it bask to Connie's and the kids took a nap.