Saturday, March 03, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
snowplay
We found snow in the mountains (in a national forest north of Los Angeles) about 1 hour and 15 minutes from our house. So we got bundled up and stomped in the snow for some snowplay. Don't the girls look cute?!
Olivia had a blast making snowballs and tromping through the snowy forest. We even slid down the small hills on our butts (since we didn't have any sleds). Claire had the most fun knocking down the tiny snowman we built, other than that, she didn't really seem to enjoy it. She had about 15 minutes of fun, then she was unusually quiet the rest of the time. We didn't stay too long, about an hour.
Olivia had a blast making snowballs and tromping through the snowy forest. We even slid down the small hills on our butts (since we didn't have any sleds). Claire had the most fun knocking down the tiny snowman we built, other than that, she didn't really seem to enjoy it. She had about 15 minutes of fun, then she was unusually quiet the rest of the time. We didn't stay too long, about an hour.
Culturally Impaired
My hubby came up with this description of the town we live in as we came out of the Spanish film, 'Pan's Labyrinth'. It was an excellent film, so different than other films out there. Since it is a foreign film, it is subtitled. I have no problem with that, I love foreign films. As we came out of the theater, we heard people grumbling about having to read the subtitles. I just love this description, it is so accurate of where we live and I so miss culture!
Happy Valentine's Day~
Here are pictues of the girls on Valentine's Day. Olivia had a small celebration for Valentine's Day at school. Claire and I met with friends and went to our local museum for fun.
A few weeks before, my hubby took Olivia to a Valentine's Father/Daughter dance. She was more excited about seeing her friend, E, there. She and E dissed their dads at the dance. It was special anyway.
A few weeks before, my hubby took Olivia to a Valentine's Father/Daughter dance. She was more excited about seeing her friend, E, there. She and E dissed their dads at the dance. It was special anyway.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
New project
So I decided to try a new hobby, I was inspired by some very crafty moms on my mommy board so I'm taking a stab at knitting! Ha ha! I went to a local yarn shop where someone taught me to cast on and knit. It's very expensive yarn though so I'm going to have to do some learning on my own.
Here is the first thing I made. The lady helping me started me out with 40 stitches, but I started over a few times and ended up starting with 12 since I thought my first project could be a scarf for Olivia. I'm not sure, I might do it over again because I think it's still a little too wide for her. It's very plain, too. Maybe I should try with smaller needles, too.
Next I would like to knit a baby blanket. I have some friends who are having babies this summer so if I can get any done, it would make a wonderful gift.
I would love tips if any of you are knitters!
Here is the first thing I made. The lady helping me started me out with 40 stitches, but I started over a few times and ended up starting with 12 since I thought my first project could be a scarf for Olivia. I'm not sure, I might do it over again because I think it's still a little too wide for her. It's very plain, too. Maybe I should try with smaller needles, too.
Next I would like to knit a baby blanket. I have some friends who are having babies this summer so if I can get any done, it would make a wonderful gift.
I would love tips if any of you are knitters!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Long anticipated pictures...
Yes, I know it's been awhile, I just didn't feel like blogging...still don't, but thought y'all deserved some pictures!
We spent 2 weeks in Texas for the holidays. We spent most of our time in Dallas with my hubby's family. The girls were able to spend time with their cousins who they don't see much. We also went down to Houston to visit a few friends. We tried to get out to some museums, etc. while we were in Texas. I've included some pictures from Christmas, too.
This is from the Science museum in Dallas, they also had a children's museum. The girls had fun with their cousin.
And this is when we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. I was really impressed. When I first went there about 10 years ago they just had a few tanks of fish, they have so much more now.
Olivia's preschool had a little concert before the break, it was really cute. Olivia (in the middle with the bright pink skirt) was shy and hardly sang at all, but she was excited nonetheless. I don't see an entertaining career in her future!
This is from hubby's work kid's holiday party. The girls had a great time and even Santa and Mrs. Claus came...Claire was terrified, of course.
We spent 2 weeks in Texas for the holidays. We spent most of our time in Dallas with my hubby's family. The girls were able to spend time with their cousins who they don't see much. We also went down to Houston to visit a few friends. We tried to get out to some museums, etc. while we were in Texas. I've included some pictures from Christmas, too.
This is from the Science museum in Dallas, they also had a children's museum. The girls had fun with their cousin.
And this is when we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. I was really impressed. When I first went there about 10 years ago they just had a few tanks of fish, they have so much more now.
Olivia's preschool had a little concert before the break, it was really cute. Olivia (in the middle with the bright pink skirt) was shy and hardly sang at all, but she was excited nonetheless. I don't see an entertaining career in her future!
This is from hubby's work kid's holiday party. The girls had a great time and even Santa and Mrs. Claus came...Claire was terrified, of course.
Friday, December 22, 2006
A couple of weeks ago, I took Olivia to see the local production of The Nutcracker. She absolutely loved it, she was on the edge of her seat enthralled with the entire show. I went with a friend whose daughter is in Olivia's preschool class. We went to lunch beforehand. The girls enjoyed having a grown up day.
Monday, December 11, 2006
2 guys from Ghana
Here are the guys from Ghana that are being trained at my hubby's work. We had them over for dinner. They had the opportunity to try some cajun cookin'. We made red beans and rice with sausage and chicken and sausage gumbo. In Ghana, they are used to eating a lot of hearty stews so hopefully they liked it.
They are really nice and friendly. As you can see, they were great about pushing the girls in the strollers. Saturday night after they came over for dinner, we took them to this light display that is famous in our town. The girls loved the mermaid and the undersea castle. You can also see Claire dancing to the Christmas music that was in one part of the display...the lights in the trees 'danced' to the music.
They are really nice and friendly. As you can see, they were great about pushing the girls in the strollers. Saturday night after they came over for dinner, we took them to this light display that is famous in our town. The girls loved the mermaid and the undersea castle. You can also see Claire dancing to the Christmas music that was in one part of the display...the lights in the trees 'danced' to the music.
Claire with a full head of hair...
before she cut her hair. Here she is eating lunch. She also helped me make some shortbread cookies for the holidays.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
"Oh my God!", I cried...
She cut her hair! Lesson learned: never leave a child unsupervised with scissors...I should have known better...
So I saw some strands of hair hanging down from the back of Claire's hair. I thought it was odd, then a few seconds later, I realized she cut her hair. I was thinking...well, I figured one of the girls would try this sooner or later. Then I went into the playroom and discovered the piles of hair by the scissors. I was so upset, yelling, "she cut her hair, oh my God"...Claire then got upset.
Oh well, at least she still has lots of hair and it grows fast!
So I saw some strands of hair hanging down from the back of Claire's hair. I thought it was odd, then a few seconds later, I realized she cut her hair. I was thinking...well, I figured one of the girls would try this sooner or later. Then I went into the playroom and discovered the piles of hair by the scissors. I was so upset, yelling, "she cut her hair, oh my God"...Claire then got upset.
Oh well, at least she still has lots of hair and it grows fast!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Chart
So every school morning...which is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...I have to keep reminding Olivia what to do to get ready for preschool. I get so tired of telling her over and over again...Brush your teeth...Make your bed... So, I came up with this chart to 'remind' her what to do.
We started on Tuesday, she was so excited about moving across the poster and I didn't have to keep reminding her what to do next.
Wednesday, I told her to follow her chart...then I told her to follow her chart...she goes to play...I tell her to follow her chart, again...and again.
Thursday, we are 15 minutes late to school. So much for the chart!
(Claire was on the bottom row, but we've already lost her picture, she probably tossed it in with a bin of toys...sigh)
We started on Tuesday, she was so excited about moving across the poster and I didn't have to keep reminding her what to do next.
Wednesday, I told her to follow her chart...then I told her to follow her chart...she goes to play...I tell her to follow her chart, again...and again.
Thursday, we are 15 minutes late to school. So much for the chart!
(Claire was on the bottom row, but we've already lost her picture, she probably tossed it in with a bin of toys...sigh)
Monday, December 04, 2006
Highlights from Disneyland
Riding the boat on the Storybook Canal in Fantasyland.
Pluto, the 'reindog':
French Quarter decorations:
Goofy 'goofin' around at Goofy's kitchen at the Disneyland hotel.
Watching the Holiday parade:
(on a side note...the woman you see next to Olivia took Claire's spot. She sat right behind her with her legs around Claire...she freaked Claire out. Then when we sat Olivia down next to her, she tried to put her arm around Olivia and being like a 'mother bear' protecting her 'cub', I told the woman 'no' and I moved her arm, saying "that's my child". It really got my adrenalin going...)
Pluto, the 'reindog':
French Quarter decorations:
Goofy 'goofin' around at Goofy's kitchen at the Disneyland hotel.
Watching the Holiday parade:
(on a side note...the woman you see next to Olivia took Claire's spot. She sat right behind her with her legs around Claire...she freaked Claire out. Then when we sat Olivia down next to her, she tried to put her arm around Olivia and being like a 'mother bear' protecting her 'cub', I told the woman 'no' and I moved her arm, saying "that's my child". It really got my adrenalin going...)
Thanksgiving weekend
We spent Thanksgiving with my hubby's extended family in northern California. We had such a great time and everyone was a great host. The girls especially loved being entertained by their bigger girl cousins.
We went to my hubby's cousin's house for Thanksgiving. We had turkey, ham and all the trimmings. I brought a 7-up cake, it was easy to make and easy to travel with. Here are the girls playing a 'vintage' Hi-Ho-Cherry-O game with one of their cousins.
That night we all stayed at one of my hubby's cousin's house. She has 2 girls, one is a teenager and one is 11. Olivia and Claire loved wearing them out...ha! The next morning, J (hubby's cousin) and I went shopping at 4:15 in the morning. It was the first time I ever did 'Black Friday'. I was bleary eyed, but it was fun. We stood in a long line around the corner of the Circuit City hoping I would get some deals. As I approached the store, I noticed people breaking down tents...wow, there are some dedicated shoppers out there!
It was such a mad house in there and it seemed as if the employees didn't realize it was a special shopping day. They were not prepared for the crowds at all. I bought a couple of things, I tried to look at dvds but the customers were flinging them around the bins so it was hard to see if there were any movies I wanted. There was a huge checkout line snaking around the store, but somehow we managed to line up in a line in the automotive section and we didn't have to wait long.
Next, we hit the mall. I looked at Macy's and was hoping to find a good selection of dresses on sale for Olivia...I found 1 dress. After Macy's, we went to the Disney store which was having great bargains. I almost didn't want to go, but I'm glad we did. I got some great stocking stuffers for the girls.
Later Friday, we drove over to my husband's aunt's farm to visit with his aunt and another cousin. The girls always love going to the farm. They like to feed the fish in the ponds and chase the cats.
Here they are at the farm:
Here is Claire goofing around in my shoes at another relative's house, my hubby's other aunt and uncle.
It was a great weekend!
We went to my hubby's cousin's house for Thanksgiving. We had turkey, ham and all the trimmings. I brought a 7-up cake, it was easy to make and easy to travel with. Here are the girls playing a 'vintage' Hi-Ho-Cherry-O game with one of their cousins.
That night we all stayed at one of my hubby's cousin's house. She has 2 girls, one is a teenager and one is 11. Olivia and Claire loved wearing them out...ha! The next morning, J (hubby's cousin) and I went shopping at 4:15 in the morning. It was the first time I ever did 'Black Friday'. I was bleary eyed, but it was fun. We stood in a long line around the corner of the Circuit City hoping I would get some deals. As I approached the store, I noticed people breaking down tents...wow, there are some dedicated shoppers out there!
It was such a mad house in there and it seemed as if the employees didn't realize it was a special shopping day. They were not prepared for the crowds at all. I bought a couple of things, I tried to look at dvds but the customers were flinging them around the bins so it was hard to see if there were any movies I wanted. There was a huge checkout line snaking around the store, but somehow we managed to line up in a line in the automotive section and we didn't have to wait long.
Next, we hit the mall. I looked at Macy's and was hoping to find a good selection of dresses on sale for Olivia...I found 1 dress. After Macy's, we went to the Disney store which was having great bargains. I almost didn't want to go, but I'm glad we did. I got some great stocking stuffers for the girls.
Later Friday, we drove over to my husband's aunt's farm to visit with his aunt and another cousin. The girls always love going to the farm. They like to feed the fish in the ponds and chase the cats.
Here they are at the farm:
Here is Claire goofing around in my shoes at another relative's house, my hubby's other aunt and uncle.
It was a great weekend!
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