London's First Performance

Tonight I watched my daughter get up on stage in front of an audience and sing and dance with her preschool class for a Christmas Celebration. London was dressed in a burgundy velvet dress and white tights with little black ballet shoes. She looked happy and focused as she sang the lyrics and followed along with her hands to "Whole World In His Hands". Scott and I were so proud of her as we sat in the second row watching with his parents and little Zoe on their laps in her green velvet dress and red pigtails.

This was the first of many school activities and performances and I was so incredibly happy to be there and to see my little girl up there. Yes, every parent feels this but for me, it's even sweeter because we are making sure that she gets these opportunities that I didn't have and that we know are good for her.

Even the tiniest things make me feel lucky. I love taking them to the bathroom and teaching them how to wash their hands and listening to London sing and discover that her voice sounds good in there. Listening to them make each other laugh while doing the simplest things gives me so much happiness.

Disneyland

The time had come for us to take our first trip to Disneyland. I imagined London meeting the characters and her eyes growing big and full of wonder as she saw the sights for the first time. It was hard for me to go to sleep the night before! We set out the next day on our trip and I felt a tinge of guilt for leaving Zoe behind but kept telling myself that she was still a bit young; she's only a year and a half, and that we would take her next year when she could enjoy more. Truthfully, Scott and I really wanted to focus on London and let her have this special day to herself so she could fully enjoy it without distraction or moody meltdowns from her younger sister.

After a slightly long car ride of an hour and a half, we arrived at the park and went through Main Street. It was fully decorated for Christmas and extremely crowded for a Monday. We went in search of our first ride and settled on the Jungle Cruise. It was cool but I wish I had a mute button for the guy doing the talking in charge of the boat. Really bad jokes. Next we went to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and poor London got scared. We tried to see the Princesses but the wait was an hour long, so we headed off to have a snack and check out ToonTown. It was cute but where were all the characters? Tigger finally surfaced at one spot and he had a crowd around him.

I had promised London that she would meet the fairies, so we set out for Pixie Hollow. It was nice there because the fairie music was playing while we waited and then finally it was our turn. London turned the corner and saw Rosetta and voila! Her eyes got big and she ran toward the fairy and threw her arms around her as she cried out her name! "Rosetta!!!" I felt my heart burst and I felt so much joy for her as she met her hero. They posed for pictures and London talked to her, then headed off to meet Tinkerbell around the corner. Once again, London gave a big hug and a proud smile as she posed for our cameras. The look of sheer happiness and contentment really did make the whole day worthwhile. I will always remember that.

Pirates of the Caribbean was a must for Scott and we got in pretty quickly. I had forgotten the two big drops so that was an exciting surprise that I loved! The restaurant inside there looks so cool and is a definite for next time. London was scared at times but we both held her tight and reassured her. At the end, the parrot told her "good job" and she was so proud of herself for finishing the ride and told us how she was brave.

After a quick pep stop to get two Cafe Mocha's, we spent the later part of our evening at California Adventure and London saw a parade with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, as well as a few monsters from Monsters Inc. and then we toured the wharf and carnival rides to see the glowing lights at night. It was beautiful and reminded me of the boardwalk attractions on the East Coast when I was little in New Jersey. We took a ride on Heimlich the Caterpillar from Bug's Life and the coolest part was the fact that when we went through the watermelon it actually smelled like one and the cookies too. Very cool. I remember sitting there with London and Scott in the little car and seeing the moon over our head and I felt so happy to have my family and that time together. The only way to top it is to go back next year with Zoe and have all four of us together. This story to be continued in 365 days...

Dress Code Violations and General Musings

My friend Jamie and I were sitting in London's room the other day and playing with Barbies with our girls. We noticed that two of the dolls had on thong underwear. Are you kidding? Are we the only ones bothered by this? I have no problem with them for adults, but on a doll??? These toys are for little girls and our toddlers do NOT wear those underwear. Sorry Mattel, but a Barbie with a thong should be called "Skanky Barbie".

After we expressed our disgust, we decided to take action! We removed the outfits entirely and replaced them with different Barbie clothes that were not trashy and did not set a bad example for our three year olds. I had to alter the dress code on a few of the dolls since some were wearing half shirts, earrings and belly chains. Yikes! I just want my daughters to enjoy being little girls and free from the pressure to look and dress older for as long as possible. If that means I maim and destroy a few of the toys in the process, so be it.

On a more humorous note, London and Zoe were playing together and London grabbed a tape measure and asked Zoe if she could measure her. Zoe said "yes". London held it up to Zoe and announced "small". It was simple and sweet and totally made me laugh. After our nap today, London was asking about skunks and why tomato juice gets rid of the smell from skunk spray. It was random. Then we lay there together and pretend to draw on the ceiling with our finger and name the colors we're using out loud. She reminds me that I used to have a good imagination and helps me to dig it back out. My girls have helped me find so much happiness by living in the moment with them. I am content with a simple life where we go to the park, have a picnic, play and sing songs on the way home. That is enough for me.

Potty Humor

So I'm standing in the feminine hygiene isle at Target and both my girls are in the shopping cart consuming mass quantities of goldfish and fighting over one sippy cup of water. I'm trying to choose from the multitude of options and a lady is standing near me doing the same thing. London looks up and says "mommy, what are those?" I look at the woman, look at London, pause, and then scramble for an answer. "Umm, it's something we use to keep us clean sweetie." Seriously, what do you say??? I was laughing at this point and so was the woman next to me.

Later that day, we had to stop by the bank to deposit some checks. When we entered the front door, a bank employee offered to help us in the area with cubicles. I gratefully accepted and we sat down. London was in her Tinkerbell costume and quickly joined her sister on the floor to draw on some paper. I began my transaction and then heard an unmistakable sound. "Pfffttt!" Pfffttttt" Tinkerbell was laying on her tummy under the chair and drawing, and farting in the cubicle! "London! We don't do that here" I admonished her. Oh boy. I looked at the employee and apologized and said "she's three years old, what can I say? I'm so sorry". He started laughing and told me it was fine. Unfortunately, the smell began to permeate the small area and my degree of embarassment sharply rose. "London, that stinks!" At this point, the bank man and I are laughing out loud and cannot contain it. Tinkerbell is happily giggling now that she's relieved her tummy and Zoe is watching the entire scene.

Next installment soon...

London's New Adventure and Small Wars

So little London went off to her first day of dance class and of preschool this last week. I wasn't sure how either one would go but it turns out that she loves both and had no problem jumping right in. It was a relief that she adjusted well but also a sharp reminder that she is getting older and that's just tough sometimes. Little Zoe is determined to keep up with her sister and does so many things that I would never expect, like stealing her sister's glass cup and using it properly, climbing on the couch and bouncing, and wearing a purse and beads and then walking around the house saying "bye bye". It's hilarious and painful at the same time because they are growing up and the second one goes way faster.

Watching the two of them play together is pure comedy and then comes tragedy shortly after because an animal was taken or a bracelet was not shared. Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! The sound ricochets off the wood floors and echoes through the house. "Oh no, what happened now" I think to myself as I head in their direction to break up the latest quarrel. I question London and get the facts and then dispense justice accordingly. Now it is midnight I was supposed to be asleep two hours ago but this was the only time I had to record their shenanigans and fit in a little bit of my own time before we start the race again tomorrow. It's all worth it.

A Lost Dog and a Dented Bumper...

Wow, there's a lot to catch up on. Most recently, I was attempting to assist a lost dog that I met at the playground. She was a darling boxer who followed me up the play structure and after drinking a sand pail full of water, lay happily between me and my girls near the slide. After many inquiries, I decided to put her in the back of my vehicle and take her to be scanned for a microchip in an attempt to locate her owner. She jumped right in, more readily than my own dog, and off we went.

Unfortunately, the stray did not have a chip and so I decided to return her to the park in hopes that she would find her way home or be picked up by her owner. As I backed up to leave the shelter, I heard a crunch and my heart dropped to my feet. Oh crap! I had backed into my friend's car, the friend who was kind enough to come along to help watch my kids so I could run into the shelter with this dog. My brain reeled and I could not believe what I had done. After apologizing profusely and freaking out, I told my friend that I would have my insurance fix our cars and she said not to worry about it, that her car was not a big deal. What??? She was serious and I kept telling her that I could just get it taken care of, but she meant it. At that moment, I felt like I had been given a get-out-of-jail card and was amazed at her graciousness. This is something I will always remember for the rest of my life. What an incredible gesture.

As my girls and I drove the dog back to the park, I was crying and feeling so stupid for getting myself into the whole situation. We returned the darling boxer and said goodbye and then I went home to fester over the whole thing for the rest of the day. Now I am completely paranoid about backing up my car and check everything 18 times before going. The good news is that the dog was returned to her owner the next day through an ad and her story had a happy ending.

Church Bingo

I really like going to church with my husband because we get to hear a great message and it's like free baby-sitting for an hour! Seriously, it is a nice little break except for one thing. The electronic signs on the wall that light up with numbers every so often. I'm referring to the parent notification system. When we drop our kids off at Sunday School before the service, they give us a number that we keep with us and if there's a problem, the number shows up on that digital sign I mentioned.

The first time I took them both, I was a nervous wreck and could barely focus on anything but that board. I started wondering which number was for which girl and what if I went to the wrong section and had to run to the other room to find my girls and console the one crying? Deep breaths and constant reminders that it would be ok helped a little as I tried to listen to my pastor's message. Numbers started to appear on the sign like a bingo game and I wondered if I would be next? That was a rough hour for me even though our numbers never did light up.

The next time we went it was so much better. Scott and I dropped the girls off quickly and without a lot of fuss and set off with our numbers in hand. I sat down next to him and reminded myself to enjoy this time. We had a great hour and I only periodically thought about the sign. It's like systematic desensitization for me. I guess the more you do it, the easier it gets. Same thing with kids club at the gym! Sometimes we just need that hour of personal time and have to learn to unplug from the constant management mode. Scott and I laugh now when the numbers light up and we both look at each other and say "bingo"!

What is that smell in my car?

Yesterday we went shopping at Trader Joe's. Zoe lasted for about two minutes in the cart before protesting loudly in the food sample section and throwing her miniature pizza slice to the floor. I managed to pacify her briefly by holding her with my right arm on the hip and pushing London in the cart with my left hand and foot. Steering around corners was tricky. We checked out and just when I got Zoe buckled into the car, I realized I forgot to grind the coffee beans. Oh crap!

We all went back in and got the job done, then back to the car. London informed me she had to go potty so I buckled Zoe in a second time and then pulled out the portable potty and a plastic grocery bag to line it with. We set up shop in the bushes in front of my car and she began playing with bark while I urged her on and reminded her every two seconds that we had to hurry because the sherbet was melting in the car. I ran back and forth between re-assuring Zoe that she was fine and asking if London had pooped yet, to which she responded, "no, but it's coming". Five minutes went by and then we got our results. I closed up the bag, loaded my three year old in the car and then realized there was no trash can near us.

I put the bag of poop in my car and rolled all the windows down to offset the smell. London kept asking to roll the windows up and I kept telling her we couldn't because of the poop bag. Ick. It smelled all the way home and then we dumped it in our garbage can outside. I feel sorry for our trash collectors!

A Moment to Daydream...

What would my alter ego be if I had one? This thought entered my mind the other day while I was picking up cottage cheese and goldfish off my kitchen floor. Would I be wild and daring or just another variance of who I am now? Black leather superhero outfits and an English manor to call home, complete with a butler that is oddly similar to Michael Caine? Hmm...I know I'm biting off Batman-the one with Christian Bale, or even Lara Croft. They are exciting and I especially love that they are incredible at martial arts. Don't get me wrong, I'd still be married to my darling husband and be mom to our girls. This is my imagination, I can do what I want here and the logistics don't apply!

There are other options that would be good too. A professional ballroom dancer with an emphasis on the latin dances. I say this because I am terrible at that sort of thing. When I say terrible, I mean completely and utterly bad to the point where it is just embarassing. I know my friend Lisy will laugh and nod her head in agreement when she reads this! I am laughing with her. The next choice is to run a ranch and raise our family among the open land and the specific smell of horses that makes me breathe deeply. I could ride every day and my husband would help put the girls on their horses as we all go out together. Riding is so peaceful and clears the mind much like surfing. Everything else fades away and it restores the soul.

Scott has mentioned living in Europe and having a flower shop, which I could totally go for. We'd live near the coast and eat fresh fish all the time and traipse up and down the cobblestone streets. Our home would have french doors that open out to a view of the coastline and gauzy white curtains that blow from the sea breeze. We would have bicycles with baskets that are parked together in the courtyard next to a fountain.

I am perfectly happy to stay in our little home that we have created in California. I was reminded during the fires a few years ago that it didn't matter where we were as long as we were together. It's just fun to imagine what else we could do if we ever wanted to live somewhere else. Do other people think about this too? It would be interesting to hear responses on this one.

A Day In The Life...

Wow, this has been an interesting day. It began with London having two accidents in the house and leaving puddles in various spots, then she came into the kitchen and announced that she had pooped ON her potty. This was during a playdate with one of our friends and her two children. I ran off to investigate and sure enough, the evidence was there. Grrr...

We went through the yo-yo of naptime and today was a miss. London finally fell asleep and two minutes later, I kid you not, Zoe woke up. No nap for mama. We endured a near meltdown from London when she woke up because she desperately needed a purple popsicle before she could fathom leaving the house to go play at the park. I narrowly won by telling her she could have it AT the park. One point for me.

At the park, London gleefully ate her popsicle and then lost half of it in the sand. A few minutes later, I was walking with Zoe in my arms when I skidded on the sandy ground and went flying forward. We narrowly missed the concrete park bench and I thought I was going to stick my landing, but alas, I tumbled forward and went down on knees and elbows, all the while holding Zoe up in the air as high as I could get her to prevent her from making contact with the ground. I was successful and only incurred some pride-wounding scrapes. Phewww! By this point, I knew it was an odd day.

I changed London before we left and put her in the car without a pull-up under direct orders "not to pee in the car seat". She quickly defied this command and told me so. Sure enough, she was right. I stripped off the wet dress she had on and put her back into her car seat in her birthday suit. We sent off a picture of this to one of my best friends with a caption and then called for back-up to who else but my trusty mother-in-law. She agreed to help us out and we went there for baths and car seat laundering. Grampa was our hero for taking it all apart and putting it back together.

On the way home, I listened to London talking to her toy dinosaurs. She explained that they had to eat their dinner before they could have dessert. That was sweet but it got even better. I felt such a sense of joy when I heard her telling them not to be scared of monsters and to pray to God to take care of them. This is what she does every night before bed. "Dear God, thank you for today. Please watch over my family and please make the monsters all gone if we get scared of them. I love you Jesus, Amen". Enough said.

Note to Self...

I've had a scrap of paper sitting on the bottom crevice of my bathroom mirror for nearly a week now and it's pestering me every time I see it. This tiny slip has two different ideas that I wrote down so I wouldn't forget them during random moments of inspiration. I think I was brushing my teeth when the second one hit, thus an inopportune time to sit down and work on my blog. Now I'm able to sit down and type and my brain feels like a twelve-week old labrador puppy running through a field. I can't focus. Sigh.

It all started with the infamous movie, "Julie and Julia" that made me want to run to the store and buy the items for that beef bourgignon that I saw in the movie. Man, I could smell it just sitting on my couch! I did actually cook chicken cacciatore last week from Giada's recipe and it rocked. The only way that I could accomplish this task was to pay my neighbor's teenage daughter to come play with my kids so I could have my kitchen to myself for an hour. It was so worth it! There's something therapeutic about cooking when it's done with care and detail. I actually enjoyed it.

While I was breading my chicken in flour, I pictured an exasperated Julia Child in her kitchen with an infant crawling at her feet and a two year old running around and asking to be picked up so she could see what was happening on the stove. I could hear her high pitched voice calling out, " I cannot cook under these conditions!" It didn't seem feasible to accomplish the culinary masterpieces that she made in this scenario. I laughed and then added my white wine to the pan. Ahh, the smell of the chicken cacciatore was intoxicating. I was so excited, I was cooking real food and it was working. No short-cut recipes or frozen mixes, just the real deal from scratch. Who knows when this will happen again but it was fun and my family liked it too.