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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Making apple pie with Grammy

We love it when Grammy comes to town.  She always makes the yummiest food.  The kids helped her make an apple pie today and boy did it turn out yummy.  I have to say, they looked so cute in the aprons she gave them for Christmas.

Awe, cute one.


I'm loving Kyla's short hair right now. 


Oh yea, this is gonna be gooooooood. 


Hard at work. 


Don't mind the slobber. 


Mason really got into it ... chef in training. 


He's such a cheese-ball.  Love him. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Chinese New Year

Yesterday was the Chinese New Year.  This year will be the year of the Dragon.  It made me curious as to what the Zodiac Signs were during the kids birth years.

This is what the stars say about Mason's personality.

2004 - Year of the Monkey
Combining confidence, charisma and a dash of cuteness, monkeys are usually the life and soul of the party and popular with friends and potential partners.  Imaginative with an ability to act creatively, adventurous and restless, they can seem rebellious, unwilling to accept authority, but their inquisitive nature, imagination and ability to think outside of the box often makes them gifted at overcoming challenges and striving under stress.  Their natural talents may sometimes be lost to laziness and they can seem condescending and egotistical.

And Kyla.

2006 - Year of the Dog
The eternal optimists, dogs always see the best in themselves and others and have a naturally happy disposition.  Their enthusiasm is infectious and can inspire others to look towards them for leadership.  While they value loyalty and are trusting of others, they are easily jealous and unforgiving after disagreements and arguments.  An innate stubbornness also means they will rarely admit when they are wrong.

I think these are spot on.  Wow.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Jabber

Going to try to be better about blogging in 2012.  I've been looking through my blog book from 2009 and I wrote SO much.  The kids and I have been reading it and they love it.

Before going to bed tonight, I asked the kids a few random questions.  Here they are.

Kyla
Still wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up.
Birthdays and Birthday Cakes make her REALLY happy.
Her favorite part of school is RECESS.
If she could travel anywhere in the whole wide world, she'd go to Disneyland.
NOTHING makes her feels shy or insecure.  (yep, that's her)

Kyla is a much easier child DURING THE DAY.  She's generally pleasant to be around.  She's helpful and usually does what's asked of her, the 1st time.  She treats Mason well for the most part and often takes his dishes out for him and grabs his jammies when she gets hers, nice things.  At night though, it's another ball game.  Oh my goodness.  I honestly think I got more sleep when she was a newborn (I'm not kidding).  She's afraid of the wind, rain, dark ... everything really.  She never stays in her bed all night.  She often times wakes us up to tuck her in, grab her sleep animal off the floor, because she can't sleep, because she's too sweaty, because she had a nightmare ... the excuses are on and on.  We're SO sick of it ... I often can't get back to sleep after she wakes me up.  We punish her but nothing really seems to work.  As of right now, she's missing 5 of her good toys, she didn't get to play with any electronic today and she had to go to bed early, missing our nightly TV show and books.  We'll see how tonight goes.

When is comes to school and homework, she loves it and generally gets good remarks from the Teachers.  For some reason, on her recent Progress Report she got a "Needs Improvement" in Physical Education.  What?  How have I heard nothing of this.  She's 5.  She says she listens and is a good girl.  I'm going to meet with the teacher to see whats going on.

Kyla is still so sweet and loving towards me.  I get tons of kisses, hugs and cuddles throughout the day.  It's wonderful.

Mason
Wants to be an Archaeologist when he grows up.
Lego's and his friend, Jack make him REALLY happy.
His favorite part of school is their Field Day.
If he could travel anywhere in the whole wide world, he'd go to Austria.  When I asked him why, he looked
     at me and said, "Because they have salt mines there."  What?  Sometimes he amazes me.
Seeing people that he knows but hasn't seen in a long time makes him feel shy.

Mason could and has slept through smoke alarms, house alarms going off, fire engines coming to our house with lights and sirens (long, funny story), Kyla's screaming (often) and the neighbor's annoying car alarm (ugh).  That kid is the best sleeper ever.  He never gets up for any reason.  If he does, you better believe it's a for real nightmare or an occasional growing pain.  BUT, during the day, he is by far my most difficult one.  He challenges me, pesters his sister and can all around make my day difficult.  Especially during homework time, although he's gotten much better.  He is by far the pickiest eater with the sweetest tooth.  It's not unusual to have to ask him to do something 3 or 4 times before he actually does it which is THE MOST annoying thing.

On a positive note, Mason has a heart of gold.  If I'm upset about something, sick, worried or in some kind of distress, he is right there for me.  He's my protector.  He's so tender and loving towards Lucy and Roscoe.  He CAN'T watch anything sad on TV - it really bothers him.  Even to see a dead bug or spider saddens him. He will make the most amazing husband someday ... she'll be a very lucky lady if he turns out to be anything like his father.  Brian is the most wonderful husband and father that I've ever seen.  I truly mean that.

Mason continues to do great in school.  His teachers LOVE him and say they wish they could clone him.


The kids have been getting along much better lately and playing with each other a lot.  Some days I feel like they are really getting easier.  Then I wake up the next morning to hear them fighting with each other.  Ugh.  He gets his Lego guys and plays with her and her Littlest Pets.  It's adorable to hear them talk.

OK, so I hate to cook and don't cook often but today I tried the easiest Crock-Pot Recipe for French-Dips. It turned out SO yummy.  Even the kids liked it ... both of them.  I'll definitely make these again.  Mine looked just like this!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Kyla's Progress Report


Feeding the ducks

While Lacie was in town, we decided to go and feed the ducks at the park.  Luckily, we didn't run into any aggressive geese - those guys can be so mean.  Fun was had by all.















Mason's Progress Report

Look at this!!!  All Advanced in NWEA testing.  Yahoo!
 
 
 
 

 
 


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Daisy's

Kyla has started with the Daisy's (younger version of the Girl Scouts) and had her 1st meeting on Thursday.  I love what the Girl Scouts is all about.  They encourage girls to have a voice, enjoy healty living and cultural diversity and awareness (and so much more).  She couldn't have been more excited for her meeting and couldn't wait to wear her smock and T-Shirt.  They earned the center patch of the daisy.

Her troop is selling cookies as well.  We've already gotten a few orders from friends and family but she really wanted to go out and sell cookies door-to-door today.  She sold 20 boxes today!  A lot of people weren't home, probably because of the 3 day weekend.  Just about everyone that was home bought some ... how could you resist a cute little 5 year old saying, "Um, this is my first year selling Girl Scout Cookies, so would you like to buy some?  They have lots of different kinds like Peanut Butter Patties."  It was ADORABLE.  She loved every minute of it and we would have stayed out longer if it wasn't freezing cold with gusty winds.  She kept saying, "This is my job ... it's a job right Mom?  I will not stop doing my job.  It's OK if they're not home.  I'm not worried or frustrated.  I'm kind of like a Mailman ... they don't quit doing their job, right?"

I figure we'll hit the pavement again tomorrow.  It was a good time ... I'm proud of my little Daisy.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

A few iPhone pictures

Kyla, dressing up as a princess.  I don't think she'll ever be able to wear this again ... it's too small.  She got it when she was three.  Makes me sad to think of how fast she's growing up.  


Hot dogs on the fire pit - a little bit white trash, I know.


At least they turned out yummy.


Kyla painted my nails the other day.  Don't they look great?  ;-)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012