Letters to Santa

Dillan was determined to write a letter to Santa. He wanted my help, but really really wanted to put SOMETHING down on paper himself. I should have had him do the entire thing on his own, since he's not so patient with himself and his handwriting skills. Next time.

Everything written down was EXACTLY as he said it and he wanted it that way. No shortcuts here.



I can read it. The part that he wrote says "I like Santa. I love Santa. Love Dillan." Guess he knows what he's doing!

Then he really really wanted Leah to have a letter as well. So we grabbed the Toys R Us magazine and got to work. He asked her what she would like and then we wrote it down (Leah holding the crayon, Mommy guiding her hand.) That's how SHE wanted it!



Tinkerbell. It's all about Tinkerbell. She finds Tink everywhere we go!

He's making a list, and checking it twice...

GO COUGS!!!

We are always there in spirit!

We're ready wearing our Cougar Blue. No red allowed.

We've got the spirit!

a time for thanks

"Mommy, we're Bubble Monsters!"

All About Me!

Dillan has been chosen as the student of the week this week. His teacher gave me this chart and told me to get it done as soon as I could. I don't pretend to have a knack for creativity, so wasn't sure what I was going to do with this thing!

I wanted Dillan to be involved, but he's not so conscientious about coloring as most, so I had him help me fill in the blanks. I only helped on one.

The finished product came out OK. Dillan was so proud of it and after I picked him up he shouted with that huge smile, big dimples and loud voice: "Ms Carol hung it up on the wall!"



I love all the pictures with all the many faces that he can make. Daddy loves that under "some super-cool facts about me" Dillan said "I get to play with Daddy everyday!"

Down Day

Since we're all trying to fight colds this week, we've been hiding out in our cozy sweats and socks, watching some new flicks, reading, and of course our latest obsession...



PlayhouseDisney.com.
Somehow I stumbled upon it unintentionally from some other Disney website and just happened to have two peeking faces behind me who jumped out of their skins when it appeared on the screen.

They sat there quite a while playing and giggling. It was really fun to watch. I only had to help a couple times. Dillan even completed a few math problems.

And yes, they both were dressed at one point during that day. Leah at least didn't lose her bling. They both would rather frolic in the almost-nude, towing their cuddly blankets all over. Every few minutes asking Mommy to re-wrap them.

30 Expectations

The big 3-0. It's been strange. Whenever I told someone who was older than me, I got a slew of different reactions. "Eh, you're just a baby" or "Just wait till you hit 40!" I had more than one person tell me that they bawled their eyes out on their 30th, declaring that their life was over. Lindsie, or was it Chad (ha! I've already got you guys confused!), said it best: "It feels a lot like yesterday, doesn't it?" That's the perfect way to describe it.
Still, it is a milestone. I remember being 20ish and thinking about everything I would have completed, accomplished, finished, become once I hit 30. Here's what I came up with:

-I expected to be done having children. Although nothing's set in stone, I really don't think I'm there. And to go along with that:

-I expected to have my body into post-children shape. The good shape. No comment.

-I expected to be done with school. And I am. For now. I thought Chris would, too. OK new goal: before HE turns 30!

-I expected to have a new short haircut. CHECK! Just barely! Most moms I know, who started out with long hair with 1 or 2 kids, ultimately chopped it off as they matured.

-I expected to be, not a star chef, but exceptional in preparing a wide variety of fabulous dishes and desserts. Still working on that.

-I expected to have returned to France by now. Yeah. Someday. Someday.

No, I don't have 30. I may have expected myself to have a list of 30, but I don't. And I'm okay with that.
I think I am growing, even if it's slow. As a wife, as a mother, as a child of God. I am learning to not let things bother me. To cherish my little monsters, because they have grown up too too fast. I am learning to be more dependent on Heavenly Father and relinquish my will to His. I am being sweeter to my husband and trying to dispose of sarcasm and criticism. I am learning patience, but also the need to treasure and capture every moment that I have with those I love. I am learning about sacrifice and gratitude. Of loyalty and consistency.

So, for the next 30 years I have a lot to keep busy with.

2 if by sea

Chris has been wanting to do a cruise since forever. I was always skeptical, afraid of being seasick, leaving the kids behind, whatever. I had an excuse for everything. So finally, since I have a very important birthday coming up, Chris decided it was time. He made all the arrangements, told me when to show up, and it was done.
It came so much quicker than I expected. I was nervous about leaving the kids, although I knew they were in the best hands (second only to me, maybe) possible. Going through boarding procedures, I was nervous. Just nervous about the whole trip. I didn't know what to expect.

Here is my wrap-up of the experience:

1)You can't beat the sea air and the water. It never got too hot, and cooled down perfectly at night.


Leaving San Diego

2)We were able to bring out our gaming skills a few times and took home 2 trophies and one medal.


Catalina

3)The dining room food was amazing. Period. I ordered the chocolate lava cake twice and never finished it. I tried exercising a couple times and still felt like a glutton! p.s. I'm not eating till Thanksgiving!


Relaxation at its best!

4)The bed was pure luxury. It put me to sleep like nothing.


Ensenada

5)We met a lot of very nice people on the ship. Yes, including those 2 couples from our ward! BIZARRE!

6)I have the greatest husband in the world. He is all I need to have a great time. And yes, the rumors are true: he set up my hair appointment with Natalie, hoping I would change it up, and she eased me through cutting off 6+ inches and adding color and bangs. He loves it! Thanks for a great week babe!

We went shopping for these two. A couple $6 T-Shirts + a guitar, purse, and dress from the exclusive flea market in Ensenada. Hey only the best for our kids! They're quite taken with our plastic ship trophies as well.


Dillan has not put down the guitar all night.

I think they missed us.

Thank You SOOOO Much Grandma, Papa, Chad & Lindsie for loving and taking care of our kids so well. We wouldn't have enjoyed our trip without you!

Trick-or-Treat!

Apparently Tinkerbell was the costume of choice this year! Sweet! We took a few months to educate ourselves on the whole Peter Pan scene, and it payed off. The kids are hooked on Peter Pan! We already had the Peter Pan costume from 2 or so years ago, so just needed Tink to complete the duo.


Let's do this thing!

Leah knew exactly who she was and told anyone who would listen. She was a trooper trying to keep up with big brother. After about 45 minutes she wanted to be held. She'd lay her head on my shoulder, but keep a death grip on her heavy bucket of goodness. All we did was approach the next house and say, "OK Dillan, go trick or treat this one" and she perked right up and ran after him, shouting "TrickorTreat! TrickorTreat!"


The Little Crazy

Dillan was called an Elf and Robin Hood more than once, but didn't seem to notice. He carried a small knife, sorry SWORD, on his belt that kept him fearless most of the night. He was into it. He pointed out any cool costumes that would pass us on the streets, as well as all the outdoor decorations put on some houses. When he got a new piece of something put in his bucket, he immediately pulled it out and proudly proclaimed what he got. He is still talking about how many doorbells he rang while Mom and Dad waited on the sidewalk. He's feelin' big!


Action shot!

Best part? Dillan doesn't like chocolate, and thinks the Utz pretzels shaped like pumpkins and bats are the coolest thing in his loot. Whatta crazy kid!