La Di Da

A few months ago, some moms decided it'd be a great idea to start a preschool group. We made up a schedule and planned out a theme. Then we decided to wait till Fall to begin. And then I sort of forgot about it. BUT OH SHOOT! I was the first one to host preschool!!! So Gretchen had her first day of semi-real-shoot-from-the-hip preschool.

Part of our activity for "A" day was to play with animals. That didn't take up enough time, so then we did dress-ups. Here you see John John cringing away from The Gretch (but still smiling in a Hi-Gretchen-I-Love-You-Don't-Hurt-Me kind of way...) Preschool finished bite free (unfortunately, the same cannot be said of nursery today. GRETCHEN. Sigh.)



We forgot to check the mail for a week, and there were LOTS of surprises waiting for us! The girls LOVE packages! Thanks Auntie Terry & Cousin Suzanne!



So all summer work was dead. Nothing. My career was a desert wasteland, complete with tumbleweeds and circling vultures. That has all changed. I now have work with a vengeance. So of course it's all coming in at once. The good news is that I will get paid. Yay! Also, I used the time stuck at my computer to watch ALL FOUR SEASONS of DR. WHO! (Thanks Jennifer!) (I am in love with this show. It just keeps getting better and better. Though I will never again walk past a store mannequin, angel statue or watch a reality show without cringing a little.)

Since I was totally slammed working, of course, OF COURSE it's the week I had a million commitments. Saturday we took the girls from church to Lake Tahoe. It was the perfect beach day. There were literally only 2 other people on our beach. It was sunny, warm and wonderful.




The squirrels were making us crazy. They were literally crawling into the chip bag when we turned our back. That is nasty. I threw the chips away in a fit of disgust. I don't care if you are cute, YOU ARE ALSO VERY GROSS.



The girls decided it'd be super fun to bury each other. I decided it'd be super fun to guard our food and yell at rodents. I also decided it'd be super fun to only sporadically apply sunscreen. Now I'm sportin' a sweet sunburn on my shoulders & chest, complete with random fingerprints where I DID apply sunblock. Go me.



Despite being crazy, ridiculously busy, it was still a pretty good week. Here's hoping I have a little more time to breathe next week. Deeeep breaths. Deeeeep breaths. It's all going to be ok. (I need a nap.)

The Week That Was

Oh my friends, what a week. Gretchen had some serious regression. Remember how happy I was last week that she didn't bite John John. Well she made up for it on our Thursday playdate. WITH A VENGEANCE. She bit him so hard. Poor, poor Johnny. There was blood. There was crying. There was spanks and time-outs and immediate departures. Oh my baby, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH YOU???

Dear John John-

I'm so So SO sorry that Gretchen has been using you as a chew toy. You can totally bite her back next time. I won't intervene. (She deserves it!) She really does love you. Really.

Beware of this cute face. It is completely deceiving. She bites (but apparently only sweet little boys named John...):



Besides that horrible incident, the rest of the week was pretty ok. My amazing friend Jaime invited me to see Smashing Pumpkins with her. She called while I was at Mutual (like church youth group, for the uninitiated). I asked if any of the girls would mind babysitting when we finished up. They said, "Sure!" (because they are all nice, sweet, thoughtful girls and I love them all).
Girls: What concert are you going to?
Me: Smashing Pumkins, isn't that great!
Girls: Who?
Me: WHAT?
Girls: No seriously, who?
Me: I am old.

The concert was great fun (except maybe for the 10 minutes base/drum solos, which were a little yawn inducing. Drum solos = LAME. Also, I am a "girl" and therefore unable to appreciate their "awesomeness".) There were lots of drunk people to laugh at. Good times. Thanks Jaime!

Thanks also for this sweet ditty that's been bouncing around my head all week: DESPITE ALL MY RAGE, I AM STILL JUST A RAT IN A CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!!!!!! (end flashback)

Then Jaime called to see if Colby wanted to go golfing. So he went all day Friday. For free. With free lunch. And then we had a pizza party at their house.

THEN Jaime called to see if we wanted to tailgate with them.

FACT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME: I've never seen a football game in my entire life. Ever. I went to one once in High School, but didn't actually watch it. I, therefore, have never experienced a "Tailgate".

Oh. My. Word. I had the best initiation ever. There was Tri-tip on the BBQ. There was Rockband (literally on the tailgate). IT. WAS. AWESOME.



Colby let them know how much he appreciated their hospitality by serenading them. He left a BIG IMPRESSION on all the sweet children. Parents can now thank Colby for their toddler's appreciation of Rammstein.



If you just skipped over that video, I implore you. GO BACK AND WATCH. You won't be sorry.

Here's hoping next week is bite-free.

And you all should get a Jaime. Seriously, she's great.

Plum Delightful

Ella's first day of school came really early in the morning, so I didn't quite get the standard First Day Of School Photo (you know the one, where the child stands awkwardly posed in the outfit chosen for maximum fashion impact while holding a large empty backpack and sack lunch, stars/tears in their eyes, forced smile, etc....) Instead we have a Right After First Day Of School photo:



The stars aligned for Miss Ella, she's sits right next to one of her favorite friends in the world. Here they are, smiling and perfectly aware of how amazing they are. They are freakin' FIRST GRADERS. Boo ya.

And here's the obligatory, awkwardly posed first day of school photo, as mentioned above.



It was strange to have so much time away from Ella this week. I've been reading friends blogs talking about how sad it is that their kids are gone all day at school. Will I feel that way when my time comes? I really value my "Alone Time". Enough that if I'm in my room by myself, the girls know to ask me, "Are you having 'alone time', or can I talk to you?" Alone time is so precious. Maybe I won't value it as much when I get more than 10 minutes a day.

To celebrate our new school-week-lifestyle, Gretchen & I went on some playdates. Gretchen's favorite friend in the whole world is John John. She loves John John with a fierce 2.5 year old passion. Sometimes, an overwhelming passion. Have you ever heard the old adage, "You hurt those you love the most?" Gretchen must love John A LOT.

Look at how sweet they are, running scantily clad through the sprinklers:


Eating the plums we picked from their neighbors front yard (they said it was cool, we didn't steal them. Really!)


When Ella heard we'd been to John John's house without her, she was upset. Every time we go there, she plays spends her time playing on her own and/or screaming at Gretchen & John John. But apparently that's the highlight of her day. So Saturday she came with us to John John's house to pick the plums, play by herself in the sandbox, and scream at toddlers. In a Tinkerbell costume, of course...


Though Gretchen did leave a giant pinch mark across John John's chest (NO JOHN JOHN!!! I DRIVE THE CAR!!!) she did make a marked step towards maturity. I saw her leaning in frustration to bite him TWICE. And both times she stopped herself, contemplated her actions (mouth agape), and pulled back. Oh, my sweet, violent, darling girl! So proud!

That's our big news for the week. Gretchen DIDN'T bite her friend. What's your big news?

You Got It, Big Kid.

I just like to look at this picture & think about how much fun our trip was. Sigh...



Two very exciting things happened last week:

1. Our dear friends had a new baby! Hello Casper! Welcome to the world! We can't wait to meet you! (Ella just asked if I was going to get a new tiny baby of our own. No, we're not. Sorry kid.)

2. And Lismarie and her family came to visit! HOORAY!!! They stayed at the Peppermill. It was like another week of vacation for us. We went to the pool two days in a row. That pool is FANCY. And the girls are both in love with James. Come back friends! We miss you!

And this week Ella started first grade. I can't even believe it. She has a Big Kid haircut. And a Hello Kitty lunch box. And a pudding pack (dessert is a requirement for your first week of school. I hope she can open it herself.)



Gretchen will be a Big Kid this week too. Our friend Julie gave us a toddler bed (I can't remember if she got free on Craigs List or found on the side of the road. She is one of my Free-Stuff Heroes). I was going to spray paint it the same apple green as the crib, but Ella suggested we paint it black to match her bed. I thought that was an excellent idea. We picked up the paint and drop cloth at Home Depot yesterday, but ran out of paint half way through. So I left it on the balcony. And then it rained. For the first time in two months. Of course. So now it's in a sodden, plastic wrapped heap leaned under the eave. Oh well. We'll deal with it tomorrow.



Remember how we have a "No Playing With Doors" rule at our house? Well either do the girls. I've told them the story of Uncle Ian's fingertip getting chopped off by a door. It didn't scare them enough because this past Wednesday Gretchen's finger got smashed in the bathroom door. And I think she may have lost her fingernail. I can't even handle it. She insists we keep a bandaid on it, and we've kept it smothered in "'Sporin" (her name for Neosporin). Oh baby. I hope I can keep you in one piece as you grow up.

Ella has finally picked up on all the things we ask her to do. But instead of doing them herself, she just dictates them back to Gretchen.
-Gretchen, don't touch the TV! Sit back! Geesh, how many times do I have to tell you that?
-Gretchen, pick up your toys! How many times do I have to tell you?
-Gretchen, are you going to listen to me? Do I have to count? One. TWO. THREE!!!! Time out!

Good thing they're cute.

Did You Miss Us?

We pulled into our apartment complex at 5pm this evening. And then we thought, "Wow, our apartment is really, really crappy!" We've been spoiled, people. SPOILED. We've had a fun vacation. And exhausting, draining, three week extravaganza. I know you don't care, but I'm going to tell you anyway. This is where we stayed:
1. Mom & Dad Stott's
2. Angela's
3. My Grandpa's in Palm Desert
4. Aaron & B's
5. Alisa & Dave's
6. NEW YORK CITY!!! WOOOOOOOT!
7. Back to Alisa & Dave's
8. Aaron & B's again
9. Grandma Liz's

Now we get to open a pile of mail, unpack out evergrowing pile of aquired junk, and find out WHERE THAT SMELL IS COMING FROM.

How did the whirlwind-vacation affect the girls? Beautifully. Gretchen no longer asks for bottles (we didn't bring any on the trip. And I was only giving her water in them anyway. She just likes to be a "baby".) And as an added bonus, when she meets new people she asks, "Where's my present?" We're so proud.

Colby and I went on our first vacation without kids SINCE OUR HONEYMOON. The first totally selfish, purely for our enjoyment vacation. And it was wonderful. Shout out to Mom & Alisa for watching the girls while we enjoyed life without them.

First off, turns out we got the raddest hotel in NYC.



The Algonquin was awesome. We loved it. And not only is it crap-full of history (yes, I said, "Crap full of history"), but it was right in midtown. And it's where my agent's Dad proposed to her Mom. Awwwww! And I think it was on Sex & The City. Awwwww! Plus Dorothy Parker hung out there. A lot. There was stuff about her ALL OVER THE PLACE. Including this poem, which I love:

On Being A Woman, by Dorothy Parker

Why is it, when I am in Rome,
I'd give an eye to be at home,
But when on native earth I be,
My soul is sick for Italy?

And why with you, my love, my lord,
Am I spectacularly bored,
Yet do you up and leave me- then
I scream to have you back again?

(My teenage-self is so getting this, right? Relationships are HARD!)

Our dear friends Martin & Melissa were kind enough to ditch their kid too and join us for the weekend. Melissa & I went to see this:





I am now a huge fan of Kristin. Wow. Seriously. And "that gay dude from Will & Grace, no the funny one..." was pretty great too. Very funny.

(Colby did NOT join us for the Broadway Experience. They went to a movie instead. Which was great, because I was not about to pay $70 for him to complain, "Enough with the singing!!!" and get us kicked out.)

On Saturday we did the Grand Tour of New York. Lots of lovely touristy experiences were enjoyed. We took the subway to Battery Park, walked through the Financial District, took the Staten Island Ferry to get a better (and FREE, ha ha suckers who waited in line for 2 hours and PAID to do it!) view of the Statue of Liberty.



Then we took the subway to the end of the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across.



Then we went home and relived the whole day by watching Cloverfield.

Here's where the Cloverfield Monster decapitated the Statue of Liberty:



Here's where our hapless heroes try to dodge the Cloverfield Monster by hiding in the subway. Uh oh guys! Bad idea!



And their walk across the Brooklyn Bridge was a little more exciting than ours, gosh darn it!


Good times.

We enjoyed our trip so much that Colby & I have decided to start, "living life and getting out of our bubble" a lot more. (Besides, our bubble smells right now. Seriously, where is it coming from! I already emptied the fruit bowl & ran the garbage disposal!!! Apartments are gross!)

xo

The Amazing Haircut

Ok, SO SORRY that I neglected to post this on Tuesday. I'll give you my glorious list of excuses in a few inches. But for now, HERE YOU GO!!!

Here's us at the salon. Yes, the whole family came. And it may be the most thoroughly documented haircut the Stotts will ever see. Ella needs a room full of mirrors. She was making faces at herself THE. WHOLE. TIME. It was awesome.



Look at that long, beautiful hair. So long. Sniff. So beautiful. Sniff. Ella contemplating what's about to happen.





Ella told me later, "When she first cut my hair, I was a little sad inside. I still wanted to cut it though." (So mature, my little princess. Colby says that I'm projecting my feelings onto Ella. Which is probably true. But I can't help it.) Look at the expression on her face!



Thanks for a great first haircut!!!!




So here's what else went on this week, just in case you thought I was slacking off.

-Flew to Las Vegas for my friend's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!) Her husband surprised her by flying me out. She was a little TOO surprised. She thought it was an intervention or something. It wasn't. It was just a birthday. Hilarity ensued.

-Took a 7am flight back to Reno. Got home at 8:30. Spent Quality Time with the girls. Took a nap. Cleaned out the car. Packed. Drove to Girls Camp with Ella. Got lost. Found it.

-Spent the night in the car (I was too tired to deal with a tent. I was also too tired to not sleep well. I woke up in the morning & thought, "Whoa, that went WAY better than I was expecting.)

-Helped clean up the camp, load up the car, and drove home. On the way home, realized we were late to our good friend's birthday party. Quickly we ran home, got the present and showed up in all our non-showered camping glory to the birthday party.

-Came home and slept.

Phew. I'm still tired.

This week, we're starting our Ridiculously Long Trip, which will start out with a visit to see Grandma & Grandpa's new house (YAY!), and end with a trip across the country. Wish us luck. Seriously.

(Ella at Girls Camp. They all thought she was cute. She thought it was awesome.)

Goodbye Goldilocks

The girls found our bandannas from the Trek and thought it'd be super fun to play "Little Peasant Girls". This is how you play: Put bandannas on head. Accessorize bandannas with headband and Mrs. Potato Head feet. Talk with as much of an English Accent as a five and two year old can muster. Talk about tea and cleaning. Loose interest within 5 minutes.

This week's theme: Recovery. It was so nice to sit in one place and not worry about packing or stocking up on snacks. In fact, one day we didn't leave the house once. And boy was it H.O.T. this week. It only added to our lethargy. It didn't, however, lead to Gretchen sleeping in. She's right back on her regular 6:15 a.m. schedule. And yes, it sucks.

We had our first trip of the year to Lake Tahoe yesterday. It was absolutely lovely. More so because it wasn't my idea, I just got to go along for the ride. I loaded up the girls with arm floaties, stuck them on inflatables and swam out to the deep end of the Designated Swimming Area. I don't know if you've heard, but Lake Tahoe is pretty much amazing. We could see the rocks deep down below us. We watched overly confident youth jump off rocks. We did not get our toes pinched by crawdads (Ella was diligent on crawdad watch.) Gretchen laughed and laughed when we got bounced up and down by a boat wake. It was a perfect day. And my legs actually do have some pigment now. Pink. They got sunburned. I got cocky and said, "My legs are so white, they don't even get BURNED anymore." Ha ha. Jokes on me.

Tomorrow is the day I've been dreading. Sometimes I'm so sentimental that it's painful. Ella has never had her hair cut. NEVER. Except for that one time she got gum stuck in it. (The peanut butter mostly worked, but we ended up cutting out a little bit.) But tomorrow we're taking her to the salon and cutting off about 10". TEN INCHES. She wants it cut to just below her shoulders, and we're going to donate it to Locks of Love. We had a little talk about it, how if you get cancer your hair falls out because of the medicine. Uncle Noel's hair fell out, but he didn't wear a wig. Ella wants to know why he didn't. (I'm sure he totally could have pulled that look off, right?) She's so excited about her haircut. SO EXCITED. I'm not. But after brushing tangles out again this evening, I decided I need to let go. And it's for a good cause. Sniff. A good cause. (Cue mocking of overly sentimental mom now....)

So what are you doing this week? Sitting in your PJ's for the whole day? Call us up! We'll join you!