It Can Never Be Easy....

Hello Dear Friends And Family!!!

How y'all doin? I can't find my camera, so you'll have to use your imagination while I tell you some stuff.

Pretend you're looking at the girls in their Halloween Costumes. Ella is a vampire and Gretchen is a Lawn Gnome. And yes, they both look fantastic. But Ella has a big scratch across her nose! And under her nose! And on her chin! Why??? Oh that's because within the first few waking hours of our trip to California last weekend she FELL OFF A TRICYCLE AND HAD TO GET FIVE STITCHES. Poor Uncle Aaron felt so bad (it being their tricycle and their park). (Uncle Aaron! It's not your fault!) So that was a nice introduction to the weekend. (How do you fall off a tricycle and need 5 stitches? You go as fast as you can down a hill with no brakes except your red cowgirl boots, panic, and pull the handlebars in an futile attempt to stop.)

Now pretend you're looking at us at the family BBQ on Saturday night. (You'll really have to pretend because I didn't take any pictures. I was too busy eating delicious sweet-potato fries dipped in fantastic BBQ sauce. Oh my word. Drool.)

Here's an invisible picture of Ella holding her Pillow Pet Puppy. Does anyone you know and love watch Saturday Morning TV? I'm not sure my girls are even watching the crappy cartoons. They focus purely on THE AWESOME COMMERCIALS. Ella has been asking for a Pillow Pet for MOOOOOOOOOOONTHS. And now her dream has come true! Look at that smile on her face! Thanks Aunt B & Uncle Aaron! Also on their list of "Must Haves" is:
Shoes Under!
Sketchers! (For Gretchen)
Moon Sand (NOOOOOOOOO. Never. Absolutely NOT!)

Now pretend we're meeting up with the Grandparents Stott and Cousins for a fun pizza party. Which is cut short when Ella falls AGAIN and busts open the cut on her hand. After drowning their hotel room in ear piercing shrieks while I washed and re-bandaged it, we headed home to get some rest before our trip to the Magical Kingdom. And possibly bang our heads on the wall in frustration.

Now here's the obligatory million shots of us at Disneyland. Oh! Look how much fun we're having! Nothing like looking at other people's vacation photos, right? Whoooeeeee!

We really did have a fun time at Disneyland. And it's all thanks to Anita the Super Mother In Law. She make about 30 baby blankets to get us all free tickets. (We "contributed". I think I sewed the border on one. I know, I'm super helpful like that.) It was Anita's first time, and she got to go with all her grandkids. And about 50,000 other-people's-grandkids (who knew October would be so busy!?!?) The girls got to drive the Autopia cars TWICE, so it was a good day for them. And Gretchen joined to conga line during the parade. Good times. Maybe next time we can keep all the kids out of the ER (Britton, how's your head dude? We were worried about you!)

And just because it's cute and I don't want to forget, here's two cute things the girls did.

Ella wants to know if ancestors that are boys are called "An-brothers". Get it? "AnSisters" and "AnBrothers"? Awwwwww. (This came after the discussion that she is a 14th generation descendant of William Bradford, first governor of the colonies. She got a little pilgrim doll from Nana Joy that she'd gotten on a trip with Grandma JoEllen.)

Gretchen now says, "I hurt my feelings!" whenever she's upset. Except it's more like this, "I HURT MY FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELINGS!!!!!!!" (said with huge crocodile tears and huge mouth. Also, if she can look in the mirror while she cries it's an added bonus...)

That's what we've been up to. What about you?

6 Years Older and Wiser Too

Let's start this post off right. With a fabulous picture of Gretchen Working It. The church has a multi-purpose room with a stage on it (because that makes perfect sense, right?) We have a playdate there every few weeks. They kids spent about an hour dancing. With no music. Next time we're bringing costumes & seeing if we can hook up the AV system. DANCE PARTAY!!!!



Remember how last post I was complaining how much stuff I had to do? Yeah. I wasn't kidding. I'm finally starting to wrap up the big projects (the biggest one was delivered last night to their FTP site at about 11:45 pm. WOO HOOO!!!!!!) And it's not just work keeping us busy, oh no! We also had a SUPER FUN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!! Congratulations bestowed upon my wonderful, smart, amazing child. To honor the special day we:

-Brought special rainbow cupcakes to 1st grade topped with gummy bears....



-Went to the pet store and got a replacement fish. (A navy blue Beta named "Dorothy"...)



-And met Krista, Dan & Amber for a dinner of Very Fancy Hamburgers (notice that they stuck us far away from all the other patrons. What tipped them off that we might be a little crazy???) (Ella's been wanting to patronize the new hamburger place in town since they opened a year ago. They have fake palm trees outside. She was so happy to have her dreams come true.) (You'll notice that Gretchen was indeed wearing a tiger suit to the pet store, and then meta-morphed into a butterfly princess for dinner...)



(Nothing creepy about this picture, right?)


Remember how our dear friend Jaime is the Queen of all hookups? She came through again. Free dinner at Claim Jumper!!! (Seriously, you all need a Jaime.) ICE CREAM SUNDAES!!!!



It's now officially Autumn. We had a ton of crazy lightning and hail storms.



We hosted preschool for "D" day. We didn't talk about WWII at all. Instead we talked about dinosaurs, doctors, donuts, dancing, and dogs.

(Midway through "D" day)
ME: Today we're learning about the letter "D"! "D" makes the "duh-duh" sound. Gretchen, what letter are we learning about today?
GRETCHEN: R!!!!
ME: No! We're learning about the letter "D"! What sound does it make?
GRETCHEN: SSSS-ssssss! "D"!!!!
ME: No! "D" makes the "duh-duh" sound.
GRETCHEN: NO!
(Clearly she knows something we don't....)


And finally, today was the annual Primary Presentation at church. All the kids did a program of songs and talks for Sacrament Meeting. Here's MOST of Ella's (we ran out of memory on the camera!) Enjoy!



xoxo

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