Wednesday, December 30, 2009

So Cal 2009



































I have been spending some time editing and picking out pictures of the kids to put on my wall, and I decided that I would go back in time a little and talk about our family trip to Southern California in November.  The first day of our trip, we decided to go to the beach. This is honestly one of my favorite things to do with the kids.  I particularly love to capture the moments with my camera. It just seems like they are so free at the beach.  Riley is especially fun to watch.  We went to one of my favorite beaches (Crystal Cove) growing up.  It is not a really busy beach and that is why I love it.  Riley and Mia took to the beach right away and loved every minute of it (Riley did complain after the beach that he had sand in his shorts though).  Ella was not really sure of the sand and the waves.  It took a little coaxing from Riley, but she eventually warmed up a little.  There are some really darling shots of Riley taking Ella into the water.  I even had Ryan take a few pictures of me with the kids (a picture of me is definitely a rare occurrence).  For me, this afternoon was perfect.  I always have a wall in my house dedicated to my pictures at the beach.  

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Presents

I am sitting here writing when I should be cleaning the house and doing a million things still on my list of things to do before Christmas.  I am listening to the girls discussing the presents underneath the tree.  Monday night I wrapped up a bunch of the kids presents and put them under the tree.  In years past, I have not put the presents under the tree for a couple of reasons. First, I have always had a little one who will open them (not to mention older ones who "notice" a rip in one of the presents).  Second, they drive me crazy asking me to open them every 5 minutes.  I thought that this year I would try it.  So far, they are still asking me every 5 minutes to open an "early Christmas present."  They also have already guessed what everything is.  Ella is telling me right now that one present is a computer (it is flat as a pancake).  I hope she is not disappointed that it is a sticker book :).  Growing up, my mom used to put a code on the presents so that we would not know who each present belonged to.  I really should have done that, but I was too rushed in my wrapping ( I sent Ryan over to the dinosaur museum for 2 hours and I still was not done).  I also don't think the code prevented us from touching, shaking and ripping the presents before Christmas.  I am also reminded that my Dad always knew what his presents were.  Each year he would guess each present.  One year, we bought him something that we thought would stump him.  We got him a sumo doll.  He actually guessed it.  I still don't really know how (I guess I should ask him).  I also don't know what ever happened to that sumo doll!  So, the picking over and counting the presents will continue for another couple of days.  I may give in and let them open something on Christmas eve.  For now, I think I will just watch and listen to them dream up what might be inside the packages.  

Sunday, December 20, 2009

It's been a while!




I had decided to give up on my blog for a couple of reasons. First, I had the excuse of no time. With my full time volunteer role as PTA president this year, blogging is not a high priority. Second, I started to worry that people might not really want to hear and see everything that goes on with my family. I kept asking myself what the purpose was for having a blog. I was talking to my sister about this dilemma the other day and she mentioned that some people use blogs as their journals. Then she mentioned that you could actually publish your blog in a book. Journaling is something that I feel like I need to do more of. So, I have decided to start blogging again so that I can eventually publish it into a book for posterity. My main goal for this blog is to record the events and experiences relating to my kids. It is amazing how much I forget already. I would like them to know a little about their childhood. So, here is an update.

Riley:
10 1/2 years old
played football this fall (no injuries thankfully)
5th grade
still loving video games
accidentally wore his sister's pants to school (there were hearts on the pockets too!)
an expert at teasing his sisters
growing up too fast! :)


Mia:
7 1/2 years old
doing gymnastics
loves anything crafty (takes after her mom)
2nd grade
very emotional and does not like being teased
into American girl dolls
growing up too fast! :)

Ella:
3 1/2 (almost 4)
going to pre-school (2 in fact!)
very artistic and smart
loves, loves, loves to color (unfortunately on everything)
loves to sing
loves to dance
a little shy with others
loves crafts like Mia
wants to be like Mia
growing up too fast! :)