Téa told me that a boy in her class wears way too much cologne.  Huh? I didn't know she knew what that was: 

When he is on the other side of the room I can still smell him!  It is so strong, I don't even know why he wears it. What kind of cologne is it? Do you mean what does it smell like?  Oh, his cologne smells like apples and cheese.  

In the Dumps

Téa's 1st grade class was going to the city dump for a field trip.  She wanted me to go on the 5-hour excursion and my instinctive response was to say I couldn't go because of Eden.  But then, the face. Oh she gave me this glance with these eyes and, as if under a trance, I just said, "I'll be there."

It turned out to be a freezing, raining and wet day out there.  But it was so worth it.  It makes me sick to think that pretty soon I won't be cool enough to hang out with her publicly.  So, as long as she wants me around, I will be there.  Even if it is at the dump.

Note: Click on the top photo of the landfill.  You would not believe the seagulls.  Out of control.

Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday.  

No fuss, no stress, good food, family and good weather.  I love it.
Jake took photos of our backyard on Easter.  It was a beautiful day.

My Birthday Weekend

My birthday landed on a Saturday this year, which is always nice.  A lot of lounging around and a lot of eating.  Who doesn't love opening presents while reclining? So perfect!  I woke up to Happy Birthday notes and drawings tucked under me and around me in bed from Téa and Avery.  I went out to lunch with my mom and in-laws and came home to Ben attempting to make me a cake.  It was only made better by the girls attempting to frost it.  It was the ugliest, most beautiful cake I have ever seen in my life.  I do have to say it was delicious! 


Friday night I was kneeling by Avery's bed, tucking her in.  She said "Mom tonight is the last time you will be 32 and tomorrow you will be 33."  She pulled my head in with both hands and planted a 20 second, very strong kiss right on the lips and said . . ."GOOD LUCK."  I lost it.  She is my favorite thing.

Air Conditioning

I took the photo above this morning before school and the bottom one last week when the weather was decent.  The uni-sock is intentional.  I was informed that with just one sock - she never gets too hot and never gets too cold.

Genius.

I Don't Want to Talk About It

This is what happens when I tell everyone to bring me their laundry.

What a Difference a "Jake" Makes

"I'm not a magician, just a photographer." Uh, yes you are Jake.
My brother can make my children seem so unconditionally loving - as if Téa would be thrilled that Avery ate her cinnamon roll and Avery loved it when Tay lost her Nintendo DS. Rocco is suddenly cool and odorless. My somewhat chaotic bedroom looks so peaceful. And when he catches me reprimanding Avery for dangling Eden over the coffee table, I seem as cool as a cucumber (see below).

Some may choose to call it lying - 

but I choose to call it good photography.

Luckily for so many of us, Jake (his name is Jason, but we all call him Jake) quit his "day job" and now photographs full time. With just a quick home visit, he can help anyone lie - I mean, be well-photographed too.

 

Jason West Photography

What a Difference a Year Makes

Well, more like a year and a half ago - 

These photos have been eluding me on my dad's hard drive since the last time we visited them in Palos Verdes.  I just got them and was shocked at how little the girls looked.  It's going too fast! This was a day we walked down to the cliffs and had a picnic with my grandparents, Bobbie and Chief.  My dad and Diana brought a rocket launcher with them which kept the girls nicely occupied. It was such a great time and it makes me anxious for summer. 

Disneyland, at last.

For 63 days to be exact, Téa would come downstairs each morning, climb onto the counter and count the days left until our Disney trip with her cousins.  It finally came.  All of Ben's family met up in California where we spent 2 1/2 days chasing the kids from ride to ride.  It was such a great time.  This is all of the grandkids.  So stinking cute.

Avery and Aidan wanted to be alone and told me not to talk or look at them.

Giving their meanest faces - they can do better, I've seen it.

Téa's first ride on California Screamin' - she didn't bat an eye. . .and I was proud.

The girls honestly idolize their dad.  He idolizes them.  

It is so fun to watch.

Palos Verdes

The next leg of the trip was to my hometown of Palos Verdes. My dad and Diana were such gracious hosts - welcoming the girls with an instantaneous Valentine Party, a walk down to the beach caves, palm face-mask painting, a quick and cold visit to the beach at sunset followed by a visit to my grandparents' house and the Red Onion, of course. 

Téa's "award winning" sculpture of her great-grandpa, Chief. 

10 SNOWLESS DAYS

About 2 weeks ago, we took the girls to California for 10 days.  The original plan was to go to Disneyland with Ben's family for the weekend. It started out being only 4 days, but when you're that close to "home". . . well, the trip is quickly extended.  Ben stayed behind in Las Vegas for work and I drove the girls down to California early to make a few extra pit stops.

We spent 2 days with Amy, Elle and Gwen in San Clemente - focusing our Tuesday on real mexican food and the pier.  As you can see, Avery was focused on something much more terrifying .  . .the pelican that was involved in a staring contest with Téa.  It took almost 30 minutes but Téa persevered and won the stand-off. 

Avery called the pier a "big deck" and Téa called the ocean "the sea" and I hung my head in shame as I realized I haven't gotten them to the beach as much as I should.

It was good to be with Amy.  You would think with 4 siblings, at least TWO of us would live in the same state.  But no.  We are all without each other and that kills me. 

Téa's competition

She's Home.

Jake the Professional Babysitter

This is what my brother Jake sent in an email this morning.  He drove down to California and met up with my sister, Josie, who flew down with her two boys to help out at Amy's house during all of this.  They took over my mom's post who left after being there for 4 days.  It looks like they are doing a good job of keeping Elle's mind off of things.  

Meanwhile, Gwen is awake and working on getting well enough to come home.