Outta Dodge

We left the freezing temps of home and headed to Las Vegas for Ben's birthday. We stayed 4 nights with his sister and her family. Her boys are so cute with my girls. We did a lot of hanging out and relaxing. Exactly what we were looking for. . .

Eden's favorite accessory: "TayTay"

The Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to Ben!

He and I are the same age now. In a few weeks I will become older than him. . .again.

I walked into Ben's shop for lunch the other day and found him sitting right there, with Rocco by his side, just like that.

Justin Hackworth was taking his photo for an interview Ben's doing for Process Magazine.

Our Little Valentines

Sunday afternoon we had our Valentine's Dinner. To say the table was Pinkalicious would be an understatement. Ben and I beat the crowds and went out Thursday night. So, Sunday was all about our other 3 Valentines.

I love them so much I can barely stand it.

(The roses Ben got his three littlest Valentines)

Another one from Avery

Last night I had one of those insane pregnancy foot cramps.

Do you know the kind I'm talking about? Out of control. . .

Anyhow, Avery saw me in tears and it worried her.

This morning she got into bed with me and wanted to make sure I was ok. She asked if the baby felt last night's cramp.

I told her no, that he had no idea it was even happening.

To which she responded:

Is that because he's not very smart?

Because he hasn't been to school yet?

I have no response to that.

The Girls Have Something to Say

We are bringing another little one into our home in June.

And we couldn't be happier.

Little Eden is definitely a girl's girl - already having to be draped in necklaces and constantly switching out shoes. She's always climbing onto her older sisters' beds and covering herself with blankets and pillows. Her newest "must" is having her fingers and toes painted. The nail color is switched-out a few times a week. And Téa is always happy to be "The Salon Girl."

After reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid in a matter of days, Téa has been on my case to read it too. I always respond with the typical mom-style of a nod and smile. Well, 2 nights ago I came to bed and this was on my nightstand with her very subtle note.

I'm on page 54. . .

Modern Communication

Last month Avery couldn't get ahold of Ben at work, so she texted him this photo. We got our Christmas tree that night in the 12 degree weather; she was miserable the whole time. Sweet little thing turned out to have Croup.

Overheard

Avery, trust me, you don't want a cabin. Cabins are for old people.

And the only reason they get a cabin is because

they don't have the energy to go to Disneyland.

Eden's Priorities

Three things she never leaves home without:

1. Her phone (which she "talks" to " hi daddy" the entire time)

2. Her stuffed animal, LaLa

3. Her green furry vest

All equally important to a successful trip anywhere.

I'm not kidding.

Happy New Year!

We got to bring in the New Year with The Francis'. The kids seemed to fare better than their tired parents. Even Eden stayed up until midnight. Here's looking forward to a fantastic 2010!

Happy New Year's Eve!

It was New Year's Eve and I had flown in from California to visit Ben in Idaho.

It was 1999 and for weeks I had been telling him I wanted a memento, something to remind me of where I was at the turn of the century. I told him I didn't even care if it was a rock from the side of the road.

Just before midnight that night, Ben and I went for a drive out into the middle of nowhere. It was freezing but we stood outside the car, huddled together, and watched the far-off fireworks until we could not handle the cold any longer.

We jumped back into the warm car - it was exactly midnight - and Ben reminded me of that keepsake I had wanted. He suggested I actually go get a rock from the side of the road. We both jumped out, and as I rounded the front of the car in the pitch black, there was Ben on the side of the road - with the only light being from the headlights - on one knee holding my "rock" in a small black sparkly box.

I got my "Turn of the Century Memento" ten years ago tonight.

I am wearing it right now.

And more importantly, I got my Ben.

2004

It's official - I haven't wanted to say it because it would make it true - but I have lost my camera. I am so sad and have been hating only using my iPhone. So, I haven't really been taking any photos.

I did, however, come across this today.

Téa and Avery, squished together in Avery's high chair.

If only we could freeze time.

Thanksgiving Move

I hope you all had a nice weekend and Thanksgiving.

Thursday morning Ben was considered prime real estate. Everyone was excited to have him home in the morning. He has a very cute entourage that follows him around the house.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is just being able to hang out with everyone.

We had a great Thanksgiving at Ben's sister, Roz's house. I really do have the best in-laws. It was so nice to be with the family.

For the past 7 years my mom has lived about 20 minutes away. Yesterday she moved to Las Vegas. She and I spent the week packing her home. It was nice to spend so much time with her, but sad to see her go. Luckily we are in Vegas quite regularly.

Eden and I kidnapped Avery from school for lunch the other day. She walked down the school hallway toward me with a confused-covered grin on her face. She asked what was going on and I told her I was lonely for her and needed some company for lunch. To which she excitedly asked her usual, "And not Téa!?" She's been needing some one on one time and I was happy to give it to her. We ate and she talked and talked. And then she talked some more.

Téa Leoni has a new Biggest Fan

And that would be me. Not because of Family Man, or Spanglish, or Fun with Dick and Jane (hilarious). No, it is because she wrote to my daughter not as a celebrity, but as a mom.

About 6 months ago, Téa came home and lamented to Ben about how she didn't like her name. No one can pronounce it. Trying to say he understood wasn't cutting it. He told her about Téa Leoni and that maybe she could ask her. She wrote the cutest letter I've ever read ("Did anyone ever tease you? Call you Tortilla or Tommy or Tomagolchi?") She added her school picture and an origami bird. So sweet.

It broke my heart knowing the grim probability of Téa ever hearing back from her. After unsuccessfully searching for an address, I remembered a friend of mine's husband is a director and was able to get me her production company's address. (Thank you Trevi!)

Needless to say, the other day Téa got a letter addressed just to her.

Téa screamed when she opened it. It was the sweetest letter explaining what she went through and how much she loves her name now. And to top it off, she sent her a friendship bracelet.

The fact that she took the time to reply to Téa the way she did means the world to me. Téa has become really excited and proud of her name. It has been fun to watch.

So, yes, I am a huge fan and have a load of respect for Téa Leoni.

So from one mom to another: Thank you thank you thank you.

Just Read

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia. Amzanig huh? And yuo awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

The 3 hour wait with 3 kids was well worth it . . . considering the ride we got to go on! Oh wait - there was a shot waiting for them at the end of the line; no ride. Better luck next time.

From the Mouth of Aves

Last week my brother called early and told us (on speaker phone) that my sister was in labor and that the baby should be delivered within the hour. The girls and I were excited as I put their backpacks on and sent them on their way.

We live in the back of a cul-de-sac and it wasn't until Avery got all the way to the corner that she decided to ask/shout her question.

She yells, "Hey Mom! Are they going to put the baby in a box or something?

Or is someone going to hold the baby when she's born?"

(Remember, she is 4 houses away.)

I yell back the obvious, "No. They are not going to put the baby in a box!"

She shouts back, "Well, Jake said she was going to be delivered.

Does Auntie Josie go home without the baby and they mail her to their house?"

Time to buy some Amelia Bedelia books. . .