Thursday, June 28, 2007

For The Grands

Some of you will be bored by these video clips, but these are for the grands who are missing these two little kiddos. Have I mentioned that I am so excited for November (and even more excited for May)?

Mind you, Abi puts up with a whole lot from her brother. She is very tolerant of the things he does...that is why I laugh. She's one tough cookie!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Pickle Preschool


Jaime has discovered my little project, so I suppose it is time to get things underway!

I have been a little frustrated in the cost and schedules of the local preschools here. So I have begun planning one of my own. I already have a few moms who are going to help me out with the teaching and we've got our own little munchkins as students.

I am sharing my plans with you in the hopes that it can help you out if you are in a similar "pickle." Click Here to go to the blog. I am still learning how to attach word files and make it so you can download things (any suggestions Katie?). This means that if you want any of the docs, you'll have to let me know and I can email them to you.

Man, I feel so nervous putting this out there like this...is it silly to have butterflies in my stomach. Maybe because it means it is real and I actually have to follow through with it now. Wish me luck!

Monday, June 25, 2007

Free Family Film Festival

I am so excited! Every Tuesday & Wednesday this summer a local movie theater here is offering free movies at 10:00am.

Click Here to see if there is a theater in your state that is participating (sorry my Utah friends, maybe there is a different company there offering something like this)!

We will be spending those days in a nice air conditioned theater, I can guarantee you that. My favorite part...FREE!!!

Sunday, June 24, 2007

What a Great Weekend!

Here I sit, Sunday after church feeling so elated as to how the last few days of my life have gone! I'm so happy, I am going to share them with you...whether you want to be bored or not.

Friday night we had some friends over for Hawaiian Haystacks and to say good-bye to Dan (his wife and kids left earlier in the week and he needed a good meal). The Crenshaw's (they're the ones who came over) have a cute little girl (Chloe) a little bit older than Connor and they get along great, so the evening was full of chatter, some movie in the background and lots of kiddy messes.

Saturday morning I had my 21 week check-up! Everything is going very well. I have to have one more x-ray in September for the whole weird TB thing, but it's solely for precautionary stuff. I do not have TB. Let me repeat, I do not have TB. With all that stuff on the news, I am embarrassed even saying I was tested for it. Everybody is tested for it in Hawaii.Saturday afternoon the preparations began for our friend Heather's Baby Shower. Ashley and Miranda came over and we began setting up. Time flew by quickly, and thankfully everyone showed up on Hawaiian Time. I love getting together with the girls! It was such a blast and Heather got the cutest little girly things.Sunday..I usually dread Sunday's. But the kids were in great moods the whole time before church! I spoke in Sacrament Meeting and Connor didn't join me on the pulpit, both the kids stayed where they were supposed to. Todd taught the YW lesson and did a great job...even though NONE of the girls opened their mouths (I have never seen a group of girls that age so quiet in my life). On the way home from church, both kids fell asleep in the car. Todd and I enjoyed a few moments of solitude sitting on the couch eating leftovers! What a nice weekend. I really hope that yours was as nice as mine.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Dad's Hat

Connor loves his dad's hat. So he can be found wearing it around the house often...along with anything else of dad's that he can get his hands on (Todd's briefcase is pictured here).
He regularly has a melt down each day in search for his daddy. Thank heavens we live in the day and age with a telephone and he can call his dad and explain to him the ins and outs of the day.

One visit with his dad and the melt down is over. Aren't dad's the best.

Parenting Tips

This morning I was reading cnn.com and fell upon this article. After the day I had with Connor yesterday (can you say "2 year old boy"), I think I will give a few of these a try.

Quirky Discipline Rules That Work

If you have any additional tips,please share them. For instance,what do I do when:

*Before Connor's bath we discuss that the water stays in the bathtub...and yet he still manages to pour three glasses of water onto the floor. I took away the cup today, vowing never for it to return.

*After a few time-outs and "look at mommy" pleas, he still takes ALL the cushions off of the couch, jumps on the unmade couch and tumbles all over the cushions (I know, I should probably just start tumbling in there with him).

*Why does he take off his diaper so much? How can I get him to stop?

He really is a cute kid and most of the time I love the silly things he does, yesterday was just more than I could handle in one day.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Memories

We had some friends over tonight and were talking about all the things Connor says and it brought to memory the funny things he would say when he was first picking up words. This video clip is of him reading one of his favorite books, "Mrs. Spider's ABC's." This particular page has the letter I on it for "Irisis." One Iris is white, the other is purple. Let's see what words you can make sense of!

I've Been Tagged!

Katie has tagged me...so enjoy learning a few things about me and check at the end to see if you've been tagged!

When you get tagged, just copy the questions, answer them and then YOU tag 4 more people.

4 Jobs I've Held
1. Interior Design Consultant
2. Bridal Shop Attendant
3. Movie Concession Stand Girl
4. Travel Agent

4 Movies I can Watch Over & Over
1. Pride & Prejudice (A&E Version)
2. Pride & Prejudice (Newer one)
3. While You Were Sleeping
4. Napoleon Dynamite

4 Places I Have Lived
1. Honolulu, Hawaii
2. Boston, MA
3. Dallas, TX
4. Taylorsville, UT

4 T.V. Shows I Enjoy
1. So You Think You Can Dance
2. Ugly Betty
3. The Office
4. Jeopardy

4 Places I Have Been on Vacation
1. Kauai, HI
2. Big Island, HI
3. Maui, HI
4. Murray, UT (yup, it's a vacation)

4 Favorite Foods
1. Spaghetti Factory Spaghetti with Browned Butter & Mizithra Cheese
2. Bertucci's Silano Pizza
3. Chili's Chips & Salsa
4. Ted's Bacon Cheeseburger

4 Websites I Visit Daily
1. Gmail
2. Favorite Blogs
3. CNN.Com
4. My Banks Website

4 Place I Want to Visit
1. Murray UT (I'm a little homesick)
2. Victoria BC
3. Alaska
4. Lake Powell (never been)

Here are the 4 people I am tagging:

Angie

Emilee

Heather

Shayna

Are You Serious?

Last night I was able to attend our ward's Enrichment Night while Todd stayed home with the kids. I had an enjoyable time watching hula and visiting with the girls.

When I returned home I was kind of excited...it sounded through the door that there were no children awake and the lights were off. Solitude!

I opened the door, the lights were off. And I saw the cutest site in the whole world. Connor was sitting on his daddy's lap and they were watching a show. I was prepared for Cars or Monsters Inc. What I saw flabbergasted me. Happy Gilmore. Todd was allowing my son to watch Happy Gilmore! I sat down and watched with them for a moment. The longest span without a cuss word was 1 minute 9 seconds.

It was at that moment that I realized I had become a real old fashioned mom.

Todd laughed and explained to me that Connor picked it out, all by himself. So I said to Todd, "If Connor went to the candy store and picked out a pack of cigarettes, would you let him have that?" That's when the show was turned off.

It's amazing how before kids you desensitize yourself to the vulgar language on television and in the movies. Then you spend two years watching The Incredibles and Shrek and the words that now burn your ears are "Shut Up" and "Stupid". WOW! Motherhood does amazing things to you.

Please tell me your husband has done something that made you say, "Are you Serious?"

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Check These Out

Some girls that I went to high school have been blessed with a creative gene and the spirit of entrepreneurship! How I admire their crafty skills.

Jaime has started a website selling the CUTEST little hair things for girls. I can't wait till payday, I am definitely getting something for little Abi's hair. Jaime will also custom make anything to match the outfits that your girls already have. Need a shower idea? She sells a set of detachable bows with a stretchy headband!
Blue Dandelion is the name of the shop. Give it a glance!

Katie and her sister (The Golden Girls) are selling digital scrapbooking kits (I know some of you have not caught on to this phenomenon yet, but you must!). My personal faves...the desktop calendars! What an ingenious idea.
GG Digital Designs is where they can be found.

Happy shopping!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Spellin' his name!

Enjoy this little video clip of Connor "spelling" his name. No golf clubs were harmed in the filming of this clip.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!


This morning I gave Abi her bottle and had hopes that she would go back to bed so I could go back to bed. It didn't work. She just babbled to herself for a while. I had thought of getting up and making Todd breakfast, but I didn't really want to. His scrambled eggs always taste better than mine.

I went into my bedroom and asked Todd to make breakfast. He agreed. I know, you are all thinking I am the worst wife ever. Did I fail to mention that I just so happened to be sharing my birthday with Father's Day this year? I deserved Breakfast. He cooked and I cleaned. Good deal I'd say.

We all got ready for church and by noon the kids were whiny and tired and ready to go to bed. AAUUGGHH!!! Why can't they wait to whine until we are in the car on the way to church. It makes it so tempting to put them down for a nap and forget about going to church all together. My sister-in-law Angie had mailed a package and in it was this adorable and perfectly sized cuddly blanket that Abi has fallen in love with. You can see in the picture that she is nearly asleep on it.


So, instead of staying home we just go to church as soon as they start whining, knowing that they will fall asleep in the car. We arrived at church a half hour early. Connor slept the whole meeting on the pew. LOVED IT!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Bye-Bye Brady's

Another month, and another awesome family leaves Hawaii (no, it's not us). Tonight we had a BBQ to celebrate Dan's Birthday and the horrible (yet good for them and exciting) departure the Brady's will be making this next week.

Let me whine for a minute. The Brady's live just down the hall from us. It has been so awesome to be able to drop the kids off whenever I need to run a quick errand. If I'm out of something in the cupboard, they're right there and usually have what I need. Then there is the serious attachment that Connor has to Gracie. He prays for her nightly and as soon as we get off the elevator he goes in the direction of her door, not ours. But, I know I can stop by, let him play with Gracie for a few minutes to get his fix and head back home (or they offer to keep him for a little while longer and I get a little break). The impromptu meals didn't hurt either. You see, there is no one else on this floor with kids the same age as Connor. Maybe not even in this building.

We still have Chloe, Sami, Nia and Matthew (none of you had better think of moving for a while). Too bad the rent to take over the Brady's place is too expensive (like everything else here in paradise). So, I do not know who the new neighbors will be. Let's all pray that it will be another awesome young family willing to trade babysitting on a last minutes notice.

Back to tonight. The food was wonderful and the kids all got along great. I captured this picture of them all curled up in a blanket "pretending" to sleep.

Don't you just love it how when one kid does something, all the others are sure to follow? Like running off, even though the parents ask them to stay close. It's like, if one is disobedient, the rest can be. Do kids really have "listening ears" at the age of 2 1/2? I know he has listening ears...but they are "selective listening ears." Now there's a trait that never seems to fade with age.

King Kamehameha Day

Knowing full well that Todd would have a day off of work, along with some friends this last Monday, we took advantage of the moment and planned a day at Waikiki Beach (just before Queen's end...not to worry!) The weather was perfect and the time flew by so quickly. We have so many wonderful friends here! So, enjoy the photos from this great day. I sure loved reliving them tonight as I downloaded them (finally) from the camera.

Connor getting buried in the sand by his daddy. I was really surprised to see him sit still long enough to get covered.


Connor, Gracie, Sami & Chloe getting towed around by Uncle Mano. Anything to keep the kids close by and together.

I love this picture! It's little Chloe-Bug taking a "picture" of Abi.

And the Abi-girl posing with a cheesy grin (if that's what you can call this facial expression).

Aren't these tree limbs the greatest backdrop?

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Flabby Abi

I just had a phone call with my dad, "Papa Butt" as Connor so lovingly calls him. It made me even more homesick. He asked if we could come over tonight, and I would if we could. As I was driving home form a horrible appointment this afternoon (you will not be getting an explanation...not important) I was in tears thinking about how great it is being with my family when things get frustrating.

You see, for us, when we visit family it is such a great retreat. The family takes time away from work to spend with us. The little ones get more attention and spoiled than they do at home (once in a while, that's fine). And I get my mommy.

But my dad had mentioned the pictures of Makapu'u and how big Abi has gotten. She is a chunky little thing. Connor was a big boy, but he was more muscley (if that's a word). Abi is flabby. For those of you who think it's wrong to call her that, talk to my folks...they called me Melody Moose.

As an ode to Abi's great size, I thought I would post a few pictures of her, one of Connor at that age and one of Todd and myself as babies. This way you could compare and see exactly where this little chub of our gets her girth from.




Saturday, June 9, 2007

Makapu'u

Taking an ounce of inspiration from Manda's families many adventures, our family decided that we too should enjoy the great outdoors in our own backyard. Our journey didn't seem to have any children getting sick, us getting lost or war wounds to show the next day (sorry)!

Makapu'u is a very family friendly trail (2 miles) that takes you up to the top of a mountain where there is an incredible look-out and a small lighthouse. To our Hawaii friends, guess what...they added a parking lot that takes you directly to the paved portion of the hike!!! No more parking on the side of Kalanianaole!
Our friends, the Brady's had taken their two young 'uns on this trek not too long ago and assured us that it was great for the kids, as long as you go early in the morning. They were right! It was fantastic. The Olsen's joined us in the morning and we took the leisurely stroll up the mountain. The cool breeze was with us the whole time. Connor walked a small portion, and rode Todd's shoulders the rest of the way up and I carried Abi in the front pack (we traded kids on the way down).
From the distance, you can see Molokai. Whale season is over, so we didn't get to see any of those, or "sharks" as Connor kept trying to find them. We didn't make it down to the lighthouse, but you can see it in the pics (the quality is nothing like Brooke's, but you can get the general idea of the beauty).
Our two little munchkins were wonderful and adorable the whole way. Abi kept squealing in delight and Connor kept singing to himself or jabbering. What a wonderful way to spend our Saturday morning. Thanks for the inspiration, Amanda! I hope that our family will keep taking these little adventures (as you can see, my body can use the work right now).

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Angel or Demon?

What a difference a day can make!

Yesterday was the most wonderful day ever with my little Connor behaving so well. Let me give a few examples:

1)I was unloading the dishwasher and Connor came over, he began to hand me the items for the dishwasher and I put them in the right spot. When we were finished, he proclaimed "All done!" and shut the dishwasher door.

2)While I was vacuuming the living room, we played our regular game of "chase" when he took the vacuum from me, pushed me to the side and took over the job.

3)He needed a glass of milk, so he took the carton out of the fridge by himself and carried it into the living room and set his sippy cup down on the floor to pour himself a glass. I intervened and filled the cup for him.

4)Connor was watching a show and heard the trash bag being tied and ran into the kitchen, grabbed an empty box of cereal and opened the door to go to the trash bin. I wasn't planning on taking out the trash at that moment, but his encouragement led me to follow and the trash got taken out as soon as it was pulled from the can instead of sitting next to the door for a day.

5)Abi was a little bit sad so Connor grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into the living room to read her a story. When he finally got her attention he began to tell her about the items in the Curious George Color book, never once mentioning a single color.

Today is a completely different story. Little Conster Monster woke up at 5:30am. Todd brought him to our bed, and instead of falling back to sleep like he usually does, he began to whine and threw himself on the floor, unable to tell me what he wanted.

I carried the little man into the kitchen where he finally used a word..."cheerios". We didn't have cheerios, we never have cheerios and when we do, he doesn't eat them! So instead, I gave him some Life cereal. Another melt down, this time on the kitchen floor. So I poured a cup of milk and took them into the living room in front of the TV to watch Sesame Street. He just whined the whole time.

I sat down next to him to put my make-up on. Instead of battling the "no, this is mommies make-up, you play with this block". I just let him play with the make-up. Sorry, I now he is a boy and shouldn't be doing these things, but it allowed me 5 minutes of no whining. He looked beautiful when he was finished. My make-up, on the other hand, has little finger nail scratches in the blush and eye-shadow!

My sister-in-law Angie called, and while on the phone he just whined, but eventually got hold of a pencil and a crossword puzzle book. He colored in the book...and after the phone call came to me and took my hand to go an "see a fwog". He drew a "fwog" on the front door! I congratulated him on drawing such a beautiful frog, wetted the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and he went to work cleaning the door.

The whining started up again. I asked if he had a dirty diaper, no answer. So, I just laid him on the ground, changed his clothes and put him in a "fwog" shirt. Nothing is making him happy.

It's like all of a sudden he can't communicate at all. It's only 10 am and I think I have counted 5 melt downs. One was at the door asking for Gracie to go and play. We'll be seeing her in 30 minutes. Hopefully that will be the cure and I will have my little angel back.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Results


It's a GIRL!!! Connor and Abi will be welcoming another sister into the family. Everything is looking perfect and she's already about 9 ounces. Woo-hoo!

To answer a few questions, we are thrilled! Abi will be just 14 months older than her new sister and Connor will be a great protector of them. We do have a name picked out, Carly Belle. I am feeling fantastic and Todd is very happy to have another "squishy baby." He is certain that this one will be fatter than Abi! Like that's possible.

Please forgive the poor quality of the ultra-sound photo. I had to take the picture with my digital camera instead of scanning it...another computer problem waiting for my hero Todd to come and fix.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Monday, June 4, 2007

Morning at the Zoo

Last Friday we met up with some friends for a morning at the zoo. Here are a few pictures of the safari.

Connor, Sami & Gracie at the Rhino, Zebra & Giraffe home (of course, Connor calls zebras giraffes...can he NOT see a difference?)

Connor and Sami admiring the species they imitate the most in life...monkeys

Sami and Connor with the elephants.

Great Web Site

My sister-in-law Angie emailed me this link (she got it from her friend Ashley). They ship for FREE to Hawaii if you spend over $50 and it can get here within 3 business days. Easy for me to spend $50, having two kids in diapers! I don't know about you mainlanders, but the prices are cheaper than our Costco and Sam's Club! So if you need to save some money, give it a try.

1-800-Diapers

That's all for now...I am going to try to get Abi on video crawling. She never performs for me when I want her to. She's so humble at her young age.

Oh, I forgot to mention my momentous Sunday. For the first time in 2 years, I was able to sit on the bench for the entirety of Sacrament Meeting! Connor had fallen asleep on the way to church in the car. He stayed asleep as we walked into church and stayed that way on the bench. It was great. Abi was adorable and was awake for the first half. The second half, she kept looking up at me, then laying her head on my chest. After the fifteenth time, she fell asleep! She is such a little wiggle wart, I never get to hold her when she is calm, still and asleep. It was such a wonderful Sunday. Of course, Sister Choi took Abi as soon as Sacrament Meeting was over and I never saw her again until church was over. We attend the best ward EVER!

Friday, June 1, 2007

Ridin' a Horse II


Abi is trying her hardest to crawl (and has actually taken a few crawls forward, none on video yet). I find it must be hard for her to really get anywhere, when the moment she gets her crawling stance ready, Connor exclaims "ride a horse" and takes a hold of his sister.

As you can see, Abi doesn't really seem to care at all. Isn't she sweet!

Happy 9th Anniversary


The smell of sweet white ginger is filling the air in our little home! Todd gave me this bouquet of flowers for our Anniversary. Let me tell you, we know how to party. It's sad, really, when you go out of the way to find a sitter on a week night and by 7:30, you're both too tired to do anything else.

We went for dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House!!! YUMMY! Afterwards we took in the shock of how much our delicious meal cost and decided spending any more money for the evening might not be a good idea (rent was due in two days). However, we stopped at Old Navy and got Todd some PJ's and Abi a swimsuit (all on sale). Romantic, I know. We showed up at 8pm (an hour early) to pick up the kids and retired to bed watching old episodes of Hawaii Five-O.

Sidenote about Hawaii Five-O, mom, we have some DVD's with the episodes that Grandpa was in! We'll send them to you when we finish watching them, it's pretty cool seeing him like that.