++Turning Two++

We've made it a tradition in our family that the kids get to open one present at breakfast on their birthdays.  Usually it's the present that they give each other.  Claire really got the hang of unwrapping this year, but Wyatt was poised and ready to help.

Gotta love this face.  It's almost as if what was in the package was something that she had been hoping for forever.  The reality is that she had never seen it before...it was just something her mother thought was too cute for her not to have.  A little play cottage with three cute "babies" and three pets.

 If you look in the background you can see that mother nature gave Claire quite the present for her birthday.  It's a good thing it was winter break here or the kids would have had no school for a week.  The play house was a hit.  She now calls it her "Happy Birthday House" and the dolls inside are the "Happy Birthday babies".

We weren't planning to celebrate her day until the following night as dad was supposed to be out of town.  His plans were cancelled (bummer) so we trekked to the grocery store to get some cupcakes and dad trekked to the airport to claim some very special visitors from the Midwest.

After cake we opened the rest of her family presents.  I was hoping for a face like the second photo above when she opened her sparkly shoes.  She actually had been begging for these for quite a while.  Instead we got nothing.  Perhaps she was a little overwhelmed by birthday by this point?

 We didn't do a great job of capturing Grandma and Grandpa in these photos but they brought Claire this pink princess tent and a bag full of music instruments.  Both were a hit. 

Happy Birthday baby Claire.  It's hard to believe it was only two years ago that you looked like this:

++What we learned++

NOTE: After I posted all these photos and I'm looking at them again I noticed they are super grainy.  The originals are not like that...not sure what happened when I saved them for the web.  If I suddenly come across another free hour or two I will re-do them.  Otherwise, just imagine these shots as sharp (and don't feel sorry for me that I got bad vacation photos because I really do have better versions of these photos---and about three hundred more).

We're all about learning in this family.  Every day is a new educational adventure and you never know where it will come from.  So, here's a recap of what we learned on our trip to San Diego.  A few weeks late...

1. The key to good behavior on an airplane ride: lollipops.  The longer lasting the better.  We had Jolly Rancher lollipops.  They lasted at least twenty minutes.  I have an unlimited candy policy on airplanes.  Trust me, it works.  As we were getting off our flight down the man across the aisle told us our kids were the best he's ever seen on an airplane and he travels a lot.  Believe it or not the eastern European man who sat next to me on the return flight that took off at Claire's bedtime didn't quite express the same sentiment.

2. It is possible to take my kids to an amusement park by myself.  Legoland has an offer for a second day ticket for $10 so while Mark worked the first day, we went to Legoland!

3. It's totally ok to roll your kid's crib into the bathroom if necessary.  Whatever it takes. 

4. Condos provide a whole new level of fascination for kids.  The sliding door closets and carpet sweeper made for hours of fun.  My favorite comment by Wyatt about the non-flat screen 27" tv "I just love these cute little TVs".  Oh dear.  What have we done.

5. We learned Claire is a daredevil. They rode this one about five times.

6. Despite the fact that Wyatt now holds 5 driver's licenses from Legoland, he has a little work to do on his boat driving.

7. The best way to get a great smile out of your son is to put him in a lego shark.

8. Claire+favorite baby+music+jumping=pure bliss.  (It was a musical fountain operated only when you jumped on those circles...fun for the adults too!)

9. Claire may not be afraid of the rides, but she was not a fan of being measured.  She was about three hairs taller than the 34" minimum for a lot of rides and she pitched a fit at all of them because she wanted to go on them, but she didn't want to stand under their stick.  She finally relented and agreed to be measured off to the side because she wanted to drive these cars so bad.

 

10. Lots and lots of seals on the beach aren't necessarily easy on the nose.  (Taken at the Children's Pool in La Jolla--a swimming beach turned seal haven).

11. If you follow them around with a camera enough, they may just strike a pose for you after all.  We're still working on them posing TOGETHER though. (Wyatt is climbing the famed Torrey Pines).

12. Boy in flip flops+running+ hands in pockets+trip=a pretty nasty looking nose.

13.My children have no fear of touching slimy ocean creatures.  Not so true of their mother.  

14. Claire's fascination with pink and purple even extends to amusement park rides.  She insisted on the pink elmo fish.  

15. 51 cents makes for a super happy kid.  It's the simple things.

16. Wyatt doesn't seem to care WHAT the temperature is, while on vacation shorts and t-shirts are the wardrobe and that's that.  We saw kids with hats and mittens while Wyatt was in his shorts. 

17. Nothing makes kids happier than a day at the beach (which we always had to ourselves because it was cold to Californians.)  Claire was fascinated by the waves "Here it comes...there it goes..."

18. Leave a luggage cart unattended in your room and within seconds your kids will have moved in.

19. Hotel checkout at 10a, flight leaves from airport 80 miles away at 6p.  Dad sees: adventure.  Mom sees: nightmare.  The truth lies somewhere in between.  We won't go there...

20. Kids can survive on a diet that includes french fries at almost every meal.  The same might not be so true about their parents!

There you have it. Hopefully you learned something too!  Traveling is getting a little easier as the kids get older.  We're so excited as we have so many big dreams for our family in the years to come. 

++Excuses++

Believe it or not, my husband kind of knows me well.  Recently he called me out on a personality trait of mine that I really wish I didn't have.  It's basically paralysis caused by overwhelmedness.  If the job seems too big, I don't even start, rather than just dive in and get it done.  It is the cause of a few boxes stashed in closets full of total randomness, it's the cause of the stack of papers on my desk that I have meant to go through for a week now but haven't touched and finally, it's the cause of my lack of blogging recently.  With a vacation AND a birthday party we had a full plate and now recapping all the events has filled up my blog plate---and I was doing so well with keeping up with things too!  Oh--and just so I can add one more excuse to the pile, I sat down to work on it tonight and I need to fix something with my Photoshop first which sent me back to a state of overwhelmedness and thus paralysis.  I'm getting to it.  So, in case you are wondering:
++We had a great vacation.
++We had a fun visit from Grandma and Grandpa.
++The little one rocked her birthday week.
++After six days the balloons are slowly starting to sink down.
++We have returned to life as usual. 
++TV shows by the season are so so so dangerous.  The other day I was looking for something to watch while on the treadmill and stumbled on The Secret Life of An American Teenager.  It's so bad it's good.  The worst part is that there are at least 3 years of episodes available.  If my children are running unclothed and unfed in the streets it's because their mother is inside watching really bad teen dramas on the ipad. 
++Easter candy=my downfall.  Really, it's my worst holiday of all.  I blame it all on Cadbury mini eggs.  They are like crack.  (In their addictiveness...I actually have no idea what crack is really like...I have no desire to find out either...I'll stick with chocolate). 
++We have decided that we need a new car.  Mark's car has over 150,000  miles on it and he does tons of driving for work and it is starting to nickel and dime us.  Mark is going to take the Volvo (he already knows he's not cool so the station wagon won't do much to his ego) and I'll drive the new car.  I'm actually sad because I love my car.  We want one that can seat 6 if needed so we don't have to take two cars when the parents are in town or if we have the cousins.  We are not getting a minivan.  We are open to suggestions though.  Is it bad that it would take a lot of convincing to get me into an American car? 
++I'm really hoping the rainy season is almost over.  I've been tolerating it much better than last year since I got myself rain boots and a knee-length hooded raincoat. 
++I bought two sympathy cards today.  Why do these things always come in multiples?  How are we old enough to be losing our parents?  Kind of makes me want to hug mine.  I know they read this---so consider yourself hugged!
++In April I'm starting another photography course from the same teacher.  It's "Continuing Ed" which really means that I did the Beginner course but am not ready for "Advanced" yet.  I'm already feeling sorry for my family.  I think I may hit up a couple of 9-year-old girls in my neighborhood.  They'll probably play model all day for me!
++Now it's time for bed.  I'm not sure if it counts or not that I posted something on my blog, even if it's not what was intended. 

++Legoland, Sea World, San Diego and a Birthday++

Where to start?  How about with the most important news of the day.  Happy Birthday little sweetie.

We spent the last week in San Diego.  Lots of fun.  500 photos. 
I spent yesterday doing laundry.  Lots of fun.  6 loads.
Seattle has spent the time since we've been back snowing.  Lots of fun.  4.5 inches.

Needless to say, lots to do.  Full recaps on all of the above soon (except probably the laundry, it's done now and not all that exciting). 

Have a cupcake (or two) in honor of our little one today.  Make sure it is pink or purple...or at least sparkly!

++Have suitcase, will travel++

There may be talk of some upcoming vacations around these parts.  Wyatt couldn't wait to get the suitcases out so we could start packing, no matter how early.  Claire took matters into her own hands.

 As a matter of fact, it would be a lot easier if we could just zip this one up and collect her again at baggage claim.  She's just too darn cute for that though.  She has a lot of peek-a-boo to play with other airline passengers. 

 She must take after her mom though because she thought of all the essentials.  Snack, drink, baby, blanket--what else could a girl want?

Oh, and yes, in case you were wondering it was a slow picture week around these parts.  In fact, these were the only photos I took all week.  No news is good news, I guess. 

++Ten on Tuesday++

1. I'm all caught up on blogging.  I think I sleep better at night as a result.  We have a couple of big events coming up soon that I am sure will derail my progress once again.  Oh well.

2. Mark gave me THIS coffee maker for Christmas.  I love it.  I now drink about three times the coffee that I ever did before.  I'm also a better hostess.  It's totally easy to offer someone a cup of coffee.  Stop by sometime and have a cup.

3. The kids are all signed up for preschool next year.  Wyatt will be in pre-k FIVE DAYS A WEEK where he goes this year.  Claire is going two days to another school nearby that will take them at two-and-a-half even if they aren't potty trained.  I think I will start my to-do list now for those seven blissful hours each week. 

4. I got this book last week and read it in less than twenty-four hours.  I'm a sucker for love stories.  Gotta give props to a woman who built an empire based on a blog too.  Do you think I have that future?  Stop laughing. 

5. Did I mention that Claire is the worst napper ever?  As I type this she has been up in her bed talking and singing for over an hour.  This goes on almost every day.  She just needs to get down to business and fall asleep.  I fear I have one of those kids who will give up her nap super young. 

6. I think we have caught every possible cold that has passed through Seattle's Eastside this winter.  We just go from one to the next to the next.  Lots and lots of boogers here (maybe you'll want to reconsider stopping by for that cup of coffee after all).

7. The invites are out for the lollipop party.  Hottest ticket in town.  Ha ha.  About a year later I officially used my new craft/laundry room for crafting.  It was great.  I could leave things out and walk away and come back to it when I had time. 

8. As a follow-up to the post about Wyatt counting his money, the coins were cashed in and a purchase was made.  It was the remote control module that fits into a few of his Playmobil trucks.  He thinks it's great.  The fire truck is now moving on its own throughout the house.

9. How is it that my baby will be two in a couple of weeks? 

10.  My tulips are popping up.  It's February.  Every time we move it takes me a while to get used to the seasons and what they mean.  I guess here it means tulips by March!

++Yea Packers!++

Superbowl Sunday was a big night at our house.  Not only because the team that we cheer for was IN the Superbowl, but the team we cheer for WON the Superbowl.  I had to laugh as Mark made his best to attempt to impress upon Wyatt that this was a HUGE deal for his life, and it may not happen again.

Claire snuggled in with her Dad to watch the big game.  She stayed there for about two minutes.

 I couldn't peel my kids away from the ads to look at the camera for this picture.  I guess they have marketer in their blood.  The favorite?  The Careerbuilder.com ad with the monkeys (or chimps?) who parked their car too close.  We had to rewind it about five times.  The mess on the table was Nacho night.  It's a Superbowl tradition for us (three years running).  This year we added Brats at Mark's request.  Must have been lucky.

 The night before I told Wyatt a bedtime story about watching the Superbowl and I made up a silly part that every time the Packers scored his dad got so excited he ran around the house (and with each TD he ran a little farther).  With the first score, Wyatt looked at his dad and said "Let's Run!"  This was the scene after the second TD.  I was laughing too hard to photograph the first one. 

The best news of all (if you ask me) is that Mark bet $50 that the Packers would win the Superbowl when he was in Vegas last time.  He has carried that slip in his wallet for six months.  And now we are $500 richer.  Now THAT is my kind of victory!

As an aside...I am not seen in these photos but I was not wearing Packer apparel.  Mainly because I find NFL apparel a bit obnoxious for my taste.  I did wear a green sweater though.  I haven't alienated my Vikings roots totally, I just decided that Mark gets so much more joy out of a Packers win than I do out of a Vikings win so it's ok if we raise our family as Packers.  Go ahead, send your hate mail now.  Even a nasty comment is better than no comment at all...maybe.