I'm Alive!

Cinderella, Obi-Wan Kenobi (from Star Wars, mom), and our little puppy (we tried to make her piggy tails look like ears since she didn't like the hood.)

I have missed sharing my pictures with all of you! I know everyone gets busy, but man, it makes me sad when I can't even do the things I enjoy. It just seems that by the time everything settles down at night, I'm just so exhausted that I doze off on the couch, and then I can't even focus on the little things around me, let alone try to blog.

Mason (a wrestler) and Caleb (aka Obi Wan Kenobi)

Our little puppy doesn't talk...but she can bark!

But tonight we had some fun and I've gotta share it. And tomorrow, well, tomorrow my first "baby" turns seven. How did that happen? Just know that time goes fast for us all. Last night at dinner Emma said to me, "You know, my life is just going so fast. I can't believe tomorrow's Halloween!" Chase and I could only look at each other in silent agreement. Too fast, too too fast.

Makena and Emma...

We had lots of fun trick or treating tonight. Didn't take Sarah long to pick up on this concept. I can just imagine her thoughts..."What...go ask them for candy...okay mommy, but you always say no!"

Happy Birthday Dear Emma!

It still amazes me just how quickly time passes. Last week we celebrated a day that happened five years ago: the day we met our first little girl, Emma Kylie. I don't feel like I'm much different than I was five years ago, but I know she certainly is!

September 27, 2003

Emma decided she wanted to celebrate at Build-a-Bear with her cousins, so we did, and it was a great day. She woke up early and we were opening presents before eight in the morning!! After a yummy breakfast, we went to the hair salon so she could look "fancy" because after all, you only turn 5 once.

Then we went to lunch with our family, our cousins and their mom, and Aunt Nani at Red Robin. Now that was an exciting lunch!!

From Red Robin we headed to Build-a-Bear where the girls created their lovable companions, complete with new outfits as well.

(First we stuff them, then we fluff them! Even Sarah was excited to fluffy up her new doggy!)

Soon, everyone was tired...and the crazy bus (aka our Sequoia filled with 5 children and 3 adults!) made it home.

Finally, we ended the evening with cake and ice cream and grandparents...and of course more presents!! I think this was her best birthday ever.

Family Pictures

Sunday mornings, though they're busy, are when we all look our best. It seems like a good time to try to get a few cute pictures. Of course there's hardly ever time for that, but this particular Sunday, we were running early for once! Just wish I was in a couple of them!

Back to Baseball

(Love the Gatorade mustache!)

Caleb is playing baseball again. Fall Ball has begun, and it's been another new experience for us. We signed up a while ago, but discovered there was no coach for the team he was placed on. When we reached the point that the team was starting to disintegrate, Chase and Tommy (our coach from spring, whose son wasn't even on our team!) were able to step up and be the coaches for the kids. So the Bees were able to play ball today, having their first game just a day after meeting each other for the first time.

And they did AWESOME!! Although there's no scoring in fall ball, the kids played great. This is kid-pitch baseball, and the first time that any of them have pitched. Caleb was out there first and he was so excited. A little nervous, too, I think, to be on that mound. But he did his best. They're not allowed to pitch over 40, so I (the team mom by default) got to be the counter. And I kept track on one of Emma's coloring pages until another mom offered me her notepad!

Emma and Sarah were really good. They seem to know the routine now for sitting through baseball games, and Emma comes prepared with her coloring book and crayons. Sarah had more fun stomping on the bleachers. I'm going to find her some Bee wings so she can be the team mascot!

Another beautiful day!

Beautiful

Isn't she? This little girl just lights up our household. Even Caleb and Emma smile a bit more when Sarah's around, being her usual silly self. She still isn't talking much, but she certainly knows how to communicate. Caleb was trying to figure out what she wanted the other night in the bathtub. "I just followed her point and kept trying until she got all excited" was how he figured it out...what a great brother.

He truly is patient with her and shares our excitement whenever she accomplishes something new. Today it was going down the slide while sitting up without tipping back and bonking her head.

Don't you wish your days were filled with accomplishments like that? Actually, they probably are if you look closely. Today, as the team mom for the first time, I met parents of other little leaguers on Caleb's team and helped us get organized. Not a huge deal, but a little accomplishment.

Emma, too, is an incredible big sister. Though she has little patience for me, she never gets mad when Sarah continually pulls furniture out of her dollhouse. She nearly always scoots over to let Sarah play, and even lets her pick which people to use (I think she's realized that Sarah will end up getting what she wants, so it's not worth the fight!)

I am so blessed to have three such wonderful (most the time) children!

First Day of School

My middle baby started kindergarten last week. She was so eager to go and had such a great time. In fact, when I asked her how her day was, she said it was good, "But I just wish I could stay longer!" So do I!!

Caleb is doing great in first grade. One of his good friends from the neighbohood is in his class, so he was pretty excited about that. And boy, he's starting to take off in reading! I'm so proud of him and the fact that he has such a desire to read. Last night he read every one of our 10 phonics beginner books...good thing I have easy access to lots more!

Sarah is just as crazy as ever! She's getting bigger and more feisty. Her hair is getting longer and wilder. And she got new shoes tonight, in fact everyone got two new pairs. (Thanks Payless and your BOGO sale!) She liked them so much that she wore them both home: one of each! Wish I had a picture to share of that one!

I know I haven't been posting so often lately, but going back to school has kept me so busy, and tired by the time I reach the end of the night.

Last week we were dealing with a sick baby. Last Wednesday Sarah had a fever, but I thought it'd pass. The next day she was a bit listless, and that night she was burning up. It reached 104.8! I've never seen a temp that high before, so I called the nurse line. She reassured me, but warned if it got any higher, we needed to go to the ER. Thankfully with some motrin, it was down to 103 a couple hours later. But Friday it was back, it was just off and on over the next day too, and then Saturday she had a rash all over her face. Early Sunday we went to Urgent Care, to be told only that it was an ear infection, and the rash was from the fever. Poor baby...it looked so bad. It took until Tuesday for her to really look normal again, but thankfully now everything's better.

Well, it's time to wind down for me. Enjoy!

What a fun night!

We had a great time tonight at the Angels game, and I must thank my good friend M and her husband for giving us their awesome seats to the game tonight! The kids loved being so close, and I loved the cushioned seat! Not to mention, they won 5-0!! I braved bringing my camera, which is pretty tough while bringing Sarah, and bringing dinner with us (thanks Wienerschnitzel, for getting the order right!) and I had fun trying to take some motion shots of Angels.

Oh, Sarah's crying because the game was over and she didn't want to go home...(okay, really she was afraid of the few fireworks that go off when they win!)

Here's Gary Matthews Jr. rubbing his head after being hit with the ball. He staggered a bit, but seemed okay.SAFE!Lackey was pitching, and he did a great job...no runs!!

Where has it gone?

Nine weeks ago I was so excited about having weeks and weeks to relax, sleep late, and do whatever I pleased! Well, it didn't quite work out that way, but pretty close. And Thursday it all came to an end...but also to a beginning.

I had so much fun with my kiddos this summer. We visited parks, swam, played at Soak City, read at the library, road bikes, went to movies, played at Big Bear, and sometimes just hung out at home with neighborhood friends. What more could I ask for? I got to practice taking pictures with my new camera, celebrated my 10th anniversary, and overall had just a blast!

On our last day together we decided to go to the park once again, so here are some fun times at Pioneer Park, aka Wagon Wheel, aka "the other water park" because they have fountains you can play in.

I entered this picture in a contest for kids at play...think we'll win?