a blended life

It's hard to describe in a few concise sentences the emotional energy that Hannah put into planning her birthday party. I can only stress that SHE was the one who planned it, the plan changed daily, and if things didn't go the way she imagined in her head, it was my fault and she was crying uncontrollably. Somehow we made it through the big day and I think she was quite pleased--and overwhelmed--with the whole day-long event. Having a 5 year old makes me feel old and mourn the loss of her babyhood, even though she barely reached 40 lbs.  She opened a few family gifts in the morning. A bike from me, a stroller and handmade diaper bag (and clothes) from Grandma, some earrings and a Barbie from Auntie Jen. This picture shows Leah  suffering a severe case of jealousy.  The birthday part was a Ladybug theme and Hannah wanted all the kids to dress up. Only a couple of them would. I made this bug cake and think it turned out pretty cute, considering I'm decidedly NOT a baker...

I haven't forgotten to post about Hannah's birthday party. I've been sick sick sick and shuffling around the house in a thick fog. I hope I wake up tomorrow and it's all gone.

Here's a pic of Hannah being a drama queen. In skinny jeans. Here's a pic of Leah with a fever and an ear infection, trying to find out how her latest Judy Moody book ends. **Important side note: We went to the doctor today for the first time since....drum roll please....she had her tonsils out 18 months ago. Hooray for healthy kids! And here are the two monkeys livin' it up in the bath. I have many pictures of bath time, which may seem weird, but they spend quite a bit of time taking baths and invent their craziest, silliest stuff while bathing. Maybe it's like how some of us get our best ideas while showering? *ahem* Hannah is a spitfire. There is no other word to describe her. I was going to include some of the outrageous stuff she's said lately, but my brain is firing right now. About two or three times a day, something comes out of her mouth that is either completely shocking or completely hilarious. Usually both at the same time. Kids make me tired....

This post dedicated to Karina. And actually, the jeans debate isn't that great. It's really stupid. You see, I picture myself as being quite a bit chunkier than I really am. This has ALWAYS been the case. So when these horrid skinny jeans came back in style after being an 80's castaway (along with drop-waisted crap and sweater dresses), I had decided in my mind that I couldn't pull it off the first time, so why try for a second time. Maybe that first time was a failure because I didn't have Guess jeans with the little zipper on the side and green question mark on the butt. Yes, that probably would have made all the difference.  Anyway, it's been several years and I still don't own a pair of skinny jeans. I thought to myself, Self--get over it and go buy a pair of decent jeans already. I had finally talked myself into a pair of skinny jeans. I gave myself pep talks on how I wouldn't look like an overinflated balloon on top of an ice cream cone. I went ...

This is going to be a bit of randomness since I don't have two brain cells to rub together right now. I've been fighting my yearly bronchitis/flu/garbage (whatever it is--I don't care, I just want it to go away). Here are a few pictures to entertain you today. Yesterday we went to an ice skating birthday party (try to picture me on skates with a temperature of 102 and wearing broken glasses and a seriously bad gimp suit. Now stop laughing.) I had a vision of a birthday present--a purse that I found on clearance, filled with homemade hair bows, wrapped in tissue paper and a purple tulle ribbon. Sounds perfect, huh? I got sick and the bows didn't happen (enter Mom and an emergency trip to a boutique for some bows). I got out the wrapping stuff and Hannah WAS GOING TO WRAP IT HERSELF. THANK YOU AND GOODBYE. Here's what we got: Whatever, Hannah. Then she dressed herself with her own version of a gimp suit and her hat on backwards: Honestly, I feel like a circus...

Today in church I was reading the Crayola color names whilst trying to make it through a slightly uninspiring talk (c'mon, you do it too). Wild Strawberry, Mountain Meadow, Eggplant. I stopped reading them when I got to this one: Pacific Blue. I had an instant movie in my head--images of the coast, the tides, crabbing, the beach houses, and our long drives there and back. My movie stopped in The Dalles, Oregon, where my grandparents lived. We visited that forbidden place more times than I can count, and almost always on the way to the coast. (I not-so lovingly referred to it as The Bowels.) I stopped the daydream at this point because today marks the 10th anniversary of my grandma passing away. She was a lot like me in many ways--not afraid to say exactly what was on her mind and always ready for an adventure. She had a tough life, but I admire her for being strong, for never giving up. I like to think that she is cheering me on and has carried me through these past few years. I ...

I posted a week or two ago about Leah and the struggle that I have with her. It's hard to really pinpoint what is wrong because I don't know how to describe what is wrong. Usually I'm the only one that sees this behavior. Luckily, my parents are now a part of the action so I know I'm not just crazy in thinking that she is out of control. I'm calling a therapist tomorrow-someone that I know and think will have some good suggestions. I don't have much to post about. We are in the bottom of a stainless steel bowl of the winter blahs, mixed in with a bit of start-of-semester stress. Throw in a few handfuls of sassy girls, burnt out headlights, early mornings and too many carbs....voila! You get a migraine. This is the time of year when I start dreaming about my beloved Northwest beaches and make spontaneous trips to Vegas (let it be known that I've only done that once or twice). Plus, I keep having a recurring dream that I take my kids to Disneyland. Just ...