Starting the day off right

It is 6:50 AM.  No, my kiddos are not eating cereal, yogurt or muffins.  Both are hungrily and happily munching on goldfish.  They eat breakfast at school but were both wanting a snack and nothing would suffice this morning besides goldfish.  What a way to start the day.  I didn't protest when it kept them both quiet and still for at least a few minutes. 

Seahawks Prep

With game time right around the corner, Carmen's cousins wanted to be sure she would look her very best for the Super Bowl.  To make sure Carmen was spirited and ready to cheer on the Seahawks, they designed and hand-crafted their very own T-shirts.  With the girls wearing their green and blue, there is no doubt the Hawks are headed for a victory!

Soccer

Carmen had her first daddy-daughter soccer class today.  Daddy was certainly excited to have something so near and dear to his heart to do with his daughter.  It remains to be seen if we'll have a soccer girl on our hands.  The first class went fairly well; Carmen was particularly excited about her new shin guards (not actually a requirement for the class, but they looked pretty darn cute on her little skinny legs).  Max and I got to watch from the sidelines.  I held my breath as I watched since her track record for organized activities is not stellar.  (harken back to 'dance' class where she was more adamant about not participating than actually joining in the organized part).  Today she did great.  She listened, she ran (with her tongue out), and even dribbled the ball.  Today she was not the kid who was crying and had to leave.  Today she was not the kid who wandering off interested in something else besides the class.  Today, however, she was the ONLY kid who decided not to kick a goal at the end of class.  Something to work on for next week I suppose.  All and all, a successful first soccer class.

 

Pirate and Princess Adventure

Today Carmen and I went on a pirate and princess adventure.  Jack and the Neverland Pirates, Princess Sofia and a special appearance by Doc McStuffins sealed the deal.  This was a Disney show not to be missed.  There was dancing, singing, special effects (flying, bubbles and confetti), lots of sugar and popcorn consumption.  Our little girl was a happy camper.  The place was packed and there was more Disney paraphernalia than I ever thought possible and this was only one hour-and-a-half show.  I can't even fathom what Disneyland is like these days.  We got our Disney fix for now.  It was a hit; two thumbs up from Carmen.

(Daddy and Max missed the Pirate and Princess Adventure in lieu of the Seahawks game.  Not sure who had a better time. Go Hawks!) 

 

 

I'm all about purple

Funny, I was browsing in a store while I was with Carmen and came across a notebook.  The cover was purple and read: I'm all about purple. Hmmm, who did that remind me of?  The 3-year-old standing next to me who was wearing a purple coat and purple pants?  I think so. I'm convinced it was made just for our little purple lover so I of course had to get it for her.

A favorite spot

When we remodeled our kitchen a year-and-a-half ago, we often found Carmen 'hiding' in one of the cabinets that opens from both sides.  She would crawl in, take some friends with her and make herself at home.  It was easy for her to do this when we didn't have any shelves or stuff in the cabinet.  Fast forward to now and it just happens to be the very spot Max enjoys.  The only difference is that now we have lots of kitchen things in it.  Despite the obstacles, Max chooses to shimmy his way in---it doesn't seem to bother him one bit!

 

Two of a kind

I was going through some old photos and came across these. 

Couldn't pass up posting them. 

They simply make me smile. 

Like Father, Like Son

Girl's Night

Last night was girl's night.  No Daddy and Max.  Just Mommy and Carmen and Aunties and Cousins. 

We went ice skating.  Carmen kept talking about how excited she was for her skates.  She wanted purple ones of course.  When told there probably wouldn't be purple skates, she said she would opt for pink as her second choice.  She got brown skates but didn't seem to mind.  Boy were they cute.  So small.  She was happy to put them on and even happy to walk around in them to practice her balance. Then came the ice...

Not so happy about that part.  We held hands and she quickly protested.  "I don't like it. It's slippery" is what she kept saying.  We made it about 10 feet around before taking to the bench to watch the others. Carmen was happy to sit, kick her skates, wave and cheer as everyone went around even mom, though not as gracefully. Then, with 5 minutes left, she finally cooperated and said she would try it.  She still protested and fussed a little, but she did it.  After one lap around she said she wanted more.  Not so bad after all. After two laps, she was done.  Ok by me.  She tried something new and actually enjoyed it once she got going.  We then went out for pizza to celebrate.

Yay for family, yay for girl's night!

 

 

A New Year

Today is the start of a brand new year.  

With that brings lots of possibilities.  A blank slate. 

 

In 2014 I look forward to making lots of memories, laughing more, watching our kiddos learn, grow and interact, trying new recipes, going to bed earlier, having more patience, getting more exercise, letting the small things go. 

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!

 

2014 off to a good start with our
 annual tradition of washing in money.