One Year Already?

Last week we had the chance to celebrate Fiona's first birthday.  As much as I think the whole world should care, I know that it's only a big deal to a select few.  So when planning her party I had to keep repeating to myself this mantra: Keep it Simple.  I have been known to go a little overboard when it comes to, well, anything really.  That's how we perfectionists roll.  But this time I think I actually managed to keep one of my children's parties pretty low key.  Cake.  Ice cream.  Treasure hunt.  Of course, because everything else was so simple, I just could not stop myself from putting a little more effort into her birthday cake.  (It's a disease!)

Having an extremely talented cake-making sister

comes in really handy at times like this. 

White chocolate obsession

 The sign of a successful first birthday

(Ignore the scowl.  All my kids are born with it.)

My pregnancy with Fiona took a lot out of me.  I experienced varicose veins, gestational diabetes, utter exhaustion, and of course my first epidural-free labor (completely involuntary.)  But she has not failed to give back.  She brings me joy on a daily basis.  I love the way her feet wiggle when she's eating in her high chair.  I love how she snuggles against me when I throw her blanket over my shoulder.  I love the way she sticks out her two bottom teeth, and I love that she thinks she can actually outrun me (or should I say out-waddle.)  I love every look, every sound, and every wet kiss.  I love her to the moon and back...plus several more round trips.

Word to your Grandma

Did anyone realize that today is Grandparent's Day?  Last week I happened to notice the date on my calendar.  I thought it would be nice if I had the girls make cards for their grandparents.  I told Carlos my idea, who then told me that he had a better one.  "We should make a rap music video for them."  Of course!  What could be more logical?  So naturally I was on board.

Carlos and I have recently discovered the hilarious pair, Rhett and Link.  They make humorous local commercials, have their own show on IFC, and were the inspiration for our very own cheesy music video.  (This either makes us slightly cool parents or completely lame.)  Either way, here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Note the excessive use of cookies as bribery.  Have the Wrights discovered a new family hobby?  :)

Swift Week

Since school has started up again I have gone from being slightly busy to having a full plate.  I'm wondering if I'll need a bigger calendar next year.  But I like to keep busy, and I love schedules and routines so I'm not complaining (yet.)

This week we have...

...been clowns.

Another fun time at the art museum.

...watched a parade.

This is the only photo I took.  I have been seriously slacking in the picture-taking department.  Ava and Ellia got to walk in the parade but I was too busy waving at them to take a picture.  Oops.

...sent another kid off to preschool.

My sweet Ellia!  I was so disappointed when I went to grab my camera before we left for school to find that I had left the power on all night.  Dead battery.  Aargh!  I had to settle for the camera phone again.  She's pretty darn cute.  Even with that big scratch next to her nose.   

...attended (half of) a Taylor Swift concert.

Fiona got to stay at Grandma's house while Carlos and I took the girls to Seattle for some (late) school shopping and a Taylor Swift concert.  The traffic was insane and the concert was even more insane.  (I'm getting old.)  After enduring the sweat-inducing temperatures and the long wait for Taylor to finally make her appearance our kids were already getting listless.  When Ellia was nearly passed out in her seat we decided to take our leave early and avoid the post-concert chaos.  The highlight of the concert (for me) was when the opening act, Needtobreathe, played one of my favorite songs, "Something Beautiful."  (Listen to it here.  Seriously, go listen.)  I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they were opening, but I was even more pleasantly surprised when we saw their lead singer and their bass player in our hotel lobby the next morning.  We had a (very) brief conversation, shook hands, and that was that.  Only after we got into the elevator did my star-struck brain think to ask for a photo or an autograph.  Bummer.  Cool experience nonetheless.  And once again I am lacking in pictures.  This time because I wasn't allowed to use my "professional" camera at the concert. 

As for the shopping, I am starting to accept the fact that Ava wants to pick her own outfits, which is a hard thing for a control-freak to do.  But I'm learning to waive some of that control, and the proof is in the pudding.  And here is the pudding:

These were Ava's "must-have" shoes that are a far cry from any feminine, bow-embellished pair I would have chosen for her.  (Did I mention that they light up?) But aside from these, all her purchases were mother-approved. 

...got an Anthropologie fix.

Just me, actually.  While I was soaking in the inspiration, Carlos took the girls to get cupcakes.  It has somehow become a ritual that whenever I find an Anthropologie, Carlos finds a place to buy sweets.  Voodoo Donuts in Portland.  Fran's Chocolates in Seattle.  And apparently Trophy Cupcakes in Bellevue.

...mastered the art of walking.

Fiona, that is.  While we were in Seattle, Fiona was busy perfecting her skills.  Just in time for her first birthday coming up later this month.  Yay, Fi!

  

I'd say we had a productive week.  Too bad I had so many camera malfunctions (yes, I'll blame my camera.)  Note to self:  Take more pictures!   

Voids

My house is feeling strangely quiet right now.  I am only deficient one child, who is having the time of her life at Kindergarten right now, but it's amazing how it can affect the whole atmosphere here at home.  And in a few more days I'll be sending Ellia off to preschool twice a week, which will add to the strangeness.  But I can't say that I hate the quietude.  And for a few hours each week Fiona will get to experience life as an only child, although I'm pretty sure she will much prefer having her sisters here.  Besides the commute, I am really excited about this school year.  I love school!  Ava loves it too, thank goodness.  How do I know this? (Here comes another one of my lists.)
· She happily wakes up in the morning
· She chooses her outfits a day (or more) in advance (She's totally my child!)
· She runs through her bedtime routine flawlessly because she "needs her rest for school"
· She tells me so  :)

Love that sweet face!

I'm hoping to use some of my newly acquired "free time" to get some projects done, but more likely I'll be doing what I do every other day.  Cleaning.  And Fiona is only getting busier.  She has started taking her first steps.  I'm sure I'm in for a treat.  But, I did manage to finish a project I'd been contemplating.  I took this picture at the Portland Anthropologie when we were there visiting last year.  (I go into tourist mode whenever I visit one of their stores.)

I fell in love with this wall art and became determined to recreate it.  I finally did.  Here is my knock-off.

The emtpy wall above my sofa is now slightly less empty, but there is plenty more wall to fill...