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...  

15,000 Words (In Pictures)

Today is the day...I can stop feeling guilty for not having the kids' pictures updated.  After putting it off for far too long, I spent the better part of this past week taking and editing photos.  So without further ado, here are the current photos of my girls.


Ava, Age 5 (and 1/2.  Yes, these are 6 months late)

Ellia, Age 3

This girl can vogue!

Fiona, 11 Months Old

And on top of that, we were able to get our family pictures taken.  This is the best we could do:

The other pictures included some or all of the following:

· Ellia making a silly face

· Fiona grabbing her sisters' hair

· Ellia running towards the camera/a tree/a bug

· Me begging/yelling at Ellia to please cooperate

· Carlos looking completely irritated that we are taking family pictures in 90 degree weather

So given the choices, I decided to overlook Ava's somewhat cheesy smile, Fiona's hand in her mouth, and Ellia's messed-up hair.  Don't you just love family picture day?

Sunday Love

Sunday, how do I love thee?  I mean besides the obvious reasons.  As a mother of three I have realized that Sunday brings with it a perk: I know that there is at least one day a week that I get to feel like a completely put-together person.  My legs are shaved and one shade of white less, thanks to my sunless tanner.  I get to wear a complete outfit from head to toe and even pull out my dry-clean-only blouses that are shunned from my everyday wardrobe for fear of grimy children's fingers or the inevitable spit-up stain on the shoulder.  I swap out my regular diaper bag for a pretty one, though it is filled with the same scrunched up diapers and empty fruit snack wrappers. As an added bonus, I'm guaranteed that all three of my delightful children (aren't yours at 7 am?) will also look presentable wearing outfits that actually match and allowing me to curl their stick-straight hair.  Thank you Sunday for allowing me to feel polished, if but for 3 hours a week.


I had intended to take a nice picture of the girls before church, but we were very late.  So instead you get camera phone photos taken from the front seat of the car.  (Which, by the way, made me car sick.)  And rear-facing Fiona was left out of the photo fun.

On her best Sunday behavior of course

A Surge of Vanity

I don't consider myself to be a high-maintenance type of girl.  I don't get my nails done. (The one and only manicure I've ever received was for my wedding).  I don't go tanning, obviously.  (I'll spare you my plug on how dangerous tanning is.)  I don't own expensive jewelry, I don't buy expensive makeup, and I only get my hair done quarterly, if I'm on top of things.  So I feel like it's fair to allow myself some vain ambitions.  Here is my first set of worldly goals, in no particular order:


1. Reduce/Prevent Wrinkles:  Yes, I realize I am not even 30 yet, but everyone says the time to start is now.  There is actually one particular wrinkle in mind.  THE wrinkle.  It lies between my eyebrows and taunts me whenever I'm squinting, scowling, or concentrating too hard.  My husband hears about this wrinkle often, so I must get rid of it for both of our sakes.   The game plan:  Research skin product reviews, play the product testing game, and hope for the best.


2. Tone My Abs:  I am lucky enough to have never been concerned with weight.  I was undoubtedly blessed with good genes.  But having said that, permitting three human beings to grow inside of you can take a slight toll on your abdomen.  I would sure love to tone those muscles back up (before future child #4 comes along and sets me back at square one again.)  The game plan: Ab workout routines, here I come.


3. Improve My Posture:  Carlos has made mention of my tendency to slouch.  I tell him it's because there's usually a kid hanging off of me or because I'm too exhausted to sit up straight.  (Sheesh! Give me a break.)  Until recently I ignored him.  But I have caught a few glimpses of myself walking past a window and realized that he might possibly have a point.  (Darn it!)  Yet another item to add to my list of self-improvements.  The game plan:  I have found some tips on improving posture and have been making a special effort to be aware of how I'm standing/sitting/walking.  I'm hoping that in time it will become second-nature.  I have even given my husband special permission to inform me when my posture is not up to par.


4. Straighten My Teeth:  I don't know what brought it on, (possibly one too many candid photos gone wrong?) but lately I have become obsessed with my teeth.  I never thought much about them in the past, but my current constant fixation has made me realize that it's time to do something about these crooked teeth.  The game plan:  You guessed it.  Braces.  I hate the thought of looking like a 12-year-old for a couple of years, but I hate even more the thought of being unhappy with my smile for the rest of my life.


I have a sweet husband who tells me I'm beautiful on a daily basis (yes, even when I slouch or don't take a shower), so I'm not sure where this sudden keen self-awareness is coming from.  Regardless, I suppose there's nothing wrong with a little outward self-improvement, especially when no drastic measures are required.  And now that I've written my intentions down they are officially goals.  Time to get to work! (And to the orthodontist.  Eeek!)
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On a totally random note, I finished another small project.  The idea came from this Anthropologie store display.

  
I am always inspired by the way they use everyday objects (read: CHEAP) to create beautiful works of art.   I am a huge fan of what they do.  Thus, I am on a constant look-out for ideas I can recreate (copy) in my own home.


I found an old, rusty cupcake tin at Bargain Town (basically a big “junk” yard) for a bargain, of course.  Fifty cents to be exact.  And the rest is pretty obvious.  The girls loved that they got to help paint, and the control-freak in me loved that they couldn’t possibly mess up.

Weird? Maybe.  But it’s going up on my kitchen wall.