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.  

Kindergarten, Here We Come!

Today is the day...my first-born graduated from preschool.  Alright, so that was obviously weeks ago, and I'm probably the last parent to make mention of the event, but I'm finally getting around to it, which is more than I can say for the other items on my to-do list.  (You have probably realized by now that I am seriously obsessed with making lists.)  I know already that Ava is destined to be a good student.  She is bright (already reading), eager to learn, and well-behaved (taking into account her 5-year-old status.)  And dare I say she is a perfectionist like her mother?

We love Miss Heather and Miss Lori!

I hope they love us too, because we have at least

two more daughters for them.

 

I also wanted to share Ava's latest violin recital performance.  She is full of potential.

...........It is now 3 days later and I am finally giving up on trying to upload Ava's video.  She did a super job.   You'll just have to take my word for it.


While we're on the topic of accomplishments, Fiona has finally decided to start crawling, and man, that girl can get around!  How exciting that she can now experience all the adventures she has been missing out on.  The taste of the fallen leaves from my dead plant.  The smell of the dust accumulating under the kitchen table.  The sound of scattered Cheerios crunching under her cute little knees.  Let the mischief begin.

I finally got a picture of her 2 new teeth, which I am totally

obsessed with.  I find them completely adorable.

         

240 Hours

Today is the day...my husband comes home!!  For the past 10 days I have been a single mother, while Carlos was in Los Angeles attending a training class for his new job.  He was recently hired by the IRS as an auditor.  So yes, he has the thrilling job of being disliked by just about everyone he has the pleasure of working with. :)  I have never been on my own this long before, so I knew I would have to keep myself busy in order to keep my sanity.  My goal was to accomplish a few minor projects from my To-Do list.  But in addition to that, here's how I made it through:


Day 1 (Thursday):  I tackle laundry from dawn until dusk.  I discover what happens when a pull-up sneaks its way into the washing machine.  Not recommended.


Day 2 (Friday):  Between getting my weekly coupon deals, running errands, and taking Ava to a birthday party, I manage to survive getting the kids in and out of the car 9 times.  I also manage to overlook eating breakfast or lunch.  Maybe I need to add "eat meals" to my to-do list.


Day 3 (Saturday):  Ava's dance recital this morning marks the end of dance until Fall.  I have a rough night babysitting my nephew.  Trying to keep two cranky babies content is not an easy task.  Songs with the word "crazy" keep popping into my head.


Day 4 (Sunday):  I am prepared for chaos, but surprisingly only experience a few moments that cause me to exhale super loudly.  The "day of rest" lives up to its name when I get a much needed 15 minute nap.  This rarely happens.  The girls and I spend some of the afternoon on the back patio reading books.  I even start a real chapter book for the first time since college. (Is that bad?)  The rest of the afternoon includes swinging, Junior Mints, synchronized tantrums, "Go Fish," and "Guess Who." 


Day 5 (Monday):  More errands and a T-ball game that actually makes it through a few innings without being interrupted by a literal downpour.  


Day 6 (Tuesday):  I finish my book ("The Hunger Games"), ignoring my children in the process.  I finally get around to a couple of my small projects.  I hem up the drapes in the family room, which are only slightly, yet annoyingly too long.  I also paint one of the frames I got from a yard sale last year.  Wow. I feel like a real go-getter. (sarcasm)

 Before

After 

(I know you are all so impressed that I spray painted a frame white)

Day 7 (Wednesday):  We have a picnic in the backyard (PB&J of course) and clean up the house until my church meetings.

Fiona must have smelled Cheetos, waking her from her insufficient nap

Day 8 (Thursday):  I spend the morning at The Calico Cat (thrift store) with the girls and my mother-in-law, followed by McDonalds for lunch.  I have never seen a classier McDonalds.  Classy McDonalds.  That may be an oxymoron, but seriously, the bathrooms are immaculate, and they even have those disposable changing pads available at the baby changing station.  Maybe I'm just easily impressed.  Ava's T-Ball game this evening is the last of the season.  Way to go Angels!


Day 9 (Friday):  Yawn.  Today is pretty mundane, other than picking our first batch of fresh strawberries.  

Day 10 (Saturday):  Maybe it's one too many graduation parties.  Maybe it's one too many spouseless days.  I can sense all the stresses of the past week building up and I know that a meltdown is imminent.  Maybe it's because I'm running late to the church party.  Maybe it's Ellia's incessant wailing.  Maybe it's Ava's refusal to carry her own plate to the table when I clearly don't have a third arm to do it for her, or the tortillas falling to the floor.  Whatever it is, the camel's back has been broken.  Cue meltdown.  Tears ensue.  Thank goodness my family is there to help me out while I collect myself.  Thank you, family.  It's amazing what a little cry can do.  Feeling much better, I'm able to enjoy the rest of the evening.


So I didn't get all (hardly any, really) of the projects done that I had hoped to, but I did survive these 240 hours, which is a project in itself.  Welcome home, Carlos!  It's your turn! :)    

And Then She Was 3

Today is the day...I fall in love with a 3-year-old. Okay, so Ellia's birthday is not for another three days, but we did get to celebrate it yesterday. I love planning birthday parties! I get to make lots of lists (lists and I have a close relationship), and I get to put my design skills to work (probably more work than actually necessary.) The theme of the event: Puppies! And no, she did not receive a real puppy as a gift. One German Shepherd around here is more than enough dog for us. Here are some photos from her party.

The Invites

(minus our home address and phone number,

just in case any creeps happen upon this)

Puppy Cake

(idea courtesy of Martha Stewart)

My sister-in-law, Lili, gets the credit for making

these totally adorable puppy cake pops.

Party Favors

Bean Bag Toss

Grandma Rexene

(Way to be photogenic, Ellie)

Grandma Lupe

Currently her favorite book. We love children's books,

so our kids receive them as gifts from us for

just about every gift-giving occasion.

Despite having no time to fix my hair before

the party, I knew I'd regret not getting

a picture with my second-born.

The birthday girl has already clued me in on what I can be expecting this year:

· Fits of rage when she can't accomplish a task, followed by cries for help, followed by more fits of rage that she "can do it [her]self!"

· An increase in my milk budget--This girl can drink more milk than any kid I know!

· "I told you so" proclaimed (by her) throughout the day

· Repeated reminders to not suck her thumb

· Smiles upon smiles--She never fails to amuse me

· Hours of entertainment as she dances (sometimes literally) to the beat of her own drum

As Kai lan would say, she makes my heart feel super happy!

The day after the party we were blessed with another gorgeous afternoon, so I snapped a couple of photos of Ellia in one of her new outfits. Of course, the camera couldn't resist my other stunningly beautiful daughters. (Pardon my bragging.)

We are already seeing signs of a future shoe fetish,

not unlike her Grandma Lupe

Little Sprouts and the Sunscreen Queen

Helloooo sunshine! And where there's sunshine, there is me with sunscreen in holster. I figure that during summer months I spend at least 10 minutes a day applying sunscreen to the kiddos, or to their pale counterpart (a.k.a myself.) That's over an hour a week! I don't even get to spend that much time napping each week. (Average weekly nap count: 0) But I consider it time well spent. We have been taking advantage of this lovely sunshine by working in our garden. It's something the whole family can be involved in, including Fiona (if you consider eating dirt gardening.) It's also one of the few times I ever get to see Carlos be organized. My OCD self can't help but smile each time I look at those perfect little rows.

Ellia found a "rock baby"

Our little sprouts

And speaking of little sprouts, Fiona has recently sprouted her first two teeth. Just when I thought she couldn't possibly get any cuter. Here she is clapping. You may be able to catch a glimpse of one of her new pearly whites.