Friday, January 30, 2009

Nanny


My Nanny isn't my Grandma. Some others get to call her grandma... and there are hundreds of us that get to call her Nanny.

Sarah and I went to visit Nanny this week. She doesn't live far.

Alice Slocum babysat me from the time I was a few months old until I was nine. But really, she is family. When I was nine my family moved, a year later Nanny and her husband also moved, just 30 minutes from our new home. We were able to see each other often.

Nanny's home is the only place in the world I can go where nothing has changed since I was a little girl. The pictures on the walls are the same, the collectibles are the same and even the couch I sat on was the same one I sat on as a little girl. Nanny herself never seems to change either. To me she has looked exactly the same for the last 30 years!

Nanny came to see Ben shortly after he was born and it was wonderful to take my little girl to meet this special woman.

Nanny helped shape the person I am today. She has loved and cared for so many children and has held a place in our hearts.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Trouble Found

Big Ben went to Utah last weekend to see Broc and Maris. I just confiscated his camera today and I found all kinds of trouble making going on there!





But Holy Cow, doesn't that look like fun? That's what hotel beds are for! I'm so glad they made good use out of them!

Trip to the Emergency Room

Calm down... nothing happened to us!

Someone else is going to ER! My friend Bryn just clued me in on the news... George Clooney is coming back to ER for it's final season.

I haven't watched ER in years... in fact I haven't watched ER since Clooney left. Watching him used to light up my Thursday nights. When he was on the show, missing an episode was just not an option.

Don't worry Dr. Ross, when you come back to ER I'll be there again waiting for you! I'm sure you were concerned!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

He Shore Duz Spell Gud

Ben got a 1st grade spelling award at his awards assembly today.Since his first spelling test I've known he was destined to be a better speller than I am.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Imaginary world

I *heart* Brothers and Sisters!





I love getting glimpses of the world they create together!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Rock O'

Both kids were interested today as "Rock O'Bam-ma" became our new president. I haven't been able to correct their pronunciation, they are convinced.

So, from our house today we will just send these wishes to the new president:

"Rock On, Mr. President!"

Thursday, January 15, 2009

My New Shirt

In keeping true to my Wardrobe Refashion pledge, I made a new shirt.
I started with this too big for Big Ben shirt. I used simplicity pattern 2936 (which was 99 cents at an after Thanksgiving sale). After starting, I realized that one shirt didn't provide enough material, so I went to my refashion pile and salvaged another shirt, one that was a little too small for me. I used that second shirt for the flowery ruffle.

I'm pretty happy with the final product. However, as always don't look too close... I tend to take some shortcuts in my sewing and am by no means a sewing perfectionist!

Hats off!


I take my HAT off to people who drive in city rush hour traffic each and every day!
We took Big Ben to LAX this morning. Traffic SUCKS! Anyone who drives that deserves kudos, Prozac or a straight jacket. I did it one day and I'm pretty sure I went slightly crazy!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

A Parade of Delight

We had a parade today! It was a whole parade of Sarah.

There were MANY costume changes!

She twirled!
She cheered!
I clapped in rhythm!
She posed!



She sang a different song for each outfit!

Perhaps, my favorite moment in the parade was when she came out wearing a yellow skirt. As she escaped back into her room for her next change, the skirt slipped down around her ankles and tripped her, she went tumbling. I was laughing too hard to capture a picture of the moment. Yep, that's stellar parenting... I was 1. laughing at my child 2. immediately disappointed about not capturing it for posterity... oh, yeah and she was ok, that was my third thought!

Performing for your Adoring public can be tough work!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

SAHM

I'm on week 2 as a real-life bonafide SAHM (stay at home mom). Can I just say, I freakin' LOVE this!

I know that this isn't permanent situation, and it isn't financially easy. But for right now, I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I love spending my days with Sarah.
I love having a clean house.
I love making real, balanced dinners for my family.
I love sleeping until it is light outside.
I love having time to sew.
I love having one full time job, instead of two!
Our days are filled with this:
... as well as other fabulous things like making cookies, reading books, cleaning house and mother-daughter chats!

And My Heart is Happy!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Makes a Mom so Proud

The other day we had a little friend over for a play date (in camo). They started a rock band and announced to me that they were called 'Death Band.'Isn't this a future every mom aspires to for her children? They are still young and already my dream of having my kids in a 'Death Band' have already been realized!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The man I married

Yesterday was our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! It has been two years since I made the greatest commitment of my life, 2 years that I have felt complete, 2 years that I have known pure happiness, and 2 years that I have shared my life with the best person that I have ever known.

As an Anniversary gift Ben gave me a list of 365 things (one for each day of the year) that he loves about me. I am positive that it is the most beautiful and treasured gift I have ever received. My husband has taught me what true love means and what marriage is supposed to be.

I love Ben more everyday. I love him more than I ever thought possible.

Here's to a lifetime of more anniversaries together!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Wardrobe Refashion

I ___Tina____ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__Tina__.

http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/

So, I've signed up! I'm really excited about this pledge. I'm hoping that it will stretch my creativity and my dollar.