Tyson's Little Brother

 For the past couple of years, Tyson has asked for a little brother.  As much as I would LOVE to give him this wish (because really, it's been my wish too), it just unfortunately isn't something we are able to do.  But, this past fall we did get Tyson something close....a kitty cat little brother.

We watch Tyson play with Peeta like he is his little brother.  He wrestles with him, chases him, fights with him...all the things he would do with a REAL brother (okay, I know it's not quite as good as a REAL brother).  He really does help fill the void...for Tyson and Mom ( I swear when my kids leave home, I am going to be "that cat lady").

 This past week was a sad one for Peeta.  Kinda like a little brother who had to get his tonsils removed, Peeta had a little surgery of his own...he got tutored...I mean, neutered.  Poor kitty.  He came home with a cone around his neck (that took all of 1 min. for him to get off).  Luckily he has 3 sisters (one being a kitty cat that HATES him) and a big brother to help take care of him:) 

Watching TV together

 Playing Lego together

 Having a nap together

I didn't forget

I can't believe I didn't post on Jordan's actual birthday...maybe it was because I was in a food coma!!

Did I mention Saturday birthdays are the best?!!

We went glow in the dark miniature golfing...and this is the ONLY picture!

Shopping for clothes...we had one of the most hilarious stories from Forever 21, where Jordan found two adorable skirts!!

Dinner at Olive Garden...hence the food coma:)

Watched a movie....with NO popcorn since we were STUFFED!

Sang "Happy Birthday"...again.

And gave the much anticipated birthday bumps!!  

What a great day for a great girl.

 Happy TWELFTH birthday JoJo!!!

TWO YEARS...

...NOW 12 YEARS!!

Twenty-one or Twelve?!

Jordan's birthday party was full of contradictions...is she grown up or not?!

Grown up because she wanted a salad to go with dinner.

Young because she insisted on getting the traditional tub of cheese balls.

Grown up because she wanted to plan and execute all games herself.

Young because she wanted to play "unwrap the present that is wrapped a million times."

Grown up because she wanted nail polish and bath & body works in the goody bags.

Young because she wanted Hubba Bubba Bubletape in the goody bags.

Grown up because she wanted to watch a PG 13 movie that her friend brought.

Young because when said PG 13 movie was deemed inappropriate (by very uncool parents), she chose to watch Candyland instead.

Grown up because most of her gifts were money.

Young because she still wanted to play spin the bottle to open presents.

Grown up because all her friends brought phones, ipads or itouches.

Young because they kept losing said devises.

Grown up because she wanted to do hair and make up.

Young because she used markers to color the ends of her hair.

There's no doubt she's 12...well in one more week!  I love that girl:)

Best/Worst Present Ever

I love/hate my new Kindle Fire.  Let me tell you why...

I can stream hundreds...maybe thousands of shows or movies on this thing.

I can take it with me and prop it up to watch it anywhere...in the kitchen while I cook, in the bathroom while I do my make up, in the car while I wait for the kids.

What's the problem you ask?

I have been completely obsessed with watching Dawson's Creek on it.

 I should be reading on it...not watching cheesy teenage dramas!!

Don't worry...only 3 seasons left:)

Where will you be in 5 years?

Remember when you were a kid and 5 years seemed like forever?  When someone would ask you where you'd be in 5 years, it was pretty easy to answer.  Either, you'd still be in school or you'd hopefully be getting married, or maybe starting a family, or perhaps looking for a job.  Well, I heard that question about a week ago, and it has had me stressing ever since.

In five years...

...I will no longer have any kids in Elementary school.

...I will no longer have any kids in Primary.

...I will be...gulp...40.

....my oldest will be heading into her senior year of...another gulp...high school.

Now if 5 years still seemed like forever away, everything would be fine.  But, you know as well as I, 5 years just isn't what it used to be....because...

Five years ago...

...I was 30.

..my little boy just turned 2.

 

...my oldest was my only child in school.

...we were headed into our last year of living in Monterey.

I just can't believe how fast it all goes.  I wish I could hold onto time and make it stand still.  I wish I could know how I am going to survive life without my kids living in the same house as me.  I wish I could stop stressing about what I am going to do with my life and just enjoy my life now.  I feel so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids.  I just wish I could have 3 more, so I can enjoy this stage of life a little longer.  It really is a magical thing to have children and watch them grow into amazingly unique individuals.  I think I am just going to soak it all in, and save talk of what I am going to do with myself for tomorrow.  Right now, it's still about them...and I love it!

Cotillion

Did you think white gloves, proper etiquette and good manners were a thing of the past?!  Well, if you look hard enough, you can still find them...and sign your kids up to learn all about them:)  I'm not sure we thought the whole thing through before signing Jordan up for Cotillion.  For example, she's only in 6th grade, she really doesn't need to be dancing with boys!  And, we had to search all over town for proper party dresses, white gloves, strappy shoes, 50s costumes...anyways, more work than I anticipated.  But, it sure is fun to dress these girls up and take pictures!  I'm sure they are learning something too...even though all I hear about is how weird all the boys are:) 

Jordan & Mia before their very first Cotillion (Oct. 2012)

 Last night was 50s night. 

 They had to bring "dessert for 2 in a decorated container"...I thought it looked cute (there are brownies with white frosting and black and white sprinkles inside).

We could not ask for more!!

Two days after Christmas we headed up to Big Bear for some family fun in the snow.  

 Everything went amazingly perfect. 

There was snow on the ground when we got there...

 ...the kids all made snow angels...

 ...we hung out with some friends...

...we caught snowflakes...

...we went sledding...a lot...

 ...we found a snowman...

 ...we found some BIG icicles...

...we climbed up a bunch of hills...

 ...we snuggled in the snow...

 ...we found the perfect picture spot...

...we posed for pictures... 

 ...and more pictures...

 ...we played with snow...

...we tried to get a good picture with Mom and the kiddos--impossible!!...

  

...we played a lot of games... 

 ...we read some books and relaxed in the warm cabin...

...we laughed...A LOT...

 

...and...TYSON LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!!

A Mother's Christmas

From the time that first baby is born, everything changes...even Christmas.  A mom can no longer be just a gift giver and gracious recipient...she is now a "magic maker."  As much as I at times long to just be that kid that comes down to a living room transformed on Christmas morning, I love creating those magical memories for my little ones.

All the kids were tricky to shop for this year, but they were all VERY happy with what they got!!

 

Yes, Kya got her Orbeez Spa:)

And that air hockey table was for everyone, not just Tyson!!