Don't break character!

They say that babies can hear TV and music and the voices of their parents when they are in their mother's womb.  I now believe for sure that they can hear their parent's voices.  Bella has never really attended one of the rehearsals for my plays, yet she seems to already know some of my words of wisdom.  One of the things that I think is most important for my actors to know that is no matter what happens on stage, you don't laugh, you don't make a comment, you never let the audience know that things did not go as planned.  Sunday was Bella's first dance recital and when she is on stage in front of a group of people, she is in her element.  The poor little thing was so into her tap dance that she kicked her right show right off of her foot.  She never stopped smiling.  She quickly grabbed the shoe, put it back and her foot and went on dancing.  The crowd cheered her on and she became the talk of the THREE HOUR show.  Somehow Bella has already learned, "never break character"  at least someone listens to me at rehearsal, even if it is a baby in my belly!  

Dress Rehearsal

The weekend of the dance recital is finally here.  Yesterday was dress rehearsal and Bella's first time on the big stage.  We arrived at the theatre and it took me a few moments to calm down and come to terms with the fact that  yes, I was in a theatre full of chaos and no, I WAS NOT IN CHARGE.  After a few deep breathes and releasing the controlling side of my personality, it was the cutest thing ever!  Who cares if Bella does dances from Seussical the whole time she is on stage instead of the the choreography provided by her teacher?  She loved being on stage.  I was afraid that the shy side of her personality would come out, but she SPARKLED.  In all honesty, dress rehearsal would have been enough for our family, now we have to sit through a three hour long show on Sunday.  I'm sure there will be moments on that day too that make me want to laugh and cry at the same moment! 

Summer Reading is Here!

Yesterday as Cooper was resting during naptime, he said, "Mom, you know what my favorite part of summer is?  Reading on my bed under the fan".  He said this as he lay there reading a chapter book BY HIMSELF.  That was a moment to make a mom cry if there ever was one!  Later that day, we all went to the library for the kick off of the summer reading program. The kids each got to read a book to a dog and got fired up about reading.  Here's to a summer spent under a fan reading a great book!

Hike On

Yesterday morning as Dave was riding one of the five toughest centuries in the US through fog, rain and chilly mountain weather, the kids I and enjoyed a hike in the warm sunshine.  As I've said before, I feel like I learn so much about their individual personalities everytime we go on a hike.  Cooper is a thinker.  He takes his time, thinks out each step, and at all costs, avoids getting hurt.  Bella is a daredevil.  She does not take her time, steps before she thinks and scrapes the heck out of her legs.  I'm still trying to figure out how a paper cut on her finger results in blood curdling screams of pain and anguish and a bleeding scrape from a rock doesn't even phase her.  It may be one of those things I never figure out.  Enough with the deep questions though; bottom line, we had a great time!

When I Grow Up...

Last week Cooper's school had career day.  The kids were instructed to come to school dressed like the person they wanted to be when they grow up.  Cooper chose a field that is honorable, requires intelligence, strength and dedication. Cooper wants to be a Jedi when he grows up, and not just any Jedi, he wants to be Yoda.  Cooper's teacher was so entertained by Cooper's career choice that he took him around to all the classes to show him off.  When another student ( I'm picturing a big mean bully) said to Cooper, "You can't be Yoda when you grow up, he's a character", Cooper replied, " I can be whoever I want when I grow up, I'm an ACTOR ".  You've just gotta love this kid! May the force be with you!

Happy Belated Birthday Beautiful Bella!

I couldn't get this post up in time, but at least I could use a wonderful alliteration in the blog title.  That has to mean something right?  Isabella Juliet is already four.  I can't believe how quickly time flies. I also can't believe how much personality and noise is held in her tiny little body.  She is a sweetheart, a comedian, a princess, a diva, a daredevil, a good "mommy" to her dolls and a good little sis.  She warms my heart every time she says, " Mommy, I lub ( love ) ya!"  In the matter of seconds she can go from laughing, to leaving the room with her shoulders hunched over and her bottom lip sticking out.  At least I don't have to worry about her holding in her emotions.  She has been rolling her eyes at us since she was 11 months old, but she also has the most beautiful smile and gives great hugs.  Bella got to have her first real party on her birthday with year with a bounce house, princess cake and friends. Happy Birthday Bells!

Take a Hike

We were blessed with some beautiful weather over our Christmas break and when our loved ones are here from Iowa, there is nothing they enjoy more than getting outside.  One Sunday morning, my mom and the kids and I decided to go on a hike.  I learned a few things about my children on this hike.  First, they both love the outdoors and never fight when we are on an adventure such as this one.  Second, in the eyes of a child a rusty bottle cap from some teenage desert drink fest is a really cool treasure. Third, Cooper is my cautious child- he thinks everything through and is a firm believer in "safety first."  Finally, Bella on the other hand is a dare devil and follows the philosophy of "if it's not dangerous, count me out! " Thank goodness she has her older, cautious, brother always looking out for her!

It's a Good Kind Of Tired

Every time we get all of our families together, Wendy and I have dreams prior to the event of sitting around all evening drinking wine and laughing.  Each time darkness arrives and the pitter patter of little feet, crying over sharing, games of star wars, and chaos in general has died down we are lucky if we can get one glass of wine down before our eyelids drop for the evening.  It is ok though, because it is a good kind of tired.  It is the tired you have after one fun filled day after another and knowing that you are so lucky to have a family that has so much fun together.  So much fun, that not getting more than one glass of wine doesn't even matter.  Not to mention the fact that we always do manage to find a way and some time to have some good old grown up fun!

Christmas 2008

I don't know how to say this in a politically correct way, so please know that I don't mean to offend.  But, here goes.  I think that after this year, my children might just believe they are Jewish.  They learn about Hanukkah at school and know that the celebration lasts over a course of many days and that Jewish children get a gift on each of those days.  I understand their confusion, that is kind of how Christmas worked this year as they got to celebrate four different times.  Maybe that is why Bella sang the Dredel song just as much as she sang Santa Claus is coming to town.  Christmas #1 was at Joe and JoAnne's and truly was a wonderful celebration. For the first time since Dave and I have been married, all of his siblings were there.  It has been a difficult journey getting to that moment, but I'm so happy for Dave, his parents and his siblings that that moment has arrived!  The next morning we had Christmas #2 at our house thanks to all of Santa's great gifts and the few that Dave and I bought as well. :)  A few days later Mimi and Papa arrived from Iowa which was a huge cause for celebration and a few more gifts to boot.  Therefore Christmas #3.  A few days after that and after a very LONG and exhausting night of travel for 1/2 of our brood, Wendy, Brandon and boys arrived and we then had Christmas #4.  In the children's eyes, the gifts were pretty exciting.  In my eyes it was wonderful in the sense that I was lucky enough to spend the holidays with EVERYONE that I love!  

Happy Birthday B!

Christmas day is not only a day of celebrating all things Christmas, but it is the birthday of my wonderful brother-in-law Brandon!  Our entire family just loves spending time with Uncle B.  He is one of the funniest people I know and we always laugh non-stop when he is around.  He is so happy it is contagious.  Uncle B can make the kids giggle like no body else I know, and he and Dave have a great friendship that takes them on all sorts of adventures (Wendy and I refer to it as the bromance).  Most importantly to me, he is a wonderful guy who loves my sister and their children more than anything else in the world.  We are so excited for all of them to arrive in a few short days! Hurry up and get here Brandon, we have some cold Stone IPA in the fridge for you!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Last night we bundled the kids up and headed down the hill to Alta Loma CA to see their much talked about spectacle of lights.  Four or five streets in this town in the foothills are blocked off to cars and the people on these streets go all out with Christmas Lights.  The kids acted like we were at Disneyland.  It is the best free entertainment we've had in a long time! Merry Christmas everyone!

Snow Day Part II

This is what two California kids look like after two hours of snow play
Looks like Coop is on the top of the world
                Anyone interested in a swim?
Sledding on a boogie board...only in Southern California!

Finally some more pictures of the snow storm of '08.  It's really hard to believe that we live in Southern California when you look at these!

SNOW DAY!

Speed Racers
Cold Weather, Warm Hug
Snow Angel
Human Snowman
Snow Cowboy

When it snows in the desert, it really snows in the desert.  We had early release from school today and they have already cancelled it for tomorrow.  While it is nice to think that we are on break now, it is sad that my show had to be cancelled for the last two nights...all of the hard work the kids put in. Hopefully we can reschedule, but until then--Woo Hoo!  It's Christmas Break!  Today was a great day playing in the snow with the kids and we are all exhausted and ready for bed at 6 pm!