October Celebrations

We always seem to end up having lots of celebrations in October. First we celebrated with extended family at Disneyland. Then we celebrated Rebecca's birthday at Disneyland and in the evening with Great-Grandma Darlene and Daddy. But the next day there were tears because:
"I don't feel like I'm six because I didn't have cake and blow out any candles."

We quickly ran to the store, bought a cake mix, whipped it up, and blew out the candles.
Situation saved.

Next. A few months ago after Joseph's visit to the dentist Rebecca decided she finally wanted to give up thumb sucking. We came up with a plan. One candy each day that she didn't suck her thumb, an oreo for a week's worth of success and a party with a doll if she managed to kick the habit completely. We had tried before unsuccessfully, so I thought I had to bribe her hard to make it work. But she quit that same day, only had to be reminded a couple of times and it was over. I was really impressed by her determination. She even wore a sock to bed every night so she wouldn't do it in her sleep.

She kept asking when we would have her party, but I was so sick I kept putting it off. I finally thought, I better do it before life gets any busier, so we invited the people she had told her plan to back in August and had a little party with pumpkin decorating, pizza and cupcakes, complete with singing: "No more thumb sucking for you" to the tune of Happy birthday to you. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. I was going to keep the doll for Christmas (it was actually for last Christmas but I held on to it in the end), but she remembered, so I felt like I should stick to my promise. I'm proud of my little girl. Would that we all had that determination.

Odds and ends

A quick week in review:

In the two minutes I was trying to do a good deed and finally get a birthday card out to my brother and his wife (who happen to share a birthday), Joseph managed to find a black permanent marker and draw on the walls, the heater cabinet door and the worst one: a huge modern art rendering on the guest room carpet. But, a full bottle of rubbing alcohol later (and also the remainder of my carpet cleaner and some wonder cleaner we bought) I managed to get as much out as I could while still keeping some carpet in tact.

Rebecca had her six year old check up. She's on track to getting as tall as I am, her hearing is perfect but her eyes should be checked within the year. Because I'm pregnant my kids were eligible for the H1N1 vaccine. Rebecca was already done with her appointment and I thought getting Joseph his mist would take 10 more minutes. But an hour and a half later we were finally done. Oh well, better to have it than not. Rebecca had a mild reaction to the flu mist, low grade fever, just feeling yucky. But she's fine now.

Sunday was the primary program. Rebecca did a great job with her part. She spoke clearly and slowly. In other news, I started rehearsals for the interfaith Thanksgiving concert, Warren was gone most nights last week, my nausea is still with me on and off, but improving overall.

And to end a few cute Joseph remarks:

"When I grow up I want to be a daddy like daddy!"

and after asking him what he wants to do as a job (like a doctor, or fire man, or office worker):

"When I grow up I want to be a builder. With real tools. And fix things. I buy real tools at the store."

We're tired, but happy. That's all folks.

R6

Today my little pumpkin turned 6.
Hard to believe she was ever that small.

Disneyland gave her a $62 giftcard just for having a birthday! So she bought a doll of her favorite fairy, Fawn, and even got to meet her.
What luck!

Mickey turns into a pumpkin just for Rebecca's birthday :)

Thanks for the birthday "crunchies" Opa Hanno and Grandma Julie!

A family party with great-grandma Darlene

Rebecca, I love you so much.
The day you were born was one of the greatest days of my life.
Thanks for being my daughter and dear friend.

Love, Mom

Bibbity Bobbity Boo

Rebecca got treated to a grand birthday celebration with her cousins. She shares a birthday week with one of her cousins. They all stayed in the Grand California Hotel, went swimming and then got to go to Disneyland an hour before it opened to the public.

To top it all off Aunt Lexie treated them to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique to get their hair and make-up done. THANK YOU AUNT LEXIE!!!!

Rebecca had a blast and will remember this Disneyland trip for a long, long time.

Rebecca, Bowie and Aubrey

We also spent the day with Aunt Amy, and cousins Aubrey, McKay, Carter and Hayden.
Uncle Shaun, Aunt Alexis, Bowie and Finley were there, too. It was a great family adventure. Thanks for a fun day everyone!

Friends from Yesteryear

Bjorn and Cydnee and their beautiful family

A few weeks ago we met up with some old college friends at Disneyland. It was great to see them, their wonderful kids and get caught up with life. We just met them there for an hour and went on two rides together. It always makes me happy to reconnect with good people and know that life is going well for them. Until next time!

Rebecca and Jessie

As if I didn't have enough to do...

No comment.

Tractor Time

Rebecca and Joseph got to drive around on a little skip loader. Rebecca got a ride, but Joseph was too scared to get on till it was off. They had a great time.
Thanks, Uncle Mark!

Conference Weekend

It's hard to stay awake with a warm, napping toddler on your lap. But really, we loved all 8/10 hours of conference and felt uplifted and strengthened by the messages we heard.

Fun Friday

At Rebecca's school they sell otter pops on Friday for a quarter. We forgot to give her a quarter the first couple of times, so she drew a poster and hung it on the fridge that said: "Fun Friday."

Last week I forgot again, despite the poster. We had yet to purchase our first "Fun Friday otter pop." So I drove all the way over to school to give her a quarter. She walked into the office confused and showed me she already had a quarter. I have no idea how it got there, but it was in the pocket I was going to put the quarter in. Warren said he forgot, too, so it wasn't him. Well, I gave her the extra quarter and thought she could just keep it for next week. She came home and told me she gave it to a friend who didn't have a quarter.

Yesterday she asked if she could have two quarters so she could give one to a friend again. I didn't give her an extra one, because I don't want her to feel like she is buying people's friendship (even though I'm sure her motives are pure). So tonight I asked her, did you buy your otter pop? She answered: "Someone lost theirs, so I gave them mine. There will be other Fridays when I can buy an otter pop."

This girl just has a sweet heart. What more can I say.