fun conversations

Laurel is growing up in so many ways now. We're having real conversations and it's really fun!:) She is asking questions, her curiousity at a peek. She wants to understand why things happen - and this covers everything from where the rain comes from to some more complicated topics like babies and mommy's "monthly". I do my very best to explain things in reality, not just make it up. I do try to glaze over some things I think she's too young for yet. I was talking to mom not that long ago about how to teach or not teach things like hate, prejudice, gossip, etc. Most children at her age just don't see that - like skin color or gender differences. We'll cross that bridge I guess when we come to it!

In the meantime, we're having cute conversations like this one from friday:

We were at the studio and she was helping me with tape to wrap up some wedding invitations.

L: mommy, what are these for?

me: well someone is getting married and these papers will go out to all of their friends and family to invite them to their wedding.

L: oh, i want to go! can we go to the wedding?

me: no, we don't know these people, i am just doing work for them. but maybe we'll go to your wedding someday. that will be fun!

L: yeah! I want to get married!

me: ok, who are you going to marry?

L: I'm going to marry daddy!

me: ok, i'm sure he would like to marry you (again, to explain later:))

L: yeah, i love daddy, i'm going to marry him. when did you get married?

me: oh a long time ago, before you were born. i was 25.

L: 25?! that's old! :)

Another day at Disneyland

I think if I were to post photos from our trips to Disneyland, I'd have over a dozen posts a year, at least!  Probably would get boring:).  Here's another shot - post holidays, out with friend Kalia.  Audrey is a decent Disney tripper.  She rides fine but if she misses her nap it's disaster for the rest of the day.  

Thanksgiving 2011

This year we had an intimate Thanksgiving at Megan's apt. That's Audrey in Megan's kitchen, trying to get more food - she can never get enough!

We all brought over a couple of dishes and had a relaxing afternoon. Alex watched some football and we played with the kids.

The next morning, we packed up for 2 nights in Big Bear with the Velez branch, at Christy and Mike's cabin. We stayed with the girls in a room on the first floor. Alex's parents with Cyndy, Rob and family, rented a house right across the street. They held their Thanksgiving for us to join them on Friday, so that was nice and a great treat to have another round of excellent food! A couple of Mike's kids were there, along with Mike's mom. The cabin is very cozy and i enjoyed just relaxing and pretty much doing nothing else. I think I barely stepped out of the front door! Alex took Laurel with the cousins up the street to sled in a patch of snow. The ground wasn't bare, but the covering was sparse. It was Laurel's first time in the snow:). She loved it - and I also realized I don't have enough cold weather gear! No water resistant mittens at all. Both nights, Laurel stayed over with the cousins. A treat for her, pretty much her first sleep over that wasn't down the street at Grandma's or Aunt Meg's. Granted, across the street from us, but in bed with other kids, in a house she isn't used to. We heard she did just fine! Audrey was pretty good most of the time. She didn't nap super well, so she had trouble at dinner time and was pretty fussy during thankgiving dinner. But as usual, ate really well!

Birthday continued

Here's a few pretty and funny faces from the weekend plus a couple of shots of Audrey opening some presents on her actual birthday.  I like to have something for them to open on their actual birthday.:)

Audrey is One!

We had a little party for Audrey's birthday this weekend.  Just a few friends and grandparents.  Like Laurel's party, I had much fun finding cute desserts to make and fun games on pinterest.  Seriously, what would I do without it now!  

We had the party in the late afternoon with snacks and desserts only.  I heated caramel and we had a make your own candy apple set up. 

We had a pumpkin roll with brooms and decorated mini gourds with feathers, sparkles, paint and other add-ons.  I thought the halloween theme would be fun to do while Audrey was small and didn't have an opinion:). Hopefully she'll enjoy her halloween birthday timing when she's older!  

Though she loves to eat, Audrey didn't really dive into her cupcake.  But we got enough for the camera:).

Disney Halloween

Halloween is quickly creeping up on my favorite time of year. No shopping and weeks of preparation. No long hours in the kitchen or wrapping presents. Just lots of fun with little people in costumes and of course - candy. I thought it was fine as a kid, I did look forward to it. But it was pretty much one night of the year, no big deal. As an adult, I'm managing to drag it out all month long for my kids! And Disneyland is a great help:). Tuesday I took the kids and met up with some friends to do the Mickey's Trick or Treat party. The park is always decked out, the candy is flowing big time and there's characters everywhere. This was our 3rd year going and I just love it. The candy "trails" were all over this year and moved quickly. We even got on a couple of rides. Laurel looks so cute in her costume and her recent obsession with pigtails looked great with the ensemble:). I also brought some face paint and tried to give it a go!

These faces

These faces make everything worth it, every day.  No matter how trying, how many tantrums or exhausting errands.  They are sweet, loving and so very fun.  They're my companions day in and day out.  They are always up for anything and are patient with me when i'm not at my best.  I always wish for and want the best for them.  They're my babies, my life's best work.