Happy Halloween!

Miss Rory as Tinkerbell
said Happy Halloween and Thank You at each house,
charming our neighbors along the way.

Sascha as a Pirate girl,
Trick ARRR Treated,
and saw two fellow pirates passing out candy.

Hailey as Hermione,
cast a spell on our neighbors
compelling them to give us INSANE amounts of candy!

Nana and Papa came along and joined the fun!

Can we go now??

Mmmm.... lasagna! :)

Trying to figure out the glow sticks.

So, I kind of look pregnant in this picture.

Off we go!

We had such a blast, our new neighborhood was perfect
for trick or treating!
After the girls were sugar rushed out,
and crashed for the night,
the grown ups caught up on the Vampire Diaries
& maybe ate a few pieces of the loot.
A fabulous way to end our Halloween night!

Living Literature & Boogie Bash

Today was "Live Literature" Day
at Hailey's School.
It worked out well, seeing as how Hailey is going to be Hermione
for Halloween.



Meanwhile, the girls had a Halloween party at the dance school.
Finally, Rory was able to join in on the fun
since she screams and cries every week
when we have to drop Sascha off.

2nd best part,
the husband was able to come and watch with me!

I must admit I got a little emotional watching my little ladies,
especially at what a great big sister Sascha can be.
These are the moments I am so grateful to be able to experience.
And I'm so thankful for my hubby,
who makes it all possible.

I love my life!

If You Want Something Done...

If I had to pick one craving
that has dominated my pregnancy thus far
it would have to be
chocolate chip cookies.

They have become a staple in our home.
Early on in the pregnancy I convinced my mother to bake some,
and boy did she deliver.
A big bag full of her wonderful delicious treats,
in exchange for a big piece of my hubby's lasagna.
(Ooooh....lasagna sounds gooooood.)

Since then we have had on hand various types of CCC (chocolate chip cookies)
around the house.
There have been Reduced Fat Chips Ahoy,
the Nestle refrigerated dough kind,
even the 800 pound mini chocolate chip bin from Costco (twice).

But still I find nothing more delightful than a homemade
oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
Problem is, I don't bake. I can barely cook dinners.
Baking is the husbands forte.
And after a long day at work,
husband don't wanna bake no cookies.

So, this afternoon I decided,
for the first time ever,
to make cookies from scratch.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
While Rory napped,
Sascha and I mixed together the ingredients
and had numerous taste tests as each batch came out.

The results were yummy, yum, yummers.

See the smiling faces....



That's joy, my friends.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie joy!

Countdowns

Today, I officially have one month left of my twenties
and three months until we welcome a new member to our family.

Ch-Ch-Changes are right around the corner.

On a Fabulous Fall Evening

Me
Happy

A Sneak Peek

The Countdown is on!

Another Funday on this Sunday

What a day!

I got to spend some quality time with my dear ol' Dad,
while the girlies got to swim with Nana.
We went to Joann's and Borders,
and my pops spoiled me with goodies.
Can't wait to see what I'll make with our finds.
And can I just say, how lucky am I to have a dad
who will go to the fabric store to me?

Later, my hubby joined us,
and we had delicious pizza for lunch.
(Have you noticed that I keep bringing up food every post?
I must be pregnant or something.)

Then mom and I took Sascha for a "quick trip"
to Target.
An hour later we came home with some goodies,
and my feet HURT!

Another evening where I feel exhausted,
but what a fun day!
Now that we've moved I think we spend more time together,
than when we lived down the street.
:)

Unexpected Adventures

Sascha, Rory and I decided to tour
a few of our favorite Southern California places today.
We started at Oma's for a little shopping
and some delicious homemade chicken soup.

Then after an impromptu morning call,
we decided to head out to Nana & Papa's to spend the night.
Nana made us some delicious spaghetti for dinner,
and relaxed from our long day of driving.

I'm a tad tired.
I wonder what adventures will we have tomorrow?

A Conversation with My Kiddo

After passing a Pumpkin Patch with 8 billion slides

Me: You know, when I was a girl the only thing in the pumpkin patch,
were pumpkins.

Hailey: Oh, mom, that's so sad.

Ready for her close up....

Last Legoland Post!

Such a fun time!

It makes me tired just thinking about it.

First we hit up Vegas, then the Inaguration....

ALL Legos!

A-mazing!

3 Girls and a Band of Legos

It is crazy what they make with Legos
- this was one of our favorites!

More to come!

LEGOLAND!!!

Today we surprised our girls with a trip to
Legoland!

I told the girls we were going somewhere,
and Sascha asked if it was "the mall?!?!"
I don't understand why that girl loves the mall so much.
So I told her yes, we were going to a far away mall
with every store you can imagine.

We loaded up our girls and made the 45 minute drive
to Carlsbad.
Hailey was in the way back, reading Harry Potter,
not at all paying attention to her surroundings.
Sascha and Rory are too young to read,
so we made it all the way to the gates of the park
with no one being the wiser.
John and I giggled the whole way in,
until finally Hailey looked up and said,
"Um, I think I know where we are."
Sascha: "We are at the big far away mall,
hey look that place has bricks on it like we have at home."
Me: "What are those bricks called?"
Sascha: "Blocks!"
John: "No, Leh...."
Sascha: "Legos!"
Me: "Do you think this might be Legoland?"
Sascha: "You tricked us!"
Me & John: "Surprise!"
Lots of laughter and squeals and we made our way in to the park.

It reminded me of when I was a wee lassie,
and my parents did the same thing with Disneyland.
I still remember being in the back of the car
reading The BabySitters Club,
and looking up as we pulled into the parking lot
with the big sign that said
DISNEYLAND.
Happy Memories.

We couldn't have asked for a better day.
The weather was cloudy and cool,
and the lines were short.
We walked the entire park.
There is not much for a pregnant lady to do
at Legoland, except soak in the joy of her children's faces
and eat some tasty Apple French Fries.
I did both.

I'm EXHAUSTED,
so no pictures right now -
but stay tuned!
I took lots.

A Spectrum Saturday

Three balloons for my three little ladies

It's October, weather, what is up with the heat?

Let's take a ride!

Whee!

Don't forget me!

Me and my chickies.

Thanks Nana for a lovely morning/afternoon.
(Though I still taste french fries,
ugh!)

Husky Hoedown

Tonight Hailey's school had their annual
Husky Hoedown!

There were games galore, bounce houses,
and Hailey's teacher was the DJ.



But you know where my kiddos were happiest?


On the playgrounds,


on the opposite end of the fun.


We P's don't need no stinkin' hoedown,
just a playground

and each other.

Happy Birthday Chelsea!!

My baby sister is the big
25
today!

She is freezing her buns off up in Portland,
and I miss her so!

I hope you have an AWESOME day!

Love you lots
and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Longing

I long for seasons.

Carrying this baby, I am running so hot.
Today the weather was still cool,
the forecast teased rain
and I was sweating.

I long for cold.

I have lived in California my whole life.
I thought this is where I would always be,
but I had a major revelation in April.
A longing to discover somewhere new,
a longing for a place that can provide
what my soul is searching for.
It is going to take time,
but I will get there
someday.

For now,
I'll do an internet search and see if I can find
a dance or two
to bring back the rain.

That's Rain, Folks!

I couldn't be happier and I am going to enjoy every second of it,
and ignore the fact that the forecast is predicting 94 degrees for Friday.

Two Reasons Mornings are Good Here

1. Hailey doesn't start school until 8:50,
which allowed me to sleep in until 7:45 after
being awakened at 5 by the husband leaving for work,
which woke up Rory who then had to be cajoled back to sleep.

2. Most mornings I wake up to see this:

Something about watching the hot air balloons
drift through the clouds is so peaceful,
it makes me instantly happy.
And it makes the girls giddy,
like - run down the stairs it's Christmas morning! - giddy.

You cannot beat that.

Sweeter than Candy Corn

and much better for the teeth!

Bright Colored Shoes

are sweet!

Halloween Time at Disneyland!

Tram Shot

On the monorail.

So excited!

Hailey waiting to find Nemo.

In the sub, Sascha is a little unsure.

A handsome man that sat in front of me on Small World.

See that lady behind me?
She sneezed all over my back!
GROSS!

When I say, "Say Cheese"
something compels these girls to look everywhere
but at me.


Daddy is able to spin the teacup way faster than Mommy.

While I tried not to puke, she screamed to get off.
And then screamed for another half hour,
until we filled her belly.

Then she was happy as a clam.

We had a great day,
and now I am
exhausted.

Ohhhhkay!

Meesie has taken an interest in two things:

1) Talking up a storm.

and

2) Dressing herself.

Both are cute, although the second is just a tad frustrating. If she doesn't want to wear something - it's NOT going to happen. So, I leave her up to her own devices and she ends up looking like Punky Brewster.
I constantly hear, "Maybe the world is blind..." when I look at her.

Here was this morning's getup,
which she wore all day long
and to all the appointments I had today.

The jacket is size 6-12 months,
the dress is a 5T,
the pants a 3T,
and the shoes are one size too big.

But she was happy as a clam
all day long,
and that made me happy too.

Early Morning Princess Party

My leg serves as a very high "moun-an."

I'm only here to serve. :)

My Mantle

Spookiness A-Go-Go

Pregnancy Craving Numero Uno

Golden Spoon Coffee Frozen Yogurt
with Chocolate Sprinkles

I maybe bought a quart tonight.
(Maybe meaning: Oh yes I did.)

Pumpkin Revisited

What a difference baking soda makes!




A great way to end a great day!
The weather was cool,
Rory and I spent the wee hours of the morning
cuddled in my bed, watching the wind blow the trees.

Nana came out to visit,
and we headed off to see Oma.
Upon our return,
hot cocoa was served
as we watched Nightmare Before Christmas,
even though I feel it is more a Christmas movie
than an October movie.

I cooked up a big pot of tortilla soup
for dinner.
We watched the Chargers lose, boo!
And the girls giggled like crazy
while they made silly videos.

The moon has been so bright
these past few nights.
And I put Rory to sleep,
her face cloaked in the moonlight.
So peaceful, so beautiful.

A wonderful day, indeed.

Ick and Awww

I woke up from a nap to a delicious smell,
and found the husband baking up some delicious pumpkin bread.


Moments later, said husband takes a bite of his efforts and promptly runs to the
trash can and spits out said pumpkin bread.
Not so delicious.
He makes a mental note, you cannot substitute cream of tartar for baking soda.


Rubber pumpkin bread = no bueno.

Tonight, Sascha drew me a picture while I was putting Rory to bed.
It is me and baby brother:

I think she captured my essence perfectly,
nice and round.
Though, for the record, I have never carried any of my children
around by their hair.

Oh, The Weather Outside Is...

I have developed an unhealthy obsession.
Every day I frequent the MSN weather website,
I check the daily forecast,
then the 10 day.
Can I possibly want seasons more?
Someday, I hope.

Yesterday was still a warm one,
so we retreated to the girls favorite spot in the backyard.
They love, no LOVE to play in the dirt.

Forecasts are calling for showers on Sunday,
fingers double, triple crossed!

It's OCTOBER!!

I woke up this morning in the mood to celebrate.
Luckily Hailey doesn't start school until 8:50,
so I loaded up the chickies and off we went.

Halloween Sprinkle Donuts
and Starbucks Hot Chocolate
were mandatory.


Then as we drove home we watched a hot air balloon
soar over the wineries.
Very cool.


3 Happy Ladies, and 1 Upset Rory
who just wanted to eat her donut already.

Happy October!