Vintage Tees

I am really loving vintage looking Tees. Alice got a few for back to school.

While R and I were folding laundry he turns to me and says...

"Why does that t-shirt look so old?"

"It is suppose to! It's call 'vintage!'"

"What the...."

R doesn't know much about fashion.

So I wanted to take a picture of Alice in her latest vintage tee, featuring Cookie Monster.

She was really excited because it has been a while since we've had a "photo shoot."

A: I want to be like you when I grow up.

Me: Aweeeee! Like me how?

A points to the camera.

Me: You want to be a photographer?

A: Yeah, it's COOL!

How could you not love her?

Play date

I love play dates! They are fun for the kids and I don't really have to think of things for them to do.

Today's play date is for Alice. This is her BFF. They play with barbies, dress ups, and sand. One time, they even put up a 5 minute skit with the help of an older sister. It is really fun to see the kids interact with each other. I can't explain it, you just have to experience it. Go out and schedule a play date!

The Kraken

R emailed me this old picture from his phone last night.

It's Alice.

Alice was two and a half.

Frank was five.

Frank drew on Alice.

With her permission of course.

It's the Kraken.

He made her into the Kraken.

As in, The Pirates of the Caribbean.

I think, "why????"

School Carnival

The wonderful PTA at our school hosted a carnival Thursday night. There were jump house, obstacle course, and rides! We even received free school T shirts.

The lines were long of course, but Alice told me she wanted to go on the drop ride, so I said "fine." We were in line for 20 minutes , it was almost our turn, and she turns to me and said "I'm too scared, I don't want to go anymore." I was about to loose it! I told them, if you don't get on, we will go home right now. Frank was still hesitant, but he got on the ride. Alice saw and had no choice but to get on the ride as well. There were screams and laughs, no cries at all. I'm glad I forced them on.

Then there was this ring for "boxing." There was no way I was going to let Alice in with Frank, she would have been pummeled. Luckily there was a boy that was a single as well, and Frank had a blast sparring with him.

Look at that smile... It is infectious!

1st swim lesson

Frank and Alice went to their first swim lessons today. This is what Alice drew....

I think she had fun, wouldn't you say?

A Not So Secret Admirer

This is a note Alice received from a boy that sat next to her during church, who is also her classmate.

Yes, that conversation bubble says "I heart U"

I thought it was sweet, his mom later complemented on how cute Alice's photo Valentines were and that the said boy kept it on the fridge for the longest time and the mom suspect he has a "little thing" for her. MY ALICE?!?

R thought he had more time, but he thinks he needs to get the shot gun ready....

I think it's sweet, but really no need to be worry, she doesn't care about boys, yet.

As Promised.

Something new about Alice... her hair is getting longer! She asks me to put it in curls at night, so she can sport curly hair. That's what she is into now, curly hair.

Even when she has a cold, she is a pretty as can be!

Gardner Villeage - Wee Witches!

It was UEA weekend and away we went, down to West Jordan to the famous Gardner Village! In celebration of Halloween, they had witches everywhere! And I mean, EVERYWHERE!

And of course... Lots of Pumpkins!

The kids had a lot of fun eating candy and just enjoying the ambiance of the place.

There were music playing and Alice just couldn't stop dancing!

This is in case the witches needed a quick get away...

We even spotted a real witch!

But this was my favorite witch, by far :)

The Order...

I would not call myself a morning person. I find dawn’s experience about as pleasant as taking a bite out of a super-sized sawdust sandwich. There are, however, the occasional mornings that consist of events that make them less torturous and almost enjoyable; this morning was just such a one.

I stumbled out to the kitchen to the sweet embrace of eggs and bacon. A.was busy preparing these delectable dishes and we readied ourselves to break our fast. Frank and I graciously accepted our helpings. Alice was enjoying her morning television program and was asked by her mother if she would like some hash browns with her eggs. Without even thinking (and thereby not having to alter her mental state in the slightest) Alice declined and said rather matter-of-factly that she did not “order” any hash browns. The English language contains no words that could better have conveyed to those present just what her mother thought of the quip.
Never grow up Alice, please.

--R

Alice's First Day

Today was Alice's first day of Kindergarten, she was excited but nervous.

She wanted me to stay in the classroom like I did with Frank, but I couldn't since the kindergartners had their open house a few day before.

We were a couple minutes late and all the other student were settled in already...

She was very hesitant....


This is Mrs. E, she is very nice.

This is Alice before I left...

After I said good bye to her, the corners of her mouth drooped down and the tears started to flow. I left anyways, I was sure her teacher could handle it.

When I picked her up two and a half hours later, she was as happy as a clam and informed me that she will not be crying tomorrow. All is well.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Well, We are about half way done with our trip to California. We decided to take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to have a look see. Frank wasn't too excited because, I think, it was not adventurous enough for him. However, Alice sure was excited.

First, we stopped by the Sandbar & Grill for lunch!

I got a cup of clam chowder....



and a crab/prawns with avocado melt on sourdough (I skipped the cheese so it's not really a melt...




Outside of the Aquarium, there was an otter you could take pictures with, Alice wanted to take pictures with it, but was reluctant to smile, not sure why....

Then we saw all sorts of neat stuff inside...

Alice, being true to who she is, lost one of her croc over the balcony and into the ocean.



Luckily, there was a diver near by to retrieve it for us, otherwise, she would have gotten a good yelling at.



Frank and Alice had a great time with their grandpa!

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Scene: A and kids get on the bus, spotting some empty seats and sat down.

Woman on the bus: She is beautiful! What a pretty girl!

A: Thanks! Thank you.

Woman: (To Alice) You are so pretty. (smiles)

Alice: ......

Woman gets off the bus, and A turns to Alice

A: Are you beautiful?

Alice stares at A.

A: Did you hear that woman said you were beautiful?

Alice nods.

A: Do you think you're beautiful?

Alice: Yes.

Frank, who was sitting behind us, was intrigued and stuck his head between A and Alice.

A: Frank, do you think Alice is beautiful?

Frank: (looks up and down at Alice) Well..... She's kind of fat.

A gasps!

A: Frank! Don't call your sister fat! She is beautiful and not fat at all.

Alice: (whispers) He calls me fat all the time.

A: aweeeeeee. (A gives Alice a big hug)

- It saddens me that Frank already equates fat as not beautiful. I know he loves his sister, and compare to him, everyone is fat. But still.... Good thing there are strangers and her father that boost her self esteem all the time.

All the same, I thought I'd make her feel special and give her a new 'do and make her feel pretty.

She looks like a million bucks to me!

Not just Small, Medium and Large

Alice decided she wanted to draw pumpkins, not just one but many. Frankly, I think it's too early to be thinking about pumpkins, but they kids have, already, discussed extensively on what they will be for Halloween this year. So I guess it's not really a surprise that Alice has pumpkins on her mind.

She was so proud of her pumpkins that she showed it to her Dad. Her dad thought it would be funny to label them. I think he had too much fun with the thesaurus.

Without further ado, here is her masterpiece.

Alice Scootering

Frank received 2 scooters for his 7th birthday last year, so naturally Alice claimed one of them to be hers. 6 months later, Frank has yet to show real interest in it, while Alice has been riding it virtually everyday since the snow has melted. She has gotten pretty good too! She was a bit shy when I was recording her but she can get going pretty good, even some fancy cross footwork when she feels up to it.

Our Usual Haunts

Summer Vacation Week 2:

The weather god is smiling upon us and taking away the dark clouds and rain! I decided to the Frank and Alice out to stretch our legs. We are a single car family right now, so me and the kids usually take the bus around town.


First, I have to emphasize that I let more things slide during vacation because isn't that what vacation is about? During school time, I'm more particular about what the kids wear, but not now. They can pretty much wear whatever they want.

This is what they chose for footwear:

Frank and Alice playing while waiting for the bus:

And of course, right on schedule, someone is hurt. This time was Alice:

She was still upset about it on the bus:

Frank and Alice's favorite thing to do at the library is to play on the computers:

Then we usually go to lunch but I forgot to take a picture of it so just pretend there is a picture of us eating Chinese food.

I decided to give them a treat and took them to Bluebird Candy and got them each a chocolate sucker.

note the Chinese left over next to her.


mmmmmm delicious

I have no idea why Frank decided to wear shorts with cowboy boots...

Alice decided to grace us with a dance at the transit center, and the idiot that I am, I recorded the whole thing side ways thinking that I could turn it when I post it. As it turns out, I couldn't! So just tilt your head and you'll be able to see. (please excuse my voice....)





Here comes our bus to take us home!

Meant For Me?

Summer Vacation Day: 2

I'm trying to be efficient with 2 kids at home and working part time.... I've made rules about eating and quiet time and what not. I'm trying to keep myself sane and keep Frank and Alice entertained at the same time. I would go out and play and walk, except we have a storm.... not very fun. They started getting quiet in their room, which could only mean troubles a-brewing

I walked into their room to find this......

I'm a little offended because I'm assuming the sign is for me, seeing how the only other person at home is me. I didn't even know I WAS bothering them! Then Alice peeked out and flashed me the sneaky smile.... (Frank wrote the note and made the fort) Those kids are SO not getting dinner!

A trip and Crazy 8s

We met up with my mom and step dad last weekend at Reno for a little get together. Even though the drive took forever (not to mention a pull-over by the great Nevada Highway Patrol) we had a really good time.

This is Frank at the Summit Tunnel near Donner Pass.

He thought it was fantastic to climb around the rocks, while I was terrified that he might fall.

This is Alice with her face paint that was done at Circus Circus.

She really enjoys all things pink and sparkly.

And now to the real motive behind this post, crazy 8s a la my sister in law.

Eight things I look forward to:
1. Visiting California.
2. Visiting Disneyland.
3. A trip just for R and me.
4. R being done with school.
5. Not having to work anymore.
6. Being homeowners.
7. Getting the quilts, quilted.
8. My last birthday in my 20s.

Eight things I did yesterday:
1. Went to a camp site and roasted hot dogs.
2. Shopped for groceries.
3. Got a pedicure with Alice.
4. Had Dinner with family.
5. Played with my sweet niece.
6. Learned to played Yahtzee.
7. Messed around on facebook.
8.Took pictures of Alice.

Eight things I wish I could do.
1. Run like a runner, not like a sprinter.
2. Not get bored so easily.
3. Pretend like Frank.
4. Be carefree like Alice.
5. Live without the computer/internet.
6. Love to workout.
7. Be more kind to others.
8. Be patient.

Eight Shows I watch
1. The Office
2. Bones
3. House
4. Lost
5. Grey's Anatomy
6. Sponge Bob (only when Frank and Alice are watching)
7. Tom and Jerry (again, see above)
8. Friends