Peace

Today I discovered that our bathroom door locks. 

I gave my kids a halloween sucker and locked myself in. (Did I mention this was around 11 am? It wasn't 7 am... don't worry!)

I took a nice, hot shower. Alone. No holding the shower curtain closed with one foot while Alisa struggles to tear it open and get soaked. No keeping Jake's undies on so he doesn't hop in and join me. 

It was just me.

I felt at peace.

Until I got out, of course. Jake promptly informed me that Alisa chewed her sucker stick up and swallowed it. He promises. I have yet to find it so I think it might be true. 

She didn't choke. And I still got a moment of peace.

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Niece

I can't believe I didn't get to talk to my sweet niece on her birthday! I love her so much and am so grateful she is part of our family. She is such a sweet girl and a natural nurturer. I love how she plays with and takes care of my kids when we see her (I wish we could see her more often!). She is smart and fun. She's a good helper and good big sister. Jake adores her and we all love her. Happy late Birthday, Ash! I can't believe how grown up you are! We LOVE you!!!

Don't they look alike? I think it's those big Crane brows. Thanks, papa Crane! :)

Angel Sleepers and Pony tails (plural!)

Mercifully, Jake has figured out how to play with Alisa without me getting out of bed in the morning. He still comes in and wakes me up around 6:15, but he'll go back to climb in the crib and dump a bunch of toys out. Sometimes I actually get to fall back asleep! Ah! I love that they play together more now. 

Jake's wake-up phrase: Mom, the sun is up! It's time to get up! Get out of bed! The sun is up!

I caught these angelic poses the other night. I know I just posted some sleeping pictures, but Jake was such a crack-up! Then I saw my princess sprawled out in Jake's old shirt and couldn't resist.

Isn't this funny?! Who knows how long his hands were clasped like this. He was out.

Ok, doesn't she look like a GIRL?

I had her playing with my old prom jewelry--yes, from 12 or 13 years ago and yes it's cheap from Claire's. Back view. She has so little hair, but hey! That mullet fits into 2 cute pony tails!

Aw, how CUTE! I like it much better than the wispy mullet she has going on lately...

These two trouble makers (with Alisa) probably scared Abby away for good today. With all the growling and getting of bad guys, Abby was definitely more content to play dress up and puzzles with me. While I didn't get a picture of her, Abby DID make Jake's prayer tonight, so she IS his friend, even if Jonas is his #1 love.

They turned on the hose outside this morning and doused each other. It was before 9 so it was a bit chilly outside (as in, it wasn't in the 90's yet), so they got to wear some of Jake's clothes and what better motivator to wear clothes than to match? They loved it.

For Grandma

So my mom complained that I was slacking off on the blog (especially pictures) scene. This post is of the pictures we've taken since my last post. Now, if you read Melissa's blog, I swear I did not take these pictures/videos AFTER she did. I just posted them after. Great minds think alike. Or our kids are the same age and we both like Christmas! :) 

The Christmas music has been playing since early October (Scott actually initiated this one!). Jake was SO excited to put up our tree, and since we put it up last year around Nov. 1st, we thought, What the heck? So we did it.

Fuzzy, but isn't that smile TO DIE FOR?!

Alisa with Casey. Jake and Casey's brother go to preschool together. He is a month older than Alisa and probably 5 inches shorter, and calls her the baby! (Common phrases: No, baby! Go, baby!)

Great three year old baseball idea! Seriously. This is the best thing I have put up yet. The baseball is hanging from a rope (it's actually a tennis ball). So no retrieving necessary. Jake loves it!

Excuse Alisa's soggy diaper. Jake is in his usual attire.

Jake taking over the ABC song.

Here is Alisa singing the ABC's. She's such a crack-up! She stopped singing to grab the H and hit Jake on the head. Too bad I stopped the camera before it happened. She's learning all kinds of things from him!

Pony Tail, Bandaid King, & Terrible Twos

Here are our first attempts at a pony in Alisa's hair. Notice the placement. I had to take it out (and Jake took it out once, too) and try again for closer to where hair would normally be. Poor little baldy!

Part of Jake's trick-or-treating got him a whole bunch of fun bandaids, which he decided to immediately use, despite the fact that he did not have one scratch. 

Alisa's FIRST EVER pony. Like the outfit? Nice shirt. Mom of the Year.

My little angel asleep in her crib with the blanket my Grandma Crane quilted for me. What a sweetie! 

Look who's also a sweetie in his sleep! Here is our choo-choo boy (Polar Express jammies and robe from last year--thanks, Grandma). He is mostly out of the Terrible Twos but he sure knows how to push my buttons. I am trying not to react. I went to the grocery store today at 4:15 pm. First mistake. With both kids. Second mistake. We were all hungry because of daylight savings time. Third mistake. I had no room to make Jake sit in the cart. Fourth mistake. I HATE grocery shopping with kids. Especially with a hyperactive smarty-pants like Jake. I love him to death, but sometimes I want to run him over with my cart! Especially when he is on the opposite end, pushing with all his might against me. I finally gave up, bought a rotisserie chicken, and we (meaning mostly Scott) made some killer chicken salad sandwiches on sourdough toast with cranberry sauce and brie. See recipe here. 

Anyhow, he really is a good kid. So sweet most of the time. It's so fun to watch him grow. And to watch him sleep. Peaceful. I love him. Will I ever learn not to react? Ah!!!

Addendum

I was thinking while doing the dishes about what I said about Obama and race and it doesn't matter. I suppose to me it would seem significant if a member of the LDS church were to become President. That thought just helped me see from another's point of view (possibly). I do still think that regardless of religion or race (although I definitely prefer that a religious person leads our country!), as long as they are honest, hard-working, etc. etc. etc. I stick to my previous statement, but I also understand a little better why it is so significant to the African American race.

Some Thoughts

As a disclaimer, I am not an expert in politics, but wanted to record some feelings I'm having. 

I have mixed feelings on being a witness to the historical events of this election. I think it's great that there is an African American as President. It must be inspirational to African Americans, especially those who now feel it is possible to seize opportunities and progress. While I know it is important and it is historic, it would be fine with me whatever the race/gender of President, as long as they are honest and hardworking and do a good job of running the country (which, in my opinion, may not happen--at least not in a way that I agree with). So as far as race (African American), I say good but in the end, it doesn't matter to me what race they are. 

I am concerned about the direction that our country may be headed with Obama. If you take out the competition (socialism) you take out (in general, although there may be exceptions) drive and work ethic. Do people in countries with socialized medicine go shopping around for a specialist in their country? I'm not sure I'd trust a doctor that got paid the same as the next, no matter what kind of treatment he gave. These are simplified thoughts on the matter, I know. 

I am breathing a sigh of relief that Prop. 8 passed! Hooray! I am grateful I could let my voice be heard here in CA. It's great we have the opportunity to vote. I am bummed that Prop. 4 didn't pass, which would require minors to give 48 hour notice to parents before having an abortion. It just seems so wrong. Probably because it is.

If anyone has a good explanation as to how the electoral vote got started and why we have it, I'd love to hear.

Random thoughts, but I'm signing out now, if you are still reading this.

Need a Good Laugh?

This was on my friend's blog and I was cracking up. Hope you enjoy.

Trick-or-Treat times two

Well, we went out trick-or-treating with our next-door-neighbors last night for about an hour. Jake fell asleep on the way over (we went to Redlands). But woke up and was ready to go. The police had blocked off the street and had big flood lights set up so it was really well lit. The weather was great, of course. Jake opted for Peter Pan this time (Buzz is a bit hot for So Cal) and we lost Alisa's antennae and black tights so we put her in the pumpkin outfit, which she loved! Seriously, she was mad she had to take it off and she kept saying "bu-bu" (pumpkin) and rubbing her tummy. 

We had a great time and added to the serious loot that Jake got from the ward party and trick-or-treating at Preschool. Here are the results. We did not dress up last night. Party poopers, I know, but I just couldn't walk around in those heels again!

The Loot

Peter Pan

Ahhh, cute!

Such a happy pumpkin!

And a big girl, too!

Alisa in new snowsuit--thanks grandma! We think it'll last two years at least!

We had Hallie and Mason over yesterday. Jake and Hallie really wanted to take a bath, so I said what the heck? Go for it!

Jake with teacher, Mrs. Morales.



On Thursday Jake's preschool had a Halloween party and went over to the Adult School (his preschool is actually an adult school program) to trick-or-treat. Unbeknownst to us parents, each student had a pile of candy in each classroom. We visited 5 classrooms. So, he got some serious candy and by the last classroom was complaining that his bag was too heavy. Poor kid! Way too much candy!