We have spent much of May (by San Diego standards at least) dealing with rain. That means lots of inside time, baking, and playroom destruction. At the end of April I got to act as the San Diego County Science Representative at an education seminar. I was so nervous, but I did my presentation without any "ammms" or "hmmmmms" and my friends Dave said I was like a mini-Spiegel (which is a huge compliment in my world). I also got to meet an amazing woman in science education, Helen Quinn. Eleanor has become even more active lately. She doesn't listen at all to directions and we are regularly chasing her down the street! Ella wants so badly to do everything Madeline does, luckily Madi doesn't mind having a side-kick.
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| King Jameson |
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| Lani and Madeline regularly take over mom and dad's bed |
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| Happy to be outside! |
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| Trying to ride the big girl bike |
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| Look at those adorable cheeks! And yes - she is sleeping with a blanket and normal pillow already - and in Madi's bed. |
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| "I can get down by myself" |
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| Giving herself a bath in the doll tub |
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| Madi trying to nap in the doll crib - this is what happens after too much time in the house |
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| This is how excited I was to meet Dr Quinn |
We welcomed in May with Gisella's baby shower (I can't wait to meet EJ Higgins) and Jackson's first birthday. What a crazy weekend! The shower was beautiful, with perfect spring weather, and a lovely afternoon spent with some of my favorite women. The Kelly family outdid themselves with a giant bounce house for Jackson's party. Madi spent the whole party bouncing or eating. Even Ella tried out the bouncing (and she really seemed to enjoy it). Matt and the grown up boys bounced while the kids ate cake! Naomi and I got in on the action . . . and decided that maybe moms shouldn't bounce without properly preparing for it.
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| Hungry Caterpillar cupcake cake I made |
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| We also made teacher appreciation presents this week |
Madeline had her 4 year doctor's appointment. She had to wear a grown up paper gown, stood on the scale by herself, and didn't cry when she got shots! This visit is one of those defining moments where I feel like she has made a huge step to getting big (and I want to try to snuggle her back in the wrap to keep her small). Madeline is 50% for height and weight now, definitely no more baby chunk on this one!
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| Doing art. Madi is very serious when she works |
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| Using my stencils from childhood. Tupperware last forever! |
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| Big girl at the doctor |
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| Proud of herself |
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| Madi is super into having her hair braided lately. I am loving the phase! |
Mother's day was extra wonderful this year. I was super cranky the week before Mother's Day (especially when one of the other wives texted me about setting up golfing on Father's day). There were sentences coming out of my mouth in a yelly tone of voice to Matt that may have been along the lines of "why is Father's day a day-off and you don't even have to organize it, while Mother's day is like any other Sunday and I still had to plan my own gift of a spa night next week?" I was rewarded for my bad behavior when Matt decided to send me to the Estancia to stay all by myself for 19 hours!! It was awesome!! I sat by the pool, read a book, sat on my patio drinking wine, and even got room service. It was the quietest Saturday night I have had in a long long time. Sunday morning Matt and the kids picked me and we headed up to Shadowridge for brunch. So yummy! I am looking forward to a repeat of this Mother's Day next year . . .
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| My Estancia patio |
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| Wine and silence. Woohoo! |
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| Ella post brunch. She is obsessed wit the rocking chair |
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| Sisters coloring |
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| The girls silhouettes on the left and Matt and Jeff on the right |
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| Post Mother's day snuggling |
Robyn was in town this month for work, yay for me! She came over for dinner on Monday and went with me to a girl's night at the movies on Wednesday. I haven't been to the movies in so long that I had no idea how comfortable theaters are now. We went to an AMC and sat in full on lounge chairs! It was such a great experience that I may be ready to try bringing the kids to a movie (a perfect rainy day activity). On Saturday, Matt was golfing and I had promised the girls a trip to Sea World. As we walked out the door into rain, Madi and I decided we would make use of our museum pass instead. We had an educational morning at the Natural History Museum and lunch from Madeline's favorite hot dog purveyor - Sonic! This was followed by testing out the Easy Bake Oven and Madeline deciding that her cake was too small to share so she should eat it for snack and we should make cupcakes to take to the Kelly house for dinner (that's my girl).
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| Robyn showing off the great seats |
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| Hanging out at the NAT |
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| Post Museum Sonic Picnic in the living room |
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| Easy Bake time. I didn't get a picture of the actual cake since Madeline ate it within seconds of frosting it. |
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| Drum line |
This Sunday I rewarded myself with a trip to the Hotel Del spa! 6 of us mom-types had an after hours spa party. It was amazing!!! I got a hot stone massage, we had all sorts of yummy treats including caprese salad, chocolate dipped strawberries, truffles, and champagne! We also had full use of the spa, just us. After our time was up, we headed to the bar to watch the sunset and have a glass of wine. This might have been the best start to a work week I have ever had!
