If you call them . . . They will come.

Elle was making strange noises in the back of the car yesterday and I asked her to please stop because it was becoming obnoxious.  She growled at me and then went on to explain that she had to practice her animal sounds.  When I asked her why she responded, "So when I call them (animals) they will come."  Her repertoire currently includes horses, large cats, dogs, elephants, goats, birds, crickets, lamb, and squirrels.  

Working Mom

Well, I have started working again.  This economy sucks and Ty needed a little extra help at his new practice that he could afford.  That is right, I come cheap.  Free in fact. . . The best part about working is that my monotonous routine of cleaning, feeding, cleaning, changing, cleaning, cooking, and cleaning changes.  I now get four hours of adult interaction time.  The worst part about working is that my routine changes.  And, now nothing seems to get done. . . You have to be a mom to understand how this is possible.  Anyways, I enjoy work.  But Tate does not enjoy me working.  In fact, he punishes me for an hour every afternoon.  I, however, believe it is good for him to get this play time with his grandma Donna.  On the plus side it is helping me ween him.  But at the same time, this is causing him to lose his sweet baby smell.  Oh well.  The bittersweet dichotomy of lifes choices.

Elle doesn't have "cooties"

One day at dinner Ty was telling Elle's 8 year-old friend Max that all girls have cooties except for Brooke and that's why he married her.  When Max looked worried that perhaps he didn't have a shot at finding a "cootie-free" woman to marry someday, we thoughtfully suggested that perhaps Max could one day marry Elle because, like her mother, she doesn't have cooties (as far as we know).  To which Elle exclaimed, "I do too have cuties!"  Max agreed. :)

Presidents Day at the Reagan Presidential Library

What a great idea . . . And it would have been wonderful had our weather cooperated. . . It has been storming in California lately, and not typical L.A showers, but actual monsoon like conditions with flooding, hail, and even sleet.  Therefore, driving out to Simi Valley with at times zero visbility was a test of Ty's and my marriage.  I think I only asked him to slow down 3 times while bracing for impact during our multiple hydroplanes. I finally convinced him that it wasn't his driving but the other drivers on the road that scared me.  (We saw several spin outs, roll overs, and sliding off the road accidents.)

Upon arrival, we were greeted by George Washington and a short Abraham Lincoln.  The festivities included presidential story telling, Lincoln Log cabin building, designing pennies, decorating necklaces, birthday card making, and antebellum hat creation.  Elle had a blast playing with her friends and listening to the band music.

Meanwhile, Dad, Mom, and Tate snuck away to see Airforce One and the rest of the Reagan Museum.  (I wanted to see the origional Magna Carta on display but Tyler has a one track mind: Airplanes.)

While walking around the Museum, multiple people commented on Tate's smile.  Calling it irresistable. (And it is.)  Some even said that he ought to be a future president with his smile.  After pondering this idea, we have decided to reach across party lines and extend an offer to our democrat friend Nora Hawkins to be our V.P. running mate in the 2048 election.  Think of it, they could be the first bipartisan candidates.  With Tate's smile and Nora's charisma No one will refuse them.

Elle loves Dani's diet Coke

Dani couldn't find her soda that she bought before Elle's birthday party...so she followed the clues.

"No Dani allowed in my bedroom."

Needless to say all the Coke was gone.

Oops!and . . .I did it again.

One only has to review my blog from a year ago to realize that I am the queen of going overboard. After Elle's fourth birthday I swore, "No more birthday parties for another four years."  I rationalized that this was our last year at UCLA, her last time with her school and church friends, and the first year she could appreciate a birthday.  Well, about a month ago I started thinking, "Elle needs a way to make friends.  Maybe I should have a small party to help her with this process.". . . AND THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM!  I started thinking about her birthday over a month ago, which gave me a month to over plan.  Oh well!  The kids had fun.

You can obviously guess the theme.  We had fun painting puppy faces, designing dog collars and licenses, assembling doggy bags for treats, creating and eating our own puppy chow, eating hot dogs, playing dog games, and decorating dog cookie bones.  The only complaints heard was that "there was not enough time to do everything" and "I do not want to go home yet."  I must admit I did tone it down, but any event that leaves you that exhausted afterwards falls under the category of EXCESSIVE.  Luckily only half the kids came that were invited.

Where Elle gets it from...

Tate was sitting in his Bumbo (I think purple is cool Marissa) and Brooke commented that he had a  "frass".  So Elle says, "I want to see Tate's 'frass'". . . Sometimes I just have to shake my head.  On a side note, Tate has been exceptional at throwing up everything he eats today and yesterday.  As evidenced by the shirt.  But he is still smiling strong.