First day of "school"

Well I was offered a long term subbing job last week. It will be about 5 weeks long. I am really excited about it. I started today teaching mostly MS Drama. I also teach a 6th grade Latin class which is very different for me. The other big change is that because of our crazy overlapping schedules right now Miss Caralin will be attending daycare, or "school" as we call it, 5 hours a day. I really like the place and feel very comfortable with her being there. Today was her first day and she did great! Very few tears, even with a bonk on the head. She took her nap with very little fuss (which is what I was most nervous about since she really only ever sleeps in her own crib). I was so happy to see a big smile on her face when I picked her up. They went for a nature walk today and read stories and colored an animal paper plate. It is so cute to see her playing like such a big girl. I hope she has just as much fun tomorrow.


Here is a picture of Daddy and Caralin that is so stinking cute I can't stop looking at it.


Have a great week!

Wow!

I just realized that my birthday is coming up soon! That will mark one year since leaving Arizona, I can't believe it has been that long. This blog has really proven to me how fast the days and weeks are flying by. I can't believe it has been a whole week since my last post!
Caralin has been working on more words and trying to put multiple words together. Tonight she said pizza, pizza...mmmm. Obviously I didn't feel like cooking tonight. We went to a birthday party today for our friend Landon. It was a fun party, or I guess carnival. Yes, there was a petting zoo, and games, and delicious fair food! Caralin had a lot of fun. Unfortunately it was scorching hot otherwise it was a blast. She missed her nap and was falling asleep, while eating her pizza, in her high chair. It was hillarious! Needless to say she hit the hay early.
So, many of you may have seen my email about Prop. 8. Please vote Yes! The most important things regarding Prop 8 is that it was voter approved in 200o and then overturned by 4 judges. We can't allow 4 judges to overturn what 61% of California voters approved. And the other thing is the sake of our children. Parents should be allowed to teach the family's views to their children without having to worry about them being taught about families with homosexual parents as early as Kindergarten. Please vote Yes on Prop 8.
Take Care. More later. And I'll get some more pictures too!

"Say my name, say my name..."

It's the weekend! And we've been having great weather. (Sorry all my Zonie friends. But October is just around the corner). We have been doing lots of outdoorsy things. We went to Sea World on Tuesday and the Zoo on Thursday. We have been to a couple of different parks, and visited the library story time. This morning Caralin, her Nana, and I went to the movies and then out to lunch. We saw a cute Seasame Street movie. It was Caralin's first theater experience since she was an infant and would sleep through the movie. She enjoyed it for an hour but then was done and wanted to run around the theater so we left a little early. It was a nice time though.
So a couple of things to tell you about. First, Caralin's new favorite activity. The garden hose. Why I never thought of it before now I don't know. We were out front cleaning off lounge chairs and she picked the hose up and thought it was the funniest thing to spray herself (clothes and all). She had a blast and eventually wound up running around the front yard totally nude spraying herself with the hose. It was pretty funny to watch.
Second thing to report is Caralin said her own name for the first time last night. She was pretty proud of herself (needless to say so were Kevin and I). Until now when she saw herself in a picture she would say "Dada". It sounds more like Car-yen (like the vehicle and Japanese currency) when she says it but she's workin' on it. I will try to capture it on video for my next post.
I have added some new pictures, and a slide show and here is another fun video. Enjoy!

Big Helper!

Okay more stuff from this week. For some reason there has been more going on this week than last week so I have plenty of pictures and videos.

Kevin just got word that he has been promoted to Grocery Manager at his store! That is very excited news for us. It means a more set schedule where he will be working early in the morning so he'll be home for lunch and dinner and more quality time with me and Caralin. He will also be getting a nice raise which, of course, is also a great thing. He is really happy about it but a little nervous of the transition. I know he'll do great!

Miss Caralin has been a big helper lately. She helps pick up toys, throws things away when asked and her favorite is helping feed the dogs. And I mean literally. Here is a cute video of her helping. She also likes to feed them just about anything she finds on the ground outside ie. sticks, rocks, flower petals. The funniest part about that is the dogs do actually eat whatever it is she gives them. Kevin says they just don't want to hurt her feelings.

Enjoy!

Be Patient.

Happy Tuesday! It's been a tough morning here. Caralin is cutting a molar and has therefore been pretty cranky. I also think she likes to test my patience by dumping pretzels, her sandwich, and juice on the carpet. And to top it off I somehow spilled coffee all over the kitchen counter and floor. Basically, by 10am I had already vacuumed the living room and playroom and cleaned the kitchen floor. Kevin had to have a wisdom tooth pulled yesterday so he was in some pain this morning. I helped him get ready for work by washing and ironing his clothes, so I give my patience a 10 today because I somehow managed to do it without getting frustrated. I swear being a mom is tough work! Caralin and I are going to go to the mall today to take a puppy for a walk and then stop at the park before we get Kevin for his lunch break. Caralin's favorite new word is "No". She says it to everything, even things she means to say yes to. It's pretty funny.
We took another zoo trip last week. Here is a cute video of her with the orangutans. Enjoy and have a great week!