not as good as the real thing...

but it sure comes close. :) While we are on the topic of ice cream, my sister turned me onto Breyer's (not Dreyer's) Triple Chocolate ice cream recently. It's a mix of dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. Well, I found it at the market yesterday and I'm surprised there is still some left. Just kidding, I only had a small bowl. Really.
How's that for a happy post?

the earthquake dress

Things were pretty shaky here today in Southern California. An area not far from us had a earthquake with a 5.4 magnitude. Of course we felt it a little too well. Unfortunately, instead of being home, I had all of the kids and my mom and niece with me. We were going to go shopping at the Brea Mall which put us much closer to the epicenter. We made it to one store before the earthquake hit. And a hit is exactly what it felt like. We were in the infants section of Macys and I was going to buy a dress for Audrey. I had previously gotten the same dress in a smaller size and because she is growing like a weed, I wanted to get the next size up. So we are in the middle of the transaction and the most awful noise starts in, then the sprinkler covers start to rain from the ceiling. Then the worst jolt I have ever felt. A department store is pretty big. It felt like someone picked up the store and threw it back down onto the ground. It happened so fast too. Harrison and Maddie were with me and I just pulled them into the counter. Audrey was in her stroller. My mom had Charlie with her, I didn't see them but I knew they were in the same department. I yelled out to her to make sure Charlie was with her. She had pulled Charlie into her legs and made a barrier with her body. The clerk disappeared and resurfaced after it was over. We quickly made sure everyone was ok, there was a mother there with a baby that was five weeks old! She was fine and left quickly. We picked up the sprinkler covers and wiped down the counter. And, I bought the dress. I know it sounds crazy but when the clerk asked me if I wanted to continue, I said yes. Put it this way, I'm in no hurry to go back into Macys any time soon. As soon as we were done there we left, I think it took less then five minutes. And wouldn't you know it, people were still crowded around the Apple store waiting for an iPhone. If that's not dedication then I don't know what is. We didn't feel the aftershocks, our feet were moving pretty fast. :0
Too much excitement for one day, I tell you!

this and that

We've had quite a week. I know it's only Monday, but I am still in need of a weekend to recover after last week and this weekend. I'll spare you a photo (I do have one) of Audrey and a hideous case of hives that surfaced Wednesday afternoon and didn't completely disappear until yesterday. Thursday was hell. I watched the hives cover every surface of her and alter her face. They crawled across her eyes like a mask, making her eyes look entirely different. Thank God, they didn't go into her eyes and her breathing remained clear. I don't know what caused them and I might never find out. Hopefully they never come back. Thank goodness for Benadyrl and a steroid. They seemed to do the trick in making her comfortable and able to sleep. You know that doesn't mean I slept, hence the need for a new weekend.

We started swim lessons last Monday at the YMCA. Apart from a disagreement with a snotty teenage instructor, we have done well. Thank you to Papa for taking the boys on Friday while I watched Audrey and took her back to the doctor's office. The boys are having fun and getting their swimming confidence level back up to where it should be. The lessons continue this week too.

It's almost time for school to start. I decided to start early again because I loved being done so early last year. Plus, Charlie is itching to start. Our Friday school days with our group don't start until Sept., but we have done a great job of keeping busy this summer. I was remarking to one of my friends that it seems like I am busier now which I find amazing. I thought I would have taken it easy toting a baby around, but she hasn't slowed us up one bit. I still want to get out to the Long Beach Aquarium. It's been awhile since we've been. Put it this way, the boys were in a double stroller the last time we were there. I think it's time to go back, don't you?

My family got together yesterday to celebrate some long over-due birthday's and anniversaries. Here is a favorite photo from the day.
The next photo is Audrey performing her new trick. She leans all the way back while she is in her saucer. She just wants to see what's going on, and apparently can't be bothered to turn around. I guess she likes the upside-down view too. I think it's so funny that she figured how to hold onto the purse because when she's done she pulls herself back up.

counting with Feist

Thank you Chris for pointing this out to us. It's a new favorite. And it's my lucky number! Enjoy.

the party was a success

Here is a quick post about Charlie's party that we had today at home. There's my mom holding Audrey, who was a real trooper today. She fell asleep on my mom's lap not long after that picture was taken. Charlie is opening his wished for Playmobil Vacation House. He was so excited, I'm sure he wanted everyone to go home right then and there so that he could open it up and start playing. Robert and I remembered to take pictures with the birthday boy. :)

Robert's sister got him this really neat magnifying toy called the EyeClops. It looks like a lot of fun. you can read about it here.

I am tired and looking forward to an uneventful day tomorrow. :)

6 years old today

Our sweet Charlie turned six today. Here he is last night "helping" me with the cupcakes for his little party at the park. And here he is right before he blew the candle out today.
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. He is a funny, shy, stubborn and wonderful little boy. He makes us laugh almost daily, he really is a comedian. Just don't ask him to perform in front of anyone, I think he would rather stick a fork in his eye. Once you get to know him, you can't help but notice his sweet little nature. He loves to be tucked in at night, is full of questions, and is as smart as a whip. We all are crazy for Charlie. Love you!

6 months old today

no teeth yet, loves cereal, doing whatever she can to sit up, sleeps well some nights, very easy going, smiles all the time, loves riding in the car, doesn't mind the pool one bit, still loves bath time, lots of babbling, will try to stick whatever is nearby in her mouth, loves to blow spit bubbles, (eww), a full blown thumb sucker, she no longer likes my pinkie finger, size 6-9 mo. for most clothes, getting bigger and taller every single day, loved by us all.

to do

before and after

Even though it needs to be painted and we need a new door knob, it's still a huge improvement.

picnic in the park

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with my friends Katherine and Suzanne and their darling little girls. Katherine had Juliette just barely over a week after I had Audrey. Claire is Suzanne's sweet little girl that will be starting kindergarten this year, which I still can't believe. The three of up met at Suzanne's which we figured was a good midpoint for all of us and then drove over to this charming park in San Marino called, Lacy Park. Although it was hot, there are plenty of big, shady trees. We talked and talked. I don't think I could ever run out of things to talk about with these two, they are both fascinating women and wonderful mothers.
I look forward to our next get together, girls! :)