I'm a bit surprised

I always knew I was going to be a mom and have a big family. When Josh and I got married, we both knew we wanted four kids. It wasn't an issue......until it was. I realized the other day that I have been actively trying to add children to our family for 8 years. 8 YEARS!! I have to admit I'm a bit surprised at how my family has turned out. I always thought I would have a loud and crazy family in a big and messy house with lots of friends and broken things and maybe even a dog or two. Lo and Behold, here I am in a two bedroom condo with an "only child" who is more of a neat freak than even me.

Turns out that isn't the only surprise in motherhood that I didn't expect. Let's take, for example, these "things." Maddie came home from school a few days ago, nearly in tears as she pulled her hand out of her pocket with them in her hand. "Mommy! We need to get them in water and feed them NOW or they are going to die! They have to be in a see through jar so we can watch them grow!" I dropped everything and ran to the kitchen and miraculously found a see through jar.

"What are these things?"

"I don't know."

"Where did you get them?"

"I don't remember."

"Uhhh....okay....well what do they eat?"

"I don't know, but look! They are growing."

If anyone knows what the heck is "growing" in my kitchen, feel free to educate me.

I always knew that my mom would be an all star grandmother. She has a way with children and never-ending patience that all of her kids envy. But another total shocker has been the kind of grandpa my dad is. Now, don't get me wrong, he was a lovely father. But seriously, he is an all star grandpa. I made my sister take a picture of this moment when we were in Virginia, when he was massaging my 3 year old nieces feet for her because "she needed a break." Now he WAS a lovely father, but I can guarantee you I never got a foot massage when I was three. More like a few spankings. He ADORES his grandchildren, and they all know it. He serves them and babysits them and spoils them and hugs them and sits on the floor and plays Barbies with them. I am lucky that my kids have such amazing grandparents. (And I'm lucky to have grown up with them as my parents.)

And although I fully expected to have lots of fun days on the beach with my family, I never knew that they would be so magical.

This video is from one of the best days of my life. :o)

NOT Dancing With Chuck

There were SIX candles on this Maddie girl's birthday cake last night. Yup, six. Which is good, because she has been telling everyone that she is six for the last month.

This is the part when the birthday girl is supposed to come up to the front of the room and dance with Chuck E Cheese. She looked like she was going to throw up, so I went up to dance with her and she whispered urgently in my ear, "I don't want to dance!" Poor little cutie pie still has stage fright!

We had an amazing turnout from all of her friends from school and church and family friends. How many, you might ask? 36 kids. And that doesn't count all of the adults that come with them. THAT is why I (kinda) forced her to have it at Chuck's place instead of our 2 bedroom condo. :o) We all had a great night with friends.

She agreed to have it at Chuck's solely because of this activity that only the birthday kid gets to do. It was the best moment of her life! (I don't know why, after about eight years with this same camera, I STILL make the same dumb mistake of thinking I can turn the camera sideways. What is my problem?!)

The best part about it was that the entire day, with all the attention and friends and presents and specialness, this little girl remained 100% nice. No birthday diva beast. I am so very proud of her and in love with the fact that I get to be her mom. It is not something I take for granted.

Daddy Daughter Time

Here is a picture of me and my dad.....

At the same age as this picture of Maddie and her dad.

Halloween & Fall - East Coast Style

Virginia in the fall is a lovely thing to see.

Eating apple donuts and drinking hot apple cider at an Apple farm.

Picking out fresh apples....

.....So my dad could teach me how to make a yummy homemade apple pie. (You are never too old to learn something new.)

Playing with our Bo.

Hayride

Getting ready for Trick or Treating

The costumes I surprised my dad and brother with, and forced them to wear. They are NOT designed for men who are over 6 feet tall. :o) It was awesome. They were super popular all night.

Our family

Getting the stash......

I also surprised Josh with a costume. Of course, if I am going to have complete freedom to dress my husband up it is going to be Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Favorite movie. Sexy Kevin Costner. But honestly, my Josh makes a much more yummy Robin Hood. Look at him. He is oozing sexy.......

Holidays are much more special when spent where there are red, orange and yellow trees, and with lots of fun family around.

Has it really been nine years?

Yesterday was our 9th anniversary. I was looking for some pictures to post from our last nine years together, but there are just too many. Lots of simple moments and great adventures and a few sad times too. The great thing about getting married young is that you grow up together.

Let's just say I still adore him. He is still my best friend. We still have great conversations over dinner. I still think he looks dashing. He still drives me crazy when he is late. He still brings me sliced cheese and ice water in bed. I am a lucky girl!

Testing testing

I set it up so I can post to my blog from my iPhone. Or at least I think I did. We will find out when we see if this post works or not.

And I wonder if it will post this video I attached of Maddie's dance moves? We shall see...

This is me

Me in Josh's Grandma's Dirndl at Swiss Days in Santa Clara. You know you all wish you were also doing the maypole dance. Admit it.

My dozen roses that I created in my flower arrangement class. I seriously love taking this class. It is the perfect thoughtless creative outlet class to balance out my law school.

Your mom only turns 51 once, so when she asks you to go to the Donnie and Marie show with her sisters you say yes.

Wear a Flower In Your Hair

I had no idea it had been at least two years since I have been to this great city. The weather is so incredibly weird here. I love it. My hair does not.

Chili in a breadbowl at the Wharf. A must.

Tickets to see one of our favorite bands, Jimmy Eat World. Necessary.

Riding a scooter all over the city. Vital.

Tickets to see the Giants get to the playoffs. Required.

Finally getting to wear my cute winter coat and drink a hot apple cider. Essential.

Sitting next to a lonely old man who talked to us the whole "romantic date night" dinner. Priceless.

Happy 2nd and 4th birthday to Ruby & Elena!

ChuckeCheese birthday parties are the best!

Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice

Maddie's pet school

We got a phone line in our new house, and Maddie thinks this old fashioned cord phone is the coolest new invention. She constantly calls her grandparents on it and when it rings she screams and runs as fast as she can to answer it.

We got out our Halloween decorations and for some reason Maddie loves this skeleton, whose name is now "Skelly." I admit, that is weird and creepy and I have no explanation.

Josh and I went to have lunch with Maddie at her school one day and it is adorable. She is so excited to get to have her own tray and go through the salad bar. She is so grown up.

She is definitely a little nerd like her mom. She gets so excited to come home from school and do her homework. I have never had to remind her or ask her to do it. In fact, numerous times I have tried to put her to bed and she says, "Mom! I have to do my homework first!"

Getting her Barbies situated in the new house.

Everybody just take a deep breath....

So.....we moved. I haven't had a chance to update my blog because moving makes you insanely busy for a while. Here are the birds in the car on our way to the new house. Half scared of the change and half excited for the new adventure. (sounds familiar)

Now, everyone just take a deep breath......We moved into a high rise. For some reason, this has made everyone....and I mean EVERYone.....freak out. Everyone just calm down. Take another deep breath. It's all good.

It turns out that we only have one little girl, who, like her mom, would rather stay inside and play or read or watch TiVo than play outside in the triple digit temperatures. I realize that YOUR family might not "fit" in a high rise, but our family, as it is right now, freaking loves it. And no, this also doesn't make us snotty or high and mighty either. We are the same darn family living in a nice little home that happens to be nine floors up. (Can you tell I have had to defend this decision to the death lately?) Our last home was beautiful and appreciated but it made me a little sad. That house was designed for a big family with little kids. Unless and until I have that kind of family I am going to live it up with all of the benefits of having a little family. And one of those benefits happens to be living in a high rise, which is something I always wanted to do. Turns out it is mine and Maddie's natural habitat, and Josh is easy to please as long as he has SportsCenter.

If you are one of those awesome people who send out Christmas cards, email me directly and get our new mailing address. We love getting them!