Tree Hunting

Got up this morning, and got everyone ready to head to the mountains to hunt down just the right tree. I made popcorn to take with us, Stacey arrived, and we were off. We spent a lot of time roaming up and down the hills, just letting the girls run. Then we got down to the business of finding a tree, not too long this year as there were several contenders. Bill made short work of cutting it down and the girls enjoyed their popcorn while he strapped it to the top of the Tahoe. Everyone inside, home to drop off the tree, and then out to a nice lunch with the family. I think everyone had a good time. See the gazillion pics on Flikr. Ok, not a gazillion since I edited them down, but there are quite a few.

Home is my own again, or is it?

Well, the holiday was pretty good. We had 15 people for Thanksgiving dinner, and everything was wonderful. In my previous life (before twins) I use to do the whole dinner other than when people (read Deb) insisted on bringing something. ;) Last year we did a potluck style and it went so well we did it again this year, and it was even better. Luckily we have some pretty handy cooks in the family. The girls had a great time playing with thier cousins who are both turning into very nice young men.

Friday was spent just visiting with Bill's Mom, and cleaning up the rest of the T-day dishes. Leftover turkey of course.

Saturday and Sunday I got to catch up on some quilting and do a little fabric shopping with my SIL, Deb. I also got to have lunch with the youngest of my two bros who I don't get to talk with much. All was good.

Sunday night spent some time cleaning out the room that is soon to be my sewing room, got ready for some spackling and painting tomorrow if there's time. Why wouldn't there be time you ask? Cuz we are getting up bright and early to go tree hunting!! Yay! One of my most favorite activities of the year. Of course pics will be posted. Until then, sweet dreams.

MIL here

Blog will be out of commission for a few days.

Don't rush the holidays

I admit it, I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I like my holidays, and I like to spend time enjoying each one before the next one hits. It drives me crazy that there is now Christmas stuff in the stores before Halloween. In fact, I even saw some in September this year. In an effort to be true to myself, I boycott all holiday items until we reach that particular holiday season - until this year. Normally I refuse to look at, listen to, or partake of any Christmas goodness until the bell has tolled on Thanksgiving. It's a tradition I'm comfortable with. This year however, Bill came home with a giant Giradelli Peppermint Bark candy bar which he proceeded to eat in front of me, and taunt me with. I was fine with this. I'm tough, I didn't break. Until this morning when I went in to clean the kitchen and 1/2 of it still remained, taunting me with it's goodness. Again, I hung tough and ignored it. Then I made the girls breakfast, and it was still there calling out to me. Halfway through breakfast it was no longer there. Mmmmmm Mmmmmm good. So much for holiday willpower.

Miserable cold

There is an ocean and at least one continent sloshing around in my sinuses, a sand paper factory living in my throat, a blacksmith business hammering away in my head, and various other businesses that have taken up residence in my stomach and joints. I going to the Court of Quil (as in Dayquil and Nightquil to have them all evicted. Wish me luck.

Seatbelts

You have to wonder how smart it is to drive by the police dept. with your seatbelt hanging out of your door. Nothing says, "Pull me over, I don't have a seatbelt on" like this. Believe it or not, I saw someone doing this very thing earlier tonight.

Lego Church

This is phenomenal. I think it looks fairly real considering it's made all out of Legos.

A few quick facts:
How long to build it? It was about a year and a half of planning, building and photographing.

How many pieces of LEGO to build it? more than 75,000

How big is it? About 7 feet by 5 1/2 feet by 30 inches (2.2 m x 1.7 m x .76 m)

How many LEGO people does it seat? 1372

How many windows? 3976

It features a balcony, a Narthex, stairs to the balcony, restrooms, coat rooms, several mosaics a nave, a baptistry, an altar, a crucifix, a pulpit and an elaborate pipe organ.

Painting party anyone?

Ok, we're going to be painting a bedroom on Sunday. Anyone want to help? I know I could probably figure out a way to Tom Sawyer it, but I'm just not that creative. The best I can do is say that there's a good chance you'll be playing with babies (at least part of the day) instead of painting. It all depends on who takes me up on my "offer". Pretty please?

Long overdue thanks

Thanks to April for the DELICIOUS cheesecake she left at our door. (Sorry I missed you). I'd say it was probably one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had. If anyone is looking for one, hire this woman. Yum yum.

Wanna see my bellybutton?

Last night I was at a parent meeting and I had the girls with me (Bill was picking them up as soon as he got off work.) I have to say they were really good and for the most part did not casue any disturbance (this is a meeting with other kids, so having them there was not a problem except that I run the meeting so it makes it hard to focus.) Anyway, about 10 minutes into the meeting, Sammi hears something about bellys and decides that is her clue to show everyone her bellybutton. She stands smack dab in the middle of the room, lifts her shirt, says "belwee buuh-un" and points to her bellybutton. Everyone found this quite amusing as she turned in a circle and pointed again so everyone could see.

Not to be outdone, Riley repeatedly pulled her shirt over her head, so it was still on her arms, but she was flashing everyone. After pulling it back over her head so it was on properly about 10 times, I finally gave up and left it. Of course then she wanted it fixed, so she came over to get some assistance which she had to have immediately.

Shortly after this, Daddy picked them up and I could once again focus on my meeting. Secretly though, I was smiling inside at how entertaining they were. And they were entertaining - I could tell because everyone kept grinning when watching them.

Chocolate Lucky Charms

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

Eat your heart out

Last night as I was sitting working on the computer, my hubby came in with a little vase of flowers that he had gone out in the yard, in the dark and hunted down. It was very sweet, and I almost missed out on it, cuz I was grumbling about him putting things too high up earlier in the night. I'm glad he has a big heart.

Too make it twice as sweet, tonight I got chocolate truffles. He's definitly a keeper.

Riley teases Daddy

This morning as I was playing with the girls I once again noticed a special "aroma" in the air. I asked the girls if they had poo pants. Usually they will tell me if they have dirty pants by pinching their noses as if something were stinky. Today when I asked them, Riley got a mischievous look on her face and quickly signed that it was Daddy who had the poo pants. When Bill heard us talking about it, he came in to defend himself and Riley just giggled and giggled and "told" us again that it was daddy with the poo pants. You could tell she was quite please with her little joke.

Jetta gone bye bye

Ok, I think this will be the last Jetta post. We actually sold it, bank check in hand, so no more crazy people calling for it. Now for the Volvo and Ninja 500. Bring on the crazies.

Man Scum

Thursday I took the girls to their normal playdate in the park (there are several sets of twins their age they play with.) Anyway, this particular Thursday there were a lot of Dads there with their kids (there's usually a Las Madres group that meets there too, so I'm thinking it was Moms day off.) One Dad starting talking to me about how old the girls were, how well they play together, etc. and he talked about his son a little. I didn't think too much of it - normal park conversation for any parent regardless of sex. What grabbed my attention and slammed it against a brick wall was that toward the end of the conversation he pulled a wedding ring out of his pocket and slipped it on his finger. The way he did it, and the ending of the conversation indicated that he had apparently been flirting and I failed the test. What a scum bucket, not because I failed his little test, but because he is a lying cheating scum who would use his own kid to get to other women and betray his marriage vows. I'm happy I didn't pass his test cuz that would make me as scummy as him.

OMG, is this what crack tastes like?

Today the girls and I had lunch with Liz and her office mate, Heather. Food was okay, company was good (of course), but uneventful as far as lunches go. But then we went to the Fantasia Tea Cafe where Liz turned me onto a toffee crunch coffee latte pearl drink thing and OMG I'M HOOKED!! I NEED MORE! I'm in trouble - it looks like the closest one to me is in Cupertino. I need a dealer much closer to home.

18 month check up

Today was the girls 18 month check up. It was mostly uneventful with the usual weighing, measuring, and updating on all health related news. We discussed Samantha's seizures and Riley's kidneys. All in all a normal appointment until Sam filled her diaper. The doctor had yet to check her, so I had to get her cleaned up right then and there. Well, the sink is completely across the room from the exam table, so after I already had her diaper off, I couldn't leave her there while I got a damp towel to wash off her tushie, so I stood her up on the floor thinking I could then get the towel and proceed to the final cleaning phase of the operation. Not so. For those of you who know Sam, you know she is very fast. Lickety split fast! Before I could even blink, she ran across the room, hopped up on the doctors chair, and happily (yes, happily) wiped her tushie all over it while she was sitting there. I quickly grabbed her, cleaned her up, got the requisite diaper back on, and then thanked my lucky stars that it was a vinyl chair as I cleaned up her art work. They thought it was humorous, I was mortified.

Banner day

I actually found 4, count them 4 pairs of pants that FIT. I am so excited. Usually I'm lucky to find one pair that fits, and I haven't been able to find any since before I was pregnant (over 2 years ago.) Mentally doing cartwheels I'm so excited.

Weekend update (other than the great hockey)

Worked Friday - ya, ya, ya.

Saturday got home from work planning on sleeping, but called the people about the Jetta to see if they got the registration fax. They did, but couldn't meet at the credit union because he had to work, so I changed, got all cozy in my bed, and was just ready to drift off to sleep when Bill comes in with the phone. Apparently the guy is going to go into work later, so he can meet us at the credit union. So, I'm up again, dressed, and heading out the door where we get as far as a block away and Bill realizes the Jetta needs gas, so we stop at the gas station which turns out to be fortunate. The people called and said the fax had not been received, so back home for us to call Rich and Angelica. They faxed to the newly provided number and all was well, so we were off again.

We arrived at the credit union, met with the loan officer and AS WE ARE SITTING AT THE LOAN OFFICERS DESK the guy trys to deal me down on the car. I couldn't believe it. Did I mention we drove the car all the way to Capitola for them? Anyway, it's a long convoluted story, but the car is for his girlfriend, we made the deal with his girlfriend, he's only financing it because he totalled her car. He says he didn't see the car until today and wants to pay us $500 less than we agreed on - at one point he even suggested $800 less. At this point I am very tired and cranky (remember I haven't slept in a day due to work), I look right at him and say, "No, we had a deal. I've had another gentleman who is willing to pay me $200 more than our deal, and he's paying in cash. If you are not interested, say the word and I'll call him." The guy continued to try and deal, but I stood firm. I might have been more conducive to dealing had he done it BEFORE we hit the loan officers desk. I also pointed out that we just filled the tank with gas (which is not cheap these days) and he said, "Shouldn't it come with a full tank of gas?" My head almost exploded at that, but I kept my cool, and very calmly stated, "We are not a car dealership, we do not fill tanks or offer other perks, we are a private party." At this point his girlfriend kicked him, he had some choice words for her, but no more for me. I think I made my point.

The one last hitch was that the car needed a smog, so that's being done today. Apparently California has a law that cars have to be smogged within 2 months of transfer of a vehicle regardless of whether it was already smogged that year.

After the car incident we decided to go to the pier for lunch. We had a great time, and went to Mariani's for dessert. The girls got marshmallows (I know, I know). Riley was quite funny as she decided to put the entire marshmallow in her mouth at once - she couldn't even close her mouth. Silly girl. Sammy did the tootie pop version (one nibble, two nibbles, three nibbles, bite).

We got home about 2:30, the girls had already napped in the car and it was getting too late for me to nap if I wanted to sleep that night, so I just stayed up. Liz and Andrea came by for a visit which the girls loved. They did some really fancy dancing for them. We also gave Andrea and Liz a hospital grade doppler (lets you listen to the babys heartbeat) to use for Murray. Before they left we tried it out on the girls because they were very interested. They thought it was great. We thought we were done and were putting it away when Sammi came over and layed down on the floor to have it down again, and again, and again. And then Riley did the same. It was quite funny.

Sunday we got up, had some breakfast, and did a little work on the room that is soon to be my office. Mostly packing up the rest of my oldest daughters stuff and sorting stuff for goodwill and the garbage. We took a break and came out to the living room to feed the girls, and lo and behold, Sammi and Riley both layed down on the floor with their tummies exposed to hear their heartbeats. It was quite hilarious. I wonder how long this will go on.

After that, Liz and Andrea came by to get me for hockey and well, you already know the end of that story.

So, here it is Monday and the beginning of a new week of adventures for me and the girls.

It's all good

Tonight was my first green game back. Can I just say, "IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!" I had a great time playing tonight. Can't wait to do it again on Tuesday (of course without the 2 in the box for tripping hopefully.) Nice goals Andrea and Cheddah!

Afterwards we had dinner at IHoP (Not IHoC) with a large group from the game (and Justin, our awesome new score keeper). Had a lot of fun and am now going to crash.

Halloween Update

The Nutrageous candy bar has been found! Today while cleaning up the nursery I found the missing candy bar that Riley had so carefully hidden. I have to give it to her - she actually put it in a very logical place. They have a basket of wooden fruits and veggies that break apart into pieces to teach counting, colors, etc. The candy bar was in the basket with the rest of the food. Silly me for not thinking of that.

More weird car people

Ok, just got another call from someone who was supposedly interested in buying the car.

Me: The car has been sold
Him: I have a car for sale. Are you interested in buying it?

Where do these people come from?? Why would trying to sell a car imply that I wanted to buy his car?

Chasing her tail

Riley has figured out that the diaper tabs are on the back of her diaper, but she can't quite figure out how to "catch" them. She's spinning in circles like a puppy chasing her tail trying to get to them. It's really pretty cute (and yes, a little funny.)

Bare Butt Stripper Stopped Cold

Yes, you heard it here first - I have finally managed to foil the attempts of Riley to run around the house without a diaper. I simply put her diaper on backwards so she can't access the velcro. I've been thinking of this for a while, but finally tried it today. Woo hoo.

West Side Story

Cathy, stop reading here until you've seen the play. Everyone else, read at your own risk (as with everything else on this blog.)

Went to see West Side Story tonight with Diana DeGarmo (sp?) of American Idol fame. The sets were well done, and very creative. They helped the play move fluidly from one scene to the next without thinking, "Hey, they could have done that a lot more smoothly." They were very convincing, and apparently very sturdy - there were a couple of times that actors jumped up on something that I thought would have collapsed under their weight, but they remained rock steady.

By now you've probably figured the play wasn't all that great since I started the blog with the scenery. You'd be correct. The first half was very amateurish - my high school could have done better, and Diana DeGarmo as a young girl fresh from Puerto Rico was less than convincing - she couldn't even maintain the bad imitation accent throughout. I wasn't sure if I would return from intermission, but return I did. The second half was a little better. Maybe the director laid into them during the intermission. Who knows. In any case, it was a little less painful.

All in all, I was somewhat disappointed. I've waited my entire life to see the much acclaimed West Side Story only to be let down. Not only was I disappointed in the acting, but the ending totally stunk. I can't believe there wasn't a feel good ending, no happy reunion, no peace found amongst the gangs, no sunset to walk off into, just another "funeral". I can't believe nobody ever told me that. Yes, the sky in my world is often tinged by rose colored glasses, and I like it that way.

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween, All Hallows Eve as some might call it. For me it was the first Halloween for my girls. True, they were alive last Halloween, but no cognition in relationship to the holidays, trick-or-treating, or dressing up. I wasn't sure they would get it this year, but get it they did.

We had a kind of quiet day, they napped late, and their big sister got there in time to start carving her pumpkin with me. She had work the night before so couldn't do it with her sisters. Then she took a quick trip to the downtown train station to pick up Bill who managed to catch the express. Then back home, finished carving, everyone into their costumes, pics on the porch with our pumpkins, and then it was off to Trick-or-treat. Liz and April showed up just in time to join the fun, and April brought chocolate chip cookies for the grown up trick-or-treaters.

The first house the girls just stood there not sure what to do until they were encouraged to help themselves to the candy (which at that point just looked like pretty, shiny toys to them.) As we were having them say/sign thank you so we could go on to the next house, Sam walked right in the front door, following the bowl of candy. After retrieving her we headed to house number 2 (which really should have been house number 1, but it didn't have as good of a photo op for their first trick-or-treat). Here Sam was more reticent, but Riley knew exactly what to do and helped herself with no problem. By the time we got to house number 4, I looked down and both girls had picked a candy bar out of their bags and chewed through the wrappers to get to the yummy treat inside. I couldn't help but laugh at their innocent faces covered in chocolate. It went on like this from house to house, each experience more comical than the last.

Andrea caught up with us as we were almost home. This rounded out our happy little group, and reminded me of my childhood when we went trick-or-treating in large groups.

We arrived back home and then headed to my bro's house to see the grandparents (they were babysitting.) Dad opened the door and was admiring the cute costumes, was about to say he had two granddaughters in the same costumes when he suddenly realized these were one and the same.

Here Riley got a mini Nutrageous bar which she held onto and wasn't letting go of. She held it all the way home in the car (20 minutes), while getting her diaper changed, while nursing, and finally put it down when it was time to go to bed. I believe she thought she was hiding it because when I picked it up she got really mad, so I gave it back to her. She sat with me for a few minutes clutching that candy bar which by now was a molten bag of goo being squished in her fingers. I was just praying that the wrapper would not break open. After a bit she got down, and hid the candy bar again. Apparently she did a much better job this time because I still can't find it, but you can bet I'm watching her like a hawk to see if she goes after it.

So, that was our Halloween. Good fun all around and great company to share it with.

Tuesday's RQOTD

When you were a kid, which houses did you Trick-or-Treat at?
1. All the houses around you.
2. Houses with porch lights on.
3. Houses with any lights on.
4. Only houses of people you knew.
5. Some other rule (please describe)

Ok, we really need a strong response here, so get those fingers a typing.