Since Andrea has blogged, I figure I should too

As usual, a lot has happened since my last blog entry. Most of it I remember from photos I haven't yet uploaded (although that process has begun.)

The girls had pajama day at school. A wonderful day in which (in theory) I didn't have to get them dressed for school. In reality they had gymnastics in the morning, so they had to get dressed for that, then come home and get back in their pajamas for school. They thought going to school in their pj's was the best. They also got to read bedtime stories, have warm chocolate, "go to sleep" and then had pancakes when they "woke up." All in all, it was a great day for them.

My birthday this year happened to fall on the annual St. Patrick's day dinner hosted by our church. Normally my birthday is good, or at the very worst it's uneventful. This year truly stunk. There were many awful things that happened (that I won't go into here), but the end of the day turned things around a bit. The dinner was a lot of fun. I found out one of my friends daughters was/has been one of the Celtic dancers that perform every year. My entire family generally attends these things, and so they brought my cards and presents there. I was very lucky to recieve a quilt made special for me by my SIL, Deb.

St. Patrick's day the girls and Val helped make Shamrock cookies for their teachers at school. My parents had also given the girls a plethora of green holiday items for them to wear and consume. They looked quite cute and were very excited.

That brings us up to this past week. The girls have become very sick, Riley more so than Sam which varies from the norm. After 5 days without improvement (and some degeneration) I took the girls to the docs office. It turns out they both have bronchitis and Riley has an ear infection (both ears) to top it off. They were sent home with antibiotics and inhalers, and seem to be on the mend. After 3 days of being in bed (voluntarily), Riley is finally up and playing a bit though she still seems tired and lethargic. Sam is still pretty cuddily, but gaining more energy herself.

On a side note, Bill, Stacey, and I are also sick, but mending as well. We were suppose to be up at my parents condo in the snow this week, but finances and illness had other ideas.

This weekend is scheduled to be a 3 night (12 hours each) work extravaganza, so no hockey for me. However, it should be noted that that is only temporary. Thanks to my wonderful hockey peeps who got me registered, I will be skating summer season. Woo hoo and THANK YOU!

Extended Weekend Update ala Andrea

Friday was my birthday, but we didn't have anything super special planned. I slept in, got up, had a yummy breakfast of German Pancakes, then headed to the movies with Bill and the girls. It was opening day for Horton Hears a Who, so we just had to see it. It was a cute movie with quite of bit of humor for the adults, but totally appropriate for children as designated by it's G rating.

After the movie, we came home, regrouped, grabbed Stacey, and headed to dinner with a large majority of my family. We ate at House of Gengi on 1st Street. It was good, but not as tasty as the Royal Teppan Steakhouse in Cupertino where we celebrated with Liz and Andrea earlier in the week.

After that, it was home and to bed for the old folks (me) and the little ones (Sam and Riley).

Saturday I slept in again, then went to our church for the annual St. Patrick's Day dinner. The food is not great, the entertainment (Irish clog dancing) is ok, but the overall event turns out to be great. Our whole family goes every year, and watching the girls eyes light up while watching the dancing, and seeing them clap along is the best.

Sunday was a serious Spring cleaning day at our house. I got a majority of our bedroom cleaned out, took down the last crib, did more laundry (never ending), cleaned up the kitchen, touched up the bathrooms, etc. Then it was off for a small gathering of hockey buddies up in Woodside. There was a firepit where we made S'mores, and the company was great.

Monday the girls had their first ballet recital. I'm a little partial, but I think they were very cute. There was a total switch in roles however. Usually Riley is very focused, following everything the teacher says, and doing it to the best of her ability. Sam is not quite as focused. She'll dance for a bit, then wander off, watch from the sides, flit around the room, etc. The day of the recital however, Sam was super focused and in performance mode. She smiled at the audience, and danced her little heart out. She was quite the little entertainer. Riley unfortunately got a terrible case of stage fright, and spent most of the performance standing off to the side of the stage. She finally ended up dancing a little with the teacher. Overall I think they did great for their first time.

Tuesday (today) is another story. One that involves 3 carseats, and will be told later.

Happy Birthday Andrea!!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Andrea,

Happy birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Stacey

Tuesday was Stacey's birthday. We had a mellow dinner with the family, opened a few presents which at this age are all contained in cards, wished her happy birthday, and sent her out with her friends. Being the bad mother I am, I didn't get a single birthday picture of her. Someone would surely call DCFS if she were still under age.

Bill's Birthday Song

A short little diddy with a 90 degree twist just like Bill. ;)

And life goes on...

Life has been so busy lately that I've barely had time to sit and eat carbs let alone blog. What's made it so busy you ask? Let me tell you.

Many trips to the park with friends and playgroups. At one of these recent trips Riley learned how to ride a tricycle. It was quite exciting, and she was really proud of herself. Now mind you, she has been on one before, and even pedaled it a bit, but this is the first time she covered any real distance and all by herself.

I also went to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It was a good production. We laughed. A lot. The acting was pretty good (none of that sub-highschool stuff like last time), and we generally came away feeling pretty good.

Other than the park trips and the play, it's been birthday party planning and preparations. Yep, my girls turned 3 (more on that later.) I can't believe it, and I'm still in denial that it's happened.

Happy Birthday Grandma (Mom)!

The girls made cupcakes for my mom for her birthday today. They had a great time mixing up the flour, eggs, etc., pouring them into the cupcake papers, and then watching them go into the oven. They were not so excited to wait for them to bake. Afterwards Stacey helped the girls to decorate them just in time for Grandma to get here. They were so cute singing their version of Happy Birthday for her. I wish I had it on video.

Oh yeah, they also helped her blow out her candles of course.

Happy Birthday Liz!

So, it's the end of the month, and I'm still working on blogging the middle of the month. Part of what happened was Liz' birthday which is also St. Patrick's Day. It was a fun day for us. First we had lunch with the Doughty-Tan clan, then it was off to St. Patty's Day dinner at our church where Riley was mesmerized by the dancers, and finally back to our house for birthday dessert for Liz. We had frost your own cupcakes and creme brulee, then finished off with a round of Trivial Pursuit 80's style. Liz and Andrea brought along their ringer, Ellaine who wiped the floor with the rest of us. Not too unusual for me, but I think the others were a little more surprised.