Insult to injury

Saturday started as any other day.  We started out picking up a dear friend and heading out to Ikea.  We were going to let the kids play in the small land while we enjoyed some time looking around.  We parked the car got out and took the escalators upstairs.  Well almost.  We didn't even get to the top before I heard Myles crying.  He had fallen on the steps and impaled his knee in the metal teeth.  It.was.a.gusher.  That sucker bled like nobody's business.  So back to the car and off to instacare to see if we needed stitches.  It was deep, but more than that it was right on the bending part of the knee.  I just wasn't sure...  after sitting in the waiting room for two hours we were sent home without stitches.  Argggg.  Myles was happy to leave without.  I was happy just to leave.  He was brave and put on a good face even when I know he was hurting. 

Fast forward to Monday night.  While visiting our same friend the kids were on her porch swing.  No big deal till they swing too high and reach too far.  Both the girls toppled off and landed face down on the cement.   Poor Lydia got the worst of it.  Both her bottom and top lip were cut as well as her gum turning bight purple.  I will have to assess again in the morning to see if that tooth is going to have a problem or not.  Stay tooned...and let's hope that accidents don't come in groups of three.

Halloween 2014

Halloween has come and gone but I did want to post about it.  We had a fun filled October decorating everything from the house to the car to the husband!  (Always a good sport)

First the house.  Kristin gave me the idea last year to do the monsters in the windows.  Since I have six small windows  on the front of my house it was fun and easy way to bring on Halloween.

Next on the schedule was the ward Trunk-or-treat.  Since I opened my big fat mouth about the horrible food last year I was put in charge of dinner for 200.  That ought to teach me right!?  I settled on pulled pork, mac n cheese and baked beans.  We had a great turnout.  The kids all chose to be minions so Bjorn and I were Gru and Lucy.  It turned out really cute, if I do say so myself!

The decorating and dress up didn't stop there.   Oh no, we still had the school parade where the principal wad also dressed as a minion.  We dressed up the car for the trunk-or-treat and we carved our pumpkins for the porch.  Then last, but certainly not least,  we actually trick-or-treated around our complex for 10 min.  Once around the loop is 47 homes, half of which are not home but the other half give most generously.  The kids had a great Halloween holiday. 

Fall beach days

Last week we had cousins from the Dodd family in town.  It's always a novelty for Utahns to go to the beach in the fall.  This year has been exceptionally hot.  So not only were we at the beach in mid October, but it was 80 degrees and beautiful.  

We visited Dana Point beach in Orange County and then Crescent Bay beach near Laguna the following day.  It was truly a great time.  There is nothing like the beach.  It's good for the soul.  It's a great dose of vitamin D for all. 

At Crescent Bay we were able to get  to the tide pools.   Oh my!  Can I just say that I *HEART* this place.  It was so fun.  Myles and I spent a good three hours exploring.  We saw enenemies, sea urchins, small fish, crabs, a baby octopus, hermit crabs and sea snails galore.  It. Was. So. Fun.! 

Thanks for coming to town Petersens!  Can't wait to do it again. 

Honor pins

It's a tradition at Bradoaks to have flag ceremony each Wednesday morning.  They have been doing it for more than 20 years now.  One thing they do is award honor pins.   So what is an honor pin you ask?  Well the actual item is just a button kind of badge that has the school logo on it and the words honor pin.  For the kids it's much more than that.  It's an elete club that students gain entry to as they demonstrate good "bobcat ROARing".  How does one "ROAR" you ask?  Well it's being a good citizen basically but, you demonstrate you have Respect,  you are On task, has a positive Attitude, and you are Responsible.  Each week teachers may award one  student per class the pin.

The second week of school Lydia was chosen by her teacher.  To see how excited she was is an under statement.   To see the look of dejection on Audreys face would also be an understatement.   The ceremony didn't happen last week as the teachers and principle were taking the ice bucket challenge for ALS.  The really great things was that the following week Audrey was picked for the pin.  So in the end they both get them on the same day.  Though Lydia will be the first to tell u that she got her pink First!

Update:  The following week Mr. Myles was awarded the honor pin by his teacher.  We are off to a great year!  

I love my little honor pin bobcats!

Bradoaks Elementary 2014

It's official, school is underway and all three kids are thriving there.  Myles, our big first grader, has Ms. Johnson.  He was supper happy as a friend of ours had that teacher last year and Harry really talked her up.  Audrey and Lydia are both in Ms. Dimovs kinder class.  I asked for them to be placed together this year.  We will see how the year plays out.  Next year may be different but this year I wanted them together.  For me it will be easier to have them together.  It's one less classroom to volunteer in, one less teacher gift to find.  You know, I'm all about practicality.  Love having all the kids in one place.  Love not paying tuition for preschool school.  Love having my mornings to do...whatever!

Dodd cousins

At last we have gotten together with our cousin Jason from New Jersey.  We have tried to get together on a few occasions but something has always kept us apart.  Not this year!  Ritchenya and Jason have come to Southern California for a week of fun in the warm sun.  We have enjoyed seeing them and showing them around our little town of Monrovia.   We have taken them to the local beaches of Venice, Laguna, and Manhattan.   Bjorn and Myles took Jason to a Dodgers game while the girls had a night of manicures and pedicures.  Last, we've made our way down to La Jolla for another beach day and to Legoland and Sea World.  Our visit is coming to an end and they will soon be leaving.  We hope it will not be another 5 years before our next visit. 

Pioneer Days

Every summer I trek back to my stomping grounds in Bountiful Utah.  It's a good time to bottle fruit, make jam, and salsa.  I love it.  Who doesn't like being the center of attention?!  My parents always roll out the red carpet when my kids come to town.  This year we were treated to Kangaroo Zoo,  Lagoon, pioneer village, the 24th of july float viewing complete with lunch, numerous free babysitting nights,  swimming and park outings at Auntie Kristins, and way too much staying up late to chit chat.  I'm exhausted but can't wait to come back and do it all again.  Thanks mom and dad and Melissa and Kristin for making our trip so special.

Lydia shares a story

Lydia has become quite a great story teller.  She loves to read books and she has a great memory for the words.  Here she is telling you the story of The Three Little Pigs.  Hope you like it.

Gaviota Beach

Since we had a long weekend we thought we would take the kids back to a place we visited when they were 2 and 3 yrs. old.  We drove north past Santa Barbara 30 miles and picked blue berry's.   It's one of my most favorite things to do.  Two in the mouth.  One in the bucket.  You can see how it goes.  It's fun to see who can find the biggest berry.  I didn't bring my camera so I have no photos to show you,  sorry.  If you want to know what it's like you will have to come out and try it for yourself. 

Next we head down the road to Gaviota State Beach.  It was a place with tide pools and tons of shells.  However, we hit it too late and missed low tide and most of the shells and tidepools.  Oh well the kids still enjoy playing in the water and on the beach.  And we did find some shells too, just not as many as last time.  Great day all in all. 

Happy 4th

One thing I have always loved, even as a child is a good fireworks show.  Lucky for me Monrovia has a great show right in the center of town.  It's free to all and is totally sponsored by local businesses.  We just have to set out a blanket early in the morning and come back later that night for a great 20 min. show. 

This year the kids wanted to do some crafts too so we made hats from solo cups and the girls got shirts made from Rick rack.  It's always a good time on the 4th.  Who doesn't love a lazy day with good food, blue berry pie and fireworks?

Mr. Snaggel tooth

Almost two weeks have passed and we still miss our little dog Yoda.  One Sunday morning I came down to find him asleep on the couch.  When I called for him to go out and pee he didn't come.  I went to the couch to notice that he wasn't breathing.  He had died sometime between 7 and 8.30 that morning. 

We all miss the funny, stupid, silly, and naughty things he did.

As we talked about what to do with his body the kids became a little distressed at the idea of him being in the ground either here or in Utah.  Then I later found our that it's illegal to bury a pet in the yard here.  At any rate we decided that we would have him cremated.   After all what's another 150.00$ when we have spent thousands on this "special dog". 

Now, I know you are rolling your eyes (Ryan), @ the cost when you would have taken the dog to see "the guy" long ago. But to the kids and Bjorn and I he was the perfect fit to the problems we were facing at the time.  He was our first baby and he will be missed by our whole family. 

The kids wanted to each draw him a picture. And then we wrapped him in his blanket he slept under and took him to the vet's for pick up.  We just got his remains back today.  I've had a very stern talking to the kids about how we don't open the box to look at the ashes.  I don't EVER want to come down the stairs to see him spread out over my living room. 

Lydia asked me tonight if she could bring Yoda upstairs for bed.  I had to laugh a little.  They are still trying to wrap their minds around what cremation is.  On second thought, I better get a locking latch on that urn...

Disneyland

Long ago, mom and Ella came for a visit.  I knew we would be going to disneyland so I set out to make new disneyland shirts for the kids.  After some thought, and discussions, on what was possible and what wasn't I came up with Rapunzel,  Snow White, Cinderella, and Woody.  What do you think? 

And a big thanks to mom for making our day so magical.  We all had a wonderful time! 

Birthday girls

I don't know where the years have gone.  My babies turned 5.  It's a bitter sweet thing to have your little ones grow and be more self reliant.  I'm loving that they can each follow directions and do simple tasks like, "get on your p.j.s and brush teeth."  Do I miss some of those baby stages...uhm...NO! 

For the girls birthday they took a friend and we went to the American Girl Café for lunch.  Talk about cute.  You. Have. No. Idea!  They don't miss a thing.  From the birthday girl crowns, to the tea set for your doll, to the present shaped cake it was fabulous.  Take a look and see what you think.  I think it's every little girls dream. 

Then for dinner we had our friends the Terrills, and our adoptive grandma, KK over for dinner.  The girls wanted an Ariel and Flounder cake so this is what I came up with.  The Ariel cake I made an ice cream cake.  What. Was. I. Thinking? Do you know that you have about 30 seconds to decorate the cake before it's a "hot mess".  I'm sure that will be my first, and last time I try that!  Sheesh...

The last payment

I couldn't be more pleased that I have written the last payment for preschool.  The girls had their graduation ceremony on the 10th of June.  They were very excited to be done but sad to say good bye to their teacher and classmates.  

Momma is ever so excited that all three kids will be in one school, at the same hours, of every day.  What will I do when they go back to school you ask?  Oh, the possibilities...can you say no kids between 8 and 2p.m..