Sew Party!

I've had a few weeks "off" from sewing. Like my reading of books, I have 2 projects mid-done (the zipper on a dress for P and a dress with horrid-to-work-with fabric to practice for me). But tonight I am planning on making a few more aprons to be sold at Celebration of the Arts fundraiser for our school. As I practice, I contemplate selling them to fund my fabric habit (among other things like triathlons, etc. - I got that idea from S.G. the marathoner who does the same, but is much more experienced in cute aprons!). I just had to blog, can you tell?

Hot, Flat, & Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman

I am really enjoying this book. I like Friedman's thought, research, and studies including the 2006 The World is Flat of our lightening quick evolving international political, social, and economic changes. The title makes me cringe a little, but I took it up because I imagine Hinckley would have read it, or at least been familiar with it. It's getting really good. The studies and statistics on oil and the states that produce it and their relationship to democracy is fascinating. Basically if a state (such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Russia) produces oil, and the price is high, the country supplies its people with their needs (income, etc.) and since it doesn't ask anything of its people (taxes) it doesn't have to listen to them and they don't produce anything else, thus education, specialization, and growth doesn't happen. I just like to be reminded that everything needs balance. And I really want chickens. And a productive vegetable garden. And an avocado tree. I digress. And this week, in thinking about it, and continually striving for it (balance) in our life, this book brought that to light very well. Also, now when people ask me why Andy doesn't want anymore kids I am going to stay its because "he doesn't want to contribute to the carbon footprint that another child would incur". He is going to hate it. And I might even get another kid out of him just because he is so strongly opposed to this idea. What I also like are the references to the amazing articles and books available on the subjects of this book that most interest me.

Next on my list: The Black Swan and Outliers. I love all the socio-economic reading nowadays. This may be sacreligious but it beats Marx & Smith for entertainment anyday.

Speaking of balance. Hey did you read the newest Ensign yet? I love all the education guidance in there. Amazing. Evolving. Empowering.

Journal stuff: We had a great, tiring Saturday. 8:30 am Holden's soccer game at morningside elem (4000 S.). Rode the bike and P-sauce in the trailer there. It was very cold. Possibly too cold. I rode home without her in the trailer. The sun and warmth came out a few hours after my return home. Early nap (I am still sore and tired from snowboarding on Thursday. Seriously, it was amazing. I was charging the powder and fell head over heels a few times into the pow, but the soreness came later since it was just like falling into heaven at the time. And yes, we wear helmets), then Dad coached Owen's soccer game (he played Haley), and H went to a color me mine birthday party. Played around while the sun was warm. Owen and Dad practiced riding the two-wheeler to, around, and back from the park. Washed the car (it was a family affair, and it is really clean now, I just wish the kitchen was as clean now that we dumped all of the non-trashable junk from the car into the kitchen!). Took Caroline and Owen to a birthday party at the Children's Museum at Gateway. Cruised the Apple Store and the Fountain with the rest of Salt Lake City, went to dinner, came back to pick up the museum partiers. Home. Made my second batch of Amish bread (Marie's starter). Chillin' with the man watching rugby. Ready for reading and bedtime. Til tomorrow. Adieu.

Channeling the Beach

We are currently experiencing the serious extremes of a pretty typical Utah spring. It's all about "psych" as one at CDM would have said in 8th or 9th grade. Last weekend it was warmer than so. cal., almost 70's. Then a snowstorm hit, THE NEXT DAY. This winter has been a blur, and I was not at all excited about every snow flake in year's past, mostly and simply because we did not get season's passes this year to snowboard and/or ski with the boys. Sure, we've been twice (Andy has been a couple more times, but that is pathetic!) with the boys, but have pretty much given up on the season (sorry Snowbird). So, as I look outside realizing I will not be riding the Marin (15 years old and never had a tune-up, new tires, or been re-greased and still rocks by the way, which I cannot say for my 5 year old road bike or my 1 year old fully), it is a bitterly cold, snowstormy day, and I won't even walk to school (although the kids might, we are so mean!) I must channel the warmth and beauty and calm of the beach.

Penelope's Birthday Weekend

Oh my gosh! Look at Weston! This was tonight with the Utah families celebrating Owen & P Jane's birthday with a yellow cake with Andy frosting and cherry chip with cherry frosting cake. Seriously though, look at Weston!

The fairy princess!!! Gotta love it!

Today playing with Amanda Jane. They are hilarious.

The first cake. It was good. Walnuts, dark chocolate chips, all homemade. The 5 of us pounded it.

The gear set-up that works (the helmet is not the new one, I thought this one was too small...oops!, I think she liked the boots with the extra height leverage).

We had a great Saturday birthday for P Jane. The weather was spring perfect. We went to the park 4 times to alternately fly Owen's birthday kite, play basketball, baseball, scooter, bike, look for a crazy lost neighborhood dog (we really tried, but couldn't catch it), and just play and enjoy the lovely weather (it is back to cold and was snowing/sleeting today, it even caused a 1/2 hour blackout during dinner). We had pink pancakes and opened presents in the morning. P Jane received from us - a micro mini scooter I couldn't wait to give her even though it's for 3+ and I bought it at Christmastime because she loves being on Owen's - they are awesome!, a helmet, which MUST be used while riding said scooter at all times (she's getting used to it), a vanity set ( a play hairdryer, mirror, brush, etc.), and a puzzle ball our neighbor has that I love. She received the darling princess fairy ensemble from the Jaggi's, a bather from the Bunches, and the drawing board from the Creers (we partied tonight with the Utah families after the Draper temple dedication). We actually had 3 cakes for the occasion and I am feeling it, even if Andy and I charged Dry Creek mountain biking yesterday (it was awesome even if everyone who has ever or started to mountain bike in the Salt Lake City area was there, for good reason, it was dry as a bone and even quite dusty!). I made it up the "rock garden" and even up the steep "S" part at the top of dry creek like never before! First timer of the season's luck I guess. On Peanut turning the big 2, I haven't even cried!

P Jane

She will be 2 tomorrow! She is a funny girl. Her thing today was asking "Do you want a pie?" and throwing a pillow in your face...lovely. She might tackle you to wrestle (as I saw her do to a boy her size at Laird Park yesterday) or scream and rattle your eardrums, but when you watch her giggle, or jump, or spin, or throw something in the trash that you've asked her to, or see her cute little bum, you just might want to eat her. She loves watching and playing basketball, even though I am hoping more swimming and tennis, but she seems to have a natural affinity for basketball which is perfect for her very tall size. She loves copying Mommy, especially my meeting agreeable nod, "hello" and talking on the phone, looking in the body length mirror (I totally saw her do the turn around check out her backside the other day and was kind of horrified I do that so readily), riding the bike, waving and talking to passersby, and more. This girl loves dogs or "ruff ruff" like none other. She loves her shoes and definitely knows what she will or won't wear. She loves lotion, when we are at school (which is a lot) the main Principal Assistant Maggie and her share a special lotion relationship (which reminds me I have got to remember to gift her with new lotion soon, since Penelope has taken most of it). She is my bike ride buddy, and always knows when she wants out at the park, or the library, or today just passing by Foothill Village (and horrified when we don't stop). She keeps me on my toes and is my first truly "terrible two" but I wouldn't trade her for anything, she is mine, she is me, she is Andy, she is our boys, and we love her dearly.

Owen's Birthday

See, I am crazed! I wasn't upset, I was just reiterizing how much he loved each gift, very enthusiastically. Photos are in reverse order, of course.
The traditional Knight pinata.


Eating the cake.

Gathering 'round the cake.

Water balloon toss. This seemed to be much harder than the last party. I think it was the biodegradable water balloons.

Reading the first clue to the treasure hunt.

Oh dear. Not only did I not birthday blog my very own Osterizer (who turned 6 yesterday, yes, I cried at least twice), but not even St. Patrick's Day (and we are Irish, you know a wee percentage, but if you saw Owen's green eyes and Penelope's beautiful light auburn honeyed hair you'd see it!). So we got home from our very fun vacation and on Monday I sent out an email to a few neighborhood ladies of Owen's friends who would most understood that I was inviting them to a birthday that would take place TOMORROW and that Owen would not allow me to say "no gifts please" (I didn't tell them that of course, but I wish I could). So not everyone was invited and a few were invited on the morning of the birthday party and I have solidified my standing as a most overwhelmed and procrastinating Mom, but I must say the party was fab and went swimmingly. He had already planned on a "green party" so I just had to have it on his real birthday, which just happens to be St. Patty's. Donkeys were pinned, water balloons were tossed and splattered, a green frog pinata was blasted, cake and ice cream were devoured, presents were opened and loved, a wild treasure hunt ensued, baseball was organized, and basketball was played. It was totally low stress and quite low cost. Andy and I made the cake, the greenish-tint rice krispy treats that were shared with the kindergarten class, and we have yet to actually buy him a present yet (horrible, I know, but the Wii game he really wants we can't find...nba basketball and we couldn't think of anything else, and neither could he), he really doesn't seem to mind. He was so excited all day, and loved sharing his birthday with the St. Patty's day festivities seemed to add to it. I have to note that in kindergarten they made these green lensed "leprechaun glasses" which when looked through you can actually see leprechauns. He spent at least an hour, maybe longer outside looking for leprechauns, it was freaking adorable. He always made sure none got in the house as well. I love this age! It is the best.

P.S. Just so you don't think I am totally ungrateful for where I live...I do love it, this morning I had a marvelous crisp air morning walk (it would've been a run but a necessary piece of equipment that rhymes with raw was in the wash) and I got to see the great view of the city, the air was clear, the snow was still glistening on the mountains above, yet spring is so in the air it is blessed. Andy is with the kids at the park right now flying Owen's birthday Kite from CJ and we have been playing in the back yard all day and even walked to the store for groceries (not totally unheard of, although I was wearing a sweater that was quickly shed when I returned home).

Disney & Friday

The place where Owen left his seashell.

Friday morning on a fantastic beach walk with Owen. We walked from the villas, which was a little long for the little dude, but he did it and was a perfect companion on my favorite outing.

The beloved seashell he left behind (it is a preserve and thus no rocks or seashells may be taken from the beach, although I would love to and the driftwood is fantastic).

At disneyland in the longest line of the day, for Nemo's submarine ride (30 minutes), trying to keep entertained with what was in my swim back pack.

This was the most awesome age for both boys. I remember truly believing I would be the "master of the kingdom" too. Everything was so real, especially to Owen.

Climbing & Surfing in California Adventure

San Onofre BBQ

The gang. Ryan cooked some mean dogs, hamburgers, & yummy chicken for the gang consisting of the 2 oldest Phelps girls, Maama, Tyson, Kathy & Landon, Brittany, Derek & Jack, Jenny, the Dude Justin, & Chase, & Alicia & Ryan, & the Knight gang. AK & the Dude went surfing at sundown while we chowed on good old beach bonfire bbq. Chips, guac, sodas, salads, & ketchup.

Loving Life

Bike ride. Down Newport Coast, north on PCH, west on Poppy, along Ocean, hello to Big and old home on Ocean, across Goldenrod footbridge (when did they get rid of the pole?), down 2nd to my absolutely favorite secret spot, through Irvine Terrace, around the park (yes, Sheri, the very same that we left the boys at after playing soccer, now I get it) across PCH to Granville, say hello to the old Balboa Bay Club tennis courts (those were the days, buying balls on the card, hitting hundreds over the fences), around Fashion Island, say hello to Pacific Life (ahhh, those were the days, loved it), say hello to Ryan, up San Joaquin Hills, hello to Lighthouse Lane house, oh the parties at that house, the ravine, love it, past the Lawn Bowling Tennis Courts, reminisce about more tennis lessons with Gerkin, crank it up Spyglass, say to self once again how we've got to bring the kids to the 'Harbor view' park at the top, wherein Mali took us hiking for the first time (I always thought that behind our Spyglass Hill houses was a dump, like a real take your trash to dump), slow it down so I don't pass out when I go into Starbucks to get my "victory" drink and ice water (no water bottle, but I would stop anyway). Talk to some strangers (but not to RW since I was too embarrassed about my diaper pant biking shorts and arm warmer gear to talk to anyone I haven't seen in 15 years), get back on the bike for the most incredible downhill ever. Take the golf course, Pelican Hill way around to elongate the downhill, pass the Villa, wave hello to the family, continue down to cool down through Crystal Cove, feel like I paved the way so that there would be a paved way since all those years I risked my life riding along PCH through Laguna and now there is a path all the way until El Morro, ride back and up Newport Coast drive, enter the villa, see Justin and Chase, get the boys and change into bather to make the 11am shuttle to the beach (10 minutes), see a whale spout then humpback then spout the humpback about 30 yards out, spend 3 hours scrutinizing the tide pools with Owen, watching Holden scream with joy getting crashed in the waves, after nap Penelope and Dad join us for another hour of discovery and rest (H & I). Get back, play human size checkers with H, rinse off in the hot tub, still have tar on our feet, shower, here I am, having shared leftover Wahoo's between O & Dad, fully content, but wanting to go snuggle my little newest niece in Irvine, and see my Mom, and the Phelps. The bike ride was duplicated on Monday and lots of swimming, Fashion Island dinner and shopping, and Balboa Island walk was had then. Here are some pics. There is my summary of the last two days. Sunday afternoon we arrived, saw baby Ellie, the California Stayner people came over and brought Sunday dinner, which was amazing. Sang Happy Birthday for Owen, premature, but a great excuse to get the LA people down right? Having a blast. Wish you were here.

Catch Up

The last few weeks, AK has been surfing in CA for 4 days, then the next weekend he headed to Cancun for a few days to "help a friend", whatever, so now we are on our first leg of a week long family trip back to Newport Coast. After the last few weekends, I would have preferred to go solo, but it'll be fun. Here are some catch up pics and some funnies of the trip so far.

First Leg, Las Vegas, Residence Inn. Owen was in charge of the GPS and counted down every 3 miles since mile 96 (St. George). Holden has been amazing Mr. Helper Man, he must really want to go to Disneyland. He is very excited to go surfing with Dad again. We had a few too many pit stops elongating the length of travel time (although I argued it would make the trip go by faster, not the case in the end). Owen had to "go" at Thanksgiving Point, I insisted we stop at Sweet Tooth Fairy in Provo, gas and "go" at Cove Fort, In N' Out for dinner in St. George, and finally here in Las Vegas. We had big plans to swim and play basketball tonight, but everyone is quiet and seemingly fast asleep right now.

You lookin' at me?

It's tight, a little miserable, but it's the company car and it's FREE!

Last Weekend at Megan and John's weekend getaway in Park City. We went swimming OUTSIDE, actually in 4 of the 4 hot tubs out there since the pool was chilly. It was a blast.

The dress I made for Penelope. I have made a second since and the process and finish is 90 times better! But I like this pattern better. I am still practicing.