Best Friends {picnic}

There is nothing better than having a good friend to pass the time with, especially if you are a stay-at-home mom to a young child. Lucky for me one of my bff's happens to be my sis-in-law, Annie. Her daughter Andie and Landon are nine months apart and to say that they love each other would be an understatement. They are obsessed with each other.

Hello there Andie.

"Andie" is the first word he utters when he wakes up from a nap and he wants to be hanging out with Andie every second that he can. He gives Andie all his tractors and "loaders" (as he now calls them), throws balls at her head, and gives her his half-chewed food just because he loves her so much.

Today we decided that we would have a little lunch picnic on the front lawn. The weather was perfect and the kids loved it. A nice way to mix up the usual routine.

Yay for bffs. :)

I was just thinking...

Bath time is so much better when it's a party.

Sometimes I'm Outnumbered.

Most of the time I love being the Queen of the Castle. I love my two guys. I like that they like testosterone type things. But when NBA playoff games are on, I get a snapshot of the future...

And I'm not to excited about it...I better get a girl at some point or else I'm going to have to start to like watching sports. Ugh.

Whoa!

We are in a "whoa" phase right now. Experiencing the world along side a toddler who is experiencing everything for the first time is an unusually special treat.

Every time L sees an airplane, bird, puppy he is so excited that a) it exists b) he knows what it is and c) he can say the name. I can see a true sense of pride emerging in Landon as a result of knowing he can communicate. Sure, every mom is proud of the expressed nouns and verbs, but it's the toddler usage of interjections that really keeps me entertained.
Landon, 12 months, pic by Aaron Draper.

It makes sense that a kid would say, "wh-o-a" (all drawn out in amazement) when he sees an airplane for the first time.Or even when he rides is first amusement park ride. (I took this at one of our favorite San Jose spots, Happy Hallow).

The "whoa's" are getting a little more extensive now. For example:
Hil: "Landon, here's a carrot."
Landon: "Oh! Whoa!!!! carrot."

Upon arriving at our car in the parking lot at the grocery store. Landon recognizes the car and with arms flailing exclaims, "OH yeah! WHOA!!!! car."


Exploring the Target toy section.
Landon: "Whoa!!!!! Helmet."

He even uses it after identifying objects.
As I'm handing him some string cheese.
Landon, "Cheese. Whoa!"

And this was all just today before nap time.
He does mimic pretty much everything Rod and I say and do these days. This whole "whoa" usage along with the accompanying excitement before identifying everything has me thinking. I must say "whoa" A LOT.

It's nice to have some of that excitement about seeing random everyday-life-objects rub off on me. What's changed in me since becoming a mom is, now I'm always so pumped when I pass a semi-truck or when I spot a tractor in a field. I get to point it out to Landon and experience his excitement about seeing it for the first time.
And yes, amidst trying to deal with the hoopla and responsibility of being a parent, it's nice to stop and marvel at the airplanes.

Well aren't these two just a ray of sunshine.

Just a snapshot of our morning routine. Two very happy people who can't wait to start the day.

Happy Monday to you too!

Animal Geniuses

Have you seen this craziness? I'm probably the last person on the planet to see this, but I am dying. DYING. It's hysterical.

And in case you are begging for more...

18 months

My little boy is 18 months old. Which is sad because I remember when he used to look like this.
(Oh my--doesn't this pic just make you laugh out loud? Ah....)And that seemed like it was yesterday. Well, it was last year.
It's amazing how much they change (insert more cliche expressions, etc). But it's true.


On with the 18 month update. It's all about the tractors, trucks, balls, and puppies (which it has been about now for a while). His newest thing is apple juice. He'll wake up in the middle of the night and yell, with what I swear is the same decibel level as an adult and with perfect diction, "Apple JUUUUICE!" (fyi apple juice is really like flavored water). At which point, Rod and I grumble about who's turn it is to get out of bed and pacify our 18 MONTH OLD!!!...(shouldn't this have stopped by now?) He loves juice, fruit snacks, and pirate's booty. (must have gotten that from his dad...;)I wish he loved broccoli, whole wheat, and asparagus--maybe in time...

His new favorite sport is golf. I got him these $2 plastic golf clubs from target and he whacks every ball in sight. He's even learning how to hold and swing the club with 2 hands. He also loves to watch golf on TV with his dad (how boring...I know---I've also taught him how to get really excited for Oprah--he cheers and sits on my lap in the beginning and then 5 minutes into it begs for Dora the Explorer). He also loves it when he gets to go to the course with Grandpa, Aaron, and Rod.
I wonder what he thinks about.

L just came out of his Elmo phase, which is kind of sad, because I love Elmo. Now its all about Dora the Explorer. He says "Dah-wa" like she's Asian instead of Latin. He repeats any word you say to him and is now starting to string words together in sentences.
"We did it."
"What is it?"
"All done."
"Thank you."
"I want that."
"pay gahpf" (play golf)
"Hold you"
etc...

I am loving this phase, he is a lot of fun and becoming so independent. He's also starting to learn right from wrong, so he knows he's in trouble if he hits mommy in the face with his golf club---so we aren't fighting those battles as much as we used to because he hates time out (even if its only for 20 seconds).
He's also very expressive with his face. AND (best part) he loves to give hugs and kisses now. So I love that.
Lucky to be this little one's mama. I love you Landon and I'm grateful everyday!

A Garden Afternoon

I've been enjoying my garden lately. Quite a lot. The snail who took this picture was upset because I'm thinning out his forest to play in.
I'm dehydrating Kale chips. Blending up smoothies. Living the life, really.
Do you guys ever garden like this? Sometimes I just can't find the other Croc, and who has the patience for that now really... Rod made me promise I would only wear Crocs while gardening (the stay-at-home-mom in me is tempted to rock these suckers all day, they are SOOOOOO comfortable but SO u.g.l.y.). I can kind of imagine myself as an 80 year old woman rocking a church dress and some crocs on Sunday....Don't worry guys, I'll wait til I'm 80.
Isn't nature amazing? These voluptuous greens were just little seeds 2 months ago.
I'm so obsessed with my broccoli. OBSESSED.
I feel like I'm bragging.
A friendly hello to you from my favorite garden companion. Usually I glance over while I'm "harvesting" and he's shoving flower buds into his mouth. So far, they don't seem too harmful.
Once we are done in the garden, it's time to place catch.
Even if I think its time to water the roses. My boss has different orders and we must keep our deadlines or else there is hell to pay.
After our game of catch I get to watering those plants and 9 times out of 10 this is what happens to my little best friend. Soaked to his diaper.
So I grab him to snatch a little snuggle, because what idiot wouldn't want to snuggle a wet baby?
The prime minister objects.
Then I do the dishes, make dinner, and watch Oprah.
(curtsy)

2 Weddings and a Missionary (3 of 3)

It's a rare occasion when you find a true friend out in that Hollywood mayhem of living your dream business. I've found the longer you are there (LA) and the better jobs you get, the less creepy the people are... (I'm remembering reluctantly attending auditions for an "amazing independent film" in some creepy guys "common area" of some run-down San Fernando Valley apartments etc). Sure there are lots of acquaintances, nice people, and memories made with people of whom you think fondly, but a REAL friend--I only consider myself to have made a handful of those while pursuing Hollywood.

One of those real soul-sisterly friends I have is Mimi.
This is Mimi and I before dancing at the 2009 Emmy's with Josh Groban.
I remember meeting Mimi the first year I was in LA at an audition for "Show Me the Money" (which she booked and I did not) and thinking she was more friendly and kind than most girls at an audition. I forget exactly when we became great friends, it feels like we have known each other our whole lives. We went on to work on a number of dance jobs together over the years, which then turned into lots of double dates with boyfriends who were not right for us, which then turned into double dates with boyfriends who eventually became our husbands. (yay!)

There are many things to love about Mimi, including that she was once Pineapple Fanta of the "Fantanas (oh yeah!)." She artistic, non-judgemental, a great person to share a laugh with, and loving. I've never once, in the 5 years that I've known her, hear her say anything negative about anyone (seriously). That's why it's always especially wonderful to see a friend who you love, adore, and respect so much find their deserving match. I knew when she and Mike got engaged that I would be shedding many tears of joy at their wedding...and let me tell you, this girl is one hell of a wedding planner.

Here are a few pics I snapped over the few days we were there.

Flying from Salt Lake to Palm Springs, Landon learned how to say "cheese" at the airport. Now his pictures are so much more dignified.

The desert is so much more beautiful from above while sitting in A/C. Aerial shot of the Grand Canyon on our way down south.
Ah, sleeping baby on a plane. Perfect on so many levels.
On the night of the rehearsal dinner, it was 1500 degrees, important people were passing out left and right--the shade, however was nice. Loved the view we had for the ceremony.
This is one of the only pics I have of Mike, (my bad) he was a great master of ceremonies at the talent show.
How awesome were Meems' bouquets? I loved the combo of springy flowers with succulents. I had never seen that before and thought it was so perfect for a Palm Springs wedding.
Beautiful Bride.

Look at this set up. LOOK AT THAT. One of the most gorgeous weddings I have been too.
I got to have the honor of sitting at the wedding party table with my handsome husband because I was one of Mimi's bridesmaids. :)
I loved the dresses.
The ceremony was conducted by a Rabbi and was a very touching exchange of vows and familial acknowledgements by both Mimi and Mike. However, Mimi in the bouncing wedding chair was in a close rivalry with the ceremony for my favorite part of the weekend.
Growing up Catholic, I bet Mike didn't imagine that he would be doing this at his wedding someday--but I'm sure he's so glad that he did. :) A great tradition. So fun.
Did I tell you that Borat made an appearance?
Lots of dancing, So fun. Great live band. Perfect weekend.
Back with the babysitter--Landon learned how to turn the ice bucket into a hat. We're so very proud.
Looking forward to next trip. But probably not as much as this little guy.