I'M TALKIN MAJOR LEAGUE HERE!

So what do you associate with:

Bounce houses
Food booths
Games
Cotton Candy and Popcorn
Parades
Announcers
Balloons
Banners
Professional Pictures
Newspaper Articles

Carnivals?
Major Holidays?
Community Celebrations?

How about opening day of Ladera Ranch T-BALL!!!

Yep, these are just a few of the things they did for Brooks' opening day of T-BALL!

Besides all the fun games, food and festivities, they had all the teams line up and walk in a parade. When each of the boys got to the rainbow of balloons, they announced each of their names as if they were going onto the field of the world series.

Along with all of this, Brooks also has 3 coaches, 2 team moms, Practices and games on Saturdays AND Mondays, 2 pizza parties, 1 breakfast party, and 1 Angels day (which includes another parade, taking the field with the Angels team and sitting in the dugout during a game).

I can't wait to see what life after t-ball has to offer...

A very happy birthday to me--Thanks to all of you!

We've had a fun week and I even had a birthday in there somewhere which, thanks to all the wonderful & amazing people in my life, ended up being one of the funnest birthdays ever (I was on a cruise over my birthday last year, so that's pretty hard to top--but this was as close as it comes)!

So this is my shout out to all of you that made my birthday great this year.
For those of you that didn't--there's always next year! (ha ha)

Here are a few pics (because what's a post with out the pics right?)

We played a little laser tag for my "birthday party". It was a bunch of hot chicks (that's referring to us :) against an army of 12 year old boys (also there for a birthday party). These kids were freakin' amazing! I seriously can't tell you how many times I was ambushed by them. I just remember uttering the words "that's right little boys--run, run away!" Then quickly running away in the other direction to hide before they attacked me again.

This is the best! Coleen (on the right) is tiny (Megan-on the left, is also tiny so this pic doesn't give her justice)! At the end of the game one of the boys yelled out after looking at his stats "who's mamma cita, she KILLED ME!" Coleen told him it was her and after looking at her and realizing he just got taken by a 5ft. 100lb. mom, he just put his head down and sighed in embarrassment "NO WAY!"
You rock coleen!

After Laser tag we broke out the cake that my sister Annie got me (it was SOO GOOD). I believe it said something like: "You're 29 it's party time." I wonder if she came up with that all by herself? After all, if you eat a house, you are a house (he he, inside joke--this was one of her fav. jokes growing up--and probably still is!)

I have to throw in a few pics from our rock band night.

It's seriously so addicting!

This was just MEAN! This is a picture that was included in my gift from my friends in Utah. We used to go skiing together all the time (among other things), but I don't remember anyone EVER bringing a camera! This picture just doesn't look right--someone's definitely missing! I still love em anyway :(

Did I mention I didn't have to celebrate my birthday in doors to get away from the cold? This year we played at the beach :)

Mckell (my nanny, chauffeur, personal shopper, chef, baker, FRIEND!) was able to come down from Utah for the weekend. Thanks to her, I actually went out on my birthday instead of sitting home wishing Dwight was there. Thanks for the memories--the beach, Lego land, home shopping, COOKIE EATING, In-N-out burgers...good times!

The Best Valentine's Day EVER!

So, which would you prefer on Valentines Day?

1) Chocolate covered strawberries, bananas and marshmallows.
2) A very sweet note expressing his love for you (left for you on the pillow).
3) A warm bubble bath (with your little sweet buns in it of course).

Well, this year Dwight WASN'T home for Valentines Day, so he wasn't able to do any of these things for me :(
But believe it or not, I still got all 3 of these things.
But how you ask?

1) With a little help, he made me these:


2) A short time later, I found this on my pillow:

Then he insisted on his bubble bath.








What would I do without my little Casanova?





Mylee left me some cute valentines too.

I love my kids!

But seriously, this is only the beginning. Where do I begin?...

From the day we moved here, Mylee has made new friends and has a good friend that lives right next door. Brooks on the other hand has struggled. He's made a few friends thanks to preschool, but due to the proximity of our homes they just don't play together that often.

There are a few boys in our neighborhood that are always out skateboarding, playing football, getting into trouble--all things Brooks would LOVE to be a part of. The only problem is that he's about 3 years younger than all of them so when he asks to play they basically tell him to buzz off.

Now that you have a little background...

I took Mylee and Brooks to the store to get some Valentines stuff yesterday and Brooks saw a bucket of roses (the toy kind that you can bend and shape). He said "oh mom, I bet Hannah and Jaycee would like these. Can we get them for them?"
"No Brooks, we already have valentines for them."
"But I really want to buy them for Hannah and Jaycee."
"Then buy them with your own money."
Whenever we go to the store, Mylee and Brooks (who are on an allowance system for all their "wants"), bring their wallets with them because they know I won't buy them anything (I'm such a mean mom).
He had his wallet, so he decided he would buy these roses for them.

He wanted to give them to the girls at the Valentines party they had today, but I told him we could take them their roses later so the other kids wouldn't feel bad.

After preschool ended I told him Hannah and Jaycee could come home with us and he could give them their roses.
They wanted to play in the play room, so I told them I would get some strawberries ready and they could help me dip them in chocolate. When I was ready I ran up to tell them to come help me, but stopped when I noticed they seemed to be having a pretty serious conversation. What I heard next brought tears to my eyes:

Brooks: Can I tell you something?
Jaycee: Sure, is everything okay?
Brooks: Well, I don't exactly like living in this neighborhood.
Hannah: How come Brooks?
Jaycee: Yeah, why Brooks?
Brooks: Well, nobody likes me. All the boys in the neighborhood HATE me!
Jaycee: Well, we don't hate you. Why do you think they hate you?
Brooks: Because, when I go to their house and knock on their door to play they always tell me to go away.
Hannah: Why?
Brooks: Because they don't like me.
Jaycee: Well I have an idea! What if you pretend that you're a baby and your mom takes you over in a blankie and knocks on the door to show you to them. Then they would like you because everybody likes babies.
Brooks: Well, they wouldn't recognize me.
Jaycee: What does recognize mean?
Brooks: It's like when someone wears a costume and you don't know who they are.
Hannah/Jaycee: Oh!
Jaycee: Well, we recognize you and we like you!
Hannah: Yeah, you give us roses and candy. We think you're nice!
Brooks: Hey, do you want to play with my cars?
Jaycee: Sure, I like playing with you!
Hannah: Well, I like to play with him more.
Jaycee: No I do.
Brooks: Guys, it's okay! You both can like me the same. Now which car do you want...

He's such a little heartbreaker! I can't even imagine what I'm going to have to deal with in 12-20 years.
Can't I just stay the love of his life???














And of course, this valentines post wouldn't be complete if I didn't end with a little dedication to the true love of my life (that's you D). I'm sad we didn't get to spend Valentines Day together, but we have many more ahead of us and I appreciate how hard you work for our family! You're a wonderful husband (and father) and I can't wait to see you again in March :)
I love you!

Compassion, Respect or Sympathy? You be the judge!

So, apparently when we moved here we had 10 days to get our car registered and a valid California Drivers license.

We actually went to the DMV a few months ago, but they told me that because I have a motorcycle license I had to re-take the written test. Dwight ended up getting his, but I decided to go back another time (okay, I took the test and FAILED! How was I supposed to know that if I'm in an accident and KILL someone, I or my "representative" need to notify the DMV--REALLY?!)

Anyway, It's been over 10 years since I took my motorcycle test so I figured rather than failing it twice in a row, I better actually read the study guide before I take the test again.

I don't have time to study! Who needs a California license anyway? I've NEVER had a ticket (however, I HAVE been pulled over many times :) and my Utah license is valid for another 3 years--I'm golden!

OR NOT!!!

Last week we all slept in and woke up just in time to get Brooks to preschool. I grabbed the twins and ran out the door--matted hair and all.
On the way home I stopped at a red light, then proceeded with a right hand turn. I have been making this turn for awhile now and had NO clue it was a "no turn on red" intersection.
I actually saw the cop, but didn't think anything of it--until his red lights started flashing! As he approached the vehicle I'm sure he sensed that something was not right here (I'm pretty sure I still had the lines on my face from my pillow and it was 10:00a.m.!).

Here's how the interrogation went:
Do you know there's a "no turn on red" there? Uhhh, yeah--just found that out. But I swear I've NEVER noticed the sign before.
Do you have your license? No, it's at home on the counter.
Do you live here? yes.
Why isn't your car registered?...
Do you know you have 10 days from the day you get here to register it? umm, Yeah. But again, just found that out.
What is your license number? well, it's actually a Utah license still and I don't know the number.
Why don't you have your California license yet?...
Are these your twins? Yes
Why aren't they BUCKLED? GASP! WHAT??? Well, my 5 year old buckles them and although he got their top buckles, he must have forgot to do the lower ones and I hadn't noticed.

Okay, so you made an illegal turn, you don't have your license with you or know it's number or have a valid California license yet, your car isn't registered and your kids aren't buckled correctly...I'll be right back.

My heart sunk! There's NO WAY out of this! There are just too many violations against me. Not only am I going to get my first ticket, but I'll probably have my car impounded and kids taken away!

I jumped out of the car and correctly buckled the twins (I'm pretty sure Brooks missed the lower buckles because they were wearing nightgowns that covered them and made it difficult to get to--no excuse though, I know).

Before I could get back into the car he'd returned and asked me, after looking at the logo on the license plate, Who's the firefighter? Me (cringe).
Volunteer or paid? Paid--I'm a real firefighter.
Really? Yes!
Hmm, so what have you learned here? Umm, don't turn right on red at this intersection, get my car licensed, get my California Driver license AND carry it with me and double check that my kids are buckled correctly before leaving.

Alright, have a nice day.
Uhh, thanks--you too!

WHAT? Did he seriously just let me off? I think I was in shock!

Some might say that it is the "mutual respect" between firefighters and police officers.

Or perhaps the fact that if he sights me for one violation, he'll have to sight me for ALL the violations and that would just take way to much time and effort (trying to find my license number, waiting for the car to be towed, contacting social services, etc.)

Or maybe he understood that I was just a mom, "trying" to care of my kids--so worn out that I can't even wake up to get my kid to preschool on time or even have the time or energy to put shoes on my babies or even put on a bra!

What ever his reason (and I wasn't about to ask) I don't need to be told twice!

I now wait at that light (even if the line of cars behind me insist on honking at me), my car is registered, I now carry a valid CALIFORNIA drivers license with me at ALL times and NEVER put my car in drive without double checking that my precious children are buckled.

I think you can say I learned my lesson!

So, thank you to a police officer with compassion, respect or who just really, really felt sorry for me!


By the way, I didn't cover up my info so you can't see how much I weigh--I didn't want any crazies knowing where I live (or my weight for that matter :)!

We had a very exciting December! Here are a few highlights:



*Annika and Mia turned TWO! We celebrated at build a bear (only they actually got bunnies--not bears). Happy birthday girlie's :)


*Mylee sings in a children's choir and they had a few performances for Christmas. One of the performances was at our town square where Santa rode in on a fire truck to light the Christmas tree.

He also brought a few of his reindeer for the kids to to pet!



*I've made some great friends here. We had a gift exchange with each other and ate TONS of yummy food!

*We visited friends and family in Utah for Christmas. We had a great time and ate WAY too much food (well, at least I did)! I was able to get my snow skiing fix in with some friends (and sister, but she's included in my "friends"). We all came close to getting frost bite on our toes and hands! I think I need to take up surfing! Christmas in Cali next year anyone???

*Home prices continue to drop in California, so we are still renting, watching & waiting for that PERFECT home at the PERFECT price--We'll see what 2008 brings...

*I am probably the last person on earth that still makes new years resolutions. I have my list of things written down somewhere--if only I could remember where I put it!

*We took the kids to Disneyland last week for family night. I think it's official--our favorite rides are 1)Splash Mountain 2)Space Mountain 3)the Matterhorn. Hmmm, do you sense a theme? And people tell us there are no "mountains" here!

*We wish everyone best wished in 2008!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We want to wish all our family and friends (and anyone else who happens to stumble on to this site) a MERRY CHRISTMAS & BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!

We've had a wonderful and memorable year. We'll remember 2007 as a year full of adventure, change, and lots of crazy experiences that go along with raising four kids who have a mixture of Melanie's and Dwight's genes. We've had good health as a family in 2007, and for that we feel truly blessed! We're looking forward to spending a relaxing Christmas season with family and friends. We hope you can do the same. We love all of you!!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Dwight, Melanie, Mylee, Brooks, Annika & Mia

NEW CHILDCARE SOLUTION--OR HOW TO HANDLE MY HORDING ADDICTED SON?

So everyone LOVED Brooks' new hobby (see previous post), but I am just beside myself. I just don't know what to do...well, DIDN'T know what to do! I found this great new concept for day care. I think it might help with Brooks' hording too? What do you think, should I give it a shot???


Report: Many U.S. Parents Outsourcing Child Care Overseas

No "Snow Days" only "Sun Days" and a November to Remember

Okay, it's finally arrived--A NEW POST!

We have had such a fun and exciting November. I feel like I haven't had an extra moment to spare--it's been chalk full of fun, fun, fun! But believe it or not, I'm actually looking forward to December when things have actually calmed down. No, that's not a typo. You read it right--December and calm in the same sentence!

Here are a few of our highlights...hope you enjoy!

During the beginning of the month, I noticed Brooks eyeing everything I threw away in the garbage. If it was anything that could be salvaged and put to better use (ie., the pull tab from the milk carton lid, the cardboard from the toilet paper roll, tags taken off of new clothing, etc.) Brooks would sneak into the garbage as soon as I wasn't looking and take the item(s) and run.
I didn't think much of it at first, until he started doing it CONSTANTLY. Besides the fact that it bugged me, I didn't think anything more of it.

Knowing that we would be hosting Thanksgiving at our home this year and with family staying with us, I decided I should organize the home before the cleaners came. I pulled open one of Brooks' drawers that usually is host to cars, action figures, etc. And to my horrified surprise found what was a new breeding ground for his garbage can HORDING!


Yes, these are pumpkins with mold growing on them. To get the real effect, click on the bottom picture!

Moving right along, soccer is now over. Mylee ended the year as the "most inspirational" and Brooks got the "spirit" award (he loves to give five and hugs...perhaps a bit too much) :) Mylee and Brooks, you did SOO great this year. We are very proud of you!



So I mentioned we had Thanksgiving at our home this year. This was the first time I've had to shop for and help prepare the meal. Wow! I always figured it was a lot of work, but now only do I realize just exactly how much work goes into ONE meal! Though I must say, if I could choose only one meal a year, this would be it!

We were able to have Dwight's parents, his sister Traci, her husband Joel and their kids and my sister Annie and her friend Chuck together with us this year. What a great time we had...food, games, rebus puzzles, food, fun--did I mention food? I hope we have many more Thanksgivings in the future filled with family and friends--okay, and food :)

Mylee played a horse in her first grade play "Tom Turkey". She made the cutest horse I've seen, wouldn't you agree?

While Dwight's side of the family was here, we took advantage of the weather and went to the beach and Disneyland. OH MY! Joel and Dwight decided to purchase what I call the "caveman special". It's a HUGE Turkey leg on the bone that they sell at Disneyland. I always think it is so nasty and repulsive when I see people gnawing at these...You can't miss the pictures!--enjoy :)

One of my favorite things we did was go to a Utah State basketball game! Utah State was here in town playing UC Irvine. I miss Utah State games and even though they got their heinies kicked, we had a great time :) In two weeks we're going to a University of Utah game in San Diego...who says we can't have the best of both worlds living here?!


Mylee was able to see her "VERY best friend in all the world" Savanna. Our friends the Holbrooks came down to visit from Utah and Mylee and Savanna were inseparable! We have kept them away for WAY too long! It was like Christmas for Mylee (she even had an advent calendar until Savanna arrived!). We had sleepovers, went to San Diego, the beach, Disneyland and played, played, played!

We also made a trip upto L.A. to see the L.A. Temples lights and make a visit to the American Girl store. This of course BEFORE realizing Mylee's new American doll is officially LOST! Oh, and for those of you that have always wondered if you can wash your ipod in your jeans and have it survive--IT CAN'T! :( ***UPDATE*** So, it has now been 2 days after the devastating washing of the ipod and believe it or not--IT'S ALIVE! That's right, after a little drying out and a good charging it is now working again! So, the answer now is it CAN! You can wash your ipod in your jeans and have it survive (though this is not a practice I recommend).

So there you have it. Our November in a nutshell. Welcome December!

p.s.
Did I mention, I did ALL my Christmas shopping, wrapping and sent off to Utah in 3DAYS!

December has got to be calmer, doesn't it?...

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

SO, I was just wondering if any of you can tell what my latest change is?


This is my friend Kjersten on the right (I'm on the left in case you didn't recognize me). She recently had hers done and it looked just like what I've been wanting to do, but have debating if it was right for me...

I finally got the guts to just do it and here is the finished product. SO, what do you think??? Is this the right color for me?

What? NO! Of course not! I just stuffed "them" with about 5 pairs of socks so our pictures wouldn't look so lopsided. All I did was color my hair--I can't believe you didn't even notice that!

Ha,Ha! So here's the story...
Kjersten really did JUST color her hair, but because of the angle that the picture was taken, it looked like she had done more than just her hair. On her blog, the comments left were not so much about her new hair color (she was blond), but about how much BIGGER she looked (BTW, I really do love your new hair color).

I just couldn't resist, I had to do it! You know I love ya KJ :)
So for real, here are a few before and after pics. Let me know what you think...