Her eyes lit up

Lulu turned 3 yesterday. She loved opening her gifts. Her favorite so far has been her purple unicorn pillow pet she received from Gma. She had been asking for one for 6 months and I wasn't going to get her one, but I knew she would love it. She also loves this little bear puzzle she got from her other Gma. I am not sure how she will handle Christmas. She already has enough toys to keep her busy for a while. Maybe we should wait a week to open Christmas stuff.

She requested a pink cake with pink frosting and pink candles. Very simple and it made her smile. Love it. She was so grateful yesterday. It was fun to watch her excitement about the cards and each gift.

I let the girls open their Gma Christmas presents because we won't see her on Christmas. Mimi got a camera and Lulu got a scooter. They have been going around the kitchen on the scooter. I will be teaching Mimi how to use her camera this morning. It is such a grown up gift for my little girl, but she is growing up.

I have to make a few desserts and a last minute run to the mall, then I will be free the rest of the week. I am tired everyday around 5. So I best get moving.

Kicked in the Gut

I have had that feeling for a couple months now and now we know why. You know the show, "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant," well, I knew--you didn't. We are due the beginning of April, hopefully by the 10th. I was late with my first and right on time with the second. That gives me a week beyond my due date. So from now on I am going to use the 10th and if it is earlier we'll all rejoice.
I am about 24 weeks and have gained enough weight to be 27 weeks, but look like I'm maybe 18 weeks or just chubby. I am hiding it well you might say. I haven't been pregnant sick, but I have seemed to pick up all colds that pass my way. Trouble sleeping already.

And the best news of all...it's a BOY. Yes, Mr., there is a Santa Claus!

Black Friday--the return

I thought I was done with Christmas shopping for the girls, but I had to make some returns. I missed a couple sales by 30 minutes. I was too early. I guess you really have to pay attention to start times for sales. Nuts. Now I have to go out in the snow and search some more. The good thing is I got $100 credited to my card. I bet I can spend less than that and feel done. I still have to look for Mr., but he hasn't told me anything he wants yet. And of course I have to shop for myself. I am looking forward to doing this on my own some time in the the next 10 days. Lulu was a good partner yesterday, but it is so much easier on my own. Anybody want to babysit/shop swap?

Announcement, of the birthday variety

There are 2 weeks until my birthday. Consider yourself warned. I am expecting something great this year. Hint, hint. I know Mr. looks at this blog, so that is for him. I will be 31.

Last night, as I watched NKOTBSB perform at the AMA awards, I realized that I haven't changed much in the last 20 years. I used to watch all of the music award shows and all of the miss america pageants and I still have to at least check out the music awards. I avoid the pageants, unless Mimi spots one and asks to watch the talent portion.

I remember going on a road trip with my mom and grandparents to Idaho and listening to NKOTB the whole way--on my mini-boombox (not even a walkman) with headphones. I think I was 10, maybe younger. I used to be able to sing every word of every song on the radio. I loved Debbie Gibson too. I still like to sing to the radio and encourage my little ones to dance in the car. Music is fun. We all need to dance a little more--even if we have no rhythm.

So, that is my birthday request. Sing and dance at the store or in your car. Make people laugh or let them stare. Maybe they will join in. This is especially great on Black Friday. I guarantee you will be smiling.

Vacation

Right after the girls found out we were going to Disneyland.
1st day--at SeaWorld. It was so fun. And hot. We were expecting 85 for the high, but it was 90+ most of the days.

Mr. helped the girls pet and feed the dolphins. Lulu fed ice cubes because she didn't want to touch the fish. Mimi rubbed their heads very carefully.

This picture is actually from Friday. If you look in the background, you can see my parents. I talked them into taking a vacation and I am so glad they came. They knocked on our door (totally shocking the girls) in the morning and joined us at Disneyland for 12 hours that day. The girls loved playing with them. Most of the pictures of that day are on their camera.

Lulu driving the bumper car.

Wild Animal Park

It was hot and we were tired. The car thermometer said 101 when we headed to the hotel.

Lulu was shy when she took pictures with the characters. She loved Minnie's house. We got a few shots with some princesses and Pluto and Goofy. This was our first time really doing a character hunt.

We found Mickey! They were both excited and then Lulu got shy. Someday she'll learn.

The girls both had a great time. Mimi pushed us to stay out until 11:30 riding the rides. I guess she really wanted to make the most of her day.

Lulu kept calling the hotel the dentist. "Let's go swim at the dentist." "Are we going back to the dentist yet?" Won't she be surprised.

We went to Cheesecake Factory. We were ALL disappointed in the food, but the cheesecake was pretty good.

We spent a day at the beach in Malibu, checking out tide pools with Mr.'s sister. We had great weather and lots of fun.

We flew home on the same flight as my parents. It was a fun trip. The only picture we got of all of us together was at the airport. I really wasn't thinking about pictures by the time we were all together. I don't know how we will top this vacation.

The Surprise!

I had Mr. take the camera and gave him the sign as I brought some gifts down the stairs. The girls opened their bags to find princess shirts and Minnie mouse jackets. Mimi said, "Oh, Thanks!" Then I held out some tickets and Lulu said, "Tickets to Mickey." And I told them we would be leaving in an hour and a half to fly to LA and head on down to Disneyland, SeaWorld, and the Wild Animal Park. We were there for a whole week and had a whole lot of fun. The movie of their reactions and crying didn't actually get recorded, but they were so excited. I have lots of pictures to share, but I haven't gone through them yet. I got my Disney fix and probably won't feel the urge for several years. It was a nice break and we got to spend some time with Mr.'s sister which was just as fun as going to Disneyland.

HIS Birthday

What an eventful morning! Sarcasm. I have had a cold of sorts for a few weeks, tested negative for strep, and have lost all motivation to move beyond my home.

But that won't keep me down for long. Today is Mr.'s birthday and we are going to party it up. He has become more giving with age. He used to think he was invincible and now realizes he is not. He takes things seriously. Whether it is playing, working, relaxing--he is focused. My gift to him is a bed liner for his truck. He has to arrange it all and get it taken care of (the best kind of gift). We might see how much he can handle at Red Lobster at all-you-can-eat shrimp night. I will count, he will eat.

I have been keeping a secret from my kids for a few months. They will be excited. Mimi will forgive me for making her throw away the last cupcake instead of letting her eat it. I am almost sure of that.