Leather

while polishing some shoes, including Lillian's new boots that got handed down from Devlin, I was explaining why we can polish them...they are leather, and leather is from a cow...Lillian says, Oh, did a cow used to wear these boots? Yes, Lillian, that's why they are cowboy boots...sometimes you just have to roll with it...xo -ag

milestones

December has been a busy month...both with all the holiday hoopla and with Mr. Thomas. He is growing so fast...and getting to be such a big boy...he still loves his sissy, giggles almost on command, and is mostly happy! I still wish he would sleep longer...but he falls asleep easily and back to sleep easily, so I'm not going to complain (that much). He's have hit some notable milestones this month...his Bla Bla tiger is going to have to change his name many times this month...

First, he sat...barely, but he sat, nose touching the floor, but he got stronger day by day! first sit November 27th

Then to my surprise, he rolled over, from back to front (honestly, I didn't think he was ever going to roll over)! December 22

And now, he is eating his rice cereal...yummy... December 26th

Oh my baby boy is getting so big...I want him to be my sack of potatoes again...xo -ag

Merry Christmas

Hooray for Christmas Morning...presents under the tree, a relaxing morning with the family. Lillian loves her ballet/tap things, she can't wait to start her class. Her Kitty Piano was also a huge hit and she spent the morning arranging her dolls and stuffies for the show, which involved singing, dancing, and piano playing! Thomas loved his new dog, but I think Lillian liked his toys more. Grandma Terry and Grandpa Malcolm's house brought some fun time spent with family. Lillian gave up on opening her presents once she made it about 75% through, daddy had to help her finish the rest. Thomas was a gamer through most of his, but then got hunger...and I was the last person left opening gifts...we all got wonderful gifts from our very generous family. Our king sized bed was covered with gift bags that we had to go through and organize...biggest hits with Lil - her Beach Party Barbie (from Aunt Barbie) that rides a bike and has a dog, Fairy jewelry box from Aunt Susie, and her marble maze & animal masks from Grandma Terry & Grandpa Malcolm. Thomas loved his new exersaucer...and Jeff and I got a big stand heater for the roof!

Gifts are great, but my greatest happiness came from watching Lillian give out her glittered sand dollars to everyone and giving Grandma & Grandpa their handmade bags. Both kids also got to spend some special time with their family, one-on-one, Lillian playing with Aunt Barbie and Thomas giggling away with Aunt Susie...it's so nice to watch my kids make others so happy. It was a small group and a mellow day, which was the perfect end to the holiday season. I really enjoyed my December Days...and Nights.

So to all my friends and family, I am sending you much love and joy this Christmas. xo - ag

More Counting

December 15 - oh no...I think this day may have been a catch up day. Jeff was home from his trip and we mostly played around the house...working on some Christmas crafts, organizing gifts, enjoying family.

December 16 - Make a gingerbread house...ok, I used a kit from Costco, but it was still fun...this is a first in our home, haven't done one before...and will do it again, but probably on a smaller scale, using graham crackers and cardboard to make a smaller house! Daddy even got in on the fun!

December 17 - Make cookies for the Kalikimaka Hula party! Lillian won third place in the Hawaiian words game for her class...but she also cried and spazzed out a bit...short party, we were a bit late, lots of yelling answers...overwhelming for a three year old.

December 18 - hummm...not sure exactly what we did...I'm thinking we worked on finishing up some more of our crafty stuff...here are some ornaments that we made...fun with paint!

December 19 - Breakfast with Santa! Thank you to Ms. Sandy! We joined the fun at the Jonathan Tarr Foundation Breakfast with Santa. We ate yummy pancakes, visited with Santa, won some raffle prizes (thanks Danny!), and watched some hula. What a fun day and definitely an event we will go to next year! Check out my sister Greta's blog for fun photos!

Later in the day, dressed in tank tops and shorts, we headed to Legoland with the Ott's and Auntie Maja! Fun stuff...I think Lillian's favorite was the Let it Snow musical show...with real "snow" aka soap bubbles...Jeff liked it, too, but don't tell him I told you!

December 20 - Christmas at Auntie Wilma + Uncle Will's house in Warner Springs. We celebrated with Jeff's family and cousins from Malcolm's side...food was yummy and Lillian had fun with her daddy and Nick out in the hills, climbing rocks and hiking around. She also got way too many gifts...as did Thomas, who slept through present opening.

December 21 - Give the teachers their Christmas presents. Lillian was very excited to surprise them with prAna shirts and homemade cards. We also went to the library and got to color some Christmas pictures.

December 22 - Cookie decorating at the Ott's. This is a family tradition! As children, my sisters and I would go to Great Grandma Greta's house to decorate sugar cookies and then eat tuna sandwiches for lunch. Greta has continued the tradition, but the kids ate PB & J and the adults had egg salad sandwich and salad...yummy. Lillian only decorated about 5 cookies, apparently cookie decorating is not her thing...she did enjoy "coloring" them with the food markers though...she is quite the meticulous artist...her 4 colored cookies took her a long time...no wonder she only did 5! We also made an ornament craft! Yahoo!

December 23 - Heading to the mall...Carlsbad Mall, to enjoy the holiday decorations, and buy some last minute gifts. Today we also need to finish up all our handmade projects and wrap things up!

December 24 - Christmas Eve on Europa! With cousins in matching PJ's and cute hats. Loud music nothing like a polka party Must be Santa sing & dance -a-thon, walk to the beach with some caroling children, and yummy dinner! And the best part...Zhu Zhu hamsters for the kids, wow, who knew such a silly little toy could be so much fun!

We spent the morning baking scones and cookies, and right before we left for Grandma Joanie and Papa Phil's house we delivered treats to our neighbors and nearby friends! Fun!

December 25 - Hooray for Christmas! Santa brought Lillian all the goods for ballet and tap class, she was so excited, especially about the tap shoes! She also got some clothes, a computer game, and the Kitty Piano...so fun! She loved all her gifts! Thomas got a stuffy Boxer dog that Lillian has named Scooby Lillian, it's a girl dog you know, the Fisher Price Farm House, a wood toy, a new ball, some cool shoes, bowls and a sippy cup. Hooray!

...it was fun, hard at times just because the day would be busy with school...there were a few things that I didn't get to do that I really wanted to add...hopefully we will get to these next year...donate a toy, go ice-skating, Jungle Bells at the SD Zoo, Sea World. I hope Lillian enjoyed it as much as I did. I tried to focus on what we could create to have some Christmas Spirit instead of what we could buy or what gifts we wanted to recieve...Hope your holiday was filled with wonderful memories! Merry Christmas to all! xo - ag

Counting til Christmas

December 14 - Glitter time
We glittered up some pine cones and sand dollars today and our fingers!

December 13 - Pie Party
Happy Birthday Uncle Tim! Went to a pie party at the Ott's...it was a party alright. We ate yummy pie, played with our friends...and even got to see Vanessa and Jon, and little Mr. Walking Van. Hooray

December 12 - Oh no running out of things to do...today was free day, finish up other project and wrap presents. Lillian worked on some of her projects, I wrapped presents and we watched Happy Feet!

December 11 - Craft Day. Make bags for gifts for some special family member.
I bought some basic bags at Joanne's and let Lillian go crazy with the fabric markers and a bit of paint. Not exactly the most beautiful bags you have ever seen, but they are her creations and they are made with love.

December 10 - Bake Cookies and color some ornaments with Finn
yummy!

December 9 - Watch Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
The one I used to watch...with the land of misfit toys...I bought it last year at Lou's on VHS...fancy!

Planning an activity and getting ready for it each day has definitely made me spend more time with my sweet little miss and we are loving it! Hooray for creating a memorable holiday season! xo -ag

The counting continues

December 4 - Get our Christmas Tree

Lillian was so excited she even ate dinner outside to watch her daddy get it all ready to come inside! Here she is with our tree! Pretty Happy! She said getting the tree really meant that Christmas was coming!

December 5 - Encinitas Christmas Parade

We had a great time, got down to Encinitas super early, got a close parking spot, unloaded while both kids napped in the car, and then we got to enjoy the town a bit before the parade...stopping by Rustic Rooster for a photo with Santa, the Rooster was looking super cute, all dressed up for the holidays. Then we went over to check out the tree...hum, decided not to stay for the tree lighting, so back down the street we went...making our own parade, to get some food and get ready to watch the parade! Is there anything better than watching a bunch of Indian Guides go by...while enjoying good friends, yummy food, and for the grown-ups some wine! I spent more time chatting and drinking than parade watching, but Lillian watched the whole thing...and loved every moment of it!

Lillian with Teagan and Finn

The Cousins...with adorable hats knitted in the round by Greta

Parade watching with her best friend, on a chair for 2 under a blanket...ahhh!

The Parade Crew

December 6 - Write a letter to Santa

"Dear Santa" Lillian asked for ballet lessons. She dictated the letter, and asked Santa for a stuffie dog for her brother, I was trying to get her to say a piggy bank, it looks like he will be getting a stuffie instead! She did sign her name on the end...now we need Santa to write her back...

December 7 - Shop for stuffing stuffers for her cousins

Online, of course, we picked out some little beanie baby bears for Dev, Finn, and Malley. New with tags from Ebay!

December 8 - Make Snowman Cards for her teachers!

Found this craft in Family Fun. We had fun, although I did have a hard time letting her do it all. We created a snowman body, top hat, and carrot stamp out of the felt used to put under chairs. Lillian painted the stamp and stamped them on paper. We added some dots for eyes, mouth, and buttons. Then we personalized our cards for each of her teachers, including Mr. Troy the Music teacher. She finished each card by writing her own name.

Snowman bodies

Working away

The finished product

Hope your are getting into the holiday spirit! Happy HO HO HO to you!

xo -ag

Day 2 & Day 3

Counting the days until Christmas...hooray, it's so much fun!

Day 2 - Make and Eat rice krispie treats
I know not really a Christmas thing, but we used our Christmas cookie cutters to make them into fun shapes...and it was a great ways to get rid of the marshmallows and some old cereal...Lillian thought it was pretty fun to use all the sprinkles to decorate them!

Day 3 - Oceanside Tree Lighting

Yahoo for Oceanside, we had a great time at the Sunset Market and Tree Lighting! Santa arrived on a decorated fire truck, a big countdown, tree lighting, and the Military Band was rocking. Lillian's favorite parts...the big tree and the music. We saw lots for our neighbors and friends, ate some food, and danced on stage. Grandma Joanie joined us for the fun, which made the night even more special!

The Tree!

Grandma Joanie and Thomas...
check out his new hat knitted by Auntie Greta!

My little elves...love them!

Can't wait for more holiday fun! xo -ag

Creating a new tradition

I have wanted an advent calendar for years...and not one with chocolate in it, but one where you put something in each day. This has been an ongoing process, a few years ago I cut out 24 mini mittens, actually I cut out 48 and cuffs and I still need to sew them together. Before that, I bought little boxes that I thought I could wrap with scrapbooking paper and stack...and donated those to the DAV after they sat for over year. I had planned on stuffing the pockets/boxes with ornaments for a Lillian Christmas tree and I have the ornaments, bought online, still in their packaging. And now finally in 2009, I have discovered my new idea, my new tradition, and it makes me happy.

Though my calendar is a not exactly what I hoped for, it will work and maybe I will finish those mittens...not that those are perfect either...but at least I have the concept in place...so here is how it works...I am stuffing each day with a Christmas activity...some are extravagant, others very small, but all focus on creating lasting memories for Lillian and one day, Thomas I am hoping to share with them the joy of this magical season Christmas.

Today, December 1st, is day one...I explained my plan to Lillian last night and this morning when she woke up, she was very excited and told Jeff that she thought he was Santa...when we got out of bed we went to find the calendar on the wall and pull out the first slip...Make Snowflakes! Yeah, she was so excited. And we did make snowflakes, I did all the cutting, and she watched in awe as those little snips with scissors turned into beautiful snowflakes when unfolded...and then she become the art director and sequin glue-er...and even when it was getting way too messy, I remember that this is Christmas and we are having a great time together...and isn't that what it's all about! Well, friends that story doesn't end there...well actually, it doesn't begin there, because our day started with an impromptu trip to the outlet mall in Carlsbad and a visit with Santa...there was no line...it's my first year taking Lillian to a mall Santa...and I convinced her to sit with him because her Bubby was going to sit, too...it's amazing how a little brother changes everything...too bad today's note didn't read...Visit Santa, oh well...today was a 2 for 1 sort of day...

Ok, we did have to wait in line for a little bit, and here is a great shot of Finn and Malley eating the candy canes while we waited...my niece and nephew are pretty cute and silly!
Hooray for December...xo -agatha

Hello

Hi friends...
My name is Thomas...I am 3 months old. I am a very sweet and happy baby. I'm growing fast, my mom and dad feel like time is zipping by. Before they know it, I'll be walking and talking. My favorite things are my big sister Lillian, my muslin blankets, eating, and taking a bath. There aren't many things I don't like, I'm pretty easy going. I still sleep in the bassinet next to my mommy and daddy's bed, daddy said he was going to set my crib up this week, hooray, I am very excited about stretching out and having more room! Here are some recent photos of me, I think I look pretty good in blue...and with that awesome mullet wig! I can't wait to have more hair!





Hope to play with you soon...xo - thomas

Sunset Market

Hooray for Oceanside...
Lillian, Thomas, Maja, Grandma Joanie, and I enjoyed the Oceanside Sunset Market tonight. It was fun and the kids got to wear their Halloween costumes and do a bit of trick-or-treating. I love the lights that are hung across the streets and it's just the right mix of street fair, farmers market, outdoor dining, and entertainment. We are going to try to continue enjoying the market until the weather gets too cold. So, if you are looking for something a bit different on a Thursday night, come join us...xo -ag

Desert Desert, when I'm in the Desert

This past weekend, we made our annual trip to my parent's desert house to celebrate Borrego Days. We had a blast and the kids were excellent campers...Thomas' first camping trip! Yes, my mom and dad do have a house in Borrego, but in true Phil-style it only has one bedroom, so any guest must figure out their own accommodations. We went for the tent and camper shell action...Jeff and Lillian in the camper shell and Thomas and I in the tent...it worked perfectly and both kids slept well, close to their normal schedule here at home. The trip also included a special treasure hunt, private viewing of the praying cactus, a parade, desert exploration, Papa Phil bonding time, scootering, a pool party, and some awesome star gazing. I saw 3 shooting stars our first night there...the tail end of the meteor shower, the sky was amazing. It was the perfect easy getaway, that was surprisingly relaxing.

My favorite moment of the trip was at lunch on Saturday. After the parade and a quick stroll through the festivities in Christmas Circle, we headed to Red Ocotillo for lunch. While we were there, Lillian was coloring on the napkins and asked me for help with some letters. She was sounding out "Be Smart" on her own and asking for help to write it...she came up with "B CMT." She has been super excited about letters and the sounds they make lately and I thought this was very clever of her...she is smart, and I'm a dorky mom who saved the napkin...

Our camping set up
Grandma Joanie with two of her grandkids

She found another clue

Visiting the praying cactus...
the newest attraction at Casa de Papa
We also found another clue here...
do you see the moon?

She found her prize

Waiting for the parade to begin

She loves a good parade

Fun Times

Pool Party

Thomas was a good desert napper

As we packed up and left on Sunday, my dad joking asked me to bring my sisters next time...so ladies, are you ready for some dusty desert fun? xo -ag

Done...but not finished

We are done with our home addition...and we have passed our final inspection, but we are definitely not finished. There are many small tasks still to complete and perfect, but we are living in it and really enjoying it...it really was the right thing to do if we were going to keep living in this house. Now, we need to get our old room painted and get Ms. Lillian moved in to her bigger pad...and then Mr. Thomas can have a space of his own beyond the bassinet. Here are some photos of the completed addition...remember it's done, but it really isn't finished...hopefully by Christmas...

The before picture...6/19/2009

Progress - July 8th

July 17th

August 5th

From the front - August 9th

August 14th

August 21st

September 28th

Our new room minus the furniture - October 9th
Can't wait to have you all over for a party! Cheers...xo - ab

ps. This is for you Ms. Sandy!! Enjoy!