Happy Birthday Kelly!

I just wanted to pay tribute to my beautiful youngest sister, Kelly today. It's her birthday today and I can't believe she's 14! I still remember her birth like it was yesterday and remember how sweet it was to take care of her during the night the first week of her life so Mom could catch up on some much needed rest. You've grown to be a beautiful young lady and I'm so proud of you! Happy Birthday!

Who says boys can't be culinary

I almost gave up on my kids be handy in the kitchen. Last weekend we decided to have some fun making gingerbread boys since one of our favorite Christmas books is a classic that Greg had when he was a boy called "The Sweet Smell of Christmas." The book has a little bear who smells all kinds of wonderful smells to remind him that Christmas is almost here. Gingerbread boys happens to be one of them. I thought it would be a fun family tradition to make Gingerbread boys every Christmas, and so this tradition begins. Dawson had a blast decorating his cookies - he worked on them for 1/2 an hour! Everett loved eating them - that took about 2 minutes! Sidney is too young for Molasses, so she'll have to wait this one out until next year! We had fun and because I made the dough one day and cut, baked and decorated the next day it didn't seem to take forever. Well, maybe just a little less than forever. Though I wouldn't say its as easy as making chocolate chip cookies, I'm learning more patience to foster the culinary skills of my children.

Another birthday come and gone. . .

Just wanted to let everyone know that I don't feel as old as I look, or should that be I don't look as old as I feel. Okay, maybe the later is more true these days - at least I hope! Raising kids in your 3rd decade of life is definitely not as easy as it probably is in your 2nd decade, but I'm not complaining. I just wanted to tell any and all who read my blog that I'm proud to be 35 and have 3 beautiful young children under the age of 6! I was at the dentist the other day and I told the receptionist that I had 3 kids. She then asked me if Dawson was my youngest kid. Boy, did I feel old then! Here's to living a better 2nd half of my life with 35 years of wisdom under my belt!

Train Ride

When my kids behave well or do random acts of kindness, they get to put sparkle balls into a jar. About a month ago they filled the jar which meant they got to choose a fun activity to go do. So they asked to go on a train ride and we finally figured out a time that would work. So we jumped on the Metrolink in Laguna Niguel and rode the train up to Santa Ana and back. It was actually pretty relaxing and of course the kids had a good time. Dawson said he wanted to take another train trip that lasted all day. Maybe we'll take a train to Utah one of these days. That would be an adventure!