It's always hot in October (and other musings)

Why do I always seem to forget this fact? Maybe because we were spoiled last week with cool temps and some rain--a definite rarity in SoCal in October. It was 110(!) just two weeks ago, last week was rain and temps in the low 60s, and then back up to the 90s this week. Ugh.

I took the kids to the park on Saturday forgetting how hot Hamilton Park is and that there is no shade--and so we only lasted about an hour. Long enough to tire out Helene for a nice nap when we got home.

Yep. She's officially a toddler.
Ummmm....can you believe he is going to be SEVEN in 4 months?
How is that even possible?!

Her middle name should have been Sassy...and that's all I'm going to say.

Ok. No, it's not. Quick story (if you're on my FB, you've already heard it, sorry). So, the other day she points at my stomach and asks me "who's in your tummy?" I quickly replied "no one", but was truthfully was so speechless (i.e. offended) I wasn't quick enough to retort that it was her fault it looks that way since she was my biggest baby, coming in at 8lbs 9oz and 22 inches (no how clue how she even fit when I'm only 5' 3 3/4" and come on...like I'd really tell her that!) So anyway, looks like I will now be saving up for this.
Yes. That's my Diet Coke.
And yes, it's empty.

Can't you tell by the look of disappointment?
Speaking of Diet Coke.
Can I just say again how much I love the Arcadia In-N-Out? I stopped by for my daily Diet Coke before we went to the park, and got caught in the Saturday lunch rush. I was seventh in line, and the customer placing his order must have been ordering food for an entire soccer team. Ugh! It was going to take FOREVER. And then I get the sign from one of the workers at the "pick-up window" (its one of those old walk-up only In-N-Outs, for those who don't know) who is holding up my extra large diet coke and smiling.
Oh yeah.
Thank you very much.
So, I go the window, get my drink, quickly give them my money and walk away happy.
Totally made my day.

And while I'm making random convo here, I am so loving Mad Men this season. And if this picture posted on Facebook by my friend Farrah doesn't convince me to get back into the entertainment industry--nothing will.

Ummmm.....Yum. E.
(oops...did I just say that out loud?)
Seriously. She is one lucky lady.

Who doesn't love McDonald's?

So after being cooped up for days being sick, I promised the kids we would go somewhere fun. But where to go where a bathroom is easily accessible in case it was still needed and kept us out of the still cold weather?

Yep. McDonald's.

Since my kids won't eat anything there but french fries or yogurt parfaits--we rarely go there except to play. Oh...and the Diet Coke is pretty consistently good, so that's a plus for me.

I've driven by this particular one in Bountiful a few times and noticed how large the play area was...especially after frequenting the ones in SoCal.

Sammy was ecstatic to see they had two basketball hoops.

Hannah still wasn't feeling too great, so she hung out with Helene and I for a bit.
The girls and I really like the yogurt parfaits.

Playing with chapstick is a favorite past time.

They also had two huge play structures and a video game area. Lots of fun for everyone--we'll definitely be back again.

Tuesday musings...

According to my Google Reader--everyone has been updating their blog today, so it guilted me into updating mine.

I got a Droid yesterday. Love it. But it totally feeds my internet addiction...so that's probably not a good thing. Look forward to more blog posts about parental neglect.

Sammy and Hannah have still not adjusted to the time change--Sammy especially.

It is driving me insane.

They both just lie in bed gabbing away, bothering each other, and finding excuses to get out of bed. I know...I know...ALL kids do that. But it's worse than ever. The earliest Hannah has fallen asleep since the change has been 9:00 and Sammy hasn't been falling asleep until 10pm or even 11pm one night. And they still get up between 7am and 8am.

So, you can imagine the grouchiness and whining that I deal with every. single. day. due to their lack of sleep.

Have I mentioned it's driving me insane?

Don't tell me to try Benadryl...doesn't work. Vicodin doesn't even work (it was given for legitimate purpose, Sammy's legs were bothering him). It didn't even phase him. Give me Vicodin and I am out.

Hannah has had 3 birthday parties in the past 3 weeks with another one scheduled for next Friday. Crazy. She is really excited about her birthday coming up in July...I just hope she doesn't expect a big to-do like the ones she's been to. The last one she went to must have run at least $600. No joke. Between the venue, the food, and the goodie bags...it was a little over-the-top. Needless to say, she had a great time.

Helene is still my angel child--just along for the ride. The poor thing is in the car probably more than she is at home on some days, and she just takes it all in stride. Very few complaints. She is walking/running e v e r y w h e r e. She is into everything and loves to eat everything. Yes, even egg shells out of the trashcan.

That habit needs to end. Soon.

I am so spoiled by her demeanor...we may have to just stop there and make her the last baby. I've been told "3 is a magical number" by many.

So, there ya go. A-somewhat-boring-but-it's-still-something update. I've got to get my blogging mojo back if you want more exciting posts.

Time for an update

Remember the good old days when I used to update my blog at least twice a week? Yeah...those were good times. That was back in the day before both kids were in school and we went on lots of outings with friends to keep everyone entertained.

Now the kids are in school and I spend pretty much all my time driving everyone around and getting Diet Cokes from In-N-Out.

The kids have this Friday off of school for a "staff development" day, so we have plans to hang out with friends. And that outing may or may not include lunch at In-N-Out...although if you know us at all, it probably does.

Sammy's birthday is fast approaching (I'll give you one guess where he wants to have his party), which means my little boy will be turning 6 (gasp!!) and my baby girl will be turning one year old.

I know. How is that even possible?

Speaking of Helene, she has been cruising all over and even uses Hannah's baby doll stroller as a walker to help her walk. I'm hoping she'll be up and running soon as I'm tired of her pants getting so worn at the knees and having to hold her when we pick up Hannah from school and all she wants to do is get down and play on the asphalt. Oh, and her favorite new food is scrambled eggs. So cute.

We've officially hit the full-on "princess stage" as Hannah's favorite pastime is watching Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid. She talks about them all the time and brings her little princess figurines everywhere. It's really sweet and so fun to have such a girly girl.

The only other thing of note to report is that our taxes are done and filed with the refund due to arrive this Friday. Yay! I remember when we were first married and we were dual income, no kids and we seriously paid out the nose every year. We're talking zero exemptions on our W-4, plus extra money per month from our paychecks and still either owing a little or getting a tiny bit back. So nice to have kids and actually get something back. I guess it also helps that I don't work anymore.

Sooooooooo--there ya go, a brief update for now. More to come with Valentine's Day and all the birthdays coming up!