Sammy and Helene's Birthday!

Motherly guilt moment.

Apparently I never blogged about Hannah's birthday. I don't even have pictures. As if the poor girl doesn't already have a middle child complex--I just realize this as I'm about to blog about Sammy and Helene's birthday.

We had it back in Pasadena at the Pirate Park. In my defense, it was a crazy day. And since I was the one hosting the party and making sure everyone had food and drinks and cake all while watching kids on the playground and then running a quick trip to Vons for more drinks because we ran out and it was super hot--and I had no one designated as photographer. 

Ugh. I'm a crappy mom. So so so so sorry Hannah. I'll make it up to you this year, I promise.

As you know, Sammy and Helene are 5 years and 1 day apart and since Helene is only three...I can still get away with a joint party. For now. 

Yes, we had it at Chuck E Cheese. Was there any doubt? It's easy. They do it all. They clean up. We just show up and hand out tokens to the kids. Done and done.

I'm 8!

I'm 3!

 

Birthday girl!

 Cake!

 More cake!

Yeah...I'm still a crappy mom...because that's all the pictures I have. 

sigh.

Happy birthday regardless kiddos!

Sanity restored!

i.e. Hannah is back in preschool.

I won't lie to you. It's been a looooooong 5 weeks and 1 day.

Since we were out of town for most of summer and I wasn't sure what our plans for fall were, I made the mistake of not re-enrolling Hannah in her Pre-K class from last year over the summer. We never had a problem getting in at the last minute before with Sammy and I guess I kind of just took it for granted that somehow it would work out that way again.

BIG MISTAKE.

When I finally went to enroll her the week before school started, we were #7 on the waiting list.

Uh oh. Not a good sign.

I gave it a few weeks figuring people would drop out like they do every year, so I would occasionally call to get a status, but it was never good news.

Meanwhile, I began to panic.

What if she didn't get in?

Where else am I going to send her at this late in game?

Most importantly, how am I going to not go absolutely insane having her around all day with the endless amounts of energy and need for structure (so not my thing, as you know) and socializing.

She was so disappointed that Sammy got to go to school and she didn't. We tried to fill in the time doing fun things and hanging out with friends, but she really missed school.

I will spare you all the details of the bureaucratic crap...I mean red tape...that I had to deal with to get her back in. Especially considering the open spot she finally got had been available since the first day of school! But long story short--she started on Wednesday.

And everyone is thrilled.

(Picture is blurry because she wouldn't stand still.)
Her teachers were so happy to have her back in class and her friends from last year who are also in the class were jumping with joy. It was really really sweet.

Hannah and her friend Jasmine, who was in class with her last year
I'm just happy to (finally) have three hours of peace and quiet...and a little one-on-one time with Helene.

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.

Maybe it's just hereditary...

While I was upstairs organizing some stuff this afternoon, Sammy and Hannah yelled at me to come down and look at Helene.

And this is what I saw.

Yep.
She had climbed onto the computer chair and started guzzling.
Seriously. That cup is bigger than her head.

Of course, I grabbed the camera before
I took the Diet Coke away.
But I don't think this is a good sign...you can see in her eyes that she means some serious business.

Parenting Tip #1

This is what happens when you are on the computer
and, apparently, not paying attention to the baby.

I'm on my way to Mom of the Year.