Ben

I love this kid soo much. And I think the real reason is he is a mini Phil. All the things I found adorable in Phil, I find in him. But there are some that aren't so adorable like they both have ridiculous gag reflexes...which lead me to this story.
I took the kids on my bi-monthly all day errand trip to Ventura. As a reward, we went out to eat at their (really my) favorite place, the Habit. Now for any SoCal residents that have been in the Ventura county area can affirm that Oxnard has a funny smell. And sometimes that smell can permeate into Ventura. Yesterday it did and it may have been a raw sewage problem, I don't really know. But I do know it was strong and gross. I told the kids to quickly go inside so we didn't have to smell it. We walk the 50 steps to get just inside the front door and Ben starts dry heaving. I thought, "oh great here it comes, right inside here with all these people and I don't want to leave, I want to eat here!!!". His eyes were watering and he was being all loud about it and then he started coughing and then it subsided. I am so proud of him for taking some deep breathes and keeping it together. I think the only reason he didn't throw up was because he had no food in his stomach!!! He said to me once he had recovered, "whew.(yes, my 2 year old says whew) I thought I was going to throw up from that smell!!!" It was hilarious to me. And it's things like that that make me adore this kid.

Funny things my kids said

Background: Amelia is of the age where she is pretending to get married all the time. Not just her, but her toys, the stuffed animals in the house, the bugs outside, anything and everything has been deemed her job to marry them. Ben is the age where he follows Amelia around and does whatever she tells him to do, and she has no problems being the boss.
Setting up the scene: Amelia and Ben outside playing in between our houses. We have 3 "houses" on the property (main house, office and shed) set in a u shape that creates the backyard. The kids often pretend each house is a different location and drive (on their bikes) from one place to another. Amelia is also holding her baby doll.
The conversation:
A: Ben, c'mon we have to go to the doctor and get this baby out of me. Now tell me to sit down and then you are the doctor and you just take it out.
Ben looks at her with the look of a man, like I really don't want to do this and I think I might throw up, but I know better than to disagree with you right now, is there anyone around to save me from this??? (Lucky for him I was there)
Me: Ummm, let's not pretend to be doctors and take babies out. Let's play something different.
A: OK. Ben, now we have to go get married. Let's ride over there. (get in their "cars" and make their way over to another house. Amelia, still holding her doll, walks up to Ben to "get married")
B: Uh, you can't have that baby when you get married.
A: Oh. OK, wait a second.
(Walks over to her "car" and buckles her baby in)
A to her baby: OK, now baby, you stay in this car while I go get married and no getting out and no freaking out. I'll be right back. (Amelia turns and heads back to get married)

Where to even start?? Should I be more concerned that she had no problems abandoning a baby in a car to quickly get hitched, that she thinks when she is sick of being pregnant she can go to the doctor and he will just take it out, or that she had a baby first so now she needs to get married??? Kids.

I know....

It's a lot of pomp and circumstance, but I really love royal weddings. What girl isn't captivated by being expected to wear beautiful gowns and tiara's and it's all deemed very elegant, not weird. And, Kate Middleton is the most elegant bride. She carries herself so well and I loved her dress and the simple flowers. So classy. That would be my wedding if I could go back, but minus the royalness and the Westminster Abbey!!! I also think it is funny that some commentary narrating the clip I watched referred to her dress as contemporary???? I am pretty sure that is a vintage style. Remember Grace Kelley's wedding dress. Very similar. Lame commentator. (As I searched for this pic, I saw lots of other people saw the same similarities to Grace Kelley's dress so I guess I am not the only one who got it)

Olivia

So I usually don't promote things, but I just hopped on Amazon VOD and they are selling 25 instant videos (each has 2 10 minute mini episodes per "episode") for only 14.99!!! OK, that is a screaming deal since they are typically like $14.99 for like 10 or 12 episodes, or singly as $1.99/episode. So if you love Olivia like us,, and have a TV that hooks up to the internet or a Roku or don't mind watching shows on your computer, I would totally suggest getting it. They are based on the books by Ian Falconer and they are smart and funny and no super annoying voices and my kids are totally entertained by them. We are not TV people. I let them watch only 20 minutes a day (and sometimes even nothing) while I take a shower, so these are the perfect length. You could even cut it in half and only let them watch one of the mini episodes within the actual episode. Screaming deal!!!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone. This collage looks grainy, so click on it to see the pics better. Hope everyone had a nice day. I know my kids are enjoying all their finds!!

Are you seeing this???

I knew Phil was getting them. It seems like they were slowly creeping in, especially after the BAR, but his hair is sandy blonde so you just think it's blonde unless you get really close, and who's doing that?? Plus, it makes a man look distinguished. Me on the other hand, dark as night, can see those little evil gray hairs like they are screaming out at you and there is no hiding them. Luckily I never wear my hair back, so they can kind of be covered. Am I really that old??? I don't feel like I should be getting these yet.

add to my pet peeves..

people who clip their fingernails in church. Aaaaa, is this a bathroom or a chapel?? Click, click. Where are those things flying?? And there are no younger children than mine that attend, so it's no sleeping baby clippings. Not that that would make it any better. It's still pretty distracting.