Loose Tooth Fairy

The thing is about ready to go! Addie can't keep her tongue from wiggling and wriggling it all day long. I thought today was the day after she bonkend it in the basement jumping off the couch. I am ready for it -I have to cut all her apples up (she eats a lot of apples) :-)

I mentioned the ole' string on a door knob trick- she didn't think it was a good idea.

Summer Homework

At Addie's kindergarten round-up, her new teachers gave her a calendar with homework to do over the summer: write 5 words that rhyme with cat, count how many lightbulbs are in you home, skip around the block with your Mom and Dad. In typical Addie style, the calendar is posted in the kitchen and she is adament about doing her work everyday and then checking it off. Not sure Mary will truely adopt these idosycracies, but for now she copies everything Addie does. Even the 20 jumping jacks assigned for today.

Do you think this is ok?

Hail Jay Leno

The weekend was full of fun summer like activities- like a hail storm. Yes, a hail storm. We were are Mystic Lake seeing Jay Leno with all the retired people from the TC (for real) and when we called to check in with Jenny, she said they'd been in the basement b/c the tornado sirens went off, and there was a 15 min hail storm. It looks like someone took a weedwacker to my hostas- grrr.

Saturday morning was our first trip to the Farmer's Market- rhubarb and strawberries, a jalapeno plant and some WI eggs. And of course a cinnamon roll as big as your head.

Hil and I stopped by the Edina Art Fair- I now remember why I don't go to those anymore.
Sunday supper was at the Lyche's- yummy summer fare. I love this picture of Sara.

The kids had a good time too- George LOVED playing with Mac, and the girls playing, what else, dress up.

Pre-School Graduation

Addie had her pre-school graduation today. It was great! They sang songs, did a little dance, and really enjoyed being in the spotlight. She's going to be a star!

Got milk?

Whole Organic Goodness

Today was Addie's last day of preschool. Her school, New Horizons Academy, has been her home away from home for 4 years- since she was 16 mos and I was working at General Mills. She's been in 4 different classrooms and the amazing women who have cared for her, taught her, and really loved her, have been a blessing to us. She isn't sad- she thinks its cool to be home with me ALL the time. Funny because when I stopped working part time at Mills, I asked her if she was glad that I was home more often. She looked at me and said, "You don't go to work anymore?" That's how lucky we are- she really loved school.

All her pals are off to different schools next year. Some we will see (Erin), some we may (Morgan, Charlotte, Lilia) and we most likely won't (Gage). Its been a great experience for all of us.

solo player

I love this little boy so much it hurts sometimes. I want so many great things for him, but mostly to be a good, kind, and tall man :-) I love how he sits and plays byhimself these days. He rocks my world.

I love spring.

Spring... really?

Today is beautiful and my beautiflu friend Kate made lunch for me, Mary & Mac for a picnic at the rose garden at Lake Harriet. It was a perfect morning.

Today's adventure was to IKEA. Mary is big enough to go into the kids play room and Addie agreed to help her if she needs it. The ball pit was the biggest and best part for her I think. Mine was the ice cream cones for $1 on the ride home. Mac just smiled.

How can it be?

Michael Martin Perez is 13 weeks old tomorrow. How can that be? Someone asked me the other day what I've been up to... and I just wasn't sure what to say. I have 3 kids. That's what I've been up to.

Michael has been been such a joy- and an easy one at that. I will say however that going from 2 to 3 kids has been much harder that going from 1 to 2. I don't think its because the number of them have increased, I just think its that there are more toddlers in the house! Addie is a good kid. So is Mary. But there are 2 of them now! Thank great goodness that Mac is a good little boy.

Girls' Weekend

Addie and I just returned from a girls' weekend in NJ. We flew in for Anya's baby shower- she is due with a little girl a couple of weeks before me. Its going to be so much fun for these two little ones to grow up together. We spent the weekend at Kelly's; Nini was there too. Nini, Addie and I all bunked together in George's room- it was such fun!

Addie's infatuation with Janie has not subsided at all over the years. She told the lady on the plane next to her that Janie is her favorite cousin, and she really means it. Too bad for Addie, Janie is a tough one to pick as a favorite. Don't get me wrong- I adore Janie for her spunk, her passion (people describe me as passionate) and her overall attempt to conquer the world. The trouble is the way she goes about it. She's tough- always has been, but this weekend was really tough. She didn't want to share anything with Addie, especially her sleeping bag because she was convinced Addie was going to leave boogers in it. And she was mean about about too. I think that;'s the part I worry will rub off on Addie, if anything. Its the meanness that hurts Kelly the most. I understand that Addie may seem a threat to Janie for some reason, but it hurts to think she can be so mean - yelling and saying thinks like, "you're stupid" "you're a baby" and such things that she means to hurt Addie with. And if anything like that ever rubbed off onto Addie I'd be pretty bummed out.. I don't really think it ever could- I mean Addie is truly a kind little girl. She means so well and thankfully, Janie's venom has yet to really sting Addie.

OK, on to the more fun part of the weekend! The shower was a lot of fun- it was held at Aunt Polly's in Montclair and was mostly our family, Anya's mom and sister and a couple of friends. She got so many cute things- ladies LOVE buying little girl clothes.

My favorite part of the day however, was a trip that Addie and I took to the bathroom together. Her lunch had consisted of fruit and bread and she had just polished off a piece of cake and a cupcake. While I was washing my hands, Addie asked me if I wanted to see what was in her purse (a cute pink silk purse Anya had brought her). Of course I did- I knew there were two band-aids I'd put in there after she fell off Poll's porch swing, and some conversation hearts I'd also put in there for fun. Well, Addie reached in and pulled out a croissant! "I really love these!" she said, took a bite, put it back in her back and zipped it right up. I almost fell over laughing. Did she have an old tea bag in there as well? It seems so silly to me. I guess that's what I mean about Addie... she is so sweet and simple in so many ways.

The flight home the next day was quiet (finally) due to the children's Bonine I gave to Addie- she slept the whole way home until we started our decent. Then she sat up, had a sip of water and threw up. Poor thing. I wonder if it's anxiety, motion, or what? The weekend had gone so well and we were on our way home to familiar people and places. The quiet gave me time to contemplate my sweet little girl. She often seems to be growing up too quickly, and yet so young, sweet and so naive. I actually started to cry at how much I love her, how much I need her in my life. I tell her everyday that she is my angel and that she's saved me today. I really believe it- she is one of 3 reasons for me being here and doing what I do everyday. I pray that she is always to kind, and thoughtful and think about how lucky not only Mary and P3 are to have her, but how lucky Clint and I are. I really think she makes us better people.

Clint and Mary picked us up in our new mini van- its a blue Honda Odessey and its pretty sweet. I really missed my little family while I was gone. I thought a bit too about how great it was to see Kelly, Timmy, Mom, and the rest of the gang, but that these people here in Minnesota are really my family now. I wouldn't cahnge it for the world.

Back again, plus one more

I am currently 27 weeks pregnant. I few things have changed since I wrote last time... Addie turned 4, Mary turned 2, and I am due to have a little baby BOY on June 23! What? A boy? I mean, what am I going to do with all things boy? I alwasy thought I'd be the mother of 3 boys, at least. Maybe its becuause I never was very good at being a girl; I thought I'd get along with boys. But now that I have 2 of those sweet, calm, crafty gals, I can't imagine, but often do, what it will be like with a little boy running around my cracker-box, throwing balls as us as we sit and make paper dolls.

At 20 weeks Clint and I dropped the girls at the Davidsons and frove to see Dr. Gibbeau. We had our ultras-sound before our office visiot and when the technician told us it was a boy, Clint got a little whelled up. "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol was on the radio.

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here/ If I just lay here/ Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here/ If I just lay here /Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here/ If I just lay here/ Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here/ If I just lay here/ Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I can't wait to sing it to him.

Here he is.

Walnut Grove, MN

Yesterday afternoon we took the girls to a birthday party of a friend. She turned 1. It was perfect party- at a park next to Lake Nakomis, with Sebatian Joe's ice cream and a helium tank for as many balloons as Addie could carry. I met the 1-year-old's neighbor and he told me her was from Walnut Grove, MN. http://www.walnutgrove.org/

You mean, like in Little House on the Prairie? Yes indeed. I am so excited I have added it to my summer road trip list!

Sweet Mary

You know a 16-month wakes up from her morning nap crying? Its so heart-breaking, and yet at the same time it is the absolute BEST time for snuggles. She's warm and rosy, and smells sweet like Pampers and just baby-shampooed hair. And the look on her face is as if you just took her favorite bear (Flo). I wouldn't trade it for a promotion any day.

Crabby Pants

For Father's Day this year the kids and I gave Clint a pair of crabby pants. You do get it? I pair of pants with crabs on them? Actually, it was a pair of swim trunks but we all thought it was so funny. At least in the realm of Clint's sense of humor. For example, Saturday when Addie work up from her nap, he asked her if she was ready to get dressed for school. She was SO confused and when she was awake enough to question him, they really had a good laugh. Its the same idea around HAT DAY with Clint- that means everyone must wear a pair of underwear on their heads as they get ready in the morning. So crabby pants it was for Father's Day. We are so lucky to have him as our own.

Flower Girls' smiles

I am finally recovering from our 10 day whirlwind trip back East for Elizabeth and Adam's wedding. Wow! I can't believe that we did all that we did. Our flight to Baltimore was uneventful, thanks goodness. Addie was a little worried about her motion sickness from previous trips and told me as we were landing that she didn't like flying anymore. Poor kid. I am starting to think its the anxiety around getting sick that makes her sick.

On to Annapolis to Mimi & Sam's house. The girls found Gabrielle and Gianna to be the perfect playmates over chicken nuggets and ice cream sandwiches. Ah, vacation. Addie slept in Gabriella's room for her first official sleep over. We left to dancing and bouncing on their beds, giggling and re-discovering each other.

We spent Friday morning at the harbor in Baltimore, seeing the tall ships and running back and forth. I started to teach Addie about the parts of the ships, the lines, the boom, the mast; she just wanted to know if she could go out them.

The rehearsal and dinner were splendid and always a great chance to catch up with the family. They all get to see each other, but being the ones away, I really enjoy these events.

The wedding was beautiful, as were all three flower Girls and ring bearer.

Notice the "Flower Girl Smile"?

Addie was so proud to be included and really loved being the center of attention for sure. But at the same time, she was so composed and so mature. She has such wonderful manners and speaks so well that when you look at her and hear her sweet little voice, its hard to put it all together that she's not quite 3 1/2.

And then there is Mary.

She loved being with all her relatives and loved Hunter even more. Hunter is Sam's old chocolate lab and Mary spent most of her weekend drinking out of his water bowl and following him around with his bone that was as tall is she. She and Clint really bonded on this trip. SO much so that she really prefers him over me right now. I know its a phase, I know its a phase I know its a phase... But its still hard.

Mary is so full of life right now. As soon as we'd get in the car to go anywhere, Addie would cry "Great big sun!" and Mary with her BIG toothy grin would start clapping, laughing and dancing in her seat. I'd turn on the CD and we would all just sing and dance to Justin Roberts (http://cdbaby.com/CD/roberts2) Great Big Sun as if we were all witnesses to daybreak! It was glorious. That song will always make me thing of that fun fun trip to Aunt E's wedding.

Addie Rocks

Addie: What is this Miem?
Polly: Its a rain drain. When it rains a lot the water needs somewhere to go.
Addie: Can I walk on it?
Polly: Yes
Addie slowly steps on the drain and looks down through it as she goes.

Is it summer yet?

OK, so I am trying to check off all of these things off of my list:

• Join the St Louis Park Pool for Polly Addie and Mary (Clint can pay as he goes)
• Find a pair of shoes for Addie that she can wear without socks (there must be 17 pair spread around the house currently), that are safe to use on her new BIKE, that are easy enough to slip on to run out the door to go to the park, and finally, that will HELP to keep sand out of her shoes as its is her biggest pet-peeve.
• Find swimming lessons for Addie and Mary- Addie is pretty comfortable in the pool but hasn't taken too many classes without me. I think she should start in the easiest class and then if they feel as though she can move up, we'll do it then. I also think Mary would benefit from spending sometime in the pool this summer so that she get comfortable and will be ready to roll next summer. I am deciding between the YMCA and Foss.
• Sign Addie up for the circus http://www.circusjuventas.org/
• Finalize our trip back east for Elizabeth's wedding next week. I have to get a car reservation for the second half of the trip to the beach. I think that we are all set for the MD stop- just need to confirm he babysitter for the rehearsal dinner and pick up Addie's dress. Oh yeah- I need to buy myself a dress :-)
• Give my kids a kiss and read them a book-it has been a busy couple of weeks and every Monday and Tuesday I feel disconnected from them again. I played golf again last night in the General Mills Monday Night League (thanks Clint!), got up for a run this morning and then headed out the door. I had about 5 minutes to read Mary a book and brush Addie's hair. I think its these three days of work that keep me sane but also make me MISS my kids. I still think 3 in a row is the way to go, but it doesn't make my longing to kiss my kids any easier.
• Decline Kris and Tim's wedding- this is a bummer. Clint and I were looking forward to celebrating with them in San Diego and are sad to hear that we are already committed to going to the beach. Don't get me wrong, my cousin Lindsay's wedding is going to be a blast! but it would have been a lot of fun.
• Look into the Boundary Waters trip. If we are ever going to do it- I think its THIS year.
• Get the cement man back to the house to fix the front steps
• Find a plummer to fix the bathtub pipes leak
• Laundry
• Dinner
• Sleep