My only comments on the election

For the most part, I am trying to keep my blog free of any debatable political material and I didn’t want to mention the recent president elect, because well, my kids are so much more fun to talk about. But, recently, as I’ve perused the internet, checked blogs, forums and status’s on facebook, I’m confused, saddened and admittedly angry at some of the responses of ‘Christians’ to the new president.
Is disappointment normal? Of course it is when your candidate doesn’t win! Many Christians did not want president-elect Obama, to get into office. But I’ve seen recent sayings such as ‘America, you got what you deserve’… written by American ‘Christians’ none the less. What exactly does that mean? It is blatant anti American talk! This is not the time to pit Christians against America. This is not the time for us against them. We are all Americans… and we shouldn’t forget that. This is a time to unite and back our president, no matter who he is. This is a time to back America, not put her down. America needs all the support and backing it can get from it’s citizens, more importantly, it’s Christian citizens. I can’t understand the motive behind this sentiment, but it seems rooted in hatred and anger, rather than the love that God is. Thank God that He does not give us what we deserve! I’m not sure that any of us are in the position to decide or determine what someone else “deserves”… at least I’m not going to pretend that I am.

Well... that didn't go quite as planned!

Well, last night started out with a bang! We dropped the kids off, got dressed and headed up to Salvador's wedding (Salvador works for Erik's company). It was out kinda in the country in Lake Elsinore. It was a nice venue. When we arrived, we were the only non Mexican people there. It was fun though, we just kicked it together and enjoyed the kid free time we had. After awhile, more people started coming and our table filled up. Everyone was having a GREAT time just laughing, eating and hanging out. It was nice for Erik to hang out with the guys that work for there, outside of work. Erik is pretty fluent in Spanish, so he enjoys practicing his Spanish anyway. Well, after about 2.5 hours, we get a call that Tyler is throwing up. Poor kid threw up like six times, then Bailey started in too. So sadly, we had to head home. It was a TOTAL bummer as we hadn't even started dancing... but the kids needed us, so we went. Hopefully we'll get some alone time next weekend. We are going to a wine tasting at Erik's grandpa's house that he just built. It's a gorgeous home complete with a home theater and a wine cellar! I'm looking forward to that.
Anyway, I only got a few pictures to post here. I was trying to take pictures of some of the guys to put up at the office, but I only got like 5 or 6 of the guys. Oh well! We didn't get the memo that Erik should wear a cowboy hat! I told him for the Christmas party I'm buying him one!
Erik and I. We did get a decent picture!

This is Manuel, Erik's business partner, with his girlfriend Patti.

A few of the guys... complete with cowboy hats! The first I think is Miguel and the second one is Luis. (I just learned their names last night so forgive me if I'm off).


This is Humberto, he's a real Character. I think this is his Mexican Clint Eastwood look.

Erik with some of the other guys. The one on the left is Alex, but I can't remember the one on the right.

And finally Tonya, my sister in law. She works at the company too.


All in all it was a good night. It was nice to meet some of the workers at Erik's company and to hang out.

Art Class

Friday evenings we have ceramics class. Usually Tyler does not go, but tonight he came and then got a chance to do the potters wheel, it was really cute. He really enjoyed it. Both of the kids had a great time. I tell you, Friday nights are wild and crazy around here! I thought I'd share some pictures. OK, I'm trying a new thing with my pictures. Now you can click on them to make them bigger.

Bailey on the potters wheel... Tyler trying to "help"

Tyler on the potters wheel

Bailey's creation

All done!

Can't forget Ryan. He's playing at the train table.

Tomorrow, Erik and I are pretty excited to be going out... ALONE! All three kids will be spending the night at my parents house. Yay! One of Erik's employee's is getting married. It should be interesting because I doubt many people will be speaking in English. Honestly, I really could care less. Just give me some music, a dance floor, wine, and a kid free evening, and you can talk to me in whatever language you like. :)
Anyway, now I just have to figure out what to wear. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures together. We'll see. Erik is not very photogenic. (No offense).

Suh-WEET! (and sour!)

Well, I found my cell phone! For those of you who know me, it's kind of like an appendage. I lost it like a week ago. But, I honestly was beginning to enjoy it. It's kind of nice to be unreachable. I think I'll lose it more often. I'm kind of sad, but very very happy to have all my numbers and texts back.
One good thing that came out of this: I found out I'm eligible for an upgrade! Nice. Off to take the kids to art class.

I am officially worn out!

So much has gone on since my last post! It's kind of like one of those things where so much has gone on, but it's been such a blur that I can't remember anything! All I am sure of is that this time change is kicking my butt and I'm EXHAUSTED! (PSA to Ryan, you don't need to get up at 5:30am every morning... Please, enjoy the extra sleep!).
I think what I'll do is break this post down by kid, and post some pictures that are of or relate to events happening with that particular child. That would be easiest, I think.

Bailey

On October 29, Bailey turned 4! I cannot believe I have a four year old! It's insanity! Bailey is so much fun. She is the SWEETEST little kid, and has a kind heart. She remembers everything! Recently, Tyler was being especially naughty and actually climbed my counters in the kitchen, and got out red food dye, and put it on my carpet! That was after he somehow managed to bleach the carpet in his room with I have no idea what! Needless to say, Mommy was not doing the best job keeping her cool. Thankfully, God gave Bailey the right words to calm me down. The conversation that went on between Bailey and Tyler was adorable.
Bailey: Mommy, are you sad with TyTy?
Me: Yes, I'm very sad.
Bailey: I'm going to talk to TyTy about God. (To Tyler on the time out step) TyTy, you need to obey Mommy and listen to her because that makes God happy. You need to make God happy and not sad. You need to go over to mommy and give her a hug and say sorry.

And wouldn't you know it? He did. I was so proud of Bailey, I wasn't mad anymore, and I realized that Bailey is really listening to me and taking to heart what we teach her about God! And what's more, she's teaching her little brother! She IS REALLY growing up!
On top of that, Bailey has renamed herself Ariel. I'm considering a ban on Disney princess movies, as I think they are having a... uh strange affect on her. Bailey truly believes she is a princess (but hey all girls ARE princesses, right?!)... except, when she smiles now, she cocks her head to the side and flutters her eye lashes and insists that this is how princesses smile. It's funny, but I don't want to encourage it too much, and I can't pin down where she'd get that from, except the Disney movies. Oh well, hopefully it's a phase that will pass.
Aside from that, we had the hoe down at Bailey's school also. I did face painting. I don't know how Mrs. Dori suckered me into that, as I have no artistic talent, but I'll tell you what, I can make a mean pumpkin or candy corn. LOL. I tried. That's what counts.
For Halloween, Bailey dressed up as Ariel. Surprise. It was kind of cute. I mean it was cute, but her Pappaw bought her this red Ariel wig. It was very sweet of him and she LOVED it. However, it really didn't look all that cute on her. But of course, she insisted. Why oh WHY must they grow old and get an opinion about what they wear! Ugh!
On Bailey's actualy birthday, I brought a cake in to school, then we went out to lunch with my mom, Erik's mom, Ryan, Bailey and I. Bailey has 2 cousins that both turned 1, one on her birthday and the other a couple days later, so in an effort to spare our family, we combined them all for a little shindig.
I think that's about all to report on Bailey:) Here are some pictures.-

Bailey's Birthday Lunch... princess pose in full effect


Class Scarecrow at the hoe down


Back of the Ariel getup


Bailey at her birthday party... she insisted on wearing a princess dress up dress


Blowing out her candles


My first attempt at making a cake. It's not a sheep, it's a cow. Hey, I tried! It's not THAT bad! Is it?


One of the other birthday boys!


Oh great! More princess stuff! Thanks Annette! ;)

Tyler

Well admittedly, Tyler wasn't up to TONS the last few weeks. He's done a lot better with his behavior the last couple of weeks though. (Middle Child stuff!). He's got a few pictures that just showcase his adorableness.
For Halloween, Tyler was Flounder. He was going to be a fisherman, and then Ryan a fish, and then Bailey Ariel. I like to do themes with the kids for Halloween. But then my friend gave me a lobster costume, so I had Ryan be Sebastian. That left Flounder for Tyler. Well, it was definitely last minute and sadly I couldn't find a flounder costume. Then a lady in Bailey's ceramics class was telling me her daughter was Flounder the previous year. Well I asked her if I could buy the costume off of her. I never thought to ask what size. Well it's 12-18 months. Oops! At least you'd THINK I'd be saying oops.
Apparently, there is an upside to having dwarfs as kids (my kids run incredibly tiny!), the 12-18 month costume fit my 2 years and 8 months old child. It wasn't perfect, 18-24 months would have been the best fit, but it did work!
Tyler continues to be insanely coordinated and has learned his left and right. Thanks Pappaw! He loves to kick balls and throw stuff. We've finally grown his hair out of his standard buzz cut and just this past week, he's been sporting a faux hawk! Very cute! No pictures of that yet though. Anyway, here's my little man.

Throwing a ball to pops!


Hugging on Ryan in the tub!


Swimming makes everyone happy!


In his Flounder costume! (I know it's the back again, I didn't get many front pics that night!)


Some of the neighborhood people! Sorry Ryan for exposing your diaper!


I almost forgot, he's getting really good at scissors!

Ryan

Ryan is crawling very efficiently these days! He's also pulling up to standing and has been a lot more active these days! I'm not particularly impressed with how early he has been waking up, but other than that he's still my star student.
I've been asked a few times now about Ryan's brown shirts he wears a lot. He has a lot of clothes from a line called "Kicky Pants", which is a line of bamboo clothing for kids. It is very soft and I love it! It's kind of a lot of earth tones, and so that's why he's always wearing brown! Check them out, their clothes are so soft they are to die for. Seriously!

I just like these two.




Walked into a room and he was there standing.


Seriously this was the best picture I got of all three of them.


A happy lobster.

Mom, dude, stop taking pictures. This is SO lame!

Just because I'm really cute.