Consume : Conserve

I hate random packaging clustered together - It just LOOKS stressed out. Before I throw something away I take a quick second to think of something else the package could be used for. Instead of going out and buying/consuming glass storage containers (which are pretty but don't really seal freshness all that well anyway) I figured I'm already buying coffee can after coffee can to feed my beloved coffee habit. So I'm going to use the silver cans (pretend they are stainless steel to match the kitchen HA-HA), remove the labels and use a label maker to mark each snack.
Ah, I'm less stressed already.

Here are some things that I've "repurposed" as they say =)

• Archer Farms (at Target) has AWESOME cereal...sooo many yummy choices and they come in a handy container that has a flip top revealing a circular opening for pouring. I'll either re-use it for various pastas or use it for Ellia's project materials like brushes, etc.

• Jumbo coffee containers are making great art project containers for me.

• Whether it's for a baby shower or for me, I end up with a lot of these thingies: the plastic rectangle zippered packaging for baby onsies, receiving blankets, etc. They are making great reusable items as well! Currently I use them for more art project materials. But I also realized it'd make a good "Car Snack Pack" for Ellia. The bag holds its shape; easy for little hands to dig in and get what they need vs. a zip lock bag. Bonus: The zipper is always a favorite feature to a toddler. You know what, I think I'll even QUADRUPLE-DUPLE this idea into an art project with Ellia by lettting her puffy paint her Car Snack Pack.
  

Man, either this is too exciting or I've consumed way too much coffee...

Mommy & Me day 13 (or so)

Today I tried out a new Cerritos park & I loved it. Except for not having any swings it was worth it. Bonus: Claira slept in the stroller the entire time so I was able to play/pretend with Ellia.

An improvised activity: Ellia colored on the seats with chalk and then we used her pail to wash off the chalk. She was meticulous as always.

Ellia was busy pretending the bark was gas and filling up her bucket and going to the gas station.

This park has excercise stations along the perimeter. We used this one for some fun. She had a great time practicing her balance (which she has a lot of). When she got to the end of the beam she jumped off and exclaimed "Perfect!" Here she is with her "spider stick" in case she encounters a spider. She's been preoccupied with the idea of spiders these days.

Random Post

TUMMY TIME TRIO

SISTER SWINGS (required 2 purchases to find a swing Claira liked)

GRANDMA ("hallmony") & GRANDPA ("hallbogee") CHAI PORTRAIT

GREAT-GRANDMA TIMURA TURNS 90! NINETY!

BOY CRAZY...

COMMON SCENE AT DA HOUSE

DADDY SMUGGLES CLAIRA

CLAIRA AND ELLA & their respective mommies

A good friend of mine, Ellyn, recently entered the insane world of Newborn. She entered it exactly 4 weeks after I re-entered the insane world of Newborn. Yes, Ella is 1 month younger than Claira but you'd never know since Claira looks like a little string bean next to Ella the buddha. It will be so wonderful to see the them grow up together &become little girl friends!
Here Claira & Ella are throwing their gang signs for the camera.
"Ye-ah, Norwaaaalk!" "Irvine in the house!"

And here Claira and Ella plot to take over the world,
as soon as they can at least sit up on their own.

Trains, Sushi & Cupcakes - Oh my!

The plan was to visit the LA Zoo. We picked up our friend YounMee (or MeeMee to Ellia) and we headed straight to the zoo. No such luck. Turned out to be such a beautiful SoCal day that everyone had the exact same plan as ours. So we went next door to the Griffith Park to look at the ponies and to ride the big train! Trains are Ellia's current obsession so the change of plans was just fine by her. After such a good time, we were so happy that it was only Saturday and we still had more weekend to go - we treated ourselves to sushi and cupcakes for dessert! Ellia kept her eye on the edamame and her trains during dinner. MeeMee bought her the replica of the train she rode at the park. Crumbs has gigantic sized cupcakes as evidenced by the "Artie Lange" that Jimmy is holding. Artie Lange from the Howard Stern Show is now tipping the scales at nearly 300 lbs. so he is a great candidate to invent his own cupcake. We had to try it. It was double filled and triple layered... whew, it was jammed packed goodness - just like our day out.

Life at home

It can be a tad daunting when faced with an entire day to fill for a toddler. This day began nicely until a tantrum culminated with a motorized Thomas train getting stuck in her hair. That was enjoyable. To fill the "outside trip" slot in the agenda I took them to the Cerritos Mall (OK that's not really outside) because she likes the indoor play area. Now, taking a look at these cars that gobs of slobbery children are climbing all over, I try not to think about how often the mall staff wipes these things down...if at all. (shudder) All in all, the days that I have both Ellia and Claira begin with anxiety ("What will I do all day?! What's my plan?!") All in all, the days that I have both Ellia and Claira end with a sense of fulfillment and pride as a Mommy.

Maternity Leave Blues

March will be the last full month of my maternity leave. I've gotten to spend more time with my silly Ellia. She has definitely noticed the extra time & has been upset lately at school - wanting to see Daddy and Mommy. And little Claira...she just gets sweeter with each day. How a newborn can be "understanding" I don't know, but somehow she is. How in the world will I not be able to see the huge smiles this chubby little girl gives me all day, every day?? We got off to a rocky start; day was night, night was day, up was down, down was up. I feel like we've finally gotten into a groove. I say "finally" as if it took forever - and here I am feeling like my leave is over too fast! I guess that's how it is: The days are so long, but when you look back...it's oh so nostalgic.