Humility in the face of total disgrace for the human race

I know someday my kids are going to be glued to TV shows that are mind-numbingly shallow. I know that I will want to chastise them for quite obviously wasting not only precious hours of life but also precious brain cells. I know that I'll wish they were addicted to the History Channel. But before I try to swipe the remote from their motionless bodies - I will take a deep breath and remember how, in the winter of 2009, I followed every episode of a banal show by the name of Jersey Shore on the shallowest of channels, MTV.

Christmas Time!

Ellia dumping her Reindeer Food onto her front lawn so that Santa's Reindeers can find her house!

Ellia loves time with her cousins and I wish we could get them together more often. We had everyone over to our house for a Cousin Dinner (hopefully a tradition). I overheard her telling Issac he couldn't start taking toys out of her drawers because her Mom didn't want there to be a mess- ha-ha! I said "No, it's OK. You can play with the toys now." And so she immediately said "OH! OK, come on Issac! Let's play!!"

Ellia & Lauryn enjoying their choice in cupcake.

We didn't know if the kids would find Gingerbread House making very fun but they really got into it! And they made impressive little houses!

Quiet Moments before Christmas

Sometimes, the timing (and level of caffeine consumption) is just right - Claira is taking a long morning nap so Ellia & I dive into some special pretend and imagination play. It's a time when I see facets of not only her personality, but how my personality can influence her. I realize I can suggest something to her that can not only influence her interest in something but also her fear of something. One time I was sitting on the grass and suddenly saw a gigantic worm crawling before me. Most people know my #1 gross-out is gelataneous creatures that move in a gelataneous way. UGH. I was freaked out and Ellia, who totally loves insects right now, mimiced my panic and even though I tried to change the topic and make it all better she was insistant that we go back inside. The entire walk back home she was convinced there were worms everywhere and we had to hurry back inside. I don't want to control her fears or her happiness but I see what a fine line it is. All in all, we have a close and special relationship - Most times, I am able to open up her imagination, like the play time we shared in the above photo.

This pink ducky is still how Ellia prefers to take her bath. And once I graduated Claira to the ducky it opened a whole new world to her. She just loves it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

We met some friends at The Grove in Los Angeles. As you can see, it is a beautiful spot this time of year. Everything is aglow and it even snowed! (fake, of course) Ellia & Jackson are getting cuter with eachother each time they meet. The second they saw eachother, Ellia puckered up and they kissed and hugged. Then they held hands (despite Jackson's gloves) and walked the cobblestone streets, chatting back and forth. I will upload video of it soon because it must be seen!

We waited in line to see Santa at The Grove. This is the first year that Ellia is understanding the concept of Santa. She calls him Mr. Santa. She planned on telling Santa that she wanted: "Pappa Pony and Baby Pony. You can carry Pappa Pony cuz he is big. I'll carry Baby." But she had stars in her eyes once she was with him and didn't say anything, haha!

Claira was also an angel with Santa! I suspected she would scream at being left with such a peculiar looking person. But, luckily, it stunned her long enough to get some adorable pictures and video.

CLAIRA'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Just as we expected - Claira LOVED being able to jump and slide and climb! Her favorite thing was this mini trampoline. She was in a great mood for her party and we're so happy that we were able to give her a special event!

We are so lucky to have wonderful and supportive family & friends. The day of Claira's party was stormy, dreary & cold. We would have understood if many parents decided to stay home on such a day. But everyone made it!!

For Claira's "Tol", she wore her traditional Korean hanbok courtesy of her "Halmony"/Grandma. We set up the items for the Toljabee tradition. Claira stood in front of them for a very long time. We nudged her and prodded her. Eventually she went straight to the Microphone. This is a modern item that has since been added to the tradition. Sorry that it wasn't included in the poll...I didn't know the staff would add that item. Apparently it means Claira is destined to be a SUPER STAR! The second item she chose was the Journal, which I suppose means she'll temper her SUPER STAR qualities with occassional INTELLECTUAL STUDIES.

Beautiful Birthday Girl

Thank you, Ellyn, for capturing on film the special beauty of our little Claira...

Memories...

Similar pictures in very different times. (2009 & 2007)

Mommy and Ellia: same place, different time...

Daddy Time!

Much of October and November was spent with all of the couch cushions pulled off the couch and turned into an obstacle course for the girls to burn off energy.

The girls are getting an early introduction to Daddy's long standing belief that he could have made it as a triple-threat entertainer.

Ellia Update NOVEMBER

Anyone who knows me, knows of my long standing love affair with board games! I was excited to introduce Ellia to her very 1st board game: "Candy Land" Well, let's just say we managed to get through the game. She just wanted to look at the different cards and use them as 'money'. (sigh) We'll readdress the board games at a later date.

The flu hit me like a ton of bricks one Monday afternoon.
It lasted a long and treacherous week while I had both girls at home with my miserable self. Luckily Claira never got the flu! She was busy teething with 3 teeth and constant congestion. Ellia had just a touch of the flu for 1 day! While I lay in misery I had no qualms about letting Ellia watch TV show after TV show. You can see, above, how she looked like for an entire week. I was so worried about my babies and the flu. They don't have the H1N1 vaccine but I've been pumping them full of homeopathic supplements.

Here the sissies are playing in their craft corner.

Ellia really liked hanging out with the Hill boys.
Their swords, guns and cars were right up her alley!

Claira's Update NOVEMBER

I looked at Claira one day and was surprised to see that she had taken it upon herself to put necklace and necklace over her head and wear them! She also puts bracelets on or dangles a purse from her wrist!

I finally let my wild child Claira experience sand.
Boy did she love it, even ate a bit of it.

This chick will climb ANYTHING put in front of her.
I think she'll love climbing at Gymboree for her birthday party!

Claira started taking a few steps in October. By Thanksgiving she was walking more than crawling. And suddenly I realized, as I led Claira into daycare by the hand instead of carried, that I have two upright children!

HALLOWEEN 2009

I've always had a soft spot for the memories of trick or treating; with Ellia's 1st trick or treating night being one of my favorite memories...she stomps down the sidewalks taking in the whole experience.
Claira was as squooshy as ever in her padded Ladybug costume. She took it all in from the stroller while munching on snacks.

A few times our little amateur trick or treaters stepped right into the candy-givers home!

Poor Ellia was so excited about her Tiger costume but then when the day came the headpiece just never seemed to sit right. Her neck must've been so tired but she didn't want to take it off.

The residents of Los Alamitos really went all out decorating their super-quaint homes for Halloween. All of us looked forward to what the next house would look like. And the home owners really liked our trick or treating trio because they enjoyed seeing little kiddos show up in the spirit of the holiday (instead of so many teens)

Claira couldn't help but sqeeze those chunky cheeks belonging to Griffin!