creating a miniature me

"She looks just like you!"

"OMG, she's a mini me!"

"It's like someone took your face and put it on that little girl!"

At least once a month a complete stranger will come up to say Katie and I look exactly alike.

I loved The Sound of Music as a young girl. Now, I've trained -- err, I mean, some how managed to pass down this love to Kaitlyn.

Per her request we listen to the soundtrack daily.

She's also way into Cinderella right now which she feels she needs to dress up as when performing songs from the musical.

the third dimension

Today, Katie saw her first movie ... in 3D.

We had a nice little Mama and Katie afternoon. Following what is fast becoming tradition we had Chinese food. Later we headed to the theatre.

We saw the cute film based on the Judith Barrett's book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

She loved the glasses, until the film started and she exclaimed, "I don't like it -- everything is too close!"

She got used to it and ended up thinking the movie was funny even though it was a bit over her head.

mud sisters

Fall is here, but don't tell the Little Wickies. We eke out every beach day we can.

It was a beautiful afternoon at the beach. With school in session and vacationers virtually gone, we have the beach to ourselves again.

Maddie is a true "Cho," and like Halmoni, she can just about eat her weight in watermelon.

Funny to think how a mere 10 years ago the entire goal at the beach was to get as little sand on yourself as possible.

Oh, how times change.

Thank goodness for baby powder.

big weekend

I know it's nerdy, but I get excited when the flea market comes to our local fairgrounds.

In addition to our patio set, I found this box on my last shopping trip. It sits on the girls' craft table and is home to crayons, glue, stickers and other odds and ends.

The finds at the flea market seem a lot less expensive than what I've found in the antique stores. I've also found prices to be very negotiable. I guess no one wants to lug a bunch of unsold stuff home afterwards.

ghetto water park

A couple of weekends ago it was hot. I had promised to take Katie to the water park during Maddie's nap.

Of course, the rest of the city and beyond got there before us and it was sold out.

"You know what would be really fun Katie?" I said in my most 'get excited' voice. "We can fill up Papa's surf bin with water in the backyard, put water on our slide and get the sand toys out -- wanna do that?!"

Apparently all those years in sales and marketing have finally paid off...

When Maddie woke up she gladly joined in.

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Separately, I'm dying to watch a re-broadcast of the Emmy's. Neil Patrick Harris is great -- love this performance.

friends + blue popsicles

happy friday everyone.

nothing is sacred

Guess who can get up on the couch by herself now...

too much of a good thing

We made our cowboy cookies yesterday. And, less than 24 hours later these are the only cookies that remain. Unfortunately I am the main culprit.

As you know I have a problem with cookies, and sweets in general.

My stomach hurt last night, probably from consuming 5 of these after Katie went to bed.

It's so stereotypical -- being a chick that can't stay away from chocolate.

I wish I could trade this stereotype in for a better, possibly more lucrative one -- like being good at math or something...

cam's birthday

We ventured through multiple counties to the O.C. this weekend for Cam's big birthday.

First stop, breakfast with Uncle Scott before he had to go to work.

We noshed at Brownstone Cafe, one of our old favorites during our brief stay in Fullerton a couple of years back.

We drove by our old house and showed Katie the hospital she was born in -- though it's been completely remodeled and looks nothing like it did when we lived there.

Then, it was off to the party which conveniently took place at a park with a play structure nearby.

It was pretty hot on the playground -- good thing Cam's birthday wasn't two weeks ago when all of So Cal felt like it was in a gigantic oven.

It made me glad that we live by the beach as I can't imagine baking on a playground as hot as this on a regular basis.

I lived in the Midwest and the Bay Area, but now I'm only comfortable between the temperatures of 68 and 78. It's funny how fast you acclimate to a temperate climate.

The kids of course were fine.

Cam reminds me of Katie when she was little, happy sitting and snacking. Maddie is not a big eater and pretty much started crawling the same time she could sit up so there was and is very little sitting still.

Cam loved her cake.
Then there was a water balloon toss.
And yes, that is Katie chucking a balloon over-hand at her Papa.
The cousins...

to our delight

This weekend we found this on our doorstop...

Katie loves cowboy cookies. Our friend Stasia even added purple -- Katie's favorite color -- M&Ms to the mix which she was pretty stoked about.

Can't wait to make -- and consume -- these.

Have I mentioned we have the best friends ever?

early stocking stuffer purchase

Went shopping downtown this week. Found these and had to get them for Katie.

My husband is convinced she is going to make a huge mess which is most likely true.

But, she is going to love it!

profession of love

Yesterday was our seven-year wedding anniversary. It seems just yesterday we went on our first date to Tony Roma's some 13+ years ago, and our second to a Cypress Hill concert -- I know, I know a) I'm dating us and b) you're thinking, really? Cypress Hill?!

Oh, time flies when you're having fun.

And, I'm having a blast.

Love you babycakes.

happy holiday weekend

muy caliente

I feel like I've been sweating day and night for awhile now. With no A/C we've been spending a lot of time outside doing things like this...

and this...

If we didn't live by the beach I don't know what we'd do.

We've spent a lot of time outside with our new patio set eating dinner on it every night for the past week.

I've gotten some inquiries about what I did for the seat cushions. I did end up making some with the help of my friends Miyo (who helped me find my way through a fabric store and brandished a sewing machine for the project) and Laura (who gave me extra batting). However, being an extreme novice I made them too small.

When you put the stuffing in the pillow it makes it smaller -- duh.

Oh well, when these wear out -- hopefully not for awhile as I bought Sunbrella material -- I'll be sure to measure the fabric a couple of inches bigger in diameter!

Good thing we have some little butts in our family.

bump

Yesterday at about 11, the preschool called me to let me know that Katie had an accident and had been crying for me.

I went to the school to find a decent sized knot above her left eye.

Apparently she stepped on the kid in front of her on the way back into class and fell -- into a wall by the door.

When I got there she was having a snack. She seemed okay, although the red-rimmed bleary eyes were tell tale of the crying that had taken place earlier.

I got to stay in the class the last 1/2 hour which was fun. I got to see Katie sing, dance and yell out answers to the teacher's questions.

She seems unfazed by the incident and said she really liked school which I was very glad to hear.

She was on a literal high after school -- hyper and super energized.

I'm just glad her accident didn't seem to overshadow the excitement of the day.