KT has informed me that all seasons begin on the 22nd of a month. While I have yet to investigate the truth in this statement by my 7-year old, one this is for sure -- spring is coming, and we are starting to see a little more life in the garden.
The columbine and hydrangea leaves are gaining strength daily, and the lavender is making a big push right now.
One of my all-time favorites is in bloom right now. I just love the heady smell of jasmine. I planted our vine about 16 months ago, and it is blooming beautifully right now.
That's when Tom Petty released the song "American Girl."
KT covered last night in her school talent show, and while it seemed to play a little more to the grown ups in the crowd, I think she did great (but I am her mom).
It was so dark I wasn't able to video it -- we are getting a video later apparently.
In the meantime, here she is at the dress rehearsal. KT singing Tom Petty's "American Girl" on her uke...
Note: YouTube has different screen dimensions than what I recorded it in, and I have no idea how to compensate for that, so excuse her head getting cut off from time to time!
We've been trying to convince Mo to take off her training wheels for awhile now. Her balance on the razor scooter has been good for some time, so we thought she could do it.
Last week she did it!
Love the outfit she pulled together for the momentous occasion.
I have to admit, we don't venture toward Los Angeles too often. Mostly because, well, there are a lot of people when you head south.
Our friends convinced us to meet them at Leo Carillo Beach for low tide and I have to say. I'm glad we went.
My kids are very satisfied with playing in the sand and just like being in the water. My friend's kids like to do stuff. And, this beach has lots of stuff to do.
There were the tide pools.
Caves to play in.
Because what's better than playing in a cave?
Playing in sand in a cave, or course.
And, there were tons of rocks to climb on.
The only drawback was that you can only wade in the water. You can't really swim or boogie board as there are too many rocks.
That is how you can describe the vast majority of the Little Wickies happiest moments of 2012. Both girls are pretty good swimmers now. This proved significant on a recent trip to San Diego when it was 60 degrees, and the girls were in the pool while us rents sat in the hot tub.
#2 - boogie boarding babe
If we thought KT was impervious to cold water before, with her wetsuit she is unstoppable. Armed with her spring suit, that girl charges into 50-degree water on overcast days like she's in the Bahamas.
#3 - Water + Mo = a happy Mo
Mo has truly excelled in the pool this year. One of the most entertaining memories I have is her learning butterfly, her little backside popping up and down out of the water.
#4 - The year of boots
The first part of the year KT wore yellow rain boots adorned with dinosaurs practically every day of school. Somewhere around summertime, the cowgirl boots made inroads and have been on her feet daily ever since.
#5 - wings, tiaras and the ever present yellow cardigan
While we are on the topic of fashion, Mo had at least a month-long stint where she wore fairy wings daily. She also had a couple of solid weeks of tiara-wearing. The accessory de jour was always accompanied by a dress and a yellow cardigan (we currently have 4 in rotation) -- the girl straight refuses to wear pants or a shirt.
#6 - uke girl
We took our first big vacation this year to Hawaii. KT picked up her first ukulele in Kailua and has been strumming almost daily since our return.
#7 - school days
Mo began preschool this year. The day before the first day she chose a backpack that looked like an incarnated version of Michael Jackson's glove. You know, to match the sequined shoes.
#8 - No. 1 fan
KT and I went to a handful of Galaxy games together this year, and she has become a devout fan. Three days before Christmas she asked Santa for a "soccer ball signed by all the Galaxy players." Maybe next year.
#9 - dancing queen
Mo started tap and ballet at a nearby studio and is absolutely in love. Getting her up in the mornings is generally a chore except on ballet day, where she springs out bed.
#10 - Little Wickies world gets a little bigger.
2012 marked many things. There were firsts from airplane trips and kayaking adventures to broken arms. There were lost teeth, roller skating escapades and rainbow parties. They fell in love with High School Musical and continued their love of the beach and each other. All in all it was a good year.
So I know December is a busy month for everyone, but this year it has seemed crazier than usual.
First of all we have a lot of birthdays in December between our family and close friends -- Me, Kaitlyn, my little brother, both his kids, Grandpa John, Papa's best friend Chris, Chris' son Noah, Greg, a slew of Kaitlyn's friends (Hayley, Cody, Lia, Amelia, etc.), my friend Jeni, my cousin Lisa -- you get the idea, right?
The last ten days looked something like this (the photography is haphazard because that's pretty much what our life has been like)
We visited family up in the Bay Area.
Friday, 4:20 p.m. -- Me on the phone with a client sitting in the King City Taco Bell while looking at these two mugs, "No, I'm not going to be able to look at the document today."
While the trip was short (we drove back on Sunday) we did get to see some family and one of our favorite toddlers -- Miss Ariana.
We came back just in time for my birthday which was a nice little day with the family.
Then the next day we headed down to Legoland for Kaitlyn's birthday (she chose this over having a party).
We checked out the surf in Carlsbad.
Then, headed up to the O.C. to see our brand new two-week old niece -- Violet.
And yes, she's as little and perfect as she looks!
During dinner we hear over a police loudspeaker that Santa is coming outside. And, sure enough there he was on a flatbed truck to visit the neighborhood kids 50 feet from Uncle Scott's door!
My thought: score! I don't have to take the kids to see Santa at the mall two days before Christmas.
But, they were so hurried they didn't have a chance to tell him what they wanted.
The next morning Mo had a tap performance, her blue sequined skirt popping quite nicely in a sea of red.
Some video...
And, fate would have it -- Santa was there too! And, we had enough time for the girls to chat with him about all their lego wishes. Kaitlyn also told him that she wanted a soccer ball with all the Galaxy player autographs on it (gulp!)
And, lastly tonight the girls sang at church. Kaitlyn and Mo got up and did a little holiday ditty...
For those of you who know me well you'll understand the irony of the post's title.
Making things + Becky = not always such a good result.
This seemed like a very Becky-able project, so we took it on.
There are generally a bevy of pinecones at a lot of the parks near us. However, it seemed as though other people had decided to get crafty as well, because we actually had to hunt for them a bit!
The Little Wickies love doing crafts. You would never know it from their faces though.
Let me give you an example. Every day when the sunlight shines through the decorative beveled trim -- which acts as a prism -- in our sliding glass door she shouts "Look, a rainbow!" and points to the place on the floor, arm of the chair, etc. where there is now a rainbow.
Every day.
Activities included rainbow necklaces made of Fruit Loops (the off-brand seemed not as colorful).
A rainbow "pass the package" game where every rainbow colored layer had a small prize.
