mini bridesmaid

When Mo was a mere 4 months old I left her for almost a week to be in Lyndsay and Roberto's wedding in Mexico.

Now, nearly 3 years later, the bridesmaid dress I wore is her favorite dress up gown.

Today we went to a Princess Tea Party and she insisted on wearing it.

I had to do some serious jerry-rigging (think safety pins), but she was so happy even though she had to hold the dress up in order to walk.

cold weather wear

It's raining and cold outside.

When we go to school all the kids are bundled up in their jackets.

And, my kids are wearing this.

I'm sure I look like mom of the year with my kids wearing sundresses and skirts.

Hey, you have no idea how much negotiating I did to get Katie to trade in the tank top for a shirt with sleeves this morning.

the wiz meets electric boogaloo

top 10 of 2010

It's been a good year. Here are my top 10 photo picks for the year.

#1 - BFFs

The girls have truly become best friends this year. We moved them into the same room, their beds pushed together so they can be close. The biggest punishment for them is to be separated. Watching them play and laugh together is the best. I love hearing the conversations between them (no longer just a Kaitlyn monologue).

#2 - Little Wickies experience snow

At the end of 2009 Katie told someone, "I know where there's snow -- the mall!" (where they dump some "snow" in the parking lot one day a year). It was at that point we decided we should take the girls to actual snow.

#3 - The yellow girl

Maddie has embraced yellow as her favorite color. She will walk through a store and grab at anything yellow -- shirts, shorts, shoes -- her size or not and proclaim, "yewow e my favreet, me get dis?"

#4 - the performer

We knew Kaitlyn liked being in shows -- ballet, tap, etc. but this year she joined choir and that like turned to love. The girls received a karaoke machine for Christmas from Halmoni and now regularly stand on the fireplace (the designated stage in our house) and belt out everything from holiday songs to Broadway tunes.

#5 - my little maria

Speaking of Broadway musicals. Kaitlyn decided this year to be Maria from the Sound of Music for Halloween. You have no idea how happy I was after a year of being obsessed with princesses (they still dress up as them all the time, but this was a surprising and refreshing ask from Katie)

#6 - fashion by Mo

I no longer dress either girl -- they won't let me. While Mo's personality is fairly easy-going, when she wants something, she can be more than adamant. You've gotta love what they think looks great.

#7 - things that spin, drop and fly

Kaitlyn got her fill of rides this year as we were fortunate enough to experience Disneyland for the first time (thanks again Chris), Legoland and Seaworld. The good: Katie was tall enough to go on a lot of rides by herself; the bad: Maddie doesn't seem to share her sister's passion for having her equilibrium shaken.

#8 -we heart the beach

Whenever it was warm enough (and even on some days that weren't) we dropped just about everything and headed to the beach. After a good rainfall this Spring we were treated to wildflowers on the hillsides which made our regular beach that much more beautiful.

#9 - this girl

Start a sentence with "who likes..." and Maddie's hand shoots up regardless of how that sentenced is finished. Ask, "Who likes to eat garbage?!" and she will happily reply, "me!"

#10 - appreciation
...for each other -- our wonderful friends, for the ocean, for our family.

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2011!

r.i.p.

Alas, today we retire Madeleine's cat boots. Her little toes are finally too big and were rubbed red after a morning of play.

If you've seen Madeleine in the past 8 months it's highly likely you've seen these boots.

She has seemingly refused to wear nothing but them for some time now.

"Boooos" she shouts when she wants them. Heck, it was one of her first words -- though I'll be honest, I think part of that is courtesy of watching Dora.

Farewell Booos, you'll be missed.