top 10 of 2011

That's right 2011 is over already. Which left me to the task of trying to narrow down my top 10 pics of the year...

#1: Still BFF's -- The girls are closer than ever. I get teary-eyed every time I think of them being best friends throughout their life.

#2: "I can read the words on T.V. mom": If a single statement can make a mom feel awful and guilty, that's definitely one of them. Katie's world opened up this year with the addition of her glasses.

#3: Mo becomes a Papa's girl -- While Katie's been a staunch Team Papa member from the beginning, Mo turned the corner this year and discovered just how fun he is. Nothing like everyone squished on one side of the booth with dad while mom sits with plenty of elbow room on the other side...

#4: My babygirl goes to real school -- (cue violin) they grow so fast, what happened to my baby? Katie started Kindergarten this year, lost her first tooth and is doing so many big girl things it make me a little sad, but a lot proud.

#5: Nightly rituals -- Nearly every night we sneak in and peek on the girls before we go to bed. Sleeping kids are cute, but better than that are the wild and crazy positions they are always in. It's like sleeping Twister. What I love most is that they are always on their pillows, right side up and under the covers in morning when we go in.

#6: "I'm riding my own new big bike" -- Speaking of big girls. This girl can write her name (granted she writes "Mo"), rides a "big girl" bike and possibly best of all potty trained in record time... yes, she was almost 3-1/2 but it was a painful couple of days and that was about it.

#7: We heart music -- And, now in addition to singing in the choir and the at-home karaoke machine, we've added a piano into the mix. Perhaps lessons will be in store for 2012.

#8: Why did the chicken cross the road? -- Between the knock-knock jokes that make no sense to playing April Fool's Day jokes on them, they are as ridiculous as they are fun to watch as their sense of humor develops.

#9: My partner in crime -- Since Mo wasn't potty trained she didn't start preschool last fall which was honestly, fine with me. I love my Mo time. She can be so pleasant. She's my sidekick for everything from running errands to when we want boba drinks...

#10: Girl time -- I always thought I wanted a boy and a girl when I was, well, a young girl. But, I have to say even thought I'm not much of a girly-girl I love having two girls and have enjoyed immensely living in our predominantly girl world.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

Wishing you and yours a fantastic 2012!

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!

good investment

There aren't a lot of toys that have proven their longevity in our household. The stackable cups, the tea set from Grandma Beth and the Fridge Farm magnet set on our dishwasher are all front runners in this category.

But the little blue kitchen is a clear -- if not the -- winner.

Picture taken on my cell phone ages ago.

This kitchen was Katie's birthday present on her second birthday. The girls still play with this virtually every day.

What are longtime favorites in your home?

top 10 of 2009

For a someone who takes literally tons of pictures, this was a more than difficult task. But, here are my top 10 picture picks for 2009.

#1 -- The Little Wickies.

I love how they play together now, and how they have become inseparable. I hope everyday they will always be the very best of friends.

#2 -- My cowgirl with her lasso.

This little human being has so much imagination and presence and she is merely four. She simply amazes me.

#3 -- Maddie at the beach.

Maddie had a lot of firsts this year, including her first birthday. This was her first real beach day (it was January). By mid-year she was a true beach bunny.

#4 -- Mo in polka dots.

I loved these bubble outfits on her. She lived in them when the weather was warm. Mo's personality has bloomed this year. She is so happy, sweet and such a delight.

#5 -- Mama & Katie train adventure.

This year Katie and I started to have regular special outings where just the two of us headed out for fun. From movies to Chinese food, we've had some really great times.

#6 -- Katie the brave.

Fairs, amusement parks and festivals became favorite destinations this year. We learned that she will go on virtually any ride they will let her on.

#7 -- Our knight in shining armor.

Papa is the hero in our family so we treated him like royalty on his birthday with a prince party. Katie wore this Cinderella costume religiously throughout the year. Maddie who developed an expertise in roaring, was a lion for Halloween, and also used her roaring talent as a dragon for the celebration.

#8 -- Katie the fashionista a.k.a. Katie the crazy dresser.

She is my more is better girl and some of the ensembles she put together were just simply put, incredible.

#9 -- Papa's girl.

Katie loves the beach and she loves her Papa. I don't know if she is happier than when she is with him.

#10 -- Me and my Little Wickies.

Sometimes I feel like they are the reason I was put here on this Earth. That may sound extreme for some but with Song and the girls by my side I have gained such an unbelievable sense of satisfaction and contentment it is almost difficult to describe.

Happy New Year to everyone. Wishing you all the very best and more in 2010.