tease

A little over a week ago Mother Nature teased us.

We made three trips to the beach in a short 2-day span of warm weather.

One night we packed up our dinner last minute (a non-beach friendly dinner of teriyaki shrimp, fried rice and stir-fry broccoli) and headed out.

"Mo, what are you doing?"

"Me a sand crab!"

After all that rain, the hills behind our beach are covered with their signature yellow wild flowers right now which I love.

Papa pretended to throw each of the girls in the water repeatedly -- a perennial favorite game.

The next day remained warm.

These two crack me up together.

That night we grabbed some take out and watched Papa and Chris surf.

What's better than this little face?

These teeth.

It was in the low 60s again this week, but I know you'll be back again warm weather.

I just know it.

b.f.f.

I have to admit when I first learned we were going to have a second girl there was a tiny part of me that was disappointed.

But, the more I thought about it the more I got excited. Now, I don't know how well I would have fared with a boy.

I love the dynamic of having two girls (I know, remind me of this post when I have two teenage girls).

While my brother and I are close I feel like with two girls, there is the real possibility of them truly being best friends. I really like seeing how they play with each other, enjoy each other's company and are learning to respect each other when figuring out how to play together.

Awhile back we moved them into the same room. They are loving it. If one wakes up before the other the first thing she asks with sleepy eyes is "where is sis?"

Sometimes they hold hands in bed which is the cutest thing (note to self: need to take a picture of that).

Every night we sneak in to peek on them.

Funny thing is while we often find them in a state such as this...

In the morning they are always back in "normal" positions, heads on pillows with the blankets pulled to their chins.

april foolio

The Little Wickies fully embraced the April Fool's "holiday" this year.

At first Katie didn't quite grasp what kind of jokes you're supposed to play.

"Mama, how about when Dad's not looking we tickle him?! Wouldn't that be a good joke to do?!"

We ended up changing the contents of his drawers and stuffing his closet full of balloons.

At breakfast I froze their spoons in their cereal bowl.

This actually delighted Katie who loves eating ice.

I also froze Katie's milk.

Dad was also totally on board with the joke-playing that morning. I had sugar in my coffee (yuck).

A total tip-off, Katie asked me all while giggling hysterically, "Mama? Are you going to get dressed now?" I found the contents of my drawers to be switched around.

Rushing everyone out to go to school I hastily grabbed my running shoes to find my laces backwards.

In the afternoon I utilized my little project on them.

I laid it down, called them over and asked sternly, "Girls, what happened here?"

"I didn't do it!" Katie called out immediately.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Chocowate," replied Maddie examining it more closely.

april fool's day prep work

Last year I performed a series of pranks on Katie on April Fool's Day. They were in fun, harmless and Katie loved them.

I did some homework this weekend and went out this morning and got some supplies (above).

This cracked me up -- I think I'll see if the husband wants to perform this trick on Katie.

Do you have any fun plans? I'm still looking for some fun and simple ideas.

my little warrior

Today, after a long week of combat with mini-me, we had a wonderful afternoon without the taint of nasty words, timeouts or a battle of wills.

We climbed into bed together read stories, chatted then settled down for a little snooze.

Perhaps it's because I'm with her all the time being a SAHM, maybe it's because we have similar personalities, but we can really get to each other. Patience and constant communication are the only weapons I yield.

Three things I try to remember when it comes to Katie:

- Show her the respect I want her to show to me.

- Don't be afraid to be wrong or apologize when I am in fact wrong - no one is infallible.

- Repeatedly tell myself "she's only 5."

My little cherub.

thrifty finds

Found this cute little number at the thrift store this week. It kind of reminds me of the Sound of Music play dresses Maria makes from drapes.

Mo loved that it had pockets.

I also hit a little jackpot of milk glass.

There were 9 of the smaller goblets. And, yes I bought them all. I think some are destined for eBay, but a couple will stay with me.

The girls were such good little shoppers.

I even let Mo get a grab bag of books.

The front book was a Diego book, and for $1.39 for three books, I figured why not.

little tokyo

I hadn't been to Little Tokyo in ages when I invited myself along with Miyo and her mom during a recent shopping trip.

It was a trifecta of fun -- Fun food. Fun shopping. Fun people.

We enjoyed "appetizers" before lunch including fried shumai and fried shrimp balls (which I'll pass on next time).

I'm still lamenting we didn't go back and get these when they were done.

Literally dozens upon dozens of pocky and pocky-type treats to chose from.

I love the nonsensical use of English on foreign wares. I think I giggled at almost every turn in many of the shops.

I ended up buying this because I mean who wouldn't want to "enjoy a time with me?"

An entire wall of bobble-head clocks.

I'm not sure if the thinking was to make clocks more fun, or to make bobble-heads more functional. Either way, loved them and might seriously shop though them next time.

And, then there was all the people watching.

I wasn't quite bold enough to take pictures of all the people we saw, but suffice it to say it was an eclectic mix of folks.

This green guy was collecting money for the Japan crisis.

It was all enjoyed, of course in good company.

Thanks for letting me tag along!

ushering in spring

If you've been to our house the last couple of months, you probably saw our Winter Wreaths.

It was quite the crafting adventure for me and the Little Wickies.

The girls collected pine cones at the park and then I went out and purchased my very first glue gun. I then diligently glued all the pine cones to the wreath.

The next morning I picked it up, and all the blasted pine cones fell off.

I resorted to tying the pine cones down with twine. Then we sprayed it with mass amounts of glue and had at it with glitter and beads.

This week we "Spring-ized" the wreaths by painting the pine cones.

Our wreaths are like the ghetto version of Dana's beautiful acorn wreaths that she painted and then repainted.

the tiniest dancers

Kaitlyn had a little ballet performance last Friday, so you can imagine her surprise and elation when we received a package yesterday in the mail from the sweetest lady over at RiceBabies and found this inside.

Katie pointed out that they looked just like her and Dylann (who is practically an honorary Little Wickie) one with a single bun like Dylann, and the other with two like her.

"Did she know that's how Dylann and I were going to wear our hair?" Katie kept asking.

This morning I came out to the living room to find them performing for The Little People.

Thank you!

i am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things

I frequent two different book clubs.

I have to admit I almost force myself to participate in them because while I enjoy reading, I tend to gravitate towards authors that are -- well, dead.

The book clubs read more current literature which I feel I would ignore almost completely if it weren't for their picks.

I just finished Sandition by my perennial favorite author Jane Austen. It was a version that was completed by an anonymous writer since Austen died a mere 11 chapters in.

Not my favorite Austen book, but I did enjoy it.

I also just finished the audio book version of North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I mostly listened to it while working out.

However, as I got engrossed I found myself ignoring my family completely as I listened to it while performing such tasks as dishes after dinner.

The BBC film version of this movie is excellent.

I picked up an Edith Wharton book at the library and am going to tackle that next, but am looking to take up a more current novel as well.

What are you reading? What are your favorites?

cool cat

For the Spring play Katie is part of the "J Crew," (Jesus Crew).

Their costumes are supposed to be "cool-looking," according to a memo from the choir director.

Katie doesn't have jeans, or a leather jacket -- her wardrobe consists mainly of pink and other bright colors.

This is what we came up with and she's seems pleased hence, we are all pleased.

scott & amy

My little brother and Amy got married last week.

He's 34, but in my mind's eye he's somewhere around 16.

But in reality, he's a man, a father and now, a husband.

I love the look on the couple's faces when they turn to their friends as family for the first time as husband and wife -- it's so telltale and happy.

At first glance this next picture you'll think, "oh what a nice picture of brother, sister and the Little Wickies," that is, until you scroll down to Mo.

But that's what makes the picture so fantastic.

Baby Charlotte looked as sweet (if not so much bigger) than ever.

Then, as I'm sure every newlywed couple expects to do on their wedding day -- we went decorate cupcakes at SweetSpot Baker's Workshop.

The night was finished off with Korean BBQ.

The Little Wickies played "wedding" the whole next day -- going to the extent of making construction paper flowers to hold as their bouquets, taking turns as bride, bridesmaid and flower girl.

They can not wait for the "big wedding" as they now refer to it where they have been promised the roles of flower girls.

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.

at least her future husband will be happy

Katie was telling me about a night she went to dinner with friends.

“We got quarters and got a prize out of a machine.”

“Oh yeah, what did you get?”

“I got a ring with a really big diamond. I don’t really like it though."

"Why not honey?"

"I like small rings, like yours mommy.”

me and Katie during quiet time reading by the fire