Kadie's got something cookin...

My dear dear friend Kadie has got a little bun in her oven. She and Freddie aren't finding out if its a boy or a girl. They are going to be surprised...the good ole fashioned way. This past weekend Bijan and I went up to the Bay Area (sans the kiddos-thanks to Nana & Pops) to spend some quality time with Kadie and Freddie and go to their couples shower. If you are wondering what goes on at a couples shower, think BBQ type setting, booze, friends, a couple games, opening gifts and cake. Sorta like the typical "girl" shower, but less girlie and less "showerie".

Of course my favorite part was spending time with Kadie. Crazy...that'll be the last time I see her before she is a mom! And I also got to see my oldest childhood friend Jen-and her kids. (we three shared many a crazy moments in college) I am glad I live close to these oh so important women in my life(we all live in CA) but oh how I wish wish wish my besties and I all lived in the same town. How awesome would that be?!

(Please help me say a prayer for Kadie and her baby...she was hospitalized Sunday night. Tear in her placenta. She is 28 weeks. She and baby are safe. )

Apple Pickin

Our foursome went to Julian to do a little apple pickin. Bella came up with the idea of bringing their Halloween buckets to the farm to put the apples in (we are in Halloween mode as the girls got their costumes). On the hour long drive, we just can't handle listen to the Wiggles CD again...so what is the only other non scratched CD in B's car but Bella's school Christmas CD-with all Christmas songs!!! Grrrrreat. (of course the girls are THRILLED to bust out this cd that they haven't heard for awhile) So...here we are...singing along to to Jingle Bells on the drive to Julian in the 90 degree weather with our pumpkin trick or treat bags. Yep, little random! :) We got to the farm and you get a bag (or in our case a pumpkin bucket) and grab your apples and then you pay at the end. We walked the isles, searching for some healthy apples. Its 10 bucks for a bag. The girls loved searching for apples without holes, brown spots, or squishy spots. They got so excited to find a good apple and add it to our collection of apples. The best part was eating an apple, right off the tree. The girls also enjoyed watching/doing the apple press to turn the apples into apple juice (although the apples weren't very juicy). It was fun. After the apple picking, we walked around Julian and of course, stopped at Mom's for some apple pie. We like the apple crumb the best. The girls liked the ice cream. I'd suggest going in a couple weeks-beginning of October, when the apples are a little more ripe. Its hard to believe the fall is approaching as we were sweatin in the So Cal heat!

Children's Art Museum

We recently went to the Children's Art Museum-in downtown San Diego. It was really cool. They had a room filled with mattresses and pillows that the kids could jump around in, the kids made paper ornaments, worked with clay, they could paint a car, draw on the jumbo chalk board and more. The museum was really open-cool architecture, art, and areas for the kids to play and create. Very cool vibe. Will definitely revisit. 2 thumbs up from the Bijan crew.

Girlfriends Rule!

I feel blesssed to have such awesome girlfriends in my life.
We have shared life's ups, downs and in betweens together.


I am so lucky to have such strong, loving, honest, intelligent, beautful, fun, driven, creative, honest and sincere women in my life. My girlfriends rule!!!

No jitters here!

Bella had her first day of school today. No problem. She is at the same school, in the same classroom, one of the same teachers, and a few old friends from last year in her class. No tears, no hesitation, no problem, no jitters here! She came into my room at 6am with her new school bag, shoes and outfit in hand-ready to go to school! I love that she is soooo excited for school!

Happy 2nd Birthday Caleigh!

To pay tribute to my baby girl...here are a few things that make her so special....she has a smile that can light up a room...she is SUCH a happy girl. She goes CRAZY when she sees dogs...soooo excited. She loves choo choo trains but gets scared when they are closeby so holds me so tight, with one eye open to peak. Every time I pull into the garage she says "drive, drive" and has to sit up in my seat for at least a minute and pretend to drive. She is tough. She is funny. She loves to pose for pictures. She is a go getter and isn't afraid to give it a shot. She is a snuggler. She likes puzzles. She is obsessed with her Nana painting her nails. She likes telephones. She could watch Diego 24 hours a day if I allowed it. She likes flip flops-especially the kind her sister wears with "no backs" but can't walk in them for the life of her. She likes wearing Bella's underpants, she puts them on over her diaper-I broke down and bought her own few pairs. She is really easy to put down for a nap. She is beginning to throw one mean temper tantrum (welcome to the terrible 2's). She loves being naked in the backyard-for some reason, whenever she is playing back there, she takes off her clothes. She squeals in delight. She absolutely adores her big sister Bella (and they are really great friends). She likes playing restaurant. She loves to put money in her piggy bank. She likes wearing sunglasses, but a hat...not so much. Caleigh melts my heart and I love her so so so much!!!
(she got a helmet& umbrella for her bday-arent we practical-and she was thrilllled)

For Caleigh's actual birthday (Sept. 4) we celebrated it in Orange County, at my parents house with her twin cousins, Adam and Benjamin, who share the exact same birthday. What are the odds of me and my sister having babies on the same exact day and year?! Crazy huh? Its really fun. Those three are the cutest together and really share a very special bond. After a day at Nana & Pops' house, we went to the beachhouse in San Clemente. A lot of fun.

Pre-PreSchool

Today was Caleigh's first day of "pre preschool". She goes one day a week, from 9-1. They read stories, sing songs, do activities, projects, have outside time (the yard is amazing with this magical playhouse) and the kids just have fun!! I thought this would be good for Cal so she could have something for herself, with new friends, a new experience, help with socializing, building language and exposure to new experiences. Bijan is off work this week and we all took Caleigh to school. She had a big ole smile on her face and we all sat playing on the rug-getting all settled in. Until...it was time to go. She wailed and cried for about 10 minutes, but was fine after that. I had big tears in my eyes, but thank goodness for dark sunglasses. When we picked her up, she was playing ring a round the rosy with her little friends. Soooo cute.

(She was so excited to wear her new "school shoes" which she had to save til today and carry her "school bag" that she picked out-of course the identical one to her sister)

Circus Fun!

We had a "circus" party for Caleigh's 2nd Birthday. Guess having the maiden name of Barnum inspired me! We set up a little "tent" in the backyard and a jumper, and all kinds of toys. We invited friends with and without kiddos (alcohol helps to enhance the non kiddo friends), family and kids. Our ENTIRE house was TRASHED. Really, every room was a disaster, but totally worth it. Lil Caleigh Shea had a blast and I think her little friends did too. How is my baby 2?! TWO!? Weep weep. I love to see her grow, but at the same time I want her to stay itty bitty. She just melts my heart and brings a smile to my face when I think of her.

Summer Fun

We've had a busy summer...it went by so quickly! We are lucky to have SeaWorld, Legoland & the Zoo in our vicinity...so we spent a lot of time at all those places. Equally lucky, we have got the beach closeby. Family is closeby. Playdates with our pals. We had music class, dance class, swim lessons. Trips to the library, rollerblading, park visits. The girls are really becoming friends...we spent a lot of time at home just playing and enjoying ourselves (oh, and plenty of fighting over toys). We got a jumper this summer which is the best investment-the girls have LOVED it. Its hard to believe summer is coming to an end. We really had a good one with our lil family of 4. I love my family and have to just pinch myself that I can be this blessed. Its been a summer to remember...thats for sure!