Thanksgiving Week

Bijan had the week off for Thanksgiving. It was so great having him home. My cousin Christopher stayed with us for a few days-we went to the zoo and Balboa Park. Bijan also did some "work"...started the backsplash project in the kitchen. Looks awesome! For Thankgiving, we headed up to Orange County for a few days...my mom and dad hosted Tgiving with about 25 of us!! (did I mention a 50 minute ride took us 2 1/2 hours!!!) Great to see my brother and sister, aunt, uncle, and many cousins. Bijan's mom and step dad came up too. Nice day of eating, visiting, drinking, ping pong, and more eating! The day after Tgiving Bijan and my dad carried on Barnum tradition and hung the lights outside while Bella and I broke down and went to the doctor. I braved Black Friday and went down the street to ToysRUs-buuuut quickly walked out when I saw that the line was literally wrapped around the entire store! After we got back to San Diego we put up all our Christmas decorations-both inside and out (go Bijan). I am sad for B to go back to work tomorrow. We always have so much fun with Daddy home!

Undies

Caleigh has got a thing for undies. She loves them. Of course, she prefers to wear a pair sans the diaper...buuuuut....that is just well...a bit messy. I did sorta half ass trythe potty training bit with her...for a day. She did pretty well...only like 2, 3 accidents..but, well...I am just plain lazy. She has only been 2 a few months-which to me, is a little on the early side of potty training. In a few months we'll REALLY give it a go.

Until then, she can wear her undies round the house, or outside. And if we go out, she can sport those cool undies over her diaper.

Its just so darn cute how excited she gets over underpants! :)

The Grinch

We went to the Old Globe theatre for the opening of the Grinch festivities and the lighting of the Xmas tree. This picture sums up the night. Caleigh was delighted by the songs, the fake snow, the sights and sounds of the night. Bella, on the other hand...was not happy. Did not like the Grinch, complained of her ear hurting, crying, grasping Daddy for dear life. All I took was this one picture cuz we were out of their lightning quick when the show was over. Hmmm...will rethink doin this again next year. But B and I liked it.

Gratitude.

Gratitude...
Gratitude has really been present in my life lately.

I am so very very grateful for all of God's gifts he has provided me with. My life-my husband, my kids, my job, my faith, my family, my friends...they keep me grounded, keep me sane, keep me ME, and keep me happy.

I love life. I love my life. I am so thankful for so many things.

~I am thankful for being a part of my children learning something new every day.
~I am thankful that I get the job of kissing owies and making them better.
~I am thankful that my husband and I created two beautiful children.
~I am thankful Bijan is an incredible father, husband and human being.
~I am thankful that I only know which way Bella's blanket needs to be when I tuck her in.
~I am thankful that only I can understand all the things that Caleigh says.
~I am thankful for the seasons of the year, and the changes that come with life.
~I am thankful that I get to live in San Diego.
~I am thankful for my family.
~I am thankful for my relationships with the people closest to me.
~I am thankful for Bijan's job stability
~I am thankful that I live in this country.
~I am thankful I am able to be home with my children.
~I am thankful for my strength.
~I am thankful for my childhood.
~I am thankful for my parents.
~I am thankful I have a home, clothing and food.
~I am thankful for our freedoms.
~I am thankful for the struggles.
~I am thankful that I have faith.

I am thankful for life....my life.

The good Lord blessed me in so many ways.
I will appreciate, and I will not take it for granted.

Gym class.

Caleigh and dear friend Teagan take gym class together at the rec center on Monday mornings while Bella is in school. Caleigh loves jumpin on the trampoline, balancing on the balance beam, hanging from the rings, bubble time and the parachute. Her favorite is the big inflatable jumper that she can jump on and climb the wall, followed by a crawl thru the tunnel. The circle time at the end is also a big hit, with rhythm sticks and singing.

The best part of class is the special one on one time Caleigh and I share.

Pretend City

(the water area where you play with boats & fish)
(the farm area where you pick and plant food)

(Popsie getttin into it) (Nana placing her order at the restaurant) (Caleigh filling up at the gas station)

When we were up in Orange County visiting Nana and Pops, we went to this REALLY cool place called Pretend City in Irvine. Its a huge space with all kinds of fun for kids-a garden area, construction area, house area, stage for dancing/performing, water area, restaurant, beach, art studio, library, store...it is full of everything that any kid would desire!!! The girls played for 2 hours straight...with no mention of food, water or bathroom...so it HAD to be fun for them. We will definetly go back. Very fun.

Tall Ships

(mermaids, loving this gig- I am sure)

We decided to check out the Tall Ships "festival" in Oceanside. I say "festival" cuz it was a little on the dinky side. But still cool. There were 2 ships...that are going on a voyage tonight---you could tour the ships and meet the pirates and mermaids. The girls are fascinated by pirates, but only from a distance. They definetly did not want to go up close to the mermaids, but stared at them from afar. Bella was loving the cannons...asking all kinds of questions (we really don't talk much about any guns, swords, weapons, etc...'round here) and Caleigh kept wanting to see the girl pirate cruisin aroud with a snake around her waist.

Say Ahhhhhh!

Took both girls to the denist today. Bella has been before, but today was Caleigh's first visit. As we opened the door to the office and saw Nemo on the tv, the girls were instantly captivated. The mural of the treehouse/birds on the wall leading into a little playroom was so inviting. Bella had no problem. Caleigh on the other hand wanted nothing to do with that dental chair. Pitched a fit over that chair. So...mama laid on the chair with Caleigh on top of me. We did the whole visit that way. She opened her mouth when she was supposed, got her teeth brushed and even did the flouride (all on the comfie mommy couch). At the end they got a little "goody" bag-and boy was it good. They got new tooth brushes and Bella got a magic wand and Cal got a princess crown and a little want.They seriously screamed/squealed in delight when they opened their bags in the office.

The best news is that we had a good report from the dentist (unlike Bella's last years visit). The flossing and wresting the girls on the ground to do so, has paid off.

Caleigh said to me tonight, "Dentist, dentist, go-go"-as she tried opening the door to the garage.