Pictures of our apartment...

I've needed to post these pix for someone....and thought, "well most people haven't seen our apartment anyway", so they are for you too...I will post more detailed pictures of the girl's room sometime... :)

Quotes, Shoe Lace Advice, Random Thoughts, Our Favorite Things...

1. Here is some very valuable mommy knowledge my sister-in-law Kalyn taught me a few years ago...I would love for you to know it too! And sorry if you have already been introduced to the wonder!

THE BEST WAY TO TIE SHOES...after folding the loop under and into the hole, continue to do it once more...making it two times that the bunny ears goes through the hole before making the final pull into a knot. It will be a very tight knot that can be easily undone by a tug. It is much easier than getting a double knot out! It has saved me since moving to a city where laced shoes are a must sometimes.

2. We have a favorite new pasta by Barrilla. It is so stinkin' cute, I'm going to HAVE to make Christmas Angels out of noodles just so I can use my tiny Farfalle as the wings! And then I'm going to tape one on my neck and do a tap dance. So Excited.

3. Ella and Scott met Paisley and I at the grocery store. They had been downtown, and Paisley and I uptown. We got home and Scott pulls out a heart slinky.
"Look what Ella found."
I say, "Oh did she get that out of my bag?"
"Ella found this on the way to the grocery store in the street....she said it was hers and was so confused that it was in the street! She insisted that we bring it home even though, who knows where it's been" says Scott.
I say,"That IS hers. Paisley must have dropped it in the street when she fell asleep in the ergopack and I forgot she had it!"

That little girls intuition scares me sometimes.

We should always be an hour between each other and then maybe that way I wouldn't lose anything, b/c someone would be following my tracks, picking up what I unknowingly dropped!

4. So excited for Karisa's visit next week!! HOORAY! We are going to go WILD! Ok, maybe only as wild as I get/we're going to see the LION KING! Told you we were gonna go wild.

5. Move over Red Mango, Orange Pearl, Pink Grapefruit, Golden Spoon or any other frozen yogurt chain that I thought was the bomb...move over for YOLATO! If you come to visit we will take you out for Yolato, the yummiest frozen yogurt I have EVER had. I got Pistachio and Tiramisu...OH my goodness! And of course, Paisley got cake batter with Sprinkles.

"I want my river back..."

I've got 2 bags of unused items and not a place to put them.

NY friends, I am giving kids clothes away at the garden on 171st and Haven at our next Garden Gathering...12-24 months girls clothes....sizes 5-7 in shoes.


Flashback :

It has to have been at least two years since talking with the Allreds about used and antique items and passing them down to other that need them when their purpose has been served. That night we created the "Universal Flowing River of Feng Shui" It is a river where people so freely give of unwanted items by placing them back into the ever flowing waters for someone else and then to take for yourself, any items you need that someone else had placed there. Are you still with me?
Well in the parking lot of VONS on Durango and Warm Springs (Las Vegas) I FOUND MY RIVER! There were 2 small storage sheds placed in the parking lot for clothes and small household items (to be donated to people in need...it had a mail box door. I was constantly gathering bags of unused baby clothes and toys and knick knacks and sometimes DI was just too far to travel to drop them off (they would sit in our garage for months). So on my way to anywhere, I could drop items off at this location, where others did the same. It was way too often though that people would drop other items OUTSIDE of the shed "in the flowing waters" and very frequently there were items that I was in need of....(size 5 clothes (I washed them), box of polly pockets (I sanitized them), old furniture that I wasn't allowed to bring home) I didn't know if these items left was a way of tempting me or if it was a blessing...I took it as a blessing and received several items from my "Universal Flowing River of Feng Shui". ;) I hope that a family is getting good use out of our gently used things as well!

Present:
I have not found another since moving to New York...all of the streets are filled with unwanted items for people to take, but this "river" is more like... the Ganges maybe? What do you think Jen? (drinking and bathing in its waters carries a high risk of infection)....not that we have the space for anything anyway.

So, just as Tausha from the BACKYARDIGANS sings, I too am singing "I want my river back."





Ella gave this letter to Scott...LOL...it says "Bad Dad" She said that it reads, "I love you Dad." He is so the opposite of Bad Dad. :) He is like amazing, super fun, carries Ella, Paisley, Stroller and Groceries up 5 flights of stairs at once so the girls don't have to do it, kind of dad. Hey, doesn't their mom carry anything up? Lazy.





The proof. They are getting to an age where motivational tools help!! All of the links to their chains are gone so they got to go Toys R Us, in the pouring rain, and ride the ferris wheel, thanks Scotty. We have been using a chart as well for stickers. I am willing to try anything!! Any ideas?



Ella- "This is what your hands look like when you don't wash them. These are the germs and these are the bad cells." I personally love the new swirly handwriting.

Let me put some BOOM in it...

A video from a few days ago. This is for the fellow, past cheerleaders in my life...and of course everyone else too!



This morning Paisley started reaching for some very HOT bacon and I said "Hold up, wait a minute" and I was finished immediately by Paisley with "Let me put some PIG in it!" I had no idea she was aware that bacon was PIG meat. I'm not surprised, she's got Butchers on both sides of the family ;)


love,
Jubie and Paisley, Peso, Paisers, Stinky Anne or her newest...Valley Girl


and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONA-KAY!!!

 

There's that Statue of Liberty again...her fave pose.

 

Paisley's first outing with mommy while Ella's at school... all by ourselves...happy, ya think?

 

Having her cake and eating it too...

 

Life is sweet, love my baby.

Here we go!!

Thanks to the FABULOUS Graham Family (Scott's sister and family) Ella has the opportunity to go to a great pre-kindergarten program. The school district provides a FREE program (cha-ching) in select public elementary schools and we were very lucky to get her in. Her first day was Tuesday and Ella and I approve of the program ;) It has all that I was hoping for and of course she is going to have fabulous experiences with the other children.

 

She was ready to go three hours early and so excited...we hopped on the train and took the LOOOOOONNNNGGGG way to school, went to the community garden for awhile (got several mosquito bites while there, they are kicking my you know what) and by that time, it was time to arrive!

 

Mariella
4 years 6 months

 

 

Try to remember the kind of September when life was so slow and oh so mellow...

There have been many days in the past month where we all just want to stay home! It is a treat to watch Ella and Paisley interact with one another...and then you throw daddy in the playing and it's the best! But, the fun days at home have come to an end...school is back in (2nd semester already! Woohoo!) and we will be very busy this fall and winter with Scott's, Ella's and Paisley's schooling...I am happy to say that I am the only non-student in our family!!;) The first two days were very enjoyable. I admit, having a schedule for the day works better for me/all of us. We do have a few visitors lined up and just can't wait! We really love our families and friends and miss them!

 

Super Daddy!

 

I can imagine this is what being the father of two little girls is all about...he is their hero... and will wear any cape they whip up! What an honor.

 

Our "chains" for good behavior, encouragement, medicine bribing and anything else I find it handy for when I need a behaved child at the moment....it's a miracle worker. When all of the links to the chains are gone (by obeying their parents) they get a ferris wheel ride at TOYS R US!

 

Playing "SHARK" in their "boat!"

What would you honestly do?

So about 3 times a month, Scott, the girls and I "schlep" down to our favorite grocery store...the highlight of the week....what a luxurious lifestyle right? Anyways, after waiting ten minutes while Scott got some money back for being overcharged for oranges, we were packing all of our groceries into a big IKEA bag to carry home. While this was happening, a "boat car" comes driving up, wanting to park in a parking spot right where the carts are kept....(that is why we were there, to return our cart and leave)So I moved out of the way a bit to let the guy park and BAM! He hits my left calf with the corner of his right bumper. I am in shock. (the only muscles that exists on my body are my calf muscles, so it bounces off of it.) If I had been bent over, say tying my shoe, I would have fallen down and been thrown under the car! I yell to Scott, he just hit me! And immediately ask him what I should say to the man. "Nothing, they are older, he didn't even know he hit you." I start thinking of what certain people in my life would do in a situation like this, just to make sure I am not over-reacting...which includes...yelling, suing, nicely informing and jotting down lic. plate # to demand his licence be revoked...(which one do you think you are Karisa?!) I am thinking all of this in the 4 minutes that it takes for this Veteran (He had on a WWII Veterans hat with various pins, medals and patches) and his wife to get out of their car. "He's a Vet Jube, you can't say anything to him, it wasn't on purpose," says Scott. So acting on the Eeyore attitude that I have picked up in the past few weeks I think to myself..."I'll be okay...don't bother worrying about little old me." :) and we leave....I didn't want my milk and eggs to spoil anyway. My only regret is that he isn't safe on the streets and someone else could get hurt. Boat cars should not be allowed. So what would you do?!

And the real purpose for this bit....My blog has been under construction and will be until I can decide on a template....you know me, it could take awhile.




Picture of the day...
"There is a flower in the butterfly's tummy b/c that is what they eat." Ella

"A girl after our own heart!" and "Little Fella"

So we splurged and cooked up our first artichokes since becoming poor college students, again...one of mine and Scott's favorite food! Paisley ate almost 1 of the 2 artichokes and ganked Scott's artichoke heart...the best part! How could we not let her steal our heart? Love this girl. I have to laugh when I watch this video. It's an uncut clip of our reality...Paisley and all of her binkies, watching Dora and ordering us around! ;) j/j




Mariella started this phrase in Las Vegas and it has become an inside joke in our family. She says really fast, "Little Fella." And then busts out laughing, expecting her daddy to do the same...they both get a kick out if it...so sweet. Well I found these little mini cheesecakes that are the bomb and they are called "Little Fellas" so we had a little photo shoot. She is the original "LITTLE ELLA FELLA". Oh this child is a tough one to figure out, she is overwhelmed with spirituality and joy for life. She amazes me to tears everyday with the special things she experiences and what she picks up on...life is ALWAYS a party with Ella whether she is belting out her broadway tunes, informing us of our illness (with detailed drawings on her easel "you have germs on your heart and they are eating it") while playing doctor, cracking jokes or looking through her dad's school books for hours asking questions about the human body, she is seriously too much and I love her to pieces.

Last of the Summer...

Here are a few Pics from July and August...Gotta remind myself of all of the GREAT things about this City...not all of the grodiness. I have met several very cool moms and their sweet kids that live around here that have made our transition a very welcoming one. There are several play groups every week and we are so thankful for these get-togethers and all of the very kind people we have met in our neighborhood. We have got to spend lots of cousin time this summer with Elise! I don't know what the girls would do without Kaye, Gary and Elise. They have no idea how much their patience to Ella and Paisley helps me...letting them cook with them...taking treats home...putting up with their screaming...feeding us dinner a lot...it is so nice to have someone to be nice and love them unconditionally when Scott and I have HAD IT for the day with our children!

Alright these pictures are of...

...Horse and Carriage ride in Central Park with Jensyn, Caden and Grandma Sue...Elise's 11th birthday (We love Leesy! She brings such a brightness in our life here in New York! Fun cousin, Sweet Niece. She's a trooper to kick it with us and our craziness!)...Sleepover's...Raccoon in the park..."Hippo Park"...Riverside Park (Paisley has become a daredevil running through the sprinklers, big girl)...Look for the picture of Ella on the spinner at the park :)...Natural History Museum (mini bones)...A night against crime in the park (face paintings)...Ferry to the new IKEA in Brooklyn hooray!...Bronx Zoo and the Wild African Dogs...Children's Museum of Manhattan...

I've been tagged...

Alright Mona this is for you.

FEARS:
1)A crazy person is going to walk up to Ella on the street and snip off one of her pigtails.(Scott is researching right now to see if in fact there is a phobia for such a fear.)
2) When I drop a food item on the floor in the kitchen, a rat is going to snatch it from under the cabinets before I get the chance to and bite my finger while he's at it. (There have been no signs of a rat in our apartment, but it's still a fear.)
3) I fear that one of us in our family is going to tumble down one of the 5 flights of stairs that we have the joy of climbing up and down.(The girls are surprisingly very good and willing to handle them on their own.)

JOYS:
1) Any and all family!
2) Hearing my kids sing any song...my favorites are primary, songs from Wicked and Enchanted. Ella has got a set of lungs and has way better vibrato than me.
3) When I get lucky enough to sit next to someone that smells good on the subway

THREE OBSESSIONS:
1) Like most women, I like things clean....I'm not saying I have the energy to be immaculate, but wish I was!
2) I am a pack rat. I keep anything that has any bit of importance to me...I used to keep my scabs, I wanted to keep my tonsils, pictures that Ella and Paisley draw, umbilical cords, high school stuff...it makes for an unorganized mess all of the time that requires constant filing and space...not good for a woman who lives in a 400 sq. ft. apartment.
3) I'm obsessed with doing my kids hair. Their part has to be perfect or I'll start over...they are little dolls to sit through such torture.

THREE RANDOM FACTS:
1) My husband is completely understanding, listens to me when I'm frustrated/sad/angry and ALWAYS has something nice and helpful to say to me after, with no judging...where was he all of my life until 7 years ago?! ;)
2) I can't stand doing dishes, but can't stand it even more when they are sitting in the sink.
3) Ummmm...I haven't slept since my children have been born, well almost.

THREE GOALS:
1)More Patience
2)Start and finish the Twilight series
3)Stay in touch with friends and family and stay on top of all of my duties!!

Tag Tara, you're it, sorry. MWA.

Niagara Falls, Canada

My Parents (The Fabbis) and our family met Jen, Jason, Caden and Jensyn in Niagara Falls, Canada and did some serious sight seeing. It was a very fun and busy day. We wanted to see as much as we could. Some of these pictures are from a boat ride we took called "Maid in the Mist" and it took us very close to the Falls where it felt like it was pouring down rain. It was very cool. The girls loved it and thankfully Ella didn't get sea-sick. We went to several sights that day, it was a lot of fun to be with our family and spend time together. We decided to take Amtrak back to NYC, so after a 10 hour ride, we were safe and sound back home. Amtrak is a fabulous way to commute with children (with a handy dandy DVD player that is!)....no carseats, snack cart, no potty stops, parents hands are free for whatever! We took a train from Washington DC to NYC last Fall and it was such a great experience! It was a very long ride back to New York, but far better than driving the stretch in one day, I'm sure! I've got to go make our couch into a bed so we can sleep...Scott's mad...:) Oh no, blogging is taking over!
Goodnight

Yikes!

Alright, so the Bed and Breakfast that we stayed in was BIZARRE! Our family stayed in the "Bridal Room" where as you can see, had a manikin right by the bed of.....well a scary corpse bride....can anyone sing, "Last dance with Mary Jane...." :) We seriously asked my parents to switch rooms with us, they thought we were joking. I am laughing out loud thinking about the conversation. Also, notice all of the little white dresses with he dead roses hanging down on them....weird.
However, Ella loved it! She cried in the morning when she woke up because we had put she and Paisley in the trundle bed on the other side of the room....unfortunately we didn't know that SHE was dying to sleep next to the bride! We have a sweet video of Ella making the bed that morning...precious. I will have to learn how to upload videos.
Thanks Mom and Dad for the fun detour on our way to Niagara Falls!

First Visitors! You all are invited anytime too!

We had our very first visitors come visit us here in New York! (Besides Uncle Chris and Paka and Mimi when we moved!) My parents,
my sister and her family came for a whole week and we had a blast! We
were basically on vacation for nearly a month and I just have to give my girls
some praise for how great they were with all of the changes in time, sleeping
and all of the driving...they made this month so enjoyable just by watching
them participate in all that was going on around us. They
adore ALL of their family members. So some of the great events that
took place while our family visited were....

Yankees Games- I was so glad Scott got to see Yankees Stadium, thanks!
Little Mermaid on Broadway- As we expected, Ella (and I) was struck the entire show, she was just in a trance, loved it! And as of tonight, 3 weeks later, Paisley is still singing Under the Sea. (I will have to ask Jason to send the pictures from both the Yankee game and the Musical.)

Here are a few pictures from a road trip we took to Niagara Falls, with a stop in Palmyra for the Hill Cumorah Pageant (amazing), an ice cream shop and local blueberries (Ella has a love for bugs, notice the worm on her blueberry), raspberries and cherries (yum) and Church History Sites (I can't believe we were there!) Oh...let's not forget the scary Bed and Breakfast we stayed in...there will be pictures of that place to come...

The 4th

I had no memory left on my SD card to take pictures on the 4th of July, so here's a mixture of past 4th Holiday pictures...look at Mona-Kay's blog to see the cuties in their matching outfits that Grandma Sue gave to them. We did miss Scott, he was back home, but had a great time relaxing while the girls played in the pool and spa and of course we all enjoyed the sparklers and poppers. Scott looked into the TOP 10 places to view fireworks in NYC and settled for the TOP 3rd place...HOME!

The Allreds were in town, so we had a fun cousin weekend including 4th of July at the Fabbi's, Wall-e, Macayos (we had to get our fix) and of course digging up yummy potatoes at Grandpa Don's and Grandma Barbara's, which my dad fixed up the next night for dinner!
Our families always make get-togethers so special and memorable, down to every last detail. Thank you!
MWA.

FYI: the last picture is of Ella 2 years ago, dancing to a very loud "You're a Grand Old Flag"

There's a new carousel in town...

Papa Kent took us to a NEW Carousel in Vegas at the District. I, I mean WE were so excited. It is beautiful, so magical at night! We had fun riding with Uncle Joe and Grandma Sue!

We headed back to Vegas on the 2nd of July, our girls really miss our car and their carseats so they did not mind the 6 hour drive! We spent a week there. We had a great time with Grandma Thelma at her new home where the girls ate the little ice cubes out of her little freezer, snacked on her crackers, rested on her bed and played silly games with her...she's still got it, at 88! We love her very much and miss our daily walks over to visit her.

We Heart Cousin Time!

After the Family Reunion at Zion, we headed north to the Cottage (Springville, UT) where the girls indulged in some much needed cousin time! We don't get to see each other often enough!

Here are some shots of a very successful game of duck-duck-goose (they played for probably half an hour!) Others include Big Red Barn pics, Lobster fun, (the worker at Red Lobster took a lobster out, put it to sleep by rubbing it's back, let the girls touch it and then woke it up again! I was amazed!) Paisley skating in her Etnies and Kalyn the arborist(sp?) giving the tree guys a worthwhile lesson on how to perform their own job better ;) You crack me up Kalyn.

Ella made friends with the boy that lives next door, Sam, where they walked around the yards as he informed her of different poisonous plants, animals, bugs and safety tips. She is a girly-girl and buggy-boy all in one. She was truly interested and involved. It was nice for me to know that she listens to someone about safety precautions, cause it ain't me most of the time!

Lovin' Summer!

We have been up to a whole lot of fun this past summer month! What's been best is we have been with Family non-stop! The Ream reunion at Zion's Ponderosa was first, from May 26-29. Here are a few pics from that weekend... The cabin we stayed in, cute cousins, Elena and I, Mimi (she planned it all!), Singing the Family History song, Ella wearing Scott's hat and playing her sippy cup guitar, The 3 bros...Sean, Bryan and Scott, Ella laying out, Scott feeding our nephew a cupcake....Scott and I LOVE being with our family! And if ya can't tell, Ella and Paisley are pretty fond of their cousins too. Thank you for such a great weekend! We know how much time and planning this took and it was a hit!

My goal is to try and post once a day until I catch up on this past month!