Ella's Song. Sweet Child of Mine.

I was just telling my lil' bro Joe and Mom in November how we needed to make this song into a lullaby because it reminded me of Ella and even though Guns and Roses version could NEVER be outdone, let's face it, it gets a little too goth at the end.

Then we watched "Life As We know It" tonight...and look what song was in it...


http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/sweet-child-o-mine-taken-by-trees/d794c9aa9c142c7d63e2d794c9aa9c142c7d63e2-403937625506?q=taken+by+trees&FORM=VIRE5

Love That Child. The song was originally written for one of the band members girlfriends, but It just reminds me of her.

And, I still don't know how to post a link on this thing...copy and paste. :)

2nd Cousins.

It's quite usual for my children to wake up too early the first few days we're in Vegas, so when mine were awake at 6am one morning, I called Mona-Kay (b/c I knew her kiddos would be awake too! :) and told her we were heading to Grandma's and Grandpa's and bringing breakfast!

And then the chasing began...they're blurry, cause they're too fast!

A little piano playing...

And then the real fun began! The kids picked and picked and picked...everything except Papa's banana plants that were in an incubator! (Banana's in Vegas, coming this spring...or summer?) Flowers, berries, lemons and carrots that were so yummy!

And this is what was done with all of the picking...

Then it just got crazy! Caleb didn't miss a shot, I was highly, highly impressed!

Caleb drinking his "first blood" as Spencer would say! The lemon juice. ;)
The mama's in the morning.
Thanks for all the fun Great-Grandma and Grandpa...AGAIN!!

And now I can't get the song "Always Coca-Cola, yea." out of my head. Look for the cans in the pics. "The stars will always shine the birds will always sing!"

These are the last two pictures taken before we got back home. We somehow always end up coming home with a Tupperware of things! Mainly toys and clothes! ;) Paisley was so stinkin' adorable pushing this bin (and fast!) from luggage pick-up to the taxi line.

On the plane, with the sunset.

Paisley has been cracking me up. Here are a few funny things she has said lately...

~Looking at a matchbox while I'm doing her hair in the bathroom, very seriously- "I know why they're called matches, cause they all match."

~Pais has the funniest names that she come up with for utensils. When she was 2 she named chopsticks, "fork-chops." And then while talking to grandpa this past trip to Vegas, while he was cooking or cutting their "Rhinoceros meat" she handed him his tongs and said, "Here's ya "pincher-doodles!"

It's her voice that makes things so funny when they come out.
Love that little munchky munch.

Holiday Favorites 1- Cousins and Such.

Visiting Caden at his work...The girls opening their singing Taylor Swift Dolls from Auntie Jen...Celebrating Dad's Birthday...Yogi Bear...Grandma and Girls at Macayo... Jensyn and Pais embrace while visiting Grandma Thelma...Paisley and her sassy little pose...Jensyn and Paisley in a fort with Digy-Boo! (Digby)

Comforting reminders and memories.

After arriving back home after our extended two week long visit to Las Vegas, I needed something to kind of give me closure with leaving and being back home, which is a new one by the way! New in the fact that we moved in mid-December and new that I've never really been sad to leave Las Vegas since we moved to NYC, until now.

So I headed to the closest grocery store before the big storm hit. (I've been doing lots of things "before the big storm hits" the past week and a half... and we weren't even here for the blizzard on the 26th.)So, I picked up some stew meat, got the girls from school, came home and got out my Grandma Thelma's stew pot.

Before I knew it, I was feeling better, our apartment smelled delicious and then I noticed Ella sitting in a chair, with her head resting on the table, staring at me through our new kitchen window, with her big, beautiful eyes. That little girl sometimes, I can see my reflection in her and it makes me get the chills. I was immediately brought back to my childhood, in my grandma Thelma's orange kitchen, adorned with owl decorations and yellow flowers. The kitchen that had a similar window as the one Ella was looking through right now, where I'd sit on a bar stool and frost Vanilla Wafers with colored frosting, make my latest craft, and like my brother Jason says, learn the right combinations of yes, no, please and thank yous in order to get something to eat. I spent an entire summer before 4th grade being drilled on my times tables (I am the bomb at those by the way, thanks to her...the only math I know :)

There have been several instances this week where choices that we've made, simple as most of them are, have affected us and comforted us. Tonight, I picked up Ella's library book from school and felt like I needed to read it, even though it was WAY passed their bedtime. Strega Nona as told by Tomie dePaola. As I often do while reading to my girls, I had to stop and hold back the tears, as it was about a Granddaughter and Grandmother and her "magic" pasta pot. She wouldn't let Strega Nona know the ingrediente segreto - secret ingredient until she had "retired and moved to live at the seaside." She left Strega Nona a note that said, the ingredient was Love.

We extended our stay in Las Vegas to be there for Grandma Thelma's funeral. She passed on December 30th. She lived to be 91 years old.

I remember my mom sharing all throughout my life of her memories, sitting on the same bar stool, watching her mom cook, while doing her homework. She always said that was where and when she learned to cook. I'm pretty positive this is why both houses I grew up in had an open kitchen with bar stools. I was lucky enough to get to learn from both of them, having it leave a lasting impression on me and now I'm getting to enjoy these moments with my own daughter's. I guess it's a real tradition when I didn't even realize why I had to have the kitchen with the open window into the living room, until being reminded of these simple special memories that had part in making me who I am.

(It's a little white and sterilized looking, but I've got some not-so-permanent plans...)

Here is one of our new views of Broadway, from the 10th floor. It was snowing.

Paisely's Class Holiday Dance Performance.

The song- Christmas Time Is Here by Alvin and the Chipmunks.
The dance- Waltz
The Partner- Gabriel. "The one!" According to Paisley!

I have got to do something about those bangs. We're growing them out.

Here's a video that another parent posted on YOUTUBE. Pais is to the right of the stage. Enjoy!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HO7dW2mMpg&feature=player_embedded

Paisley's "Cinco-eanera."

Paisley needed a party. A special 5 year old party. Just for her. And Let's Dress Up! delivered.

Scott called it her "Cinco-eanera." :)
Ya know...you only get one.

The two hostesses dolled her up. In blue, of course.

And then several of her friends came to do the same and take part in the princess celebration.

There was coloring, eye shadow and lip gloss, tattoos, a brunch tea party, singing...it was just joyful and perfect! All of the little girls were so careful and serious and so proper! (I don't think that would have been the case had I tried to do that alone. ;) So fun to see them acting like proper princess'! The actual store was only about 10 feet wide and 30 feet long, so it was a tiny little place...but it ran so smoothly and will hopefully be the birthday party she remembers being especially for her.

I think she felt quite special.

I don't know, Ella and Pais aren't the type to live in fantasy world all of the time. They don't typically dress up everyday or demand on going out in their dress-up clothes, thinking they're princess' or mimic every move while watching a Disney movie. (maybe b/c they're getting older?) It was fun to see them in their little girl, princess mode!

We only wish their Grandma's could have been there!

Let's open up our own! ;)

I don't know about you...

...but it looks like we've got some best friends in the making.

At our old apartment watching some tv. I love it when they're so close together and they're not pulling eachother's hair, or screaming at eachother to move out of their space! I run for my camera whenever it happens!

Together on the top bunk, the first week we moved into our new building.

Excited to go swimming for the first time in our new building

On our way for a breakfast party at Great Grandma and Grandpa Fabbi's, with the Allred family!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing my girls being so close throughout the day and them not even noticing it. Like they shared the same womb at the same time or something! My little Irish Twins is what people call them round these parts. Except ours is 18 months, not 12. :)

Jolly ways...

...to start out the holidays we...

Celebrated Hanukkah with friends, latkes, dreidals, menorahs and all!

We came to see the Graham's tree and dance before bedtime!

I've got three little game players...addicted to Plants vs. Zombies! Here they are playing together.

Ella lost her two bottom teeth! The tooth fairy even left some nerds for Pais! Santa let the fairy borrow them... and gum. He had to go out and get more stocking stuffers.

We also went to the Tree Lighting at Lincoln Center. The bus we were on was SUPER packed. Even though the girls were right on the other side of the bus, I couldn't see them. Two women started talking looking near Ella and looking concerned so I stood. Ella had fallen asleep! For the first time ever on a bus! She was sliding out of her seat. Had to take a picture.
So warm and cozy, after a long day at school!

After the lighting, the missionaries were handing out hot chocolate at the Temple and a man was there doing an ice carving of the Nutcracker. Such a fun night.

Aunt KT's Surprise!

(The girls waiting for the train and showing off their perfectly coordinating purple ensembles.)

Aunt KT had a BIG surprise for the girls.

And when I say BIG, I mean BIG.

So we hopped on the train, met her at JFK, telling the girls that we were meeting KT at work for dinner. Hot Dogs.

When we got there, she gave us a blue wristband....

...We waited anxiously to go through Jetblue crew members security, which is quite fast, you know, when you're with a crew member... :)

...And then ran into this sign...

And we flipped!! Except Ella, she wanted her hot dog. That child. ;)

Then the girls got their drink service... :)

We got our places in front of the stage...and waited...until KT motioned for the girls to go with her... QUICK!

And this is what happened while they were gone...

(Taylor decided she would only take pictures with children and I think that her peeps even took the pics and then sent it through email? I still don't know how we got them. :)

I hear from Leesy, that Ella and Pais made the Diva work for their love! ;) They were too shy to give her a hug, so they compromised with a high 5!

Elise also told me that she told Ella,

"You're so beautiful!"

and to Paisley,

"Your hair is SO pretty!"

Her father was handing out Taylor Swift guitar picks!

This second picture was in an Adobe file, so I don't know how to change it to upload...so I took a picture of my screen! :)
I really like Taylor Swift, and I've said this before, but I really think that she is a safe choice when it comes to celebrity role models for girls. And seriously, can't help but love her innocent, sing songy, simple, cute, pretty songs! Just love her. And she writes all of her own music, which I admire in an artist.
Ella listens to her every night on my ipod, so when Kaye offered to take us, Scott and I were super excited!! Thanks for thinking of us when deciding who to take! That was a once in a lifetime opportunity and so fun! I'm still not sure if that has sunken into the girls yet, as Paisley said she wanted Taylor Swift to be invited to her birthday, but with the pictures and memories, they are sure to never forget this fun night!

Yay!

And, if you youtube search this concert at JFK, you can find a couple versions with Paisley on my shoulders, bouncing up and down to the music! ;)

Paisley's 5th Birthday with Paka and Mimi. And The Chair.

We were so happy and had peace of mind that Paka and Mimi came all the way from Utah to visit and help with the girls while I was in Las Vegas and while Scott worked! I'm sure Paka got pictures of all the fun things they did. The girls favorite memories that they told us about were playing UNO, Reading books, going to Barnes and Noble, seeing Megamind and that Mimi made the best breakfast. Thank you again!! We also celebrated Paisley's 5th birthday while they were here! I was glad I at least got to see them...but like always, it's never long enough!

We had a yummy Sunday Pot Roast and a yummy Buttercream Bakery Cake!

The girls LOVED the card from Auntie Jen...and the nail stuff and the books and the Jingle Pup...She's good at gifts if you haven't noticed. :)

Elise made the SWEETEST card to Pais and got her a Unicorn Pillow Pet. I just heard Paisley in bed a few minutes ago say, "It's just so fluffy, I think I'm gonna die!" (Despicable Me!)

Paka and Mimi got the hard to find Disney Princess Wii game and the Littlest Petshop game as well. A perfect pick for Paisley the princess, puppy lover!

Thanks for celebrating with us.

She also got the Leaspter Explorer from Grandma Sue and Papa Kent, (I brought presents back from Vegas) which everyone is loving! I catch Scott playing it while the girls are at school. If we were to recommend a toy for the season, this would be it.

Scott and I were walking up our street (Oct. 29th) headed towards the girls school for their Halloween Celebrations. I love that he can go to things like this on his days off. However, when I saw this chair on the dirty street, and HAD to have it, it took me a lot of convincing...and he still wasn't having it. At that moment, I kinda wished he wasn't there. ;) I remember saying,

"Scott! Can't you imagine this chair blue or yellow or white? And our girls sitting in it on their birthday? Opening their presents and blowing out their candles?!"

He replied with a, "Is that how you imagine their birthdays to be like?"

So I took a few steps forward, turned around, picked it up and threw it in our car. He loves it now and I do too! On the bottom is a little note that says...

"For Our Baby Girl Blue, Paisley Anne On Her 5th Birthday!

We Love You! Mommy and Daddy!