A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Last night, Emily lost her FIRST TOOTH!

She was very excited. It has been dangling by a thread for a few days. Usually the tooth fairy gives $5 for the first tooth lost, and then things get cheaper the more teeth you lose. But Emily is into "quantity, not quality". She asked in her prayers for the tooth fairy to bring her a dollar, a quarter, a nickel, a dime, and a penny- because that seemed like a lot more than just one 5 dollar bill. The tooth fairy was listening, and she got all that plus an extra dollar. Her face was beaming this morning. She thought itwas the most awesome thing ever!

And, true to form, she didn't want to use my super cute little "Tooth Fairy's helper" doll with a pocket for your tooth. She did it "her own way"- and just put it under her pillow. We were kind of nervous it would get lost because it was so tiny. Luckily, the tooth fairy remembered to check before she went to bed. We wouldn't want a scenario like, when the Tooth Fairy goes to get the tooth and exchange it for said money the tooth is missing due to the child's wild sleeping, or maybe the Tooth Fairy suddenly remembers in the dark of night and fumbles around the child's bedroom, losing the tooth on the floor, then stressing while searching for it. Or, just forgets all together and awakens to an angry and confused child. It's happened before. (sorry, Hallie)

Anyway, HIP HIP HOORAY for Emily!

Look how cute she is with that space! She suddenly looks so old without her little tooth.

On a sidenote, here are a few more recent events:

-Hallie and Dylan both passed their swimming evaluations, and moved up a level (last one and Hallie can try out for swim team!)

-Dylan is potty training (finally, YAHOO!!!). So far, so good. Only one accident, and we're on day 2. Today in his gymnastics class he even used the bathroom. I was kinda nervous about being out of the house, and not 10 seconds away from a toilet, but I didn't need the change of clothes I brought! Is it just my kids or are boys 1000 times easier to potty train?

-And finally, Emily gave our Bishop a lesson on the birds and the bees (all we could do was laugh).

Quote of the Day by Dylan

Dylan likes to cuddle with me every night when he goes to bed. I usually talk with him a little bit about his day while we lay there. Not last night, but the night before, 24 robbers came knocking at my door (just kidding, that was for Julie), anyway, we were laying there and this was our conversation:

Dylan: "I smell something stinky. I think it's your breath, Mommy."

(Then he puts his blanket over his nose.)

Me: "Sorry, I won't talk anymore. Is it really stinky or just a little bit stinky?"

Dylan: "Really stinky...like dog breath. You smell like Annie."

Me: "Gross. Thanks"

Dylan: "You better go brush your teeth."

And, the moral of our story... if you want an honest answer, ALWAYS ask a kid!

Fall Break 2009

In the beginning of October (yes, a little behind here), the kids always have a Fall Break. The last few years we have been going to California and stay with my parents for the week. I usually plan activities and we go fun places, but this year was more of a "stay in Oxnard and just relax" trip. I just didn't feel like making it a busy vacation (and it rained for 2 of the days, anyway). We flew (just me and the kids, Mike stayed home for work) this year, as to avoid any possible car troubles (recall, last year). So here is a summary of what we did:

Oxnard Shores Beach & Playground

I love Emily's crossed legs in this picture! And yes, it was FREEZING!

Spencer doing "Blue Steel" while trying not to laugh

Woodshop with Grandpa

Spencer thought it was awesome to use this machine

He made a top (the spinning toy).

Dinner with Family

Stephan, Marnie & their girls came over for dinner and marshmallow roasting. That retarded look on Spencer'sface is because Grandpa let him start the fire...he's a firebug.

(Spencer, not Grandpa)

How adorable is little Ginger?

Ventura Harbor

We got icecream cones (thank you, Grandpa!)

The 3 big kids rode the freaky carousel there. There were all kinds of bizarre animals on it. Emily is on a reindeer, and notice the wild boar behind her.

Spencer found a chicken

Dylan HATES carousels, so he opted for a ride on the video game motorcyle. There was also an arcade in the same place as the carousel.

Photoshoot with the postcard cut-outs. The kids loved 'em.

Spencer insisted on being the mermaid to be silly.

Grandma and Grandpa

Me and Spency

Dylan

Channel Islands National Park & Museum

The view from the top of the observation tower-one of the days it had been raining.

Statues outside the museum

This is actual size of one of these seals. I didn't know they got so big! Gross.

One of my favorites-it makes me laugh. Spencer imitating the seal.

La Jolla Hike

We went to La Jolla the day before we left, and the weather was perfect (probably because we were leaving). It was my favorite thing. I have fond memories of hiking there when I was little. Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way to the waterfall (which was probably dry anyway), because Dylan and Grandma were having some difficulties. Maybe next year.

Meet "Bat"

I forgot this on our Halloween post...

This is "Bat". Emily's pumpkin she made at school. She also filled out a profile on Bat:

Favorite Color: red and green

Favorite Food: apples

Favorite Hobby: to color

Favorite sport: soccer

Halloween 2009

It's no secret I hate Halloween. Especially today, the day after, when the kids are all hopped up on sugar. I still always take pictures, though, because I want the kids to have fond memories of what they dressed up as every year.

(This is post is dedicated to Hallie my "holiday queen".)

We aren't big dresser-upers, but we went to an awesome Halloween party and costumes were required. I was "Octomom" and Mike was "the inseminator" doctor. This picture is a good example of how much better something can look in real life...this picture looks retarded. We totally looked better in real life. My favorite part is the black doll in the front.

Spencer as "Mr. Disco". He went to his first party on Halloween Eve, and had a super fun time. Apparently, his afro and chest hair were a hit...along with his awesome dance moves, of course.

Pirate Hallie. A last minute costume (from 2 years ago). She WAS a witch, until her witch dress mysteriously vanished...still haven't found it. We probably will next year when noone wants to be a witch.

Of course, Emily was "Batgirl". This costume got it's fair share of use even BEFORE Halloween, and I'm sure she'll be wearing it many months from now.

Dylan LOVES Emily, so of course he had to be a Superhero with her. He actually DID wear shoes, but he never cooperated when I tried to take a picture, so this is the best I got.

There was a contest in one of Hallie's classes to find a face for a pumpkin that the teacher would carve. Her design won, so she got to bring the pumpkin home.

Here is the pumpkin that the family carved (minus Spencer, he was off with his friends creating a haunted house for the trick or treaters). It's a ghost cat that Emily designed. Mike and I thought we were off the hook for pumpkin carving this year when Hallie brought home her winning pumpkin, but there were tears and sorrow (mostly from Hallie, who loves everything about all holidays) so we gave in and just got one pumpkin. It was actually really cute in real life. Farewell Halloween, until next year.