Happy Birthday Miss E!!

Today is my youngest daughter's 6th birthday. This morning she said(with dramatic flair) "I'm six today, bye bye five!" Here are a few pics of the family party we had last night. Tonight I am making what she requested: cheeseburgers, my homemade Spanish rice and a green salad. The second pic is of the birthday girl with a cookie bouquet from the Penmans. How darling (and delicious)!! Tomorrow she is having a party at RoyalTea where the girls get to dress up, play games and have a tea party. Pics to follow. Happy Birthday Princess!!

What do you smell like??

Yesterday I was hugging my oldest daughter. She, like her father, is very sensitive to smells. While hugging me she proclaimed "Mmmm. Mom you smell good. You smell like, like Nordstroms."
Uh oh. Did she say I smelled like Nordstroms??? Oh great. I think I am in trouble.
On a side note the weather here is fabulous!!! Air that feels cool, what a concept.

Summer Blues

I know some people probably don't want to hear this but I am sick of the sun!! Yesterday it actually went behind a cloud. I don't want to jinx anything but I think we may be heading into "cooler" weather. It is only supposed to get into the high 90's all week and the lows will be, get this, in the 70's. While I realize this is still summer weather for most of you, that is the beginning of fall out here in the Sonoran Desert. I think I actually felt a breeze today that did not feel like I just walked into an oven or in front of a blow dryer. My girls said they were looking forward to wearing pants...how pathetic and sad. We look forward to that kind of thing out here. Hope you are all enjoying your weather which, I am sure, is cooler than here. I am making a vow NOT to say anything negative about the weather this fall/winter. I am actually looking forward to putting on a sweater. It will be a very thin one, made of cotton, but hey, it's got sleeves!!! Happy Fall everyone.

Girls Rule!!

My oldest seems to think so at least. The other day she pointed out a woman at her gymnastics practice and said "Mom, she is the manager." To which I replied "How do you know??" "Well, she is in charge of the office.." and then she got a look on her face and continued "I guess she would actually be a womanger." I laughed and said: "Well I guess you are right. I think you just made up a new word." Now anytime she sees a woman in charge...she calls her the womanger!!! Hilarious. Makes me wonder what's next.

Power point presentations

Well the other day my oldest daughter informed me that "I want more homework." HUH???? To which my husband said "That's your daughter!" So after talking with her teacher it was agreed that she would do a power point presentation. She chose giraffes. It was quite fun having her tell me what to write. Lines such as: "This is an image of a giraffe laying down." Well she presented it to her class today and it went really well. Geez I don't think I did a power point presentation until I was at least 27, she is 7.
Next up-helping me write my dissertation. Yes!!

Blame it on the Wayne....

Okay so yesterday the husband walked into the playroom where my girls were watching one of the Barbie movies. It was on a scene that had a valley in the background. My husband asked the girls:
"Was that valley formed by a glacier or a river?" To which my oldest daughter replied: "It is from a glacier because it is U shaped."

I guess she was paying attention to him.

The facts of life

So the other day my oldest daughter says: "Mom, some day I will go through puberty and start my period. And I will get Cha-Chas -you know, bazoombas- then I will get a driver's license and a car that is purple, with red flames on the side."

Well. Now if it all goes that seemlessly-that would be nice. (I draw the line on a purple car.) I am not so sure it will all unfold so smoothly but I guess there is always hope. At least she knows what she is in for--kinda.

But it still FEELS like summer.

Okay so like my sister Dr. Write and her hubby Middlebrow I am dreading the first day of class. Unlike them, however, it does start tomorrow, MONDAY. Who created classes for undergrads on Monday? At least it isn't until 12. I am sure most hangovers are better by then. And I also have homework for a class I am taking, which is also on Monday-Monday night. Nothing like starting full speed. I haven't received any emails..yet. I am still trying to get over both of my daughters being in school. I miss them. I miss that they don't seem to miss me, although I am SURE that is not true...I used to like the sound of silence. But now it just seems, well, quiet. Some of our best friends came out to visit this weekend which was a great way to stay in denial for just a bit longer. Plus, it is over 100. How can school start when it is over 100??? I am also looking at all I did not do over the summer. I'll just blame it on the heat. "Yea, it was too hot to get new curtains in our bedroom." If that doesn't work, I just blame the kids. Yes, that usually works. Just blame the kids...happy back to school to all!!!!

Anagram fun!!

Okay the other day husband found a cool website that will make anagrams of anything...I know, we're nerds....but anyway it is fun to type different words in and see what comes out. Here are a few of the better ones:

Erin Phd= hip nerd
Erin the blogger= rebel gone right or hot beer niggler (fyi-that means someone who complains)...hmm well maybe that explains a lot. I hope you all have much more to do than figure out anagrams, if not try it out and see what you come up with!!!

It's not the end of the world but you can see it from there...

Okay so I am finally back from Idaho etc. Great time relaxing, eating and drinking. I will borrow from Dr. Write's genius writing brain and list my highlights.

1. Going to Yellowstone-favorite part was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.(see photo)
2. Driving through the Tetons and hearing my daughter say in her best French accent: "Ho, ho the Tetons" followed by "Mom, they named those mountains after boobs. I mean who does that??" (French men).
3.Taking tour of High School and not feeling insignificant and insecure.
4. Taking daughters to see my old schools and houses.
5. Being relived that I am not SO old that my former schools and houses still exist.
6. Seeing parents of one of my dear friends from High School and realizing again why I love them.
7. Drinking margaritas and other libations with family.
8. Eating at a taco truck in Pocatello...I mean who knew?
9. Meeting a security guard in the SLC airport who dated one of my classmates-he actually knew where ISU was and then he and the other guards made jokes about Pocatello.
10. The girls getting to see their cousins.
10. Having all my family together.

Oh and because of this trip I have new addictions like Spicy Thai and Buffalo Bleu chips, burritos from taco truck and Entourage. In addition to the picture of the GC of Yellowstone, here are a few great pics I took. Enjoy your summer while it lasts.

Back in town and back to school

We just returned from our 2 week vacation (details later) but I thought I would post the most exciting news first, the first day of school!! Yes believe it or don't, the girls had their first day of school today. Kindergarten and second grade. I can't believe it. I was home all alone today. Not that I noticed. I was busy unpacking and washing and buying groceries. But still it was a bit lonely. I can't really believe that both of my girls will be gone all day. Whatever will I do with myself?? Well I have a list a mile long and school starts for me in about 3 weeks so this won't last forever. Because I am a mom, I have pictures of their first day. They are two of the cutest girls alive!! Yes they chose the same shirt but opted for different skirts. Hope all of you have a great first day of school too!!

Especially for EGP

This post is in honor of my niece, EGP:
Okay so my daughter #1 comes down to the kitchen and here is our conversation:
Daughter 1: "Hey mom, guess what we are playing with our barbies?"
Me: I don't know.
Daughter 1: What Not to Wear. This is the Barbie that needs a makeover.
Me: Oh really. That's good.
Daughter 1: Yea, she needs a new hair do. And outfit.

Okay so I don't let the girls watch much tv, mostly movies. The shows I do let them see are usually ones they watch with me, which are What Not To Wear and cooking shows on Food Network. Today while watching Barefoot Contessa the daughters and I were watching Ina make cookies.
Daughter 1: Hey mom, is she going to pipe those cookies? That is so cool? With their names?
Me: Yes. She is going to pipe the names.

I just think it is cool that she even knows what piping is....it is definitely better than what is on TV today. We are going to be working on some of those recipes . Better then trying to explain all the crap that is on TV...

California or bust!!!

The girls and I flew to Cali for a few days so we could all visit with our friends. We had a great time-I managed to NOT go to Disneyland or the beach...yes I am not too crazy about the beach in SoCal and we have been to Disneyland many times already. I was able to distract them with swimming, playing and spending the night with friends. It was a great time. The pictures are ones I took of the girls while we were there. They happened to pick out the same dress and they wore them to church. I think people thought they were twins!! They looked darling. Next week, we are off to Idaho. Geez the girls need to start school so I can rest...yea right!!

How to tell if you're crazy

Something happened the other day that confirmed by long held fear that I have indeed lost my mind. In light of this I thought I would make a list of things to look for if you think you have lost your mind (or signs you are a mother....)

1)You can't remember what day it is and take your kids to the wrong place on the wrong day.
2)You can't remember things you just said or wrote.
3) You can't remember things you just said or wrote.
4) You rely on a 7 year old to remember items at the grocery store.
5) Even though the 7 year old remembers the items you told her, you still forget several things that you forgot to tell her. Of course you don't realize this until you are walking out of the store.
6) If you didn't write the appt. down in your calendar and get a reminder call you forget to go.
7) You forget things you've known for awhile like your own phone number or the capital of one of the states.
8) You forget what number 8 was......

Or maybe it's just me and I need some medication or something. Or a lobotomy. Or both.

Happy Father's Day

I would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. We spent the day at the pool and BBQing. We grilled halibut and squash. It was delicious. For dessert I made Wayne his favorite- Vanilla Ice Cream. We put some fresh blueberries on top. Yummy! My daughters like to make Daddy stuff so here is a picture of what I and they made at As You Wish. He is getting quite a collection of bowls and cups. The small blue bowl was done by me and is currently being used to hold his pick collection-no small feat!! The purple and green bowl was done by our youngest daughter. She loved the "sponging effect". The dog is meant to look like our dog Bailey (and it is pretty close) done by our oldest daughter. Hope you all have fun with your loved ones.

Poem

Here is a poem that my oldest daughter wrote me a few weeks ago. I just came across it and thought I would share:

Dear Mom,

I think you are a angel, that was sent to me from above
and sprinkled me with hopes and love!


Isn't that sweet??? (sniff, sniff).

Psycho???

Here is a conversation I had with my oldest daughter the other day:

Me :(I just said something sarcastic but I can't remember exactly what it was because I do it so often.)
D#1: Mom, you're being sarcastic aren't you??
Me: Yes honey I am.
D#1: Or is it psychotic??
Me: Well I am that too but no sarcastic was the right word.
D#1: I know mom, I was joking.
Me: Oh. I get it.

P.S. Daughter is only 7.

Daughters playing

Here is a little example of the type of conversations my daughters have while they are playing.

D#1: I will be a princess.
D#2: No, I want to be a princess.
D#1: Okay then, I will be a mermaid. Like Ariel.
D#2: Well actually I heard princesses don't have skeletons so I don't want to be a princess.
D#1: Of course princesses have skeletons, Cinderella walks around. She couldn't do that without a skeleton.
D#2: Umm, yea well I'm just gonna be a commoner.

That pretty much says it all right there...they are hilarious!!!

Bragging...

Since it is every mothers right to brag about her kids I thought I would share some of the top conversations I have had with my girls lately.

Daughter 1: Mom, what is precautious?
Me: Do you mean precocious?
D#1: Oh yea that.
Me: It means wise for your age.
D#1:You mean like me?
Me: Uh-huh.
D#1: That's funny. When I read it I thought it was precautious.

Me: Hey do you need to go to the bathroom?
D#1: No because I haven't had any beverages lately.

Me: What is going on in the movie?
D#2: Oh that man just defeated the monster. You know mom, he beat him.
Me: Yes I know what defeated means.

D#2: Mom, Carson likes me. Everyone in my class likes me. I'm funny.
Me: Well I am glad you get along with everyone but...
D#2: But it's true.

I am sure there are more but that is all I can think of right now. I am sure there will be more later as we have been having lots of fun so far this summer.

Summer Sun Shrinks Cerebellum?

Summer is in full swing out here. Swimming, tanning, sweating, doing TaeBo. We watched the University of Arizona win the college softball championship (Go Wildcats!). Daughter 1 saw how they were all in good shape and she commented: "Maybe they do Taebo."

Later Daughter 2 asked if I drove a Porsche. "No, but close. I have a Taurus." "Umm-I thought it was a Porsche." I couldn't tell if it was disappointment in her voice or not.
Maybe too much sun does effect the brain. If this is the case, we are all screwed.