Delight #2, DREW

Who gave Drew the licorice?
Drew's getting big. Case and point.

Drew met Sully, if only they knew their future destiny of BFF's and future college roommates

8 Months!

Drew, Drewby (all of us), Big D (Mom, Dad & Grandpa Hamblin), Drew Drew (Max, Nana), Drewy Cat (Rosie...who else?), Baby Drew (Lizzy, our cousin Emily & the rest of us),

Drewy or Drewy Drew (Lizzy, Rosie, Mom).

No matter how you say it, Drew is our Delight for sure. Can you tell we absolutely love this baby? As for his new 8 month old tricks: 1- he has a sweet tooth, and that is about it. He still doesn't care for baby food, but will put up a good fight for a little lick of licorice (of course, I as his mother would never ever let him taste anything with sugar in it, never). 2- He says Uh-Oh regularly and means it. 3- Drew is also working on his waving skills, he waves at himself mostly, which we all find hilarious. Baby D is the life of the party, and we love having him around.

In A Whirl

Jolly Old Saint Nick was the star this year (and enjoyed dining on wrapping paper)! Max couldn't wait for Santa to come, Rosie would rather hold Baby D than play or open presents, Lizzy was most excited about a book given to her at a family party, and yes, I love the matching pj's. Any questions? Good.

Newport part 1

When I was a girl, I loved checking out from our school library American Girl Doll books. Samantha and Kirsten we my favorites. I loved them. I wanted Samantha desperately. When I begged my Mom for her, she told me I was to old for dolls and that I wouldn't play with her enough to pay the $$ for them. She may have had a point, since I was in 6th grade, but STILL!

Luckily I've been blessed to live through these two girls of mine who also love American Girl. While in Newport, we made the 1 1/2 hour (gotta love LA traffic) trek to the mother ship, The American Girl Doll Store. It was more than I could handle. Nana came and we both were dazzled. The girls, Nana and I had a wonderful lunch in their cafe, and it was worth every last penny I tell you. If you are even remotely close to the area I highly suggest a visit, it was a highlight of our Newport trip......even though it wasn't even close Newport.

...Second Star to The Right,

Out of the Mouth of Babes:

What was you favorite part about going to Disneyland?
Max- Riding Jet Blue!!
Parents- Wow! Okay Max! What about a ride in Disneyland?
Max- Umm, Buzz Light Year and Pirates
Lizzy- I LOVED California Screaming and Soaring' Over California. DREWY was so cute there, he loved it.
Max- I loved that one, that was my favorite too Lizzy.
Rosie- Holding Baby Drew on Small World (about 5 times), and loosing my tooth by the Matterhorn.
Max- Yea Matterhorn! That was my favorite too Rosie!
Rosie- Max, you didn't loose a tooth, I DID!
Max- Oh yea, I know Rosie.
Rosie- And getting my face painted (thanks Aunt Nancy!) with Emily.
Mom- I loved Small World!
Max- Small World was my favorite ride!
Mom- I also loved going at night (thus the super dark picture) and it was so fun to be there with my entire family, my dear Grandparents, Aunt, and Kelly's brother Kurt, our Sis-in-Law Natalie and our cute cousin Emily (on her birthday nonetheless).
Max- I'm going there for my birthday. Nana is coming.
Rosie- I WANT TO GO ON MY BIRTHDAY! CAN I MOMMY! THAT’S NO FAIR!
And, so goes the conversations about our delightful September trip to Disneyland.

Going Three Times...

Lastly was Max, off to his first year of Preschool. He's been waiting for his turn for quite some time. A few notable comments after day one-

"First we Learn-ded, then we played" and "I miss-head you Mommy, and Baby Drewy too" and "Tan I have a snack...ice cream?".

Going Twice...

First Day of Kindergarten:

Mom- WOW Rosie, you have put all of your jewelry on...every last piece.

Rosie- Yea. I KNOW. It's my first day of Kind-ear-gotten, so it's fancy.

Mom- Yes, that is fancy, but Rosie you know you don't have to wear every piece of jewelry to be fancy. In fact, sometimes it's better to just to wear your very very favorite, that way people can focus on that one very fancy piece.

Rosie- Hmmmmmm. Okay. But, I'm wearing my gold sparkle shoes.

Later on the way to school-

Mom- Rosie, maybe we shouldn't have you go this year.....maybe you could stay home with me and your brothers for just one more year. Whatcha think?

Rosie- BUT MOM.....I JUST GOT MY NAILS DONE (thanks Nana) and they won't last until next year so I HAVE TO GO THIS YEAR (in a very exasperated tone, head shaking, while holding up her freshly manicured fingers)!!!!

Mom- okay, when you put it like that, I guess you have to go.

And off she went too. My Rosie. My little companion. There were tears.

Going Once....

And she's off to Third Grade. Just like that. No more summer. No more: "Mommy, I can change Drew if you want" or "I can hold Drew for you while you ------- (fill in the blank, it could be a number of things) or "Can I get Drew dressed and pick his outfit?". None. Zip. Zero. Zilch! We're going to miss her on the home front, but, third grade's a blast, so, away she goes.

How Sweet It Is!

How sweet it is to bring home a new baby! This time, for me, it was equally as sweet to be in the hospital, enjoying my new baby. I didn't want to leave! I had my favorite nurse Julie, a window with a view and the baby mostly to myself. Now, being home, I share baby Drew with his very adoring siblings and Daddy. Drew is truly the sweetest baby around, we have never had such a relaxed, yet alert newborn (knock on wood, I know he's only a week old). Enjoying every moment with new baby Drew has been my goal, letting house chores, returning phone calls and other life necessities go for a time. This of course is made possible by my good Mother and other supportive friends and family who have been so generous with their time. Having a baby is the most rewarding experience I have had in my life. I feel fulfilled and blessed. Now, off to sneak a nap in cuddling my little 9 pound bundle.

Lifers, Part 2

One thing I loved about growing up the eldest of 6 was: there was always someone to do something with. Anytime I wanted a playmate, shopping buddy or movie pal, I got it. As I watched our 2 girls and Max interact on our trip, I hoped they were having the same experience. So far, they seem to be perfectly content playing with each other and truly enjoy one another's company. It's been a blessing the girls are close in age and enjoy the same things. Max is content with either, but seems to favor Lizzy if she is home. They have meshed to together, our three, and I am thankful. Our prayer is they also become "lifers", that they establish a strong sibling bond that will lead them through adulthood as friends and confidants. How will baby #4 fit in? This I have wondered and at times worried about. But, as I quietly watch and listen to their interactions with each other, I'm lead to believe their love too will multiply, not divide, and soon we will have four "lifers" to love.

All Body

Mom- Max, are you excited to be a Sunbeam in Primary? You are so Big!

Max- Yea, "ZZY" goes.

Mom- Yep, Lizzy goes to Primary.

Max- Ro-zie goes there.

Mom- That's right, so does Rosie.

Max- You go in the Pie-mary, huh Mommy.

Mom- I know Max, I'm so excited to have you come.

Max- All Body's go to Primary, not Nurchee, Primary.

Mom-Yes, Everybody goes to Primary, not Nursery!

Needless to say, Max has been a fun addition to Primary. He is the youngest sunbeam and the LOUDEST, but I can't help but love his boisterous comments and enthusiastic singing in a place where "All Body" is welcome.

You Can't Catch Me

"The Cookie" So cute I could eat her up!

The Cookie making new friends, who also

acted like they wanted to eat

her up!


The Cookie with a Sugar Plum Paige,
who both had visions of Sugar Plums
at ages 3 (Grace) and 4 (The Cookie) when they
first attended the Nutcracker together.

A big heart-felt thank you to all of The Cookie's fans! We
appreciated the flowers, toys, candy and books you brought. But,
mostly we appreciated your time to come support our dancer.

Once upon a time, a little old woman and a little old man lived in a cottage. One day, the little old woman made a gingerbread girl. She made red velvet stickers for her cheeks and a very darling (and very hot) gingerbread suit for her to wear (although, I really didn't make any of her costume). As they pulled her out of the oven, she jumped off the tray and opened the window shouting: "Run, Run as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Cookie". The little old woman and the little old man chased her all the way to........

Year 2 of The Nutcracker.

Our Lizzy delighted her parents and friends looking darling as the Gingerbread Cookie in the Nutcracker. What fun it was to watch her. A very special THANK YOU goes out to Grandma H. who lovingly took her to dress rehearsals and performances while we were away enjoying some sunshine. Lizzy enjoyed being the youngest dancer in the "fight scene" and basked in the attention she received from Toy Soldiers, Bears, Dolls, Candy Canes and Mice. As always, I left this year wondering if we will do it again next year, considering the enormous amount of time required during the holidays. Yet, even as I write this post and look at her face in the pictures, I have a feeling I know what my answer will be in 9 short months from now.

Her Own Fancy Way

As I was debating on how we should celebrate Rosie's birthday this year, Nana came up with the most fitting idea: A Posh Birthday Soiree (that's fancy for a fancy birthday party). Brilliant Nana. Simply Brilliant!

The young ladies were invited to come in their exquisite attire for an afternoon of pampering and primping (at the local Beauty School) and than back to the house for some ice cream parfaits. Writing and creating the invite was a highlight. We be-dazzled and feathered it to Rosie's approval. I'm starting to agree that Fancy really is "more funner".

The day of the Party was so fun, all the little ladies looked darling in their "fanciest dress my Mommy said I could wear". The beauty school was a huge success, their students did a fabulous job with the girls (and did you know it's only $7 for a facial? I will be returning!).

Rosie enjoyed it the most: the getting ready, the presents, the "fancy" hair and nails, the ice cream sundaes and all of our attention. In the words of Fancy Nancy herself, it was a "Splendiferous" birthday for a lady who has her own Fancy way of doing things. Happy Birthday Dearest Rosie, may you always stay true to your inner Fancy.

The Fancy Lady...

Goes Shopping:

While Shopping at Nordstrom Rack:

Rosie- Mommy, is this where Fancy Girls shop?

Mommy- Yes, Rosie. It defiantly is. (Fancy Girls who want a deal, that is)

Rosie- O.K. Great! I'm going to look for some more Fancy Clothes, like, you know.

Mommy- Yes, I know. You could use some more school shoes Rose.

Rosie- Hmmmmmmmmm. Let me see. (after several attempts to find fancy shoes that were appropriate on the preschool play ground, she found these, and it was love at first sight...can you blame her?)

Gets Fancy:
Rosie (at 8:00 a.m.)- Nana, when are you coming to take me for our special day like Lizzy?

Nana- Ask your Mom when you can go, I can go on Monday or Tuesday.

Rosie- When is Monday or Tuesday? Is that today? Is that tomorrow day? No Max, you can't come, it's for girls, not BOYS (Max is devastated).

Goes to Preschool:

(The Mother goes in to wake older sister Lizzy D. for school and finds a surprise...)

Mommy- Rosie!! What are you doing up so early? And getting dressed? And Bed already made? While Lizzy is still sleeping?

Rosie- MOMM-Y don't you remember that I have preschool today and we have to Be Prepared?

Mommy- Oh, yes, Rosie, I do, but your school doesn't start until after Lunch.

Rosie- I need to get ready, so I'll be ready first. Before Lizzy (that shouldn't be a problem).

Mommy- O.K., Rosie, way to be prepared!

Rosie- I need my lip gloss that Nana gave me for my back-pack.

Mommy- I completely understand, my Fancy Girl (LIZZY WAKE-UP!!).

Rosie- I just can't find what purse it's in!

School Girl

Dear 2nd Grade,

I present to you a professionally manicured & pedicured (Thanks Nana!), newly outfitted, sun-kissed, mom-kissed, excited and well prepared, Lizzy D. Treat her kindly. Enjoy her. Fill her mind with "virtuous, lovely,...praiseworthy," things. And please send her home promptly at 3:35 with a smile, and plenty of exciting news to share of the adventures you two will have together.

Warmly,

Her Mother.

P.S.- If you could also teach her to remember to bring home her lunch box each day from school, that would be fabulous.

P.P.S- Also, it would be nice if you didn't send home any homework over the weekends, holidays, or my birthday, or Lizzy's birthday, in fact, the whole month of May should simply be avoided. Thank you for your understanding.

Made for You and Me

One Saturday afternoon in late May:

Lizzy- Rosie, I can give you bike riding lessons today!

Rosie- OK, what level am I on?

Lizzy- I think level 2.

Rosie- Really?!? I've got to go tell Mommy!

Lizzy- But, before I can teach you, we have to start the lessons with the Pledge.

Rosie- Lizzy, I only know the pledge of alli-chance, not the bike pledge!?!

Lizzy- ROSIE, it's the SAME THING.

Rosie- OK! I should say it with my Helmet on.....right Lizzy....??

Happy 4th of July!

Part 2- Ballet & Me

Enrolling your child in a dance class can be tricky. Just like choosing a pre-school, dance educational philosophies must be thought about and decided upon. Finding the perfect mix of quality and fun instruction- (meet Ms. Karame) can be difficult. Hoping your children make friends within their class can be worrisome. Wanting a classy dance recital that uses age appropriate costumes and music can be hard to find. And lastly, having all of these things and enjoying the company of the other Mother's seems like a tall, almost impossible order to fill. But, somehow I was able to have it all this last year.

Elizabeth and Rosie's ballet school became my Wednesday afternoon Home. I looked forward to going each week and often wondered how the 2 hours passed so quickly. Both the girls and I made new friends, of the close friend variety. Advice was given, recipes shared, support offered and bonds created. When news of the School closing came, tears flowed freely as we discussed how much we loved our little Ballet School; how much we loved each other and how we had taken it all for granted. Now, after a successful June recital, we pledged to stay together, once strangers, now a cohesive ballet family. We have found a new place; we will make it our new home.

My girls enjoy dancing for different reasons it seems. Lizzy, naturally graceful, cried after her recital because she would never be able to perform her dance again. Rosie, a bubbly people-person, cried herself to sleep because she wasn't going to be in “Ms. Karame's class ever, ever, ever again”. As for me, I'm mourning a loss of yet another element in my life changing, and at the same time, doing my best to enjoy the journey along the way.