Happy New Year!

light up shoes

Porter has wanted light up shoes since last year. I did not want to buy them for him because I think they are ugly. Today after we went to the New Children's Museum we went to Nordstrom. I was thinking that they would not have any light up shoes and I would just get him a new pair of Converse. Well they had them and this is what Porter came home with. They only cost $69 and they are the last pair I will ever buy him.

Holiday

good food, good wine, good fun

thanks sara

Thank you Sara for your amazing rendition of We Are The World. I just hope it is not another year before I get to see it again. I have tears just thinking about it. I wish there was a video because it would be a you tube hit. Lorien when are you going to have a party again?

The Daily Rant

My friend Josh just started a blog. You should check it out.

Sea World

Saturday afternoon I took the kids to Sea World for a few hours. I went out Friday night, so I wanted to give Jason a break from the kids. Sea World was not crowed at all and we had a really great time. I did not get stressed out or frustrated with the kids and they were just so happy to be there. We checked out the maze of trees and Liesl and I pet the reindeer. We went through the Shark Encounter twice, pet the stingrays, and went on a few rides. When we left it was dark, so all of the decorations were lit up and pretty.

sleep over

My sister is down from LA until Christmas, so they came over today to visit. Henry and Porter were having so much fun playing that Henry asked if he could spend the night. Shauna said it was okay, so he is in bed with Porter and Liesl is in our bed. It is nice and fun to have Henry here and he told me that he is going to stay for 10 nights and he wants pears with dinner again tomorrow night.

brunch

Brunch at the La Valencia. A perfect day.

Solstice Shrub

My house feels cozy with a tree in it!

Balboa Park

Today I took the kids over to Balboa Park. We went to the Zoro Garden, watched this group for a while, went to the Japanese Friendship Garden and to the Museum of Man. When I told Porter about the Museum of Man, he told me that he was going to be a man some day like daddy. It was a fun day.

a cup, a string and a tree

reminds me of this.

work party

Last night we went to the US Grant for Jason's work party. The alcohol was free, the food sucked and the DJ was your typical corporate work party DJ. Jason was recognized for his years of service and received a generic thank you letter and a company monogrammed pen. I of course clapped and cheered when his name was called and I think the whole room looked at me. Later, I went up to the 45 year old CEO and brought him back to our table to introduce to everyone. After the party we walked to the new Chee Chee Club and met a few people on the way. The Chee Chee was fun, we drank more and played some pool, well I think I tried to play anyway. We ended the night at the new El Dorado Cocktail Lounge, formerly the Hong Kong. I am not a Downtown person, I prefer to stick with my kind up in the North Park area, but I really liked the El Dorado and will definitely go again. I am thinking of scheduling a MNO there in January.

Yes, that is me on the street with a wine glass.

pine cones

Monday we went to a park out in El Cajon that did not have a play structure. I really like when the kids are able to use their imagination and nature to play instead of just hanging out at a traditional playground. We went on a little hike and collected some pine cones. Today after school I a was going to take the kids to the zoo and meet up with some friends, but I decided to stay home. The kids painted the pine cones with paint and glitter. They were into it for about 10 minutes before they wanted to come back inside.

Tea Party

Today Jason took Porter to the North Park Toy Land Parade and the coffee shop while I took Liesl to a tea party. It was a fun day and when I got home my house was beautiful and clean thanks to Letty, our family friend and every once in a while house cleaner.

kids

California Wolf Center

Today we went to the California Wolf Center . It took an hour to get there and we had to drive for about a mile on this really bumpy dirt road. I called my friend a few times to make sure I was going the right way. It was crazy and I seriously thought I was going to pop a tire. The talk had already started by the time we got there, so we missed some of it. Not that it really mattered that much because after an hour in the car all the kids wanted to do was run around. The kids were able to touch the Alaskan Wolf pelt.
Porter spotted a wolf.

We hung out at the center for a little while, so the kids could play and have some lunch. After that we drove down the road a little ways and stopped at a trail to go on a hike.
Porter was trying to figure out how to get around the water that was on the trail.


The wolf center was lovely and they are doing some great things to help reintroduce wolfs into the wild. I would only go back if the kids were older because my kids were a little young for it.

sewing fun and preschool

Today my friend and I decided to keep our older kids at school for an extra 2 hours, so we could sew. I finished three projects and started another,so it was a productive day for me. Here is Liesl and Nyssa modeling the dress and skirt I finished.


I picked Porter up a half hour before I said I would and I am so happy I did. The school has been going through some changes and I told Porter that he would not stay for lunch until they got a new teacher. I wanted to go to the grocery store on Tuesday, so he stayed a little later and then today, so that was twice in a week. When I picked him up he told me that earlier he went poop and that they made him wipe his butt. I know he is 4 1/2 and could do it himself, but I just don't fight it with him. When he wipes himself he smears it all over and then it is a lot more work for me to finish the job. Last year he pooped once at school and he does not do it that often, so what were the chances that he would have to do it at school? So, back to today, Porter told me that one aide had him wipe, then the other aide came in and made him finish wiping. I guess the first one was having a hard time with him. I understand, I would not want to wipe another kid, but I don't want Porter to be treated badly. Porter told me that he was crying because he was sad and he did not tell the aids this but he wanted his mommy. This just breaks my heart, he really does not need to be in preschool, I am a SAHM. Oh what to do, what to do.

carrots belong in soup

This evening while we were eating dinner, Liesl asked me to feed her, so I put a carrot on her fork and she took a bite. She chewed it up, then spit it out and said "carrots belong in soup" and since we were not eating soup, she could not eat it? 2 year old madness.

the musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

chicken dance

Today Liesl had her second dance class and she loved it. It is so cute to watch her take a class and listen to the teacher and follow directions.
Here she is checking herself out.

and this is the face she gave me when I asked her to look at me.

After dance class we went to Peoples and ran into my friend who just got some baby chicks. I picked up Porter from school and took the kids over to check them out. The kids were not that as into them as I thought they would be. I tried to hold one, but freaked out, so my friend just put it on my knee and that was okay.

sick

The kids and I have been sick and all I really need is a good night of sleep. I hope I get it tonight.

my sister's baby

Catherine
11-25-08
2:52AM
8lbs 4oz
18.5 inches

LA

I just drove up to LA because my sister is in labor, kind of. It was a quick 2ish hour drive, no traffic. I am going to stay here until tomorrow and if she does not have the baby I guess I will just come home. Not sure yet what I am going to do.

Soccer Party

Saturday was the last soccer game of the season. They played a great game and ended the season with just one loss. Porter really had a fun season and learned a lot from the coach and teammates. After the game we had pizza and cupcakes, then Coach Jim handed out trophies.

5 years

Jason and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary with dinner at the the Farm House Cafe. The food was really good and we had a nice time. After dinner we went over to the Red Fox Room where we met some friends, then to a few more bars. We rode our bikes all over and it was just a really fun night.
11-22-2003, County Clerks Office, 11 weeks pregnant with Porter

Porter

Liesl

Bobble Head Liesl

Scary Liesl

Princess Liesl

sorry

Yesterdays post was kind of lame, come on do you really want to see a picture of my light? I just did not have anything else to say and wanted to get back to my latest TV addiction 90210. I was working on a knitting project too, so I am not just vegging out and doing nothing. My TV addiction is getting really bad with all the new shows on, I just can't help myself. I don't watch TV during the day, so I tell myself it is okay. Tonight is the finale of ANTM and I am going to watch it right after this. Some things going on in my life that I am thinking about right now. My friend had a baby girl this week and I am anxious to hear all about it. My sister was due with her baby on Monday and anytime she calls I think it is the call to come up. I can't wait! Jason and I are celebrating our 5th anniversary on Saturday unless she is in labor. Porter's last soccer game and party are on Saturday. Kidical Mass is on Saturday, just too many things, so Shauna don't have your baby on Saturday, not going to work for us. Just kidding. Alright I am of to watch my shows.

old and new

This light came with the house and Jason never liked it, so when my parents offered us a new one we took it.

Our lovely new light.

tact

Growing up I was always a little odd. I got along fine with people, but I had very few really close friends. I was not one of those people who others are drawn to and want to be around with a magnetic personality. I was the person who asked the inappropriate questions and never knew when to stop. I always knew I was odd, but could not put my finger on what it was until I met Jason. One night after a few months of dating he told me that I had no tact. It really hit me and it was like a light went off and I finally realized what it was I was lacking. Since that night I have been working on it and I am better, but not as good as I want to be. Shoot, I just sent off a ranting email that I should have just deleted, so yeah I have some work to do. Anyway, I was inspired by Julia to look at my old yearbooks and I came across this one message that I have to share. This was in my junior year annual and written by my sister's senior year boyfriend.

Natalie,
I am really glad I met you this year. I've gotta say that you are a very straightforward person. You say thing how you see them, and you don't kiss any ass. I like that in a person. This summer, let's me and you and a bunch of friends go out to the river and drink cases of beer with your dad (just kidding Mr Carlson). Shauna can stay home if she can't handle the intense party. I know this sounds trite, but lets definitely do something over the summer.

Love Peter M.

PS
you can come up to UCLA and party when Shauna comes up.

He also left his phone number and drawing of an MGD can, my drink of choice back then apparently.

What he said was true about me and thankfully I have been able to control myself more as I have aged and made an effort to do so. My friends and family still know if they want an honest opinion I give it and can't lie very well.

go san diego

from sd urban blog, biggest prop 8 protest in nation.

siblings