Merry Christmas!

I promise to get caught up on Thanksgiving through Christmas. It was a very busy month, Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Nannie, 2 weeks with Nana, 1 week with PopPop, Christmas stuff, Auntie La, school, and more. But for now, here is one of my favorite pictures from Christmas.

What We Have Been Working On

1 post in the last month - terrible, I know. This is what took up most of our time the first 2+ weeks of the month.

Before:



That was mildew behind the grout that I couldn't get to even with a toothbrush and straight bleach. It was terrible, no matter how much I cleaned this bathroom it always looked dirty.

The sink took up too much room in an already tiny room, that spot on the floor was glue or something and there when we moved in, and the cabinet wouldn't stay closed anymore. That was the only outlet, and didn't work if the light switch was turned off. Oh yeah, the only light switch was next to the toilet, on the opposite side of the room from the door everyone used. So you couldn't even have a nightlight, you had to stumble through the dark room to try to turn the light on.

In Progress:

Down to the studs in the entire room, the only thing that stayed was the bathtub.

Insulation was added before the new walls were put up.


Almost Done:

New tiles and a reglazed bathtub!




There are still some finishing touches to be done, trim work, towel bars, the real curtain rod, and knobs for the cabinet, but it is already so nice and easy to clean now. Lilypad Dad did an amazing job, and we can't thank Uncle Dave enough for all of his help and advice.

The Little Potty

I was just taking LP upstairs for her nap today when she told me she went potty in the little potty, like last year. I got worried since we don't have the little potty chairs anymore and kept trying to figure out what she was talking about, but she just kept telling me the little potty. I started looking for a pot or something she might have used.

We are finally just about finished with redoing LP's bathroom. We had to go searching for a toilet that would fit since apparently the standards for a house built in 1927 were different than one now. We finally found one this morning and Uncle Dave is upstairs installing it. He mentioned that the toilet came with some kind of water or lubricant in it. I wasn't sure why, but thought that must be something that an expensive toilet did.

Wait a second, the liquid in the toilet is yellow. There is no tank on it yet, so it is a smaller toilet than most. A little potty. Yes, my daughter peed in the brand new toilet in the hallway before it was installed. Uncle Dave is now trying to install it without spilling so we can flush it!

That Mean Sun

Tonight as I was putting LP to bed, we were talking about our plans for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I reminded her that Grandpa, Nannie, and Auntie La would be coming for Thanksgiving dinner and to play for the day, and that Auntie La would be having a slumber party with us. Then LP asked me if Eka would be coming too.

Eka recently had surgery on her eye and wasn't feeling up to making the trip down. So I tried the simple explanation that Eka had a boo-boo in her eye, so she couldn't come this time.

LP: A boo-boo like your foot?
Me: Yes, like my foot has a boo-boo.
LP: How did Eka's eye get a boo-boo?
Me: (not sure how to explain it) Well...
LP: I know, the sun poked her in the eye and gave her a boo-boo. The sun knocked her sunglasses off and then a snake came, Hisssss, and took her glasses. Then she runned all the way to the water, and the sun poked her in the eye.

Playhouse Disney, Live on Tour

This weekend Grandpa and Nannie took LP to see Playhouse Disney, Live on Tour. LP couldn't wait to go see the Little Einsteins, once she was dressed to go she called June on the phone to let her know that she was on her way. Although she was a little confused, she thought she was going back to Disney World and was telling everyone about the rides she was going to go on.

But she loved the show, Grandpa and Nannie said she stared intently at the show the entire time, occasionally waving around the light-up conductors baton they bought for her. Nannie took a couple of photos at the show, once she shares them with me I'll post them as well.

The First Real Snow

Last week we had our first snow that stuck on the ground. The grass was white when we woke up in the morning, so LP and I went out to play for a little while before heading off to school. Although it melted quickly and we didn't get to play in it again, the snow really made an impression on her. When asked later in the week what she was thankful for, her response was, "Playing in the snow."

Happy Birthday Dad!

While a lot has changed in the the 60.5 years since this photo was taken, it definitely still looks like you! But where did that light, curly hair go? I wonder if LP's hair is going to end up as dark as yours when she gets older too?

We hope you have a great day, we will talk to you on the computer later, LP wants to sing happy birthday to you, and we will celebrate with you this weekend when we head up to visit. Love you!

Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Adventurer

Christmas is on the way. I guess I hadn't realized that the year snuck by already, but I worked for a few hours last weekend and the decorated mall and crazy shoppers drove the point home quickly. I have been putting things away for LP this year, so aside from the one gift she wants to ask for from Santa, shopping for her is just about done. Now I have to sit down and make my list of what I want to get for everyone else. I love giving gifts, as long as I can come up with the perfect thing that I know someone will love.

I know that some of you are probably already done shopping, and at least one of you (yes Jenn, I’m looking at you) is even done or mostly done with all the wrapping. But for the rest of you who haven’t planned a year ahead and are still working on shopping, Sierra Adventure Gear looks like a great Website to take a look at if you have an outdoor adventurer on your list. They have everything from tents and emergency kits to Luminox watches and sunglasses. I’m sure there is something that he would love to find under the tree.

Weddings

Scene: Mommy and Uncle Dave talking about wedding dress designs. LP sitting on the couch next to us, when LP pipes up.

LP: Uncle Dave, I got married last year to Gavin.
Uncle Dave: You married Gavin last year? What did you wear?
LP: A beautiful white nightgown.

I would have said that this was a result of all the wedding talk with Uncle Matt and Aunt Wendy yesterday, but she was talking about getting married before they came over yesterday. She was trying on jewelry and told me that she got one ring when she married Gavin and the other ring when she married Alessandro.

Jumping

Police Gear

The cold weather is settling in. We enjoyed a warm fall, but knew it was too good to last. Overnight the temperature dropped dramatically, reminding me that fall is just about over and winter is coming. As much as I dread the snow and cold, when the weather is really bad I can just stay in the warm, cozy house. Unfortunately Lilypad Dad doesn’t have that option, no matter how bitter cold or snowy out it is, he is in and out of the elements at night while he’s working.

LA Police Gear carries some great options to help him keep warm on the job over the winter months. I really like the 5.11 Flannel Lined Tactical Pants. Who wouldn't want to have a nice flannel lined pair of pants on when doing a car stop in the snow and freezing weather?

They also have a good selection of Under Armour gear, something that LP Dad has asked for recently. Since his department doesn't have an approved pair of flannel lined pants, he wears extra layers under his uniform to try to keep warm in the winter. I have been looking for Under Armour gear for him, and right now LA Police gear is offering free shipping on Under Armour orders over $50.

Autumn Over the Years

2005




2006






2007







2008

Fun in the Fall Leaves

Yesterday we spent a good portion of the beautiful day cleaning up the yard to prepare for winter. LP Dad and I raked up all the leaves and trimmed back the plants while LP played in the leaves, threw leaves all over us, drove her jeep, and colored with chalk. It was a perfect day to be outside, and a great ending to a wonderful fall.

Sending Bubbles

Nana, PopPop, Grandpa, and Nannie, keep an eye on the sky. LP sent you bubbles today.

Movie Night

Last night we took LP down to the IMAX theater to see Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The seating in the IMAX theater is great for a 3 year old, the slope is high enough that you can see over whoever sits in front of you, the seats are far enough away that she couldn't kick the seat in front of her, and of course, the screen is huge so she could see everything. She settled right into her seat and ate about 1/2 the bag of popcorn on her own. The movie was cute, LP enjoyed it. She laughed out loud during parts of the story and left the theater singing, "I like to move it, move it."

After the movie we met up with Uncle Matty and his fiance, Wendy. They recently got engaged and this was the first time LP and I met her. LP took right to her, leaning right in for a big hug and insisting Wendy hold her hand, sit next to her, and go dance with her. We all enjoyed some ice cream before heading home.

A Visit From Friends

LP and I had a great visit with J and his mom this weekend. Aside from heading out for dinner, we stayed low key at home letting the kids play. Poor J was outnumbered by females but was a good sport about being dressed up!

We are going to try to make this a monthly visit, taking turns making the trip. Let's hurry up and schedule the December visit before the month fills up!


He was a very good sport about it!


And then she said...


Bippity Boppity Boo!


Hello, Daddy can you come rescue me now?

Election 2008

The day finally arrived, votes were cast, and Obama is our new President Elect. No matter how you voted or feel about the outcome, history was made yesterday. LP got to be part of that historical event when she accompanied me and LP Dad to the polls yesterday. I tried to bring voting down to a 3 year old's level to explain what was going on and why it was important. I know she didn't understand everything, but she came with me into the booth and helped me to cast my vote.

I am extremely disappointed that Americans in 3 states let fear and intolerance legalize discrimination by taking away the rights of gays and lesbians. I sincerely hope that by the time LP is old enough to understand what is happening, this legalized discrimination will be overturned.

Vote!

The day is finally here. No matter how you are voting, make sure you get out there and do it.

And from my hit stats I know I have some readers in California even if I don't know who you are. Please vote NO on Prop 8. Don't allow the fundamental rights of some of your neighbors be taken away because of fear and intolerance.

Halloween Night: 2008

We had a wonderful Halloween this year. LP Dad did not have to work so we got to spend the whole night together. After finishing the pumpkin, LP donned her Angelina Ballerina costume while I dressed up as a witch like she requested and off we went. We started off with a little trick or treating, LP had been practicing her trick or treat all week. We started off at Uncle Dave and Uncle Michael's house where she discovered another use for her dance ribbon stick; ringing doorbells she can't reach. Then we hit the craziness of Highland, it seemed like the entire city was on the same street. We went to 7 or 8 houses before heading home to hand out treats.





We had a beautiful night, the weather was warm so we decided to enjoy the night outside of the front steps. LP took her job of handing out the treats very seriously,making sure each person got a piece of chocolate, a lollipop, and some Playdoh. In between trick or treaters we enjoyed some hot spiced cider and s'mores while we played with Playdoh and LP replayed the highlights of the night for us.

Some Things Never Change

Apparently a year is not enough time to make pumpkin guts not as yucky.

2007


2008