Winnie the Pooh

One and a half weeks before Bean's 2nd birthday I took her to her very first movie at the movie theater. The movie theater does a thing in the summer where they play pre-released kids movies at 10:00 in the morning, one day of the week throughout the summer vacation. The tickets are deeply discounted, the snacks are deeply discounted, the leave the lights dimly lit, and all the movies are rated G or PG. After looking over the list I decided that I'd give this a shot with Winnie the Pooh. It seemed the most age appropriate, and it was the shortest in length. Still, I was a bit nervous that she'd a.)freak out in the dark theater with the loud volume and huge screen, or b.)want to leave 20 mins into the film and have a complete meltdown if I tried to convince her to stay. The fact that the tickets only cost $1 made the choice seem obvious; that even if she did BOTH things that it wouldn't be much money lost, so I should go for it.

I had planned on taking her to the movie before I started watching Emily, and before she started taking her swimming classes, and was worried that I'd have to give up on the movie to drive Emily to swimming since her class is at 10:40. Thankfully, my mom was able to take Em to swim and I was still going to be able to take Bean-Girl to the theater!

The morning of the movie I texted with my friend Tessa (Violet's mom) and because her previous plans fell through she and Violet were able to meet us at the theater - which made it a first for both girls! (It was also Violet's actual birthday, so that was a fun birthday outing!!) Before leaving I popped some popcorn on the stove and sprinkled it with kettle corn flavoring, packed water bottles, and grabbed my girl's bunny for added security in case she needed to snuggle.

Bean was a bit nervous through the previews - which were for cartoons aimed at older kids and were a bit dark and Halloweenie themed - but once Winnie the Pooh started she (and Violet) were entranced.

Violet, who LOVES Winnie the Pooh, was cracking up during the opening song/title sequence which made Bean (and us moms) giggle too. True to form, neither girl wanted the snacks that their mom brought, so Violet ate the popcorn and Bean ate Violet's grapes and cheddar bunnies. It was really sweet to hear a theater full of little kids cracking up when Pooh would fall down the words on the page, or when Tigger was bouncing all over the screen - and I was surprised at how many jokes were placed throughout the movie for the adults to enjoy.

With the exception of  a small case of the fidgets (in Bean's case) at about the 40 min mark, there was no fussing, no asking to leave, no wanting to get down, no potty emergencies, no choking on popcorn or grapes... I had worried for nothing!

Bean came away with the knowledge - and love - of Winnie the Pooh, a new word: Honey, and another great adventure with her BFF Violet. I'm so glad that the girls enjoyed it, and I'm so so so glad that I was able to take her and enjoy it with her. When I was little I really loved Winnie the Pooh, but my love for him had diminished greatly as I grew into an adult, but now that my sweet girl has a soft spot for him I find that mine is back, too. ♥

30 Things in 30 Days... About Me!

I tried doing one of these link-up memes before, but I just couldn't/wouldn't/didn't keep up with it every day. Knowing myself, I wouldn't keep up with this one if I had to do it daily, either. So, instead, I'll post my answers on the weekends. So, today's entry will answer 4 of the questions. Next week's will answer 7. I should be able to do this once a week... here we go!

(I first came across this challenge on Six Cherries on Top, who linked up with Best of Both Worlds, who originally got the list/inspiration from Hopes and Dreams.)

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for

1. List 20 random facts about yourself. 
1. I just turned 27
2. I'm a 'Cancer', and yes I really do think that somehow I am driven by that sign.
3. I worked at Starbucks when I was in college. I loved it, but I don't like coffee.
4. I'm a vegetarian who eats vegan as much as possible.
5. I do miss pepperoni pizza though.
6. I love TV. Some of my fave shows are: Gilmore Girls, SATC, Castle, Game of Thrones, SYTYCD
7. I'm crafty.
8. I have 3.5 tattoos. "3.5? How can you have .5 a tattoo?" I've had 4 tattoos tattooed on my body, but the 4th one covered up the 3rd one, so when you look at me you still only see 3.
9. I want to eventually go back to college to become an IBCLC.
10. I'm a SAHM and love it. It was something I always wanted, but didn't know if it'd happen for me.
11. I didn't get my ears pierced, for reals, until I was 19. I had gotten them done when I was 7, but they closed up. Then I got the top, cartilage part pierced when I was 16, but I let that close up when I was 21. Most of my friends got many different body parts pierced in high school but I just couldn't since I hate needles. "But... you have 3.5 tattoos!!" Yes, but tattoo guns don't look like big, scary, needles coming straight for me.
12. I moved across the country 4 times before 3rd grade, and then didn't move to another state until I was 25.
13. My daughter is a 'Leo' and that terrifies me. Every friend/co-worker/boss that I've had that was a Leo didn't end well. We always started out BFFs, but before long it imploded. 
14. I love to take photos but am clueless on the whole fancy-editing-in-Photoshop front.
15. I have two associate degrees. Too bad they don't magically add up to a bachelors degree. Associates degrees are pretty much useless. 
16. I got married at Walt Disney World.
17. Incubus is all my all time favorite band. I don't care if Jeff makes fun of me for it.
18. I love to sleep with the covers (sheet and comforter, plus blanket in the winter) up to my chin. In the summer I get frustrated and don't sleep well when I can't do that. 
19. I have a horrrrrrrrible sweet tooth. If there are sweets in the house I cannot rest until they're all gone. 
20. I'm terrified of roller coasters.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
1. Speaking/Performing in front of people. IDK why it's so bad for me but I can't get up in front of a group of people - even if I know them - and talk without turning bright red, shaking, sweating, rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet, 'um'ing 100 times, and practically whispering - while my voice is shaking - so it's pretty much impossible to hear me.
2. The ocean. I LOVE the ocean. It's quite possibly my favorite place/thing. (Not sure if it should be a place or a thing, since I've been in different oceans on different coasts and I love them all.) But, I watch Discovery Channel, I know all about what is in the ocean, and all about the fact that we have NO idea what else is in the ocean that hasn't been discovered yet. I took Marine Biology in school, I know all about how it's the most vast environment on Earth, and yet we know the least about it. AND, I swear I almost drowned once when I was about rib-deep and was playing in the waves when all of a sudden the sand completely slipped out from under my feet. I was underwater, clawing at the sand, trying to dig my way back to the surface while the waves just kept crashing on top of me over and over. When I finally emerged I immediately got back onto the beach and haven't gone deeper than my knees since.
3. Domestic violence situations. Yelling, shoving, etc. It makes me really uncomfortable/shaky even just hearing someone in another apartment/aisle/street/car/etc being yelled at. My first boyfriend was a major douche bag.... 'nuff said.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
I don't have a relationship with my dad. My mom left him when I was less than a year old, and he chose to not have any sort of relationship with me. He doesn't have one with my two older siblings - from a previous marriage - either, so it's kind of his M.O.

My mom raised me as a single mother. She gave up everything to be the best mother she could for me. Unfortunately for her, she got a very emotional daughter. My mom isn't real good with emotion, it makes her uncomfortable - though she's better now than she was when I was in middle school. (Isn't almost everyone who was born in the 50s weird when it comes to dealing with emotion? The 50s were the era of, "Don't talk about it, just shove it aside!" And I needed to talk about stuff right then and there, much to my mom's dismay.) We fought a LOT from the time I turned 12-13 until I was about 21. So, I'm sure that sucked for her. It sucked for me, too. We're better now. I enjoy spending time with her. I enjoy watching her be Mimi to my daughter. I enjoy talking to her on the phone. She's become more of a friend - something I thought would NEVER happen after hearing, "I'm not your friend, I'm your MOTHER!" about 400 times growing up - but I'm glad our relationship has morphed into what it has. Now that I'm a mother I really do recognize and appreciate all the sacrifices she made for me, and I'm so grateful for her being my mom.

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
1. Don't date him. He's an abusive asshole. 
2. You can't change your friends, no matter how much you worry about them. Let them make mistakes, be there for them when they come to you, don't be so judgmental. 
3. Stop comparing your appearance to other girls.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone more often.
5. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! (Instead, I had to bust my ass my senior year to bring my grades up when all my friends got to take it easy with only 4 or 5 classes instead of 6.)
6. If you don't want your mom to think the worst of you and your behavior, stop doing the same with her.
7. Don't give his absence so much power over your confidence when it comes to guys. 
8. When you do fight with your friends don't go for the low blows. You'll want these people in your life after high school and they'll never forget the things you said to them.
9. Don't ever leave the house wearing socks with sandals. (I know, it was only one time, but that was one time too many!)
10. Love yourself more. 


click this button to be taken to the 30 Day Challenge on Best of Both Worlds' blog.

Tie Dye

When my Nugget was here we made tie dye shirts. I was shocked at how simple it was to do the fun swirly pattern. When I was little and tried to make tie dye shirts we never made the swirly patterns, and they never turned out like I wanted them to.

After talking to Rebecca about it we decided that I would get the stuff to make them and I'd help Emily make some shirts while she was in my care. She needed my help twisting the shirt and putting the rubber bands on, but she did the dying by herself. She said a few times, while pouring the dye on, how 'cool' it was and that she loved the colors.

I'm pretty sure the hardest part for her was waiting until she came back the next day to see the finished shirts. I wish I would have gotten a picture of her surprised expression when I revealed her shirts. She was amazed that SHE made such a cool design on her shirt. I love when kids are proud of something they make/do.

Step one (after the shirt is prepared and rubber banded): Prepare a workspace. Put down newspaper, trash bags, do it outside on the grass - something. What the dye touches, it WILL stain that color. (I just set up on the kitchen floor. Pushed my rugs out of the way, and put saran wrap on a cookie sheet for our 'workspace'.) Put saran wrap on your workspace, to put your shirt on top of. You'll need to wrap it in saran wrap while the dye colors the fabric.

Step two: Put plastic gloves on. (Rinse and save them after you dye the shirt. You'll need them to take the rubber bands off.)

Step three: Sit kid down, let them go nuts. (Em didn't really go nuts, she was pretty timid; "What color should I put here?" "Whichever color you want." "But I don't want it to look bad." "It won't, it'll look great." etc.)

 Bean sat by and observed, she thought it was so 'coo' too.

Step four: After the top side has been dyed you'll need to carefully flip the balled up shirt over so that the bottom - now facing up - side can be dyed too. I did need to help her by pointing out which color she put on the bottom of that section so that she'd put the same color on the top.

Step five: Wrap up the dyed shirt in the saran wrap that you put under it and put it up high/out of reach for 6-8 hours (longer for more saturated colors).

Step six: After the waiting time is up put the gloves back on and take the rubber bands off. (Like a fool I threw the gloves away and my fingers ended up discolored for 3 days.) Drop them - ONLY the tie dye shirts, don't put any other clothes with them - into the washing machine. Put it on the biggest load size and fill it with warm water (no detergent/fabric softener), run it through a normal wash/rinse cycle. After they've been washed, toss them in the dryer and tumble until dry. Once they're dry they can be worn and then tossed in the normal laundry with other colored clothes.

Step seven: Step back and be amazed/proud of your super awesome tie dye shirt.

Wordless Wednesday

When you can't escape the heat, make the best of it!

Violet's Birthday Party

Violet is Bean's first friend. Sure, the children of MY friends are her friends because when we have gotten the kids together they play and have a good time, they give hugs and sometimes kissies when we leave, but they're only friends because their moms are friends. Violet is a friend Bean met at the library story time. Because they clicked so well in class, I asked Violet's mom for her phone number and suggested we meet up for play dates at the neighborhood park. That was 6ish months ago. Vi and Bean have become great friends since and thankfully Violet's mom, Tessa, and I have become friends too!

Yesterday afternoon was Vi-Vi's 2nd birthday party. There were quite a few people at the party, which made Bean a bit shy when we first showed up. She's proven over and over that she has her Daddy's personality when it comes to socializing. She would light up and smile when Vi came up to her, but otherwise was happy playing by herself. She didn't shy away from the other kids, but she didn't join in either. After some of the people left (after cupcakes, but still early-ish) Bean came out of her shell a bit more. Talking louder than a whisper and, in general, just being less of a wallflower - which was great to see. I watched her watching other people talking, and the other kids playing, and saw her take it all in, but she didn't feel the need to join in. When there were fewer people vying for Violet's attention she finally got a bit braver and started initiating play and baby-conversations.

It was a really nice party, complete with a party-favor scavenger hunt, cupcakes, blueberries and cheddar bunnies. (Among other snacks, but those were Bean's favorites!) The sock monster that I made for Violet was a huge hit and the two girlies had a blast throwing their monsters at each other and laughing hysterically about it. I got a few pretty nice pictures during the party, they'll make for good memories of the first birthday party Bean got invited to.

The sock monster I made for Violet

 My sweet Bean-Girl

 

playing house

showing me one of her scavenger hunt treasures - a ladybug

 Tessa giving Violet her cupcake!

 Mmmm!! Yummy cake!

 They were cracking up at themselves!

I'm so so so happy that Violet liked the sock monster - people seem to either love them or think they're weird -  and I'm so so so happy that Bean has Vi-Vi for a friend! It's so heartwarming to see her be her own little person, making her own friends, showing off her funny and loving personality - I look forward to seeing them grow together, hopefully becoming better friends as they get older!

I've got some big birthday party shoes to fill, I hope that Bean's birthday party (only TWO weeks away!!!! gulp) is as fun as Violet's was!! It'll be the first time that Bean has a party where she has other toddler-friends there and I'm still trying to figure what to do at the party as far as entertainment goes. I'll be on Pinterest between now and the day of her party looking for ideas!! Haha!

Sunday quickie

We're heading out the door to go to Bean's very first birthday party! The party is for her friend Violet's second birthday and I've been trying to talk it up all day. Obviously, she has no idea what a birthday party is, but I'm trying to get her pumped! Violet is a fellow-peanut-sized-toddler and she and Bean get along great! I'll try to remember to take some photos of the girls, they really are cute together!

Real quick: yesterday I was hit with the reality that 1.) my baby is a full blown toddler, on her way to being a 'big kid', and 2.) she's cooler than me.

Skinny jeans, Babiators, Native shoes... too cool, dude!

And, I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I LOVE the summer Olympics!! My fave sports are gymnastics and swimming/diving. I tried getting Emily and Bean pumped for them too, but they didn't seem to give a hoot. They did, however like making Olympics crafts.

Those are Emily's.... Bean did the same crafts, but they obviously don't look like 'USA' or Olympic rings. hahaha!

This past week Emily's classes started. Swimming M-Th, and then Ribbon Dance Fridays. We've been go-go-going and I've been extra wiped out after she goes home in the afternoon. When I get home tonight I'll post some pics of what we've been doing when we're not running to Em's classes!

Happy Sunday!

twenty seven

I've spent exactly one day in my 'late twenties' and I've got to tell you, they've been pretty great so far.

In lieu of a tangible gift, this year Jeff paid to have my Nugget fly to CO for my bday weekend.

What's a 'Nugget'? She's a best friend, a sister-from-another-mister, it's a term of endearment for my friend. Get with the program!

As always, the time spent with her was too short, but it was a great weekend and the best birthday present ever!!

She, my friend Tia Leah, fellow-mommy-friend Erika and I went out for my birthday and went 'bar-hopping' while Jeff stayed home while Bean was sleeping..... well, we only hopped to two bars, but it was still a fun night. We stayed out until the bar closed at 2am. (I have NEVER in my life witnessed a bar, closing, before this birthday. Growing up in Las Vegas has clearly warped my reality a bit.) We technically went out the day before my birthday so it was fun to count down till midnight and then "WOOOOOO" and yell about it being my birthday. Then quickly switch to drinking water for the next two hours so that I could drive home safely.

 

Since we didn't leave the bar until it closed at 2am, I didn't get to bed till 3am, and when I woke up with Bean later in the morning I quickly realized that 27 year old me doesn't recover from a night of "Woohoo"ing, drinking, dancing, and yelling over extremely loud music quite as well as 22 year old me did. (Please note that 22 year old me would have never even noticed the volume of the music at the bar, but 27 year old me definitely did. It definitely gave me a headache. Because I'm old.) Needless to say I took a nap when Bean did.

After our nap we got dressed and went to dinner before met up with my extended family at the Chocolate Cafe for birthday dessert.

Yes, those are chocolate raviolis. Yes, they were delish. Yes, I ate them all.

Despite the fact that we are 27 year old mothers, my Nugget and I made suuuuuuuuuuper awesome tie-dye shirts - which we wore out to dinner and dessert on my birthday. Because we're classy. And awesome.

Dontcha wish you were THIS awesome?

Other super amazing bday gifts were my Sex and the City COMPLETE SET - all 10 television seasons, PLUS both theater-released movies - that came from my dear Rib. (Another nickname, for another great friend!) 

As well as 2 pairs of TOMS shoes. One pair from my Nugget:

And the second pair from Jeff's grandparents:

Technically, they gave me cash and instead of paying a bill with it I actually bought something for myself. That's a big deal. I usually don't. I'm really stoked on my new shoes and can't wait to parade them around.

I also got a giftcard to Old Navy from one branch of family, a gift card to Barnes and Noble Bookstore from another branch of family, a giftcard to The Human Bean (an amazingly delicious coffee shop) as well as a griddle/grill for on the stove from my mom, and a suuuuuuuuuuuper sweet card from Jeff and Bean Girl. My mom also babysat so that Jeff, Nugget and I could go to the movies - which was super nice of her. (We saw Snow White and the Huntsman, which I liked despite Kristin Stewart's awkward facial expressions and man-hands.)

The rest of the time spent with my Nugget was doing pretty mundane stuff, but really, that's my favorite stuff to do with her. I wish we lived closer (she lives in Northern California) so that we could meet up for park dates, coffee talks, Target shopping, etc more often. The doing-nothing days are what I miss most about not living near her anymore. That and her boys. I miss watching them grow up. I wish our kids could grow up playing together. BUT, since that' not reality, I'll just be so super thankful that I get to see her once or twice a year and make the best of it. 

This birthday weekend has been amazing. Tomorrow I get back to the daily grind. I've got to drive Emily to her swim class, I've got to clean my house, I've got to get back to normal.... I had a great weekend. I hope everyone else did too.

**This weekend the horrible movie-theater shooting in Aurora, CO happened and while I'm thankful that it didn't happen here, and didn't effect anyone I personally know, my heart goes out to the victims of that horrible crime and their families. Sometimes in the midst of our own lives (or bday celebrations) it's hard to look outside of ourselves and at what others are going through, but it weighed heavily on my mind and my heart from the minute I heard about it, and I thought about the victims multiple times throughout the weekend. I realize that my birthday weekend seems fun and carefree, and it was for me, but it wasn't for those 62 people injured or killed at the movie theater that night, or their families, and I don't mean to be insensitive or disrespectful by gushing about my weekend and not mentioning the tragedy that happened there.**

After the fact edit:
In my sleep deprived state last night when I was writing this post I forgot to mention the giftcard to Michael's craft store from Tia Leah (so I can make another wreath! Yipee!), as well as two gifts I got the month before my birthday. My mother in law got me a new pair of Birkenstocks since the ones I was wearing were 5+ years old and falling apart. Rest assured they're 'hip' hippie shoes, not the Jesus styled Birks. I get compliments on them all the time!

And while I was out in San Francisco when my friends, The Leavitts, came up to see us Jaynie made a wonderful ice cream cake for my birthday! Not to mention my flight there, the toll-road and parking fees and lunch at Source that were my gifts from Larissa. I've recieved many cards in the mail (which I LOVE, by the way! Mail that ISN'T a bill is the best kind!) and a ton of Facebook comments - all of which made me smile.

I've had a wonderful birthday MONTH! I really am a lucky girl woman!!