Love Is...

Happiness in the home, even though most days do not look or feel like a walk in the park.Love is 3 years of bright blue eyes, curly wild hair, and a toothy smile.
Love is realizing that this dress might only be worn once, and not forcing the issue.

Love is sharing too-funny-to-reveal movie kisses, initiated by a 3-year-old. Maybe she learned them from watching her mom and dad. More likely, it's from the movies.

Love is passing along the passion for creating things. Finally, love is making dinner together, peacefully. Isn't there a saying, "too many cooks spoil the broth"? Usually one of us does the cooking and the other cleans. V-day was different. Stephen helped me cook, and we both cleaned up the kitchen afterward. Nah, I think it was mostly Stephen. Either way, it was nice. On this day of love, rule number one, so often repeated in our Family Home Evening theme song, "Love at Home," was happening during that usually stressful time of meal preparation. The menu included chicken cordon bleu, steamed asparagus with lemon-dill butter, carrots, and rice pilaf. Sparkling cider was the beverage. Stephen got me the orchid, and his boss, Vicky, sent us home the paper whites(?). The valentine tree was my creation. Here's Ian enjoying the din-din. He was asleep during the afternoon photo session. Next year I'll try to coordinate a red tie for Ian too.

Reader, Ragdoll, Organizer

These three descriptions currently fill Ian's working resume.These first two accomplishments came with a little help. Dad on the above activity, and Brooklyn in the dressing below .
The last thing, he did on his own. I found that he picked up these apple bits and put them into the circle from a shape-sorter toy. Apparently, it doubles as a dish.

Can we Entice You?

Attention ALL relatives and friends (in and out of state): We have upgraded our zoo passes to allow two adults in for free each time! In other words, if you come visit us, we'll take you to the zoo, for free! You might even catch these tigers at feeding time, like we did on our last venture.
Or this guy, who-knows-what... I think he could take a job in Vegas. You know, one of those look-alike statue posers. I didn't believe he was real until after we walked past him. He was standing so still.
Here's his friend, a mover.
The hippos were even sunbathing! How hippo-awesomeness is that? Why is it that every time I go to this zoo I think of some scene or another from Madagascar? This time the scene was from Madagascar II where the hippo Moto-moto was singing, "I'm round, I'm chunky"...etc.
The pandas were even up and about, without a long waiting line, either! Yippee! (Otherwise, we wouldn't have stopped to see them, because we were on our way up the jinormous hill!)
Terms and conditions to the free zoo: We only get one adult in free, in addition to me. Kids 3 and over still cost a small entrance fee. :( But we'd love to have you over anyway! :)

The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog is one of Brooklyn's favorite new movies. I'm sure it's mostly because it reminds her of the Louisiana days. So of course we had to meet the real deal! Ian was just about as thrilled there...
as he was here.
This character freaked him out. How rude am I for snickering when Ian walked away from Chip or Dale with the fraidy-cry?
We will miss our Disney passes when they expire next month, but we won't miss the long drive there and back! It's about an hour, fifteen. Not really that bad, but hey.

Words Cannot Describe

Idunno what it is about this big little mug that gets me, but it gets me. Every time.

How to Endure a Rainy WEEK

Just after those beautiful sunny days in January, we were hit with a week of torrential rain. We entertained ourselves, as usual. Wait, that was and is mostly Brooklyn's regular job, rain or shine.We strolled around the complex before it got too wet. Brooklyn struck many a wild pose for a fun photo shoot.
Can you tell she dresses (and snaps) herself?
Ian tried on a pair of big-girl rain boots.
Brooklyn (with a little help) fashioned her own new clothing line.
Finally, we jumped around in the bounce house at the mall between bursts of rain.
I wouldn't trade these moments or children for the world.

Wishing

How "bear-sting" (as Brooklyn would say) that I haven't blogged for a LONG while. So, here's an update...
WAY back in January, I hiked with some friends, and found my dream home nestled somewhere in the hills near Solana Beach. I found another one that was pretty cool at the end of the hike. It's always good to have a back-up plan, right?