Over the Hump

I just have to share this.  Do you know those motorized rides you see at the supermarket or the mall?  They look like little cars or boats that you have to pop in some quarters for them to start.  They just rock back and forth and play sounds.  Until today Izzy has been deathly afraid of them.  She'll jump on to play with the steering wheel but will completely freak out and scream once those quarters go in.  I've tried a few times as she got older and older hoping that she'll like them one day.  Well, today was the day folks!  We went to Everett Mall for the first time since we've been here and I took her to the tot play area.  Wasn't interested.  She kept pointing at the motorized car and asked to "ride".  For the heck of it I put in the quarters and she LOVED it!  Wanted to keep going for another 3 rides.  Paint me shocked folks!  I don't know what hump she had to get over before she started liking it but she's all for those coin rides now.  Too bad it take 75 cents for a 1-2 minutes ride.

Izzy's B-Day Part 1

This past weekend has been a little crazy.  Our little girl turned TWO on Saturday and planning her birthday party was a mixture of joy and stress.  I didn't want the craziness of her first birthday to become a recurring theme but I also wanted her to feel like it was a special day.  Last year we held it at our home in Santee with over 40 guests.  It was extremely hot and we didn't have enough room for seating.  It's just felt crowded and rushed.

So this year I asked my mom if I could borrow the use of her house.  My BIL is here visiting and he took over the BBQ for chicken, ribs and tri-tip.  He is an excellent cook and through the years I've asked him how to make a few dishes.  My dish, chicken adobo I learned how to make it from him.

We were running late to get the preparations under way.  Izzy fell asleep on the ride to my mom's and I wanted to keep her asleep so she wouldn't be cranky during the party.  Between the transfer and my parent's dog she woke up prematurely and upset for the interruption.  Luckily, the house was clean and I just needed to decorate, put the treat bags together and cook the adobo.  Our guests didn't arrive until almost an hour after the invitation so we were good.

Who's That Crazy Lady?

Have you ever noticed that you are more willing to do things you wouldn't have been caught dead doing before having kids?  I am so there right now.  Izzy and I were out and about most of the morning.  I had to take her to the pediatrician for a wellness checkup and then run errands afterwards.  Towards the end of our trip we were waiting at the red light around lunch time.  Izzy was getting a little fussy so I broke out singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".  She loves that song and will usually join in with me.  I also get into the hand motions and sway side to side to get her involved in the song without much thought to how I look doing it.

While singing I glanced over to my left and find myself looking straight into the eyes of the passenger in the next car... laughing hysterically.  I didn't think I looked THAT bad but I'm sure I either looked crazy or good for a chuckle.  This guy, however, was laughing hysterically.  I'll admit, I felt a twinge of heat rushing to my cheeks.  After a second I thought WTH.  Izzy's happy again, I avoided a blow up and I made someone else's day better with a laugh.

So if you're driving along minding your own business and just happen to see a woman singing, dancing or generally making a fool of herself.  That woman probably has a child or two in the backseat that she's trying to keep entertained for the remained of the car ride.  So be kind and snicker looking the other way.  Thank you and have a nice day.  That is all.

Da Sky WOW!!!

I just wanted to share a moment that touched my heart.  We were driving back home today from visiting my parent's house and my hubby was telling me that Izzy loved the sun roof.  As soon as he opened it up all I hear from her is "WOW" "WOW" "WOW".  She said that nonstop.  She was SO amazed that she could see out of the top of the car.  Then my hubby introduced the word "sky" to her.  He asked "is that the sky"?  So for the rest of the car ride home she rotated between saying "WOW" and "da sky".  I was chuckling the entire ride home.  I've said this before but there isn't a day that passes that I don't smile at something she does.  I love being a parent!