And the Mother of the Year Award Goes To.........

So I believe I am in the running for the Mother of the Year Award this year. Thursday afternoon, Maelen came home from school and we were chatting when the phone rang. It was a friend of Jared's wanting to talk to him. When Maelen hung up, she had an odd look on her face and said, "Why wouldn't Jared's friend be in school too?" I looked at the clock and was horrified to realize that today, just like EVERY Thursday, was short day. Kendall had been out of school for a half hour! For most kids that wouldn't be a big deal, but Kendall is extremely shy (in public) and VERY clingy (in public). We jumped in the car and I had Maelen call the office while we drove since I didn't have the wherewithall to deal with a headset at that point. The lady in the office said she was just about to call and Kendall was right there in her arms crying. Way to make me feel better. We ran in and got her, only to have her break into uncontrollable sobs in the back seat of the car. I tried to make her feel better by letting her know we forgot Jared too. That got a little laugh. So then it was off to Dwyer to get Jared, who also has abandonment issues. Before we could get there, I was getting a call from an unknown number, which I knew had to be him. A friend of mine took pity and drove him home when she saw he had been left behind. What would Laura Bush say?

I wish I could say it ended there. Kendall was thrilled that she finally had a tooth come out AT SCHOOL. This means she was able to go to the office and get a special treasure box, her choice of color, to keep her tooth safe until it made it home. She was thrilled at the prospect of the tooth fairy coming last night. However, it was not to be. We have had no snow, the rain has passed, yet something kept that darn tooth fairy from making it to Kendall's room last night. She is hoping for better luck tonight. In the meantime, I am off to the store to buy some ginkgo biloba - if I can remember.

Lakers

Last Friday we had the awesome opportunity to sit five rows behind the bench at the Laker game!! The only bad part is when we got to Staples Center, I took out my camera to take a picture of Rick Fox, who was being interviewed outside, and found out my camera was no longer working!!! Ugh! Anyway, it was incredible to sit that close to all of the action. Also, we had several celebrity sitings - Diane Cannon, Penny Marshall, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lucas Haas, Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas and Tom Arnold. Best of all, they beat the Kings - no love lost between us and our former short term home in Sacramento. We hope we have that opportunity again sometime.

Tickling the Ivories

Jared had his first piano recital this week. He played three different pieces including a jazzy version of Jingle Bells. I was amazed he could play so well without being nervous and with no mistakes!! Maelen and I noticed that he makes the same face Matt does when he is concentrating. Jared has informed me that next recital he needs gloves to keep his hands warm prior to his recital. Might this be getting out of hand???

Sweet Sixteen

Today is this cute girlie's birthday. I am a lucky Mom because she consented to go with me for a mani/pedi today. After months and months of those piggies stuffed into cleats, she needed some TLC. We had a good laugh because she was pretty sure the women working on her were talking about her disgusting feet in Vietnamese. Afterwards we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a yummy lunch.

Yesterday was our family party for Maelen, so tonight we had to give her friends a turn. They kidnapped her and took her to Cheesecake Factory and a movie. They also gave her a darling purse (which I am a little envious of).

I may not be thrilled that she is moving on to dating and driving, but I am so glad Maelen was born to our family. She brings so much happiness and laughter into our home!!

Come on Barbie Let's Go Party!

This morning I went out to get the newspaper and I found this great picture on my doorstep. It is actually an ad for a dishwasher. My sister, Vicki, brought Halloween treats for the kids but this was my treat. I think I may have to frame the picture because it makes me laugh. It reminds me of when I was little and we would get the Barbies, their family and friends together for a family photo. We never thought of them having a hot tub party - however, our Barbie's had bathing suits, so it would have been a little more modest. I especially love the one Barbie holding up her glass in a toast. Three cheers for Barbie!

Prop 8 Update

So Friday night I was just getting home with Maelen when it was getting dark. We were in the garage and a truck pulled up right in front of our Prop 8 sign. Someone was about to get out, but when they saw us, jumped back in the truck and took off. They turned around and waited on the other side of the street. Our whole family waited outside to see what they would do next. They evenutally left. Their little illegal operation had been thwarted for one night. Jared waited for quite a while on the balcony hoping to catch them in the act. Apparently they came back Saturday night because Sunday morning, our sign was gone. It's very sad they feel they have to resort to vandalism and crime to win. We have even heard of a church who is paying kids per sign they bring back.

Saturday afternoon we spent an hour and a half out on PCH with Yes on 8 signs. It was very interesting. What's most interesting is to hear the way people talk to us when they are calling us hateful. I guess they don't hear it in their own voices and foul language. There were Stakes from Long Beach down to San Clemente lined up at every intersection down PCH to do the same thing. We had some guys in our ward with motorcycles make flags out of Prop 8 signs and drive up and down PCH. It was a real bonding experience for our ward. Our Bishop's wife decided that instead of being offended by their hand signals she would take pride in that they think we are #1!!

Protect our Families

Day 3 of our Prop 8 sign and it's still there! Many have been stolen, but we are hoping for the best. Our street is a thoroughfare for many of the neighborhoods around us, so it will be seen - I hope it makes people think too.