What a Day!

This Blog is really meant to keep record of all the craziness and effort it takes to keep life rolling along. Something we will look back on and the girls will have to see what it was like because I know most moms "forget" all the tough stuff and "pretend" the details for what they really are. Today was a DAY! Ben has been traveling more and as much as I would like to complain I am just thankful he has work when so many of our friends and neighbors are struggling with jobs. The girls are both old enough now to understand when Ben is gone and since we decided for me to take a part time job, the stress of Ben being gone really leaks into every crevice of Yellowstone Street.

I took the girls down to Nana and Papa's so we could drive Pepper Drive for Christmas lights, bake treats and have our favorite Pajama time we love so much. Well things were going VERY well until I noticed black crayon on Papa's leather couch in the living room. If you know my dad at all you know not to mess with is stuff. The rules were strict when I was young and I followed them mostly out of fear. Ben and I have more relaxed rules in our house but still are teaching respect and care of things - certainly not allowing Natalie to color on our furniture.

We were on our way (freshly showered, coordinating outfits for gingerbread house building, hair brushed ready to go) and when we were kissing Cay Cay goodbye I noticed the crayon on the couch...I went to get a towel and some warm water to rub it out and I made it worse...I hadn't announced anything yet and while I was doing such handiwork Natalie had moved on to a vase with silk flowers my mom had brought back from Italy...she was tugging on the flowers and the vase was about to fall over. I picked her up and whisked her to the couch in the den. Feeling my anger surge and spill over. Not only was I so UPSET, my parents were about to witness my parenting front row and I felt their eyes on me. I was blessed with the quick thought of NOT to spank. There was a pause...my flesh wanted to spank away but I never spank out of anger but out of consequence (I hope in 20 years my kids agree). I KNEW a better punishment was to take away the playdate involving gingerbread construction. They very activity Natalie wanted more then ANYTHING that day. A spanking lasted a moment, taking away this exciting playdate would last ALL day...

It worked, she was remorseful, apologetic, and I really felt bad, but KNEW I picked the right punishment. She was "sad" all the way home, and when we arrived she sulked off into her room and got under the covers to take pity on herself. I saw what life was like for a preteen for a moment. I was proud of my parenting, thought I fixed the mistake, that she would recover and forever have learned the lesson of wrong doing. Little did I know what I was in for...

I entered her room with my imaginary parenting ribbon on my chest, thinking so highly of my meticulous decision. I knelt by her bed and pushed her hair behind her ears and we made our peace, she explained why she was feeling so blue and I took it hook line and sinker. I invited her out of her room and asked her to help me with a craft. NO TV and NO GINGERBREAD HOUSE, but a craft? Come on Suzanne, that is her favorite thing to do! How could I have followed up my exquisite parenting with such a ridicules idea?

She started getting silly with the glue, the threats came again, "If you don't pay attention we'll put the craft away." "You need to be careful, stop now" "Natalie, dot, dot not a lot." Thinking about it now in my head I am so frustrated - I totally should have left her in her humbleness under the covers...

Then it was the card crafts, my scrapbooking, the ornaments on the tree, playing nice with her sister, on and on. She had two time outs for various infarctions and then a spanking for repeating the original offense of hurting furniture. It was one of those days that if she were older I would have just closed the door and made her stay in there all day - or taken away all her toys, etc, etc....

The day ended and I'm sure I'll wake up to my sweet Natalie who is creative and funny, loving and quirky...but really, today? Ben gone for 3 days - 3 days left on my own...oh sweet Natalie - I know I'll forget these days. I am so glad that my girls are tucked into bed getting the rest they so need after a FUN weekend at Nana and Papas...tomorrow they will be rested and happy! I realize now that my proud moment wasn't in my false belief that I made a revolutionary decision but that I actually made it through the day and took the time to reflect on what I did wrong and how I can do better next time.

Why isn't there a manual? A way to do things approved by the National something or other? I just want to do it right...these are the days we need to remember too! Not just sugar and spice and everything nice...

pictures to follow...

Ally's Heart - take 2

I have amazing news!

I know all of you are not religious, but Ben and I are so moved by the amazing grace we have received that I must share the details from my heart. I am a part of MOPS which is a "Mothers of Preschoolers" group at my church. We only meet twice a month and I have only really just begun to make friends there. Well, the group was meeting at the exact time Ally's appointment and they did a prayer for Ally's heart.

Remember that Dr. Ramos said the diagnosis would be one of two things, a hole in her heart (the most common) or a leaky valve. After a long, quiet, dark and otherwise uncomfortable test using an ultrasound machine. Dr. Ramos was amazed to find NOTHING wrong with Ally's heart, nothing abnormal, nothing unusual, nothing that shows any signs of ANYTHING!

Ben was almost in tears (sorry Ben) I had chills and was speechless (amazing in itself). Dr. Ramos read my mind's questions when he continued unprompted, saying...she will not be limited in any way, physically, she can play sports, immunity, she is healthy and strong, developmentally, she will continue grow with no worries. He went further to say, she will grow up, get married, have children, and her heart will be PERFECT. He used the word perfect repeatedly. You all know me well, and he answered all my questions without me needing to speak. He truly is an amazing man with incredible bedside commitment.

He said we will never need to return to his office unless her pediatrician recommends it.

I am so thrilled to be passed this obstacle. I am amazed that GOD has granted us this peace and truly feel that HIS presence was with Ally through that day.

I already feel more confident as a parent for her, I feel that she has made me stronger and has taught me so much already!

THANK YOU for your thoughts and prayers, we are so appreciative! Hug someone you love today and be THANKFUL for you health and theirs!

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is a tricky time for me, I love all the visits to our door and for most part really enjoy seeing all the kids get dressed up - as you know we dress up most everyday here at our house! I struggle with how scary it can be for kids, especially Natalie. She thinks she is so grown up at 4, and she is REALLY independent and thinks she can handle so much more then she can. She came up with two terms this season that makes lots of sense. Do you celebrate a "Happy Halloween" or a "Scary Halloween"? We celebrate a happy one, with pumpkins, and scarecrows, and turkeys, and such - definitely an artificial fall! NO crazy demons, or scary guys, as Natalie calls them. They are scary! and that is something I don't want to teach my kids!

You think as a parent you get the choice in the matter, but in reality you still have to address the worldly ways - do I ignore her questions, or explain we do things differently...it is so hard. Things I never thought about while I swaddled and nursed and sang lullabies.

I was thrilled to take the girls to our church carnival this year. Finally, Natalie was old enough to wait in a line and play a game and enjoy the festivities. Well, our church didn't host their carnival this year, instead they had a concert. We did end up having a great day. Our cousins, Ian, Sandy and baby Gracie came to carve pumpkins and roast seeds, and enjoy some all day cooking! The little ones, Allison and Gracie were bugs. A ladybug and a bumble bee. Too cute! Natalie's costume this year was over the top! I say "never again!" She selected a fairy, Silvermist, from the new Tinkerbell movie. Well, I couldn't find a costume for it so I thought I'd try my hand at the old sewing machine and make her costume. Simple enough...NOT!

The pattern was $15 alone - RIP OFF!

The fabric about $30 - can you see where this is going?

A wig was required - probably THE most exciting part of the costume - $15

Orange paint dropped all the way down the front...

Natalie saying, "Don't worry mommy, it is still beautiful"

=Priceless

Ally's hand me down ladybug costume - FREE!!!!

Natalie at 4 years old

Natalie at 4 years old...my neighbor Stephanie, took these randomly after an afternoon at the pumpkin patch. Natalie had changed her clothes and had run over to ring the doorbell of Matt and Austin. Steph grabbed her camera and I got an email.

I looked at them and shuffled them away. They weren't a significant time, or day or outfit, or any other special occasion. Just a weekend in her life of being 4.

I since looked at them and examined them and finally found what Stephanie saw. A PERFECT example of Natalie at 4. These shots show exactly what Natalie would love to do everyday of her life. Wear princess shirts, have her face painted, show off her "I did it myself haircut" and bug the neighborhood kids "to get out here and play!" I love Natalie at 4, I love having a 4 year old.

Ben and I were pretty weirded out by imagining ourselves as a parent of a 4 year old. No longer a baby, or toddler, but a 4 year old kid. Wow, that sounded weird. Well, here we are and it is pretty cool. You can really enjoy spending time with a four old.

Natalie LOVES life and I love that about her because I LOVE life and she has to get that from me. She has a great sense of humor, she is creative and spunky (I wish I could get Punky Brewster on DVD). She loves food, and treats, and rides, and shopping, and traveling, and her family and friends. She loves swimming, and gymnastics, dance and singing. She is an awesome kid! I have to admit I have had my struggles as a parent, figuring out that I can't "turn her into" the perfect child. Well, after 4 years of being a mom, she is the perfect child! She is Natalie, and I hope this world is ready for her! I love you sweetie, keep throwing me the challenges, because slowly but surly you are turning me into a pretty good mom!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I have wanted to take out our builder grade 10 foot long mirror since BEFORE we even moved in. Somethings have to wait and wait it did for over four years until I got my honey do wish list taken care of by our fix it friend Larry.

He came in thinking I

was crazy. But before he was through his wife and one other person were already planning on him doing just the same thing.

It really is a simple fix and makes such a difference. The room seems taller and even though we choose inexpensive fixtures and mirrors it looks much nicer then the builder

grade we had.

Here is my dilemma...what goes in the middle between the mirrors? Ben is thinking a third mirror, I am thinking some open shelving for perfume bottles and pictures. Some facebook friends have suggested sconces...

We will have to keep looking...until then it is one less Honey Do on the wish list...

P.S. Since Ben took my linen closet to store the wine, I have been suffering from an ill

equipped, poorly utilized laundry room. Well Larry helped me out there too...I LOVE spending time doing laundry now...I know I'm weird.

***Here is a during picture...sadly I can't find a before..

Back in the tent...

We managed two quick camping trips this month. We had a hectic month for traveling so they were single parent camping trips which made it VERY adventurous.

While Ben was in Mammoth on a BOYS only fishing trip, my wonderful group of MOMS planned a family trip and I knew I would have back-up so I braved the wilderness as a single mom and pitched my own tent for the girls and me. We had a great time, I only wish Ally slept more. 3:30AM was a little early to get up but I hung in there and made the best of it!

We met the group on Saturday in Idyllwild and had a "bring your own meat" pot-luck. I was grateful for the dads who did come who BBQ'd my chicken. The temperature dropped and the fire was going strong. We laid out all of our treats and filled a whole table of desserts, cakes, cookies, smore's so much good stuff!

We had story time by the fire and then a movie in Nina's Expedition. Camping is so different with portable DVD's...

Morning was rough - Ally was up most of the night. Natalie sleeps and snores like her dad while camping - Lucky girl! We had oatmeal and my favorite - percolated coffee..

We packed up before lunch, Ally was tried again - surprise surprise, so we headed home to rest up and clean up. I was proud to be so adventurous to go camping alone.

Then, after another trip of Ben being gone, I was able to sneak in a girls weekend away with my two dear friends...while I was gone, Ben packed the girls up once again and met up with two families at Lake Perris. They had a great time camping with daddy, and of course as he would have it, Ally slept most of the night. The girls played with their friends and Ben bragged about using the small tent again...such the minimalist. I am curious to see how much help my friend was (the only wife on the trip) she probably gave Ben a few reminders...wipe the noses, wash the hands...etc...

Camping is so fun! We enjoy it so much. Next year the girls will be just that much more independent and soon we may even get to go on a hike...

New Shoes!

Learning how to balance hand me downs is something that is TOTALLY for to me! My sister and I are 16 years apart, hand me downs didn't work for us. But, with two girls only 2 1/2 years apart, hand me downs are a part of the Strader Girls. What exactly do you pass down?

Pajama's, play clothes, dress clothes, shoes? When do you buy them their own and when is the left over in the closet ok?

I have been learning...oddly the girls' seasons are flipped...so what was summer clothes for Natalie couldn't be used as winter clothes for Allison...so Ally got LOTS of new clothes...the basics worked but not the seasonal stuff. Now that Ally is in shoes (attempting to run..too cute!) I am finally getting around to buying her her first pair of NEW shoes just for Ally to run and play...

Sadly, when I went to the store I bought a 4, after all that is the size of the hand me down shoes she was totting around in so it must be the right size. Well, every time I tried to put the new ones on she cried and tugged at her feet. She never actually got to wear the shoes...and I finally made it back to the store (several months later). Had her sized by the nice girl with balloons and she was a size 6...WHAT? A 6? Well no wonder the 4's made her cry...

So now she is happy as a clam in her NEW size 6 shoes..all for Ally! She still loves the old stretched out size 4's from Natalie's hand me down bin. But for when it counts she can strut her stuff in her new ones bought just for her!

Natalie on the other hand is always sporting some new shoes...I think her feet start growing the minute we leave the shoe store. Plus we have the wide foot, Fred Flinstone problem so I can never just buy the cute and cheap shoes. I am the mom at the counter special ordering the extra wide and am only given 2 or 3 choices of styles, woe is me! On this same shoe outing (when Ally got her new size 6's) Natalie left the shoe store sporting a new pair of running shoes, also used for biking, playing , hopping, skipping and all the other umpteen things she is busy doing all day long. I was having a lucky day because they had wide shoes in stock! Yeah for me! And to top it off, her friend Hannah, got the same shoes, even though she isn't a wide foot! What is better then two friends shoe shopping and leaving the store for lunch bouncing about in matching pink running shoes!

Shoes, shoes, shoes - one of the many benefits of having Ben's 3 girls...

Ally meeting with Dr. Ramos

Ally has waited so long to see the pediatric cardiologist. Much to my dismay with the endless insurance hurdles and disconnected while on hold phone calls we finally had a pleasant experience. We were called in this morning by Dr. Ramos himself, not a nurse! We were so happy to have a hands on doctor, he was direct and honest. He was simple and humble. Can you tell that I liked him?

Ally did too! She was pretty fussy in the waiting room and we even broke the No Food or Drinks rule by sneaking her grahams (Daddy did this part, you know me and breaking rules). She laid so peaceful and calm for the doctor while he intently listened and checked her pulse. She wasn't hassled or scared so content like she has a heart specialist listen everyday.

Dr. Ramos explained that it was most likely a hole in her heart or a leaky valve, which is THE MOST COMMON heart defect a child has. There is no treatment or reason to treat for that matter. She may simply heal all on her own or she may live her entire life with this hidden defect. He says it will not hinder her, it may never even affect her life. Just a little something that will always make her different (and special).

We return in two weeks for a Cardio Echo Gram. It is done with an ultra sound machine and will show the doctor exactly what is happening inside Ally's heart. Ally is not at any risk for anything she is perfectly healthy! But, we must be aware of what is causing her heart to sound so special. Keep us in your prayers and we will keep you posted.

A little something to share

Make a Smilebox postcard

I thought it was a whale!

My dear friend Heather, who was one of my first mom friends, (I actually met her online which sounds really funny) often catches funny things her daughter says and posts them. I love that idea because at 4 Natalie has a pretty good sense of humor and I don't want to forget about how sweet she is when she turns 14 and we aren't as sweet to each other....

So I'm in the kitchen on my laptop waiting for my coffee to brew. All is quiet in the house, kids are still sleeping....In walks Natalie and I jump! She hears the gurgle of the coffee maker and asks, "What is the drinking sound?" I tell her it is mommy's coffee. She walks over to look at it and check it out, says, "Oh you are right mom, I thought it was a whale!"

What an amazing train of thought. Her world must be so exciting to live in:) I hope I smile about this all day!

Birthday month on Yellowstone Street

I have realized something about the Strader calendar. We decorate for Valentine's Day in February, Easter in March, From May to July we are red, white and blue, October starts our "let's pretend it is really Fall" decor which leads right into Christmas. However, we here on Yellowstone Street also decorate for September...we have Birthday month. Yes the WHOLE month! It started with mine on the 3rd...I turned 33 on the 3rd this year and it fell on a Thursday ( a day of work). Aaron stays with the girls on Thursdays and Ben came home a little early to "prep" but Aaron had stole the show! She had prepared a craft to do with the girls that day and they had painted a frame for me, and glued gems all over then Aaron printed a picture she took of them and had the fireplace all set up with a birthday banner and streamers and balloons...they even made a big sign for me. It was very surprising!I chose to go out to Ritchie's Diner for my birthday dinner because the girls love it so much. Well not THIS night! Ally screamed the whole time, I ate outside on the bench out of a To Go container while Ally cried and squirmed in my lap. Ben ate inside with Natalie because she was actually an angel. We left frustrated and certainly not feeling like we had just celebrated anything but being fools to take two kids under 4 to a restaurant for dinner. Note to self: next year a babysitter and a candlelight dinner with Ben is a MUCH better idea!

We make phone calls to Ben's Dad, who celebrates the 2nd and my cousin, also the 2nd, also my birthday twin Lindsay...we have just enough time to prep

are for Ben's birthday the 18th!

This year Ben was supposed to be out of town so I didn't even remember to plan anything until the week of. I threw an impromptu night out together and was lucky enough to get 14 people to race go-karts and eat at a local brewery. We had a great time and Ben came in second (he got the Silver medal. Our friend Todd, won gold, and our neighbor Chris

took the bronze. It was a great night with great friends!

Natalie's birthday always seems to take the cake, she is the big kahuna when it comes to a birthday bash! My plan was to escape the party and settle up with Disne

yland (see prior post). Unfortunately she realized that meant NO PARTY, and she is a mama's girl when it comes to planning a party. She was obsessed with plates. She wanted to buy plates for her birthday. As if one can not age with out first selecting the most perfect plates of the year. Plates that represent your age, your favorite _______ of the year. It needs to be an image that sums up the whole 365 days! She really considered all the options. Yo Gabba Gabba a new insane TV Show, perhaps a repeat of last year, pink princess party, she thought about Hannah Montana but realized she doesn't really know who or what she does exactly. I tried for less marketing, maybe red or non-desrcript monkey...maybe a cupcake pattern or hearts...

We ended up with something princess of course...but these had a mix of all the princesses. And so it was...now for the cake what will it be? A Cinderella carriage...quite a

cute one if you ask me!

We threw together a quick gymnastics party at My Gym, a party for 3-5 year olds, that went quite smoothly.

So now that September decorations are coming down, it is time to pull out the pumpkins and scarecrows..because we have to start pretending it is Fall.

Disneyland

Nana, Aunti Cay Cay and I took the girls up to Disneyland for an overnighter at the Disneyland Hotel. We were upgraded to a two room, two bathroom suite right across from the Presidential suite. We enjoyed two whole days at both parks with no lines! The weather was REALLY humid so we got pretty sweaty but I'd rather be sweaty and not wait! The longest line we waited in was for Splash Mountain...Natalie rode it with me and my sister. It was so fun! I can't believe Natalie was tall enough!

There were only two little girls waiting in line at Pixie Hollow so we got a ten minute hide and seek game with Tinkerbell herself! Can you see Natalie hiding behind the toadstool?

We all ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe before heading out for NIGHT TIME Disney, my favorite time! We also took naps and went swimming at the pirate-ship pool to refresh ourselves! Natalie truly thought the fireworks were because it was HER birthday. I wish I was 4 just to believe all things were magical.

Aunti Cay Cay took Natalie to Build a Bear for her birthday and of course Nana couldn't talk her out of a mermaid costume for her bear...

We woke up to an alarm AND had to wake the kids because we had 7:10 reservations at Goofy's Kitchen! What a fun way to celebrate! The buffet was great and the attention the girls got from the characters was well worth it! Ben joined us this second day and we enjoyed the park as a family after Nana and Auntie Cay Cay ditched us for Space Mountain. We rode Soarin'Over California, Natalie rode twice once with Ben and again with me (no lines means you can do this:)

We saw the Celebration parade this night and hit the rode after another great dinner in Downtown Disney.

I have to say it was a successful trip! We will be back for Disney Christmas for Nana's birthday...she is turning 39 again...lucky girl!

Natalie's Birthday Invite! Can't wait to post cake pictures!

Make a Smilebox invite

Family Day

We have these random days of life that we call "family day" the only real rule is that we have to stay together the whole 4 of us. If one of us can't do something we don't do it. Today was one of those! It all started off with a canceled trip to Lake Havasu. We ended up deciding to stay home this holiday weekend. A novel idea for the Strader Four. We woke up and headed to breakfast....Ben and I realized we have two very different girls...in many ways but one of those ways is in a breakfast way. We have a pancake girl (Natalie) and a scrambled egg girl (Allison). We enjoyed breakfast and had a table across from us who marveled and smiled at us the whole meal.
Those of you with kids will understand this part...you have meals out where everyone stares in a bad way and then those meals where people stare in a GREAT way! There is no prouder moment (ok maybe a few) then having a couple admire your kids and parenting. All is right with the world when this happens. Therefore, it is my vow that when Ben and I are older and our girls no longer eat with us and they are off on their own, I will comment to all families who are out and about, how beautiful their children are and how blessed they are...because it literally fills you up inside to hear!
Well, we then headed off for errands, new cell phone for Ben (computers down), car wash(had stuff in truck bed) stop at the park(Ally fell asleep)...so we headed home for naps...and chores...
Chores are my favorite part of "family day". Ben avoids chores at all costs! Today I am proud to report he helped assemble a new toy organizer for the play room. He also repaired the desk moulding, and took out the trash! WOW! During this time Natalie and Ally slept and rested...
When Ally woke we packed up a snack picnic and planned on hiking the plateau...before we left our neighborhood, Natalie was sleeping...so we drove to the trial head...still sleeping...we drove around and looked at all the houses we would LOVE to move to, still sleeping, drove home, still sleeping...no exercise but we managed two naps out of two kids....
We skewered some bacon wrapped ahi, the families favorite dinner, and grilled outside while the girls played on the swing set. This is what America is built on right...BBQ and swingsets?
Well, we all ate at the table, one of our priorities which seem simple but is quite an accomplishment! Both girls in baths...PJ's and Ally went straight to sleep...Natalie gets to stay up about a hour later...and right now I am going to join Ben and Natalie on the floor for a night of Sound of Music...can't wait for the next family night...good night!

We had a Winkie Party for Natalie giving up the pacifier. A bit extreme you may think but I was truly afraid that she would be riding a two wheeler before she would unplug her insatiable sucking! We managed to BRIBE, yes we bribed our child so that IF she gave up the pacifier she could get her very own swing set....well you saw the swing set post right? Here is the grand finale! A swing set/winkie/cupcake party. Complete with neighborhood kids and hotdogs!
Ally who has NEVER even attempted the winkie...I'm sure she'll still require braces....

"That wasn't so bad mom"

So Natalie went to the dentist. Natalie was prepared at school when they had a dentist week. They did "toothbrush art" and read books about it and even role played "going to the dentist". In Natalie had quite an opinion about the dentist BEFORE we even picked on to go to.

My Kid's Dentist, located off Madison in Murrieta is where we went. They really did a good job of keeping Natalie busy! They have a play area a TV room with video games and huge flat screens up above the exam tables. The X-Ray person "Dora" was sweet and the hygienist, Natalie, what a coincidence, was also very friendly and silly. Dr. Seth was a sweet young dentist who spoke at Natalie's level and really won her over.

Natalie took all her "pictures very well and then had a great check up! No cavities or decay. Dr. Seth talked to her about good brushing and even invited her to bring her sister next time. Seriously a dentist visit at 20 months?

I was happy and am also happy to pass on my recommendation to Dr. Seth. We had a great time and Natalie is excited to go back!

Day at the Bay

Jillian and Natalie BFF
A "hug"! Jillian doesn't usually let Natalie show this much love...

Some prancing!

Brayden with his nanny for the day, Nicole:)

Brayden with a little help from Nicole

Love this one of Natalie running in the bay...a better mom would have remebered the swim suits (they were back in the car).

Ally filling some BIG shoes!

My sister Caitlyn and her friend Nicole

Aunti Cay Cay and my poor Allison with no swimsuit!

Natalie is making a sand dinosaur...and Allison is posing!

Ally saying "cheese"!

No day at the bay is complete without a sandy PB&J!

Andrea and I both used to live a stones throw from this very spot. Of course it was many years ago and children and "family" weren't much on our minds. We decided that a day at the bay would be fun for the kids and for us to remember that even though we live in suburbia, the fun days in the sun are only a picnic lunch and a drive (a very loud whiny drive with lots of threats to 'pull this car over') away...enjoy!