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!

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha gonna do?

So my friends husband is a police officer and she organized a day for all the kiddos to gather around and witness a police car come through the neighborhood with lights and sirens! Better for Natalie and Allison to experience this in the neighborhood then behind mommy's car! Natalie was VERY shy and did not want to get in the car or press any of the buttons. Most of the kids were crazy to do this! She did pose in front of the car when I told her we could send the picture to Grandpa in Indiana...that seems to be the closest I could get her. I hope it is the closest she EVER gets...as a result from our fabulous parenting of course!

Natalie and Paige

Brooklyn and Scarlett, Ally's friend:)

Yesterday Yard, Today a Swingset

Natalie has waited with much anticipation for the day Ben would OK a swing set of her very own. We passed up a few free offers back when Natalie was just a baby thinking, "we don't need a swing set". But the day came when the pros outweighed the cons and we are proud owners of an awesome swing set!

I looked for almost 6 months on craigslist, even drove out to several yards to inspect what they had. None were exactly what we needed. Too big, too small, too unsteady, to expensive...the excuses came easily. Finally Ben gave me the green light to find JUST the right one online.

Ebay of all places had a perfect one for us...enough swings...a clubhouse on the bottom so we don't have to worry about Ally falling out, even monkey bars which weren't a "must have". FREE shipping! You have to LOVE Ebay!

The freight truck pulled in Wednesday morning and Ben had a few guys come over 7am Thursday to try to get it all done. Done it is! We are so proud of our new addition to the yard. And a BIG thanks to Larry and Steve who brought their tools, patience and bad jokes!

Turns out we do have "something" in common with the Obama's.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/04/obama-surprises-daughters_n_172009.html

Shark Award!

Natalie earned her FIRST Award and I got a chance to be the proud parent and take too many embarrassing pictures! She started swim class about 8 weeks ago. We were hesitant at first but finally decided that a private lesson was what Natalie needed. No other kids to distract or for her to badger (which loves to do!). The Swim School sold me on the benefits of one on one instruction and I have to say I am grateful we have stuck with it because in only 8 weeks Natalie has learned all the basic skills. She is now in Level 2 which practices all the same skills, just moving to complete Independence. Here are my proud parent pictures...

Here is Miss Dee getting Natalie ready with her goggles...Natalie is getting ready to dive for rings.

Diving for rings...Natalie gets to throw them into the water and she swims under with her eyes open to get them...Alligator Arms...getting ready to push off to Miss Dee.

Here Natalie is pushing off and "floating" to her teacher with her Alligator Arms still out.

Here she is rolling over on to a back float. They teach this for safety...in case she was in trouble she can roll over to breath and call for help.Going over the pool safety rules.
Jumping in...one of her favorite parts! This is the safety training again. As soon as they jump in they roll to aback float to catch their breath then they swim to the edge and climb out by themselves.

Just out the pool with goggle marks...so proud!

Time for the Shark Award! Along with a bumper sticker, a free frozen yogurt and a shark gummy candy! Yippie!And one more for mom!