Ally's First Haircut!

Big news in Mullet Magazine...Allison got a new do! Gone is the natural mullet and in is the bob. I want my girls to have long cute hair with ribbons and bows....instead I am stuck on haircuts and clearly stuck on bobs! She did a fabulous job sitting pretty for the shears and was a natural when I asked her to say cheese while holding her certificate. I am posting this 2 months after this glorious event and guess what - she already needs another haircut....

San Diego SUPER bowlers!

Checking our neighbors to make sure we have bowling etiquette.

Must have the shoes!

Ally using the tot bowler ramp...

Waiting for her PINK ball.

San Diego SUPER Bowlers!!!!
Since the Chargers did not make the Superbowl, Ben and I opted not to attend a football party merely for the conversation. We were pretty bummed the Bolts didn't make it! So off to the bowling alley for some SuperBOWL time. It is something I have been wanting to try for a while and was unsure if Allison would enjoy or hinder our bowling...it was tricky to bowl with a 2o month old for SURE! We topped the bowling with french fries, and chicken strips from the Bowling Alley Snack Bar. They had the superbowl playing on all the TV's s so we didn't even miss the commercials.

Natalie had a blast. It is so fun to teach her new things and see how much she marvels in the adventure.

Things I want to remember....

I love that I have time to reflect on the day. Almost like slow motion kicks in and I can see and hear things and KNOW they are important. Things I don't want to forget. I remember my wedding day, I planned 6 months in advance to have the exact wedding we wanted. I repeated to myself over and over - enjoy the moments watch everyone having fun and enjoying the day and don't forget to hold hands and dance and kiss Ben...It lasted 6 hours, start to finish. I was in labor longer then that! The moments fade, the memories I have are only the pictures...I loved the day, the flowers, the family and friends, the dress, cake, everything! But after almost 6 years I can't remember the details.

I think raising kids is like that. I spent almost 20 years thinking and planning about how I was going to parent. My mom and dad would do things to me and I would think I would NEVER do those same things to my kids. I would see strangers parenting and their children being monsters and I would think my children will NEVER do that. I planned much like a wedding, the perfect nursery, the perfect paint color, clothing, diapers, the perfect name, I knew that my girls would always have bows in their hair and clean clothes and faces. They would always have manners, and never fuss or throw fits. After all , I knew everything I wanted my kids to be. I had planned on it - much like I planned my wedding.

Much like wedding planning not much time is spent on marriage planning. We didn't designate who would take put the trash or who would pay the bills or handle the DMV business. We didn't think ahead to think what we would think about vacation planning or retirement planning. We DID think we would be or wouldn't be like so and so, an we assumed things would just turn out perfectly. Isn't it the same when preparing for kids....you never really plan for the day to day...

Here are the things I don't want to forget, even though life is no where like I planned it - I LOVE these things for what they are...

1. I delivered both kids by C-Section hating every minute of it and wanting to labor and push for eternity...

2. My babies have always been amazing sleepers!

3. Natalie used to hit and bonk and otherwise torment every kid in her path...now she is sweet and kind and I am so proud of her!

4. Allison has absolutely NO hair style, I don't want to cut it because then she won't be my baby anymore and she rips out ANYTHING I attempt to put in her hair...

5. Parenting is harder then I ever thought, harder then any book makes it out to be, nothing is at it seems and I love it more then anything I have ever done - and even on my toughest days I know I'll miss it!

6. Natalie asks/repeats questions NON Stop and they are senseless, meaningless things to me and I have to remind myself everyday that they are of the upmost importance to HER and therefore must answer accordingly.

7. I don't remember to brush my kids teeth everyday and the sticker chart incentive is really for me.

8. Even though my kids take a bath everyday, sometimes twice a day they still seem to be dirty.

9. My kids get to take more showers and baths then I do - NOT fair!

10. My house is messy because I love my kids, one day again soon my house will be an extension of me instead of the 3 other people who live here - YES I am blaming them!

11. I am so happy when I see other 4 year old girls scratch their bottom, pick their nose, lick a window, etc...

12. How amazed I am at moms that go at this single, I can barely keep it together, they are amazingly strong and deserve assistance and compliments whenever possible.

13. That I can birth two completely different girls yet be exactly the same in some ways.

14. Ally cuddles every chance she gets.

15. My kids miss daddy so much when he isn't here...

16. That staying home is a privilege and I don't mean to complain.

17. How excited I am when Natalie remembers to wipe, flush AND wash!

18. How Ally names her family members repeatedly - Daddy, Mommy, Thissy, "Aw-ee"

19. How Natalie hops, skips and frolics around the shopping cart at VONS.

20. How Natalie always seems to sing too loud - and how Ally tries to sing along...

21. At 4 and 21 months going outside is the highlight of the day.

22. Renting a movie is up there with going to Disneyland:)

23. The princess are REAL and do LIVE at Disneyland...

24. My kids have fuller closets then I do.

25. That all the things I thought would matter - DON'T!

25. Watching the sister bond at this age is awe inspiring and an amazing gift I never expected!

I challenge you to come up with 25 things you don't want to forget...

To be continued...

Blind - Playdate

This is too funny and I had to share...(aka remember when the girls are in college).

So Natalie gets invited for a playdate today. No big deal, we do lots of playdates, have been doing them for a long time...BUT..this is with a mom I don't know - a blind-playdate if you will.

Ben was there this morning to witness the nervous jitters. Ben first asked, so do you call right away or wait 3 days so it doesn't seem like you are too desperate? Ha ha, very funny. In fact if it weren't for him I probably would have waited a few days. Done some research first...you know me! So I spoke to her right away, she was standing there and Ben told me "Don't be shy". We set something up and now the panic sets in.

She is typical mom, I have seen her lots at school and they attend the same church as we do, but Natalie is friends with her daughter, usually I am friends with the mom and Natalie just gets to play by default - this date is kid centered, kid initiated, WOW! So I plan to drop Natalie off for her playdate...of course Natalie is THRILLED, I think I may sit in my car around the block and bring a pair of binoculars...

I can't wait to see how it goes, lesson I have learned from this, perhaps I should of started inviting kids to my house first, this way I would have known them a little. I am so nervous...she isn't, and I won't let her see my jitters. I'm nervous for her, for all the things she doesn't know yet. I will update the success of the date and maybe we will become friends because of our daughters. It is like Natalie and I are growing up together:)

Christmas Season 2009

Please let this be a reminder...I overplanned for December. Does that surprise anyone? Our December was PACKED with celebration! It started off with our annual Strader Ornament Exchange. It was a simple affair this year. We got back to our roots, so to say. Santa came in a new suit and the kids were gitty with excitement. We had 4 housefulls of neighbors come which was really fun...along with some other close friends.

The next week I flew with the girls to Orlando to meet up with Ben who was there for PRI, a racing trade show. The flight went smoothly and Natalie's travel training is really paying off. This girl is practically trained to be a flight attendant already! We rented a minivan - so fun! We stayed at a fun time-share resort type place. This was the key to the success of the trip. 2 bedroom condo with full kitchen and washer/dryer. We even had some friends for dinner. The pool was awesome for kids and there was an activity center with crafts and contests and such to keep Natalie busy during our "down time".

She painted a piggy bank and a photo frame, we went to the pool party which included a DJ, root beer floats and other fun activities.

The other BONUS, was Auntie Gillian, my dear friend from college. We met Samuel and got to watch the kids play (he is just younger then Allison). Also, we got to go Sea World, with a personal VIP tour. Natalie got to meet Newman, the penguin. We all had a chance to touch Newman and learn that penguins projectile poop. Good to know! We also enjoyed an up close Dolphin Encounter. We were very spoiled!

Gillian also used her VIP status to get us into Disney World. This trip we visited Disney Studios. It was a VERY fun park! LOTS of shows which was great for the ages of the girls. Plus, Ben got to sit down a lot which is what he likes to do:) Ally is CRAZY for Mickey right now and we all enjoyed watching her excitement throughout the park. The girls did not make it to night time. I was the most disappointed. The park we were in featured the Osborne Light Show. Only featured at Christmas time. The girls were wiped out and Ben agreed with them so I lost the vote! I have decided we are in the BEST years of Disney...the girls really don't "get" the rides yet - in fact I think they would be happy enough just walking through and seeing everything. Although it won't be the long before Natalie breaks me down and I let her ride Space Mountain....she is already tall enough! If you ask her, Splash Mountain is her favorite.

As soon as we returned I was hostess for my Bunco group! I had 11 Bunco Babes join me, including my mom, for our annual December Bunco and gift exchange. It was a sad bunco because we had just lost one of our original players. Sue passed away unexpectedly and we all really missed her bunco spirit!

Then, Ben and I had all the French Valley Airport staff and their significant others over for a Christmas Appreciation Dinner! It was my first dinner party of that size and formality. We had 20 people, seated dinner with 4 courses all homemade. It was spectacular and I can't wait to do it again. I enjoyed the service side of it and the guests entertained themselves well between courses because they all knew one another. Everyone dressed up and really embraced the celebration. It was the highlight of the month!

We celebrated a quiet Christmas with just Ben and his 3 girls. Natalie's excitement for the big night was contagious! Allison followed her every move and I'm sure will remember all the details for next year. We made sugar cookies, went ice skating, and ripped open presents in our Christmas Pajamas. I missed having my own mom and dad and sis, and we would LOVE if the Strader family made it out here - we were sort of "forced" into spending Christmas by ourselves. I know I didn't feel "old enough" to be on my own...didn't I need a motherly figure or a dad around? I guess I don't even though I prefer one:) We did quite well on our own but I hope to have a louder, messier Christmas morning next year because of extra family around!

Stan and Taz invited us over for a traditional Christmas dinner. It was delicious! We were so thankful for the company and our kids had so much fun playing with new toys and enjoying the season!

The day after Christmas, we had the whole family up! All the Deenik's, Cousin Ann and the kids, and family friends...even Willy and CoCo. We had a brunch, thanks to Uncle Ralph for casseroles! The kids were spoiled and our gift exchange was the biggest ever! The classic gift of 2009 - The Snuggie!

Ben and I escaped to our Trailer for New Year's, a quiet camping trip to roll in the New Year! It was great! We are looking forward to what 2010 has in store for us.

Once I find my camera...I'll upload some more...

Suzanne's Half Marathon

Got your attention didn't I? Well I did not run a half marathon, I rollerbladed one and it was the MOST fun ever! I recruited two of my crazy friends, Andrea and Nicole and we committed to the race. I only practiced a few times...maybe 7 or 8. I was up to about 6 miles a "blade" and I never really got winded. I would even rollerblade the girls to the gym in their double stroller. They were totally strapped in of course and I only did that AFTER I was certain I could do so safely.

We had matching T-shirts and wore our regular blades, Andrea even sported the vintage 1996 blades. They ended up in a trash can behind a taco shop in Imperial Beach - don't ask!

The morning we showed up for the race ALL the other racers were wearing skinned jerseys with logos and speed skates, they looked NOTHING like us and we were a little concerned. It is a good thing that didn't stop us! We lined up at the starting line in Coronado and when the gun went off we exploded! We skated passed the kids with Jamey, we skated passed the Hotel Del, we skated the whole length of Silver Strand and ended up in Imperial Beach in record time! Since we had never rollerbladed a half marathon before, we figured our time was record time...with enough time to spare so we can beat ourselves next year of course!

It was an awesome day! The kids all believed we WON the race and the quiche and champagne at Nicole's brunch afterwards was enough to make us feel like medal winners!

Here's to next year!

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...