tgif

rare moment of sweetness... yes they are actually being sweet, ivy doesn't have him pinned down

chicken & spinach enchiladas

photos by ivy:

this week hasn't been particularly long, just really tiring. 

kevin and i feel 100 years old by 8 o'clock. 

is this normal? we're pretty sure we're the only ones. 

our dinner dates have to be at 5:30 or i literally can't make it. :) 

hey evvia. best restaurant around hands down. 

highlights from the week (last week?):
when ivy cried because i told her she can't marry eli.
homemade chicken enchiladas
ivy wore shorts! (and without any drama)
eli is basically practically bottle-weened
the glorious weather
the day eli only ate chocolate milk, a chocolate milkshake and croutons.
new summer dress in the mail (for me, not ivy for once)
eli's gymnastics class....picking up a squishy ball and dunking it one-handed?! impressive.
 sweetest kid ever. he goes where he's supposed to and always wants me right by him.
when it's time to go, he says "bye bye" real softly and leaves without any fuss
even though it's the best 45 minutes he's ever had in his life.

weekend plans:
make blueberry muffins and eat 'em all
take ives to a local kid's musical.. she is going to loove it
susie cakes
clean the backyarrrrrd
go watch a stanford baseball game with ivy's preschool.. should be fun
horse riding lesson
oh yeah.. take the kids to benihanas per ivy's request haha i'm super excited about this
i miss tokyo
and while we're at it, novroskys and chula vista.
wow i am fat.

hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

re-start

i can't believe it's been 3 months! 

 i wasn't sure if i'd ever be back, but.. i kind of missed it so here i am again. 

i think maybe instagram took over and blogs are now like so 5 years ago...

 but then i reminded myself i'm trying to keep this for a little family record 

and i should get back on it or i'll be realllly bummed down the road!

well, i'm not even going to try to recap the past few months 

so i'll just take a deeep breath and forgive myself 

for january, february and march and start here. 

wednesday march 27th:

taken during eli's nap... goofball! 

ivy took this pic (among MANY) which i thought turned out cute

we made pancakes for breakfast

made our beds and picked up the house

the kids dumped out a bag of cotton balls outside and ran in and told me it was snowing

then i made them pick every one of them up using a hair clip

so i could have five minutes of peace.. you know what i'm saying? 

(i actually read it was a good exercise for their pincer grip haha)

what moms actually do that kinda stuff? 

moving on..

lunch, naps, diapers

park, pirates, family of sea lions,

family of squirrel-fish (fish that can climb trees)

family of ducks,

forts, puzzles, the tale of mrs. tittlemouse,

chocolate peanut butter smoothies (YUM)

a few spankings,

watch mr. don prune the trees,

about a million other things..

dinner, baths, jammies

daddy home!

with a box of pizza?

second dinner

brush teeth 

BED.

this is our chicken & rice-a-roni soup we had for dinner 

which was "lish" as ivy says 

and now we are all totally caught up.

whew!

are you like, so glad you're back in the loop? :)

tgif

weekend plans:

--eat donuts

--sleep in 

--swim 

--get some plants planted

--practice walking with eli, he's so close!

--grill! now that our grill man is out of the hospital/bed and back to normal... although he's technically not supposed to eat for 10 more days. 

(that's not happening)

--zoo? 

--try to hem curtains with brooke's tip: stitch witchery!? thank you brooke!

--buy birdseed

--pedicure pretty please

--attempt to reupholster dining chairs, that should be funny

--start gone with the wind

--try not to feel guilty if none of this gets done :)

happy weekend!

swing of things

 yes, we are still alive!  

time has just been eaten up by getting settled in and finding a little routine. 

moms looove themselves a routine. 

i don't really think of myself as a "routine kind of mom" 

(especially compared to friends, i'm pretty chill)

 but i definitely function 100x better when there's a shape and purpose to the day. 

so i guess you could say i'm super laid back within my routine :)  

well who cares!

a routine is being found and we're the better for it.

 anyway, i don't do well with describing big changes

 like moving across the country to california 

and everything different and new (at least not on the blog), 

so i guess that's why i called this short & sweet in the first place.

 so i'll try to keep it that way by just saying we are so happy here, 

kevin is enjoying his job, working long hours,

 i love my tiny house although we live outside, 

the kids love everything and life is feeling sweet. 

 of course it's still exhausting

 (does anyone have a friend/cousin/grandma/friend's cousin's grandma around here 

who remotely likes children?) 

but that's motherhood

and i feel more in my element here than i ever did in cambridge (that's for sure), 

even though it was a great experience. 

that was a really long sentence. 

so here's to cali and hopefully catching some of it on the blog! 

california

this morning at the ferry building in san francisco 

          kevin is finished with classes (woohoo!)

and has two free weeks until his actual graduation.

we left the kids in texas and came to san francisco for a few days.

it is beautiful and we're having so much fun. 

actually, we are here to find a house!

kevin accepted a job offer in palo alto a few days ago, 

so we are here to find a place to move to in just a few weeks.

crazzzyy!

i am sad to still be far from my nieces and family, 

but so proud and happy for this opportunity for kevin 

and excited to live in such a beautiful place with my little family. 

we arrived yesterday and found our house within a few hours of landing. 

i can't believe it. 

it was the first & only house we looked at -
just something i stumbled upon online,

and we both LOVED it. 

it is old, small and so charming.

it has a wonderful backyard (ahhh!) and no stairs!!

we walked through, got so excited and DONE.

i can't wait to start decorating and get settled in.

since that is miraculously done, we have the rest of the week to chill.

we spent all day around san francisco, eating and walking and soaking it in.

it's nice to have some free days to get a few more things done:

--find the market

--visit kevin's office

--visit a preschool for ivy

--get kevin a bike

--maybe a piano for me?!

i can honestly say i did not anticipate moving to california

but i feel so blessed and so happy. 

God is good. 

funny girl, part 2

a two year old's mind is a funny thing, 

and again, the creativity never ceases to amaze.

 i wish i would jot down more of this stuff, but here's a few of the latest. 

actually, i think this all happened today and yesterday.  

(note - this is mainly to help jog my memory later, so i'm aware it may not make a lot of sense!) 

ivy's "tortillas"

helping in the kitchen 

ivy's latest cooking endeavor is making "tortillas" by rolling up our placemats and putting them in our empty fireplace. it's sometimes a struggle for her to let me borrow them for dinner time, and afterwards, you can bet they are right back in her "oven"!  

also, this morning she took her 5 dvds out of their cases, put them in her play kitchen oven and said she was "making tookies (cookies)".  maybe because they are round like cookies? i don't know. she is always coming up with new material.

earlier today, she rolled up the comforter on our bed until it dropped perfectly on the floor at the end of the bed. she came and got me and eli and asked us really sweetly, "would you like to come see my whale? it is big, two eyes and a big mouth. would you like to ride him?"  interesting.

ivy has been making a huge pile in our den of every pillow in our house, and jumping off the couch and rolling around in them. (so?)  anyway, her and i were sitting in the pile the other day and she blurted out "these pillows are PLANETS!" i don't know what she was saying, but she meant it!

at any given moment during the day, if you have your feet on the floor (say you are sitting on the couch or on a chair like a normal person) ivy might point at your feet and shout "mom! shark!" and then you have to pull your feet up. and she keeps going on about her business. pretty funny.

yesterday, in her time-out chair, she said through tears, "i want grandma at my house!" haha aw :(

one thing that ivy can't quite wrap her mind around is why i have to wash our clothes.
when she walks with me down to do the laundry, we usually have a convo like this.
ivy: "did eli spit up on it?"
me: "no, eli didn't spit up on it."
ivy: "did eli p-u on it?"
me: "nope"
ivy, confused: "did ivy p-u on it?"
me: "no"
ivy: "daddy p-u on it??"
and so on....
i try to explain that we just have to wash the clothes every once in a while to keep them clean.
she's not buying it.

but she's keeping us entertained! :)

lately...

this past week or so was a little more crazier than usual.

one of my friends had to be away for 2 weeks 

helping her parents with the aftermath of an oregon landslide. 

so, long story short -

we had the privilege of keeping her children during the weekdays

while their daddy was in class. 

it was super fun and insightful getting to play mom of 4 for a little bit. 

(shout out to mom - you're amazing!!)

the girls are incredibly sweet and well mannered. 

we had a nice little routine down

and they even took naps at the same time in the afternoons. 

i think it helped that the 3 oldest were girls. 

we made smoothies, 

colored, painted, did puzzles, 

hot glued a wreath, 

watched babe, danced on the bed, 

made fruit loop necklaces....

not sure what i would've done if i had all boys!!!

\

thanks to:

mom, for the cute kitchen towel and fridge magnets.

aunt kathryn, for the paints. big hit.  

aunt gen, for the bathrobe ivy adores. 

eli, for balancing us out a bit! 

hope you all had a nice weekend! 

am i in scotland?

we came back to freezing weather and snow covered grounds.
we also came home to a table full of gifts from the UK.
a family of five from london stayed in our apartment during the holidays while we were away (organized through our church) and left us tons of goodies including some books for ivy, fortnum & mason teas and walker's shortbread.
i had a flashback while strolling ivy in the snow and sipping my english tea :)
it took me straight back to st. andrews.

it's been a tiny culture shock coming from texas, but it's actually really beautiful and nice out.
just don't let me forget my gloves!!!
fuchsia leather ones to be exact :)  thanks mom.

hope y'all are having a wonderful january!

back to cambridge, or world's longest post

cab ride home

blueberry scones

we got back to cambridge monday after a long visit home for the holidays!

 i was feeling a little anxious about being 

on my own again 

after having so much help/care/everything at home, 

but i was also ready to get back in my own place and start fresh. 

new year.

new semester.

everyone a little older and wiser.

even before our plane landed, i had a good feeling about getting back.

 it's an emotional test of strength every time we pack all our stuff back up 

and i have to separate my kids from family for another few months. 

(dramatic much?) 

but i am getting so much better at it, i'm almost even good. 

(not sure if that's a good or bad thing). 

but i think i'm growing and learning 

and stretching and trusting. 

last semester may possibly have been, 

sorda

 kinda 

maybe in a way

a whiff for me. 

i really want to be someone who can handle life gracefully come what may, 

but i actually did a pretty poor job. 

(st. andrews =A, cambridge = ehh, C-). 

i gave a decent effort,

 but couldn't completely let go of woe-is-me: 

i don't have a car!/a friend!/mom/ac/washer dryer.....

where is a non-ghetto target and a family friendly restaurant 

and where in the sam hill is a normal grocery store?? 

 i was tired. 

i was stressed.

i was tired of being stressed. 

the break was a good long time for me to soak up all the help,

 go to cabo,

 rest, and get my act together. 

and it took every second. 

but i'm back!

 i feel good. 

i made some NY resolutions, 

planned out a routine for the kids, 

and let my helper go. 

 (i'm not totally helpless, 

there's another wonderful girl who babysits when we need it 

and that's a blessing.) 
but i feel like i'm becoming myself again
after a somewhat stressful transition. 

anyway, this post is not really finding a point so let's wrap it up. 

i do want to say though that our first day back was a huge answered prayer. 

so many friends (ok like 3 but that's a lot for me) 

called/texted/dropped by just to say welcome back. 

one even brought over scones. 

they probably don't know it, but it meant so much to me. 

here's to another year!

28.
come what may. 

hope y'all don't think i'm crazy.

love to all.

chaiss 

ps. i don't understand the new blogger format (clearly). agh. sorry! 

thankful

i'm thankful for butter, pies and babies.

i'm thankful for my cozy, working kitchen

and the french doors i can close to make it my own little space,

and the big window i can open to let the fall breeze blow in.

i'm thankful for the oldies station in our kitchen that never turns off.

i'm thankful my husband will finally let me play christmas music tomorrow!

(thanksgiving is his favorite holiday so there's a strict rule about it).

i'm thankful for holidays,

even if it's just my own little family (and uncle craig!)

i'm thankful for them.

kevin, ivy and eli.

i'm thankful for the role they need, want and expect me to play.

i'm so, so thankful i get to be their wife and mom.

i'm thankful for this season to be on my own,

to grow and stretch,

and just when i think i can't do it,

i do it.

i'm thankful we will one day live close to family and my beautiful nieces.

(right, Lord?)

i'm thankful for a husband who supports me no matter how crazy i am sometimes.

i'm thankful for the awareness of my craziness, meaning i am not really crazy. haha.

i'm thankful for this goofy blog that makes me feel closer to you.

and you and you and you.

i'm thankful for my awesome rain boots that keep me warm

and for my awesome mom who gave them to me.

i'm thankful that my awesome mom loves most to be at home and with her children.

and her children's children.

she is probably sitting down right now,

serving them a fabulous meal,

and thanking the Lord for her family.

i'm thankful my mom is thankful for me,

and can't wait to have us home for christmas.

i'm thankful for christmas.

for turning another year older.

for baking.

for music.

for home.

for togetherness.

for Jesus.

for love.

for grace.

i'm thankful for tomorrow.

for rest.

and for leftovers.

amen.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR TABLE TO YALLS!

funny girl

sometimes ivy comes out of her room after her nap with the funniest stuff on. it's usually her cat hat, or sometimes it's the same clothes she was in for her nap except they are inside out (?) or in this case... my sunglasses and necklace. she walks out of her room nonchalantly donning some super random thing... it cracks me up every time.

after she brushed her teeth, she sat in the sink and asked for a bath (like her brother gets).

(this isn't really that funny, i just thought her hair was so cute!)

yesterday, ivy walked into the kitchen....

ivy: mom, makin?

me: chicken and dumplings

ivy (in a grown up voice): ohh, that's my favorite!

(maybe you had to be here.)

after dinner.....

ivy walked into the kitchen SOAKED. dripping wet. she had her arms spread out and a huge smile like "ta-da!" she had gotten into the full tub IN HER JAMMIES while i was cleaning dishes. (i forgot to drain the water earlier). ohhhh my... kevin thought it was hilarious/super dangerous. woops. lesson learned.

later that evening.....

ivy put my flats on her feet and told me "bye mom. ivy go target" haha!

she keeps us entertained!

crust

i walked into the kitchen and saw ivy in her underpants (not unusual) looking in the fridge (also not unusual) and asked her if she was eating the crust off the chicken pot pie. she turned around and said with a big smile "ivy like that part!" haha

by the way, kevin and i both call them "undies" and are not sure where she learned "underpants" but we think it's funny every time she calls them that.

also by the way, this post is not nearly as funny as i thought it would be.

ps. does anyone else's laundry basket ever look like that?? just wondering.

and yes, kevin's desk is in the laundry room. or the laundry basket is in kevin's office. however you wanna look at it.

over and out!

summer reading

any good recommendations??

call me

i have a phone again!

rainy sunday

2

#2 will be joining our nest this summer!

we are so happy. and tired.

but mostly happy!

hehe

you know you're in paris when...

you find croissant crumbs in your bra.

the joys of baking in the UK

i like baking... i do. it's one of the little things that makes a house a home. but i was intimidated after the big move to start up again in my little kitchen because everything is so different here! for instance...

1. there are so many different types of sugars, and they go by different names such as royal icing sugar (instead of confectioner's sugar).

2. the eggs just sit out on the shelf -room temp. is that weird/sanitary?

3. baking soda = bicarbonate of soda. that's not a big deal, but still different!

4. ok. this is the hardest thing to get used to... butter does not come in sticks!! and it is not measured in tablespoons! it is marked off every 50 grams (if you're lucky). so when a recipe calls for "2 sticks of butter" you have to translate that to grams. 1 stick = 1/2 cup = 113 grams. so 113 x 2 = 226 and one block is 250 grams. i finally got it down (thanks to kendall)! woohoo!

muffin tray vs bun tray. i accidentally bought a bun tray (i was ordering from a catalogue so it was hard to see the difference) - i started laughing when i received my purchase! it is so shallow, there's no way you could make muffins or cupcakes in it. i'd never heard of a bun tray (have you??) so i was easily thrown off. it sits, very lonely, in my bottom cabinet, totally untouched. what on earth would i make in it? buns? what does that even mean?

the itty bitty oven. well, it's really not that bad. it's actually a double oven but i'm pretty sure the bottom one doesn't work. anyway, it's in celcius! that's a problem! i've learned that 350 = 180c so i can kinda judge everything else from there.

there are so many other little things that make me laugh (and cry) like no chocolate chips, hershey kisses, peppermints... however, the local store does have betty crocker cake mixes that taste exactly the same so that's nice to have on hand!

ok well for some reason i thought this post would be interesting but now i'm thinking maybe it's only interesting to me... haha. oh well, i'll post it for record-keeping's sake...

the end!

and now... please join me in singing:

happy birthday to you

happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear craaaaig

happy birthday to you!!!