"H, Boot"

Over the weekend Mason and I decided to try and be a little more pro-active in helping Ava learn to write a bit. She knows her letters and can recognize her name, so we started with that. Yesterday morning before Mason left for work, he tried to help Ava write her name. She of course, being the almost-4-year-old that she is, refused to copy the letters. Mason went to collect his gear for work, then Ava approached him with her piece of paper. He asked her if she practiced the letters, and she said she had. He then looked at the paper, but instead of seeing the letters "A-V-A," he saw what looked like an "H" and then a picture. When asked what they were, Ava replied, "H-Boot! My name is H-Boot!!" Mason then just rolled his eyes, and had a bit of a laugh.

Fast forward to that evening at dinner. Mason told me that we needed to get creative in helping her to want to write. I told him that she will practice her letters in preschool - and I even showed him her papers that she brought home earlier that day. It was full of "M's" and "N's" that Ava had practiced. Up at the top of the paper however, Mason noticed something. The teachers all write the students' names at the top in dotted letters so they can practice writing them. On Ava's paper however, next to her dotted name was - you guessed it - "H-Boot!"

Mason was just speechless, LOL!

Valentines and Crazy Birds

Last week in Ava's preschool class, they exchanged Valentines. Ava was super-excited, and she picked out "Bolt" Valentines to give. We also had fun Valentine-themed pencils to go along with the cards. Needless to say, I was quite amazed when I picked her up that day! She had a box filled to the brim with Valentine goodies from her classmates - not only pencils, but erasers, play-doh, and an assortment of goodies. It was like Christmas all over again!


Then this evening it was attack of the crazy birds! Outside in the courtyard of our complex, there is an arbor where some birds have had their nest for a few years. The grill is also out there, and while I was grilling some meat for dinner, the mother bird decided it was time for her last chick to leave the next. There was a kerfuffle of feathers, the baby bird flopped onto the picnic table, then onto the pavement, and scuttled under the grill's gas tank. The mother flew away, and in the process hit my head with her wings. I felt bad for the baby bird, but I had to keep Ava and Norah from trying to touch it (just in case the mom came back). I guess it's not everyday you see a baby being kicked out of the house, LOL!

Can't say THAT!!

I've been keeping a log of all the funny things my kids say - but last night really had me in a fit of laughter. While at my parents' house for dinner, Norah needed to be changed. So my dad (giving us a bit of a break from diaper duty), promptly offered to do so. Ava followed him to the bathroom, then reported back to us that Norah had "passed wind." My mom told her to say that Norah "fluffed," and then Ava matter-of-factly told her "I'm not ALLOWED to say fluffed!"

Needless to say we just broke down into the giggles. Gotta love the things kids say!

New Year already?

Holy moly, I can't believe it's 2009! This year already has started with a bang - we bought a new car on New Year's Day. Our third baby is due this May, and my Jeep just won't handle three car seats across the back. We finally decided on a Mazda CX-9. It's super sexy with leather seats. Yes, we spoiled ourselves, but hey - we're going to have this car until Ava's in college!

Yesterday we had our ultrasound to find the gender of our baby - only to have the sonographer say that she was 70% sure it was a girl. Apparently this little one was a bit more shy than Ava and Norah were. In all honesty I'd be surprised if it was a boy, but just in case, we'll have two names on hand, and a few boy outfits. (Yes, I'm an obsessive planner).

And I finally have a custom My Little Pony! Whoo hoo! For all you non-pony people, it's a My Little Pony that's been stripped of it's original symbol and hair and totally customized. It's of my online pony persona "ashes" (so now you know partly why this blog is called "ashes to ashes"). It arrived yesterday, and I totally love it. You are all probably thinking that with my art skills I should be making my own ponies, but hey - with two little ones at home, I'm still lucky I can find time just to draw and paint!

Here are pics of my custom pony. The artwork in the background is my own, which I sent to the customizer for reference.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! This truly is a beloved time of the year. Soft twinkling lights, smiling children, and hope seems to burn a little brighter and everyone is a little kinder.

Yesterday was spent over at my parents' house. Ava and Norah loved seeing their tree and wondered which presents were for them. Dinner was fabulous, followed by a dessert I remember from my childhood - peppermint ice cream served in homemade chocolate cups. Ava and Norah still aren't up to having a full Christmas Eve type "program," (with them still being so young) so their bedtime story was the account of the Nativity from the New Testament, of course followed by a reading of The Night Before Christmas.

Ava was so wired that we could still hear her rustling around in her room at 11:30 pm. But that didn't deter Mason and I from setting up "Santa's presents." For Ava it was the Cherry Blossom Market complete with play food, while Norah's was a baby doll with a stroller and carrier.

We were all so tired that Ava didn't wake us up until 9:30 am. Of course we didn't know how long she had really been up, LOL! We asked her if Santa came, and she said, "No" but then we asked her if he had left presents, and she coyly said, "Yeeeeeeeeeees....." She and Norah were excited to see the bounty that Santa had left.

The toy of the day for Norah was her battery-operated puppy. You know those yappy things you see tied up outside the front of toy stores? Well, she's totally in love with it. She carried that thing around all day, and ran away every time Ava asked to see it.

Ava on the other hand, spent equal amounts of time between her market, her RC My Little Pony Scooter (although Norah had fun making it do donuts - no joke!), and her books and other toys. My parents came over later in the day for more presents and dinner. It was a fun day all around.

I think tonight we will all sleep soundly. :)

Night in Bethlehem

Last night we took our girls and my parents to see Santa Clara First Baptist Church's production of "Night in Bethlehem." I must say it was quite a sight! The participants had wonderful costumes, the animals were amazing (complete with camels!), and the Roman guards were definitely cranky.

Facades and booths were erected to look like the town of Bethlehem - complete with a census taker, the inn, and facates of what life was like long ago - brick makers, bakers, woodworkers and wool-weavers to name a few. Ava and Norah each had a bracelet made for them.

The wise men and shepherds each had their own dramatic scenes outside Bethlehem, then entered the city to seek the newborn King. Mary and Joseph too were seen entering the city, cast away from the inn, and finally settling at the stable. It was very well done, and we highly recommend it to all of our local friends. It was a wonderful way to help celebrate the season.

One of the wise men's camels

The donkey at the entrance to Bethlehem

Norah and me outside the entrance.

Ava having her bracelet made.

The Nativity.

Favorite Holiday

Yup, that's right - Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A time for great food, friends, and family. It's a holiday that everyone can enjoy, regardless of religion or nationality. This year I'm thankful for many things, but here are the ones at the top of my list:

-I'm thankful for my wonderful, loving husband, and our two girls. And I'm thankful for one on the way! (although we don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl).

I'm thankful to live near family, and that my girls can grow up near grandparents.

I'm thankful for my dear college friends, who even though they all live in other states, we remain close through email and phone calls.

I'm thankful for the many miracle babies I've seen born to many of my friends recently.

I'm thankful for this free country.

I'm thankful for the MLP community! It's so fun to have others share in the joy of collecting.

So huzzah for turkey and other fixins', let's get together with those we love and find joy in being thankful. :) Oh, and here's a little turkey, California style!