So long staycation

You may recall, or maybe that was on facebook, that I was complaining about spending Christmas break at home for 11 days. By day 6 I was done and ready to book a last minute, red-eye to New York. I completely climb the walls and panic that I'm wasting precious time off from work.

When MLK weekend came around, I was adamant that we would go out of town. Both Cap and I had the day off and the girls' school was closed. I looked at San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ojai before settling on Palm Springs where the pools are heated and we had an unseasonal high of 80. After searching through several three star options, I said screw it; I want a hotel that has it all. We booked three nights at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells after getting the second night half off. We had a huge room and there were 6 pools, a hot tub, a water slide and pool side beverages on demand.

I love the desert and I love Palm Springs. It was perfect.

It's another three day weekend but we're taking the whole week! We flew off to Tucson on the 19th for our annual trip to visit GranJanne and see her new house. Pop Pop and Nana will also be there for their annual desert sojourn. Mmm. Love that desert air.

Palm Springs Photos:


Addie feeding a giraffe at the Living Desert zoo.


Addie riding a camel for the first time. This zoo seriously rocks.


Grooming a goat. When I think about how many times our city kids have combed goats, I have to laugh.


Sheep gazing


Addie and Cap on the water slide


Eliza and Cap on the water slide.


Taking a break from swimming to have some water and watch a movie on my phone.


Finally trying an infamous date milk shake from Shields. Delicious. Eliza liked it too.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our day started with Addie serenading us in bed with a Valentine song and ended with sharing strawberries and chocolates with the girls while opening Valentines galore from classmates and family.

A Valentine message from Addie as she told us over the weekend: "I am the Queen of Love!"

17 months

Miss Eliza Wren is creeping up against half a year, celebrating her 17 month birthday yesterday. She continues to grow into a feisty, exuberant little girl. She's running around, climbing up on everything, playing peek-a-boo, and taking her shoes and socks off. Exhausting! Favorite words include uh-oh, nose, shoe, more and making animal sounds. When she hears or sees a bird she says, "Caw, Caw" and a dog is breathy "woof woof". She'll only read books about animals and prefers to be outside rather than in. We frequently have to rush to Addie's aid after Eliza has tackled her and grabbed fistfuls of hair. I think Eliza might enjoy a toddler tumbling class! While scrappy, she's also very loving. She greets all the grown-ups at school with hugs whether they are teachers or parents and if you say, "Eliza, can I get a hug?" she'll rush up, wrap her arms around you and lay her head on your shoulder. Total cuddle bug but watch out, she bites.

Since I missed her 16 month post due to a pregnancy induced hibernation, here is a photo of her from a month ago.

Stuffed Animals

This is going back to Christmas when my Mom was visiting when we were most excellent LA tourists making the rounds to the local cultural institutions. This is our second visit to The Natural History Museum and I forget what a great place it is for kids. Both Addie and Eliza loved it and because it's not crowded they could run around in the giant halls. Plus they have a gorgeous, light-filled discovery room and the T-rex show is amazing - and scary!


Eliza knows her animals by sound so here is her looking at a "Rawr!"

The Official Announcement

My blog has been neglected for two months as I've been in bed around 8:00 after the girls are asleep. There isn't much time for anything other than getting ready for work, work, and then getting the girls picked up from school, fed and in bed before I crash myself. And here is my official excuse.

I'm having a baby!

Yes, baby #3 is on the way. I'm 16 weeks along, due at the end of July. After getting over the shock, I am really quite excited. Sure it will mean the massive expense of a new car and eventually a new place to live, but it will also mean a new little person to love. I can't believe Eliza is going to be a big sister as she's still a baby in my eyes at 16 months.

Addie is very excited and while she said she wanted a baby brother, she understand that you get what you get, and you don't get upset - a maxim taught to her by her God-sibs in Colorado. A few weeks ago she put her face up to my belly and yelled, "Hey baby! Turn into a boy!" If I was going to bet though, I'd put my money on a little girl. We don't find out for a few more weeks but that hasn't stopped me from compiling lists of girl and boy names.

My apologizes for the neglected blog, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.


16 weeks in 2009 with Eliza. Looking rather similar these days. Now, if only I could find where I stored my maternity clothes . . .