Request Granted

So quite a few people have asked why isn't the public seeing any Lilly videos lately. I realize Drew has been showcased for his "advance" toddler knowledge in recent videos and Lilly has been somewhat absent. Well, here you go. Please enjoy the video of Lilly below.



If any one out there can interpret what she is saying, I would love to hear...but now the public can see why it is a little more challenging to get Lilly to recite her ABC's, shapes, or colors. :-)

PS- I love the part in the middle of her rant where she almost gets knocked over by her own emotion to her made up words. So great.

PPS- I absolutely love this spirited little girl.

Advantage Parents

So, we all remember Lilly's new dresser?


Now that they can't play hide and seek in it any more, they have chosen a new activity that happens more than three times a day.



Parents win.

The Negotiator

So I have been meaning to write about this conversation for a while. It seems to keep changing as Drew's negotiating skills improve. Drew occasionally wakes up in the middle night and there are times when it is for 2-3 days in a row, usually around 2 am.

Setting: Drew's room at 2:30 am

This is how the conversation goes.(by the way...me in this conversation could also be Todd very easily)

Me: Drew it is night-night time.

Drew: I need...I need to watch Lightening McQueen.

Me: No Drew, we are not watching McQueen right now. It is night-night.

Drew: I need...I need...chocolate cookie.

Me: Um, no Drew. Sorry that is not happening.

Drew: I need...I need...I need chocolate milk. Please mommy.

Me: Thank you for asking nicely Drew, but it is not time to drink milk or eat anything.

Drew: I need white milk please? Please mommy?

Me. No Drew.

Drew: I need water?

Me: Okay Drew I will get you some water.

Drew: YA OKAY!

I have learned that a compromise of water is a win-win for both if us. He is happy with his water and I am happy to go back to sleep.

The Relaxing position

Drew just assumes this position when ever watching a movie or TV. It's how he unwinds after a long day of playing.

Something to hold us over...

Thank goodness for Walmart and 5 dollar water activities until our pool gets here. Every time we hear a big truck we ask mommy if that is our pool getting dropped off.

Just because....

The mommy needs reminding that my kids ARE at times very cute and sweet with each other.

This does not make me happy

So apparently there was a run away crayon that just didn't quite make into the box to be put away. Drew says, "Wiwee did it," and Lilly says "Daruuw cawain(crayon)"
I have a feeling that I have many more moments like these in my future.







PS Where was I when the crayon met the wall? If I had to guess, it probably happened on Todd's watch. ;-)

An addition to Lilly's room

NO...the addition is not a new or future sibling.

So traditionally girls tend to have more clothes than boys. I said traditionally. So we happened to come across this hand-me-down dresser from my aunt and TA DA...Lilly now can actually have all of her clothes in her room.



My kids have figured out another use for the dresser. Big surprise.


They did this all by themselves and yelled, "You count Hide and Seek"


We played hide and seek 100 times(it seemed like) and every time I opened the dresser, they yelled "surprise"


As fun as 100 times of hide and seek is...the dresser now has shelves.

Half the family at Easter

So don't ask why my kids happen to get sick on holidays(don't forget about Merry puking Christmas), but only Lilly really got to participate in the Easter festivities this year. Let me just say that the morning did not go well for Lilly and details of her behavior will not be described here for the simple reason of preserving her little reputation. I like to call Lilly a spirited and passionate girl. We can leave it at that with those "positive" adjectives to describe my daughter.

Lilly's, "I am not picking up any eggs" face at church. My mom worked really hard to change her attitude, but she was not having it.


But like most kids, some food and a long nap help get a better attitude and she had a great time at Nana and Boppa's house in the late afternoon. She was very excited for this Easter Egg hunt.




Drew is feeling better now, but had tonsils the size of golf balls on Friday and a high fever that left him out of Easter this year. We had fun together though. Drew, mommy, and McQueen had some bonding time.

Easter Eggs and destruction

So we tackled the egg dying project last night and all went rather well until Miss Destructo found out the eggs will crack. How is it that Drew wouldn't even think of harming the egg, but it is on Lilly's agenda?

Some of the drying eggs...


Drew must have been very pleased with how the color of the egg turned out for him.


Drew takes his time and is pretty darn patient for a two and half year old toddler. Drew is always "first pick" for projects like this. When it comes to the question, "So which kid do you want to help?"...Todd is very quick to answer, "Ohhh I'll take Drew I guess."


Lilly was not as patient while the eggs were dying and insisted on picking them up every 1.3 seconds. As you can see from the stain on her shirt, she was already 3-4 spills in at this point.


What can I spill or break next?

Another learning moment from Drew

You can't help but smile at how he says watermelon.

Twilight Party 2009

So the planning of this party has been in the works for a while now. For those of you who don't like this topic, then stop reading now and go do something that you feel is more productive. For the rest of you, continue reading and receive the feeling of pure joy.


Most of us attending this party hoped Edward would grace us with his presence, and he did....in the movie. But we didn't just get together and watch the movie. There was much more.


The talented Elissa was my co-hoster to this party. Her vision was one that was truly remarkable. I say that to get a laugh, but honestly it is true. We mapped out ideas, gathered information, categorized folders, had "business" meetings, abandoned our families(this is only partially true), but most of all just had a fun time together.


The very popular front door. I think I heard the most compliments on this aspect of the party. The grand entrance making the very important first impression. Many photo-ops were taken here.


See what I am saying about vision? Elissa really made this entrance what it was...amazingly awesome.


Aimee, who probably traveled the furthest to get to the party and with the youngest guest(a seven week old little girl), took many of these outstanding photos. As you will see in upcoming posts, her artistic eye and camera documented this event so well. I hope it was worth the long drive Aimee!

....Continuing Twilight

Everyone who attended got the Twilight Soundtrack plus some other related Twilight songs. Those who are familiar with these books know why we love forks.



This was the game we played. Aimee took this shot and edited it with the captions(thanks Aimee) You might have to click to enlarge to see the captions, but the categories were really just for a laugh, and way more interesting to say then the book titles.

I have to say that it was a close game in the end. It really came down to Final Jeopardy and The Forkers ended up pulling off the win, but not because they were closest(it was a number answer) but because they just didn't go over. All three teams showed true promise with Twilight trivia. Melody and Aimee were slightly "bell happy" with the ringing in, but they did get the right answer most of the time. I am sorry to say in the end though, they were not going home with the basket of goodies.


I need to say for the record that NOT ALL OF THESE are mine, just majority. And now let me say that I received some as gifts. And lastly, I wear them mostly around the house, but occasionally out in public.


The Food spread.....all things related to Twilight.

"Is she even Italian?"
"Her Name is Bella."

So, yes we had Italian Food

If there is such thing...ohh wait there is. Bella wine. It was served.

Yes...I am still talking about the Twilight Party

The very planned out and detail orientated display of each book in the series/saga. Every book had a tangible item that accompanied it along with a quote and picture. It was like re-living the books again and to every one that came to this party.....I believe enjoyed looking back.



The beautiful wedding cake that Elissa made. What did you ask? What was on the inside? Red Velvet of course. See what I am saying about the details?


I was the game show host. Sometimes I think I missed my calling in this department. One day...I will get on TV. But until then, I make up games and host them at parties. Laugh all you want.


Jen and I in our black and white dresses with red accessories. I have to publicly thank Jen for being the one to encourage me to "just read the first couple chapters of Twilight" which little did anyone know(especially my husband) that my life would never be the same.


Here is a picture of the winning team from the game...The Forkers. I really just have to include this picture because of Summer rocking the red feathered boa. Thank you Summer....and that tells me you are ready for a pole-dancing class. We will get that on the calendar.


I kind of feel like I am accepting an award for the best Twilight Party of the year(and if there was such a contest I would hope we would at least be nominated), but there are thank you's that need to be said:

First and foremost to the fans, or those who attended and make it a party to begin with.

Secondly to my mom and dad who opened their lovely house to us and our decorating...and more importantly their 52 inch flat screen to watch the movie on.

Thirdly to Aimee for taking some of these wonderful shots. For those of you that want to read her version of the party click on my side bar where it says The Fredy Family.

Fourthly to Elissa. We made a team like Edward and Bella. I read minds and you fall down stairs often. Seriously though, thanks for taking on this party with me and seeing every detail through to the end. If you interested in Elissa's take on the party click on Busy Me busy with three on my side bar.

Lastly to Todd who put up with it all.

THE END

Let the bragging begin

I am honestly NOT a bragger, but I have to just let the world know about what an incredibly thoughtful and very well planned out husband I have. I know this post is tardy compared to when my birthday was, but better late than never as the saying goes. I apologize for the long post, but this is worthy in my opinion.

I woke up that morning(Saturday March 21st) thinking we were going to have a normal day besides a nice dinner out that night in San Fransisco. As I came down the stairs to Drew and Todd I find an envelope with a #1 on it. I think...oh my gosh, I have gotten chosen for Amazing Race and this is my first detour. Little did I know that there was a string of clues that was leading me on an adventure that day...but more like a spa-hair-make-up-good food-with friends type of day.

Clue #1 read:
Time to get up, take a shower, don't wash your hair, wear very little make-up and get downstairs(he thought he would be handing this to me in bed) It is very important that you have a big breakfast. Get up and get moving! Let's Go!

So I of course ask a million questions that are not be answered and walk up stairs to get ready. I smell eggs, potatoes, and bacon cooking down stairs, and I think he was not joking about the big breakfast thing. There is a knock at the door and Amy and Summer show up with grins as big as they come to take me on the rest of my clues filled day.

Clue #2 I find in the car:
It's not the cottage where Froto lives; you go dream about Friday Nights. So up or down you'll look very pretty for our little date tonight.

So cottage was a dead give away along with Friday Nights because I get my hair done at the Hair Cottage and all Julie and I talk about is the show Friday Nights Lights(with next to the office, is the best show on TV) So the only hair style that sticks out to me of late is how Jennifer Aniston wore her hair to the Oscars this year(which is more coincidental than you might be aware of at this point)




After my hair is looking lovely, we get back to the car to find the third clue. I am really liking this getting back to car thing to find another clue pattern.

Clue #3:
You know how I feel, that less is more, but girls will be girls at this Plaza store.

This clue was slightly more challenging. I knew we were going to the mall....but was he hinting at Victoria Secret at that less is more comment? Joking Joking all parents out there. But the only time I hear Todd talk less is more is home decorating and make-up. And being that I wasn't wearing any make-up from the first clue I narrowed down my guess. So off to the mall we went where Amy handed me another card from Jen(love you Jen) who set up an appointment for me at Benefit to get my make-up done and 50 dollar Gift Card for products I might want to buy. I am thinking at this point what an awesome day and it can't get any better, right?




After make-up the next clue awaits in the car again.
Clue #4 :
Finishing touches are so very key, these next 20 paint jobs are for each of you, all three. Head east on this highway and relax at this spa. Kick your feet up, put your hands out, relax and say "ahhhhhh"



We all screamed with joy knowing Cold Water Creek was our next stop!! And Amy and Summer were getting to participate during this pampering stop as well.



After we enjoyed our pedicures and manicures, there was one last clue(as of now) that led us to lunch.
Clue#5:
Now take a short walk, it's time to eat. Go to Willie's new sister, lunch is my treat.

Seriously....how amazing is my husband? This was such a great day!




As far as I knew that was the last clue. I came home and hugged and kissed Todd and said I wish more people could see me "all pretty like this". I should have known something was up when Summer got her make-up done as well.....suspicious, but I was just enjoying the moment.

So as I walk down the stairs thinking we are leaving for San Fransisco(by the way, Lilly and Drew are having a "sleep-over" at Nana and Boppa's house that night)I step on another clue coming out of the bedroom. I yell, "Todd you said no more tricks up your sleeve" even though secretly I really liked it. I mean who wouldn't really.

Clue #6
Now one last stop to document your beauty. With someone else's camera....And nothing rhymes with Melody...

And that is how I ended up having one of the best surprises of my life. My husband had every single detail planned out. Even handing Amy a paper bag with my flip-flops for after my pedicure. He sent out a fake evite to through me off because I thought we were doing a BBQ at the park the next day. I LOVE MY HUSBAND. Way more than Edward...and that is one of the best compliments I could pay Todd.