When I grow up…

Posted on January 27, 2009 by carrievoris

We were lying in Addie’s bed reading books the other night and Em and Ad decided that they are both going to go to the University of Michigan, and they are going to go at the same time so they can be there together.

(So which of our relatives would like to take them in for a few years so we can get in-state tuition? Even then…times two…aye!)

And Addie wants to be a fireman (firewoman?) and Emma wants to be an “ambulance doctor.”

Look what great public servants we are raising! Although to be fair, Em also wants to be a teacher, a ballet teacher and an astronaut, and I’m sure it will change again within the next 24 hours.

Speaking of professions, while we were walking to pick up Addie from school today, Emma had her American Girl doll (Elizabeth) and we discussed parenting styles…

E: Mama? Don’t you think I am such a good Mommy to Elizabeth?
M: Yes, I do. Where did you learn to be such a good Mommy?
(Oh, come on! Of course I was fishing here…tell me you wouldn’t have said the same thing!)
E: From you!
(See! Absolutely the right answer! Good girl, Em.)
M: Hmmm…well, I’m not always such a good Mommy.
(Guiltily thinking back to about 5 minutes earlier when I was very impatiently trying to herd Em and all of her crap out the door!)
E: Yeah, well sometimes I have to yell at Elizabeth too!
(Fantastic. Yes, maybe this week isn’t going as smoothly without J. as I had imagined.)

But at least Emma isn’t drawing pictures on her homework of me like this! (You have to read the description below the picture – I’m still giggling over it!)

And, I know. These photos have absolutely nothing to do with the post – they are simply gratuitous pics for Daddy.

We miss you!
xoxoxo,
-Your Girls

How do we get the candy? ~ Best Shot Monday

Posted on January 26, 2009 by carrievoris

Technically, this was a horrible shot. That was indeed a very plaid sofa behind the girls. So I tried to tone down the colors by editing the photo and making it black & white. Plus the lighting wasn’t so great and it was what I imagine it would be like to be a member of the paparazzi at a Hollywood movie premier, with about ten moms and dads jockeying for position, trying to take photos, flashes going off left and right.

But all of that aside, I cannot stop looking at this photo and just smiling. My two princesses, (it was a Princess-themed birthday party for Addie’s little friend) anxiously waiting for someone to just bust open that pinata!

Such concentration and seriousness! How can it not be my Best Shot Monday for today?

Winter Wonderland ~ Theme Thursday

Posted on January 22, 2009 by carrievoris

Well, I guarantee our take on Winter Wonderland will be quite different than most of the other Theme Thursdays for today.

Instead of playing “king of the hill” on top of snowbanks – we frolic in great, heaping piles of leaves and at best hope for maybe a rainy day or two.

And this is our version of the “snow angel” –

We can visit the snow (about an hour away) whenever we choose, but…really, why would we want to?

Considering it is almost impossible to get them to wear long sleeves, I think these California girls would agree that snow is waaaay over-rated!

In case you ever wondered…

Posted on January 18, 2009 by carrievoris

I always have non-Californians ask if our trees lose their leaves in the fall.

Um…this is our front walk/yard. It is usually a nice green lawn (or during the very summer months – a yellowish/green).

So yes…we do lose our leaves. Our ash tree usually drops its leaves in November, but weird weather this winter has the poor trees all mixed up. It is bizarre to sit and literally watch the leaves fall off of the tree.

By the bagful.

Every time Addie walked outside last week she would say, “Oh Mama! It is fall! Look at all the leaves falling off of the trees!”

Of course her older, much wiser sister corrects her instantly. “NO Addie, it is actually winter. We just live in CAL-i-FORnia!”

It didn’t stop Addie from jumping in the leaves last week though. (Note: This was taken the day after the gardener cleaned up the yard and he bundled up two big barrels plus 15 bags of leaves. We swept up another huge pile, and you can’t even tell right now that we have picked any leaves up at all!)

And Bear had to take a turn, too…

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Posted on December 19, 2008 by carrievoris

One of the best things about living in SoCal? The weather.

One of the worst things about living in SoCal? The weather.

I do miss the change of seasons sometimes. Well, for about a day or so, and then I’m back to loving the endlessly sunny days. But at Christmas time, it really is a little difficult to get in the mood when it is 70 degrees and you are buying gifts while dressed in t-shirts and flip flops.

But this week…our weather has been glorious! Most people here are complaining that it is “soooo cold” and in their defense, it has been in the 40s most of the week. Yeah, yeah…I know many of you are saying, “oh, ah boo hoo hoo!” But when you don’t really own a winter coat anymore, almost freezing is pretty cold!

But I am loving this weather. Breaking out the sweaters and the hot cocoa. Tuesday afternoon when it was pouring down rain, we popped some popcorn and put in a movie and cuddled up on the sofa. A perfect rainy, gloomy day. Plus the rain has rinsed off a few layers of dirt that covers everything the other 11 months of the year.

This morning when I went out to get the papers it actually smelled like snow, you know that smell? And it did snow on our mountains – a lot, and pretty low down, too, which is unheard of this early in the season.

Best of all, it just feels like Christmas!

Plus how else can I torture my children by making them wear impossibly adorable hats like this?

Addie calls this one her “reindeer hat.”

Kids Say Some Funny Stuff ~ Bathroom Edition

Posted on December 5, 2008 by carrievoris

This Friday’s edition of funny stuff is brought to you by none other than little Miss Addison, and it is filled with good ‘ol bathroom humor. I will never understand why kids think “poop” and all things bathroom related are funny, but anyhow…

A: Mama! I went potty, can you help me put my dress back on? (Yes, we are still with the “naked thing” when she goes potty.)
M: Yep. Come here.
A: I went #1 AND #2, and #3!

(Jamie’s contribution to their education while I was away on my weekend = what “#1” and “#2” mean. I can just see him standing outside of the public girl’s bathroom trying to explain that one.)

M: Um…ok. What is #3?
(Emma is cracking up and then Addie starts in and they can barely explain #3 to me.)
A: Emma and I says that #3 is when you have to go – Whew! That is stinky – CLOSE THE DOOR, stinky!

Uh huh. So #3 has been introduced into the household and it is in heavy rotation. Because you know, it is just so, so funny!

———————

And this morning Addie was helping me in the bathroom and I asked her to get me a new roll of toilet paper. She opened up this tiny little drawer that we never use but I could hear something rolling around in there.

A: Oh! Toilet paper can’t fit in that drawer, Mama! (As she shuts the drawer)
M: No, but what is in there, Ad?
A: (Opens it back up and peers in) Just some big straws, Mama.
M: Straws? (Racking my brain to figure out how straws got into the bathroom.)

So I checked the drawer myself. They were not straws. They were…uh, feminine products. Definitely not straws. But I think I’m just going to let her think they are straws for a bit longer – I am so not ready for that conversation.

Cheeky monkey.

Outtake #223 ~ Best Shot Monday

Posted on November 30, 2008 by carrievoris

I have a secret. As much as I protest, (and do not fear, you will hear much protesting and complaining in the next few weeks!) I really love to create the yearly Christmas cards and calendars. It makes me stop, spend a few moments, and peruse the photos from the past twelve months.

I am constantly amazed at how much stuff we managed to squeeze into the year. I marvel at how much the girls have changed, really how much our entire life has changed in just one short year. And I gain a little bit of closure on the old year and can prepare for a new one.

It allows me to be a little bit creative as well. I don’t always get to be the “fun” creative in my real job, so it is nice to have a little creative break. I have had an idea for this year’s Christmas cards for awhile now. I suspect that J. thought it was completely crazy when I first told him of my idea. But, like a good husband, he willingly tried to corral the monkeys and help me get the shots I’ve been dreaming of.

I’m working on making at least a few of the photos work, but I think the outtakes – the ones we shot after we were “done” – might be even more fun.

Here is one of my favorites from the day.

I just know next year when I’m working on the calendar I’m going to look at this shot and not believe how much they have both grown and changed. One thing that I hope doesn’t change – that they will remain cooperative in my crazy schemes and willing subjects for the Christmas photos!

For more changing shots, pop over to Tracey’s.

More Thankfuls

Posted on November 28, 2008 by carrievoris

This discussion started at dinner yesterday and I finally realized I should be videoing it. So there were other thankfuls, especially from Addie, but this is what I caught.

Swing Choreography

Posted on November 26, 2008 by carrievoris

Em has become quite the master of the swing. Whenever we make it to the park she wants to try to swing as high as she can and “touch the sky.”

Unfortunately, Addie wants to do whatever her big sister is doing. But Mama doesn’t feel good about pushing her “higher.” Yesterday my resistance led to this…

She was not happy. Although, yesterday was one of those rough days – it didn’t really matter what the little thing was, it was going to set her off.

Em, trying to be a good big sister was concerned…

And took it upon herself to try to “teach” Ad how to get herself higher by pumping her legs.

“You bend your legs back…”

And then push them forward…

You got it!

(Not really.) But it was a very sweet effort, Em. Better than Mommy, who just stood by taking photos.

On the plus side, Meltdown Sally ended up in bed at 6:30pm and slept through til 7am this morning. Me thinks she may have been a wee bit tired. And today proved to be a MUCH better day.

Thankful ~ Theme Thursday

Posted on November 20, 2008 by carrievoris

This week’s Theme is Thankful. Where to begin?

I am thankful first and foremost for J. – my sweet husband and amazing partner in this crazy life. I’m thankful for my loving and supportive family. I’m thankful for my great circle of friends who make my life so fun.

But most of all, I am thankful that God blessed Jam and I with an angel…

…and not just one, but two!

How could I ever want for more? I am just so very thankful.

BarelyControlledChaos

Chaos Controlled.Barely.

Category Archives: Addison