Tooth Fairy Time!

It's been rough for Carter ever since Jacob lost his first tooth about two years ago. The anticipation of when the tooth fairy might come for him has just been too much. Finally after wiggling and eventually a very tough pull by Dad, the tooth came out. He couldn't have been any happier. It came out first thing in the morning and all he could talk about all day long was going to bed. For the first time in his life the kid showered, brushed his teeth, said his prayers, and got into bed before I even asked him to. Typically it takes about 100 times of my asking before any of these things happen. That's one happy kid!
It's been rough for Carter ever since Jacob lost his first tooth, finally it's Carter's turn!

Baseball and Birthdays

The season has started and so far so good for everyone. Jacob was reluctant to play baseball this year, but Brett wanted him to have one "real" year of baseball. He has played three seasons of T-ball, which apparently isn't "real" baseball. So, we told him he has to play this year, and then next year he gets to decide if he continues on. So far he is loving it, so good call by Dad. Once again, despite Brett's efforts, neither boy is on the Red Sox. One of these years Brett.








From February 4-March 1 we are filled with birthdays. Jacob, Brett and Sam all have their birthdays during this time. Jacob chose a crazy sleep over this year. They stayed up until 1:30 am and were awake again by 5:00. Why do we do it? Because my parents did it for me. It was the best birthday party he ever had, and he wants the exact same party next year. Oh boy.


Sam's birthday. His two favorite presents were his talking Lighning Mcqeen and the reversable Superman/Batman cape Sunshine made him. The only hard part is deciding weather or not you are in a Superman or Batman mood. I have never had a boy into wearing a cape before so I am loving it. I think it is the cutest thing ever, even when he wore it to Target the other day.

Soccer

I love it when we can get the boys on the same team, they enjoy playing together, and it makes it so much easier. This was a fun season at NCSP, Jacob and Carter got to play together, with friends, and they won the division. The last game of the season we were behind by one goal with a team we had beat once and lost to once. Jacob scored a goal with 11 seconds left to tie the game up. We all agreed that a tie was as good as a win! It was nice to squeeze in a quick soccer season before baseball starts.

February Break

Oh how I love that our school district takes a week off in February. It's a special treat to have a vacation in the middle of February. We spent the first part of the week at my sister's house in Thousand Oaks. It is so great to have her only 2 1/2 hours away, an easy get away for myself and my kids. Jacob and Carter cried when we drove away, it's always so hard to leave cousins!

It was cold and rainy for the first few days, so the Paulsons heated up the hot tub for the kids to play in. After playing in the hot tub for awhile all the kids came inside and I went to take a shower. Sam realized he had left his squirt gun in the hot tub and headed back outside to get it. Sam, thinking he can swim, got right in and was sinking and thrashing in the middle of the hot tub. Meanwhile, Stephanie was arguing with Jacob and Emily telling them they needed to go back out to the pool and get the plates of food they left. They wanted to take a shower first and then go get them, but she insisted they go right then because it had started raining. When they got out there Emily spotted Sam and Jacob jumped in and saved him. This whole time I was in the shower assuming everyone was saftely inside. Thank goodness for Stephanie feeling they must go get the plates right then, thank goodness they listened and saved Sam. I was left feeling off the rest of the week. I had such a hard time sleeping, just imagining what if things had turned out differently, what if I didn't have Sam anymore. I know I complain about the trouble he is, but I love that kid so much it kills me. What if I didn't have Sam to boss me around anymore, to sing me songs, and to snuggle with me. I thought of all the moms who situations like this have turned out for the worse. I don't know why I get to keep Sam, but I know I am forever grateful. I have tried to appreciate him more, and not be so bothered by the frusterating things he does. I love him more than anything, I am just grateful he is still here.

Gril Trip 2009

I look forward to it all year long, I grieve it being over for weeks after. The highlight of each year for me is getting to spend five days with my five favorite ladies. Actually all of us with the exception of my mom are anything but ladies, especially on girl trip, but my mom appreciates it when we refer to ourselves as "ladies." Oh how I love staying up late talking with my mom and sisters, going out for delicious dinners each night, taking long walks in the morning, and talking, talking, talking anytime in between. It keeps me sane to have time away with them every year, we all solve each others problems, hear about one anothers lives and enjoy each other in a way we can't over the phone or the other times we get together when all the kids are around. How grateful I am to my mom for giving me four best friends. How grateful I am we do this each year.
Thanks to Wendy we have this beautiful home in the mountains of Arizona to escape away to. The only downer this year will be the absence of my oldest sister, Diana, who had an unexpected conflict and a trip to Hawaii this same week. It won't be the same without her.

These are all pictures from last year, which I never posted because Wendy is TERRIBLE about getting pictures to people, so I just got them. We still love her anyway!

One night we had a chef come in to the house and make us dinner. It was amazing, complete with appetizers and all. They did a cooking demonstration just like on the Cooking Network, I loved it!

On the back patio, a beautiful view!

At our favorite restaurant Lucille's.

I can't wait ladies!

A Year of Disney Comes to an End

I think everyone knows how I feel about Disneyland. The Happiest Place on Earth describes it perfectly. We have loved having our Disney passes this past year, and we have used them well. We love going to Disneyland with cousins, friends, or just our little family. I am sure we will get passes again soon, after the baby, but for now I will miss it!

We call this roller coaster in Toon Town Carter's Coaster because it was the first roller coaster we could get him to go on. Now he loves roller coasters of all kinds, but he still likes to go on this one. The boys went over and over thanks to no lines.

GO CHARGERS!

For the past two years I have thought about buying the boys Chargers jersey's at the beginning of the season when they can be found everywhere. I think about it, but of course don't do it, then they make the playoffs, no jerseys can be found in San Diego, and my kids are out of luck on Chargers day at school. Sunshine and I even headed out to Wal-Mart at 10 pm after the game last Saturday night in search of them, do you know who goes to Wal-Mart at 10 pm? It's an interesting crowd, worth checking out sometime. Plenty of pink jerseys were there, but no blue. Thus began the Great Chargers Attire search, not unlike the Great Pumpkin search of 2007. Thanks to Sunshine t-shirts were finally tracked down and Chargers day at school was saved. Hooray! Next year I am getting jerseys early, of course then they probably won't make the play offs. Oh well, better to be prepared as I have learned. GO CHARGERS! We'll be rooting loud!