The Summer Reading Program

Until my schedule really calms down in August we don't have the time to go to the library's summer reading program so we are doing one ourselves. I made a chart that has about 200 squares. Each time we read a book this summer with Savannah she gets a 'HIGH FIVE' sticker. She gets to pick the color sticker, peel it off the paper herself and pick the square that it goes into. She enjoys it so much.

Today, I opened her bedroom door to find her reading (flipping through the pages to see the pictures). As kids my brother loved books much more than I ever did (mainly because I was a terrible reader) and I want Savvy to have the same love as Peter. Savannah was really starting to want to watch TV, movies or videos on the computer all the time. I love how she is starting to ask for us to read her a book.

I was in the kitchen making her breakfast this morning when I walked into the living room and saw her flipping through a book. I had to take a quick picture... the sticker board is WORKING!

Who are you?!?

Yesterday, Brian excepted the invitation to go to our neighbors concert. Then, he agreed to go to a party of one of his friends.

If you know Brian you know this is totally out of character for him. It guess this is what happens when all his stress is gone... and I LIKE IT!

Really Lily!

Everyday when we are getting ready to leave Lily quietly and patiently waits by the front door for us to leave. When it comes time for us to actually walk out the door Lily sits about 4 feet away- still quiet, still patient. My arms are full- usually with my make-up bag, purse, Savannah's school bag, etc. I open the door to put all my bags on the floor right outside the door and Lily doesn't move. I than walk into the kitchen to get the keys and garage door clicker and Lily doesn't move. Then, I call for Savannah for us to go. Just as Savannah is about to pass the door's threshold Lily bolts by Savannah knocking her over. Then I scream "Really Lily!" and Savannah cries.

It's like clockwork. I couldn't plan it better. Lily does it every time. It's like Lily's little thing she does to get back for Savannah for being born and ruining the good dog life she had. Or, it's because I then have to get Lily back inside by grabbing a handful of dog treats and throwing them as far as I can away from the front door. Then Lily runs back inside as I run outside and shut the door.

Everyday like clockwork.

The Conference Call

This morning I was on a conference call for a company that I serve on as an advisory council member. With about 16 of us on the phone its inevitable to hear someone's phone ring or a side conversation. My biggest fear is that I will be one of these people. All they have to do is hit (*6) to mute, and most phones even have an extra mute button for double protection. I get so frustrated with people who DO NOT follow proper phone conference etiquette.

Today, my call was early (for me) at 8:30 until 10:30 so I decided to take the call at home. Every once in a while I have to double un-mute myself so I can make a comment or respond to a question. Most of the time I am just on mute and listening via speaker or head set.

So, while I listen to an important business call this is what was actually happened on my end of the phone in a chronological timeline of events...

8:40 Brian wakes me up asking, "White or Cream Shirt?... Don't you have a conference call?"

8:40.5 I jump out of bed to get on the call.

8:43 I'm still in PJ's with the home phone on speaker clipped waist

8:45 Brian Leaves for Interview kissing me goodbye and I wish Brian, "GOOD LUCK!"

8:47 Savannah Wakes up "Good morning Mommy! I love you. Go Potty?"

I reply, "Ok, then we need to change your pull up."

Savannah replies, "NO, no pull-up. Snacks!"

8:48 Savannah's on the potty and I say, "WOW lots of pee pee. You're such a big girl on the potty!"

Savannah replies yelling "WOW lots of pee pee, Mommy wipe me! No! I wipe myself!"

8:49 Lily is barking at the gardener who is RIGHT outside our window mowing the law.

I yell, almost scream, at Lilly and the gardener to keep it down!

I flush the toilet, but Savannah screams and pouts that she wanted to flush it.

I promise Savannah she can flush next time.

Savannah lays down on the floor, expressing how upset she is with my flushing methods.

8:50 Then... I hear... "Kelly is everything ok?" Followed with dead silence on the phone.

8:51 I die from embarrassment.

8:52 It came from my cell phone... not the conference call. Savannah had called an old friend on my cell phone and somehow got it on speaker.

4th of July Shelf

Orange County United Way Walk

Yesterday, we participated in the Orange County United Way's 5k Walk. My company (CCCS-OC) had a booth and helped sponsor the event.

Savannah was super shy that morning. It was a big networking event (or at least it was for me) and I was talking to a bunch of people. They kept wanting to talk to Savvy and say hi, but she wasn't ready to perform that early.

Leslie Aguilar... SUPER FRIEND from CCCS-OC.

My Boss, Jim Frannea.

Part of the walk allowed us to walk through the stadium and onto the field.

We met up with our friend Jacquie and Ryan. They are getting married on July 30th in Carlsbad and we are excited to have a fun little weekend away.

CCCS-OC had our logo on the jumbo tron.

I was able to capture this picture of Ryan and Brian.

It was such a fun day. It really feels like I am getting my husband back. Although he hates it when I say this, he really is super FUNNY and makes me laugh like crazy. Now, that school is coming to an end I can tell his stress is slipping away!

Savannah's 2 Year Old Photos

My cousin Lisa took these photos of Savannah as her 2-year old birthday party present. They are the most gorgeous picture I've every seen. Thank you Auntie Lisa!

5 Things about each of us

Savannah:

1. She can JUMP with both feet at the same time!

2. She can count up to 20.

3. Loves reading books (we have a big chart on the wall and she gets a sticker for each book we read- she LOVES it).

4. She says, "Bear it is" when she finds something.

5. Savvy is shy but her go to move is when I ask her how old she is. No matter how scared, nervous, mad or sad she is, she will say, "I'm two" while holding up two fingers.

Kelly:

1. Found a new favorite TV show called The Voice and a new favorite song, Shangri-La by YACHT.

2. Just decorated my shelf with 4th of July stuff.

3. Taking a break from writing a 15-page paper... that's due tomorrow.

4. Is going to visit Peter in September for his 28th b-day :)

5. Just got an awesome HP Envy wireless printer/scanner and am going paperless will ALL our bills... now I just need a heavy duty shredder.

Brian:

1. He loves his new iPad (Aron's old iPad 1).

2. Brian's last day of school is July 15th.

3. Is running about 3-6 times a week.

4. He is job searching for a SLP position in the surrounding school districts.

5. Walked a 5k at Angels Stadium with Savannah and myself this morning for the Orange County United Way.

Lily Update:

She's still with us, but has been a handful lately. She has a terrible rash on her body that won't go away. Ugh!

Father's Day

It was so wonderful that we were all together on Father's Day. As a craft we had the kiddos decorate ties for all the guys.

Savannah gave Brian the Nike Running App with the chip to go onto his shoe. We also gave him a black Ben Sherman messenger bag for him to use at his new job.

Russel got an iPad 2 from his family for Father's Day and was truly surprised. I love how this picture really shows his amazement.

Surprise!

For Aron's 40th Birthday we through a surprise party for him at his own house. It seemed like planning every detail took forever, but it felt even longer waiting for Aron to arrive. Savannah and I drove into town on Thursday night, and told Aron it was just going to be us to celebrate his birthday.

The next morning he went to work (early- thanks to Mahasin's made up 'I locked myself out' story) and I'm surprised my insistence about changing his outfit for work to something more flattering didn't signal some red flags. Soon after he drove off Stephy and her family arrived. They drove from Ellensburg, WA. Then Lisa and Kaylee were picked up at their hotel since they arrived the night before. Then Russel, Mel, Mom and Dad flew in with the three kiddos (including the newborn that we had not met yet). Brian had a school function so he came later. Unfortunately, it was after the party had ended.

We started decorating and setting up at 7:30 am and finished with everything only 30 minutes before guest started arriving.

There were two plans in place to keep Aron at work. First, he thought that I had drive to St. George to drop off some stuff to my cousin Lisa. Which was the reason I had my parents huge Tahoe full of stuff. I just had to make sure he didn't ask to meet for lunch or rush home, so I said that I was going to be late. Second, Mahasin or Dr. Palmer (his boss) were going to think of a reason to keep him longer at work.

Thankfully Dr. Palmer ended up keeping him at work very late. When Aron called he sounded worried about the news that Dr. Palmer gave him about their program (which was all made up). I assured him it would all be okay and we could talk about it over dinner. I mentioned that the babysitter was already there but I kept asking him exactly how far was he from home. I also mentioned to him that I somehow broke the garage door and it wouldn't open. I really just had Dev disconnect it so he would be forced to come through the front door. He always parks in the garage, but since it was full of stuff we had to think of a way to re-route him.

Mohasin was the lookout upstairs and would run down when she saw his car pull up. I kept looking through the peep hole to see when he turned the corner to the front door.

He truly was surprised!

We had two surprised. The first was the one had his friends and co-workers when he first opened the door. Then the DJ had him walk into the kitchen and his WHOLE family surprised him. He looked like he was going to get emotional but held it back. It was a great moment.

We had a Bartender, a DJ and even hired dance instructors to teach us some 70's dance steps. The party's theme was supposed to be 1971 since it was the year Aron was born.

We all got really dressed up. The three youngest girls had matching dresses. I also loved the retro hats we made in the party's colors.

It's hard to see but there is a Happy Birthday sign above the door that was also custom made to match the party. I just happen to be in this picture and look pretty happy. It was probably because the surprise was perfect! Ealier that day I was SO WORRIED the surprise aspect was falling apart that I cried... multiple times.

Meeting Aiden for the first time.

Not sure why I made this face... I just really like the color of my shirt :)

Lisa was so amazing with all her help. She did so much that it's impossible to name it all.

The cake was covered in a gold eatable glitter. The cupcakes were filled with cream- so yummy! We added the little personalized touches ourselves.

The present from the family was an iPad 2. I knew that Aron really, really wanted one. I had asked him questions about it before, but he thought I was buying one for myself. I wrapped it in gold glitter paper, but had to use hot glue to actually wrap it. Glitter paper doesn't do too well with tape.

The orange jelly balls were fun, but a terrible project AND a mess. We put LED lights at the bottom to provide light. It was a fun touch and was supposed to represent the lava lamp. I'm not sure if I'll ever do it again for a party since the disposal was a nightmare.

I had vinyl made for the the walls. There were mod shaped circles all over and a huge ARON sign. It was my favorite part. Thanks to Lisa, it went on perfectly straight.

Since it was a 70's party we had to have a beaded curtain!

For the food we had cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, a nacho bar, pop stickers, deviled eggs, and cheese and vegetable platter. Dev did the grocery trip that morning but I brought a lot of it with me. I was able to shop at restaurant depot to get amazing deals. We didn't get a picture of the desert table, but it was full of so many fun options to dip into chocolate- so yummy.

Aron's boss is the one with the glasses on the right. Behind them is a glimpse at what we did to his pictures on the wall. We covered them in retro fabric. Whitney did such an amazing job with that.

Poor Steph was SO tired. She drove from Washinton without stopping at a hotel. None of the kids slept either. Then she helped set up the party and picked up everyone. Her hubby, Dev, did so much. I couldn't have put the party together without everyone, but especially Dev, Steph, Whitney and LISA. We had a huge list that was on the wall of stuff to do. They just went down the list and checked things off.

I made giant chocolate chip cookies as party favors for the guests.

Happy Birthday Aron!