Boutique

The association I live in was hosting a Santa and shopping event, and being inspired by other mommy friends who sell their creations, I decided to sign up. I have never sold my crafts, and have never even been to a boutique, so I was a bit nervous (very, actually). Luckily, Lindsey and Megan agreed to accompany me on Saturday and sale their wares as well. They were my "security blanket" and my intro into craft fairs. It was definitely a learning experience. I feel like I could do it on my own now. But why, when having friends along is so much better.

Living in Loma Linda, I learned from and was impressed with the ways so many stay at home moms found to bring in a little extra income using the skills, hobbies and talents they had. Thanks for the lessons, ladies.

Batissa

Larissa loves superheros. Her favorite is spiderman (and knows he is really Peter Parker--heard her telling a boy that the other day), but batman is good too. This past week I needed to go to Walmart, so I asked her to find something to wear. She insisted on wearing her christmas dress. "Yea!" I'm thinking, " she wants to wear a dress." Then she puts on her brown tennies and her batman mask. I let her know the pieces don't go together--she doesn't care. So we headed out, and she walked around Walmart wearing her christmas dress, batman mask, and tennis shoes. It was so Larissa! And I love her for being her. (I left my phone at home, so no pic. but I used another photo I had available.)

Wyatt's Birthday Party

My friend, Laurali, had a party for her son's birthday at the Irvine Park Railroad. It was a lot of fun. Being Christmas time, there were booths set up with activities, lights on the trees, and a train ride to see Santa himself. My girls did amazingly well waiting in line both for the train, and to visit with Santa. It helped that Sandy and her son Paul were along to distract them. I had a hard time keeping Kaleb away from the Candy Canes. And, yes, these masterful pictures were taken with my ever available camera phone.

It would make a fun family outing. You can check it out at www.irvineparkrr.com

Milestones

Kaleb is growing up. Last month I set Kaleb in his crib and left to do something. When I came back a minute later, he was sitting up in bed, happy as could be. A week after that, he pulled himself up to standing on a basket. I thought it was a fluke, until I went to the market one day. After running errands all morning, he was tired of sitting in the basket and Larissa was just tired. So I put Larissa in the seat and carried Kaleb. I had to put him down for a minute, and when I turned around, he was standing! Other milestones -- He scoots, his third tooth came in, he took a bath without crying, he says "mama" &" hi" (while raising arm). I'm don't think he really knows what he's saying, but being a proud mommy, I'll claim them as words.

Thanksgiving

Frank and I have finally hosted our first family get together. We had Frank's family over for Thanksgiving and it was a huge success--everyone ate and no one fought. If you know the McCormick boys, you know that no fights = success.

Besides well known recipes, Frank and I made my mom's rolls for the first time, and I made homemade gravy for the first time. They weren't perfect, but they were still tasty (to me at least).

I forgot to take pictures, so I took a picture of a wall. We had a thankful wall so we wouldn't have to go around the room and verbally share our gratitude (It didn't turn out well last time we tried that). This worked much better, and most were willing to participate. Notice that my brother-in-law Seamus is thankful for himself.

Among many other things, I'm thankful that we now have a home large enough to accomodate family gatherings, that my children are healthy and happy, that Frank has a secure job, and that I have the gospel to give me guidance, peace and perspective. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tooth Tales

Kaitlyn's two front baby teeth had never fallen out, because two partial teeth blocked the permanent teeth from coming in. So, about a week ago, Kaitlyn went to see the Oral Surgeon, and came home with a bag of 5 teeth ( He pulled another loose tooth for free). Kaitlyn hit the tooth fairy jackpot! She was excited to find $5 under her pillow. The tooth fairy even let her keep her teeth as a souvenir!

Yesterday, Kaitlyn and Brenna were looking at the fascinating bag of teeth, when Brenna asked if she could borrow the bag of teeth. Kaitlyn agreed, and handed her the bag. Brenna planned on putting them under her pillow in order to get $5 for herself.(Talk about a get rich quick scheme!) I informed her that the tooth fairy would know they weren't hers, and wouldn't leave any money. She just said "Oh", shrugged her shoulders, handed me the teeth and walked away.

A couple hours later...Brenna came down stairs excited, "Mommy, look!". I saw a tooth between two bloody fingers. Brenna has talked about a loose tooth for a few weeks, but when I checked it a couple days ago, it barely wiggled. To me, pulling your own tooth seems like a hard way to make a buck, but Brenna thought it was genius--and it would have come out sooner or later anyway. It was worth all the work when she found $1 under her pillow this morning.

What's New

Kaitlyn brought me home a reminder from school. Thought it was good for everyone.



Kaitlyn is doing great at her new school. She's still timid, but likes her teacher, and is doing well. Brenna is loving school as well--not surprising. We walk Kaitlyn to school in the morning. It's only a little over a mile round trip, but the trip home wears me out (more emotionally than physically) . They love going TO school, but no one wants to leave. I find myself carrying one in the bjorn, pushing one in the stroller, and trying to keep the third walking either by cajoling, distraction or hand holding -- all up hill (really). Here's a picture of the path:

Nice view, don't you think? I'm definitely enjoying the trails--feel lucky to live next to one.

Uncle Joseph took the kids trick or treating on Halloween. It's fun being in a neighborhood with lots of trick or treaters. We gave out over 200 pieces of candy, and had to stop because we ran out. While the girls were out and about the neighborhood, Kaleb was home with me.

Here's the girls. They didn't want to stop treating.

Prop 8

A couple weeks ago my sister's family found their "yes on 8" yard sign stomped on and torn. My niece was upset by this, and asked to make her own sign. To keep it from being ruined, my sister laminated it and, ignoring her fear of heights, posted it on their Chimney.

Favorite Quote Anyone?

The other day I came across this quote:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

I used to keep a notebook with my favorite quotes, and would like to do it again. Do you have a favorite quote? notalgic, witty, inspirational, silly? I'd love to read it.

Time Saving Tip -- Keep Tools in Your Car

I started out going to the DI this morning, but kept on going to Ontario Mills instead, deciding I'd stop at the DI on my way home. As I headed home, I noted that I had plenty of time to stop by the DI and get home before the girl's bus arrived. Right about then, my tire blew. Thank goodness for AAA! I made the call, and was told help would arrive in 20 minutes--still plenty of time for my DI errand. Help arrived and he asked for my help "Do you have an allen wrench so I can get the hub cap off?" ummm...no. After a call to Frank, I learned no wrench is needed. "Do you have a screwdriver so I can get the plastic thing off?" Again, no. "Don't you have one?" I learned they're not allowed to carry tools. Frank was too far away, and other tow truck drivers were out on calls. He looked up and down the side of freeway for something that would work. Finally, he found a screwdriver--where?--in the tow truck! An hour later I was on my way home, hoping to get home before the girls. I guess I'll be going to the DI tomorrow. Gotta give it to Kaleb and Larissa...they were troopers!

Grilled Chicken

Last week Frank and I grilled up some chicken. I learned from the Carlson's that thighs are easier to grill than breasts, my mother in law gave me her marinade recipe, and Frank has mastered his turbo heated BBQ. It turned out delicious! Here's the marinade recipe, if you'd like to try it.

Chicken Marinade
1 c. water
1 c. soy sauce
1 c. vinegar (or beer or lemon juice)
chopped onion
crushed cloves of garlic
Let chicken marinate for a few hours or over night.

Five Minutes Peace

Have you ever read "Five Minutes Peace"? Any mom can definitely relate. Yesterday afternoon, the girls were playing on the computer, and I finally got Kaleb down for a nap, so I made a mad dash for the shower. Not more than a minute after getting in the shower I hear, "Mom?! Mom!" I cringe thinking, "Please don't wake up the baby." Kaitlyn pokes her head around the door, "Can I have an apple?" Of course that question was too important to wait. About 30 seconds after Kaitlyn's departure, Larissa barges into the bathrooom, "Mama, taking a shower?" "yes. Shhh. Don't wake up Kaleb." "Kaleb sleeping?!..." and she continues chatting and playing while I finish. I know for sure that in five years, when Kaleb starts school, I'll be able to take a shower in peace.

Happy Unbirthday, Larissa!

I intended to write a special post for each of my special girls on their birthdays, but time passed, so now they will be special unbirthday posts.

As you can see, Larissa likes to make faces. Up until a recently, Larissa would not smile for the camera. She still won't smile for a photo op, but at least she'll make faces. They show her personality well.


Larissa was born just a few months after my Aunt Linda passed away from Cancer. I already knew I wanted to name my baby after my mom in some way, because, of course, she is the best. However, with the passing of my aunt, I wanted my child to have a connection to her as well. The naming process was crazy. Of course we couldn't agree on any variation of my mom's or aunt's names, but in the end we came up with a blend of both names for Larissa's middle name.
Liann (Li from Linda and ann which is mom's middle name.)


Larissa is fun, willful, persistant, caring, smart and a joy to have in my life. While always true, the phrase about catching more flies with honey than vinegar, is particularly true with Larissa.
Here are some of Larissa's favorites:
Spiderman
Pirates
Running...away from me
Hide and Seek...in stores
Curious George-- she is curious too
"scarrry" animated halloween decorations
Canteloupe, watermelon, and apples

Happy Unbirthday, Larissa!

Kaleb

Even though it's out of focus, you can still see his sweet smile.

Listening to his sister's tunes in the car.

First Day of School

I forgot to take pictures at the beginning of the day, but here is Kaitlyn and Brenna getting off the bus--hot, sweaty, and tired. It was Brenna's first day of kindergarten. When I asked her if she had fun, she gave me a very unenthusiastic, "yes". When I asked if she wanted to go back the next day, she told me, "No. It's too much work, not enough play."

Kaleb's Blessing Day

Looking at my file of pictures, I realize how few I've taken in the past few months--most are on my phone and not good quality. On Kaleb's blessing day, we took all of three pictures. I had to wrap the blanket around him last minute, because of a diaper incident. My mom is still asking for the professional pictures of him in his blessing outfit (6 weeks later, it's still on the to do list).

A New House

Well, it looks like we're getting a house! Our offer was accepted last week, and the inspection was yesterday. Nothing major came up, so we are packing. The house is in East Highlands Ranch - on "snob hill" as frank and his siblings have called it for years.

It wasn't until the offer was accepted and I went into panic mode that I realized how difficult moving will be for me. For Frank, it's not as big a deal--after all, home is a place he spends a few hours before going to bed. For me, it's about the house, neighborhood, friends, ward, shopping, school, etc.

We'll still be in the Redlands school district, but my girls have to transfer to a new school (I'm not driving that far everyday)...and the school/new friend adjustment is what is causing me the most worry.

After seeing the house again yesterday, and packing a few boxes, the excitement is slowly seeping in. I'll be ready, by the time we move, to enjoy the change.

My Mom's House Status

Back in January my mom's house had a fire. Here's her house now. As you can see the restoration is well under way. The roof is being rebuilt. We should find out next week when it may be done. :)

Origin of the name

One of the reasons for us picking the name of Kaleb was actually a suggestion of one of my co-workers. We had picked out several names and Kaleb was on the list. One of my co-workers suggested the name as well saying, "Kaleb. K is for Kaitlyn, L is for Larissa, and B is for Brenna".

Kaleb's Arrival

Kaleb John McCormick, 8 lbs 9.5 oz, 20 inches long. Laura and I had to report to the Hospital at 5:30 am. It took us an hour to get into the pre-op room and then at 8:01 am he arrived. This is a picture of him in his father's arms.





Here's a picture of him in his sister, Larissa's arms.









Isn't he cute?

Day 1 - The beginning....

This is our first post. A test really and an opportunity for us to share. There is a LOT to say and this will be the place to read all about it. For now, we will just start with these few words to say "Welcome and thanks for visiting."