Avery is growing up and I might be too

My daughter turned 12 on Sunday. Since I can remember she has wanted her ears pierced. I always said 12 was a good time. Last year on her 11th birthday she said, "Only one more year until I can get my ears pierced!"

Oh No! That came too quickly! Where has the time gone??

I thought about changing the event to 14 yrs. old but Hubby said that wouldn't be fair.

He was right.

So instead of resisting change and trying to not let my daughter grow up. I decided to embrace change and embrace growth.

I got my ears pierced too!

Yes, I am a 33 year old woman whose father never let me pierce my ears. After I was 18 I thought I was cool and hip to not have my ears pierced. It made me different and "unique". So I thought. Now I realized that part of my journey to becoming a lady isn't about using outside to affect the inside. If am cool and hip or unique...it's not because my ears aren't pierced. And to tell the truth, I always secretly wanted them... but I didn't want to be like everyone else.

silly, I know

Avery making sure the marks were just right

So brave and excited!

Uh oh.... She got nervous and wasn't sure she wanted to go through with it. But did I mention I went first so she could watch me? I was a great example.

That was my brave face. The anticipation was the worst. And that was my second ear!

( That's my brave anticipation face in case you were wondering)

I know, bad example. Maybe that was the problem.

Avery, after her first ear, got queazy and passed right out!!

I guess her anticipation was too much as well!

And I wasn't even there to catch her. Down she went on the floor. I think I just caught her head.

Mother of the year that day I was not.

The poor thing didn't even know what happened and she swore it was only because she leaned too far over in the chair.

It took 10 minutes for her to get the courage up to do her second ear. She hugged onto the teddy bear the lady gave her and I hugged her from the back.

And this time I held on tight in case she went over again.

I'm a quick learner.

Yep! All grown up now.

This ladylike thing is a growth in progress...

Our own taste of Glee

On Thursday night we went to the Burbank High School Pop Show. We had some kids from our church performing.

Show Choir is just like the TV show, "Glee". I was absolutely blown away by the performances. The stage, sound, props, lighting, was so professional. I had to remind myself that these were true teenagers and not adults playing teenagers

(Glee)

I was so proud of the kids in our ward. They had solos and definitely stood out as some of the best performers.

I have to admit...I got a wee bit emotional watching them.

I try so hard to eat healthy and provide healthy food for my kids in the home and for lunches, but waiting in line for Pop Show...not so much.

And besides, the money goes for a good cause!

Burbank High School is actually one of the top high schools in the nation for show choir. They have consistently been in the top 3 for many years.



The kids enjoyed the show and sat
glued to their seats.

Already Asher and Avery have been bugging me to get them an agent and audition for commercials.

(GULP

Not sure if I'm ready for that but seeing the show planted more seeds for them.

Yes, I got caught with a piece of cheese pizza.

This is what happens when you don't make dinner before you go.

I have a confession to make.

...........................

I absolutely hate the TV show Glee. What's all the fuss about anyways? I think I'm the only one who doesn't love the show. Tried it a few times...couldn't get into it.

Don't hate me.

This Makes Me Happy

These pictures make me happy. We went golfing over the weekend at a cute little 9 hole course just blocks from our home.

I love her style, carefree attitude, and her ability to just be herself. This what 6th grade looks like for Avery

Iron Man Two

A relative visiting is always welcome. Especially when Hubby and I get a night out on the town. We chose to watch Iron Man 2.

I think I may have found my own Iron Man

Yep. That's definitely an Iron Man I spotted. I actually got Hubby this shirt a while ago. He broke it out for our big date night.

My quick review of Iron Man 2. Definitely worth seeing in theatres.

Not as good as the first Iron Man but entertaining non the less. Don Cheadle was pretty horrible as a full bird colonel.Completely unbelievable. I could almost see him rolling his eyes before and after every take.

Mickey Rourke was fab. Totally believable and the Russian accent perfect. He was a great bad guy. Really creepy. Scarlett Johanson was pretty good. Her fight sequence was awful though. Too many special effects were required to make it seem like she could actually kick arse.Too many edits and not enough movement. And there was this weird strobe light thing going on the whole time.

And Gweneth? Perfect as always.

Wonderful Weekend Continued

Sunday is a wonderful day. One of my absolute favorite things to do is read the LA Times Sunday paper in the backyard.



I only get the paper on Sundays. And I will admit, my favorite sections are the store advertisments and the Image, Arts. and Calander section.


Church last Sunday was Stake Conference.

Stake Conference is when all the local LDS wards all get together for one big meeting and we don't go to individual sunday school classes like we normally do. My Stake is the North Hollywood Stake. It consists of all the Morman wards in Studio City, Burbank, Sylmar, and North Hollwood.

I don't usually let the kids bring toys to church but Stake Conference is an exception. Asher is quite the chess player and he brought this travel size, magnetic chess set. (We played during one particular boring talk)
I almost beat him. I had him cornered and he pulled a sneaky move on me. I lost a few minutes later.
yes, i let him wear his converse shoes to church. and not just stake conference. every sunday. he's hip like that.

A Wonderful Weekend

I was able to spend all Saturday with my son Asher. What a sweetheart he is. My daughter Avery was at Magic Mountain with a friend and Hubby was out of town working. It was a great opportunity for a Mommy/Son day.

But honestly, I did drag him around on a few errands. He hung in there quite nicely. He actually enjoyed all of our stops and looking around. Just one of the many reasons I absolutely LOVE Los Angeles is the ability to go to so many different types of places and restaurants and go to so many events and activities only a few miles from your house. After all the errands we went to the movies and saw, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Asher has all the books and just loves them.




First stop was composting workshop. Burbank offers free composting bins if we attended a 90 min lecture on how to use them, etc.

A lamp store to drop off the famous Avery family rooster lamp to get rewired. You can find any type of lamp at this store. A quick stop to the nearby store where I can always find something amazing and unique. Last time I was there I bought a vintage alligator skin purse. Both of those stores are mostly kept in business due to the film industry's waredrobe and set designers.

Then lunch at a favorite little place next door to where I get cheap pedicures. This place has great food, great prices, and huge servings. (Leftovers are a good thing) Then movie time along with the requisite popcorn and soda.

After the film I couldn't resist trying on a pair of jeans at a store nearby. I have a friend who wears a pair just like these and I am quite envious of her style and rockability. I have tried in vain to find a pair that looked just as cute on me as they do her.

I thought these might be just the ticket. But alas.. it wasn't meant to be. Asher informed me I looked like a country girl that went really wild. He was right and I went home empty handed.

It was a lovely day all in all. It was refreshing to be around Asher without having to tell him what to do, what to finish, what to pick up, to hurry up, to stop that, be nice to his sister,..and on and on. We hung out, talked, held hands, and laughed.

A wonderful day with my wonderful son.

Turning it around

Yesterday was a good day. But it didn't begin so well. Had a client cancel on me, stacks of laundry didn't get folded overnight, and I had a new zit. To top it off, I woke up w a pain in my belly because I wasn't very nice to the hubby the night before. (completely my fault)
I was pleasantly surprised when Hubby called to ask if I could go to lunch with him. Panda Express is a perfect place to kiss and make up.


See What I Mean?

I was experiencing an ecceptionaly bad, curly hair, frizzy hair day and was happy to make it to my hair apt later in the afternoon.
I have a fantastic friend who cuts hair in Brentwood. We swap. I train her..she does my hair. --I think I'm getting the better end of the deal--


Miranda is such a doll. So funny and brutally honest. Need more ladies like her.

So... Having a day where from waking up with a pain in my belly (due to bad behavior) to kissing hubby goodnight, feeling sexy and stylish with fantastic hair, makes for quite a turnaround. Don't you think?

Turning it around. I'm getting good at that.

5 Little Monkeys in the Tree

Almost every day after school my daughter has friends over. Just one of the many perks of living close to school. Racing out the door to make it by the time the bell rings is another.

Most of the time I'm a good sport about it. I make them snacks and let them run around like wild banshees. I wasn't a good sport yesterday when I saw they found my protein bar stash and helped themselves to five of them.

They have a lot of fun together as you can see. They're climbing the backyard fig tree. Up a little too high I think. (you can't tell from my pict)They bring their food into the tree, swing around, and chatter and laugh. Just like little monkeys in a tree.

LA Zoo has nothing on me.

Burbank Art Fair

Sunday morning before church, and after my early jog, we went to the Burbank Art Fair. It happens twice a year and we haven't missed one yet since we've moved here two years ago. It is really quite a lovely event and the kids love it. There are a lot of hands on projects for the kids and so many different types of wonderful handmade jewelry. (Ryan has yet to buy me any) Grrr. There are also many different types of wall decor, etc.

This year I signed up with the city to receive a free composting bin. But first I have to go to a hour and a half workshop this Saturday morning. I am looking forward to putting all of our old food in it along w/ yard scraps and making my own fresh soil! Asher is looking forward to the worms.

By the Way.. In case you are wondering..Ryan's outfit is courtesy of Avery. She planned his outfit for him from his hat to his shoes. He was quite brave to wear it. (just one more reason why I love him) I told him he looked like an undercover cop trying to be undercover but failing miserably. He laughed. He said it was better than a pedophile.

Why do I have a plunger on my roof?

Yes... I know, that's exactly what you're thinking and exactly what I was thiking when I saw this. Hmm.. the likely culprits.. my children. But the real culprit has to be my daughter Avery. She probably was cracking herself up imagining my reaction when I saw this. She loves to play jokes and do silly things.

But the real problem is.. I saw this a few days ago and haven't taken it down.

Just the way they are

Fooling around with my new Hipstamatic Prints via a cool new ap on my Iphone. So of course I grabbed the kids to experiement on. I always tell them how to smile, pose, etc. This time I told them to just do what they think makes them look their best. So this is what I got. And I do have to say..I think they did better with out all my instructions. So maybe it's true?..yep. They are perfect just the way they are.

Invisible Work

Yesterday I did invisible work all day long. My kitchen counters are still cluttered and the carpet wasn't vacuumed and the toilets arent's clean but......the closets are! One of the best feelings ever. Cleanliness really is next to Godliness. (I only say that when I've cleaned..otherwise, forget about it.)
I found some old boxes of my Grandmother's patterns. I've found lots of patterns all over the house but these were different. They were her custom made patterns based off inspiration from Vogue magazine. And these were 1960s Vogue. She had torn out her favorite outfits from Vogue and made her own patterns. She had them all so organized w/ the Pict she had torn out, the pattern, and the swatches of fabric she had used. I found them to be all so beautiful.
I don't want to throw them away. So I took a Pict of them on my iPhone. I'll put them in a box, back in the closet and be pleasantly surprised next time I decide to do invisible work.