House of Estrogen

Running for President

I read a book to the girls tonight about voting. At the end of the book there were some questions, one of which was, "If you were running for president, what would you tell people about yourself?", so I asked them that question.

Elise: "I would tell people I'm a good sport."

Me: "Anything else?"

Elise: "No, that's all."

Me: "Nina, what would you tell people about yourself if you were running for president?"

Nina: "I'm a good hand stander, and I'm a good dancer. I am very fair because I don't share my cereal because that is sharing germs."

So... there you have it. Maybe Hillary should have mentioned her handstanding abilities or how she doesn't share her cereal.

Some Firsts for Addie

1. Addie rolled over for the first time today! I think it surprised her a bit and kind of freaked her out, but the girls and I all gave her a big round of applause. I hope this doesn't mean we're in for a mobile baby any time soon. I'm not ready for that yet!
2. Yesterday, Addie's first tooth cut through! I'm going to miss that little toothless, gummy grin, but I think that first helped lead to number 3.

3. Addie went to sleep tonight without Tylenol or Motrin for the first time in over a week!

Our First Real Photo of our Family of Five (and a few more pictures too)!

 

Ouch!

3 kids, 6 ears, 4 ear infections, 3 antibiotics. Ouch.

The tough questions

Nina: "Where are you and Mommy going?"

J.C.: "To see a movie."

Nina: "What movie?"

J.C.: "Sex and the City"

Nina: "What's sex?

J.C.: "Uh... uh...um... it is something grown-ups do, and the city.. that's New York City. It's a big city... really neat city."

Nina Drive, part 5

2004

2005

2006

 

2007

 

2008

The Beach Gene

I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow it did. I did not pass along the Beach Gene to Elise and Nina. I have it. My mom has it. My mother-in-law even has it, but in a sad twist of fate, my kids didn't get it. The Beach Gene is that chromosome that makes you love the beach, adore it, live for it, miss it when you aren't there, and never want to spend a minute elsewhere when you are there. As soon as you have finished one beach vacation, you're busy planning the next. The beach excites all your senses... the sound of the crashing waves, smell and taste of the salty air, feel of the sand between your toes, and sight of miles and miles of beach and ocean in every direction. There is nothing better than a day at the beach for someone with the Beach Gene. Unfortunately, J.C. contributed to the girls' gene pool as well, and he does not have the Beach Gene. He likes the beach for a day or two and then moans and groans about the sticky sunscreen and sand. Elise and Nina were thrilled with the beach for the first couple of days and then begged to go to the pool each day the rest of the week... the pool... like we have at home... like we can go to every day over the summer. Ugh. They whined and pouted when their mean mother with the Beach Gene forced them to go to the beach each day. But... despite their complaints, they had fun. Pictures are worth a thousand words. These pictures were from our very last day on the beach. Those girls had a ball even without the Beach Gene. My only hope is that perhaps Addie inherited the Beach Gene. She is my last chance to pass along the love of the sand and surf. Surely ONE of these girls inherited my beach DNA, right?

Although part of me is glad to be home, the beach-lovin' part of me wishes I never had to leave!