TWELVE!!!

I could not be happier that 12 looks like this for Emma.  She still loves her Amercian Girl Dolls and is the sweetest girl on the planet.  Who she is on the inside, is equally as beautiful as her outside.  She is always concerned for others, wants to do the right thing, no matter what anyone thinks, and is a great example to out family.  She makes us all want to be better.

She shared her perfect day with her two close friends Sara and Sadie.  We took a day trip to "The Grove", in Los Angeles, to visit the American Girl store, and the weather was sunny and a balmy 85 degrees in January! Then magically, we were let in with our stand by tickets to her favorite TV show,  "Shake it Up!"  She got the autographs of some of her favorite people, a free t-shirt, and the best birthday ever, all wrapped into one.

Lucky me to have such an amazing girl!

*****

Recently, lululemon athletica, (I work for them as an ambassador) asked if I would like a ticket to spend a day at the Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco.  Last year I attended the conference with Todd, and we had decided to take this year off, figuring that we see our favorite teachers at the Wanderlust Festival in July anyway. Well, I am glad that I had the opportunity and here is why...

It was to be a great mind changing and trans-formative day with King of Power Yoga, Baron Baptiste!  It really strengthened my belief in using intuition to make choices and practicing non-judgment.   The little things all fell into place when I realized after lunch, that I had been practicing yoga in this room with 300 people all morning, and my mat was next to MC Yogi.

I had made it into the workshop at the last minute after changing the ticket and had to take a spot in the back row. When he strolled in after me and put his mat next to mine I hadn't made the connection about who he was and I was hoping that he wasn't going to be one of those stinky, sweaty guys that might cause a little distraction in my day. I was really hoping for total presence and hadn't had a day to myself in quite a while and worried this could be problematic.  Well, it turned out to be a perfect morning and the most authentic practice that I had had in a long time.  I found that being in a room full of strangers gave me the permission to just really be myself and not worry about anyone else.  It really allowed me to be present, but the real lesson was learned after lunch. This is when the almost stinky guy who had been practicing next to me was up on stage with Baron Baptiste and Rusty Wells, and was introduced as MC Yogi. I like many others in the room am a big fan and always include a song or two of his in my classes. We chanted, he sang, and when he came back to his mat I nearly threw out all that I had learned in the morning session about non judgment, non attachment, being present and my authentic self.  For several minutes I was distracted.  I was hoping I hadn't done something like sweat on his mat or rolled into his space after my quads cramped up during the 15 wheels we had done.  Just when I had come to terms with being next to the guy, Baron asked us to break into groups of three for some sharing. I turned my head toward the (safe) ladies on my left and noticed they were already grouped together. I then took my gaze to the right, and MC Yogi and his wife asked if I'd like to join them.  He then reached out to shake my hand hand and introduced himself as Nick.  At that moment, I relaxed,  I realized that he was just "Nick" and that this guy next to me was not sweaty, stinky, or the big yoga rock star I was making him out to be.  He was just another yogi.  He was there to practice, to learn, and to share like I was.  We had a great little breakout session and he gave me some good advice when I mentioned I needed to stop worrying about lack of time in my life.  He said, "It's not like your 70", which put it all into perspective for me.  I have lots of time. Time to accomplish all that I want to do, and it created a shift in me to see beyond the 24 hour time limit we put on ourselves everyday.  This has allowed me more freedom and less anxiety about getting it all done.

******

Saturday at Home Depot.  The kids don't ever want to miss it. Even if they get there late and do a project they have already done.

The Center of a Kit Kat

Daegan proudly displays what is on the middle of a Kit Kat candy bar.  It never occurred to me to eat around that wafer thing.

Noah's Gak Bubble

Noah loves to get up in the morning and immediately make stuff. No TV, no food, just build, make and create.  This morning I came home from yoga and he was the only one awake.  He had hooked his little air pump for the fish tank onto some Gak slime.  When he turned it on it made a little bubble.  He loves it when his idea works out.  That's the reason for the big smile!

It's That Time

National Walk to School week this week.  Todd's been in charge for the last four years and it crept up on us this year.  The kids are making last minute posters to hang up at the school tomorrow as a reminder.

Daegan Does His Homework

Daegan does his homework independantly. He is so serious and so cute.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Daegan had some sort of profound or just funny things to say tonight, so I thought I would jot them down so that I wouldn't forget his 5 year old cuteness.  First, when I was reading from our latest novel, "The People of Sparks", and I asked the kids if they understood what ignorant meant, it took Daegan about half a second to pipe in explain to Emma and Noah that ignorant is when you don't know something.  I am beginning to wonder if he has been called ignorant before or if he just really understood the word based on what I was reading.  

Later, when I was tucking him in for the night and laying in his bed with him I asked him what he thought he wanted to be when he is all grown up. So, very matter of fact he says, "I'm not sure, but Noah read my palm and said I'm going to be a video game maker."  I had to keep from laughing because he was so serious and now I want to know where Noah learned about the art of palm reading!

A few minutes after the palm reading comment, I think he is almost asleep and I am planning my exit from his bed when he suddenly says, "Hey Mom, I have a great idea.  Next time we go fishing, we should get some of the food that they have at the fish hatchery and throw it in the water.  I bet a lot of fish would swim up real quick and then we could catch one."

What goes on in the little brain of this 5 year old, I will never know.  I just think he's the smartest kindergartner on the planet. :)

Snip, Snip, Sew, Sew

I just love how excited my kids get when I come home with fabric for them to get busy with.  Today I bought 12 yards for $12 and I have a feeling that we will have lots of little ghost puppets for Halloween this year.

Just Too Tired

Daegan has a hard time waking once he falls asleep. He also drinks a lot of water at night. He is one sweaty kid and so it is hard to keep him hydrated. The other night we tried to get him to go to the bathroom after he had fallen asleep while reading a book. He was awake when he sat down and then I went back to check on him after he didn't come out. It turns out he was asleep and snoring! I ended up taking a video that is very funny. I gently woke him and he was a little mad.

Born to Scout

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Noah ready for his first night at Twilight Camp for Cub Scouts. It is like he has been waiting his whole life to be a scout. We went to the scout store to pick up his stuff and his eyes were so big, wanting to look at everything. Daegan just wanted out. In fact, he wanted to stay outside and wait while we finished shopping. I think that Noah just might be on the fast track to get his Eagle Scout award and then he will spend the next few years helping Daegan get it done.

Lazy Summer Mornings

I went for a long run this morning and when I came home the kids were watching TV and Suri was hanging out on Noah's lap.  This is what summer break is all about. I am so glad there is no rushing around and they that get to just enjoy being kids!

I let them stay up late swimming last night and Emma went to bed with wet hair. When she woke up this morning and walked into the kitchen it looked like she had spent an hour in the salon.  She is such a lucky girl to have this be the result of soaking in chlorine and then going to bed.