Zoo Day

We finally took June to the Phoenix zoo for her first time. I haven't been since high school, so this felt new to me too. Except the smell, I remember the smell vividly.

Some highlights:
• We went with the Reids, who were good sports through June's snack breaks, animal observations, and eventual tantrum on the carousel. Plus, Cora makes the best "funny face".
• June's animal sounds throughout the entire time. (Monkeys: "AAH-oo-oo", Lions: "Neyum Neyum" which is June's cat sounds)
• The monkey cage, which is both amazing and terrifying. (Amazing because of how close the monkeys jump around you, and terrifying because I was thinking of the movie "Outbreak" the entire time we were inside.)

We'll see you again, Phoenix Zoo. That splash pad will be calling our name this summer.

How to make a Terrarium

Step 1: Know a guy who knows how.

Step 2: Have him show you how.

Step 3: Display in your home and take all credit.

I've been wanting to learn how to make a terrarium for quite some time. My brother-in-law, Michael, works at a glass studio. Last time he was in town, he brought all the tools and showed me know. It's a dangerous job: the glass is sharp, and the chemicals used are poisonous, and metals are melting at high temperatures... but it was all worth it.

Thanks again, Mr. Glass, aka Samuel L. Jackson, aka Michael.

Cooking and A Verb List.

Lately, June has been our helper in the kitchen. She'll add strawberries to smoothies, stir the cookie dough, maybe even take out every single bottle and condiment in our fridge.

I want to teach her and a bunch of tiny cooks how to make kid-friendly recipes... how fun would that be?! Obviously, my goal for June is to eventually have a love for cooking, to the point where she'll want to do ALL the cooking.

Here's to my little sous chef.

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Reading: 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchin Rubin (finally), and I just decided to re-read the Hobbit. I really really loved the movie. Especially Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Speaking of Martin...
Watching: Sherlock on Netflix. I NEVER use the term "fangirl", but I think I'm fangirling over that show. I'm obsessed. I love it. I'm watching it again. In fact, I don't know why I'm doing this post knowing that I could be watching it right now.
Eating: A Costco muffin the size of my head.
Pondering: "If they were to remake the movie 'Overboard', who would be the perfect lead actors?" No really, Daphne, it's still on my mind. No one can replace Goldie.
Listening to: Neil Young, 'On the Beach'... just because it's been really cold lately.

Thursday

On cloudy days, I get headaches. Without fail. 

Luckily, cloudy days magically become quiet days around here.

Every once in a while, I catch myself actually getting something done without interruption. Then I look to see June lining up her Toy Story figures, stacking blocks, or pushing her baby doll around. I think we've reached a new era where June has actually learned to play on her own. 

On the other hand, sometimes she's dumping her toys everywhere, pulling all the laundry out of the baskets, or rolling out the toilet paper.

It's a good thing she's so darn cute.

Twenty-Thirteen

I'm trying not to feel too overwhelmed with my resolutions this year. There's so much I want to do and accomplish. Lists make me nervous, especially those days I feel unmotivated... but here goes nothing.

This year, the focus is HOME. It's hard not to focus on this in the first place, since I'm a stay-at-home mom anyway. Nevertheless, I know there is so much good in our home, but so much that can change and be better. I need to be the one to step it up.

·I want to make my home more organized and less cluttered.
·I want to be happy with how it looks, and not focus too much on what I wish I could change about it.
·I want to make our side yard useful (playing, gardening).
·I want to be in the kitchen more, trying new recipes, and making more wholesome lunches (homemade lunches do not happen as often as I'd like).
·I want to make more homemade desserts, and eat less candy
·I want homemade pizza to be a weekly meal.
·I want to play more music and turn off the TV.
·I want to read more to myself and to June.
·I want to develop a better morning and bedtime routines, at least for the weekdays. I can already tell June thrives on routines.

There's so much more, but I need to stop myself because I feel my nerves tightening. I'm really looking forward to a great year.

P.S. We partied with the Porters on New Year's Eve, and of course it didn't disappoint. In fact, I suspect that's why I was sick all of New Year's Day. I guess the best parties take everything out of you. Anyway, while I was wallowing in "sicky self-pity", I received this video documenting the party, and of course my gloomy demeanor turned to udder delight. June and I watched this video all morning:
NEW YEARS EVE from David Nuttall on Vimeo.

June was so happy to see a dance floor that night... You better believe I plan on having one at her birthday party in March.

A very long (and possibly annoying) post about Christmas

This last Christmas was a little much, in the best possible way. I was going to break it down into three or four posts, but I know most people are sick of hearing about Christmas as it is.

So for those of you who aren't on Instagram or any type of social media (ahem... Dad), this post is for you. Otherwise you've probably seen most of these photos, and you could probably move on to doing more important things, like make New Year's resolutions or take a nap. 

Presenting 36 things about the month of December:

1. I made close to 13 batches of toffee this year. That's 13 cups of sugar, 26 cubes of butter, and waaaay too much stirring.

2. June's first time at the temple. She was pleased. VERY pleased.

3. William showing June the Christ statue. I think she was moved... well at least I was.

4. Our lights on our little home. C7 bulbs are the way to go.

5. I wish that hat wasn't so expensive.

6. Our advent calendar found here. (We got to about Day 14.)

7. Lots of time outside... Arizona has the best weather this time.

8. Stacking blocks, over and over and over and over and over again.

9. Fuzzy tree

10. Four suckers at once. It's how June gets things done.

11. My favorite handmade gift for Kent, from Tauna. All knitted... Tauna is so talented.

12. I heart sparkle.

13. Toffee plate constructing.

14. Bathtime.

15. I cut lots of tags while I was sick.

16. One of my favorite Sunday dresses.

17. Christmas shopping with Grandma.

18. Recording our Christmas song... Thanks for listening!

19. June found a plate of donuts. This pleased her very much.

20. Favorite Christmas dress on June.

21. A GORGEOUS setting at the Coombs Christmas party.

22. The kids table is getting so crowded... I love it.

23. Dance party that occurs every year after the talent show.

24. Santa (Dad) passing out gifts.

25. June laughing at Uncle Ryan and Aunt Sara... her new favorite comedians.

26. Merry Christmas from me.

27. Merry Christmas from William.

28. Merry Christmas from a girl who can wiggle out of your hands faster than you know.

29. June trying out her big gift this year, a new bike trailer. SHE. LOVES. IT. Can't wait to ride bikes more this year.

30. A shot of William taking June for a ride.

31. "Ho Ho Ho".

32. A hipster in the making. 

33. My handmade gift to June this year: an A-Frame Tent. She LOVES it.

34. My gift to William: a Nerf gun. I've been shot too many times, and therefore regret giving it to him.

35. Our ginger bread house... I'll let you decide if that's a British flag or a Confederate flag.

36. Hooray!! The End!!!

Here's our Christmas card this year. Shot by The Langs. Designed by me. Sent to you.

And that was our merriest Christmas! Thanks to everyone who made it magical!

Now on to Twenty-Thirteen!

World Premiere: "Christmas Club"

We decided for this year's song, we needed one that makes Santa want to stop in his tracks and dance until he's too tired to deliver toys. 

Sorry that Santa is too busy in da' club. 

(Obviously the best part is June's "It's a Ball" line. My baby girl's gots da beatz!)

And here's a list of our previous hits:

2011: "Frosting" - This song is like that feeling you get when you love someone and then you find out they have a 'Thug Life' tattoo, so you love them even more.

2010: "Baby It's NOT that Cold Outside" - This song is like that feeling you get when you love someone, but they had really bad breath, so now you want them to leave.

2009: "Gather Around (It's a Campfire Christmas)": This song is like that feeling you get when all your holiday to-do list is done, and you sit by the fire with a hot cocoa, and you stare at your beautiful Christmas tree, and wait for Christmas morning to arrive.

(video by Robz)

Bonus track from 2009: "Campfire Christmas"  Remix, called "Christmas Eve" - This song is like that extra cookie plate you unexpectedly get from a friend, and that amazing feeling you get eating the entire thing.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!