Jack Walks!

He's been doing it all week, so he's pretty solid now. Here is a video of his first 2 days of walking we were able to witness after we returned from Colorado. Go Jack! Time to start baby-proofing on a whole new level!

20 Year Flashback

In my quest for the perfect law school graduation gift for Kari that would be both sentimental and completely random, I decided to compile a mix of the music we all loved 20 years ago. What better way to celebrate a monumental achievement than by reliving the childhood moments that made us who we are today. Plus, I knew she would need some hot tunes to blast this summer while studying for the bar exam. If you would like to sample some of this music, check out our new player at the bottom of this page. Enjoy your blast to the past and have a totally radically bodaciously awesome summer!

For some extra fun, click on the pic below and try to identify everything 80's.

Words from the Masked Man

In answer to his inquiry concerning the planet Earth, I informed him that all human beings live on this planet. He then asked me, "What planet does Grandpa live on?"

The other day, Rocky announced that he was going to make yogurt. I asked him how he would do that. He said, "Actually mom. You pour some milk in a big box. Then you put in some grease and stir.... and YOGURT!" (with arms up in exclamation)

Rocky confronted Rich and I one evening and said, "Guys. I want to go to a spaghetti & meatball restaurant. Do they have one of those on this planet?"

He likes to confuse the "teachers" at the kid's center at our gym. Every time I drop him off, he walks in boldly announcing to all what his name for the day is, and usually, what his mom should be called. He has been Batman, Superman, Ironman, Bolt, Shoeshine aka. Underdog, Spiderman, Bumblebee (transformer), Buzz Lightyear and today... Robot Boy. He usually calls me Optimus Prime, Woody, Robin, the "Black" Spiderman (I'm not sure what he is implying with that) or (my favorite) Supermom. Jack, for some reason, is always Scooby Doo.

One day, while I was making lunch, he said (out of the blue), "Mom. Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes." Then he left the kitchen.

He is convinced that his dad is a superhero. I don't disagree.

Legally Blonde, Beautiful & Brilliant

I'm not talking about Elle Woods but my sis-in-law Kari, who matches Elle in style but far surpasses her in sophistication and smarts. We got to see her receive her law degree from Denver U last weekend, and I couldn't be more proud of her for all she has accomplished. Rich's whole family amazes me. They are all such fun, clever, gifted and attractive people. For those Twilight fans out there, they are like the living (and very non-vampiric) version of the Cullens, fortunately without a Rosalie. I feel honored to be a part of their family and love it every time we are able to get together. Our trip to Denver was no exception. In fact, the 2500 road miles were worth it just for one of Nate's irresistible rib omelettes. I'm salivating right now just thinking about it. So we dropped the kids off with Grandma K in SLC on the way and thoroughly enjoyed the two days of toddler freedom and familial celebration. Until, of course, we discovered that while we were away, Jack started WALKING! Yeah... the most important milestone of his young life. And we missed it. Fortunately, Grandma caught the ten step trip on camera. And unfortunately, he hasn't done it since. If Grandma didn't have proof, I wouldn't believe her. Not that I should be surprised. After the intensive walk training I had previously put Jack through, he had refused to take a single unaided step until he was in the audience of his beloved Aunt Lacie and Uncle Mort. While we were away bowling our little inexperienced hearts out in the league we recently joined (another story for another time), he took his first few steps (a few days before our Denver trip). So now Jack is holding out for another relative to impress. Maybe next time Uncle Rob visits, he will walk again.

Lax and Relax

The Chico lacrosse season officially ended this week, and I couldn't be more proud of my Rebels. They finished in a close second place in the league after trailing Napa by one goal in overtime. After 3 back-to-back games in 102 degree weather, I am amazed at how hard they fought until the end. Helping coach this team has been an honor, and I hope to arrange things with my kiddos to be able to help out again next year. They are incredibly driven, athletic and upbeat girls, and they remind Rich and I why we so badly want a daughter someday. If we end up with another boy, would anyone be willing to trade?? Preferably a relative of some kind? The most exciting moment of the championship tournament (which we were in Denver for, so I'm going off of the accounts I received from coach Becca, parent Nini and player Lexi) was when we defeated our great rivals in the semi-finals...the Gold Country team coached by my former HS teammate Michelle Dean. We did a major double take when we first saw each other during the end-of-the-game hand slap. So now it's time for some summer relax, except for the fact that per pediatrician yesterday, Rocky once again has an ear infection and bronchitis, and so do I. We are considering having our walls checked for mold. Being sufficiently stocked on probiotics, I'm suspicious of some external factor causing this chronic immune deficiency. Any ideas or suggestions?? On another note, does anyone else deeply loathe their pediatrician?

Will the flu season ever end?

Apparently not. Jack and David are finishing up another week of vomiting, diarrhea and coughing (which induces more vomit). Rich and I are exhausted, along with our washer and dryer. The kids went through every blanket, towel and sheet we have.. many times. We're just glad we have so many. Jumbo Jack has been reduced to a small fry. Our emaciated child is now holding down his fair share of Pedialite, but we're not out of the woods yet. Forget swine flu... it's the good ol' fashioned stomach flu that worries me. In other news.... well... I guess there isn't any. We're just hoping this is the last plague of the season and that we can get back to doing what we love best: playing, dancing, giggling and straightening up everything in our tornado toddler's path.