Sunday, January 31, 2010
January = not so many pictures :(
This pretty much represents all of the pictures I took in January. Pathetic. First up, I was stressed out and busy at Hazel's party and didn't take a single picture. Luckily, Ross stepped in a took a few. But, birthday #4 is going to be poorly represented. *sigh*
AND THEN!! the Sunday after Hazel's birthday (January 3, the day that will live in infamy), I woke up with a bum back/leg. Come to find out, I herniated my L5 disc. Awesome. Thus, I spent most of January trying to lie down. Except that it didn't always work because (a) I have a kid and (b) January is the busiest time of the year at work. I sucked it up enough to go to work and that was about it. I knew I was in trouble when Hazel clapped because "mommy is getting up". Little did she know, I was just getting up to pee. 2010 will be the year of the bad mommy*.
I had an epidural cortisone shot on Friday. The dye they shot into my back was apparently made of battery acid and snake venom but the cortisone was fine. Or I was still in pain numbness from the dye. Anyway, I can take my pain killers and anti-inflammatory meds again so I am doing better (or at least adequate) and tired of being a gimp. My right foot is regaining some feeling and movement but still trips me up. A lot.
Moving on. I have a few pictures.
Hazel's birthday party. I did not get a cake made but Costco came through and we decorated it with Playmobil mermaids.
Hazel loved everything she got for her birthday (half of which we stashed away for later)
Wig from my work white elephant party. Our maintenance guy ended up with it and did not want it (shocking) and was kind enough to let me have it. As expected, Hazel loves it.
She made a snowman at the library story time. We love the library. Dang, I should have taken a picture of Hazel and her new library card.
Swimming lessons are not going well.
Unicorn horn. She is obsessed with unicorns and made herself a horn from Play-doh.
Happiness at going to a tea party with Auntie Michelle (who was kind enough to take the Hazel while Geoff took me to the hospital to have a giant needle stabbed in my back.
And that is it for January. I vow to not let pain nor numbness slow me down in February. You hear that sciatica!! I am done with you and your lameness (ha!)*Currently, she is not feeling great, with a vicious cough and has been throwing up from the coughing. I am tired of changing her, washing her and her clothes and whatever she spits up/barfs on so I am back her cough into a garbage can. It has been working great because I can just rinse it out. Still, I feel bad. But, she seems happy with the arrangement.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
December (really, December)
I used up most of my sitting tolerance uploading pictures so there won't be a lot of writing. I tried to type on my beloved iPhone, but couldn't figure it out. So, I will just be quick.
We had fancy brunch at the Little America for Christmas. Hazel was extra fancy and wore her Cinderella dress.
Tayvia went regular fancy, not princess fancy.
The Santa was horrible. He had a weird look about him and wasn't very good with kids. Bad job, Little America.
Ha! My kid is a pill.
They had an awesome gingerbread house in the lobby.
Sometimes my kid is less of a pill.
Driving to my dad's on Christmas Eve. Hazel was exhausted and fell asleep. Being an awesome mom, I took a picture instead of removing the tiara. Also, I think I am currently driving on the freeway while taking this picture.
Jenni read Hazel a story.
Both Gloria and Hazel had crowns.
Cookies we made (from scratch!) for Santa.
Our stockings
Nova and Jenni spent the night too. Nova pondering eating the overbearing child.
Santa left us moustaches in our stockings.
Yeah! More food for Hazel's kitchen.
This is from a massive snowstorm we had on 12/30/09. Hazel went outside and played for at least an hour-and-a-half while I was working. A good break for both of us.
Cute!
My next goal is to get January's pictures uploaded. Including all the birthday pictures. Not today, however.Labels: Christmas, hazel, snow
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Maui Part 4: The "other" camera
We only have a few beach shots, as our waterproof camera broke. Gah!! It doesn't recognize the door as shut. I say we override the sensor but Geoff wants to send it in to be fixed. Pshaw.
We built many a sand castle.
Anyway, the beach. The beach is great. The weather was perfect. It was really a fabulous week. I cannot thank Geoff's aunt Susan enough for the use of her condo. The location was great and it was nice to have the full kitchen to cook.
We built many a sand castle.They were necessarily pretty but they were big.
And we made a mermaid tail for the little mermaid child.
She was blissfully happy about it. Later, she had us dig a moat around it and then "fill it in". As if you can fill in a moat with a tiny sand bucket running back and forth to the ocean. Have I mentioned the sciatica?!?! Luckily, she was fairly happy with the just mermaid tail, as long as we kept her somewhat damp.
And here is where Geoff broke the camera. Or it spontaneously broke itself. Grr. At least he got a couple of nice fish shots.
And we made a mermaid tail for the little mermaid child.
She was blissfully happy about it. Later, she had us dig a moat around it and then "fill it in". As if you can fill in a moat with a tiny sand bucket running back and forth to the ocean. Have I mentioned the sciatica?!?! Luckily, she was fairly happy with the just mermaid tail, as long as we kept her somewhat damp.
And here is where Geoff broke the camera. Or it spontaneously broke itself. Grr. At least he got a couple of nice fish shots.
Maui Part 3: There are a lot more pics on the card without 200 pictures of waves
Continued from the previous post, I loves me some jelly fish. And even more than that, I love this creepy shot with Geoff being reflected in the glass. And even MORE than that, I love the Geoff.
Okay, this is a less creepy shot.
Hazel played tour guide.
Okay, this is a less creepy shot.
Hazel played tour guide. This is a shark.
That is a sting ray.
Moving on from the aquarium.
That is a sting ray.
Moving on from the aquarium.We went to Lahaina (and had a crazy delish shave ice from ummm.... random shave ice stand. Look for it!) And we saw the banyan tree. Oh, I am sorry I meant THE Banyan Tree. Blah blah blah banyan blah blah.
Awesome family shot with the time.
So, I like family shots. I like to see all of us and to have proof of our happy-family-ness. The last time we went to Hawaii was in 2006 (ack! so long) and we took this shot in Hosmer's Grove.
Awesome family shot with the time.
So, I like family shots. I like to see all of us and to have proof of our happy-family-ness. The last time we went to Hawaii was in 2006 (ack! so long) and we took this shot in Hosmer's Grove.2006:
And a similar shot in the redwood forest in 2009.
And a similar shot in the redwood forest in 2009.2009:
Holy cow, we have all changed so much. Of course, the kids is 4x older so she has changed the most but still.
Holy cow, we have all changed so much. Of course, the kids is 4x older so she has changed the most but still.We also went to Santa's photo-opportunity-land in the Queen K's Mall. Alas, Santa was sick. But, we took a picture anyway. A prior day we saw another Santa at the Maui Mall and we was creeeeeepy. We have a picture. But a physical picture, not digital. Come to my house and I will show you. Technically, it is at my work, but I will bring it home for you.
Oh, this is at the redwood forest, I should move it. Not gonna.
We also went to Iao Valley to hike around (which is awesome when (a) I gots the sciatica and (b) we are facing a 5.5 hour plane ride and thus my sciatica will be even worse if I inflame it by walking around. Also, I am old.)
Oh, this is at the redwood forest, I should move it. Not gonna.
We also went to Iao Valley to hike around (which is awesome when (a) I gots the sciatica and (b) we are facing a 5.5 hour plane ride and thus my sciatica will be even worse if I inflame it by walking around. Also, I am old.)Moving on. We saw a cat that looked like Rufus.
And we played in the houses.
And Geoff carried Hazel on his shoulders. That is the Iao needle in the background.
And, of course, we made Hazel keep up on her studies since she missed so many days of preschool.
And we played in the houses.
And Geoff carried Hazel on his shoulders. That is the Iao needle in the background.
And, of course, we made Hazel keep up on her studies since she missed so many days of preschool.
I have a couple more shots from the little camera. But I am trying to boost my post count. Mwa hahahahaha
Labels: Geoff, Hawaii, hazel, meadow
Maui Part 2: The kid (not just waves)
Hookipa overlook.
I made this awesome dress for Hazel. I wish I had a full body shot of it, because it is truly adorable. Hopefully, it will still fit her in the summer and she can wear it again.
We also went to the aquarium.
Where Hazel learned to shoot water out of her fingertips.
And we saw the jelly fish. I love the jelly fish. There is a big tube of them in a dark room and they are awesome. It is my favorite part, hands down.
Hazel liked the sharks, and the aquarium tube.
Shaka.
But still plenty of attitude.
Okay, I have more, but I am uploading now.Sunday, November 1, 2009
Picture overload-Part 1
Hazel's first day of preschool.
And then we went to Orlando.
Oops, this is on the airport tram and is before we met the pink princess statue, but whatever.
At the water park, which was truly a highlight of Orlando. They had all ranges of slides, from itty-bitty for Hazel to crazy tall for Geoff. Videos in the next post.
It was a chore to get Hazel to try the tube ride but once she did it she was hooked (again, video in the next post).
And then she progressed to the even bigger slide.
Family shot.
As we were going through pictures, Hazel said, "Remember when you stuck my hand in Fritos and made me go to sleep?" Yeah, that is what happened. Really, she was tuckered out from the water park. My conference gave us sack lunches at the end and it was perfect for eating after the park, on our way to Tampa.
Fireworks on the cruise.
Disney's island with Captain Jack Sparrow.
Family with Donald Duck. Hazel said, "He is the captain of the yacht." Yacht?!?! How does she even know what a yacht is??
Geoff snorkeling.
He took this picture himself. You can barely see Minnie Mouse.
Family shot in the ocean. We only got one shot and then the batteries died. Doh.
This was at the REI, Hazel was exhausted and fell asleep in the cart. I think she wasn't feeling good.
More to come. But now I must go and enjoy the beautiful fall day.Labels: florida, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation
Monday, October 19, 2009
GFA, Part Three
Remember how I was going to bed? Me neither...
But, since I am parked at the computer, I decided to continue uploading pictures from Florida (but also keep reading past Florida to see the doll dress Hazel made).
These are from September 18, Day two of our cruise. Over a month ago. Man, I am a procrastinator.
We woke up bright and early Friday morning to see The Princesses. Backing up a bit, let me tell you about Disneyland. We went to Disneyland in June and waited in line approximately 14 hours to see princesses, and that was after cutting in line with Zoe and April... Herein lies the beauty of the Disney cruise. It may be $$$ but, no lines. Or, really, minimal lines. We probably took 30-45 minutes to see all four princesses (one line for all of them) and that included plenty of talking to each of them.
First up, Snow White.
Hugs for everyone.
Then we saw Belle (or "the yellow one" as we like to call her). She was oddly tan. I know she works on a cruise ship but, come on. She needs a little sunscreen.
I don't know if Belle got a hug. Maybe Hazel was afraid of the tan...
Pink princess. She was nuts. Do you see the massive quantities of make-up? Of course you do because, holy cow, that lady had a heavy hand with the eye shadow and lips and everything. Hazel didn't mind.
Next up, the blue one, Cinderella. Hazel repeatedly told her that she had the same dress at home.
Cinderella was cute and nice. And even though her dress is not pink, Hazel loved her best. And will be her for Halloween, if she can have a headband and necklace. Easy-peasy.
And, then we were in the Bahamas. Yee-haw.
Hazel was not a fan. We went through the Straw Market (meh) and bought some random-y souvenirs and then we went back to the ship and hung out at the pool. Much better...
Huh, this should be sooner because this is right after we got off the boat. Alas, I am not rearranging, just explaining. I love this shot of the two of them. And it is a nice shot of our boat. Look, that's our room!
It was Pirate's In the Caribbean night and we dressed like pirates. Barely.
And we got to meet Jack Sparrow. Hazel and Jack did not care for one another.
And then Hazel went to kid-land and dressed up. Because that is what she does.
Whilst at Kidlandia she obtained booty in the form of pirate head scarfs. Matey. Oh, and we won a pirate trivia game and got medals. Because we are winners. We win.
It is a big production, pirate night. They have dancing pirates and singing pirates and then Mickey Mouse comes in to save the day and then fireworks. (I have pictures of the fireworks on the mysterious "other camera" that I claim to own but never upload from. Because I am lame.)
I wish I had a better shot of the three of us. But Hazel was more impressed with all the characters and music and dancing and whatnot.
I promise to update with Part Four (I believe the final part) at some point in the near-ish future. Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation
Not a part of GFA
Remember how we went on vacation forever ago and I was blogging about that? Yeah, me neither.
Moving on.
Hazel and I made cookies the other day. And by "made" I mean I bought some dough and we rolled it, cut it and drowned it in sugar crystals. Good times.
Check the blue one. It had close to an inch of blue sugar on it. We got some of it but the rest just melted into a jack-o-lantern face. Awesome.
(I only had six pictures on my camera but I had to upload for the following shots)
Check the blue one. It had close to an inch of blue sugar on it. We got some of it but the rest just melted into a jack-o-lantern face. Awesome.
(I only had six pictures on my camera but I had to upload for the following shots)Hazel got the American Girl catalog in the mail the other day (and Fisher Price today, grr) and she is in love. She wants everything but mostly the baby and the clothes. Oh, the clothes. I do not spend that much for clothes for my kid, I am (probably) not going to spend that much on clothes for a doll.
In a surprisingly successful attempt to distract her, we made doll clothes. And it was good. Way better than the cookies.
This was all Hazel.
As you can tell, the mermaid was pleased. I attached the sleeves to the dress but everything else was Hazel. She picked the fabric, cut it and then sewed everything together. Oh, I threaded the needles. We got a couple books on sewing doll clothes at the library tonight so we may have another round tomorrow.
As you can tell, the mermaid was pleased. I attached the sleeves to the dress but everything else was Hazel. She picked the fabric, cut it and then sewed everything together. Oh, I threaded the needles. We got a couple books on sewing doll clothes at the library tonight so we may have another round tomorrow.
Labels: cooking, hazel, sewing
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Grand Floridian Adventure Part 2
As you may remember, when I last left off on the Grand Floridian Adventure it was September 13th (on the GFA, not posting). Now we are jumping ahead to September 17, because I have ZERO pictures from those between days. We did stuff but either (a) I don't have pictures or (b) they are on the other camera. Anyway, quick summary:
Monday, September 14: Meadow went to meetings all day, Geoff and Hazel swam in the pool and played with ponies. I think they also rode the bus to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to see animals. But that could have been Tuesday (I think there are pictures of this on the other camera). Monday night we went out to dinner at the fancy-schmancy restaurant in the hotel, it was a conference thing. Hazel did not have a great time. Then we went swimming afterward and to the boardwalk. Or maybe that was Sunday. Man, my days are confused. Probably both days. We swam a lot. Oh, we also walked around Downtown Disney this day too. And had an extremely mediocre lunch at some restaurant that really should have been more delicious.
Tuesday, September 15: Meadow=meetings. Geoff and Hazel=stuff. We had dinner with the conference this night too and then we all went to Cirque du Soleil. It was pretty good, but I am glad I didn't have to pay for the tickets. The 7 bucks for popcorn was plenty and I got reimbursed for that.* Geoff and I went to the show that came through Utah at the E Center, but this was Hazel's first time. I think enjoyed watching her more than the show.**
Wednesday, September 16: Meetings and packing in the morning. Then a lady gave us tickets to the water park and we went in the afternoon. It was awesome and a lot of fun. I would have even paid. I KNOW! Paid! They had a great kid zone that had a multitude of slides in vary degrees of scariness and Hazel increased her bravery bit by bit. I know we have pictures of this on the other camera, cause it is waterproof. And then we drove to Tampa. Which was a long drive but totally worth it to see Geoff's cousin and her family. We went to dinner, and spent the night with them on Wednesday which brings us to Thursday and I have pictures.
Whew.
They live on this great pond with a bird.
And an alligator. Possibly a stick, except it really is an alligator and we saw it swim and yawn. They also have a swimming pool at their house. Lucky.
And, Hazel favorite part. A BABY! Yeah, for baby Aysia! Hazel was in baby heaven. She got to hold the baby and feed the baby and pat (burp) the baby. She wanted to sleep in the baby's room so she could "help her in the night" we put the kibosh on that. It was great seeing them and we would love to go visit them for more than a quick overnight trip.
And then we made the trek to Cape Canaveral. Unbeknown to me, Geoff had the GPS set to avoid toll roads. Which made for a very, very, very long drive across Florida. He claimed it was "scenic" but Hazel and I just watched cartoons in the backseat and waited to see our boat. Or ship. Whatever.When we finally spied it, we were very excited.
Very, very excited.
Even Geoff got in on the excitement action.
And then Hazel lost it for a bit. She absolutely did not want her backpack to be tagged and sent to our room. Because, she is nuts. Does she not realize that it is better to have someone else take care of the luggage?!? Obviously not. So, Geoff went to park the car and Hazel and I went in to the terminal to start the check-in process and just as we were finishing who should show up but THE mouse herself. NOTE: In our house, the only mouse that matters in Minnie. See that mouse silhouette on the ship model in the background? Minnie. The pasta she would get at dinner? Minnie. The ice cream bars? Minnie. You get it. Everything is Minnie. Mickey is not even discussed. Hazel was very excited and perked right up at seeing Minnie and kept up the pleasantness for the rest of the cruise. (or at least that is how I am going to remember it. I cannot think of any other freak outs so I am going to remember the awesomeness of our cruise. It is my cruise. And my blog. I can do what I want.)
Geoff showed up just in time to get a family shot.***
We toured the kid land and it was awesome. I could do an entire post on the awesomeness that is kid land. But, I am not going to. Let me just add it in here: Awesome.
Very, very excited.
Even Geoff got in on the excitement action.
And then Hazel lost it for a bit. She absolutely did not want her backpack to be tagged and sent to our room. Because, she is nuts. Does she not realize that it is better to have someone else take care of the luggage?!? Obviously not. So, Geoff went to park the car and Hazel and I went in to the terminal to start the check-in process and just as we were finishing who should show up but THE mouse herself. NOTE: In our house, the only mouse that matters in Minnie. See that mouse silhouette on the ship model in the background? Minnie. The pasta she would get at dinner? Minnie. The ice cream bars? Minnie. You get it. Everything is Minnie. Mickey is not even discussed. Hazel was very excited and perked right up at seeing Minnie and kept up the pleasantness for the rest of the cruise. (or at least that is how I am going to remember it. I cannot think of any other freak outs so I am going to remember the awesomeness of our cruise. It is my cruise. And my blog. I can do what I want.)
Geoff showed up just in time to get a family shot.***
We toured the kid land and it was awesome. I could do an entire post on the awesomeness that is kid land. But, I am not going to. Let me just add it in here: Awesome.Oh, you want more? Okay, so Hazel is 3 which means she was in with the 3- to 4-year-olds. See how that is only a two year span? Awesome#1. Every single one of the counselors that I met was perky and friendly beyond belief. Awesome#2. The kid land was huge. They had a playground-thing with stuff to climb on and a little slide and then a little TV area with shell chairs. Then there was a huge open space and a stage. They had tables where they served them meals and snacks (They fed them, I could have completely neglected my child all cruise. Awesome#4. (because I am still working on #3)) and then a GIANT tree house thing with a steering wheel (see below) and a slide and other such awesomeness. Plus, a computer room and dress-up area. Awesome#3 And, Hazel favorite part of all, tiny toilets. Awesome#5. Seriously, the kid loves tiny toilets. She wants a tiny toilet in her new bathroom. Except by the time we get done with bathrooms she will be like 15 and who wants a tiny toilet then?!? Moving on. The best part of all: We had late seating for dinner (8:15pm) and our server would take the kids' orders (we were seated with another couple who had a 4-year-old girl) and then rush their food out and then, magically, at 9pm the kid land folks would show up at the restaurant and whisk the kids away to kid land. Awesome#6-10. Disney is a giant marketing machine and I feel guilty about buying Hazel the Disney-crap but I will tell you what. They know how to take care of kids, and more so the parents. The end.
At lunch we met the captain and the first mate. Hazel was very happy with "the dog what walks on two legs".
Our cruise ship had a big old sports area. We played some soccer.
Later, we met Minnie Mouse again. (1) I don't know what is up with the kid and her crazy hands. I assume she is pledging a gang****
We also got Hazel to lay in the windows. She wasn't really amused.
But, dang, look how cute she is in her little mouse ears and adorable dress!
I promise to finish updating the remaining parts at some point in the future.*I am a cheapskate.
**I am also a sucker for my kid.
*** How short are the people in the costumes?!?! because we are taller than Minnie and her head is H-U-G-E!
****Do you pledge gangs? How does that work? When will she stop with the weird hands?
Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Grand Floridian Adventure Part 1
We recently returned from 8 days in, or around, Florida. Meadow had a conference at Disney World for 4 nights, then we spent a lovely night with Geoff's cousins in Tampa and then 3 nights on a Disney cruise. It was great but, holy cow, Florida is h-o-t. And muggy. Oh, the muggy, muggy Florida air.
We stayed at the Swan. It was nice but not as nice as some of the other hotels the conference has been held at. But, on the other hand, nicer than where I would stay if I had to pay. Hmm... this is kind of a crappy picture of it. But, all I could find.
More proof that everything is Minnie Mouse. Hazel was uber-cute in this dress. She told someone, "My mom made the dress but we had to borrow the sash." As if borrowing something was the worst thing ever. I am proud of this dress. I think it looks great and even though I deviated from the pattern and had to do a few things repeatedly (see collar and sleeves) it turned out great. The marketing ladies from my conference found Hazel adorable and bought her matching Minnie ears which she LOVES and wore everywhere.
We went to a character breakfast our first morning in WDW and had a great time. I think Hazel ate about 2 bites but she loved the characters. This picture does not show the true amount of love she had for Donald. I think he was the first character and she was still a bit nervous at this point. By the end of the meal she had warmed up to everyone.
Loved Goofy.
Loved, loved, loved Minnie Mouse. HOWEVER! Not once did we see Minnie in the "traditional" i.e. matching dress. Bummer.
And she got earrings. So, all around Florida was a win for Hazel.
They are clip-on earrings (which had never occurred to me before) and she loves them. She has wanted earrings for quite some time now and I think this is filling the need. They are pink butterflies and, surprisingly, they both made it home.
We made a trip to Downtown Disney before my meetings on Sunday and it was awesome. They have My Little Pony thing where you get a pony and all the outfits you can stuff in a box for $20. Best 20 bucks we spent on the trip. We were able to get all of the outfits (princesses and Minnie) plus extra shoes and other fiddly things. Hazel loves it and it ate up plenty of hours and kept her entertained at dinners.
Daisy. Angry Hazel. Angry Donald. Angry Geoff.
We have quite a few photos with Hazel on or near something.
She was fascinated with the "stick" Tigger is sitting on and was convinced it was poop. From our angle, it kind of did look like poop.
Not a fan.
I had to go to meetings (you know, the reason my work shells out the cash for me to go places). Geoff and Hazel headed back to the room. Hazel put on her princess dress and fell asleep. (Long aside: We were looking for another princess dress for Hazel. She got a blue one at Disneyland and wears it constantly. She sold Popsicles on the 24th of July to buy a dress and I told her she could have another one in Florida. She really wanted the mermaid outfit but it looked cheap (but, was NOT cheap) but she would settle for the mermaid ball gown. And then they were out of her size. And so we tried Snow White. Same story, not in her size. So, we had the guy call around and NONE in her size. We tried quite a few princesses before they found ONE in her size. The blue one. Ack. We went to the princess factory (or so it seemed) and they rummaged around and same story, nothing in her size. WTH!?!?! Come on Disney! 3-year-olds need princess dresses. Finally, they found ONE pink one in her size and Hazel proclaimed it was "her favorite". Fabulous, because that is the only one they have. End) It is a cute dress, however, and off the shoulder like she loves.
Then we went to the cocktail reception (Geoff and Hazel came to and Hazel was fabulous and well behaved and cute and everyone fawned over her) and swimming and THEN to the ESPN Zone for food. Hazel zonked out at the ESPN Zone even though it was incredibly loud and loud and sporty and loud. It was a long day.
Anyway, we had a great time and here is my story.
Geoff ordered a snorkeling outfit from his Delta points. I am not really sure how this program works, I just know he got free snorkeling stuff. And Hazel modeled them. In a princess dress.
Remember how I have two cameras? Well, I can apparently only update with one of them at a time. So, this post is from the big camera. My point? None.
Remember how I have two cameras? Well, I can apparently only update with one of them at a time. So, this post is from the big camera. My point? None. Disney World is enormous. I guessed about 600 square miles. But, turns out is is like 36 square miles or 25,000 acres (which sounds far more impressive). My point is this: They are a powerful marketing machine. This was the coolest thing I saw on the compound. Minnie (everything in our world is Minnie, not Mickey) Mouse electrical poles. Awesome.
We stayed at the Swan. It was nice but not as nice as some of the other hotels the conference has been held at. But, on the other hand, nicer than where I would stay if I had to pay. Hmm... this is kind of a crappy picture of it. But, all I could find.
More proof that everything is Minnie Mouse. Hazel was uber-cute in this dress. She told someone, "My mom made the dress but we had to borrow the sash." As if borrowing something was the worst thing ever. I am proud of this dress. I think it looks great and even though I deviated from the pattern and had to do a few things repeatedly (see collar and sleeves) it turned out great. The marketing ladies from my conference found Hazel adorable and bought her matching Minnie ears which she LOVES and wore everywhere.
We went to a character breakfast our first morning in WDW and had a great time. I think Hazel ate about 2 bites but she loved the characters. This picture does not show the true amount of love she had for Donald. I think he was the first character and she was still a bit nervous at this point. By the end of the meal she had warmed up to everyone.
Loved Goofy.
Loved, loved, loved Minnie Mouse. HOWEVER! Not once did we see Minnie in the "traditional" i.e. matching dress. Bummer.
And she got earrings. So, all around Florida was a win for Hazel.
They are clip-on earrings (which had never occurred to me before) and she loves them. She has wanted earrings for quite some time now and I think this is filling the need. They are pink butterflies and, surprisingly, they both made it home.
We made a trip to Downtown Disney before my meetings on Sunday and it was awesome. They have My Little Pony thing where you get a pony and all the outfits you can stuff in a box for $20. Best 20 bucks we spent on the trip. We were able to get all of the outfits (princesses and Minnie) plus extra shoes and other fiddly things. Hazel loves it and it ate up plenty of hours and kept her entertained at dinners.
Daisy. Angry Hazel. Angry Donald. Angry Geoff.
We have quite a few photos with Hazel on or near something.
She was fascinated with the "stick" Tigger is sitting on and was convinced it was poop. From our angle, it kind of did look like poop.
Not a fan.
I had to go to meetings (you know, the reason my work shells out the cash for me to go places). Geoff and Hazel headed back to the room. Hazel put on her princess dress and fell asleep. (Long aside: We were looking for another princess dress for Hazel. She got a blue one at Disneyland and wears it constantly. She sold Popsicles on the 24th of July to buy a dress and I told her she could have another one in Florida. She really wanted the mermaid outfit but it looked cheap (but, was NOT cheap) but she would settle for the mermaid ball gown. And then they were out of her size. And so we tried Snow White. Same story, not in her size. So, we had the guy call around and NONE in her size. We tried quite a few princesses before they found ONE in her size. The blue one. Ack. We went to the princess factory (or so it seemed) and they rummaged around and same story, nothing in her size. WTH!?!?! Come on Disney! 3-year-olds need princess dresses. Finally, they found ONE pink one in her size and Hazel proclaimed it was "her favorite". Fabulous, because that is the only one they have. End) It is a cute dress, however, and off the shoulder like she loves.
Then we went to the cocktail reception (Geoff and Hazel came to and Hazel was fabulous and well behaved and cute and everyone fawned over her) and swimming and THEN to the ESPN Zone for food. Hazel zonked out at the ESPN Zone even though it was incredibly loud and loud and sporty and loud. It was a long day.And then I have no pictures (on this camera) until September 17th.
More tomorrow, or another day.
Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation
First Day of Preschool
Hazel started preschool a couple of weeks ago (09/09/09, to be precise) and she is loving. The first day was show-and-tell except we were running late and I forgot to remind her and thus no show-and-tell. When we got to school she remembered and it was too late. I tried to hand her stuff from the car, "How about the first aid kit? What about this book?" She was not impressed and said, "Mom, that is pretty stupid. I am just going to have no show-and-tell." Bah. I tried.
Anyway, she loves preschool and hopefully we will remember to take something tomorrow.
Outfit was entirely chosen by Hazel.
She is stuck on the princess pose thing. Lame.Monday, September 7, 2009
Camping!
Okay, first off, if it was for the Awesome Bonnie we never would have gone camping. And that would be a shame because we had a great time. We went up American Fork canyon for the night and while it was chock-a-block with people it was still fun. We had a fire and roasted marshmallows, hunted for bears (none found, however), hunted for moose (Geoff "saw" one), hiked and ummm... camping stuff.
Second, remember how I despise some things about blogger? One of them is the crappy way it moves pictures. I have complained about this before but haven't taken the initative to move to a different site. Just deal with the odd order of pictures because it is a pain to move them without losing the big picture (literally, the BIG picture which I like to keep a copy of at work.)
Moving on.
We hiked/walked around Casade Springs. Hazel took this lovely picture of me and Geoff.
And she took this nice picture of herself.
And then Bonnie took this shot.
And a better one. Hazel got a piece of candy for behaving.* I haven't been up to Cascade Springs since I was a kid. Geoff had never been. You can no longer play in the springs, you have to stay on the path. Still, it was a lovely time and a perfect hike/walk length.
Hazel climbed the rock across from our campsite. There was also one in our campsite that she climbed and almost fell off of. Luckily, I have reflexes like a cat** and was able to grab her before she toppled off backwards, head first.
Hazel and Geoff chilling by the fire. It was hard to get a good fire shot without using the flash and keeping the ambiance. But, I think you get what I was going for. We also told ghost stories and they were awesome. Hazel's was about 30 seconds and incoherent. Nathan's (Bonnie's son) was about 30 minutes and incoherent. In his defense, he was constantly interrupted. Still, it was good times.
Hazel really liked playing in our tent. Not her tiny tent that she insisted on us bringing, only the "whole family tent". She was reading stories to her babies. Except that I notice now that one baby is smashed under her back.
She wanted to take my picture with her dog book. "Look happy!"
Behold the power of static electricity.
Playing frisbee with Geoff. She was not great at catching.
But not too bad at throwing.
Look at that follow through! It is as if the heaven's are shining down upon her and bestowing the power of frisbeeing. Or something.
After being fed (because we are super lame and no one is feeling really great so we didn't even pack breakfast) and packing up camp we headed down to hike Stewart Falls. Except everyone in the UC was up the canyon and traffic was horrible and parking was worse and Hazel was tired and just wanted to visit Grandma and Grandpa. So, we bid adieu to our friends and headed to my dad and Anne's house. We hung out and chatted and then decided to go to the Festivale Magnifico!*** We ate some tacos and Hazel won a toothbrush and really, Really, REALLY wanted to go on a ride except (a) I don't trust carnies, (b) I don't trust those rides and (c) I didn't want to pay the outrageous prices for the lame-o rides. Lucky for Hazel, she found two tickets on the ground and that was just enough to go on the train. So, I still don't trust carnies or the rides but I didn't have to pay and the train didn't go in the air or very fast so I agreed.
She had a fabulous time.
As we were leaving we saw this poster and Hazel was quite concerned about the missing cat. Except it is not missing.
The sign actually says "Have you seen this cat? Because it is Awesome." Oh, Provo, you are so high-larious.
Second, remember how I despise some things about blogger? One of them is the crappy way it moves pictures. I have complained about this before but haven't taken the initative to move to a different site. Just deal with the odd order of pictures because it is a pain to move them without losing the big picture (literally, the BIG picture which I like to keep a copy of at work.)
Moving on.
We hiked/walked around Casade Springs. Hazel took this lovely picture of me and Geoff.
And she took this nice picture of herself.
And then Bonnie took this shot.
And a better one. Hazel got a piece of candy for behaving.* I haven't been up to Cascade Springs since I was a kid. Geoff had never been. You can no longer play in the springs, you have to stay on the path. Still, it was a lovely time and a perfect hike/walk length.
Hazel climbed the rock across from our campsite. There was also one in our campsite that she climbed and almost fell off of. Luckily, I have reflexes like a cat** and was able to grab her before she toppled off backwards, head first.
Hazel and Geoff chilling by the fire. It was hard to get a good fire shot without using the flash and keeping the ambiance. But, I think you get what I was going for. We also told ghost stories and they were awesome. Hazel's was about 30 seconds and incoherent. Nathan's (Bonnie's son) was about 30 minutes and incoherent. In his defense, he was constantly interrupted. Still, it was good times.
Hazel really liked playing in our tent. Not her tiny tent that she insisted on us bringing, only the "whole family tent". She was reading stories to her babies. Except that I notice now that one baby is smashed under her back.
She wanted to take my picture with her dog book. "Look happy!"
Behold the power of static electricity.
Playing frisbee with Geoff. She was not great at catching.
But not too bad at throwing.
Look at that follow through! It is as if the heaven's are shining down upon her and bestowing the power of frisbeeing. Or something.
After being fed (because we are super lame and no one is feeling really great so we didn't even pack breakfast) and packing up camp we headed down to hike Stewart Falls. Except everyone in the UC was up the canyon and traffic was horrible and parking was worse and Hazel was tired and just wanted to visit Grandma and Grandpa. So, we bid adieu to our friends and headed to my dad and Anne's house. We hung out and chatted and then decided to go to the Festivale Magnifico!*** We ate some tacos and Hazel won a toothbrush and really, Really, REALLY wanted to go on a ride except (a) I don't trust carnies, (b) I don't trust those rides and (c) I didn't want to pay the outrageous prices for the lame-o rides. Lucky for Hazel, she found two tickets on the ground and that was just enough to go on the train. So, I still don't trust carnies or the rides but I didn't have to pay and the train didn't go in the air or very fast so I agreed.She had a fabulous time.
As we were leaving we saw this poster and Hazel was quite concerned about the missing cat. Except it is not missing.
The sign actually says "Have you seen this cat? Because it is Awesome." Oh, Provo, you are so high-larious.
All in all, we had a great weekend. Michelle moved into the basement, and watched Nacho for us while we were gone. We also went to the zoo on Saturday with cousins Tiffany and Ginger and saw the baby tigers and, my goodness, they were cute. And....I think that is about it. We are all suffering from various degrees of allergies and Geoff tore his bicep at work.
The end.
*Yes, I realize I am a horrible parent. My kid watches TV, eats candy, gets bribed by her parents and throws tantrums. I predict she will be thrown out of preschool in less than a month.
**aahahahahahaha aahahahaha I normally have horrible reflexes but I did save her this one time.
***Probably not the real name.
Labels: camping, Geoff, hazel, meadow
Random, random pictures
So, I haven't upload pictures from the little camera since July-ish. I finally got around to it today and here are a bunch of random shots. Tomorrow I will post the awesomeness that was our weekend.
This is me "hiking" the Mormon/California Trail. In reality, I only hike like 10 feet between roads but whatever, I still got to take a picture.
Geoff and Brandon at Affleck park. Geoff was umm...not happy? I don't know. I don't know if I chose to upload this picture or if I mistyped. But, it is here now for all my readers. All 12 of you.
Hazel at swimming lessons. She was the smallest and only girl. Which reminds me, I need to see about signing her up for the next session.
On the mermaid statue at the International Peace Gardens. I am sure this was allowed behavior.
And the lions at the same park.
Oh, this is a shot of the door I was stripping. Technically, it is sitting on my front porch and thus is still being stripped. Did you know that ammonia takes off shellac? No!?!? Well, now you do. Thanks, internet.
Hazel and I at the 24th of July children's parade. Except it is really on the Saturday before the 24th. We are pink.
Hazel waiting to get her first haircut. Oh, she is such a brave little driver.
Hazel and I at the Bee's game with the mascot. I believe is name is Bumble. Actually, I have no idea. Again, we are pink. This is at my work's summer party. It was very meh.
Hazel (pre-haircut) with Nacho. Poor, poor Nacho.
Labels: hazel, meadow, Nacho, Random
Friday, August 28, 2009
Warheads Candy
Hazel went to a friend's birthday party and hit the mother-load with the pinata. There was a lot of Tootsie Rolls and suckers but there were also a few Warheads (ULTRA sour candies, for those who may not know the "joy" that is Warheads). I told her she wouldn't like them but she would not listen. So, then I asked her to just wait until I had the camera. Hilarity ensued.
This chain of pictures makes me convulse in laughter. Especially the pirate face. I cannot even think about it without chuckling.Also, see the sneak preview of the adorable dress I made her for the grand Disney adventure. Hint: It is not a Mickey Mouse dress.... I have said too much.
Labels: funny faces, hazel
Monday, August 17, 2009
Whew, just in time.
Not quite a month between updates. Almost, but not quite. Geoff uploaded pictures today and if I don't do something with them they will get lost in the blackhole that is our hard drive.
While browsing the photos I found this lovely one, apparently this is the day our hard drive crashed. Also, I live in chaos.
A visit from the twins resulted in a Hazel sandwich. Notice that Grace has a new shirt. hee hee.
Another lovely shot.
And Hazel admiring one of the kittens (gah!!!) we found under the porch. That darn cat has become those darn cats.
Another lovely shot.
And Hazel admiring one of the kittens (gah!!!) we found under the porch. That darn cat has become those darn cats.
Labels: hazel
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The hair.
Remember how Hazel had long, luscious, locks? Well, they are gone.
She wanted "hair like the boy with the bear." Who turned out to be Mowgli. They didn't do a great job the first time, so I took her back when I got home from work and someone else tidied it up. Overall, not impressed with the kid salon.
Anyway, here is her new haircut. She does look adorable, and it is SO much easier to deal with.
Side view with sword.
And a reminder of the surfer girl hair. (and the kitchen paint color)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Meltdown of a princess
This is just a teaser post while I work on the giant post of pictures from California.
After lunch on Friday (our second day at Disneyland), Hazel wanted to ride King Triton's Carousel. Something set her off (I don't recall exactly what it was) and the following took place. Within about 45 seconds.
This one is my favorite with the overly dramatic hand to the mouth.
And then the ride started and all was forgotten.
Labels: Disneyland, hazel, vacation
California Über Alles
We went to California on Wednesday and came back (incredibly early) on Saturday morning.* It was a fabulous time and while I am exhausted (not quite as exhausted as Hazel and Geoff who both fell asleep a couple of hours ago) I am glad we went and hope to be back to full power by tomorrow when I have to be at work. :(
This is Hazel's standard airplane pose. She loves reading the safety guide almost as much as she loves picking her nose. It was not a bad flight and my mom, Bernie and Jenni were just a couple rows ahead so Hazel could go visit them.
Anyway, when we got to California on Wednesday we drove around crazily, hit the Trader Joe's, got some lunch**, and then went to La Brea Tar Pits. It was pretty cool. Hazel was very concerned about the daddy elephant that got stuck in the tar and was terrified of the moving mammoth.
I was only scared of the skeleton.
Ben and Zoe and clan were there and the cousins (mostly) played nice.
And then we went to the beach. I cannot even begin to quantify how much my child loves the beach. We could have spent four days at the beach and she would have been happy. Note to self: Must go to Hawaii this winter.
Ben and Zoe and clan were there and the cousins (mostly) played nice.
Then we went to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles (per Snoop Dogg's suggestion) and it was delicious. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend RC&W. We went to the Long Beach location. Hazel had a drumstick.
The family at Disneyland. Look how non-plussed my kid is. Does she not know this is the happiest place on Earth? HAPPIEST!
These were the first characters she met. I am thinking this could be our family group costume this year...
The first ride we took Hazel on was the Pirates of the Caribbean. In case you don't remember this ride, it is dark, loud and has a couple of drops right at the beginning. She had a death-grip on my arm the entire time. Based on this (and the fact that we are dopes) we took her on the Haunted Mansion next***. She was on sensory overload.
We then wised up and took her on Winnie the Pooh's kid-friendly ride. She got off and said that she loved it and "none scary parts."She also enjoyed Buzz Lightyear's shoot-em up ride (how could she not love a ride with guns?).
And we got to ride in the front of the monorail. She would have happily ridden this all day.
We also met more characters.
She loved this phone and had to be physically dragged away from it. Someone talked on it, Mickey or something, I don't know. But she loved it. I love her casual stance.
Of course we met Mickey Mouse. I think the Mickey line is the best of the bunch. You wander through his house (which is really part of the "line") and then you get to watch movies while you wait and it went really fast.****
All day she asked for the Dumbo ride, but the lines were crazy and so we kept putting it off. Finally, the line was down to about 30 minutes and we went on it. She had a great time and again, "none scary parts." Apparently a three-year-old likes the little kid rides. Who knew.
At some point during the day we tried to have naps (ha!) and then stayed up late to watch the fireworks and Fantasmic. Geoff was far more tired than Hazel was.
But, after Fantasmic (and a quick trip to the Tiki Room), she passed out and was gone for the night.
We got up super-early the Friday (or so it felt after being up past midnight on Thursday) so we could ride Nemo's submarine ride.
Then we went on the Jungle Cruise. Obviously, we planned a little better on Friday with regards to kid-friendly rides.
And then we saw the princesses. They were great. Three princesses rotate throughout the day and you wait in one (giant) line for them. They spent time with each little girl (and boys, probably) and made each one feel special. I was glad we did it. But, I wish there was a fastpass.
And we got to ride in the front of the monorail. She would have happily ridden this all day.
We also met more characters.
She loved this phone and had to be physically dragged away from it. Someone talked on it, Mickey or something, I don't know. But she loved it. I love her casual stance.
Of course we met Mickey Mouse. I think the Mickey line is the best of the bunch. You wander through his house (which is really part of the "line") and then you get to watch movies while you wait and it went really fast.****
All day she asked for the Dumbo ride, but the lines were crazy and so we kept putting it off. Finally, the line was down to about 30 minutes and we went on it. She had a great time and again, "none scary parts." Apparently a three-year-old likes the little kid rides. Who knew.
At some point during the day we tried to have naps (ha!) and then stayed up late to watch the fireworks and Fantasmic. Geoff was far more tired than Hazel was.
But, after Fantasmic (and a quick trip to the Tiki Room), she passed out and was gone for the night.
We got up super-early the Friday (or so it felt after being up past midnight on Thursday) so we could ride Nemo's submarine ride.
Then we went on the Jungle Cruise. Obviously, we planned a little better on Friday with regards to kid-friendly rides.
And then we saw the princesses. They were great. Three princesses rotate throughout the day and you wait in one (giant) line for them. They spent time with each little girl (and boys, probably) and made each one feel special. I was glad we did it. But, I wish there was a fastpass.Mulan and Hazel showed off their muscles.
Sleeping Beauty was Hazel's favorite, because of the pink, I think.
Snow White tried to get the kids to pose "like a princess".
This is my favorite picture.
Princess hands again.
And then, Hazel needed her own princess dress.
It leaves glitter everywhere. It makes everything "fancy". Me, Geoff, the stroller, the car seat, everything she touches. Seriously, it is glitterific.
And even more awesome with bug glasses.
We rode the bumper cars and then the ride broke or something so we just had to sit there forever.
And we went on the Bug's Life caterpillar's chew-chew train. Jenni was terrified. This was, by far, the lamest ride ever. It is like 20 feet of ride. I think Hazel has more train track in her box o' trains. Seriously, it was short.
Hazel swore she didn't need a nap and wouldn't take one but, man, she needed one. I think we wore the toes out of her shoes dragging her around.
Outside the Monsters Inc ride.
On the Monsters Inc ride. This was the only ride that Hazel wanted to go on again. We got off and she wanted to immediately get back on it. We distracted her with the photo op stuff outside the ride (see above, there was also a cab you could play in).
We watched a lot of parades. Hazel got to play the drum head in this one.
I like that Jenni, Hazel and the Mad Hatter are all staring at something. The Mad Hatter looks horrified.
We also stayed for the Electric Light Parade. It started at 8:45pm, but on the opposite end of the park. Hazel was wide awake, but that crazy, manic, awake and running around and licking and causing all sorts of mayhem. And then the parade started. She lasted like two floats and then was out. If only she would have had a nap.
As we were leaving California Adventures, the fireworks at Disneyland were going off. This was cool but caused a crazy traffic jam at the exits.
Saturday morning we got up bright and early, drove to the OC and flew home. All in all, it was a great trip. But, I am glad to be home. And glad to be sleeping in my own bed.
*So, we fly standby which is free, but we are at the mercy of the airlines. So, when I checked flights on Friday night after a full day at the D-land I discovered out preferred noon-ish flight was dangerously full so we went for the 6:45am flight. Which meant leaving our hotel at like 5:15am. Which sucked. But, you know, free flights.
Sleeping Beauty was Hazel's favorite, because of the pink, I think.
Snow White tried to get the kids to pose "like a princess".
This is my favorite picture.
Princess hands again.
And then, Hazel needed her own princess dress.
It leaves glitter everywhere. It makes everything "fancy". Me, Geoff, the stroller, the car seat, everything she touches. Seriously, it is glitterific.
And even more awesome with bug glasses.
We rode the bumper cars and then the ride broke or something so we just had to sit there forever.
And we went on the Bug's Life caterpillar's chew-chew train. Jenni was terrified. This was, by far, the lamest ride ever. It is like 20 feet of ride. I think Hazel has more train track in her box o' trains. Seriously, it was short.
Hazel swore she didn't need a nap and wouldn't take one but, man, she needed one. I think we wore the toes out of her shoes dragging her around.
Outside the Monsters Inc ride.
On the Monsters Inc ride. This was the only ride that Hazel wanted to go on again. We got off and she wanted to immediately get back on it. We distracted her with the photo op stuff outside the ride (see above, there was also a cab you could play in).
We watched a lot of parades. Hazel got to play the drum head in this one.
I like that Jenni, Hazel and the Mad Hatter are all staring at something. The Mad Hatter looks horrified.
We also stayed for the Electric Light Parade. It started at 8:45pm, but on the opposite end of the park. Hazel was wide awake, but that crazy, manic, awake and running around and licking and causing all sorts of mayhem. And then the parade started. She lasted like two floats and then was out. If only she would have had a nap.
As we were leaving California Adventures, the fireworks at Disneyland were going off. This was cool but caused a crazy traffic jam at the exits.
Saturday morning we got up bright and early, drove to the OC and flew home. All in all, it was a great trip. But, I am glad to be home. And glad to be sleeping in my own bed.
*So, we fly standby which is free, but we are at the mercy of the airlines. So, when I checked flights on Friday night after a full day at the D-land I discovered out preferred noon-ish flight was dangerously full so we went for the 6:45am flight. Which meant leaving our hotel at like 5:15am. Which sucked. But, you know, free flights.**Genetically, the women in the family do not do well without food. This includes me, my sister, my mom and my kid. I am just saying, we MUST be fed. Logic fails, emotions run wild.
***In our defense, she loves ghosts and doesn't scare easily.
****The princesses, on the other hand, were horrible. We cut in line with April and Zoe (who had been in line for 45 minutes) and still waited for an hour-and-a-half. And it was boring, no movie, nothing. But, the princesses did a great job with each and every girl.
Labels: Disneyland, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation
Monday, June 22, 2009
Third post of the night.
Or the first, depending on how you read them. I am cleaning the cards off both cameras before we go on vacation Wednesday. Because, apparently, that is my top-priority?? What about making sure clothes are washed, everything is packed, the basement is ready for paint and the house is clean? Nah. Might as well play around on my computer.
Anyway, here is another (or the first?) shot of my kid with a gun.
Ack! This one slays me. Could she be any tougher? I think not.
A fabulous shot of my friends Candi and Amy that Hazel took. Hazel portraits are easy to tell as (a) there is normally a finger and (b) they are pointed up.
Oh! This one does not follow the rules and points down. But, Cedric is a baby AND there is still a finger in the shot.
I know I posted pictures last time of the sprinkler playing, but I have more. You know, two cameras.
I like this running away one.
Okay, first up. All my pictures are in random-y backwards order but this is because it is a pain in the butt to reorder them. I am trying to not let it make me crazy.Anyway, we went to the zoo a couple weekends ago with my friend from work and her little boy. Hazel lost it because she wanted to ride on the wolf but another kid was on it and HORRORS! she had to ride on something else, I think a baby polar bear. Anyway, she lost it. Like shrieking and trying to leap off the carousel. And then the next go round she got the wolf and it was as if the crazy was forgotten. Except by me.
Hazel and her friend Kade. He really did like her and would like to go to the zoo again with Hazel but "not with her mom or my mom." Dating so young? I think not.
Hazel wanted to take a picture of my bubble. I think it is a nice picture.
And I took this picture of her. In my hat. Because it isn't enough that she owns like 10 hats, now she has to wear mine too.
Look at the foot. She is truly my kid.
Oh, here are some pictures of our crap-tastic sidewalk. We had some crazy rain (about 2 inches in less than an hour) and it flooded our front yard. That pond should be sidewalk.
Randomly: Hazel in a dust mask.
Back to the flooding. Can you see the water shooting into the stairwell?!?!? Bah! This should not happen again.
Last, but not least, a family portrait. Good thing we have Geoff to look at the camera. :)
The end. Now I am ready for California and I promise I will post pictures in a month or less. Or more....
Hazel and her friend Kade. He really did like her and would like to go to the zoo again with Hazel but "not with her mom or my mom." Dating so young? I think not.
Hazel wanted to take a picture of my bubble. I think it is a nice picture.
And I took this picture of her. In my hat. Because it isn't enough that she owns like 10 hats, now she has to wear mine too.
Look at the foot. She is truly my kid.
Oh, here are some pictures of our crap-tastic sidewalk. We had some crazy rain (about 2 inches in less than an hour) and it flooded our front yard. That pond should be sidewalk.
Randomly: Hazel in a dust mask.
Back to the flooding. Can you see the water shooting into the stairwell?!?!? Bah! This should not happen again.
Last, but not least, a family portrait. Good thing we have Geoff to look at the camera. :)
The end. Now I am ready for California and I promise I will post pictures in a month or less. Or more....Sunday, May 31, 2009
Still on Blogger
Okay, so in my last post I implied that I would be leaving Blogger. Well, as it turns out, I am lazy. And possibly a dope. Thus, I am still with Blogger. And still annoyed with it for a few things (why don't my freaking archives work?? how come Chrome doesn't uploade pictures??), but I am moving on. Or staying put. Whatever. If Geoff wasn't madly trying to finish up house projects I would ask for his help. But, frankly, I would rather have a renter.
Moving on.
Hazel loves this bunny costume from her friend Tayvia. It is kind of too small but she still wears in constantly. She can no longer really get the hand nor feet things on but she manages. Also, she tried to escape.
I still maintain everything is cuter when done in a bunny costume.
Even if it is just bunny ears. FYI: Geoff was not thrilled with me taking a picture of him in the bunny ears. But the two of them were so cute that I just had to do it. Besides, there are boy bunnies. I don't know why he was such a complainer.
Hazel and her friends Jack and Serenity had a fabulous sprinkler day last Saturday. Serenity has this AWESOME octopus sprinkler and the three kids had a great time playing in it. Jack's dad (in the upper right corner) doesn't look like he was having such a great time. Seriously, the kids played in in forever. Hazel was freezing but still wouldn't quit.
Eventually I convinced her to take a break and dry off on her beach towel. Notice our lovely roses in the background. (Tangent) I am not a fan of roses. I think they are poky and lame. I have good memories of my grandfather having them but I still didn't want them in our yard. And then they bloomed. We have five (5!) different colors of roses in our yard and they are beautiful. There are two shades of pink (light and dark-which is behind Hazel), a fantastic reddish-pinkish-orangey (hands down, my favorite) , yellow (also behind Hazel) and an orange one. They are awesome and we have been making great bouquets out of them.
Hazel looked adorable one day and so I asked her if I could take a picture and if she would put her hat back on. This was what I got. Hil-ar-i-ous.
We read stories before bed and the other night Hazel wanted me to read this dorky Mad book (as in the magazine). My eyes were killing me so I took my contacts out and put my glasses on so I could see. Hazel followed suit.
Peace out.
Moving on.
Hazel loves this bunny costume from her friend Tayvia. It is kind of too small but she still wears in constantly. She can no longer really get the hand nor feet things on but she manages. Also, she tried to escape.
I still maintain everything is cuter when done in a bunny costume.
Even if it is just bunny ears. FYI: Geoff was not thrilled with me taking a picture of him in the bunny ears. But the two of them were so cute that I just had to do it. Besides, there are boy bunnies. I don't know why he was such a complainer.
Hazel and her friends Jack and Serenity had a fabulous sprinkler day last Saturday. Serenity has this AWESOME octopus sprinkler and the three kids had a great time playing in it. Jack's dad (in the upper right corner) doesn't look like he was having such a great time. Seriously, the kids played in in forever. Hazel was freezing but still wouldn't quit.
Eventually I convinced her to take a break and dry off on her beach towel. Notice our lovely roses in the background. (Tangent) I am not a fan of roses. I think they are poky and lame. I have good memories of my grandfather having them but I still didn't want them in our yard. And then they bloomed. We have five (5!) different colors of roses in our yard and they are beautiful. There are two shades of pink (light and dark-which is behind Hazel), a fantastic reddish-pinkish-orangey (hands down, my favorite) , yellow (also behind Hazel) and an orange one. They are awesome and we have been making great bouquets out of them.
Hazel looked adorable one day and so I asked her if I could take a picture and if she would put her hat back on. This was what I got. Hil-ar-i-ous.
We read stories before bed and the other night Hazel wanted me to read this dorky Mad book (as in the magazine). My eyes were killing me so I took my contacts out and put my glasses on so I could see. Hazel followed suit.
Peace out.Thursday, May 21, 2009
Post #100
100 numbered lines about 100 posts. *
- I actually have posted more, but not on Blogger.
- In the olden days I coded by hand. BY HAND!!
- This actually worked better than Blogger.
- Blogger sucks.
- I suck.
- My blog sucks.
- My new washer and dryer, however, is AWESOME! Behold the awesomeness.
- Notice the venting Geoff installed. He just cut a hole in our window and ran the vent pipe through it.
- Our window is made out of plexiglass.
- I realize the ghetto-ness of this. But let me bask in the glory of my fancy (and, more importantly, functional) appliances.
- We also had a new main water line installed.
- It is not as pretty as our washer/dryer combo but our old line was far less functional than our old washer/dryer.
- A broken washer/dryer does not cost as much in sheer waste as a broken water main.
- I have no idea what that giant pipe near the hole is for.
- Whatever it is, I am glad IT didn't break.
- I am also glad the City is going to split the difference on the gobs of water we used last month.
- Hazel played outside with Nacho on Sunday while we were in the basement working. I took pictures with the telephoto lens.
- Nacho has become a far more tolerant dog since we had the kid.
- Our neighbor, Thomas, has baby kittens.
- They are adorable.
- Hazel loves to play with the kittens.
- I hope she doesn't turn them evil.
- It makes me happy that my kid loves books.
- She does not, however, love to have her picture taken.
- If I was given a choice, I would take the books.
- Blogger totally sucks.
- It makes me bonkers that I can't just copy and paste a picture without losing the big picture.
- The actual BIG picture, not some metaphorically crap.
- My next 100 posts may be brought to you by something else.
- Like the letter "M".
- For Meadow.
- Now with added cheez.
- Hazel decided it would be a good idea to stick her hand in the jar of nacho cheese and FLING IT.
- It was not a good idea.
- In fact it was a very, very bad idea.
- Never have I seen so much cheez.
- I made her clean it up (mostly) and then scrubbed her off in the shower and sent her to bed.
- This was over a week ago.
- I am still stumbling upon cheez.
- 100 things is a lot.
- And I am trying to finish before my inaugural load of laundry finishes.
- Okay, I am giving up at 42. Hazel wants me to play hide-and-go-seek and I would rather do that.
*Not changing the title. Live with it.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
My bad mothering is apparently as bad as my daughtering, as I didn't get a mother's day present nor did I get my mom a present (delivered, but she will come down and I will give it to her). Anyway, I told my mom I would post pictures of Hazel on her cutie-cute bike and here they are. Two days late.
First, the other day (I think last Friday) I painted Hazel's fingers and toes. And then I forgot to put away the nail polish. Because I am an idiot and forgot a three-year-old lives in my house. She found the nail polish and proceed to paint (a) her face, (b) her body, (c) the computer chair, (d) the rug and (e) the floor. I hate the computer chair so it didn't get cleaned, the floor will be refinished (eventually) but we were able to get the rug and the kid cleaned. Doh. Also, notice how her gut is hanging out? She gets that from me. Poor thing.
But look how cute she is on her bike! We rode to the store. Which was WAY too far. But, Hazel was a trooper.
Ack! The cuteness is killing me!*
Remember this shirt from baby fights in 2006? Well, it still fits. Hazel also ups the tough-factor by 3 by adding a headlamp.
Geoff and Hazel went hiking today with the neighbors, Emi and Jack. Hazel loves having a hiking stick. Plus, she is finally big enough for her Camelbak to start to fit her.
Hat? Oh, it seems to be missing. I am hoping Geoff at least remembered the sunscreen. Oh, turns out he did. 
The end.
First, the other day (I think last Friday) I painted Hazel's fingers and toes. And then I forgot to put away the nail polish. Because I am an idiot and forgot a three-year-old lives in my house. She found the nail polish and proceed to paint (a) her face, (b) her body, (c) the computer chair, (d) the rug and (e) the floor. I hate the computer chair so it didn't get cleaned, the floor will be refinished (eventually) but we were able to get the rug and the kid cleaned. Doh. Also, notice how her gut is hanging out? She gets that from me. Poor thing.
But look how cute she is on her bike! We rode to the store. Which was WAY too far. But, Hazel was a trooper.
Ack! The cuteness is killing me!*
Remember this shirt from baby fights in 2006? Well, it still fits. Hazel also ups the tough-factor by 3 by adding a headlamp.
Geoff and Hazel went hiking today with the neighbors, Emi and Jack. Hazel loves having a hiking stick. Plus, she is finally big enough for her Camelbak to start to fit her.
Hat? Oh, it seems to be missing. I am hoping Geoff at least remembered the sunscreen. Oh, turns out he did. 
The end. Mom: Hope this counts for something. I really do have a present for you. Love you lots. Thanks for helping me become the mom I am today.
*Okay, so not to take away from the cuteness I am moving this story to the bottom. While we were coming home from the store, we were on 9th south in front of the bike store and there is the slightest incline ever and Hazel got going a little fast and crashed into a lady (girl? I don't know she was probably about 20). Everyone was okay but Hazel got nervous, I was nervous (because, come on, my kid hit someone!) and it bad for a long trip home. But, she is getting over it and willing to ride again. Plus, she has been practicing her braking. A lot.
*Okay, so not to take away from the cuteness I am moving this story to the bottom. While we were coming home from the store, we were on 9th south in front of the bike store and there is the slightest incline ever and Hazel got going a little fast and crashed into a lady (girl? I don't know she was probably about 20). Everyone was okay but Hazel got nervous, I was nervous (because, come on, my kid hit someone!) and it bad for a long trip home. But, she is getting over it and willing to ride again. Plus, she has been practicing her braking. A lot.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The "other" camera
First up, we all went to the dentist* today and no cavities for anyone! Hooray! This was the most official visit yet for Hazel and she did AWESOME. The dentist even remarked at what a great job she did and wondered what we did to prepare her for it. Sadly, we did nothing. We get no good parent points today. Except for the whole good dental hygiene thing. Plus, I love how relaxed she looks in the chair.
Okay, everything else is in random date order from the last month-and-a-half or so.
Okay, everything else is in random date order from the last month-and-a-half or so. Girls' brunch out at Porcupine. Mmmm....Porcupine. For Shauntil's birthday. I believe this was the day after we got back from Vegas (don't worry, Vegas pictures are coming up).
Swimming while my mom was in town. Her hotel's pool was broken and then cold and so they sent us all to Dimple Dell which was still kind of cold but not broken, plus it was giant way more giant than the hotel pool. We had a great time. Plus, this is the first picture where I can totally see Hazel got my smile. Poor thing, she will never have an upper lip...
The AF Omans were swimming too. This was the best picture I have of Hazel and Gloria. The rest of them make it look as if Hazel is drowning Gloria. But I promise she was just hugging her!
Hazel at her favorite store. If you look at the big picture you can see that I am reflected in one lens and Geoff is reflected in the other. I would also like to point out that we almost never let her take toys into stores so it was a special treat for her to take the Care Bear.
Remember yesterday when I said that the Oman girls take odd pictures? See:
And then this:
Okay, so we went to Vegas in March. Me, Anne, Jesse and Jenni. My step-brother John was a dancer at the Tropicana (the show closed and so now he will be dancing on a cruise ship, and I will visit him there!!). So, we went to see his show before it closed. We also did a little sightseeing. While we were at the Bellagio we saw these girls taking pictures whilst leaning over their cameras to get their heads in the picture with the ceiling. I was enamored with this:
I took a ton of pictures whilst leaning over my camera. And then Jenni stuck her head in one. If you flip through the whole sequence of pictures it is hilarious. Especially on the impossibly long drive home from Vegas.**
These are the best group shots I have. After John's show, in front of the showroom.
And then at the Bellagio gardens. Man, I am a slob. Why am I wearing a t-shirt? I rarely wear t-shirts, outside of manual labor and sleeping. Blah to being a slob.
Finally, any ideas of what I should get my mom for Mother's Day? Apparently, it is THIS weekend!! I should have figured this out earlier and got her a present while she was in town last week. Worst. Daughter. Ever. *Okay, new dentist update. He was pretty nice. I liked him. We used to go to another doctor but he moved to Oregon, which is kind of far to go for dental work. So, this dentist bought the practice and since we are lazy and already had appointments we stuck with this guy. He did a great job explaining things to watch and took care of the kid. I will be back in six months.
** I realize I am spoiled. I flew down and only had to ride in the car on the way back.
Labels: Dentist, friends, hazel, Jenni, meadow, Vegas
Monday, May 4, 2009
April? I hardly knew you...
Man, April flew by. I can't believe we are already well into May. And by "well" I mean, "tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo." I would lament that I have been busy and thus haven't had time to update but the truth is this, I have never been very good at keeping up on the updates. I get busy, it stays light at night and, frankly, I need to watch me some TV. I am lucky if I even TAKE pictures, much less upload them to the computer.
Hazel is still cute. And now will only do weird poses when I take her picture. I don't know what is up with that. It must be genetic, as my step-dad Bernie thinks the Oman girls cannot take a normal picture. Luckily, Hazel has not progressed as far as Jenni and I have. It is probably only a matter of time. Poor kid.
My mom was in town last weekend to get a new dog. (Roscoe, and he is adorable) The AF Omans came up to visit and the kids took a moment to torment the cat. I believe Gloria was chanting, "Brains.....braaaaaaiiiinnnnnsss" but I can't prove that. Also, I don't think she is as obsessed with zombies as my little blonde child.
They did not spend all evening messing with the cat, they also played on the swingset.
Hazel likes to play with her chalk. A lot. I like to keep the chalk on a hook in the coat closet while it is not being supervised. A high hook. I am sure I was not the one who got the chalk down this time. 
Hazel was surprised at how chalky her face was. I don't know what her arm is doing in the picture. She must have been posing. Because that is what you do when you are COVERED IN CHALK!!
Geoff has had like a week off. Of course. Because he gets a lot of days off and I have to go to work. And it is extremely unfair. One day last week he decided the best use of his time would be to copy the little picture from Hazel's puzzle onto the Magnadoodle. Immediately after he was done, Hazel erased it. Luckily, I took a picture so Geoff can remember the good times...
Oh, so one day Hazel was in going to the bathroom. It is great that she can finally go to the bathroom by herself (I just installed low toilet paper holders that she can reach, now we have two per bathroom, awesome). HOWEVER, this does not mean she should be left in the bathroom for long periods of time by herself. By the time Geoff went back there the sink was overflowing because she had shoved toilet paper in the sink drain (and we are old school without an overflow drain thing at the top) because "the fish needed to swim." Geoff helped her dig the toilet paper out and I took a picture. We both have our roles. Look how Hazel almost looks like she feels guilty for flooding the bathroom.
Finally, Hazel got earrings. She is VERY proud.
Hazel is still cute. And now will only do weird poses when I take her picture. I don't know what is up with that. It must be genetic, as my step-dad Bernie thinks the Oman girls cannot take a normal picture. Luckily, Hazel has not progressed as far as Jenni and I have. It is probably only a matter of time. Poor kid.
My mom was in town last weekend to get a new dog. (Roscoe, and he is adorable) The AF Omans came up to visit and the kids took a moment to torment the cat. I believe Gloria was chanting, "Brains.....braaaaaaiiiinnnnnsss" but I can't prove that. Also, I don't think she is as obsessed with zombies as my little blonde child.
They did not spend all evening messing with the cat, they also played on the swingset.
Hazel likes to play with her chalk. A lot. I like to keep the chalk on a hook in the coat closet while it is not being supervised. A high hook. I am sure I was not the one who got the chalk down this time. 
Hazel was surprised at how chalky her face was. I don't know what her arm is doing in the picture. She must have been posing. Because that is what you do when you are COVERED IN CHALK!!
Geoff has had like a week off. Of course. Because he gets a lot of days off and I have to go to work. And it is extremely unfair. One day last week he decided the best use of his time would be to copy the little picture from Hazel's puzzle onto the Magnadoodle. Immediately after he was done, Hazel erased it. Luckily, I took a picture so Geoff can remember the good times...
Oh, so one day Hazel was in going to the bathroom. It is great that she can finally go to the bathroom by herself (I just installed low toilet paper holders that she can reach, now we have two per bathroom, awesome). HOWEVER, this does not mean she should be left in the bathroom for long periods of time by herself. By the time Geoff went back there the sink was overflowing because she had shoved toilet paper in the sink drain (and we are old school without an overflow drain thing at the top) because "the fish needed to swim." Geoff helped her dig the toilet paper out and I took a picture. We both have our roles. Look how Hazel almost looks like she feels guilty for flooding the bathroom.
Finally, Hazel got earrings. She is VERY proud.
Other things we have done this month:
- Played with the neighbor, Jack, a lot. Hazel loves Jack and Jack loves Hazel. They play together very nicely and it is awesome to have a kid Hazel's age (he turns three this week) to play with.
- Walked to the dog park, a lot. Nacho is missing Triscuit, and likes to play with the other dogs at the park. But only if we are in the park too, she freaks out if we put her in there and try and play on the playground.
- Today Hazel and I went to the Utah Museum of Natural History (free day!) and Hazel got to be one of the volunteers for pulling the tablecloth off the table. She was very good and so proud about doing a good job.
- Hazel is starting to read. Good and bad because it is getting trickier to spell things around her.
- Trips to the zoo. The bird show is back after the Winter hiatus and the elephant is due in July!
- Worked on the basement. It is getting closer, I promise! We used all 30 (!) sheets of sheetrock and still need more. We have, of course, had a bit of scope-creep but we are almost done with the re-framing and then can finish the sheetrock. It is getting there.
- Geoff's cousins, Corey and Ryan, were in town for a week or so. They were great fun and Hazel adores them. She wants to go visit them in Hawaii next. I am supporting her in this.
- Probably some other stuff too but it is getting late and Hazel is sitting on my lap waiting for me to read her stories.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Geoff's Birthday
Geoff's birthday was on Saturday, Hazel did not know how to feel about having such an old dad...
Seriously, I think that picture is hilarious. Her face kills me.
Hazel is VERY into birthdays right now. She wanted to put a candle in everything. Turns out candle in molten hot pizza = bad idea. Candle in cookie = okay idea.
We had a party on Geoff's birthday. But not FOR his birthday. And look how HAPPY Geoff was!! He loves birthday parties.
There was dancing at the party. I especially like how Brandon's arm is see-through. That is a good feature to have in a friend.
Plus, Geoff rode on the elephant. This was about 2am. Needless to say, we did not get much done on Sunday.
Seriously, I think that picture is hilarious. Her face kills me.Hazel is VERY into birthdays right now. She wanted to put a candle in everything. Turns out candle in molten hot pizza = bad idea. Candle in cookie = okay idea.
We had a party on Geoff's birthday. But not FOR his birthday. And look how HAPPY Geoff was!! He loves birthday parties.
There was dancing at the party. I especially like how Brandon's arm is see-through. That is a good feature to have in a friend.
Plus, Geoff rode on the elephant. This was about 2am. Needless to say, we did not get much done on Sunday.
Happy Birthday, Geoff!
Labels: Birthday, Geoff, hazel
Cantaloupe Island
Now, I did not actually get to attend the outing, but there are pictures and it looks like Geoff, Hazel, Corey and Ryan had a great time. They saw a bison:
And Hazel swam in the Great Salt Lake.
And I went to work.
And Hazel swam in the Great Salt Lake.
And I went to work.Labels: day tripping, hazel
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Catching up. Kind of.
So, we have two cameras (really, like four) and take pictures on most of them. But only the Canon takes really good pictures, and it is the easiest one to upload. My point is this: I have no point. Oh, here are some pictures.
Hazel found a bucket of wire nuts* and proceeded to put them on her fingers and then showed them to me and said, "scary!" But in a crazy voice.**
I believe this may have been Hazel's first (and second, and possibly third) Oreo. She loved them.
Hazel invented her first joke, after we were teaching her a bunch of pirate jokes.Q: What is a pirate's favorite kid show?
A: Arthur.
NOT said as "Arrrr-thur", thus I don't know if she knows it is a legitimate pirate joke or if it is just her favorite joke. Regardless, it is hilarious.
She was nicely drawing and taping the pages together with flags so I took her picture.
But it turns out I ACTUALLY took her soul. And she was render incapacitated. Except for the ability to wail.
Jenni and Nova came over to visit yesterday and Nova followed us upstairs. And then she was too scared to go down the stairs. And Geoff had to carry her. Good thing he spent all day hanging sheetrock so his arms were warmed up.
Hazel is having a sleepover in our entry way. Like 10 minutes ago. Also playing with jewelry Geoff found in the basement.
*ha! I hope this is the right name for these.
**She is obsessed with scary stuff. We play "zombie mom/regular mom" all the time. Plus, she wants to work at the "castle" (Nightmare on 13th haunted house) and wear a "Strawberry Shortcake ghost costume". Yeah, I don't know what that is either. But, she only wants to be a "regular princess" for Halloween. No zombie.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Funny Stories
Okay, I have a bunch of funny stories that I won't remember so I am putting them here, in no particular order:
- Hazel and I went to Costco this morning and I put her in the back seat while I put stuff in the trunk. When I was done and went to buckle her in she was freaking out and said, "You just left me here to die!" Yeah, cause that is what I do.
- Hazel went to a sleepover at Tutu's (Geoff's mom) house and asked me if Tutu had cookie mix and I said that I didn't think so but maybe they could make them from scratch. Hazel said, "No, she can't. Her lives in Bountiful." Two reasons this is funny. (1) Tutu is not a big cook. She probably could make them from scratch but it brings me to (2) when I was telling Tutu the story I got bunched in the arm before I made it to the reason why she couldn't make them from scratch and AND! she had the cookie dough that you just break apart and cookie. (bah!)
- When we got to Tutu's house, as I pulled in the parking lot, Hazel said, "I know where her (sic) lives, I will just run there." I told her I needed to hold her hand while we crossed the parking lot. So, we got to the sidewalk and she said, "I know where her lives, I will just run there." I told her I would walk her there and she repeated, "I know where her lives, bye bye." As if I am just going to let her run to the condo. But then I explained that I needed to carry her stuff and she huffed and said, "fine."
Sunday, March 22, 2009
St. Patrick's Day!
Top seven reasons why my update is so untimely:
1- We bought a giant house.*
2- We have been working on it.
3- Geoff has been too lazy (something, I don't know) to switch over computers so he has just been logging in the laptop. I have no pictures nor anything else useful on the laptop.
4- Books. I read a lot of books.
5- My mom was down, and we went swimming and....I should really get those pictures from the other camera...
6- Attention span of a fruit fly.
7- Also, I started this a while ago and then the internet went out. Did you know if you have a business account with Comcast they promise to have your internet back up within four hours? Awesome.
I am just a wee bit late, but we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade last weekend** and it was awesome, as always. I probably had stories about this at one point but now it has been many days and I don't want to dig through the 15000 pictures on my HD to figure out which ones are new and blah blah blah.
Here is Jenni and Hazel at the parade.
Parking/traffic was atrocious so Geoff dropped Hazel and I off and went to find a spot. This meant that we got to ride the train to the car. Hazel was thrilled about it. She loves the train. I loved that the ride was only about three blocks.
We also went to a doggy birthday party recently. It was awesome. Dog chaos extraordinaire. Hazel wanted to dress "fancy" for the party. We took a bunch of pictures.
Hazel almost never lets me put her hair up, but she looks so lovely when it is up. Plus, it doesn't get nearly as ratty. Since it was a dog party, Hazel wanted to take a dog. But, since our dogs are old, cranky and sick we took the Tinkerbell dog instead. The birthday party was actually a lot of fun. Hazel was entertained with the trampoline and swingset (she was, as usual, the only kid there for most of it (two older kid showed up later)) and we were able to socialize with grownups. Plus, we played Rock Band and Hazel rocked the singing. Drums, not so much. She sang 'Eye of the Tiger' and passed with 82%, I was so proud...
*I will be using this (combined with #2) for a very long time since it absorbs our entire world.
1- We bought a giant house.*
2- We have been working on it.
3- Geoff has been too lazy (something, I don't know) to switch over computers so he has just been logging in the laptop. I have no pictures nor anything else useful on the laptop.
4- Books. I read a lot of books.
5- My mom was down, and we went swimming and....I should really get those pictures from the other camera...
6- Attention span of a fruit fly.
7- Also, I started this a while ago and then the internet went out. Did you know if you have a business account with Comcast they promise to have your internet back up within four hours? Awesome.
I am just a wee bit late, but we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade last weekend** and it was awesome, as always. I probably had stories about this at one point but now it has been many days and I don't want to dig through the 15000 pictures on my HD to figure out which ones are new and blah blah blah.
Here is Jenni and Hazel at the parade.
Parking/traffic was atrocious so Geoff dropped Hazel and I off and went to find a spot. This meant that we got to ride the train to the car. Hazel was thrilled about it. She loves the train. I loved that the ride was only about three blocks.
We also went to a doggy birthday party recently. It was awesome. Dog chaos extraordinaire. Hazel wanted to dress "fancy" for the party. We took a bunch of pictures.
Hazel almost never lets me put her hair up, but she looks so lovely when it is up. Plus, it doesn't get nearly as ratty. Since it was a dog party, Hazel wanted to take a dog. But, since our dogs are old, cranky and sick we took the Tinkerbell dog instead. The birthday party was actually a lot of fun. Hazel was entertained with the trampoline and swingset (she was, as usual, the only kid there for most of it (two older kid showed up later)) and we were able to socialize with grownups. Plus, we played Rock Band and Hazel rocked the singing. Drums, not so much. She sang 'Eye of the Tiger' and passed with 82%, I was so proud...
*I will be using this (combined with #2) for a very long time since it absorbs our entire world.**Proof that I started this forever ago.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Couple pictures of the kid
We went to an art opening for a friend at the Main Library last week and Hazel looked particularly lovely. She looks great in dark colors.
And also in whatever she is wearing here. I am pretty sure she is being a "dinosaurus rex".
She is definitely being a bunny here. She wore this costume all evening. She is hilarious in this costume. Everything is funnier when a 3-foot-tall bunny is doing it.
Another day (Friday?) she was a spaceman. I wish I had a better picture of it.
Must go sit by the kid now.
And also in whatever she is wearing here. I am pretty sure she is being a "dinosaurus rex".
She is definitely being a bunny here. She wore this costume all evening. She is hilarious in this costume. Everything is funnier when a 3-foot-tall bunny is doing it.
Another day (Friday?) she was a spaceman. I wish I had a better picture of it.
Must go sit by the kid now.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Pictures from the small camera
Hazel on her first day of ballet. She had a cute little ponytail that Geoff put in and she looked like quite the ballerina.
Pictures from swimming lessons. Hazel took this picture and wanted me to include it. So, here it is.
Hazel at swim lessons.
Hazel & her cousin Sadie. Could they be any cuter? Highly unlikely.
A lovely picture that Hazel took of me while driving.
This one is all blurry and whatnot. But I think it is a great picture. Taken by Hazel.
When we were all sick, I went up to Bountiful to go to the Instacare. Since Hazel was freshly diagnosed with jah-monia, I didn't want to take her with me and asked Lynne to watch her. She agreed and this is how Hazel spent the afternoon. Propped up on pillows, watching TV, and eating noodles in bed. She was a very happy girl.
Another picture by the Hazel. I love that her finger is in 90% of the pictures she takes.
Hazel, Tayvia, Shauntil and I all went to the zoo. We had a great time and the girls mostly got along.
I love when Hazel does the sketchy eyes. Sadly, this will probably be our last zoo trip for awhile. I am ticked they raised the membership price by 1/3 RIGHT after we voted a bond for them. Ungrateful jerks.
Finally, I leave you with this fantastic video of Hazel and Gloria dancing to Grandpa Ray playing the accordian. They loved it and kept asking for more and more and more.
Pictures from swimming lessons. Hazel took this picture and wanted me to include it. So, here it is.
Hazel at swim lessons.
Hazel & her cousin Sadie. Could they be any cuter? Highly unlikely.
A lovely picture that Hazel took of me while driving.
This one is all blurry and whatnot. But I think it is a great picture. Taken by Hazel.
When we were all sick, I went up to Bountiful to go to the Instacare. Since Hazel was freshly diagnosed with jah-monia, I didn't want to take her with me and asked Lynne to watch her. She agreed and this is how Hazel spent the afternoon. Propped up on pillows, watching TV, and eating noodles in bed. She was a very happy girl.
Another picture by the Hazel. I love that her finger is in 90% of the pictures she takes.
Hazel, Tayvia, Shauntil and I all went to the zoo. We had a great time and the girls mostly got along.
I love when Hazel does the sketchy eyes. Sadly, this will probably be our last zoo trip for awhile. I am ticked they raised the membership price by 1/3 RIGHT after we voted a bond for them. Ungrateful jerks.
Finally, I leave you with this fantastic video of Hazel and Gloria dancing to Grandpa Ray playing the accordian. They loved it and kept asking for more and more and more.Labels: Gloria, hazel, meadow, Sadie, sick, Tayvia, zoo
We have a cat.
So, there has been a cat outside our house, basically since we moved in. First it was living on our roof. But lately it has been on the porches and meowing loudly. Hazel really wants a cat. In fact, she is waiting for Geoff to die so she can get a cat. And then along came Rufus* the Reindeer** cat.
*because he lives on the roof
** I don't know why the reindeer, except that reindeer live on the roof.
And then I fed him dog food and he was happy. And then Hazel asked to buy him cat food. So I did. And I guess this means we have a cat. Maybe he is a mouser... Anyway, here is a picture of Rufus. While he was meowing loudly at me from the front porch. Also, a bunch of lathe from the basement. Because apparently we need to keep that. On the front porch. Because our house isn't junky enough.
Hazel's outfit today. Candy cane (sic) dress and hat. And crazy interpretive dance hands.
She is showing off her ponytail holder. It is Hello Kitty and she is very proud of it.
And those are the only pictures I have from the big camera. I am going to do a separate post for the little camera. because they are mostly from Hazel.Tuesday, February 24, 2009
We are much better, thank you.
Okay, just a quick update (no pictures because I don't know where the camera is, or it is not sitting next to my elbow and I am too lazy to find it). We are all feeling much better. Geoff is still a little sick, or just worn out. Or something. But Hazel and I are almost back to full strength. And I have a couple of stories:
- When Hazel was getting her x-ray I was explaining how the machine would take a picture of her insides to see how she was doing. So, she stood with her tiny little back to the machine and then opened her mouth as wide as she could. It was hilarious. And then I explained how the rays would travel through her body and she didn't need to open her mouth.
- Hazel and I were at the U-scan, which I tolerate and she loves. The cashier came over and was talking to Hazel and telling her what a great job she was doing and how maybe she could work there when she got older. Hazel looked at her and said, "No, I can't. I am going to college." And I was simultaneously mortified and proud that she knows she must go to college. Luckily, the cashier was fairly young and probably in college herself.
- We had dinner tonight by candlelight. Hazel was thrilled. The magic of candles is awesome.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The sickness....Oh...the sickness.
Hazel and I went to the KidsCare today (urgent care for kids). And it turns out she has RSV. Which is essentially a really bad (and super-contagious, but they didn't tell us that, which would have been nice to know before I invited Jenni to go to the Target) cold. Anyway, here is Hazel account of the doctor:
We went to the doctor and they take a picture of my bones(1) and we hopped on one foot (2) and I got to pee in a cup and then I got a sticker and a sucker.
(1) They x-rayed her chest.*
(2) We played Simons Says while we waited for the doctor to finish sewing up another kid.
*Live update: We just got a call from the doctor. The x-ray machine wouldn't process the film and so they didn't have results until now. Anyway, she has pneumonia. Awesome. This means Geoff and I are going to have to actually go to the doctor and get tested. Blah.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Fingerpaints and destruction
First, a picture of Hazel and Triscuit. I think this one is sweet. Notice they are both wearing pink. Awesome.
I find this combination of clothing odd. Or funny. Or something. Whatever. It is late, and I am tired.
On Saturday Geoff and Michelle decided to pull down the ceiling in our basement. It needed to come down but it also need the stuff removed first. Notice the STOVE still in the one room they destroyed?? Yeah, I don't think Geoff noticed. Anyway, it was filthy work. And Geoff hurt his back.
And why didn't I get to help? Because Hazel had a birthday party. And it was awesome. Here she is in her "fancy birthday party tea party dress" with the Hello Kitty bow in her hair.
And a whole couch full of cute.
Since Geoff hurt his back on Saturday, I got to spend time on Sunday cleaning in the basement. Between working at my job (aaaaagggghhhhh!!!!!) and holding a sick kid, it was not fun. But, I made some progress and even though my arms, back, shoulders, ummm... torso? is/are sore I am still upright and mobile, unlike Geoff. So, I have that going for me.
I busted out the finger paints tonight. Hazel had a rough day. She is has a bit of a cold and thus is mopey, Geoff threw out his back and is, in HIS words, "useless", I had to work late and so on and so forth. Plus, I had some really big sheets of paper from work. Thus, throwing caution to the wind, we finger painted. Let's put it this way, I should have waited until summer when I could put her outside. I thought pushing her sleeves up would be adequate. Because I am an IMBECILE! Hazel had a great time. I freaked out a lot.
I put Hazel in the tub with all her clothes on and made her scrub herself down. And then I had the brilliant (actual brilliant, not sarcastic "brilliant") idea to let her finger paint in the tub. Aaaaahhh...It just wipes off, and she is already wet so the paint doesn't really stick to her, and she is nekkid so I don't have to worry about her clothes. Perfect.
This was her masterpiece. I actually like it better than the finger paints on paper. Plus, clean up was much easier.
I find this combination of clothing odd. Or funny. Or something. Whatever. It is late, and I am tired.
On Saturday Geoff and Michelle decided to pull down the ceiling in our basement. It needed to come down but it also need the stuff removed first. Notice the STOVE still in the one room they destroyed?? Yeah, I don't think Geoff noticed. Anyway, it was filthy work. And Geoff hurt his back.
And why didn't I get to help? Because Hazel had a birthday party. And it was awesome. Here she is in her "fancy birthday party tea party dress" with the Hello Kitty bow in her hair.
And a whole couch full of cute.
Since Geoff hurt his back on Saturday, I got to spend time on Sunday cleaning in the basement. Between working at my job (aaaaagggghhhhh!!!!!) and holding a sick kid, it was not fun. But, I made some progress and even though my arms, back, shoulders, ummm... torso? is/are sore I am still upright and mobile, unlike Geoff. So, I have that going for me.
I busted out the finger paints tonight. Hazel had a rough day. She is has a bit of a cold and thus is mopey, Geoff threw out his back and is, in HIS words, "useless", I had to work late and so on and so forth. Plus, I had some really big sheets of paper from work. Thus, throwing caution to the wind, we finger painted. Let's put it this way, I should have waited until summer when I could put her outside. I thought pushing her sleeves up would be adequate. Because I am an IMBECILE! Hazel had a great time. I freaked out a lot.
I put Hazel in the tub with all her clothes on and made her scrub herself down. And then I had the brilliant (actual brilliant, not sarcastic "brilliant") idea to let her finger paint in the tub. Aaaaahhh...It just wipes off, and she is already wet so the paint doesn't really stick to her, and she is nekkid so I don't have to worry about her clothes. Perfect.
This was her masterpiece. I actually like it better than the finger paints on paper. Plus, clean up was much easier.
Finally, three things Hazel hates:
1- Jupiter
2- Going into space
3- Scuba diving
Randomly, on Saturday she told me this list of dislikes, and counted them on her fingers. It KILLED me. Still does. Because I am a nerd like that. Seriously, JUPITER!! Who hates Jupiter? My kid, that's who.
1- Jupiter
2- Going into space
3- Scuba diving
Randomly, on Saturday she told me this list of dislikes, and counted them on her fingers. It KILLED me. Still does. Because I am a nerd like that. Seriously, JUPITER!! Who hates Jupiter? My kid, that's who.
Labels: Birthday, Geoff, hazel, meadow, Triscuit
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hazel's Dress
Okay, I made this dress: 
And I think it is for sucks. Which means, of course, that Hazel loves it. It is basically a fleece sack with arm and neck holes and purple edging. She won't let me do anything to it because she, "loves it just like this!!" Also, bare arms and bare legs = bad mom.
This pose is funny. And look, arms AND legs covered and warm.
Hazel and Geoff rode the elephant together the other day. Geoff did not want his picture taken, which is lame because I have way worse photos of them. I made this dress too (Hazel has it on backwards) and it is way better. But a year old and getting kind of small. 
And I think it is for sucks. Which means, of course, that Hazel loves it. It is basically a fleece sack with arm and neck holes and purple edging. She won't let me do anything to it because she, "loves it just like this!!" Also, bare arms and bare legs = bad mom.This pose is funny. And look, arms AND legs covered and warm.
Hazel and Geoff rode the elephant together the other day. Geoff did not want his picture taken, which is lame because I have way worse photos of them. I made this dress too (Hazel has it on backwards) and it is way better. But a year old and getting kind of small. 
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Update with kid on the lap
Yes, Hazel is helping update. She likes to type h. A lot. Plus, she just sits and watches for h's and then wants to type them. She would like to spell her name: hazel. Okay, I am back (you don't realize it but that took like three minutes. In my impatience, that is a really long time, and it was probably 30 seconds). Now she would like to spell my name: mom. Okay. Pictures. ***Okay, I still can't use Google Chrome to update, lame.***
Hazel wanted "tiger ears" one day. This was the best I could do.
And here is the ferocious face to go with the tiger ears. I hope this picture doesn't upload blurry. It isn't blurry on my computer, but it is on the preview. Aaaahhhh...stream of conscious blogging.
So, here is my tear-jerking story of the day. I heard Hazel in her room this morning, when she was first waking up, she was milling around and then I heard her talking. So, I went and spied on her through the doorknob hole* and she was holding Triscuit on her lap, much like this (cont'd after the picture):
Hazel wanted "tiger ears" one day. This was the best I could do.
And here is the ferocious face to go with the tiger ears. I hope this picture doesn't upload blurry. It isn't blurry on my computer, but it is on the preview. Aaaahhhh...stream of conscious blogging.
We had to take many pictures with stars on our faces. Luckily, I remembered to remove them in the car before I went in to work.
Here Hazel is being a T-Rex (easier to spell). You can tell because of the short arms.
Hazel loves the dogs. They tolerate her. But, since Triscuit has been sick rules have been flying out the door. He is allowed on the couch now and any treats he will eat, he can have. So, the relationships are getting better. Nacho even shook Hazel's hand. This is huge.
Love of dogs aside, Hazel really wants a cat. But, alas, Geoff is deathly allergic. So, she decided her potato heads are cats. "Potato Cats". The other day she lined them up, with Charlie (the invisible cat) and had them all watch her ballet. The goggles, I have no idea what is going on with those.
We have extra Triscuit pictures lately.
Hazel wanted to pose with Triscuit. They are being lions. Or tigers. Or maybe even, bears. Who knows.
Fancy dress. Pouty girl. We got this dress at the Costco, because I am lame and apparently that is the only place I shop. Anyway, it was a toss-up between this one and an awesome purple one with green edging (which I loved, but Hazel got to choose). She has worn it at least part of every day since then. If they had the purple one at our Costco (not just Bountiful) I would totally get it too.
Here Hazel is being a T-Rex (easier to spell). You can tell because of the short arms.
Hazel loves the dogs. They tolerate her. But, since Triscuit has been sick rules have been flying out the door. He is allowed on the couch now and any treats he will eat, he can have. So, the relationships are getting better. Nacho even shook Hazel's hand. This is huge.
Love of dogs aside, Hazel really wants a cat. But, alas, Geoff is deathly allergic. So, she decided her potato heads are cats. "Potato Cats". The other day she lined them up, with Charlie (the invisible cat) and had them all watch her ballet. The goggles, I have no idea what is going on with those.
Okay, so we have this weird hole thing in our floor. It has wood that goes over it but you can just lift them up and then there is a hole to the floor joists. Hazel is fascinated with this. As well she should be.
Oh, apparently THIS is where she gets it from...
Oh, apparently THIS is where she gets it from...
We have extra Triscuit pictures lately.
Hazel wanted to pose with Triscuit. They are being lions. Or tigers. Or maybe even, bears. Who knows.
Fancy dress. Pouty girl. We got this dress at the Costco, because I am lame and apparently that is the only place I shop. Anyway, it was a toss-up between this one and an awesome purple one with green edging (which I loved, but Hazel got to choose). She has worn it at least part of every day since then. If they had the purple one at our Costco (not just Bountiful) I would totally get it too.
So, here is my tear-jerking story of the day. I heard Hazel in her room this morning, when she was first waking up, she was milling around and then I heard her talking. So, I went and spied on her through the doorknob hole* and she was holding Triscuit on her lap, much like this (cont'd after the picture):
and talking to him. She said, "Triscuit, I know you are sick and you are going to die. But, I love you very much and I am going to miss you." And then I sat at the doorknob hole and cried. I didn't think she really knew what was going on, or that she would be upset. I was wrong. I think this is harder on all of us than we would care to admit. It was very touching and very sweet and absolutely heart-wrenching. It chokes me up to just think about it. And just now she asked if we could check on Triscuit because, "He is sick."
* because I live in a house of horrors and we don't even have doorknobs.
Labels: hazel, meadow, outfit, Triscuit
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pictures!
Okay, I think the picture problem was something with Google Chrome. Which is weird because I use Blogger to update my website (or "blog") and it is run by Google. Who also controls the universe. So, I am using IE today and it worked fine. Of course, it could have been something wrong with all of Blogger and it might work today. But, alas, I am too lazy to test any theories. I will try it next time. Chrome is a great little browser, I would highly recommend it, except for my snafu the other day.
And pictures.
Hazel's birthday party:
The fabulous cake that I made for her. I foresee many New Year's Eves to come I will spend making some sort of fancy cake. Which reminds me, I need to return the pan to Julie. I am sure she has been wanted to make doll cakes and couldn't, because I have the pan.
The birthday girl in her crown. I bought (not enough, but all the store had) crowns for the party and then a giant bag of rhinestones, and then double-stick taped the back of the jewels. The crowns and jewels and other things to stick, seemed to be a hit. Hazel still has her crown and wears it regularly.
Not as much as she wears the dress, however. She loves the princess dress. If I wasn't so busy, I would make her another one (one not so....Made-in-China-y). That way we could actually wash one while she wears the other.
Hazel and Geoff made a snowman and a snowdog the other day.
The snowman later collapsed on the snowdog. (the wreckage is not shown)
Rockin' the side ponytail and twirling.
Hazel started ballet. Which she loves. It is just community ed ballet, nothing fancy. But she is only three and she loves it. They even get to have a little recital at the end. Anyway, she looks adorable in her little ballet outfit. Geoff even managed to get her unruly hair up in a ponytail.
Ignore the messy house behind her (seriously, could Geoff not find a plain wall for her to stand in front of? I don't like my mess broadcast to the world, or my mom!).
Hazel has become quite the computer addict. I am now limiting her computer time as well as her TV time. I don't know about Geoff, however. Wait, I do know. He doesn't limit any one's computer time. His or Hazel's.
And pictures.
Hazel's birthday party:
The fabulous cake that I made for her. I foresee many New Year's Eves to come I will spend making some sort of fancy cake. Which reminds me, I need to return the pan to Julie. I am sure she has been wanted to make doll cakes and couldn't, because I have the pan.
The birthday girl in her crown. I bought (not enough, but all the store had) crowns for the party and then a giant bag of rhinestones, and then double-stick taped the back of the jewels. The crowns and jewels and other things to stick, seemed to be a hit. Hazel still has her crown and wears it regularly.
Not as much as she wears the dress, however. She loves the princess dress. If I wasn't so busy, I would make her another one (one not so....Made-in-China-y). That way we could actually wash one while she wears the other.
Hazel and Geoff made a snowman and a snowdog the other day.
The snowman later collapsed on the snowdog. (the wreckage is not shown)
Rockin' the side ponytail and twirling.
Hazel started ballet. Which she loves. It is just community ed ballet, nothing fancy. But she is only three and she loves it. They even get to have a little recital at the end. Anyway, she looks adorable in her little ballet outfit. Geoff even managed to get her unruly hair up in a ponytail.
Ignore the messy house behind her (seriously, could Geoff not find a plain wall for her to stand in front of? I don't like my mess broadcast to the world, or my mom!).
Hazel has become quite the computer addict. I am now limiting her computer time as well as her TV time. I don't know about Geoff, however. Wait, I do know. He doesn't limit any one's computer time. His or Hazel's.
Labels: Ballet, Birthday, hazel
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Finally a stinkin' update
So, life has been crazy lately. I mean, it is always a little hectic but it seems a little unreasonably so lately. I realize so people have much worse lives. And then I stress about that too. My point is this, I have not updated in quite a while.
In no particular order, in the past week-ish, Hazel has:
1- Dumped a bottle of leave-in conditioner on the computer
2- Dumped a bottle of water on the computer
3- Dumped a tube of body wash (!) on the table, and chair, and herself
4- Eaten a GIANT lollypop unsupervised and got lolly-goo everywhere
5- Peed in her "hot house" (bunch of chairs with a blanket over them ) hot+pee=not great
6- Been obsessed with Triscuit dying
7- Started ballet
8-Played endless hours on the computer, she can close our windows and start her games all by herself (not great)
9- Worn her princess dress pretty much every day
Okay so I can't upload pictures and that is lame. Blogger is giving me an error and Geoff is at the old house working on the basement (yeah, we still need renters, anyone interested??) so he can't fix it and thus I give up. I am going to work on the dresses I promised Hazel.
I will update with pictures later.
Blah.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Happy Boxing Day
I haven't posted in a while but it has been BUSY. New house + old house+ job + Christmas + life = no time for website. Boo-to-the-hoo. Anyway, I downloaded all our pictures and what follows is my rambling about some of those pictures. Enjoy.
So far, it has been a fairly uneventful Boxing Day. Geoff had to work, Hazel and I lounged around until 8-ish.* We have played many rounds of tea party, blocks and hanging dresses in the closet. Oh, wait, I really meant to talk about Christmas and whatnot.
A couple weeks ago we had our cookie party and it was, again, fabulous. And I got this adorable picture of Hazel with Nate & Orson. They are all fairly close in age and, obviously, ADORABLE.
Hazel decorate a lot of cookies after everyone had left. The red sprinkles came out rather quickly.
But, that didn't much matter as mostly Hazel just likes the frosting.**
Apparently, our child is a hologram. This is a fairly new development and we are hoping to cure her. 
We got a new camera and it is lighter, cheaper and hardier than the D-SLR. Thus, Hazel has been taking a lot of picture. There are a lot of fuzzy shots of the floor and/or her finger but once in a while she gets a good one or two. Digital is awesome for kids. 
Auntie Jenni. And a tiny bit of finger.
Hazel got everything she asked Santa for: light-up toothbrush, her very own toothpaste, a closet and toys. Santa truly got off cheap this year. Lucky too because I hear he just bought a house of horrors*** and is thus fairly broke. It worked out because Hazel got PLENTY from the relatives.
Just a little holiday FYI, you can always tell a zombie by the hammer and ghostly eyes set in a pale face. Do not be fooled by the happy face.
A week or so I took off work early and Hazel and I went to the zoo. It was pretty cold but there was almost no one there. I love the zoo in the winter. The animals are more active, there are almost no people there and oh, no people. Plus, there are plenty of places to warm up, so it isn't too bad. Last year, they had a baby giraffe and we went a couple times a week to watch it grow. Oh, but I digress. Here is a cute shot of Hazel and me at the zoo. 
Hazel rocking her mad shades. Or, training to be some sort of law enforcement personnel.
So far, it has been a fairly uneventful Boxing Day. Geoff had to work, Hazel and I lounged around until 8-ish.* We have played many rounds of tea party, blocks and hanging dresses in the closet. Oh, wait, I really meant to talk about Christmas and whatnot.
A couple weeks ago we had our cookie party and it was, again, fabulous. And I got this adorable picture of Hazel with Nate & Orson. They are all fairly close in age and, obviously, ADORABLE.
Hazel decorate a lot of cookies after everyone had left. The red sprinkles came out rather quickly.
But, that didn't much matter as mostly Hazel just likes the frosting.**
Apparently, our child is a hologram. This is a fairly new development and we are hoping to cure her. 
We got a new camera and it is lighter, cheaper and hardier than the D-SLR. Thus, Hazel has been taking a lot of picture. There are a lot of fuzzy shots of the floor and/or her finger but once in a while she gets a good one or two. Digital is awesome for kids. Cousin Ben
Auntie Jenni. And a tiny bit of finger.
Hazel got everything she asked Santa for: light-up toothbrush, her very own toothpaste, a closet and toys. Santa truly got off cheap this year. Lucky too because I hear he just bought a house of horrors*** and is thus fairly broke. It worked out because Hazel got PLENTY from the relatives.
Just a little holiday FYI, you can always tell a zombie by the hammer and ghostly eyes set in a pale face. Do not be fooled by the happy face.
A week or so I took off work early and Hazel and I went to the zoo. It was pretty cold but there was almost no one there. I love the zoo in the winter. The animals are more active, there are almost no people there and oh, no people. Plus, there are plenty of places to warm up, so it isn't too bad. Last year, they had a baby giraffe and we went a couple times a week to watch it grow. Oh, but I digress. Here is a cute shot of Hazel and me at the zoo. 
Hazel rocking her mad shades. Or, training to be some sort of law enforcement personnel.
*Seriously, what is wrong with my kid that she doesn't understand a day off means SLEEPING IN! And sleeping in does not equal 7:30am.
**I tossed this bag of frosting after she was done with it. And this was after the party.
***HORROR!!
Labels: Boxing Day, Christmas, Closet, Cookie Party, friends, hazel
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tree! Kitchen! Hair!
Christmas started early this year. Nat, Tim & Alex are in town so we had "Christmas" up there today. Hazel got this awesome, awesome kitchen from Tutu & Auntie Michelle.* And some fake food to play with in it from the Texas family. (not pictured, I believe it is being washed in the sink"
And we started to set up our Christmas. I finally bit the bullet and moved to a fake tree. Sure, it is not all pine-y but, as I was stringing hundreds of lights I remembered I hate stringing lights. It is the longest, most tedious part of decorating a tree. So, I want to do this once (One and Done). Which means I need to pay attention to where the tree comes apart for storage. Which leads to this:
Hazel loves the tree and has been putting the candy canes on, even though we are truly not done putting lights on.
This is actually from a couple of days ago. But notice the outfit. Socks with sandals! Eek. Notice the stance as well, this is totally an action outfit.
And then it got better. My kid is crazy.
Also, as a side note: Hazel and I just ate some delicious ham and cheese quesadillas that were made in her microwave (okay, so they were really made in the real microwave and finished in her's but it is the thought that counts and she thought it was awesome). How sad is it that my kid has a nicer kitchen than I do? And, if I count the doll houses, a better functioning house...I have got to get something down on this place.
And we started to set up our Christmas. I finally bit the bullet and moved to a fake tree. Sure, it is not all pine-y but, as I was stringing hundreds of lights I remembered I hate stringing lights. It is the longest, most tedious part of decorating a tree. So, I want to do this once (One and Done). Which means I need to pay attention to where the tree comes apart for storage. Which leads to this:
Hazel loves the tree and has been putting the candy canes on, even though we are truly not done putting lights on.
This is actually from a couple of days ago. But notice the outfit. Socks with sandals! Eek. Notice the stance as well, this is totally an action outfit.
And then it got better. My kid is crazy.
Also, as a side note: Hazel and I just ate some delicious ham and cheese quesadillas that were made in her microwave (okay, so they were really made in the real microwave and finished in her's but it is the thought that counts and she thought it was awesome). How sad is it that my kid has a nicer kitchen than I do? And, if I count the doll houses, a better functioning house...I have got to get something down on this place.*Not that I am complaining, because I did agree to this kitchen but it took me almost THREE hours to put this dang thing together. People make fun of how long Ikea stuff takes to assemble. Let me tell you, that is NOTHING. There were 216 pieces that I assembled by hand. Plus, the entire time Hazel was "helping" because she was so. excited. to. have. a. kitchen! At least she loves it, because there is nothing worse than putting in hard labor for your kid and then getting, "meh."
Labels: Christmas, hazel, outfit, Tree
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Wilde Manor
Okay, so this picture has nothing to do with the rest of my post and was taken almost a month ago but I think it is adorable. Thus, I put it on my blog.
Okay, so here is the update of my casa.
Okay, so here is the update of my casa.We have painted the living room, dining room, kitchen, the south bathroom, and the new bedrooms. Basically, we have painted most of the main floor, except the entryway, the north bathroom and what I am now calling the closet, formerly a kitchen. And it is all white-white-white. Like I live in an igloo.
So, here is the dining room, in the process of being painted. See how I taped off all the windows? And then Geoff got mad because some go vertically. This is what you get when you hire a CPA to do your manual labor. I am not meant for such work!
The long view of the living/dining room. I am very proud of the wall that is no longer there. It really makes the room look better.
And the kitchen in progress. You can't really tell but the three closest cabinets were painted at this point (they are all painted now and have pulls and look great). This actually a fairly accurate representation of the paint color. I.E. gross. Oh, so here is one random story: I finished putting all 25 (!) handles back on my cabinets and thought everything was looking pretty good. I asked Hazel what she thought of the kitchen. She said, "It's kind of hideous." HIDEOUS! It looks like a million times better and she said it was "kind of hideous."
And, this is Hazel's soon-to-be bedroom. The part Geoff is working on had a giant piece of paint come off. I don't know how. I am sure I didn't pull it off. But, I sure was proud of it when it was off. Anyway, my point is this: Hazel's soon-to-be bedroom has a LOT of trim. Miles of it. A ridiculous amount of trim. It was/is (not done yet) a beast to paint. And needs a second coat. Or third, or fourth or whatever we are on. 
Oh, but look how much better it looks already. We did not paint the fireplace. And we probably won't until we remodel the main floor. And the floor is, as Hazel would say, hideous. Notice the plastic covering adhesive remover in the bottom right corner. I don't know what we are going to do with the bedrooms. The both had carpet with pad that was glued to the floor. Everything was so old that the pad has basically bonded with the paint and whatever else was on the wood. It sucks.
The dining room post paint. But, pre-carpet removal (obviously). I-G-L-O-O.
The kitchen in painting progress. I realize I am in no order here and it would be nice if I would group kitchen with kitchen and what-not. But, not going to happen. I am exhausted and lucky to be coherent enough to type. And upload pictures. Seriously, Internet, what more do you want from me???
Here is our bedroom, post painting. Ummm.....this is kind of a lame picture. I wonder why I uploaded it. Maybe I am not as coherent as I first thought. Anyway, I thought about painting another color in the closet and window seat insets. But, I don't know what color. I totally get mind-freeze when it comes to picking colors. Thus, the igloo.
Hazel got tired while lazing around not really helping at all.* And decided to cover herself with newspaper and have a nap. It seems I am raising a hobo.
The long view of the living/dining room. I am very proud of the wall that is no longer there. It really makes the room look better.
And the kitchen in progress. You can't really tell but the three closest cabinets were painted at this point (they are all painted now and have pulls and look great). This actually a fairly accurate representation of the paint color. I.E. gross. Oh, so here is one random story: I finished putting all 25 (!) handles back on my cabinets and thought everything was looking pretty good. I asked Hazel what she thought of the kitchen. She said, "It's kind of hideous." HIDEOUS! It looks like a million times better and she said it was "kind of hideous."
And, this is Hazel's soon-to-be bedroom. The part Geoff is working on had a giant piece of paint come off. I don't know how. I am sure I didn't pull it off. But, I sure was proud of it when it was off. Anyway, my point is this: Hazel's soon-to-be bedroom has a LOT of trim. Miles of it. A ridiculous amount of trim. It was/is (not done yet) a beast to paint. And needs a second coat. Or third, or fourth or whatever we are on. 
Oh, but look how much better it looks already. We did not paint the fireplace. And we probably won't until we remodel the main floor. And the floor is, as Hazel would say, hideous. Notice the plastic covering adhesive remover in the bottom right corner. I don't know what we are going to do with the bedrooms. The both had carpet with pad that was glued to the floor. Everything was so old that the pad has basically bonded with the paint and whatever else was on the wood. It sucks.
The dining room post paint. But, pre-carpet removal (obviously). I-G-L-O-O.
The kitchen in painting progress. I realize I am in no order here and it would be nice if I would group kitchen with kitchen and what-not. But, not going to happen. I am exhausted and lucky to be coherent enough to type. And upload pictures. Seriously, Internet, what more do you want from me???
Here is our bedroom, post painting. Ummm.....this is kind of a lame picture. I wonder why I uploaded it. Maybe I am not as coherent as I first thought. Anyway, I thought about painting another color in the closet and window seat insets. But, I don't know what color. I totally get mind-freeze when it comes to picking colors. Thus, the igloo.
Hazel got tired while lazing around not really helping at all.* And decided to cover herself with newspaper and have a nap. It seems I am raising a hobo.
Although, it seems she can rouse from her hobo dreams to have a hobo snack on the floor. Notice, no carpets. Yee-haw! One day, we will refinish the floor and they will be beautiful. So sayeth the Meadow.
And now I am going to put my little hobo and myself to bed. For I am, as they say, exhausted.
*Seriously, my kid is NO help on this house thing. I would go so far as to say she is, in fact, a hinderance. Luckily, my mom came down last week and took care of Hazel. Then Hazel had a sleepover at Tutu's house. Then she started REALLY missing her mom and dad. She has claimed the Harry Potter room under the stairs and it is now full of stuffed animals, a monkey chair and her portable DVD player (which was meant to be because the nail holes that were already in the wall totally fit it.) So, then she can be around us without actually getting in the way. Except that she likes helping. Okay, this is the longest side note ever. Meadow out.
Labels: hazel, New House, Stories
Sunday, November 2, 2008
"Packing"
Packing is sometimes hampered by playing.This was while we were sorting the toy box of infinite stuff. We found the Spiderman (on Hazel) and Pokemon (on me) capes. I don't think either of those characters actually wear capes in "real-life". Geoff and I bought the capes on the infamous trip to Tijuana when the mexican wrestling mask was purchased. *Sigh* Poor, missing, mexican wrestling mask. Anyway, good times...
Things I find funny about this picture:
Things I find funny about this picture:- The ridiculous cape.
- Geoff's crazy waving (he is sorting computer junk)
- How the camera is so heavy that Hazel can't really take a decent picture.
- Something weird going on with my hair.
And here is a brief glimpse into the chaos that surrounds us.
Tattoo for the day. Oh, she is a tough one with the tiny baby hands.
Labels: Geoff, hazel, meadow, Packing, tattoo
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Happy Birthday!
When we went trick-or-treating at Jenni's work (the county), I would prompt Hazel to say "Happy Halloween!" but more likely than not, she said, "Happy Birthday!" Still, two and an ice cream cone excuses a lot.
Geoff and Hazel dressed for trick-or-treating at Jenni's work. I wore the hat (it says "Ice Cream") to work for my "costume" but for Jenni's work I dressed as a princess. The princess and the wig were Hazel's choices.
For Shauntil's party, I dressed as a "domestic terrorist" notice the TNT. I found it hilarious. Next year I vow to have better costumes. And maybe plan ahead. Then I can have just one awesome constest instead of three lame ones.
Geoff and Hazel grew pumpkins this year. This was the biggest one. Geoff carved it into a spider with web. I don't have a picture of that, but here is Hazel possessively hugging it.
We went to the Red Butte Garden After Dark. Hazel made a monster head (dirt and grass seeds in a circle of netting. We made a yogurt cup face for it when we got home. And then it grew! And grew! And GREW! It is awesome. We spray it with water almost every day.
Last week, Hazel and I made cupcakes for Alex's 2nd birthday. It was a disaster. Nothing turned out how I wanted. The frosting didn't set up, I had a "helper", ummm...other stuff. They sucked. But Hazel had great fun helping and licking the beaters.
We wore aprons while we cooked. I think the outfit here is smashing. Not shown: Me FREAKING out about the stupid cupcakes not working. Seriously.
An actual account of the last two minutes at my house:
Meadow: Who's that cute baby?
Hazel: Hazel in a twirl dress!
Hazel: I want to see my blog.
Hazel: I want to play Sam's blog.
Hazel: I want to see my feet!
Hazel: I want to play Sam's blog.
Hazel: Feet! Feet! Feet! Feet!
Hazel: My hair is so pretty! Like Zoe Jane.
Hazel: I call me 'Hazel Zoe Jane Hazel'
Hazel: *Wanders off to pick the candy wrappers off my lovingly modge-podged candy bucket*
"Open your eyes wide." "Your EYES!"
Today Hazel and I went to early voting. And waited in line for 30 minutes. And then I had to do a provisional ballot because of a name change (SEVEN YEARS AGO!!). It took about an hour total. And Hazel spit some milk on the floor. And two old men were openly racist. But look how cute my kid is! And she allowed me to put in pigtails. 
Geoff and Hazel dressed for trick-or-treating at Jenni's work. I wore the hat (it says "Ice Cream") to work for my "costume" but for Jenni's work I dressed as a princess. The princess and the wig were Hazel's choices.
For Shauntil's party, I dressed as a "domestic terrorist" notice the TNT. I found it hilarious. Next year I vow to have better costumes. And maybe plan ahead. Then I can have just one awesome constest instead of three lame ones.
Geoff and Hazel grew pumpkins this year. This was the biggest one. Geoff carved it into a spider with web. I don't have a picture of that, but here is Hazel possessively hugging it.
We went to the Red Butte Garden After Dark. Hazel made a monster head (dirt and grass seeds in a circle of netting. We made a yogurt cup face for it when we got home. And then it grew! And grew! And GREW! It is awesome. We spray it with water almost every day.
Last week, Hazel and I made cupcakes for Alex's 2nd birthday. It was a disaster. Nothing turned out how I wanted. The frosting didn't set up, I had a "helper", ummm...other stuff. They sucked. But Hazel had great fun helping and licking the beaters.
We wore aprons while we cooked. I think the outfit here is smashing. Not shown: Me FREAKING out about the stupid cupcakes not working. Seriously.
An actual account of the last two minutes at my house:Meadow: Who's that cute baby?
Hazel: Hazel in a twirl dress!
Hazel: I want to see my blog.
Hazel: I want to play Sam's blog.
Hazel: I want to see my feet!
Hazel: I want to play Sam's blog.
Hazel: Feet! Feet! Feet! Feet!
Hazel: My hair is so pretty! Like Zoe Jane.
Hazel: I call me 'Hazel Zoe Jane Hazel'
Hazel: *Wanders off to pick the candy wrappers off my lovingly modge-podged candy bucket*
"Open your eyes wide." "Your EYES!"
Today Hazel and I went to early voting. And waited in line for 30 minutes. And then I had to do a provisional ballot because of a name change (SEVEN YEARS AGO!!). It took about an hour total. And Hazel spit some milk on the floor. And two old men were openly racist. But look how cute my kid is! And she allowed me to put in pigtails. 
Labels: clothes, cooking, funny faces, halloween, hazel, ice cream cone
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Our week
This picture is a good indicator of yesterday. Even the mermaid was in timeout. I am just saying some days are hard.
Today was better. Except when it wasn't. But, the mermaid behaved. So, that's good.
Tonight we went to the Red Butte Garden After Dark. It was pretty awesome, but COLD. Luckily, our wicked-smart friend, Christie went too and she had handwarmers. Oh, Jordan went too, but he did not bring us handwarmers. The Red Butte was fun. They had stories and crafts and blacklights. My contacts glow in the blacklight. So much that it was like looking through a dense fog. Like I have cataracts. Oh, and they had face painting. Hazel's awesome face paint:
And the entire family: We all have evil mustaches. Geoff had his the longest, that is why he is extra evil.
Labels: Geoff, halloween, hazel, meadow
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Halloween
Okay, so I made this costume for Hazel, per her request, and I am not loving it. Can you tell what she is supposed to be? And should I just suck it up and let her wear it or make her a, newly requested, princess costume. Or buy a princess costume? Or try and re-work this one? What say you oh wise internet?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Whoa. That's a lot of pictures
In no particular order (because, dude, Blogger uploads pictures stupidly, and then I have to move the code to keep the pictures clickable, so just deal with it.)
Geoff and Hazel unpacked the Halloween decorations a while ago and Hazel found this: A GIANT LADY HAND! ACK!
Oh, and we went to the zoo. At the begining of October, I only remember because I got off work early because of the ground breaking for our new building. But, this zoo trip was special because we took the camera. Here is Hazel and mama on the elephant. She has never been brave enough to stand in front of the elephant while he sprays but this trip she did and it was hilarious. If I was a better mom, I would have video. One day you will have to come to the zoo with us and see it for yourself. And then keep it in your brain, because I will probably never make a video of it.
Oh, and Hazel sat on the rhino statue with NO HANDS! Oh, what a brave little girl.
And Hazel and Geoff rode on the carousel. Hazel is riding on the panda bear because she has a panda bear on her shirt. I love the little look in this picture.
Oh, and I was attacked by an alligator. Hazel jumped on the alligator's back and tried to scare it off with ummm....I got nothing. I don't know what she is doing. But, she obviously didn't care that I was being attacked.
Hazel normally hates the snake slide, but she went down it a couple of times. I think it helped that there was another little girl there.
Apparently we are done with the zoo. We had some packaging from ummm... a package? and Hazel found it and LOVED it. She dressed in it for days. And the kitty dressed in it. Good times. Maybe one day we will be able to afford real clothes for her (stupid economy) until then, she is happy wearing brown paper.
Oh, back to the zoo. We were being those gopher things. The name of which is currently escaping me. You know what I mean. At the zoo. With the faces. And they live in holes.
One day Hazel got in the Sharpies. Or Shapies as I call them. Geoff was having some asthma issues, laid now for a bit and this was the result. Hazel and the mermaid have matching drawings. ALL OVER! And the wall. And my computer desk. And probably other things we haven't found. And this was a while ago.
Hazel and Geoff found a praying mantis. And then it attacked. The praying mantis (or A praying mantis) reappeared today on our back window. Weird.
Just highlighting the fashion choices of my child.
And more.
Oh, and this was today. We went to the farmer's market and Hazel decorated a pumpkin. It was a witch.
Oh, the eyes fell off. Luckily, the mama has some glue and I was able to save the eyes. However, it is doubtful the pumpkin will ever be able to play the piano.
Tattoos:
Oh, and we went to the bird zoo (aka Tracy Aviary) today for free day. Hazel was tired. Before the bird zoo (aka bird park) we walked to the game store (about 1.5 miles) and back and we walked around the farmer's market (see the above pumpkin) and we walked to the bird zoo. Thus, she was really tired. So tired, in fact, that she fell asleep about 6:30pm whilst we were lounging on the couch (Geoff is at work tonight) and has stayed asleep.
Geoff and Hazel skating board. They are super-cute. Notice Hazel's safety gear. She found Geoff's knee/elbow pads in a donate box.* She is in love with them.
A tea party with Dr. Evil.
Hazel adores Nacho.
The feeling is less than mutual.
*Okay, so we are in the process of buying a new house and let me tell you. It is a pain. We have nine years of junk accumulated in this house. NINE YEARS! That is a lot of stuff. And now we have to sort it, pack it, donate it, toss it and/or move it. Exhausting.
Geoff and Hazel unpacked the Halloween decorations a while ago and Hazel found this: A GIANT LADY HAND! ACK!
Oh, and we went to the zoo. At the begining of October, I only remember because I got off work early because of the ground breaking for our new building. But, this zoo trip was special because we took the camera. Here is Hazel and mama on the elephant. She has never been brave enough to stand in front of the elephant while he sprays but this trip she did and it was hilarious. If I was a better mom, I would have video. One day you will have to come to the zoo with us and see it for yourself. And then keep it in your brain, because I will probably never make a video of it.
Oh, and Hazel sat on the rhino statue with NO HANDS! Oh, what a brave little girl.
And Hazel and Geoff rode on the carousel. Hazel is riding on the panda bear because she has a panda bear on her shirt. I love the little look in this picture.
Oh, and I was attacked by an alligator. Hazel jumped on the alligator's back and tried to scare it off with ummm....I got nothing. I don't know what she is doing. But, she obviously didn't care that I was being attacked.
Hazel normally hates the snake slide, but she went down it a couple of times. I think it helped that there was another little girl there.
Apparently we are done with the zoo. We had some packaging from ummm... a package? and Hazel found it and LOVED it. She dressed in it for days. And the kitty dressed in it. Good times. Maybe one day we will be able to afford real clothes for her (stupid economy) until then, she is happy wearing brown paper.
Oh, back to the zoo. We were being those gopher things. The name of which is currently escaping me. You know what I mean. At the zoo. With the faces. And they live in holes.
One day Hazel got in the Sharpies. Or Shapies as I call them. Geoff was having some asthma issues, laid now for a bit and this was the result. Hazel and the mermaid have matching drawings. ALL OVER! And the wall. And my computer desk. And probably other things we haven't found. And this was a while ago.
Hazel and Geoff found a praying mantis. And then it attacked. The praying mantis (or A praying mantis) reappeared today on our back window. Weird.
Just highlighting the fashion choices of my child.
And more.
Oh, and this was today. We went to the farmer's market and Hazel decorated a pumpkin. It was a witch.
Oh, the eyes fell off. Luckily, the mama has some glue and I was able to save the eyes. However, it is doubtful the pumpkin will ever be able to play the piano.
Tattoos:
Oh, and we went to the bird zoo (aka Tracy Aviary) today for free day. Hazel was tired. Before the bird zoo (aka bird park) we walked to the game store (about 1.5 miles) and back and we walked around the farmer's market (see the above pumpkin) and we walked to the bird zoo. Thus, she was really tired. So tired, in fact, that she fell asleep about 6:30pm whilst we were lounging on the couch (Geoff is at work tonight) and has stayed asleep.
Geoff and Hazel skating board. They are super-cute. Notice Hazel's safety gear. She found Geoff's knee/elbow pads in a donate box.* She is in love with them.
A tea party with Dr. Evil.
Hazel adores Nacho.
The feeling is less than mutual.
*Okay, so we are in the process of buying a new house and let me tell you. It is a pain. We have nine years of junk accumulated in this house. NINE YEARS! That is a lot of stuff. And now we have to sort it, pack it, donate it, toss it and/or move it. Exhausting. Labels: clothes, Geoff, hazel, meadow, outfit, zoo
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Belated San Diego Update
San Diego is but a hazy memory on this rainy, rainy Saturday but instead of cleaning the house I thought I would update with a couple of pictures (thanks, mom!).
Hazel's favorite part of any zoo is the petting zoo. Alas, we do not have a petting zoo at our Hogle Zoo. Luckily, both the Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo have a petting zoo.
San Diego Zoo:
Hazel's favorite part of any zoo is the petting zoo. Alas, we do not have a petting zoo at our Hogle Zoo. Luckily, both the Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo have a petting zoo.
San Diego Zoo:
She calls this "my goat". She also followed this little girl around. Or maybe the little girl was following her. It was hard to tell.
Wild Animal Park:
Hazel hated the animal sculptures everywhere we went. Normally she loves them. She really was not herself on this trip. Of course, the molars that are currently coming up probably didn't help. Anyway, this is about the best picture we got of Hazel on an animal.
Hazel wanted this one on her blog. (Like Sam's Blog!*)
*So our friend Candi has a blog. And then her little boys have blogs. One of these boys is Sam and his blog is about games. One of the games is called Fancy Pants or something. Hazel LOVES this game. Seriously. We have to play it a lot. And she refers to it (and most of the Internet) as "Sam's Blog". So, thanks Sam. Your blog is awesome.
Oh, she calls www.poissonrouge.com Frere Jacque. So that get's a name. If you have a kid, you should go to Poisson Rouge. It is almost as awesome as Sam's Blog.
Okay, I really better clean before Geoff gets home.
Labels: hazel, San Diego, vacation, zoo
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Costa Rica - The Final Chapter
More of Geoff's nature photography. Hazel and I "caught" this crab in the pool. It was actually already dead when we got to it. We later got one out that was still alive. But, it didn't hold nearly as still for pictures.
Family portrait on the beach. This was our last day to play at Playa Flamingo.
Hazel and Geoff dug a really deep hole.
Then we had to go and get cleaned up for the wedding. It was perfect weather for a beach wedding.
Hazel ran away.
I chased after her.
And then I chased her some more.
They had little cones of flowers to throw, instead of rice. Hazel thought this was awesome. She wore the cones as little armbands, but I don't have a good picture of it.
The wedding was very nice. But my favorite part was the looky-loos. Notice the couple between Jim and the right-hand post. And the dude bobbing in the ocean.
There were appetizers and cocktails on the beach while Jim and T had pictures. Hazel took the time to dance.
And then a guy came by with horses. This is actually a very excited face. Like so excited she could barely breath.
A bit of a smile. Not many two-year-old gringas can say they have ridden a horse, at sunset, on the beach, in Costa Rica.
The best family shot I could find.
Notice Geoff's crazy eyes? I think he was done at this point. Hazel was still happily eating chicken.
This shot may look blurry, but this is actually how everyone looked at this point. I thought it was super-late. Like midnight. It was actually like 8:30pm. The party starts early in Costa Rica.
Family portrait on the beach. This was our last day to play at Playa Flamingo.
Hazel and Geoff dug a really deep hole.
Then we had to go and get cleaned up for the wedding. It was perfect weather for a beach wedding.
Hazel ran away.
I chased after her.
And then I chased her some more.
They had little cones of flowers to throw, instead of rice. Hazel thought this was awesome. She wore the cones as little armbands, but I don't have a good picture of it.
The wedding was very nice. But my favorite part was the looky-loos. Notice the couple between Jim and the right-hand post. And the dude bobbing in the ocean.
There were appetizers and cocktails on the beach while Jim and T had pictures. Hazel took the time to dance.
And then a guy came by with horses. This is actually a very excited face. Like so excited she could barely breath.
A bit of a smile. Not many two-year-old gringas can say they have ridden a horse, at sunset, on the beach, in Costa Rica.
The best family shot I could find.
Notice Geoff's crazy eyes? I think he was done at this point. Hazel was still happily eating chicken.
This shot may look blurry, but this is actually how everyone looked at this point. I thought it was super-late. Like midnight. It was actually like 8:30pm. The party starts early in Costa Rica.
All in all, we had a fabulous time in Costa Rica. Hazel is still talking about it and would like to go back. Hazel and I (and Jenni and Grandma Marilyn) leave for San Diego on Saturday. We will see if the whirlwind of parks can compete with full days at the pool.
Labels: Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, swimming, vacation, Wedding
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Costa Rica - Part 3
Thursday, August 28: Obviously, we swam. We also decided to go on a trip to Tamarindo. This is the most developed of the towns we saw in Costa Rica. We were going to do some shopping but just after we started out it started raining. Hard. Harder than we had seen all week. And we had seen some big rain. Geoff went to get the car and Hazel and I (and the camera) huddle under some shelter. Then we went to look in a store and Hazel, despite adamantly denying the need to use the potty, peed on the floor. In the bathroom, we were so close. And then started whine-crying. Which is the absolute worse. So, we left without getting anything, after my kid peed on their floor. Luckily, it was raining a lot so maybe they just thought it was rain. Or that we were jerks. And we walked around the Tamarindo mall and got some ice cream. Then we went back to the hotel.
This is the only good picture I have of the day. It does not even begin to show how much rain there was.
Friday, August 29: Swimming. Reading books. Naps. Swimming. Books. TV. Oh, let me discuss the television situation. Remember, I love TV. It is a staple in my life. Hazel also loves TV and only knows about TiVo. We always hit a point in our vacation where she asks for this show or that show and we have to explain that we can’t always make it appear. Anyway, no TiVo. But, we did get to watch awesome television either in Spanish (dubbed) or with Spanish subtitles. Personally, I liked to watch the subtitles. But, sometimes the subtitle readers get gypped. But, it is still a fun way to learn words in another language. Also, we were watching “Anti-trust” on TV and half-way through it just cut out and was “Law and Order” because, yeah, that show is not on enough. So, I missed my beloved TiVo. But, I still got to watch some TV and read 6 books, not just Friday, the whole trip. It was a beautiful thing.
By this point in the week, Hazel was exhausted. Finally.
These birds were everywhere. We fed them pancakes at breakfast. Which I am sure contributed to the being everywhere... Anyway, I love how angry this little guy looks. Loook at his little yellow eyes. Geoff does a great job at the nature photography.
Saturday, August 30: We went on a canopy tour with the wedding group. We met at the fabulous Paradisus Playa Conchal, which made our hotel look pathetic and small until we realized it was a crazy cart ride to go anywhere on the hotel grounds and they beach was more crowded and less wave-y? And then we once again loved our hotel. But, I digress. So, we rode a bus. Hazel loved it, I wanted to barf.
When we got to the starting point they strapped us in to harnesses and given the barest minimum of lessons on how to ride the zipline. Hazel had fun playing with the helmets, she especially liked this blue one.
She also enjoyed the gloves we had to wear to lessen the chance of zipline burn.
We asked if Hazel could actually go with us on the zipline and they said sure.* They got her all harnessed up (this was the worst part-only because she wanted to wear her beloved blue helmet and it was too big to be actually safe):
They did explain that someone would have to actually go with her. Because we were just going to push her really hard and hope for the best. It was great. And then it started raining. Which was less great, but we still had a great time. Hazel was super-brave.
This was our cute and shiny family in our helmets (and sunscreen and bug spray-thus the shiny), all ready to go in the canopy.
And we saw two monkeys in a tree, and then at the end we saw another monkey, right by the building, and he pooped and that was the highlight of Hazel’s zipline experience. This is the monkey who pooped. It is amazing to me to see monkey just out in the wild. It is not a normal thing for Utah.
Plus, in typical Hazel fashion, on the bus ride home she decided she didn't need to wear a shirt. A couple of Jim's friends weren't wearing shirts so she figured she didn't need to wear them either.
Then we went back to our hotel, went swimming, had a nap, the usual.
We went to the rehearsal dinner Saturday night. It was delicious and lovely and one of Jim’s friends was far more disruptive than Hazel, so I was pleased. And Hazel fell asleep and then we went back to our hotel. All in all, a great day in Costa Rica.
This is the only good picture I have of the day. It does not even begin to show how much rain there was.
Friday, August 29: Swimming. Reading books. Naps. Swimming. Books. TV. Oh, let me discuss the television situation. Remember, I love TV. It is a staple in my life. Hazel also loves TV and only knows about TiVo. We always hit a point in our vacation where she asks for this show or that show and we have to explain that we can’t always make it appear. Anyway, no TiVo. But, we did get to watch awesome television either in Spanish (dubbed) or with Spanish subtitles. Personally, I liked to watch the subtitles. But, sometimes the subtitle readers get gypped. But, it is still a fun way to learn words in another language. Also, we were watching “Anti-trust” on TV and half-way through it just cut out and was “Law and Order” because, yeah, that show is not on enough. So, I missed my beloved TiVo. But, I still got to watch some TV and read 6 books, not just Friday, the whole trip. It was a beautiful thing.
By this point in the week, Hazel was exhausted. Finally.
These birds were everywhere. We fed them pancakes at breakfast. Which I am sure contributed to the being everywhere... Anyway, I love how angry this little guy looks. Loook at his little yellow eyes. Geoff does a great job at the nature photography.
Saturday, August 30: We went on a canopy tour with the wedding group. We met at the fabulous Paradisus Playa Conchal, which made our hotel look pathetic and small until we realized it was a crazy cart ride to go anywhere on the hotel grounds and they beach was more crowded and less wave-y? And then we once again loved our hotel. But, I digress. So, we rode a bus. Hazel loved it, I wanted to barf.
When we got to the starting point they strapped us in to harnesses and given the barest minimum of lessons on how to ride the zipline. Hazel had fun playing with the helmets, she especially liked this blue one.
She also enjoyed the gloves we had to wear to lessen the chance of zipline burn.
We asked if Hazel could actually go with us on the zipline and they said sure.* They got her all harnessed up (this was the worst part-only because she wanted to wear her beloved blue helmet and it was too big to be actually safe):
They did explain that someone would have to actually go with her. Because we were just going to push her really hard and hope for the best. It was great. And then it started raining. Which was less great, but we still had a great time. Hazel was super-brave. This was our cute and shiny family in our helmets (and sunscreen and bug spray-thus the shiny), all ready to go in the canopy.
This was the very first run and I didn't quite have a good method of holding the kid. Plus, I was a wee bit nervous taking my only child on the giant zipline in the middle of a freakin' jungle. I don't know if they have safety regulations there! And, I forgot to brake. Whoops.
Geoff also took Hazel on a couple of the lines. By this point we were a little less nervous about it, and Hazel had a better idea how to hang on.
Geoff also took Hazel on a couple of the lines. By this point we were a little less nervous about it, and Hazel had a better idea how to hang on.
If you click and look at the bigger picture of this shot you can see how wet and dirty Hazel got. The wire had grease or dirt or something and when I applied the brake (my hand) we would get a dusting of grease or dirt. But, she did not complain and was a trooper about anything. This was near the end when we were all pretty soaked.
And we saw two monkeys in a tree, and then at the end we saw another monkey, right by the building, and he pooped and that was the highlight of Hazel’s zipline experience. This is the monkey who pooped. It is amazing to me to see monkey just out in the wild. It is not a normal thing for Utah.
Plus, in typical Hazel fashion, on the bus ride home she decided she didn't need to wear a shirt. A couple of Jim's friends weren't wearing shirts so she figured she didn't need to wear them either.Then we went back to our hotel, went swimming, had a nap, the usual.
We went to the rehearsal dinner Saturday night. It was delicious and lovely and one of Jim’s friends was far more disruptive than Hazel, so I was pleased. And Hazel fell asleep and then we went back to our hotel. All in all, a great day in Costa Rica.
*At the top of the first platform I asked a guy if he had kids and he said one little girl. Then I asked if he would let her ride the zipline. He said, “No, way.” I was ready to get down and then he clarified that she was only two-months old. And then I felt a little better about taking my kid on the canopy tour.
Labels: Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation, zipline
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Costa Rica - Part Dos
Tuesday, August 26: We swam a lot. And we went to dinner at the sub shop. Because, when I think “tropical vacation”, I think “sub sandwiches.” There were not a lot of food choices. And then more swimming. And playing in the sand. It rained really, really hard at night and our power kept going on and off and on and off and on and off. And so on. And so forth. And every time the power would come back on our air conditioner would beep and the light on our TV would flash and the pool lights would flash. It was less than ideal. I have no pictures of the annoying power surges. But here are Geoff and Hazel playing in the waves.
Hazel was constantly sandy. Seriously, I have no idea how she got so sandy. She would rub her face with her sandy hands and rub sand on her legs and anyway, she was sandy.
Wednesday, August 27: We went to the Monkey Park. Or as I like to call it “The Sad Zoo.” Not sad for me, as you can see. 
There were also monkeys (of course) and a bunch of different birds and a raccoon and some weird animal that kind of looked like a cross between a raccoon and an anteater. There were a bunch of these things and the babies could get out of (and back into) the cage. It just did not seem safe. Also, a crocodile and a dog (maybe a fancy kind of dog, but there were no signs), I don't think this is rainwater in his cage, I think it was all pee. Cause, man, it stunk. But notice the excellent "museum hands" on Hazel. Also, you have a good shot here of the lack of barriers between us and the animals. Sure, there were cages but you could reach right through/over them. We honestly could have touched every animal in the zoo. But, we did not.
Hazel was constantly sandy. Seriously, I have no idea how she got so sandy. She would rub her face with her sandy hands and rub sand on her legs and anyway, she was sandy.
Wednesday, August 27: We went to the Monkey Park. Or as I like to call it “The Sad Zoo.” Not sad for me, as you can see. 
I am sure the animals were well taken care of but it was not up to first-world standards. But we got to pet the friendliest Chacoan Peccary ever. He was adorable and had soft ears like Nacho. It had a pig nose and body but spikes like a porcupine. Weird little animal.
There were also monkeys (of course) and a bunch of different birds and a raccoon and some weird animal that kind of looked like a cross between a raccoon and an anteater. There were a bunch of these things and the babies could get out of (and back into) the cage. It just did not seem safe. Also, a crocodile and a dog (maybe a fancy kind of dog, but there were no signs), I don't think this is rainwater in his cage, I think it was all pee. Cause, man, it stunk. But notice the excellent "museum hands" on Hazel. Also, you have a good shot here of the lack of barriers between us and the animals. Sure, there were cages but you could reach right through/over them. We honestly could have touched every animal in the zoo. But, we did not.
And then there was an awesome butterfly house thing. This was the tunnel leading to it. It was very cool. Like a magical little tunnel to fairyland. Or butterflyland*.
And one of Geoff's fancy pictures of a butterfly.
We even got a butterfly to sit on Hazel's head. And it was awesome. She would not hold one in her hand and was hesitant to have it on her head, but the butterfly was patient and we finally got a picture.
Oh, and we went swimming. And I read books in a beach chair in the shade.
And one of Geoff's fancy pictures of a butterfly.
We even got a butterfly to sit on Hazel's head. And it was awesome. She would not hold one in her hand and was hesitant to have it on her head, but the butterfly was patient and we finally got a picture.
Oh, and we went swimming. And I read books in a beach chair in the shade.
*Blogger thinks "fairyland" is a word, but not "butterflyland". Stupid Blogger. I don't think IT is a word!
Labels: animals, Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation, zoo
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Costa Rica - Part 1
So, we are back from Costa Rica. It was fabulous. Our hotel was right on the beach. It was also the perfect Wilde family beach. Beach chairs in the shade for me, a long beach (with no pokies) perfect for sand castles for Hazel, and excellent body surfing waves for Geoff. He would have also liked to do some skim boarding but we didn’t take his board and we didn’t see any to purchase. In fact, we didn’t see much of anything to purchase. Costa Rica is pretty remote. Barely any restaurants, almost no stores, one paved road, that kind of thing. I hear other places are more built-up, but not where we were staying (Playa Flamingo). But, the beach was fabulous. Our hotel was fabulous and the pool was, what else, fabulous. The kiddie pool had a thatched roof over it, so even though Hazel spent every waking moment swimming, she didn’t get a sunburn.
Aaaah. The joys of Photoshop. But, I liked this picture and our faces were in the shadows. Now we just look crazy. But not shadowy.
The Costa Rican people (Ticos) were probably the nicest people I have ever met. Without exception everyone was friendly and helpful and nice to my baby. Which is all I ever want on a vacation.
Sunday night: We took the red-eye to Atlanta. Or as I like to say, “The Midnight Plane to Georgia.” The flight went from ‘no-problem’ to ‘our-we-going-to-get-on’ in hours. And it was nerve-wracking, and sucked. But, we made it on. The last three, not sitting together, seats. But, we made it. Hazel slept a little and kicked the lady next to us repeatedly (not so much kicking, just stretching out in her sleep).
Monday-Part 1: We arrived in Atlanta at around 6:00am Atlanta time and then had to hang out until our flight to Costa Rica at 10-ish. I don’t remember the actual time of anything… Hazel did NOT sleep in the airport. Geoff and I both took turns doing the head-bob. It was miserable. However, the Atlanta airport had these fascinating displays of contraband items. Like a polar bear rug, a snake in a bottle, a stool made out of an elephant foot, and, best of all, a narwhal horn. NARWHAL! Seriously, this was the best part of Atlanta. I guess we have never been in that concourse before because I don’t remember seeing the displays before. And then we ate some grits and then got on our plane. And it was blessedly empty. We all got some “sleep” on the plane. The only one who was really invigorated was Hazel. Because she is little and can sleep anywhere.
Monday-Part 2: I think these need separate sections because they are so vastly different. We left ATL and it is a giant airport, with a train. And air conditioning. And 3.5 hours later we arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica. LIR is little. With no air conditioning. We got to walk down the stairs from the plane, no jetway. Then we hit “customs”, there were two lines. The first one the dude just looked at us and stamped our passports. Then the second one, some guy grabbed my suitcases for me (I had two of the suitcases and Hazel) and then cut me in line, had the guy stamp something and then we were through. Seriously, we didn’t talk to anyone. **Remember this story when I get to the return trip in Atlanta** This was the first of many times people would be lovely and nice to us.
Then we got our rental car. We had a Kia Something. 4WD. Diesel! The guy showed Geoff how everything in the car worked. (not that he remembered) And then they gave us directions to our hotel (stay on the only road, basically) and directions to a delicious restaurant. (see picture with Hazel drinking her delicious blackberry smoothie) And we had food. And it was delicious. And we saw cows and a dog. So that was great. And then it started raining. Not a light drizzly but RAIN! Buckets and sheets and cats-and-dogs. And it rained almost until we got to our hotel. And then it let up. And we probably did something like swim or nap or whatever. But I don’t remember. I think it was nap. We were really tired.
I had to take a picture of Geoff's awesome volcano chicken. It was beautiful and delicious.
But now it is late and Hazel is still awake. She spent the evening with Aunt Jenni and Nova while Geoff and I helped move Auntie Michelle. And Geoff is grumpy. Which means I better get off the computer and help.
More later. Maybe tomorrow. We have a lot of pictures.
Labels: Costa Rica, food, Geoff, hazel, meadow, swimming, vacation
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Argh, Matey!
If only you could really see how blinded she is by the eye patch...
And without the eyepatch.
Playing with the neighbors' puppies. Oh, how she loves the puppies.
And the joyous running away.
Oh, and my team dominated, once again, the City Chase. We are the May-Walsh of Salt Lake County Corporate Games City Chase. And by that I mean, we haven't lost a gain in four years. Because we are awesome like that.
And without the eyepatch.
Playing with the neighbors' puppies. Oh, how she loves the puppies.
And the joyous running away.
Oh, and my team dominated, once again, the City Chase. We are the May-Walsh of Salt Lake County Corporate Games City Chase. And by that I mean, we haven't lost a gain in four years. Because we are awesome like that.
Hazel and I did a little bakin' on Sunday. We made breadsticks and pizza bread. Which was really just dough rolled out with cheese (string cheese that had been strung) and then some tomatoes. It was delicious. We are excellent bakers. And were very impatient for the dough to rise. But look how beautiful our breadsticks turned out.
We are going to a wedding next week. Well, the wedding isn't until August 31, but we fly out August 24. Thus, no updating for a week. Ha! Like I really update that often for anyone to notice. Anywho. I need something to wear to the wedding. Let's just say that I am not the ummm..fanciest gal ever. I wear a lot of khaki pants. And polo shirts. Fine for a boy to wear to a beach wedding, not for me. So, I need something to wear. Which brings me to my point, Hazel was trying on dresses too. And she looks adorable. And almost shows as much cleavage as I do.
And that is all I've got. For now.
We are going to a wedding next week. Well, the wedding isn't until August 31, but we fly out August 24. Thus, no updating for a week. Ha! Like I really update that often for anyone to notice. Anywho. I need something to wear to the wedding. Let's just say that I am not the ummm..fanciest gal ever. I wear a lot of khaki pants. And polo shirts. Fine for a boy to wear to a beach wedding, not for me. So, I need something to wear. Which brings me to my point, Hazel was trying on dresses too. And she looks adorable. And almost shows as much cleavage as I do.
And that is all I've got. For now.Labels: dogs, food, hazel, Pirate
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Update hjsll8ne
So, now that I am not studying every night, I thought I would update more. I thought wrong. Instead, I am spending my nights (a) being sick, (b) reading and (c) finishing painting the outside of our house.
Also, I made sweet rice with mangoes. And it was delicious. And then Hazel dumped the bag of uncooked rice on the floor. Click and make the picture big and you can almost see the true extent of the mess. Also, notice the outfit.
Hazel loves babies. Real babies. Doll babies. Any babies. And she loves for them to go home, or preferably not to come to her house in the first place. Real babies that is, she is fine with doll babies at our house. Notice two in her shirt.
Because a baby in the hand is worth two in the shirt. Or something...
And, she asked me to take this picture. Notice everything. Hazel in a swimsuit, the sock (?!) on the handlebar, not to mention the towel. That kid is a kook.
Hope this is good, mom. It is all I had. :)
Also, I made sweet rice with mangoes. And it was delicious. And then Hazel dumped the bag of uncooked rice on the floor. Click and make the picture big and you can almost see the true extent of the mess. Also, notice the outfit.
Hazel loves babies. Real babies. Doll babies. Any babies. And she loves for them to go home, or preferably not to come to her house in the first place. Real babies that is, she is fine with doll babies at our house. Notice two in her shirt.
Because a baby in the hand is worth two in the shirt. Or something...
And, she asked me to take this picture. Notice everything. Hazel in a swimsuit, the sock (?!) on the handlebar, not to mention the towel. That kid is a kook.
Hope this is good, mom. It is all I had. :)Labels: code, doll, hazel, mess, outfit
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Update and Update
1- I had my last CPA exam today. I probably failed it. Don't ask me how I did. Don't say, "I'm sure you passed." I will update with scores when I get them. Until then, I will not think about the fact that I probably failed and will have to start studying again and then my daughter will hate me again and my husband will be a mopey PITA because he has to help do stuff.
2- Woo hoo! No studying for a bit!
3- A bunch of pictures:
Hazel in the doll crib. She is way too big for it, but thinks it is fabulous. This is not the first picture I have of her in the crib. She spends many mornings reading in the crib.
Sometimes she also reads on the floor. In a swimsuit. Because, you never know when you are going to need to be ready to swim without notice.
Zoe and Grandma Marilyn came to stay for a few days. While Hazel has a stormy relationship with Zoe (and Grandma, and everyone, really), she really did have a great time and misses them already. I just wish she would be nice to people when they are around. Especially poor Zoe.
Gloria also came to visit and they rode on the horse together. And it was adorable.
Hazel has discovered the joy of leaping from her window seat. Luckily, she had that itty-bitty foam pad to land on. Seriously, it is not providing that much cushioning.
Hazel does not care. She is brave. She is adventurous. She is crazy.
Cute new sundress. See the happiness and joy at wearing a cute, matching outfit?
And see even more joy at mismatching clothes with someone else's shoes.
Also, she got a tattoo.
2- Woo hoo! No studying for a bit!
3- A bunch of pictures:
Hazel in the doll crib. She is way too big for it, but thinks it is fabulous. This is not the first picture I have of her in the crib. She spends many mornings reading in the crib.
Sometimes she also reads on the floor. In a swimsuit. Because, you never know when you are going to need to be ready to swim without notice.
Zoe and Grandma Marilyn came to stay for a few days. While Hazel has a stormy relationship with Zoe (and Grandma, and everyone, really), she really did have a great time and misses them already. I just wish she would be nice to people when they are around. Especially poor Zoe.
Gloria also came to visit and they rode on the horse together. And it was adorable.
Hazel has discovered the joy of leaping from her window seat. Luckily, she had that itty-bitty foam pad to land on. Seriously, it is not providing that much cushioning.
Hazel does not care. She is brave. She is adventurous. She is crazy.
Cute new sundress. See the happiness and joy at wearing a cute, matching outfit?
And see even more joy at mismatching clothes with someone else's shoes.
Also, she got a tattoo.
Labels: clothes, CPA, Gloria, Grandma, hazel, Zoe
Monday, July 14, 2008
Shooting the Rapids / Rabbits
Ok, so for Father's Day we went river rafting. Green River, Gray Canyon.
Funny story pre-trip. We went to dinner at some place around 4th west and 13th south. On our way home we saw a rabbit on the side of the road. We stopped the car to show Hazel. Her response - "Let's shoot the rabbit." Strange but true.
Time to tie that story in now.
Since we were on a river rafting trip, we thought it would be cool for Hazel to say "Shoot the rapids". eg:
Mom - "Hazel, what do you want to do?"
Hazel- "Let's shoot the rapids!".
She picked up that saying rather fast. I'm not sure if she was saying rapids or rabbits, since there were rabbits where we camped. Either way, she looks cute eating watermelon.
Hey, Aunt Jenni, wake up. It's 8am.
After sitting for hours in a boat, several rafters struggled to get their land legs back and needed to be carried.
Mom and Hazel getting ready to shoot the rapids.
A shot of Hazel in her raft within a raft setup.
The end.
Funny story pre-trip. We went to dinner at some place around 4th west and 13th south. On our way home we saw a rabbit on the side of the road. We stopped the car to show Hazel. Her response - "Let's shoot the rabbit." Strange but true.
Time to tie that story in now.
Since we were on a river rafting trip, we thought it would be cool for Hazel to say "Shoot the rapids". eg:
Mom - "Hazel, what do you want to do?"
Hazel- "Let's shoot the rapids!".
She picked up that saying rather fast. I'm not sure if she was saying rapids or rabbits, since there were rabbits where we camped. Either way, she looks cute eating watermelon.
Hey, Aunt Jenni, wake up. It's 8am.
After sitting for hours in a boat, several rafters struggled to get their land legs back and needed to be carried.
Mom and Hazel getting ready to shoot the rapids. A shot of Hazel in her raft within a raft setup.
I took this from the road about 3/4 of the way done with the ride. Headcount was still good, Search and Rescue was not called.
The end.
Labels: eating, hazel, rafting, shooting
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog, blog.
I gave Hazel's the dogs' old swimming pool. Because there is nothing better than getting hand-me-downs from dogs. It is turning out to be a great choice. (a) it was free (which I, of course, love). (b) it has hard sides (which allow for a jump point). and (c) it doesn't add anything to my collection of stuff.
Of course, she would only jump away from me, so I couldn't get a good shot of her joy-filled face. But, trust me, there was joy.
Yeah, this doesn't show the joy either...
The other day, but not the same day as swimming, Geoff and Hazel went jeepin' with Geoff's friend Kyle. Our jeep, which is named "Pezhead" (per Hazel) and also "jeepie" is a city-jeep, and thus did not make it to the top of the mountain. Luckily, Kyle has a tougher jeep. And so they drove to this lake. And then Hazel took her shoes off to get in the lake.
I was not there, I don't know the whole/true story. I just have to make stuff up based on photos and my knowledge of my kid. I was working and/or studying. Or both. And thus never get to play. Ever. Never.
And Geoff held her shoes, so they wouldn't get dirty and she could walk in the water.
And the sun was there.*
* You know, if Geoff would just blog his own dang pictures it would be better.
Of course, she would only jump away from me, so I couldn't get a good shot of her joy-filled face. But, trust me, there was joy.
Yeah, this doesn't show the joy either...
The other day, but not the same day as swimming, Geoff and Hazel went jeepin' with Geoff's friend Kyle. Our jeep, which is named "Pezhead" (per Hazel) and also "jeepie" is a city-jeep, and thus did not make it to the top of the mountain. Luckily, Kyle has a tougher jeep. And so they drove to this lake. And then Hazel took her shoes off to get in the lake.
I was not there, I don't know the whole/true story. I just have to make stuff up based on photos and my knowledge of my kid. I was working and/or studying. Or both. And thus never get to play. Ever. Never.
And Geoff held her shoes, so they wouldn't get dirty and she could walk in the water.
And the sun was there.*
* You know, if Geoff would just blog his own dang pictures it would be better.Okay, so this was the outfit Hazel wore for a nap one day. THREE sweaters (because, apparently 93* is not hot enough, you also need sweaters) and a swimsuit cover-up. Which I don't think has, even once, covered up a swimsuit.
And then she wore this outfit. Notice: backwards, no shirt. "Farmer's don't wear shirts." Or maybe her head is on backwards, I don't know. Still, no shirt. But, long, luxurious hair. Like Zoe Jane.
Finally, today is Hazel's half-birthday. Here was an earlier conversation:
Hazel: Thank you.
Then she asked for cake. And we compromised with cupcakes. Except that we really made lemon-poppyseed pound cake. And it was only half-good. Which, I guess, is okay for a half-birthday.
And Jenni called it a made up holiday, but brought Hazel a card anyway. Which Hazel through on the floor, because we hadn't had dinner yet and her blood sugar was low. And she is two (and a half). And there was drama.
The End. Back to studying.
Labels: Birthday, clothes, hazel, jeep
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Potty Update
Oh, Internet, you have failed me. I was hoping someone would tell me something such as: Feed the kid mangos, she'll be potty trained in 13 minutes.*
Thanks for the comments and stories and encouragment. I have decided that Hazel is pretty danged trained and after we use up this giant Costco box** o' diapers she will probably be trained at night. And if she isn't I will (gasp!) go buy more diapers. But at a regular store that sells in less giant quantities.
Now, read my fab update on Nashville. And leave me comments. Because I love comments. It makes me feel like I have friends. Friends who read my blog, even when I am lame.
*Or something magically like this, you get the idea. To get this kind of kid-rearin' secret, I probably need to go to Wal-Mart.***
**We had already opened and started using the box when she decided she wanted to use the potty, or I would have returned it.
***Because once, I was at the WM and some "lady" told me she "teethed all her kids on jerky."
I really need to study. I am ejecting the wireless card.
Thanks for the comments and stories and encouragment. I have decided that Hazel is pretty danged trained and after we use up this giant Costco box** o' diapers she will probably be trained at night. And if she isn't I will (gasp!) go buy more diapers. But at a regular store that sells in less giant quantities.
Now, read my fab update on Nashville. And leave me comments. Because I love comments. It makes me feel like I have friends. Friends who read my blog, even when I am lame.
*Or something magically like this, you get the idea. To get this kind of kid-rearin' secret, I probably need to go to Wal-Mart.***
**We had already opened and started using the box when she decided she wanted to use the potty, or I would have returned it.
***Because once, I was at the WM and some "lady" told me she "teethed all her kids on jerky."
I really need to study. I am ejecting the wireless card.
Nashville - now with pictures
Here is my giant post about Nashville. In categories, but not separate posts. Give me a break. I have been busy.
Our Hotel
Geoff and Hazel by the General Lee. Or A General Lee. We never did find out for sure. This museum was just across the street from our hotel. Except that the hotel was giant with giant grounds, so across the street was still like a mile-and-a-half from our room.
Geoff and Hazel by the General Lee. Or A General Lee. We never did find out for sure. This museum was just across the street from our hotel. Except that the hotel was giant with giant grounds, so across the street was still like a mile-and-a-half from our room.
Awesome horse statues in our hotel.
Our hotel (the Gaylord Opryland) was giant. I mean GIANT! It was a .25 miles from our room to my conference area. Sometimes, on the way to visit me, Hazel had to stop and take a nap.
The Adventure Science Center
Big astronaut. Little astronaut.
Train at the Adventure Science Center.
The ambulance at the Adventure Science Center. This was Hazel's favorite part. She could drive that ambulance for hours. Which will come in handy the next time we go visit Grandma Marilyn in Wyoming. Except that we don't have an ambulance.
Testing out her mad doctorin' skillz. Between this and the ambulance, she has a great future in medicine. She did tell me that she wants to be a doctor. For monsters.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
So, we went the Nashville Zoo. Hazel was our navigator. We should go thatta way.
Hazel. Brushing a goat.
Baby camels at the petting zoo. BABY CAMELS! And you can pet them!!
Alligator Cove! A cove. Of alligators. Wait, did I just do that on the baby camels? I am telling you between a cove full of alligators and baby camels you can pet, this zoo was awesome. Except that it is BLAZING hot in Nashville. And humid. Haven't they heard of the desert??
Hazel and the alligator sized each other up. Both decided that neither one could take the other and they best not fight.
Hazel rode the carousel twice. Once with mom and once with dad. It was far more shocking with mom.
The best picture I could find of Hazel and Geoff on the carousel.
A tunnel at the zoo. Hazel refused to go through it. I think it travels through time, as well as space. So, it was probably wise not to enter.
Aacck. Hazel only has one leg. She probably ate the other one.
Misc.
Hazel and Geoff go to White Castle.
And then Meadow made this awesome flower out of White Castle boxes. We actually ate 10 burgers between the three of us. Which (a) sounds like a lot except (b) it isn't too bad until (c) you consider one of us only ate one burger but (d) they are little and (e) delicious.
Mmmmm...the giant ice cream ever. Hazel was only pretendin' to eat it. 
Trying to see the mighty Cumberland River.
We ate at the Aquarium restuarant. As expected, it was no Market Street. However, it did have an aquarium. We saw lots of fish, but no mermaids. Bummer. And we got to hug a shark. Which is cool until you remember that we got to pet baby camels. And they were REAL!
On the way back to the hotel from the Aquarium restuarant, Hazel decided she didn't need to wear a shirt. Also, when we landed in SLC, she whipped her shirt off and said, "We're home! Mom, take your shirt off." I did not, however, take my shirt off.**Alternate caption: My name is Hazel! I like to dance!"**
Geoff likes to take pictures of flowers. I thought this one was very nice.
The end.
I will have Geoff update with our rafting trip from the weekend.
Labels: Adventure Science Center, Baby Camel, hazel, hotel, Nashville, zoo
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Potty
Oh wise Internet, I come to you for advice. Hazel has been using the potty fairly consistently for about a month and a half now. Which is fabulous. She is still completely in diapers at night, although she woke up dry this morning.
Here is my problem. Sometimes, she just pees. Like five minutes ago she just lifted up her dress and peed on the floor. A lot. ON THE FLOOR!! Yesterday, she peed on the porch. Saturday she peed in the closet (although, she did come out and tell me that she peed in the closet and when I asked why she said, “Mom, sometimes I need attention.” And then I felt like a bad mom for working all weekend.)
WHY DOES SHE DO THAT?!?!! Except for the closet incident, where she was looking for attention. Why doesn’t she just go to the bathroom?? And how do I stop it?
Also, how do you go about training a kid at night? She is asleep. I am asleep. How does a sleeping person train another sleeping person? Or should I call it good and just keep her in diapers at night? Plus, I had just purchased a case of diapers at Costco like 3 days before she decided she was going to wear panties during the day. And that is a lot of diapers when you are only using one per day (night, really).
Here is my problem. Sometimes, she just pees. Like five minutes ago she just lifted up her dress and peed on the floor. A lot. ON THE FLOOR!! Yesterday, she peed on the porch. Saturday she peed in the closet (although, she did come out and tell me that she peed in the closet and when I asked why she said, “Mom, sometimes I need attention.” And then I felt like a bad mom for working all weekend.)
WHY DOES SHE DO THAT?!?!! Except for the closet incident, where she was looking for attention. Why doesn’t she just go to the bathroom?? And how do I stop it?
Also, how do you go about training a kid at night? She is asleep. I am asleep. How does a sleeping person train another sleeping person? Or should I call it good and just keep her in diapers at night? Plus, I had just purchased a case of diapers at Costco like 3 days before she decided she was going to wear panties during the day. And that is a lot of diapers when you are only using one per day (night, really).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Nashville Ramblin'
Okay, I am going to keep my Nashville stories, that don't have pictures, here
- Hazel and Meadow spent a good hour in the pool yesterday playing with "kitties". They were not real kitties, but we had a great time. We fed them and let them swim and named them "Charlie" and "Charlie 2". After the Charlie Daniel's Band. Because it is hard to think of names. When we went into the bathroom to dry our swimsuits she made sure to put the "kitties" on the ground and then scoop them up when we were done. She is still very concerned about them today. Apparently, she is keeping them in one of the drawers under the sink.
- The napping/sleeping situation is less than ideal. We are all in one room, instead of Hazel having her own room. This makes for an overly-tired baby. She has actually been okay but gets a little nuts and starts saying crazy things, such as, "Bingo-bango ate my baby." It started as just "bingo-bango" but then Geoff kept thinking it was, "dingo" and that it ate her baby, and it has evolved from there.
- Monday night, we walked to the mall to eat at the Aquarium restaurant. Not surprisingly, it was not so delicious. But, there was a giant aquarium, and that was pretty cool. The weather is NOT at all cool. It is blazing hot in Nashville. Even at 9:30pm. On the way back to the hotel, Hazel was quite tired and hot. She decided that she no longer needed to wear a shirt. (#57 in the list of things Hazel has in common with a frat boy, she doesn't like to wear shirts) So, we walked home a good part of the way with Hazel wearing no shirt. We told her that a maintenance truck was looking for girls without shirts (some sort of shirt-police), and she got super-worried and put on her shirt.
- Then we got into the hotel and she decided to somersault the entire way to the room. It is a quarter of a mile from the convention center to our room, this is not an easy distance to somersault. At other times she has decided to walk "like a dinosaur" (hands on the ground, butt in the air) and to walk backwards down the long, long hallway. We do not move quickly.
- Wednesday we went to the Adventure Science Center (a children's museum). Hazel seems to have inherited Aunt Jenni's fear and loathing of see-through floors. A good portion of the museum has the floors with holes (like in a factory). She did not love those parts and need to be carried.
- At the ASC, they had a body exhibit (not Bodies, with the plasticized people). In it there was an ambulance you could drive. Hazel LOVED this and would have happily driven the ambulance all day. All the while chanting, "I am driving! I am driving!"
- Then there is the swimming. A lot of swimming. A couple of the pools are only 18-inches deep and perfect for the Hazel. Hazel and Geoff swam for about two hours this evening while Meadow went to meetings. This brings the total swimming hours to approximately 1,500.
- Everything is fried down here. And the only vegetable is corn. No point. I am just sayin'.
Labels: hazel, Stories, Tennessee
A Tennesee Breakfast
City Search rated this place rather highly, so we went. They stuck us all by ourselves at a big table then proceeded to bring us lots and lots of food. We ate way more than we probably should have. A lot of it was really delicious, some of it was seasoned differently than our preference. Seems salty is in around here.
Meadow and Hazel kicking it outside the restaurant. They had a nice garden area including koi pond on the grounds.
Labels: fried food, hazel, meadow, Tennessee
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Outfits-a-go-go.
Hazel has been opininated for quite some time, especially when it comes to clothes. Well, now she is getting older, but not necessarily wiser, in the ways of dressing. My point, yesterday as I was getting her dressed she repeatedly said she wanted to wear her "pirate shirt", I was not sure what the pirate shirt was, and so just kept offering her options. Finally, I let her just dig through the drawers and this is the outfit she came up with:
How, in the name of all that is pirate, is this a pirate outfit? Later, she switched to purple shorts, which were also "pirate". Who am I to argue? **When I was uploading pictures she pointed to this one and said, "I'm a pirate!" So, it seems it wasn't a passing thing. She really was a pirate.**
It seems the car on blocks and engine on a table is finally getting to her, because today she come up with this hillbilly outfit. And then she wanted to tussle. Luckily, I am wearing the tussle-repellant (proof?) bracelet today. In Your Face, Tussle Baby!
Not really clothing related, but Monday night (man, my days are all outta wack, wickity-wack), I was in the dungeon studying and everything was quiet upstairs so I went to investigate. Here is the cuteness I encountered:
Not really clothing related, but Monday night (man, my days are all outta wack, wickity-wack), I was in the dungeon studying and everything was quiet upstairs so I went to investigate. Here is the cuteness I encountered:
Reading! Together! On the window seat! Notice how the Hazel is a haze. Ha!
Also, a tea set I bought in Chinatown. I was a little disappointed when I opened the box and there were no space aliens. Number One Tea Set!
Labels: clothes, Geoff, hazel, misc.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Monster!
Here is my quick story for the night*:
Geoff is off at his sister's watching some game with the cousins, so Hazel and I have been chillin', like villains. All night she has been talking about the monster. We have to hide from the monster, we brush teeth like the monster (?), I even had to snuggle her on my lap to save her from the monster. The last bit was actually rather nice since normally it is like trying to snuggle a sack of rabid weasels.
Alas, the good times had to end and momma needs to study (or blog, whatever). So, we go in her room and read Lilly's Big Day and The Nose Book. And then she does NOT want to go to sleep, up and down and wiggling and asking for stuff and generally acting like a two-year-old. Then she starts in on the monster bit again. So, I told her that I would be right outside her door (true, I brought the laptop upstairs) and wouldn't let the monster in her room. And that if she was really quiet and stayed in bed and kept her eyes closes the monster couldn't get her.
Normally, it takes like 45 minutes to get that kid to calm down and go to sleep. But, man, the fear of the monster is totally working. Not a peep. If I knew the monster threat was so powerful, I would have used it before. Maybe it is better to keep for the nights I really need it.
The end. Now I will study.
*This is obviously a blatant attempt to avoid studying. Which sucks. The studying, not the avoiding.
Geoff is off at his sister's watching some game with the cousins, so Hazel and I have been chillin', like villains. All night she has been talking about the monster. We have to hide from the monster, we brush teeth like the monster (?), I even had to snuggle her on my lap to save her from the monster. The last bit was actually rather nice since normally it is like trying to snuggle a sack of rabid weasels.
Alas, the good times had to end and momma needs to study (or blog, whatever). So, we go in her room and read Lilly's Big Day and The Nose Book. And then she does NOT want to go to sleep, up and down and wiggling and asking for stuff and generally acting like a two-year-old. Then she starts in on the monster bit again. So, I told her that I would be right outside her door (true, I brought the laptop upstairs) and wouldn't let the monster in her room. And that if she was really quiet and stayed in bed and kept her eyes closes the monster couldn't get her.
Normally, it takes like 45 minutes to get that kid to calm down and go to sleep. But, man, the fear of the monster is totally working. Not a peep. If I knew the monster threat was so powerful, I would have used it before. Maybe it is better to keep for the nights I really need it.
The end. Now I will study.
*This is obviously a blatant attempt to avoid studying. Which sucks. The studying, not the avoiding.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Jenni's Graduation
Whoops. I thought I posted this stuff, but apparently no.
So, Auntie Jenni graduated on May 2. She wore a green dress and looked pretty and smart. And waved a lot. Probably because we were right over the entrance and yelled. A lot. We were not the only ones who did this, but we probably had the best vantage point for yelling and taking pictures. I have a lot of pictures, but they are mostly boring shots of people I don't know. But, here is a lovely shot of Jenni.
And one of Jenni with various relatives. Grandma Marilyn is secretly a wrestler. Here she is putting Ben in a headlock.
Hazel ate a LOT of cotton candy at the party. And her face got progressively dirty as the evening wore on.
So, Auntie Jenni graduated on May 2. She wore a green dress and looked pretty and smart. And waved a lot. Probably because we were right over the entrance and yelled. A lot. We were not the only ones who did this, but we probably had the best vantage point for yelling and taking pictures. I have a lot of pictures, but they are mostly boring shots of people I don't know. But, here is a lovely shot of Jenni.
And one of Jenni with various relatives. Grandma Marilyn is secretly a wrestler. Here she is putting Ben in a headlock.
Hazel ate a LOT of cotton candy at the party. And her face got progressively dirty as the evening wore on.
Labels: Gloria, Graduation, hazel, Jenni
May, so far.
Last weekend we finally cut down the apricot tree that died like two years ago. Notice how there is barely any bark on the tree? Oh yeah, my mom (Grandma Marilyn) and I totally peeled the bark. Plus, see that itty-bitty nick in the tree about the level of the ladder shelf? That is where we cut with the itty-bitty handsaw. And then Geoff came in with a chainsaw and cut it all down in like 45 minutes. It is called cooperation.
Bernie held the rope in an attempt to have the pieces fall in a somewhat controlled fashion. The first (massive) log did not fall as intended, and broke the fence. Doh. Everything else went nicely, however. I guess a broken fence is better than a broken Geoff or a broken swingset.
Grandma Marilyn has a hurt foot. Hazel is two and (1) likes to comment on EVERYTHING, all the time and (2) likes to mimic people. She pointed out that Grandma has one boot and one shoe. And then she got on one boot and one shoe. It was very cute. Remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And then, just today Hazel told me to come see and this is what I got. She said, "mom, get the camera." And I did. And she took her hands off the handles for just a minute. But wouldn't look at me while she did it. Still, I think she has a future in the circus.
Just a cute shot post-bike ride.
Finally, Hazel and Nacho having a nap together.
Bernie held the rope in an attempt to have the pieces fall in a somewhat controlled fashion. The first (massive) log did not fall as intended, and broke the fence. Doh. Everything else went nicely, however. I guess a broken fence is better than a broken Geoff or a broken swingset.
Grandma Marilyn has a hurt foot. Hazel is two and (1) likes to comment on EVERYTHING, all the time and (2) likes to mimic people. She pointed out that Grandma has one boot and one shoe. And then she got on one boot and one shoe. It was very cute. Remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And then, just today Hazel told me to come see and this is what I got. She said, "mom, get the camera." And I did. And she took her hands off the handles for just a minute. But wouldn't look at me while she did it. Still, I think she has a future in the circus.
Just a cute shot post-bike ride.
Finally, Hazel and Nacho having a nap together.
Labels: Ax Men, Grandma, hazel, Nacho
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Yes, an upate with pictures.
We knew the day was coming, but we didn't think it would be so soon. Hazel official designation has been made:
Okay, true story: Hazel and Geoff, and Zoey and Jayson, went to the dinosaur park in Ogden and had a fabulous time. In fact, Hazel and I were discussing what she wanted to do tomorrow (Geoff's day off) and she said, "Dino Park!" But with more capitals and exclamation points.
An outfit from a few days (weeks, maybe) ago. Shauntil brought over a load of Tay clothes (thanks, Shauntil, my child would be far less dressed without you). At first Hazel was all "eh." But then she woke up* and was like, "MERMAID JAMMIES!!" Yes, Hazel now owns mermaid jammies, which she loves almost as much as the cow shirt. Here she is seen modeling the lovely ensemble, which she has accessorized with a swimsuit. She slept in this exact outfit. The next day (or there abouts), I told her she had to get dressed or she couldn't come out of her room. She came out in only a swimsuit (and a diaper, thankfully) and I said, "Hazel, really? A swimsuit?" To which she replied, "Swimsuit or jammies, mommy pick." Thus, she wore a swimsuit most of the day.
*Actually, it was like four hours later when I asked her what she wanted to wear to bed.
Okay, true story: Hazel and Geoff, and Zoey and Jayson, went to the dinosaur park in Ogden and had a fabulous time. In fact, Hazel and I were discussing what she wanted to do tomorrow (Geoff's day off) and she said, "Dino Park!" But with more capitals and exclamation points.We (Geoff) washed the couch cover today and Hazel realized that the cushions were movable (i.e. REmovable) and she is able to play in, around and under them. Hooray for couch cushions!
An outfit from a few days (weeks, maybe) ago. Shauntil brought over a load of Tay clothes (thanks, Shauntil, my child would be far less dressed without you). At first Hazel was all "eh." But then she woke up* and was like, "MERMAID JAMMIES!!" Yes, Hazel now owns mermaid jammies, which she loves almost as much as the cow shirt. Here she is seen modeling the lovely ensemble, which she has accessorized with a swimsuit. She slept in this exact outfit. The next day (or there abouts), I told her she had to get dressed or she couldn't come out of her room. She came out in only a swimsuit (and a diaper, thankfully) and I said, "Hazel, really? A swimsuit?" To which she replied, "Swimsuit or jammies, mommy pick." Thus, she wore a swimsuit most of the day. 
*Actually, it was like four hours later when I asked her what she wanted to wear to bed.PS, Blogger spellcheck does not agree with my spelling of "jammies". Stupid Blogger spellcheck, I don't agree with YOUR spelling of jammies.
Labels: hazel, most dangerous creature
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Adorableness to Counteract the Cranky Post of a Few Days Ago
So, I am sitting here "studying", except for that I am not because there is a small person helping, and I yell for Geoff that I need water. Because let me tell you, yo, studying makes a gal thirsty. And Hazel yells, "Dad, I need water too!" For some reason, this strikes me as adorable.
Also, she is coloring with "mom's pink pen", aka my highlighter. And, whilst drawing she is narrating. Apparently, she is drawing something with wings, and then she proceeds to show me how wings work. With all the arm flapping that a two-year-old can muster. Two wings. Oh, it is an airplane. Honestly, I thought it was a snail.
Currently, she is spinning in our office chair and singing "Frere Jacque." (you know the French song, I am not sure of the spelling and not willing to Google it)
Maybe you had to be there.
Totally better than studying for the stupid CPA exam. Which I will probably fail. And then I will cry. Boo hoo.
Oh, and then there is the story of the "not clapping." So, the other night at dinner, Hazel does something fantastic (I forget what), and decides it is worthy of.... I don't know, something. And proceeds to "not clap", which is, of course, where she brings her hands not quite together. Geoff asks her what she is doing and she replies, "not clapping." Again, maybe you had to be there.
Also, she is coloring with "mom's pink pen", aka my highlighter. And, whilst drawing she is narrating. Apparently, she is drawing something with wings, and then she proceeds to show me how wings work. With all the arm flapping that a two-year-old can muster. Two wings. Oh, it is an airplane. Honestly, I thought it was a snail.
Currently, she is spinning in our office chair and singing "Frere Jacque." (you know the French song, I am not sure of the spelling and not willing to Google it)
Maybe you had to be there.
Totally better than studying for the stupid CPA exam. Which I will probably fail. And then I will cry. Boo hoo.
Oh, and then there is the story of the "not clapping." So, the other night at dinner, Hazel does something fantastic (I forget what), and decides it is worthy of.... I don't know, something. And proceeds to "not clap", which is, of course, where she brings her hands not quite together. Geoff asks her what she is doing and she replies, "not clapping." Again, maybe you had to be there.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Pros and Cons of having a two-year-old
Horrible things Hazel has done today, that make me absolutely crazy:
- Blew her nose all over her face. I cannot begin to describe (a) how disgusting this is and (b) how crazy it makes me. (After Geoff got home she blew her nose on HIS face, and that is definitely more disgusting.)
- Refused to get dressed. Only wanted jammies. When she decided it would be okay for her to get dressed she only wanted the cow shirt, which is, of course, dirty. I have got to find another cow shirt.
- Threw a full container of yogurt across the room, which exploded when it hit the treadmill, sending yogurt everywhere.
- Also, at breakfast threw a spoonful of applesauce and yogurt on her pile of papers. This was after asking me to help her and then when I did help her getting upset and saying, “I do myself.” Make up your mind!
- The flippant, “Sorry, mom”. Don’t apologize if you are not actually sorry.
- Flipped over her table and chairs, ala the Hulk, when I offered her a coloring book. I knew it was coming, I saw the rage, and could not stop the destruction. What is so horrible about a coloring book that causes her to Hulk-out? I think she wanted to color somewhere else, not at her table.
- Pulled the curtains on the front door, bending the curtain rod.
- Kicked me right in the breastbone while I was changing her diapers. Like it isn’t bad enough that I have to change a poopy diaper, I also have to get kicked.
- Slapped me on the cheek while being on snuggly on my lap. She just can’t stand too much niceness and must prove that she can still be a mean little cuss.
Cute things Hazel has done that have helped me NOT want to sell her to the gypsies:
- Actually cleaned up the table and chair mess, including crayons and coloring book, and said “I want to sit by mommy.”
- Walking around wearing my shoes. Maybe if she walked a mile in my shoes she would understand about the stuff that makes me crazy. But, then she would probably do more of it. Because that is how she rolls.
- Snuggled on my lap in all of her warm, little two-year-old goodness.
- Used a pink crayon as “lipstick.” I am not sure where this is coming from because I am not a lipstick person myself. It was adorable, however.
- Doing crazy “exercises” on her table, I think they were supposed to be push-ups. And counting while she is doing them. Totally gets them from her dad, as I don’t do any exercises that require counting. Or really much of ANY exercises.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
March Madness
I am not so hip on this whole blog thing, but I am pretty sure if you have a blog you are required to mention March madness at least once. During the month of March. March madness has something to do with really wanting to get out of the house after being cooped up all winter. Or so I am led to believe.
I am editing this part so my mom can't read it, because it will make her sad. So, mom don't read the following sentence. Everyone else, highlight it and you should be able to read the white text.
Lucky for my March madness, today was a BEAUTIFUL day. Warm, sunny, a gorgeous spring day. Seriously, like almost 70 degrees. I didn't even wear a coat to work. And we have crocus (croci?) coming up. And no deer to eat them. Geoff and Hazel met me at the Wheeler Farm for lunch and we saw the animals and walked around and it was fabulous. Except it kind of smelled like poo.
Anyway, on to the photos.
This photo is a great shot of two things.
One: Hazel loves to dress herself. She was wearing pink tights with hearts, a pink dress with skulls, a pink tutu and a pink jacket. Oh, and brown shoes. I am guessing because she didn't want to overdo it on the pink. I tried to get her to pose for a picture but she flung herself to the ground yelling, "No Pictures!"
And Two: Her job is letting the dogs in and out. She loves this job and is fairly good at it. But, gets crazy mad (and not just in March) if you do it when she thinks it is her turn.
See the post-fling wailing?!?! That kid. She will drive me crazy. Or mad. Because of the whole "March Madness"
Hazel helped me cook on Sunday. We made magic cookie bars. They were magically delicious.
And then we curled up under a blanket and watched TV. Good times...Good times...
We have been going to story time at the library. They read a couple of stories, sing some songs and then we do a craft. Usually the entire story time has a theme. Guess what this week's theme was? Put your guess in the comments and I will pick a winner and he or she will get a FABULOUS PRIZE. That's right a blog contest. I am so big-time.
I am editing this part so my mom can't read it, because it will make her sad. So, mom don't read the following sentence. Everyone else, highlight it and you should be able to read the white text.
Lucky for my March madness, today was a BEAUTIFUL day. Warm, sunny, a gorgeous spring day. Seriously, like almost 70 degrees. I didn't even wear a coat to work. And we have crocus (croci?) coming up. And no deer to eat them. Geoff and Hazel met me at the Wheeler Farm for lunch and we saw the animals and walked around and it was fabulous. Except it kind of smelled like poo.
Anyway, on to the photos.
This photo is a great shot of two things.
One: Hazel loves to dress herself. She was wearing pink tights with hearts, a pink dress with skulls, a pink tutu and a pink jacket. Oh, and brown shoes. I am guessing because she didn't want to overdo it on the pink. I tried to get her to pose for a picture but she flung herself to the ground yelling, "No Pictures!"
And Two: Her job is letting the dogs in and out. She loves this job and is fairly good at it. But, gets crazy mad (and not just in March) if you do it when she thinks it is her turn.
See the post-fling wailing?!?! That kid. She will drive me crazy. Or mad. Because of the whole "March Madness"
Hazel helped me cook on Sunday. We made magic cookie bars. They were magically delicious.
And then we curled up under a blanket and watched TV. Good times...Good times...
We have been going to story time at the library. They read a couple of stories, sing some songs and then we do a craft. Usually the entire story time has a theme. Guess what this week's theme was? Put your guess in the comments and I will pick a winner and he or she will get a FABULOUS PRIZE. That's right a blog contest. I am so big-time.Here is the clue:
One guess per person. Put your guess in the comments by.... Saturday, March 15. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner will be chosen and win an awesome prize.
Hazel's got the mad tongue-rolling skillz.
One guess per person. Put your guess in the comments by.... Saturday, March 15. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner will be chosen and win an awesome prize.
Hazel's got the mad tongue-rolling skillz.
Labels: contest, cooking, funny faces, hazel, meadow
Sunday, March 2, 2008
My Hazel!
Zoe Jane gave Hazel her old bike. Don't worry, Zoe got a new bike. Hazel LOVES her bike. It is still a little big for her but I think she should fit it by summer. And even if she can't she will still try to ride.
I like the worried smile. It seems like Hazel has the worried look a lot.
Walrus.
Scary face. Scary! Face! I like it even better when she has her tongue out with the scary face.
Hazel hair is finally long enough for decent pigtails. Except for the bangs, which we are growing out. But, I think the pigtails are darling. And do a pretty good job of keeping her hair out of her face.
Zoey (as opposed to Zoe, of bike fame) came to visit. The girls had a great time jumping on Hazel's bed. Best of all, Hazel didn't get a single yellow card*. 
*You know, for unneccassary roughness. I am so up on my sports terms.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monthly Update? What's that?!?!
I = suck. If only I could be a little more incompetent, people might not expect me to do so much. Of course, you would think from all the grief I get, that I am, in fact, completely incompetent. Or, maybe I would just think that.
Hazel made another trip to visit Baby Alex and co. in Texas. The weather was great and they watched Mickey Mouse and went to the zoo. Maybe other stuff, I don't know. I went to Portland and it was fabulous. I didn't watch Mickey Mouse or go to the zoo.
Hazel also made a "snow penguin". I don't know what made it a penguin. Or why the penguin wore a hat.
Playing in the box with daddy.
Sometimes we make her clean. She had to put on an apron to clean. Her choice, I am fine in her cleaning in whatever. By the time she gets really good at cleaning, she probably won't want to do it anymore.
Hazel likes to play on the computer. Mostly this involves banging on the keyboard and moving the mouse. And YouTube. She loves watching videos. Especially the Fairy Alphabet, from an old Sesame Street. And the Alligator King, and Ladybug Picnic, and so on and so forth.
The Internet. It is hypnotizing.
Notice that Hazel is now in a different outfit. They watch YouTube A LOT.
Cute baby in a hat. I love her in hats.
Hazel likes dogs a lot. Real or stuffed. She fashioned a leash out of her monkey backpack tail to use for her stuffed dog.
Most of all, Hazel loves her Nacho dog. Nacho is Hazel's dog. Triscuit is mommy's dog. Daddy doesn't get a dog. "sorry dad"
Anyway, we haven't uploaded pictures since January 28 and haven't taken a picture since February 10. Yeah, that was like a long time ago.
So, here is a quick catch-up. With a bunch of pictures.
Hazel's verbal skills are improving every day. She talks more frequently and more clearly. It is great. Two is a fun age. I like the crazy talking and the "my turn!" and whatnot. Plus, Hazel is old enough to do stuff but still young enough to be restrained in a stroller. It is a bit tiring for the mama, but maybe that is just because I try and get in at least two hours of studying every night. Oh, and I have a job. And a two-year-old. And a Geoff...
Hazel's verbal skills are improving every day. She talks more frequently and more clearly. It is great. Two is a fun age. I like the crazy talking and the "my turn!" and whatnot. Plus, Hazel is old enough to do stuff but still young enough to be restrained in a stroller. It is a bit tiring for the mama, but maybe that is just because I try and get in at least two hours of studying every night. Oh, and I have a job. And a two-year-old. And a Geoff...
She is also getting better at doing stuff. Like puzzles and reading books. And recognizing letters everywhere. She has also been very into coloring and playing with her doll house. And probably other stuff that I would think of if I wasn't exhausted.
Hazel made another trip to visit Baby Alex and co. in Texas. The weather was great and they watched Mickey Mouse and went to the zoo. Maybe other stuff, I don't know. I went to Portland and it was fabulous. I didn't watch Mickey Mouse or go to the zoo.
Making a snow angel. This was a massive snowstorm on....January.....28th? I just know that I got let out of work early, it took forever to get home and Geoff was laid up on the comp so I had to shovel everything. It has been a bad winter for snow and shoveling.
Hazel also made a "snow penguin". I don't know what made it a penguin. Or why the penguin wore a hat.
Playing in the box with daddy.
Sometimes we make her clean. She had to put on an apron to clean. Her choice, I am fine in her cleaning in whatever. By the time she gets really good at cleaning, she probably won't want to do it anymore.
Hazel likes to play on the computer. Mostly this involves banging on the keyboard and moving the mouse. And YouTube. She loves watching videos. Especially the Fairy Alphabet, from an old Sesame Street. And the Alligator King, and Ladybug Picnic, and so on and so forth.
The Internet. It is hypnotizing.
Notice that Hazel is now in a different outfit. They watch YouTube A LOT.
Cute baby in a hat. I love her in hats.
Hazel likes dogs a lot. Real or stuffed. She fashioned a leash out of her monkey backpack tail to use for her stuffed dog.
Most of all, Hazel loves her Nacho dog. Nacho is Hazel's dog. Triscuit is mommy's dog. Daddy doesn't get a dog. "sorry dad"
And that is the past month or so. Oh, and then our fridge died today. Or probably last night because the food was starting to thaw. But, I called a local appliance store (Famous Appliance) and they were able to deliver us a new fridge within an hour. Woo!!
Labels: dogs, Geoff, hazel, monthly update, snow, YouTube
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Belts, Backs, and Boxes. Oh, My!
This whole Geoff's bad back thing is KILLING ME! Five pounds is not very much, which means I have to do all the heavy, and not so heavy lifting. He can't even lift Hazel!! Yeah, yeah, he is in pain but no one ever talks about the other victims of industrial accidents, the family! I guess this is where my work's ad campaign came from, it is basically kids telling their parents to be careful out there. Blah blah blah. It sucks.
But, enough whining...
Since Geoff is laid up, Hazel has to find ways to entertain herself. Such as pumping the sink full of soap and water and making bubbles.
But, enough whining...
Since Geoff is laid up, Hazel has to find ways to entertain herself. Such as pumping the sink full of soap and water and making bubbles.
Sometimes being so clean makes Hazel angry. Or something. I don't know what she is doing in the is picture.
Hazel has always been independently minded. She likes what she likes and doesn't want to be told differently. This is especially true when it comes to clothes. As long as she is dressed appropriately for the weather, and I don't have anything going on where I need her to look nice, I just let her be. This makes for some rather "interesting" outfits.
Here we have the infamous "belt" that is actually a headband. Also, she is in a tent made out of two dining chairs and a sheet. In front of the heat vent. She gets that from her dad. The complete blocking of a heat vent. Just a little self-congratulations, I love the pom-poms on this dress. I think they really make the outfit. I wish I had done the bodice longer so I could have had a level surface on which to sew the ribbon but other than that, I really think this is a cute dress.
Here is an even fancier outfit. We bought her a new swimsuit (seen in the soap picture over jammies), and she has been wearing it pretty much constantly. Hazel and I even went swimming today, and she wore her new swimsuit. It is way too big. I guess I didn't notice earlier because she has been wearing it over all her other clothes. Notice the face. She did not want her picture taken. 
In fact, she took off when I was trying to take a picture of her outfit. It is like she knows I will pull it out later in life... Plus, the action in this shot is fabulous.
Another outfit. I actually let her out of the house in this. I think we were going to the grocery store. So we have tights, leg warmers, shorts (from Japan) and then up top there is a long sleeve shirt, the matching Japan shirt and the fancy hooded sweater/jacket. Oh, and pink sparkly shoes. None of these are weird alone, but you get it all together and...well, let's just say you can tell she dresses herself. We tried to get a head-on shot but again she pulled the "no tam-er-a" stunt. (translation: No Camera, i.e. I don't want you to take my picture)
People always say that when you buy a kid a toy they would rather just play with the box. Well, you don't even have to buy them a toy. Hazel is just as happy playing with the box that my new filing cabinet came in. She made a house. Geoff cut this window. I cut one like an 'I' with a big top and bottom so it opens like shutters. Probably because I have a good back. She has also decorate and furnished the house. It is pretty full in there. But, she really likes her little house. 
Notice the old filing cabinet in the background? If you want it, it is yours, just let me know. Two-drawer lateral filing cabinet. Fits letter or legal. We just don't have that much stuff to file and now that I am spending more time in the dungeon, I mean basement, I trying to get it cleaned out and organized. Which is all the more difficult since Geoff is an invalid and can't move anything.
Also, we have two CRT monitors (i.e. not flat-panel) if anyone wants them. Free to a good (or bad) home.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A couple of stories
Well, not so much stories as sentences.
1- Hazel has a headband, it is green with a big flower on it, I think it came from Tayvia. Anyway, she never really like to wear it as a headband but she LOVES to wear it as a belt. All the time. As in, she slept with it on last night. And the other day she was wearing pants that were too big and didn't have elastic in the waist (!!!) and I wanted her to wear a real belt, but she said "No!" because she already had a belt.
2- She only wears jammies. Seriously, it is a fight to get her to wear anything else. I know jammies are comfortable but it is not like she has to wear a suit, her clothes are pretty close to jammies. She used to wear clothes all day, then she decided she needed to wear jammies to nap, now she is in them pretty much all day. I do make her get dressed if we leave the house, however.
3- Whenever she has a little "owie", she blames it on the bumblebee. This is from the 'Baby Bumblebee' song. There are not a lot of bumblebees around in January but they still get the blame.
4- If she coughs and I ask her to cough into her elbow, she will fake cough into her elbow. Sometimes she remembers to really cough into her elbow, but either way is pretty funny.
5- Yesterday, Hazel told me, "Hazel no potty, Hazel like poop pants." I think this does not bode well for my desire to get her potty trained.
Oh, and I have officially started studying for my CPA exam. I have the (crazy, expensive but highly effective) review courses on CD, video lectures, and Hazel likes to watch "mommy's movies". They might be entertaining for the 10-seconds she is watching them but after the first three or so hours, the novelty wears off.
1- Hazel has a headband, it is green with a big flower on it, I think it came from Tayvia. Anyway, she never really like to wear it as a headband but she LOVES to wear it as a belt. All the time. As in, she slept with it on last night. And the other day she was wearing pants that were too big and didn't have elastic in the waist (!!!) and I wanted her to wear a real belt, but she said "No!" because she already had a belt.
2- She only wears jammies. Seriously, it is a fight to get her to wear anything else. I know jammies are comfortable but it is not like she has to wear a suit, her clothes are pretty close to jammies. She used to wear clothes all day, then she decided she needed to wear jammies to nap, now she is in them pretty much all day. I do make her get dressed if we leave the house, however.
3- Whenever she has a little "owie", she blames it on the bumblebee. This is from the 'Baby Bumblebee' song. There are not a lot of bumblebees around in January but they still get the blame.
4- If she coughs and I ask her to cough into her elbow, she will fake cough into her elbow. Sometimes she remembers to really cough into her elbow, but either way is pretty funny.
5- Yesterday, Hazel told me, "Hazel no potty, Hazel like poop pants." I think this does not bode well for my desire to get her potty trained.
Oh, and I have officially started studying for my CPA exam. I have the (crazy, expensive but highly effective) review courses on CD, video lectures, and Hazel likes to watch "mommy's movies". They might be entertaining for the 10-seconds she is watching them but after the first three or so hours, the novelty wears off.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy Birthday to Hazel!!
Our baby is TWO! For her birthday, Hazel wanted a party. With cake and balloons and kids and party hats. Except for the party hats, she got everything she wanted. I decided we had enough activities and chaos and didn't need to add party hats to the mix. And, frankly, I don't think Hazel missed them.
We had brunch for Hazel's birthday, for the second year in a row. I made eight different quiche, but then didn't get out the camera before serving. Thanks to Anne for remembering the camera, or I possibly would have forgotten in the midst of the party. We also had yogurt parfaits and mini bagels. And cake. Cup-cake.
Hazel and her cupcake.
Mmmmmm.....frosting.
Hazel opening presents, notice the awesome party dress. Yes, I made that. And it is polka-dotty. And she has polka-dotted ribbons in her hair. And polka-dotted balloons. Not in her hair.
And a polka-dotted giraffe. Awesome. Which I didn't make, Amy made it. But, it totally fits the polka-dot theme.
Zoey and her parents came to the party. Zoey picked her own clothes. I understand this completely, as Hazel likes to pick her own clothes.
Gloria and Anthony and their parents came to the party. And Gloria was Grandpa Ray's friend, so we had to take a picture for proof.
Chase, Ashton, Dylan and Sadie came to the party. Chase = grown up.
Orson, Helen and Amy came to the party. Hazel was excited about Orson and had to pull out the matching Care Bear when I told her he was coming.
Anne and Jenni came to the party, but forgot to bring their cheeks.
Jenni and Shauntil were especially happy to come to the party. Oh, and they are crazy. 
Jordan and Tayvia and their moms came to the party. And they proceeded to point fingers at each other. The kids, not the moms.
Hazel came to her party, and looked very determined about something. 
Helen, Bonnie and Sadie were button-making machines!
More button making.
Zoey loved Hazel's big-girl bed. I am guessing she will get one in the near future, especially because her birthday is in three weeks.
Anthony, Orson and Gloria play with some Pez. 
Proof that Gloria is Jenni's friend. Hazel is very finicky and sometimes likes people and sometimes h-a-t-e-s them. Gloria is nice and sweet. Thus, some people like proof of nice babies because they are used to the not-so-nice baby.
All in all, it was a fabulous party. And, it has been a fabulous year. We are looking forward to the, what are the called? Terrific twos? Yeah, I am sure that is what it is called.
We had brunch for Hazel's birthday, for the second year in a row. I made eight different quiche, but then didn't get out the camera before serving. Thanks to Anne for remembering the camera, or I possibly would have forgotten in the midst of the party. We also had yogurt parfaits and mini bagels. And cake. Cup-cake.
Hazel and her cupcake.
Mmmmmm.....frosting.
Hazel opening presents, notice the awesome party dress. Yes, I made that. And it is polka-dotty. And she has polka-dotted ribbons in her hair. And polka-dotted balloons. Not in her hair.
And a polka-dotted giraffe. Awesome. Which I didn't make, Amy made it. But, it totally fits the polka-dot theme.
Zoey and her parents came to the party. Zoey picked her own clothes. I understand this completely, as Hazel likes to pick her own clothes.
Gloria and Anthony and their parents came to the party. And Gloria was Grandpa Ray's friend, so we had to take a picture for proof.
Chase, Ashton, Dylan and Sadie came to the party. Chase = grown up.
Orson, Helen and Amy came to the party. Hazel was excited about Orson and had to pull out the matching Care Bear when I told her he was coming.
Anne and Jenni came to the party, but forgot to bring their cheeks.
Jenni and Shauntil were especially happy to come to the party. Oh, and they are crazy. 
Jordan and Tayvia and their moms came to the party. And they proceeded to point fingers at each other. The kids, not the moms.
Hazel came to her party, and looked very determined about something. 
Helen, Bonnie and Sadie were button-making machines!
More button making.
Zoey loved Hazel's big-girl bed. I am guessing she will get one in the near future, especially because her birthday is in three weeks.
Anthony, Orson and Gloria play with some Pez. 
Proof that Gloria is Jenni's friend. Hazel is very finicky and sometimes likes people and sometimes h-a-t-e-s them. Gloria is nice and sweet. Thus, some people like proof of nice babies because they are used to the not-so-nice baby.
All in all, it was a fabulous party. And, it has been a fabulous year. We are looking forward to the, what are the called? Terrific twos? Yeah, I am sure that is what it is called.Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas!
Christmas was fabulous this year. Hazel was far more into it this year. She loved giving presents and getting presents and wrapping presents and unwrapping presents and a sleepover with Auntie Jenni and seeing relatives and going home and all the other joy that comes with Christmas.
Hope everyone had as fabulous a Christmas as we did. Hugs and kisses.
Hazel got these super-cute jammies for Christmas from Shauntil. She got the matching robe (without even planning it!) from her mama. I thought I uploaded a picture of it but apparently I didn't. And since I have to upload in reverse order (stupid blogger, stupider Vista) and the Internet (the ENTIRE Internet!) has crashed twice, requiring two reboots, I am done. Just enjoy the pictures from Christmas.
Our three-generations (and Santa) picture. Apparently, I don't know how to brush my hair.
The normal Christmas Eve chaos. Meadow, Ashton, Anne, Hazel, Dylan and Sadie.
Mama and Hazel opening new jammies (JAMMIES!) on Christmas Eve. Hazel was having a hard time with all the other kids getting presents and none for Hazel. She was fine after opening jammies.
Jenni got a button for Christmas, something about how Engineers are ALWAYS wrong and never trust them, or something, Hazel borrowed it and wrapped it in a napkin and then gave it back to Jenni. We wrapped a lot of presents this season, but apparently not enough for Hazel.
Hazel, Sadie and Dylan. In a rare moment where Hazel is not attacking Dylan.
Hazel and Jenni reading the story of Ping, the duck who gets lost and then captured by a boy with a barrel on his back who later lets him go so his family doesn't eat Ping. I just think it is weird he has a barrel on his back.
Geoff standing guard on Christmas morning. He is the family brute squad.***As a side note: Geoff got a pedometer for Christmas (it was the "IT" gift this year) and now he is jogging in place while I update the blog. Damn you, Internet! I am going to lose in steps today, just like every day.***
Hazel and mama reading Knuffle Bunny Too, her new book from Auntie Jenni. It is much wordier than the original Knuffle Bunny, but Hazel has a longer attention span now, so it works out.
Hope everyone had as fabulous a Christmas as we did. Hugs and kisses.
Hazel got these super-cute jammies for Christmas from Shauntil. She got the matching robe (without even planning it!) from her mama. I thought I uploaded a picture of it but apparently I didn't. And since I have to upload in reverse order (stupid blogger, stupider Vista) and the Internet (the ENTIRE Internet!) has crashed twice, requiring two reboots, I am done. Just enjoy the pictures from Christmas.
Our three-generations (and Santa) picture. Apparently, I don't know how to brush my hair.
The normal Christmas Eve chaos. Meadow, Ashton, Anne, Hazel, Dylan and Sadie.
Mama and Hazel opening new jammies (JAMMIES!) on Christmas Eve. Hazel was having a hard time with all the other kids getting presents and none for Hazel. She was fine after opening jammies.
Jenni got a button for Christmas, something about how Engineers are ALWAYS wrong and never trust them, or something, Hazel borrowed it and wrapped it in a napkin and then gave it back to Jenni. We wrapped a lot of presents this season, but apparently not enough for Hazel.
Hazel, Sadie and Dylan. In a rare moment where Hazel is not attacking Dylan.
Hazel and Jenni reading the story of Ping, the duck who gets lost and then captured by a boy with a barrel on his back who later lets him go so his family doesn't eat Ping. I just think it is weird he has a barrel on his back.
Geoff standing guard on Christmas morning. He is the family brute squad.***As a side note: Geoff got a pedometer for Christmas (it was the "IT" gift this year) and now he is jogging in place while I update the blog. Damn you, Internet! I am going to lose in steps today, just like every day.***
Hazel opening presents from her Auntie Jenni. She was much better this year at opening presents. She even helped other people open their presents.
Hazel and mama reading Knuffle Bunny Too, her new book from Auntie Jenni. It is much wordier than the original Knuffle Bunny, but Hazel has a longer attention span now, so it works out.
Hazel and her daddy on Christmas morning.
Playing the accordion with Grandpa Ray. We tried to get a video of them playing together and Hazel freaked out. Her relationship with Grandpa Ray runs very hot-cold.
Cutie-cute pink shoes from Grandma and Grandpa Caracena. "Hazel Shoes?"
Opening the tent.
Hazel signing 'tent' to show the tent she got from her Grandma and Grandpa Caracena.
Hazel got a dollhouse from her Tutu. She loves it and has spent a good portion of the day playing with it.
Hazel got this fabulous cat from Auntie Michelle. There was a stray running around her 'hood and she took it to the taxidermist. It is actually a puppet, the hand hole is not in the back...
Meadow and Hazel got matching kitty (KITTY!) shoes from Ray and Anne. They are even more awesome in real life. Plus, matching. And kitty.
Hazel loves her tent. And it works perfectly on her bed, we were a little worried because Geoff shortened her bed to fit her mattress, because we don't have a crazy Ikea mattress. But, it worked and it is fabulous.
It was a very, very, very long day.
Playing the accordion with Grandpa Ray. We tried to get a video of them playing together and Hazel freaked out. Her relationship with Grandpa Ray runs very hot-cold.
Cutie-cute pink shoes from Grandma and Grandpa Caracena. "Hazel Shoes?"
Opening the tent.
Hazel signing 'tent' to show the tent she got from her Grandma and Grandpa Caracena.
Hazel got a dollhouse from her Tutu. She loves it and has spent a good portion of the day playing with it.
Hazel got this fabulous cat from Auntie Michelle. There was a stray running around her 'hood and she took it to the taxidermist. It is actually a puppet, the hand hole is not in the back...
Meadow and Hazel got matching kitty (KITTY!) shoes from Ray and Anne. They are even more awesome in real life. Plus, matching. And kitty.
Hazel loves her tent. And it works perfectly on her bed, we were a little worried because Geoff shortened her bed to fit her mattress, because we don't have a crazy Ikea mattress. But, it worked and it is fabulous.
It was a very, very, very long day.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Labels: Christmas, cousins, Geoff, Grandma, Grandpa, hazel, Jenni, meadow, signing
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
Hazel has been loving the snow this year. Last year she was really too little to care about it, except to hate the cold. On the first big snowstorm this year (December 1), we went and played in the backyard.
Nacho had to sniff the animal encircling Hazel head. The dogs also like playing in the snow. They play a game I like to call "Hide-the-poop", wherein they poop and then it snows and then I step in it because I can't see it under all the snow. I do not especially like to play this game.
I was trying to get Hazel to make a snow angel. I think she (1) did not understand what I was trying to get her to do and (2) did not care.
I love the shifty eyes in this picture.
The very next Saturday, we had another big storm. This was the day of our Cookie Party! so Geoff and Hazel shoveled the walks. I love this series of pictures.
Cookie Party!!!
We had our 2nd Annual Cookie Party a couple of weeks ago. Okay, maybe one week ago, but it has been a really crazy couple of weeks so it seems like it was a lot longer ago. And I am tired. And don't have the English....diction...
Anyway, I think the party was fabulous. The stupid rice in my chicken soup fell apart (again!) but it was still good and really the kids just cared about the massive quantities of frosting and candy. All in all, I think it was a lot of fun and even though it is always a lot of working to have a party, it is worth it.
Anyway, I think the party was fabulous. The stupid rice in my chicken soup fell apart (again!) but it was still good and really the kids just cared about the massive quantities of frosting and candy. All in all, I think it was a lot of fun and even though it is always a lot of working to have a party, it is worth it.
Labels: Cookie Party, friends, hazel
Random Pictures
Dog angel.
Angry baby who is ready for some fisticuffs.
Posing by Grandma Betty's tree. Hazel comment as she looks at this picture is, "Kitty! Kitty!" Apparently, Grandma Betty has a kitty or two. Or three.
The kid needs to earn her keep somehow. Geoff pays her a nickel to act as a foot rest.
Fake hair + baby = hilarious.
And the full-length sherpa shot. This was in preparation for voyaging to Tutu's house.
Angry baby who is ready for some fisticuffs.
Posing by Grandma Betty's tree. Hazel comment as she looks at this picture is, "Kitty! Kitty!" Apparently, Grandma Betty has a kitty or two. Or three.
The kid needs to earn her keep somehow. Geoff pays her a nickel to act as a foot rest.
Fake hair + baby = hilarious.
And the full-length sherpa shot. This was in preparation for voyaging to Tutu's house.
Labels: hazel
Thursday, November 29, 2007
My First Video Post
Oh yeah, that girl of mine is brilliant. Here she is spelling her name.
Labels: hazel, spelling, video
Friday, November 16, 2007
November? Already?!?!
Hazel and her lion.
She put this sweater on all by herself. Mom helped with the pigtails.
Hazel is getting really good at signing. She knows way more signs then we do, and likes to show them off. A couple of days ago I was taking pictures of Hazel and she asked me to take pictures of various toys (see the lion above). Today we are going through pictures and she sees this picture of a penguin:
This was the result (hard to tell in a still photo but she is signing penquin and it is darn cute):
Oh, and she has discovered the joy that is Oreo. Oh-wee-oh.
Obviously, she was quite embarrased by the mess she made.
And some random stories without photos:
She put this sweater on all by herself. Mom helped with the pigtails.
Hazel is getting really good at signing. She knows way more signs then we do, and likes to show them off. A couple of days ago I was taking pictures of Hazel and she asked me to take pictures of various toys (see the lion above). Today we are going through pictures and she sees this picture of a penguin:
This was the result (hard to tell in a still photo but she is signing penquin and it is darn cute):
Oh, and she has discovered the joy that is Oreo. Oh-wee-oh.
Obviously, she was quite embarrased by the mess she made.
And some random stories without photos:- Hazel has been having great fun playing with dolls singing, “Rock baby, rock baby” over and over again. Also, tucking in the doll, or bunny, or kitty, or alligator, etc. in and kissing it goodnight.
- She also has taken to riding the rocking horse crazily saying “yee-haw, yee-haw”, again with much chanting over and over again. Actually, it is probably closer to “ee-aw” like what a donkey says. Also, sometimes animals get to ride too. Right now it is a bunny.
- Early today she was rocking so crazily that she flipped the rocking horse over. She got up and said "WHOA! Big ee-aw!"
- She will ask for “pia-cy” (privacy) when using her potty. Not going to happen.
- She also insiststhat mommy gets a sticker for using the potty. For, you see, Hazel gets a sticker for using the potty. It is only fair that mommy gets one too.
- When she wakes up, she will sometimes alert me by saying, “Mom, I wake.” This is greatly preferable to her waking up cranky.
- She claps and cheers when we finally get what she is saying/signing. Like, “Way to go, you idiot, I have been saying cheese for like an hour here.”
- When I ask her what she wants for breakfast, I usually get one of two responses. The first is, “food”. If I ask for clarification, as in “do you want eggs?”, “No! Food!”. The second response is, “candy”. She does not get candy for breakfast. I counter her candy with let’s say eggs. “No eggs. Candy?” And so on and so forth. Both of these can go on for quite some time. Eventually we just end up eating oatmeal.
Labels: dirty, food, hazel, signing, Stories
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
Hazel was a vampire for Halloween. You know, she bites. Although, she only tried to bite once the whole night. She had a great time Trick-or-Treating and was a big hit. She was cute and friendly and wished people "Halloween!" The "happy" was really more just implied, not so much spoken.
And the vampire family at home.
I was a Lazy Eye for work. It was hilarious. to me. No one got my costume. But, I found myself to be quite funny. But way too hot.
I was a Lazy Eye for work. It was hilarious. to me. No one got my costume. But, I found myself to be quite funny. But way too hot.
Labels: Geoff, halloween, hazel, Lazy Eye Costume, meadow, vampire
Not Related to Halloween
Hazel playing with the oh-so-authentic Castle Greyskull
Hazel being a cutie pants. A cutie overall pants.
Hazel and Alex in the shower. They have the same stare!!
And cute little baby Alex.
Hazel being a cutie pants. A cutie overall pants.
Hazel and Alex in the shower. They have the same stare!!
And cute little baby Alex.
Labels: alex, Castle Greyskull, cousins, hazel
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A Brief History of October
A few things notable October events:
- Hazel learned about tents. This involves putting something, especially a blanket, over her head. In fact, Hazel and the daddy are playing in a tent this very moment.
- Hazel learned about "lights on" and how to turn on the dining room light (aided by the fact that our safe is sitting under the light switch and is the perfect height to assist her in turning it on).
- A whole lot of "shut up"s and "don't know"s
- Even more crazy outfits (see exhibit a) - why does she have the carbon monoxide tester? I have no idea. We will probably die in our sleep.
- Not a lot of naps.
- (random story) One night I mentioned to Geoff that I needed to go to the library the next day because I had books due. All Hazel heard was library and she got very excited. She got her stuff ready and started chanting "li-berry, li-berry". When I explained that we were not going until the next day, she lost it. However, when the next day came and we actually went to the library she was ecstatic. A girl after my own library-lovin' heart. Or, really her librarian grandma's heart.
- Oh, and a lot of candy. And it isn't even Halloween yet.
- Fish faces, really silly faces in general.
- Helping daddy rake leaves.
- And, apparently, a lot of ponytails and looking concerned.
Labels: Geoff, hair, hazel, library, Stories
Saturday, October 6, 2007
21 Months!!
Yeah, it has been a while since we had a monthly update but oh, what a month it has been. Hazel has now moved to a "big girl" aka toddler bed. This is the reason she had to get a new bed.The new bed which she does not feel the need to nap in... She will go to bed at night, but naps are another deal all together. She had a nap today, so hopefully this whole no-nap thing will go away.
This has also been the month of "no way". I must hear "no way" one hundred times a day. Everything is met with, "no way", really more of a "no wee". Even if she is agreement, she will still no way me and then say 'yeah'.
Oh, and she says 'shut up' now. Awesome. She just started chanting "shut up, shut up, shut up" one day and seeing that it causes a reaction (because, come on, the "shut up, shut up, shut up" is kind of funny), she has continued on with the chanting. She is, in fact, this minute shouting "shut up" at our skull. It lights up with noise and apparently, especially with "shut up".
Hazel has also recently discovered the moon. We got out of the car one night and she started shrieking (joyfully) "The Moon! Hooray, The Moon!!" We always look for the moon, day and night. We sing songs about the moon.
We are also painting our house. It is far more difficult and time-consuming than we had originally anticipated. Plus, the weather had completely not cooperated. It has rained practically every weekend since we started (like today). My mom was nice enough to come down and take care of Hazel while Geoff worked on the house.
Geoff was kind of going crazy with the painting...
And since it is now Halloween month, I made Hazel this smashing dress. Frankly, I don't love it but it is okay. The pattern was kind of weird, and it was hard to match up the stripes and I was not as patient as I could have been. And I made a matching dress for the baby. And a hat for me. That I will probably never wear.I have been on a sewing kick. You can see the pink skull dress that I made in the elephant pictures. It was made at the same time as the reversible spider/red flower dress. I hope I still have enough in me to get through Halloween costumes.
When Zoe Jane was one-ish, Auntie Jenni and Meadow gave her this awesome elephant. We even sewed a hat and saddle for it. Well Zoe Jane is old now, and too big for the elephant. So she gave it to her cousin Hazel. Hazel LOVES the elephant. Here are a
couple of pictures of Hazel and the elephant.
Finally, a picture of Hazel's scared face. Oh, it is going to be a fantastic Halloween!
Labels: climbing, dresses, Grandma, halloween, hazel, monthly update
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Slacker Mom No More!
We bought this bird book at Costco. It is giant and has lots of pictures of birds. And it makes noise. Which goes against my ban of noisy toys. But this book is actually pretty cool. It is not a kids book it has recordings of the actual bird noises. Hazel loves it. Especially the turkey page. And she likes to share it with her blue friend.
You don't get the full picture her, but she is in the baby crib, with a blanket and like four stuffed animals and the wire/bead toy thing and a couple of books. It kept her occupied for a good hour this morning.
And finally, Geoff wanted Hazel to be "scary" for Halloween. I guess she took it to heart...
Seriously, I have no idea what she was doing, but she looks crazy.
The other day we found some sort of flying thing in Hazel's room. It was orange and black and I think it was a moth, Geoff thinks it was a butterfly, at first Hazel called it a spider (see the itsy-bitsy-spider motion in the first picture). We explained that it was a butterfly and now she is fascinated with butterflies and has to point them out in books.
The butterfly let Hazel hold it*. She was mesmerized.
Harry Potter? Nope, that is a "bandaid". Turns out stickers are WAY cheaper than bandaids and when there is no blood they work just as well. And as a handy bonus, I have a calendar at work that has stickers every day. Well, it combines the weekends but still it is a lot of stickers.
Harry Potter? Nope, that is a "bandaid". Turns out stickers are WAY cheaper than bandaids and when there is no blood they work just as well. And as a handy bonus, I have a calendar at work that has stickers every day. Well, it combines the weekends but still it is a lot of stickers.
You don't get the full picture her, but she is in the baby crib, with a blanket and like four stuffed animals and the wire/bead toy thing and a couple of books. It kept her occupied for a good hour this morning.
This picture looks peaceful, when in fact she was dumping a box of animal crackers in her baby crib. She did, however, pick up most of the crumbs and the dustbuster took care of the rest.
And finally, Geoff wanted Hazel to be "scary" for Halloween. I guess she took it to heart...
Seriously, I have no idea what she was doing, but she looks crazy.
*No butterflies were harmed in the making of this blog. It was released back into the wild of hte backyard.
Labels: books, butterfly, hazel
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Bangs!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Monkeys, climbing and dresses. Oh my!
I think this picture captures some of the mischievousness that is the Hazel.
Sometimes she wants to eat with her animals. Notice the matching bibs.
And what do her stuffed animals eat? Goldfish crackers, of course.
Do you see how ALL of Hazel's stuff is on the ground? She has to dump all the boxes when she plays. I am guessing she wants to see all the stuff at once. I don't know. But, notice she is dressed and has a barrette in her hair and is (mostly) on the ground.
Obviously, Geoff took this picture. As I don't so much care for the climbing on the crib and try to discourage it as much as possible. Thank goodness she only climbs into the crib. Of course, the floor is pretty clean and I didn't see any visible bruises or cuts, so I guess it isn't too bad.
For Labor Day weekend, the mama, the Hazel and the Jenni went to Wyoming to visit the grandparents. While there, the mama spent many hours of back-breaking work sewing dresses. And ignoring the Hazel, according to the grandmother. She may have been momentarily ignored, but look at the cute end result. 
Hazel is very taken with taking care of her animals. She will actually get the dogs (the real dogs) food and likes to help fill their water bowl. This is a great skill, one which I heartily endorse. She also likes putting her stuffed animals and dolls into her high chair, buckling them in and feeding them. I am just waiting for her to get big enough to pick up Triscuit and buckle him in.
Sometimes she wants to eat with her animals. Notice the matching bibs.
And what do her stuffed animals eat? Goldfish crackers, of course.
Do you see how ALL of Hazel's stuff is on the ground? She has to dump all the boxes when she plays. I am guessing she wants to see all the stuff at once. I don't know. But, notice she is dressed and has a barrette in her hair and is (mostly) on the ground.
Obviously, Geoff took this picture. As I don't so much care for the climbing on the crib and try to discourage it as much as possible. Thank goodness she only climbs into the crib. Of course, the floor is pretty clean and I didn't see any visible bruises or cuts, so I guess it isn't too bad.
For Labor Day weekend, the mama, the Hazel and the Jenni went to Wyoming to visit the grandparents. While there, the mama spent many hours of back-breaking work sewing dresses. And ignoring the Hazel, according to the grandmother. She may have been momentarily ignored, but look at the cute end result. A scary spider dress and a sweet red flower dress:
Oh, but wait, they are the same dress!! I love things that are reversible. The bloomers are not reversible. I made two sets. And I made a pink skully dress but don't have a picture of it. When Jenni sends me pictures from our long walk to Colorado, I will post pictures of the pink dress.
And finally, a cute picture with natural lighting. And it shows detail of the top of her dress.
Labels: animals, climbing, dresses, hazel
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Zoo and Kisses and Silly Faces
Hazel and mama went to the zoo on Sunday morning. We started to leave the house at around 9:30am. Then Hazel had to find her backpack. Then she had to find a hat. But not the hat that I picked out because apparently it was the WRONG hat. I think she made the correct choice on hats, as the red one matched her shorts and shoes. Once we got to the zoo, I realized that I had forgotten my zoo pass. DOH! And Hazel wanted food. So, we went home and got the zoo pass and then tried to find food. Apparently, there are no bakeries open on Sunday. So, we bought Goldfish pretzels and finally headed to the zoo. And all was well in the universe. Until we got to the zoo (at like 11am) and I realized I hadn't brought money for the train. Double-DOH! Lucky for Hazel, I had enough parking meter money in my ashtray to pay for the train (.75). So, after all that drama, we had a fabulous time at the zoo. We saw alligators and crocodiles and the wolf (who came we called) and rode the train. And Hazel wore her monkey backpack and the red hat and looked smashing.
Hazel has been blowing a lot of kisses lately. It is a fantastic trick. Not only is it darling, but it also keeps people away. I don't need the world kissin' my kid and she hates it even more than I do. This is where blowing kisses comes in handy. The cuteness of the blowing kisses stops them in the track, and viola! no touching the Hazel. 
Oh, and have I mentioned the cuteness that is barrette pigtails? The mama wears a lot of ponytails. My hair is too freakin' long and I like to keep it up (really, I need to cut it). Hazel is a mimic and wants ponytails too. Which is fine except that my ponyholders are giant and it ends up being all holder and no pony. Which is where barrettes come in... Hazel loves barrettes. I let her pick the barrettes and decide if she wants 1 or 2. And after they are installed she has to point out my hair and her hair. Repeatedly. And then I have to point out the cuteness. On the internet. Repeatedly. 
And here is the Hazel make faces through the door. She is crazy. Crazy like a pig.
Hazel has been blowing a lot of kisses lately. It is a fantastic trick. Not only is it darling, but it also keeps people away. I don't need the world kissin' my kid and she hates it even more than I do. This is where blowing kisses comes in handy. The cuteness of the blowing kisses stops them in the track, and viola! no touching the Hazel. 
Oh, and have I mentioned the cuteness that is barrette pigtails? The mama wears a lot of ponytails. My hair is too freakin' long and I like to keep it up (really, I need to cut it). Hazel is a mimic and wants ponytails too. Which is fine except that my ponyholders are giant and it ends up being all holder and no pony. Which is where barrettes come in... Hazel loves barrettes. I let her pick the barrettes and decide if she wants 1 or 2. And after they are installed she has to point out my hair and her hair. Repeatedly. And then I have to point out the cuteness. On the internet. Repeatedly. 
And here is the Hazel make faces through the door. She is crazy. Crazy like a pig.