School! And some other stuff...

School has started here in San Ramon.  I am now the proud mother of a big {tiny} 3rd grader and a kindergartner!  It is weird.

Kadie got an awesome teacher.  We are so excited.  She gives the kids hugs every morning.  She started out as a social worker, a profession that pulls at my heart strings a bit.  She discovered that she loved teaching through that.  Her name is Mrs. Smart...how much better can that get?  Kadie is loving school and has already completed a class presentation and learned 4 cursive letters.  She loves 3rd grade.  She is also doing so great at piano.  She has already started composing her own little songs.  I think she truly has a talent, and she loves it.  We found her "thing".  Yay!

Laney has another awesome teacher for Kindergarten.  She didn't get Kadie's old Kindergarten teacher, and we were sad about that because we loved Mrs. Young.  Laney's teacher is Mrs. Mochizuki...she is Australian born, and has lived all over the world.  She seems very structured {good for Laney}, organized and fun.  Laney is having over-sensory issues with the ginormous class size.  24 kids...could become 26 through the year.  So sad.  When Kadie was in Kindergarten she was so lucky to be in a looped class of 10 Kindergartners and 10 first graders.  It was so cool to have so much time with the teacher.  Her teacher truly knew her.  I am hoping among the chaos of a larger class that Laney will be fine.  But one full week of her having anxiety attacks is getting me worried.  Every night she cries and says "There are just so many kids!"  In the morning she does the same.  It took me 30 minutes to get her to go into class on Tuesday.  We made a star chart, and for every day that she goes into class and is brave {and doesn't come back out of class looking for me and Crew} she gets a star.  5 stars gets her an ice cream cone at the ice cream store, or a prize from the dollar section at Target.  I love bribery...hopefully it works...and really it is actually just an incentive because she gets the reward after she goes to class.  I feel good about the star chart. :)

Crew is having WAY too much fun bossing me around with no one else here.  He started this new conversation thing where he starts out with "So...mom..." and waits for me to say "What Crew"...then he talks in French or something that sounds like French...although I can usually make out "Buzz, Woody, Cars, Daddy, Kadie, Laney..."  He is a cutie.  He is constantly asking for kisses, hugs, and saying "I Yuv You _____!"  He says everything like it has an exclamation point at the end.  He is so enthusiastic.

Josh is back to a busy schedule...I mean wait...He is just the same.  Busy.  But we came up with a plan where Sunday nights we choose one night that looks a little less busy in his schedule for him to come home and have dinner with me and the kids.  It worked this week!  Hoping we can keep it up.  It is so nice for the kids to see their Dad during the week.  He got awesome reviews this last year, I am so proud of him.  Senior Manager here we come!

I am busy with projects of course.  Just finished wedding invitations for my cousin.  I also painted and redid Crew's room and Laney's.  On to Kadie's room {painting}, the primary program, Waldron Family Cookbook, and Children's swap!  Bring it on September!

Leisa :)

My Josh...

Happy Cinco De Mayo, and Happy Anniversary to US!

Warning: This is mushy and squishy and specifically written for Josh...ok.  I have warned.

Since I met Josh 11 1/2 years ago, I haven't seen anything in front of me except him.

After only 2 months of dating, I knew he was who I wanted to {hopefully} marry and be with forever.

There have been a few definite moments in our marriage that were almost more than I could handle, and through my craziness he stood by me.  I knew we loved each other when we got married, but I had no idea how much that could grow.  I also knew he would be a good father and husband, but I had no idea what an AMAZING father and husband he would be.

We were so cheesy when we were first together.  We spent pretty much EVERY minute together.  We wrote love notes.  We took walks every day.  We spent hours on the phone when we weren't together.  Then, we spent the hours we had together telling each other what we loved about one another.

Times have changed so much in 11 1/2 years.   I like to call it Modern cheesy!  Instead of written love notes, we send emails and texts.  I don't know what I would do with out being able to send Josh an instant message and instantly get a reply.  No matter how hard it is between work and kids, we make time in our separate schedules so that we have time together.   Then, we spend the time we do have together talking about all of the work and the kids.

I just wanted to write down, how thankful I am to have someone like Josh in my life.  Of course our marriage isn't perfect, and there is always room for improvement - especially on my end.  What I am thankful for is that Josh doesn't ever comment on my flaws, he cheers me on in all of the good things he see's in me.  That cheering is what gives me energy and makes me want to be a better wife, mother, and person.

Happy Anniversary My Josh, I love you!

Here are some fun photos through the years...

Merry Christmas!

This last year of 2010 was one of the fullest we have known!

Crew Boy!

• learned how to walk and immediately began RUNNING and JUMPING!!!
• words so far:

mama

daddeeeee!

Dee Dee (Kadie)

Nay Nee (Laney)

Mineeeeey! (Mine)

no no no! (while pointing his finger and smiling)

awe (putting his head to the side when something is cute)

joo (juice)

ha dah (hotdog)

• Crew also knows to fold his arms in prayer and he dances to all kinds of music
• He gives the sweetest little kisses, and he has a baby doll.
• He is a monkey and climbs on EVERYTHING, and breaks most things he throws.
• Crew stole the title of Messiest from Laney, and probably also owns the title of best tantrum thrower. We will continue watching him closely in 2011. :)

Laney

• Learned to write her first name as well as f-o-x, c-a-t, l-o-v-e, n-o, y-e-s, t-o, and m-o-m and d-a-d. She leaves notes everywhere in the house.
• She is always right at my feet when I am upset about something telling me she loves me.
• Laney LOVES flash cards. Any and all kinds!
• Laney discovered the world of girly toys and things this year. She still has a special love of dinosaurs, but she and Kadie play all sorts of princess and fairy games.
• Laney has also started "crafting" with her sister after school.
• Laney still owns the title of Most Curious child, but Crew is a close match!

Kadie

• Kadie became a big kid in my eyes this year which really makes me happy and sad at the same time. :) :( But mostly happy. :)
• Kadie was baptized this year, she pays tithing, and she reminds me now of family prayer, scripture study and family home evening. I even put her in charge of one lesson and she is a natural at teaching!
• Kadie's favorite thing in the world is NATURE. Anything and everything about it.
• Kadie changes her brothers diaper sometimes, she even offers to vacuum on occasion.
• Kadie is a WIZ at math and loves it almost as much as her Daddy. She rarely comes home missing more than one problem on her math or spelling tests.
• Kadie has even dabbled in jewelry design this year, and wears one of her most recent bracelets almost every day.
• She wants to be a mom when she grows up, and I think she will be such a patient mother.
• Kadie still wins the award for Most Dramatic in our family, and she can add a touch of Sassy to the mix most days.

Josh and Leisa

Leisa started a few new hobbies this year including party throwing and her Sassy Pepper blog. She discovered a new obsession with organizing, which doesn't last long with an 8, 4 and 1 year old. Instead of trying to be the perfect mom this year, she tried being more fun, and the kids voted to keep the fun. :) Leisa is also in the Primary Presidency as an intern... I mean, counselor. She now knows the secret to making it all work at church is just that...a SECRET that she hasn't discovered yet! :) Leisa wins title of Most Crazy, but a good crazy, not "crazy" crazy,

at least not yet.

Josh was so blessed to be given the opportunity to go back to what he loves again for a career. Josh is now an Audit manager with a full staff at PWC and absolutely loves it. His engagements include Twitter and Zip Realty! Somehow, he still finds time to play the Wii with Kadie, bake cookies with Laney and wrestle with Crew. We are back to our old schedule of working hard in the week and playing twice as hard on the weekend! I think Josh deserves the award of Most Thoughtful because although he is overworked and underpaid...he does anything I ask, even without the asking.

This upcoming May will mark 10 years in our marriage! And we plan on celebrating in style.

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that your year to come is full of joy and happiness. We also are so thankful for all of you, and most of all our Savior.

With Love,

Josh, Leisa, Kadie (8), Laney (4.75), and Crew (1.5)

"From Dad"

Conversation between Laney and I while Laney was creating a card for her Dad.

Laney: "How do I write from Dad?"

Leisa: "You mean to Dad or for Dad?"

Laney: "No... one Dad,"

Leisa: "Is the card for Dad or to Dad?"

Laney: "I made the card for my Dad, Mom."

Leisa: "Do you want it to say To Dad or For Dad, Laney?"

Laney Starting to Cry: "It is only one Dad. (sniff) Just my Dad!"

Leisa: "Oh ONE Dad, I'm sorry now I get it. It's okay Laney, don't cry. Let's just write for my Dad."

Laney with tears: "No ONE Dad mama, ONE Dad, my Dad!"

Leisa: "Okay, let's just write My Dad. Is that okay?"

Laney: (sniff sniff) "OK mama, How do I write my Dad?"

Leisa: "M-Y and then D-A-D. My Dad."

Laney with a giant grin: "Thanks mama!"

The End.

8 things and 60 days!

Before the post, I would like to exclaim the excitement of seeing that today is 60 DAYS UNTIL MY DUE DATE.  Time is gonna fly.

Yet another tag...Thank you Debbie!

I think I usually learn something about myself in these.  Like that I watch too much T.V. or need to go out to eat more.  (hint hint Josh)

The Big 8 THINGS ABOUT ME
Here are the Rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment
PS these are NOT in order.

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
1. 24
2. The Office

3. Any home improvement show on TLC - I will put it to good use in the Millennium when Josh and I finally own a home.

4. Kath and Kim

5. John and Kate Plus 8 - Kate ragging on John - and him just sitting there is hilarious.
6. House
7. Gilmore Girls re-runs
8. So you think you can dance

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY 
1. Up bright and early for "wonderful/wacky Wednesday" to take Kadie to school
2. Listed our crappy couch on Craigslist.
3. Re-vamped Etsy and www.thesilverloft.com
4. Looked for houses on the Internet (dream)
5. Kadie's friend Grace came over - we made mini pizza's for lunch, and flower bouquets for a craft from pipe cleaner and fake flowers, they were quite the creative diva's.
6. Cleaned up "pee pees in the grass" from Laney.  She refers to our carpet as the grass.  But she did get fruit snacks as a treat 20 minutes later when she peed in the potty chair.
7. Waited for a lame Craigslist caller to NOT show up to look at our crappy couch in the garage.
8. Hung out with Natalie for a few

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO
1. Getting my new pillow fabric so I can make our NEW COUCH look awesome-er!
2. The Office tonight
3. Laney being completely potty trained
4. Busy season done with so I can have my hubby back for a limited time
5. Pool days and parks this summer!
6. Kadie learning how to ride her bike without training wheels
7. Shelter Cove next weekend
8. Brand new tiny baby BOY in only 60 DAYS OR LESS!!!
 
8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. In-n-Out
2. Elephant Bar
3. Texas Roadhouse
4. Wing Stop (not really a restaurant...but I love the spicy wings)
5. This Thai place in Dublin...what is it called Josh?  It is always empty of people!
6. Mandarin Flower in Orinda...no one is ever there either so you get your food fast.
7. PF Changs
8. Specialties Cookies (Josh brings me home goodies from the city)

8 THINGS ON MY WISH-LIST
1. Buying a house (with an office for Josh so we can see him more)!
2. No stretch marks???  Can I wish for that?
3. I know...Josh being filthy rich so I can take care of my stretch marks...and feed the hungry of course.
4. A healthy tiny baby boy
5. US of A getting back on track.  Can Obama do it?

6. My kids growing up with cousins near by
7. Date night every weekend with Josh...we try but it definitely doesn't happen every week
8. 40 hour work weeks, I need a fairy God Mother for that one.

8 PEOPLE I TAG
1. Kyker
2. Natalie
3. Loralee/Troy
4. Melissa
5. Kirsten
6. Sami
7. Andrea
8. Stefanie

"A-bread-a-la-ducks"!

One word.  "A-bread-a-la-ducks"!  Means; "Let's go feed bread to the ducks!" in Laney language.  And yes, her face is squished up just like that when she says it.  :)

Since last week was crazy, and the girls missed their Daddy...we had to unwind and have some fun on Saturday.  We always have to play hard on the weekends because it is OUR time together.  So we treated the girls to none other than McDonald's and went to a nearby shopping center called Blackhawk and fed the ducks.

Christmas Eve

Whenever we are in town, we start our Holiday Celebrations Christmas Eve with my family for the sibling gift exchange.  For the past couple of years though...it has turned into the open everything from each other exchange.  I think Kadie likes it that way. :)

We made lots and lots of treats and decorated sugar cookies.  (And a big giant sprinkle mess - sorry mom).  In the end Alex won the contest of best cookie because she put "presents" under her cookie tree.  First place Alex!

We all had fun opening gifts from each other.  Nick and Josh started a nurf gun war later that night with their findings.  I took lots of pictures with my new lens covers.  Josh is prepared now to cook food on a propane grill when we go camping and the girls played with a new train set!

Grammy got a new knife set and a gift card to a great restaurant...and Papa G got some space heaters!!!

Laney ended with night like usual with no pants and playing with Duke. :)

It was a very Merry Christmas Eve!

Ward Christmas Party

Holiday party...Mormon style.  Lots of food, kids and craziness.  We actually stayed for the entire program this year because Kadie was dressed like an angel for the little program that the primary kids did for the adults. 

 

Kadie was excited to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.  (An American girl doll!).  She is convinced that she has been a good girl and will get what she want. :)

Laney was too afraid of Santa, but was very in love with this brownie!

This is my "Josh will you please stop taking pictures of me" look.

And Natalie T. below me, giving her husband Steve the same look. :)

And Jason A. below that posing for the camera!

The Primary kids were so cute all dressed as Angels and Shepherds.  I think Laney was trying to be the shining star in the picture below.  ???

Early Christmas for Josh!

Men are the hardest to buy for aren't they? I have NOTHING to surprise Josh with. He pretty much knows all of what he is getting. And I have been a little preoccupied with what this little being inside me will be like.

Yesterday Josh and I went to the doctor. Look at this cute tiny baby!

It was fun to see the baby wiggle around, and find out everything looks good so far. I am a bit of a worrier.

For Christmas this year, I was somehow able to sneak in a little gift of testosterone, despite my strange dreams of having twin girls!

Can you tell what Josh and I are getting a few months after Christmas this year?

Happy Boy Day!!!

Family Pictures

My friend Mandi, who is such an amazing portrait photographer offered to take pictures of our family last weekend. We went to Baker beach (where supposedly clothing is optional! - but it was too cold for that).


Here are some goodies from the fastest photo shoot in the world. The light was fading, Laney was screaming (You'll notice an absence of photo's of Laney) And yet, Mandi still got some amazing shots. :) Thank you Mandi!

The End!