Its the Little Things We Do

In November, Christina had a friend spend the night. Her friend drove her own car over. After dinner they went out. They got home sometime around 2am. I went out to get the newspaper at 7:30am, and the car was not out front. I assumed that Natalie just dropped Christina off, and went home. So when Natalie and Christina started yelling at 10:00am "Wheres my car?" I knew we were in trouble. At first we thought it was stolen. Then I remembered the next door neighbor asking us a week or two earlier, if we had called and had their car towed. So the girls went next door and asked them what happened to their car. Turned out that the HOA had towed theirs and apparently Natalie's. It cost her parents $110. to get it out of the impound. Well, you know me, I wrote several emails to the board asking for explanations. I argued, 'how are we suppose to know that there is no over night parking? We didn't get CC&R's when we moved in. As we had never had anyone park in front of our house before. Wheres the warnings?' I complained up and down and left and right. Now look whats in our neighborhood. Also a mass letter was sent to all the homes, stating that there is NO overnight parking. Well, at least NOW we all have proper warnings. $110. to late for Natalie's parents tho.

Christina decided recently to play Chef and Supergirl at the same time, and broke my blender right in half.So, I just HAD to use my birthday gift cards and buy these. I was going to buy a new crockpot, since mine is ancient, (Seriously, it was a wedding present to Chris and I), but Macys did not have the one I wanted. Maybe for Christmas.... I love my hand blender. I love making soups in my old crockpot, but I always had to let it cool down, then scoop it out into my blender to puree them. Now I can do it right in the crockpot! Yes, I know, it is the little things that excite me.

Last weekend Mike pulled out our Christmas boxes. We haven't unpacked them, but at least they are out of the attic, and the Halloween ones are now up there. While out in the garage the boys saw the big box that the Papa Bill Jeep came in, they unfolded it and were playing in it. Mike told them if they helped clean up the den and living room, he would make them a play house out of it. It has a door, and windows. The boys took markers to it after I took these pictures, and drew lots of designs all over their house. Mike set up a TV in the window, put their couch in it, and thats where they at lunch at. Its now folded back up in the garage to make way for the Christmas Tree, but its there to pull out and play make believe again anytime they want. They don't need presents. Just the boxes!

Christina got to take her first trolley ride in San Fransisco. Yes, she dyed her blonde hair brown. Yes, it was against my wishes. Yes, I KNOW, I use to make my hair all different colors when I was a teen. But that doesn't mean I have to be thrilled about her dark hair! She's still beautiful tho, Whether it is brown, purple or orange. My brother Frank with our nephew JJ. That is short for John Jakob. Before Michelle got pregnant with him, Leonard had a dream that said "Name your son John Jakob, and he will be Ok." So they did, and look, He's not just ok, he is beautiful! Mom holding her grandson. I can't wait until I get to hold him. But he will probably be walking by that time, unfortunately. :( Look at how big Miss Elektra is getting!! She's adorable! Christina made the soccer team! So now I have to pick her up from practice. Thats the only stinky part of it. Practice or games everyday, lots of driving. At least gas prices are down to $1.78! That makes a big difference!