4:07 pm.

I am still in my pajamas.

Yuppie Kids.

It started when Haley was a baby. We lived down the street from the most delicious sushi restaurant. We went all the time. Seriously...they had our own fancy chopsticks in a locked cabinet. When Haley started eating solids, the owner brought her out some tofu in a bowl. It kinda scared me...but he assured us all of his kids enjoyed it. And sure enough, she was a fan. So we ate our sushi and she ate tofu.

Our love affair with sushi has continued. Now both girls like it. Unfortunately, it is a pricey habit, so we have to be creative about how we order. But the kids LOVE miso soup, edamames (Lexi calls them "mommys"), and california rolls. They also enjoy going to teppan restaurants. I'm not quite as in to teppan (As Jen Tompkins pointed out last week...I don't like food that is cooked.) That is true. I'm not much of a meat eater, and if I'm gonna eat fish, I prefer it raw. However, my kids like teppan because they cook it in front of them. They enjoy the fire and the show.

Their Grandparents enjoy it too. They have gone with both of our parents to different restaurants, but lately, they have been talking Bruce and Connie into taking them to J Toyko for lunch every Wednesday. It is a Japanese restaurant here in town. They love it. In fact, they talk about it all the time. Haley's preschool director was asking me about J Tokyos the other day, because Haley had told her how excited she was to eat there. Then my friend Gina who had Haley with her on Thursday said that Haley was requesting J Tokyos for lunch. Gina had never heard of the place. How about El Pollo Loco instead, she asked. Literally, as they were pulling out of the parking lot, with their lunch in the car that Gina was so generous to buy for them, Haley is still begging to go to J Tokyos. Oddly enough, I've never eaten there with her. It must be good though...check out some of these pics from last Wednesday's lunch.


This picture makes me laugh...she is obviously very happy with her soup!

Hot Date

The best thing possible for our marriage is alone time. We've really been trying to make room for that the past few months by having a date night. Last night we went to Sushi (shocking I know) and then saw Leatherheads. (Celeste - my review is Strong/Weak in a Way.) It is just so nice to be alone, have adult conversation, and share some laughs...it always reminds us of the reason we fell in love long ago. It can be costly, but it's well worth it. I'd rather pay a little money (for a babysitter and whatever we do that night) than have a struggling marriage.

If you haven't been alone with your spouse in a while...I highly recommend it. To my friends with kids around here...I'm always up for a co-op. (Taking turns watching each other's kids so we don't have to pay for babysitting.) Let me know!

I am giddy.

For 2 reasons:

1. New Kids on the Block were on the Today Show this morning....I felt like I was 13 all over again. Mark your calendars now for their May 16th performance on the TODAY show.

2. I live in HB. I drove downtown this morning on my way to drop Haley off at school. I can't believe I live here. Now, I am walking downtown to meet Gina Michell for breakfast at the Shack. What a life.

Like Father...Like Daughter....

7pm and lights out!

The kids are wiped. It is 7:12....they are out! Mom is happy...but wishing Curtis was home to enjoy the quiet with me.

Another Day Another Surgery

zzzzzzzzz (that was actually Lexi typing.)
So as you can see or read, she is fine. Maybe just a little tired since she is typing about zzzzz's.

So we woke our precious angel up at 6:45 and drove over to the hospital. She was as sweet as could be. They checked her in and gave her some loopy meds to give her temporary amnesia...so she doesn't hate doctors or hospitals after this experience. It was quite funny watching the meds kick in. She was high as a kite...but very smiley and happy. The doctor who is the most laid back doctor I have EVER seen, was like "Oh wow...she is so chilled out. That's cool." I'm thinking, okay, you are cool too...just don't be too laid back that you mess up on my daughter.

Then the anesthesiologist comes in...sweet as can be. Older Gentleman playing peek-a-boo with his mask with Lex. (The peek a boo game started when she insisted that he put his mask "on." She's very OCD.) He was great until he started in on all the risks...you know, strokes, paralysis, death...all things that parents LOVE to hear about! But he was reassuring, and we weren't too worried. But in the back of your head, you're thinking...there is always a chance.

By now, Lexi is ready to go back to surgery, and we go sit in the waiting room. A couple minutes later, another mom walked out whose 8 or 9 year old son was having some sort of procedure. We exchanged the comforting mom glance. You know the one...the one that says, I know..I'm worried too. She was a little more freaked out than I and her tears started making me a little nervous. Luckily, the good Lord knew I needed a distraction. And so he scheduled George Clooney to be on the Today show and had that segment play while I was sitting in the waiting room. It was a nice distraction. :)

About 20 minutes later, I heard a familiar cry. A couple minutes later, a nurse came and got us and reminded us that ALL kids cry when they wake from Anesthesia. And oh my, was she right. Lexi was quite sad. Mostly from being disoriented, they reassured us. She was dazed and confused...crying and screaming for Mommy and Daddy. She cried and cried. About 10 minutes into it, they gave her some juice which calmed her down. And then she took a bite of a graham cracker. I knew we were gonna be okay.

The doctor came over and said she did great. He said there was a lot of fluid in both ears...so this is going to even help her to hear better. YEAH! I feel affirmed that we made the right decision. Then, a nice nurse named Susan came over to talk to Curtis and I to tell us how much she enjoys us singing at church. That was sweet. Almost a reminder...a gentle nudge from God saying...I'm here for you...in the big and the small things. Always here.

We were told we could go home. I don't think Lexi has ever been happier to get in her car seat. She was nice and relaxed until Curtis pulled over at Newport Burgers to get some coffee and breakfast sandwiches. When he brought me my coffee...Lexi protested that she wanted juice. So she got juice. In between her sips of juice, she was chanting "HOME...HOME...HOME."

We finally got home, and she headed straight for Molly. The ultimate "LOVEY" and snuggled up with her. Well, first she "bounce like Tigger" on Molls, then she gave her some love.

She has since requested to watch Woody. So she's having a nice relaxing sick day watching Toy Story snacking on a bowl of Cheerios.

All is well. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Little Lex

Lexi is getting tubes in her ears tomorrow (Thursday) at 7am. She has had 15 ear infections in the past year, so this is our last option. For those of you who have asked what getting tubes requires, the description is below.

If you want to say a little prayer for her, we'd appreciate it!

Tube Process:
Your child will receive general anesthesia. This means the surgery will be performed in a hospital so that an anesthesiologist can monitor your child. Typically the procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The surgeon will make a small hole in the eardrum and remove fluid from the middle ear using suction. Because the surgeon can reach the eardrum through the ear canal, there is no visible incision or stitches. The surgeon will finish by inserting a small metal or plastic tube into the hole in the eardrum.
After the procedure, your child will wake up in the recovery area. In most cases, the total time spent in the hospital is a few hours. Extremely young children or those with significant medical problems may stay for a longer period.

Where does she get it from?

Connie sent some pics recently...she was amused by the resemblance.

Disney Day.

I don't have a camera. It is broken. So I am relying on the pictures of friends to get me through this difficult time. :o)
Today, we went to Disneyland - 18 of us. It was crazy, chaotic, and fun all at the same time. There was still massive Spring Break traffic, but we managed to do everything we wanted! It was awesome.

I think the highlight of the day was the parade. It was Disney magic at it's best. What joy to watch Haley who now knows and thinks she is "best friends" with all of the characters...see her friends in "real life." And to look at Carson (Jen & Trent's son) who was experiencing Disney for the first time, was just so special. Tanner did an awesome pre-show for us as well...since he is walking, he is on the GO and parading up and down the street while waiting for the parade to begin.

Jaime, Ashley, and their girls left earlier in the day...as well as JJ, Rachel, and the little girl she babysits. But we did get some pics of the kids earlier in the day in Toontown. This gives you an idea of all the crazy kid fun we had. Rachel sent these to me on Facebook.




P.S. Speaking of the characters and Haley's knowledge of them. When we walked into the park, we saw "Kowwella Deville" from 101 Dalmations. We watched this movie when Haley was in the hospital. I loathed it. I didn't realize how crass Cruella was and all the inappropriate things she says (for the ears of a 4 yr. old.) But, Haley likes everyone. Including villians. She wanted to see Kowwella. But we really wanted to catch up with the rest of our friends at the park. I took Haley to the bathroom where she proceeded to beg and plead her case. You see, she and Kowwella are "best friends"

Conversation:

Me - I didn't even know you were friends.
Haley -Mom...(Said like a 14 year old...half sighing.) She wears a dog coat, and I even know what she holds in her hand. (Which is one of those old-school cigarette holders).
Me- "Oh really?" I ask. What does Cruella hold in her hand?
Haley - "A magic wand."
Kristi - Oh cool. Well, you can see Cruella and her magic wand next time we're here.
Haley - (now crying) BUT SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND.
Kristi - I know. I know.

We're going back tomorrow for the conclusion of DisneyFest 08. Maybe we'll run into her best friend again.