A Rollercoaster

What a rollercoaster the past few days have been! Yesterday, Paprika's school had a big end of term party, and we all went. I really like so many of the other parents, and hope that we find some good friends over here.

After the party, we went back to the Aquarium, as I was hoping that Ginger would fall asleep in the car for a nap like she did the day before. Of course, someone (Paprika) wanted to sing songs the whole car ride, so Ginger didn't fall asleep. But it was okay. Any day at the Aquarium is a good day!

Today we've been busy, busy, busy. I had a friend come down to visit and we had a girl's day at the beach while Mr. Mustard entertained one of Paprika's friends and her dad here at the house (I have been calling it a man-date instead of a playdate- ha!) Paprika had a wonderful time...she was in tears at the end of the day because she didn't want the playdate to end.

When I got home from my girl's afternoon with my friend, Ginger was happily chasing Paprika and her friend around the backyard. Ginger saw me and ran to me like she hadn't seen me in years. I picked her up and she let out a big sigh and fell asleep in my arms. I took her in her bedroom, laid her down in the bed...and she's currently taking a nap. I shouldn't even mention it because I don't want to jinx it...but wow, that was unexpected. I really should go out with my friends more often if it will get her to nap!

Ginger has been really into dolls lately, and half the time, I think she likes to stay up late so she can play with all of Paprika's dolls without Paprika knowing about it! I don't think Paprika was really into dolls at this age, but Ginger sure is. She puts them in the little stroller, feeds them, tries to dress them, gives them kisses, rocks them...it is a-dorable!

We have a big weekend planned - lots of here and there and friends we haven't seen in a long while. I feel like we're just getting into the groove of summer, and it's already August. How 'bout you? :-)

A Very Important Day!

Well, I realize that it probably seems like I've fallen off the face of the Earth. And I kinda have. The move ended up being much more stressful than I anticipated, and we didn't get internet until last night. I've been going and going and going this past week. We did the move ourselves with a U-Haul, and man...now I understand why movers get paid so much! It was rough. We are still catching our breaths here, and I haven't showered or changed clothes in...oh, about a week. Can you tell? Wait, don't answer that!



But even so, today was a special day...the kind of day when it's important to stop and reflect and honor life...two lives to be precise. Today is the birthday of two special boys, Blake and Ethan, who are very near and dear to my heart, even though I've never met them.

Paprika, Ginger, and I met up with Devon and Rob and their two girls at Disneyland today to honor the lives of Blake and Ethan. It was a great day, a wonderful break from all the day-to-day drama that's been going on around here. We rode new rides, and watched the girls play together without a care in the world.

It was a special day, and I'm glad we stopped to honor what's important. Please stop by Devon's blog and let her know you're thinking about her and her boys today...

I imagine her boys in Heaven with my twin girls, and hope they all had a great big birthday celebration today for Blake and Ethan. I'm not sure if that's how it works, but I sure hope it is.

Sisters!

There is something very special about sisters. I've never had a sister...well, except Ann who I count as my sister because she has been my very best friend since I was 14 years old.

We've seen eachother through ups and downs, through great times and terrible times...and we're still best friends. She lets me be myself, and I let her be herself. We're not afraid to have lots of fun when we're together, and to do really really cheesy stuff...like get our pictures taken at the mall together! (She's probably gonna strangle me for posting these pictures). I mean, if you can't go to the mall wearing matching outfits (down to the socks) and get your picture taken with someone, can you really call them your best friend?! These pictures were taken about 7 years ago, I think!



I hope that as they grow up, Paprika and Ginger have the kind of friendship and sisterhood that Ann and I have. Even though she lives in Indiana and I live in California, we still talk just about every day on the phone. When Mr. Mustard and I lost Vivian and Annemarie, she got on a plane that very day and was in my hospital room hours after I delivered. She is just about the best sister a girl could ever ask for...and I am so lucky.





A sister is a gift...I want these girls to grow up loving each other and being each other's best friends. So far, they are off to a pretty great start!

Social Butterflies!

Wednesday night I got to meet up with Devon for a girls' coffee night. It was so great catching up! I brought my camera, but didn't take any pictures! Booo! Mr. Mustard stayed home and watched Paprika (a rare treat!) and I got to just hang with Dev and chat the night away. We stayed so late we shut down Starbucks! Good times!



Thursday we had a family night over at Bret and Michelle's house. We all had a great time hanging out! Mr. Mustard and Bret have known each other since college, and they had lots of catching up to do. Michelle and I always have lots to talk about when we get together. And, Paprika loved playing with their three year old son, Brandon, of course!





Brandon and Paprika had lots of fun playing with toys, and with sand out in the backyard. At the end of the night, Brandon and Paprika gave each other big hugs goodbye. Thanks for having us over, Bret and Michelle! :-)

March of Dimes Walk

Today, Paprika and I woke up bright and early (5:30am) and made the long trek to Simi Valley to support our friends, Devon and Rob, in their March of Dimes Walk for Babies. They were walking on behalf of their daughter, Riley, who was born at 29 weeks and is now a thriving 2 1/2 year old (she was born 7 days before Paprika), and on behalf of their twin sons, Blake and Ethan, who were born at 23 weeks last March and lived for just a few days.



I did not walk, of course! I had a hard time getting from the car to the picinic area! But I wanted to go and show my support, so we went to cheer everyone on.

Paprika had a great time until the very end...when she had the biggest meltdown on Planet Earth. I think everyone in the crowd was looking at me thinking, "At least I'm not that mom!" So, we had to make a quick exit. As soon as I got Paprika in the car, she fell fast asleep and when she woke up it was as if nothing had happened!

It was wonderful to be part of such an important event, and to be surrounded by Devon's friends and family. I hope that we get invited back next year!

Playdate At Brandon's!

Today we had an all-day playdate with Brandon (age 3) and Michelle, Brandon's mom. It started as a lunch, but Paprika didn't want to leave, so we stayed all afternoon.



I didn't get any pictures, if you can believe that! We were too busy talking and watching the kids play for me to remember to take pictures. And that never happens!



So, I'll have to make sure to get some next time! These pictures were taken over the weekend around our house- just randoms of Paprika playing with her playdoh and driving her car. Because even though I went a whole day without taking a single picture, it doesn't mean I can't post a picture or two! :-)



Thanks for having us over, Michelle! We had a great time! :-)

Playdate!

We had a great afternoon on Wednesday hanging out with Riley and her mom, Devon! Here are a few pics from our day:

Guess Who Has Bedhead? (Hint: It's not Riley!):




Reading Books And Playing Dress-Up Together:








A Hug and A Kiss:



So Adorable! And such a wonderful day!!! :-)

Auntie Ann Is Coming!

Auntie Ann is coming to visit tomorrow!!! We are soooo excited. She is staying here for my birthday weekend, and we have lots of fun things planned. :-) I think Paprika should expect to get an extra dose of love poured on her, as Auntie Ann loves giving Paprika lots and lots of extra attention and love. Yea!

Ryan and Katherine's Wedding

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of attending Ryan and Katherine's wedding and rehearsal dinner in downtown Chicago. It was a lovely wedding- perfectly planned down to the last detail. The rehearsal dinner was at an old Chicago steakhouse called Wildfire, and the wedding was at the Nature Museum. It was the perfect setting for a late summer wedding.

From out on the deck, there was an awesome view of downtown:



Mr. Mustard taking a taxi with some of his best buddies from high school:



Earlier that day, the Air Show was going on in Chicago right over where the ceremony site. Luckily, by the time the ceremony started, the Air Show was finished for the day.

Mr. Mustard and Me at the cocktail portion of the reception:



One of the planes flying over the ceremony site:



The reception was great fun- lots of dancing and wonderful food.

Ryan and Katherine's First Dance:



Mr. Mustard was the best man and gave a really moving speech. He was sweating over it all weekend, and was working on it right up to the last minute. I snapped this photo of him moments before the reception, writing down the final notes of his speech. I think he looks very Presidential in this photo! :-)

Mr. Mustard writing his speech:

Paprika with Benjamin and Cameron (and Jazz the Dog)

Like little ducks in a row!

Ann & Erika

Here are a few pics from when Ann came to visit a few weeks ago. These were taken on July 18th. Ann and I have A LOT of pictures like this from over the past 15 years (we have been best friends since February 1993). One of these days I'm going to have to dig up all of our old photos, scan them, and put them on the blog for comparison. I don't think we've changed much, but of course, my memory could be a little foggy about that! ;-)

Saturday, June 30th- The Aquarium, The Taste, and Gino's Pizza East

At The Dolphin Show at the Shedd Aquarium:

On Saturday, Mr. Mustard had the day off work, so we had fun sightseeing in Chicago together. We went for a long walk down the marina to the Shedd Aquarium. We spent a good part of the afternoon at the aquarium looking at the dolphins, the beluga whales, and all the other marine life. We even got to see a dolphin show! Paprika fell asleep in the Ergo after a few hours- I guess all the fish were starting to blend together. So, we walked back to the hotel and on the way stopped at The Taste of Chicago food festival for lunch. Paprika woke up when she smelled the food and heard the crowd!

Paprika at The Taste of Chicago Food Festival:

Mr. Mustard and Paprika at The Taste of Chicago:

At Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park:

The "Taste"- as it's called in Chicago- was packed with people! I am not a huge fan of crowds, so I wanted to get out of there asap. Once we got our food, we went over to a side lawn where they were having the Country Music Festival and Kenny Rogers was playing "The Gambler." I couldn't believe that we stumbled on a free concert in the park. So, we stayed and watched that for awhile before heading back to the hotel.

Listening to Kenny Rogers in the park:

Once we got back to the hotel, Paprika took a two hour nap, and then we headed out to dinner with Ryan and Katherine. We took a cab to Gino's Pizza East, a great pizza restaurant, famous for its deep dish pizza. They were featured on one of the episodes of The Amazing Race, so of course, we had to go and see it for ourselves in person. By the time we got home, it was after midnight, so we all went to sleep!

Eating dinner at Gino's Pizza: