Happy Birthday Elise Clare!

Elise turns 3...on Friday

We had Elise's early birthday party at a local park/playground. She celebrated with her friends Thomas, Sophie, Max, Emma and Lola. Since it was a week day we pretty much had the place to ourselves which was nice because the parks in Santa Monica tend to get a little crowded on the weekends. The kiddos had fun whacking a Nemo pinata, playing soccer, running and eating lots of the yummy cupcakes that mommy made. Elise got some lovely gifts from her friends and came home overtired and over sugared. We wrestled her into bed for a nap arms flailing, kicking and screaming...

Ziggy Stardust

This is my rockin' out face; the music is painfully good:

We are rocking out to David Bowie and Elise LOVES it..hee hee.  I think this album is so addictive and wonderful and fantastic.  We also got some new old Velvet Underground that has been totally enjoyable as well.  

I heart LA

While Mike has been in San Diego receiving his major award (and no, sadly it wasn't a sexy leg lamp) we were lucky enough to have my sister Cindy and nephew Wesley visit from Massachusetts. This visit gave us the perfect opportunity to behave like the tourists we usually make fun of. We visited Hollywood Blvd just in time to see them setting up for the Oscars:

Took pictures with drunken Barney and Snoopy impostors who couldn't restrain themselves from calling Holly "Hot Mama" through their smelly and sweaty costume heads:

Who knew Big Bird had a star?

Indulging in yummy ice cream on Venice Beach while perusing shirts that say "I only drink beer on days of the week that end in Y"

Holly and Lysie:

In the true spirit of the goof that she is, Holly attempted to win Elise a big obnoxious stuffed gorilla on the trapeze ladder. As you can see, she failed miserably. Mid-fall:

Cindy and Wesley on the Ferris wheel:

and of course, a beach day:

We were sad to see them leave but it was fun to have them here and we look forward to more visits in the future:-)

photography

Elise has been very interested in photography lately..tonight's photo shoot went something like this:

Bless her heart; she took all of these fabulous pictures...clearly she gets her photography skills from her mom;-) 

Dad is so much better at capturing those special moments

Big girl hike

Our almost 3 year old went on her first "big girl" hike in the canyon with mommy this morning.  She has gone hiking and biking with us many times but is usually in her backpack.  Since she is outrageously tall for the pack I decided it was time for her to take her maiden voyage on the trail by foot.  She totally rocks.  We did a mile hike today (I know that doesn't seem far, but c'mon, she's 2) and she kept up with mommy even on the really steep inclines.  The best part of it is that she had so much fun and really enjoyed it. That alone makes me so happy because hiking is one of my favorite things to do and I love that she has such an appreciation for nature. I can't wait to take her camping at Big Sur and Yosemite this spring.  

From this vantage point you can see how high we were. How lucky are the people who live in those houses?

Elise venturing off on her own:

Yay! I completed my first hike! 

Daisy Dukes

Mike bringing on the sexy in his cut-off denim shorts:



I just bought a sweet pair of vintage denim Levis short shorts. They are not exactly Daisy Dukes-but they are close and I am proud to say they look really good. Now I know all the exercise I do isn't for nothing. I am gearing up for our trip to Cabo in a few weeks! I am usually the fashionista go to person since I read too much and shop too much (I'm working on this) but I'm guessing rompers are out of the question for moms. There is something very "cool 1970's" about it but can you pull it off if you are over the age of 30? Ladies, you can discuss.
ps-and i'm not talking about romper "nighties". those are divine but I'm keeping it at least pg- rated.

pps-and not the ones for little kids..hahaha

Archer girl

My friend Maria sent me a link to this website about astrology..it's entertaining to read about my sign (mine is Sagittarius) and how so much of what is described rings true for my personality. I have always loved being a Sagittarius. Mike is a Leo and Elise is a Pisces. http://www.elore.com/Astrology/Study/sagittarius.htm Anyway, it has been cold and rainy here giving me time to indulge in guilty pleasures...

From Brentwood, With Love

pouring rain + homemade "healthy chili" + wine + Goldfinger in HD=a pretty perfect evening.

Lastnight we went out for our bi-weekly fancy dinner sans Elise and it was, as always, very remarkable. Although, tonight was almost as good just staying in and watching the 007 marathon. Even though we own every bond movie there is something about the marathon being on TV that makes it more exciting...So of course we always end up talking about our favorite Bond. I still say Sean Connery-he was good. Mike always goes with Roger Moore but he likes Pierce Brosnan too. Was there even anyone who liked Timothy Dalton? yuck is what I say. I can't get into Daniel Craig..it's not the same. He's too light. Oh and LOL I have to make fun of Mike for liking that dumb one where George Lazenby falls in love. On Her Majesty's Secret Service? was that it? haha

If we're feeling really wild-we have some fancy root beer in the fridge. A few weeks ago I gave up coffee and most caffeinated beverages cold turkey. My reasoning for this was something like: "why do I drink this? I don't need it. I don't like the way it makes me feel. My teeth are very white and I would like for them to stay that way." It was NOT easy though..I had a killer headache for about 7 days. Now that the headaches have subsided I have so much more energy and feel more awake than I did when I drank the stuff. Yay for me!

random quotes

Elise's latest:

"you guys, I can't believe this"  when mom and dad were not meeting her needs immediately

"you know mike, I love you-I just do"  to her dad

"I'm so mad, I want to talk loud and scream and bite you" to dad in the car

"mommy, stop talking to daddy and go back to your room"  she doesn't like to share her valuable daddy time

"well, sometimes I like to go down to mexico, its pretty fun there"  overheard in her room

"does that man make his poopy go in the potty too?" to a stranger at the grocery store

"I used to wear those when I was your age..I was alot younger then" we're not sure what prompted that one

"when I turn three I would like to get my license so I can drive too" 

*added* "well guys, I guess I'm gonna go watch some football" haha-when the superbowl was on but no one was watching

she's full of it I tell you..

and I promised I would make fun of my sister Michele for going to see Barry Manilow on his "Ultimate Manilow" tour lastnight...you're a "fanilow" now!! hahaha I mean I can't even consider him a guilty pleasure-and I have MANY of those..