Baby's Got Bling (Expensive Bling)

So we've had some dental drama around here. Over the last two weeks poor Ethan has had four fillings and two crowns. Because he is so young, our pediatric dentist gave him a non-IV conscious sedation medication, which worked beautifully during the procedure. He was so relaxed at one point that he fell asleep in the dental chair. However, the side effect of this is that about 2 hours after the procedure, as the medication is leaving the bloodstream, some kids can get a little "cranky." Well, yesterday cranky didn't quite cover it. Try raving mad, violent, irrational, confused & emotional. My four-year-old was basically out to kill me, at one point kicking me in the cheekbone hard enough to bring me to tears. And that's after he dumped a full bathroom trashcan down the stairs, pulled all the bedding off our mattress and tried to claw a wall hanging off the drywall. Just as I was seriously considering a padded cell, he calmed down enough to sleep and bring some relief to us all. Especially poor Luke who basically hid in the kitchen with some playdough after I warned him that Ethan would punch him if he came close.

The silver lining to all this is the amnesia factor of the medication, so he has no memory of the procedures or even of the rage afterward. Last week, after the first crown, he stood and stared at his mouth in the mirror in total awe. He couldn't figure out why there was silver in his mouth, how it got there, or even how he was supposed to brush it. All he knew is that he liked it, even boasting to Luke, "Maybe when you're big you'll get a crown like me, it's fun."

And on a totally unrelated note, today is Luke's 3rd birthday. For those of you who were worried about his request, it all worked out. It's the best $15 at Costco that money can buy. He's a happy birthday boy.

1st Day

Today Ethan started Miss Kristin's Pre-school.

Today Luke started the preschool co-op I'm doing with some Moms from the ward (check out the shoes he picked for himself--only logical when you're wearing a "cow"boy T-shirt, right?)

I had 1 hour and 40 minutes of kid-free errand running.

Ethan did his first "homework" pages and ate a lunch packed in his Snoopy lunch pail.

Luke impressed his friends with his animal noise repertoire.

I went to the Dry Cleaner, Bath & Body Works, Smart & Final & Trader Joe's without unbuckling anyone from their car seats.

It's going to be a great year!

Another Year, Another Party

In keeping with tradition, we held the annual combined birthday party at the lagoon yesterday. I think I only pulled two muscles unloading and re-loading all the gear, but a great time was had regardless. I didn't get great pictures this year (too busy enjoying the party), but I thought these were funny candid shots of the cake eating:

"Hmm, no need to wait for my little brother to blow out the candles."
"We can't have the frosting stuck to the candle go to waste (since there's a real shortage of shortening-based frosting on those Costco cakes and all . . .)"

"Maybe this candle is made entirely of frosting too, better bite into it to make sure"
"I wish my mouth would open a little wider. I just can't fit enough cake in at once."
"If you get frosting on your bare cheek, just wipe it off on your bare shoulder. No one will see the bright green dye."

Fall Colors

So I am absolutely incapable of picking out decent make-up. I pretty much have to rely 100% on the make-up artist at the counter. My philosophy on most things beauty is that they're the professional so they should know what they're doing, right? If they tell me to change thing up I should trust them, right? Except when they decide that you should look like a member of the Bangles, circa 1987, instead of the stay-at-home mother of two that you really are. The results of such experiences are a lipstick called "red leather" that collects dust in my drawer. Someday when I go clubbing I'll fit right in-ha!

So this week when I told the lady at the Origins store that I was "ready for Fall colors" I got lucky that she understood exactly what I was looking for, even talking me into a dark green eyeliner that I really love. Here's my (read: make-up artist's professional) picks: Gingersnap Blush, Jade eyeliner, & Sugared Toffee sheer lipstick.

Just got back

from this:and it was awesome.
3rd time seeing Counting Crows, 2nd time seeing Maroon 5, and they didn't disappoint.

I'd post more, but I've got a birthday party to throw tomorrow, so I'll be sleeping now.

The Test of a True Fan

How you know you are a true Snoopy fanatic:

1. You don't protest, grimace, yell, or cry when the nurse tells you need two shots today, because the "pokes" will be covered by Snoopy band-aids.

2. You actually smile when the band-aids are being put on, even though your eyes are filling with small tears.

3. While saying a prayer to bless your lunch, you thank Heavenly Father for your two shots, because they brought you the Snoopy band-aids.

4. You are giving your mother panic attacks because she CANNOT locate a Snoopy costume. She was outbid on E-bay last Saturday in the final 12 seconds when the bidding topped $72.00.

5. Even though your mother starts to explain to you that she's having a bit of trouble locating a Snoopy costume, you still tell EVERYONE, including the nurse with the Snoopy band-aids, that you WILL be Snoopy for Halloween.

End of Summer Beach Bash

On Saturday night I think I briefly forgot that I'm a 28 yr. old mother-of-two. I had morphed into my 15 yr. old boogie-boarding self, catching the waves for two hours without a care in the world. A bruised hip the next morning quickly brought me back to reality, but it was all worth it. Thank you to Kirsten and the awesome girls of the 4th ward for putting together a night when we could truly relax at the beach this Summer, without the kids in tow. And, for anyone who ever has the opportunity to go to Three Arch Bay beach in Laguna, take it! It's beautiful, clean, has warm showers and a big enough fire pit for 15 ladies to stuff themselves silly with smores. This must become an annual tradition.