Erin, Author at The Sunny Side Up Blog

Ramblings

05.18.09

Viva La Mexico

We’ve had a summer vacation planned for months. The party: my entire family. The destination: Cancun, Mexico. The problem? Possible drug induced violence and death by Swine Flu.

What problem?

About two days after we secured our ‘ocean view villas’ and booked our plane tickets to beautiful Cancun, Mexico the nightly news was suddenly full of warnings. Warnings for people to stay away from Mexico because of all of the drug violence taking place. My family discussed this and decided we’d wait and see if things got better before our trip. Things got better and we decided the trip was a go. Many swimsuit purchases later, the nightly news was suddenly full of warnings again. Warnings for people to stay away from Mexico because of the dreaded Swine Flu. This was a bit scary and it really seemed like we were NOT meant to take this vacation. Many e-mails were sent back and forth trying to come up with a consensus on our vacation plans. Basically, the men thought we should still go on the trip, while the women thought otherwise.

Our e-mails went something like this:

Erin: {long e-mail freaking out about Swine Flu….”People are wearing masks, people are dying, I’m not taking my babies to Mexico.”}

Brother’s reply: “Viva La Mexico!”

Husband’s reply: “Swine Flu be damned. If they close down the border we’ll break through. If they put up a wall we’ll tunnel under it. If they shut down the airlines we’ll hire out a boat. We’re going to Mexico baby.”

Mom’s reply: {long e-mail freaking out about Swine Flu…”People are canceling trips, cruise lines aren’t stopping anymore, I’m not taking my grand babies to Mexico.”}

Brother’s reply: “Viva La Mexico!”

Husband’s reply: “I say we throw on a gas mask (and possibly even radiation suits) and party it up. To hell with the flu. Just think how much fun we’ll have if we have the whole resort to ourselves. Bonnie, you can drive the boat while I parasail!”

Sister’s reply: {long e-mail freaking out about Swine Flu….”We’re at a phase 5 Pandemic Disease Alert Level, there are beautiful beaches elsewhere, I’m not taking my baby to Mexico.”}

Brother’s reply: “Viva La Mexico!”

While this isn’t the norm in our family, the men won the argument and we have decided that things have calmed down enough to go ahead and go on our Cancun vacation. Life is short. We’ll wash our hands. Face masks make great beach accessories because they take the attention away from not super thin butts and thighs. (my reasoning anyway)

So…Viva La Mexico!!! (happy now Austin?) And happy summer vacationing to you. :)

xoxo, Erin

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Ellie and Addison

05.16.09

My baby…

really isn’t a baby anymore. When I picked Addison up at her little ‘pre‘ pre-school last week she had made this orange caterpillar. While she was feeding it some leaves in our backyard I noticed that it just happened to match the outfit she had on that day. I also noticed how well the little orange outfit fits her right now and I remembered a day not so long ago that her sister wore that same outfit to meet her for the first time.

(May 30th 2006)

Feels like that was yesterday. It also feels like just yesterday we bought and assembled bunk beds because we found out we were having another girl. My sister and I shared a room and slept on bunk beds and I wanted the same for my girls.

(me and my sister on our bunk beds – 1983ish)

(Ellie on her new bunk beds – age 2 – March, 2006)

I remember Ellie was so excited and kept calling them her “big girl beds that daddy made.” Kenny loved taking all the credit for “making” them when all he really did was hook them together. :)

Two nights ago for the first time, we moved Addison in to also sleep in the “big girl beds that daddy made.” The girls were so excited.

They said good-night.

And their elephants said good-night.

(Addie – almost 3) (Ellie – age 2)

And then Addison stayed up reading books…just like her sister used to do. They also talked and giggled until way too late. Just like me and my sister used to do. And Kenny had to go up and tell them it was time to get to sleep…just like my dad used to do.

After they fell asleep, I went to check on them. And then I walked into Addison’s room and looked at the empty crib. And then I started to cry.

My baby really isn’t a baby anymore.

xoxo, Erin

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Ramblings

05.15.09

Thanks guys

Just wanted to thank those of you who commented on my little questionnaire! Your words were eye opening, insightful, and quite frankly…hilarious. A special thanks to my husband who left a few comments of his own (in fact, if you commented and never checked back, he addressed each of your arguments individually). Ryan and Josie hit the nail on the head (they know Kenny all to well). It isn’t about the mail, it’s all about a good debate – arguing for the sake of arguing. I have to say that when Kenny and I first met this drove me crazy…the way he would spin my words and make points I didn’t even know existed. He somehow won every time, even on arguments where I was clearly defending the obvious choice. But now, after going to battle with him for over fifteen years, my vocabulary has improved, I know him well enough to know what he is going to say before he says it, and I am starting to win a few arguments of my own. Especially when I have my bloggin’ peeps backin’ me up. :)

Hope you all have a great Thursday night. I’m off to watch the Season Finale of Grey’s Anatomy and once again, marvel over the wonder that is the human body.

xoxo, Erin

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Ramblings

05.13.09

A little Q&A

Just a few questions I’d LOVE some answers to:

1- Lately I’ve been noticing some ~~wrinkles~~ ‘fine lines’ around my eyes. Does anyone know of a great something to start using that will help in this area? What is your nightly facial routine? Any product that you SWEAR by?

2- I’ve been in a bit of a rut with my exercise routine (dragging to the gym) so I bought myself a new workout outfit. (Just a little Mother’s Day gift to me from me and one of my sure-fire ways to make exercising fun again!) Now all I need is some new music. So…question is…what do you have on your i-pod? What are your favorite workout songs that keep you moving?

3- While we’re on the subject of music… music on blogs – fun or annoying?

4- Last question. Which is more amazing… the human body or the mail? This is a debate that has been going on between Kenny and I for oh…about 10 years. One day after one of my many knee injuries healed, I commented on how amazing and cool the human body is. Kenny, being his usual sarcastic self, answered: “it’s not as cool as the mail.” We then went back and forth debating this and finally agreed to disagree. It comes up often in our marriage as we think of more reasons about why our choice is the correct one. A few points to consider before making your decision:

Human Body

Miraculously heals after most injuries

Childbirth (enough said)

It has its own heating and cooling system

It’s full of systems working together all the time to keep us functioning

The human brain is… ‘the most complex and orderly arrangement of matter in the Universe.’ (Quote by Isaac A.)

The Mail

Delivers during rain or shine — it doesn’t need to heal because it never gets sick
You can get something from across the country or the world in one day — way faster than the human body
Doesn’t sleep, doesn’t eat, and never asks for favors such as random computer help
The mail is… ‘the most complex and orderly arrangement of letters in the Universe.’ (Quote by Kenny R.)

So those are the questions that are keeping me up at night. If you’re reading this right now I’d love to hear your answers/opinions. ~~Unless you’re going to tell me that the mail is cooler~~

xoxo, Erin

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Food and Cooking...or lack thereof

05.11.09

Hungry?

We had a great Mother’s Day weekend full of food, food, and a little more food.

First we enjoyed a night out with friends. {Fondue in downtown La Jolla}

(I love the picture of Angie and Eliot with steam from the fondue cooker clouding their faces)

What’s fondue without ice cream after?

And we couldn’t leave the kiddos out so we took them with us the next day. I think Ellie was under the table during this picture. We don’t take our kids out to dinner often and after this meal I was quickly reminded why.

On Sunday I woke up to surprises hidden in the living room from Kenny and the girls (a bit like Easter). They were hiding too and when they jumped out Ellie yelled, “Happy Valentines Day Mom!” (we had a good laugh about that) Then while I was getting ready I turned on a Christmas movie for the girls to watch – so it became a multi-holiday day. Ellie also told Kenny “Happy Mother’s Day” several times. We clearly have a bit to explain about this beloved holiday. :) Hope yours was a good one too!

xoxo, Erin

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Ellie and Addison

05.08.09

Daddy’s girls…

…and mommy’s too. Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the moms out there! Go ahead and splurge…go to the bathroom by yourself for a change. You deserve it! ;)

xoxo, Erin

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Ellie and Addison

05.07.09

Quotable Quotes

Addie’s latest: (March/April 2009)

While doing her hair “mommy you’re ruining my curls!”

“Mommy…does Minnie Mouse go to time out?”

“Mom I’m hungry.” “Do you want some yogurt?” “No…I want some real food. I want a sucker.”

Looking at a picture of Kenny in front of the Coliseum in Rome… “there’s my daddy at his office.”

“I’m not being Ellie’s sister because her feathers are in a bunch.” (must be from their favorite show Little Bear?)

“Mommy I need another popsicle.” “You haven’t finished that one yet.” “I can’t … it’s too cold. I need a new one.”

“Mommy…I need to tell you something…don’t smile, don’t laugh, don’t get mad.” (I don’t even remember what she needed to tell me…I was too amused by the way she started the sentence to pay attention :)

Ellie’s latest: (March/April 2009)

“Mom, remember when I was little and we sat around all day eating Wheat Thins? Remember that mom?” (I don’t remember this, but I’m not denying it)

“Mom – I named this bear Shiver Anatillia China.” (say that three times fast)

“Mom…why do those tortilla shells taste different?” “They’re fat free.” “Fat free is so gross.”

When my mom was visiting for Easter Ellie smelled her arm and said, “mmm…you smell good grandma…like Utah. I smell like San Diego.” Then she smelled her again…”yup….Utah.”

“Mom, what if something was wrong with our house – like if it was backwards and you couldn’t get in?”

“I have a tummy ache and it hurts when I wash my hands.”

“Try this mom. It’s hot noodle coconut soup with root beer.”

After getting her haircut: “Mom – Am I still 5 now that my hair is short?”

Talking to Addison: “Say it Add…you love ice cream more than me.”

xoxo, Erin

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Travels

05.04.09

Palm Springs

Quick weekend getaway to Palm Springs. I love Palm Springs because it is such a combination of my two homes – Southern Utah desert heat with San Diego landscaping. The girls couldn’t wait to swim. My favorite is the picture of Ellie in the car driving to our destination with her suit and sunglasses on, favorite “friends” on her lap, and a huge grin on her face. Kick-off for a great weekend. :)

Summin’ up the trip:

Pool, pool, pool. A bit of wind on day one. Lots of slidin’. Mom over packed again.

Semi sleepless night. Palm trees everywhere. Really nice villa to call home. Impromptu run in with friends. Not too long of a drive. Overall, a Good time was had by all…despite Sunburned shoulders.

xoxo, Erin

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Birthdays

05.01.09

Thanks Dad

for teaching me all the important stuff in life.

Hope your birthday was right on the mark. :) Love you!

(together at dad’s Archery Shop – 1997)

**More about my cute dad here (last years b-day post)

xoxo, Erin

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Ellie and Addison

04.29.09

I suppose (someday I’ll miss)

I suppose someday I’ll miss they way Addison goes through an average of 15 different outfits each morning before she finally gets dressed.

I suppose someday I’ll miss cleaning up constant food messes just in time to prepare another snack/meal and start all over again.

I suppose someday I’ll miss all of the fingerprints on my stainless steel fridge and sliding glass doors.

I suppose someday I’ll miss the obsession my girls have with bodily functions. The laughing any time one of them mentions poop or pee or “little fluffs” as my girls like to call it. (Great name right? Ellie came up with that one when she was two and it has stuck :)

I suppose someday I’ll miss the way I have to say “please open the lemonade gate” every time before the girls will let me undo their car seats to get them out of the car. They can be so ~~annoying~~ adorable when they want to be.

I suppose someday I’ll miss all of the help with home decor.

I suppose someday I’ll miss hearing voices screaming “ME FIRST, IT’S MINE, and GIVE IT BACK!” from the upstairs.

I suppose someday I’ll miss burning the chicken I was cooking for dinner because of these screaming voices from the upstairs. (*disclaimer – I have to be honest here – while tonight the chicken burning really can be blamed on my girls fighting, it usually occurs because I’m a crappy cook and am way too impatient for chicken)

I suppose someday I’ll miss cruising through the princess isle EVERY TIME we’re in Target and I suppose someday I’ll miss the fight that always follows as I attempt to leave without purchasing a toy. (I’ll admit…I don’t often win this battle)

I suppose someday I’ll miss having my scrapbook supplies, shoes, and jewelry strung all over the house because they seem to be much more appealing than regular toys.

I suppose someday I’ll miss having to gather all of Ellie’s “friends” each night before she goes to bed – hunting all over the house for a certain Snow White or Jasmine or her favorite stuffed bunny “Haula“.

I suppose someday I’ll miss pretending that I can’t find Kenny and the girls when he walks in the door every night. Even though they are hiding in the same spot that they hid in the night before…and the night before that…and the night before that.

I suppose someday I’ll miss getting into bed at night and being greeted by a My Little Pony instead of by my pillow.

I suppose someday I’ll miss all of the “help” with vacuuming and sweeping and dusting and laundry. So much “help” that it takes me twice as long to get anything accomplished.

I suppose someday I’ll miss all of the craziness that goes along with raising young children because I am told by nearly every other woman in the supermarket who has been in my shoes that I will.

And you know what?

I suppose they’re right. Even though it can be hard to believe, I suppose someday – I’ll miss it all very much.

xoxo, Erin

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Ellie and Addison

04.27.09

Week Happenings

Just wanted to post a few pictures from last week. Some of the week happenings were:

{OUTSIDE TIME}

The girls enjoyed some particularly warm weather at the beginning of the week. We’re clearly ready for summer around here. We’re also clearly lovin‘ the new shades. And while we’re at it, we’re clearly needing a new sprinkler that shoots higher than one foot high on full blast.

(also a big thanks to Mr. Snail who kept my girls entertained for over an hour. I owe ya one big guy.)

{GYMNASTICS}

A few shots of Ellie at her gymnastics class. She’s doing great and I love that she has something that she is passionate about. Except for when that passion leads to gymnastics happening all over my house…and my furniture…and in front of her little sister…who copies everything…and is a bit less coordinated.

{FIELD TRIP}

On Wednesday morning I went with Ellie’s pre-school class on a field trip to the beach. They flew kites, played at the park, and had a picnic. It was great spending some one on one time with her and seeing her interact with all of her cute friends.

{READ-A-THON}

Then on Wednesday afternoon I partied with my ‘Activity Day’ girls. Twice a month I have a group of 8-9 year old girls from my church over to do fun activities. What better way to show the girls the positive influence literature can have in our lives than with a good old fashion read-a-thon? Plus I just wanted an excuse to put on my pajama’s at 4:00 in the afternoon. My girls worship these older girls and actually sat still and “read” the whole time with them. I love read-a-thon’s. I remember loving them as a student and I remember loving them as a teacher.

All of this remembering is making me suddenly feel very old.

{SEAWORLD}

SeaWorld Saturday morning. I know. We should just sleepover there. We have definitely made good use of our season passes. The girls love it and we always hit it early in the morning before the crowds. Feels like we have the whole park to ourselves for an hour or two. Plus this Saturday we got to meet Sesame Street Friends. :) Good times.

{PARK}

Other happenings this week were pretty routine…

-Ellie played lots of pretend

-Kenny negotiated a merger

-Addison set a new record for minutes spent in time-out

-As for me, I tried to focus on the fun times with my kids during the week. The times from the pictures above. And for the ‘not so fun time-out times’, I took lots of Ibuprofen.

xoxo, Erin