A weekend of big FIRSTS!

We’ve had quite the weekend over here at the Callister’s.

Summer got her hair did for the first time!

She got to sit in a pink car and watch Elmo’s World. Does it get any better for a 2 year old than this?? As you can see she was riveted and could not tear her eyes off the screen for a picture. Needless to say, she did great and now has a head full of glitter that will not wash out. Why did I say yes to that crap???? Lesson learned.

Summer also graduated from her crib to a big girl bed! This bed kind of fell into the “Santa Claus” category: fun to talk about and look at, but not fun to get too close to. She warmed up to it after a day or so and tonight went to sleep in it for the first time. She cried for about 15 minutes but then fell asleep. I peeked in on her a few minutes ago and she was passed out with her legs hanging over the railing a little bit. I will admit that I got a little teary eyed while I was moving her things into her new room. My little girl is growing up!! How did this happen???

And this little runt had her first too! She got her grub on with her first taste of rice cereal today. She gobbled it right up and did great. She still didn’t sleep any better for me though, the stinker. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow…

Speaking of tomorrow , we’re supposed to get like a foot of snow in the next couple of days. Yippee. We’ll be homebound so maybe we’ll come up with some more firsts!   

Getting the crafting itch

I bought fabric for the skirt I'm planning to make yesterday. So that’s a start.

Once I finish that, I have 3 crafts waiting in the wings. One easy, one medium, and one hard.

Easy: Birthday Wreath from How Does She? 

I found this blog through a post from Little Birdie Secrets. It’s amazing! I could spend a whole lotta hours browsing it. How awesome is this wreath? It’s made of deflated balloons! And the best part? It will be SO CHEAP to make. And easy. I can’t wait to make this.

Medium: Growth Chart from How Does She?

I’ve been wanting one of these for awhile, and I went to a little boutique while we were in CA over Christmas with the intent to buy one. But when I saw it would be over $40 I just couldn’t bring myself to do it when I knew I could make it for a fraction of the price. With my Cricut it will be a snap. I’m thinking these would make good baby shower gifts, too. It does involve cutting wood, which puts it in the “medium difficulty” level, but it shouldn’t be too bad.

Hard: Houndstooth Quilt from V and Co. 

I’m so in love with anything houndstooth (in fact, that’s what kind of fabric I bought for the skirt!). But seeing as how I’ve yet to complete a quilt on my own, I’m a little hesitant. But how gorgeous is this quilt??? I think I would do pink and grey. Cute, right?

So yeah. I love this kind of stuff. Or “crap” as Derrick would say. To each their own! Who wants to come over and craft with me???

30 in 30: An update

Well, I’m a third of the way through my 30 in 30 goals. Let’s see how we’re doing so far, shall we?

1-Read a classic novel. I have finished 7 chapters of Pride and Prejudice. I probably would have finished it by now had it not been for Season One of Modern Family consuming most of my evenings.

2-Run 30 miles (not all at once!) Miles run thus far: 0. Miles walked: 1. Not sure if we’re gonna get through this one.

3-Learn how to play a new hymn on the piano. Realizing I’m failing miserably so far, I choose a simple, 2-lined hymn: #137, Testimony.

4-Start a journal for my girls. Nothing yet.

5-Read a church book (suggestions?) Nada.

6-Sew an article of clothing for me that I will actually wear. Have not started yet. Although I have picked out something to make: Circle Skirt from Made.

7-Send a handwritten letter to a friend. Not yet. Haven’t even decided who the lucky recipient is yet!

Yikes. Guess I better step it up!

Favorites

Well, since Santa was so good to me this year, I have a few new favorite things to share!

First up:

A reusable plastic cup! If you haven’t seen these things in the stores then obviously you do not leave your house at all. Because they are EVERYWHERE. The coffee cup ones are cool too…when I first saw them I had to touch them to see if they were paper or not. Anyway, I never thought I needed one until my friend Jessica gave me one for Christmas! Sure, I still use my Camelbak (well, Derrick’s now, since Summer broke mine), but not nearly as much. Mostly just when I run errands or go out because it doesn’t spill. But it does grow nasty moldy moss inside the spout. Ew.

I realized I love this cup so much because it feels like I’m drinking something special. Not water (which is what I usually am drinking). It’s like I went to lunch (which I love doing) and brought home a Diet Coke. I think it has mostly to do with how it feels in my hand. I really don’t know if I’m explaining myself at all. Bottom line: I like to drink soda out of restaurant paper cups, but drinking soda from a restaurant all day everyday is impossible and expensive. And unhealthy. So I love this cup. Gah. I’m not doing this cup justice. Oh, and mine has a pink straw, which is even better.

Next:

A few months ago I was able to test out for FREE a set of Rubbermaid storage containers. I loved them so much I just went out and bought another set. And threw out all the random Ziploc, Glad, generic lunch meat containers, and dollar store containers that were floating around here. When Derrick packs his lunch for the next day he almost always gives up searching for the matching lid and makes me do it. NO MORE!!! There are only 2 sizes to these lids: big and small. And each fit different sized dishes, deep or shallow. They have a great seal and are BPA free, so microwave away! Plus they have a cute little swirly design on the side. Oh, and they’re stain resistant! And they really are. I’ve stored spaghetti sauce in them and they come out crystal clear. And shatterproof. Can’t say enough about them! (Except that they are a little on the pricey side. But well worth it.)

And lastly:

For Christmas my mother in law gave me 2 different blankets. One is a queen sized fleece blanket. But it’s not just regular fleece. I don’t know what it is. But it’s soooo soft. SO SOFT. Like an angel’s bum. The other blanket is more of a lap throw, but it’s soft too. Super soft on one side and polar fleece on the other—you know, the nubby cream colored stuff? It’s so comfy. And after doing a little research on it, turns out the company that makes them is a corporate products type deal…they’ll put your logo on them or whatever. And that’s actually what we have….an uncle’s business I think? All I know is that they’re referred to as “ABCO blankets”. Come over anytime and I’ll let you feel the magnificence of it. There’s just something about snuggling up in an ultra soft blanket and watching TV. So cozy. And since our low here on Thursday is a whopping –2, I’m sure I’ll be needing both.

Torn

I find myself, along with the rest of the free world, making resolutions and an attempt to start a new year with a fresh start. I love changes, no matter what kind. New shampoo, new furniture arrangement, new pens. One thing that I always looked forward to was a clean, new, empty calendar. I would spend an entire afternoon entering in birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, milestones, etc. Well, my trusty iPod has taken care of that for me. I love it. I love Google Calendars and how it syncs with my Touchy Feely. However, I do miss actually writing something down. There’s something so satisfying about writing something on a list and then crossing it off.

One of my resolutions this year (along with getting in shape, reading more, playing with my kids more, being less judgmental, serving more, yadda yadda yadda) is to be more organized have a more structured day. Now, I feel like I am pretty well organized as far as life goes. I rarely miss appointments. I have a decently busy social life and never double-book myself. But I need more organization at home. I need to get rid of clutter. I need to have a housekeeping schedule to keep me on track. I need to be able to respond to Derrick’s question when he gets home of “What did you do today?” with “Well, I did laundry, dusted, organized the linen closet, and helped Summer create a masterpiece with Playdoh all while creating a fabulously delicious and healthy meal for us!” instead of “Um….we played? Oh, and I managed to take shower today before you got home. And oh yeah! I changed the toilet paper rolls.” I need to have done some things during the day and not the 5 minute shove and stuff as he’s on his way home from work. (Secret’s out!)

I want to feel more productive, not only as a homemaker, but as a mother and teacher to a 2 year old.

The problem is, Google Calendars isn’t so user-friendly when it comes to making a list of housekeeping duties and activities. I looked through lots of apps to see if there was one that combined all the elements I was looking for: calendar, to-do list, note taking. There wasn’t.

In the end, I purchased a spiral bound planner. I have weekly and monthly items scheduled. I have activities penciled in for Summer: arts and crafts, learning letters, singing, etc. I have a daily to-do list. But if I don’t finish everything on my daily list, I don’t freak out. I just try and do it the next day. So far it’s working out well. I get to cross things off. I know at the end of every month I need to submit my FSA claims and send pictures to family. I know every week I need to dust and vacuum. I know in May I need to replace my air conditioning filter. Stuff like that.

Until I get to be programming savvy and create my own all-in-one app, this is going to have to do. Unless anyone knows of a fabulous app that they’re willing to share??

Corporate Blunders

By now you know I’m a fan of proper spelling and grammar. If I see misspelled words on a blog or email, I cringe, but I do give it a pass because it’s an informal written document. And let’s face it: people just are horrible spellers these days. However, I find it nearly impossible to forgive an error, whether spelling or grammar, when a large business or corporation commits one.

Still, in the past month I’ve encountered THREE gross errors while shopping.

Case #1: World Market.

I love this store. I love the glassware, the decorations, the food, the holiday stuff, all of it. So I was SO sad to see this sign!!

I’m assuming they meant “candelabra”. World Market is nationwide, and I’m sure they have a whole department dedicated to creating and printing these sale signs. How many people had to look at this and not realize they were missing an “n”??

Case #2: Woodman’s

I can kind of see how this happened, as many people pronounce avocado just as they have it on the sign, with an “a” sound instead of “o”. In fact, as I sit here saying it out loud to myself I too say it with the “a” sound. But that is no excuse for spelling it with one! Give this delicious fruit and it's heart healthy fats the respect it deserves!

Case #3: Wal-Mart

 

I know, I know, the fact alone that it’s from Wal-Mart should be reason enough to excuse this mistake. Since Summer is obsessed with seeing the fish every time we go to Wal-Mart, I have to see this sign every week. (Or three times a week, whatever.) Now, I’m no marine biologist (although I did want to be one when I was in 6th grade), but I have never heard of a “loster”. And I’m pretty sure those crustacean-looking creatures in the tank are teeny tiny lobsters. But look, it’s written not once, but twice!! In what looks to be the same handwriting. So one can only assume that the writer pronounces it “loster”, or just has an irrational fear of writing the letter “b”.Based on our demographics, I’m actually going to go with the former.  

5 months!

Hard to believe this kid is already 5 months. Seems like I was just writing her 4 month post!

Honestly, not a lot has changed since last month. She’s still a sweet, chill little lady. She’s still not sleeping through the night as long as I’d like her to be, but that’s my fault, really. I just haven’t let her cry it out yet. We’ve been traveling and then my parents were here and my mom left today so now we’re back to some kind of routine again. Derrick leaves for Vegas on Sunday so I think we may attempt it then. We’ll see.

Anyway. She is just so good. So content to hang out in her car seat if we’re running errands, going to church, out to dinner, whatever. She’s a good napper usually. Takes at least 2 naps every day, and either takes a little catnap in the evening or just whines until bedtime. But that doesn’t happen often.

She goes through drooling spurts. She was pretty dry in California, but now she’s at it again.

She loves to use her voice and squawk away. 

She has recently discovered her tongue. I swear it’s always hanging out. And in the bath it’s CONSTANTLY out and she tries to lap up the bath water or lick the water (or suds) off her shoulder.

She does this thing now when she’s in her swing where she keeps her legs up. It’s so funny. It doesn’t look very comfortable, almost like a reverse crunch, but she keeps it up for a long time!

   

She is just the happiest, snuggliest, sweetest baby. We are smitten with her. We are in deep smit!

30 until 30

Really this should have been posted yesterday, but I never got a chance to. So it’s more like 29 until 30, but who’s counting? Besides me? 30 used to sound so old to me when I was in my early 20’s. I remember my sister in law turning 30 and thinking that she was so old. Now I realize I thought that because she already had like 10 kids. Ok not really, just 4, but it sure did seem like a lot. Anyway. 30 does not seem old now to me, nor do I feel old. Unless you bring up Webkinz or those Zhu Zhu pet thingies, then I feel like an old geezer because I am clueless about those.

But yes, I am turning the big three-oh next month. Yikes. Originally I had wanted to make a list last year of things to do before I turned 30. Well, that obviously didn’t happen. So instead, how about a list of 30 things to do this MONTH before I turn 30? Note: not all will be spectacular or life changing. I mean, I only have a month here. Alright? Here we go!

1-Read a classic novel (suggestions?)

2-Run 30 miles (not all at once!)

3-Learn how to play a new hymn on the piano

4-Start a journal for my girls

5-Read a church book (suggestions?)

6-Sew an article of clothing for me that I will actually wear

7-Send a handwritten letter to a friend

8-

You know, I’m having a hard time coming up with 30 things that I can realistically do in a month. I could add things like “finally iron the mountain of Derrick’s shirts that he’s been waiting for for over a year” or “throw out expired condiments” but that seems like cheating. I wanted to do things that would make me stretch a little. So maybe we should just stop at 7? 7’s a good number anyway…it’s my birthday! If I think of anymore I’ll add them.

Trees!

I know Christmas is over, but I had to do a little post on my Christmas trees! Yes, plural. I put up 3 this year, but never got around to putting up the 4th. Sad, I know.

First up: The “family” tree. This was the tree I bought at Wal-Mart the first year we were married. We lived in a basement apartment with low ceilings so it had to be short enough to fit. It now goes up in the basement and holds colored lights and our family ornaments. Derrick’s and mine from when we were growing up, and now Summer’s and Hannah’s. We have been picking out an ornament for the kids for the past two years, but as they get older they will get to pick their own each year. I think it’s a fun tradition, plus they’ll get a little starter set of ornament when they leave the nest. This year Summer’s ornament was a bus! She loved it. Notice how the ornaments start at about 3 feet.

We inherited the next tree from my sister in law when she upgraded to a prelit tree. It’s a very nice tree and stands in our living room with silver ornaments and white lights. It used to have blue ornaments and accents too but I’m phasing it out for red. This tree is a beast to put together, but I love it. It’s not prelit, which I don’t love. The lights we put on it worked only half of the time…I’m thinking it’s time to get a prelit??? Again, we see that ornaments begin above reaching level for little arms.

And the last tree is totally my favorite right now. I bought this at a rummage sale this past spring for $5. It was prelit, but didn’t work, so I spent hours ripping the lights of each of the branches. My fingers ached. But look how darling it looks with pink and green ornaments. These are shatterproof, so I put them all over. She eventually learned to just look and not touch. I tried finding pink lights on a white string…do you know how hard that is to find??

I love all of my trees, but I was having a little guilt about having NO nativity scenes.  Well, no longer! Derrick got me the Willow Tree set and my mom brought me the Little People set! Both of which I’ve been wanting! Can’t wait until next Christmas!

Chistmas!

We spent Christmas this year with Derrick’s family in California. We were there about two weeks, and while that sounds like a long time, I feel like we hardly did anything! Here’s why:

Day 1: Arrive and get settled.

Days 2-6: CONSTANT RAIN. Seriously, no breaks, not one. The most annoying, persistent rain. LAME.

Days 7-8: Stomach flu for me. Who doesn’t love throwing up on vacation?

Day 9: Christmas Eve, family party, reenact the Nativity story

Day 10: Christmas

Day 11: Church

Days 12: More rain

Day 13: Finally sunny, went sightseeing

Day 14: Go home, raining AGAIN!

So even though we did go places when it was raining, I feel like we really only had one day of really doing anything.

Highlights:

Playing games until way late every night. Settlers, Monopoly Deal, Heck, Clue. I love playing games!

In-n-Out Burger

Griffith Park and Observatory….train and carousel rides. And I NEVER get sick of seeing the Hollywood sign!

Pinkberry x2

Watching Summer play with her cousins. And her cousins’ better toys.

Fresh citrus from the trees in the backyard

BYU/UCLA basketball game (even though we lost!) and seeing Eric and Dave.

BJ’s Pizza

Summer sleeping almost the entire flight home. Thank you, Benadryl.

Christmas Day. It’s an all day affair at the Callister’s, and I love it. First we open Santa gifts, which takes at least an hour or two. Then it’s upstairs to open family gifts. Then we’re hungry so we eat a big breakfast. Then it’s back upstairs to do a white elephant gift exchange. Then it’s playing with new toys/napping/watching movies until a nice big dinner. Then more game playing and candy eating and fun having.

Lowlights:

Throwing up. I won’t be eating tamales for quite some time.

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

Only eating at In-n-Out Burger ONCE! How did that happen???

Somehow losing $40 cash while wrapping presents. Boo, Karen. Put it straight into your wallet next time!

Summer NOT sleeping the entire flight to California. But thank you Elmo and iPod Touch for a job well done.

 

It’s always a good time when the Callister brothers get together. All 4 of them were home for Christmas this year, which was a lot of fun. We were all spoiled by Santa. Summer’s doll collection increased by about 500%, and she doesn’t go anywhere without at least one under her arm.

Christmas Eve jammies (I love matching outfits!!)

Playing in the backyardChristmas dressesGriffith Observatory

  We had a great Christmas and hope you did, too!

Summer is TWO!!!

My poor, poor blog. I’ve missed it so! I have MUCH to catch up on, including Christmas, but I have to blog about Summer’s birthday!!

I can hardly believe she’s already two. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday she was born and other days it feels like an eternity. Either way, the past two years have definitely been an adventure!

 

She is still a huge fan of busses, so we had a bus birthday party, naturally! All of her best little friends came over and they colored and sang “The Wheels on the Bus” and played like 2 year olds like to do. She even had a bus cake, which I like to think she loved. And she blew out her candle like a champ. Despite only having a 45 minute nap today due to a new afternoon church schedule, she did fairly well throughout the evening and then fell right asleep at bedtime.

Some things about Summer:

Loves to give hugs and kisses, especially to her little sister

Loves to say “hi” to you, usually by name. Multiple times.

Can count to 10, omitting that pesky #9.

Loves to sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Can sing it very fast and very loud as well.

Is starting to be very independent. “Summer do it!”

Tells me when she is stinky. Hopefully this meaning potty training is in our near future!

Still loves cheese and milk. Also loves pickles (peekles), noodles, French fries, and “treats”. Most anything can be a treat, thankfully…doesn’t have to be sweet.

Talks all the time. I have no idea how many words she can say. It’s a lot.

She is usually pretty good about sharing.

Loves, loves, loves her Dad.

Loves to play with puzzles.

Usually is carrying around a doll or some variety. Actually, usually is carrying one doll under each arm, other toys in her hand and carries her milk around in her mouth. Quite the multi-tasker!

She has recently learned how to push others. We’re working on eliminating this newly acquired skill.

She really is such a sweet girl. She definitely tries my patience sometimes but for the most part is a well-behaved kid. 

Check out her bus cake!

Who’s mooning us??

Summer, seeing her bus cake:

Blowing out the candle:

Opening presents from her friends, with lots of help! 

Little bus magnets party favors:   

 

Happy birthday Summer! We love you and your happy, spunky personality! Here’s to being TWO!