Diva Girls

I think every parent has a moment when they realize their kids are individuals - that they'll grow up and leave the nest and make choice in life that Mom and Dad may not have made for them.

I expected that moment one day and was thinking that I'd just do my best to lead by example and give our girls roots and wings and all that good stuff . . . what I didn't expect was to have that moment when my girls were only three and five year old!!!

Okay, I bought them the clothes and the scarf and the boots. And I stood them together for a photograph. But who taught them to pose like this?

Christmas Pictures

Have you ever thought that you're pretty good at something, only to find out you're really not? When I was in 8th grade I took up photography as a hobby. Back then we used regular SLR cameras and real film. By my senior year of high school I was a pretty good photographer working on the school yearbook and news paper and even having some of my portfolio sent to a national completion. So, somewhere in the back of my mind I assume I still have an eye for photography. Yeah, right!!

Today, I (Supermom, seeker of perfection) realized I'd forgotten to make an appointment for Christmas pictures ( you know how I am about immortalizing our precious moments on paper - forgetful . . . ) so being an experienced photographer, I decided to take some pictures of the girls and the dog in front of the Christmas tree myself.

Jeff and I dressed our little monkeys in some silly Arizona Christmas outfits. Then posed our little divas in front of the tree. What were we thinking?

Why is it that when one child is smiling

the other looks like she's ready to knock over a bank.

And when you say 'give your sister a hug'

little sister gets a headlock instead.

Did you get our letter about Laurel as The Grinch.

Here was my inspiration for that story.

Okay, this was kind of sweet.

Kate really, really loves Lola.

Hey girls, give Laurel a hug so mommy can take a picture.

I wonder who taught Sarah about headlocks . . . poor Lola.

I Got You a Diaper!!

When you're three, insinuating that your big sister might drink from a bottle, play with a rattle or need a diaper is really, really funny.

A few weeks ago Kate and I found some really cool Pixel Chicks at Costco and she decided she would like to give those to her big sister for Christmas. This week, when Sarah was at school Kate wrapped her gift. While we were wrapping I explained to Kate that we shouldn't tell Sarah what we got her . . . it's a secret. Here is the conversation that took place when we picked Sarah up today:

Kate: "Seerah, I got you a present. I wrapped it. Do you know what it is??"
Sarah: "What, what is it??"
Supermom: ". . . Kate, it's a secret, don't tell her!!"
Kate: "It's a diaper!!"
Sarah: "uuuuuuugh, screech, tell me!!!!"
Kate: "It's a diaper and a rattle."

A few days later I took Sarah shopping for Kate's gift. She picked a Bratz Fairy Dee Doll which we wrapped together. Later that day, with the doll under the tree, Santa Sarah showed the gift to Kate.

Let Santa Sarah shake your gift and remember what's inside.

Oh Yeah, it's a diaper and a binky.

Santa Sarah and her little elf

Zip

Sarah's and Kate's good friends Amanda and Luke had a birthday party at Rollie Polies. The girls went to their party last year with Jeff and Granie (I was in the hospital recovering from my hip surgery.) Well, for weeks I heard about the Zip Line at Rollie Polies.
This year the girls couldn't wait to get on the zip.

They waited in line.

Sarah went first.

And then little sister.

Big fun. I wonder if we can put one of those in our stairwell . . . ?

Thanksgiving In Kansas

This year we flew to Kansas City for a last minute family reunion.

All the "Johnson Girls" and our families were there.

It was a wonderful trip. We have so much to be thankful for!!

Sarah and Kate saw snow for the first time.

Aunt Tiff and Uncle Mike brought the girls the cutest boots.

Perfect for playing the pre-thanksgiving snow.

They brought many other gifts too, which the girls were very excited to open.

Kate enjoyed some chocolate pie on Thanksgiving day. Yum!

She was tickled by cousin Jake.

. . . and cousin Mike.

Jake drew a portrait of Cody in his football gear and signed it.

Kate was there to get loves from Cody (who just adores her.)

Sarah giggled each time Cody (or the other boys) teased her with the (um, there's no delicate way to put this . . . . ) f@rt machine. As grossed out as Sarah is by boys who "pop" she was tickled by the toy.

The boys thought her laughing was so funny, they teased her all week.

The kids performed for us and Sarah handled crowd control.

Saying "Tootsie Roll, lollipop, you're all talking, now lets stop!!"

Poor Daisy (aka The Duke) was worn out.

With all the cousins around she needed a rest on her furry pillow.

The Cousins

Kate & Joey

Kate & Cody

Sarah & Cody

Here are all the cousins (except Nick) Jake, Mike, Sarah, Cody, Kate & Joey.

What fun we had and what a blessing we could all be together.

Through his courage in his battle with cancer, and his drive to have fun whenever he can, Cody has given our whole family an appreciation for enjoying each day, each moment. As Supermom, I have often rushed through wonderful moments in life as I've looked forward to the next goal or event. Not any more - there really is something to the old saying about stopping to smell the roses.

Costa Vida

After Lollilocks we decided to try Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grille for a quick bite. Everything looked good, the salad was exceptional and the kids quesadillas were perfect.

The only problem, the black beans: The kids black beans came from a small tray of beans on the far side of the cooking area (as opposed to the beans used in adult burritos located on the beginning side of the cooking area.) Sarah took one sniff and said they smelled like sushi - and she pushed them away. Of course being Supermom, seeker of perfection, it never dawned on me to investigate her sushi claim. Even though Sarah likes black beans, I just thought she didn't want to eat them.

Kate, our sweet little Baby Kate, was hungry and she ate her black beans.

Here are the girls on the way out of the restaurant. It seemed like such a perfect night.

On the way home in the car however, Kate got sick, very sick. Throwing up black beans. She threw up all night long and into the next day. I called the restaurant manager the same night to let him know she'd gotten sick - presumably from the sushi beans. After all she was the only one who ate the black beans and she was the only one who got sick. AND Sarah said they smelled like sushi.

The manager promptly informed me that there was NO WAY she could have gotten sick from their beans (whatever) because the temperature is checked regularly. After telling him that I didn't' want anything from him -except to have those "kid beans" thrown out and replaced, he got nice and agreed that they should be replaced as a precaution. Geez!!!

Lollilocks

Have you ever unexpectedly stumbled up on store that fits your every need perfectly? Kate did. Earlier this week we were out doing some shopping an decided to drop into what we thought was a kids salon called Lollilocks. It is a salon, and so, so much more. They have nail polish and jewelry and candy and toys. They have cars and pink elephants you can sit on while having your hair cut and styled. They do manicures and pedicures (which of course Kate had to have) AND best of all, they do Birthday Parties.

After they cut your hair the style it - from a style you choose in a book. THEN, just in case you're not feeling spoiled, they spray special glitter in your hair!

Kate loved it so much she had to bring big sister back the next day. Expect to see birthday party pics from Lollilocks next year.

Another wonderful thing they do at Lollilocks is donations to Locks of Love which makes wigs for kids with cancer. Kate and I have both decided to donate our hair. We're going to let it grow for another six months and then make our donations together.