tales from a far-land

Year by year, the holidays become even more fun as the kids start to understand and embrace the traditions that surround each one.  Thursday was Valentine's Day, so we spent Wednesday evening addressing Valentine's Day cards for their classmates at preschool.  Madi and Aiden also colored a couple of cards to give to special Valentines.  At preschool on Thursday, each of the kids classrooms had their own individual parties.  I was very lucky that my schedule allowed me to participate with both of my kids in this fun afternoon activity.  Aiden eventually joined Madi's class party as there were only two kids in his class that day.  There was plenty of food and all of the kids seemed to enjoy the fact that they were able to indulge in some rare classroom sweets. Will you be my Valentine? Madi's Valentine's Art Projects Preschool Valentine's Day Party Pictures Aiden & his classmate Brayden Madi's Classroom ...

Last week, Aiden had his 18 month well check. It was like deja vu.   This particular appointment was an exact repeat of Madilyn’s eighteen month well check visit.   Aiden was such a stinker.  He cried the entire time and didn't want to leave my arms.   Plus, he wanted me to stand the entire time.   The entire visit he continued to point at the door and cry "go, go".  What fun!  I completely forgot that this is very typical for this age.  My favorite part of the well check was the very end when the Physician Assistant re-entered the exam room to give Aiden his shot.  He cried and cried and cried up until the shot, but as soon as he received the shot, he stopped crying.  Not one tear was shed.  He knew that the visit was complete and we would be leaving soon.  Overall, his pediatrician says everything looks normal and he is very healthy. Aiden's stats as of this visit were: Head circumferen...

Yesterday, on our way home from a quick trip to Costco to get some necessities -- milk for the kids and coffee for the adults, Madilyn was having a conversation with her brother.  We had provided them some animal crackers to share as a snack while running the errand.  From her car seat, we heard Madilyn explain to Aiden that she "Didn't got no more cookies."  Josh and I quickly exclaimed that she "Didn't *have* any more cookies."  Then, Josh proceeded to explain to her that, "Grammar starts at home."  Madi quickly responded that "YES!  Grandma has more cookies at her house."  We just busted up laughing.  It was perfectly on que and without any prompting.  We did confirm back to her that Grandma did, in fact, have more cookies at her house.  Too bad we were not heading to Grandma's house though.  Oh Madi!  We have entered stage where "kids will say the darndest things".  Hopefully, we will be able to record and r...

I have never been very good at keeping my new year's resolutions.  Probably because I made resolutions, but I have never been very good at turning those resolutions into goals.  Well, this year I decided that instead of making a bunch of new year's resolutions, I would instead make goals.  For the past week, I spent a good amount of time thinking about the good, the bad and the lessons learned from 2012.  Luckily, we had more good than bad this year and for that I am very thankful.  Then, I shifted my focus to 2013.  What successes would I like?  What are my goals?  What am I lacking?  What would I like to change?  I quickly was able to list out all of my goals and thoughts for a successful year.  The last thing that I needed to do was to figure out a way to keep all of these great ideas on top of my mind so I could guarantee their success and not forget about them as life becomes cr...

Happy New Year!  The Farrell-Landers clan had the most idyllic start to our new year.  After breakfast, we all cuddled on the couch with blankets to watch the Rose Bowl Parade on television.  Aiden was so mesmerized with all of the floats and marching bands.  He sat on my lap watching the parade for at least an hour before he wanted down to play.  What a shock!  After the parade, we decided to head downtown to visit a park from Josh's and my childhood -- Encanto Park.  Encanto Park is a municpal park established in 1934 and consists of picnic areas, a lagoon, a boat house, swimming pool, nature trail, amusement park, fishing and two golf courses.  It was a beautiful day to go to the park.  Sunny and not too chilly.  We all had a great time.  The first thing the kids wanted to do was feed the ducks. As soon as we opened the bread bag, the ducks and geese started swimming over....

Christmas Day.  What fun was had by all!  The kids didn't wake up too early which was appreciated.  However, it didn't really matter as neither Josh nor I enjoyed a good night sleep.  I think we were both too excited to see our toddlers' reactions to what Santa would bring them.  We were not disappointed.  Madilyn enjoyed the entire experience -- running into the family room to see what Santa delivered, opening her presents, opening her brother's presents, and opening anyone's present who needed help.  This Christmas we did learn one lesson though, it is a little torturous to expect toddlers to open present after present without the ability to play with each one inbetween.  Madi and Aiden would open a gift and then want us to open it for them so they could play.  They had a couple of play breaks, but at times, we had to conjole the kids to finish opening all of their presents.  Aunt Alisha joined us for breakfast...

Christmas Eve.  What could be better than Chinese food, champagne, family and friends?  Well, this is exactly how we traditionally spend our Christmas Eve.  We invite family and friends over to our home for dinner to enjoy some Chinese food and imbibe some champagne.  It is a perfect combination.   After dinner, it is a Farrell family tradition that each kid (this still includes Josh, Lynsey and I) is allowed to open one present.  As normal, we were all given Christmas pajamas.  Thank you, Grandma.  Madi and Aiden's were *so* adorable -- matching Rudolph the Reindeer and Clarice pajamas.  We put the kids in their pajamas, read them a bedtime story and tucked them into bed so Santa would arrive faster at the Farrell-Landers' home. Aiden & Melinda Aiden opening his pajamas Madi opening her pajamas Grandma Farrell & Madilyn Oma Madi & Aiden in their matching pajamas Au...