Busy doing nothing (but some bragging)

I will cover the stuff that you are really reading this blog for first.

Helaina and Indi are little weeds.  It is so amazing to watch someone grow and learn.  It's almost unfathomable at the rate in which this happens.  Helaina has her alphabet memorized and has some letter recognition.  She can spell her 1st and last name.  She counts to 16 (with no mistakes before 10).  I keep telling Chris to save for Harvard to which his reply is "Virginia Tech."

All my girls including Minnie and Tevan

She's being brainwashed by Chris and Mimi
Note the adorable pigtails.  (were up to 6 min of wearing)

Potty updates (isn't my life exciting?)
She is wearing big girl underwear!  Pull ups can go pound sand!  My opinion is they are worthless.  It's much easier to pull down underwear and she is much less inclined to relieve herself in Minnie or Princess underwear.  Yes I have, totally sold out to "the Mouse" and bribing.  We also should buy stock in Raisins and Craisins.  She gets some every time she goes to the potty.    I believe that is the main reason she has any desire to go but hey, it works!  She was almost there and  then regressed some but that seems to be a theme with children.  As my BFF Cathy said, "it's all a phase, good and bad, it's all a phase"

Things Helaina says:
Last blog I covered funny things that Helaina says.  I beginning to think this will be a regular topic in the blogs.  She has a baby doll that we have lovingly named "Tevan" as a reminder of when she was learning to count she would count up 8, 9, and then say "teven" which is a combo of Ten and Eleven.  This week she wanted "just one Chee" which we later deduced that she was bargaining for just one piece of cheese.  Pretty smart that she made up a singular use of the word cheese.
She also said she wanted to go through the "funnel" when we went on a road that has a tunnel through the mountain.  And lastly she asked if I was looking at the "Frigatta" when I was looking out at the ocean.  Which of course, was the sail boat regatta that we are lucky to see every Friday from our place.  I sometimes feel bad that I get so much enjoyment out of her mistakes while she is learning but it's soo cute.  

I can't help but smile when she does

Indi is officially rolling over.  Time for us to get a twin bed for H so we can convert the crib back for Indigo.  WOW kids are expensive.  (especially in Hawaii).  What I wouldn't do for nice IKEA bed right now.  Indigo is a happy baby.  She wakes up and hangs out her crib making sweet cooing noises until someone comes to get her (unless of course you wait too long, which I have found out the hard way-- don't judge as I'm keeping pretty busy with this potty training stuff).  She smiles a LOT and only has some moments of cranky at this point.  (again it's just a phase but I'm trying to enjoy it while it's here).  She is learning how to use her voice and lets out some relatively loud screams all the while with a big smile on her face.  She LOVES to watch Helaina and gets excited when Helaina engages her.

My goal right now is to get Indi sleeping just a bit longer threw the night so I can attempt to put them in the same room.  Be sure to see my updates :o)

We were a good looking couple - 4 years and 2 children ago

Chris and I just celebrated our 4 year anniversary.  We are going to dinner on Saturday and looking forward to some mommy daddy time.  Again, in some ways it feels like our wedding was yesterday and in other ways it feels like we have always been together.  I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world.  I often feel like it was a dream that we actually met by my chasing him down the sidewalk.  I can definitely say that story has a happy ending.  I feel like our marriage is so easy going at times that I fear I might be missing something.  We both read a book called Love Dare.   I feel like it realigned things that we didn't even know were amiss.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is married.  (or considering marriage).

On another note, I joined a book club.  Since the first book was Hunger Games I was a shoe in (as I had already read and obsessed over the all three installments. The second book is called Make the Bread, Buy the Butter).  In short, a journalist who lost her job took on the task of home making many of the every day items that most of us buy from the store.  (yogurt, bread, butter, cheese etc....).  She found great recipes for each weighed them against how much time it took to make, taste and average cost.   It's essentially a cook book but she has added her hilarious dialect and it makes for a great read.  

So far, I have made homemade plain yogurt which was easy, DELICIOUS and not bitter tasting like store bought.  (though living in Hawaii and buying organic made this not a cost savings.  I have also made bagels.  I used whole wheat (which I don't normally buy at the deli) so it was not as good as white flour bagels but the smell was SOO yummy and they were pretty darn good for whole wheat.  I also made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins that were delightful.  Helaina helped.  And by helped, I mean she poured into the bowl the measured items I handed her.  Minus the cup of sugar that landed on the floor, she did an outstanding job for a two year old.  I plan on continuing to make things from the book.  I will let you know if there are any others worth making.   

Cooking yeast is SERIOUS FUN for an amateur baker

My lovely assistant sporting her own apron from Auntie Ro Ro

Yummy smelling and tasting

Many of you want to know when we are moving and where.  So do we.  

The story pretty much changes every week as there are a bunch of moving parts.  I promise we are not holding out and we will update you all as soon as we have a more clear and solid picture.  For now, we are continuing to enjoy our life in Hawaii.    Much love to you all!