Our Cinderella

The times they are a changing. I remember (before having kids, and specifically, a daughter) when I used to hear cheesy songs like "butterfly kisses" played (usually for the father-daughter dance at weddings) and I would think "why are all of these people crying? Musically, this song is not even that good." Well, this morning on our way to church we were listening to the radio and one of these kinds of songs came on. I was reaching to change the station when I started to listen to the words. And then, darn it, I started crying! By the time Steve got to the car (he was grabbing Graces shoes, somehow she made it to the car without them) I was blubbering away. He kind of rolled his eyes, and then he heard the chorus and although he will deny it with his dying breath, I saw him tear up too! Man! So there we were, driving along, listening to this song that talked about a father dancing with his "Cinderella" (who grace dresses like, sings the songs of and watches daily.) Anyways, I guess my point is, the next time you see me sobbing at some random wedding when the father daughter dance begins, you can judge me after you have a daughter of your own. :)
Here is the song if you want to hear it

A day at the museum

I couldn't take one more day inside. I love living here in the bay area, but the downside is that for a few months, it is pretty grey and gloomy. Add to this the fact that we live in such a tiny place (as my seminary friends understand), the kids and I got stir crazy. Usually this presents a challenge as most of the indoor things to do in the area are pretty pricey, but as I was perusing my options this morning I noticed that the Discovery Museum (children's museum in Sausalito) was having a free day today, so I packed up the kiddos and off we went. They loved it! It was so fun to watch the two of them interact with each other and the other kids. This is the first trip to a museum or park where Noah has really got to get just as much out of it as Grace. He was crawling all over the place (he finally learned how to crawl without looking like an army ranger) and laughing and pointing. One of his favorite things to do was to climb inside the jungle gym and stick his chubby hand out the hole and wave at anyone and everyone. He was cracking all the moms up! Grace showed him around like a little tour guide, even though she had never been there before either :) It is an amazing place if you ever have the opportunity to go (first wed. of every month is free!)

Waiting for Dad to get home

Dada was running late today so Grace watched out the window for him...









And of course one of sweet Noah:

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas this year here in Mill Valley. Steve's parents and his Grandma Maxine came out from Az and were able to stay in our friend's apt (which was SO nice!) We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day in Sonoma with Chandra's family (INCREDIBLE food!). It was so much fun to watch Grace and Noah. This was the first year that Grace really understood what was happening. Let's just say, now when she gets in trouble she cries "I want Santa!!!" We were that family at church...when they asked the kids who gave the greatest gift of all and all the little voices chimed in "Jesus!" there was one not so quiet voice that yelled "SANTA!!!" Thats our daughter for ya. I can't find the charger to our video camera, so unfortunately we only have a short video taken on my digital camera, but lots of photos! I hope you all had as good of a holiday as we did!

Celebrate Christmas Hallam Style!

Thanks to Chris for creating this...soooo funny!

Click here

One little two little three little angels!

Grace had her first Christmas pagent this afternoon- it was adorable! She and the rest of her two year old preschool class (collectively known as "the Lions") were part of the "Angel Choir." Steve and I laughed so hard that tears were streaming down our faces...and we seemed to be in the vast minority. Some of the other parents are so intense! It's a bunch of two three and four year olds...you can't expect perfection! In the middle of singing "Ten little angels" Grace noticed her sparkly shoes and decided to check them out more closely. She sat on the stage and played with her shoes from about 4 little to 8 little angels, but was back on her feet in time for the grande finale! Being a parent is so entertaining!

Seconds...

Poor Noah. Grace rang in her one year birthday with much fanfare and applause, a party on the day and a lot of attention from Mom and Dad. Noah on the other hand had a different kind of day. He woke up, and mom and dad gave him his presents. One was a hammer toy, which he hasn't quite figured out, and the other was a tickle me cookie monster. We activated the cookie monster, and the room went silent. I wish I had had my camera handy, because I can't even describe the look on the kids faces. Noah's eyes were the size of saucers and Grace slowly backed away until she was hanging on Dad's leg. After the cookie monster was done seizing (the best way to describe what it did) we all kind of looked at each other and Grace whispered "thats so scary dada." Great start to the day. Noah had his morning nap, ate a quick lunch and then I had to go to school, so he went to the park with Mema Dada and Grace. Then, he got stuck in the car to run some errands, missed his afternoon nap and almost missed dinner because we got stuck in traffic. Steve had his seminar that afternoon, and then I had class that night, so the poor kid didn't even get a cake or a goodnight kiss from me. Not that he complained, he is such a sweet boy. Maybe next year will be better...