I decided today that Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth when you are alone with a 20-month old. During Spring Break. I took the girls down this morning and as soon as you could say, "Mom, we're going on Tower of Terror," they were gone. For the rest of the day. I don't know why I hadn't thought this through, but soon realized that a full day alone with Kate in busy Disneyland was pretty lonely. I'm used to it at home, just Kate and me against the world, but somehow at Disneyland...not fun. So we went on the merry-go-round, ferris wheel, took this picture with Mickey, and got back in the car. After 45 minutes, we were back home. We spent our day alone instead going for a walk with Rudy, going to Trader Joes, giving Kate a bath and watching parts of Toy Story.  

Maddie comes home tomorrow. I really can't wait. Mary Leishman surprised Ali last night by flying in. Brett picked her up at LAX on his way home from work, and then she hid behind Ali's bed. Ali was really shocked. It was a pretty great moment.

Yesterday, I took the girls to two eateries in Hollywood. One was Pink's Hot Dogs, which for some reason gets featured on Food Network and such. I thought it tasted exactly like...well exactly like a hot dog. But I like checking things off of my internal lists. I've now been there and partook of the guac dog. Then, we drove to Million Dollar Shakes, which was fun. Long drive down Santa Monica Boulevard at dinnertime, but fun. Which leads me to my very popular segment:

STAR SIGHTINGS HO HUM!!

Remember this segment? Well, yesterday I saw him...

His name is Keith Morrison and he is part of the cast of Dateline NBC. He was walking his dog by us, and for some reason, Sydney, who is extremely bold lately, yelled DATELINE!!! (We were about 5 feet away, so the yelling of DATELINE!! was very loud and extremely obviously close. Now back to the story...)  He turned around and laughed. We all had a nice awkward moment with his huge poodle which looked exactly like this..

All I could picture was SNL's Phil Hader below who does such a funny impression of him.

Riveting, I know, but I must stop writing and attend to the urgent matter of a bowl of cereal to make up for the calories consumed eating little chocolate chip/oatmeal bite sized cookies with Kate while perusing the aisles of Trader Joe's. No big dinner for mommy tonight.

Little Sweet Voice

This is what I'm talking about when I say Kate sings in her crib when she's supposed to be sleeping. So cute! Every night we hear some song in that voice. I want to just go get her out and squeeze her!

Maddie's tour group FINALLY posted some pictures for the parents over here in the dark. Maddie is staring at me in some other place in the world. It is so strange staring at this picture and seeing her look at me. I wonder what she's thinking, who she's smiling at, what she did that day. It's amazing when your children start the transition to adult, to independence. It's awesome to watch. 

Her group.

Dear Maddie--

Really? There is no internet cafe right by here?..

where you can sneak me an email telling me how much fun you're having? I'll bet you're just dying to tell me about your trip, but you can't. I guess I feel sorry for you really, because you probably aren't enjoying it quite as much without filling me in on the details of places like this....

I'm sorry that I told you to kiss someone under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset so your love will be forever.
That's on my bucket list, so I'm sorry if that was confusing to have me tell you to find someone to kiss as the clock is striking at sunset on a gondola.

Dear Kate--

You are singing so loudly right now. I am right outside your door and do you have to belt every song in your repertoire before you fall asleep? Where do you get this from, all of this singing singing singing? Constantly singing?


Dear Ali-

Please get out of this phase where every single thing I do bugs you. Thanks. I really can't be thaaaat embarrassing, can I? See how much fun you're having so far this break, even without Maddie? I'm happy for you.

Dear Sydney-

You'll really be happier if you stop saying you want to move back. Brainstorm with me about how to make more friends, join a team, learn a new skill. I love that you loved Gold Rush Days at school and that you did your report about the Santa Inez Mission. You know about stuff I don't.

Dear Spencer-

Thanks for skyping us today. And for hanging out with family in Utah. And for changing Uncle Dave's facebook status. That made us laugh. Let's get that Russian Visa stuff done tomorrow! And I'm sorry I'm not putting chocolate chip cookies in the package tomorrow. I was going to, but we are out of chocolate chips.

Dear Brett-

Thanks for not being disappointed in me even though I didn't take notes during General Conference like you did. I don't have to take notes. I just remember it all. I'm sorry I made those sticky buns that you couldn't eat just because Misty and Mike were here. I won't do that to you again.

MORE COUSINS

COUSINS!!!!!

My delightful Madison Noelle

Maddie left for Italy this week. I am awful at packing myself for an overnight trip, let alone a daughter going on an international one. Without me. What if it rains? Is her passport holder safe enough? Are her Tom's she insists on wearing going to be comfortable enough? Will she be too cold? Man, I already miss her. Everything is just good when she's around. She keeps Ali happy, she drives for me, she plays with Kate, she has fun friends. She will have so much fun! It was verified that somehow their choir really is singing for the Pope at High Mass and she's making pizzas with Italian teenagers.

My sister Kelly and kids were here this week. She thinks my life is crazy. What??!! No. Not crazy! Just, well, full. Ok This week, it's crazy. It was so fun to have them here. Now she finally has a picture in her head when she thinks of us.

I bought Spencer's suits, belts, slacks, socks and ties with him over the phone this week. Pretty funny. I hope what he picked out all by himself looks good. The conversation went a bit like this: "Ok Mom. I really like this Johnston and Murphy shoe I have on. It's comfortable. I'll get one of these and one of the Ecco." "ok. Sounds good. Next." "Well, my suits are black and a dark grey." "Are you sure you want grey?" "Yeah, I've always wanted a grey suit." "Well, ok then. Next." "You'll like these ties. They're sweet." " You sure?" "Yeah." " Ok. Sounds good." Weird!! I am learning how to let go a bit out of necessity. It actually feels kind of good.

We had our R.S. Birthday party this week. I love the day after a big dinner or activity like that. I feel a weightlessness. I used to feel this feeling after pack meeting when I was in cubs or New Beginnings when I was in Young Women. Same feeling. SOOOO I got to hang out with Heidi and Tara Bingham today! It was just what I needed. It's always good when Heidi's in town.

Even better news. I just got to talk to Jane! I'm so happy for you Jane. You will have such a great senior year. You will make things so fun there at BHS.

Misty is coming tomorrow! They are sleeping over for just one night on their way to a cruise for Spring Break. But that one night will be great! We're going to have a pajama party. I don't know why, but I just have to have one and we have to be in our pj pants. (Any excuse for me to be in my pj pants..)

Brett is almost done with his pilot work out program he's been doing. Man. When he is determined to do something, he is so on target. So unlike me! I'm really proud of him. He looks really great.

Spring Break. ahhh. 90 degrees today. What??!! We're going to be swimming in the pool finally. I'm a tad nostalgic? Is that the word? Whatever the word, it's the feeling that teeters a bit on sadness when I talk to people from home like I have today. So I'm going to sign off and make myself happy by either eating chocolate or enjoying the weather. bye for now e