The Friendly Skies

Greetings from rainy Los Angeles! Well, the good news is that we survived a 4 hour plane ride with three kids. The bad news is that IT WAS THE MOST EXHAUSTING 4 HOURS EVER. Eugene and the girls had a row to themselves and I was across the aisle with Chance on my lap. I sat down next to a man who began speaking to me, and I knew the moment he started talking that he was deaf. Score! He wouldn't be bothered if Chance starts wailing! I brushed off my dusty sign language and we also used our iphones to communicate. It was a high tech moment, I tell ya.

But Chance was perfect despite the awful cold that he's got. I ignored the looks when people heard the sound of Chance's wet cough, fighting off the urge to assure them that he's been to the doctor several times this week and that he's actually getting better. I held him tight as he slept in my arms (for most of the flight), trying my best not to doze off myself. Several times I'd look across the aisle and laugh out loud as Eugene was getting crawled on and spilled on. Often having to be the referee because one of the girls touched the DVD player in the wrong spot (or something ridiculous like that). All the while, I smiled and relished my quiet time with Chance. I'd get these desperate looks from Eugene as if to say, please help me. And I'd toss back an equally desperate look as if to say, oh look my hands are full with this warm, soft quiet little ball of goodness.

For three hours and fourty five minutes our flying experience was relatively drama free.

UNTIL THE DESCENT.

I need to pause and get my thoughts together because it's tough to talk about.

Let me provide you with an image that might help describe our final 15 minutes....hmmmm...oh yes this works



Mia lost her ever-lovin' mind people. The moment we began the descent she decided very emphatically that she wanted off the plane. I think in fact, she screamed those exact words. GET ME OFF THIS PLANE! Believe me, if she knew any profanities she would have screamed em'. She proceeded to get hysterical and frightened and annoyed. It was heart breaking to watch. Eugene and I ended up switching seats and I held her as tight as I could and told her that it would soon be over. And sure enough as soon as we landed she calmed down. I felt horrible for the woman in the seat in front of us who got kicked about 12 times in the process.

EXHAUSTING.

As we walked to the baggage claim, the girls ran to find their Grandpa (Lolo) and jumped into his arms. And about 20 minutes after we got our bags we all ate at In-n-Out and it made everything alright.

It's good to be back.

The first snowfall

We had our first snowfall and you would have thought it was Christmas morning the way these girls reacted. I can't blame them. The first snowfall always takes my breath away. I stared out the window and marveled at the snow covered trees. The world looks so peaceful after a snowfall, doesn't it?

Sadly, my morning solace was interrupted by two little girls ready to play.

"Breakfast could wait" they said.

But my coffee couldn't.

I love watching the two of them play in the snow. They had their own little snowball fight and reused their sandbox toys to help shovel a bit. The best part? They wanted to savor the moment and asked if they could put the snow in a baggie and store it our freezer.

How could I refuse?

A Fire and Ice 30th Birthday Bash!

My sister Gabrielle means the world to me. I love her flair for style, her huge heart, her sense of humor and her devotion to my kids. Simply put, I adore her. But it wasn't always this way. I remember a time when I tortured her. A time when I would lose my ever-lovin' mind when she borrowed my clothes. Or when she touched my make-up. Or when she took my casette tapes. Ya know, average sisterly strife. But in the past 10 years, we've formed a bond that goes beyond borrowed Firenza sweatshirts and missing Madonna tapes.

A bond that has resulted in an unbreakable friendship.



Well, just recently our little Gabey turned 30!!! To honor her milestone, we did the only thing we truly know how to do--PARTY! With a fire and ice theme, we celebrated her birthday in style by throwing her a bash she'd never forget.

We turned our living room into an ice cave and danced the night away. In fact, Bella and Mia danced for HOURS under the twinkles of the disco ball! Not kidding peeps--Mia was still awake at MIDNIGHT shaking her booty!





Parenting at it's finest, here's Eugene taking a picture of Bella browsing the jello shots.



AND ANOTHER PICTURE OF HER LICKING HER FINGERS! Thankfully, it was just a lick.



The night was perfect.



We shared a ton of laughs.









And feasted on plenty of food. Like the chocolate fountain. De-lish!





In keeping with the fire and ice theme, we suspended about 30 electric candle sticks in the air just like Hogwarts



and had tons of candles lit everywhere.



We felt the warmth



and shared stories by the bonfire.



Gabe was surrounded by family and friends that adore her.





Friends who have been by her side for years!



And to my relief, Chance was surrounded by plenty of helping hands. Score!



And of course, it wouldn't be a Post party without a little brotherly love and a french baguette. WTH?



We raised our glasses to Gabey, drank ourselves silly and had a night we'd remember for a long time. Well, at least most of us can remember it :)




HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLE!!!!