The McCann Clan

Aloha!

2012-02-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

The highlight of this month was our trip to Hawaii. Danny's parents are now retired and spent several weeks in Hawaii every winter. They invited us over to come lay in the sun with them. It was extra fun because Danny's sister Jessica and her two girls were there too. Cousins and Hawaii and water = serious fun for our kids.

Highlights included:

playing with cousins on Banyan Trees

doesn't this photo look a little scandalous?

Mom's sexy crawl across the beach to Daddy

Poses from Rogan

Dylan angry that we made her go on the sand. Apparently she doesn't like the feeling of sand on her skin ( she comes by that honestly).

This is what Rogan did for about 5 hours a day.

Our hotel had this awesome pirate ship in the middle that was heaven for the kids.

Morning Tai Chi on the beach.

Catch with grandma

Lots of quality Grandma and Grandpa time.

But I would have to say the ultimate highlight of our trip was when Dylan threw up in our rental car 5 times in a row as we were pulling up to the airport to go home. I stripped her down in the bathroom, threw away all her clothes and the car seat, and put her in backup pjs. Then Danny sat in the back of the plane with her throwing up in paper bags the whole flight and Rogan going nuts while I sat up front in first class. Good man. Once we got home, I threw up the whole night. But I lost 3 pounds, so it was worth it. Good times.

MAHALO!

Happy Birthday D!

2012-02-05T19:45:00.000-08:00

So our little girl turned 5, and we tried with all our might to keep her birthday party as low key as we could. All in all, about 3 hours worth of work for mom and dad, which I'm pretty proud of since I know firsthand the rabbit hole that children's birthday parties can pull you down.

We had a Tea Party theme, and each girl came dressed up in their fancies. We made bracelets and rings, had a dance party ( which included dancing out into the neighborhood and a "dance circle" that each girl got a turn going into ) and a "fancy tea" with strawberry chocolate milk, fruit, tea sandwiches, and Sun Chips. Because nothing says Fancy Tea Party like Sun Chips.

Doesn't she look thrilled?

Dylan made all the place cards and set the tables. She LOVES being in charge of it all and has all kinds of ideas of what her mom should and should not be doing.

I also decided to bring back the old "open my birthday presents in front of my guests" tradition, mostly to kill time. Dylan gave a "birthday wish" to each girl which included things like " I wish for you to have blue eyes." and "I wish for you to be my friend forever."

How cute are these little girls?

Happy Birthday our big 5 year old!

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolutions

1) Blog more so I don't have to do one big catch-up post of all the pictures and events I never got around to blogging about but can't give up on because it's the only way I can feel less guilty about not scrapbooking my children's lives.

2) Stop feeling guilty about not blogging enough.

See how I have already defeated myself?

My favorite scene from the rearview mirror

Dylan started soccer this past fall. Very quickly we realized

1) Our daughter has inherited the "I could care less about sports and don't really have a competitive bone in my body " gene from her mother. Our first clue was that all she cared about was the little goody bag at the end of each game.

2) 4 Years old is too young to start a sport and we got sucked into the "Everyone else is doing it and I don't want my kid to fall behind " trap.

3) We, and by WE I mean Kelly, is not looking forward to every Saturday being filled with sporting events, and would like to put it off as long as possible.

but

she sure looked cute.

First day of preschool. Yes, from September. Better late than never.

Trip to St. George with the Faust Family. Family outing to the Sand Dunes.

My parents and all the grandkids.

Halloween Highlights

1) Dylan's Alice in Wonderland costume

2) Our Toy Story themed Halloween. My friend Tisha and her mom's made Mr. and Mrs. Potato costumes. Tisha's son Logan was Woody, and Rogan was Buzz. Yes Logan and Rogan. Unfortunately Halloween was so chaotic that our pictures were lame.

After countless morning power struggles over the doing of the hair, I surrendered and we cut Dylan's hair. Love it. So does she. And we no longer have power struggles, at least not over her hair.

At the salon=post cut.

Dylan made a "dress" out of old Christmas ribbon. Project Runway here we come!

And now, for my 3 favorite photos of 2011.

Drumroll please...

Could these two be any cuter? This happened totally naturally, no posing.

HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR FROM THE MCCANN CLAN

2011

Christmas Catch Up

2012-01-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

The McCann Clan consensus is that this was the best Christmas of our adult lives. I think this mostly has to do with the fact that we have two little kids who were old enough to GET Christmas this year and who never disappointed with their excitement, enthusiasm, and genuine Christmas joy.

Highlights include:

A Visit from Grandma and Grandpa McCann, who gave us an AWESOME nativity set and were able to attend Dylan's preschool Christmas Sing-A-Long. They also got to join us in the annual "Visit the Mall Santa and Hope the Kids Don't Freak Out" tradition. We were headed down that path until the veteran Santa gave Rogan "Knuckles"- which was a clear sign in Rogan's book that this man could be trusted.

We also enlisted Grandma and Grandpa for "Toy Assembly and The Wrapping of Gifts", which is truly the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

We spent Christmas Eve with our so cool neighbors- the attire being "Pajamas" and the cuisine being "Persian/There is no way Mom is up for cooking a big dinner tonight." Delicious.

I wish I could say we were portraying the Three Wisemen but we really are just wearing goofy paper crowns.

Dylan had lots of information to communicate to Santa in our letter to him- the highlights being that she'd like to read books and snuggle up with him, and that she was going to marry Dylan G. from her preschool class.

Christmas Eve we also attempted to read the Nativity Story and have a Christmas moment as a family, but mostly just wrestled our children into their new Christmas Eve PJs and tried to keep them from hitting each other.

The one moment of stillness.

I always try to take a picture of our living room before the kids come in so I can remember what everyone got this year.

Dylan- Table and Chairs for her bedroom

Rogan- a firestation, which is another term for "manly dollhouse"

Santa left an extra surprise gift in the garage- a pink bike with a basket for Dylan and a Cars "motorcycle" for Rogan. One of the benefits of living in California is that you get to actually ride your bike you got for Christmas in your pajamas to the park 5 minutes after you open it. In true Dylan fashion, she didn't want any advice about how to start peddling or use her brakes, professing that she already knew how even though it was her first time on a bike with training wheels. This led to a couple crashes in the bushes but she figured it out.

I couldn't help but tear up watching my almost 5 year old peddling her little pink bike with streamers on the handles down the sidewalk. It will forever be crystallized in my mind as the moment she officially left toddlerhood and became a CHILD. A LITTLE GIRL. A new realm where she so her own person and claiming more independence from her mother. A blessing and a sadness. Such is parenthood!

I am so grateful for our little family and the magic and wonder that fills the air by having two little ones during Christmas time. When putting Dylan to bed on Christmas Eve, we lay together listening for reindeer footsteps on the roof and sleigh bells jingling, and I tried to imprint in my mind the sparkle in her eyes. No, I literally think I saw her eyes glistening. Magic Christmas Glistening Eyes. I'm just saying.

Because for me, Christmas with My Kids = Tangible Magic

Hey ladies...wanna lift?

2012-01-06T14:17:00.001-08:00

He made this pose completely on his own. No coaching.

Embracing the crazy and getting it documented

2012-01-03T20:55:00.000-08:00

Since one of my goals for 2012 is to update our family blog more, I will start with a lazy post and just share the rest of the photos from our family Christmas photo shoot, an undertaking that causes you to wonder "Is this really worth it?" as your children are running around the photography studio, refusing to sit still for one photo together, and your stress level is intense, and you don't end up getting one photo of the whole family looking at the camera at the same time and looking normal. And yet, the whole photo sort of encapsulated who we are as a family- a little loud, full of personalities, everyone having their own ideas about how it should go, embracing the craziness and spontaneity of the moment and just enjoying each other.

I Survived a Family Christmas Card Photo Shoot and All I Got Were These AWESOME Photos

2011-12-01T22:13:00.000-08:00

Sneak Preview:

Ode to My 2 Year Old Boy

2011-11-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted girls.

I always wanted a family of girls.

I grew up in a family of girls. I wanted to watch musicals and play dress up and make up dances in the living room and basically re-create every scene from Little Women with my multiple daughters.

Little boys were foreign to me. Girls-little girls I could relate to. But little boys? Truth be told I was pretty indifferent to the idea of having a son. Sure, I wanted my husband to have someone to attend sporting events with (so I didn't have to), but by in large

I knew I would be completely fulfilled with a brood full of girls.

And then I had a boy.

This boy.

Buttery skin.

Mop of curly brown hair.

Sloppy kisses and plump arms wrapped around my legs.

Smile that radiates pure joy and mischievousness simultaneously.

Chubby hands and butterball feet that only fit into shoes with laces or velcro.

This boy that can melt my heart with a look over his shoulder as he runs away from me in the shopping mall.

This boy that worships his sister, copying her sentences word for word, and yet will not hesitate to grab a clump of her hair if she takes his toy or he wants to make himself laugh.

This boy that puts his chin in his hands to watch TV or to ask his mom for something.
"Mommy more candy please mommy?"

This boy that is happy with a little toy in his hand, but complete when carrying around his "bear", a blankie/bear that he sleeps with every night.

This boy who talks to whoever happens to be around us, at the grocery store, park, preschool drop off.
And basically couldn't be happier to be in the world.

This boy who lights up rooms and silences conversations with his piercing scream, who says "i carry you mommy" when he wants me to carry him, who is only still when he lays his head on my shoulder and our breathing falls into rhythm. This boy who fills our family's day with joy.

And now I get it.

I get that strong mother/son bond that I had heard about in books or movies but could never wrap my head around. The undying devotion mothers have for their sons that had once sounded so twisted now seems like the only option. And now the term "Mamma's boy" no longer seems like such an unhealthy thing. It sounds like a good goal.

Because in my humble opinion the love of a two year boy is one of the sweetest, strongest forces on the planet.
It has no agenda, no complexity, no conditions. It is fierce and big and pure and makes this Mommy feel like she could
harness the moon or move a mountain if this little boy asked her too.

This little boy who has made the "mother who had only wanted daughters" unable to imagine life without the love of her two year old son.

California Dreamin'- minus the sand

2011-11-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

There are many things I love about living in California.

And I would like to say that one of the perks of living in California are the long days we spend at the beach.

Alas, I cannot.

Because I have a lifelong hatred of sand.

I hate the way it multiplies. I hate the way it

finds its' way into my shoes/purse/hair/children's snot/sunscreen/sandwiches/children's cracks/car.

My number one pet peeve is dirty feet, and while most people love the feeling of sand between their toes, it just makes me feel like I have really dirty feet.

In general, I find the beach to be a whole lot of lugging, setting up, being hot, and then being cold when you make contact with the water. The gorgeous California beaches are wasted on me. Bah Humbug.

But I do like the awesome photos I get to take of my kids when we gear up and go. Which happens basically at the beginning of summer and at the end (with a couple trips in between when family visit).

And I love to watch the sheer joy and bliss of my children running wild, reveling in every aspect of the wind, salt, and sun.

Summer Lovin' - Part 2

2011-10-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Nothing says "It's time to post your summer vacation photos" like putting up the Halloween decorations. So I resume:

In August we went to Utah, my mother country, for a week to spend time with my family. There is something so familiar and nostalgic about Utah in the summer for me. I hate the hot temperature ( said the spoiled girl from California ) but the summer evenings are magic. Mostly I love it because it seems like my kids get a little taste of what I had as a child. They get a little slice of childhood that they hadn't yet experienced until our week in Utah.

SUCH AS:

Visiting a small town carnival ( big slide with burlap sacks and creepy Carnies included )

Eating snowcones until your tongue is blue

Running around silly with your cousins and having adventures, including

catching bugs, running through fields, and making up silly songs.

Going to the Hogle Zoo with your grandparents! ( boy have they updated that thing since I was there as a kid. The only thing I recognized was this lion drinking fountain. Had to get a photo in front of it with the kiddos.)

Don't worry. There was an invisible fence there to prevent the Tyrannosaurus Rex from eating us.

My parents have a place in Midway, Utah and it has become one of my favorite places in the world for many reason, one being that is looks like Hidden Valley Ranch. ( at least what I imagine Hidden Valley Ranch looking like ).

Dylan's expression in this photo pretty much surmises how she feels about

her big cousin Jasmine- pure worship.

Seriously. Can't you just imagine wonderful ranch dressing being made in this Hidden Valley?

Other highlights including walks and talks with my sisters, eating way too much of my favorite chocolate rum cake, catching up with girlfriends I don't see enough, and hanging with my parents in my PJs watching nightly TV.

Glad I got to grow up in Utah, and glad I get to go with my children and share all the good with them.

And then go home to California and go to the beach.

Summer Lovin' - Part 1

2011-09-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

The McCann Clan had some serious lovin' of summer. ( and nothing says summer like the middle of September when you finally get around to posting your summer pictures !)

Here were some highlights:

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

Aunt Jessica came for a week with her two girls Makenna and Olivia. Our kids were in heaven having cousins around, even though there were intermittent episodes of fighting. To be expected with two very strong opinionated personalities who will go unmentioned but let's just say they are both the oldest in their families.

Thank you Grandma for matching pajamas!

Aunt Becky, Uncle Mike and brood were here and we got to go to Disneyland with the whole family. ( a special occasion because Becky and Mike live in Singapore and we only get to see them once a year.)

The McCann Cousins

Rogan buried himself in the dress of a mysterious woman he met at Disneyland.

Another highlight of summer was Dylan and Mommy riding a camel together. If you are wondering how I manage to look so graceful and cool on top of that camel, and how easy it was for Danny to get a photo of a fast walking camel, you are not alone.

The newest member of our family

2011-08-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Lately our children are crazy for dogs. So we finally let them get one. At Ikea.

This is Isabella.

This is Dylan feeding her. We decided she eats Kix cereal and water.

Later Dylan walked her/drag her around the house with a ribbon around her neck.

Highlights of this breed:

They don't bark, poop, jump up on you or need walking.

They are very soft and your children can lay on them for hours.

You can just leave them on your children's bed when you go out of town and they are fine.

I highly recommend them.

In other news, we had a bit of a fly problem in our house because certain little children kept leaving the back door open and flies kept flying in. We solved this with threatening warning signs that Dylan made with her awesome babysitter. Message sent.

If only flies could read.

Rogan Daniel McCann- Year Two

2011-08-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

Our little boy Rogan turned two on June 29 and we celebrated in the style he has been accustomed to- specifically anything Toy Story related.

Cowboy Rogan

Our Toy Story Cupcakes that no, I did not make

Our cousins were here from Utah and helped us celebrate.

Pinata!

SNAPSHOT OF ROGAN AT 2:

He loves accessorizing- mostly with shoes. It doesn't matter where we are or whose shoes they are, Rogan will put them on, including the gross old man's crocs laying poolside. ( long story). He also loves a good hat, bracelet, and the occasional scarf.

yes those are high heels

He has this awesome Christopher Walken impression when he says " W--Hy?" ( think- " I need more cowbell!) and also a heavy german accent with most his words. He is becoming more and more verbal. My favorites:

"D ( for Dylan )- No D!"
"Me Me Me"
" I do I do!"

Ok I realize that doesn't sound very verbal, but it feels like progress. Occasionally he yells "Danny! Danny!" from his crib, asking Danny to come get him.

He is extremely attached to his Daddy and goes to him for comfort first. He'll take me if Daddy isn't available and then I SOAK it up.

Recently he is not happy unless he is wearing something Toy Story themed, which sometimes means he wears his Buzz Pajamas for much longer than necessary because all his other shirts are dirty.

He has started taking his Toy Story lunch box when we drop Dylan off at school and pretends like he is going with her, even putting his lunch box on the table with the other kids. It is so sad to have to make him leave.

He is incredibly friendly and very polite, not necessarily because we have taught him to be. For whatever reason, he says "Good Morning" and "Hello" to everyone we come across. Oh and " 'Cuse me Mommy. More Incredbles" ( translation: Excuse me Mommy? More Incredibles Movie." ) I can claim no credit for this.

When he is in trouble, he crosses his arms across his chest and sticks out his bottom lip. On cue. And he puts himself in time out. Again, no credit for this.

Dylan is his arch nemesis and the light of his life- and he flips back and forth from those two extremes quite regularly, but no one makes him laugh harder than her.

Sometimes when he is in trouble he closes his eyes and moves his head back and forth like Stevie Wonder. No clue where he gets this.

If he could live exclusively on oranges and orange juice, he would.

He loves to dance and moves his arms up and down in the car when we are listening to music. He also likes to close his eyes and pretend he is asleep, and then surprise me and yell "I awake!"

OK pretty much I could go on an on about how cute this kid is and how much we love having him in our family. He is such a loving, good natured fun kid and if I could bottle him up and keep him this way forever I would. ( minus the diapers, tantrums, running away in public, and a few other things ).

Oranges

2011-06-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Rogan has a new favorite food-Oranges.

Messy, but oh so cute.

Dance Magic Dance

2011-06-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got to watch out little girl

go on a big stage

and dance to

"I'm a Little Teapot"

and blow kisses to the audience when she was done.

And just like every other parent in the audience,

we beamed with pride and forgot all about the

expensive costume/dvds/flowers/tickets and endless Saturday dance classes

and just thought

"It's all worth it!"

We're so proud of you Dylan.

Overwhelming cuteness

2011-06-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

Lately I am overwhelmed by my son's cuteness.

Here's my proof.

Transitions

2011-06-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have recently realized we have transitioned from

"Family with baby and toddler"

"Family with toddler and little girl"

It amazes me how quickly we move through phases as a family, and how I can barely remember life with an infant and two year old. I have to look at pictures like this to remind myself that actually did happen and I did survive.

Here are my babies exactly a year ago:

and here they are today:

I saw a woman today with a baby and a toddler today and it occurred to me " Oh, that's not me anymore. I am no longer the mom of a baby. I am mom of a toddler and little girl" and that blew my mind, even though I've been living that every day. We are in a new stage of parenting now, and transitioned into it without me really noticing. There is a

slightly new dynamic to our family as Rogan has become more of his own little person.

We feel more like a little unit

and I LOVE it.

One of these new dynamics is the budding little relationship between Dylan and Rogan. So far the relationship mostly consists of Dylan stressing about Rogan taking "her stuff", which he has now learned to do, and then Rogan running away from her because he knows she will chase him. One minute they are cracking each other up and the next they are physically abusing each other. Regardless, it is safe to say that Rogan idolizes Dylan and she is experimenting with that power.

I find such delight in watching the two of them develop their own relationship outside of Danny and I, and love how it shifts and shapes us as a family.

Oh Mexico

2011-05-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

Our little family went on our first big trip:

Cabo- mostly because it was only a two hour plane ride.

Highlights included:

endless hours in the pool, eating and drinking peach smoothies and answering the question that YES you can get burnt out on eating nachos by the pool

MY KIDS LOOK WAY TOO COOL AND ADULT IN THIS PHOTO

DYLAN got to eat Fruit Loops every morning. It was the highlight of the trip for her and is now earning "stars" on her job chart to get a whole box of Fruit Loops for herself. Whatever motivates her!

This was the general attitude towards Mom on this trip. When the kids have endless access to Daddy for five days, Mom is bumped down on the totem pole.

Morning walk on the beach

Our Hotel: The Westin

Washing off sand in classic Dylan dance style!

My favorite photo: Dylan got her shorts wet and so she promptly took them off and walked about in her underwear, snuggie included, for the rest of the morning.

On the balcony of our room

It felt like Rogan transformed from baby to little boy on this trip. He is now much more in the mix of the daily interactions of the family and we love it!

The Three Musketeers

My cool dudes

It was so wonderful to stop, connect, and just BE with each other.
Highlight of our year for sure.

miss u already

2011-05-06T00:51:00.000-07:00

Sunrise in Cabo

My Version of Heaven

Just Because...

2011-05-06T00:28:00.000-07:00

There are many things I love about my sister and bro in law coming to stay with us.

Because I get to see this baby:

Because Mike always gets great and funny shots of my kids

( and someone else is taking pictures , and is actually skilled with a camera)

Yes that is frosting on that thing. It is a cookie. and she ate it.

Rogan either riding or humping a rabbit. Not sure which.

Because my sister is one of my favorite people to hang with:

But mostly because they bring me an entire package of Tim Tam cookies from New Zealand which I devour in one day and be ok with it because I would have to travel to New Zealand to get more.

Me and my belly thank you for a great visit ( a month later ).

love u guys

In a Nutshell...

2011-04-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

So I have not posted for a while, so,
IN A NUTSHELL, or a blog post,
here is what the McCann's have been up to...

A Girls Weekend with Big Sister Brittney and Daughters doing very girls stuff;

EXHIBIT A: A Night Out at the Theater to see "Wicked"

EXHIBIT B:

A Trip to the American Girl Store to have tea with dolls

and spend lots of money on doll accessories I haven't seen since

A Baby Boy who has gone from cute fat baby to cute fat toddler overnight.

And his first haircut, which unlike Samson, has not made him any less

strong or adorable. ( I'm assuming Samson was adorable.)

A Birthday for Danny: All he wanted was a homecooked dinner and time at home with the kids.

A Birthday for Kelly: All she wanted was a dinner out that she didn't have to cook

and time away from the kids.

( There is no picture for this one because there was no one to take a picture of mom ALONE.)

A TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY: This is a whole other post which I will probably not end up writing. Needless to say, ten years in....WE STILL GOT IT!

IN A NUTSHELL, we are loving our two great kids who never cease to make us laugh and pull our hair out, and loving each other all while making each other laugh and making the other want to pull their hair out.

AND the biggest news of all, TA DA- We got two photos with the whole family in them! ( Thank you Uncle Mike)

I have seen the future and it is frightening...

2011-03-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been having flashes into the future. And it is scaring me.

Suddenly, my four year old is talking like a teenager. Saying phrases that feel way beyond her years with inflections that DEFINITELY seem beyond her years.

For Example-

" Mom, I have to get shoes that light up. All my friends at school have them and I need them to. "

"Mom, I don't like that shirt. I'm not going to wear that."

"Mom, who is Hannah Montana?"

"Mom, don't tell me what to do."

"Mom, I'm not going to be your friend anymore."

I am hearing these phrases, and am taking in the magnitude of her LARGE personality which seems to grow every day, and it is freaking me out a tad bid. How quickly they take on personas beyond their years. How quickly they adopt what they see around them. I was hoping the words "Hannah Montana" would never be uttered in my household, and yet somehow I found myself trying to explain this ridiculous character that has seeped into my child's world on the ride home from preschool.

It is happening. The little bubble we all try to create as parents is bursting a bit as we enter preschool. And I know it's inevitable. And I know it's not just preschool- that a large part of this newfound defiance and teenage sounding angst is
who my daughter is. She is enthusiastic in ALL her opinions and emotions. Which I love and I wouldn't change for a second. But it does raise the question for me of how to embrace and strengthen all that makes her HER, and not let it turn into SOMETHING ELSE.

A force to be used for GOOD, not talking back to her mother if you will. Because I have caught a glimpse of what teenage years with our head strong, fearless, opinionated girl could be, and it is frightening.

It's gonna be a fun ride.

how to get an easy laugh- by Dylan and Rogan McCann

2011-02-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

It's amazing to me how quickly my kids figured out that putting underwear on your head is always funny.

My New Daughter! ( I mean Niece )

2011-02-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

I am on a high.
A "isn't life wonderful and the world an amazing place and I really really love my family" high.
Mostly because of this baby:

CRAZY LONG MONKEY FINGERS

Meet Zuzu Collette Maahs. TThe newest member Faust girl in the Faust family. Born two weeks ago to my sister Katie in Auckland, New Zealand. She is an exact replica of my gorgeous sister and I am claiming her as my third child, even though she has adoring and wonderful parents.

Parents who are living in New Zealand. A mom who gave birth to her all NATURAL- showing up at the birthing center dilated to a 9. Who was walking around the next day and who has risen to this crazy challenge of becoming a mother with grace and strength and humor.

And a dad who is everything you hope for for a little girl- fun and strong and sensitive and devoted to both mother and baby.

I'm on a high because I got to travel to New Zealand for a week and witness them becoming parents and share in those first terrifying, magical, and special days of new parenthood that occur only once in your lifetime. I got to be immersed in NEWBORN WORLD and still sleep through the night- nostalgic and elated that that stage is behind me!

Not only did I get to experience all this- I got to do it on one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen- the island of Waihekei ( which is a 20 minute ferry ride off of Auckland ) where Mike and Katie now live. The island is this weird and fabulous combination of Hawaii ( gorgeous beaches with white sand ) meets Ireland ( rolling green hills with sheep and cows ) meets Italy ( vineyards, olive oil and wine tastings ) meets 1960s Berkley California hippie people. In a matter of days I became "Island Kelly"- composting, showering with rain water, hanging my laundry to dry, and growing my leg hair. It just happens to you.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

my adopted sheep "Brian"

being surrounded by this everyday

Posing next to a moped so it looks like I road around the island
on a moped.

posing on a beach but refusing to walk it because the broken seashells from the
tropical storm hurt my feet

Two Perfect Things- baby ZuZu and the best Indian food I've ever
had in my life, eaten while riding the ferry to the island.

Fish and chips ( YUM ) and the beginning of my addiction to
Ginger Beer ( not real beer everyone, it's like ginger ale )

Lots of staring at a sleeping baby

Having someone else take pictures. Being in pictures for a change.

Witnessing new parents give Zuzu her first bath ( and watching her fall asleep in it )
2nd bath equally eventful when she pooped in it. Green poop bath.

View off the balcony of our island house every night

BEING WITH MY SISTER AND WITNESSING HER BECOME A MOTHER

I know it is only February, but I know that the trip has been the highlight of my year. Besides my husband and children, it had everything I love - travel, amazing food, great conversations, new friends, and Katie and Mike whom I never tire of.

SHOUT OUT TO DANNY ( and my awesome in-laws) for watching my babies so I could go welcome Zuzu. Not only did Danny keep my children alive ( which was all I asked ), he managed to clean and do laundry, which he hates. It took a village to make it possible for me to leave for a week and I am so grateful for it. I can't imagine not having been a part of this once in a lifetime event for Katie and Mike, and I can't imagine missing out on this:

Fairy Palooza 2011

2011-01-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with children's birthday parties. They are one of the many aspects of parenthood that will take over your life if you let it- full of expectations, sucking time and money, and full of potential to elevate your child's expectations of birthdays to ridiculous levels.

Things are much different now than they were when I was a kid. I don't know if this was just Utah or this was the 80's, but in my day a birthday party meant you got DROPPED OFF at someone's house ( parents not required to surrender two hours of their Saturday to watch you run around like a maniac ), and you WATCHED the birthday kid open presents ( too difficult now for these young kids ), and you ate homemade cake and played a little game and went home. No bounce houses. No catered food. No awesome gigantic play space with a staff running the party for you. No professional singers. No living room full of adults. Don't get me wrong- I love those things and as a parent, you appreciate that your kid can go nuts in the bounce house and you get to eat awesome food, but this year, as the parent actually throwing the party, I decided to do a throwback to the 80s birthday parties of my youth and have a homespun, old school 4 year old birthday party.

Which meant:
1) No adults- which I actually had to coach parents into, because clearly it was not something they were accustomed to. I basically had to say "You don't need to come with you child. Please don't come with your child." ( subtext- I do not have food for you. I have no entertainment for you. I will be more stressed if you come. )

2) Crappy kid food and homemade from a box cupcakes.

3) 8 little girls running around my house, as I tried to be Dylan's mom, Party Director, Craft Maker, Photographer and Magic Fairy Godmother Queen all at the same time.

Dylan chose a Fairy Themed birthday party so we went all out. No one can say that I didn't commit to the part of the "Fairy Godmother Queen".

I knew that Glinda the Good Witch Costume would come in handy.

Each of the girls got wings when they arrived, then I sprinkled "Fairy Dust" on all of them

( AKA sugar ) and we had a "Wing Test" as we ran around the neighborhood.

Then they colored fairies which we taped to balloons and play "Make Your Fairy Fly" ( aka keep your balloon up in the air while the music plays)

We went "Fairy Hunting" in the backyard and each girl found a fairy and a house, which
we then decorated.

The Girls with their fairy houses AKA birdhouses from Micheals spray painted yellow.

The fairy in our backyard.

We played "Pin the Fairy on the Flower" which quickly derailed once Danny brought out the silly string and let the girls take turns spraying the back of our house. Much more fun.

8 different fairies with 8 different food issues.

Our favorite and special friend Kelly Rod AKA Roddy Rod who was

my magic fairy helper and saved me many times over the course of

two hours.

Danny finally relented and let me make my son into a fairy- temporarily.

All in all, it was a great party- mostly because Dylan had a blast, the girls got along, and the adults stayed relatively stress free. And because throwing a birthday party for your child feels like a milestone as a parent, like you are actively engaged in this stage of life of parenting and able to create a magic day for your child. Which, for me, is what it is all about.

And for a 4 year old girl, what could be more magical than being a fairy for a day?

happy birthday baby girl

2011-01-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

Today my little girl turns 4.
A 4 year old full of
expressions ( "Oh bananas!")
questions ( "Do talking dogs have to wear a leash?)
imagination ( riding her horse "Sherry" around the park )
meltdowns ( "I'm having a hard day!")
and affection ( "Family hug time!")

with a love of
games ( Go Fish, memory, push my little brother down )
puzzles ( "I have a good brain Mom.")
snuggling ( "Let's snuggle up and watch a show.")
candy ( "If I eat one bite of dinner, can I have my 20th piece of candy? )
coloring ( "Come color next to me Mom.")

working on
manners ( "Hey old lady- don't push the elevator button!")
wiping herself ( " I'll wipe myself when I'm 4 mom." )
sharing ( "Keep Rogan away from my stuff Mom!" )
her inside voice ( LOUDNESS )
no more drama ( flinging herself onto her bed while screaming "You are a mean woman!")

She is never boring, eyes sparkling, excited to be everywhere, looking for an audience,
full of hugs and kisses,
constant negotiating,
brilliant actress,
cruise director,
and quite aware of her mommy and daddy's weak spots.
She is a little force of nature, and fills up a room with enthusiasm and emotion.
She is bold strokes of yellow in our lives, and makes everyday life a little more magical.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Babycakes
Dylan Drama
Dyllie Bean
Missy Moo
Rogan's Hero
Baby Girl
DYLAN SHERRY
We love you oodles and bounds.

A Christmas They Better Remember!

2011-01-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

It terrorizes me on a regular basis that I won't remember these days. By that, I mean, how many Christmas mornings do you really remember? After all the decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping sweating etc, how much do you remember and how much do you kids remember? I have a few blurry memories from my childhood Christmas's. I can barely remember last year. Which is why I must document with pictures like crazy, but then, don't, because then I spend all morning behind a camera.

I felt like this was the first Christmas that Dylan might actually remember ( hopefully ) so I have to say I got a little more into festivities this year. Of course, I realize that chances are she will remember none of it. Nevertheless, and in the spirit of living for the now, we had a spectacular Christmas. My parents came to spend the holidays, which made it extra special because we got to have moments like this:

( Yes this is my Dad playing Barbie with my kids. Something he never did

with us 4 girls. My how he's grown)

( Because how often do you get to post pictures of your parents in their pajamas? Love you dad)

And my daughter hamming it up with Santa and Rogan on the verge of FREAKING OUT.

It was a great great year- starting new traditions and eating good food (Persian food for Christmas Eve!) and lighting a fire every chance I got. And that's all I am going to write because now it's January and I am burnt out on Christmas. God bless us every one!

Confessions of a Mommy Blogger

2011-01-03T17:57:00.001-08:00

Confessions of a Mommy Blogger

1) I hate calling myself a "mommy blogger".

2) I have a love/hate relationship with blogging. I enjoy it- but only when I feel like it. I dread it when it seems like one more thing to do. I kind of hate that I feel the need to put my life out for public viewing. And yet, I do it.

3) I only post pictures of myself that look relatively good. Here's an exception:

4) I almost never comment on other people's blogs, but wish they would comment on mine.

5) I rarely feel better after reading other blogs- mostly I feel like I am not getting enough done.

6) I am always wondering "When does everyone get time to make all these posts?" And then realize that in the time I was blog surfing I could've written 5 posts.

7) I have an ounce or two of resentment that I am my family's sole documentarian, and yet, do not allow my husband to be in charge of picture taking or blog writing. And then want him to comment on the blog post I just wrote. Poor guy.

8) I frequently think about the blog post I am going to write about the moment I am having while I am having it. ( and don't always end up posting it)

9) I blog stalk- ( but who doesn't? ) but now wish I could take back all the extra information I have about people that I haven't thought about in years.

10) I sometimes have to pretend like I don't already know something about a person's life whose blog I've read, when they are telling me about that something in person."Oh you guys went on a trip? How fun!" ( except that I saw all your vacation photos and know what you did every day!)

11) Sometimes I have the impulse to shut it all down and go back to the good ole' days where all my pictures were in boxes and I don't have the endless feeling of having to "update" everyone.

12) Blogging to me is like chocolate. Sometimes you eat it even when it's not that good. Sometimes it makes you happy, sometimes it makes you feel like you are a slave to it. Sometimes you think like maybe you should quit it, but realize that is just a ridiculous thought because chocolate is here to stay, so you might as well enjoy it. ( ok that metaphor sucked. but you get my point)

Patience not required of 3 year old

2010-12-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Patience it not a virtue in this house. It's not really even on the list of possibilities. Exhibit A:

20 minutes after we made a cake, Dylan snuck back into the kitchen and dug in.

Let's Party like it's 1985

2010-12-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

Danny and I went out this weekend. To an Ugly Sweater Christmas party.
and this is what I looked like:

It was scary how quickly I remembered how to curl my bangs up and create hair wing tips.

I told Danny to pretend like he was 16 again and I was the hot girl from high school, circa 1985.

I'm not sure if that helped or not.

Suffering for our art

2010-12-11T11:26:00.000-08:00

Lately we are very into coloring at the McCann house, and by coloring mostly I mean coloring on walls, benches, faces, and occasionally on a piece of paper. Dylan can color for hours, whereas Rogan just basically wants to sit next to her and chew on a crayon. And mommy gets to clean it all up, several times a day
(but I am fine with suffering for their art ).

Dylan is constantly making up little projects for herself- cutting and painting, taping together, whatever it needs.
Yesterday she made a "pirates hat", and it only took me 5 guesses to figure out what it was.

Growing up in a household where everyone had artistic ability except me ( including my mom and dad ), I will be shocked if this ends up being her "thing", but thrilled nonetheless.

The lost weekend

2010-12-02T00:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, for the sake of your sanity, your relationship, your brain, and your identity,
you have to escape from your suburban Orange County life and pretend to be someone else for 24 hours.

You pretend that you and your husband are just "dating", that you frequently stay in fabulous hipster hotels in Los Angeles with mind blowing design details like this:

yes that is a pig and a lounge chair in the middle of the pool

and you magically get a table at Bazaar, which has a 2 month waiting list, and you have one of the most amazing meals of your life. And it looks like this

Over dinner, you try not to talk about the kids, but they slip in a few times because hey,

they are the best. And you try to stay up late, with all the other hipsters, but by 10 you are both nodding off. You try to sleep in, in this pretend life without children, but are awake by 8 because your body is used to it. And you walk to breakfast to your favorite breakfast spot that was THE spot when you lived in LA, only to find that it is now filled with other parents and children, who still go there because it was THE place before they had kids too. ( and it turns out it is no longer THE spot. Not a celebrity in sight )

And it's nice not to be so concerned with being "cool" or "in the know" or "hipster", because let's face it- in your 20s being "cool" can be a full time job. Screw cool.

But it is nice to connect with that part of yourself who loves the big city, who feels most at home in an urban environment, who loves design and fashion and feeling closer to the center of something. The girl that left Utah for New York City and that became so much more of herself, and who fell in love with her man against the backdrop of a city world.

And then you go home- to cookie cutter suburbia, to chain restaurants, to 6:30 am wake up calls, but you are happy about it because it's YOUR LIFE, and you wouldn't want to go back to "cool" or "in the know" or even living with a backdrop of a city world. Because this stage of life is about something else, something more enriching, more lasting, and it requires growth and commitment from you in a way your old life never dared. And you are right where you want to be.

But it's nice to know that "cool" and "hip" and that couple that fell in love against the backdrop of a city world can always be found with just a 24 get-away for two tired parents.

two tired parents like us.

From the "Pre-Baby/Younger and Cooler" Archive

Cause nothing says Christmas like pumpkins

2010-11-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Now that my Christmas decorations are up and we are in full holiday swing, what better time to post all my pictures from our fall trip to the pumpkin patch! Nothing says it's Christmas time like pumpkins.

Like hundreds of other Orange County families, we went to Tanaka Farms this year to see their pumpkins. Truth be told I don't remember much now, other than the fact that there were lots of pumpkins, some goats, and the bad mood I was in kept me from enjoying most of it ( keeping it real blog world ).

The goats were a big hit with Rogan. Not so much with me due to the germs, poop, and almost getting my finger bit off.

I bought fake pumpkins to decorate our house with, which got a lot of play time

from the kids. Hence, the pumpkins on the stairs picture

So there you have it. Cute kids. Pumpkins. Goats. Merry Christmas to all and to all

a good night!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2010-11-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

This year for Halloween we went for a "Wizard of Oz" theme- little surprise since I am slightly obsessed with that movie. I knew I had to push the Dorothy costume now before Dylan realizes how much control she has over costume choice. Dylan begged me to be Glinda the Good Witch, and I needed little prodding to put on a large pink dress with sparkles and a crown.

Rogan was supposed to be the "Cowardly Lion" but he quickly let me know he was not cool with my decision. This was his reaction when we tried on the 2nd of lion costumes I bought him. ( His head was too big for the first one ).

And so come Halloween night, we wrestled him into Dylan's old peacock costume, which he still did not love, but we fought through it.

****We interrupt this blog post due to technical difficulties- my computer is not "reading" my image files from Halloween night ( Dylan as Dorothy and me as Glinda the good witch included). Excuse me while I have a mini-breakdown. Hopefully more pictures to follow.

Happy Birthday Katie

2010-10-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

This is my gorgeous sister.

It is her birthday today. She is turning 29. Most of the time, in my mind, she is still 8. ( which is the case with all family members isn't it? they don't age?) But in reality, she is a interesting and beautiful woman who is about to become a mother.

She is with child- and I am so excited about it. I get to travel to New Zealand where she is living with her amazing hubby when that baby is born. I hope their baby girl is just like her- which means, they will have their hands full.

Top 5 Things I love About Katie

1) Her laugh. A little bit like the chubby chipmunk from the Disney movie "The Sword and the Stone". If you've seen it, you know exactly what I am talking about. She can turn it on and off so easily. And it tickles my feathers every time.

2) Her openness to life and playfulness. She is always open to everyone, everything, experience. She is the first to try a weird food or a crazy stunt. Her interest and passion for life is contagious.

3) Her individuality. Katie has always marched to the beat of own drum. She has worn every hair color ( red is my personal favorite ) and had her unique style. She had alien posters on her bedroom wall as a teenager, and was listening to techno before listening to techno was cool.

4) Her mischievous nature. List of childhood trouble- sawing down the backyard fence, duct taping my dead parakeet to my bedroom door ( it's a long story ), painting the kitchen walls with jam, cutting up our dead goldfish and leaving little pieces of it hidden around the house to "surprise us" ( another long story ). And who do you think was the person that brought gag tricks for the little cousins at the last family vacation.

5 ) Her generous heart. She is thoughtful and considerate, and "shows up" for people in ways that matter. She loves without judgment ( me included ) and authentic in her connections with others.

So my Katie-
If you weren't my sister, i would want you for my dear friend. I feel so grateful that I got both.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATS!

So Happy Together?

2010-10-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have added a new job title to my resume: REFEREE

As I'm sure many parents of siblings know, a large portion of our parenting these days is dedicated to "keeping the peace" between our two children, or should I say, keeping Rogan away from Dylan's "stuff" and keeping Dylan from mauling Rogan.

Whatever Dylan has, (Barbies, markers, fruit snacks, necklaces) Rogan wants, and of course, Dylan does not want Rogan to have it. In addition, Dylan is constantly walking a fine line between being affectionate with Rogan and causing him bodily harm. ( See Below )

I confess I am a bit surprised that the sibling rivalry has popped up already, especially since Rogan is only 15 months. And I've heard it gets worse ( which is why I purchased this classic and amazing book "Siblings Without Rivalry", a must for every parent ). If I had a dollar for every time I said " Be gentle Dylan ", I would have enough money to purchase that fabulous black leather jacket I have been fantasizing about but realize will never wear. I digress.

Yes, this is now part of our everyday life, which is why I must celebrate moments like the one I had yesterday pushing the kids in the double stroller. Without anyone looking, without suggestions or requirement, Dylan reached over and kissed Rogan gently on the cheek and said " I love you Roggie ". And Rogan was grinning from ear to ear.

Moments like that settle my heart, because I see that even with all the back and forth, they are forming a little bond. They are starting to have their own little relationship, separate from Danny and I. And that feels like a quite a growth milestone for our little family, and almost makes all the refereeing worth it.

almost...

First Day of School...3x

2010-10-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

I realize it is now October, but I will not be deterred from writing about Dylan's first day of preschool, or her 2nd first day of preschool, or her 3rd. Explanation:

We enrolled Dylan is a preschool. We thought we were making a good call. It's just preschool, right? We prep her for the first day, make a big fuss, buy a new first day of school outfit, take "first day of school "pictures before leaving ( see above ).

Then....something just felt off. This particular preschool required the children to attend 5 days a week, which at the time, seemed like something she was ready for. But after dropping her off that first day, we started doubting. And when we picked her up, she kept saying how much she hated it. Which is not like our usually social, enthusiastic daughter. And there were other things that we were started wondering about, and it just felt off. That feeling you have as a parent, that something is just not quite right. We weren't thrilled, and we decided if we were going to send our daughter 5 days a week somewhere, we had to be thrilled. So we pulled her.

On to back up preschool number 2. There was an opening. It's a cute little home run preschool. So we did "first day of preschool" for the 2nd time. She wore the same outfit.

We did the photos.

And then I got a call from our dream preschool, (the one we had given up on because we were 90th on the waitlist, because I didn't turn in an application when my children were newborns ) and they just happen to have a slot for 3 year old girl, and were we interested? And I said yes we were, then jumped up and down and screamed when I got off the phone. ( I know it's not Harvard, I know it's just preschool, but it really was everything I wanted in a little preschool ).

So the NEXT day we had our 3rd First day of school. Thank goodness we have a very adaptable, fearless little girl who was not disturbed at all by the 3 schools in one week she had been to. Same outfit ( i washed it). No pictures. And it is perfect for her. And she loves it. And we love it. And everyone is happy.

Parenting Lesson Learned: If something feels "off", when you don't have peace about a decision you are making for your children, keep pushing and keep working on it until you do.

Other places I write

2010-10-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

As some of you may or may not know, I have just started back working as a therapist. I took a year off after Rogan was born but am back two days a week ( which has been the perfect balance for me ). I am working at the Pepperdine Counseling Center and am also in private practice in Newport Beach. Because I wanted more pressure to write on yet another blog

( ha ha ) , I have started a blog geared towards parents on my professional website. Check it out if you are interested.

http://www.therapywithkelly.com/blog/

I welcome your input as I hope it is more of a conversation than

a monologue by me!

What to Do with a Giant Jug of Cheese Puffs

2010-10-03T14:12:00.000-07:00

When Danny returned from Costco with a GIGANTIC jug of cheese puffs, I asked him
"Why on earth do we need this?". Little did I know that these processed, messy, cardboard tasting delights would become the obsession of my baby.

I put the cheesepuffs on top of the fridge in our garage, hoping that "out of sight/out of mind" would prevent my children from filling up on them. This plan backfired because every time I come into the house, Rogan now points to them and begs. And I succombed. A few times.

And as cute as the photos are, and even thought these could count as food storage because their shelf life is infinite, the GIGANTIC jug of cheesepuffs has disappeared. mysteriously. that's all I am going to say...

Dear DCFS

2010-09-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Department of Child and Family Services.

I realize I may be walking a thin line here, but one minute your child is doing this:

and then you turn back around and now he is doing this:

And then he seems like he's having so much fun, that his sister wants to join him:

I swear I was watching them the whole time. The dryer door never closed. 'Please don't report me or whatever it is you do when a mother allows her children to do something possibly potentially dangerous. I am normally hyper-vigilant and precautious about my children's safety.

But it made such a cute picture.

Let's see it again:

Disney Princess OVERLOAD

2010-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

We are in Disney Princess OVERLOAD around here.

Took Dylan to Disneyland this week to have lunch with the Princesses at "Ariel's Grotto"- I figured she will never be more into them than she is now so we might as well capitalize on the Princess Fervor.

It was OVERLOAD
We learned how to dance and curtsy, and pledged to "honor all things of beauty" ( i kid u not )at the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland. Heard a story from Snow White, danced around a maypole, changed into our Ariel Fin Dress and ate mediocre food while each of the princesses came and greeted us at our table. Dad was a sport and embraced the whole experience.

And as much as I struggle with the Disney Princess obsession, I did have my predictable Disneyland Tears ( I cry every time I go to Disneyland ) when Dylan ran up to Princess Tiana and hugged her. I have just decided to embrace all that goes with having a 3 year old who is victim to the Massive Disney Princess Marketing Machine and roll with it. When In Fantasyland....

TRUE LOVE

By the end of the day, Dylan passed out from DISNEYLAND PRINCESS OVERLOAD

Happiness is

2010-09-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Happiness is sitting in my new high chair ( with a snap on tray that makes mommy very happy because she just sticks it in the dishwasher) ,

eating cheerios

watching Elmo

crossing my cankles

( meaning my calf runs into my ankles )

so I don't forget the cute things she says

2010-08-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

Today Dylan had an "accident" right on our kitchen floor. Standing with her legs apart, looking down at her pee she screamed "Mommy! It looks like a lake."

Thanks for making me laugh out loud more than once today my love.

Dear Rogan

2010-08-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Rogan/Roggie/LovableRogue/Rogster/BEEF MITTENS,

I am sorry almost two months have past and I am just posting about your birthday. Luckily you are a rather happy -go- lucky and don't seem to have noticed. That being said:

Your 1st birthday was low-key, spent with great friends who have been a part of your life since you were born. We had two mini-celebrations- One with the Rodriguez family where we had lasagna and cupcakes and another low key barbecue at our house on your actual day.
It took you a while to get interested in the cupcake we presented, which is surprising since to look at you one would guess you do nothing but eat.

You are ALL BOY- crawling, grabbing, pulling, climbing,and always getting into mischief

( so much different from you sister who just sat quietly and played ). I think we may actually have to babyproof the house this time since you are constantly slamming your fingers in drawers and splashing around in toilets.

Everywhere we go people say things like "Wow. He's not missing any meals." or "What a cute big chubby baby." My lower back agrees. I can't decide if I want you to walk sooner or later. My lower back prefers sooner.

You have developed a nice little high piece scream, which you do whenever you want something or just feel like making a little noise. Today you got us kicked out of the library because you wouldn't stop screaming. Yes KICKED OUT as the annoyed librarian said "I'm sorry, but his screaming is just too distracting. It's too loud." Who says I can't control my kids? ( maybe it didn't help that Dylan was talking running around with her arms stretched out like an airplane ).

You are constantly throwing food off of your highchair tray, acting as if you are insulted that I offered them to you. I will not apologize for putting vegetables on your tray however persistent you are about throwing them on the floor.

(styling with snot and spaghetti sauce on your face)

You WORSHIP your sister. You are constantly laughing at everything she does. Today she ran into a large planter and you thought it was the funniest thing you've ever seen and gave a big belly laugh. No matter how many toys I put down for you to play with, you are always "UP IN HER BUSINESS" and want whatever she has. We have had to create a special place for her in the closet where she can escape you and play in peace. She is always saying "Mom. I don't want Rogan to get my stuff." You are her shadow, but it makes me so joyful when I see the two of you starting to interact and have real "moments" together.

You have just begun pointing to what you want- My keys, my phone, my diet coke. You get very frustrated when we don't give you what I want and are not afraid to voice your opinion.

You are very expressive and animated ( hmmm, must have got that from your sister). You reach your arms out to almost everyone and go to anyone very easily. You are a snuggler and want to be carried everywhere.

I couldn't have dreamt up a more delightful baby boy to have in our family. You are a joy to all of us and make every day a little brighter.

Lots of love,

Your Adoring Mommy with the Aching Back

when you don't have enough time

2010-08-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

sometimes you just don't have enough time to blog, but you want to check it off your list,
so you just put up a picture of the cutest baby ever and decide that is going to count.

The Joker

2010-07-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

So it turns out Batman did not quite finish off his arch nemesis. I know this because The Joker came to visit us this week.

He was his usual crazy self

(see below)

dance magic dance

2010-06-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

Miss Dylan had her first dance recital and loved every second of it (which didn't surprise us).

She danced to a little song "A Bushel and a Peck" and sang her little heart out, even though it wasn't really required of the dancers.

Our suspicions that our girl would

take to the stage were confirmed when her face lit up when the applause began and she began

bowing immediately after her dance. She continued to bow by herself, until her teacher came and pulled her off stage.

Here is a blurry picture of act:

It was a special day for her because her older cousin Jasmine was able to come and support her and could not have been sweeter as she gave Dylan tips on performing in her first dance recital.

Of course I cried during the performance, so proud and amazed at how big our baby girl has gotten. One of those great moments in being a parent.

my Dylan

2010-06-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

at 3 1/2 years old you are

exuberant

expressive

exhausting

in between toddler and girl

discovering nail polish

but wanting a sippy of milk

I never tire of looking into your eyes always full

of wonder

of delight

of mischief

of defiance

thank you for

constantly showing me

teaching me

requiring me

to LIVE IN THE MOMENT with you

and making it full and ripe

and wonderful

never ceasing to remind me

with just a smile, a glance,

a word

why I feel for you a LOVE BEYOND EXPRESSION

and why being your mother

feels like such a gift...

Good Times with the Extended McCann Clan

2010-06-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

One of the many great things about marrying someone from Seattle is that you get to travel there often and be amazed every time at what an incredible city it is.

One of the great things about marrying someone whose parents have a house on Lake Washington is that you get to stay at that house and go for boat rides, wake up to beautiful views, and insist all children wear a life preserver whenever they are outside.

Dylan lived in a life preserver this past weekend and basically had the time of her life playing with her cousins.

One of the great things about marrying a guy from Seattle who has such a cool family is that you get to hang out with people that you would want to be friends with even if they weren't you family.

(like these two ladies, my sis-in-laws)

We did the famous Seattle "Duck Tour" which is basically a tour bus that takes you through the city of Seattle and then is able to transform into a boat and take you on the Lake. For anyone who is traveling to Seattle, I highly recommend the tour as we had a blast. I do not however recommend buying the "duck whistles" for your kids unless you have a high tolerance for the most annoying sound ever.

Those cool sister-in-laws also contributed very cute and fun kids to the extended McCann Clan.

how cute is little cousin Olivia?

a hot tub of kids!

And not to be forgotten- the fabulous Grandpa and Grandma McCann who welcomed a house full of adults and 8 crazy kids with open arms and lots of love.

"I think i like this bald guy.I'm going to keep him."

grandma and one of her darling granddaughters Bailey

THANK YOU MCCANN FAMILY FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK OF GREAT MEMORIES. WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Outing Myself

2010-05-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

The time has come. I am outing myself.

For the ten readers of my blog, I'm letting you know about this:

endoftheyellowbrickroad.blogspot.com

A while ago I decided to start another blog for my own rants, musings, and experiences and keep our family blog just for family sharing and documenting. My husband had to keep reminding me "It's the FAMILY blog. Not YOUR blog" ( even though I'm the only one that posts but who's keeping track).

So if you have endless amounts of time to dedicate to blog stalking, add me to your list.

thx

a new ad for apples

2010-05-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

does this baby make you want to eat more green apples or what?

karma

2010-05-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

This is what happens what you get when you blog stalk people and ignore your children:

( and yes, that is permanent marker)

getting my groove back

2010-05-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Last year at this time, I looked like this:

( yes I am putting it out there for all to see)

Bedrest for 4 months. Big old baby boy in there. Couldn't go up stairs without getting winded.

So I consider it a darn near miracle that this weekend I did this:

Now I realize that a 10K is not that impressive, especially since there are many women I know who are doing marathons with their babies strapped to their backs and then some, but for me. THE GIRL WHO HAS HATED RUNNING ALL HER LIFE, this is quite an accomplishment.

Let's not get into the details of how fast I actually ran the darn thing, but let's just say I ran the whole way and didn't completely embarrass myself, and had a chest infection and was blowing my nose the whole way. That being said, it felt pretty awesome to cross the finish line, to be amazed at what my body can still do, and to want to cry from exhaustion after the whole thing was over.

After the race we went to breakfast and walked around Santa Monica and I remembered that running a 10K was the easy part. Having two tiny children and trying to keep them happy and eat at a restaurant is the hard part. Parenthood is way more difficult than a 10K.

first ponytail

2010-05-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

After 3 1/2 years of growing hair, we have

our first ponytail:

Now I was not blessed by the hair fairies, or whoever enables you with the gift of doing hair ( yours or anyone else's) so I have accepted that my daughter will never bee that little girl at school with the cute french braids with the matching bows who always looked so put together even in kindergarten ( you know who you are )BUT it is still quite exciting that Dylan finally has hair long enough for a ponytail. Even if it only lasted ten minutes.

She had all sorts of emotions about it- see below

I just like how it seemed to bring out her freckles. When did my toddler turn into a little girl?

Fat Babies

2010-05-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Let it be said that I have fat babies.

Danny and I produce fat juicy babies.

They crawl late, because they can't figure out how to move their chubby bodies. They only wear socks because the tops of their feet don't fit into shoes. They lasted in the Baby Bjorn one week because their weight was killing my shoulders.

They are always one or two clothing sizes ahead of their actual age.

Everywhere we go, people comment on Rogan’s size, his rolls, his sweet baby double chin. It was the same when Dylan was a baby. “Wow what a big baby.” Or “They aren’t missing any meals, are they?” Sometimes they even say things like “Don’t worry. He’ll grow out of it.”- like I am afraid my children will be obese.

I am so not worried. I could not be happier with endless arm rolls, wrists that look like they have an elastics around them, solid legs covered in dimply cellulite, little feet that don’t fit into shoes because they are too pudgy ( or as Chris Rock would say, have “pump fat”). Dylan is just beginning to lose the little lines on her arms where her baby arm rolls were, and it makes me sad sad sad. She has lost her baby fat and is turning into a lean little girl. Her baby look has disappeared.

So I am savoring every ounce of soft, kissable, baby flesh. Every finger and toe that looks like a little sausage. Every crease. We are embracing the fat, loving the juicy, proud to be parents of rolly polly babies.

Happy Mother's Day to Me

2010-05-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day I got this:

Two years after we moved in, I have a clean, organized garage. Thank you Hubby for taking the day off of work to help me.

I also got this:

It didn't last long,( as Dylan is normally harassing and pummeling her brother- see picture #3) but it was enough to remind me why I love being mother to these two kids more than anything in the world.

Books Books Books

2010-04-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we celebrated two things The McCann Clan loves- books and Westwood Village. For a little clarification, Westwood Village is a little neighborhood right below UCLA campus in Los Angeles where Danny and I lived for four years. We loved it and have countless fond memories of our time there. So we could hardly resist the Festival of Books that is put on every year at UCLA, right in the heart of our old hood. We stayed at our favorite hotel right off of campus and walked those well known streets, this times with two babies in tow.

In full disclosure, our entire time at the festival was spent in the children's book section. I would've loved to attend all the panel discussions and signings of the adult books, but alas, not with grumpy toddler or exhausted baby in tow. The children's section was pretty cool though.

We ran into Max who had just

returned from Where The Wild Things Are,

and we gnashed our terrible teeth

with him and roared our terrible roar.

We also ran into the Hungry Caterpillar and he was STILL HUNGRY. Dylan was a little scared of him but he managed not to eat her.

We also got a hug from Dorothy who made a pit stop at the Festival on her way to Oz. ( and the Bruin Mascot, or as we told Dylan, Papa Bear.)

Hands down, the most exciting encounter was with this guy

Justin Roberts ( and his band the Not Ready For Naptime Players ) is sort of like the Justin Timberlake of children's music ( clearly without the whole Bringing Sexy Back ). He perfectly captures the inner life of an 8 year old little boy and writes songs that are so catchy and good that I actually listen to him when my kids aren't even in the car! Dylan was at her own little rock concert, doing all the actions.

(Ok truth be told she got a little too hot in the sun and kept saying she wanted to go back to the hotel, and I kept doing all the actions to the songs and refused to leave because I was having a blast.)

We had a delightful time reconnecting to our old neighborhood and recalling all the memories we have of walking the UCLA campus with our beagle or strolling with our new baby girl. Such a happy time for our family and Westwood will always feel like a little piece of home.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs...

2010-04-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, this happened...

My little sister Ashley became a wife.
And she married someone who is a perfect fit for her.

As her big sister, I'm beyond the moon about it, as I have been witness, confidant, therapist, and voyeur to her dating woes. Like many people, it was not an easy journey finding "the one", which made her wedding day so sweet and wonderful and full of joy. They met the day after Ashley moved to California to help me when I was on bedrest with Rogan, so the official mascot of their wedding was this little guy,

If he hadn't tried to come out early, she never would've had to move to California, and never would've met Travis, so something tells me it was all part of Rogan's little plan to make his Aunt Ashley this happiest I have ever seen her.

The night before the wedding, they had a dinner with close friends and family. There were gorgeous vintage tablecloths and mismatched plates on ever table- very colorful and unique. Loved ones gave toasts and everyone cried a little.

The wedding day was beautiful, and a perfect excuse to dress our children up cute and chase them around with cameras. ( the little boys starting selling papers outside the temple, speaking in a cockney accent "Get your Papes!" "Papes here!". Then they played golf. )

So my dad is relieved to have the last of his four daughters married, and we are all relieved that we got such a cool brother-in-law that fits right in with our ABBA loving (sisters only) , mismatched, sarcastic but always up for fun family ( again-sisters only). Our big ole' blended bunch feels a little more complete.

Living Things First

2010-04-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has a great mantra she repeats to herself when life gets crazy- "Living Things First"- a gentle reminder that helps you focus on what really matters when it matters. It sounds obvious, but takes more conscious effort than we realize- to let go of the things that need to get done in order to be present with our children, our spouses, our friends.

This mantra popped into my mind this afternoon as my children became a little bit cranky, and even though there were suitcases to unpack and laundry to be done, I dropped it all and went on a walk with my babies.

Dylan was in her pajamas ( which is quite common lately, but only after she's already gotten dressed once for the day) and carried her blue bucket around the neighborhood filling it with flowers. She was also wearing her "princess high heels" so needless to say we walked at a slow leisurely pace. ( see below )

We ended up at the little playground by our house, where I laid in the grass and let my baby crawl all over me as I watched Dylan climb bravely up the jungle gym. I felt such peace, such contentment, such overwhelming gratitude for these little souls in my life. I knew that this would be a moment I would long for in years to come, that I would call up the image of my baby's face looking down at me, the vibrant blue sky behind him, and want to recapture this simple time of motherhood when the days are slow and the interactions simple. I already missed the moment even as I was having it, if that makes any sense, which happens often when I am trying to capture the memories of life with young children.

My peaceful bliss was short lived, as is often the case with motherhood, because I had to quickly switch into a lesson for Dylan about how to pee in the bushes because there are no potties around. Things got a little hairy when she informed me that it was number 2, not number 1- and we had to book it back home before the situation got beyond my coping ability. I digress.

My point is this-my moment on the grass with my baby was not something I could've ever scheduled or "got done"-it was spontaneous and organic and even spiritual for me. I am having to let go a little bit of "feeling accomplished" to avoid just trying to keep my kids entertained so I can get things done. I am shifting what it means to be to have a productive day. I am finding that as I give real time to my children, as I put "Living Things First", I am rewarded with some, dare I say, sacred moments of mothering and discover that my little gift of time to them comes back to me tenfold.

the newest members of our family

2010-03-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

Please meet the newest members of our family:

CHAMP

and SUPER HERO CAPE

( named by Dylan herself )

MADE IT OVER THE HILL

2010-03-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Guess who turned 40 today?

thoughtful husband

devoted father

golf addict

closet performer

loyal friend

boat rocker

tell-it-like-it-is opinionator (yes I made that word up)

generous giver

MAN OF THE PEOPLE

who for his 40th birthday only wanted a quiet

dinner at his favorite casual italian restaurant with

dear friends,

a day of golf,

and a cake made from a box.

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY DANNY

we love you

Chim Chim A Ree

2010-03-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

This morning I made the mistake of talking like Bert from Mary Poppins and pretended to clean the chimney with Dylan since Bert is chimney sweep.

Now Dylan will only address me as Bert. Mommy does not exist. And she would only respond to "Jane". And I am getting really tired of talking in a cockney accent and saying "Ello Luv!".