Balboa

We were thrilled to hear that my cousin Stephanie and her husband James were going to be in town last weekend. Stephanie grew up in a town near my hometown so we have always been close. It was fun to get to know James before we moved away. They came down to visit her family and have a vacation. We were tickled that they wanted to see us. I actually think James just wanted to see the boys and see if they'd talk about body parts or bodily functions.

We met them at Balboa Beach. It was a ton of fun!

James played Frisbee and badminton with the boys for a while. Well, you cannot actually play the game with them - rather you just hit the ball, they scream with delight, and then you have to go pick the ball back up and hit it again. James was a good sport:


Steph's Mom (my Aunt Cindy) and sister Stacey were there when we first got there. It was fun to get caught up on the whole family:



We couldn't wait to start the campfire though. It was fun to sit around, chat, watch the boys' delight in such simplicity (hot dogs and fire), and enjoy a little bit of nature.

The boys treated us to an original song:


Thanks Steph and James! We had a glorious time!

Another face at Zanzibar!

Recognize those lyrics? Probably not. Eric does though. As he does for ALL Billy Joel songs. We were totally spoiled on Saturday and got to go out to dinner and then to the one-night only Billy Joel concert! My Dad won tickets to the concert and was so excited to send us in his place.

For those of you who don't know Eric and I are both huge Billy Joel fans, with Eric nearing fanaticism. It was an incredible show. We've been as a couple to see him twice (once with Elton John) and Eric has seen him a couple of other times. For Eric, Billy Joel's music is not only a emotional fit, but a religious experience. We always have fun on our date nights, but getting to rock out, watch Eric be overwhelmed by the music, and laugh at Billy Joel's self-deprecating comments was a special treat.

Getting ready to go!

A nice dinner full of adult conversation.

Adult conversation? What's that?

Yes! Adult conversation!
And Billy Joel?!?! It's like Christmas!
Waiting for the show to start!

We didn't take any other pictures inside since I had left my camera in the car and Eric's phone camera wasn't getting good shots. We were in great seats - made even better by the fact that Billy Joel's piano turned to face both directions throughout the night. While Billy Joel looks significantly older the night made me feel like it was 'back in the day'.

So much fun!

Valentine's Treats

Valentine's Day was so much fun! A lot of people are not interested in Valentine's Day and label it as a Hallmark holiday. They aren't wrong. From the huge chocolate covered hearts to the overpriced cards the holiday, like the rest, has gotten out of hand.

Still I will always be in favor of a holiday that promotes the sharing and verbalization of love. Regardless of what tacky card that love might be written in.

At our house we had an abundance of Valentine's excitement...

The boys and I made gluten-free (GF) orange yogurt breakfast muffins for our friends:

and frosting-free GF M&M cupcakes for Will's class:

Will made this adorable Valentine collector in class
and brought it home filled with cute notes and goodies:

I got a package from my uber-talented friend Susan
with some homemade sugar scrub she made:

and surprised me with this incredibly cute wallet
that she sells through her company, Freshly Picked:

Grandma Steph sent the boys a great package with lots of treats. They carried their heart slinkys around all day and colored with their fan crayons after naptime.

One of the highlights was getting to have a Valentine's Day date with Walker at a local bagel shop. He was thrilled to have a chocolate chip muffin with just his mom. He chatted my ear off the entire time and was utterly charming.

The boys then got to spend the evening with Papa, Goosey (who is in town), Aunt Pat, and Uncle Doug. Eric and I had a unique evening spending the first part in therapy (what better way to say I love you? Really!) and then enjoying a nice dinner together. I got gorgeous flowers but forgot to take an individual picture. (You can see them on the table in my Chinese New Year party post.)

Sweet things...

For my boys:

Random pieces of information...

* Will has been sick (again) for the past couple of days. Poor guy. He does love the extra attention though.

* Walker is off the binky! My Dad started in on Friday when he just put him to bed without it - and succeeded! When he asks for it, which is relatively rare, I tell him that his binkies have moved on to a new baby who needs them. That usually works though one time Walker retorted with 'Mom. I need to lay in my crib. I'm a baby.' Yeah, he's smarter than me already.


* According to my iPod** the most frequently played song is (drum roll please): 'Eric Singing the Lullabies'. It has been played an amazing 5, 895 times. No I'm not grooving to the sounds of Eric singing Once There Was a Snowman - we play it when the boys go to bed sometimes. 5,895 times evidently. The closest ones to that are 'Grace Kelly' - Mika (34 plays), 'Sin Sin Sin' - Robbie Williams (32 plays), and 'Credits' - Dario Marianelli/Pride & prejudice Soundtrack (30 plays).


* We are potty training Walker right now and have managed (cross your fingers) NOT to flush any underbunders down the toilet.

* Two favorite words in our house right now are Will's 'eitherwise' and Walker's 'Timpanogos'.

* We decided to hold our annual Chinese New Year party again this year! If you are in the same general area that we are and would like to come - we'd love it. Just let me know. (February 16th @ 5:30pm)

* Will likes to furrow his brow and pretend to be mad. He's often asking 'Do you understand what I am saying Mom/Dad?'

* Walker is already a teenager. He blatantly refuses to do things, gives you an evil eye, and is often running into runs and slamming doors. Hum...

Speaking of potty training my sister-in-law Ali sent us this video link. It is hilarious! I've also included the second one where they discuss

Japanese Potty Training Video: At Home
(use of a minor swear word in the subtitles - probably not for readers!!)


Japanese Potty Training Video: In Public
(use of 's' swear word in the subtitles - for adult laughter purposes only!! Plus the squatty-potty would only confuse kids.)


**Happy thoughts and well-wishes are needed for my iPod which is a 1st generation that Eric got while working for Apple. It is slowly ending it's run. I need it last a few more months.**

Come-on baby light the fire!

Life's not always a beach. Especially at the beach.

We headed down to the beach on Saturday for a little family time. Will wanted to see the sunset at the beach so we were trying our best to get there post-nap-time. Walker, well we all know from previous experience that he just really wanted to get to the sand.

We packed our hot dogs, our regular and gluten-free buns, ketchup, mustard, charcoals, and a lighter. Since we had no newspaper Eric grabbed printer paper. That should have been a sign.

As we neared the beach we decided to get some firewood so that we could have flames and heat as well as a place to cook. I got out and grabbed it. I couldn't get it to scan the price tag and when I tried to pull on it, it was wet. That should have been a sign.

Still - we trekked onward to the beach. We made it just in time for the 'Rainbow sky' and got set up. The boys immediately jumped into the sand activities and Eric started in on the fire. And a story was born...

Here is Eric trying to start the fire. He started with a 'tee pee' set-up
but then switched after no success. Come on fire, come on fire...

For the first 30 minutes all we got was smoke. Lots of smoke.

We soon realized that our wood was damp (duh Shell) and
also that we were out of paper. We tried using a pull-up (fire resistant)
and then I tore up a tortilla chip bag. The boys had fun trying to find kindling but
with limited success. And still the wood would not burn.

I was starting to loose patience, but Eric, ever the boyscout, kept
going. We remembered that we had a cardboard box in the car
with stuff to take to the storage unit. Soon enough I was unpacking
the box and lugging it down the beach. We all had a blast
tearing the box up - and for a while it seemed as though the fired
would take.

But, even with Will's super helperness, it was kaput.

Eric and Will tried really hard - lots of blowing (Eric)
and throwing sand in (Will).

Walker and I tried to keep our distance.
You can see how damp the air was since it
looks like there are raindrops in the picture.

The fire never took off so after tearing apart
the entire box and two hours of Eric's work
we decided to call it quits. We had enough lit
charcoal to cook two hot dogs
for the boys - which was greatly appreciated.

Walker like the bun the most.

Will's bun was...well made from tapioca.
So he enjoyed mostly the hot dog.

So - life isn't a beach. OH who am I kidding! No fire, Eric's damaged lungs, not beach hot dogs for Eric & I and we still had a blast. We're lucky to be at a place to have these adventures and this time with each other.

...like a big pizza pie!

That's amore!

As most of you know this gluten-free (GF) journey has been a strenuous one for us. So when we discover a new product or a new food item that will make our life more flavorful it is magical. This week we had a moment like that when Eric and I were on a date on Friday.

We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory - a place that usually repels Celiacs like garlic to the vampires. So it shouldn't be a surprise (especially to those of you who have spent more than ten minutes with me) that I cried when I discovered in the upper-left corner a note saying that at the restaurant offers many 'Pastabilities' such as (are you ready) GLUTEN-FREE noodles for most of their entrees! Yep, I teared up. Right there at the table.

Yet as wonderful as that moment was it was nothing like the following.

Two weeks ago, exactly, Eric decided to make dinner with the boys. I had bought some GF pizza crust mix (Arrowhead Mills) several months ago but we haven't dared to make it. Partially because it takes a lot of time and partially because pizza is a sacred meal for Eric. He worked in a pizza joint for a while and ranks pizza as a top five food. There was a lot resting on this. Plus having a bad GF experience can be disheartening.

With that in mind Eric and super-helper Will set out to make a great GF pizza. And they more than succeeded. While the food was good, watching Will scarf down his pizza was almost more than Eric could handle. And watching Eric beam at having a new tradition with his boys was almost more than I could handle.

Ah, the mind of a 3 year-old!

I have been wanting to post this video for a long time - but with all of the other fun and adventures we've had, I have always had something else to post!

However - tonight is one of those kick-back nights where I find myself trying to find something to do. Oh sure I'm doing the laundry, just cleaned out the fridge, and got the boys to bed...but still, I'm a tad bored. Maybe it's because Eric is working late and we usually do crosswords, watch a movie, or yap our ears off.

So here we go - now you all get treated to this magical video! Both Will and Walker are at phases in their life where their imaginations are wild with activity and their learning ability is ripe. I LOVE it. This is the best time to be a parent - and an observer.

In August Eric and I put the boys down for a nap - and decided to do our favorite activity...OH GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE GUTTER! We played Trivial Pursuit. It is by far one of my favorite games...even though Eric kicks the patootie out of me every time.

During the game Will woke up from his nap - came out and joined us. Within a few minutes of watching he was ready to take over. And here is what happened (watch round 2 if you are short on time):

Round 1: Warming Up


Round 2: The Challenge Begins


I am SO glad that Eric finally lost!

My castle and my cabin...

How were we ever to know what, in only eight short years, we would learn, encounter, and change?

How were you to ever know that in your short thirty-two years you would be reborn a million times?

You once told me Eric that your song for me would be Billy Joel's You're My Home. I have searched high and low for a song that fits what I wish to say, I must borrow yours for you.

When you look into my eyes
and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
it always comes as a surprise
when I feel my withered roots begin to grow.

Well I'll never be a stranger
and I'll never be alone
wherever we're together
that's my home.

What a thrill to be part of your life, to share children with you, and to forge a future with you.

Imagine what the next thirty-two years will be like!

Thank you for all you have given to us in this chapter.

Happy Birthday Eric/Daddy/Pumpkinhead!

(pictures from Eric's GF birthday breakfast with the boys)

Dad's Business Trip

This week is Eric's first business trip! Well, technically the trip he took to Las Vegas last week was his first, but we are counting this one since Las Vegas was a last minute, quick trip.

Both Eric and I have been so excited about this since he is in one of our favorite cities - Chicago! Having just been there in July with Lyndsy I must admit that I was a little jealous to have him go back there. Still, the excitement of Eric getting to have such a life changing experience outweighs even my petty jealously.

So far he is having a wonderful time! He is staying at the downtown Sheraton - he got a little time off and spent it at the Art Institute! Now his coworkers are in town and the convention is off to a great start!

Every day Eric has sent pictures from his trip to give me a quick update since we haven't been able to connect by phone each day.

I'll update this post every time I get a new picture - but here is his first business trip as told by his pictures:

Eric with the boys at the airport on his way out of town:










The boys watching for Eric to wave from his plane
(this is why I love LGB Airport):










Eric's plane - we love JetBlue!
And it's so fitting to be Bond-ish!










Eric at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago:










Pizza...deep dish Chicago
style at Pizzeria Uno:










Awww...Chicago from the
McCormick Place Convention Center:










Yum! Dinner at Sushi Samba.
(He doesn't get this kind of food at home!)










Dang - isn't he the cutest?! All
dressed up for the convention start on 10/24!










Woot woot! Wilden power
is in the hiz-ouse!










More to come in the next few days! The trip ends on Sunday!

Road Trippers!

There are so many reasons that I love being a mom. And so many reasons that I think my kids are the best in the whole wide world. One of them is that my kids are fantastic road trippers. Eric and I love to road trip - we are always willing to hop in the car and head for an adventure. We worried about how our road tripping would change - and the only way it has changed is that we have less time! However our kids are amazing on the trips. And we don't even take a DVD player! See, they are AMAZING!

Last week the boys and I, along with Papa Paul, traveled up to Utah. We left early in the morning so that the boys could sleep, and so that we could get their fairly early. The boys were great.

On the way home, with Eric joining us, I was a little bit worried. We slept through our alarm to get up at 3:30am, so we ended up leaving at 7:30am. This meant the boys would be awake, hungry, and tired.

My fears were unfounded - the boys were absolutely wonderful. We listened to 'Wee Sing' music, read stories, played hide and seek, did I Spy & Waldo books (their current faves), and had a great time as a family.

Daddy's work!

We got to visit Daddy today at his work. I am really proud of my Dad and his new job. He took me inside and introduced me to all of his work friends. They were all really nice to me. Ed even gave me a car to play with - and then he let me take it home! Joe has some pretty cool motorcycles that vroom all by themselves!

Daddy has been working really hard at his new job. He leaves before we wake up and then he gets home at dinner time. I know that it is really hard for him, and sometimes I am not very nice when he comes home. I know that he loves me though. He calls me from work during the day to check in on me - and then he takes me to the park sometimes at night.

I hope Mom takes us back to visit Dad again soon!

Will

Happy Father's Day

My boys have been fortunate to have so many men in their lives to support them and love them.

Happy Father's Day to:

Eric - I am so glad that we get to experience this journey of parenthood together. Our boys love you, as do I.

Grandpa Karl, Papa Paul- the two best grandfathers two boys could ever have!

GreatGrandpa Ted 'Pop' and Robert 'Bob' - who act like the world exists if only for Will and Walker

And all of the wonderful other men who are part of the lives of William and Walker.

With appreciation,
Shelly

Here is a picture from our Father's Day celebration in So. Cal with the Ekstrand clan.

His obsession...

She asked for it. Shell totally asked for it this morning.

In an effort to teach Will the proper, or at least close to proper terms for body parts, he has learned the word 'boobs'. And he has exhibited the use of this term many times. Well this morning was the best.

Shell and I were playing a game of Canasta while eating breakfast and somehow Will got talking about boobs again. Yes, this is our breakfast conversation. Well after he went through who has boobs and who doesn't (it's his way of differentiating between boys and girls) Shell looked over and said...

'Will what is your obsession?'

His response:

'It's called boobs.'

Men around the world were then heard rejoicing.

I almost fell off my chair laughing. Shell just looked shocked and is probably rethinking this whole 'teach him proper terms' thing.

Love,
Eric