Instagram Life

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Our "family portrait" by Francie on magnadoodle :) This week has been a busy one - and it's only Tuesday! Sunday we took the girls to play at Jannie and Grampa's for a bit while Heff and I loaded up the truck with junk left over from clearing out Brilliant Babies. Uncle Jerry was there and Janie was smitten. She refused to come back to me or Brian!

Third child mutual love )she was about to sneeze in this picture ;)

Out with the old - so sad but we cleared out the old BB space to lease it and had to take down this little book shelf Heff made me for the space when we opened 5 years ago, right after we got married. It was the perfect little book shelf but wouldn't transport well :)

but when we go out with the old - we come in with the new! Creating a new fun playspace for kids in Los Altos called "PLAY!" (more on that later :)

 Walking downtown Monday afternoon. Francie appropriately calls Janie the little beaver with her sharp front top and bottom teeth. But she was very confused when she wasn't having the stick she tried to feed her :)

Maisie Moo decked out in PINK insists on pushing her stroller everywhere. It takes awhile (especially in the "zebra flip flops" worn in the middle toes - but had to show off her first pedicure even in the COLD weather!)

Francie at school Tuesday morning painting with two of her friends (taking after her aunts - a head taller than most of the girls - why my brothers used to call my sister Ann-dre the Giant in grade school)

and this afternoon we were all tired out so everyone took a nap- JJ and I were the first ones up playing "where is your ear?" for a half hour before we heard footsteps (Francie and Maisie have been sleeping in the same bed lately - it has 12 pillows on it and they call it their couch :) 

 

and happy, crazy Maisie after her bath - she's a nut.

Big Girl

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Not enough pictures of my biggest baby lately - so here's a post for Francie :) She sure is a big girl these days... 4 going on 14! She is very mature and a big help around the house and with her sisters.

She picks her clothes out some nights and lays them or hangs them next to her bed complete with coordinating undies and a sweater. She would wear sundresses every day all day if she had her way.

She likes going to school but likes to stay home with her sisters and Emmy better. She HATES getting up in the morning before she is ready (wonder where she got that from) and is pretty grumpy for awhile - but give her a warm chocolate milk and a banana and she's ready to go.

She loves to dance and puts ballet clothes on at home at least three times a week (usually the 2T leotards, doesn't mind they are a little snug) She is pretty good at being the teacher too.

Practicing for "real class" (we went to one class but the teacher was kinda mean so we pretend to do our own now :)

Francie dresses her sisters up int their outfits too (they actually get mad lately if I DON'T match them! that won't last long :)

She likes to wear those sleepers... but her feet are so big the toes were poking out of the seams and she woke up a few days ago with a purple toe!

So we "fixed them" (Jannie's trick when we were little too)

American Girl dolls are a big hit of course- she loves Jannie's collection and dresses her Emily and Samantha (my old one) at home up in mermaid outfits of course

She loves electronics and anything with buttons (like most kids these days!) She will do just about anything to earn a few minutes on the iPad

Still obsessed with Ariel, mermaids and princesses in general. She likes to wear her princess nightgown, use her princess plate and princess cup and say "Look! I'm all princessed out!"

And I know I already posted a version of this photo but I love the chocolate covered faces (and knees) and the sisterly love pouring over the homemade cake :)

She LOVES her dog Ollie. I found her like this the other night, passed out on the floor with her hand on him. Oh and I made the mistake of buying PRINCESS Pull-Ups for Maisie in 2T (she was potty trained at night for a few months but not so much anymore) and Francie insisted on trying one the first night I got them. 2T Pull-ups on a 4T girl who should be in 6T clothes - not her most flattering look :) And Maisie hates them! Go figure, shoulda bought the Dora ones.

Her favorite food/snack is, hands down, a red apple. This was how we found her during the little girls' nap time one day (Francie still naps but only about 2 days a week). Heff asked her what the other apples were for and she said "Ate 1, 2, 3, 4. Gonna eat 1, 2, 3 more." Wow.

Love you France!

Just for Fun

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Some cute Emmy pics and "real camera" shots from the few times I actually pick it up lately and don't just take iPhone pics - from the last week or so!

almost a walker

I don't even know what to say

MaryJane after some Mary Jane's

Giving Daddy his big birthday book

Good morning Beezy in her favorite Dinosaur PJ's and moose coozie

Hollywood

Some Janie girl shots... love the up-on-the-knees pose lately

Sisters snuggling over books

and tickling baby sister

Love the bumsy-shot

and those teeth!

We love Emmy!

Birthday Girl MaryJane

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Janie turned ONE on Saturday - we had a fairly quiet family day but I think Janie was pretty happy with all the extra attention on her all day.

She woke up to a sprinkled donut her sister's got her at the donut shop. And a rainbow candle to kick things off...

calls for closer inspection

blowing out the candle - good thing there is only one :)

digging in

Heff took all three girls to a birthday party at 11 (Mardi Gras theme!) where the girls waited in line for cake and Janie couldn't get enough of the rice and beans - sounds about right! The birthday kids...

Then home for her big nap and Emmy came over to help bake cakes. One for JJ and one for Dad's belated birthday

Family dinner - just the five of us (Francie picked corn, "Janie's favorite")

Her favorite words appropriately are HOT-a (every candle) and HAT-a!

I told Heff we should do a smash cake so when he went to the store he got chocolate cake and chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles.... ON PURPOSE! He's nuts :)

After a little cry after she touched the candle episode - she's ready to dig in

"Hummmmm, not bad"

"I'm really allowed to do this?"

Two hands

Now this is a party

Maisie offering to help. Janie skeptical

Go for it JJ

Decided she's gotta stand up to REALLY get into this (don't look at the soggy diaper halfway falling off :)

and we're done.

Dad's turn (Janie appropriately chugging REAL milk for an after cake birthday treat :)

Don't worry we made her sit down

Somebody call CPS

and then Sunday - Round 2 celebration with my family and the Carters!

They are getting good at this

Little sister love

I love all of their expressions here :)

Presents.

Me: "Francie can I take your picture with Maisie?"
Francie "Ugh no mom."
Me: Francieeee (in THE voice :)
Francie: "FINE." (fake smile, realized Maisie isn't looking)
"MAISIE! LOOK right there at mom and pretend to smile!"
Nice Francie

and then after dinner Janie got to pick out her special 1st birthday piggy bank - a tradition every year. They are all on the shelf in the laundry room, Francie's on her 1st birthday had $300 dollars in it! These days there are so many piggy banks in the collection to fill... it's more like an family trip to ice cream - but no one is complaining!

She liked this big kitty - but Jannie swayed her away since "That is my American Airlines collectors one JJ... MAYBE you don't want that one :)"

She went home with the first one she had grabbed - a mini kitty! Good choice JJ and thanks Jannie and Grampa!

Happy ONE to JJ (and pretty happy for these three girls)

MY Surprise :)

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This is what showed up on a rainy Monday morning as my early Valentines present... I was so excited I didn't even care that my hair was getting all frizzy and I was freezing. I had been joking I needed a GEM golf cart to zip to work sometimes and then Heff saw this Electric Vehicle made my Polaris that just came out a few weeks ago. It's a little 2-seater, totally street legal, just plugs in to charge and goes 25 miles an hour! Heff asked a few people who know me well (Emmy:) if they thought I would like this too - everyone's response was "DONE." Nice work Heff, I LOVE IT!

The guy who delivered it (if you want one you have to buy it from him :) took our picture in the rain

Our new work commute

Crusing to DTLA.

These stinkers like it too

Leaving Heff's party - perfect for hauling stuff home and driving right up on the sidewalk :) THANKS HEFF!!!

SURPRISE!

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We pulled off a surprise party somehow! Susan's 40th was Feb 15th so her husband Erik and I were complaining a few weeks ago about what the heck to do for our spouses... we said "we should do a surprise party" YES "Together!" YES "At Bumble!" DONE. We had some mutual friends anyway and could easily fake drinks/dinner out that night before to celebrate both bdays. It was a little tricky to pull off and Heff might have had an idea something was up but Susan was TOTALLY shocked. We met for drinks in DTLA before and then I had Bumble call my phone at 7:15 and say the ABC was at Bumble arresting someone for underage drinking (the only way to get 3 lawyers to leave their drinks and follow me to Bumble :) It worked!

The set up...


Christian and Kate - THANKS for all the set up help and flowers Kisstian!!

guests outside ready for the SURPRISE

Susan's cute grandparents enjoying the quiet back by the fish tank

Coming in... it was kind of dark, Susan was like "oh my god they shut you down."

Susan - in shock! Heff, kinda surprised :)

Erik retelling the story :)

the back room was packed!

Jannie and the Keeps

Blurry picture with the new pink coozie :) We did coozie favors for our wedding (camo that said "Chillin' with the Heffs") and green ons for Francie's 1st bday but since the girls use them DAILY for their bottles and sippy cups our supply has dwindled to pretty ragged ones. They fight over one pink one we have so now there are plenty to go around :)

Friends and Family






The moms! Oma and Jannie

We did a little video for each of them with their "side" of friends in the playroom - lots of baby and embarrassing pictures :) It worked out well to have the joint party (took a little pressure of the birthday kids!) and each group was in the playroom after the video for a little

The Jans! (with their men over their shoulder) First time they haven't been in coordinating outfits at an event :)

All the Heffs! Brian was MOST shocked that every one of his siblings, spouses and his mom were there. On a Tuesday night nonetheless! Maureen, Doug, Kat & Donald drove down from red Bluff that afternoon and drove BACK after the party that night. That's serious sibling dedication. Thanks guys!

Heff gave a sweet toast to his wife after the video, I'm so lucky to be married to this guy :)

More friends celebrating

The Forty Year Olds! (Susan's birthday was Feb 15- the next day, so we made her glasses say "Susan's Last Hurrah at 39" :)

Mary, Brian, Susan and Erik (Erik and I knew each other from high school and Brian went to law school with BOTH Susan and Erik- they have three boys almost the same ages as our three girls too)

Sandra and Chirssie and going to KILL me for posting this picture so I'll make it small :) I miss my McKendry neighbors!! These two are too much fun.

The lights are on some timer to go off in the Family Room at 10pm every night (gotta fix that for parties :) and people thought we were kicking them out :) no way we went late night at Bumble! But I love the way the fish tank looks when the place is dark...

Our awesome servers and hostess at Bumble - we love these girls! They did such a great job at the party and were very nice to work late on Valentines day

We gave sparklers as favors - leave it to cousin Kate and Christian to light them INSIDE! I started imagining the sprinklers going off and made them go outdoors

Sparkler love

What a fun night!

Closing down the place

Taking wine glasses and loot back to the car - Happy Birthday Heff and Susan!

Happy 40th Heff!

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40 years later... you are just as cute! :)

I'd say you've accomplished a lot in your life...

living through FORTY Pink-and-red-and-little-hearts Valentines Day themed Birthdays and never complaining

Raising some award winning fair animals in FFA and 4H

Growing out of this phase (aww just kidding you were still cute in those "Husky Boy" jeans)

Being a protective big brother - when you weren't pretending you were an only child and making your mom drop you off a block from school

sports accolades and honors (what a stud)

somehow making it through your teenagers years looking like an angel to your mother

oh wait... I mean growing out of THIS phase! Thank goodness I didn't know you in the early 90's :)

asking your best friend to marry you (best move ever, hee-hee :)

pulling off a fu-man-chu while running a successful law practice (happy 5 year anniversary since starting your firm!)

and these little accomplishments of course...

#1

#2

and #3!

coming home with what you set out for

and passing on your hobbies :)

being a manly-man yet mastering the fine art of caring for your baby girls

keeping your brood of nieces and nephews in outdoor sports and adventure (Unca Bi-nan!)

always working hard on your home and instilling a good work ethic in your daughters

making everyday count with your girls

and soooooooo many more. I love you handsome, sweet, thoughtful, generous, loving, hard-working, daughter-loving and wife-spoiling, best friend and husband. I could go on and on but I'll leave that for spoiling you on your BIG DAY!

Happy Birthday Heff. I love you!!!

Weekend Recap

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We were pretty lazy and anti-social this weekend... but somehow managed to get some stuff done around the house. The girls were big helpers and changed into about 14 different sets of PJ's over three days. I think they put on real clothes to go to church for 1 hour the whole weekend.

Heff took them for 6 hours early on Saturday morning on a "secret mission" - he hinted it was a Valentines present but since it's Heff's BIRTHDAY on Valentines Day he is never allowed to get me anything. But my curiosity was killing me so he spilled the beans Saturday night - it's the BEST GIFT ever, better than jewelry! Next blog post will tell :)

Friday night we did the final menu tasting at Bumble before we roll out the new dinner menu. Asparagus and pistachio flatbreads and a grass-fed burger with carmelized onions and BACON MARMALADE. All Heff's idea, so good.

then we stopped at the neighbors after early Bumble dinner and the girls all got in their bath and stole three sets of PJ's. Don't open the door if these stinkers knock after dark!! J says "who me?"

Saturday morning Heff had all 3 up at 6am for the "secret errand" - all he told me was he was taking all three girls and going to Santa Rosa (since he knew I could track him on Latitude ;) and I wish this picture was from the actual adventure - they were in miss-matched-dirty PJ's when he pulled them out of bed. This picture was from last Thursday when they went to Hidden Villa, I just hadn't posted it - kinda the same :)

I slept-in in a quiet house and then got to work on a new project we are getting going. Kind of a replacement for closing Brilliant Babies in Menlo Park.. it's going to be called "PLAY!" in downtown Los Altos 2 blocks from Bumble.

Rolling out the red BLUE carpet for the new space

Then the girls and Heff met me at Bumble with sealed lips
Me: "What did you get Mommy Maisie?"
Maisie: "Um. Nofing."
Me: "I'll give you an M&M if you tell me."
Maisie: "Um. A motorcycle." (not believing you Maisie)
and we had a late brunch date with my blog-friend-turned-real-friend Kerri who was in town for a super quick visit- it was so fun to catch up with her and her friend Susie! Then back home to change out of dirty-adventure-PJ's into new sleepers (oh yeah I hit the Carter's outlet 40% off sale while they were gone too - awesome Saturday morning :)

We usually eat dinner together but Saturday night, after a no nap day (Janie took 1 instead of 2) we fed the monsters, let them watch the iPad in the other room and had an in-house date night. Tri-tip on the BBQ and brussels w red grapes. yum.

See you in the morning little J. (sorry third child- sleeping with a lamby that says "Maisie" and you even have your own from the Pat/Tricia Heff's but it is Ariel's blanket right now. Can't be touched)

We even lit candles, big time ;) I only took this "awkward dinner photo" because he was firing up the computer to SHOW ME my surprise (he might be as impatient as I am) and I had to document my cheesy excitement

S'mores by the fireplace (way too lazy/cold to go back down to the BBQ - Heff called us all whimps)

Sunday we tried to start our red wine vinegar barrel finally - but the barrel started leaking so we had to soak it (smart husband wouldn't let me put this starter I've been growing for 8 months in until we "tested it" with old red wine. Good thinking. And I wish I could say this sloppy handwriting and major spelling error was written by my 4 year old. It was me. Vinegar is a weird word to spell!!!

the prosciutto is still hanging/curing. Not gonna lie this kinda grosses me out.
 

Francie didn't "care for" the tri-tip sandwiches Heff made for lunch so she brought down a picnic for herself. Three lunch boxes - one with 2 bananas, one with 4 apples, and one with 5 oranges. (I really did dress them cute for church - then Ariel and Tinkerbell nightgowns were on an hour after we got home)

Beauty Queens after bathtime - found my clip-on earrings from James&Em's wedding. Hot stuff :)

NOT so happy about this :)

Sunday night books climbing all over Dad. They "pause" him while he is reading books by hitting him in the nose. Poor Dad.

and finally I haven't even blogged about the latest addition to our household. Goldy and BlackSpots (aka Hot Dog) the giant goldfish who swim upside down (and Francie reminds us "do NOT have tonic immobility" - watching too many shark documentaries) Francie negotiated these "But Ollie NEEDS a pet-friend!" and Ollie isn't doing too hot lately so Heff gave in. He took them to the pet store however and we ended up with this giant, noisy thing. I would have made them survive in a jar but then again they probably would not have "survived" if I'd been in charge.

Baby Lola!

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My lifelong friend (our parents met in Lamaze class :) Jen and her adorable husband Zach had their baby! Penelope "Lola" Helen Neeley was born in NYC on January 24 - they didn't know what they were having so of course I was thrilled it was a girl :) I've only seen her in pictures but she is SO cute. Jen rocked labor after being a week late and we were texting all day and night in the days leading up to her big arrival - I love the "unknown" time right before a baby is due, even though it's so slow and painful to be overdue and WAIT it is SO exciting. I loved re-living it through Jen 3,000 miles away via lots of texts and phone calls. I am so happy for them to be parents and can't wait to meet LOLA!

I was jealous Jannie was out in NYC the week after she was born to work the NY Gift Show with Ann and Arte Italica. She got to meet Lola!

Jen and Zach braved the Brooklyn to Manhattan trip in to have dinner w Ann and Jannie with a barely 1 week old - impressive parenting already!

Can't wait to hold you Baby Lola!

Happy Birthday JANNIE!!!

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We love our Jannie!!! It's her birthday today and we get to take her to lunch with the girls and then have a real adult dinner with my siblings, Grampa and Emmy. (JJ has turned back to her Dragon screaming so dinner out is not so fun right now, unless it's at Bumble of course :) The girls are working away on birthday cards for their Jannie right now...

We love all the cute clothes Jannie spoils the girls with (in line at 7am for these Missoni for Target sweaters!) AND of course the JanKnits she pours her heart into (sorry about those wool vests that went through the wash after wear ONE Jannie!

It's always a rush to the table for "I'm sitting next to Jannie!"

I'm so lucky to have a mom like Jannie - who taught me to be a fun mom to my girls too (I hope I am half the fun/good mom she was, although she holds the record for sitting on the floor playing board games with us/the girls for HOURS. I'm working on the stamina :)

Happy Birthday Jannie!

Janie ~ 11 months

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My little JJ! You are 11 months - hard to believe you will be ONE in a few weeks! You have taken a few steps and are pretty steady on your feet but you haven't really started walking yet (your sister's both walked a little after their 11 month birthday - no pressure JJ :) Just kidding we like your one-leg-up crawl and you sure do love to be held. Lately when we put you down you throw an impressive tantrum with your forehead to the floor crying real tears - such the drama queen!

You love REAL food (no more baby stuff) and will eat a whole banana every chance you get. You love pasta, fruit, meat, veggies - pretty much anything put in front of you.

If you sisters have a lollipop and you don't you LOSE your mind. We give in to the sticky hands.

You still sleep well and take great naps- 1 or 2 a day, usually for 2-3 hours. You are a great sleeper, thank you JJ!

You are a talker too! Not as much as Francie was but more than Maisie did at this age. You say "Hiyyyy. Hiyyyy." to anyone who walks by. You say "Dada and Mom-mom-mom." A doggie says "ugh-ugh" and a monkey says "oo-oo" and a bunny scrunches her nose. You say "Hiyy DAD!" sometimes. You say Em-Emmmm for Emmy! (don't worry this was just to move the car in the driveway :)

You emphatically shake your head NOOOO when you are not interested in something.

You use baby signs "All done" usually in the high chair when you want to get down or bathrub when your sisters attack you. You are getting Please, Thank You and More (more is your pointer fingers crossed in the air back and forth :)

You love to POINT at people and when they lean in you stick your finger in their mouth. Even strangers :)

You give great open mouth kisses - nice and slobbery!! And you love that binky...

From FEBRUARY GIRLS

we sure love "That Little J" :)