The Nutcracker

 This morning David texted me saying he had two extra tickets to this afternoon's performance of The Nutcracker at the Old Town Theater.  His daughter, Rachel, was one of the dancers and Allison was excited to go see her perform.

It was a beautiful ballet production and Rachel and all of the dancers did a fabulous job after months of rehearsing.  Allison was thrilled to chat with Rachel after the show and we gave her some flowers for all of her hard work.

No Longer Allowed at Urgent Care

A month or two ago, Taylor hurt her big toe nail...not sure how, maybe soccer or something.  The toenail lifted a little and looked bruised underneath.  Fast forward to tonight and the already injured nail was pretty much hanging by a thread when she rammed it into the back of her other foot while getting up from the kitchen table. 

 Off to Urgent Care we went.  The doctor soaked it in iodine before examining it.  He knew the nail would have to come off, which required a few shots of lidocaine in the toe to numb it.  I sat on the bed with Taylor, holding her hand and trying to be helpful.

 However, my "emotional response" to needles got the best of me and I was soon on my own bed, thanks to the doctor!  I felt really light headed as he made the injections (BTW, I didn't watch.  I just heard him talking to her about it).  I excused myself and sat in the hallway outside her door so I wouldn't pass out in front of her, but the doctor said I had to be in the room since Taylor is a minor.  When he saw how ghostly white I was, he asked another staff member to bring in my own bed. I never fully passed out, Taylor's nail bed is still intact and we all got a good laugh out of it.

Taylor will have quite the ugly toenail for a few months as it regrows and I now know, I am no longer allowed anywhere near the Urgent Care if needles or blood are involved!

Surprise!!

 Taylor woke up this morning to a room full of balloons, a decorated door and donuts for breakfast.  On the way to school, she kept saying, "It doesn't really feel like my birthday.  I don't feel any different."  So cute!

I planned on bringing her In N Out for lunch, but she gave me the wrong time, so I made it up to her by having it in the car when I picked her up after school.  She anticipated going home for a few hours while Allison was at play practice and then going to dinner with the Lebitski's, but I had a different agenda!

 After a little stall at Costco while we waited for Lauren to finish up soccer tryouts, we made our way to the mall to get her ears double pierced (something she has been asking for the last few months). Not only was she surprised that I let her do it, she loved that Lauren surprised her at Claire's!

 After the piercing, we walked around the mall.  She had no idea that while we were shopping, Matt was picking up the balloons and cake and her friends were gathering at Shogun to surprise her at dinner.

 When we arrived, they were all standing in the lobby and she had no idea!

They had a special table set up for us and 

 even put together a "Special Menu for Taylor and Friends"!

 Lauren and Jenna

 Lauren and Madison

 Bella, Maylie, Taylor and Jessica

 Our chef made Mickey Mouse out of the fried rice, tossed eggs into his chef hat and turned the onion into a flaming locomotive...all of the standard Shogun tricks.

 Our waitress brought Taylor this lovely paper hat

 and they all sang to her while serving the cake.

 The girls devoured edamame, California Rolls and a delicious dinner while having a great time together.  They laughed so hard that they cried and really made Taylor feel loved.  It was wonderful seeing her have so much fun!

We still can't believe we are the parents of a teenager, but are so proud of her and are ready to tackle these crazy years!

After taking all of the girls home, Taylor walked in the house to 13 gifts from us.  She loved her lip gloss, magazine, Arizona Iced Tea, sweater, Converse, bean bag chair, lotions, nail polish and gift cards.  I think she truly had a fabulous 13th birthday and nothing makes me happier than seeing the smile on her face!

13

 My blue-eyed, beautiful first born has gone from precious little infant...

...to a 5'5, smart, athletic, quick-witted, compassionate, iTouch-loving, loyal and genuine teenager in a blink of an eye.  We love you Taylor and wish you the best 13th birthday and blessed year ahead.  Stop growing already!!

Rose Bowl Swap Meet

Today was the annual trip to the Rose Bowl Swap Meet.  I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I have joined Kim, Lisa and Marie to help celebrate Lisa's birthday weekend.  

This year, Matt and the girls wanted to check it out too!  It was a perfect morning to shop for treasures, although I came up empty-handed.  It was nice to catch up with the ladies and hear how all of their kids are doing, while Matt took the girls around.  

Unfortunately, this seems to be the only time each year that we are able to get together so I hope we can keep the tradition going...

4 More Years...Like it or Not!

I Voted

The day has finally come...no more political ads, junk mail or phone calls!  At this point, I don't even think I care who is President, not sure who or what to believe after all of this, but happy to have it come to an end.  2 1/2 years until we do it all again...
In the meantime, I will anxiously await the outcome of all of the races and propositions.  I have enjoyed the discussions coming from Taylor and her Social Studies class and feel grateful that I have the ability to vote, but do look forward to things returning to normal!

Holy Hives!

While Allison and I were in my bed doing her nightly reading, she started rubbing her belly and itching uncontrollably.  She lifted her shirt and found this craziness...

...giant welts from her belly button to her neck, on both her front and back.  There were also little bumps all over her arms.  She started screaming "Is it Chicken Pox?" and it seemed like it was getting worse by the minute.
I ran down to CVS to stock up on Benadryl and anti-itch cream, while she took a cold shower.  By morning, her skin was completely back to normal, we never figured out what caused it and it hasn't happened since.  All I can say is WEIRD!