Baby Luke is 1!

Little Luke is ONE! We were invited to a great party to celebrate his first year. Jack loves to hang out with Luke's big sisters Kayla and Holly. Here are a few pictures from the celebration... Luke opening his presents... His Grandma is a HUGE Angel fan, but got him a Dodgers hat because that's what his daddy loves... What a nice Grandma! What a big boy! Grace loved the bouncer and Megan!The big kids enjoyed playing pin the medal on the kid... It was a blast! Happy Birthday Luke! After Luke's party we celebrated Papa Pat's birthday! I was sure to keep it even with Grama's birthday and didn't get any pictures of Papa with the kids (what is wrong with me?)... But happy Birthday Papa! We love you!

Disney's Night-tastic!

We recently realized, (thanks to JamieB) that we were missing out on a really cool part of Disneyland! So we hopped over to Disneyland after dinner. Usually, this time in our house is reserved for taking baths, reading books and then going to sleep. The Lindstedt kids like to hit the hay a little early. Daddy and Jack are reading books by 7, and Grace is well on her way to dreamland by then as well. It was a really big deal for mommy and daddy to give up their quiet time and trade it in for fireworks and Fantasmic, but we tried it. First, daddy and Jack hit the big rides while Grace and I danced in New Orleans square. She earned some beads... Then we watched the fireworks (and saw a real mouse - not Mickey). After the fireworks we were herded like cattle over to the Fantasmic area). This part of the evening really made me worry about any emergency occuring in Disneyland. There were huge crowds and nobody was going anywhere quickly. And somehow, everyone forgot their manners... But Jack (not Grace) managed to stay awake and see Fantasmic! Another night, after Jack took a nap (which is unusual and means that he will be up really, really late) we decided to visit California Adventure at night and watch the Electrical Parade. This parade was great for the kids, they totally loved it! First we went on the Ferris Wheel: Then Grace and I staked out a spot while Jack and Daddy got some snacks... Then we watched the parade! Jack and Grace just loved it!

Grama Colleen's Wild Birthday!

Grama Colleen decided to celebrate her birthday this year, the way that every typical Grandma wants to celebrate... She wanted to go to Wild Rivers! Jack and Grace had a really great time. Here are a couple of pictures (note that I totally suck and did not get any pictures of the kids with Grama). Check flickr for the whole set of pictures!

Jump-Twirl-Cheese!

Wow! Watch her jump, twirl and say cheese!

Father's Day

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode, Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping all snug in their beds, while visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV, With a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee. So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, Which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?" With the toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, She descended the stairs and saw the old man. He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug, "Oh, great," muttered Mom, "now I have to clean the rug." "Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake, your gift was especially difficult to make." "Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone." "Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone." "A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?" "Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat." Then out walked the clone - The Mother's twin Same hair, same eyes, same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless." "Fantastic!" the Mom cheered. "My dream has come true!" "I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!" From the room above, the youngest did fret. "Mommy? Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet." The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart." "Hey," the Mom smiled, "She sure knows her part." The clone changed the small one and hummed her a tune, as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon. "You're the best mommy ever. I really love you." The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too." The Mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. That's my child's love she is trying to steal." Smiling wisely, Santa said, "To me it is clear, Only one loving Mother is needed here." The Mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed. "Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head. I sometimes forget, it won't be very long, when they'll be too old for my cradle and song." The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time." With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night. Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you will be all right."

Teaching

Here is a quote from my class today... Dr. Haim Ginott: "I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized." Since I feel much more like a mommy than a teacher, I can't help but think about how much this has to do with parenting and the home. Right now, I'm a bit stressed and I can't help but notice it showing on the kids. I guess that I have to keep this in mind and keep the seas calm.