Ten on Tuesday (with a special Bonus)

1. It would be interesting to have an expert psychoanalyze how Kelsea's dollies take naps.  One might say she likes structure and organization.  Not sure where she could have got that from?

2. I had (what I thought) was a great idea of taking Kelsea to see Mary Poppins as either a Christmas or Birthday present.  After realizing a decent ticket was going to cost well over $100, I thought it might be a good idea to ask her if she would like to see Mary Poppins live on stage. She was unusually quiet.

Me:  That's okay Kels we don't have to see Mary Poppins.  Maybe you would like to go in a couple years?

Kelsea: Contemplating this idea for a few moments.. Maybe when I'm 10. More thinking. I want her to stay in the TV.

Me: But you loved seeing her at Disneyland!  I bet you'll want to see her before that.  You love Mary Poppins!

Kelsea: More silence. How many years are you Mommy?

Me:  Thirty-two.

Kelsea:  When I'm thirty-two we'll go see it.

Well alrighty then, scratch that one off the list (thank goodness I asked)!

3.  I am very excited about having Halloween on a Saturday this year.  No rushing home from work to get the kids fed and dressed and ready for trick or treating (and photos of course).

4.Wallis made the mistake of telling Kelsea we were going to take her to the shoe store to let her pick out a pair of shoes since hers fell apart Friday.  Side note: I always buy shoes on sale with a pair waiting in the closet for when she outgrows the pair she is wearing. Which probably explains her excitement about going to the store to pick out a pair on her own. I unfortunately made the mistake of taking her to Nordstroms.  (And no, I don't know what I was thinking).  So, we came home with these.  Next time, it's a trip to Target.  

5. It only took one weekend of Lorelei crawling to find the best toys in the house (that are within a foot off the ground).  Oh the treasures to be found in a trash can (that can of course be placed in ones mouth)!  And what toy can beat the feel and sound of a doorstop!?

6. It's been 90 degrees here.  I'm ready for 65 degree fall weather, actually make that 68 degrees.  

7. Kelsea made me this lovely necklace out of floss (unused thankfully) and safety pins.  Maybe I can wear it on causal Fridays?

8.  Oh bummer- neither the Dodgers nor the Angels are in the World Series.  

9.  Weird things going on at the Laughrey house.  After several months of it not working, our wine cooler mysteriously turned on.  Back from summer vacation maybe? If  we hadn't been too busy (lazy) to figure out where to dispose of it, we would have replaced it.  Lorelei's light on her ceiling fan arbitrarily turns on at night.  The speed of the fan will increase randomly too.  Not sure if we should call a priest or an electrician?

10.  I still look at my Mac monitor in wonderment.  Really, there's a computer in there?  Genius!

BONUS- BONUS-BONUS

11.  I'm going to be an AUNTIE.  Oh I'm so excited!  Congratulations Steve and Jennie.  Baby Love expected to arrive late May/early June.

We will miss you Barbara

Although you may have left this Earth, you will forever be in our hearts.

Kelsea will especially remember coming to your home to pick out a singing Christmas toy. 

I am glad that you were able to meet Lorelei at her Baptism just a few short months ago. 

Below is Barbara's obituary from the Bakersfield Californian.

Barbara Ann Baldwin Love (Cutherell) (1926 - 2009)

Barbara Ann Baldwin Love (Cutherell) January 16, 1926 -October 13, 2009 Barbara was born in Bakersfield. She was the youngest daughter of Barrett and Lena Baldwin. She was a graduate of Kern High School and UCLA. Barbara worked for Christine's Dress Shop and the Board of Trade. She enjoyed helping people and educating them on her native Kern County. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers, Barrett Jr. and Lawrence and sister, June. She was also preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Jack Cutherell and Bill Baldwin. Barbara is survived by her husband, Jim Love; daughter, Jan Cutherell; son, Jeff Cutherell, daughter-in-law Paulette; her granddaughter, Kristen and husband Paul Howard; grandson, Brian Cutherell and wife Jennifer. Barbara was extremely fond of her great granddaughter, Aubrey Cutherell. Barbara is also survived by her sister, Geraldine and husband Elmer Suorez; and her many nieces and nephews. Additional surviving family members include Jim's sons, Steve Love and wife Dr. Laurie, David Love and wife Niki; Craig Love; daughters, Julie and husband Bruce Morrow, Susan and husband Donato DiFlorio. Bill Baldwin's children: Jane, Phil and their families. Barbara was an avid bridge player and enjoyed her bridge days at Stockdale Country Club with Lee Olcott, Patty Bass, T.G. Hopper, and others. Barbara also enjoyed playing golf, traveling to Las Vegas, working the daily crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy nightly with Jim. She will be truly missed at the family birthday parties and holiday gatherings at the Cutherell's. Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. The family wishes to thank Hoffmann Hospice for their wonderful devoted employees and especially Barbara's favorite nurses, Kathy and Anne. A special thank you to her golfing friends, the Welch's, Scott's, Graffius's, Foy's, and Shelton's for the food and great support they gave Barbara and Jim. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. Donations may be made to Hoffmann Hospice, 8501 Brimhall Road #100, Bakersfield, California, 93312. 

8 Months

Hard to believe that you are eight months old, crawling (really crawling), and grinning with two very visible bottom teeth.  You have outgrown your infant car seat (much to my dismay), and are wearing 12 month clothes.  We had to lower your crib since you realized you could pull yourself up (and chew on the crib rail).  

To celebrate all these momentous milestones we let you pick out your own pumpkin (small pumpkin-ok cheapest pumpkin). Sorry Lorelei, that one is above our price range.  Mommy's not sold on an $18 pumpkin, even if it is your first.

You were really much more interested in the hay than anything else (just like your sister was).

You were quite content just sitting there discovering this cool new toy.

Some nice lady snapped this one...thank you nice lady.

And this one turned 3 3/4.  Still not ready to say I have a "four year old."  Maybe by January.

Still loving her friend Nate (who she has to go visit every time Lorelei is dropped off at school). Both having a grand old time jumping in the jumper and sliding down the big slide (over and over again).  Both activities free with the purchase of $10 in pumpkins.  I wonder if I could just drop Kelsea off on Saturday with a $10 bill?  Hmmmm...

Portrait Session

On Saturday, the girls had their portrait session that I "won" in a drawing at Little Moon (children's clothing boutique in the Village).  I use "won" very loosely since we all know nothing is ever free (except the actual session and one 8x10).   I must say that I am very grateful for our usual Laughrey family photographer, or the Laughrey's would be broke (or have a lot less pictures).

The photographer was very patient, which was great since Kelsea really wasn't interested in posing for photographs, and Lorelei was a bit tired and hungry.  Luckily we still got a few cute ones.  If you're interested, click on this link, and enter the site:

http://www.zoomtheory.com/

Click on Client Login, password is Laughrey2009