Has it really been three weeks since I have posted?!? I suppose it is a sign of the times in our little household. Or perhaps updating on facebook is taking my time away from blogging. It's quicker, easier and uploading pictures can happen in a snap. Still, this is my sort of online diary for the girls. I want to be able to offer them something to read when they get older and I feel it's only fair to them, especially Piper since I never completed a "first year calendar" for her, to continue on with it. Perhaps the bug will bite me again to start blogging more frequently. In the meantime, here is a brief catching up!

Sean: He is doing great. Working and playing hard. He is proving left and right at his company just how smart he is. And, for once, he really seems to be enjoying what he is doing in the computer world!! I think it helps that he likes who he works with and that several of his traveling locations have been enjoyable (Germany, Brussels, Mexico and one coming up to New Zealand). He exercises daily still and looks to be in the best shape of his life. He is simply gorgeous. :)

Dillen: She is so excited to be home schooled. Officially, we are starting school next week on the 8th - the day after Labor Day. It's amazing to me that she is a 1st grader!! She loves studying and reading and "playing school." Each time we start a lesson (I have been teaching her for about 3 weeks to test the teaching waters), she always says, "Mom, I love this. I love being home with you." Or something along those lines. It really is awesome to watch her brain in action. She's a smart cookie and picks up what I teach her fairly quickly. As for socialization and extra curricular activities, she's been taking dance/musical theatre and karate. We are going to keep her in karate but I just found a gymnastics studio that seems to be awesome. Also, the homeschool program I will be using (CHEP - Community Home Education Program) is free to me and offered through the public school system. There are approximately 1,400 students enrolled and there are 4 campuses throughout Orange County. The classes, workshops and field trips offered will only enhance Dillen's home education and give her many opportunities to hopefully make some life long friendships. There is a beginning choir class every Monday morning at CHEP that I want her to take... she has quite a beautiful voice these days!! In addition to her awesome dramatic talents (oh, she is still the amazing actress!), it would be fun to have her work on developing her voice.

Roxy: Oh boy, is she still a little spit-fire. She's got spunk, she's got sass but she is so FULL of love. I think she is struggling with trying to control herself. She bursts. A lot. And what I mean by that is she seems to be going at an even keel pace and then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, she explodes with energy. Mind you, she will do this even on a day where she's been to the beach or in classes and has had park time. It's not containable and sometimes gets her in trouble. As her mom, I am trying to find ways to see it coming on so I can either divert it or at least prepare for it. When she bursts out due to jealousy, it typically happens when Piper is sleeping on my lap. Of course, SHE wants to be on my lap so she whoops it up to wake the baby... which she knows will get my attention. Even if it's me getting angry with her, she seems to be fine with it since it's something. We talk about how when she turns four she shouldn't throw tantrums any longer. She seems to agree and then reminds me after she's had a tantrum that she's still only three. God, I love her. She is also OUT OF THIS WORLD talented when it comes to dance, gymnastics and art. Being a lefty and so creatively talented, I wonder just where she will end up. Cirque? Broadway? Olympics? ;)

Piper: She is still only comfortable with 2-3 steps before giving up and sitting down or lunging forward to her destination. But no matter. She feels a sense of accomplishment each time. She is still Smiley. ALL THE TIME. Truly, if she starts crying, there is a really good reason. Typically, she will cry only if she is hurt or really wants something and doesn't get her way. Otherwise, all you have to do is look at her and she will flash a beautiful smile at you. She's also just started kissing on cue. Just say, "Piper, can I have a kiss?" and she will gladly lean forward and give you a smooch. It's the cutest damn thing ever. I also love how she throws her arm up in the air with a fist whenever she is happy with something or wants more of something. When she does this, she cocks her head towards that arm and we all say to her, "Rock on sister!" It just looks so funny. She also cocks her head down and looks backward when she wants to crawl faster, like she is fighting the wind. HAHAHA. She is eating practically anything we are eating now. She is still breast feeding but I can see her possibly starting the weaning process. Unlike Dillen and Roxy who wanted it morning, noon, and night, Piper will latch on for a nap but doesn't seem to want or need it other then that. I would love to go a year at least with her. Since I went almost 2 years with Dillen and Roxy, it would be nice to give her the same... but not if she doesn't want it.

Me: I have taken up paddle boarding (using Sean's awesome red and white board). First, I tried it out of curiosity. Then I continued because of the peace and quiet it allowed me for an hour or so. Then I started noticing some muscle tone happening. And now I do it for all the above AND to clean up our environment. I have a net I now take with me to collect any floating trash in the harbor. :) I have also started baking cakes for the fun of it using fondant... but I HATE our kitchen. I don't use that word lightly. It's just about the size of a king size bed. No joke. There is absolutely no counter space to work on and the lay out is jacked up. It just doesn't make sense. Sean and I are beside ourselves in trying to figure out how to make it a "cooking kitchen." I could count on my two hands the amount of times we've cooked in there since we've moved back to Dana Point. Ah well. It could be worse. I am so unbelievably happy being a mom of three absolutely beautiful girls. And I am looking forward to taking on the task of Teacher. Fingers crossed I succeed!!! I feel very grateful to Sean as he is unbelievably supportive.

That's it for now...