Just call me Coco...Chanel that is

I had bought this purple and white polka dot fabric on a whim a few months ago after falling prey to the DIY tutorials on the many blogs I enviously stalk. I thought "No problem, I'll just whip up a cute little something in 30 minutes and then sit back and let the praise sink in." I mean that's what happened on all those tutorials. Fast forward to today where I spent over an hour struggling to perform the most basic of seamstress skills, like sewing in a straight line, marking the proper measurements, etc. Let me just say I'm a little rusty from my jr high/high school sewing hey day. I'm also a little impatient. After briefly refreshing myself with some tutorial highlights I threw caution to the wind and decided I was smart enough to create a simple skirt on my own. Well after several close calls and more than a few moments of absolutely blank thought I emerged humbled but victorious. I mean it is a skirt and it is for a small girl. Is it slightly longer and larger than any of her skirts currently hanging in her armoire?Perhaps, but those are just technicalities. Anyway, just wanted to share what I decided to do today to save myself from the job search meltdown. Mission FAIL! Now my body and brain are both nursing wounds. I'll be ok after a long shower and some mindless TV.

Rain Rain Go Away

So last week el nino decided to grace us with his offspring el nino jr. and for a week I was held captive in my house with two psycho dogs, a disgruntled sister, and a sick child. Oh the joy! Let me just tell you it was a par-tay up in here with the coughing, the barking, and the sighs of boredom and discontent echoing throughout the house. Oh and add a pool threatening to overflow each day of rain and you've got one very exhausted, sweatpant wearing, carb craving lady, i.e. me. Luckily, baby el nino decided to clean up his act for a few hours in the middle of the week giving the ladies of the house a moment of respite in the clean Cali air (not a phrase often uttered).

After quickly concocting a puddle appropriate outfit for a So Cal four year old, notice the lack of any actual rain gear/waterproof clothing on my daughter, we headed down the street to the neighborhood park to see how the playground and fields were holding up. This is what we found.

Oh what a lovely pond! Well thank you but as you notice upon further inspection it is actually just a foot path and fields that have flooded. And this wasn't just an inch of water. My canvas footwear kept clear of it but my sister was able to trudge across in her wellies. B ventured a few steps out too but due to the lack of proper attire wasn't able to go much futher. FYI she is receiving an umbrella, rain coat, and rain boots, for her birthday in a few days so she will never be ill prepared again. Then again with my luck it probably won't rain for the next three years. Lack of proper clothing didn't stop another park patron from enjoying this pop up pond though.

He was seriously enjoying that water more that anyone. He had a doggie friend with him but she was not as crazy about the cold dirty water as he was. We splashed around for a little longer, played at the abandoned playground for a bit, then headed back home for shelter from the next storm which not only brought rain but a TORNADO!

Umm, excuse me God but I live in California not Kansas. I didn't even know tornados formed out here. I even thought the weather warning had incorrectly stated tornado instead of hurricane. A hurricane makes sense, water, wind, rain, but they were right. We had a real life tornado that picked up cars and boats, blew out windows, and caused other random acts of chaos. Luckily, no one was hurt and it lasted all of thirty seconds, but let me just say this used to be one thing you could boast about not having to deal with out here. Eathquakes yes, mudslides yes, wildfires yes, santa ana winds yes, suffocating smog yes, but tornados? I just don't think I'm ready to add one more check to my disaster preparedness kit, which I might not even technically have. Instead I will let B wish you peace while simultaneously censoring her Auntie from doing the same.

Boy Troubles

Bella will be five soon which amazes me. I can't believe how quickly she's gone from chubby little alien to a miniature person. Before she was even born I began to wonder who she would turn out to be. It's very nerve racking knowing you are in charge of trying to successfully guide another person into adulthood. I mean whoever thought this was a good idea? Luckily, parenting is like having a case of selective amnesia. You know you did stupid stuff when you were younger but you forget the details thus giving you the ability to authoritatively judge your offsprings' choices without feeling like a hypocrite. Silently pleading to God that your mother's wish that your child is just like you is never fulfilled doesn't hurt either.

As B grows up I pray that she'll be a good girl and make smart choices. I'm not naive, I know there will be missteps, I'm just hoping they'll be small. Note to all expecting/future moms DO NOT watch Intervention it will give you a bad case of anxiety. Wait until the baby actually comes before you develop that problem. I can say so far it's been a fairly easy ride. Bella's a sweet girl who is fairly well behaved although her sassiness can get a little out of control at times.

There is one thing that I worry about a little though, and that is BOYS. Yes, she's not even five and she's already got me concerned about the opposite sex. When she was three and still in daycare she was banned from outside play for awhile because a little boy and she would sneak off to the corner to kiss. They were caught doing this a few times, and I was informed of the issue. I nervously laughed it off and told the director I would speak to her about it. Try explaining to a three year old why it's inappropriate to kiss little boys. It's tough and obviously the discussion didn't stick because I had to give the same talk last week. This time she was telling me how she loved to kiss her current boyfriend (this is #3). I again explained it wasn't appropriate and that hugs are better but I could tell she wasn't buying it.

She also has a thing for older men, yes men, as in 23 year olds. A few months ago we were celebrating my sister's birthday and she had brought her then boyfriend over for dinner. Well, he caught Bella's eye and she immediately ignored everyone else. At one point in the night I went looking for her only to find her giving a tour of her room to the poor guy! He was obviously very uncomfortable but she was loving it. After dinner when everyone was saying goodbye I again find her leading this boy away from the crowd, into the backyard so they can talk. Luckily, this wasn't 15 years in the future or we would have a problem, but it still freaked me out. Not even five and already a serious flirt. Whenever I share this story people laugh and tell me I'm going to have to keep her locked in her room when she's older. Let's just say I'm not immune to this idea if she continues.