Greek Food Festival

Ever since I went to Greece in 2002, I've had an obsession with it! I LOVE almost all things Greek but especially the food. So when I heard that the local Greek orthodox church was doing a festival, it didn't take me long to decide to go. (Delicious food and not having to cook dinner? Didn't have to think at all really) We spent a little too much on the food but had a blast~and hey the money goes to local charities!

We had got to the festival at a very strategic time-early for dinner (so there wouldn't be a line) and in time to see the children's folk dance group before we had to head home for bed. Unfortunately, the dance group was an hour behind schedule. Luckily the DJ was playing great Greek music and people were dancing.

Xander & Eliza decided to join in...

I just love when they get a long! At one point we looked over to find this:

And I love watching my amazing husband be the phenomenal dad that he is: Everyone's day gets so much better when he walks in the door!

Pancake Party

When we announced that we were moving to the kids this time (into our house) Xander grew very concerned. But Mom, he protested, how will my friends know where I will live? He then told me that you are only friends if you know where some one lives. So, I promised the kids that once we were moved in, we'd have a kid party. It was going to be with cookies, but we decided instead to do a breakfast party. We invited about 30 people. Ok, only 8 of those were adults. But everyone came over with something to share and I made pancakes. I had told everyone that they could bring their bikes, skates or scooters and most did--which added to the fun. Our court was CRAZY that morning. I only caught a couple of shots...

Snake hunting in the backyard:

A sign of things to come? Eliza w/ the boys...not sure we're ready for this...
And just to reiterate what I've said before, if you ever need a place to bring your kids to ride--please come on over! We spent most days outside riding and always love having more than just ourselves!

Urban League Unity Ball

Ben was invited to go to the Sacramento Urban League's formal again this year! I squeezed into the same dress I wore in January and think I pulled it off ok. The theme was Mardi Gras and it was super fun-lots of loud band music, beads, masks and yummy food. I did my own hair this time--spiral curled the whole thing--I was pretty impressed with myself. I have not seen Ben's boss since the last ball (a year ago, when I was due with Violet) and so we joked the whole night that maybe one day, she'll meet me and I won't be pregnant. Yes, hopefully, because I'm only 29 weeks today and I am D.O.N.E with being pregnant.

Pictures are starting to go up!

Our front room (the family room) has very vaulted ceilings. It's been tricky trying to figure out what we want to put on these walls because even our larger frames & artwork, look small. One day as I was going through all our stuff I had an idea of doing a large collage of all the different artwork Ben & I have collected in our travels. Not only had we collected stuff before we were married but we try to always buy a piece of artwork wherever we go--so we have a fair amount collecting. Ben loved the idea and so I searched the internet for some type of map that could be the centerpiece. As soon as it arrived, I knew I loved it and we've already started framing our things so that we could actually display them all. The blue tape is for shelves we're going to put up to put a few collectables on. And of course, we hope that this will be able to grow as we continue to travel! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE having my own house and getting to decide to put something up and know that it will not be coming down for at least a year or two? Such a foreign feeling!

Side note: I've quickly learned that if I plan get togethers and parties, Ben works really hard to get things done to make the house beautiful...I've hosted a book club & an end of school party, plus the normal family & friends for dinner. Who wants to come next so I can get more projects completed??

Shout out to GROUPON

I LOVE GROUPON! Eliza is in a gymnastic class & Xander is in the best private swim lessons all because of this fabulous site! I just wish the family friendly offers came more often!!!

Here are a few shots of Eliza's gymnastics--which she absolutely LOVES and begs to go every day. Next time a deal like these comes, I'm going to buy 3...so that the kids can do several classes before I have to think about paying full price. :/

I LOVE GROUPON! Eliza is in a gymnastic class & Xander is in the best private swim lessons all because of this fabulous site! I just wish the family friendly offers came more often!!!

Here are a few shots of Eliza's gymnastics--which she absolutely LOVES and begs to go every day.

How does your garden grow?

This really isn't the year to start a real garden for us (new house, new baby, 1 year old, etc) but I want to get the kids thinking in that direction so I hauled all 3 to Lowe's on Monday to buy a few edible things that could grow in pots. We bought a tomato plant and a strawberry plant. We'll have plenty though because our yard already produces: pears, grapes, persimmons, almonds, apples, oranges, lemons & grapefruits--so we'll have our work cut out for us. It was really awesome though-because we met the previous home owners and they offered us a dehydrator! So cool-a new way to preserve all the yummy fruit and my kids are so excited to make homemade fruit roll ups.

The only real bummer about the whole thing? I found out that Yard Crashers was at that Lowe's this week! WHAT?! Why couldn't they have picked me? Didn't I look desperate enough? Pregnant with 3 kids--everybody puts their two sense in--I wouldn't have minded if you did too! :) We were especially bummed when we learned that they did one of their 'ultimate' crashes and updated the yard, kitchen and bathroom for the couple (who were my friends neighbors). Ah well, better luck next time!

Happy Birthday Violet!!!

Started the celebration off right & early on Saturday morning when Daddy picked up donuts for breakfast. A family tradition from Wendy's family, birthday breakfast donuts are a must!

(Vi's first real sugar treat aside from graham crackers, etc.)

Then we got to spend LOTS of time outside because it was actually sunny & warm!

Xander & Eliza picked a baby doll out for Violet for her birthday. Both Ben & I have been surprised at how she has taken to it-become possessive actually. She takes care of it and tries to carry it around, it's adorable!
Since Violet's nickname has been "Bug" for the past year (since she was our Baby of Unidentified Gender) we chose to make her a lady bug cake. The frosting got really runny because we put real strawberries in it but it was DELICIOUS to eat.

And Violet loved it....

Good-bye Preschool

There wasn't much fanfare for the graduates at our preschool--which I'm grateful for since only 1/3 of the class is moving on. But Xander took the last day of school & certificate ceremony VERY seriously! The class has been working on a frog unit for a couple of months-(they even helped some tadpoles become frogs!) so the theme of the party was frogs and all the activities were related. Eliza got to come but thankfully Violet stayed with some friends and Ben got to come for the program part. We are all super excited for Xander to start kindergarten next year-as is he. Preschool was fun but he is ready for real recess he told me. :)

On having 4 kids in 5 years

I'm going to vent....(literally, there are no flowers here...so here is a disclaimer...you do not have to read this)

So I totally 'show' now...I cannot hide that I'm pregnant and it's been very difficult to deal with the reactions I have gotten from complete and total strangers. I am already a VERY self conscious person thinking that people are always thinking the worst of me but this is totally amplified and much more real. I for one could not ever imagine SAYING something to a complete stranger in the middle of the grocery store! While buying baby food the other day: "You can't possibly have one young enough to eat that and be that far along?! Or maybe the comment of the plumber is better put: "Are you on a baby mission or something?" I mean, seriously? At first, I felt like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail where she laments that she doesn't think of snide things to say back until after the fact but the truth is, I've been hearing comments, "Well, aren't you fertile Mertel!" for so long now that I've come up with a few but I can hold my tongue enough to only something along the lines of: Yes, our little bonus baby. :)

Being pregnant so soon after the last time has been hard enough on our family-I'm extremely exhausted, have developed serious restless leg syndrome (and I thought that was just some made up syndrome--sorry I mocked it) but let me tell you-it's real and crazy when your legs hurt so bad and they twitch all on their own and, I won't go on...but suffice it to say PEOPLE...it happens and your comments do NOT help. Maybe instead of gawking, or telling me how full my hands are, you could offer to help?

Ah well, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? Maybe I'll see things differently when all these extra hormones are no longer part of my life?????

Sorry Vi

I guess I should not have woken Vi up to go the water park party for Xander's school-she was less than enthused. This is what she did as soon as we got there...

Cinco de Mayo Dad's Night

Xander's preschool had a special night program for the Dad's. Xander & Ben had a great time. The theme was "Cinco de Mayo" and there was lots of fun Latin food & activities. Xander & his friend Brady were the lucky kids to hit the pinata hard enough to break it open. Way to go!