everything nicole

Christmas is Coming

The first week of November is already on it's way out.  Which means the Birth Month of Nicole is one quarter over (!!!).  This month is extra special.  How could it get more special than the celebration of the Great and Wonderful Nicole?  This month I get to share the celebration with the birth of my new baby niece and there is no one I'd rather share the month with.  My brother's daughter, Kyleigh Marie is expected to make her debut any day now, but I'm hoping she holds out until the 21st (the actual day of my birth).  I know her mama just loves the thought of being overdue, but it would make a perfect birthday present (for me me me)!  In case you couldn't tell, I just can't wait to meet this sweet girl.  She is going to be absolutely perfect, she is related to me after all!! 

Apparently, it's that time of year when I get all me me me, it's all about me!  I would like to remind you that my birthday is merely a preview for Christmas (you know, the birth of Christ) (oh boy, I'm going to hell).  And in the spirit of Christmas I've already ordered my Christmas cards.  Since I'm so on top of it now, I'll probably be making a Toy's R Us run at midnight on December 24th and be awake all that night wrapping presents.  Wish me luck! xoxo

Perfect Logic

GracieGirl:  I don't wanna take a bath.  Why do I have to take a bath?

N:  Because if you don't wash your body it will rot off of you. 

MOTYxoxo

Things I Wish for My Daughters

(A very partial work in progress)

• Bravery
• Strength
• Courage
• Compassion
• Love
• Laughter
• Comedy
• Knowledge
• Wonder
• Peace
• Work ethic
• Appreciation of sisterhood

To be continued. . .xoxo

Cold Weather Makes Me Want to Bake

I'm thinking of baking up some Maple-Bacon Cupcakes.  I think it sounds absolutely perfect, but I'm also one of those who loves a good Elvis Sandwich.  What do you think?  xoxo

Nothing But the Truth

"Gracie, where's Randy?"
"He's still inside. We both had to take a dump."
Xoxo

Unsuccessfully

Trying to give up her nap. Xoxo

Bathroom Humor

I've been looking forward to tonight's dinner ever since my dad brought me some of the salmon that he'd caught in Oregon.  Since I'm selfish & wanted to keep the salmon where it would be appreciated (my stomach), I decided to make just enough for myself and Randy.  Chicken nuggets were on the girls' menu & they couldn't be happier. 

As I was getting dinner ready, Randy mentioned that, "Wouldn't it be easier to feed the girls now & then eat the yummy [he might not have said yummy] salmon after they went to bed?"  They do sometimes interrupt dinner just a bit.  But oh, no.  I insisted that we need to eat together as a family and blah blah blah it's good for our children, or something. 

True to form, the little darlings finished dinner before we were half way through savoring our meal.  We sent them into the bathroom to wash their hands & hoped we could buy ourselves a few more minutes of peace with the ever-lovin' boob tube.  Which is when Bridgie came back to tell us that she'd peed her pants (oh yeah, we're potty training - F.U.N.).  Randy got up and put our sweet baby girl in the tub & told GracieGirl to hop in.  As he came back in I enjoyed a few more bites of my dinner.  Which is when the crying started (oh, it gets worse.  much worse).  Since crying is relatively old news around here, I waited until Gracie came in shouting to see the drama.  Without listening to her, I barked to "get in the tub," and ran into the bathroom. 

The sight of my sweet angel baby daughter sitting there in the bath is forever burned into my brain.  I came into the bathroom to be greeted by Bridgie crying and holding what can only be described as two very large logs. 

This is a first for me as a mama.  I even remember when Grace was a baby, talking to another mom and thinking smugly that that was something my kid would never do.  Yeah.  Karma's a b!*ch. 

I am so thankful that Randy was home, because while I bleached the tub, he took the girls into our bathroom to clean them up. 

Aannnnddd. . .it happened again in our tub.  Oh yeah.  Because once is not enough. 
Now the bathrooms might have needed cleaning, but really?  She could have just used a few of those words that she's so recently discovered to tell me so. 

The best part?  When B asked about the root beer float for desert that had been discussed very early in the evening, Randy responded, "Uh, no.  You've had a floater already."  xoxo

Grief

Firefighters have died before in the line of duty and it sucks.  Me, Little Miss Proper Who Doesn't Cuss just wants to drop the F-bomb all over the place.  A word doesn't really exist to explain the horror that comes from a man giving his life to keep others safe.  This time though, it has hit too close to home.  Arnie was a friend of Randy's.  His career followed a similar path to Randy's.  He was married to a sweet school teacher who is pregnant with their first baby. 
I feel funny writing about this, because I know there is no way to properly explain the gravity of such an event.  My sadness comes in waves and each time it hits me I know that it is only a billionth of what those firemen's families are feeling.  I especially identify with the wives, who don't get to hug their husbands the way I did this morning when he came home. 
This also puts a new prospecitve on Randy's job for me.  He's been hurt on the job before, but never anything life-threatening.  I've always had a shield put up, always believed that Randy can't get hurt, that it just wasn't possible.  Because for me, he can't.  I don't think I could function without him. 
Before when Randy would go to work, I'd say goodbye with a kiss & send him on his way.  Now, the danger has become real.  When he leaves I can feel my chest tighten and when he comes home, I can finally relax.  He reminds me that, "life is short, we could all go tomorrow," but must we tempt fate?  I guess the moral of the story is to cherish every second and squeeze your loves a little tighter.  We don't know how lucky we are to have them.  xoxo

We Landed on the Moon 40 Years Ago

 

Baby B Buns to celebrate!  xoxo

Today's Agenda

Xoxo

Sent from my iPhone.

Today

I introduced the girls to the joy of Jello Jigglers. Xoxo

It's My Party

I just made Bridgie cry by telling her not to lick the bottom of her shoes. The sad part? I feel a little bad about it because no girl should cry on her birthday. She IS spoiled. Xoxo

Two Years Are Better Than One

My sweet Baby B is turning two tomorrow.  TWO!  It's funny how two used to seem so old and child-like, but now I still view Bridget as my baby.  I suppose she will always be looked at as the baby of the family (lucky girl), even when she's thirty (you know, old). 
In true GlancyGirl fashion, we started celebrating last night with a present and cake.  Always wanting to keep up with her big sister*, we got her a bicycle so she didn't have to run after GracieGirl every time Grace rode her bike. 
As for the rest of her birth-week, we'll be spending it at the Happiest Place on Earth, and yes I am too excited to sleep!
You know who else was excited?  Bridgie, getting her birthday bike!  Something brand new!  Just for her!  Not a hand-me-down!  Here's proof that not everything she owns used to belong to her sister: 

Bridgie's 2nd from nicole glancy on Vimeo.

xoxo

*What?  I didn't tell you that Gracie learned to ride a big girl bike (something we thought would never happen) all by herself while we were in Yosemite?  Oh, I didn't even post pictures from Yosemite, or from the river trip after that?  At least I'll have something to post about when we return!

PS- I just realized that the photo album from B's first birthday is still in the sidebar to the left.  This means I am almost as good a blogger as I am a mama! 

Swim Home, Little Fishies, Swim Home

The management here at everythingnicole.com is saddened* to announce that while Nicole was on vacation, the fish swam their little hearts into heaven.   We are sure that the fish have paid the ultimate price for Nicole's vacationing lifestyle and we are investigating animal cruelty action.  They are survived by a very lonely cat, Bonnie and two little girls who have yet to notice that they are missing.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local pet shelter in the name of (wait, because they were so unloved they had no names & were expected to die MONTHS ago).  xoxo

*Really, though I am kinda sad that they died.  I thought it would be fun to throw a birthday party for two fish that lived longer than ever thought possible while living in a martini pitcher. 

Pretending Puppy

I actually just uttered the words, "Gracie, we don't bark at the table." xoxo

Dirty Laundry

We're home. And leaving Sunday for the river. I seriously love this time of year! Xoxo

Hiking

We hiked to Vernal Falls the first day we were here. GracieGirl did great on the way up, and then on the way down she announced that, "I hate this hike & I'm never hiking again." xoxo

My Morning Run

I also took pictures of bear poop & dear tracks because of the book in the second picture. Xoxo

Most Good Trips Start Out Bad

We left this morning for Yosemite.  We'll be staying in the trailer & thought it would be "fun" to bring the cat with us.  Probably not our best moment. 
Gracie starts kindergarten in the Fall, and I've been empty-nesting a little bit.  Since we won't be having any more babies, BonnieTheCat has kind of become the baby of the family.  She's also the only reason we haven't added a dog to the family (that, AND that we don't have a fence).  So that's my best excuse for thinking that a cat would be a fun thing to bring on a camping trip. 
We made it 7 minutes down the road before the cat pooped in the car.  The first time she shat, it was mildly funny because it was on the vinyl and fairly easy to clean up.  The second time was not nearly as funny.  She sat down and pooped right in between the center console and the seat, where it dripped down into the seat track.  This would've been a truly devastating event if it weren't for comments such as, "Mommy, what's shitting?" (This is funny because mama really rarely cusses, but this kind of called for it - "Oh crap, she's shitting again.")
We're currently taking a pit stop at my mom's to drop off the cat and clean out the car.  I'm sure this trip will be nothing but smooth sailing from here! 
Here's a picture of better times, when she was a kitten and would constantly bite Grace. 
xoxo

Shameless

I think this would make a great Mother's Day gift for someone who takes endless pictures of her children, don't you?  Too bad Randy's birthday is May 11.  Maybe I'll get it for him (I have mentioned the weed-wacker birthday gift, haven't I?).  xoxo

What Have I Been Doing Instead of Blogging?

Important stuff like bathing the cat.

And making some really cute fingers and toes even cuter. 
xoxo

Back With a Heart

So, I'm just going to jump right back into it (it being blogging, that thing I used to do daily).  No explanation about why I've been gone.  No side note about how I've been spending my computer time searching for a dog when I don't even have a fence yet (okay, maybe one sentence). 
Instead a quick comment about how GracieGirl saw some pigeons today and "one was trying to ride the other one's back!" And "did you know that dragonflies ride piggyback too?"  And some day way too soon this will all make prefect sense to her. 
Why can't I pause moments like that forever?  Can't I just enjoy that sheer delight and utter innoscence forever?  And if I can pause that one, can I also pause the one where B runs toward me with a little skip (while pumping her right arm wildly to make it a true jog).  xoxo

Relaunch

The administration here at EverythingNicole has decided to relaunch our website.  Stay tuned for a new look complete with the many exciting happenings in the life of Nicole.  xoxo

Field Trip

GracieGirl woke up when Randy was getting ready for work the other morning (at 4:30am!!!) and sent him to work with her CareBear.  I'm sure she got the idea from the commercial, and Randy played along perfectly: 



xoxo

Waffle Sunday

Xoxo

Really Enjoying Her Ice Cream Sandwich

Xoxo

Really Enjoying Her Ice Cream Sandwich

Xoxo

All Banged Up

GracieGirl has been begging me for "hair straight across like Demi Lovato" ever since she saw Disney's Camp Rock.  Yes, it's my fault entirely for letting her watch the movie, but I was just excited to be able to watch a movie with her that didn't include rapping puppies. 
Last night during dinner Bridgie's hair was falling in her face & driving her crazy, so I grabbed my sizzors while Grace wasn't looking and cut some wispy bangs.  It took Gracie until this afternoon to notice that "Ohmygosh!  Bridgie has bangs!"  I needed to fix the quick cut I did the night before, so I agreed to give GracieGirl the much-adored bangs.  So, snip snip snip and. . .
. . .Too short.  I cut them too short.  But they should be pretty cute in a week or two.  Or three. 

xoxo
ps - cowlicks are a bitch. 

Randy's Quote of the Day

"You know, I don't think I've ever cooked in our kitchen before."
(Said today.  2+ years after we've moved in.)
More cuteness to come.  xoxo

It Snowed Yesterday

Xoxo

Smarty Pants

After discussing our many miscommunications of the morning (we were both tired & a little off), Randy decided that it's because I don't make myself clear [read: it's my fault and has nothing to do with his fantastic communication skills]. 
Being a man who knows how to stay married, however, he quickly added, "It's not your fault, though.  You're smart and extremely smart people just talk on a different level."  Hmmm. . .
xoxo

My Sweet Little Valentines

Dooce writes a monthly letter to her daughter Leta, who also recently turned five.  Although most of the blogging world has probably already read her most recent letter, I have to point it out.  What she writes so clearly explains how I feel about my beautiful daughters, and probably how most mothers feel about their children. 

You have changed so much since that first morning you spent with us, a morning that altered my life so drastically that sometimes it still feels like I'm catching my breath. I imagine that I won't ever stop feeling this way, won't ever stop having a portion of my brain dedicated to the thought of where you are and what you're doing, won't ever be able to escape the constant, nagging hope that you are happy and fulfilled. My pulse is forever closer to the surface of my neck because of you, because of my responsibility toward you, and I can't thank you enough for the dimension that this has added to what it means to be alive.

Motherhood.  It's one wild ride.  xoxo

It's Early, But Diapers Stink

We're passively potty training Bridgie right now.  Which really just means that when she goes to hide under the table to conduct her business I rush her to the bathroom and try to bribe her into going on the toilet.  She usually ends up giving up and going as soon as I put the diaper back on her. 

This morning I tried to bribe her with candy, which I'm kind of against because I hate to use food as a reward, but that girl does love her some num-nums.  To make it fair I've told GracieGirl that if Bridgie goes in the potty, Gracie can have a piece of candy too.  The best part of potty training (ish) so far?  Watching GracieGirl explain pottying to Bridgie, complete with very theatrical actions.  xoxo

PS - Pinkalicious party update coming soon! 

Pink Attacks

Five years ago today GracieGirl emerged into my world and rocked it like crazy.  What people don't usually realize about a child's birthday is that it is also a celebration for the mother.  Today, I not only celebrated the fact that I've had five fantastic years of Grace, but I am also enjoying the anniversary of my induction into motherhood.  Five years ago today, I looked childbirth in the eye and came out on the other side - alive.  I know women do it all the time without the help of modern medicine, but it is still something that I'm pretty proud of, that whole baby baking thing that I did. 

Since she is my daughter, she will be partying properly.  It started this morning with pancakes and a candle, followed by cupcakes with another candle at school (which was coincidentally her day to share and Pajama Day, it was kinda a big deal).  For dinner we had a feast of Spaghetti O's with princess cake (and another candle) for dessert.  Gracie is a little fuzzy on when she actually turns five.  Her birthday is today, but to extend the festivus we're having the party tomorrow.  It also helps that Randy will be home tomorrow to help me corral the 20-plus kids that will be coming over to wish my little five year old well. 
It's a Pinkalicious Party and it has gone way over the top.  There's pink cupcakes and pink streamers and pink flowers and a pink princess chair and pink balloons and pink party favors (except for the three boys who are coming, they get a few yellow favors).  Just the sheer quantity of children running through my house makes my skin crawl a little. 
But there is some reason behind this madness.  We've decided not to throw a party for the girls every year.  We'll do some kind of party for the 1st, 5th, 10th, 13th, 16th and 18th birthday and be done with it.  (Yes, I've thought this through that far.  Why do you ask?) (No.  Me?  Crazy? I don't think I'm being a little crazy, need I remind you of how I celebrate my birthday?) 
Also, what five year old's birthday party would be complete without a shrine to said child? 

Excuse me while I go puke my pinkalicious brains out.  Although, it has been worth it every time she's told me "this is the best birthday ever."  I think she said that last year too.  Kids are so easy.  xoxo

Skiing

Getting Ready

One Fish, Two Fish, Cat Fish

A friend gave us two goldfish at the Halloween carnival in October.  When I rolled my eyes at the thought of caring for another animal when my two rugrats and a cat are enough, Renee promised me that they weren't long for this world and would probably be dead within the week.  Counting on this GracieGirl and I decided not to name them. 
They spend their days in a little glass vase and have become part of our morning routine of coffee, sippies of milk, cat food, then fish food (notice the order - coffee first, must. have. coffee.)  Every once in a while Grace or I will comment I can't believe they're still alive!  I've thought about getting them a real fish tank with a filter and everything, but I keep waiting for them to take the long trip down the toiletbowl and don't want to waste my money.  I change their water when it starts to look icky, and last night when I had friends over I was a little embarrassed that it needed changing.  And wow, it must be pretty dry out, their water is getting low fast.  This morning I noticed again how low the water had gotten, I really need to get a humidifier. 
A few minutes ago I heard Gracie yelling, "No Kitty, No!"  Which really isn't something out of the ordinary, she likes to direct everyone.  I slowly (I'd just started the first cup of coffee) made my way into the kitchen to find out what was wrong.
"The kitty is drinking the fish water!" I knew it wouldn't be long before the cat discovered the fish.  I think that since she was having a hard time catching them, she decided to make things a little easier by drinking down the water.  Didn't you know?  My cat's a genius.  xoxo

Toy Jail

Today is one of those rare days in Sunny Sorthern California when it's not exactly sunny.  One of those days when GracieGirl decided it's to cold to play outside.  Instead, she spent the morning cleaning up so that she could get her toys out of Toy Jail.  What is Toy Jail, you ask?  It is only one of the most fabulous inventions that I think I read about on ParentHacks, but I might have made up myself (I'm not sure, so I may have taken credit for it once or twice). 
The main theory behind Toy Jail is that if a toy is not actively being played with, it's not following the rules & must go to jail.  Our jail is a plastic storage box in the garage, out of reach.  This has worked extremely well for us and my sanity.  If a Barbie is left out, you can almost gaurentee that she's going straight to jail.  The more educational toys, like books and flash cards often get off with a warning. 
To get toys out of jail, we have a Toy Jail Bail.  Grace is charged $5 to bail her toys out, but all other toys have to be put away before anyone else can be bailed out. 
So after GracieGirl bailed her toys out of jail this morning, I found her sitting on a chair playing with...nothing.  When I asked her why she said it was because she didn't want them to go back to jail.  Way to encourage playtime & creativity, Mother of the Year.  xoxo

Pismo Beach

I knew that when we went to the beach, it would give me something to blog about.  I thought I could at least fill the page with pictures of the most beautiful children alive. 

And that sweet man I love so much. 
But really, who knew that this little demon would be such a daredevil? 
No broken legs this time, though.  Can I get an Amen? 
Turns out that my sweet-20-month-old-angel really likes to ride her big sister's quad. 
So much so that she hops on it every chance she gets.  If it happens to be running, then she's off, even though steering is something she has yet to master or even think about.  And if it's not running?  She reaches down and tries to start it herself, the determined little cuss. 
Here's an example of excellent parenting:  toddler driving an OHV without a helmet, in her bathing suit.  While her barefoot daddy tries to keep up. 

If this was the least of my worries with that girl, I think I could survive, but then she had to go and get herself abducted at the butterfly exhibit. 
As we were walking up the the exhibit an old man patted GracieGirl on the head as he walked past.  Wierd, but no harm done.  As he passed Randy and Bridget who were a few paces behind us, he bent down, picked sweet Baby B up and started walking away.  It's lucky that Randy was with her and that he has a soft spot for the blue-hairs, because I'm pretty sure I would've been throwin' down with an old guy by this time. 
"Oh, no.  She's coming home with with me.  Yes, isn't she cute, but I'm gonna keep her." Is all Randy had to say to make the senile old man's wife come tell him to give the baby back.  She is cute, and I know if she wasn't mine already I might be inclined to steal her away too, so we'll cut the old guy some slack. 
GracieGirl had a great time too.  She conquered the dunes with class and didn't complain once when she had to push her quad up some hills.  She said that seeing the butterflies was her best day ever.

Next up: Mammoth at the end of the month, I'm sure I'll have more material by then.  xoxo

Did You Know?

In-N-Out gives stickers with dinner. Xoxo

Did You Know?

In-N-Out gives stickers with dinner. Xoxo

Camping At the Beach

Surely I'll have something to blog about when we get back. Xoxo

To My Dear Little Bloggity-Blog,

I know, it's been awhile.  No, there's no one else.  Okay, I did have a brief affair with my iPhone Facebook app.  But that doesn't really count, does it?  I mean, you are the one who introduced us, and you even tell Facebook every time I post.  And Facebook gives me information on my friends, instead of just me droning on about me me me, everything nicole! 
But honestly, Facebook isn't the reason I've been so distant.  It's a lot of things:  we spent too much time together in November, and Christmas was a little crazy for me (I know, I know!  I'll post those pictures soon, okay? sheesh).  And then there's those two pesky little girls who require food and baths and stuff. 
But I'd like to start the new year fresh.  Can you forgive my cheating and ignoring you?  I did send you a picture on New Years Eve, after all! So let's start 2009 right.  No resolutions that were made to be broken, just some good old blogging when the moment strikes or my kids do something cute. 
Love,
nicole
xoxo
PS - That is not a sarcastic xoxo (this time), but a sincere hugs and kisses. 

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

I know I haven't blogged in awhile, and it's because I have been totally wrapped up in the holiday (complete with SNOW!).  Two quick things while I wait for GracieGirl to fall asleep:

1. I came inside today to find Bridgie drinking the water out of my flower vase.  This is extra funny because while I was in town yesterday (read: last minute shopping) Randy left B alone long enough for her to make a lovely cat litter soup for the kitty. 
2. We're celebrating Christmas tomorrow because Randy is working on the 25th, and because the girls still don't fully understand the concept of a calendar.  And because we can get away with it.  Randy is working today too, so while we wait for him to come home in the morning I'm going to make GracieGirl do her chores before she opens any presents.  She'll look back on these memories fondly some day.  I think.  

xoxo

SNOW!

I have lots to update you on (Christmas card crap, concerts and such), but it's snowing!  A big deal for us in sunny SoCal, so we bundled up the girls & pulled them on their sled behind the quad. 

Click on my two snow angels above to see more pictures.  xoxo

We Had Pudding for Dessert

Xoxo Sent from my iPhone.

Merry Christmas?

Sometime around December first, the Christmas crap hit the fan.  The tree and lights are up.  We only shattered three ornaments.  (You notice I said we.  I was responsible for two.)  Now on to the shopping, baking & teaching the girls the true meaning of Christmas (despite popular belief, it is not greed, gifts, spend spend spend, buy buy buy, more more more my precious). (really).
I can't show you what you're getting, but I can show you a few things I've picked out for the girls (they don't check the site that often). 

 

Sometime after the online shopping and the never-right-look-at-the-camera-and-smile-dammit Christmas Card picture taking, I called off Christmas.  Fine!  I said after five thousand wasted pictures, I'm not doing anything else for Christmas!  And then I went inside and tried to edit said pictures.  Randy told me that's fine, but we will be having a gift exchange on the 24th and dinner at the fire station on the 25th of this month.  It would be nice if I came. 

So Christmas is back on.  Which means I need to finish the Christmas cards, shopping and baking today.  Then I can really enjoy the season.  xoxo

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It looks like Christmas threw up all over my house, and the cat is trying to take after the cat from Christmas Vacation.  xoxo

Yum?

Randy had to cook at work yesterday.  Instead of his usual tri-tip and potatoes, he made Meatloaf Man! 
xoxo