The other day, Rubie told me that she loves me more than pink.

So, I told her that I love her more than cupcakes...


Today, we went to an American Legion picnic up in Glen Helen. It was hot. Enough said...



Savoeun, you can try to part it on the side, but it doesn't make it better...

Blake, 5 - Racine, 14

Went to a great birthday party yesterday. It started with painting rice krispy sea creatures with frosting...

And there was face painting...

The next 2 pictures are part of a before and after series...


Handsome birthday boy...


This is what happens when grandpa asks her to act crazy. Thanks, dad...

Birthday girl opening presents...

This is how we should all look at the end of a birthday party, dirty cake face with paint...

The Drive

The drive to and from preschool everyday can be very informative. These are the things that I have learned from Rubie over the past few days:

1. That she will like onions once she starts kindergarten.
2. That dogs are kitty cats sometimes.
3. That she is going to buy me a pink I Phone.

Today, she told me that she is going to have a boyfriend when she gets married. hmmmm. Then she asked me what her husband's name is. I told her that I didn't know because she won't meet him until after she graduates college. And she said, "Yeah, but what's his name?"

In my car, I play country music on the radio. Rubie has recently started listening to the songs, and asking questions. Here is one exchange about a George Strait song:

Rubie: Is he sad?
Mommy: Yes
Rubie: Why?
Mommy: Because his friend left.
Rubie: Why?
Mommy: I don't know.
Rubie: Why did he "have a few"?
Mommy: ummmmm.

Maybe rap would be better?

These pictures have nothing to do with our drive home - but I love a clean 3 year old...

Bribery

I'm not above it.

If you ask Rubie what she wants to be for Halloween, she will tell you, "The Little Mermaid." I am up to here in princesses over here. I know I should just let her be what she wants.............but I can't. I want one more year. I can't let it go. So, I did it, I bribed her. I told her that if she would dress up in the costume that I want for her (thanks, Kelly, for letting me steal your idea), then she can dress up like Ariel anytime she wants in her brand new Ariel dress up outfit (that cost 20$). Add that 20 bucks to the cost of the costume being shipped as I write, and you have one very expensive costume. Especially because I accidentally chose 3 DAY SHIPPING for 16 bucks! Because I need it here IMMEDIATELY for October 31st. dude. Let's not bring this up again, I'm still upset.

Now let's hope this doesn't backfire on the actual day of Halloween, when it comes time to put on the costume.

In case you are wondering what Ramon thinks of all this - yep, he thinks I'm crazy. As usual...

Here is Rubie in her new dress up Ariel outfit...

Mommy's new favorite hair style

I have been very lucky that Rubie still lets me pick her clothes and hair styles. I don't wanna think about what I'm in for when it stops. I'm just enjoying it while it lasts...



When I think back on Rubie's favorite childhood toys, I hope to remember these dolls. She has had them for about 2 years now. Their names are Bethany, Charlotte, and Kaitlyn - and she still loves them.

Rubie's 2nd Dance Recital

Tonight, Rubie had her 2nd dance recital. Last time it didn't go so well - she ran away crying as soon as she saw the parents. Her dance class is through the community center, so it isn't a big production. The only thing different from regular class is that the parents get to come in and take pictures. Let's revisit the evening, shall we?

It all started when they girls were instructed to make a circle. Um....yes, that is my daughter pulling and yanking. And let's discuss the child in the Beauty and the Beast costume... okay, let's not...


Please notice Leilani in the background. Clearly she is a poor influence on Rubie, I think there are some parenting issues there...


This is a picture of my daughter NOT following directions. Raise your hand if you are surprised...


During the 2 songs that they actually performed (Hokey Pokey, and Doggie in the Window), Rubie did very well...

Cute ballet feet...

After the recital...

LA County Fair

I entered 3 photos into a photo contest and I won! This first picture won first place with a $250 prize! That's a quarter of a thousand dollars, people! The category was fashion. In these photos, Rubie chose her own "fashion" which is why I picked them. All three of the photos I entered will be at the LA County Fair - so exciting!



I have been in bed with the flu for the past 4 days, and we have been trying to keep Rubie away so that she doesn't catch it. She has been blowing me kisses from the doorway of my bedroom, and she made me a card (with daddy's help)...

Gum

Rubie is obsessed with gum. We told her a long time ago that she could chew gum when she was 4, thinking she wouldn't remember it. Well, we were wrong. Rediculously wrong. Now, this is the speech that I hear on a daily basis -

"WhenIamfour,Iamgonnachewgum.I'mgonnachewpinkgumandyellowgum.Iamnotgoingtoswallowit.Iamnotgonnaspititoutontheground,Iwillspititinthetrashcan.Icannotchewitatschool,butIcanchewitatthemall." The end.

Let's not forget that Rubie has chewed gum, once. She was 2. She found cousin Catie's ABC gum, and when I asked her what she was chewing, she said, "playdough."

I guess birthday presents are gonna be cheap this year - I'm wrapping up some gum.


Here is a picture of Ramon reading a book to Rubie. I have no idea what she is doing, though, she sometimes does this when her nose is running. Yeah, that would be funny - IF.I.WERE.JOKING. yep.

Girls' Night Out

Ramon played soccer this evening, so Rubie and I had a night out.

This is the bear that the judge gave to Rubie during her adoption finalization...

First stop on our night out - the "polish store" as Rubie calls it. The nail place that we go to has a children's chair with a bear head, and its own personal DVD player. Rubie watched Nemo while they painted her toes...

Then we went to CPK and had dinner. After that, we got some dessert...


This is Rubie in the middle of the mall on stage, dancing. There was no music - only her voice singing away. Seriously, I could not make this stuff up...


After all that running around and dancing, she went into the fountain to play. I HAD to buy her a new dress (cough, cough) from Gymboree to dry her off...