And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

Don't know what I love more about this -- her singing along or her sweet dance moves.

 

By the way, this is the one pop song that all three of our household gets excited about when it comes on the radio. Selena Gomez, keep on keeping on, girl.

Steppin' Out: Turn around, bright eyes

Em was in rare form today, and my Facebook pals confirmed that it's been a cray-cray kid epidemic all around the country. Meltdown after meltdown after whining after ridiculous demands! I hate using my Mean Mommy voice, but it had to be done.

It wasn't all stressful, though. We had a great ballet class this a.m., followed by a delicious lunch at a pod of Portland's famous food carts. (Mac 'n cheese AND pie carts, folks!)

And we had a chance to step out.

If I post a bajillion pics from today's Steppin' Out session, that totally makes up for my skipped weeks, right?

Me: Shirt & jeggings, Old Navy; boots, Cole Haan 

Em: Dress, H&M, tights, Old Navy, boots, Target; Nordstrom,  sunglasses (the toddler diva demanded them today)

We started off well enough, but then things got silly. Maybe the sudden exposure to fresh, sunshine air went to our heads.

Friday Five: Sunny days sweeping the clouds away

1. A couple of my Pacific Northwest friends have mentioned that February tends to offer us one week of gorgeous sunny weather to break up the gloom a bit, and it appears that this is the week. My eyes have gotten used to the overcast skies, so the sun streaming is through our windows is throwing me off -- in a good way. Vitamin D for the win!

2. We got to hang out with my So Cal friend, Claire, yesterday. Em was smitten with her and insisted Clare push her in the cart when we visited Target. They bonded over their love of a particular cat Valentine card.

3. Last night Brent and I had a lovely date night, starting with dinner and cocktails at Beaker & Flask. We could've eaten a dozen of these trout deviled eggs we had as an appetizer.

 

4. Dinner was followed by our first live music show in Portland, featuring one of the few musical artists Brent and I both love -- Teitur. He dedicated his last song, One and Only, to a couple at the show who had danced to it at their wedding for their dance. The crowd encouraged them to jump up onto the empty dance floor, where they had the sweetest dance together. It was a tiny bit choreographed, which was adorable. I may have gotten a little teary at the romance of it all. 

 

At the end of the show, I sheepishly offered to email them the pic I took above, which they were thrilled to have. They had wished they had planned ahead to get pictures, so my pic was a happy surprise. :::pats self on back:::

I joked with Brent that the song played during dinner at our wedding, so next time Teitur comes to town, we're totally reenacting our wedding dinner while he plays.

5. Inspired by Brittany's wavy hair tutorial, I finally bought myself one of those curling wands and tried it out today. I got my hair cut last week and have been dying to play up my new layers. 

Before curling:

 

 After curling: 

 

I didn't do Brittany's overnight braid suggestion, and I need more practice with the curling wand, but overall I'm pleased with the results. 

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Nick, nick, nick, nick, ni-ni-ni-nick

I'm sorry, Em, but you cannot have a snack bar. You just had fruit snacks and a croissant on our playdate this morning, and we're going to have lunch soon.

But Mommy! 

Oh, hey! Bubble Guppies is on!

Nickelodeon -- distracting toddlers during meltdowns since 2009.

Catch ya on the flip side

I picked up Em from preschool yesterday, and we did her usual gathering-of-all-the-things. When it came time to put on her jacket, she threw it on the ground excitedly and proclaimed, "Let's flip it, Mommy!"

Then she blew my mind and did this:

 

This is particularly exciting because 1) she hates wearing a jacket and 2) I always have to help her get them on. Now she's excited to put on her jacket AND she can do it herself! 

Boom!

Em's preschool teacher is a smart woman. I've had a hard enough time getting one toddler suited up. I can't imagine how long it takes to get 10 of them bundled up for their neighborhood walks. 

For the uninitiated, this is the kind of stuff parents get excited about. Or maybe just the kind of stuff I get excited about.  

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: On your toes

 

Em loves herself some puzzles. She can do this one all by herself.

   

Braids 

   

Giant necklace city, population: 1 

   

Ballet class 

   

Puddle jumper

Stuff Em Says

Brent: Tell me a story...about a duck.

Em: Once upon a time, there was a duck in a beeeautiful castle. It lived happily ever after. THE END.

Brent: Tell me a story...about a kitty.

Em: Once upon a time, there was a kitty in a beeeautiful castle. It lived happily ever after. THE END.

Brent: Tell me a story...about a horse.

Em: Once upon a time, there was a horse in a beeeautiful castle. It lived happily ever after. THE END.

*****

Em (to Brent): High-five, man! 

Em (to me): High-five, woman! 

*****

Em, whenever there's a lull in conversation, every day for weeks: What happens when the fire stops?

*****

Brent, singing: No woman, no cry. 

Em, singing: Woman, just be happy.

*****

Em: In California, we lock the doors. 

*****

Me: Yes, I'll get you some more milk. Just give me a second.

Em (mimicking my exasperated tone): Ok, ok! Just chill me.

*****

Em, just after goodnight kisses from Brent: Thanks so much for the kisses, Daddy! I'm going to dream about flowers growing.