I Hate Ants!

Here is my problem:

We have had a slow trickle of ants in our apartment since we moved in. They hang out in the dishwasher and explore out onto the counters every now and then, and they even found a little bbq pulled pork Larkin dropped after dinner and I missed when I swept up that night. They are anoying, but they have managed to stay off my radar ...

But this week they have become really bold and really stupid. One or two ants scouting around can be delt with, but this entitled attitude of marching through my house has me all huffy!

They are relentless! I can't spray because Larkin touches everything right now and I can't risk her touching poison. I have put out a few ant traps under bookshelves and in cupboards, but they are smart enough to avoid the traps. How can they be smart enough to march around the traps, but stupid enough to do it in this amazingly straight line that draws attention to themselves ... I am out for blood! These little bugs are really BUGGING me!

If you have any poison free ideas to kick these little BUGgers to the curb, I'm all ears! This is war!

P.A.R.T.Y!

It was the best party ever! With a cake like this, how could the party be anything but wonderful!?!

Grandma played peek-a-boo with Larkin while we set up inside ... Larkin LOVES her grandma!

Our friend and her boys got Larkin this shopping cart with all the little groceries inside. It bacame a fast favorite! Larkin loves to really eat all the pretend food. That's a weightloss trick I need to try :)

I have been singing "Happy Birthday" to Larkin all week trying to get her ready for the big moment, but she was still a little stunned and confused by the whole thing. The girl LOVES cake though! She ate every crumb of her cake before I could even sit down with my plate.

It was a LONG day of fun for everyone! Balloons, cake, friends, games, presents, family, ice cream ... it was a fantastic party! Larkin loved every moment of the day!

Thank you to everyone who came! We wish all of you could have been there to celebrate Larkin's big girl day! 

Just because ...

I have been loving the warm weather this past week! We have spent every day walking, playing, and exploring. While we have been out soaking up the sun and enjoying nature we snapped a few photos ...

We went to this amazing park with some friends and Larkin, who usually barrels through life,  was so quiet and serious while all the big kids played around her. I actually thought she might be getting sick or something because she was so tentative- very unlike her, but sweet.

I know the sunshine wont last forever, but for the time being, we are loving it! 

Turning One!

Happy Birthday Larkin!

I cannot believe it has been one whole year. The time has literally flown by as I have watched Larkin learn and grow this year! She cracks me up every day and I am so lucky to be her mom!

Here are a few things Larkin is all about right now:

... Dancing to any music she hears on the radio, songs we sing, theme music to tv shows ... the girl loves to dance!

... Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, tangerines!

... Playing hide & go seek (as long as growling is involved)!

... Making silly faces!

... Copying anything mom or dad do!

... Baths! This kid would live in the bath tub if we let her!

... Waving to strangers! 

... Playing with other babies!

... Her dad! Larkin is a major daddy's girl!

... The vacuum cleaner! She chases it around and talks to it!

... Snuggling and giving hugs to pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, books!

... Reading books, particularly her Hugs book and Brown Bear!

... Anything that makes a loud noise!

... Taking off her socks! I cannot keep them on her feet!

... Dogs! Larkin LOVES anything that barks and runs around on four legs!

She is quirky and full of more energy than I can comprehend, but I LOVE her more than I have words to express! Happy Birhday L-a-bella!

San Francisco Valentine's Adventure

We celebrated Valentine's Day in the city this year (yes, Larkin came along to chaperone). I love the craziness of the city, and we had fun walking through the busy streets and taking a few pictures at Union Square.

We ate at Max's on the Square. I had the most delicious Chicken Pot Pie I have ever eaten EVER! It was to die for; lick your bowl and fingers kind of yummy! We took a giant chocolate covered coconut macaroon home with us to eat while we watched American Idol later ...

San Francisco has got to be THE worst city to navigate through with a stroller, but we survived! Larkin loved all the people and noise. If we would stop for too long waiting to cross the street, or for a photo, she would squeal for us to keep moving. The weather was wonderful, the food was yummy, and the city was amazing! 

(Bren- Max's does ship macaroons from their location in south san fran. :)

Top 10 Things I LOVE Right Now

10: The toddler music station on my tv! (fun noise without the mind-numbing cartoons)

9. Turquoise. I have a new favorite color! Now I just need a chunky necklace in a bright shade of turquoise.

8. www.oovoo.com! We did a video call with Scot's parents and had a blast seeing and talking with our family! So easy to download and use. It took me 5 minutes to set it up, and it's free!

7. In n' Out ... I know, cliche, but I have eaten WAY too much since I have been in CA and just love the #2 with grilled onions! Something poetic about how good and simple a burger can be.

6. Working out! Sweat is like an old friend I haven't seen in WAY too long! I love the fitness center at our place. Nothing beats a good work out first thing in the am!

5. Microfiber ... a damp cloth has wiped up every spot on this new sofa of mine. So easy to clean Larkin will be wiping up her own barf pretty soon :/

4. Trader Joes multi seed crackers with soy sauce! YUM! at 110 calories for every 35 crackers, these tasty snack crackers are making up for all the cheeseburgers I've been eating at In n Out :)

3. Ulta Beauty in Roseville ... a one-stop beauty shop that had my favorite hair products, makeup, fragrances ... I was in heaven. I know you wouldn't know it to look at me, but I secretly LOVE new beauty products!

2. Scarves! Not the winter or even light weight ones you tie around your neck, but the kind that go in your hair, or my new fav- I tie mine like a belt around my waist. 

1. Scot! He does this silly sexy walk sometimes that makes me smile. He kills all the bugs in our house. He makes me laugh out loud. He makes dinner cause I hate to. He loves the sci-fi channel, which I just don't get, but I love that he does. He is an amazing dad!

Life is SO good! Take a few minutes an think of all the things you love about your life! I had so many! It could have easily have been a top 100!

You Can Sing Along if You Want ...

I looked out the window and what did I see?

POPCORN POPPING ON THE APRICOT TREE!

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise-

Blossoms popping right before my eyes!

I could take an armful and make a treat,

A popcorn ball that would smell so sweet!

It wasn't really so, but it seemed to me-

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

This moment was brought to you by the budding tree out my back window, and Larkin, who loves this one right now :)