Not Sure Why...

but I'm kinda excited about this movie.



This isn't the type of movie that I would normally chose to see either.



Also concerned that I think Robert Downey, Jr. is really hot...



Normally I really dislike guys with goatees.

Am I the only mom who is really excited about Iron Man 2?



This is just so weird for me to be this way about a movie.

Just and FYI for you...My husband has already purchased advanced tickets for our Friday Night Date. :0)

Little Green Visitors Snuck Into My Yard

and look what they left behind!





I feel so loved!

Have I mentioned how much I love being a Girl Scout Leader?

I'm On A Roll Now...

it's been how many weeks since my last post and I do two in one day! Let's see if I can keep this up...

Had to share this photo with you all...



Bryleigh picked out her outfit all by herself today....is she a future fashionista or what!

Love this kid!

Remember Me?

I'm the one who use to post to this blog...that slacker blogger known as Scarlet O'Kara.

Cannot believe that it is been so long. Not sure if anyone is even reading any more.

If you are, hope you are doing well. I've been pretty busy with every day life, but hopeful that things will be slowing down soon.

Then I can get back to my blog.

The girls are doing well...







...and a nice, relaxing summer is in my sights.

Chat soon...

The True Sign Of A Sickly 2 Year Old

When they are sitting quiet enough for the cat to cuddle with them.

Hope you are having a great day.

Future Blogger In Training

hopefully she'll update more frequently than me!

I'm Back From The Holidays...

and will be uploading some photos later...but had to share this one.

Kyla lost her first tooth!



She is so excited.

Days 2 Of The Elf Invasion

So, our second day of having Tinsel and Sparkle went pretty well. The girls woke up early and ran into the livingroom to see the elves. They were surprised to find them gone from their window perches...and then searched the house looking for them.

They found the report from Sarge...



as well as Tinsel hanging from the kitchen table chandalier and Sparkle dangling from the microwave handle. Tinsel was mischevious and messed up some of the crayons that Kyla had left out, while Sparkle helped herself to some banana chocolate chip muffins. Would have shown some pictures, but they didn't turn out.

Tomorrow morning, the girls will hopefully enjoy the morning search again...

Midnight Visitors From The North Pole

About an hour and a half ago, I was getting ready for bed when I heard a commotion in the living room. When I went out to investigate, look what I found...



The elves that the girls requested have arrived.



This is Sparkle.



And this is Tinsel.



They even have a letter of introduction from their boss at the North Pole.



Hopefully the girls will be on their best behavior around these two.

Today Is My Baby's 2nd Birthday!

Here are just scenes from the great day that we are having today...



(Snoozing on the floor while breakfast is being made)



(Feeding the cats)




(Breakfast with daddy)



(Frosting cupcakes with the boyfriend)



(Bubble bath playdate!)

Cannot believe that it has been two years since this beautiful girl came into our lives...

Signs That My 6 Year Old Is Growing Up

(1) She is now waking up on her own and getting dressed without my help. I'm proud of her, but a part of me is also crying inside. She doesn't need me as much anymore...

(2) In front of the Special Assembly at her school today, she told everyone that she was going to be a ROCK STAR when she grows up.

(3) Just look at this photo...



Where did my little girl go?

Having Fun In Sonoma

Wasn't sure that we were going to make it here because we kept getting lost trying to make our way out of San Francisco.

Went to 4 wineries today. Kunde Family Estate Winery was really nice. We enjoyed the Cave tour as well as a couple of tastings. Had a wonderful pourer (John) who gave us a great tip on a smaller winery...so off we went to find Loxton Winery. Loved this place! Every wine that we tried at Loxton was fabulous...and our pourer (Jeff) gave us the name of another small winery to try...so off to Wellington Vineyards. Had a great time talking with the couple that was pouring...and followed their recommendation to try Little Vineyards. Loved their wines too.

So, it looks like we are going to be coming back with alot of wines. Party at my house... :0)



(Try not to judge me on this photo. I'm jet-lagged and fighting hay fever. Gotta love Harvest Time.)

The Cruel Things That Siblings Do To Each Other

Growing up, my older sister and I loved to torment our baby sister. It seems to be a favorite pass time for the two of us to dream up new ways to torture (but not hurt) the baby of the family. Why did we want to make her life miserable? Because we "always" had to babysit or take her with us when going out with friends.

Well, all these awful things have now become favorite stories for our kids to request to be told over and over again. Many a family gathering will end with us sitting around sharing the many terrible things that she was put thru. And being a good-hearted and forgiving person, she just sits and smiles...as well as adding details that we left out.

The all time favorite story took place on Halloween when an enlisted friend dressed me up in his military camo, complete with face paint...and he did such a great job that no one knew who I was. As I was getting ready for bed that night, I heard baby sis getting ready for bed too. She had just arrived home and was not around earlier to see me all dressed up.

Well the "evil older sister" in me decided to wait until she when into the bathroom and then see if I could scare her. The military issue knife that my friend let me borrow would come in handy as a great prop too.

Now little sister had grown wise to the horrid ways of her older sisters. She locked the bathroom door...but that didn't stop me. I put the knife between my teeth...quietly picked the lock...threw the door open...jumped into the middle of the room...and screamed like a mad person.

Poor little girl was so surprised and scared that she screamed, tried to jump up off the potty, got her feet tangled up in her pants, fell back down on the potty, then slide between the toilet and tub where she became stuck. And that is when I started laughing...

Well in honor of my baby sister who still loves me after all of the evil things that I did to her, why don't you tell me something evil that you did to one of your siblings?

Potty Training Mishap

See what happens when an almost 2 year old decides that she can "do it herself"?



Was it wrong to take a photo before helping her out?



Afterwards, she thought it was pretty funny showing everyone her wet bum...

(DISCLAIMER - no child was hurt in the production of this post. She was just frustrated that she had to get mommy to help.)

I'm A Bad Mother...

because I have been spending too much time trying to get all the PTA membership sorted and not enough time making sure that Bryleigh doesn't run a-muck.



Looks like I've failed. She is already taking romantic bubble baths with her boyfriend.

Good Bye Patrick Swayze

You were one of my first crushes...



I loved you as the caring older brother in The Outsiders.



Was afraid for you in Red Dawn.



Loved your man in uniform look in The North & The South.



Wanted to take dancing lessons from you in Dirty Dancing.



And Pottery Lessons after watching Ghost.



Considered surfing because of Point Break.



And just adored looking at you in Road House.



I even enjoyed your performance in To Wong Fu Thanks For Every Thing Julie Newmar, but had a hard time looking at you as a woman...

I will continue to watch your movies every chance that I get.


(August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009)

You will be missed...



My condolences to your lovely wife, Lisa Niemi.