He is hilarious!

So, Danny took Blake in the trailer (he still refuses to ride a bike and pedal - so lazy!) and Paige rode her bike. They were gone for a long time. When they got home Danny was saying how proud he was of Paige for going up the hills, how she never stopped, etc... Blake then chimed in and asked, "Are you proud of me too Dad, for watching Paige go up the hills?"

Last night we played this game SNORTA. Great family game.. and perfect for most ages. The kids love it. Anyways while we were playing this came up:

Blake: My sweet tooth needs something to eat
Mommy: No more to eat, we are going to bed
Blake: (Looking at Danny) Do you have a vegetable tooth?

Although he has his moments and drives me up the wall sometimes, he does make me laugh and smile daily so for that I am so glad he is my son. I love you Blake.

OK.. this is why I stress everytime I travel

Everyone always asks me how I can travel with 3 kids alone. It takes a lot of preparation... this is SO IMPORTANT. Many people want to come by a few days before we leave to say goodbye and I often say NO. This is when I am most busy. So, sorry if I have ever told you no. You also have to have children who understand the rules about flying and you, the mommy or daddy, MUST have PATIENCE.
So, from Left to Right: Baggie with passports, airline rez info, important paperwork, etc.. and in a separate airline baggie my liquids (put this in a easy place to get to for security checks). Can/Bag of formula. 3 blankets.. one for each child. Extra diapers and wipes. I pack 1 diaper for every hour of travel time. So, 16 diapers this trip. That's actually not that much. Yeah! Next, snacks and my book (If I'm lucky enough to even open it. I can dream right?) Last, the DVD player and a big baggie with 1 outfit for each of us. This includes socks, underwear, etc.. Even for me too. Not shown is the ipod, headphones, US cellphone, camera, and our FLIP.

Paige is the only one taking a carry on this time. Blake's bag is packed in another one of the 3 checked bags. What do we bring back you ask? Bags, inside of Bags of course!

So, From Left to Right: Books. I let the kids each pick 6. Blake has his car holder where he can pick 12 cars, trucks, trains, etc.. (Paige took Barbies once and never played with them.. so that was the end of that). Next, is the coloring book, workbook, game, puzzle, entertainment holder.

Not shown:
3 large checked bags. Important: Remember what your bags look like and put something different on them to identify them quickly at the baggage claim. I put a ton of diff. color ribbon all over it.. really, it's everywhere. Also, use zip ties to close the zippers. They say not to but this way you know if they opened your bags. Also put a waterproof tag outside and then a tag inside as well.

Diaper Bag. Self Explanatory. Bring a lot of pacifiers if your child likes them. Those suckers drop and they are gone...

Stroller. Important. Make sure you get a GATE CHECK tag so they know to deliver it once you land.

Lunch Box. My kids are allergic to dairy and since we usually travel for breakfast I pack cereal bowls (ones I don't care about so I can throw them away), cups of milk and pb&j sandwiches (I don't trust airplane food). They usually don't allow any liquids but if you let them know BEFORE it goes in the xray machine they are much nicer about it. They usually have me take a sip out of the sippy cup - the kids absolutely think this is the funniest thing ever.

Base for the carseat. Since I can't take this out until we get the airport I bring a big trash bag, scissors, a towel, a label, lots of my color ribbon and tape. I take the base out when we get to the airport and wrap it in the towel, put it in the bag. Then I tape it closed, put the label on and put a ton of ribbon on it. This way it matches my other stuff and it's easy to find since it's going to be checked.

It doesn't apply to us going to CA but when we travel to Denmark we have to think of the weather... warmer clothes, extra jackets, etc...

Hope this makes you want to travel across the world. Really though, it's not that bad.. and it's worth it!

Game Night in Århus w/ Americans

From Left: Paul (actually Canadian), Tara (Northern California), Dag (Oregon), Russ and Annie (South Carolina), Lindsey (Boston - married to Dag), and the drunk guy on the end is my man

I guess I'm the drunk one now... I made a fantastic pitcher of strawberries margaritas. YUM!

My Thursday Lunch Bunch Group or AKA the TABLOID NEWS LADIES - ha ha Paul

They are not married but look so cute together.

Nite Nite... We ended the night at 2am.. I just love Russ and his Southern Accent

I TOOK THE BUS!

OK OK. Big deal about the bus. Well, it is for me. I have never taken the bus, except for school trips when I was little. I am not above taking the bus I just get overwhelmed (very much like ROSS for me). This time I was the one responsible for getting us to where we needed to go (Thank God for my friend Annie who took me on my first trip). I will admit that It wasn't that bad and yes, I will probably go again. However, if it's raining or snowing forget it.

Paige has been on the bus several times with her "school" and loves every second of it. This was Blake's first time and he was in charge of making sure we went only on the number 11 or 12 buses. He loved doing that.

Jude was not his usual happy self. He was over it and wanted out of his seat. As you can see from the first picture I had to much crap so it was hard to hold him and push the stroller. Annie was there to help but I was trying to really experience it with 3 kids...

Things are looking better in Denmark

Danny was captain this week. It was his last home game. I'm glad the season is over (they finished 4th and had no chance of catching 3rd so they really had nothing to play for). He ended up playing well and getting Player of the Match too!

After the game they opened the field to all the fans. He went from signing Danny Califf # 4 to signing D Califf # 4, to DC #4. There were a lot of kids wanting autographs. Paige and Blake enjoyed running around the field.

2 of my favorite people. I love them!

Gosh He's cute!

Danny surprised me and had a date planned last night. (this is very rare for us. It costs too much - dinner, taxi, movie, babysitter, etc..) It was SO MUCH FUN! We went to an Italian restaurant (he knows I love pizza) and then to a CASINO! I won almost $900dkk (that's around $175usd) playing Roulette. I love that game. I seriously could play it all night long. Thank you Babe for a great night.

More from Blake-e Man

Blake: Mom, I adore you
Me: Thanks Blake. I adore you too
Blake: Mom, what does adore mean?

He's so into collecting flowers for me. He came up to me and asked why this one particular flower was wilted? I was impressed with his big word.

Paige is doing her BOB books and doing quite well. Blake, the very competitive child like the rest of us, also wanted to start. He's on book 2 and doing great. He is very smart!!

No Particular Reason

We went to Germany (1.5 hours away) to stock up on soda, water... It is amazing how much cheaper it is. They of course had a play area so we stopped and let the kids play. We then visited Tortilla Flats for dinner. Long day but so worth it.

Paige can be a helper when she wants to be and today she wanted to be. She just loves being in charge (yes, she gets it from me) and loves when people (especially Jude and Blake) will let her do anything to them. This is what I came upstairs to. Luckily Jude is super easy and loves his sister.

We went bowling and Paige was super excited that the shoes were pink and purple.

Waiting for the GOLD ball. He had to use that ball.

My big boy is rolling over both ways and blowing raspberries. He doesn't like to sleep during the day but is a champ at night - 8p to 8a usually. Yeah! He likes his rice cereal and sure makes a mess. He just has to have his hands in his mouth at all times. He wants to sit up so bad but just isn't there yet... He's cooing, smiling, and laughing all the time. Jude is such a great addition to our family. He definitely completes it.. and we are definitely done (especially after my terrible day today with the kids)

Our Week

I went to CPH a few weeks ago and met a friend from HS. I left Danny and the kids for 2 days. Everybody survived. I missed them especially my little man. Anyways, it was fun to laugh with another American and people watch. We found this great hairstyle I just had to take a picture of.

Hanging out in Paige's room. Jude loves to be where they are.

This is our spa after Danny tried to get it to work. As you can see he shouldn't be in charge of the spa. The funny thing is that this is not that bad... we had bubbles all over our yard... and then the wind picked up. Ahhhh.

Loving his cereal

Paige and I argue every morning about what she wears. Its raining and cold and she wants to wear a skirt and tank top. I finally gave up this morning and let her choose. Doesn't she look great (green socks too)?? (she's mad at me and wouldn't let me take a pic.)

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

28 reasons why I love my mom. 1 for each year I have been alive. (in no particular order)

1. I love my mom because she can BBQ
2. I love my mom because although it was not planned she taught me to save my money
3. I love my mom because she loves Danny like her own son
4. I love my mom because she taught me how to make my 3 favorite meals
5. I love my mom because she got me started in soccer
6. I love my mom because she loves to get pedicures and massages like me
7. I love my mom because she goes to church every Sunday
8. I love my mom because she helped me move every single time
9. I love my mom because she has never said NO to watching my kids
10. I love my mom because she loves my Dad
11. I love my mom because she spoils my kids
12. I love my mom because she is the best assistant anyone can have :)
13. I love my mom because she was in each of my kids births. I can still hear her voice when they arrived.
14. I love my mom because she would pick me up from High school with warm plain noodles and take me to my job at HDS
15. I love my mom because she was always at my soccer and volleyball games
16. I love my mom because she converted her house into a home where my family can live when we are in CA
17. I love my mom because she went on Space Mountain for Paige
18. I love my mom because she took me and my friends everywhere during my school years.
    
19. I love my mom because my friends like her
20. I love my mom because I know the second she is mad. She does not talk to anyone.
21. I love my mom because she emails me everyday.
22. I love my mom because she knows every birthday, anniversary, etc.. of anyone we know.
    
23. I love my mom because she records every move, trip, injury, etc.. that has happened to me or my family.
    
24. I love my mom because she introduced me to Iced Tea and Dr. Pepper
    
25. I love my mom because she is the best Nana in the whole world
    
26. I love my mom because she made me grilled cheese sandwiches before soccer tournaments
27. I love my mom because she was not mad when I told her I planned my entire wedding before she even knew.
    
28. I love my mom because she loves me

From Paige

1. I love Nana because she takes me to the Nail Place
2. I love Nana because she throws the ball on the swing
3. I love Nana because she sings me songs and rubs my back
4. I love Nana because she takes me places
5. I love Nana because she lets me do her hair

From Blake

1. I love Nana because she plays cars with me
2. I love Nana because she makes me oatmeal with raisins
3. I love Nana because she pulls me in the wagon
   

Asparagus

Blake loves helping Danny in the kitchen. Danny has told him that since he is the chef, he gets to taste test everything.

Blake: I love raw asparagus mom. Do you want to try?
Me: No thank you honey.
Blake: It tastes like grass but I still love it.
Me: That's great Blake.

Off he goes to eat more grass....

Kids school pictures. Aren't they the cutest???

I made the News!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=ikTLgA.jbVpiJqRxWZ0RWDExMTg5NzUx&referred_by=10857552-fjSr5bx&p=moveon

Money talk with P and B

So, I admit I spoil my kids a bit but am also the first to say no to things. In California we can get a Barbie doll for $10 bucks but here one is $25 bucks. By now, they understand how expensive Denmark is - eating out is a treat, buying a toy is a treat, going to the movies is a treat, etc.. I just read that Denmark is the 3rd most expensive country in the world!

So, the other day they wanted something and an easy out, so I thought, was to tell them that we didn't have any money because Danny lost his game. They were sad and proceeded to ask me how we were going to eat, or have gas in the car, etc.. Some very smart questions. Eventually they forgot about it.

Fast forward a week.

Danny won his game today. The kids were so excited that we had money again. They remembered what I had said and asked what we were going to do with the money and how much it was, etc.. I am proud of them though because I said we were going to save it. They both said that's a good idea and that I could put it in their piggy bank.

I don't tell my kids the whole truth about everything because I don't think they are ready to hear the truth most of the time. I am very honest however with money. I want them to learn from us and understand that money doesn't grow on trees, you have to work hard and make sacrifices (moving away from our family and friends), save in order to get things, and so on. They are always asking questions and often save their kroners in exchange for dollars because they know they can get a lot more for their money in California. I love teaching them.

Side Note: Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan is a great book and a super easy read.

First weekend in May

Last week Danny played and the result was not so good. You can use your imagination after I tell you that 8 guys were waiting outside the stadium to beat him up. These futbolers take the game very seriously. They played today and won so hopefully he has redeemed himself. Maybe it's the new haircut - a blue mohawk. I love it!!

This is what I walked out side to the other day. He wouldn't stand up until a few months ago and now he'll pee anywhere. The weather was so nice too that Blake could take his shirt off.

Jude is 4 months now and so much is happening. The biggest is that he is rolling over. He loves sleeping on his tummy. I put him on his back asleep and then I check on him and this is how he is. He also pulls his pacifier out all the time. Chewing on his fingers is his favorite past time and he will laugh at anything. I even told Blake yesterday that his teeth need to come in already because he is a drooling machine. My smart boy said, why don't we just give him Paige's old teeth?

Paige's bed is a popular spot during shower time. While I was washing Blake Paige decided to make sure Jude was nice and cozy.

I started Jude on cereal this weekend and he's loving it.