Parker and the ponies

Parker went to his friend Lily's birthday party today. It was a darling horse theme and they even had some neighbors come over with some ponies to pet. It was so sweet.

Parker wasn't too sure at first about petting them. This one, named Prince, really like sniffing Parker.

Lynn, Lily's grandma, showing Parker how to feed the horses carrots.

Music class

We had a magical day last Friday. A few days prior, my old dance teacher and friend emailed me to ask if I wanted to bring the boys to a music class at her studio. I was excited to see her and of course said yes. At the last minute, my mom decided to come along too. 

Oh my gosh, I show up and it was a mini reunion. First of all, my beloved voice teacher of MANY years was the one teaching the class. Kara was my vocal idol growing up (in the striped shirt). And I had never met her kids, and she'd never met mine. Her son is standing beside her, and she's holding someone else's baby. 

 In addition, some other families I grew up doing theater and dancing with were there too. Tammy and her daughter Amy. My dance teacher is on the floor in the black, holding her baby daughter.

 Sarah and I grew up in theater and singing together. We both have sons a few months apart. She lives on the east coast and was here for a visit.

 Sarah's mom Angie, in the middle, was good friends with my mom, and they also worked together taking school pictures. Tammy, on the end, sewed all the costumes growing up. Amazing! My mom would have been devastated had she not come.

 The music class itself was unbelievable. Parker was so into it and Kara was a magnificent teacher. The philosophy of the class she teaches is that music starts at birth, so even Austin was bobbing around and engaging with the activities. Between the singing, movement, and instruments, it was awesome! At the end, the closing lullabye has us lay down beside our child. As I watched Parker laying there still, my eyes welled up with tears. He is NEVER still and here he is being so obedient and laying beside me smiling. It was precious.

 Baby Alexander, Kara, Sarah, Kara's daughter Selah, Austin, and me.

 Parker loved the huge dance studio room to run around in.

The preschool group we offer through Kids Sing is awesome too, but it more suitable for children ages 3-5. So given Parker's age and activity level, this suited him very well and I look forward to continuing with it in January. He'll do Kids Sing starting next fall. I do believe a child can never have too much music in their life. I can't believe it... the wonderful teacher who taught me to sing is now guiding my son in his first music experience. It was a full circle day. I'll never forget it.

Austin loves COUPONS!

Here's a little video of brotherly love to brighten your day. Parker was prancing around the house without a little coupon booklet shouting, "Coo-kons, coo-kons!" Austin found him to be hilarious! Enjoy!

Kids Sing performs!

Our first Kids Sing performance was tonight at the Christmas in the Park event, held at Old Poway Park. The children looked great in their costumes and did a great job overall. There were hundreds of people watching them, but they performed like champs. We have our next performance on Wednesday evening, at an elementary school auditorium for all their friends and family. I am looking forward to one more rehearsal to work out some of the kinks and then having a great show. We will also be performing the following week at a nursing home. I just love these kids and I love getting to work with Denise on this exciting venture. It's been A LOT of work, but definitely worth it.
 

Meal Planning 4

Chicken and black bean enchiladas: Mix some Trader Joe's sauce, shredded chicken, black beans and cheese; roll up in corn tortillas and lay in a casserole dish with more sauce on top. Cover with cheese and bake at 350 until melty.

Chicken parmesan, noodle, and bread: Quick pan fry chicken cutlets coated in bread crumbs, place in baking dish with sauce, covered in mozzarella. Bake to finish cooking chicken through.


Zucchini, black bean, and rice skillet: Never tried this one, but seems light and healthy, after Thanksgiving.

Slow cooker ham and white beans and cornbread: Never tried this either. Like the simplicity.

Swearing in ceremony

In order to become an official member of the Bar ( I don't know if that's the correct way to say it... I'm sure Pete will correct me when he sees this), a lawyer has to be sworn in. Since Pete's dad is a judge, he was able to do his swearing in, as well as the swearing in of many of his colleagues. So we all met at the Cooley office tonight and each attorney took the oath. 

Here's Bob talking about how the passage rate for the CA Bar Exam that these men all took was only 55%. Pretty impressive that everyone in his start group at Cooley passed. 

 Here's Bob explaining that he is very proud of Pete and this is the second time he's been able to officiate an important event in Pete's life, the first time being at our wedding. That was a sweet touch.

 "I, Peter Higgins Dahlquist...."

Parker watching intently and also taking the oath. 

 Our family. Way to go PETE!

 And a pic from the office holiday party. It was last Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown. It was really fun and it was nice getting to meet the people he works with.

 Our friends, the Hendersons. Kevin went to Poway High with Pete and I, then we overlapped in Michigan for law school for one year, and now they both work at the same firm here. Small world and we are so glad they're here with us!

Self-portraits

Parker figured out how to take self-portraits on my Iphone. My camera gallery will never be the same:)

 And here is the sweet face I wake up to each morning. Unfortunately I've been seeing him a little earlier than I would like... 5:45am is not okay with me. If he sleeps past 6:15 I am much happier to see him. He loves his Nebraska hat and slept with it the night before. 

Parker often has bad dreams and is very communicative about them. Usually they involve animals, or in last night's case it was clowns, that are in or under his bed. It's very sad, but typically he is good about being calmed down by one of us, and then he goes back to bed. Poor guy.