1 1/2 Years Old!

Our little Kalista is a year-and-a-half! Here's her lowdown...
STATS:
Height = 30 inches - Yay! She grew 1 1/2 inches! (5th percentile - a jump up from being negative 5th at 15 months)
Weight = 20 pounds 4 ounces (8th percentile - a step down from being in the 10th percentile)
SHENANIGANS:
Climbs up on everything
Wears everyone shoes but her own
Loves to dress up like a princess
Knows sign language for milk, more, please and thank you
Enjoys jumping in the pool
Eats like there is no tomorrow but doesn't seem to gain the weight, evidenced by her only gaining 12 ounces in 3 months. I guess we should all be so lucky?

Finally turned that car seat around!
Thanks, Mom!

Ready to go!

Sophia at 18 months:

Height = 31 1/4 inches
Weight = 23 pounds

Thumbelina

Sophia just had her Thumbelina ballet recital at the Lobero. And although this marked her second recital, I will admit, I was teary-eyed when I saw her on stage.

A star is born!

Honey Bee

So proud of you, Sophia!

Community Helpers

The past couple of weeks has been Community Helpers Week at Sophia's school. Different professionals have come in to speak with the kids about how they help the community.

David showed up to talk to the kids about his line of work (Oral Maxillofacial Surgery), but only to a certain extent. Not sure how it would have gone over if he talked about broken facial bones and reconstruction. So David stuck to the basics of dentistry. Sophia was so proud to have her daddy at school! David and the teachers said she was beaming with joy. And David did a wonderful job with the kids. He really thought things through from the props, to the disney character toothbrushes for each kid, as well as some horse teeth (a patient of his is a veterinarian) to show the kids.

Sophia demonstrating good dental hygiene.

Getting all the cavity bugs out!

Thank you, Dr. Hall!

Popcorn - Kicked Up

I was flipping through my Food Network Magazine and saw this recipe for a different spin on popcorn. My mouth watered instantaneously. I had to make this sweet-salty concoction. I had most of the ingredients on hand and completed the list with just one stop at Trader Joe's after I dropped Miss Sophia off at school.

What could be better than popcorn, japanese rice crackers, wasabi peas and homemade caramel? I even decided to leave the nuts in (not a big fan of nuts) because I thought it would add another crunchy, salty texture. But I used cashews instead. However, I did leave out the sesame seeds.

The hardest part of making this popcorn mix is waiting!
Kid-friendly version on the bottom. Everything is the same except
I picked out the spicy crackers and eliminated the wasabi peas.

OMG! So addicting!

Sweet & Salty Popcorn Mix - Food Network

The perfect munchie!

Is there a Doctor in the House?

"Hi! I'm Dr. Kalista.
What seems to be ailing you today?"

"Oh dear!"

"Let me think about this one."

"Have 2 scoops of ice cream and
call me in the morning!"

Fun in May

I can't believe May is almost over! Where does the time go? Here are a few pics from last week:

A little Mommy Night Out while David was in Phoenix

Sophia's preschool recital: Spring Sing

Not sure what this look was all about, but it's a funny one!

Flowers from her favorite guys.

Chutney

I love this time of year. The Farmer's market in Santa Barbara is just bursting with delicious fruits and vegetables. We are a big fruit and veggie family. Sometimes I find myself buying way too much produce and I hate letting things go to waste. Luckily there are many recipes for over-ripened fruits. I found this recipe for Apricot-Fig Chutney and decided to give it a whirl.
*Disclosure - The rule of thumb is to always cook with a wine you like to drink. However, I just could not part with my Conundrum. Not even 1/2 a cup. I know my Yummy Mummy friend shares this feeling! But I do have other wines I drink like Palmina, so I used that one instead.

I always feel like more color = more flavor!
And I know it sounds corny, but I felt a little giddy going out
into the yard and clipping my own thyme.

Everyone into the pot along with some other ingredients/spices.

A quick 15 minutes later and you have chutney!

Apricot-Fig Chutney from Cooking Light Magazine

The article didn't say with what or how this chutney should be devoured. But I think it would pair well with grilled chicken or pork tenderloin (our new favorite go-to white meat). I also think it would serve great with thinly sliced crostini and goat cheese.

The Makings of a Bag Ladie

If you read the Gilt(y) Pleasure & the Bag Ladie post, then you had to have known it was just a matter of time. I mean, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't pass down a little tradition? I'm pretty sure it's hereditary. The girls love handbags. As well as shoes. Sophia is always wanting some type of purse or wallet. And Kalista is constantly wearing either my shoes or her sister's along with carrying around our handbags.

The girls and I were shopping today and Sophia was admiring this cute little wristlet. The beam in her eyes was a familiar look. : ) I hesitated for a second, but then I asked her if she would like to have this adorable accessory. Of course her answer was, "Yes!" And although Sophia already owns a few purses, this one was different. It wasn't one those character purses like Hello Kitty or Dora. This one was more sophisticated. 

My little Fashionista!

Her first "taste" of what makes her a Bag Ladie's daughter.

Gilt(y) Pleasure & the Bag Ladie

This is going to be a double post. Why? Well because they kind of go hand-in-hand, like a wallet to a purse...so to speak. : )

Ever hear of Gilt Groupe? It's an amazing website that offers designer goods at heavily discounted prices. We are talking everything from clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, home goods, children's clothing, trips, etc. I'm a big fan and I just love getting the emails regarding their upcoming sales. But you gotta act fast! The sales start at 9:00 am and things sell out very quickly. Here's a tip though: If you see something you even think you might like, just put it in your cart. It will stay there for 10 minutes which will give you time to contemplate. Wow! Don't I sound like an expert? Shhhh...don't tell David.

My latest Gilt purchase. Perfect for summer!
Originally $148. Click, click, click and it was mine for $59.

Now for the second part of this post...

I am going to fill you in on a little secret. I AM A HANDBAG ADDICT/FREAK! I can't remember when it all started but I can say it's been going on for at least 20 years. Seriously. My first email address with AOL was bagladie72. Seriously. I just adore handbags. Unfortunately, it's an admiration that does not start at the low end of the retail market. Oh well, a gal has to have at least one guilty pleasure, right? 

My collection has grown over the years. I hardly ever get rid of handbags, even though some are dated. I mean you never know...my old school Dooney's might make a comeback like bellbottoms and platform shoes. And when they do, I'll be set because I have at least ten I can think of off the top of my head. Which brings me to one of my many justifications for those couture bags I am most fond: Buying timeless designers ensures timeless pieces. For example: Louis hasn't changed much in regards to pattern, now have they? Pretty good justifying, huh?

Below is just a glimpse of my faves. I couldn't showcase all

my goods in one photo because I don't think it would fit and 

because my husband reads our blog. : )

Don't these just tickle your fancy?

Will Power Please

I managed not to gain weight during our little Hawaiian vacation; despite all the yummy food I consumed. Well I'm not sure this will be the case now that we are back home. Why? Because of this delectable place: Honolulu Cookie Company. This cookie store has always been hard to pass up. I'm not a big shortbread cookie fan, but these are quite yummy. I am even more pleased they have a dark chocolate line now.

Oh my...I'm going to try and limit myself to only two a day.
But I'll start that limit tomorrow since I already devoured four : )

Mother's Day - One More Time

I had the pleasure of celebrating Mother's Day one more time. Since we were in Maui the week prior Sophia didn't have the opportunity to give me her special Mother's Day project she had created in school. I must admit, I teared up a bit when she handed me her work of art. Such detail went into this project. I will cherish it forever!

Sophia painted this canvas and then it was stretched over
a wooden frame. I can't wait to hang it up!

Cute message written with tiny stones.

A fill in the blank message...I love these because you never
know what your child is going to say!

All About My Mommy

My Mommy is 4 years old.

Her hair is brown and her eyes are brown.

Her favorite thing to wear is dresses.

She loves to cook fish.

Her favorite TV show is the news.

When she shops, she likes to buy fish and veggies.

If she could go on a trip anywhere SHE wanted, she would go to Grandma's/Grandpa's house.

My Mommy always tells me "Go to sleep!"

The most beautiful flower in the world.

Mrs. Roper

I realize I am probably dating myself but do you remember Mrs. Roper from the show Three's Company? While in Maui and unbeknownst to her, Sophia gave her best impression of this eclectic 70's character. The accessories were a bit overwhelming, but I've learned to pick & choose my battles.

In case you got confused...the real Mrs. Helen Roper : )

Sisterly Love

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. - Marion C. Garretty

Maui - Take II

We had so much fun in Maui last October, we decided to pack up and do it again. This time we took Kalista along for the ride, as well as Sophia.

Kids did great on the long plane ride over : )

Enjoying the Koi. More like wishing they could swim with them.

Couldn't help but take advantage of this funny photo op!
Sophia kept going up to this statue and rubbing its' bottom.
Don't think she realized what she was touching.

Yes, another Hawaiian braid. We'll see how long this one lasts!
The one from October lasted a couple of months
until I insisted we take it out due to breakage!
I'll take her for a feathering when this one comes out. : )

Miss K was not a big fan of the sand...

...unless she was in Papa's lap : )

Proud user of chopsticks at our favorite restaurant Sansei.

Aloha...

...until we meet again!