Because Organization Matters

Santa's Helpers and Their Shenanigans

Rey and Elan are staying with us until the 24th. They said they'd help pack but this is really what they have been up to:


We've have been having a lot of fun with our shenanigans. In truth, they have both been great with Sam and Isabella. In addition to their awesome babysitting skills, they are very good dish washers because someone (and I won't mention any names) went ahead and sprained their left thumb....I guess Brad is going to have to do the packing :)

Happy Birthday, Isabella!

Our baby girl turned one year old today...enjoy the video!

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree-Where art thou?

Despite the fact that we are moving and surrounded by general chaos, Christmas managed to show up in the Marsh household. Albeit, we are eleven days away from the event but better late than never. Since the house is topsy-turvy, we opted for a small tree this year because we didn't want to deal with Isabella trying to grab at it or thousands of dry, sharp, pine needles.

Our "little" tree before:


And after:

I know she won't win an award for "Best Decorations" or anything but at least the kids will enjoy her.

In other news, we went to the 3rd annual Mousavi-Sandoval Christmas party on Saturday night. It's a family and friends kind of party so kids come along and are running around in their pajamas most of the night while the adults drink...ahem...I mean socialize. Below are the best two shots of the evening because all the other ones were either blurry, surrounded by some yellow light I can't explain, or unflattering. You'll note that there are no pictures of me and this is do to all of the adjectives mentioned in the previous sentence.

Papa and Izzy:

And Sam up to no good in Arianna's closet:

Operation: Anger Management

Sometimes, Sam has some serious boy anger. Or maybe its because he has two fiesty parents???? Either way, Sam, newly dubbed "Rocky," was sent home from preschool for "not using his words" (i.e. fists). As a result, we launched "Operation Anger Management." I'm thinking about staring programs around the nation because several of my friends with boys have expressed the need. I see dollar bills.

First, we started by writing some notes of apology. In typical Sam style, these are less of a note and more of a dramatization or re-enactment of the incident(s). If you click on the picture to make it larger, you'll notice that he:
(a) pushed Johnny and
(b) hit Tyson




Second, we talked about "consequences" for his behavior and he suggested we put his trains away. Alas, we bid them farewell and I told him that for every day that he was a good boy, he could pick one, if not two, trains at the end of the day. In addition, I would talk to Santa and let him know he was being a good boy. Below is where said trains are now resting:



Third, he decided he needed to work on packing stuff for his room in preparation for the move. He decided these "preparations" would consist of doing some box detailing so the movers would know it goes to his room. The boy is genius.

A Little Pirate Diddy

Sam is still into pirates these days. As a special treat over Thanksgiving weekend, he donned his pirate shirt (backwards) and performed his favoirite pirate diddy about seven billion times. Everyone in the house that weekend memorized it. Here are the words and video for your entertainment pleasure:

(First Verse)
When I was young I had some fun the day I went to sea
I lived aboard a pirate ship and the captain said to me:
(Refrain)
Oh, we go this way that way, portside, starboard, under the deep blue sea...
This way that way, portside, starboard, under the deep blue sea.

(Second Verse)
We hit a storm, a sail was torn the day we went to sea
I lived aboard a pirate ship and the captain said to me:
(Repeat Refrain)

(Third Verse)
We took a break, we saw the wreck the day we went to sea
I lived aboard a pirate ship and the captain said to me:
(Repeat Refrain)

Gobble Gobble-Part 4: The Conclusion

On Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, I convinced Brad and Brandon to head up to Sacramento for a trip to the California Railroad Museum. They decorate everything in festive holiday cheer AND you get to ride a train that happens to be visited by Santa Claus. My plan was genius because
(a) Sam and Isabella would nap in the car
(b) We would get to enjoy a train ride with Santa and
(c) We'd get to enjoy an easy car drive together

Well, part C took forever since Brad started the trip off right by getting a speeding ticket as we embarked on our travels. You'll notice that both the officer and Brad are smiling about said ticket...


Since speed racer got a ticket, our drive took way longer than it normally would have. Hence, the attitudes of the gentlemen below:

Things got significantly better once we were out of the car and in the museum. Below are some of the spectacular trains they maintain:




Once we were done with the museum, we had some time to kill before we boarded our train with St. Nick. We had some truly horrible food for lunch and then we felt much better upon discovering the candy story below...There is nothing like barrels and barrels full of candy to liven the spirits:

The train ride was a lot of fun. There were lots of laughs and smiles, Isabella being the most willing participant.



Once the train ride arrived to its midway point, it was time for Santa Claus. Isabella was not a fan of the jolly man but Sam was in awe. Note the jaw-dropped and eyes-wide facial expression below....

Things got pretty boring after Santa left. His elves, meaning, the little old lady who volunteer for this kinda stuff, gave Sam and Isabella a finger puppet. As a result, a finger puppet battle ensued:

After the finger puppet wars, it was time for Sam and Tio B to practice their finger puppet suctioning abilities:



And we will close with Little Miss Laughter and the crew:

Gobble Gobble-Part 3: Tio Brandon's Many Faces

On Saturday morning, the family headed out to the California Train Museum in Sacramento for a special train ride with Santa(will blog about that later). Tio Brandon came with us. This is what Tio B looked like as the trip began....

And this is what he looked like after it ended:

Below are all the "in-between" facial expressions which I will label appropriately for your/my enjoyment. Let's begin...

Pensive Tio:


Smiling Tio:


Sleepy Tio:


Bored Tio:


People-Watcher Tio:


Facebook Profile Picture Tio:


Get-Me-Outta-Here Tio:


Reindeer Forehead Tio:


Identation on Forehead Tio (click on the picture for full effect):


Disgusted Tio:


Six hours and one seriously bad lunch later, this is what he looked like:



We love you, Tio B. Thanks for coming with us :)

Gobble Gobble-Part 2: Cabin Fever and the City of Sharks

Since we were all trapped in the house on Thanksgiving, the crew had a serious case of cabin fever. In addition, Sam was talking and running around so much that all of the adults in the room were getting fiesty. So we headed out to the City of Sharks (aka: Tiburon). There we had some hot chocolate, took a stroll along the boardwalk, and chased one another to burn off some energy.

Here is the princess herself, laughing away the day as she nibbles on her ritz cracker:

Uncle Wes kindly gave Sam a "lift":

The "Cool Cats" strolling on the boardwalk....

Sam lead us over to a bridge that ended with this rock...We have no idea what its significance is but, apparently, Sam is one good rock-climber. He conquered that thing in no time....

Tha Happy Couple (very happy to be out of the house):

Upon returning home, Isabella nestled herself into Uncle Wes' arm and made herself comfortable. She lives a good life indeed.

Gobble Gobble-Part 1: The Feast

Brad and I hosted Thanksgiving at our place this year and we had some great company. Tio Brandon flew down from Seattle and Uncle Wes drove over from Modesto. We ate a lot....too much, actually, but it was worth it. As usual, Sam helped me out in the kitchen. First, he stole some "croutons" from the stuffing mix:

He then added some celery and onions to the pot and was no longer allowed to steal any "croutons":

While I stuffed the bird, some serious laughter ensued. Sam decided to assume the voice of the turkey as I "stuffed" him and Brad sewed him up. Here's the one-sided voice-over from the turkey:

Sam as "The Turkey": Oh, why are you putting stuffing in my butt? That hurts.
Me: Sam, honestly, dude.
Sam as "The Turkey": I have stuffing in my butt...Oh, no, I mean my head...It's in my head! Get it out of there!
Me: Sam!!!!!!!!!!
Sam as "The Turkey": Aaahhhhhhhhhh! Stuffing in my head! (Brad begins sewing) Ouch, that hurts. You're pinching me. That's hurting me. OWWWWW! You are not a nice person for pinching me like that.

We laughed until Brad was done sewing but Sam had plenty more to say. I'm guessing he's going to start talking about farting any day now....


After his voice-over role was over, Sam contributed this wonderful centerpiece:

Soon after, Tio Brandon and Uncle Wes arrived. Sam was beyond happy. Izzy B also received lots of love from each of them:


The [hungry] Boys