A good time was had by all

This past weekend, we went to Bryon's 20th high school reunion in Santa Fe, NM.  The quick trip turned into quite the learning experience for us all.  The girls had a blast with the grandparents, while Bryon and I enjoyed playing "tourist" and catching up with old friends.

Even though he grew up there, Bryon hadn't seen many of the tourist spots.  We were both in for a total shock upon arrival to set up at the Scottish Rite Temple, aka the "Pink Church".

What secrets lie within?

Every high school gathering back in the '90's involved the instructions, "meet at the pink church."  Prom night after-party?  Meet at the pink church for further directions.  Skipping out on swim practice to go hiking?  Meet at the pink church at high noon.  You get the idea.  

The funny thing was that he and his classmates had never been inside until this reunion.  Who knew there was such beauty housed in the temple?  The theater took my breath away, and the chandeliers looked like they belonged in a European church rather than a Southwestern fraternal building.  Now that the building is open to tours and can be rented for parties, this place has made it on our Must See list for Santa Fe.  

Most beautiful backdrop ever

While we were busy playing tourist, the girls were staying with Bryon's parents in Los Lunas.  Grandma and Grandpa Birdie had all kinds of fun stuff to keep our girls entertained.  Grandpa had a coconut for the girls to crack open and taste. 

He is one brave soul

Fresh coconut milk

Just like an island girl

Grandma and Grandpa also pulled out the tractor and Big Wheels in an attempt to burn energy.

Watch out Nascar!  Here come the Pfaffs.

Caution:  Student Driver

We all met up in Santa Fe at the Childrens' Museum for family day at the class reunion.  For years, we had been trying to find Haley's "money", my mom's word for what makes a person tick.  My money would be dessert.  Bryon's money would be engines.  Shelby's money would be unicorns.  PacMan's money would be dots.  You get the idea!  I've never seen so much joy in Haley's face as when I turned her loose with the face painting crayons.  

Really, Mom?  I get to use as much as I want?

Such concentration in the mirror

Pure joy!

Another classic Haley pose

Bryon also got a chance to go up in the plane his dad recently completed.  The flying experience was a thrill for him, as his dad even let him control it for a split second once they got up in the air.  Will anyone be surprised when one of our girls grows up to be an engineer??

We decided to drive out to New Mexico this trip (Hello, Southwest Airlines, what ever happened to the Wanna Get Away prices??).  I was pleasantly surprised at how grown up the girls were in the car.   We weren't totally exhausted and ready to choke each other by the time we got home.  I think I've got this parenting gig figured out!  

Shelby having fun in the car

The tech gods smiled on us!

Webster's Additions Part 2

More additions to the Pfaff Webster's Dictionary, as vocalized in our household:

Pawn•Ish noun and verb

1.  Paint used to beautify one's toenails or fingernails.

2.  The act of applying color to finger or toenails.

Example:  Mom needed the kids to calm down, so she suggested they sit VERY still while she pawnished their toenails a lovely shade of pink.  

Origin:  Early Haley English

Pretty pink pawnish

Hoo•Wah Hoop noun and verb
1.  A round toy one twirls on one's hips
2.  The act of twirling a hoop around and around one's body
Example:  Shelby became quite good at hoowah hooping, much to her mother's amazement.
Origin:  21st Century Shelby English

Gru•Ined adjective and verb
1. Describing something that has been destroyed.  Similar to ruined, only worse.
2.  Breaking, mutilating, or destroying something of value, rendering it worthless
Example:  Haley snuck into the kitchen while mom was enjoying a quiet bath and gruined her birthday cake. 
Origin: Shelby English, usually said in a whiny voice.  "Haley just GRUINED my _____!"  (fill in the blank)

A gruined birthday cake

Min•gos noun
Pink birds that tend to stand on one leg.
Example:  Upon seeing the mingos at the zoo, the girls trying standing on one leg to imitate the funny birds.
Origin:  Early Shelby and Haley English

Look at me!  I'm a mingo!

Mama's birthday

For my 39th birthday, my sweet hubby grilled me a yummy steak and whipped up a red velvet cake.  It was quite lovely.  The girls even let me enjoy a quiet bath afterwards.

But, as I learned 4 years ago, never trust a quiet house...

Any guesses who the guilty party was destroying my cake?  

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly to OUR Home

Our homeowners' association recently had a Ladybug release at a local park.   We had a little time to kill, so I took the girls.  This event is going on our "Must-Not-Miss" list of events from now on!

Shelby on the slide

Haley on the slide

Chasing the ladybug kite

After chasing the kite and playing on the bounce house slide, the MILLIONS of bugs were released.  Each kid was given a ladybug catcher to take them home, with the idea that Valley Ranch will be covered in aphid-eating ladybugs all summer.

Just a small example of the millions of ladybugs released

Haley feeling apprehensive about all the ladybugs

Shelby trying the blow-the-bug-in-the-cup technique

After catching as many ladybugs as possible (and even killing a few after they attacked my camera lens), the balloon freak twister made a butterfly and puppy dog for the girls.  He was FULL of all kinds of lame jokes that Shelby found more frustrating than funny.

Bugs + balloon = happy Shelby

Haley holding onto her dog balloon for dear life

and showing it off a tiny bit

My Little Shelby

For months, Shelby was telling everyone we saw her birthday was going to be June the 8th at Chuck E. Cheese.  Everyone in her class, in line at the grocery store, at the park, and even at the dentist was invited.  (Something tells me she's an extrovert just like her mom!)  Not being the biggest fan of Chuck's, I was trying my hardest to find another place as awesome as she perceived the Mouse House to be.  

Finally, we visited Aquatots just to look around and see if it was an acceptable place for her to host the hundreds of people she had invited.  Bingo!  She loved the idea of a swim party.  Plus, they do everything a party needs to be a success in the eyes of a 5-year-old:  cake with oodles of blue icing, indoor pool you have to yourself, Cheetos and Capri Suns, lifeguards playing games with the kids, and even the required bags of crap party favors.  I didn't even have to clean up.  Talk about BINGO!!  

Could she be any happier?

Look at me!  I'm 5!

Haley was less than thrilled that I wasn't taking pictures of her.

The camera loves Haley.  And Haley loves the camera (as long as it is pointed towards her).

Bryon and Josh discussing the joys of parenthood

The birthday girl riding the rapids

Ava Pie, Shelby Sparkle, and Dany Dash

 Shelby has become obsessed with My Little Pony in the past few months.  Not wanting to disappoint our filly, I let her run with the pony theme.  We stumbled upon these printable party hats, and Shelby begged to make some for her party.  We had lots of fun coloring, glueing, and inspecting the hats, and Shelby couldn't wait to show them to all her friends.

Can you tell which ones Mom colored?

The Ponyville population ready for their sugar cubes!

Look closely and you will Twinkle Sparkle and Rarity hanging out on the beach cake.  I'm wondering what happened to Princess Chardonnay...

Shelby's blue eyes match the icing.  Scary!

Shelby, you are growing up to be such a sweet and caring girl.  We love your willingness to please us and your ever-inquisitive questions.  You are so brave that you even held a snake this morning!  Please don't ever lose your sweet spirit, your unlimited supply of kisses for mom and dad, your love of learning, or your fearless view of the world.  And, please don't ask to go to Chuck E. Cheese next year!

Fast Learners

Our yard is embarrassing.  It is full of any kind of weed known to man.  Although I enjoy pulling those pesky weeds, it has gotten out of control, in particular these tiny trees that are easy to pull.  Taking advantage of the "helping" hands around my house, I told the girls I would pay them 1 penny per weed.  Shelby quickly grabbed some paper to chart her work.

After about 5 minutes, both girls were "exhausted" from all their weed pulling.  Shelby informed me she pulled 10 weeds and wanted her pennies.  When I tried to explain that she could get a whole dime for her wages, she said she wanted a dollar instead.  After learning she had to pull 100 weeds for the dollar, she declared, "Well, I'll just ask Grandma Birdie for one!" 

Yep, forget working for her money.  My girl will just call Grandma!!

Shelby and Grandma Birdie

And, then there was Haley.  That girl LOVES chocolate.  One night, after being told she couldn't have another chocolate chip cookie, she declared that she would just go to Mimi's house.  For the record, my mom (mimi) loves chocolate as much as the rest of us.  She always has chocolate-covered somethings in her house:  almonds, cherries, pecans, and recently acai berries.  Of course, the acai berries were only stashed for the antioxidants contained in the berry and NOT for the dark chocolate goodness surrounding them.  We like the way you think, Mimi!

Mimi, Mr. Monk, and Haley

Webster's Latest Dictionary Additions

My kids speak a language of their own, and we tend to pick up on their odd words and use them like it is normal.  In case you are around my budding vocabularians (yes, that is a real word), here is your guide to the latest additions to their dictionary. 

Poe•Poe adjective 

1. a common color made by mixing blue and red

2. synonym of Purple

Example:  I can't go to school today because my favorite poepoe shirt is dirty.

Origin:  Early Haley English

Shelby in her poepoe Easter dress

Fike•Y No•Ko noun

1.  Dried booger found in the nose.

2.  Alternate pronunciation for Spiky Moco 

Example:  Due to the dry and dusty air, Haley's nose was full of fikey nokos. 

Origin: Early Haley English (Fikey), Spanish Nanny (Moco)

Best place to find Fikey Nokos

Rest•Er•Hunt noun

1.  A place to eat when mom is too tired to cook.

2.  Also known as deli, pub, Chick-Fil-A, drive-through and restaurant.

Example:  All this noise in the resterhunt is drowning out the screams from our kids.

Origin:  Early Shelby Statement "Since we had to hunt for a place to rest, we must be in a resterhunt."

'Tend adjective
1.  Some that is imaginary or not real.
2.  Alternate pronunciation of pretend.
Example:  The 'tend snake just made mom's heart stop.
Origin:  Early Haley Engligh

Barbie's figure is just 'tend.

Oo•Sa, Faw•Na•Na, Hawn•A nouns

1. Imaginary friends

Example:  Haley and Shelby were 'tending to give Oosa, Fawnana, and Hawna a bath.

Origin:  Pfaff English

Piñ•on•o noun

1.  A musical instrument in the percussion family, closely related to the organ, keyboard, and synthesizer.  Sounds range from the most annoying (childsized piñono) to the most astounding (grand piñono).

2.  A commonly forced lesson in early childhood that most adults regret not spending more time practicing.

Example:  All that banging on the piñono is giving me a headache!