Strength in Numbers

"How is it really going?"  Is the question that is often asked after I respond positively to having my in-laws living with us.  I can see the skeptical look in their eyes as they stare back at mine as if trying to uncover the actual truth.

The truth is--it really has been great.  Really.  I've come to understand first hand that there is strength in numbers.  Having them here has maintained balance and normalcy in our family's life that, with the craziness of PA school and my working schedule, would otherwise be pretty chaotic.

Not to mention the fact that my girls adore them, they are learning a ton from them,

and

they are having a blast.



2 of a kind

A couple of months ago Mike received an orthopedic book in the mail.  After taking it out of the package we both excitedly poured over its pages, oohing and aahing over its content as if we were 2 little kids who'd just received the latest Toys R Us Christmas catalog.  It was then that Mike's dad, who had been observing from the corner (and whom we had forgotten about due to the obvious distraction) said, "Wow, you two are something else."

I realized at that moment, that we do have something kinda unique going on.

We totally and completely get and understand what the other is doing when "at work."

On our free time, sometimes you can catch us doing dermatological procedures on each other.

Mole removal on scalp, Aug. 2010

The disturbing thing is that this kinda stuff makes us giddy.

We love it.

I love that I have someone with whom I can share literally everything.

And I think he likes it too...

You can see it in his eyes...he loves it.

Happy Valentine's Day!



Active Parenting

Instead of a ball pit, I (without Mike) took the girls to Pump It Up this past week.  Mike is usually the one that gets right in and plays with the girls as I document from the side, but due to his absence it became my duty to slide down the slides with Gracie, joust with Raquel, and race-jump with Elena.  And you know what? I had a blast!  I need to do more of that.

February Beach

This weekend we met up for dinner with some of Mike's childhood friends in Costa Mesa.  Given the proximity of the beach, we headed out early and spent the afternoon at the beach prior to eating.  I dressed the girls semi-warm, expecting windy and mid 60s weather.  In retrospect I should have heeded their pleas to bring swimsuits.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  Little to no wind, mid 70s, and slightly overcast.  Plus the best parking spot we've ever had at the beach, literally steps from our feet touching the sand.

   

   

  

They chased seagulls, collected sea shells, caught crabs. and pursued the tide. 

I took pictures.