2011 Philadelphia Flower Show

I seriously cannot find a font that works! I don't want a run-of-the-mill font, but it needs to be legible.

So, besides the awesome font issues...

Juan was amazing and got me two of the greatest things for my birthday: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, and tickets to the Philadelphia Flower Show, (which just so happens to be one of the 1,000 places to see before you die.)

Both are incredible and but I only have pictures of the latter. Three words: A. Ma. Zing! I am so glad we (yes, the whole fam) were able to go last Saturday. Besides hitting up the main floor, I sat in on a couple of design workshops, one of which was taught by Robert De Bellis, AIFD* (more about what that means later.) They were workshops mostly for the amateur designer, but I actually did learn a thing or two. The smell as you walked into the HUGE Pennsylvania Convention Center was so fresh and sweet and I couldn't help but walk from design to design with a perma-smile on my face. The things that typify the Flower Show are as follows: crazy-cool, innovative designs from professionals from around the world, inspiring outdoor living areas, color and rhythm everywhere you turn, thought-provoking interpretations of other art pieces made from natural elements; and of course, you get the hoards of people walking around with bundles of pussy willow, curly willow, salix, and forsythia branches, samplings of the latest herbal teas and cheeses, and vendors clamoring for change as their booths were bursting at the seams with customers. We were there from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m***., minus a short lunch break in Chinatown and loved every minute of it. Siena was enthralled, Juan was patient beyond what was required of him, and Qiana slept most of the time in the stroller. It couldn't have been a more memorable birthday gift.

The show also inspired me to continue with my goal of becoming a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (*AIFD.) What this requires is completion of a specific pathway (i.e. design school, undergrad degree in Horticulture, etc.,) then a passing score of an extensive online comprehensive test, followed by critiqued hands-on designs before a judging committee, passing with an overall score of at least 4.0 out of 5 to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) and an invitation from the AIFD Board to apply for AIFD status. (Oh, and I can't forget the letters of recommendation: At least two need to be from AIFD professionals. To give you an idea of how many AIFD members there are in the entire state of Utah: only 2! There are only 4 in WA, and 3 in OR. Juan and I joke that there are more Oral Surgeons in the country than AIFD members in the world.) Once I make it there, like every other professional accreditation, I'll have to take Continuing Education Courses, as well as participate as an educator for at least 5 of those credits per three years, pay my annual dues, and attend the annual National Symposium to keep my status. Ever since college, I've known I was going to do it, but now that I've really researched it, I am going to work it into my ten-year plan. I could do it earlier, but I don't think I'll have the time to raise my kids and earn my AIFD title. Besides which, it costs mucho dinero (about $2,000+travel expenses just to get to the AIFD status, not including maintenance.) But it would mean a lot to me if I accomplish something like this and I really want to show my kids that they can aspire for higher education and success in their fields, too. Okay, okay, and it would be incredibly FUN to participate in the National Symposium, too.

PHOTOS! (If you click on it, it will take you to Photobucket, where you can see the titles/descriptions... I'm out of time, or I'd write them out again here on the blog.)













































































































































































***As some have pointed out, that was a long time for Juan and the girls to be there. I wasn't very clear--they only were there for the first three hours. Juan took the girls home after he dropped me off back at the convention center after lunch. He was a real trooper, though.

Tonight's Amusement

I think we may forgo a trip to Disneyland any time soon. Why pay for the spinning teacups when we've got essentially the same thing in our living room?

WHY...

...did I use my phone to take this picture when the camera was 6 feet away?! A moment when they are both smiling at the same time is priceless.

Moving Tips

We find ourselves getting ready to move again. Since our marriage, Juan and I moved into a different home every year until this house (which we've occupied for 3 consecutive years... a record!) You'd think we'd be pros by now. I am procrastinating the overwhelming task of inventorying the house and packing it all up. Box. By. Box. I had a dream last night that Juan was in a meeting with the Department Chair of the Oral Surgery Dept. at a hospital he applied to here in Philly. The guy sat him down and talked him over and over the reasons he should apply next year, but then out of nowhere, he asked him to just come in as a resident this year. Juan immediately accepted and I thought, "Wow, we won't have to move again." Then I woke up and realized how bizarre that situation would really be back here in Real Life. Not going to happen, and by now I've become so antsy to move back near family that I honestly think I would be disappointed to stay here.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that I need some advice. It's useful stuff, you know?

Are there any moving suggestions you have? Any "Wish I would haves" or "DON'T do its!" for a move across the country?

I know it's not right to just Take-take-take, so here are the things I guess I can share about our first cross-country moving experience:

• Shipping a car was very useful to us. I hear paying for gas costs about the same and you save your car the wear and tear.
• Don't, DON'T, don't use Oasis Moving Co. Dishonest, disrespectful, careless: those are the first words that come to mind. We had a few boxes that had been broken into and taped back up in their month of storage in Las Vegas. They also delivered our furniture about two weeks after we were scheduled to move in (you may recall THIS. Just reading that again makes me laugh. My, how my mentality has changed, and yet most of it is still very true. Those two weeks sleeping three-to-an air mattress were priceless, though. Taught me a lot about how blessed I really was to have what I technically didn't have at the time.) They also charged us some outrageous fees before they would give us our stuff... a hostage situation. Besides which we had many broken items in boxes that were marked "Fragile". Oh well, you live you learn. Just wish I would have seen THIS first.
• Moving with a brand new baby- not as hard as I thought it would be. Definitely doable.
• DON'T sell/get rid of a ton of stuff thinking that it would be cheaper just to buy it again so you wouldn't have to pay to ship it. It really isn't cheaper!

Your suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Here is the latest and greatest

Not too busy around here anymore. Now that Juan knows he passed his written Boards Pt 2 exam and we know where we are doing after graduation, life is flowing back into its normal pace. The girls and I had been enjoying the lovely weather (Yep, in the high 60's) until a snowstorm came to rip that ray of sunshine from our pending Spring. Guess we'll have to wait longer than expected to pull out the sandals. Luckily, we've been able to pass the time indoors too. Siena and I decided to create a model home for two lucky couples.

Our first couple decided they wanted the modern/contemporary look, taking a minimalistic approach. You can see the bold simplicity in the rug, sofa, and kitchen table:



The second couple decided to go with an artsy look, but it ended up just looking like the trash it was made from:


The breakfast nook


Bedroom


Futon


2011 Hybrid Coaster


The "Love" Tree


A proud co-architect


The destructive passerby




Other days, we like to pass the time by doing art projects.


Stamping takes great concentration






We also like to turn on the music and dance like ballerinas.








Picky Picky














"Entertain us Mom!"


"Okay, we'll entertain YOU then."

My Valentine Surprised Me

...with a trip to New York City this weekend, babysitters included! I can't help it if this post is all about how wonderful my hubby is (...hello "Seriously So Blessed!"...) I gotta write this down. So if you think you're going to be jealous, which you will be, don't read on. Please. It may save you an unhappy marriage. (end of sarcasm) This really is for my memory's sake.

It started with an innocent trip to the grocery store. We were in the parking lot writing our last-minute items on the grocery list when Juan pulled out a folded paper, along with a box of Andes Mints. Now, I didn't even notice the paper (who would?) because those Andes were calling my name. Luck had it that those were for ME and once I had sufficiently stuffed five or sixteen in my mouth, he told me to look at the paper. It was a printed bus schedule/receipt with these words scrawled on top, "Clue #1... Happy Valentine's Day."

Departure: Philadelphia 30th Street, Friday February 11th

Arrival: New York City, Penn Station

Return Date: Saturday, February 12th (You may notice that it wasn't officially Valentine's Day, but we've actually never celebrated Valentine's Day on its official day--flower business--so why conform now?)

I read those words and cried... no, SOBBED. I have wanted to spend some time with him without the girls for so long, that he couldn't have chosen a better gift.

Besides being enamored with him, I respect my husband for all the forethought this surprise took. He made hotel reservations, dinner reservations, bus reservations and scheduled babysitters about a month in advance. (THANKS SO MUCH KURT AND AMBER!)

We checked-in at the hotel then took off for some yummy lunch at Pinche Taqueria. The tacos were so-so, but the Milanesa sandwich was Oh-so-Good. Then we took a walk down 5th Avenue, then down to SoHo to see all the new window displays and were definitely not disappointed. I love the creativity and no-boundaries attitude that the boutiques all exude. Dinner was at La Cucina de Pesce, a small Italian place in East Village. The food was good, but I learned something new: unless you are a vegetarian, don't let a vegetarian server advise you what to order. My food was good, but Juan's food (his own decision, I might add) was DELICIOUS! He ordered a fettucini dish with shrimp, scallops and crab meat in a creamy sauce that made my palate jealous. Come to think of it, I traded dishes with him half-way through the meal. As a gentleman, he let me order the chocolatiest thing on the dessert menu, too. We finished the day stopping at St. Patrick's Cathedral to take a peek inside and, my-oh-my, it is very cool and something I'm so glad we were able to see before we leave the East Coast.

Today (Saturday) could easily be dubbed the "Subway Day" because that's where we spent most of our time. No complaints here, though, because I am a huge fan of observing things in their natural habitat, and there's nothing more natural than a crowd in a New York subway. Since we were shuffled back and forth from line to line because of weekend construction, we saw all sorts of things that added up to be an essential New York experience; for example, there was a guy hunched over in the middle of the hall, peeing into an empty water bottle. Also, I will never forget the innumerable amount of girls traipsing in booty shorts over colored tights topped-off with platform stilettos. (I might add that even with three layers of warm clothes on, I was still cold.)

Juan and I were able to go to the Manhattan LDS Temple while we were there and although I think St. Patrick's is beautiful, it pales in comparison to inside the temple. Juan hit another home-run with his selection of where we ate for lunch. Darbar is a little Indian buffet near Grand Central and the food there left me completely satiated. Not too crazy, not too dull with a spice just-right and perfect Naan. It may have even cured me of my disdain of goat meat!

We also had a perfect ending to a perfect weekend getaway. As we arrived at our bus stop about 45 minutes before it was scheduled to leave, we were told that we got there just in time to catch the earlier bus to Philly if we wanted. No standing out in the cold wind for another 45 minutes? Yes, please!

Juan, you are a truly amazing person and I'm lucky to have such a romantic like you. Thanks for the much-needed, much-appreciated time alone with you. Hope I can surprise you with something just as wonderful someday because you deserve it and more. Mwah!

64 oz.

Are you like me and find it hard to get the daily recommended dose of good ol' H2O? Well, read THIS. And, if you are like me, you may end up wanting to cry afterward but will be resolute to drink in all 64 ounces. Today I got in about 56 ounces and wanted to puke but I'm trying to be a good girl--I'm gonna stick to the plan and try to finish the last bit before bedtime!

The Way She Talks

Siena saw an ad for a local furniture company on our table today. In the corner of the ad there was a logo with a dog and, pointing to the logo, Siena said the following:

"Mommy, tonight Bentli (her preschool friend) and me are going to go watch this movie (pointing to the logo) about a dog named Parsley and a cat named, ummm..... Puuurrrrshley."

As for Qiana, she is speaking more and more but the thing she loves to do more than anything is animal growls, and she's good at it. She growls whenever she sees lions, tigers, bears... and bunnies. She's got this eensy weensy body that can surprisingly produce a low, resonating growl. It's terrifying, but funny.

The Next American Idol

Yesterday Juan stayed home to study for the Part II Board Exam (which he's taking tomorrow!,) and I think that the girls were a huge distraction for him. I had to pull out my phone and record this video during lunch because, let's face it... this has to somehow make it easier for us as parents when she's a teenager:

(Pssst... you might want to turn the volume down a little before you watch this girl belt out as loud as she can go.)

Poor Qiana didn't have a morning nap so she was OUT COLD during this grand performance. Her mom should have immediately put her in a comfortable bed, but first she had to record her cute little baby asleep like an old man in church--open mouth and all.