A SWEET, Stellar StOrM!!!

This past week it rained NON-STOP!! It rained, and rained, and rained AND rained. It didn't just drizzle. Or sprinkle. It poured day and night. For a total of 5 days straight! I LOVED every minute!!!

At one point, I thought we should build an Arc. Everything was flooded. I was certain that we were going to float away. Freeways turned into lakes and were impassable at times. News reporters joked that Cal Trans was going to open a "Kayak Lane". Yep. That much water. Prior to the storm it was predicted that Southern California would get anywhere between 6 and 20 inches of rain. They weren't joking. It was amazing!

Take a look at the river that formed and ran through this pretty park across the street from the Elementary School where I work.

I love a good storm. Oh. ya. I already said that. But, I think I can safely say the kids loved it just as much as me! It really was a novel thing. Usually, it's sunny and beautiful every day.

Just look at them...

When the sun managed to peek out for a short time, Megan dashed quickly from the house into the yard. In fact, she ran so fast, she slipped in the mud. But it didn't phase her. She got right up, sat down on the swing, and started swinging. Then again, it's one of Megan's favorite things to do. So what's a girl to do when she's been stuck in the house day after day? And can't get her swinging fix in? She escapes the confines of the house when she thinks mom isn't looking. So as I watched her take off, I grabbed my camera. Man, those swings must have been calling her name. Look how happy she is...and if you look closely--although it was sunny, you can see that it is also raining.

Katie wasn't phased much either. She'd pull on her boots and rush outside to run, jump and splash through the puddles. And you know what? I didn't even care. Maybe I should have. But I didn't. It never rains. We never have huge puddles to jump in. So my attitude was "have at it"~you can take a warm shower when you're done.

The bigger the splash, the better!!

You'd think that with the kind of storms we had, that we were living in the mid-west. Cause you know what? Two tornados even touched down during these storms. In Southern California no less!!! It was truly exciting!!! There was Lightening. Rain. Thunder. Rain. Wind. Rain. Tornados. Rain. Waterspouts. Rain. Tornado Watches in the City of Riverside {where we live}. And more Rain. We simply got a Winter storm like no other. Gutters and streets transformed into HUGE rivers and streams.

Southern California has had very little rain over the last 5 years. I think over the last 5 days, we made up for those extremely dry years. According to the meteorologists, So Cal is in an El Nino pattern. Which means we're in for a lot more rain until April. In my opinion, that's a good thing. We certainly need it. Our reservoirs were getting dangerously low. But not any more....not after this sweet, stellar storm. And thankfully there are more storms coming.

Today it's sunny. Much of the water that had pooled up everywhere has already dried up. The air is cool, crisp and clear. The view of the snowy mountains unbelievable {they got 7 FEET of snow!}. These wonderful things aren't going to last for long. Another storm is rolling into town Monday.

A Sweet Find....

You all know by now that I have a deep love for shoes. Lately, I've been looking for some cute flats I can wear to work. While shopping at Target yesterday, I thought I'd take a peek at their shoes to see if I could find anything. Nope. No work flats. BUT....I found something else I had to have!

Back in July 2009, I blogged about some sandals I fell in love with {Sweet Shoe Confession}!!! They were these adorable Steve Madden brown flower wedges. I never ended up buying them. I just drooled. And wished.

Well, yesterday I found something totally sweet! At my favorite store no less! Target's current Spring Shoe Collection has sprung a twin sandal! And it's an identical twin!! Check. It. Out!

Steve Madden Wedge Flower Sandal: $69.95. Target's Version: $19.99!!!!

Now that's a KILLER FIND! Did I buy them? Yes! How could I not?!! Not only did I save money {which I love doing}, but they are surprisingly incredibly comfortable! Plus, they look adorable on {another shopper even complimented me on how cute she thought they looked~which helped seal the deal}. Right now, they are tucked safely away in my closet. Waiting for warmer days to return.

The Sweetest Sleeper on the PLANET!

Megan Rose knows how to sleep!  

She is one sweet sleeper!  

And just maybe the best on the planet!  

 Megan doesn't need a bed.

She can fall asleep anywhere.  Anytime.  In Crazy Positions. 

 I've seen her asleep standing up. Asleep on the stairs.  

 When she's tired, she simply shuts her eyes.  

And is off in dreamland.  Instantly. 

I recently discovered I have countless pictures of Megan sleeping.  

These are some of my favorite.  

I will post more later.  This is Part I.

Enjoy....

Christmas Eve 2008 {she slept through our reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas"}

She can fall asleep while eating

I loved her positioning on the floor in this one...

Thankful she didn't fall asleep on the dog bed behind her...

In the car...with her sister

Highchair {here she is probably 1 years old}

Sometime she goes into the guest room and puts herself to bed 

when she's tired and checking out for the day

Amazingly, she can sleep in any position

Playing hard in her highchair = NAP 

Peacefully sleeping in her bed with her favorite Disney friend, "Lumpy"

Using a Pull-up as a Pillow! And perfectly comfortable!

Exhausted from a long day at school. 

 No time to take off the backpack.  Just came in and crashed.

In front of the TV.  Comfy. Cozy. Cuddling with a BIG BLUE Pillow!

4th of July 2006 

Worn out from all the Partying 

I am sooooo.....thankful Megan is a such good sleeper.  Of all the kids, I am always amazed at the fact that when she's tired, she doesn't wait for us to lay her down for a nap or put her to bed.  When she's very tired, she does it all on her own.  Sweet Dreams.

Sweet Sweet Katie-Kate

Katie-Kate.  My baby.  My BIG girl now.  Or so she thinks she is!  Just look at that smile and those blue eyes. It's enough to melt anyone's heart.  She has mine over and over again.  But then again, each of my sweet children have countless times.

Let me tell you a little about Katie. She joined our family at the perfect time. Seriously. Perfect! She is 17 months younger than her sister, Megan.  And that in and of itself, is a beautiful thing.  Katie is always helping her sister. She plays with her and thinks nothing of the fact that her sister has Down syndrome.  She loves teaching her.  And it is clear that she loves Megan. A lot!  In many ways Katie has become the BIG sister.  Megan is so incredibly lucky to have such a sweet little sister to share her life with. They will undoubtedly have a special bond. Forever!

Last night when I went to the fridge to get myself a drink of water I noticed a new paper hanging from a flower magnet.  Immediately, I recognized Katie's writing.  I started reading.  It was totally Katie.

 This is what it said:   

"Katie List"

1.  Kep a i en on Megan. {Keep an eye on Megan}

2. Klien up {Clean up}

3. Set the tadl {Set the table}

4. lisin  {Listen}

I was taken back. Completely.  I thought it was awesome that she came up with these four items all on her own! I admit, I've suggested some of these "jobs" several times.  However, I have NEVER told Katie that she is responsible for "keeping an eye on her sister".  So, I found it interesting that she wrote that as her number one "job"!!   What is sweet, is that she has done just that since day one.  Katie has a big heart.  She is tender and oh, so sweet and kind.  

Katie has a wall hanging in her room which reads,  "Twinkle Twinkle in your Eyes, Are You and Angel in Disguise?"  I thought nothing of it when I purchased this at an adorable little boutique in Newport, Rhode Island. Katie was a baby at the time.  Initially, I just thought it was a cute quote.  And nothing more.  But now that it hangs in Katie's room and she is older, it has taken on significant meaning for me.  I've had 6 years of watching and observing Katie's interactions with her sister. Alls I can say is, she truly is an angel.  A sweet, sweet angel. I feel so incredibly blessed that she is my daughter. And a sister to both Eric and Megan.  She touches our lives and so many others.  And will throughout her entire life.  I love you, my sweet Katie-Kate.

Ice Cream is Sweet to Eat

Megan's Favorite Sweet Treat

When Megan was younger, she hated ice cream.  It was far too cold for her little mouth!  Then one day she woke up and realized how truly good it is.  And since that day, she comes into the kitchen at the same time every evening asking for a bowl of her favorite sweet treat.  What's funny is it's always BEFORE dinner.  I think if you were to look at the clock, it'd be the exact same time each day.  She's scary like that. Megan has an amazing internal clock!  I don't know how she does it!  Anyway, back to the ice cream. She will also eat it year round!  It doesn't matter if it's minus 30 degrees outside {thank heavens we left that kind of weather behind in Boston 5 years ago}, this little princess of mine has to have it!  The other day was hysterical!  While I was in the living room cleaning, I heard the freezer door open.  Then the silverware drawer.  I knew instantly what was going on.  As I walked into the kitchen this is the scene I found.  A half gallon of Dryers ice cream sitting on the table.  At the other end, Megan was sitting with an entire container of Ben & Jerry's open in front of her.  Spoon in hand.  Getting her fix. Before dinner of course. When I asked her this question, "Megan!  What are you doing?"  Her response was priceless!  She said, very clearly I might add, "I don't know!"  I died!  I couldn't stop laughing.  She had been caught red handed and she knew it!  Megan loves her ice cream!  I have to admit, ice cream is also one of my favorite sweet treats!  So I don't blame her!  Megan is a little girl who not only knows what she likes, but is a creature of routines.  This is just one example!  I love you, sweet Megan for always doing the cutest things!  You are sure great at making your family smile and laugh!!  Please excuse me everyone.  I need to stop writing now so that I can go get myself a bowl of cookies and cream ice cream.  I'm with Megan on this one.  Ice cream is the perfect sweet treat!

A Sweet Ride to School

Guess what she sees??

That's RIGHT!  The SCHOOL BUS!!

Arriving to Pick Up Megan & Take her to School

One thing I love about Megan is how excited she gets over some of the most simple things in life!  How many children are really this overjoyed to hop aboard a bus every morning at the crack of dawn to go to school? Megan is! And everyday it's the same level of enthusiasm and excitement!   Megan LOVES riding the BUS to school.  Let me say that again. Megan LOVES riding the school BUS!!  And when I say, LOVE, I mean, love, love, LOVE!  The girl wakes up every morning while it's still dark to catch the bus at 6:15 {really, in my opinion, it's too early.  But not to her.  She just goes with the flow. Another thing I'm thankful for with my sweet Megan}. Once she's dressed and ready for school, we open the blinds and wait patiently for it to pull up. And when it finally does, oh, boy!  It's quite the site to behold. Megan quickly throws her backpack on and RUNS out the door to get on.  Seriously.  She runs.  She can't wait.  She adores the bus and going to school!   When Megan comes home from school everyday, she heads straight upstairs to play "school" in her bedroom.  I'm thankful that she finds the bus and school so enjoyable.  This is currently her favorite book to read.  Are you surprised?  

Sweet Love

During breakfast my husband, Gary and I were talking about how Megan thrives on this one thing~LOVE! She is the happiest child if you give her LOTS of it.  Along with that, there are two other things which make Megan very happy.  Hugs and Kisses.  If you ask her for a hug or kiss~she will gladly share without hesitation.  Actually, now that I think about it, you don't even have to ask Megan for love and affection~she gives it freely.  In fact, she blows kisses to everyone, whether she knows them or not!

Our conclusion: 

 Megan is a LOVE SPONGE!!