Tulip Festival

I am so excited to have a new digital SLR camera! I have been drooling over one for some time now and finally got one...I'm a definite newby and still have to read the piles of manuals on the functions and options but wanted to give it a "test drive" by going to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. I got a few nice pictures but still have a ways to go. I would like to get a special flash, but will have to do without for a little while.

This was the first Easter that Reina really enjoyed, and we as parents enjoyed seeing her actually get into the Easter egg hunting! The Easter Bunny hid them in rather easy places since Reina is only 2, but she found all 15 eggs in less than 2 minutes! I guess we'll have to tell him to hide them much better next year! It smelled in our fridge terribly because with each egg Reina found she threw them in her basket so ALL the eggs were cracked and the smell of egg wafted through the house.

The last weekend in April/first weekend in May we had the opportunity to visit my brother and his family in Coeur d'Alene for their 4th child's baby blessing, Finn Robert Scarborough. Is was a short but sweet visit. It was nice riding with Grandma and Grandpa Scarborough in their new and roomy Honda Accord, but I guess with 5 people and a car seat it wasn't quite so roomy. Reina had a great time because there was always someone to talk to if mommy was driving or daddy was sleeping. Suprisingly I did the chunk of the driving this time which I rarely do on a trip! We stopped at this great little farm that has fresh-made salsas, dips, flavored popcorns, chocolates, produce...so we tasted a little of everything and ended of course with some yummy ice cream- we stopped both ways :)
My brother and his family live literally right across the street from a great hiking trail along a mountainside. This is always a fun little hike we get to enjoy on our visit to Idaho. Reina didn't join us on the hike because she was busy jumping on the trampoline with six of her other cousins. She opted off the trampoline when the big cousins (Kaija and Riley) were jumping since they could bounce real high. It was a nice break for the weekend to getaway and eat well and play games. Emily always spoils us with good food, and games with my family are always a hoot!

What's Happenin'?

She "gets it"

Besides praying for a healthy baby when I was pregnant, Heavenly Father knew that it was important to me for my children to "get it". I seem to always say to myself that Reina "get's it". I've heard that if you have difficult infants or toddlers then they will be easy teenagers and vice versa. Oh I hope that this won't come to pass. We got blessed with a daughter with an AMAZING personality. She is so funny, quick, witty, and teachable.
Remember, this is our family blog so if you are already disgusted at my complete PRIDE (not the bad kind of pride that we just discussed at church on Sunday) for my daughter then do not read further :)

I have just been amazed at what Reina can do for just being a couple months past her 2nd birthday! I give credit to many people in her life who have helped mold her into her best self. I pray daily that she will be the very best that she can and that as as parents we will learn how to help her be her best self. We are being blessed so much already as she amazes me every day!

Reina has always been very advanced for her age in her ability to learn things quickly and remember them. She has really taken off in her vocabulary since her 2nd birthday since she not only says nearly complete sentences every time, but has so much personality with what she says. She will "read" a book and have lots of phrasing and inflection in her dialogue. Reina will go down for nap with piles and piles of books. Mummi reminds her everyday that "a girl can never have too many books." Now when she goes down for nap she will tell Mummi "a girl can never have two books". Of course she doesn't realize that she has changed the meaning of the sentence into something quite funny!
Mummi and I always comment on how she never "misses a beat". When she sings a song, even if she doesn't pronounce all of the words correctly she will give each syllable a beat. Even her songs are nearly in-tune! That's pretty amazing for such a young age. She never misses a beat in her rhythm either. Sometimes she'll be singing a song or dancing to a song and she'll tap her foot, or swing her arms, or move any body part to the rhythm of the song. I am hoping she will enjoy music as much as her parents do...whether it be band, singing, dancing, or all of the above. She never misses a beat with something going under her radar. She seems to know if you quickly snatched a sweet treat, hid something from her, or are trying to change the subject.
We have also noticed her ability to memorize things extremely quickly and to RETAIN the information. I think she got the latter from her daddy. She remembers stories, songs, words, memories, names, pretty much anything that has come into contact with her...osmosis right? Our kids will do what we do, act how we act, be what they see which is why a good example is something I not only WANT to be better at each day, but because I HAVE TO if I want to keep Reina as undamaged as possible.

A funny story I have to mention on our family blog is one I posted on facebook. A week or so ago I was picking out an outfit for her to wear that morning. It happened to be one of her favorite t-shirts with a kitty on it. When she saw the shirt that awaited her she kept repeating, "Kitty shirt! Kitty shirt! Kitty shirt!" As most of you know, a 2-year old doesn't pronounce everything correctly so it sounded like she was saying "kitty sh**!" Kids say the darndest!

Recently during our family prayers Reina has finally decided it is HER turn to say prayer. Usually mommy or daddy will say it and she will remind us of EVERYONE we have to include in the prayer...yes mommy, daddy, relatives, all of her friends...sometimes repeating extra-special friends. Our family prayers end up being really long. So she decided it is her turn and we are not allowed to help her with it whatsoever! She will even pause and say "hmmmmmm" when she is stuck with someone she forgot to pray for. How could Heavenly Father resist not blessing each and every one of those people that a sweet, little girl prays for? Sometimes I will even try to get Reina to pray for something that I really want so that maybe He will listen to her innocent prayer and bless.

101 Consummations...and Counting

I always want to live life to the fullest and not wind up being 85 years old saying "I wish I would have...". I was thinking about this today and decided to make a physical list of things that I want to do, learn, create, own, etc. These are things that I may or may not have accomplished so far, but seeing them in actual writing will help me to focus and remember what I need to do to get there. Why am I posting this list in my blog? Well, this is sorta our family journal and I do go online at least once a day so I think this is the BEST place for me to actual see what my goals are whether I am at home, work, vacationing in Rome (add to list?), or wherever I may be! I will probably add much more to this post as I can't think of all my possibilities in the twenty minutes I write this post! Feel free to steal any of these ideas, add ideas, or feel proud that you have already accomplished these things. :)

1. Get married in the temple- 8.9.03

2. Go on a mission...with my love

3. Own a new/new to us Honda Odyssey with leather seats and DVD player

4. Be a teacher

5. Have a big family

6. Exercise at least 4 days a week (can't cross this one out until I die)

7. Do something special with dancing talent

8. Teach a dance class or aerobics class 2004

9. Become a certified yoga instructor 2008

10. Become an herbal supplement specialist

11. Have a nice digital camera to capture my favorite people and things

12. Create a health website that includes all the things I hope to specialize in

13. Perform a ballroom dance routine (maybe with Paul if he'll allow it)

14. Play Warhammer one time with Paul

15. Hike all the major spots in the Pacific Northwest

16. Camp via backpacking and canoeing to destination

17. Get organized and updated with pictures

18. Finish (DO) Reina's baby book

19. Learn how to sew (just for home decor/clothing repair)

20. Create my own Tried and True Recipe Book (for my personal odd and healthy palate)

21. Learn how to garden as well as my brother Teem

22. Read all of the Harry Potter novels

23. Host a fancy dinner party where I learn how to make things like Creme Broulee

24. Create artwork for our home

25. Own a home!

26. Take Reina (and more children) to Disneyland with cousins who live in SoCal

27. See the east coast (i.e New York, Virginia, etc.)

28. See all the Church sites east of Utah

29. Go to Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon and possibly try a little rock climbing

30. Have a traditional dinner/movie date with Paul

31. Do visiting teaching faithfully for one year!

32. Fast faithfully for one year!

33. Bear my testimony at church at least twice in a year

34. Own a couple wave runners and a boat

35. Own a little vacation home on a warm lake where I can go crazy with themed rooms, afterall, it's a vaction home!

36. Learn all of the scripture stories with Reina (including names!)

37. Learn how to knit and make a hat, purse, scarf, pot holder, toaster cover (j/k about the pot holder)

38. Have a home with all hardwood floors in the main living areas

39. Have a pottery wheel and use my high school pottery class skills to create gifts and home decor

40. Give a family in need "A Christmas"

41. Donate time and talents in adult care homes

42. Refurbish old furniture

43. Get a pedicure 2009

44. Get a facial

45. Get a professional massage 2010

46. Become endorsed in more subjects as a teacher

47. Sleep in the backyard in a tent with my kid(s)

48. Learn all the state capitals (no, my teacher didn't teach them)

49. Learn how to use Quickbooks and create a budget sheet

50. Do not buy anything unnecessary for 1 month (and then improve thereafter)

51. Learn how to can food

52. Have a year supply of food and water for our family

53. Get a wheat grinder

54. Learn Photoshop

55. Teach Reina how to swim

56. Go to a yoga retreat

57. Read one book a month from the Latter-day prophets

58. Do something nice everyday for someone for a month (and then make it a habit)

59. Get involved in service (not including church callings)

60. Learn how to make pulla ALL BY MYSELF

61. Say only NICE things to my husband for a week (and then improve thereafter)

62. Do a spray tan once (I don't believe in tanning, but sure wish I was naturally tan)

63. Get braces

64. Not eat chocolate for a week (without being sick as an excuse)

65. Not eat chocolate for a month

66. Do a half marathon, or Hood to Coast ( FYI: I have no desire to do a full marathon)

67. Be a part in a play (with my family)

68. Take piano lessons again.

69. Learn how to play my favorite Yanni song.

70. Pick up the flute again.

71. Learn how to play the guitar enough to accompany singing.

72. Get old family videos from VHS fixed and put on newer technology for my mom.

73. Make dinners for a week from "garden only" ingredients

74. Host a Martha Stewart-like holiday meal

75. Get the nerve to sing at a karaoke bar

76. Be a part of the church choir for one year

77. Learn how to make fudge and truffles that actually taste like a "family secret recipe".

78. Teach dancing to kids 2006

79. Create an organic Christmas tree (popcorn, cranberries, pinecones, etc)

80. Bring cupcakes for Reina's kindergarten class (tear)

81. Teach Reina to play the piano

82. Go skiing with Paul (since having a kid)

83. Get a true physical as an adult (cholesterol, lipids, etc.)

84. Go to the Melting Pot restaurant

85. Go on a bike ride and picnic with family

86. Take Reina to the zoo 2/2011

87. Learn how to hold my breath underwater without plugging my nose for more than 3 seconds

88. Own a dog?

89. Go to Voodoo Donuts in Portland

90. Visit college roommates in other states

91. Go see the ruined castles in England and Scotland (for Paul)

92. Go to Portugal with Paul where he served his mission

93. Take Paul to Finland where he can take part in a real sauna, naked and lake jumping!

94. Take Reina roller-skating

95. Brush up on my Spanish so that I can speak near-fluently.

96. Reina meet great-grandmother in Finland who is 89- 8.2010
97. Go to Hawaii with Paul 2008
98. Get trained to teach CPR and First-Aid
99. Get a Vitamix blender and make "green drinks"
100. Send birthday cards to every family member for a whole year
101. Make one patchwork quilt, one time

Oh, What Do You Do in the Wintertime?

There has been a particular Primary song that has been stuck in my head the last week or so. I think it has something to do with the fact that I am dreaming of the sun warming my back, the soft grass under my feet while doing a cartwheel, or playing with my family in the lake. So to bring a little warmth during this cold and lackluster time of year, I dedicate this blog to summer.

Please read in the tune to the song "Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?" in the Primary Children's Songbook#245

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when you are stuck inside?

Do you sing while you ride,

or dress dignified,

or lay at your cousins' side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world ain't green?

Do you peel tangerines,

or read magazines,

or build your first snowman high?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime, when all the world is wet?

Do you get a new pet,

or with grandma sit,

or learn at your best friend's side?

Is that what you do? So do I!

A few quick notes since Reina's 2nd birthday in January is that she can officially count to ten in three languages: English, Finnish, and Spanish (actually to fourteen in English skipping twelve). Reina can also, not only say the letters of the alphabet but knows what sound each of them make...yes, even the hard ones like l, n, and x! Mummi and her assistant Elaine have been working with her and the other children on letters/sounds, music, and languages. We feel very blessed that Reina has had such a great place to learn during the week. In fact, tonight Reina was reiterating one of the Spanish videos to me that teaches colors and she clearly sang..."purple- murado, yellow-amarillo, red- rojo, blue-azul, white-blanco, tatata..." and ended with a "pose" just like the lady on the video. Wish my eyes were a video camera so I could capture these memories forever! Let me tell you, kids can learn ANYTHING if you make a song out of it!
I don't remember if I have already posted this, but recently I have gotten back into doing yoga a couple times a week and I showed Reina a few poses such as bridge, downward dog, and plank. I only showed them to her once as she copied me and since then if I call out the poses she will go into them- all from memory! So of course I am a proud mama, as all those mamas out there are proud of their own children- and daddies too :) Rightfully so.

Reina Turns Two!

If you are reading this post for entertainment, there is a WARNING ALERT that this may be boring unless you are in love with our little girl. I want to keep up with Reina's development as she reaches new ages and phases of life! So here is where she is at as of her 2nd birthday (1.8.2011)

Height: 36 inches= 94% average percentile (taken 1.12.2011)

Weight: 28.3 lbs.= 71% average percentile (taken 1.12.2011)

Vocabulary: She can speak in many complete sentences, and can speak as well as a 3 year old (in my opinion of course). We are able to understand ALMOST everything Reina says. As of now she can say most letters except for "R" as she calls herself "Meena". This is kind of cute though because it's a mix of "me" and "Reina"!

Songs: Still LOVES singing the "Bumblebee" song and "Rock-a-Bye Baby" when it's time for bed. Often she will sing songs that I haven't sang to her before or haven't sang in months....must be from nursery or Mummi's. Reina can sing the majority of the ABC song....correctly. Just this last Sunday she was singing the ABC song to a young woman at church during sacrament meeting (quietly in the back rows) and sang it well except for the LMNO part in which she chattered her teeth instead. Paul and I, and the young woman were laughing under our breaths! I am pleased that she can sing in-tune! I cringe when someone is out-of-tune or off-rhythm (but maybe we will have a child who lacks this ability so I learn to tolerate it)! I think she may be an alto like her Grandma Guinn as her singing voice is somewhat low. I am noticing more and more how much she takes after her Grandma Guinn! They are also alike in that they both love to read, don't like to eat the same thing two days in a row (leftovers), are friendly and polite (Reina always says "thank you" and "your welcome"), concerned if someone is sad or hurt (Reina will say "You alright?"), similar body frame and hair, like things to be put away in their place, and witty.

Favorites: As soon as she gets to Mummi's house in the morning, she puts on her Minnie Mouse dress that apparently no one else DARES to touch as she has claimed it and then asks for "moosik" (music) to dance to. When Reina wants to do her own thing she grabs a book, draws or paints with watercolors. She is becoming quite the pro at making circles! Reina still loves to wear boots, always has to have her coat/shirt buttoned or zipped, and reminds me that she needs a hat on to go outside. On Saturday mornings she spends time with daddy watching "Yo Gabba-Gabba". I think daddy likes the show just as much as she does! This is the only t.v. watching she does, and maybe a little Sesame Street some mornings. And most recently, Reina likes to go to bed with a hard, plastic miniature dollhouse size computer desk! Silly girl!

More funny stories: Recently she has climbed out of her crib at Mummi's house during naptime, and only twice at home. Luckily this had ended. During one of those occasions at home, Paul went to her room and peaked in. She was pulling a hanger up around her waist and when she realized daddy was watching she quickly pointed to her bottom and said "a poo-poo" (she knew that there HAD to be a reason why she was up and out of her bed).

Other landmarks: She still continues to go potty on the toilet #1 and/or#2 at least twice a day, but doesn't love to do it like she used to. We haven't pushed her too much with potty-training as it will happen at her pace. Still likes to eat healthy foods like cabbage soup, broccoli, celery, fruit, eggs, rye crackers and chicken...surprisingly she has never been a fan of mac & cheese, potatoes and some other kid favorites. Reina can put puzzles together quite fast for her age. I can take two puzzles and mix up all the pieces and she can put them all back in their place (of course we're talking about the baby puzzles, not traditional tongue and groove kind). She can somersault completely on her own and can count to12, skipping some numbers here and there...

We celebrated her birthday a week early since my oldest sister, Tarja and her children Reagan, Kamryn and Ethan were in town from California and had a multi-birthday party with my sister Sanni's family as well. I sure wish Reagan and Kamryn lived closer because she LOVED to play with them! I would definitely hire them to babysit!

We feel grateful to have a happy, healthy girl. This is all we asked for, so anything beyond this is an outpouring of rich blessings. We thank our Heavenly Father daily for her and pray for more.

Goodbye, Hello

Dear 2010,

Thanks for a TOUGH year! We knew that you would be difficult, but didn't know that you would be so LONG. You have been difficult for us as a family and hope that all of our hard work and commitment will pay off with your younger brother 2011. We do really appreciate the joy we have had with seeing Reina grow and advance. She has been such a blessing! We can't believe how wonderful, smart, funny, silly, quick, witty, determined, entertaining, and pretty she is. She could be labeled "Miss Personality" as she DOES have a bucket of it and continues to spill over with more. We have been blessed to have a wonderful family who has helped us with our difficult situation of being apart from each other 5 days out of the week; a roof over our head and the BEST learning center with her Mummi (my mom's childcare center). And also for my job. I do love it and don't want to give it up, but will gladly do it if we can be together as a family. Our fingers are crossed and our prayers are going out daily for a better 2011. We have grown this last year and are ready for a little TLC. So PLEASE tell your brother 2011 to give us a break!

Thanks again,
Paul, Aliisa & Reina

P.S. I know this letter may sound a little harsh, but we are more blessed than ever to have this sweet little girl. She is the best Christmas gift we have ever received, so thank you (even though we got her from your older brother 2009) :)