Fun with Jane & Dick

Remember how I told you my girls are HUGE fans of Jeannie Mai, host of the fashion makeover show, How do I look?

Well, since she couldn’t make it to Louise’s birthday, she instead came over for dinner one night.

Lucy had a small dinner party at her house where I made some Persian food.

We didn’t tell the girls that Jeannie was coming so they were so surprised and excited to see her!

Jeannie came with her husband, Freddy, the Hollywood Hunter, as well.

He’s a super nice, chill and cool guy.

They came with their friend, who told me was not a fan of kids, (which does not offend me in the least because I know not all people have an affinity for children). But that he thought mine were really nice, well-behaved and cool. I love his honesty and frankly, it’s a compliment from someone who isn’t fond of kids.

Remember Lucy’s friend who is also Jeannie’s good friend and stylist, who speaks better Vietnamese than me even though she’s not Viet? Shameful, I know. Lucy would tell me they would make fun of her Vietnamese, in Vietnamese! I got a good laugh at the one because I, too, make fun of my sister’s choppy Vietnamese.

And, we also had Dick’s friend Gino and his family over as well. Remember, he was the one who got my hubs all drunk the night before the marathon. He told Dick to thank him, saing it was probably the tequila that helped him to finish the marathon. LOL

Well, he brought MORE tequila so, the boys had a good ole time drinking it up.

Prince Abubu’s sister was also there. Isn’t she so pretty?

She, too, is a huge Jeannie Mai fan.

The boys.

The ladies.

I’m totally barfing at how I didn’t even make an effort to dress up.

You’d think that I would do better considering I was meeting a known TV Fashionista but sometimes I just don’t care and  apparently, I just wanted to be loungy-casual.

Jeannie’s probably like, this Momma of (almost) 4 needs a make-over!

I got to know Jeannie a bit after talking to her and I love her spunk, style and energy. We talked about life, kids, balancing work and family. Girlfriend is not just a pretty face on TV, but she’s super sassy, smart, engaging, down to earth, outgoing and always full of smiles. No doubt she will have lots of successes in show business.

While she was there, Jeannie allowed my girls to give her an interview!

Ain’t she just adorbs?!?!

And super thoughtful too.

The night before we were leaving LA, her and Freddy came over to drop off gifts for the girls and a nice note for our family. So incredibly thoughtful and sweet!

The girls were so excited to be able to see her (and you too Freddy!) one more time before leaving.

It just made their night (and trip)!

Thank you Jeannie and Freddy!!

You guys are such a cute couple.

-Jane, Mommy to huge fans of Jeannie Mai.

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The girls love pancakes so one day, Prince Abubu was such a trooper and agreed to make some with them.

Look how yummy!

I don’t love-love pancakes but every once in a while, they’re okay.

I prefer savory foods.

Aunt Lucy is munching and wants a taste.

The girls LOVE whip cream, but I never buy any. So when we first came to Lucy’s place and they saw that there was whip cream in her fridge, they were ecstatic.

“Would you like some pancakes with your butter?”

That’s what I asked Louise because if you look above, she put this huge slab of butter on her pancakes. You wouldn’t think that with her tiny, skinny frame that this girl eats so much but my girls are eaters! (Like their Mommy and Auntie – yes, I’m including you too!)

Meanwhile, I made some other things for breakfast as well.

Turkey sausage.

Persian omelet.

Of course, there’s always cucumbers.

Dick wanted oatmeal.

But look, he’s munching on Louise’s pancakes, which she is carefully keeping track of the  number of bites he’s taking.

“Daddy! Remember you’re vegan!”

Reminding him that whip cream, butter, and milk are a part of the pancake ingredients. NOT vegan!

Yeah, since completing his marathon, he’s being a little more lax about the foods he’s eating.

After breakfast, my lovelies help with the dishes.

Prince Abubu is such a trooper. Instead of watching golf like he wanted to do on his Sunday afternoon, the girls bombard him with requests to play games, like LIFE and CLUE.

And, they take over the TV.

Forcing him to watch some Disney stuff with Demi Lovato…Camp Rock or something?

Poor guy.

Thanks Prince Abubu for being so patient and hanging out with the girls!

-Jane, Mommy to pancake-loving girls.

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Not sure how I forgot about this but after eating vegan at Cafe Gratitude, we decided to walk around the area, which is called Larchmont. It’s a cute little area with restaurants and boutiques.

As soon as we set off from Cafe Gratitude, I see a “sign”.

Apparently a sign that I’ve been waiting for.

I search my mind and go blank. I haven’t been waiting for any sign.

We pass this private school.

I seriously love succulents. I wish they could survive here in Metropolis.

The sidewalks here are all busted up from the roots of the trees.

So, if you’re in high heels, you better watch it!

Dick is super sore from the marathon so he’s checking out this massage parlor.

Massage parlor sounds so kinky.

Probably why they decided to call this place a “wellness center”.

More beautiful succulents! So pretty!!

The girls recognize this magazine stand from some movie and want a picture with it.

I’m like, surely this is not the only magazine stand that looks like this but whatever.

Look who’s out. Nap time. Sweet thang.

We run into these girls who are wearing these “Greenpeace” bibs.

I’m all about green peace but I’m not interested in talking about it right now.

We move on.

Thelma showing off her hoola-hoop skills.

We pass by a shoe store. These retro New Balance shoes are pretty nice…for Dick.

Then we spot these outRAGEous shoes that are showcased in the center of the store.

Like these leopard father/son high tops.

Or these weird black and white whatevers…I don’t even know how to describe them.

One is some cow hide loafer with buckle.

And the other a tennis shoe/funky boot hybrid.

And the jean winged father/son high tops.

On the way back, we see the infamous Hollywood sign.

So, that’s it. That was our walk around Larchmont.

-Jane, Larchmont Tourist.

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The girls love to swim so when Prince Abubu said that his apartment had a pool, the girls were all about going.

Since he lives not too far from Lucy’s, we decided to walk there.

The pool is at the TOP of his building.

With a great view of LA.

I hate it when the wind blows my bandana up like that.

Bandana erections suck.

Look at my hubby’s half-shaven legs, from when he had to shave for the kinesiology tape for the marathon. Pulling them off gave him a good waxing as well. I happily volunteered to remove them for him, with plans to pull them off nice and slow. Like the one time we tried waxing his back. It was like that scene from the 40-year Old Virgin and I so thoroughly enjoyed it…such a mean wife I am.

Poor Benz wants to join his sisters in the pool but it’s too cold and this Momma ain’t going in!!

And, it’s too hard to keep up with him crawling so fast…he could launch himself easily into the pool.

So, for his protection (and my sanity), I plopped him right through this lounge chair.

You know, between the plastic thingys…to keep him immobilized. 

Yes, a lounge chair. HA!

Remember how I told you I was great at improvise???

Sorry kiddo! It’s for your own safety!

I know, I deserve a Mom of the Year Award, right? LOL

So momma’s, next time you’re at the pool and you can’t figure out how to keep your mobile baby safe, just stick him in a lounge chair. Just a trick of the trade from one EXPERIENCED mom.

-Jane, Baby Imprisoner.

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