For Matt

The effects of Swine Flu...WASH YOUR HANDS!

(Good one, huh?)

Soakin' Wet

All about free entertainment. We're easy to please!!!

It's all about summertime. This is what kids live for!

(Hayden just told me...it was BOYS against GIRLS)!

Murphy's Law

You know, much of my life lately falls into the category of "If you think it might happen, it probably will." And I don't mean that in a good way.

I don't cook a whole lot, I mean, anything worth writing about. I am not my sisters! Good grief. I don't make whole wheat waffles with fresh wheat out of the grinder (Liz) and I don't make German Pancakes with lemon and butter every Saturday morning (Bex)! We're always on the fly, frankly, and we eat fast, whether it's home and away, to borrow from a sports metaphor.

But tonight...tonight we were in need of celebrating! After 2 years of surviving renting one home for six months with the owner not paying the mortgage (and the bank coming and changing the locks) and a failed lease-purchase (on the 2nd rental) turned attempted short sale purchase, we gave up and finally made an offer on a newly built, beautiful house with my name written all over it. (My name was on it only cuz it was built and ready to move into and has fresh paint...doesn't take much!) Anyway, our loan was approved today and we are preparing our big move. To our future. To our life. To our HOME. Permanently.

So I thought that earned a real home-cooked meal. My husband suggested eating out, but I'm tired and we do that far too often. We needed a celebratory feast! Now, don't get excited. There aren't pictures, but there is fresh food. I decided to grill some pork spare ribs. Something we NEVER eat. My kids don't even know what they are -- I mean -- really. They, perhaps, have seen their dad order them one time. But they've never been served ribs. So I bought some fresh, brought them home, and prepared them for the grill. My hubby got the grill going, I cut and mixed the veggies for roasting (fresh asparagus, baby white new potatoes cut into small bite-sized pieces, petitie baby carrots, olive oil, fresh garlic and rosemary...oh the aroma!). YUM! Got those going only to have the propane run out of the BBQ 6 minutes into grilling. Figures.

And so it goes with my life. I'm up, we're down. Up, down. I should have known. The veggies are done and the ribs haven't even begun. Because now my husband is at the store buying more propane. Which is why I have time to write this blog. So meanwhile they are slowly cooking in the oven til he gets home, but it has me worried, as it may just not be the same as the grillin' all the way. My kids may never want ribs ever again.

Fear not. I have a back up plan. The almost fool-proof "bucket o'movie popcorn" to go with the movies I rented (Valkyrie...Bex...per your recommendation). It's the kind that comes in the movie looking popcorn bowl you buy at the video store for two bucks -- it's so bad for you -- but tastes SO good! Tonight is all about guilty pleasures. I may even whip out the Hershey bars and marshmallows, too! What's a pant size, anyway? I'm tired. It's been a long, emotional week and the almost unbearable play we went to see with the Kindergarten class nearly pushed me over the proverbial edge.

While I could have predicted the cooking events as it parallels the events of our daily life lately; and even though I'm sure I look like the train wreck that I feel, this week does have a happy ending. And even though I would like my life to be more like Enchanted even though it often plays out like Bewitched...I'm going to bed HAPPY tonight.

Sweet dreams everyone...cuz that bed time is coming early tonight!

Crazier by the Dozen

This week we are honoring Hayden who turns 6 on Friday! But today...TODAY was his party.



We went to Bounce U and there is no place better for a dozen squirrely boys to go. Hayden found it difficult to leave the Ball Blaster to try something else. There are two boys on the other side firing back.


The slide. So fast and fun. He loves going down backwards...of course.

This is "how fast can you climb the wall" house! There is a slide on the other side.

Hayden inside the Spider Zone -- or Spider WEB -- as he called it. A good test of upper body strength. (He didn't last long in there)!

Dangling from the web.

The Crazy Dozen

(And why the party was THERE and not our house)!

The Bounce U Boy at the head of the table. These boys can't sit still for a moment.

Not surprisingly, Hayden watched his friends eat pizza (no thanks, ever, Mom) and I had to wipe the frosting off the cupcake. But...it's his day!

Finally...presents. LEGO's are the star at this event. And Hayden was great at remembering his manners and thanking everyone individually. On the way home he asked me if his Dad was home yet? I answered "Yes" to which he said: "Sweet!"

He could barely make it through dinner to build this machine with his Dad he was so excited...(He's getting pretty darn good at those directions all by himself!) Se also scored 3 LIGHT SABERS! Pure heaven on earth.

Hayden is such a gift in our life. He has such a happy, funny, sweet and sensitive disposition -- he is a treat to live with. (Plus, he's pretty durn cute...don't you agree?) Happy Birthday, Buddy!
Now...STOP growing!

Jealous?

Life CAN be good in California. On this day, anyway!

Color Me...

...SO proud!


...Lots of Hard Work & Time.

(Mal's Civil War Project & Diorama)



...And tears and triumph in learning.

(Lindsay's Science project -- Based on Newton's 3rd Law). (Education for MOM, too!)



BUT...color me SO done with school. The month of May is pure torture. Teachers assign projects so they can focus on testing...which means nothing to the kids and a grade for the teachers, eventually. So May has been packed with projects, meaningless field trips with no purpose in learning whatsoever, jog-a-thons to leech out what little donation money we might have left, and I'm sure end of the year parties.

Still, their projects make me proud. Proud of their desire to learn. Proud of their desire to please. Proud of their desire to present the best. Proud of their quest for academic excellence. I must say, watching my children learn has been thrilling for me. I'm not sure I gave my parents the same thrill and that is unfortunate, because it is one of my greatest joys.

In Hayden's class they had an incubator with baby chick eggs in it. They all hypothesized how long it would take for the chicks to hatch. They made journals logs...documenting the process. Very cute, actually. The kids would check the incubator daily. On the 21st day, the first baby chick hatched. I worked in the classroom after 4 had hatched. The "cheep cheeping" was actually quite loud from these cute baby chicks. Hayden was explaining the process to the girls and they inquired: "Hayden, what do the baby chicks eat?" Hayden, being the Einstein that he is, replied (with the "DUH" tone of voice): "Uh, chick food, what do you think?!"

My kids are all obviously from Planet Awesome. Color me...so surprised. I would never have guessed these apples fall from this tree!

Now...bring on the long summer days. I'm READY!

Shades of my Mothers

Some of you are lucky. You have one mom. Although life has been hard at times, I am even luckier. I have two. After reading my sister's blogs, I realize it's the time of year to recognize our mothers. I try to do this -- at least mentally -- more than once a year, but Hallmark made it official, so I better get on board.

Since I'm getting older (the doctor reminded me as he gave me the mail-in pouch for over 40 year olds for a colon test where in I'm supposed to swipe poop on a slide with a stick...isn't this the job for curious 3-year old boys??? Full circle, my friends, full circle!) -- I now have a better perspective of how my two mom's have and do influence my life.

Here's how:

My mom is always worrying. As daughters, we proudly carry on that tradition giving up sleep over pending pandemics, earthquakes, food shortages, chem trails and nuclear bombs. Oh no, wait, that's what she worries about. I worry about rattlesnakes, high school and the inflating spare tire around my waistline. Still, I worry. And for all the right reasons...

My mom is a busy body. She's always cooking, gardening, folding, mending, cleaning, writing, teaching, helping, serving, learning. I'm a busy body, too. I'm always driving in the car, volunteering for something (while my husband is rolling his eyes and shaking his head), teaching, watching, dining out, buying new cleats, planning, gardening, mowing, pulling weeds, blogging, organizing, mopping. Really, I don't have ADD. I'm just hard working and devoted just like my mother.

My mom is ever a mother. I think I will be, too. She has no idea I'm in my 40's, married 15 years, with 3 children...she still sometimes sends birthday cards with my maiden name on it. She KNOWS I need her help. She's ever telling us, lovingly, how to be a better mother even though she doesn't know it! We know it comes from a pure place (a Reliv conference or a Preparedness seminar) -- it's just unstoppable. She can't help herself. She wants the best for her children. She always puts us first. I try to do the same. I love my children with an intensity. I am starting to get it, Mom. We don't take it personally, like she's telling us we're doing it wrong cuz that isn't it. She's just loving us the best way she knows how. (Don't worry Mom, I've got my sunscreen on, a hat, and I have some Energize in my water bottle for this hot weather coming up). We love her even more for it. It brings a smile to my face every day.

For that matter, my mom is ALWAYS smiling. What a gift. What a treasure. She has a song in her voice. Julie Andrews learned it from her. When my friends first meet her, that image stays with them and they mention it to me later. I don't have that gift. I have a smile, but it's not there all the time. I get some of the other stuff from my Dad -- who is wonderful, too -- just not always humming the "Life is wonderful" song. But what a lesson. She bares big burdens but rarely complains. Just worries. And tries to make things the best they can be. Tries to be proactive. I hope I learn more from you before I leave this earth, Mom! I hope to have a heart as big as you someday and find ways to quench my thirst for all there is to learn and enjoy. The longer I live, the more I realize how much I am my mother. And I realize my mom is one of my best friends. I'm sure I wouldn't have predicted that when I was 15 years old!

Now there's Kay. She came into my life during a tumultuous time, not trying to be a mother, but more so as a friend. She knew where the line had been drawn in the sand. She knew I knew I already had a mother. (And really...what teenager invites MORE parents into their world???) She taught me through example: independence, respect, thoughtfulness, friendship, support and unconditional love. When I met her, her boys were nearly grown -- in college and moving forward with their lives. She'd never had a daughter and I'm sure I was more than she bargained for. She showed me so much patience. She stepped back when she needed to, but never squashed my feelings or my ambitions. But she did call a spade a spade. She was a business woman and very hard working. Frankly, my Dad and Kay spoiled me in an "only child" kind of way. After all, I was the only child living with them in that household when the other kids weren't visiting. I have fond "only child" memories with them -- driving to Half Moon Bay for breakfast and feeling the ocean air on my face. Driving to Redwood City for a taco off a truck. Dinner at Scott's Seafood. (It wasn't ALL about food)! Little things that felt big. But mostly support. She really showed me how to support my children without doing it for them. That is a gift, too. And while I don't see her now nearly often enough because she lives a few states away, every time I write a thank you card or teach my children to do so, I think of her. Because that's always what she did because that is what should be done.

So far be it for me to be the only sister not to recognize mothers. My mothers! And far be it for me to not thank them for giving and loving and sharing with each other. They are both strong women...I hope to be counted as one of the group someday.

My life has been colored by my Mother's. And I'm grateful to display shades of their artistry in me.

Happy Mother's Day!

What? Nothing to Say?

I haven't had a lot to say these days -- BLOG-wise -- as you can tell. I do get a fair amount of grief from a certain citrus fruit on this one semi-regularly. However, this is just a sign that I'm super busy in my "real" life and the daily details aren't interesting enough to share. Either that, or I've talked on the phone to my family and we've already swapped stories, so they know it already. I guess that is life...mundane, sometimes.

I was laughing at RAC's blog about Liz getting reports from her children about how so-and-so's mother yells at them...when just this morning I had my favorite talk radio morning show on while I was driving my kids to school...these 2 guys always crack me up. They were talking about our Govenator (did you notice the spelling...you know...AHHHH-nold "Terminator" "CA Governor" Swarznegger..."I'll be back" -- if he can remember to come back after toking it up...anyway...oh yeah...back to my story...). Arnie has brought up the debate again about legalizing marijuana here. So the radio guy says "What do I care if the guy is a total Pothead and wants to waste his life away taking a drug that makes you un-motivated?" My son in the back, melting his own brain playing his Nintendo DS while I drive, perks up and laughs: "POTHEAD?! What is a POTHEAD?" I could just envision my son, today, on the playground at Kindergarten calling his goofy friend "POTHEAD!" Oh good grief. There's a call I look forward to getting. Then I can explain how I'm such a good parent by not discerning what's appropriate to listen to and what's not. Maybe I can tell them we're watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent later, too! The school bell can't ring soon enough today.

But I thank my son for that important, albeit hilarious reminder (you should have heard his voice) that I need to be more careful. Even when you don't think they are listening...heaven help us!

And proof that they are listening...I said something on Sunday to Lindsay about part of her outfit. Can't quite remember what I said, but Lindsay tried to defend herself saying Dad said it was okay. Her sister piped up: "Lindsay...your first problem is that you looked to Dad for fashion advice. You have to go to Mom!" Ahhh...some lessons have been taught and reinforced and are being passed down through the generations. Through our laughter, I felt pride. They DO listen!!!

Happy Hump Day. And BE CAREFUL!