I hope...

I did the right thing today.  Drew attended his first gymnastics class today.. he seemed nervous, and really not ok with me out of sight.. but if I was there, he just wanted to snuggle not DO.. dispite that he did participate and I signed him up.  I sure hope I did the right thing in signing him up.. my fear is that he really didn't like it. Though I don't think so. He'd gotten a 1hr nap, usually he get 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours...hopefully that was all it is.  We'll find out next week. The other thing is, I won't be there. C is taking the gymnasts, I'm taking C's daughter and Beth to ballet.  And so, it begins... I will try to keep up my journal, but with school starting next week for the kids, and in 3 weeks for me.. who knows how often I'll make it here.

Legoland, Mexico, and Thankfulness

Legoland was great, Drew was tall enough to ride all but 3 rides. VERY cool!!!  Katie rode the kid-roller coasters this year, and really enjoyed them!!!! My mom walked and walked (up hills and down) and never really got winded. She's not a "fast" walker, but she's WALKING!!! She rode 2 or 3 rides with us, and really enjoyed them.  We had a great day!!!

Mexico, it's been a year since I was there last. It's grown a lot. We arrived safely, but tired Wed. night about 11:30pm. Thursday was a do-nothing day. I only got dressed around 1pm because my pj's were too warm.  Each night Thurs. through Sunday my kids delighted us with giggles, squeals, and screams while watching the fireworks that people shoot off on the beach. Friday I took the girls horse back riding, one hour with a little fast walking, my butt still hurts, lol. We really enjoyed that though. Saturday we bbq'd and had friends over. It was awesome!!! Lots of fun and visiting. Sunday was the highlight for me, while it was our last day, we weren't scheduled to go home until 9pm. So after a lovely brunch, we went to the beach. The highlight? my mom went with us. She hasn't been to the beach since moving in to her place. She walked down, and kicked off her shoes and got her feet in the water with me and Katie. THAT was a magical moment.  the drive home was the best kind, boring.  I did have to drive through Centro Tijuana, but it's not much more difficult than taking Mex. 1D down to the border. the crossing took about 20mins. But that was becuase they closed 3 lanes (one of which I was in) right as I got there. Oh well, it still wasn't bad. 

Today I'm enjoying conveniences, like drinkable tap-water, toilets that you can flush after each use, and that accept TP,  my dishwasher, and just being home. :o)

I'm also very grateful to a dear friend of my family, M.  He came over yesterday morning and helped Tim, my dad, and brother, finish the re-roofing of the family room. With the use of his nail gun it's all finished. The roof is a story in itself, but suffice it to say, one joint was uneven, and instead of using plywood, the previous owners used particle board for sheething (just stick cardboard up there, @@)... so with all that taken care of we have the promise of no leaks this winter!!!!!!!!! Now to go clean up the dusty mess the work left.

She did it!!!!

Victoria has been in gymnastics for nearly one year. Today she did a handstand, she held it for about 3 seconds. I was so excited for her the mom next to me commented on my reaction... hey I can't help it. I'm proud of my kids when they can do new things!!!

Tomorrow we're off to Legoland! A full day of fun and silliness with the ENTIRE family. Tim is taking a vacation day, my mom is meeting us there, my dad and brother are going as well. Should be a great day!! I've got the big memory stick for the camera emptied. I'll take lots of pictures to share on the family website. After our adventures there the kids and I are heading to Mexico to spend the weekend with my mom. My poor Hubby has agreed to stay home and re-roof the living room. I'm glad to see it get done, but wish he could come with us to play as well. Can't have everything. So, I'll take what I can get.. which is a weekend of beach play, horse back riding and relaxing! I can't wait.

Now in order to successfully complete this adventure I must go, and pack. hehe

Successful party and stuff

Drew's bday party was a success. While we were "low" on kids, we only had 2 guest children. We still had a blast.. but when you figure none of the adults are really "grown up" it's easy.  He got a really cool sandbox from my parents, it's a pirate treasure chest, looks COOL! He, and his sisters, love it. clothes, hotwheels and thomas the tank were the other items.. all very well received and all played with greatly through the day and rest of the weekend. Now to get the rest of the cake eaten, without doing most of the eating myself. hehehe.

My dad and brother surprised me Saturday morning with a new patio table. My old resin one had cracked and wasn't stable. I'm so excited, my brother and dad made this one, it's wood, with some high endurance polyeurothane legs, basically that means we can't kill it without burning it. It's 8ft. long, so it can seat up to 10 people. :o)

Took Drew to the Dr. this AM. 38-1/2 inches tall, 32-1/2 pounds. he's growing strong and healthy. He got one shot, cried a bit, but still gave the nurse a kiss before we left. :o)

And finally, I'm delighted to say my motivation is in high gear. Motivation to get Tori and Katie's room ready. Tim has agreed to pull up the carpet, and move the bookshelf into the family room. This is great news!!! I'll be spending a bit of time in there today and tomorrow. Hopefully getting a good start on it. I'm taking the kids to my moms on Wednesday after our trip to Legoland.  I hope to have a great day, my mom is meeting us at the park, Tim is taking a day of vacation, and both my dad and brother will be there.. that's a lot of adult kids for 4 little people. LOL.

Ok. Guess it's time to get going and use some of this motivation.

 

a must share moment

I'm quietly cleaning about the house.. when I hear a child barking like a dog.. I wander out toward the family room where Tori and Drew are on hands and knees barking in rhythm at which point she states loudly "who let the dogs out" again in rhythm. It's just too cute!

 

playdates playdates playdates!!!

We seemed to have had several, in reality it was only 2, formal, and 1 impomptu.  First Beth had a friend over Monday, worked out great for me, as both are certified sitters, and my brother began installation of a sprinkler timer.  We (brother and I) had to make several runs to Home Depo, to get stuff, it was really nice to do so without dragging any kids along.   Wednesday  we drove to my dear friend T's house for a lovely playdate, we hoped to have some water play, but dispite the fact that she lives in the warmer valley area, and it's August, it didn't get warm (never hot) until darn near time for us to come home. Oh well, all had fun!!!! They have the best playroom, and bedroom for their older child (playmate to my crew).. I need T to give me lessons on how to organize toys!!! After that the kids veg'd while I worked with brother to finish the sprinklers and clean my patio. It was a disaster. Truly the most unfriendly place... now it's an oasis, complete with umbrella covered table, park bench, fire bowl, and TWO bbq's (yay!!). We relocated the park bench so I can sit and read and see 85% of the back yard, for watching kids play!!  Today I'll do inside.

Thursday the kids and I headed to Atlantis Park, it's a gated park, admission is $1.00 for all over 3. No adults without a kid allowed, no kids allowed without an adult. No pets, except aid-dogs, they allow picnics, but have a food bar.  Restrooms are CLEAN, and work! including a changing station for babies, in both restrooms. We met our friends there at 11:30 for a picnic and playdate. The rules were easy, if you are going to be on the "whale" playground or "dragon slide" cool, wanna go anywhere else, come tell us first.  We had 8 kids ranging from 15mos. to nearly 12. We never lost anyone, noone got hurt, and all had a great time!!! It was the perfect way to celebrate Drew's really birthday!!! We got home and everyone CRASHED! I think maybe I wore them out... heehee.

My baby turned 3 yesterday.. my baby, youngest, last one, is 3!!!!!! It's soo cool, a little, not sad, but I dunno. I almost wish I could have more, but no way do I really WANT more... hard to explain!!! I have lots of babies in my life, and will have more, with friends and relatives lovingly having theirs.  So after a fun day at the park, finishing the patio and sprinklers (yes it took 3 days). We celebrated Drew's special day with Chinese for dinner. Tonight we're going out with my mom and dad, brother, and possibly C and her guy. :o)  Tomorrow is the party. Which I need to close now, so I can go clean my house in preparation for the masses.

 

did it!!!

I finished tops and pants for the two girls. I'm going to make Beth a "scooter" skort out of the rest of the material. Tim is wearing a red polo shirt, the girls have red tops with flower print pants, Beth will have a red top with flower print skort/scooter, I'll have a red top with jeans, or my linen skirt, gotta pick. Drew red shirt kahki shorts/pants. :o)  We're set! I'm so pleased.  these outfits were EASY, quick, and CUTE!!! I'll be making more in other colors, and adding sleeves. I love being able to sew!!!!!

some thoughts and dreams

Thoughts, Brother came over today to install (or begin) the timer for our sprinkler system.. the relandscaping project is now in year 4.. I just go with the flow.. once sprinklers are timered, I will start selecting plants for the non-grass area.. and hope to have green stuff in it's area soon.  I sorted more stuff today. Found the headpiece/veil I wore in my wedding, it's still looking good. I'm going to bag it up and put it with the gown. One of my kids may want it.. who knows. I also sorted a bunch of papers, I'm feeling productive.  Tomorrow is pictures for our church directory.. I need to find cute, color coordinating outfits for all 6 of us, and I want to do this by rummaging through closets/drawers, not buying new. I may be up late tonight sewing.. we'll see. I have material. If I do this project it will cover Tori and Katie, Beth is set, Then we just need to find Me, Drew, and Tim... hmmmm

Dreams~ I've had a few odd ones lately, but I'm talking about day dreams, what if, like what if I won the lottery... well, how about when, when I'm working, which will likely be in about 12months from now... I'm figuring to have the ability to buy Tim a "real" commuter car, not my '64 valiant. And I'd really like to buy me (us) a really new car.. like current to the year I live in... I'm now looking at hybrid SUV's, toyota has one, the sequoia, don't know much about it, but Toyota has good feedback from lots of friends, who've driven their cars for miles and miles with no troubles...we'll see.

Got the pricing done for the roof, we're doing it. Tim will start on Sunday. I'm excited!!!!! I sure hope this does the trick!!!! For those who don't know, one room in our house leaks, the living room...last winter I had my loveseat covered in plastic for 3 weeks straight. It's NOT fun.

Beth opted to ditch ballet today.. I'm with her.. I don't want to go anywhere.. I'm thinking now that dinner is done a facial sounds lovely.. gotta put a couple munchkins to bed first though.

ahhh~

What a week, we had a blast, but I'm TIRED!!!  After the week of classes, and other outings, like pictures for Grandma, we hadn't seen much of Tim, poor guy worked nearly 80hours last week!!! So, last night I made dinner in time for him to eat with us, the old fashioned way, all together, at the table. It was great!!!! Hopefully the hectic-ness of his work will settle as much as my schedule now that classes are over. After dinner we settled the kids with the sitter and met our friends at the pub for Irish dancing and fun. We had a great time. closed the pub, not too bad, this one closes at 1am. So we're home by 1:30am.  Slept til 7am when Drew needed help getting dressed, Tim made cheesy eggs and toast for breakfast, then I cleaned the kitchen, and dining table. I've run some errands, dropped Beth at her grandparents for a 2-night sleepover, and dropped her friend off after her sleep-over here last night. Got home, Tori and Katie are watching a kid-movie in my room, Drew JUST woke from his nap, Tim's watching Constantine, scary, and so I'm here... I think I'm going to go clean the floor in Beth/Drew's room and vacuum now that he's awake. :o) Tonight C and her guy are coming over for dinner, HE is making enchiladas, cheese and chicken..I'm soo excited!!!!

a moment to gripe...

OK, I am not a perfect parent, nor are any of my children perfect... however, this is MY blog, and therefore I'm going to use this time to bitch about the idiot adults in the parent/me class I'm taking with Drew. First case, mommy w/2wk. old sibling and grandma are at the drop off /pick up area with kid. Kid refuses nametag, this isn't just for the heck of it, our teacher has 2 classes with 15kid each, he needs these to know who is who. Mom says,  It's ok, she doesn't need the nametag for this transition period. UM, ok, you just totally underminded the teacher...doofus!  Same kid, during story, during craft, ah pick anypoint in our 3 hr. class she's screaming, someone touched her magnifying glass, someone took the red crayon, someone breathed... @@ the grandmother uses a cane to walk, so obviously is very limited in her chasing ability, so today kid is running across the classroom, grandma keeps sitting there quietly asking the child to return to her seat. GET the child.. my own mom has had limited mobility for a great part of my lifetime, she'd have gotten up!!! 

Then there's the lovely girl and her dad. Her dad who looks at all of us mommies as if we're some lower life form. Obviously HE did not sign up for a parent/me class. So today after finishing our craft, Drew and I head to the books for a story. I'm reading when she joins us, in my lap next to Drew for the story. Dad has a small and very quiet COW!!! It was inappropriate for the girl to sit with me, as I'm a stranger...what was he doing you ask?? Reading the latest John Grisham, or somesuch book.. He asked his daughter one last time to move and get her own book, just as I finished the story to Drew.. I handed her the book and invited her to sit NEAR us, so her daddy could read the story to her... STUCK YOU BUTTHEAD! GRRR.  WHY do a class like that if you are going to look bored, frustrated, and uninterested in your kids' life.  What a waste!!!

Other than that, and really while I did bitch a great deal here, it wasn't overwhelming in my day, I had a great day.. even got Tori to gymnastics on time, though she was reported as being tired, um, ya think?? I know I should've let her skip, but she didn't want to!! She did the entire 90min. class without complaint she just didn't have her bubbly bouncy self there. EVERYONE understood and were impressed that she stuck it out and was there. :o)

Ok, the kids are killing eachother.. time to go help, I mean stop them. LOL

Fun and Frolic

So today started our classes at the museum. We got up, dressed, fed, and were out the door slightly behond my 8am hope.. but it was an easy drive, and we arrived at 8:55, no problem! But, why is the parking lot so very empty?? well, duh, that's because the classes don't start at 9, but rather 9:30!! Drat! Lost a good 30minutes of sleep!!  Oh well. We played a game in the car, and then headed over to check Beth in. The rest of us didn't start til after lunch so we went to the museum to look around. After checking out a new exhibit for me, I took the girls to the gems and mineral hall to find birthstones, then we went to the "kid room" and played in there. Lunch, and a quick walk through the butterfly pavillion and it was time for our classes to start. Checked in the girls and Drew and I headed over to our class. Mind you this is the 4th time I've taken this class, so the teacher smiles and says last time? I said yeah, he said good, one more and you'll be able to teach this class. hehe. After the first activity we went up to the African Mammal hall to find small creatures (our class is small wonders), so Drew wants carried, I do. I get about 1/2 way through the hall looking for small wonders and asking him questions when the answers are coming less and less.. yup, he fell asleep. He slept until we got back to the room, and it was time for story, at which point I woke him up. It was a great 15min. power nap!!! he really loved the rest of the class, and BONUS, he stayed DRY!!!!!! Came home, ate an early dinner, and I took Beth to her dad who took her to ballet, while I went to donate blood.. one more donation and I've got 3gallons!!! It's silly to be boastful about it, but I do feel good about doing this. After that, feeling good, I went shopping. Ikea, for a curtain wire for Tori and Katie's room, Wal-mart for a new purse for Beth (bday gift), bubble bath for kids, and other stuff, then the grocery store for lunches and dinner the rest of the week. I realize that's not exactly fun shopping, but when you get to go alone with no particular time clock ticking at you to hurry, it's nice!!! Now I'm off to bed....

Quick brag

I did it. the closet and both dressers are cleaned out and all clothes that do not fit are bagged for good will or my girlfriends' daughter. YAY!!! I only found one kitchen bag worth to chuck, and a full grocery to give to F. But it was a very needed job, as Katie wears a 5 to 6 depending on the style of outfit...we had some 3T's still her shorts...and 2-4 shirts, when she's a 6-8.  Drew inherted some of the shirts but several were too girly, he has plenty already, and he's wearing 4/5 depending on the shirt/style. So there's not much point in loading him with stuff that will likely only fit for a few months.

Ok, Off to eat my dinner.. I dont want it, but I must eat. It's corndogs, generally OK, just not what I'm in the mood for tonight.

Circus Fun

We had a blast. Got there for the animal meet/greet.. saw the tigers hanging out, and playing ball with eachother, no joke, they have a couple of soccer ball sized solid rubber balls and these cats are batting it around at eachother and growling.. it was really neat. One tiger was sitting in their "tub" cooling off. He looked like the "dad in the jacuzzi, watching his kids playing".  the show itself was fantastic.  Lots of acrobatics and clowns being silly. Some horses, zebras, llamas, dogs, Elephants and Tigers of course.  Some of the acrobats were incredible!!!!  during the preshow I obtained clown noses for each of the family. We are now full-fledged clowns in training. hehe.  Drew and Katie have to grow a little, as their noses aren't big enough for the clown nose to grab on to good. We also got two that light up, we're so cool now!!!

This morning I was lazy, as always, I finished Pride & prejudice. Gawd I could live in that time period as it is romantically portrayed in these movies. The gorgeous dresses, yummy foods, and the etiquette of the men/women.. <sigh> I'm such a goober.   Now I'm off to finish the ugly task of my darling daughters' closet. Tori and Katie have far too many clothes, and I just know they don't all fit.. and ugh! I just don't WANT to do this.. but it MUST be done.

Thursday

Parts of the day didn't go as planned. First C. overslept so I was late getting to my internship.. then I was informed that it's over, since I can't go to DC. They send the local group to DC and the DC group here. I can't go, so I'm done. I did get some good experience. So I'm ok with it.  Then the computer I was using at the office crashed, well, that sent me home early. Can't work without the puter. Got home, hung out with C. and the kids, and we invited her guy to dinner, and to our delight he accepted, and brought dessert. We had a BLAST!!! I hope he stays around for the long haul, he's fun, funny, and sweet!!! My kids loved him, Katie says he's handsome Tori says he's funny and Drew just pounced him constantly, which is his way of showing approval and liking of someone.  They didn't go until nearly 11pm, so needless to say I'm moving slow today. But, it was totally worth it.

 

Almost forgot...

Two cool things happened on Sunday. First I received notice that I have been given a scholarship from my church!!! Needless to say I was emotional over it, I wish I had the writing skills of several friends, so that I could properly pen my thanks.

Second thing, is just total fun. We got an email months ago letting us know about Mars being closest to earth it will be for the next several hundred years. The peak is mid-August, but being that C's kids were outta here Sunday night, we opted to drive out to the desert and use the eldest's telescope to get a good look.  We bbq'd for dinner, then for stalling tactics, we did a fire in the fire bowl, and roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. YUMMERS! At about 9:30pm we loaded cars and headed North/East.. got to our spot, set up the telescope and discovered it has a stability issue. So we ate cookies (second dessert), and farewelled to Tim and our kids, and C and I drove her kids to their dad's.. then home. It was great fun!!!!

surprise fun

So I am en route to ballet and get the wild idea to call my dad: wanna go to the Harp with me and the littles while Beth is in ballet.. to my amazement he says YES! So we grab him, drive through McD's for dinner, and head to ballet. About 1/2 way there Tim calls.. are you going to the Harp?? Yes, gotta drop kid off first.. why? I'm on my way!

so, totally cool, I got to spend an hour with Dad and Tim sipping pints in my favorite pub, with 3 of my 4 kids.. Drew needed a sedative, but really he was fine. I'm just ultra sensitive about behaviour in public places.  He was no louder than several of the adults there. Tori and Katie thought it was OK, but were really bummed to find out there would be no live music. I'll have to take them sometime when they have a Session.

Ok, gotta go watch The Incredibles with my youngin's.

 

13!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how many years we've been married now. Today is our anniversary!!! I look back on the last 13 years and am totally amazed at all we've done/survived/avoided...There's very little I'd like to take back/do over, mostly I look back with fondness, and wonder.  Now to look forward...I asked Tim where he saw us in 13 years from now? He thinks he'll be a signing architect, in his own/co-owned 3 - 5 man firm.  I'll likely be elected or appointed in some really great office doing "all that government stuff" .  Then we really thought about it.. in 13 years Beth will be 25, Tori 20, Katie 18, and my not quite 3 year old will be not quite 16... I look forward to watching them reach for their goals and dreams over these coming years.

To celebrate, we went to Olive Garden for dinner, one of our favorite restraunts. Then to see the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  We both really liked the movie, so that was good!!!  My in-laws watched the kids, and had a marvelous time doing so. :o)

Today Tim of course is working, I had a playdate this morning with one of Katie's friends. After it was over we lunched, and the littles are now resting. Beth went to see her friend. She has ballet tonight, so dinner will be early, and quick.  I still can't believe it's been 13 years.... :oD