Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Next week is the last week of school for both kiddos. We decided we are going to take the summer off from formal school, especially since B will be starting Full-Day Kindergarten in September. I also decided to withdraw G from her gymnastics class for the summer. I am not sure who will have more trouble with our less structured schedule, me or the kids. Then again, they won't be sitting around watching TV all summer. Super Annie will be joining us several times a week and we've signed up for a few fun events (Safety Town, t-ball, golf camp, Munchkins Sports). I hope the summer will bring lots of time outside in our yard, the local parks, play dates with dear friends and some quality time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I don't think these two will mind the "break" at all!

Keeping it Real

Yes. I love to brag about my beautiful kids. They are both photogenic (when they feel like cooperating). This isn't always the case. Now, we get to be very picky with our photos because we get lots of gems (as illustrated by the new header and border photos I added today). But I thought it would be fun to "show off" those that didn't make the cut.

How does my string-bean of a boy look so chubby??

Photographer wanted them to go in circles. Didn't work.

Most honest expression of the entire session, but not sure I wanted to pay to memorialize the attitude I get to deal with too often these days.

We did order this one...

Last photo...WE ARE DONE, MOM!!!

Matching Dresses

Yes, they match. Yes, this indulgent parent took the kids to Build-a-
Bear just because. Do I feel bad about it? Nope. Not today.

P.S. She picked the name, "Meow Meow Kitty." Didn't want anyone to think we refer to a cat as a "meow meow".

As heard in the car today....

G said, "I want goldfish (crackers)!"

Mom said, "What is missing from that statement?"

G replied, "Crying?"

Sent from my iPhone

It's Time

...for a big bed. This is during nap AFTER I removed 3 large books
from under her legs. No matter how much I take out of her bed, as soon
as I leave the room, she fills it up again.

As heard on the golf course on Sunday...

B teed off and made contact. The ball bounced then dribbled off the
tee box and into the long grass about 1 yard away.

T says, "OK Buddy. Go get your ball."

B responds, "Do I need to use my ball mark, Dad?"

T says with a huge smile on his face, "Nope. Not this time. Maybe when
we get to the green."

Mother's Day Golf Day

Go Fly A Kite

We spent a few days with Cousin A and her parents last week. The kids were great - first time we've flown just the three of us. It's a short flight, but I was a bit nervous. They carried their own wheely bags and sat quietly in their seats (thanks to a little iPhone entertainment). We actually ran into friends at the airport who were on our flight - very small world. Nice to spend an hour catching up.

We joined A at her gymnastics class. All of them had a blast.

The little princesses had fun wearing matching night gowns after their bath.

Not to be left out, B got into the photo session too.

We spent some time at the local Discovery Center. Both B and I enjoyed the bed of nails.

The kids spent some time in the windy sunshine on A's new play structure.

Windy days allowed for a little kite flying before we left for the airport.

Last but not least, Foster Puppy, Juno, enjoyed the kite flying, too.

They are watching Juno while her family is spending time in the NICU with their 28 week baby. Always good to pay it forward.

Sick Mama Rant

I am not a fan of the word "HATE". I try to avoid it. However, I think when it comes to the flu, HATE is appropriate. I HATE THE FLU. I HATE FEELING THIS WAY. I hate feeling like I've been hit by a truck. I hate feeling pain in every hair follicle on my body. I hate not being able to take care of my family. I hate caring for my sick kids wondering when and if I will get it, too, because this year, I have gotten sick each and every time they have had a stomach virus. I hate that my hands are raw from washing them about 20 times per hour. I am frustrated that both kids missed an entire week of school, especially when they have less than one month left for this year. I am frustrated that I have not had a chance to work out all week when I am intended to run a 5K in 2 weeks. I am frustrated that we are going to miss a great auction tomorrow because I haven't left the house in a week and don't think I should infect a room full of charitable people. We have friends who have been working hard for Ethiopian Orphan Relief and we are going to miss the big night.

Enough complaining...

I am so thankful that we have family members who live close and who can help care for the kids when I am too sick to get out of bed. I am thankful that we have great doctors, clean water, electrolyte solution and other goodies that keep us hydrated and out of the hospital. (It is not lost on me that this type of flu could literally kill us if we lived in a under developed country.) I am thankful that I have a spouse who puts everything on hold (even when that seems impossible) to watch the kids, run errands or bring me a pint of Ben & Jerry's (now that my appetite is back). I am thankful that I have the energy to turn on the computer (that I have a computer to turn on and internet at my house, too) and complain via this blog about my crummy week.

All in the Family

After B's bowling party, we returned to our house to open up presents with cousin B. I wish I had video taped the process because cousin B provided the most hilarious color commentary.

"Open the card first Do you need help What did you get Legos Wow, those are really cool Are you ready for the next one Don't forget the card What is it Oh, Bakugan I Love Bakugan Those are great Can we play with some of your new toys These are awesome."

Happy Birthday B!

We gathered some friends and family at a local bowling alley to celebrate B's big day. With LOTS of help from parents and grandparents, the kids all seemed to enjoy their time bowling and playing in the arcade.

I tried to get B to pose with all of his friends who joined us.

B recently declared that "F" (in pink) is his girlfriend. Since the declaration came out of the blue and was accompanied by an extra pink glow in his cheeks, I think he meant he likes her more than just being a girl who is his friend. I am not sure she knows that she is his girlfriend. She is very sweet to him, but I don't know that those kinds of feelings are mutual. Oh well. As long as she continues to treat him with such kindness, it is hard to complain about the arrangement!

I am not sure what these two ladies were up to, but they were having a great time!

In all of the rush to celebrate, we didn't stop and take any photos of the four of us together. The closest we got was when T & I delivered treats to B's class the following day.

You Gotta Have Friends

We were visited by my good college friend, former roommate, and sorority sister, C, with her son, M. They came up for a few days to enjoy our sunny weather. (Ha ha - they are from the Bay Area, which has been unseasonably wet so they did enjoy the dry weather while in our neck of the woods.) We spent time at the zoo and two local museums. The kids had fun with M - he'll be 4 in August so he fit right in.

Yes, this is "self" face painting at the local children's museum. Fortunately, it comes off.

Notice, G is wearing pants while the boys are both sporting dresses. We are all about gender neutrality, so if the boys want to wear princess dresses, who am I to say no? Granted, I made sure to get photos so that I can remind them of this later (maybe Prom night or their wedding rehearsal dinner...)

We were so happy to see C & M. Wish we lived closer and got to see them more often, but thankful for the fun times we have when we do get together.

Keep an Eye Out for the Water Bill

Laundry. I have been doing an obscene amount of laundry over the last few days. Why? First, we spent a few days visiting my sister. After any trip away from home, we always tend to have a backlog of laundry. Add to this issue the fact that my sister has a long-haired cat and T is allergic to cats (leads me wash EVERYTHING as soon as we return lest he become one big hive). My sister is also currently caring for a long-haired dog, so we brought lots of dog hair home, too. Second, the day after our return G decided to get the flu. It started in the car, then continued into the parking lot and all over me. Since G has a habit of getting car sick, I wasn't really worried, until she woke up at 1 am sick in her crib. She is only 2, so every time she got sick (several over the next 36 hour period) despite her efforts to make it to some kind of basin, most often her aim was off and lots of laundry needed to be done as a result. Good news is that her favorite lovey is machine washable. Even better news, she seems to be back to her old self as of this evening. Phew.

I have been planning to post pictures from B's birthday celebrations as well as our trip to the great state of Idaho. But, there is another batch of laundry to fold.