Thursday, September 22, 2011
New Boo
I had a few spare minutes
Each year since she's needed a backpack, I've tried to make an original bag for Mikayla to take to school. This year has been so busy that she had to use her bag from last year for the first few weeks until I could actually sit down and make her a new one.
Finally, I had some time so here it is! Fairies, butterflies, and bling. The green thing on the side is meant for her water bottle. It fits but it's not entirely secure so it may get cut off soon.
Now my sewing machine will be put away for a while...
Finally, I had some time so here it is! Fairies, butterflies, and bling. The green thing on the side is meant for her water bottle. It fits but it's not entirely secure so it may get cut off soon.
Now my sewing machine will be put away for a while...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
...and the shoe went flying!
You know how, when you're a parent, at times it seems like what you say doesn't mean a whole lot? Part of that realization comes from the fact that you have to keep saying things over and over and over and over...and over and over (I think you get the point). Another part comes from the fact that, even though you say things again and again, your kids just won't get it until the thing that you told them would happen...happens.
I'm not talking about discipline here. No, I'm talking about parental wisdom imparted to my young. You know, the kind that, if they listened, would make life so much easier? I feel like I've lived through quite a few "scenarios," made plenty of mistakes that I've definitely learned from (for the most part), and honestly feel as though my opinion should have some merit. I am, after all, older than them by a long shot. I guess what I'm saying here, is that my children should listen to what I have to say, and think, "you know, mom has a point, I should listen to her." I just know my own mom and dad are laughing right about now.
Alas, I guess that's only in a princess's fairy tale. Last I checked, I don't wear a crown nor am I a perfect size 4. Fairy tale this is not...
I'd like to share a few examples of when my wisdom should have been heeded, just to merely make myself feel better, and to make life quite a bit easier for my offspring.
Example #1 - I dared suggest today, while we were shopping for shoes, that Lynnea not bring her lick-em-stick from her candy into the store. Me: "Lynnea, if you bring that and it gets lost or broken, it's gone forever! Mommy's not getting you another one and all of that yummy lick-em-stick powder will have to be eaten with your finger." Lynnea brought it in anyway. And it broke. And she cried.
Example #2: "Tyler, please don't step on things. You're going to hurt yourself really badly or break something." Keep in mind I've probably said this about 2,325,689 times since my 5 year old was born. What does he do? He steps on a low kiddie table, slips, and falls...badly. My "wisdom" so far, has not been taken seriously. He insists he's all right and then steps on something else. I grit my teeth.
Example #3, in my opinion, is the best. And the most common in this household as of late. My 8 year old has been trying to demonstrate her desire to be independent. Most of the time it goes something like this,"You need to read 20 minutes tonight..." interjected quickly by "I know" said by 8 year old. Most of the time, I just let her do what she wants to do and learn the hard way. That's how today came about...
Soccer is a demanding sport that requires a lot of running...and good, well-tied shoes. Since we've begun practice, I've tried to tell Mikayla that her glittery Sketchers (with no shoe laces) will not do the job of kicking a soccer ball. I've tried! She accommodated me for the first game but apparently couldn't remember what I had said the second week. Practice went fine...in her Sketchers. I again told her that those weren't the correct shoes and that she'd have to wear her sneakers to the game.
In the hurry to get out the door (we had 4 hours but that, apparently, wasn't enough time for her to get ready...really, don't get me started on the "ready" thing) Mikayla wore her Sketchers. I noticed them when we got to the soccer field. You'll never guess what happened next.
Let me set the scene...
2 teams of 3rd and 4th grade girls, with coaches, with a referee
50 plus parents in the stands
intense game with yelling and shoe screeching (indoor soccer)
Sweat
a close score
ball rolls to Mikayla (as it has plenty of times)
Mikayla kicks the ball.....
...and the shoe goes flying....
I think the embarrassment of having to put the shoe on amidst the laughter should remind her to listen to the wisdom of her mother. I can only hope....
I'm not talking about discipline here. No, I'm talking about parental wisdom imparted to my young. You know, the kind that, if they listened, would make life so much easier? I feel like I've lived through quite a few "scenarios," made plenty of mistakes that I've definitely learned from (for the most part), and honestly feel as though my opinion should have some merit. I am, after all, older than them by a long shot. I guess what I'm saying here, is that my children should listen to what I have to say, and think, "you know, mom has a point, I should listen to her." I just know my own mom and dad are laughing right about now.
Alas, I guess that's only in a princess's fairy tale. Last I checked, I don't wear a crown nor am I a perfect size 4. Fairy tale this is not...
I'd like to share a few examples of when my wisdom should have been heeded, just to merely make myself feel better, and to make life quite a bit easier for my offspring.
Example #1 - I dared suggest today, while we were shopping for shoes, that Lynnea not bring her lick-em-stick from her candy into the store. Me: "Lynnea, if you bring that and it gets lost or broken, it's gone forever! Mommy's not getting you another one and all of that yummy lick-em-stick powder will have to be eaten with your finger." Lynnea brought it in anyway. And it broke. And she cried.
Example #2: "Tyler, please don't step on things. You're going to hurt yourself really badly or break something." Keep in mind I've probably said this about 2,325,689 times since my 5 year old was born. What does he do? He steps on a low kiddie table, slips, and falls...badly. My "wisdom" so far, has not been taken seriously. He insists he's all right and then steps on something else. I grit my teeth.
Example #3, in my opinion, is the best. And the most common in this household as of late. My 8 year old has been trying to demonstrate her desire to be independent. Most of the time it goes something like this,"You need to read 20 minutes tonight..." interjected quickly by "I know" said by 8 year old. Most of the time, I just let her do what she wants to do and learn the hard way. That's how today came about...
Soccer is a demanding sport that requires a lot of running...and good, well-tied shoes. Since we've begun practice, I've tried to tell Mikayla that her glittery Sketchers (with no shoe laces) will not do the job of kicking a soccer ball. I've tried! She accommodated me for the first game but apparently couldn't remember what I had said the second week. Practice went fine...in her Sketchers. I again told her that those weren't the correct shoes and that she'd have to wear her sneakers to the game.
In the hurry to get out the door (we had 4 hours but that, apparently, wasn't enough time for her to get ready...really, don't get me started on the "ready" thing) Mikayla wore her Sketchers. I noticed them when we got to the soccer field. You'll never guess what happened next.
Let me set the scene...
2 teams of 3rd and 4th grade girls, with coaches, with a referee
50 plus parents in the stands
intense game with yelling and shoe screeching (indoor soccer)
Sweat
a close score
ball rolls to Mikayla (as it has plenty of times)
Mikayla kicks the ball.....
...and the shoe goes flying....
I think the embarrassment of having to put the shoe on amidst the laughter should remind her to listen to the wisdom of her mother. I can only hope....
Friday, September 16, 2011
Time Together
We went to one of my favorite places of all time - the Hollywood Bowl. Tchaikovsky was playing that night so we enjoyed a great show.
I'll spare you the details about how we almost didn't make the bus to the event, how we sat by a less-than-pleasant "couple" and how late our kids went to bed that night.
We need to do it more often, definitely...ok, next time I hope it's missing the last 3 "details."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Soccer Begins!
Tyler & Mikayla had their first soccer games this last Saturday.
Tyler's game was quite hilarious. It was pretty much a bunch of little kids chasing the ball.
No one guarded the poor goalie. My son definitely had his eye on the ball but he wasn't one to just jump in and claim it as his own. I'm sure it will get better as the season progresses.
Unfortunately, when Mikayla played later, I didn't get any photos. We were on time (which meant we were a tad late) and they had started without us. That, and keeping 2 young children interested in something other than climbing the crowded grandstand, was enough to make me not want to pull out the camera. Next week, I promise!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A Fair Day at the Fair
Never been to the LA Fair. At least not that I can remember. I usually visit when it comes to the good old OC.However, yesterday the entry fee before 1:00pm was a whopping $1 instead of $17 so it felt worth it. Of course, the news story on the stabbing that occurred the day before was a tad disconcerting but we decided to brave the crowds and head to the "land that takes all of your money" anyway. Seriously. It took all of our money. $20 for 40 tickets makes you feel like you're gonna get a lot of rides in, right? 2 rides later...tickets gone. No, really! Really? We're in an economic slump here, folks, and you're charging $3 per ride? Oh, and the $10 fries and $6 hot dog also really worked out the wallet. Well, no matter the major rip-off, we bought a few tickets and the kids rode some rides. I felt the need to take a photo to document the 1 minute of sheer delight my children got out of said $3. I must admit, it was worth it for these faces...
Sheer joy - that was the only ride Lynnea rode on. Everything else was "too scary."
The three kids had a blast.
We went with some friends and this was the picture we got when we said, "silly faces!" I'm not entirely sure if Mikayla's face is silly...or something else....but it wasn't difficult to bring the tongues out.
Later in the afternoon, we caught a bird show. I won't mention the fact that it felt like 110 degrees outside and the only option for sitting were benches painted black. I honestly think I saw steam coming from the paint so I opted to stand in the sweltering heat...with my youngest on my shoulders. The things we do for our kids, I tell ya.The show was entertaining if a little bit on the edge (I think the guy had a little bitterness about his ex-wife since he kept the jokes focused on relationships, or lack thereof) but the birds were beautiful and the kids got to hold the star of the show.
He actually left it on Tyler's arm for a while as he rounded up his little parrots from gathering dollar bills. After a few seconds, Tyler's arm started dropping due to the sheer weight of his winged friend.
At the end of the day, we were tired but enjoyed every minute. I think I drank more water yesterday than any other day of my life. Crowds, heat, sugar and fried foods are a once-a-year thing for this mother of three.
We Love Gramps!
This picture really needs no words - it's worth 1000 or more! Gramps, you are so loved, by your children, by your grandchildren, and by all who know you. Thank you for who you are, for being an example in how you live your life, and for loving us the way you do. 
Happy Birthday, Gramps!
Happy Birthday, Gramps!
First Day!
My little guy started school last week. Yes, I cried. I actually cried as I was making lunches the night before. Pretty hard! I wasn't expecting that. I think I'm emotional because I'm losing my little cuddler to friends, homework, and school days. I know he's ready. I know I will be soon. It's just hard to believe that this little guy...
...is now a kindergartner. Excuse me while I grab some kleenex...And then there's this beautiful lady. 3rd grade! Friends galore! Excellent student! I couldn't be prouder and I thank God every day for blessing me with her. She has become my friend, not just my daughter, and that is a wonderful thing.
Here's Tyler in his first kindergarten line EVER. Yes, the little girl behind him is on a cell phone....these times we live in, huh?
Happy School Year, everyone!!
Billy
Introducing our newest family member!
So we've killed off all of the other mini pets (Lizzie the lizard, Oreo the dwarf hamster, Anthony, the fish...and several others) and, wisely, decided to attempt a larger pet this time.
A guinea pig.
Ah...brings back so many memories for me. Memories of me and my sister spending hours playing with them, feeding them, strapping leashes on them for the long walk from the sidewalk to the grass. No, guinea pigs aren't made for walking. The whole leash thing was a joke.
So much fun...not the allergies, though. See, I had developed allergies to these little guys after a few years of ownership and was absolutely against my children ever owning one.
However, I know kids like to touch, play with, and interact with their pets. After experiencing the ownership of our little dwarf hamster, I realized the kids were terrified of it, regardless of how tiny it was. Actually, they were more afraid of those 4 little rodent teeth that it used for defense. I know you're thinking to yourself, "do those things really bite that hard?" My husband would say, "indeed, they do." You see, he loved "trying" to pick up little Oreo and would usually end up taking the little guy for a ride halfway to the top of the cage - hanging on for dear life with his teeth.
So the kids were a little frightened...and who wouldn't be? I guess I can say I was the only one that wasn't. I cleaned the cage, I held it, I loved it, but I wanted something that they could love on too. When Oreo bit the dust earlier this year (all my fault, those tempting little cherry tomatoes) I thought it would be fun to let my kids experience the joy of actually holding and playing with a pet.
Long story even longer, that's how we ended up finding little Billy. How do I know it's a boy? Well, the internet is a wonderful thing - I did a little research before we went "pig" shopping. I don't think it matters whether you have a boy or a girl because this guy is pretty mellow and usually it's the males who get rough. The main reason? I didn't want to call it Princess if it was a Prince...
So we've killed off all of the other mini pets (Lizzie the lizard, Oreo the dwarf hamster, Anthony, the fish...and several others) and, wisely, decided to attempt a larger pet this time.A guinea pig.
Ah...brings back so many memories for me. Memories of me and my sister spending hours playing with them, feeding them, strapping leashes on them for the long walk from the sidewalk to the grass. No, guinea pigs aren't made for walking. The whole leash thing was a joke.
So much fun...not the allergies, though. See, I had developed allergies to these little guys after a few years of ownership and was absolutely against my children ever owning one.
However, I know kids like to touch, play with, and interact with their pets. After experiencing the ownership of our little dwarf hamster, I realized the kids were terrified of it, regardless of how tiny it was. Actually, they were more afraid of those 4 little rodent teeth that it used for defense. I know you're thinking to yourself, "do those things really bite that hard?" My husband would say, "indeed, they do." You see, he loved "trying" to pick up little Oreo and would usually end up taking the little guy for a ride halfway to the top of the cage - hanging on for dear life with his teeth.
So the kids were a little frightened...and who wouldn't be? I guess I can say I was the only one that wasn't. I cleaned the cage, I held it, I loved it, but I wanted something that they could love on too. When Oreo bit the dust earlier this year (all my fault, those tempting little cherry tomatoes) I thought it would be fun to let my kids experience the joy of actually holding and playing with a pet.
Long story even longer, that's how we ended up finding little Billy. How do I know it's a boy? Well, the internet is a wonderful thing - I did a little research before we went "pig" shopping. I don't think it matters whether you have a boy or a girl because this guy is pretty mellow and usually it's the males who get rough. The main reason? I didn't want to call it Princess if it was a Prince...
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