Take a Dive

So, I'm back after a small hiatus. It's weird how this blogging is beginning to remind me of journal writing. When I used to get behind on my journal writing, I'd just bag it, feel guilty and give up, figuring it would take too much time and writing to catch up on all I'd missed since my last entry. I guess I've been feeling that way about my blog. Oh well, for the sake of maintaining some sort of family history, I'll summarize with a little pictorial of the past weeks.
End of the year parties were mellow, laid back and very fun. Required very little effort on my part. Abstaining from room parent this year proved to be delightfully enjoyable.

David finished his first year of PEPP with Mr. Jones and Mrs. Norris. Big news for us is, PUSD has finally caved and decided to implement full day kindergarten this fall. *imagine me doing cartwheels here* David and I are thrilled with he decision. He's dying to go to school with the big kids all day and I feel he is more than ready. (Here's David breaking through the "Summer's Here!" banner)
I couldn't resist and unleashed all these puppies on the boys when they got home from the last day of school. Then I took out the hose and attacked. It was quite fun. Noone even called CPS on me.
June 14th was the day we celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Their love story is inspiring. We had a wonderful party with many of their good friends in attendance. Of course, the party was so enjoyable that once it got started, I forgot to take pictures. So, the only pictures I have are of the food tables. Just imagine yourself there having fun with lots of fun, old people. (hee heee)

The food really turned out delicious and the flowers are decorations were just right. We made sure Mom stayed in her room with Dad until the last few minutes before the party started.

It was so much fun for Chris and I to plan and put this party together. It was a night we'll always remember.
The next week involved lots of working (me and Mark) and all kinds of working Mom angst. The final result: I made a bold move and told work I was taking the summer off to be with my kids. Can't get this time back, right? It's a leap of faith, but one that's worth taking. Next project for me: re instituting a daily nap time for myself. (Abby's got this one all figured out).
Here come the lazy days of summer!Summer Reading Club
Primary Olympics Activity

Dejavu

I confess I had multiple crushes back in the day on boys wearing this uniform. Now I'm totally enamored for a much better reason. Reminds me of the olden days on the Titan field, pretending to watch the game, but really only watching the boys. I have a feeling I will be doing much the same thing this time around. Makes me feel old...


Big news around here this morning. David "assisted" James in finally dislodging his dangling front tooth. It didn't take much more than a "shoulder punch" during the boy's morning wrestling match to pop that puppy out. James was estactic and David was quite proud too.

Never Say Never

This was a week of testing old limitations. This is one thing I love about life, just when I think I've got everything pretty much figured out, things happen that surprise me.
Photographic evidence of shattered misbeliefs...

"I don't sew, also I don't read patterns."

"I don't throw together fairy tale costumes in 20 minutes."

"I don't let them wear their pajamas to school."

"I don't think that many will fit in a box."

"I don't think he'll really do it."

"I don't like donuts, I don't think I can find any more delicious treats from a can..."

"I don't think I'll get Mark to buy me a new car for a long, long time."

"I don't care."

"I don't think he'll want to dance."

"I don't think they'll sit still that long."

"I don't think they can get any cuter."

All in all, a fabulous week. What do you know?

Week In Review

This week has been a typically busy week. Nana set off on her new adventure to Oakley, Idaho. We already miss her lots. But, we are excited for her new home and the projects she's anxious to get started on. We had swim lessons(Abby), soccer game(Mom), and two baseball games(James). The boys also had an excellent time seeing the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Here's some highlights....

Abby is loving her swim lessons with Miss Nicole. She wants to learn to "swim like Ariel"-great motivation! She's easily anad happily going underwater and attempting to swim to the side on her own. She's making great progress.

I had my second soccer game this week. Luckily, we played another very nice team. I'm quite nervous for the time we play a team that really put their full effort into knocking our socks off. So far, they have been kind and we've been globbered. I am feeling aches and pains in parts of my leg I"ve never felt before. It is lods of fun and the best part is the great feeling when it's over and I get to go home and take a hot bath and go to bed. I come home feeling wiped out, in a good way!(l-r, me, Gerilyn, Amy, Mindi(team captain, cheerleader, coach),Amanda)Don't you think I need some soccer socks and/or new shin guards?!

Thursday I had the day off so of course I had to try to cram a week's worth of housework into one day. It reminds me of the time before I had kids and I used to think of all the things I'd do because I have tons of free time when I was at home full time. Somehow, reality hits and only about 50% of what I imagined gets accomplished. Anyways, I've been obssesing over the summer and how wonderful it's going to be because I am going to be super organized and have tons of fun activities planned for my kids, and of course I will be able to totally relax and enjoy time with my kids because of my awesome prep and organization. See how working warps the brain? The first step in the process involved setting up my swim suit zone. I needed a place in the garage where the kids can hang their wet suits and towels when we get home from the beach or pool. I came up with this in hopes of avoiding hanging wet suits and towels all over random tall objects in the garage. I splurged by getting new towels and a basket for dry suits. I've also moved the big schedule board out to the garage.

Every good Mom takes her kids to the park on her day off! David had a blast with these girls.

Indiana and the Crystal Skull. He's embracing his inner adventurer.

Baseball has been very very good to me....We're winding up the season. I keep thinking it's the last game and then they add another one. It's a slow torture. But, on a good note, James made two hits on Saturday-in one game! That makes a grand total of four hits this season. I can barely keep count now. His second hit yesterday was even a "real one" not just a bunt. Very exciting! The excitement continued when the coach rewarded him by letting him play pitcher for the last inning and awarding him the game ball. Meanwhile his bratty teamate pouted about not getting the gameball to which his Dad consoled him by saying, within our whole fmaily's earshot mind you, that everyone knows James only got the gameball because he's not that good of a hitter and he finally had a good hit and everyone knows you really deserved the game ball blah blah blah....argh!!! I couldn't help but think, dude, you are so lucky his Granny and Grandpa aren't here to hear you say that cuz it would get ugly fast! All I can say is good riddance, bad sport!(same guy who loudly told his kid to shut up! a couple of weeks ago, much to James' horror) I'm so proud of James. Mainly becasue he has stuck with this baseball thing and conquered it on his terms. He is always a good sport and even cheers on his friends on opposing teams. He's just a nice kid. Yesterday he on his own picked out candy to buy with his snack money for David and Abby. Then he tossed the game ball around with them. By the way, he's never pouted once about not getting the game ball, only bubbled over with joy when he does get it. Love that kid.... Next game(maybe hopefullythe last???)-Tuesday 5pm.