I have just completed my fifth day of summer. School ended last Thursday as did the complete chaos.
I finished "checking out" of my class room today and when I asked my principal if I should turn in my key he said, "No!" I guess we can look at that as a good thing. Unfortunately he has very little, if any, impact on my fate in the district. But for now I've got my key and my bearded dragon isn't moving to my parent's garage, but staying in Room 3 for now.
Eric attended his old school's graduation and had a very warm reception of course. He finally felt contented enough in Claremont (heavy sigh of relief insert here) to go back to visit San Dimas. At Claremont's graduation ceremony he was asked by quite a few students (including the valedictorian) to hand them their diploma. Pretty cool for a first year teacher!
Zac completed Kindergarten with flying colors and is so excited to be a first grader. Claire is super excited to be almost a Kindergartner. She is a crack up!
Luke got his first bee sting today and survived. Wouldn't you know it, I stepped inside to use the facilities and when I returned Zac was yelling, "Luke got stung by a bee!" UGH! According to Zac, who by the way is being my very best stay at home and run errands buddy, the bee landed in the water table and Luke picked it up. Flash back to Zac at two years old except exchange water table for baby blow up pool.
Summer vacation is off to a great start! I have just a few goals to accomplish. Most are completely unrealistic, but aren't they always? I'll let you know when I loose 15lbs. and completely reorganize the house. ;)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Bubble Man
Back in April, during Spring Break, Eric and I took Zac and Claire to the Discovery Science Center. While there we saw a show with the amazing bubble man, Fan Yang. It was really cool for the kids and admittedly quite fascinating for the adults as well. It was a full production with colored strobe lights, techno music, and choreographed bubble art! Apparently it really struck a chord with Eric. He was truly inspired.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunshine
Today the sun is shining and things are looking brighter around this house! Here is what we are doing today on this lovely Sunday. (Yeah. Not church. Guilt.)
In the weeks before today we have battled the stomach flu (Happy Mother's Day to me!), completed a masters thesis (Eric), received a final notice of "Nonreemployment" (me), prepared for Open House (mine), and fought another asthma attack/pneumonia (Luke) - scariest episode yet! Once again without the help of family we wouldn't survive it at all! There are days, and I know at least one person reading this can bond;), that I don't think I can manage it all. I am amazed my friendships, and marriage have persevered with only a little reparable damage!
A few extras -
*Eric is not nonreemployed (my new favorite not real word). He got an intent to rehire letter. Yay!
*Claire - (throwing up) I feel like I'm going to cry. Me - It's ok to cry, you are really sick and it is no fun! Claire - OK... Waaaaahhhhhh!!!
*Zac - (After I told him I can't go to an event at his school.) I want my Butchy to go!
*Sara "graduated" from 5th grade. She is now an official Junior High kid! She is so excited!
*As I type this, Luke is running around the house, in a diaper, with a pacifier in his mouth, and a hand full of my tampons. I think it's a step up from the pooper scooper.
In the weeks before today we have battled the stomach flu (Happy Mother's Day to me!), completed a masters thesis (Eric), received a final notice of "Nonreemployment" (me), prepared for Open House (mine), and fought another asthma attack/pneumonia (Luke) - scariest episode yet! Once again without the help of family we wouldn't survive it at all! There are days, and I know at least one person reading this can bond;), that I don't think I can manage it all. I am amazed my friendships, and marriage have persevered with only a little reparable damage!
A few extras -
*Eric is not nonreemployed (my new favorite not real word). He got an intent to rehire letter. Yay!
*Claire - (throwing up) I feel like I'm going to cry. Me - It's ok to cry, you are really sick and it is no fun! Claire - OK... Waaaaahhhhhh!!!
*Zac - (After I told him I can't go to an event at his school.) I want my Butchy to go!
*Sara "graduated" from 5th grade. She is now an official Junior High kid! She is so excited!
*As I type this, Luke is running around the house, in a diaper, with a pacifier in his mouth, and a hand full of my tampons. I think it's a step up from the pooper scooper.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
2 in 1!
The new improved Pooper Scooper! As always it will help rid your yard of giant, fly attracting, piles of dog (and tortoise) poop! But now, the new improved Pooper Scooper will provide hours of entertainment to 12 - 13 month old boys! The rake in one hand, the scoop in the other. Drag them around the yard and bang them on the ground. There is just too much fun to be had!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Hillarious!
Claire and I went to a birthday party today for two male twins. It was a super hero party and Batman came! Claire was terrified! But being the good girl she is, she so wanted to cooperate and do what Batman asked of her. For the first game she stood in line, just like he asked, she shouted "yes", just like he asked, all the while wiping the tears from her eyes.
The second game they brought out a parachute and Claire relaxed and had a great time. His cape touched her once and she thought that was soooo funny!
The third game required the kids to gather on the grass with Batman. His assistant turned on the Batman theme song so I thought it was a perfect time to get some video footage. I have always wanted a video like this. I hope to send it in to AFV. I'm sure you have seen it before, just not with Claire in it.
Now watch it again and you can see the moment she looks back at Batman and quickly decides to get the heck out!
Don't worry. She isn't too scarred. She worked up enough courage to give him a hi-five before he left back to his Bat cave.
The second game they brought out a parachute and Claire relaxed and had a great time. His cape touched her once and she thought that was soooo funny!
The third game required the kids to gather on the grass with Batman. His assistant turned on the Batman theme song so I thought it was a perfect time to get some video footage. I have always wanted a video like this. I hope to send it in to AFV. I'm sure you have seen it before, just not with Claire in it.
Now watch it again and you can see the moment she looks back at Batman and quickly decides to get the heck out!
Don't worry. She isn't too scarred. She worked up enough courage to give him a hi-five before he left back to his Bat cave.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Ballet Update
Thankfully I didn't mention to Claire on the way to ballet anything about the galloping. Since the teacher didn't ask them to gallop at all! :/ I kept waiting to hear the music, watching through the tiny window to see Claire's excitement. It never happened. But, there was another little dance that the teacher always held Claire's hand for that she did all by herself this week. (Did I mention Claire is the youngest in this class?) The teacher praised her and Claire beamed.
As we are leaving ballet and walking to the car, Claire gallops all the way. Just in time, her teacher opens the door and sees her. It was perfect! Her teacher got excited and praised her once again. Shew!! No esteem damage today!
As we are leaving ballet and walking to the car, Claire gallops all the way. Just in time, her teacher opens the door and sees her. It was perfect! Her teacher got excited and praised her once again. Shew!! No esteem damage today!
Monday, April 26, 2010
April
April is by far the busiest month for my family. I have such guilt that I haven't found time to blog about Luke's first birthday until now!
We had the best celebration ever. We all wore Notre Dame gear for the football themed event and Eric happily shared his many jerseys with family and friends. We devoured lots of yummy appetizers and beer. Eric played the longest game of football ever attempted in our back yard. Although Luke had no clue what was going on I think he enjoyed himself!
Now that he is an official 1 year old he is busy walking everywhere, pointing and saying, "Mmm!" It sounds like he's also saying "Mama" but I will admit it could just be babble. He loves to hug and he gives giant, open mouthed kisses. He thinks pulling his brother and sister's hair is really funny. It wasn't as cute when he tried to do it at church school to another baby! So we are working on that one! He is easily entertained by things like opening and closing doors and cupboards, water splashing, and always singing! He is quick to eat any disgusting item within reach. More than my other kids ever did. This includes a lot of dirt and sand. Thank God for the magical-keep my mouth busy-jewel also know as the pacifier. Most of all he is adorable and incredibly smart! It has amazed me, after having each one of my kids, how it feels like they were always there. It has been the fastest, most challenging, at times overwhelming, and most fabulous year of our lives! Yay Luke J.!
Zac had a few milestones this month. The first being a second trip to the Principal's office. Yes. The second. In the same month. Awesome! The first was no big deal. He and his best buddy were caught playing the infamous game, "If you don't like the smell of a flower then punch me in the stomach." When I asked Zac how it felt to be sent to the Principal's office he replied, "It smelled good." Yikes!
The second trip began with a spitting on the arm activity and sand that somehow evolved into a spit on your privates game. Oh the joys of 6 year old boys! The other 2 boys and their mothers (who thank goodness are so ultra cool!), Zac, (Luke) and I were pulled into the classroom with their teacher after school. She closed the doors and suddenly it felt a bit hot and stuffy-ish in there. After a humiliating talking to where my son, "the boss," only embarrassed me 3 times to be exact we quickly walked to the car where I could safely close the doors for my official chewing out. After no TV for a week and no Wii for the weekend we are back on track. I pray. The positive lesson we got from this was that Zac has great leadership potential. He speaks up for himself and isn't intimidated by authority. (Not positive the last one is a good thing.) So Eric and I now see our mission. How do we foster these skills in a positive way? Please email with any suggestions. :)
His second milestone was that he was one of 4 Kindergartners and the first in his class to complete 25 miles in the 100 mile club. He was presented a special shirt at an assembly and proudly wears it every Monday when they run. So cool!
Claire's accomplishments this month are skipping and galloping. She started her "real ballet" at the Village Dance Arts. She was mortified the first day when everyone could skip except her. All she could do was gallop. (It also didn't help that I thought she wasn't allowed to wear a skirt and all the other girls came in with ridiculously fancy ballet skirts. Aaww the joys of parenting and the guilt!) So we went home and she got it that night. I so wish I had a camera for the look on her face when it clicked! The next week at ballet she proudly showed off her new skill. But then the teacher put on a different song and asked the kids to gallop. Suddenly all Claire could do was skip! Now here we are 3 weeks later and we've go the gallop skill back. Tomorrow she will have the chance to show it off. When you are 4, these things are BIG! To be continued...
We had the best celebration ever. We all wore Notre Dame gear for the football themed event and Eric happily shared his many jerseys with family and friends. We devoured lots of yummy appetizers and beer. Eric played the longest game of football ever attempted in our back yard. Although Luke had no clue what was going on I think he enjoyed himself!
Now that he is an official 1 year old he is busy walking everywhere, pointing and saying, "Mmm!" It sounds like he's also saying "Mama" but I will admit it could just be babble. He loves to hug and he gives giant, open mouthed kisses. He thinks pulling his brother and sister's hair is really funny. It wasn't as cute when he tried to do it at church school to another baby! So we are working on that one! He is easily entertained by things like opening and closing doors and cupboards, water splashing, and always singing! He is quick to eat any disgusting item within reach. More than my other kids ever did. This includes a lot of dirt and sand. Thank God for the magical-keep my mouth busy-jewel also know as the pacifier. Most of all he is adorable and incredibly smart! It has amazed me, after having each one of my kids, how it feels like they were always there. It has been the fastest, most challenging, at times overwhelming, and most fabulous year of our lives! Yay Luke J.!
Zac had a few milestones this month. The first being a second trip to the Principal's office. Yes. The second. In the same month. Awesome! The first was no big deal. He and his best buddy were caught playing the infamous game, "If you don't like the smell of a flower then punch me in the stomach." When I asked Zac how it felt to be sent to the Principal's office he replied, "It smelled good." Yikes!
The second trip began with a spitting on the arm activity and sand that somehow evolved into a spit on your privates game. Oh the joys of 6 year old boys! The other 2 boys and their mothers (who thank goodness are so ultra cool!), Zac, (Luke) and I were pulled into the classroom with their teacher after school. She closed the doors and suddenly it felt a bit hot and stuffy-ish in there. After a humiliating talking to where my son, "the boss," only embarrassed me 3 times to be exact we quickly walked to the car where I could safely close the doors for my official chewing out. After no TV for a week and no Wii for the weekend we are back on track. I pray. The positive lesson we got from this was that Zac has great leadership potential. He speaks up for himself and isn't intimidated by authority. (Not positive the last one is a good thing.) So Eric and I now see our mission. How do we foster these skills in a positive way? Please email with any suggestions. :)
His second milestone was that he was one of 4 Kindergartners and the first in his class to complete 25 miles in the 100 mile club. He was presented a special shirt at an assembly and proudly wears it every Monday when they run. So cool!
Claire's accomplishments this month are skipping and galloping. She started her "real ballet" at the Village Dance Arts. She was mortified the first day when everyone could skip except her. All she could do was gallop. (It also didn't help that I thought she wasn't allowed to wear a skirt and all the other girls came in with ridiculously fancy ballet skirts. Aaww the joys of parenting and the guilt!) So we went home and she got it that night. I so wish I had a camera for the look on her face when it clicked! The next week at ballet she proudly showed off her new skill. But then the teacher put on a different song and asked the kids to gallop. Suddenly all Claire could do was skip! Now here we are 3 weeks later and we've go the gallop skill back. Tomorrow she will have the chance to show it off. When you are 4, these things are BIG! To be continued...
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