This Moment

Playing along with Soulemama. But this is actually from the 4th of July. I just finally uploaded the pictures and I love this one.

This Moment

Playing along with soulemama.

Third Baby's Second Birthday

Did you follow? My last little guy has hit his first even number- 2! We had a great little get together Saturday night with cake and ice cream, candy, and lots of play time. It was especially fun because he shared his birthday with my dad and brother whose birthdays are around the same time. I made my grandma's green pozole and the kids played out side in the very cold evening. The picture below is of my dad and brother. The next one is of E coloring his Blues Clues paper. He loves Blues Clues. Chris also bought E wrestling head gear. I think he likes it. Today is E's real birthday and he brought cookies to day care and went to story time. We also got 4 gold fish- 3 of which are still alive- Goldie, Spotty, and Carlson. We'll see how it goes... Happy Birthday love bug!

New Year's Eve

I welcome 2011, simply because I kept writing 2001 on my checks. I'd get all dyslexic when I wrote out all the numbers. 2010 was a good year.

- E grew into an amazing toddler full of personality.

-C started Kindergarten and scored 29 goals in his first soccer season.

-S turned out to be a real whiz at math.

But also, we learned to be more patient with each other.

We spent time with friends.

I started swimming.

We learned to do with less.

We learned accidents will happen.

I had a great birthday.

We had a great Christmas at home.

I am excited to see where 2011 will take us. The kids are getting older and I'm sure that will allow us to do more traveling and such.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

the before decorations shot

Today is my birthday, which marks another year in the 30's. I hope this year I can really stick to swimming and getting in shape. This is my wish to myself. Happy birthday me!

In more important news- the house is all Christmas ready. We made almond roca and ginger bread cake this year. The sun is out, the fire is going, and I've got a hot cup of joe next to me. I'm a bit sad not to see family this year and stay home. But, I think it's about balance. This year I want to not rush out the door and let the kids enjoy their goodies. Also, getting a stomach bug will slow any holiday travels.

Chris and I went to a Raider's game for our Christmas gift to each other. That was fun and something to enjoy ever few years. Really, I don't know how people can do that on a regular basis. Football events are serious business.

There is so much I want to remember this holiday season, but for this moment it's my kids hugs and love today.

Unconditional Love

Today I want to remember:

-How E held my face in his little hands and said, "aright mom" (I love You) and gave me a kiss on the lips. They he asked for more coffee!

-How I love to breath in his soft hair.

-How he asks everyone in the house, "how are you?" first thing in the morning.

- How the older kids come to my bed in the morning and give my arm a rub before going off to wake the house and let the dog out.

-How Chiquita told us that she had the best birthday ever and can't believe that she got everything she asked for in complete gratitude.

-How C shows great affection for every one in the house and is not afraid to tell us how much he loves us. Kindness from a 5 year old boy is wonderful.

- How Chris treks to work each week to give us a good life.

This is something I hope to keep up. It helps me find some balance when I'm feeling overwhelmed by being mom.

summer Part 2

This second half of our summer was filled with social events like my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and spending time with family. There were goodies growing in our garden. Soccer camp! There was also a lot of time at home, swimming lessons, and tending to a big boo boo this past week.

Summer is almost over... for us at least. School starts very soon. But, there's much more to accomplish in these next couple of weeks. There's a possible trip to Marine World- I mean- Discovery Kingdom. Soccer practices start soon and we will be involved with that. There's the baby shower, a birthday party, another big wedding anniversary, a little school shopping, and daddy's birthday. Ekkk! See lots more fun to be had- and some tiring days for mama, too!

Summer Part 1

This summer of vacationing really started this spring with our trip to Monterey. We then celebrated 2 graduations in our household. Kindergarten and preschool. The last day of school was full of games, like hula hooping. S is officially a pro at hula hooping. The Monday after school let out for summer we took off to our usual spot in Pescadero. This time grammy came with and we had side by side cabins which was so fun for the kids to be able to hop from room to room via the deck.

The first part of our summer has been met with lots of sand, smell of fire on our clothes, visiting and vacationing with friends in new places, carefree kids. The kids got wet suites to accommodate the cool oceans. I've enjoyed mingling with other families, enjoying my own, and feeling the cool earth on bare feet on a warm day.

There are many more pictures of a camping trip to Lake Don Pedro with a fire fighter friend and his lovely wife and little girl. A impromptu trip back to the coast with Chris's co worker and his fun family at their vacation cabin in Aptos. We are in the midst of swim lessons, hip hop class, some play dates, birthday parties, and wedding renewal (s)! What a jam packed summer this has been so far. But, I am soaking it all up because aside from my little medical issue I've been having- it's been really sweet.

Also, my little guy- who is now 17 months old, is just a joy. He's weaned this week amazingly well! He's been in a big boy bed for most of the nights. We've done away with the high chair. Yay! He talks soooo much. I'll have a post on him I think at 18 months.

I'm feeling very blessed!

Balace

Around here: There's a lot of me, the mama, trying to maneuver through life with what is essentially the weight of my little world on my shoulders. Where is the balance? Where is my center? I know, right? I am getting deep here people! But, I do think there comes a point in many mama's life that we question... our sanity, our actions, our parenting, and so much else.

Since being so sick and the little folk also being under the weather for what seemed like an eternity I've been a little frazzled. To say the least. I am now feeling better, thank goodness, and thinking more clearly. The challenging toddler with all his bedtime fussiness is starting to calm a bit. The oldest has challenging questions that keep sending me to goggle answers. The middle is healed from his "T and A" (insert your own funny what have you), and I'm trying to be a good listener to Chris who brings home the stresses from work. I'm not complaining- but some days it's really hard to get it all in: the hug, the teeth brushing, dinner, and yada yada.

I found this quote some where:

but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

Here was my interpretation of it on a frazzled day:

What ever dude! I do try to treasure the doing, but nothing else would get done. Because it's just me (on the days that Chris is gone) The kids wouldn't eat good food. They'd smell. Getting it done is necessary!

On a clear day:

Well, yes I can focus less on this and maybe more on that today while still remaining with our normal routine. I can sit and linger at the bedside a little more to hear about the silly things her friends are filling her brain with. The dishes can wait today.

What I know already is something that is good to go back to. Balance. Do my best to stay balanced. It's okay to have a frazzled day, because I know it WILL be better another day.

And treasure these moments...

March

We're on to new activities around these parts. Wrestling season has ended for C. He had his last tournament last weekend. He had a great time and won 3rd place. Chris, the proud papa, sold so many raffle tickets that C won $75 in first place. Money for the piggy bank! Then my step mom WON the raffle- a 42 in flat screen TV. Nice!

He also just had kindergarten registration. Kindergarten! He did amazingly well.

S has indulged me in checking out a new ballet class- and ended up loving it. Of course! The next day we went out to the local Payless and got her some sweet white ballet shoes. She promptly put them on and twirled around the front room at home.

We are thinking of sending the kids back to gymnastics. They need some big muscle movement! It looks like warmer weather still has some time to come. So, being out side in the afternoons is still out. They ride bikes for 15 minutes or so and then want to sit by the fire- and then start jumping off the couches. Gymnastics seems like a sensible choice.

Chris and I are trying to sell some big furniture on Craigslist. We sold the large entertainment center in our front room. Yay! It was so large and gaudy and large. We've mounted the TV's on the walls (bedroom and front room) which is actually much nicer and gives those rooms a cleaner look.

Now if any one has some storage ideas for kids things- please tell me. I keep editing and editing but there are still lots of things in plastic bins or laundry baskets. It's starting to frustrate me...

E is mister big words. When he hands me something or I hand him some thing- I hear "tis too"

In English, "thank you." Such good manners this one. What can I say? I could eat him up. The little cutie pie!

The Guys in my Life

There are three very amazing guys in my life.

C is my worker. He's all heart. Sensitive- yet a man's man. He does everything 110 percent- from being helpful around the house to throwing a fit. He's wrestling now and loving it. Especially because you get to wear special shoes and cool headgear. Today he got a free sweatshirt from one of the coach's wives and he wore it around the house directing S and E in drills (like his coaches)- Ok now, 10 push ups. Ready. Begin. He's very entertaining and lovable. He's a joker, a stinker, and a gentleman all rolled into one.

E is my baby. My little best guy who, by the way, is nearing 11 months and I've been horrible at documenting all the little things he does. Today he said, "mmmm, mmmaaa, mmmaaa." Oh, my heart melted. He walks along the couch only holding on with 1 hand. He is busy, cruising all parts of the house. Really, in search of anything the older kids drop that he may eat. He does say hi, and dances, and goes up and down the step now. He scampers away when I call him and he knows he shouldn't be in something. Loves baths, loves being naked even more. Is AWFULLY loud when un happy- but it takes a while to get to that point. Has 6 teeth and like to feed him self- thank you very much. Is horrible at diaper and clothes changing time- does the alligator death roll every time on me. He pulls hair and thinks it's funny. He's a sweet little boy who gives me love in the mornings before the day begins.

Chris is a good man who loves his little family with all his being. He's serious and a joker. He's a salty old man and a kid at heart. He's one of the hardest working men I know and yet loves to be a couch potato here and there. He's great company and tells a good story. He's learned patience from the kids and has taught them how to have fun.

I'm proud to have these guys in my life.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was good this year. It always is, really. We kicked the weekend off by having our own Thanksgiving here at home. Chris spent all day in the kitchen working away making a very traditional meal. I came in here and there in between business with the kiddies. Dinner was so good and there were plenty of leftovers for us when we got back from the bay area.

Thursday we spent the day with all these crazy folk, which was also good. Friday we tackled Black Friday with three of the most behaved kids. Stores were packed but not as bad as I thought. I have to say, being there in the mess of all those consumers and the so called bargain here and there- made me realize I don't need too much. We just got a few things for the kids. Enjoy these pictures of the crazies!

The Painted Owls- A 5 year old craft

S is at an inventive age. An age where an idea comes to mind and it just feels like the end of the world if she can't act on it. She's so talkative- especially to grown ups. That's just how it is when you are the oldest (I know this well.) Larger word and phrases such as, " well perhaps", or "well actually," are the start of sentences. It really is a challenging and awesome age. Things have gone from why -to why and how- and how can I do this- stage.


So early one morning, she decided in the spirit of reduce, reuse, recycle- she would make painted owls and have a "garage sale." I didn't really believe that she would do it, but she did exactly that. This is how our Saturday morning went a few weeks ago.


She got the toilet paper rolls we save when all the tp is gone. She pushed the middles in of one end of the top portion of the "owl" to make ears. Water color went on the owls. She painted many. I think almost 15, which took an hour or so. Set them aside to dry. She then jumped in the bath. Why? Well, that was my question, too. To get cleaned up for her garage sale, Mom. Oh, right. I was really getting a kick out of seeing her be such a big girl. She brushed her own hair, which stopped right at shoulder length and the other 9 inches were left knotted. Brushed teeth, put on clothes, and a baseball cap. Because, Mom- that's what you wear when you sell things.






She then loaded up her apple picking bag with the owls and recruited little brother to hold a sign that said "PAINTED OWLS, 50 CENTS!" Her scooter was loaded up and they went to the bottom of the driveway and...waited. And waited. As you can see our street traffic is about a car an hour. Unless you count Willy the horse and the calf that got out and was roaming the road. So, as not to get discouraged I went inside to get them some snacks and drinks.



Finally! A neighbor came home and bought one. C and I also bought one. We then walked to the mailboxes to try and sell more...but the two stupid (I mean) hurried neighbors wouldn't slow or stop. I was able to convince her to come home and we could sell them anther day. I was proud of her to set her mind to something and follow through with it. I was also pretty surprised in myself for having the patience to go through with sitting out and waiting for customers. I have to say she was pretty adorable, and that was my motivation to help her.
So, family and friends if you are in need of a painted owl to add to your knick knack collection, you know where to come. Only fifty cents please.

Vegetables and Reading

Some thing great has happened in this house. S is a beginner reader. She reads short books and is expanding the list of words that are familiar to her. It's exciting. It caused us to take a trip to the library. This is something we haven't done in a while. We picked up some books for S to read to us at home. I love the idea of S reading to her little brothers at bed time, the three of them all snuggled up to Big Pig Can Dig.

While we were there, I was able to pick up a few books for myself that I have great dreams of finishing, but the reality is I'll probably have to skim through them. One cookbook in particular caught my eye. From Vegetables, With Love is a great cookbook. It's full of healthy meals that are fast and easy and- get this- yummy. The kids especially like the Tofu Scramble. We are going to try the apple pie recipe this weekend. If you're looking for some simple meal ideas this book is it.

Loving my Kiddies

It takes the same amount of time and attention

to meet children's emotional needs as it does

to deal with behaviours caused

by their unmet emotional needs.

Pam Leo

Ohh, this is good.

Halloween

I am so glad to say that by the end of this week we are finally feeling almost one hundred percent. Yippee! It was just in time. Friday we spent all day at school and all three of the kids were troopers.
The day started off with C's preschool party where he dressed head to toe as a red power ranger. I didn't get the best shots of him in that outfit though. After ward it was a mad dash to grab lunch and get back to school to help S's kindergarten class with their party where she dressed as a white ninja. Which there are no pictures of. Then the had a parade through the school- which by the way- dragged on and on. I was wilting fast, and by the looks on the all the kids faces, they were too.

Finally, school ended and we went home for exactly 2 hours to eat and freshen up. We then went back to school and they went and had lots of fun playing games at various booths in the cafeteria. Each time they won they got candy for their buckets. We stayed for almost 2 hours! As you can see they dresses differently for the carnival. C was a very impressive army man. What you can't see is that he has a full on moustache that I drew on him. He LOVED it.

S decided to be a doctor. She looked pretty cute because she brought my stethoscope and a clip board and pen. Very life like. (and for some reason I can't move the pictures)

So, can you blame me for not telling the kids Halloween is today. We stayed home and did nothing, played out side, watched TV, pigged out, and S did a great project that I'll soon blog about. It was truly a great ending to a week that started out in chaos and illness.

Cliff Notes

After a highly stressful day I find myself coming here to blog. To be with my thoughts, alone, with no one in need of mama. A lot has gone on in the past few weeks. Soccer is over. I am delighted to reclaim my Saturdays, but it was a great experience for the whole family. It taught us how to encourage and praise another family member, and how to be an observer. S learned a new sport and what it means to be a team mate. Hopefully she'll do it again next year. I know C will for sure and I think we are going to tackle coaching. Well, we'll see when we get there.

My sister got baptized and finished getting her diploma. It felt good to be around the people I've always felt closest to and I am proud of her.

The school business continues. Jog a thons and theme parties and the, you know, just getting them there on time with teeth brushed and hair combed.

Maria made the kids this cute apple picking bag. An idea from another blogger- can't remember the name. But with all the apples we picked at my grandmas, I did make the apple cake. It is VERY yummy and even better a la mode.

It feels good to think of these thoughts when it feels like the roof is caving in on me. I hate it when my kids get sick. Sick to the point where I have to take them to the ER. Even as a nurse, I find its a fine line between when you take your child to the doctor or wait it out at home. I took little E to the ER to just discover what I already know. It's a virus. Not swine flu, but one of many viruses- you take your pick. I was also surprised they didn't test him for H1N1. His symptoms mimic so many others, they just call it viral illness.

This is why I always struggle with giving my littles the flu shot. It's good for the most common viruses- but there are sooo many viruses out there. We got the flu shot this year- and got the flu a week later. And, it went on and on. So, why did I expose them to the preservatives and mercury? Cause I don't want a winter like last year. I'm thinking positive.

But, alas little E looks much better that even 12 hours ago. He just needs mama to give him more loving. We are still learning how to control S's viral induced asthma. She is also learning. So, do I give them the H1N1 vaccination? I don't really know yet. I don't want to. It's a fact they've already been exposed to it and half the school was absent last week due to the flu. Still working it out in my head. All I can say is good hand washing and keep living life.

My Three- Part Deux

The daily on goings at my house amaze me some times. Last time I posted in exhaustion. Tonight I feel sleepy- but not exhausted. This weather change forces me to slow down. My internal clock sends my body a message to shut off at 8 pm and I robotically climb into bed with warm jammie's on. I love fall. It's the season of change. The leaves are turning, acorn are literally falling on my head. The kids have some time still to play out side in the warm afternoon sun before it sets. And, by 7:15 pm it's pretty dark, which I especially love because these guys go to bed at 7:30 -making bed time soo easy.

Miss S has lost her first baby tooth, on the lower front. After feverishly playing with her tooth it was finally ready. Chris pulled it out after soccer practice. You can see the big tooth growing in the back. The tooth fairy-dad (which she knows by the way) made his way to our house. One dollar and floss were under the pillow waiting for her. It was not under the pillow that she sleeps on, but the one next to her so I got woken up at 6:30 because the "tooth fairy- dad" (her words) forgot. But, there it was and she was pleased and promptly went to go talk to her self in the bathroom mirror so she could watch herself with one less tooth.

And there may be hope for C's preschool. In a week, the teacher has stepped up her game. I am hopeful... E has discovered sand, dirt, and rocks. He likes it very much. We snuck away to Pinecrest last weekend while it was still very warm out. E entertained him self in the sand while Chris took the bigger kids on "Mossy Oak" a little boat Chris got a deal on. I have enjoyed the weather taking small walks here and there. I've been baking- banana bread muffins. Most importantly, spending time with the kids and putting jammie's on very early in the afternoon.