61 bucks richer

If there's one thing Dusan loves, its having a yard sale.  (I'm not a fan)  I'm not sure if its the satisfaction of seeing his crap go home with someone else, or making space for more junk in our house and garage?  For Dusan, the 2 yard sales per year rule in the city of La Mirada is so limiting.   For this, I thank our city... (picture my hands in prayer position).  

With my lack of support, he enlisted the best hoarder in town: Avery.  These two were like peas in a pod getting ready for the big event.

If you are my Facebook friend, then you read my antics this week as I marketed for the big Daddy/ Daughter event:

"My husband and his daughter are having a yard sale at their home this Saturday.

If you are in the market for a bike (multiple sizes and some with brakes, and some without), an ottoman that is missing its couch, stuffed animals that have been loved by 3 Chihuahuas, men's polo shirts with random team names, or one left cleat... come on by!

**I want nothing to do with this event, and am ONLY in charge of marketing."

"This just in:

HOT new items added to the Daddy/ Daughter garage sale! Come on by for that one of a kind barbecue that once had the ability to be lit by gas and now does not... or that interior drum of a dryer machine you've been looking for... its HERE! Or perhaps you are in the market for an old trophy and the base of a lamp with no shade.

Heck, whatever obscure item you could dream of, its probably here. Come one, come all. Party starts at 7 a.m.

If you don't see me, check the floor of the front porch, I'll probably be in the fetal position."

And here's some documentation of the morning as the day unfolded:

Avery...wearing her Nike's in case she needed to break out her cat-like reflexes and step into the role of crowd control.

 Bringing out the big ticket items... A 1982 Panasonic Television...

 At one point Dusan insisted to a customer who was admiring the mirror (a man in his 80's) that it could go above his bed.

 Yep, that one sign outta do it!  Bringing in customers from far and wide...

 Look very closely to get an idea of what I was up against... why, yes that is a team's-worth of windbreakers circa 1970.  And boy did the dryer drum go FAST!

 Enthusiastic sales girl attracting customers left and right:

 At this point, I was breaking out the wristbands and enlisting community safety officers on horse-back....

 Taking a break to wipe the sweat from his brow...

The dynamic duo closed up shop around noon with an extra $61 in their pockets.   And with a truck full of unsold items they were off to Savers to make a hefty donation.

Mountain High

Last Monday was a holiday.   After 4 years of begging, I agreed to take the kids to the snow.  Dusan did not have the day off like the rest of us... so I was nervous to take on the mountain on my own.  Some of the "what if's" that ran through my head the night before:

• What if I get us lost?
• What if we need chains on our tires?
• What if someone gets hurt?
• What if my camera freezes?
• And the biggest fear:     What if there is no snow???

As you can see:

• We got there just fine.
• No one got hurt.
• The roads were perfectly clear.
• My camera did not freeze.
• There was PLENTY of snow.

Mountain High Tubing Park was worth every penny... the Magic Carpet that pulled us back up the hill after each ride down, was a lifesaver.  We had an absolute blast. 

This day will go down in my "Top 5 Favorties"... as a mom.  I hope they never forget it.

momma's boys

The weekend started out with a date night for me and Davin to the Valentine's Dance at school.  We met up with some of his best friends and their mom's at Red Robin for dinner.  Davin wasn't so eager to attend the dance, as he did not inherit an ounce of my love for all things rhythm and music... but in the end, he had a blast in the conga line and winning a basketball in the raffle.  I love that we got to spend some special time together and how he insists each year on wearing his black tie.  I know this won't last forever.

 Saturday we were off to ESPN Zone for Hunter's football banquet... better late than ever.

He received his trophy along with his teammates.  His coaches said some complimentary words about him which made us proud.  But the best moment was when the tables were turned and he was called to the microphone to present a gift of thanks to one of his coaches.  He had prepared a speech for Coach Aaron the week before.  

I offered to help him, but he refused.  

I was nervous for him, as I had not heard what he was going to say.  When he started his speech with a quote from Vince Lombardi, I knew he was ready for this.  His delivery was well-rehearsed.  I may have even heard a teammate mutter "I bet his mom wrote that for him."

A job well done.

I love being a momma to these boys!

my latest trick.

me:  Hey Dav, can I take a picture of your eyeball?

Davin: My eyeball?  What's it for?

me:  Oh, I'm doing a little science experiment.  (keyword being science)

Davin: Yeah, sure.  (says the boy who hates having his picture purposely taken.

SUCCESS.  (enter laugh of motherly satisfaction)

My little trick, will be going up on my little wall!

To Magicopolis and beyond...

If you haven't been, you should...

 Just a block away from the popular 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a hidden gem of a theater filled with magic and comedy for all ages...  After a quick bite to eat a Barney's Beanery, and a trip down street performer lane, we were on our way...

 There is no "down time" at Magicopolis as Magic Steve wow's you with his tricks and games while you wait to go inside.

 Once inside, the show begins with interactive jokes, magic, and fun.  Coins kept dropping out of Chandler's ear!

 Magic Steve and Bozena kept us all on our toes... but as you can see, she was lifted off of her own toes momentarily...

Avery, Tess, Lainey, and Kit enjoyed the front row view...

 Magic Steve guessed Cade's card just right.

 Everyone had an opportunity to participate...

 Tess was part of a magical story involving a wand and the perfect circle...

 Hunter had no idea where the toilet paper kept disappearing to...

As they grow, its getting more challenging meeting their ever-changing interests, but this show definitely did the trick!  They are the ones keeping me on my toes!