clever.

Typically I try to cook a family meal on Sunday nights. It is the one night I can pretty much guarantee all 5 of us will be in attendance. Sunday we walked in the race for the cure 5k in Newport Beach. By dinner time, I was not motivated to cook, to say the least. Dusan was encouraging..."just make the tortellini, and look we have corn and biscuits." None of which sounded good to me, but I am all for saving money these days.

The kids and I were on the same page. Hunter spent the entire meal pushing the pasta from one corner of his plate to the next. Avery actually gagged up the corn onto her plate...and Davin was being his usual comedian self. Everyone was doing everything, but eating.

I had had enough. I didn't feel like raising my voice. I didn't have the energy to argue. Once my food was gone, I stood up and dropped my plate in the sink. I announced to the kids that they were on dish duty. They needed to finish their dinner and clean the kitchen. They were not to leave the room until it was spotless. (I know...mean mom).

Over the course of the next hour and ten minutes I could hear uncontrollable laughing, the radio blaring, wet towels snapping, arguing...meanwhile I did my best to ignore it all.

Finally Davin came to me and said proudly "We're DONE! Come see, come see." The three angels escorted me to the cleanest kitchen. A fresh (Valentine's Day) tablecloth on the table, all pots, pans and dishes were dried and put away. A candle was lit and burning on the stove. The dogs had been let in to "vaccuum" the floor. I was impressed.

It was magical. Their faces were magical.

I hugged and kissed each of them. I thanked them. I told them how great of a job they did. It was 8:15 by now, which meant time for books and bed.

Lastly, I headed over to the windows to close them (we don't have screens and it had been such a hot day). I noticed the window would not slide closed as smoothly as usual. Something was in the way.

Corn.

Corn? Lots of corn was laying in the track of the window...which prompted me to poke my head out the window and look down which is where I found three helpings of tortellini, corn, and biscuits. Out the kitchen window on the ground below.

How does that saying go.... beggars can't be choosers?

One day I will find this story hilarious.

L.A. county fair

This was my first time ever going to the L.A. County Fair, and yes, I have lived here my whole life. It was even more fun having an adult night out with Mike & Lisa at the fair... I could have gone down the Super Slide 50 times, and never gotten tired of it. I got the "carni" workers on my side: they would step on Dusan's burlap sack at the top of the slide so that I could get a little head start, but that's between you and me (wink). It didn't matter though, he would still beat me, which got me wondering how can one's butt be faster than another's butt? Any whooo...

Front row to see Ciara in concert (I kept saying, Oh I know this song...and...I didn't know she sang this!). We were close enough that she serenaded my brother-in-law Mike. I had enough fried food that night to clog my arteries for the next decade but it was all worth it.

These pictures make me smile.

date night.

Saturday night at the L.A. County Fair. I love old photo booths.

love / hate.

It is the toughest time of the day. Homework. As if a full day of school isn't enough. It is not the amount. It is the frame of mind that can be a challenge. Lots of breaks to get a drink. Constant needs for the restroom. The phone is ringing. Neighbors at the door wanting to play. Sometimes even tears. Soccer practice starts any minute. When really all he wants (and needs) to do is crawl into the top bunk and take a nap.

Then there are nights like tonight: math page done in less than 2 minutes, reading comprehension...easy breezy, spelling pre-test; 100%. Here's to more afternoons like this one.

we be nerds.

Sometimes work doesn't feel like work. Nerd Day today felt like that. Let me remind you that all four of the individuals in the pictures above are educators. Middle school educators.

I am not sure where I learned that mouths and noses need to be squished to the side to make the perfect nerd face...but as you can see, I definitely learned it somewhere.

We've got spirit.

oldies day...

I went with the peaceful 70's and Leanne emulated the neon 80's with a capital "8"...
lovin' spirit week.

red week.

Kindergarten is so eventful. For example, this past week, all events were centered around the color red. Sight words, homework, coloring pages, apples, jello jigglers. All things red. By far my favorite was seeing all the kids come out of the gate at the end of the day on Friday with these Clifford ears and tiny painted black noses. Nothing says "learning" like 20 little puppies!

And come to think of it, middle school isn't so bad either...today was the start of spirit week at my school (what we are cheering for, I am not quite sure). Today was hat/ mustache/ wig day... so I channeled my inner Yosemite Sam... any excuse to dress up...i love it.

soccer success.

Hunter's team, The Vipers, started the season strong with a 5-1 win over The Super Boys. Hunter competed all week during practice for the position of Captain of the game. He proudly adorned his Captain armband during the game today. Hunter assisted the win with 2 goals.


Davin's team, The Panthers, did not win. However, Davin played the best game we have ever seen. He was a determined defenseman. He would not let the opponent by. His strong kicks were consistent throughout the entire game. He never backed down. The coach confirmed his efforts by awarding him "Player of the Game".


I rewarded him by letting him choose dinner...as you can see, breakfast was served tonight promptly at 6:00.

and the season has only begun...

friday night lights.

Final score: Villa Park 35, Huntington Beach 14. Go Spartans!

Davin and Jason...new found friends...resembling each other to the extreme.


Ball boys.

innocent bystander.

victory...

Happy head coach...

He couldn't be more pleased. Villa Park is 2-0 for the first time in 5 years. A great game. The boys got to be down on the field during the game, while Avery and I played Littlest Pet Shoppe and socialized in the stands. Next week...San Juan Hills...

relief.

Routine can be tough especially when you've had none for 2 1/2 months. This past week, Avery was a bear in the morning and has definitely been struggling to settle down at night. Most days when I pick her up from school, she looks like she has been hit with the tired stick.

Then to top it off, she saw a commercial on Animal Planet (which I consider to be a pretty kid-friendly channel), about a little girl in India who cries bloody tears... Maybe you have seen the one. Avery has obsessed on this idea and visual and fears she is going to have bad dreams. She will say "That girl is going to get in my head tonight. Why does she have those bad tears?" To which are valid concerns, and I have no answers.

For the past few nights we have been placing a small white cross under her pillow. I have told her that the cross will protect her from the bad dreams. It has actually allowed her to feel safe and fall asleep relaxed. Every morning that she has woken up since we started this, she is all smiles, full of relief. Thank you Jesus.

I can identify with all of these stressors. I dreaded bedtime my whole childhood. I would beg to sleep with Lisa right around sunset everyday. I swore someone was breaking into the house everynight (in Mission Viejo...a.k.a. "The bubble"). Whatever it takes to relieve her anxiety...we'll give it a try.

And just for fun, I wanted to give one of these cute digital frames a try that I have been seeing out in the blogosphere...what do you think? (a big shout out to Erin for helping me figure it all out! smooch!)

soccer picture day.

Saturday. Behringer Park. Go Panthers! Go Vipers!

Legally Blonde- the musical

It doesn't get any girlier than a day out with 4 generations. Mom, Gram, Avery & I headed to the Orange County Performing Arts Center to see the Broadway Musical Legally Blonde. The music was great. The dancing was a blast. It was one of those all around "my face hurts from smiling so much" type of shows. Although some of the content was over Avery's head, she enjoyed the show...especially the chihuahua named Bruiser.

As a kid, my parents took us to a lot of shows and I hope to continue to do the same for mine. Although, when the boys heard the name of this one, they opted for staying to do yardwork with dad. After seeing it, I don't blame 'em.

ella's birthday brunch...