Mom-cation

Some people go on vacations, some people have stacations, I have mommycations!

Definition: achievement of simultaneous naps without a mommy to do list. TGIF!

Giggler Dribbler

The girl can't dribble for all the giggle, but boy she had all of us laughing with her.

The Starlights!

Soccer Practice #2 and the assignment was to bring back a super bodacious name for the team, a name that epitomized everything girl. Lets just say - We. were. prepared. Jillian had been told stories about Brendan naming his first soccer team the Blue Sharks, and she wanted to pick out the winning name as well. So before soccer practice she made a list.

And the winner is #3 - Starlight Soccer!

That Time

Only in India would you actually find a sign like this, although, we could probably use one at our house today. Oh, the hormones - out of control, I tell ya, out of control.

See the whole collection, click here.

The Start to Soccer Season

Today was a proud moment for this 'burb dwelling mamma.

My girl is playing soccer!

We have been anticipating this day for several weeks now. I have a great feeling that this season is going to be full of many surprises, a little drama, plenty of good laughs, and a lot of fun. Jillian has always been identified as a possession to someone else, i.e. Brendan's little sister, etc. Up to this point, she hasn't had an opportunity to do or excel for and/or by herself. SO - she is superstoked! And boy, Coach Eric does not know what he is getting himself into, well maybe he does a little. I am not sure if sitting on the field sulking is part of soccer (yes I do, and it is not) but I am sure we will have some of that at least once - at. least.

Surprise #1 - Brendan whining on the sideline because he had to sit and watch his sister play soccer - as if she hasn't been watching him from the sidelines her WHOLE life.

New Baby Silver Leaf Monkey

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a baby silvered leaf monkey in the morning hours of August 8, 2008 or 08/08/08. The last langur born at the Columbus Zoo was born on July 7, 2007 or 07/07/07. Pokey, the Zoo's year old langur is big brother to the new baby whose sex has not yet been determined. Both babies are the offspring of father, Digby and mother, Gumby. Langurs are born with orange fur and white colored skin on their hands, feet and face. The skin changes color to black within days of birth. The orange fur will change to the grown up color in 3-5 months. So we headed up to welcome the little one into the world, and learned that sibling rivalry, and the corrective discipline that accompanies it, is even more extreme in the animal kingdom. While the new baby was nursing, big brother decided to come from underneath and pull its tail. In return, mom grabbed big brothers hand and bit it! I told Brendan and Jillian to be prepared - the next time they are picking on one another, I am going to bite the perpetrator. Think it will work?

80s Housewife

You Belong in 1980

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Rub-a-Dub-Dub-K-Dub-in-the-Tub

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - How about two letters.

Now, if only her determination to help with the dishes lasts until she is older.

Dr. Insecta

A very dear friend of ours is a wonderful, fabulous, stupendous, eclectic, genius, hilarious, AMAZING magician. He is

THE AMAZING MAXWELL.

As part of his portfolio, he is working with local libraries as Dr. Insecta to help kids "catch the reading bug." So we thought we would check him out at our local library. What a show! A little magic, a few bugs, a lot of fun, and then one lucky kid got to turn into "Insecta Kid." Lucky. Brendan! Yes, that is a giant, hairy tarantula holding my son up by his belly. AHHH!

Vertigo Haiku

Oh, vertigo, vertigo;

nine hundred miles an hour I go.

Stop, spinning wheel, stop!

Gotta case of the dizzies - when the room stops spinning, I will be back to post.

Five Things

So on the 5th of every month, I decided to start a list of 5 things. This month's list...

Five Things People Don't Know About Me:

1. I can walk from my bed to the bathroom with my eyes closed.

2. I am completely EVIL in the morning (only for about 20 minutes) and I can't do naps for the same reason, even though I do try sometimes.

3. I become physically ill when I am extremely tired or when I am in pain. Stomach cramps, vomiting, chills, etc.

4. I almost never answer my home phone. (I guess if you've ever tried to call me, you DO know this, or now you feel really special, if I happened to answer...) I am always doing something and the phone is never where I left it. I do make an attempt to call back, though.

5. I can't do massages or any type of repetitive touch. My nerve endings are very close to the surface of my skin, and it is painful - very, very painful.

Anybody want to play? Leave a comment listing 5 things I don't know about you!

Daddy Confusion

Is Mark a Chris Bradley look-a-like?

Apparently Karigan thinks so. You see, Chris Bradley is the lead meteorologist on Channel 10 news and while watching the weather tonight, Karigan crawled to the TV, pointed to Chris, excitedly declared "da dad dad," then started clapping. I am hoping it is because we normally watch the 6 o'clock news (watching the 5 o'clock today) and Mark typically arrives home around weather time. Sure that makes sense, right?

The Brave Little Toaster Inside Us All

While I was never one to put up with crap, having children has made me an even stronger, braver woman. Because I don't want my kids to put up with crap. I want them to be strong. I will fight on their behalf. Because I want them to be fighters. Because while I might be willing to put up with injustice on my own behalf, I never want my kids to suffer any injustice. I want my kids to be brave. To never be satisfied with something that is less than they deserve. That's what our kids do for all of us. They make us strong. Maybe because they don't necessarily have a voice of their own - we will stand up and be that voice, where we once might have stood by silently. In the world we live in today, we need strong willed kids. Hopefully, my kids will use those strong wills to fight for the good and right things in life. But they will not learn to be strong and good if we don't teach them to be. They will not be brave if we're not brave. So I guess that's the way it works. Our kids make us strong so we can teach them to be strong. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. Having kids is quite an inspiring experience...I'm still learning a lot!

Sunny Day

Pool Bound!!! We are in some need for a little sunshine, so we are off to...

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been."~ Madeleine L'Engle

Please join me in wishing Mark's sister a very happy, happy birthday (not that it couldn't be because she is on an island off the coast of Florida right now.) She is one of the most wonderful people on this planet, the original Jennifer Waishnora. Everyone who knows Jennifer, loves Jennifer. Here are a few reasons I think she is soooo great...

She is always up for an adventure, stays active, and teaches the importance of these things by example to her children. * * She has big, HUGE dreams, her education and personal legacy is on the forefront. * * She keeps things exciting - even the little things. * * She isn't afraid to take on Mark in a cupcake eating contest. * * She makes some mean cupcakes herself - I know it is just a box, but no one does 'em like she does. * * She is extremely friendly and kind-hearted. * * She is real. * * She always looks for the good in everyone and never spotlights the bad. * * She finds the fun in every situation. * * She is an amazing Mother. * * She washed my husbands dishes before I did, even the special-can't-be-washed-in-the-dishwasher plate. And that is honor enough ;)

First Steps

Karigan took her first steps today. Three. 3. Steps. Mobility has not at all been on her radar. That is until she discovered the steps leading to the unknown world above the first floor. Now she likes to climb on everything. The stairs, the furniture, the dishwasher - with the latter being her favorite climbing adventure. Maybe I will get a video the next time she decides to perambulate upright. Otherwise, stay tuned for some hysterical dishwasher photos.

Wonder-ful

So I offered the kids a treat in exchange for some house cleaning, good behavior, etc. Okay - you can call it bribery, but it worked. So Mr. Magoriums's Wonder Emporium was the first "kid movie" on Pay per View that caught my eye. I remember when the movie came out last year - wanting to see it, but then being disappointed when it didn't get the best reviews. But, I found myself "wonder-ing" again. I knew Jillian would be intrigued by all the toys and colors, and because one of the lead characters was Padme from Star Wars, Brendan would be in, too! Any connection to Star Wars is always a bonus! So about the movie - Boy, oh, boy - it was so wonderful! I love, love love it and want to buy it - or maybe add it to my Christmas list. I even called my mom to tell her she had to see it - she has the ultimate movie collection of all time, and this would make a great addition. I am surprised that I did not hear more good things about it when it was in theaters. I just (not that I am a "just" person - from the movie) loved all the hidden messages in the movie and it was so inspiring to me. The heroine of the movie is Molly Mahoney and she was a child protege on the piano. She is now 23 years old and STUCK. She has not moved past playing the magnificent piano pieces that she was able to play as a child. She is trying to write her own, and yet she just can't make it happen. She also still works at the same toy store that she has worked at since she was 15 years old. Without giving away all the fun, quirky details of the movie ... The 234 year old, eccentric Mr. Magorium has decided that it is time to leave the store and he wants to give it to Mahoney. She doesn't want him to leave and so he is trying to make it stay. She even tries to show him all the wonderful reasons why he should stay. Overall, what a great lesson in learning how to believe that anything is possible, that sometimes your life is not what you thought it would be, and that our Heavenly Father can use our gifts in ways that we did not see coming. It is about getting outside the box and letting life be an adventure. It is about not being JUST a person. So, this is a tidbit of what I took away from the movie - I can't wait to watch it again with Mark - because he will love it too and I will probably find something else to love about it even more! All I can say is I give it 5 great big stars, despite what the critics say!

One more day for you...

Today is Mark's half birthday - his Saints Day, I once heard it called.

Celebrating half birthdays is our little family tradition and it wouldn't be complete without the gaudiest, tackiest half cake ever. No presents please. Just laughs and good times for everyone.

Explanation Puh-leaze!

Does anyone else just not understand this?!?! While Mark and I were on our date last week, we noticed this trend. Okay, we have noticed it before, but now our repulsion only seems to attract our attention to this "self expression" even more - funny how that works - but, why oh why, are boys squeezing themselves and all their parts into skinny-legged, girl jeans. I am sure their mothers want grandchildren someday, and I don't think melting into cross-gender denim is going to achieve procreation. Just my opinion. At least he is using his belt properly - to keep his pants up, that is - not suspended below his cheeks with his underwear clad bum rising above.