See You Soon!

Today Mahoney & SeaBand are making the
loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong
drive from the Orange Curtain to Portland.
My Mom & Dad are helping them brave the journey.

I am so excited for them.
Jealous of the new places they get to discover,
anxious to come up and visit.

Sad.... but you know what, I'm not going to dwell on the sad.
I don't want Mahoney to read this and get upset.

Instead, I'm going to post a picture

and impart some sage like advice
from an older sister
to a younger sister
who is moving to a new state.

Drum roll......

As you go through life
two rules will never bend
never whittle towards yourself
or pee against the wind.

LOVE YOU!!!

Seventeen... De Nouveau

The other night I had a dream about him...

We were in high school,
but there was no singing & dancing.
I convinced him to break up with his girlfriend
that shares my name,
and he did,
because he was in love with me,
but then he decided that he didn't want to be with me either.
I cried.

What is up with that?
This was my dream,
shouldn't I walk away with the guy into the sunset?
I felt like I was seventeen,
again.

Today I started thinking about certain things that I still do,
that I wonder if I am getting too old for.
I can't see myself stopping these things anytime soon,
and it made me wonder if I will forever feel seventeen.

Here are a few of the things that I do that I probably share with
my seventeen year old neighbor...

1. Paint my nails wacky colors
(Mine are currently purple & chipped)


2. Wear funky sneakers
(I'm loving these, but they don't have my size.)

3. Wear my hair in pigtails,
especially during the summer.


4. Own clothes purchased from online retailers geared to the teen market.
(C'mon, this is super cute)

5. Watch Gossip Girl, 90210, & MTV reality shows
(I'm currently loving this one, those kids are AMAZING!)

6. Read Vampire novels,
from the Young Adult section
(I didn't stop at Twilight, people!)

7. Have a Myspace & Facebook page
(Though I don't update my myspace anymore,
that is sooo last year)

8. Dream about Zac Efron

Tell me I'm not the only one, please.
Do you do anything,
that makes you feel seventeen?

Sick

I can't remember the last time I had a sore throat.
Thank goodness for these...


When I was a youngster I loved these...

They made being sick
taste delicious.

Now, I like medicine that tastes like medicine.
Honey Lemon drops that make the girls
coil away in disgust.
"What is that gross smell?"

I slather some Vapo Rub on,
and I'm good to go.

Being sick is the pits.
Just like this post.
Let's hope I feel better soon!

The Best Intentions

I intended to take pictures yesterday.

Instead this was the only picture I manged to snap ...


Which you can read about here,
if you are so inclined.

Today I intended on getting the house cleaned,
taking the chicklettes to Disneyland,
and making a delicious dinner.

Instead I got the downstairs cleaned,
then succumbed to my head cold,
while watching The View talk about the swine flu,
thus changing my Disneyland plans,
and the girls ended up with Mac & Cheese for dinner.

Oh well, that's what tomorrow's for, right?

Step by Step

Today is going to be a big day for me.
Remember that mountain I talked about?
Well, today I'm taking a giant step up it,
and I'm 90% sure I'll be sore after.

Then, after my giant step,
I'm going to head over to my parents house,
and we are going to say a big ol' Bon Voyage
to my Mahoney and her Seaband.

Mahoney & Seaband A-go-go

Mahoney and Seaband are moving to Portland this week!
I may have made Mahoney a little something,
that I may just give to her today,
which I will gladly post a picture of tomorrow,
along with some photo moments of this evenings festivities.

Please think happy thoughts for me today,
I'm gonna need them!

Sascha + Photo Booth = Funny

I am 100%, without a doubt,
crazy about my girls!

Take a Piece of Cheese & Call Me in the Morning

Sascha slipped out of her chair in a flash of excitement
that Daddy had come home.
A head bump was incurred.
Mommy kisses were applied to the area,
and a jelly bean was consumed to combat incoming pain.
Everything was going to be just fine.

A moment later I heard the fridge door open,
and saw Sascha rustling for a piece of cheese.
I watched as she placed it on her bump.
"I need it Mommy, it helps cause it's cold."

Meanwhile, Daddy had laid down on the couch,
with a headache of his own.
Seeing this, Sascha took her cheese and gave it to her Daddy.



Instantly, both were well.

Ahhh, the healing powers of cheese!

A Reminder

I had to go to the County Clerk Recorder's office today,
to pick up my children's birth certificates.
Please note that said children
were born in 2005 & 2007,
respectively,
and I am just getting around to it.
Why now?
A current Disneyland promotion is offering
a free ticket on your birthday,
and if you are an Annual Passholder,
as we are,
instead of a free ticket
you get a Fun Card worth the price of a ticket.
So, Miss Sascha will need proof that she was born
on Cinco de Mayo to get her $70 Fun Card
to use on all the little treats she always wants,
but never gets.

Down to the Civic Center I went,
and as I pulled up to the parking stalls
I saw a lot of people in the walkway plaza.
I figured they must be waiting for court appointments,
but as the girls and I walked closer I noticed it wasn't just people
it was garbage bags of clothes,
beat up bicycles,
weathered souls.
I was stunned as we walked by bench after bench
of homeless people.

I went and picked up the certificates,
and as we walked back
I heard the people talking.
We got in the car,
drove away,
and that stunned feeling stayed.

I thought to myself,
how we live in such a bubble.
Here I was off to grab birth certificates
so I can take my girls to Disneyland,
and a mere 5 miles away
is such sadness,
such loss.

It was a jarring moment.

A reminder to be thankful
for all of the blessings
I have been given.

A reminder to stay focused
on what is truly important.

A reminder to remember
those who are less fortunate.

A reminder to do what I can
to help those in need.

(What can we do?
Click here for inspiration)

Fluffed.

How the couch cushions get fluffed
in these here parts....

Frazzled

Today I could feel the weight of everything
that is going on around me.
I busied myself with projects
but the heaviness was there.
I feel like I am at the base of a very tall mountain,
and I am just starting to climb.

There is a long way to go.

I Am

Overwhelmed.

So many things to do,
so many things that need to get done.

Busy Bee

Today we were everywhere.

Sascha went to Chloe's birthday party.

My mom & I went out to lunch with a friend & her mother,
who we haven't seen in 15 years.
Hooray for Facebook!!

Then after a brief siesta
Chelsea and I joined up for dinner
and some shopping excursions.

Now I am exhausted,
and bummed that tomorrow
we go back to the grind.

A Wee Bit Jelly

Today my husband is going to Coachella.
One of his friends was kind enough to buy him a ticket.
I am kinda, sorta jealous.

I think the girls and I will have a slumber party,
to chase away these jellies.

Back In Business

Yesterday brought a special delivery.

A new (to me) laptop!

I have outfitted her in hot pink,

and bought her a special keyboard protector.

Anything I can do to avoid any mishaps.

I am so thrilled to have a Mac again!

We have already had a blast with Photo Booth,

and I can't wait to start making videos again.

Good times!

And I'm proud to say that today 

I earned my Good Spring Break Mom award

by making the girls chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast,

  and their favorite pasta for dinner,

baking a peach crisp,

and then whisking Hailey away to Disneyland,

(Sascha fell asleep early)

amidst a huge crowd of fellow Spring Breakers.

And as we were walking and chatting,

I thought about how wonderful it is

that she still wants to hold my hand.

I know that may not last for too much longer,

so I didn't let it go 

all night long.

Lazy Day

We didn't do anything special today.
Nothing noteworthy.
Nothing exciting.

But something exciting did come in the mail.
And we did finish all of Hailey's homework,
and I got to talk to one of my favorite people in the whole world.

So, it was still a good day,
even though I feel like a bad Spring Break mom.

Since no photos were taken today,
here is the husband and I
on our way to our Anniversary dinner
at Wood Ranch.

We chose Wood Ranch,
because the 5th Anniversary gift
is suppossed to be wood.
I know, I know,
we're clever...

or geeks,

I'll let you choose.

Always Be Prepared

This is what greeted me

after I told Sascha
to get ready to go to the grocery store.

She never ceases to make me smile.

Five

Today the husband and I are celebrating
5 years of marriage.

Only a small blip in forever,
but what a ride it has been so far!

I love you,
husband of mine.

Back to the grind...sort of

Even though we are just about to start
our official Spring Break,
it is a strange feeling to be getting back to reality.

Cleaning & cooking & daily routines.

Not an animal in sight.

It's amazing what a difference a week can make!

Happy Easter!

Today we headed off to Oma's
for Easter festivities.

We had a lovely time.

And now I am looking forward
to having my Hailey home with me
all week
for her official Spring Break!

It's so hard to say goodbye...

So we'll say,
See you soon!

We are just about to head out,
back to CA.
Such a great trip,
so many fun memories.

We will miss everyone so much!

Think happy thoughts for our flights home today!!!

Our Last Full Day

was spent working hard,
and playing hard.

Where did this week go?

I can't believe we leave tomorrow.

A Swinging Time

It started in the back pasture,
with some large trees & some rope.

Then we girlies played around,

while father and son worked
and played.

Now this is a happy face!

I love the magic of this place.

We came, we saw, we conquered...

Busch Gardens!

I took about a million pictures,
here is a minuscule sampling of our fun.

Could John look more thrilled?

I think I'll frame this one..ha!

Me and the chicklettes!

Baby had to come too, of course.

Sesame Street was so fun!

She loved it!

She, has not been in the mood to be photographed
this entire vacation.

Cutie Patootie!

She had to ride twice.
Literally dragged me back on.

That's soooo my daughter!

First ride by herself!
The fun lasted about a minute.
Then, not so much.
Biggest tulips I've ever seen!

Dunzo.


We had so much fun.
And are so exhausted.
Thank you Grandma & Grandpa,
for an awesome day!

Brrr!

Today was cold.

We spent the day inside,
so warm
and
so cozy.

I kissed on these cheeks repeatedly.

And held her for her entire 1.5 hour nap.

Tomorrow we have an exciting day planned,
I better get some shut eye.
Until then...

Rain, Rain - Went Away

The morning started out just to my liking.
It rained,
then it poured.

Thunder & lightning,
then a tornado warning.
I could have done without the last one.

All was well though,
even though I have some how acquired a head cold.
ICK!

While stuck inside,
Sascha plunked on Grandpa's keyboard.
Thank goodness for earphones!



The sun came out before dinner,
and my girls burst through the doors,
so eager to play.







Now it is late and I am all stuffed up,
waiting for the older chicklettes to drift off to sleep.
I can't wait to join them!

See you tomorrow!!!

Paradise Pasture

The girls are in heaven.

They played outside all afternoon.

Donkeys, sheep & goats to the left,
chickens & dogs to the right,
a bounce house in the middle of it all.

Cousins are visiting tonight,
a guarantee that more fun will ensue.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday with The Sullenders

First stop in VA,
finds us up North with our friends
The Sullender Family.

We all went to watch the twins softball game.

Happy Hailey

Hailey & Colin
I think this was the only time
they actually sat down
for the entire game.

Assistant Coach Jill,
loves this game!!!

Colin is the coolest,
cutest little boy EVER!!

Mommy & The Meese

Sascha had no problem
giving pep talks in the dugout.

Ashley!
Julia!

John & The Meese

We had a blast hanging with them.
We always do.
Don't you love it when you find friends
where EVERYONE gets along?
So rare.
Such a treat.

Tomorrow off to Williamsburg!

Finally Here!

We arrived in Virginia in the wee hours of night.

Funniest part of the plane ride...

Woman in my row: What a sweet baby!

Me: Thank you!

Woman in my row: What's her name?

Me: Rory!

Woman in my row: Huh?

Me: Ror-ry!

Woman in my row: Laurie?

Me: (sigh) Yes.

------------------------------

So excited for the adventures to come.

T-Minus 18 Hours

And we will be
soarin',
flyin'.

And do you know what I am looking forward to the most?

10 days straight
spent with my husband
& my girls.
No work,
all play.

I'm counting down the hours!

Laurie

Today La Meese and I went on a walk
around the block,
just the two of us.

She likes to walk & explore ,
and always catches the attention
of a neighbor or two.

Today, a woman stopped and smiled.
"What a cutie! What's her name?"
"Rory!" I beamed.
"Huh?"
"Rory!" I said again, enunciating the syllables.
"Laurie?"
"Yes!"
I smiled and waved as we walked away.

This has happened to me quite a few times, actually.
Each time when the person says Laurie,
I cave,
nod
&
smile.
It's just easier
for all involved.

Except maybe for Meesie,
who may never actually know what her name is.