I'm here, but I'm snarky, snippy and pissy so I figured it best that I avoid blogging. We are back from a nice weekend camping. Dance recitals are officially done. Footloose finishes this weekend for Maggie. We leave for vacation with family next week. So, for today, I am cleaning this pit and hauling more stuff down to the neighborhood association dumpster that we have for a short bit. Already tossed - some old patio chairs, the old Weber grill(rest in peace), one shower door (the other shattered in my hands, niiiiiiccccce), an old play kitchen, the Little Tykes table, and the old ironing board.

I do have a plan for dinner so I'll call it a successful day and move along.

Let me preface this post in my best Arnold Sch. voice from Kindergarten Cop, I'M NOT PREGNANT. BUT you would think I am with the major nesting going on these last couple of weeks.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I decided to conquer the boys closet and that began the Great Clothes Shuffle 2009.


I moved on to the kitchen and family room area last week. Tossing junk piles o' nothingness, cleaning windows inside & out, dusting light fixtures, clearing the countertops (haven't seen that granite in a while). It sorta feels like I've lost ten pounds, don't I wish!

So, this weekend I jumped into Amanda's room. The clothes shuffle was the trigger b/c she had stuff to hang but no hangers available. More tossing of clothes involved along with emptying major toys like the Dora Kitchen and the makeup thing. There is a God! I can be rid of these chunky eye sores. We gutted everything down to the bedside drawer......dress-up clothes, books, doll stuff, moved furniture, vacuumed corner dust bunnies.

I started a list of stuff that needs to be done in hopes that when Collin gets a free minute (ha!ha!) he can just do things like repaint her door. Got another list going of things to make life better like a shoe cubby for her closet and a new lampshade.

As of now I feel like I've lost 20 pounds with all the donation stuff and trash going out the door. Why are those pounds still on my behind?

So I realize that it seems I've disappeared, I haven't. I have loads of blog posts swirling in my brain and no time to just get to it. We've had school projects to finish, our school's closing party, Field Day, Music Man rehearsals, Ian's bittersweet last day of preschool, and many, many hours of volunteering to help pack the school library (we are closing and moving locations). Enjoy these assorted photos that I've promised for months.

Sean as Thomas Jefferson for Famous Americans

Mr. BBQ tailgating at our Angels team night



Maggie turned 11


Ian and Amanda chillin' during movie night in the living room and is joined by our insanely goofy dog Fritz. This is how he lays ALL the time; funniest dog ever.
And last, but not least, my beloved Mother's Day gift. I am in love with this appliance. My kids love it too b/c I am always making something with it. I couldn't have been happier.

Learning to appreciate the little things like perfectly mixed icing from scratch and lots of homemade banana bread with added flax meal (shhhhh, don't tell my kids).

SO it's the end of May.
You know what that means --- finishing up school projects, gearing up for dance recital, mentally preparing myself for the massive amounts of food my children will consume just b/c they are here 24/7, and THE GREAT CLOTHES SHUFFLE 2009!

I've had two bags and a big box sitting here from friends; I am truly blessed with nice hand-me-downs from friends and neighbors. AND I have the labeled boxes of outgrown stuff from the bigs that the littles are now moving into. I'm mostly just doing it now b/c the summer sales are in full bloom and I need to take an inventory of who needs what. I'm REALLY trying to live life on a budget so don't want to fail to the temptation that Target is and just haphazardly grab what I 'think' they need.

But holy guacamole is this task overwhelming. It is just too much for my lazy laundry brain to think about so I proscrastinate until one morning and declare 'I can't wait another day' and just jump into the chaos. I just don't understand how the chaos gets so bad..........I am constantly making a bag for donation of too small stuff (as I fold laundry) and consistently tossing the stained worn-out items. I try to pay it forward by giving good stuff to friends as well. It's just that I have FOUR children- that insist on growing and usually it's all at the same time. Sigh.

The bonus is finding things with adjustable waist for Amanda from Maggie's old stuff. Just a few short years ago, adjustable waist was a novelty that Maggie didn't need anyway. AND if Amanda likes it and will wear it's double bonus! She is the essence of Punky Brewster; jeans and denim must be worn everyday.

Decluttering does feel nice and I'm trying not to get distracted and do toys while I'm in the boys' room. One. thing. at. a. time. Anybody want a toy work/tool bench. How about a Dora kitchen? Wait -- I'm not supposed to be doing toys yet.

Back to the boxes of clothes; pictures later. Happy Sunday!

I've been meaning to post some pictures of all our craziness but just haven't had the time to get them out of my camera, organized, and presentable. I have a bunch of random pics. pulled to put up at some point, but I really wanted to tell you (and show you) about what we did on Memorial Day.

Besides remembering and discussing what Memorial Day is really all about, we decided to try to roll back time and recreate one of Collin's favorite childhood memories. Just 50 miles from here finished with a short hike, we visited Mt. San Antonio Falls. He remembers a waterfall 1/2 mile tall with a huge pool at the bottom. He remembers his sister stepping on a knife; and the family keeping that knife for years. He remembers playing in a rocky creek.

We went back to this area soon after we moved back here in the 90s before we were married, but I don't remember it being as spectacular and fantastic until we shared it with the kids. It was just breathtaking (and that just wasn't because the water was so cold). After visiting the falls, we meandered down the road to find the perfect picnic spot near the rocky creek.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A perfect way to start summer and create some memories that our kids will hopefully share with their own kids one day.

Let me paint the picture --- a beautiful, SoCal 75* degree morning with a slight breeze. I decided it was the perfect scenario to take Ian on his first 'real' bike ride w/o training wheels. He's been up and down our street a million times, but going for a ride that required staying with me/in control/paying attention/crossing streets was something we hadn't done yet. Hi is only five yrs. old.

I needed to take the big kids lunch, so I made them and got them tied to the back of my bike. Ian geared up with a drink of water and his helmet and off we ventured. We meandered through the neighborhood across our first big street with a signal and dropped off the lunches. The big kids laughed with shocked disbelief as they noticed us sporting our helmets. "You rode here??? really!?!" We jaunted across the back of the school onto the bike path and made our way over to JuiceItUp to share a smoothie. So far so good. Ian is doing great and it's all good. One Big Berry Combo consumed.

We decide to head over to the trail behind our house so we cross over a the main street and head over to the trail. I talk him into staying on the paved part b/c the dirt would be too bumpy for him. It's slightly uphill; nothing dramatic; just enough to make you notice and burn a few calories. After a short bit, Ian says his legs hurt and stops. I convince him that we hadn't even gotten to the tunnel yet and we walk that far all the time. He responds with an 'Oh yeah, I can zoom down that' and onward up the grade we trek.

Until, his pedal falls off. Literally.

Lovely, we are 400+ yards from home. And he is upset.

I can't seem to fix it so I show him how to kick the pedal crank around & coast while I hold the pedal in my hand to ride home. The only positive part of this---- it was downhill. Just enough that he could pedal a few times and then coast. BUT he had to watch his feet -- which led to him crashing into the bushes more than once and tossing his bike in a fit of frustration.

GAH! We managed to get back all in one piece with no injures. I made him lunch; did some sit-ups and called it good. Although I'm not sure I'm brave enough to ride with all FOUR of my kids.

Yesterday Maggie turned 11! I think she is officially in pre-teen mode b/c I had NO CLUE what to get her for her birthday. She still likes Barbie but doesn't really need anything along that line. She has an Ipod shuffle, so I got her a gift card for that. And some clothes for summer. And two American Girl books.

She's having a sleepover party in a couple of weeks so I got her two movies (Aquamaraine and Hotel for Dogs). This is a treat b/c we don't really buy movies. I also got her the game Clue so they could play that as well.

So the gift that she was shocked and surprised by:




NO, NOT A CELL PHONE!.........




a Karaoke machine!

It's the gift that keeps on giving. Really.
Bonus: my kids think I sing well :)

Happiness is calling your best friend to remind her to remind her kids that the first episode of JONAS starts in five minutes. AND hearing her daughter schreek with glee and panic. All hail the DVR.

Now, I wonder if my girls are recording it and how many times they will watch it after watching the original broadcast. Probably 'til my ear drums melt. Another show that is part of the Disney mega-marketing-machine. However, beyond watching the show my girls aren't freaked out about the merchandise. (yet)

Reminds me of my Tiger Beat days......oh, those boys from the Outsiders.

Time flies when you are having fun, I guess. Over the last few weeks, I've thought about posting on here about random assorted things but never got around to it. My poor blog. Let's see we've celebrated Ian's 5th birthday

traveled to Hanford (cow town in the middle of no-where-ville) for a basketball tournament

had a relaxing Spring Break

and celebrated Easter


Toss in LOTS of baseball games and co-chairing the Talent Show for me and it adds up to one busy life. It's all good!

And speaking of time getting away from me.....today is my niece's 16th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! How'd you get so old so fast?

I don't know how many of you have seen the Improv Everywhere video of the flash mob freeze in Grand Central Station. Awesome.
Well, being the Sound of Music geek that I am, I LOVE this one.



How can I get in on this cool stuff?

Random Announcement: YOUR CHILD IS NOT the next AMERICAN IDOL. THIS IS A FAMILY EVENT for FUN! Sorry, NO you can't be in the show -- auditions were two weeks ago - DUH! Tickets WILL sell out - buy them today; don't be upset when Uncle Sam from Minnesota can't get in.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Signed, Talent Show Co-chair

I'm no good at April Fool's Day. BUT apparently Maggie is good.

She short-sheeted Amanda's bed. AND Amanda fell for it.

HA!

(and I didn't teach her that!)

LOST
Did you think I was lost?
Well, I kind of have been.
Lost in life.
Lost in the mundane tasks of errands, laundry, and dishes.
Lost in the driver seat of my Suburban running all over town.
Lost in the mania of basketball and baseball.
Lost in volunteer stuff like planning the school talent show.
Lost in FINALLY finishing the Twilight series.
Lost in trying to create a realistic budget and still do 'fun stuff' (as the kids call it)
Lost in completely paperwork and realizing that my BABY is going to Kindergarten in the fall.
Lost in being a grown-up I guess.

I haven't been lost in Facebook land. I'm happy to say. I enjoy catching up with everyone but I just don't have time to sit and click around much. Now it's a couple of times a week vs. a couple of times a day; so if you send me message chances are it could be a while before I respond.

I haven't even been lost in good television. American Idol just isn't really holding my attention so I find myself fast-forwarding through all the nonsense hoping for a good performance. Thanks goodness for the DVR.

And last, but not least, lost in prayer of thanksgiving for Gwenyth & Tricia and prayers of hope & healing for Stellan
.

Please pray for baby Stellan.

It's that time of year when I get a planting bug. It's my annual time to garden and then I get over it.
I planted another calla lily in the back-side yard along with a new tomato plant and some rosemary. In the front, Ian helped me add a few assorted plants to the front entry walk-way and then we planted some candy tuft as filler on the side of the driveway. We uprooted a couple of old dead plants and got really distracted by ROLLY-POLLYS!
I'm not a bug person. I get pretty creeped out by most things and avoid spiders at all costs. BUT I think rolly-poolys are so fun. I have fond memories of playing with them and letting them crawl all over my arms.

It seems my kids love them too.

(almost)Wordless Wednesday



Amanda and her buddy, Cade


He's waited SO LONG to hear the words 'PLAY BALL!'

March has definitely come in like a LION. Well, it's never quiet around here so I guess I can't even use that excuse. I promised a few pictures from our Mountain Adventure; so here goes.
This is the kids happy as clams as we are unloading and moving everything from my broken down Suburban. Always a party......

Lots of snow and icicles around
Maggie didn't even mind walking Fritz
Amanda really is 'Punky Brewster' (did I just make myself look old?)
Amanda and Ann (cousin-extraordinare/hot-chocolate maker/perfect smore toaster)
our friend, Dale, chillin' withe Fritz
Ian is the essence of a 4yo
STEAK!
Sean turned NINE (and yes, he is eating cake for breakfast!)
it's the little things that get you through crazy weekends sometimes.

This is the post that I will entitle
I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING

It all started last Thursday; a 'low coolant' warning came on in my Suburban. 'No problem, I'll just pop by the mechanic's place and have them fill it on my way to pick up the kids on Friday AM (on our way to the mountains).' Everything was just dandy until 11:30am when the mechanic told me my water pump was done. "WHAT(%* Say that again!" They could fix it quickly but it was going to take a while. I scooped up the kids and dropped off the car. We walked to McDonalds and had lunch and they played while we waited, waited, waited. Waited so long they were done and asking to leave, lol!

After a couple of hours, we got the fixed car, picked up the dog and raced to retrieve my MIL who was waiting at a hotel to be picked up. We were three hrs. behind my original schedule but the silver lining is that I was able to drive up to Big Bear with a new water pump.

Fast forward two hours, we are 12 miles from the cabin. And I hit a boulder. It looked like a ball of snow (even my MIL said she would have gone over it.) Immediately I lose all oil pressure and kill the engine so I don't burn up my motor. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. So I have a Suburban FULL of groceries, luggage, 4 kids, a dog, and two adults. "Hello, AAA; um, we need a tow truck." The lady took a deep breath and wasn't sure how they were going to transport us (lol!) but Collin came to the rescue and picked us up. It was going to be a two hour wait. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. 35 degrees outside and no engine for warmth. Silver lining = no one was hurt; I was near a large turn-out to pull over; I was only a few miles away from town and the repair shop.

Saturday Collin had to drive down the mountain to retrieve parts for the mountain mechanic, so I took all four kids skiing alone. I hung with Ian while the three bigger ones practiced on the bunny slopes. The one random time I was riding with Amanda JUST as we got on the lift her nose starts to bleed. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. Being a Mom, OF COURSE I have tissues, but one short lift ride and three tissues full of blood. They called ski patrol/first aid for me but it stopped after a short bit. Silver lining = I was with her at the right time and it was just a random altitude thing. No biggie. Collin met us after lunch and Ian was skiing green slopes from top to bottom after his lesson. YEAH!

Had a great king crab fest dinner on Saturday night. On Sunday, Collin drove down the mountain yet again for Sean's basketball playoff game. They won! Our friend Dale walked to retrieve my fixed car before the mechanic closed. I skied with the others and they met up with us later in the afternoon. Family skiing; really, really fun. Had a great steak dinner and watched some of the Oscars. Sean turned NINE but was way too exhausted and grumpy to enjoy cake. It was a nice evening visiting with the Messinas and my MIL and niece. The fireplace had an issue with filling the room with smoke no matter what we did so that was a bummer, but it was a really nice rental. Then, Amanda starts puking around midnight. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. I guess she puked from 12-5am. Silver lining = I was downstairs sleeping with Maggie and Collin handled the Amanda illness. She was better by 10am and was fine for the drive home. My drive shaft had a ding in it from the boulder so my car vibrated the whole way home if I went more than 55mph. Not a shimmy but a vibration that made everything fuzzy and my brain hurt after two hours.

So our weekend was pretty much an adventure. Or a comedy of errors. Silver lining = we spent time with friends and family and we still all love each other.

Gone are the days when Collin and I would decide the night before that we wanted to go to Big Bear for the day to ski. No reservations necessary; no bags to pack. We would just toss our ski stuff in the car and off we'd go at 5:30am. We'd ski; grab lunch; ski; relax and then head home. A long, fun day.

Now, we have plans/reservations/lists:

It involves checking the ski-stuff box to see who has outgrown what. It involves borrowing precious items (helmets & goggles, THANKS Heather!).
It involves counting down how many more 'SLEEPS' you have until we leave.
After a trip to Ralph's

and Costco and the fire wood place and Chicks sporting goods, we can go.

Nope, first you have to pack suitcases and then figure out how you are possibly going to fit this puzzle together ---- dog crate; two coolers; firewood; ski clothes; four suitcases (for us); groceries!; wine; snow chains and have room to ADD three more adults & two kids WITH suitcases into a F-150 crew cab and a Suburban. (I know what you are thinking -- usually we shop after arrival, but all the weekenders arrive on Friday afternoon and shop. It takes at least two hours if we wait until we are up there).

Check the local mountain website for road conditions.
Don't forget the Dramamine.
The mountains are calling our name

Happy Mardi Gras!

Don't give up on me........I'm still here. The last two weeks have been insanely busy with dress rehearsals and SPORTS practices galore. (all totalled we have three baseball and two basketball teams right now; in case you lost count) Just this week I feel like I have my head above water so I thought I would take a minute and share a few recent pictures (in case you don't do Facebook).......
Our little rockstar, Ian
Sean LOVES this dog
Miss Mannie

Little Orphan Maggie