Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

Random Sunday . . .

I worked at church.

On our way to church? Halle fell down and got got some major road rash. I feel guilty because I had just told her to hurry up. Hello, jerk-Mom!

After we went to Pasquini's last night, I got to spend some time my friend Renee and about 20 of her best friends. OMG. Talk about exactly what that amazing girl needed!

John and I got to sneak out and see "What to Expect When You Are Expecting", while Dylan and a friend saw "Battleship".

I felt a little lame that we went to the movies instead of watching the solar eclipse. But I have been dying to just go to the movies with my husband for so long!

There was some yummy eye-candy in that movie. Who knew? Plus, it was actually really cute. And I may have even cried just a tiny bit!

I colored with Halle for so long this weekend that I feel as if I have carpal-tunnel syndrome. Ouch.

See . . . I told you it was random!

Weekend Wrap-Up . . .

so our full-of-fun stuff weekend is almost over and all I want? Is to go to bed! I am so stinkin' tired. Next year I really, really need to ship my early-waking child off to a sleepover on the night of the auction. Because when I go to bed after 1:30? 6:00 am was way to early to peel open my eyelids!

All in all, the weekend was good. Had dinner at my Mom's on Friday. That was interesting. Set-up for the auction yesterday morning. Had a couple of play-dates along the way. John and I headed out the auction last night and had a blast. We drank a little too much and therefore spent a little too much. Like usual.

Today we laid low. Ran a few errands. Did a few projects around the house and yard. Watched some movies via the Roku which John hooked up this morning. Did laundry (like always). Played Barbies. Did art. And not much more than that. Because we are all tired. Tired with a capital T!

Bring on the bedtime, please!

Fresh Beat Band . . .

live was an amazing show. Yes, I am publicly admitting that I loved a live event geared 100% towards preschoolers! Why? Because of the overwhelming excitement and joy that Halle experienced.

At the beginning of every single song, she would turn to us and say, "I know this song!" She would then hit the aisle (right next to our box seats) and start dancing. At one point, she was on the ground break-dancing. Seriously. When one of the band members (Shout), came running down the aisle and touched her shoulder, I actually thought that she might swoon!

Utter and complete joy. And isn't that the best kind of boost you can receive as a parent?

Her Rockstar jacket was coveted by many. I think we could have sold it off her back for several hundred dollars. But she wasn't letting that happen. Heck no! That was her Rockstar jacket . . . her custom Rockstar jacket, nonetheless . . . back off, lookers! (I cannot thank Shannon's mom enough. What an amazing gift!) As an aside/pat-on-my-own back? I couldn't ever find the perfect "Kiki" shirt according to Halle's impossible standards. So I ended up cutting the polka-dotted sleeves off of one (perfectly good) shirt and hand-stitching them onto another (perfectly good) striped shirt, while John drove us to Modesto. Don't say I never did anything for you, sister . . . 

To top off the concert? Our visit with Lauren and Bobby. And their two puppies, Kody and Isla. Holy cats, did Halle ever think they were the coolest! She has their next visit to Chico all planned out. And it basically consists of Kody and Isla coming to stay with us. The end. She cried about leaving the dogs. So hurry to Chico, Lauren and Bobby!

While there, Bobby intrigued me with his fancy Apple TV. (Of course, this was after I already purchased the Roku for John's birthday. It would be ridiculous to have both. Right?) What really got my attention was the ability to stream directly from your Apple devices. Like all the little video bits on my iPhone. Right up there on the big TV. Tempting, for sure!

Also on our way home? We were able to meet up with my life-long friend, Mel and his lady-friend, Pam. Pam, by the way? Completely delightful. She makes him happy. And that is all we ever wanted for him! Someone who makes him happy. Simple, isn't it?

Needless to say? I am very glad that I bought those tickets for Halle's Christmas gift. She may not remember how excited she was when she's older, but I have this blog to remind her. And some photos. And some video clips. Now if only I had Apple TV . . . I could show her so easily! Halle's exact words at the end of the concert? "Best Christmas gift EVER!"

Valentine's Day . . .

was a bit over-the-top around here. I'm not quite certain why we all went a little crazy, but it was sweet. If just a bit ridiculous!

John was very sweet and hacked into my Pinterest boards and bought me a custom fingerprint necklace. Very sweet and touching! My gifts to him were all over the board. Books, wine and towels. Weird combo, yes? Dylan got his Mythbuster's bobbleheads that he's been wanting ever since we say them live last month. And candy, of course. Sister got a purse and all sorts of jewelry, including two very sweet necklaces from her brother. And candy, lest she be left out of the sugar-overload.

We hung out, ate yummy nachos for dinner and had ridiculous ice cream sundaes for dessert. It was exactly where we wanted to be!

And now, we are headed out to go see THE FRESH BEAT BAND!  Whooooooohooooooo. Pictures and a report on that big fun tomorrow. Get your rockstar jacket on . . . everybody sing along . . . 

Girls' Trip 2012 . . .

Thank goodness for (1) Zofran, (2) IV fluids and (3); my hubby who can administer them both to me when I am desperately in need! If it wasn't for those three things/peeps, I wouldn't have been participating in Girls' Trip this year. And I really, really wanted to go. As evidenced by my willingness to buy adult diapers. Just in case!

Sunshine, life-long friends, the beach, champagne, Segways, laughter, tears, food, trashy magazines, over-indulgence, the Ritz, emotional meltdowns, Club-level, homemade marshmallows (super-yummy, Shannon!), cupcakes, furs, mouth-guards, relaxation, being real . . . all of that together? Equals bliss. Total bliss. 

I am so very blessed to know these women. To love and be loved by them.

Weekend Wrap-up . . .

(Even having been out on disability for the past six weeks, weekend still go by way too fast!)

Let's see, what have we been up to for the past few days?

On Friday, I got to spend some girl time with my #1 girl. We were lazy. Breakfast in bed. We picked up my #1 boy and headed home for lunch. More lazy time. Just a bit of it, actually. Dylan started off his basketball tournament with a game that afternoon (win!) and we followed it up with a yummy Burger Hut dinner. John had a coupon and God forbid that we waste a coupon to BH!

Saturday morning, Dylan had to be at his first game at 8:30, so he and I took off; leaving Sis and John at home. I dropped him off for warm-ups and headed downtown to my favorite place to grab a Chai (Tin Roof) and headed back to watch him game. It was epic! Best game they've played all year in my opinion. Another win!

Back home for a short respite, then headed out to Tres Hombres for a quick lunch. No coupon for that one . . . just a major craving! I was able to RACK a gentleman while we were there and it was fun. He was obviously homeless and had come in and ordered coffee. He was also eating chips by the handful. I was able to quickly buy a $20 gift card and had the manager take it to him. We were just a few tables away, so I could peek over occasionally and see him enjoying his hot and plentiful meal. Much better than chips and coffee. It made me happy :)

Dylan's team was then up for the championship game. It was a team that we had (barely) beat once before and they came back really hard. Dylan had 10 rebounds in that particular game and sunk the ball a few times too. He was amazing! The whole team was. It was very fun - albeit stressful - to watch. Our boys rallied to win and took the championship. Playing in the "A" bracket when we are a "B" school. That's another post in and of itself, but needless to say, they showed up . . . big time!

Saturday night, John and I headed out to a fun Pub Party at some friend's. It was loads of fun. Yummy catered food, great Irish music, lots of people that we know . . . good times!

Sunday was another lazy day. (Sense a theme here?) John studied and prepped for school to start this week. Dylan played a ridiculous amount of Xbox. Halle and I lazed about and played. We watched the 49's game. Ouch. 

And that was about it. Exciting, no?

Thirteen . . .

Years 6 through yesterday . . . 






Tomorrow . . . I swear that John will hook up the scanner (right, honey?) and then I will have birthday photos 0-5. And then you will be stunned, along with me as to how quickly the time has gone, how immensely our lives have changed (for the better) and how big/old/amazing/smart/blessed my boy is! Happy 13th birthday, (not-so) baby boy!

P.S., if you have any thoughts as to borrowing these photos and claiming that they are yours/your boy? Piss off. And don't even think about it. I will bury you in the depths of your lies, injustice, blatant falsehoods and ridiculous detachment. Just saying.

Monday Photo Dump . . .

Please?

Well, whooohooooo, look at that!

Top to bottom, left to right. (1) Dylan and his late lunch. Who taught that boy about good food and where are they when the bill comes? (2) Our Shannon's wedding announcements that I finally ordered and sent to her. Can't wait for her to send me my official announcement! (3-7) Our Friday trip to Roseville and our ongoing quest for the perfect (and free!) fake furs to wear to girls' weekend. And maybe some fake hair to go with that fake fur? Please? (8) The reindeer games that didn't happen. Damn staked-down deer! 

As for today, I am in an organizing frenzy. I am ripping clothes out of closets and making piles and doing obscure laundry and cleaning out drawers and drinking chai tea by the gallon. It's surgical nesting at it's best!

Tomorrow, 9:00 am(ish), keep me in your prayers, yes? I'm a bit of a nervous wreck, but am certain that all will be well. But I'll never turn down prayers and positive thoughts, so bring 'em, please!

A Very Early Birthday Party . . .

Dylan doesn't turn thirteen for another 4+ weeks, but we already celebrated his big day. Weird, yes? It actually was genius!

One of our good friends/neighbors has a late November birthday and she wanted to go paint-balling. Well, paint-balling is expensive and more fun with more people. Plus, if she had a birthday party with Dylan then there could be girls AND boys there, without any of that boy-girl party drama. (She's a smart cookie!) So thus was born the combined birthday party!

The birthday boy AND girl.  

Tons of fun and we are definitely going back for more. Maybe even just adults? It would be a super-fun afternoon group date. Seeing as I'm just slightly competitive. Just a tiny, little bit!

(Fortunately, this guy and I were never on opposite teams. But we did kick but the one chance we had to be on the same team. Seems like a life-lesson in that, for sure!)

Happy Halloween . . .

Dylan makes me so proud. Going to middle school, fully decked out as a Prom Queen could have been tough for some kids. But not my guy! I asked him if he would be OK if he got teased and he just said, "Mom, if someone teases me about it, it's just because they're jealous that I can rock this costume."

You go on with your self-confident self, buddy!

Just got the call that my nephew also wants to dress as girl tonight. Guess I'd better get my makeup back out!