Stupid Americans..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCoVaeYHzWA

Drama Queen of Mine

Today Justin and I went to the meeting with Lily's teacher to see how shes progressing in the 3rd grade. She did pretty good. She is actually on Honor Roll! Fabulous. She definitely needs help in math..no shock there..and...(drum roll please!)
The teacher said that we need to be careful because " Lily is a drama queen." LOL No Shit..
I was shocked that the teacher said that though. I almost peed myself when she did and I tried hard not to burst out laughing like a complete idiot.
Justin liked her. She is VERY tough and has high expectations of these little tweens and she should. I am proud of her..she is good..and of course she is milking it big time. She wants this bedding set and since she made the honor roll it only seems just to purchase this for her. Funny how her little drama queen mind works. That's my girl. :)

Ode To The Hubs

This post is dedicated to my husband of 12 years, Justin.
Today marks our 12 years anniversary, and what an amazing ride its been. We were engaged while I was a junior in high school. Everyone I knew said how dumb I am and how it would never last. Ha! I was the only one in the career and family development class that really needed the help. Justin and I moved out on our own when I was a senior and had our own apartment. After school when most of my hoodlum friends would head to the park across the street to smoke a joint or just loiter..I tracked off to work at my first job..cashiering at Target.
Justin is the yin to my yang..we are seriously polar opposites, but yet we balance each other out. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. He listens to my silly issues I struggle with..always gives the most logical advice time and time again.
I think I bring out the more sensitive side in him(sounds cheesy I know) but its true. Feelings/ emotions..the whole nine yards.
And his innate playing skills are seriously phenomenal. He is so a kid at heart and I just love that in him. He has blown all of expectations of what I thought a father should be like out the freaking window. Seeing him with the children and how much they adore him, makes my heart curl up and feel all squishy and you know..weepy and reach for the tissue.
I love him more now than ever. I am looking forward to us growing old together. Another road..another odyssey waiting for us to go hand in hand. I love you now and forever

Creature Comforts...

Today was the absolute perfect day..for chowder. It was cold, grey and dismal..I just loved it. I took the kids to the market..(yep, Lily stayed home again..but back to school tomorrow for sure) and stocked up on supplies. We also made a apple pie.

Being the superb wife that I am I phoned hubby at work telling him the feast I was making would be so swell with a nice hard stout. Hesitate he did not.

The house was smelling..er..um..lets just say those with sensitive sniffers would probably be nauseous..a mixture of bacon, apples and spices and clams filled the air this afternoon. Blah...

I bought tiny sourdough bowls and filled them with clam chowder and topped with crispy bacon. It was so freaking cute.. Justin felt a little sad as the actual sourdough round was pretty much wasted. I mean we used the tops to soak up some stoup (term from Rachael Ray) but the rest was just decorative.

The pie was yum. I used a top crust and one for the bottom. next time I will just use one for the top because the bottom one was kinda soggy and seemed not cooked all the way... top it off with vanilla bean ice cream and who could refuse?

Tomorrow Justin and I go meet Lily's teacher for a conference. Quick stop at Starbucks first and we should be there at 830am. I need my pumpkin spice latte. I can't wait until December when they start having the eggnog. I order eggnog chai latte and it is insanely deliciously. Today I bought some pumpkin eggnog at the store. Justin hates anything w/ pumpkin and or chai. Such a travesty.

Busy Mom = Happiness?

I have read a few other posts, and also just talked to a dad about this so I thought what a good topic for a blog.
Growing up I was never involved in anything...no sports, no cheer, no extra stuff. once I tried out for track but miserably failed because I was coughing a lung because I smoked..(hey c'mon, I was like 15)I tried out for gymnastics but pulled something in my leg. I look at other families and see them,
..with busy lifestyles..kids in girl scouts, sons in baseball, mom's in a book club, whatever..and from the outside it looks so good and I feel so envious.
I have the absolute opposite problem., I am so not busy. Well besides the usual cooking, cleaning and rushing off to the market for a forgotten item for the nights meal, I am not busy. I am bored. Lily was in karate for like 2 seconds..and she no longer went..mainly because we kinda forgot..Practice was every Tuesday at 5. She missed one because she was sick, then another because we had to go somewhere..can't remember where.. .and of course Lily said she would rather go with us in hopes to obtain a new toy or something. I look at her and she is a thriving beautiful, blossoming young girl..she seems happy..so why is it that I feel the need to have her involved in stuff? Because I wasn't?
We are Never busy..its such a big deal when some of Justin's friends come for football..I love thinking up the menu...preparing, you know the whole ten yards. Justin loves this. He doesn't mind that we don't entertain often or go out with others..as I am sure you got the hint that he is such a hermit..total opposite of me. I am the extrovert of the bunch..I love people..(well most anyway) I am chatty..gimme a cocktail and I won't shut up. Justin and his whole family are introverts. After all these years it seems like since I have been 'stuck' at home( I mean that in the best of ways possible..I am so blessed to stay home and raise my children) I feel like I am forced to become something I am not. I sometimes leave the television on for that adult conversation. ..no matter how cheesy it is like on Days of Our Lives ..I feel a little better. Having a 3 year old to converse with all day..well lets just say it can drive you crazy.
My point to this whole thing is this..is a busy mom happier? If I get Lily in activities with things be better? Will having Jack in pee wee soccer settle my need for busyness? Should I join a moms group? I think it just boils down to me getting the car. Then I can get the heck outta dodge. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Sick of everything...

Lily stayed home from school, just like yesterday. She has a bad cough and is congested. School does that to a kid. During the summer..no illnesses..but seriously after a week in school its cold after cold..it stinks..and ofcourse double trouble because whatever Lily gets she brings home and so lovingly passes it off to Jack.
Besides, they aren't doing much in class..same ol' stuff..read this, test you on it the next day..memorize this..test..very routine.
I have been considering trying the homeschool thing once more. Jack is older now and not constantly on my boob so I could actually do lessons and he could do some things too!
I discussed this with Lily and she firmly refuses. Who knows..maybe she'll reconsider. Hopefully by the time 4th grade comes I will have a car and she may want to homeschool and we have all kinds of field trips to attend. I would sign her up for a charter school just like last time.
The kids are out in the back yard playing. I am making baked chicken, some Asian coleslaw and some organic steamed broccoli for dinner. Justin is buying Ratatouille and we'll watch that with the kids tonight.
Lily should be going to school tomorrow..but that's what I thought yesterday too..seems to get worse at night..It definitely could be a result of all the crap that is still in the air from the fires.
I am starting to feel kinda sad lately..things are weird. I don't like how early it starts to get dark..our garden has died, and I am seeing Christmas commercials! Already! The day after Halloween... Christmas. Already. Not. Even. Thanksgiving. What. The. F*%#K?
I don't want my kids to want so many material things. Its hard. Television plays a HUGE part in that. Jack is only 3 and starting to say " Oh mommy I want that..and that ...and that!" I am limiting their TV viewing..Lily watched Hannah Montana..fine but then there are the commercials. That's what I don't like. Most if not all are for some ridiculous toy, sugary foods or how cool it is to eat at some fast food joint. I don't want to be the mean mom that doesn't let their kids watch television...but its getting so outta hand. Alot of the times the TV is on discovery channel, national geographic and/or food network..which is my favorite. I suppose I can just turn the dern thing off. I would like to go for a week w/o TV. What would we do? What kind of activities? Hmm..And sheesh..what about my shows. I mean hello..my Thursday..Ugly Betty and Greys Anatomy.??? I need my fix of grown up shows and not little tweens on Disney channel or Little Bill..or Max and Ruby.

So Proud..

I was very worried about what we were going to do about Halloween. We were invited to Justin's boss house in Alpine. Beautiful, huge..perfect, home. Jack was already mad and said he didn't want to go and be around all kinds of people. We told him a few days in advance. Fought it tooth and nail. Justin went to work on Halloween until 10am and then headed up to Alpine to help with the decorations and whatnot's. He came to pick the rest of us up at 4ish. We got outta of the truck and headed toward the house..(they have a huge drive-way). We wanted to go while it was still light so Jack could see all the decorations and not freak. He loved it. All of it! Not scared at all. He talked to everyone..played with another little girl and had a great time. You would have never known he is or was terribly shy.
On the way there I realized I left my camera behind. Sigh..
Jack was a fireman of course and Lily was a corpse bride. They both looked great! I am so proud of Jack. Justin even said we just need to get him out and around lots of people and he would get used to it and sure enough that's what happened. We were home at 830pm. On the way home Lily felt kinda sick and started to cry.. said her tummy felt weird and her head hurt. When we got home, she brushed her teeth, showered and went to bed. She was just fine. It was past her bedtime and she was way overstimulated so thats probably what happened.
So far, shes had maybe 3 pieces of candy. Jack has had one tiny pack of M and M's 9his fav). She picked out 3 other pieces she wanted and the rest is gonna go.
Today Justin was going to surprise us with a trip to Legoland..until he went online and saw that it would be $204 for all of us just to get in the damn park..
Sheesh..
I would rather have a new coffee table for that price, the kids could play Lego's here...hahaha