Back to Reality

Waa...waa....waaa....

After 10 days off, it's back to work tomorrow. I know it won't really be that bad....it's just the thought of it that I'm not looking forward to and the 1,000,000 emails that will be waiting...

We had a great vacation and it was soo good to get out of town and see something different. We enjoyed some awesome fireworks in Plano, played at Schlitterbahn and Canyon Lake, and Lance and I even got to dance at Gruene Hall - fabulous week!

Hopefully, Lance can get some pictures uploaded for me to share this week!

The $50 Wallet

So, we are having the allowance discussion at our house again.

We had discontinued the allowance for awhile and now are considering going back to it.

My thought was that N would earn $3/week since he will be in third grade this year and that L would earn $.75/week since she'll be in kinder.

Turns out both of the kids disagree with that amount. L of course thinks she should get the same as N (oh, the drama of being the youngest!) And surprisingly, N also thinks she should get the same. Hmmmm. That really surprised me, but I must say it also delighted me.

Lance and I are going to have to take it under advisement. I still think he should get more since he is older and has more responsibilites than her. If you can count clearing his dishes, taking out the trash, and keeping his room a step away from the trash dump as huge responsibilites. She has the same responsibilites as he, but still requires a bit of parental help to actually accomplish her chores.

So, the wallet.....

N is participating in a 2 week acting camp right now --- he is playing The Wizard in a production of The Wizard of Mars --- it's sort of a mash-up of Life on Mars and The Wizard of Oz. I can't wait to see the performance and he's learned alot about memorizing lines, blocking, set design, and more! All in all a great experience.

But, there is another boy in his group, Stuart. And Stuart seems a wee bit more wordly wise than my boy. Stuart claims he owns some special quarter that there are only 20 of the in the U.S. and he owns all of them.....he's offered to sell one to N for only $5. I told N that I thought it was a trick. Then yesterday, N comes home with a wallet. Up until this point, all his money has stayed in his banks, only to come out when going to buy a specific item. But, Stuart evidently needed money to buy a snowcone yesterday and so he convinced N to buy his wallet (an Incredible Hulk one at that). He told N that the wallet cost $50. Of course, N didn't have $50 and coincidently the small snowcone cost $.75 and so N bought the wallet for that amount. Stuart got his snowcone and N got a used Incredible Hulk wallet. Not sure who got the better deal there!

I want both kids to learn about saving, spending, giving early in life so that any mistakes they make are on a small scale and not financially devastating. And so, I observe and offer my opinion when asked. And act really surprised and excited when a little boy shows me his first wallet. Wow, he's growing up!

The Mr. Men Show

So, has anyone out there seen the Mr. Men Show? You know all 3 of my readers?!?


This is a show my kids have discovered this summer and I have to say, I enjoy it too. Funny, how I can make time for folding laundry when this show comes on. Is it wrong to admit that I, a 38 year old mom, likes cartoons?

What I like about this show is that there are these very unique characters (although they are pretty one-dimensional) and yes, some are women. Just a few of my favorites:

Miss Chatterbox --- this is L when she's had a nap. She doesn't even take a breath between sentences if you can call them that. I'm not sure there is even a comma or period anywhereit'sjustamashofwordsallrunningtogetherandheavenhelptherestofusifwewanttosayanythingatall. I think her brain must be running at warp speed when this happens. Although, I have to admit that when she's like this, it's one of my favorites 'cause she's happy and she comes up with the cutest things!

Mr. Rude --- typical boy stuff -- bodily functions/noises

Mr. Quiet --- he's speaking so quietly you can't hear him and it's usually a perilous situation where you really wish he would yell out, "THERE'S A BUS HEADED RIGHT TOWARD US!"

Mr. Stubborn --- 'cause which of us hasn't been this a time or two in our lives. Rain is falling from the sky and we keep saying, "There is no rain out here. It's not going to rain today at all."

So, my advice, watch it sometime. It will make you laugh out loud. Or at least I do. Maybe I'm trying to recapture my youth.

Fine, Whatever

Dear L,

How did you come up with the expressions you are now using on a daily basis? When asked to do something you don't want to do, you pause and then say, "Fine. Whatever."

I know Daddy and I do not say these words together, with the same tone of voice and context with which you so do. I'm not sure how your 5 year old self found this language that I had hoped wouldn't arrive until you were 13 or at least 10.

Please, my darling girl, please tell me that you are simply getting the teen language and attitude out of the way early and that you will be a delight to your father and I during your teen years.

If in fact, you are going to deal us greater misery, don't bother to tell us.

I don't think we can handle it.

Love,
Momma

Where do I begin?

So, it's been awhile. 4 months maybe. I probably don't have any readers left. Things here got busy and the blog had to be put on the shelf for awhile, but hopefully it won't have to be reshelved that long again. But, I also noticed some of my favorite blogs have been shelved some as well --- life gets busy and it's hard to maintain, but it's something I really want to return to. This blog is really the only journal I have and something I want to look back on and remember this phase of life.

Moving to a new city. What can I say? The adjustments continue....I never dreamed this time last year that we'd still be adapting at this point. But, I have to say, other than missing daily conversations with dear friends and my previously extremely flexible job, we really like San Antonio!

The highlights here:

a GREAT school for N --- I thought Forest Ridge was a great school in College Station, but it had nothing on our school here ---- fantastic! N had straight As all year with 95 being the lowest and the best part was his much improved behavior. It must be all the maturity that comes with being 8.

Great new friends for me. My biggest hesitation in the move to SA was having to start over with friends. That has actually been the easiest thing for me; I have a wonderful group of ladies who have embraced me and I so look forward to time with them. Just a few weeks ago we had a girl's night out that was awesome. We laughed and were completely obnoxious in one moment and were discussing deep theology in the next. These gals "get" me and we are travelling the momma road together.

A great place for Lance to serve. Things had gotten hard and discouraging in College Station for him and it was obvious things were only going to get worse. Lance is enjoying a renewed energy and passion for ministry and doing so in such a positive, loving environment here.

We finally sold our College Station house in May --- never dreamed it would take that long. We've decided to stay in our rental house one more year to build back up our savings after almost a year of "double" house payments. While I'm not crazy about the 1990 era wallpaper in this house and the vinyl floors with wood pattern, it's plenty big and will do until we can find something that is ours.

L turned 5 in March and we are now counting the days with her until Kinder begins. She is writing very well and has begun spelling simple words and we know she will LOVE big-kid school!

So, hopefully, you'll hear from me again before October and I can get back to telling the story of our lives!

The Newlywed game and more!

Over the weekend, we had lots of social engagements. We are oh, so popular! :)

Friday night, was a play at Churchill High School featuring 3 of the youth from our church. It was very well done even though we had to leave at intermission. L just could.not.make.it.all.the.way.thru. Possible reason why? It was not High School Musical, which is now her favorite! Is she 4 or 12?

Saturday, after I did my early 6am breakfast making and bathroom helping with the 4 y.o., I went back to bed and slept until 10! Then I woke up and read in bed until 11! It was nice!!

Saturday night, we had fun at a friends house with guys vs. girls pictionary and The Newlywed game. Lance and I were the 2nd longest married couple there and it's hard to believe, but had forgotten some of the details from our dating days. We didn't come in last place, but definitely not first either! It was a great time complete with homemade sushi from our Korean friends and lots of French goodies from our French friends. It's amazing how international our group is -- although, there are also plenty of good ole Texans! It's fun to have new friends and learn crazy things about them!

And of course, Sunday! The Saints finally win! What an awesome thing for the Saints' fans who never gave up! We celebrated with our youth and college and it was fun to see how little some of them knew about football. And how MUCH some of them cared.

All in all, a great weekend of fun!

Runaway

Are mommas allowed to run away? 'Cause I'm considering it... not permanently of course, but maybe for 2 or 24 hours.

Lance has been out of town since Sunday and this momma is worn down. The first half of the week was quite relaxing and down right enjoyable. No need to feel compelled to cook dinner. PB&J and mac n cheese work quite nicely thankyouverymuch. Lots of books, and some TV time. After all, it has been raining for DAYS. I can't remember the last time we saw the sun.

But by last night, I was over the single momma routine. Since L was still awake and fighting sleep at 11pm, I was envisioning an entire night awake with her. And you know how when you aren't sleeping and then you panic, 'cause you're not sleeping and so then, you can't relax and you surely won't get any sleep then. Well, that was me last night. And after having been awakened at 5am by crying cats, I was a wee bit desperate for the sleep.

L has decided she doesn't like anyone or anything, she doesn't have any fun toys and everyone is mean to her. Hmmm...with an attitude like that, I can certainly see why everyone is being mean to her. And if I weren't her momma and love her like crazy....

So, tonight, Lance gets home. If you see me with my purse, fleeing our home for a few hours, you'll know, I did run away.


But I will come home.



Maybe.



Just kidding.

All I want for Valentine's Day is.....

my two front teeth, my two front teeth, my two front teeth.

Just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter, this happens!

The Derby

Last night, was the pinewood derby for N's cub scout troop! This is the car he designed and painted. The only thing Lance did for him was cut it out (by the design N gave him) and help him attach the weights! The painting and everything else was done by N. He was very proud! And so were we!

I've always thought N was adorable, but I must confess, I think he's even more adorable these days with his missing top tooth. The grown-up tooth is peeking thru so it won't be long that he'll have this toothy grin. But when you combine it with his freckles, well, it just does me in. This boy is likely to get away with a little more (at least with his mom!)

Geaux Saints!

In honor of my Louisiana heritage, I have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys have always been #1 in our house while growing up in Dallas and being married to a man from Dallas, but...my dad has been a faithful Saints fan for years and finally, finally, finally, there is redemption for this team and this city!! How very exciting! And they are playing the Indianapolis Colts, which just happens to be the city of my birth - very cool!

Last week, a several great moments happened at our house.

N lost his 3rd tooth - and it's one of the top front teeth, so he has that super cute smile that only 1st and 2nd graders seem to have. This tooth had been loose since last spring, so it was a long time coming!

Friday was report card day and N got straight A's again for the 2nd 9 weeks! We are so proud. And he also got all E's in conduct, except one S for music!! Yeah N! After our 1st grade struggles, 2nd grade seems to be a breeze! I think he just had to figure this school thing out.

Saturday, L had an awesome day! Those of you who know L in real life, know that she can be dramatic at times. Like, most of the time. You never have to guess what that girl is thinking, she will tell you and tell you and tell you! But on Saturday, L was a pleasant, happy child for 98% of the day and Lance and I were on cloud 9. She ended up with lots of praise and a reward for her great behavior. The best part was she knew how hard she had worked and was proud of herself. We are hoping this behavior will continue more frequently as she approaches 5!

How many different land forms do you know?

'Cause I struggled to think of even two.

I was given a quiz last night by N. He had thought of 21 different land forms...and they couldn't be bodies of water...he was very clear on that. Which meant that canal and ocean were out.

So, here's what I came up with:

island
canyon
mountain
peninsula
cliff

and with some hints, I got a few more:

desert
arch


But, I missed:

mesa
valley
ridge
mound
berm
volcano
plains
forests
craters
and a whole bunch more that just boggle my mind to think of.

Now, granted some of his were stretching a bit (is there really something called a pin, but I was amazed that a 2nd grader could come up with all the different categories he did, as well as with illustrations to go along with them.

He insisted to me that I must have learned this stuff when I was in 2nd grade and that I had just forgotten it by now, but really, I don't think I ever knew it. And it could be, that science has just never really held my attention for more than say 5 minutes. But, this boy, science is his first love. I'm beyond amazed. He knows what a butterfly's tongue is called, for goodness sake.

I write Jazz

My 4 year old, L, still has lots and lots of cute sayings and funny things she thinks are true.

Over the weekend, I was helping her write some cards for her friends. She was writing their names while I helped her spell them. And oh, it's so sweet. The big preschool capital letters that she makes. The way it takes 3 lines to write "Gracie". But after awhile, her hand got tired. Ha! So, she asked me to write some names for her. But, she didn't want me to write them like her. She wanted me to write them in Jazz. I wasn't quite sure what she meant until she demonstrated her version of "L" in jazz and I realized. Jazz is cursive!

Other funny things she's convinced are true (and it may be because I've neither confirmed nor denied her feelings): Does that make me a bad mother?!?

She thinks if she drinks juice in the bathtub and some of it drips, the bath will catch on fire. (I don't deny this, because truthfully, why does a 4 y.o. need juice in the bath....is it because she's had a long, stressful day and she needs to relax and wind down? I think not)

When choosing clothes for the day, that I tell her don't match, she wonders if the police will come take her to jail. (Well, maybe the FASHION police)

Oh, I love my gal and her sweet 4 year old moments... and I only have 2 more months to enjoy them. She will be 5 in March --- FIVE! I can.not.believe.it.

New favorite

I have a new favorite book. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. He has been one of my favorite authors for several years. The Notebook and Message in a Bottle are by him as well.

The Last Song is a love story, but it's not the main focus of the story. The main focus is actually the relationship between father and daughter.

I highly recommend this book!

And while I was watching The Princess and the Frog, I discovered there is already a movie in the works for The Last Song. :)