Frat Party...(Alpha, Beta...Whatever)...

So the boys had some friends over today after school...this is just a little idea if what things look like after "the boys" have been hanging out in their domain called the basement. I think the only things missing were empty beer bottles, boxers hanging from the lampshade and togas. I know this "mess" is not that bad (this is only a portion of what the basement looked like), it has definitely looked worse after an afternoon of boy bonding (this is just the ONE time I wasn't too mad to find the humor in it)-however, for any of you who know me well, you know I don't do well with messes in my house. There, I said it...I'm a little anal about the way things "look"...even if it is for a group of 9 & 10 year old boys.
(I love the Skittles wrapper laying next to the pirate patch...what a party!!!)
So until next time...PARTY ON!!!!!

Lunch Bunch...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!! You girls make me laugh and smile and make me want to be a better person!! Thanks for a great afternoon!

So impressed...

Yesterday I went to the school to help with the 4th grade end of the term reading goal party. There were three classes with about 25 kids in each class. One by one the classes came outside to play some relay games that myself and another mom organized for them. The relay they were doing was an obstacle course that ended with them shooting a basket before going to tag the next kid in line. Now, while there are plenty of fourth grade girl & boy athletes...there are some that are not. As these not-so-great athletes were taking their turn shooting a basket (we had them stop trying after 10 failed attempts) my stomach was in knots for them. This was the kind of relay that as a fourth grader I would have instantly faked a stomach ache with high hopes of being sent to the nurse, or just given the ok to "sit that one out". I just would have been in fear of being made fun of if I didn't make a basket right off...and that was my fear for these few kids that were trying and trying and trying, with no success. I was trying to listen for the words I was afraid of hearing...not-so -nice words...Guess what? I didn't hear ANYTHING of the kind! Not even from the kids I was positive would fail my little test. Instead, I heard wonderful words of encouragement, even a pat on the back from a classmate saying "it's ok, you did a great job!"
People like to say (and I know I have said it) that kids are mean. Well, this group was not, and had every opportunity of being so. I couldn't have been more proud if I was each kids own mother ...and I was the very proud mother to two of them:)!
I know that each kid experiences this kind of junk at some point, some experience it a lot..but I am absolutely loving where we live and LOVING the kids my kids associate with everyday! Thanks 4th graders! You guys ROCK!!!

Tagged?...(thanks Jen..)

I was "tagged" by my friend Jen to answer the following questions:

WHAT WAS I DOING TEN YEARS AGO:

Ten years ago, this month, I was newly pregnant with twins (only at this point we thought there was only one bambino) and put on bedrest for a week..the first of three times I was temporarily placed on bedrest. I was sick and really tired and totally LOVING being pregnant (what was wrong with me?). I was working full-time in a salon, and lived in a divey little apartment in Sugar House with my new hubby of 5 months! Sorry, no pictures will be shared. Even I don't want a photo recap of that!

WHAT WAS I DOING ONE YEAR AGO:

One year ago we were stressing about selling our home, having already bought the new house! Living on the edge, we were...Seriously, I lived, ate and breathed house selling. I couldn't watch any of my favorite shows on HGTV about house selling because they physically made me sick. Thankfully, five days before the set date of moving into the new house we sold it..WHEW!

Old house...

New house...

(no exterior pics of either, that I can find!)

5 PLACES I'D RATHER BE:

*On the beach with J-dub & the kids in San Diego
*Away for the weekend...ANYWHERE...with John
*My bathtub
*Target or the Mall BY MYSELF!!
*A cozy cabin in the mountains with my little family and no TV!

5 FAVORITE SHOWS:

*I Love Lucy
*Anything on the Food Network (cuz I secretly wish I had my own cooking show)
*Letterman
*The Office
*Dancing With The Stars (NO LAUGHING!!)

5 FAVORITE SNACKS:

*Diet Coke (I'm totally with you on that one Jen)
*Pretzle Crisps (from Costco)
*Honey Crisp Apples
*candy, candy, candy (been really good about not indulging in that one lately)
*Craisins-cherry flavor

They just don't get it...

Conversation on the way home from parent/teacher conference...

Me: "Matt, I am so proud of you! You are doing so good in school!"

Matt: "Yeah... you, too...oh wait...you don't go to school."

Me: "Sure I do. I go to "Mom School"... every day...Mommy 101."

Matt: "So do you just get a babysitter for Sam and Liz while you're there?"

No pictures, just words...

What a week...it was crazy, it was busy, I'm tired and I'm glad it's over. I love to post cute pics of my kids and share all of the cute/funny stuff...but sometimes I HAVE to keep it real.
About two weeks ago we had a flood in our house that completely ruined a bedroom (when I say completely ruined I mean it had to be torn down to the studs), ruined my hardwood floors, ruined three library books, and ruined my nerves!!! We had "drying" equipment in our kitchen for six days that was loud enough to drown out any screaming that four kids (and their friends..and their mom) could dish out, repairmen coming and going (I feel for you, Lindz), and drywall dust all over EVERYTHING! In a nutshell, we have great insurance and the bedroom is rapidly being put back together, and on the upside...I really have been wanting to refinish my hardwood floors and now that will be taken care of :)! What is it with us and floods?
Over the past week the kids will have had three days off of school and I wish I could say that it has been wonderful and amazingly bonding but I would be lying. Monday brings another day off, and the week after that is all short days...yippeee! I love my kids, but come on!!!
Yesterday Sam decided to wash Lizzie's hair with juice while they were eating lunch (I guess I'm not allowed to leave the room for a minute to go to the bathroom)
I'm really happy that it's daylight savings! This is seriously one of my most favorite weekends, sad, huh?
And in my blog ramblings tonight I also decided to change the name of my blog...the first one was just too cheesy and was decided on way too quickly. This one just seems to suit me better. No, I'm not depressed...it's just a reminder of what I need to do more often! Don't be surprised if changes 20 more times!!

Coming down from the sugar...

Well, another Halloween has come and gone and Christmas stuff fills the aisles at the stores (I LOVE Christmas, but what is the deal with that?)
We trick-or-treated around the neighborhood until we were slowed down by a blister, "burning ankles" (???), and a pumpkin trick-or-treat bucket that was too heavy. We told the kids we would buy their candy from them...then the negotiations started on how many dollars per pound we would pay. I'm sure it will just stay on the counter for a day, then graduate to the cupboard (where it always gets forgotten), and then find its' final resting place in the garbage.
I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween, so I'm happy to move on to November. My boys asked why I never let them be anything "dead" for Halloween..."because I think it's disgusting, and why would you want to be something gross and depressing when there are so many creative/funny things to choose from...blah, blah, blah..." At some point during this conversation they have had it with my rambling and have walked away!
So, enjoy sneaking Halloween candy while everyone is at school...and Merry Christmas!