What time is it?

This kid rocks the court.  Their team is winless so far this season, but I'm crazy-proud of this kid.  Probably over-bearingly so.  He's fast, and I can see the wheels turning the whole time, like he's memorizing the game.  I watch him high-five his buddies after a play.  The same little buds that used to hang out in the nursing room with him at church, and the same ones that will someday high-five each other (hopefully :) at State.  (A girl can dream).

Seriously. Watching him and his buddies play makes his whole life flash before my eyes, and I.LOVE.IT.

I am his biggest fan.

Chicken scratches

My to-do list for the week:

It took me half an afternoon to figure out what three of the five words said.  Not. so. productive.

In other news, I still cannot remember my pin, even though at some point I was certain I had.  So.  I'm convinced that either there is some bank conspiracy going on (probably in cahoots with the-one-who-does-the-budget) or, more likely. . .I have a tumor. 

Which would also explain the chicken scratches.  Mystery solved.

Cowboy day!

Cowboy day is the highlight of the kindergarten year!  It is celebrated on the 100th day of school.  Everyone brings out their pistols and their cowboy hats & boots and their stick horses and bandanas.  And they are to collect 100 items of any small thing for counting in class.  Sara was collecting pop taps off of soda cans, and it was a close call, but thanks to all her family and friends she managed to get 107 total by cowboy day.

I think the biggest part for her, was getting to wear her brown "cowboy dress".  The proper dress is very important to Sara.

I added some freckles and some color and ta-da!  Cowgirl!

Aren't they cuties???

Time to play hookey?

Mt. Spokane is reporting 14 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours.  I'm a tad bit miffed the kids' have to go to school every day. 

A little of this and a dash of that. . .

I love it when I open the dishwasher and realize my husband was the last one in there.  I know this because all of the dishes are lined up like soldiers and in very specific categories.  I don't even know how he does it, honestly.  I put the same dishes in there and it would be total chaos. . .I say ladies, marry yourselves an engineer.  They're just plain handy!

Our Sara, on the other hand. . .she's an artist.  While there is order and method, there is also character, charm, and whimsy.  She was spending way too much time cleaning her room, but when I came to investigate, I realized it was time well spent:

Now that's what I'm talking about. . .

Snowstorm, candle, and a jar full of gingersnaps.  See, that was a good day.

Roadtrip with my girl.

So, my aunt wrote to me almost a year ago, and told me about my cousins scoring huge roles in a big musical production of West Side Story over in Oregon.  I had it in the back of my mind, hoping that things would line up so that I could go see it. . .I love a good musical!  There was some flooding in Oregon the week before I left, which ended up cancelling some of the shows, and then my kids couldn't quite seem to kick the flu bug.  But Friday arrived sunny and dry.  Kayte was up for shotgun, and we hit the road. . .with a quick stop at RedStar on our way out of town.  We took the Geo because of it's fabulous gas mileage...every time I filled up, it was less than $20.  Seriously.  (My chevy would've been $80.)  Plus it corners better too.  It has no CD player, tinted windows, or cruise control, and I'll tell ya, that last one almost cost me a ticket or two.  I can't hardly make it across town without flipping on my cruise.

Self-portrait: 

We got into town with enough time to catch up with my grandma a little bit. . .she's been having tests done on her heart this week, and recently learned that the doctors want her to undergo open heart surgery.  She was feeling good enough that day to come with Kayte and I to the musical, and she was thrilled to get to see it.  It was fun to be able to spend some time with her.  The musical was absolutely fan.tastic.  And my cousins were awesome.  My cousin Jesus was Tony in the play and had several solos, and Amy's part scored some solos too.  I was really impressed.  Kayte was literally on the edge of her seat.

We couldn't stay after the show to see them, and Kayte was asleep before they got in that night.  So she was pretty excited to have breakfast with them the next morning.  She was definitely starstruck.

My aunt makes some wickedly authentic mexican food, I love having her cook for me.  She's only ten years older than me, and has always felt much more like a cousin than an aunt.

We got some pics the next morning, just after everyone got up.  I had to get my photo ops while I could!

Kayte and I headed out and did some shopping at the outlet malls on our way to Portland.  She's never been a big one for shopping, but then, I'm not sure we've ever done much of it, just the two of us.  She was having a blast, and picked out some aviators and this slouchy denim cap.  One lady commented on how stylin' she was, and I think that totally made her year.  We lunched at IKEA, you know, lunchroom style, where you get to pick out all your stuff, al a carte, on a big tray.  She loved that.

It was a long drive for her, 16 hours in two days, but she did great and was fantastic company.  I love her growing up and being my little companion.  The years go by so fast!

(I should mention also, that my husband scored major brownie points for taking on the weekend at home solo.  He gets my need to roam, and regularly sends me out the door with keys to a full tank of gas and an itouch full of tunes for whatever road trip I've dreamed up most recently.  He balanced kids and house, and managed as the only representative from our home during the big Driskill Move that landed on the exact same days of my trip.  And yes, that was accidental, and not my fault.  He's definitely the yin in this relationship.  I'm actually convinced that he'd rather help someone move than spend 2 full days in a car, with some outlet shopping on the side.  :)

Ahh. . .I'm so glad I got to go!

Kayte's first basketball season!

Kayte has been dying to play basketball!  Last year, we thought she was already a little overscheduled.  This year, we have apparently lost our minds, cause we've basically signed her up for every possible extra-curricular.  But she is ready to put in the time and get it done.  Joe signed on to be her coach and they already have one in the win column!  Go Pirate-Bunnies!  :)

Kayte's fan base is large. . .

She reminds me a little bit of Will, first game out.  She runs really really super fast. And that's a whole lotta fun to see :)

Simply Irresistible.

He's learned to say "pretty please".

Works every time.

Oh yes, we did.

I. can't. wait.

Welcome, February!

Today I managed to completely blank on my pin number for my debit card.  In Winco.  Without cash or checkbook.  The mounting pressure from the checkout lady wasn't helping, as she stared at me suspiciously.  Like I'd stolen it or something. . .and then boldly tried random four-digit numbers hoping one of them would work and I'd actually score my $6 worth of desperation on someone else's dime.  Please.

I've had that debit card for years.

I never did remember it, and I had to suspend my transaction, jet over to Chase and jet back before she really started to wonder about me.  Six bucks worth of groceries, totally not worth it.

This is the kind of muddle I've been in for the last three weeks.  I actually said to Joe last night, "can it possibly get any worse?" which of course he tsked-tsked, because we both know it can.  It could get way way worse.  I mean our troubles (it's difficult to even call them that) are a blip on the tiniest radar.  But somehow, even little things can get you mired down and in a funk.

So this morning, after sleeping better than I had in a week (doesn't that make such a difference?) I woke up with the sunshine.  Happy it was February.  Ready to start all new and fresh.  Just like I did a month ago at the turn of the new year.  I was chastened a little by Sarah's Ode to January because I usually totally get that.  I love a rainy day with nothing but flour on the floor and a full cookie jar to show for it.  It was too late to give January my due, but I was happy to move on.  My kids were healthy for the day, and I was on the road to recovery. . .

So anyway.  I'm behind.  Part of that has to do with the fact that my blog computer (yes, it has been demoted to that term, since it is too slow for anything worthwhile, yet is the only one I can actually load pictures onto), well, it takes a half an hour to warm up and be friendly.  I'm so excited to get started on all the good stuff in January, and what better time for that then February?

Oh yeah, those flowers.  Those are from Joe.  He's always bringing in a new season for me to enjoy and these are already a week old and looking better than ever.  See, life is good.

Happy.

That's all I got time for.

A silver lining. . .

I just got back from the gym where the treadmill beat me over the head with my own arm, and then I nearly bit it trying to hop lithely to the floor.  Apparently "lithe" is not a term with which my body is familiar.

On the upside.  No one has puked in almost 24 hours.

Argh.

Having a little trouble with Picasa.  Baseball bat at the ready.  See if tech-expert comes home in time to save it.

Till then this X is all the picture you're gonna see. . .

Change o' Plans

So, today was gonna be a real productive day. Laundry needed only a polishing, a gym visit for the requisite cardio, Winco to restock a rapidly diminishing supply of fuel. Bank meeting for house planning. Maybe Old Navy for some basketball gear for Kayte (she starts tomorrow!) But. . . .Ben puked late last night. Just once. Just enough to cancel the day. And I spent the early part of the morning slowly succumbing to the cabin fever that has been sneaking up on me since Kayte first fell prey to the plague a week ago, followed by the others, one at a time. The gingersnaps were calling to the self-pity part of my brain. (Gosh, they're seductive.) But somewhere in the pile of clean laundry waiting to be put away, I found my big-girl pants, all pressed and ready. I polished the stainless steel that was sparkling just three days ago and went ahead and scrubbed the germs off my floor. Even though I knew Ben was going to be walking on in any minute breathing on them again. Peter Cetera was serenading me from Pandora and I found my groove. It was a blizzard outside, and because of my little cherub, I was locked down and 'forced' to enjoy it. Not such a bad day after all. I got some stuff done, and I got to hang with the little buddy and watch the snowglobe from my cozy chair. In an hour, the house will be crazy-loud with schoolkids free from the shackles of the classroom. And I'll be all refreshed and ready to roll. Sure beats Winco. Any day of the week.

Ahh, snow. Where have you been all winter???

More gym fun.

If you are in the mood for a chuckle, I suggest you read this.

Good morning!



Blessed

Think spring?

Forty-eight degrees and sunny seems like a lucky day in March, not the forecast for the first week of January!  It is tempting this snow-lover to wish for April and dream of summertime, even though I've just recently sent in an order for kids' ski boots and a stack of lift tickets.

The kids just got back from school, and I'm supposed to be giving them their spelling lessons, but I can't help letting them run and be free in the backyard. . . coatless and possibly shoeless!  If the kids can't have sledding, they will have sun!
Shall I rethink my position on all that global warming chatter?  :)

Ahhhh. . .Pooh!

Well, just 5 hours into the 2nd day of the year, I had an epic resolution fail.  Joe and I had set three alarms between our two itouches to make sure that I made it out of bed on time to get to the gym by 5:45 am.  Lights out before 10.  I managed to wake up every single hour through the night, worried that it was time to go.  Even 5.  I closed my eyes for what seemed a pretty long time, and when I woke up, it was 6!  Argh!  I still made it in time for some serious torture, but I wasn't terribly proud of myself.

Later in the morning, Joe and I came across a BBC article explaining the little snafu.  So take note.  Do not trust Apple to wake you up.  Ever.  Just sayin'.

Happy 2012!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

Tomorrow morning, 5:15, I'm headed to the gym to take advantage of my Christmas present!  6 weeks of personal training with Annie!  So that pretty much wraps up any fitness plans I have for the next little bit. . .I'm working on convincing myself to do a half-marathon this year, but, since I'd rather set small goals to start, I want to run Bloomsday!  I've done Bloomsday.  But I've never dreamed of running it.  And the torture there is in the verb, I think.  But lately, I've become a bit of a fan.  So why not?  I'm pretty excited about it. . .

My only other resolution for the year is to slow down, which is kind of the opposite from the first.  I'm always either sleeping or speeding.  I'd like to try walking.  Slowly.  Like, in the grocery store.  Or even from the grocery store to my car.  This will require extreme restraint on my part, and while "doing" is an easier resolution to keep than "not doing", I'm determined to do a little less every day.  I want to breath slower, and eat slower, and hug my kids slower.  You only live once.  What's the big hurry all the time anyway?  Sometimes you should say to yourself, why do today, what could possible wait until tomorrow.  Like facebook.

So that's it!. . .For now.  Cheers!