You Know When.....

...you're watching too many reality game shows when your dreams have you in the final two contestants in a singing competition (the other?...you're husband!), and then another in which you are miffed at another contestant for sabotaging your food after you've already plated it for the next round of judging.

Good, Bad, and Saving On Gas

Today I received a call I was waiting for.......Caleb will be in full-day kindergarten next year!

The school district that we are in made the decision to start moving the kindergarten classes to full-day class. The elementary schools have two years to make it a part of their system, so that means that some schools won't be ready in time for next years classes to be full-day.

I heard the 'rumor' of full-day classes a couple of weeks before school let out and it had my hopes high! Although I see this in two ways. The good and the not so good. Here's the good:

* I can be a part of the Tuesday morning ladies bible study at church (since the release time for half-day kinder interfere with bible study times).

* I can attend other mom events at church (again, the release time issue)

* Think of the gas I'll save by knocking out a drop off/pick up at school!

Then there's the not so good:

* This district seems to push the students hard and expect more than they should (in my opinion)

* Less time with my boy.

Overall I'm sure it's a good move. But still! This means no slow move in to school days. He'll be a full fledged school going boy. *sigh* I'll focus on the positive and help Caleb when he needs it. And for now I'll just say......Thank you School District for moving kindergarten to full-day....you'll be saving me tons in gas!

Well-Done

I am done. As in well-done. As in I've baked too long in the sun over the past two days.

Today the kids and I spent the day at the park with friends like we usually do on Thursdays. However, today was a bit different. This time we met at a different park, and this one didn't have a whole lot of shade.

I didn't really think about the lack of shade until several hours after I got home. Now I'm seeing a whole new shade of red and it hurts to scrunch my nose. Ouch!

Tomorrow I think I'll stick around indoors and enjoy the sun in a more indirect sort of way.

Don't Forget the Sunscreen

Dear Friend,

When you think you are tan enough to not require much sunscreen, think again. If there isn't enough sunscreen coverage you can still get burned. Trust me on this one.

Your friend,
Red Hot Mama

Doh!

While at Costco the other day, Ryan found an alternative to the Starbucks Mocha Frappachinos. It's a can of a coffee drink mix (with chocolate chips!). Basically Ryan uses it for making iced coffee (the yummy girly kind!). All he does is put a scoop or two in the blender along with milk and some ice cubes then blend away! Next comes the best part.....he serves me some. *big grin*

Sunday was a very hot day over here so Ryan made a batch to alleviate the uncomfortableness of the heat. After giving me a small portion, he put the rest in the fridge for later. Later, as I was putting the water pitcher away, I knocked over the iced coffee yumminess and it spilled all over the kitchen floor!!!

I was devastated and torn between crying in the misery of losing it all or throwing myself on the floor to lick it up!

After the shock had worn off, I dutifully cleaned up my miserable mess. I did, however, sip the leftovers that landed in the lid and what was still in the bottom of the blender (that's where all the chocolaty bits are anyway!).

I console myself with the fact that I now I have a clean kitchen floor. (but in all honesty I'd rather have a nice tall glass of iced coffee girlyness)

A Spectators Sport

This evening we sat down and watched a little of the women's gymnastics Olympic trials. There were quite a few conversations about what the girls were doing as well as explaining what exactly the Olympics are. Caleb had his own observations about what we were watching....

Caleb: That's not very hard. I can do that.

Mae: No you can't, let me see you try!

*don't you just love sibling rivalry?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

*this was my favorite of the night

Caleb: I like her. I think she's beautiful.

Me: (after I'm done inwardly laughing) Why do you think she's beautiful?

Caleb: 'Cause she's got sparkles.

Too. Hot.

Man, it's just stinkin' hot here. I think it got to 105 today! All I can say is, I'm melting!

We tried to beat the heat by going to the beach today, but I forgot the sunscreen so we only stayed for an hour (and Ryan still got a burn!, boy do I feel bad now!). Later, after resting on the couch for a bit and watching a little of the Olympic trials for mens gymnastics, MaeLeb and I went to the pool for about 2 hours. I think we will all sleep well tonight. It may have been a record going-to-sleep for those ones tonight!

I tried to find a great 'I'm melting' clip from The Wizard of Oz on YouTube to describe how miserably hot it is here. But there wasn't one to be found (well, not good enough for my blogging standards anyway, whatever that means!). So I'll just leave you with this......in your minds eye, recall the scene with Dorothy and her friends in the Wicked Witch of the West's castle and she has just thrown the bucket of water on the witch. Then the camera follows the Ms. West as she descends into the floor saying....I'm melting, I'm melting, I'm melting....

That. My friends, is how I feel in this yucky, terrible, no-good heat.

But I thank the Lord for allowing man to invent air conditioning!

The Short Film

Today I took the kids to the free movies. It didn't go so well and I'm bummed. I thought this would be a great way to get us all out of the house this summer. Guess I'll have to scratch it off the list and try again next year. I didn't really expect it to work out, but I was hoping against hope that it would. Isabel is why it didn't work.

In anticipation of being crowded out of the theater, I got ourselves there a good 20 minutes early. We even got seats in the front of the second/back section (which means that Isabel could stand up and walk around without getting in people's way and yet keeping her contained). However, being there that early may have been my downfall. Once the movie started Isabel only lasted another 20 minutes or so.

Isabel started out sitting in her own seat and was content to stay put while eating a free sucker that came in a little baggie from the theater (along with a tattoo and a hand held ball/hoop game thingy). After the sucker was eaten, and lips were blue with evidence, she then sat in my lap while a pre-movie cartoon played for a few minutes. Our neighbors to the left didn't last but five minutes once the movie started, so after they were gone that gave Isabel free access to the isle. Of course she took full advantage of it and started to climb up and down the stairs. I got her and brought her back. Then she played with the seats (because they are so much fun to pull down and climb into. actually, I was surprised that she didn't get sandwhiched and get stuck!) By that point she told me she was 'all done' and headed back out of the row and toward the door.

Mae was not happy that we had to leave, but I did try to prepare them that it was a possibility. In the event that this would happen, I had brought our Blockbuster-online movies with us so I could run by the video store for a free swap on the way home. So that's what we did and were able to get the movie we had started to watch (Doogal). Add in a little microwave popcorn and called it good.

Now why is it that Isabel could sit still at home and watch the movie? Maybe it was the popcorn.

Agony

Many a time have I wanted to break out into to song while in the midst of a toddler meltdown or when chasing one down in the store, or goading the child with words such as 'would you just hurry up!' while trying to make it up to the cashier so we can get on with our day.

What song would I break out into, you ask?

This one, but I don't get much farther than 'agony!'

Father's Day 2008

Yesterday was Father's Day, and although we didn't do anything spectacular, I think Ryan enjoyed his day.

I began preparations the night before by making him some homemade cinnamon rolls for the next morning (and I think this was my best batch to date, if I do say so myself!). After the delish breakfast was inhaled, it was off to church. Later, when we got the kids from their Sunday school classes, they each had a craft of some sort to give their dad. This was my favorite, made by Miss Izz herself;



Isn't it cute?! It's a cut-out tie attached with yarn. Ryan put it on but Isabel wanted to hold it. She did make it after all.

After lunch Ryan took a nice nap as his slow cooking pork was on the grill. (his choice to 'cook' on Father's Day, not that I complained!) Then it was time to go to the pool! I took the video camera so I could get some footage of the air that the kids get when daddy launches them in the water. But the batteries were dead. *sigh* I tried. It would have been great, trust me.

The bbq pork sandwiches were awesome and Ryan was quite pleased with himself. The kids and I got him a bbq tool/grill set that came in a nifty case, but due to poor planning on my part (and not knowing ahead of time that his bbq was going to be a 'slow cooker' and therefore starting in the early afternoon) he did not get the new set in time to use it. Next time for sure, and he's quite excited about it too!

Later, after dinner, it was time to go to Coldstone for a little after dinner treat. Ice cream is one of Ryan's favorite foods. If it were up to him, ice cream would be in it's own food group! So suffice it to say, Ryan ended his day in one sweet way!

Ryan tells me that it was the best he's had. I am relieved...but I think he said that last year!

Unlikely Places

I had a dental appointment this morning. It was to be a routine cleaning, no 'procedures' or anything that would require Novocaine. However, it matters not what the reason for the visit or what will occur while I lay prone in 'the chair', I just don't care for dental visits. And today was no exception.

Like I said, today's visit was just a cleaning, but I've been having sensitivity in one tooth and it caused me concern (concern for future 'procedures' and the use of Novocaine). Leading up to my appointments I am always in much prayer for the best of dental reports and easement of fears.

This morning I prayed. I prayed a lot. And surprisingly I was not stressed and my tummy was not in knots as I sat in 'the chair'. The hygienist was kind and gentle, and she even gave me a glowing report on the state of my oral health.

As I received praise for the health and state of my teeth and gums I was turning it right around and praising the Lord for such reports! I am thankful for His protection of my teeth (as I am convinced that I am not worthy of such a report of good health in regards to my teeth and such). This morning, as I prepared to go my appointment, I had planned to distract myself with praying for other people, but I found myself offering up more praises than supplications.

Who knew that praise could be found in a dental chair!!!

And So It Begins....

Summer that is. Today was Caleb's last day of preschool and I'm a little sad. It's a combination of his growing up and his no longer being in preschool as he starts Kindergarten in just a couple months, coupled with knowing that summer is here and the kids are all out of school.

So I'm just a bit sad today.

Summer, for me, is officially here. I've got several things lined up and thought out to keep us all busy and in each other's good graces. Here's what we've got going on:

* I bought a daily devotional for the kids and I to use every morning. It is my hope that this will help feed their desire to know the Lord more as well as give us all a good focus and start each day.

* starting next week Mae and Caleb (affectionately known as MaeLeb) have swim lessons starting next week for the next two weeks.

* a camping trip with friends has been set for mid July, and our family will be extending the trip for just ourselves by a few extra days.

* MaeLeb are also signed up for our church's VBS for the first week of August.

* Other things we can do each week are swim at the neighborhood pool, go to the library, then we can also go to the gym (good thing the kids love going!) oh! and I just saw this morning on another friends blog that Regal Cinemas offer free movies twice a week for kids, so we are so doing that! (thanks Becca for the tip!)

What plans do you have to keep the kids (and yourself) entertained this summer? I'd love to squeeze in some other activities here and there! (hint hint with the ideas!) *big grin*

Overheard....

The kids were busy putting away the clean dishes as I walked into the room. And this was what I heard.

Mae: I want to be like Mommy. I want to be skinny.

Caleb: I want to be like Daddy. I want to be white and nerdy.

A New Fair Lady?

I just read this little article that stated that there may be a new My Fair Lady movie in the works. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Especially since Keira Knightly is slated to play Eliza Doolittle (Knightly played Elizabeth Bennett in the newest version of Pride and Prejudice and I wasn't impressed with that remake either).

I take that back. I do know how I feel about it.......terrible! I don't see how it can be improved upon. Truly, why would anyone think that a re-make could be better.

It should be touched. That's all there is to it!

What say you?

Chores Are Expensive

Remember the other week when I bought new dishes? Remember the reason why I had to buy them? Well, Caleb is at it again!

I am now down one less drinking glass, and I didn't have a whole lot to begin with.

I'm tellin' ya, good help is hard to find. And in the mean time it's costing me in wages and replacement purchases!

I think I see in a trip to the Crate & Barrel outlet store in my near future.

I Growed Up!

One of our recent trips to Costco gave us a nice supply of Starbucks Mocha Frappuccinos. In the past I have frowned upon them as Ryan drank them all. I have never been one that adores Starbucks, or coffee in general (unless it's coffee cake, but that doesn't usually contain coffee). The only time I ever really liked (or drank) coffee was when we lived in Michigan. On a too-cold winter Sunday morning, in our Sunday school class, Ryan would make a girled-up cup of coffee and I'd drink it, but really it was only to get warm.

But the other day I grabbed one of these little yummies out of the fridge and tried it. I had a little then decided it needed a tad more milk. Then I downed the whole thing!

Guess this means I'm a real adult* now. I drink coffee!

However, I think I'll stick with my non-coffee vanilla frappaccinos when ordering anything at Starbucks. There's still a part of me that says 'ewe, coffee'!

*if the word 'adult' is said slowly, it sounds more like 'a dolt'

Another Phase

We've slowly been phasing out of baby stuff. Last summer I sold off most of the baby clothes, furniture, and toys. And over this past year I have been trying to get myself out of the habit of using the umbrella stroller or shopping carts for Isabel. I still don't like having her roam (or run) free when we are in a store. I'm trying to get used to that, but when it comes to Costco she is still cart-bound. Aside from that, I think it's been a good month since we've pulled out the umbrella stroller for anything.

However, when it comes to the walks we take around our neighborhood, we still bust out the jogging stroller for The Bel. I kept thinking that we'd be done with the jogger this fall. Well, the time has come.

The other night Isabel did not want to go in the stroller, and Ryan, being more patient than I, decided to let her walk. I was surprised on how well she did! We didn't have to hold or carry her too often and she was quite content to run ahead or lag behind. I'm thinking that our stroller days are done. *deep, sad, sigh*

As it is nice to be phasing out of the stroller, I am still a little sad that we won't be needing it anymore. Just one more reminder that she isn't a baby anymore.

But doesn't she look happy to be stroller-free?

So Very Much Excited!!!

Last night a friend and I met at Starbucks and began our summer bible study and I feel like a little kid with the excitement over it. My friend emailed me the bible study lessons we had to choose from and as I looked at them I just wanted to do them all! How could we choose just a few to go over these few months of summer? My mind began racing with ideas.....if we do this one and that one, then maybe I can do this one on my own! I couldn't take it anymore, I printed out the first lesson then promptly went to work on the first day, then found myself going beyond into the second day. I've never quite felt this way about a bible study before. I'm not sure why though.

So last night, my friend and I began working out the plan for our summer study. We haven't quite began our actual study so we spent the rest of our time talking about our lives, the things we've done, the things we struggle with in daily life, and the things we want to grow in. I look forward to being able to encourage and challenge each other, as well as having a routine and having someone holding me accountable.

Again, I'm not sure why this all excites me the way it does. It's not like I haven't done a bible study before. Maybe it's the meeting with another believer with the sole purpose to talk about what we are learning in The Word? Or maybe it's the opportunity to be encouraged in my walk with the Lord and the chance to be the same for another? It could be that I look forward to getting out of the house, away from kids, and having an adult conversation. But I think it's probably a little bit everything!

Whatever the reason, I am excited and ever so thankful for this opportunity. For years I've wanted to do a summer bible study with a small group of ladies, and this year is it! I can't wait for next Monday night! I'm so excited!

**if you live in the area, feel free to join us!

Worth A Thousand Words, Or Maybe Just A Smoothie

Saturday I took Mae and Caleb to the library and got them signed up for library cards (thank you Mr. Benjamin Franklin!). They were quite excited about having their very own cards. My plan is to use them a lot this summer to help pass the time for us all.

While we were there, I checked out some of the things they've got going on this summer. In addition to a reading program that gives them a neat little package of goodies once they've read ten books, I also noticed they have a photo contest. Basically, the kids are to take their own pictures of insects or bugs (ewe!). First place prize gets a $10 gift card for a bookstore and the Honorable Mention receives a book bag from the library. So, we have been taking the camera with us when we go on our regular walks, in hopes of finding a bug to capture on the camera. So far Mae has taken a picture of some kind of beetle.



And Caleb took this one of a swarm of bees making a hive on the eave of a house.



Neither pictures are the greatest, but I don't think it is fair to do any editing on them since they are to be done solely by the kids. However, I am saving their pictures on the computer, and when the time comes then we can see which are the best and submit those ones. But I think Caleb is waiting to spy a 'praynis manis' for his picture! (his words, not mine. but how stinkin' cute is that?....'praynis manis', I love it!)

Not a bad little summer project for the kids. I think it would be so much fun for them if they were to win. If not, well, then maybe Mama will have to take them to Jamba Juice for their own little prize.

May's Movie Review

I feel like our recent movie watching has dwindled over the past couple months. Last month we watched a total of four. Haven't we watch more than that in a typical month?? I also think that with the summer programs that are now starting up, that we won't be watching as many movies with our Blockbuster Online account. Between 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'The Mole' that's three week nights right there! And Ryan is usually fried come Friday night and is not up for watching a full length movie. I guess that leaves us with two to three nights a week for movies. Oh well, that's the beauty of our Blockbuster account, we keep the movie(s) until we are ready to watch them, then return them later.

Anyway, here is what we saw last month:

Kite Runner - I had heard good things about this movie and was not disappointed. The story is fictional but has the feel of one that was true. It has it's deep/disturbing issues but overall it was a great movie. It's one of those that after it's over, you sit back in silence and just think about what you just saw. I enjoyed watching the main character develop as it followed a young boy in the beginning of the film then picks up his life later as a man in his 30's. I don't think I can do a good job of reviewing this movie.....I just don't feel like going over all the intricacies of this film. I do recommend it, however it is not for the faint of heart as it is a more deeply emotional movie set in the modern times of Afghanistan.

Persuasion - Ahhhh, I just love Jane Austen movies, and I think this one if my favorite (with P&P and Sense & Sensibility at a very close second!). It had been a while since I had seen it so I felt it was time to see it again. It is a must-see for anyone who loves Jane's books and made-into-movie films. What more can I say.....Captain Wentworth is a great example of a woman's hero for love! I'm swooning even as I write this.

Little Women - I grew up watching the Katherine Hepburn version of this movie, and when the newer version (with Wynonna Rider) came out in the mid 90's I didn't think much of it. How does one compare Hepburn to Rider? You can't, it's simply not possible. But it's been ages since I've seen the older version, so I thought I could now watch the newer one and enjoy it. And I did! Hepburn was no longer clear in my mind and I was able to watch Rider portray Jo without really seeing Rider. Does that make sense? Alas, I enjoyed the movie and ever so glad to see it again (it doesn't hurt that Christian Bale is in it either!).

Cloverfield - Ok, this was a strange one. The basic premise is that an alien is on the rampage through the streets of New York with people running away as craziness ensues. Not an original concept in the film industry. However, the difference was in the perspective of the storytelling or view of the audience. The entire movie was shot through what seems like a persons video camera. You can hear the person holding the camera and talking with his comrades, as well as the comrades talking to the camera/cameraman. It is complete with shaky camera handling. At first I wasn't thrilled with the concept, but it grew on me and was able to watch the movie without a whole lot of distraction from the film making. Overall it was a creative and entertaining movie. I would recommend it IF you aren't afraid of a thriller/mystery sci-fi movie. I hear they are trying to do a sequel, although Ryan and I are not sure how they will be able to pull it off (if you've seen the movie you'll know what I mean).

**Our queue is dwindling. Suggestions are most welcome! (hint hint)