Sunday, May 31, 2009

Partay

Party in the hooouuuuuuwwwwse....


Zach turned 12 last week and kinda mentioned having a party.  I was thinking....awesome tricked out invitations (you all know my style "go big or go home" when it comes to a theme party), streamers, balloons, sweet goody bags...cutesy theme cake and a......
{SCREECH}
...then came Zach, and his little voice said..."uuuh, yeah, I'll just tell my friends about it at school or I'll text them." And then I was all like "exqueeze me?  There needs to be some kind of actual paper invites so parents know that it's actually happening...and when to drop off, and more importantly...when to pick up.  So he passed out some invites, that he made himself on the computer, to a few kids a couple days ago and all but one of the kids was able to come.   (In the interest of full disclosure I did jazz up the invites with a little razzle dazzle...listen, on some level, this is a reflection of my craftiness). 

I had some inkling that I would not be organizing pin the tail on the donkey or spoon and egg races. It makes me nervous not to have a schedule and a plan...I tend to like organization and I can't stress enough how much I ♥ a theme.

The boys arrived..played some video games and "hung out." "It was tight!!"  (I only say that because it was the most used phrase at the party...and since I'm a super cool mom, I'm working it in whenever I can).  After the hanging out, there was the first of numerous Nerf gun fights and then we did this...by Zach's request...

and the boys LOVED it.  I did not realize that there were kids out there that had never made their own pizzas. SERIOUSLY!! This is something we do lots of Friday nights and I was pleased to see that they were completely excited and totally into it. Honestly, it was a real hit...Oh sorry..it was tight!  WHO KNEW???? 


Aren't they a cute little bunch??  Anyway, they had a great time and I figured since we went to the 8:40pm showing they would be wiped out when we got back. Oh sweet goodness...no...they were raring to go.  They watched movies and text messaged friends (the incessant texting and instant messaging drives me INSANE). I finally made them turn out the lights at 1:30am but Charlie, who was on kid patrol upstairs, said they finally fell asleep around 3:30 am.

Even after a late night they managed to get up by 8 am for breakfast.  (Let's see if they can maintain this regimen in college.)  We had a nice big breakfast...again thinking they would just hang out till pick up time but oh nooooooo.....


evidently the thing to do on a full stomach is a full on - whole house - NERF fight....as you can see I was attempting to read the paper...before I vacated the area for fear of getting hit!


Do you see Brooke in the mix?  She knows no danger!  


Here is a retreat back up the stairs.....


and then back downstairs.....the Nerf gun fight was tight though!  I was so happy to finally yell "cease fire" as the parents were due to arrive in a few minutes. 

I knew the whole "goody bag" thing wouldn't really fly, but I had purchased these plastic popcorn containers at Target a while back and remembered I had them in my craft stash.  The guys used them for their movie, so I put a can of silly string in the bottom and a handful of candy in a bag on top of that and attached the thank you note with a photo I had taken of them last night.  The boys, even Zach, thought it was so awesome tight. 

So, in the end, there was no crazy theme...no coordinated plates...no cutesy decorations and I was told by Charlie at least 10 times that they were fine and not being too rowdy and just having fun...and judging from the complaints from the kids that their parents came to pick them up too early (when it was actually on time), they must have had a great time.

I guess we can sum it up in one word....

AWESOME!!

Yeah...I know you thought I was gonna say TIGHT
...but let's face it we already knew it was 

TIIIIGGGGHHHHHTTTT!!!!!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school here.  I was feeling particularly amazed as this means we've been here nearly a year and it really has gone by so very quickly!! 

I picked up the kids to go out to a Welcome Summer Vacation lunch since they only had a half day and I said "ahhh...last day...we survived guys...we survived!"  To which Zach said, "Mom...we not only survived...we THRIVED!"  

I was moved by his observation and his ability to put it in words so quickly and concisely.  I agree too...the kids are thriving...end of year report cards are in and all 3 of the kids managed to make straight A's for the year...that on top of belonging to sports, after school clubs, being in the G/T programs available to them and dealing with the overall transition.  I'm so proud of them...especially because they make it look so easy!

Here are some fun pictures of the kids....they are all taken on the first day of school and then again today.  I think we can see who has the most amazing changes...even though by some funny coincidence he is wearing the same shirt both days.  The more things change the more they stay the same...

Moving on to fourth grade



Moving on to seventh grade 

Zach is nursing a nasty sunburn from the 6th grade pool party a few days ago.


Moving on to {gulp} tenth grade 

Now on to summer vacation....YAY!! 
No more super schedules and hopefully lots more sleeping in.  

Monday, May 25, 2009

In Honor


Seven years, to the day, between these two photos

Today we honor those who have passed in the defense and protection of our country.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Twelve


It is not possible that we went from this...


To this....


In just a few short years. Where is all this time going?

Today was Zach's 12th birthday. It was a wonderful day for him...

He woke up to yummy pancakes...and then off to school....then this afternoon he attended his first school dance, had his first slow dance with a young lady who is his "girlfriend" and he got so many great presents like...a cell phone (for emergencies and mild usage..nothing insane), a Swiss Army knife, video games, books, money, a movie, gift cards, a cookbook, some new weights for his workouts and some outdoor games for the yard. Pretty fun. 




I love this sweet boy...he is quickly turning into quite the young man!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

This time last year...

It is hard to belive that this time last year we were in the midst of moving from Alaska to Texas...which by the way, so many people don't realize that you can drive to Alaska...I mean you have to drive through Canada (which I like to refer to as an unending hell) but it can be done.

Oh look here we are driving through Canada...yeah, late May...see all the snow...  


The only ones on the road... for hours...Oh look eh...we are still in Canada


Still flippin' driving through the YUKON FREAKIN' TERRITORY....


I'm working on a little "revisit" of that trip...if you want to read ALL about it...and quite frankly who wouldn't...then start here *click me* and read at your leisure....oh yeah I'm fully aware that you people have mass amounts of time to do this sort of thing...

In the meantime....to all my friends and family who are moving...my sister Deanna who will be moving from Hawaii to North Cackulacka (that's North Carolina for those who don't know) and my friend Ann who is moving from Alaska to Hawaii and to my other sister Heather who's moving to Texas...(OK fine...not true...that was just wishful thinking) Good Luck...this move thing is exciting and exhausting all at the same time.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Mother's Day


Mother's Day was very low key and rather restful. I received a lovely hand made sign, cards and gifts from the kids.


We went to my local fave...Mamacitas for EARLY lunch to beat the crowds.  Every mom received a rose and we had a really yummy lunch.  Brooke is always such a funny girl...


After lunch we drove further into San Antonio and headed onto Lackland AFB and checked out the display of airplanes they have.  It was a nice walk but it was extrememly hot and humid.


After we got home I took a nice little nap.... 


I went for a bikeride in my skirt..with the family...and we finished off the day with some YUMMY BLT sandwiches.
 
A nice day with my kiddos...that's all you really need on Mother's Day!

Be right back...

My life all of a sudden became a cycle of soccer, baseball, making dinner, volunteering at the school...repeat....repeat.... 

 I have stuff to share ....but first I have to volunteer this morning...then back home and since by some serious miracle I am caught up with laundry, I can update here.  

I'll be baaaaaack....

Sunday, May 3, 2009

And the winner is...

So Saturday came, and we got our little snacks ready and we made mint juleps...or mint lemonade for the under 21 crowd....and we watched intently for a minute or so until the race was over.  

And the winner was Mine That Bird...a 50 to 1 longshot.  Mine That Bird was purchased for less than $10,000 and competed in this race against horses that cost as much as 2.1 million dollars. None of us picked this horse but I have to say...I LOVE...and I mean LOVE an underdog. (I kid you not...I love the movie Miracle....if you haven't watched it, do. Come on it doesn't get better than "WHO DO YOU PLAY FOR????")  

It's not always about the hype...I guess you just gotta want it!!!

Miles was the closest pick to the winner...and for that he wins, well nothing....hey there can't always be prizes!

Next big dealeo around here is Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday.  FUN!!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Kentucky Derby

It's that time folks...two of the most exciting minutes in sports....the run for the roses....the first gem in the triple crown!  A quick race for 3 year olds only!

 The Kentucky Derby!

As you know we all like sports around here and it's always fun to try and figure out who the big winner will be.  

The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday afternoon and here are the choices:

Kentucky Derby Contenders
HorseTrainerJockeyOwnerBreeder
Nowhere to HideNick ZitoShaun BridgmohanMy Meadowview FarmRobert Raphaelson
West Side BernieKelly BreenStewart ElliottGeorge and Lori HallPolo Green Stable & Andrew Savas
Musket ManDerek RyanEibar CoaEric Fein and Vic CarlsonJim E. Nelson & Sergio de Sousa
Mr. Hot StuffEoin HartyCorey NakataniWinstar Farms LLCWinStar Farm LLC
AdviceTodd PletcherRene DouglasWinstar Farms LLCMr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr.
Hold Me BackBill MottKent DesormeauxWinStar FarmWinStar Farm LLC
Friesan FireLarry JonesGabriel SaezVinery Stables and Fox Hill FarmGrapestock LLC
Papa ClemGary StuteRafael BejaranoBo HirschBo Hirsch
Mine That BirdBennie Woolley Jr.Calvin BorelDouble Eagle Ranch & Bueno Suerte Equine
Join in the DanceTodd PletcherChris DeCarloJake Ballis, Rashard Lewis, Reagan Swinbank, ReedThe Answer LLC
Regal RansomSaeed bin SuroorAlan GarciaGodolphin RacingDiamond A Racing Corp.
Chocolate CandyJerry HollendorferMike SmithSid & Jenny Craig TrustSid & Jenny Craig Trust
General QuartersThomas R. McCarthyJulien LeparouxThomas R. McCarthyMr. & Mrs. R. David Randal
I Want RevengeJeff MullinsJoe TalamoDavid J. Lanzman & IEAH StablesDavid J. Lanzman
Atomic RainKelly BreenJoe BravoGeorge and Lori HallWilliam L.S. Landes III, Laura Landes & Sarah Landes
DunkirkTodd PletcherEdgar PradoMrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick SmithW.S. Farish, James Elkins & Temple Webber Jr.
Pioneer of the NileBob BaffertGarrett GomezZayat Stables,LLCZayat Stables, LLC
Summer BirdTim IceChris RosierDrs. Kalarikkal K. & Vilasini D. JayaramanDrs. Kalarikkal K. & Vilasini D. Jayaraman
Desert PartySaeed bin SuroorRamon DominguezGodolphinDavid Smith and Steven Sinatra
Flying PrivateD. Wayne LukasRobby AlbaradoGrand Slam Farm, LLC

 ...and each of our "picks" for the winners. 

Charlie:  Desert Party
Crystal:  Mr. Hot Stuff
Miles:  Pioneer of the Nile
Zach:  General Quarters
Brooke:  Flying Private
Dzia (Charlie's dad): Dunkirk...he grew up in Dunkirk, NY 
Bush (Charlie's mom):  Chocolate Candy

I may even institute a "swanky hat" wearing rule for the race.

Get your mint juleps ready...

****We know pretty much "nada" about horse racing (except Miles who is standing over my shoulder telling me the odds on everyone's horse), we just think it's fun to watch****

What's your pick?
Are you watching on Saturday?