Senior Year BtSN

The only picture taken at Back to School Night...

I should give photo credit to my friend Karen.  Who, by the way I have known since Liam's 1st day of Kindergarten!  We bonded over being mothers to only-children and being the last two moms out the door the first day of school; strangers holding hands and sharing tissues, leaving our babies for the first time.  And now here we are, full circle, our kiddos in their last year of class together. Hard to believe....

Dry your eyes.

Let's take a minute to talk about Ceramics. 

This is not what I was expecting. 

Liam got placed in this class, not by choice.  When he tried to change his schedule, the counselor told him the only other available elective that period was Child Care. 

My response to that was a set of very unladylike words, all used together in one sentence.  

I almost let him drop an advanced class to switch things around in his schedule so he could avoid Ceramics. Which goes to show how highly I thought of this particular discipline. *clears throat* 

Let me just say, for the record, I was wrong. 

After Liam's first day in the class, he said he would stay.  Meanwhile, I was still hanging out in Camp Couldn't be Crankier thinking of creative ways to end the never helpful "counselor" (Okay, I'm still slightly bitter).  

Fast forward to tonight, Back to School Night, and getting a tour of the ceramics facility. I've had a change of heart...wow, just wow.  I'm crazy impressed!  This has the potential to be a great class. 

I can't wait to see the fruits of this labor...though, I AM keeping my fingers crossed for a latte mug to add to my collection. 

Back to School 2013

A longer school day, a different playground, both signs he is in an Upper Grade now.  He seems too young for such a milestone, outfitted with his Angry Birds Star Wars backpack and Skylanders lunchbox... *misty eyes*

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"First day of 3rd Grade!"

September 4, 2013

Easter Supper

A bit late, but had to be posted.  

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law perfecting the dinner dishes.

The little kids getting ready to hunt Easter eggs once the rain stopped...and the big kid outside waiting to make their job more difficult.

Hugs on Uncle T, while Rett trolls the food table, again.

Do you measure up time?  

Oh, the shock and surprise: Liam is taller than Auntie Kiki,  5'11", monumental.

Last week in pictures

TBT: Liam age 22 Months

Look what I found!  November 15, 1997. 

Throw Back Thursday was yesterday, oops.  

I had to post this. Mostly because I have put so few pictures of him up here. 

Wook at a what a wittle boy he was!!  Not even two years old.


Best part of this photo, we are both wearing overalls! Hello 90's!

March 22, 2013

A Day of Tank-fullness

First off, the electricians came today!

Serious rejoicing over here.  

So glad to finally be moving forward with the game room addition.  

No ground has been broken, but having the electricians upgrade our ancient electrical panel was step one.

I knew the power would be off today...what I did not consider was the insane amount of housing shaking demolition which would be required to
1. remove the old electrical panel and 2. make room for the new, larger electrical panel...

Tank the Chihuahua, was a shaking mess!  

He was trying everything in his power to get away from the loud banging.  

His strategy consisted of sitting in my lap while shaking in fear, then standing up, turning in hurried circles while shaking and then sitting  down again....over and over and over again.  

I swear his left eye was twitching when I snapped this photo:

I would have left the house completely, but they needed to come in a few times and check on...some stuff.

Around 11am I decided what I really needed to get through the rest of the day were a few shots of espresso and Tank desperately needed an outing.  

If only I had video of his transformation from pathetic, scarredy cat to Mr. Muy Loco when he saw I grabbed the leash and harness. 

I could see in his eyes he was screaming "We're leaving?! Thank the Lord!!  Get me out of here!"  He may have been doing cartwheels, it was hard to tell.

The 7 minute car ride felt like an eternity since I didn't bring his kennel and he couldn't hold still to save his life.  

He was dashing back and forth between the two front seats gazing out the windows, like a junkie looking for his next hit.  

He would only sit still if he was in my lap, preferably with his hands on the armrest like in the picture above, or with his paws on the STEERING WHEEL.

Stop the madness!

Finally, at our zen like destination, The OC Mart Mix, home to Portola Coffee Lab.

Sweet Relief!

Also, he didn't bark at anyone!  Who is this impostor?!

My Instagram post for the next picture was "Some dogs get a water bowl"

Don't worry I didn't let him have any of my latte.  He would have had a drink if I would have allowed him, but trust me, he did not need the caffeine!

I only let him hang his head out the window when driving through our neighborhood, going far slower than 25 miles per hour.  

Look how far he leans out!  Daredevil.

Rett got home from school.  Kisses, kisses.  

Finally, someone to distract Tank from the day of insanity.   

Wait till the all the crazy construction begins.  Oh the chaos.  Who would like to have an over night guest?  I promise he is no trouble at all...

March 19, 2013

Snapshots

Today, walking through SOCO, after a lunch meeting, I stumble upon this cozy scene.  

At first glance, I thought it was a chaise.  Upon closer inspection, I found it was a very deep-seated chair and ottoman.  My home office wants one.

Weekend pictures:
Rett was less than thrilled to be at the Galaxy game, which was reminiscent of the time Liam was his age and complained about going to Disneyland too much, just wrong.  

To distract him from this torture, we made a game of taking selfies while waiting for the game to start.

I forgot to switch out handbags, therefore, the fancy purse had to do a little heavy lifting.    Louis complained, but luckily it was in french and I ignored him.  No scarves were snagged by a wayward sequin.  Crisis averted.

If I had seen someone else carrying this bag, I would have certainly made fun.  

Inappropriate handbags are nearly as offensive as inappropriate footwear...Okay, maybe not, but certainly in the top 10.


Lastly, the freesias I planted last year are starting to rebloom.  The bulbs in the shot below were not originally planted under the fence.  

I suspect it's the handy work of a little 6 pound, mischief, loving dog.  

#TanktheChihuahuaStrikesAgain.  (I know it's silly to hashtag here, but I just can't help myself.)

March 18, 2013