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

Ritual Roasters Bag Change

That's right, they are not using the paper ones anymore.  

This is the new hybrid bag; more of a foil pouch.

Remember the old style?  

The seasonal espresso is still Lover's Quarrel.

The beans smelled fresher, more intense, when opening this bag.  

Though, that also could have been my anticipation of greatness. 

Honestly, the taste is so smooth.  After my latte is gone I crave another cup of this.  

I don't say that about every cup of Joe, truly, I don't.  

I briefly considered it was my cravings, but since each week we use a different bag of beans, I feel I have some small amount of perspective.

Other espressos sit heavier on my stomach, which sounds weird to say, but not these, these are perfection....ugh, even talking about it makes me want another swig....perhaps, I'll have to fill the void with that stash of dark chocolate I've accumulated.

March 18, 2013

Insta Friday

Instagram this week:

Right before he ripped out the tooth.

13 days ago he took out the other front tooth, the one I thought was not ready.  Whereas, this tooth seemed ripe for the taking, at least a month ago.  The adult tooth was growing in behind it, subsequently pushing it out at an angle.  We were calling it the beaver tooth.  I feel bad.  Even today I'm not convinced it was ready to be yanked.  There was a ton of blood.  I was running behind him saying "Don't drip any blood on the carpet!"

*Sigh* Found this in my clean laundry pile. 
#tankthechihuahuastrikesagain
Tank the chihuahua, it's always an adventure when you're around.


"Mom, Mom, look what happened to Tank!!" 
An unattended beef jerky bag meets it's demise#tankthechihuahuastrikesagain
I try not to be mad someone left a $5 package of beef jerky out and just laugh at the silliness instead.


Yep, driving around in something other than the minivan to run my errands
#whenyourmomtakesyourcar

I have refrained from talking too much about taking Liam's car away.  
If I can simmer down a bit, I'll do a post on that fun topic.  My thoughts are still pretty fiery.

March 15, 2013

Throwback Thursday - Easter at Roy's

Easter 2010 that is... 

Get ready for picture overload! 

First, look at my hair!

Was I better as a blond?

Should I be making an appoint to end my hair color sabbatical??  
   

Back to this post.

It should have been added to the blog, but somehow got stuck in draft.

Subsequently, all the following posts were not published, because I couldn't bare to do them out of order.

Eventually, there were SO many, I walked away from blogging all together.

I did not have the time to sit in front of the computer, uploading photos from my camera, editing them on the laptop, typing out any barely strung together details.

This was before iPad and iPhone, which have revolutionized my life in many ways.

Ease of blogging is just one.

AND back then I was still chasing a four year old Rett around, full-time.

These little boys 3 and 4 in a fancy restaurant.  I remember this day well.


Maybe I didn't post it because there was no writing attached?  

The pictures below certainly need explanation...

To make a fair Easter Egg hunt I put initials on all the eggs. D for Delaney, C for Connor, R for Rett and L for Liam.  

This way they were hidden at an age appropriate level and the littlest ended up with just as many eggs in his basket as the oldest.

Some of the eggs had puzzle pieces in them.
  
Once the puzzle was complete the kids got this picture: a desk in our house.

Underneath the desk, on that bottom shelf, was a personalized basket for each kiddo.  

Go Auntie Joy!!

Here are photos from the HUNT:

All the cousins together on Easter. It should create sweet emotions in my heart, but instead I stare at Rett's hair and shake my head.  Still reeling from  the self haircut.  This Easter, I will be thankful for hair.

April 4, 2010

Listening Session: Civil Wars Unplugged VH1

This morning I sat in the listening room waiting for my latte to be delivered by my darling husband. 

By the way, he has nearly mastered the leaf, as you can see.  

I was so busy snapping photos of said masterpiece and enjoying the fantastic flavor, I didn't realize he put a new album on the turntable.

The first song was one I know and love: I've Got this Friend.  Such a great sound and I love when I know the words to a piece.

It wasn't until song two, which I did not know by heart, that I realized the record playing was not our copy of Barton Hollow. Song two is Kingdom Come from the Hunger Games soundtrack; not what I was expecting.

Honestly, the clapping at the end of the songs should have been a dead give away this is a live version...did I mention the coffee??

At this point, I tune in to the music and take note of the fact, it is also an acoustic version. I ask my personal DJ husband "What IS this album?!" He proudly tells me Civil Wars Unplugged VH1.

Have I been under a rock? When did it come out? How do I not know about this? I have so many questions.

He shushes me.

I'm not kidding; there is no talking in the Listening Room, when "someone" is trying to listen.

Song three, even more baffling:  Portishead's Sour Time. I'm not familiar with the original, but the Civil Wars version is lovely, as is everything they do, so far as I am concerned.

Next up all the songs I expect from the Civil Wars: Poison and Wine, Barton Hollow and 20 years. Listening to them repeatedly  means I am very familiar with how these songs sound on MP3, which is good, decent.

The Barton Hollow album on vinyl is fantastic, but *this* acoustic, unplugged version, on vinyl, is SO...magical, ethereal even. I want to listen to it again tomorrow, that is how much I liked it.

It doesn't end there; the last song on the track list is a remake of Billie Jean!!! 

OMG. 

I had no idea. I was in complete shock, mouth open for at least the first verse. Just wow.

I found the YouTube video for you here. The vinyl is even better, completely superior sound!

Definitely my new favorite album.

March 13, 2013

Video Log VII

Talking about George Washington, Star Wars weapons, Easter clothes, dark chocolate, what I ate for lunch and the room addition.

Flower Arrangement Rewind

Using a left over bowl to recreate a flower arrangement given to me a couple of weeks ago.

I removed the dead flowers, but left the branches, which had been so artful placed in the bowl.  

The whole thing was also washed out with hot soapy water and rinsed with a bit of bleach water to kill any remaining yuckiness.

White tulips and colored alstroemeria were picked up from Trader Joe's; $4.99 and $3.99 respectively.

First, I chopped the bottom of the alstromeria.  Next, the bottom leaves were removed from the stems.

Each stem was futher cut depending on where it was placed in the bowl; shorter ones on the side, taller ones in the center.

After, the tulips were trimmed.  I cut just above where the bottom leaf joined the stem.  Cutting tulip leaves is preferable to peeling them away.

Tulips were then added to the arrangement.

Lastly, water, plant food and a few dirty pennies were put in the bowl.

March 11, 2013