Saturday, November 22, 2008
Halloween and the Dog
Monday, November 17, 2008
Mood Music
A few minutes later, she fell into the pool fully clothed. I had some good background music for when we were all late for school. It was a little Carmina Burana.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
No Pictures
Ryan's birthday was fabulous at Chuck E. Cheese again. He was beginning the sickness at that point, sadly. We had a grand time and hopefully didn't infect any unsuspecting families.
After 7 trips to the Animal Shelter, we got a dog. She is very sweet. Lucky for me, happened to be potty trained. She weighs 43 pounds, which is a nice medium size. But, she has started chewing everything in sight. Alas. So far, it is mostly when we leave her and we leave her outside because we have a big yard, shaded area, and beautiful coastal So CA weather. We have only lost some outside toys that were a little weathered, but it is trouble. If she would only chew her bones and other treats instead of burying them, we would be much better off. Her name is Brindy and she is definitely an odd mix of something, but, once again, very sweet and good with the kids.
Lydia has a print ad for the Care N Cure Wild Animals on page 152 in the toy insider special advertising section of Redbook Magazine. We just happened to hear she was in it from another family. It is fun for us to see it.
I wish my mother a very happy birthday, today! Love you, Mom!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Soccer
He has lost all of the rolls on those legs, but he is still thick, and his feet are as long as Lydia's, but much wider. When he hit a ball far out of our yard the other day, he said, " Mom, maybe you should put me in baseball." He is probably right. I thought that soccer would be good exercise.
Now Lydia is very fast. She is on the short side for her age, but is as fast or faster than those long legged girls. She is a natural defender and hangs back. When the ball comes anywhere near her goal, she chases it down and clears it. Any goals that have been made against her team have been when she has not been in the game. Her games are fun to watch, as she has good and fun team mates, too. You may say, Lydia is older and has been playing longer. When she was his age, she had the same qualities. Her skills have improved, but she has always been involved in the game.
Our Saturdays are filled with soccer because we have two games. We also have 2 practices apiece per week. I'm thinking that I should start playing for the exercise, too. That would be a fine idea to have practice for the adults at the same time as the kids. I'm usually so pooped by the late afternoon. Where do the kids get all the energy?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Peace Walk
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Update
When picking out 1st day of school outfits, Lydia rejected many because they didn't make her look smart. Apparently, that is the smart outfit.
Ryan still says "f" for "th". He has had a couple of funnies with that. One was during soccer camp. I had heard he was not well behaved during the first day at camp, so I talked to him quite a bit about it, and was also in close contact with his coach to make sure he did better. This was an Irish run soccer camp and on the last day, the parents were invited to play games with the kids. The coach was yelling directions to us with his great accent and said, "Now, run around the ball t'ree times!" T'ree for three. Ryan looked at me and said, "He means free. See, that's why I can't follow directions. I don't understand a word he says."
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Gustav Update
Monday, September 01, 2008
Gustav
I'm sure many on the Gulf Coast are breathing a sigh of relief, and were having flashbacks to Katrina. I still think of my parents and Marie and Abigail driving around during the hurricane in my dad's F350 trying to find a way through and escape rising water. They were out in it twice having to change houses two times because of the water. They ended up in a house on cinder blocks that my mom was sure was going to float away. Thank goodness Gustav did not pack the wallop of that Katrina. I'll update if they sustained any damage to the house, but everyone is OK. Linda and Heimana stayed at her house, which was fine during Katrina, so they were fine as well.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Boston Strangler: The Untold Story
This is not my typical fare, but I have good reason for enjoying this movie which is now out on DVD. Joel has a song that he composed and recorded with DC musicians in 2002 in the movie. The entire song, except for the intro, is in the movie. It is a little difficult to enjoy the song, because it is during a strangling, but it is perfect music for the scene. Andres Boulton did the movie underscoring, but this is a featured song that he wanted to subcontract. He and the director talk about it in the commentary. The commentary was especially fun to listen to. The movie is very well done, even though it is a lower budget movie (1.5 million). David Faustino (aka Bud Bundy) is really good in it. So, watch the movie...try to ignore the bad acting of a couple of female victims with bad accents, and enjoy what Joel's song adds to the scene beginning: January 4, 1964. It is about 1/3 of the way through and the song is supposed to be on the radio or record player in the background during this strangling. If you would really like to enjoy the music, you can close your eyes like I did.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Little Miss Mattel
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dancing with the Stars
Monday, July 14, 2008
Harriet the Spy
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Get Smart
Joel has a role in Get Smart...that didn't get into the movie. He went to the Premiere which was quite the event he reported. He was the Obstacle Course Instructor. That part was shot during a day that the fires were next to Warner Bros. studios. Our car even got bubbled paint on the door before crew came and took everyone's keys to move the cars. That film was probably very smoky and in the movie they only show a few closer shots of Steve in his fat suit on the course. Joel also is a Control Room Analyst, but no lines made it into the movie, although you can see him in shots. I am hoping that these bits will be in the deleted scenes on the DVD. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I was a huge Get Smart TV fan. Can't wait!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Lovin' Summer
Monday, June 16, 2008
Civil Rights Victory
Monday, June 09, 2008
Kids
When I asked Ryan to stop whining this morning, he said, "But mom, this is how kids talk when they are crying." Yup, it is. No more crying allowed.
It is the end of the school year and things are crazy at work and with numerous end of the year activities for the kids. I might break down. I keep telling myself that there is only one more week. I repeat, one more week.
Here is a photo of Lydia and her friend Nicole opening up the school's talent show with "Right Here in Your Arms" from Barbie as Island Princess. It was very sweet. They sang a capella and were right on.
We had a lovely visit with Aunt Martha and Uncle Phil this weekend. They are now traveling cross country back to VA. I would love to do the trip...without kids. I remember those trips when I was a kid. Painful. I suppose if you are not traveling with my 2 minute pit stop if you have to throw up do it now Dad, it could be better! I am considering driving to MN this summer, though. Weighing the cost of gas, hotels, kids trapped in the car and absurd airfare.
Phil and kids in disguise. That moustache was on the back of Ryan's pajamas when he woke up the next morning. I was sure it was a horrible bug.
All I have time for now. More when we are out of school. YEA! Out of school!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Kids for Peace
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
First Grade Play
Ryan has been enjoying dressing up lately, too. Daily, he works his way through costumes. He is a Power Ranger, Superman, Spiderman, or a pirate depending on his mood. He dresses up more than Lydia ever did. Funny.
For those of you who know about the crazy CA teacher credentialing process I have been going through the past eight years, I have finally cleared my general education and special education credentials. My portfolios are submitted and I'm just waiting to receive papers from the state. Phew! It has been tiresome, and I'm incredibly relieved to have it over.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sharks
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Ranunculus!
What are ranunculus you might ask? Well, these are Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus and the largest growing field for them in the US is here in Carlsbad, CA. My mom, dad, Ryan and I visited the fields a couple of weeks ago and had a fabulous time. Each seed is planted by hand and there are 50 acres of them. They are really beautiful and I look forward to them every spring. We had a great time with my parents when they visited.
See the old fashioned tractor pulled wagon ride we are on? When I was teaching in 2000, I took my class of 12 kids with more severe disabilities to the Flower Fields and we took a wagon ride. While going down a very big long hill, the tractor popped out of gear and we were "runaway" for what seemed like an eternity. The driver was able to get us back into gear and slowed down, but not before I was sure we were goners. Luckily the kids didn't really know what had happened, and were all safe. You would think I wouldn't still recommend it to the family, but I love a good thrill. This year they accidentally didn't put a ramp up, so we rammed into the loading dock. It was very loud and jolting. When we were coming back to the dock, Ryan asked if we were going to crash again. For a little excitement, take the wagon ride!