Summer Trash

Now that Mike and I have finally watched all the season finales we've taped (I swear shows end a month earlier than they used to)...it's time to pick a few summer shows from the "oh so spectacular" off season line up. So instead of Lost, American Idol, and The Office we, actually I should say "I" since Mike refuses to watch the "trash" I call TV, watch The Bachelorette and Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood (and yes, that is Tori Spelling's reality show). I know they sound LAME (to say the least), but they both are VERY captivating and dare I say addicting. Try them--I dare you--you don't have to admit that you watch them if that helps:)

My Uneventfull Life

Since Mike's been home and our birthdays have passed, life has just kind of been plugging along--not that I'm complaining. Things are good. We have some low-key things going on and some exciting things coming soon. Take a look:

Now

The kids are right in the middle of their 2nd session of swimming lessons. They both are such good swimmers and have improved SO much since they've started. It is exhausting just watching how many times Jordan has to swim back and forth across that huge pool. Kya is excited because once she hits her birthday, she'll be in the big pool too! I am so proud of my girls, I think Kya learned to swim by herself in about 1 lesson. The teachers at the Y are great too. Tyson is content just watching, but I think once he's 4, he'll start too.

I am really excited about the gym lately. I starting going to kickboxing and the classes are really challenging--which I LOVE. Mike, the teacher is amazing (but NOT HOT--I had to add that for my hubby's sake). I also have some friends who are coming to the classes with me, which makes if more fun:) Tyson loves playing in the day care there too--which makes it even easier to get there just about every day. So hopefully I am whipping myself into better shape.

School is almost done for this year! I can't believe we only have about 3 weeks left of Kindergarten and 2nd grade. My girls are growing up TOO FAST!! Oh and that means Tyson only has 1 year left before HE starts Kindergarten (say it isn't so). I wish it wasn't so difficult to have another...or I think I'd do it all again.

I've had a few weeks to get used to being the Choristor in Primary now and....get this....I think I LIKE it! Those kids are so sweet and full of excitement and enthusiasm (very different than working with the YW--although they are awsome too). It is really helping me learn and grow (I think Heavenly Father knows I need a little push every now and then).

We've started going to Disneyland more frequently now. We have planned on every Thursday after school, so we'll see how that goes. Last time we went I realized it's hard to get out of that place before bedtime...go figure. But it's great fun, and knowing that you can go pretty much whenever you want makes it so much less stressful.

Soon

Next weekend we are taking a quick overnighter to Monterey. A couple Military friends are moving away, so I thought I better go visit before they are gone. Hopefully the kids won't cry the entire ride home--they still miss their Monterey friends.

I am SO EXCITED for our trip to Canada!!! It has been an entire YEAR since I was there and that is way too long. We leave June 29th and get back July 24...wich means we will be there for two of my sisters' birthdays, Kya's birthday and my nephew Luke's birthday. I can't wait. It is going to be so much fun!!!

I am going to pretend next school year is NOT going to happen, so we'll just end with the summer. I can't wait for beach trips, more Disneyland, BBQs (on Mike's new bbq I got him for his birthday), swimming, and just spending time with the kiddos. Mike has a trip to Australia coming up in June...which is exciting for him...but not so much for us:( Oh, well it's all good. I guess my life isn't quite as "uneventfull" as I thought. These are some good times.

(Kya at school)

(Jordan at school)

(Tyson on his bike, in his church clothes)

It's About Time...I guess

Most of you probably have not noticed, but I am very aware of the fact that I haven't written about my "monthly" resolutions for the past two months. There is one simple explanation: The resolution that I picked for April, I pushed back to May and now that it's May....well you get the idea. My resolution was "supposed" to be "Getting Organized" (ie. set up a meal plan, cleaning schedule, chore chart, sort out my filing cabinet...). I really need to do this, but I just can't bring myself to do it. So, if you have any tips, motivation, or ideas you'd like to share, it would be really helpful. Maybe I get gear up to use this as my June resolution...or maybe I should just pick a new resolution:0)

(Here's Tyson enjoying a warm afternoon in the kiddie pool)

He did good

Mike made up for being gone on my birthday by bringing me home this:

(This is a painting he bought outside the Louvre in France. It also came with a great story of how many times it almost got lost on the way home)

And by ordering this:

(This is another favorite book of my childhood. It is out of print and I was never willing to fork out the money to buy a used copy...so Mike did it for me)Not to mention my "Paris" hoody and Belgium chocolates:)

My (oops, I mean Jordan's) Beautiful Chair

This is how my chair came to be:

Jordan had a chair that she used at her desk in her bedroom. It was an old chair that had been left outside for years (at our old house) and it was just really awful looking. So I thought, "I should paint that"...so we took a trip to home depot...actually a couple trips:)

Home Depot--Now this is a store I don't quite feel comfortable in. (When we found ourselves walking down an isle with huge piles of wood Tyson said in a whisper "Mom, are we lost?"). It took several trips before I eventually discovered that someone has to actually "mix" the color into your paint. The guy who helped me was REALLY great. He let the kids watch the color squirt into the paint, he showed them how to put it in the mixer, gave them stirring sticks, and even let them ooooh and awww at the finished product. We got a pale purple for Jordan's desk, so I thought we should pick something really bright for the chair. The girls and I picked a fuchsia...and when it was all mixed...it looked fabulous!!

Sanding--Sanding that stinkin' chair was WAY more work than I envisioned (which is why my desk has not been painted yet...I need to get an electric sander). I slaved over that thing forever. I wasn't even quite sure how to tell when I was done.

Paint--When I put the first coat of paint on I wasn't quite sure...until it dried--it looked perfect. So, one more coat of paint and we were DONE.

I love the finished product. I can't wait to do the desk...and then the buffet!!

Before

(this is the best "before"picture I have...that was a year ago--Kya looks the same!)

After

The BEST Birthday Present EVER!

Tyson FINALLY pooped on the potty today. I know he's 3 and 1/2 already...but he has been deathly afraid of pooping on the potty. Well today he actually DID IT!! Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of potty training in our house. Seriously, what more could a mom ask for?! (Oh and my hubby said he bought me two things in Europe that he is 99% sure I will like)

Baby teeth...still holding strong

My little Kya has told me on numerous occasions that she "does not want to grow up"--which is FINE by me. But, nearing the end of Kindergarten with all her baby teeth is really starting to upset her. Everyone in her class has lost at least one tooth and Kya doesn't even have a single wiggly one. So last night she called me into her room to ask me how to spell a few words. This is what she wanted to write:Luckily the Tooth Fairy was nice enough to leave her a reassuring note and a quarter to tie her over until she loses her first tooth...which the dentist said might be a while (but don't tell Kya).

Who Knew?

Had to post a pic of my kiddos on Mother's Day

(My babies 2006)

Who knew Mother's Day could be so wonderful...even with your hubby out of town?!


My kids let me sleep in (although I did wake up to Jordan telling me that Tyson opened a box of mac and cheese and tried to make it--luckily he didn't attempt to use the stove).


My husband left a present for me (The Blueberry Pie Elf--a book that I LOVED as a child and couldn't find anywhere. I read it to my girls before bed and they absolutely adored it. The perfect Mother's Day gift because I could share it with my kids).


Jordan and Kya gave me cards and presents they made with Dad and at school.

We all made brownies together.

The kids were sound asleep by 8pm:)

And...I got to talk to MY Mom (the best mom ever) and wish her a happy Mother's Day!

(Here's a pic of the book Mike got me--such a cute story!)

11 Days

Mike left for Europe this morning...and he took my camera! I'm not sure which one I will miss more (JK), but my BLOG is going to miss the camera for the next 11 days.

No pictures of:

-the beautiful flowers Mike bought me for Mother's Day before he left--I think they are the prettiest ones he has ever bought me (purple, pink & blue)...but you'll just have to take my word for it.

-the awsome cake I am going to pick out for me 32nd birthday!!

-my naked backyard swimmer (aka Tyson).

-Jordan's desk and chair that I am going to paint (before and after shot).

-our trips to Disneyland this week and next.

And you are really missing out with no video of...Tyson's new dance moves. Seriously, that boy has some rhythm!

But, with Mike out of town, I'm sure I'll be blogging more often:) Who knows where I'll dig the pictures out from...stay tuned.

(Here's a picture Mike took when he was in Rome a while back. He said, so far, it was his favorite place to visit)

Parenting Question

Mike and I have slightly different views about what is too scary for kids to watch. How do you decide if a movie is too scary or too grown-up for your kids? I lean a little on the conservative side...I think. Jordan hadn't seen a movie with real people in it until she was about six. I think part of the reason why I am like that is I get scared VERY easily (my entire family knows the story of me crying and trying to get off the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland when I was...10, or my screams from inside the caves at the hot springs, or my nightmares after watching The Twilight Zone). Anyways, how do you all decide what your kids are old enough to watch?? My kids are watching Star Wars 3 right now and when I said it was too scary Mike said "Mom thinks Dora is scary."