Time

Well, hello there! It's been 6 months since my last post. It was the beginning of summer. We went on to have a fabulous summer and start of the school year. Now it's everything Christmas.

Hopefully it won't be another 6 months till my next post, but I am not promising anything. Life happens.

I just wanted to share something I heard that I am trying to stick to this Christmas. Maybe it will touch another mommy (or daddy) like it touched me.

We have a long drive to school every morning. Because of all the lovely morning traffic our commute takes an hour most days. This leaves lots of time for last minute math facts and spelling test studying, reciting memory verses for Friday tests, song singing to KLOVE radio, lots of talks with my boys and who am I kidding... lots of fighting, yelling, breakfast eating, are we there yets, some I have to go pottys and sleeping. There is something I heard on KLOVE that made me think. Nothing rocket science, just super simple.

A mom asked her kids what they want for Christmas. Of course, like most kids and mine included, on the lists were ipods, iphones, ipads, tvs, computers, etc. I don't know about you, but my boys are not getting any of these items. I don't even have an iphone.This mom, like me, was stressing about all she and to get done in the weeks that lead up to Christmas. Worried her kids would be disappointed that Santa didn't bring the big items on their lists. Then she sat back and thought about all the time she was taking away from her kids just trying to get everything ready for Christmas. This lady I was hearing was just like me. Yes, my boys and I did some baking this weekend, but I told them they had to wait until I finished the laundry. We cuddled on the couch to watch a Christmas movie, but it was after I was done cleaning the bathrooms. We wrapped gifts for family members, but I had them stop helping me because I wanted to get it done quick and have everything look nice.

After I heard this mom on the radio I asked the boys who were poking each other in the back of the car if they thought I spent enough time with them. Josh gave me a No without hesitation. I asked him why. He said, "I keep asking you to play hide and seek and you always say no." That's it? "Yes, mom sometimes I just want to play with you." Kill me now. I spend SO much time with my kids. Since Daddy has a complete opposite work schedule as our school schedule and I teach at their school I am seriously with my boys pretty much 24/7. And I play with them all the time... but it's on my time.

This Christmas I want them to remember the unconditional time I spent with them, not the gifts. I want them to focus on the miracle of Jesus' birth. I want them to realize that the true meaning of Christmas does not start with an i and end in pad.

So, I encourage you to spend time with your kids. Quality, unconditional, chores and laundry neglecting, messy and unorganized, hide and go seeking, good 'ol fashioned time with your kids.

It's the time that will be etched in their memory of this Christmas, not how Pinterest-y your house is decorated, how pretty your gifts are wrapped or how clean your house is. Enjoy this time with your kids. It goes by too quick.

Merry Christmas!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Summer Lovin'

We made it, it's officially summer! Let the sleeping in, staying up late, beach days, camping, fishing and dirt bike riding fun begin!

Today the boys and I spent the day in Monterey. We hit up the Monterey Bay Aquarium first before it got too busy and while it was still chilly and foggy at the beach. Around lunch time we headed to our favorite beach spot, which was completely empty. We had the whole beach to ourselves for about an hour until only 2 more families showed up. We played and played, got some ice cream and headed home. Definitely a fun day and the perfect way to start our summer.

Yes, they are in their swim suits. Isn't that what you do in the summer? Wear your swim trunks every where you go. I was even wearing mine underneath my clothes.

One time I should post all the pics we have in this clam. They go back to the first year Mike and I started dating in 2000.

If you are familiar with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this new jellyfish exhibit is awesome. It is a must see!

It was a little cloudy and then turned into perfect beach weather.

The boys were blessed with quite the loot for their birthdays. The big 5 and 7 were last week. They couldn't decide what to do with their birthday money. They had lots of silly ideas. One being a Nintendo DS. Hubby and I weren't fans of that choice. Not judging if your kids have one... we just don't want the boys inside glued to video game. I insisted on their savings accounts....boring... and Daddy gave lots of fun outdoor toy ideas. All on their own the boys came up with the brilliant idea of Aquarium passes. We thought it was a great idea. They now have a membership there for the next 13 months! We already go to Monterey a lot, but now we can do an Aquarium pit stop whenever we want. Good choice, boys! Pretty sure we will be back this week for more summer fun.

Wordless Wednesday

Long Time No Post

I did not realize that it has been 3 months since I updated my blog. Life happens and unfortunately 24 hour days are not long enough for me lately.

Since Daddy has to work crazy hours this weekend because of Cinco de Mayo, he left early today and won't be home until tomorrow. So today the boys and I are enjoying a nice day at home. No plans, just relaxing and playing. This hasn't happened in awhile and boy is it nice. The boys are outside playing soccer, so I thought I would sneak away.  

A lot has happened over the last 3 months. Probably too much for one post. That's what I get for neglecting my blog. Sorry, family who lives out of town, at least you have seen lots of baseball pics of my boys on facebook.

Baseball season is in full swing. With the boys on different teams we have baseball 6 days a week between practices and games. Many times they overlap too. Yesterday, both had 2pm games. I had to be creative since Daddy was working. Luckily, they played at the same park just on different fields so I saw the first half of Jason's and the last half of Josh's. It all worked out.

Here is Jason so excited that he got the Game Ball after one of his games. Along with his faded bruise and swollen nose from what we and the doctors thought was a broken nose. Again, a lot has happened over the last 3 months.

You know you are a mom of boys when you find cups all over your house. And I don't mean the cups that you drink out of. This piece of sporting equipment is totally Daddy's department, but for some reason I find these things all over the place. In bedrooms, bathrooms, hallway, dining room, kitchen counter (eww). I even found one in my purse and my teacher bag I take to school.

Other than baseball fulfilling most of our time, school is going great. We have 18 school days left until summer vacation! Can I get a whoop, whoop?! Bring on lots and lots of camping trips!

The last week of school is also Jason's 5th birthday, Josh's 7th birthday and our 9th anniversary. Throw in all the last week of school field trips, activities, parties and baseball every evening the end of May may be a little nuts, but a lot of fun!!

My big boys on Easter

It's hard to believe these 2 are about to be 5 and 7! We are loving this stage. I think I have said that with every stage we have been in, but really these are cool ages.

My soccer playing boys are calling for snacks and the timer on the dryer is beeping my name. Until next time.... and I hope next time isn't 3 months again.

Life

It's been a while....  I've neglected to blog about Christmas, New Years, camping trips, lots of dirt bike riding, family visits, school events and much more.  We are busy busy and this poor neglected blog gets no love.

I have no complaints though. As busy as this season of our life is right now, I am lovin' it all. Besides school, of course, here is a glimpse into what is consuming our time right now. Daddy is coaching the boys' team which makes it extra fun too.

Introducing tall, handsome and pasty white, Point Guard, #4 Joshua....

 Introducing little, but still has hops like his Daddy, Forward, #2 Jason....

And of course the "Mom, I can't believe you are making us take Buddy Shots" picture....

Chippy the Elf

For years I have been wanting to do Elf on the Shelf with the boys. Each year goes by and I don't get one. This year was about to be the same until students in my class would come in every morning telling me about the cool places they found their elves. Then, I kept seeing the cutest pictures of my friends' kids' elves posted on Facebook. So... I totally jumped on the band wagon and spent the pretty penny of $30 and got our Elf. Best part was the same night I gave the Elf to the boys and read the book, the Elf on the Shelf movie was on TV. It was super cute by the way.

We have been having fun with our Elf. Maybe I am having the most fun each night trying to find a new spot for it. Mike says I have started to freak him out. He comes home from work in the m iddle of the night finding the elf in the weirdest places. One morning the boys even woke up to a note from their elf, Chippy (they named him) saying that if they didn't obey their mom he wasn't coming back. Shaped them up real quick. If you have never seen Elf on the Shelf and you have kids, it is a Christmas must for next year!!

Here are a few fun pics of where the boys have found Chippy.

Yesterday was a big day for Josh. He lost his first tooth! The poor boy thinks he will never lose his teeth. He has friends who have lost 6 already. He was a preemie and didn't even get his first tooth until 13 months, so that probably plays a part in it. Even though his baby teeth aren't ready to come out, his adult teeth are ready to come in. One of his bottom adult teeth has grown in behind a baby tooth. With a little help from our awesome dentist he had the baby tooth pulled. He was such a trooper and so brave. It helps to have a dentist who is amazing with kids.

All smiles after. He got a cool tooth necklace to keep his tooth in.

His note he left for the tooth fairy.

This is what the tooth fairy left for him under his pillow.

We got to play Chippy the Elf and the Tooth Fairy in the same night and Santa is next. Lying to my children has never been so fun. ;)

I have to say one more thing about Josh. This boy amazes me on how mature and brave he can be. He has been having headaches, almost migraines for awhile now almost on a daily basis. After talking with his pediatrician a few times and trying our own fixes at home that he recommended, he is still having headaches. After school on Thursday, Josh and I spent two and a half hours at Kaiser getting some tests done. He took it all like a champ, even the 4 viles of blood. Still waiting on results before we go further to the Pediatric Neurologist.

We texted silly pictures to Daddy while we waited trying to help our boredom.

 I would love your prayers for this sweet boy if you think about it.

And last but not least, Christmas has started early for us. Mike works Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year so we celebrated at his Grandparents' house today before he went into work. We get to have Christmas at his parents' house tomorrow before he goes to work too. He works nights, so they poor guy will be tired. We are blessed with a family who understands his crazy works schedule and is okay with doing Christmas not on Christmas.

Blessings to you all! Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

*In the midst of yesterday's tragedy in Connecticut it's hard to have the Christmas Spirit right now. I heard of what happened from my husband when I looked at a text I got from him when I sent my students to recess. It just hits way too close to home. Being both a Mommy and a Teacher, I just cannot fathom what these families are going through right now and the staff at that school. They need our prayers, that town needs our prayers and our country needs our prayers!*



We have been having way too much fun celebrating all things Christmas over the past two weeks. Here is an update on our fun...


We finally got our Christmas Tree. According to facebook, we were the last family in the world to get a Christmas tree. And.... the Christmas tree farm we go to is really close to our house. With Mommy and Daddy working complete opposite schedules it makes the family Christmas tree hunt outing pretty impossible. Finally, we got one.

This was the best picture I could get. This picture is the story of my life!
 

We decorated a Gingerbread house. This is a must after we get a tree and decorate it.

We had Josh's Christmas Concert, which is also the Concert for my students as well. Josh's Christmas Concert is for grades K-3rd. It is at a beautiful Theatre downtown. Our school put on another impressive concert.

Josh in front of the marquee sign that said our school's name

My boy and I back stage

Amazing!

Santa came to Daddy's work as he does every year. The boys were so excited, but have come to the conclusion that they are not babies and are too old to sit on his lap. I tried to convince them otherwise. It didn't work. I also love how they tell Santa what they want for Christmas and it is nothing close to what they told me. Yikes.... I had to go get some extra interesting presents this week.

They are getting way too old

Telling Santa what they want for Christmas

Next, Jason's Christmas Concert... or Pageant as it was called. He was pretty adorable.

Cutest sheep ever

The boy would not stop waving to me

 

Mike and I got to have some adult Christmas fun. Each year his work has a Dinner Dance that we got to with our good friends. Each year we have a blast. We look forward to this night away all year. We were totally blessed with an amazing suite that was comped to us. The theme this year was Christmas on the Savannah, a safari theme.

 

Grrrrr

Our group of great friends who we always have so much fun with

The girls

Love this guy!

 I told you we were having lots of fun. Winter basketball has officially started also. The boys are playing Upward Basketball through a local church. We love that program. Mike grew up playing, refereeing, coaching and eventually running the program at the church he grew up at. Jason missed the cut off by 2 months. We thought only Josh was going to be able to play. When we showed up to evaluations they said Jason could play as long as we don't mind him being with the Kindergartners. (he is in pre-K) He was thrilled. Since we weren't expecting him to play, poor boy totally wasn't dressed for basketball, but he didn't seem to care.

 

 

All ready to go. I know he needs basketball shoes. Santa took care it. ;)

Dribbling around cones

He shoots, He scores

Jason's turn

 

This upcoming week includes Christmas parties at school and finally Christmas break. Yahooooo!!