thoughts throughout the week

I wanted to post my random thoughts on Wednesdays. I forgot. So, here we are!

1.    Robert is doing VBS this year at his old preschool. He loves it. They have a theme everyday. Crazy hair, crazy hat, crazy sunglasses... Today Robert won crazy sunglasses. He was so excited!

2.    My mom has been here for a week and a half. She has another week and a half to go. I hope it drags. I never want her to leave! (but, my dad may miss her if she stays!!)

3.    Carissa got her SECOND tooth yesterday. It broke through much easier than the first. Thank goodness.

4.    Our wonderful neighbors, Sharon and Dave are moving tomorrow. We are going to miss them so much. The kids played all afternoon. I am so thankful that we have had such wonderful luck with our neighbors. Here is a pic of Eric, Brian and Dave from a driveway dinner about a year and a half ago!!

Hilarious, right?

5.    Carissa climbed two flights of steps today. Time to put up the baby gates.

6.    I need glasses. I went to the eye doctor the other day and he confirmed what I already knew. My left eye is my bum eye. I'll really just need them for driving, reading, watching TV and playing on the computer. Now, to find some frames that don't make me look like a total dork.

7.    Eric and I have been talking a lot about whether or not to stay in CA or move back East. We were thinking Quantico. I think we made up our minds, though.
In the words of Katy Perry...
"you can travel the world, but nothing comes close to the Golden Coast..."
We may still move, but it would just be up to Camp Pendleton. A lot to think about, I will keep you updated :)

That's all for today. Looking foward to a fun, relaxing weekend!

never, ever again...

The Fish Bucket

We love(d) this place. Taco Tuesday with 99 cent fish tacos and $2 beer. They had me at hello....

Until tonight.

The owner, this smug little man, refused to leave the salsa off of my mom and Roberts tacos. Are you kidding me? This place is not fine dining. I didn't ask him to leave off the black truffle reduction...that MAKES the meal. This is a taco. A 99 cent taco.

We have been patroning The Fish Bucket for about seven months. The tacos are seriously delicious. The customer service, not so much. I realized that the owner was a douche the first time we went, but we kept going because the atmosphere is fun and you can't beat good, cheap eats! I have asked them to not put the salsa on Roberts tacos before. It has never been a problem. This evening,we went to the Fish Bucket and I ordered a few regular Fish Tacos, and asked for TWO tacos to be without the tomato salsa. The owner, a smug, unfriendly man, said to me "You can't do that. It comes with everything." I replied that it has not been an issue before and that we were just there a few weeks ago. He said "yeah, well things have changed. You can't pick and choose how you want things. You'll get what you get."

So, I picked up my purse, gathered my family and have vowed never to go back. No matter how good your tacos are, little man.

So, I did what any sane person would do. I hightailed it home and gave The Fish Bucket HORRIBLE reviews on Yelp, Urban Spoon, yellowpages.com and google reviews.

Don't mess with me, little man. I have a sharp tounge and have no problem whatsoever letting everyone I meet know that you are a douche and that your customer service is horrendous.



Hope everyone else is having a good day! Glad I got that out!!!

Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas!!!

Okay...I know it's only "Christmas in July," but it's just so FUN. When I was a kid, we used to go to the Poconos in the summer. My uncles had a house there. One summer, we decided to celebrate Christmas in July. I remember my uncles decorating, and my parents taking us kids to Jim Thorpe (the small town there) to pick out small gifts for one another. It is such a distinct memory that I have, as are all memories from our times in the Poconos. I remember what the house smelled like, Coppertone SPF 30. And everytime I smell that sunscreen, it brings me back to that place...and puts a smile on my face.

Anyway, we celebrated on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday consisted of baking cookies, listening to Dolly & Kenny's "Once Upon a Christmas," watching Christmas movies and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Oh, and making Pumpkin Pie Martinis!

Doesn't my Mom look happy?

After the fun preperations, we set out cookies and milk...*just in case.*

Whoa! Holy Flash, Batman!

Lo and behold...Santa made his way to San Diego. Also, along for the ride, bearing a note from the Big Guy, was Jingles. He is our Christmas Elf! The kids opened small gifts and we made cinnamon buns for breakfast, as we do every Christmas morning! We enjoyed hot chocolate and made a ham. It was a wonderful Christmas...in July.

The best part...celebrating the *holiday* with my Mom!

"special Mommy day"``

I was woken up this morning by a smiling Robert. He told me to stay in bed while he went to wake up Grandma. Usually, I would have said no, but my Mom alerted me that he would be asking. I knew something was up! About 15 minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Robert came in, arms full of flowers! A half dozen red roses and a bunch of sunflowers! One from him, one from Carissa. Next, my mom came in, carrying a tray of breakfast. My very first breakfast in bed!!! Scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon never tasted so good!

My mom told me that the day she got here, Robert asked her for help to plan a "Special Mommy Day." He asked my mom to take him to get flowers, to help him make breakfast and to make my day very special! According to my mom, Robert said that I "deserve it." How sweet is that???

It was a great day...extra special! Tonight is our Christmas Eve in July! More about that tomorrow!!

Roberts last day of Kindergarten...

My little boy is officially finished Kindergarten. It seems like yesterday that he started. What a day that was. I was nine months pregnant and very emotional. I took him up to school and got him in line. He wouldn't look at me as I stood there. I could see the tears in his eyes. I am thankful he was trying so hard to be strong and not look my way...because if he did, he would have seen the tears welled up in my eyes as well. Here is a picture from his first day of Kindergarten.

                                          How cute is he? The backpack was bigger than him!
Here is a picture from today

                                                                Look how big he got!
Robert has had SUCH an exciting year. There have been so many changes in his life. He started Kindergarten, then turned five...two short weeks later he became a big brother! Eric deployed, and Robert took over the roll of "man of the house." He looks after me and Carissa, always so helpful and loving. It has been a great year, full of changes and excitement.

My mom and I have been planning a fun day for Roberts last day. We went shopping the other day to buy a couple of small 'end of the school year' gifts. We went to Party City today to get balloons for him as well. His school doesn't do a big Kindergarten Graduation, so I wanted to make sure that it was special for him. I asked his teacher this morning if I could bring popsicles for the class at the end of the day...so my Mom and I went up to school early and handed out popsicles to his class. At the end of the day, Robert was very quiet, seeming sad. He gave his teacher a hug, and it happened again...The tears. Quietly, he cried as she hugged him...and quietly I cried along with him. My little boy is growing up.

Eric called before school let out and I told him that it would be great if he could call back to talk to Robert when he finished school. We came home and Eric called a bit later. We only spoke with him for a few minutes. When Robert handed me the phone, Eric already had to go. He had waited yet ANOTHER 45 minutes in the phone line, just to Congratulate Robert. He is a wonderful father, and Robert is a wonderful boy.

We finished the celebrations by having dinner at Olive Garden. Roberts choice. Here are some pictures from today.

I took some cute pictures of Robert and his friends at school, but I won't post them. I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of other peoples kids on a public blog.

Robert, if you ever read this one day, I want you to know how very proud of you I am. Everyday you amaze me with your knowledge of different animals, your kindness to your friends. You have grown so much in the past year. You have went from a little boy to a big kid. I love that you still like to cuddle, you still give the best hugs... I know that you will do wonderful in First Grade. I am so lucky to be your mom. I love you munchkin.
xoxo
Mommy


ps...Robert got all 'Advanced' and a few 'Proficient' on his Report Card. so darn proud!

thoughts throughout the week

I thought it may be neat if on Wednesdays I just blogged about random things...whatever comes to mind, or things going on...

1.    Del Mar racetrack had their opening day today. I want to go next year. I would love for Eric and I to dress up and enjoy a day at the races. Neither of us bet, but the dressing up would be fun. I want a hat like this. But black and white. That would be hot.



2.    Tonorrow is Roberts last day of Kindergarten. That officially makes me feel old. And sad.

3.    I have lived in this house for two years and JUST learned how to work my alarm system yesterday. Bad guys beware, this thing is SCARY.

4.    My neighbor, Heather, from Earhart Photography, took some great candid pictures of the kids on 4th of July. She posted them today.

5.    Robert had an 'end of the year' party today at school. It was un-organized and kind of dumb. But he enjoyed himself, and his cupcake.

6.    My mom is getting to be a lot of fun as she ages. She has partaken in Happy Hour two nights in a row. One Baybreeze and Marie is giddy all night. I love her.

7.    I love this kid.

8.    And this one.

I am very, very blessed.

she's here!

Today is a great day! My Mom flew in from Philadelphia and is staying with us for 22 days! I am thrilled. Robert woke up this morning so excited. I got him out of school early to head to the airport to pick her up! Carissa took right to her, smiling and even let Grandma hold her! (and if you know Carissa, you know that she is a serious girl...my pretty baby doesn't like just anyone!) Looking foward to the next few weeks!

See the difference since the last time she was here...Carissa has grown a bit, don't you think??

I'll keep ya'll (yes, I said ya'll) updated as her trip goes on! Yay!

one day until the grandma arrives!

We slept past 5:30am today. It felt fantastic. I was so happy with the kids for "sleeping in" that I spiced up their usual Sunday morning pancakes. Strawberry shortcake pancakes.

If you were wondering...Robert ate five of them. Carissa had one. Sadly, I do not indulge in carbs at 6am.

Today was pretty relaxing. We're getting excited for my Mom to come out TOMORROW! Yay! She will be here for three weeks. Robert is thrilled, as am I! She hasn't seen Carissa since she was 8 weeks old. So I guess you could say she has changed a bit! I am looking foward to some much needed mother/daughter time, as well as playing with the kids and relaxing!

Carissa got some new BabyLegs the other day. Here she is with Robert, modeling them! I LOVE BabyLegs. They aren't just for girls, either. AND they can be worn on arms, as well. I am going to order Robert some for the Fall. For those crisp San Diego mornings, when you don't need a jacket or long sleeves because you'll be too hot by the end of the day!

Oh, and Carissa has been on a "dad" kick today. Crawling around, yelling it out. She also had a lot to say at Target this afternoon.

I am so excited for tomorrow! Safe travels, Mom! See you tomorrow!!

yard sales, sunburn and football...

I started my day at 4:30am. Yard Sale day! I walked outside of my house at 4:40 and was bombarded by three guys that looked as if they had been waiting hours. I told them to simmer down and wait until 5! Jeez Louise! Anyway, we were out there for awhile. I sold some stuff. Chairs, kids toys, an old carseat, an old jogging stroller...etc. I wasn't able to get rid of my washer/dryer and air conditioner. Oh well, maybe next time.

My AWESOME neighbors, Sharon and Dave helped me lugging the big stuff in and out. Thank goodness for them!!

The kids and I went to the pool for a bit today. I got a little sunburnt. Robert said to me "Oh great. You should really go to the doctor now. You're probably going to get Cancer and die." Wow. Thanks buddy. Debbie Downnnner.

On to the BIG NEWS! Robert is officially a Tierrasanta Cougar!

Bring on football season! Tonight was the meet and greet. He's playing Pop Warner flag football. These people are intense. I think Smash Williams and his mom were standing next to me. (if you don't understand my 'Friday Night Lights' reference, you need to get up and go get Season 1. And 2. And 3. Heck, get them all. They are fantastic.) Anyway, I found out some info about the season and met some of the board members. I think Robert is going to love it. He can't wait to start, and I can't wait to be 'that mom.' I bought Eric and I Cougar shirts to wear to games.

Eric will be home mid-season, but he wanted a shirt anyway. They didn't have baby shirts. :( Boo. I am going to have to see about making (or, let's be serious...buying) Miss Carissa an extra special T-Town Cougars tutu and matching shirt!

It's going to be a good fall. I can just feel it.

weekends stink...and other friday happenings

Oh Friday, every week you come and I am so happy. Buuut, then I realize it is just another weekend where I see happy families strolling the streets, swimming in the pool, walking through the grocery store. And I think, ugh...another weekend. Don't get me wrong, it's not THAT bad. But I miss my husband sometimes. I'm allowed, right? I spend day in and day out kissing boo boos, making meals, being the meal, and helping with homework. I miss sitting down on a Friday or Saturday night and watching a movie. Ahhh, it sounds so luxurious! A few more months...

Anyway, enough of that. Onto my favorite topic...the kids.

Today Carissa and I spent the day cleaning and doing yard work. I did the actual work, she just sat there and looked pretty. After her lunch of carrots, she needed an outfit change. I let her pick. Do you think she liked it?

Robert had his last Friday of the school year! WooHoo! And, beings that it is Friday, he had Karate this evening. He loves it. And he is good. But, he's left handed. And all of the forms start out right, so as the group goes right, Robert goes left. I video him and he watches it over and over to see where he messes up, or where he goes the wrong way. It helps. I also teach myself his forms while he is at school. That's right. While my son is at school, I do self taught Karate. Then I practice with Robert when he gets home. I am sure that it would be hilarious to be a fly on my wall while this is going on. We came home from Karate and Robert celebrated Friday night with a sugar free fugsicle.We get crazy around here.

Going to bed EARLY tonight. Yard Sale at 5am...more on that tomorrow!

Carissa's first tooth

It finally happened. After weeks of fevers, rashes, tears and endless cuddles, Carissa's top right tooth broke through. Last night was rough. She was up off and on all night, moaning, crying, tossing and turning. I spent the majority of the night just rubbing her back, stroking her hair and willing her to sleep. Around 4am, I stuck my finger in her mouth and lo and behold...there it was. She wouldn't let me get a picture of it (boo!) but it's a big one! I think that it will her only tooth for a bit. Her bottom two and top left look like they have another couple of weeks. I think I shut out all memories of Robert teething, because I did not remember it being this miserable! The poor baby is so pathetic. I can not believe that she has hit another milestone. She is growing up too quick. I am so going to miss her gummy smiles :(

Today I kept Robert home from school. He only has a week left, so I figured it wouldn't hurt. I had planned on taking him to the pool, but the weather was weird. The sun would go in and out and it was a bit breezy...so, we settled with a trip to Target to get some new Legos (and diapers for C.) Also on our agenda today was Costco, aka Roberts favorite store! He loves the free samples. Today he tried some sushi and a salad. After that, we went to Trader Joes and then home to relax. I weed whacked out back while the kids played and then made a few batches of meals for Carissa.

PLUS, Eric called! He's doing well, sounded tired. He always tells me that he's not, but I can tell that he is. I can't believe that we are already 112 days down in this deployment...probably a little less than halfway there! Now if that isn't something to smile about, I don't know what is!!

Welcome! a bit about me...

I have always, always wanted to write in a Diary. I love the idea of it. But, seriously, what fun is a Diary if only you can read it?! So, here I am...blogging. I've tried it before. It went...well, it went. I gave up within a few short months. Now I am all gung-ho (excuse my cheesiness, but you will come to realize, I am VERY cheesy) to start this blog.

Where to start...Well, I'm married. My husband is Eric and he is pretty awesome. And I'm not just saying that. He is great. He's my best friend and I love everything about him. Okay, so his feet are stinky and he leaves EVERY cabinet in the house WIDE OPEN all of the time, but other than that, he is amazing. He's a United States Marine, so he's gone a lot. That could be the reason I like him so much. (kidding!...kind of.) Right now he is in Afghanistan. Don't feel bad for me. I don't. This is MY life. I choose it. Of course I miss him, but I keep busy...

And that brings me to the little ones. I have two gorgeous children. Robert, 5, is full of energy and intellengence. Right now, he is obsessed with animals. Did you know that Elephants and Hippos only eat at night? Yeah, neither did I.

And then we have Carissa. Oh my sweet baby girl...with her fiery red hair and a personality to match. She is 9 months old and already a total girly girl. Tutus, pettiskirts and headbands have overcome my life. If you would have asked me a year ago what a pettiskirt was, I wouldn't have had the slightest idea. Now, here I am, up to my eyes in tulle! Honestly, though, she is my missing piece. I can not get enough of her, and she really seems to like me, too!

Also in our family is Bauer...our black lab/mutt. Named after Jack Bauer, naturally.

And finally, me...I love my family. I love to cook homemade meals, and bake. I love to cuddle with my kids and read to them. I love farmers markets and finding the freshest food to make babyfood. I believe in babywearing, co-sleeping and breastfeeding, but am so far from being a "hippie." I am conservative, but open minded. I believe in laughter. I believe in telling my children I love them all day, everyday. I believe in dreams, miracles and the power of prayer. I am overly sensitive. I am obsessive compulsive. I love to spend time with my friends, my family, my dog. I want three kids, two dogs and a few chickens. I can not wait to see where my life leads me.

I love my life, my husband and my children...to the moon and back.