The Cosby Show!!

A mother's heart has a difficult time stading by as her children get teeth pulled! It was a rough one yesterday as both girls had that done. We came home for smoothies and movies. The first movie they unwrapped (what fun is it if you don't get to unwrap something after traumatic events?) was teh 4th season of The Cosby Show. Well...we didn't watch anything else! I think we saw 8 episodes before I had to cut them off. It was loads of fun and lots of laughs were had. Hopefully we'll get to the other movies someday soon. They want to watch more Cosby when they get home from school today. Only problem is that on Thursdays, we are only home for a few minutes before leaving for soccer. I think more seasons are in their future.

On a side note, the Tooth Fairy didn't even come to our house because neither girl was ready to put her tooth under her pillow. Maria wants Daddy to see her teeth before she lets them go and he won't be home until tomorrow. Isabelle might be ready tonight, we'll see.

All work and no play...

Makes Andrea a dull girl...I have had to work every day of this holiday weekend! Luckily I had 2 wonderful things happen today. I found out that the spa is closing early tomorrow and I don't have to come in, and I was able to go to the women Sounders soccer game with Maria and her second grade buddies this evening. The weather was perfect and the girls had a lot of fun. Of course, they would have fun hanging out together at the dump. No, seriously, at this age they see eachother outside of school and it makes them giddy with excitement. The game ended in a 0-0 score, but it was really extraordinary to see the way the game is played at that level. Even making goals, about 95% of the "trying for a goal" situations were headers. I can't wait for the chance to take Isabelle, but I guess the next one isn't until June 24th. Ohhh...that sounds nice...summer break....sleeping in...mmmm...oh, sorry I got sidetracked there. Alright, I have to go organize some scrapbooking items, as tomorrow (my ONE day of "vacation" this holiday weekend) I am going to get some stuff done. Everyone should know that I am very excited about this and very much looking forward to it and have been looking forward to it for many may weeks.

My Maria

Oh my!! Maria was just the cutest little thing!! The bottle picture is when she was 11 months old, the "what belly button?" photo is 12 months old and the "I love my blankie" photo is when she was 16 months old. I just could die every time I look at photos from when the girls we between 2-4. I so badly want to jump into the picture and give them a big squeeze. Look at those cutie toes!!!

TGIF!

Wow, I'm so over this week... It's been one that I would rather not repeat and I'm ready to start a new one. With a nice holiday break in between the two weeks of course. I know! How about I work the next 4 days to make the break that much better. Yeah, great idea. maybe I'm wishing it was next Tuesday already.

Maybe I should go back to bed. I stayed up to watch the 2 hour finale of Grey's Anatomy, and I didn't know it was going to be a 2hour event. Tivo is on the fritz so I HAD to watch it or miss it. For those of you that watch, the ending was fantastic!!! I'm so glad Izzy (the tv show, not my daughter) had something positive happen to her because she's had a rough year, what with being so disrepected by her interns every episode and never doing any major suguries. The chief finally got back togetehr with his wife, I have been waiting for that to resolve itself...He also backed up Yang and finally gave her some credit and put that meany cardio woman in her place. Kirev actually CRIED!!! I'm guessing Izzy kept her dignity and didn't let him use her, but it was sweet the way he wanted her for emotional support when he had been fighting her for days. HELLO, we have a lesbian relationship beginning?? The bone doctor and the heart surgeon. Who knew? Maybe Cally is just experimenting, it was a little difficult to believe. The best part, Meredith does want to fight to keep McDreamy. YAY! And he still wants her, double YAY. Loved the candle layout at the end, but did she just have those in her pocket???

Yes, that is my sad little life, the drama of tv keeps me up at night. I guess I will go walk the dog...I want a dog walker for my birthday...oh wait, since it's summer that can be Isabelle!!! Isn't it great how these things work themselves out?

Ouch!

Well, the weekend came and went. It was 90 degrees and now it's rainy and 53 degrees. Maria had fun (of course) at her soccer game. Isabelle had a rough game in the oppressive heat. I think it was hotter down south than it was here at home. The poor girl was spent, I think her whole face was reddish/purple at half time. It was hard for her to run, she was so tired. They on;y had one sub, so Isabelle never came out of the game until the last 3 minutes. She got hit with the ball in the arm, the head and then finally got hit really hard in the stomach. I could tell she wasn't okay, but her back was to me and the coach. I said "She's not okay" and he subbed her out. She came over wheezing "Mom...wheeze...I...wheeze...need. ..wheeze...some...wheeze... water." It was heart wrenching! Her eyese were full of tears, but she wouldn't let herself cry, which of course made me want to cry! Ever since then she's been coughing a lot and even lost her voice for a while Saturday night. The doctor says her lungs and heart are fine, and didn't suspect any cracked ribs, but it will take a little while for her to recover. Either that or the ball somehow caused her to get a virus and she got sick right after getting hit...that sounds weird...She has a day off from practice today so she is also satying home to rest.

The ballet Giselle was fun, a little too air conditioned, but it was great. The theatre was so small, only 14 rows, and the sets were beautiful. We could tell right away who her friend was and that seemed neat for Isabelle. Okay, I'm running late again this morning for breakfast, so I must GET OFF the computer!!

Email Woes

If you haven't heard from me in a while, it's because my email is down!! I feel so disconnected. First, Morrie installed a new computer, so I wasn't able to get any time on the net. Then when that was done, Clearwire went down, so I have been out of it. It hasn't been too bad since the weather turned outrageously awesome. I have been walking the dog, washing the car, and getting sunburned!! How did I let that happen?? I'm so dissappointed in myself.

We're gearing up for another great weekend. The girls are playing soccer of course, the sun will be out, Maria is going to watch a jump rope team (she does jump rope with the Hot Dog Jumpers once a week) and Isabelle and I are off to see the ballet "Giselle" (that her friend Payton is in!). Maria performed 35 double unders today WHILE doing double dutch. Holy Moley, that's insane!! Isabelle had a steller day as well winning first place in her Challenge group contest (a lot of explaining would be necessary here, let's just say it was very exciting and her group of 5th graders won a sleepover with their youth group leaders who are highschoolers!!!). So, our week has ended on a great note, let's keep up the momentum through the weekend!

Hot Weather is on the Way

It's May, and I couldn't be happier that it's SUPPOSED to be 75 today and hot hot hot this weekend. I'm so giddy I don't even know what to do with myself. I've already thought about getting out in the garden early in the day the next 2 days...basking in the sun in the afternoon with the kids...but wait...why is it STILL raining outside??? Let's all get together and do the Sun Dance in hopes of having the Sun Gods look down upon us in good favor.

The dog is licking the washing machine...again. I don't even want to know why. She also thinks it is great that she can jump up on the couch all by herself. Really? It's not that cute. When I came down to make breakfast this morning she was standing up looking in the drawer that holds foil and baggies. She actually growled at me when I made her get down, and then tried to open it after I closed it. Mwahahaha. You have no opposable thumbs, dog!! I get my joy in life wherever I can.

After All This Time...

The scene: Halloween 2000, in Kingston. Kiana (the lion) is licking her lips having just had a tasty morsel from her stash. Isabelle (Elmo- sans the Elmo head) is looking for a tasty morsel. They are hanging out on the local firetruck, not interested at all in the wonderous thing a firetruck can be, but more intrigued by what lay in their pumpkins.
Jump to one year later. Kiana is all bummed that she has to be a lion (again) and Isabelle (Tigger) is clearly feeling her pain. Maria has no idea what is going on- this was her first Halloween! Devon (Kiana's little bro) is the pumpkin and probably has just figured out that he gets to have candy all night (hence the grin).

Kiana and Isabelle. After all these years... 10 years has come and gone and look at them now! All grown up (well, almost!). I love this picture (thanks Julie!!). This is from this weekend where they played the Panthers. It was a tough game, and they lost, but I have to say, it was a pleasure just to stand and watch them. The girls had no subs (2 teammates were gone) and so they played the whole game. I don't think Isabelle has ever played better, she really has enjoyed playing with a team full of girls that loves the game as much as she does!

Just wait, Julie and I will be snapping pictures of these ladies all year, and you will probably be sick of it, but we just can't get over them! I'm sure I will dig up some more "Now and Then" moments...I have a birthday picture in mind from when Isabelle turned 5...I should really stop spending so much time doing this!!! Yes, the laundry needs to be done, and the dishwasher might need to be run...but at least Isabelle can look back and see how much we enjoyed watching her grow and experience friends, Halloweens, soccer games..etc

What a Life!

Who doesn't want to sleep and play all day? No bills to pay...no kids to drive around...the upside is a cat who will play chase with you...sunny spots in the living room to lay in...warm laps to cuddle on...

Here We Go!

Alright, thank you Uncle Loren for the great pictures!! The second one is Maria walking in from the procession of all the First Communion kids. The third is her getting her First Communion, and the fourth is her receiving wine from her cousin, Sam! Thanks Sam for figuring that out, it is very special to have this picture! I know it's hard to see her face in the second one, but she's soo happy in it, I had to post it. She is looking at a full row of family members as she walks to the first pew where Morrie and I were sitting. In the family picture, the sun was really bright and Isabelle had just sneezed so we were all giggling about that! What a great day!!

What A Weekend!!!

Yes, I put a picture of my child blinking on my blog! At this point I have to rely on other people to take pictures and send them to me, so this is the only one I have! This is Isabelle, Kiana and Caroline inbetween soccer games on their way to lunch.

Whew, am I tired! Isabelle had a soccer tournament this weekend, and they said something about "scattered" showers. Try continuous showers. Saturday was really chilly and rainy for both her games. They came out strong and won their first game 4-1. The we fed them lunch. Big Mistake. I think it weighed them down or something because they lost the next game 3-2 (we're going to try Red Bull for lunch next time!). Isabelle had a great time at lunch since we took 2 of the players with us in our car. She thought it was just great! I thought it was great when someone else suggested a restaurant and they happened to serve gluten free products there!! We had several "almost" goals in the second half and that was VERY exciting for the crowd. One literally bounced off the goal post! The team that beat us had just lost earlier that morning 10-0 and we had to play the winner on Sunday. Sunday morning was very nice and temperate outside, and we even saw some hot air balloons going up nearby. The parents were a little nervous about the opposing team, I mean they had won both their previous games (10-0 and 4-0). Our girls played awesome, and only let the other team get 1 goal (they lost 1-0). They ended up in 3rd place in their bracket which isn't too shabby for having only ever played 1 game together as a team. So we took off like a pack of cheetahs and raced to Costco to buy food for the upcoming party that evening.

Maria capped off the weekend with her First Communion, and could a girl get any cuter??? She was thrilled to have it here (finally!). She had on her new white dress and Isabelle's veil, it was precious. Maria somehow ended up leading the procession of kids into the church and was the first child to receive communion. How does she do this? Her soccer jersey number this year is also 1 and that's what she was given when she last played in first grade as well. She woke up tired this morning but very pleased with all of her "holy" gifts from last night. She'll probably try to wear all the new jewelry she got when she gets home from school! I promise to get some pictures up very soon!

Vogue

So here I am, all dressed up (for once!). I love to get dressed up, as long as it's not winter. What woman wants to wear a dress in the winter?? Morrie (looking rather dapper himself in a black suit) and I went to the kids' school auction. The pressure was on! A few mom's had asked me what I was wearing...my thought was to hit the closet about 4:30 the afternoon of the auction and pick something out. Oh No. I started to hear rumors of new dresses, and moms going over to eachother's homes to get opinions of several choices. Uh-oh. Then I somehow ended up having to go up on stage for a few minutes to hold Isabelle's class project. Double uh-oh. I had to reconsider my options. I had the black pants (circa 2002) or the black capri pants (circa 2005). Of course the top would be my one nice top...that I have work to every semi nice event in the past 2 years. WHAT? I don't like to shop for fancy clothes!! Not only are they expensive, but I have little time to wear them. PLUS, they tend to be clingy...who likes that? LIttle did I know that baggy dresses are in! They were all over the place in every store. It was awesome. I mean really, really awesome. The dress I choose was uber comfortable and not clingy (YAY). Every girl needs red shoes to go with a black and white dress, so... I had been wanting some new red heels for quite a while now, and I just love these. Surprisingly, they too are comfortable. Okay, enjoy, because who knows when I will have another chance to dress up. Next years' auction has a theme of a...circus. Oh great, what the heck does a person wear to that?

Hey Julie!

Good Morning to Julie. I have no idea where my dedicated fan base went, but I know Julie checks in often, even though I see her a lot now! So, thank you Julie for leaving me lots of comments, some even FUNNY ones. In your honor, today's post is all about YOU.

For everyone else, you know how they tell you not to set up a "date" to meet someone you found on ther internet? Well, I didn't pay very close attention to that, and now look, we have Julie and her CRAZY family in our lives. We met when we were pregnant with our oldest girls and finally met face to face when they were about 3 months old. She had to drive all of 2 minutes to get to my house from her house. AND we couldn't be happier about it. We don't know any other couple who is as funny and makes us laugh like they do. Plus, when the husbands like eachother, it's a win/win situation. I still remember the day Julie called me and told me they had decided to move to California. I was on the freeway and tried to hold it together while we chatted, and then as soon as we hung up, broke down in tears. Then of course, I called Morrie crying hysterically and he was freaking out wondering who had died. My luck turned around a few weeks later as they decided it doesn't get any better than the Great Northwest and decided to stay! YAY!

I do have a picture of Julie to share, but she is wearing a headband with sparkley attena's sticking up out of her head (it was a Halloween long ago). Since I may need her help in the future, I will not post it (yet). Julie, I'm soooo glad the girls are playing soccer together. Isabelle has as much fun playing every week as I do sitting in the car and chatting with you! Here's to good weather coming our way!

Student of the Week

Maria was FINALLY student of the week this week. She has been waiting patiently all year to be chosen. Every month when they are announced I have heard "I'm not Student of the Week...again!". So, the exciting day came, we spent days picking out just the right pictures for her to bring in, deciding what book to bring etc etc. Morrie and I we able to go in and have Maria introduce us and watch as she used a pointer (!) and described her pictures. She was thrilled to be the STAR of the show (what's new???). She had a hard time deciding what was her favorite toy to bring in should be, so instead she brought 6 of her favorite rocks from her Rock Collection. Can you say "Geology Major" anyone?? Well, it's between that and fashion designer, we'll see. She wore her cowboy boots to school yesterday (with her plaid skirt) because it IS difficult to portray personality when you are all wearing a uniform!! This girl is so busy right now, I'm surprised she doesn't have her own palm pilot to keep everything in check. Stay tuned for her exciting First Communtion pictures early next week.

Alright, I have to go. The dog chewed up her dog collar yesterday and I have to find a replacement. Why isn't the laundry EVER done and who made the computer desk such a mess??? Can I have a calgon moment at 9:45 in the morning?