Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dinner and Bikes

So I had visions of many family bike rides this summer. I pictured myself on a cruiser, not too girly, biking around town, maybe running to the grocery store or for coffee, you know, like I lived in a small European village (You can blame house hunters international for creating this monster). Anyways, I insisted to Guy I needed it and he somehow agreed. Fast forward to today, to make this vision reality I had to buy a new bike, a basket for my bike (ok, two baskets, one for the front,one for the back-don't judge I'll need lots of groceries and Libby needs to ride somewhere!). I also purchased a bike seat for Sloane and one of those add-on bikes for Stell.
Luckily for my new vision, the weather was gorgeous and our good friends asked us to dinner on the patio tonite at the golf club close to our house. I knew instantly this was my first opportunity to bring out my inner European villager and we would ride bike. Again Guy agreed and I promised the kids we'd take a family bike ride (finally!) after dinner. So I get dressed for dinner, of course I want to look nice for dinner but have to bike. When I came down I asked Guy what he thought of my "sporty biker" look, he said, "You look good, but I don't think a long necklace, earrings and sandals are real sporty" He obviously didn't notice I was wearing my hair in a pony tail and my earrings were JUST hoops. We eventually made it the few blocks to the restaurant. We were both surprised that we were kind of tired and sweaty. We had a beautiful night looking at the golf course, eating good food, and good conversation. I'm pretty sure I was shiny and had a sweaty upper lip but nobody seemed to notice-those are truly good friends!
When we made it home the boys were all out waiting for the bike ride. They were anxiously waiting to ride but nobody had shoes or helmets on or knew where they were. After all the bikes seats were attached and tires pumped we were ready to try out this new Nelson bike train. We were one helmet short and somehow convinced anxious Stellen to go without it. As we're lining up to leave, Sky yells from the garage, "I found a hockey helmet will that work?" By this point the bugs are out and its getting dark. Of course Guy and I are stuffed from dinner and exhausted but I'm so excited to finally create this family memory I envisioned we forge ahead. As we are riding I am trying to keep the smile off my face to avoid bugs in my teeth, but I cant. My life is WAY better than any of those villagers on House Hunters International!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Back to Reality

While vacation was fun, I was ready to come home to my babies. It was nice to have alone time with my husband, something we have never done before (on a trip). But really, I have the best of both worlds at home. I spend time with my kids, we spend time as a family, and we try to sneak time as a couple. It might be a text or email while at work, phone calls to check in, or maybe a quick lunch. The point is we both make an effort to connect! So, while vacationing together is fun, so is watching Cars with the kids for the 100th time or giggling in bed over a funny kid story.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Sea World

On day five of our vacation without kids we decided to go to Sea World. I have to confess I am having a nice time on vacation and I'm enjoying time with Guy but as the days pass I am getting more and more lonely for the kids. Shopping isn't even really helping to ease the pain anymore. So I'm realizing in retrospect Sea World might not have been a good place for me to be when I'm missing my kids.
Of course Guy was estatic to realize the cost for two tickets versus the eight we usually have to purchase was MUCH easier for him to swallow. Now, for those of you that really know us you know that a hungry Guy is not a happy Guy. However, I am not a fan of eating then driving so we started the day with me convincing Guy that Sea World would be a wonderful place to eat breakfast. He agreed and I prayed I wouldn't have to feed him a corndog or cheese cake on a stick for breakfast. But, to my delight, they offer an all you can eat wrist ban for $ 30. Guy was pleased as punch and we headed off for meal # 1. While we ate he mapped out our day and most importantly, where we would eat. He was going to get his moneys worth and even make money on this deal. We managed to eat three large meals, carrot cake, chocolate cake, and cheesecake in a seven hour period. We even got to see some of the attractions.
Now, while Guy was all about the food deals, I managed to stalk every family with young children. If a child dropped a pacifier or seemed lost I would practically leap through the crowds to offer my help. I even smiled at strangers and started small talk so I could talk about being a mom or ask about their kids. During the shows that we waited in line for good seats close to the stage I was constantly nudging Guy to look at a toddlers curly locks or a newborn in a hat. You can imagine that children are NOT in short supply at Sea World so I was constantly pointing them out to Guy. Lucky for me he would just nod and smile because he had visions of free beverages, entrees, and desserts dancing through his head.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Sea World, SanDiego

I don't like getting my picture taken but when you are on vacation as a couple you have three choices: take pictures together, take pictures of each other, or take pictures of scenery. I tried all three, but I'm not sure the pictures of birds and beach will mean much on 20 years (that's if they ever make it off my phone and into some sort of album).
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Bird eating my fry at beach cafe

This photo is an example of option # 3-pictures of objects. I'm usually lucky if I find time to take pictures of the kids at games and rehearsals but here I am shooting pics (yes, I took more than one) of a cute bird eating a french fry I dropped. Who am I becoming?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Guy hiking in Sedona

This is an example of option # 2-taking pictures of each other. Guy made me hike all the way until we could touch rock formation. So, his punishment was posing in the 100° heat until I got the picture just right!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Monday, June 13, 2011

Pool Time!

I'm on my way to lounge by the pool. Pretty sure I haven't lounged by water in many years! I don't have to bring life jackets, water wings, or sun screen. Its just my kindle and me. Hopefully their will be some kids in the pool I can watch/listen to so I don't get too freaked out!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Vacation!

Guy and I are on our way to the airport for our first vacation alone. Of course I am excited and looking forward to some adult time! But I think "guilt" is a mothers curse. I already feel guilty for leaving them for a whole week! I know my sister can handle the madness and that they will all survive but then I feel guilty for asking her to stay with them for a week! AND, while I'm stressing about leaving the kids I feel guilty for not being as excited as I should be to spend my first week ever alone with my husband. At some point I just have to throw my hands up and realize we will all survive, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride! (I'm hoping lounging by the pool with a cold drink and a good book will help!)
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

Monday, June 6, 2011

Soren looking cool on his way to the pool!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.0
Okay, so maybe not everyday is filled with excitement around here...or maybe we are just "used" to crazy now. We were all very excited to wake up to heat and sun today. Stellen (age 4) had his first tot ball practice. Of course he is our only leftie and his glove was nowhere to be found. So, I did what any normal mom would do in a pinch-sent him with a right handed glove. He was in a panic as he got ready. "Do I need a nut cup?" "Do I have a water bottle?" "How will my coach know who I am?" Luckily, he was ok with the glove. He believed me that he didnt need a nut cup for tot ball and I bribed him with kool aid when we were done. Whew! We made it the two blocks to Longfellow and we were only a few minutes late. I coaxed him onto the field and turned to spend an hour sweating in the bleachers with a cling two year old who has practically transluscent skin. I only mention the skin because you guessed it...I forgot the sunscreen!

We all survived the first practice and I will be better prepared (hopefully) for the next few games. The kids went on to enjoy the afternoon at the pool with Noel while Sloane napped off his heat stroke and I cleaned my closet and put away the never ending supply of laundry. We ended the day with Sorens game on a beautiful night! We didnt win, however the highlight was realizing when we arrived (5 minutes late of course) Stellen had on the shortest, tightest pair of shorts I have ever seen on a 4 year old. When my aunt Julie arrived to the game she said,"My Stellen, you are getting so big, look how long your legs have gotten!" Now, if this wouldve been my 1st through 3rd child I wouldve died of embarrassment! But now I can see the humor in the crazy things that happen. I had to fess up that I didnt notice when we loaded in the car that he had grabbed Sloanes size 24 month shorts on accident. Oh well, at least his legs are cute!!

After a busy night we are home and I managed to make scrambled eggs and PB&J's and the kids are all nestled in with full bellies and sunburned cheeks watching the totally inappropriate Austen Powers movie...but at least they are all quiet!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Welcome!

We are all so busy just living life that my goal with this blog is tell cute/funny/crazy stories from our day to day life. Im hoping to use this blog as an outlet to vent, a venue to record our crazy days, and a chance for friends and family to follow us. Im hoping to post often through the summer when I am lucky enough to stay home with my kiddos!