Caterpillar Class

Check out the update on Zachary's class. He has the best teacher! I love that she does this. The way Ryan & Austin can check out what he's been up to.
Caterpillar Class

Keeping Cool

Wasn't Saturday miserable? I think it was well over 100 degrees. We went to a friends birthday party and they had this for the kids.

My pics aren't the best because I used my cell phone and I used the function that will snap 5 in a row for action shots. The kids had the most amazing time and didn't want to leave. I think we were there for 5 hours. We're trying to keep cool today with another party and I have to work. Have a great day!

Be Happy With What You Have

Isn't that such a simple thing that we tend to forget? So today I will stop worrying about the things I can't fix and focus more energy on the things I do have that make me happy.

1. My 3 boys, big and small
2. The health of my Grandmother
3. Friendships
4. An amazing part-time job
5. Maui

Off to a preschool field trip....have a HAPPY DAY!

Wednesday

I spent a busy morning shopping for birthday gifts and a baby shower gift. It seems like parties come in waves. We haven't had any for a few months and now 3 just this weekend! I have to share my deal of the day. I went to the Disney Store and they have beach towels 2 for $20 and bathing suits for $10. Great little gifts for a spring/summer birthday boy or girl. I was looking forward to shopping at Crazy 8. Went there last month and found cute stuff. Today I just didn't see a darn thing. Such a drag because there isn't one in the Brea Mall. When I got home I was expecting to find a package from UPS, only to find a notice that my delivery needs a signature. I bought this

It's something I've been wanting and haven't bought because it is expensive. My aunt has it and loves it. I used hers when we were in NYC 2 years ago and then used it again while she was here a couple weeks ago. It just make everything so perfect and not stick straight. I'm so particular about my hair and with trying to grow it out, I think this will really make all the difference.

Here I am with my glasses! Yes, I'm supposed to wear reading glasses and haven't been. Well, lately I've noticed I'm having trouble seeing smaller things, like the words on the monitor! And my eyes get tired from looking at it. So don't be surprised if I whip these babies out.

Have a great night!

Dentist Appt

Today we had appointments and this was Zachary's first trip. He did amazingly well. The hygienist counted his teeth, cleaned them up and gave him a new toothbrush, floss and toothpaste. Pretty big deal for a 4 yr old! I went after him and all he wanted to do is count my teeth. Apparently I have 6 teeth! He had the hygienist cracking up because he kept trying to stick his fingers in my mouth and help. Finally she gave him a box of toothbrushes and that kept him busy for a while. The dentist told Zachary he has to stop sucking his thumb. He was not happy about this. When we got home he said the dentist was mean. Unfortunately, the dentist said Zachary has some pretty serious issues with the alignment of his jaw and teeth and though he doesn't usually recommend a 4 yr old seeing an orthodontist, he needs to get a second opinion. His teeth don't touch in the back when he closes his mouth and that his jaw shifts over to close to touch. He said this could be part of the reason why he has a small lisp too. And, that sucking his thumb didn't create this problem, it's just contributed to it. Ugh. It wouldn't mean braces. There is some kind of mechanism that would help his jaw realign and of course stop the thumb sucking. I guess it's time for me to firm up and be more strict about the thumb!

Family Day

Tomorrow we are going to have a little fun hanging out together. The boys all have haircuts scheduled for the morning and then we're going to go to Irvine Spectrum for a few hours. I don't know what it is about that place, but we always have the best time. Maybe it's because it's outside? Speaking of outside, I hope the weather stays nice like today! Any ways......I have my coupons ready for shopping! I the Old Navy "Stuff the bag" deal, and Borders 20% and then a free lotion for Bath & Body. And then an early dinner at the Yard House or Cheescake Factory. Yummy! I'm planning on getting this at Borders

Oh, that's blurry. I got my travel guide for Maui from the Visitor Bureau today. I cannot believe we're just a little over 2 months away to going! Ryan leaves for Baltimore early Sunday so I thought it would be nice to just hang out for the day and be home early to watch Juno. We haven't seen it yet, but everyone that has said it's great!

Have a great weekend!

A whole week

has gone by again. I seem to go in waves with posting.



Went to the mall today with a friend of mine and she bought this

It will match any skin color, that one base. Blu_Ray™ Pressed Powder contains specialized photochromatic pigments that adjust with the light so that your base makeup always looks perfect regardless of lighting or setting. Is that the craziest thing you've ever heard? So the lady tried it on she and I. My friend has much darker skin than I do and let me tell you, it worked like they said! You can buy that set above for $60. Each piece sold alone sells anywhere from $20-$30 each. I'm ready to try a new base.....and this might be it.

I changed my music....thought I'd keep it simpler to just two songs. Enjoy!

Finally an update!

I have been so busy lately that I have ignored my blog! I'll try to recap;

Last Saturday we left for my Grandma's in Palm Desert for 4 days. My aunt & cousins were here visiting from Washington and it's always a good time when they come into town! Sunday was my grandma's birthday. Had dinner at Las Casuelas Nuevas, which I highly reccommend if you're in the Palm Desert area. Their food is soooo good!

We swam a lot and shopped alot. There is something about being out there that I can shop so much better!

Got home Tuesday and I did tons of laundry on Wednesday!

Yesterday we spent the whole day at Disneyland. Thank you Jenn for signing some of my family in! There were 8 of us! And Disney was packed! My grandma may never go again, so I'm glad I got to spend the day with her. She really enjoyed herself and called me today to let me know again how much she enjoyed the day.

So what do you think of this crazy shot from Splash Mountain? I took a picture of the picture. Can you find Zachary? He's there. We didn't want to get wet, but with as hot as it was yesterday, we would have been fine!

Tomorrow I have an all day crop at work that I'm half working and cropping. Then on Sunday I have make & takes planned out all day. Should be a fun weekend! Have a great one.

Home

We're back. It's nice to be here. My neck hurts from sleeping on the pull out sofa and from the little 4 yr old that kicked me all night :) More blog stuff tomorrow and pictures, it's late and time for Big Brother!

Oh Hawaii.....

This has been an excruciating 36 hours of trying to find the best deal and there just isn't one out there. At least not one like we had gotten. But alas! We are still going. My girlfriend Debby got royally screwed, she and her 2 kids were to leave tomorrow morning on ATA. They are really sad, but have decided to go later in the year. I couldn't believe it when she called yesterday. I knew she was going, just couldn't remember when. So today she's planned something else for them to do next week. She said she's still going to an island, just not a tropical one! Funny....
She's going to Catalina for a few days. Have fun Debby, Alexa and Anthony!

We're supposed to go to my Grandma's this weekend to visit with my aunt & cousins, but Austin has this major book report due. aarrrgh..... so we're just gonna have to see how far he can get tonight on it. Maybe we'll get to go late tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

Good Morning!

What a wonderful way to wake up this morning to this;

Dear ATA Customer:
We are writing to inform you that ATA Airlines, Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection and on April 3, 2008, ATA discontinued all operations and cancelled all current and future flights. According to our records, you are holding a ticket for travel on ATA. We want to alert you that with this shutdown, ATA is no longer honoring reservations or tickets. Customers should seek alternate arrangements for their current and future travel. A list of other airlines serving ATA destinations is available online at www.ata.com.We apologize for the disruption caused by the sudden shutdown of ATA and regret the impact it will have on passengers. Additional information, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Customers, is available at www.ata.com. Customers who purchased tickets from Southwest Airlines for flights operated by ATA should contact Southwest at (800) 308-5037 for more information.If you purchased a ticket(s) using a credit card, please contact your credit card company or travel agency directly for information about how to obtain a refund for unused tickets. If you purchased a ticket(s) directly from ATA with cash or a check, you may be able to obtain a full or partial refund by submitting a claim in ATA's Chapter 11 proceedings.We encourage you to review the information provided on our website.This e-mail was sent by our automated system. Please do not reply to this message

After countless phone calls and finally getting through to my bank, our money will be refunded in 7 days. Now I need to find new tickets, which seem to cost a lot more! Ugh. But thank goodness we're able to get a refund and for my friends who heard the news before I even got out of bed and called me. Phew!

One Word

1. Where is your cell phone? My Purse
2. Who is your significant other? Ryan
3. Your hair? highlighted
4. your mother? judgemental
5. Your father? genuine
6. Your favorite thing? wedding ring
7. Your dream last night ? nothing
8. Your favorite drink? diet coke
9. Your dream/goal? house
10. The room you're in? living room
11. Your fear? loved one dying
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? house
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? pessimistic
15. Muffins? Banana chocolate chip
16. One of your wish list items? baby
17. Where you grew up? Fullerton
18. The last thing you did? kids in bed
19. What are you wearing? PJ's
20. Your TV? BIG
21. Your Pets? none
22. Your computer? slow
23. Your life? overwhelmed
24. Your mood? even
25. Missing someone? yes
26. Your car? white
27. Something you're not wearing? bra
28. Favorite Store? Old Navy
29. Your summer? Hawaii
30. Your favorite color? pink
31. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
32. When is the last time you cried? week ago

Try using just one word to answer. It's hard! I tag...Annie, Joann, Stephanie, Erika, Jenn, Heather, Donna, Stacey, Jennifer Lee and anyone else that wants to try!

Day 2

Ryan & I decided to follow WW points until next week when he's back and I'm not out of town. Well actually, we're going to do it until July, but just to get a kick start this is what we're doing and what we came up with. There are about 15 weeks until our trip, approx. 3 months. We both plan on losing 15lbs by then. 1 pound a week or about 5 per month. That is doable. So yesterday went really well and today is too. I know if we just stay focused we can do it! Gotta get into that bikini for Hawaii :)

Is anyone watching this? InTreatment

It's really interesting. I've caught the first two episodes on HBO Demand. I like Blair Underwoods character so far. Gonna try and watch more while Ryan is out of town.

My other guilty pleasure show is BigBrother I have been watching it for years. It's amazing to see how people interact when they are stuck living together with no tv, no radio, no music, nothing to read......it's just fascinating sometimes.

Back to school

We are dragging.......so tired this morning. Thankfully Ryan has a meeting with a vendor locally and he was able to help out by taking Austin to school today. Now to take Zach to school shortly.
I'm starting my version of Weight Watchers today at home, keeping track of points on my own. Ryan and I want to sign up together, but he leaves tomorrow for NJ for a few days, so we're waiting to start when he gets back. With our trip a few months away we are getting more and more motivated. I might even go for a walk today! Ugh. It's a love/hate relationship with food & exercise. I love food, I hate exercising. I love the results I get from exercising, I hate giving up sweets. But I know it's what needs to be done. Food has been my comfort and friend for the last 2 months. So many ups and downs over the last two months. Thankfully I've only gained 4 1/2 pounds, I thought it was more like 10!

I'm hosting this in May at the Red Bee

National Scrapbook Day Celebration
Hot Tamale Crop
Saturday, May 3
10am-midnight $45*
Join your hostess Echo for a scrap-tastic fiesta!
full lunch & dinner plus snacks all day & evening special page kits from our Red Bee design team fun games & BIG prizes 14 hours of FUN our biggest theme crop EVER! *Sign up early & save! $45 before April 19; $50 after April 19.

There will be so many crops going on that day, but I would love to see some familiar faces and maybe even some new ones! If you're interested, click on the link that says "where I work, The Red Bee" and you can get the phone number and address there.

Well, I think it's time to start the day! Have a great one.

Last Day of Spring Break

I'm a little sad, but happy they'll be returning to school Monday. OH MY GOSH THE FIGHTING IS DRIVING ME NUTS!!!! On to happier random things...


I got a CD for Christmas and never opened it until recently because I thought it was a new release and then found out it was a "Greatest Hits" CD. Well, I already have all their CD's so why do I need a "Greatest Hits?" Let me tell you, if you love or even just like the Goo-Goo Dolls go get this CD! Seriously it is the BEST "GREATEST HITS" CD I have! Ok, so I only have a few others like this, but this is the best one! Every song is amazing. I uploaded some songs of theirs to my sidebar playlist. Seriously, check it out!



Look who has new glasses! Austin is far sided? I can't remember. When he looks up from reading it's blurry and hard for his eyes to adjust so he needs them for reading so he'll have to wear them in class and while doing homework. He looks so mature and handsome with them on.

Our Hawaii trip is just a little over 3 months away! I can't believe it! It seemed so far away when we planned it back in November and now here we are.

Have I ever told you about my cousin Elizabeth and how talented she is? Well, she is 15 and just about 6feet tall and has been playing basketball since she was nine. The girl has a gift. Her goal in life is to play for WNBA. I don't doubt that she won't. She's been scouted for years and just got her first offer from a division 3 school in Oregon. She turned it down. She's 15 and a freshman!!! Can you believe this? I totally believe she'll play professionally, she has the drive and focus. Unfortunately my aunt & uncle live in Washington and I haven't gotten to see her play. She's coming out in July for a tournament and I'm really excited to see her in action.

Weight Watchers. I think I've gotten the subliminal messages, perhaps I'll be joining you Monday morning at 9:30.

I'm scrapping tonight, always look forward to that. I put my NY album together while I was at my Grandma's and I need just a few more layouts to finish. After all this time I'm almost done!

Have a great Friday.

Thursday

Wanted to share some photos from our visit from my Grandma's. The boys participated in a golf and tennis clinic. They loved it! I forgot to send Austin's meds with Ryan on Friday so I guess the kid ate so much Saturday he made himself sick. I decided not to give him his meds for a few days to fatten him up. God knows he needs it. He gained 4lbs! He's now 66lbs. I know he's still so skinny, but we're trying to get him back to what he was before the surgery, a whole 68lbs.

My Grandma's chemo treatment is working! Her tumors have shrunk by half! This is such good news. Today I have laundry to catch up on and some projects for work I need to tend to. We're having a 12 hour crop on the 12th and then a big crop for NSD that I'm hosting! I'm really excited. Also, we'll be launching a QK club here pretty quick that I'm running. I'm nervous, but excited for the challenge. Watch our newsletter for the info! Now for some pics....

Spring Break!

Yeah!!! Austin & Zach are officially on spring break and guess what??? They are gone with Ryan at my Grandma's right now! I have to work tomorrow so they headed out tonight. The boys are taking golf & tennis lessons tomorrow and then there is a BBQ and a Carnival at my Grandma's country club. I'm so bummed I'm going to miss it, hopefully Ryan will put my scrappy hat on and take some pictures.
My Grandma has a chemo appt Monday and I'm taking her and thought we should stay some extra days. We'll find out Monday if it's working. I'll be home Tues or Wed.
Nothing exciting planned for our vacation. Maybe catching up on sleep and scrapbooking. That's what I should be doing now, but I'm playing online, uploading photos and layouts.
Have a Happy Easter!

Thursday

Not much going on today. Just trying to pick up and clean before we leave to go out of town to my Grandma's for a few days. Austin & Zachary's spring break is next week. I'm looking forward to a little sleeping in! We'll be coloring eggs today after school, that's always a fun mess.

And look what I found at Henry's

sorry, the picture is really blurry. Anyways....I came across the CHAI SILK! I thought I could at least try it. It's really good.....I can't believe I've never seen this before! So all my Chai lov'in friends, check it out!

Well, I need to finish cleaning....have a great Thursday.

Target Finds!

I spent about 2 hours in Target today and the first spot I hit is the dollar spot! They have some great stuff! The girl was putting it out and I just hung around until she was done. Look at the cute summer stuff! And an acrylic block for a buck! It's not real heavy, but I could keep it in my Tote-alley! Then I was checking out and the girl in front of me had the Cropper Hopper Page Planners and they rang up $1.62! I ran out of line and picked those up and the red glitter chipboard for $1.98!

And just look at the Curious George stuff. Super cute. I'm really sick of Star Wars, so I was happy that Zachary wanted some new art stuff.

Here's a new hairdo he's trying. I think his hair is too short!

And here's my little Leprechaun from yesterday!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

We're not Irish, but it is fun to wear green for the day. We're going to my mom's for dinner....cornbeef and NOT cabbage. My sister came into town last week and tonight she takes the red eye back to NY. It was a quick trip because she spent 2 days with her friend who got married over the weekend. I thought the wedding was Saturday so I had made plans to be gone all day, then found out it was Friday and she just hung out all day. Bummer. But I'll see her in October!

Speaking of October and NYC......none of the Broadway shows are booking that far in advance. It looks like they are only putting 6 months out to book. I want to see the Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein and maybe Legally Blonde. We're going to see three shows this time, so we might not all agree on what to see. ;)

Have you been to the Brea Mall??? Did you see that H&M is coming? I {heart} H&M. Cute trendy things that are reasonably priced. It says Spring 2008....can't wait!

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!