Okay, life is still charmed

I failed to mention that yesterday, "the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day" these things happened as well:

• We made it to Genevieve's school on time, first time this week.
• Maverick happily played with his formerly lost Lightning McQueens while I dealt with girl drama.
• Mav peed on the big potty twice.
• We met friends at Chuck E. Cheese for pizza after I picked up Genevieve from school.
• The kids were amazing at Chuck E. Cheese.  They shared, took turns, ate all of their yummy, greasy pizza without complaining, and had a fabulous time with their friends Ethan and Jon.

• Mav got his new robot costume to go with his purple eyelid.  (It looks worse today.)

• Genevieve said, "Okay Mom" when I told her she was going to wear her Fancy Nancy costume (last year's bday present from Penny) instead of her brand new Rosetta halloween costume becuase I didn't exchange it yet for the right size.
• My darling children were AWESOME at Park Terrace.  That's the retirement home that we go to every October All Member Meeting for Mom's club to trick-or-treat from the cutest little old people, I mean residents.
• My son, accidently grabbed two candies from this little lady's basket and he put one back.  She was really impressed.
• Genevieve, while making rounds to find new people to get candy from, was offered more candy and she told the lady she couldn't because she, "already got candy from her."
• Despite my spaghetti sauce being burnt, Bret said he would eat it for lunch tomorrow, and we could go to my favorite restaurant to eat.
• He just said that to make me feel better.  I know he's not eating that spaghetti sauce.  There aren't any noodles.  But, I appreciate the gesture.
• We ended up staying home for dinner and Bret made it, including zucchini, which he hates.
• He followed that up with doing the dishes.

Not such a bad day, really.  Genevieve during dinner was telling Bret all about her day, and she said she had a great day.  Really, me too.  Well, not really.  But, all this stuff was awesome.  I'm blessed.

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!

Have you read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?  This little boy wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and everything goes wrong all day long. He is constantly talking about how he wants to move to Austrailia. It cracks me up. Life is apparently better there.


Well today was my day. The morning, ugh. Stupid girl drama that I managed to avoid in high school, yet am facing as a 33 year old woman.  Mav fell into a chair and bruised his eyelid.  The afternoon, frantic, not enough time, too much to do, too many commitments.  Running late.  Despite spending the morning preparing everything, I managed to forget all of my paperwork, my halloween give-away books, and the books for my book talk, which was on non-fiction for the All Member Meeting next to my front door.

I managed to remember Genevieve's costume down to the high heels and crown, as well as a costume for myself.  I didn't realize I forgot everything else, vitally important to the meeting itself, until I arrived at my All Member Meeting for Mom's Club.  I was stuck with lots of Mommies, our biggest turnout since I became President (huge turnout, yah!)  And, there were two adorable gals there that are thinking of joining our club.  I didn't have my materials and was totally thrown off by the whole thing.  It was embarrassing!  I don't need to add, but will for affect, that the gal with 6 month old triplets was totally put together and darling. 

I then get home with my sleep deprived children, no naps in 2 days, and we need naps, to discover that I was burning the spaghetti sauce that I was heating in my crock pot.  The spaghetti sauce I prepared ahead of time so it could simmer and be scrumptious with fresh basil and sneakily added spinach was burnt! 

I'm ready for tomorrow!!! Maybe tomorrow I will be in Austrailia!

Gratitude

My darling son just did the sweetest thing.  He is such a lovely boy!  We just spent 2 hours at Florence Joyner Olympic Park (a nice park and playground close to our house).  We packed our lunch and met some Mom's club friends.  They ate, they played, they didn't give me a hard time when it was time to go.  But then.... in the car, as we are pulling away..... Mav said, "Thanks for taking me Flo Jo."  I wanted to squeeze him in the biggest hug.  Good thing I was buckled in.  I would have just smoothered the boy in loves. 

I'm thankful everyday for my wonderful children.  To hear that he is thankful too melts me.

The Letter D

Our morning routine has become pretty regimented now that we have school Monday through Friday.  We go potty, get "bears" (those are gummy vitamins), and eat a quick breakfast: instant oatmeal, english muffins, frozen pancakes or waffles, etc. Then, they dress themselves. (Mav too!)  I do everybody's hair and teeth. We go potty again.  And, out the door we go by 8 am, which is on time.  You know me, on time is pretty amazing.

On this particular morning, Mav chose bagels for breakfast.  After taking a few bites he started yelling out, "Watch this Mommy, watch this Mommy, watch this Mommy,....." this keeps going until I say, "Uh-huh."  Followed by more, "Watch this Mommy, watch this Mommy," Until finally he excitedly blurts out, "D!"

How cute is that?!?

Sis needs to get in on it too!

Time to get ready for school!

Disneyland with first-timers

We took the Shawens to Disneyland while they were visiting.  We were there from open until almost closing time.

It was such a fun day,

 but HOT!

We ate candy, lots of candy with the Shawens!

Then decided to stop for icecream.

and some shopping

 

We rode the monorail for the first time.

and of course rides!

The kids all got hats at the end of the night.  Genevieve was zonked out.  But, she'd already picked out her "ears" and do you really need to be awake to participate in family bonding.  I say no.

"Happiest Place on Earth" or "Most Exhausting Place on Earth"

Genevieve's Prayer

My darling daughter wanted to say a prayer last night during dinner.  She always takes prayers very seriously: she bows her head, holds hands, wants Maverick to be quiet. 

Last night was no different.  Here is her prayer....
"Thank you God for keeping our family safe from being hit by a car or eaten by a dinosaur.  Amen."

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing, but one little snicker was all it took for Bret and I to burst into hysterics.

It was so cute!!!!

The Shawens visit

Joel, Lisa, Olivia, Sophia, and Caleb all made it down this summer.

It was so nice for our kids to really get to know their cousins.  We only see them about once a year and my kids are still so little.  This summer is Mav's first memories of his cousins.

And they LOVE their cousins!!!

The Shawen family is bonding at the bucket park.  The entire family is under that gush of water.  The Houcks are wisely on the sidelines.

Boys will of course be boys....

We had such a great time with our cousins!