Playing Nice

At what point do you stop playing nice?
 I know individuals who always expect the worst out of people. They never trust a stranger and plan for the worst case scenario. I, on the other hand, like to think the best of people. I want to believe that all people will do the right thing when it's asked of them. Yes, I am disappointed and have been told "I told you so" on occasion, but I just can't be (that) negative.
So today is hard for me. A few weeks ago a kid rear-ended us. He was very apologetic and his mother has verbally promised to pay for all repairs. Like most, I'm sure, she would rather not use her insurance in case the rates go up. Which is fine with us- as long as everything gets paid. In a conversation yesterday the mother just wanted to drop the cash money off to us since we told her the price of the estimate.
Yeah-no... not going to happen.  (I had the impression that she thought her responsibility would be done after that.)
I'm having her pay the auto body shop. Then I was trying to figure out how to make life work with only 1 car that can't hold our family of 5. It comes down to us needing a rental car. The nice person in me wanted to make it work, but life will not allow it. So, now I had to tell the mother about the rental car fee. On the one hand I don't want to seem greedy- which I'm not. I am just a mother of 3 small kids who has to have a car. On the other hand- this woman's son is the reason I have to be inconvenienced in the first place.
I don't want this to turn into a big negative situation. And maybe it won't, but you never know.
So my stomach is in knots and I'm half expecting a nasty phone call later about me not tell her- I don't know- whatever. {sigh}.

Moments

It's amazing what you can remember about your life. How simple conversations and seemingly insignificant moments can shape you, change your perception, and even alter your life.  I cherish these moments. Some are harsh- be it on the receiving end or not. Others give me such a sense of warmth and comfort I like to visit them often. I wonder what moments my children will remember. What things I may say that will shape them and how they will handle what the world throws at them. 

One of my key moments came from my mom several years ago.

Yes mom, I do actually listen from time to time.

I don't remember why she shared this with me; probably to encourage me about something. She told me how she always wanted to be a large animal vet. But, at the age of 30 she found herself as a single mother working to support her family and that she  felt she was too old to fulfill her dream. It was only in hindsight of 20+ years that make her realize she could have done it. That even at 30 she was still young and if she had tried she might have spent the next 20 years going something that she loved- working with animals. Her point was simple; you are never to old to be happy and do what you love. Or at least that is what I took away from the story. Part of me is sad that I unintentionally held her back. I know my mother does not blame me, instead she inspires me to follow what I love and to never settle. 

My point is simple. Life happens. It moves forward like the waves on an ocean. You can choose to be carried along and enjoy the ride or you can float aimlessly. I personally think grabbing a surfboard and carving your own path is the way to go. You may fall, crash, and feel like you are drowning at times, but once you catch your breath and try again you will have the time of your life.

I love to hear about people living their adventures and dreams.

Jackie- our family friend, sister-from-another-mother, and Ayla's godmother just moved to Beijing China to study Chinese.

It's an adventure she has always wanted to have.

I'm so excited for her!

Jackie and Hayden summer 2009

My kids are sick.

I'm sick.

My husband is not sick.

I don't quite think the universe if fair at this moment.

 All the kiddies want is "mommy, mommy, mommy!".

All I want is sleep, sleep sleep.

You see my middle one gets nasty, crazy respiratory distress with even the smallest cold.

As in, hospitalized several times in her dainty 4 years of age.

Luckily we have/had a specialist who keeps me armed with prednisone and breathing treatments.

You see, after numerous hospitalizations for both Ayla and Hayden I finally have the drill down.

But you can't tell a new doctor who knows nothing about you that, so instead of calling Haydens pediatrician here and asking for the meds- which would lead to an office visit- which would bring on a pulse/ oxygen test- that would end with us in the hospital.

I did what any one would do.

 Called my Vegas doc, got the prescription called in to our Vegas pharmacy, and then had the pharmacy here to fill it.

So, while it was a long, long night, my little miss middle is running around playing firefighter with her sisters right now.

And I am loopy on Zertec.

I think I might try to play a game of hide and seek.

I'll hide in my bed- with the door shut- and seek some sleep.

My Boots are here!!!!

I searched for months and months- literally since last winter to find these boots.

Very few (like 2) stores in the U.S carry them and usually they are all sold out.

They are made by

Love From Australia

The top can fold down (shown) or be worn up to the knee.

They are so soft and comfy.

I can't WAIT for it to get cold enough to wear!!!

They have tons of amazing styles including these that I almost got.

I ordered mine from here and received them in just over 2 weeks, plus they were on sale.

Birthday Preview

      The Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the crispness in the air, the smell of falling leaves, and the beauty of nature. The autumn also has special meaning for us as a family because 2 of our girls are October babies. It's kinda funny how they sandwich the month like the sandwich our family. Plus I like saying "Autumn", it's a fun word. Try it out- I'll wait.
      Ayla is our oldest. She is smart, funny, crazy athletic, and it looks like she may have been born to dance. When Ayla watches this show she can mimic, almost perfectly,  some of what the performers are doing. Aside from her physical attributes it has been wonderful watching her personality develop. And in almost exactly 1 month she will be 7 years old. I'm sure every parent says the same thing about their kids. How they can't believe they are X number of years. I know my mother still says it about me on the occasion. (then she laughs and says I'm old- me not her.) thanks mom.
      For Ayla's birthday we are having the party here. Since she is the "new kid" I wanted to do everything I can to make sure kids come. This place fit the bill. The party is short, sweet, & to the point. Plus what kid can pass up gymnastics with a zip line?
      Ayla has such an eclectic sense of taste. For her birthday she has asked for:

A butterfly net

A pogo stick

A magnifying glass
Binoculars

      She will also probably find this and this as well.

Dilann is my baby. But, don't call her a baby because she will tell you "I not a baby. I a Dilann." She is way smart for her little britches. If you ever have a conversation (yes, I mean a full on conversation) you would be astounded by her vocabulary. She is also my little crafty one. Dilann watches her sisters to see what she can get away with and then pours on the charm. Dilann knows she is cute and trust me when I say, she knows how to work that cuteness!

      For Dilann's birthday we are going here. While celebrating the birth of my children is paramount; I don't feel the need to have a crazy party for a 2 year old. So until birthday #4, we have a little family get together, lots of balloons, & maybe a special outing.
      It is also a tradition in our family that every child's 2nd birthday gets a cake shaped like this with a matching candle. the really cool part is that the cake pan and candle are from MY 2ND BIRTHDAY! Yup that's right, I'm baking in a 32 year old cake pan and some day my girls will do it too. 

Neighbors

According to my girls we have new neighbors.

They are very polite and quiet.

They love to play with my kids.

Which is fabulous, because my girls would LOVE to stay outside and play with them too.

It seems our yard is a resting stop for the Monarch Butterflies traveling south.

At one point we had about 50 in our yard.

It was a beautiful sight watching whem swirl and dance in the air as my girls chased them.

I found a new love

It is heaven.

It should be sinful to eat.

It has so many many yummy beautiful ingredients going on that it could be art.

And it's served with a feta cheese and  fresh dill dressing.

Roasted red peppers

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Red onions

Chicken

Mixed greens

'Nough said

Soccer

I have a new Saturday love.
I have replaced my childhood cartoons, with teenage sleeping in. From 20 something hangovers to...

early morning soccer

You heard me right people. Yes, Pop, I said "EARLY MORNING" and I do mean before noon. Try 8:50 am. And I love it.

And I'm not the only one.

This is the first year we have had the girls play a sport. Hayden is on the Pre-K Red team. So far she has fought us each morning about going. But when she gets there... she has so much fun. Luckly, our little Einstein realizes that she has more fun each time she goes. I guess that means by her last game she will be pushing us out the door. Or sleeping in her cleats.

Ayla occupied her time with climbing trees and cheering Hayden on. 

When it was her time to play, Ayla was on offense for the orange 1st/2nd grade team. Ayla almost scored 3 goals. She would get the ball right next to the goal, but not quite in to score.

 Next week.

The game was so fast pace that I could only snap a few pictures. The funniest moment was when the team was deciding on a name and the coach yelled "Come here butterflies!" and every girl on the team yelled "We're tigers!"

To say that Ayla enjoys playing is an understatement. The girl is crazy good. Who knows... maybe we found a way to pay for Stanford University. Is it too early to teach Ayla the term "full ride"?

Sorry about the picture missing from yesterdays blog.
The movie was
Alpha and Omega.
Now back to our regularly schedued program...

The other day I had the house to myself.

and little miss 1.

we walked.

played at the park.

she pretended to go to school while I cleaned.

and cleaned.

and clean some more.

I'm what you call a mess cleaner. That means when I tackle a cleaning project- I tackle it, wrestle it to the floor, and beat it into submission. So, what started out as me getting the kitchen tidy turned into:

Cleaning and organizing the pantry.

Now imagine not being able to walk in the pantry.
 That was the "before".

Organizing the laundry room and emptying the last unpacked box of odds and ends.

 

Before

After

And finally putting the kitchen back together.

During Cleaning

After Cleaning

Dilann helping with the coat closet.

I think this is why I don't do major cleanings that often. I go crazy. I tear the house apart and kill myself putting it back together.

Random and More

I have started about 3 separate blogs. 

In my mind I have written even more.

Things are so alive here, at this moment.

There is so much going on that the chaos is wonderful and what I imagined life to be like with kids.

Please don't get me wrong, I

 A*D*O*R*E 

the little baby stage.

 I could snuggle forever with the toddler stage.

 But the new found excitement of the big(ger) kid stage with sports and outing is AWESOME!

So...

While I wrap up all my loose end posts...

I'll leave you with this, itty, bitty, movie review.

Loved It!

I had a rare treat of taking just the older girls to a movie. We ate popcorn with Milkduds and drank lemonade until it came out of our ears.

It's a very fun movie that had me laughing; especially the Alpha mother. 

Holy cow, funny stuff.

It might be a little scary for anyone under 4.

 Hayden got freaked out by a thunderstorm scene.

The only sad part is that I believe it was Dennis Hoppers last movie.

Well, I'll be back soon with a letter to the president, soccer, and messy cleaning styles.

Girls Night Part 2

The Morning After

Sandy's pants sum it up.

Bedtime was 5 am.

I was up at 7.

Took a bath in the loudest draining tub EVER.

Back to bed at 8 am.

Up again at 10 to get Sarah off to work.

(sleeping in is an urban legend when you have kids)

All Sandy wanted to do was sleep in. She kept telling us that even before "girls night".

Sometime around 7, Sarah woke up from the bathroom floor... not knowing why she was pants-less.

So Jen and Sarah decided to call Sandy and ask her.

And then they called her again.

Drunk dialing never seems to get old.

Then Sandy's mom AND husband called about selling stuff at a yard sale.

To say Sandy was pissed is an understatement.

She came stomping out of the bedroom.

"What the f%#*! All I wanted to do was sleep in and you ass*^$@# keep waking me up!"

"And what is this?!?"

That was Sandy playing the drunken phone calls about Sarah's pants.

Sarah thought it was hilarious.

So did Jen and I.

But not Sandy.

She wanted to go back to bed.

Jen and I wanted to go eat.

And get a large Coke.

Guess who won.

Sandy had coffee with her Coke.

She was still intoxicated.

It was all worth it when the food arrived.

Fries and burgers.

Brie with apple panini.

Reuben extra sauerkraut.

I love me some hangover food.

(I think I was the only person NOT hungover. How that miracle happened; I have no idea. But trust me, I'm not complaining.)

The End

Girls Night Part 1

 That Night

The one thing I can tell you about last night is that I can't remember half of the conversations.

The half I can remember, I can't repeat in public.

What else I can tell you about last night is that I have never laughed so hard and so much in my life.

There is nothing better than sitting around laughing with some amazing people.

Except maybe amazing people, with sushi, booze, and a killer view.

How you like them apples?

(quick- name that movie!)

This is Sandy.

Sandy decided we needed a girls night of crazy fun.

Everyone needs a friend like Sandy.

It should be a requirement for every female in the universe.

Or at least strongly suggested.

 Kinda like traffic signals.

 So she waved her magic wand and got us a 2 bedroom suite in the Taj Hotel- Casino (Being married to a Harrah's man, I was behind enemy lines.)

Those are all ocean views.

I know, I know, sucks to be me.

That tub... was heaven. It had air bubble instead of jets. 

That shower... was fantastic.

 And Jen left a cute note on the door in secret spy mode.

 Viewable only by steam. 

Sneaky, sneaky.

Jen ran from Ocean City to the hotel at the far end of Atlantic City.

Only 10 or so miles.

Over several bridges, past crazy people, and down the boardwalk.

Needless to say she needed a shower; hence the 5X too big robe eating her alive.

Jen has legs that should be illegal on anyone over 25.

Plus a heart of the same caliber.

She is the embodiment of beauty both in and out.

I secretly hate her. Ok maybe not, but I really think it would help my ego if I found a flaw on her.

Maybe a pimple or two?

The evening began with sushi, veggies, and wine.

And then champagne, Citron vodka with Xocia energy drink (think grape juice taste), and 1 grown-up Arnold Palmer.

Add in unrepeatable hysterical conversation and the night was already on a roll all before 10:30pm.

Okay, okay STOP twisting my arm! I'll spill the beans!!!

Back rubs

 What am I supposed to do with that?

Low car seats

Bob

Hooks

Drinks with whip cream

Martin Lawrence stand up routine

Sheets

12 steps

America vs. the rest of the world

Sarah joined the party.

When Sarah shows up, the fun really begins.

She is the best kind of friend.. she brings you presents like  Xocia energy drinks and  chocolate.

Those little drinks came in VERY handy the next morning.

(Thank you Sarah!!!!)

Sarah is also the type of person who doesn't get embarrassed.

That's whatcha need on a crazy girls night, let me tell you.

You see the guy drinking a beer behind Jen and Sarah? He and his buddies kept messing with Sandy and Kathryn by looking over and talking. Very 3rd grade, but super funny.

Pretty much every group of testosterone kept looking at our table.

I guess I don't need to find flaws on Jen after all for my ego boost.

Add in more cocktails.

Dancing.

Rescuing the girls from unwanted male dance partners.

More dancing.

Noodle bar at 4 :30 am.

It was time to head back to the room.

Jen passed out immediately.

Sarah didn't feel the greatest.

The room was spinning for me.

And Sandy was talking so loud I thought security was going to show up.

Fast forward a few hours....

Last night was girls night.

It was one of the best times of my life.

I have never laughed so hard, for so long.

I hope to get the pictures up tomorrow and tell you all about it.

Sandy is scared by it because she saw all of the pictures today at lunch.

It was hilarious.

The girls were hilarious.

The whole night was one large, amazing collection of priceless moments.

Even if the most common question asked this morning was "What happened last night?"

I don't like clutter.

I like hodge-podge.

I like a little bit of everything especially at Thanksgiving.

So below are a few snap shots of our lives at the moment.

Enjoy our chaos.

This is what happens when a 1 yr old feeds herself yogurt. Thank heavens she was only in a diaper.

One of the rare moments that everyone is happy playing together. You gotta love Dilann resting her head on "her"Ayla's lap.

This is our magic carpet. These license plates took us up to New York and back again.

They carried our tank on countless family adventures.

Its last trip was to Philly to get the grandparents.

Sadly, it is now time for a changing of the guard.

Goodbye old friend; thanks you for transporting us in safety.

We are officially New Jersey residents now!

When Ma-Ma & Ye-Ye came they brought puzzles.

A 100 count puzzle for Ayla.

And a 24 count for Hayden.

It took the girls no time to get them put together.

The End.