Busted

Chunky has been saying inappropriate things on the playground like "dicky" or "weanie". Such a flourishing vocabulary. This offense gets him sent to the principal's office. Have I mentioned I'm the PTA president? One day he was told he had to call his parents. So he called and chatted with me for a moment. Except I wasn't on the other end of the phone. This isn't the office secretary's first time at the rodeo and she could tell something wasn't right. Like how quickly he spoke after dialing the last number perhaps? She called the house and of course there was no answer. His excuse was he didn't want to get in anymore trouble than he already was. Rest assured he is in even more trouble now.

What we've been up to

Running the kitchen at a school fundraiser for a few hundred people.

A trip Up North.

Reading.

A visit to an indoor waterpark (not worth any photos). Chunky had fun though I think he has a rash from all the chlorine exposure.

Six volleball games in one day.

Celebrating the fourth tournament win in a row!

Eggs-traordinary

Egg dyeing is serious business


My Easter sweets

Weekend Warrior

Our weekend was action-packed and fun-filled! Sassy's volleball team hosted a tournament so Sassy, Chunky and I worked for four hours in the concession kitchen. Then Sassy had her inverview for Nordstrom's Teen Fashion Board. She said it went well. Chunky was supposed to rake leaves in the yard but successfully procrastinated (and argued). Sassy's team swept another tournament in first place - unbelievable! Just one tournament left for the season - only a short four hour drive north. I need to read four books, catch up on magazines, work on my scrapbooking, exercise more and get together with friends. These kids are ruining my social life!

You'll notice no photos from the weekend - I'm the bad mom, remember?

Loser

I am the PA (PTA without the "T") president for Chunky's elementary school. We had a scheduled meeting last night and I completely spaced it. Uh, hello?! What a loser. I told the VP, who will be president next year, that he will have no problem outshining the incumbent president. Grandma said "you can't fall far from the basement." Well, I'm in the sub-basement.

We have our annual fundraising extravaganza (Spring Fun Fest) next Friday (remember last year?). This is my third year in charge of food. Please say a prayer or give me some cosmic karma that I remember to get everything and show up the day of the event. I will definitely need it.

The Cabin

I have a friend who calls her spouse's education "the cabin". As in it cost as much as. I think we're going to start calling the dentist "the cabin" around here. Between my recent woes, Chunky's ongoing issues and Sassy's checkup, we have been to a dentist six times in the past two months. Today we had a consult with a facial surgeon because Sassy's wisdom teeth won't fit. I guess we can't call her "big mouth" afterall. They'll need to come out - all four of them. I had my wisdom teeth removed when I was 22 or 23. Hubby was in the Army and I had the privilege of having each one pulled separately after they'd become infected. Then I got dry socket to top it all off. Ouch! I'd rather give birth. Turns out the upside is it was free. Sassy's procedure - with anesthesia - will be $2500! Granted we're fortunate to have dental insurance, but it doesn't cover everything. So I'm off to the cabin again in a week for me and in five weeks for Sassy. Ah, carefree living at it's best!

Fashionista

Sassy has an exciting opportunity. While spending a little mother-daughter bonding time at MOA the other week, she was having a grand ole time trying on freakishly expensive clothes at Nordstrom's by her favorite designer. I informed her she could look and touch, but we weren't buying. She caught the eye of a sales lady who had just transferred to Women's from the Teen department and suggested that Sassy apply for their Teen Fashion Board:

• Learn about the history of fashion and design
• Get the ins and outs on trend forecasting, careers in buying, advertising/marketing, styling and the world of retail
• Meet guest speakers from fashion insiders
• Learn how Nordstrom develops its own labels and merchandise

She had to complete an application, write a personal essay, write a dream fashion job essay, complete a project (collage of her own fashion style) and get two letters of recommendation. Pretty serious. She obtained two recommendations from teachers. I almost cried they were so wonderful - we're having them framed.

One teacher said:
Sassy has proven to be a hard working and self-motivated student and often exceeds expectations. She takes personal responsibility for her success as she asks thoughtful questions and contributes to class on a daily basis. She is a clear leader in class, is friendly and is respected by her peers, classmates and teachers. She has a positive attitude and is a hard woker. She takes initiative and is always willing to help others get the job done. It is clear that Sassy wishes to make a difference in others' lives and she is constantly seeking opportunities to do this and improve herself and gain new skills. She would be an incredible asset to the Nordstrom Fashion Board and I am positive she would bring insight and understanding that is refreshing and helpful.

Another teacher said:
Sassy is an independent person in the way she thinks and acts, but also when given a project, works well with others. I have written a lot of recommendations and they all speak to motivation, leadership, grades, etc. Sassy has all of that, but what makes her stand out in my mind is her individuality, creativity and enthusiasm. It seems she always has an idea about something or an observation that no one else has. I look forward to hearing what she will think of next. I look forward to seeing Sassy every day. She is happy, interesting and truly unique.

I couldn't have said it any better myself, but I'm a little biased. Maybe I'm not such a bad mother afterall - or perhaps she's her father's daughter :)

Worth it

We are finally home after a l - o - n - g day. Sassy had a volleyball tournament in a town about an hour away. We had to be there at 7:30 am and just got home a half hour ago. That's twelve and a half hours door-to-door. It was totally worth it - Sassy's team took first place! They won every game (six total) - some were easier than others - and Sassy played well. Chunky tends to get the short end of the stick as he's had to attend several of these all day tournaments. There isn't anyone his age to play with so he ends up playing Nintendo, eating and napping all day. Since things were going so well today I took him to a local theater to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid (missing one game). I wasn't sure what to expect - Chunky loves the book series but movies for that age group can be hit-or-miss. The movie was worth it - totally cute. We saw How to Train Your Dragon a week ago and that was really, really good. Have you seen a movie lately?

Give me an A

Woohoo! I got an A in Strategic Communications! I don't know how, maybe the instructor took pity on me, but I'll take it.

A conversation

I'm a bad mother. Both Sassy and Chunky were off school for spring break last week. 99.9% of the time they have the same days off. I neglected to read the fine print in Chunky's schedule that he had three days off this week too. Sassy did not. Oops. Of course I have a gagillion things going on at work and Hubby has a job out of town. Grma & Papa could take him one day so we decided he was old enough to spend two abbreviated days alone. How bad could it be? He sleeps 'til Noon, takes 2-hour baths and the balance will be filled with Nintendo and TV. Great babysitters those two!

Me: How did you do by yourself today?

Him: Good. I got up at 11 and Sassy was home at 3 so I was only alone 4 hours.
Um, okay.

Me: What did you do?

Him: Nothing much. Watched TV, played Nintendo, took a steam bath.
Not just a bath, a STEAM bath. That means he continously filled the tub with hot water over a two-hour period. Can't wait to get the water/electric bill!

Me: Did you eat anything?

Him: Yeah. I ate four bowls of cereal, two cartons of strawberries and a bowl of ice cream.
Don't you miss the days of ice cream chasers?

Me: Did you vacuum?

Him: No, I don't feel very good.
Nothing like digesting 20+ fresh strawberries to suck the life right out of you.

I need a hug

I purchased this book so I could participate in this book club. When I signed in, I received a "personalized recommendation" for The Mindful Therapist. Evidently Amazon thinks I need a little counseling. How true that is.

PDub and links

I love The Pioneer Woman! I love Ree's photos, cooking, sense of humor, Marlboro Man love story, and well everything. I recently heard her story is going to be made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It's interesting how I found PDub's blog. I sat next to the wife of one of my brother's best friends at his wedding almost two years ago. Other than Notes from the Trenches (my all time favorite), hers (Stones of Remembrance) was the first personal blog I'd ever read. I was intrigued and started exploring other blogs she linked to - MckMama, Bring the Rain and Big Mama. I love Big Mama - she does a fabulous fashion friday post each week including a how-to video on scarf tying 101 (thank you!). It was this post about nine months ago that lead me to PDub. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

Fleur de Lis

Beautiful flowers for my birthday from my stepmother.
I thought it would be poor taste to take a photo of the check from my mother (in addition to giving away all her personal information) - thanks for the massage Mom!


My two cherubs with the Peanuts gang

Hubby, Chunky and I at Easter brunch. My I'm looking voluptuous here. Chunky is growing out his hair (much to my dismay). I keep telling him he needs a little "shaping" so it grows out looking halfway decent. He has refused. And so it begins ...

Sassy with Grandma & Papa

I need help (in oh so many ways) ... choosing a fleur de lis necklace. I have wanted one for quite some time and feel it's finally time to take the plunge. But there are too many (7) choices and I need help whittling them down - please provide comments!

• warm brass with glass bead & flower - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31887747
• gold with two gems that just happen to represent the colors of my kids' birthstones - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38337279
• antique vibe - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32899058
• locket with bird and flowers - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41994015
• simple silver with a little extra charm - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16104648
• hand stamped - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43774042
• cool blue - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36784999

Tough as Nails

This is an odd post for me. I've been a chronic nail biter for most of my life. Sad, but true. I recently stopped biting my fingernails. Not sure why but it's a good thing. I am loving painting my nails. I have a funky mushroom color on my fingers and a purpley-black one on my toes. Just thought I'd share.

Good Friday

Today is technically Good Friday - the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death. Today also happens to be my birthday, which if you recall I don't mind celebrating.

A few famous people share my birth date:

• Thomas Jefferson (1743), 3rd President of the United States my personal favorite as presidents go
• Hans Christian Anderson (1805), Danish writer of "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling"
• Walter Chrysler (1875), American automobile pioneer perhaps that's why one of the favorite cars I've had is a Chrysler
• Sir Alec Guinness (1914), English actor Star Wars rules!
• Marvin Gaye (1939), American singer Love the classics "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine (we'll forgive the unfortunately named "Sexual Healing")

Other notable events on this day in history:
1513 – Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León set foot on Florida, becoming the first European known to do so, purportedly while searching for the Fountain of Youth in the New World.
1792 – The United States Mint was founded by the Coinage Act and U.S. currency was decimalized.
1956 – As the World Turns premiered on American television as the first half-hour soap opera.
1982 – Argentine special forces invade the Falkland Islands, sparking the Falklands War.