Naked Babies and Strawberry Jam

Tonight my kitchen looked like a massacre had occurred. I brought home all of the dolls from my classroom to wash them and had them drying all over the counter and in the sink. At the same time, I was making homemade strawberry freezer jam. (YUM!) Kyle came in and said it looked like blood and babies everywhere! I should have taken a "during" picture instead of just "after", but you can use your imagination. By the way, the picture of my Molly Mo is what she was doing the entire time I was working in the kitchen. She follows me wherever I go...I think she likes me!!

Angels Game

Darrell and Nathan went to the Angels game last night and this is what Nathan reported when they got home:

1. The Angels won and now they're "16 ahead."

2. Torey Hunter "made an awesome save at the fence."

3. The chicken strips were as hard as rocks.

4. The lady behind him knew nothing about baseball and kept kicking his seat.

5. They ran out of cheese pizzas.

6. The hats and jerseys were way too much money. One jersey cost $400!

7. The parking lot was already full when they got there, and it was an hour before the game.

8. Their seats were really good.

So, there you go, the highlights according to a 10-year-old!

Pedestrians Beware!

KYLE GOT HIS DRIVER'S PERMIT. Last week he went through 4 days of classes and tomorrow he has his first behind-the-wheel training with an instructor for 2 hours. Then, he can get his Learner's Permit and drive with a licensed adult for 6 months. After that, he's a full-fledged driver. These are the times that make me feel really old...my baby is driving. Actually, he and Darrell just left for the school parking lot to "take a spin." God help us all...you, me, the people walking on the sidewalk, the driving instructor, and most of all Kyle.

Legos

Nathan worked on his helicopter Legos that we bought several weeks ago and finally finished. He is very methodical when he puts these together and gets very upset when something doesn't work right.

Summer is coming to an end, Tuesday morning we all go back to school. Nathan and I just went to his "Meet and Greet" and met his teacher, Mrs. O'Connell. I've heard great things about her. He is in a 4th-5th grade "SuperCombo" class. It seems like an awesome group of kids.

El Molino de Oro

El Molino de Oro is an awesome "hole in the wall" Mexican food restaurant close to my school. I LOVE their carnitas burrito! My friends (Sandy is with me in the photo) and I often eat their on our staff meeting days. Many of the parents in my parenting classes also eat their, and they are mostly all Hispanic, so you know it is authentic...and delicioso!! MUY BIEN AMIGOS!!

Wordless Wednesday #4 ~ HOLLY

Holly Ann ~ aka Peach ~ Our niece...she looks like Nate, huh??

This is Yoshi

Yoshi is our Fat-Tailed Leopard Gecko. Grammy gave him to Nathan last year for his birthday and he has lived in a terrarium in Nathan's room for a year and a half. He is a good gecko and an easy pet. He doesn't stink, shed, or make noise. The only bummer is we have to buy live crickets every week to feed him. Notice in the 2nd picture is the cricket cage and the 3rd picture is Yoshi with a cricket in his mouth...teaching Nate about the food chain!

By the way, these geckos can live up to 30 years, so Nathan will be taking this pet with him to college, wedding, and when he's married with his own family!

Back To Work...

I had my first back to school workshop today. It focused on teaching children and parents good nutrition practices. I know what you're thinking...isn't that the pot calling the kettle black...don't use Nathan and I as an example. 8-) Did you know that one Cherry Coke has 10 1/2 teaspoons of sugar in it?? Gatorade is not much better. So, drink more water...it's good for your brain, muscles, digestion, skin, and bones and has NO sugar.

Cheater, Cheater, Cheater

Those of you whose kids play youth baseball will understand my frustration. We spent 2 entire days on a hot (104 degrees), dusty, far-away baseball field with Nathan. They won their first game and advanced into the semi-finals and the Coach on the other team said we batted out of order (BUT WE DIDN'T) so we ended up losing!! It was such a bummer way to end a tournament and the team played SO great today! It's so embarrassing to see grown men (coaches) who are supposed to be role models for our boys unwilling to admit mistakes and be good sports and good human beings. We were all okay to go home and jump in the pool, it was just a bad ending. Nathan had a couple of great hits and an unbelievable catch in center field. I think we ended up taking 3rd place overall. Go Halos!!

Nathan's Baseball Tournament at Big League Dreams

It's 4 p.m. and we just returned from Nathan's baseball tournament, we were on the road by 7:30 this morning. Not too bad...at least it wasn't dark when we left or came home!! The team lost the first game and tied the second. Nathan played center field both games. He can pretty much play every position, except catcher...the helmet freaks him out...so he plays both infield and outfield. I had to keep score for the games, so I couldn't flit around and chat like I usually do. Then, we went to pizza with the team. The kids are all 10 year olds, so pizza is the MOST important thing!! As always, Grammy and Grampy were there to watch...the boys biggest fans!

School Shopping

Only one more week of summer vacation...it's bittersweet! I like being home with the kids and their unending stream of friends through the house and the lazy days, but I also am anxious to get back into a routine. We bought A LOT of school supplies, they're so cheap at this time of year, so I donate to Nathan's teacher and keep a large stash here for the year. I also use them sometimes at work for my low-income families. You can see a photo of Nathan's new clothes and shoes. Then, a photo of Kyle's closet and his rainbow of shirts. You cannot see his 12+ pairs of expensive jeans and at least 20 pairs of shoes. For this reason, he is not getting many new school clothes...he doesn't need them. Grammy often buys their clothes and shoes, she buys very nice stuff...not in my budget. Thanks Grammy...love you!!

I hope those of you already back in school are having a great beginning of the school year. Our first day is September 2...

Eldon's Back From Vacation...YEAH!!

Eldon is my nephew. He is Tanya and Bret's son...they also have Holly, I'll talk about her another time. Anyway, back to Eldon. I took care of Eldon when he was a baby until he was 2 years old for 3 days per week, he is 4 months younger than Nathan. As you can imagine, he and Nathan are very close...almost like siblings even though they have very different personalities. We call him El Dee Buck because his full name is Eldon Buckstone Meacham. When Nathan doesn't see him for awhile, he misses him so much. He was on a 3 week vacation and returned this past weekend. They spent Monday with Grammy. Tuesday with Tanya and Wednesday here with us and we did not want El Dee to leave.

They are very busy boys. While at my house they; chased the dog down the street after they let her out of the house, looked for tennis balls on the slope, ate Fun Dip, went to a PTA meeting with me, ate at Carls Jr, used their slingshots (a gift from my sister...I'll get her back someday!!), played with HotWheels (I made them guess and count them...204 total...Eldon won $5), and did something with an empty milk jug and water (I didn't ask...sometimes it's better that way!!).

School starts in 2 weeks and Eldon is going to a new school closer to their business. We'll miss seeing them on a regular basis. We love you Eldon and Holly!!

Wordless Wednesday #3

Groff family huddle...SUMMER!!

I'll Take Vanilla

I have always loved vanilla ice cream and yogurt. I am a simple girl, with simple tastes and I prefer vanilla. I occassionally choose a different topping, usually chocolate chip cookie dough...but ALWAYS vanilla. When I was in high school and college, my friend Anita and I would get lots of yogurt...almost daily right, "Nita"?? I would walk in and order my usual, and she would get the weirdest flavor on the menu. "Could I have the Salmon Peanut Butter Jasmine flavor?" she'd say. Yuk...just give me vanilla.

By the way, Anita now lives in Minnesota with her firefighter husband and cute, but onery, twin boys. I wonder if Kiel and Kole (her boys) order vanilla...I bet not!!

Long-Time Friends...

Kyle is going to Knott's Berry Farm today with MacKenzie (aka Kenz) and Hailey (aka Haileykins) Newbry. Check out their blog at the right. We have been family friends since before Nathan was born. They are like big sisters for my boys and beautiful darling girls. Doug and Kelly, their parents, are cherished friends. Doug and Darrell talk business, Doug and I talk flowers. Kelly is a great hostess and made one of the best Thanksgiving turkeys I have ever tasted. It's kind of scarey to let your kid go to an amusement park without a parent, but they're all such terrific kids. I hope I didn't ginx myself by saying that...I don't want a phone call from the police department!!!

My Favorite Summer Reads

Kyle's abdominal injury was worse today, so he tried to play baseball , but ended up sitting out most of the game. Nathan and I didn't even go to Hemet. I did just get back from taking him to the Dr, and she thinks it is just a muscle pull. She told him as long as his testicles aren't swollen or there isn't blood in his urine or poop he should be okay in a few days. You should have seen the look on his face when she said that...too funny!!!

This is a photo of my favorite summer reads. Many of you know that I'm always reading many books at one time. Usually How-To, Decorating, Cooking, or that sort of book. If you haven't read "The Last Lecture" do yourself a favor and read it. It's a fantastic book, and really easy to read. I finished it in less than 2 days. Also, I really loved "Busy But Balanced." It's actually a library book, but I'm going to order it for my home library. One more recommendation, I bought at least 8 books on puppy care, and this one is by far the best. Oh ya, Nathan and I are reading "Despereaux" aloud. I went to a workshop this past year on how important it is to read aloud to kids, even when they're old enough to read themselves. He reads a page, then I read a page...or two. It's great for his fluency. "Despereaux" is a movie that is coming out in January. It's fun for us to read the book and then see the movie together. We did the same thing with "Night at the Museum." He and Kyle are both awesome readers. Kyle is now doing his summer reading for his accelerated English class..."Animal Farm." He is not enjoying it.

Kyle's Tournament in Hemet -Take 2

Kyle's team lost the first game, but they played really great. Huge bummer... Kyle played 1st base and pitched. It was really hot, I felt a little guilty sitting under the umbrella drinking ice water when the boys were sweating out on the field. Hey, they're young and athletic, they can take it. Anyway, Nathan, Grammy, and I left after the first game and Grampy and Darrell stayed to watch the second game and they won 18-0!!! HOORAY! I understand Kyle did really well, but hurt a muscle in his abdomen when he slid into homebase! I'm sure he'll be okay, he gets so beat up playing ball. Now, get this, his game tomorrow is at 8:30 a.m. Hello...that means up and out of the house by 5:30 in the morning. Sorry God, we'll have to miss church again for baseball. I'll let you know how the game(s) go tomorrow. If we win, we keep playing. If they don't win it's a shame...but it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the...

**A side note totally unrelated, my Mom and I drove by Saddleback Church on the way home just as Obama and McCain were starting their big forum with Pastor Rick. Holy Moly, police cars EVERYWHERE on the toll road, at least 30 sharpshooters with rifles on the roof of the church and people and news vans galore. We had a chance to go, but decided to watch it on TV and save our $2,000 per ticket. By the way, Saddleback is a neat church and the kids programs are amazing!!!

Kyle's Tournament in Hemet - Take 1

It's 9 a.m. and we're off to Hemet (about a 2 hour drive) for a baseball tournament. The first game is at noon and the second game is at 4:30, so we should be home tonight around 9 p.m. Kyle looks so cute in his baseball uniform, I think he's pitching today. I'll try to send a post tonight to let you know if he wins...or loses. It's going to be hot, dry, and dusty...and he'll have at least one game tomorrow. We love to watch the boys play baseball. So, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

There's No Place Like Home #1

We had such a great time in Palm Desert, but it's so great to be home...to sleep in our own beds! Here are a couple of photos of Darrell and my bedroom. It was the first room I decorated when we moved in and I still love it. Yes, it is almost always clean and I do make the bed nearly every day.

Molly Says Thanks

A HUGE THANK YOU from Molly to my Mom and Larry (aka Grammy and Grampy) for taking care of Molly Mo when we were in the desert. She was mostly a good girl, except for: 1. waking them up between 3:30 and 4:30 each morning, 2. completely chewing up the vacuum cleaner cord (on the new vacuum) 3. eating Kyle's headphones 4. a couple potty accidents in the house, and 5. harrassing Smokey and Maggie.

We love and appreciate all you do for us. You are a huge support and we adore both of you.

By the way- thanks also for carting Kyle around the last couple of days.

Wordless Wednesday #2

On vacation...my Angel Baby!!

Friends and Geese!?!!

Nathan and I are still in Palm Dessert. Kyle and Darrell went home yesterday so Kyle could go to a baseball practice. Darrell came back out this morning and will leave again tomorrow. In the meantime Kyle will stay with Grammy and Grampy so he can go to his guitar lesson and his training sessions. Then, Nathan and I are heading back Thursday or Friday. Did you get that??

We have been lazy...I mean LAZY!! We are swimming, reading, watching the Olympics, and eating. It's going to be tough to go home, but we miss our puppy.

Our friends, the Golyer Family, are here with us. They have 3 boys; Paul, Andrew, and Joshua. Paul is 17 now...he was 3 when we met. He and Andrew were in my PreSchool classes....maybe that's why they're so smart! That was a long time ago. Joshua is our Godson.

This resort is gorgous. You can see the geese that roam the property. Yesterday Nate and I fed them bread from our balcony.