Happy Birthday Julie!

Tonight we met Julie and Joe at Filippi's for dinner. Their pizza is sooo good. We had a nice evening catching up and celebrating Julie's birthday. As part of her birthday gift I gave her Twilight hoping to bring someone else into my world! We brought the camera but didn't take any photos. The lighting was dark and the natives (kids) got a little restless. The play doh helped though. Thanks, Auntie! Happy birthday!

Seek and You Will Find

Certainly anyone who is addicted to anything can find what they want or need thanks to the internet. And that is just what I have done. I finished my series of books on Thursday. That left me with two choices. First, I could reread the books again. I certainly plan on doing that but I think I need to catch up on my sleep first! Or, I could search the author's website, fansites, myspace pages, etc. to find more information. I chose the second option because, well, I do need my sleep. I have found out so much information. Stephenie Meyer has a fourth book coming out in the fall for which I am holding my breath. She also is working on retelling part of the story from Edward's prospective. There's a movie in the making too. I've also found tons of youtube videos done by obvious fans. And tonight I have been reading fiction posted by more fans. Wow! These novels seem to cause quite the obsession. Heck, I might just write my own little piece of fiction to give me my happy ending. Well, there are a lot worse things to be obsessed with, right?

I Am Not Alone

It's true. I am not alone. It's really nice to know when someone else shares your obsession. My friend at work who recommended the whole series to me is very much as into it as I am. She first read them to make sure the books were okay for her daughter to read. They were so good she couldn't put them down. Well, the author's website lists songs that she feels go along with the stories, songs that are inspiring. My friend got all the songs on a cd and added a few of her own and burned me a copy. It was my best present ever! I happily listened to the cd today during recess and after school as I packed my things. Of course it just fuels my obsession and imagination. But that's okay, because I have relaxed a bit knowing how this book will end.

My Own Personal Read-A-Thon

When I was pregnant with Natalie, a new Harry Potter book was released. I can't remember which one but it was 2003. I bought it right away but couldn't bring myself to read it until I was on my maternity leave. I wanted to savor it without any interruptions. I am that kind of reader. I would certainly do the same now with my new favorite serious except for two reasons. First, I don't have alone time like I did when I was pregnant with Natalie. My only quiet time is after nine and that's if I don't have any work to do or if I am not tired. Second, if I put off the reading for a better reading time, it pains me. Freak! No, I am just sucked in to my "real" (to me and the author, of course) characters.

I finished the second book, New Moon, today. It was a blurr. I did it a little more than a day. It filled me with all sorts of emotion and was difficult to read at times without tears running down my face. Although, I told you that I cheated and read the jacket of the third book for a sense of peace, it still was emotionally charged and riveting. I rushed through the middle to get the end so I could sigh with relief. Funny, when I was on the author's website, she suggested people read New Moon twice because she new that people would rush through the middle to get to the end.

My dilemma now is do I read the second book again? Or, do I move on to the third? Well, I have already decided that I will reread them all. My teacher friend who recommend them to me suggested that and she also suggested that I read all three first. But, I don't want it to end. So, if I go back and reread, this will slow down the process for me. But, if I keep reading I will know more. I won't have closure because there's another supposedly coming out in the fall. I honestly don't know if I can read the second one again yet. I am thinking that I do need some closure first because those emotions were strong throughout the book.

Oh, and I CHEATED. After my emotional roller coaster of reading I flipped to the back of the third book to read. I had to. I never do that too. But I just had to know if it would be okay. I just had to. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep reading if I didn't know that something good was going to happen because I didn't want to read another book that bring me to tears.

Yikes! All this over a series of books! Afterall, isn't this what reading is supposed to do? I encourage my students to read. Books take them places. Find a good book or a good author and stick with it. Keep reading. It opens your world to adventure and knowledge and prods the imagination. It's a heck of alot better than television, too.

I suppose I should just finish the darn books so I can get on with my life. But I can't start tonight because I know me and I know I'd read until my eyes blurred and I couldn't see the clock - like last night. I have no self control.

The romantic in me is a nut!

I Think I Need an Intervention

Seriously, I am obsessed with Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. I read at every possible moment: standing, walking, and in the evening when the kids are in bed I can read for three hours straight. I'd read longer but I do need sleep. I am currently on the second one, New Moon and I should finish it in a couple days. I bought the third one tonight and am relieved to know that my tears today were in vain (maybe or at least temporarily) from reading the jacket. Ryan thinks I am nuts. But I absolutely love this story and these characters and I have gone deep into their little fantasy world. I am really not nuts. I am a hopeless romantic and a dreamer and these books bring out those qualities in me. As for the intervention, forget. I don't want one. I am perfectly happy living vicariously in my fantasy world now. But what will I do when I finish these books? Read them again!


Oops - I accidentally posted this on Ryan's so I reposted it here. This was Friday night's post.
Yes, it's an obsession. I can't stop reading. Twilight. Last night I was up until after 12:30 and the night before it was the same. I sneak a page here and there. I can't put the darn book down. I finished it tonight. But now I am ready for book two - New Moon. I have it. I bought it on Wednesday knowing very well that I would need it soon. And I do need to read it; kind of like a vampire needs to feed. Well, anyway, I am afraid to start reading it tonight for fear that I will not get any sleep.

I Love This Book!

This book is sooooo good! I can't put it down. I am off to read it right now.

Say Map, Say Map

I am soooooo busy but I had to write this down in case I forget. Today I rushed home from work to get Natalie for ballet class. Ryan usually has her ready to go and I sweep the kids in the car and 4:00 and make to class on time at 4:15. Well, today I rushed to be greeted by a shirt and diaper clad Matthew who had just woken up from his nap and Natalie in her mermaid costume. I was shocked and all I could get out was, "Dancing class?" Ryan said, "It's Wednesday." So, I thought to myself, is it Wednesday? Then he conceded by saying, "I completely forgot." We rushed to get them ready with me leaving with only two minutes to get there. Because we were running so late I didn't want to stop for any red lights and kept going when I should have turned left, thinking that I could just cut over. Well, Grand is a crazy street and I got disoriented and . . . lost! Now, I do have a pretty good sense of direction but I was completely turned around in my fluster. I said to the kids, "I don't know which way to go!" Matthew yelled from the backseat, "Map, map!" If it were only that easy! Map did not come to our rescue and we were really late!!!

Procrastination

My report cards are due tomorrow. I'd much rather be uploading photos of our fun day at the fair, but I should get my work done. Groan. And, yes, it will all pay off in two weeks anyway.

Fun at the Farm (Well, it's not a real farm)

What to do? What to do? I woke up this morning with that question on my mind. After working all week, I usually like to spend my weekend doing something fun with the kids. Lately it's been kind of spontaneous planning too. Last weekend we went to the Kidseum and Disneyland (doubly fun). This weekend we were tossing the idea of the county fair around, but that wouldn't be until Sunday. I didn't want to go to Target and our usual places to spend unnecessary money and I didn't want to stay home all day. The kids get restless when too much of that happens. I had originally planned to head out to Goat Hill Junction (found it on the Internet) in Costa Mesa but didn't feel like making that long drive by myself and since Ryan would be working most of the day, I opted for something closer - Tom's Farm.

My original plan was to go there and ride the train and merry-go-round and then head to Target for a quick trip (there was something there I was sure I needed) and then be home by lunch. Well, when we got there we discovered that they were planning to have a magic show. It peaked Natalie's interest but I wasn't sure if Matthew would last several hours. I told Natalie we'd try to stay. So we rode the merry-go-round and surprisingly Matthew didn't cry and was interested in it. It's a pretty long ride. About halfway through he did get this worried look and pout but he managed to muster up the courage to stay put without complaining. After that we rode the train. I couldn't tell if the "conductor" was teasing or not, but he gave me a hard time about Matthew's age and riding for free. Actually, it didn't even occur to me to ask if he could ride for free. I paid for his merry-go-round ride so I readily offered up the six bucks for all of us. The guy asked me how old Matthew was and I guess it took me a minute to come up with 20 months. I asked, "Why is he free?" The guy then said, "Well, I don't know. It took you a long to answer." I replied, "Well, he'll be two in December." Honestly, why would I have paid his admission if I was trying to get a free two dollar ride on a train. Seriously, I've paid more for less. I don't try to cheat the system. Besides there's always kharma. Anyway, the guy gave me back two dollars. Whatever.

We walked around a bit. Natalie and Matthew enjoyed laps around an uneven planter. We had lunch. Their pizza is fantastic! And then we watched the magic show. Matthew wasn't completely into it but he did like to applaud and say, "Yay!" at the appropriate times. Natalie, on the other hand, was enthralled. At the end, the magician called all the children up to the front for his last trick that involved a little story and some "snow" made form a napkin. She loved it and gathered up the confetti snow to bring home. It's downstairs on our kitchen counter. She plans to make a snow globe.

Of course, Matthew was exhausted and quickly fell asleep on our short ride home. There is a downside, though. No pictures! My camera wasn't charged! But, all in all, it was a nice outing. We will definitely do it again.

Oh, and the magic shows are every weekend at noon and two.

A Fly on the Wall

I was having an interesting conversation with some of my third graders during library time today. It all began with some insect books and then it turned to more specifically . . .flies.
Ah, to be a fly on the wall. We've all heard it and perhaps even said it. It sounds good doesn't it? You sit there quietly and observe anything. I am sure you could find out some good dirt and find out some true feelings. Sure it's risky. You might be spotted and swatted. But, would you really want to be a fly? They only live about two weeks. That's not much of a lifespan. I guess that's why they are so daring. Live each day to the fullest, right?

The poor flies at our house don't have much of a chance then. Ryan hunts them down with a vengence. So, if you really want to trade your human life for a fly life, don't stop by our house. You wouln't last very long. Besides, it's not really that exciting here. Or is it? You'd never get the chance to find out!

What Can Matthew Do?

He can sing the ABC's. He's actually been able to do that for at least two months now.

He can also count to ten but he sometimes skips a number.

He knows his colors pretty consistently: blue, yellow, green, "orangy", red, and purple.

He can draw balloons, dolphins, and he drew Rocket from Little Einstein for Daddy the other day.

And he can string together a pretty mean sentence with lots of words (like five or six).

You rock, Little Buddy!

Back to School

Tonight I went to Back to School Night at Natalie's preschool. It was quite different being on the other side. Oh, I am no stranger to Back to School Night which is affectionately called Parent Information Night (PIN) at my school. I've been doing it for the past eleven years and with two sessions for the past six years. So, I know my parent info.

But this time it was different. I was not the presenter. I wasn't the one with all the policies and procedures. I didn't present what I was going to teach and what my expectations were. No, I was listening and (yes) taking notes. I was on the other side. I was gathering the information on my daughter's curriculum and listening to her teacher go over her program and ask the parents to "help the children learn The Pledge of Allegiance." Wow, you mean I have some things to work on with my child?! I looked through Natalie's work and saw her art on the wall. And . . . while it was all a bit surreal and . . . weird, it was nice. Although, sniff . . . she's growing up. And it's happening faster than I thought.

And thank you Ms. Arlene for saying such nice things about my daughter. You know how to win a parent over.

Mom's Funny

When Natalie was a toddler I made up a song to sing to her to get her drink her milk. She hated whole milk and loved her super expensive, hypoalergencic one even though it smelled like cheese crackers. This is how it went.

Milk, milk, drink it all up.
Milk, milk, in a bottle or a cup.
I like milk. You will too.
Some for me and some for you.

Matthew has been having a tough time sleeping at night. I usually rock him and sing him soft songs to relax him. Tonight it backfired. As he was drinking his milk I sang the "Milk, Milk Song." Well, it was all he could do to contain himself. He thought it was the funniest thing ever and had the giggles throughout the whole song. Well, then it just became a game. I would sing it and he would bust out laughing.

But, is he laughing at me and thinking, "Great song, Mom. Not!" Or is he laughing with me? Aw, he just likes my little songs. . . maybe. Or he thinks I am a nut! But at 20 months that's a good quality!

First Day of Preschool & First Ice Cream for Dinner!

The bad mom in me gave her children ice cream for dinner tonight. Well, it wasn't really ice cream. It was nonfat frozen yogurt from the Golden Spoon. And it wasn't really dinner. It was an afternoon snack at about 4:20 which is late for an afternoon snack at my house since the kids eat dinner by 5:30.
(I think the sprinkles add protein!)

I have good reason, though. Today was Natalie's first day of preschool. It was a special day filled with excitement and treats. The morning started off great. I took a personal day to take Miss Natalie on her first day of school. She was very excited and eagerly got dressed in one of her birthday dresses(thanks, Nana) complete with new butterfly socks that came in the mail perfectly the day before (thanks, Nana) and new princess light up shoes. We took her backpack for show but she doesn't need it for school so it just went for a ride. When we got there we had to patiently wait our turn in line to sign Natalie in. There was a little girl holding onto her father and screaming in front of us. Fortunately that wasn't contagious. Then we walked her to her classroom and met her teacher Ms. Arlene. After a couple questions from overprotective mom (and proud of it) she gave us a hug and kiss goodbye happily.

The one who had the most difficulty with it was Little Matthew. All the way to his school he kept saying, "See Natalie, see Natalie." He was a little distraught that she wasn't with him. I felt bad for him. He is such a routine kind of guy. I could see that this new school business threw him off. His end of the day routine is so particular too. I pick him up first. He says, "Backpack. Sister, get sister," or, "Backpack. Natalie, get Natalie." He hugs his teacher goodbye and we turn right out the door. Today we had Natalie with us. I think that helped. Natalie might have to come every day to pick up Matthew for a while to break him of that routine. I can see him getting upset if we don't go into the three's room to pick her up.

Anyway, I did a few shopping errands. I went out to the outlets so I could look for some more shorts for Natalie. Hers are all too small and she needs them for school. The good thing about our climate is that we can wear our shorts for a while. I found a few things for her, a dolphin shirt for Matthew, and a present for my cousin who just had twins. The Carter's outlet rocks!

Ryan and I both went to pick up Natalie after school and took her to a special, first day of school lunch of her choice. She chose her Daddy's favorite, Red Robin. After that we made a Target run and treated Natalie to the new princess movie, hence the treats (along with the new clothes).

Our "ice cream" celebration was for a special occasion. We had promised it to her after lunch but thought Little Buddy shouldn't be left out. So, we had our treat before dinner. At about 7:00 I offered them a small dinner. Matthew ate mostly fruit and milk. Natalie had yogurt - not frozen this time.

It was a special day.

The Kiddos

Natalie is such a sweet little girl. She has been playing dress up all weekend. We've been in the house for most of it since it's been so hot! Anyway, she's been a fairy. We did a few errands yesterday and she came with me complete in her fairy attire. Today we met friends Rico, Le Anne, Nathan, and Sarah and she wore new fairy attire. I love it! I don't thik I got a picture of the complete outfit with wings and all but I am sure she'll put it on again for me.

Matthew is quite cutie too but is becoming more demanding as he expresses his autonomy. The new phrase that pays for him is, "I don't," which is his fancy way of saying, "no." On Saturday we went to Target and apparently he didn't want to go (surprise) and started shouting, "I don't" as loud as he could. Now if you ask him a question and he's not on board he'll reply with a very emphatic, "I don't." And he means it.

Oh, and Matthew can now climb to the top of the slide at Chick-fil-A by going up the tunnel. Scary. I don't think we'll be going back there for a while!

Where Did You Pahk the Cah?

Matthew has a little bit of ole Massachusetts in him. Ask him where he went yesterday and he'll tell you, "Tah git." I guess it's in his blood!