Happy Halloween 2010

Last night was our community Halloween costume contest. I’ve come to the conclusion that our elected HOA officials have either never had children, or haven’t had children around for many years. The party, in our new clubhouse, was late to start (children chanting “let us at the candy” 25 minutes after the doors were supposed to be opened, kind of gave me a clue how this was going to be. There was a costume contest that was totally unorganized and chaotic until I stepped in and said that perhaps, having the children come to the middle of the circle when their costume category was called, may be better than having them try to figure out how to parade around in a circle which was 4 kids deep in places. It was still chaotic but a little better. Maybe I need to talk to them about helping with children's activities during the coming year.

I dressed up as an apple…easy costume. My hat was a $1 visor and the leaf/core and worm were construction paper. I just put a string in the bottom hem of one of my giant old Tee shirts and Woody wrapped me in a mattress cover.

K was Cleopatra. She now wants to know the history of Cleopatra and was adamant that her costume be as historically accurate as possible. I even had to look up weather or not nail polish was available in Cleopatra’s time. Technically, it was as explained here; http://www.king-tut.org.uk/ancient-egyptians/egyptian-make-up.htm but I said no…mainly because I didn’t feel like painting her nails.

Lauren was a wicked little witch. She had an awesome wart on her nose but it fell off during the party.

Tonight we are having neighbors over. The moms will sit in our driveway and pass out candy while the daddies take the kids out trick or treating.

Lauren Learned how to Tie her Shoes

Woot!

I’ve been sick so not much going on here…just trying to keep up with work and general house stuff.

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First tooth down for Lauren!

Lauren lost her first tooth on Thursday last week. The tooth fairy gave her 5 golden dollars!

I found it odd how differently my two children handle loose teeth. Katherine tells me that she has a loose tooth and it is soft foods and avoidance of the offending tooth until it literally falls out of her head…in about two months on average.

Lauren on the other hand, realized she had a loose tooth and she immediately began fiddling with it. Finger pulls, tongue wiggles, whatever…that tooth never had a chance. It was out before 24 hours had passed. I’m more like Lauren. Get the tooth out, give me my money and lets move on with life.

We had a wonderful Saturday. The weather in Florida this time of year is fantastic. Warm, dry, sunny…perfect. We introduced our friends, the McCurdy’s to Hillsboro River State park. Mylene is Canadian and Bill is from California. They loved the park and the girls had a good time with Mirin, their 3 year old daughter who idolizes them. We had a nice hike, picnic, playground time and then home. Rocky enjoyed it too. On the way home, we stopped by the farmers market to pick up some fresh fruits and veggies. While we were checking out I saw that they had hot boiled peanuts. “Bill, have you ever experienced the pure pleasure that is hot boiled peanuts?” I asked. “Hot what!?!” was his reply. The lady gave him a sample and he was in heaven. We both got a bag and hopped into the car. It’s not easy to drive while eating boiled peanuts so this was all about safety. :-) We were supposed to head home but what happened instead is that Woody, Mylene, Bill and I sat in our separate cars and had a race to see which couple could finish the boiled peanuts first. Woody and I totally won. Boo Yah!

So I am feeling pretty fulfilled right now. I mean really, how magnanimous of me to to share one of my most favorite Southern foods with the new neighbors. I am adding “Southern Culture Tour Guide” to my resume now.

Work is going well. I’m learning lots and I’m pleased that the schedule allows me to drop the girls off and pick them up in the afternoons. Woody was laid off almost one month ago so he’s been home, which has helped tremendously with getting into a new routine.

Super proud of Lauren

I emailed L's teacher today to check up on her progress since I didn't get a chance to chat with her during the Open House last week. Her response: "Lauren is doing a great job.  She's a big help to the kids who have a hard time following directions, and she's been working very hard in class.  We will start reading groups next week, and I'll keep you posted on her progress and start sending books home in another month or so."

I'm really proud of her. She has a hard time trying to keep up with her sister and  I was concerned that her anger management issue would cause problems. Apparently, she saves that special part of her personality for her family. Thanks L. :-)

Kat's 8th birthday party

We had about 20 kids over for slip & slide, sprinklers, bubbles, water guns, sidewalk chalk and a pinata. After cake, the boys headed home and left 8 girls here to spend the night. We've had a great time and I've posted some pics.

FYI, I'm sure my mom is looking down on me from heaven just cracking up. My cake turned out not quite as well as I hoped. Ok mom, point taken. Birthday cakes can be difficult. Gotcha! :-) party pics

Never thought I'd be a martial arts mommy with two girls

But here I am and I couldn't be prouder. Today is Friday the 13th and K said that it's her lucky day. She finally lost the dangley tooth. Then during martial arts class, Sensi John was so impressed with her front stance that he invited her to start training every other Friday night for the tournament team. She was psyched!! I'm not sure weather it's making Sensi John proud or the chance to win one of the 5 foot tall trophies that they give to the winners, but she is really excited and she worked hard tonight at her first tournament session.

She's only a yellow belt but he's teaching her an orange belt (intermediate level) form called Heian Godan. You can look it up on youtube for videos of the basic form. From what I've seen, most of the ones there are pretty similar to hers. She learned about an 8th of it tonight. I could tell she was a little overwhelmed. The class had adults, teens and a few kids her age and it was loud and chaotic, but she perservered and seems to want to go back.

L finally settled down during class this week and focused so she received her white stripe. Now both girls will be able to test for their gold belts.

Our week has been pretty quiet with the rain we've had. We did get outside yesterday and walked to the pool, and I've started party planning for K's birthday. Today we planted our seeds in the mini greenhouse starter today. Both girls made friends with a worm...named Wormy...what else, while they were helping me prep the soil. Our compost is awesome! So, we have lettuce, green onioins, yellow squash, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, bush beans, tomatoes, green peppers, sweet corn, broccoli and jalapenos so far. Now to find room to plant all of them when they sprout.

Sleeping out under the stars...kinda

There are only 6 full days until school starts. So in an attempt to make the end of the summer super special, W and I let the girls sleep outside tonight. they have the beach-tent out on the screened in porch and have quite a  nest set up. I seriously doubt they will even fall asleep out there, the frogs and crickets are really loud and the little animals will be creaking around the lawn soon. They seem to be enjoying themselves for the time being though.

Can I tell you how adorable it is to "catch" K reading to L? It is just a proud mommy, warm fuzzy moment.

Getting ready for the end of summer trip

School Days are almost upon us...18 days and counting <>So, the girls and I are off to Tallahassee tomorrow for a week long visit with good friends and family. I'm looking forward to introducing them to some of my old favorites. Swimming at Wakulla Springs, St. Marks etc. Hopefully the weather cooperates. If it doesn't at least we have two movies that the girls are dying to see. Ramona and Beezus and Cats and Dogs, the Revenge of Kitty Galore. We've been reading Beverly Cleary's Ramona series all summer in preperation for the movie. 

Welcome to crazy land

Where the cowgirls wear heels

and the brown eyed little girls talk to birds.

Wisdom from me to you

I just happened to learn today that hair grows approximately 1/2 inch per month. Thought you should know, in case it ever comes up in trivial pursuit or something.
I am really trying to not let this hair situation bug me, but if you've ever met Lauren, you know that she has had the BEST FREAKING HAIR EVER! It's dark, lusterous, thick and exactly the kind of hair I wish I had. I loved to run my fingers though it and pet her. The outside part of my heart, the part that contains trivial nonsense such as how one "should" look, cracked today, just a teeny tiny bit. I'll admit, I'm not proud of it.

The hairdresser steps in to assist

It is a bit of a Gosslin cut but honestly, she couldn’t look bad no matter what. So, here is L with her new ‘do’. The plan is to go in every other month for a trim till it grows in on the crown, then we can start letting it grow out. This is the only way to cover up the buzz that she gave herself to the crown.

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We have a cutter!!!

Lauren cut her hair today and her sister helped. Awesome. She now has bangs almost to her scalp and a lovely Kate Gosslin-esque mohawk down the center of her head. Off to the hairdressers tomorrow. A friend mentioned a pixie cut as a possibility. We shall see. Perhaps a buzz cut would be better? Argh!

Owen Wilson as a Great Dane?

I'm not buying it. I took 4 neighborhood kids, along with mine to go see Marmaduke today. The kids loved it...me, not so much.

K on perogies

I figured since it’s summer and the girls are older, we’d try some new foods. Today it was the potato filled dumpling known as a perogie. K’s comment: “it’s kinda wonderful and kinda gross at the same time”

I’d also like to take the time to thank the brilliant minds at Wendy’s Corp. for subjecting me to the below mentioned song for another day. Thanks a lot Wendy’s. I don’t know how I made it this long without hearing that song all day every day. Now my life will be divided by the sadness before Reunited, and the blissful after.

I'd also like to thank the girls, seriously this time, for getting along so well this morning while I'm cleaning. So far, no hitting, screaming or fighting that I've been called in to mediate. Sweet!

Reunited by Peaches & Herb, accompanied by K and Blueberry

With a special guest apperance by L

It’s so great to see you again!

Happy Fathers day to all of the great dads out there! I am really honored to know so many wonderful men who are enjoying their “dadness” & especially my wonderful W who is the definition of a great dad. W & I enjoyed a nice lunch out sans kids with two other neighbor families at Dunderbaks. Then we came home & W napped and now we are headed over to a neighbors for swimming and steaks. Does it get any better than that? Nah

Those of you who travel with kids are probably aware that Wendy’s is giving out karaoke cd’s with 4 songs on them. We have a couple but for some reason, K was struck by “Reunited” by Peaches and Herb. So we listed to that about 20 times on the way home with the requisite sing-a-long during our 2 hour drive home from Lake City yesterday. That was fun.

So to relieve ourselves of ever hearing that song again, we let her take the cd into her room where she can sing-a-long-all-the live-long-day for all I care. Then Woody got the camera. See for yourself but don’t say I didn’t warn you. LOL