4 years later

Has it really been 4 years since my last post on this blog?! Yikes. I think there's a correlation with Facebook posts - they went up while the blogging went down. I much prefer writing out my thoughts here, but the time it takes for a blog-worthy post is just not a priority.

So this is just a test - to see how easy it is to quickly post something from my phone. I hope nobody sees it!

Group camping trip last summer (July 2014) with our playground family friends. Watsonville,

CA

My Little Goalie

Mitchell is playing soccer for the first time this fall. Just like on his T-ball team, he's the chattiest and silliest one of the bunch. He's still getting the hang of the game, so I'm really happy to have caught this on tape!

Mitchie, M.D.

Mitchell rushed home from school the other day to tell me about what he learned in science. Before I knew it, he had grabbed a bunch of ziplocs from the kitchen drawer, ran around outside to collect some stuff, and then proceeded to give me a lesson about "non-living things" in the "ecosystem". What fun to see such enthusiasm!

Mitchell Reading "Ten Apples Up On Top"

As goofy/silly/kooky as he is, Mitchell (5 1/2 years old) is reading even earlier than his sisters did at his age. Who'dathunk?!

Wait...when did that happen?!

From the time my kids were born, I constantly heard, "Enjoy it - they grow up too fast!" I guess I was too busy keeping up with kid after kid to stop and ponder that statement. I was just anxious to have them all potty-trained, in preschool, and able to dress themselves, hoping for some bit of relief Mommy duties.

Well, while sorting through laundry this morning, it finally hit me. I had to do a double-take on a pair of jeans. Mine or Lindsey's? Yup - in 11 short years, she has slowly but surely become more of an teenager than a kid. There were subtle changes in the last couple of years:


"Ew - I don't wear pink."


"Yea, go ahead and clear out most of the stuffed animals in my room."


"I can't think of anything I want for my birthday. Can I have cash?"


"The 'kids' are too noisy. Would you shut my door?"


"I can't find mine - can I borrow your zoris?"


"No, I don't want you to read me a bedtime story. I'll just read on my own."


"May I have more salad?" (When did she start liking salad?!)


"Look, Baachan! I'm taller than you!"



Ugh. I guess I have to accept it. Instead of missing my little girl, I have to enjoy the brief moments of childish behavior she occasionally displays:


"Where's MY kiss and hug?" (when I say good-night)


"Can you cut the crust off my sandwich?"


"Mooooommy! We made up a song for you!" (but if I videotape it, she says, "Don't put that on Facebook!")


Lucky for her, I had technical difficulties, so I oouldn't post the crazy song and dance she made up for me. I will, however, add a goofy photo to document her silliness...


I love you, Lindsey girl!

Molly's Letter to President Obama

A couple of months ago, Molly (5 yrs) came home from kindergarten and told me that her friend Mary had written and received a letter from President Obama. She told me that she wanted to write a note to him too. As I do far too often, I just kinda said, "Yeah, yeah, get a piece of paper," and forgot about it.

As I was cleaning up her room last week, I found a folded up note behind Molly's bed. This is what it said:

to: presudit Obomu

you no Mary
She's my frend
My name is Molly
do you liv in the lite Haows?
I wish I cud see you own day
p.s. olso yore famulley.

from: Molly

I was really sad thinking that I hadn't given her enough time and attention to help her complete the process of writing and mailing the letter. It was a definite reminder to slow down and pay more attention to what my kids say to me each day; far too quickly, I'm sure they won't even want to talk to me very much!

We'll send the letter out tomorrow and I'll keep my fingers crossed that she gets something in reply!

My Life According to Make-up

I'm really weird when it comes to make-up. I've been fighting it my entire life. I'm very much a "less is more" kinda girl. I even go so far as to try to avoid applying it in front of my girls - as if it's something bad - so that they don't get interested. It doesn't work, though - I'm always finding uncapped lipglosses and eye shadows in my drawers!

Unfortunately, as I've reached my 4th decade, it now seems to be a necessary evil. Here's my make-up philosophy:

In your teens, too much make-up just looks silly and clown-like.
In your 20's, your skin is gorgeous, you have no wrinkles, and you're at your beauty peak - why mess with a good thing?
In your 30's, you can still get by with the bare minimum. I'd rather people be surprised by how pretty I look made-up instead of them being shocked by how tired my face looks when they catch me without it!
In your 40's, the age spots, wrinkles, and general worn-out look has finally caught up with me. Even for a quick trip to Costco or the park...pass the concealer!

Ugh - maybe I'll switch to Botox in my 50's...