T-8 days and counting!
Wow. Today’s the last day of school before vacation for my rugrats, and others around the country are being let out tomorrow – and you know what that means… only a few days left to shop, and also? The kids will be HOME for TWO WEEKS.
I give it less than 24 hours before I hear the first “I’m bored!” But that’s Ok, because I’ve a WHOLE LIST of “Honeydos” for when they’re silly enough to say such things. You know, “honey, do this… honey, do that…” – it works for more than just husbands! 🙂
One thing I’ve noticed about the kids as they enter pre-teen and teen years, is that while the presents get smaller, they’re more expensive! But here’s one for your (and my!) girls who are ages 8-14!
It’s called the “New Moon Girls“, and there is an online community and a bi-monthly print magazine, too. The chats are moderated, and there’s a staff member online at all times to ensure the safety of the girls. It’s an ad-free space that’s by girls for girls, where they can share their thoughts, opinions, poetry and artwork in an environment meant to help boost their self-esteem, positive body image and confidence.
You can get a 30 day free trial, and then it’s just $29.95 for a full years access, which includes the bi-monthly magazine too. (You can see the current magazine here.)
You know me, I’m all for safe and positive places for our girls, where they can express themselves and be the strong amazing people we know them to be! So check it out today!
Look at me, I'm…
…not Sandra Dee…
We’ve had a bit of disappointment on the Grease stage. It seems that, although every other school trip is planned over Spring Break, the Band trip that Peppermist is going on, is in FEBRUARY. The week before Grease hits the stage. Unfortunately, this conflict was too big of one to overcome, and Peppermist had to drop out of the chorus.
I’m bummed.
Peppermist is completely ok with this, however.
She was still feeling pretty lonely without her friends there to enjoy the experience with her. Friends that are scared to come into my house right now because they read the previous post about my being Not. Happy about them ditching Peppermist at the auditions. Hahah! They came bearing cookies yesterday to bribe their way back into my good graces. Smart girls…
So, while we’re disappointed, Peppermist is clearly looking at the bright side of things. “This means I get to WATCH it! Which is TOTALLY what I’d rather do than just be in the CHORUS.” So, when she returns from her Band Trip, all flush with excitement and new experiences, she and I have a date to watch the play – and sing along from the audience.
And that’s just fine for the both of us.
(And it makes it safe for her friends to come around again. Bonus! 🙂 )
Happy Monday!
Oh what a long weekend! While the little stabby dudes of doom are still stabbitying my lower back, it didn’t stop me from doing the Proud Mama thing all weekend long. Because that’s simply how I roll… (…I’m such a gangsta, yo!)
Saturday was the first swim meet of the season for the Pup, The Candy Cane Splash, which meant hopping into Nana’s car at the bright and early and happy hour of 5am – after having slept about 2 hours myself – and heading north to Seward. Papa offered us some cash if we “needed it” and we decided we “needed breakfast and coffee” so that worked out well too.
We got to the pool right at 8am, where the kids all hopped into the pool for warmups to get ready for the day. And what a successful day it was! All of our kids did well – the Pup, and my niece and two of my nephews (the third stayed at home to play with Peppermist and the puppies), and The Pup is EXTREMELY proud that along with destroying some of her times from last year, she also never once came in last in any of her heats! For a girl who struggled last year to get the strokes down, not DQ, and simply finish a little better than she had the time before, this was a HUGE moral boost for our waterbaby! Even the coach commented that she was a LOT stronger this year, and all her work during the off season paid off for her big time.
So for those who’d like to share a little bit of the day – here’s my Pup in all her swimming glory, in 5 events. I have videos of all our kids, of course, and you can click through to see how AMAZING they are too if you like!
Just ignore the crazy lady shouting encouragements in the background. I have NO idea who she is – someone really aughta gag her… 🙂
We arrived back into town in the early evening, and all the kids collapsed for some sleep. And by “all the kids” I totally mean me, as I pretended to watch a movie with the Pup and instead got yelled at for snoring. WHATEVER.
The fun wasn’t over yet though, as yesterday was the Annual December Band Concert for the high school and junior high bands. Peppermist has been in band since the 5th grade, so we’re getting quite used to all of these concerts, and measuring just how much improvement the kids have from concert to concert, year to year.
Yesterday’s concert was amazing – with only a few bobbles here and there, and some really good solos as well – which made it an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
One of the best parts about it though is the Charlie Brown Tree in front. APPARENTLY Charlie Brown is “cool” again, and I simply didn’t know it.
Peppermist: Charlie Brown is AWESOME. Charlie Brown is ALWAYS cool.
Me: … you kids gotta TELL me these things!
Peppermist: pfft. Some things you just know. Gawd, Mom.
So that was my weekend – How was YOURS?!
Oh hai!
Could someone message the little ice-pick wielding dudes currently stabbing me in the lower back and tell them to knock it off? I appreciate it! I meant to let you all know some things yesterday, but then ice-pick wielding dudes, and I sooooooooorta lost focus! Haha! But I’m soldiering through today, for I know you can’t live without my special brand of snarkitude, right? Right!
No snarking necessary here though – because it’s all about Congrats!
1. Peppermist got a part in Grease! While she was certain that everyone who auditioned got a part in the Chorus like she did, I know for a fact that they did NOT, which means she beat out quite a few in order to snag her spot! And the Chorus for this show is HUGE, with MANY songs, and a LOT of stage time!
Her friends all bailed on her – which makes me wanna wap ’em in the head – and as a result Peppermist is a little nervous with each rehersal, but she can’t deny that she comes home with a smile. They’ve worked with her one scheduling conflict (tap dance on tuesdays) and are genuinely thrilled to have her.
And it gets conversations like this:
Me: How was practice?
Peppermist: Awkward! We learned the rest of the choreography for “We Go Together” – which is partner work! I was standing there sorta like “Hm, Ihave no partner, I’ll just stand here, embarrassed” and then there was a guy next to me who was sorta like “Hm, I have no partner, I’ll just stand here, embarrassed” and lo, we became partners.
Me: OH OH OH! WAS HE CUTE?
Peppermist: OMG MOM.
Me: WAS HE?
Peppermist: I guess.
Me: What’s his name?
Peppermist: I don’t know! What, you expected us to TALK?!
Me:…no. of course not, child. That’d be INSANITY right there…
So she’s, ya know, making friends and influencing people, just as she should. 🙂
2. The always lovely Deana dropped me a note this morning to let me know who won the GE Strong as Steel Sweepstakes! Congrats go to Katie H. from Fort Worth, TX (who’s chosen a fridge!) who won through Bargain Hunting Moms! We’re so happy for you both – and only a TEENY TINY LITTLE BIT TOTALLY OMG JEALOUS.
3. Watch this space, cuz guess what? it’s SWIM TEAM TIME! First meet on Saturday in Seward, which means Nana, the pup and I, along with Auntie and her kiddos will be carpooling up that direction WAY early on Saturday morning. So if you hear many cheers wafting your way from up north? It’s the crazy lady with the camera, screamin like crazy for all my Swim Team kiddos. 🙂
And now I’m gonna go curl up against my hot water bottle and listen to GLEE sountrack for a while. Have a great day, ya’ll!
Men of a Certain Age
Hey parents! Here’s something just for you!
There’s a new show premiering on TNT tonight, that all of us can relate a little too. It’s the story of our husbands, brothers, best friends – here’s the official blurb:
John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” For three men entering the second act of their lives, those words are starting to hit home in TNT’s newest original series, Men of a Certain Age.
The show follows three longtime friends as they navigate the changes and challenges of parenting, relationships and careers in mid-life.
Men of a Certain age stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond) Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise) and Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street).
The ever lovely Deana sent me a preview of the first episode (on the COOLEST little mix tape USB, that I am completely in love with!), and for fans of Ramano and Bakula like me, it is sure to be a winner! It has the same qualities in the men we love, and I’m sure we can all recognize some of our husbands, best friends, and brothers in the stories of Joe, Terry and Owen.
Check out this preview:
Men of a Certain Age premieres tonight at 10/9c on TNT. Check it out!
