Better Than a Poke in the Eye

Star Spangled Beauties

2011-07-07T14:44:00.001-07:00

Having a great summer. Hope you are too. Just wanted to wish everyone a belated 4th of July. We all know that I always have good intentions, but need more time to get them done. So that's why this post is belated.

We recently returned home from a week long visit to Park City UT and surrounding areas. It was great to get away and bond with extended family. After a long car ride (that wasn't too bad) we spent Father's Day with Jeff's family in Lehi. We played a little kickball, had a great barbecue and sang the blues. Too much fun!

It was great to see Jeff act like a kid again with his siblings (say what??)

and it was even better to see the kids meet their Utah cousins for the first time.

And do a little bonding with Grandpa on Father's Day.

Some kids just wanted to eat! Parker couldn't wait for the cake to be cut.

We also visited Olympic Park in Park City. The kids rode the zip line and alpine slide. Three times just wasn't enough. They wanted more!!!

Jeff and I even dared to do the zip line. I didn't like the lift ride up to the top. Too high!!!

THANK YOU Bogren family for sharing your vacation with us. It is one we'll never forget!

Pied Piper Where Are you?

2011-03-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

So here's a funny story that happened just a few weekends ago.

Since there has been so many foreclosures in our area, the City of Manteca as a result, has a severe rodent problem. I've been hearing the critters in my attic for some time and Jeff has never believed me until one night a rustling noise woke us both up out of a sound sleep at about 2 a.m. one morning. When Jeff and a friend went to investigate, they discovered that there was no sign of rodents in the attic at all. But.....

We found droppings in the garage. Raegan and I even caught a varmit eating out of the bunny's dish late one night when we opened the garage door. Jeff and I set out glue traps hoping to stick something to them. One night Jeff went into the garage and heard a rustling sound. He came back inside and told Raegan that the rabbit was loose and needed to be put back in his cage. I looked at Raegan and told her that the bunny was already in his cage!!!!!! duh, duh, dummmmm. You know what that means. There was something else making that noise. Jeff and I crept out and found a RAT!!!!! with it's tail stuck to the glue trap. While we both screamed at the top of our lungs, Jeff picked up the glue trap (with a pair of long pliers) and tossed it into a large black garbage bag and then into the bottom of the big garbage can.

So one day Jeff had enough and decided to clean the garage out completely. We moved everything out of the garage and vacuumed up what seemed like an extremely large amount of droppings. He followed the droppings to a hole in the dry wall and figured the rats were getting in the garage through that hole. Jeff covered it up and continued pulling things off the shelves. He came to the porta-crib, pulled it off the shelf and a ton of droppings came falling out. So he whacked it on the ground again and more droppings came out. Whacked it a third time and a RAT came out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He shreiked like a little girl and ran the opposite way, not knowing what happened to the rat. It literaly took him a good 10 minutes to calm down. We immediately put the porta-crib in the garbage can wondering what baby #4 would sleep in.

The rat appeared a second time. It was hiding in the corner and once again ran the other way. How did this rat get so smart????? Why won't he eat the poison or get its little head snapped off in the trap? We know he's till around. We see signs of his gnawing and chewing, but can't for the life of us determine how to kill it.

As a side note, we knew that we'd have to get something for baby #4 to sleep in. So we went to Babies R Us to check out the baby gear. We just happened to see the sign for the trade in sale that was currently going on. If you bring in an old item you can get 25% off of a new item. Both Jeff and I said, "Too bad we don't have something to turn in......... Oh, but we do!!!" So the minute we got home we took the rat infested porta-crib out of the garbage, hosed it off, and took it to Babies R Us and bought a brand new porta crib.

Summer Restrospective

2010-08-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

The long days of summer are coming to a close in the Wright household. I thought it might be nice to showcase some of the highlights.

#1: Brace Face - Beginning of Phase 1

Grant got braces on July 19th. And I can't believe what a wimp we was while the Dr. was putting them on. I'm also amazed at how quickly his teeth have already moved. He's been so good not to eat the "forbidden foods" like his favorite popcorn and jelly beans. My he's handsome even with crookedy teeth and shiny braces!

#2: Swimming - in the trailer park

What could be better than a rubber bucket from Target and a garden hose. That's how you cool off in the the trailer park!

#3: Games of any kind

ring Around the Rosie

Bakugan

My Baby Likes to Hide in Boxes

#4: A little bit of This and a Little bit of that!

This is a darling dress Addie received as a Birthday present. She makes a lovely model.

We made friends with the National Guard and saw a chinook up close and personal. Super cool and VERY large.

So now we have to get back in to the going to bed on time routine and making lunches and homework. Thank goodness for weekends!

OK. OK. I'll post something already!

2010-06-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, the blog is resurrected (probably temporarily). I've just been going through a phase of "Does anyone really care?" I found out that some (a few) actually do care. I guess I don't really have any excuse now that summer is here and I stay up all hours of the night piddling around the house.

Let's catch you up with this gal: she's 2 feet tall, weight 22 pounds but thinks she's as big as her brother and sister. Everyone give a big round of applause to Addie!!!

She loves to write poetry, outdoors!

And take a spin on the crazy chair while sucking on very large beads.

Just give her some chapstick and the stairs and she'll be happy for a good 3.2 minutes.

On to our next contestant is a young man just turned the magical number 8. He loves to be in the middle of everything and is always looking for the next great thing. Put your hands together for..... Grant.

Don't let his age fool you, he acts much younger than he really is.

He's looking for someone with a creative side (and who will clean up after him)

Our last contestant is young, vivacious, funny (in a quirky sort of way) and just the bestest big sister any little brother or little sister could have ordered. Everybody welcome back Raegan.

Whoever she spends time with must be able to multitask while hoola hooping. i.e. playing catch and hoola-hooping at the same time.

ANd they must love animals, especially rabbits.

Last but not least in any way is this big buy: I like to call him "Chopper" because his ears stick straight out like helicopter blades. He's looking for someone who smells like flowers and likes to garden. Especially someone who will purchase new bedding flowers so he can chew them all up before they have a chance to get into the ground.

Do These Pictures Make my Kids look Stupid?

2009-10-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

Every year it's the same ol deal. Finding a picture friendly shirt, hair cut for everyone, perhaps a hair accessory for Raegan: all for Fall pictures. This year was particularly challenging because I have been running a good 10-15 minutes late every morning. You'd think that extra 15 minutes would be because I am creating some whimsical, yet fantastic hairdo for Rae. Instead she gets a ponytail, and I get heat flashes while trying to do a song and dance for the baby. Oh, and let's not forget Grant, he does his own hair. So you can guess how I felt about the outcome of Fall pictures this year. Raegan and I spent a good 20 seconds practicing an appropriate smile technique so she didn't look like she was going to the dentist in her picture.

Exhibit A: Raegan

Hair is just the right amount of curl, bangs are a mess. Yes, we are currently trying to grow them out. She has this slight cowlick in the front that makes any product laden swoop of the bangs sweep to the other side on its own.

Exhibit B: Grant

This is a clear example of pictures being taken after recess. I see a slight tousle of the hair and a bit of the "fuzzy" look beginning, which happens when the hairspray wears off. Despite the crooked teeth, I still think that kid has an amazing smile.

Exhibit C: Addison

I brought Addie to school with me to have her picture taken before school started. You should see her I.D. card. Too stinkin' cute. I was hoping she and I could get a picture together for my I.D. card, but they wouldn't do it because it's for the yearbook, blah, blah, blah. I take full responsibility for this pic due to my constant state of tardiness. The weather was cold so I had to dig something out of the dresser drawer that would keep her warm because she didn't have a jacket at the time. So she is wearing one of Raegan's old outfits. I love lavender on her (and Raegan) but probably would have chosen something else for her to wear had I given it some thought. But I don't have time to think anymore. Plus there was no way she was going to smile. All she would do was stare and study. Would you believe this is her first studio picture. I'm a bad mommy. 6 months and only one professional picture to show for it.

I think they turned out fair enough. They are going to be forever impressed upon the pages of the McParland yearbook for many years to come. I think we've escaped the ridicule of the "worst yearbook" picture for one more year.

September Gone By

2009-10-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

How did it happen again?!? Another month slipped away without warning. This is a good sign that Christmas break will soon be here.

Raegan is 10 everyone! Let prepubescence begin.

This year was a "slumber party". Yay! Nothing like pizza, ice cream and Hannah Montana to make a party happen. Oh, there was also some game of tag in the dark. We abide by the saying "It's all fun and games until someone gets their eye poked out." It didn't last long. There was in impromptu talent show. And a quick lesson in Chinese Jumprope. Can't believe they'd never played Chinese Jumprope.

Here are Raegan's friends from school. Only two of them ended up staying the night. Which was fine by me. Except for those two stayed up until 2:00am. What? the floor isn't comfortable enough for you?

See Grant in the bottom right corner. Raegan gave strict instructions that he was to stay upstairs. He couldn't stay away from the fun.

Just after this pic, he said "This is the best party I've been to!"

ANd now for the Addison update. She has a tooth! Just one and she loves to rub her tongue on it. Here she is attempting to precrawl. She's got the aviator arms ready to go. Nowadays she gets up on her knees and then flops on her belly. I noticed she had bruises on both knees this week. I think it's from trying to crawl. Poor baby.

I love to point out little things about her that may not be obvious to others. When she sits, she curls her toes. It's near impossible to get shoes on because her toes are curled. She also felt grass for the first time this week. Not a warm reception with that experience.

One last tidbit. She has a birthmark in the small of her back. We call it her "tramp stamp". ANd we shouldn't call it that because the big kids are using that terminology also. Oops. She has a birthmark on the back of her neck also. That one has faded a bit, but the stamp hasn't. It seems to get brighter and brighter red.

A photo wrap-up

2009-09-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post a few pics from this past summer. Addison had so much fun doing stuff with Raegan and Grant she can't stop laughing.

Grant loves climbing on the rocks in Monterey. It was sunny one day, the day we got there.

Raegan likes climbing trees. But hates posing for pictures.

Raegan and Grant spent most of their summer climbing the walls. They were a bit bored most of the summer and were happy to have a mini-vacay in Monterey.

Raegan and Grant LOVE their Crocs, so when we saw some Addison's size, we snatched them up. Of course she's only worn them once. The best $5 I've ever wasted.

Addison enjoys her gourmet baby food made by Chef-mom-ar-dee in her Bumbo seat. So far we haven't discovered a food she doesn't like. Except formula, but that would be in the milk group. I think her fav is a yummy blend of bland steamed carrots and breast milk. Yummo-O!

The next three pics are a glimpse into Addison's future. This is her serious boss pose. She's an intimidating one ain't she?

We wanted to see what Addison would look like with hair. This is what she'd look like with a nasty brunette comb-over.

Or maybe she'll be blonde! Sadly she's our entertainment on a slow moving Sunday night.

Addison's newest accomplishment is rolling over. She's a happy roller. It has taken her some time to get used to sleeping on her stomach. She almost immediately rolls over onto her stomach then screams and creeps her way to the corner of the crib and cries some more. It's fun to watch folks!

The next best thing to eating steamed carrots is freshly cleaned toes. Always a favorite! She also like to suck on my hair. GROSS!!!

Supervision is Necessary

2009-07-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I took Grant to a Dr. appointment and left Addison in the care of Jeff and Raegan. This is what I came home to.

Her once matching pink shirt is replaced with an unmatching heart onesie.

And... they thought it would be funny to put ALL of her bows on her headband. She looks like she's wearing a flower lei on her head. Just another confirmation of my nick name "Sick in the Mud". I just don't know how to party like the kids (kids and parental unit)do.

Yes, she's in good hands!!!!

Sewing 101

2009-07-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

It all started with this:

Raegan's Grandma made her that apron when she was a toddler. It's a bit small now.

We (meaning I) went to the fabric store and bought cute fabric and a pattern.

Not that I consider Raegan a dummy in any way, but it seemed to be simple and just perfect for a beginner.

Then we embarked on the great sewing lesson. I taught her how to read a pattern and cut it out.

She learned to use the serger.

Iron the seams open.

And use the sewing machine. Making sure to stop at the pins so as not to bust a needle because I hate changing needles.

End result, a beautiful and stylish new apron partially sewn by Raegan and mostly sewn by me.

Will she ever want to make another project? Probably not. She's just not that into sewing. She said, "This is a lot of work for such a simple thing."

Lucky Number 7

2009-06-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

It's been 7 years since Grant was born. Can't imagine life without him. He just has that something that brings a little laughter and fun into any situation.

We actually celebrated his birthday a day early because we had two other birthdays to go to on his actual birthday. I like that other people can supply the birthday fun.

Grant shared popsicles with his classmates at school. Then off to Macaroni Grill for his favorite cheese pizza with fried mozzarella sticks to share.

Mike and Amy joined us for the birthday fun.

Addison enjoyed a knuckle sandwich.

and shared chocolate cake with Michael

Then back to the house for cake and presents.

This is Grant's birthday cake. Crazy kid doesn't like cake, he likes donuts. So I did what any mother would do. I slapped a bunch of donuts together and topped it with some candles. It tasted soooo good with rainbow sherbet ice cream. I can taste the deliciousness now. We should have just eaten a bowl of sugar and a cube of butter instead.

Presents included, a power wing (some sort of death trap on wheels)

And no birthday would be complete without Legos, Miner version. He built some sort of digger. Yay!

Happy b-day sweet baby boy!

All About Addison

2009-05-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Now after 9 weeks, Addison is letting us learn a little more about her. Since birth she has gained almost 3 pounds. She currently weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces. And she's grown 4 whole inches. Currently 22 inches.

First important fact about Addison. She has Jeff's toes. The second toe is bent just like her daddy's. Lovely. No amount of pedicures and nail polish will make that thing look good in sandals. Poor baby.

Second, most of the time she "studies" things with a scowl on her face.

Third, she has started smiling. Mostly in the morning or just after she's eaten. This is a genuine smile not just luck of the picture. Out of 167 pics, only 1 had a smile. (I tried and tried to get this pic to go the right way, but it just wouldn't, sorry)

Fourth, when she's not scowling, she may be pouting, a trait I hear she inherited from me. We better watch out because once she learns to use that bottom lip for evil we're all doomed. I can't even look at her when I put her down for a nap because I won't be able to let her cry herself to sleep.

Fifth, she sleeps through the night, but doesn't take great naps.

Sixth, she has a pair of polka dot pajamas that reminds me of the animal in Dr. Seuss's "If They Put Me in the Zoo"

Seventh, she does tricks. Like making spit bubbles while she sleeps. What a cute little spittlebug.

Book Review

2009-05-11T19:18:00.001-07:00

Grant and Raegan both bring home a lot of papers from school. The other day while I was going over Grant's papers I found this book review of Little Bunny Foo Foo.

Since I was shocked that he didn't like this book I asked him why. This was his response. "It's not nice to hit people over the head."

Little bunny Foo Foo has some serious moral adjustments to make. Guess we won't be teaching Addison the song either.

Good Bye, Our furry Old Friend!

2009-05-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

Our beloved Bun Bun passed away today, May 10, 2009. He is survived by his loving caretakers Raegan and Grant. Bun Bun spent the best years of his life being loved devotedly by two families, the Gross family and the Wright family. He spent his final days in comfort and surrounded by those who loved him the most, and especially delicious gourmet bunny chow chock full of dried bananas, his favorite.

Jeff went outside to do something and like he normally does said Hi to Bun Bun. Expecting him to run around the cage in circles when he sees one of us Jeff realized that Bun Bun was dead, with his eyes open. Now the problem... How do we tell the kids. We both went down stairs and said that "Bun Bun has passed on". It took a couple of minutes for the kids to digest that. Then the water works began. First Grant, quiet wimpering and then sniffles. Raegan tried to maintain a stone facade, but soon cracked. She's the type that doesn't want to talk about things that are upsetting.

Jeff and I didn't know what to do with the body. First we put it in a cardboard box, but what do you do with dead rabbit in a box? Putting it in the garbage can just didn't seem right. Bless Jeff's compassionate heart, because he dug a VERY deep hole next to Bun Bun's favorite rose bush resting place, placed the body in the hole in a semi normal position (as best as you can do while using a shovel instead of his hands) and then buried him.

I made a rather nice grave marker

and the kids honored their memory of him with flowers from our garden.

His passing was hard to handle, but we did manage to overcome our sorrow to watch the finale of The Amazing Race. "If only he hadn't passed away on Mother's Day" said Grant. Don't know when, but looks like we'll be getting a new rabbit as the family pet, but it will never take the place of our Bun Bun. May he rest in furry peace.

He will be sadly missed by us all (especially Raegan and Grant). May you enjoy endless green pastures and better bunny chow.

Easter 2009

2009-04-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some pictures of the fam and Addison (just 2 days shy of 4 weeks old)

After 10 buckets of Easter candy and a day at church this was as good as it gets.

Using Grant as a belly shield. Still working on fitting into the pre-pregnancy clothes. It's going to be a long weightloss road.

Grant lost his second front tooth during the night. Took the tooth fairy 3 days to remember to come and pick up that stupid tooth. He looks in the mirror and says "I DO look like a jack-o-lantern!"

I think the bow is a little too big for Addison's head, but she needs to learn to accessorize.

We make her go cross-eyed.

Embracing Parenthood

2009-04-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

The day Addison was born was a momentous day. Jeff and I became parents 100%. What have we been doing with the other two kids for the last 9 and a half years? On that St. Patrick's Day a month ago a change occured in our family. We let go of something that was hindering our parental progress.

Jeff decided to sell this:

This rugged piece of American workmanship was put up for sale because you just can't take a newborn four wheelin safely. Although it was tough to do and a few tears were shed we (Jeff) is OK with what we got instead.

This family mobile:

Seriously, after two days of driving a minivan, we both said "Why did we wait so long?" It's difficult for me to realize that I'm not a hot chick in a cool car anymore, but I'm adjusting. I'll give up a look from a passer-by any day for 14 cup holders, automatic sliding doors (which translates into no dings in the parking lot from opening the doors into another car) a DVD player AND seat warmers. I'm in heaven and everyone is comfy and safe.

Yes we've embraced parenthood 100%. Wouldn't you say?

Slacker Identified

2009-04-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

People must not understand how I operate. I do love my child, I just don't show my love by taking an insurmountable number of pictures of her every day. There are a lot of other things I'm trying to tackle right now. Like not neglecting the other two children. So for all of those who are waiting for updated pictures of Addison, here are a few. I needed to wait until the jaundice subsided before I could take some pics. I will try to look for photo ops more frequently, but lets face it there isn't a whole lot of wake up time with this one. Although I love to watch her sleep, any normal person can only enjoy so many sleeping baby pictures.

Happy O'Birthday!

2009-03-19T20:01:00.001-07:00

I'm back and I brought a pot o' gold with me! Jeff, Raegan, Grant and I are happy to announce the arrival of Addison Tate.

A few anecdotal things about this birthing adventure. I DO NOT!!!! prefer c-sections. That's not to say I've had a bad experience, but I was traumatized. SERIOUSLY, I was. It was all so overwhelming that I cried through the whole thing and felt totally out of control. I missed not being abe to hold her the minute she came out. I hated being in recovery for an hour without her and most of all I hated not being able to move or have control over my body/legs. Not for me. But I suppose the most important thing is that Addison is healthy and I am recovering quite nicely. I hardly have any pain. It's mostly minor discomfort. It doesn't even bother me to go up the stairs. I'm happy to be at home because I missed my family and the warm feeling of being here. Hospitals are a bit isolating.

It's Inevitable

2009-03-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

Here's the update folks. Friday: took the day off of work. Went to the hospital. They turned me away because too many women went into spontaneous labor. Walked away feeling a little frustrated and remembered my experience when I went in to have Raegan induced and was turned away. They were too busy all day and could never reschedule. We'll try for Saturday they said.

Saturday: Woke up to a phone call telling me to come in at 9:30. Talked my sis into taking the kids. Arrived at the hospital along with 2 women dilated to 9 cm and one woman needing an emergency c-section. They hooked me up anyway, thinking things with those women would go quickly.

After delivering the c-section and one other birth. They were waiting for the last woman to get things going and do her business. A small flood in second floor erupted and the surgical staff decided to go home. Surgical staff needs to be on hand in case my external version sets me into labor. After being there for 6 hours, they decided to reschedule for Sunday. The Dr. even called in an extra nurse for us.

Sunday: 7:15. Ring, ring. It's the hospital: all beds are full don't come in. Don't call us we'll call you.

Looks like I'll be getting a c-section after all because the longer we wait, the larger the baby gets and the deeper she goes into the birthing canal. Wonder if they'll turn me away with a schuduled c-section? Seems you have to be in serious trauma in order to get into that hospital.

Breech Baby Breech!

2009-02-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

Went to see the ol OB/GYN today for one last sonogram. Took the kids out of school early, even skipped Raegan's piano lesson to wait in the Dr.'s office for a good hour. First thing he says when he puts the sonogram wand on my belly is "Uh, Oh, not good. Baby is breech." Nice doc. Way to break it easy.

What to do for a breech? Well, you have it turned around of course. Jeff and I are taking the day off on Friday for a fun-filled afternoon of physical manuevering and manipulation of a baby in the womb. Or we could quite possibly be staying longer to just give birth. I'll let you know how it goes. If the little stinker doesn't move, I'm scheduling a c-section. Not my first choice either. Ya think we're off to a great start with this one? I'm not so sure.

Mission Project 101

2009-02-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

I moved to California in sixth grade and never knew that during a students fourth grade year they studied the California missions. Once I became a teacher I found out that there were projects the students did as part of their study of the California missions.

Raegan has been anxiously awaiting the "Mission Project" for a long time. Ever since she was in third grade and toured the projects of the fourth graders. Of course this lovely activity came with plenty of notice. We were given warning in January. We didn't start our project until this past Saturday. It was due today. Wouldn't you know that Raegan didn't want to do the "optional" poster project. We had to do the full blown building and landscaping to go with it. So with very little info other than 'Please do not exceed a 16 X 20 area', we built what we call the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. "Never heard of it!" you say. Neither had we.

It is the "King" of all missions. I guess it's king because it was the largest. The eighteenth built in California and the first to have a pepper tree.

Raegan was hoping for the authentic stucco effect on the exterior walls, but I opted for torn paper. What the heck I have a ton of scrapbook paper not being used.

Notice the Pepper Tree. All of the products used were recycled materials. We're so resourceful. Who needs a store bought kit when you've got a pack rat for a mother. And a crafty mother at that.

Here we are appreciating the conclusion of our bonding time. Now if I could only put things back into the drawers I found them in. I had to tear the whole craft room apart to find the equipment I needed.

I asked Raegan if she liked any of the other students projects. She said she liked hers the best. The others had plastic water fountains. Ours was 100% homemade. I hope I, I mean, she gets an A for effort and enthusiasm.

Insanity is running rampant

2009-01-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

I have noticed a coping skill developing within the family. Insanity. My kids find the craziest things to take interest in.

First: Glasses. We went to see Bolt in 3-D over the holiday break and ever since, the kids will not stop wearing those glasses. That is there dress up disguise. But they don't fool me. I know who they are.

Even Jeff joined the fun. See. Doesn't he look like he's having fun?

Of course we allowed our adopted dog Summer to be apart of the insanity while we were dogsitting her. She's so inconspicuous!

Grant was invited to a friends "Science" birthday party and came home with these Mad Scientist's glasses. Just another comedic accessory.

Second: Beating the Speedometer. I come home from work last Thursday and found this speedometer in front of our house. Thanks to a recent episode of the Office, Jeff encouraged the kids to run past it to see how fast they could run. Both kids got up to 9 M.P.H. You can't see it on the speedometer because the time removes itself once the kids get into the frame for the picture. The best is when a car is driving by at the same time and the kids think they're actually running 28 M.P.H.

Umm..... Do I have a blog?

2009-01-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

I've been saving up my pics/experiences to blog about when they are completed. So it may seem as though I've forgotten that I even have a blog. I haven't. It's just been a little busy.

Jeff's been working hard to get the baby's room in order. We've painted, put up crown moulding. He built a shelf (in one day!) and next on his honey do list is a window seat, that's Monday.

I've been nesting.....In my classroom. I don't want to leave it a total mess for the substitute. Turns out the school district has decided I need to train a student teacher before I deliver. I've been assigned a student teacher starting in February. She somehow managed to find a way to stay in the classroom and sub when I do actually go on maternity leave. Funny, I don't remember asking to do that. I already had someone in mind to substitute for me. I'm not sure I'm in the right frame of mind to mentor someone just entering teaching.

The Bestest Thanksgiving Ever!!!!

2008-11-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

We had a non-traditional Thanksgiving this year. We went out of town!!! Which hasn't been done in a very long time. Holiday travel just hasn't been our thing. This year we invited ourselves to join Aunt Marian and Uncle Fred in Yosemite and share Thanksgiving with them. We are ashamed that neither Jeff, nor I had ever been to Yosemeite. 30+ years and we didn't know what we were missing. We'll definitely be back again even though travelling with a baby scares us a lot. We arrived on Wednesday. Spent the whole day in the park on Thursday riding the shuttle through the park visiting the Hotels and shops. Friday we biked through the park on lovely paved paths. Yes, six and a half months pregnant on a bike such a fete to behold! Don't much like hotels and sleep much better in my own bed, but it was worth the sacrifice.

Raegan and Grant at Lower Yosemite Falls. Such a nice paved walk on Thursday. We saw a lot of deer on the way up.

A doe and her fawns on the way to Lower Yosemite Falls. We saw so many deer Grant lost count.

Raegan and Aunt Marian are always on the lookout for "treasures". Raegan came home with her hat full of pinecones, acorns and leaves.

We tried multiple times to get a family picture taken for our Christmas card. Don't think any will make the cut unless we are going for a "reality" picture. Which all of these are.

Jeff's attempt at capturing the still waters of the Merced River and the reflection of the trees. Such a beautiful day.

This is El Capitan or Washington's Mount(?) in the background.

Jeff pretending to look at the falls, but really avoiding the camera. So uncooperative.

Jeff and I outside the Ahwahnee Hotel. Can you say, "Ready to lactate, Andrea?"

Can you believe that of all the pictures we took, none were of Half Dome. We stopped several times on our 10 mile bike ride, but never got a shot of it. Only of magnificent El Capitan. Pictures don't do it justice at all. Being there is way better than pictures.

Male Buck we saw on our way in to the park on Thursday. Didn't seem to be threatened by us at all.

Although the scenery and the company were unforgettable, we missed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fixins. Which really means leftovers. That's what we did today. We bought all of the stuff and grubbed on holiday yummies and have lots to live off of for the rest of the week. Yum. #1 Thanksgiving in recent memory for sure.

Why is Halloween a Holiday?

2008-11-02T14:39:00.001-08:00

I ask myself this question every year. I never even liked Halloween as a kid. There was too much stress trying to come up with a unique and "cool" costume. I was always unprepared, never felt like I had enough time to put any thought into the big night. Not much has changed as an adult either. You'll see what I mean when you look at the kids costumes.

Luckily my children have a father who remembers the fun of Halloween and helps in making the fun happen. Because I certainly fail in that area.

Immediately upon returning from a fun-filled Halloween day at school (parade, sugar party and spazzy students) the kids were anxiously awaiting the pumpkin carving activity dad promised them. I'm not quite sure why they had to wait for me. They must have thought I'd want to carve a pumpkin or something. No sooner than covering the table with a plastic cloth did Raegan have her Jack-o-lantern face marked on her pumpkin and was ready for the knife. She must have known exactly what she wanted because very little planning went into eye shape, nose location, or teeth placement.

As it turned out I did end up scooping out a few of the seeds for Grant. I mostly just hovered and made sure everyone kept all of their fingers intact.

The end result were three VERY lovely jack-o-lanterns for our front door step. Notice a resemblance? I think Jeff's is a self-portrait.

Immediately Grant dropped his jack-o-lantern and cracked its face in half. It was then called "Scarface" No one really noticed.

Michael and Jeff love pumpkin carving so much they rushed off to Raley's to get another and some of the fancy templates to make creative pictures on the front of your pumpkin. They came back with the only one left in the store, which happened to be 75+ pounds.

Grant gave us a Halloween bonus by finally losing a tooth that's been dangling for a week. That's tooth number 2 in case you're counting. He's losing his teeth in a weird order. Not the front first, but the sides ones. He's a different breed folks.

The drop of blood on the lip is a nice effect. Kind of wish he had been a vampire instead.

I have seriouls lost all sense of creativity and the energy to be creative. Raegan and Grant were Luke and Leigha Skywalker. Not the easiest costume to create. The only thing close to a Skywalker I could find was Anakin (sp?) and Leigha has blonde buns instead of brunette and she's wearing pants instead of a hooded dress. It just wasn't the year of the outstanding costume. They knew who they dressed up to be and that's all that really matters now isn't it?

I should start thinking about next year and perhaps finally feel as if I'm prepared for Halloween. But I know myself, and I know that won't really ever happen.

Boy? or Girl? What are you hoping for?

2008-10-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

A big thanks goes out to the state of California for closely monitoring my aged pregnancy and gifting me with a complimentary ultrasound. Of course this was my third ultrasound, but I was of course happy to have it done, since we still don't know what the sex of the baby is. So under the guise of additional screening for birth defects Jeff and I were most interested in finding out what to plan for.

Grant and Raegan have weighed the pros and cons of a baby brother and a baby sister. There are serious things to consider when wishing for a sibling.

I had to break it to Grant that he was going to be the only boy in the family. Our one and only. Raegan is ecstatic to show a baby sister the ropes.

Jeff and I couldn't contain the smiles. Which caused me to feel a little sad for not hoping for a boy.

BTW, every other measurement turned out normal. No cleft in the lip, all four ventricles in the heart, hands and feet all accounted for and normal brain growth.

We're half way done and not really in a big hurry to get there.

Gallery Show in Chico, CA

2008-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Avenue 9 Gallery, Chico, CA is holding a juried group exhibition, "Under The Influence:Ansel Adams and His Legacy" which opens October 17th- November 22nd.

Two of my photographs from The Jardin des Tuileries Series, #2, and #3 were selected for this show.

Opening Party is from 5-8 on October 17th if any of you are up that way.

Marian Crostic

The Never Ending Birthday!

2008-09-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

This week reminded me of an episode of The New Adventures of Old Christine where Christine (a self absorbed, divorced mother) thinks that her friends and family are planning her birthday. Throughout the entire episode everything she says is ended with,"But it's my birthday month!"

Could it be this is the month of Never Ending Birthdays because a lot of people in my family have September birthdays? Happy belated birthdays to my niece Autumn, her daughter Cinnamon, my nephew Caeden, and hubby Jeff and his sister Liz (they share a birthday, with Rachael Ray no less). Family friends Michael B. and Jenny G. and her dad too.

Then it was Raegan's turn.

Turning nine and being a fourth grader comes with some more mature behavior. No more treats for the classmates and unfortunately, a "family" birthday. Not to mention that her birthday happened to fall on a Wednesday this year, which automatically meant homework, and an early bedtime.

Tuesday we went to dinner at Olive Garden because Raegan loves the breadsticks and is on a spaghetti kick right now. Mom, Bud, and Michael joined us too. We even ordered fried mozarella for the birthday girl. (Appetizers don't always happen). Of course the night was topped off with a special Olive Garden rendition of "Happy Birthday" and a cake to share with everyone.

Wednesday there happened to be minimal homework and soccer practice was moved t Thursday. Raegan's Valiant 9 teacher stopped by to wish Raegan a Happy Birthday and brought along an oversized cupcake too. I could not believe it! I never did that when I was a Primary teacher! She rocks! It was a fun surprise and got me out of a pickle for not having a cake to give her or presents on her actual birthday.

(Wishing I had brushed her hair before I whipped out he camera)

Then came Friday. Cousin Felecia came to spend the night. We had yet another cake. Created by Betty Crocker and me and the long awaited presents. Every year Raegan is asked what she wants for her birthday. Every year she gives a very definitive answer. When she was 5 it was horses. She got about a dozen horses that year. When she was 6 is was Littlest Pet Shops. Again, more than she could manage. And so the trend continued this year. She wanted ankle socks and Webkinz (Thanks again Aunt Candy). My sister Heather, my mom and I all shopped at Costco. And we all got her ankle socks, and a double pack of Webkinz. She now has too many socks and can't shut her sock drawer and eight Webkinz. Please no more Webkinz!

(Cake number 3-Time for some Cake Decorating lessons don't you think? I'm done with chocolate for awhile. Just kidding!)

(These socks are different colors than what my mom and Heather gave her. I may just use them myself. She'll never miss them)

(What a happy Webkinz family: top-Princess; middle-Sneaky, Sly; front-Horton, Twinkle, Lightning, Joey, and Snowbell)

UCSF Check Up Time!

2008-09-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

Every year we return to memories of Grant’s birth and our first of many visits to the UCSF Craniofacial Clinic. It had been two years since our last visit actually, when we went this past Tuesday. We were expecting a quick visit with one or two doctors spending a total of 20 minutes in the office and 4 hours traveling in traffic.

Tuesday’s visit was much more than a 20 minute visit. We were there for two hours and met with a wide variety of doctors. Plus we had a lot of our questions answered.

1st, when Grant’s 6 year molars grow in by next year, it will be time for his first orthodontic appointment. He will need an expander appliance put on the roof of his mouth to make room for a bone graft, and braces on the bottom teeth to straighten out his crossbite. He’ll wear this for 6 – 12 months.

2nd, following the expander, he’ll have the third of four or five surgeries to have a bone graft put in his gum, revise his lip to reduce the amount of tissue, and possible rhinoplasty all in one fell swoop.

3rd, the tubes in his ears are still in and should probably be taken out, but then again maybe not. They couldn’t commit to a recommendation and are leaving it to our ENT here in Manteca to decide if they should stay in or come out.

4th, the geneticist measured Grant’s ears and eyes and arm bones and determined that he doesn’t have any secondary syndromes associated with his cleft. He is considered to be an isolated cleft lip and palate boy.

5th, he has great speech and does not need, and never has needed speech remediation. Now that’s amazing, since they assured us that he WOULD definitely need speech therapy in school.

Probably the most important piece of news we learned was about SB1634. SB 1634 would require health care insurance companies to cover orthodontic services for children born with cleft lip and palate. It has already passed the California Senate and Assembly and is waiting for Governor Schwarzenegger to sign it into law or veto it. Obviously, we don’t want him to veto it. If you are feeling philanthropic, but short on money (which you don’t need to help in this cause), you can write or fax a letter to the Governor encouraging him to sign SB 1634 into law. Here’s what you do.

Send your letter addressed to:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160

Here is a sample letter you can cut and paste.

Date

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am writing in support of SB 1634 (Steinberg) which would mandate orthodontic coverage for children with cleft lip and palate and craniofacial conditions. I urge you to sign this important bill into law and help our child and families of children with special health care needs. This issue is important to me/my family because my son/daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate.

This bill has passed the Senate and the Assembly with great bipartisan support. It will add only one-third a penny to the cost of premiums. I support this legislation because my child’s orthodontic treatment is a required part of his medical care and is medically necessary. This legislation will require my insurer to cover this needed treatment and spare our family unnecessary and lengthy appeals and out-of-pocket expenses. (Please include details about how this affects you/your family).

I urge you to support SB 1634 and sign it into law. I hope to hear back from you on your position and thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Your full name and address

I know that this letter seems very specific to the needs of a child born with a cleft lip and palate, but I know that my well educated and intelligent friends and family can make necessary changes to it so that you are not falsely representing yourself, but still supporting the need for health insurance companies to pay for orthodontic work. As of now orthodontic work is considered cosmetic and comes out of the pocket of the person having the work done.

I had to insert a corny picture, because I feel like I'm doing a "Feed the Children" commercial. Do it for the kids!

If you do participate, thank you, I know it will take some time on your part, but I really appreciate it. It would be a great relief to not have to deal with an issue (money) when it relates to something that no one would ask to happen to their child or wish on others. If you've ever taken the time to look into Grant's mouth you'd quickly learn how extensive his orthodontic work is projected to be. Who knows what it will really end up being once the doc actually starts to do work on his teeth.

This is something that we can manage and control even though a birth defect like a cleft lip and palate cannot be prevented.

Signs Morning Sickness is Improving

2008-09-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Dr. Scott said my morning sickness would end this week. Week 12, stupidly I believed him. Although it hasn't stopped completely, it has improved. Here is how I know it's not as bad as it was 3 weeks ago.

1. I go to bed at 9:00 instead of 7:30.

2. The clothes that manage to get clean, actually get folded, albeit five days after they've been washed, rather than just picking out what I need out of the basket on a daily basis and wearing it wrinkled.

3. Dishes are done on a daily basis. Once a day.

4. I am only nauseous when I eat or at bed time, rather than all day long.

5. I've actually walked, for exercise, four times!

6. My kids haven't forgotten me.

7. I managed to correct three weeks worth of papers.

Signs that morning sickness still persists.

1. Food that used to be an everyday craving, now makes my stomach churn. Will I ever be able to eat a super burrito carnitas from Taqueria Manteca ever again?

2. Headaches are a nightly event.

3. I still can't floss my teeth without gagging.

4. Jeff thinks that he's a better housekeeper than me. (Yeah right!) I'd could dust him under the rug with severe morning sickness, no sleep AND a broken arm any day of the week.

5. I still feel exhausted after 10 hours of sleep.

6. Who knows if Grant is REALLY washing himself thoroughly when he takes a bath.

I believe in Divine Intervention. Do you?

2008-08-26T20:05:00.001-07:00

So, it's been awhile since I last posted. There's just been non-stop excitement here in the Wright household over the last month.

Come to find out Jeff and I have been the ones who have created most of the excitement. Sure I can blame some of it on the beginning of school and trying to generate the energy to start that all up again. But the real shocker of it all is what REALLY happened in June.

Let me take you back to July 17ish. We return from camping at Sunset Beach and I can barely get up off the couch because I felt horrible. I blamed my illness on the blazing summer heat. Summer continues, as does the "sickness". Finally, on August 6th the day I have to go back to school for teacher prep Jeff suggests I take a pregnancy test because I had been ill for just too long. (Funny how he thought to look at a calendar and I didn't). I happened to have a really really really old pregnancy test and prior to heading out the door I did the duty and discovered a positive reading on the "stick" WHAT THE????????????? WHAT??????????? I was using birth control!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (insert heaving sobs here).

After trying for the past two summers to get pregnant and failing, I decided to regulate the hormones and mood swings and cyle by using the ever useless Nuva Ring. Note to self, you have to use birth control in order for it to work.

Unfortuantely I did not have a new ring to use while I was on vacation in Colorado and kept waiting for my cycle to start so I could go back to using it. Erm, that never really happened.

So now we have a bonus baby on the way, at the ripe old age of 39, to be delivered on March 16th (our original goal month, when we tried the previous two years).

Jeff is exstatic and can't help but tell everyone he sees at church. He does it mostly for the shock value.

Raegan and Grant are also excited.

Me, I'm stressed and a little worried. As I always am.

More details to be posted later. After the morning sickness subsides.

Art Attack 2008

2008-07-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

Directed Drawings. Rather than take up space on every directed drawing that we did I'll just highlight the homework portion. As the time before, we learned to draw an animal, then that night we had to redraw it for homework. In class I drew every animal in a typical setting for that animal, but for homework I tried to mix things up a bit.

Pig in a blanket - colored pencil

COWboy - colored pencil

Florida Chicken colored pencil

Superhorse - colored pencil

Rubber Ducky - oil pastels

Monday: Line and Color. Just more practice with line and color activities.

Squiggle line with green triangle. focus opportunity. Sharpie and construction paper

Layering lesson. Sharpie and colored pencil.

Sharpie and watercolors, a ruler helps too, to make the frame. Uses all five elements of line design.

Warm/Cool/Complimentary color lesson: construction paper, shapie, and chalk. I like it! This was chosen by some classmates to hang in the hallway for others to view. I was quite flattered.

Leaf rubbings. Fun, Fun, Fun activity. Take the paper off of the crayon to rub the outline of the leaf. Then outline with black crayon. Watercolor in spots. So fabulous. Wish I would have gone darker on the color though.

Color Poetry: What is Brown? Brown is the sand on a tropical beach. A giraffe's coat that you cannot reach. Brown is a fudgesickle dripping in the hot sun. A ponytail for a hairdo that's fun. Brown is the bumpy bark of a tree. A mudpie made for you and me.

Tuesday: Linde Marin and August Herbin. Linde Martin is a little german woman who lives in Carmel, CA. She has a unique way of painting. She uses a wide putty knife to scrape the paint and mix to create her artwork. She only used the primary colors and white. She's phenominal.

Painting in her techinique was a lot of fun. We used plastic putty knives in two different sizes and the primary colored tempera paint and just plopped and scraped. I can totally see my class getting into this technique.

Auguste Herbin. Not a fan.

I enjoyed cutting the shapes from construction paper, but at times was overwhelmed with the possibilities of placement. Plus there wasn't a wide choice of colors I would have liked to have used more shades of red and brown.
Wednesday: Paul Cezanne and Wayne Thiebaud. I don't have much to say about Paul Cezanne. I totally tuned that part out. I suppose I don't care for him much. He was considered a PostImpressionist artist. He did alot of still life painting.

As a result of not caring for his work I did not like my still life representation. The spacing is all wrong and there's too much table cloth and not enough object focus. Yuck! Not to mention that I didn't even choose what I painted, I never would have painted a teddy bear. Plus it's watercolor. I prefer to look at watercolor more than paint with it. I guess I'll have to practice more won't I?

I did however enjoy doing this "still life" construction paper collage. It never seemed to be quite finished. At first the whipped cream wasn't working out,then once I added the half eaten strawberry on top, it seemed finished. I also added chalk highlights and lowlights to the strawberries to give them dimension. I like this piece a lot.

Now Wayne Thiebaud is another story. I really liked the repetition and old fashioned feel to his work. And he's local too! He's from Sacramento and has taught classes at Sac State and Davis. He's done a lot of work with food and does not consider himself and artist, but a painter.

My food series is of course donuts: raised chocolate, apple fritter, old fashioned, glazed twist, strawberry crueller and chocolate long john. Yum. I had a good time using shadowing and highlighting. I used oil pastels on construction paper. I learned that black and white in small amounts can drastically change the look of a picture. Shadowing and highlighting are my fave.
Thursday: Michelangelo Buonarroti - sculptor (mostly) and creator of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Just one word about Michelangelo, Fabuloso! His sculptures are phenominal. It's amazing that a rough piece of stone can be turned into smooth skin and curly hair. It took him four years to complete the Sistine Chapel (which he didn't even want to do in the first place). Did you know that he would dissect dead people in the morgue late at night so he would better understand the human body in order to sculpt it accurately? He died in his 80's (which is old for that time period). He painted for five different Popes during his lifetime and was an excellent architect as well.

Moses

Sistine Chapel

My commission was not from the Pope, but I pretended it was from NASA. I had the distinct pleasure of laying on my back and painting on the underside of the table. Not the most comfortable thing to do. I do not like defined lines, but prefer the fuzziness between objects. So I stippled my painting and kept to large objects and used color for definition more than lines. I used tempera paint. I learned that the right tools make an assignment easier to do. I was wishing for my tole painting brushes and tools throghout this activity. Wish I didn't ruin it with the stupid stars.
Friday: Alexander Calder - inventor/creator of the mobile (sculpture with movement) and stabile (interpretive sculpture of large stature that doesn't move). Wonderful artist or, er, sculptor, not really sure. As a child he would make matchbox carts to attach to desert animals for "carriage" races and make lion masks for his cat. Born in Pennsylvania, another great American artist.

Stabile

Mobile

This is my interpretation of a stabile. What do you think it looks like? Many of those who I've asked, said it looks like a dolphin with something on it's head. It's actually a wave with a red and orange surfboard on its crest. Duh, anyone could see that. Anyone meaning only me. I suppose I need a little more time and experience with wire art. Given a little more time, my interpretation would have come across loud and clear. I used color coated wire, beads, modeling clay and a plastic lid for the base. Through this activity I learned that you can't rush creativity, you need to let it just come to you.

We also learned about dreamtime an Aboriginal celebration of the creation of the earth in Australia. Only men of ranking in a tribe can create the sand art. The sand is painted and at the end of the day destroyed. Beautiful respresentation of animals and their significance in the creation, very similar to some degree to the Bible. Each symbol is used to tell a story and can have multiple meanings.

My dreamtime is about the creation of the oceans and seas, hence the crab. I was once again running short on time and had the finish the interior of the crab without the benefit of paint (that I did not want to get out)or an example at home. Hey, I did the best I could with what I had. I used tagboard and tempera paint. Dots are made with the end of a paintbrush. Through this activity I learned that I would not want to do it in the sand in Australia.

Vacation 2008

2008-07-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

Who goes camping for their summer vacation? The second for some of us. Poor teachers, that's who. Way back in March we reserved a campsite at Sunset Beach near Watsonville. Now you take a chance when you book a site that you've never been to. And since I was the one reserving it, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. Luckily, we had an excellent location and know where not to reserve the next time we go camping.

Jeff's dad flew in from Utah to camp with us and his Uncle Fred and Aunt Marian drove up from Venice to hang with the homeies too. We had a great time.

Thanks to Fred's novelty idea of bringing bikes, we outfitted the fam with brand new bikes (even me, I hadn't had a bike since 1987). The kids of course love theirs and Grant especially enjoyed drifting off the pavement into the sand and off of his bike. He had many crash landings and banged up knees to prove it.

We were so excited to ride our new bikes in fact, we actually thought it would be fun to ride out bikes to the beach. Mental note: find out how far away the beach is before you begin your bike ride. It wasn't really the distance, but the hill that killed us, going there and back. No amount of riding the stationary bike prepares you for a 45 degree incline.

I wouldn't let the kids get their clothes wet. But did they listen, noooooo. Grant ended up with a face plant in the surf.

After the bubble surfing at the beach we enjoyed a yummy Mexican dinner with Annie and Al (long time friends of Martha and Marian). We decided to waddle off, I mean walk off our dinner afterward to see the beautiful view at wedding bluff.

Here's a picture of the gang minus Uncle Fred who's taking the picture. We're on wedding bluff. Can you figure out why it's named that?

Couldn't help but take a picture of the beautiful sunset on wedding bluff. Wish I could see this every night.

Uncle Freddie, resident orinthologist, naturalist, bike enthusiast and all around walking encyclopedia. We learned a lot in four days!!!

Here's Aunt Marian: photographer extrordinaire, master clothing designer, world traveler and the most patient, thoughtful and determined woman I've ever met. Such and inspiration.

The kids couldn't wait to break out the s'mores (neither could I). Everybody got marshmallows all over themselves. Daylight sure does help you realize what a mess you made the night before.

How is it possible for children to get a good night's sleep wherever they are? I'm glad someone slept well. The first night was the worst for me. I think I slept well on night 2 and 3 because I was dog tired.

We started Monday with a morning walk along the beach. Raegan looked for shells (mostly broken ones that were more precious and indispensible than anything)Jeff cut open suffocated jellyfish that had gotten marrooned on the beach. Grant chased the seagulls, and Tom found many ways to use the seaweed as jewelry. I, of course, took pictures to document our adventures.

This is how I entertained myself for a good two hours in Santa Cruz by MYSELF. The chain on my bike broke as I was changing gears uphill. So I had to walk my bike back to the truck while Jeff, Raegan, Fred and Marian went on their bike ride to the lighthouse. I was on a quest to find Grant and Tom somewhere on the boardwalk, but didn't find them until after I ran into Jeff and Raegan who were looking for me. Luckily I had enough time to get a carmel apple. (I am still waiting to enjoy it, by the way. It needs to be really cold in order to enjoy completely).

This is Raegan's souvenier Webkinz named Twinkle. Thanks Aunt Candy for an addicting habit. Grant got a cute Jaguar named John (he's creative isn't he?)

A trip to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk wouldn't be complete had we not gone on some rides. Since they were celebrating their 100th birthday we joined in the fun for 75 cents a ride.

Note to self: Raegan does NOT like roller coasters. Grant does. He was willing to go on the Big Dipper had he been tall enough.

Tuesday we spent biking in Monterey. Uncle Fred rescued my bike and bought a chain for me so I wasn't left out. Right away we were captivated by the ocean life. We saw the cute harbor seals sunning themselves. They must have strong stomach muscles to tip their snout and their tail up out of the water.

We also went on a nearby warf and observed spinning dolphins jumping out of the water, orange and purple starfish within reach and cormorants nesting at the end of the pier.

We stopped for a little picnic and tidepooling (or tadpooling as Raegan calls it)at a park (I call it butterfly park because there's a statue of a buterfly in it) among the Monterey pines. I loved catching the hermit crabs and making the anemones close. Could have done without slipping and getting one shoe soggy. On the bike trek back to the car, I managed to stop off at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for yet another, more superior carmel apple. It's called the special apple. It has plenty more nuts than Marini's the one I bought in Santa Cruz, and is drizzled with white and milk chocolate. I'll let the kids eat the inferior apple and save the special apple for myself.
We ended the day with more waterplay at the beach. Would have been fun had we not been followed by a dead seal that was flopping around in the waves and following us down the beach. YUCK!

Somehow I missed getting a picture of Raegan. She was once again collecting broken shells.
Wednesday was pack up and go home day. Spent the morning scooping everything up and heading out. Not even enough time for one last walk on the beach.

Next year we're considering Fort Bragg in Northern Cali. I'll be bringing more clothes for everyone and warmer clothes too.

Blog Gallery - Teaching Art to Children Series

2008-07-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Today I finished my week long course on Teaching Art to Children. As promised, for my only fan Jenni, I have included all the projects except for one too big to scan, for you to critique. Now critique doesn't always mean to criticize. So be kind. I'm not claiming to be an artist. I just enjoy it and want my students to enjoy it. From this class and the other two that I'm taking, I should have a good toolbox of things to teach them this year.

The first drawings are directed drawings. Each day the instructor taught us to draw a new animal in class (step by step)then we had to make our own at home for homework each night.

Monday: tropical bird - the orange and black bird was my homework

Tuesday: cheetah - After reading Chameleon's Colors we were told to draw the cheetah the way the animals in the book turned out when chameleon colored all of them (crazy like)I chose to draw my cheetah as Jimmy Hendrix because you'd have to be on drugs to look like that. If you look closely I have meaningful sympols on each section. I chose a giraffe print because it's my fave. I chose clouds and lightning because drug users hallucinate frequently. Numbers and music notes because he's a musician. I still had some space that needed symbols, but couldn't think of any others so I just chose swirls.

Wednesday: howling dog - I did the desert scene as my homework. (I like this one the best because I did it using chalk instead of crayon. It created a nice effect)

Thursday: cat - the cat by the pond was homework (Me no likey the cat drawings)

Friday: humpback whale

Each day we also learned a specific art element and technique.
Monday: Line Elements and Landscapes (Grant Wood)

Torn constuction paper landscape (foreground, midground, and background)

Five Line Elements: straight, curved, circle, angle, and dot

Tuesday: Color elements - warm and cool colors, complimentary colors (Paul Klee)

Constuction paper complimentary color quilt square (9X9) I did the orange and blue one first because I really like those colors. Then I saw someone doing pink and green and did another.

Secondary colors: red + blue = purple. Not my favorite piece. Actually I hate that the purple didn't really show up.

Warm and cool color tissue paper art. I tore bits of warm color tissue paper and starched it to a paper and then cut out a lame-o shape. I glued it on cool color geometric shaped watercolor blocks. Note to self: use a 16 pan watercolor set the standard 8 colors just isn't enough for this project.

Wednesday: Color Value and Robert and Sonia Delauney - AKA, my awakening

Constructin paper circles. Afterwards I wish I would have used brown instead of black and pink or green instead of reds and oranges.

This lovely little geometric piece took forever to do. I used oil pastel which I like and don't like at the same time. I think I need more practice with them.

Thursday: Portraits - Mary Cassat and Eric Carle

This is a painted paper collage just like Eric Carle. Super fun to do. Wish nobody had swiped the paper I made. I had to improvise with some other colors that I wasn't quite satisfied with. It's a banana split just in case you were thinking it was a cupcake like Grant did.

Torn construction paper self portrait. this reminds me a lot of the Little Bill cartoon series. I feel animated when I look at it.

Water color self portrait. The black lines added texture because they're made with black elmer's glue (3/4 glue, 1/4 black tempera paint). During this lesson I learned the importance of a good brush, which I already knew from my tole painting days, and watercolor paper. My brush was holding so much water it was getting my paper soggy and making it pill like a sweater and then the colors would all run together giving me a rather unattractive complexion.

Friday: Multicultural Art

This is bark cloth. Actually it's a wadded up brown paper sack. I used wet chalk for the intense color. Don't be fooled by any old chalk either. Sidewalk chalk or chalkboard chalk will not give you as intense color. Go for art chalk!

This is a Mola (pronounced mow-law). It originated in an Native Indian culture near Panama. It's very intricate pieces of brightly colored cloth layred and SEWN onto black cloth. It's used in clothing and accessories and decorations. Mine was made from contruction paper.

In addition to learning art projects to teach my students I learned something about myself. I love to create and am happy doing it. I was exhausted by the end of each day from thinking about how the colors would look together, where the lines should go, what should be the focal point and how do I get that across. But I enjoyed every minute of it and only wish I could find more time to incorporate creating things into my daily regimine.

Artist of the Day - Mary Cassat

2008-07-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

I understand the reason why we learned about Mary Cassat today. We needed to learn how to do portraits. And learn we did. Wait until you see mine. Yikes!

Mary Cassat was an Impressionist inspired artist. She grew up in Philadelphia, spent some family vacations in Europe and then went to art school (against her fathers wishes). Following art school she returned to Europe to study and paint and learn with other Impressionists. She and Degas spent a lot of time together. Most of her paintings were of women and their children. Funny, she never married and had children of her own. In fact, she was known for having a rather cantankerous disposition. She is responsible for assisting in the introduction of Impressionism into the U.S. (She encouraged her rich friends to buy their paintings while visiting Europe and bring them back to the U.S.)

Breakfast in Bed - This is my favorite

Day at the Beach - another "fave" if you could call it. These two are the ones I like the most.

Margot-Blue Not all that cute if you ask me.

Wednesday's Artist of the Day - Robert and Sonia Delaunay

2008-07-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

In case you are wondering, I skipped the artist we studied on Tuesday (Paul Klee - not a big fan).

So instead I will share my love of Robert and Sonia Delaunay (pronounced Day-law-neigh). I don't know what's come over me, but I have been struck by the Delaunay's. Their work is mesmerizing and simply beautiful.

Sonia is from the Ukrane and married Robert in 1910 (after she divorced her homosexual husband in Paris). She was the first living woman to be featured in the Louvre. Both are amazing. I would love to have their work in my life every day.

I could not find the english translation of the title of this painting by Sonia Delaunay. I would call it "Lotsa Circles". That's one of the things we do when we critique the art in this class, we come up with alternative titles.

In my class project today I tried to create a similar masterpiece of my own. I need a lot more practice. This piece is by Robert Delaunay. I would call it "Prism Magic"

Artist of the Day - Grant Wood

2008-07-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

I began an art class on Monday. I am thrilled to color, paint, paste and cut all week long. Now if I could only get the annoying woman behind my desk to shut her trap so I could work in peace I'd be happy.

Throughout this class we are leaning the artistic techniques and styles of many artists. So I thought it would be fun to share some that I found particularly pleasant.

Monday was Grant Wood day. Well not all of it, just an hour and a half of it.

I am taken with the smooth, curved lines, repetition and somber colors of Grant Wood's paintings. And he was an American born and raised in Iowa. Mark Teague's illustrations remind me a lot of Grant Wood. A fun little tid bit I learned is that Grant Wood left for college the day he graduated from high school. Following college he entered the military. His job was to paint camouflage on the army trucks! I guess there really is something for everyone in the armed forces.

Probably his most well known panting. American Gothic. No those aren't his parents that's his sister and his dentist in the painting.

Stone City by Grant Wood

Pet Peeves - July

2008-07-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just get overloaded and everything ticks me off. Yesterday was one of those days. Technically this is a list of Pet Peeves for June since today is July 1st. But who are we kidding I can easily make a list of mid month or even weekly pet peeves. It doesn't take much to set me off.

Pet Peeve #1: Questions or statements out of context. I have a certain someone in my household who will be thinking to herself one minute. Just processing and pondering and then "That waiter was funny!" Hmmm. We were not currently at a restaurant. Hadn't even been talking about a restaurant or a waiter. But yet I'm still supposed to know how to respond to the out of context statement.

Pet Peeve #2: Dinner or just food. I cringe, grind my teeth and want to shout the loudest roar at any mention of "What's for dinner?" I hate it. First because none of the members of my family are ever hungry at the same time. Jeff eats meals in between normal hours. The rest of us regulate meals and snack so we are not ravenous at 3:00 and can eat at 5:00 or 5:30. Go figure. Second, Grant has a near conniption of the mere mention of a balanced meal and I am the one who always witnesses it and deals with it. Unbearable. Third, I'll come up with suggestions and husband is not in the mood. So then it ends up delaying the preparation and therefore send me to find something quick to feed the animals writhing in hunger pangs on the floor.

Pet Peeve #3: Crumbs. Everywhere I look there are crumbs. And they don't clean up easily either. I can't pick them up with a wet washcloth. I have to sweep them 'dry' into the sink. And they're everywhere! On the floor, on the counter, on the table. I'm being overrun by crumbs!

Pet Peeve #4: Poor placement of dirty dishes. I've lost count of the number of times I have explained the necessity of rinsing dirty dishes and putting them in the left side of the sink (putting them in the dishwasher would just aggravate me even more because they would have the cups all wrong and the plates facing the wrong way, not to mention how easily things could get broken by improper placement)But the reminders and supervision still prevents my children from putting the leftover food in the garbage disposal side and the utensils and the dishes in the other side of the sink. So I have a nasty accumulation of soggy food that I have to dip my hand into to scoop out into the garbage disposal side. Then I have to do it again to dig out the utensils that always fall into the disposal and get ruined when I turn it on. SO GROSS!!!!!!!

Pet Peeve #5: Repetition. I am a self proclaimed creature of habit. I have wholeheartedly accepted that. I am at peace with certain repetitive things. But I am exhausted by the repetition that sometimes rules my universe. Such as reteaching the concept of how to "clean up". This topic has been discussed at length. Clean up means put everything in the package it is stored in and THEN put it away. Don't leave it on the floor for me to step on or trip over.

Pet Peeve #6: Bathing. We have clean water and soap. You will take a bath everyday, especially if you've been outside playing and smell like a wet dog. Accept it. Do it. And don't complain about it!

Pet Peeve #7: TV. I swear to you the kids would be half way down the block and be able to hear the little click of the TV going on. What's worse is that we listen to music through the PS3 and the kids are instantly sitting on the couch getting comfy while I'm trying to find something to listen to. Plus I can't catch up on anything I like to watch with them around because it may not be the most wholesome show for their viewing pleasure. So it's 9:00 at night, I finally get to sit and watch my show undisturbed, but then there's a fight with hubby about who gets to watch what. Last night was the first night in a long time that I got TV preference before Jeff. I think that was because he didn't have anything he had recorded that he wanted to watch.

There are more, but I'll save them for another day of catharsis. I feel much better now.

Heads up to the Tooth Fairy

2008-06-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight during our First Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner and silent auction Grant lost his first tooth! It's been loose for a few months, but just two weeks ago was noticably looser. Everytime we even thought of getting our fingers close to his mouth he would clamp his lips closed and then proceed to cry even though we hadn't laid a hand on him. It had gotten so bad, that he couldn't even eat without it bending the wrong way and causing him pain.

Tonight I managed to get him to let me look at it and saw that the bottom of the tooth was visible. He kept walking around with his finger in his mouth and ended up pulling it out himself. Amazingly without any crying either!

Can you see it? That's not a piece of lint ladies and gentlemen. That's Grant's bottom left tooth. #1 for the tooth fairy. There's a lot more where that came from.

Luke managed to spend most of the night asleep on my lap. Then woke up when Raegan wanted to hold him. He was a bit disoriented and not in the mood to play. She's going to be a great babysitter in four or five years.

Bishop Gross playing his favorite party trick. "Balance a standing baby on my hands" Pretty funny.

Jeff's Muppet Personality

2008-06-26T21:47:00.001-07:00

You Are Fozzie Bear

"Wocka! Wocka!"

You're the life of the party, and you love making people crack up.

If only your routine didn't always bomb!

You may find more groans than laughs, but always keep the jokes coming.

The Muppet Personality Test

Grant's Muppet Personality

2008-06-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts.

You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary.

But you sure can beat a good drum.

"Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Raegan's Muppet Personality

2008-06-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

You Are Fozzie Bear

"Wocka! Wocka!"

You're the life of the party, and you love making people crack up.

If only your routine didn't always bomb!

You may find more groans than laughs, but always keep the jokes coming.

The Muppet Personality Test

Andrea's Muppet Personality

2008-06-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it.

You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less.

You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way.

Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

Everything is almost true,I do wish to be worshiped and eat a lot, but I don't want to be a star.

Vacation in the Rocky Mountains!

2008-06-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

The kids and I just returned from a vacation to Colorado. We visited my brother Cameron, his wife Candy and their three boys Connor, Collin, and Caeden. This was our second trip to the Rocky Mountains and was not disappointed. The kids especially never had a dull moment.

Day 1: Wednesday: Jumpin. We took the kids to a place that had a ton of inflatable jump houses, etc. After about two hours they were ready to swim at the pool.

Here's Grant at the pool. Safe and sound on a noodle, until he kicked it out from under himself and nearly drowned. He stayed in the shallow end the rest of the day. Too bad his freedom was cut short so soon. He was really having fun.

Day 2: Thursday: The Dever Zoo. Our second time at the zoo and still enjoyed every minute of it. The monkeys were a big hit with the kids.

Caeden was stuck to Raegan like glue. He always wanted to sit by her and play with her at all times. I think he'll definitely be going through withdrawls now that she's gone.

Nothing is as relaxing as a movie in the backyard. The kids watched Snow Dogs on the big inflatable screen and munched on popcorn. We finished just in time to pack everything up before a thunder and lightning storm. Unfortunately the only one on our visit. That's what I was looking forward to seeing there.

Day 3: Friday: Playdate at the park. There's a great park at the base of the mountain in Fort Collins that is both a water park and a play park. The rocks are carved to look like a giant. Connor is sticking his hand in the giants nose. The giant is laying sideways on his face.

Grant standing on the giant's toes.

Here's Cameron showing the kids how to play Rock Band. He's so good he has his own band. I tried singing and playing the guitar. Didn't quite get it. I can't do two things at once. Like think and strum the guitar.

Raegan playing the drums. Intense thinking going on there. Collin helped out a bit and Caeden was hanging around for moral support.

Every day the kids tried to sneak in as much road play as possible. The McNairy boys certainly have a lot of toys to choose from. A whole bay of their three car garage is devoted to recharging scooters, cars, and storing other mobile units. The kids loved it and would have races in the middle of the street.

Day 5: Saturday: More swimming and the Colorado National Speedway

This is a special needs child at the pool. Poor Grant gets the strangest looks and giggles. Mostly from me. He wears the ear band to keep the earplugs in his ears. Then paired with the goggles, he just looks "special". Saturday was a much better day for swimming for Grant. He actually did the dog paddle! Monumental event there folks.

The best part about the car races was the flecks of rubber coming up and sprinkling you face and clothing. And why do I always happen to get a picture of myself with that shirt on!

Day 6: Sunday: Church. No pictures of that.

Day 7: Monday: Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It's right next door to the Zoo, but we didnt' have time to go on Thursday.

Raegan doing her famous head in the mouth of a sabertooth tiger trick. She's pretty good. Came away without a scratch.

I loved the butterly display. Some were absolutely HUGE!

Grant creating a geologic masterpiece with wet red sand. Not easy to wash off.

Caeden on an archeological dig. Looking for dinosaurs is easy.

Raegan, Collin, Grant and Caeden flying through the air with their heads in the clouds. Which is always easy for them to do.

Day 8: Tuesday: Working in some final water play before we take off for Cali.

Like I said any toy or play thing you may want is at my brother and sister in laws house. Candy filled the pools and turned on the slip-n-slide. We made sandwiches and the kids did what they do best.

Raegan's not really used to or comfortable with the slip-n-slide. Poor girl has her mother's coordination. She did manage to come away without road rash.

The week went by way too fast. Everyone had a great time hanging with family and playing til the wee hours of the morning. Thanks Cam and Candy for your generosity, patience, and good naturedness. We had a blast and are looking forward to seeing you again next year!

Happy 12th Anniversary

2008-06-25T21:45:00.001-07:00

Although I was out of town on our twelfth anniversary I was still thinking of my sweet groom. It's been twelve years since Jeff and I married in the Oakland Temple. At 27, I was beginning to think that I would never fall in love or atleast convince a guy that he was in love with me. Jeff was persistent and patient, kind and thoughtful. Why did it take me so long to figure things out when he knew all along? I'll never know. I understand how lucky I am to have someone who loves me for who I am. I don't think I could find that in a man nowadays, nor would I want to go searching. I am lucky to have found a man that I have grown close to and trust, who is a wonderful father and an exceptional husband.

Since the twelfth anniversay is silk and linen I went for the obvious gift. A satin pillowcase. I know what you're thinking. What a perfect gift! Jeff wasn't so sure. Turns out he really likes it. Comfort during sleep is of utmost importance to him. I also know you're wondering why I got a satin pillowcase instead of linen or silk. Ummm, well, it's all Bed Bath and Beyond had in way of silkiness. Think texture, not literal here people.

Happy Anniversay babe, thanks for the craziest, zaniest twelve years of marriage so far. Not to mention the two beautiful children we have. I don't think I could be any happier.

Ahhh, the happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Couldn't have asked for a prettier day than that. Everything was perfect. Doesn't Jeff look like a juvenile? He no longer looks like that, his looks have matured, his personality ....not so much.

Here we are in Oahu. Got stopped by a guy with parrots and didn't want to pay him for a photo, so we used our own camera. Not the best quality I know, but that's what you get when you scan a really bad picture to begin with.

Happy Day! Happy B-Day Grant!

2008-05-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

What better way to kick off the last day of school, but to celebrate Grant's 6th Birthday. Can't hardly believe 6 years has gone by. It's been bitter but mostly sweet!

Here's a pic of the little tike at about 5 months old. I think he's finally grown into those eyes.

This is the man himself. All grown up, almost.

Grant had his own bowling tournament for his birthday. Although it was hectic preparing teacher presents, birthday cake, T-shirts, and putting report cards in envelopes, it all turned out well in the end. Scheduling a birthday on a week night is certainly the way to go. I think it was the first party that we've done for one of the kids that I didn't want to pull out my hair. With the added bonus of not having to clean my house for guests, either. It was great.

Go ahead and laugh. I never claimed to be a gournet cake decorator. Darn those pictures on instructions. They lead you into a false sense of security into thinking you can do this too! In case you couldn't make it out, it's supposed to be a bowling pin with a ball on top. I tried!

Cousin power! Felecia, Anthony, Grant and Raegan.

The presents. One of the reasons I love birthday parties is because I don't have to buy presents for the kids. Their friends do it for them.

We had a great time and the kids had a blast to boot. Happy Birthday Grant!

3rd Grade Tall Tales Performance

2008-05-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

I am completely impressed with the caliber of teachers and students at Raegan's school. Tonight was the 3rd Grade Tall Tales Performance that all of the third graders have been working on for over a month. It was a very impressive musicale. Especially since at my school we're preparing for a musical too. It won't be as good that's for sure.

This is Raegan and her teacher Mrs. Isbell. We heart you Mrs. Isbell! You're the best ever!

This is some random saddle brought in for a "prop" by the only male teacher. It was a nice contribution nonetheless. Even though it was the only prop other than the sign.

Can you see her? For three-fourths of the show, Raegan was hidden behind some other cowgirls all standing on the stage. I was a little ticked! I had to leg wrestle a fourteen year old girl for the seats in the second row and then I couldn't even see my own child.

And the big line...."With plump, juicy sausage, with whipped cream and strawberries on top!" They were singing a song about flapjacks and Raegan had a short speaking part. She was so nervous. She kept licking her lips and swallowing hard. We're so proud!

It May Take Some Time To Get Used To This!

2008-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

I've just recently become aware of something that I'm not sure I like. My children have ADMIRERS!

I've joked around with many a friend about "saving" their son for Raegan. it seems that she's always gotten along better with boys. Could it have been because she was the only girl in preschool? Or the only girl in her Primary class? That probably promoted her keen understanding of the opposite sex and their attraction to her.

She and I have had discussions on dating and how she's not allowed to have any boyfriends AT ALL. EVER. Well, not until she's in college, atleast. But today the funniest thing happened that embarrassed both of us.

I was packing up my chair after swim practice and this kid follows Raegan over to where I was standing and says, "Uh, I hope you don't mind, but I think I like her" (pointing at Raegan, who's trying to ignore him while hiding behind me). "You do?!" was my reply. "Yes, I think I might even love her!" In my head I'm thinking, 'I've got to nip this in the bud right now'. So I say to this boy, whom I've never seen before, "Well, you know she's too young to date, don't you?" He was quick to state that he only liked her as a friend. Not knowing what else to say, but knowing he wanted to talk to both of us more, I told him that it was OK for her to have friends that were boys and that I hoped he would be a good friend. "Oh, I will!" he said as he skipped off to get his towel.

On the ride home, she said that he caught her off guard and confused her and she clarified that she only liked him as a friend.

But she's not alone. Grant has an admirer as well. Her name is Ashley and she's in his Kindergarten class. Supposedly Ashley's mom knows all about Grant beacuse Ashley talks about him at home. Supposedly they talk alot during circle time and chase each other on the playgroud, sometimes. About two to three times a week I find love notes in his backpack from her. Pictures decorated with hearts and "Love Ashley" written on the front. And it just so happens that Ashley is the only girl he invited to his birthday party who wasn't a relative.

Grant's just as guilty as any girl. He knows how to turn on the charm, even with his sister. The other day, while we were eating Sunday dinner, out of the blue, Grant tells Raegan that she looked beautiful. Raegan of course was embarrassed rather than being flattered at such a genuine compliment. Another time we had some friends over to play. Grant and the older daughter (who was about 10 at the time)were playing with playdoh. Grant, feeling the love of the moment, tells Katelyn that he loves her. She wasn't sure what to do, if she should return the compliment or just stay silent and hope that the awkard feeling subsides and he doesn't say it again. He was quiet and the beads of sweat from her brow disippated as quickly as they occured.

I'm not ready for the admirers, phone calls and notes. I know there's nothing I can do to stop it. I suppose it's a rite of passage of sorts. One that is different for every child. One that I may never come to accept. I hope the future isn't as scary as I'm expecting it to be.

MDST (Manteca Dolphins Swim Team) Time Trials

2008-05-10T12:55:00.001-07:00

So, Raegan made the swim team this year. I can't believe the amount of work they have the kids do. But in the end they become a better swimmer for it. Practice is 5 days a week, but due to our schedules, she only makes it 3 or 4 times a week. Today was the time trials in preparation for the first meet sometime later this month. The time trials allow her to compete against people who have similar performance times.

Coming into MDST I felt like the new kid at school. There are a lot of things you just don't know unless you ask. Like, signing your child in at every practice. Signing up to volunteer two hours of your time during swim meets and making sure you read you newsletter for very important info (i.e. buy your kid some fins so they can learn to kick correctly) Who knew it would be so complicated?

Not to mention the time required for the meets themselves. It's an all day thing. Raegan and I were at the pool at 6:30 to sign in, then wait for another half hour to warm up and then another hour after that for her first event. Grueling. Thank goodness Jeff and Grant came along later. Grant never would have lasted 5 hours in the sun.

I also could not believe the parents. They brought tents/canopys with air mattresses, cooler, portable DVD players, anything and everything you would need for a weekend camping trip. Why bring all that stuff when there's a full service snack bar providing food at a reasonable cost? They served breakfast burritos, pancakes and bacon, muffins and donuts for breakfast. For lunch there were nachos, hot dogs, polish sausage, baked potatoes, snowcones and CANDY! Tons of candy! I had no idea it was such a big TO-DO.

I'm prepared for the next meet. Wake up, sign up, return home to pick up then show up. I don't want to sit around for another 2 hours watching the sun go up over the pool.

Raegan is waiting for warm-ups to start. Notice the sun is just coming up.

It's amazing how swimming just doesn't come naturally. Raegan still needs some skill training on the Freestyle. Her best stroke is the breast, then backstroke. Forget about Butterfly. Maybe next year.

Wondering which lane and event she's in. She needs a mother near at all times.

Satisfied with her performance on the breaststroke. Grateful that the butterflies in her stomach are gone too.

D-Day! Otherwise Known as My 39th Birthday!

2008-05-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, yesterday was my birthday the big 39! It was, as usual, not something that I looked forward to. Especially since I had recently lost an entire year of my life. The story goes a little like this: Raegan was asking questions about how old I was when I married Jeff. "27" was my reply. Next question....."How old were you when I was born", she asked. "30", I said. Then Jeff started calculating the years in his head as he eavesdropped on our conversation. "How old are you now" was her next question. "37", I said as a tear trickled down my cheek. "Uh, no you're not!", Jeff said. "You're 38". "I am not even 38! You're wrong I'm 37", I said in protest. "No, you're 38. Do the math". I haven't been able to accurately calculate my age since I turned 29. Something to do with having a 9 digit in the year I was born. Thus, after "doing the math" I screamed and fell into a deep depression. I had lost an entire year of the life in a matter of a short two minute conversation. Hence, leading up to the dreaded D-Day, birthday.

This is a picture of me taken about 15 years ago. Circa, 1993/1994. Notice the long, lucious curly hair and smooth skin.

This is a picture taken yesterday, the more "mature" me. Let me clarify that, the more "mature looking" me. At 39, the lines are settling in. No sunbathing for me this summer! After last summer, swimming every day and soaking up the rays to get a healthy glow. I notice quite a few age spots and lines have popped up. Plus, it looks like I have a bit of facial grease problem. And the hair is staight and much shorter, and has been for some time now. After Raegan was born I tried the perm thing, with no success. Pregnancy ruined my hair for perms.

I spent the day volunteering my time taking tickets at the Manteca Dolphins Swim Team Omelet breakfast from 8:30 - 10:30. Then running a few errands at Target and TJMaxx, doing laundry (the usual Saturday activity) and canning food storage at the Bishop's storehouse. I got a lovely assortment of the basics, sugar, flour, rice, and pinto beans.

Jeff and the kids took me to Romano's Macaroni Grill for dinner. Can't resist their food. Plus they have a great kid's menu that's not microwaved, prepackaged food. Since we were near a mall, I dragged everyone through Weberstown Mall to run two quick errands and then enjoyed a Chocolate Cream pie from Marie Callender's for dessert. Jeff and the kids were troopers. I knew he was doing things he really didn't want to do. 1. running errands with the kids. 2. running errands in Stockton. 3. buying presents he was sure I would want to return.

Speaking of which, we need to talk about the presents. Jeff and the kids bought me a Nikon Coolpix L18 in ruby red. Why do you need another digital camera when Jeff bought you a great Nikon D50 two years ago? Well, I love the D50 and it takes awesome pictures. But I found it wasn't all that convenient, with the lenses and all, to travel with, say on an airplane. Plus there have been numerous times that I've wanted to take pictures of my students at school and haven't had a camera. I don't feel safe taking keeping it at school. So, I thought I could use something a little less "professional". We played with the Coolpix in the car and during dinner. Its name says it all its "CoolPix".

Michael and Jeff bought me a "Brush Cherry" tree. I always seem to get plants or trees for my birthday. But I loved it. I was considering options for the front of the house. And the Brush Cherry was different than a spiral Alberta Spruce. Plus I love the poodle cut and when it blooms it has these bulbous red "cherries" dangling from its limbs. Jeff planted it right away and I think it looks great!

Next year the big 40 is sure to be a much anticipated event. Don't expect me to smile at all for the week prior or the week past.

Too Much Just Isn't Enough!

2008-04-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

The local radio station posed a question to its listeners the other day. I occassionally have an answer to their sometimes bizarre questions. On this particular day they asked, "What is one thing you have too much of that you don't need". My head instantly filled with a large assortment of items. Most people were calling in to confess their obsession with purses and shoes. I had a rather diverse list of items. I have enclosed just a few:

1. I have too many craft books (this includes magazines too). Unused of course, because I don't have the time to do any crafting. Always want to and wish to and of course, when I get the itch to do some, I don't have exactly what I need. Good thing Wal-Mart is the only "crafty" type store around. I'd be in serious trouble if Michael's, Jo-Ann's or Beverly's were closer than Modesto or Tracy.

2. I have too many craft notions. This includes: buttons, beads, glue, glitter, sponge stamps, etc. etc. My niece recently trapsed all over Manteca looking for bias tape. Since Wal-Mart no longer carries a fabric/sewing department, my sister suggested she ask me if I had any. Of course I did! Any good crafter would. Not only did I have bias tape, I had several colors of various widths for her to choose from. I'm so proud. Once again, these notions are unused. See note above. And scrapbooking.....That's another post, for another day. Way too much crap to use in a lifetime, but I've got it.

3. I have too many stationery items. I LOVE the stationery store! I have (as you may be able to tell) tons of post-it notes in cute colors with cute pictures. I love pens of various colors. It doesn't matter. I have highlighters, pencils, paper clips, thank you cards and as mentioned before, post-it notes; My favorite invention. This is only a small sampling of my desk drawer at school, unfortunately there's more I have two additional drawers in my desk that are full too. Obviously I have more than I can use or will ever use, but continue to buy more. Target has clearance prices on their stationery every so often and I always find myself perusing the aisles and scrounging around the endcaps looking for that red clearance tag! Yet I clearly don't need more. I have a disease, I know.

4. I have too many children's books. This is a sample of four boxes from Scholastic Book Club that I have at school and at home. Raegan would need atleast an entire year of reading a half hour every night to finish them all, but then there's always Grant and my students who could benefit from them as well. Unfortunately, I have run out of storage on my shelves at school and don't have a place for them. Time to exercise some self control and not order anymore. It's very easy, because I get free books whenever a student orders from the book club. I have to have a minimum order of $20 and if there aren't enough orders, then I HAVE to make up the difference. Hence, I'm in a bit of a pickle, can't let those kids not get THEIR book order now can we?

5. I have too much wrapping paper. This is yet again one of three containers of wrapping paper, mostly Christmas. Since they are kind of awkward to store it is clogging up a corner of my unused "craft" room, which is now more of a closet. I can't seem to help myself in the after Christmas clearance. I do not need more, but they have some very nice stripes and snowflakes that are must-haves.

6. I have too much ribbon. About a year ago I purchased instructions and ribbon to make my darling daughter hair ribbons to match her clothes. I, of course, being the compulsive shopper that I am, couldn't help myself and purchased a lot of ribbon. Because I LOVE ribbon and bows, (unfortunately, Raegan doesn't). I still like to make them, though.

7. I have too many hair accessories. I say I own them, because,as I mentioned previously, Raegan could care less how she looked or even if her hair were ever brushed. All I can say is, "Thank goodness she has a mother who cares" because she would look like Bigfoot's step child if I didn't put her hair in some sort of "do" every morning. These hair accessories include clips, barrettes, elastics, scrunchies, pony-o's and my newest favorite, headbands. What I can't pull off wearing myself, I force her to put in her own hair.

Finally, I have too much ironing. I know that the only reason I have so much ironing, is because I have too many clothes (kids clothes to be exact) and the only reason I have too many kids clothes, is because (as I have already confessed) I have a shopping addiction. I'm addicted to sales, really, then clothes. Jeff once counted Grant's t-shirts, he had enough to last two weeks. Don't ask me how many pajamas the kids have or what is a reasonable number. I will always estimate above the average.

The list could continue, but I assure you it doesn't include shoes, purses, jewelry (except for watches, I have a lot of those)or the like.

I could also name a few things that my family has excess numbers of. Jeff: DVD's. Raegan: stuffed animals. Grant: Matchbox cars.

Yes, through this introspection I have concluded that I live a life of excess. I am blessed, I know that. I also live a convenient life as well. Things are very easy. Easy to buy, easy to do, easy to get to. I am grateful and yet sometimes too much just isn't enough.

A Nightmare That Never Ends

2008-04-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

State Testing. A.K.A. STAR

That's what I've been doing for the last week and for three days next week. If you are not familiar with what State testing is, I will try to educate you.

Imagine filling six months of your life doing the same thing every day for 130 days, with little variety in the content of what you do and with a strict schedule and very little opportunity to branch out and extend your "work". Then comes the day when your labors will be tested. Yet you've prepared, things should go well. Your fruits have flourished and you can say "Yes, I've done a job and it's been done well."

Judgment day arrives. Day 1 all goes well, a few errors but nothing significant. "There is still hope!"

Day 2 more of the same as Day 1, but that's because Language Arts is something we use every day and these little 8 year old students have been paying attention as they should.

Day 3 arrives. Duh, duh, duh....Math. The world stops spinning and the brain stops functioning. "NOOOOOOOO! You've done this for 130 days, you should be doing this in your sleep by now"

The second grade test is particularly difficult for me to tolerate because I have to read each and every math question to the students as they look at the possible answers in their test booklet and work it out on their scratch paper. That is if they remember they have scratch paper. Or if they remember how to add by counting on their fingers for Pete's sake (worse case scenario) or if they think to borrow or regroup correctly. There is always that one child who needs extended time to draw a picture (that happens to already be printed for them in the test booklet) and still get the answer wrong. I think I would have rather had bamboo shoved up my fingernails than endure 50 painstaking minutes of testing. I can't think of anything more ridiulous (at this particular moment).

I can't possibly go on. How will I do it? The only solution I've come up with is to cover their answers, not so others won't look, but so I won't see how many they've missed. It's too painful to look.

Spring Break Day 6: Moaning Caverns and Columbia Historical State Park

2008-03-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Last day to par-tay. First stop, Moaning Caverns (by Angels Camp). Not what we were expecting. Both Jeff and I had been to Timpanogos Cave in Utah and thought it would be similar to that. A shack (gift shop) has been built over a big hole and you climb down the staircase (263 steps and 165 feet) then climb back up. It is amazing how black it is. The lights were turned off and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.

Second stop, Columbia State Historical Park. It's a quaint little gold mining town of yesteryear. We walked the block of dirt road to the end and then walked back to our car. Thankfully Natalie and Ryan's kids thought to stop long enough to get a souvenier stamped penny at the local dry goods mercantile. Thanks Nat!

Back to school and our normal routine on Monday. There won't be as many posts next week. Can't take the time off to follow the kids to school getting a step-by-step photo of their day at school. Nor would I want to.

Spring Break: Day 5 Horton Hears a Who

2008-03-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

We decided to take a break from the traveling and went to see Horton Hears a Who. I have been to worse children's movies (i.e. Curious George and Bee Movie) This one was not all that bad. And very little, if any potty humor. Could it have been that my mind wasn't fully engaged in the movie because I was trying to sneak popcorn from Grant and Raegan without them looking? I don't blame Grant for being possessive, since I made him pay for his own popcorn.

I was most surprised at the cost of going. $7 a piece! Plus $5 each for the kids pack (popcorn, drink and a sample(5)Skittles) For a grand total of $31! No wonder we haven't been to the movies in six or so months. Who can afford it? You'd think the geniuses that want to attract people to their theatres would charge a reasonable price even for the matinee and concessions and their worries of being beaten out by DVD sales and pay per view would decrease, but NO! The prices keep increasing. UNBELIEVABLE! Jeff says I'm getting cheap in my old age. I say I'm reasonably frugal and value my hard earned dollar.

Spring Break, Day 4: San Fran

2008-03-26T22:35:00.001-07:00

Today we took off to Frisco. And what a great day to do so. We first stopped at Pier 39 for some entertainment by the sea lions and then headed off to the Exploratorium. We had a great time thanks to the Bogrens, who always make a day trip fun.

Jeff's favorite part: clam chowder bread bowl and throwing the football in the Exploratorium parking lot.

Raegan's favorite part: the magnetic sand, sand table, and bubbles

Grant's Favorite part: sand, more sand, and the giant tessalation blocks

My favorite part: caramel apple, and laughing with Natalie, Ryan and Jeff.

Up next is moaning caverns and Columbia State Historical Park. Stay tuned.

Spring Break, Day 2

2008-03-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Today we went ice skating. Luckily we have been two other times. All in all we had a fun time. Grant made phenomenal progress. Maybe by the next time we go, he'll be off the wall. That's not entirely true. He did skate by himself for 10 feet at a time. I hardly saw Raegan and Josh. They weren't seen or heard of unless they were playing tag with Jeff or they were cold. The only injuries I'm aware of were a good size raspberry for Raegan on her right hip and a golf ball size bump on James' head. He doesn't remember falling. Can you say concussion? He's OK though, just doesn't have a memory of anything past 2:00. Up next...San Francisco, Museum, Aquarium, etc. etc. Stay tuned :)

Hoppy Easter!

2008-03-24T10:35:00.001-07:00

Hey Baby! How you doin?

2008-03-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

I don't normally purchase the spring pictures that the school does because I think it is just a ploy to extort money from my hands. But when I saw Grant's, there was no question as to whether or not we were going to purchase them after seeing his Ricco Suave expression.

Aside from the dorky hand position, I thought they turned out adorable. And hilarious to boot!

Drawing is in Her Blood

2008-03-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

These are just a few of the pictures that are, quite literally, covering the walls of Raegan's room. She has covered every possible lavender wall with a doodle. If there is a napkin or post it note handy, she will draw on it. She has a roll of tape in her room so when there's a picture to hang she's ready. Her and Grant conduct art class often. She of course, is the teacher and uses the whiteboard in the loft as her canvas while Grant copies while sitting at the table. She prefers crayons or markers, but is not fond of paint because she can't control it as well. Her aspirations in life were once to be a horse trainer and then an artist. When she found out that artists don't always have a steady income or become world famous until they're dead she changed her mind. Don't know what's next on the prospective job market for her.

Raegan Claude Monet

2008-03-02T09:59:00.001-08:00

Carpoolers

2008-03-01T18:08:00.001-08:00

Since the writer's stike has derailed my nightly television viewing, I wasn't aware that one of the shows I enjoy is on the chopping block if ratings don't improve. I hope that all those people who glance at the blog will tune in to Carpoolers. It's light adult humor which is rare in a reality TV era. It seems that there are very few comedies that I can even tolerate. The humor is very funny in Carpoolers. I especially like Aubrey and Marmaduke. Check it out PLEASE!!!! It's on Tuesday nights 9:30 Pacific and 8:30 Central Time on ABC. I don't want this show to go the way of Arrested Development. Hope you enjoy it as much as Jeff and I do.

Decisions!!! Decisions!!!

2008-02-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Item.aspx?sku=17655485

Not too long ago Jeff and I went shopping and bought him a new wedding band. For various reasons he needed another: his fingers were too pudgy due to arthritic inflammation (Yeah, right!) and it was yellow gold. We ended up choosing a lovely tungston carbide band that is very attractive and affordable as well.

Naturally we looked at the women's bands because let's face it. I'm in need of an updated wedding set. I too have a very dated yellow gold setting, but have managed to happily live with it for almost twelve years.

I have narrowed my search down to two. The first is a Verragio setting pictured above. The second is a classic Tiffany setting with a diamond anniversary band. Click on link above.

I can't decide. Frankly, I think they're both stunning. We would of course try to get a knock off. But even that is a few years in the making for our budget.

So, let me know what you think. But when a diamond is concerned how can you go wrong with either choice, huh?

Budding Artist Grant Da Vinci

2008-02-24T14:55:00.001-08:00

An Hour in the Life of a Five Year Old

2008-02-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd highlight the talents of one of my children.

Grant spent the hour of Sacrament Meeting today coloring. Normally all of his pictures have a rainbow in them in some way or another. Not today, he is finally branching out. I assisted in the coloring of the alien picture, but he did the actual sketching. And he has never ridden a ferris wheel. I honestly don't know what could have given him the idea. Notice that the ship is a "Drowned Ship", not a "Sunken Ship". Could that have anything to do with it not having a rounded bottom? Obviously this kid has had some frightening swimming experiences. The room picture was not created in church, but was inspiration from a previous day. I think it depicts his room quite well. He has the plaid comforter, baskets in his dresser and "stuff" on the top. Notice the digital clock, two boxes of Kleenex and a bottle of Cetaphil lotion?

He starts a drawing class this Tuesday at the Parks and Rec Department. It will be interesting to see what he will bring home.

Flu You!

2008-02-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

I don't know what the deal-e-o is with the flu, but you'd think one killer bout with the dreaded flu would be enough. But nooooooo, our family has gotten it twice so far. There is no immunity to this stuff. The kids can't get away from it. What do you do with a 101 fever? The bad mommy side of me says, "Well, if she's not 102 and vomitting, send her to school." The good mommy side of me says, "She won't perform well if she's coughing and lethargic at school, she needs to stay home."

The conflict continues. Who stays home? Jeff or me? I always win in the end because Jeff's sub plans are half a page long whereas mine take 2 hours to complete and are six pages long. Nonetheless, what's a mother to do, but make sure her kids are warm, safe, and healthy (well, as healthy as they can be in this germ infested world we live in) Of course it doesn't help when our kids lick the handle bars of grocery carts and play with the soles of their shoes, either! (Well...that's just Grant)

So I am offically fed up with the flu and what it does to my mental frame of mind. I can't tolerate the onslaught of microorganisms infesting my house. I guess I'll go back to having dry chapped hands from washing so much and load up on Airbourne and Vitamin C.

Confessions of a Slacker

2008-02-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

For some reason I knew that when I started this blog that it would also be the end of "Da Blog!" Notice I haven't posted anything new? There are a few reasons. I'll name just a few: (hey, that rhymed!)

1. My life is a bit routine (get up, work, come home, do work, sleep, repeat). Which doesn't seem like much fun for other people to read about. Why waste your time? Right?
2. Sometimes I feel obligated to add a picture or two and I haven't taken any. Bad mommy!
3. There have been other things around the house to do and I feel a little guilty spending a lot of time on the computer.
4. I'm not a computer whiz. I've only gotten down the basics. I just figured out the slide show for Pete's sake.

So here's my solution. I will blog to myself. Since I don't really think anyone checks this thing out anyway. If someone happens to stop by then they'll catch a glimpse of an old woman rambling to herself. (No you can't see me rocking back and forth and twiddling my fingers. Thank Goodness!) But what a catharsis! Rather than keeping myself up all night, I can get it all off my chest here and rest peacefully.

Croquet is for Wimps, Real men go Bowling!

2008-01-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, we spent the afternoon bowling at StikeZone in Manteca. Great fun was had by all. Notice the kids in the background of my picture. He's got great form! Grant had the most fun. Raegan struggled with perfecting her curve ball. Jeff beat us all. And I, well, I was just enjoying myself. Maybe we'll be buying our own shoes soon. Who knows!

I Love Blogging

2008-01-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

This blog is awesome. I love blogging. It's one of my favorite activities in the whole wide world. This blog is going to give me an opportunity to show all of Andrea's friends what an ass I am.

Love,
Jeff

Welcome to Da Blog!

2008-01-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

I've mulled this process of creating a blog over for a while now, and as usual, could never commit. But the stars must be aligned tonight, because I did it. Although it will start out simple I intend to add to this crazy creation with your help. I thought we could all catch up on our own time and enjoy a little chit chat too. Hope when you do stop by for a looksee you'll find something new and updated.