Nothing says love like a handmade gift.  Twice so far this month, I've been to Clay and Latte in Carmel Mountain Ranch.  The first time with to use a Groupon that I picked up.  It sounded like such a good idea in my head!  I thought that I would take the boys and we would have a grand time painting and laughing.  Instead, I encountered a little guy who - after a 15 minute picture of daddy - was D.O.N.E.  I spent the next hour trying to get him to paint a little more, stop picking up the ceramic pieces on the shelves, and sit in his seat to finish his plate.  I felt like I was trying to herd kittens.

The second trip was for the TWINKIE's 5th birthday.  I took four big boys with me (because that's how I do stuff) and they all painted a picture as Valentine's Day gifts.  The twist is that they each painted a gift for another's mom.  Lil Shawn made a Hello Kitten one for Ms. Grace, Gray made one for Ms. Sina, and I got a Bbbbbbeautiful blue and gold camera platter from my dear Stephen.  My favorite part of the session was when lil Shawn said, " Put the word LIFETIME on it.  My mom loves LIFETIME!"  So Sina ended up with a handmade platter that had a spam musubi on the front and the word LIFETIME with a heart on the back.  Gotta love these boys.

"This is DADDY."
Yup, looks exactly like him!

Next time I go, I'll remember a few things:

1) Let the little guy paint whatever he wants to paint.  It isn't worth the fight to argue that a platter is more useful than a ceramic sheep.

2) Ban the color black.  It ends up everywhere.

3) Ask the kids what they are going to write on the plates first.  Otherwise you end up with things like "Boom!", "Like A Boss", "Beast", and the Pepsi symbol.  (I may NOT follow this rule... it did make me laugh!)

4) Make sure to take pictures of all the finish products.  The plates will one day break or disappear, but the happy memories will last a lifetime.

5) Lastly... and most importantly... try to stop and enjoy the chaos.  It's an art project, not the building on the Titanic.  If they have fun and laugh and enjoy, it's worth the trip.

Hobbies and Honeys

In 2013, I WILL try new things.

Step one: Gather my honeys for my Beauty's birthday and get my whine and wine on.

The surprising part is that there was no WINE and no WHINE involved.  But there WAS Apple Sake  and sushi and lots (and lots and lots and lots) of laughing.  Hanging with true friends is like food for the soul.  

After dinner, we were off on our adventure of trying to connect with our artistic sides.  What started as blank white canvases turned into beautiful masterpieces of artistic ability and pure raw talent.  Ok, not really.  But it seems that we can all follow directions and paint by number.  It also seems that we are THOSE girls... the ones that keep talking and talking and talking.

Sitting right in the front row, we rocked it as the model students.  Here are the finished products.  I'm sure you will agree that these pieces should be displayed in an art gallery or part of the Little Italy Gallery Walk.  Alas, they aren't for sale.  There's no price tag on a product of perfection :) 

I'll only like it if it's blue and gold.
And, NO ... that's a lighthouse not...

Touchdown Time!

Luke 2:40 

And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  Ain't that the truth!

Although the hamster wheel seems to spin faster and faster everyday, events like this remind me to slow down and remember that - despite all the bad - there is so, so much good and right about this world.  Teba - You are a strong and beautiful person.  Congratulations on Baby M.  Let's get together for some fun to celebrate life, love, and all the "little" things in life. 

TOUCHTOWN TIME Friends!

Learn something new

New Year, New Sport.

Rugby is a little hard to get use to for me.  I mean, I don't know any moms that like to watch their sons get tackled, hit, and chased.  I must say that football was hard enough; now I have to hold my breath as I watch two 20 minutes halves of my guy running up and down that field hitting his friends.

BTW, he loves it.

I think that the part he likes is that he gets to carry the ball.  In fact, at the very first game of the season, he was the kid that scored the first try.  (I learned at the Rugby 101 class that a TRY is like a TOUCHDOWN... but five points instead of 6)   I also learned that rugby is, " A hooligans sport played by gentlemen."  Yup, they get pretty down and dirty on that field.

Coach says that there is a tradition that after scoring your first try, you're suppose to pour a drink in your shoe and drink from it.  I can say that he did NOT practice that tradition.  However, here is one that he does practices.

Behind the ear?   Gggggggross.  I bet it tastes like a combo of sweat and Axe spray when he puts it in his mouth.  Just sayin'...

HNY! TwentyThirteen has arrived.

When sis and I were little, we used to go to our aunt's house on New Years and play games and run around while the "grown up's" engaged in all out, no mercy games of tile.  Back to back, relentless, until new year's would literally come and go, and the ticking of the tiles would continue until the dawn.

When the moms and dads and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas took a break, the children would (try to) build castles, fortresses and roads with the tiles.  Shot down quickly, it was explained with great clarity that majong is not a game for kids.  The majong tiles are NOT toys.  The kids would listen a second, then run off to find something else to get into.  It was fun.  And easy.  And we never felt the need to sit and watch to learn the game that only adults were invited to play anyway.

The year 2013:  The "kids" have grown up, moved out, started families, paid mortgages, learned a bunch of new things and are now teaching their own kids about life.  It is really different , the world we live in now.  Gray says that he wishes he was in middle school when we were because he wants the option to "buy french fries and other good unhealthy food"  The big one says that it would be so hard to , "do school without the internet."  I went ahead and aged myself by stating (truthfully) that I didn't get my first computer until my first year in college.  After a moment of thought, the next question from that kid was,"Were you too poor to buy one?" Yup.  We for sure live in a different world.

But I'd like to think that some things stay the same.

For one: FAMILY.  Loud, messy,giving, obnoxious, sneaky, thoughtful , selfish/ selfless.  All the bad and all the good... it is what we are gifted with while we are here.  Everyone's tiles are different and there are a lot of different ways to play.  Some tiles need strategy to discard, while others are obviously not going to fit unless quite a bit changes first.  There are some sets that are established at the beginning and there is never a second thought of breaking the set apart.  Other sets get challenged when a different tile appears. Perhaps a tile that looks like it *might* make the whole set better.

Wait?  What are we talking about?

Never the less, life has changed.  The world is much smaller and much bigger than what it once was.  So everyone learns along the way and tries their best to stay focused and take care of the ones around them.

I have never taught my boys how to play majong.  They never watch because they are too busy running around with cousins.  I myself never got the official "tutorial" on this Asian Sport of Champions.  But I get the concept of discarding what's not needed and keeping the good sets in tact.  That's all I need to win.

We played majong on Christmas (it must be in the blood)  and will soon play sometime into the new year.  I'm hoping on seven pairs before the 6th.  And I'll only get rid of the ones that don't fit into the whole picture.

After all,  I might not know much about the challenges that my boys face as they grow up, but I do know what the winning picture looks like.  And that picture is perfect because all the pieces you don't need had been discarded.  

Duct out

A new addictive fade. The Val gals and I got down and sticky with some pretty creative new accessories.

Who needs new stuff when you can have someone make it for you... With love

Add the "easy" baking and I can chalk it up as a win.

Pin Me.

For what seems like years, friends have been talking about PINTREST.  But, since deactivating my facebook account (best decision ever, by the way) I really haven't been caught up in the hype.  After all... if you're not pinning, you're not posting, you're not tweeting and you're trying to basically fall of the radar, PINTREST is just another social media something- something.

It is not an obsession and will not overwhelm my life in any way. I've got three little boys to do all that.  However, it sure is great to look at shoes and dream a little.

PINTREST is my new happy place, at least for now.  The shoes and cleaning tips alone are an amazing escape when life feels like a hamster wheel.  I promise it won't bind me though!

Hit the reset button

Sometimes we just need a change in the scenery to change the mood, the energy.

They say that putting together a house is easy, but building a home is a little harder.  Not for me.   All I need are some window coverings, a colorful area rug, and some good old fashion love.  With that, I'll make this house a home.    The rest take care of itself, right?

Sons

I don't deserve the kids I have.  They are the fabulous and bring so much joy to me and everyone else around them.  They are messy and forgetful.  They (sometimes) miss assignments and leave dishes all over the house.  But they are kind and helpful.  They are respectful and they listen...sometimes the first time I ask.

I'm so blessed to be their mother.

Lord, thank you for all of the blessings in my life.  Amid the chaos and worries in life, I am reminded that you love me through the children you've given me.

Storm...

Loving the lyrics.  

Bad weather...bring it on.

Thank you Lord for the blessings.  My heart belongs to you.

Stolen.

These boys have stolen my heart.  What a great group of kids that my son is surrounded by!  I hear then laugh, play, joke, and argue (Mindcraft on X Box) and it just makes me happy that he has such great friends.

I met my best friend when I was about my son's age.  What started as a "little childhood friend"  developed into a life long friendship that I still very much cherish to this day.  That is my wish for the boys: Lifelong, lasting friendships.  There are a lot of bad things in this world, but when you're lucky enough to find real friends, hold them close and cherish them.  It is just so rare in this life...

Thank you Lord for the wonderful friends you have surround my children with.

I'm looking forward to watching this little bunch grow up to be a big bunch :)

Saturdays...

I can't think of a better way to spend my Saturdays :)   Week two, win two.  It's so much fun to cheer for a championship team.

V.I.P. in July

Donarie, SYTYCD, Wicked.

Growing up, I watched boxing because my dad was totally into it.  I don't remember much; I don't remember having a favorite.  But I did learn a lot about the sport.  So sitting in the second row of the Donarie fight this summer was a simple treat.  The day trip to Los Angeles in Irish's  G- ride and dinner for Scone's #1 was a perfect way to spend QT with good peeps.  We even got to watch Kelly Pavlik woop on some guy with a loud girlfriend, which made it that much more memorable.  A second row seat, with no one in front of us = some great seats for a great fight.  Good times with good friends.  Mrs. MM sure is a hottie... although she was over dressed for the occasion .  (Ha, so was I.  Note to self:  Jeans are appropriate for the next fight we attend.)

The same week as the fight, Sissy, Lei Bear and I went to LA (again) to visit Trashley.  She has worked on So You Think You Can Dance since the first season.  She went from Mother Hen to producer and now has her own cutie pie office in the NBC studio.  Each season, Sis and I make the trip to West Hollywood to hit up the Grove and (not) stand in a long line for a seat at a live taping.  Lady Gaga was the guest judge last year, we've seen Katie and Suri, Portia and Ellen, and have met all the dancers, judges, and choreographers.  We get a really cool VIP pass that we wear on our necks.  We go backstage and take pictures.  But the honest highlight is always driving up with Sis, hanging with Ash, and eating, shopping, and getting dolled up. The highlight this time around was watching Sis and Lei Bear go paparazzi on the cast of Dance Moms.

The night we watched Donaire fight, No Neck had purchased tickets to Wicked for Sissy's birthday.  A great surprise for her that I did NOT get to engage in.  No worries though because I was presented with two surprise tickets to the show the closing night in San Diego.  The seats were dead center.  The seats were in the orchestra section.  The seats were A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Needless to say, I feel like a VIP.

BFF's

The little guy always tells me, "Mommy, you are my best friend."  That is the best feeling in the world. When sissy's oldest was a tad younger, she once told me that we could be best friends.  And the front of the wedding invitation that I sent out more than ten years ago said, "Today I marry my best friend..."

When I was in the 5th grade, I met a girl that would indeed become my "BFF" growing up.  In fact, we did everything together until the day that I lost her and her daughter in 2007.  That was hard time for me.  But as I fast forward to today, I have some realizations about friends that I think I would only know through the experiences that I've had over the last few years. 

Big lesson learned:  Some friends come and go.  Some become the causal coffee date twice a year, some become Facebook friends (my knowledge of them is limited to what I see on FB), some become situational  (my football season friends, my jiu jitsu friends, my workout friends, the neighborhood friends) and some kind of just disappear. 

Then there are the ones that simply pick up where we left off, regardless of time.  I love those friends.  

Of course, there are the friends that are there whenever you need them.  One phone call, one text message, one reach and they appear.  In fact, I know they are true friends because I don't need to reach out; they are simply there for me. 

 There are also the "friends" that betray because they have ulterior motives and selfish intentions.   Although that is a tough and painful situation, it shouldn't be hard to let go because things like trust and honesty are replaced with manipulation, deception, and ill intent.  Even as an adult, it is sometimes hard to figure out which friends you can trust and which ones simply do not have your best interests at heart. I tell my students all the time that "it gets better after middle and high school," but I don't know if that's true.  Friendships, relationships are complicated things.  Even as adults, we need to be careful and cognitive of the choices we make.  By indulging in selfish and self serving choices, we could be harming someone else in a painful, drastic and permanent way.  Without details, I'll say that through painful experiences comes epiphany.  It was hard to bury my BFF and her daughter, but through that pain, I learned a valuable lesson:we must cherish the relationships we are given.  Keep them close to our hearts and don't jeopardize trust and honesty for selfish purposes.  It isn't worth it to gamble no matter how much we justify it in our minds, apologize later, or engage in acts of service to try to counter the selfishness.  

I'm thankful for the lessons I'm learning regarding relationships.  

I'll end by telling you about one friend that has always been loyal, faithful, honest, and serving.  His name is Tony.  Tony has always had my best interests at heart.  He has always had my back.  He always has time to spend with me and I know that when we are together, he values that time.  In fact, he makes me feel like I am the highlight in his day.  It feels good to be able to talk candidly about things and know that Tony is listening and will not violate my trust by retelling the story to someone else.  Heck, he'll even keep my feet warm in the winter.  Gotta love that.

Yup, he's a mutt.  But he's the real thing. 

Pandora

My new favorite station on Pandora is the Coldplay station.
Beautiful sounds throughout the house to lift the spirits and calm the nerves.  I'm working on not being anxious for anything for there are few things in life that we actually control.  The rest is fate.

For you: the one that needs a lifting of the spirit and calming of the nerves.  Here's some something beautiful from a lovely Oasis.

Zombies...

The new obsession in my house:  No Zombies.

We are all addicted to killing zombies, using the supplies (that come in forms of boxes when a zombie is shot) to stock the stores that are built, and generating money from the sale of supplies to make more businesses.  I know, I know.  But we are addicted.

It's funny that I wait and wait and wait for summer vacation to arrive, only to fill the "free time" with games that don't make any sense.  But it is fun competition in the home and we all like to laugh about how "stupid"it is (yet none of us can put it down)   I'm sure it won't last long, but how can I give up when there are still citizens that need my help?

Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming...

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, VA.

My boys are water people.  I learned this very early when, at age three, my 11 year old got in the water without a floaty to "swim."  Of course, he hadn't had lessons yet, so he couldn't swim.  But he was fearless and soon learned on his own.  Since then, it's hard to keep the boys out of the water.  Little fish, I like to call them.  They also love sea life.  

We visited the aquarium on a recent visit to Virginia.  It's a hands on, interactive museum complete with an IMAX theatre and great examples of sea life.   All my boys enjoyed seeing the sharks, jelly fish, and turtles.  We watched a quick file on the life of a polar bear and I almost cried.  Love those furry killers.  

Watching Tanked and Fish Tank Kings has given me a better appreciation of what kind of care it takes to take care of a fish tank.  We've had a tank in our home for 14 years, but it hasn't been until recently that I have really come to appreciate the time, commitment, and passion it takes not to kill all the little Nemos. 

 Equipped with my fantastic plastic (aka the Nifty Fifty) , I was able to capture a few images.  Enjoy.

Bunk Bed

Bunk Beds

The time has come for the little boy to be a little man, so to say.  The little guy has officially transitioned from a small crib mattress on the floor in the master bedroom, to his own “big boy bed” that he shares with his “favorite” brother.  We had to take the ladder off because we are discouraging the little one from climbing on anything.  Yeah, he’s THAT kid.  

It has been working out pretty well.  The bed is covered with a blue Thomas the Tank Engine comforter with a matching pillow.  He’s totally into it. 

As for the kid that sleeps on the top bunk, well, he is accepting his new roommate with as much patience and grace that an 11 year old boy can muster.  I’m really lucky to have him because he can teach me a lot about controlling my temper and doing my best to put my best foot forward, despite circumstances that can’t be controlled.  After all, he went from having his own room to having a chatty 4 year old serenade him to sleep nightly with talks of tank engines and floppy puppy stuffed animals.  

As ever, the family is on a roller coaster ride with the end of another school year behind us.  We got into such a groove with sports and school that sometimes I thought I might be running in a hamster wheel all day, just to fall asleep at night and get back in the wheel in the morning.   In January it seemed like it will be F.O.R.E.V.E.R. until the summer time came.  But as  I type, I can smell the fragrant aroma of June, with her SPF 50 sunblock and ocean air.   Summer is always a great time with friends and family helping us celebrate.

Those last few weeks,  I kept getting up in the morning and running in my wheel and so did the rest of the family.  At night time, we continue to get out of our wheel and climb into the bunk bed with trains and floppy puppies.   

Lulu Lemon and the Mantras we live by

The manifesto.   I love it so much that I wrote my own.

I won’t share mine on this blog, but I will say that I focus on what’s important to mental and physical health:  Faith, Family, Education, Activity, Children, Honesty, Truth.   I’ve been reading my manifesto everyday lately to remind myself of what is important to me and where my energy should be spent.  That said,  I sure am ready for summer vacation, a little bit of rest and sun, and a chance to sweat it out in my Lulu Lemon gear.  

When you try your best, but you don't succeed

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to Fix You.