1...2...3, Eyes On Me

Hip Hip Hooray!  It's a Skittle Day!

Life is good.  The kids are both enjoying school and love their teachers.  Parents and teachers are lining up to join the PTA and I'm enjoying my three beautiful hours of free time in the morning.

Of course, everything is not coming up roses....there has to be a thorn.  I have only made a few new friends so far.  I've been reminded that last year was special, it's only been five days and some people are intimidated by my personality beauty.  Thank you Keith for that clarification.

My afternoons with Mallory have been so fun.  She likes to clean mess up her room and watch My Little Pony.  Yesterday.....I gave her a little bag of animal crackers and when she was done, she asked me what they were made out of.  I said...Animals.

This is the look she gave me.

She insisted that I was kidding.  

I suggested that she should learn to read so that she could read the labels on her food.

Two hours later, she picked up a book and started reading it....out loud.  She was READING the book.

Five days of Kindergarten and my girl can READ!

See how smug she looks?  I think she's been reading for a while and holding out on us.

Poor Alex should get used to be taught.  Before bed last night, she was demanding that he have EYES ON HER.  Maybe she'll be a school teacher someday....

Linking up with Emmy Mom and Kmama for Proud Mommy Moments!

Sound The Alarm!

I can't wait anymore.

Somebody that I know.....works very hard on apps.  Somebody recently finished his first project that he worked on night and day with a small team.  It was somebody's baby!  Watching somebody work on it, was like watching a woman in labor but only if that woman were in labor for 10 weeks and you didn't get to know if it was a boy or a girl for another 2 weeks.

Just be glad that no one ever gets to rate your baby on itunes.

Ahem.  The app I want to tell you about today is this one.  Hoops and YoYo...Sound The Alarm!

You know those two obnoxious little characters from Hallmark right?  A few years ago, someone gave my kids a birthday card with these guys in it.  A audio card.  They played with it for a year!  They are entertaining in small doses or if you've had a cocktail.

This app is a timer/alarm with funny soundbites.  I use it to tell me to take dinner out of the oven, to wake up my kids for school, to remember to take my vitamins, when I put a kid on the naughty chair and to remind myself to have another cup of coffee.  Not really, I don't need an alarm to remind me to do that but the sound bites are funny!

Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee....get it right now.  It's time for a coffee break.  Get it right Now!

The kids love playing with it and it does get them out of bed in the morning.  You should get it!  It's only .99 cents.  AND if you like it, you should rate it on itunes and say something like...the guy that made this has the most amazing wife in the world!  And she's pretty.

Disclaimer: I was paid in sex for the review of this app.  

I'm Raising A Man

I'm starting out the week super busy so that I'm not sad that my kids are in school and I'm all alone!

This morning I'm meeting Denise from Eat Play Love for coffee at our favorite spot in Arvada.  Gosh I love this girl!  She's a lot Democrat....I'm a lot Republican, she's a little bit granola...I'm a little bit city girl but we get along great because we're MOMS with the same goals for our families.

Then...I have a hot date with the Colorado PTA office.  WOOT!

I'm telling you...PTA Membership Chair is the perfect job for me.   I love it!

I came across this on Pinterest yesterday and I thought it was fabulous.  Couldn't wait to share it with you.

First Day of the Rest of Their Lives

Oh what a great day!

The first day of school!

I have to tell you....my feelings were hurt when we told Mallory that she had to pick one of us to take her to her first day and she picked iKeith.  I've devoted my life to her every waking moment and when she picks her favorite.

It wasn't me.

Actually, I think if she'd had a real choice she would have picked Aunt Bobbi. But she's not here.

iKeith took lost of pictures and video but there is one picture that has me laughing so hard.

The Stink Eye.

This little girl was getting too close for comfort.

In the end, she was very happy and said she couldn't wait to go back.  YAY!

Alex also had a good day even though I was worried sick about being away from him all day.  I was really concerned about lunch for some reason.  He is undecided on going back.  HA!  I told him he doesn't have a choice.

Now the question is....what do I do now?

On Cloud Nine

I'm feeling so blessed today.

School starts tomorrow and we just finished two nights of Kindergarten Orientation.  Alex wasn't terribly excited to go back to school until he walked into his new classroom and sat at his desk.  We set his school supplies down, he introduced himself to his seat mate and waved us away.

Keith and I attended a meeting in the gym, sitting with friends.  Ironically, Keith and Dan sat and giggled like two 6 year old boys and Margaret and I had to keep giving them the evil eye.  We skipped the parking lot tour....we're pros this year!

I put my name on several volunteer sign up sheets.  I'm excited that I have more time to spend in the classroom....helping out.  More time.

What am I going to do with all of this time?  You can bet I've got a list going....that's how I roll.

I returned to Alex's classroom to find him in the front row singing and dancing with the rest of the class.   You could see the confidence on his face!  He fell right back into the routine and he's excited for school to start.  I couldn't be more pleased!

Last night, we left Mallory in her new classroom and I was afraid she was going to cry.  She's been so excited the last few days!  She couldn't wait to see her desk for the first time and seek out two friends that she'd hadn't met yet.  But then the moment arrived and she looked scared.

We forced ourselves to walk away.

We skipped the meeting in the gym.  I told Keith the night before if he found Mallory's teacher and got her permission NOT to attend again, we'd go to dinner.  Based on how quickly he completed this task....I'm guessing he really didn't want to sit through that again. HA!

We returned from dinner to find the happiest little girl I've ever seen sporting a sticker on her shirt for being the first student to find all of the items in the classroom.  As we stood on the playground, enjoying cookies and lemonade, the principal and new assistant principal came by to tell us how amazing little Mallory was in class.  Ninety minutes and they already knew her name!

That's my girl!

Keith and I are mentoring four new families this year.   It has been such a great experience!  Imagine getting to share your love for your school with new people and answering their questions and helping them through a fearful experience!  Now I know how Mormon Missionaries feel.

You're going to love it.  This school is going to change your life!  

Keepin It Classy

My in laws are in town.

Since they've been here I've cheated on my diet twice.  

I blame the wine.

That is Robert finishing the box.  We don't like to be wasteful.  And we're a classy bunch!

You Might Be a Blogger if....

you embarrass your entire family by chasing a guy down in the Target parking lot....... to get a picture of his shirt.

Someone may have asked me to never, ever do that to them again.

Also....

This guy doesn't watch The Bachelorette and didn't know anything about Emily and Jef (with one F).

Team PTA

I am drowning.

Drowning in paperwork after packet pick up on Tuesday.  I'm thrilled that so many people want to join PTA and there were so many generous people that made donations and then left little notes that said....NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN.  I heart those people!

We combined technology and PTA this year by having the ability to take credit cards!  We did it through Squareup.com and it worked beautifully....once I got the wifi at school figured out.  NOTE: We have since switched to Paypal because they have their own reader now and you can register as a non-profit and the fee is lower! 

A man must have put up all of the signs in the gym.  Notice the duct tape.  A woman would have NEVER used that.  Note to self: Next year bring packing tape.

My friend Jennifer is assisting me with Membership this year and we anxiously awaited 11am when they would let the line of people into the building.  Packet pick up lasts for 8 hours but there are some people that pride themselves on being first.  I think some people camp out.

So....things are moving right along and we're really busy at first and then there'd be a break and then busy again.  The day was going quickly!  Then an older woman that I'd met last year when she'd told me about how she adopted a beautiful little girl from another country, approached our table.

She comes up and she asks Jennifer...Are you helping your Mom out today?  I sat there stunned because I wasn't sure that I'd heard her correctly because I am hard of hearing because I'm so old.  Jennifer doesn't miss a beat, she tells the lady....No, my Mom is at my house watching my 6 year old and my baby.

The woman (who should know better than to assume something like that since she's at least 15 years older than ME) didn't apologize or join PTA.

It was really fun to have a front row seat to watch people open their packets to see which teacher they got and scan the list of students for best friends.

My brand new Kindergartener would like you to know that there are 7 days until school starts.

Are you ready?

It's Not So Bad

Today, is the 2 year anniversary of our family returning to Denver from our hardship tour in Utah.

It's been a great two years and we're so pleased with how things are going.  The kids are happy, we're all healthy and we love being in our hometown!

The thing I didn't see coming was that we'd still be in this apartment.  The day we moved in....I swore we'd get out as soon as humanly possible.  That time hasn't come.

There are really only a few minor inconveniences at this point and we love our low rent because it allows us to travel more.  Did I tell you that we're going to Universal Orlando and Animal Kingdom in November?  We also love the location near a lake,  nearness to our favorite restaurants and shopping and the swimming pool outside our door!

You'll be happy to know that the squirrel population has declined greatly.

Every year since we've moved back, I've taken a picture of the kids at Belmar Park.  I love this tradition!  Look how much they've changed.

Let Me Eat Muffins!

I really do have something cool to tell you about....but I'm waiting for a press release! UGH. I guess this is how things work and you have to be patient, which I am not.

In my absence from my blog this week, I've been getting ready for the first official event that means school is starting soon.

Packet Pick Up!

I can't wait to get my hands on that packet and fill my calendar with activities!  I'll also be signing families up for PTA.  Can't wait to make some new friends and have a great year.

Something interesting was brought to my attention this week and I just had to laugh.

Our school has Muffins for Moms and Donuts for Dads.  It's a time for us to go to the classroom and observe the routine for a short amount of time.  But first, we get a snack, a cup of coffee and a pep talk from the principal.

This year they are changing the names to Morning with Moms and Daybreak with Dads.

Are donuts and muffins offensive to some people?

I'm so tired of people telling me what I can and can't say, what i can and can't eat, and what I can and can't believe because they think it's offensive.  If you don't like a word, don't say it.  If you don't agree with someone's beliefs, don't believe it.  If you don't like guns, don't buy one.  If you don't like french fries in Happy Meals, don't buy them.

And just because my beliefs or opinions are different than yours...doesn't make me a hater!

Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred.
Jacques Barzun



What political correctiveness has got you shaking your head?

Things That Suck

Things That Suck

• being on a very low calorie diet while your husband is on his period.
• vacuum cleaners.
• being on a very low calorie diet while attending a birthday party.
• elephants?
• finding out that someone didn't do what they said they were going to do.
• 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.
• when The Young and The Restless doesn't record.
• lost mail.
• peeing 100 times during the night.
• rain on your wedding day.
• having to return library book that you haven't read yet.

Whew.

Glad I got that all out of my system!  I have something exciting to talk about tomorrow.  You won't want to miss it!

Broncos Camp is Here!

Back in the old days, The Denver Broncos used to hold training camp at The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.

During this time, I lived (with my family) right behind the college and the field where the team would practice.

My sister had an autograph book (do you still have it Bobbi?) and we would spent many summer days watching the team practice and trying to catch a glimpse of a young new player named JOHN ELWAY!

He was dreamy.

Several years later, he would walk past me in a bar and I would lose my shit mind with excitement!

I'm so excited about this years training camp and to see what Peyton Manning can do.  I also have a new player crush.  I saw him in photos this week from when the team went to the hospital to visit the shooting victims.  His name is Ben Garland and he is number 63!

Keith's number on the Lakewood High School football team was 63 and my high school boyfriend also wore the number so I think it's fate!

Go BEN!


If you are a fan of the Denver Broncos....you must click on the following link to see a super funny cartoon!

Broncos Camp is here!

Jef and Ari

I think this season of The Bachelorette was the hardest for me to watch.

I honestly wanted both Ari and Jef (with one F) to win.  I wanted Emily to pick them both, pack up and move to Las Vegas and get two houses right next to The Sister Wives.

I know the three of them could work this out and then Little Ricki would have two daddies AND a mommy.

I do believe that this is what Ari had in mind when he stalked Emily in Charlotte and left his journal on her doorstep.

   

Have you seen the new BlogHer TV thingy on the top right side of my blog? 

 It's pretty cool!

Our Song

Eight years ago, I married the love of my life.

Our life together has been like a dream that I never want to wake up from and I'm so proud to call this man my husband.

 I love you honey!

 

Paper Planners Make Me Giddy

You can roll your eyes at me all you want.

I can take it.

I know I'm not like other girls and that it's not normal to get so excited about a special package that is coming in the mail.  It wasn't wine, or chocolate or even a present.

I think giddy is the right word to describe how I felt when this package arrived last week.

Something tells me that the FEDEX guy has delivered a few of these around town because he handed me the box and then ran from my apartment like his pants were on fire.  I wonder if a few housewives have gotten amorous with him......because they are so happy.

I slowly opened the box.  I wanted to savor every moment much like you would a special meal or a special someone.  What does it say about me that I love my new life planner more than I love Christian Whatshisname.

I'm in love!

Do you use a paper planner? 

 Do you have an Erin Condren Planner?  

Do you love organizing and planning as much as I do?  

How do you feel about cilantro?

Disclaimer: I was not paid to blog about my planner.  I'm just super excited about it and wanted to share it with THE WORLD.  I may or may not be sleeping with my planner.  Do Not Judge Me.

Somebody Loves Me...or Pizza

To say that my daughter is excited to start Kindergarten is an understatement.  She was ready a year ago when her brother was getting ready to go.  She couldn't understand why he could attend she wasn't old enough.

This girl is so ready!

The other day, the kids were working hard on something that was TOP SECRET.  It ended up being a scavenger hunt for me and I had to find three pieces of paper that were hidden in different locations.  For a hint, I could push a button on my children and a robotic voice would give me a clue.

It took me forever to find them but it was worth it.

Each piece of paper had a drawing on it and the words I LOVE MOMMY.  This one was my favorites.

That is either a dog (or chicken) pooping.  We don't own either so it's wishful thinking on Mallory's part.

Alex has been communicating with me via the written word too.  During Mallory's gymnastic class this week he got hungry and decided to make a note explaining what he was hungry for.

And since he did such a great job....I ordered pizza for dinner.

Linking up with Emmy Mom and Kmama for Proud Mommy Moments.

How To Make.....

If you'd like to know what I did with all of this....

 click here.

Funny Friday

Super Fan

Did you have a great 4th of July?

We sure did!

I'd been looking forward to this day ever since we made our Summer Fun List because I had been given tickets to the Denver Outlaws lacrosse game.

What?  You didn't know that Denver has a lacrosse team?  I didn't either but I'm here to tell you that they do, they are awesome and you should go to a game yourself!

Sports Authority Field is a pretty amazing and I had never been so close to the field before.  Alex was telling me that he his tummy was tickling himself.  He was so excited!  We were sitting directly across from where iKeith's Bronco Season Tickets are so it was nice to picture where he hangs out during every home game.

Once the game got started....Alex (and maybe iKeith) only had eyes for these girls.  I decided my life will not be complete until I own pom poms and white cowboy boots.

Outlaws Dance Team

I couldn't stop watching the super fan that was dressed in a suit! I texted Aunt Bobbi a picture in hopes that she'd fall in love at first sight and get her skinny butt back to Denver.

The game was very entertaining and easy to keep up with.  The ball is small and they toss it back and forth a lot so you really have to pay attention. It's kind of like hockey on grass.  the Denver Outlaws won 17-13 against the Ohio Machine, and we were super fans ourselves when it was over.

The added benefit of being at this game was that it was one of a few places that was having a fireworks display.  Many of the shows had been cancelled because of the wildfires and fire danger in Colorado.

It was the most amazing fireworks show I've ever seen!  And the music they chose to go along with it was perfect.  My children were awe struck!

This could be our new 4th of July tradition.

Have you ever been to a lacrosse game?

Disclaimer: I was given tickets to the Denver Outlaws game.  I was not asked to blog about it or drink 3 beers at the game.  All opinions and thoughts and headaches are my own.

I'm At A Pay Phone

I'm at a pay phone tryin' to call home, all of my change I spent on you.  Where have the times gone, Bobbi it's all wrong, where are the plans we made for two?

My sister came to visit for four days.  We had a great time together and the kids were so excited that they thought they were going to the airport with me to pick her up.  Yeah right.

I spent 20 minutes circling the Denver International Airport (which is NOT in Denver, by the by) at 7am because of this sign.

There is no waiting, or stopping.  Even if the person you are picking up is moments away from coming through the door.  You must circle.

Our first stop was Winchell's Donuts and Starbucks and that's when we saw one of these.

Later we went swimming.  And a young boy was enthralled with Aunt Bobbi and her assets.

We went to Target because that's our favorite thing to do together and we got stuck in this chair.  Target now owns a hilarious video of us trying to refold the chair.  I hope it never makes it onto You Tube.

Aunt Bobbi watched the kids and iKeith and I had a date night downtown.  We had a lovely time and we established that I'm not fun anymore.  I think I'm just a nice Republican girl that won't do certain things.

Me and Bobbi went to see Magic Mike while iKeith took the kids to see Brave.  I can tell you that we liked our movie very much and we were tickled to see every male employee standing at the door to see everyone leave the theater.  I think they were looking for single girls in need of love.

I immediately wanted to go to an Army Supply Store and purchase some camo pants, a white tank top, black boots and hat for iKeith.  I told him not to be shocked if his pants suddenly have velcro closures on the side and the cheeks of his underwear go missing.

Instead.  We went out for cocktails.

And then iKeith took us on an ill fated trip to Target where Bobbi and I did our best Rachel Zoe impressions.  He will not do that again.  

Someone was very sad to wake up to find Aunt Bobbi gone.

Come Back Aunt Bobbi.  

Move to Denver.

We have pay phones.

Crafty Kids

iKeith and I had a rare date night last night.  Aunt Bobbi dropped me off on a street corner downtown and then I met up with my date.  We had drinks and food and more drinks.  We were talking about this one time that I went to rehab in Texas and were trying to remember when that was.  I pulled up my blog to verify the date and found this gem of a blog post.  Please enjoy this blast from the past when my kids were so little.

*****

Alex's booster seat has a hole in the top of it where a tray is suppose to fit in it, but we have him sit right at the table. He likes to stick things in the hole. Mainly....food he doesn't want to eat and his silverware.

Alex woke early this morning....

He's a lot like his Daddy and likes his sleep so I wondered what had him up so early. He couldn't wait for me to get him dressed and was really losing patience with me wanting to hang up his clean clothes before I removed him from his crib. As soon as I had him dressed he was down the stairs like a shot, not even going to get Mallory from her room.

Mallory and I came downstairs to find Alex munching on a piece of pizza from last nights dinner!!! He was sitting on the couch watching The Today Show enjoying his crusty piece of pizza. I'm guessing he had hidden it last night and couldn't wait to get to it.



I asked Alex where he got the pizza and he went to the kitchen and showed me his booster seat.



I just can't believe that he wanted MORE pizza because he ate almost half of a cheese pizza, part of an orange and a banana last night for dinner.

Just look at my silly little booger!



EDITED:

Hubby told a co-worker about Alex's antics and he suggested that child protective services should look into alleged neglect of a two year old that needs to hide food to stay alive. So I thought I would add a surveillance photo of the two year old victim stealing grapes from the kitchen.


Isn't it amazing the lengths that this child goes to in order to sustain his life?
And he is probably sneakin food to his poor starving little sister.....

A Saucy Minx and Wildfires

It's 6:05am and I'm headed to DIA to pick up this saucy minx.

Also known as AUNT BOBBI!

The kids have been counting the sleeps.

We're going to have so much fun we won't know what hit us!

**

Please pray for the cities of Ft Collins, Colorado Springs and Boulder.  Wildfires are ravaging precious land and homes.  I have friends and family in all locations and we need your prayers and good thoughts.  

Pray for rain.

Lots and lots of rain.

Other than that.  Colorado is open for business!

Dreaming About Orlando

I'm Friday Daydreaming about our NEXT family vacation. A vacation that I was moments away from buying airline tickets for earlier this week. Twice.

 Keith has been telling the kids that we will take them to Orlando to see Harry Potter's house. They talk about little else (except Aunt Bobbi visiting next week) because they get to ride on an AIRPLANE.

Credit 

Twice this week, I found dirt cheap airfare to Orlando in November.  We worked up a budget and we talked and talked about it.  Then....we measured our 5 year old daughter. 

She's only 45 and a half inches. 

She needs to be 48 inches to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  At this point....that ride IS the Forbidden Journey.

I suggested platform shoes and a bouffant hairdo.  

Instead, we decided to wait until she grows the 2.5 inches because we don't want her to miss out.

So I sit here.....dreaming about Universal Studios Orlando and The Hard Rock Hotel.

Linking up with my buddy Becca at R We There Yet Mom?

Time To Say Goodbye

It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon in Denmark and Helle should be almost home.  It's been a while since she's seen her family because she's spent the last year as my friends Au Pair.

For the last 9 months, she's been my friend and occasional babysitter.

I will fully admit that I judged her harshly when I first saw her.  I didn't think that the skinny blonde in the cut offs and high heels would have anything in common with me.  Heck.  I'm old enough to be her Mother!

It took a few weeks but we started talking and I discovered what a thoughtful and kind person she is.  She was so helpful during the school year, watching Mallory when I volunteered in Alex's classroom.  And she watched the kids a few times, so Keith and I could have more date nights together.

I loved our Girls Night's with the rest of our group. They normally took place after PTA meetings and we affectionately called them P (minus T) A Meetings.  She even came to one PTA meeting and that is when the rumor started that I was related to her Host Mom.  I love these girls like family!

My favorite memory  of Helle is when she came to my apartment during Christmas Break and showed me how to make traditional Danish Rice Pudding.  It will  always be our Christmas tradition.  We will always think of Helle.

I tried desperately to get her to marry my brother in law Robert before she left so that she'd have to come back and then she'd be my sister.  She declined.  She's got big plans to go to school and wants to be a teacher.  She's going to do great things and I'm so sad that I may never see her again.

Life....will not be as much fun without her.

Movies, Popcorn and Big Wheel Races

A couple weeks ago, our apartment complex put together an outdoor movie night right outside my patio.  I'm told that this is going to be a monthly thing and we couldn't be more excited!

We set up our blanket two hours before show time so that we'd have a good seat and I made multiple bags of popcorn.  We bought candy at the store and drank Cranberry Fresca.  Have you tried this stuff yet?  So good!

When I was at the store picking out popcorn I discovered that Orville has these cool new bags that are perfect for movie night!  The top is a clear plastic and after you rip it off....the bag is it's own bowl!  So handy.

You know how I like to observe people?  Well....I observed my neighbors (who have 4 kids) trying to make baby number 5 right in front of us.  AWKWARD!

For your viewing pleasure.  A short video of my kids being reckless on big wheels.  I have 911 on speed dial.....

I was not compensated for this post about popcorn. I don't even know Orville and he doesn't know me.

Dreaming Together

You are probably wondering where I've disappeared to.  I'll put it in list form in no particular order.

• Sick child that thinks she has bird flu. *how does she know what bird flu is?*
• The discovery of Dance Moms.  *I'm addicted*
• Husband working 14 hour days on an app. *i get to tell you about this one*
• The TV show Dallas. *connie passes wine coolers*

So....I've been tied up.  But not really tied up.  *connie bites her lower lip*

I just finished participating in a Twitter Party from EnlistMom and Pachas Pajamas where we were talking about our children's dreams.

Not the kind they dream at night.

The *what do you want to be* dreams.

It got me thinking about my childhood and what I wanted to be when I grew up.  There was a time when I was 8 that I wanted to be an Avon Lady.  I thought it was the coolest thing that we would go to this woman's house and she would hand my mother a bag of make up and perfume.  

When I was older.....I really wanted to be a hair stylist.  I was really good at doing hair and I loved getting my hair cut.  The gals doing it always looked so great!  Cute clothes and fun hair styles.  However, I was discouraged.  I was told that you have to do a lot of perms to make money.

Instead, someone else decided that I should be a Pilot and Air Traffic Controller.  Seriously? 

That dream was dashed when I failed my written test and could never land the airplane due to air sickness.

No one ever encouraged me to go to college.  Instead, my new dream became moving out of my parents house and getting married.

Now, my dream is fulfilled.  I'm married to a great guy and have the two best kids anyone could ask for.  I consider it my job to make their dreams come true and support them in whatever they decide they want to do.  

What is your child's dream?  What will you do to make it happen?