Weekend Update

So, it's begun. Little League Baseball season! Saturday was Opening Day. (Wyatt wouldn't let me take a photo of him at the field, so I got him in the back ;) ) And wouldn't you know it, my better digital camera (Sony Cybershot DSC-F717) went caput on Friday night. So I was left with my small digital camera, which while it's OK for everyday use, it doesn't have much of a zoom...orrrrrrrrrr, digging out my old film SLR. So that's what I did. And I loved it. I did take along my little digital for a couple of quick shots, but I hauled out my 300mm zoom lens for the SLR for some great shots of the day. However, the downside is that I have to have the film developed.

Anyway, after spending about 5 hours at the baseball fields, we went straight to double-header football games for Grant: won one, lost one. (Not sure why I'm fascinated with getting the boys' backs when they have their names on them.) We came home sunburned and tired, but it was a great day!

Sunday was "wake-up the tortoises" day! Finally it has gotten warm enough to bring them out of hybernation. They've just spent the last 5 months in a cardboard box, in the garage, on top of the freezer. But first, I had to fix up their pen out in the back: I was thrilled when I took the top off and we had weeds growing inside the pen! You see, desert tortoises eat weeds and grass and I hope to make their pen self-sufficient by growing both of those in there. DH hooked up a little sprinkler in addition to the drip line for their water dish, so hopefully we are all set!

Then later in the day, back to the baseball fields for a couple of hours more of practice. Tuesday night is Wyatt's first game...Kent and Kurt don't play until Saturday...CAN'T WAIT!!! I love this season! :)

Getting a little organized

It was...how many months ago?...I believe going on THREE, that I tore apart my Scraproom/Office to reorganize it. And it has been excruciatingly slow doing it. But I do have a few things done. Here's a photo of the black Ikea bookcase I got... the middle row holds clear Ikea boxes lined with Basic Grey paper. The bottom 2 shelves hold canvas bins I got for half price at the grocery store. They only had one green, but I think it works anyway. To the right is my stack of cardstock, with racks from Recollections.

I stored my foam stamps in these over-the-door organizers from QVC (on the left in the photo). I think I have about 10 sets in those pockets, by letter, and there is still room for more. I also still have my old Making Memories stamps on the magnetic boards to the right.

After reading The Big Picture (OK, well, I haven't read all of it), I decided to organize my embellishments by color - what an eye-opener that was!! I totally love it. Then I decided to do the same with my ribbon and I unrolled about 90 spools the other day (not done yet) and put those, plus my ribbon from boxes, bags, and vases into these large Ikea glass jars which sit on top of my black bookcase. I'm loving this too! I still have a few more things to do, and someday, I'm sure I will realize this whole venture has been worth it!

RAIN!

We've had 143 consecutive days without rain. The dust and allergens were getting unbearable. But finally, FINALLY, it RAINED!! Today it's been raining all day long and I totally LOVE IT! All of our sports got canceled today...something that would have taken away our whole day. Instead we have had a wonderful, lazy, cozy day inside.

The boys and I went out walking to see how flooded the green belts were and they looked like a lake. The boys were skipping rocks like it was a real lake (I don't think the gardener who has to mow that grass under that water will be too pleased).

I know, it sounds rather silly, to be excited about rain. But think about it...143 days with NO rain. That's more than 4 months, really almost 5 months! And I know the heat is coming soon...very soon, so I'm just happy to have this one last hurrah of cold and wet, before it becomes hot and dry for 6 or more months.

This begins the boys' spring break. Let's hope having them home for a week, while I'm tied to the computer doing the final 24 yearbook pages, doesn't break me.

Disneyland

Our trip to Disneyland was GREAT! I'm always soooo sad to leave...this time in particular since I know we won't be back again during the 50th celebration. *sniff*

Sunday was CROWDED! Ugh...hated it. We split up, as usual. Greg took the big boys and I took the little boys. They got in a few rides, but Kent, Kurt, and I mostly just wandered. We did Jungle Cruise and rejoined the others for Indiana Jones and that was about it. Poor Kurt...he had no idea what Indiana Jones would be like, but he wanted to go anyway because he thought he would see snakes. While we were standing in line waiting, there was a little video about the ride and he turned to me with big crocodile tears in his eyes, scared to death. It was really too late, though, to get out of line, so we just tried to make light of it. During the whole ride, Kent and Kurt kept their heads down and just tried to brace themselves. By the end of the ride, Kurt was crying and I had to carry him out. They both swore they were never going on that again!

Monday it started raining about noon. On Sunday we had made reservations to eat lunch at the Blue Bayou, the restaurant in the middle of Pirates of the Carribean ride. We had had experience with this...you couldn't just walk up and get into the restaurant, you had to make reservations way in advance. Anyway, it started raining right before we ate and by the time we got out, it was pouring. Now, I had done my duty and checked the forecast before we left Arizona, so we knew it was going to rain and we took our rain-gear with us. Well...the rain-gear that an Arizona family has anyway. And it wasn't much. There are no rain slickers in this household...only a few waterproof jackets. Or so we thought. I did bring 2 umbrellas though. (I'm so smart! ;) )

By about 3pm we were all starting to get really wet. Greg suggested we buy PONCHOS! I was in shock. I never thought I'd live to see the day that my reserved husband would wear a Mickey Mouse poncho! But desperate times call for desperate measures. However Kent, Kurt, and Grant thought it was too uncool to wear them so they continued to get more wet. But then we decided we weren't wet enough and chose to go on the river run ride at California Adventure...the day before, Greg and the big boys had spent an hour waiting in line to ride that. This time, we walked right on, no line at all. Because....it was RAINING, for gosh sakes! By the time we got off, we were soaked completely through and Kurt and Kent could no longer hold up. So we had to go back to the hotel. However, we had rented a locker at Disneyland and there was no way to go back to get our stuff and make it to the shuttlebus to the hotel in time if we all went together.

We stood there deciding what to do and Greg says "you go, I'll start walking with the kids." Now K&K had been sharing an umbrella since their jackets were dripping wet and unwearable. I had the other umbrella. But I also had a backpack and had to go to the locker and get another backpack, plus everyone's shoes. (The boys all have expensive and fairly new suede shoes so I insisted on bringing along their old ones in case it rained - see, SMART! ;) ) I knew I couldn't carry all that so I handed Kurt the other umbrella, put my poncho hood up and started off. All of a sudden I felt like I was doing a Roadblock from TAR! LOL Could I get into Disneyland, to the locker, carry all the stuff, AND make it to the shuttle bus on time? Yes!

Tuesday was perfect. No raining and very little crowds. We could walk onto almost every ride - AWESOME! We split up again and Kent and Kurt and I had so much fun. There was no pressure to ride on things we didn't want to ride on and we just went at an easy pace. We rode Dumbo in honor of my dad (my family went to Disneyland when I was 4 years old and the only thing I remember is riding Dumbo with my dad), and we went to the Tiki Room show in honor of Greg's mom (whenever we have gone to Disneyland, she would always tell us to go see the birds). We rode the Teacups and the train and went to Toontown. And as we walked, I realized that this wouldn't last forever. Kent and Kurt are my little buddies! And one of these days we will go there and they will want to go off with Dad and the big boys and I will be forced to tag along. *sigh* I sure hope it's not next time.

So I leave you with this photo. I told the boys to go stand by the "L" in California for our last name. I didn't even pose them...didn't they do good? A person standing next to me exclaimed "wow, they look like models!" Yep. :)

Football...the first game

They were big! And they were mean! And they were loud and obnoxious as all get out.  Talking about the other team, of course.  This is an 8-on-8 league and that other team was Pop Warner all the way.  We have 15 guys on our team, they had 25!  They were the Longhorns and they had a cowbell! (I said obnoxious, right?)  Their coach was a loud-mouth jerk living out his football aspirations through his son.  (Aren't I good at figuring everything out in just an hour?)

But we were tough and we hung in there.  Grant did AWESOME!  He had to play offense instead of defense because of another player's injury.  The coach said he did everything he needed to do and was very impressed and would never have guessed it was his first game.

I'll leave you with a couple of blurry photos (must get that new camera!)...Grant is the one in the blue socks. 

And we're OFF!

Busy, busy day today...Wyatt's last baseball game (for this league, Little League starts up immediately) and BBQ and Grant's first *sob* football game. I'm already getting jittery nervous about it. I think I'll keep my rosary in my hand the whole time. All you moms of football players...any advice?

Tomorrow we are headed to.......DISNEYLAND! We'll be there until Tuesday. I'm already having panics attacks worrying that I have to tape both AI and the premiere of The Amazing Race (any TAR fans reading this?) on Tuesday night. Crossing my fingers that all both the DVR and the VCR I'll have programmed works!

Oh, and the bootees on AI? Only sad about Patrick...I was hoping he would make the Top 12. He suffered from going first and having neither a great nor a horrible performance and so was unmemorable.

I might try to post again after Grant's game...but if not...see you all on Wednesday!

It's summer...right?

Well, at least spring...it's close here...the weeds are cropping up, the tortoises are almost awake, and pedicures are back on my schedule. So today, I ran across a whole new supply of fancy flip flops while out shopping...and I just could not resist! Good thing I just had my toes done...

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's been a nice day here! Valentine's Day isn't always great for me, but this year it's been perfect, so far. Last night I told DH I was buying him a Jacuzzi tub for Valentine's Day. It was on his list of home improvements to make, but wasn't high on mine, so as other things became more important, it slipped off. I had been saving up my scrapping money to buy a new digital SLR, but decided that he, and the whole family, could get more use out of a tub. (see post "football; tackle" below ;) ) This morning I came down to my office to find a shopping bag from a jewelry store on my desk. I really hadn't expected him to get me anything, so I was totally surprised! When I called him to thank him, I asked him why he didn't wait to give it to me in person tonight. He said he didn't want me to think he ran out to get something today after I told him about the tub. Hah. He knows me so well. ;)

This afternoon I helped out in Kent and Kurt's classroom for their Valentine's Party. I was in charge of the hat-making center. It can't get any cuter than this:

Tonight we are staying in and ordering Chinese food. We went to a Chinese food restaurant on our first Valentine's Day 19 years ago. I think we'll just get the boys fast food. ;)

And of course...American Idol tonight! Can't wait!! Remember, final 24 are revealed tomorrow night (I've already found a spoiler list with the names on it) and next week FIVE hours of AI! We'll all be hooked for sure by then!

Hope all my friends and family are having a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Football: tackle

I've been putting off blogging about this for a while. I was going to wait until his first game so I could put up some pictures. But, I think it's time.

My boy...my baby boy...my first-born...my sweet, smart, little child is.....playing TACKLE football! *SOB* I honestly thought I would never allow any of my sons to play tackle. None of them have ever really begged to do it, although I have always known it was Grant's wish.

But then, at high school orientation a few weeks ago, Grant and I found ourselves standing at the crowded sports sign-up table in the gym. As I looked over the sign-up sheets I would ask him "how about basketball or track?" as I prayed...please let it be track...or volleyball...or badminton..or...as he shook his head solomnly, No, to each sport. He is then eyeing the football sheet and I look at him...and step back ...and tell him I'm going out of the crowd back into the open gym...he can decide for himself.

So he came out of the crowd with a grin on his face..."did you sign up for football?" and he nods in quiet satisfaction. And I just nod back at him, knowing it's the right time to let him...and say a little prayer for God to keep a shield of protection around him. No, a big bubble, or wait, one of those force fields that Violet in The Incredibles does. Yes, that's what I pray for.

As soon as we get home that night, things get in motion. DH and I decide he should get in a football league right now, to see if he likes it and give him some experience before high school football.

Fast forward to today...he has been practicing for a few weeks and comes home looking like this or worse. He plays a lineman, so he gets to tackle a lot. He's been sacking the quarterback a lot. And today the other boys on the team told him he was the best "hitter" on the team. *SOB* again. I ask him repeatedly..."has the coach taught you the proper way to tackle?" and I finish in my head... so you don't get hurt...and he says, for the umpteenth time "yes mom, I know how to tackle."

But I still worry and still pray for...

First game is February 25. *little sob*

Weekend Update

Working backwards for the weekend...Just got home from a Super Bowl party. FABulous party with great friends! Grant's team is the Steelers and has been since they were here in the Super Bowl 10 years ago. A friend of mine and her DH are from Pittsburg and the DH's MIL was flying out here last week and my friend had her bring Grant an official Steelers Super Bowl shirt - so cool! We did the box betting game (I really have no idea what it's called and made up that name) and Grant won the first quarter, earning himself $25. So he had a great day!

Earlier today...a friend of mine wants me to customize her daytimer, so I experimented on mine. It's not an easy medium to alter since it's a faux leather and I didn't want to ruin it forever. But it also needed to be able to hold up to daily use. Anyway, here's what I came up with for mine : I actually laminated the paper before I put on the embellishments. Then I used spray adhesive to stick it down.

Last night we watched Cinderella Man - LOVED it! I rarely get to say that about a movie lately, but I'm a big Russell Crowe fan and this was just a great, great movie.

Yesterday was filled with sports...football practice for Grant, baseball game for Wyatt, and Little League tryouts for Wyatt. This is a hard year for Wyatt...he will either make Minors or Majors. I'm hoping he stays in Minors because I just really don't think he is ready for Majors. But he had an excellent tryout and I'm really proud of him for trying his best.

Friday night was Happy Hour with the girls. I had a headache, so I couldn't drink or stay long. Party Pooper am I.

And now we must return to the present and get another week started. Lots to do this week as I believe I will finally have time to tackle my scraproom and get it organized. Stay tuned...