Christmas blessings

A time to reflect. I'm so thankful for my little family and my extended one too. We were able to get together with friends and most of the Riggins Family on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Christmas together. We played the number game and Bingo for White elephant gifts and the kiddos all got to play together. Although my kids smiles are cheesy I love them just the same. We got to spend time with the Cafferatas/Mickelsons last Saturday and the Jackson side on Christmas Eve. We saw the in-laws on Christmas after opening presents and then went to the Wally's before heading up the hill to exchange presents with my parents and sisters family. I'm just so happy they are in my arms and in my heart. Seeing them happy is the best Christmas EVER.

Hubby got: a Columbia fleece vest from his parents, Video game and sweat shirt from my parents, a long sleeve Cabellas waterproof camouflage shirt, a sweatshirt and a docking station/radio, about $50 in Starbucks gift cards and other stuff I can't remember.

Hollywood got: IPod Shuffle, Portable DVD player, CD Clock radio, scene it game, The dangerous book for boys, video games, and lots lots more.

Blondy got: IPod shuffle, projector drawer, portable DVD player, Scene it game, Book about backyard bloodsuckers, video games and lots, lots more.

I got: Cindi of course! The hubby also got me a new camera bag and GUITAR HERO and a Guitar! My MIL and BIL got me a Jim Shore Santa figure I've been dying for and a beautiful Xmas platter from *the boys*. My sis got me a cute bath set since were were doing sustainable Christmas for each other and not buying anything new for each other we had to find something around our house that we don't use but know the other would like. Mom and dad got me a guitar and guitar hero III so then I had two guitars and two games so we could BATTLE against each other. So much fun! Hubby also got me some treats from fleet feet like a Gift card, a 26.2 sticker, a runner girl mug, some mint chocolate GU and a marathoner license plate cover.

We had a great Christmas. It wasn't as expensive as other Christmas's and we were fine with that. The best present was being together and making these memories. We also booked a 3 day jaunt down to the happiest place on Earth for a little vacation in February but haven't told the kiddos yet. I think we'll just throw them in the car and drive til we get there.

Through the Looking Glass

Having a new puppy was supposed to be exciting and frustrating. It has been both. We changed her name to Cinnamon Dulce Latte (actually her Stage name is still Daisy). We call her Cindi or Cindi Lu Who from the Grinch. She is such a cuddler and snugly. She loves to kiss and lean against you. She LOVES to sleep in the bed with us. She didn't know ANYTHING but she picked up on sit quickly and she only had an accident the night we brought her home.

I'm using some of the techniques that BFF's dog whisperer gave her including keeping her on a leash when she's on the house to limit where she can go and utilize the time to teach her. I just keep her attached to me and use circumstances that we come upon as teaching time. Of course I work on her separately too to get her used to basic commands and positive reinforcement. She is doing well. Now the boys think its fun to yell at her when she I am teaching her something and then wonders why she doesn't listen. I try to explain it them but then five minutes later they are doing it again.

Overall she has been great. The kids love her, the dogs are getting used to her. I ran with her today and she did well enough for her first trip out. She is so sweet and gentle that its amazing that she has had little human contact. She jumped right into our family even though some think we're crazy. I'm in love with her and she's in love with us.

Daddy?

We were sitting on the couch the other night and Blondy was across from us on the other couch. Hubby had the remote so the TV was on the Outdoor channel...

I hear Blondy say:

blondy:
Daddy?

hubby:
Yea bud?

blondy:
Do you ever feel bad when you shoot
the animals?

hubby: No
(cautiously)

blondy:
(very
seriously at first) You
are a bad, bad man... (giggles)

Yep, he's a crack up all right. Does he want to NOT go hunting with his daddy? Heck no! He just might feel a little bad on his first kill that's all and that's OK... as long as I'm not there to cry MY eyes out.

So long, so much to say

Our computer got infected with Adware and had to be taken to the "Geek Squad" for rehabilitation. For a week I've been struggling then missing my sweet computer. Of course I tried talking the hubby into just buying a laptop but I knew this is not the time for that. I have more important BIG TICKET ITEMS in the mix first, like a new camera, a bed frame, mattresses for the boys, Hubby's elk hunting trip, Christmas... you know the usual. I'm a bit worried about this economic breakdown we're having in the US and the hubby seems rocked but not faltered by it. He did get depressed after talking to our financial planner and finding that our retirement fund has dropped by 25% in the last six months. I tried to remind him that this $ will be there for another 25 years and by GOD it had better grow. Buying a lap top now is not in the mix. ahhh... I'll just have to keep blogging on the days he's at work.

Family News. The boys have lots of fun field trips coming up. Hollywood is learning about the Maidu Indians native to this part of California. I've only printed like a million pages or so of info on them. Third grade is all about our County and its heritage. We will be going to the Gold Nugget Museum in Paradise next week for a field trip. Blondy played the main part as the OLD Johnny Appleseed in his class play last week and Grandma Margie got to join us for the performance and she loved it. I'm so glad she's getting out doing things she's always wanted to do. The hubby is preparing for his 2 week backwoods adventure with his dad, brother and buddy in Colorado. I get heart palpitations just thinking about it, both the being alone with the kids that long and worry that something might happen. I get that from my Grandma Riggins, I can't help it but I need to not dwell on it as much. UGH my stomach just turned again.

Me? well mostly all the same. I'm gearing up for photography season, colors changing, families preparing for Holiday pictures and such. I'm hoping to get some senior pix done too. I run my second official half Marathon (mary) on Sunday and I hope it doesn't rain. I need to look over my clothing since it will be cool in the morning, much cooler and perhaps wet even for the Sacramento Cowtown Half Marathon for the Leukemia Lymphoma society. I ran 16 miles last weekend... all at once! After the race I will be headed to Yuba City for my friends baby shower. Its killing me that they decided to wait to find out the sex of the baby. I can't wait for anything. I don't like surprises, er... I don't like having to wait for surprises but if they are just flung on me (ahem... the Emily factor) I love them to pieces.

It is October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check your boobies for lumps or changes. Schedule your Mammogram if you haven't yet. I'm already signed up for San Francisco AWBC and I'll let you know when my site is up and running. That's my life at the moment!

OH I almost forgot. Good neighbor, the one who swore up and down that she's not a runner... will be RUNNING the 5K for the Almond Bowl in a few weeks. I've converted another one. YIPEE!

Labor Day Weekend

The FFP is working a 72 hour shift this weekend so I get the kiddos to myself. Hopefully tomorrow we will head up to the parents house so I can get my 4 miles in before my long run on Sunday.

All in all school year has started off on the right foot. Hollywood really likes his class and his teacher. He's reading a bunch and doing GREAT in math. I'm so proud of him. Although we are only two and a half weeks in we have yet to have a problem with our chatter box.

Blondy got a wonderful teacher too. She is so sweet and creative. Just what he needs. He is having issues with his penmanship but we are working on that. He always comes home with a funny story from (the Barry Patch) class.

The other day Gpa Deual taught the boys this little rhyme he learned as a boy. Here it goes:

Birdy, Birdy in the sky

Please don't poop in my eye

I don't care, I won't cry

I'm just glad

that elephants don't fly

Blondy has told everyone possible this little gem and repeats it several times a day. Lucky us!

If you want to hear another funny but true story about the crazy girls at our local gym head on over to my other blog to hear all about the Thursday Night Princesses

I'm having a pretty darn good day

My kiddo's had a great first week of school. Blondy doesn't seem to mind being at school all day long although I do need to figure out how to get him to eat more while he's there. He loves his teacher and has lots of new friends. His teacher is very artistic and I'm looking forward to the things he brings home this year.

Hollywood has a wonderful teacher and is so excited about 3rd grade. He's picking out challenging books and looking forward to a year of new and exciting adventures. I'm so excited for him. He has some of his really good friends in class with him and some in other classes too. Thats putting us in a position to meet new families and make new friends as well. One of Hollywoods friends is getting a new little sister this winter and all the kids (and parents too) are super excited about it.

I feel like they are prepared. Although we didn't do anything specifically educational we did do a lot of reading and looking up on the Internet about animals they are interested in or just talked about how things aren't the same here as in China where the Olympics are being held. We talked about sports and they swam in the local summer team program. I am so proud of them. They are becoming strong independent and sweet little boys.

Today we took them out and bought them new shoes and new socks. They are pretty full on the clothes front so I thought I would wait a few weeks to see what they needed after the crowds part a bit. They will need pants but its still 100*F out there. OUCH! I hate to even have to ask them to try them on. I will need to buy something before pictures next week I guess since nothing they own is a solid color.

Now next week the real homework piles on. I think I'm ready.

6 and counting

Blondy and M. at our favorite Starbucks.... we're so sad she's moving away :(

What a year this has been. Blondy has lost two teeth. Survived 9/10th of his Kindergarten year so far and undergone tests galore for his migraines. He has grown so much, inside and out. He is the most generous little boy with hugs and love and kisses still and I will be so sad when that slows or stops.

His sixth birthday was a lot of fun (well the beginning and the end anyway. I woke up and fed the boys pancakes (which I burnt the first set of), took them to school by bike. Blondy and I took a bike ride with a stop by our local Starbucks for a "vanilla milk" and our favorite bartista M. was there. She made the whole store sing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to him including the customers. He pretended to be embarrassed but he totally loved it. Blondy wants to go to Chili's for dinner and M. works there too. She said she'd see us tonight.

We took the bike path home making a big loop around this side of town. What a nice day. FFP came home and we were walking out the door to take Blondy and his cupcakes to school and I dropped them. All 18 vanilla frosted cupcakes all over my carpet. I sent the boys off and I frosted the last 18 I had in the freezer and steam cleaned the carpet while they were gone.

FFP had accidentally washed his phone the night before while he was at work after a fire. bummer. So he spent most of the afternoon getting a new one. It sounded like a great time. I'm glad I wasn't with him!

He came home and we took the new set of cupcakes to school then headed off to Paradise for Drew's birthday party. He turned 5 the same day Jack turned 6. They had a pirate party including a treasure map that led to buried treasure. It was hot.... really really hot. Jackson got so hot in fact that his headache turned to a migraine and when he gave me that sad "mommy I don't feel good" look I rushed him outside knowing that he was going to be sick. And he did. In their planter box in the front yard. (sorry Darren). Luckily he only had water. He slept all the way home and for about an hour afterward. He didn't even care that there was presents for him in the living room.

When he awoke he looked over his presents. I'm not sure why we bough him a bike. All he cared about was the Darth Vader Helmet that is a voice changer. He has been walking around saying, "Join the Dark Side" and breathing heavy for the last 4 days. LOL. He also got the original Star Wars trilogy and some books, a new helmet and a Webkinz from his brother and Gma and Gpa Riggins got him Darth Vader's light saber. Another hit. Annie, Uncle Bri and his cousins got him PJ's and a bridge for his train set. My living room has been taken over by Star Wars and GeoTrax.

We went to Chili's for dinner but the wait was an hour. We went in to talk to M. at the bar and then outside to wait for the family, Annie, the cousins, Gma and Gpa Riggins were coming since Annie, the cousins and Gpa were headed up to Washington on Sunday morning. We were trying to decide if we should go or stay when the hostess came out to say that we could be seated shortly. M. worked her magic and got us seating. Its good to have friends in high places. LOL. We ate yummy food and treated them to a nice dinner. The staff including M. sang to Blondy, he was beaming. Overall it was a nice day. Blondy got what he wanted and had a nice birthday.

Saturday we went to Paradise to help Sista(Annie) packed so she could go home. Ssg GI Bri will be coming home from Iraq soon and they had to get up to Washington and get the house set up before he comes in. I'm so sad. I've had almost a year to spoil and love my niece and nephews. I can't believe they are so far away again. Anyhow after Hollywood's many blowups and meltdowns it was time to say goodbye and go home. They were essentially packed and ready to go. Gpa Riggins loaded the truck to the hilt and the van was jam packed with stuff. They left the dogs in Pds since they don't have a cyclone fence yet. They will be back in July and will take them home then... I think. LOL

Sunday we had a swim party for Blondy out at Gma and Gpa Mickelsons house. We invited Good Neighbor and her kids and David from down the street. Uncle B and Aunt R came. We ate watermelon and strawberries and pineapple. Blondy didn't want cake he wanted pie for his birthday so we sang to him with six candles in a berry pie. He wanted sherbert too. He is a boy after my own heart. He got a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble, Star Wars toys, clothes, a squirt gun and two more webkinz, a golden retriever and a beagle. So cute. Overall he had a great weekend and although it was bittersweet with Sista and the kids gone, we can't wait to see them in July, and are looking forward to our vacation to the Seattle area in August.

Temper Tantrum Diverted... until further notice (or Dinner)

The morning temper tantrum was diverted although I am still unsure how... it just didn't erupt like the volcano I imagined. All in all they were very good... so far. We will be taking an adventure across the street for some Mommy time with girl friends while they play with their girlfriends (I'm in Charge (age7) and I'm 5 going on 21(age5) and of course Slugger (age 2). I'm 5 going on 21 has boys all figured out and It wont be long until I have to watch my boys VERY closely when they are around her. But thank goodness for I'm in Charge who will not let anything happen beyond her control.

I am so thankful to have friends so close, with kids close to my kids who don't mind me doing things like.... throwing up on their kitchen table or my kids throwing up on their front porch or come to think of it my kids as babies throwing up a whole bottle of formula at a Tupperware party. LOL. She still loves me even though it seems that we do have an allergy to her house. We have also received our fair share of germs from over there but they have a much larger back yard and not a dog to contend with so our time is better spent messing up and cleaning up over there.

Back to tantrums... the good thing about the Good Neighbor is that she doesn't mind at all and I don't feel guilty just packing up and walking out the door if things get hairy. I do feel bad when our time gets cut short but since it seems we will be here for awhile the Good Neighbor and I will continue to have girl time! Gotta love early morning walks and tea while the kids are at school. Stay tuned for the adventure to "Diego" live in Sacramento with all 5 children over Labor Day weekend. That should be fun.

Good news to report of course it comes with bad news to overshadow it but it seems that Smokin' Sista, Princess Nani and the Triple Threat Ty will be coming back to California shortly. My BIL will most likely be deployed to Iraq within the month to come and although I miss my Smokin' Sista terribly I would rather have her in Washington with Staff Sgt GI Bri safe and sound then him over there with all has been going on for the last few years, you know that war that I won't get into because my stance isn't necessarily my friends stance and I will not talk politics here if I can help it. LOL.