HOLY SH&%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that title says it all.

I am happy/lucky to be bringing you this post from the safety of my home, and not from a random motel off some interstate in God only knows where.  Because that's where I could have been...if not for my Dad who BAILED ME OUT BIG TIME.

This morning I was on the phone with my sister talking about her new family member arriving at their house today (picture below).  I told her that we had a football game and then a birthday party to go to in the bay area, so it was going to be a busy day.  While we were chatting about all things important (I'm sure)...that is when it happened.  I grabbed my necklace to put it on and it dropped in the sink.  I GASPED out loud and said, "Oh my God!  That was close!!"  As I reached down to grab the necklace that was circling the drain in my sink, it slipped and fell straight down the drain.

Meet Ellie.

You know that feeling of fight or flight?  Do I stay and think of a game plan to somehow saw the sink in half to retrieve the necklace???  Or do I just get in the car and keeping driving until the authorities find me???  It's bad when you sit and really ponder the second question with more thought and detail. 

Heart pounding, immediate pit in my stomach I decided that the drain looked like it could be friendly enough for someone to take it apart and be put back together again.  I felt that if I had a few words with it, it might understand that being cooperative was really the best deal for both of us.  Because to lose THIS necklace....would be bad.

Here's the deal, or history behind the necklace.  I got the necklace.....wait for it....wait for it....when Rich got home from his bachelor party in Las Vegas.  Yep, that same thought you're having now right now was the same one that went through my mind when he placed the Tiffany's box in front of me upon his return.  I remember just staring at the box thinking....I want to know what is in there soooooo bad, but I don't want to know what he did to warrant a gift like this.  It must have been pretty bad, because this guy doesn't part with a penny easily and I am pretty sure this wasn't cheap, which means he felt guilty.  And with guilt, comes diamonds.  This can't be good. 

I have to say, I really don't wear the necklace often.  I only started wearing it again because I went away with some friends a couple weeks ago and told them the story behind the necklace and one of the ladies wanted to see it, so I wore it to work to show her.  Since then, I have been wearing it everyday.  And let me also take the time to say this....I don't wear nice things because I tend to lose them.  Not that this necklace is the hope diamond or anything, but other than my ring, it is the nicest gift in jewelry that I have received.  I rarely wore the necklace for fear that I would lose it, so I started saving it for nice occasions only.  Yeah, but here's the thing...when you are a teacher and you don't really have a life that lends itself to nice occasions, those times were few and far between so I said screw it and started wearing it again!  And that almost came back to bite me today.

When my Dad showed up at Matt's game I basically begged him to come over and help. He said he would and I told him that we needed to devise a plan because I needed to head to a birthday party, but be back in time for him to come over before Rich got home.  If the plan worked...why would Rich even have to know this little accident happened???  And then I remembered them....Matthew and Ryan.  Those little sh&%'s have sold me out before and it was only a matter of time before they did it again.  They were probably chomping at the bit to tell Rich because of all the times I ratted them out to Rich about something they had done!  They were almost giddy at the prospect of me going down.

Football was tough...we had our first loss today.  I think I took it harder than Matthew.  We headed to Pleasanton and had a great time at the birthday party.  My friend Emilie's boys turned 1 and 3 and she had a superhero party for them.  It was beyond cute and a reminder for me why we don't do birthday parties.  Look at these capes....every kid had one. 

 

My dad met us at our house and within five minutes my necklace was recovered.  Grateful doesn't even begin to describe my feeling.  Because to be honest, in my thought of fight or flight....I was thinking the flight plan was weak because it really would have been a matter of time before Rich cancelled my credit card and then there's the whole thing of him being able to find me easily...yada, yada, yada.  So, for now I am safe.  However, I may have to change where I take off  and put on my jewelry from now on.  Who knows how many times those pipes can be taken off and put back on again.

D-Land with Friends!

Last week we headed to Disneyland to get one more trip in before our passes expired.  Lucky for us we were there with two other families, and so it just wasn't the four of us going together on the same old rides over and over.  Nope, these other families have small children too, and even better....their kids aren't afraid of big kid rides.  So, naturally, my mother's instincts kicked in and I thought to myself---What better way to get our kids on new rides than peer pressure from younger, smaller kids!  Genius, right???  Because at this point, I have no shame.  We go on the SAME rides over and over and getting the boys to try something new is like an act of Congress.  So, when I had these adorable little friends at my disposal to make my boys feel ridiculous for not going on the rides that clearly they had met the height requirement for, I was not going to miss this chance.

To be honest, we hadn't been this excited to go in a while.  Cars Land opened in June and we were so anxious to get down and see all of the new rides and fun stuff that was there.  On Sunday morning, when we arrived at 6:15am (yes, you read that right), we were able to have early entry for Cars Land and get a jump on Radiator Springs Racers because the average wait time was around one and half to two hours.  With the early entry, we thought we would be able to get a jump on things.  And, let me remind you...this was all planned out.  The three families had gotten together for a Disneyland/Cars Land Planning Committee to map out and plan our attack so that we would use the time wisely.  There was a full on plan!  And at approximately four minutes after Cars Land opened, the plan was no longer in effect.  I blame Rich for this.  He really was the one who spear-headed this attack plan if you will and he was the leader who took the group off course immediately.  As we were to all RUN to RSR to avoid a long wait, he was sucked into another ride and all of a sudden, the plan was scrapped.  Not only did he and the kids ride Junkyard Jamboree, they then went and rode Luigi's Flying Tires.  As Luis and Lindsay and I looked at each other, mouths open and a little ticked off, we were like, "What happened to the plan?????"  Luckily for Rich and his followers, RSR was not working and so it ended up not being a bad thing.

Here are the boys waiting in line for RSR...we only waited about a half hour because it was clearly not going to be up and running anytime soon.

The greatest part of Cars Land opening???  No lines for Toy Story Mania!

Later on that day we met up with the Fuentes Family and were able to add to the number of kids in our pack.  I loved how excited everyone was to see each other and the kids were so excited to ride the rides together.

Here is Bella, Matthew, Emma, and Ryan.  (Emma and Ryan...that is a whole other blog post.)

Everyone wearing their crowns after Goofy's Sky School.

Sunday night, the wait was finally over. Fast passes in hand, we headed to RSR for our first race!!! Here's what I have to say...It was RIDICULOUS FUN!!!  Worth the wait and we could not wait to ride it again the next day!

Okay, can we just talk about the weather???  And how horribly hot it was?????  Miserable hot.  The weatherman was saying that this heatwave was the worst LA had had in fifteen years.  So Monday we had a plan...off early to DL and then back to the pool for some swimming.

Happy Halloween!!!!

These three were inseparable!

 A little pool time!

Speaking of pool time.  Here is my problem.  I don't think I can visit another pool that has a bar service and not think of Aulani (our Hawaii trip) and not order a drink.  It was almost physically impossible to not grab the drink and snack menu from the nice gentleman's hand as he walked by.  And for nostalgic reasoning, Rich and I both ordered a pina colada because it's what we do now... we have turned into those people.  And I have never been happier in my life to be those people.  More importantly as we were sipping our frozen drinks, I was slowly able to chip away at the Hawaii timeline that was years away.  Put that guy in a lounge chair with a frothy drink and he starts thinking differently... and I will use that to my advantage any time I can!

Okay...back to the original start of this post:  Peer pressure and why I could care less I let others use it on my kids. 

Matthew caved in to the peer pressure more than Ryan.  Which is technically how it should be, seeing as if he is three years older.  The rides he "promised" to go on were:  Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Star Tours.  He only technically went on Tower of Terror...which was HUGE because I didn't think he was going to go on any of them.  The first time went on (yes, I said first), his face was priceless.  As the ride came to a stop, he simply turned to me and said, "Where are we?"  I try not to make a habit of laughing at my kids....but, that was hysterical.  As freaked out as he was, he went right back on it the next day.  And one more...I will give him props for agreeing to go on California Screamin'.  Fast pass in hand, Gavin right next to him, we headed over to cross this off the list--except it was shut down because it wasn't running right.  Lindsay and I looked at each other and started laughing because we both saw the look on Matt's face---I HAVE BEEN SAVED.  To be able to capture on one's face the look of relief...I wish I had my camera.

Now onto Ryan.  As we were walking over to Tower of Terror (yes, we were going to take him on it), he  all of a sudden felt sick.  And in his words--in a strained, fearful voice, "Do you want me to get sick and throw up on the ride???"  And as he ran away giggling to join the other kids not going, it was clear that he had won that round.  The next day, not so much.  Splash Mountain!!!  Bring it!  Every kid who hit the height requirement was going, if he didn't go. he would have been the ONLY ONE NOT GOING.  Finally!  Finally!!  He caved and went.  And loved it.  Seriously loved it. 

The final night we were there was the after hours trick or treat night.

A little grub at our favorite pasta place! 

Somehow this is the only picture I have of the gang.  From left: Bella, Matt, Emma, Ryan, Gavin, Gianna, and Gilia.

And a little Mickey to get everyone into the holiday spirit!!

Horrible picture--yes.  Milestone accomplished???  You bet!!  He FINALLY made it to the single rider car!!! 

Happy Halloween!!! 

Endeavor

Look what flew over the sky in Lodi today!

Chills....

Getting a little "protection" from the fighter jet...

Amazing!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Fishing

I first want to say that I love and adore my nephew Mason.  Love him to death....and that is why I haven't hurt him yet.  Because when Mason gets a hobby....Matt and Ryan get a hobby too.  And when Matt takes on a hobby...HE TAKES ON A HOBBY!!!!  Ryan dabbles in it and shows interest occasionally.  Not Matt...he is all in, every time.  And that is why it is a good thing that my darling, sweet, adorable nephew lives several hours from me because tonight I'm not a fan of his because as a twelve year old would say....HE STARTED THIS!!!!

You see Mason got interested in fishing a couple of months ago and brought his pole to Lodi to do some fishing with his cousins.  Matt and Ryan had fished before with my mom and each of them actually have their own poles for an occasional dip in the water at Lodi Lake.  But they didn't have weights, or lures, or tackle boxes.  They now do.  I'm sure Mason meant well by wanting to share this new fun adventure with Matt and Ryan, but he doesn't live with Matt and he hasn't had to answer the hundreds of questions from Matt about fishing, and lures, and weights, and on and on.  Lucky him. 

Well, when you talk non-stop about something, and a Nana is around, she is bound to jump all over it.  And jump she did.  She has taken them to Lodi Lake several times and to Oak Park in Stockton.  Sadly, not one fish has been caught.  How do we solve that????  Take them to a place where they stock the pond with fish!!!

And it was off to Apple Hill they went.  Fishing pole, tackle box, and refrigerated LL Bean tote in hand, it was time for some fishing.

Not only was he successful in a very short amount of time (again, stocked pond), but he was so successful that he was able to catch four fish.  FOUR!!!  Pretty cool right????  Nana is taking pictures, Aunt Leath is there to help, everyone is having a great time!!

And then I get this picture.

And I send my mom a text that says....  Why does he still have them?????  Isn't this catch and release????

And her response....wait for it...wait for it.... No...$100 fine...must pay and take.  They will clean and cut....you're welcome.

YOU'RE WELCOME?  YOU'RE WELCOME????

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

Nope, she wasn't.

So, fast forward to today.  One day later because I fear the smell...it is time to prepare the fish.  Please keep in mind that the "clean and cut" she promised...was actually "removed insides, fish still looks like a fish, just now with no intestines".  And you know this boy was right next to me, watching to see how I was going to do this, and asking me why I kept gagging. 

Fishy number 1.

Today at lunch I sat and listened to my co-workers try and help me with how I was not only going to prepare this thing, but how exactly I was going to make it look like the nice men at Safeway do so that I wasn't completely grossed out with it still looking at me. Then it occurred to me that I wasn't going to eat it...and neither was Ryan.... and definitely not Rich.  So why do I care???   As gross as it was, we followed the whole fish microwave directions and zapped this guy like it was a frozen dinner!

I refuse to show the picture of the fish, wrapped in it's damp paper towel coffin.  But I did think this was cool and Matt and I did like looking at the spine and bones.

Here is the proof he ate his catch!!!!  The other three fish are in a undisclosed location and that will stay between me and Waste Management.  

After all of that I asked him if he liked it and what did he think of the taste. 

His response---It's good, but it really just tastes like chicken.

I had to walk away.

I need to get my nephew a new hobby.

Shhhhhh.....

You never saw this.  You have no idea who posted this video. 

I'm totally pleading the fifth!!!

I was lucky by chance the other night to have my phone on and ready just in case Ryan got to carry the ball at his game.  Who knew it would lead to this.  And, by the way, that is Sharon's voice cheering him on.  I wouldn't dare break one of my rules....but you know I was fist pumping like I was at the Jersey Shore after the touchdown!!!

Groomed

Someone was finally able to go to the groomer today.  We were so happy when we were given the green light from the vet that he was clear with shots and everything...because this little dude couldn't see a thing!!

The before shot...

And the after...
Nana, who was kind enough to go and get Bear from the groomer, also brought him by my classroom so I could see him. 

 

 

Now, any of you 80's movie fans???  I used to watch The NeverEnding Story all the time.  Cool, cool, very weird movie.  The minute I saw Bear, I thought--FALKOR!!!!!  Doesn't he look just like Falkor, the dog/dragon/creature from the movie????

 

Or is it just me????

 

Doesn't matter...he's cuter and now he can see.  We just have to hope that his ears don't get any larger or a gust of wind might make him take flight.

 

This has been an exhausting day. 

 

 

Don't worry...you're still handsome too.  



Giants Football

Saturday morning Matt had his first game as a Giant.  I kinda love that they are the Giants this year only because his coach used to play for the New York Giants and he said it is cool that the boys are playing under the same name.

I'm a happy mom because this game I could yell, cheer, and say pretty much anything I wanted.  I feel for the people/families around me because I felt like I needed to make up for the fact that I have to be silent at Ryan's game, and so I let it all out.  It felt good, it felt right, and I am obviously still in denial that only one of my son's accepts this.  I've got a long 15 years ahead of me.

Back to football...I just have to say that I love this group of boys.  It was so cute to see them at the first practice because they were so excited to see each other and play together again.  All but three kids are back this year and in the first game they looked like a team who has been playing together for a while.  I just love them.

This year all of the kids have wrist bands because they are working towards a no huddle offense. 

First touchdown of the game.  Pass off from Ryker to Matt.

I think this picture is a good sign.  As I have said before, Matthew is the more "openly confident" of my two boys, and is not afraid to boast about himself.  This is him walking back after the touchdown.  Calm and reserved.  When I yelled out to him as he was walking back, "Nice run, Matt!", he looked over and nodded at me and that was it.  Progress is good.

This was another good run later on in the game.

It did my heart good to see him not only do well, but as my mother-in-law pointed out...he was a better teammate than in years past.  After every play, he went over to the player who had the ball and patted them on the back.  If anything, that is what I am most proud of.  This is progress and I think it shows his growth in really understanding team play.  I told him after the game that I was most impressed with his support of others.

I can't wait for next Saturday!

Round two for the day...after the football game we headed to Pleasanton to watch our niece Mikayla play in a soccer tournament.  She did so good and I am a very proud Auntie.

You love the shoes, right??? 

And finally...a little follow up from the debacle that occurred at Ryan's game last week.  I had told him that I was upset because I didn't like the fact that we weren't allowed to yell or cheer for him and I told him that we had to come up with some rules or something so that we could show our support.  He thought about it and then said to get a piece of paper and we would write the rules for his games.  Here is a picture of the list that I keep in my purse, so that I can show him at a moments notice that I still have it, and that I will follow the "rules" as he stated.

I wrote down EXACTLY what he said so that I would be reading back to him his EXACT words.  Here they are...

1.  No yelling in his ear when he has the ball.
2.  No yelling when he has the touchdowns.
3.  No yelling good job, just say good job at halftime.
4.  Anytime during the game you can do a thumbs up.
5.  After the game you can say good job and do thumbs up.

*And finally, number 6, which you can see was added in pencil as we pulled up to the field right before the game.
6. No chanting Go Ryan! Go Ryan!

This kid....