Happy Birthday Ryan!!

My Project 365 will be up for Monday...please come on back and see what we've been up to around here for the past week.

But for today it is a very special birthday wish.  Just be warned everyone...I dug into Dad and Grandma's picture box and found some doozies.  Don't worry Greg and Kate...you have some in there too.

Today is my baby brother Ryan's birthday.  He was such a cute baby.

...I mean a really cute baby.

He then turned into a pretty cute little boy.

...I mean a really cute little boy.

It was seriously down hill from there.

He even makes me look good.

Then he met his lovely wife Stacia.

No wonder they have such cute kids.

He always loved babies.

My baby boy.

My baby girl.

JoJo

and our newest Abby.

He is also such a great dad.

He loves his baby Tyler...

and his all too big boy Tyler.

His baby girl Sami.

and his all too big girl Sami.

He is such a great Dad, I'm sure, due in part to the great line of men in our family.

Ryan also has the distinction of being born on Halloween.

Sometimes this just means a cool Halloween themed cake at home with the family.

And sometimes it means chest wigs and rocker chicks.

All in all...

...you still make me look good.

...you have beautiful family.

...and you're still a little crazy.


...and I love you so much and I hope you have a very Happy Birthday!!


More Later

- A Ro

Tell Me Why Tuesdays

I write this today as I am battling a cold, training for a 10K, had a less than productive rehearsal due to absences, and tripped up the stairs on my way to get a much needed Starbucks during lunch.

Yeah.  Good times.

1.  Why do I feel like Snow White while running this morning?  #bunniesandsquirrelsaremynewbffs  OR #bunniesandsquirrelsscaredthecrapoutofmenumeroustimes

2.  Why does the last two uphill miles of my route had to be accompanied by a strong head wind this morning?  #thatwhichdoesnotkillyoumakesyoustronger?

3.  Why does everyone you come across at 4:30 am look mean and dangerous?  #darkandshadowyneedisaymore

4.  Why am I running this 10K again?  #ohyeahthegluttonforpunishmentsexything

5.  Why did my Bella almost foul out of her second ever 5th grade basketball game?  #reallyhasnoideawhatispermittedandwhatisnt  OR #sheisaroughandtumblegogetter

6.  Why did me and said basketball go getter squeal with delight when we watched this video?


#cuteredheadedabbywhoisinthebuffcouldn'tbecuter

7.  Why is it not so embarrassing anymore when I trip and fall?  #thereisareasonwhymynameisnotgrace

8.  Why am I dreading the end of this week?  #writingonehundredorsofirstquartercomments

9.  Why do I think that me and my four year old nephew Jo Jo could talk on the phone for hours?  #heandibothalwayshavealottosay

10.  Why am I looking forward to going home?  #walkinginthedoorto"hellobeautiful"

I really do love my life.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 43

Bella and I were baking all weekend...no seriously ALL WEEKEND.  Just ask Rich.  He is just the best.  Not only does he put up with all the baking he even picks up the slack.  He probably would have done this post too!!

Anyway here is my wonderful week:

Sunday:

Hello Old Friends

It rained all week here in sunny Southern California.  So I dug out my boots, raincoat, and umbrella.  They haven't seen much action so far this year, but this week more than made up for it.

Monday:

 Rainy Days and Mondays

They really don't get me down.  Truth be told, I love this kind of weather.  It was so neat to sit at soccer this afternoon and watch the sky and the scenery.  Loved it.

Tuesday:

Toto, Are We in Kansas??

Tried to capture the ominous sky today.  It was actually thundering and lightening.  Yes...crazy. (I liked it a lot)

Wednesday:

Bella Bella Are You OK???

Bella's foot has been bugging her so we went to the Doc today.  It is just overuse and growing pains.  I mean soccer, basketball AND dance...overuse...you think??

 
Thursday:

The Sun Might Come Out Tomorrow

Annie is in full swing with two weeks left to go.  YIKES.  They are so cute and doing such a good job.


Friday:

Oooooooh...Scary!!

Only with regards to caloric intake.  We made cake pops tonight.  YUM!!

Saturday:

Handy Man

I have the handiest husband.  I told him what I really needed to make my sugar cookies right and while I was at rehearsal Saturday morning he made me this.  It worked like a charm and I rolled out my cookies to exactly 1/4 inch.

In Summary:  I got some much needed "Iowa" weather this week.  Thunderstorms and all!!  I am now done with "Iowa" weather and would like some "California weather"!!!  Did nothing but bake this weekend and really enjoyed it.  Thanks to my wonderful husband who helped in so many ways.  And as far as those growing pains Bella is having, just stop growing Bella!!!

Random Dozen Part Lid.

Linda at Mocha with Linda saved my butt today by generating the following questions.

Thanks Linda - I thank you and my blog readers thank you



1. Do you prefer to read the book or see the movie?
I love reading the book then seeing the movie.  I love seeing if those images in my head while reading are the same as the filmmakers.  Sometimes they are right on...and sometimes...not so much.

2. What is your favorite holiday and why?
I love the Halloween-New Years day holiday.  This is really my favorite time of the year.

3. Which do you like better - the mountains or the beach?
Even though the beach requires swimming suit, a leaf blower to remove all the sand, a complete hose down and vacuuming of my house afterward, and bags and bags of stuff...I love the beach.  That being said there is something about fresh air, crisp weather, and something so majestic about the mountains too.

4. If money were no consideration, what vehicle would you drive?
I would drive a Volvo SUV.  I know very weird.  And I am pretty sure if money weren't an object we would have a Corvette in the garage too.

5. What is your favorite cold-weather beverage?
Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte in a Starbucks winter themed cup...ahhhh


6. How do you communicate most often with your friends: phone, email, text, face-to-face, or Facebook?
d) all of the above.

It really depends on the person.

7. How do you receive your mail? Mailbox on the porch, at the end of the driveway, down the street, or post office box?
Mail in a mailbox down the street a little bit.  Why do you ask?  You gonna send me something??

8. Of the four basic personality types - sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic, and choleric - which is your strongest? Which is your least evident? (See definitions below.)
This was a tough one too.  I am mostly sanguine however I hate to be late...and am very rarely so.  My least evident is melancholic. I am a soprano diva...duh?!?

9. What do you miss the most about being 20?
What isn't there to miss about being 20???  I am very thankful for all the things that I am now that I am 40, but oh to be 20 again.  I think being able to sit criss cross applesauce really sums it all up for me.

10. How long from the time you get up, does it take you to get ready to walk out the door in the morning?
Well I usually get 45 minutes of exercise in so counting that it takes me about 2 hours from feet on the floor to feet out the door.  Clever I know.

11. Who handles the car maintenance and pays the bills in your family?
Rich handles the car maintenance, and I pay the bills.  He has a lot of say on the bill side and is very active in that pursuit...I hate cars.

12. For those in the US, how many states have you visited? For those outside the US, how many provinces/other countries have you visited?
I had to sing my 50 states song to answer this question. I'd say I have visited or lived in about 20...that is pretty good I think...


In Summary:  It was a fence straddling random this week for me.  I like books AND movies.  I like the mountains AND the beach.  I am a little bit of all the personality types, and enjoy communicating anyway I can..  I miss my 20's but my 40's (so far) have been amazing.  One thing for sure.  Give me the Starbucks winter cups 'cause this is my FAVORITE time of year.

More Later

- A Ro

Tell Me Why Tuesdays

Back by popular demand...OK let me rephrase that:  Back by MY popular demand....

TELL ME WHY TUESDAYS

...and the crowd goes wild ahhhhh...OK let me rephrase that....and the crowd in MY HEAD goes wild ahhhhh

Here it goes:

1.  Why did I feel the need to sign up for the local 10K run, which is only 4 weeks away, just because my school asked us to help promote our 50 year anniversary by getting as many people to run in the event? #suckerforpunishment OR #richthinksrunning10ksaresexy

2.  Why did SO many explorers feel the need to discover a new route to India? #whenindoubtpickvascadegama

3.  Why is Fifth Grade math so dang hard?? #nowwhichisbiggeragainheptameterordecameter??

4.  Why do little girls, even soccer playing little girls, feel the need to have long fake hair?

#scrimmagejerseyssurebeattryingtokeepthetowelonyourhead

5.  Why do I adore my eighth grade chorus girls? #sohardworkingandjustwanttosingsingsing

6.  Why is was Rich's big shoulder to cry on so appreciated last night? #seeabovemathandhistorydrama

7.  Why am I so worried about the city wide power outage? #chickeninthecrockpot

8.  Why am I not worried about the city wide power outage? #threefavoritewordsletseatout

9.  Why am I the luckiest gal in the world? #andrewisabellarich

10.  Why are you the luckiest blog readers in the world?  #iamattheendofmylist

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Purge - Bad News Good News

Bad News:  Weekend without kids
Good News:  Weekend without kids

(those of you who share custody know exactly what I mean)

Good News:  The two of us cooking dinner at home on Friday night, we really enjoy cooking together.
Bad News:  We are out own wait staff...and we aren't good tippers

Bad News:  Having to run out to get sweet sixteen birthday present.
Good News:  Getting to sip coffee outside on a crisp evening, with some wonderful adult conversation.
Bad News:  Dealing with teenage kids "hanging out" screaming and running around.
Good News:  Thankful that my kids aren't like that.
Bad News:   Realizing that the jury might still be out on one of my kids.

Good News:  No where to be Saturday morning.
Bad News:  Had to clean the bathrooms.
Good News:  Two working together got it done quickly

Bad News:  Grocery shopping on the agenda
Good News:  Married to a man that enjoys hanging out with me at the grocery store, pushing the cart, AND carrying the bags.

Bad News:  Rich had to work Saturday night
Good News:  Decided to pull out scrapbooking
Bad News:  Seemed a little unorganized and 5 years behind
Good News:  Had all my CD's in order ready to download to Shutterfly to order pictures
Bad News:  Shutterfly website.
Good News:  Had some pictures to work with
Bad News:  Needed a trip to Michael's
Good News:  Got to go to Michael's
Bad News:  Got distracted at Michael's
Good News:  Actually got started
Bad News:  Only finished one page
Good News:  Got to take a peek back in time and notice how cute and little my kidlets were.
Bad News:  Realized that they are growing up too quickly.

Good News:  Got to see Andrew's baseball game on Sunday.
Bad News:  Andrew pitched.
Good News:  Andrew pitched really good.
Bad News:  They are grooming him to be a pitcher this fall.
Good News:  He loves that idea.
Bad News:  I hate this idea.
Good News:  I have 5 months to stock up on the Pepto

Good News:  Had a wonderful weekend doing nothing extraordinary.
Bad News:  5 more days until I get to do it again.


More later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 42

Sorry this took so long to get out...the uploading of my pictures took FOREVER!!!

Yipee!!! I get to show off my wonderful week. Enjoy!

Side Note - I cannot believe it is already Week 42.


Sunday:

Who's Tall and Grown-up Looking Kid is That??

Oh, wait it is MY tall and grown up looking kid.  Whoa.

Monday:

It's A Hard Knocked Life

Yeah...but it is so rewarding to work with these kids.  Our Middle School production of Annie is coming right along.

Tuesday:

Back to Normal

Rich is home!!!  He had a wonderful trip and I couldn't be happier.  I am glad he is home safe and sound. 

Wednesday:

It Gets Dark Too Quick These Days

Our normal trip to get Fro-Yo is starting to happen in total darkness.  We still enjoy our Wednesday night routine, even if it means bundling up a little.

Thursday:

Maggie What Did You Eat??

Maggie got into Andrew's ravioli bowl that he forgot to put in the dishwasher...and she didn't even use a napkin, maybe she is saving some for later.

Friday:

First Big Test

Bella had her first big reading comprehension test today.  She studied hard.  We shall see.

Saturday:

 Being Creative

Rich had to work late tonight and the kids were with their dad, so I got out my scrapbooking stuff.  I love doing these little paper dolls of Bella.  This one turned out cute...if I do say so myself.

In Summary:  A pretty normal week for all of us.  Dog getting into stuff she isn't supposed to, baseball, musical rehearsals, frozen yogurt night, too much homework, and with Rich back home everything is back to the way it is supposed to be.

Phew!!

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Friday...A List

Many apologies for the double post...just couldn't let all the typos go.  Thank God I am not an English teacher...if you are an English teacher please refrain...

Thank you. 

This post is for myself.  I needed to remind myself of some blessings.

1.  I am so blessed because when I went into Bella's bedroom to wake her up this morning she says in a sleepy voice "Mama...you are the best mama in the whole wide world"

2.  I am so blessed that my Sixth Grade Chorus class acted and sang like little angels...all 40 of them...when my principal came into to observe me yesterday.

3.  I am so blessed to have Rich home after his trip and to see the look of joy and love on his face when he walked in the door.

4.  I am so blessed to know that without a shadow of a doubt that my life with Rich is perfect...even when it isn't.

5. I am so blessed to have the following picture in my in box.

My goodness I miss them.

6.  I am so blessed to have a sister that sends me such a sweet (break your heart) pictures of my Abby.

My goodness how I miss her.

7. I am so blessed that I have a nephew as cute as he is even without most of his teeth!!

My goodness how I miss him.

8.  I am so blessed to have smart, talented kids (and step kids), who sometimes just need to be reminded of how wonderful they are.  They are destined for great things and I hope that they always know that we are always behind them and will support them through anything that comes their way. 

9.  I am so blessed to have a husband who knows me so well, loves me unconditionally, and is truly my partner in everything.  The way it should be.

10.  I am so blessed with knowing the truth, and that justice and the good guys always prevail in the end.  God knows the hearts of men (and women), and his judgment day will come.  Thankfully. 

11.  I am blessed to have blog readers who don't mind a little sap every now and then.  Thanks for indulging me.  Have a Great Weekend.


More Later

- A Ro

Pop Quiz

This weekend past weekend proves that:
a) I really love my kids
b) I am really crazy
c) My kids are very popular
d) All of the above

OK that was so easy...all of the above, of course.

If  you know me at all you'll know that I hate driving in general, but I especially hate driving on the freeways around the Los Angeles area otherwise lovingly known as concrete paths to hell.

I am not sure where I acquired this fiery hatred of being behind the wheel.  I mean my Dad really loved to drive, and was a very good driving teacher.

flashback

Me driving in his HUGE Ford Bronco down a boulevard with houses to my right.  Hugging the curb like all good young drivers who feel like they are driving down the center of the road each time they are in the right lane.  When my father calmly tells me that his HUGE side mirrors are slightly tapping the mailboxes as we drive by.  It goes something like this.

Dad: Amy sweetheart you might want to move...Amy darling you really need to move over...Amy...AMY...AMY, YOU ARE HITTING THE MAILBOXES MOVE LEFT!!!

Good times...good times...

Anyway long story short.

I hate to drive.

This weekend with Rich being gone I did all the driving and all the kvetching and all the whining and bucked it up to taxi my kids according to the following schedule:

Friday:
Home from work 101 freeway (25 minutes)
Back to the work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to pick up Andrew from friends house.
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)

Thank goodness I didn't have to take Rich to the airport that would have been :101 freeway - to the 405 freeway - to early grave with gray hair.

Saturday:
To soccer
To work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to bring Bella to sleepover birthday party
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)
To Culver City 101 freeway - to Pacific Coast Highway - to the 10 freeway (50 minutes) to take Andrew to swanky hard to get invitation, Sweet 16 party (He had a BLAST...)
Home 10 freeway - to PCH - to 101 (50 minutes)

Sunday:
To work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to pick up Bella from party
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)
To Baseball 101 freeway (20 minutes)
To Encino 101 freeway (20 minutes) to take Bella to ANOTHER birthday party
Home 101 freeway (30 minutes)
To Encino 101 freeway (30 minutes) to pick Bella up
Home Encino 101 freeway (30 minutes)

I don't even want to add up all those minute in my unhappy place car.  Of course, none of it was timed so that I could just stay in one place...oh no...that would have been too easy.

Good news...no road rage.
Good news...my kids owe me.
Bad news...my hair is a little thinner.


More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday JoJo

I know...I know... my family likes October birthdays!!  It just shows how Spooky we are!!

Today is my nephew Joseph's birthday.  He is four.  He is getting too big.  He needs to stop.

He was just tiny in this picture...seriously, look how tiny he was.

I love this picture of my brother Greg.  You see, Joseph was supposed to be Josephine...this is Greg letting everyone know that we need to repaint the bedroom.  Truth be told...Joseph is still surprising all of us.

They are such a sweet and amazing family.

Joseph is a very sweet and amazing little guy.

He sure does love his Nana.

And has a real soft spot for his Grandpa Frank.

Boy does this cuddle bug love his mama.

...and his daddy.

He does have some favorite Aunts hanging around.

...his Aunt Sasha (Stacia)

Then there is his Aunt Kate (I wonder if he actually calls her Aunt Cake, like my kids did??

...and of course his favorite aunt (in California)

H

He is just a lovable little guy...right Sami!!

We know who he will be rooting for thanks to his daddy...DA BEARS!! (Now if they could only get rid of Jake Cutler...oh nevermind)

He sure does love his puppy...Elvis.  Then again I know a little girl who loved Elvis a lot too!!

Too bad this kid doesn't take any good pictures...geez.

This a rare picture of this guy actually sleeping...and he is still cute.  Don't let him fool you, it is called recharging batteries!!

 He never makes a mess...

...nah...not JoJo.

He knows how to upstage a great picture...notice who's in the background.

And breaks my heart.  TWO cute boys...what are you trying to do to me???

JoJo is a sweet, energetic, loving, cuddly boy who really knows how to put together an outfit.  He keeps some of us on our toes, amazes most of us, and keeps us all laughing.  He is a miracle and I love him oh so much

But just a small piece of advice...

...don't you ever let hm catch you washing his blankie...it isn't pretty.

Happy Birthday Joseph!!


More Later

- A Ro