Let's Catch Up

Summer was fun and fast! Here is the condensed version . . . 

Annual Hope Ranch Beach Campout

(aka Shipwrecked)

 Spur of the moment trip to Vegas with these crazy people!

 Hume Lake Camping Trip

The not-so-fun part of this camping trip.

Rock 1 Jim 0

First day of school, Jackson Browne, & Journey

 Labor Day Beach Fest

Catching Up with The Halls

We have had a jam-packed couple of months and I am so ready for summer break! Here is a little catch-up . . .

Golf Pros & Tennis Hoes

40th surprise birthday bash for Todd.

Marcy pulled it off!

 A quick trip to Fresno and impromptu lunch with

these special gals - friends for over 20 years!

Our school's Spring Luau themed Gala kept me pretty busy the last couple of months.

Love these fundraising ladies!

The only time I saw David at the event (the beginning).

Duty calls!

Chris Stapleton concert at the Bowl

A little snack at Benchmark before the Adam Sandler show

On the way to the show . . .

Feeling the Journey vibe:

 I swear the Bowl is the best venue!

I don't when when I laughed so hard!

So surprised and a little teary-eyed to have received an Honorary Service Award 

for this school year. I truly love being at the school with the girls.

 I am a better person because I can give back to all our amazing teachers.

I want to be the most important role model (along with David) 

in Sophia & Kalista's life. And I can't be that person without our teachers.

So really, it is a win-win!

David just had his annual office party for their referrals.

It is always a themed party and this year was the best . . .

Super Heroes!

The food was so yummy. Omni Catering did not disappoint! 

I loved the roasted veggie platter. Beautiful, colorful, and scrumptious!

 And this antipasto platter was gorgeous!

 Favorite bites came from the stations: Sliders, empanadas, and gourmet grilled cheese.

My personal fave was the bacon, mozzarella, tomato, and pesto. 

 Me and Captain America :)

Catching Up

I can't believe March is half way over! It's been busy, but a good busy. I don't play catch up all at once very often, but here we go . . .

The girls' school had their Jogathon early this year. We were worried about potential rain, but instead it was unusually warm for a morning jog!

 Girl power! And yes, I ran too. 

Guess who was the fastest girl in 2nd grade? 

 Her goal is to get a medal every year.

Looking good so far!

Remember K and 1st?

Both girls made it into the prize room this year.

Sophia was delighted to choose the American Girl ice cream cart and Kalista was over the moon to choose an American Girl doll.

Fridays end better with wine and friends!

Mother-Daughter Tea:

Super Simple School Valentine's

January just flew by! And with an upcoming family trip, there is a limited amount of time for the kids to get their school Valentine's together. Sadly, they will miss the event but that's okay because it is always better to give than receive. And it's been fun crafting these goodies too!

First up...The most important people in our children's lives: 

OUR TEACHERS!

Big THANKS to Skip to My Lou

for this easy and adorable Valentine.

 Sophia told me her teacher loves Dove chocolates.
How cute and simple is this?!

Can anyone resist a soft Gummy Bear?

And "thank you" Amazon for carrying these 1 oz bags! 

But did you have to make it in bulk of 72 count?!

So hard having these extras around.

Add just a little play on words:
Click here for the free printable.

How cute & fun are these?!

Hope this post gives you a little inspiration!

School parties should not be daunting. So have fun and make it simple!

And now the madness begins...

Oh the day finally arrived . . . School started. Ho hum.
My second grader took off without me giving her a proper hug and kiss.
My kindergartner was nervous, excited, and didn't stray far.

And of course, packing lunches had me back into creative mommy mode:

And now the obligatory first day of school family photo:

You would think I was going back to school with all the "stuff" in my hand. 

Back-to-school paperwork was no joke! 

So the madness of a crazy schedule begins. The duties? Here are just a few: Wife, mommy, chef, chauffeur (different pick-up times and different swim practice times), PTA Board member, school room parent coordinator, classroom volunteer, homework & Kumon sergeant. Is it June yet?! Oh and that other job of being a nurse. Huh? Didn't know I had a paying job? Well I do. My kids are always shocked when I tell them I have to work. Luckily it's from home because there is no other way it would work out. I know, a nurse from home sounds odd. In a very brief nutshell, I chart audit for the hospital. I have been doing this particular job for over 7 years now. Tidbit: I have been a nurse for 20 years of which 13 were spent in the operating room. But being a nurse is no longer a priority. The laundry list of duties listed above is why my heart beats. I will take the crazy busy of family life over a "career" any day.

"La, la, la, la, la. I can't hear you."

These. Three. Words.

I realize I fall within the minority for what I am about to proudly admit, but I am just going to be honest: I AM NOT READY FOR SCHOOL TO START.

There, I said it and I meant it. Summer break was too short. And no, it's not because I had my kids in a camp every week and therefore didn't see them. In fact, they were with me almost all summer (minus 3 camps for Sophia and 1 for Kalista). 

And before any judgement is passed: MY KIDS ARE NOT PERFECT NOR AM I. They are not angels. But they are not devils either. They are just kids who laugh, roll their eyes, play, give attitude, cuddle, bicker, and love. And I am just a mom who loves the dickens out of her kids but who also gets equally frustrated and is ready to pack a bag and run for the hills. Or maybe just a local bar. I'd even settle for hiding in the closet with a bottle of wine. Our family life is not made of rainbow unicorns. And with all that being said, I hate seeing this:

Every year I want them home longer. I think school days are too long (yes, too long) and the school year is too long as well. People think I am nuts, but I wish school let out at 2:00. That's right. Two o'clock for every grade. Wishful thinking on my part.

There may come a time when my kids don't want to hang out with me anymore. And that makes me sad. I hope I am wrong. My sister-in-law has 3 grown sons and I love how they love to hang out with their parents still. I have asked her for the magic potion, but she swears she didn't use one. So I am crossing my fingers the girls follow their lead.

And in case the thought of home schooling came to mind, let me give one main reason why it won't ever happen:

And to all my friends who don't have the same thoughts, I do understand! So this one is for you: