What to do, what to do...

....what to do this summer with the kids? I really just want to PLAY!! The beach is beckoning for sure. Last summer was not that great for beach days, but that is where I want to be! Wednesday is the dedicated day for the beach....free movie day, parks, picnics, Wilderness Park, aquarium, vacation....ahhhhhh. I am ready for school to be finished. It was a long, busy year. I am tired....I cannot wait to sleep! I figured since my daughter is starting kindergarten this fall, I am not going to place them in camps or have schedules. I am looking forward to my Mondays of teaching, and every other Friday of working with kids at the Botanical Gardens! It will be the perfect balance of just a little me time, making my own money, and having fun with the family! That is all for now....summer dreaming is only a few days away! There are only 7 1/2 school days left!!! Ahhhh.....

Some days you just want to....

......scream because your children frustrate you, but most days you just melt, adore, admire, love, die for your children. I know this may sound silly, but I just experienced my daughter's first dance recital was this past Sunday and I could not have been more proud! I asked to just have fun on stage and to put a big smile on her face, and SHE DID!!! I thought that my 5 year old was going to be terrified! She was AMAZING!!!! I literally had to hold back the tears. Who knew that having children could and would be the most amazing experience in life. There are more times during a week, a day, an hour, that my kids amaze me. It is the most satisfying thing to watch them grow, to watch them choose what they would like to experience for themselves. My 8 year old son just finished taking keyboard class, and he really has a good ear! He LOVES music, this afternoon at the end of his last class, the kids put on a little performance for the parents. I could not have been more proud of him either, although he only performed in front of about 25 people and my daughter performed in front of about 800 people, they both made me so proud!!! Thank you God, karma, life for giving me these two beings, I don't think I could love anyone any more than I do these two creatures! I look forward to seeing who they turn into, however, I do not want it to go by so quickly!!! Slow down, Father Time!!!!

So when do you know....

....when to "stick your nose in" and give advice to your children? My son, who is 8 years old, and in second grade, was having an issue with his buddies. One of them has on three occasions to my knowledge, said to him, "You are not my friend anymore....I am breaking up with you...." He usually takes things in stride, but this time, there was a big issue. I tried to gently guide him on how to handle this situation. Some had told the friend that my son said he was mean.....which was not something that my son would say because this friend is a dear friend. So, someone lied, and it caused a ripple affect. I told my son to call his friend and tell him that he would never say that and that it was not true. They made up, then I encouraged my son to confront the person who lied, and he did, and that child said that my son did say that. I just do not want to get into the minutia of it all. How do you teach your children to cope with situations. I suggested that he just state the truth however to be nice about it. I told him that he needs to stand up to what is right, and not let people say things. Luckily, my son is very matter-of-fact, so, he usually takes things well. However, he did express to me that he was very hurt when the "break up friend" broke up with him on another occasion, he was very hurt. I told him that he should just try to be nice, tell the truth, and not let people treat you badly because you do teach people how to treat you. I told him not to settle for someone saying something false about him. As it turns out, there were issues with one friend being jealous and not wanting the other friend to expand his friendship circle which included my son. I told my son to just try to be inclusive, not exclusive, and try to be understanding as to how others may feel......possibly left out for example. He usually does.....but now, he was the victim of the nay-saying. I told him to just be "you" and you will be OK. If you have trouble with words or expressing yourself to ask me or Daddy, as we do not want him to have hurt feelings. I asked him to always try to work out any problems that may occur as we do not want anything to escalate. I need a glass of wine.....it is not easy being a parent these days....boy, do I sound like my mother....lol.....

Do you have....

.....a bucket list? I definitely have wishes and dreams, but some of them seem ridiculous. You tell me.....the first one is to meet Bono, of course, if you know me, than you know this! Actually, the real dream would be to meet Bono THROUGH Oprah......a double dip! I always wanted to be a singer in a band, I always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride, I have always wanted to go to Majorca, Spain, I have always wanted to raise amazing children......well, I guess I can look at the things I HAVE accomplished on my bucket list which are that I always wanted to run in a long race, I did  a half marathon in between having my son and my daughter. I have always wanted to be an art teacher to young children, which I sort of created my own job, I will be working two days a week next year teaching to preschoolers, this year was one day per week...I LOVE it! I have always wanted to live by the ocean, and I have an amazing ocean view from my house! I have always wanted to be married to my best friend, and viola! I also always wanted to have beautiful, healthy, smart children......and somehow, I accomplished that as well! I think that it is great to have goals, as it gives you something to work towards!! U2 is coming to CA in a month.....maaaaaaaayyyyyybbbeeeeee I will get to meet Bono when I go to the concert in June!!!!