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!!!!

When life throws you curve balls...

....what do you do???? Sometimes life is crazy and throws you a curve ball. Here is a perfect example. One of my best friends of my life has been dealing with kidney disease since she was in her early teen years. Her mom, fortunately, was able to be a donor for a healthy kidney which was great! It gave her an opportunity to have a wonderful, relatively healthy 20+ years. Well, her original kidney transplant was when she was 15 years old. Well, when you have a kidney transplant, the kidney only lasts about 20 years. Of course, when my friend turned about 35, she started to not feel so well, sure enough, her kidney started to die. Well, she was placed on the transplant list and had to prepare her body for 3x's per week of dialysis. She had to quit her job and move to the east coast because the list was shorter than where she was living. LUCKILY, she was called a week and a half ago to come in for a transplant. We are hoping and praying that the kidney takes to her body. There is so much involved.....additionally, my sorority little sister was faced with devastating news about a year ago - she was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She has persevered, however, she is facing difficult times right now. It really makes you realize your own mortality. Two of the best people that I know have faced such difficulties, and they both are amazing hearts, and I am so blessed to have them in my life. If ever you have a bad day, just realize how lucky you are. I know times are tough right now, however, it could be worse. Please pray and send your best to these two amazing women and anyone in your life that may be facing similar circumstances. I know that my life would not be as rich had I not encountered my amazing Melissa and Kristin....xoxoxoxo

Wasn't my baby just born?

I feel like my daughter, who is five years old, was just born! When the next eight weeks are finished she will be in kindergarten! Why does life seem to go by so much more quickly as you get older? There are never enough hours in the day, I never have enough arms to do what I need to, there is always a list for the next day when I go to bed, you get the gist..... My son, who seems like he was born forever ago is going into third grade after the next eight weeks are over. I never thought that this day would come when both of my kids would be in school full time! My job just recently more than doubled, so I will be very busy next year, and I just need to find the brakes on this life. The oddest thing for me was when my son was born, and I thought to myself, "Wow, I am my mother now, and my mother is my grandmother...." I am not sure how well I will take it when I am the grandmother....luckily, I have some time to wait for that one!!! I never knew what an amazing journey it would be to have my own family - my kids and my husband are the center of my world, and I could not have picked better peeps to be around everyday!!!

Just when I thought I was in the clear....

....and spring was on the way, I get another cold....or whatever it is....sick again! UGH! I guess my first year teaching art to four year olds who come to school sick is costing me this year...hopefully my immune system will toughen up for next year. I knew when I looked at about four runny nosed kids last Thursday that I may not make it through the weekend, and of course, the hubster was "stuffed up" for about three days, "I'm not sick..." kiss, kiss....ugh....thanks everyone! Maybe next winter I will just move to the Virgin Islands by myself to avoid the colds/flus/viruses/sore throats/runny noses/aches and pains....you get the gist...(I haven't said that in a while...) Anywho, I am off to get my Theraflu on....need to heat it up in the microwave. I do like the nighttime apple spice flavor...it helps me sleep too!!! Until next time....