Kung Fu Panda Time

Yesterday was the first day of summer vacation. Alex slept in until 8...(Jake woke him up). I didn't sleep in at all...got up early to Wii Fit myself. It was fun! So, I stayed home all day yesterday..first time in awhile! No school, no yard duty, and no errands! However, I did have to leave towards the end of the day for a baseball game. That's okay, though. I had fun.

Today, we went to a matinee. My neighbor, (Mimi), another day care provider, (Jackie), and myself hauled all of our kids to the movies. It was fun. I love going to the movies with a bunch of kids. They make the experience that much more entertaining. In all, I would say we had about 15 to 20 kids with us. I know I had 4...Mimi had 6...Jackie had 5..okay 15 kids in all. The only downfall was that poor RoniLynn got her finger smooshed in the bathroom stall door. She was very brave, cried a little but did not carry on. Mimi was worried it was broken, but we are all hoping that it is not.

I then took my boys and Angel's boys to Target. I do not know how mom's with multiple kids do it! Those 4 boys drove me nuts....I was constantly trying to keep them rounded up and from touching things. They were pretty good, but towards the end, Colby wanted to play hide and seek. Not a cool game in a busy store. I ended up holding his hand and Jake's hand until we lined up to check out.

By the way, did I say how funny Kung Fu Panda was? I laughed my butt off. A definite must see!

Great Sunday!

I had a great Sunday yesterday! Alex's friend, Austin, spent the night so when we woke up, Ken got all of us to play video games, (mainly Mario Kart Wii). Then, Ken left to find the Wii Fit. He has been wanting one since he first heard about it and had some cash he saved up. He came back around 10:30ish and we all watched him try it out. It is so cool. It keeps track of your weight, BMI, and gives you goals to shoot for so you can be more Fit! The games and excercises are fun and challenging. The more you use it, the more items you unlock. Ken and I both found out we are overweight, (I already knew that). But, now we are striving to lose that weight and I think this new tool will help us both.

Later, Ken set up the Water Slide for the boys. Austin's brother, Colby came over and everyone played until around 2:30. The boys went home and we just hung out for the rest of the day. I love days like this...days where we have no plans, no where to go, just hanging out and having fun.

Today is the first day of summer vacation. Jake woke up early, (of course), but Alex is sleeping in, (again, of course). My plans today are pretty boring...laundry, general house picking up, and paying bills. But, the awesome thing is I really do not have to go anywhere until this evening for Alex's baseball game. Actually, I do have to go to the bank to make a PTA deposit, but that shouldn't take long. I plan on heading over to Costco, too. Need a few things and I haven't checked Costco out in awhile. I might talk Ken into going with me tonight...then he can shop for his Father's Day Poker Night! Now, I must get to work!

Baseball Day & Pool Party

Yesterday, Alex had a baseball game and baseball pool party. I was really happy that Ken could make it to both! Ken had 2 side jobs in San Mateo yesterday, and he was able to finish up, run errands, and make it back by 2! He is awesome!

We were a little annoyed with Alex's coach. Friday's practice, the coach told everyone to show up early. If you were late, you batted last. So, Alex pushed and pushed me to leave early for his game. We got there before the coach! Some kids showed up later and guess what...Alex still was one of the last ones to bat. I knew he's not the best player, but he really wanted to get there early so he didn't have to be the last one to bat. It was frustrating!

After the game, we went to one of the other parent's house for a pool party. I always wonder what it is people do to afford such beautiful homes! This person's house was not that far from our house, but they live in a gated community, with a pool and landscaped backyard, and an incredible view of the hills. Their neighbors had mini mansions!

During the baseball game, we were all sweating in the heat. All the mom's were like, 'oh, I am so getting in that pool after the game.' 'I don't care, I'm getting my hair wet.', and other indications that they were going in the pool too. Now, I wasn't going to go in, but thought..'okay, I can be a cool mom and swim too.' So, when we got home, I changed into my suit. We were one of the first to get there. Little Jake was ready to swim, so I went in with him to make sure the pool was safe..I needed to know where the shallow ends were and how deep the deep end was. Now, the party was for the whole baseball team...imagine 10 boys ages ranged from 6 to 9 and a pool. It was chaotic! I was protecting the little ones from splashing, bumping, and everything else! As the party progressed, more parents showed up. No one went in the pool! finally, Jake was too cold, so we both got out. I was quite annoyed! I knew those ladies wouldn't do it!

Needless to say, I am glad baseball season is almost over. You can tell on our team that the kids the coach's know are definitely given more instruction than the other kids. However, Alex had a lot of fun, he has definitely improved his game, and I will be more than happy to encourage him to play next year!

Field Day Fun

Yesterday was Alex's last day of school, (and last day of 3rd Grade). Last day of school lasts until noon and consists of a field day. I helped out with the field day and had a lot of fun. For Alex's school, the 2nd and 3rd graders had field day together. They went from 'station' to 'station' playing crazy games, burning lots of energy, and having great fun. The station I was in charge with was musical hula hoops. The game was similar to musical chairs. While the music was playing, the kids danced, ran, marched, moved around a group of hula hoops

Then when the music stops, all the kids run into the middle of the hula hoops. Who ever didn't make it in the hoop was out. After each round, Jake would steal another hoop for me until the ended up with one.

By the end of the six classes, I was pooped and my voice was hoarse. Jake had given up stealing hoops and sat in the grass waiting until we were done. When Alex's class came back to this station, it was time to go in. They had 30 minutes left before school was out. So, I let him stay for the last 30 minutes and just hung out in the classroom. Between me and Alex, we took some great pictures of the kids. Here are some fun pictures

Alex, Jenna, & Jack Alex's 3rd Grade Class - Mrs. Byland was their teacher

Anyway, I am so happy summer vacation is officially here! I have so many plans to keep the boys busy. Goals for the summer: Chabot Space & Science Center, SF Zoo, Sticker Factory, Old Mill, a few local Missions, gold Rush country, Idaho, craft projects, a few parks, Marine World, and maybe some down time. Today brings baseball game and after game pool party. I must make a spinach dip for the party.

Got To Keep Trying

Well, today I was viewing someone else's blog, and she had a link to another blog with a link to another blog...anyway, the point is that I ended up taking a weight loss challenge. I just posted the link on here...its called 'The Munchy Monster Within'. I would love to lose 20 to 25 pounds. Problem is I have a hard time sticking to anything, (you know, that ADD thing), and will work at weight loss for about 3 weeks until the monthly cycle comes around and then I lose it, (not the weight, the willpower). The longest I stayed on anything was for almost 3 months. It was weight watchers. However, anything having to do with diet change is really difficult. No one in my family seems to like anything new. Or, I get the whole diet thing down and then we go somewhere, (like camping), and there it goes...out the door! So, I am accepting this weight loss challenge and will work at my little goals to lose these clingy 20 pounds! Wish me luck!!!

More Found Pictures

More found pictures on Ken's phone. Above, I am all dressed up and just got done watching the show Ka, (which was totally beyond awesomely cool!). I wish that he would use my camera to take pictures...his phone is so grainy and I really do not dress up very often.
Again, in Vegas. Our last day there and I am showing off the 'sites' at the M&M factory photo op!
Me in the MGM. We stayed there but I would recommend a different hotel. Although the room was super cool, it is designed with the party male in mind...not someone who applies makeup, (like me). That was our first day there, and I was ready to go to the Lighting Convention with Ken.

Found pictures

My husband forgot his phone today. He has been taking tons of pictures on it, so I took the opportunity to email myself some of the pictures. Here is a great one of me and Jake at a resturant. I really do not know when or where this was taken, but I rarely ever get pictures of me and my kids...usually just the kids and Ken.

No More Yard Duty!

So, you may not know this, but one of my many jobs includes noon duty at my son's elementary school. I usually go 3 days a week and drag poor, little Jake along with me. There are positives and negatives to this job...but I prefer to dwell on the positive. Hey, why not..it keeps me smiling! Anyway, this job entails standing outside with a flashy orange vest, wearing a whistle, and having the power to scare the heck out of little kids. Now, do not think that I purposely scare kids...I hate seeing kids cry. But, I do enjoy sneaking up on them when they are doing something wrong and seeing the look on their little faces when they see me. Today was the last day I see the 6th graders, the last day little Kindergartners come to me with issues...

quote that I must share of a Kindergarten girl:
"She is ruining my life!" screams the little girl as she points to her classmate. This was said after another little girl accused her of chasing a boy!

This is the last day of dealing with Kick Ball drama, he's bugging me, she won't be my friend, I hurt myself, and sorry, I won't do it again. I plan on returning next school year as I do enjoy the happy moments of receiving dandelion bouquets, smiling little faces, brief hugs, and thanks for catching that ball. Most of all, I will miss when I'm off duty..no orange vest...an awe inspiring look as someone recognizes me, tugs at mom or dad's sleeve, points, and says, 'hey, she's my yard duty.' Working at the school is a rewarding, challenging, and delightful experience. Aaah, if I hadn't dropped out of college so many years ago...I might consider teaching!

Good Morning Day 3

Good morning. I am feeling better now that I have slept off the sad news I learned last night. Although, I woke up unsure of what day it was...thinking it might be Friday and realizing that it is actually Thursday. I must go to the school this morning for a very short PTA meeting. We are voting approval of the committees that our new president is forming. I'm on one of the committees, but sad to say, i'm not sure what the committee is for. I plan on staying to watch an awards ceremony the school is putting on...then I will go home for a brief time only to come back to do Yard Duty around lunch time. I will be so happy when school is out and I can actually focus on our house and the kids! I never thought that I would look forward to the kids being home for almost 3 months!
Also, congratulations Barrak Obama...for winning the Democratic Presidential Nomination! I did vote for Hilary, but I will be more than happy to vote for Obama this fall! I think he will be the best person to run against McCain! I have been crossing my fingers that the change in Presidency will bring about more positive effects for our nation!

Sad News

So, in case you may not have known, I was an avid podcast listener. Last year, my summer was filled with This American Life, Left, Right, & Center, and my favorite, Skeptics Guide To The Universe. Well, I made a decision to start up a new business, causing my life to be busier than ever, and pretty much cutting out listening to all podcasts. As it goes, I kind of lost that joy of listening to these podcasts and recently started up the listening again. Now, mind you, it has been almost a year since I have listened to these shows...shows that are updated once a week. Thus, I have missed approximately 40 some shows. Well, as I was listening to the Skeptics Guide today, I noticed a voice was missing in the cast of skeptics...a notable voice. As the episode wore on, I realized who the missing voice was, Perry DeAngelis. This man had a gravely voice that carried a tone of sarcastic, crude humor that I have always thoroughly enjoyed. But, he wasn't there and no one on the show mentioned where he was. So, sitting here tonight watching TV and fooling around on the computer, I decided to check out the SGU website to find out if they kicked Perry off the show...thinking it would be rather ballsy as Perry was one of the cofounders of the skeptic movement for this group. As I looked through the cast of characters, I came across Perry's name and saw that it mentioned that he has passed away. Passed away! I stared at the computer screen in disbelief. He passed away from what! The last podcast I had heard, he was sick..returning the next week...and that was where I left off...missing that week..month..almost a year to learn he never made it back! Anyway, I never met the man, I do not know him personally, he has no idea of my existance...but yet the news of his death makes me feel so sad. His witty skepticism not only touched me...but many others from all over. I just want to say, almost a year late, peace out Perry and thanks for your voice...a voice that made me realize that I am not the only weirdo out there for thinking the way I do.
Here is a link to his memory: www.perrydeangelis.org and a link to SGU..check it out as they are super cool www.theskepticsguide.org

Day 2 - Still Here

Day 2 on the blogosphere and I am still here! Laugh if you must, but making it two days in a row is an accomplishment! My day starts at 5:30am...I get up, make Ken lunch, make coffee, wait until he lives, and then I have at least a half hour of quiet time until someone, (usually Jake) wakes up. Jake just woke up and it is 6:30am. I am making him watch a show about Super Massive Black Holes. A very interesting, a slightly disturbing show. Jake hasn't complained yet...he must realize that if and when he does complain, back to bed he must go. My current day includes housecleaning, yard duty at Alex's school, making kids happy, a little league baseball game, and whatever else life throws at me. Will write more later.

Where Previous Attempts Have Failed

Blogs are the big thing now. I have tried several unsuccessful attempts to jump on the blogosphere band wagon, but to no avail! I used to love to write...my earlier life, (before the loving complications of family), I would write all the time. It was quite therapeutic. That other life also had time for another one of my loves...reading. I am inching up to my mid-30s and have realized that after attempting to do it all as wife and mother, I need to revert back to past passions and just do the things that I used to love to do. This includes reading and writing, and maybe even a little golf now and then. So, here I am...blogging away...and cross my fingers that I continue to contribute a bit to this blog every day. I do lead a rather mundane life, but my quirkiness adds that extra little interesting spark that keeps me, my kids, and my husband smiling. So sit back and enjoy living the life of me, Shannon!

PS: Thats a picture of me having a wonderful time with my husband. We were in Vegas last week and happened to have lunch at this fabulous pub called the Nine Fine Irishmen. It was located in New York, New York. I loved the food, the beer, and, of course, the wonderful company. This is one of those rare candid shots of me. Seriously, I usually have the camera taking the candid shots! Anyway, believe it or not, I actually like this picture because Ken caught me really smiling...laughing...and very close to snorting!