What's been going on??

I have not posted anything in several months and decided to do some catching up.

- We are well into another school year for the kiddos and I have to say, it is not as stressful as last year. Kaylea has figured out the whole middle school concept and requires very little (unwanted) guidance from her over-intruding mom. I do still look at agenda every night and keep a watchful eye on her grades on-line (she doesn't have to know about this at all).

Mason is getting real grades this year instead of that crazy standards thing that they do thru 2nd grade. He is working really hard and is doing great. 3rd grade is not an easy year but we're not going to stress over it (just pray daily).

- We had an amazing summer vacation. The longest one ever - since we are no longer on a year around school schedule. We were very lazy and unstressed all summer. Took trips to NC, TN and Anna Maria Island.

- I must be crazy and have added 2 new pets to the bunch. Moe and Joe, the guinea pig twins, came to live with us. I didn't want Stimpy to be alone. These are definitely the last creatures to enter this house. They aren't hard to care for but they cost a lot to feed. Fruits, veggies, pellet food, and hay everyday for all three. Yes, they are spoiled. Who know you could spoil a guinea pig??

- We added French doors to our formal living room to close off our office. Since moving our office into this wasted space in our house (who uses a formal living room), I have struggled to keep it clean. Since it is right by the front door, I wanted to to look as nice as possible. Now, I can close the doors and the house looks neat and tidy. I can now say that we are using every square inch of our house. I mean every square inch.

- I threaten to hire a cleaning lady every single weekend. Not happened yet.

- Working 2 part time jobs and volunteering at both the kid's schools is really keeping me on my toes. It's what I choose to do - so - I won't complain about it. It's all good!!

- I have watched Young and the Restless all my life. I record it every day and am 4 months behind in watching it. I sure hope my DVR box does fail me now.

- We are taking our swing set down. Bobby built it 10 years ago and we moved it to our new house in 2005. It has definitely seen better days. We did a little make-over on it 2 years ago and it would need it again. The kids rarely play on it and I just don't want to sink more $$ into it. I am really sad to see it go. I have lots of good memories of the hours and hours the kids have played on it. Mason is really enjoying the tear down process. It's good father/son bonding time.

- We are taking time off from soccer this year. It really seems strange not to be at the soccer fields every Saturday. Kaylea wanted to try dance and Mason never really loved soccer. I was afraid Kaylea would regret not playing but she has not said a single word about missing it.

I am really going to update my blog more often. It is kinda like writing in a diary for me. It is fun to go back and read things from the past.

Last weekend of soccer - for now!

Last weekend was our last tournament for the regular season of soccer. This tournament was originally scheduled for the first weekend in Dec. but due to buckets and buckets of rain, it was re-scheduled.

The soccer people (the ones that make all the decisions) felt it completely great to play on with the tournament on the coldest weekend we Floridians (at least since I've lived here - 11 years) has ever experienced. It actually sleeted on us during the second game on Saturday and didn't get above 36 degrees. We, mostly the parents, well, mostly just me, were bundled up like we were going to Alaska.

Believe it or not, our girls played GREAT. I think the cold weather agrees with them. We won 2 games, tied 1, and come in 2nd place overall. Should have been first - but I won't go there.

Bobby is now retired from coaching girl's soccer and is moving down to Mason's level. He is giving it a go for 4 v 4 and we'll just have to see how that goes. He is in high demand and will just have to see who will give him the best offer. Just kidding!! Actually, he is a very good coach and has lots of players request to be on his team. He has the perfect mixture of teaching skills, having fun and wanting to win.

I love to watch my kids play soccer and in a few weeks I'll be doing it again. Then, I'll probably be saying that it is stinking hot outside.

Clubs

Mason seems to be very popular at school. He is a member of several clubs. The Cool Club, The X Box Club and The Handsome Men That Likes to Date the Ladies Club.

Oh, he can't be heard calling my mommy in front of the Cool Club. Only "mom" will do or they will tease and laugh at him. But I still got the best hug and snuggle when I got home today.

What a difference!

Mario (formally known as Bruno) came to live with us Christmas Eve 2008. We adopted him from the SPCA. It didn't take long before I realized that we had made a huge mistake. I have never owned a bigger dog before and couldn't get used to the things he could do - like - jump over the back of the sofa (over my head, I must add), jump up into the air and turn 360 degrees, eat 3 cups of dog food a day, lick with a really big tongue, drink from the toilet bowel, eat food off the counter tops in the kitchen with no effort at all, and the list can go on and on.

With a little patience, love and training, I can say that he is now the best and sweetest dog. It is still not the easiest having a 2 dog household but he is honestly better behaved than Boomer. I'm glad that we (I) stuck it out. I wanted to return him each and every day for 2 months, but didn't have the heart to do it. Now, I get joy from him every day.

Resting on his bed

Surprising Kaylea by being in her bed. (No, this is not where he actually sleeps)

Back to it

Well, today was the last day of Christmas break. We had lots of down time over the last 2 weeks. It was really nice to take a break from the daily grind and relax. Today was a small dose of reality. Bobby took the day off, I worked half a day and then we decided to tackle the attic. We have been putting this off for years because it is way too hot for 10+ months of the year to stand being up there. It wasn't as bad as I thought. We mostly just organized. I found stuff that I forgot I even had.

The good thing about the school routine is that the kids will be in bed by 8:30. I am exhausted from staying up to midnight every night.

This is what was going on here last night.

Tonight, Mason and Kaylea are bathed and ready for bed....

and lunches are packed....

Ice, Ice Baby!

I always get a kick out of our Florida town having ice skating every winter. It is such a nice holiday tradition that was forgotten for many years by my family. I still remember how badly my feet hurt during the last ice skating expedition.

We decided to give it a go this week. I opted out this time. I really enjoyed watching and sipping hot chocolate. It is a great place to people watch. I made a friend with a fellow mom watcher and just had myself a good ole time.

I think skating is like riding a bike. The kids and Bobby didn't miss a beat. Mason and Bobby only fell 1 time.

Kaylea brought her friend Courtney.

Mason wanted to pose with his skate.

And on the second day

We are two days into the new year and I feel so refreshed. I think I sorta have this feeling every year. Maybe, I san stick to all my new goals, plans, chore charts and budget ideas longer than 2 weeks.

My 1st goal of the year is to blog about my day every day in 2010. I want to remember the small (but big) moments of my day. This is my attempt to slow down and savor the moment.

Today......

I caught Mason doing a little back scratching. What you can't tell from this picture is that the room is dark except for his new disco ball light.

New Years Eve

Our New Year's Eve was just perfect. Nothing fancy - just dinner with the extended family at Bonefish followed by a long visit with my sofa. This has been our first NYE spent at home in years and it suited my just fine. Mason barely stayed awake until the big ball drop. We all managed to stay awake, cheered, hugged each other (pets included) and then to bed.

It couldn't have been more perfect. I think it means I am getting old. But, we all seemed to be happy and that's all that matters.