UP!

We just took Issy to see UP, the new PIXAR movie.... Its SO good that if you don't have kids, I would borrow a kid just to go see it! The amount of work and creativity that goes into making these films is mind blowing...I hope that they never stop. We give it four thumbs up (yep, even the baby went) Go see it...You will love it! Go here to see the trailer.

Pet Day

Issy was thrilled when I pulled up with Sandy at her preschool yesterday. Her preschool has a pet day every year- all the kids are allowed to bring their pets to school and talk about them, if you don't have a pet the kids are allowed to bring a stuffed animal. When Issy's turn came she said: "This is my best friend Sandy. She is a golden retriever, she is four and we got her in Albuquerque". She was too excited to say anything else. It was good morning!

Fabulous Fun Finds

Just in case you haven't already noticed, I added some "buttons" to my blog. Do yourself a favor and check out these sites right now. I have only been following fabulousfunfinds a couple of weeks, and I love it. I am not sure how I came across it, but I am so glad that I did. Not only do they have tons of giveaways each week (who doesn't like giveaways?), but they also have dozens of links promoting other online business (like Etsy...which I love) for things you are already shopping for, a lot of the time for a discount.

Enjoy!

Family Bowling

Brandon and I have been looking for fun, inexpensive activities to do as a family. We know that bowling isn't the cheapest activity to do out there, but we wouldn't have to drive clear out to Boise or Meridian to do it, so we gave it a go. For less than $12, we played a full game, and got the shoe rental for all 3 of us, more importantly we all had a blast!

What the...?!?!

I came home two nights ago to a small pile of hair on the bathroom floor and a little girl who will need a hair cut very soon. I seriously thought that she was going to outgrow this- guess not. Luckily the damage is quite minimal. When we asked her why she did this, her answer simple and yet truthful: "I just wanted a haircut". Well she is now getting two for the price of one.

YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

Homemade Bread

Just before my maternity leave ended I found homemade bread recipe while surfing the net. I was really interested in making things with less preservatives etc. Well I went back to work, things were busy and eventually just forgot about it. Today I woke up, was too lazy to go to the store just for a loaf of bread, and I thought "oh what the heck its now or never!" I made it- it was super easy, it tasted terrific!
The instructions are fool proof...Check out the link at: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/04/homemade-bread-cheap-delicious-healthy-and-easier-than-you-think/

Gym/Dance Class

Okay so after three long seasons of soccer and torturing Issy (and who are you kidding...us too!) we finally decided to call it quits. Right now she is full of energy so we found a program that we though would be perfect for her: Gym/Dance class. This class is split into two half hour sessions, first gymnastics and then Ballet. I know the pictures are awful but there is no doubt she is loving every minute of it.

I swear...

I would loose my head sometimes if it wasn't attached! I have been so stressed out at work lately and I have been taking everyday as it comes. This morning was no exception and I totally forgot that Issy had a field trip at preschool today- no biggie right? Wrong!

I didn't watch the news last night for a forecast of the week because I was at another Annual Meeting until after 9:30 pm....Last I remember the forecast called for a mid 60's week (now I am wondering how long ago that was?) Anyway I woke up, got the kids and myself ready for the day, walked out side to turn the car on. Loaded the little ones in to the car and off we were never giving Issy's summer outfit it a second thought. Her outfit consisted of a cute pair of brown flip flops, shorts, a cute little Cami tank top and Issy's favorite new horse sweatshirt (Thank you Jo, Mo and Allan!).
The second I pulled in to the parking lot it starts to rain. Panic...oh DARN IT! inside the classroom Issy's little noodle legs are shaking...i just want to hide under a rock! Then Mrs. Sale ask me if I happen to have a pair of sweats or something in the car for Issy because their field trip today was a little nature walk. Of course not, double DARN IT.
I had not choice but to run to Target and back, buy her a pair of jeans, socks and new shoes in less than 15 minutes. I don't know how but I made it back in time especially with my little 21lb tank, Jackson on tow but I did. (sigh).
so....
Field Trip $2 bucks!
New Jeans, shoes and socks $30
Laughing at this proud Mommy moment= Priceless!

I have been a mom now for almost 6 years now and yet some days I still do not have a clue as to what I am doing. I am wondering when it is that we are supposed to go through our mommy metamorphosis and become Super Mom?! :) No, that is not who it works? Rats!

Issy and Jackson remember this: I love you with all my heart and soul- some days are better than others but I trying and that is what counts. I don't know what I am going to do when I cant redeem myself with a game of UNO anymore but gosh darn it I will keep on trying.

A day in the life of an Association Manager!

I left my house at 7:27 am in order to be at work by 8 am and after a long busy day at work and a very long and difficult Homeowners Annual Meeting I finally made it home at 9:05 pm. I am starving because I was too busy to take a lunch, and absolutely mentally exhausted. I am sick of neighbor complaints, I am so sick about irrigation water outages, dry lawns and most of all I am sick, sick of Homeowners complaining how much they pay for in Annual Homeowner dues. You want to live in a nice place, you have to pay for it. Period. I am over worked and underpaid and at this point I have had enough of you complainers!!!

Here are a few thing to keep in mind next time you call to your Management Company to complain:

• If your Association Manager can remember your name, you call too much.
• When you start your call by saying "I don't want to complaint but" we are rolling out eyes because we know its going to be a long drawn out conversation about your neighbors. Oh brother here we go....
• I am not in the office sitting around waiting for your phone call, your emails or your faxes. Do not call me immediately after you have sent a fax or an email to ask if have received the fax or email. I haven't!
• I do not care that your water is out over the weekend so don't wonder why I am not as nice to you if I have to call you back.
• Even if we spoke a two days ago for a hour and had a lovely conversation about the weather remember that tomorrow I will not know who you are- Telling me this is is Joe Blow will not ring a bell for me, I speak to at least several dozen people every day.
• I did not write you CC&R's. It is not my responsibility to go back in time and ensure that your Agent or the Title company provided you with a set before you bought a house in your neighborhood.
• I also do not control how much you pay every year, every quarter or every month.
• I know its tough to come up with dues around Christmas time but its no surprise -you knew the bill was coming- Budget.
• If I made spelling errors in my Newsletters or Mailers for haven sakes GET OVER IT. I try to edit and edit some more but yes sometimes I miss things.if anything it was because I was too busy listening to you complaint about it.
• if you neighbors dog poops in your yard and you see it don't call me to tell me- talk to them about it. Why is everyone so afraid to talk to their neighbors these days?

Okay...I think I have made my point. I could go on forever but does it matter? If anything after reading this just remember to be nice your Association Manager next time you have to call in- I know we are just voices on the other side of the receiver but we are the dump all department for constant bitching in this all demanding and all deserving world of Homeowner Associations. BLAH!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

Happy Day to all of you wonderful moms out there!The best part of my life are my kids and family so I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to share my life and everything I know with two of the most amazing little souls I have ever met! My life as a Mother is beautiful-

Our celebration began last night- we went out to a new Restaurant called Tucano's Brazilian Grill with my family, my parents, my two sisters and my sister's Mother and sister in law. I loved every minute of it. The place was packed, the food was terrific and best of all it was loud enough that we never had to worry about Jackson crying or getting tired because no one could hear him...ahhh, I love places like that!!!

After dinner and out great desserts we got some super exciting news from my sister Blanca and Isaac: Blanca who is clever as always wore a cute little outfit -after dinner she opened up her sweatshirt to reveal the a cute message on her shirt that said "Does this shirt make me look Pregnant?" WHAT?!?!?! Yep...They are expecting! Everyone was super excited for them. That makes 3 new grand babies in my family this year. Jackson, Baby Bella (due in June) and Baby Joyner!!! I cant wait to see the little rug-rats running around next year.

I got to open my Mother's day gift after Dinner because Issy and Jax had put their allowance together to buy me a set of UNO cards...it was so cute. We played a game and put Issy to bed, by that time Jackson was long a sleep. We were exhausted and even though we tried to watch a movie Brandon and I just passed out. This morning I got to sleep in (hallelujah), when I woke up I got chocolate chip pancakes (Brandon's specialty..yay!) and finally after a long week we got to spend the day together as a family. Brandon got me a Screen Printing kit that I have been wanting for Mother's day...love it! I cant wait to get started on this new hobby of mine.

This weekend has been amazing...my heart is smiling!!!

Issy made me this gift along with a sunflower plant they grew from a seed at preschool! Her teacher Mrs. Sale asked each child the question and they were supposed to answer it. Its so cute, I love it when they do stuff like that. I have it written out below becase I know its hard to read. Keep in mind that Issy also took the picture, which explains why the top of my head is chopped off, regardless its not bad for a five year old. It says:

My mom is: "24" years old

My mom is prettiest when she: "gets dressed in dresses"

My mom always says:"I love you"

My mom likes to make: "cookies"

My mom is funny when: "she makes jokes"

Lazy Wednesday

Wednesday proved to be a pretty lazy day for the most part. I got up threw some stuff in the crock pot for dinner, I ran a few loads of laundry and then we took our time getting dressed and ready. We had an appointment in Boise at 2 pm so while I was running around the house I stopped to take some of the kids playing. Poor Jackson if only he knew :)

I don't know if you can see that in the picture Jackson is playing with a Barbie kid named "David"- Issy loved the company -Jackson loved the "chew toy"- I loved the longer shower! win-win for everyone!