After the morning rush which involves getting the kids on the bus and my man sent off with a kiss.  I went about my daily routine of washing the breakfast dishes.  I kept on feeling like someone was watching me.........I was right.  Check him out.

I got to thinking how quickly we adjust to life.  Dan and I were married for 10 years before we had kids.  We were very used to doing what we wanted when we wanted.  The house was usually quite clean, there were no landmines of army men to step on, "my little ponies" to pick up, or squirrels stuck in lampshades. 

Life has changed......for the better.  I am going to miss all their little toys when they are past "the toy" stage.  I decided to grab my camera and walk around the house and see what I could find.  It's all about the little things in life and these little things gave me a laugh.  Here is a glimpse into a six year olds creative mind, untouched by Mommy.  . 

I think these army men are out of luck, that dog could eat them for lunch.......

Is that a rat on your book?  (Great book, kids loved it).

Take note of the party kazoo's taped onto the banner.  Sophie said,  "that way, I can blow them when I wake up".  What a great attitude.  I hope I wake up tomorrow feeling like blowing my kazoo!

Max loves to put his shoes next to Dad's shoes.  Those are quite big shoes to fill Max but I know you are capable......

"My fish need company", said Sophie.

Dan and I have been reading a ton of books about Parisian culture.  I think I need to stop because I am becoming fearful of this new adventure.  The differences between the French and Americans are vast.  One such difference is how the French view children.

They believe that children should be seen and not heard.  "It is not uncommon to see a child at the age of two or three sitting quietly for a couple of hours while the parents enjoy dinner and conversation with friends", says "the book".  I think  Americans are at the other end of the spectrum;  doting on their children to a fault, giving them tons of choices, accepting bad behaviour  by making comments like "Oh, little Tommy is tired" etc.  (I can't tell you how many times I've used that line).    

I have always thought Max and Sophie had fairly good manners.  Now, I feel like the "manners police".  I am constantly on them "did you say thank you", "look that person in the eye when they talk to you", "sit up straight", "don't play with your food".   I am going to give myself a nervous breakdown trying to mold them over the next two months into "American children who behave in Paris".   Who am I kidding??  

I am noticing so many things about my children and the children around me.....we  spoil them.   I know my parents generation are laughing right now saying "yes,  you do".  Their parents all came from "the old country" where, for the most part, children were seen and not heard.  Personally, I hate that term.  Can't we find a middle ground?  I think that my children could use some fine tuning but I also want them to express themselves  and have a voice.   

The goal for me is to "chill out" and stop worrying about what others think of MY parenting and MY children.   I will put my "blinders" on and do the best I can........or I will make friends with another Mom who has a couple of terrors running around so I won't look so bad.  Yeah, that sounds better.

Do you remember the feeling you used to get buying a new pair of shoes as a child?  I do.  I longed to go to "Buster Brown" or "Dexter" but alas, we had to be content with "Kinney Shoes" in the mall.  (Don 't you feel sorry for me?  Ha.)  I remember those shiny little shoes and how I just had  to wear them home. 

Max and Sophie just got a new pair of shoes yesterday.  Not at "Stride Ride" but at "Target".  (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)  They asked to wear them home and I said "no".  Why?  I forgot that "kid feeling".  (I hate it when I do that.)  It didn't seem to phase them and they happily climbed into bed last night with their shoes.  Sophie was holding her pair like a stuffed animal and Max placed his "just so" at the foot of his bed.    

 Our T-ball season came to an end last night.   After a great game the team headed over to "Fat Daddy's" for a burger and celebration.  Coach Finley sat right next to Max and congratulated him on a great season while Max listened intently, just waiting for that trophy.  His eyes lit up when coach handed it to him. (I think the main reason why he signed up for T-ball was to get a trophy.) 

On the way home in the car Max said "Coach Finley is my adult friend".  Max had a great season and we had an awesome coach along with the most amazing kids and parents.  It was such a joy to go to the games on the weekends.   Thank you for a memorable season  Riverdogs.....ruff, ruff, ruff!

Don't you want to know what they are talking about?  They love to meet every weekend while their brothers play t-ball.  They greet each other with an enthusiastic "hi" and then run away in a little cluster.  They love to play in the sand and talk about what, I don't know.......until today.  I was snapping some pictures and overheard  them trying to come up with a special name for their club.  Sophie said "let's call it the Peyton, Macy and Sophie club".  Peyton agreed.  Macy wasn't sold on that name and said "let's call it the PMS club".  They all said "oh that's good".  I laughed out loud.  Hey, I am a member of that club every month.

I am my mother.  She used to dump our Halloween candy, a little at a time, into the trash while we were at school.  I am doing the same thing.  Not so much for the kids because they can have a piece or two a day.   Not me, if it is in the house, it cries out  "eat me".  I can't stay out of it.

When I was a kid I used to walk up to "The Toy and Patio" (a dime store) in Sierra Madre with Andy Canzoneri (my neighbor) and we would buy nickel candy and bring it home. (I sound soooo old...."nickel candy").    We had a special bush we would crawl under and eat our candy.  We would hide it under that bush too so no one could lay their little paws on it.  I don't hide under a bush anymore to eat my candy but I still can't stay out of it if it is nearby.  

Happy Birthday Baby!  Who would have thought that a car accident would have brought us together?  That was the best thing that ever happened to me.  You were my hero that day and continue to be a hero to me and to our children.


I love this picture of you looking back at me.  I can see the love for me in your sweet eyes.  Thank you for loving me so passionately and with such intensity.  Did I just say that?  You are an intense man, no doubt about it.  I love it though.  I am not sure what you saw in me so many years ago but let me tell you what I saw in you and continue to see in you.....

First and foremost, you are fine!  (Hey, there needs to be chemistry, I don't care what anybody says).  You are by far the most gorgeous man I have laid eyes on.  That thick dark hair, your romanesque nose and chiseled features.  Oh, I could go on and on but I won't because I know how red you must be getting while reading this. 

I was attracted to your adventurous spirit.  I remember learning that you were a scuba diver,  pilot,  boater, motorcycle rider and bomb technician.  Can I just say "sign me up please":  I hit the jackpot! 

One of our first dates was on your Harley.  Oh, what fun.  I loved the many rides on the back of your bike cruising down Pacific Coast Highway.  The scuba diving was awesome too.  Remember our honeymoon?   You introduced me to a whole new world.  I was mesmerized by the beauty of our underwater world.  The flying, oh the flying.  I loved flying with you and learning the ins and outs of piloting airplanes and helicopters.  It's a miracle we made it through the boating.  I was such a "ding a ling" when it came to learning all there is to know about boating.  You would not allow me to just sit back and enjoy the ride.  Oh no, I had to learn how to back that trailer down the ramp, drive the boat onto the ramp, etc. etc.  I have to say that I never once was frightened of flying, boating, diving or motorcycle riding with you.  I ALWAYS felt safe with you.

The adventures that we have had all pale in comparison to your heart.  Your lifes mission is to make me happy.  You will do just about anything to make me and the kids happy.  Your selfless attitude and generosity is awe inspiring to me. 

I remember the anguish you felt about starting a family.  It was a tough decision but once again you knew how important having children was to me and you underwent years of infertility procedures right along with me. 

Once you found out you were going to be a Father you "kicked it into high gear" and have taken this "parenting gig" very seriously.  You have grown so much as a Father and human being.  Max and Sophie truly bring out the best in you. 

Today I celebrate the love of my life.  My life and my breath.  You are an amazing man and I appreciate all that you do for me and our family.  There are not enough pages to profess my love for you and all that you have done to enrich my life.  I love you!

I can remember when I flew for American Airlines how I laughed (under my breath) at the "bling" that Texas flight attendants loved.  I was a California girl happy wearing my flip flops and tank tops on my layovers.  "Those Texas girls" were all about leapord prints, diamond jubees and rhinestones; the flashier the better.  When I moved to Texas I can remember very clearly telling some friends back home "hit me over the head with a frying pan if I get caught up in all the Texas bling". 

Anyone have a frying pan handy?  I need to be whacked.  It took me about two years  to stop laughing and start converting "to the other side".  I am not sure if it helped having a pre-school daughter who loved all things "sparkly" but now I love flashy, sparkly, "blingy" jewelry, belts, and clothes.  At least I never bought "the bedazzler".  Remember that infommercial with the rhinestones and the "thinga majigg" that stuck them onto your jeans, t-shirts, etc. ?   Never say never.

Between you and me, I question myself at how easily I got sucked into the Texas culture, hmmm.  Can you just imagine what is going to happen to me in Paris?  I will come home sporting a pixie cut, a major attitude, a slender physique, and an air of dignity.  Ha, who am I kidding.  (Although, I already have a major attitude.)     

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite "bling" purchases........

I have moved many times in the last 20 years.  All to my parents chagrin.  Mom now  "pencils in" our new address.   Hey, we lived in Sierra Madre for seven years, that was a good run for us.

Even though we have moved many times, it still makes me sad when the realtor sign gets staked into the ground.  It's as if the house winces from the pain.  I feel like I am abandoning our sweet girl who is so eager to welcome us home day in and day out.

We will miss you but this is not goodbye forever.  We will make sure that whoever leases you will take very good care of you while we are away.

I woke to a hot cup of Starbuck's coffee along with some yummy treats from Panera Bakery.  I am a Starbuck's junkie so this was quite a treat for me.  Dan took the day off and I kept the kids home from school to celebrate my 40th Birthday.  It was glorious. 

I asked Dan for a new "snazzy" camera for my Birthday and the man delivered.  Although, the first box that I opened was a "homemade" version of said camera.  I love practical jokes and Dan is the king of practical jokes.  Check out the camera that Dan and Max made for me.

We grabbed lunch and took a drive so I could yell to Dan "stop the car" and my family would get out of the car and pose for me.  They were very good about getting in and out of the car.  Thank you Dan, Max and Sophie for a wonderful Birthday.