Take your cheetah to work day

In honor of  "National Take Your Children to Work" Day, something I participated in when I worked for a fancy firm, I thought I would show pictures from when I took "Cheeto" to work with me.  Have you met Cheeto?  He is AK's beloved Cheetah and on April 15th, she sent him to work with me to "help out" at AK's suggestion. 

His lack of thumbs really didn't lend itself to preparing tax returns, so I gave him other duties, like filing.

He also took a spin at answering phones.   "No Ma'am, your dog is not a dependent." 

And at the end of the day, Cheeto celebrated with a champagne toast.   I had sparkling cider, so that I could be designated driver for Cheeto.

AK was tickled at seeing all the pictures of Cheeto throughout the day and the staff had a great time blaming all the things that went wrong on Cheeto, he made for a really nice scapegoat.   The only hiccup with the day was when AK wanted to see Cheeto's paycheck... which made me wonder if this was really a moneymaking scheme on her part.

Ridemakerz Party #XtremeCustomzParty

My kids have oogled outside the Ridemakerz store many times and I was thrilled to host a Ridemakerz Mommy Party.   When I brought out the boxes for the boys to try out, they couldn't wait to rip into them.

Ridemakerz are cars that you can customize that come with an assortment of different accessories.   The boys loved trying all the different accessorizes.   AK couldn't resist and had to join in all the fun. 

 After the cars were built and fully tricked out, we engaged in races.   The kids were anxious to "hit the pits" during the races to switch out wheels or accessories.  

My 2 cents for what it's worth, the kids loved the concept and have spent hours since racing their cars and changing out the parts.  It's for kids five and up, and everyone who came was able to build their car on their own.  Getting the pieces out of the package, was a task adults had to help with, but that isn't uncommon.   Some of the pieces were chronically coming off, but the kids seemed to enjoy that it "added to the drama"  of the race. 

 Big thanks to Ridemakerz and MommyParties for letting me host and to all our guest who came. (many of whom aren't pictured here.)

All Xtreme Customz by Ridemakerz toys provided by MommyParties and Ridemakerz.  All opinions expressed are my own!

March in Review

Contrary to the saying, March came in like a lamb at our house and out like a lion.  By the end of the month, I felt like was treading water trying to stay afloat.  It's my career choice, tax season always takes it toll, but for whatever reason, this tax season was slow to start, and then the last three weeks were brutal.  I always threaten to retire around March 30th, and this year was no different. Here is the month of March, in picture form.

Mr. Boy insisted on dressing up for Dr. Seuss Day, we made a Green Eggs and Ham Shirt and hat, and realized when we got to school, no one else was dressing up. Mr. Boy wore his jacket on all day, and stashed his hat in his backpack pretty quickly.  I hated seeing his enthusiasm squashed.

We took the kids miniature golfing for the very first time.

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AK had her "Showcamp" performance which is like a dancing vocal choir.  She loved it and is a natural performer, and uses "Jazz Hands" at every opportunity.

We went out for a fancy dinner with the kids, where Mr. Boy begrudgingly ate his dessert.  I was reminded that my kids are being raised by different parents than I was. When I was growing up, my family NEVER ever ordered dessert at restaurants, sugar was evil, so to me it is a big treat, but to him, it's no big deal. 

Mr. Boy decided to take the plunge and cut off his long golden locks...

He loved the steam towel and the massage that came with his haircut.

It took me a few days to adjust to the new cut.  We also celebrated St. Patrick's Day also known as "Mr. Boys Day".  We met his beautiful birthmom on St. Patrick's Day ten years ago, and a few months later she placed this beautiful Irish babe in my arms. I am grateful to her and to birthmoms everywhere for giving me the gift of motherhood.

 

AK-47 finally learned how to ride a bike and has spent hours circling the Chalet in her bike. Living on a hill is a terrible place to try to teach a child to ride a bike, but she mastered it. 

I took the week off during Spring Break and we indulged in all sorts of laziness and fun activities.

We had Frozen Yogurt for Brunch, lounged by the pool, and tried out this new Jumpy contraption.

The kids spent many long afternoons "camping" and playing army man in the hills.   I never tire of the golden light that bathes the hillside at sundown.

One night I slipped away for a girls night out to see one of my favorite bands, "Imagine Dragons".  Thanks to the YES project of last year, I was reminded just how much I love to see live shows. 

We also went with our friends to see the play "Madeline and the Gypsies"  at our favorite little theater.  Miss AK went in costume of course.

Crazy Hair Day arrived at school and AK proclaimed she wanted "Pink Ponies" in her hair.   She is begging for Pinkalicious Permanent Pink Hair these days.  It was also Crazy Sock Day at school and AK, who wears crazy knee high socks daily, decided to wear "regular people's matching socks" that day.  The girl has mastered the art of ironic humor at the age of 7.  Poor Mr. Boy wanted nothing to do with crazy hair or sock day, being that he was still mortified that he was the only one who participated in Dr. Seuss day.  

By the end of the month I had fully retreated into my tax cave where I crunched numbers all day long and daydreamed of summer days spent at my beloved Chalet.

Right now...

Right now I'm sprinting to the finish for tax season. All I want to do is whine and complain... about my messy house, the stack of papers on my desk, and how tired I am, but right now as the sun comes up behind the hillside, I am sitting outside with the dogs and this is my view.  

The house is quiet as my family sleeps, the lunches are packed, and I'm sitting here quietly with my thoughts.   The deer come down the hill to greet me and I spot Lucky, who was this darling little spotted fawn born last summer.

The kids named him Lucky, because we are lucky to have him in our lives.  I love his name and on this morning it  reminds me of how lucky I am. I am reminded just how many things I have to be grateful for.  I have my family, our health, my friends, and this beautiful house.  Today I'm grateful for the quiet time I spend in the morning, it's always worth it. Right now, I'm a lucky girl.