Five Things for Friday

1.  I'm obsessed, obsessed I tell you, with the podcast Serial.   It's a podcast that chronicles a murder and each episode makes me come to a different conclusion.   I find every excuse to pop in my ear buds and listen to another episode. I even listen to it while I am walking around the store.  I'm wondering what other podcasts I'm missing, so fill me in on what you are listening to.

2.  We have been fighting over the leftovers of this Lettuce Wrap recipe for the last few weeks.  I have been know to eat these for breakfast on occasion, and they are low carb, fairly low cal, and delish.  I use lean ground turkey breast instead of ground chicken because it's something I usually have on hand. 

3. I just finished the book "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" and loved the characters like they were old friends. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions and shed a tear as well.  I didn't want this book to end and kept putting off reading the last few chapters, I just didn't want to see the story end. 

4.  I've got Summer Fever real bad.   A recent trip to the beach and a couple days off school for Spring Break have given me a taste of our summer personas.  I can't stop dreaming of our Ultimate Super Mega Summer IV.    I love that my kids are already thinking about it too and are keeping their eye out for our annual "Summer Read by the Pool Book."  They have also come up with lofty goals for the summer such as "Find the best donuts in Los Angeles."  I'm so completely done with school projects and studying for tests.  I dream of homeschooling, but we all know I'd be the worst at it.  I would totally count watching "Deadliest Catch" as a unit on marine biology and watching The Amazing Race as a geography lesson.  My kids would graduate with a diploma that would only prepare them to compete on a reality game show and would be useless in the job market. So for now, we will stick with traditional education and count down our days until our next "Ultimate Super Mega Summer."

5. For the past few months while I do the dishes and clean up the kitchen I've been putting on the Webisodes of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."  It has made a tedious chore 100% more enjoyable and it's the perfect thing to watch when you are only 80% paying attention.

Let me know something that you have been loving lately in the comments below. 

Ya Ya Wisdom

One of the perks about my "Yes Trip" to Utah was getting to hang with some of the Ya Ya's. The Ya Ya's and I met ages ago at Book Club where we read "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood".  We have a bond that is deep, unbreakable, and unique.  We have had babies together, shared triumphs and devastation.   We have held vigils in hospitals, prayed for good news, and buoyed each other up in the darkest of times.  I love these girls, and I love that Mr. Man gets my relationship with them.   When I have struggled he has said, "Ask the YaYa's, they'll know... "  

Bob, Moi, Booboo

One of the legendary YaYa moments is with Booboo.  Several years ago, I accidentally backed my car into Mr. Man's "Beloved" car.  More like slammed my car into Mr. Man's.  Even worse Mr. Man ran out hearing the noise only to see my car and his car had become conjoined into one lump of metal.   I had to punch the gas to pry the cars apart, and peeled out of driveway.  I will never forget the look on Mr. Man's face, it is one of the few times I have ever seen him mad.   I picked up my cell phone and called, Booboo.

Moi:   Booboo, I um... I backed into Mr. Man's car.  

Booboo:  Wait, What? His beloved blue car?  The one he says goodnight to before bed?  

Moi: YES!  Oh my goodness, what am I going to do?   I think I'm just going to keep driving and move to Texas and become a blonde.  That's the only way.... he is gonna kill me!

Booboo:  Wait, let's calm down and just think for a moment.   Okay, are you sure his car wasn't already all smashed up?  I mean, it could have already been like that and you didn't really hit it at all!

Moi:  I guess that's possible, but I had to slam on the gas to unhook them. 

Booboo:  Hmmm, I think I've always pictured you as more of a redhead than a blonde. 

Ah, bless the Ya Ya who always assume your innocence in all situations, that is a good friend.  I totally get what those Sex and the City gals meant when they said, 

"Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates and boys are just people to have fun with."

 

As I sank down on the couches at the Ya Ya's house, I felt instantly at ease.  We talked, we laughed, and we watched the Petit Ya Ya's play.   One night at Bob's house, I couldn't help but notice the clock was striking 10 and her house had no signs of slowing down.  In fact a meal was being fired up in the kitchen for a late night snack.  I was baffled, because even as the self proclaimed Queen of the Ultimate Mega Super Summer, everyone under 5 feet tall is in bed by 9pm during the summer.   Bob imparted her Ya Ya wisdom, that these were the best times during the summer for spending time as a family.   Dad was home from work, the blazing sun had set, and the lazy evenings were sacred family time. 

The whole way home I kept wondering, "Am I doing Summer wrong?  What if I'm missing the best part?"   Last week, I decided to try the YaYa way and let bedtime slip by.  My children who bickered from sun up to sun down, got along and constructed a Lego city together.   TOGETHER!  They never do things together unless bribed or forced.    

 

We talked while they built their city, and I cherished this time with my kids.   There wasn't a ticking clock on the time we were spending together, it was just going with the flow, something I'm not very good at.   It was nearly midnight when the yawns became more frequent than words, and we tucked the little ones in bed. Unfortunately, the next day AK was in tears the entire day due to her late bedtime, so maybe we need to adjust this a bit.   But I don't want to forget the lesson I learned of turning my back to the ticking clock, the schedules, the routines every once in a while to make time for some cherished memories. 

This is a lesson I needed to learn before we jump into fall, with it's crazy sports schedule, and the demands of school.  I needed to remember this time is fleeting and it is the family, not the schedule that trumps everything.

Would Sir desire a juice box?

 

Something happened last week and the Super Ultimate Mega Summer took it's toll on my family.  My kids turned from Partners in Fun to Grouchypants.   We tried going to bed and starting the day over at 3pm one day.  Everyone climbed back in bed, we started over with good morning and pleasantries and I made waffles at 3pm, pretending it was really 9am.  Then the bickering started over who got more chocolate chips on their waffle.   I stood there exasperated....  and out tumbled out, "Do you understand how lucky you are?   When I was little, I didn't even get to have waffles.... much less with chocolate chips!  We ate CAROB chips for a treat... do you even know what that tastes like? Like dirt... and cow poop...."   

I froze... I sounded like a crazy old woman.   This is not the right approach.   So a few nights later when Mr. Boy was feeling grouchy and feisty... I made him take a bath.   He fought me on it, but I wrestled him into the tub.  Literally, sticking him in the tub against his will.  Then I delivered dinner to him, pretending he was a king.   After he was done, I wrapped him in a towel, rubbed his back, and put him to bed, an hour early.  Somehow the royal treatment and the warm water melted away his bad attitude.

Last night, I was in a grouchy mood with a pounding headache.  Mr. Man came home and I cried and ranted to him. He gave me a hug and said, "Would my lady desire a bath?"  Ah... yes attitude is contagious and I decided mine needed to be washed away with a long hot bath... although instead of nuggets served tubside, I demanded a fruity drink and a trashy mag.  

Kicking off the Super Ultimate Mega Summer with a luxurious BANG!

When you declare that you will embark on " The Super Ultimate Mega Summer, Part Deux" you can't just start it off with some humdrum day of laziness.  You have to start it off right, with flair, sizzle, and some mandatory relaxation.   So we packed up the Fun-mobile for a little road trip to the desert.   It was drizzling and foggy in Los Angeles, but sunny and warm just outside of Palm Springs.   I really don't understand why it takes so much gear to for one family for one weekend.  I swear Mr. Man always packs way too many shoes...

    

You might remember this place from last year.   During tax season last year, I totally ran away to this place. 

 

This resort is super fancy and when you drive through the gates, you can't help but feel pampered and like, "Oh yes, actually....I WOULD like a $9 ice cream sandwich!  That seems like a fair price, and you know what?  I deserve it."  

Even better than the luxurious accommodations is the chance to hang out with some of my very favorite people.   I love these kids and their parents so very much.   They are fabulous travel companions, with the exception of AK, who turns into a crazy party animal when the lights are out.   We might have to leave her at home next time. 

These boys decided that since neither of them have brothers, they should be honorary brothers.   Truthfully, sometimes it's better to have "family" that you get to pick.   

 

These bigger boys crack me up, as they swapped stories under a crazy romantic canopy bed.   It felt like a slumber party for the adults as we stayed up late and chatted.  

  

During the days, we walked to one of the many pools,

  

and swam,

and lounged in the poolside cabana, 

and swam some more.  Or sometimes, we'd float and read a magazine.

Mr. Relaxed Man is my favorite of all the versions of Mr. Man.  He was so relaxed, he actually read a book by the pool.  He hasn't read a book in 12 years, because he claims he hasn't had enough downtime to sit around and "just read". Excuses! Excuses! I say!  

 

Mr. Man and I were able to lounge together and talk... really talk without interruption on this trip.  I hate that our lives are such that we don't have time  make it a priority to spend quality time.   I realized on this trip, that we need to make it a priority in our lives, because goodness, he is fascinating and I really like spending time with him. 

 

We indulged in those $9 Ice Cream Sandwiches and didn't bat an eye.  My inner scrooge had been left at the gates of the resort. 

At the end of the day, we would walk back to the hacienda, tired, yet refreshed.

The kids would have movie night, while the adults relaxed.  It was the perfect way to start our summer. 

 

One evening while the dads were entertaining the kids, I slipped out for a walk.  The sun was setting and everything was so gorgeous.

While I walked past the beloved pool cabanas, I thought about our trip here last year.   I was so very broken, and still so raw with grief from my mom's death.  I was stuck in that stage where I didn't want to be left alone for fear that my grief would overcome me, and yet I kind of just wanted to be left alone.  It doesn't make sense, but grief doesn't really make sense.  I remember laughing really hard the first night on the trip and thinking, "Oh hello happy heart, come and stay for awhile."

I thought about how much things have changed in the last year, how far I've come, and how lucky I am.  Last year I had a hard time seeing past the bad and realizing I was surrounded by so much good.  My mom's cancer was awful and there were some events that were so traumatic, it shook me to my core.

 

Even though I still miss my mom and long to reverse the clock, I am so incredibly lucky. I have so many things to be grateful for.   I have been very blessed,  my life is bliss.  I returned from my walk full of gratitude, for my kids, my friends, their kids, and all the good things around me.  God has been good to me.

 

When the weekend came to a close, Mr. Man was relaxed, I was refreshed, and the kids were happily exhausted. 

On the way home, Mr. Boy declared in a sleepy voice, "Best Vacation Ever."  Then he drifted off into a deep sleep.

A big thank you to our faithful Cabana lady Mary, who granted every wish from our pampered kids, our hosts: The Irish Family, and the La Quinta Resort.  Vive le Ultimate Super Mega Summer, Part Deux!

Welcome to the Super Ultimate Mega Summer, Part Deux

It is no secret that I'm a terrible "Responsible School Mom", I can't stand homework, fundraising, and the mountains of paperwork that come home in those dang folders each week.  Do not even get me started on AK's 4am Kindergarten Start time.  My kids are not early risers.  Only the deer get up early around these parts, but they get the luxury of an afternoon nap.

I love Summer and after our "Chalet Renovation Summer", I declared last summer to be the "Super Ultimate Mega Summer."  I cleared the calender for the most part, and we spent our days in the pool with our friends over.  There was something magical about just seeing where the day took us.   We are over-scheduled all year long, so summer is the time for being under-scheduled.  This year after a unanimous family vote, we have declared this.... *drumroll please*   

"The Super Ultimate Mega Summer, Part Deux"  

(because we are French, oui?) 

On the last day of school, my true love gave to me....  one dancing mom and two cheerful kids. 

 

We took our traditional last day of school pictures, and comparing them to the first day of school, it looks like my kids get an A+ for growing out their hair. 

 The whole house was in a good mood and we were dancing all they way into school. 

 Mr. Boy always turns to me and says, "I love you" before he walks into school, and I wonder every time... "Is this the last time he'll do that?"  I am not a fan of this growing up business. 

While the kids were at school for the last day, I got down business and stocked up on supplies for the summer.

 I got the car ready for the Summer, loading it with beach chairs, towels, and water.. I have decorated the car for the last few years and the kids love it.  (FYI, These are the best window markers ever!)

My favorite parts of summer....  watching TV on my bed

Lazy mornings with sugary cereals and some serious bedhead.  

Wearing jammies and having crazy curly "I don't care" hair all day long.

 or wearing our favorite "Relaxipants (tm)"  all day and all night. 

 And the best part of course.....  Swimming!!

 Come and join us one and all for the Ultimate Super Mega Summer (Part Deux)!!  Let the wild rumpus begin!

The Ultimate Super Mega Summer

Last Summer was an adventure.  We were right in the middle of Chalet Construction and I was mistaken for being homeless.  I had to wake up early to greet the crew of Juans and was up late painting or trolling the aisles of the 24 hour Home Depot. It was a lot of work, but worth it  I have declared this "The Super Mega Ultimate Summer" to make up for last year.  Everyone but Mr. Man is sleeping in past Nine AM, and we are in the pool multiple times a day.  I have cleared the calendar and declared that errands will only be run one day a week. 

We are spending lots of time lounging around and reading. Mr. Boy is deep into the Harry Potter Series.  He spends more time reading than he does playing these days.

We spend our days making goofy faces at the deer, and see if they make them back at us.  This is Uncle Buck, and take my word for it, he is HUGE.

 

At dusk, we hike in the hills for firewood for the firepit.  

 The brush is so tall you can hide in it.  Everyone loves playing in the hills. 

 And just when you think the hills could not get anymore beautiful, they get mowed down for fire season.  I think this has to be the worst job in the world and it makes the hillside ugly.  

 And it makes Rupert super grouchy. 

 It makes our daily game of hide and go seek, not nearly as fun.  Rupert's kind of a sore loser.   

 

 Vive la Super Mega Ultimate Summer!