Ya Ya Afternoon

Best thing about living here in sunny southern California is the vacationing visitors that pass through here. We love having our friends come to visit. I'm not kidding when I say all of you are welcome at the Chateau. My pal Bob came to visit and brought along this delicious wee one. She was just so lovable and I want to rub that round head for luck, it is perfect. I bet she'll grow up and look just like her mom, lucky girl.... her mom looks like a real life Barbie. Bob's kids love Star Wars, so it was light saber fights galore. And Stef's kids are in touch with their sci fi side, which means they aren't afraid to pick up a lightsaber and show that the powers of the force reside within them. We pulled out the waterslide.... which meant that the three of us... got to hang out and chat while we threw snacks at the kids. I love the Ya Ya's (Booboo & Nettie were absent and were dearly dearly dealy missed) There is something about being with people that know you, and you can be 100% open with that is just as refreshing as a vacation. I know I could tell them anything, and they would love me just the same. Also, I love the Petit Ya Ya's, I love hearing about their successes and talking to them. I love spoiling them when their mom isn't looking. I genuinely want to hang out with the kids and talk to them. Bottom line: whatever time I spend with any or all of them... it's always too brief. If I win the lotto, I'm building a YaYa compound with a handful of big houses, lots of hired help, and lightsabers for everyone.

Madamoiselle, it's the school....

On Friday, while in the homestretch of prepping for my Ya Ya Retreat... I get a phone call from the school. "Madamoiselle, it's the school. It's regarding Mr. Boy. He swallowed a rock." *sigh* The joys of motherhood. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to assess the situation with the doc. It took a lot of detective work to figure out the size and shape of the ingested Rock. The rock was STOLEN from his teacher's desk, so there was some trepidation in admitting the truth. Then trying to figure out if the wheezing was a trapped rock or an asthmatic episode.

This morning, when we went to school and were able to see where he got the rock, I grabbed another one to put in his scrapbook as his "First ingested object". Hopefully, it will be his last. We were relieved to find the size was about half of what we had thought. Phew. I have enjoyed hearing from nurses, friends, and family all the stories of "This one time my (kid, brother, sister, cousin) swallowed a ______." The stories have made me laugh. Let the record show, that this story and all of it's embarrassing details that I won't post here, will be used for blackmail or humiliation purposes when Mr. Boy is older.

Sometimes, it's knowing that "One day I will look back and laugh hysterically at this...." is the only thing that gets you through those sticky motherhood moments.

He loves her... from a distance.

We love to visit and meet the Characters at Disneyland, well most of us do. Mr. Boy from an early early age has been fearful of people dressed up in costumes. I've have been at several birthday parties where Characters have made an appearance and watched Mr. Boy run... run FAST in the opposite direction. He even has a scar from a mishap that occured while running from Santa Claus.

I was curious as to what would happen if he met Mary Poppins, who he loves more than anyone on the planet. We LOVE Mary Poppins in this house, and she is often quoted around here. We often ask, "What Would Mary Poppins Do?"when faced with tough situations.

First, he spots Mary Poppins and takes his position
Then he convinces AK to go and meet them... which she does happily. Then he grills AK, "What was she like? Did she smell like Marshmallows?" He stays hiding in the same spot for 30 minutes, quietly watching her.... totally smitten.

Mary Poppins is a smart cookie... she knows he's watching her, and she sings while staring right at him. She blew him a kiss, which I swear I saw his knees go weak. When I tossed a coin in the wishing well that day... I wished for him to find a lovely British Bride one day, who sings and travels by floating umbrella.

The Popsicle Spot

When we moved into our much-loved house, there was this round thing in the front yard. The previous owners put it in and when asked what it was for, they said it was "Architectural Interest". Every one of our neighbors after they introduced themselves said, "Are you going to take the round thing out?" We have jokingly told people it was our personal helicopter pad. Things change when you have children and the helicopter pad has become "The Popsicle Spot". We eat popsicles here at dusk every so often, while the dogs roam the yard or lie at our feet. We chit chat about whatever pops in our heads. Sometimes the conversations are deep, pondering the universe, or light, filled with giggles and made up words that tickle our tongues.Each time and every time I sit listening to those sticky mouths, I think about how I do not ever want to forget these moments. If only I could capture them in a jar.

In addition to the Worst Mom EVER!!!

As if you needed further evidence that I am raising the next Star of the show Praise the Lord enjoy the following tidbit.

The scene... 28 minutes until bedtime at Chateau du la Francaise.

After several warnings that if Mr. Boy did not put on his pajamas right now he would lose his chance to watch Justice League before bed. I did the unthinkable. I didn't let him watch Justice League, and put him straight to bed. (Somewhere in the world Supernanny has gotten off her naughty spot to applaud my discipline tactic.)

As I was putting the hysterical boy to bed and enduring the sobs filled with such things as, "You don't love me. Fine, I won't let you borrow my Flash Costume* at Halloween. You are a big giant meanie-head." He turned to me and said, "Mommy, you are listening to the voice of SATAN" I applaud his efforts to try and use religion against me, but it doesn't work on the Worst Mom Ever!

*Also, adding to the worst mom ever, last year during a trip to Target (moment to silently praise the worlds best retailer for the mom who can't stant to take her children shopping, and praise the one-stop-shopping-ness, and to plead for a Super-Target with lots of Organic Produce right here in the OC), also click on the target link for a hilarious video), where was I... oh yes... Target so apparently, as we looked at some Flash (Gordon) Pajama's I promised that Mr. Boy could have some when he was 5. This kid has a wicked memory and has been reminding me of them every single day for the last month. Anyone have a source... other than eBay.... because for the first time eBay has failed me.

First Day of School! First Day of School!

On the last day of school, Mr. Man & I jumped around the house excited to welcome in the lazy days of summer. Summer is a big deal around here. There was no jumping this morning. We were definitely excited for the kids, but more than anything we were tired. School starts earlier for us this year, and it's a new routine. We did the customary first day of school pics in front of the sign.

Mr. Boy is in Kindergarten this year. We love his teacher, and she genuinely loves Nathan. She is so excited for the upcoming year. He was SO excited to get his own desk with his name on it, and his own pencil box. He totally kept telling me, "Mom.. GOOOOOOO, it's time for me to do my work. GO!" How did he get so big!? When did he grow to be so tall? *cue Sunrise Sunset*They want the kids, (especially the girls) to wear comfy shoes this year, to allow for maximum running and jumping. A concept I have been struggling with all summer, since I would choose fashion over comfort any day. We picked up these fab Converse Mary Janes for AK, and they are so cute. I want some in my size. Then it came time to drop this girl off. AK ran right in to class and sat down to play with her friends. She looked up and waved, "Bye mom." At that moment I had an instant flashback to 48 hours after she was born. Talking to the worried pediatrician to hammer out a gameplan to get this wee tiny babe to thrive. I am so proud of how far this girl has come! I turned to walk out the door, knowing I was not going to be able to stifle the tears of pride that were coming. I had a good little sob, then indulged in a facial which made it all better. Both kids had an outstanding day and we headed over to In-n-Out to celebrate the first day of school! My mom always did something special on the first day of school, what did you do growing up, or what do you do now?
At this time I would like to raise my glass and propose a toast to my pals on these world wide inter-webbythingamabobs... *raises glass* "a toast to Moving Forward, to these new everchanging phases of our lives... may we navigate them with success"

Hello again, my friend...

My favorite Barbie-look-a-like friend, Bob is in town. I LOVE her, and she's known me since the dawn of time. She is a good friend and brought along her three boys to play with Mr. Boy on his new waterslide.... which has been a huge hit! I took a bunch of pictures of the kids playing, but they pretty much all look like this. And this... I could post a hundred more of those shots, so fun, but I'll spare you. Mr. Boy is in heaven with three "almost brothers" to play with. Then, because Bob is awesome she also brought along her little girl, who is AK's age. Once these guys warmed up to each other, they were best pals.
And Bob is such a good friend, she even indulged me in a little Rock Band. Everyone got into it, which is what I love about Rock Band, it's great for a group. I totally think we should hit the road with our band. Check me out as I rock the vocals on a fake mic. I think my previous rock band experience* really shows.
Bob Rocks! I miss having her close by. It was such a fun day, and if you all would send me a million dollars then I could buy Bob a house next door and she could move back here. Thanks in advance... and yes paypal is fine!

*In my wild college days I was in an almost fabulous band.... I had a stage name, wore skimpy outfits, and played the tambourine.