My Daddy

I just looked at the date and realized it's been almost two weeks since I posted anything. We have actually had a lot going on. First, my Dad came to visit from sunny California for Easter weekend. He wasn't impressed with the weather we had to offer but hey...it can't be 75 degrees everywhere, right? So we took him to Epic for dinner Thursday after we picked him up at the airport. Then on Friday, the girls and I took him to Hogel Zoo. It was fun. We love our little Zoo. Then John grilled his famous salmon. Yummy! Then Saturday we hosted John's family March Birthday Party. It was crazy but always fun. We had an Easter Egg hunt and everything. Then on Sunday, we went out to Easter brunch at Market Street. Another Yum! (Is it strange that my kids eat oysters-on-the-half-shell?) And then Trio for dinner. Not really a Weight Watchers kinda weekend! Ooh well, my Dad only comes once in a while and we like to show him a good time when he's here.

So, today is the last day of my spring break without my children. So Sad! That means it's my last day to get major stuff done since my Dad comes in tomorrow. So, today will be cleaning and that's about all. Hopefully we will get it all done. The girls will be home early and they can "help" too. This will be a fun weekend. I will post pics as we go

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

So, another weekend went by all to quickly. But this Monday I am happy because I AM ON SPRING BREAK and to top it off. My kids still are in school until Wednesday. I am alone!!!!! My Dad flies in on Thursday evening from California and I can't wait but it means I have some cleaning to do.

For those who didn't know we started a remodel in our hall bathroom. On our main floor we have three bedrooms, one bath in the master and one bath in the hall that the guests and the girls use. When they built our house they out in a tub in the hall bath but NO SHOWER. Is that the dumbest thing you have ever heard? When we moved in the bath needed updating but the girls were smaller and just having a bath tub wasn't a big deal. Well, no it's huge. My Dad's visit out prompted John and I do buckle down and start the renovations. It involved ripping out the old tub and then installing a new tub and a surround with tile. We are lucky enough to have a tile guy (Yeah, Paul!) Who stopped my from making some big mistakes. He grouted on Friday and it is done. It looks AMAZING! We are thrilled! Today (hopefully) our electrician will show up and put in some more lights. This afternoon Mark (our wonderful plumber and neighbor!) is going to install the fixtures and we will be done! Well, for two months until we get the vanity we are having to have built. Then we will do the floor, vanity, new paint and everything else. So here are a few pictures. The shape of the room doesn't allow for many angles so they aren't very good, but you get the idea.

Sorry about the long break. Since I last posted we have celebrated my Birthday, (yeah me!) and Lauren's 10th Birthday. We have had parent -teacher conferences, volunteered at the Book Fair, and gone snowboarding. It has been a long week or two!

So, Friday we went up to Brighton. Parker has worked at Brighton for the last two seasons and is an expert boarder. Lauren has been boarding for 2 seasons now and Emily started this season. They are all great! John and I have never boarded. Let me say that I am a Southern California girl, born and raised. I hadn't even seen it actually snow before we moved here in 2000. John and I decided that snowboarding would be something outdoors and fun that we could do all as a family and we should learn. Well...that was the idea anyway. We took a lesson but I still didn't feel like I knew what I was doing. Parker is the most patient and supportive guy I know. Inside he must have been either hiding in embarrassment of being related to us or laughing himself sick but on the outside he was shouting encouragement and cheering us on. John did really well. I am a complete scaredy pants. I spent the majority of my day on my butt and we were very sore and are still bruised but I am pleased to report that there were no broken bones!!! I call that a success.

O.K. So...today report cards came home with the girls. Lauren, who is in 4th grade is the love of her teacher. She loves Lauren's genuine enthusiasm for learning and she is a sweet girl and is every one's best friend...but...she is reading right at if not a little below grade level and she is working hard to improve in some other areas as well. She has all 4's, 3's and one 2. (A's, B's and one C). This would all be great! Except..Emily (grade 2) is reading at the same level as Lauren and got all 4's. Yes, I am super proud of Emily, she is smart as a whip. I am also proud of Lauren but she is devastated that she got "bad" grades compared with Emily. I don't want to belittle Emily's accomplishments, but I don't want Lauren to feel worse. What do I do??? This is definitely one of those moments that I can see us discussing in therapy in ten years.

Tagged!

Thanks Jennie! This will be fun!

Getting to know me, A-Z

A- Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friends: John and Amberlee

C- Cake or Pie: Pie

D- Day of choice: Sunday. John is home and sometimes there is football!

E- Essential item: I'm with you Jennie! Cell phone

F- Favorite color: right now I am liking anything SPRINGY

G- Gummy bears or worms: bears

H- Hometown: Riverside, CA - The Happy side is Riverside! Ha-ha

I- Indulgences: Getting my hair done

J- January or July: July

K- Kids: 2 stepsons - C.D. (22), Parker (19) and 2 girls Lauren (almost 10) and Emily (8)

L- Life is incomplete without: My Family

M- Marriage Date: October 25, 1997

N- Number of Siblings: 1 younger brother

O- Oranges or apples: Oranges

P- Phobias or fears: That something will happen to my family

Q- Quotes: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

R- Reason to smile: my family, our health, my friends, my life

S- Season: Fall

T- Tag three friends: Annie, Amberlee, Lisa

U- Unknown fact about me: I constantly worry that I am not a good mom and I am screwing up my girls!

V- Very favorite store: I have a few favorites, J. Crew, Ann Taylor and the old standby Nordstrom

W- Worst habit: eating when I am bored or stressed.

X- X-ray or Ultrasound: X-ray! There is no happy reason for me to have any more ultrasounds

Y- Your favorite food: I love food, especially anything my husband makes! I am so spoiled!

Z- Zodiac: Pisces

The highlight of my weekend was on Saturday. We had our electrician come out and install recessed lighting in our kitchen and livingroom and hang some pendants over our island. We can actually see now. It is amazing how much of a difference it has made. I love our guy and I think we got a great deal. If anyone has a need for an electrician I recommend Copper Valley Electric. We have some drywall to repair but because of the way our room is vaulted in the living room, I was amazed they were able to give me what I wanted. As we live with all the new light, I want the pendants on a dimmer too but I love everything else. The only issue...yes I am O.C.D. is that the pendants I picked out can not be hung level because of the style of the fixture and the pitch of my roof. This may make me insane.