Observations from someone who observes things

When I was in high school my friends and I sometimes pretended to be writers for Saturday Night Live.  The funniest part of that was that I wasn’t allowed to watch that show, so clearly the material we came up with would never have made it on late night, but it was hilarious to us.  Things like a really fat person going into a restroom stall and going #1 for like 3 minutes and coming out thin and gorgeous.  Yes, that was humorous to my 13 year old friends and myself.   This was well before Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, or any of the other amazing SNL female writers and stars who made being a funny girl more than simply being the stupid blonde.  Women were and are truly funny, and smart, and notice things, and have the ability to relate these observations in a funny way.  Am I one of those people, well, no, but I do observe things.  Often the things I observe are funny, so by default when I retell what I have seen I in turn seem funny.  This is actually a trick us non-funny girls use a lot. 

So, that brings me to my list of things I have observed recently (I was going to go back and try and list everything I have ever observed and thought interesting, but then realized that wasn’t in any way interesting to anyone else.  In fact, this sentence has me bored as it is.)

1.  When you think you are going to just “run in” to the grocery store to pick up a few key items you will a) come to realize that there is some sort of holiday or sporting event going on that day that you didn’t remember or know about and the place will be packed with last minute shoppers.  b)  As a result of said events you will get stuck behind the one person in line who wants to pay by check, and cash, and gold dabloons, and has 7,000 coupons.  c) This same person will be parked next to you and will take a ridiculous amount of time to load their car and will have all the doors open so it is impossible for you to leave first (and they will be completely oblivious to this fact.)  And if you are like me, you will wait, thinking that they will have to realize what they are doing at some point, right?  But they don’t, and then the moment has passed, so you wait.

2.  Even the best laid dinner plans go awry.  Don’t try springing salmon or even chicken that isn’t in nugget form on your kids when company is over.  They will forego their usual grunts of disgust and instead go for the Oscar-worthy eye rolls, gagging and “I HATE THIS FOOD!”  They have, of course, never tried this food, but that isn’t really the point.  Just serve your kids mac n cheese when you have company and everyone can enjoy a nice quiet meal.

3.  Regardless of their boundless energy while in the house (jumping from couch to couch, chasing each other, chasing the cat, chasing each other chasing the cat) when you tell your kids you are going on a walk they will all spontaneously collapse to the floor and moan.  Even if said walk ends with ice cream.  This entices them at first, but don’t be fooled, you will end up carrying your 50 pound 4 year old halfway through the walk, and possibly the entire walk home.

4.  Pets are great. 

5.  Pets are a pain in the butt. 

6.  Never take a grandparent’s free babysitting for granted.  I am seriously considering re-entering the babysitting field.  I am pretty sure I could make more than Joe if I played my cards right.  So, if you have free babysitting, ever, say thank you, a lot. 

7.  You can never have too many pairs of flip flops.

8.   At age 33, if you are a woman, you will realize you need under-eye and anti-wrinkle cream.  You won’t start buying it until you are 35.  You will regret those lost two years of wrinkle-fighting.

9.  There is nothing quite like an un-solicited hug or kiss from your child.  I don’t think kids share this same sentiment, but give your hugs and kisses freely while they will at least tolerate them. 

10.  Whoever invented TIVO/DVR deserves some sort of Nobel prize.  Not having to watch commercials, instant kids shows whenever I need them, being able to watch a week’s worth of TV in 3 hours of laundry washing and folding, it is truly priceless. 

Ok, I will stop there for now, but will continue to add to this list and things occur to me.  Feel free to add to it as well!

Picture time!

So every year I agonize ( ok, that’s a little dramatic) about what the boys, and Joe and I, will wear for Easter.  Well, I got the great idea today of having them wear vests and ties with jeans.  Cool, right?  So, then I got the idea to do a photo shoot.  Luckily they were excited by the prospect of wearing new clothes, then I bribed them with ice cream (if and only if they cooperated and smiled nice for me).  They did great and I think the pics turned out awesome, I am happy at least.  Can’t wait to take more on Easter Sunday!  Enjoy!

It’s all about the kids, after all

I’m back!  I realized that I haven’t posted my photos of  day in a while.  I took a little time off (not intentionally but it was a crazy couple weeks trying to get used to little league schedules).  Anyway, I am mostly back on the ball again.  But before I post pics I thought I would share some cute and funny things the kids have said or done.  The first that comes to mind is Anthony in the car this afternoon.  I guess his teacher gave them some extra time to do homework if they so desired.  Anthony chose not to do homework.  I asked why, because if he HAD done some homework he would have more time to play this week at home.  His answer “ I can’t do homework at school, it would just feel wrong.”  So, there you have it.  That is the only story I can think of at the moment, but if more come to me while I post photos I will be sure to add it in.

Let’s Play Ball!

Today was our first full Saturday of baseball games for both big boys.  I am not sure who had more fun, the kids or Joe and I.  It was so fun to finally get to see Dominic’s team (Padres) play a real game, and Dom had so much fun!  Anthony’s team did so great and played super hard.  We are so proud of them both and best of all, they had fun!  Enjoy the pics.

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Running for relaxation

I have taken a break from facebook for lent and thought it would give me a good chance to catch up on my blogging and photography.  Baseball season has taken over at our house and I am still getting used to the schedule of weekly practices and games for two kids.  Should be an interesting spring.

So, running for relaxation.  I will admit, I would never have put those two words together, ever, until now.  Until about a year ago you couldn’t have paid me enough money to run anywhere!  But, I have caught the bug and now I love it!  And even more than that I have realized that running, while physically challenging, is a time for me to clear my head and relax mentally and emotionally.  While my body pumps away my mind slows down and I feel completely refreshed when I am done.  This is why I am not a good running buddy.  I have also learned in my year or so of running that I much prefer to run by myself.  I get agitated when I try to talk and run, and while part of it is that it is really hard to talk and run, more than that I get annoyed because I just want to retreat into my mind and let it go where it will.  Often I pray, or daydream, or even plan dinner!  But the great thing is there are no kids asking for snacks, no phones ringing, no televisions to distract me, it is quiet.  I enjoy my surroundings, smell all the smells (I live in a neighborhood where people start cooking early so the smells are often overwhelming and delightful!)  So when I feel the itch to run, like my body just has to go, it isn’t so much because I feel I need to workout, but rather because I need the solace.  Luckily Joe has learned this about me too and when I get especially agitated he often tells me to go running.  This is also why other types of exercise are hard for me to stick with.  Group classes annoy me (I don’t like someone telling me what to do).  The gym is ok, but not nearly as relaxing.  Videos you do at home, alright, but again, someone telling me what to do, no time to let my mind wander.  So, running, as it turns out, is a great form of exercise for us introverts.  Walking works too, but with running it is almost as if the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground guides my thoughts or something, if that makes any sense.  Each breath is in synch with my feet and it is akin to what it feels to meditate I assume, your entire body working as one in a way you can feel. 

So, that’s my psychological analysis of why I run.  Perhaps you too experience something similar with one of your favorite activities. 

Photos of the day and some other stuff

Hey all.  Ok, so hopefully I will get all the pics I missed into this blog.  I have been putting them on facebook but keep forgetting to put them here too.  I have missed a few days as well because I along with the kids have been sick.  Thankfully we are all doing much better now, although the Murrieta branch of the family isn’t faring to well.  Hope you guys feel better soon!

Nicolas the super hero?  He came up with this outfit on all his own.

Cool old car we saw at Old Poway Park

  So, you may wonder why the kids are so smiley….
 
And this is why…

 

We got a kitty!  It is a male who we still have to name, 6 mos old, and very sweet when he isn’t freaked out.  He is still getting used to the house, but is super cuddly and playful when he is in his room (laundry) and surrounded by the kids.  I give him a week to feel like the entire house is his castle (all but the guest room, keep that one kitty free).  So far he doesn’t seem to shed at all and his coat is really pretty.  I will take more pics once he feels more comfy.  I know this comes as a big shock, but we have wanted a pet for a long time and a dog just seemed like too big a responsibility right now and so far Joe’s allergies have been mild at most.  We will have a steady supply of Zyrtec on hand for any visitors who might feel the affects, but the kids could not be more excited (and Joe and I are too).  Any name suggestions would be great.  So far the kids have offered up Pouty, Steve, Mario, Jack Black, and Mr. Spinozzi.