Go See Mouse?

Today. Did NOT. Go as planned.

Frustrating, but again, it still ended up as a good day.

Snafus in the house may have all been resloved and we might actually be getting the keys tomorrow (a day early!).

After a very exhausting morning (and nothing accomplished) I went to pick up Noah and get my tickets from the radio station. I drove to the wrong radio station.

After nap time we went to visit mouse, aka: Chuckie Cheese.  Evelyn has just been obsessed with that mouse since Isaac's party. She loves it, but it terrifies her. Kind of funny to watch. Noah, wants to hug the creepy thing. Such a brave, brave boy.  Alex was seemingly annoyed we weren't buying more tokens and that there was a limit on how many he would have, but once he started playing it didn't seem to matter anymore.

Evelyn and Noah had a field day calling Chuckie on the big phone and riding the little rides. Except the roller coaster. Noah liked that one, Evelyn. Did. NOT.

She likes putting the money in more than the ride sometimes

They got to play racing games together (surprising how easily they share when they've both had naps) and when the tokens were all gone, we headed to Sacramento for a play date.

More things did NOT go as planned, but the kids were so cute all playing together it made the crummy drive forgetable. Noah is such a cute teacher to Evelyn and they are so sweet with how they want to play together even when there are new kids to play with. Still a love/hate thing, but that's normal.

Had some more personal Snafus, but that ended up being the highlight of my whole day.
My final straw, nearly breaking my back, brought me to my dearest friend for some more play date time for Evelyn, and some much needed time with friends for me. We're all alone in this life, but with close friends (even if you don't seem them much) you don't have to feel alone.
My day was like a hurricane, but tonight, I found my rainbow and know there's sunny skies ahead.

Bath time for all the girls

More Pictures Here

Two Years, Already?

Today is Evelyn's Birthday. I don't think she understands when we all tell her Happy Birthday. She responds with "Happy Birthday to You", or "Go see mouse?". We did that last one to ourselves. There were 4 Chuckie Cheese Birthday parties in a row and she knew we went to the party for a birthday. For 4th of July we explained that it was the day for her party and again she thought we'd go see the mouse. Another day baby, another day. Today our plans got changed because of the crazy long arguments we were having with one of her older brothers, but that didn't mean we didn't have any less fun.

Today was a fantastic day to be outside. Warm but not too hot and there was a wonderful breeze blowing all day. Glorious.

This morning we got Evelyn dressed in her pretty green birthday dress, but I also brought out the tie dye shirts we did Sunday night and she really wanted to wear her 'pretty shirt!'. It worked out since it was much easier for her to climb in the skorts than it would of been in her dress.

We got to pet the horses (and Evelyn even fed them cookies by herself!), climbed like a "climbing birdie" (I don't get it, she just kept saying it), swung like a spider monkey (to which she replied "I'm a spider monkey!"-awesome!), and ran around with Alex for hours. She had so much fun 'turning the wheel', sliding, and checking out the animals she didn't nap but her mood never turned sour.

Alex finished his bow that he's been working on the last few trips and now he's moved on to practicing with it and making better arrows.



As for this morning, unrelated to the baby, but crucial to the family, I have a favorite moment of the week.

We signed the papers for the house and should hopefully get the keys by Friday.

Also, a few days ago Cliff took my car to work (to get the AC fixed) and didn't put my keys back on the ring right. Then, when I was rushing out of the house to get Noah they fell off and I spent 30 minutes trying to find them. During that time I removed my spare key hoping it might by some fluke drive my car. No luck, but it mattered because this morning because I forgot to take my keys out of the ignition before walking inside to sign papers.

With the baby seat locked in my car and Cliff needing go back to work, he had to run back to the house and look for the spare key in the mess of boxes and moving clutter at home. He didn't think it was very funny, but I did.

Also, I love our Realtor. Not only is she the best Realtor anyone could hope for, but since she didn't have any appointments that morning she let Evelyn and I sit in her car, out of the wind, while Cliff searched for my key. She even offered to drive me home so I could look too, but I reminded her Evelyn didn't have a seat and that was why we didn't do that first. I was very grateful to be out of the wind and so was Evelyn in her pretty, but chilly, birthday dress.

2 Years Ago...

Happy Birthday Baby! I can't believe it's been 2 years, time really does go very fast.

I read that by this age you should have a vocabulary of about 50 words. You were at 50 words months ago. How smart you are impresses me every day. You're so sweet, so well behaved, and I love how you play with your brothers even when they aren't always nice to you. God blessed me with you and I'm grateful everyday that you came into our family. I love you, Evelyn!

Two years ago today... my life started.

The photos from her 24 month session

Anyone Home?

Baby mama, moving, or just plan general drama or stress. I needed a break from life-and I took it...in the form of doing nothing. Not very productive, but I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore. Things are really crazy, but they are also improving so much in other way.

I can't believe we're only a week away from moving. We're not properly packed, I have no clue how I'm going to move and clean with 4 kids, I still haven't picked paint colors and we need to paint THIS weekend.... but I'm excited. This will be my first forever home.

On the note of I'm too busy for my own good, I kept the weekend jam packed with events.

Tie Dye Birthday

We had T's Birthday party at Wacky Tacky today. That place is so much more fun when there's not 50 random kids running around, I didn't previously realize that when they do parties it's closed to the public. That or we were just lucky. Either way: awesome.

Annoyed at the camera and still incredibly
handsome

Ronnie forgot his camera, so he used mine, but after awhile we all started playing with the kids on the slide or shooting each other with the ball guns. Crazy amounts of fun! There's something about the parents, grandparents, and kids all throwing foam balls at each other that just makes you smile inside.

When it was time for food and cake Ronnie was tired of being in charge of pictures (all the ones he was taking were too dark to see) and asked me to capture the moment. I choose to do the tourist thing and take pictures of everyone, non stop. Annoying to them, entertaining to me. Sadly, it's much more entertaining (and successful) to pester the adults with a camera. I failed in my picture taking responsibilities!

Evelyn LOVED the pizza! It's so funny to see a 2 year old just going to town on a large slice of pizza. Hard to capture with a camera though.

She loves her cupcakes too, but true to current form she only eats the icing. Yuck!

The kids all got balloon swords, and while they ate the Ron's battled with them. Ronnie got a bit cocky and started attacking his wife with his balloon... she won. He then retreated to comparing balloon sizes with Cliff and finally they both teamed up on Alex and poked at him instead. If at first you don't succeed... find a smaller victim.

Even though it ended up being very late by the time we started, Cliff and I did tie dye shirts with the boys. I've been planning it for weeks trying to figure out the best way to fold a shirt, dye it, etc and I had all the supplies ready. I was hoping to have them done by Evelyn's birthday so that where ever we go it would be easy to spot my litter, and today was the last day to get to do it with Cliff as well.

Time wouldn't have been a issue but the size 10/12 shirts I got for Alex shrunk to a 4/6 in the cold wash so I had to return them *hassle!* and soak them before we could start. Even better, I bought a kit with 12 colors, so Cliff and I started filling the bottles and about 6 bottles filled with dyes (pink, purple, light green, dark green, light blue, dark blue) we realized the stupid kit came with 12 colors, and only 8 bottles. It had it's challenges, but all the shirts are dyed and in bags to be washed tomorrow.

More Pictures Here

Blackberry Rope Spin

Today it seemed a really long time before we finally left the house to head up to Pops and Grannys, but it all worked out for the best.

The blackberries were perfectly ripe from the mild summer and recent rain so the boys and I started the day picking berries. It's so great that they remembered how to pick fruit from last year and were both able to pick a basket without any major injuries. However, with the sun blinding me and the berries invisible with my sunglasses on I only got two baskets (and a wicked thorn in my palm) before I literally burned out. Later in the evening Cliff went out to collect some more berries so that "I wouldn't think he was reaping from all my hard work" and we ended up with half a bushel of berries to take home.

Granny did her picking a previous day and made us the most delicious Texas style cobbler. I don't like lemon flavor at all (this recipe had a good amount of lemon taste) but it was super delicious. I greatly enjoyed a very large slice.

It ended up as such a relaxing day. The kids all played together and I just got to enjoy watching everyone have fun. We discovered a new game on this visit, spinning the rope swing up and letting Alex spin out then make him walk. Cliff tried it too and said it was horrible. Naturally, I had to call out his wimpy-ness and I got on as well. It was more fun than a carousel, but impossible to walk afterwards- worse than being intoxicated. I'll stick to watching Alex spin to near sickness for now.

No Bruce, No Better!

Evelyn doesn't like going to the Dr. She doesn't mind walking in because they have stickers, but once she gets called back the nurse wants her to stand on a *scary* scale and then takes her temperature. Today, I took Evelyn in because she keeps complaining that her ear hurts. Normally we'd go see Ooi or Bruce, but today we got someone new: Joe. When the nurse left the room Evelyn started saying "No Bruce!" over and over again. Bruce is always very nice so it was pretty funny, but I explained to her that she wasn't seeing Bruce today she was seeing Joe. She was happy about that until I told her he was going to make her feel better. Then it went back to crying "No Bruce, No better!". She calmed down one final time when i told her she'd get medicine if she was sick.

When Joe walked into the room without a little blue puppy she wasn't too sure. He checked out her ears and throat and listened to her lungs and talked to her and kept her happy the whole time. I was shocked at how great he was with her! She's never made it through a visit with a Dr. without actually screaming bloody murder.

Turns out, the whole litter and I walked to the Dr.'s office just for the exercise. She's just fine, clean bill of health.

Again, I didn't have a memory card in my camera. Fail.

Funiculì, Funiculà!

Find more artists like Dora The Explorer at Myspace Music

Today was a spare the air day so the kids and I stayed inside. This was our theme song of the day. Today was also the first dinner from our new menu planner so Evelyn helped me make dinner by turning the music up and down and asking me to hold her so we could dance together. She wanted to hear this song over and over again so now I'm just sharing the love. 

Happy 4th, Second Birthday... Party Crashers

I stayed up WAY too late... and not even for a good reason. I stayed up simply because I had coffee too late and wasn't feeling tired. I should have at least tried to go to sleep, but instead I watched TV, painted my nails, made a tutu for Evelyn, played online. I only did things that were necessary at 4am... riiiiiight. Come 5:30am I finally headed upstairs for bed and I'm very grateful that Cliff let me sleep until 11am-although on any other day I would of been very annoyed at myself.

We headed up to Melissa's house to help set up and wait for the party to start. I'm so happy she had the water slide for the kids to play on. We were there for 11 hours and I think they only stopped running around it and sliding for *a bite of* lunch, dinner, and fireworks. Evelyn and T hung out in the kiddie pool splashing and playing. Grandma Debby was so wonderful, she sat there and made sure they stayed safe even though they splashed her to soaking wet.

I wanted to make sure there was plenty of things to do for the kids who didn't do the water slide so in gift bags for the kids I put crayons (I brought floor sized coloring books), bubbles, water guns, chalk, and pretties. Turns out Evelyn was the only one who didn't do the water slide and she wasn't able to use the water guns, but everyone else could! Even the big boys got in on the action, swiping guns from tables and attacking each other. Eventually it just turned into emptying water bottles on each other, but that would of happened anyway. 

We did cupcakes and presents. Evelyn wasn't very happy that we made her wait to eat while we all sang to her (she wasn't too sure about the singing) but she ate her cupcake just like me eating only the frosted top of it while leaving the cake behind. I was really proud of her for seeing all those presents all day long and never opening them until we told her she could. That was a lot of Dora paper to resist! She was so excited to get a computer and those Dora things (while playing with her backpack she out of the blue told me, "Good toy, mama. It's a good toy!"). All this good behavior and she didn't even get her nap!

It was hot enough outside that all the adults were starting to contemplate taking over the water slide, or at least sharing it. That is, until we saw Pops try to get up the 'ladder'. It's amazing how hard those things can be to climb up, I tried at O's birthday party unsuccessfully.

There was more than enough delicious food all day long. Everyone brought something to add to the feast. Melissa puts on a great spread every year and this year we had just one small change: no hot dogs or hamburgers. She made meat kabobs. That is something I hope we do every year! It was a huge hit, they flew off the plate as soon as they came off the grill!

As usual we had more fireworks that we needed. As a bonus this year the neighbors in the new house had illegals. Pretty from afar, but scary that close. Especially when they don't go up in the air as high as they are supposed to! The brothers took a back seat this year and let the teenagers put on the show. For their first year doing it solo, they did a fantastic job. We even had a dancing board finale! The brothers never did THAT before; Awesome! Ronnie and I played tourist trying to get our fancy cameras to take perfect pictures of the fireworks. I'm a little shamed to admit it, but I was a little jealous of how great his were turning out. It was a lot of fun though, and although I ran out of memory before it was finished, I did manage to capture a video of my favorite firework (4 of them actually) in action. Jack of Hearts ROCKS. However, I also learned the Big Squeeze was pretty awesome and next year I'll have to get them both again and pick my favorite then.


As usually I took more than enough photos (and I'm sure I'll be stealing some of Ronnie's as well at a later date).

Too Young to Notice

I went to PF Changs tonight for the first time in my adult life. I had delicious food, great company, mediocre service, and a TERRIBLE experience. And, it had nothing to do with how busy the place was. The waitress was a bare minimum waitress. I can get over that since they were busy although I would of preferred that she at least acknowledge how busy they were, or maybe apologize for never being around, but some people just aren't like that and it's okay.

What bothered me was how I felt Evelyn wasn't welcome. We told them when we made reservations, that there were 4 adults and 1 child, and they gave us a highchair even though we didn't request it (she's used to sitting in big person seats) and yet they didn't provide silverware or a menu for her (I thought at the time they didn't have kids menus, but a quick check online reveals that they do indeed have a children's menu). When the waitress got our drink orders she didn't even ask if Evelyn needed something to drink as well (plus, she seemed put off that three of us were drinking water).  

We ordered, 4 soups, 2 appetizers,  6 entrees, and dessert. The waitress brought us plates for appetizers, but didn't bring 1 for Evelyn, I had to use one of the soup plates so Evelyn could have some food as well. And, she didn't make our sauce so I tried to figure it out even though I've never had it before. 

She came and cleared all our plates (now seeing that Evelyn is indeed eating on her own plate), then brought us dinner plates but again didn't bring one for Evelyn. I was annoyed enough this time that I asked for a plate "for my daughter"  trying to humanize my child. I didn't bring a begging dog to dinner lady, it's a toddler that wants to eat! Okay, she was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day but I'm still supposed to pay her for this service?! 

I have to give her credit: for as terrible as she was in almost EVERY aspect, she did okay on keeping our waters full. Okay. 

When dinner came out she followed it and asked us how it tasted before any of us could even get a scoop onto our plates. She was terrible!

I was curious about some of the different desserts offered with the meal we got and asked her for a dessert menu. She said she could tell me what they had so I tried to explain that I wanted to read the descriptions on the menu because I wanted to know about several items and again she insisted she could tell me all I wanted to know. I asked for a description of two desserts and chose the second one "flour-less chocolate dome". A dessert that she started to argue with me that I was looking at the wrong list of desserts and I had to remind her that it was on the list with an up charge. *She's trying to ruin my chocolate experience!* She described it to me as chocolate cake, with chocolate mousse inside, and raspberry sauce on top. Close, but she failed to mention that it's a warm dish, and there is no mousse inside, just gooey cake. Still tasted good, but not what Cliff and I were expecting to split. And of course, when she brought us dessert, she had no silverware for Cliff and I. When I asked her for some spoons she grabbed another napkin roll (with two forks inside) instead. 

When the bill came I would NOT let Cliff tip her more than 8%. Bare minimum work=bare minimum wages. Bert still wanted to tip 15% (mind you, we're all normally 20-25+% tippers!) so we rounded it to 10% for ease of math. 

After we left and got home I was still really feeling slighted at how we were treated. Mostly, the dessert menu issue, the lack of silverware, and the complete negligence of my child. 

I started to think that maybe they didn't have a dessert menu, and maybe children are frowned upon- so I called the manager. 

Eric was shocked when I told him about my experience. He told me that it is a family establishment and they want children there and right now they are pushing a promotion that EVERY table needs to have a dessert menu at the end of their meal. 

I didn't call trying to get anything, if I had wanted something I would of complained while we were still eating. I called because Cliff and Bert both love PF Changs and yet I was feeling like I never wanted to walk into the restaurant again or even eat their food and I was hoping it was just a misunderstanding (maybe kids aren't welcome kind of thing). 

Eric was very polite and professional to me. He assured me that Roseville has an all star staff and that I will not have that kind of experience again. To urge me to return he is also sending me a gift card. 

I didn't need or ask for  the card but I am grateful for it because I really don't think I would have returned otherwise (or encouraged any friends to patronize the place). 

I will give PF Changs one more chance to change how I felt when I left today. I'm very grateful that Evelyn is young enough that she can be totally oblivious to how she was treated at dinner. She really enjoyed pointing out the statures and lamps and loved the food so her and I will return and give it another shot. 

PF Changs

Enjoy a four-course meal for two for $39.95 Price may vary by location. Tax and gratuity are not included.
CUP OF SOUP (CHOOSE TWO)
HOT & SOUR SOUP  EGG DROP SOUP
STARTERS (CHOOSE ONE)
CHANG'S LETTUCE WRAPS Chicken or Vegetarian  CRAB WONTONS DUMPLINGS Shrimp, Pork or Vegetable  CRISPY GREEN BEANS   SPRING ROLLS (4)   SALT & PEPPER CALAMARI SEARED AHI TUNA* Add 2.45 DYNAMITE SHRIMP   Add 1.45 CHANG'S SPARE RIBS Add 1.95
ENTRÉES (CHOOSE TWO)
	CHICKEN		BEEF & PORK		SEAFOOD
	CHANG'S SPICY CHICKEN  GINGER CHICKEN with BROCCOLI CRISPY HONEY CHICKEN SESAME CHICKEN  ALMOND & CASHEW CHICKEN KUNG PAO CHICKEN  ORANGE PEEL CHICKEN  SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN		MONGOLIAN BEEF BEEF with BROCCOLI PEPPER STEAK  BEEF á la SICHUAN  ORANGE PEEL BEEF  SWEET & SOUR PORK		CRISPY HONEY SHRIMP KUNG PAO SHRIMP  ORANGE PEEL SHRIMP  KUNG PAO SCALLOPS  Add 1.95 SALT & PEPPER PRAWNS Add 1.95 ASIAN GRILLED NORWEGIAN SALMON* Add 2.95 NORWEGIAN SALMON STEAMED with GINGER* Add 2.95 MAHI-MAHI* Add 3.95 OOLONG MARINATED CHILEAN SEA BASS* Add 8.95
DESSERTS
CHOOSE TWO OF OUR EIGHT DELICIOUS MINI DESSERTS Tres Leche Lemon Dream | The Great Wall Of Chocolate® | Triple Chocolate Mousse | Apple Pie Tiramisu | Red Velvet Cake | Creamy Cheesecake | Carrot Cake
- or -
ENJOY ONE OF OUR LARGER DESSERTS BANANA SPRING ROLLS Add 1.95 | FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE DOME Add 1.95 THE GREAT WALL OF CHOCOLATE® Add 3.95 | NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE Add 1.95

Tasty Complaints

I went to PF Changs tonight for the first time in my adult life. I had delicious food, great company, mediocre service, and a TERRIBLE experience. Lots of complaining from me. Overprotective Mama bear came out. 

Dinner was very late (very busy so we had a 45 minute wait) and Evelyn wasn't happy about not having food in front of her. She had a quiet complaint on the table but once food started showing up he was upbeat and happy again. 


She ate plates of food! She loved it all and was in such a good mood!





After dinner we let Evelyn unwind for a little bit while I finished prepping for her birthday party tomorrow.


How do you serve cake to a family who's not very fond of cake, in 100+ degree weather, at a party of toddlers that will last 7ish hours???


Cupcakes with very little white frosting dipped in blue sugar (doesn't stain like blue frosting would) with chocolate eyes, and a cookie mouth. Evelyn't doesn't even know who cookie monster is and it doesn't fit the 4th of July theme but it's a good solution for everybody. Plus, although it's tedious and boring, it's pretty easy so even me and all my last minute projects can finish it. 


My mistake (chocolate frosting instead of white) turned into my favorite monster. It's Mr. T! 




Camera wasn't happy with me today, so I only got a couple pictures

Shooka

I take full blame for the baby staying up so late tonight. She discovered a new great toy: The laundry basket, or as she calls it, "the box". She played in this for nearly an hour and only got out because we tricked her.

She duck down, then pop back up, only to duck down again usually with a gleeful cry of 'get you!', 'I see you!', or 'pic boo!'.

While trying to convince her to come out I tried tickling her while she was sitting inside-that became a game. I also tried to rock the basket from side to side and make funny noises, but that too, became a game. Then, if I tried to stop, she'd tell me 'shooka shooka!' (the sound I was making) wanting me to do it some more. The funny thing about it was the game was her pretending that my rocking scared her and yet she would ask me to do it over, and over again. She even asked Daddy to do it when I finally stopped.

Few more pictures here

Tree Frog

Everyone I know who's bought the Vibram five fingers have loved them. I love the idea, I like being barefoot and hate flip flops, but priced at $100 for ugly shoes I haven't been willing to get any. Until now. I found a pair in my size at the Folsom REI used gear sale, returned because the sizing was wrong. For the record, there were WAY more to choose from in Roseville, but I didn't know what size I wore at that time. 

I found these things for $40. I wear them most days, the kids seem to love how goofy they look, and I have to say they ARE really comfortable and they breath much better than I would of suspected. I feel like a creepy tree frog, but I'm comfortable, so I guess I'll get over it. 

Fancy Pod

No boys, no Noah, nothing that had to be done. Today, was about trying to catch up.

Evelyn and I slept in a little this morning and then she played while I made my list of things to get done. I was able to chat with Melis (shocking!) for a bit about the party on Monday (holy cow that came on fast!) and I think we have some really good plans. I also managed to get myself a little done up today despite the burn (putting on anything with sleeves was very painful so I opted for strapless) but it didn't help with the pain any. Or with the crazy redness that made everyone stop and tell me how painful it looked.

Finally, Just before Evelyn and I left to start our errands, I discovered that my ipod was out of space due to all the apps I have on it for the kids. I spent a little bit of time on craigslist looking for a second hand one with a more memory and left the house with a few messages out in search of one. It came quicker than I expected: within our first hour of being out. So much for being productive.

Evelyn and I had time to run over to my brothers house and deliver the birthday party invitation (and stop to buy some lemonade from some cute little girls selling it on the corner), deposit money into the bank, and grab the sugar and Joanns before we went to meet the people about the pod. They were from Rancho, but luckily they were willing to meet me at Panera on Sunrise (where I had two free goodies on my card) so I took out two birds with one stone.

I gave them 2 bucks for a glass of lemonade and a picture of their stand. Yes, I asked first and got permission.

I got an amazing deal on a 64gig Ipod touch (with camera and microphone) and I absolutely love it. The one thing that always pissed me off about not having a smart phone was not being able to read the labels on things I wanted to buy, or ads in the newspaper because all it showed was a stupid QR Code. Now, I can read those stupid codes. I'm a member of the QR Code reading club and nobody can keep secrets from me anymore. It's probably not THAT big of a deal, but I'm still excited about it. And so is Cliff, I gave him the original ipod.

Finishing the work week and we were joined by Bert for dinner to enjoy the chicken thighs (I scrambled looking for on Tuesday) that have been marinating the last 4 days. It was so great to have him over, even if I was a bit grumpy. Sorry Bert. Dinner was delicious! I think I will try to use that marinade a lot more often, and longer is always better. I sauteed the pea shoots and arugula and Albert brought his tasty pasta salad. Evelyn was in heaven with all the "afoof"s (olive) she got to eat. We even tricked her into eating the chicken by telling her it was "meat". Not chicken, Meat. And she loved it.

We made trifle to eat for dessert while we watched season of the witch. Not at all what I thought it would be. Another fantastic night with pleasurable company.



Pictures