Danni & T - Looks just like last year's pic,
except they're both a bit taller. :)
The Girls
The Group
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Homecoming Pictures
Well, I don't know anything about the dance other than Danni said they had a great time! Dad went and picked her up around 12:30am. I had no idea, I crashed early. I woke up with a start around 3:45am and had to go and check her bed to make sure she was there. :) Anyway, I've wavered about posting pictures of the kids, since I don't know any of them except Danni and T, but I figure they're all over My Space by now, so it can't hurt if I post them here. Just FYI, this is not my house. (I wish!)
Danni & T - Looks just like last year's pic,
except they're both a bit taller. :)
The Girls
The Group
Danni & T - Looks just like last year's pic,
except they're both a bit taller. :)
The Girls
The Group
Saturday, September 29, 2007
William Tell Overture, The Mom Version
So an hour and a half ago, I write the last post. Then I see this, which makes me giggle hysterically, and now I feel better. Holy mood swings, Batman! And no, it's NOT that time of the month!
Homecoming Weekend and the Blahs
Last night was the kind of night where I earned my "Bad Mommy" title. You see, I signed up to be a ... band parent helper, I guess you would call it, for the homecoming football game. In my case, since Danni is on guard, I volunteer to be "guard mom." Which would be fine, except there are three of us, and in all honesty, there really isn't anything for us to do. We could pass out the bottled water to them, except that they have a water crew that already does that. Basically, there are three of us standing around, watching them warm up, on alert in case someone has a uniform problem. In which case, I would be no help anyway, as I can barely sew an errant button back on.
As I was standing there, snarky thoughts were going through my head, such as:
That dark purple makeup they (guard) wear makes them look like someone punched them in both cheeks. When they're down on the football field it's barely noticible, but up close they just look scary.
Why do these girls need false eyelashes? This thought is fueled by the fact that in four games, we've bought three sets of the stupid things, because daughter keeps losing them. Trust me, when you're in the stands and they're down on the field, NO ONE can see their stupid EYELASHES!
Since it was homecoming, there were a lot of alumni band members there. Most of them are recent graduates, some of them ASU band members, who are really just freshman geeks in the ASU band, but of course when they come back to their high school, they all think they are the shit. Well...I am here to tell you that you are not. What you are is 18 and 19 year old punks. I asked one of the tuba players if they still played the Bud song (a staple for us when I was in ASU band), and his answer was "huh?" I said "You know, the Budweiser theme song?" He said.."uh, no...we don't play that." He didn't even know what I was talking about. Who are these guys? I know, we've become so PC that college students aren't allowed to play the Budweiser song, because it "promotes drinking." Who are we kidding here? I know what the ASU band does after games, and it doesn't involve root beer and pizza. Well, maybe pizza.
I don't know why, but everything was getting on my nerves last night, from the permanent bitch-face that the snotty, sorority girl-wannabe guard instructor seems to wear, to the "armchair coaches" behind me in the stands, to the girls I passed while I was going to the snack bar who were all "There's gonna be a girl fight!" and "oh no she din't" and "I'm gonna kick her ass!" Sigh. High school is just so...high school. I had no patience for stupid high school crap even when I was in high school, and strangely enough, 25 years later I have even less patience for it.
*Attention before you read the next part: If anyone reading this was ever homecoming queen, or part of the homecoming court, please skip this next paragraph, or if you don't skip it, just don't hate me.*
At halftime, of course we had the whole announcing the homecoming queen, king, and the various other class princes and princesses. Here's where my eyes roll to the back of my head. I hate this stuff. I hated it when I was in high school and we (the band) had to stand on the field and play some stupid song while all these people walked past and found out if they won or not. The football coach apparently thinks it's dumb too, as he won't let any players that are nominated come out at halftime for this illustrious ceremony. They have to have stand-in people. To me, it's just completely pointless. I mean, what high school really needs is one more popularity contest so that two people can feel like they are lords of the school, and the rest of everyone can feel like they're not quite as good. And now, from an adult perspective, is seems even more ridiculous.
So here's the part where I'm a bad mom. Or at least a bad band mom. I deserted my post. Remember how I said that as "guard moms" we didn't really do anything? Well, I bailed and went and sat with Steve and my parents. (Shannon and Kylie stayed home, thank you Shannon, I love you!) Here's another thing that bothered me: I was volunteering, right? So we walked in the gate behind the band, but then the almighty queen band mom informed me that if you didn't have a pass (what are these secret passes?), you had to buy a ticket. Really? I'm volunteering to help, but I have to pay to get into the game? Well, guess what? If I have to pay to get into the game, I'm damn well going to sit and watch the game. How selfish am I? I'm just not one of these gung-ho band parents that has to be involved in every game and every competition. It's funny too...I was in band in high school, and we never had parent helpers. We had a few "band-aides" (get it?) who were also students, whose job it was to dole out water and carry equipment. Our parents sat in a group in the stands, and cheered us on when we performed. That was it. Is this part of that "helicopter parenting" phenomenon, where we need 40 parent volunteers for a single football game for a band of 160 kids? It just really seems like big-time overkill to me. But then I feel like a bad mother because I'm not all gung-ho about it. Where does this mother guilt come from? My husband has never volunteered to help with any part of band. Do you think he feels guilty about that, sitting in the stands watching the game? Hell no! In fact, volunteering would never even cross his mind. It's not that that's necessarily bad, but why do I feel so guilty about this? Arrggghh.
*Small footnote, team wins homecoming game, I think the final was 42-0. We really have an easy schedule so far. Football team boosts record to 4-1.
Which brings us to this morning. I read over what I've written so far, and sit here and wonder why I have such a bad attitude. This is the "blah" part. We're leaving for vacation Monday morning, and there's a lot to do. In fact, right now Steve is out in the garage, changing the oil and filters in the van, and basically getting it ready to drive to San Diego. There is a lot to do in here: laundry, cleaning up (because I want to come home to a clean house), starting to think about packing, etc. Yet, I'm sitting here with no desire to do any of it. What I really want to do is go back upstairs, lay on my bed and watch the three episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 (I know!) that are on the Ti-faux right now. I'm not even excited about going on vacation. Why? I don't know. Maybe because a vacation with a 5 year-old isn't really a vacation? Why do I sit here and think of what a pain she's going to be instead of how much she loves Shamu? Why can't I just enjoy my kids, instead of getting mad at every little thing? Sometimes I worry that my kids are going to look back on their childhood, and remember me as always mad about something. I want to be that "fun mom" who really enjoys her kids, but I'm just not. And then here comes the guilt again. What the hell is wrong with me?
So, tonight is the homecoming dance. Right now, Danni has guard practice until noon. Then she's going to come home, shower, and spend the afternoon at T's house (the boy she's going to the dance with), and another couple. The four of them are spending the afternoon at T's house, then I think she's going to come home and get her dress and stuff and then go over to the other girl's house to get ready. Then other girl's mom is going to take all four of them to the dance. Hopefully someone will take pictures, because she won't be here in her dress for me to take pictures. I'm sure someone will. On the bright side, we do have our bowling league tonight, so at least adult conversation. Yay.
I so seriously want to go crawl back into bed. What is wrong with me? Steve's working on the van, Kylie's watching Saturday morning TV, and Shannon is still asleep. Nothing's stopping me really, except that guilt again, that I should be doing something to get ready for the trip. How can I go back up there and lie down when Steve is out sweating over my van? And the thing is, he wouldn't even mind if I did go back upstairs. Sigh. Ok, I guess I'm done venting now. Somehow I don't feel any better.
As I was standing there, snarky thoughts were going through my head, such as:
That dark purple makeup they (guard) wear makes them look like someone punched them in both cheeks. When they're down on the football field it's barely noticible, but up close they just look scary.
Why do these girls need false eyelashes? This thought is fueled by the fact that in four games, we've bought three sets of the stupid things, because daughter keeps losing them. Trust me, when you're in the stands and they're down on the field, NO ONE can see their stupid EYELASHES!
Since it was homecoming, there were a lot of alumni band members there. Most of them are recent graduates, some of them ASU band members, who are really just freshman geeks in the ASU band, but of course when they come back to their high school, they all think they are the shit. Well...I am here to tell you that you are not. What you are is 18 and 19 year old punks. I asked one of the tuba players if they still played the Bud song (a staple for us when I was in ASU band), and his answer was "huh?" I said "You know, the Budweiser theme song?" He said.."uh, no...we don't play that." He didn't even know what I was talking about. Who are these guys? I know, we've become so PC that college students aren't allowed to play the Budweiser song, because it "promotes drinking." Who are we kidding here? I know what the ASU band does after games, and it doesn't involve root beer and pizza. Well, maybe pizza.
I don't know why, but everything was getting on my nerves last night, from the permanent bitch-face that the snotty, sorority girl-wannabe guard instructor seems to wear, to the "armchair coaches" behind me in the stands, to the girls I passed while I was going to the snack bar who were all "There's gonna be a girl fight!" and "oh no she din't" and "I'm gonna kick her ass!" Sigh. High school is just so...high school. I had no patience for stupid high school crap even when I was in high school, and strangely enough, 25 years later I have even less patience for it.
*Attention before you read the next part: If anyone reading this was ever homecoming queen, or part of the homecoming court, please skip this next paragraph, or if you don't skip it, just don't hate me.*
At halftime, of course we had the whole announcing the homecoming queen, king, and the various other class princes and princesses. Here's where my eyes roll to the back of my head. I hate this stuff. I hated it when I was in high school and we (the band) had to stand on the field and play some stupid song while all these people walked past and found out if they won or not. The football coach apparently thinks it's dumb too, as he won't let any players that are nominated come out at halftime for this illustrious ceremony. They have to have stand-in people. To me, it's just completely pointless. I mean, what high school really needs is one more popularity contest so that two people can feel like they are lords of the school, and the rest of everyone can feel like they're not quite as good. And now, from an adult perspective, is seems even more ridiculous.
So here's the part where I'm a bad mom. Or at least a bad band mom. I deserted my post. Remember how I said that as "guard moms" we didn't really do anything? Well, I bailed and went and sat with Steve and my parents. (Shannon and Kylie stayed home, thank you Shannon, I love you!) Here's another thing that bothered me: I was volunteering, right? So we walked in the gate behind the band, but then the almighty queen band mom informed me that if you didn't have a pass (what are these secret passes?), you had to buy a ticket. Really? I'm volunteering to help, but I have to pay to get into the game? Well, guess what? If I have to pay to get into the game, I'm damn well going to sit and watch the game. How selfish am I? I'm just not one of these gung-ho band parents that has to be involved in every game and every competition. It's funny too...I was in band in high school, and we never had parent helpers. We had a few "band-aides" (get it?) who were also students, whose job it was to dole out water and carry equipment. Our parents sat in a group in the stands, and cheered us on when we performed. That was it. Is this part of that "helicopter parenting" phenomenon, where we need 40 parent volunteers for a single football game for a band of 160 kids? It just really seems like big-time overkill to me. But then I feel like a bad mother because I'm not all gung-ho about it. Where does this mother guilt come from? My husband has never volunteered to help with any part of band. Do you think he feels guilty about that, sitting in the stands watching the game? Hell no! In fact, volunteering would never even cross his mind. It's not that that's necessarily bad, but why do I feel so guilty about this? Arrggghh.
*Small footnote, team wins homecoming game, I think the final was 42-0. We really have an easy schedule so far. Football team boosts record to 4-1.
Which brings us to this morning. I read over what I've written so far, and sit here and wonder why I have such a bad attitude. This is the "blah" part. We're leaving for vacation Monday morning, and there's a lot to do. In fact, right now Steve is out in the garage, changing the oil and filters in the van, and basically getting it ready to drive to San Diego. There is a lot to do in here: laundry, cleaning up (because I want to come home to a clean house), starting to think about packing, etc. Yet, I'm sitting here with no desire to do any of it. What I really want to do is go back upstairs, lay on my bed and watch the three episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 (I know!) that are on the Ti-faux right now. I'm not even excited about going on vacation. Why? I don't know. Maybe because a vacation with a 5 year-old isn't really a vacation? Why do I sit here and think of what a pain she's going to be instead of how much she loves Shamu? Why can't I just enjoy my kids, instead of getting mad at every little thing? Sometimes I worry that my kids are going to look back on their childhood, and remember me as always mad about something. I want to be that "fun mom" who really enjoys her kids, but I'm just not. And then here comes the guilt again. What the hell is wrong with me?
So, tonight is the homecoming dance. Right now, Danni has guard practice until noon. Then she's going to come home, shower, and spend the afternoon at T's house (the boy she's going to the dance with), and another couple. The four of them are spending the afternoon at T's house, then I think she's going to come home and get her dress and stuff and then go over to the other girl's house to get ready. Then other girl's mom is going to take all four of them to the dance. Hopefully someone will take pictures, because she won't be here in her dress for me to take pictures. I'm sure someone will. On the bright side, we do have our bowling league tonight, so at least adult conversation. Yay.
I so seriously want to go crawl back into bed. What is wrong with me? Steve's working on the van, Kylie's watching Saturday morning TV, and Shannon is still asleep. Nothing's stopping me really, except that guilt again, that I should be doing something to get ready for the trip. How can I go back up there and lie down when Steve is out sweating over my van? And the thing is, he wouldn't even mind if I did go back upstairs. Sigh. Ok, I guess I'm done venting now. Somehow I don't feel any better.
Almost forgot...last night before the game started, I was at the very top of the west stands, and there was this gorgeous sunset.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Softball Game
Since it seems like my posts have almost all been about Kylie or Danielle, this one is going to be about Shannon. Poor Shannon, middle kids are the Rodney Dangerfields of the family...no respect.
Shannon plays softball, and quite well. I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom. She's good! She's on a 14U team, and these kids have been playing together for a couple of years. They just moved up to 14U this season. Anyway, I got to go to my first game tonight. This was their fourth game of the season, but because I work evenings, it was my first. I took half a night off work so I could go, yay. It was a good game to catch: Her team, the Diamond Devils, won 10-5. They're 3-1 so far! This was also my first time trying out the new camera. I'm still trying to learn the settings, so hopefully these came out ok. She played catcher the first two innnings, and then left field after that. She's also the leadoff batter.
Puttin' on the catcher's gear
Hi Mom!
Laying down a really sweet bunt...she beat the throw too!
Our future softball player
Sighting of a small baboon in a tree.
Shannon plays softball, and quite well. I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom. She's good! She's on a 14U team, and these kids have been playing together for a couple of years. They just moved up to 14U this season. Anyway, I got to go to my first game tonight. This was their fourth game of the season, but because I work evenings, it was my first. I took half a night off work so I could go, yay. It was a good game to catch: Her team, the Diamond Devils, won 10-5. They're 3-1 so far! This was also my first time trying out the new camera. I'm still trying to learn the settings, so hopefully these came out ok. She played catcher the first two innnings, and then left field after that. She's also the leadoff batter.
Puttin' on the catcher's gear
Hi Mom!
Laying down a really sweet bunt...she beat the throw too!
Our future softball player
Sighting of a small baboon in a tree.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Quick Addendum to the Zoo Post
See, Jen is awesome! She did take the holding hands picture, so I totally stole it. If you click over to her blog, there are a couple more, including the intrusive, snack-coveting geese.
Speaking of zoos, time to go pick upthe baboon Kylie from preschool. Is it time for me to go to work yet?
Speaking of zoos, time to go pick up
Hooked On Phonics Works for Him!
I saw this last night, and couldn't decide if it was hilarious, or if I was embarrassed that this man is the leader of our country:
When Words Get In the Way, Bush Goes Phonetic
Ok, some of those countries are hard to pronounce, y'all. Never mind that he's been president for an excruciating almost 7 years now (Dear Lord, thank you that it's almost over), and that he's seen and said these words how many times? And who wouldn't need the phonetic pronunciation for Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president? Well, except for most of us, because as far as I can tell, it's pronounced just like it's spelled. Here's what I can't figure out: If they can give him phonetic spellings for names and places that are too hard for him to pronounce, then why in the name of all that is good and holy can't they phonetically spell out nuclear for him? NU-KLEE-ER.
The other day, I was picking up all the cards from the Balderdash game off the floor (because Kylie thinks it's fun to get random games out of the closet and scatter the cards everywhere), and I was reading a few of them. I came across this word: Mumpsimus - Noun 1. "Adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy." Our illustrious leader and his continued mispronunciation of the word "nuclear" leapt immediately to mind. The question becomes, is it habit, or obstinacy? Or perhaps stupidity? In any case, I learned a new word, so I have fulfilled my brain quota for the day. Woohoo!
When Words Get In the Way, Bush Goes Phonetic
Ok, some of those countries are hard to pronounce, y'all. Never mind that he's been president for an excruciating almost 7 years now (Dear Lord, thank you that it's almost over), and that he's seen and said these words how many times? And who wouldn't need the phonetic pronunciation for Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president? Well, except for most of us, because as far as I can tell, it's pronounced just like it's spelled. Here's what I can't figure out: If they can give him phonetic spellings for names and places that are too hard for him to pronounce, then why in the name of all that is good and holy can't they phonetically spell out nuclear for him? NU-KLEE-ER.
The other day, I was picking up all the cards from the Balderdash game off the floor (because Kylie thinks it's fun to get random games out of the closet and scatter the cards everywhere), and I was reading a few of them. I came across this word: Mumpsimus - Noun 1. "Adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy." Our illustrious leader and his continued mispronunciation of the word "nuclear" leapt immediately to mind. The question becomes, is it habit, or obstinacy? Or perhaps stupidity? In any case, I learned a new word, so I have fulfilled my brain quota for the day. Woohoo!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Zoo Adventures
Ah, Fall. That time of the year in Phoenix when it finally stays under 100 degrees, and we bravely venture outside of our air-conditioned abodes. My friend Jen sent me a text message this morning, asking if Kylie and I would like to join her and Gracie (age 21 months) at the zoo. I was thinking it was still a little too hot for my tastes (then again, anything above 75 is a little too warm for me), but since we hadn't been to the zoo since the temperature rose above 85 (which was probably sometime in February), I said, sure! (Hi Jen!!)
It turned out to be fun...it was warm, but not really too warm, so all of the animals were out and about. There was an orangutan baby that was really cute. I'd be able to show you a picture of it if I hadn't been way too lazy to get my camera out of my purse, which was in the bottom of Jen's stroller. We saw meerkats, the tiger, lions, spider monkeys, otters, baboons (I said, "Look Kylie, those are your people!"), rhinos, giraffes, and the geese at the snack bar that really want some of your food, and might possibly attack you to get it. I actually did take one picture of Kylie on the merry-go-round. Oh no, I didn't squat my lazy ass under the stroller to get my camera out...I used my cellphone, so forgive the quality:
The merry-go-round they have is actually pretty cool. Every animal on it is different. You'll notice Kylie was riding the panda bear. And for those of you who are going to nitpick and tell me that it looks like there are two dolphins behind her...that's actually a shark and a dolphin. So there. I would have taken a picture of Grace on her animal, but her ride turned out to be mom, whom she clung to ferociously as they rode on the merry-go-round bench. Grace is still not too crazy about rides. In fact, since I only have the one picture, I have no proof that Jen and Grace were actually with us. You'll just have to take my word for it. Well, wait...I do have a picture of Kylie and Grace at the zoo together!:
Hmm...I wonder what that face was all about. Anyway, you totally wouldn't even know that was a different zoo trip altogether...unless you noticed that Kylie's wearing different clothes, long pants, has her hair in braids, etc. Gracie's hair is a lot longer now! Actually, I wish I would have taken a picture of them when we first got there today, because Kylie kept insisiting that Grace hold her hand, and I was walking behind them, and it would have been a really cute picture. I'm such a loser for not taking that picture. Anyway, today was a perfect time for Kylie to practice her big sister skills (which she will never, ever get to use in real life, ever), by saying "Come here Grace...c'mon Grace...hold my hand Grace!!" I finally figured it out though...she is so used to having her big sisters boss her around that she grabbed this opportunity to be able to boss someone else around for a change. Luckily, Grace is little enough that she doesn't seem to mind. I'm sure that will change, someday. I can't wait for the day when Kylie tries to tell Grace to do something, and Grace gives her the big eyeroll. Ha.
Anyway, about 11am it really did start to get kind of hot, and we decided to call it a day. When I got home, I decided to check the 10 day weather forecast for San Diego. On the day we're supposed to go to Sea World, which is next Tuesday, it's supposed to be sunny and 69 degrees. 69 degrees!! With an ocean breeze! Heaven!! In fact, the whole time we're there, it's supposed to be sunny with a high right around 70 degrees. Let us pause a moment, and give thanks:
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for the beautiful, cool weather that it appears San Diego will be having next week. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I promise I will try and be good from now on. No, really...stop laughing...I mean it. I'll really try to be patient and not yell at the kids, and I'll only dip into hubby's Xanax when things are really, really stressful. Amen.
It turned out to be fun...it was warm, but not really too warm, so all of the animals were out and about. There was an orangutan baby that was really cute. I'd be able to show you a picture of it if I hadn't been way too lazy to get my camera out of my purse, which was in the bottom of Jen's stroller. We saw meerkats, the tiger, lions, spider monkeys, otters, baboons (I said, "Look Kylie, those are your people!"), rhinos, giraffes, and the geese at the snack bar that really want some of your food, and might possibly attack you to get it. I actually did take one picture of Kylie on the merry-go-round. Oh no, I didn't squat my lazy ass under the stroller to get my camera out...I used my cellphone, so forgive the quality:
The merry-go-round they have is actually pretty cool. Every animal on it is different. You'll notice Kylie was riding the panda bear. And for those of you who are going to nitpick and tell me that it looks like there are two dolphins behind her...that's actually a shark and a dolphin. So there. I would have taken a picture of Grace on her animal, but her ride turned out to be mom, whom she clung to ferociously as they rode on the merry-go-round bench. Grace is still not too crazy about rides. In fact, since I only have the one picture, I have no proof that Jen and Grace were actually with us. You'll just have to take my word for it. Well, wait...I do have a picture of Kylie and Grace at the zoo together!:
Hmm...I wonder what that face was all about. Anyway, you totally wouldn't even know that was a different zoo trip altogether...unless you noticed that Kylie's wearing different clothes, long pants, has her hair in braids, etc. Gracie's hair is a lot longer now! Actually, I wish I would have taken a picture of them when we first got there today, because Kylie kept insisiting that Grace hold her hand, and I was walking behind them, and it would have been a really cute picture. I'm such a loser for not taking that picture. Anyway, today was a perfect time for Kylie to practice her big sister skills (which she will never, ever get to use in real life, ever), by saying "Come here Grace...c'mon Grace...hold my hand Grace!!" I finally figured it out though...she is so used to having her big sisters boss her around that she grabbed this opportunity to be able to boss someone else around for a change. Luckily, Grace is little enough that she doesn't seem to mind. I'm sure that will change, someday. I can't wait for the day when Kylie tries to tell Grace to do something, and Grace gives her the big eyeroll. Ha.
Anyway, about 11am it really did start to get kind of hot, and we decided to call it a day. When I got home, I decided to check the 10 day weather forecast for San Diego. On the day we're supposed to go to Sea World, which is next Tuesday, it's supposed to be sunny and 69 degrees. 69 degrees!! With an ocean breeze! Heaven!! In fact, the whole time we're there, it's supposed to be sunny with a high right around 70 degrees. Let us pause a moment, and give thanks:
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for the beautiful, cool weather that it appears San Diego will be having next week. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I promise I will try and be good from now on. No, really...stop laughing...I mean it. I'll really try to be patient and not yell at the kids, and I'll only dip into hubby's Xanax when things are really, really stressful. Amen.
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