school's out for summer

Just wanted you to know, I now have a 5th grader and a 1st grader. I'm still reeling in shock.

sparkling water is bad for your pc health

Last Wednesday as I was preparing my 4th grade art lesson on Cubism, I totally spilled a bottle of Perrier on my keyboard. As you might imagine, this was not a smooth move.

It has been 9 days and I now am writing on my new computer (with no liquids in sight). I am very impressed with the squad of geeks who retrieved and saved my data without making me feel like the idiot I am. And yes, a few of them actually resemble geeks. One even looked like Napoleon Dynamite.

So to kick off the start of a new computer, let me embed a clip I found to be hilarious:


Happy Weekend!

it was the weekend

When it is Sunday night and one cannot even remember what one did on Friday night, one realizes
a. one has been drinking far too much
b. one has over-scheduled their weekend
c. one has not been drinking enough (water) and has attended far too many sporting events in the recent past

My answer is c. and b. Not a. But you probably guessed that.

Lacrosse is over (for now). Grace scored the first goal of the game on Saturday. She is loving the sport more and more with every practice and every game. In other sporting news, there is one TBall game remaining for this season.

What will we do with all our free time?

I really don't know, but I'm sure it'll fill it up quick!

Other highlights of the weekend:
1. Swimming party for the Primary children on Friday afternoon where the moms all agreed one planning a spa day this summer. These ladies don't mess around! They don't mean, "let's get together and make homemade facials and paint our nails," NO, what they mean is, "Fairmont or Montelucia? All day or half day?" Um, yes please!!!!!

2. Date night with my favorite guy
When we realized that we couldn't remember the last time we actually went out together without the children, we realized we were in trouble! Our favorite babysitter was available (it helps that her lacrosse season has recently ended as well), and we headed out to try a new-to-us Mediterranean restaurant. We at on the rooftop patio and had a view of Camelback Mountain. A fun Saturday night to be sure!

3. My Sunday nap
Sunday is the day of rest, y'know. The Sunday nap allows me to rest up and be ready for whatever this next week may bring, be it teaching art to the 4th grade, assisting in literacy centers in Kindergarten, watching a friends' kids for 5 hours one morning, possibly doing lit centers in Kindergarten yet another morning, and cheering at the final TBall game. Yes, I am ready, thanks to my Sunday nap (and the knowledge that next Sunday I can have another one!)

the yo yos I live with

These pictures were taken about a year and a half ago. I find them a rather accurate series of portraits of the other three who live here.

After TBall and the illustrious band concert (btw, Grace played a duet at the concert - Hedwig's Theme - of course it rocked!), we went out for frozen yogurt.

We had to convince Jimmy to actually try it. He loves yogurt and he likes ice cream, but he was not sold on the notion of yogurt being frozen. Once he tried it, he dug it. He dug it a lot; so much so that mid-bite he called out, "Ouch, my head! It is hurting!!" Grace replied, "Oh, its just a brain freeze. As humans we did not evolve to eat frozen foods. Our blood vessels just can't keep up."

That seemed to satisfy him.

typical wednesday

The following will take place later today. Yes, these pictures were taken before today, but that does not matter in the least. These have all occurred several times during the months of March, April, and now in May.

We only have three games left.

And right after tonight's game, instead of ending up in the tub where he belongs, he'll end up at the 4th and 5th grade band concert.

Last night I realized a deeper understanding of the notion, "Calgon, take me away." That understanding will continue to deepen through the remainder of the school year (which incidentally is in a mere 3 weeks) (crazy, crazy, crazy).

To cap off this post, I will relate to you what occurred this morning at the bus stop.
1. The bus pulls up.
2. Jimmy reaches in his mouth.
3. The bus doors open.
4. Jimmy hands me a tooth.
5. Jimmy gets on the bus.
6. His front tooth remains with me.

I hope the Tooth Fairy remembers this happened tonight after homework wrangling, Tballing, and concert-listening!

field trip

One day we went on a field trip. It was really more of an adventure. I convinced two other moms and their kids to go with us. We headed East towards the thriving metropolis of Superior, AZ (yes, we did feel quite superior when we arrived).

Rumor was that though this arboretum was well over an hour away, it was so much better than the Botanical Garden (of course not better than the Missouri Botanical Gardens - 'cause really, is there any garden superior to the BoTan? I think not).

This place was great. And we managed to only see 1/3 of it. It had birds galore (poor Nate, the ornithologist, he was sad to miss out.) We're going to have to take him back there with us (but we'll have to wait about 7 months until it is cool enough for me to handle). (Yes, it is now officially summer here). (Heaven help me).

Look, it even had some petrified wood. And a toad who looks remarkably like Jimmy.

There were also very informative maps (which helped us determine that we had in fact only seen 1/3 of it, and that we had best turn around and leave to find lunch before the younger crowd melted away from dire hunger) (turns out fruit snacks will only get some so far).

I would love to have this tree in my backyard.

But I'll take these instead.

All in all, a fun adventure. I'm so glad I found some friends out here that I can call and ask them to traverse to the unknown to check out an adventurous spot.

Yay!

the weekend and its recovery

Poor Nate had to go to San Diego this weekend. He had to miss our first two days of 100+ weather.

He also had to miss Jimmy's first REAL baseball game  - it was Little League night at the DBacks. So grateful to Grandpa Jeff (really known as Poppy around here) to accompany my slugger to the game. There was an on-field parade of Little League-ers (and their grandpas!), a dinner of hot dogs, popcorn and Sprite (the nectar of the gods for some little boys), and lots of friends in the bleachers. Speaking of the bleachers - when I was telling Jimmy of his good fortune to go to the game with Poppy, I mentioned that he got to sit in an excellent section call The Bleachers. Grace broke in and said, "THE BLEACHERS!!! You are so lucky!!!" She really meant it.

That left Friday night as a GNO for Grace and I. We dined as only one dines with Grace, on pasta. Then we perused the pet store and admired the kitties, guinea pigs, hamsters, parakeets, lizards, snakes, and more kitties. Then it was movie time - Mirror, Mirror. So fun!

Saturday morning was lacrosse - not just practice this time, but a real scrimmage. Grace plays hard. Its so fun to watch. By the time the game was over it was over 90 degrees. So we "opened" the pool for the summer. In the afternoon, the three of us went to see The Lorax, took another dip in the pool, and then had make-your-own pizzas for dinner. Our after-dinner entertainment was The Best of Boris and Natasha and the Best of Dudley Do-Right.

All was well until Sunday morning when everyone woke up with terrible coughs and sneezes. So we spent the day as a sick day and the fun continues today - Grace has a fever and Jimmy won't stop coughing. The Disney channel will be on for hours and after that I'm afraid there will be a repeat of Boris, Natasha and Dudley!

Lucky for us, Nate is back. That always makes everything better.

monkey see, monkey do

egg-actly serious

Our egg-doing this year was a serious evening. The bunny ears were donned, yes, but all were serious about their tasks.

the flautist

pour some sugar on me

Its a sliver bullet - a Charger to be exact. Its sound system is blasting Def Leppard (which is unsettling to other drivers on their way to the pick-up line at school). Its driver is a ravishing blonde, who can't believe her luck that the only car at the dealer available to drive while the seal is being replace around the windshield (which had to be shipped in from Detroit) is the Charger. She may have had to control her giggling as she was issued the keys. Her manly-doctor is sad he is not the driver. But this mama can drive. And she can listen to her music loud. The streets of Scottsdale won't be the same (that is until the seal is replaced and the Charger returned, but it sure is fun while it lasts).

favorites

Jimmy just informed me he has three favorite sides - front, back, and right. Apparently left is just not as favorite as the others.

remember when...

One month ago, we returned from our Spring Break trip. Unlike most Spring-Breakers, we decided to go cold instead of going warm. At the time it was tempting to go beachy, but we knew the reality of the heat would soon be on us.

And it is. This weekend the highs are expected in the mid-90s.

This weekend I will be looking at these pictures again and again, trying to embrace the cold that once was.

what's for dinner?

One of my most favorite cook book authors is Nigella Lawson. The following is a little twist on her Crunch Pork Chops. We had them for dinner tonight and decided it is so good we could eat it at least once a week. It also all comes together in 30 minutes (if you are on your toes!). She has a new cookbook coming out this year, I hope to add it to my collection!

Pork Chops:

Pork Chops, pounded thin

1 egg

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp dried oregano

3 tbsp olive oil

1 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

S&P

1 cup canola oil, for frying

Warm Arugula and Tomato Salad:

3 medium tomatoes

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp olive oil

Juice of one lemon

4 cups arugula, not packed

S&P

Beat the egg with the mustard, olive oil, oregano, and salt and pepper into an empty pie plate. Set aside. In another empty pie plate, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan, and salt and pepper.

Dip the chops in the egg mixture, coating both sides. Then dredge them in the bread crumb mixture, being sure to cover evenly.

Meanwhile, pour the canola oil into your cast iron skillet over medium heat. When a small cube of bread sizzles when dropped into the oil, you know the oil is hot enough. Cook the chops until they are a deep golden color, 5-7 minutes per side, depending on how thin you got them and how cold they were before starting.

While all of this is going on, combine the arugula, chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper in a bowl.

When the chops are ready, remove them from the pan. Quickly put the arugula mixture into the hot pan (it will splatter, but you are made of tough kitchen stuff, so you don't mind). Toss the mixture until well coated and heated through (maybe 3 minutes, tops).

Serve the warm salad along side the chops. For added flair, you best serve roasted cauliflower too!

protection

My super hero is fierce.

He is known as Super Paint.

His cape looks like a painting apron with the strings cut off worn backwards. It of course ISN'T those things, it just LOOKS like it.

Super Paint has some amazing ninja moves.

His belt is a Native American head-dress that is worn around the waist, upside-down. I am sure this provides some super power I haven't been schooled on yet.

He also has x-ray vision he can turn on and off. Clearly he's into eye protection as well.

girls just want to have fun

Do you remember about 6 months ago when I took a nasty fall during a hike and tore 5 ligaments? yeah, that was no fun. After that, I swore off hiking (I really don't like it anyway).

Here's my surprise for you:
Last week I fell off a zipline and hurt my other ankle. This time is not as bad as last time. But I still hate it. I'm more mobile than last time, but my ankle is so swollen I'm afraid it is legitimatley a cankle. Also, I have a nice hobble about me.

Here's the thing, I am not swearing off ziplines. They are so fun (as long as you don't fall off of them). However, hiking is still out.

Below:

This picture cracks me up. The kids are cute, but Nate's reflection in the mirror is beyond words.