Earthquakes and Spider Monkeys

So here in California, earthquakes are nothing new. In recent months, they have started occurring as often as I change my underwear. That is often, trust me! They have become as common and annoying as that weird friend you have. You know the one you’re not sure why your friends with her but you just can’t seem to get away from her. She keeps popping up everywhere like a bad Freddy Kruger movie, startling you so bad you might pee your pants a little but you don’t want anyone to know so you laugh it off like it was no big deal. You are stuck with her, just like we Californians are stuck with earthquakes. Which leads me to the specific reason for this recent blog post. Students everywhere have been brushing up on their earthquake survival skills and practicing their under the desk drills. At home, we have even been fortunate enough to dive under our dining room/kitchen table during two of these unexpected brain rattles. My oldest has been affected by these events the most. Between having parents yelling at him to get under the table, learning about the dreaded BIG ONE at school, and hearing about all the disaster zones around the world, he has developed quite a fear of the rockin’ and rollin’ most native Californians take with a grain of salt. (Annoying friend, remember?) Are you wondering what this has to do with spider monkeys yet? I’m getting there, trust me, it is worth the build-up! So last night, just after bedtime, we had another 5.7 earthquake, pretty close to home. It shook us quick and hard and startled even my hubby who jumped up off the couch where he was pretending to watch the news but was really snoring lightly with a burgeoning trail of drool. I heard my oldest start yelling so I started for his room first to calm him down. Now I should have known from the sound that was coming from the depths of his dark room that this was no ordinary yelling. It was more like the sound someone makes when you startle them really bad. Like a cross between a yell, wailing, and hysterical crying. Ignoring this warning in my head, I preceded to rush into the room where he was still yelling to find him on the top rung of his bunk bed trying to come down. At this point you should put down your tasty beverage; this is your only warning. As I called to him that I was here and not to worry, everything was okay, mommy was here to save the day, he turned and like a deranged spider monkey on steroids, launched all 74lbs. of himself at me. Thanks to my quick reflexes, I punched him in the face and prevented further disaster to my persons. Okay, I’m just kidding. What really happened is I somehow caught this creature in my arms without actually falling or tweaking any important part of my anatomy. In hindsight, I now realize he was still in the throes of half-asleep dreamland in which events in the real world, affect your dream world. You know like when you doze in the car and hubby hits a really big bump just so he can laugh when you jump straight up flinging your arms in the air because in your dream, you just fell over the side of a cliff. But I digress, I will probably be laughing about this forever and now I will call my poor emotionally stunted child “Spider Monkey”.

Nickel Technology

So about a year ago, I was having some serious issues with my printer. It was jamming non-stop, streaking, leaving lines across the pages, you get the idea, it was being crap! Me being the technically savvy person that I am (read: NOT), I went about unclogging all the nozzles, running line alignments and various other procedures that greatly reduce the amount of ink I have left. No dice. Lines, crinkled pages, and crappy prints. So off to Google I go. You can find anything, and I mean anything, on Google. You want to make apple pie, Google it. You want to know who that actor in that movie that you can’t remember the name but it was really funny and it had the other what’s his name in it, Google it. You want to know various positions for getting into when you and hubby are playing twister (where were you going with that freak!), you guessed it, good old Google. But I digress. So I Google problems associated with my specific printer to see if anyone else is having this issue and what I should do. I finally conclude that I need to examine my rollers (no idea, but Google provided me with a diagram) for any foreign objects. As I am sure you guessed by now, there was a nickel. How did I get a nickel in my printer you ask? I have kids. Four of them actually. I removed said nickel and all was right with my world again. Fast-forward one year. My computer has decided to be violently ill and after months of band-aids and Tums (for me, not my computer), I sent her away to be looked at by a professional. Inside the belly of the beast, you guessed it. There was a nickel. I think it may have even been THE nickel. I have pondered this nickel in my computer for days now. How did it get there? There are no large openings or holes. What of this nickel that continues to torment me? Should I press charges? Emotional distress? Can I sue him for all he’s worth? What about the kids? Can I sue them for pulling a Houdini with this nickel and somehow shoving it into the magic trap door of my computer? What could I get? A booger and some belly button lint? Is that worth it? How do I protect my computer in the future from these savage little beasts whose sole purpose in life is to be more creative with their destruction each and every time? Would it be fair to stick Barbie’s head in the blender? How about if I were to smash matchbox with MY hot wheels? Should I invest in a bubble? Eureka I’ve got it! I’m going to get more wine! Have a wonderfully fun and safe weekend!

A Series of Firsts

On Friday, the kids had their first school dance. While I love all the kids equally, this was an especially special moment for me and baby girl. We did her hair, and picked out a dress to match the theme (which was St. Paddy's Day). She was adorable! We all went and had a great time. The kids danced and so did I. Yes you heard me! I danced at my child's school function. It gets worst..........I did the electric slide. For those of you wondering, the kids are still talking to me. Mckyle was asked by a girl to go with her. My first reaction was "Are you kidding me??????? You are 9!!! This is not OK! Who is this girl???" But Gary said I was embarrassing him so I behaved....sort of. She was a cutie and they never even hung out! They said Hi and then ignored each other the rest of the night. I obviously had nothing to worry about. Still, I'm going to be watching this boy.

So here is a picture of my girlie:


I don't have any of Mckyle or his date because he wouldn't cooperate. Sorry.

Another first in this Crazytown was Mckyle's Baseball game. This year he moved up to Minor A which is considered BIG TIME! He has been so nervous about playing and doing good. Today was their first game. The game was at 9 so we had to be their at 8 for warm-ups. Unfortunately, the other team did not show up. After many calls it was discovered their was a schedule mix-up and they weren't coming till 12. That's what their schedule said. So we waited around for the other team to get their as quickly as they could. We still didn't end up playing till 12. Mckyle looked so handsome in his uniform! He did good too. It rained on and off the whole game but not enough to cancel it. Bummer for the parents freezing their toes off in the stands or fighting with a cold baby........... They lost 12-7 and Mckyle walked away with his first real shiner! He was moving in to "field" a grounder when it popped up at the last second and caught him in the eye! So with out further adieu:


Sorry the pics are so crummy. They were taken with my phone. I also want to say thanks to my Sis-in-Law Julie for updating her blog and making me feel the pressure! See ya later!

Some updates.....It's been awhile!

Finally the end of summer vacation! The kids are back in school and my routine is starting to fall back into place. This doesn't mean my house is magically clean, just marginally less cluttered.
Mckyle has started the third grade this year and he has Aislynn's teacher.......that is to say, the teacher Aislynn was supposed to have this year moved up to third grade and so the yarn rolls on. He like his class so far. A first this year is that his "group" (the same kids he's been with since K) have been split up. So he's making new friends in class which isn't hard for him. Overall he has had a great start.
Aislynn started Kindergarten this year!! So far she has been having a great time. She's in her element among the other girls in class and she already has a new friend named Taylor. They haven't had any major homework yet but with the little bits she has had, the war has already begun. Aislynn only wants to do things when she feels like it and not a moment before. The rule in our house has always been homework first thing after school, then play. She is supposed to get her first homework packet tomorrow so we will see.
My big boy Rory started preschool this year. We have had a rough start because he has been getting sick, so he has missed a little bit. It started with a runny nose so bad, he looked like he had turned green. Yuck! So we stayed home for a couple of days. Then he had some tummy troubles which resulted in the unsavory condition of the classroom restroom. I won't give details but I am so sorry Mr. D (the custodian). So home we stayed again for a few days. He finally had his 3 year check up and he is great in most aspects. He has, however, been given the official title of Asthma. After the hospital stay in March followed by the breathing attacks in April, June, and September, he will now be taking preventative medication for the whole of flu and cold season and has a rescue inhaler for attacks. But he loves school! And at recess you can find him on the swings the whole time yelling "Faster!".
My little Ollie is finally making progress with his weight. After a rocky start, he is starting to put on the weight and catch up to where he should be. He will be 5 months in a couple of days and just barely weighs 12 lbs. He is also starting stink bug his way into crawling position. He can't stay up for long but he is close! He is also reaching for toys and interesting things in his line of sight. I love being able to squish him and squeeze him. We have another weight check next week so I will update then.
The rest of us are doing good. Can't wait for desert season! I have not rode my bike in a year and a half and I am so excited! Till next time, Tally-Ho!

Look What Baby Girl Did Today!

How cool is this? I am posting from my cell!

Stuck At Prom

I was recently forwarded the link for this contest and you guys should check it out! It is sponsored by Duck Brand Duct Tape. The contestants had to create their Prom outfits using only duct tape. I have to say that these are really cool! Here is the link for the top 10 finalists. My personal favorite is entry # 87 and just so you will check out the link, here is a preview:

http://www.stuckatprom.com/contests/prom/entries_finalist.asp