Rocket Camp - Launch Day

 

Launch Day for Rocket Camp was yesterday. Zach woke me up at 5:45.

Z - Mom the bus leaves at 6:00.
Me - No - it leaves at 9:00
Z - You are WRONG!! I am going to miss my launch.
Me - dragging out of BED - get the info paper and show him.
Z - The paper is wrong - they said 6:00 - we have to go! (He was MAD)
Me - Zach, you heard wrong, and when we get there and the bus is there - you are apologizing for getting so mad at me.

Driving up the the camp, bus parked in front.

Z - Sorry Mom - with a huge smile on his face.

The Launch was out at UC Davis.

Sela didn't like the sound when they launched... but once it was all over and Zach was running to pick up his rocket, Sela leans into me,and says, "Mama I love our running Zach." She was proud of her big brother (And glad it was over!)

Swimming Lessons

 

My poor kids HATE their swimming lessons... can you tell?? The pictures of Sela "telling jokes" on the side of the pool just crack me up.

Normal Day

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,

or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut,

or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

~Mary Jean Irion

Too Young to Die...

Breezing through the posts on Facebook yesterday I came across a post from a high school friend. It was obvious she was shocked and hurt, having just found out about the death of a friend. I read it and felt sad, and thought - I hope that he had a nice life... and then a few minutes later I stopped cold in my chair and went back to her post. Paul Mclaughlin... I knew a Paul Mclaughlin. I quickly searched his name on Faceook, and linked onto the one that my friend was linked to, and scrolled his friend list. It didn't take long for me to sadly realize this was my old friend Paul. We had been out of touch for several years and yet he was one of the best people I've had the opportunity to cross paths with.
Back in my 20's, I remember meeting him - a crowded night at Dailey's Bar - his wit and sarcasm was blended perfectly with niceness. Our circles of friends intersected often enough that the lines blurred and became one. I remember I never spent time around him without laughing at myself, while at the same time never feeling like the butt of the joke. What I remember the most is taking him to a Sharks Game... and sitting outside the stadium after the game - having the most amazing talk about life. My friend Paul was not well - he had lupus - with many complications. And yet he had the most amazing outlook of anyone I knew. I remember not taking things for granted for a long time after that... until slowly his words faded, like a favorite old pair of jeans that get forgotten when the new ones get placed in the closet.
I'm sad I fell out of touch with Paul.... He was a marvelous person.

I have been thinking alot about my friend Thom Mannarino lately. His death still sits unsettled in my heart. I always thought I'd be an old woman drinking cocktails at my friend Jens house - listening to old Madonna, and reminiscing about our wild younger days. In that picture I always imagined Thom's laughter as Jen suggested something inappropriate.... that only she could get away with.

I miss you Thommy and Paul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories and for the laughs and for the friendship.

Sela's Happy Art

 

Every doodle that Sela makes seems to have a smiley face on it. (Unless it is the No Brothers Allowed sign she made for her door - there ishe made Zach with a sad face) I guess we have a happy girl!

Dear Tooth Fairy

I lost my tooth. I think I might have swallowed it. I wonder if you have a tooth detector? I hope it is still possible to get a prize for my lost tooth. Thank you,
Love, Zach

PS.. Just a little tip... look in the toilet!

Tooth Fairy - Zach is telling the truth. Look in his mouth on the bottom. Signed Zach's Mommy.

Oh my boy is hilarious... We have had a day - he'd been worried ALL day about that tooth. He woke up realized it was gone and got all nervous. "My tummy hurts." "How will it come out?" "What about the tooth fairy?" "What am I going to do??!"

I'll post pictures of the smile with the hole tomorrow.

Hail Mary Passes and Plan B

I found out last week that we would likely NOT be getting the space we have been waiting on for 3 months - because of unforseen costs to build out the space. Last week I was feeling sorry for myself and MAD. I was mad that I had let this go on for 3 months without grabbing the bull by the horns and ro either make it work or walk away.
In less than an hour the Mayor and Asst. City Manager will be walking the space with me and the developer to see if they have any suggestions on how this deal could work. I know it is a Hail Mary Pass... I keep thinking about how Montana and how he always pulled things out in the last seconds of the game.... to win. Today though I feel more like I'm punting, and that my quarterback didn't play his best game,and is hoping for a miracle. We all know this is farther than I've punted before.
So chances are when the buzzer sounds in an hour - We'll be looking to win the next game - to find an alternative space and make THAT be the home of reCREATE.
So - I'll hold my chin up and go find plan B if I must. I have another friend looking for a plan B at the moment and I wish her all the best to find it. If the door slams shut, climb through the window!

Grrrr... my heel is killing me

Summer comes and I kick off my shoes and traipse around barefooted - a couple of years ago this was a tad problematic with minor pain in my heel.

Fast forward - I'm running now- summer hits and suddenly my heel is so tender I can hardly walk on it. I've iced it, and researched it. Apparently I am doomed to buy orthopedic approved flip flops (at least they are cute!) - at $70 a pop, and I'm going to have to cross train until the pain goes away. I'm grumpy I want to RUN!

7 miles... 6 more to go

I logged a 7 mile run last Saturday. I felt powerful and strong through most of it.
Everytime I thought to myself this is too far - I would just think of my running buddies - all in different places in the US, and push on. I do wish You all lived closer... the post run glass of wine would be so much fun to enjoy together!

One Step Forward three steps back

Today I learned that the developer that was courting us to house our Art Center is likely stepping away from the deal. It is 12:40AM and I am sitting here AWAKE with knots in my stomach. There is a solution. There is a solution.... I will find the solution.
For 3 months they have been telling me this will happen, that they will make it happen... and today they simply said - We can't make it happen. blah blah - AC unit blah blah Stairs blah blah blah.
We left the meeting agreeing to try one last walk through meeting with city officials... but they were supposed to get me dates for the meeting and didn't. I'm seeing the writing on the wall.
Must go to sleep so tomorrow I can start fresh again.

Zach's Graduation

 

 

 

 

Our Zach had his kindergarten graduation yesterday. Mark and Sela and I got there early so we could get a front row seat. It was pretty cute. They sang "You Are My Sunshine" and "Take Me out to the Ballgame". There was a slide show and then the graduation ceremony. 80 little children who now know the basics they need to move forward in their lives. 80 little children whose lives can be ANYTHING. Keep dreaming big my little man - and you can be a submarine driver and a astronaut and whatever else you dream of. We love you and are so proud of you!

Yesterdays Gift

Yesterday I got this short email sending me to this blog, and told me not to roll my eyes...


My friend B is one of the smartest people I know. For her to say we are the same was a huge compliment.

This path I took... the one that first I got married on... then chose to have kids, and finally founded reCREATE has been the most wonderful path. The path I thought I had wanted when I was younger was filled with important titles, big big jobs and big big paychecks. I worked hard and climbed the ladder, and when I got to the place where I was earning more than I ever imagined I felt completely empty.
When I founded reCREATE, I knew I would take a significant pay cut. But every day when I "work" rarely does it feel like work. Most of the time I giggle to myself and think I found the best of all worlds - a supportive husband, a gig that helps me teach our kids to tread lightly on the earth while still having fun, and the amazing feeling that I am making a difference. Changing the world.... I don't know... but I suppose we all change the world each day in our own ways, right?
Thanks B for reminding me how very lucky I am on this path I took.

Hangin out on a Saturday

 

I decided that we have been over-scheduled and needed a lazy day. We stayed in our pajamas late into the morning, we relaxed and watched cartoons... the kids taking turns snuggling with me, and we just chilled out this morning. I think we all needed it. After lunch, we went outside to get some fresh air. Here are some pictures... I love Sela's new dress, and how pretty it looked against the lawn... so I snapped a bunch. Zach was having fun posing on the new patio furniture. Zach has his kindergarten graduation in a few days... where does the time go?
I can't believe how fast they grow up - Sela has figured our how to pump her legs to swing, and even though it seems like such a minor thing, it kinda choked me up to realize my baby doesn't need to be pushed anymore. She skips like a 6 year old... bouncy and perfect.

On the other hand they still have incredible sweet innocence. Driving in the car the other day they said this...
Sela - "Zach will you marry me when we grow up?"
Zach - "No Sela. We will be living in differnt houses."
Sela - "But I love you and always want to be with you."
Zach - "Well lets just live with Mommy and Daddy forever!"
Sela - "Ok - but we all need to move to a castle, because I'm going to be a Princess!"
Zach - "Seeeeelaaa!! Princesses aren't real!"
Sela - "Yes they are, Right Cinderella?" (Her imaginary princess friend.)

I just love them so much.

So I've been running....

Woo Hoo... I've logged 100 miles since I got my Nike +. It is the coolest little gadget... it works with an ipod to collect info on pace, distance, etc. I just love it!

Sela turns 4!

 

After the excitement of Disneyland - we opted for a small celebration for Sela's birthday.

We went to a fun indoor gym here called Wacky Tacky, and she invited a few favorite classmates, and her best pals from down the street.

I can't believe my little girl is four already. She is my sunshine.

Happiest Place on Earth? Really?

Fav Trip Pics

 

Standing in Line

 

So I had this anxious feeling that we were missing the window in taking our kids to Disneyland. Sela was about to turn 4 and Zach at 6.... I was worried we wouldn't get them to see Disneyland with magic in their eyes if we didn't go soon.
So Mark was a sweetheart and arranged the entire trip. We stayed at the Disney Paradise Pier Hotel - which I liked a lot. We got a 3 day pass to both parks, and hit the road.

If you have kids that are 6 and 4 - you are by NO means missing the boat if you haven't taken them to Disneyland. There is plenty of time!
We chose not to stroller them - they never use a stroller at home anymore... so they walked... except when we carried them... all the way bak to the hotel from the back of Disneyland Park. On the bright side - my arms are looking buff these days!
Some kids may really love it... but my kids were a bit overwhelmed. Too many things to see... even on the kids rides - there was stuff jumping out in so many of them - Sela just hid her face on the ride... I felt like I was torturing her. Zach cried because there were too many choices. It really is alot for kids to take in.

Overall it WAS fun... but we defintiely could have waited a few years.

Ride Highlight: Soaring over California - at California Adventure. For the Kids - What Else - Its a Small World.
Parade Fav: The parade at California Adventure... just expect to get squirted with their water guns.
Show Fav: Taking Sela to have breakfast with the princesses...it isn't really a show per se - but it was like a show coming alive for Cici.
Food Highlight: Napoli's: good! - decent servings and prices.

Open House

 

 

 

 

Zach's school had open house last night. He was wound tight as a top all week long... I guess he wanted to be sure we would be proud of him (Of course we were!).
He was very proud going around the room showing us all his hard work. He finally got to one thing and got a sad look on his face because he hadn't finished it - He was quick to tell us they did that project when he was out sick. He was so serious about the whole thing, and very proud of his hard work, as he should be... he did a great job!

Our Weekend

 

We were on the party circuit this weekend. Princess Sela was invited to a high tea at the home of one of her classmates. Complete with a visit from Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ci has a great time with all her froneds dancing, listening to stories and getting her face painted.

Sunday we went to San Jose to help celebrate Sean and Ricks' birthdays. We went Miniature golfing. It was Zach's first try and he got 2 hole in ones! Poor Zach cried about leaving all the way to Walnut Creek. "I miss Seany!" "It's no fair - I wanted to stay longer." you get the idea. Ir was great to spend some time with Cheryl and her family. I feel so lucky to have such an awesome friend.

Snowball Trees

 

I actually have no idea what these are called... we call them snowball trees because the blooms look like a fluffy snowball from far away.

Ornamental Plums

 

One of my favorite things in spring. So Beautiful!