Sad.

My best friend at work left Ryland yesterday. She found an awesome job as a personal assistant. I'm so happy for her, but so sad too. She has been my rock and seen me through dark days at work. Not only a good friend, but a mentor and a mom to me with advice that I will take with me forever. Work will never be the same. Martha's perosnality and sense of humor was one of a kind and this woman was so creative! I will miss her terribly, but wish her the best.

9.3

I woke up a few weeks ago and realized, it's 2012.  I started at Ryland (my job) 9/30/02. This September will be 10 years! I ran to my boss and she looked in the system and sure enough I've been here 9.3 years. The good news, I get 4 weeks vacation that's sweet. The bad news, what the hell have I done in 9.3 years. Oh yeah, got married and had kids. I keep thinking of things I wanted to do: go back to school to get my B.A., get back into my make up career (yes, I wanted to be a make up artist) and do more baking hoping I could get a little biz started.  Hopefully I can still achieve those dreams. I'm only ... 38, eek!

Happy New Year

It's been awhile. Christmas was fun, but hectic. The boys got everything they wanted. I think we may have bought too much, but the smile on their faces were worth it. Andrew kept saying, "this was on my list, this was on my list." Very cute. 

New Years was mellow. Raul and I went to dinner as we always do on New Years and were home just before midnight to toast and ring in the New Year with the kids.

My birthday was yesterday. 38. Can't believe it. I'll be embracing my 40's soon.

Some new years resolutions:
As always to be healthy and try to loose 10 lbs
Be more patient with the kids. They are only little once.
To start taking the kids to church on a regular basis. I would like them to have a good foundation of God. Plus, Andrew keeps asking about god, and religion.  Andrew, "what is that building over there?" Me, "A church" Andrew, "what's a church?

Happy New Year.

Thanksgiving Review

Thanksgiving was a success! I almost went the Albertsons route and bought a turkey meal. I do that every year, think about just buying an already made meal. I'm glad I didn't do that because I do enjoy cooking everything. Andrew even raved about how nice the meal was. The long weekend was nice, but Raul had to work Thanksgiving day, Friday, and Sunday. Needless to say, I was not mother of the year by Sunday. I felt bad this morning after yelling at the kids yesterday. I told them I was sorry, I loved them, and that they were good boys.

I was actually looking forward to coming to work this morning so I can check my emails, and go to the bathroom in peace. I'm preparing myself for Raul leaving tomorrow for 5 days. This will be his last trip until January. Thank goodness.

Proud Mommy Moment: Last week I had a parent/teacher conference with Adam's teacher. (Yes, 3 year olds have P/T conferences) She told me how well he's doing and that he's the only kid in his class that can recognize letters, and numbers when they are mixed up, not just in order. I felt proud. Andrew's teacher told me he's doing really good too. An aide that helps him out told me he's very bright and knows a lot of things and his coloring is perfect! no scribbling. He learns his sight words so quickly. I can't believe he's learning to read.

Happy Parenting!

My New Obsessions

Obsession #1
I feel like a teenager again (silly, I know) but I love, LOVE this band and they have been around for awhile...

30 Seconds to Mars! I love their music and so do my kids. We turn up the music super loud in the car and rock out. They are playing their final concert in New York on December 8th. Wish I could go.

That blonde mohawk!

Obession #2

Twitter!! I signed up a long time ago but recently I have been on it all the time. I love following my friends and favorite celebrities, hehe.

Obession #3

The Vampire Diaries! Love this show. What is it about those hot vampires? I watched season 1 & 2 on netflix and I haven't stopped. I'm onto season 3. I guess I am a teenager at heart, haha.

Recap

It's been over a month since my last post. Lot's of stuff happening. My work moved to Westlake Village, bleh. My new desk is right in front of the boss's, ugh. So it's hard to get some internet time.

Andrew started kindergarten, tear. He was so stinkin' cute heading off to school. He really loves it and is doing so well I am so proud of him. Kinder is big-time. The teachers do not look in their back packs to take out their homework, paperwork, or lunch tickets. He has to be the responsible big boy and put his homework in the homework tray, take out his tickets to give to the teacher and remember to turn in important paperwork.

We've been super busy with Andrew starting kinder and a new schedule. He get's out at 2:39 and super grandma Herme picks up and takes him home for his sessions. Now behavioral therapy is Monday - Friday 3 pm - 6 pm and Saturdays 8 am - 5pm...oy! Plus, just signed the boys up for t-ball and soccer.

Adam is on his own at preschool with no big brother to hang with. He's doing awesome and is learning so much at school. He can count up to about 20, knows his colors, shapes and abc's. He celebrated his 3rd birthday this last Saturday with a Star Wars birthday and mom dressed up as Princess Leia.

We had a blast at his birthday party!

Happy Parenting!

Life Lessons

Yesterday I picked up Andrew from school and he was crying and so upset. Apparently, he didn't get invited to a schoolmates birthday party. The mom only invited 4 kids from his class and he wasn't one of them. I understand money is tight and you don't want 12 kids at your house and it's the kids choice who he wants at his party, but how do you tell that to a crying 5 year old? What are the boundries when inviting kids to a birthday party? I guess you can try and be descreet and slip the invites in the cubby's or folders (which is what this mother did) but how do you tell a kid not to talk about your party?

I'm not upset that he didn't get invited. I'm more upset the birthday kid and his buddy were teasing Andrew and telling him they are going to "rip his invitation so he can't go." This to me crosses the line almost to bullying. These kids are pre-schoolers ! It's such a find line, you want to teach your kid good manners and grace and to just walk away but then you want to tell your kid to smack them. Of course I told Andrew if they were teasing him to just walk away and go do something else or go tell his teacher.

It was really heartbreaking to see how hurt Andrew was and to think that already we're dealing with this sort of stuff.

I'm off to go pick him up now. I hope he had a better day.

Happy Parenting!