Missing my Boys

It has been a very long time since my last post. As a matter of fact, I haven't written in so long I almost couldn't get back into my blog- I couldn't remember the email address I used or my pass word... I was definitely feeling somewhat lame. Blogspot has made all of these changes too!

What's new here in beautiful La Quinta? Since my last post we adopted two kittens- originally though to be short hair- absolutely NOT short hairs. We adopted them more than a year ago - I will save them for another time.

Blue Eyes

Back to my boys. They have been away at camp for almost 3 weeks. Enjoying "cooler life" (in every sense of the word) on Catalina Island. We are so grateful that they are able to have the opportunity, more than the activities that they participate in - and believe me they do some incredible activities, it is the profound changes that we see when they return from camp that really make a difference.




They both develop relationships with campers and staff. They learn how to live in a group environment, sharing living quarters and group decision making are part of the mix- I notice that they are able to negotiate conflict a little better on the mainland and that they understand more fully how to be a part of a group, whether they are navigating family, their classroom, the martial arts studio or a sports team, the camp experience has helped them to learn new coping skills that they hone each year.

Magoo

This year I have seen them physically grow too! Hiking, swimming, hanging on high ropes, kayaking, snorkeling all in a day's schedule at camp. Just what they need... fresh air, physical exercise, friendships, wholesome food and young adults who guide them through decision making and choices.

As much as camp is a great opportunity- one that I want them to have... I truly miss them. The house is quieter and calmer and the princess seems a little lost without her big brothers. All in all, it has been a good 3 weeks for all of us, though I am looking forward to picking them up at the boat on Monday!!

Make the best of your day,
Michele

Confessions of a Facebook addict

Been gone awhile.
I just realized that it has been MONTHS since I last blogged. In a work conversation today I was talking about setting up a blog for our organization and it occurred to me that I had not checked in for at least 2 seasons! Fall and winter have passed, we are approaching the end of spring and we are almost to summer -- I have neglected the Blog.
No excuses- just life! I can't believe I didn't share about the holidays, crazy kid stories, ridiculous issues of everyday and just the same ol' "mom stuff" that makes me crazy!
I am going to try to pick up and chronicle more of my life, I really started this to develop a keepsake for my kids and lately I have to admit-- it has been "all about me", I have been cheating... With facebook.

At first it was a casual affair, once in a while, then once a week, once a day and now multiple times a day. I am connecting with my girl friends, professional colleagues, acquaintances, college friends, extended family and even high school friends - from too many years ago!
I think I have it under control, but then... I jsut can't help myself. Someone posts something that gets my attention and it is like a shiny object, it catches my attention and I can't let go. I had to stop the automatic email notices- too distracting at work!
I am sorry blog. I promise to come back to you, I will treat you right!
I will try, I will try!

Makes Me Smile

Love these kids!

We were able to do some vacationing this summer. We drove to Northern CA and part of our trip included attedning the Sonoma County Fair.

We rode rides... ate fair food and the Princess even rode a pony!

We visited Fort Ross way up the coast, just below the exclusive Sea Colony.

It was an amazing place. The best part was being together- all five of us!

My Little Cowgal

The princess went on a field trip not too long ago to a ranch.

She met Dolly the Pig,


Chester the horse

and many more friends.

She even wanted to drive the golf cart in her cowboy hat.

She had an amazing experience and is still talking about it!

I just LOVE the expression on her face.

Should go back to bed!

Monday morning blues...
My week started with a meeting with my national CEO, my incoming board chair and a pretty important community member-- 135 miles away.

I got ready, popped the princess into the car and headed over to pre-school/day care only to find a note on the front door.

Uh-oh!

I left myself a little wiggle room, but certainly not enough to find somewhere from my daughter all day. Yikes!

Quickly I called the director's cell phone to find out she got a flat tire and was actually at the tire place having it fixed. I requested that she pick up my daughter when she got done and began to race home to leave the princess with my wonderful niece and the boys.

Race is the operative word... oh yes, clocked going 68 in a 50! And 72 in a 50! Just what I need-- 20 mins taken from my already evaporating morning so that i can have a speeding ticket.


I was about 20 mins late to my meeting-- made it safe and sound, in one piece, however a little frustrated!

I wanted to go back to bed. Maybe tomorrow.

Welcome SITSta's

Oh my!
I just got the email that I am being featured on The SITS Saucy Blog of recipes...
WOW!

Glad I checked my email-- I have jury duty this week and almost missed it.

Welcome friends- thanks for dropping in. Feel free to stay awhile.

I love to cook and on occasion I will post a recipe that I love and feel the need to share.

Thanks again-- I will try to come and visit you too!

Venice

We went to see one of our favorite bands ever last weekend!

Venice

The show was in Arrowhead, California- outdoor venue, easy, easy, easy. The group is family friendly and they create harmonies to die for! The mountain temps sure beat the desert too!

We made it a celebration- it was TDH's brother's birthday and the whole family went, about 20 of us. The kids love their cousin time and the parents love that we all get along so well. It is always a great time.

I am so lucky that I married into such a beautiful family!

We had great fun spending time together with our little clan too...

Venice is amazing... truly, check out their website at: http://www.venicecentral.com/

Oh my!

Do these 2 spell trouble or what?

How adorable...

The Wild One is giving the Princess a ride on her Barbie 4 wheel drive Jeep.

They are to be reckoned with, these two. He is entering kindergarten this fall and she just turned 3 in March. I may have to chat with my little one about older men, for now

so sweet,

so innocent and truly adorable!

I am sure it will be a different story in High School when Daddy is screening suitors. Trouble is... I think she might be the Wild One!

In the meantime, we will enjoy.

Crazy Hair Day

Tuesday at Day Camp was Crazy Hair Day!

Don't they look adorable? When they look like this I could just hug 'em and kiss their little faces off! (I know not in front of the other kids).

TDH says they they look like girls... sweet boys.

(Sure beats the dog costume of last session)

Silly faces of summer!

Summer salad

My new favorite summer salad

1 cup of fresh strawberries
1 bag of mixed salad greens
1/2 cup of walnuts
1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles
3 or 4 green onions

Slice strawberries.
Chop grren onions
Toast walnuts until lightly toasted - cool on a paper towel
Add mixed salad greens, strawberries, green onions, and blue cheese crumbles to large salad bowl. Once walnuts are cool, sprinkle on top and toss.

I serve with Trader Joe's raspberry dressing. (delicious and low in fat and calories).
My hubby prefers blue cheese dressing. Vinagerette is nice too.

If you want to make this a meal, add grilled chicken breast.

Delicious and easy... my favorite!

Saving money

I have been skirting the issue for awhile, but the cost of living is definitely going up.

For the most part, I try really hard to feed my kids healthy, non-processed food. I am lucky they enjoy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and fruit for snack. I try not to buy anything with high fructose corn syrup and I buy organic milk.

I do try not to go overboard, I don't want them to feel deprived and then gorge themselves on junk when they are away from the house.

They seem to make pretty good decisions, so far.

Now my struggle is managing the rising costs and continuing to serve the same food. Typically I shop at Trader Joe's, Henry's and Costco.

I have a girl friend who is playing the Grocery Game and she is saving a lot of money! I am trying it-- I bought the trial for $1, I have clipped my coupons and printed my list. I plan to give it a try. We will see how far I get.

The hard part is that the lists that are available are for Ralph's and Stater Bros. I don't typically shop there.

I will let you all know how it goes-- if I save money and can manage to continue to serve relatively healthy fare then I may continue. I am sure that I will continue to stop in at Trader Joe's- their prices are really reasonable to start with.

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This is a wintertime favorite and a recipe I use especially when I am working away from my home office.

We have a crazy couple of weeks coming up so I may use it for burritos in the not so distant future.



It is SO easy and delicious and versatile... serve it in tortillas with cheese for the kids, on rice or on top of greens for a yummy salad!



4 frozen chicken breasts

1 container of fresh salsa (12 ounce container)

1 beer (any kind)



Place ingredients in the slow cooker. I usually turn it on high while I am getting everyone out the door to school (about 40 mins) then I turn it to low for the rest of the day.



When I get home, I pull the breasts out and shred them (just pull them apart). I make burritos or a salad or just add them to rice.



Easy and Yummy!

Grumpy Mom

Today is one of those days!
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my children. I love my life. I am truly very lucky and very blessed- but absolutely 100% human!

I am fortunate to do a job that I love, mostly from home and I get to spend a lot of quality time with my kids.

Today's time with them is bordering NON quality.

How many times shall I have to ask you to:
brush your teeth
feed the dogs
get in the car- we are going to be late
pick up your dirty socks, underwear, bathing suit
stop hitting your brother, sister, or the dog
stop chewing with your mouth open
please let go of your brother's hair
stop bouncing the basketball in the house
please don't throw the ball, the pillow, the hot wheel, the barbie (insert object)
do not jump on the couch, the bed or the dog
PHALEEEZE just listen the first time... I could deal with even the second time.

All three of you are bright young people with perfectly good hearing!

Mommy doesn't want to be grumpy anymore. I am sorry that I yell sometimes. Yes, that is your loving mother with the contorted face, gritting her teeth, under her breath cursing because she is frustrated and tired of making the same requests over and over!

Tomorrow is a new day... for all of us.

Mango Salsa with grilled chicken breasts

Fun and Friends for the Fourth of July

Our friends, the Greens and the Lopez's came over to celebrate the 4th of July! The Greens have 4 kids, 3 daughters and 1 son-- they got along beautifully with our brood. (The Lopez boys were busy this time-- we missed them)

I made mango salsa (which I have been craving for weeks) to go with grilled chicken breasts.

You can do this in the morning- allowing the chicken breasts to thaw while marinating. I have made the salsa the day before too-- the longer it sits, the better it is!

Chicken marinade
6 chicken breasts (I use boneless, skinless- frozen, fresh works too)

1 grapefruit, sliced (any citrus will do)
1 cup of orange juice (again, any citrus will do)
1 cup of Italian dressing
1 red onion sliced
1 or 2 tablespoons of chopped or crushed garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Combine in large zip loc bag and set aside

Salsa
2 mangoes
2 kiwis
1 red onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2 medium jalapeno peppers (to taste)

Chop ingredients into small chucks, cover and refrigerate.

Grill chicken breasts, cut into strips.

I let them cool, especially in the summer-- this is a cold meal.

Serve with mango salsa.

Can be served with rice, tortillas, or by itself. I combined it with a favorite salad and fresh watermelonfor our meal. I will post the salad on another day.

Happy Fourth of July!

Mother of the Year

I usually don't call myself Mother of the Year in a flattering way, typically I am pointing at myself saying, "nice one"- how did you get to be a mother?

However this time, I am impressed with myself.

You see... Blue Eyes is attending day camp and each Friday of the session the kids dress up in tune with the week's theme. Having run camps a good part of my adult life, I feel it is important for our family to be supportive and to play along. (Blue Eyes doesn't have a chance either- both his Dad and I have made fools of ourselves in front of hundreds of children in the name of camp spirit).

The first theme of the summer was Hollywood Stars, the campers were to dress as a TV, movie or music star. Easy enough... Blue Eyes went as a "Rock Star" -- I think it may have had something to do with Guitar Hero sessions with his brother and Dad.

Costume was easy (remember it is 114 degrees outside!) He wore denim shorts, a Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt with the sleeves cut off and a fleece headband (made out of scrap material) that flowed down below his shoulders. I added a "soul patch" on that virgin chin and he was good to go!

Last Friday was dress as your favorite animal. I thought, cool , we have a costume box in the garage and I know there is a giraffe costume in there and maybe even some other critter costumes. (You know once a camp director...). So... morning coffee in hand, I am searching the garage for the darn costume box... I know it is here, just saw it.... hmm... searching high and low, a little sweaty now, did I mention it is HOT in the desert in the summer? I still can't find the darn box.

Magoo is suppposed to be picked up in a few minutes for his last day of summer school. Now I am dripping sweat and my hair is getting frizzy! So much for the morning shower. I have to get Blue Eyes into a costume, drop him off at camp, drop The Princess off at pre-school and then get to the summer school campus for Magoo's presentation.

No box... now what? Where the heck is the costume box? Can't find it...

We will punt! Do we have black material? Yes, I have some black velvet from a wrap I made a few years ago. Black head band, check. Black T-shirt, check. White towel, check. Glue gun, check, scissors, check. Here we go.

Cut ears out of velvet, glue to headband. Turn t-shirt inside out, cut out tag, cut odd shapes out of towel, glue to shirt. Cut tail out of black velvet, glue to shirt. Almost done- add a few white towel spots to the ears.

Time for camp-- backpack with lunch, towel, trunks, rash guard and sunscreen, check. Now, get in the car! Let's go, go, go!

Here is our puppy!

Not bad for a 20 min effort.

Bad news... everyone thought he was a cow. Did they not look at his ears? Don't some dogs have large spots?

Found the costume box, TDH put it up in the garage attic. (Never thought to look there). My brain cells were dying due to heat exhaustion! Another costume to add to the box- I will be changing the ears on the headband--- we will now have bovine ears.

Mother of the Year- for that day!

Tomorrow's dress up theme...

Red, White and Blue-- I am ALL over that one!

Beachy Shrimp- recipe

Just feel like sharing one of my favorite recipes. I have been following the SITS site for a while

and those amazing women have just launched this new site that I am inspired by! If you have not visited the SITS site, I encourage you to do so!

Then jump on over to this one!



There will be some incredible sharing going on, I am sure.

Now I admit , I am one of those freaks that will buy and read cookbooks or cooking magazines just for fun, usually I am inspired by a recipe and I decide to try it, however it is so rare that I ever follow a recipe exactly. I love making changes geared more towards my kids' and husband's tastes taking into consideration too, what I have in stock. I alter freely when I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for.

One of my favorites is Beach Shrimp (From Southern Living at Home magazine).

I call it Easy Shrimp

(This is really easy for every day dinner and good enough to serve to company ).

I alter this based on what I have in the frig, I usually have a bag of frozen shrimp from Trader Joe's, if I cook just one bag I decrease the amounts of the other stuff or it is too much liquid. If we are having company I have to cook two bags because my kids LOVE this! This is not one of those recipes that calls for exact measures! (my favorite kind). I have left out the butter, parsley and the lemon- (not all on the same night) AND it still tastes great! I have also used a variety of Italian dressings.

3 lbs. of large raw or frozen shrimp
1 (16 oz) bottle of Italian dressing
1 ½ Tbsp. freshly ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 lemons, halved
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup butter, cut up

Place first 4 ingredients into a 13x9 inch baking dish, tossing to coat. Squeeze juice from lemons over shrimp mixture, and stir. Add lemon halves to pan. Sprinkle evenly with parsley; dot with butter.
Bake at 375 for 25 mins. (making sure shrimp is pink- may take a little longer if you use frozen shrimp). Stir after 15 mins. Serve in pan.

This is great with rice- I buy the frozen brown rice (another Trader Joe’s or Henry’s Market find) it comes in a bag, you microwave it for 3 minutes and you have delicious rice!

I have also served it with grilled veggies (on the grill pan) and crusty French bread.

Enjoy!

Missing You

My husband, TDH, is not one to let Hallmark tell him when to celebrate a holiday. (I have received Valentine's Day cards in March).

In that spirit, I did not acknowledge his fathering skills or how much he means to our family on Father's Day. I will today!

The kids made him breakfast in bed for Fathers' Day

TDH has been consulting the past few weeks, leavin' us on Sundays and returning on Thursday or Friday afternoon.

With 3 children, 2 dogs, a full time job and 3 different summer programs that the children are attending, I am more than a little crazy. Did I mention I won't drink, not even a glass of wine when he is gone overnight-- weird fear that something might happen to one of our kids and I wouldn't have completely clear head- like that is EVER the case!

Truth is, I am missing my hubby more and more each day.

I miss...

Adult conversation over a bottle of wine

"Catching you" playing ball with the boys in the house

Your devilish grin

Your salt more than pepper "Jesus hair"

You taking out the trash (that is man's work!)

Your sincere appreciation of what our children create, say and do

Your commitment and faith in the Lord

Your reluctant canine love for Lola and Joey

Watching you play Barbies with The Princess

Your appreciation of my beliefs

You changing diapers and underwear full of pee

All of the things you do around the house- even my hair brained ideas and projects that you take on and finish for me

Your patience with all that drives you crazy (I am sure there is plenty)

Your conviction for what you believe in: the underdog, children, and what is righteous and true!

Your willingness to put up with my drive

You are the calm in my storm...

I love you with all of my heart and I miss you terribly

Thank you for being a man of God, an amazing father, a wonderful husband and the LOVE OF MY LIFE!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I can't wait to see you. Let's just GO!

Always, M

On Her Terms

The Princess is essentially "day" potty trained (potty learned for the PC Club). What this means is that she is completely aware of the need to empty her bowls and bladder and can pretty much control it during the day, we have not attempted nighttime yet. But I have to admit it is on her terms!

This is a new phenomenon in our home-- the boys accomplished this MUCH later in toddler hood- after 3 1/2 for sure. With her showing keen interest and a need to please the day care/preschool where she attends, we attempted this sooner than with her brothers who really weren't interested until late 3's. This weekend we had great success! We even bought new princess undies.

Today I was doing my usual carpool circus, Magoo is off to a special summer school class, Blue Eyes is going to day camp and the Princess goes to a day care/pre-school. (All before 9:00 am)
On the way to day camp, the Princess declares that she has a tummy ache. She was home last Friday for a stomach thing that included vomiting so I called her day care director and let her know that the Princess would be staying home today, (and I knew it was unlikely that I would get much work done). But my little girl needed me, I wanted to be there for her!

Have I mentioned that my hubby, TDH is out of town until Friday? He is doing a consulting job for about 6 weeks where he leaves on Sunday mornings and returns on Friday afternoons. Call me crazy-- what was I thinking when I agreed to that! I even encouraged him to take the gig. I do work full time too. From home mostly, but it is full time.

Anyhoo...The Princess and I, we got back to the house and she preceded to request the My Little Ponies DVD- I jumped on the chance to do a little work and have her rest quietly watching one of her favorite movies -it is right up there with Barbie Nutcracker! She was not acting ill and she certainly didn't have that "look" of being ill, you know moms can always tell when their kids are sick- my kids have the tell tale dark circles and a "look" I can't really put into words. I thought rest would still be good.

I had a staff meeting/conference call at 10:00 am and I figured I could at least accomplish that much in my work day! About 10 minutes into the meeting call my darling daughter walks into my office, stands to the side of my desk, so that I can CLEARLY see her and she begins to pee! Right through those princess undies all over the back of her cute little dress, on her socks, her shoes and onto my office floor! You get the picture.

This is the child who earned m&ms just an hour earlier for going poopy in the potty... I am not above bribery to reinforce the good behavior.

So, I am still in the middle of my staff meeting, wanting to scream, "What the heck are you doing!" and instead I say in a very hushed whisper, gritting my teeth, "You will clean this up!What are you thinking? Why? "

Still in conversation, trying not to let on that I would like to give my child a big swat on the tushy (I didn't- though I wanted to, we typically do not spank), I grabbed a bath towel and some Clorox wipes and preceded to assist my daughter in the clean up- oh yea, you bet I made her clean up her mess...

I scooped her up in my arms (still on the conference call, trying to maintain composure and sound like I was paying attention to every word being said in the meeting), walked her into her bedroom and promptly put a diaper on her.

Following her nap - I actually dozed with her for a few minutes, boy did I need it- we went back to underwear and she has been fine since. Even for the car trip to pick up her brother at day camp.

All on her terms...

Today is a Great Day

So... I run a non-profit organization, mostly from my home office, with a lot of help from a wonderful, competent staff of 2 plus a consultant. We all pretty much work remotely. It works with independent, self directed and motivated staff. (Let's us all have lives too).

In March, my Board of Directors decided (with my utmost support) that we should start a campership program to send low-income children from Southern California and Hawaii to summer camp.

We set a goal of raising $25,000 to send 100 kids to camp.

As of yesterday we had raised about $14,000, mostly from individuals and very generous board members.

Well... today... I got the word that a grant that I wrote was approved and we are going to recieve $20,000. WOW!!!

I am THRILLED!

We will help 100 low-income children go to summer camp this summer! We will get to help positively shape the future of 100 lives... today my hard work is worth it! (AND we can seed next year's fundraising efforts to send even more kids to camp).

Today I know that 100 children will get the opportunity to enjoy the authenticy of childhood- preserve the right of passage- they will get to go to camp!

I am in the clouds, energized to keep going... motivated!!!

I am going to toast to this!

I am so thankful for all of the individuals who gave generously and the foundation who validated the camp experience as worthwhile and necessary for 100 more children this summer.

Off to pop the cork!

Happy Friday the 13th.

Momma is Happy

My oh my...

She melts me in about 2 seconds flat... even with a mouth full of grapes!

I think it takes half the time to make me CRAZY mad, but then she turns around and says, "Momma, you happy?"

Tonight we went to dinner and before we could go and pick up the boys from karate, she had to put on her Cinderella dress and glass slippers (hey, I pick my battles-- I am saving the wardrobe fight for high school).

After dropping half a box of cereal on the floor or drawing a mural on the wall- (or my office chair)- getting in touch with her creative side, I suppose! She looks up at me with those big bown eyes and says, "Momma, you happy?"

She kicks, hits and scratches her brothers... five mintues later she is curled up in their bed all cuddled up listening to them read to her. Again, she says, "Momma, you happy?"

Where she learned to ask that question, I am not sure.

Now she is learning how to share with others, use the potty all by herself and napping without a "ho". (see prior post).

How can I not be happy?

God has blessed me in abundance! Who should be so lucky? I have 3 beautiful children and one pretty awesome husband.



As I reflect on the past few years, time really has flown by. The princess was born yesterday!




I swear... seems like Magoo was just in kinder


and blue eyes was in pre-school!







Time flies... such a common statement and today it rings true.

I want to stop time, to live in this moment, to remember today.

To cherish this time...

I realize that before long they won't be longing for TDH's and my attention, they will have friends to go and do things with...

people, places and things to do, all on their own.

Momma is happy!