Full Swing

So, as of today we've attended the Oakley Christmas party, been to Disneyland at least once, gone to Follow the Star, and visited the Fashion Island Santa. We're already most of the way through our annual Christmas traditions.

You can tell by this picture that Jed wasn't too sure about sitting on a strange man's lap, which is funny, because he was really excited until we actually got there.

We took our pictures by the 115 foot Christmas tree (of which you can only see about 8 feet of in this picture) and had dinner at the food court.

Good times, good times...

NYC with the Girls

Happy Halloween!

Book Club Invitation

This weekend, I was privileged to host the first of many Desert Book Clubs. It's not your normal book club, we actually just sit together and read, and eat, and read and talk every once in a while. Everyone is invited, there are just a few requirements...

• You must have a book to read (preferably one that at least one other person in attendance has already read so they can stare at you while you read and giggle annoyingly because they know you're getting to a really good part)
• You must bring food and that food must include chocolate in some form
• You must have a camper trailer, or know someone who has one, or be willing to rent one and then take it out to the middle of no where to camp
• You must be able to start and ride a quad
• You must be able to pull your kids quad out of the sand when he gets it stuck
• You must be willing to wear a helmet and goggles and look good doing it
• You must be willing to drive 20 minutes to WalMart to buy spinach artichoke dip, ace bandages, RV septic tank treatments, assorted candy, etc (trust me...these are the most random trips to the store you'll ever make)
• You must be trained in first aid, or at least be able to read the pamphlet that comes in the first aid kit
• You must be able to brave 50 mile an hour winds in a sand storm
  

These are most of the requirements. If anyone is interested in joining, let me know...

Breakfast Conversation

So, yesterday over breakfast, I was having Maddie and Sam work on their parts for the upcoming Primary Program. I guess Jed felt like he needed to contribute, and it went something like this...

Jed: "Mom, I love Jesus."

Me: "That's good, Jed!"

Jed: "I love Chuck E. Cheese, too."

(Hysterical laughter from older siblings and me trying to keep a straight face)

Jed: "But, I do love Jesus."

Oh well, at least he loves Jesus...

If it's fall, why is it 90 degrees today?

Happy Halloween! Once September 21st comes around, I feel that's license to pull out my favorite seasonal decor. Last year, Larry told the kids their mom is a witch...don't worry, our marriage isn't on the rocks, he just means I really, really, really like Halloween and he thinks I decorate a little too early and a little too much. So if you're living in SoCal, crank that air conditioning, light your favorite fall scented candle, and bake something with pumpkin cuz' it's the best time of the year!

This is my fav...his name's Gordy, I got him at Roger's Gardens a few years back! He always makes me smile!

7 going on 16

Well, our school year and extra curricular schedule are in full swing. Maddie's in soccer and dance and Sam's in tennis. In the past few weeks, our little girl has matured years beyond her actual age. (It must be this walking to school alone business.)

There have been several factors...she has decided she likes dancing enough to commit to 4 hours a week of training to be on a competition team. She also is carrying her laptop to school every day. Yes, you read that right...her laptop. Her school is one of only a few in the district that supports a laptop learning program. It's completely voluntary, we have to buy it for her if we want her to participate...talk about peer pressure.

We've known about it for a couple years and have stewed over it just as long. We definitely don't want our children to grow up feeling entitled in any way. We decided to have her earn half. She collected some recycling and helped care for the puppies (not her favorite thing). Anyway, a LOT of $ later, she's happy as a clam. BONUS-I got a free printer.

She gets baptized in a few weeks as well. I really can't believe it. It's definitely your children that age you. When they're not around, I feel 26 again! Her birthday list consists of an ipod, clothes, accessories for her laptop, jewelry, etc... Now you understand...7 going on 16.

Happy New Year!

I heard a dad say "Happy New Year" to another dad this morning at school and it made me laugh. It pretty much is a new year every September once you have school-aged kids. January 1st is just a break in the middle of the year as far as my schedule is concerned.

Today is the first day of school. As I sit here while Jed plays in silence and I'm not breaking up fights or telling Maddie to find something to do, I'm thrilled that school is back in session. This morning, when I woke up at 6:30 and was making lunches and telling Sam to eat faster, I wasn't so thrilled. I guess there are always pros and cons. Jed isn't seeing any cons, he's got free reign of all the toys and is able to pick which show he watches. He wouldn't even leave his toys to say goodbye to Larry this morning.

It's a big year for Maddie and Sam...they get to walk to school by themselves. It's going to be awfully nice to not have to sit in a carpool pick-up lane ever again (okay, if it rains, I might go pick them up). Larry and I walked with them this morning to familiarize them with the route. They'll be meeting up with several other kids, so I hope they don't have too much fun and forget to get to school.

Maddie also has undergone a mini makeover. I think she thinks she's been on "What Not To Wear" (one of her favorite shows), less the $5000 wardrobe. We went shopping for a few updates and she felt she needed accessories with each outfit. She also got a new haircut, complete with bangs. She can hardly wait until she gets her ears pierced on her birthday in a month. She said that when that happens, she'll be "done." Really, I don't know how we could afford another girl, it's a good thing there's only one!

Sam was blessed with another young, cute teacher. Larry remembers having a crush on his kindergarten teacher and he says she wasn't even that good looking. If that's the case, Sam should have major crushes on both of his teachers thus far. He was quite the trooper, wearing a backpack that's almost as big as he is. It does have wheels (that light up, no less), so he doesn't have to suffer any permanent back damage this year. On the way to school this morning, he asked, "Mom, is walking to school exercise?"

Go Bolts!

Larry and I went to a pre-season Chargers game last night. I have to admit, I really love football...NFL to be more specific. Larry's passion for the Chargers is contagious and I've caught it. So, I know it was pre-season (I know, I know, it doesn't count or mean anything and they play mostly second string), but it was really fun and exciting to be there live. Plus, ya gotta love the type of people NFL games attract, never a dull moment (meaning you'll always get to witness a fight or two, there's plenty of beer, and people act a bit crazy). And when isn't it fun to spend 6 hours alone with your hubby?! September 7th, Chargers vs. Panthers...bring it on!

Divide and Conquer

Maddie and I went out for one of two annual Girls' Night Out traditions last night. We hit the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. It's basically a really big artisan/craft fair. Very fun...if you like that sort of thing. We were there with Lindsay and Ashlyn and Melanie and Mylee. Maddie always gets a new toe ring and we always hit BJ's for pazookies after.

The day before, Larry took the boys to Disneyland (our passes aren't blacked out anymore!) for a Boys' Night Out. They hit the new Toy Story Mania ride and gave it six thumbs up.

Have you seen this cord?

I really did want to post a couple things today. I am going to make an honest effort at this. I even have some pictures to go with, but suspiciously, my usb cord is missing. It wouldn't really be all that suspicious if you could see the state of the second story of our house except for the fact that this has happened before...two or three times before. I usually leave it plugged in for easy access and that's the last place I saw it. I wonder if someday, while cleaning out the boys room, I'll find a collection of cords...

Title

So, I thought I'd share why I chose this title for our blog. Even though the guy on Billy Madison is a jerk, you have to admire his sense of self..."O'Doyle Rules!" Well, we're not jerks, and we think we're pretty great... so, "BUTLER RULES!!!"