On the Bright Side...

Things could have been worse. That's usually the case isn't it?

Scott decided to take the girls (the big ones) out halibut fishing. It was a chore getting to the point they could go. It took days to find all the things that they needed that were misplaced in trying to clean up this old house.  Then he haggled for some pricier things he needed for the boat (which belongs to a friend but happens to be sitting here at this old house). Finally the day came and they were off. 

Of course, while packing sandwiches I realized I was out of baggies but no worries, foil wrapped sandwiches are great canvases! Finally with blankets to keep warm, a bucket to pee, and a lunch made with love, they were off! Cali and I were excited to see what they would come home with.

As always, prior to departure I asked for reminded them to take lots of pictures. And the girls didn't disappoint. I am guessing they were bored for a while however it didn't last long. While I was showering, I got 'the' text. 

It went something like this:

Scott- "How's that tackle box looking?"

Me-  "What?"

Scott- "Bad Word, Bad Word,Bad Word"

Scott- "We can't fish!"

Me- "Oh No!"

Scott- "Crying Now"

There were other problems prior to this but I am assuming they were trying not to scare me. And let me tell you , it would have! 

Anyway, as it was told to me, they fished one at a time with a rod and a pair of channel locks. They saw a seal (that black dot just past the seagull) and  they managed to catch one chicken (small halibut). After that, they had to head home because they lost the channel locks. (And the anchor- but again lets not worry ourselves, 'cause they are safe!)

While we were eating dinner the girls were starting to complain about not getting any fish.  I quickly stopped them because after all we were sitting safe in our kitchen, as a family, eating fresh halibut (there was just enough for a meal)  and it was good! In fact, it was delicious! And that is definitely a bright side, don't you think?

The Most Awesomely, Funny, Fun, Sweet, Giving, Rockin', Valentiney, Valentine's Day EVER!

Cali and I were headed to cheer, the end of our very busy day and I asked her, "Was it a good Valentine's Day?"
She replied with, "It was the Most Awesomely, Fun, Valentine's Day ever!  I repeated, "It was the Most Awesomely, Fun, Valentine's Day ever?"
"No!", she said, it was the Most Awesomely Fun, Giving, Valentine's Day ever!" I repeated again,  "It was the Most Awesomely Fun, Giving, Valentine's Day ever?"
"No!", she said, It was...and so the game began. We finally ended with the title you see above.
I'd say, at the end of the day, it was a good one, but it was different, and sometimes that takes a little adjusting to.

Scott is finally home, or in the state at least. I wish I could see him, but even if I can't, I'm grateful he is here and I'll see him soon.

I got up at 5:15 am this morning with Cori, who left today at 5:45 am for a three-day basketball trip up near Anchorage,AK. Scott flew into Anchorage last night and stayed up there to watch her games. She barely had a chance to peek at her Valentine's Day prizes and run out the door this morning.  I miss having her here today.

Cassi was next. She woke up at 6:00 and almost immediately asked if I would take her to Wal-Mart this morning. Umm, what? Yup, you see, while I was baking 8 quiches last night, (for the entire basketball team) and Cori was making oodles of Valentines for her boy, Cassi was at a movie. She didn't make one Valentine, so this morning she decided she wanted to get something for her best friend. A reusable cup with a straw that she wanted to take  to the coffee shop and fill with a red-bull special. We managed to get it done.

Then came my sweet baby Cali. Everyone was gone when she got up, but we still ogled over her V-Day goodies. And she was the one to have a gift for her Momma, that sweet girl.
A small book, Valintines Rymes and a crisp one dollar bill, from her wallet, to buy something for myself. :)

Roses are red.

Vilets are blue.

Valintines are sweet

and so are you.

Rose's are red.

Vilets are blue

Wever you are

I will be close to you. 

I spontaneously decided I would make her cinnamon rolls for breakfast. those rymes got me! I got them in the oven, then...

I got a phone call, I had to fill in for the school breakfast program. I had 20 minutes to get there. 

Pbttt! She wasn't real thrilled for about 3 minutes but I convinced her we would take the cinnamon rolls in the car for her and Annie, I made her some juice in her Valentine's Day cup, some for Annie in her new sippy cup, and off we went with icing on our chins!

Once school started, Cali left on her annual Valentine's Day Field trip, a performance at the Senior Housing Center. She was wonderful. She smiled a lot and wasn't fearful. Annie and I thought they sang so well, that we danced and danced! All those Grandma's and Grandpa's love that you know!

From there, we headed to the annual class ice skating adventure. None of my girls have ever really gotten the knack of ice skating although we've never given it much effort. The annual class skating trips stop in 3rd grade. Still, with little-to-no exposure, Cali did well and eventually moved away from the wall, even if it was for just a few moments. Annie really liked trying to skate. It wasn't easy keeping her upright. Fortunately for me, she didn't mind being on the ice either. In fact she liked trying to make snow angels on it, which didn't really work, but was fun to watch.

After that, I will admit my failure as a mother, I didn't go to her classroom party. I had to let Annie get a little nap, and frankly I was tired too. 

After Annie rested, and I switched a load of laundry and made a few darling little Valentines for Cali to take to cheer, Annie and I headed to watch Cassi play volleyball. It wasn't a good team day but Cassi did well. It seems she is destined to be a middle hitter! Dang, she had mad skills today! I gave her some suckers to pass out to her teammates but she wanted nothing to do with that. She was very angry about losing and really evaluated where the problems occurred today. I had to drop her off at the house after the game to give her a few minutes alone while Cali and I raced to cheer.

While I was driving Cali across town then coming back to get Cassi, she calmed down, thankfully! Then she made herself a cute little cut-up t-shirt to wear to cheer herself. Since its Valentine's Day, there was a no-practice-gear invitation and the girls were allowed to dress in red and pink. One of her prizes she received this morning was a pair of heart socks. Perfect timing, or her mom has inside information from the Coach and knew she'd have a chance to wear them to practice today! Wink, Wink!

While Cassi was at cheer, Cali got into her jammies, ate cereal for dinner, and pretty much had a sugar nose-dive. She crashed!

While all of this was going on, Cori was playing a screamin' hard game of basketball, actually 2, then Scott took her to dinner with her boyfriend and his mom. Awka, awkward! 

Me, I'm going to pass out, along side my girls, and dream about the Most Awesomely, Funny, Fun, Sweet, Giving, Rockin', Valentiney, Valentine's Day EVER!

**I just wanted to mention, I don't normally detail every movement we make in a day however I've noticed lately that I am missing the personal element from a lot of my old-time favorite blogs. It seems everyone is only posting details to a project they made or a product they are endorsing. I don't do any of those things really but I haven't been posting a lot either. I'd hoped this year I'd do a better job of it. I'm still working on it but I want to make sure I keep it personal. Hope you understand and won't find it too boring. :)

Ode to the 8 Year Old Birthday Girl

It's really that day. The day Cali turns 8 years old. I can hardly stand it and if I dwell on it, I'll cry.
This however brought a smile to my heart!
We all love Cali Bay...She is the blessing we didn't expect and couldn't live without!

A poem from her big sister...

Well lets just start with saying happy birthday Cal! 
I wanted to say how much I love you, and how much I love you being my pal :)

You're such a sweet girl, with a very kind heart. 
Your smile is like a key to a car, it makes everyone start!

Your laugh is irreplaceable, so high and cute! 
Just make sure you keep that up, cause what's not too cute is when you toot!

My oh my, where has time gone?!
You've become a amazing person, just keep growing along :)

I know you'll do great things, I know you'll have fun. 
You'll create something brighter than that big sun!

You'll make people happy, you'll share what you know. 
You'll do what you love. And never stop, just go, go, go!

I can't believe your already 8!
Man, oh man. I hope your birthdays great! 

Don't grow up too fast, I'll miss you too much!
You'll start wearing bras, dating boys, and such!

I hope you have a fabulous day!
Mwah! I love you more than words can say!

Signs of Summer

Clockwise from top left: Burnt marshmallows, campfire smoke, sticky s'mores, hanging with my girls, 

midnight sun, sun-kissed cheeks and freckles, bare feet.

We've had a slow start to our summer this season.

It's been a little cool, or maybe a whole lot of cool, and not real sunny yet.

But tonight, I started seeing some signs.

"And here I am 

Just waiting for this storm to pass me by

And that's the sound of sunshine coming down

And that's the sound of sunshine coming down..."

My Girls

I haven't posted here in so long, I just thought you might be interested in what they look like these days. :)

Holy H (ot) ell?

That is exactly what I was thinking each time I stumbled across my children acting like heathens in our hotel this past weekend.

Certainly I am not the only mother in the world who believes they have wonderfully behaved children only to find out they are evil little monkeys!

Behaving like clowns for all the world to see. All I could think was, how did I end up with my very own little circus?

Then I realized they had a ring leader!

*Cori has a friend that traveled with us this weekend adding to the brouhaha. 

Under the Sea

Really I wanted to call this post, "My  Talented Children" but I thought it sounded rather boastful. And I didn't want to come off that way. Seriously, some days I am so proud of my children I get a little overwhelmed with emotion. It's my hope everyone one feels this way about their children but I've been called passionate about all things before and I know it's true so it's possible I am just passionate about them too!

Never the mind, I shall call it Under the Sea and tell you, that is the title of the piece Cori played for her ensemble at the band concert just nights ago.  She was very excited about the piece. It's so much easier to play something you know well. So I think this one was fun for her.

I had no idea she would be standing at the front of the stage with her fellow players. When I saw that  is how they would perform, I got nervous! Uggg!

Again, no worries. She did fantastic. Had no bloopers! In fact there was only one from the trombonist and unless you are listening for it, you wouldn't likely notice it!

On that note, here is my very talented child! :)

Getting my groove back

OK, seriously I doubt it will last. And technically I can't even say I have it back after making just one post, can I?
Maybe I'd have been better suited to title this post, still trying to get my groove back. :)
Regardless, I've been missing it. The posting thing. I do get around to posting our weekly amongst friends collages and I post every day on amongst friends today but it's been harder here. 
Since school started my life has been uber busy! I didn't realize it would happen that way but so it's become. 
Still, I shall try, again, to catch up and keep up.

Here goes my first attempt.
Cori had her first middle school choir concert tonight and it was quite impressive. I literally took one photo. I know shocking for this self-proclaimed pathological picture taker. I didn't bring a big lens so there was no other option that this one. And she wasn't having any part of posing for a picture in her robe after the fact!


Instead I shall give you this one picture where she is so tiny I have to point to her and just tell you that the group did wonderfully. There were even a few solos and they were awesome! Some of the kids were children Cori's attended school with along time. I made me smile to hear just how talented they are. 

If you double click this picture, you will see her a bit better.

Next time, I will take the video camera and give you a taste. Until then, this is all I've got!
See you again real soon, 'cause I like you!

Happy Birthday My Sweet Teenage Girl

I think back and it seems you were just a baby in my arms. A little girl holding your Daddy's ear drinking from you sippy cup. I'm not sure when it started happening but you are growing and changing daily, right before my eyes. You are bright and beautiful, sweet and fun, a peace-loving, naturally caring teenager and I am so very proud of you. 

Love that my girl still likes soft cuddly things!

Happy 13th Birthday Cori.

I Love you so much more than you will ever, ever know!

The Other Two-Thirds of My Children

Lest you all think I don't care about the other two. I wanted to tell you they too have started back to school. And while it isn't their first year leaving me after the summer vacation, I miss them just as much as I did the first time I had to leave them behind at school for the whole day.

Cassi is in her last year at her school. It is the only year Cali will have a sibling at school with her. I am so grateful she's had the comfort of knowing Cassi is there with her. Cassi has been so sweet about looking out for her.

She is just that kind of kid. She is a sweet, kind, loving but yet she is demanding, self-motivated, proficient, an achiever through and through.

She had a lot of fun school shopping this year. She loves to put together outfits and often helps her sisters come up with ideas.

Don't you just love this twin-thing going on for the third day of school? They were both super excited about this!

Cori started Middle School this year. I certainly don't expect to coast through the year with no drama but I think Cori is a pretty cool kid with a great head on her shoulders. She too is kind, super friendly to everyone, quite social and an excellent student.

Her school now starts earlier than we've ever been used to; it's quite a shock to the system. There was little fan-fare this year as she left for school. I had to plead with her to take a first-day of school photo for me. And thankfully she did it. Otherwise I may have had to embarass her and make her take some pictures after school. Oh wait, I did that too!

Her friends were good sports about it thankfully. I love that about them. My daughter loves me just enough to put up with my quirkiness and since she is good to them, I guess her friends oblige me too! :)

Today, I think we all figured out just how exhausting going back to school can be. Cassi hung near the house getting all her homework done early so she would be ahead come next week. Cori summoned up a second wind following a full school day, the first day of soccer try-outs, then a birthday party and onto a sleep-over.
Cali was asleep by 7:00 and never even ate dinner.

Here's hoping that we stay on this trail to a happy school year and that my heart callouses a little 'cause right now, it's a little tender missing my girls.

Missing Cori

Cori is away at soccer camp. It is killing us. The younger girls and I are missing her terribly. Cali even wore her soccer sweats today because they remind her of Cori.

Tonight, Cali wanted to write a poem for her. This is what she had to say.


I Love You Cori
You'll always be my sister
And I'll always love you
FOREVER.

It's Time for a Haircut

I finally took the girls to get their hair cut today. Cori has been bugging me for a while and we just haven't had much time to get there.

Interestingly, Cori's hair looks the least different. She wanted to cut a lot more off but i wanted to take it slow. She has (or did have) the shortest hair in the family.  I was afraid she'd start middle school in August and have a little fit and there would be nothing I could do to help her. I did tell her if after a week she is still wanting to cut more off, I'd take her in again. After a day however, I think she is more interested in getting highlights.

Cassi took a big plunge and cut off about 10 inches. We are sending her hair to Locks of Love in hopes that it will bring some joy to someone needing a little.She was a bit nervous and wouldn't hold the hair we saved. She didn't even want to look at it.

I think she will like this new length. Especially for soccer. I am hoping it will be brushed more often.

Cali (who is the one who likely has the shortest hair now) cut a little off and it gives her a shorter pixie look. It's not a bob, but still cute.  She's been flipping it around everywhere since we left Miss Abby's.

Now it's my turn but I need a LOT of work.  :)  More hours than I have to spare right now.

The Kenai Fjords- A Fieldtrip

The end of the school year doesn't come soon enough. I love having my girls home and getting out in the world to see what's around us.

To get to summer however we have two unbelievably busy months leading up to it. Our school is notorious for amazing field-trips and 'being there' experiences.

This year both of my girls we able to go on the Kenai Fjords cruise. We've done it quite a few times however it never ceases to be amazing.

I took more pictures than any one person ever should but I have so much fun trying to catch all the kids. The girls took a LOT too!  It helped this year that I managed to take so many since one mom from Cassi's class made a video for the kids.

Here are a few Alaska shots and some shots of the kids I liked. If you ever make it to Alaska, it's a must do. And if you can, take the dinner cruise. It could likely be the most amazing scenery you'll ever see.

And you never know who may be looking for a table-scrap. ;)