Bike Ramp? For a 3 year old? Sure...why not?!

Another thing we've been doing this summer....teaching Cash to ride a bike with no training wheels! He took off on the day of his 3rd birthday.

I was at back to school night...James was home with the kids...and I came home to this video! It's actually hilarious...knowing that he's totally fine!

Unemployment? I'm kind of liking it!

Hi! Remember me?
Chasey and Cash's mom? Yeah...I've been lost for awhile...well..not LOST for real.. just "blog lost"...I've been playing Monster Trucks, doing "art stuff", riding bikes, picnics, trips to the park, the beach, taking Chasey to school every morning...then walking to pick her up a few hours later, laundry, packing lunches, doing dishes, napping (ha...well, sometimes I sneak one in), homework, cleaning house...and...oh yeah...a little trip to Cabo with 8 girls!! Life isn't all that bad around here! Last time I posted I was not convinced that I was liking this "stay at home" thing....but...I'm starting to get used to it! My 2 favorite times of the day are walking Chasey to school in the morning and then walking to pick her up when she gets out! I'm so thankful we live so close to school.

Oh yeah...since I was here last...Chasey started KINDERGARTEN!! REALLY BAD first day...but now she absolutely loves it! She has friends now and we've even had a couple of playdates with a friend from school. It's so cute to see little girls play together. My baby is growing up and for some reason having her in school makes me feel like a "real" mom! Yes, I've been a mom for 5 1/2 years now, but for some reason, having a kid in school makes me feel like a mom! I'm not sure if I feel old or what...I just feel complete as a mom now!

The first day of kindergarten went from this

to this...in a matter of seconds...

but then when I picked her up...all was well!


So...I'm a stay at home unemployed mom...but yet I managed to squeeze in a trip to Cabo with 8 of my friends & "second family"! My priorities are TOTALLY in the right place!! haha! I'm the token brunette! I joke that they only keep me around so they don't seem prejudice!



I've worked hard for many years! I deserved that trip AND my time off with my kids!

I have time off..yes...but somehow I feel busier than ever! I love it!

She dresses him up like a Princess...and she stole his nose!!

Hello Blog! I've missed you!

I'm off work...well...I've been off since July 1st! My company moved and is now an 85 mile commute in Southern California traffic...soooo...needless to say, I chose to get laid off instead of making the drive. 2 hours a day EACH WAY in traffic just isn't in the cards if I plan on being present in my kids lives! It was bad enough working full time and having them in daycare all day. Having them in daycare from 7-7 just was NOT an option. So...I'm home now...loving some days....wanting to pull my hair out other days. It's a huge adjustment around here. I'm not one to want to be a "stay at home mom". Yes...I love my kids dearly, but I'm just not cut out to stay home. I like to work. Plus...I NEVER EVER want to be stuck in a relationship because I can't support myself and can't leave. It happened once...I didn't leave when I wanted to and then it all ended badly. No regrets because I have 2 amazing kids...but...I know I should have left long before it ended.

Moving on...the summer has been a BLAST! We went to Illinois to visit family for 2 weeks! Yes TWO WHOLE WEEKS! I haven't been on a vacation that long in forever! It was so much fun. I really really miss my family! They are so crazy and fun! We've spent quite a few days at the beach, the pool, playdates and some days just lounging around the house.

I have a funny story to tell....The kids have been fighting quite a bit...because they get bored so easily...one of them takes the other kids toy, whatever and they end up chasing each other around the house or one of them hits or bites the other one. Some days I want to scream...well...some days I DO scream! Yesterday morning as I was making breakfast, Chasey "stole" Cash's nose! You know...like your grandpa used to do to you when you were a kid...Well...she took off running and wouldn't give it back! It was actually REALLY REALLY funny and I didn't know whose side to take in that fight! Chasey was just pretending...but Cash thought she really had his nose! I was laughing and yelling at Chasey all at the same time..."Chasey...at least PRETEND to give him his nose back"....Cash was freaking out! In the end...she "GAVE" his nose back and we moved on.
Look at this picture!! This is just ONE of the pictures, videos, etc that I have of Cash this summer dressed in his princess gear! That's the downfall of having a big sister I guess!

Goodbye Sunny San Diego...

We FINALLY begin to have a summer and we are leaving for vacation for two weeks! We will miss you San Diego!



But...we'll be visiting family in the midwest...we'll be fishing, swimming, going to carnivals, baseball games, bbq's, boat rides on the lake....the kids and I will be having a blast!

Busy...Busy...

This is how busy we've been....My kids can't even stay awake!

Happy 4th of July...

This is what I will be bringing to the party today....

Cowboy Caviar!! Oh sooo yummy!

Please be safe out there! :)

We've got Vegetables....or are they a fruit?...

Remember this little guy?
He's now huge...


and gave us this....


and...to the most amazing "step-dad" my kids could have ever asked for...Happy Father's Day to you! (we did celebrate on time...this post is just late!)