ponchos, flashlights, and kids.....oh my!

It’s noon on Sunday, and I am currently packing to chaperone Naty’s fifth-grade class trip to Sky Ranch. We leave tomorrow morning for a 3day/2 night camping and learning adventure. Naty is so excited, and I am too! I am normally an over-packer, and it makes it even tougher trying to anticipate odd things the kids might need during the trip. So far I have garbage bags, ponchos, wipes, hand sanitizer, Band-Aids, sunscreen, pens, plastic bags in case clothes get wet somehow ……I’m still thinking. I always feel like I will forget to pack something.
The first thing that I packed was my travel coffee mug, we were told in our chaperone meeting that they would have caffeine available...all day long. YEAH!
I am one of twenty chaperones going with the class so we’re only responsible for about five kids each but you still feel stress taking care of someone else’s child while trying to keep drama under control and make sure everyone has a great time. This will be an adventure for us both.
I’ve chaperoned this camping trip when Sydney was in fifth grade too. We had a lot of fun: fishing, smore making, zip-lining, and hiking. It’s definitely an activity filled three days. It’s a great way to spend a few days with your classmates before starting middle school and veering in different directions.
I am glad that schools still think it’s important to allocate funds to take the kids on this type of overnight trip. It’s something Texas fifth graders look forward to all of their elementary years, they all feel like BIG stuff, and I know they will learn a lot and make great memories.

The End of A Long Summer

This morning, all of my children climbed on a school bus and for eight hours I will have total peace and quiet. I crave quiet and structure. I crave the lack of chaos.
Although, summer wasn’t as hard as I expected, I’m glad it is over. During the last couple of months we have moved…twice…and are ready to get settled and begin a great year.
We all had a fun, busy summer and survived it. So, I don’t plan on doing much today just drinking coffee, writing a little, reading a lot, and listening to the sounds of silence. I may use some time today to schedule volunteer hours at the school. Or maybe sign up for the Fall festival. I do enjoy helping the teachers, decorating the bulletin boards, stuffing folders, and making copies. Dang, there I go scheduling my free time already…and it’s barely just started…….
With all that said, I am going to enjoy my day. I don’t imagine I will get out of my pajamas. I’ll think about volunteering later….you know, when I am a little rested.

Summer Nights

It is hard to believe that school is but a memory. The temperatures have quickly elevated such that I lie on top of the bedspread instead of snuggled beneath the covers. My nightly ritual of hanging out with the kids consists of cold dinners (i don't want to turn the oven on), ice cream for dessert, and swimming in the evening....it's great!
I enjoy summer, gotta love those free Cinemark movies, $5 bowling days, the community pool, and the beach but, mostly getting to sleep in. In fact, my husband will tell you that I sleep waaaaay in, now that I don't have to drive the kids to school at 7:30am, it's a wonderful thing. As long as we get up in time for lunch, my errands are done, and the kids are having fun...sleeping in is allowed, right?
As much as I am enjoying sleeping in and not having to "assist" with homework, I expect that I'll be eager to get rid of the kids come August when I'll want more time alone to get work done or have my own appointments.
But, so far this summer is terrific, we are spending it with great friends, taking naps, and visiting family. I'm enjoying every hot sticky moment of it.

Fa la la la la

Christmas is almost here, and like most people I have a lot off stuff to do and I'm not close to finishing it yet.

My kids are going to be shocked when they grow up and find that it's not a "thing" to wait until the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to wrap gifts. I may have grown a few extra white hairs over the past few days!!!!

I have a little bit less to do since my parents are not going to be able to make it this year, but Ethan's gift still hasn't arrived and I need to stock my pantry. The kids have been home, on winter break, eating all day.
So, I still have to go to the grocery and get a few odds and ends today. I found it hard to run my errands today when the weather is was so gorgeous! It was 70 degrees and I couldn't help but force the kids to play outside while I supervise with my large glass of tea. So that is what happened, no grocery, no errands, nothing just a lazy day. It was perfect, except tomorrow will be a crazy day ;(

The Gambler

In the midst of our vacation we took a rainy day to visit the kennel club, where I was introduced to live poker. I've only seen this type of stuff on tv. I have to admit, I like to play Texas hold em but I am no where near a pro. When my mom came up to me and handed me $20 worth of chips and I heard "Sonia to table 29" I was kind of pushed into it. As I made my way to table 29 holding my $20 poker chips I was thinking of how I could escape to the nearest exit and run but I convinced myself to give it a try. I found my seat at table 29 in between an older gentleman and a woman with a serious poker face- no smile, no hello, nothing. I observed my table to find a guy who looked like Hulk Hogan, at least the hair and mustache, another guy who looked like Mr. Firley from three's company with an old beat up cowboy hat, and several other gentlemen all who I knew were thinking that I was in the wrong place, and I agreed but I was determined to stick this one out for fun. For whatever reason, I felt comfortable until the dealer had to remind me not to splash the pot and to not take my cards off the table. OMG, now I was nervous! But before I left my table I was determined to show these pro's that I am not stupid, I do know how to play with the big guys. And I did! I actually won a hand and it felt GOOD! So I did what I know is the smart thing...I took my winnings and booked it.

By this time Mike and the kids showed up with my dad and we watched the dogs racing. We all had fun watching the dogs run and cheer our favorites on and there is nothing better than the dogs unique names, some of my favorites were breathtakingbabe, nicotine fit, CJC's destroyer, and afternoon delight. So, we decided to make a small wager on the last race.....and we won again!!! The kids (me too) screamed when we saw our 3 favorite dogs come in the order we bet them to. It was a great family afternoon, I just hope I am not creating little greedy monsters =)

I've got that summer feelin'

Several times recently I've said, "This summer, we need to..." and, it's already well into summer. Our summer got off to a slow start, and sometimes I feel like I'm waiting for it to get underway, but actually it is flying by….real fast. Once again…I sit here and wonder where the week went?
Our family went on vacation to Destin Beach, Florida and it was a lot of fun. I met a lot of nice folks, some from my neck of the woods here in Texas. I completely understand why people from Texas travel all the way to Florida for the beach, (sigh) and the weather….perfect. The tide was high and the waves were strong, it was funny to see the kids start out swimming in front of us and five minutes later they were twenty feet to the left. It wasn’t hard to spot us though, our big bright striped umbrella stuck out like a sore thumb next to those perfectly lined rented green ones. But as the week progressed, people wised up and we saw a mish mash of rented umbrellas and other types along the water's edge. Anyway it worked out because the kids knew exactly where we were at all times.

I have made it back from vacation, tropical-depression free. Well, I suppose the only depression I’m feeling now is the one that knows I have loads of laundry to do and a stack of mail to go through. So while I go tend to my life again, I will try to get unpacked (as it may sit here for a few more days) and get back to the reality of housework, busy kids activities, getting ready for school, and trying to stay active but cool on these hot Texas summer days. Before you know it, we will be packing again for another trip back to Florida, then it'll be time for school again.....well, let’s not go there.
Today it is 103 degrees so I will pour myself a glass of tea and attempt to start summer projects that I want to be doing, try not to think about what I should be doing and, make myself feel better about what I am actually doing. haha!

Naval Aviation Museum

This was the COOLEST museum! The walking tour was long, but VERY interesting. Everyone there was so friendly and helpful. We learned a lot! The museum has a Top Gun school where you fly simulator jets. They have planes from every period of history: the first navy commissioned airplane, the British "camel" planes (snoopy's airplane), the first plane to cross the Atlantic (love the story), helicopters, fighter jets, YOU NAME IT. They had WWII warfront and home front areas---very cool. Another fun area was the completely rebuilt deck of a naval carrier--guns and tower intact. I really loved this museum. I would go again, every time I visit Pensacola. I only wish the Blue Angels were home so we could have seen them practice.

My favorite part was walking through the replication of living in the 1940’s.
Life seemed so simple then: prices were small, markets carried only necessities, homes were small and cozy. Just walking through this exhibit, I could only imagine what living on a ship for months at a time would be like, it really makes you appreciate the good things in life......

Beach Bum at Heart

I find myself overly excited over our next trip back home to Florida. I will be very happy to see the family, go fishing, and be back in the land of the beach bums and luau's, where the people are friendly, flip-flops are acceptable anywhere at anytime, and at night you can actually see shooting stars.
I love the memories from home, where I lived five minutes from the ocean and cruises were a spur of the moment outing. Okay, I've gone on 3 cruises but I loved it, and I can't wait to take the kids on thier first cruise.

here are some of the things I love the most.
~ If I'm at or on the ocean, I have no reason to worry about getting that laundry done or those dishes washed and there is nothing better than that feeling! I just relax.
~The food. I love to try different restaurants along the beach and fresh seafood is delicious!
~The beach at night. Michael & I loved taking walks on the beach at night, we went there on our first date and it is also where he proposed!
~The ocean is completely calming. It reminds me that I am just a small piece of this huge puzzle called life. I walk a little slower and I take a little more time to enjoy the small things, and I have a complete attitude change after being around the ocean. I feel rejuvenated and I have a spring to my step.

I could go on and on but I will stop here and get packing!!!