Start Them Young and Raise Them Right

As you all know Mr. ESPN and I graduated from U of A.  Our arch rivals are the Sun Devils.  We LOVE U of A and can't say anything nice about ASU (so I won't say anything at all).  My girls affectionately refer to U of A as GO CATS.

Chatty: "Mommy our cabin is the Sun Devils today and I have to wear Sun Devil colors"
Me: "I don't think so - you will be wearing your Arizona Wildcats t-shirt because we don't like the Sun Devils"
Chatty: "But Mom we have to (starting to get teary eyed), Cabin A is the Sun Devils"
Me: "Nope we are Go Cats here and we don't wear Sun Devil colors.  I will tell the Leader that you can't wear it because we are Go Cats and that your mom and dad will not allow it"
Chatty: "OK Mom"
Bia: "I wear my Go Cats shirt too"

Note - Cabin E were the CATS so I told Chatty she could be an honorary member of their cabin today!

Times Are A Changin'

It's my last week at this job - Thursday they are moving me to my new building - which is in a land far far away.  Well not that far but it doubles my current 20 minute commute.  My boss keeps teasing me that I am a short timer and moving on to bigger and better things but I am kind of sad to leave ... my boss and a co-worker that I have dubbed "Sunshine" laugh a lot!  I get instant messages with things like "I see stupid people" from them.  Needless to say it makes accounting/tax interesting - hard to believe huh??  But on the up side I will now be sitting one cube over from a good friend. 

Plus Chatty is excited to have Mr. ESPN drive her to school because he has all of "her" music in his car.  He has turned the girls on to Buffet, Jack Johnson, DMB, Black Eyed Peas, etc. They request specific songs (yes even Bia!).  Apparently my car isn't as cool as daddy's!  She keeps asking me when Daddy will start driving her to school.  Can you feel the love?    Lucky for her Daddy will be driving her to and from next week since I will be leaving on a jet plane for lovely NJ for work.  Can you say a little peace and quiet (and a lot of work)??

Since times are a changin' I am thinking my wardrobe needs some changin' too.  I think I know what I will be doing this weekend!

Fourth of July Weekend Recap

Yes I am a week behind in blogging ... busy work week.  Trying to wrap up my current job and start my new job all at once and in the middle of quarter close.  Fun times people.  We had lots of fun celebrating the 4th last weekend.  We started off having Nana and Poppa over for dinner on Friday night (I didn't get any cute ones of the girls with Nana) 

Bia giving her Poppa a smooch

Silly Bia

My 4th of July centerpiece

I had the cutest flag swimsuit for Bia to wear (it is a hand me down from Chatty).  It is super cute but Bia (being the mini me that she is) did not want to wear it.  She wanted to wear the one she picked out.  The nice mom that I am forced her to wear it and took a picture of her in it.  She kept telling me "No picture mommy!"  She was mad at me.  Ultimately I let her change to the suit of her choice because the flag suit was too big on the bottom and it kept sliding off her booty (one aspect in which she is not a mini me - my booty is too big for bathing suit bottoms to slip off!).

Mad at mommy but still cute

On the 4th we had our neighbors over for a pool party - everyone had a great time - parents and kids.  Somehow I only got one good picture during the day, the rest were in the evening.

Mr. ESPN and Mr. Jim

A little hoops Zona style anyone??

Why don't I look this cute when I am swimming?

Sisters with crazy pool hair.

Yes Nemo had to be in the picture

We finished the evening with homemade ice cream and homemade cookies.  One of my all time favorites!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

Enjoy all that is great about this weekend - grilling, fireworks, homemade ice cream, watermelon, family, friends, etc. but don't forget the true meaning behind this holiday!  Thank you to all of those out there who serve and have served our country.  I appreciate everything you have sacrificed for me and my fellow Americans.  We are so blessed to be Americans! 

God Bless America!! 

Chatty's Prayers

As parents we try to instill certain values in our children and teach them certain things.  One of the things Mr. ESPN and I are trying to teach Chatty is about God.  Many times I wonder if we are getting through to her (and if we are good examples but that's a whole other post).  The other night she got into trouble and was sent to bed early (according to Chatty no one goes to bed that early).  She was whining and complaining and telling me she wasn't tired.  I walked into my room to read a book and could hear her talking.  

Being the nosy curious person that I am, I walked out of my room and into the hallway and eavesdropped on listened to Chatty praying to God.  While sobbing she says "God please make my parents nice to me so they will let me play Wii and V-Smile."  So now God knows I am a mean parent too!  It didn't help my cause that when she caught me eavesdropping listening I was busting up laughing.  Another reason why I won't be a finalist for the MOTY award! 

Summer Time At the ESPN House

Is generally spent in the pool or inside in the A/C.  That's what you do when you live in the desert.  A couple weekends ago my BFF and her family came over for some pool time ....

Time for the pool

Goggle Girl Returns ...

BFF and Bia and her $ Store float

One of Goggle Girl's favorite activities

3 of the 5 kids (BFF has 3 boys)

Mr. ESPN playing some hoops

This past weekend the girls wanted to watch a movie in my bedroom.  So Mr. ESPN and I decided to watch a Mommy/Daddy movie in the family room.  We paused our movie to check on them and this is what I found (Chatty was laying on the king sized bed by herself).  Bia had made a little sleeping area for herself.  I am not sure where all her puppies are - they must be under the blanket.

More pool pics from this past weekend ...

Bia swimming solo

Goggle Girl and the $ Store float - it was a great investment!

I am sure y'all thought I was exaggerating when I referred to Bia's bedhead.  I called her Frankenstein but should have said Albert Einstein.  Mr. ESPN got photographic evidence yesterday morning.

She's pissed!

"Stop taking my picture Daddy!"

I will leave you with a picture of some of our garden goodies.  We've also used cilantro, basil and jalapeno peppers we grew.  We're waiting on the tomatoes to turn red.  Mr. ESPN is planning a second and third square since everything is growing so well!

This week ...

1. Yesterday it was 109 (but it's a dry heat - seriously little to no humidity!).  I had to take Chatty to soccer skills class and when I got up from my seat it looked like I peed in my pants because my khaki shorts were wet.  Note to self - next time wear black.  BTW - she was wearing sunscreen and drank tons of water and Gatorade.
2. I spent an hour cleaning my bathroom last night (just my bathroom) - I cleaned places in there that I don't think have ever been cleaned in the 6 years we have lived there.  Then I cleaned the rest of my house.  This afternoon I am pulling out the carpet cleaner.  Those who know me would have been shocked by how dirty my house has gotten the last couple weeks ...but by this afternoon it will all be back to normal - just in time for my kids to mess it up this weekend!
3. After too many evenings fighting with Chatty while we practice reading, I decided to hire a tutor.  She is a 3rd grade teacher who works at Chatty's school.  She is starting next Tuesday.  When I told Chatty she said "Oh no that is going to be so boring!"
4. I am going to hurt someone at Bia's daycare if they keep giving her markers, paint, etc. that isn't washable.  Either that or I am going to send them a bill for all the clothes that get ruined when she is there.  I swear my kids stain more clothes than most.
5. I start my new job in 3 weeks.  Good news I get to sit right by my buddy.  Bad news my commute will be doubled and I will be trying to get up earlier to avoid traffic (and I am not a morning person - where do you think Bia gets it from?).
6. We had another Frankenstein encounter this morning ... aka Bia's Bed Head!
7. Bia started looking at books in bed this week.  Did I mention this happens after we put her to bed and the lights are off?  No she doesn't have a flashlight and can't see the pages.  Strange?  
8. I thought of a couple sewing projects I want to work on ... I hope the actual end result looks as good as it does in my head!
9. New rule at my house - If mom finds it you lose it - i.e. it gets donated.  This is for all of the toys my children "forget" to put away even though Mr. ESPN and I have asked them numerous times
10. Chatty wore the same outfit twice this week to Boys and Girls Club.  It was washed in between but still ...we had a little talk about not repeating within one week.  Heck when I was in high school I kept track on my calendar at home so I wouldn't repeat with in two weeks.  I am guessing Chatty probably won't be that anal!

Have a good weekend!