Conversations with Chatty

It's amazing how conversations with Chatty can drive me to tears ...

Yesterday afternoon ... screaming at me "You are wasting my time, I am ready to read now ... you never let me do anything fun.  Only Bia gets to do fun stuff ... I can't take this anymore ... I don't want to go to my room ... I hate reading ...." (this went on forever for 30 minutes or more yesterday afternoon)

Last week in the car ... "Mommy I really miss Pap-pa Little (my grandfather who passed away last year). Remember when we went to visit him to say goodbye? We have that picture of me with him on the fridge. We should always leave it there so we remember him. He is in heaven with God now like an angel." 

8 Random Questions from Sass

I was tagged by the fabulous Sass to answer her 8 questions.  I kept forgetting to post the answers and then remembered when someone started doing something that is my most current pet peeve!

1. Your most recent pet peeves?

People clipping their nails at work!  Seriously do you not have enough time at home to take care of your personal hygiene.  There is more than one culprit here in my new office and every time I here that clip -clip - clip I want to strangle them.  Don't be surprised if you see the headline "Tax Person Goes Postal Over Personal Hygiene"

2. Favorite guilty pleasure?

It used to be John and Kate Plus 8 - sad but true!  The funny thing  is Chatty loved it too.  I think she loved watching all of the kids.  No I have not watched Kate Plus 8.

3. Have you ever faked an O? Don't lie!

Anyone who tells you they haven't is lying in my opinion!

4. If you could be famous for something, what talent would you choose?

I am going to copy Sara a little and say a Baker ... I would love to have a cool bakery business (ala Sprinkles but more than just cupcakes)that was featured in Southern Living and wedding magazines.  It would enable me to hire that personal trainer and chef to work off all of the excess "tasting" pounds.  .. Hey the founder Sprinkles and I graduated from the same college so maybe I have a chance?!

5. Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?

Definitely flying.  If I was invisible I would be afraid I would hear people say bad things about me or people I love because they didn't know I was around.  That would suck.

6. What are the top 3 things every relationship needs?

Love, Respect,Trust, Communication .... I know that is four but I am cheating.

7. Who do you think is the most annoying 'big' blogger?

I only read a few "big bloggers" and like them.

8. Do you love me?

Of course - what's not to love about Sass??? 

So I am supposed to tag 8 more people, but I am too lazy and can't think of any good questions!  It's Friday and I have a ton of stuff to get done at work.  Have a great weekend.

It's Going to be a Long Year

First grade is tough on the parents (yes I know I said this in Kindergarten).  20 minutes of reading a night, spelling words and other small amounts of homework are doing me in (Mr. ESPN too!).  I hope we all make it through this year in one piece.  It wouldn't be so bad if Chatty wasn't so stubborn - yeah what can I say - so much like her mama!  That and she doesn't like to be wrong or not good at something - once again a mini-me.  Isn't it frustrating to see yourself in your child???  Oh my word!  To make matters worse we have soccer practice starting tomorrow night and I am the official Team Accountant.  Not only that I offered to be part of the Room Mom Committee (three of us are sharing the duties) for Chatty's class and teach Sunday school every other week- what am I doing?  I have become the yes woman!  Stop me somebody!  Dee blogged about this not too long ago.  Yep apparently I am the same way! 

OK I think I need a glass of wine and then I am going to bed!  All of this volunteering is making me tired! 

Wouldn't you over-volunteer for these cute faces??? 

I blame them - it's all their fault!

Cool reflection in my dirty window behind them

Majority of the pictures were like these last two ...

Our Favorite Pizza Joint

The ESPN family has a favorite restaurant - Oregano's.  It is a fun "loud" place that is perfect for our family.  The girls request we go there almost every time we go out.  Since it is a favorite ESPN hangout, we like to take our friends and family there when they are visiting.  It was no different when Grandma and Grandpa were here. 

Some toys while we wait courtesy of the restaurant

Grandpa and the girls

I am not sure what is up with Bia and her smiles??

You can get an idea of the attitude Chatty has been giving us

lately based on her look in this picture. It isn't pretty people!

On the way home with her barking puppy.

Mr. ESPN killed the puppy in the wash this week-he's so nice!

Totally unrelated picture but just to give you an idea of how hot it is in the desert.  When I got into my car the other afternoon I looked at my dashboard and saw the following temperature.  Granted this was in direct sun (no shade) and there is very little humidity (which helps some but not a whole lot)!  It feels like sticking your head in an oven and that is no exaggeration!

Here's hoping Fall comes soon!  I can't take much more of this heat!

Recap - First Day of First Grade

The first day of First Grade was "great" according to Chatty, which is good since she has to go back tomorrow, and the next day and the next .... She even had homework on the first day.  They have to read 20 minutes a night on school nights and the parents have to log it.  I sat with her tonight - she did great for the first 15 minutes and then it went downhill - QUICKLY!  I told Mr. ESPN that homework should be split between the parents so we each get to experience the joy and frustration of reading with Chatty.  He wasn't too overjoyed with the prospect!  She is getting very good but gets to a point where she doesn't try and it drives me nuts.  Wish us luck!

Anyway a few more pics from the first day because we all know 3 isn't enough.

Can you see the big hole in Chatty's mouth from all the missing teeth?

Chatty and her buddy JR at the bus stop

They both lost several teeth this summer

My sweet little Bia

First Day of First Grade

How the heck did this happen?  I can't believe Chatty is starting 1st grade today.  It seems like yesterday she was just learning to walk and talk (yes there was a time when she couldn't talk - amazing huh?). 

Being the wonderful mom I am, I woke her up a little early so Mr. ESPN could take a few pictures of us together before I left for work.  Chatty was excited for her first day and didn't mind getting up a bit early to make mommy happy.   Not only is it the first day of school, but she got to ride the bus and lost another tooth (three in a row up top are gone) and received some cash from the tooth fairy.  Great way to start out a new school year!

Yes the backpack looks huge

Me and my baby!

Bia had just woken up - amazingly her hair wasn't too bad

Not sure what is up with Chatty's smile

Observations I Have Made ...

Some random/boring observations I have made this week while traveling in Minnesota:

• Most men/women don't understand elevator etiquette; You wait until everyone exits the elevator before you get on.  Men should allow women to get on/off before them if they are entering/exiting on the same floor
• The Mall of America is overrated to me.  I am not a fan of a huge mall that is filled with a lot of random/crappy stores.
• The Mall of America has a large Nordstroms with lots of lovely merchandise
• Minnesota speed limits are slow
• Afros are not becoming on me
• Fountain Diet Cokes in MN don't seem to have enough carbonation - this observation has come after ordering fountain Diet Cokes in several eating establishments
• You can't buy beer/liquor at grocery stores in MN, you have to by them at the liquor stores next door and they aren't open on Sundays.  So different from the desert where you can buy it all in the grocery store 7 days a week.
• Sauce has a great chicken, pine nuts and Gorgonzola salad.  They are only located in the desert and Minnesota - weird coincidence.  I have eaten there twice this week - the same girl waited on me both times.
• Women don't wear baseball hats to my gym location here in Minnesota.  I guess because none of them have afros, they don't need to wear them.  Must be nice!
• I thought there would be a lot more Targets here since they are headquartered in Minnesota.  I have only seen one so far and it wasn't even a SuperTarget.
• If it storms tomorrow like they are predicting, my flight will be delayed.  I am hoping the weathermen/women are wrong - in reality how often are the right on?
• My baby is starting 1st grade next week ... I am getting old ... but I already knew this
• I can discreetly post random things on my blog during meetings and still pay attention.  Talk about multi-tasking.
• Tomorrow's Friday - woo hoo!