Ordinary Life

I keep trying to think of stuff to blog about and I don't have anything exciting.  My life is pretty ordinary for a working mom .....

• Spending countless hours on the soccer field
• Making lunches and dinners for kids who either don't eat them or complain the whole time they are forced to eat them
• Trying to work with a teacher who doesn't e-mail (even though she has a school issued MAC) and isn't the most communicative
• Trying to teach a 4 year old that she isn't in charge and that screaming will not get her what she wants
• Painting cabinets in my free time (uh - what's that)
• Trying to train for my half marathon that is 4 weeks away and raise a few more dollars in the process (thanks to everyone who donated - you rock!)
• Wishing my house would clean itself
• Listening to countless stories about a girl in Chatty's class who can speak Chinese (umm... duh - she is from China)
• Wishing for cooler weather
• Enjoying Sunday evening dinners on the patio (or the porch as Bia refers to it)
• Trying to spend more time as a family ....

So that's pretty much it.  Nothing extraordinary, just our ordinary (but good) life!

Life As I Know It

I'd like to tell you all I have been galavanting across France, sitting in cafes drinking chilled wine and eating pastries with Mr. ESPN and that is why I haven't blogged in a couple weeks, but no that is not the case.  In reality I have been working, volunteering, chauferring, baking, painting, cooking, making lunches, disciplining and oh yeah sweating (because it is still over a 100 degrees here).  Basically living my life as I know it.  Nothing different from any of you other moms out there ...

But for as tired and worn out as I am, I am thankful I have so much going on and that I really have a very good life with a great family and wonderful friends.  I oftentimes forget this and start to wallow in my own self pity, but then something happens.  For me it happened yesterday when I found out a co-worker lost their FIL.  My co-worker and his wife are my age.  It's sad that it takes an event like that to make me stop and really look around and see how blessed I am. 

So in between the parenting, volunteer meetings, Sunday School teaching, soccer games, dance, fundraisers, work and everything else that seems to run my life these days, I will stop and remember to be grateful for all that I have (even when Bia is throwing her third tantrum of the day and it isn't even 7:00 a.m.).

The Life of a Soccer Mom

Yep that's my life these days.  Last weekend I experienced a whole new level of soccer mom status.  Chatty's team was in a tournament (hosted by our league).  That meant a Friday night game, Saturday morning game, working as a volunteer Saturday, Saturday night game and Sunday morning game.  Chatty's team played very well - won on Friday night and Saturday morning and tied on Saturday night.  Which meant they were in the championship game on Sunday morning.  The Sunday morning game was a nail biter and with a final score of 4 to 4.  Normally for this age group if you tie it ends in a tie, but someone in our league forgot that when they set up the tournament and according to the tournament rules, they had to go to penalty kicks.  Ummm - guess who is one of the goalies and was asked to step in and perform a Hope Solo?  Yep - Chatty.  Guess who was a nervous wreck?  No, not the goalie, the mom of the goalie - ME!  Chatty had never done penalty kicks but was up for the task.  She stopped all but one kick!  She did an awesome job.  I have never felt more relieved and excited at the same time.  Our entire team and coach have worked so hard and it was so fun to see it pay off!!  Chatty loved how all of her team ran out to hug her after the kicks were over!!  So sweet!!

The whole team (minus one player missing that day) 

Sporting her medal

We also squeezed in lunch with Chatty's Godfather, Uncle Greg!  It really was an amazing weekend!

Oh and we also celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary 

Picture courtesy of Photographer Chatty

Quotes of the weekend:
"I have to protect my house, I can't let anyone in my house!" - Chatty on defending the goal.  Mr. ESPN's response - "Maybe we should buy her some Under Armour."

When asked to set the table Sunday night, "I am a Champion, Champions don't set the table" - Chatty.  My response "You are part of this family and I am in charge of this family and you WILL set the table."

As if all of this excitement wasn't enough, Bia is starting dance class today!  She is beyond excited and I can't wait to watch her dance!! 

Conversations with Chatty - The Wii Version

We just got Wii Just Dance 2.  The girls are obsessed with it.  We have had several family dance nights and needless to say it is great entertainment in so many ways, as you can see from my conversations with Chatty.

During a dance ....
Chatty: "What kind of music is this?"
Me: "Indian music"
Chatty: "I love Indian Music!"
Chatty: "I love Indians!"

After the little safety message comes on showing how to hold the remote ...
Chatty: "You always want to have safety in this house"
Me: "Why?"
Chatty: "Cause if you don't and you break the tv you pay for it!"
Me: "You got that right."

After she finally beat me at a dance:
Chatty: "Boo Yeah!" - can you say she watches too much ESPN???

It's Almost That Time of Year

One of my most favorite times of year ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!  Can you feel the excitement (if not just humor me people)???  While I am an avid sports fan, I am still a girl (duh).  Which means I understand the importance of looking good while watching a game and/or tailgating.  I wanted to share something I am loving these days .... Original Retro Brand .... cool styles and super super soft and comfy!  No they are not paying me to endorse them (although I would gladly accept some free apparel) I just love their stuff and oh yeah their founder is an ARIZONA alum (me too)!  Here are a few things I like ...

I have this shirt ... bonus it makes my boobs look big!

I think this would look lovely on Dee and Casey

I might need to get this one for my brother ... or me

Anyway - browse around!  The t-shirts aren't cheap but they are worth it, especially if you like soft t-shirts with a vintage vibe!

**All pictures courtesy of http://originalretrobrand.com/**

Just Another Morning in the ESPN House

It was a fabulous quotable morning in the ESPN house ...

Bia - "I don't want to wear that skirt it doesn't spin well ... MooooooooooooooooooM, don't leave!!"
Chatty - "I don't want to wear that outfit! I don't like it!"

Mr. ESPN (after tantrums by both girls and lots of tears) - "I can't believe it is going to be worse than this when they are teenagers, there is so much drama right now."
Me - "Oh you just wait dear ... we are in for it!"

Chatty -"Mom, Bia told me I have to get her shoes for her, but I don't!  I feel like I am her servant!"
Me - "Nice use of the word servant Chatty.  All I can say is welcome to my world."

Me - "Lord help me make it through this morning, please!"

School, Fashion and Boys

What a week it has been.  I am happy to report that Bia is loving her new school (thank the Lord) and Chatty is having an awesome start to 2nd grade.  Some tidbits from our week:

• Bia is buying hot lunch for the first time today.  Mr. ESPN said we didn't let Chatty do that during Pre-K.  I looked at him and said "Times are changing dude!"  Plus who could turn down the option of mini corn dogs or cheese pizza especially when big sis is buying hot lunch?
• Chatty is not a fashionista by any means.  Yesterday I picked her up and she was wearing a black shirt with navy shorts ... all together wrong.  I asked Mr. ESPN why he let her wear that to school and he states "I thought you picked it out."  I informed him if she ever doesn't match please assume she picked it out not me!
• I think I know what the next versions of Real Housewives should be ... Real Soccer (or insert your sport here) Moms of the Desert.  Seriously the drama and politics of sports leagues is all together annoying! 
• In the car Chatty mentioned how her friend went to Hawaii.  I casually mentioned that I wanted to go back to Hawaii.  Chatty said, "I want to go to Hawaii too" and then Bia pipes in "I want to go back to Tucson - I love Tucson!"  Nice - I love Tucson too (home of my alma matter) but not where necessarily where I want to vacation ....
• I signed Bia up for a dance class once a week.  I need to get her a leotard and tap shoes.  I may secretly buy some tap shoes for myself - I have always wanted to learn and we have lots of tile in our house!
• I am going to see The Help tomorrow.  I have a half day.  When I mentioned this to my family, Chatty responded by saying, "That's not fair!"  To which I wanted to respond - "Get used to it, life isn't fair!"
• Last but not least ... Chatty's friend who went to Hawaii, is a boy.  He brought back gifts for her - seashells, necklace and a postcard.  I think he is sweet on her.  Every time I see him he asks "When can Chatty and I have a play date?"  Yesterday he did it in front of his dad, so I asked his dad for his e-mail (what else could I do).  After we got home Chatty gave me a paper with her friend's dad's phone number (apparently before I got to B&G to pick her up her friend asked his dad to write down his telephone number to give to me).  I asked Mr. ESPN what we should do.  In typical Father of a girl fashion ... "Put it off as long as possible" - Nice ... maybe I should avoid eye contact with him too ... what do you think?