so cute

I can hardly stand how cute this is on a cute little girl! Madison was nice enough to pose for me today. I have had some requests for little girls necklaces, so here are some examples! I almost put Kosty in a dress for these pics, luckily Madison came to my rescue!
in silver
or in gold

For prices, go to sayitwithcharms.blogspot.com

Another Week at Newport Beach

So we figured out this trip that Jenna and I have been to Newport Beach the last 12 summers! and every single time her family has been kind enough to invite us to come and share the beach house with them. This time Jer's family happened to get a beach house a few streets down, at the last minute. So we were able to spend time with our friends and our family. Ohhhh, how I love Newport. There is nothing I look forward to more! I know most everyone loves the beach, but I really love the beach. I could sit in a chair from dawn till dusk and be perfectly content. The beach makes me so relaxed and happy. And nothing tops it then seeing your kids happy and loving it as well. We stayed for 9 days, and we packed a lot in! A little list of the good times...

• Morning walks to the pier
• Carrying on the Pedicure tradition with the girls
• Soaking in the beach every single day
• Nightly beach cruiser rides with everyone
• Nightly sweet treat stops at Jane's
• Playing Mexican Train (ha ha)
• Girls Night out to Sprinkles and to see Mamma Mia!
• Sandy's cooking (Blueberry pancakes, Costa Vida, bean burritos, homemade pizzas, hamburgers, sticky buns, etc)
• The Original Pizza for lunch (seriously the greasiest but most delicious pizza)
• Trips to Huntington for the US Open, meeting the Pro Surfers, getting free stuff!
• Breakfast at The Sugar Shack
• Breaking up a full on brawl between our boys at the table
• All the junk food Brayden and Kosty could gorge on, thanks Sandy!
• Bonding with little Braxtaroo
• Kosty giggling the whole time we buried him in the sand
• Getting some good laughs from Tawny's wild friends
• Running away from Kosty for 30 whole minutes on the beach, trying to dodge his smack
• I was laughing so hard I finally collapsed, and yes he smacked me. He does NOT give up until he does! I don't even know why he was mad, but my abs were sore from laughing.
• Seeing Trishelle from the Real World hanging at the beach (okay she's from like 20 seasons ago, I swear I haven't watched it in years!)
• Seeing Joe Daddy Stevenson (pro UFC fighter) walking all by himself
• Kosty falling asleep in my arms at the beach (twice).
• Not wanting to go to bed because you don't want the day to be over
• Eventually passing out into a coma-tose state, way too late
• Brayden's excitement over his new mood ring and catching him numerous times glaring at the ring with a major scowl.. "I'm trying to be angry so it will change colors!"
• Watching the fisherman at the pier, one guy caught 3 manta rays
• Donuts, donuts, and more donuts from the donut shop
• Playing football & smashball at the beach
• Brayden getting all the way in the water, loving every minute. It was cold!
• Kosty's pure obsession with his Dadda the whole entire trip, he was in Dada heaven
• Obviously...the gorgeous weather
• Kosty's new squishy face dance
• walks on the beach
• Wahoo's...the world's best ever bean burrito "wet style" with red sauce (and believe me I have tried them ALL)
• A way overdue date night with the Lee's to Tuna Town ...can you believe Jer tried sushi and I wouldn't? who is this guy? but don't you worry, he ordered a steak and I ordered chicken fried rice
• A little shopping for the boys
• Many sandcastle attempts that failed! next year we'll get it right.
• Some drunk guy crashing into our picture
• Kosty "stuptifying" the waves

First things first...First Day of School

Fresh from the beach...& off to school.

We sure cut it close this year, as we do every year. But this year we literally got home from Newport the night before school started. I love the year- round school here, minus the fact that it cuts so close to vacation every time.

We always miss "Meet the teacher" night too. And I am really wishing we did meet this teacher because I might have had time to make a switch. I know, I shouldn't be so quick to judge. BUT... You always remember your Kindergarten teacher, am I right? She should be sweet, loving, patient, warm, and the huggy type. Well when I walked him into his class today, I started to tell him goodbye and thats when he squeezed my hand tight, and I noticed the big tears welling up in his eyes. I just wanted to take him back home. He really loved his Kindersteps teacher last year and she had the best assistant too. His teacher this year is the complete opposite of her. And the aide is about 80 years old or so. I could tell he was shocked at how different everything was. So was I. But nevertheless, he got in line and that's when I noticed he is about 2 feet taller than every kid in his class, and that the class consists of 85% girls. I left there feeling terrible. Thinking I had done everything wrong. Wrong teacher, wrong school, wrong kids, should I have put him in 1st grade like his Kindersteps teacher said I could? Is it really a big deal if he is the youngest? How do I know I am making the right choice? and WHY is it so much harder to make decisions for your child than yourself? I felt so terrible for him. New school, new teacher, and not one familiar face whatsoever in his class. Yuck. Pit in my stomach.

I decided to come back and sit with him at lunch. He was happier, and I got to observe more of his teacher, and the teacher he should have gotten. His teacher was a bit harsh and rushed all the kids, she didn't even smile nor acknowledge me. The other teacher was sweet, patient, and warm. She and I even had a little chat. Thats when my Mom power took over...and suddenly I heard myself blurting out, "Is your class full?" She told me it wasn't, and wished me luck. I went up to the front desk and stood there for about 10 minutes staring at the info request sheet. I just wanted so badly NOT to make a fuss. But the mother bear took over and mustered up the guts to fill it out, requesting a teacher change. EEK! what would I say, how do you say that the teacher just plain rubbed you the wrong way? and do it with tact?

After school Brayden said he liked his teacher, and that he had a really good day after all. (and I was thinking...he just doesn't know any better, he doesn't know how much better it could be!) The principal called me later and wanted to know my reasoning. I told her that I had heard so many great things about the other teacher. She assured me the teacher he has is "absoultely phenomenal" (but she has to say that) and that she wanted to see how it goes for a couple weeks. So not what I wanted to hear. I wanted to switch like NOW, or never. I don't want him to get comfortable and then move him around. I'm sure I am overreacting, and being overprotective, but I was one sad Momma today.

McDonald's in rare form

I am truly not a fan of the big yellow M. Therefore, on the rare occasion that we go, it's a pretty special day for my deprived chitlens, as you can imagine. The only thing I do like about it is that Kosty calls it "GitDonalds." But seriously, what kid doesn't like McDonald's?

When we went for lunch, we decided to go to the new one on Val Vista and Pecos. I was a bit surprised when we walked in, it could almost pass for a fancy restaurant. Pottery Barn style brown leather chairs in the foyer, beautiful stone on the walls, giant pillars, stainless steel fixtures, and plasma TV's on the walls...could this really be McDonald's? Yes, the food and the service was still the same, but I have to say I actually enjoyed myself on this trip. There is a big clean play area for the kids, big comfy booths, an overall nice atmosphere.... What a pleasant surprise!

(and of course, Brayden made sure Husky and Max were enjoying themselves as well, told you...never leave his side!)

summer so far...

I looove summer. I think we all need a little break from the structure. Besides swimming pretty much every single day, we have been:
*Going to the Kids Summer Movies every Monday morning, and of course we can't pass by the rides in the food court after. Its Kosty's favorite part. He loves sitting in the ice cream truck, taking orders from everyone. On a good day, he even gets lucky when one of the COOL moms comes and puts money in the dang thing for her lucky kid, and he gets to bum a free ride! *Trying to distract Brayden from video games...that's all he wants to do, and since its so hot outside, its hard to tell him to get off his bum! So I encourage (a.k.a. force) him to color or work on his summer workbook. Every time Brayden starts doing anything at the desk, Kosty will scramble to get as many pencils as he can find and say, "where's my homewuk?" then I get him some paper or a coloring book and he begins "working"...and he says, "I do-een my homewuk yike Bubba doos."
*Baking cookies...one of my favorite things to do. And theirs too. Lately they have both been liking chocolate chip cookies best, so hallelujah! I was so sick of sugar cookies. GAG. Who says you can't train your kid to like what you like?

*Lots of Library trips...trying to stock up on books and videos, but lo and behold, we are almost always stuck with the rejects! Obviously every other kid in Gilbert has been doing the same thing!

*Playing with friends. There is hardly a day that goes by that we don't have a friend over. Can you believe these two?! Sorry Lori.... I swear no one got hurt!

*Friday night family movie & pizza. We are such a hermit family. I seriously look forward to grabbing a pizza and renting a movie on Friday nights. We spread a big quilt on the floor, have popcorn and just relax!

*Oh, and the very occasional chore. I have completely let my house go this summer. Bla. Who wants to mop and vaccuum when you are already too bloody hot! I finally broke down and really cleaned the whole house last week. I gave Brayden the chore of dusting. I kid you not, he loooved it! He was whipping around my table and he even said, "Mama, this is the funnest thing of my life!" Eeeek, what a deprived child. Oh well. Look at him. Joy!




*And counting down the days till California!! Brayden can hardly contain his excitement, every day he asks "how many more days till baycation?!" He loves to cross of his calendar too.

He's been packed since Sunday after church!

The Day of the Wands!

{ warning: blog overload! Sorry to bombard, but I am trying to get all caught up before we go on vacation!}


We finally broke down and got Kosty his beloved real light up Harry Potter wand. But after we bought it, Brayden had the saddest face and would not cheer up, because he wanted one too. I was not planning on buying two overpriced collector wands....but the look on his face broke my heart. Plus Jer convinced me to go ahead and get it so they could play together. (he is such a softy.) So we went back into the store and they guy asked Brayden which wand he wanted. When Brayden pointed to the Voldemort wand, he said, "Ok, we'll be looking for you on the news!" It looks like a femur bone, kinda creepy. Anyway, here they are on the Day of the Wands!! It was a very happy day for them, and they did play for a looong time, running around the house, chasing eachother and casting spells all over the place!

















Later on....I was putting Kosty to bed. I put him in his crib, and he asked me to get his "Harry" glasses. When I brought them in, he put them on one last time, while telling me his plans to play "stuptify" with his Dada in the morning because "Dada has no work tomorrow." I said, you look just like Harry! He said, "No, I not Harry..... I Kosty Harry."

My little cupcakes

I know you don't often refer to boys as cupcakes, but this was one of those moments they were being sugary sweet and earned the title! We just had F.H.E, and I know their favorite part is the treat at the end. This time Brayden was making a crazy face when I took the picture, and they asked to see it immediately after I took it, (like they always do) and when I showed them they both started hysterically laughing, that deep belly laugh that I just can't get enough of. At the end of the day, I feel like no matter what else went on, if I heard that laugh, it was a success!

pampered.

When Brayden asked me if he could brush & blow dry my hair, I was in heaven! He is going to make a great husband someday, he loves to play with hair. And don't we all love to have our hair played with?!

Suction

I forgot to post these! this was a little while ago but definintley something I want in my book. Discovering the suction hose on the vaccuum entertained these rowdy boys for a good hour, a good hour filled with deep belly laughter....always music to my ears!

CTR

This sounds so silly, but I can't even tell you how thrilled I was to find that this ring fit Kosty. I seriously can't handle how cute it looks on his chubby, adorable 2 year old little hand!

{mush}

Tonight after dinner, Kosty came over to me with his head down, and nuzzled his cute hair right in my lap. Then he looked up at me and said, "Mama, fank you fo yis dinnew." I promise my heart instantly turned to mush. Mush.

somethin' I've been working on...

I thought this would be the easiest way...sayitwithcharms.blogspot.com

i love the fourth...

and who doesn't? A simple holiday with good food, good company, no money to spend, lots of swimming, and fireworks. This year we spent literally all day swimming, eating, then swimming and eating again. We didn't even get out of the pool until almost 7pm.Then we went to Tumbleweed Park and watched the fireworks with friends. Other than Kosty and I literally being
eaten alive by mosquitoes, it was a good time.

Kosty was being so funny, he would do this little penguin walk up to the edge of the diving board, then jump, and yell "Tannenball!" if you turn off the music down below you can hear it. And yes that is Jeremy jumping off the balcony, he is nuts. Then later he did a gainer off of that same ledge. Gave me a heart attack!

the beach in gilbert

I just love this picture. My dad lives in Val Vista Lakes, so every now and then we take advantage and go to the "beach" at the clubhouse. This is Aunt Erika. My boys adore her. And why wouldn't they~ she is the sweetest little girl you could ever meet. She is an awesome babysitter too!

My Dad and Maria, my step mom

"SMY-UL!!" Kosty's famous pose.



















"No, Kosty! Don't get back in...we are leaving now!"
(Ha Ha! Watch me).

going..going..

GONE!! (Suck-ahs!)

I am lucky to be the proud owner of these 3 boys!


{on a side note...}

One thing I realized on this particular day. The older I get...the less tolerable I become. My friend once pointed this out to me. A lot of things just plain gross me out. This day was no exception. I am becoming a public pool snob. Lets just say that when the thought crosses your mind that you are basically bathing with hundreds of other people (who's hygiene is unknown, therefore questionable)... you just can't shake it. Suddenly you notice every smell, then you notice the temperature of the water. You know at least half of these people have relieved themselves in it. All of the kids too. Then you look around and notice a drunk couple, wrapped around eacthother with way too much affection going on. Then your little boy complains that he can't see under water because it is too foggy. Then somebody next to you starts digging at something on the bottom of their foot. Ohhhhhh.... that can't be good. I'll just end there. I think I'll be leaning towards private pools from now on.