It is HOMECOMING so Insanity Reigns!!

Thiss week is homecoming here in our little slice of the world so the girls are doing all they can to fit it all in.. lets see.. Monday was pajama day... so of course the new jammies came out (I insisted Word Girl actually wear jammies but that is an argument for another time).. Tuesday was red carpet day (the Homecoming theme.. ) honestly how does one dress up for teh red carpet when one is in HS? Wednesday is Twin day... grins... blond girl gets a call from a friend telling her to wear a white tee.. the friend had a shirt for her. Any way since she was sleeping, lovely mom that I am I answered her phone.. BIG MISTAKE..

ME: Blond Girl N called and said to wear a white tee

Blond Girl: when? why didnt you wake me (the girl sleeps like the living dead sometimes I check just to make sure she is breathing).

Me: last night... and believe me I tried to wake you...

Blond Girl: oh... well ok, what pants? jeans, sweats? light jeans dark jeans, skinny jeans?

Me: um I didnt ask, I am just relaying the message she sent

Blond Girl: SIGH... ok, shoes? heels, boots, gym shoes?

Me: again I dont know, I just am passing on the message..

Blond Girl: well next time ask...


Are any of you the proud parents of teens girls? she wanted me to insert my opinion, think for myself.. even GASP ask questions of one of her friends???

oh well that was resolved..

Thursday was sports day.. and powederpuff night.. the JR/SR game was called due to rain Word Girl is saying no one won due to the rain ( they called it after half time and the Seniors were getting creamed)

Today... tailgaiting party at 5:oo am for the seniors, pep rally, parade, game....

Tomorrow the Dance...

Now I am not sure exactly what Word Girl will be doing cuz well I dont really need to know (so she says...) but Blond Girl will be meeting with her friends at 4... taking a 20 person limo to dinner then off to the dance... then back to a friends house for after dance party.. poor thing...

talk to you all soon.. I promise

As If They Dont Do Enough!!

So the little darlings (Word Girl and Blond Girl) came home at the end of last year telling me that the Spanish program was going to Puerto Rico this year. It was an exciting concept and we all looked forward to teh details.

Fast forward to this year and we find out the estimated cost for 8 students. It is ridiculously astronmical! Both girls came home saying that they didnt need to go. Other things were more important and that we could take a family vacation for the amount of money that they were being charged.

This was a wonderful that they felt that way but I went to the meeting anyway. I mean would the price go down if more children were involved? Was the price set in stone or was that just the high end estimate? Turns out that the price can go down as much as 1000.00 if enough kids register. This is a wonderful turn of events. And the family vacation thing, yeah.. hasnt happened yet.. oh and the price, I can guarantee that many of their individual trips to CA to visit grandma came close in cost.

So they are going to give it a try. They are going to fundraise. They are going to work hard at their jobs (ok Word Girl is, Blond Girl is 15 and currently jobless) and they are going to see if they can do it.

With all that being said.. if anyone feels teh deep seeded need to make a donation, feel free.. my paypal button is alive and well (hey if I dont ask, I wont get). Seriously though, I appreciate just having the format to write about the beasties, to share what is going on and to work things through.

School's Out

It is official, school is out!! The girls have their final few minutes of school today... It should have been on friday but they are having to go one last day as they had a snow day over the winter. Now because this is about federal dollars not education they will be there until about 9 then school is out.

And it is off to the pool!! Word girl is working as a lifeguard and blond girl is going to hang out with her friends and look appropriately sexy. oh to be young again!!

This is the first year in 12 years that I will not be standing poolside watching children swim back and forth on Wed nights and Sat mornings. As both girls are spending time in CA this summer it is going to interfere with the meet schedule.It will be an odd summer (for me)

Relay for life on Friday (please feel free to donate if you want to support this fine cause). Hair Boy turns 21 on Tues and Blond girl leaves for CA on thursday. And summer begins...

Kids Do I have to Love Them?

So I start getting ready for the concert tonight... I try and look my best so as not to embarras them unduly.. Here I was showered, clothed and no shoes.. I own three pairs of shoes... one pair of flats and two pairs of heels...

Guess where the heels all were.. that is right my girls who own a kazillion pairs of shoes.. both of whom have black heels AND flats of their own grabbed mine.. oh why? cuz they like them better? well probably not.. nope cuz they could FIND them.. yes that is right I put my shoes away after use.. so guess what there they were... all ready to be worn..

I am so gonna clobber them.. cuz now I have to change.. I swear next time I am not gonna shower..

Concerts and More Concerts

The end of the year is always full of tying things up, finishing up and moving on.. closing the chapter and starting a new one..

Last night was the choir concert, this concert is always a tear jerker because it focuses on the seniors.. they have senior solo's and sing senior only songs and in one poignant song the seniors place their most treasured memory (like a volleyball or a uniform or a picture) in a trunk while they sang the song goodbye old friend.. then at the end of the concert they all have to hug and say goodbye.. of course they will all see each other the next day...

Tomorrow night is the band concert.. not quite as senior specific... but still another round of goodbyes and well wishes.. So many of them are children I have been fortunate enough to watch grow from childhood.. some as far back as pre-school and a select few.. from birth..

Next Monday awards night.. and then graduation and Memorial day parade... these kids work...they well represent their school and often with little or no acknowledgment..but that is for another day.. today is to rejoice in what they give us with their talents....

They are Having Fun, Do They Have to Come Home?

Raise your hand if you believe the reason I don't want the girls to come home is because they are having fun...

After 6 funfilled days they arrive home tonight. I am sure they will be full of exciting stories, fun filled facts and fabulous pictures.. I am equally sure they will be on the computer sharing away and I will see none of the pictures and hear only about how blond girl's shoes hurt and word girl got lost..

But seriously they arrive tonight at 5ish and life returns to normal...

My Poor Babies

So here they are off on a grand adventure, having the time of their lives and what am I doing? Making reservations for their summer trip to California!!

There is just something so wrong with this picture.. They are already getting more vacation days than I have gotten in 5 years and then they get MORE!! When did our kids get so spoiled?

Ok, I was spoiled too but my parents took vacation time away from us, we didn't have this grand life and they trudged through the drudgery without a chance of relief.. Nope they trudged through the drudgery for those occasional weekends away!!

Somehow I just think I did something wrong.. oh not for them they are fine....

Well They Are Off To See The Mouse

After much hustling, bustling and last minute screaming we got to the bus this morning.. ok, after they start looking for last minute laundry as late as 9:00 pm.. and after a trip to WalMart that made sure they had suffecient snacks for the trip and much arguing on who was taking what.. and of course pita boy opening the trunk that never closes AFTER I said use the back seat..

Finally, they were on the bus and on their way... they left the school at 9:07am this morning. Alls well, I won't hear from them again (my kids never call when they are traveling) then about 20 minutes ago I get a call from Pita Boy, telling me to call the girls.. Oh, no!! did Blond Girl hurt herself already? Was there an accident? I call and Word Girl lost/didn't bring/can't find her wallet which means neither girl is going to eat as she has the gift card and the spending money.. I just about went through the phone!!

I was told it was ok as they had plenty of snacks and such (not even remotely decent meal food McDonalds would be healthier). So I hang up, think for a moment and call her back... she had better make sure her sister eats!! If she has to beg borrow or steal her sister eats.. I hang up.. 5 minutes later oh it's ok mom I found my wallet.

Tell me, did I really need that heart attack??

So it is Official They are Going to DisneyWorld

Things as many of you know have been really tight. The girls have the band trip in just over a week. This is a major trip that happens every two years. Every four years they go to Disneyworld, to make it an even bigger deal this year the choir is combining their trip and going as well. So if they miss this one they wont get another chance.. well the older one wont and the younger one wont for two more years..

Until today, we were not sure the money was going to be there. Oh the girls fundraised and worked very hard.. but they could not do the entire thing.. amazingly enough when some friends found out, the trip was paid for... and the band director has been so wonderful letting us basically push it until the last moment.

So thank you to those who make a difference in another's life. For stepping up and buying lunch or shoes or a trip to Disney.. you don't know what changes you have wrought

What a week

It has been a week that never ends.. First the girls were sick, not sorta sick I mean totally and completely sick. Of course they were healthy enough to bicker.. you know I never bickered with my family. Honestly we DID NOT FIGHT!! we weren't allowed to. We of course never dreamed of disrespecting our parents. But that is another subject.

Anyway word girl got sick first then blond girl... so of course word girl said blond girl stayed home because she did. It didn't matter that her fever was 102..nope she was poser.

Then there was the added factor that pita boy changes when they are around. He is ok when it is just he and I but when they walk through the door he turns into a total idiot when they come home. So the bickering and interacting went on for 4 days straight.. Leaving me feeling like I was a total failure as a parent.. well we never argued so why do they?

Word girl has a wonderful explanation... well mom we were raised differently. Ok doesn't do much for my sense of self esteem as I am the one who raised them.. oh well, they are both back in school now but spring break is looming.. thank goodness they will be gone for much of it..

The Girls Went Innertubing

and they of course picked one of the coldest days of the year!!!

But it would seem they had fun. I do so love when they interact in a positive way that does not include them killing each other..

of course when I tell my family and friends, they went innertubing they all being the California water rats that they are, assume water tubing.. then they say.. well wasn't it too cold for that?

shakes her head as she laughs at the family

Friday Night Fun

So this is how my night went...

First daughter comes in... hi mom! Pep band tonight got cash have to be there at 5....

Second daughter comes in... hi mom! Pep band tonight need my mouthpiece, can you find it please, have to take a shower. I'm hungry, got money.. have to be there at 5...

First daughter..bye mom
Second daughter (all showered, mouth piece in hand) bye mom....

took abou 45 min.. lol

Benjamim Buttons

Oh, my Brad Pitt is a beautiful man but what he will become as he ages is amazing, he is going to be good looking forever.

the girls and I went to see this movie today, first of beware it is a tear jerker.. but it is a lovely movie with a wonderful message, telling one and all to grab life with both hands and to never be afraid.

But we had such fun and have a new family joke, there is a character (spoiler alert) who was struck by lightening and periodically would say have I ever told you that I have been struck by lightening 7 times in my life..then go on to say once when... oh how we laughed. and now we are bringing that line into the family.. keep saying it and cracking up.

I did so enjoy this day with my girls

Boots, Boots and More Boots

This week we have been inundated with boots, my girls Christmas money in hand have been searching high and low for the correct and perfect pair of boots. I have seen plaid boots, low boots, ankle boots, knee boots, fitted boots, suede boots, rain boots, boots with fringe (which btw on the collar is dorky but up the side is good). Moccasin boots, boots with heels, boots with fur, boots with soft linings, silk linings and fleece.

I have always loved boots but never really looked good in them I have what can at best be referred to as jock legs (very muscled calves) and of course they are short so the boots seem to cut my legs right in half. So as I was dragged hither and yon, I could only swoon with envy as I watched them try on and discard boot after boot.

We finally settled on two pairs that they can and I assume will switch back and forth (for some reason they don't mind sharing shoes). One has to wonder what will be the next must have on their list.

HA! I Love it When I am Right

Frankie has been taking AP History this year, now I love History and back in the day I was fortunate enough to take AP History when it first came into concept.. maybe not the first year but close enough. When I say I love History that is a huge understatement if I had my way I would be living in Barcelona studying medieval stuff.. why Barcelona (blame John Cleese-entirely different story)

All year long I have been asking Frankie if she had started DBQ's yet? Now to me a DBQ is second on the levels of hell only to proofs.. and we all know geometry was created by satan.. and again i digress. So every time I asked about DBQ's Frankie very arrogantly said.. no mom that was back in the day we don't do those anymore..

Guess what came home this weekend?

A Contrary Girl

Ok, I realize that when speaking of a 17 year old girl, the title of this blog might be considered at best redundant.. but this child takes the cake.

Over the summer her younger sister fell prey to the twilight phenomenon, even going so far as to attend a midnight selling. It was fun and the books were rather good face it they were fantastic. but my Frankie being Frankie refused to read them. No way would she be interested in them. She was gracious and lovely enough to buy them for her sister. Make sure that she had the books and could read them. A thoughtful and considerate gift but read them she would not.

Just recently a friend of hers wanted to read them but could not get a copy from the local library.. she had been waiting and waiting.. Frankie upon hearing this offered to let her use our copy (which we did not mind this is a wonderful lovely girl and a friend to the entire family). So we pulled them all out, stacked them neatly and got them ready.

The next day Frankie took the books to school and me being the silly widget that I am thought that was that. No of course not, on her way to school, on the bus Frankie started to read.. Now we have to borrow book one so she can read it..

Sheeesh..

Laundry

Oh the joys of the missing sock!! I know there have been scientific studies on exactly where those socks go.. and I believe the most factual theory is that they are eaten by aliens.

I used to spend hours and I mean hours gathering the socks and matching them. Even the white ones had to be matched to the proper partner. Seriously, they are made at different plants, factories whatever, the cuffs may be different, the thickness, the age, the staining.. everything.. then one day after I had finished had all the socks neatly ready to find their way home to their little drawers my daughter walked up.. took out two pairs of socks.. separated them, took one from each pair, dropped the remaining partners single and alone back in the basket and walked away. "Ashley-Frances" I uttered "what do you think you are doing?" she just smiled shrugged and said "I don't like to wear socks that match" Needless to say.. I have never matched socks since.

Teenagers!! ain't life grand??

Can We Say Rocket Scientist??

Now for those of you who are unaware, today's teenager has a heavy burden to carry, personally I am not supprised when I hear of one snapping. Sad I admit but not surprised. I am sure I will return to this theme over and over again, but here is an example of the insanity we put our teenagers through.

As I am sure you are all aware, Friday night was Halloween.. ok a time where kids and teenagers and some crazed adults just have fun, trick or treating, parties or just watching the parade of kids it is a long and exhausting evening. So what does our local HS swim conference do? They plan the season ending conference meet (ok some swimmers go on to sectionals and state but for the most part) on the day after Halloween.. Now it was scheduled well in advance so the kids could be ready for this sad fact (hello teenagers here none of them had a clue).. so the Coach being a magnimus sort changed practice from Friday afternoon to Friday morning.. yes they had a 5:30 morning practice on Halloween. So here it was 4:30 in the morning and my girls are trooping off to school. After a tough practice, my youngest was out and on her way to swing choir practice at 7.. then a full day of school for both (both of whom have honors classes so not a walk in the park).. then off for their prepared evenings..

I am sure I will deny this later but my oldest, Frankie at least had the brains to come home at a reasonable hour and get some sleep but the younger one came trooping in about midnight.. And the next morning it was up at 4:30 so they could leave the house by 5:00 to make the bus.. and drive forever (well an hour) then swim.. then back home and to me.. needless to say by the time the late afternoon came and they were home well they were not in the best of moods.

And who said the witches left after Halloween..

Does a Mother Proud

Today I was listening to my children bicker and some rather fun things came out of it. One of them was my oldest daughter out of the blue stating "I can make beer come out of the bottle from the bottom by hitting it really hard".

Oh how my heart fluttered with joy, the pride erupting from my soul (did i mention she is 16). All those honor classes, years spent learning music and time spent encouraging her to become a sophisticated young lady.. snorts.. yeah that worked. Fortunately she did qualify that she learned it on mythbusters and it really doesn't work with carbonated drinks, just water. Whew at least she isn't off carousing wildly at weekend parties learning how to tie a cherry stem into a knot with her tongue.. Nope she learned that particular skill at home.

Oh the joys of parenting, and the best part is.. when they become unique, interesting, self-sufficient individuals they leave.. Of course that is how one knows that they did their job right.