Preschool Tea Party

All the other kids in preschool said the reason that they love their mommy. Adorable little phrases like, 'I love when my mommy gives me icecream,' or 'I love when my mommy gives me hugs & kisses.' But when it came to Rina's turn: 'My mommy forgot to tuck me in last night!' Wow! Happy Mother's Day to me! ;)

Mark's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" moment...

Have you seen the movie? It recently came out, and it's hilarious! Based on the book, it describes the awkward transition from elementary school into junior high...painful!!! I laughed especially hard, because my sweet Mark is about to make that transition to JHi in a couple short months. And, boy! Do I know what is in store for HIM!!! LOL!

Last night, he had an especially "Wimpy Kid" moment. It easily could have been pulled from the script of that movie. And I can't stop laughing about it! Here's the situation:

We invited a family over for pizza last night. Not just any family, though. It happened to be the family of Mark's head-over-heels crush! She is the cutest girl in Kids Connection. And the crush is mutual. :) We've become good friends with her parents, so last night was one of several meals we've shared.

As we waited for the pizzas to bake, we were hanging out outside playing with our puppy. Mark decided to take little Lacey for a walk around the block, and of course his "crush" said she'd join him. As a meddling mother, keeping it pure...I informed Mark that his little sister, Rina, would join them too. "Keep her away from the street! And hold her hand!" I ordered as they began their walk. Of course, Ryan piped in with a wisecrack, "She means hold Rina's hand, not (Mark's crush)." All four of us parents got a good chuckle from that.

Late that night, while Mark was in bed, Ryan and I tiptoed into his room to get all the juicy gossip. "What did you talk about on your walk? What happened? Tell us everything!" So he proceeded to tell us the story, which was extremely "Wimpy Kid" style!!!

He said, while they were walking, she asked him pretty thoughtful questions. They were having a good conversation until suddenly Mark noticed one of his neighbor friends approaching...bouncing a ball obnoxiously loud. Mark cringed hoping this friend wouldn't come up to them! (Here is why: Mark loves to play with this kid. He's a very sweet boy who has played with Mark since they were 3 years old. But, they play kind of goofy, immature things. Things that are okay to play together...but that are NOT okay to reveal to his "crush." For example, they make videos together after school where they are crazy and goofy...and somehow it involves the bouncy green ball. I'm not quite sure how...)

Anyway, here came the neighbor kid, bouncing that ball super loud. He walked up to Mark and said, "Hey Mark! Remember the green ball?!" And then started to snicker and laugh. Mark cringed, not knowing how to laugh at the inside joke while staying cool in front of his "crush," who was giving them both a very confused look......Awkward moment!!! This neighbor kid kept walking alongside him the rest of the way home, which Mark told us, seemed like an eternity! He kept thinking, "Please, don't talk about the videos! Please don't talk about the videos!"

Mark told us, at that moment he didn't know what to talk about. Because anything he were to say to the neighbor kid would sound pathetic and immature in front of his "crush." But anything he talked to her about, would be so embarassing in front of his neighborhood buddy (who is innocently uninterested in girls yet...and consequently is very prone to saying something that will embarass Mark).

If you've seen the movie...this neighbor kid embodies the character of "Rowlie." Yep, it was that kind of moment! Then it happened! She turned to Mark and said, "Remember when we first met in 2nd grade?" Followed by her sentimental recount of their first encounter at school. Ugh! Mark said he about died, listening to her talk about that, while the neighbor kid continued to bounce the green ball obnoxiously loud, alllll the way home! Mark was caught in an awkward paradox. His two worlds had collided: the boyish, immature side of him that he can enjoy in the privacy of his own backyard...and the emerging confident, mature side of him that he is testing out among his almost-JHi peers.

Ryan & I laughed til we cried when he told us this story! Then we called Uncle Brandon up (who was home from college for the weekend) so he could hear the story in its entirety as well. Oh, the joys of junior high! I'm sure this is just the beginning of many, many more "Wimpy Kid" moments. And, I hope I can find the time to document each one. Mainly because I never want to forget these priceless moments. But also, because Ryan and I love to tease our kid....and this will make for some pretty good teasing-material someday!!!

"I'm gonna shoot!"

I think it's so funny how boys can turn any object into a 'gun'...today's example, a potato chip. Reese nibbled it into shape, then informed me that it was a gun. A few moments later, it was a hackey sack. Somehow (in his imagination) that round object was able to shoot those invisible bad guys! Yesterday, it was his sister's 'My Little Pony' that saved the world by shooting bullets from it's pink & purple mane. Aye!

Easter 2010

I got my boys the handsomest matching outfits for Easter (color coordinated w/ their sis, of course) ...But I'm thinking this is the last year I can pull this off...since matching your little brother isn't very cool in JHi!!! ;)

Facebook | Karis Morales-Brody

Facebook Karis Morales-Brody: "pulled a permission slip from Mark's backpack last night, informing us that they are about to start their 'Life Begins' unit in health, including an awkward trip to Robert Crown. Lord have mercy!!!"

Grandma Liz, Marina & I took a short road trip up to Wisconsin this weekend, to attend a wedding for a special friend (Jenna Houdek). This was Marina's first wedding experience, so I just loved playing it up for her! I explained that we were going to see the bride marry her prince! While we waited for the ceremony to begin, she asked me, "What does a prince look like?" I told her, "We will see..." So, when the groom walked into the chapel, Marina became starry eyed! And when the flower girls made their way down the white runner, Marina informed me, "When I get bigger, I want to be a flower girl too!" When the bride entered the room in her gorgeous white gown, Marina just stared in awe! She noticed every single detail of the wedding...especially the final kiss! It seemed so magical to her. I loved watching her take it all in! When the bride and groom approached our aisle to greet the guests, Marina couldn't stop smiling. She had actually met a REAL bride...and her "prince" too! :) What a fun experience. I'm so happy to have a daughter to share magical moments with. xoxo

ps: On the way home, she told me that she is going to marry Reese when she grows up. I didn't have the heart to correct her. lol.

Some Funnies

This just cracks me up!!! I found it in Reese's backpack last week, and I plan to keep it forever. Too cute!!!

(Next, we have a scene from our kitchen last night...)

Mark: Those junior high girls were being really mean to us!

Ryan: You gotta understand, they are at that stage where they can't control their feelings. So they act really crabby......Kinda like Mommy...

I can't help but laugh, because it's mostly true!

Girls' night out w/ a couple of my high school gal pals. It was so fun to catch up over some sushi @ Kiku's Hibachi Grill. It fascinates me to discover the much different paths we have all taken. Jill is finishing up dental school. Erica is a full time marathon runner/trainer. And I am a full time mommy/part time admin in Elementary Ministries. Can't wait for our next girls' night out! xoxo

Ryan & I brought Mark to the Toby Mac/Skillet concert...and we joined up with some of our favorite friends! I had more fun pushing our way to the front during Skillet & hip-hopping w/ Danette and Susie during Toby Mac! Such a fun night! The only thing that dampered the evening was knowing that Ryan's dad was being monitored for his heart at Edward's Hospital. But he was sent home the following day, and we will continue praying for his health! The angiogram showed a blockage real close to his heart. Hopefully meds will clear it up this year. If not, then he will have to have open heart surgery. But we are believing God for a complete healing!

Here are Reese & Rina after haircuts and a bath. They are two little goofballs. But they are the best of friends! Their latest kick is playing Super Smash Bros. on the Wii and watching The Shaggy Dog & Old Yeller on vhs, over and over and over again....

Also, Mark tried out for JHi band this week. He tested the clarinet, trumpet and saxaphone. And he was thrilled to be paired up with his first choice...the saxaphone!!!! He will start up in summer band camp this July.

This past fall, we were invited by some friends to come out and watch their girls play volleyball on the CCS volleyball team. One of the families that asked us to come was sweet little Grace's family. So, Mark decided to wear his own #2 jersey to support Grace. She is the girl that Mark has crushed on for over 3 years. She and Mark are good friends and have lots of fun together. I love that they have friendship. She is such a sweet girl from such a sweet family. He plans to take her on his 1st date when he turns 16. How cute is that?! Is it wrong for me to hope they will get married someday? :)

Some Recent Ramblings... :)

*The boys were in school...and Mommy & Rina had an afternoon of lunch & shopping. When we pulled into the garage............. Rina: "Mommy, are the boys coming home soon?" Me: "In a little while." Rina: "How about tomorrow?!" LOL!!!!

*Thank you, Ava, for interpreting Rina's mysterious song from preschool: "If you jeep my connection..." is really, "If you keep My commandments..." LOL!!!

*In an attempt to be an informed parent, I asked Mark, "do kids at school swear a lot?" Mark said, "Not in my class. But there are a couple punks out at recess that do." He then told me about a time when he had asked a kid, "Why do you swear all the time? What's the point?" And the kid told him, "It helps me speak more freely." To which Mark replied, "I'm speaking just fine...and I haven't said a single swear!" Hahaha!!! I just about spit out my water laughing when he told me this! What a great answer, from a kid who is choosing to keep his words clean. I'm so proud of him!

*Reese cracks us up with his new interpretation of Mark's cell phone...he mimics the lady's voice for vocal commands. I need to post a video of him doing it, because it's hysterical. "Say a command...."

Swift Kick

God gave me a swift kick in the pants today. It was more of a revelation. As my thoughts went through a certain recent situation, He revealed to me my rotten attitude. And I found myself having to repent. Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to discipline me. Even when it is super uncomfortable! Help me to get over myself...this year I want people to see less of me and more of Him when they interact w/ me. It starts with weeding out rotten attitudes like this, I guess. Ouch!

In life, it seems like when I take 1 step forward.....I get shoved 2 steps back. Lord, please help me to persevere when life gets painful!