Lucky Kid

Brett and I went to the Suns game this week. Mike is working late this busy season, so Brett was my Date!! Our budget was $20 and Brett thrives on a budget..He opted to take the light rail instead of paying for parking. When you take the light rail to an event at US Airways, your ride is free with your tickets. So Brett opted for the free transportation. When we got off at our stop, we were looking for dinner. We decided to have hot dogs and share a soda. He relented and went with a Diet Coke, because he knows I am alergic to anything else! The kid loves his Mama :0)

As we made our way to our seats, which are quite awesome, we realized we have some new neighbors. Amare Stoudemire's family sits next to us. We found out that this new seating arrangement has its perks. Before the game started, the Sun's promoters were handing out these cool Amare sunglasses to only a certain section. When I commented on the glasses to our new neighbors, we were quickly given a couple of pair.



Then after we finished our food, they announced the winners of the free Peter Piper pizzas. You guessed it, Sec. 123 row 3..our row. That has never happened to us before, must be our new lucky charms seated next to us. Brett was super excited and he also was sad he already spent money on his food!!







At half time, Brett had $9 left that was burning a hole in his/my pocket. We headed to the Suns team shop where he was determined to find something. Well, of course, most things he wanted were more than his budget. I think that he turned over every item in the store. When we were about to check out, he eyed a flag behind the cashier and it was $8! Sold! He was happy with his purchase and we made our way back to our seats. One of the team Doctors that sits in front of us, handed Brett some new purple wrist sweat bands from the locker room. He gave it to Brett and said that he picked them up from Nash's stash and he appreaciated how good Brett was being tonight. Well, I could not convince him to return his flag to the shop, he was quite content with his goodies.



Brett was ready to go after the beginning of the 4th quarter. Since we took the light rail, it takes about an hour to get home. So we headed out early. Brett said goodbye to his friends and I said Goodbye to the Christian Louboutin shoes worn by Amare's wife. I was a lucky girl too, I got to stare at these amazing shoes the whole game, I almost took a picture, but I thought that would be a little weird. Of course, googling them is not weird at all.

Christmas Trip

Last year during December I went on a cruise. I swore I would never go on vacation in December again, because I felt that I was racing when I got back to reality. So of course this year, we decided to try it again. This time I took Mike with me and we went to NYC. I always wanted to see the store front windows, the Christmas tree at Rockafeller Plaza, the ice rink and to top it off, it SNOWED! I felt like I was dreaming, it was so perfect.

The kiddos stayed home, so THANK YOU to those that helped out! I know December is not the best time to babysit, but we appreciated it! On the plane ride out, the funny flight attendants at Southwest were doing their speech on safety at the beginning. This one was particularly entertaining, he said, "If you are traveling with small children.... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Please secure your mask first than help your child next to you. If you have more than one child, then pick the one you like best and secure their's first." HaHa..A nice chuckle to start off our trip.

Once we got to NYC, Mike, being the more adventurous one, decided that we could find our way without a taxi. We ended up taking the Q33 bus from Queens and catching the F-Train to 42nd street. It took an hour, but we made it without getting lost and we were able to stop at every street in Queens which was a bonus. On one of the stops, this guy got on the bus, his hair was slicked back and he of course was wearing a leather coat. He looked like he was in his early 20's and he scowled at me as he sat next to us. His IPod was so loud I could almost recognize the song that was playing. As I was watching him, he reached in to his jacket and pulled out a book. It was "New Moon." I kind of smiled and Mike looked at me and said, "You should talk to him about it." I think my eyes fell out of my head as I was begging him not to say anything to this random guy on the Q33 bus at 7:30pm at night in Queens, please..no. Mike ignored me and tried to talk to him, but luckily he ignored us probably beccause he couldn't hear us!!

I knew I was in for an interesting weekend, because in NY there are a lot of people in a close proximity, this is Mike's comfort zone. He loves talking to everyone and getting their life story. I wish I could list the people he/we met. I am always amazed how open people are and how they are willing to share alot with people they do not know! All I know is I now have a friend named Jenny Kim who has lived in NY for 30 years and has two boys. She took a fifteen minute break from work so she could escort us to her favorite restaurant. Okay on to the pictures...




We stayed in the Theatre District and this theatre was right around the corner!



Mike in Times Square



A fountain with cool Ornaments in it. It was across from Radio City Music Hall



NBC Studios where they tape SNL..That night was Blake Lively and Rhianna



The Christmas Tree at Rockafeller Plaza



Mike and I at the tree.



Saks Fifth Avenue snowflake designs. They blinked on and off to music.



Amazing picture of the ice skating rink. I had to wait in line to get to the spot to take a picture!



Me and Matt Laur, he was more handsome in person!



Times Square Again



Central Park



Whoa..close up!



Starting to get cold..



This is the Alice in Wonderland statue that I was on a mission to find. We passed it once and had to loop back around to get to it again. After we got there, Mike took this picture. I didn't check it afterward. He totally missed Alice, he just got me. Dang it!




Stopped for lunch at a yummy Korean place. We are in the middle of ChinaTown and Little Italy, who knew there would be good Korean food?? Thanks to our friend Jenny Kim.



Wall Street..I would love to go inside there one of these times. It always seems so small on the outside.



Crumbs Cupcakes..Yummy..Located on the North side of Bryant Park. Thanks Shay :)



Grand Central Station - This is where Marty from Madagascar went to when he escaped the NY Zoo. My kids where excited about this picture..



The Chrysler building. So cool with the fog and lights.






THe Empire State Building. It was snowing and cloudy so you could not see anything from the top. We were glad to hang out in the lobby and get warm for a minute. They had some neat displays of the building inside. Outside the lights on it were blue.



Macy's! I lost Mike for a minute. I ran straight for the windows while he was fixing his umberalla.




Inside Macy's--I can't imagine working this..Yikes!

Snow in NYC Video



Macy's Window Video


Another Macy's Window

Josh's Turn

Finally it is Josh's turn to play a sport! He has been waiting so long for the family to watch him play. He has really enjoyed playing coach pitch. He plays the position between the first and second base in the infield. He has caught a pop fly and made a few "Outs!"

His goal is to get a home run sometime this season. He usually just motors around the bases until his coach can stop him. I think one of these days he will make it around all the bases, that will be the best! Here are some pictures of the Lil' Slugger.







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Lego City

My living room is no longer mine. It has been taken over by a Lego City. I never actually had any furniture in that room before, becuase I just couldn't bring myself to buy a nice dining room table. I had dreams of my boys playing tag around it and jumping over the table to get to their room while chairs were being throw down. So, instead, it is filled with legos.

Apparently, there is a method to the madness, it is quite a layout. There is a Lego City, with battle ships ready to go to war. There is a Cantina and a Cafeteria, Training Center and Rocket Station. We have a number of lego builders in the neighborhood that have helped contribute to the creation. The boys even have each other labeled as "Master's" or "Beginner's". "Master's" have successfully built a lego ship that has won a battle.

It has been fun to listen and watch them interact with each other and be proud of what they have built. I wonder where we are going to put the Christmas tree?

Halloween

This year I decided to MAKE a costume. I am not sure what got over me. I was talking to a friend about how I USED to sew. After all, I did get a College degree in Clothing and Textiles and that did include sewing classes. My Mom taught me how to sew when I was 12. During the summers we would always pick a pattern of a dress or skirt and pick out fabrics at the store. We would also have typing lessons and math sheets to do as well, we thought she was the task master..but I am sooo glad I know how to type!!

After my conversation with my friend I had a gnawing feeling that I needed to get my sewing machine out and do something. Of course I don't have time, you just have to make time. Brett wanted a Jedi Robe, just like Obi One. As I searched the pattern books, I never found one that matched what I had in my mind. So I picked one that was kind of close and just improvised.

I started laying out the fabric and I was transported back to when I was a kid with my Mom. I could hear her voice telling me how to pin and cut my fabric. I knew right then I could do this! Well I did finish the costume the morning of Halloween, but it was done. Here are some Halloween pictures. We started off at the Neighborhood Chili Bake to show off our costumes, then off to Grandma's to get some special Halloween treats. Oh yeah, I was Princess Leah. I didn't get dressed until it was dark, so the pictures aren't that great of the braided buns. But trust me they were awesome!!

Friends

Today one of Mike's best friends passed away. He leaves behind a wife and 4 children. He has a 17 year old son, a 9 year old son and twin daughters who are 1 1/2 years old. We are truly saddened by the sudden loss and my heart goes out to their family and friends.

As I am writing this, it has been about 11 hours since we received the news and I have talked to my husband about 15 minutes today. His focus is on the sweet family that has been left behind. As he begins his process of grieving, he cannot sit around and feel sad, Mike is making sure that his kids know that their Daddy loved them. Mike is holding the twins and playing ball with the 9 year old. He is trying to give advice if it is asked for and doing what his friend would do for him.

As Mike sat here in the kitchen before he headed out, he looked at his last text from Doug. He looked at me and said, "Who am I going to talk to now?" I told him he had lots of friends, but his dear friend needs a favor today, and that is to look after his kids. He flipped his phone down and said, "I know, I need to go."

I am not sure when Mike will be home tonight, but I know Doug's children will feel loved by Mike and know they can count on him always. As do I.

Responsible

This past week, Josh was recognized as the Good Citizen of the month in his class. Two kids receive the nomination from their teacher and they get to be recognized in front of the school and have a special donut breakfast with their teachers.

This month's virtue is "Responsibility." The kindergarten teacher has asked the parents to write special "Love Notes" so she can see who is demonstrating the virtue at home. In the video he is receiving his Good Citizen sticker with Lilly his friend and fellow classmate. In his Love Note, I told the teacher that he cleans his room and takes out the trash without being asked. He has enjoyed the "Title" of a Responsible boy.

The other day as everyone was off to bed, I snuck a few minutes to read on the couch in the living room, which is my favorite spot to read. It was about 10 o'clock and Josh was moving from bed to couch to bed, a little restless and not able to fall asleep. He wandered into the kitchen and I heard the water in the sink come on. I didn't pay much attention and kept on reading. Then I heard some dishes being clanked around. I had started the dishwasher at 8 and it had finished, but I had some dishes in the sink that were put there after the dishwasher started. Pretty soon, Josh came up to me and said.

"I did the dishes."
"Thanks, Josh that helps me so much."
"I almost did it perfect, but the powder spilled on the floor."
"Ok, lets go see if we can clean it up."

So as we walked to the sink, all the dishes were indeed put in the dishwasher, he also managed to start it as well. I figured dishes washed twice wasn't such a bad idea. I also noticed powder leading from the pantry to the dishwasher.

"It kind of spilled everywhere" He said. Then he got out a broom and I helped him sweep up his spill.

"Mom, am I responsible?"
"You sure are!" I replied.
"Can you write a Love note to my teacher?"

Well, whatever the motivation is I like it!

Josh and his teacher Mrs. Cenzano

 

 

Lilly and Josh - Good citizens

 

 

All three together = uber adorable