Capital City Air Show

Oh My....How I LOVE the Air Show! It's always a treat for me when we get to go! I don't know what it is about the those planes flying so close and doing such amazing things that makes me feel so good inside.

My sister got free tickets through her work and Patrick got free parking at his work (just a quarter mile away from Mather Air Force Base) and we enjoyed spending September 11th in awe of planes and reenactments throughout different eras.

My dad called after he found out we were heading to the show and told us to make sure we wore good soled shoes. He then proceeded to tell us about the time he took us as kids and that my sister and I wore Jelly Shoes which melted to the blacktop. I totally remember that and feeling kind of scared that my feet were going to melt to the blacktop too. I also remember getting a frozen lemonade and the refreshing feeling it gave me on that very HOT day. Another quick memory from an air show was remembering how tired I was and we had a long trip home (air show was probably an hour away up at Beale Air Force Base). Someone was telling us about a plane that went 60 miles in one minute. I remember trying to do the math at how long it would take to get home if we were on the jet. I remember going to quite a few air shows as a child. Perhaps that is why I enjoy them so much as an adult.

It was super loud so we got some earplugs for the kids. It was also pretty windy and poor Ethan thought for sure that there was going to be a tornado. He was really worked up about a tornado for some reason as it was windy. The weather was great, the company was greater, and the planes were simply amazing!

Let the Soccer Games Begin...

Here we go again...3 kids playing soccer. 6 practices per week. 3 Games each Saturday...The crazy things us parents do for our children. Here are my soccer stars in action!

Best Friend Date!

Since the 3 older kids are in school all day, I get to spend a lot of time with Carly by herself. Most days we have my nephew Anthony, but there are those occasional days where it's just her and I. We always do something together and Carly calls it her "Best Friend Date". I love it! Of course when Raya, Malia, and Ethan come home, I'm no longer her best friend...they are, but that's fine too! Today we went to Wendy's and the craft store. Nothing big, but we're making memories! Love this girl!

Before & After

You all may be familiar with the term "The camera adds ten pounds". I used to believe that was true, but over the years I've learned that it probably isn't true. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the camera DOESN'T add ten pounds...you are just seeing yourself as you really are.

Lucky for me there's this little program called Photoshop! It's like magic! If the camera is the yin then Photoshop is definitly its yang.

Most of you know that I've been losing some weight. It's been slow...very slow, but alas! I'm sticking to it. Last weekend I was at Ethan's soccer seeding tournament. I had my camera and was taking some shots. I'm used to being the one behind the camera so when someone is trying to take a picture of me...I freak out a little. This particular day, a guy I grew up with had his camera and took some pictures of me.

I've lost 23 pounds and feel like I'm looking pretty good. Then, I see the picture that he took AND posted on the team's website:

GAH!!!! Being an administrator...I deleted it from the website right away!

It was really kind of a wake up call that I need to kick my butt a little bit harder! Yes, I've lost 23 pounds, but yuck! Maybe I need to wear black...anyway...

I decided that a little bit of magic was in order so I took that picture and uploaded it up to good ol' Photoshop. Have I told you how much I just love Photoshop?

It's just A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!! Check me out now!

Funny thing...when I was working on this photo, I started to believe that I was really that thin...I'm not kidding. It was a trip! I'm totally printing this picture out to use as motivation. Maybe print a bunch and hang them all over the house. Here it is again:

You know, because I look SO friggin' GOOD!

Art Class

The artist gene runs in my family. I am constantly amazed at the artwork my brothers do! Drawing, Paiting, Sketching...you name it, they do it.

Even though the gene is recessive in me, it kind of peeks out every once in awhile, but I have to be inspired by somebody else's work first.

My kids all draw, they enjoy it, but they don't necessarily have a "passion" for it per say. I signed them all up (sans Carly) for a free drawing class down at the Parks and Rec center. It was free and the kids loved it!

And then there's this guy. I guess you could wonder now if he's my favorite child since I've posted numerous things about him, but really...he LOVES to draw!!! I love watching him too.

Here are a few of his pictures.

He is totally into Star Wars so it's only fitting to draw characters from it. Batman and Spiderman are also at the top of his most liked character list too. Malia actually brought home a book from the library that shows you how to draw characters from Avatar the Last Airbender and he's been working on Momo, Appa, and some coy fish all afternoon. He is soooo going to love his art class in first grade! Can't wait for hi to meet Mr. Art Dude!

A Window to his...Tonsils?

Finally!!!

Ethan has lost his first teeth! I pulled the two bottom ones out last night and even though he was super scared, he was so brave! I remember when I was young and my teeth got pulled out, how nervous I was. Once they were out, I remember thinking "why was I so scared?" Despite the times changing, feelings of tooth pulling hasn't. Now my sweet little boy has a "window" in his mouth.

The situation reminded me of a time when Ethan was about 3 years old. Patrick was playing around with him and started to pretend there was a monster in Ethan's room. Patrick told Ethan that he was going to go into his room to capture the vicious thing, which of course, led to the monster grabbing and pulling on Patrick. Ethan couldn't see into his room as Patrick was holding onto the door kicking it and whatnot to get the full effect. I guess Patrick has a little bit of talent for acting because Ethan believed that Patrick was really being attacked by a monster. Without hesitation, Ethan grabbed onto Patrick's arm and as scared as he was, he started yanking on Patrick to get him out of the room.

I often think about this story as I watch Ethan grow. He really has been brave in almost everything scary. Getting shots, blood drawn, teeth pulled, saving his daddy from monsters etc. etc. He knows what's about to happen and will always step up and get things done.

I love this kid...he rocks!

Kid Quote of the Week!

Me: "Be careful Ethan! You're gonna break your neck!"
Ethan: Are you kidding? That was Awesome!"