2nd Week of School

Just like everyone else's blog my entries are few and far between. I haven't had much to write about and if I did it would all be negative and grumpy. The stress level in the Afualo house has been at max lately and I believe most of it is due to me. What with court appearances, dealing with insurance companies and insurance company's lawyers who could manage a good mood. To top off everything my body is going through the ringer because I finally took the plunge to get in shape and I got a trainer. It is nightmarish. It is all for the greater good though right?

So here is our week in review. Piano lessons started for the boys. Neither of them are happy about it, but I don't care. I hired one of my old piano students to teach them. Adam had his first soccer game last Saturday. The Purple Flaming Dragons are 1-0 right now. That, as always, was hilarious. This week I taught Lily's preschool class. They learned about "Going back to School." I am glad that is over. Now I don't have to teach again until the last week of October. Lily had her first gymnastics class. Well, she was supposed to, but the lady in charge did not tell me that they cancelled her class and moved everyone to the 1pm class. So she missed her class, but they did a little private lesson for her. She was great. Pictures will follow with that later. Noah and Damon had scouts. Yippie. Then to top it off today was field trip day again and I let the kids choose. Out to lunch at McDonald's (yummy for mom) or going bowling. They chose McD's. It was chaotic, but fun. We ran into some friends there who have kids the same age so they all played.

I think we are finally settling into a nice school routine. Hopefully it will last. I really am hoping for a mellow fire season this year. If anyone has any advice for crock pot dinners let me know. That's all I seem to have time for. Dinner gets made around 2pm Monday-Wednesday. Sad I know. I think the real problem is is that there aren't any good shows on yet so there really is nothing to watch to escape reality and unwind. Can't wait til the last week of September. On the happy side of things at least BYU is 2-0 in football. On a humble note, this being the 7th anniversary on 9/11 I feel compelled to at least acknowledge all those who were affected by that day and be grateful for those who gave their lives to help others. We should never forget that day.

Our First Field Trip

Last year I started this tradition to help ease my conscience about working from home in the afternoons. The kids get out early every Thursday and so we called it field trip day. I pick them up and we take turns picking what we want to do. The activities range from playing at the park to going to Disneyland. This first field trip we went to La Jolla Shores to commune with Moana (the sea goddess) and enjoy the beach. Well, the weather didn't think it needed to cooperate with our ideas. It wasn't cold, but it diffenitely wasn't 100% sunny. We still had a great time. Noah found a clam. He was sad that I made him return it to the ocean when we were leaving. Lily was run over by a boogie boarder about her size. Adam had a great time. We had lunch and just play in the water. The kids played in the sand too while I did some Soduku puzzles.

On a more frustrating note Lily still refuses to sleep through the night. It is getting way annoying. She disturbed me from not one, but to very interesting dreams. I hate that. They never come back either. I am still hoping it is a phase she will grow out of. Last night we got a call from the doctor with some test results for Adam. Last week when we were there for our yearly check up I had him tested for allergies. I knew he was allergic to peanuts and had a very mild allergy to eggs whites. The list came back and was way confusing. No eggs or peanuts, but rice, oats, peas, june grass, burmuda grass, celery, carrots, mold, mildew and here is the kicker, apples. No here is the funny thing. Up until 3 months ago Adam ate apples every day for lunch. He loves them. Then we noticed that he started getting hives around his mouth when he ate them. how after 5 years do you all of a sudden get an allergy? He has always loved carrots, he eats peas all the time and how on earth can a polynesian be allergic to rice. I am just baffled. Now I am thinking I need to get the other kids tested to make sure I am not poisoning them. It really stinks. Here is hoping that he has grown out of the peanut allergy. That would make the apples worth it.

First Day of School

Yea! A new school year is upon us. No matter how prepared I thought I was for the first day the last 10 minutes before we left still felt like a mad dash. The boys met their new teachers. Noah was only a few seconds late, not a good sign for the teacher. I am sure she already thinks that I am an incompetent mother. Who can't get their kid to school on time the first day? Then to top things off at the end of the day the boys were supposed to walk home by themselves and meet me on the way. Well, for some odd reason we never met. So I was wandering around school and they were in the courtyard at our house wondering where their mother was. Well I finally went home at around 4pm. I was late for my piano lesson and very hot, but relieved that my children had not been abducted the first day I let them walk home by themselves. Needless to say I am picking them up from their classroom tomorrow. It was a very stressful first day for mom.

What to do...

I have found myself at home with no husband and no kids without even planning it. What is a girl to do. Well, I should clean the bathrooms, practice the violin or get ready for the mayhem that ensues the first day of school, but I don't feel like doing that. I also trained today with a personal trainer so I am a bit sore. So since I was so wonderfully tagged I will answer that. Oh, this morning I woke up and couldn't for the life of me remember what day it was. We had a Labor Day breakfast at the Park with our church and it was nice to visit with everyone. The kids had a great time playing. I should have brought my camera. Oh well. So here it is

The Five

10 Years Ago...
1 I had just gotten married
2. Had just started my senior year at BYU
3. Was all nice and tan and in shape from being a life guard for the summer
4. Had a lot more energy
5. Learned how to drive a stick (remember that Dames!)

5 things on my to do list today
1. It is a holiday so there is nothing. Tomorrow there will be
2. Get kids to school
3. Teach piano
4. Laundry
5. Get ready for court

5 Snacks that I enjoy
1. Ice Cream-Chocolate, Cookies and Creme, Cookie dough, Double Fudge Brownie
2. Fruit any kind except mangoes or papaya
3. Chips-I am so addicted to Pringles
4. Granola
5. Yogurt

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire
1. Get Damon a better car
2. Finish fixing up this house including the backyard with a pool
3. Live abroad just because I could
4. Take my family on a really amazing trip that they would never forget, maybe around the world
5. Save the rest after a bit of a shopping spree (Paris here I come)

5 Places I have lived
1. Phoenix, AZ
2. Provo, UT
3. Portland, OR
4. San Diego, CA
That's it.

5 Jobs I have enjoyed
1. Lifeguard-City of Phoenix
2. piano teacher
3. mom-wife
4. Duke Photography Studio
5. Gift wrap BYU bookstore

Enjoy

A Full Mouth

Ever since Noah was 2 I knew that his mouth would need lots of work. Well the time finally arrived and we went on a whirlwind of orthodontist appointments. After two months of impressions, spacers, brackets, lip bumper and an expander he finally got his braces on. He had to go through 7 weeks of "cranking" on the expander before his top jaw was wide enough to match up with his lower jaw. He has been a good sport about it. He hasn't complained about the braces. He seems so much older now with them on. He is looking forward to October so he can get black and orange bands on his brackets. At least he is having fun with them. I sympasize with him very well. I remember all those appointments to Dr. Running's office and being miserable the first couple of days after each appointment. At least I am not making him eat hard things right afterwards.

The Bitter Sweet End

Since summer is almost over I decided to let the kids have one more fun activity. On the 21st we went to Disneyland and California Adventure. We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The boys love that place. Lily however has developed a fear of loud noises and the dark and that place has both. She survived and was happy. We went on the Autopia and Buzz Lightyear at Disneyland. We always have to go on those two. I can never get past level 4 either. Drives me nuts. We were able to see The Alladin Show, which was absolutely fabulous and the Electrical Parade. I haven't seen that since before they took it out of Disneyland. During the parade Snow White walked over to Lily and smiled at her and waved. Lily thought that was the greatest. Having the Disney passes this year has been great. We just relax and have a good time while we are at the parks.

After we left Anaheim we drove to Mortensen Manor to spend a few days with our cousins. The kids loved swimming, playing with the chickens and having more kids to play with than just each other. It was a nice break for me. The kids would be in the basement and I wouldn't even here them. What a nice change after 7 weeks of summer. Thanks Jen!

Lily has done a few funny things lately and I thought I would share them just to get a laugh. She is also doing a lot of annoying things lately too, like not sleeping through the night. Which is why this post is so late. The other day we were getting in the car and she said, "Mom, I want to hear anky noodle." I said, "Anky Noodle?" She said, "Yes. Anky Noodle rides the pony." I laughed and told her it was Yankee Doodle. Then tonight at dinner Noah commented that Lily was the only kid who hadn't stuck anything up her nose while being three. Well later on during the meal Lily stuck rice up her nose and a lot of it. I couldn't get it out with a tissue so I asked her to blow her nose while plugged one nostril. I didn't think she could do it, but she did and the rice flew all over my lap. That got all the boys laughing. I can now say all my kids have stuck something up their nose. Yippie.

When asked today if I was going to watch the Democratic National Convention I said, "No, what is the point?" I don't need to waste my time. If you haven't been to JibJab this political season you should. It is hilarious. Also on another political note, I don't usually do this, but Damon has been out walking the neighborhoods doing some canvasing, so it has been on my mind. If Prop 8 in California fails and marriage can be between any two persons than what is to stop people from marrying their dogs. Marriage has to be define as something so why not have it be between a man and a woman.

On another book note I have been cured of my Twilight obsession. I still like the books, but I don't feel the need to pour over them. While at my sister's I came across a series of books that I read while living in Oregon and was reintroduced to out of a touch of insomnia. I was reminded of some male characters who are much better than Edward. If you haven't read the series yet you should. They are the Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters. So good. You have to read them in order though, but my favorites are Falcon At the Portal and He Shall Thunder in the Sky. Definitely team Ramses. Happy Reading.

My last note is about my wonderful spouse who I love and adore. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary. Can't believe it's been that long. I guess that means we have been having so much fun that time is flying by. Thanks Dames!

Family Night at the Beach!

We were able to get together with the Beck's on Monday night for family night at the beach. Their boys were home from college and they wanted to see us. We met in Oceanside in the late afternoon and just played. We also had dinner and a great lesson from Nathan about how are ancestors should inspire us to choose the right. He did a great job. The kids had a blast playing at the beach with their much older cousins. We had such a wonderful time at the beach. It is nice to be reminded of the perks you get when living in Southern California.