Effort

Oh how I love waking up and putting on comfy pants with my long t-shirts.  So nice.  Until I look in the mirror and see that I look like a total slob.  Most days I put on work out clothes, head to the club to work out, shower there, and put on my nicer sweats.  On the days I don't work out I don the older comfy pants.  And I look like a mess.  Why is it that just because I'm pregnant I think I can get away with it!?  As if putting on a skirt or dress or capris is really any more difficult than putting on sweats.  Ugh.  I guess I will try to put forth effort today.  I guess.  I am, after all, going to the trial run at Georgia's cafeteria (prep for next year as a first grader!), so I will be seen by people other than my children and the people at the grocery store.  Oh the effort I foresee it taking....

If you want to find me this summer...here's where I'll be!

This weekend: Brynn is in town for some fun!  Sure to be some good times (and good food) had.
Next weekend: Lake trip for Memorial Day, cut short by driving back to town with Jess to meet up with Di to see Carrie Underwood in concert, followed by a day or two of hanging out (while Trevor, Jason and the kids play at the lake).
June 5-6: Last weekend before school is out.
June 12-13 & 19-20: Nothing planned...either house projects or going to the lake....and let me think which sounds like more fun....
June 20-25: Summer sports camp for Georgia (golf) and Murphy (baseball, soccer & basketball)
June 26-27: Recovering (probably at the lake)
July 1: Murph is 4!  And James is 2...party time!
July 2-18: Lake with Jess and Lucy.  I plan on, surely being quite large at this point, sitting with my feet in the lake (OK, maybe not since I can't handle sliminess).  At least I won't have to do much but watch the kids play in the sand and take boat rides!
July 19-23: Spanish Camp for Murphy and Millie at their new preschool.  Georgia and I are SO looking forward to this time together "to do projects we can't do with the monsters around."  I'm thinking painting pottery, going to the book store, going to lunch and getting pedicures will be checked off the list during those days from 9-1!
July 24-25: Relax
July 26-29, August 2-5: Tennis camp for Georgia
August 4: Millie is 2!  
August 9-13: Art camp for Georgia and Tennis camp for Murphy (through August 19)

At this point I will have one week left until baby girl is born.  One week of nothingness to organize for the chaos.  I'm hoping all the camps and activities (violin Thursdays, all three in swimming lessons Mondays, and Georgia will have swim team a few days a week starting June 21 and swim meets every other Thursday...) will wear them out and they'll cooperate nicely for me.

I have a few things I'd like to squeeze in too: a trip to Utah to play and hike and hang out, and a drive to Missoula to see Andrea, Brett and their kids.  We'll make it happen...
The goal for me is to stay busy enough that I don't have time to think about the heat or my expanding waistline!

Birthday Fun!

Georgia was completely surprised by our last minute surprise party we threw for her.  Grandpa Dave took her shopping and to lunch while we frantically got everything ready (and everything included planting bushes out front, filling in the beds with dirt, cleaning off the patio, setting up tables, chairs and food, and showering.  Funny what we can get accomplished with a little motivation).

Some weren't so thrilled with the girly presents :0)

TROUBLE

Now that's one happy birthday girl!

Happy Birthday, Georgia

It doesn't get much better than Georgia.  I am proud to be her mom.  She amazes me on a daily basis, from her abilities to her kindness to her willingness to try anything.  Truly inspiring.  I can hardly believe is six.  Time has flown.  Thinking back to her as a baby (please, God, model the unborn child after this child!) she was so easy going.  Go with the flow.  She "got it."  It was like having a toddler from the get-go.  And now that she'll be graduating from kindergarten, she seems even that much older.  I did something right to deserve such an amazing girl.


Georgia has inspired me to be brave: try new things.  If you don't succeed, try try again.  As she says, "practice makes perfect."  Such is true when you see her doing a cartwheel or a flip on the monkey bars.  She just doesn't give up.  Such an inspiring characteristic.  Even thus far it has proven to be a positive one for her.  From swimming to violin to reading to yoga to backyard tricks.  She just doesn't give up.

I love Georgia's confidence.  Probably the reason behind so readily trying new things.  I hope it sticks with her for life.  She has all the reason to be confident.  What a girl.  We. Are. Proud!

Happy Birthday Georgiarella!

We love the sunshine!

Shhhh

I'm finding it hard to find something to do right now.  Don't get me wrong, my to do list is miles long and includes filling in the front beds with dirt (after removing ugly prickly bushes yesterday), planting some flowers, watering, cleaning up after my day of yard work yesterday....never mind....I'm right back at it today - the shovels and clippers can stay out, and then moving on to the back yard, where the list is even longer.  I have to vacuum, do laundry, clean off my desk, collect library books, as we just got the "materials due soon" e mail notice, hang some pictures, and water my plants.  It seems, however, everything I need to do requires some bit of noise, and I am not making any noise right now, aside from the clicking keyboard.  It's 9:05am.  Georgia ate her bagel, scrambled eggs (with a scoop of cream cheese mixed in...thanks Jess for that idea!) and yogurt, drank her milk, got dressed, brushed teeth and hair, drew a few pictures (she's getting really good at horses...and I had major flashbacks of my younger days drawing horses for hours), read a few chapters (she has a book in her hand all day!), got her backpack ready and headed out the door to school.  Murph and Millie?  Still asleep!  How did we manage to accomplish the morning routine in enough quiet so as not to wake them!?  We did it.  And now here I sit, waiting for them to wake so they can eat their bagels, scrambled eggs and yogurt, drink their milk, get dressed and head outside to get started on riding bikes and scooters and skateboards and digging in the dirt while I check things off my to do list!

Some more Picnik fun

Mother's Day @ Priest Lake

We had an awesome weekend at Priest.  Trevor's birthday was Saturday and Mother's Day was Sunday.  We did nothing but play outside and watch movies inside when it decided to rain.  The kids played nonstop, and it was wonderful to get away for the weekend and not worry about house projects. etc.

Happy Birthday Trevor!

Murph Dog

Picnik fun

After a horrible photography class...this is all I learned. At least they had fun!

Millie seems so concerned that I can't figure out the lighting and settings on my camera.  Murph just thinks it's comical.

Recipes

Update: The dinner last night was so-so.   I'd rather get take-out for curry...and be really satisfied!
I'm trying this tonight!

OK, in addition to many other things, it's my mission (and the mission of many a friend) to make yummy, easy dinners that are easy to plan.  Here are a few favorite recipes, in addition to the ones I previously posted.

White Chicken Chili

Spinach Pesto and Pasta

Zesty Chicken Enchiladas

Black Bean Soup

Colorful Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Parmigiana

Granola

And of course anything and everything on here!

I may be addicted...

Wenatchee

We went to Wenatchee this weekend for Jessica's brother's annual memorial ski/golf tournament.  We had a great time - the cousins played non-stop: bike riding, playing at the golf course, running the halls of the hotel, tackling...  Georgia was in LA with Nani to visit the Pedersens and go to the American Girl store.  It was quite strange without her.  I said, several times, "Murph, hold Georgie's hand.....oh nevermind."  Strange not to count one, two, three heads!

Fun weekend, awesome cause, beautiful weather, great people.