Exploring the Riverside!

A beautiful day's exploration along the river banks. The foothills are just gorgeous this time of year! The kids had a fabulous time just hiking along, throwing rocks, jumping along the riverside and more! We saw huge tad poles and few craw-dads and heard lots of creatures moving in the brush--though we never did see them! Karly and I were happy with that.

Awesome day!

Halloween Party-A First!

The Kernteam was invited to it's first true Halloween Party. Karly's buddy from school sent the evite for this 69+ people event and they really go all out! Of course after I RSVP'd, I found out that the adults dress in costume too! We quickly lost Daddy's attendance once costumes were in order. HA! I knew the large group thing was already not in his comfort zone. Funny thing too, Kyle almost did not attend once he heard how many people were going to be there. "I don't like crowds". Hmmm.....who does he sound like? That would be Kent!

So Karly went in her planned angel costume attire and was all smiles. There could be a thousand people and she'd still be happy and social. Kyle decided to leave his Halloween costume at home and go with a costume easier to play in for the party--a football player. Kent was cleaver to add balloons under his jersey to look like pads. Then there was Mommy. A girlfriend at the gym helped me dream up my "financial crisis" outfit. It was original and fun!

We had a great time, though Kyle doubts he'll go next year. He says he'll be staying home with Dad! "Too much people". LOL!

Escaping to Half Moon Bay

Sometimes you just need to get away. With a few stressful weeks nipping at our ankles, a day for just the two of us was in order. With a quick phone call to mom and a babysitter followed by a special shopping trip or two-our plans were secured for a great retreat from the day to day. Our destination, the beach of course, this time, Half Moon Bay.

Kent proposed near 16 years ago on the beaches of Half Moon Bay. Thus great memories, a nice drive and a fabulous beach prompted my plans to surprise Kent with a picnic lunch! We had about 40 minutes of sunshine before the marine layer took over, but it was just what we needed. Some time together, some relaxation and not a stressor in sight. We watched a couple fish, an retired old man body surf (very cute) and even saw a seal galavanting along the shoreline. Okay, we also enjoyed a yummy chocolate mousse royal cake! It was delicious and the perfect treat for a day of "us".

The ocean remains a favorite spot for us. The Pacific might not be as warm as our Caribbean experiences, but it's still the ocean and it still holds a touch of magic for this couple! Love it!

Pig races, pumpkins and play!

Harvest fun at Bishops Pumpkin Farm! We started our day with the pig races--our pig won both heats! Then we were off to the petting zoo and to indulge in our first round of treats-apple pie and cookies! The corn maze got two thumbs down due to bore factor-too long, and the slides were not as fun as the kids remembered. We explained to Karly and Kyle that things change as you get older. :) We did however come home with a pocket full of marbles from the marble mines and a few great pumpkins! The weather was quite pleasant and we had great family time!




The highlight of the day: the animals. The kids just love farm animals. We saw an amazing, huge Tom turkey! We spent many a quarter feeding the same few goats pellet food.




Ah, the slides that seemed slower and the lines longer than the kids remember. Funny how different things look at age three and age eight! They are growing up but trying to hold on to the magic!

Of course the M&M caramel apple and ice cream cone were a hit as well! The perfect way to end our harvest tradition!

Leaping Lizards!

Boys will be boys right? After driving home with the kids today, we noticed that our lizard family (we have a group of lizards frequenting our front and back yards) was sunning on a rock in the front yard. After dragging overstuffed backpacks inside, Karly hits her homework and Kyle asks if he can go out and see if the lizards are still there. The front door opens and closes a few times and Kyle mumbles updates about how many lizards he saw, where they darted to when he went close, etc. Then the quiet came. 15 minutes passes-I'm working away on volleyball stuff at the computer and the front door slams and Kyle calls for help.

"Mom, can you come and help?"

"Sure buddy, what do you need?"

"My darts...."

"Your darts?" "What?"

"They are in the bushes......there are bees."

I get up and round the corner of the kitchen to find Kyle standing tall with nerf gun in hand.

"You aren't shooting at our poor lizard family are you?"

Kyle grins and states with certainty, "Nope, I was sure to aim about two inches off."

Too funny! I cracked up. At least his compassion left the suckers two inches! I guess that's exactly what a healthy little boy does! Reminds me of my dad shooting hoses with bow and arrow when he was little. BOYS!

Ready for some FOOTBALL!

The team: Texans. Kyle's most regular positions: QB and receiver. The commitment: Thursday night practices, Saturday games. Win/Lose record: all wins. The successful experience factor: TBA

It's been an interesting experience for Kyle to take the field and work under a coach with a little more intensity in a sport that requires a little more rough and tough than Kyle is used to. Sure, he's an athlete. He can play the game. He can see the play, he get's where to be and how to get there. He feels the instincts. It's his emotions and inner battles are what seem to hold him back the most.

The intensity of the coach was an issue at first, but I think he's getting more used to that now. Then, he struggles with hearing coaching. He sees it as being critical rather than helpful and it hurts him. But the biggest hurdle...he dreads making a mistake (darn, of all his mother's traits to get, I wish he didn't catch this one)! Just this week, he had his best play of the season, caught a pass and ran half way down the field..........but he then stepped out of bounds when the pressure of footsteps were looming in. He was SO upset he stepped out of bounds! We talked for two hours over it. I had him get me a QB football card, he brought Tony Romo. We looked at his stats. His fumbles, his interceptions. Point being good players, who get paid serious $$ for their skills, make mistakes. He tried to understand, but?

Will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes. Kent and I treading carefully wanting to be firm with him that he needs to be coachable, but cautious to hear his heart and calm anxiety. Not easy!

Nonetheless he's a fabulous player! He does very well and I hope he can learn to balance his emotions so he can continue forward in the sports he loves!

Kyle is clearly focused and ready to head out deep for a pass!
This one caught. Kyle has great hands!

Kyle plays the most at QB. Here he takes a hike!
Last play of the game. Great throw (you can see the ball if you look closely) though it wasn't caught. The Texans still take the win!

BONKERS!!!!!

Yes, bonkers! This blog mini-story is simply a Mama vent. The exasperations of a mother who can't believe how busy the weeks are and how the hours of the day slip by! Every week I say, next week will have less in it. Next week I'll be able to keep up better, get more done, finish that project......you name it. I have no important job title, I have no accomplishments that I can hang on a wall and I have no job description-but I sure do a lot of nothing. How on Earth can I not keep up with "nothing"?

Anyways, if you are wondering why there aren't more blog stories lately it's because I'm running around, volunteering somewhere, picking up a kid, buying more cereal, milk and apples (the commodities we run out of the most), helping a friend, exercising for sanity, and so on!

I love living the bonkers lifestyle, wouldn't trade it for the world, just wish I could get ahead of it one of these days!

Aren't these two pictures funny! I asked the kids to show me some "bonkers"!