A Time to Vent

Okay, I will warn you this is going to be a "bitch" session. So, I took Sophia to get her hair TRIMMED yesterday. We went to Cool Cuts where we always go. I asked the stylist to trim her hair half an inch and texture her bangs. I then sat down to wait. The first few times I had been there I'd stand next to the kids while their hair was being cut, but I have felt comfortable enough to sit in the waiting area.

Yesterday, my friend and I were sitting there waiting, and here comes Sophia after her haircut. It looked HORRIBLE!!!!! The woman cut her hair in like 8 layers and she basically looked like she had a mullet. It was freaking AWFUL! My friend was angry, and I just started crying. I hate to say it, but the haircut took me back to the orphanage two years ago! I balled and balled. There was just more to it than a BAD haircut.

So, the manager said she wouldn't charge me. I was like you're damn right you'r enot charging me!!! Pardon my French, but I was ANGRY! I felt like I didn't protect my child from someone who did her harm.

The stylist said, "Well, hair grows fast." UMMMMM, that is NO consolation, and Sophia's hair does NOT grow fast! She had just at nearly five years old gotten to the point where she could wear her hair in one very low pony tail!!!!

Call me shallow or whatever, but hair can make a person look like an entirely different person!!!! And, my little girl does not look like herself. It is not that I love her any less or anything like that - it just urks me that she doesn't look like herself. So, here's to three months of her hair growing out if we're lucky. I'd post a pic, but that just doesn't seem nice to Sophia. You'll see her hair in two very short pig tails with it full of gel to hold it since her hair is literally too short in the front and sides to even put in a rubber band!

And, for those who don't care much what their kids' hair looks like. Good for you - I'm not one of those people. Sorry, I'm just in a foul mood over this situation.

The Boy and Quotes

Here is the pic I promised of shaggy haired Zack without one of his teeth!
I walked out back to find this today!!!!! I had to run in and grab the camera before he noticed me there!

Then I had to make him pose after I stole an action shot without him knowing!

And, this was tonight's "delicious" dinner - Hot Pockets, Gushers, and stuff God made!

Quotes:

First thing in the morning:

Mom: Zack, what are you doing up so early?

Zack: I got up to reek it up in here - TOOOOOT!

At an hour and a half adult meeting:

Zack exclaims with excitement: That was fun! Then in a somber tone - Not really.

Randomly:

Zack: I'm sleeping with a fox!

Mom: Silent waiting to hear what follows...surely an explanation.

Later I find that he found a stuffed fox in the garage! Some day this might have a different meaning - oh, Lord, help me!

At the mall paying a cashier:

Mom: Sophia come over here, please.

Sophia: Yes, my Lord.

Mom: Thank you, my Lady. Trying to regain some sense of pride!

Typically, Sophia just calls me "my lovely". I'm not sure where that came from, but it is better than what she'll call me when she's in high school sneaking hoochie clothes into her backpack and telling me all of her friends' parents let them dress like that!

Life is Fragile

We have had a real reminder of that today with the news that my mom's pastor's oldest son was killed in a car accident yesterday. Tyler Wilkerson was only 17 years old and excitedly preparing for his senior year and college life.

Please keep his parents and 7 siblings in your prayers as they mourn such a great loss and attempt to embrace God's grace during this time.

His death will affect the lives of many people - as the pastor's son of a large church, this will no doubt cause some questioning and soul searching as people try to make sense of a senseless situation.

The address to the church should you want to send condolences to Pastor John Wilkerson and family is:

1000 Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90813

A Right of Passage

Today my son lost his first tooth! I did not take a picture, but I will tomorrow! He was so excited, and he is sure that the tooth fairy is going to forget. But alas, I am still awake past midnight, and the cash has been placed under his pillow!!!

Tonight as we shopped for his school clothes, I was a bit emotional looking at his face that is losing all of the baby. But, boy does he look handsome in his new clothes. He is very into clothing and shoes which makes me happy, and he's already talking about a new girlfriend at his new school - it is just in him.

Memories

Today my kids made some new memories while Jen and I talked about the many memories that we shared in jr. high and high school 25 years ago! We got together at Boomers so the kids could play while we chatted and cheered them on. The kids got to do everything from miniature golf to rock climbing and since there were no lines, they got to do things over and over again.

I commented on Jen on the birthday when she emailed me out of the blue. We decided to get together and meet each other's kiddos. No matter how many years pass, whenever we meet, it is like we were together just yesterday. We were inseparable as teenagers, and I'm not sure why we haven't stayed in closer contact as adults but that is gonna change. Our kids hit it off very well. All four are very polite and well behaved which makes any day with four kids that much more enjoyable. Her two, Josh and Matt are 6 and 10.

Some of the memories we relived included going dancing with a couple of guys we were "madly" in love with. Remember dancing was forbidden for us!!!! We also remembered stealing her parent's liquor from over the fridge and making all kinds of concoctions. When they came home a day early, she squeezed half a tube of tooth paste in her mouth to cover the alcohol smell! It was with Jen that I enjoyed listening to my first cd!!! We had some fun times, but we never got into real trouble at all. Those were the big "sins" we committed. Well that and listening to Def Leopard and the Beastie Boys. However, we both made it to 18 as virgins which wasn't all that typical at our little Christian school. Not sure we were proud of it back then, but we both hope our kids will follow suit!!! Neither of us go for the smorgasbord idea of sex during teenage and young adult years. It was cool to see that we both have many of the same hopes for our kids.

In talking, we both have realized that happiness is an illusion, but the true joys in life are found in the tiny moments we share with the people we love. We're getting together again next week which the kids are excited about!

It was very strange to stand there as 38 year old women with our children even though we still feel like we are walking around like we never grew past 17... We still have the same fears and hopes that we did back then.

Enjoy the pics of the kids. Next time around, I'll try to get a better group shot.




Run away golf ball... We spent most of the game saying, "Don't touch anyone else's balls"!

This was a seriously high rock wall, and Zack and Josh both made it to the top several times. Matt gave a great effort, and Sophia was way too little for it.

Jen's oldest, Josh (10) was such a nice boy. He went on all of the rides with the kids and didn't even have that "I'm 4 years older than you 'tude". Very nice kids...

Not the greatest group shot, but here are the four people that these two "kids" are raising!!!

Boomers

Today we're headed out to Boomers to hook up with my BFF from high school. I'll let you know how it goes!!!!

All about Uncle Drew - Happy 21st Birthday!

Sophia misses her Uncle very much!

Today we celebrated Uncle Drew's 21st birthday with him. He was nice enough to take the kids to Chuck E. Cheese on his birthday just like I did last week for mine! Lucky for him, they serve beer at Chuck E. Cheese! I didn't know that!!! So he got a beer to toast in his first day of being legally able to imbibe. The kids were unaware of this as they were too busy playing. I'm not keen on having people drink in front of the kiddos. Call me old fashioned if you must.

The kids had a blast celebrating his b-day. Then, Uncle Drew left us to go and play with his grown up California friends before they head back to Dallas! Yee Haw! That won't be before having good Mexican Food, enjoying a donut after 10AM, and buying liquor at any store no matter what county! There's no more Baptist left in this boy. Love you bro.

Here are a few pics of the fun which ended with a wonderful dinner:

They were both taking this flight very seriously!

His first beer as an official 21 year-old!

Uncle Drew has grandpa's ear lobes, and the kids LOVE to play with them...poor Drew!

Allie bought a YUMMY cake for him...it went fast.

JUMMMMMMMMY!

You don't wanna know!

Don't you just love to see kids laugh from the bottom of their toes???? He's cracking up on Drew's shoulder, and he did leave residue!

The hair is growing out, and the hat is worn to hide the mess until it can look something other than sloppy!

No pics today just parent type talk... I have two kids who are scheduled to see the dentist, the optomestrist, and the pediatrician! I have a feeling we have a couple of cavities and a tummy issue. I am beginning to think Zack may have celiac disease which means he may be allergic to gluten. I have had him tested once, but it is my understanding that I need to have him tested again so this mom will be scooping the poop samples again - blah.

Often when we're out, people comment on how adorable the twins are! Zack responds, "I'm 6, and she is only 4"! Which brings me to my next medical question - should we do growth hormones for him. This will be a topic of discussion with the pediatrician. We shall see if perhaps his tummy trouble has something to do with his short stature. I'll see what the professionals say before I give a more educated opinion.

Zack's height doesn't hold him back from much but, if he had longer legs, he would be better able to compete with kids his age. Although competing is not the end all to life. He starts soccer camp this coming Monday so we shall see if he holds his own regardless of being the size of a 4 year old. I think he's cute and perfect just as he is, but I keep telling myself I must, as a good mom, look into the future not just at today.

Anyone from the Southern California area know of any unique fun parks to take the kids to????

Discovery Kids Museum

Today we went on an adventure to the Discovery Kid's Museum in Santa Ana. We had a great time, and the kids learned so much. The first item of learning was part of the Grossology exhibit - they learned how to examine animals' poop in order to match the poop to the correct species!!!

Then we learned about tapeworms and how they get into your body and grow. We also learned that parts of the worm come out in your poop! YUCK!

Mom has to catch some poses because that is what moms do! I have heard one say that posed pics are not good, but I beg to differ. I love to get pics of them posed because they'll only pose for so long, and then I'll have no choice but to sneak random shots.

They even had a rock climbing wall. Sophia did her best with a little help, but she had a blast and giggled the entire time!

Zack of course scaled across the wall like it was NOTHING!

The kids learned about geysers by creating puffs of steam that poofed right in their faces!

Here kitty, kitty...

Zack climbing something he shouldn't have been climbing, and mom snapping a shot before telling him to come down immediately!

They learned about pulleys by pulling themselves into space.

I think this was Zack's favorite part of the day. It was a virtual volleyball game. It was fun to watch the kids from the other side. When you can't see the screen or ball, it looks strange to see the kids getting so competitive over swinging at the air!

Sophia excitedly learns about leverage.

Zack learns all about blueprints and planning before building. He is so darn intense with stuff like this!

Under the sea...

Zack learns about gravity as he rolls the racquetball onto the spinning table.

Sophia lays on a bed of nails! Zack said it hurt.

Taco break...Zack likes tacos very much which is great since I love Mexican food, and I really needed him to like at least one thing on the Taco Bell menu!

Refreshing sweet tea which if a favorite of Sophia's. I keep them away from the caffeine except on special days.

Learning about the density of liquids. They were fascinated.

Acting as though they are in a real lightning storm...

We're parched in the desert.

I believe I can fly...

Help, save me from the long neck!

Nothing like climbing up the huge tail of a dinosaur!

Zack standing in a pile of plastic dinosaur poo!

They had an earthquake simulator that we all three climbed into as we watched and felt the earthquakes in Japan, Alaska, and San Francisco. The kids just lived through their first earthquake days ago, so this was meaningful to them. I don't think they'll be as scared next time around.

On the drive home... I think she had a fantastic day!

Zack watching Scooby Doo on the drive home. He just keeps tickin'.

On a side note, my stinkin' air conditioner fan broke!!!! There is nothing like driving around in this heat with no air. If I drive on the freeway the air will come through the vents very cold, but it won't reach the back seat because the fan is broken so the windows need to be open. So by the time we get anywhere, we are all sweaty little pigs!!!! It is horrible. I'm taking the car in on Monday - it ticks me off that a 2006 has this kind of issue already! Dang American made SUV! My next car will be German or Japanese! Don't hate me because I'm logical!

According to Sophia, "That was the BIGGEST, FUNNEST place"!