Murray May Be A Stud

Let's get it on...arr arr arruuuugh!! Let's get it on... arr arr arruuugh!!! Murray (our yellow labrador who is a "MANLY DOG") may be singing this song in a few months. READ ON:

I had a friend and her girls over for lunch and a swim last week and we were discussing our plans for our theatrical productions for VBS. When she arrived, she was "loving on" Murray with lots of hugs and pets and kept mentioning how she really wanted a lab. She asked me how it was going with his hyperness, and I explained that he has a very "laid back" disposition. She was surprised with that given his young age (he's two years old). And I said that we were pretty lucky that he was such a great dog. I explained that we hadn't had him fixed yet, because we were considering breeding him so my sister could have a puppy. Since moving to Michigan, they now have a beautiful Golden Retriever and have their hands full, so it was just a matter of time before we would have him fixed.

The next day, she approached me and told me that her husband agreed that she could have a big dog and she really wants to train it from a puppy. She seemed embarrassed to ask me if I would consider breeding Murray with her friend who has a Chocolate Lab. She said that he has many friends who would like a puppy and he wasn't interested in doing it for money but rather to give his friends gifts. I told her that I'm sure Murray would enjoy that (hee hee).

So, we will see what happens. Of course the kids want a puppy.. but I told them that they would have to be satisfied with taking a walk with Murray and his puppy.

Husbands Golf Trip

Somehow it slipped past me or perhaps it was just mentioned once in the middle of the moving chaos that he was going on a three day golf trip with his best buddy one hour north of Las Vegas. Since Kalynn was away at camp, the boys and I were here to hang out together.

I talked to him periodically during his trip and he seemed to be having a good time which is nice because he needed some down time after the move.

The day before he was to come home, I got a phone call from him that started out "honey..I'm okay". I thought uh-oh what happened. He continued saying that they went golfing and he was driving the golf cart. The course was a bit "hilly" he explained that the brakes didn't work quite like the cars he is used to driving. He then explained that he rolled the golf cart and when they landed he was looking at the sky and his golf shoes sticking up in the air and his best buddy was on top of him. The clubs were thrown everywhere and he had a few cuts and bruises but other than that they were A.O.K. His friend was more embarrassed than anything and told him that given his profession why wasn't he able to drive a golf cart!! Although this could have been more serious, it struck me so funny...the visual of it was hilarious. I laughed for a solid five minutes and still get a chuckle when I think of it.

I'm glad he's home safe and sound. So..uh..when is my trip??

Who Would've Known These Places Exist?!?

Boy is this summer going by fast. As a stay at home mom who has a husband who sleeps during the day, it is always a challenge to find things for the kids to do during the day that will allow him to sleep peacefully. So this year it was announced in C.D.'s preschool that the Adult School was offering a Field Trip summer school every Wednesday's. Siblings could accompany. It only cost $25 bucks to join and you were able to buy tickets for different events at a group rate discount. The first week (we missed because of the move) was to the Huntington Library which has a newly developed water park for the kids to enjoy. Apparantly they had a blast at that one. Then the next week we were able to participate and met up at the IMAX theatre (downtown) and we saw the 3D Wild African Safari (VERY COOL) and then have lunch and walk around the Childrens Science Museum (ALSO VERY COOL) There was too much to see in one day at the museum but it was very kid friendly for all ages so my 10, 7 and 4 year old all enjoyed it. The museum was very hands-on and interactive. Loved it.

This week we were able to go to the Hollywood Bowl for a kids program. The performance was a bit of a musical with the story line being that there is this old sail boat called the Global Harmony that is delivering bells to six different countries. The country of Brazil (the show we saw) was the first country to receive the bell. The kids were able to choose a craft based on the country of Brazil and the rainforest and after the craft time, they saw an awesome show with samba and the excitement of the Carnival. The other countries they will visit in the weeks to come are Israel, Japan, Native America, Russia, and Scotland. Very cultural for the kids and very fun AND only four bucks each..>Can't beat those tickets! Hopefully we'll be able to catch some of the other shows.

It is amazing to me that I have lived in Southern California my entire life and have not been to alot of these places with the kids. Life is so busy that it takes an organized field trip class to show me to slow down a little and enjoy what is offered around town. Between this class, free Regal movies Tuesday mornings, VBS, and having a pool to go swimming anytime... I think there is enough entertainment for the summer.

Already Old Enough For Youth Group?

So on Sunday afternoon I actually had tears in my eyes as I was waving goodbye to my daughter getting on a HUGE bus with about 80 other 5th/6th graders going to Lake Arrowhead for a week. Can she really be old enough to be going away for a whole week? I remember what happened when I went to youth group...She has been so excited about this all summer but ...

Let's back up to about 30 minutes before she left on the bus. We arrived at the designated time for her to leave and she was greeted by a friend from school and church who was excited to see her when all of a sudden this other girl from school ran right in front of her and literally took the original friend away with conversation and body language that was excluding KaLynn. It was pretty obvious that Kalynn was being left out and I was very tempted to say something (very much feeling like a mama bear) especially since this one girl can be very snotty. I pulled Kalynn aside and reassured her that she was going to have a fun time and pointed out all of the other girls that she knew and she said very seriously and confidently to me.."I'm going to be fine mom".

I then realized that this is what life is about.. and that she is learning life lessons and how strong of a person she is. I am so proud of her. I know that my emotions were more raw and sensitive when I was her age. My mind has constantly been on her and what she might be doing right now. I can't wait to hear how it went.

What exactly is a Blog??

How odd to think that I am actually joining this Big Blog Club. Where did the "b" come from. Should it be just log? Or is it because you type all of your random thoughts where they become blah..blah..blah.. thus Blo (ah) g? Considering that I actually created a blog page six months ago and am just now creating a post..speaks volumes as to the procrastinator or perhaps just distracted person I have become. But I suppose this could be a fun form of communication and a way to journel current family..life..events, since I never seem to have time to keep a written journal these days. NOW..I have to figure out how to add pictures. That will be my next task. Will see how it goes since I have not kept up with all of the latest technology.. Like what exactly is an IPod.