Pa's Visit & Travel Plans & Why I Still Don't Know How to Say No

Well, there is no real reason I can't say "no" to people.....I enjoy the things I do.....but every now and then, 30 things will pile up together and I become overwhelmed.

This does not help my pre-mentioned anxiety ridden state of life in general.

Anyway......

Pa came to visit and he always brings a sigh of relief.  Kids stay with him in his hotel.....he spoils them rotten with everything from the pool to shopping to eating out to whatever else they can talk him into.  They love it.

We visited with the crew at the Midway.........an enormous aircraft carrier/museum in the San Diego Bay.

Lots of cool stuff down there to see, including a tribute to Bob Hope.

Love, love, love this statue.

Had a lovely water front lunch including sushi and other sea-life delicacies.

Could we be more awkward?

We all got earphone tours.  Some of us listened to the info more than others.

Super cool visit.

Carter won the game they played that day, but lost this past weekend.  He's devastated.  Our sweet kid is a serious athlete.  Hates to lose.

We're hosting the end-of-the-year party, so perhaps that will lift his spirits.

That lies ahead, plus:

*Ski trip

*Field trips

*Spelling bee

*Scrabble club

*MLS participating in the Twins Convention of Temecula, CA

*Book Fair at school that I'm helping with

*Spring Break with Britney + kids!!!!!!

*A trip to Kansas City to visit Jillian

Lots going on, peeps.  No complaints!

***Oh, and hopefully I'll have some pics of a great visit with my big brother Chris, who was in town this week on business.  I've had some technical difficulties with my CF card and will hopefully have that resolved soon. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go look up with "CF" stands for.

Stuff That Is Bothering Me

1.  I have 3 kids on 3 different schedules. 

It's exhausting.  And, it won't change for another 3 years. 

2.  In conjunction with that schedule issue, Carter participates in every.possible.activity at school. 

Spelling Bee

Scrabble Club

Geography Olympics

The Green Team

Running Club

When do I sit him down and clue him in that this is all very nerdy?

(Calm down.  You know I'm joking.  It's my blog.  I can joke.)

3.  Blogger's word verification just became even more annoying.  Remember when it was one word that you had to confirm?  Now there are two and it takes me about 283 tries each time I try to comment.  Please, for the love of blogging, remove the word verfication.  Your computer will not blow up.  You might get some spam.  Promise you'll make it out alive.

4.  I missed Mardi Gras.  Again.

5.  Finn.  Fat, cuddly, and now in solitary confinement.  She pees all over our bedding. 

Caroline Clemens, I curse you for insisting we choose a girl.

6.  Traffic tickets.  Remember that violation from a few weeks ago that I'm still not entirely sure was legit?  It cost me $290.

I love California.  I do.  But, it's damn expensive to live here. 

Better go take in some ocean views to get my money's worth and feel better about this racket.

Anything bothering you today?

Back soon in a much better mood..........almost positive about that!

Kelly's Visit, Old Town San Diego & Valentine's Day

Lots to cover.

Here we go!

My Delta Gamma pledge sister, Kelly, came to visit recently.  She's lucky enough to have work in San Diego occasionally and so we see her often!

She joined us for Carter's early morning basketball game and then a pancake breakfast at the Lion's Club.  All for a good cause!

Next up?  A brief visit to Legoland.  Kel had never been and is 27 weeks preggo, so we didn't want to wear her out.

Kelly seemed less enthused about my favorite ride.  Think she texted the whole time.

The audacity!

Lunch time.  Little bit is learning to use chopsticks.  She's pretty good, too!

Spent the night in Old Town with Kelly and kids. 

Enjoyed cruising around historical San Diego.

Ate 2 meals at the Coyote Cafe.  Dinner and then breakfast, too.

Cinnamon tortillas with melted butter?  Yes, please!

Love how each restaurant has tortilla bakers facing the street, selling them by the single and dozen.

Breakfast!

One day we'll make it to this Creole Cafe.  Looks darling.

Visited briefly the Whaley House.  Super haunted and fabulous.  Kids were dying for a ghost tour.  Maybe this week when we return for a visit with Uncle Chris!

Candle making is always a favorite.  Kids had Valentine $$ from Pa and Mae Mae......so they spent it wisely, of course.  :)

Walked through the Museum de Estrellio.

Supposedly haunted, as well.  Will return for a more thorough visit after reading up on it more.

Kids swam in the morning and I enjoyed the views.



I love San Diego.

And, now.........Valentine's Day.

Carter, our 5th grader (sigh), did not have a traditional Valentine party.  He's too big.  Instead, they wrote kind essays about each other and read them aloud at their tables.

Dressed up in ties and coats.  The girls had on fancy dresses.

Tea was served.  Napkins were used.  It was adorable and heart breaking all at the same time.

My oldest is growing up.

I brought the finger sandwiches.

It was a very cool party for them. 

And, you know I wore my trademark embarrass-Carter socks.  In lieu of tights this time.

Changing things up a bit.

Wonder if he'll allow me to do this in Middle School?

Wonder if he'll allow me to enter his Middle School?

Obligatory pic.

He smiled!

Lainey has decided to marry Jack. 

 It was Valentine's Day.  Love was in the air.

Don't worry.

Jack may have other plans.

School party for Jack. 

Kindergarten is so fun, yall.

Back home to visit with the McNamara girls.

Our precious, precious girls.  Who are moving soon. 

My heart is breaking.  More on that later.

Received lots of goodies from family and friends and Jack paid particular attention to the jelly beans from Aunt Caroline.

And, he wore a tie to school 2 days in a row.

Love it.

More coming soon:

*Pa's in town this weekend.

*Might be headed to La Jolla tomorrow for an art show.

*Ski trip is being planned.

*Water Sound (next to Seaside, Florida) has been booked!

Spring is on its way here in Southern California, despite the yucky rain and cold today.

We're ready! 

I'm ready to plant flowers.

I'm ready for the beach.

I'm ready for a tan.

Later, peeps!