More Random Scoop

 Seems to be all we're capable of right now........randomness!

Here is the view from my bed......where I've spent many of my days, trying to escape the heat.  I love our little house.

 At night, the lanterns come on and it's even lovelier.

We all know my kids are weirdos, but even this baffles me.  Lainey insists on putting Lamby and other stuffed animal favorites in the fridge or freezer.  She loves them cold.

This is not a heat wave thing.  This is a Lainey thing.

 

While Carter was with friends overnight, we took the little ones to the beach.

Our little toots are getting pretty good on the boogie boards.  

Next up, surfing!

I love the many faces of Laine.

 

 Look at her short hair!  It falls just below her shoulders.....and looks even shorter when I gel and curl it.  Super cute.

One of the best parts of having kids so close together is that they are the best of friends.  Arch enemies at times, too.  But, more often than not, friends.

 

Carter is back.  

The heat is still miserable.

School is starting soon.  Backpacks, supplies, new shoes and athletic clothes for Carter have been purchased.  Almost ready!

Weekend Scoop

The end of summer is here and I'm feeling the itch to work on some house projects.

The boys' room is in transition........bunkbed/loft system has been dismantled and we're waiting on their new set up.  Should be about a week.....until then, the boys are loving sleeping on mattresses on the ground.  It's actually the perfect time for this since the temps have been so high.  They're spread out, nice and cool!

I also started a photo collage in our kitchen.  We almost never eat in here.......hence, the table pushed against the wall.....instead, it's a family-center of sorts.....for homework, backpacks, dance clothes and all the little extras that land there during the day.

(That mom cleans off eventually, of course.)

I like the start....and we'll add to it.  It's a mix of canvas, framed pics and Subway art.

We have 3 backpacks hanging on chairs this year since we'll have 3 school age children.  Plan B was put into place recently, with Lainey starting Kindergarten this fall.  The state of California says she's old enough.  I say she's not.  So, we'll start her under the condition that I can hold her back and have her repeat Kindergarten next year. 

We certainly could change our minds during the year and have her proceed to 1st grade, but I'm doubtful at this point.  Regardless, she will start with her brothers soon enough and I'm still trying to process all of this.......but feel good about our choices.

And, speaking of Lainey......our jewelry party was a ton of fun last week.

Lainey was in charge of pictures.

As always, our friend's backyard was an amazing tropical paradise.  I can't believe all that she does back there.

And, our camera girl isn't the least bit shy when it comes to self-portraits. 

Lucky for her, there was some play jewelry, too.

Our Middle Schooler is registered and ready for 6th grade.  He got his schedule and it's a good one.  So fun to see all that is ahead for our oldest.  His school has amazing clubs and after-school activities, including a surf team!  Carter says he'll try out in 7th grade, after he works on football and other sports this year.  Plenty of time for everything.

Blake has expressly forbid me to bring cameras on campus, wear tights or knee high socks, or embarrass Carter in anyway now that he's in Middle School.

I concur.

Which means Jack and Lainey are next!



I've been a reading lunatic this year.  I think I have about 30 books already finished, which is usually what I achieve by the end of the year.  Not sure what has gotten into me.

Gone Girl is my latest.  By the same author of Sharp Objects, which I read a while ago.  Heard it's good...enjoying it so far.

LOVED this next one....given to me by my sweet friend, Jillian,...This is Where I Leave You.  About a dysfunctional family forced to sit shiva after their father's passing.  So many random, crazy things happen when these 4 siblings are stuck in one house together, obligated to talk and recall childhood memories and analyze how each other has turned out in their adult lives.  Highly recommend.

The Seamstress was also excellent.  Set in 1920's and 1930's Brazil, two sisters are separated during the revolution.  Each takes on a very different life from the other.  Fascinating.

Like the Fifty Shades of Grey series?  This is the next round,  it seems.  Bared to You.  I honestly could not believe the blatant similarities, and this one - pause for effect - is even more graphic.

Total crap.  But, yes, I will likely read the sequels. 

Just like movies, I have no standards with books.  I prefer a better grade of writing, but sometimes it's nice to just sit back with a no-brainer.

Any recommendations?  I am up for anything.

Back-to-School Night for the little ones this week. 

Lainey is a bit nervous, but will bring her Justin Beaver lunch bag for moral support, I'm sure.

Raisin' these kids right, peeps!

Oh, and finally.

Romney/Ryan 2012.  I like it.

Although, since we have a Mormon and a Catholic here, Allison and I got to thinking that we might just have a future in politics since we're of the same religions.

McNamara/Starnes 2016.

Of course, we'll have to do a ton of lying and hiding and denying due to my wild college years, but isn't that the very basis of politics, really? 

I think we're on to something.



Scoop - I Hate San Diego And Other Stuff

I'm allowed to say that for up to 2 weeks out of the year.  It's part of the code.

1.  It's been in 80s here, which doesn't sound horrific to most of you, but it is.  It really is when you don't have AC. 

Just look at this:

Tonight Aug 8

80^°FObserved High12:05 pm

70^°F

Thu Aug 9

80^°

70^°

 

Fri Aug 10

80^°

70^°

Sat Aug 11

76^°

69^°

Sun Aug 12

75^°

68^°

We might not make it thru the weekend.

2.  The boys' room is getting a makeover.  I've finally had it with this system:

It worked in Colorado when we had bigger rooms, but hasn't really fit well since then.  It eats up floor space and doesn't leave much room for play.

Jack wants this:

 He'll be getting this:

Good try, Jackie.

3.  Carter starts Flag Football tomorrow. 

Have I ever told you how much I dislike tackle football for young children?  I do.  He did it in the 2nd grade and I never could relax much and enjoy it.  Just not a fan.  Luckily, Carter is game to do just about anything, so he was thrilled when his basketball coach called and asked if he could play football.

Might be trying out for Middle School sports, too, this year.  Rarely do 6th graders make it onto 7th or 8th grade teams, but I'll keep you posted.

4.  School starts soon enough and both boys will be registered and ready by the middle of next week.  Cue the waterworks for me with Carter starting MIDDLE SCHOOL.

5.  Lainey and I are off to a jewelry party at a friend's house.  She was the only little girl invited b/c her manners are so exemplary and she's just so precious and sweet.

As you can see, my plans with keeping the kids a safe distance from anyone knowing the real "them" is working swiftly and successfully.

Later!



Vacation Wrap Up - We Returned To California

 Know what's fun on day 11 of vacation?

Pack, check out of your hotel, go to the airport, return your rental car and get kids prepared for their flights.

And, then find out that weather will delay your second flight from Atlanta to LAX.  

Instead of getting stuck in ATL without luggage, we opted to take the next available flights home.  2 days later.

What to do?

Find another hotel with availability and check in.  Unpack.  Get ready for dinner.

Compliments of the airline?  Nope.  Weather delays aren't covered.  Awesome.

Since we gave away a case of beer, sand toys, sunscreen and more.....we got to buy it all over again.

Thank God for a view.

I reviewed some advice on Facebook and we headed out to The Hangout for dinner.

Quite the wait time.  We kept the kids busy.

Great food.  Great atmosphere.  Worth the wait.

Shrimp and grits.  Yum.

An elementary kid foam party busted out around 10pm.  Our kids are TOTALLY going to be ready for spring break in high school.

Another day.  Beautiful Alabama. 

(pains me to say that with football season approaching)

This hotel had an indoor/outdoor pool with a 'car wash'.  Kids were in heaven.

 

Finally found a boat to take us out to Robinson Island to hunt for hermit crabs.

It's completely deserted, except for the boats that dock and visit.

By far, my best purchase on the trip:  old school Panama Jack flip flops for $5.50.

Each kiddo found crabs.

And, some cool shells.

I told Blake that if the Starnes family had been with us, we might have booked the boat for a bit longer.  He didn't know why.

Umh......the captain, maybe?

Lots of crabbies.

Dinner that night at the Shrimp Basket, recommended by the boat captain.  

I didn't care for this kind of oyster so much with red sauce and Parmesan, but I am still sure the captain is brilliant.

Thursday morning arrived.  We loaded up the car AGAIN and crossed our fingers.

I don't have the patience and memory at this point to recall all that happened, so I'll just re-post what I put on Facebook at this point:

2 hours of sleep....made it as the doors were closing on the flight....disaster during security with all of my Aveda products tossed in the trash b/c I put them in the wrong bag........played musical chairs until all children are comfortable........pretend to spill a drink on Blake b/c he's already about to have a breakdown.....ACTUALLY spill the drink on him.......listen to Lainey start screaming "We're going down! We're going down!" as we begin to land.........then I look over and see this. W.T.H, Jack? Oh, and I left my camera on the plane. S Blake Starnes said he had to go to the restroom. Haven't seen him in a while. Might be on another flight far, far away from us.

Thank God for Jack.  I couldn't stop laughing.  He sat like this, without explanation, for a good minute.

Pensacola to Atlanta to Milwaukee to Los Angeles.  11am-11pm flights.

Arrived home at 2ish.

Lainey was up at 6:30am.  Of course she was.

Info on the house we rented:

In Water Sound (near Panama City Beach, FL)........just beyond Seaside and Water Color.

Here is the link to the house.  It doesn't come up very well....but the info is there.

Had a blast in all locations.......highly recommend Orange Beach, too. 

If we return to Water Sound, we will fly into Panama City Beach.  Much closer.

Off to look for the delivery van containing 2 more bags still missing.

And, get Lainey's hair cut b/c she only let me put it up twice in 2 weeks, so it's basically in dreads from the ocean.

Dig the sand out of every part of our house.

Who wants to travel with the Starnes family?  :)