There are few things that would be worth what my frazzled, hormonal, tired body & mind went through today. Michelle is definitely one of them.
Let it be enough to say that by the time I got to the rental car and my GPS had downloaded maps from somewhere that wasn't California so getting to here was impossible, it was a very thin veil that kept me from saying forget it. Never again will I take them on a trip. Who was I trying to kid that these adventures with kids were teaching me so much about myself blah, blah, blah. I do not like what I learned about myself today. Every bad thought I have ever had came back today plus a whole bucket more. Reagan and Kale are the perfect travellers. Maybe the simple answer is that I let Dane stay home because that is where he likes to be and I just take the other two. The were different travellers even at his age. Kale and Reagan were both pros by 2 1/2. Dane just doesn't like it. If he has to travel it needs to be with him on a bike or hiking.
It is ok now. Michelle and her kids came to see us and we have grand plans for the week. All of her stuff just got here from Italy so we are her excuse to put off unpacking for another week:)
I'm not sure if you northwesterners want me to send weather from here. The high this week where we are is only about 72. Glad I brought the kids jackets. Plus, 1,400 fires burning down here puts a little damper on the air quality. I should be in bed. This time change is going to kill me. Dane has been asleep for 3 hours already.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
We Begin Again :)
Bad Tam has been slacking in the blog dept. I know! My best excuses are;
1. That we spent three days at the pool this week. One day Reagan had a really nice little friend, Emily over and then Reagan went to Vacation Bible School with her and had a blast. Thank you Sharisa for the inspiration on Mormons and Vacation Bible School. We need it too. Then another day my friend Marianne came over with her seven kids and we just played all day.
2. My friend, Julianna, and her daughter, Manuela, came on an adventure with us to Sevierville, TN. It is about 1 hr 20 min from us. I found out about Forbidden Caverns and just had to explore. The caves used to be home to the Cherokee Indians during bad weather and then in the 1920's the bootleggers took them over to hideout and make moonshine. At one point we were 630 feet below the surface. It was awesome. Surprisingly, I must report that Dane did not set off any alarms, jump from any cliffs, run along an off-limit path or do anything too .... Danelike. (I forgot my camera so Julianna is going to email pictures and then I will post them.)
After the Caverns we went to a great Rain Forest Adventure Park. Like a little mini-zoo. Lemurs, lots and lots of snakes, kangaroos, emus, turtles, lizards, birds, funky frogs and a really ugly lungfish. We missed the big show so we will have to go back again to see it when we visit the Chinese Circus across the street. Nothing too cheesy for us:)
3. On Saturday we went to do a little ritual I have only seen in the South. Here, when you buy/sell a house both parties meet at closing and sign together. Then you sit at the table and the seller tells you about the neighborhood and takes you on a final walk thru of the house to show you how the use the intercom, sprinkler system etc. and where to find all the manuals to the appliances and answer any questions you have about the house. Is that not the most civilized thing you have ever heard of? Our seller is going to be out of town on our closing date and we couldn't move it up because we are going to be out of town for a few weeks so she wanted to do the walk thru before we left. There is not a part of me that wanted to meet the people that bought our house in Portland. Except that part that wanted to smack them. Grrrr.
Now, would you believe we are off on another adventure? T & KRuD (Tam, Kale, Reagan & Dane) are headed to California. We drove to Atlanta tonight and will catch a flight to San Fran tomorrow. Now, I must admit some skittishness about this one. I haven't flown with Dane since he was 5 months old. Driving is at least in my control to some extent. I can stop and change a diaper, hand out snacks, threaten some fighting kids and just plain stop if we need a break to run around. Tomorrow, we will embark on a 5 hr non-stop flight in an enclosed space with the Danester. Are you as nervous about this as I am. Let us pray!
Dearest Erron flies out on the 4th and flies back a day before us. Does anyone see what I see? There better be bonus points in heaven for this one. It will be so worth it though. My best friend, or bff for all of you under age 25, Michelle is living in Monterrey for the next 18 months so we had to get there ASAP to see her. I am even giddy about it.
For all of my friends that love reading I just can't get my act together to do anything on my Goodreads page so let me tell you here that I just finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Some of you know that I love Stephanie Meyer and think she is a great story teller. What she lacks is a finesse with the words. Setterfield is like an artist with words. A real writer. I liked the book. It wasn't what I expected and sometimes that is even better.
Right now I am in the middle of reading Eat, Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. I almost didn't read it because someone told me it was one of those Oprah books and I didn't want to be one of those women who would read a book Oprah pimped. Not sure if that was true but I already had the book and it was downstairs when I need a book to run out the door with. So I started it. At first I was really excited because one of my dreams is to be able to travel and discover the 'real me'. Not far into it I got a little bummed because Gilbert seems to begin this journey after throwing away a perfectly good marriage. It is not my place to judge but that made this a little less special for me.
It is true that I can't take off for a year around the world by myself. Some days there is only a very thin veil stopping me but if I have figured anything out in the last little while it is that I never would have discovered some things about myself had I not been willing to stick it out and include my kids on the adventure. I could relocate across the country by myself any day. I have even done that a few times. But did I know that I could drive through 10 states for 2,800 miles with three kids before this year? Nope. The kids and I had done lots of trips to CA, OR, WA, ID, UT and WY but that was known territory. Since March we have travelled over 6,000 miles together. Reagan has been to 20 states and the boys 19.
My friend, Marianne, lent me another book called Chickens In The Headlights. It is like comic relief. It is told from the perspective of a boy who grew up in a family of 7 boys and he pulls no punches when he tells story after story about the mischief they were up to from early AM to late PM. Every time I need a chuckle, aka about day 4 of Erron being out of town, I read a chapter. It is too funny. I don't want to tell any of the stories because Reagan reads my blog and I don't want her to get together with the boys to carry out one of their schemes. We already find our way into enough fun.
Have a good night everyone.
1. That we spent three days at the pool this week. One day Reagan had a really nice little friend, Emily over and then Reagan went to Vacation Bible School with her and had a blast. Thank you Sharisa for the inspiration on Mormons and Vacation Bible School. We need it too. Then another day my friend Marianne came over with her seven kids and we just played all day.
2. My friend, Julianna, and her daughter, Manuela, came on an adventure with us to Sevierville, TN. It is about 1 hr 20 min from us. I found out about Forbidden Caverns and just had to explore. The caves used to be home to the Cherokee Indians during bad weather and then in the 1920's the bootleggers took them over to hideout and make moonshine. At one point we were 630 feet below the surface. It was awesome. Surprisingly, I must report that Dane did not set off any alarms, jump from any cliffs, run along an off-limit path or do anything too .... Danelike. (I forgot my camera so Julianna is going to email pictures and then I will post them.)
After the Caverns we went to a great Rain Forest Adventure Park. Like a little mini-zoo. Lemurs, lots and lots of snakes, kangaroos, emus, turtles, lizards, birds, funky frogs and a really ugly lungfish. We missed the big show so we will have to go back again to see it when we visit the Chinese Circus across the street. Nothing too cheesy for us:)
3. On Saturday we went to do a little ritual I have only seen in the South. Here, when you buy/sell a house both parties meet at closing and sign together. Then you sit at the table and the seller tells you about the neighborhood and takes you on a final walk thru of the house to show you how the use the intercom, sprinkler system etc. and where to find all the manuals to the appliances and answer any questions you have about the house. Is that not the most civilized thing you have ever heard of? Our seller is going to be out of town on our closing date and we couldn't move it up because we are going to be out of town for a few weeks so she wanted to do the walk thru before we left. There is not a part of me that wanted to meet the people that bought our house in Portland. Except that part that wanted to smack them. Grrrr.
Now, would you believe we are off on another adventure? T & KRuD (Tam, Kale, Reagan & Dane) are headed to California. We drove to Atlanta tonight and will catch a flight to San Fran tomorrow. Now, I must admit some skittishness about this one. I haven't flown with Dane since he was 5 months old. Driving is at least in my control to some extent. I can stop and change a diaper, hand out snacks, threaten some fighting kids and just plain stop if we need a break to run around. Tomorrow, we will embark on a 5 hr non-stop flight in an enclosed space with the Danester. Are you as nervous about this as I am. Let us pray!
Dearest Erron flies out on the 4th and flies back a day before us. Does anyone see what I see? There better be bonus points in heaven for this one. It will be so worth it though. My best friend, or bff for all of you under age 25, Michelle is living in Monterrey for the next 18 months so we had to get there ASAP to see her. I am even giddy about it.
For all of my friends that love reading I just can't get my act together to do anything on my Goodreads page so let me tell you here that I just finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Some of you know that I love Stephanie Meyer and think she is a great story teller. What she lacks is a finesse with the words. Setterfield is like an artist with words. A real writer. I liked the book. It wasn't what I expected and sometimes that is even better.
Right now I am in the middle of reading Eat, Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. I almost didn't read it because someone told me it was one of those Oprah books and I didn't want to be one of those women who would read a book Oprah pimped. Not sure if that was true but I already had the book and it was downstairs when I need a book to run out the door with. So I started it. At first I was really excited because one of my dreams is to be able to travel and discover the 'real me'. Not far into it I got a little bummed because Gilbert seems to begin this journey after throwing away a perfectly good marriage. It is not my place to judge but that made this a little less special for me.
It is true that I can't take off for a year around the world by myself. Some days there is only a very thin veil stopping me but if I have figured anything out in the last little while it is that I never would have discovered some things about myself had I not been willing to stick it out and include my kids on the adventure. I could relocate across the country by myself any day. I have even done that a few times. But did I know that I could drive through 10 states for 2,800 miles with three kids before this year? Nope. The kids and I had done lots of trips to CA, OR, WA, ID, UT and WY but that was known territory. Since March we have travelled over 6,000 miles together. Reagan has been to 20 states and the boys 19.
My friend, Marianne, lent me another book called Chickens In The Headlights. It is like comic relief. It is told from the perspective of a boy who grew up in a family of 7 boys and he pulls no punches when he tells story after story about the mischief they were up to from early AM to late PM. Every time I need a chuckle, aka about day 4 of Erron being out of town, I read a chapter. It is too funny. I don't want to tell any of the stories because Reagan reads my blog and I don't want her to get together with the boys to carry out one of their schemes. We already find our way into enough fun.
Have a good night everyone.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Security! Security!, Killing People at Kroger, and Breakfast For Dinner
We just had the best night! For the past week the kids and I have been bike riding after dinner. Tonight we braved the 'cold snap' the forecaster talked about yesterday. The high was only about 79*. Tomorrow we must suffer a high of 82*. Sucks to be us I know. We went riding down the street we are moving to and met our new neighbor, Karen from Ireland, and her two kids. We already know some of the other kids on that block so when everyone came out there were 11 kids riding up and down the street while the moms were chatting. It was the great American block. The kids are tired out and Dane came home looking like a little street urchin. Popsicle and Gatorade on his shirt and face. Kale with a big grin chewing his gum. He looked like the kid from Sand Lot.
The rest of the day was interesting. Reagan has volleyball camp this week and then Reagan and Kale had Piano lessons this afternoon. While they were plunking away I ran to Kroger with Dane. While I was chatting away with one of my friends we ran into and guy down the aisle fell straight back and start having a seizure. Some other people ran to get the manager and call 911 and I tried to remember what they taught me to do when the little boy, Brian, I was a nanny for when I was 18 would have epileptic grand mals. Had someone get some soft stuff for under his head and then grabbed his glasses case to put in his teeth. All of the sudden he just stopped and wasn't breathing for a few seconds. I was trying to feel his chest and all of the sudden he just took this huge breath. Poor guy had hit his head and it was bleeding. His mouth was bleeding and it took a good 5-7 minutes before he could focus on anything or tell us his name. An older lady told me you aren't supposed to put things in their teeth anymore during a seizure and for a second I thought for sure I had killed him. He just held on to my hand and was so scared. The medics got there and took over and I had to leave to get the kids from piano. Nothing like a little blood pumping to keep you awake in the afternoon.
After that exciting day I was not in the mood for a big dinner so I made the best pancakes with homemade berry syrup. All the kids like it and it smells great while it's cooking. I will add the recipe at the bottom of this blog and a picture at the side. It's my own recipe so don't tell me if you don't like it. Just don't say anything:)
This is the kids at the Houston Children's Museum. They had a blast in there for a couple of hours. They had an awesome rag rug weaving area that I am determined to copy and put in Reagan's room. I wish I had taken a picture of it but is was basically a bunch of eye bolts screwed into a 2x4. It takes two of those 2x4's attached to the top and bottom of a frame and then you tie yarn to the eye bolts at the top and then the other end of the string to the eye bolt opposite on the bottom. After you tie the yard you weave strips of cloth through the yarn and keep pulling the strips down tightly on top of the other one. I am sure there are better instructions than this somewhere on the internet. 
Here is the only picture I got of my sister. She and Kale are riding the carousal at the mall. He loved being with the hotty of the family:)
Here it is. My summer home. A little place called the Biltmore House that sits on a mere 8,000 acres. The kids and I took a little jaunt over to NC for a couple of days to see this place. I really want to go back a Christmas because I guess they really deck this place out. Unfortunately, I will probably have to leave Dane home when I go because he is on the 'not allowed on the premises' list. Reagan and Kale loved touring the gardens and the 250 room house but Dane not so much. As with the roped off areas at Graceland, Dane felt like it was only a suggestion that you not go there. Unlike Graceland, this place is decked out with brutal security and blaring alarms. As Dane ran out of my reach past one of the soft velvet ropes security jumped out of nowhere yelling, "The alarms will go off he has to get out of there." Too late. I will never forget the sound. What would I blog about if I didn't have Dane? How can I use this to blackmail him in his teenage years?
The rest of the day was interesting. Reagan has volleyball camp this week and then Reagan and Kale had Piano lessons this afternoon. While they were plunking away I ran to Kroger with Dane. While I was chatting away with one of my friends we ran into and guy down the aisle fell straight back and start having a seizure. Some other people ran to get the manager and call 911 and I tried to remember what they taught me to do when the little boy, Brian, I was a nanny for when I was 18 would have epileptic grand mals. Had someone get some soft stuff for under his head and then grabbed his glasses case to put in his teeth. All of the sudden he just stopped and wasn't breathing for a few seconds. I was trying to feel his chest and all of the sudden he just took this huge breath. Poor guy had hit his head and it was bleeding. His mouth was bleeding and it took a good 5-7 minutes before he could focus on anything or tell us his name. An older lady told me you aren't supposed to put things in their teeth anymore during a seizure and for a second I thought for sure I had killed him. He just held on to my hand and was so scared. The medics got there and took over and I had to leave to get the kids from piano. Nothing like a little blood pumping to keep you awake in the afternoon.
After that exciting day I was not in the mood for a big dinner so I made the best pancakes with homemade berry syrup. All the kids like it and it smells great while it's cooking. I will add the recipe at the bottom of this blog and a picture at the side. It's my own recipe so don't tell me if you don't like it. Just don't say anything:)
This is the kids at the Houston Children's Museum. They had a blast in there for a couple of hours. They had an awesome rag rug weaving area that I am determined to copy and put in Reagan's room. I wish I had taken a picture of it but is was basically a bunch of eye bolts screwed into a 2x4. It takes two of those 2x4's attached to the top and bottom of a frame and then you tie yarn to the eye bolts at the top and then the other end of the string to the eye bolt opposite on the bottom. After you tie the yard you weave strips of cloth through the yarn and keep pulling the strips down tightly on top of the other one. I am sure there are better instructions than this somewhere on the internet. 
Here is the only picture I got of my sister. She and Kale are riding the carousal at the mall. He loved being with the hotty of the family:)
Here it is. My summer home. A little place called the Biltmore House that sits on a mere 8,000 acres. The kids and I took a little jaunt over to NC for a couple of days to see this place. I really want to go back a Christmas because I guess they really deck this place out. Unfortunately, I will probably have to leave Dane home when I go because he is on the 'not allowed on the premises' list. Reagan and Kale loved touring the gardens and the 250 room house but Dane not so much. As with the roped off areas at Graceland, Dane felt like it was only a suggestion that you not go there. Unlike Graceland, this place is decked out with brutal security and blaring alarms. As Dane ran out of my reach past one of the soft velvet ropes security jumped out of nowhere yelling, "The alarms will go off he has to get out of there." Too late. I will never forget the sound. What would I blog about if I didn't have Dane? How can I use this to blackmail him in his teenage years? Okay, the pancake recipe.
Tam's Best Pancakes
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup Dannon lite and fit Vanilla yogurt
1 cup milk
3 eggs
3 TBSP melted butter
1tsp vanilla
Measure the Bisquick into a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, mix the yogurt, milk, eggs, butter and vanilla together and then add them to the Bisquick. Let the mixture stand for about 10 minutes before you start cooking them. While you are waiting for the batter mix together the ingredients for the syrup.
Berry Syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp corn starch
2 TBSP orange juice
1 cup frozen unsweetened mixed berries
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, cut in half
In a saucepan mix together the sugar and corn starch. Stir in OJ until smooth and add the mixed berries. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook about 4 minutes or until thickened. Removed from heat and add strawberries just before serving.
I often double the syrup recipe and put the extra pancakes and syrup in the fridge and it keeps for about a week.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert Has Died
The photos are downloaded and the blog tonight was written in my head but then I got the news. Tim Russert has died. I loved him. I loved how much he truly enjoyed politics, his father, his son, Luke, and how he seemed to be so genuine. His book about his father made me want to be his sister so that I could have had that life too. There is a list of people that I admire and would like to meet and talk to some time and he was on the list. He seemed so really happy and thrilled to be living his life. It seems that there are not that many people that find the thing they love to do and they get to do it for a career but when you watched him you could tell he was one of them. My heart goes out to his family. Sadness.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I Am An Adventurer!
I have a phobia of some situations involving water. Shower, bath, pools and clean clear rivers fine. Don't expect me to jump in the ocean. I have tried it a few times. Hanauma Bay in Hawaii made me hyperventilate. Atlantic Ocean off Long Island and Florida not so good. Pacific Ocean in Southern California doable for some strange reason. Hate lakes mostly because of fish nipping at my toes and walking in gooey mud. Don't tell me that the fish don't bother people either because they got up close and personal with me when I went waterskiing in the American Falls reservoir. Love rafting and canoeing in rivers and streams especially when they have rocky bottoms. But, at no time do I enjoy driving over water. It took me years to feel comfortable driving over all of those bridges in Portland. The Golden Gate and Bay Bridges in California just about do me in.
So why is this relevant in my life? Well, the first couple of hours today I was driving through the great land of Texas. Wonderful. I would even move to Beaumont. Steer clear of the Wendy's in Orange. Fast food rage waiting to happen. Then it started. Almost immediately after crossing the border into Louisiana the screen on my GPS started turning blue. I thought maybe I hadn't noticed it changing colors from state to state and then I looked to my left and to my right. Water, water everywhere. Not pretty water either. Swampy tree filled lakes and bayous, muddy rough rivers and channels for almost 30 straight miles. The only thing that kept me from crying and shaking was the thought that if the kids see me freaking out they will get upset. So while they were watching 'The Bee Movie', I cranked P!nk on my iPod to keep my mind from thinking about all the possible survival scenarios if the car went over the side.
Needless to say, Louisiana is not my favorite. The traffic in Baton Rouge, which sits right on the Mississippi River, was horrible. We went 10 miles in 45 minutes. Then we hopped of the road to let KI go potty in Slidell and there was no freeway access to get back on. Thank goodness for GPS because it took some serious country road maneuvering to get on I-59 N. Now I am glad we didn't go to New Orleans. Not many states have me excited to drive right on out but Louisiana is one!
I wasn't expecting much from Mississippi. In my mind I had a vision of hill billies, moonshine, and lack of self-respect. Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. This place is great. With all of the trees it reminds me of the mountains just flatter. Golf courses, nice houses and very clean. We are staying in Hattiesburg and it is a great little town. About 50,000 friendly people in a pretty and happy place. I think I could have a vacation place here and be darn excited about it. Ross, my buddy here at the Courtyard, gave me good directions to get here last night. The address was wrong on the Internet and I couldn't get mapquest to jive with the Marriott website so I called. He set me straight and then today about 20 minutes out of town I called the hotel and he answered. I asked for a local pizza place and he set us up. Our pizza was delivered while we were checking in. We are master travelers now.
I can't believe we left Houston without a picture of the kids with my sister. Oh well. There is always Myspace:) Wendy's boyfriend, Chris, was really great to let us stay with them. It is a totally different mind set to go from having no kids or at least older kids to having three young Sorensen's. Especially Dane. Youza. Chris's dad, Jim, is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was raised in Brooklyn, NY and had a lot of great stories. He has done a lot of interesting things. Most of the time I didn't even remember that he is suffering from MS and spends his time in a wheelchair. He is so peaceful and content that it made me want to be a more grateful person. And so funny. Not many people are quick enough to tease my sister. Our lives are definitely blessed because we got to know him.
While we were at Wendy's I had one of those moments that makes all of the crazy times on these trips worth it. The kids were talking to Jim and they were telling him some of the places they have been and some of the things they have seen on our different trips . Jim said, "Wow. You guys have been all over." Kale piped up and said, "Ya. Our mom is an adventurer." I'm not sure why but I think that is the greatest compliment he could have paid me. I am an adventurer. That alone over shadows the days I don't wear make-up or do my hair. It out shines the fact that I am overweight and don't get to dress up for the office anymore. It definitely makes me want to live up to that list that I started as a teenager of all the things that I wanted to accomplish in this life. That list has doubled over the years. Everything I pass off the list sees three new things on the list. Books to read, mountains to hike, places to visit, languages to learn, goals to set. What's next? If Dane will get potty trained so he can go to preschool I am going to start piano lessons in the fall.
So why is this relevant in my life? Well, the first couple of hours today I was driving through the great land of Texas. Wonderful. I would even move to Beaumont. Steer clear of the Wendy's in Orange. Fast food rage waiting to happen. Then it started. Almost immediately after crossing the border into Louisiana the screen on my GPS started turning blue. I thought maybe I hadn't noticed it changing colors from state to state and then I looked to my left and to my right. Water, water everywhere. Not pretty water either. Swampy tree filled lakes and bayous, muddy rough rivers and channels for almost 30 straight miles. The only thing that kept me from crying and shaking was the thought that if the kids see me freaking out they will get upset. So while they were watching 'The Bee Movie', I cranked P!nk on my iPod to keep my mind from thinking about all the possible survival scenarios if the car went over the side.
Needless to say, Louisiana is not my favorite. The traffic in Baton Rouge, which sits right on the Mississippi River, was horrible. We went 10 miles in 45 minutes. Then we hopped of the road to let KI go potty in Slidell and there was no freeway access to get back on. Thank goodness for GPS because it took some serious country road maneuvering to get on I-59 N. Now I am glad we didn't go to New Orleans. Not many states have me excited to drive right on out but Louisiana is one!
I wasn't expecting much from Mississippi. In my mind I had a vision of hill billies, moonshine, and lack of self-respect. Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. This place is great. With all of the trees it reminds me of the mountains just flatter. Golf courses, nice houses and very clean. We are staying in Hattiesburg and it is a great little town. About 50,000 friendly people in a pretty and happy place. I think I could have a vacation place here and be darn excited about it. Ross, my buddy here at the Courtyard, gave me good directions to get here last night. The address was wrong on the Internet and I couldn't get mapquest to jive with the Marriott website so I called. He set me straight and then today about 20 minutes out of town I called the hotel and he answered. I asked for a local pizza place and he set us up. Our pizza was delivered while we were checking in. We are master travelers now.
I can't believe we left Houston without a picture of the kids with my sister. Oh well. There is always Myspace:) Wendy's boyfriend, Chris, was really great to let us stay with them. It is a totally different mind set to go from having no kids or at least older kids to having three young Sorensen's. Especially Dane. Youza. Chris's dad, Jim, is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was raised in Brooklyn, NY and had a lot of great stories. He has done a lot of interesting things. Most of the time I didn't even remember that he is suffering from MS and spends his time in a wheelchair. He is so peaceful and content that it made me want to be a more grateful person. And so funny. Not many people are quick enough to tease my sister. Our lives are definitely blessed because we got to know him.
While we were at Wendy's I had one of those moments that makes all of the crazy times on these trips worth it. The kids were talking to Jim and they were telling him some of the places they have been and some of the things they have seen on our different trips . Jim said, "Wow. You guys have been all over." Kale piped up and said, "Ya. Our mom is an adventurer." I'm not sure why but I think that is the greatest compliment he could have paid me. I am an adventurer. That alone over shadows the days I don't wear make-up or do my hair. It out shines the fact that I am overweight and don't get to dress up for the office anymore. It definitely makes me want to live up to that list that I started as a teenager of all the things that I wanted to accomplish in this life. That list has doubled over the years. Everything I pass off the list sees three new things on the list. Books to read, mountains to hike, places to visit, languages to learn, goals to set. What's next? If Dane will get potty trained so he can go to preschool I am going to start piano lessons in the fall.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
All Good Things .......
We have really enjoyed being in Houston. Yesterday, we took the kids to the Children's Museum for a couple of hours. Bonus that the museum was in the mall so I got to run into the Texas store and Wendy bought each of the kids a souvenir. We came home in time for the kids to change into suits and jump in the pool for about 3.5 hours. For the second day in a row Dane staggered out and said he was tired and wanted to go to bed. Will wonders never cease?
Today, we hit Splashtown for 5 hours and mom was not as vigilant about getting the sunscreen on every 1/2 hour and we are all fried like catfish. Of course that didn't stop the kids from jumping back into the pool for an hour after dinner. They have loved Aunt Wendy's pool and would gladly take it home with us. We may need to rethink and buy a house with a pool.
Splashtown is the greatest water park I have ever been to. They have lots of slides for kids of all ages and the best play areas for the little kids that I have ever seen. The biggest slide is called the Texas Freefall and you literally climb 5 stories up and then drop straight down. Spencer, the kids' 14 year old cousin, was challenging them to do it and and would you believe that Reagan and Kale both did? Not this momma. Dane and I went on some slides his size about 30 times. Despite him running for all those hours at the water park and swimming tonight, we could not get 3 out of 3 nights with him falling asleep on his own. I had to drag him out of the pool at 8:30pm to get into the shower. I gave him Tylenol for his sunburn and Melatonin and even then it took another 1/2 hour for him to drift off.
The next couple of days are going to be long driving days. We will spend the night in Hattiesburg, Mississippi tomorrow night and then bust the rest of the way home on Friday. Originally, I had planned to spend a day in New Orleans but I have repeatedly heard that it is still less than completely safe and I have never been there and know nothing about what to do and where to go on a good day. So just decided my route today and am more in the mood to get home than find something interesting in Beaumont, LaFayette, Baton Rouge, or Hattiesburg. Does that make me a lame boring mother?
Today, we hit Splashtown for 5 hours and mom was not as vigilant about getting the sunscreen on every 1/2 hour and we are all fried like catfish. Of course that didn't stop the kids from jumping back into the pool for an hour after dinner. They have loved Aunt Wendy's pool and would gladly take it home with us. We may need to rethink and buy a house with a pool.
Splashtown is the greatest water park I have ever been to. They have lots of slides for kids of all ages and the best play areas for the little kids that I have ever seen. The biggest slide is called the Texas Freefall and you literally climb 5 stories up and then drop straight down. Spencer, the kids' 14 year old cousin, was challenging them to do it and and would you believe that Reagan and Kale both did? Not this momma. Dane and I went on some slides his size about 30 times. Despite him running for all those hours at the water park and swimming tonight, we could not get 3 out of 3 nights with him falling asleep on his own. I had to drag him out of the pool at 8:30pm to get into the shower. I gave him Tylenol for his sunburn and Melatonin and even then it took another 1/2 hour for him to drift off.
The next couple of days are going to be long driving days. We will spend the night in Hattiesburg, Mississippi tomorrow night and then bust the rest of the way home on Friday. Originally, I had planned to spend a day in New Orleans but I have repeatedly heard that it is still less than completely safe and I have never been there and know nothing about what to do and where to go on a good day. So just decided my route today and am more in the mood to get home than find something interesting in Beaumont, LaFayette, Baton Rouge, or Hattiesburg. Does that make me a lame boring mother?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Mission Impossible
Had you told me even this morning that I would achieve what until tonight I have thought impossible, I would have sighed and said, "In my dreams." Are you ready for this? We wore Dane out. At 9pm central time he staggered out of the pool after four hours and said, "Mommy, I want you." "Do you want to sit in my lap?" "No. I am done. I want to go to bed." Stunned silence from everyone at the pool. Me, Wendy, Dylan and especially Reagan and Kale. For us it is the equivalent of reaching the end of the Internet. It is not something we would ever see in this life. Me falling asleep in a chair watching Dane ride his bike at 7:45am sure. Reagan and KI begging for quiet time while Dane launches the scooter on one more round in the house maybe. But Dane, asleep and snoring without one complaint or even the need for Melatonin NEVER!
Had a little summer flash back this morning. Wendy and I took the kids grocery shopping at Kroger. I promised myself a long time ago that all three of them food shopping would not happen again if I could help it. This morning reminded me that they are all home for the summer and Erron barely lives with us so unless I want to start shopping on Sunday, they get to come with me for the summer. One of the least fun things that I can think of.
Good night to all.
Had a little summer flash back this morning. Wendy and I took the kids grocery shopping at Kroger. I promised myself a long time ago that all three of them food shopping would not happen again if I could help it. This morning reminded me that they are all home for the summer and Erron barely lives with us so unless I want to start shopping on Sunday, they get to come with me for the summer. One of the least fun things that I can think of.
Good night to all.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Houston, The Blazer Has Landed!
My friend, Sharisa, had the best line yesterday. I was telling her about how I took the kids to my favorite breakfast place Braums. They have vanilla yogurt with fresh strawberries and bananas and nuts on top. Love it. Dane took one bite and threw up the nuts all over the table. Kale picked out all of the bananas and Reagan picked all of the cheese off of her ham, egg and CHEESE biscuit. Sharisa said, "There they go, writing over those good memories you used to have."
The day in Dallas was too short. We played with Sharisa's kids in the pool, visited the Dallas Temple and got scrumptious cupcakes from Sprinkles. The best part was sitting in the hall outside my hotel room talking to Sharisa. We had to sit out there because the extra ears in the room wouldn't go to sleep and there are just some times that kids should be in bed so moms can catch up after not seeing each other for 11 years. We have earned it. It was fun to catch up and even better to talk to someone who knew me before. Before I was mom or mommy.
This morning we packed up the Blazer and drove 220 miles down I-45 South to see my sister in Houston. This is my first time in this part of Texas and I have to say that I love it just the same. It makes me even more jealous that my sister, Wendy, gets to live here. The kids spend most of the afternoon and evening in her pool and got to see their cousins, Spencer and Dylan, for the first time in about 6 years. To put it in perspective the last time they saw each other Kale was 15 months old. It is a little sad to say that our family does best with each other in small doses but as long as we are happy we shouldn't rock the boat. No reunions in the near future.
I think Kale has met his match. His cousin, Dylan, is 13 and he and Kale sparred in the pool for over an hour. So many times we have had to hold Kale back from playing rough with his friends because of his size and strength that it was eye opening to watch him go full force with an older boy. I was nervous and almost had to sit on my hands because I'm not sure just what is okay when big boys are wrestling. Kale was in heaven. Hopefully, he doesn't try the new headlock move on any of the little guys in Knoxville.
Dane insisted on going with Wendy to get Chinese food for dinner. Things were going great until they walked out of the restaurant with the food and Dane stopped, turned and said to the lady, "I don't like you and I don't like Chinese." Oh Dane. Obviously, 'Parenting The Strong Willed Child' is not paying off. He does love Spencer though. A little hero worship I think. Dane has followed him around all afternoon. Spencer is 14. My boys need an older brother. Maybe I should rent one a couple afternoons a week:)
I left my pillow in Dallas at the hotel. Do you think that is a good enough excuse to go back and get it and maybe get lost there. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I really am here.
The day in Dallas was too short. We played with Sharisa's kids in the pool, visited the Dallas Temple and got scrumptious cupcakes from Sprinkles. The best part was sitting in the hall outside my hotel room talking to Sharisa. We had to sit out there because the extra ears in the room wouldn't go to sleep and there are just some times that kids should be in bed so moms can catch up after not seeing each other for 11 years. We have earned it. It was fun to catch up and even better to talk to someone who knew me before. Before I was mom or mommy.
This morning we packed up the Blazer and drove 220 miles down I-45 South to see my sister in Houston. This is my first time in this part of Texas and I have to say that I love it just the same. It makes me even more jealous that my sister, Wendy, gets to live here. The kids spend most of the afternoon and evening in her pool and got to see their cousins, Spencer and Dylan, for the first time in about 6 years. To put it in perspective the last time they saw each other Kale was 15 months old. It is a little sad to say that our family does best with each other in small doses but as long as we are happy we shouldn't rock the boat. No reunions in the near future.
I think Kale has met his match. His cousin, Dylan, is 13 and he and Kale sparred in the pool for over an hour. So many times we have had to hold Kale back from playing rough with his friends because of his size and strength that it was eye opening to watch him go full force with an older boy. I was nervous and almost had to sit on my hands because I'm not sure just what is okay when big boys are wrestling. Kale was in heaven. Hopefully, he doesn't try the new headlock move on any of the little guys in Knoxville.
Dane insisted on going with Wendy to get Chinese food for dinner. Things were going great until they walked out of the restaurant with the food and Dane stopped, turned and said to the lady, "I don't like you and I don't like Chinese." Oh Dane. Obviously, 'Parenting The Strong Willed Child' is not paying off. He does love Spencer though. A little hero worship I think. Dane has followed him around all afternoon. Spencer is 14. My boys need an older brother. Maybe I should rent one a couple afternoons a week:)
I left my pillow in Dallas at the hotel. Do you think that is a good enough excuse to go back and get it and maybe get lost there. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I really am here.
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The Sorensen kids at Register Rock Idaho
