fall is in the air

It's definately fall in California. I know it, by just looking around me.

Wow, don't blink!

I blinked and summer was over.

I blinked and the 1st day of school was over.

I blinked and the 1st trimester of school was over.

I blinked and I now can order some Yankee Pot Roast at senior citizen discount night at Denny's.

Well, ok, maybe not that last one, but I'm afraid to blink again, that's for sure.

To catch up:

We now have a pool.

1 kid can tie his shoes, the other just likes to be pampered.

Mohawk down, Mohawk back, Mohawk down.

Um, 20th reunion happened.

Getaways galore. Yummy, most awesome french toast EVAH, at Foreign Cinema in San Francisco. mmmmmmm. Melt in your mouth!

Freezer full of Venison.

Austin jams on the guitar. Hunter quit. I plan on the no pressure approach, but he still likes to pick it up and play around the house sometimes.

Austin decided he wanted to climb a rock wall, although he is afraid of heights. About 1/2 way up he looked down, and was not happy. Little dude kept on going, and would not quit until he got to the top. What a guy, to face that fear head on and claim his life. No fear was going to keep him from having fun and trying new things. Austin, I so want to be you when I grow up!

Hunter was still not ready for 2-wheeling, but he made some improvement and then asked to wait a while longer. It's all good. In your time, little man, you will rule the world.

1st grade happening, boys separated for the 1st time. AJ told me that everyday after their lunch recess they say good-bye to eachother (although they play separately) and they tell each other "you're always in my heart". What a way to melt mom's heart, huh?

Halloween is this week, and Hunter still wears last year's costume, just for fun. This year I have Jack Sparrow and Darth Vader in my home for Halloween. We did a Pumpkin Patch field trip with the school. And today we went again, the boys, Mike and I. Gotta love shorts weather at the pumpkin patch.

This week I took Halloween off to play with the boys at their class parties. DeeDee and Charlie will be coming over to trick or treat with us and the Zanotti's. Then this weekend, flying solo to LA to hang with the Stering clan for yet another of Ancient Audrey's birthdays.

Happy Halloween!

Good Golly Miss Molly

I have another canine daughter.
Molly is 2 and a half.
Molly loves the boys.
Molly is a princess.
Molly is a good girl.
Molly is here to stay.

And, us?
We couldn't be happier.

a few of my current obsessions

So, this year is my 20th high school reunion. I'm feeling a little ancient, but yet, I still feel like I'm not really old. I mean, I have these total school girl crushes on movie stars, I like rockin' out in the car, I play video games and skateboard with the kids, I even still watch the Brady Bunch. 40's right around the corner, but I'm still having a good time. Here are some of my grown-up obsessions:

Ummm, Johnny Depp. Can't get much better than that. I got a little frustrated on the photomerging in Photoshop, but whatever.

Yes, the Brady Bunch. I have this. The complete series in a Green Shag carpet box. The boys and I watch it all the time. Some great life lessons in it. You can buy it here.

Guitar Hero. Yes, Austin playing at 10pm in his tube socks and swim trunks. It's a family obsession. I was the 1st of the family to master Freebird, but little man now kicks my butt. He plays the game on Hard, and if you've ever played this, then you know that is amazing! Check it out here. We have 1 and 2, but I hear there's a new 80's one. Must go track it down!

And ofcourse:

Love how they did this movie. Different than the book, but it holds up on it's own and keeps the story on the right track. Have you seen his topless picture for Equss? Is it bad to lust after a then 17, finally 18 year old? Don't answer that!

And this book! Magical! Amazing! (did you catch the magical...LOL). I cried when it was over, not just because of what happens, but because it was over. JK Rowling sure has a way of story telling. Loved it, re-reading the series for the 2nd time this summer. In between the Brady Bunch and Guitar Hero, ofcourse.

And finally:

Back to Johnny. But can you get more kick-ass than Elizabeth Swann? And is it me or is Orlando Bloom getting hotter every film? But that Johnny..... MMMM

So what are you obsessing over?

Feed Jake

Jake Ray Marcoccia

03/04/1995-07/07/07

Rest In Peace

Tag, you're it!

Renee and Jen tagged so...These are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment. So, time for my 7 random facts:

1. In my dreams I am still my highschool weight. For reals, every dream, even the ones in Spanish. I'm talking less than 100 pounds skinny.

2. I am a complete and total nerd, and I’m ok with that.

3. My name is Bat Bogey Hexer on the Leaky Cauldron, a Harry Potter message board. (back to the nerd thing)... Oh, and I still feel Snape has to be good, but I'll be finding out for sure later this month. yeah!

4. I never let my kids go to bed without hearing at least one good belly laugh a day. I figure that when they grow up, no matter how crazy times could be, we could always find laughter.

5. I’m a cat person with no cats, but 2 dogs.

6. I took 6 years of French, but Je ne parle Francais. (I don’t speak French) Maybe because 4 years of those lessons were taught by Mr. Fong.

7. I wish I could that dance where girls make their butts jiggle up and down without moving the rest much. I know it’s a knee thing, but whatever, wish I could do it.

So if your read this, consider yourself tagged. Just about all the bloggers I know have already been tagged because I took so long to do this.

To Do, Or Not To Do

I've been double tagged, I know, I know. Just buried in work and summer fun. I'll respond to the tag on my next post. For now I will leave you with the summer To Do list we have going on. More like save face on all my parenting faux paus:

Learn to play guitar.

Well start lessons anyway, and they have. Lesson #2 was today. They have graduated from Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb to Old McDonald, on the 2nd lesson. I was told within the 1st 5 minutes of Austin's lesson that he is a "Natural". Natural at what, I still don't know.

Learn how to swim.

Yes, bad mom and dad have 6 year olds with no swimming capabilites. They took lessons one year, but still, no can do. Last year Austin had the broken arm all summer. Hunter, well Hunter just doesn't want to do it. So we signed them up for semi-private lessons. Hopefully this will work out for some basics. They start the class 07/02.

Learn to tie shoes.

In the world of velcro straps and Vans slip ons I have failed to teach my kids how to tie their shoes. Being that they will now be big 1st graders, I believe it is time they learned. Or more like time for me to take the time to teach them how. Anyone have any good teaching tips, or silly rhymes to make it happen?

Read everyday.

Any favorite titles for 6 year olds? I've been reading to them the A to Z Mysteries. That and Nate the Great were their 1st "chapter books", other than the bible, which Austin read all the time. Austin could read them, but to hold Hunter's attention, I'm reading them. It's great watching them trying to solve the mystery before they really know it will end. Then they both have to read me a book of choice. The school library is open every Thursday and they check out up to 2 books and get to take the AR reading tests for raffle tickets. They're not quite ready for Harry Potter, but ready for something more adventurous than Go Dog Go.

Do something fun away from the house every week.

Yes, bad mom, totally need to be remind myself of that. Between work and life, I seem to forget to get the kids out of the house and be adventurous. The good thing about working from home is no need for a sitter, I'm home all day with the kids. The bad thing about working from home is I'm always at work. It's so hard to tear myself away when I know work is just right there needing to be done. So far we went to Disneyland and we went to Santa Cruz. Although they were both during the 1st week of vacation, I gave myself credit for 2 weeks of gettaways. I know, I cheated, but we had unexpected impromtu partay at the house on Saturday with a butt-load of kids destroying my home, so I think we can count that as a day at the zoo. Plan to get to San Francisco and hit the Exploratorium before the summer is up. Plus a train ride from Lodi to Sacramento and the Train Museum, since we have annual membership and have only gone once this year.

Teach Hunter how to ride 2 wheel bike.

He has no interest to do it, and no trust in Mike and I teaching him. He's never trusted us if there was the slightest possibility of bodily harm. Even if I threaten bodily harm. Ummm, I would never do that, but then again, you never know. I love riding my bike and so does Austin, but it really cramps our style to wait for Mr. 4 wheeler peddaling a la stiff backed Alice behind us. And not having any sidewalks in the neighborhood, but rocky asphalt, it just seems safer for him to ride 2 wheels. I think Maryann will get a "crash" course this summer, too. They can both lay in bed and heal together from all the "ooops I didn't mean to let go" accidents that come their way.

Well, that is my To Do list for the summer. Yes, it all revolves around the boys. I do have other things that I want to tackle personally, but that can wait until fall. Right now, I just want them to have a really great 1st summer vacation. Next year's To Do list will just be a chore list. Trying to figure my way around some of the child labor laws, but that's the nice thing about being in the country, no one can hear you screaming for help.

So what are your plans for the summer?

Got Disney?

Got Sun...

Got Game...

Got Hats...

Got Princess...

Got Rockin'..

Got Wet..

Got Pins..

Got Silly..

Got Treasure...

Got Autographs...

Got Candy...

Got Excited..

Got Goofy...
Got Tired...

GOT DISNEY!

Summer's Here

Made it through Kindergarten Promotion performance:

Competed in Kindergarten Olympics:

Successfully began summer vacation:

Now what are you going to do?


We're going to Disneyland.
Be back next week.

Mo-Hogs and Chicks

So what do you do the 1st time your son requests a hairstyle? You let him do it? Oh yes, you do. Austin for months has been cutting his hair short, save for the bangs, so he can gel them up. So GQ. Hunter, really hasn't cared what his hair looks like. Until now. It started as a joke, but as soon as he saw it in the mirror he said "Don't change a thing!" WE talked him in to letting us clean it up, but alas, the Mo-Hog is here to stay.

Monday conversation at school between Hunter and a little girl in the class.

Girl: So Hunter, why did you get a Mohawk?

Hunter: Because the chicks dig it. (not really, but in essence, yes)

Real Hunter: So the girls will love me, do you love me?

Girl: Uh, NO! (In the whole what-EVAH tone)

Shortly after it was snack time/recess, and who do you think sat together to eat? Litlle miss No-No couldn't get any closer to Hunter without sitting on his lap. Yup, I'm breeding stud-muffins. All the chicks dig those bad boys, even the kindy-garden ones.

Long winded

What does your family do for entertainment? Mine, well, we wash clothes. Simple pleasures. I always like washing and folding the clothes before, I just hate putting clothes away. I know there is a previous post about how I love unfinished projects. Anywhoooo..... Washing clothes is so much more entertaining now, especially since the windows are the perfect height for little boys. Don't you just love these things. You can find me sitting in a chair in the laundry room just washing the clothes tumble. LOVE IT! Like I said, simple pleaures.







So the boys are at the perfect age to begin chores. Today Hunter learned to sort the laundry, and we loaded the washer together. Woo Hoo! It was a good time. He had a lot of fun tossing clothes in to piles. I have forgotten how even a menial task can actually be made fun. Austin was busy with dad rinsing out soda cans and milk and juice containers to put in the recycling buckets. Not that there was a lot, but enough for a little be good to your planet talk. He was more intrigued with the idea that we get to make money off our garbage.

I've been a terrible recycler. It has always made me feel guilty that I threw the stuff away. Cans we always recycled, but bottles and plastic and paper just made it's way to the big trash bin. It was hard with the boys when they were little, when I had little time to even clean myself, let alone properly clean my home. So if it was done, it was in the trash. Many a guilty days. Now, the boys are in recycle training and so excited because they get the cash, and when they're psyched about a getting a nickle, this is like hitting the lotto for them.


And speaking of recycled paper, I've been having some guilt about all the scrap stuff that just sits in my room. At least a rainforest full of paper sits there unused. Audrey's PTA is holding a fair at the school, and one thing they are raffling is a scrapbooking basket. So, on National Scrapbook Day (yes, there really is a day for us) while so many obsessed scrappers are out there making use of their goods, I will be cleaning up my scraproom, and finding stuff to donate to Audrey's PTA group. Lucky me, I should see her for lunch tomorrow because she is in Sac at a PTA conference, but returns to LA tomorrow. I was supposed to meet for dinner yesterday, but I have an allergy induced sinus infection.


One thing is for sure I'm not getting rid of my Bam Pop paper. It's making it's way on so many of my layouts! I did this one of Hunter for IDOS. Yes, I know, another terrible scan. I think I just need a larger scanner so I don't have to do the whole photomerge stich deal. I just suck at it. Anyway, I just love the BamPop paper, and just cut away and use little pieces on about every layout I do. So obsessed. Even the label strip makes it on my layouts. I think this is the second time I used the little strip under a picture instead of tossing it.

Hunter is such a dreamer. So cool to have captured that look in a picture.

Little man is about to lose his 1st tooth. Bottom left tooth is loose as a goose (whatever that means-do geese have loose bowel habits or are they an easy catch for a little sexy fowl play?). The other front bottom tooth is getting lose as well. He's so excited about the prospect of a tooth fairy visit and being able to to turn in his teeth for money. They're growing up ===fast. (those equal signs were supposed to remind you of speedy smoke trails behind a fast moving object. I guess if I had to explain it, I'm assuming others are not quite the match for my dorkiness).


By now you're thinking "No kidding about the long winded!" But that wasn't really my point with the title of the post. Well, sorta, because I haven't blogged in a while and had a lot to say. But really it was a clue to where I just came back from. I'll give you a hint:




or even a better hint is:



Love the do's in the wind. The only things keeping my hair from looking like the bride of frankenstein is all the wax I put in my hair, and that little blue felt barrett. Did you get it already? THE WINDY CITY????? Chicago, Baby! Absolutley loved it. Loved the cleanliness, the friendliness, and the floweriness, and the foodliness, and drinkliness, architechtureness and the story of Elliott Ness with all the mobster heiness of Al Caponess. Very cool city. Gained 4 pounds in 4 days, with non-stop walking. Ofcourse a lot of non-stop drinking and eating, but you know. Gotta go back some day. So much to do, see and eat. If I had to move anywhere, that is where I would move. LOVED IT!

So, what have you been up to?

Tae Kwon DON'T

This is where I would normally have some cute picture of my kids. But there are none. Well....there are tons, just none related to this story. See the boys went last Saturday for their 1st Tae Kwon Do lesson. I figured, the camera could stay home until they get to don the cute little pajama uniforms with the belt and all. Smart school, they start off with 2 free private lessons to provide an intro for the kids, then they assess what class level the little ones should be in. I believe it is to assess the instructor's patience level with kindergarteners.

1st lesson, teen pimple black belt learns no matter how much he has mastered his mind and body, he was no where close to prepared for the Marcoccia boys. Uh, not even a smidgeon close to prepared. 10,000 Star Wars questions before they hit the mat. Twin A punching teacher out of turn, as teacher was looking at Twin B. Twin B performs upright epileptic fit, which he truly believed were jumping jacks. Twin A spin kicking in the air, when there was to be no kicking in the lesson. Twin B going to the restroom and leaving the door open for all to watch. Twin A closing the door on Twin B without turning on the lights, leading into Twin B screaming bloody murder fit (much like jumping jacks without a smile).

Results were, "Boys, you have one more chance for next Wednesday. You need to learn in the next week how to focus, answer always with 'Yes Sir' or 'No Sir', no talking out of turn and listen to my instructions." Teen pimple black belt turns to me, "Ma'am, your boys will need to learn some discipline and focus before next weeks visit, or they will not be able to return". Mom: "Why in the heck do you think I brought them here?" (Exact words, question left unanswered).

Sooo, Wednesday I am flying to Chicago and you better believe my camera is going with me. Mike is taking the boys, but I can't find the charger for the old camera. In otherwords, there may be no pictures of the boys being told to Tae Kwon DON'T.

Back From a Galaxy Far, Far Away

We're baaaack. The trip to LA was a blast. The Science museum was really cool. http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/ We saw an IMAX film about the Deep Sea creatures, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Then we went in. Way cool exhibit. So much to see and do and touch. I could have been lost in there for hours, but the boys (Hunter) had thoughts of Star Wars gift shop on the brain.

I got a bit hooked on Guitar Hero. What a fun game. So glad I don't own it or I would really get nothing done. At one point Serafina was challenging Austin, and as he was jamming he said "I sure hope I catch the Rock n' Roll spirit". Rock on, little dude!

Really cool to see Audrey and family. I can't believe how grown up the kids are. Easter egg coloring and hunting was so cool. And just the interaction between all the kids was really cool. I'm real happy we made the time to get down there and can hardly wait for the next time.

An April Fool and a Mandarin Pixie

Hooray for April Fool's Day! The boys loved that it was April Fool's Day. They woke up with almost the same excitement and anticipation of Christmas. They tried to fool us all day with "you're shoes are untied" to "There's a spot on your shirt". I love that they have a sense of humor and found the day to let that prankster humor lose about as exciting as getting a present from Santa.

Speaking of Fools, you can see this fool's latest layouts in the Mandarin Pixie (http://MandarinPixie.com/) gallery. The shop owner, Jennifer, asked me to be the Guest Design Team member for April. Great fun! I loved her stamps, great fonts, easy to use, cool selection. You can see my layouts in her gallery, but here's one teaser for you, plus one more that is not in her gallery because I used her stamps for the IDOS Design Team challenge for March:

In the "Pretty in Pink" layout, I used a number 8 from her Piqued Alphabet to frame the sides of the picture of Serafina. In the "Con Papi" layout, I used the Pupcat alpha for the SF. Like I said, check her store out, good stuff.


Ok, time for an old fool to finish up some work and hit the hay. The boys are spending the night at our neighbor friend's house, so I get to sleep until my body tells me it's enough. WOO HOO!!!

Faith

H:"Austin, can I tell you something? I love God, I love Santa, I love my flambily and I love Money, but do you know who I love the most?"
A:"Who?"
H:"God. You want to know why?"
A:"Why?"
H:"Because he built this world for us to live in."
A:"You know, I think we're going to be true Jedis."
H:"Yes, I think so, too."

A conversation between the boys about 2 minutes ago as they play on the computer. This one makes me happy, well, not the money part, but shamefully, it usually works in that order. Just happy that Flambily came 3rd in the top 4.

We're Catholics. However, you never see us in church. We eat meat on Fridays during lent. My forehead has no ashes on it on Ash Wednesday. We only say Grace before holdiday meals with family. I can't remember ever going to confesion. But Mike and I have a strong sense of faith. We feel closer to God in the outdoors, surrounded by nature. And when I lay next to my children to read to them, I feel it was faith that helped me get there. Faith in God, faith in modern medicine, faith that it would work, faith in Mike and my marriage. We may not be the most visible worshipers, but we never ever lose faith.

So hearing my children so freely talk about God makes me happy. I've never pushed religion on them. However, the only chapter book we have read through more than once is the Children's Bible. By choice we have read through 2 different versions in their entirity, twice each. And when they pray, they always pray for others and not themselves. They always add the sick kids, the hungry kids, and the little kids that need love to the list of flambily and pets and friends to be blessed. Austin plays hide and seek and chess with Jesus. Austin tucks a few of his favorite reads under his pillow at night, and a bible is always one of the pack. Hunter always talks about God and Jesus as if they were good friends. Jesus may be flying a space ship with Hunter in a Star Wars battle one minute, or counting to 30 while Austin is hiding the next.

I love those images they have of God and Jesus. That he is their friend, not something to fear. I've always disliked the term "God Fearing". Why should we fear God? If we're good people, and good to each other, and love and respect one another, what is there to be afraid of? That is what I want my children to grow up with. Be honest, respectful, have love and have faith in your heart. So when I listen to conversations that happen between 2 brothers in their room as they play games together, I sit and just smile. I have faith that Mike and I are on the right path to raising 2 wonderful men.

So pray on, little dudes. Talk to Him like a friend.

Just a quickie

Just a quickie to let you all know I'm not dead, or lost, or mentally incapacitated. Well, maybe the 3rd one, but it just makes life more interesting. I just have little spare time, which I spend laying around or looking at all my pretty scrap kits I have no time to play with. Any whoooooo. I'm home and alive and well and healthy and life is good. The boys are doing great, and so much fun, other than the bickering and fist fights in the cereal aisle at Raley's. Luckly no one else was in the aisle for me to be forced to pretend I just happened upon a couple of lost children I needed to rescue and find their mother. Gotta love boys. Mike is doing great. Crazy busy with work and house, like me. So in love, though, so back to the whole life is good thing. Too busy having goo-goo eyes on my honey to see my kids beating each other to a pulp. One minute punches, the next, giggles, the next hugs, the next yelling, the next farting. Gotta love boys. Alrighty, lots to talk about, but no time to tell my stories properly, so until then, enjoy your loved ones.

Guitar Hero

This little woman can rock your world.

Spent the day at Pier 39 with Papi and Nanny. What a beautiful day. Still in the process of uploading pictures in to Kodak Gallery for the family. 46 out of 105, so far. Some of them were fast and blurry, but isn't that just the way it is sometimes. The boys had a blast and so did we. Can't wait to go back and visit other areas of the city. The boys were thrilled to learn that I lived there for a while, and grew up in the Bay Area. They wanted to learn all about it, and about the things that I did. Made me feel all nostalgic talking about it. I totally feel like I left some of my heart in San Francisco. It feels so much like home to me.

I'm still here

So, I've been here. Ill-en. One cold after another. This one has had me hacking for almost 2 weeks now, and I have no voice toay. Not fun. But... I've been working and I've been scrapping. I was going through some pictures and found this old one of AJ. I remember how we bought that costume way before Halloween and he wore it A LOT before and after Halloween. I love that. He would speak Pirate, even. Don't you just love his face? I'm so glad I have this hobby. This picture speaks to me, and I totally remember him saying "Arrr, matey. Walk the Plank!" Mmmmmm. I love memories. I hope everyone is well.