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.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
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.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
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!!!
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!!!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
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.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
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.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
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.
