County Achievement Night

Last night was our 4-H county achievement night.  And it was fun and great.  4 Kids turned in record books in our club.  Which is not a lot.  But 3 of those kids got awards and medals.

As a newly inducted record book leader, I made sure most of the kids were there.  In the end, 5 kids showed up.  Rionn was excited because they picked him to carry the clubs name in the parade of clubs. 

Rionn got a medal for his record book for arts and crafts.  He moaned and groaned and whined and complained for a week about doing his record book.


                             

And then they started handing out awards last night, he kept asking if he was getting one.  I told him if he hears his name, he will get one.  (I already knew he was getting one. I just didn't know which one.)    But I honestly think that his drive to succeed in 4-H doubled last night.  He wants a star.  And he wants an emerald star.  And he wants to be an all star.  I was like that too.  I was happy to go and compete.  And then I saw they were giving out jackets. And I HAD to win one.  And I did, several.  So now he wants his bronze star by the end of this year.  And he can get it.  But he will be one busy little boy.  

 Anyhoo, we had a great time. Talked with friends.  Won awards.  Ate a catered dinner and didn't have to clean up.  And there was cupcakes.

                                 

                                 

                                 

Now onto the 2015-2016 4-H year.  It's going to be a good one.  I just know it.

August Crafty-ness

August has been busy.  I've been trying to finish hubby's star trek quilt.  It's still a work in progress.  But I've been crafting a little too.  I have nap time to finish things up now that the big kid is in school.

So first thing I've done is rebuild the orca rocking toy.  I bought it when the big kid was 2.  Then I tried to paint it.  And it turned out horribly wrong.  So I took it apart and partial sanded it.  Then we moved and it moved.  In pieces.  And so it sat in our garage for the last 5.5 years.  And then I got that ultimatum from hubby.  Either put it together or give it/throw it away.  So without instructions or anything besides a thumbnail picture I found on the internet, I put that sucker together.  I still have to repaint it.  

And Jet loves it.  Although, it's a little big for him.  I guess I don't remember it being so tall.  And of course, I built it.  And now hubby decided that it's too dangerous.  LOL.  Men.  Go figure.

And I've been doing a bit of sewing to.  A friend from high school days asked me to make her some toddler pillowcases.  She found some she liked on Etsy.  And didn't want to pay the high price or the shipping.  So I made some. And they turned out incredibly cute.  Even though I had to applique.  I really need to replace my embroidery machine.  When I took it in, they pretty much said that they've discontinued it and whatever parts they can find is it.  So I guess I'm turning to applique until I can find an embroidery machine that I like.

Anyhoo.  Pillowcases.  She wanted minky fabric.  Every time I say I'm never working with minky, I'll get another great paying, easy order for something.  And then I'm off to the store to buy fabric.

So these are toddler pillowcases.  And since I didn't want strings or seams showing, I did french seams all the way around.  One was all minky with a flannel name and anchor.  The other was minky and flannel with a minky airplane and name.

They turned out really cute.  And since I had to order the fabric online and by the yard, I have enough extra to make the boys pillowcases.  

And lastly, I was going through my fabric I found a pile of tshirts.  Every once in a while hubby brings home a tshirt from a big car weekend that the dealership has printed up.  They are those big, box like tshirts that are the cheapest to have printed.  You know the wholesale buying.  So I spent an afternoon cutting them up to make into tank tops.  So I know have a bunch of workout shirts.  And summer shirts. It doesn't look like this is going to get cooler any time soon.  I'm tired of the heat.  

Tortoise Power

Every once in a while I google events near me.  There is always something new and exciting going on near us.  That's how I found the watermelon festi val, corn festival, celtic faire, and the turtle and tortoise convention.  This happened a few weeks ago.  I was trying to find something for the end of summer.  And we ended up the tar pits instead. But I found the turtle and tortoise convention and put it on the calendar.  I figured it'd be a good idea to see what was going on since we have a couple tortoises. 

So I packed a lunch, and grandma came and we headed into Orange County for the convention.   I'm not sure what I was expecting.  But it was fun.  And educational.  And touchy feely. 

So what we actually did.  It was in a community center. And there were 2 rooms of shelled creatures.  And you could touch almost any of the animals on exhibit.  We learned the dos and donts of raising tortoises.  We also got the proper permits for ours since they are now old enough for them.  We also saw all kinds of turtle houses and outside terrariums and feeders.  There were also raffles, and things to buy.  There was also games for the kids to play, photo opportunities, balloon animals.  and turtle snacks.  

So here's a bunch of pictures of our day.  Good thing is that it made the boys nice and tired.  

The Day I DIDN'T Get Stuck, But My Kid Did

When mother's need to get a break, or talk to another adult, they often set up play dates at the park or at a fast food place with an indoor playground.  In the desert, it's always the fast food place because it's hot.  So when my best friend called and asked to get together for coffee, I knew we were heading to Mc Donald's.  Coffee and a playground.  What could go wrong?  

My baby is a shy one.  He doesn't like people looking at him, talking to him, or being around him.  So I figured that this morning would be a great morning to take him since school has started here.  And well, after an hour and a half, he decided that he could go up there.  And he did!  I couldn't be more proud.  

There was just one problem.  He's been battling constipation issues forever.  And today was the day we were going to start medicine again if he didn't go.  Well.  He did go.  Right when he got to the top.  And then because he hates a dirty diaper(but refuses to go in the potty this week) he didn't want to move.  And who could blame him.  Only he was at the top of the playplace.  He wouldn't come down.  And there were no kids or brother there to help coax him down.  He was too upset to come down.  Or to scared because it was high.  I'm not sure which.  So up I went.

Today was supposed to be a relaxing day.  A little house cleaning, some laundry, and coffee with a friend.  So I wore a knee length maxi skirt and flip flops.  I was not preparing for the next American Ninja Warrior- Mom edition.

I made it up there.  And I didn't get stuck.But man, that playplace was definitely not made for plus size adults.  I've lost a lot of weight. And while I didn't think I have been, I've recently bought a smaller size (the skirt I was wearing today) and I didn't get stuck.  It didn't break.  It didn't come crashing down.  I made it to the top.  And I made it back down with a very upset toddler in tow.

We then said our good byes and headed straight to the car.  It was bad.  He's been holding it for a few days.  So I changed him, fed him, and we headed home.  Both tired.  Maybe a little sore.  And we both accomplished some pretty big things today.  I say that it was a win-win.  Even though it was a bit stinky and in a tight space.  We survived.  And both were smiling by the end.

5th Grade

5th grade!  My baby started 5th grade this week.  It doesn't seem like he's old enough to be in 5th grade but he is.  This will probably be his most trying year.  His teacher will be gone the entire first quarter on maternity leave.  So he'll have a long term sub.  And hopefully he fairs well.

So here's to my baby growing up. And even though he's almost as tall as I am, he'll always be my baby.

The Last Day of Summer

We hadn't done much over the summer.  Yet we seemed so busy.  But I think it's because we skipped out on the theme park passes this year.  Instead, we did the usual karate class, my gym class, park, mini golfing, beach, playdates, etc.

And then hubby said that I should take the boys on one last adventure of the summer.  So we headed down to Los Angeles to see the La Brea Tar Pits.  I've never been.  And since school was starting, I figured we'd end the summer with something educational too.

It was a day of adventure too.  To get to L.A., it's a bit of a drive.  And when we got to the city, the big kid had to go to the bathroom.  And not knowing where I was, or what part of the city was safe.  So I asked my navigation to find the nearest Target.  I had to get the toddler an extra set of shorts in case.  We are potty training after all.

Well, we found it.  But I drove around the block twice trying to find the parking lot.  Only to find out that it was in a parking garage at the back of the building.  I think that was the highlight of the day for the big kid.  All he talked about was how it was a parking garage with shopping cart stalls and elevators.  And once in line, I forgot that L.A. has a plastic bag ban. So I had to pay for a paper bag.

Then we drove a few more blocks to the tar pits.  Both the boys were amazed by the buildings of downtown.  So we walked around the museum.  Jet loved it.  He also loves elephants. And all he saw was "elephants" since they have lots of mammoths.  They even had a robotic type mammoth.  Then after we walked around the museum, we saw a short movie about project 23.  And they explained about the tar pits a bit more.   After that, we went to the gift shop.  The hardest part of the day.  I gave them a $6 limit.  According to Rionn, it was the end of the world and might have well been a penny.

After the gift shop we walked around the tar pits. It smells.  And well, there is tar everywhere.   And then we left. We tried to beat the rush hour traffic.  Didn't quit make it.  But it wasn't too bad considering all the construction going on.

Now onto the new school year.

When I Stopped Caring

I'm a pretty self conscious about myself.  I chalk it up to genes, family, and bad relationships.  And I stopped caring about what I looked at.  At least on the outside. Inside, it was eating me up.   And while I didn't like my bigger self, I also didn't want to do anything about it.  Mostly because I didn't want people seeing my workout.  And if only I could control what I could eat.  And I could have.  But I used my single mother, poor college student, and lack of good paying job as excuses.  And then I decided that I should get my butt in gear.  So I would work out at the crack of dawn before the rest of the house woke up.  Or during nap time.  Or in the bathroom at work.  And I was getting no where.

Then I weighed myself one day.  And I was the heaviest I've ever been.  All those times when I was told I was the fat one. Or that I have so self control. I look back at pictures and see that I was just fine. Healthy.  Skinny.  And a lot happier.  At the beginning of this year, joined a gym. I got past the working out in front of people real fast.  But I still hid working out in front of my husband. In front of my kids.  And eating. That goes to a whole new level.

For me, I'd starve myself and then go to starbucks.  I wouldn't order tea.  I'd get the biggest caramel frap with extra caramel and whip cream.  And maybe a chocolate chip cookie to go with it.  Or we'd go to sonic for happy hour.  And even though I wouldn't get a slushie or soda. I would order a strawberry limeade.  Extra strawberries.  And the biggest one possible.  I would also order a snack. To make the drive worth it.  I could have saved so much money.  Invested it into my sewing hobby.  Or into taking the kids somewhere fun. Or to charity.  But I didn't. And that's probably my biggest regret.

See I'm healthy.  I may weigh 250 lbs.  But I don't have diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart problems.  Nothing.  I'm not even borderline high or low. I'm middle of road on all my tests.

But then I stopped caring again.  My gym membership expired.  And I'm not gaining back all the weight I lost.  I've still got a lot of weight to lose. And since I'm not losing fast. I've put my goal of 25 lbs from July 1st to my birthday.  And it's summer.  So both the kids are home.  And it's so easy to use the kids as an excuse.  And as I was doing a squat challenge in my online workout group, I realized that I was doing it wrong.  I was doing sets of squats, and I would stop when the kids would come around.  Or my husband.  And that's the moment I stopped caring.  I'm doing my exercises whether my family is around or not.  Its good for the kids too. To watch me be healthy.  And to exercise themselves.  Jet is loving squats.  In his own toddler form and way.  And it's stopped the snarky comments that Rionn has been making.  It's been been good.  For all of us.  And I do feel better.  I feel better at being a mom, and a good influence, and just better all around.

So here's to not caring.  And to losing another 25lbs. Hopefully this keeps me honest.  And I lose these next 25lbs.