My Entertainment For a Lazy Day.

Corinne is all girl, and she loves to dress-up. I was bored, so I made her perform for me. This is how I get my kicks.

Dude, I got a Dell...Again

I'm starting to think John and I repel technology. No matter how careful we are, every single computer we've ever owned has crashed a couple of times. We do everything they say you are supposed to do like having security programs and all that fun stuff. Still, our laptop crashed once again, and this time I am done with it. We've already taken it to the geek squad (our new best friends) a couple of times so they could save all of our files and reboot the computer. I'm not doing it again, even though at some point I will want all my home movies off that stupid thing. Should I have been backing up all my files like my husband said?- Yes. Did I?- No! Those guys charge way to much for computer knowledge. Now, we are back to our old Dell desktop we bought in 2004 after Coy was born. We had it custom made and only used it about six months before it too crashed. At the time, we didn't have the time or money to fix it so it just sat and traveled with us when we moved. After the death of our laptop, we put a new hard drive in the Dell and reinstalled everything. It seems to be working like new except for the fact that it's not allowing me to upgrade to a new version of internet explorer...irritating. Internet Explorer in 2004 was kind o' slow. Let's hope this one will, now, behave for us. I have to get used to going to the desk in my room to get on the computer instead of just sitting on the couch with the laptop. This is probably a good thing; it will keep me from wasting my time on nothing late at night; there's only so many curtains and panels one can look at online at Target. I also wish it had a little slot for my Sony memory stick like the laptop did. How do I get all my pictures onto the computer? Oh yes....the USB cord; like I have any clue where that thing is hiding. That's a scavenger hunt for another day. When I think back about 10 years ago, when AOL was a novelty, and the internet was new and exciting, I realize how impatient technology has made me. Maybe my computers crash to teach me a lesson ;-) Okay, I'm done ranting now.

Humpty Dumpty Fell on Her Head

So, Corinne was our first. We have two boys that have yet to break a bone, need a stitch, or even require a trip to the emergency room for some rough and tumble act. We have relatively calm children compared to all the stories I've heard from friends and family. My kids like to play but not too rough. They like to have fun and do exciting things, but when they feel there is a risk or any anxiety involved, they shy away. I suppose this is actually a blessing. I must be so lucky because of some praise due to me for being such an angelic child :-) We all know it has nothing to do with John's genes (he was THAT boy).

Well, out of my three kiddos, Corinne is the closest thing I have to a daredevil. On Monday, she was enjoying another ride on her daddy's shoulders (something we call a duh, duh duh-an inherited title). Well, dad was holding his princess on his shoulders along with a computer tower in his hands. Corinne pulled one of her circus acts where she just falls backwards. It's so much fun; a thrill because there is always a mommy or daddy to catch her. Sadly, we've encouraged this monkey-like behavior because she is our only child who squeals with joy over the rush of free-falling. It's kind of fun to have a kid who plays rough....so what if she's the little lady of the family. Well, on this particular occasion, daddy, once again, caught her. The problem was the concrete pillar he was leaning against while waiting for me to come out of a store. With perfect aim, she slammed her sweet melon against the perilous pillar, making an inch long gash under her pretty curls. After some examination, John and I decided this was definitely a cut that would require a trip to the doctor's office. Let's be honest, it was John doing the exam; I'm not capable of dealing with trauma. I cover my ears and walk away. And I wanted to be a nurse once upon a time....Ha Ha Ha.

So, the doctor agreed that this was a boo boo that required more than a band-aid and some neosporin. When the doc said staples, I cringed. Staples sound so much worse than stitches, but actually I learned they are less invasive and a much quicker process. I opted for her to have the topical anesthetic instead of a shot to the head (Yikes!!). She was so brave through the whole process, and the only concern she had was that her lollipop was almost gone. The nurse graciously provided her with as many as her little heart desired. The doctor put in four staples, and it wasn't until the third had been put in when Corinne said, "mommy, that boy is hurting me." She was a trooper, and now she has metal in her head for a week. It looks so awful to me, but she hasn't even mentioned it. We can't wash her hair or really brush it this whole week. So, her already crazy, curly hair is now looking like a comfortable home for a family of blue-jays. It's been an interesting last few days; never a dull moment. I guess there has to be a first time for everything.

Waiting for the doctor to prescribe some metal to the head.

More Puppy Pics

He gets so mad and freaks out when I hold him like this.

His favorite toys are socks, not the all the dog toys we bought him.

So, my weirdness has come full circle...I love the way this dog's ears smell.

Apollo loves to army crawl under the couch. Very soon, he won't be able to fit.

I'm so glad John now has a friend.

Out to Din

It's been a while since we took the kids out to a restaurant for dinner. I mean a real restaurant, not McDonald's, Taco Bell, or Panda Express. For those are frequented more often than I would like to admit. After picking up the boys from church last night, we were all hungry, and it was late. I was thinking we would go home and make some quick Mac & Cheese and chicken nuggets, but John drove in the wrong direction right to his favorite "hole in the wall." So there we were at the Bootlegger with our three young children. I was going to argue, but when John is hungry, nobody is safe. His claws come out until his tummy if full, then, he's quite pleasant. My objections were do to the fact that this is really not a place to take kids. It seriously is the closest thing I've seen to a restaurant right out of the Godfather. I've never seen any of the Godfather movies, but I could imagine. It's totally "old Vegas" with the huge circular booths, the dim lights, and the piano being tickled in the corner of the dining room. John only warned the kids one time, and to my surprise, they were perfect. They love going to restaurants, and it had been a while. So, they were on their best behavior. The reason I'm even mentioning this somewhat ordinary experience is because I love how sincerely grateful my kids can be. Throughout the dinner, they kept saying how nice everything was, and how they loved this restaurant. They kept thanking us for taking them, and they had much praise for the food. Coy said, "Everything is so delicious!" Christian spoke his famous line, "This is fun; we should do this more often." John let them order whatever they wanted, so when the waiter asked Corinne what she was having, she said, "I want diet coke and a salad with ranch on the side, please." No joke!! The waiter laughed, but I told him that really was exactly what she wanted. She's 2 going on 17. Well, at least she'll be a cheap date when she is older. We had a fun time. Too bad money doesn't grow on trees, or we could do it more often.

Spoiled Seven Year Old

Christian had an exciting week. He got his first puppy on the same day he got his first BB Gun. He's been out in the desert shooting with his dad, and he was thrilled to make a glass bottle explode. I was amazed to hear that on that same shooting outing, my daughter was picking up lizards and holding them-gross! I'm now doubting whether or not she is truly my kid.
Then, night before last, John and I took Christian to see Mystere at Treasure Island. I guess when you grow up in Las Vegas and your dad works for MGM/Mirage, you go see Cirque du Soleil shows for fun. Mystere is the second one he's seen. He had a great time, and then he chose Chinese for dinner afterward. Orange chicken, white rice, lots of soy sauce, and coke-the kid was in heaven. I'm sure he'll remember these last few days his whole life.

Chaos with the Pup

Dog Gone and Done It.

Announcing the newest member of our fam- drumroll please......Apollo Creed David Romo.

Christian has been begging for a dog for a long time now. We kept telling him that when we were in our own house, we would get a pet. Well, that was almost a year ago, and he has mentioned the deal numerous times. After Tuck the turtle baked out by the pool in the hot Las Vegas sun, we were, once again, convinced that pets are not safe around us. May Tuck rest in peace; we loved that damn turtle.

Well, Christian pleaded with Santa, in his Christmas letter, about how he wanted nothing more than a puppy of his own to love and take care of. He's been bargaining with us over all the things he would do and all the things he would give up if only we got him a dog.

John has (not so secretly) wanted a dog for a long time too. He never got over our last dog, Rocky. We had to give Rocky away because he was slowly but sweetly destroying my mother's house. She put up with him much longer than I would have if it had been my house. Rocky was a sweet dog, but he was as dumb as a doornail. I'm not a neat freak, but I am on the over-sanitary side, so the thought of a dog in my new house made me want to grab some antibacterial gel and Lysol wipes.

Obviously, I caved on this one. We have a weakness when it comes to boxers, and when we saw Apollo, it was puppy love at first sight. He is 9 weeks old, and he's from Kansas. Coy asked if he knew Dorothy, and I told him that Apollo's mom and ToTo used to hang together.

So far, so good; he's been perfect. The crate training is going well, and he never cries or whines when he has to go in. I actually think he kind of likes it. He loves to play and, of course, he likes to box with us. It's been fun so far, and the kids are so good with him. My carpet and couches are still in one piece, and nothing smells funny yet. I hope that lasts.

Looks Like Fun

What did I expect after Corinne had been in the bathroom for 15 minutes "washing her hands"?
To get the full effect, you would need to be there in person and see all the water on the floor. Soap, water, and a plugged sink can be so much fun. So fun, you just have to take your clothes off.

3 out of 4

Okay, so I finally finished book 3 of the 4 book Twilight series. I do realize that I am one of the last to jump on the pop train, and that these books are old news to many. To me, however, they have been an obsessed hobby over the last few months.

I never thought of myself as "a reader" until I finished college. I suppose I had only thought of my textbooks when reading came to mind, and even those were seriously neglected. I first started with my mom's "old lady" mystery books (Mary Higgins Clark), which I used to tease her about. She would be up at 3:00 in the morning reading them when I would come downstairs to get a bottle for Corinne. Now I understand why; sorry mom. They are good, and the only reason I call them "old lady mysteries" is because John thinks the author looks like one of the Golden Girls. So, who'd a thunk it? I like to read.

I was one of those ones who saw the Twilight movie before I ever thought about reading the books. My sister-in-law graciously sent me packing, on a plane, with a carry-on full of the four book series. That was a heavy bag. John knows that when I get into a book, it's all I want to do in my spare time. The problem here is that these books keep going.

I'm one of those people who needs it absolutely quiet while reading, or it will take me forever to get through a single paragraph. I can't tune out the noise around me. So, with that said, I've been caught in my car, numerous times in the tub, and up at 2:00 in the morning (alarm set for 6:00 to wake up for work) reading. I'm actually a bit scared to see our next water bill. The most embarrassing part is the fact that the junior high girls I teach come up and ask which book I'm on. Then, they start a conversation with me about their thoughts on the series. I thought removing the covers wouldn't give me away, but I always get caught. I guess I could be a member of the 13-year-old book club.

John feels neglected by my new distraction, and I keeping telling him it will all be over soon. Several times, he's grabbed the book out of my hands after breaking into the bathroom (cheap locks) and suggests that he read to me. I accept, reluctantly, knowing what kind of "out-loud" reader he is; I did take junior and senior English with this kid. I've finally caught on to the fact that about a page into him reading aloud, he starts to improvise without me knowing. As soon as I realized the book was starting to sound like a somewhat trashy romance novel, I got the joke; such a funny guy, that one.

As I wrapped up Eclipse, the third book, I was feeling a bit irritated at the fact that the story is not progressing quickly, and they keep dancing around the subject of the whole saga. So, what do I do? I pick up Breaking Dawn, the last book, and flip to the last page. First time I've done that, but now I can enjoy reading the book. It's ends, I think, the way I want it to. This is, of course, if I truly had strong opinions about vampires and their morality. There's nothing better than a friendly, trustworthy vampire.

So, yes, this is old news, but it's what I've been up to. The lack of blog entries can be attributed to life keeping me busy, and a good book or two. After the kiddos go to bed, I have a choice to make...TV, computer, do the dishes (boo!), or read a good book. I've been opting for the non-technological stuff.