Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

The first day of school; a week late.

So yes, my kiddos started school here on Okinawa last week. So far, so good! Here they are on their first day.

So yep, this is them. I mean...that there is my bunch of kids. Yep, sure is. Ain't they looking clean and new and spiffy?

In all seriousness, though, aren't they a good looking group of youngsters? The boys are sporting their new haircuts. The ones that their mom (yep, that's me!!) gave them. Can you believe it? I, me...Charity...the OCD girl who is meticulous and obsessive about things like haircuts went and gave my boys their back-to-school cuts!?! More on that another time because this post is about the kids' first day of school.

Which was kind of weird for our family. You see, since Colby and Allyssa have been in school, they've been in the same school as Daz. This year, not the case. Daziel is in middle school. A big middle school at that. I have to leave to take him to school almost an hour before his brother and sister.

And then his mom, his embarrassing mom, his photo loving mom -- she asked to get a picture of him in front of his middle school. Because this was his first day walking into a middle school, she thought it was a bid deal. A milestone. Something picture worthy. And since they move all the time and change schools, she wanted to make sure and have the sign in the picture. The only thing is...the sign is also in the front of the school (makes sense, right?) which is right where EVERYONE else would be getting dropped off. Shortly. Lucky for this kid, his mom knew that taking a picture in front of everyone would be embarrassing. And she wanted to give him time to find his homeroom and his locker, so she got him there early. And being that she got him there early and noone else was around yet, he agreed to the picture. But not before saying in an almost whisper, "but hurry, please". His mom had a pretty big inner smile then. Because she knows she's got a good kid. And she was remembering, pretty vividly, her first day of middle school. And how she would have just died had her mother tried to pull something like this! But not her willing son. He rolled with the punches. Like I said, he's a good kid!

Ok, you're tired of that game? You're sick of hearing me talk about myself in third person? Gotcha. I'm done now.

And here are the other two -- Allyssa and Colby. Right as we got to their school their was an unofficial assembly before the bell rang with some Okinawan drummers ringing in the school year. (Or would that be drumming in the new school year - I'm confused with that.) Which means I didn't have time to get their pictures in front of their school sign. Yet. Bwahaha! Time, my sweet little ones, give me time!

This one. Carrying her school supplies...and watching the assembly. I just love her, she's so darn cute! And she is so much like me sometimes it hurts. What she says and does. Although, she hates when you tell her that. I like to think it's because she'd like to project some of her own unique personality into this big world. Not because she can't stand the thought of being like her mother. But I'm sure, as are most things in life, it's probably a mixture of the two. But that's ok. I think.

And then there's this one. When you look at him, you see his father. Yep, I know you do. How? Because you've told me. But me? I don't see his dad. Resemblances, sure. But to me, this is just my Colby. And this look is sooo totally him. The "I'm grumpy 'cause I'm not a morning person and I don't really like pictures all that much anyways... and geese, Mom, I'm trying to watch the drummers here" look. And oh yeah. That not being a morning person bit. Although you say he's the spittin' image of his daddy, well that...that he gets from me!

Inventive Entrepreneurs

Nothing too exciting went on here last weekend. Craig and I decided to stay home and really work on our house. And I'm happy to say that I think it's closer to being done. We're tackling some pretty big projects. We're going to be so pleased with the outcome, I already know! I can't wait to share them with you! So, needless to say, no exploring this weekend. It's hard to stay home when there are so many fun things to do on our lovely island. Beaches to discover. Restaurants to try. But, it would also be ridiculous to still be "settling in" come Christmastime.

Since we've been home working on things, my kids have taken up doing a few things of their own. They've "Gone into Business".  For many years my kids have done the lemonade stand or other inventive things to earn a little extra $. In fact, there must be something about summertime that brings about their desire to be entrepreneurs. Check out what they did last summer.   Just months ago, while we were visiting family, they'd "set up shop" with their cousins and have a beauty parlor, a restaurant for a night, or a snow cone stand. Anything to make a buck or two.

Lately, here in our home, as Craig and I are transforming this base house into a "one of a kind Zaleski home" -- my kids have decided to turn their rooms into their business spaces. 

Let's take a look...

Daziel is offering sculpting classes. His brother and sister have been attending them regularly.

And look what he had them make today? Cute little ducks in duck ponds. How creative my boy is!

 

Colby? He decided to open an Amazing Drink Cafe!

 

Which is an amazing idea because he makes some pretty easy money. Now when I want a glass of my Crystal Light Lemonade, I pay my son 50 cents to pour it for me.  He had to find a way to make money somehow...what a great idea!

The "Jappanes Jiuce" or Japanese Juice was pretty good too. And what I think was even cuter was when I went grocery shopping this week, he asked to make his own list of stuff that he needed for his cafe. Great business sense!

Now Allyssa? She set up shop to do what she KNEW she'd make some money at!

And after a morning of the gym and water aerobics, I definitely go into her little shop and pay for her services!

 

She asks you to sign in when you get to her "shop" -- then when you're leaving, she asks for a comment. She says she wants to know your opinion -- I call that corrective criticism. And I'm impressed, that at nine, she's confident enough to ask for it. Of course, though, all we can give her are good comments. Because my girl, she is great at massages!! I mean, really! I definitely am using some of my spending money at Allyssa's Relaxing Massages...because oohhh, are they relaxing!

 

And girl has got technique, a great "menu" of services...

and a few other added benefits to being a regular customer!

(And looks as though she's a good team leader -- with a staff party coming up and all. I wonder if her dad and I will be invited, since we provide the space and all. Yeah, probably not...)

So that's it folks. The post that required so many pictures. And the ways my kiddos are being inventive entrepreneurs this summer.

 

 

6 days until Japan...

Do you remember when Craig bought me my van before he deployed last summer? Yes, this van...

I love this van! But, we aren't taking it to Japan with us. Alot of times in the military, when moving overseas, you take your vehicle with you. But taking your vehicle to Japan is not recommended. From what I've learned there are several reasons to this. First off, you drive on the other side of the road in Japan, so it costs alot to convert your vehicle. Second...it's an island and space is small - and American cars are not, AND, and island gets lost of saltwater so things rust. So after finding all of that out, and that the Air Force will store our van for us in a really nice storage facility (and pay for it) while we are gone, AND, island vehicles aren't too expensive...we decided to store our van while we're gone.

So today, Colby and I spent a good portion of our morning cleaning our van out and getting it ready for storage.

And oh boy, did this picture remind me of his daddy. He looks so big in this picture (literally...it must be the angle). And, if his dad were here (and not already in Japan) -- this would totally be his job. Craig would happily take on this chore. So I don't know if it's because my youngest really is a mini-me of Craig, or that he walks and talks just like him too, or that it's been almost four months since I've seen him and I'm just really missing him...(probably a good mixture of all of that)...but cleaning the car out with Colby today sure did make me miss my husband.

But Craig isn't here. And I'm not going to dwell on that, because we will see him soon. But today, Colby was here...and he was happy to help! He's such a good helper! So we cleaned and detailed our van becausee when you store a vehicle for three years, they want it REALLY clean before you turn it in. I guess for a few reasons. So they can make note of the damages already to it before they take responsibility for it. But also, 'cause you'd hate to leave a Mickey D's french fry under your seat for three years, to come back to a car infested with ants, right?

Not only was Colby willing, but he was good and thorough! Man I love that kid! So, we did other things today too. Spent two hours at the vet getting my dog's Health Certificate... but that's a whole other story. We went to Allyssa's first showcase show, but again... that's a whole other story too.  I even did some laundry and started packing up the rest of our stuff that hasn't been packed here, because we leave here tomorrow. But again, a whole other story. So, I guess, for tonight, I get to tell you that ...

six days before we left for Japan I cleaned out my van with my six-year-old. Who was happy to help. And good at it too!

Sarah full of Grace

 

This is my niece, Sarah.

 

Sarah Grace. (I love her name!!!)

 

She loved the Slip 'N Slide at my boy's birthday party.

 

I loved that she loved the Slip 'N Slide at my boy's party!

Watching her love it was my entertainment.

 

So I watched her through my lens for a bit.

 

I watched how much she was obviously loving life and let the lens tell a story.

 

Which put a smile on my face and made me grateful.

 

Grateful for my nimble niece,

 

Sarah, full of Grace.

Idol Pilot

This boy of mine, my youngest... Colby?

 

(Picture courtesy Allyssa's camera -- yes, I'm a photo thief. :-)

Yeah, well, he has had a movie obsession for a while. Not in a horrible way (I don't think). I mean, he's very active and loves to play outside and is by no means a couch potato...but...he loves to watch movies. And he has an obsessive tendency to want to watch the same move over...and over...and over...(you get my point). For months on end, as much as he can (which means daily if I'd let him), until he's over it. Then he moves on to his next theatrical fixation.

It began with Finding Nemo before he turned two. Then Dumbo. Then...well, he's moved on to much bigger and better things. Like...Tom Cruise and airplanes. Yep, for the last few months his favorite movie has been Top Gun.  He even got a Build-A-Bear a while back that he named Goose and dressed in a white navy uniform, complete with aviator glasses. (All his idea, I'm not kidding!) 

So, for the past few months, Colby has been walking around doing things like...asking us to call him Maverick. And telling us that he wants to be a Navy pilot. Not things that are too off base for my military brat. Things that we find quite cute, actually.

But the cutest thing of all? Well, besides when he wanders out to see what I'm doing every time there is a "smooching scene"? The funniest thing was tonight, when we were watching the finale of American Idol...

He was cuddled up next to me watching the show, and with the most serious look on his face he said, "Mom, you know what I want to do when I grow up BEFORE I become a Navy pilot?" And without leaving room for me to utter a word, he continued, "I want to be an American Idol. Then I can be an Idol Pilot!"

I think he was referring to Auto Pilot. But hey, he's six -- and really -- it's all just semantics, right? What do I think about it? I think the world is his oyster! I say, Colby, be who you wanna be. Do what you wanna do. And if being and Idol Pilot is your dream? Then so be it!!

He's Back -- Welcome Home Daddy!!

After doing a few things around the house to make sure it felt warm and welcoming...

 

we headed off this afternoon to the airport.

   

We waited with excited anticipation...

   

these kiddos couldn't wait to see him.

   

We counted down the minutes until we saw that man in uniform.  And when we did, all three of them in unison yelled, "Daddy!!", and went running.

 

They were met with a great big bear hug that was filled with giggles and tears and joy all around. All the bystanders were smiling and had tears in their eyes...including the mamma who had to watch and take it all in -- take a few pictures -- and then head on in for a hug of her own.

 

And they couldn't stop hugging and tugging on him all evening...

     

I love this man -- and I love seeing him love our children. I love seeing our children love him.

 

It has been a long four months, yet they have gone by pretty quick -- if that makes any sense at all.  Either way you want to explain it, we sure are glad to have our "Daddy" back!!

"A swimmer, a scientist and a pilot"

"Mom, look...

 

we're an olympic swimmer, a mad scientist and an air force pilot. Can you guess who is who?"
 

How cute are they? Can you guess? Who is who?  And yes...all three of these kiddos made the Barracudas swim team; which means, they'll be swimming all year long.  Which means, I'm a busy momma until daddy comes home...

EDITED:  Colby is the pilot, Allyssa is the Olympic Swimmer and Daziel is the Mad Scientist. Although, this picture makes you kind of wonder how Colby would get you off the ground, doesn't it? Ha, te he he!

Big Kids -- Big Bubbles

Objects in rear view mirror may appear closer than they are...errhhh...I mean...objects are closer than they appear...errhhh...does anybody know the difference between those two phrases?  Extra points if you can name that song. Well, anyways, what I really meant to say was...bubbles shown in pictures are life size and so much fun!  Even for some big kids!

  

An afternoon of summer fun with big kids and big bubbles!

 

Sweet

And then you have moments like tonight that make you love having kids so much!!!

When:  tonight -- around 8:30pm

Where:  in the living room, watching "So You Think You Can Dance" and chillin' out, family style.

What:  gut wrenching, eye watering, belly laughter that lasted for minutes.

Why:  (*note*  Colby has been on a joke telling kick lately.)

     Colby -- "Allyssa, why does your butt say sweet?"

     The rest of us --  confused, wondering where on earth he got this joke from and

     what on earth the punch line would be.  We look at each other with question marks in our eyes.

     Allyssa -- looking unsure "Huh?"

     Colby -- "Turn Around!"

     All of us --  gut wrenching, eye watering, belly laughter that lasted for minutes

     Colby -- proud of himself for telling such a funny "joke".  "Now that was really, really funny!"

     All of us -- gut wrenching, eye watering, belly laughter that had us rolling on the floor.

Let the Punishment fit the Crime

 

Do you have fun loving kids who are goofy and make you laugh?  I do!  Do you have good kids that, for the most part, are really well behaved and make you very, very proud? I do too! 

Do those same kids ever do anything that annoys you, but that you feel cannot be warranted with a true punishment?  Well, mine do!  Like...all the time!!  And, I know that many of you already know that I'm pretty strict and try to run a "tight ship" with routines and chores.  But I also know that about myself and try my hardest to have patience, acceptance, and try not to let the little things ride under my skin too bad.  And I think that for the most part, for our family, it has worked.  I think our kids are great kids!!  But every once in a while, my kids will do something that is just SO darn annoying that I can't stand it any more, so I have to do something about it. This has happened several times as of lately. 

Example 1:  A certain child of mine decided that they would change their clothes six times a day, four days in a row.  What happened?  I didn't yell, I didn't scream, I didn't withhold dinner or even ground them.  I assigned "laundry duty" for a week where this child was responsible (with my help) for washing, drying, and folding all of our laundry for an entire week!.  True story, folks.  It just happened.  This said child is now much more aware of when to change out of filthy clothes, and when to let that little water spot dry and just go on with life.

Example 2:  Another one of my children had an issue with belching at the dinner table.  Now, I know that kids will be kids, and those types of things just slip out and happen every once in a while.  That I get.  But every single night for weeks?  Something is either going on with this child's stomach, or this said child has mastered the art of intentional burping.  So, what do I do?  At first, I thought that sending said child to his room and making him wait to eat dinner would work.  Kinda, maybe...not really.  The belching continued.  I had to get creative.  So, one night I made this lovely and spirited child of mine belch twenty-five times before he could eat his dinner.  I told him, "Lovely and spirited child of mine, since you so love to burp right as we're eating dinner, I have decided to let you do it.  And even better.  I have decided that you have to burp 25 times tonight before you can take one bite of your supper."  Now, mind you, this same child had been chomping at my heels for the past ten minutes as I was cooking.  So I knew he was hungry, and I knew he would not like burping tonight.  Not 25 times.  Not before he could eat.  Not while he sat and looked at his food, and smelled it, and watched the rest of us eating.  And...granted, I knew that this tactic was either going to work -- or really, really backfire because I was reinforcing that the burping was ok.  And really, I don't have that huge of a problem with it.  I'm a country girl at heart.  But at the dinner table?  Every night?  So I took the risk and went for it.  And, I was right.  And he hasn't belched at the dinner table since.

Example 3:  Another one of my children had been growing his hair out.  He wanted to let it grow out into a long, shaggy style -- as is the style for preteen and teen boys nowadays.  And, being the very cool Mom that I am, I said "ok".  No fight, no fuss, no issue at all.  I thought he'd actually look pretty cute!  But then, this same child took issues with washing his longer hair.  I had patience, knowing that learning to wash your hair correctly when you're not used to having much hair at all was probably going to be a process.  But then, he not only didn't want to wash it (which, yes, it got kind of stinky), he didn't want to do anything with it.  So, it just sat like a mop on top of his head.  But then again, who am I to judge ones hairstyle?  But the stink, I just couldn't get past the smell of his head when I'd walk by his sweaty, summer, not really washed, hairstyle!  I threatened and promised him that if he didn't take more time washing his hair that he'd have a nice "Colby Cut".  You know...a "one on the side, two on top" military cut.  He didn't want that.  But, I also don't think he thought I'd actually follow through with making him shave his head.  But here's the thing, even though I threatened, the problem persisted.  And since this said child is about to go to Boy Scout camp for a whole week (and I've already been forewarned by other parents that I'll be lucky if he changes his clothes and brushes his teeth once during that week), I thought, there is NO way he's going to camp with long hair.  He'd end up coming home looking like this!

(p.s.  Please do not mistake that just because I have posted a picture of Jason Castro on my blog that I  am Jason Castro fan.  I am a David Cook fan all the way!!)

So, to prevent an eleven-year-old from coming home from Boy Scout camp with a head full of dreadlocks...we went and did this today.

 

Long hair, short hair, no hair, I don't care -- he's still so darn cute!!!

Wacky Hat Wednesday

When it's Spirit Week at school (which the PTO always does when it's Book Fair), and Wednesday happens to be Wacky Hat Wednesday, my kids go to school looking like this...

Springin' for McWane

Howdy friends, I've surfaced for air!

Can't you tell?  What?  This doesn't look like a "surfaced" sort of picture? (Yes, that's me on the top right.) Ok, so, life totally carried me away for a week.  A whole week, and I didn't even realize it.  I saw how carried on and on comments were getting on that last post, and I said to myself, "self, what in tarnation is going on here!?!"  Then, I looked at the date of my last post... then looked at the calendar, then did a double-mint double take, and was astonished - a week!  I left you for a week?  How could it have been an entire week?!?  I'm so, so sorry! I've been...(ah, gasp, you are all still so very, very important so please forgive me)...

busy, blah blah blah, with Half Off Book Fair, blah blah blah, and a Family Fun Night, blah blah blah, and Allyssa's first Softball game, blah blah, which she won by the way, blah, and a Boy Scout Camp Trip, and T-ball practice and Kilz paint spilled all over my favorite black jeans and the hall of school, blah blah blah, and midterms, blah blah blah, and trying to find some other crazy beautiful lunatic to step up for PTO president next year, blah blah blah, and appointments - tons and tons of appointments - which are just plain blah!   But I can tell we've been missed, look at the comments from the last post!  So, I figured I'd do you all a favor and pull y'all up out of that there gutter you've found yourself slinging mud from.  (You all sounded just the way Craig looked in those pictures, by the way.) So, in the spirit of springin' y'all out of a gutter, (which sounds so much like springin' y'all from the slammer -- which I just have to laugh at because that's how I am) I opted to share a few pictures of something we did over Spring Break!  No, we didn't go nuts and visit the Looney Bin...

I guess this isn't a good picture to try and convince you of that.  So, yes, you may still think we're nuts.  But these were all taken when we went to the McWane Science Center in Birmingham.  Check 'em out!

By the way, these pictures are prior to the new camera.  Can't you tell the difference?  I sure can!

And then these kids wanted to dig...

and we just couldn't pull him away...

Happy Easter - From My Cheesters!

Ok, so I know that St. Patrick's Day is over and gone.  But, I had to start with this Colby story that may just crack you up!  And what better way than to start with a Colby picture that sets the mood.  Tonight, as I was getting Colby ready for bed, he says to me in an oh, I just remembered something very, very important tone, "Mom, I was talking to Eric and Terik the other day at school.  And, they were wrong." 

A little dismissive; I admit that I was thinking that this is going to be one of his typical Kindergarten conversations that eludes to how the green Power Ranger can beet Spiderman because of..., something to which I know nothing about.  But, no, the Little Kid surprised me.  After I asked, "Wrong about what?"  He replied, wide-eyed and looking very concerned, "They told me that God is the only person that knows everything!" 

Not sure where this was leading, I replied with an "Oh?  And what did you say?"

He looked at me as if I should know the answer already, and stated, "I told them that's not true!  Because my Mom AND my Dad know everything TOO!!" 

Then I, I cried.  Well, really, I laughed.  Then cried.  Laughed so hard I cried.  Then cried at the thought that my Little Kid really thinks that I, the crazy momma knows everything!  Then laughed a little bit harder that he thinks Daddy knows everything too.  He'll learn when he gets married, just the Momma, Colby.  Just the Momma. 

Then, like a good mom would, I explained how his good little Kindergarten friends are just a little bit right.  "Colby, you see, when Mommy tells you something, and you say nuh uh  and I say yes sir Mister, and you better just listen to me now because Mommy knows everything...Colby, (gulp) Mommy is just..."

as I get really quite "joking."

"WHAT!?!?!" he asks, so that the whole house has now tuned in.

I repeat the story and my reply.  And now my plot to brainwash my children into thinking that I know everything has just failed.  Miserably. 

But, when push comes to shove, and you're put up there against the Truth, who can fudge to that?  I mean, God or Mom? And speaking of, today is His day.  So a couple of pictures from my Easter Cheesters!

Look at those cheesy grins! Do you see the looks on Allyssa and Colby's faces?  My, are they related?  And Daz is such a ham!  He cracks me up!  Life has been crazy, hectic busy - evidenced by the fact that I didn't even think twice and shut the door to my messy pantry, remove the oversized and unattractive bottle of vinegar from center stage, or clear off a counter or two before I snapped this photo.  See, folks, another snippet of my Crazy Beautiful Life.  And my, oh my, I didn't realize how cluttered my fridge looked.  Wowbuddy!  But I'm a magnet lover, so, what's a girl to do?  So, obviously this is a picture of the kiddos last night coloring their eggs.  And Craig, trying to hide out in the back ground, on egg-peeling duty. I'm sure he'll be so pleased that I just shared that with y'all. 

So, we had a really nice Easter.  Church.  Good Food.  Friends.  Relaxed.  That equals good in my book.  A sinus-migraine that had me held up for a few days is still lingering, but all in all, a good day!  So, the kids wanted me to share this photo with you, because they are proud to be sporting new watches, thanks to the Easter Bunny.  Don't you love Colby's crocks?  Father did at mass this morning too.   Pretty funny!

Happy Easter!
~Charity

Spring Break Is Over and It Feels Like Summer!

So, this last week was Spring Break for me and the kiddos.  We had a fun week.  But today, it was like icing on the cake.  The weather was beautiful. We didn't have anything that we HAD to do.  The weather was beautiful.  Enough so, that the kids were in bathing suits and had the pool out most of the day. And did I mention, it was beautiful out? I know, I know, I'm taunting some of you northerners.  (I feel your pain.  I had to hear about snow at Christmas.)  But you know?  I'm from the Northwest, where, you usually don't have Spring Break until later in April.  And when you DO have it, sometimes, there are still chances of snow.  I'm not used to getting to enjoy summer-like weather during spring break.  So, that leaves me with a little bit of taunting, and a lot of sharing some fun pictures of my cute kiddos.  We may not LOVE that the ground is green instead of white at Christmastime.  But, you've got to love any day that you're able to do this!

And Allyssa will love that I'm sharing this one with you, but...I couldn't resit!  (te he he) Plus, her little tush is so cute!  And look at those legs?  Man, I wish I had them legs!

And, by the end of the afternoon, they were all tuckered out!

So I felt I had to do what any good Mom would do... I made them a nice, yummy -all healthy (shhhh..don't tell them) dinner.  I made the Southwest Chicken Salad with my leftovers from the Southwest Chicken Soup and my yummy, yummy, fresh fruit salad.  I"ll share the recipes for both of these within the next few days.  But until then, I'll tease you with a few pictures.

ULASCU - gifted children unite!

ULASCU.  That is how Colby spelled ALASKA when he was sounding it out tonight.  Genius! Isn't he so gifted? 

Speaking of gifted...at the beginning of this school year, Mrs. Hill, our Gifted Teacher, asked the PTO to purchase some really cool robots that she could incorporate into her classes.  They are the kind that you build yourself, and program, and troubleshoot, and they are SOOOO COOL!!! You actually program them to move, turn around, stop, all kinds of really awesome things.  Mrs. Hill went to a convention over the summer to learn about the robots and was super excited about them when she returned.  These are very expensive robots, so the only way the PTO would approve to spend that kind of money on them was to ask that she teach them to more than just her gifted students to make spending that kind of money make sense.  Of course, she was more than happy to do so, and throughout the year is teaching all of the upper grades how to build these robots. 

I was walking down the hallway the other day, and Mrs. Hill stopped me.  Daziel's class had been in the computer lab working on the robots.  She told me, "Charity, Daziel is so gifted with computers!!  We were building the robots, and he did a fantastic job! And they're really hard.  It usually takes the kids a few tries to figure it out, but he caught on right away.  He helped alot of the other kids too. I was so impressed!"  His classroom teacher, Mrs. Drozdowski, was singing the same kind of praise about him and his computer abilities after they did their first Power Point presentation earlier in the year. 

I also met with Allyssa's teacher the other day, they are wanting to put her into an advanced Math class with the gifted teacher. 

I am going to schedule a meeting with Mrs. Hill to discuss my highly intelligent and gifted children.  I want to make sure that they are being challenged and building upon their strengths.  So, I plan to talk to her about Allyssa and her Math, about Daziel and how we can enhance his knowledge and love of Computers, and Colby and his Spelling.  What?  What was that you said?  You think I should reconsider talking to her about Colby's spelling? Come on!?!?!?

What's new in the New Year...

A laundry list of ramblings from the Zaleski abode...

1*  Trying to remember to take lots of pictures while we have Killian here.  It never fails, the time I look forward to, the time time we enjoy so much - Killian being here and us ALL being together - is the time I have my camera out the least. I am always just trying to have fun and relax and enjoy the time with him and not make him feel...you know...under a camerascope. But I would also like MORE pictures of ALL of my kids.  So I have been making a conscious effort to take more pictures since we DO have him here.  And here is one I got the other day.  I was up early(gasp!!! I know!!!), looking out the window and saw fog, and had an idea for a picture....and here is what I got.  Leave it to Colby!  But I still LOVE IT!!  It's SOOO telling of the dynamics of my children right now! I think I'm actually going to blow it up big. These were taken at the park that is across the street from us...that I can see out my computer room window...nice view.  A little later after a bowl of cereal and some tickles, I was able to get a nice little "photo shoot" in, and Colby even joined in. (I'll post throughout so you have something to look at while I ramble.  I'm in the mood to ramble.)

2*  I am going along with Ali Edwards and her idea to choose a word for the year.  Want to join in?  If you live close, you'll be getting an invite within the next week because I'll be hosting a New Years Party, of sorts, where we'll be making something fun with our "words".  If you don't live close, still choose a word and have fun with it.  Basically, it's a word that you want to represent your year.  A word you can take with you, go back to, and use to remind you of what your intentions for the year are.  My word for the year is Purpose. I chose this word because I want to be more intentional.  I want to make better choices, and make them with purpose, on purpose, with a purpose in mind. I want to read my bible every day, learn to crochet (again), learn to play the piano, work on my Spanish, Scrapbook more, Graduate from School and cook more home cooked healthy meals.  I want to eat out less, play more board games, read more books- by that I mean novels, not text books.  I want to walk my dog more, sit in silence once a day, pray the rosary more often, finish my commitments with the PTO with vigor, and gusto, and success and then move on.  I want to read more to my children, and have more date nights with my husband, and watch more movies, I NEED to watch more movies, it's part of being American to know movie lines...Delphine, Jamie, Janna - I'm working on it just SO you can have a conversation and not have to stop mid laughter and look at the clueless look on my face and fill me in.  I even want to watch more KID movies (I know, huge!), I want to call my sisters more, email my far away friends more, and keep in touch better with my cousins and aunts. I want to send presents on time, study while the kids are at school instead of while they're in bed, and I want to have more evenings while my husband is on the computer playing with his DJ music and we're all in this kitchen/computer room(s) of our house, listening to music and dancing and laughing and having fun.  I want to journal more, walk more, and go to the gym more.  I want to talk to my husband more.  And I want to do it ALL with Purpose. I want to live in the moment and appreciate it.  And make good choices.  And this sounds alot like a list of, ummmn, New Year's resolutions.  But you see, they're not.  Because Resolutions are made to be broken, and this, my friends, is a list of goals that I will achieve, on purpose!  Maybe not ALL of them will be done in 2008, but they WILL be done!

3* We have been playing alot of games lately.  Every day we've been fitting in a few board games, the last few days it's been:  Blokus, Cranium Conga, Yahtzee, Mad Gab...and a few fun outside games that we had a blast with...Cosmic Catch (thanks Aunt Kimmie!) and Hyper Dash.  Games, but not necessarily "board" games, unless you count your driveway as the board.  We've been loving it!  Love Christmas break for this!  We're actually going to incorporate our Family Game Night back into our week after the break now that my classes will all be online and I'll be here in the evenings.

4*  It's actually been getting cold here lately.  Really...for Alabama, anyways.  My kids have been jumping on their trampoline like crazy, and it's funny, they get all dressed up in hats and gloves.  So NOT what we're used to here.  Our lows have been in the 20's.  I'm LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5*  Daziel has been Frog Sitting.  Yes, one of his best friends in school, Tre,  went out of town for the holiday.  And Tre has a little frog, Frogger, that he's raised from a tadpole.  So he asked Daziel to frog sit while he was away so Frogger wouldn't croak.  (te he he...get it?)  So, Daz, being the kid that he is, said he would be glad to frog sit.  Since the last day of school we've had a frog here.  It's been sitting on the boys' dresser, and I forget about it most of the time.  But Daz has dutifully fed it daily and taken care of it.  Well, what else do you do for a frog besides feed it?  Stare at it, maybe?  Talk to it? I dunno.  We say goodbye to Frogger in the morning.  And I think Daz is such a good friend to frog sit for Tre for so long!!!  I think it's so cute that they're at the age where they do these kinds of things for each other!

6*  I have been watching ALOT of movies at home lately.   Some I've seen before, many I have not.  I'm not a huge movie goer, watcher.  Ok all of you who ask "how do you do it all?"  It's because I never take the time to read a book, or watch a movie.  And I always wonder "how does she have the time to read a book, or watch that movie".  Balance I suppose.  And don't forget, the grass is always greener...  So I fill my breaks with lots of movies.  Over the break I've watched Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jone's the Edge of Reason, Love Actually, Monster's Ball (hadn't seen this one, didn't care for it, but now I've "seen it"), The Nannie Diaries (read this book a year or so ago, loved the book.  Good movie too.  Read the book, first, though.)  I think that's it.  Besides the ones we've seen in the theater.  But I DO intend to watch a few more.  The next on my list are Spanglish, Memoirs of a Geisha, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook and Stepmom.

7*  Our high for tomorrow is 53, the low 31, and Craig is taking my kids camping. Yes, I know for years you've thought he was a bit on the crazy side, and that has just been affirmed.  But the kids are ecstatic!  Even though it's going to be cold.  They keep telling me that "we'll have lots of layers and socks and blankets...and a campfire".  Go forth and freeze have fun, I've told them.  I plan to stay snug and cozy in my bed and watch a few of the above mentioned movies, and maybe even read a few chapters out of a book, thank you very much.

8*  I start my online classes Monday, the 7th, Craig's Birthday!  Really NOT looking forward to that, I've REALLY been enjoying my break SO much!  But I guess I am looking forward to knocking a few more classes out, and getting closer to the goal.  Killian starts back on the 7th too, so Craig will be driving him home on Sunday.  Daz, Allyssa and Colby start back on the 8th.  Actually wishing we all had a longer break.  I've really been enjoying my kiddos.  Can't wait for summer break and more time with them!

9*  I just looked online at my grade point average with last terms classes added to it.  Well first, let me explain a few things.  You see, I've had a few terms where my grades have not been all that hot.  My first one, when Daz was a baby, and I was so young, and...not so pretty.  Last fall, when I was over committed, overstressed, and overtired...not that great either.  So, those couple of of "not so hot" grades on my transcript dropped my GPA down a bit, and I've really been trying to pull it back up so I can graduate with honors.  And I'm happy to announce that as of now, my GPA is back to a 3.44.  And as of now, I will be graduating With Honors (Cum Laude).  Wish I could be walking with Magna or Suma, but Cum Laude it will be for me.  (How you walk at graduation = what your GPA is at a semester prior to graduation; which was the end of this semester for me.)  But, considering all that I have going on, I think this is a HUGE accomplishment!  Oooohhh, and talking about "walking" and "graduation" gets me kind of giddy!!!

10*  Have you been watching Project Runway?  I caught a marathon yesterday on Bravo.  Wowza, lovin' it!!!  Can't wait for all the shows to be back from break; Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and can't wait for Lost to be back on.  It's been a while.  I was starting to think that Lost got Lost.  How about the show with Carrie Ann Inaba, the female judge off of Dancing With the Stars, and Drew Lachey (former winner of that show - and one of my favs)...Dance War?  Not so sure what I think about it, but I'll try it out to see.  ER came back on tonight, have been a fan of it for years!  And I am really loving Samantha Who?

11*  Craig was super motivated and on the ball and took down all of our outside Christmas decorations on the 1st.  I still have not taken the indoor stuff down yet.  Not in the mood.  It's a chore.  Still enjoying it.  It's so much work for so little time.  But I think I'll do it tomorrow.

12*Our "Family Christmas Pictures" got taken today, so Zaleski New Year's Cards (yes, with letters and pictures) and gifts should be out the door by Monday.  Yippee!!!!!!!

13*  Mom, I think Killian may be as tall as you by the time you get here in May. 

14*  I actually scrapbooked a page the other night.  A Christmas 2000 page.  I'll be doing more and more.  Thankful to have a space, and supplies, and pictures... Glad to have this form of keeping track of our memories.

15*  So...this is kind of what we've been up to.  Pretty much.  In a nutshell.  Through my eyes.  In my words.  You get to witness a little bit of my Crazy, Beautiful Life...and oh how beautiful it is!

         

Happy New Year 2008!!!

First order of business - MONOPOLY.  Yep, it went that long.  And we had a blast!  Craig even stayed up until almost midnight on a work night (aahhh - gasp).  He never does that!  And Allyssa came from behind and kicked some Monopoly behind.  Good job Mom, Amy and Ange, you guessed it!  And well, I guess I'll give it to you too, Janna!  Thanks for playing along everyone who posted or sent us emails!  Look at Allyssa and all of the properties and money she ended up with.  And her excited face!  It was so funny...they all got so into it (I was ONLY banker and helped them all out - was just as fun for me, though), they started taking out "favors" when they were getting short on cash and I had a running list of things like, Killian has one free rent on the Yellow Properties or Allyssa has one free rent on Park Place.  Too funny!

We had a fun day today.  After coming home from Mass, we had a huge spread of fondue fun.  White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and Cheese Fondue with - are you ready for it? - bananas, pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, broccoli, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, pretzels, tortilla chips, little smokies, meatballs, brownie chunks, nilla wafers, marshmallows and pound cake.  And yes, it was just my brood.  But I tell you, my family can eat.  And the kids really enjoyed doing the Fondue.  I think we'll make that a New Years Eve tradition.

And I know, you are all saying - enough with the entirely GROCERY LIST of foods you dipped into sauces tonight, right?  You are all just REALLY wanting to know who won tonight's Checkers tournament, right?  Well...it was a good match again this year!

We had three games going at once.  We were unsure if Colby would need someone to help him this year, but he held his own and played his own game.  We played double elimination again this year, and wouldn't you know it, I was the first one out?!?!  I mean, what the heck!  (NOOOO - I was NOT throwing the game and letting them win.)  I played Daziel (of course he won) and then Killian beat me too.  Colby was out, in 5th place, laughing and enjoying himself the whole time.  I think he was just excited and happy that he could play by himself. In this picture, he was seriously concentrating.  Look at that look!  And do you see Craig and Killian playing their game at the coffee table in the background?

Allyssa made it to 4th place.  Then it was down to the "big boys".  Craig, Killian and Daziel. They played.  They were serious.  They concentrated.  They tried to psyche each other out.  Well, Daz and Killian did.  And Craig concentrated and took it super serious and had a deep furrow in his brow most of the time.  But I caught him once....look, he's almost...

there...he cracked it...the "serious" checkers player is smiling (te he he).

So, Craig ended up beating Killian.  But remember, this Zaleski Family Tournament that we hold yearly at Christmastime is serious business, it is double elimination.  Craig had already lost once...so now both he and Killian were sitting at one loss and Daz was undefeated going into the finals.  Killian and Daz were up next and were in the middle of playing their game come the final minutes of 2007.  They paused midway through and we all counted down and watched the ball drop.  Then all of the kids went outside and ran up and down the street yelling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"  (Yes, our neighbors LOVE us!)

Then back in, right away, to continue with the tournament.  I have some serious competitors in this family!!  (Ask Aunt Angie, she got to hear it when she called to wish us a Happy New Year!)

So...Daz and Killian, four men to five men....three men to four....and so it went.  And Daz won.  It was a good game, and Killian almost had it.  Almost.  But Daz has some serious strategizing going on and with a double jump won the game.  Look at the concentration in his eyes!

So, the last game.  It came down to Daziel - still undefeated vs. Craig - the "old man".  Who was going to win?  Would it be last year's reigning champ or the underdog?  Only time would tell.  They played.  Craig got serious.  Daziel giggled and taunted.  Craig said "I can't wait to beat you!"  Daz chuckled a "bring it on" laugh.  Which of course made the game that much more hysterical serious to watch.  It was do or die...wait... Daziel pointed out that if he lost, he still had another game.  It was double elimination.  So if he lost they'd have to play - AGAIN!  It was a long game.  Just a few men on the board - a couple black, a couple red, and then....

Dun dun dun duuunnn.  Dun dun dun duuunnn.  (te he he - I SO should NOT be a News Anchor or Sportscaster!) Torturous, I know!

DAZIEL HUGO won AGAIN.  THREE YEARS IN A ROW!  What does he win?  Bragging rights for ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR!  And as my Mom pointed out, we need to get some kind of Zaleski Family Checkers Championship Belt or something that the winner gets to keep for the year.  Great idea, Mom! 

You know, I know some of you don't love checkers.  It's not a typical favorite of ours either.  But it is for this!!  We started this tradition three years ago, really, because it was the only game all of my kids, at the time, could pretty much play (the younger ones with a little help), somewhat quickly, in a way that would allow us to do this kind of tournament.  Cause really, this tournament only takes a couple of hours total.  Perfect!  It's pretty fast paced and is ALOT of fun!  And now that the kids are getting older, and getting more into it, and all able to really play (can you believe Colby can play all by himself?  aaahhh), it is even MORE fun.  I thought they'd grow out of it.  But to the contrary, I see it as something we'll be doing.  Even in their teens.  Honestly, I can't wait to be playing the grandkids.  So definitely have to get some kind of trophy worked out. 

And there we have it folks.  Play-by-play of the 3rd Annual Zaleski Family Checkers Tournament.  CONGRATULATIONS to our undefeated reigning champ, Daziel!!!

It is the game that never ends...

it goes on and on my friends...my children started playing it thinking that it would be fun, and they continued playing it until the break of dawn...it is the game that never ends....

Do you know what game I'm talking about?  Hmnnn.... Take a guess.
I'll answer it tomorrow with a picture.  But we (my whole family) played it for seven hours today!  SEVEN HOURS!!  (Hint: yes, it IS a board game.  No, we didn't get a Wii.)  We just put it up and it's almost midnight. 

Tomorrow we are going to have the annual Zaleski Family Checkers Tournament.  We've got to see if someone can beat the raining champ - Daziel.  And, we're going to do fondue and the kids want to run up and down the streets at midnight making noise, you know, beating pots and pans and yelling Happy New Year. 

So, how about it.  What game???