Suzanne McGrath Photography

Ten on Tuesday

I'm back.  As you can guess by my absence on Sunday I was out of town for the long weekend.  I hope you you had a great Memorial Day!

1.  First of all, before I go any further, I'd like to thank all our service men and women - both past and present - as well as their families.  (That very much includes my dad - a Vietnam Vet!)  I recognize they are the reason we are all free here in the U.S.  So thank you - truly.

2.  If we are friends on Facebook, you already saw this picture:

Yep, #2 graduated from 5th grade.  She was SO excited!  It's a really big deal so we pulled #1 out of school for it and all the grade schoolers who had 5th grade siblings were dismissed to the gym for the celebration.  I brought #4 because I didn't want her to miss out but admittedly she could have cared less! She was more concerned about being "late" for school.  Huh?

Anyway, all the 5th graders walked over to a neighborhood pool for the rest of the day.  There was a hot dog vendor, ice cones, a DJ, and games.  She had so much fun - even more than she expected which was awesome.  It's hard to believe next year I will have two middle schoolers and two grade schoolers.  I can hardly wait.

3.  Friday night we had a few families over for dinner.  Of course I failed to take even ONE picture, darnit.  But it was really fun and a great way to kick off the long weekend.  Plus, Beergaritas.  Need I say more?!  

4.  Saturday morning we headed down to Arkansas to hang with my family for the weekend.  My sister, boyfriend, and kids were already down there.  We had a great day on the lake Saturday!  The weather held out beautifully and everyone had a chance to ski and/or tube and/or wakeboard.  Sunday was not quite as great.  We got rained on for about 10 minutes and the little kids decided they wanted to go home.  Of course as soon as they got back to my parent's house, the sun came out and we had a good afternoon.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  

I have a timer app on my phone that allowed me to take this picture.  It's definitely not perfect but it's hard to find anywhere to put a phone when the boat wouldn't hold still!

Yep - there's the 12 of us!

Of course it wouldn't be a weekend at the lake without all six kids jumping in while holding hands:

I have to give mad props to #1.  The water was only 77* and I really didn't want to get in.  Well, #4 asked #1 to get in with her and #1 obliged.  Seriously, isn't that the sweetest thing?!  So #1 let #4 jump in to her.  Repeatedly.  My heart melted.

5.  I went for a 10 mile run on Sunday morning.  It was absolutely my best run in a LONG TIME!  My pace averaged 9:35 which is great for me - especially because that included my stops for picture-taking.  When I started out at 6:30am it was about 60*.  Otherwise known as just about perfect.  My last five miles were definitely faster than my first five miles.  And the scenery was just beautiful.  I've posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook but I just love it!

It is so nice to run just because I want to.  I'm not training for anything.  I just want to - and that is seriously awesome!

6.  Sunday night we had a few hours to spare.  We decided to take the little girls hiking at Tanyard Creek.  (#1 was a bit sunburned and tired.)  The trails are great - not too long and not too short.  And of course throwing rocks into the lake is a highlight!

7.  The girls are done with school Friday.  I don't know who is more excited - the girls or me?!  I am so sick and tired of making lunches (#2 - #4) and breakfast (#4) every day!  I know that sounded whiney - but it's true.  I can't wait for the mornings where I can leave the house or go to my office while they are all still asleep.  (Well, except for #1 who will be at swim practice.)  It also means I will get to sleep in a bit later a couple days a week when I'm not running or driving the swim carpool.  I'll take it!

8.  The little girls and I decided we need to do the Sonic Shake Challenge this summer - but as a family. We are going to hang a matrix on our fridge with all the flavors.  Then we are all going to take turns ordering different flavors so that we all get to try at least one bite of all 25 flavors.  Although no one is sure who is going to order the Jalepeno Chocolate flavor!

Wish us luck.  I figure we have about 10 weeks to taste 25 flavors!

9.  I am planning to build a new sofa table next weekend.  I can hardly wait!  It's going to look so pretty behind Karl.  But I will have to figure out how to stash everything currently stored in the dresser.  That may prove to be the most difficult part of the whole build!

10.  I sewed a maxi skirt in about 20 minutes the other day.  I just need to hem it and then I'll post pictures.  So fun!

And there you go - 10 facts on this Tuesday evening.  I hope you have a fabulous week!

 

Six on Sunday

I sure hope I can post tonight.  My host, Typepad, is acting really strange.  So my fingers are crossed.

Anyway, we had a great weekend.  It was just the right mix of soccer, swim, running, family time, and a few beers thrown in for good measure.  I'll take it!

1.  Friday night started off with homemade pizza and soccer.  My niece's soccer game, to be precise.  I was up against the clock trying to feed #1 before her swim practice and still get over to Sydney's game.  We made it, but we missed most of the first half.  Sydney plays forward and goalie.  We missed her when she scored her goal but we saw her save quite a few when she played goalie.  It was fun to watch her and the kids enjoyed goofing off and playing with their cousin.  

2.  Yesterday I ran with 8 miles with my friend, Carmen, while she completed her 25th half marathon.  And I tell you what, the day could not have been more beautiful!  It was low 40s but the sun was out and there was really no wind to speak of - seriously gorgeous!  The course was really, really hilly but we just took our time and enjoyed the morning.  It is my favorite way to start off the weekend!

3.  #3 had her last soccer game yesterday morning.  Unfortunately they lost; but in first grade soccer they don't really care who wins.  The girls just want to run around and have fun!  Their games go by super fast, too.  It was all good.  

#2 had a soccer game yesterday afternoon but I missed it.  I was with #1 at her swim meet in Lee's Summit.  I finally got smart, though.  I dropped #1 off for warm-ups and then went shopping.  I checked out World Market (bought wine), Pier 1, and Marshall's.  It was nice not to just sit in the bleacher for two hours with nothing to watch.  As for the meet, she did well.  She dropped quite a bit of time in two out of her three events.  And we were still home by 6:30 so it wasn't too long of a day for us.  

4.  The hubby is a dessert fantatic!  It is not hard to twist his arm to go out and buy something.  So last night he took all the girls to Sonic for half-price shakes.  They were all in heaven when they got home.  I was a good girl and didn't get my own but I did have a taste of everybody else's shake.  Yum!

As for my diet - it's so not fun.  I stalled out this week - major bummer.  I think Mother's Day last Sunday really did me in for the week.  Isn't it crazy how one day of poor choices (which I knew I was doing while doing it) can blow your week?!  It sucks balls.  I think turning 40 really did me zero favors in the whole metabolism department.  I swear, when I was in college I could eat a whole Domino's pizza by myself and never gain weight.  Now I can only eat one slice for dinner!  So very sad.  But I'm trying to still be good - nuts for snacks rather than Hot Tamales.  And only one beer for dinner on Friday night rather than two.  We shall see...

5.  Today was a productive day for the girls and me.  I cooked a ton of stuff this morning to help my week go more smoothly.  I made shrimp salads, mango chipotle BBQ sauce, chicken nuggets, granola, chipotle cheddar burgers, and edamame.  I actually didn't mind doing it, either.  Go figure? 

This afternoon while #1 was at day two of the swim meet and #3 was at a friend's house, #2 and #4 helped me stain the table and bench out on our deck.  And they really, truly helped me!  It was totally awesome (once we got past #4 bitching and moaning about her ugly paint clothes).  Here they are:

We knocked out two coats today and our deck is looking fabulous now!  Just in time for beer-drinking-entertaining-season!

I even managed to sneak out to Home Depot and Target today - two of my favorite haunts.  Good times!

6.  The flowers are starting to bloom.  Finally.  My friend delivered these to my doorstep today.  Aren't they gorgeous?

I am so excited to be able to start brining flowers into the house.  I love that about summer!

Anyway, this was rather short and sweet this week.  But that's all I've got.  I hope you have a fabulous week ahead of you!

 

Six on Sunday

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.  I hope you had the perfect day - however you define perfect!

Do you ever randomly sit down on the couch, flip on the TV, and there it is.  A movie.  "The" movie.  You get sucked in - no matter where the movie is at - beginning, middle, or end.  That is me.  Right now.  The Blind Side.  I swear, I could watch that movie a hundred times and never get tired of it!  I have a feeling this entry could take me twice as long as usual!

1.  We had a great weekend; both weather-wise and family-wise.  We started off the weekend with a family Friday night.  #1 swims most Fridays but decided to take this Friday off to nurse a fractured toe (diagnosed by yours truly with my ex-ray vision).  Anyway, we had dinner al fresco (homemade pizza).  That alone is cause for celebration in my mind.  I love eating out on the deck!  We followed up dinner with a family walk through the "woods".  

Funny story...we started out our walk just like normal when all of a sudden Darby (our cat) came running along.  She seriously followed us down the block and I swear she would have tagged along the whole way!  Well, I didn't want her to cross Antioch so I ended up carrying her home and depositing her in the foyer.  She was not pleased.  I was relieved.  We need to keep our stone cold killer safe and sound!

Anyway, it was a beautiful night and the light was just fabulous:

It was so nice to be able to spend time with the six of us - just relaxed and unplanned.  We ended up running into #3's friend and we stopped and hung out with her family for probably a good 20-30 minutes.  

It ended up being a lovely, impromptu way to spend the evening.  

2.  So you know my washing machine broke last Sunday.  (Piece of sh*t!)  Anyway, I'm thinking that should happen more often!  My friend, Carmen, did at least four loads of my laundry last week - including DROPPING THEM OFF AT MY HOUSE!  Seriously, that was so nice of her.  Last week I ended up going into the office all five days so it would have been nearly impossible for me to do my own laundry.  She absolutely made my week and I swear her heart is made of gold!

Well, I finally got my new washing machine delivered yesterday afternoon.  I swear I the clouds parted and angels started singing.  It is beautiful!  I am in love with it!  It's a top loader and you must be tall to adequately reach the bottom but it is so awesome.  Check it out here if you need one!  I tried to get it at Home Depot (because it's so close to my house) but they were on back-order so I ended up buying it from Sears for the same price.  It is lovely.  And it's so pretty I kind of hate to cover it up.  But I have to install another shelf over it - with a door that opens - because I need the counter space.  

Did I catch up the laundry?  You bet I did!  I washed all this in the last 24 hours:

Usually I can sort laundry in the laundry room and adjoining half bath.  Not this week.  There was simply too much so I used the "music room" as my sorting room.  It worked perfectly.

3.  Last week I touched on my diet.  Well, I am happy to report I'm down 3 pounds after 2 weeks of eating healthy.  And barely cheating.  I mean, is beer really cheating when it's the weekend?  Yeah, I didn't think so, either.  I still miss my carbs, though.  I'm not gonna lie.  I love crackers and bread and Cheez Its.  They're so damn good!  But I am proud of myself, too.  I'm hoping to continue this for the next two weeks so I can get to an acceptable summer weight.  Cross your fingers for me.  I'm gonna need it.

4.  Yesterday was a productive day for us.  First of all, we didn't have any soccer games which is pretty unusual.  And nice.  And relaxing.

#1 and I started the morning off super early volunteering at the Heritage Park duathalon, 5k and 10k.  I have to admit, it was kind of boring but it was a beautiful morning.  Albeit a little chilly!  Thankfully we were done by 9:30.  Meanwhile, the hubby and little girls picked up groceries which made me happy because that meant I didn't have to do it!

#3 had a friend over in the morning, #2 and #4 had friends over in the afternoon and #3 went to her friend's house.  #1 was at Worlds of Fun with her friend for the entire afternoon.  Did you catch that?!  I managed to sneak in an 8 mile run just before lunch.  Plus, I put up crown moulding in my closet.  The only thing that is left now is paint.  Thank goodness.  Later in the afternoon I took the kids to Sonic for a walk and it was so fun!  I spent the afternoon cleaning because my house was a total disaster and I wanted to wake up to a clean house on Mother's Day.  Yes, I clearly have issues.  No, I'm not getting help.  Yet.

Last but not least we had a fun night.  We were throwing the frisbee with #2 in the driveway and one thing led to another and we ended up sitting in our driveway drinking beer with the neighbors.  I have to say, that is my idea of a perfect day.  All of it wrapped into one.

5.  Today was more of the same, really.  Although we did have a delicious brunch made possible by the hubby and the big girls.  It was so nice!

The hubby had 4 yards of mulch delivered yesterday and today he finished spreading it out.  I managed to sew my missing Roman shade.  (When we replaced our family room window last summer the replacement window ended up being two inches wider which meant we have been without a Roman shade for nearly a year.  Whoops!)  We went on a bike ride to the playground.

When we came home we finished planting what we had purchased earlier in the day.  And I think we are virtually done with planting for the year which makes me supremely happy!  I love to buy all the plants but I don't really love to plant all the plants, ya know?!  (Geez, do I sound spoiled or what?  Wait.  Don't answer that.)

Anyway, we finished up with a fabulous dinner (try this by www.iowagirleats.com) and a trip to Twister's for dessert.  Yes, I totally blew today but Mother's Day only comes once a year so it's OK.

My day would have been nearly perfect (for me) had it not been for #4's whiney state.  Seriously, she was crabby from the moment she woke up.  Ugh.  But we made it through and she is safely tucked into bed now.  Phew!

6.  The girls have 14 1/2 days of school left.  We are all so excited for summer.  We can hardly wait!  I think it's going to be a great summer given their ages.  I loved the baby stage but this stage is so freeing - truly.  

Anyway, that's all I've got for tonight.  Have a terrific week!

 

Six on Sunday

Hello!  I hope you all had a good weekend.  We sure did!  We spent a ton of outside enjoying the perfect spring weather.  Man, I love the month of May!

1.  Today the girls wanted to go for a bike ride.  I really wanted to install crown moulding but we went for a bike ride first.  I'm so glad we did!  It was the most perfect day for a bike ride.  The girls were all really excited to get on their bikes again, too.  We headed down the street to the bike trails so we could check out the fairy houses.  I had seen them last fall but I swear they've doubled in number.

I'm sure a lot of you are thinking, what is a fairy house?  Here is an example:

I am not sure if anyone knows who is responsible for making these?  And a lot of them are actually installed directly into the tree itself.  (I failed to get a picture.)  Where there is a little opening or hole in the tree, the creator actually cuts a small door to size, puts it on a hinge, and attaches it to the tree.  They are so very creative.  We stopped and checked out each and every one.  Between Antioch and Switzer I think we saw 5 - 7?  I lost count.

It was such a great way to spend an hour or so with the girls.  

2.  Friday night we had another impromptu get-together with the neighbors.  It is always so fun to catch up with everyone after a winter of hibernation.  But the best part?  Watching the kids play together!  Hands down.  We had five year olds through fourteen year olds represented.  And they played together for HOURS.  No lie.  

No, that's not our house but you can see the kids together.  So special.  

3.  The hubby and I started our "clean" eating plan last Sunday.  Of course as of Friday afternoon he was down four pounds to my measly one pound.  Where is the fairness?!  Ugh.  We basically cut out junk (Hot Tamales, chocolate) and some carbs like brown rice and tortilla shells.  It wasn't bad.  I didn't go so far as to think of South Beach where you can't eat fruit for two weeks.  Because that just makes me MEAN.  And tired.  And MEAN.  So it's not so much of a diet as a lifestyle that we need to get back to after this winter.  But I would be remiss if I did not admit I miss my Hot Tamales.

4.  I swear to you, when it rains, it pours.  Last week - I forget which day - the hubby emailed and said I needed to bring the air compressor to his office because he had a flat tire.  Fine.  I did it.  Only to realize I also have a big, huge screw in my tire!  He got his tire fixed but now mine needs to go to the shop, too.

Did it end there?  Of course not.  While the hubby was trimming the landscaping today he noticed we had not one, but TWO holes in our siding.  Birds are living in the first hole and now we have a second hole.  We had not planned to replace the siding this year.  Now we're going to have to come up with some sort of plan that involves money that I don't want to spend.  Yuck.

Have you ever heard bad things come in threes?  Because I totally believe it's true.  Today my washing machine died.  On the first load.  Of eight.  Yep - I opened the door and the rubber gasket was all twisted and mutilated.  After some research we've decided it's probably best to just bite the bullet and get a new one.  But I hate my front loader so I'm going to look for a top loader.  Which means I'm going to have to reconfigure the countertop I had over my front loading washer and dryer.  And that totally was not on my project list for the year!  So if you have any recommendations, bring it on.  For the record, I do not want fancy.  I just want something that will wash our clothes and not break and not dance all around the floor while it "self levels".  Is that too much to ask???  

5.  I sort of gave the hubby an ultimatum this weekend.  (It's OK, he doesn't read my blog.)  I was really tired of not being able to see my clothes in my closet.  So he did it!  He installed the new lights and I am in love.

Originally, we were going to install recessed lights back in the back two corners.  But after we discovered a joist was in the way in the ceiling we went this route and I am so glad we did.  I wanted to do this from the beginning but thought he was set on the recessed lights.  These are just lights from the Home Depot but they were perfect!  Since the ceiling is only 8 feet in there I couldn't do any sort of chandelier but these two lights have just the right amount of bling!  It looks so pretty in there now and it's so bright!  That is seriously the best part.  The pretty-ness is just a bonus.

And today I managed to get all the crown moulding cut but ran out of time to install it.  I used the Kreg Jig Crown Moulding tool and it was AWESOME.  I know for a fact I would have had a lot more waste and it would have taken me twice as long to do it without that tool.  It was worth every penny (that I spent on the hubby for Christmas). 

6.  #2 had an 8am soccer game today and I took my big girl camera out to the field.  In the end I got a few good shots but nothing of her that I love.  So I'm going to have to do a re-do.  But here she is throwing in the ball.

And there you have it - our week and weekend in a nutshell.  We did a lot of other stuff (Dinner at our friend's house, Brookside Art Festival, swim practice, dinner with cousins, etc) but you got the highlights.

I hope you have a fantastic week ahead!