Highlights

I went in for my annual womanly visit... no details needed...

And as my legs were in the stirrups, my doctor says...

"I notice your hair is lighter."

{long pause}

I'm thinking... OMG... seriously...doctors bring this up? I didn't think it was...

"OH! Yes, I got highlights," I finally said with a strained smile as I touched my head.

This was a highlight of my visit yesterday. Ha ha....
LOLOLOL

Williams and Flagstaff

Only 2 weeks later, I finally am posting a blog about this. As mentioned in an earlier blog, I have no desire to blog because it's almost like work, and with work being so close, I'm boycotting any form of work. But, it also bugs me to get behind so I'm trying to catch up... slowly, but surely....

On a great suggestion by LESLIE, we decided to try a KOA camp in Williams. Now, we've never tried one before... it seems like it's for campers who don't really know how to camp. But, she said it was a great place, cute cabin, lake nearby, etc. Jonathan, who is a true camper, even said it sounded fun. We booked it, even bought a KOA discount card because we were sure it would be fabulous.

Well, we got packed, brought tons of food, toys, card games, kayaks, fire wood, makings for s'mores, etc. On the way up there we were telling the kids how great it would be. While almost there, Jonathan was reading the directions and starts laughing. What's so funny? He explains: We were supposed to bring our own sheets and towels!

Ok, now you are probably thinking what dimwits... of course you bring your own stuff when you are camping. Campers know this! Yes, we do... however, when we were paying about $100 a night for a cabin, we assumed it had sheets and towels! Great! So, we had to think of a plan. Could we buy stuff a walmart? We don't have extra money... maybe we could return it.... maybe we'll be fine... sleep in our warm clothes..... Hmmm..... just get to another hotel?

Hayden was refusing to go to a hotel.... he wanted to camp, darn it. Well, what he really wanted was to make s'mores, which really only needed a camp fire... which can be made when not camping. We were able to cancel our reservations, minus 10%... not bad. We headed to some hotel outside of Williams...can't remember the name. That afternoon we went to Kaibab Lake and did some kayaking... all of us at different times, even Zoe who somehow escaped on her own without a life jacket.... and whom we sent Hayden after by himself.

The Williams hotel was cute... we got a credit to eat at their restaurant, which included some jivin' live music. It had a skanky hot tub which we actually got in, and a continental breakfast. Here's our entertainment there:

The next day we stayed at the Ski Lift Lodge at the base of the Snow Bowl. Very cute and full of character and uncomfortable beds. It included free Sky Ride tickets though... woo hoo.... so the Hotel was $69 to stay, plus 2 free tickets, but the guy gave me 3... and zoe was free... Adult tickets are $12 each and Hayden would have been $7... what a deal! That was tons of fun... and gave us heart attacks with Zoe the Fearless next to us on the lift. Yikes! Hayden got to ride by himself... I guess that's what 10 year olds do.

The rest of the mini vaca included making s'mores... yes, we found a site and made a fire! Hayden claimed to be in charge and had a COW if any of us tried to go near the fire... especially Zoe. We were able to see Jolene and Jorden at Oregano's, made a scenic trip through Sedona, and made it home to our superbly soft beds.

Tons of fun... maybe next time we'll actually go camping!

Conclusions

I spent much of Saturday and part of Sunday with some very wonderful and dear friends at a Girls' Getaway on the other side of town. Amidst all the fun and enjoyment, I came to a few conclusions - some of which I already knew, but needed subtle reminders:

1. I shouldn't wear a bikini anymore.
2. I should work out more than I do.
3. Perhaps some sun wouldn't hurt me, and possibly improve my complexion.
4. I'd rather wear jeans than dress up.
5. ALL topics of conversation come up on a girls' getaway.
6. I have wonderful friends.
7. My husband is fabulous.
8. I am older than I once was.. .as are all my friends... and a night out includes being in bed by 10:30.

Until next year....

#10

The boy has reached the double digits! HOLY COW! Soon he'll be asking for things like a phone (oh wait, he has and we told him only if he can pay for it...), big Ipods, girls over, the car... uggg.... Don't Grow Up! I've decided that I may have to home school him come high school. According to Jonathan it's a scary place. He can get a job during the day, then when we get home we'll do his school work. Good plan, ya!

Hayden has grown into such a young man... great brother... super smart...very imaginative...wonderful kid! Here are few pics over the years... from 0 to 10!

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

...blah!!!.... and the Ballerina

I'm in denial that school is starting soon, hence I'm protesting any form of work... and sometimes, blogging is work. But I thought it was about time to post something. Although, my 2 or 3 readers... you know who you are... are on facebook as well so you see my pictures already. So, I guess this blog is more for me, like a journal. So if you readers feel a sense of de ja vu, then... well... it's probably a legitimate feeling!

I have had the best summers... as all summers are because I get to stay home and be a stay at home mom for a little while. Some of the perks included lounging in my jammies with my coffee, meeting friends for summer movie fun, swimming!, lunch with BFFs, hangin' with the kiddos during the day, mini family vacations, etc.

One thing we got to do was see Zoe in her very first ballet class. It was SOOOO cute. OMG. I loved it! There is just something about seeing a little girl in ballet shoes... so adorable and classic. Maybe she'll have more coordination than me.

The Car Conversation

Zoe: I have boobies.

Hayden: I don't.

Zoe: YES you do! Right there!

Hayden: No, I have moobs. Man boobs.

Me: LOL... ::giggle ... giggle::

Zoe: Moobs??

Hayden: Yes... boys don't have boobies! They have moobs!

Zoe: Oh....


....a little later....

Zoe: Hayden said the F word! ohhhhh

Me: Oh my (...I know the F word is Fart.... did you??)

Hayden: No, I said the D word.

Me: What's the D word?

Hayden: Diarrhea

Zoe: ha ha... diarrhea!

The 4th

Did you know there was such a game as Beer Pong? Hmm... was I the only one in the dark about this? After googling this "genius" of a sport, it turns out there are ALL kinds of web sites devoted to drinking yourself silly with a ping pong ball and plastic cups. Still in the dark?... here's one website to get you informed.

Now... I only bring this up because at the party we went to on the 4th, it was THE center of the male entertainment. Notice the word "male"... all the non-males were either watching the little angels swim... or watch the dumb males make fools of themselves while getting drunker and drunker. Of course, not my hubby... he laughed along with all of us at the drunks... he also swam with my little angle so I could relax by the pool... or rather sweat...

We went to Jonathan's friend's house filled with super nice people, great food, and interesting games! Then we headed over to my parents for some popcorn and fireworks... or as Zoe calls them... "farkles" (sparkles).... and she couldn't get over where they came from... the sky? the trees? the clouds? a gun?.... hmmm... hard to explain. Also there, were my brother and his girlfriend with her two kids. We watched the fireworks from Peoria Sports Complex in the comfort of my parents' backyard and swam at the same time.

Happy Birthday America!