I am back. I am exhausted.

I have a gazillion pictures to delete review for friendly viewing.  I am very sure of that.  I am exhausted.

We, in fact had the fullest house in our little history there.  The weather cooperated.  The kids did too. We certainly partied like little rock stars. 

There is alot of work that goes into the celebration for anyone.  Especially the way we tend to roll.

But guess what sillies?  IT WAS MY LAST ONE.....That puts a bigger smile on my face than sitting here at work today totally exhausted.  

Oh, and let me mention I am leaving now to register Kali for school.  It's that time of year.  Pictures, id's, binders, athletic stuff.   This is how they roll.  This is where I am headed.   That is what I feel like up above.

I prayed for safe travels up and back.  Healthy safe and happy kids.  Got that too. Thank you God.  Thank you family and Kris' friends for making this happen.  

Back to the grind. 

Where is my 3rd coffee?

I will be back in action tomorrow.  

Hope you all enjoyed a good long fun weekend.   We sure did.  I learned a few things.  I will change a few things.  Life as I know it.  Sometimes things don't always go the way we plan.  But hey, if they did?  We wouldn't know what, where and how to change it right?

Go get em this week kids.  Have some fun while you do.   Exhausted or not, I sure will.

Last week to celebrate summer for me.

Love, 

Tired me.

Happy Annivers

Oh. Hi guys.  Good to be back today.  Yes, it's still hot.  And yes, my hair is still frizzy.  like ridic.  I am sick of buns, I am sick of my clippy's because my heavy hair ends up hurting my nogan. (word?)  I am ready to chop this shiz off.  Psych.  Bill would panic and plan an escape.  HA!

Ok. Back on subject.  Stay focused Leese, I know the weather is making my mind melt.  

 

Kali woke up this morning, with puffy eyes, crazy hair, and a look of fright on her face.  My response "Good morning hun, what's up, u ok"? (with kind of a smirky smile on my face, like wanting to actually laugh) 

 

Kali:  Mom I need a box

Me:  Ok hun get the craft boxes down

Kali:  Can you help me wrap?

Me:  Of course

Kali:  Do you have an envelope?

Me: Sure, we have one red one left, here you go. and don't forget to use those cute felt letters and numbers.

 

She than sits on the edge of my bed to craft on a card. It got to Happy Annivers.....AND SHE stormed walked OUT OF ROOM.  And the melt down started.  That's what happens folks when you write a little too big. lol.  Sorry Kali. 

She proceeded to stamper to the living room desk, searching for an envelope. Any envelope.  Who cares if it's from a card her Mom is sending to a friend next week.  Grabbed, in her hand, puffy tired eyes looking at me, with a marker.

Kali:  Will you please write it out?

Me: Of course.  Holding back laughter like you would a sneeze. 

Her tired eyes are from partying for Cullen's Birthday yesterday/night where he was presented with a brand spanking new Jeep with new black wheels on it.  Basically a boys dream.  And girls drooled too. And they swam, ate, laughed, ate more and hung with all the friends in Seal. Home by 11pm. 

 That's the puffy eyed girl outcome.  Tirruurrrd.  Hopefully the attitude isn't a blossom of jealousy from the fancy she sees. That happens sometimes peeps.  Be prepared.  It's keeping things real.  This girl still suffers with her furniture from 5 years old. Blessed with flowers along the edges.  Poor thing.  Yes, she is getting new.  Yes, she is beyond blessed with many many things.  But until this girl can pick up a room like a big girl, and put clothes on hangers.  It will continue to look like a sweet little girls room with clothes as confetti.  Even if the drawers scream at me while I walk by.  

 

              

Wow,  I did get off subject. woops.

Ok, back to the subject of the day.  DID YOU KNOW IT'S GIANNI AND KALI'S 6 MONTHS ANNIVERSARY?  She made a cute gift.  Yes, they adore each other.  Yes, that new feeling is still in the air.  The butterflies.  The smiles.  The hands that hold each other close. eh em not too close.  It's 6 months.  It means so much to them.

Off to Mimi's Cafe.  The two of them. Her gift in hand.  His smile as she hopped in his jeep.  Aw.  New love.  Aw. Summertime.  

And I left.  To work. Frizzy hair. sticky skin.  air conditioner on  full blast.  Reminding  myself over and over again....This too shall pass.  Fall is peeking at us kids. I am kind of excited. Well, just for the fall candles and lotions. Oh, and the crisp cool mornings.

For now I am planning my son's last rager. Every year we've celebrated. Big birrfday partayys.  House full of tattoos and brews. 

It takes alot of work, worry, and some planning.  My biggest worry?  All of them, including us, traveling there safely and arriving in one piece.  Please pray for us.  Please pray for Bill, Kali and I.  Pray that Kris enjoys this weekend.  

Can I get an Amen?

Amen.  

I will be out of the universe of blogosphere players.  Have fun without me. Rest assured I will have a full blast of "wows" and "omg's" when I return.  I can promise you that. 

Oh. and will you push the humidity away by the time I get back?

Thanks, so nice of you.

Cheers sillies.

xo

Let's celebrate August birthdays....

Saturday morning we woke to very warm temps.  And this shark.  kidding.  a cute dolphin-

I anxiously waited for my fam bam.  We celebrated the names above, with a few not able to attend.  Cake brought to you by Aunt Annette and PORTO'S.  Yum.  

And these little munchkins arrived. 

Boat ride?  Kayaks? I think yes!

Mark and Bill giving some training sessions.  lol

Lisa giving Bill a strawberry refresher.  Delish.  And horsepower for that board.

Let's do this!

Wow.  Lookin' hot buddy. 

Kali in charge as kayak ref. 

Cousins.  Uncle coming in for crash landing.  Its all good.

because we can trust him with grand-babies.  Life is good. 

Older cousin, younger cousin.  Life is really good. 

Ava gettin' some action while Mark comes in for a landing. 

The meaning of "get geared up".  boy you got it. 

what is goin on here?

Aunts paddling little ones. 

How to work an adult for free rides.  Mark loved it.  We loved it even more.

Another mamarazzi. 

Another cute Mom and Daughter Duo.  So glad they joined us.  Those Sicklers, I tell ya. 

Thoughts? might be something like..."it's my turn fellers".

Because coming to the ocean and hanging with family is so so good. 

first time on paddle-board.  Jerrick was flawless. 

LOVE.  Simply put.

Partners in cocktail crime.  Soccer mom's for life.

Love this skipper. so much.

its when you look around and a house is full of family and friends, and you say to yourself..."this is what it's all about".

because the air was warm, the patio was full, the kiddo's were happy....the smiles were in abundance.

this is all i fed them.  kidding.  I did order a large platter of pasta.  and my fam and friends brought super yummy appetizers. 

my theme for the day, which is my new fav color combo.  Teal and yellow.  Or as London say's "lello". 

And Mr. Gianni showed up and got crazy in the H2O with Jordan  Warm water, hot summer nights, ocean air.  Delish.   Jordan certainly thinks so. 

that last of the sillies in the water.  9pm.  Still warm outside.  Music on, family sharing stories, kids sticky and cranky from all day in sun.  we continue to sip our drinks.  haha. jk. 

Our next morning was waiting to eat at Rivers End Cafe. On the sand.  By the water.  They stood here in the shade because putting our name on the list and counting 95 people in front of us just sucked.  Whatev.  People.  Can't you just go on Main?  haha

While those little fellers packed up for Steps beach in Laguna again, and praying they'd find the right place to park. Kali's  mom packed a nice lunch for the ice chest to than be told, "mom we have to carry all of that down 1k steps".  I said, man up girl.  You got it.  Keep thinking about that nice lunch when you sit there all day.  Plus you have 2 studs to help.  Go have fun girl. and shussh.   So...Bill and I made our little appetizer trays for a sunshine ride.  

so she can drink a marg in peace.  Finally quiet.  Just us.  The way we sometimes LOVE it. 

Music, this, us.  Perfect. 

I'm always surprised to see so many families at this little bay side park.  It's kind of like I would roll my nose in the air, and say "oh my gosh, that is so gross, too many people...blah blah blah".  When recently a light went off.  These are families that stick together.  That take their kids to the ocean.  A place that I strongly believe is one of the best places on the planet. It's the sand in your toes, the water on your ankles and knees.  It's the bbq'n and laughter with your kids.  After all, some don't have central air at home, they share domain spaces.  So, shame on me.  I hope they enjoyed their day in the sunshine.  I really do. 

After cleaning up and hinting that I really wanted Captain Jacks.  That plan fell into the works.  But first, one stop at Randy and Carmen's.  Chatted there a bit....and we were off. 

Best crab ever.  Best salad ever.  All so good. 

Warm night, ride back home.  Reminiscing about our great weekend.  It truly was awesome.  It was.  A glimpse of reality when I would remind myself that Monday is not as stressful these next few weeks.  School is still out.  No early lunches to pack.  No huge grocery runs, or dinners to plan.  Just waiting on the kids to get home safely.  And plan and pack for my next gig.  

My son turns 23.  and i promised myself.  THIS IS THE LAST HUGE PARTY.  seriously.   

I hope the weather man is right when he talks "cool down".  because the heat is starting to really suck.  It just is.  I don't know what bothers me more, the heat, or the humidity that is making my hair frizz.  I think the hair.  I mean, come on.  

Cheers to cold beers.

Who they are.

Who is this couple I call "My Aunt and Uncle"?  - Oh let me explain.  They were the ones that took me home on Friday's to babysit and work and hang out while teaching me a thing or two about life.  About babysitting.  About housekeeping and taking care of toddlers and little ones.  About the definition of love and treating eachother like you've just fallen in love.  Over and over again.  How kisses and hugs go much further than anger and hard words.  And babysitting?  Well....How you don't jaywalk across a major interstate while pulling them in the wagon.  How you always wipe their faces before any other part of their body.  How to cut up their fruit in tiny pieces preventing a choke.  How the normalcy of bedtime was quiet and still.  My Aunt and Uncle moved way way up north many years ago.  I still breath in the lessons.  I still live life by those lessons.  I keep in touch.  I am proud of their hard work.  Their marriage of over 30 years.  Their first love, never faded.  In love since their teens. And it still works?  Look above.   Married young, had three kiddo's.  And this is what evolves when your kids grow.  Miniature horses and baby horses.  Pictures courtesy of my cousin Mindi's Blog.  As I scrolled through these last night....uh oh.  Tears.  Just because pictures make emotions possible.  I love and miss you W and R.  You little lover-bugs.  Muah! xo

Mama horse had baby.  Last weekend.  Imagine the thrill of witnessing this?  Wow. 

No, seriously?  Wow. 

Thank you Min for letting me Bogart these pics.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  You made my weekend. 

Well, if I could order this.  That would make it even better.  Stay focused Leese.  There is so much to do this weekend.  and next. and next.  planning parties, more parties ragers, and back to school clothes shopping which I dread like going to the dentist.  aha.  Kidding not that bad.  But kind of close. Loud music, showing a cute blouse or shorts to a girl that raises her eyebrows than turns and walks away...store to store to store...we go through it.  Well.  One day. it will be over.  So I will brace myself. 

Have fun this weekend sillies.  I am hosting August Birffdays at our beach love shack. Should be fun.  Because of the sun.  Because of kayaks and margarita's.  I can't wait.  I love to gather with family.  And the little kiddos.  Oh, and remember my trash toys that I found by the water side?  Yep. They might get to play with them.  they might.  if they're lucky.  We'll see.  

Love you, and you....and one big "CLANK" cheers to cold beers.

This girl.  Silly Mommy.  Who loves her Aunt and Uncle.  And thanks them often. 

Just the way some things happen.

Gio picked Kali up for a breakfast celebration with his family. 

Kali has a sneaky clever Mama who called the restaurant, and was lucky to get some sweet girl on the phone....after giving descriptions of Kali, Gianni, his parents and sister...she confirmed, yes it was them.  I put breakfast on us.  Gave her my card info. and not only did she call me to confirm total, they sang "Happy Birthday" totally surprising them with a note and cake.  As they all sat there in shock.  Her response by text "Mom, you're too funny".  And later..."Mom that was totally amazing, thank you".   It's the little things.  sneaky little feller.  booya.

And so off they went to Steps.  in Laguna.  The nicest beach in South Orange County.  It just is.  Well, you wonder what the thumbs down stands for? Um. his jeep was towed.  I receive a text that read "Gio's car was towed".  At first I kind of panicked for them.  You know that Mother instinct that kicks in? Well, yes, it did.  Soon, I reminded myself, it's all right.  It's a lesson.  It's life. Things like this happen.  It's what builds a soul.  It builds courage and wisdom.  It just does.  Plus his Mom jumped into gear and flew down there to rescue Mr. Jeep out of jail.  (Guess they were too close to a white curb. like 6 inches.  OC Parking Control, you suck. nice way to pull in more revenue.  little suckers. )  Soon enough they were home to celebrate with cake and ice-cream.  And I joined some girlfriends for another visit to Simmzy's. Yes.  I did.  They put another name into the word Brussels sprouts.  They just do.  Stuff is cray.  IF you go there kids, fellers, players, get them.  Or else.  Look at me.  Do it.                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

Back where life is cozy and full of love.  Happy Birthday Gio.  I hope the 17th year celebration was everything you wished for, well, eh em, except the tow truck monster man that came by. 

Gio left for Utah today. College stuff.  Meeting coaches.  Did I ever mention he took "Offensive player of the year" this last season?  Boom chakalaka.     Kali joined Tori on set this morning.  Universal.  Don't know the show.  But looks interesting.  Kind of looks peaceful, actually.  Something fun to do while this Mom works with numbas and lots and lots of papers. and staples. and emails.  and phone callllzzz. 

Cousins together.  Hot sunny summer day.  Yes. 

Sneak peak of our photo shoot.  Just Kali.  Haven't seen the others.  Crossing my fingers these little stinkers turn out.  Bucksie's turned out cute too.  Too too cute.  This all started by wanting  "Sweet 16" pictures of my girl.  Turns out, this should could be something good.  

It's hotter than snot here.  Seriously, flippin humid and hot. 

What's up with your Wednesday? Have you been paying anything further? Like a smile?  Or kindness? 

Leeeesssssa loo.  The Brussels sprout lova.