No Hero For You....

Here's a sample of how the conversation went in the car on the way home from dinner tonight.

Nico: Are power rangers real?

Me: Sure they are honey.

Sydney: No they're not, they aren't real super heroes.  Real heroes are the ones who takes care and help people.

Like dad is a hero.

Nico: Is mom a hero?

Sydney: No, cause she ONLY takes care of us.  Just dad is.  

Daddy: Mom isn't a hero?

Sydney: NO DAD, she ONLY takes care of us, that's it.

Virginia Sneek Peak

I thought I would post  a couple pics of my Virginia Trip since I've got a lot to blog about for the last couple weeks.  I had an amazing trip to the East Coast.  I am so lucky that Mr. G and my mom and dad brought me out.   I was so lucky to just be a grown up for a week.  Not a wife, mother, taxi driver, doctor, referee, etc.  I just got to be a sister and daughter.  What an awesome blessing to just enjoy all the wonderful things that go on around you and not be distracted by the everyday.  I appreciated Mr. G and my kids more when I got home because I gained a fond feeling of missing them.  Had a wonderful time and will blog more soon.  

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

K, this mannequin freaked me out, which is why I had to take a pic with her. 

Yummo, Pei Wei,  We ate there 4 times.  Twice in one day.

John Heffron sighting

The saturday before I left for virginia, Mr. G and I had the opportunity to go see one of our favorite comics.  John Heffron.    For those of you familiar with Last Comic Standing, he won season 2.   And we have followed him since then.   And a couple weeks agos Mr. G was working a booth at the LA Auto Show.  And sure enough he was John and a fellow comedian, Alonzo Boden just crusing the auto show.  (sidenote: John's wife works for Mercedes Benz and was at the show) So Mr. G approached John and chatted with him for like 45 minutes.  Turns out John wants to become a reserve police officer.  and Mr. G is the man for that.    They hit it off and John mentioned that he was performing at the Irvine Improv and he would hook us up with tickets.   Sweet.  So they exchanged numbers and John hooked us up.  Well after Nick got back to work he mentioned to his Leuitenant what happened and he told Mr. G how much he and his wife loved him as well.  So Mr. G called him up and John was more then happy to get us 4 tickets.  

So when we got to the Improv John got us VIP seating,  meaning we were sitting in his booth with the other comics performing that night.  And everything was on the house.  He arranged for everything to be payed for.  Drinks, food, etc.  And he spent every spare minute he had with us.  He definately didn't have to, but he just hung out with us for a few hours.  It was so awesome.  

At the end of the night, Nick and John exchanged numbers again and have been in touch about police stuff.  And he mentioned at the end of the night he would love to have us over.  So we made friends with an awesome comedian, but Mr. G also scored big points with his superior.  It was a great night and we made some awesome new friends.  

Here we are with the man John.   I told Mr. G I was going to crop him out since his eyes were closed and say John was my new hubby.  What do you think?

Home

I'm home, but sooo busy it's crazy.  I am intending to post pics soon though.  Just bear with me.  The next 4-5 days are going to be out of control crazy.

Gone for a little vacay

I'm off all by myself for the next week to Virginia.  I'm visiting my family, shopping with my sisters, and staying up way to late for a mom of 3 to do.  Mr. G will be here with the kiddies.  I am so lucky to have a hubby as wonderful as he is.  That says, "go, you need a break. I'll take care of everything here."  I love him so much.  

So I'll be back in a week.  Virginia here I come.

My Girls

I need to post these pics before I run out of time to.  The morning of Sydney's birthday, Nick and some buddies went on their annual football trip, and as they were getting all packed up the kids were outside playing with everyone.  So I took the time to snap some pics of the girls.  And I think they came out pretty dang cute.

That is chalk all over Sophie's face, and she's still in her jammies and diaper.

Why do they grow  up so fast?

A smooch from daddy before he leaves.

Love my little ladies!

All Mine

I love Sophie's big, brown eyes.

I love Sydney's perfect smile.

I love Nico's long, curly hair.

And I love Mr. G's rear end.  Sorry ladies, it's all mine.

Just my little reminder to be grateful.

Health Update

All is well on the Garces front.  We are on the mend.  I kept the kids home again today just to be sure.  Sydney's bout didn't end until about 11:00 pm last night.  Poor girl.   We are going to run some errands today and stop off at Joghurt for some yummy frozen yogurt, if they behave themselves.  I have a bunch to do since I'm going out of town next week.  So Christmas has to be done by Tuesday so I don't have to worry about it while I'm in Virginia without kids.  

One another note, I gave in and joined facebook.  I totally jumped on the bandwagon.  I didn't want to but had no choice.  So if you have a facebook account add me as a friend.

I got ambushed

I wanted to post something on the great state of our health after Sophie's little slip up, but alas, that is sooo not the case.  We enjoyed a great Thanksgiving weekend, (more to come) and then Saturday night I got the flu.  The thing with me is, I don't throw up.  I haven't since Easter 1986. So not joking.  I get all the way to that point and then nothing.  So I don't get the relief ever.  Luckily my bout didn't last very long and I was feeling better by Sunday morning. Just in time for Nick to get it.  Nick spent all Sunday in bed running to and from the bathroom.  No details necessary, we've all been there.  Nick was feeling better by Sunday night and I thought maybe it would wash over us without Sydney and Nico catching it.    Until.....

Last night.  2:00am Nico wakes me up crying, and continues said crying all through the night.  I made a bed for him in the bathroom and he slept next to the toilet.  So obviously he wouldn't be going to school.  So when Syd woke up and heard that Nico was sick, like magic, her stomach was hurting.  I didn't believe her and sent her to school.  Then at 8:20 am, after only being at school for 30 minutes the nurse calls me, Sydney's in her office and stomach still hurting.  I asked the nurse if she thought Syd was faking, and she told me she thought the pain was credible.  So I loaded the kids up and picked her up.   I didn't even get a 1/2 mile from the school when I had to pull over so Syd could throw up on the sidewalk.  Hey at least it wasn't my car.  She seems to have gotten the worst case.  Nico is already back to himself, but poor Syd has been over the kitchen sink all day, and even as I'm typing this.    

So we all spent the day in our jammies, I decorated for Christmas, and caught up on some stuff around the house.    I have been meaning to take care of these things, so I'm grateful to have the time.  I just hope my baby girl starts feeling better soon.  

Stinker Bell Got Sick

Late last night Stinker Bell got her very first bout with the stomach flu.  Poor baby girl, she and I were up ALL night long.  She just cried and cried.  And pointed to her stomach and told me it hurt.  We survived the night and did some napping today.  And tonight she cuddled with her daddy and fell asleep on his chest.  I hate when my babies get sick. Especially when they're little babies.

At 2:00 am, just miserable.

Sleeping peacefully this morning during nap time.

At dinner time, when her spirits were a little lighter,  Sydney put her b-day crown on her.

She was waiting for her plain eggo for dinner.

Miss Diva Turns 8!

We had a busy weekend. More on that to come in following posts. But one of our activities yesterday was Miss Sydney's 8th birthday and party. The countdown to her birthday started months ago, so I was relieved to say the least that the day finally arrived. It seems like a blinked and she turned 8. Where does time go? Seriously? When we talked about different ideas for her party, we went back and forth for a while and came up with the idea to shop, eat and go to the movies. What girl doesn't want to do that? So she invited some friends from school and Kaleigh and we went to Johnny Rockets for a yummo lunch at the Shoppes at Chino Hills, then did a little shopping at Limited Too, and then headed over to Harkins to see High School Musical 3 then back for cupcakes and gifts. My neighbor Sonja joined me so I wouldn't be alone, bless her. She and I have been friends since we moved here, but this was the first time we went out together, and we had such a great time. So here are all the pics from yesterday, in no particular order, I didn't feel like arranging them chronologically. Sorry.

Getting out the door, on our adventure.

And here is the end of the night, blowing out candles.

Shopping with their Limited Too bags. They all got bracelets.
In front of the very large Christmas Tree on the promenade.
After the Happy Birthday song was sung. The great servers at Johnny Rockets sang her a great little song. It was so much fun. There was a juke box at each table and each song was only a nickel. The girls loved choosing the songs that came on. At one point they all had to use the restroom, so we moved our party to the potty. We had potty party. It was pretty funny.
They make smiley faces with their ketchup when they hand it too the girls, it was pretty cute.
My cupcake masterpieces. I was really proud of them, and they were very yummy.
So yummy in fact, that the girls liked them on their noses.
Julia and HannahKaleigh & Kaylee
(same name, different spelling)

Julia, Olivia and Syd

Syd and Kaleigh before the girls arrived.

I feel like I gripe alot about the sour things my kids do, especially Sydney so today, I'll brag.

She arrived November 22,2000 a week late when I was 22 and Nick 25. She entered this world weighing 9'4 and 22 1/2 inches long. She had a full head of black hair and was holding up said head by the next day. She was quickly nicknamed china doll by Nick's mom because of her fair skin and dark hair. She wasn't a very happy baby for the first few months of her life. She cried alot, I cried alot, and I think Nick cried alot in private. When she hit the 6 month mark she became a different baby, so happy and loving. We just adored every second we had with her. She grew up so fast. She was crawaling at five months, walking at 9 months, talking at 1 year. She had to do everything early. So much in fact that she started school at 4 and has thrived ever since. She wants to do the right things in her life. She is bright and kind, smart and beautiful. And she amazes me every day with her love and open heart. She gives me great purpose and I love her so very much.

Happy Birthday Miss Diva, I love you!!!!!

Best Buds

This is Nico's best bud Carsen.  Isn't it a little weird how much they look alike? They act the same, have the same personality and play the same games.  They are both #2 of three and are all boy.  Carsen's mom Lisa and I are the room moms for their class, and as we have become friends and talked about the boys, it's eerie how alike they are. Even down to their curly, long hair and even their teeth are alike.  Trust me I've given this some thought.  It's just weird that being so alike in personality they would look alike too.  Every day when we pick them up from school Nico & Carsen get mad at Lisa and I because we didn't plan a play date.  I'm so glad Nico made a great friend this year in school and hope that they remain friends for a long time to come.

Weekend Happenings

We had a busy weekend this last week.   Saturday gave us our last soccer games for the season. Nico is completely done, but Sydney has a tournament at the end of the month. I'm glad to have my Saturday's back.  Nico had a pizza party to end his season and he got his trophy and a fun little goodie bag.   The boys end of the year goodie bag depends on how much goal money the team has collected, and since the boys didn't have a winning season the bags were a little smaller than last year.  They were still thrilled.

After the party for Nico we headed to a family reunion for Mr. G's mom's side of the family.  The Nealeigh side.  We had a great time, the kids loved seeing their cousins, and ate good food.  In the 12 years Mr. G and I have been together I have never met any of these people. So it was nice to put faces to all the stories I heard over the years.

Mr. G, his brothers, and all his cousins.

Jayme, Natalie & Marlie, myself and Marissa & Ace

My wonderful sisters-in-law. Poor baby Ace was getting his breathing treatment for his asthma, hence the contraption on the table.  My favorite part of this picture is all the STUFF we had scattered all over the table.

All of us.  It is virtually impossible to get this many people to take a good picture.  So here's the best  we could do.

Stephen, Try, Mr. G, Tyler & Tommy

Mr. G, his brothers, and his cousins.

Funny Enough to blog about

Here is another little quip from my son>  

Sunday night at the dinner table.

Cameron, my brother was over for dinner and telling me about our sister, Megan's new boyfriend.  

Cameron: So Megan has a new boyfriend.

Me: a WHAT? No one told me, where have I been.  (seriously megan?)  

Cameron: Yeah his name is Mitch.

Nico: Mitch, (pause)....... (and under his breath he starts mumbling, and then blurts loudly)  Hey Mitch rhymes with bitch.   

Nick and I look at each other, and though I should clearly tell him that's a bad word and help him find another word to rhyme, we all start dying laughing.  

I'm proud of him for listening to the rhyming sounds, that means he's learned something in kindergarten and maybe we could work on some more.

dear president-elect obama

I will wait and hold judgement until I see what you do with your new found power.  Will you use is for good? I hope so.  I hope that you want to make this country a better place for your girls to grow up in.  You sounded very well spoken and charasmatic during your acceptance speech, and perhaps you made me a little optimistic that you might do good things for us.  But that remains to be seen.  I congratulate you, I support you as our president and hope that you can do wonderful things for our endangered country.  Good luck!

A Garces Flavored Halloween

On thursday nite we took the kids to a pumpkin patch, Sophie freaked out over the pumpkins, the kids rode rides and we spent way to much money.  What patches are all about.  Friday evening we took the kids to our ward party.  We ate chilli and went trunk o treating.  Good times.  

Oh Sydney

I realize I'm airing a little laundry by posting this but someday Sydney will come to me and say "Mom, why didn't you tell me girls were sooo hard? I wasn't this bad." And I will reply, "oh sydney dear, YES YOU WERE. Do you want proof? Bust open mom's blog book and check it out. "
In what seems to be a never ending stream of tantrums, day after day, I am still praying there is hope at the end of this 18+ year tunnel. Please don't take my next comments to mean anything harsh. I LOVE my daughter with all I have. She is smart, talented, gorgeous and soo much more. But OUR relationship, the mother/daughter thing, is strained. Every day is like going to war starting at 6:00am and ending at the latest 8:00pm. That is, if she didn't get sent to bed early, which usually is the case. I know this is the nature of mothers and daughters, I can remember battling my mom, but was it this bad. I asked my mom, she said Sydney is hard.

EVERY LITTLE THING, is a battle. What I put in her lunch, the clothes she wears, (down to the kind of socks I bought her), homework and snacks when she gets home, play time, clean the room time, reading time, dinner time. I am lost for how to deal. I am trying ever so hard to keep my cool, not explode, but sometimes the anger boils over and I do explode. It never helps the situation and I don't feel better, but I don't know where to channel it. We've tried reward charts, date nights, (here's an example of how that goes, "mom, i want to go see the HSM3 movie, can we go this weekend?" "ok, syd keep your room cleaned up until the weekend and we'll go." screaming in hysterics "that's toooo hard, why do you make everything soooo hard? I guess I won't ever get to see HSM3!" "ok, if you say so.")

Yes I am having a pity party here, but I also am journaling this so Sydney does realize she isn't the only one. Someday she will look back and say "mom, I'm sorry i was soo rotten, I totally get it."
And when that day comes, I will say to her "it was all totally worth every terrible minute" because it is. I gripe and complain and lose it sometimes, but my life if full and blessed. I am blessed to have Sydney as my daughter. She has taught me some amazing life lessons. There was a reason she came first. And someday soon I will write about the testimony building things she has taught me. Until then I will try to stay calm and remember she's all mine.

A mother's plea

Dear October,

Enough already, I am so sick of this 95 degree weather.   Where are your cool days and cooler nights?  I hate, hate, hate the heat and this is really getitng old fast.  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.  So suck it up and let the cold in.  I want to wear jeans and long sleeves, sweatshirts and socks.  I want a fire in my fireplace, hot chocolate in my hand and a blanket in my lap.  Maybe I was made for somewhere with real winters, who knows.   But when I'm still walking out of the gym at 10:00 am and it's 80 degrees outside I want to scream.  

So to the October Gods, please hear my pleas.  Let me be cold not hot.  

Thank You

Sincerely,

Roasting in Chino

Where does the time go?

The other night Miss Stinkerbell decided she didn't want to sleep.  So she was up @9:30 hanging with me.  And she looked so darn cute with her clean straight hair.  You know, hair that hasn't been touched with sticky fingers, or a lollipop stuck in it.  Just so darn adorable I had to snap a few.