gotta impress the bouncer...

Before kids, you're biggest concern is...

How much alcohol you're going to consume in one night (and still be able to drive home); which rocking ass outfit you're going to wear for the evening; which super cute earrings go with the outfit; how much Advil you need to swallow to prevent a hangover; and how much cleavage you gotta show to impress the bouncer.

After kids, you're biggest concern is...

What Pre-K will be best for my soon-to-be four year old, which teacher will be the best for him academically and personally (and I'm damn picky case I'm a teacher myself); what the Pre-K curriculum looks like (do they teach letter/sound recognition, do they pull small groups for guided reading, do they teach sight words, do they teach writing and stretching words, do they incorporate lots of hands-on math activities and integrate science, social studies, art, and music - or is it just babysitting); and what kind of bribe works to impress the "bouncer" (a.k.a. Principal) so I can guarantee a spot for my kid.

Am I going to have to show some clevage or bake some cookies?

obsessed...

My new obsession....

Eat This Not That

I don't diet and I should exercise (sweat and physical labor don't mix for me), but this book is awesome. It's my new bible (ok, my only bible for those of you who know me). There's even one for Kids and the Super Market. Hello - love it!

happy birthday...

I wish I had more time to post these days. Oliver's become OBSESSED with nickjr.com and all he wants to do is play the "pumputer". By the time he goes to bed, I too damn tired to get on. These days, I end up falling asleep watching The Real Housewives of Orange County (hello - is Gretchen one big ass gold digging slut or what?).

Anyhoo...Happy Birthday Michael. A few days late (but we had fun celebrating on Saturday - I think you had too much fun). Love you. You're the BEST Dad, a wonderful hubby, intelligent, funny, goofy, nerdy, my soul mate, and a damn good cook. Oliver, Lennon and I are lucky to have ya! Hope you had a great one.

more conversations with a 3 year old...

So, Mike took Oliver to Walmart this morning to do a bit of grocery shopping. Yes, we go to Walmart. Yes, I know they treat their employees like crap (heard about the documentary), but their prices are REALLY good. We're a family of four (five if you count Mazzy), both teachers, and we gotta save EVERY penny. Anyhoo, Mike came back with some funny stuff.

Oliver: "Chips for Oliver".
Daddy: "Ok, chips for Oliver".
Oliver: "Juice for Oliver".
Daddy: "Ok, juice for Oliver".
Oliver: "That for daddy" (as he points to the beer).
Daddy: "Yep, that's for daddy".
Oliver: "That for mommy" (as he points to the bottle of Advil). "Mommy head always hurts".

Hmm. Wonder where he gets this stuff from...

best thank you card winner...

My 8 year old niece gave us the best thank you card yet. We gave her a lame-o Nintendo DS game. Thought it would be cute - guess I was wrong. Bryanna is...brash, sassy, funny, super honest, and damn cute. Gotta love her. Made me laugh tears.

"Dear Marker Family,
Thank you for the game I took back...Love, Bryanna"

happy 2009...

Our 2008 was filled with...

• The birth of our 2nd child and 1st baby girl, Lennon.
• Oliver turned 3 and started talking even more and making us laugh even more.
• Michael started teaching at a new school with a college buddy and he loves it.
• My big bro had his 1st daughter, Maya.
• Kaela turned 12 and started middle school, Bryanna turned 8 and wrote the funniest "Thank You" card to us (I'll post it later), and Jonathan played alot of baseball and he's really good at it.
• My Mom had some medical scares, but all is well - I couldn't go a day without her.
• My Dad played alot of golf and he's one damn good Grandpa - the kids love him.
• We got our 1st African American President, Barack Obama - makes me proud to be an American again.
• Me? I juggled work, hubby, kids, family, sleep, and saneness - I'm looking forward to 2009!