It's All About the Party

It's true you know, It IS all about the party. At least in Daniel's world.

This fact scares me because I know the fun (trouble) his father had when he was a teenager. If Daniel lives for the PARTY pre-teen years, what is he going to be like at 16? God help me.

Daniel plans his birthday parties out months in advance...sometimes even the day after a party. He always wants to know how he can make it bigger and better!

Today we attended the Bar Mitzvah of a close friend of ours. Daniel was in awe. The questions began...
1. If I have a Bar Mitzvah can I invite all of my friends to my party?
2. even if they aren't Jewish?
3. How about Great Grandpa Johnson...he will be 103 by then.
4. So, all I have to do is have my Bar Mitvah and I am assured of a giant party at 13?

Yes, Daniel, ALL you have to do is have your Bar Mitzvah and we will have a great big party for you. All your family and friends will be there to celebrate.(consider yourselves all invited)

And so the carrot dangles....

New Job

Crazy week...

I started my new job at Merit Association Services on Monday. For those of you who don't know, I am working full-time as administrative support for the MAS executive team.

I am loving it. The people and atmosphere are great!

Monday was my first day and in typical Johnson fashion I woke up with a full blooming cold. Not a good way to start my first day, but I made it through. I ran on pure adrenaline all day and literally crashed when I got home; I was asleep by 8:00pm.

Tuesday morning was one of those mornings when you ask god "REALLY"? My cold was worse; runny nose like a faucet, Daniel woke up sick(coughing, stuffy nose)he ended up staying home from school, and we had pee leaking out of our kitchen ceiling. Yup, you heard me correctly. Yellow water leaking out of the molding around the spice cabinet. Now that I am a working woman I kissed Gary goodbye and said "Have a good day". Ha

Wednesday feeling a little better and we got good news on the leaky pee pee ceiling. It turns out the seal around our master bathroom toilet had corroded and was leaking down into the space between the floor of the bathroom and the ceiling of the kitchen. It was an easy fix and we didn't end up having to claim it on our insurance. Hooray.

Thursday; I have almost made it through the whole week! Still loving the job and looking forward to going in tomorrow. I am starting to feel better so I am not quite as exhausted tonight. Gary on the other hand is looking downright frazzled. He has been picking up all the slack this week; cooking meals, taking care of sick kids(me and Daniel), attending to plumbing issues, carpooling...I am going to start calling him Mr. Mom.

I will try to write more this weekend and give you details of the office and my coworkers.
Night Night!
Julie

Busy Week

Where has the time gone? One minute I am attempting 500 steps(and failing miserably) and the next I am sprinting through my week.

I started the week with a speech evaluation at a private speech pathologist for Daniel and a podiatrist appointment for Zachary, both on the same day.

Daniel's appointment confirmed the longtime diagnosis of Apraxia of speech and gave us some good insight into the supplemental speech therapy he could benefit from. I will save the details for a longer, in depth post sometime in the future.

I will also spare you the gruesome details of Zack's visit to the podiatrist. He had a growth on his toe that had to be removed. Just know that I am a very proud mother; I have a very brave BIG boy. If I was in his "shoes" I would be crying like a little baby. In fact, I might have shed a tear while holding his hand.(If asked, I will deny it)

On Wednesday, I had an interview with Merit Property Management, their MAS division. I thought the interview went well; it seemed like a very good fit for me. So, I waited, and waited, to hear back from them....

Back to the doctor with Zack on Thursday. The toe did not look like it was healing well and it was painful to walk on. The Doc thought it looked good. If he thinks that looks good... (It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Elaine and Jerry see their friend's hideous baby and everyone else thinks it is gorgeous)

Here is Kramer's reaction to seeing the baby... (very similar to my reaction when I first saw Zack's post-surgery toe)(wait for it)


Anyway, we go back next Tuesday for another check of the toe.

Which brings me to Friday. I planned on doing laundry, cleaning house, maybe catching up on some DVRd shows...and then I got the call....

I am really excited to announce that I was offered the position at MAS! (and I am going to accept it!) I did a little dance (Addy thought I was crazy), made some calls and began freak out mode.
OMG, I GOT A JOB!

Life is about to change for the Johnson household...in a good way.

I can't wait to share this new beginning with you.

Have a nice weekend.

500 Steps

One of my favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. The season opener was on last week.

In the opener, contestants were challenged to compete against two other contestants to make it to the ranch; their spot at the ranch had not yet been secured. Their challenge was this: using a step board take 500 steps faster than the other two contestants.

It does seem like a pretty easy task, especially when you are sitting on the couch eating an ice cream cone; no bother that the contestants are drowning in their own sweat...what's the big deal? 500 steps...piece of cake. Oh yum, cake...

I decided I MUST take this challenge! If 400 pound people can haul their weight off the ground mere inches, so can I!

100 steps in 4 minutes that equals about 2.4 seconds a step, a step is measured by BOTH feet up on the board...that was as far as I made it today.

Did I mention I hate to sweat? AND I don't buy into the whole "No Pain No Gain" mantra? My knees were hurting :(

OK, I do feel bad that I stopped without completing the challenge, so I will try it again tomorrow, with plenty of stretching before hand!

Good thing I have "skinny" genes! Thanks Mom and Dad, you're the best!

Can you put down that ice cream cone and take 500 steps?

A Mother's Proud Moment

My boys are the light of my life. There are moments that I look at them with awe and think you have raised two intelligent, well-mannered, handsome young boys;

then, there are moments like today...

Daniel had a Doctors visit to discuss some issues he has been having.
The Doctor looks at his chart and says, "Daniel what grade are you in now?"
Daniel says, "4th".
The Doctor says, "My son is going to be in 4th grade next year, what can I tell him you do in 4th grade?
Daniel says, "stuff". (he is so descriptive!)
The Doctor says, "What kind of stuff do you do?" (The Dr is being very light hearted about his first answer, I am holding my breath)
Daniel says, "fun stuff". (The Doctor laughs it off, he is a good man)

This is the moment I am referring to:

The one where your gifted child comes across mentally challenged. Good thing he is so darn cute!

Scared of Bees

Last month, while packing up after a delightfully relaxing day at the beach, I was stung by a bee.

The nasty little honey sucker landed on my arm and stung me. I had no idea he was even there until I felt the stinging pain. I quickly brushed him off, removed the stinger and licked my wound(just kidding). I did pour cold water over it to take the "sting" away. I paused just briefly, long enough to cry my eyes out. We finished packing up our things and headed for the car.
About 5 minutes had passed at this point. As I was walking, I started to feel woozy; nausea, dizzines, headache...I thought I was going to pass out. I sat down in the shade behind the lifeguard tower. I needed to pull myself together. My mind started racing...was I, in fact, going to pass out?, throw up?, stop breathing?...oh yes, I went there.
The feeling passed, so we began our trek up to the car.
By the next day the sting site had swollen up to the size of a golf ball. The day after that, the swelling had spread and I had little bumps all around it.
I went to the Dr. because I was sure they would have to amputate.
"That's nothing" the Dr. said, "you should have seen the patient who came in earlier today...his elbow was the size of a baseball". Was that supposed to make me feel better?
Diagonosis: Allegic reaction...It's a miracle...I would live!

Yes, I would live, but with a conditioned response to bee sightings. (PTSD, self diagnosed)
Now, when I see a bee, I run for the hills (imagine Phoebe from Friends, a run like that would surely scare the bee away).
I must find a way for myself and bees, everywhere, to coexist. Any suggestions?

4th Grade Homework

So, it has begun.

The 4th grade year is a rude awakening for students and parents EVERYWHERE! I went through it 4 years ago with my oldest son and last night was reminded of it when my youngest son was assigned homework in every subject. REALLY?!

I knew it was coming and yet it was still a shock to my system, and everyone else in the household.

I think it was around 6:00pm last night that we found ourselves in a pow wow discussing a 4th grade word problem. Now, I think of myself as a reasonably intelligent person (OK, exceptionally intelligent, but don't let the cat out of the bag); so, why is it that I can't for the life of me figure out a basic 4th grade division word problem?

I sat by my son's side in case he had questions on any of his homework. I answered all of his questions with the utmost of confidence. Then it was time for math...

He shows me the problem and I say, "Why don't we have Dad help you with your math". He replies, "so, you will help me with all my other subjects and since you aren't very good at math (the nerve) Dad will help me with math"? "NO", I say. "I can help you with math too, Dad just LIKES to help you with math" (lie, no one likes to do 4th grade math).

I've got my dunce hat on for at least another year; are you smarter than a 4th grader?

Holes

Is there anything better than digging a hole at the beach; when you are a 9 year old boy?



Maybe, it's digging with friends...



OR...Letting the big kids do all the work and sneaking in when they aren't looking!





OR...taking a break in a tiny lounging hole.





OR...getting buried in a hole.





Actually, the only thing better than digging a hole, with my friends, is relaxing in it when I'm done!



Enjoy your Labor Day!

Cutting the Cord

There have been a series of events in the last few days that have left me wondering when is the right time to "cut the cord"?

I am guilty of it...I baby my boys. I do everything for them. Isn't that what a mother is supposed to do? Make their life easier and so comfortable they never want to leave home?

I should clarify a few things:

First, I don't run around with a pillow in front of them in case they fall (I bubble wrap the neighborhood); Second, I don't load their toothbrushes for them (I will on occasion brush their teeth if I see too much slime); Third, I don't do their homework for them (I have been know to pull out an awesome posterboard at midnight, and get an A)

So, what is my roll if I am not to make life easier?

Do I say anything when they come out of their room in a mis-matching plaid outfit?
Do I brush their hair for them when they decide to leave the house without even a thought of a comb or brush?
Do I cut their food for them when otherwise we will be sitting at the table for hours waiting for them to finish cutting their butter-soft filet?

Apparently, 13 is too late to cut the cord. Now I have a lot of make-up work to do. Beginning with how to apply sunscreen so as not to get a blistering burn. Did I mention I still apply sunscreen?

When do YOU think is the right time to "cut the cord"?

My New John

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the John Mayer concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Gary and I were invited to go with our good friends Cheryl and Phil.
We tailgated in the parking lot and felt like underage teenagers sneaking beers behind our car.







I was skeptical that a ballad boy could keep the crowd entertained for the evening.

I was so wrong about him. He is so much more than a ballad boy; he has MAD guitar skills and a very entertaining wit.



JM covered a song by Jimi Hendrix that blew us away. He pulled out all the tricks; played the guitar up in the air, on the ground, behind his back. It was awesome. (He may have lost his young crowd who were waiting to hear his pop hits, but we loved it)



JM interwove his music with funny antedotes of his life and did a good job of relating to his young audience. (and even the old audience, not that I would know anything about that)

Some artists don't translate well from radio to the stage, but JM is even better on the stage. I highly recommend seeing him in concert.

Now, of course, no one compares to my other John; the energy he gives to the crowd just can't be matched.



But, all in all, it was an amazing evening.

Beach Etiquette

As you all know by now, I LOVE THE BEACH!



We tried a new beach today, just for the heck of it. I will tell you all about our secret beach(if was fantastic), if you promise to follow some simple "beach guidelines".

1. If you plan on coming to the beach with your extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins...you get the picture) AND you plan on bringing a canopy, a grill, a playpen, folding chairs rented from a party store, and a collapsible table...
you don't belong at our secret beach:


YOU belong at this beach:


2. When choosing a spot on the beach look around you and determine if you are blocking the ocean view of the person directly (1 foot) in front of you, if you are, it is best to find a more appropriate spot.
This was not appropriate (the hole she is balancing on is where Daniel was digging):



3. Speaking of personal space...if you have to squeeze your family into a spot on the beach...YOU ARE TOO DAMN CLOSE!

4. Please determine which way the wind is blowing before you rambunctiously spray yourself (and everyone sitting within 1 foot away from you) with sunscreen.

5. Throw caution to the wind and jump off every sand embankment you can find.


6. Explore the tide pools.



7. Watch for seals.


8. Frolic in the surf.



9. Enjoy the view.



10. Give us a call next time you go....

I have kept you hanging on long enough...our secret destination beach is...
at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. It is definitely worth the trek down there; you will not be disappointed. There is pay parking on Wesley Dr. or free parking on PCH.
See you there!

Summer Review

Hi, I haven't abandoned my post...my hard drive crashed and it has taken me a couple of weeks to get back up and running. I finally have almost everything restored; minus itunes and a couple of pictures.

Our summer is almost over. 2 more weeks until school starts. I'm not ready, I'm still in relaxation mode. I don't want to think about school supplies, new clothes, backpacks, new schedules. How long can I prolong the inevitable?

So, let's recap the last month, just so I don't have to think about 2 weeks from now. I won't bore you with all of the details of our truly relaxing summer vacation, but here are a few of my favorite pics from August:


Naughty girl


Catching some rays


Zack & Spencer riding the waves


Enjoying the view


Good friends; just hanging out


Ice cream at the Angels game

I love summer fun. I am going to have to cram more fun into the next 2 weeks. Wish me luck!

Confusion of the Senses

Let me set the scene…

I came downstairs to find Gary sitting on the living room couch; watching TV and playing online poker. Addy, our dog, was sitting under the dining room table; looking a bit surprised to see me. The boys were in the family room doing their thing…watching TV.

I sat down opposite Gary on the chaise lounge when we both heard Addy crunching on something.

Without stirring from his spot or even removing his gaze from the computer screen, Gary said, “What is she chewing on”? I could feel the roll of his eyes as he said it. We are accustomed to hearing that crunching noise…Addy is ALWAYS bringing in crunchables from outback. All through out the Spring she would bring in seed pods dropped from the trees and proceed to chew them up under the dining room table.

I got up to take the “seed pod” from her mouth. When I tried to pull it out of her mouth I caught hold of something warm and squishy.

My senses were confused…How can a seed pod be warm and squishy???

I pulled my hand out of her mouth and realized there was a little, beady, black eyeball staring back at me. OMG, I am holding an eyeball. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Shivers ran up and down my spine. What is going on???? What is in her mouth?

I grabbed a napkin from the dining room table and wiped the squishy mass off my hand. Again, Eewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Next, I went in for the kill…literally.

What I pulled from her mouth was a barely recognizable baby mouse.

It was at this point I started gagging and shrieking for Gary.

The mouse was now laying on the dining room floor (where I had dropped it in my delirium), wrapped in a napkin. Gary, my hero, came in and removed the mangled mess from my sights.

(I can seriously feel vomit rising in my throat as I write this.)

The kids come running in with glazed eyes (from watching too much TV) to find out what mom is freaking out about. I recount the story and they start cracking up.

Hello?!? Does know one else feel completely grossed out? (My life in a house with boys, ughhh)

It has taken me until now to re-tell this story; my senses were traumatized.

Addy turns 2 this week. I think I know what she wants for her birthday. Here’s a hint…it’s not pink and fluffy!

Follow this link for more "keeping it real" type blog entries:

Dos Pueblos Ranch...A Slice of Paradise

My family just got back from camping on the most beautiful stretch of beach in all of California. You may be thinking, "is it really the most beautiful beach in California"?

Take a look...



Thank you Moloney family for allowing us to stay on your property. Dos Pueblos Ranch is an idealistic slice of California coastline. Our family treasures every moment we have spent there.











I can still hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore....total relaxation.

Perfect Beach Day

I am a Southern California girl. I have salt water coursing through my veins.

Last week I blogged about not knowing what to do while the kids were at camp. Now that the fog(literally) has lifted, I have my solution: THE BEACH!

The key to going to the beach in the summertime is getting there early! I had a full hour on the beach before the junior lifeguard crew showed up and at least another two hours before it started to get crowded. When I left at noon I was still comfortable.

I chose the perfect spot. Let's just say I was the only one on the front line not sprinting to get my towel when the tide came in. I was far enough back not to get wiped out, but close enough to get the ocean spray on my face.

I read books, watched the local seal freak out the boogie boarders, also watched the boogie boarders get churned up in the waves (they were crashing today, the waves that is), listened to my ipod, basically, just relaxed. Gloria Gaynor on the ipod is always a good choice to drown out the shrieking children (and men, that water was bone chilling cold).

Here are some photos from my perfect beach day. They should be captioned "wish you were here"

For you locals, see if you can pick out which beach I was at.