The Finish Line...

I came. I read. I conquered. Making a list and setting a date for completion is no problem when it is the household chores. I book list is another story! But I did it!!! I read all the books on my list except for 1! I would tell you all about it EXCEPT I am getting on a plane to go to VEGAS in 2 1/2 hours and I still have to take out the trash and wash some dishes. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Day 3 of the 10 Day Forecast...

Three days ago I checked Yahoo! Weather. Much to my delight the next 10 days were predicted to be nothing but sunny skies and beautiful springlike weather. I love spring!

Today is day 3 of the 10 day forecast. This is how we spent the day: Swimming for Abby (wishing someone would swim with her)... Reading next to the pool for me (working on my Vegas tan)...

Building the latest Soapbox Derby car for Steve (starving to death on his latest diet to the next LeMons Race)...

Getting stung by a bee in the face while riding his quad for Jack (and finishing his school work from this week)...

Even with a little bee sting it is still a gorgeous day. Hope you are having one wherever you are.

Hold your breath...

This blog could go one of two ways... I could tell you the not so charming story about my 7 year old who for the first time in his life (and in mine as a mother) farted and enjoyed the pleasantness of his own stink the other day. OR I could tell you about how I am looking forward to and dreading Spring Break next week. I will spare you the gory details of the first story. I wish I were spending our Spring Break here. Even the prospect of that seems overwhelmingly crowded and not very relaxing. Instead we will be spending it here- Family Fun. And here Make and Takes. Here is why I am sensing terror and relief for a week long holiday from school: 1. No school means no alarm clock. Which again could go two ways- kids sleep in or kids don't sleep in. Need I explain more? 2. Yahoo Weather is reporting rain in the Central Valley, not one day, not two days, BUT for THREE days in a row next week. I was hoping that we would be blessed with sunny swimming weather with Spring Break so late. We are not that lucky. 3. Budget! Budget! Budget! Mama's on a budget (much to her dismay). So do you choose new shoes for the kids or two hours at the movie theater one afternoon? I already made the choice to cloth and accessorize my children rather then go to the movie. Sacrifice- no movie. 4. Playdates! I am not usually one for having friends come over and play, mostly because I hate picking up the mess afterwards. This Spring Break I am attempting to be a good mom and I have invited 13 of my friends and their children over on the supposedly non rainy day for a spring themed picnic and crafts. Budget tells me everyone needs to bring their own lunch. 5. No driving! Or should I say less driving, other than 4 days of karate (make ups for days that we missed recently) and 1 swimming lesson! I love the prospect of not having to drive all over town, especially with both kids in the car. I just got the email saying "NO swim practice next week!!!" SCORE 1 for Rachel! 6. Reading anyone? I am looking forward to doing some heavy reading and getting Jack to do some reading also. My little mathlete needs to work on his reading skills before the end of the school year. If he cooperates we will work on subtraction, money, and time! Lucky Jack! The list seems selfish. While today I am looking forward to most of these things by Wednesday I will be pulling my hair out! I guess I need to jump in feet first and remember to hold my breath (and to take a breath every so often). But part of me wishes I could go back to Spring Break 1997 and have all of that carefree fun all over again!

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Any bright ideas about what to do with two children on a tight budget on a rainy day?

The Spring Reading Thingy...

A woman asked me yesterday when do I have time to read as my sister passed me three new books... My response

"I read in the car."

I think she thought I was kidding. Which I was not because I read in the car waiting to pick up Abby at school or at the bus stop, I read at swimming lessons and swim practice, I read at karate, and I read while I watch TV (strange but true). I am a natural at multitasking (I am a mom for Pete's sake).

My favorite place to read is sitting next to the pool on my chaise lounger, with a ice tea from Starbucks by my side, Jimmy Buffett playing in the background and the children contently entertaining themselves.

So when I found that I could win prizes for reading, I was so excited! Of course I am game! I have spent the last few weeks borrowing, buying (at Scholastic Book Fair's Dollar Days), and collecting books for The Spring Reading Thing at Callapidder Days. Lucky me gets to start the read off in San Diego with no children and end it in VEGAS with NO CHILDREN!!!

Here are the books on my list (in no order of course):

Marley and Me by John Gorgan- started it once but dropped it like a bad habit to read Breaking Dawn. I love me a good vampire love story.

Deep Down Popular by Phoebe Stone

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picolut

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Voegel Fredrick

Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

Resistance by Anita Shreve

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

CitizenGirl by Emma McLaughling and Nicola Kraus

Border Music by Robert James Waller

I can't wait to get started!

Don't bother me... I am reading!

I'm So Excited!!!

Today I feel an ear infection coming on. The side of my neck hurts and kills when I swallow and my ear hurts. I haven't had an ear infection since I was 12 (and as a mother of 2 we have only had 1 ear infection in the last 6.75 years- knock on wood), so this seems like uncharted waters for me.

Anyway today I am taking it easy, Steve and Jack are off at the races and I am home with Abby, who is enjoying a mind numbing morning of TV watching. I decided to check Facebook (not too interesting) and vote for one of my favorite mommy bloggers Jana "The Meanest Mom" who has been nominated for the Scholastic Parent Child Mommy Blogger Award 2009. While voting I decided to check out some of the competition and I am so excited about what I found!!!

1. It is a challenge!
2. Its about reading as much as you can!
3. There are prizes!!!

SIGN ME UP NOW!!! I can't wait to get started! Especially since yesterday I realized my favorite time of the year is upon us and I will get to sit by the pool while the kids swim and I can read anything and EVERYTHING I want to! Thank you Katrina for giving me a reason to read! I can't wait! I may even attempt to read more then trashy chic-lit! And my ear is feeling better already!

See why I love Summer?!?

*** UPDATE- Steve says I was bit by something and that I probably don't have an ear infection. And The Meanest Mom, Jana is giving away free stuff too, I think she read my blog earlier today. Check it out!!!

Books- I love to read!

I have recently started taking more time to do things for myself, if you call going to the gym and reading in the car at the bus stop and in the parking lot at preschool taking time for yourself then that is what I am doing. Here are some of the books that I have read recently- Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - Vampires and an innocent love story between a vampire and a human girl. LOVE THEM!!! sTORI TELLING- Yes Tori Spelling can write- sort of. I still loved it. Why? Because I grew up with her. I have loved her since 90210, So NoTORIous, and now Tori and Dean. Very Hollywood juicy! Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger- Not as good as the Devil Wears Prada but noteworthy. Kind of an ironic story about girlfriends, one who is forced to edit a poorly written book by a critically acclaimed author. I think Lauren was trying to say something. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner- A cute sequel to Good in Bed with a happy and sad ending. I love Jennifer Weiner! What I can't wait to read- Too Fat to Fish by Artie Lange- I love Artie! He is so funny and interesting. Can't wait to get my hands on this autobiography.

Breaking Dawn- The last of the Twilight series. I have to finish before the movie comes out November 21st. I know the movies are never as good as the books but I can't miss this one!

Update Monday- I have just discovered 10 more on Amazon.com, while looking for pictures... This blog was dangerous! Hopefully I will be able to make it to the library soon! Happy reading!

You can never go wrong with pink books- Jodi Picolut Jennifer Weiner

Jane Green

Sophie Kinsella