Collateral Damage!!!

Hi all. This is Richard.

Shelayna has slowed her posting schedule, so I thought I'd stop in and talk about what has been going on since she completed her project.

Here is a picture of our bedroom from this afternoon.

These are all of my clothes.

For some reason, a year of only wearing the clothes that are on her side of the closet has made Shelayna very introspective, and today she decided that I had too many clothes. Did I ask for this munificent behavior? No. Did I get it anyway? Yes.

Since I work in technology, my normal clothing is a polo shirt, and jeans. Dressing up means wearing a white button down shirt... and jeans. However, I do have some seldom worn clothes that I love - my suits, my party shirt (buttons optional), that sweatshirt I used to wear all the time in 1999. All of them went into the out pile. Now, I'm going to have to go clothes shopping for myself - something I really dislike. And I'm going to be really upset if I see my favorite patterned shirt on some homeless guy.

Even poor Jordan got pulled into this craziness, and was forced to do a fashion show of his old jeans.

Anyway, I'm significantly clothes poorer, and Shelayna has been to Goodwill twice this month. Maybe this is a subtle move to get more closet space?

The Jonathan Club!

Today, Richard's company hosted a beach day at The Jonathan Club, which proved to be quite lovely. I hadn't really wanted to go, because I hate to schmooze, but I ended up talking to people I wanted to, and it was great! There was yummy food, a water slide for the kids, and cocktails! Drinking on the beach in the afternoon! How decadent! (My exclamation point addiction is rearing it's ugly head!)

My poor husband has been working non-stop for the past few weeks. We actually have not seen each other since I left for Comic-Con. Today was the first time we have spent time with each other in two weeks. Literally. We've talked on the phone a lot.

Last night, he said he would be home at midnight, and, at four a.m, I was startled from my sleep by the cries of "Mama, mama!" I sat up and realized that Richard's side of the bed was empty. I rushed to get HaHa, and then I immediately called Richard. He was still at work. Four a.m. and change. I was relieved he was alive.

Now, another interesting that happened at this four a.m. wake up call was that upon entry to the kid's room, I found HaHa was not in her crib. This was my second shock of the early morn. No Richard. No HaHa. My little not-yet-two-year-old was walking up the stairs. In the dark. That means she climbed down the stairs in the dark. Yikes!

At first I thought that perhaps one of the boys lifted her out of her crib, but seeing that they were asleep, I quickly had to realize that my HaHa bear can climb out of her crib. Richard told me last week that she was out of her crib, but again, I thought it was the boys. They have gotten her out of her crib a few times before when she was crying. I guess that was wishful thinking.

Today, I asked my Ha if she would show me how she got out of her crib. After a little nudging, she agreed. Richard and I put her in her crib an we video taped her escape. Three times she made her exit with perfect execution. Richard is going to try to embed the footage here. We'll see if it works!

Below a shot of the progeny in action!

Outfit:

Shirt: This was a gift from my first grade class. One of the mothers, a gifted artist, had the children draw leaves, which she turned in to stencils, and painted on the shirt. American Apparel.

Dress: I got this at a street fair in New York over 15 years ago. The label is long gone. Seen in: Happy Anniversary!

Slip: I got this at a thrift store a long time ago.

Shoes:Prediction.

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. Alfani. There is still a lot of chill in the air!

By the way, it is 2:30 a.m. right now and Richard is still working! I fell asleep earlier, so I am posting while he works!

Molecules!

Today I gave what might possibly be the worst lesson in my life. It was about molecules, and it was based on a lesson an actual science teacher told me about. However, without a science background, and a deep understanding of the subject, my lesson was shoddy at best. I was lucky that I had one student in my class who knew all about "hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen". He also knew about the periodic table, atoms, a bit about molecular structure. A different student knew some more interesting facts about molecules, including the fact that you need a "special microscope" to see them. Thank goodness they were there! They provided a buffer for me, and a little comic relief. I was seriously laughing when I discovered they had the answers I seemed to be lacking! Oh well, I tell my students all the time that I'm not perfect, and I don't know everything!

There, Richard. You have it in writing!

Outfit:

Shirt/dress: This was a gift. I love the colorful print!

Skirt: One of my Salvation Army high school finds! It's falling apart, but I'm hangin' on!

Shoes: Fit Flops. I was actually going to wear my favorite platforms, but I was wearing these outside and forgot to grab my other shoes.

More cranky HaHa...

At least the boys are happy!

Day 182! Stat!

Hey! I really need to go to bed, so I am going to beg for mercy at not making a really great "I'm halfway there post!" We had a crazy night and when I was putting he kids to bed, HaHa cut her toe on the closet door. It's a sliding glass door, and apparently a tiny piece of exposed glass was at the bottom.

One minute I was walking to put something on my bed, the next minute there was blood all over the floor and HaHa said "Feet hurt." I was really upset, because she cut her toe this way before. Richard fixed the door, but I guess it came loose again. Anyway, the toe escapades threw off my evening schedule. I am just starting to write at eleven, and I really need some shut eye!

At school today, HaHa impressed me and Jordan by doing "pull ups" on the cubby hooks! She is so athletic! And crazy! I've included photos below.

Outfit:

Striped shirt: Hand me down from Pollyanna. Forever 21.

White shirt: Goodwill. Isabel Marant.

Brown pants: Goodwill. I.N.C.

Shoes: Predictions.

Jacket: Walmart. George. I got this when I was visiting my mom in her tiny Massachusetts town several years ago!

Father's Day!

We had a lot of Father's Day festivities, so it was go, go, go around here. Richard's mom returned home, and we were sad to see her leave, and sad also that we apparently gave her some form of the sickness we had. Every time she visits, we get her sick. We also expose her to more noise, mess and chaos, than she probably gets all year in her lovely Northern California town. What can I say, we are a wild and crazy bunch! I'm sure it will calm down here in a few years.

I only took three pictures of myself in my outfit before I dashed off to the car, so please forgive me for the lameness. One of these days I'll get it together. Famous last words...

Outfit:

I was going back to fourth grade today- rockin' the pink and purple! I wore so much p and p it hurts to think about it!
Purple Shirt: Emma & Sam. This was a bubble shirt that I deconstructed. I am wearing it inside out because I like the effect. I will never, ever wear any bubble clothing again. It's a look I don't think most women can pull off. I call it a "nut storage shirt." Here is the original in Facehook! but it's hard to see...

Purple cami: Old Navy.

Pink Skirt: This was given to be my friend, but it turns out she got it from her amazing mother Maia. I love the movement of this skirt, and I always feel earthy in it!

Sandals: Capezio. Same as yesterday.

I'm including some family photos in lieu of writing about our day!

Showers!

I went to two baby showers this weekend. Actually, the second one was called a "sprinkle, not a shower." It was for a second baby, and the invitees were told NOT to bring any gifts. We were encouraged to offer gifts of a more useful nature. Like babysitting, or help with packing (the family is moving soon), or simple moral support when baby number two drops in! The "sprinkle" was for one of my best friends and her husband. They always have an eclectic and friendly crowd surrounding them because they are rad, and it was a beautiful afternoon celebrating with everyone.

I'm keeping it short and sweet today because it is the day of rest!








Outfit:

Brown and white print shirt: From my cousin. Forever 21.

Undershirt: Old Navy.

Print Skirt: Goodwill. To The Max!

Coral Skirt: From a thrift store. I can't remember which one. Seen in: The Pacific!

Socks: Target. I wish I had more socks like this in my sock drawer. Maybe next year... Or maybe not!

Shoes: I know, I know, I know. I promised I'd put 'em away. Mossimo.

Jacket: Cast off from my fabulous friend Jamie! I believe she brought it to a clothing swap and I nabbed it!

Here is a picture of Haha getting a ride in a wheelbarrow from big brother Jordan!

Funday!

Woah, boy, this is the latest I've ever published a post! I feel like a slacker, but I can't be a slave to my blog, right? It was a fun and busy Sunday. It started with waking up with the kids and keeping them in one room trying to stop them from using their natural volume level, which is the equivalent of shouting. I then came downstairs, made pancakes for the kids (we had our nephew sleep over last night), and rushed to get dressed before I had to get out the door to pick up pizza for band rehearsal.

Rehearsal went longer than it was supposed to, but we had a lot of fun and got to catch up. The people in the band are all very talented and they rock. I got to hear about Tim's second week on the "orange juice" fast. I had never heard of this one, but he has had nothing but orange juice for two weeks and he feels great. Previously, he had not been feeling well, which is why he started it. I also got to meet Marc's mom, who is a beautiful and looked too youthful to have a 30-something year old son. I got to hear about the new loves and new exes of some, and then we played and it was fabulous! Music is a balm!

I returned home and my wonderful and sweet friend Wendy (creator of I heart Guts) came by to visit with her amazingly adorable son. Soon after, another nephew dropped by for a quick hello and just as it was getting close to din-din, my amazing and dear friend Josh came by with his very sweet dog Eddie. Josh is the bee's knees and he is also the kids' godfather! I had to choose between blogging, or quality time with friends and family, so blogging lost. It is very hard for me to get dressed up on Sundays. I will try to get back to my project

Outfit:

Purple Tee: Coincidentally, Wendy gave this to me. It is from Crowded Teeth. This woman makes really cool stuff. Her site is great! I wore this shirt in Tuesday Review.

Purple Long Sleeve Shirt: Forever 21. I decided to go double purple in memory of fourth grade!

Jeans: From Cousin. Gap.

Shoes: Airwalk.

Sweater: Salvation Army. Express


This is Jordan who claims he is now taller than me. I say not quite yet!

Rainy Day Yay's!

We made it back from Costco just before it started to pour copious amounts of rain! It had rained a little before we left (thus the boots), but it was clear when we left and we did not bring raincoats or umbrellas. I usually avoid going to Costco like the plague. Something about it drives me nutso. Maybe it's the fact that Charlie and Leo act a fool up in there, and I am stuck looking like the horrible mom who can't control her kids... Of course, Richard never has that problem when he takes them. They are little angels on his watch. I was happy that both boys said "Thank you", every time they took a sample from someone.

We ran into a family friend who's little boy is now seven. When I first met him he was one and I was pregnant with Charlie. A group of us took the Goldline to Pasadena on the first weekend it ran. This little boy was the sweetest, most adorable boy ever. I wanted to steal him! I can't believe how the time has flown!

Today, I got dressed and then changed my outfit because I didn't want to "waste" an outfit I really loved by wearing it only to shop and then come home. I realize I should have made a weekend clause that says on days when I am going to be inside the house for most of the day I could wear anything I want, but I am sticking to my original plan. On the way home, my mom called and told me she sent me a pair of sneakers I left at her house last summer. I remembered I also left a pair of brown platforms! I am excited because it is a neutral shoe that I could really use right now. And the sneakers can be useful when I  finally retire my holey shoes. They were already in my collection, so it is not cheating!

Outfit:

I knew I was going to wear rain boots, so I started there. Everything else I just threw on. Coincidentally, Jordan wore a shirt professing love as well. I find this shirt always makes for pleasant conversations with strangers. Today's was with a woman from England who said, "I bet you're glad you're not there now!" We talked about New York and England and she gave me a sample of Progresso soup. It was salty.

Shirt: From New York street vendor circa 2003. 5 bucks. I got it to replace the super tight one I used to wear in my 20's!

Skirt: From my admissions days. I got this at Walmart in Hanson, MA, also for 5 bucks.

Jacket: From cousin. Mossimo.

Boots: From Ayiko. Leo wanted to ham it up when he came out as I was taking pictures! I think he looks adorable. Charlie is looking over my shoulder as I write this and he reminded me about Dad's no more than three per paragraph exclamation point rule!