Growing pains...I am THAT mom

Last fall, Juju wanted so much to play t-ball. We went to the orientation meeting and got all the info and thought this was a great thing for him. Practice was fun. All the kids got along great. That first game was awesome! All the boys were super excited. The coach created the lineup and my Juju was going to be 3rd to bat. He steps up to the tee, takes his stance and swings. I am THAT mom who lost it behind sunglasses.

On August 21st, the first day of kindergarten, my Juju was so excited he could barely contain himself. We walked him to his class, helped him put away his school supplies, and watched him walk on over to the mat where all the other kids were sitting and started talking to them. He was smiling from ear to ear. I was THAT mom who almost cried in the class. (I cried as we left the school)  Last year when he came for Pre-K the same thing happened. You would have thought that I would be over it. But  kindergarten is school school. Its different. At least that's what I tell myself to justify the almost crying inside the class.

This past Monday, September 26th, was another moment when I lost it. My sweet Juju would be catching the bus home from school. I normally take a late lunch at work and pick him up. Then I bring him all the way home and then come all the way back to work. Ya, totally not good for the gas tank. But I've been so conflicted with him riding the bus. Yes its convenient and just smart, but OMG I hear the stories of kids getting left on the bus or being dropped off at the wrong stop. I know he's a smart kid but those damn what ifs.
I was THAT mom who still took a late lunch to go to the school to make sure he even got on the bus.
I didn't say anything when I saw him walking with the other "Bee" bus riders. He saw me and told the teacher, "that's my mommy." She in turn asked him if he was riding the bus and he proudly said yes. She looked at me and mouthed, "is he riding the bus?" I am THAT mom who sadly nodded her head yes and nonchalantly wiped a tear from her eye.

*that's him in the green shirt, 2nd from the right*

I am THAT mom, who stayed teary eyed as she watched her son get on the bus and sit down. I am THAT mom who almost really cried as the bus drove off.

But look at how happy he was when daddy met him at the bus stop..

He's growing so fast and I just get worse and worse. I never understood why THOSE moms were always so...wimpy and clingy. Get over yourself! Now look...I AM THAT mom.
And to think...my sweet BamBam is starting Pre-K next year. I'm going to be a total wreck!

Boogie woogie woogie

A little fun for your hump day...well night now.
Get up and dance!!

Momma's got a new pair of heels!

Well actually Heelys. 

We, well I, recently got a pair of Heelys to keep and "test drive". I know you're thinking what the heck?! But I only got a pair because they didn't come in either of the dude's shoe sizes. Let the fun begin! I placed my order for what I thought was cool and hip and something that I could heel around with jeans and a cute top on and not look like a mom trying to be a teenager. (I secretly covet the pink sparkly pair, still to this day)

Anyways...I ordered and that same day at the grocery store I saw 2 boys "heeling" through the aisles. First thought was, damn kids where are your parents. But then....queue heavenly music....I realized, OMG YES! That's going to be me!

I was ecstatic to come home from work about a week later to see that cool black and red box sitting on my dining room table. My poor Juju. The box came right before his birthday and he thought it was for him. :( I promised him that as soon as his feet grew big enough for the smallest size, I would get him a pair. I love love the pair I decided to get. Very grown up but still super cool. And goodness me, they are super comfortable! Y'all know that I don't like shoes, but I put them on without socks and they felt great. Big Daddy helped to put the wheels on them for me and all I could think about was heeling through the grocery store. But seriously, the ability to take the wheels off and where them just like a regular pair of sneakers is great too. Did you see what a great looking pair I got in that picture above?

I wish he got a video of me, because boy oh boy I was a hot mess! I could barely get up on my heel to do any rolling in the first place. But I did eventually get it...with some coaching. And by coaching I mean telling me how to first take off on the balls of my feet/shoes and then lean back on my heels/wheels. It was tons of fun. After awhile I tried to get fancy and go in between "walking" and heeling, but then I hit some uneven sidewalk that sent me into our yard of dead grass and dirt. It did make for some great laughs. (Still to this day I am reminded of how mommy thought she was so cool and then fell in the dirt)

One thing I wasn't expecting was my calves and abs feeling so tight in the morning. A workout?! Definitely a plus! I will definitely be getting the dudes a pair so we can heel into the sunset together.

To see all the other styles Heelys carries, visit heelys.com. You can also view videos and how-to guides on their website. (I probably should have done that before attempting to heel LOL).

You can also connect with Heelys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

*disclosure - I was provided with a free pair of Heelys in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my very own and not influenced by Heelys or anyone else.*

I remember

As I sit here this morning watching footage of this day, I give tears to the brave. I see the flames and the brave flagging to let us know they are still there...alive...trapped. I hear the 911 tapes. Its one sided, but can imagine the panic on the other end of the line. My heart is pounding and I feel cold. Thoughts of what I was doing that day flood my head...
I got up to go to class that morning. I stepped outside and it was a ghost town. Did I wake up early on Saturday thinking I had class? I ran back into my apartment. Damnit! I left the freaking tv on again. And I saw it. The 2nd plane hit the tower.
I was 21 living & going to school in Las Vegas at the time. I had never felt alone ever until that moment. 10 years later, married with 2 more children, I remember. Skinny & Milkshake were 5 & 3...I don't think they remember. I will remember for them. I will remember for Juju & BamBam who will hopefully never know of this type of devastation. Who at the current time is laughing & singing, watching Rio. They will learn. They will ask questions & I will answer with what I remember.
I will always remember.

Grandparents lunch

To celebrate grandparents day on Sunday, Juju's school had a grandparents lunch. Unfortunately, all of Juju's grandparents & great grandparents don't live near us. Well except for VonTrapp but ya well...
Anyhoo...I decided to go & have lunch with instead of the GPs. At lunch I told him I wanted to take a pic of him to send to them. This is what I got...crazy kid...I have NO idea where he gets that from...

FINALLY

Blogger has an iPhone app! That is all...for now.