Grandad = Cool

I had nothing but the best of intentions to get something posted on here last weekend, to wrap up the month of January. But it didn't happen. Obviously. Regardless, a week late in posting pictures and updating the blog is equivalent to me being about 10 minutes late, well, anywhere I go, which happens all the time. So I guess what I'm saying is...this is right on time!

January wrapped up with Grandad (my Dad) coming to visit. The kids love, no ADORE, their Grandad. He comes up every few months to spend the weekend with us, sometimes to celebrate special events (Halloween, birthdays), but sometimes it's just because, like this weekend. We went to Isabelle's soccer game on Saturday morning (she scored a badass goal!) and before that had watched Sophia and Hudson attend soccer class (Sophia didn't cry!). On Sunday we headed down to take in the sights at Safeco Field for Mariners FanFest. It's a nice little event that gets the blood pumping for baseball. The kids love running on the field, and it's just something special we do with Grandad.

Boy bonding time.

Folks, this is wrong. We spotted this little girl at FanFest, and I had to take a picture. I'm assuming her parents put her in this outfit cause it was cold. I don't care, as it's F-d up. And I'm sure some of you are oohing and aahing and saying how cute she looks. It's not cute. It's not Halloween, and jackets aren't that expensive. If you can pay to get into FanFest, you can buy your kid a coat. I think her Dad thought it was cute, which is just pathetic. To further add to the story, this kid came over to see what my pack was doing at one point, and Sophia promptly knocked her to the ground (Honestly, it was not intentional, at least not to Poodle, as she thought Poodle was Hudson. Who she knocks down all the time.) . Anyway, Poodle started crying (which was BS, cause Sophia barely nudged her), and Poodle's dad shot me what I guess was his look of death. Dude, you only have one kid, your look of death barely registers on my radar. So I just smirked at him and offered a non-genuine "sorry." Come to my house for a day and you'll master the look of death in no time, as you're dropping it on someone every 5 minutes. Sophia recounted the story to Todd a little later (he was off getting snacks and missed Poodle) by telling him she knocked over a poodle. Of course, Todd thought it was an actual dog and found the story hilarious. I shared the above picture and told him it was actually a kid dressed as a poodle, and then he was just sad. PARENTS: NO POODLE OUTFITS UNLESS IT'S HALLOWEEN! Sheesh.

My Dad and Sophia share a special bond. They just delight in each other's company.

Just not sure what we're gonna do with this girl.

My Dad will be heading our way again next in about six weeks to take Isabelle to see Alice in the theaters. We all share a high love for Johnny Depp, so Todd and I will probably tag along. We were told by Isabelle that she "guessed" we could ride in the car with her and Grandad, but we don't get to sit by them in the theater. See, taking Isabelle to see a movie is another Grandad treat each time he comes. Kind of like buying ice cream for them each time we pass a Baskin Robbins or Dairy Queen. Yes, my kids can be easily bought. They're okay with it. At any rate, Grandad? In my kids' eyes, the coolest person on the planet. Next to Taylor Swift.

P.S. I just went to view this in blog form and realised the pictures are very big when you click on them. Sorry. I'd go back and fix it but I'm too F'ing lazy. I'll try harder next time.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

This weekend was busy, as always, but topped with a very special event. For over a year now, Isabelle has asked, no begged, me to let her get her hair cut...short. I've resisted, as frankly it seemed like so much work. She plays a lot of sports, so the "go to" pony-tail is just something I wasn't willing to let go of so easily. So her hair has gotten longer and longer and longer. We trim it every six weeks, but it quickly grows out again.

Anyway, a week or so ago we had one of Isabelle's friends over who commented that she wanted to grow her hair out to donate to Locks of Love. I'm very familiar with the organization, but really hadn't put all the pieces together to think it could be an option for us. But the gears got turning in my head at that moment. "Isabelle," I said, "if your hair is long enough to donate to Locks of Love, I'll let you cut it." She was delighted, and to me it seemed like a win-win situation. I read the requirements on the Locks of Love website - you have to have a minimum of 10 inches of hair for donation - and we verified that Isabelle had that covered. Appointment was made for this weekend, and the pictures below will tell the story best (click on the pictures for a larger view).

Getting ready to start. Looking a little nervous.

Megan, who cuts my hair, did the deed. She separted Isabelle's hair into two braids for donation.

Here the braids are being cut off. Everyone in the salon gathered around to watch the big moment, and kept telling Isabelle what a fabulous thing she was doing to help others.

Getting styled. Isabelle couldn't stop staring in the mirror, and was delighted with the outcome.

Isabelle with her hair that she is donating. She was very excited that her hair will be going to help other kids, and fully plans on growing it out again for another donation.

In addition to the big cut, Isabelle's soccer team also played their first indoor game of the season. They won 2-1, which was huge as we're putting our almost all girls team (we were given one "token" boy to technically keep the team co-ed) against all boys teams or mostly all boys teams. The rules state each team must have at least one girl on the field at a time (five players on the field) but we're often sending all girls out. So, this was a big win and we hope the first of many. Sophia and Hudson are also attending soccer class right before Isabelle's games, so Saturday mornings are busy. We hope you all had a wonderful weekend like we did!

~ Shannon

Please pass the meds

Apparently today is the most depressing day of the year, at least according to this article. I can buy it. I can’t think of a ton I’m excited about today, except that the sun is out in Seattle, which is always a plus in January. The joy and happiness of the holidays are behind us, and right about now most of us are starting to realize all the extra drinking and sweets we ate are now also behind us, just in the form of our bigger butts. Todd and I are on a bit of a detox diet; no soda, smaller portioned meals, no red meat, and no cheese (well, the last one is mainly mine). We’ll see how it goes. We were also supposed to cut out coffee and alcohol, but realized that then we'd end up divorced and that's not any better than fat.

We painted our bathroom this weekend, which was starting to drop into a state of depression itself since it had been a few years since being painted. Below is a picture. We went with a lovely dark gray which I think makes it look a little more formal. Hopefully the color will hide marker and crayon too, since Sophia has been on a tear lately of coloring on the walls. Next we’re moving on to painting the rest of the upstairs, which is in desperate need as our walls are trashed from the kids.
Watched the Golden Globes last night. Just one thing to say: Robert Downey Jr. He obviously won’t win an Oscar for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, but I loved the movie and adored him in it. Todd put it best after RDJ finished his acceptance speech, “I would totally add that guy to my list of people I’d like to eat dinner with. You just don’t know what he’s going to say or do, but you know it’s going to be great.” Agreed. Robert, consider it an open invitation to dine at our house any night. On a side note, why must people display their horrid breasts and plastic surgery faces for all the world to cringe over when they appear on the TV (Courtney Cox, Mariah Carey…looking in your directions)? On a positive note, Kate Winslet and Reese Witherspoon were just as classy and gorgeous as ever. Props and keep it up, ladies.

Song of the moment: It’s a tie…Sea Blue by Sam Bradley and Being a Mockingbird by Bobby Long

In honor of today's holiday, be kind to each other.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Best of 2009

Best of 2009

I am not really much for making New Years resolutions, but I am a complete sucker for the “best of” or “top” lists for a given year. Music, books, movies, restaurants…you name it and I’m game. When my Entertainment Weekly showed up last week and I saw that it was the year end review, I promptly sat down on the curb and started flipping through and reading all the “best of 2009” lists. (Okay, that’s a minor fib. Primarily I was looking for pictures of Robert Pattinson. There, hope you’re happy now.) I couldn’t even wait to get in the house to read. Pathetic, yet I don’t care.

So on that note, I am proposing my own Best of 2009 list from this year. I’d like to say this has been a non-eventful year, but I’d be lying. And I’d like to say it’s been all packed full of joy and happiness but, again, a lie. However, I am learning at this point in life to find the silver lining, as my mom would always say, as there usually is one, but you might just have to dig a little deeper than usual to find it.

Best of 2009
5. My New Job. Not a huge change, as I just went from one company to another within our enterprise, but it was a major lifestyle change in regards to my stress level. It’s only been a few weeks, but I think Todd would agree that this probably added years to my life. I am forever in debt to the people that fought for me, and approached me with this chance and I would probably throw myself in front of a bus for you all at this point. No, really, I would.

4. Twilight. I know you are reading this and snickering, but I don’t care. And honestly, I could have put this higher on the list and only resisted because it came into my life so late in the year. This has been my total guilty pleasure of the later part of 2009 and the $40 I invested in four books…wait, and the $20 for the Blue Ray DVD…have provided me with hours (and hours) of entertainment. Prior to New Moon coming out (which I bought advanced tickets for and saw on opening night), I poured over the internet sites looking for new images, clips, whatever I could find. I scanned my TV stations and DVR’d everything that was Twilight related…and then proceeded to forward the list to Wohn so she could set it all to record as well. Wohn then forwarded it to her husband, Steve, so he could set everything on the DVR, at which time he responded with, “Done. Ridiculous. I have cancelled the IU game and Raw to accommodate this vampire movie.” This is what Twilight has done to so many of us (formerly) normal, sane women. I walked by the magazine display while shopping at Costco one day and nearly launched Sophia out of the cart when I put on the brakes after spotting Robert Pattinson on the cover of Vanity Fair. I exchanged giddy emails with friends discussing whether or not he and Kristen Stewart were dating (don’t get me started on their Harpers Bazaar photo shoot) (oh, and I fully believe they are together.). Really, I could go on. I think Wohn put it best on Christmas after she and I exchanged cell pictures of our gifts from Santa (I got a Team Edward water bottle…yes!) when she said…”We are 12.” Yes, and you know what, sometimes that’s okay. However…shame. Lots of shame.

3. Balloon Fiesta. We’ve been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta many times before, but never when so many planets have aligned to allow us to have the number of friends and family gather at once like we did this year. Not only did we get to see the joy on our kids’ faces at the hundreds of hot air balloons launching into the beautiful blue New Mexico sky, but we got to witness it with Todd’s parents, my mom and step-dad who drove in from North Carolina, two of my best friends, Crystal, who drove in from Dallas with her family, and Kristy, who braved a sick little Logan to join us, plus old friends from high school who I hadn’t seen in YEARS. On top of that, it was just about the time of Sophia’s 3rd birthday, so we got to throw her a party at the Bounce House in Albuquerque and have my kids, Kristy’s kids, and Crystal’s Cameran all there together to celebrate…plus two sets of grandparents! This NEVER happens for my kids. Separately we also got to spend a little time with old friends from college, though any time we spend with John and Colleen and their family is never enough. We miss you all and will always treasure that amazing week we had back home.

2. My Friends. I have had the divine pleasure of becoming better friends with so many folks this year, and it has blessed my life in a plethora of ways. I’ve become closer with friends we’ve had for years, closer with friends from Isabelle’s soccer team (who are like family now), developed our new makeshift family that we spend holidays with now in lieu of being alone…for hermits like us, this is impressive. I have had the pleasure of watching people grow in their relationships, expand their families, been at their sides through loss, and leaned on them in our hard times fully knowing they would help us stand. I love you all. Hey, and I put you above Twilight…pretty damn good!

1. Overcoming adversity. Todd and I have had challenging years during our time together, but nothing at all can rival this year. We’ve gone through hard economic times with Todd’s job, multiple serious illnesses/diagnosis in the family, surviving life with three kids with very little help, and generally trying to keep our sanity. We’ve had minor snafus along the way like dog attacks, the van getting hit by someone who ran from the scene, sick kids (Hey, H1N1, feel free to not come back again. Thanks.), Todd’s lingering soccer injury that has resulted in him walking around with a “boot” on his foot now…but really that’s all minor in the big pictures of life. Our family has faced some major adversity head-on this year, and we’re still standing. Above all, I’m not looking at 2009 as a year to frown down upon, but rather a year that our mettle was tested, and we came out gleaming like sterling silver. The Maynes will overcome!

It's Been Too Long...

There is no excuse for how much time has passed since I last updated. No excuse. Not that I have three kids. Or all the activities they've had going. Or work. Can't even try to blame all the people we've had spend time visiting over the past six months. And I could talk about trips we've taken and time that's been lost there, but I probably shouldn't. No, I should just suck it up and accept full responsibility. But that's not fun. So please see the previous mentioned items and pick the one you like best. ( I always like playing the "I have three kids" card, but feel free to do your own thing.)

Now we are suddenly in December. And I say suddenly because I honestly do not know where the time went, yet here we are knocking on the door to wrap up 2009. Wow. We've had a very interesting year in the Mayne household. I fully intend to write up a best and worst of 2009 at a later date, but for now let's just talk Christmas.

Each year Christmas gets harder. Isabelle is convinced she either needs a laptop or a cell phone (what?!? you're 7!) and Sophia just wants everything Isabelle ask for (great...sticks for everyone!). Poor Hudson doesn't have a clue and is still just as happy with the wrapping paper and boxes as he is with an actual gift. But I dutifully start my lists for the kids at least two months ahead of time so that I can assure all gift ideas have been thoroughly planned and well thought out. We'll see.

Our biggest challenge this year has been finding a Zhu Zhu pet, which was at the top of Isabelle's list (of course!). A couple of months ago i stumbled upon one lone white hamster (Zhu Zhu pets are fake hamsters, for those of you not in the know), and I was ecstatic. Sure the thought crossed my mind that this poor hamster wouldn't survive Christmas day, after my three kids tore it apart after fighting over who got to hold it next, but at least I could come through for a short time. Then last week I happened to hit the Target jackpot right as a new shipment was being unloaded. Talk about being in the right place at the right now. Now Isabelle will get to unwrap three Zhu Zhu pets (we're giving one to Sophia for everyone's sanity), a crazy pink/blue house, and a garage with a car for the hamsters. Cause you know, what self respecting fake hamster can't exist without a car. Really, now.

As with any other activity in our house, Christmas will be a zoo, but tons of fun will be had by all. (I hope!)

Our deepest blessings to everyone for a safe and happy holiday season!

~ The Maynes

Happy 4th of July (a week late)!!

A very belated Happy 4th of July to everyone! We hope the weekend brought everyone great weather, great food, great time with friends, and good thoughts for our troops that are overseas defending our country. The 4th is a wonderful day of celebration, but also a time to remember those that have fought for our country in so many ways to allow us the wonderful freedom we have! Thank you all!

Our 4th of July was absolutely fantastic! We started the day off by meeting up with friends at Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley. What a wonderful and gorgeous complex! We kicked the soccer ball around some, had a picnic lunch, and then headed over to the lake. The kids all had a BLAST and the lake was just magnificent. Oh, and the weather? About 83 degrees under clear blue skies - perfect!!

Todd, Hudson and Sophia head out into the lake for a dip.

Very safe to say that Hudson might have had the best time out of everyone playing in the sand and wading out in the lake with Dad.

Isabelle and Gracie take a break from swimming to play on the beach with Sophia and Hudson.

After our time at the lake, we headed home to get showers for everyone and then a quick nap for Sophia and Hudson. After a yummy dinner of Juicy Lucy burgers, we headed over to enjoy fireworks with Tia and Sep and their family. The kids all had a great time with the fireworks...running through the colored smoke bombs, oohhing and aahhing at the mortars, and drawing their names in the air with sparklers.

Isabelle enjoying her sparkler.

Sophia...obviously having a great time playing with fire. :)

We look back on this 4th of July with pure happiness, and hope everyone else had as great of a day as we did. Until next year...everyone stay safe and continue to pray for our troops.

Lion tamers

Isabelle's soccer season came to an end this past weekend, which was good and bad. Good because now we get three days of our week back (until coach pitch baseball starts next week) but bad because our girls had such an awesome season and all have so much fun together.

Our last game of the season was played against the Lion Queens. We played this team twice last year and probably lost by about 15 goals each game. It was a mess. We knew how good our team was now, and how much we had improved, and we were all prepared to take on the team that had pounded us last season. And not only had they pounded us, but the coach of the other team is a complete ass...always encouraging his team to "keep taking it to them, score on them again." Suck it, asshole.

To make a long story short...WE WON!!! Our girls took it to the Lion Queens and beat them 5-2. It was a hard fought battle, and all the girls were exhausted at the end. Isabelle got things off hot with a goal (her 10th of the season, which led the team) and they just never gave up from there. We were all so proud, and the girls were ecstatic. Go Monsters!!!

Here's Isabelle taking on all three Lion Queen girls..."Watch out you big blonde girl, cause I'm about to score on you!" (which she did!!)

After the game we had the end of season party at our house. It was potluck style and everyone brought some delicious food. Our team is very ethnically diverse, which showed through in the foods that were brought.

Parents and kids sitting around eating and enjoying the beautiful evening.

The girls enjoyed eating their dinner picnic-style.

Our Monsters (and our little Monster mascot!)