Jumping Jingle Cats

I dunno, that was the first title I could think of for this post... it's lame, I'm aware of that. Tonight after I got back from taking the kids to the Jump Around Fun Zone (one of the most confusing names... I end up calling it "the Jump zone" and the kids call it "the fun zone" and either way we have to explain that we're going to the place that has all the indoor bouncy houses). The kids were spinning like whirling dervishes so I dropped mom off at home and picked up a hot and ready (gag) and took the kids to go bounce out their wiggles. The place was packed. And I did notice that it's about 80% boys in there, I'm not the only one with a boy who needs a physical outlet, and sure enough soon he was red faced and sweaty.

No, he's not choking her again, it just looks like that way. And lets be honest, he might be thinking about it...

See? Red faced and sweaty... and happy.

These people asked if they could sit with me, to which of course I agreed to happily. Until this. They plunked down EVERYTHING like 2 inches from my face (I HAD my book on the table reading, but you see there is no room for that anymore). Hello, rudeness! They even had their kids skanky shoes on the table! They left soon after, maybe they saw me snap this picture of their pile of crap...
Natalie performed some impressive stunts on the big slide...

Mom and I were treated to a little evening entertainment by Natalie and B too... she brought out her keyboard and the kids found Jingle Bells that auto-plays. Here comes the Jingle Cats title tie-in: The kids made us tickets, led us to our seats, turned off all the lights (minus a flashlight) and started the music. Natalie meowed the words to Jingle Bells, while Brady put on a fantastic light show with the flashlight. Then it was Brady's turn to meow the lyrics while Natalie ran circles around us with the flashlight. Mom and I sat through about 30 minutes of this production. And we both sat and enjoyed it why? Because they weren't fighting for the first time today, and that was worth the price of admission!

More of the same...

I got a facial on Sunday... and I grew a boob on my face (just want you want the day before your first day of work)
The boys watching a movie... while mommies made random cocktails.

My ICU crew wished me such a fond farewell.

Grandma Honey sent the kids Kevin and Dug from UP, Dug talks. But he didn't come with a 'cone of shame'.

Natalie showing off her trio of Chipmunks...

Me and My girl got our hair did (hey, it's only been 3 months...)

We see Amy T here, she is awesome.

My Go-Juice.

Brady and his good buddy cheesing it up with the smuggled iphone.

Moms cat Freckles the Hitler cat.

Dropped off little miss at school and went for a run. January has been mostly awesome weather-wise.

Cougar Juice at Scotty Browns.

Natalie drew me a spider. I do not want to encounter this spider in the shower, or anywhere else for that matter.

Natalie busy learning at school.

Oh, crap. Brady's giving himself temporary sleeves... I'm doomed when he turns 18.

My old friend from High School Dan and his family came up New Years Day. Trying to get a decent picture together was like wrangling my kids, we simply would not cooperate.

The Polar Bear Run followed by the Polar Bear Dip. Yup, I did both.

This week has been long. Got long oh, about 4:45 today on Tuesday... Thank goodness I have mom to pour me a glass of wine ;) Regence is great so far, it's just the whole "sit in a classroom" for 8 hours that I could do without. No pain, no gain eh?

Holy Crap! Pictures!

I only have the energy to post half the pic's that I have finally uploaded (off my iphone {heart it!}) I will do my best to post the other half tomorrow. No promises... You've all probably all left me anyway due to my hap-hazard blogging habits as of late. It's my own damn fault if you have! **sniff, sniff**
Anyway, a photo rundown of the last month:

New Year's at 9 at Theresa's home. Every year we count down with the kids on east-coast time... can still put them to bed afterwards and toast in the new year grown up style (unless you're me and have 4 cocktails and fall asleep with Natalie in her bed at 10:45)
Radish giving me "the eye".

"Ima Tiger!"

Natalie was making Tinkerbell and Ariel kiss...

Radish was THIS CLOSE to dozing off on my lap... such a sweet little pig.

I don't know why, but I love this picture of Little Miss.

Alright, that's all I got for ya tonight, so scram. I started my new job today (nothing to report yet, just orientation and whatnot) but I did discover that they have a gym there, so I'm heading out bright and early to take advantage of that bidness!

Ch-Ch-Cha-Changes

Lots of them. Like on Monday. I was offered a job at Regence, and I accepted it. Then on Tuesday, I had to (tearfully) give my notice at Industrial Credit Union (bittersweet). So I will leave ICU on the 23rd, and start up bright and early (and 40 hours a week, uh haven't worked that since... 2002!) on the 25th at my new adventure. I'm super excited, I think this will be great for my family. I'll tell more when I know more.

But for now, I'll leave you with my newest "Overheard" from this evening:
(on the way home from letting the kids run their wiggles out at Mc D's)
B: Hey Mom, I can spell Bus.
H: Sock it to me, B
B: B-U-S
H: Awesome.
B: Hey Grandma... I can spell But
G: Ok, lets hear it.
B: B-U-T
G: That's grea..
B: T! hahahahaha!

Vintage Overheard...

My computer crashed this summer but luckily I had printed up all the "Overheards" that I removed from my blog and put into Word (that are now gone forever). So I thought I should put them BACK on here for safe keeping, because clearly I (or my computer) can't be trusted.

June 29, 2008
N: Mom, what is this bears name?
H: Well, it's shirt says 'Angel', that must be it.
N: No, I think the bears name is Freak!

July 1, 2008
(eating Chicken for dinner)
B: Nad, what does that taste like?
N: (looks at chicken) Uh... it tastes like chicken.
B: Ohhhhhh.

July 8, 2008
(I was zerberting Natalie's tummy, especially her belly button)
N: Mom, don't buzz my button anymore!

July 11,2008
(We ran out of toilet paper while Natalie was doing her business)
N: Mom! I need more poo paper!

July 16, 2008
(After a bottle of wine)
Rach: How can you tell my eyes are bloodshot, my eyes are only half open!

July 21, 2008
Natalie's newest (mis)pronunciation: BlueBlerries

July 23, 2008
(Brady and Aiden are discussing their favorite colors)
B: My favorite colors are the ones on the American Flag! (Patriotic or Red-Neck? I'll go with Patriotic since he didn't say it with a twang.)

July 29, 2008
(On the way home from the pool, Natalie has her bear tucked under her pajamas, I ask her why)
N: It's raining lots, Mom. I don't want Chocolate to get Soapin' Wet (soaking wet)

July 30, 2008
(I dropped something on the floor in the kitchen, creating a mess to which I said "Crap!")
N: Damnit! Mama, I say Damnit!

August 15, 2008
(Watching a cartoon with Brady)
B: I need a zip line.
H: Yeah, those look like a lot of fun.
B: Yeah, I would need it to zip down to Aiden's house.
H: Mmmm-Hmmm.
B: And to zip over to Costco.

September 2, 2008
(At Red Robin for dinner)
H: Nat, what do you want for dinner?
N: Mac and a Roni!

September 4, 2008
N: I love Josh, he's my sweetheart. (we were talking about him watching her that night so that Tracy and I could go out to dinner)

September 10, 2008
(Brady is at Grandma Sue's, she is clearing out some space for him to play/relax)
B: Grandma, you need to have another garage sale and get rid of some more of your crap.

September 14, 2008
(I was getting Natalie dressed this morning and I pulled out her Wizard of Oz t-shirt and asked her if she wanted to wear it.)
N: Yes, I want to wear my Lizard and the Boz shirt!

September 17, 2008
(I whispered to Brady to tell his dad "Happy Birthday, old fart!")
B: Happy Birthday, you gold fart!

September 29, 2008
(I was telling Natalie that she could change her shirt for our bike ride, as she might get cold)
N: Nevermind, MOM (you know, in a tone)
H: But we'll be in the shade, you might get chilly.
N: I sa-id, Nevermind, MOM!
(The tude has arrived. 'Nevermind' is 3 year old talk for shutup and buzz off)

October 2, 2008
Since the theme from Indiana Jones is very popular in my house right now, everyone seems to be humming it from time to time. Tonight Natalie was singing it, but instead of singing "Dum da dum dumm" she was singing "Mom ma mom moommm, mom ma moommm"

November 12, 2008
(Natalie was eating some green Jell-O on the way to school and Brady thought it was disgusting)
N: Don't tell your friends I'm eating green slime!
B: Yes I am telling!
N: Ok, good boy. Have a good day!

November 21, 2008
(Natalie was snuggling on my lap and kept looking up at me)
N: Mom, you have a mipple on your chin!
H: A WHAT?!
N: (shyly) a, a, a, mimple?
H: Oh, yes, I have a pimple on my chin.

November 25, 2008
(After picking up Brady from school, he's in the far back seat so I can't hear him clearly, but I can see him making himself go cross-eyed by tapping his finger to his nose)
B: Mom, I know what plus, plus, three is!
H: Oh, yeah? What?
B: (tapping his nose with 3 fingers from each hand) Six!

December 15, 2008
(Natalie was giving me plenty of attitude and I told her I was about done with hearing it)
N: Ok mom, I'm almost done with my attitude!

Plans...

Today I dropped off the kids at school and headed to the infamous Taylor Steps... I think finding a parking spot mid-morning near WWU proved to be just as exhausting as the 800 steps up (and 800 down).
The reason I have a new obsession with steps isn't totally for vanity's sake (though I'm hoping my hind end will look pretty nice as a result). This spring I'm finally doing The Big Climb. I was prepared to do it solo this spring when some former classmates formed a team (but don't get me started on our team name, it's so lame. So obviously created by a guy.) So for prides sake (and my dad's honor) I've been training so that I can smoke these guys to the top. I'll probably fail miserably (at the smoking them part) but figure a little trash talk is good motivation for everyone.
My dad was training to do the The Firefighter Challenge (it's The Big Climb but the firefighters do it in full turnout gear) when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (the childhood kind). He suddenly went from being a participant to being the honoree. He was discharged from the hospital and I took him down to the event that spring (the last picture I have of my dad was taken this day) and I watched him help change oxygen tanks for his fellow firefighters on the 40th floor. It was a very emotional day, and I can't wait to climb for him!

Oh, and if you'd like to help donate to my cause, you can do so HERE. I am willing to bake for my donations too, you know valentines day is coming up... does your kid need some kick-ass treats to take to school?

AND, I've made tentative plans to do the Whidbey Island half-marathon (north end) with Miss Kate, which means I HAVE to do the South end marathon come July (Chochokum weekend, which if I recall was like the weekend after Rock and Roll Marathon, which would be why I DID NOT participate last year!) Oh, and of course I'm doing the Rock and Roll Seattle again (and another? Vegas? San Diego? New Orleans?) and Bellingham's again, that one was fun. Hmmm... what else?