Oakland Zoo

This weekend Todd and I took the girls to the Oakland Zoo. It had been a few years since I'd been there, but the kids had gone a couple years ago. They have a new children's section which I really liked. For the most part the zoo hasn't changed but I have to say it's still a great place to take the kids.

This is a Sun Bear. He was rolling around in the grass.

Two types of camels. Todd shot this from the tram ride.

Brushing and petting a goat in the petting zoo section. They didn't have many animals to pet but the girls didn't mind.


This is a prehistoric alligator from 15 million years ago. The info said he ate dinosaurs. Cool!

An alligator under water

Lions and tigers together

Todd & Paula on the tram.

Shawna and I also on the tram

To finish off the day we hit the ride section and let the girls blow $16 on rides.

They claim this was their favorite part of the zoo. haha

Are you ticked?

So, have you been wondering what we've been doing over here besides smelling each others feet?
No? Hmph.

Well, here it is anyway:

Shawna received a bad bear note home this week for engaging in an inappropriate behavior. She and her classmate decided to cut each others hair. Thankfully they didn't do any damage. Many years ago when Shawna was 3 years old she decided she no longer wanted bangs, so she removed hers completely. Not a single sole was unaware of what she did. It was plain as day on her little face up near her hairline. Somewhere I have a great picture. I need to find it.

Back to this week. The teacher had a long talk with them explaining proper hair etiquette but didn't feel Shawna actually understood the seriousness of her actions. We took away TV and I gave her the look. You know. The look that says don't ever do it again. I made Shawna cry with just the look. I felt a tad bit bad but was also jumping up and down inside that the look worked. Once the look no longer works you're screwed.

We found a new home for rental dog. Evie went to a nice young lady who works in a homeless shelter. I wasn't too sad to see Evie go. She was sweet and I could have lived with her longer, but her shadowing me became annoying. Anywhere I went she went. If she couldn't find me she ran around looking for me. She sat on me, sat next to me, slept next to me, ate next to me and more times than not wanted to be on my lap. I need my alone time. Even from a dog.

Only a few more days of school left. Shawna has a kindergarten graduation on Tuesday but Paula doesn't get out until Wednesday. Paula doesn't understand why it isn't a big deal to move from 2nd grade to 3rd grade. She believes a graduation for her class is also in order. (rolling eyes)

I recently wrote a check for thousands of dollars so someone else can watch my kids for the summer. Being a full-time working parent has it's perks and forking over lots of money to a summer camp is usually one of them. Of course I'm a mean mom by making my kids also attend summer school. It's a combination camp and summer enrichment program. I know I know. How Dare I. As a kid I never wanted to take summer school. Either the smart kids or the kids with difficulties took summer school and I was a middle of the road kid. I'd take an art class maybe but that was it. I remember making an old lady out of a dried apple in summer school. But kids these days can't afford to lose the knowledge they acquired in 9 months. They need to be up to speed the first week of school when homework starts. As it is Shawna is still struggling with reading. She has problems with the sight words. I'm hoping summer school helps.

So that's it for now. I'm sure you enjoyed reading about my dull life. It is rarely much more exciting than this. Of course we did find a tick on rental dog #2 , who I only have for 24 hours so I'm not really going to talk about it today. Although it is a great story and one I'll share sometime. Todd had to remove the wiggling tick from the dogs back after suffocating it in Vaseline. Bleck.

Do you smell that?

Said this morning by Paula in total seriousness:

"Shawna, your feet smelled so bad last night I almost threw up"

Ahhhh....sisterly love

Beginnings of Dementia

I truly believe I have the beginnings of dementia.

Two weeks ago I misplaced my wedding ring. Todd thankfully located it, but where I'd placed it was in the most unusual spot, yet I knew after he found it that I'd put it there.

This morning I found an almost full carton of milk in the cupboard where the girls cups are stored. I must have put it in there yesterday when serving the kids milk at lunch time.

Should I just book my room now at the Alzheimer's Inn??

Things the kids say

While driving in the car the other day Shawna says all serious to Todd: Daddy, I have an owie on top of my finger, but since it's the middle one I won't stick it up to show you.

hahahaha

Good golly. Haven't heard that in awhile have you?

This weekend was like a perpetual party. I have a headache over my left eye that refuses to go away even on Codiene! My thoughts today are random. Not too unusual if you're a regular reader. Speaking of, how and why are people following me on Twitter?? I suck at Twitter. I don't think I totally understand how it all works. I'm so sorry to any of you who added me. You'll leave soon I'm sure.

Okay, on to my weekend.

One of the hosts to an adult party we attended Saturday night actually made me a drink with everclear. Everclear people!!! I didn't even know that shit still exists! Everclear, for the non-drinking folks, is a 151 proof, clear, no taste alcohol that is illegal. He called the drink a Cheryl Temple. It tasted really good actually. Thankfully I gave half of my drink away and survived.

We still have "rental dog". She's had diarrhea almost since day one so on Friday she had to go to the vet for an exam and stay overnight. She needs to be fixed before she can legally go home to a permanent family, but until she's healthy for a longer period of time we need to wait. The foster place pays for everything. Not one penny has left my purse.

My sister-in-law came over yesterday with Baby Allison and brought their vizsla who is a year old. Evie, rental dog, barked at her like crazy. My 2 year old dog, Rosie, who was previously scared shitless of the vizsla and drooled for hours during and after their first meeting, was very relaxed since Evie was all tough. Funny dogs. I also got tons of baby luvin' from my sweet niece. She's smiling and cooing now. SO DAMN CUTE!!! My brother had to work (police officer) so I bribed Jen with dinner so I could have Allie time. I'm nice like that.

I'm on the last book of the vampire Twilight Series . I was up until midnight reading and had to force myself to go to bed. It didn't help that I slept in until 11am almost all weekend due to late night partying. I'm so tired today. *yawn*.

I suck as a daughter. My moms birthday was on Saturday but I forgot. I called her yesterday. I didn't send a card either. Don't send me cards and please do not expect cards from me. I think cards are a great idea if you're organized and into all that, and I do appreciate receiving them, but I feel guilt over not sending them so stop sending me cards! I suck at thank you cards too. I'm better at thank you emails. I appreciate all you freaky organized people out there but I'm not one of you.

Look, this is me. I had to call my home number today from work to leave a message on my home voicemail to remind myself that tomorrow Paula needs to wear something "Anne Frank-ish" for her oral book report and that Shawna has her teddy bear picnic tomorrow so she needs to go to school w/a teddy bear. Does that guarantee I'll remember? Nope. If it's not plastered to my forehead I can still forget. It's fun to be me.

Just an update

What's new?

1. We received our first foster dog. Her name is Evie and she's very sweet. She's a 5 year old grey (what is the difference between grey and gray? I see it spelled both ways) cockapoo and schnauzer mix. She's small like our Rosie. Evie (not her real name...we don't know her real name) has chosen me as her favorite. She sleeps with me on the bed and follows me like a shadow. This Saturday I'll bring her to Petco for an adoption show case. I'm not in a hurry to lose her. She's great with my girls and even Todd likes her.

2. Soccer sort of ended on Saturday. No more games but Shawna's team has a team party on Thursday at their normal practice field to receive their trophies, have a pizza party and adults with kids soccer game. Paula received her trophy at her last game.

3. Swimming starts up on Thursday then moves to Tuesday's in a few weeks. It is hella expensive but I really like this particular swim school. Shawna needs the most work but I want Paula to know the proper way to do all 4 swim strokes. She's got freestyle & racer backstroke down. She was learning the breast stroke last summer when we stopped. She still needs to learn the butterfly.

4. Saturday Todd and I have an adult only party to attend, then on Sunday is neighbor party. My company is shut down on Friday so I get a 4 day weekend. woohoo!

5. My baby niece, Allison, is smiling now. My brother has sent me a couple pics in the past couple days from his iphone that I'll share. She's so delicious.