Not what we wanted, but we'll deal with it!

Currently, we're on A Track for year-round school. Which means we're the first track to finish school; I believe their last day of school is June 12. The rest of tracks (B,C,D) finish at the end of June. We really like the schedule for A Track and were hoping to get assigned the same track for next year.

Not happening.

Apparently, since our neighborhood has joined the school's boundaries, we're kind of isolated and in a weird location. We're close enough to the school to be within their boundaries, but because of current conditions of the roads surrounding us and leading to the school, our kids are bused. So because of that, they want to have only one bus pick-up he kindergarteners in our neighborhood, all at once, just to save gas, I guess.

In essence, all the incoming kindergarteners in our neighborhood have been assigned to D Track, afternoon session. Makes sense, right?

Except, with us being on D Track, it means my kids have a relatively long summer, as D Track kids are the last to go back to school. Their first day is August 25th, I think. So, my kids get released from school June 12th and don't return for the new school year until the end of August.

Excuse me while I cry.

I'm rambling again. Anyway, my point is that this is all Vanessa's fault for being a kindergartener! ;-) We probably would've gotten A Track again, but, she's going to kindergarten, darn it! LOL, totally kidding!

Like the title of this post: It's not what we wanted, but we'll deal with it!

The Ol' Bedroom Switcheroo!

Last week we decided that Ryan needs his own room. Mainly because he and Ethan sharing a room is really not ideal. For anyone. I can only take so much of, "Ryan! Stop it!" or "I don't know, Ethan!" spoken in screeching voices. I'm already partially deaf in one ear thanks to Vanessa's screams and Jeff's imitation of happy monkeys.

We did manage to come up with this: we move Jeff into the room with Ethan, and let Ryan have Jeff's room. That way, Ryan will have the privacy he needs, and than and Jeff will have the body heat and the feel of a person that they crave. Side note: since they were little, all of my boys liked sharing beds with others. I guess it makes them feel not so lonely; I dunno.

The only thing is now I have to repaint Jeff's room because I don't think Ryan is too fond of the baby animals theme we got going in there. I've already stripped off the wallpaper border, and now I have to paint over the brown paint with primer. We bought the primer on Monday, but I still haven't done any preparation to paint.

I don't think I need to tell ya that Ryan's getting antsy.

Just something else to add to my master to-do list! *sigh*

Memorial Day at The Zoo (aka our house)

Ha, I didn't really know how "dependant" I am on having my family so close until today! My parents and siblings went to Seattle to visit my oldest brother during the weekend, so our schedule was thrown off a bit.

First, since they weren't here, I cooked dinner on Sunday, which sent the kids into a panic, wondering what the heck Mommy was doing in the kitchen. After explaining elebinty times that Tutu and Papa weren't home, the kids begrudgingly sat down at the kitchen table, eyeing the dishes as I brought them out. Talk about pressure!

Second, usually on holidays like this, we have a BBQ together, but since it was just us, it really wasn't much. The kids are getting sick of grilled hamburgers, lol.

The day started off lazily enough: the majority of us didn't wake up until 8am, and then when we did, we dragged our feet to get some breakfast. I think it was cereal. I wanted to make pancakes and whatnot, but our gridle died and went to appliance heaven, so we've been making due with a stove one. But, I really want to toss it because he hates when I make pancakes, heehee.

Anyway, after breakfast we lazed around some more, then headed outside to do some yard work, aka pulling out all the weeds that sprang up while we were too lazy to do yard work. Which was often. Scott and I got most of the weeds, while the younger kids played in the yard. Ryan washed the Armada to earn some money, which was really helpful. Unfortunately, Jeff was eating some Trix yogurt at the time and decided the car was too clean, so he smeared some on the front grill. Yeah, all Ryan could do was roll his eyes and wash it again.

In a nutshell, that was our day: doing things that needed to be done because my parents weren't at home for us to bother. Sheesh, what's the matter with them, running off like that? [/sarcasm off] ;-)

Sunny days ahead!

I really need to learn how to manage my time. Or even acknowledge that I have time to do certain stuff, because most of the time it's just more fun to laze around the house, playing with the kids. That's the closest I'm going to get to admitting that I'm lazy, lol.

Hmm, so what's been happening since the last update? Well, let's see...Saturday was an extra busy day. The older kids had sports that day, plus Vanessa and Ethan were scheduled to take pictures for their soccer teams. We had to split up and did it with taking only one car, mind you. I did get to finally see Ryan play, which really blew me away. Last fall he played flag football, too, and he was impressive. But, this time around? Phew! That kid can book it down the field! I think he gets it from Scott, because heaven knows my short, Filipino legs can't move that fast!

We did hit a snag because Ryan's game started a bit late. Which meant it ended later than it was supposed, which also meant Ethan was late for taking pictures. Luckily, when we arrived, his team was just lining up for the photographer, so I threw him (okay, not really!) towards his team, and everything turned out great.

Hmm, and then what? Oh, yeah! We stopped off at Roberts (craft store) to buy some craft sticks and dowels that Ryan needs for his simple machine project at school. Jeff fell asleep on the way, so I opted to stay in the car with him, which took a lot of willpower. 'Cause it's a craft store, filled with lovely, shining, and enticing scrapbook supplies. I think Scott planned it that way, just so I would squirm, lol!

Our neighborhood also had a BBQ to "officially" open the pool. I quoted officially because even though it opened on Saturday, it's closed for this entire week, then will open again on Memorial Day. Interesting, and also frustrating, as this entire week is supposed to be sweat-worthy.

Anyway, the majority of the neighborhood was there and we were treated to some very delicious food (hot dogs and hamburgers), plus a raffle drawing. We actually won a $10 iTunes card, which will come in handy; we've been eyeing some of the cartoon episodes that they have on there, so now we'll have to make some hard decisions. Which really won't be easy because Ryan, Ethan and Vanessa really can't agree when it comes to cartoons.

This week should be relatively relaxing. No sports practices or games this week because of Memorial Day, plus it's supposed to be nice weather-wise. Just put some sunscreen on the kids, have some water handy, and let 'em loose in the neighborhood.

Ah, summer!

We love you, Grandma!

We found out yesterday afternoon that Grandma (Scott's grandma on his father's side) passed away. It was a surprise to everyone, and sad, but joyful at the same time. She'd been lonely since Grandpa died some years ago and she was also having some health problems. I can only imagine the happy reunion they had.

The kids were sad for awhile, but I think they've accepted the fact that she's now happier in heaven with Grandpa. Unfortunately, it's been quite awhile since we last saw her, so Scott and I are feeling a bit guilty as well.

Grandma was a great lady, strong and faithful, and so full of love for her family. She was also very witty and sassy, which made us laugh. We're going to miss her.

Spring is here!

The last few weeks have been very spring-like with the sunshine and sometimes rain. The kids are loving it, mainly because it's not snowing and they can now go outside to play. My kids LIVE for the outside; they'd stay outside if I let them, which i won't because they turn red in the sun, lol.

We also ALMOST got a bunny yesterday, which would have made the kids ecstatic. I say almost because one of our neighbor's bunnies got loose yesterday and decided to go for a hop around the neighborhood. And, wouldn't you know it would decide to hop straight into the yard that belonged to four kids who are DYING to get a bunny! When I was finally able to corner the little fuzzball, the owners finally caught up to it, so I had no choice but to let the little guy go home with them. Ethan was upset with me when he found out I let the bunny go, lol.

It's a good thing, as we don't have anywhere to put the furball, and definitely don't have anything to feed it. But, according to the kids, that doesn't matter, lol. They just want a bunny, dang it!