Making the Most of My Commute

My Black Saturday Deal

My son, mother-in-law, and I braved the shopping crowds on Saturday to get a new pre-lit Christmas tree for the season (ok, we only went to the Michael's at the strip mall down the street, but we did have to stand in line for a few minutes). We had a great time decorating it on Sunday and putting gifts under the tree so we could celebrate Christmas with Marshall's family. And, on days like today when I work from home, I get to enjoy my Black Saturday deal.

Trophy Wife

Do you think Marshall had any idea he married a trophy wife? Just having some fun going through old boxes. At least the kids are impressed by all the trophies.

Happy Thanksgiving

from all the turkeys in the Peavy household. My son is thankful for......
Our house. His friends. His teachers. His family. To be alive. I couldn't have said it better myself. May you find this day reflecting on all the things you are thankful for. We are thankful for much today.

Four Mile Historic Park Field Trip

Five different historic stations. Four cornbreads made. Three hours with 80 second graders. Two bus rides chatting away. One special morning with my guy.

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A Blustery Buff Birthday Bash

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Ok, well I don't know that any birthday celebration with an almost 5 and almost 8 year old can be considered a bash, but we did have a great day. As a present to Marshall, I actually bought the Buff shirts for the boys (it is a bit easier when we aren't in the same conference and the Buffs are so bad) to wear to the game. 

Before heading to the stadium, we ducked out of the wind a bit and grabbed a bloody mary. We also were able to catch the Nebraska 2nd quarter TD while enjoying our wind break. We then headed to the stadium and were able to get down on the field, watch the Buffs practice a bit, and get pictures with Ralphie. The boys really enjoyed being down on the field and taking in all the pre-game (the band, the National Anthem, and Ralphie running around the field).

Besides the wind, we had a great time. The Buffs won, there was a lot of scoring (always good when kids are with you), and a break for halftime outside the stadium with friends.

The celebration continued on Saturday night for Marshall and me. We headed out for a drink and some appetizers and watched some football. On Sunday, we had a nice family breakfast and watched the WSU Cougars (taped) beat ASU. After 3 hours of shopping with the boys for Marshall's birthday in the afternoon, we celebrated with cake, presents, and chili. 

It was great weekend celebrating a great husband and father.

The Lion King

Today was the day. After months of waiting, the day to go to the Lion King was here. Of course, I think I was much more excited than Drake, but I do think it was a special day for him. We started off with brunch downtown at Panzano's with my girlfriend Takane and her daughter, niece, and nephew. It just happened that we had both purchased tickets for the same day - how great! The food was delicious and the kids were very well behaved. D-man loved the huge pancakes (with awesome syrup) and a virgin bellini. 

We took a brisk walk over to the theatre and got there early enough to relax and review the scenes in the program and take it all in. I don't think that D-man knew what to expect, but he was well-behaved and focused the entire show.  We sang sliently along, held hands, and shared special glances when we spotted something unique or special. When I tucked him in tonight, he asked why the performance went so quickly - why did it seem like it was only 3 minutes? I told him that when you are enjoying something, the time just flies. I certainly hope that was the reason.

I don't know that D-man will remember this perfromance, but I certainly will. He was the perfect date and I look forward to many more special outings to the theatre in the future.

Thanksgiving Festival

For the last few years, our Montessori holds a Thanksgiving "festival" (as T-man calls it). The school brings in "Thanksgiving dinner" from Boston Market and the kids get to celebrate with their parents, grandparents, etc. We've enjoyed celebrating this event with both of our boys and feel so thankful for so many things (including the wonderful experience we have had at this school). Sharing a meal together and having T-man "host us" in his world where he spends so much time is truly special. Taking time out of a busy work day to spend some quality time with our son is a great reminder of the truly important things in life.

Blue Football Weekend

After celebrating the three wins of our respective football teams last week, this week was quite the opposite. It was quite "blue" for several reasons. The Buffs and the Huskers failed to show up and the Cougs lost in OT. 

Fortunately, we were able to watch the Husker debacle with friends and drown our sorrows in bloody maries and red beer. Our hosts (a Husker and a Wolverine) will now face a yearly rivalry like Marshall and I have for so many years in the past. To ensure our host wasn't the only Michigan fan, Marshall revealed a Michigan shirt under his Nebraska shirt (yes, I will forgive him). Who knew the Michian shirt from our Ann Arbor visit would come in handy? Apparently, I will have to "hide" that shirt next year. 

Driving In Style

Driving in style on our way to watch the Nebraska/Michigan game with friends. Hoping my sister, hubby and parents have a great time watching the game at the Big House. GO BIG RED! (thanks to my awesome husband for suggesting the flags.)

A "Diner" Experience

Every month, our school has a fundraiser at a restaurant. The school gets money, we get to see people from the school, and there's no cooking for us. It's a win-win-win. Last week, we went to Gunther Toody's and the boys loved it (free sundaes after the meal were a special treat). We talked about how the restaurant was trying to replicate diners from the 1950's and places that their grandparents might have gone when they were younger. It was a fun night out and gave us a chance to talk about something we haven't talked about in the past. Topped off with no dishes for the night - perfect.

So Cal Part II

The second half of our Southern California trip was much more laid back and a nice way to recharge after Disneyland. We woke up Saturday morning and swam/lounged by the pool. We were also able to meet up with a former co-worker from Sun and his family at the pool for a short while. They had just moved to LA the week before so it was great we were able to work something out. After Jim and family took Marshall to the airport to get the rental car (Thanks Yang family!), we headed down to Carlsbad (north San Diego). We stopped for lunch at Rubios and then enjoyed relaxing with another former co-worker and wonderful hostess, Michelle! The boys loved the trampoline and the adults enjoyed some drinks, adult conversation, a firepit and some yummy pizza. It was a relaxing and great day.
On Sunday, we headed to the beach with Michelle and her daughter and had cold pizza and snacks on the beach for lunch. It is so great to have a local to show you around - thank you Michelle! The water was chilly, but we did dip our toes and the kids had fun playing in the sand and taking in the beautiful sunny day. After cleaning sand out of every imaginable place on the boys, we headed to southern San Diego for dinner with my friend Jenn (who I met at DU) and her family. It was so great to catch up with her. Facebook and email are great, but there is something to be said for chatting in person over a glass of wine (or two). Monday was a leisurely morning before we headed back to Orange County for our early afternoon flight. What a wonderful, wonderful trip! I'm already plotting our fall break trip next year!

 

Cub Scout Popcorn Sales

Delivering popcorn to the neighbors. D-man's pack had the most sales in the district. Way to go pack 376!

The Magic of Disney

 

 

While we did witness some "not so happiest place on earth moments," at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (DCA), it was a very happy and magical place for the Peavy family. The boys survived two 11+ hours days at Disney. There really isn't much we would have changed about our visit to the Magical Kingdom. Things pretty much worked out: the weather, the crowds (or lack there of), the rides, the meals, the hotel, everything. The unofficial Disneyland guide book we got from the library and Marshall's abuse of the FastPass system (Disney's priority line program for more popular rides) were key factors to our success when we got to the park. While we were VERY happy to be at Disneyland during the low season, that meant two major rides were closed, It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. I guess we will just have to hit those next time.

 

We started day 1 at Disneyland at 9:00 right when it opened. Our first ride was Space Mountain. And while T-man was old enough to ride it, the ride had a goblin theme for Halloween and was quite scary. Fortunately, the scary ride did not deter T-man from the other rides at the park (although he didn't ride Space Mountain again). We hit some more rides in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland (including the Matterhorn Bobsleds) and then headed over to Frontierland for a ride on Mark Twain's boat and some lunch. After lunch, we headed over to Critter Country and took in Splash Mountain - a family favorite - as well as some other rides.The boys enjoyed some ice cream during a country western singing act which was a nice break for all of us.

We then headed over to DCA and took advantage of the Fast Passes Marshall had picked up earlier in the day for Soaring over California. After more rides (Monsters, Inc and the Tower of Terror which both boys LOVED), some dinner and more rides, we took in the World of Color show before heading back to the hotel and getting the boys to bed just before 10.

 

 

While we were shocked the boys were both up at 7:00, it allowed us to get to the park a littel after the 8:00 opening. We headed to Adventureland where Marshall and D-man hit the Indian Jones Adventure and T-man and I headed over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (a T-man favorite) and then we all hopped on the Jungle Cruise. A trip back to Tomorrowland allowed for a ride on the Finding Nemo Submarine and found D-man participating in Jedi training. Some lunch and some more rides over in New Orleans Square wrapped up our morning. We then took the train to Mickey's ToonTown where the highlight was getting to meet Mickey Mouse (I have to say one benefit to having boys is not having to worry about character sightings).  A train ride back to Tomorrowland for Star Tours (a repeat request of Marshall's) and then the Monorail to Downtown Disney (for a much needed snack and downtime break).

 

We then headed to DCA  for the Grizzly River Run before it got too late in the day (I didn't want to be in wet clothes all night) and Toy Story Mania and California Screamin' (a D-man favorite). Both Marshall and I enjoyed Disneyland more than DCA so we drug the family back to Disneyland before it closed for a few more rides thanks to our Fast Passes after seeing a Bug's Life. We had dinner back at DCA and wrapped up with the Tower of Terror and California Soaring. It truly was a wonderful, wonderful experience for all of us.

The night was made even more special when we got back to our hotel. We had been upgraded to a room with a view of Disneyland and because of the Halloween party that was happening at Disneyland that night, there were fireworks! According to the web site, there were no fireworks while we were at the park, but we were able to view the fireworks from our hotel room right before the boys went to bed. It was our own piece of Disney magic and a wonderful way to wrap up the Disney portion of our trip.

Snow Day!

DU Homecoming

An afternoon at the family event at DU Homecoming with a girlfriend. Time to catch with a friend and time for the boys to have some fun.

October Birthdays

Yes, I am the parent that takes advantage of any day my kids don't have school - even if this means missing parent-teacher conferences (to be fair, we did meet with D-man's math teacher). But, off we went for a 3-day weekend in Nebraska to celebrate my parents' October birthdays. Not only did the boys have a great time with their cousins, the adults had a kidless evening - limo ride, a wonderful dinner, and time with family. The kids (and I) experienced a ride on a combine for the first time and sliding down a hill of corn. Quite the treat. It was a great weekend of memories for both kids and adults.

Halloween!

Back from California just in time for Halloween trick or treating. D-man is off with his friend and while I'm happy for him, I'm a bit sad that T-man is "stuck" with Mom and Dad. We did manage to go to a few houses with both boys, but it is times like these that you realize how quickly they grow up. And you are also reminded that we have no "neighborhood"......... But the boys look great and are excited and happy to be home. THAT warms my heart and is really what matters. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

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Mickey!

Ten and a half hours at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and no tears. A great day of memories.

Hello Disneyland!

Goodbye snowy Colorado!