oh, go boo someone

Yesterday KT had her last soccer practice.  I've been coaching this season and frankly, was somewhat relieved that the season is coming to a close.

KT who loves soccer + Mama who loves soccer = surprisingly little love during practice.

The majority of our practices have been well, frustrating.  There has been a lot of whining and crying, whining and crying that I don't believe would have taken place if I wasn't coaching.

After a somewhat painful afternoon/early evening we went out to "Boo" some friends with treats and I have to say -- it was the BEST remedy for us all being irked at each other.

I have not laughed with my kids that much in awhile.  Yes, they regularly say/do something funny, and I chuckle but this was in the all-three-of-us-pointing-at-each-other-laughing-so-hard-we-were-almost-crying category.

This morning Mo told me, "That was fun what we did last night."

So thanks T, A & E for boo-ing us.

wish this little face lived closer to us

Was (finally) going through pictures from (early) July and found some I took of little Ariana.

We did a little trip this summer with her to Monterey in August (still haven't even gone through those pictures) which was really fun.  Her mom Lyndsay and I said we need to plan a little vacay with our families annually (I didn't forget) which I am totally committed to.

Because it's way too easy to lose track of friends who aren't in your everyday life of school, Daisy scouts, swim lessons, soccer, etc.

friday kind of cookie

I'm not really a recipe follower.  

Okay, truth be told I'm not really a directions follower in general.  I consider myself industrious.  Some very notable inventions -- including the chocodilla and the dessert pizza -- have come out of my somewhat unorthodox style in the kitchen.

I'm known on Fridays to serve what we call smorgasbord dinners which is basically a hodgepodge of things -- mostly reincarnated leftovers.  

Today, I present the melange cookie (because using French words make it sound fancy).

We're talking cake flour, leftover mini Easter (yes, Easter) M&M packets, chocolate chips and almonds.

I belong to the more-stuff-in-your-cookie-the-better school of thought.  Basically, I work to have just enough dough to keep everything in it -- namely chocolate -- together.

I usually make about a dozen cookies the first day, and freeze the rest into little balls and keep them in a ziplock bag in freezer.

At first I thought the whole freezing thing would stop me from consuming so many cookies, but not really.

It just allows me to make 5 fresh cookies a day -- which I generally consume by myself.

Happy Friday!

boogie on down

KT has been the reigning boogie boarding queen in our house for some time now.  But, looks like she might have some real competition soon for that title.

one on one

Over the last couple of years I have slowly implemented my plan (muh-ha-ha-ha) starting with getting my kids to watch soccer with me on television.

Now, I'm happy to report I am well into phase 2:  Molding a partner in crime to watch professional soccer games -- live.  

It's become our Mama and KT time to drive into L.A. to watch the Galaxy play.

I was a little nervous the first time as I know football games around the world can be a little "rough" and not necessarily somewhere you want to take a six-year old.

But, they have a lot right up KT's alley. We get there early and get her face painted.

She gets an airbrushed tattoo.  She makes signs.  

We take pictures with the mascot, the MLS cup trophy, spin the different wheels at the sponsors booths for tchotchkes.

Sometimes David Beckham is her favorite player.

Sometimes it's Landon Donovan.

We get dirty nachos and an Icee.

Just love that happy face.

music monday

KT and her uke are still at it almost daily.



playing Taylor Swift's "Mean"

loving

all the zinnias in our garden right now.

they have to be the easiest flower to grow from seed.

cure for the weekday blues

If you've experienced half of the whining and crying I have this week, you may be in need of some chocolate therapy.

Enter the Cornflake-Chocolate Chip-Marshmallow cookie.

They are chewy, chocolatey, have a bit of crunch from the cornflakes -- and, they are huge.

Win. win. win. And, win.

Cornflake-Chocolate Chip- Marshmallow Cookies
from Christina Tosi's "Momofuku Milk Bar" Cookbook

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups of Cornflakes
• 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows

1. Cream together butter and both sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl and add egg and vanilla; beat for 7 to 8 minutes.
2. Reduce speed to low and add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix just until dough comes together, no longer than 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl with a spatula.
3. With the mixer on low, add cornflake crunch and chocolate chips; mix until just combined, 30 to 45 seconds. Add mini marshmallows and mix until just incorporated.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 2 3/4-ounce ice-cream scoop or 1/3-cup measuring cup, portion dough out onto prepared baking sheet. Pat tops of cookie domes flat. Wrap baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 week. Do not bake cookies from room temperature or they will not hold their shape.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line additional baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
6. Arrange chilled dough at least 4 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Transfer to oven and bake until puffed, cracked, spread, and browned on the edges, about 18 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheets.

remembering the 80s: tales of side ponytails, crimping irons and more

KT had a "crazy hair day" this summer during camp.  We braided her hair the night before and did a little half pony on top of her head.

KT:  Mom, does it look too crazy?
Me:  I used to actually do my hair like this when I was a kid -- and, not for a "crazy hair day."
KT:  Really?!

I didn't even tell her about the ponytails phase I was beholden to for the greater part of 1986-87.

sometimes I feel like we are playing

Here is the Little Wickies card for 2012.  I think we're doing good, no?

My apologies to the man

who pulled into the parking space after me at school today.

He probably stepped in a puddle of puke. 

It was like any other morning.  I pull into the school parking lot.  I open the door to let Mo out. 

“My stomach doesn’t feel good.” 

Then, she does that telltale cough/burp sound.

I pull her out of the car and she pukes.  And, pukes.  It would be the one day that she had a big breakfast. 

I grab the phone and call Miyo.  She’s pulling into the parking lot.  I ask her if she can walk KT into school since Mo is now naked after having pulled her pukey dress off her.  She says yes. 

I start working to bag up Mo’s pukey dress and the wet wipes I used to clean up her hands and face.  KT starts yelling from in the car “I have to go to the bathroom.” 

Of course you do. 

A happier Mo.

this girl

is now four.

She asked for a "rainbow party and to play Polly Pockets."  Check and check.

things you don't want hear from someone behind you

Katie went biking tonight while I ran.  She's behind me on the path (where there are plenty of people)...

Katie:  Whoa mom, you're huge!

Me:  What?

Katie:  Your shadow, it's huge!!!

drowning

... in fun, that is.  

That would be body surfing ladies and gentlemen even though the particular shot above may look otherwise.

We've been keeping busy with friends and family, parades, fireworks, camps and a short road trip this summer, but we've still managed to clock the minimum requisite beach time for our family (which is admittedly lot).

The other day we didn't have enough boogie boards for all the kids, so they decided to go back to the old standard of bodysurfing. 

We hit the beach one day with our out of town cousins.

This little guy won me over that week.

Another day Katie finally braved getting on Papa's stand up paddle board.

Papa said she was white-knuckled holding onto the board.

She was quite proud of herself afterwards.

Man, I love summer.

summer o' football

Little Wickie reaction upon seeing players' kids on the field after the championship game this weekend.

Mo:  Ooo!  Sparkly!

KT:  I wish I could be there with all that confetti.

Not "I wish I could meet Fernando Torres," or "I wish I could be at the final Euro Cup game."

I suppose it's kind of good thing, throwing metallic confetti on them is way more do-able than meeting Fernando Torres or attending a final Euro Cup game.

Next up: Olympic soccer and other Olympic sporting events.

What are you watching with your kids this summer?

the band

Katie and her friend Parker have been talking about starting their band for awhile now.

They've discussed playlists, literally drawn out who will be playing what instruments and where they will stand.  A litany of friends will hypothetically be "in" the band in any given discussion.

They've done just about everything except actually play together.

The other night they test-drove some instruments at Parker's house.

"I think I should still play the ukulele and Parker play the piano though," Katie told me later.

Can't wait for the first time they "play out."

In the meantime, here are some "performances" for you fans (a.k.a. uncles, aunts and grandparents) out there.

Father's Day song.



Video from her school's variety show.

happy

WEEKEND!

this post is really about books

I can not tell you how much I dislike running.  I do it, 1) To keep in shape for my old lady soccer games; 2) To keep my weight in check and 3) To be healthy.

Truth be told, the order of the list is pretty accurate as well -- which I know is sad.

Another good thing about running? 

I see things I wouldn't normally see.  Example #1 -- Katie's desk.  

Example #2:  Last week I was running and went past this old fence which had an abundance of yellow wild flowers growing around it when I realized it was really picturesque.  

So, I dragged the kids out there later to take pictures of them.

Okay, onto what I wanted to write a post about...  Books (squeezed between pictures of my kids for the grandparents...)

Summer is approaching and I feel like it's time to starting reading some truly entertaining books.  While not a romance novel reader, I do tend to lean towards books that are well, a little on the "soapy" side.  I also love witty/funny books.

What are you reading?

Here's my current "To do" list which I may or may not tackle anytime soon.

1. Drop Dead Healthy - I really enjoyed his A Year of Living Biblically and look forward to getting my hands on this one, maybe when it goes to paperback.
2. Steve Jobs -- also one I'm waiting for paperback or perhaps for the library to have less than 75+ holds.
3. A Moveable Feast - I just finished A Paris Wife, and it's made me want to read Hemingway's account on his first marriage.
4. Gone with the Wind - I never get around to this one, and I don't know why. 
5. The Lord of the Rings - I've got a soft spot for the pseudo sci-fi/fantasy -- e.g., A Wrinkle in Time, Hunger Games, The Princess Bride, Percy Jackson -- and haven't gotten around to reading these (or even seeing the movies!) 

Here are my top 5 Favorite Fun (& Easy) Summer Reads

1. Valley of the Dolls -- A cult "classic" it's a step above a traditional trashy romance novel.  Think soap opera meets Sex in the City meets a lot of alcohol and pills.
2. Persuasion -- My all time favorite Austen novel.  Read (or re-read it), then watch the BBC series.
3. Tales of the City -- Fantastically entertaining first novel of a series about the crazy intertwined lives of a handful of people living in San Francisco in the 60s.  Saw it on stage a couple of months ago and it was great.
4. Orlando -- Don't be intimidated by Virginia Woolf, this novel made me laugh way more than I thought it would. 
5. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies -- While I don't usually like spin-offs or parodies of Austen, this one is totally worth the read if you are a P&P fan.  Plus, they are making a movie out of it next year if you can believe it.

While I'm making lists, here are three novels I think BBC should consider...

1. Shirley -- Love how strong Shirley's character is in this generally passed up Charlotte Bronte novel. 
2. Sandition -- What can I say, I'm an Austenite at heart.
3. Sister Carrie -- I found myself really liking this one and could see it being translated to the screen.

Katie is starting to read chapter books.  Any suggestions?

Happy summer reading!!!

the old gang

A million years ago (okay, maybe more like 14) four young folks met in Evanston, Illinois during grad school.

They became great friends.  They hung out a lot, they even took mini vacations together after they graduated.  Then, jobs, families, etc. took over our lives and...

BLAM...

10 years went by.

This month we met up for an extended weekend in Arizona.

We did a little touring around.  We hiked in Sedona and visited Taliesin West -- Frank Lloyd Wright's final home and for lack of a better word commune -- which I highly recommend checking out if you are in the area.  We also saw the Heard Museum and ate at a lot of great restaurants.

But mostly we just caught up with each other which was really great.

Clearly I need a wide angle lens.

And, yes I finally got an iPhone (the guy at Radio Shack literally chortled when I produced my antiquated phone from my purse during the purchase).

So here are some shots I took with my fancy new phone.