Back to the Basics

Just today, I realized that part of my problem with keeping up on the blog is I end up feeling like I'm repeating myself all the time.....telling you all the same ol' boring stuff that we do each week over and over again.....which isn't that boring to us since we are the ones doing it, but perhaps is boring to you since you are just reading about it.

Somewhere along the line, I lost sight of part of the original intent of this blog.....not only to update you on our happenings, but also as a means for me to document this time in our lives so that someday I can go back and read it, reflect on it, and reminisce about it.

Having said that, I decided just to make a simple list of the simple things that are going on or have been going on in our lives lately, things I may have missed. So here goes:

1. Charley seems really grown up to me all the sudden. She is getting really tall, and her ability to communicate and grasp certain concepts blows me aways sometimes. It's hard to believe my baby girl will be in kindergarten next year.

2. If I haven't mentioned it before, Zander loves Cars....as in the Disney movie "Cars".....maybe obsessed is a better term for it. Anything and everything in life can be put into the context of cars right now, in his world anyway.

3. I'm sure you picked up on this, but Charley is obsessed with the Disney princesses, and frankly, I cannot wait to be done with the princess phase. It's lasted a long time and I'm over it. Although I have to worry, what is the next phase? Based on a lot of the clothing I've seen for young girls lately, I'm concerned that it might already be the "hoochie momma" phase. So maybe I better stick with the princess stuff.....

4. Charley GRILLED ME about the Easter Bunny this year....specifically, where he lived, how he got around, and whether he was a real bunny or someone just dressed up. Uh oh.

5. Ever since December, Zander has quickly gone from an anti-bike rider to a full on speed demon. He just got a new bike, and he's unstoppable. Maybe he's the next Lance Armstrong.

6. Charley recently decided she hates melted cheese. I really hope this phase passes soon, because melted cheese is a staple in our house.

7. We officially only have one year left here in Hawaii. This time next year we will be making arrangements to move. Where have the last three years gone?

8. We will probably have to rent our house out when we leave. Just like everywhere else in this country, the housing market here tanked, so we may be owning a house in Hawaii for awhile. Might not be a bad thing, right?

9. Charley not only got her own new set of golf clubs a few weeks ago, but she also hit a hole-in-one this weekend on the Wii Tiger Woods golf game, with no assistance. Much to Brian's delight, we may have a golf prodigy on our hands. Or else just a lucky kid. Either way is good.

10. Both our kids are officially fish. They are both in swimming lessons again, and both love the water more than ever (which surprisingly was not always the case). Thank goodness all that money spent on lessons is finally kicking in.

11. I am having a really hard time buying clothes for Charley lately. She has become so tall and skinny (thanks to Brian's gene pool of course) that the only pants or shorts she can wear are the adjustable waist kind. Thank goodness for Target.

12. Zander has been pretty whiny and mouthy lately.....boy, I hope (and pray) this one is a phase.

13. One of my closest friends in Hawaii, Heather, who I've known since I was a 15-year-old lifeguard at Big Sky Waterslides in Montana, and who is like a sister to me, is moving away in a couple months. She has an awesome job opportunity in Colorado, so she's packing up her crew and moving on. It will be really tough to let them go.....my kids don't even know a life without her kids.....I watched her daughter come into this world.....they are like family to us. But I also know it's time for them to go..... :(

14. Brian's grandfather peacefully passed away a couple months ago.....so next month Brian will be heading back to Michigan for his service. May you rest in peace, Papa.

15. Yes, I stood in line for three hours this weekend to get an autograph from "Dog the Bounty Hunter" at the bookstore. But in all honesty, it was for my parents' sake.....they are huge "Dog" fans, so I decided to buy his book and stand in line, JUST FOR THEM, of course.

16. Zander is officially a snorer, which he definitely got from his dad. Charley has been complaining that she can't sleep because Zander's snoring keeps her awake. Guess we might have to go back to separate rooms sooner than we thought.

17. Our dog, Hobie, turns 10 years old this spring. Hard to believe that when I first met Brian, Hobie was still a young pup, and now he's an old man.

18. Our mini-van days are numbered. We have officially decided to sell the mini-van when we leave, and do not plan on purchasing another one now that the kids are getting older. Now, if I could only decide what kind of cool car I want next.....

19. Charley has an irrational fear of going upstairs by herself, but she has absolutely no fear of bugs. She picks them up, plays with them, puts them in containers, and begs to keep them forever. Not sure whose kid she is. Zander is also afraid of going upstairs by himself too, but he has no fear in making any stranger his new best friend. Everywhere we go, he talks to whoever will listen and asks random people (of any age) to hang out with him. Guess he's not shy.

20. Last but not least, no, we don't know where we are going next after Hawaii, and probably won't officially know until next February......but in case you were wondering, it will probably be D.C. Brian's desk duty days are looming!