DFW to BWI, to Grandmother's Condo we go...

A big day! - Flying 'unaccompanied', a pre-paid cell phone, skylink ride around the airport, time zone change, Getting to see Grandma and 'Uncle' Tony*!!

Two VERY excited kids.

Two VERY nervous parents...

getting to the airport

checking on the flight

taking a ride around the airport to kill time

excited beyond words

about to go! - Ella was in charge of paperwork (around her neck) and Benjamin was manning the cell phone

Are you ready?

waiting

TIME TO...

GO!!!!!!!

I held it together. Its funny because when you are a kid and nervous about big trips, first days of school, camp, etc. Your parents remain calm and completely cool about it. So you think they are totally cool with it. Waving goodbye at Benjamin's thrilled eyes and Ella's nervous grin - I thought "you guys have no idea that I am more nervous and excited for you than any person could possibly be!!!"

We waited around to be sure the plane had taken off the ground. Cora thought this airport place was pretty cool. Skylink sans carseat or seatbelt. And she got to walk around without the stroller a bit. She kept her arms folded - I didn't know if she was mimicking 'church' because I make her walk with her arms folded at church or if it was a way to keep us from holding her hands!

I took pictures of her and let her look at them on the back of the camera to occupy her for a while -- this one really shows off her two toned eyes :)

If you are wondering Ms. Maiya was at ballet camp. And good thing, because she was sad to say goodbye - a goodbye at home was just right!

then she took a picture of us. from below it was such a bad picture of me I almost threw up, so I made Kyle take another one with me so I could leave with some version of self dignity!

* Uncle Tony - is my mother's boyfriend - Not the kids Uncle but with lack of a better title Benjamin started calling him Uncle Tony a few years ago and it has stuck :)

They will be staying at my mom's condo on the beautiful Potomac River in a High Rise condo complex - much different from suburbian Texas. They have grand plans to sight see in DC. Ella is most excited to see the Lincoln memorial and Benjamin can't wait to see the Spy Museum - which when he is excited sounds like he is saying the spine museum :)

They will be back in two weeks or something like that... My mom is nothing if not flexible.

About that time I'll be 34 weeks pregnant - whoa... stay tuned for this baby boy's name. There has been much baby naming drama in these parts. I think its about time to make it official and put the drama to rest. And what is more official than the blog right??

Look who's two!

Didn't this just happen? Even at her well check up the pediatrician kept saying - "I can't believe she is two already!!" - I was like "you can't believe it?"

(notice the finger dab - courtesy of the birthday girl :)


She loved her gift from mom and dad (not pictured) - if you have a toddler I HIGHLY recommend the Rody Horse - and when you can highly recommend something you have had in your home for less than a week you know its good!

We are going to check this one out tonight!

I think the proper word by this point is overwhelmed :)

time for cake

Blow out your candles!!!

Cora you are a joy - We all love you soooo much!! Happy Birthday Angel!!!

the day I essentially pepper sprayed myself.

Can bravery be described as taking four kids shopping by yourself at 7.75 months pregnant? I think it can.

Sam's club:

You were SO not fun yesterday. But your prices insure I will forgive the event.

As we unloaded and made our way into the store in the blistering heat, we came across a huge greasy puddle in the parking lot - Can I also describe the heat as inhumane? I think I can.

Ella navigated around the puddle.

Maiya navigated around the puddle.

Cora navigated around the puddle.

I navigated around the puddle.

Benjamin, on the other hand - plunged his big ol' foot with much force right down into the center of the puddle!!

who got covered in HOT, greasy mud puddle?.......

ME.

all the way up to my knee. It was gross.

I proceeded to do what any calm, caring, level headed mother would do:

I turned around and Screamed like a Banshee at my son. Then whined my way into the store telling him how hot and greasy the junk on my leg was. It was then that I realized we were walking along side a really nice man from church. A man who happens to be married to an actual calm, caring, level headed mother - very unlike myself.

I was embarrassed. (but still mad at my son)

Then we made our way to bulk dish soap - because I have 4.5 kids and I buy EVERYTHING in bulk. As I rounded the corner Benjamin came down on my toes, CRUNCH.

I restrained the urge to strangle him. (I didn't though cuz he's my handsome boy...)

With a little weight in the cart I realized my cart had a bum wheel, and after adding a few more bulk items it became pretty hard to push. Momentum and frustration were the only two things pushing the cart. Benjamin kept telling me I was going too fast. I was just glad to have my feet not near him.

As I made my way to the end of an aisle, I knew I had to make the corner with speed. I was manuevering perfectly when Benjamin dashed out in front of me and quickly stopped my cart. And then I quickly stubbed my toes on the cart.

Picture Homer Simpson going after Bart. - got that mental picture?? that was me...

"I thought you were going to hit that lady - as he points (way over there)"

"I knew exactly what I was doing Benjamin - I was no where near her!"

although admittedly I would not have wanted to be in front of me at that point - I knew perfectly well that I was not going to hit anyone, except maybe my son.

One last thing on the list and then I can get out of here... pepper.

In the seasonings section I handled a few different containers of pepper to decide what amount of bulk I was going to go with. I made my choice and we made our way to the checkout.

We were in line, it was almost our turn, I had loaded almost everything on the belt when I had to do what I have to do all. dang. day. (no, not pee) - wipe sweat off my face.

I wiped each eyebrow, my upper lip and then under each eye. Then within a few seconds.

MY.

FACE.

CAUGHT.

ON.

FIRE.

apparently I had wiped all the pepper residue from my recent shopping choice all over my face.

By time we made it to the check out lady -- I am sure I looked crazy, I was burying my face in shirt mumbling, 'my face is on fire, my face is on fire'

It didn't seem to speed her up any though. I finally snapped at the end when she tried to upsell me on something.

"Listen I don't want to extend my membership, join the coupon club, or get a credit card, can you hurry up my face is burning!!!"

her "ummm, yeah, sure ok"

I never gave her an explanation. I wasn't in my right mind.

And then Benjamin saved the day. As we headed for the bathroom for me to save my face, Ella and Maiya bolted ahead saying they had to go to the bathroom, I contemplated trying to take out Cora even though I could barely see straight, When Benjamin said "I can stay out here and watch her"

And he did - he entertained her and did a great job!!

While I washed my face and hands several times - and left with a wet paper towel to keep blotting my face.

Later I called Kyle and told him what happened... and he responded very lovingly by laughing in my ear and saying "bwahahaha, you basically pepper sprayed yourself."

In other news:

I may yell too much but I am still a cool mom, because not only do I let my kids look at road kill, sometimes I let them pick it up:

(Benjamin had already poked at the snake with Dad)

One item that made its way to our home from Sam's was a 10lb bag of pinto beans. As Ella carried it in she said "this feels like a baby" and that was all it took, within two hours all the girls had carried the bag around talking baby talk to it, and eventually started diapering it.

there were many protests when 'pinto' as he was aptly named went into the crockpot.

and last but not least in Oyakawa news...

Benjamin and Ella are preparing go see Grandma in a about a week. They are flying as unaccompanied minors all the way to Virginia - be still my soul !!!!!!!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Maiya Dear...

Maiya turns FIVE on Monday

our Summer Solstice Baby...

We celebrated today with friends and...

'ice cream' cupcakes

all the kids made 'homemade' ziploc bag ice cream

water balloons

bubbles

sprinkler

Maiya's big gift was 'grown up' walkie talkies (thought if we were going to get them might as well get good ones that work and that are re-chargeable.

*those are all links if you are so inclined.

Benjamin and Kyle have spent every evening at Twilight camp this week and stayed the night last night (Benjamin's first overnighter!)

They made it home in time to help get ready for Maiya's party... Kyle went straight to bed after guests were gone - poor guy. He's a wonderful, tired, exhausted Dad. He deserves a good Daddy day tomorrow...

Here is a couple of my boy at camp:

Video Games LIVE

Words I never thought I would say: "we took the kids to the symphony" (well all but Cora)

Other words I never thought I'd say "my kids were enthralled by the symphony"

We went to Video Games live ... what is it you say:

Video Games Live™ is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Top orchestras & choirs perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!

All the folks in costume were a blast and very gracious about taking pics with my kids, the Meyerson Symphony Center is GORGEOUS, We went with the cheapest seats - and to seat five together in the popular cheap seats meant we were in the VERY LAST, tip-top ALMOST IN THE SKY seats. I had some serious vertigo just sitting there. I was gripping my girls as if I was their only lifeline, and reminding Benjamin to sit very, very still. We quickly realized the lighting gear was blocking the top of the screen to the show and Kyle being my knight in shining armour when to the box office to complain...

shortly after he called on the cellie to tell us to meet him in the orchestra seating area.

We got seats worth over $300 for the price of our cheap seats. We squeezed into our new seats just before the show started!!!

Lesson: it never hurts to ask

this is Zelda.. i think

we don't know... some japanese wii game girls

Mario - (say it in a high pitch voice in a sing song manner i.e. "its me Mario")

and Luigi

The guitar hero competition. Kyle let me down. I will work to forgive him.

ze conductor.

Princess Peach - Not a pic for boys to join in as Benjamin protested

Summertime at the table...

I love these kiddos and the chaos I experience at their service... feast your eyes upon my messy kitchen. I just decided to grab the camera and freeze a glimpse in my life at this very moment. One day I'll miss the mess and the company...

End of the year...

Ella and her WONDERFUL teacher Mrs. Harry!

Ella and her best bud.

Ella getting her award and standing next to her crush (shhhhhh....)

my dear sweet short girl.

lest you think I am partial there are more pictures of Benjamin on the camera than Ella but each one other than this exudes images of pain because he is so not good smiling for the camera.

Field Day!

Concession stand at Field day!!!

Class Party at the Park!!