Easley's Fun Shop

We accompanied Master J to Literacy Night at his school last night. His role was that of a colonial soldier. Now, I knew about the whole Literacy Night thing, but I didn't know that he was supposed to dress up for it. I figured that out on Wednesday morning when he mentioned it over breakfast. Having nothing in the house that remotely resembled the uniform of a colonial soldier, and no real way of creating one without a whole lot of time, money and effort, I did the next best thing. Or in this case, the first best thing.

I popped on over to Easley's Fun Shop in downtown Phoenix. This awesome, family owned business has been around for over six decades and been run by four generations of the Easley family. There's an unimaginable number of costumes covering just about anything you can think of. I mean EVERYTHING. When I walked in, some guy was picking up a frog costume, complete with huge froggy head. The wall behind the registers is a showcase of at least fifty kinds of high heels, platform shoes and boots of varying heights. The whole place is wall to wall, floor to ceiling costumes and the props that go with them. It's incredible!

But here's the really cool thing, it only took about fifteen seconds for Debi (probably spelled wrong) to find me a colonial costume. And while I was checking out the costumes for sale, she went and pulled several rental costumes out for me to look at. After seeing the awesomeness that was one of the rental costume, I just couldn't resist. I decided it was totally worth it to rent a costume for just one night.

And I don't think I was wrong...



I know, right? How cool does Master J look all decked out? He was a hit a Literacy Night for sure. Several people were taking pictures of him.

So, if you live in the Phoenix area and you're ever in need of a last minute costume because your kid forgot to mention that he needed one until the very last possible moment, head on over to Easley's Fun Shop. If they don't have it, it probably doesn't exist.

*Also, the fine folk at Easley's did not compensate me in any way, nor encourage me to write anything about how awesome they are. They are just that awesome. That is all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day of gratitude...

I'm grateful for the health of my friends and family and praying for those who are sick. I'm grateful for the roof over our heads and the food on our table and praying for those who have neither. I'm grateful for the opportunities available to us through education and jobs and praying that those who need them most will have them available as well. Mostly I'm grateful for everyone in my life who brings joy, love and friendship, and praying that I do the same for someone else.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pulled in two directions

So I recognize that it's the ten years to the day after the attack on our home soil and the murder of thousands. But it's also my mom's sixty fifth birthday. Ten years ago I was sitting in my living room holding a six month old Master J watching in disbelief as the second plane hit the tower and then the ensuing collapse of both buildings. I didn't even remember until two days later that it had been my mom's birthday. Unfortunately for her, her birthday will now forever be tied to that horrible day. So while I believe it is so very important for us to not forget what happened to and to try and use it to make this country stronger in unity, I also want to make sure to give a shout out to my mom.

Happy 65th Mamoo. I love you greatly.

Day of the Spanish Horse

I had the opportunity to attend this annual event at Estrella Mountain Regional Park out in Goodyear this morning. I thought it might be a cool place to take some photos and I wasn't disappointed.

A four year old Paso Fino, Lucero de Pretencioso, owned by KK Dubois of Rancho de Esperanzo, and trained by Steven Lopez.



Paso Fino Pretencioso de la Virginia, sire of the good looking guy above.




Another Paso Fino (I think)



I am woefully bad at identifying the different Spanish breeds but this could be a Lusitano.



These three flamenco dancers were kind enough to pose for me on their break.



Pretty sure this is the Andalusian, Espartano MF, of Flat Baroque Farms in Skull Valley, AZ.





Saw this little buckaroo as we were getting ready to leave.



And no festival would be complete without an adorable chihuahua...

Happy Halloween!

We did the usual where Mamoo and Papa came over for pizza before trick or treating. Additionally, one of Mister C's friends from the army is in town working for a few months so he came over as well.

Mamoo and I ate our pizza in the driveway in case any little kids came by early. The boys all ate inside and then headed out on the candy trail. Mamoo and I enjoyed yet another Halloween passing out candy to the kids and talking.

Overall it was a pretty quiet year for kids. We usually have over a hundred kids. This year it was less than fifty. On the plus side, I got to talk with some of my neighbors for a few minutes since there wasn't a huge crush of kids constantly. After it became apparent that the numbers were down, I started putting a handful of treats in each kids bag. And offering it to the parents as well. I also gave some to the pizza guy (along with his tip) when he showed up. He laughed and said nobody ever offered them candy even though it's usually a really busy night for them. Made me wonder why I've never offered it before. Such a simply gesture.

So anyway, another fun Halloween.

Master J as clone trooper "Commander Fox"



Our front yard, this is the first year we've decorated.



Master J arranged Mr. Bones which got the most attention of anything. One little kid of about four walking by did a double take and then said "That guy is MESSED UP!" It cracked me up.



The severed heads were my contribution. I begged for them at the store. They are my new babies and I adore them.



Mister C went with a more ethereal vibe with the filmy phantom. The pumpkins were originally at this corner of the garage before he hung this guy up. I moved them since I thought a "flaming phantom" might be a bit much for the little kids. The teenagers probably would have loved it.



Master J showing how he carved his pumpkin. This was his first pumpkin carving ever. I was pleasantly surprised at how it came out.



Our pumpkins all lit up.

Happy Independance Day

Mother's Day Blessings

My wonderful mom...



My beautiful son...



I am so blessed!

Fortieth Birthday

This was not my favorite birthday of all time. And not for any of the normal "I don't want to get old!" reasons either. Suffice it to say that the best part of my day was when it ended. Especially since it ended without anyone meeting up with law enforcement regarding the recent demise of their significant other. In the interest of keeping things simple, loving and kind, I will just say that my fortieth birthday was memorable.


(picture by Master J)


(picture by yours truly)


(picture by Mister C)

Today is not my birthday.

But I did have a party. My fortieth birthday is actually next Saturday but not everyone was going to be in town so Mister C decided to have a party for me today. It wasn't anything fancy, just my family coming over for grilled burgers and cake but it was lovely (mostly).

Mister C and Master J put together a my favorite kind of cake for me, yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Mister C even made a double batch of the frosting because I told him that's the way I always do it. How cool is that? The only problem is that I forgot to get a picture of the cake before we cut it into pieces. That made me kind of sad when I thought about it later.

Mamoo and Papa brought over home made potato salad to go with the burgers. I love my mom's potato salad, especially when I don't have to make it. They also brought over hotdogs and bbq chips which is always appreciated.

Miss Lee and Music Man showed up as well and brought along a lovely card espousing how much they respect me and think I'm the most wonderful sister slash sister in law in the world. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. In reality, it might have been a crack about old age, but that just sounds bad and this is a happy blog.

Oh, and Master J lost his ever loving mind. Let's back up a bit and reiterate a few things about Master J that might indicate why he would lose his ever loving mind.

First, he has ADHD and groups of people (more than three) create too much stimuli and he tends to act out. Second, certain foods trigger certain behaviors. Third, certain foods help his behavior.

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time you know that we give Master J coffee on a daily basis. The caffeine helps with his ADHD in the same way that Ritalin does. Only without all the side effects and without making me feel like I'm drugging my kid to make my life easier. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time you also know that Master J requires protein on a regular schedule throughout the day to help keep him level. Additionally, he cannot have any large doses of sugar, especially without protein at the same time. And high fructose corn syrup is like meth to this kid, he literally cannot control his body when he has it. Got all that? Good.

This morning I got a text from a client wanting to see a few homes. My party isn't until four so I should have no problem taking care of them and finishing up before I need to be home. So before I get myself ready, I sit Master J down with some chicken, a few potato chips and a glass of milk. Lots of protein, a little bit of carbs and no hfcs. But I didn't give him coffee. I don't know why. I think I was in a hurry and he was pretty level at the time and it just got forgotten. I leave the house and he's in good shape. I'm gone for three hours.

When I return, Mister C and Master J are not home as they are evidently out shopping for the preparations for dinner. I take the time alone to submit an offer on behalf of my clients. The guys come home around two thirty with some groceries and a bit of chaos. Master J seems pretty hyped up but I figure it's because there's a party coming up and I don't think too much about it.

At about four, Master J informs me that he has not had lunch and in fact has not eaten anything since this morning when I fed him the chicken. I know we're eating in a few minutes so I tell him to go grab a banana, which he does. He also informs me at this point that he "helped" his dad with the frosting. He had several spoonfuls of chocolate frosting while "helping". And then Miss Lee and Music Man show up and Master J kicks it up a notch. About fifteen minutes later, my folks show up and Mister C starts cooking the burgers and hotdogs. Master J has still had no coffee.

By the time the food hits the table, Master J is in rare form. He is singing "grand entrance music" every time anyone walks into the room. It isn't long before he's singing "exit music" as well. This music is the exact opposite of the entrance music. It would be amusing and entertaining if it weren't happening every fifteen seconds.

We put a plate of food in front of Master J and the battle begins. He's too busy making noises and singing to really get the food in. Finally after what seems like forever, Mister C makes a cup of coffee for Master J, who fights and almost breaks down into tears at the thought of having to drink it. He finally gives in and drains the cup. Unfortunately it takes about twenty minutes to kick in. During which time he does manage to eat his food. He also manages to harass everyone that was still eating and to perseverate on when the cake was going to be consumed. It kills me to see him like this because while the one side of me just wants him to listen and follow directions, the other side of me realizes that he really can't control himself at this point.

Finally, the coffee kicks in and he calms down. It's like a switch gets flipped. One minute he's in hyper-drive, the next he's walking calmly through the room. It's weird that it works like this, but it does.

So, let's recap where we went wrong...we didn't give him coffee at breakfast and lunch like we normally do. We allowed him to go seven hours with no protein. Worse yet, we allowed him go seven hours with no food at all except for chocolate frosting. Then we added four extra people to his world and he went over the edge. It's unfortunate that I didn't take the time to plan out several meals for Master J as well as inform Mister C where those meals were and what time they should be served. And it's unfortunate that I didn't get coffee into his system before I left and when he returned from shopping as this would have most likely circumvented most of the behavior. It's mostly unfortunate that I spent a large part of my party getting after my son to try an get him to behave because that makes it not a very fun party for anyone.

What the hell happened?

I am very capable of baking a decent birthday cake. Every year since my child was born (except one) I have made him some sort of decorated cake. They haven't all been fantastic, but I try my best and it's usually passable. For example...

This was for his fourth birthday. It's nothing too exciting, pretty basic technique and less than stellar results. But passable.



For his fifth birthday, he requested a big train cake for the adults...



and an individual mini-train cake for each child.



He was really into Scrabble when he turned seven. I messed around with a Scrabble game until I figured out how to lay out the words properly. I then took a picture of the game and used it as my reference for decorating the actual cake.



This bucket of popcorn was our compromise for his eighth birthday. He wanted to incorporate Transformers, a bucket of popcorn and tornadoes. We decorated with Transformers and I made this cake.



Apparently I saved the tornadoes for this year, because here's this year's attempt at basic, non-decorated cupcakes.



The best part was he got them the day after his birthday.