Reno Balloon Races ...Poodle amongst the bull dogs

This is from September 06, 2008 .This was an exhilarating experience and although I felt like a poodle amongst the bull dogs I worked with the camera I have and I am happy with some of my shots. There were so many Nikon DSLR cameras around me. These serious shooters set up their tripods and got some serious shots. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I could hardly contain my excitement of being there, down on the field with so many balloons all around me. I was so close I could touch it. I really could. Here are some of the shots I got at the Reno Balloon Races. It is an awesome display of color. For me this year has been the best experience. I met a woman there who owns my dream camera. I talked with her and we exchanged numbers. We decided to meet the next day without the kids. My husband thought I was crazy not only to get up at 3am but to go and meet someone I knew for five minutes. Well I consider myself a good judge of character and everything was fine. Jasmine's husband shared the same thoughts as mine did. We had a wonderful time together. I still wait patiently to purchase the camera I desire. Jasmine thank you so much for a great experience and for teaching me some tips and tricks and showing me your prized possession. I will wait patiently while I research the type of lens I should invest in and I will get the camera my heart desires. Thankfully I have a supportive husband and he wants me to get the one I want but it time. Hard to wait but wait is what I will do.

Take care !

What's for dinner

While at the furniture store yesterday I lost my cell phone. I realized it on my drive home. It was too late to turn around as we closed the store. We were shopping for a television stand. Finally we will have a new TV and a stand with storage to hold the DVDs laying on the floor. While they drew up the paper work for us to sign we looked at couches. I sat on so many couches and I could have lost the phone anywhere. I tried calling it a hundred times in case I lost it elsewhere. I hoped someone would answer it. Today I drove back down there and managed to find the phone. I marched over to the sprint store and as I was on my 30 day window since I broke the before the one I lost I was able to replace this ugly grey one with my beautiful new red palm phone. Did I mention it was red. I love red. It is such a bold , sexy color.

Later this afternoon I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. So I was flipping through the channels last week and I stopped on the food network. I watched Tyler Florence whip up this awesome meal. I gave it a shot and it was fun to make. It took two hours instead of the 30 min the recipe suggested. I served it with angel hair pasta and it was okay. I think I will change several things about the recipe. The sauce was too chunky with all the peppers. Anyway for a Monday it was a long busy day.

Here is a link to the recipe if you want to try it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-cacciatore-recipe3/index.html

Photo Challenge #15 - ABSTRACT - 4-10 September

Okay ladies I am very late this week but better late than never. Thanks for checking it out. I got some of these shots when the balloon was literally over my head. I lay on my back on a rocky sage covered hill. I took several where I had my necking stretched up toward the sky and it no not stretch that way anymore. I almost fell and then decided to lay in dirt. What I always tell my kids not to do. I was all alone so no judgement from the peanut gallery was passed. I had so much fun all by myself and a date with z7590. I need more dates with that camera. Thanks for looking. Please let me know what you think. I bright glowy one was taken at dawn patrol around 5am. I was up 3am and on my way and was there waiting since 4am. It was worth sacrificing my sleep. I will do again in a heartbeat. I am convinced I will meet death while taking a picture. Silly me !

Balloon races

"Wohooo ! " were the words out of Pravan's mouth. I got him up at 5am. He was so excited that it was finally the morning when he could go and see the balloons. I got Priyasha up that early as well. Suprisingly she was not caranky. She did ask for a cup of tea. One would think she really was older. Her maturity level stuns both Todd and I. Todd had a little trouble rising today. I made him a cup of coffee and he was a good sport. Well we missed dawn patrol as that starts at 5:30 am. We did see the balloons lit up in the dark sky as we headed toward where they were. I made hot chocolate for the kids and packed some pancakes. We had a difficult time finding a parking spot but we finally did. It was a long while before the balloons made it up into the sky. The kids were restless and the crankiness drove Todd nuts. It did not take long for the excitement to change into crankiness. It is hard to be patient even for me. I took the kids across the street when the balloon started ascending. I took some pictures and then the kids had no further interest. I met a lady that was parked behind us. She had the Nikon D300 which is the camera I really really want. I chatted with her for a while and we both agreed that it was hard to get good pictures with the kids. We exchanged phone numbers and decided to do this again tomorrow. it was the last day and it would be a great thing to do without the kids and hubbby. The rest of the day we all dragged. We skipped a birthday party as the kids were cranky . After naps we headed to the pool for an hour or two. Since it was late and I was tired we order in some dinner from a new Bistro that opened up in our neighborhood. I had fallen asleep on the couch when Todd went to get dinner. I was just sooooo drained. I had some dinner and then went to bed at 9pm. Can you believe it. I have never gone to bed that early in the last decade. Tomorrow will be an awesome experience. Drinking hot chocolate. Mayflower that he saw at school yesterday. Searching for Mayflower. Pravan finally spots the Mayflower. Below is the view from our development. This is about 5 miles away from where the race is. As we turned this is what we saw so we had to stop and take a picture again. This is really a great event and certainly colorful.

Playdate with Raya

Candice and I trade childcare when either of us need it so today was my turn. Candice had several things to do and Raya and Priyasha are best buddies. Raya ended up coming over earlier than planned but that was fine. The girls had a good time playing on the trampoline and we had a picnic lunch in the backyard. It was in the 90's today but they insisted on jumping. The trampoline is really great to tire the kids out.

It was a very easy morning with the girls. They played well together and they both took long naps. While they napped I took the opportunity to sew Pravan comforter. Finally I pulled out the transformer and spider man fabric. It was already cut to size but it was a process to add the velcro and get it to fit right. I sewed some ribbon onto the feather down and then matched it to ribbon on the coverlet. I then tied it together to keep them from moving on the bed. Pravan already had a great quilt I made when he was two. I have no room for it so I left it on the bed and added the sheets on top of it. This made his bed extra comfy and soft. He loves his new comforter and loves to just plop down on it and ounce around. It feels like landing on a cloud.

When Pravan got of the bus he was so excited. Today one of the balloons landed on his playground at school. All the kids. It was the highlight of his day. This balloon was called the Mayflower and it had a picture of a ship on it. He talked about it for about 30 min .He was one of many kids that helped the man fold up the balloon and decompress it. He even brought home the pilots business card. He was not so happy to learn that Raya was here. He was disappointed that Priyasha and Raya always get to play and he never gets to see Dylan. I promised him that we would plan a after school play date next week. I cooked dinner after Raya was picked up and we had an early night.Pravan is looking forward to seeing the Mayflower again.

Volunteered in the classroom

This morning I had a plan to drive Priyasha to Candice's house. Priyasha was thrilled to hang out with Raya. Pravan also wanted to ride with me instead of the bus. It was crazy getting out the door. I was stressed and there was so much to do.Priyasha was clingy when I dropped her off but she was fine after a while. I raced to get Pravan to school before the tardy bell rang. On the way to school we saw several hot air balloons. The kids were excited and Pravan had just realized that it was that time of the year again. It has been a hot Septemeber so he did not think that it was time for the balloon races. Reno is always filled with fun events. Last weekend was the rib festival and next weekend is the Reno Air Races. Well the kids are thrilled and excited to go and see the balloons early on Saturday morning.

It was so busy this morning that did not even have time to get a cup of anything. I had no time for breakfast or my magic tea. I thought I would stop at the store and get coffee. I am a tea snob. I like my tea just so and the stores do not make it the British way so I would much rather get coffee even though I do not normally drink it. Well due to that reason I had no idea where to get one so I didn't. I also made Pravan's classmates snacks and that took up most of my morning. I made kebabs with ham , cheese, cantaloupe, grapes and strawberries. The kids loved it. Some kids had second and third helpings.

I helped his teacher get some math papers in order and filed some stuff. I also helped with recess duty. I could hardly keep track of Pravan. From the moment he was released into the playground he was running all over the place. That kid did not rest at all. I was exhausted trying to follow him. It would be a great workout though. He was sad to see me leave when it was time for me to get Priyasha.

Priyasha had a good time playing baby dolls with Raya but she was happy to see me. We headed home and she took a nap. I used that time to clean up the house before Pravan got home. When he came home I had him play in the backyard with his sister and we hung out on the trampoline.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about my crazy day as a mother.

More curtain updates

Somehow my projects have snowballed and now I am sewing all kinds of things. Just by moving the toddler bed into the nook in the living room. I have decided to add more panels to the existing drapes for a more full swag. I also added more red tassels to the curtains. I really only sew when Priyasha is napping and I am so fast now that it makes things complete. Sewing is so fulfilling to me. It is a reward with instant gratification. I enjoy scrapbooking too but I can sew a whole quilt in the time it takes me to make a quilt. hard to believe I know.

Anyway this morning I packed Pravan some left over meatballs and noodles. I put it on a stick and also made him a special snack. I made some mini pancakes and out that on a stick with strawberries and grapes. When he got home he told me that his teacher said " You have a very clever mom " I smiled from ear to ear and felt so good to hear that.Just seeing him tell me that with a huge smile on his face I could tell he was proud of me. I took in the moment and gave him a big hug and told him that I loved him. He did forget his lunch box in school again. I hope he learns to remember. I cleaned the house thinking that my friend Suzanne was coming over but it is not until next week. I was bummed about that but hey my house is super clean. It did not take long for me to mess it up with bits of fabric again. Pravan got home on time and today for the first time Priyasha was awake and was able to greet him at the bus. I love having him home and listening to his day. I feel like a piece of me is missing when he is away.

That's all for today. Have a good night.

Tuesday Blues

This morning Pravan could not get up. I tried to get him up and he rolled over and told me that he is tired. He has never been a kid that cold not get up but this school routine is killing him. The kid is almost always half asleep on the bus. Poor guy. I feel bad. I also am feeling the strain of this new schedule. I have to get up earlier as well. If I just quit making him lunches and eh can have a hot lunch I can sleep in a little longer. Nahh ! it is not worth it as they serve junk besides Pravan loves my lunches and looks forward to my lunch notes. I have special ones made up on the computer. Here is an example. Today he got some strawberries and cheese on a stick for snack. They have snack time at 10:15 am and then lunch at 11:45am. This is to fuel them up so they can focus. I think it is a great idea. My kids love food on a stick. I even serve dinner that way sometimes with meat and vegetables. It is a fun way for a kid to eat.

This is not the best image but it gives you the idea. I always draw a heart and write mommy ! His goal is to try and read it before he comes home and he gets a token and then he can redeem a prize. Not sure what yet . I have got to work out the details.

Priyasha and I went to storytime and then we stopped at school to visit Pravan during his lunch. It is nice that his school is so school. I can visit anytime I want to. Priyasha was happy to see him and he shared his chocolate milk with her. He could not finish it so she is his garbage disposal and he pretends like he wants to share. Sneaky guy but I am on to him. I praise him for sharing even though I know what he is up to.

Priyasha and I then went to the playground and we had lunch there and hung out. She fell asleep on the way home. I took advantage of her nap time and sewed some cushions. I found these zebra print fabric and and that adds a nice touch to my living room. I am planning on changing the curtains and a few more things around. I promise to snap some pictures and post them by next week. Hey I have nothing else to do right.

Pravan brought home a library book and has to read it and write about it in his journal. So today he practiced reading. He is having a hard time with some words and daddy was hard on the kid tonight. It broke my heart to see him crying but it was for his own good. I know he will get better but I cannot help worrying. In motherhood that never stops right !

Treats for Pravan's class

So my cupcakes from last night did not turn out the way I want it to. I planned on decorating the cupcake. I frosted it with yellow frosting and tried to put a chocolate covered graham cracker on it. This was supposed to resemble a chalkboard. I iced it with 1+ 1 and added a white candy to look like chalk. I also added a red m & m with green icing for an apple. Well the graham crackers refused to stay in place. I finally gave up and this morning I decided to cut up water melon into little star shapes and placed them on a stick. This took a long time. I then put it in the freezer while I showered and got dressed to go to school.

Priyasha was thrilled to go to brother's class. She sat at a table and had a snack too. Pravan got to pass out the napkins and he looked so proud and happy to be doing that. At first some of the kids did not want the snack but when they tried it they came back for seconds. I was happy that they had a cool ( literally cool ) snack. It was a hot day and Pravan said "that was a great idea mom ". Priyasha and I stayed for a short while and then we headed of to lunch. I met a dear old friend Heleene and we had lunch together. It has been a long long time since we saw each other. I was surprised that she brought me a belated birthday present. My birthday was in April. It was so sweet of her. We had a good time and Priyasha got a balloon when we left and said to the hostess " Can I have one for buther ? " That was so sweet of her. It was nap time when we got home.

I had very little time to do the dishes and clean before Pravan got home. I was also tired from the busy morning. When Pravan got of the house I discovered that he left his lunch box in school. I was not happy but I guess he will have to learn to remember these little things as mom is no longer always there to nag him. This is a long weekend and I am looking forward to it. Have a happy and safe Labor day weekend.