Good God, it's going to be hot today. We headed out to Disneyland yesterday because our passes were unblocked and my photographer friend Renee was going to get a few shots of us as a private family photo shoot but Theo woke up in a grumpy mood and then got even grumpier as we went along. He refused to ride the carrouself (MY child??? It's like his favorite ride!) and insisted on riding Dumbo, which was fine, but then flipped out over riding an orange Dumbo (wanted a blue) and wanted to sit on the seat by himself (we were all squished in one elephant--not happening). Then it was all about wanting to ride Dumbo again, but we made our way over to the tea cups and for once, I didn't feel sick! Well, a little bit sick, but honestly I haven't been on that ride since I was like 10 and I think it makes a difference if you don't have a sadistic brother spinning the cup as hard as he possibly can. Sorry dude, but you did. Don't forget to check me out at My Year With The Mouse.

In just a few hours I'll be leaving for my third residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts! I really can't wait. I've been very anxious about it, particularly because Theo has been a nightmare recently and I just hate to stick Kevin with all of the duties. I'm also really nervous about my critical thesis coming up because it wasn't until like yesterday that I even had an idea. Hopefully I'll be able to pull this bad boy. Anyway, Vermont doesn't look nearly as hot as it was last year and our main room now has air conditioners, so I think it's going to be a really awesome residency! Many of my classmates are there already and I can't wait to join them!

Sunday I will be off for my third semester of Vermont College. I'm officially halfway done, and it's kind of hard to believe. On the one hand, I wish I could never leave the program. On the other, it's so much work, it will be nice to not spend every waking minute (and sleeping minutes too!) thinking about my novel or reading books or thinking about and writing critical essays. I will miss my classmates, but I'll also miss my guys at home. And Theo has been such a pill lately, I do feel bad about leaving him with Kevin and I am so grateful of the sacrifices our family has made so I could pursue this. Also I'm nervous I'll forget to pack something.

Don't forget to check out My Year With The Mouse!

Sunday I will be off for my third semester of Vermont College. I'm officially halfway done, and it's kind of hard to believe. On the one hand, I wish I could never leave the program. On the other, it's so much work, it will be nice to not spend every waking minute (and sleeping minutes too!) thinking about my novel or reading books or thinking about and writing critical essays. I will miss my classmates, but I'll also miss my guys at home. And Theo has been such a pill lately, I do feel bad about leaving him with Kevin and I am so grateful of the sacrifices our family has made so I could pursue this. Also I'm nervous I'll forget to pack something.

Don't forget to check out My Year With The Mouse!

I've posted a whole report about Theo's Half-Birthday party over on the MYWTM blog! Lots of pictures--go check it out!

Phew! Theo's party was tiring but awesome! Now that I've had a nap, I sure feel a lot better. The cake turned out fabulously. Everyone seemed to like the games, which I kept simple since most of the kids are 2ish. Well, turns out Theo was not that interested in finger painting, but a couple of the other kids totally got into it, so that was good. All in all it was a great party, though I don't know that I'm going to spend that much time on the cake next time.

Had good birthday dinner last night at The Hobbit in Orange. The food was good but it was a bit overpriced for what you got. The service was excellent. The wine pairing was only so-so. It's an eating "experience" in that they have one seating and you all move in a group starting in the basement/wine cellar (it's in a house--great cellar) with free champagne and appetizers, then to the main dining room for a couple of courses, then take break and hang out in the resting rooms upstairs, then back down for the rest of the meal. I was underwhelmed by the lamb main course. Overall I'm glad we went but I don't think I'd go back.

Well the old computer died, and it wasn't that old which kind of sucks. I was sucked in by how cute it was and the fact that it was small, light, and had a tablet feature that turned out to be a seriously pain in the ass that I never used. So now I'm back to the brand that never let me down, Toshiba. Got the $699 version (it was $100 off at Costco) and while it's heavier than the other, that's really my only complaint so far. The larger screen is actually kind of handy.

Adorable Father's Day/Grandfather's Day/Great-Grandfather's Day card from Shutterfly

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Gearing up for a bunch of travel here. The latter part of June we'll be in Virginia for Zach's helicopter school graduation. Then we'll likely be traveling over the 4th, probably to the cabin. Then it's off to Vermont for me again, and that brings us through almost the end of July. August we're taking a break, but September we're traveling on a Disney cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles! I can't wait!

Lots of fun stuff going on over at My Year With The Mouse!

Back from our much-needed vacation to Vegas. What a wonderful time. We stayed at the Cosmopolitan, which was an amazing hotel with a fun vibe and a young crowd. Actually I think we might have been bordering on the edge of too old. Didn't seem like a lot of the guests were the type to have kids at home. Still, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat if we can get another discount deal like this weekend, although I don't know how often those really come up. Otherwise it's ridiculously expensive. Next time we'll have to try mid-week if we can, which will probably be cheaper. We were a little desperate for some time away so we just went with the cheap weekend this time though.

My ICD surgery is scheduled for the 19th, which should be fun. Hopefully they won't keep me overnight. I'm not sure if I'll be able to use my arm or not--I should be other than muscle soreness, since they aren't placing a lead. Still, that will make toting Theo around tons of fun. Which is why I scheduled it for next week when he's here and not this week while he's gone.

Check out my guest blogging appearance at my favorite "Go Green" website, Practically Green!

And don't forget to enter my special Mouse Ears giveaway on My Year With The Mouse! Tell your friends!