The Graduate

My baby has graduated kindergarden. His school put on a little performance last night where they sing, hand out awards and receive a dipolma. It was very cute and he did so well. He even received the math award which made us even more proud. Thanks to the Douherets, Randy & Katie and Grandma Ann for helping us celebrate. He was so excited to open his gifts when he got home.

A lot of my picures came out horrible so once a get some from our friends I'll post more. I need a new camera.

In need.....

Of some good book selections. Going on some back to back trips these next 2 weeks and I need some good light reading.

Some have suggested this but I'm thinking it might be a little too intense while listening to the steel drum band on a cruise or the loud party music in Vegas. I could be wrong though.

Now, I've read a lot of Sofia Kinsella books and have enjoyed them. Quick, witty, funny..... kind of like me :) I think I might need a new author to try out though.

So, if you have some reading material you're in love with, let me know. I'll be hitting up Barnes and Noble this weekend.

Not a goodbye....

More of a "see you soon." Courtney's wonderful nanny Emily has finished her job of helping raise 2 adorable twin boys. It's now her time to move on and start her life with Iven, her great fiance. Doesn't he look ecstatic? A few weeks back we hosted a brunch as a early farewell and they had us over for dinner last night for a good quality visit. She's leaving next week to go back to Northern Cal, better known as Nor Cal as I learned last night, to set up house and finish up in school. A hot desert night, a pool to stick your feet in and friends to laugh with, is a good way to spend a Friday night.

Cheers! It's milk time.

Drew loves the Hershberger boys and since they're identical, she doesn't mind who she gets to snuggle with.

Ty and Peyton relaxing playing Leapster. They are getting to the age they don't want to play with the "babies".

The hosts.....

Atrial Septal Defect

Last year during Peyton's yearly examine with his pediatrician, the doctor said he heard something weird and wanted us to see a cardiologist right away. Excuse me? Have you seen my son? He's huge for one thing, totally active and he's five. The words "five" and "cardiologist" just don't mesh. So, off we went and met with the only pediatric cardiologist in the desert, Dr. Hashmi, who is great by the way. It turned out that Peyton had Atrial Septal Defect, better known as, hole in the heart. No, not a heart murmur but an actual hole, apparently 2 completely different things. If you have the time, click on the link. It's about 30 seconds and its a great description. It made me at ease to understand what was going on with my little boy. The only major symptom that he showed was that he sweated like nobody's business. Apparently the heart needs to work a little harder which made him sweatier when he'd be running around.

Anyhoo, we had our annual check up and the good news is, is that the hole is almost fully closed. At this point we're in the clear for surgery. He won't have to have it. What a relief. The bad news, they now want to see Drew. Apparently the chances for ASD with a second child are greater if your first had it. I'm not too worried though. She's just as active and doesn't sweat :)

The pics are from last week when he had his EKG and Echo cardiogram......things 6 year old boys shouldn't be having!

Graduation's approaching...

Peyton's school is nursury, pre-school and kindergarden only. It's absolutely wonderful and I'd recommend to anyone in a heart beat. They have an adorable kindergarden graduation at the end of may where each class performs then the kindergardners come out in their cap and gown for the actual graduation. It's really cute and I can't wait! Before this happens they have pictures taken in the caps and gown and they request that the boys wear a shirt and tie. Being the ultra casual family Peyton didn't own one so we had fun shopping and he felt so cool wearing it. Too cute. I can't believe my baby's going to first grade. *sigh* That just means the mirror is telling the truth. I'm gettin' old. By the way, don't mind Peyton's "sponge bob" teeth. He'll the poster child for orthodonics!

Competition

The date competition has come and gone and although my favorite Chef didn't win, it was fun. It was nice to be there to support Mark and afterwards we went out for a great dinner. I was proud of him and thought his dish was excellent. A special thanks to Courtney, Julie, Emily and Iven for coming out to support him and of course for taking pictures. A very special thanks to Jen, who was in the urgent care on Saturday and Christophe who was in the ER on Friday. You guys are great for sucking it up and being there. Mark didn't have any intention of doing this for a 4th year but I think not winning struck a cord and he doesn't want to go out without a fight. So, till next year.

Good Luck

Good Luck today Daddy. No matter what happens, we're proud of you for trying.

Love your

2 little Sous Chefs

Mark's news

I've gotten quite a few questions to Mark's calender, ie; Radio show, news, date competition, so I thought I'd answer. The last 2 years Mark has competed in a local Chef competition where you have to use Dates. There are 3 different catagories; appetizer, entree and desert and he does the appetizer portion. Well, the first year he competed he didn't win in appetizer so we assumed it was over. Low and behold there was also a best overall category and a peoples choice award and he took best overall! It was quite exciting since we thought it was all over but he ended up winning the whole thing. Last year he won the appetizer portion and also the people's choice award. Anyone who goes to the event gets a ballot and votes for who they like best. Again, a very exciting time. So, the competition is coming up this Sunday (which is making me sick) and he's been asked to do some press for it. He was on the news, he did a radio show and if you've been reading you would've seen the "Take Home Chef" post. Below are the some of the picures that were in April's Desert Magazine. The entire article wasn't scanning well so it's mainly for the pictures. It was also supposed to be on TV but I think we've missed it.

Now, I am a freaking stress case on this day and do my best to hide my nerves but I've been told by Jen I don't do a very good job. I so want him to win. He puts so much effort, thought and a ton of heart into his dish that I want his hard work to payoff. He constantly reminds me that it's now about winning but more of the experience, but really, I would hate to see him dissapointed. I never invite anyone to this and this year several people have told me they want to go to support him. Um......this is somewhat adding to my stess. :)

All in all, I know it doesn't really matter, but just as we all want the best for our kids, I want the best for my husband. It that lame? Oh well, I'm looking forward to visiting with our friends, seeing Mark in his element and hoping for the best! Doesn't he look cute in his chef coat?!?

Picture Post

We're slowly getting to that time of year. Yes, the dreaded desert heat. We all know it's coming, but yet we silently wish it won't show up. We took advantage of beautiful weather today and took the kids swimming. Well, I sat on the lounge chair and watched while Mark became the human jungle gym. I'm not quite swimsuit ready and really don't know if I ever will be. I mean, I'm married to a chef, I love food and I'm lazy. Not a good combo. I'm sure I'll drown my sorrows with thin mints later!

Little miss Drew Drew decided that she liked her goggles so much she'd "swim swim" in the bath too.

Mark has decided that we need more flowers and plants so him and the kids did there fair share of gardening. It was cute to seem them with the shovels and gloves. The only problem was that Peyton would plant some in the planter and Drew would pull them out to show me what she was planting. I don't think she got the concept but they worked out their differences and got it done.

Palm Springs Food & Wine

(Having fun as usual)

Mark was given tickets to the Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival for Saturday. We went with his boss Michael, his partner Dave and Jen and Christophe. It's good for them to see what other chefs are making and to try it out. I was a little apprehensive considering I know absolutely nothing about wine, except that I like it, but figured it's an afternoon with Mark so I couldn't pass it up. Oh, and I had to wear a dress which I wasn't excited about but whatever. After a few testers of wine I didn't care that I looked 12 anymore. We got to have some delicious appetizers, see some famous chefs and some infamous chef contestants.

Hells Kitchen Reject-Aaron, anyone watch that show? Love it!!

Dave, is this a pinot, zinfindal or chardonnay? I can't seem to tell the difference anymore!

Nice pic of Jen and Christophe.