It's 82 degrees outside!!!!!

After my teeth cleaning I went out and picked up and swept the porch and it is ready for spring and lots of playtime! Sean even decided to have lunch out there for the first time this year.

I had forgotten how nice it was to just sit outside in our rocking chairs!

Hot Dog!

Naughty old doggies who wander off and don't listen to their Mommy when she calls them back don't get to play outside!

Yes.... I am the ULTIMATE HYPOCRITE! I will accept being a hypocrite in return for having cute and comfy feet ;) ;)

Off to register Sean for Kindergarten since I ran out of excuses NOT to....lol!!

HA!

I CAN finish stuff!!!!!!

And here is a pic of the backside of the calendar where you store the extra months, numbers and holidays for those of you out there that may or may not be of limited intelligence and unable to grasp the concept of this HIGHLY COMPLEX craft coughcoughrickandjerrycoughcough ;) ;)

Spring is FINALLY HERE!!!!

The past few days have been GORGEOUS!! Friday I took the dogs out for a looooong walk in the woods and down the pipeline. It was very fun although I thought I was going to die on the way back because I went WAY too far and there is still a foot and half of snow to trudge through in some parts of the woods. Then in the evening we went over to Jerry and Julies for Chinese and Balderdash. That game is a freakin' riot and the Chinese was super yummy!! We did stay out a little late though and dragging my behind out of bed the next morning was tough... had to do it though because Nicole and I had a class at 10am at a scrapbooking store a few towns over. The class was VERY fun and the cookie sheet perpetual calendars are adorable. I am going to give the one I made to Liz for mothers day, and make myself a 'funkier' one for my kitchen. If any of ya want to make one too, let me know and I will tell you what to get and some weekend soon we can get together and make some!

This morning I had to take Sean to the doctor (which I didn't even know was an OPTION on Sundays!), because he has cellulitis around the shot site of one of his arms. I only called because the doc said to call if the area got red or inflamed as Sean hasn't complained or anything. I was very surprised when Dr. Lori said she wanted to see him right away!! When she saw him she said it was pretty bad and prescribed antibiotics. She also said there is no way that it doesn't hurt and he must just have a very high pain tolerance...no surprise there ;) When I got home Rick had cleaned up the whole downstairs!! I thought I had walked into the wrong house... ROFL!!!

Our goal this weekend is to separate our HUGE pile of construction debris into a pile that we can burn, and a pile we can take to the dump. I already put a good dent in it and I definitely think it's a do-able goal!! We WILL have this yard presentable!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.

Just noticed that Nicole posted a pic of calendar on her blog! All those little numbers are magnets that you change every month and one the back there are are pockets with little thingies for the holidays and other months. You can also change the pic out every month too!

Train Wreck here I come!!

That is my new goal when the kids are up and out!! LOL!! I got serious about life, love and family at a very young age....16 years old! I did do some partying when I was away at college in Boston...ok.... more than some...but still... you get the idea ;) The kids were gone all day yesterday and overnight. It was SO weird to be able to do whatever I wanted.... whenever I wanted. No responsibilities... no worries. I have always kind of envied people who most of us call 'train wrecks' for their complete lack of accepting any responsibilities or accountability. I would imagine that could be fun for awhile. Of course... not being a natural born train wreck, I also imagine I couldn't be successful at it for any length of time as guilt would probably set in. The worst thing about Train Wrecks is that they don't even APPRECIATE their train wreck status!!

So that's the plan. The day the after the last child has moved out breakfast will be coffee with Bailey's instead of creamer and a big fat joint!!

B is for boo-boos and bikes

Today Sean had his 5 year check up. The poor guy had to have FOUR SHOTS :( He did SO well with the first two. Took deep breaths just like I told him to and didn't even cry. Then when she went over to the other arm for the other 2... he just couldn't take it anymore and started to sob. It was so sad :( I thought that bike shopping afterwards would perk him up a bit... and it did... a bit. But between the shots and the Motrin, he just wanted to go home.

We got both kids new bikes today. Jessi hasn't had one since we moved and got rid of hers (too small... and old and yucky). Sean grew out of his last year too so his Uncle Chris sent him some birthday $$ for a new bike AND a new helmet and pads. He chose a Batman set of pads and helmet and will be just too cool for school on his fancy new bike with his super cool safety gear ;) Jessi is at a sleepover and doesn't even know she has a shiny new bike waiting for her in her grandparents garage (because they are going there tomorrow for a sleepover....WOO HOO!). She is going to be DELIGHTED!! She has been begging for a bike since we moved here!! I plan to get a bike for myself too, but the budget is busted enough this week I think ;) I about pooped my pants when I saw the total....ROFL!! Thank goodness bikes are a once every few years kind of thing!!

My baby can SWIM!!!

No noodle... no bubble... no life jacket... no NUTHIN'!

We went to the pool today and he says, "I think I can swim now because I am five." And he DID...ROFL!!! Then he says... "I think because I can swim now I can swim underwater like Jessi." AND HE DID!!! Way to go, Sean!!!

Yikes!

When Jessi was 8 she stunk. Literally. She was starting to 'develop'...and with that she brought along some BO. Yuck. When I took her to the doctor I expressed my concern that it was a bit early for that stuff, and the doctor just gave me the old..."All kids are different and some develop earlier than others" line. I wasn't satisfied, so started to research the issue. I found several websites that talked about the growth hormones in milk causing early development in girls...and while I was 'iffy' about the whole thing... I decided it couldn't hurt to try only buying milk without any. So I did. And almost immediately Jessi didn't stink anymore. And all other signs of developing were halted. I have never bought store brand milk again.

Then last night I was watching my new favorite show, 'House.' The whole show focused on the fact that everything you get on your skin is ingested just as though you had eaten it....and how dangerous some of the things we put on our skin everyday are. Makes sense. When you rub lotion on yourself ...it gets absorbed into your skin...into your body. Would you eat your lotion...your shampoo...your lipstick? So again... I started doing some research and was shocked at the bounty of information there is on this stuff. I was also shocked at the dangerous ingredients contained in some of the stuff I...and my kids... use everyday!! Shampoos with more hormones than milk.... sunscreen with ingredients that cause women to be unable to get pregnant or carry a baby to term! The worst of all that I discovered that I use every day (so far) is the Clean and Clear Morning Burst. (link to the data report) I love that stuff! It smells so good! It also has ingredients that are known to cause several different cancers, compromise your immune system, cause kidney and liver toxicity...among other things. Not only does it contain those ingredients, but it also contains an ingredient that increases the ability of your skin to allow them to penetrate through (as most cosmetics do). YIKES. That one went in the trash last night!

So I guess some changes are in order around here!

And now we are off to completely immerse ourselves in chemicals at the Hampden Pool ;)

Get a bucket

Last night Rick was feeling crappy (good ole spring cold) and was on-call, so he offered to sleep in Sean's room so that I could sleep uninterrupted by coughing and beeping. The kids slept in Jessi's room and I was very excited to have the bed all to myself for once. Until the nightmares started... and everything in the room started to look like a monster... and the wind was blowing so hard it was shaking the house.... I kept going in and out of sleep and having the WACKIEST nightmares I have ever had. Then I woke up hearing the strangest sounds and looked around and everything in the room looked 'alive.' My heart was POUNDING and I reached behind me where Rick should be and remembered that he was in the other room... but as I reached over he was THERE! THANK GOD!!! I snuggled up beside him and he wrapped his arms around me and I told him about my wacky nightmares and he hugged me tight like I was being silly and then leaned down and kissed me and my mouth filled with PUKE! I jumped back and rolled off the bed onto the floor spitting, mortified and trying not to puke myself!! And then I woke up for real. In my room alone... no noises... no living home gyms... Heart DEFINITELY still pounding though....lol!! I even contemplated going to sleep in Sean's room with Rick, or going and waking him up and making him come in with me.... then I remembered that I am 33.... not 3...lol ;) ;)

So did you need the bucket? Sorry 'bout that. Welcome to my nightmare ;)

Petz R Fun

Jessi has been lobbying heavily for a new hamster (Hers died a few months before we moved here.). It's not happenin' ;) Rick has been lobbying just as heavily for a kitten and/or a parakeet. Also not happenin' ;) I LOVE it when he tries to put his foot down and says things like, "Well I guess since I am making all the money I can get whatever I want to get!" He can't even do it with a straight face.... ROFL!! I am very happy with the size of our current menagerie thank you very much :)

Dr. Laura

I listen to Dr Laura pretty much every day. I like to listen while I cook and clean. I like to listen and roll my eyes at the people who call and say they have been listening for a million years and then ask a REALLY STUPID question like, "I am living with my boyfriend and I just found out I was pregnant and I can't decide if I should get an abortion or not" and then listen to the fireworks that ensue. It's like guilt-free gossip for me ;) I agree with much of what she says about keeping families together.... taking care of our husbands... staying home with the kids... I don't agree with just as much of what she believes about... the war... abortion... 'shacking up'.... So anyway.... Yesterday I was listening and I have to say I was really disturbed by her handling of a couple calls and it has been weighing on my mind. A man called saying that he and his identical twin brother were soldiers, his brother was killed and he has taken on the the responsibilities of his brothers wife and children in addition to his own. The mans unit has been called back to Iraq and he was given the option to not go because he is the only support for both families and because his brother had already been killed in the war and he is the only son left in his family. She basically sent him back to Iraq saying that he is a natural born warrior and that warriors must do what they are born to do...which he agreed with. Within the hour a 19yr old girl called and she too was struggling with the decision of whether or not to join the Navy.... Dr Laura sent her off to war too! WTF!!???? I just don't understand it how anyone at this point can be all "HOO-RAH!" about the war at this point! She pretty much sent those 2 people... (one of which is the only support for TWO families) away to die for WHAT?? What are they accomplishing at this point? Even if we "win"...what have we "won?"

So anyway... I am annoyed but I will still listen. A 'better' person would 'put their money were their mouth is' ...but I enjoy listening and I am not willing to do that... if that makes me 'not a better person'.... oh well.. I've been called worse ;)

Now THAT'S HOT!! ;)

Yes we had a huge blizzard last night... but spring is still in the air and that means lots more grillin'!!! YUM!!!!

At least Mom tells her that it's not ok to say it in then end ....UNLIKE that HORRIBLE 'Sparkling Wiggles' video!

We have DEFEATED THE RABBIDS!!!

The kids and I had some Wii fun this afternoon and finished the last couple levels of Rayman Raving Rabbids. It was pretty cool to beat the whole game and the kids were VERY excited!! I don't think they have ever done that before!

On a more educational note... Sean and I have been working on reading. It is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING!! Jessi was very self driven to learn to read and would spend hours going through phonics cards and practicing sounding out letters and reading her 'Bob's Books.' Sean OTOH is not the LEAST bit interested in learning to read. He HATES it when I sit down with him and a 'Bob's Book' (or any other book) to work on reading. Well he is still not feeling well, so he and I were sitting on the couch together playing some games on the laptop and I found the BEST SITE for working on the reading thing!! He and I read a couple stories there, and he did get sick of it after awhile, but he enjoyed it MUCH more than he does when I am working with him. I think maybe it's less pressure and less confrontation having the computer tell him what to say and do... also it's more like him and I reading and playing together, rather than a me vs. him thing. Anyway.... Here is the site.

Hopefully tonight will bring the full night of sleep that Sir Sickey Sick from Sickville robbed us of last night cuz I am TIRED!!!

Maybe instead of buying more stuff...

I should try using some of the stuff that I ALREADY HAVE that I have never tried using before ;)

I did a little "Hybrid Scrappin!" I made the flowers with photoshop brushes from Brusheezy.com. Then I remembered the watercolor colored pencils that Nicole and I HAD TO HAVE several months ago that I have never even opened the box of :) THOSE suckers are FUN!! You just scribble a little wherever you want color, then use a paint brush and water to smooth it all out. Kinda like those cool 'Paint with Water' books I had when I was a kid!

Torture thy name is Weatherbee Variety Show

Oh what a night!!! Last night was Jessi's school's variety show (i.e. talent show minus any competition because GOD FORBID any child ever get their wittle feewings hurt). It was somethin.' I will admit that it was kinda cute at time ....but 2 hours of preteen girls singing along to a Hannah Montana CD kinda wears on ya ;)

One thing I DID notice... was that there are WAY more chubby kids than 'regular sized' kids. When I was in elementary school chubby kids were VERY rare... and the 1 or 2 that there were got teased. You hear all the time in the media that our kids are getting too fat from sedentary lifestyles and I would definitely have to agree after seeing it with my own eyes. I guess the schools see it too since Jarod from Subway is visiting Jessi's school today :) I have to say that I really don't 'get' parents that let their kids get fat. Parents control their kids activities, and parents buy all the food. There was a time that I saw that Jessi had started to gain weight and I (without her even knowing) made some adjustments to her lifestyle and that took care of the problem that I saw may be developing. (So easy to do with someone else... now if I could just do that with myself!!) I know that the cards are stacked agaisnt her genetics-wise ...so I am trying my best to teach her how to fight her family's fat genes!

OK...off my hypocritical soapbox ;)

My baby is 5

It's official. No more babies here :( Today Sean turned 5 years old and says he is now a "kid." ;) He did throw me a bone though and said, "You can still call me your baby if you NEED too ....but I am really a kid now!"

~~~Happy Easter Everyone~~~

I must say that the Easter Bunny should be VERY impressed with itself for not going overboard this year. The kids got the perfect balance of stuff :)

I am proud of MYSELF because this pic of Sean and his game was TOTALLY overexposed from the flash (since it was 530am and still quite dark ;) ). I photoshopped it and now Sean looks like a human and not a white zombie-ghost creature!! Slowly but surely I am learning!! I am finding that it is easier for me to learn one thing at a time as I need it, instead of trying to "learn photoshop."

LOL!! She could NOT find that egg!! I had to do the 'hot and cold' game with her for about 5 minutes and at one point she was even LEANING on the shoe and the egg jiggled and she STILL didn't find it! She felt PRETTY silly when she finally did ;)

I figured out how to use the brushes too!! :)

Even though the low light pics without the flash are grainy ...I still like them better. I really hate the flash indoors. I think the grainy, soft look helps to tell the story of it being so early in the morning and everyone still feeling sleepy and quiet.

Hampden Easter Egg Hunt

Wow!!!

Sean's party was CRAAAAAAZY!!! SO many people came... even people I never thought would come!! We had a VERY full house!! Jessi and her friends decorated before the party... and made homemade Ninja Turtle costumes out of crepe paper!

Sean went for a nap from around 4-530. He is still not feeling well. I think he has allergies on top of a cold because his eyes are so itchy and runny and he just makes it worse because he keeps rubbing them.


Silly Grampa!


Poor Sick Birthday boy :(


The MOUNTAIN of presents definitely cheered him up. ALL he wanted in the world was this web shooter. Everything else was just icing on the cake ;)


Those eyes are driving him crazy :( (Someday they'll be driving the ladies crazy ;) ;) )


My baby is FIVE YEARS OLD!! (OK... not REALLY til the 10th... but as far as he knows... he's 5 ..lol)


Giving children big sticks and blindfolds is SCAAAAARY!! ROFL


Sean INSISTED on this puppy pinata. I thought beating a puppy with a stick was a tad morbid... but it wasn't my party ;)


It takes twoo ooo ooo baba a a y.......


VENOM!!!!! (the 'bad' Spiderman from Spiderman 3 for those of you not 'in the know' ;) )


Sophie likes cake. Her shirt did too :)



I finally gave Nicole her b'day present, the cropadile... There are holes in everything I own now...lol... even the BREAD ROFL


"PLEASE.... PLEASE... Just give me ONE reason that I need to own one of these things cuz this thing is AWESOME!"


Caption unnecessary :)


The coveted WEB SHOOTER in action!!!


It was a great party and I AM TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!