It is SNOWING!!!

The temperature dropped so much that it went from 65 to producing snow, don't really know the exact temp today. What a shock to your system. I really only wanted to get on here to tell you about the newest Red thing. He is just so funny as are all kids, in my opinion. Anyways, whenever someone laughs...so does Red. Our babysitter laughed and then he did and it almost sounded like he was making fun of her because it wasn't a *real* laugh. Then last night I was watching King of Queens before I went to bed and we were snuggling and I actually thought he was sleeping and I quietly giggled and next thing I knew Red was giggling too. At least that time he actually sounded like he was really giggling and not making fun of me. So I waited a few minutes and giggled again...so did Red! I did this a few times just because I thought it was so cute.

School Update

Monkey came home from school today with his first reading book! So exciting. Also they each got their report cards and not to brag but they did amazing! The don't get grades but they use O for outstanding S for satisfactory and I for improvement needed. They both got a lot of O and a lot of S+ and one or two S. I was pleased with the report cards. I just can't believe I am going to have 2 readers...it's a little scary to know you can't spell words infront of two of the kids.

How do you keep a sleepy 4 year old awake in the van?

We were driving home from dinner with my dad and it was about 6:15pm and Monkey started nodding off. I kept waking him up but I was having a hard time keeping him awake. So J thought of the prefect way to wake him up and keep him up until we got home at 6:30pm. Out of the clear blue J puts his hands on his face and blows really hard making a super loud farting noise. That sure woke Monkey up! He did it again and I said, "Monkey, say excuse me." loud explosion of laughter throughout the van. Then the kids wanted to know how to make the noise themselves so we taught them on our way home. The kids even Red thought it was super funny and laughed the whole way home. I love those moments. And I'm sure their teachers appreciated their new found talent :) But hey they stayed awake and then went to sleep at the normal time so mission accomplished!

What was I thinking...

This morning I took a shower after Jeff got done. I didn't want the hot water to run out so I was rushing to get clean and I grabbed the kids soap. By the time I realized it wasn't my soap I had already put it on my loofah and didn't want to waste it so now I smell like clean baby. But I will say my skin is very soft!

Back to School they go...

The kids are back in school today and it seems so quite here. They were so excited to see their friends which is a good thing.

Yesterday we went to church and then spent the afternoon with my in-laws. In church they had some puppets so we let Red stay and watch before taking him to the nursery. He yelled "Pup-peets!" while pointing to the stage the whole time there were up there. Then when they left he repeatedly said, "Bye Bye" while waving. I had to take him out of church because he was being to loud...they didn't take the stage down so he thought they were going to come back. During the service the puppets went to Children's church where GG and Monkey were.

The puppet people "The Windles" came back for night church so we brought the kids back. They loved it. They had the kids that were in Children's Church to come up and help them with a song they taught them in the morning. GG and Monkey jumped up and when to the stage. The lady behind us was the kids' Sunday school teacher and she says while they were singing the song, "Too bad GlamorGirl isn't animated." She was cranking us up with her facial expressions, such a ham that one is. Monkey just did the motions like all the other kids! Of course, Red was in heaven seeing ALL the different pup-peets! He did get scared when one of them screamed but then he was ok once he realized they stay on the stage!

In keeping with the goofy things that GG does after I posted about her, J and I were laying in bed talking and all of a sudden we hear..."I'll just I'll I'll just...I'll just." Then J says, "You'll just what GG?" It was silent, I guess she was sleep talking:)

All about the GlamorGirl!

She has been cracking us up lately. Today we went to church and she was telling me about a game they played with the 1st and 3rd graders...she's in kindergarten. I said, "The 2nd graders didn't play?" I thought that was a bit odd that all the other grades would play except the 2nd grade. She looks at me and says, "Well actually mom all the graders played." It was just the funniest wording.

Tonight before J came home I asked GG to call him and see if he was going to eat what I made or what he had taken to work. She simply asked, "Are you coming home" ...because she told me "he was in the middle of a fight. You know, that he might have to hurt someone and kill them." So when he got home he clarified the fact that it was a fire not a fight and that he doesn't kill people. He was a little more elaborate with her about what he does at work but at her level of understanding. We both got a laugh at the fact she thought he would answer he phone while fighting with someone.

The last of the stories and I believe it is the funniest! We were at the library coming home and this is our conversation.

GG: "Mom, did you know that when dad was a little boy he had a dog just like my cousins dog, Autumn?"
Me: "GG those are not your cousins...
GG:(interrupting me) "oh yeah I mean my uncles. Well daddy had a dog like theirs and one day grandpa was mowing the grass and he left the gas can out. You know, the jug that holds the gas for the lawn mower."
Me: "Yeah"
GG: "The dog started drinking the extra gas. Guess what happened to the dog?" She was completely serious at this point, almost looking sad.
Me: "It died?"
GG: "NOOO! It started running all over the yard and doing flips and going crazy. Then all of a sudden it stopped. Do you know what happened now?"
Me: "No, GG please tell me."
GG: "It ran out of gas!" Loud burst of laughter comes from GG because she thinks she is the funny thing on the planet.
Me: "Did daddy tell you that joke?"
GG: "No mommy it wasn't a joke, it really happened to his dog!" and that is what made it all so much more funny :) And if you know her personality you know that she was quite animated the whole time while telling me this story.

Oh another one I just remembered J was looking up the lyrics to one of Michael Jackson's songs and his picture came on the computer screen. She asks, "Is that a boy or a girl daddy?" I wonder that half the time :)

The Day after Thanksgiving...

It is one of my favorite and least favorite. I'll explain but first I would like to say we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'd also like to take a minute to tell everyone what I am thankful for...

1. How much God loves me and cares about me and how he has shown me this in the last few months. I have been learning so many things about exactly who God is and his Grace and Love, it is truly amazing. I know that I didn't do anything to deserve it but he gave us the gift of salvation through his son Jesus, who died on the cross for ALL of our sins. What a GIFT that is. There is so much more I could write but I'll leave it at that for now. If you want to know more just ask. I love talking about God and what the Bible says.

2. My family. I love them so much. They are truly blessings from God. My husband is a great dad and leader in our home. My kids are a joy even in their trying times. I am just so thankful for them being in my life.

3. My friends. They have been there for me when I needed them. I just feel so completely blessed. Need I say more?!

Now back to why I love today...it is the day we put out the Christmas decorations and put up the Christmas tree. We play Christmas music and I just love the feeling of togetherness when we work together as a family. Then we played some games which is becoming a tradition after putting up the tree. Even though we play games all the time anyway!

My least favorite part...you can't leave the house because it is crazy busy everywhere you go. I set up a playdate for the kids today at a playplace at the Mall. This Mall wasn't too bad actually but it was still pretty busy. Traffic is horrible though. We had a great time playing with our friends and it was nice for the kids especially since they haven't been in school for a week now. They were needing some friend time! That is all I have to say so I'll leave you with some pictures of today and decorating the tree.

Our Day

This morning we got up and went bowling with the kids. The last time we went we got 4 free games so we used them today. To bad the shoes weren't free! We have been talking about getting some shoes for J and I so that when we want to go we don't spend so much money. When we got home J had the kids outside doing leaves and hanging the lights around the house. I went to go get my massage...and now I am sore, but at least I'm not tight! It felt very good and was very needed. After lunch and J let the kids play while Red took his nap and I did a few more pages of the scrapbook. I really want to get it done so that we can show people the pictures of our vacation, without getting smudges all over the pictures. When Red got up we went to the library for about an hour and a half. Came home kids watched tv while I did some more scrapbooking and then we ate dinner and my friend Amy came over. She helped me get some better pictures of Red for his 18 month shots. These are the ones that I really like...



Then we put the kids to bed and hung out talking. She hasn't come over in such a long time that we talked until 9:40, we were both yawning so bad that she left so she could go home and to bed. She is coming with us tomorrow to my dad's for Thanksgiving so that should be fun. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Makes me want to SCREAM!

This is a major vent from today and I am not in a good mood so sorry if this offends.

Today we took the kids to this placed like is like a glorified McDonalds playland. It is a huge with a carousel and the kids love going there. Every time I go I tell myself I will not go back there again. I get so frustrated. Well I went back today with the same feelings...I'm never going back there again. J tells me I need to be more outspoken and in these moms faces about what is going on but that is just not my personality. Needless to say, Monkey had a really good life lesson today. He was building a castle with another little girl and I was gone for a minute and when I got back he was yelling at these two kids, "PLEASE Stop recking my castle. Stop I was making something." I stepped in and asked what was wrong and he burst into tears. I asked what happened and he told me those kids ruined the castle that he was making. Which when I walked in I saw them kicking at it. As soon as I got there the kids stopped and left, even though their mothers where standing right there. That's the part that bugs me. I told Monkey I would help him make another castle and we played and I ended up making a big pile of the soft blocks and threw him into them. As we were playing one of the "mean" I should really say unsupervised kids threw a ball and starts screaming for someone to get it for him. Monkey ran over and got it. I was thinking what a good kid he is going to be nice even though they weren't nice to him. I was wrong. He just held on to the ball. So the other kid that was part of the destruction of Monkey's castle comes over to him and tries to get the ball from him. She was jumping on him and swatting at the ball. I call him over to me again and ask him if he is holding the ball because they were mean to him. Of course, he says yes. That is such human nature (revenge) but I asked him if that would be what God would want him to do. He said, no. Then I asked him what he thinks the right thing to do would be. He said go give the ball to him. I said yes and you know what you don't even have to say anything but hand it to him. He gave it to him. That was a small trial for Monkey but he learned a huge lesson. We have a choice to be nice or mean. About 20 minutes later these same moms still weren't paying attention and one of their kids hit Red. Well my protective daughter GlamorGirl was standing right there and told the kid not to hit Red so he started hitting her. She pulled Red out of that situation and came right to me. I was there watching and it happened so fast that GG took care of it before I could get there. The mom noticed what was going on...how could you not when two kids are crying pointing at your child saying they hit them. She made her son apologize then put him in time out. After about a minute this mother calls her son over and ASKS him, yes she asked him, do you think your time should be over? Wow, now I know why her kids are like that. I'm sure this is just a small look into her life and maybe it was just a bad day for them but it seems like every time we go there the moms are somewhere else. My kids aren't the only ones to get hurt by these unsupervised kids, either. J tells me I should of said to the mothers, "Do you mind watching your kids so they aren't hurting others." That is way to confrontational for me. J always handles stuff like this way better.

First Day of Break

Wow was it a busy one! We did all the normal Monday things, grocery shopping and gymnastics. But we added getting Red's 18 month pictures taken. Which I decided I wanted to try doing myself. I think I got 3 good shots but I am still wanting one more really good smile shot so I'm going to try one more time before bed :) Speaking of Red, I completely forgot to tell everyone that he says, "I love you" which sounds more like I wove oooo. He started saying it while we were at Disney, go figure! After taking pictures GG and I started doing our Disney Scrapbook together. She is really excited about doing this with me and I am a little nervous about it not being prefect.(I really need to get over that fast!) So I have been taking deep breathes and remembering that this is something that we are going to look back at and know that we did it together mistakes and all. We got the first page done and there are a few smudges and I'm ok with that. Tonight the kids are planning on watching Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving Special. Well that is all I feel like updating...maybe some pictures tomorrow?!?!

Oh Yeah I have to mention that Gold Canyon Candles ROCK. I love them so much. They smell so good and burn even all the way down the candle and last a long time. The best candles I have ever had and I *will not* buy any other kind.

Totally Forgot

With the kids being sick I totally forgot about their Thanksgiving Program that took place on Friday. It was so incredibly cute. GG was a Pilgrim and Monkey was an Indian. I, of course, have pictures of them in costumes and a few of Red waiting to see them preform. I hope you like the pictures. We are on Thanksgiving Break and so that means no school for a whole week. Oh the fun we will have :)








There was only a few good pictures during the performance that turned out good and they were only of Monkey because GG was too far away. But I had some people with better cameras taking pictures of her so we'll see when they give them to me how good they turned out.

We have Sickies

GlamorGirl and Monkey have taken turns throwing up. GG has gone in the toilet and Monkey made it once in the toilet and half in his bed and half in the toilet per J running him into the bathroom at 5am this morning. J took Red to the store this morning and I am here with the sickies! It is ok with me because I was able to get all my laundry done that has started to pile up because when you come home from vacation with a weeks worth of clothes to clean plus, the clothes you wear everyday, added with puked on items (blankets and pillows etc) it piles up FAST! I am really hoping that Red doesn't get it because he will just spew where ever he is and that is no fun. I could handle Monkey's few drops on the bed and floor, even though his bedding had to be washed. So pray that my little man doesn't get what they've got. I have to look at it on the bright side they got sick during Thanksgiving Break so they don't have to miss school.

We have been pretty busy, J took his sister driving last night she just got her permit and I guess I am suppose to take her tomorrow. So far everyone that has driven with her has had a near death experience so we'll see how tomorrow goes! We took the kids to the school's basketball game last night and they lost that was a bummer but we had fun cheering them on. There was a megaphone there and Monkey was screaming different things into it that made us laugh. He said things like, "I'm watching you guys" "Play better" and "Go C. L. A. Go" He was having fun and we were getting a good laugh!

Finally Pictures!

Hopefully this worked because it took me over an hour! I didn't even put all the pictures we took, I left out the individual ones each kid got with the characters. I hope you enjoy the pictures because we had a wonderful time while taking them :)

Man it is **COLD** here!

We got back from our trip to Disney World, last night, and I have been freezing ever since. I can't believe how cold it is here. I'm not trying to brag but we enjoyed some really nice weather while we were there. I think it goes without saying but I'll say it anyways, we had so much fun :) I am completely pooped though. Today we went to church came home fed the kids and left the kids with Amy and went to our Bible study with church. It was nice to have a little brake from the kids. I really do love them but we needed a little reprieve from the 8 days of non-stop fun!!! I have a ton of pictures but it is going to take me some time to get them on here. My hope is to do a slide show of our trip. But we'll see...laundry is coming my name. I'll talk more about our trip tomorrow.

Sugar HIGH

The kids are coming down from their sugar high from yesterday and they are acting CRAZY. Plus, it is Jeff's first day back to work and that always throws a wrench into our schedule/plans. I finally separated them and the noise level went down almost completely! I will say I am glad that Halloween is over with for the year. It seems like this time of year is always jam packed with activities. Pumpkin carving, apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas(that is always a week long event!) then you have New Year's Eve and then New Year's Day. Then we get a break until Valentine's Day. Or am I missing something? I'm not complaining I just feel like I am blowing in the wind trying to hold on by my pinkie trying to keep up with everything that is going on. I wish it was bedtime :)

They say it's your Birthday...

I am now a year older, my birthday was yesterday and we were extremely busy. Red and I had playgroup in the morning then we went to get the kids. We ate lunch at Olive Garden, my choice. Then we took the kids bowling for one game because it took forever! GG bowled a 64, Monkey a 67, I got 119 and J got 126 and we used the bumpers for the kids sake. We got home from bowling half an hour before trick or treating started so the kids did their homework and got ready then we went around our block. Jumped in the van got subway for dinner and drove to church while we ate. The rest of the night we were at church doing Trunk or Treat. The kids had a blast. They had a band that GG and all the other little girls in the church danced to. Monkey hung out in the back of the van helping pass out candy. They sang to me twice, the first time I was in the church and didn't hear them the second the band leader walked up to me and told me Happy Birthday and then asked if I heard them sing to me. I should have lied and said yes but I told him I was in the church but that people had told me they sang. So they sang to me again. So embarrassing! I thought having them announce my birthday in church was bad...I was sitting there and all of a sudden I hear my name in the announcements. GG was so cute she told everyone that my favorite candy was snickers and that they should give me one. That was her present to me. Needless to say fun was had by ALL :) Here are some pictures of my little trunk or treaters!





The close up of GG is to show off her make up that she got to wear for Halloween. She thought that was super cool!