It won't be much longer

That I can shop for the child with me at the time...it's too tricky now! This morning I knew Daniel joined me after Howie got up for work...so when the second alarm went off I reached over for him and found a cat!! I sat up and looked around trying to figure it out...just then Howie came in to get changed to take DJ to school...he took a sick day today as he's still really suffering with a sinus infection, poor guy! But hey, that meant I could go back to sleep!! And so I did! What a nice surprise indeed! Sam waited for me to have breakfast, which was nice of her...as soon as we were done I got right down to Avon! My last day to order on a Tuesday! They're switching me again and I order on Thursdays from now on :( I don't like it one bit! but I have no say in the matter! I'd done most of my work yesterday, so today was not nearly as stressful! In fact I got Sam in the bat about 11, submitted my order at 11:30 and then cleaned her up. I made lunch for all of us...Sam put hers in her lunch bag while I ate mine before we left. Shortly after one she and I headed to Costco to do the shopping. I was gonna wait til Thursday as my hearing aid is ready, and I'm headed that way, but Howie needs new contacts now! Miss Samantha is quite tuned in to how Costco works and started demanding sample food the moment we walked in! There wasn't much to sample, and some of it was out of our league! Jalapeño dip for one! And Greek yogurt with honey was not her cup of tea...it wasn't really mine either, tasted too much like sour cream to me! Which is probably why my dad likes it! We then strolled around to look at the awesome playground set they have...and we found shoes...kid shoes!! Sam's favourite!!! But the sneakers we were looking at only went up to size 10 which is what she is now...and she doesn't need them for now. She pitched a pouty fit when I said "no"...then we went around the corner and found the sandals...super CUTE sandals by Laura Ashley....so I gave her a choice of colour and I had a happy girl!! We didn't get out of the store til 3, but Howie already went to get DJ, which was a relief!! On the way home I got an email (at a red light even) asking me to come in for a meeting, so we made a slight detour and headed to MCS. Short and sweet...my kind of meeting. We got home and shoeless DJ was out playing with the boys. Sam changed out of her skirt and joined them. But not before asking me where her shoes were...I lied to her and told her I had to put them back as I ran out of money...she was sad, but understanding! After I got all the food put away, I grabbed a shower and got ready to go to an Avon meeting. I got their dinner ready before I left and headed out. On the way home Jaime and I stopped at Michael's to see what was in store (get it?) and he had more than I'd planned!! I found butterfly wings and a great wand with a fabric star on it, which I know she will love!!! I got home before 9:30 and Howie was still up watching a new show called the River....looks too scary for me thanks!! He hit record and headed to bed. Once I got my chores done, I sat down and watched Glee, which was muy bien...and then New Girl which had me actually laughing out loud!! So funny! Raising Hope was good too! Parenthood was really good!! Definitely setting it up for the next few shows story wise! Til next time...God bless!

Dust Bowl Day

Yesterday may have been the Super Bowl, but today was definitely the Dust Bowl!!! Or the Windy Bowl for sure!! And it's been scary loud wind too!! Thankfully we only lost power once for 30 seconds...of course that happened while I was in the bathroom with both kids! Go figure! This morning the kids tried the egg muffins I made yesterday for them...theirs had cut up hot dog and cheese. I made them pretty basic for the first time, and hope I can talk them into more additions! I was pleased they liked them! Daniel was the first one done and dressed and out the door! The sun was shining and it promised to be another great day!! Sam wasn't too far behind him....which gave me the time I needed to work on my Avon orders. And do dishes. And do laundry. And. And. And.....lol Before lunch we headed to the shed to get the books for the week. On the way home the kids asked to have a picnic on the back deck...I agreed! It was already 60 at noon, and that is perfect picnic weather if you ask me! They were ecstatic! I rather enjoyed eating by myself too lol. It was after lunch that Zumba hit me HARD!! Oh my thighs were burning!!! All the squats and lunges caught up to me. Even my hips were protesting! Howie scared me when he walked thru the door at 1:50....he came home feeling miserable with a sinus infection. So he went and took a two and a half hour nap. During which I extracted the first sliver of 2012...on SamSam's right heel. It took 5 minutes to get the first part out...it was probably a half inch sliver...for the really embedded part, we froze her heel with an ice cube before I dug around with a needle to expose the sliver. (did I make your tummy cringe mom?) It didn't take long and the tears stopped quickly. She tip toed to the bathroom to get a band aid and once that was on she was all about the ice cream I'd promised her. Then she was off to play again!! While dinner was waiting to be made, I popped onto pinterest and found a recipe for dessert. I checked the recipe out and lo and behold I had all the ingredients for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal bars. It only called for 1/2 cup brown sugar!! That's amazing for any recipe!! They were done before we sat down to eat, and perfectly cooled to eat when we were done. DJ gobbled his right up!! Sam had three small bites...which I insisted on. She liked it but I'm sure it wasn't her favourite! After dinner I bathed DJ so he'd be fresh for school. As I was brushing his teeth the power went out, before I could get the flashlight on my phone to kick in, the lights came back on. Whew! Of course this happened after 8 and the dvr is working and interrupted the shows recording. Luckily, they were both on commercial! Of course it wasn't til I sat down that I realized The Voice wasn't recording...gah! BUT...I did also learn that its on On Demand...so it can wait til tomorrow!! The Bachelor was full of surprises!!!! Lindsay getting the rose! Blakely not!! And Casey getting called out!!! Honestly girls, if you're going to be on a dating show, don't have a boyfriend back home!! I hope her tears were of shame!! Oh the drama!!! That Women Tell All show will be fun to watch!! Til next time...God bless!

Zumba 1 (won), Missy 0

This morning I woke up crowded...Daniel was in bed with us and had been since 3 something...I was feelin it too!! Come to find out...Samantha was on the floor at the end of the bed, for who knows how long! Crazy kids! I got up just before 9 when DJ came in to wake me....and he was already dressed!! Sam wasn't, but she was nekkid! So I picked out her clothes and left her to get dressed while I got ready for church. I even had time to make breakfast for Howie and I, a yummy ham n cheese frittata!! We got to church early enough to socialize before service. Service was very interesting!! I learned that we as North America mostly descend from Japheth, son of Noah. Never knew that before! The reason I couldn't socialize after service was because I was going with my friend Sarah to the Y for a Zumba class...my first ever!! They've been doing classes at Howie's club for two years, but I've never gone. I wasn't quite sure what to expect... And it was nothing like I could have guessed either!! It's loud! It's club like! It's hard work!!! Nonstop hard work!!! Some of those moves I've been doing myself in front of the mirror...and here I was doing them with a hundred other people!! Yikes!! I was in the back row for a reason...so I couldn't see myself look like the idiot I felt like I looked!!! I did have fun tho!! And I wished I'd taken the truck instead of the car...shifting gears hurt like heck!!! I got home about 2 and found the kids outside playing, and Howie out back digging fence post holes. So I slowly made my way upstairs to have lunch. I was settled in my chair for 3 when the per Super Bowl stuff was starting. Blake and Miranda were singing America the Beautiful...and they NAILED IT!!! Kelly Clarkson did a fab job on the anthem too!! The game was good, except the Pats lost...in the last 57 seconds! So heartbreaking!! I don't want to discuss it! lol Once the game was done the kids got their jammies on and we watched the last of their movie they'd been watching since Friday nite. Then into bed they went! I'd recorded The Voice and was anxious to watch it! Really, today should have been called Super Blake Shelton day! Not that I'm complaining!!! Not one bit! Anyways, it was awesome as usual!! Looks like its gonna be a good season! Howie went to bed when it was done and I was shocked to see it was only 9:30!!! I checked the listings to find something to watch and found Dirty Dancing....such a classic!!! It was like the first time seeing it again! Just love it!! And now it's done and I'm done too! Gonna take my tired and sore body to bed!! I tried to send after sitting for 2 hours this aft nd couldn't even stand up without falling right back down!! Til next time...God bless!

Princess Lula

Samantha has joined the name changing ranks!!! But only of you're mad at her!! That's her rule! Yes, if you're angry with her, you must refer to her as Princess Lula!! She said all of this with a straight face too!! At the dinner table no less!! That makes it official right?!? Oh she cracks me up!!

Today was another absolutely gorgeous day!!! We may have hit 60 even!! Howie was off fishing this morning, but we had pork chops for dinner...so there's the answer to that!! He said it was crazy busy too!! He got home, ate and went for a nap. The kids and I headed downstairs so I could get a walk in. They spotted Jessica outside and promptly headed out!! Perfect timing!! Unfortunately it didn't last long enough and they were back in fighting over every little thing!! So frustrating when you're trying to stay focused!! Once Howie got up, they improved! Even went outside to help him clean up. I took the opportunity to shower in peace!!

About 2:30 I headed in to town to finish the grocery shopping at Freddy's. Kinda nice to be alone snd wander the clearance aisles! I found some cool party favors for SamSam's party next month...sunglasses with matching hair bows! She'll get hers for valentines day....just gotta find done for Daniel too! It was 4:30 when I was checking out. I did my personal stuff first, got a new purse!!! After months of looking, I found one!! Now, watch, Avon will come out with one I like!! lol always the case!

Just as she was finishing up the food stuffs and I was to pay, I realized I fifth have the gift cards to pay for it. They were in my cost pocket which I didn't wear due to how nice it was outside. Grrrrr!!!! So they suspended my order and I drove home to get them, drove back to Freddy's and then came home! What a waste of an hour and a half!!

The kids got a glow bath tonite before I headed out to Panera to pick up for the shed. Usually I love the people who work there....but tonite was one of the full time day timers...and she's not the friendliest. Didn't help I broke a glass butter dish...dang it!

I got home just after 10 and all was quiet! So I got tomorrow's coffee ready and sat to watch tv. Finished last nite's Blue Bloods and then put on a movie I dvr'd last weekend. A Smile As Big As The Moon...a Hallmark movie. I was sobbing in the end!! I think that's their mission...make the viewer cry!! Works every time!! I love that it was based kn a true story!! Now, I'm off to la la land, which is kinda like outer space!! lol

Til next time...God bless!

Friday funday

Wow was that a busy one!!! I did get to start it off lazing in bed til 8 while Howie took Daniel to school. That was nice!! Especially snuggling with SamSam! But she hadn't eaten so we got up and had breakfast together.

We left at 10 to head to the school for hot lunch duty. Today's menu was corn dogs, carrots and dip, and rice krispy treats. I got the dessert handing job along with milk distribution. I just LOVE how polite all the kids are!! From kindergarten on!! I also worked with the other Daniela's mom, so I learned a bit more about him. She had been told in the office about my Daniela's name change.

After lunch was cleaned up, Samantha and I headed to Freddy's to get gas and a few essentials. And then back to the school for recess duty!! The sin was shining and it truly was a beautiful day!!! I heard we even hit 60 in some places!! Nice!! The kids enjoyed recess and once everyone was back in their classes, I found Mrs Hughes and she had some work for me. First time ever it was easy!! Straight photocopying and putting it away for her. Gave us time after to hang out in the sun on the swings.

On our way home I saw black smoke billowing up near SVEC, so we headed that way to check it out. Sure enough, right across the street a house was on fire. It was fairly recent as they were just evacuating the houses next door. The smoke had changed to white, so they were fighting it. So tragic!! I pray no one was inside!! Human of animal!! It did give us an opportunity to discuss fire safety and what to do in the event ifs fire...they knew!! We stopped at the bank on the way home and I gigs text from my mom saying she was hind from hospital and doing okay....at which point I flew into a panic and demanded she call me!! She obliged and I learned if her scheduled bladder surgery...whew!!! I remember her telling me back in December but she hadn't mentioned since so it slipped my mind. Hope she heals quickly!!

We got home and I was hoping the boys next door could play outside with my two, but that didn't happen and they both joined me downstairs while I walked on the treadmill. SO fun with both of them!!! *note sarcasm*

We enjoyed a pizza dinner and then watched movies together. Kiddie ones at first and then the start of Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. Howie came hone and we tucked them in to bed right away! I didn't finish the movie without them, so I'm sure we'll be watching it tomorrow. I did watch Celebrity Wife Swap and had a good chuckle! Then Grimm which kinda spooked me. And then I started Blue Bloods but dozed off. Now I'm ready to nod off again...

Not sure how we did it

But this morning was THE earliest we've ever been for school!!! In fact it was 7:59 when we were backing out of the driveway! I don't think we've ever done that!! Even tho we were early, we still got caught up by a freakin train!! I swear it's a conspiracy!! Thankfully we got caught by the commuter train, which are short! But just as soon as we got thru the tracks, the lights were going off again for a much longer train. Whew! It was 8:20 when we parked and walked Daniel in to school. I had an auction meeting so Samantha and I headed to the library! When my meeting was done we headed to get an oil change for the truck....much needed!! Then we headed to freddy's so I'd have lunch as we were out of salad. We got home just before noon, the boys next door were out so Sam just stayed out with them til she was hungry for lunch. Then she got a bath and I got a shower! We rushed outta here to get Daniel from school. Since it had warmed up a smidge I let the kids play for a bit before we headed home. The boys were waiting for us and the four of them played til Sam got hurt....quite usual! She came in and did puzzles instead. At dinner I tried something new....buckwheat noodles!!! No one else ate them past the first bite, I enjoyed them! Then I struck out with dessert too! I made brownies with dates and walnuts as the base with an avocado icing....they were tasty, but again no one ate more than their first bite. I enjoyed it! Could have been a bit sweeter...but still impressive! I left after dinner and headed to the school for another auction meeting....which no one showed up for :( I finally gave up after waiting 40 minutes!! I got home in time to brush teeth and tuck them in! Then when Howie went to bed I watched Grey's, which was odd to watch....and PP which was good! Then I stayed up to watch Blake on Jay Leno, that was totally worth it!! Sweet dreams to me!! Til next time...God bless!

He's trying to make it stick!!

The name change that is! Even asked yesterday on the way to school how to spell it...yet his work since then has come home with DJ on it. lol Isn't 5 too young for an identity crisis??!!

Last nite I fell asleep watching tv...with 4 mins left on some show I nodded off...when I woke I realized I'd not seen the end, so I fast forwarded to where I left off...while it was forwarding, I fell asleep again!!! LOL That was my cue to go to bed! Which is why I didn't post about the day!!!

Today, was day 3 on the treadmill...in a row...which was kinda sorta painful!!! I couldn't do the full time I've been doing as I just didn't have the time to do so, but I did do 45 mins! I'm glad I didn't do more as the insides of my thighs are screaming in pain!! I had to put the truck in cruise control at 35 mph just so I wouldn't have to use those muscles on the gas pedal!!!  Our morning was quite full!! Our neighbour had to fly to Florida to be with her dad, and took the two oldest...so we gave K a ride to school this morning. Which worked out perfectly as today was book drop day for us too!!

Once done the books we headed to Laney's house for a play date. They have a giga ball...which you get in and roll around in it...both girls climbed in and off they went giggling! Should be called a giggle ball! From there we went to dance class and twinkle toes was happy to be there!! Pizza pick up next and then home!

We also had to pick K up from school and he gets out a half hour earlier than Daniel does, so that worked out! We got home and the kids all went next door to play...leaving me with a very quiet house! I didn't even let Belle out of her crate kind of quiet!! I instantly fell asleep! lol For 45 minutes!!!! I was so cold and put Grandma Thelma's blanket wrapped around my shoulders and got so toasty warm it was awesome!!! I couldn't help but fall asleep!! Howie came home just as I was making the sauce for sketti....and he enjoyed the quiet too! Commenting that this is what it was like pre kids!! Yeah, a lil too quiet!! They came home when I called over for them and we had a good dinner! Tonite marked the 3rd nite in a row that DJ has been the first one done!! Shocking!!! We don't know what's going on!! Well, we do, but dang!!! Wish he didn't have to get so tall so fast!!!

At Awana tonite I made the director of Awana and of the Sparks aware that DJ was being rushed thru his book...last week he did 8 sections!!!!!!! We normally do one...which typically has 2 verses...so how on earth can he do 8 in one day!?!??! Then as I'm at my table doing my work, Daniel (see, still sounds weird to me!) came out and asked me to sign his book and then he'd be done....and it was an 'at home' portion that was to take 5 days!!! No way we'd done this! So I showed the commander and he got right on it! And I refused to sign the book! The director of Sparks took a look at a couple other books and sure enough, same thing! So we're going back and doing those sections properly!!! We still have something like 14 weeks left...what's he gonna do if he finishes too early?? Seems silly to me!

We got home and the kids went right to bed! Howie was watching a movie so I got busy cleaning the kitchen and getting lunches ready for tomorrow. I sat down and he was just finishing his movie and off to bed he went! I watched White Collar from last nite and Royal Pains from tonite....I just love the USA Network shows!!! :) But now I'm ready to fall asleep again!

Til next time...God bless!