Hannah's Birthday

I was going to post these yesterday, but I wasn't in the mood. On Tuesday, we took Hannah for a birthday dinner and we came home for cake and presents. She got an American Girl doll and Dora Candyland. She loved both. Enjoy the pictures!

Not a good day

Today sucks. I'm tired and things just don't seem to be going well. I made the decision to send out an e-mail to a group and now I feel like I'm drowning. Mike calls to tell me about his car and I pick a fight with him. Not cool on my part. It's not his fault I'm in a bad mood. I just feel like I'm going to be sick. It's my fault but I rarely put myself in a postion where I'm rocking the boat. And now that I have, I'm having a hard time dealing with it.

A Real Pain In The...

I thought that this cake was going to kill me. None of the outlines from the cake pan showed up on the cake so I had to make Strawberry Shortcake freehand. It didn't turn out too badly, though. Unfortunately, some of the frosting on her face shrank and you can see the cake underneath, but I really don't care. I think Hannah's cake turned out pretty cute.

Jacob's Report Card

Jacob brought home his report card yesterday. I was a little nervous because his midterm report was a little low. He managed to pull it together, though...an A in Reading, B in Math, A in Spelling. He also got an Outstanding in Art and Conduct and a Satisfactory in PE and Music. I'm happy for him since he had a C in Math and a B in Spelling at midterm. His average Accelerated Reading level is 2.6 (second grade, sixth month). Needless to say, we're pretty proud of him!

Too Funny

Last night, we were watching America's Funniest Home Videos. There was this dumb guy clipping a little lizard to various parts of his body. I had to laugh at the conversation:

Hannah: It's lizard! It's lizard!
Me: I know. It is a lizard.
Hannah: Lizards funny.
Jacob: Lizards are ectotherms.
Me: ?
Jacob: They are. They're ectotherms.
Me: Okay.
Jacob: It means they can't control their body heat. They're ectotherms.

Jacob's a freaking sponge.

Here's some conversation from when Hannah and I picked Daniel up from school this afternoon:

Me: Hey Daniel, tomorrow we're probably going to have to get you some new shoes and a haircut.
Daniel: No. I don't want a haircut.
Me: What? You were so upset about not getting one yesterday.
Daniel: NO, I don't want a haircut. It totally ruins my day.
(Hannah starts messing with Daniel)
Daniel: See? Hannah bugging me is why my day is ruined!

Gourmet Girlfriends

I did that Gourmet Girlfriends thing yesterday morning. It was so much fun! Gourmet Girlfriends is a program where you go and make up 6 or 12 meals all at one time. You take them home and put them in the freezer for use later. Since everything is raw, it's not like you are having leftovers because you are cooking everything for the first time...it's just already put together and ready for the oven. It's nice to know that these are in the freezer for when I'm having one of those days where I can't get my act together.

I get there and the lady asks for my name. I tell her and she says, "oh, we were talking about you!" I've never seen this lady in my life, so I say, "ooookkkkaaaayyy," a little wierded out. I guess I picked the hardest dinner list of everyone. Seeing myself as a pretty good cook, I say, "I'm always up for a challenge." I start going around, putting all of my meals together and the owner keeps asking me if I'm doing okay. I say yes. She asks if I've gotten any of the hard meals done yet. I ask which ones were the hard ones? She tells me and by this point I've done all but 2. She seems a little shocked. When I left at 12:05 (the time block was 10-12), there were still several girls with a couple of meals left to do. They had expected me to be there until 1 at least. Last night, we had the Crusted Beef Tenderloin and Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole. It was very yummy and there was a bunch left over. Tonight, we're having the Crispy Salmon Filets (I hate fish so this should be interesting) with the Carrot Coins.

I can't wait to go do this again!

Into You Like A Train

It's sad that I'm devoting another post to GA, but here it is. Tonight's episode is a rerun. I could be upset, but I won't be since the episode they're showing is Into You Like a Train. One of the best episodes of the season. There are so many wonderful things about this episode...Bonnie and Tom, the couple on the pole, only one can live...Merideth screaming "you can't just abandon her!"...McDreamy breaking down in the elevator because of the whole "if love were enough, I'd still be with you" speech. I'm going to be a wreck from 10-11 tonight.

On a semi-related note, Mike was flipping through channels yesterday and came across the movie Mobsters. I'm in the other room, so he yells, "hey Barb, your lover is in this movie." I said, "really? Patrick Dempsey is in this movie?" (I knew exactly who he was talking about) I had never even heard of it. When PD comes on the screen, Mike asks, "is he really that good looking?" I said, "well, not really in this movie, but now, oh yeah. He's hot." Mike just shakes his head. Cracks me up. I think Mike thinks I've lost my mind. He's very good at humoring me, though!

Hannah's Party

Some cute pictures from Hannah's Birthday Party...
Getting ready to play hot potato!

Hannah gives Havana her goody plate

Some of the kids gather for a photo

Hannah poses in front of her Happy Birthday sign

We had Hannah's third birthday party this afternoon. It was so cute. We had lots of kids there...14 including our 3. It was so nice to be able to walk away from all of the mess that was made. 1 1/2 hours and we were done. I do have to say that Hannah really made out with the presents. Let's just say that it was a very Dora birthday. Only a couple of gifts were not Dora related.

Another Friday

Jacob lost another tooth last night. No tears...no fits. He even said to me, "I'm not crying this time, Mom." I'm just thankful he's such a heavy sleeper and had no problem getting the tooth out from under his pillow.

I came downstairs this morning and couldn't figure out what the noise I heard was. I finally trace it to the fish tank...the filter had stopped working and was making this horrible noise. Poor fish. The water looked pretty nasty, too. So, after we dropped Daniel off at school, Hannah and I went over to Petsmart to get a new filter. It's such a treat for the kids to go to the petstore; they love to look at the fish and birds and small animals. Today, Hannah was fascinated by the chinchilla (sp?). It was too cute (both Hannah and the chinchilla).

After the petstore, we went over to Martin's (our grocery store) to pick up some stuff for dinner tonight. They've been changing things around and it's infuriating to not be able to find anything. I've been going over to the new WalMart (I know...but Barb, you said you hate WalMart! I do, but this one's new and it doesn't smell like feet plus, hardly anyone shops there so I can get right in and right out) But today, I was right there and decided to go ahead and hit Martin's. (for those of you in the area and don't know) They've put in three aisles of organic stuff, including a full line of Burt's Bees! Oh, I can't wait for the new one on Rt. 7 to open in May!

Daniel's been complaining the whole time he's been home from school. I'm not kidding. The whole time. It's killing me. He may have to nap today.

I'm doing that Gourmet Girlfriends tomorrow morning. My neighbor did it earlier this week and loved it. She said that she hasn't tried the food yet but it's pretty cool knowing that she's got stuff for dinner in her freezer. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh What A Ride!

Sadly, the Braves lost tonight to Memphis. Not a real shocker but still disappointing. Who knew a little school from Peoria could get to the Sweet 16 anyway? Way to go, guys! I'm proud of you!

The Whole Grey's Anatomy Thing

I was on the Grey's message board (I know...I know...get a life, right?) and I was reading a trivia thread. As I'm reading, I'm thinking, these are easy!

Which character went to Dartmouth?
What was the missing ingredient in Izzy's cupcakes?
How many sisters does Derek (McDreamy) have?
What's Derek's favorite band?
Who first called Derek "McDreamy"?
What day of the week was Merideth and Derek's last "happy couple" kiss?
What's the first thing Burke says to Cristina during his rant at the end of the episode where he finds out Cristina didn't give up her apartment?
I could go on, but won't.

So, I say to Mike, "these are so easy, I think you could get these." And I start reading them. What's funny is the only one Mike got was the day of the week question...and I think he guessed. He then says to me, "I've never seen you this obsessed with a TV show before." I asked him, "how many times a day do you look at ESPN.com?" He says, "several, at least." I made the realization that this is my sports and it's not wierd. So there.

BTW, can anyone else answer these questions?

I Can Finally Post Again!

Hannah came down the stairs at playgroup on Monday all dressed up like Spiderman.

I tried to post yesterday (really, I did!) but it wouldn't let me. I guess Sue's blog problems transferred over to me!

Saturday night, Mike and I decided to take the kids to Ichiban...a Japanese Steakhouse. The kids love it because of the show and there's no worry about keeping them entertained. All day long, I knew that I was going to have to move Daniel's bike since it was kind of in the driveway. We get everyone loaded in the van and start backing out of the garage. Suddenly, we hear a thump. I immediately remembered the bike. Mike's yelling, "what was that!" It took me a minute to say "I hit Daniel's bike." Mike gets out to survey the damage. None to the van...bike's trashed. Bikes just don't seem to make it in this house. Mostly because the kids don't know how to put their stuff away! Arg.

Saturday is Hannah's birthday party...we're doing it at Scoops...the same place we had Daniel's last month. Should be interesting. 13 screaming 3 and 4 year olds, not including my own. Add my kids and you've got 16! Boy I'm glad we're not having it at home.

Saturday morning, I'm going to do this thing called Gourmet Girlfriends. What you do is go in for 2 hours and make 12 dinners to take home and freeze. They do all of the shopping and prep work, all I do is go in and put everything together. If nothing else, it'll get us out of the dinner rut we're in. I'm getting tired of stew, pork chops and chicken. Although I did make a good Italian Beef last night. Jacob ate a whole sandwich!

A Birthday at the Fire Station

Lindsay, Matthew, Samantha, Daniel, Hannah and Timothy hang out on the back of the fire truck

The party gang hanging out in front of a fire truck (I'm in the red shirt on the right side holding Hannah)

The kids were invited to a birthday party today for a friend at the firestation. Only Daniel and Hannah were able to go because of Sunday School but he was okay with that. The kids had a great time looking at the trucks. Hannah was scared, though.

SWEET 16 HERE WE COME!!!!!! (and FU Billy Packer)

Anyone else wanna doubt that we deserve to be at the tournament? Anyone? How about Wichita State? Do they deserve to be there? Both Bradley and Wichita took care of business in the second round. HOW YOU LIKE US NOW?!?

Hey Dad...

Dad...can you look and see if there's a Bradley basketball shirt from their NCAA trip at the bookstore? They don't have one online.

Thanks!

FU, BILLY PACKER, FU!!!!!!!!!

(That title's for Mike...sorry SIU lost)

My beloved BRADLEY BRAVES knocked off Kansas tonight!!!!! In your face to all those who said we didn't belong in the NCAA tournament! Missouri Valley's got TWO TEAMS moving on!

On to the second round!!!!!

I'm Beginning To Feel Old

I registered Daniel for kindergarten this morning. How sad is that? It really doesn't seem right that he's old enough to be starting kindergarten. Although when he actually starts, he'll be older than Jacob was when he started kindergarten. It's just that he's my baby boy and he's not ready to start school! Poor kid, he thought that as soon as he turned 5, he'd get to go to kindergarten. In fact, the day after his birthday, he was telling Jacob that he was going to school with him on the bus. He's so ready to go and is very much looking forward to riding the bus. He's tired of preschool...I don't think it's challenging enough for him. I'm going to go cry now...

Can't These Two Kids Just Get Along?

So I'm checking e-mail (okay, you caught me...I was on the Grey's message board) when AOL logs itself off. It happens occasionally, so I didn't think much of it. I go to log back on but can't. I try again. No go. Humm. After trying everything I know to do, I call AOL. I felt like that guy in the credit card commercial..."for a shinier credit card, say yes." It was frustrating because everytime the kids would talk, the computer lady would say, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand." AAAAAAAcccccccckkkkkkkkk! I just want a real person! I finally get one and she says that my problem is technical...please hold. Over 1 hour later, still no one. It's after 8 and, against my better judgement, I hang up the phone! Mike's at play practice and the kids need baths. Arg. Okay...the kids are in bed and I'm watching American Idol. Once that's over, I decide to try again. The computer lady's not so bad to deal with this time and she sends me to tech again. I wait for a little over 1/2 hour this time and finally get a person! I walk her through what's going on, and tell her that there's an error message that says "72-MCLL." She immediately asks if I have Norton. I say yes. She says they released an update around 4 this afternoon that sees AOL as a virus. That's why they were so busy. So many people calling about the same error message. I need to shut down the Norton and try to log on...if I can get on, then it's the Norton and I probably need to call them and try to figure something out. Of course, it works. I thank her and hang up (problem resolved in less than 5 minutes after waiting over 1 1/2 hours). I thought that maybe if I went ahead and turned the Norton back on it might be able to recognize AOL as friendly. Success! So far, so good. At least I know if it happens again what the problem is. I just don't understand why Norton and AOL hate each other so much!

I Spoke Too Soon

Okay...I'm a bad mom. I sent my kid to school sick. I didn't realize he was sick. I really expected the school to be calling me yesterday to pick him up...no call. I'm checking out some stuff on the computer this morning when I see Jonna walking up to my front door. I answer the door and she says, "Mike's trying to get in touch with you. Jacob's in the nurse's office with 103 fever." Crap. Of course I left my cell phone in the car and didn't get the school's message...luckily, there was only 20 minutes between the time they called and when he was picked up. The nurse was so resourceful (at least I thought she was until Mike told me he asked her to)! She found a note that I had given earlier this year saying Jacob could have Motrin for a toothache and gave him a dose. I wonder if he'll be able to go to school tomorrow.

Everyone's Feeling a Little Better

Jacob got up this morning and I think he was expecting to stay home again. I took his temperature, no fever. He said his stomach still hurt a little. Hmmm. He was really upset that I wouldn't let him go outside and play on a sick day - my thought is if you're sick, you don't need to be running around outside infecting your friends. He had said to me yesterday that he didn't want to miss today since he has PE (yes, we've come that far this year) today. I reminded him of this and he got dressed really quickly. I have a feeling that I'll be getting a phone call this morning from the school telling me to come pick him up.