SUMMER IS ON IT'S WAY

It is finally starting to feel nice outside. The kids and I are ready for school to be done...June 4th can't come quick enough. The kids are spending every free minute outside playing until I make them come in. I think I've devoloped allergies...I'm not liking that one bit!

Last week, Allie had her Kindergarten concert. The kids sang many different songs & did great. It was an adorable concert. My mom was able to come see Miss Allie perform & Allie was delighted to have an audience. Mom & I were able to have coffee on Tuesday morning before I went in to work.

Allie also had her last Daisy meeting last week. The girls each got a canvas bag with their Daisy petals & name on it. Her leader isn't able to continue next year, we were all sad.

The kids had a coin drive at school, they are raising money for Phase 2 of the playground. In 2 weeks the kids raised over $11,700! As their reward, the principal shaved his head and 7 teachers got pies in their faces. The students watched & enjoyed the festivities. It was also PJ Day so it was a fun filled day.

Mandy & I hosted a baby shower for Kim on Saturday. It was fun getting together with my aunts & cousins on both sides of the family. Kim got LOTS of nice gifts. After the shower, we went to Kim & Michael's new house. WOW, it is nice. Allie met a new friend while visiting & apparently the little girl come knocking on Kim & Michael's door on Sunday...she wanted Allie to play.

While Allie & I were at the shower, Jake was at our neighbor's house. They took him to his soccer game, which ended in a tie. Once Scott got off of work, he & Jake had man night & watched movies. They got up early & went golfing on Sunday morning. That afternoon, we had Jake's end of the year Scout picnic/grill out. The boys had a ball playing & playing.

This week brings dance for Allie, 2 make up soccer games for Jake, volunteer in Allie's room, Talent Show practice for both kids, walk a thon at Hansen & volunteer with a fundraiser at Hansen. No big plans for Memorial Day weekend...washing windows, power washing the house & cleaning out the garage top the list.




Allie at her concert. She is on the top row.
Allie & her friends after the concert.
Katie, Allie & Jordyn with their Carmen Miranda hats & fruit earrings. They are dancing to the Chiquita Banana song for the talent show.
Ben, Sophie, Jake, Makenna & Jake with their new talent show shirts on. They are doing the Evolution of Dance.
Jake using the hula hoop
Allie at her last Daisy meeting.
Allie in her Hannah Montana PJ's for pajama day.
Some teachers with pies in their faces.
Dr. Reid getting his head shaved.
A very pregnant Kim & her diaper cake.

Got this in an email this morning & it made me laugh...

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says...'Oh shit....she's awake!!'

Happy Tuesday!!

ALLIE MAKES ME LAUGH

Allie & I snuggled into my bed last night to watch the movie "Enchanted". There is a scene where the princess sings out her window to get animals to come to her & help her with cleaning. Allie says to me "mom, I tried that and it doesn't work"
I replied "you really tried that"
She says "YES, and I was SCARED that I'd get the bees to come too, but no animals came".
This child was DEAD SERIOUS!!

In other news....

Jake's soccer team FINALLY won a game. They looked MUCH better & played like a team. Hopefully the rest of the season goes well.

The kids ran the mile at school last week. Jake's time was 7:50 and Allie's was 12:03. Jake said that he wasn't happy with his time...some one beat him. Allie didn't care, she did finish & thought that was great.

We had Talent Show practice this week for both kid's groups. They are starting to look good. Costumes should be in this week, which will be fun to see.

Allie was in the local paper with some friends & their May Day baskets.

Jake got 100% on his last math test over multiplication and division. He's on a roll with spelling too.

Allie got on "yellow" light this week. She got into an arguement with a classmate & pushed her! Nice! I asked her teacher about it & she said that Allie had just had it with this other child...which led me to believe the other child deserved it!

Jake went to a b-day party on Friday night. They went to the movie "Speed Racer". He seemed so old when I picked him and a friend up at 9:45 and took them home. They were hashing over the movie and laughing. It reminded me of being picked up on a Friday night after a movie...but I was much older!

I was off on Friday. I used up my last personal day. I spent the day running errands and managed to squeeze in a long lunch with a friend. It was a nice day.

We had a scare with Kim's pregnancy mid week. She had some major swelling in one of her legs and had to go to the ER. They suspected a blot clot, but thankfully that wasn't the case. She was put on temporary bed rest & is now just to watch the swelling and take it easy. Mid-June needs to hurry up and arrive.

Scott's b-day was yesterday. He worked all day. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and came home for some of his favorite dessert that the kids and I made (Heath Bar dessert).

I woke up this morning to many homemade cards/pictures from the kids for Mother's Day. They also made me breakfast in bed (a pop tart & Diet Dr. Pepper). It was sweet. I think Allie & I are going to hit the mall later for some fun.

This week brings:
Monday: Allie's dance, Allie's school concert, my mom visits
Tuesday: coffee with mom before work, soccer practice for Jake
Wednesday: volunteer in Allie's room, Talent Show practice & a few stray auditions
Thursday: Allie's Daisy meeting
Friday: PJ Day at Hansen, Jake soccer practice
Saturday: Kim's shower
Sunday: Jake's Scout picnic

WHERE THE HECK HAVE I BEEN??

Good question!! Life got crazy last week...here is a quick wrap up!

• Monday...Allie had dance. Jake & I ran errands
• Tuesday...Jake had soccer practice & Allie had a soccer game
• Wednesday...Beach day at school. Talent Show practice. Jake's last night of religion for the year.
• Thursday...MAY DAY!! We delivered and received LOTS of May baskets. I also spent the day in court as a character witness in a civil trial...UGH. Fundraiser night at Godfathers.
• Friday...Jake's first make up soccer game. They lost...Jake did score a goal!
• Saturday...Scott was off all weekend. Jake's first soccer game that wasn't cancelled this Spring..they lost AGAIN!
• Sunday...what a BEAUTIFUL day...we played outside most of the day. Scott worked with Allie on riding her 2 wheeler.
• Today...Scott was off & he surprised me by catching up on laundry, doing the dishes and a few other chores around the house. What a great surprise!! Allie had dance. Jake had Scout meeting. We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with dinner at Carlos tonight.
• Rest of the week...soccer practice for Jake, soccer game for Jake, Talent Show practice for both kids, registration for soccer for Fall for Jake, teacher appreciation celebrations at school, Allie reads to her class, I have a personal day on Friday & I'm sure I'm missing some other things!!

Enjoy the nice weather!

The kids with their May Day goodies
Allie & Scott...trying hard to learn to ride a 2 wheeler
Jake graduates to a Bear Scout
Allie at the tree planting at school
Allie at her soccer game
Allie with her friend Olivia at a sleepover
Jake & friend Paul at their sleepover
The kids on Beach day

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I'M BEAT

As I write this, I can't help but feel sorry for myself & admit that I'm beat...completely worn out! This is due to constantly being on the go and lack of sleep. I need a day off...I'm not sure how or when that will happen with how busy we keep our lives...I guess I can rest when the kids are moved out...maybe!!

One of the reasons why I'm so beat is my inability to say NO! When someone needs help with something, I can't say no...whether it is taking on an extra kid for the afternoon, a need for a volunteer for a project or something at work...I'm a sucker. Here's a great example from this week. I got a phone call asking me to co-chair the Teddy Bear Tea for Festival of Trees in November. I love the Teddy Bear Tea. Allie & I enjoy the entertainment, food, singing, Santa & of course the teddy bears...I love that event. Knowing full well that I have way too much on my plate in the fall, I still said YES!!
What?? Am I insane?? No, I just can't say no!!
I am already stressing about how I will be able to co-chair the Hansen carnival, be PTA secretary, continue on the Hansen fundraising committee, help with the PTA book fair, be the Popcorn Kernel for Scouts, lead Scout troops, get both kids to soccer games/practices, get Allie to dance, get Jake to football, get both kids to religion, get ready for Allie's dance recital, volunteer in my kid's classrooms, keep working at Hansen...This of course, doesn't include any meetings, playdates, parties, family commitments & so on. So let's add the Teddy Bear Tea...to my plate...DUH!!! Did I mention all of these events are from September to November???? No wonder I'm beat!

On a different note...things are quiet here this morning. Both kids had friends spend the night last night. Jake chose Paul & Allie chose Olivia. We took the crew to the OP for pizza and then came home to watch Alvin & the Chipmunks. All of the kids were asleep by 11:00 and they slept in until 7:00 this morning. Not bad. Scott was going mildly crazy...too much silliness and constant talking for him. He doesn't enjoy being around kids like I do, he is learning though!

Friday in the wee hours of the night, we got hit hard with thunderstorms. It rained 4.74 inches in less than 24 hours. Over 3 of those inches came overnight. So, I had scared kids in my room & then of course I couldn't sleep due to the thunder & HEAVY rain. Scott spent from 3-4 a.m. watching the pit of our sump pump...just to be sure that it didn't overflow. He said that the water kept rising & rising. He even bailed some bucketfuls out, just to be safe! In the end, we were lucky & didn't get any water in our basement, unlike many other people in the area. We did have a lake in our yard & a small river as well. Scott is looking into have some work done to the yard to take care of the standing water...it is just too close to the foundation for our comfort.

The kids were able to enjoy a couple of nice days early in the week. We even got in 2 of Allie's soccer games & a practice for Jake. So far, his game for today is still on. It will be the first one of the season since the other 2 were cancelled.

I took a half day personal day on Thursday to go with Allie's class to see Winnie the Pooh at the Children's Theatre. It was cute. I enjoyed getting to spend time with her class.

Talent Show auditions are pretty much over. Just a handful to see in the next week or so. Now we start the scheduling process. We have 52 acts for the K-3 day and 25 acts for the 4-6 day.

Next week brings Allie's last 2 soccer games, Jake's 2 soccer practices and one make up game and a regularly scheduled game too, Jake's last night of religion, Allie's dance class, volunteering in Allie's classroom, Talent Show practice for both kids, Godfather's night, fundraising meetings & kick off's and Beach Day at school.

The kids activities are set for summer. Jake is playing baseball, which will involve more games than in the past. Allie is playing softball. Both kids are taking swimming lessons this summer. Jake opted out of golf...says he'll play with his dad. Allie wanted to take golf lessons & I said she needed to get out with Dad first & see if she likes it! We will of course get waterpark passes again this summer.

I'll post some pictures after Jake's game today...if it doesn't get cancelled for the 3rd week in a row.

FIFTHS DISEASE, SCOUTS, 1ST COMMUNION & BIRTHDAY PARTIES

It has been a long week. Talent Show auditions started this week. The kids and I spent each day after school watching kids audition for the Talent Show. Next we it is much more of the same.

Allie woke up Tuesday morning (Spring picture day) with extremely red cheeks. I didn't think much about it until my friend mentioned it looked like Fifths Disease. Sure enough it was. Turns out I had it a week ago (achy joints is the disease in adults) and I exposed my kids, Mandy's kids & everyone I came in contact with over the past 2 weeks. Jake came down with it mid-week and Ben got it on Saturday. We aren't sure but think that Scott, Dad & Mike may have had it too (all had extremely achy joints). We had quite the scare too, it is harmful to pregnant women who aren't immune & I exposed Kim. After waiting a couple of days, the results of her blood tests showed she has had the disease & wouldn't get it again. WHEW!!

Jake had 2 Scout meetings this week. We had a Pack meeting all about owls. The boys learned all about owls & wildlife conservation. We also celebrated Earth Day at Hartman Reserve with canoeing, fishing, hiking and looking at various wildlife. The boys loved it despite the mud & flooding at Hartman.

We had about 4 inches of rain on Thursday & Friday. Our backyard flooded & I must have checked our basement 30 times to make sure we weren't getting water. Thank God we didn't! The rain did cancel Jake's soccer game again this week. The field was under water.

We had a weekend full of celebrations. Ben turned 4, Maddie turns 1 and Jake made his 1st Communion. Michael, Kim, Mandy, Mike, Ben, Maddie, Mom & Dad came up to celebrate. We had a cook out on Saturday night & celebrated all of the events with cake! Today we went to Mass & watched Jake receive his 1st Communion. I can't believe how old he is!!

This week brings more Talent Show auditions, tree planting at school for Earth Day, dance (Allie), 3 soccer games (both kids), 2 soccer practices (Jake), volunteering in Allie's room, a field trip for Allie (& I get to go) and Religion.



Jake's Cub Scout den...Nicholas, Sam B, Will B, Jake, Paul, Will B, Will R, Sam R & Aidan
An owl from Monday's Scout meeting

The cakes from our parties this weekend (Jake's cross, Maddie's "1" and Ben's cake)
Ben blows his candle out
Maddie enjoying her cake
Jake with Father after his 1st Communion

Jake fishing at Hartman Reserve during the Earth Day celebration
Kristin, Paul & Jake canoeing at Hartman
Still canoeing
Scouts at the Hartman
Jake holding a snake at Hartman

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!!

I'm sick of the rain. It has rained for 2 days straight. Last night it rained so hard that we had a small moat forming around our house....I thought about ordering a boat to get out. The good news is that our new sump pump kept up & we didn't get any water in our basement. I'm almost certain that our old pump wouldn't have kept up and we'd be dealing with our basement under water for the 3rd time. I was quite nervous & checked the pump over & over again.

The rain has now cancelled both of Jake's soccer practices and Allie's soccer game this week. Jake has a game scheduled for tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets cancelled. Typically they don't cancel for rain, but with the ground being SO saturated they just might. I'd guess the boy's soccer cleats would absolutely destroy the wet fields. I hope it does get cancelled, the thought of sitting in the cold, wet weather makes me sick!! I'm definitely a "fair weather fan".

Jake's Talent Show group got together this week to practice. They did really well. Allie's group finally decided on their song. If they go through with it, they will look really cute.

In other BIG news...Jake is now wearing deodorant. It seems WAY too early to me, but it was getting to be a necessity!!

I went with Jake's class to an opera. I wasn't too excited about it, but agreed to go. It was FABULOUS. It was the 3 Billy Goats Gruff & was a comedy opera. The kids loved it & the adults were amused as well. I'd love to see it again!!

No huge plans for the weekend. Next week looks crazy. Talent Show practices start after school each day & since I'm a chair I have to be there for them. Allie has dance pictures next week, Jake has 2 soccer practices & a soccer game, Allie has 2 soccer games, both kids have Scout meetings, Jake has religion, I volunteer in Allie's room and we have a busy weekend planned too.

A SPRING-LIKE WEEKEND (AND MORE)

Wow, what a nice Saturday we had. It was such a beautiful day! The kids and I went to Nana & Papa's house. Allie, Mandy, Nana & I went to Kim's first baby shower. We had a nice time & Kim received tons of wonderful gifts. Jake, Ben & Papa spent the entire day outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. They were out from 11:30 until after 8:00!! Allie joined the kids after the shower & we all walked to the park. It was a great time. When the kids came in (after dark) they were filthy...and exhausted.

Tonight was parent's night at dance. We got a glimpse of Allie's recital dance & the group looked good. Allie was asked to perform a "solo" part during the group performance. Those who know Allie know that she isn't graceful...I'm not sure how this solo ballet performance will turn out!!

Other events from last week include Jake's first soccer practice on Friday and sleepovers for both kids on Friday night...yes Scott and I were able to be alone!!

This week brings 2 soccer practices and a soccer game for Jake, 2 soccer games for Allie, a PTA meeting, volunteering in Al's classroom, a field trip with Jake's class, Religion class, Talent Show practice for Jake's group and First Communion pics for Jake.

Allie at her dance class
Allie hopped on Jake's back during "freeze dance"

Ben, Allie, Maddie & Jake
Allie on the monkey bars
Jake & Nana on the monkey bars
Allie, Mandy & Nana...that piece of equipment was one that I played on when I was little. Note Jake pushing Maddie in the swing in the background
All tuckered out...Jake, Ben & Allie

Allie with her crazy hair.
Allie sporting her crown.
Allie & friends at Jr. Jazzercise. She is in the white shirt/black pants.
Allie & Mr. Reader, the bear that the Star of the Week gets to keep at their house.

Jake's Mohawk on crazy hair day. How UGLY is that??
Jake, Paul & Adam at the skating party.
Allie & Jordyn at the skating party. Allie has some mouth piece that glows in her mouth.
Allie & Arianna at the skating party.Nicholas, Aidan, Paul, Will, Sam & Jake learning bike safety for Scouts.

NOT MOTIVATED

I'm not really motivated to write tonight, but it has been a week & I know if I don't get something written another week will be gone! So, here is a brief wrap up of our week.

• Allie was the star of the week at school. She got to have a bulletin board up all week lined with pictures of her family and friends. The week was all about her...which is really the way that she likes it!!
• The kids had crazy hair day. Jake needed a haircut & so we allowed him to have a Mohawk for the day. It was dyed green! It was a hit, but cut off shortly after he got home. Allie opted for colored pig tails.
• Allie celebrated her summer birthday at school. She walked around all day with a crown on & made several comments to teachers such as "Is my crown straight" and "I've waited so long for this" and "this is the best day of my life". I baked Pillsbury break apart cookies for her to take to school as a treat. I had another mom come up to me & ask for my recipe because her daughter thought that they were to die for!! We laughed pretty hard about the fact that I cheated & didn't make them from scratch!
• All of the Brownie troops at Hansen took part in a Jr. Jazzercise class after school one day. The girls had an awesome time dancing while exercising.
• We got more snow the other day. This brings Waterloo's total to 53.9 inches for the year...the 4th snowiest on record. I certainly hope that we don't get anymore snow!!
• Hansen held the annual skating party. The kids enjoyed themselves. Jake really got the hang of roller skating & Allie didn't do as well. That is strange because it was the opposite last year!
• Jake's Cub Scout den had a bike safety meeting. I'm not sure any of the boys listened, but they had a great time riding bikes together and messing around.
• This week brings Allie's dance class, volunteering in Allie's classroom, 2 soccer practices for Jake, religion class, Godfather's night, a Talent Show meeting, a carnival meeting, and a fundraising meeting for me. A busy weekend in store as well...these are the weeks that I wish I didn't work OR I wish that I had a cleaning lady!!

There are pictures in a post above this one.

HAPPY EASTER

We had a nice, quiet Easter morning. The kids slept in until 7:45 or so. That isn't typical of our kids on a holiday morning. I'd guess that they were tired from our trip. They went through their Easter baskets and gathered up all of the hidden eggs. They had chocolate bunnies for breakfast...a great Easter in their eyes. Scott was in charge of supper (his choice) and he grilled yummy marinated steaks, seasoned potatoes and garlic bread for dinner. He even made a salad. It was kind of nice for me to not have to any of the prep work!!



The kids running down the steps ready to hunt for eggs
Jake finds an egg
Allie gets a new diary in her basket


The kids trying out the shades that the bunny left them
Allie empties eggs...they were full of jelly beans
Jake emptying eggs too
Jake eating his breakfast
Allie eating her breakfast