A New Niece or Nephew Soon…

My sister called to tell me today that her water broke.

A little while later we heard from her that the contractions were 20 minutes apart.

I told my kids who were excited that a new cousin was on the way.

And since my sister and her husband haven’t decided on a name just yet, I asked the kids what their suggestions were.

Alex (age 10) : Calvin Johnson – that’s the name of a Detroit Lions player – I’m pretty sure he was thinking of his uncle when he suggested this.

Andrew (age 7): John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt – maybe a tad on the long side

Caroline (age 3): Mr. Underpants – said with tons and tons of laughter

So, the waiting is on.

 Can’t wait to find out all about little Calvin Jingleheimer Underpants!

Random Thoughts During the Day

Here are some random thoughts I’ve had lately, none of which are long enough for a post, but just long enough to make you think I have too much time on my hands.

 Remember when you were younger and you would argue about who got to sleep on the top bunk? Now, that I’m older there’s no arguing from me. Just let me lay here for a quick 20 minutes and you can have the top bunk all to yourselves.

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The thought of purchasing a mattress used as the model at Costco grosses me out yet as soon as I roll into a hotel room I throw myself all over the hotel bed.

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 Why do people walk around a pool with their goggles around their neck? Stop! You look ridiculous! Real swimmers don’t do that!

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“Caroline, did you cut with scissors today at school?”

“No.”

“Did you learn about the letter C today?”

“No. We just did some Jesus things today.”

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And there you have it – observations by me.

A Dog & A Dream Part 2

My 7 year old had the saddest look on his face so I bought him a dog.

 Well, no. But I thought I might make you think I caved for a moment.

It was actually quite easy to say no since there were only Pit Bulls and Rottweilers at the SPCA. Um, no thank you.

But that didn’t stop us from looking and looking at the dogs.

Thankfully, our volunteer coordinator told us it was time to start helping so Andrew was distracted by something else.

(I found an organization called Wee Volunteers whose main goal is to get kids involved in volunteering. Before school started, our whole family went and helped distribute school supplies to struggling families. Volunteering at the SPCA was our second volunteer experience and they loved it.)

First up was our meeting with the SPCA volunteer coordinator. She was great with the kids explaining what the organization does and why these animals may have ended up here.

One of the “jobs” the kids had was to decorate a bandana for the dogs to wear when they are trying to get adopted at pet fairs. Apparently, people are a lot more likely to take a second look at a dog with a colorful accessory.

Alex wrote, “Super Dog,” on his bandana and created a symbol as well.

Andrew drew the word, “Rock,” everywhere in about twelve different colors.

Caroline made a masterpiece of lines and squiggles.

Next up was feeding the donkeys!

The donkeys were a huge hit and only $100- I was thinking of buying one for Derek for Father’s Day so he wouldn’t have to mow anymore – wait, maybe I should get a goat for $50.

Next up, checking on the foals who had just come in.

And yes, they even have pigs and chickens available to adopt.

Dinner, anyone?

As we left the building and were walking to our car, Andrew said to Alex, “You know, I have a $50 dollar bill in my bank and the pigs only cost $40. I could come back here and buy a pig.”

Always a schemer, that one.

So apparently Andrew is trying to hatch a plan to adopt another animal, but for now we are going to remain a one pet house.

A Dog & A Dream

As I’ve made perfectly clear in previous posts, our dog drives me bonkers.

Whether it’s eating plastic skeletons (yes, that’s the latest item to go) or digging holes in the back yard, she just drives me crazy.

Believe me, there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think of my dogless years.

But if you remember, my 7 year old loves this dog.

He is thrilled and apparently has further plans.

Yesterday Andrew told me, “Mom, I just had a talk with Sophie. I told her that if she stopped digging holes in the yard and barking at everyone, then we would get her a friend.”

I just looked at him and said, “What kind of friend?”

“A dog friend.” Cue the big smile.

I truly don’t think it’s fair to give Sophie or me such false hope.

Of course, I know where Andrew is going with this since he has been counting down till today for the past week.

You see, I’m taking the kids to volunteer at the SPCA this afternoon. We’re supposed to feed the horses, fill up dog dishes, and take a tour.

And look at the dogs.

A fact which Andrew has reminded me half a dozen times.

So hopefully my Wednesday post will not start out, “My 7 year old had the saddest look on his face so I bought him a dog.”

Wish me luck- and a healthy dose of memory to get through this trip!

Top 5 Reasons I’m a Bad Mom

Here are the top 5 reasons I’m a bad mom according to my 7 year old…

5. My Mom hasn’t run out and bought the part necessary to fix the XBOX machine.

4. My Mom won’t let me eat dessert everyday, several times a day.

3. My Mom makes me wear pants if we have to go to a nice function.

2. My Mom won’t let me watch a Harry Potter movie every weekend.

And the #1 reason according to my 7 year old as to why I am a bad mother…

1. My Mom won’t let me order chicken fingers & fries at a Mexican restaurant!

 

(when he noticed the girl behind us received chicken fingers to eat he was not impressed me – but let the record show he loved the flautas)

Gymnastics through the Years

Caroline has just started a little 6 week community gymnastics class which she loves.

(Caroline at three and a half)

 Funny thing is, it’s not my first time in this room or this class.

Here’s Andrew in 2008 in the class at two and a half.

And here’s Alex in 2005 taking the exact same class when he was almost three.

Bela Karolyi better watch out…

I’m pretty sure I could teach this class now.

Lucky

I’m not going to lie.

I’m feeling a little lazy right now and just want to go sit on the couch and watch trash tv.

So while I don’t have anything earth shattering here today – unlike every other day 🙂 I do want to express how lucky I am for the kiddos I have.

This is how I found them last Sunday morning.

And while the pictures are blurry, this much is clear.

My kids love each other and love hanging out with each other.

Yes, there are the usual arguments and squabbles but for the most part they hang with one another even in their free time.

I’m not quite sure how my husband and I got so lucky but every time I see this I am so so thankful for it.

August Goals Updated

Add 2 items to Etsy ShopCheck! I added the Baby Gender Prediction Test and the Baby Guessing Cards!

Continue Cleaning Out the Game Closet with the KidsCheck! So excited we went through and organized. I put the games and puzzles appropriate for Caroline at a level she could get them while older games went up higher. So far, three weeks later, everything has been put away when taken out – and we’ve played Candy Land every single day since we cleaned.

Take Quick Trip to New OrleansCheck! We had a great  four day trip visiting my parents at the beginning of August. My kids think their Grampa has the best job ever – running a park that includes an amusement park!

Make Lasso for Wonder Woman CostumeFail!

Make 3 Meals for the FreezerCheck! I made mounds of pasta and sauce one day so we have 3 meals of spaghetti bake waiting for us to eat up.

Go Through the Boys Clothes and Take Out What Doesn’t FitCheck! A week before school started I set myself up on the floor next to their dresser and pulled out everything. What followed was a fairly entertaining fashion show of long sleeve shirts which were now way to short and pants which looked like waders. But since it will be hot here for awhile, I didn’t buy anything new for the boys to start school except for one pair of sneakers and some underwear.

Make Desk for the Boys Room – Check! My husband used a piece of wood we had in the garage and I found four desk legs at IKEA for $3.95 each so the new desk cost us just over $16.00! Now I’m planning on getting containers for art supplies, a lamp, and some shelves above the desk to finish out the space. My vote was to paint their room but it was vetoed so the builder beige stays.

Make Pillow for Guest RoomFail!

Enjoy the Last Weeks of Summer Check!

Hope you accomplished what you wanted to in August!

First Day of School 2012 – 2013

Today we walked the boys to school for their first day.

It’s a big year around here because it will be the last year of elementary school for Alex.

Next year it’s off to the big middle school – but let’s not even talk about that yet.

Our morning started off with pancakes with either a 5 – 5th grade – or a 1 – 1st grade – cut out of the middle – a tradition now in it’s second year.

While one child was super excited for school to start, one child was not.

While one child was super excited to bring requested teacher items to school, one child was not – “But she’s already going to have twenty boxes of tissues, why do I have to bring another?” – The response of, “They were on her teacher wish list,” did nothing to appease him.

While one child was happy to wear his old tennis shoes which fit, one child insisted he had to have new tennis shoes even though his current pair fit.

While one child let his parents bring him to class and walk into the room with him, one child insisted 5th graders walk themselves.

Oh boy, times are a changin’ around here.

Should be an interesting year.

Have a great first day to all of my teacher friends out there!