*I* sure did after a long and painful day at work... it was good to come home and find THIS!
(thanks amanda!)
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Family Night
Adam and I considered going to opening night of "DaVinci Code" - definitely got to see that. However, we decided to make the most of family night and take the kids out to the opening night of "Over The Hedge." We jumped into Adam's bus and headed to Showplace 16. We dumped some cash at the counter and Abby's made a dash for the concession counter. Nevermind the fact that we had just gotten up from the dinner table... Two slushies, a bag of popcorn and a cherry coke later, we headed toward the theatre. This movie was so much funnier than I expected - I haven't laughed that hard in quite a while! As is often the case, it's not the main characters that provide the most en
tertainment. The hyperactive squirrel, Hammy, is hysterical, and the family of porcupines with Yooper accents about pushed me over the edge (no pun inteded!). The story itself wasn't much - it was definitely the one-liners that did it for me. The moral of the story definitely a good one, though, and I think they did a good job making it understandable, even for young kids. I would definitely recommend this one - it's a blast!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
So it's been a busy week since we were last here together... Let's see...
- Thursday - Home with the kids (all of them) and dinner at Famous Dave's for Todd's birthday. It rained.
- Friday - Work and family night - buffet at China One. The kids LOVE shrimp! It rained.
- Saturday - Left first thing for Kenosha to visit the fam. Hung out, talked, shopped a little, ate awesome Kenosha pizza, and slept in the basement on the fold-out bed with the bar that runs directly beneath my back... It rained.
- Sunday - Church at Kenosha Bible - my very first church and where my Granparents and Aunt, Uncle and family still go. Wow, things have changed there. Went out to lunch at the Charcoal Grille (yum) for Mother's Day and then took a tour at the Jelly Belly factory. The kids liked it, Patty laughed at my broken hat, bought too many bags of Jelly Bellies, and then headed back to the house to pack up. Saw 4 deer and a COYOTE on our drive home. Yes, a coyote!! It ran right in front of our car and all the way across 4 lanes of traffic. The sun was out and it was beautiful outside when we left Kenosha, but back in Indiana, it rained.
- Monday - Got up early to get the kids ready for school and then went directly back to bed until about noon. Hung out around the house for the afternoon until Adam and I went out for our date night - saw MI:3 and ate dinner at Friday's. Came home and watched the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Wow. Oh, and it rained.
- Tuesday - Got up early and got the kids to school and went to work. Ahhh, work. Immediately after work I tought a beginner scrapbooking class, then went home to work on the PIT e-newsletter. Yes, it rained.
- Wednesday - Up early, kids to school, work. Picked up the kids and ran to Martin's to get something for dinner. Laundry. It was actually sunny this morning...but then, it rained. In fact, it's still raining.
Off to buy a life raft...
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Abby's Zoo Field Trip Day!
Abby & Allison - two best friends on their last Preschool field trip - EVER!
What could possibly catch all of their attention so completely? Believe it or not...tortoises. 
Abby, Allison, Rachel and Tyler, in a rare moment of still, quiet and cute! ;)
I particularly like the part about being "prone to mood swings"
Abby's favorite animal of the day - the horses!Sunday, May 7, 2006
There's nothing like Sunday. The only thing that could have made today better is for Adam to have had the day off. I woke up (for the last time) around 10:45 (there were a few interruptions throughout the morning as the kids asked me random questions or made strange observations that I simply HAD to know about at THAT moment). We went and got a newspaper and then relaxed at home for a while as I read said newspaper and the kids watched "Sky High" and then played outside. After a while we decided to go out and get some lunch before going grocery shopping. On our way to Culver's, we drove by GCC and saw Adam's truck sitting in the drive, so I called him and learned that he and his team were on their way to Logan's. The kids and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have dinner with Adam, so we headed over to join the him, Mike, Ben, the Manns and "the kids" for lunch. Jonathan and Walter and funny boys. I'm so glad they get to spend a lot of time with Adam - he needs the entertainment when he's apart from me (!) and they need to see what normal and stable looks like. They are a good team.
Sidenote: Jacob is allergic to peanuts. If you no anything about Logan's, you know that it's covered with peanuts. Right now you might be thinking, "She has to be the stupidest parent on the face of the planet to take a risk like that," or "Honey, give me the phone, I need to make a call to CPS!" While admittedly risky, there are several reasons I thought it would be ok to take Jacob there for lunch, none of which I'll go in to right now. Suffice it to say that he not only survived, but had a completely reaction-free Logan's experience. This is the time I ask that we all say a little prayer of thanks to God for such an amazing miracle! Jacob's doctor has been telling us that with ZERO exposure to peanuts over the span of his life that there is a chance that Jacob MAY "outgrow" his peanut allergy. All of his allergies have decreased in severity over the years, and I would have to assume that's the case with this one as well. It will be time for Jacob to have another test in a few months (typically just before school starts), so join me in praying for a GREAT report from Dr. Claussen next time we go.
We said goodbye to Adam and his posse and the kids and I headed over to Kohl's to do a little shopping (jeans for Adam, sundresses for Abby, shorts for Jacob) and then to WalMart to finally do some grocery shopping. I don't know what's wrong with me lately but I have been avoiding that task like the plague. I will go WEEKS between trips, even to the point of eating chips for dinner for lack of anything else in the house, just to keep from having to make that dreaded trip. I HATE it! Of course, it could have something to do with the company I take with me... Anyway, after a fairly painful hour at WalMart, the kids and I headed over to Culver's for some ice cream (frozen custard, to be more accurate) and then we parked and went back to a little pond behind Arby's to feed the baby ducks and geese that have taken up residence there. We first saw them yesterday while eating at Arby's with the McMullen's before church. I couldn't resist buying an extra loaf of bread today with them in mind - there is nothing cuter than baby ducks and geese! The kids and I polished of the custard pretty quickly and proceeded to toss an entire loaf of bread, broken into little bite-sized pieces, into the pond. Jacob was a little hesitant as the adult geese were a little vocal when we would get a little too close for comfort. I had explained that we needed to be careful because geese can get a little ornery and have even been known to chase people that have made them mad. Well, after Jacob saw one of the geese hiss and chase after another goose, I never had to remind him to keep his distance. In fact, at one point he got back into the car and wanted to roll the windows up, just to be safe! On the other hand, it was all I could do to keep Abby out of the water! No big surprise there.
From there we headed home, unloaded the groceries and then headed out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. We made it all the way around the entire south part of the neighborhood before Jacob started to get a little tired, and on our way back, Abby and I spotted a baby bunny sitting near the side of the road (Jacob was a ways ahead of us). She and I stopped to watch it for a little while before heading toward home, but by then Jacob was walking back up the road to find us. When we told him about the bunny, he had to see it to, so I told Abby to head home and I'd take Jacob back to see it. We sat and watched it for a while and started to head back when we saw Abby walking back toward us, carrying her lawn chair! She wanted to sit and watch the bunny! So we all sat there, on the side of the road, watching this little baby bunny, and talking about all of the animal babies we saw today and how much fun we had. By the time we got back home it was about 7:30 (and still VERY light out!!) and we hadn't eaten dinner yet - it was almost 8:45 by the time the kids were done eating, and they still didn't believe me that it was really past their bedtime because it was still so light out! Abby desperately needed a bath from being dragged through the backyard by a rope tied around her ankle (talk to her big brother about that one - he'll tell you that she told him to! The funny part is that it's probably true!) earlier this morning, so I had to quickly throw her in the bath - it was 9:30 when all was said and done, and my kids will be falling asleep at school tomorrow!
Good day.
Sidenote: Jacob is allergic to peanuts. If you no anything about Logan's, you know that it's covered with peanuts. Right now you might be thinking, "She has to be the stupidest parent on the face of the planet to take a risk like that," or "Honey, give me the phone, I need to make a call to CPS!" While admittedly risky, there are several reasons I thought it would be ok to take Jacob there for lunch, none of which I'll go in to right now. Suffice it to say that he not only survived, but had a completely reaction-free Logan's experience. This is the time I ask that we all say a little prayer of thanks to God for such an amazing miracle! Jacob's doctor has been telling us that with ZERO exposure to peanuts over the span of his life that there is a chance that Jacob MAY "outgrow" his peanut allergy. All of his allergies have decreased in severity over the years, and I would have to assume that's the case with this one as well. It will be time for Jacob to have another test in a few months (typically just before school starts), so join me in praying for a GREAT report from Dr. Claussen next time we go.
We said goodbye to Adam and his posse and the kids and I headed over to Kohl's to do a little shopping (jeans for Adam, sundresses for Abby, shorts for Jacob) and then to WalMart to finally do some grocery shopping. I don't know what's wrong with me lately but I have been avoiding that task like the plague. I will go WEEKS between trips, even to the point of eating chips for dinner for lack of anything else in the house, just to keep from having to make that dreaded trip. I HATE it! Of course, it could have something to do with the company I take with me... Anyway, after a fairly painful hour at WalMart, the kids and I headed over to Culver's for some ice cream (frozen custard, to be more accurate) and then we parked and went back to a little pond behind Arby's to feed the baby ducks and geese that have taken up residence there. We first saw them yesterday while eating at Arby's with the McMullen's before church. I couldn't resist buying an extra loaf of bread today with them in mind - there is nothing cuter than baby ducks and geese! The kids and I polished of the custard pretty quickly and proceeded to toss an entire loaf of bread, broken into little bite-sized pieces, into the pond. Jacob was a little hesitant as the adult geese were a little vocal when we would get a little too close for comfort. I had explained that we needed to be careful because geese can get a little ornery and have even been known to chase people that have made them mad. Well, after Jacob saw one of the geese hiss and chase after another goose, I never had to remind him to keep his distance. In fact, at one point he got back into the car and wanted to roll the windows up, just to be safe! On the other hand, it was all I could do to keep Abby out of the water! No big surprise there.
From there we headed home, unloaded the groceries and then headed out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. We made it all the way around the entire south part of the neighborhood before Jacob started to get a little tired, and on our way back, Abby and I spotted a baby bunny sitting near the side of the road (Jacob was a ways ahead of us). She and I stopped to watch it for a little while before heading toward home, but by then Jacob was walking back up the road to find us. When we told him about the bunny, he had to see it to, so I told Abby to head home and I'd take Jacob back to see it. We sat and watched it for a while and started to head back when we saw Abby walking back toward us, carrying her lawn chair! She wanted to sit and watch the bunny! So we all sat there, on the side of the road, watching this little baby bunny, and talking about all of the animal babies we saw today and how much fun we had. By the time we got back home it was about 7:30 (and still VERY light out!!) and we hadn't eaten dinner yet - it was almost 8:45 by the time the kids were done eating, and they still didn't believe me that it was really past their bedtime because it was still so light out! Abby desperately needed a bath from being dragged through the backyard by a rope tied around her ankle (talk to her big brother about that one - he'll tell you that she told him to! The funny part is that it's probably true!) earlier this morning, so I had to quickly throw her in the bath - it was 9:30 when all was said and done, and my kids will be falling asleep at school tomorrow!
Good day.
Friday, May 5, 2006
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
We all survived...barely
There have been many times in my life when I've questioned what God's call was for my life. I wondered about my purpose and my gifts and how I was supposed to use them...I want to know what I'm supposed to do with my life. I've gotten frustrated when I didn't get (what I considered to be) a clear answer.
Today I learned that sometimes a crystal-clear "no" is even better than a "yes."
I am not meant to work with pre-schoolers. Ever. It's not that I couldn't do it. I know that I could. I could go in there everyday and read them stories and sing songs with them (ugg) and wait patiently (yeah, right) as each of them raised their hands and told random stories about their dogs and their moms and their owies when it had absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand...and with those adorable, little, obedient, angelic ones, I could have a great time. They love hugs, they would do anything to receive the approval of their teachers, and their smiles light up a room.
Then there are the... naughty ones. And there is a decent sized group of them in Abby's class - at least 4 of them that I could have drop-kicked out the back door this morning. One of them, who will remain nameless, to whom I could have done physical harm. Honestly, he just needs a really good spanking (or two, or three...). And THIS is why I will never work with preschoolers.
I have a whole new respect for Abby's teachers and what they do every day. Yet another reason I love my part-time job at a scrapbooking store. The most stressful part of my day is dealing with a rude customer or two. When I left the school this morning, I literally had a headache. Don't get me wrong. I loved spending time with Abby and her classmates. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it, and I'm particularly glad I could help Mrs. Lewis out while she's not feeling well. Am I anxious to do it again? Not unless I can take a certain couple of kids and lock them in a closet down the hall...
Today I learned that sometimes a crystal-clear "no" is even better than a "yes."
I am not meant to work with pre-schoolers. Ever. It's not that I couldn't do it. I know that I could. I could go in there everyday and read them stories and sing songs with them (ugg) and wait patiently (yeah, right) as each of them raised their hands and told random stories about their dogs and their moms and their owies when it had absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand...and with those adorable, little, obedient, angelic ones, I could have a great time. They love hugs, they would do anything to receive the approval of their teachers, and their smiles light up a room.
Then there are the... naughty ones. And there is a decent sized group of them in Abby's class - at least 4 of them that I could have drop-kicked out the back door this morning. One of them, who will remain nameless, to whom I could have done physical harm. Honestly, he just needs a really good spanking (or two, or three...). And THIS is why I will never work with preschoolers.
I have a whole new respect for Abby's teachers and what they do every day. Yet another reason I love my part-time job at a scrapbooking store. The most stressful part of my day is dealing with a rude customer or two. When I left the school this morning, I literally had a headache. Don't get me wrong. I loved spending time with Abby and her classmates. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it, and I'm particularly glad I could help Mrs. Lewis out while she's not feeling well. Am I anxious to do it again? Not unless I can take a certain couple of kids and lock them in a closet down the hall...
Monday, May 1, 2006
Keep your children at home...
I'm going to be teaching preschool in the morning! Ok, not so much teaching as I will be assisting one of the real teachers because Mrs. Lewis isn't able to be there tomorrow. Adam has been teasing me about this all night - apparently he doesn't see me as a natural-born preschool teacher. I'd be offended if I didn't know that he's right. Should be interesting. Abby's excited, so at least one of us is optomistic about how things will go tomorrow. Pray that we all survive it.
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