It is full-on hot as hell around here (love it!) and we've been spending alot of time in the water. Eric completed swimming lessons and still cannot swim, but they both do really well in the water anyway.
So, in my relentless pursuit of figuring out a way to get us enough money to get a REAL pool, I've gotten really really into coupons. Inspired by Sherah, and encouraged by a local crafty friend who got me into her coupon group on facebook, I've saved a BOAT LOAD! It is insane! If you've seen that show Extreme Couponing, I'm no where near that level, but I've been saving so much and in only a few weeks of doing it. You already know how cheap I am, and we've been on a tight budget forever, but I've managed to cut even more! I started keeping track of it so I can see if it is all worth my time and if you are curious, this is the blog for that. As of today, I've spent $155.31 on $534.90 worth of food, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Pretty awesome huh?
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Lately
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Why
I'm not really sure how to type it out, but I'm sure that anyone reading this knows exactly how it sounds, a young kid asks for something, the parent says 'no' and the kids responds with a whiney "wwwhhhhyyyyyy?????" complete with the collapsing body language.
We've all seen it.
As much as I'd love to say that Lily doesn't do this, I can't. She doesn't do it often and we've been working on curbing it, but the real problem now is that Eric does it too! It is kinda funny because he has no idea what why means, she just knows that is what he is supposed to say when he doesn't get his way. It is a tricky thing because I can't use the same techniques to get him to stop doing it.
Another funny thing that he does is if he wants to run around in the store and doesn't want me to carry him he starts saying "ow, ow, ow, ow" so everyonat looks at me like I'm hurting him!
We've all seen it.
As much as I'd love to say that Lily doesn't do this, I can't. She doesn't do it often and we've been working on curbing it, but the real problem now is that Eric does it too! It is kinda funny because he has no idea what why means, she just knows that is what he is supposed to say when he doesn't get his way. It is a tricky thing because I can't use the same techniques to get him to stop doing it.
Another funny thing that he does is if he wants to run around in the store and doesn't want me to carry him he starts saying "ow, ow, ow, ow" so everyonat looks at me like I'm hurting him!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Yay....new iPad
If you are on Facebook, than you know how much I've been bitching about having to share a computer with Ross during the day. Well, I finally got my new iPad! I love it yet I'm disappointed that I can't upload pictures. There were two things that I was concerned about and uploading photos was one of them. Every person I asked told me that I could. Not just salespeople either, I asked iPad owners and they all said that you could. Well.... If it was possible, you'd see a pic on this post because I'm sitting on the patio right now with the kids playing in our new $10 blow up pool and I can take their picture, just can't upload it. I can upload to all the social networking sights but those don't make money for me. I was hoping to use this thing for work. So I'm kinda sad about that.
Ok enough bitching.
Yesterday was the spin a thon. Our team had to keep a bike spinning for 6 hours. We raised money for Kids in Distress. We ended up with a pretty big team and so we only had to spin for 27 or 28 minutes. I'm pretty proud of myself too because I raised $350.00 and did 45 minutes of spinning and didn't feel like I was going to die (we loaned some riders to a smaller team). I'm not looking the way I want to look, but health-wise, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in! It feels great.
Ok enough bitching.
Yesterday was the spin a thon. Our team had to keep a bike spinning for 6 hours. We raised money for Kids in Distress. We ended up with a pretty big team and so we only had to spin for 27 or 28 minutes. I'm pretty proud of myself too because I raised $350.00 and did 45 minutes of spinning and didn't feel like I was going to die (we loaned some riders to a smaller team). I'm not looking the way I want to look, but health-wise, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in! It feels great.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is always a little sad for me. I love being able to have a day to celebrate, but it always makes me super sad that my mom isn't around any more. She was such a giver that she is the exact type of person that holidays like Mother's Day were invented. I hate that I didn't give her the appreciation that she deserved. I took so much for granted and just wish I had some way to turn back the clock just for one day to tell her how much I appreciate everything the did for us. My kids are so awesome and I'm so proud of them, I wish so badly that my mom could have known them.
There were alot of tears this weekend over that.
There were also two more big reminders of our mortality too. My boss, for whom I've worked for about 6 years now lost his sister on Friday to breast cancer. I don't know her exact age, but she is his younger sister and he is 44. She had a family... small kids! I am so sad for them, I know how hard it is not to have a mom and I didn't lose mine until I was an adult. I just can't imagine.
Then, Brandi's most recent ex-boyfriend died Saturday night in a motorcycle accident. I didn't really know him very well, but Brandi is pretty broken up about it.
It is heart breaking, but death is part of living, so although there are tears, it truly makes me more apt to pay attention to today.
So, on that note, I'll move on to tell you about what a fabulous day I had on Mother's Day with Lily. Moms get in free to Butterfly World on Mother's day and I took Lily last year. It is the first thing she talked about when she heard that Mother's day was coming up so I told her we'd certainly go again this year. Eric still naps and Butterfly World is kinda pricey so the boys stayed home and cooked dinner for us.
Lily was so excited for the day that she had been drawing pictures of us & butterflies for about a week. She even set out her butterfly underwear to make sure to wear them on Sunday! She woke me up at 6:55!! Ross is the one who gets up with the kids everyday because he is a morning person, I'm not, and... I do my web-work at night so I don't get a chance to get to bed early like he does. So, on a regular day, I get up at 8. Mother's Day, the day that moms are supposed to SLEEP IN.... Lily woke me up at 6:55. I grumbled that I was supposed to sleep in on Mother's Day and she started to cry telling me that it was a special day and she had something she wanted to give me. Even though I'd been out late at a party the night before, I dragged myself out of bed to receive their gifts. Lily had picked out some gummy fruit snacks for me and a spool of ribbon. She & Eric drew me a picture on a big piece of cardboard. Eric even sat up at the table while I looked at it pointing and saying "draw, draw" (this explains the mysterious green marker arms late last week). It was very sweet. I gave them bagels and snuck back to bed. A few minutes later Lily joined me (she usually has to be woken up for school, so 6:55 is early for her too).
After a little more beauty sleep, we got up and headed out to Butterfly World. Lily likes to sketch things so we stopped at the dollar store and bought two sketch pads, a pack of new crayons, a box of markers and treated ourselves to sodas.
Not long after being there, one of the workers told us that if we put our finger out slowly to a butterfly when it is on a leaf, it may crawl onto our hand. This picture is of how upset Lily got about that silly butterfly not wanting to crawl onto her hand. (Notice the finger still out and ready for the butterfly to climb on)
There was an annoyingly friendly little girl who managed to get one on her finger and she tried to hand it off to Lily
It didn't work, but after a minute of resting in the trees, it climbed onto her hand... just for a second
We bought the butterfly guide book and really took our time looking at each and every butterfly trying to identify them and checking them off in the book.
Then we had horrible pizza & chips for lunch. (*note to self: next year... pack a lunch.*)
Next up were the lorikeets. For a dollar, they give you a cup of juice that the birds are crazy for and they climb all over you. I don't care for birds climbing on me but one really liked me and landed on me twice even though I didn't have any juice. Lily loves them.
And as you can see... they love her too. I worried about her getting pooped on, but thankfully she didn't. Everyone around was taking pictures of her and she thought it was the funniest thing.
After a round of purell and a real soap & water handwash, we got ice cream
The whole day we stopped and sketched out the things we'd seen. Here is Lily drawing the millipede in the Bug Zoo.
And sketching the humming birds
She was really cute with the sketching. She made sure to get all the colors right. She'd see a bird that had a black spot on his eye, or a red feather on the tail or whatever and make sure to put that in her picture. Then she'd tuck her notepad under her arm and move on like some little scientist or something. It was very sweet. I'm holding the memories of this day very close to my heart.
There were alot of tears this weekend over that.
There were also two more big reminders of our mortality too. My boss, for whom I've worked for about 6 years now lost his sister on Friday to breast cancer. I don't know her exact age, but she is his younger sister and he is 44. She had a family... small kids! I am so sad for them, I know how hard it is not to have a mom and I didn't lose mine until I was an adult. I just can't imagine.
Then, Brandi's most recent ex-boyfriend died Saturday night in a motorcycle accident. I didn't really know him very well, but Brandi is pretty broken up about it.
It is heart breaking, but death is part of living, so although there are tears, it truly makes me more apt to pay attention to today.
So, on that note, I'll move on to tell you about what a fabulous day I had on Mother's Day with Lily. Moms get in free to Butterfly World on Mother's day and I took Lily last year. It is the first thing she talked about when she heard that Mother's day was coming up so I told her we'd certainly go again this year. Eric still naps and Butterfly World is kinda pricey so the boys stayed home and cooked dinner for us.
Lily was so excited for the day that she had been drawing pictures of us & butterflies for about a week. She even set out her butterfly underwear to make sure to wear them on Sunday! She woke me up at 6:55!! Ross is the one who gets up with the kids everyday because he is a morning person, I'm not, and... I do my web-work at night so I don't get a chance to get to bed early like he does. So, on a regular day, I get up at 8. Mother's Day, the day that moms are supposed to SLEEP IN.... Lily woke me up at 6:55. I grumbled that I was supposed to sleep in on Mother's Day and she started to cry telling me that it was a special day and she had something she wanted to give me. Even though I'd been out late at a party the night before, I dragged myself out of bed to receive their gifts. Lily had picked out some gummy fruit snacks for me and a spool of ribbon. She & Eric drew me a picture on a big piece of cardboard. Eric even sat up at the table while I looked at it pointing and saying "draw, draw" (this explains the mysterious green marker arms late last week). It was very sweet. I gave them bagels and snuck back to bed. A few minutes later Lily joined me (she usually has to be woken up for school, so 6:55 is early for her too).
After a little more beauty sleep, we got up and headed out to Butterfly World. Lily likes to sketch things so we stopped at the dollar store and bought two sketch pads, a pack of new crayons, a box of markers and treated ourselves to sodas.
Not long after being there, one of the workers told us that if we put our finger out slowly to a butterfly when it is on a leaf, it may crawl onto our hand. This picture is of how upset Lily got about that silly butterfly not wanting to crawl onto her hand. (Notice the finger still out and ready for the butterfly to climb on)
There was an annoyingly friendly little girl who managed to get one on her finger and she tried to hand it off to Lily
It didn't work, but after a minute of resting in the trees, it climbed onto her hand... just for a second
We bought the butterfly guide book and really took our time looking at each and every butterfly trying to identify them and checking them off in the book.Then we had horrible pizza & chips for lunch. (*note to self: next year... pack a lunch.*)
Next up were the lorikeets. For a dollar, they give you a cup of juice that the birds are crazy for and they climb all over you. I don't care for birds climbing on me but one really liked me and landed on me twice even though I didn't have any juice. Lily loves them.
And as you can see... they love her too. I worried about her getting pooped on, but thankfully she didn't. Everyone around was taking pictures of her and she thought it was the funniest thing.After a round of purell and a real soap & water handwash, we got ice cream
The whole day we stopped and sketched out the things we'd seen. Here is Lily drawing the millipede in the Bug Zoo.
And sketching the humming birds
She was really cute with the sketching. She made sure to get all the colors right. She'd see a bird that had a black spot on his eye, or a red feather on the tail or whatever and make sure to put that in her picture. Then she'd tuck her notepad under her arm and move on like some little scientist or something. It was very sweet. I'm holding the memories of this day very close to my heart.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Because Aunt Linda told me to
I talked to Aunt Linda yesterday and she reminded me that I haven't updated the blog in a long time so here goes. Toward the end of March I donated my hair again to Locks of Love. I hate having short hair, but as you can see from the photo, I really needed a haircut! Oh well... it is a renewable resource and even though I don't have alot of money to give to charities, I do have alot of hair!
You can donate your hair too (I got a free haircut out of it too by going to Great Clips) information on how to do it is on their site http://www.locksoflove.org/
On the first, I finally went and got that tattoo that I've been talking about for years and years
I'd saved up and set aside the money years ago and bonus for me, inflation on tattoos wasn't nearly as high as I had expected. My last tattoo before this one was in the late 90s and it cost me about $200 so I figured I'd need about $300. Lucky me, it only cost me $150! But, as luck tends to always swing in both directions, the City of Hollywood caught me running a redlight via photo/video (oops) so I had to give them the rest of that money I'd set aside for tattoos.
it is a Flame Lily, the national flower of Zimbabwe.
Most of my time in the last 6 months or so has been spent working my booty off to organize the Odd Duck Bazaar. This was the second year of the show and I was so proud of the outcome. There was so much blood/sweat/tears put into this event and it really paid off.
we were written about pre-show in three newspapers, one local and two regional! Last year we were only featured post-show on the newspapers' websites. We had about 1500 attendees! Magners was one of our sponsors and set up a tasting booth at the event.
Ross's staff girl ended up getting sick and needing extra help, so he had to work part of the event. Brandi was originally volunteering at the show's admissions booth, but when Ross had to come up there, Brandi had to leave to take the kids home. Eric spent a few moments helping his dad. Sweet huh?
The other day we received a parcel from Zimbabwe with some love gifts from Granny & Grandpa.
The next picture is slightly out of order, but it was from the weekend before Odd Duck when I took Lily out on a girls day to go to a craft show in Boca. It was a combo, show promoting and spending some quality time with my girl. We shopped, ate handmade Popsicles, got a glitter tattoo from the henna artist and ate out for lunch.
I swear, these kids spend so much time in the dirt! I have so many pictures of them looking like this...
Now I really need to get back to work. SOMEBODY, who will remain name-less, allowed Lily to play with my laptop on the couch and she broke the screen so I'm working on finding things around here to sell so I can get an ipad.
You can donate your hair too (I got a free haircut out of it too by going to Great Clips) information on how to do it is on their site http://www.locksoflove.org/On the first, I finally went and got that tattoo that I've been talking about for years and years
I'd saved up and set aside the money years ago and bonus for me, inflation on tattoos wasn't nearly as high as I had expected. My last tattoo before this one was in the late 90s and it cost me about $200 so I figured I'd need about $300. Lucky me, it only cost me $150! But, as luck tends to always swing in both directions, the City of Hollywood caught me running a redlight via photo/video (oops) so I had to give them the rest of that money I'd set aside for tattoos.
it is a Flame Lily, the national flower of Zimbabwe.Most of my time in the last 6 months or so has been spent working my booty off to organize the Odd Duck Bazaar. This was the second year of the show and I was so proud of the outcome. There was so much blood/sweat/tears put into this event and it really paid off.
we were written about pre-show in three newspapers, one local and two regional! Last year we were only featured post-show on the newspapers' websites. We had about 1500 attendees! Magners was one of our sponsors and set up a tasting booth at the event.
Ross's staff girl ended up getting sick and needing extra help, so he had to work part of the event. Brandi was originally volunteering at the show's admissions booth, but when Ross had to come up there, Brandi had to leave to take the kids home. Eric spent a few moments helping his dad. Sweet huh?The other day we received a parcel from Zimbabwe with some love gifts from Granny & Grandpa.
The next picture is slightly out of order, but it was from the weekend before Odd Duck when I took Lily out on a girls day to go to a craft show in Boca. It was a combo, show promoting and spending some quality time with my girl. We shopped, ate handmade Popsicles, got a glitter tattoo from the henna artist and ate out for lunch.
I swear, these kids spend so much time in the dirt! I have so many pictures of them looking like this...
Now I really need to get back to work. SOMEBODY, who will remain name-less, allowed Lily to play with my laptop on the couch and she broke the screen so I'm working on finding things around here to sell so I can get an ipad.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Through the eyes of Lily
These photos are taken by Lily. She was playing a little too quietly the other day so when I checked on her she said she was doing a photo shoot. It is really funny to me to see the things she finds photo-worthy.
This is the slider that goes between the dining room and pool table room. It is one of those that opens completely out so most days it is open, mainly because having a sliding glass door in the middle of your house is strange, right? Well, it has this weird leaf pattern thing on it, presumably to keep people from walking into it. I never really thought I'd be blogging about it.
My rocking chair. I've had this chair all my life, I have insisted on keeping it even though I have more reasons to let it go than to save it. I have no place to put it, it is too small for an adult, too big for a child and no one uses it but yet, here it is.
The really nasty fan over the pool table and the glorious popcorn ceiling above it.
Lily's boo-boo and spongebob bandaid
Lately Lily has really gotten into saying "lets pretend..." it just makes me smile to hear all of her big ideas.
Eric, finally has started to try and talk. He does several animal sounds but won't attempt the name of the animal yet. He says 'no' and 'uh-huh' (I know, terrible... I should insist on 'yes' but I'm still just happy he is saying something!) and 'ball' and 'shoes'
I'm gonna need to try and get him on video saying 'shoes' because it is really cute that sh sound.
This is the slider that goes between the dining room and pool table room. It is one of those that opens completely out so most days it is open, mainly because having a sliding glass door in the middle of your house is strange, right? Well, it has this weird leaf pattern thing on it, presumably to keep people from walking into it. I never really thought I'd be blogging about it.
My rocking chair. I've had this chair all my life, I have insisted on keeping it even though I have more reasons to let it go than to save it. I have no place to put it, it is too small for an adult, too big for a child and no one uses it but yet, here it is.
The really nasty fan over the pool table and the glorious popcorn ceiling above it.
Lily's boo-boo and spongebob bandaid
Lately Lily has really gotten into saying "lets pretend..." it just makes me smile to hear all of her big ideas.
Eric, finally has started to try and talk. He does several animal sounds but won't attempt the name of the animal yet. He says 'no' and 'uh-huh' (I know, terrible... I should insist on 'yes' but I'm still just happy he is saying something!) and 'ball' and 'shoes'
I'm gonna need to try and get him on video saying 'shoes' because it is really cute that sh sound.
Monday, February 14, 2011
New Year's resolution Fail
I was supposed to write a blog post once a week.... oops.
I did 4 in January, so I guess I'll try to play catch up and as long as I can squeeze in 4 a month, I won't beat myself up about it.
Happy Valentine's day!
Today I was invited to have snack at Lily's school with Lily for Valentine's day. It was really sweet. Lily introduced me to her best friend Derek (it used to be Logan, but now Derek). She came home with a load of candy so now I've been spending the day like a broken record telling her 'no' to eating it all in one day.
Eric is finally starting to show signs of learning to talk. He will say 'no' but he says it in such a funny way that no one but us knows that 'no' is what he is saying. I'm wondering if he really does have a speach issue. I keep telling myself not to worry and most days I don't, but I still do.
If I ever get organized enough to upload pictures to the same computer that I'm writing blog posts on, I'll get some pics to you.
I did 4 in January, so I guess I'll try to play catch up and as long as I can squeeze in 4 a month, I won't beat myself up about it.
Happy Valentine's day!
Today I was invited to have snack at Lily's school with Lily for Valentine's day. It was really sweet. Lily introduced me to her best friend Derek (it used to be Logan, but now Derek). She came home with a load of candy so now I've been spending the day like a broken record telling her 'no' to eating it all in one day.
Eric is finally starting to show signs of learning to talk. He will say 'no' but he says it in such a funny way that no one but us knows that 'no' is what he is saying. I'm wondering if he really does have a speach issue. I keep telling myself not to worry and most days I don't, but I still do.
If I ever get organized enough to upload pictures to the same computer that I'm writing blog posts on, I'll get some pics to you.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Disney
Last Friday we loaded up Granny and the kids and rode up to Melbourne. We spent the night at Sandy's house and got up real early, traded our car for her van, added Allison to the group and headed over to Orlando.
I did check the weather ahead of time, and again that morning, but for some reason I really only paid attention to what the high was for the day and forgot to worry with the low. We took the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom and realized very early that we really weren't dressed appropriately. Everyone had long sleeves and jackets (except Ross, he was in shorts! but he is never cold) but we were cold almost the whole time.
This picture was taken while we were in line for our very first ride.
This super excited face would turn to tears very soon. We rode some Lilo and Stitch thing that was meant to be fun. Well, it wasn't. It plays out like you are expecting a scary alien and instead of a scary alien, Stitch arrives. Well, I guess Lily hasn't watched enough Lilo and Stitch to know that Stitch is a good alien so being in the dark, strapped into a seat and a scary alien on the loose was more than her little heart could handle. It of course broke mine too. She was crying and asking to get out but all I could do was try and tell her that it was all ok and hold her hand. We were very careful in picking our next ride and double checked that the Buzz Lightyear ride was in fact not scary before going on. It was great and even Eric loved it. So, all it took was one good ride for Lily to forget all about the awful beginning. Next we rode the teacups.
Then Lunch at Pinnochio's place and then rode Its a Small World. Eric really really loved that one. He liked being able to sit on the seat in the boat and not our laps. He just pointed and pointed. It was really sweet.
Next, I took my tired little man on a walk in the stroller so he could nap while Ross, Marje, Allison & Lily rode the Dumbo ride. Marje wasn't impressed with that one and I had a terrible crowd experience. Everywhere I turned on my walk they had things roped off for a parade. I just wanted to keep walking but ended up in some strange walkway with raised walls that was too narrow for the crowd. The walls were about shoulder height and I was in the middle of it when another family came through going the other direction with a double-wide stroller. The pathway wasn't wide enough for us both but there were so many people packed in all around us that neither of us could back up to get free. People were climbing over the strollers (with my sleeping child inside!) and climbing up the walls. It was insane and I lost it. I wouldn't let anyone climb over Eric and basically just caused a complete blockade until enough people realized that they weren't going to get through and finally backed up to let some of us out.
So, after I was free, and met back up with the family, we had some ice cream. Daddy sent us money for ice cream so even though it was really really cold, we had ice cream!
Next stop was the toon town fair so Lily & Allison had their faces painted.
Eric is just as entertained by the decorations as he is the rides. He was awesome. Not one melt down!
The sun started setting so we found ourselves a good spot to watch the parade and played there for awhile while Ross went off and found us some hot dogs to have for dinner. Everyone loved the parade. Marje bought the kids some light up toys to play with and it was so sweet. Lily had meltdown #2 when Puff the Magic dragon came through. She was really frightened. I guess we need to make it a point to catch up on our Disney movies because I know for sure, had she seen the movie, she would have never been scared of HIM!
After the parade we went to see the Carousel of Progress in order to squeeze in one more quick ride and warm up a little.
Lily was really struggling by the end. She was cold and very tired so we took turns carrying her. Lucky Duck Eric got to bundle up in the stroller for nap #2.
After leaving the park there was a really bad accident on the interstate and we were in dead-stop traffic for about half an hour. Lily & Allison passed out right away but Eric stayed awake watching a movie. (so cool to get to watch movies in the car. I'm jealous)
But, we finally made it back to Sandy's and the next morning she cooked us a big, fattening American breakfast and we headed back south.
Everyone was still a little pooped from our adventure.
Notes for next time: Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Plan our rides in advance. Bring lots of snacks.
I did check the weather ahead of time, and again that morning, but for some reason I really only paid attention to what the high was for the day and forgot to worry with the low. We took the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom and realized very early that we really weren't dressed appropriately. Everyone had long sleeves and jackets (except Ross, he was in shorts! but he is never cold) but we were cold almost the whole time.
This picture was taken while we were in line for our very first ride.
This super excited face would turn to tears very soon. We rode some Lilo and Stitch thing that was meant to be fun. Well, it wasn't. It plays out like you are expecting a scary alien and instead of a scary alien, Stitch arrives. Well, I guess Lily hasn't watched enough Lilo and Stitch to know that Stitch is a good alien so being in the dark, strapped into a seat and a scary alien on the loose was more than her little heart could handle. It of course broke mine too. She was crying and asking to get out but all I could do was try and tell her that it was all ok and hold her hand. We were very careful in picking our next ride and double checked that the Buzz Lightyear ride was in fact not scary before going on. It was great and even Eric loved it. So, all it took was one good ride for Lily to forget all about the awful beginning. Next we rode the teacups.
Then Lunch at Pinnochio's place and then rode Its a Small World. Eric really really loved that one. He liked being able to sit on the seat in the boat and not our laps. He just pointed and pointed. It was really sweet.Next, I took my tired little man on a walk in the stroller so he could nap while Ross, Marje, Allison & Lily rode the Dumbo ride. Marje wasn't impressed with that one and I had a terrible crowd experience. Everywhere I turned on my walk they had things roped off for a parade. I just wanted to keep walking but ended up in some strange walkway with raised walls that was too narrow for the crowd. The walls were about shoulder height and I was in the middle of it when another family came through going the other direction with a double-wide stroller. The pathway wasn't wide enough for us both but there were so many people packed in all around us that neither of us could back up to get free. People were climbing over the strollers (with my sleeping child inside!) and climbing up the walls. It was insane and I lost it. I wouldn't let anyone climb over Eric and basically just caused a complete blockade until enough people realized that they weren't going to get through and finally backed up to let some of us out.
So, after I was free, and met back up with the family, we had some ice cream. Daddy sent us money for ice cream so even though it was really really cold, we had ice cream!
Next stop was the toon town fair so Lily & Allison had their faces painted.
Eric is just as entertained by the decorations as he is the rides. He was awesome. Not one melt down!The sun started setting so we found ourselves a good spot to watch the parade and played there for awhile while Ross went off and found us some hot dogs to have for dinner. Everyone loved the parade. Marje bought the kids some light up toys to play with and it was so sweet. Lily had meltdown #2 when Puff the Magic dragon came through. She was really frightened. I guess we need to make it a point to catch up on our Disney movies because I know for sure, had she seen the movie, she would have never been scared of HIM!
After the parade we went to see the Carousel of Progress in order to squeeze in one more quick ride and warm up a little.
Lily was really struggling by the end. She was cold and very tired so we took turns carrying her. Lucky Duck Eric got to bundle up in the stroller for nap #2.
After leaving the park there was a really bad accident on the interstate and we were in dead-stop traffic for about half an hour. Lily & Allison passed out right away but Eric stayed awake watching a movie. (so cool to get to watch movies in the car. I'm jealous)But, we finally made it back to Sandy's and the next morning she cooked us a big, fattening American breakfast and we headed back south.
Everyone was still a little pooped from our adventure.
Notes for next time: Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Plan our rides in advance. Bring lots of snacks.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
My Grandma and my Kid's Granny
The above picture is one that I put together for my grandma. She has dementia and has to live at a hospital so I just wrote her a quick note and printed a picture to include with it. When I went to visit last fall she didn't know who I was. It is really heartbreaking and the whole situation sucks. I really should write to her more often, I think about it alot but just never seem to actually DO it. On a lighter note... Ross's mom is here right now and we have been having a blast. She had met Eric before, but he was just a newborn so he didn't remember her but took to her very quickly. Of course, Lily is still head-over-heals in love with Granny. We all love having her here so life is really great right now.
I'll have lots of pics later, but I need to get caught up with my never-ending to-do list, cheers.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Well at least...
Yesterday I was hanging out with a friend who's youngest is the same age as Lily. I was talking to her about the doctor's concern that Eric hasn't started trying to talk yet. I was telling her that I was on the verge of getting worried myself too. She said what I was hoping that she'd say (I just needed to hear it, I think) that all kids are different and that everyone grows on his/her own schedule.... you know the rest. I whole-heartedly agree, but just in case, I've been trying to work with him more and more on making sounds and things. My friend shared that her son (Lily's age remember... 4 1/2ish) was having serious trouble with fine motor skills. He was getting frustrated at school (even just a half day of pre-school) because of it and that she was very worried. I had never really put much thought into fine motor skills mainly because for us, it has never been an issue. So, this morning, just as a test, I gave Eric a pen and notebook just to see what he did. I gave no prompting or instruction, just handed him the pen & book and grabbed my camera to document.
I'd say, we do NOT have a problem with fine-motor skills!
So, I guess, if Eric never learns to speak, at least he will have no trouble writing down what he needs to say.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
iPhone and YouTube videos
After a year and a half of using an iPhone with a shattered screen, I finally got a new one. It was actually last month, but I'm just now getting around to blabbing about it. In case you aren't aware, iPhones have a real glass screen so once it shattered, I had to buy a Zagg invisibleSHIELD
not to protect me from breaking it, but to keep the glass from falling out or cutting my fingers. I really should have gotten one of those first!
I've been a HUGE fan of the iPhone for years, but now, with the 4, I'm in love. This thing is amazing. I keep finding more and more awesome things I can do with it. Right now, the only un-cool things are that I can't upload pictures from it straight to this blog (well, I can do it on the phone, jut not directly or easily), and, I can't find an armband (for working out) that will allow me to keep the protective case on it. oh, by the way, I went overboard on the protective case this time. it has padding on the inside, a plastic box, then rubberized on the outside... I am NOT going to break this one!
Basically, I've just written all of this to let you know that, with my new phone, I can upload videos directly to YouTube. So, between my fancy new phone and my fancy new camcorder that Daddy bought me, ahem, I mean Eric last summer, we've got some cute videos up on the web. Check 'em out here.
I've been a HUGE fan of the iPhone for years, but now, with the 4, I'm in love. This thing is amazing. I keep finding more and more awesome things I can do with it. Right now, the only un-cool things are that I can't upload pictures from it straight to this blog (well, I can do it on the phone, jut not directly or easily), and, I can't find an armband (for working out) that will allow me to keep the protective case on it. oh, by the way, I went overboard on the protective case this time. it has padding on the inside, a plastic box, then rubberized on the outside... I am NOT going to break this one!
Basically, I've just written all of this to let you know that, with my new phone, I can upload videos directly to YouTube. So, between my fancy new phone and my fancy new camcorder that Daddy bought me, ahem, I mean Eric last summer, we've got some cute videos up on the web. Check 'em out here.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Resolutions for the New Year and Old
These pictures really have nothing to do with the post I'm writing but I know that there are some folks who check-in to this blog just for the pictures, so here are some recent ones from our Christmas shopping this year. (I have a stupid tight gift buying budget so I really don't "shop" like most people do, we just toured around to see the hub-bub)
Eric relaxing while Lily got her glitter "tattoo" at a craft show
Lily making a craft at Bass pro shops
Eric picked out what he wanted for Christmas at the Disney store and so Lily told Santa about it in her letter. He read that letter too! because now that little Buzz is in Eric's crib.
Now on to the post I wanted to write.....
Happy New Year! or should I say Happy Old Year (new year starts tomorrow). It is resolution time. I treat resolutions as year long goals. Each year I'm pretty good about keeping my resolutions. 2010 resolutions were:
2011 resolutions:
Doubling the pool fund again this year is going to be hard, but at the rate that I've been saving, we'll pay off the house before getting a pool and by that time we'll be too old to swim in it! So, it must be done.
The sewing part is to keep me sane. I get all crazy right before a show trying to whip up the merchandise needed but this year, I'm gonna have inventory all year long. Both of the items I make are the kind of thing that really is seasonal and next holiday season, I plan to have the inventory to actually make a decent profit. or, that is the hope at least.
My 40 by 40 list is on facebook if you haven't already seen it, it is here. I only have 20 something things on it. Obviously I still have almost 5 years to actually DO the things on the list, but I'd like to at least have 40 things listed.
Being a work-at-home-mom has a tendency to allow you to slack a little on your own appearance if you are lazy. I do shower everyday though, I've talked to some moms that even let that slide! I find myself going from pajamas to workout clothes back to pajamas. No more. I actually started this one three days ago and feel more productive because of it. Everyday I have to get dressed. Maybe not shoes, but real clothes.
I write several blogs for the various things I do. This one is the family blog, but I have one for the Aprons, one for the Kids Creatures, one for the general sewing, one for Addicted to Rockabilly and also contribute to the Hollywood Craft Mafia blog. That is a LOT of blogs! My goal is to post on each one at least once a week.
Eric relaxing while Lily got her glitter "tattoo" at a craft show
Lily making a craft at Bass pro shops
Eric picked out what he wanted for Christmas at the Disney store and so Lily told Santa about it in her letter. He read that letter too! because now that little Buzz is in Eric's crib.
Now on to the post I wanted to write.....Happy New Year! or should I say Happy Old Year (new year starts tomorrow). It is resolution time. I treat resolutions as year long goals. Each year I'm pretty good about keeping my resolutions. 2010 resolutions were:
- Get a tattoo
- run 100 miles
- double the pool fund
2011 resolutions:
- get that tattoo!
- run 300 miles
- double the pool fund
- make 50 aprons
- make 50 softies
- finish writing my 40x40 list
- get dressed daily
- blog 1 x per week
Doubling the pool fund again this year is going to be hard, but at the rate that I've been saving, we'll pay off the house before getting a pool and by that time we'll be too old to swim in it! So, it must be done.
The sewing part is to keep me sane. I get all crazy right before a show trying to whip up the merchandise needed but this year, I'm gonna have inventory all year long. Both of the items I make are the kind of thing that really is seasonal and next holiday season, I plan to have the inventory to actually make a decent profit. or, that is the hope at least.
My 40 by 40 list is on facebook if you haven't already seen it, it is here. I only have 20 something things on it. Obviously I still have almost 5 years to actually DO the things on the list, but I'd like to at least have 40 things listed.
Being a work-at-home-mom has a tendency to allow you to slack a little on your own appearance if you are lazy. I do shower everyday though, I've talked to some moms that even let that slide! I find myself going from pajamas to workout clothes back to pajamas. No more. I actually started this one three days ago and feel more productive because of it. Everyday I have to get dressed. Maybe not shoes, but real clothes.
I write several blogs for the various things I do. This one is the family blog, but I have one for the Aprons, one for the Kids Creatures, one for the general sewing, one for Addicted to Rockabilly and also contribute to the Hollywood Craft Mafia blog. That is a LOT of blogs! My goal is to post on each one at least once a week.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)