Tired, Tired, Tired

The girls both got up in the middle of the night for different reasons. Ava had to pee and said her body hurt. Mallory was scared. Even though they both went back to sleep just fine, Justin and I tossed and turned the remainder of the night. I was hot and had to sit on the couch for awhile.

Ava had her first school bus ride today. She went on a field trip with her class to Home Depot. She came home with her very own Bright Orange HD apron. Last night she was so excited about going on the school bus she was tightening up her entire body in anticipation. I said to her, "Wow- you don't seem very excited about going on the school bus tomorrow." She said, "I AM!!!" She was tired after school...she said it was from all the walking, but I bet it was mostly the excitement.

I repainted our bedroom yesterday- a lighter shade of tan than it was before. I still have part of a wall to do and a few touch ups, after Justin fixes the hole in the wall he made back in 2002.

Cute funnies

Yesterday on the drive home from the hardware store this song came on the radio:




Ava said, "Mom...this is Swimming Barbie's favorite song!"

Then as she was putting her flip-flops back on in the car she couldn't get one on. She was bending over and muttered, "Oh for the love of god." Cracked me up. I know I say that and "for the love of Christmas Pete" among other made up ones...

Pictures

I have added a new feature to the right titled "Pictures." Just click on any picture and it will take you to my Flickr page where I will now post photos. Enjoy!

Spoilt Plans

The paint I had for our bedroom must have frozen in the winter. I tried to break it up but it wasn't helping. I would go get another gallon of paint, but I have the chills and just want to lounge. I have laundry to do and books to read and kids to feed and raise anyway... It's cold and windy today, so the house will surely be a disaster by the time Justin gets home (as if it isn't on days they are outside all day...).

So on Wed. when Justin grilled the brats he came in from the backyard and said, "Guess whose kids I am watching again?" Our neighbor unloaded his kids on Justin while he puttered around his backyard. Uh NO... I am not good with confrontation or conflict so how am I supposed to deal with this taking advantage of ALL summer? So aggravating and wrong. The kids don't even interact.

I re-painted the doors and touched up the trim and certain places on the walls in the hallway yesterday. Everything is now one color. I wish we had normal non-painted wood doors, but I can't have everything my heart desires. Today I am going to wash our bedroom walls and possibly start painting. 2 years ago I picked out a different shade of tan to paint our room. It's about time I got on it.

Received Ava's class picture today. So darn cute. They spelled Ava's last name wrong. No, not putting an O where the E should be, rather they left out the U. Odd. Whatever...it doesn't matter.

I am hoping we can find and buy a bunk bed this weekend. It's supposed to be chilly on Saturday, so perhaps we can begin our mission when I get back from my meeting.

Not sure if the engineers of the family find humor in this video-

stuff

The girls are addicted to cheese sticks and gummies (fruit flavored chewy snacks).

I sunburned my chest yesterday...increasing my changes of chest skin cancer I guess. My face is quite sun-kissed as well. Oops.

This morning there were 2 ducks, who I am thinking had wandered up from the creek, in our front yard. It was an exciting 5 minutes for Mallory and the cats.

Going to grill brats for dinner tonight.

The girls current favorite show is The Land Before Time, which I keep getting mixed up with Land of the Lost. They role play: all the dinosaurs, all the time.

While Ava was at school, Mallory had to spend time in time out in her room. She managed to destroy the room. A Spit-Fire- that's Mallory. It was not o.k. for her to kick, hit and spit at me.

What gorgeous weather we are having! We spent a good chunk of time outside today. Once again, my girls are like boys- getting really dirty- and I am continually amazed at their imaginations. My allergies are raging though. I took some generic (Claritin knock-off) 24 hour thing and I can't tell if it's helping. My nose is stuffy AND runny and I woke up this morning with an extremely dry mouth due to sleeping with my mouth open. Charming I was not.

Our neighbor came over around 12:20, when we were in the front yard, asking if his kids could play over here... fine whatever. He then told me he was going to work on his car....sooooo he basically wanted me to watch his kids so he could dink around. I told him we were going inside at 1 to eat lunch so I took his kids back over to his house at that time. Is he going to do that ALL summer? *sigh*

Justin gets to go to Belgium and Italy in May...I guess I shouldn't say "gets to" as he is not super happy at his job right now. :(

Wow

I had the most amazing and relaxing weekend since, I think, Ava was born. No responsibility for anyone or anything other than myself. Sure, I've had a night off or a few hours here or there...even a trip to Vegas, which was ruined by a nasty cold, but I have never felt so slack jawed and calm- something that I think I've only experienced while sleeping until now. Suzanne and Brent were trying to convince me to stay longer, but I couldn't. I will go back out once their baby is born...that will be soon enough. And Justin and the girls survived without me for 56 hours. 56 luxurious responsibility free hours. Screw Calgon... Oh and the hostess of their shower served the most delicious cake in the world. I muttered "Wow" after the first bite and this guy who was walking past me at that moment asked, "Did I hear you say 'Wow?' It's really good isn't it?"

Stuffed

I am absolutely stuffed from the food I ate at McGrath's Fish House tonight with Jill.

Ava helped me make Apple Cinnamon Fiber One muffins today (from a box). I let her crack the eggs on the side of the bowl and everything.

I took Miss Mallory to the store with me today and bought her some new Tinkerbell sunglasses. She kept putting them on upside down.

I am missing a sandal that I'd like to take with me to Florida...must remember to look for it tomorrow.

How many times will Justin and the girls eat McDonalds while I am in Florida? I told A&M that he would get if for them once...so at least the one time.

Off to watch some mindless t.v.- young adults getting blotto and making out in hot tubs on Real World...

Just Kidding...

Check out this hilarious video. I don't know how she does it.

I've Come A Long Way, Baby

Today at my support group we celebrated 2 birthdays: my 1st year of sobriety and another woman's 2nd year. I got a balloon that said *Happy 1st Birthday.* LOL I feel so lucky to have found this group of women to hang out with every Saturday morning. They have been supportive beyond words. I am 80% positive that without this group I would not be here writing this today. I try to not think about where I would or wouldn't be had I not stumbled upon them the morning of April 16th.
I am thankful for Justin's support even though at times I know he doesn't understand me, because he is not me, though I am sure he likes the me today better than the me last year.
I am thankful for my kids- they keep me going every day. Without them, I think my journey might have been harder. I have learned how to embrace most moments of every day...something that was truly foreign to me in the past. I have more growing to do and I am honestly looking forward to it.

Well- I've gotta clean the house now. Justin is on a bike ride and Jill & Curt are coming down...they were supposed to come down last Saturday, but they had the flu. I hope they don't mind a half-ass clean house.

The other morning~Monday I think~ the girls got the plain yogurt out of the refrigerator and the blueberries out of the freezer. They were about to come ask me to defrost the berries in the microwave when I walked in the kitchen. I gladly obliged. Ava then told me that something from the freezer "wouldn't listen" so she had to put it in the fridge. I opened the fridge and right there on the top shelf was a pint of ice cream. I didn't know Ice Cream Pints had ears.

Have a bit of a headache this evening. Been feeling blah for a couple days. Having bad dreams. Also, the headache is part ear ache so I am sure I am now getting Justin's cold...but it's a minor one thankfully.

easier and free

It is easier to post stuff using this program. Before I had to save and then open another program to upload it to the internet. Here though, I just write and push "Publish Post" and it's immediate. Easy.

Today I heard from someone that Ava's school got funding for all day FREE Kindergarten. News to me. Apparently there will not even be half day kindergarten...hmmm... Not sure I was ready to have her gone that long so soon, but she will probably be thrilled to find out she gets to eat lunch at school a year earlier than we thought. Of course, I will believe it completely when I get the information from the school...until then I will take it as gossip/a rumor...although I have good sources. ;)

Justin has a cold. I've felt blech ill since Sunday- my taste buds are all screwy. Nothing tastes like it should and then food just sits in my stomach all hard and stuff. Annoying. The girls seem to be in good health. *knock on wood* With MY luck, I will get the cold as soon as I set foot in Florida. Ava is excited that Justin will be taking her to and picking her up from school next Friday.

Mmmm Soap

Mallory was washing her toothbrush (don't ask me why) and sucked water off of it and inhaled a bunch of hand soap. I told her to try and throw up, but all she would do is spit. She says her throat hurts. Ya think?

The girls are supposed to be picking up their room...but every time I open the door I catch them playing with Legos.

Horton Heard a Who

I took the girls to see Horton Hears a Who today. They were really well behaved and seemed to enjoy the movie.

I get to be a sub for Jennifer's Bunco group tomorrow night.

I am tired: Mallory woke up at 2:30...totally wet her bed- first time. I couldn't fall back asleep until 4:30. I always say I'm going to go to bed earlier, but I never seem to. Or I get in bed, but then read until the same time anyway. *shrug*

Life is Good

Ava had a great week at school. Each time I dropped her off she would choose an activity, go to the activity after quickly hugging me and not look back. Big improvement over the misty eyed goodbyes of a month ago. I hung around or peeked through the window and saw one particular girl hugging and talking to her. Awww...made my heart melt! The same girl is in her dance class and I saw them holding hands and stuff when they were in line to run and leap...
We grilled steaks for Justin's birthday dinner last night, accompanied by shrimp, twice baked potatoes, and asparagus. I threw in a chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.
Today I am going to my weekly meeting and the rest of the crew should be picking up/cleaning the house while I am gone. Jill, Curt & Co. are coming over for dinner this evening... Justin wants to go on a bike ride and a trip to the grocery store will be needed...but Mallory has been banned from all errands for the indefinite future. She threw 2 tantrums yesterday. This really puts a crimp in my activities...but I am tired of dealing with her issues in public like that.
At Ava's preschool yesterday a woman and I were discussing our 2nd children who will be attending the school next year and how it is our 2nd kids who are the wilder ones...we both agreed that we feel sorry for the teachers...we'll have to give them REALLY awesome gifts for Christmas and Teacher's Day...they will more than deserve whatever we get them. At least I don't have to worry that Mallory is the only spitfire next year... LOL

I am looking forward to my weekend trip to Tampa with Mom to attend Suzanne's baby shower in 2 weeks.

Life is good.

picture day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Justin!!

Today is picture day at Ava's school-individual and class. Should be interesting. After we pick her up we will go get Justin's present and cake.

Taking a Bath

This has made me tired.

Test

This is JUST a test...