Boys to Men

My first video upload

2008-12-15T23:38:00.000-08:00

I'm so behind the times.

This was a great day when we took the kids to a museum. They made these really funky cool hats.

Must . go . to . bed . now .

2008 in pictures

2008-12-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

A year has gone by since my last post. Amazing, but I admit, I pretty much just gave up on blogging completely. I was just surfing the net tonight and came across my blog in my Favorites and almost started a brand new one when I thought, hey, just pick up on the one you have. So, to continue the theme of my last blog, here is 2008 in pictures!

I insisted that we get a dog. Sunny came to live with us around February at 12 weeks old. She was much bigger than I thought she would be , but look how cute!

She just turned a year old this month. She is such a sweet Golden Retriever. We completed a beginning obedience course but haven't gone back for intermediate.

Aaron went for a "5 minute" bike ride before dinner one night in May on which he broke his right femur and had to have a metal rod surgically placed to fix it. It still hurts him a lot, poor thing. Amazingly, he has gotten back on his bike in the last month or so. He is a brave boy.

I attended my 20 year high school anniversary and found several old friends that I never dreamed I would see again. And, unfortunately, did not see some that I had hoped to.

The boys are still staying with the "Gospel Nanny" and it is working out okay. Lucas is struggling in school a bit right now. But, I trust we will make it through this tough patch.

And here we are out on the town one Sunday afternoon. If you look closely, you can see a couple of hooligans in the background. They are so silly!!

So, here is to a few more posts in 2009 and an altogether great year. Here's to bunches of family vacations, romantic trips, school functions, a wacky ideas: all good for blogging!

2007-12-27T18:19:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Day. We went out instead of cooking. It wasn't as satisfying as cooking for your family, but it sure was easy.

2007 in pictures

2007-12-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

My 3 Sons

Aaron right before his surgery --warning: the next pics are graphic!

Coming out of anesthesia

Sin bandages!!

Me Downtown

Oklahoma's Centennial Parade

Daniel driving in the cul-de-sac

Our 10th wedding anniversary weekend. We stayed in that cottage with horses roaming the area and our own pond to paddleboat in.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

It isn't until a day like today that I realize how much I miss my blogging, both reading them and writing this one. I've been reading, more like playing catch up, with the blogger girls and moms that I used to read. Haven't even tried to catch up with the guy bloggers. One has had a baby and another is co-writing a blog with the mother of her step-children. I'm impressed!!

So, for the New Year I have a couple of resolutions:
1. Wake up early and read the newspaper before work.
2. Blog more often and with more purpose.
3. Read more books.
4. Lose weight (ha ha, I always stick that one on for fun.)

Merry Christmas!!

Growing Boys

2007-07-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

There's Daniel. He is growing like crazy right under my nose. He walks, he talks, he bosses us all around. He loves money and he carries change around in his pockets. Pockets are such a boy thing, and Daniel has them figured out already. All small objects go in there, handy for any circumstances that call for a little guy to pull something completely unchildproof out and horrify everybody watching.

Summer has just blown by. I think we've all been robbed of a real summer this year. The kids got out of school late due to a hard winter, suffered record rainfall all summer so far, and go back to school on August 15th, which is just around the corner.

Aaron has been camping much of the summer away. He went to Falls Creek, Quartz Mountain, and Six Flags. He has an orchestra day camp starting the week before school starts, on top of surgery!! He is going to be worn out but I'm going to chronicle his corrective rhinoplasty here on the blog, starting with this "before" pic (my camera is sucking):

I don't know if it looks like much in these pics, but it narrows the passageway and looks dirty very often.

That covers everybody but Lucas. The Gospel Nanny has been staying home with him all summer long but she has been keeping a couple of additional kids along with him. He really liked having the friends to play with. This Friday I'm taking him to White Water.

Update

2007-04-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

Just checking in to see how my old friend the blog is doing. How are you, blog?

Lucas' visit to the ER turns out to have been the peanut butter scare.

Daniel got the tubes in his ears and started chatting more the very next day. It was amazing.

Aaron will, in all likelihood, have the corrective rhinoplasty this summer. We'll plan it around camp.

Still to come: pics of Lucas' first lost tooth. Oooh the excitement!

Is there a doctor in the house?

2007-02-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

3boyzdad is at the emergency room right now with Lucas. I've learned not to worry because this is 3boyzdad's habit. He has taken Lucas to the emergency room for a number of symptoms in the past, including a stomach ache and one imaginary rash. It was so funny one evening when Lucas was a baby and my mom fed him a strawberry. 3boyzdad ran Lucas to the hospital for fear he would swell up and stop breathing. Lucas was actually having no reaction at all.

I don't remember what it was we took him for one day when Lucas just would not stop crying. Persistently, he cried for over an hour in the ER until one of the nurses blew up a rubber glove and drew a face on it. Then, he was fine. Clearly, some treatments just can't be administered at home. A couple of years ago we took him for a stomach ache and he was diagnosed with constipation. That's what I got when we had to pay that bill!

Then there was the dog bite on Lucas' nose. That was when Daniel was just home from the hospital and we all ran to the ER in a panic. The doctor taped the wound shut and told us whatever we did, DO NOT REMOVE THE TAPE. Yes, that lasted about 30 minutes.

So, I wonder what the outcome of tonight's visit will be. I predict a spastic colon brought on by ER waiting room sufferage and the treatment will include losing some weight (in the pocket book area) and don't call anybody in the morning...no one cares. Oh, that diagnosis was for 3boyzdad. I bet Lucas has a 24 hour stomach flu and the doctor is going to say drink lots of water and get lots of rest.

But, when it rains, it pours, you know. Daniel is scheduled to get tubes in his ears this Friday morning. A study recently came out saying that no long term benefit in terms of speech or development were documented as a result of having tubes put in. That made us pause before scheduling this surgery, but I think there are short term benefits. We've has six back to back ear infections and Daniel has been on some kick-butt antibiotics over the last 8-10 months. I'd really like to see that trend broken. I'll post how the procedure goes.

And as long as we are seeing the ear, nose & throat doc for Daniel, I went ahead and scheduled a consultation for Aaron's deviated septum. It will require surgery to correct, I'm sure. So, tomorrow is just a look-see and talk over what the surgery would entail. I know Aaron wants to have it done because he has spent many years now with his nose not looking quite right. Sometimes you look and think maybe its dirty, but its not ( or it's "snot" ha ha). But, he is also a little scared and intimidated by the thought of having a surgery.

Caramel Apple Bliss

2007-01-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

You have to try the caramel apple cider at Starbucks...it is so good.

2007-01-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

I've just been so busy lately. I've been getting settled in at my new job, learning the mechanics of how everything works. I will say I'm so lonely at work. It is such a small office and everybody comes and goes freely. Plus, I'm not too friendly with anybody, yet, so I often go to lunch alone and even end up alone in the office for much of the day. So, if my regular lunch pals see this, yes, I will be calling for lunch dates regularly!

I started school this week. This class could be interesting or it could be a flop, we'll see.

I took Aaron for a physical today so he can play golf at school. He had to "drop 'em and cough" as they say. He was sooooo embarrassed! He said, "Mom, she TOUCHED me!" I sang, "Touched for the very first time...."

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

2006-12-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

Whew, finals ended.

The house is decorated for Christmas and I have to get all my shopping done this week. Which won't take long because it only takes so long to spend the certain amount of money we have allotted for this yuletide season!

Three companies I interviewed with last week are supposed to make a decision this week. I'm on pins and needles. One would be almost exactly like the work I did before, so there is a comfort level there. One would be working with our downtown. That one could be super fun, plus I would feel much more involved with my city and events, etc. The other one is for a produce company in another city. Their office is dingy and it smells like onions.

Alas, none of them may choose me, which is fine. I'm still applying. Still looking, honing the interview skills. I won't panic for a few more weeks.

I also recommitted myself to a diet today. 1500-1700 calories per day. I'm done with the krispy kremes on the counter, the kids will have to finish those off. Also, I made coconut, pineapple, cream cheese balls just yesterday, but no more for me. I started a list last night of all the foods I will allow myself and another one of foods I won't allow myself. The second one is pretty short because I don't think it's a good idea to just deny yourself a bunch of stuff. If I said I'm never going to eat ________ again, it wouldn't be long before I just had big binge of that very item.

I hope you are all ready for the holidays in whatever way you celebrate. Take time to slow down and really enjoy something or someone you've put off for a while. You won't regret it.

Bullies

2006-12-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Aaron has been bullied by the same boy for , oh, I'd say a good two years now. This big bad bully has done everything from taking pencils away from Aaron to stealing books from him to punching him in the stomach for "bumping into" another student. Last year, in junior high, we talked with the principals and Mr. big bad bully was brought in for a conference. Aaron said things improved for a long time after that. But, now we are back to the same problems in high school with the same boy. Aaron tip toes around the school trying to avoid b.b.b. (bid bad bully), but there is no avoiding him on the bus ride home.

Yesterday, Aaron came home reporting that b.b.b. hit him in the back of the head over and over on the bus. This is where I recommend the entire world always assume you are being watched, because we are! In this case, I'm glad, because it was all caught on video tape and b.b.b is suspended. Frankly, I hope it puts a terrible hardship on his parents and he gets in big trouble...I mean learns how to treat people kindly.

I found a couple of websites that might be useful for other people in the same situation:

http://www.bullystoppers.com/

http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/

The final crunch

2006-12-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

It is almost over! How long have I been saying that? Well, it's true. One more, single solitary class for the spring semester and I am done. Well, unless I decide to get my master's. But, done, really.

I'm officially looking for a job now. It is funny because I spent the last 8 months scared I would get a job. Now I'm terrified that I will NOT get one. Ugh. Life.

2006-12-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is how Kiki and I finally compromised and shared the mouse tonight.

2006-12-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Just a blurry pic of Daniel and Lucas in their room playing. They play together really well. Daniel imitates EVERYTHING Lucas does. This is their "house", it is really supposed to be bunk beds with the bottom bunk being perpendicular to the top one. I think it is cooler this way. Lucas sleeps on top and Daniel still sleeps in his crib. He hasn't figured out how to climb out, yet. :-0

The very long weekend

2006-12-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend started back on Thursday when we had our first snow, a doozy, which closed down my school, Aaron and Lucas' school, and Daniel's daycare. It felt more like the twilight zone, a terrible joke played on a frazzled mom and the punch line never came. Oh, not that bad, but I swear the dishes are alive and they secretly multiply behind my back so that I will never have a chance of getting them all clean.

Furthermore, I can't seem to ever have enough of the right kinds of foods on hand. Lucas, who used to eat pretty well rounded meals, now declares all but pasta and ice cream "YUCKY!" Daniel doesn't want to sit at the table anymore, opting instead to eat on the run, that being around the living room furniture.

But, alas, it is Sunday evening, I'm blogging instead of studying all is well.

2006-11-26T09:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Daddy's birthday. We ate at the Cheescake factory:

Then, we mosied around the mall while we waited for the movie. Here he is with his feet stuck in a foot/calf massager at Brookstone. It was squeezing his feet:

He was such a hoot hanging on for dear life while I pushed the buttons making it squeeze more and more. By the way, that thing is awesome. I used it, too, it vibrates and massages. Our feet felt completely revived after just a few minutes.

2006-11-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

I entered this pic in an online baby photo contest at LandsEnd.com/baby.

Today...

2006-11-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

~ I found out one of my professors is pregnant, this after my law professor died last weekend
~ My family did not see me all day long because I was at school
~ During the critique of my mock interview I found out I have a "soft" handshake
~ There was a police chase on my street. Apparently the suspects did not realize they turned onto a cul de sac...must move.
~ I baked two cakes for the school carnival tomorrow, after 11:30pm
~ I ate frosting out of the container

2006-11-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

I went to the library to study today and recognized so many people. It makes me realize how long I've lived here and how rooted I am in this community.
-My neighbor across the street was there with her two kids. She didn't say hello, but her kids did. She is a little stand-offish. Don't know why, because anytime we have ever talked she was super nice.
-The doctor at an after hours clinic where I took Daniel just yesterday was there reading. Now, what a catch he must be. Nice, young doctor with nothing to do but sit in a library reading, seemingly for enjoyment. He wasn't hunched over his material like I was!!
-A girl that grew up across the street from my grandmother works at the check out counter and always says hi and asks how my mother is.
-A mother of three girls that go to the same school as Aaron and to whom I've been waving hello since 1998 was there.
-The Carls Jr manager that I go to for a jelly biscuit and a coke was there using the internet. Why can't he hook up with the book checker-outer that I know? Assuming, of course, that he is single.

The library is a very small one and they have recently intalled more internet-accessible computers for public use. That is great, people really use them a lot. The bad thing is the computers got put on some of the precious few tables and right among the other available tables where people like me are studying our hearts out. The internet users are often just surfing and wearing headphones listening to music. The music, even through the headphones, is just absolutely unbearable. The library powers-that-be really need to work out a better solution.

2006-10-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Meet Ace and Derrick. Ace is the sold white rat, fancy rat, that is. Aaron was given Ace by a friend. It took a lot of convincing for us to let him keep him. Then, I read that rats are much better off when they have a cage mate. So, I took Lucas to the pet store where he picked out Derrick. And, hey, I had nothing to do with picking the names.

I'm selling stuff on e-bay again. Just thought I would supplement the ole student loans with some cash.
Here is Daniel's PJs listed at $.99. Such a bargain!

2006-10-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

I started this book yesterday and it is off to pretty good start. It's about a busy mom in England that also has a pretty demanding job. She is a hedge accountant, which means she manages risk associated with foreign currency investments. We just covered this topic in my advanced accounting class, so it will be interesting to see if I have any insight throughout the story.

Aaron's Smoking and my blog is messed up

2006-10-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

After that last tacky post, I'm sure I had this coming. Aaron has been so curious about smoking lately. Everytime he gets mad at me, he spitefully retorts, "I'm gonna start smoking!" Oh yeah, he knows how to get to me! I came home yesterday to find him sitting pretty on the couch, all freshly showered, cologned, combed and calm. I asked him why he showered in the middle of the day...no reason, he says. But I knew. I knew in my gut he had been smoking. And he admitted it to me. This has to stop pronto. 3boyzdad and I have discussed what we should do, but we don't know. Do we make him smoke a pack, one after the other and hope it turns him off? I'm opting for showing immense disappointment in his choice.

My blog is going through puberty right now. That's why the side bar is messed up. I upgraded it to beta---whatever that means, and I deleted the annoying Hurricane Katrina ad at the top and ever since, the sidebar hasn't cooperated.

I'm about to be mean here.....

2006-10-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

On the topic of school and the funny people you meet there, there is another person in a couple of my classes that is noteworthy. This is an older lady with a smoker's hack to beat all smoker's hacks.

I'm all for going back to school to better one's self, mind, job enrichment, etc. And all under the banner of you-are-never-too-old. It's true, you absolutely can't start to improve your mind or body too late. No matter what you choose to do, it will improve your overall life, I believe. So what makes this person any different? Well, my guess is she is too far gone, lung-wise, for much improving to be cost effective. And it's not like she 'used to' smoke. Oh no, she comes into class with a cloud of smoke enveloping her. Her poor voice sounds like it's been raked over bed of knives. 'Nuff said. And you know how we end a blog that rags on somebody? .....Bless her heart!

Happy Birthday Lucas!

2006-10-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

6 Years Old!

This just happens to be his cake-tasting finger!!

Warning! Please read before considering having children!

2006-10-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

Just beware. That's all I'm saying. It may not happen to you. I didn't think it would happen to me when I was young and naive, thinking I wanted lots of children to love all day.

Me, before children:

And after:

So sad!

This is a picnic....not a tea party!

2006-10-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

2006-09-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

http://danielmcvicar.blogspot.com

I just found this guy today. He is neat. Check him out!

My TO DO list:

1. Read more history
2. Get passports for the whole family
3. Learn how to vlog

2006-09-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Dreams

Lucas is scared of his dreams, all of a sudden. Sunday morning he came and got in bed with me, whimpering about a bad dream. I just snuggled him for a while. Later in the day, he brought it up several times. It must have been a pretty bad one, poor guy. So last night, he tried to stay awake so he wouldn't have any dreams. And for him, staying awake is not a problem. It was about midnight when he finally drifted off! Well, this morning he comes and gets in bed with me and says with his little lisp..."Mommy, my dream was disgusthting!" What a word! I didn't know he even knew it. Wonder what bedtime will be like tonight....

School

There are lots of characters at school that I think deserve some print time here. Students and instructors, alike. I don't buddy up with very many people at school. I guess I'm more of a loner, plus I'm much older than most of the day students.

We'll start with my commercial law class. The instructor, an absolute dinosour, is no joy to learn from. He walks in the room without ever addressing the class, turns and writes the days lesson on the chalk board, in cursive, in outline form. Mind you, we already have the text and an outline that he told us to purchase additionally. Once it took him 45 minutes of class time to do this.

In said law class, we have a student I'll call Mr. Suspicious. He always looks disbelievingly at Mr. Dinosour, as if the book can't be right. Mr. Suspicious asks questions like, "And how does that reconcile with what we just learned in the last chapter about bailments?" I just want to shake him and tell him he is probably not going to be the one guy that makes Mr. Dinosour and the rest of the legal field realize they've been operating under a misunderstanding of the universal commercial code. But, he'll just have to come to that realization himself one day.

Brand new habit

2006-09-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

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I've been weaning Daniel off the bottle since he was just a little over 12 months. Now he is 17 1/2 months old. Why is it taking so long? Because 3boyzdad won't stop giving him a "tete" to go to sleep at night!! I tell him he's the one hooked on the bottle, not Daniel. Well, one night I substituted the pacifier, or "chupo" in español, and to my surprise, it is Daniel's new go-anywhere accessory!

2006-09-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

Daniel and Grandma at Lake Murray over the Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day. Aaron at the paintball field. He had a BLAST!

He took a shot to the mask!

2006-08-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here is Aaron at one of his recent golf lessons. I think he really enjoyed playing this summer. His last lesson is tomorrow. Then, he will also take Golf as an elective at school after Christmas. I wonder how that is going to work.

My mom and I are taking the kids camping next weekend for Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, there won't be rain like this weekend! We pulled the RV out and filled it up with gas. I think the idle is low because it is dying at the stop signs, but otherwise, it's good to go.

2006-08-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here is Chewy decorating the furniture last night. He is at the vet right now getting f-i-x-e-d. Shhhhhh. We didn't tell him anything about it.

2006-08-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Today I got a "gift" from one of my cats. Lucas went outside to play and there on the front porch was a carefully placed dead bird. I hope this doesn't become a habit. ...Off to clean it up...

2006-08-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've made some permanent changes in my eating habits, so I thought I would list them here.

1. Changed from regular butter and margarine to fat free. There is one called Promise. It tastes okay. Parkay has a fat free spray-on that has the fake taste of buttered popcorn. It gets me by. It is worth it because I'm saving 7 to 9 fat grams per tablespoon which probably translates into an average of 12 to 18 fat gram savings per day when you think of buttering a roll or two with dinner and maybe having a toast with jelly in the morning.

2. I've tried to kick the coke habit (the cola kind) but it has been tough. I love the first few sips of a cold fresh coke. I found some cola can plastic tops so that you can "close" the can and put it back in the fridge. It saves the fizz a bit better than just sticking an open can in there. So now one 12 oz can of coke can easily lasts me all day. This way I don't feel obligated to drink the whole thing at once.

3. I'm reading nutrition labels and I found this website that has every food imaginable in different portions to measure calories, fat, and protein. It also has a "pantry" where you can save what you've eaten during the day and it will keep a running total. Pretty cool.

4. My portion control has really improved since I started writing down what I was eating. I haven't written it down for a while, but after doing it for over a week or so at the beginning I learned about what I could eat during the day. When I'm starving I eat cereal, fruit or graham crackers. I eat a Lean Cuisine every once in a while because that takes all the guess work out of what I'm eating. If I eat whatever the family is eating for a meal, I know I have to keep the main portion size to about a cup.

5. I changed from 2% milk to 1%. Can't even tell the difference.

Biking and Bonding

2006-08-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

As I write this my hands and knees are throbbing with pain. Blood is hardened on my kneecaps. My right wrist feels terribly sprained...actually feels broken, but it still moves and the fingers are typing this almost as fast as usual.

Aaron and I went on our first "bike and bond" ride tonight. We were clipping along with ambitions to go all the way around Lake Overholser. The sun was giving way, finally letting the 100 degree temps fall into the high 90's. The wind was blowing through the hair on our non-helmetted heads. We stopped a couple of times to lake gaze and also check out the new playground the city has built on the West side. It is too cool, lots of slides and fun things for little ones to do. We got back on the bikes and headed out for the last stretch home.

The sun was setting now and I was telling Aaron how Lake Overholser used to just be for drugs and making out but now it is getting so beautiful and useful. There were many bikers out there, lots of couples walking across the dam, just gazing and talking. A few dog walkers, and of course, the everpresent fisherpeople. We laughed and I challenged him to a race which lasted all of about 5-10 seconds. He claimed victory as soon as he had a gain on me.

Then, I saw it. I thought about it. I wondered what the best plan of action would be. I chose to do nothing and when my bike and its inexperienced rider failed to go over the huge, metal hose across the middle of the bike trail I was thrown forward, my bike screeched to a halt and the handlebars flipped around twice. My face was spared the pavement by my hands, my knees were not spared. My whole left arm hit the pavement but didn't come out any worse for the wear.

I thought I was ruined plus my bike wouldn't budge. I figured it was trashed. I called for 3boyzdad to come get me, but he didn't answer. I tried my mom, no answer. Turns out, they were talking to each other! Aaron figured out that my handlebars just needed to be straightened back out. I got on and moaned all the way home about how much my wrist hurts and that I think I may need an X-ray. He reminded me that when he thought his foot was broken I just told him to give it time, it would get better. I explained that since I couldn't feel his foot it wasn't a pressing matter to me, but I could feel my wrist! Aren't I terrible.! It is hard to feel someone else's pain.

Lesson of the day: Wear your helmet, and when you fall off your bike, get right back on.

2006-08-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

I got a new bike today! I'm so pumped. It is a Schwinn from a bike shop...as opposed to Walmart. I plan to supplement my two workouts a week with a couple of hours of bike riding. The cool thing is the city is working on connecting downtown, Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner all together via bike trails. How fun! I went out today and rode to Lake Overholser from my house and back. The trails there were great so now I just have to work up my stamina. Craziest thing, though, I took the bike out this evening just for the pic and it already has a flat! I'm taking that tire into the shop tomorrow.

2006-08-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

This is Callie trying to drink the fishy water!

Had to take Daniel to the Dr. yesterday for a serious ear infection. He got antibiotics and is already much better. Lucas goes today for his 5 year check up. I think there will be a shot involved! Lucas is actually really looking forward to school starting. Two weeks to go.

Later.

2006-08-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today was finals for the summer semester. Wahoo! It's over for me until August 21st. I know I made an A on my Finance final and an A for the class. And for Management I know I had an A before the final, but I spent all my precious study time on Finance. So management will either be an A or a B.

I spoke to the department chair about graduation and it sounds like I'm on track for graduating in the Spring. I have to get my transcript certified by my advisor, then apply for graduation. I talked to her about the Masters program. It is a new program for the school, there are seven broad business courses to take, none with as much homework as an upper level accounting course.

3boyzdad (whom I'm thinking of renaming Tenderheart because he can't stand to watch such things as Andrea Yates, or imagine taking a stray cat to the pound) started his new job at Dell on Monday and says everyone is really nice and he thinks he is going to like it fine. Their office will have a gym and they will pay him for doing things like joining a walking group and quitting smoking. It does sound like a super structured environment but otherwise very good.

I'm just a busy fireman taking a lunch break!

2006-07-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Summer of Watermelon

2006-07-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

We have eaten so much watermelon this summer, about one a week since they came into season. We cut it up and put it in the refrigerator, then I salt mine. YUM!

Lucas went to the grocery store with me tonight and he was soooo good. Stayed right with me the whole time, no screaming or crying. Huge step for mankind we are talking about here.

Daniel has the big light bulb on over his head. It is like he just all of a sudden knows where everything goes. I had the dishwasher open the other day and he threw his cup in. Give him the phone and he dials, puts it to his ear and then walks around babbling. A hairbrush goes straight to his head, toothbrush straight to his mouth. Just a little walking genius, he is.

Last of all, here is a pic of the fish that I have apparently raised from just a little fry. Whoever his parent was has died, but he is going strong. My tank is going through some issues (some little angel dumped the food packet in) and I've had to restock the fish.

2006-07-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

This week brought a big hiccup in my life plan. I went on a job interview. A couple of weeks ago I applied to an anonymous company on Craigslist with the same expectation as all the other jobs I've applied to......nothing. They called. I ignored. They emailed. I responded. They called for an interview. I went. I actually went thinking it was probably a scam because of the salary they advertised in the ad. I figured if they were calling me, then they wanted $100 for the start up kit. Know what I mean? Turns out, it is a legitimate audit company that recognized the company I used to work for and wants my background for a contract audit job. The catch is they pay commission only for recovery audit work. Could be big money, could be no money. Flexible schedule as I would be independant. The client they are working on now is expected to last about 6 months. Could be work after that, maybe not. Lots of variables, some risk. I've been thinking about it for the last 24 hours and virtually nothing else.

Work outs are going well. My trainer gave me a diet to follow and I think it is already working. I'm supposed to stay at 1400 calories and 31 fat grams. I haven't ever hit the mark exactly, but each day I get closer. Learning how to space your food over the day is a big challenge. Have to be careful or all your fat grams are used up at breakfast. Also, it is a "on three days, off one day" type deal. The idea is to always keep your body guessing what's going on. If you consistently eat low fat and calories, the body will figure out your game plan and start conserving calories. It's the same with the workout. We never do the same thing two workouts in a row because a routine workout gives your body a chance to conserve.

Now for my gripe of the week. I wanted to join Aaron in his golf lessons for the last few weeks of his summer session. This is a kids class but it isn't full and I figured I would be a bargain for the instructor to just let me sit in on the classes and learn along with the kids. Well, long story short, one of the other moms objected to me taking the class. I'm not sure why but I am probably not objective at all. I rationalize that the class is not full and I would surely take less instructor time than an additional youth. So, why?

Okay, now for some interaction. I know several of you have taken really cool vacations this summer. Or you are headed on a cool vacation. E-mail me your favorite vacation pic to jessicag361@cox.net along with a note about where you are, etc. and I'll post them on the blog. Put "blog" in the subject line for me. Fun, huh!

Life's a Parade

2006-07-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July all! Nice long weekend, lovin' it!

I went to see Superman last night and it was very good. I won't give anything away here in my review so you are safe to read on. Man, is Superman just the sexiest or what!! And what makes him so drastically sexy? Body of steel? Eyes of blue? 6'4" build? Never tells a lie? Flies? All of these things help, but I think it is his ability to protect. Nothing makes a girl fall in love like feeling safe in a man's care. Superman does it through strength, but Donald Trump does it through money. Security can be from lots of different things. 3boyzdad makes me feel safe because I know he is loyal and dependable. That's what makes him so loveable, that and his accent. Hee hee.

Well, that was last night. Today was Beauty and the Beast at Lyric Theatre and I have to say they did an excellent job. I feel completely qualified to judge because I saw Beauty and the Beast live on Broadway (or was it "off" Broadway? Wherever, it was in Manhatten somewhere!) several years ago. It was awesome, truly awesome then. I took Aaron and he must have been younger than 10, maybe even 8. He loved it. It was a great experience for him. So anyway, Lyric did a really nice job, the stage was beautiful and the costumes were great. It ran a little long in my opinion, but then, I'm always in a hurry to get somewhere. Well, I compared 3boyzdad to Superman, shall I compare him to the Beast, too? I'm sure I could find similarities, if not just in morning breath. But, alas, I shall take the higher road and liken him to the Prince the Beast becomes after he learns how to love and be loved. I'm so sweet.

Well, actually, I do have a funny story to tell about old 3boyzdad. Years ago I used to tease him that someday in public I'm going to embarrass him. It will go something like this: We'll be sitting side by side waiting for our number to be called. There will be several other people in this lobby or whatever it is. He will turn to me just to say something or make a point and I will throw my hands up like I'm guarding my face. I'll do this like it's a gut reaction and I'm scared of him. I don't know why I think this is so funny, but it has cracked me up thinking about it for years. I'm sure I wouldn't think it half as funny if him hitting me were an actual possibility. Well, his new thing all of a sudden is to give me my way just to "keep me from throwing a fit". He says this in such a way that a stranger would think I throw house rocking, tizzie fits if I don't get my way. So goes life at our house but we march on.

New project: Sorting pictures
Last project: Cleaned/Organized garage.
Next project: Maybe the yard. It's getting messy.

Long time no blog

2006-06-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Time goes fast when you are having fun. Rah Rah, I love summer!

This weekend I've been cleaning and organizing the garage. It is so much better! All the doorways are unblocked and lots of junk is in the trash.

I went house looking with my mom and her friend today and although it is still too early for me to actually consider moving, we found an awesome house. Almost 3000 square feet with all kinds of rooms, extra living areas, storage areas, etc. I love to look. But, it is a waste of energy until I'm really ready, so I won't look again for a long time.

The other day while driving home I was just surrounded by loud booming music coming from other cars. At first I thought it was just one, but then it must have been joined by another one. So, I was sitting at a stop light and this insanely loud vibrating booming just surrounds me. Well, I couldn't just drive on, noooooo. I figured out the car must have been behind me so I slowed down to 30 mph. Trying to get my disdain across to them, but really only causing myself to have to listen to it longer. At the next light I tried to give evil eyes and honked at one car that I thought it was. Then, I finally made a turn so I thought I would lose it, but no, the booming noise still followed me. The culprit pulled around me to pass me with his window down, so I honked again. I guess that is one way to know you are getting old, honking at young kids with loud music!

Boo Hoo

2006-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am such a big baby!

As I lazed around in bed this morning flipping through the channels I realized I must have cried on 80% of the segments I watched. Stuff like Jan Brady deciding it is better not to be an only child, a deaf man who overcame polio as a child celebrating 20 years on the same job, TLC's bringing a baby home from the hospital (again and again), and more all make me tear up. When 3boyzdad and I watch TV together, Grey's Anatomy for instance, he makes fun of me because I'm crying half the time. Aaah crying...it's a great release anyway.

School is trucking along, first test is Monday. Finance is for weenies. Yes, you heard me. Accountants are the real heavyweights. FINANCE IS FOR WEENIES!
But I must say I'm enjoying going to school during the day. Commuters, like myself, really don't make much use of the university. We just screech into parking spot, run to class and peel out for home. But students that have time, say a lunch break between classes, might actually sit in the nice quiet cafeteria by the calm pond with geese leading their babies around. It's a great place to do homework.

Additionally, I find myself communicating with the professors during their office hours more. It makes me feel like more than a number, that is of course if the professor is personable also. No, I don't go chat. Strictly business, but business that would either be rushed after class or ignored altogether had I not the time to step into their office and work it out. This is good.

Summer School

2006-06-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Summer school started this week, so naturally, I added a new house project, too. I am painting my living room floor. The project is going pretty well, amazingly easy. When I'm done I'll post the pics.

My professors for this summer are very unimpressive! One might turn out to be okay, but so far has had diarhea of the mouth and chronic technical problems. The other is a newbie with a plunging neckline. Gag me.

More projects in the house are getting accomplished little by little. One major hall closet is 1/2 done which led to a huge freecycle bonanza. Then, my home desk got 1/2 done today, leading to a filing bonanza. Blah!

Lucas asked for one of those big round flat lollipops a few days ago, and I saw them today at the Cracker Barrell. So, I brought him one home for a surprise. He calls them lodipops (low-dee-pops). Cute!

My workouts are getting more and more intense. Yesterday, while I'm running stairs, hopping on one foot, long jumping, etc. other people with personal trainers are stretching and rolling around with exercise balls. One lady commented, "She's crawling!" My trainer says I'm getting the better workout with better results. I think he hates me.

New Book Club

2006-05-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.bookcrossing.com/home

Check this link out. People from all over the world read books then leave them out in a public place for someone else to find, read and release. The books get an ID number which tracks it for the rest of its life. Pretty cool. Join the fun with me!

Life!

2006-05-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Life has been going on, not slowing down for a second. Aaron and Lucas have "graduated" from their respective grades and summer is in full force. Ranking high for Aaron is that his "real" dad(whoever thought of calling the biological dad "real" was high!) showed up for his eighth grade send off, then wisked him away to Lake Tenkiller for the holiday weekend. After seeing them together in this pic (along with his grandmother on that side, too), I concende that Aaron does have some of my features afterall. Aaron is signed up for private violin lessons this summer to ready himself for high school orchestra and competitions. He is planning to participate in an extra curricular orchestra called Silver Strings that actually performs for money. The money goes for a big trip at the end of the school year. Then, he is also signed up for golf lessons, which I think I might take a few along with him. Everyone should know how to hit a few balls, right?

Here is a pic of the aquarium I started. Crazy, I know. The scuba man was chosen by Lucas.

Right here is a picture of a Mickey Mouse Platy. Can you see why?

In case you are ever faced with the delimma of how to wear two pairs of underwear at the same time.

And here is a big boy playing in the sprinkler. As you can see, his feet slipped out from under him a couple of times.

2nd time for two posts in one day!

2006-05-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

I started a rock garden at the end of the driveway. It is just an afterthought, so I need to check out pics of real ones to see what I need to make it pretty. Right now, it consists of one rock, a succulent plant and some ground cover. And, it is far away from the hose, so I have to make a conscious effort to unwind the hose almost to the end, stretch it over there and water it often.

Daniel has just been ordered by his pediatrician to kick the bottle. I have been giving him only two bottles a day to help him slowly replace them with the cup. He was down to three, anyway. So far, he is not impressed. Whole milk is his least favorite, apple juice gets a few sips taken. On the other hand, he will suck the bottom out of the cup if there is Coke in it!

Mother's Day

2006-05-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've had a great mother's day just being with my mom and my kids today. At one point we were in the car and all three boys were in the backseat and I just looked back there and thought how great my little brood is. They are such cool, fun kids.

When does the DaVinci code come out? I'm currently listening to the book on audio in my car. So far, I'm on chapter 6. It is a good listen. When I'm done, I'll see the movie.

Watched Mission Impossible III tonight and it was good. I like Tom Cruise in this role, it is adventurous and fast moving. I just don't question the logic of the movie, just accept it for the entertainment it is. It's a fun ride.

Still not done with the living room! It is taking longer than I anticipated. Maybe I'll get done with the painting tomorrow, but I have some important errands to run, so it's a big maybe.

My mom is flying out Tuesday to Connecticut to be with my sister for her graduation. She is graduating with her associate's degree. The news gets even better...she not only has been accepted at all three colleges she applied to, but she has been awarded a full scholarship at the one she most wanted to attend, Wellesley. Go, Morgan!

2nd post in one day!

2006-05-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

That is Aaron and me on the trike last weekend. We drove out to Lake Thunderbird with my parents and their friends that were visiting. I had a blast driving it again. It has been two years since the last time because of being pregnant one year, then having a tiny infant the next year.

Hostas in my flower garden.

2006-05-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

I started painting the living room since I'm between semesters. Here is the before....

Here is the after. Yellow is my new favorite color. I used a colorwashing technique that actually required three colors. As you can see, I'm not finished.

I swear I'm going to blog more. I just found another lady's blog and she blogs about general things and includes pics of everywhere she goes and things she sees. I'm going to do that, too! If she has a talent, she posts a how-to with a pic. Love it!

Have you seen Flight 93? Blah! Read my lips... No new information! Hello! It seems like the way to honor victims of terror is to relive the trajedy with them. Yuck. It is the same at the Murrah Museum in Oklahoma. I just think the movie would have been much better if it could have focused on the people instead of the acts.

I took Lucas and Daniel to the park yesterday and Lucas found a boy his own age to play with and they were so cute! Lucas would pretend like he was falling down the slide and call for the other boy to come save him. Then, they would cross the "falling bridge" together, barely making it across, of course.

Domino, the mama kitty, has been such a companion lately. Everywhere I go, there she is under my feet. The search is on for the best kitty litter. The cat litter is currently in my bathroom, which opens up to my bedroom, right at the bed. We are very aware of which ones do not work!

So far, I have three work outs per week going on. I just added the third one recently. I don't think I've lost more than a pound or two, but we will measure next week to see for sure. I did pull out a couple of capri pants that were too small and they fit well, so we'll see! I keep thinking surely I can add a couple of walks per week to the mix. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Did I mention yet that Lucas started play therapy? Well, he has had one session. This pastor that specializes in children does this program where he sets up a room full of "expressive" toys and watches or plays with the kids. The premise is that kids work out their problems through play. Makes sense, although I don't think Lucas has any problems or "trauma" per se to work through. I peeked into the window to see what they were playing since I know Lucas doesn't care for coloring, drawing, etc. There was the pastor weilding a sword. Let me tell you, Lucas had a blast. A grown up playing swords with him for 45 minutes, must have been pure bliss for the little guy.

Freecycle, Baby!

2006-04-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

I had a great lunch with the girls (you know who you are, girls) and was reminded I'm not writing as much as I should. Writing is hard work!! We had a great lunch in a new restaurant on Western Ave called Cafe Nova. Super Chic! I loved the atmosphere.

You know I'm a Freecycler, right? Well, I've given a few little, pretty unvaluable things away on Freecycle over the last year. Last week I cleaned out the little one's closet and put aside for Freecycle some clothes that I didn't think were worth saving. I posted them and had an immediate answer from someone about to be a grandma that wanted the clothes.

While I was waiting for the grandma to come pick them up, I thought and thought about the big box of gorgeous baby clothes in the garage waiting for me to come up with the time to Ebay them. I simply don't have time to Ebay anything and I just really wanted the clothes to go to someone who would especially appreciate them. Not certain that a stranger from Freecycle would be as grateful as I thought they should be (would they cry, or at least sniffle with appreciation?) I struggled with keeping them in the garage, benefitting no one, or giving them to this expectant grandma. Finally, I drug them to the front door to hand over. But, very sneakily, I hid them around the corner until I saw her to decide to give them up. Why, I don't know!! It had to be somebody that really needed them!

Well, I gave them up and I hope the new baby and family enjoy them as much as I did. I took a lot of pride in dressing Daniel everyday in a special outfit that came from friends, family, and of course, the sale rack at Dillards!

All of this to say that yesterday I posted a wanted ad on Freecycle for a stroller. I have the umbrella kind which is good for airports only. And I also have this big big stroller that is a combo with an infant carseat. Daniel has outgrown the carseat and the stroller is just a bit big for our needs now, so I asked the Freecycle world for a stroller of medium size with two cup holders and a basket. It's free, might as well be picky. Well, I got a response just a few hours later from a mom offering me her stroller that she barely ever used! I went and picked it up tonight and it is great. So cool! I'm going to Freecycle the old carseat and stroller combo for someone else now.

Big News! Aaron has a new friend!! Most of you know about B, Aaron's best friend in the whole world. B is okay but I'm so happy that Aaron has found James, a boy from school that also lives within walking distance. They have spent a couple of afternoons together at James' house and now Aaron gets up early all by himself to ride the bus to school with James. Soon, I hope to have James over to get to know him a little better. Of course, Aaron is still best buds with B. That may never change. I'm just glad to see him broaden his horizons.

Here are some pics of exactly what my family is doing right now (10:35pm, Friday night):

Daniel is sleeping in his bed. He fell asleep in the car on the way home from eating, thus no pajamas. He has one single sock on and no covers which is how he ends up no matter how many times we fix him.

Lucas is in his "bed" on the couch, clearly not sleeping. He has been relegated to the couch for the last several nights because his new game is to laugh and carry on to wake up Daniel.

And where is Aaron?? B's house, of course. It is Friday night so he is with his buddy. But we can still derive some information from this telling shot. This is the "picked up" version of his room...since everything you see on his bed started out on the floor, how can I argue?

Here's 3boyzdad, still drinking coffee. It's never too late for a cup of Joe!! Notice, shoes and socks still on, shirt still tucked in, completely together until time for bed. Sometimes I come home and put my PJs on at 6pm. Not him, no way.

Domino had her kittens about 3 weeks ago. This picture doesn't really show off how sweet they are. She had them in a box of toys in the garage one day. They were so precariously situated in the box I was afraid they would fall between the toys. So, I set her up in my bathroom with litter, food, water and a cozy blanket. She stayed there with them for a little over a week, I would say. Then, she moved them. Where to, you ask? My closet, of course. They are just beginning to walk.

2006-04-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking about how much I love not working. I won't say "staying home" because that isn't exactly what I do. This afternoon while I was watering my flowers, making my garden grow, I was just feeling so happy and grateful that I'm able to take this time off from work. It was sunny and warm and I could literally sit and count rose buds if I wanted to. So relaxing! I know it won't last, which probably makes me appreciate it even more.

I've been working out two days per week at the gym and there are signs up all over the place to "Get your free session with a personal trainer!" So, I got it, which did not include any exercise, just talking about my sedentary lifestyle, lack of daily vitamins and drive thru eating habits. Tomorrow I have my first actual workout with a personal trainer. He's a cutie...Hey, if looking forward to seeing the cutie helps me to work out regularly....I'm there! Supposedly, I am to throw out my scales and we are only going to manage body fat and inches. I'm going to be soooo buff!! I can't wait. We are also supposed to take before and after pics. If I lose the weight, I'll post the pics on the blog.

This evening I saw my neighbor, A, sitting out on her bench. She is an outdoor smoker so I went over to chat. She is a hoot and we talked for a couple of hours, I bet. The most hilarious story came out of it. She said our other neighbor directly across the street, (Mrs. B, the neighborhood watch system) reported to her recently that she had watched Lucas dig a hole in A's yard. This is entirely possible, I have no idea if he did or not. As I listened to the story I interjected that I would fill it with dirt if she needed me to. She told me to hang on till the end, when Mrs. B also reported that she later saw me over there filling the hole up. HA. That is hilarious, as I didn't even know there was a hole, much less tried to cover it up. Mrs. B came back to A the following day to report that another neighbor corroborated her story. ?? This is bordering on disturbing now, right? I never saw a hole or tried to cover a hole and two people saw me do it? This situation can really enlighten us when it comes to "Eyewitness" testimony!

Daniel had his first birthday a couple of weeks ago. It was a great party, couldn't have been better. He had so much fun playing with the toys and people. He ate his first birthday cake and had a little birthday cake-goat tee beard. Then came the hangover. You know there is always a hangover that follows every party, right? Well, let's just say he had a tummy ache for a week afterwards. Too much party for that little guy! So funny. He is doing great now. Truthfully, he is also teething like crazy, and that may have been more to blame than his shamelss cake eating.

The pics I promised

2006-03-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

Spring Break

2006-03-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Spring Break has come and gone and here it is almost April. I don't feel like I've accomplished anything this year so far. I was supposed to be caught up, if not ahead, on my studying. The house was supposed to be orderly with all drawers, closets and cabinets cleaned out. I was supposed to work out regularly, lose weight and join a bible study! And I haven't told you, yet about the big stack of books I plan to read. I want to read the Da Vinci Code before I see the movie!

Well, I joined the bible study, just never went. Don't think that earned me any points! I picked up an aerobics schedule at the gym, but the times conflict with other obligations. I do study more, but anything is "more". I have cleaned out two nightstands, rearranged the bedroom and cleaned out two kitchen cabinets. So much to do, so little time.

Daniel has the big number ONE birthday coming up on April Fools Day. He is not walking. Not really trying. He does pretty well pushing something or holding onto stuff, but is not attempting to let go and try it on his own. He fed himself lunch today. So cute, picking up little pasta squares and peas. About half were in the chair afterwards. Soon, we have to work on cutting down on formula and weaning off the bottle. I must have a doctor appointment scheduled for him soon, so I will find out what all of my goals are. I know, I know, I should remember from the other two. But one of them was 5 years ago and the other one was the previous millennium. No wonder I can't remember!

Daniel and I spent Spring Break with Auntie Em in Connecticut. She is so attached to him! She went way above and beyond as hostess with the mostest setting up a crib for Daniel in the guest bedroom with me, and getting a stroller, car seat and booster seat so I wouldn't have to try to pack stuff or check them on the airplane. We were so comfy and since I was away from home, I felt so relaxed with none of the daily obligations I have here.

Daniel obviously was concerned about how we would find our way back because he left a proverbial trail of bread crumbs every where we went. He did this by slyly throwing his things out of the stroller while we weren't looking. Hats, socks, three bottles and a sippee cup were forever lost and eventually replaced, thanks to his "help".

Auntie Em is applying for admission at three of the highest regarded universities for women: Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Wellesley. Last Sunday we visited the campus' of Mount Holyoke and Smith which were very impressive. Old buildings and sprawling campus' with gigantic trees give you the feeling of being in a movie. We went into the library at Holyoke which was truly magnificent with stained glass windows and big wood beams in the ceiling. These are not schools where one goes to learn how to get a job. Women go there to develop their character and grow in their confidence to learn how to change the world. I don't think changing the world pays the bills, but alas, this is secondary to the greater good!! Anyway, Julia Child graduated from Smith, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Madeleine Albright graduated from Wellesley. I'm just going to get a T-shirt with a big arrow that points to the side saying, "My sister attends......"

I'll post pics from the trip when I get them.

Some people

2006-02-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

The other evening I was in a popular discount store looking for bargains. I entered the store while yakking on the cell phone with my sister and continued the conversation until I reached the rack I wanted to delve into with all my attention. As I was ending my chat with sis I sensed a woman waiting, anticipating me hanging up. I hung up and this woman I shall refer to as "Moronette" approaches me with, "I have a question for you." As always, I'm in a time crunch and frankly, had not scheduled her nonsense into the plan. Moronette stumbles around on her words, hem haws about and finally forces out her award-winning question..."Do you think pants that fall below the knee on boys look too, um....uhhh......african americanish?" Huhhhh? I told her that no, I didn't and looked back down at my rack, thinking "whack job!". This did not deter her. Moronette wanted to discuss how the colors and style of a certain short set might "look like that" (God forbid!)

This is one of those classic situations that always catches me completely off guard. I can never find the right words or response to some people's absolute gall, ignorance, insensitivity, etc. For all she knows I'm married to an "African American" and think that the coolest outfits have stripes down the sides, hang low on the butt with hems that fall to the calf.

Incidentally, isn't "African American" meaningless for referring to one's color?? If a "white" African moves to the United States and becomes a resident or citizen, isn't he or she an "African American"? I think so! So, what a dumb way to indicate someone's race. I have recently made this distinction. Am I the first person to realize this, or possibly one of the last?

Of course, I have lots of catchy comebacks for the next time this situation pops up. But, like so many other speech-robbing occassions in my life, this one probably won't present itself again. A different one that I've never imagined will sneak attack me when I least expect it. But, the experiences are not totally without value. They help me to think about where I stand on issues and very educational about the kind of people "out there" in the world. Moronette reminds me of a quote my grandmother had on her refrigerator for many years.
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Samual Johnson

Have you ever.......?

2006-02-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

Changed a poopy diaper with a mouth full of chocolate?

Finished your business on the potty, but stayed there and read for the peace and quiet?

Donated all your clothes so you will have an excuse to buy all new ones?

Spoken sincerely to the crazy stranger instead of ignoring him or her?

Called in sick and stayed in bed all day...in perfectly good health?

(Comment back with all of your own "Have you evers".)

Loose Ends

2006-01-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

Click here to see Daniel pushing his little walker Grandma got him for Christmas. I caught sight of his first teeth today. 9 months and the bottom two have FINALLY broken through the gum.

Today is Friday and I was supposed to work my tail off on school work, house work, yard work, and any other constructive thing I could figure out to do. But, I didn't want to. No excuses, just no desire, either. I shopped at thrift stores and one little store that sells pallets of returns/overstocks. Then, I came home and put that stuff away and played with the kids. Ha, take that, chores. Lucas got his first pair of rollerblades and I helped him skate in the cul-de-sac a while. He fell, got up, fell, got up, fell, cried, got up. He started out all happy and excited and did a great job of taking it slowly to figure out how to keep his balance. By the end, he was just mad and wanted me to carry him into the house. We'll try again another day. If felt really good to just spend time with him, though. I wonder who taught him the big Loser "L" he is making on his forehead??

School is really taking off. I have articles to summarize, reactions to write, study guides to order, etc. All of my accounting classes refer to Enron or WorldCom no less than a zillion times per meeting. Recent accounting scandals have delivered new accounting students a prime market to enter. Ironicly, the confidence of the profession has been brutalized by accountants, which in turn, has created more jobs for accountants.

Speaking of accounting, that reminds me to tell you how I know the honeymoon is over with 3boyzdad. I had some extra time yesterday after a doctor appointment and before class started so I thought of all my options (including highly rated shopping) and decided to go steal him from his office to go eat with me. I thought we could just chat, hold hands, all that mushy stuff. The restaurant was slow, we talked, I finished eating with time left over. I thought we could drag out our little meeting with ice cream or wander around a store somewhere. He didn't seem too interested, so I asked if he would rather go home so he could have some time there to himself before he had to pick the kids up. Nope, didn't want to. He still didn't seem to be having any fun at all so I asked if he wanted to go back to work and his face lit up the whole block. Now, that's how you know the honeymoon is over: Me for stealing him to go EAT and him for preferring to go back to WORK! Turns out, I was forgetting that I was supposed to be in an Ethics meeting at school for extra credit. Total bust!

1st Blog of 2006

2006-01-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

Long time no read!!! Lots to share, so I'll dive right in.

We drove to Florida starting the day after Christmas and returned home one day shy of two weeks later. The kids did great in the car, even the baby! 3boyzdad had to make the most pitstops until the last day of driving when I finally convinced him NOT to buy a coffee everytime he stopped to potty.

We stayed in Grandma Lulu's and Abuelito Pedro's casa. A little on the small side with only two bedrooms and their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson were in the guest bedroom. They gave us their bedroom, which was nice but honestly the only thing that kept me from getting a hotel room. We didn't do much in the way of tourist activities. They cook a lot, virtually never eating out, which throws our bodies into shock. We start looking at McDonald's like a treat instead of the daily bore it is at home. We went to an animal safari park and drove through and looked at animals. It was called the Lion Safari, but 3boyzdad said it should have been called the Gazelle Safari because there were far more of those around.

The biggest news (in my mind, anyway) is that I got a tattoo. I am officially in "the club", as the tattoo artist told me. It did hurt. I had immediate "tattoo remorse" but I am ultimately happy with it. It is in the most perfect spot on top of my foot so that almost every shoe covers it totally. I will never have a problem in the office no matter if I wear a dress or most sandals. It is a pink daisy, pretty simple. It lends itself to becoming a little garden on the top of my foot. The guy that did it was super professional and very clean. You can visit his site here and see the very chair I sat in to get it done.

School started. Work cut down to a part time basis. Lucas is doing moderately well in school. Aaron is doing OK, a little sluggish in the classwork department. Daniel was deathly ill the week following our return from Florida. Honestly, I didn't know which orafice in his little body to cover next. He drove me crazy, and in return I drove the pediatrician crazy. From what I can discern, she does have a night life. One time I actually woke up on the phone listening to her tell me what to do for Daniel. That night was a blur!

Ta da!

Lucas today.

Aaron today.

Aaron on his birthday,
Friday the 13th!

All of us on Aaron's birthday.

3boyzdad's mom and dad (center)
and sister and brother-in-law.
They are expecting this summer!

Ha Ha Ha

2005-12-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

Meet Peanut. She is a Quaker Parrot, aka Quaker Parakeet. We have had her about a year now and she only loves 3boyzdad. She has a tendency to like men better anyway and the day she came home we were friends for the couple of hours until 3boyzdad got home. Since then, she has never looked back. She lovingly snuggles with him, sits on his hand, kisses him with her little beak. And for me she reserves her worst behavior like lunging at me when I try to feed her. Whenever she ends up on the floor, she will let me pick her up, but gives a gratuitous bite just to let me know my picking her up and getting her back to her cage does not make us friends. The coolest thing about "exotic" birds is hearing them talk or mimic. Peanut can say a few things like "Pretty Peanut, Pretty Girl, You (for I Love You), and Ha Ha Ha.

So, when we got Peanut we vowed to have no kitty cats. Well, that was a year ago, and disenchanted as I am with Miss Peanut, I am not inclined to stick to my promise. We found Domino, a beautiful black and white, friendly kitty, outside our house a few months ago. So, I started feeding her and she made her home with us. She stayed outside, so before long (5 hours, maybe) she was pregnant with a litter. I moved her into the garage to have the babies just in time. But she was a first time mom, and not a very good one. I think she laid on them and only one survived. The cutest, fluffiest, darling little gray and white kitty! The kids named it (don't yet know if it's a she or he) Chewy, short for Chewbacca.

So now it is cold outside and my precious kitties are even cold in the garage. I moved them into my bathroom, complete with litter and scratching post. So what about Peanut? Well, Peanut may feel a little stalked. Domino stares at her for hours, Chewy walks on top of her cage. We've been spraying the cats with water to let them know Peanut is not for dessert. Peanut seems up to the challenge, though. I've seen them facing off, kitty cat daring on one side, bird ready to bite off whatever may slip through the bars. Last night Chewy got a good spray down for climbing up to the cage. After Chewy got down we heard Peanut call out, "HA HA HA".

Sexy Panties

2005-12-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Who wears sexy panties? Do you count 100% cotton briefs as sexy? Remember the granny-panties Renée Zellweger wore in Bridget Jones's Diary. A woman after my own heart! Well, maybe there is nothing sexier than being comfortable in who you are and not afraid to admit it?? Hope so. Sexy underwear for me is when the top and bottom match and they are some color other than white. Stripes call for a siren and black light! Dots are only for "special" occassions. Hee hee, just kidding.

Last night I came home with a Victoria's Secret little pink sack. 3boyzdad started salivating at first sight. There were all kinds of silky, lacey, black, pink, ruffled, crotchless, boosting, separating, good-for-3-seconds-of-wear items to choose from. So surprised was his face when he reached into the bag and pulled out.............perfume. Hey, it comes in my size!

The Dream Nanny

2005-12-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

Miss C has been coming to our house to babysit for a few weeks now and we really enjoy having her there. She is so into the kids, she actually gets down on the floor and plays guns, or building blocks, and colors. She does activities everyday and takes pictures of the kids all day, too.

So, what are the eye openers? Well, having a nanny is like having a roommate. Even though she doesn't live with us, she does "live" there a significant part of each day. She has habits which turn out not to match ours. There are garlicky bread crumbs in the butter. The magazines are rearranged. The bird was fed six month's worth of dried fruit in the first week.

For me, these are all side issues. The important thing is how much she seems to enjoy the kids. She may actually enjoy them more than I do! So, I don't care about crumbs, knick knacks or bird food. She's a keeper!

We are planning to drive to Florida after Christmas. I am figuring ( all each way) 1550 miles, 100 gallons of gas in my gas guzzler, and 22 hours or driving. The unknowns are: one overnight stay or two? Go through New Orleans, or avoid? I checked flights today and the cheapest I saw was $500 per person. Times four people is $2000 minimum. I know we can drive for less than $1000, but I'm going to keep a strict accounting just to prove it.

What's old enough?

2005-12-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

Aaron started shaving recently. He didn't ask me first, didn't inform me, nothing. He got a grooming kit from a neighbor which included a razor (new, fortunately) and away he went.
He comes up to me one evening, so proudly.

"See my smooth skin?"

"Yeah, so?"

"I shaved!"

"You what?? With what? Where is it?"

"My new razor!"

"Let me see, I can't tell. Oh, wait a minute, allright, there it is..." The border of baby soft hair is visible on his jawline. Awwwwe.

Blogging World

2005-12-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

There is so much to this world of blogging.

Notice I added all the cool links to the side bar. Dad Gone Mad just had a vasectomy on Friday, he is soooo funny. And he describes the procedure very well, as I have personally observed this procedure!!

Also, notice that I added a counter to the bottom of the sidebar. The number of visits is quite low and I think belong to family and maybe a coworker or two. Furthermore, I added this "ecosystem" counter below that which ranks me as Nothing in the blogging world. Some people gain quite a bit of fame in the blogging world, like Dad Gone Mad and Anonymous Lawyer. If you ever check their site meters you will see that they get thousands of hits to their blog each day. What an audience! This leads me to the question of what do I want my blog to be. Well, what DO I want my blog to be? Is it just an online journal of the daily life with children or could it be more? Something that would be more thought provoking and draw in a wider audience. I don't know. I think I occassionally have something worth posting for a large audience, but usually it is just the mundane daily stuff and pictures of the boys. We'll see.

For the immediate future, I'm going to try to figure out how to dress up the appearance of my blog. I would really like to put a cool banner at the top. If all of my 3 readers have any suggestions, let me know.

Update

2005-11-30T10:18:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since my last post. I guess my main problem is that I like to have a picture to go with my posts, but organizing one with a story just hasn't happened lately. So, here is an update, pictureless.

Aaron is his normal sweet self, but he is sure struggling in school. We have implemented tutoring four days per week plus we are increasing the dosage on his ADD medication. He has been on the lowest dosage for a while, so I have few qualms about doing this. The only thing left is for him to take more responsibility for his own grades, homework, destiny.

Lucas couldn't sit still or mind in PreK today, so I had to pick him up early. I don't know what got him going but he was just running and screaming, not paying attention. The school is very nice about it, the assistant principal just said he was not wanting to learn today, so he needed to go home so everyone else could. I agreed. He went home to five minutes on the "naughty rug" (Thank you Super Nanny.) and seemed to calm down a bit.

Daniel is growing soooo fast. He will be 8 months tomorrow. He just went to the pediatrician yesterday and was diagnosed with an ear infection. He is on antibiotics and an antihistimine. Besides being a tiny bit under the weather, he is just crawling all over the house, inspecting every piece of dirt and cord on the floor. He especially likes the corners of the house and the bathrooms, so we have to be careful to keep all doors shut to the rooms we don't want him in.

My mom came up with the idea to do our Christmas shopping online this year. I have almost all of mine done from www.Amazon.com. That was the best! Daniel is getting a Leapfrog drum, Lucas is getting Tinkertoys and I better not post Aaron's, just in case he reads the blog before Christmas! Aaron has been nagging me to get the tree up, so that is on the short list of priorities, but ugggh. So much work!

In anticipation of losing my job, I have joined an online mommy group. They have playdates once a week, so I thought that would be a good filler for Lucas and Daniel. Well, let me tell you, these girls email tons! There aren't that many of them, less than 20 for sure, but if left unchecked, my email will pile up with 100 emails in a day. The nice thing is that they are posting pics of their kids and sharing recipes and tips and sometimes upsets. It will probably be a nice group to be part of.

My mom spent the first night in her new house last night. She says the tile floors are cold and Petie (the Japanese Chin puppy dog) still thinks the world is his potty but otherwise it was good.

Work Countdown!
20 more work days till I'm a SAHM! (Stay at home mom) (You got to learn the lingo!!)

Paroled

2005-11-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the court appointed Trust for my bankrupt, defunct employer informed us of how much longer we would still have a job. My last day is December 31st. I will really be starting a new year with all new resolutions and goals. Can you believe it is time to start planning 2006! I am feeling pressure to get the holidays done and get on with my life!

3boyzdad and I talked about what life will be like with me going to school full time. We will have to tighten the proverbial belt but we disagree on which notch to fall on. I can't stop getting my hair done, can I? What about waxing? These tasks are done with the good of the people in mind. To show up in public au natural might be considered cruel and unusual! Remember Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality before she got waxed?? So, how about the house cleaners? This is where he and I really disagree. I still say I can't live without them because I'll be studying any time I'm not dealing with kids. He thinks I should just "clean a little everyday". HA. He has no idea.

I do look forward to scheduling excercise into my regular routine. I look forward to eating more healthy meals. At work we go out to lunch in groups several days a week which is fun. But the calories associated with these lunches won't be missed!

Aaron was issued a palm pilot by his school. Isn't that cool? He was so hyped about learning to use it. I understand he will be using it to manage assignments and even have assignments sent to him on it.

This morning was a little bit of a fiasco. This reflects on the part of my personality that wants everything my friends have. I spent some time with my best friend K a while ago and she had this different contact lens case that I had never seen before. She didn't tell me much about it, but it was suppossedly a different contact solution that I could get at Wal-Mart and that case comes with it. I bought one last week. Upon further inspection of the contact lens case I decided it was way too much work. You have to carefully place your contacts inside separate compartments. So, I nixed the case. This morning I opened up Pure Eyes and just rinsed off one of my contacts (I had slept in them.....again) and proceeded to put the contact back into my eye. It immediately burned my eye, I was screaming, hopping around, yelling, "Get it OUT!" I got the contact out and rinsed my eye repeatedly. Well, it turned into a glasses day for me. Too much trauma. They should call that crap Pure Hell. Turns out, you are never supposed to let that stuff touch your eyes and the contact case has a built in neutralizer for all the sodium and peroxide crap that is in it. Furthermore, the bottle I picked up was just one step in a series of steps for cleaning your contacts with that damn stuff. Whew. Moral of the story---don't care what your friends use!

Planes and Pumpkins

2005-11-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

Aaron got a new plane tonight, he thinks it is going to last longer than the 100 million others that have crashed and burned. Well, he may be right because it already lasted through the first 30 minutes of use!

Go here to see Lucas performing in his world wide debut of "5 Little Pumpkins".

SCORPION

2005-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

When I got home from school last night, the whole house was just abuzz. This is unusual. Usually, all of my boys are occupied with television, computer, homework, or friends and the house is calm. But, last night there was just this energy from the moment I walked in the door. So, I went hunting for everybody and one by one they emerged from various rooms with faces of wonder. They had found a scorpion in the kitchen! Poor 3boyzdad. I think he had just mopped the floor from Daniel throwing up his entire dinner when Lucas came to tell him there was a "crab" in the kitchen. Wisely, 3boyzdad went to check out the "crab" and there was the uninvited visitor. They put it in a glass baby jar and thought about what to do with it. Sell it to the zoo? Yeah right. And what was showing on the Animal Planet channel??? You guessed it - Scorpions. I couldn't watch or pay attention, too gross. But, I think I picked up that most scorpoan bites aren't fatal or even serious. Some are, but not most.

Aaron called his best friend B to come see it but B wasn't home until after bed time. But, B came aknocking at 6:30am this morning to meet the now famous intruder. Aaron happily showed B the prize and they moved him to a different box and left the jar in the bathroom. Later, 3boyzdad goes to take a shower and sees the jar is empty.....Fear paralyzes his heart and he rises onto his tippee toes to start searching for the missing critter. Can you imagine? How hilarious. I hear the timid, "Aaron, did you move the scorpion?" "Yeah, we put it in a box outside." comes the reply. And all the way from the bedroom I could hear the relief as 3boyzdad sat his heels back down. Hee hee.....tough guy.

Spooky Babies

2005-10-31T08:38:00.000-08:00

Check the link out below to see Lucas and Daniel in their costumes. Aaron was at a church lock-in Friday night, so he is not in the pics. Lucas was soooo scared of the ghosts and goblins he hung right by me, never getting more than an arms length away. The first two pics are supposed to show how Daniel is scooting backwards. He started out on the the butterfly matt and ended up way back by the TV.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=f08z731.q5mosxl&Uy=-q3t6ar&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

Judge Precious Pants

2005-10-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Daniel has been getting up at night for a while now. Last night it couldn't have been more unwelcome. I had studied Spanish until 11pm and was in need of every minute of sleep I could get when at 4am there comes a wail that meant, "Get UP! I'm not happy! Get me out of bed and fix it NOW!" I wake up having no idea how long he has been crying so I race to his room to get him. Check diaper, make bottle, put in bed beside me, make sure to wake up 3boyzdad so he can share in my misery. Usually, this is all it takes and Judge Precious Pants goes back to sleep, but last night he was ready to hold court. We all had to give our opening statements ("You'll find that you are dry and full.") and defend our positions (tylenol and orajel. We're not sure if the real criminal is teething or some type of pain). Finally, after pleading our case for 35 minutes the defense rested and left Judge PP to his own thoughts. He argued alone for a while and eventually gave up. We were acquitted but too tired to celebrate.

It's Friday!

2005-10-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

Ode to Friday

Last day of the work week, we love you!
I plan my weekend, there's so much to do,
Yardwork, school work, cooking and cleaning,
The kids like playing, running and screaming.
Remind me again, Friday, why is it we love you?

Ha ha.

I'm very unpolitical but a thought has crept its way into my head about the 2008 election. I think President Bush has effectively rolled out the red carpet for democratic runners. I think we could easily see our first woman president or our first black president because America is ready to leave these last eight years as far behind as possible. This administration has been riddled with the high cost of personal and financial loss. I think Hillary Clinton will be billed as the two-for-one candidate that will restore peace and fiscal balance. Comment back to me with your thoughts.

Did anyone play the lottery, yet? I sure did. On the first day I bought two of each kind of ticket which cost me a total to $20. I'm sure I won't spend that much in the future but I am definitely budgeting a weekly lottery expence of $5. I don't know if this is irresponsible or not, but for some reason I am looking forward to sharing trips to buy lottery tickets with my 13 year old. I decided that I'll let him scratch a ticket and if he wins, 1/2 has to go into his college account. I also plan to put lottery tickets inside birthday cards in the future. So, what did I win, you ask? I won another ticket. I haven't collected it, yet, maybe this weekend with Aaron.

Happy 5th Birthday, Lucas!

2005-10-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Lucas turned 5 over the weekend! We took him and his friend Dalton to Chester's Party Barn where they rode ponies, fed goats, played in the sand, and rode a hayride to a big maze of corn. They had a blast. It was one of the cheapest birthday activities I've ever done, too.

Oops! Look at the extra pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!

And for those Blog-challenged friends and family of mine, I am posting links to some of my favorite blogs. I found this guy just today and what he wrote about airport security was hilarious. This lady is a new mom and she is figuring out what it takes to care for a baby. She wrote some interesting stuff about potty training early, like before one year of age. Do you think it is possible? Comment to me with your thoughts. This guy is a lawyer and he has a rather dry sense of humor, but he cracks me up sometimes.

Identity Theft
Okay, this is funny. We all know someone who has been a victim of identity theft, right? Well, my mom's credit report came back with an outstanding item of $45,000 for a SUBMARINE! My dad says he is pretty sure he would have known about a submarine purchase...well, he kids himself, but she still didn't buy it.

Ode to Granny

2005-10-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the anniversary of my grandmother's birthday.
She passed away in December 1996 from complications
following major surgery at the age of 77.

Here are a few things I remember about her:

She taught me to count money back.
We played hours of dominoes and Wahoo.
She quilted.
She babysat kids for a living.
She cleaned with PineSol.
She gardened.
She read the bible.
She fried chicken, potatoes, and fruit pies.
She canned green beans.
She made homemade jelly.
She was a wonderful person and will always live in the hearts of her family.

Busy Aaron

2005-09-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

Just because I don't have girls doesn't mean I won't be buying earrings!
We got Aaron's ear pierced over the summer and I think it looks pretty neat. He is doing a fair job of keeping it clean. Man, it is so hard to get some of those more boyish earrings put in correctly! They don't latch like ours. Usually, they form a continuous loop. The first time he lost (notice I said first) his earring, 3boyzdad had to use pliers to get the new earring to close properly. That was an ordeal, all of us crammed into the bathroom, Aaron with his head cranked over to the side and we were working furiously to get the darn earring latched. He can withstand so much more discomfort when it is for something he wants.

Coal for Christmas
Last weekend I lost my mind and bought him this Sony PSP. Super nice system, gets internet anywhere there is a hotspot, has a great picture, plays movies, etc. I won't even mention the cost, but will say his Christmas and birthday are wrapped up in it. I told him he is only getting sweaters now.

COHO
Aaron has been practicing after school for a month now to try out for COHO (Central Oklahoma Honor Orchestra). We have to be at Casidy School by 7:30am in the morning, ugghh. That is going to be tough for a Saturday. I am hopeful that he will make it, I would love to see him in this extra-curricular activity.

Fair
Here is Lucas at the Oklahoma State Fair. He LOVES tractors. As we drive down the street in the car, he calls out, "Tractor! Tractor!" as we pass any big work equipment, whatsoever.

Before and After

2005-09-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Daniel and I traveled again, this time to Florida to meet his Great grandmother visiting from Colombia. She is a sweet lady of 92 years old in excellent health, but has declared this to be her last visit to the states. Hopefully, it wasn't.

While there we shopped at the mall and visited the ocean. I stuck his little feet in the water. So cute.
Also, his grandmother, 3boyzdad's mom, wanted his hair to be shaved off. She and most of their family thinks it will make it grow back thicker. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but relented. Fortunately, hair does grow back!

Here is Daniel with his second cousin Luisa and great abuelita. They have matching hairstyles now.

Everyone there speaks Spanish so it is great practice for me to spend time with them. It is also nice to get to know 3boyzdad's family. They are just a big network of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.

So much to write about, so little time. I have been so stressed lately with school, traveling, and taking care of the house and kids. 3boyzdad went out of town yesterday to a watch party for the Formula One races. He never goes anywhere and this is his favorite interest, so could I beg him to stay home? Not really. Not that anything could have kept him home. I could tell he was in a hurry to leave before I came up with a hundred reasons for him to stay and help me. He had fun and his favorite driver won first place.

I did finally use a laundry service to help with the laundry at home. Laundry accumulates on my living room couch and refuses to fold itself up and put itself away. It cost 85¢/lb but maybe it was worth it. I'll try it a couple more times and see if it helps me out.

Labor Day Weekend at Aunti M's

2005-09-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend was great. Daniel and I flew to Connecticut to introduce him to his Auntie M, my younger sister. Daniel is an awesome flyer, the airplane engine had an incredible tranquilizing effect on him. He would sleep through the entire flight, then wake up in time to flirt with all of the passengers and flight attendants before we got off the plane.

Auntie M fell in love at first sight and just bonded with him right away. She said I carry him like a cabbage patch doll (hanging on one arm, facing out). One day she accidentally put him to sleep by rubbing his forhead right between his eyes.

Auntie M and Sherri took us out to eat fish (which I unexpectedly liked, Daniel politely passed), had a cookout with friends and took us to the Mohegan Sun which is a huge complex with a hotel, mall and two casinos. We put Daniel in the nursery there while I lost all my money on the rullette table.

Losses and all, we've unofficially decided to make Labor Day weekend my time to visit Connecticut. The weather there is perfect and we had a great time catching up.

A Fine Beginning

2005-09-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Lucas has been sent to the assistant principal's office twice already. Lucas has so many neat qualities, I just can't go on enough about how he sings, dances, acts, plays tickle monster, and more. He loves to hug, take walks, play cowboys, ninjas, Jedi, etc. But, he also can't seem to submit to authority. Just correcting the smallest of infractions turns this boy from sweet to sour in a second. He shouts NO to the world, including Mommy and Daddy, Grandma and BigPa, Auntie Em, and now, his teacher, too. He also insists on having the last word.
"Lucas, stop hitting your brother." Says 3boyzdad.
"NO!" retorts 4-year-old Lucas.
"Lucas, go play in your room/outside/etc." 3boyzdad commands.
"NO!" screams 4-year-old Lucas.
"Lucas, be quiet and go play a game."
"NO"
Well, it digresses from there...
Luckily, so far the assistant principal and the teacher are working with us to help Lucas learn to act appropriately in social situations. I would be sad to have to report he has been expelled from Pre-K! So, today I tried teaching Lucas to say, "Okay" in this really fun voice. Very animated and higher pitched. I'm hoping giving this little actor/performer something fun to respond with will keep him out of trouble at school and restore some peace at home, too.

Change of Plans

2005-09-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Today was supposed to be a fun day. I was going to take all the kids and my mom to the governor's mansion for Septemberfest, have a little picnic, and enjoy the sunshine. But, Daniel is sick. You can see it in his little eyes...

How do kids always get sick at night and on the weekends? How do their little clocks know that the doctor is out of town? I had the hardest time finding the information I needed about how to feed a 5 month old with a fever. I finally got a call back from the on-call pediatrician and Daniel is now working his way through Pedialyte, then diluted formula over the next three days.

J (my husband) and I saw The Exorcism of Emily Rose yesterday. It is based on a true story and J says it is the only exorcism recognized by the Catholic church. I normally do not watch horror films, but this one was different because all through the movie I kept remembering this was someone's actual experience. Very thought provoking, really.

Introduction

2005-09-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

This blog will chronicle the adventures of raising three boys.

Aaron is 13 years old, in 8th grade and plays the violin. His hobbies are XBox, Playstation, and spending tons of time with his best friend, B. He is a great source of joy and frustration, which is probably how most 13 year olds are!

Lucas is 4 and just started Pre-K. He is a ball of fire. He is a master of memorization, can rattle off scenes from his favorite movies to everyone's delight. He is loving, sweet, precious, and defiant! Besides eating chocolate, watching veggitales, and playing Jedi games on the computer, his favorite word is NO. Still.

Daniel is just 5 months, our newest and final addition to the family. He has been a complete joy. There must something about the 3rd one, because he is the best baby ever. He sleeps all night and smiles all day. Of course, he does cry, but soothes easily.

I read other mom's blogs and just decided I have a lot to write about. Thanks for reading!