Ear Pierced, Halloween, Menu

We had a busy Saturday. There was a ton of stuff I wanted to accomplish and at the end of the day I was happy only 2 things didn't get done. We got Ella's ears pierced. She did great and only cried for about 10 seconds. They look marvelous!! Alex wanted to be a werewolf but the mask was $50 and since we knew he would only ware it for 2 minutes Kato was able to talk him into being a vampire again. So we got some make up, fake blood, and colored hair spray which he can not wait to put on. Trick or treating is from 4-7 again on Sunday but this time its for the residents. Jade is getting a cold and not a happy camper, Tylenol is helping. Scary movies filled the television last night but I was too busy carving the pumpkins and getting the seeds ready for roasting to watch. I tried really hard to stay awake for Saturday Night Live but only made it for two sketches. So its Sunday morning I have ESPN on, the kids are sleeping, Kato is helping his dad fix some shingles on their roof and I finally had to turn on the heat in the house. Its cranked to 67 cause 60 in the house is way to cold, especially for Jade and the baby. So Happy Halloween to all and here's to a hopeful Packer victory.

Last week we had Minnesota Wild Rice soup, Perch (I couldn't find any walleye) and rolls. This week we opted for Gyros. NY has so many foods to choose from and since we did coney dogs for Detroit, pizza for Chicago, an ethnic stir fry for Washington, cuban sandwiches for Miami, philly cheese steaks for the Eagles game, and buffalo wings for Buffalo we had to pick something. Next week is Dallas then thank goodness for a bye week cause as much fun as this is, its harder then it seems. thanks for reading xoxo

Logan spent the night...

We invited Logan to spend the night on Friday after trick or treating. It was fun. We ate spaghetti, watched some movies, had some popcorn, and I went to bed. The rest of them had a slumber party on the floor in the living room with Katos supervision (although he is just a big kid himself sometimes). Kato found a trick book and was performing tricks with Logan and Alex all afternoon on Friday. He had fun. I am not sure what time it was that Logan and Kato fell asleep but by the time I went up to bed Alex and Jade were passed out. When I got up in the morning I was surprised to see Logan, Jade, and Kato awake, it was about 7:30am. Logan had some breakfast and we dropped him off around 10am. It was a great night. thanks for reading xoxo

Trick or Treat 2010

Halloween has always been such a fun time for the daycare kids. Every year we go trick or treating down water street and through the neighborhood. This year they (the people who run the village) are allowing two nights of tricks and treats, Friday and Sunday!! So today the gang got all ready and off we went. I really like it even if its cold. It is so cute seeing all the kids with their cute little costumes on. Everyone is encouraged to use their imagination to create the perfect costume. So this year Alex was going to be a vampire. We had it planned for weeks. He wore his costume to school and was so excited to be a vampire. Well...about two hours before we get ready he changes his mind and wants to be a ninja. Ok no problem he has three tubs of dress up clothes and he has a ninja costume. Then one hour before we leave he changes his mind for a moment and wants to be iron man, then wolverine, then a vampire back to a ninja and finally settling on a Knight. WHATEVER just get a costume on so we can go already!! It is almost a bad idea to have multiple Halloween events because for people like Alex settling on just one costume, when there are so many things you can be, just isn't enough. Fortunately for us Jade didn't care about her costume and whenever I asked her what she wanted to be all I got was "yeah" which means I don't really understand what you are asking me mom but I am cute when I say "yeah" and I know it. For her first time trick or treating she did well enough to almost never want to go again. She wanted her shoes off, socks off, tights off, hat on then off, gloves on then off. Her idea of trick or treating is get the candy, eat the candy, get more candy, eat that candy and repeat again. All in all it was a good time and for one night a year let them eat cake or in this case candy!! I sure hope they sleep well tonight cause I am exhausted! thanks for reading and Happy Halloween! xoxo

Aunt Ruby Visits

My Aunt Ruby, Uncle Gordon and cousin Ray came to visit me this past weekend. I was nervous about the visit because it had been so long since I had seen my Aunt Ruby. She is the only relative on my biological fathers side that I have even a little bit of a relationship with. She is technically my Great Aunt as she was my fathers aunt, his mothers sister. My Grandmother Hazel, my fathers mother, past away when I was about 8 or 9 and I was never close with her. I remember her, I did visit her when I was younger and there are pictures of her and me together. My Aunt Ruby brought out with her some family heirlooms that belonged to her like jewelry, coins, her Bible, her remembrance book from her funeral, and some other little things that would only mean the most to me. I was her only grandchild and between my mother and father the only child between them. I do have other siblings from both sides. Anyway, I received another photo album which included photos of people from my fathers side. It included photos of his father which I don't recall ever seeing. I was moved by all of the items and photos and it stirred up some emotions that I have tried to suppress for some time now. Every once and a while I think about my dad and what my life would have been like if he had not died. I think about what it would be like to have all those people in my life more so then they have been. It gets so bad sometimes, thinking about it, that I can't sleep and then I start thinking I can do more research on the Internet to get some answers to questions I have. I feel bad asking people questions about him because I feel like they have all moved on from his passing and bringing up those topics would bring hurt and frustration to those who have the answers. I know its not fair to me and I should be able to ask but it has also been so long, would they even remember or know the answers. There are people out there that I am closely related to that could still be alive, but more likely not. There are people out there whom I am related to closely, that I should be able to see, but don't want to see me. So what should I do? I will probably do what I always do...research it on the Internet, ponder everything for a couple weeks, then let it all go. I am happy with my life and feel blessed with the family I have grown up with, created with my husband, and married into. Even though I am an adult this situation really makes me feel like a hopeless kid who can't say anything for fear of getting into trouble or maybe hearing something she doesn't want to. Anyway, the visit was wonderful and I am glad the door of communication is open again with her because it does help to know I can go to her with questions. I did ask a few but some she did not have the answer to so I will either have to grow some courage and ask someone else or suck it up and forget about it. So here's to finding out the mysteries of the other half that made me. thanks for reading xoxo

a moment

There are many moments in a persons life that if that moment would have gone another way their life would be completely different. My first major moment happened when I was 3 months old. I didn't have a say in the matter, I didn't get to chose it for myself, and it was definitely not predictable. It wasn't picking out a house or husband, it was not picking a major in college or anything that myself or someone responsible for me could decide. It wasn't about a job or what I would grow up to be or whether to get my ears pierced or not. It was planned but not by me or my mother. It was planned all along, even before my life was. It was in the cards and it was dealt to me. It was a reality and it happened so fast without any warnings. It didn't seem real and I am sure, to some, it was a nightmare that people don't ever wake up from. I am not sure why it happened or how really, I am not even sure if I want to know or ever will know. I am not even sure if I will ever have the courage to ask. Some moments are just that way. Most moments are not even yours and this moment, although it was partly mine, partly my mothers, mostly my fathers it really belonged to God. I guess in a way all moments are His, He just lets you borrow them or be a part of it. There are many people who ask the question "at what moment did that change your life?" or "what is your life's defining moment?" Usually there is tragedy behind it. Usually the clouds don't open and shower you with rays of hope or money or happiness. Usually the moment happens and then there is more time. Time to deal with the moment of the past, time to prepare for the future differently, and time to come to terms with it. The word moment is really used to often but when we tell stories or share experiences we all use it. You are having a moment right now, keep reading or turn away. But it won't change your life either way, like mine did. So a moment happened to someone at 3 months of age and it wasn't her moment to begin with, it was planned all along, and it did affect her for the rest of her life. One day I hope to have the chance to make it count for something more then what it was. One day I hope to understand it better. One day I hope I will be able to explain it to my children. For now I pray it doesn't happen to them.

thanks for reading xoxo

Alex missed the bus...

Because we have been having such nice weather I have had Alex ride the bus to Grand Ave (an elementary school) after school and we walk from our house to pick him up. The girls and I have enjoyed crunching the leaves on our way. We meet up with Heather and her son Jacob because her older son Benjamin rides the bus with Alex. Its a great way to get in some exercise and grown up conversation. Friday was no different except when we got to the school and Benjamin got off the bus, he quickly informed us that Alex was not on it. For the next ten seconds shear panic filled my body and a cloud of terror loomed over my head. Once it had settled action mode kicked in. I grabbed my cell phone, talked with a school official at Grand Ave and called his school. Heather talked with the bus driver who also got on her radio and contacted the school. Thank goodness he was in the office. Another father who was also at Grand Ave gave me a ride to the school to pick him up, Heather stayed behind and watched the girls for me. Once at the school I raced into the office where Alex was waiting for me and thank goodness he didn't cry. He did give me a hug and when I asked him if he thought I forgot him he said no, he just forgot that he was riding the bus today. We got back into the car and went back to Grand Ave. He seemed fine with everything and was calm about it. I was thankful because lately he thinks I am the worst parent ever because I make him brush his teeth, go to bed on time, and make him use soap in the shower.

So you are probably thinking it was no big deal but remember the little boy, who is older then Alex, who got dropped off at school in June and went missing. He still is no where to be found. His name is Kyron Horman and his picture is shown above with Alex's.

thanks for reading xoxo

We got our pumpkins...

Trying to get to the pumpkin patch to see the great pumpkin has been more difficult this year then the years of the past. Mostly because we have more kids now and everyone has things to do. We have company coming from California next weekend and last weekend Kato and Alex had Badger tickets and birthday parties to go to. This weekend Alex had a train ride date with Grandma Jayne and Grandpa Keith on Saturday and the Packers and Seahawks both played at noon on Sunday but we managed to get up early on Sunday and go in the morning. So I quickly made waffles and eggs for the kids and Kato, jumped in the shower, got the diaper bag ready, fed Ella, got her dressed and Kato worked out the rest. We were on the road by 8:30 to Pecks in Spring Green. The kids were so excited and enjoyed all the animals, the bouncy house, the haunted house, the corn maze, picking out pumpkins, and even the treats we bought at the end. It was a wonderful morning and I would highly recommend that place to anyone. We will definitely go again. Alex decorated his pumpkin right away, one down 5 to go. The Packers ended up loosing, the Seahawks ended up winning, and my fantasy football team is in the toilet. We made Cuban Sandwiches for dinner, minus the pickles and we all crashed out super early. All that fresh air in the morning tuckered us out. Its going to be a busy week and I am feeling a little overwhelmed because of all the things I have to get done before Saturday. Anyone out there have a clone machine I can borrow? thanks for reading xoxo

Money can buy happiness

Too bad we can't retire for a few years while raising our kids and work a little longer when we get older. Or work a little harder once our kids move out. Parents miss out on so much of growing up time with their kids because we have to spend so much time working to pay bills, and making the ends meet. People say money can't buy you happiness but I am positive it sure as heck can help!! I have spent my fair share of time working multiple jobs to make those ends meet that I am sure if I won the lottery it would only make things easier and life could be more fulfilling for my family and some close friends. I did win the lottery a few weeks ago but it was only $3.00. I told my husband to buy himself something nice! So yesterday he went to McDonalds and got a dollar McDouble and small fry. I am sure it made him happy, proving that money does buy some forms of happiness. I wonder what he will do with the remaining dollar? I love him. thanks for reading xoxo

Big Accomplishment...

Yesterday morning we were getting ready to take Alex to school. We have a routine, eat, brush, shoes, van, and leave. I tell Alex to get his shoes on while I am loading the van with the girls then when I get back inside I can help him tie them. Usually he will practice once or twice then I take over and get them tied, promising to practice more with him this weekend, which only really happens when we are getting the shoes on. So I was so surprised when I got the last of the girls in the van and come in to find his shoe is already tied! He had tied it all by himself! I asked him if he did that and he said yes, so I said show me and he did on the other foot. I was so excited I practically tackled him in the breezeway with a big hug. He quickly advised me that now that he knew how to tie his shoes he was too big to give hugs and kisses and I needed to get off him. I was so proud, we called his dad right away, and headed out the door. I think he was really proud too. Some kids learn to tie shoes early, some kids learn a little later, for him I was just so shocked cause I didn't think we practiced that much and since he hasn't really worn tie shoes since before summer it was impressive to me that he did it so well. So good job Alex!! thanks for reading xoxo

I hate Bugs!!!

We are having wonderful weather lately and it has been nice to be outside but the bugs are starting to get to me. When we are outside I feel little bites that hurt. Its a cross between a mosquito bite and a small burn feeling. When I look at what is causing the irritation there are little black and white bugs. I don't think they are sucking blood but it still hurts a bit. Then the bites leave little welt type bumps and they itch. So now I look like I was fighting mosquito's. Thank goodness the bites don't last as long as a mosquito bite but when I itch them they get worse and leave itched bite marks which look horrible. I hate bugs!! thanks for reading xoxo

Ella and Group Flu Shots

Ella had her 2 month doctors appointment on Monday. She weighed in at 13.3 pounds was 23 3/4 inches long both put her in the 80+% while her head was only in the 40%. She is opposite of Jade. She got three shots and an oral vaccine so Monday night and Tuesday night she was a little bit fussy. The doc said she is doing great and not to worry about her Mohawk hair style, which still wont stay down and its Thursday! I blame it on the Indian heritage.

Remember Katos great idea to fix something for dinner from the Packers opposing teams state? Well we first had Philly Cheese Steaks, then Buffalo chicken (which may not be from Buffalo area but it worked), followed by Chicago style pizza (that Kato said was probably not going to be good so we just had regular pizza, go figure too cause they lost), and lastly Coney Dogs as it was what is popular in Detroit. So the next game is against Washington and I am going to have to figure out what to make which is harder then it sounds...google it you'll see.

Tuesday morning we had to get up early because Kato, Michael, Alex, and Jade had to get their flu shots. I already got mine and Ella is too young to get one. We also took Liam and Luci with us and they got one too. So the 8 of us plus two nurses were all in the 8x8 room. Needless to say, Alex did a bang up job letting everyone in the clinic know when he was getting his as he yelled at the top of his lungs which was followed by a scream of pure horror. It was as if he was getting his arm cut off or something. Then on the way to school he was freaking out because someone got more stickers then he did. It was the first time I was truly happy he was at school for the day. At least now we are all in good health and ready to take on cold and flu season. thanks for reading xoxo

Fantasy Football opps

So the ranting of Fantasy Football was a little premature. I guess I didn't need Vick after all cause I ended up winning so now I am 2-2. I forgot I still had players left to play and they scored me some more points. Although I would have liked to come in with over 100 points I am just happy to get the win. Next week will be rough cause I am up against a 3-1 team who has been known to produce points in the 130 range. thanks for reading xoxo

Fantasy Football ranting # 1

Since I haven't posted about it yet I figured this week would be a good one for my fantasy football rant! Last week I got my first win of the season. My record was 1-2. I was feeling pretty good about this weeks possibilities until Vick, who is my quarterback, gets hurt and leaves the for the game. I really wish he would just suck it up and man up to play. Ok that is not fair he does have broken ribs (at least that is what they are saying, I doubt he has had it confirmed yet) but come on, I just wanted to catch a break. It would have been nice to be 2-2 but I will probably be the only one in the Chicks Rule league that is 1-3!! I should have played Flacco but even he is a risk. GOSH I hate it but I love it. thanks for reading xoxo