Waiting

Hmmm... I was all excited to do a blog, and I had a million things to write about before I sat down... Now I'm here and nothing comes to mind. Nothing.

So, I'll just ramble...

I'm a bit of a control freak. Just ask my husband, who would gladly have me give up that part of my character and be totally happy with the rest. Well, maybe... ha ha.... Anyway, with all that is happening with the economy, the education realm, loss of jobs... It really bothers me because I can't control it. Like many out there we feel affected by the economy and I can't control it. It's a time when we have to let go and realize that God is still in control. We may not like how things are looking, but we can't see the big picture. Things are changing in our lives and we get to watch and see...wait and see.... pray and see....

PS, I have pictures of Hayden's new sister Emma, but I'm too lazy to get the camera now... so hopefully next time.

Emma

Any moment we are awaiting a call to bring Hayden to meet his new sister. His mom's at the hospital with contractions. He's praying it's after lunch, so he can miss reading. Her name is Emma... Come out, come out Emma!

Zoe, my little girl

I love how there is something new each day to add to Zoe's list of what she can do now... I should be keeping a blog just on that...but I wouldn't keep up with is, just like this one. I watched her just the other day in a cute outfit that made her look more like a little girl than a toddler... she has reached "little girl" now and it makes me happy and sad at the same time. My baby girl is gone, and now my toddler is gone as well... I feel like I didn't get to say goodbye. But now I have a little girl who is precious and excited about even the most common things in life.

She is now begging... actually begging... for things and adds multiple pleases after it.
"Can I have pop-pop... pweese, pweese, pweese??" Ahh... how can you say no to that!?!

She plays jokes now too. She'll come in with something and ask where it is... all the while it's hiding behind her back... and she'll say "Have you seen by bwanket? I don't know where it is, Mommy"... "he he he..." Or she'll take a toy of Hayden's while he's playing with it, hide it behind her back, and give him a mischievous smile. He hates that...

Normal?

It's not every day that you find one of these in your backyard... yet this beauty actually resides in ours. And the sad thing is, is that we just accept this as part of our "normal" life. ha ha... And... yes, those are buttless chaps...

Challenge: What's the oddest thing lurking at your residence? Can you beat this??

Paint Ballz

Hayden absolutely loves "Dad" days. He thrives on them...I'm comparably boring to Jonathan... I'm sure this is no surprise. The other day they went out paint balling... but not to the normal paint ball area. They traveled to some abandoned bridge and added to the growing grafiti. Thanks to Tammy and Co., they have super cool guns which made this experience a fun memory.

Anniversary Night

Happy 5th Anniversay Jonathan!!

Jonathan and I are celebrating our 5th anniversary TODAY, but we went out last night... as I'm going out with my girls tonight... I know, sad. But, it was super fun. He had it all planned out and super secretive about it. I totally guessed the first 2 parts, but was oblivious to the third until we were about 2 feet from it.

First we went to Oregano's, got a margarita, and enjoyed the food, and of course a pizza cookie. Then, off to Kart Racing... super fun! We look like total dorks! And, I kicked Jonathan's butt... well, I beat him by two places... 7th vs. 9th.

Then off to the top of South Mountain with a bunch of drunk teenagers who were either smoking joints or making out... we did neither, but still enjoyed the view - the city view, that is. I love you Jonathan!

See pictures above, as I still can't get the slide show to work in my post... arg, darn you blogger!

... and a shout out to Love and Eddie... Happy Anniversary

Water Day

Water Day

We had a family day!! I know that seems strange with both being teachers and off this week, but it was the first time this week that we did something together. We took the kiddos to West Gate and they played on the splash pad. We lathered them up with 50SPF and sent them into the freezing water. I have a phobia of the sun, so every 10 minutes I was dragging my chair back into the shade of a palm tree. We noticed a line at a table, so out of couriosity Jonathan stood in it, charmed them somehow and got a free $10 West Gate coupon (which you are supposed to only get if you signed up on line). Great! "Hey kids, now we can get Cold Stone!"

Later on Kim showed up... woo hoo...

Pictures are above, as I'm technically challenged today...
OR, visit Kim's blog, as hers has some superb highlights of our adventure (my ultimate favorite is when the cold stone genius realized that I ordered a cone, and since he already put my ice cream in a cup, he put the cone right on top. Here you go. Dude, where's your sign? Although when Zoe stole the towel and the fly... those are fab too) and way better pictures because her camera is wicked cool...

When Mama's away....

... the boys will play.

Barbie... RIP

Sprung

Spring Break has sprung...

And Hayden has enjoyed every minute of it by being a boy... he had a friend spend the night Friday, then spent the night at his house Saturday (staying up till 3 in the morning and sleeping till noon -- making of college student?), and has just had his 3rd sleep over... and playing games again. I should really monitor the whole game playing thing, but since it is spring break... some things get to slide. Sort of like personal hygiene... we have to force him to bathe... hmmm....

Speaking of game time, we (as in me telling jonathan we should do this) monitor his game time during the school week... about 30 min. or so a day. He can earn more if he has marbles to cash in... another blog. It seems to make sense - we don't want his brain oozing out his ears because of too much game time... plus his eyes start to glaze over and we have to stand directly in front of him to be heard. Grandma Collard says... I never had time limits for you guys... you just got off when you wanted. Well, 1) I'm a girl and there are better things to do, and 2) Nate still plays games. Haha.

Also speaking of monitoring time, zoe is allotted no more than 2 hours of tv time (including movies) a day... I have this phobia of some zombied child staring at the tv... plus I read somewhere that before 5 years old they should have no more than 2 hours a day, if that. And it is sad, because when she goes next door to our neighbors and sees Dora on, she just sits there glued to the tv... Maybe we should have no tv hours... I barely watch it. I'm not sure everyone else would agree. Hayden hardly watches tv either, except for movie nights. I've got my kids hooked on popcorn... Yum.

Anyway..... Monday we went to the park with Karen and Leslie... and Zoe got to play with her BFF's, Amanda and Brody. Geez, it seems something insightful and witty is needed in this blog, but in actuality, I think my brain turned off with spring break... Enjoy the pics.... (soon I'll have some of Hayden, but he's anti pictures lately...)

More pics coming soon of what I got to do yesterday... but I can't spoil the surprise. Aaahhh.. the suspense! And Jonathan, well he's spraying weeds and bugs... contact if interested. :)

OME

I haven't been this excited in.... well... who knows! Is this the most fabulous thing you've ever seen? Complete with sparkles and pics. It's an invite to a Twilight Movie party... delivered Sweet 16 style. Happiness. Envious?

Thanks Kim and Lindsay


Check it out....

Survival Math

Hayden has to do Survival Math activities once a month in his fourth grade. There are many to choose from that include price comparison, evaluating your electric bill, and planning a family outing. He's done a few where he has to hypothetically buy stuff and then compare prices, including tax, at three different stores to see the best price. As a teacher, I think this is fabulous! What a great way to have kids see how math is used in the real world.

And... he actually did his own today! He has been looking at a game to buy, and instead of just buying it first anywhere, he actually went online and price searched... then decided where the best deal was. Wow.... I'm so proud of him. See, kids actually do use the stuff they learn in school. Just think of what those kids are learning in the 48 states above us... ha ha.

Lost: Please return if found

LOST: My adorable little girl

Please help me find Zoe. She's adorable, sweet, and does everything we ask. She looks exactly like the little girl we have here, however there are some huge differences. There seems to be a mistake... perhaps a mistaken identity or alien abduction. If this sounds like your Zoe, please contact me as soon as possible.

The Zoe we have living with us now:
1. Tells us no
2. Throws temper tantrums far better than anyone I've ever seen
3. Runs away from us when we ask her to come
4. Refuses to eat healthy
5. Gorges herself on candy when we are not looking
6. Throws temper tantrums
7. Farts on us
8. Cries when she doesn't get her way
9. Throws temper tantrums
10. Picks her nose

Our Zoe would NEVER do any of these things. She is perfect! Perhaps you've seen her. We are willing to trade the Zoe we have now - the one who is inhabiting our house and masquerading around like our Zoe - for the real one. No questions asked!

SpongeBob Fans

Zoe and Brody hung out the other night and... well... take a look at their pictures.

How CUTE are they?!?

Zoe had to make sure that Toad had some jammies to wear for their movie... she was so kind to let him borrow hers.... and he is still very manly in them. :)