I SURVIVED!

I don't know how, but I survived the birthday party. I did have my friend "Mr. Smirnoff Ice" with me to help.
Casey had 25 friends over. Boys and girls. It was drizzling, but they still were outside and in. There was a trail of wet grass from my slider to the basement. They trashed my basement, but I made Casey and her friend clean it. Ugh, it smelled like wet boys down there!
She got a ton of gift cards, money, make-up, jewelery and everything else a 13 year old girl would want.
Rest assure, I will NEVER do that again! I will buy them the biggest present ever, just to avoid a giant party.

BEFORE THE PARTYDURING THE PARTY!

Teenage Party and Rain

These 2 things don't mix.
Casey is having her 13th birthday party tonight at 5. All she wanted was a boy/girl party, I gave in. She invited about 25 friends and it is supposed to rain ALL DAY! Please pray for a break in the weather for us. If not, I will have all those hormonal kids inside my house! What will I do?

Wordless Wednesday

Tommy's Playdo creation. He calls it "Man with Arrows in Him" Nice, Huh?

Date with a 4 Year Old

Sunday Tommy and I went on a date. Just the 2 of us. We went to the King Richards Faire. It is a renaissance fair that they have every year, for several weeks. It is fun. It is like being in a medieval town. People walk around all dressed up and chat with each other, there are shows, jousting tournaments, food and shops. My dad used to take me when I was kid, so it is neat to be able to take my children.

Tommy got Knighted (by King Richard himself), went to Pirate 101 class, watched a jousting match, played games and ate food. We had such a great time. That is, until he got sick. It was scary. All of a sudden, towards the end of the day, he told me his head hurt and he wanted to leave. We headed to the bathrooms (we live an hour away) and waited our turn. All this while holding him because he wouldn't let me put him down. All of a sudden he starts throwing up! Of course, everyone let us jump the line and head right to the next available stall. I got him all cleaned up and settled. We headed to the car. I stopped by the gate to get my keys out (knowing I would still be carrying him) and for him to have some water. We get to the car and he starts throwing up again and crying his head hurts. UGH! I look over to see some EMS guys helping someone and had a passerby flag them down. They came over looked at him and started putting ice packs all over him to cool him down. We spent the next 1/2 hour with them. They were wonderful. They think it was a combination of something he ate and the sun. He fell asleep before we left the parking spot and slept the whole ride home, throwing up one more time. Thank God he was back to normal just a few hours later. Way to end a date!

Here are a few pictures of our date.

Tommy and King Richard

Getting Knighted

Getting ready to slay the dragon!


The Jousting Tournament

Pirate 101 Class

Another Teenage Girl in the House!

My Casey is 13 today. How will I handle 2 teenage girls? Scary!

I want to tell you a little about her.

Casey is my spunky, determined, strong willed child. She is the one who gives me gray hair. She doesn't like when anyone, I mean anyone, tells her what she doesn't want to hear. She will try her hardest to change their mind.

She also will defend her family to the fullest. My favorite story to tell people is about when she was in 1st grade. There were 2 fourth grade boys on her bus. They were making fun of her sister, Sam. I had held Sam back that year, so the boys were teasing her. Casey started mouthing off to them. The bus driver reported her, I got a call from the principal and she got a warning. Well, the boys kept it up. Casey had enough. She punched them both in the face. My little 6 year old girl beat up 2 ten year old boys. Of course, I got another call and she was suspended off the bus for 2 days. The principal said the boys got punished too were totally embarrassed.

Any sport Casey does, she does it fantastic. Her specialty is gymnastics. She has been doing competitive gymnastics since she was 9. She is unbelievable at it. She always makes it to the State level competition and ends up in the top 3. She also loves soccer. She is a star player. She has played indoor and outdoor for many years.

This Saturday she is having a "13 year old bash". All she wanted was a boy/girl party. So I gave in. She just handed out 26 invitations! Please pray that it does not rain, so they can all be outside!

Her are some pictures of my girl through the years.






Losing her first tooth!

Gymnastics at 9 years old.
More recent

The Grasshopper

Who knew a Grasshopper could provide such entertainment!

Tommy found this Grasshopper in the driveway. This is after I jumped about 5 feet in the air when I saw it on the front of my shirt. I flicked it off. I must have injured it, seeing it let Tommy stay so close to it for a while!
He followed this poor guy for the longest time. I love how boys think bugs are cool, I surely do not!

He has been watching the movie "Bugs Life" the past few weeks. He was a little scared for the ants as this Grasshopper made it's way across the driveway and over a few ant hills.

Recipe of the Day! Bruschetta Chicken Bake

I made this great dish I saw in the Kraft Food & Family magazine (sign up for it free online!)
It was so easy and cheap! The family loved it. My husband said it was a keeper!

Takes about 10 min to prepare and 30 min to bake.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1/2 cup water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp. dried basil leaves

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 400°F. Mix tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened.

LAYER chicken, basil, cheese and stuffing in 3-qt. or 13x9-inch baking dish.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy now or cover and refrigerate. To reheat, microwave each serving on HIGH 2 to 3 min.

Wordless Wednesday

Static Anyone?

Question of the Day

Hmm....how do you answer this? Tommy, who is 4, said "I wonder why squirrels don't wear shoes? Mom, how come?"
This went on to "Well, why don't chipmunks? Why don't dogs? Why don't birds?"

Anyone? Anyone?

I love inquisitive 4 year olds!

Taxi Service Anyone?

I have been feeling like a taxi service lately. I am thinking I should start charging a fee. I am feeling totally unappreciated.

My day yesterday looked like this.

Morning- grocery store and personal/business errands
12:30- Drive Tommy to preschool
3:00- Sam Dr appointment
3:35- Get Tommy at school
5:00- Sam to cheering
6:00- Casey to gymnastics
7:00- Mandatory Parent/Student meeting at the high school for athletes
8:00- Get Casey from gymnastics

I had to be "That Mom" again and leave in the middle of the Athletics meeting to go get Casey. I didn't realize it went until 8:30. I sat in the worst possible spot. The farthest from the door. Yup, there was me, walking out as the Distract Attorney was talking to us all about drinking/drugs. Did I mention he lives in our town and knows who I am? It was like doing "the walk of shame".

I am not ready.....

....to be the mother of a High School girl! It is all starting now, life as the mom of a 9th grade girl, cheerleader and all!

Sam, my wonderful 15 year old, is settling in on being a high schooler. Me? Well, not so much. She had her first taste of cheering for the football team Friday night, in the pouring rain! However, she doesn't just go and cheer. In our town, the night before a home game they have a spaghetti dinner. Lucky for me, this time, the boys were not there. I thought I was in the clear. So I thought. NOPE......after the game the players and cheerleaders have a pizza party at a players house. *gasping for air* I called several mothers, they all assured me that a parent is there. Still made me uneasy.

This event led me to the talk with her about parties and drinking. I am not stupid, I have been there. I told her that if she was ever anywhere where she was uncomfortable to call me. I would come and get her. No questions asked. If she was somewhere and there was drinking, call me, I will get you, no questions asked. If she was ever with someone who was drinking, do not get in the car. Call me, no questions asked. I assured her she would NOT be grounded or in trouble. I would rather her safe. I think this was fair. My sister was almost killed in a car accident at 16 because my mother would not come and pick her up. She had to find her own ride home. I vowed I would ALWAYS pick my child up. I don't care if she is 3 hours away.

Then came Saturday night, her first High School dance. There is a BIG difference between a Freshman and a Senior. I was so worried. She seemed to have fun. I was picking her up and went early to get prime parking to spy. *yes, I am THAT mom* Man, I forget how obnoxious teenagers are. They were all out in the parking lot talking, hanging out etc. So different from Middle School where they are not allowed to leave the school until a parent walks in and gets them.

Lastly, today she asked if she could go to Andrews house. Andrew is her boyfriend. I told her no, but he could come to our house. I figure, better my house than his. I can keep an Eagle Eye out.

I know this is just the beginning. I figure I will have a full head of gray hair by June.

I WON!

Yesterday, in honor of her birthday, I won some cool stuff from Kaycee at Prissy Miss Boutique! She makes awesome hair bows, bags, hair bow holder etc... Check her out! http://prissymissboutique.com/ or her great blog http://lifeasamomat21.blogspot.com/

This is what I won! I love benefiting from someone else's birthday! THANKS KAYCEE!

Remembering

Do you remember when and where you were on the tragic day of Sept 11th, 7 years ago? I do.

I sent my daughters off to school and went to the gym. I remember driving when I heard about the 1st plane. I was shocked. I thought it was a tragic accident. Then I was at the gym watching the news and saw the 2nd plane hit. I was STUNNED and realized it was not an accident. I stood there in disbelief. How could someone do this?

The schools all went in to a lock down safety mode. No one was able to go in without showing ID. The Superintendent sent out an email assuring that all the kids were safe and they would keep them that way. Parents fled to the schools to pick up their children. I was going anyways because they had dentist appointments. There was staff right at the door asking for everyone ID, instead of having parents walk to the office. I saw my girls and just held them close for the rest of the day.

Take a moment today to remember all the Victims and Hero's today. A day that changed or Nation forever.

Wordless Wednesday

I was hoping to hop on the bandwagon of Wordless Wednesday and I forgot to do it. Seeing Wed isn't over, I am adding it in!
These totally need NO EXPLANATION! I am hoping she hasn't already chosen her career!

Dance Class!

Katie went to her first dance class today. It was so cute! She is super shy so I was so worried she wouldn't go in without me. Boy was I wrong! She went in with Ms. Patty and never looked back. I think the highlight for her was the stamp she got on her hand after!

Here she is getting ready to go!


Katie and her little friend.


Don't mind the grubby ash tray!

Finally in a bed =(

The last of my 4 kids is now in a toddler bed. It makes me happy, yet sad. You see, Katie will be the last child I have. 4 is plenty for our family, so I try to savor every moment of Katie.

A friend gave us a toddler bed for free (if it's free, it's for me!) Chris put it together last night. I let her play on it this morning to "check it out". Her and Tommy were having fun on it. This afternoon for nap she crawled right in and never looked back. She is now sleeping peacefully in it!

Here she is checking it out. Tommy was trying to sleep under the bed. He brought his pillow and blanket in there!


Pretend to sleep.


Getting ready for nap!


Sound asleep!

Recipe of the Day!

I am going to start posting some of my favorite recipes to share with all of you!
This one is a family favorite. My special May 06 moms love it too!
My mom has made it since I was little. My kids eat it right up! Who doesn't like Mac and Cheese?

Homemade Mac and Cheese

1 box Elbow noodles (I like Casserole Elbows, they are bigger)
4 tbl butter
4 tbl flour
2 C milk
salt
pepper
Med pkg of Velveeta (16 oz) cut into cubes
Bread crumbs

1. cook pasta. When done put in a 9 X 13 pan.
Do these steps while pasta is cooking.
2. in a separate pot, melt butter
3. take off heat and add flour. Mix until smooth.
4. Slowly add milk.
5. put back on heat and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Cook on Med heat until smooth, adding the cubes of cheese. Constantly stirring so the cheese doesn't burn.
7. Pour over cooked macaroni.
8. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top and place pats of butter throughout the top. (Some don't like the bread crumbs, but it is yummy!)
9. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min

1st Day of Preschool

Today was Tommy's first day. This is his 4th year in preschool. He has been going since he was 2. Yes, the 4 year plan. Momma needs some time to get stuff done. This is his 2nd year at his current school.

Have you ever seen the scene in Finding Nemo when Nemo is jumping on his Dad's back saying "It's time for school! Wake up, it's time for school!"? Well, this was the request Tommy had. He wanted me to wake him up this way today. It was really cute. So, being the good mom I am, woke him saying that! He had the biggest smile on his face. Priceless.

We took a few pictures before school. I went to upload them so I could send them off to grandparents. I went to bring him to school and grabbed my camera. I got to school and went to take pictures......I forgot the memory card! GRRRRRR! Thankfully my friend took some for me. She will email them later.

Here is my little man before school.

My Life is Getting Back to "Normal"

Well, what "normal" is to me! Tommy starts back at preschool today. 3 afternoons a week. I cherish that 1 hour or so I have of peace and quiet. Katie will nap and the girls get home around 2:15. I can't wait. Some days I do my paperwork for the business, other days I grab my lunch and sit and watch TV, I never get to do that! Isn't it amazing the little things we enjoy when we have peace and quiet?

I had to share this video of Katie. Everyday Chris counts her toes. He has been doing this since she was tiny. The other day she just started counting on her own!

Mow the Lawn or Clean the Bathroom?

Which to do? I have 4 bathrooms in my house or mow 1 acre of lawn on a ride on mower?

Believe it or not I enjoy mowing the lawn. It is 1 hour in my day that I can put my iPod on and no one talks to me. Sad isn't it? Chris asked me if I wanted him to do it. I said "NO WAY!" He laughs. I think he has done it twice all year. Maybe he should do the bathrooms?

No Blogging

I haven't posted in a few days. There hasn't been much going on. I am in my first Blog "rut". Maybe it is the rain. Hannah hit us with just rain. We are in the Northeast.
Any ideas from my fellow Bloggers?

School Vent

The first day of school seemed to go well. However, the girls came home telling me all these other supplies they need. Casey had a list a while back of what they needed during the summer. Apparently, the teachers wanted to add to it once they were in school. UGH!
Sam had to wait until school started to see what each class required (she is in High School).
Now my vent......are you ready?
They both come home NEEDING school supplies THAT NIGHT! I said "I don't think teacher expect parents to run right out that night and get everything."
Of course, they beg to differ.
Now let me tell you, Casey has gymnastics until 8 and Sam has cheerleading until 7:30. There is no way I am headed to Target at 8:00 at night. Not a chance! So I said, give me a list and I will pick it up while you are at your classes.
You would think the world came crashing down! "Nooooooooooooooo! I want to pick it out!"
OK, I get that, but you are not in 3rd grade anymore and you say you HAVE to have it. This is the only way you are getting it. So then I compromise, tell me what you HAVE to have and we will get the rest this weekend. All of a sudden their tunes change........hmm......they are playing me. Teenagers!
They ended up sucking it up and letting Mom pick the stuff up. Funny though, they didn't NEED to have the stuff right away.

Am I Raising Trashy Mouth Kids?

I was just trying to find a show on TV for Tommy. Spongebob was not on (can you believe it? It is on ALL THE TIME!) When I told him it wasn't on he said "Well, that sucks!" OK, he is 4 1/2...........I guess I need to watch my mouth!

School Days!

The girls left for their first day of school!
Sam is in High School now! I can't believe it! I am praying she stays a good girls and not like her momma was! I was a trouble maker. Casey is starting 7th grade. They were both up early (that won't last long!) and ready to go.
Here they are before heading out.

"Bye Poopie!"

Yup, that is what Katie said to my mom yesterday! We were at my brother's for a cookout yesterday and we were saying bye to people. She looked at my mom and said "Bye Poopie!". My mom thought it was funny (got to love Gramma's) I was so embarrassed!

She has started saying "Bye Poopie" or "Bye Pee Pee" to people. What am I to do? She started last week at my father in law. I played it off like she was trying to say "Grampy". Yes, it doesn't sound like it, but she has never said "grampy" so I thought I would work with it and run! She has said it at home, we have told her no, then we tried ignoring her. Any thoughts on stopping this?