{Ahh..the little things}

*yawn*

Boy, am I ever worn out.

Summer is off to a rocky start so far, my two oldest have decided to take on these horrible personality changes.  Kaden has been the king of sibling irritation, and Ellie, princess whiny-pants.  I am already going out of my mind wondering how I can do this all. summer. long. 

We've been crazy busy this last few days playing outside & running all over the place, and things are FINALLY settling down tonight. 

I am so glad that I get to veg on the couch, but I know I will not last long, because I'll be asleep in no time :)   I was looking forward to a day of resting tomorrow too, but got a call from my friend & college roomate Judi, and she is in town state, and we will be getting together tomorrow.  Because of the kids crazy behavior (mostly here at home ) paired with that fact that we do not have our AC in yet, I am thinking we will be meeting her somehwere to shop/eat/play instead of hanging out here.  We'll see what the day brings.  I am looking forward to seeing her & Katelyn, it has been too long.

We worked on getting things ready outside today, and decided to get the pool set up.  It is filling up as we speak, and the kids are already looking forward to swimming tomorrow at some point.

Last night I went with a few girl friends to see the Sex and the city movie.  We had such a great time.  It was sort of spur of the moment (at least for me & one friend, the others had been planning this) and I am SO glad that we decided to go along.  We went down to The Greene, and had dinner on the patio of Brio, complete with Cosmo's, of course !  There were SO many people there and everyone was all dressed up and wearning fancy shoes, all in true Carrie style :)  I'll keep my mouth shut about the movie though...

I am so very tired, and ready to get the kids settled and myself to the couch *yawn*

is it contagious?

Fishygirl had mentioned that she is having writers block, and I am thinking I've got it too. 

 It is either that, or I am feeling a little deja'vu -  like everything that I want to write about has already been said here before.

Oh well, here we go again...

It has been a VERY busy week for us.  With the kid's end of school activities, and the holiday (and day off) starting out the week, and the last days of school being yesterday for Ellie and today for Kaden, I sit here tonight feeling a BIG sense of relief.... but I am also wondering where the last week, as well as the entire last school year have gone?

*blink* and it is over.  WOW.

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BUT, that means it is now summer vacation here, it is official :) 

Today was too crazy a day to have a fun party like we did last year, but I did make the last day of school at least a little special for the kids.  Yesterday, I decided to surprise Ellie by using window markers & decorating the van windows, so that when I went through her car line, everyone would get to see my CONGRATS!  Way to go Ellie, we love you!  plastered all over the van.  She loved it, and was grinning and pointing it out to her of her friends, it was very cute :)  I then let her chose a visit to the "candy store" or to get ice cream, and she picked candy, and then asked if we could go to the park.  We did & stayed there until dinner, which was lots of fun.  Today, she was lucky enough to be invited to go to King's Island with a friend, so she had a wonderful day without a doubt.

Kaden's last day was celebrated in much the same way.  He had a two hour early dismissal, and when he came outside he found a decorated van (surprise, surprise).  He also chose a trip to get some candy, but we skipped the park and came home to play outside instead.  After two skateboard injuries he decided that the computer sounded like more fun (and much safer) so he came inside.  The two little ones & I stayed outside, and I decided to get the watercolors out to give them something fun to do.  We had fun with those for a while, and a tray of soapy water kept them busy too (oh, how I love preschoolers).  I was trying to convince them that the sprinkler sounded fun, but no one was buying it. 

Maybe tomorrow...

 

 

Speaking of tomorrow, I have big plans.

 I want to sleep in. 

Chances that it will happen?  Not good.  Ava is on a 7:00 internal alarm clock lately *sigh*  so I will let you know how it goes. 

Other than that, we've got nothing pressing to do.  If it is as hot as today, I am sure that water will be involved in some way.  We've not set up our pool yet, and are actually wondering if we will this year.  It seems that we did not spend much time in it last year because we had a pool pass.  That is another thing that is up in the air.  We've not bought a pass yet, and just have not made the final decision as to if we will be or not.  I almost went to get a slip & slide today, or a new kiddie pool - but the day was just gone too quickly.  Maybe we'll do that tomorrow, or maybe we'll lay around all day in our jammies and do NOTHING just because we can :) 

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Just as I was tagging Meghann last week, she was tagging me too  :)  Hers (or part of it anyway) was to share six unimportant things about yourself.

My 6 things are...

• 1. fresh pineapple makes my tongue go numb, but I eat it anyway
• 2. I've had the itch to digi-scrap again, but my laptop with my PS has died. I've not had it checked out yet due to the fact that I already sunk $80 into it, and now this. It is an older model, so I think it is getting more to fix it then what it is even worth. UGH!
• 3. i need to drink more some water through out the day...I am betting it would help get some of these extra pounds off
• 4. the older I get, the more I realize that the people I used to think had no sense of style have just grown up and out of the "fads" and now I am becoming one of those people too
• 5. I can NOT let my hair grow. I want too, I really do, but I keep cutting it back off again *sigh*
• 6. I have a hard time posting without adding any pictures

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I guess I had more to say than I thought I did...

home & exhausted

We're home from the long weekend at the lake, and we had a blast. Lots of great times together, lots of yummy cook-out food, and nice relaxing nights by the fire. I am trying to upload the pictures, but I am SOO worn out, I am thinking BED is more important at this point.

But...I do have something fun to share. I've complained (many times) about not being able to get a good picture of all of my kids, and this is just in case you did not think what I said is true! Notice the first one is actually the best (go figure) and Zander's faces are enough to make me want to fall out of my chair laughing :) Well, that and the fact that Kaden barely moves at all - hilarious!

this seat is taken

It was reserved for the coolest parents...and we get the title for the last few days :)

Wednesday, Harry spent hours with our kids & all of the neighbor kids down at the creek.  They built a small fire, he timed them doing races, etc.  I topped off the night by bringing marshmallows out for roasting, and juice for all the kids.  I also stole a great idea from the girl scouts, where you use the fudge striped cookies for smores.  They taste alot like grahams, and already have the layer of chocolate on them.  PERFECT!

Then yesterday we spent the day at Kaden's field day.  It was so much fun for the kids, and Kaden had a blast acting silly with his friends, and having his parents there was a big hit.  We even ate lunch with him, it was a really fun day.  It is nice that he wants us there, because last year he did not want us around as much (in FIRST grade!!).  Last night we took the kids out to eat, and then spent some time outside.  We went to the covered bridge, down to the river, and finally stopped at the city building's fountain.  It was also LOTS of fun for everyone.

This weekend, we'll be at the lake.  Camping, boating, fishing, just hanging out together.  No tv, no computers, nothing but each other & I can not wait :)

I'll try to add some pictures in later, but for now, I've got to get packing!

tag, your it :)

I was tagged by Gina on this one,  it has been open & drafted for days and I am just getting a chance to finish it...

Favorite person (outside family)? probably my best friend Holly

Favorite food?  chipotle steak burrito

Quirks about you? I don't think I am too quirky, but I am sure there are a few

How would the person who loves you the most describe you in 10 words or less?  I'll ask him & let you know :)

Any regrets in life? not really

Favorite Charity/ Cause? probably Relay for Life, as it is the only cause I have really worked for

Favorite Blog recently? I have too many faves to pick just one :)

Something you can’t get enough of? time for myself

Worst job you’ve ever had?  the few DAYS I worked in a factory

What job would you pay NOT to have? like Gina said, anything slaughter house or animal related

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? my house somedays

Favorite Bible verse right now?  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Guilty Pleasure? shopping

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? shopping for new summer clothes, and something else just for me...pedicure maybe?


Favorite thing about your house? the people in it

Least favorite thing about your house? the street it is on

One thing you are bad at?  keeping up on housework

One thing you’re good at? spending quality time with my kids

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? a BIGGER house

Who would you like to meet someday? Jesus

Who is your real life hero? Anyone that lives life with positivty, and to the fullest

What is the hardest part of your job? being patient all. the. time.

When are you most relaxed? when Harry & I take the kids places together

What stresses you out? my kid's constant needs (man that answer stinks, but it is true)

What can you not live without? sweet tea...okay that may be an exaggeration

Why do you blog? to help keep track of our lives, and give myself a little outlet

Who Am I Tagging?

• New/Newer bloggers- my friend Mandy
• Bloggy friends- Fishy girl & Meghann
• Bloggers you’d like to get to know better- Emily
• Bloggers who you don't think will respond, but you hope will- Heather...she is having a baby TODAY (go congratulate her!)

Rules: (of which I did not follow...)
1. Answer the questions
2. Link back to whoever tagged you
3. Tag eight bloggers to do the same, 2 from each category.
New/ newer bloggers (since we want to share the love and send them traffic)
Bloggy friends
Bloggers you’d like to get to know better
Bloggers you don’t think will respond, but you hope will

Charleston Falls

Yesterday we went to Charleston Falls to take a little hike & see the waterfalls.  It had rained Saturday night, so we knew that it would be a perfect day to visit, and we were right.  We've been there before when the falls were just a trickle, so this was a beautiful site...

Here is little cave that the kids remembered visiting another time, and were sad we had no flashlight to use to see further into it

 

And some cool steeping stones over the creek (this was the favorite spot of the day)!

the view from up on the lookout

the simple beauty of the day...just look at the perfect sky

On the way home, we decided to stop at the park to play.  I took another ton of pictures there, but this one is my favorite by far.  She was having so much fun trying to keep her feet away from her Daddy, it was just too cute :)

So excited :)

I just checked the forcast for next weekend because we are planning to camp at the lake all weekend long, and look at this:

Sat   May 24   Sunny   75°

Sun   May 25   Sunny 80°

Mon  May 26 Sunny 76°

That is awesome!  The lows are only supposed to be near 60 too, so it should be PERFECT camping weather  :)

a fun filled weekend

It has been busy, but filled with fun things  :)

Friday night I worked downtown at the Taste of the Arts festival in the Kids Zone, where they set up free crafts for the kids to do.  I took Ellie with me & her friend Sophia from school met us there. They were able to play & do the crafts, then watch the magic show.  When I was finished we went with Sophia and her parents to get something to eat, which is basically the main attraction at the festival.  Places from around the area set up under the tents & serve features from their menu.  The girls had great time together, they both have other siblings, but none of the other kids were there, so I think they were loving it!

Saturday was Ellie's bridging ceremony, where she "crossed over" from being a Daisy girl scout, to becoming a Brownie! 

Because of the weather (it kept sprinkling off & on all day) they held it at the church, and her leader set up a little bridge with a blue paper pond, etc.  It was very cute, and the girls did well as speaking their parts when it was their turn.  They then planted a daisy, and came to the parents to get their final pin. Next fall, that pin will move to her Brownie sash, along with a couple of patches (try-its) they received yesterday. 

I am VERY proud of her for participating in everything, and allowing herself to have fun and stay involved.  She can be quite a handful at home, but when she is outside of our house, she is VERY reserved and quiet (it drives me crazy at times!) so I am glad she has enjoyed this so much.  I also like to see her in something so positive & geared toward being a little girl.  This world pushes kids along so fast, and I am glad to see her be exactly what she is, a LITTLE girl  :)

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Last night some friends of ours put on a big party, following the games/activities of the movie Beerfest (which I have not seen).  Imagine a college frat party, but with adults.  Crazy would be an understatement.  People our age should not be bonging beers, and slamming pitchers (in my opinion anyway), but most people had designated drivers and overnight babysitters, so I guess I should just keep my opinions to myself. I was not drinking, so I guess it seemed a little over the top to me.  Everyone had fun (myself included) but I know more than one of the guys will be SICK today, heck some were already sick last last. 

Anyway, it was fun to be out of the house for a little while (we did not have an overnight sitter, so were home early) and spend time with the girls, laughing at the men we all love making fools of themselves, all for the title of Beerfest champ and winner of an inscribed mug!

Today, we have plans to be relax, and be outside enjoying the sunshine that is already filling the house...

those days

I am having one of those days, those crazy days when it seems like I can not get one single thing accomplished.

This morning, Zander woke to a wet bed.  So, I stripped the bed, put him in the bath.  I decided to wait until he was out of the bath so that I could wash all of the sheets/blankets and his towel (and of course the bath mat after he gets the entire thing wet) together. I piled it up outside of the bathroom.

Fast forward, he's out and I am taking care of the kids & decide that I want some toast.  I stick it the toaster and go to the bathroom, and see the pile of laundry.  Crap.  Okay, so I think I'll get the laundry started, then check my e-mail.  Then I hear the toast pop up.  Oops!  I forgot I was making toast  :)  So I go get the toast while it is hot, and decide that the laundry can wait a little longer.

Now everyone in the house wants toast too.  And different kinds.  A few pieces burn (who still burns toast?) even though the setting is low.  About 8 slices of bread later, one butter piece, 3 cinnamon, and 2 peach preserves...the toast thing is finished.  Whew!

So, back to the laundry.  I take that downstairs, and Ava SCREAMS at the top of the stairs for me the whole time I am down there, which of course is longer than expected because there are WET clothes in the washer that need re-washing *sigh*  Restart the wash, and the original load still sits waiting...

I come back upstairs and decide to make the cheesy potatoes I am craving for lunch, and pour myself a glass of sweet tea.  Get that in the oven and cleaned up, and turn around to see the table.  Zander promised that if I let him cut "just ONE thing" he will "NOT make a mess"  I am thinking he must have forgot that part  :)  SO I take a picture because it looks like the rest of the house, and goes perfectly with what kind of day I am having.  Another mess that I will clean up, only to move onto the next.

So, here I am.  It is 10:30 and the wet bed laundry (from 8:00) has not been started yet.  There are three little ones underfoot and making messes/singing & dancing/having fun.  I've not showered yet, and am still in jammies, and it is almost lunch time already. 

One of those crazy days...

my mind is racing

but I am too tired to stay up & get it all out tonight, so here are some random (yet important!) things going on...

• Kaden has his glasses!  Today was his first full day with them & things seem to be going well.  There have been a few "comments" about them, but he seems to have handled them all very well, as he is just glad that he can see CLEARLY now  :)
• tomorrow is our last MOPS for the year, and Ellie's last one ever!  Bittersweet as she was a baby when I started going (SO hard to believe that !!!)
• I am posting at Midwest Parent tomorrow, another craft post - but check it out, there are some VERY cute ideas I found at various places
• since I am not busy enough this week with the kid's "extras" I decide to paint the kitchen!  It is a will be a very light blue color with white trim when I get finished.  So fresh & clean looking, such a BIG change from my darker country kitchen, and I LOVE the change
• I am tired and can not think of anthing else at the moment, so that must mean I can now get to sleep quickly, and not lie in bed and think about things all night

Sweet dreams :)