another Thursday of torture

thursday is not just gym day, it's personal trainer gym day.  Today was let's make Jen's legs quit working.. he did a great job of it. By the end of our hour session my legs were shaking!!!!  On the upside, I saw a marked improvement in my ability to do certain moves that I've been struggling with, so that was good.  We did not weigh me or measure me as we were scheduled, being a girl-type person who is near that monthly week of ick, I'm not my usual sized self. Why torture me, he says. I like this idea. We'll do that part in 2 weeks, after I've finished, ick.

Now, did I mention my mom's car accident?? I don't remember, so briefly here's the deal, she got side munched in her car. It's now 8-1/2 weeks later and her car isn't fixed yet.  Her rental car can't go across the Int'l border, so I'm taking her home...it's only for a night, but she can restock clothes, etc. we'll come back up Saturday after dinner as the girls are all performing at church on Sunday morning. 

Now I'm off to put away the PILE 'o laundry I've folded so I can pack us to leave tomorrow. :o)

The rest of the weekend and 1/2 a week gone

It seems I'm only good for blogging every 4th day. oh well. so Sunday the kids and I went to church, Tim slept in and did some house stuff. That evening, my parents, C, Bill, and M. came for dinner and cake and ice cream to "birthday" my dad. He enjoyed and all was happy.  monday was the usual day, school, house stuff, hanging out, ballet for Bug, bedtime.  Tuesday was a normal day as well, with the addition of our going by a preschool I've been eyeing for Drew. We visited. He LOVED it...and is still whining about when does he go back! I'm trying to figure that part out now.  I'd like to start him Tuesday of next week but I don't think that's going to happen...we'll see.  After that we went to the gym where I tortured myself, then showered and came home to collect kids, feed snack, drop kids at gymnastics, pick up my mom, go to dance, have dinner with my mom, dad, and Beth, go back to dance for Beth, bring girls home. Tuck in littles, help Beth with homework, go to bed. No wonder I'm pooped Wednesday morning. I crashed at 10pm and was quite ready for it!!!  Today I had class.. I really wish I could say I was enjoying this class, but I'm sleeping through 3/4 of the lectures.  Fortunately I'm getting what I need in order to do well on the weekly writing assignments and feel comfortable heading in to the mid-term. It's just that whole, dark room, someone else talking.. hear me snore. 

Got home fed me, got kids, napped drew, girls are doing homework...and here I sit. I'm off to do laundry, and maybe vacuum my living room...

Ren Faire

We went to Ren Faire on Saturday. We took my dad with us, to celebrate his birthday which was Friday. We had a lovely time. We were all in costume, which just makes it more fun!!!  We shopped, browsed, got ideas, the kids rode some rides, one was a swing, that two guys push to get going, it seats 6 adults I think it is. Well the one guy gets the kids loaded in and starts flirting with Beth. darnit if she didn't flirt back a bit <shiver> it was cute to watch, when I pulled myself back from being the mommy. hehe.   The two highlights for me though, were when we were given audience with the Queen, Drew went right up and hugged her. The girls all curtsied, and were cute, when it was time to leave, Drew gave her another hug and kissed her cheek, and so Tori and Katie went up and gave her a hug. I got a picture of the 4 kids with the Queen, I'll try and put it up in a bit.  The second highlight, was Drew's face when he was placed on the pony for the pony ride. OMG.. the child radiated happy kid!!! It was the coolest. I really had no idea something so simple would mean so much to him. So it was very cool that they got to do that.  In the end, the kids each got a stamped coin. Beth got a quill and ink, Tori and Katie got brooms the bristles are black, the broomhandles are cedar and plum respectively, Drew got a sword and shield. I got 10 sticks of lavendar incense, and something Tim bought me that I've not seen... don't know when I'm getting it either.  And a bunch of lovely memories!!! The weather was fantastic, cool, cloudy, and gorgeous!!! it spattered rain once right at the end of the day, but didn't last 5 minutes. So it was a GREAT day!

GO DUCKS!!!!!

Monday evening Beth and I met my brother and M for a Mighty Ducks Hockey game.  It was soo much fun, we had cheapest seats, we were row Q (the top of the stadium is row z). But we didn't care. We yelled, howled, boo'd, and cheered for our Ducks. And they WON!!!! We beat the Calgary flames 4-3. The flames being a "real" hockey team, from Canada and all, were really mean, every other play a fight broke out. It was amazing watching grown men pummle eachother. Made it more excited for us to watch though. Beth got in to it too, yelling and howling at the guys. hehe, I know, such a good role model. Oh well, it's a sport she's never likely to play. And well, it's Hockey, if there's not a fight, it's a dull game. 

On the way home my poor girl got sick, apparently she wasn't feeling great before we left, but not wanting to miss it, she didn't tell me. She stayed home yesterday and is home again today. though better I think she needs today for rest and regaining strength. 

Yesterday I was hoarse all day, I sounded funny, but that's what you get when you howl like an air-horn off and on over 2 hours. hehe, now I know I'm loud, but I didn't know how loud until the 2nd period started and the guy in front of me turns to me and tells me I'm going to give him nightmares.. he thought I had a can airhorn, he was just waiting for it to run out.. when he saw it was a person making that noise, well, all he could say was WOW and Holy $#*^  hehe. So my brother wants me to buy individually wrapped ear plugs in bulk and pass them out to the people sitting directly in front of me from now on. LOL, THAT would be funny.

Ok.. time to go to class....yawn

The end of the week

We did go to the Wild Animal Park, after running a bunch of errands. We got there around 1pm, had a snack, and went off to find a "Noo-noo" this is what PBS has done to my son, Elephants are noo-noo's  Apparently the vacuum creature on teletubbies looks like an elephant.  He did finally say elephant as we were leaving. We also saw meerkats, gorillas,  and other various creatures I can't remember the names of now. It was fun, we ate "linner" (lunch/dinner) and headed home. We were all tucked in bed by 10pm. :oD

Cats was MARVELOUS!!!! we were a little late to the show due to my getting us lost, Grrrr. But we only missed the first minute or two and the girls didn't mind a bit.  Tori wore her T-shirt to school today! she LOVED it and was totally mesmermized during the show.  Friday I took Drew to the ear doctor to have molds done for ear plugs, he did just fine with that, and then we all veg'd out at the house, with me doing some housecleaning for Sunday.

Sunday.. EASTER!! the Bunny came, the goodies were enjoyed, the new outfits were much loved and we all went to church, were I sang, and the kids were cute during their story time. After church Drew and I took a nap while Tori and Katie played quietly in their rooms and Beth helped Tim with dinner prep. we had 26 for dinner, it was a blast!! Lots of food, and fun. We snagged eggs from the baskets the kids got on Sunday at the church egg hunt and hid them in the front yard for the girls and Drew to hunt, that was cute because I actually HID the eggs rather than just laying them on the ground (I did that too).  So now it's back to the daily norm... for a while.

I have 8 weeks of classes and then my final is on the monday of week 9.  the kids have 10 weeks of school left!!!!!! WOHOO!!!!

 

Just plain Fun

It was a little crowded but hey it's spring break time, what do you expect. We got pictures with the Easter Bunny, all 5 kids (remember we had Beth's buddy) smiled and were content to be near the Wabbit.  Then we rode rides, and watched the little kids ride their rides. The two big ones went off with a two-way radio in hand and did their own do. I think they rode a couple of rides, I know they had fun.  After much riding in Camp Snoopy we stopped for lunch, the two bigs met us. YUM, over priced, over cooked burgers and dogs with watered down pepsi (I was out and playing I didn't do diet).  I was hungry enough to eat every single bite of my burger so it wasn't THAT bad.  After that we rode the stagecoach as a group, Drew was bored and getting tired, but he sure perked up when he saw the horses!!! He loved the coach ride, hated the log ride, and rode several of the rides in camp snoopy more than 2X's each.  Katie was with Drew, Tori is now graduated, she's over 48" tall and so is entitled to "big kid coasters"  so after dinner I took her on the easiest of the lot, Jaguar, she LOVED IT.. rode it 2times with me, and twice with my dad. She was a bit bummed when she discovered she was too short to ride the bigger rides (52" or 54" required depending on the ride).. but she knows she'll grow quickly. Oh and she got to DRIVE her bumper car this year!!! THAT was fun for her!!! 

Tonight we're going to see CATS, the girls and I, Drew is going to my friend K's house. My mom and M are joining us, should be a fun girls night out. The girls are all napping now to prepare for two late nights in a row.

tomorrow after we wake up, we're going to San Diego to visit the Wild Animal park. It will be an adventure as it's just me taking them.. but of course, Beth is a mini-mom so I'm not REALLY all alone!! And I'm up for it. Beats staying home hearing "I'm bored all day" or watching them watch 25 movies back to back!!!!

Week of fun

It's spring Break, for the kids anyway. I ditched school today (shhh).. By the time I had myself ready I had 10mins. to get there before class started. Well, it takes 20 to get there and that doesn't include parking and walking to the class.. so oh well. I'll call it my ditch day for the quarter.

Tomorrow we're going to Knott's.. I'm so excited, my mommy is going!!! YAY! 

We had a weekend of fun, Friday was the Mist, dancing and celebrations for my mom and M's birthdays and C's engagement! Saturday I ran some errands and laid low I didn't feel good at all, no I wasn't hung over I am fighting a sinus infection, but by evening was better so I took the kids down the street to K's for her dd's bday party, fun stuff. But we didn't stay late. I was in bed by 9pm.  Sunday I sang at both services, then DH and I dropped the kids off with the sitter, and headed to the Long Beach grand prix. It was a blast!!! we were on the 23rd floor of a building that has a balcony that faces the race. Way too fun!!!  We got home and went to bed!   I didn't go to the gym Saturday, my nose/head was too stuffy and I was achy! not a good combination for a good workout. So, the next time I go will be Thursday for the last session with my trainer. I'm anxious to see if I've actually lost anything. I think I might have, but I just can't tell. 

Ok. Beth's friend B has arrived for the sleepover, and tomorrow, she'll go with us to Knotts so Beth has someone besides me to ride the Coasters with. Though I've been promised by my parents to get to ride two coasters. :)

I'll let ya know how the day goes..

a moment

as I wait for the time to go collect the kids from school I will lament.. WHY must both the elementary AND Jr. High do early release day in the same week?? WHY can't parents understand how the pick up lane works. If you are picking up a Kindergartener you must go get the child, thus you must PARK that does not mean pull into the first available spot in the drive through pick-up lane and "just run up" you can't.. it's too far!! If you have a child who is habitually late coming out, again, please do not take the FIRST spot, forcing the rest of us to attempt to go around you in a very tight corner... this is most especially true if you drive anything larger than a Toyota Corolla!!!

Yesterday I waited for 10mins. to turn into the parking lot. Today I'll wait 10 mins. before I leave. I'm late either way, but my mood is oooohhhh so much nicer if I've not sat in my van for 10mins. trying to turn in to collect the children.

In other news, I went to the gym today. I tried a new machine at the encouragement of my trainer (the man is evil!)  the eliptical machine.  A fun looking piece with handles that move in the way a humans arms swing while walking, you stand on two large "pedals".  I only almost fell off twice.  I am most impressed with the machines ability to force your core muscles (tummy area) to work to keep you upright.. mine were not pleased with me after my 30mins of torture.  Amazingly, I feel very proud of me for doing this, and hope to return Saturday morning in order to do more of the same. I'm sick, and need help!!!   Oh and on my fitness track, before I close, I have switched to diet pepsi. 0 calories vs. 100 calories.  The second upside is that as I don't like the flavor nearly as much I drink less...that has to be a good thing.

Ahh.. my time is up... one last thought before I go.

HAPPY (really) Birthday to my 'Foofoo'  double digits!!!! Love you girlie!!!!

A day off and a weekend...

Friday was fun, we went to T's house, well Tori, Katie and I. Beth lovingly volunteered to stay here with Drew. It was bonus for me, and  her. She got to play with him, without getting dressed, I got to visit with T while the girls played!! We also got rid of our extra lawnmower, YAY!!!

Saturday was C's daughter's bday party, held here. We were to have a bouncy castle but as it was raining we sent it back. In 20mins. on the phone with C we planned a Harry Potter, Hogwarts party. Thanks to my friend who already did such a party I snagged a few ideas from her and we enjoyed a delightful time!! For herbology we painted clay pots, the kids were then given a small baggie with seeds to plant when they got home. Defense against the dark arts was the pinata, for potions we took Dry ice, added 7-up and let the kids add food coloring to make their potion. Once the dry ice quit reacting they were able to drink their potion with their cake.  We opened gifts and it was time to go home. YAY!! A FANTASTIC party. Which made me opt out of a bouncy for Tori's party and instead I'll be creating some fun activities for the kids to do, like a treasure hunt to get to the pinata. Her theme is Pixie Pirate. :o)

Sunday I sang at church, I did a good job, if I do say so myself, it was tons of fun!!! After church we hung out, Beth went to youth, Tori and Katie had a friend over and the 3 girls and Drew played house. We took their friend home picked up Beth, and dinner, and came in for the night!!I was really happy to put my jammies on!!! 

And finally.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom. I hope you have the best of days!!!