HAPPY 2006!!!!!

I hope you all had a very merry celebration ringing in the New Year.  We did. As a planned party was cancelled a second last minute gathering came up, so we loaded the troops (and their pj's) and headed to my friend's home. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and frolicked through til Midnight, which we toasted in properly with champagne for the over21, and sparkling cider for the under 21 crowd.

After midnight we came home and snuggled into our beds and slept away the morning. Tim and the kids rose after 9am.. me, I was gifted by my family with sleep.. at 11:30am Tim came in to wake me for brunch. :o)

With no major plans, and rainy whether, we spent the rest of the day lounging and doing "in home" projects... I can now say with glee that I know exactly what is under my bed.

So, happy new year one and all.. May 2006 bring you peace, love, and Joy~

 

Happy Merry

OK, got 2 of my 3 grades.. I did pass the dreaded upper division writing.. WHEW! I would've liked a slightly higher grade, but I'll take what I got. 

Now, someone tell me what I was thinking/smoking when I decided at 12noon on the Saturday before the actually holiday weekend, to take my 4 children to the mall.. without anyone to help me?? It took 20mins. to find a parking spot, and I take first available, we are all able-bodied walking persons.  Got in, and Santa was heading to lunch, ACK! so we did some shopping, browsing, and general nothingness. Then got back over there in time to line up before the big guy got back. Didn't take long after that. Great pictures, see below (if i can do it).

Today my dad and I met up after dropping Drew at preschool to go shopping for Kid TV (a dvd player in the van)  it's all purchased and will go under the tree..I can't wait for the kids to see that, they are gonna FLIP!!!!! :oD  we finished and I ran some errands all alone, picked up Drew, fed lunch, and tucked him in. Now I've eaten and must go clean and decorate... it never ends does it. :o)

Big Night tonight

Tonight is the Holiday Showcase for the Dance Studio that Beth and S. attend, Beth will be performing in a "scene" from the Nutcracker (ok, music is Nutcracker, choreography is Miss Kimberly), S. is doing a Jazz routine that I've never seen any of.. should be fun!!!

After that we'll come home and I'll anxiously help decorate until a little after 8pm when my grades will be posted. I'm nervous.. I'm always nervous, but that upper division writing class was a killer.. I pray I passed with an acceptable grade.

Tomorrow, we're <groan> going to the mall to see Santa, while the kidlets did get to see him at the polar express they've requested a re-visit, who am I to say no.  So we'll spiff 'em up (the kids that is) and head out early, hopefully missing the huge lines that way. I'm prepared with my $5.00 to use my own camera, and will have the batteries charged and memory card empty.  After that we'll get food, return home for a nap, and then go on our expotition (for all the pooh fans), to see the Nutcracker.  Pawpaw is making vegetable soup and MacNcheese for dinner, then we'll stop and drop off Drew (he's just not there yet!!) and head to the theatre, I'm so excited.  This ballet is what IS Christmas to me. 

I'll make the attempt to stick a photo in here after our Santa visit tomorrow, so you can see the kidlets with the bearded elf.

Happy Wednesday

I'm heading out in a minute here to grab a camera from dad to take pictures of the "Winter program" at the elementary school... should be adorable. 

cleaning is going ok, just a little slow. My ability is lacking due to spacial issues (in other words the shelves aren't up yet)... I'm going to gently nudge the hubby on that issue tomorrow.

Tonight we're having dinner guests. Unexpectedly. I'm glad though, as I love seeing my friends, sadly this visit is due to a family death. I'm hoping that a visit with us will help to brighten their spirits.

Tori has an ear infection, but with antibiotics in her system she's doing well.

  Katie made an online "paper" follow this link.. http://www.ringling.com/weekly/ezine314photo.htm

the rest of us are just hanging out...

Hugs

 

BIG SIGH~

I turned in my two papers and took my one final exam. I'm done! AHHHH.  Today I've cleaned a small area of the playroom, watched 1/2 a movie with Drew, slept through the other 1/2.  Fed him and N. lunch (N came home with a cough, he's fine, except for coughing up his lungs every 10mins.) Now I'm lazily enjoying some time to just "be" online. I don't have to rush, I don't have to study or research anything. AHHHH.  Now that my allergy med has kicked in I'm going to work some more on the family room. I'll hit the dining room after Drew gets up from his nap.

Tonight the hubby and I are meeting my parents, C and her guy, for dinner and frolicking at the Harp. It's gonna be great!!!!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

And I'm very in the mood for the holidays. Tomorrow I turn in my final papers and take an exam. I'm so ready to be done, and finished, and take a break.. to find my house!!! to decorate, to sleep at night, like the rest of the world!!!!

Things are going well here, Tori started vision therapy today. It was very interesting watching her do the exercises.  they had me try one to see how it works, and I couldn't do it either.. guess we now know where Scooter gets the problem from. So, she's got 3 exercises to do, one time each day. We'll start tomorrow.

I "finally" had the parent/teacher conference with Katie's teacher. Basically miss-Bug is doing great. She needs to work on time management, and pouting (hehe, wonder where she gets that from?!!?, NOT!)  But she's at grade level on everything so that's great to hear.

 

I think that's it. I'm off to write some more of my paper.. Oh I can't wait for tomorrow night!!!! I'll be DONE!!!!(for a month)

Polar Express (and Baby update)

Received word that baby is doing ok. Lots of issues occured during the delivery, but it looks like things are moving forward. Phew! I cannot express the joy in typing that statement.

Now on to the fun of the weekend. Sunday, we drove Flimore, CA (just north of Valencia, then West).  To ride the train, which during the Holiday Season, the create into the Polar Express. We are read the story, have chocolate milk, cookies, and get to see Santa.  We had fun playing in the park and eating dinner with my in-laws before boarding. Upon departure our elves led us in carols with the aid of some of the children. My own Tori, Katie, and Drew helped with various songs. The children were given a sleigh bell after the book was read to us.We saw the Hobo outside the windows about 1/2 way.  Then we started seeing ice bergs.. At this point I've moved Drew and I to the appropriate side of the train, we jingled his bell (we do believe) and started looking.. There he was.. and I cannot describe Drews' face, I was darn near in tears watching him. He and Santa made eye contact, and Drew just about broke his face smiling. We then received the news that Santa would be boarding the train!!! OMG, you'd have thought we'd given my boy a puppy AND a house of toys. Santa came in through the back, and Drew almost patiently waited for him. When it was finally his turn he nearly lept into his arms. Giggles and smiles were all we heard and saw. Santa was most pleased. Drew accepted his candy cane politely, Santa moved on to the next car, and we settled in to finish the ride. After we got back to the station we went to the end of the train for pictures and a visit. At that point Drew was just overwhelmed. All he could do was smile, giggle, and say Santa. It was priceless. Tori and Katie were also all giggles but were no bones about what they wanted from Santa for Christmas...and I score, I've already gotten them both what they asked for!!! :oD    Pictures were taken by aunts, uncles, and grandparents.. I'll post a few to our family web-page asap. 

The holiday season has come back to life for me...I'm so very excited for Christmas this year.