well... um. sorry

So it's been nearly 2 months. Part of that is my busy schedule.. part of that is my phone company deciding to turn off my dsl.  I'm still working on getting them to fix their error. In the meantime my dad has lent me use of his desktop. So here's a VERY short update.

The week before Thanksgiving my Mom had her long awaited tummy tuck. She's now in the last stages of recover, and looks amazing!! She's now a size 12. I'm jealous of how incredible she looks.Thanksgiving was good, fun had by all. We hit the in-laws feasting then headed to Mexico to be with my parents.

December came and the "season" hit with a vengence of parties and fun stuff.  One of the highlights was Tim's company party which was held at the Queen Mary ship not too far from us. We splurged and spent the night in the hotel. WOW! what a night. Tim was the chair of the committee of the "fun club" for the party. He outdid himself. His boss was so pleased we received a lovely "gift" of points on an onlne shopping/rewards program.. our new HD flat screen tv should arrive Friday with a few other smaller "toys". I'm thrilled.

The kids are all good. School, ballet, and gymnastics continue to keep me driving and them busy.  It's all good.

I'll try to post some recent pictures as soon as my dsl is back. :o)

I hope you are all well, and enjoying the fun and chaos this season brings.

Highland Games :o)

Being of Scottish / Irish lineage we take every opportunity to enjoy our heritage. And we get lots of chances here.  Saturday we did a first, we took the train to the games that are a 2 hour drive. It took longer, but was far more fun.

 

The Train Station, hard to see but Drew's in his kilt

                                          

 

 Here's Drew learning how to toss a caber. My "big strong man" used a  15 pound caber!! (sorry it's sideways)   

                                                                                             

The winning toss.  :o)  Beth competed in the 12-17 yr old caber toss. She won 1st place with a 2.8 meter throw with full roll over (it went end over end). 

Glasses, eye patches, and fevers

Oh My.  So Monday morning I went to meet my friend who was visiting from AZ.  Got to her hotel and the school called me to get Drew. He had a fever. I had a short visit with P and headed to the school.  Drew was OBVIOUSLY not feeling well as he was laying down and wanted to lay down at home.  His fever was gone this morning but, due to a classmate on chemo. he stayed home an extra day to be safe.

On our way to pick up Katie, we stopped and got Drew's glasses as they were ready.  Yes, I took my feverish child to pick them up, I suck.  Anyways, he looks quite handsome in his new glasses and aside from the usual adjustment to wearing them all the time, he's doing fantastic with them. :o)

This morning the school called for me to get Katie, fever. They're dropping like flies.  Bug walked in the house grabbed H.S. Musical and went to bed.  I expect to find her asleep before the 1/2 way point.

Hopefully Tori and Beth will be able to bypass this virus. At least it seems to be short lived. 

In other news, Tori signed up for an afterschool program called PRIDE, she wanted to be with her friends and it's supervised so why not.  She has 1 hour of homework time, with help, then they do activities.  Tori chose the performing arts group.  The December play is The Grinch that stole Christmas. And our Tori is playing the part of Cindy Lou Who.  :o)  I can't wait to watch it.

I'm not sure what happened.

But after all the going to prepare for the party, I just kept going. 

 The party was great, 50 people approximately.  Bbq, HUGS bounce with a slide (it was great fun).   Monday after the party my dad and I took his saws all and "ate" the swing set and tower in the backyard. It was rotted wood and HAD to be taken down. This project was work, but it was FUN. I do love power tools.

Tuesday I cleaned up the rest of the inside from the party. Wednesday I gardened and Thursday I went errand running with my Mom. Which included a stop at a new store we've found. It's 2 wharehouses of plants!!! I got Beth a begonia and me a fern. 

The rest of the week and weekend is a blur. Oh Sunday the last day of September was the baptism of our friends' daughter. So we went to brunch after service with them.

This week has been organizing and decorating for Halloween. one of my favorite holidays. So monday and yesterday I picked a room and got in it and got it picked up and vaccuumed.  This encited Tim to clean out his closet, I don't know why. But it did. So he did. YAY! more room for him and his stuff.  Tomorrow is the big day. I decorate. Yes it took me 2-1/2 days to prepare to do so. But I like to have the house picked up and "organized" before adding anything in. It gets too cluttered otherwise. It's still too cluttered, but this is better.

Tim took Drew and himself for eye exams. Both are coming home with new glasses on order. Lord help me. Drew's now going to be wearing glasses full time, and has to wear an eye patch on his "tired" eye for specific times during the day. Wish us luck. Hopefully he'll cooperate.

Time for dessert for the girls (and me).

 

Countdown to party

So with just 2 days left for party preparations. I'm running. But first, let me say Thursday night was LOVELY, I read 5 chapters in my current book, and enjoyed the band a lot! Friday I worked in the house.  Now to the countdown.

Saturday I ran errands with my younger 3 as Beth was camping with her field hockey team, and Tim was golfing.  After dropping Tori off at my parents for her sleepover  I came home with the other two munchkins and had lunch and hung out. Tim joined us around 3:30 and we went Mini-golfing and to dinner.  Miniature golf with kids is FUN. Katie got it, and tried really hard, and loved it when she made good shots. Drew's goal was to hit the ball to the hole without hitting anyone nearby. HE succeeded, barely.  Dinner was Macaroni grill,  I think I'm just an Olive Garden junkie, because other than the paper tablecover for coloring I wasn't overwhelmed with YAY-ness. I like O.G. better, it's just that simple.

Sunday, picked up Tori then church, Tim had to go to work after, so the 3 littles and I went to lunch with church friends. Then came home, shortly after getting home we had to go get Beth. Dinner, baths, bed.

Monday & Tuesday this week I did gardening, ok I got the string trimmer out and whacked the weeds in what should be my gorgeous backyard.  It'll be presentable for the party Saturday. Today thanks Dad, I got the wild idea to pull up the carpet from the hallway. I've wanted to do this for a while.. but today turned into the perfect day. So it's done.  My back is TIRED. I'M TIRED. But I'm quite happy with the results.  We have wood floor throughout, and it's covered by carpet in all bedrooms, and used to be, hallway. We'll de-carpet Katie/Tori's room over Christmas break. :o)

Tomorrow I attack the inside for the party. Tomorrow night choir and perhaps another stop at the pub. After working this hard I kind of feel like I deserve a little treat.

Speaking of treats.. I'm off to bed. A great treat, sleep.

 

Busy busy busy

As usual, I'm running like mad.  Today I dropped the kids off and picked up my mom who had her gallbladder out last week, we had breakfast, then went to her 10 day post-op check-up. She's all clear. YAY!  After the dr. we hit the mall, ok that sounds BIG, we hit two stores in the mall. Disney store, of course, I can't go into the mall without going in. And Borders as they carry the books my daughter "needed".   Disney was cool. Mom got Tori a Tinkerbell jean jacket, all 3 little kids jammies, and pre-ordered Jungle Books 40th anniversary edition. Merry Christmas!!!!! :o)

I got home did house work, started working on the invites to Beth's bday bash, and had lunch with Dad. I picked up the kids, and fed them a snack. In a few we're off to Katie's ballet and to watch the last bit of Beth's game and pick her up.

Tim has been busier than me (yes that's possible) so he's been out most nights this week. Tonight it's my turn to be out. I'm off to choir and then to my favorite Pub for some reading with music and general being out time. I won't be late Mom I promise, just a little time to sit and not do anything important.

That's my world, how's yours?

I never thought I'd see this.

When I describe  my daughter Beth, nearly 14, to my friends I'll say she's an avid reader, loves music of all varieties, enjoys dressing up for occassions. Dances ballet, and generally tolerates school as the average school attending child seems to be. In fact she enjoys 99% of school. She does love to learn and is fascinated by science and math, odd child.

But in all my years until now, I never thought I'd be sharing this picture.  See the girl on the right in the red jersey with a t-shirt underneath.. THAT is Beth.  She is playing Girls FIELD HOCKEY for her high school. HOLY COW. We had to get cleats, and a mouth gaurd, she also has shin guards. I'm excited for her, but a little part of me is dying. My notreallyintosports daughter is playing on  team sport?!!  It's great though, as it's given her about 45 girls she automatically knows on campus!!! And a team big sister. :o)

I'm still not a soccer mom, now it's CHICKS WITH STICKS, I'm a Field hockey mom... who knew??!!