An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

So I thought! I have really been doing all that I can think of to keep the 'Coodies' out of our house! Well, minus Sonic night for the school on Wednesday and minus the Mcdonalds last night as were so rushed with all the kids' activities.

The kids have been eating healthy. Heck, Kailee even found a new fruit she likes. It's called a Kiwi berry(?). Itty bitty teeny tiny kiwis in the form of a berry. The kids haven't complained (too much anyway) about the vitamins, elderberry, and tonics shoved down their throats.

Well, I have been on cloud nine all week while hearing about all the sick kids at school and around the neighborhood. Until last night. Sitting at Kailee's swim lessons it hits. BAM! Just like that - like walking into a glass window you didn't see. Davis refuses his McDonald's. Who can refuse a McDonald french fry? I immediately felt his head and he is warm. NO NO NO! Is what I say! I told Davis we should do some kind of 'Voo Doo' dance while we are waiting on Kailee so it will go away and not stay.

Davis' response? He tells me (in his ever so sweet quiet voice), "Mom, can you just be quiet. My hair hurts" After the initial giggle of his 'hair' hurting, I asked if his head hurt which he proceeded to insist on his hair hurting.

This morning? He wakes up in a good mood. Only a temp of 99.6. But he says his HAIR hurts and his mouth hurts. He still is not eating or drinking. I, myself, have the beginnings of a fever blister on my lip and a dull headache. I went ahead and made Dr. appointments for this afternoon since it is Friday.

Shooo Bug! Don't bother us! Shooo Bug! Don't bother us!

A Little About Me

Most that know me, know that I absolutely hate pictures taken of myself! I hate to be in pictures, I hate when someone says, "gather in all, let's take a picture". The reason? Simple. I have gained WAY to much weight over the past few years and am not comfortable with it at ALL! I have spent the past few months REALLY working on training for walking a marathon and watching what I am eating.

Now, I haven't lost the weight I was hoping too, but noticed this today while Kailee was playing with my camera on my phone:



I am down a FEW pounds, nothing like I was hoping for, but I am slowly starting to see a few changes. The main one? I am getting my dipples back! I have always had dippples on my face, you just haven't seen them in the past few years!

I searched thru some old photos to see how far I have come over the past few months:



This was back in April at Kailee's 1st Communion. My highest weight ever!



Me and the HOT Hubs (Gee, he was sure glad to have his picture taken with me!). To bad he couldn't get his hand all the way around me!



This was back in June. Ut, wait... There it is. The dipple, can you see it? It is beginning to show it's presence once again!



this was just a few weeks ago. I had just walked in the door from a walk when Kailee took this one.

Now, I know that I still have a LONG way to go. But, I post this as a reminder to myself of where I have been and where I would like to be...

A Fun Day with A Great Friend

Davis had a super busy day today! Luke came over this morning. They had a blast! It is so nice to see them actually interacting and having fun together! They spent the morning playing Legos, looking for Treasures and having lunch!



A must on the Christmas list this year... Legos! The guy has this small bucket and it only goes so far.



What's more fun than eating Ghost sandwiches for lunch?







Yep. Hot Cocoa (with marshmellows) and a cookie on a cold day with a great friend!




After a great time with Luke it was time for school.

Emergency...

... Emergen-C that is!

With all the sickness going around the area I think it calls for an Emergen-C morning! I have already said the last thing I need right now is the kids getting sick. So, this morning I surprised them all with a morning 'tonic' as I like to call it.




Cheers!





Ah, come on now... It's not that bad!







See, it's like this...





Now, we can begin our day!

5 Things that make Our Lives Easier...

... I stole this post from a friend I have yet to meet. Susie is part of a book club that I belong to only I never see them as I live 3 hours away from their meetings! I do enjoy reading all the books they pick and have a blast listening to them all talk on facebook! I can't wait to FINALLY meet everyone at the New Moon movie next month!

Susie had on her blog the 5 things that make our lives easier which she could not afford and dreamed of having. I loved seeing what she came up with!

I thought I would do it a little different. Mine will be the 5 Things that make our lives easier as a Stay-at-Home Mom which I can not afford as well, but only the little things we cherish on a daily basis.



1. Dishwasher detergent. How it would be so nice to just buy those drop in tabs! I have to tell you that in the past months I have really learned to be more 'frugal'. I read in an article a while back that your dishwasher really only needs a teaspon of the powder soap to do it's job. So, I have my detergent in a tupperware container (yep. an old butter dish) with a teaspoon sitting right be side it. I bought my box of detergent back in April for like $4 and am still on the same box!! LOVE IT! And my dishes? Just as clean as pouring the stuff in like I used to do!




2. Egg Beaters. I LOVE Egg Beaters! In fact, I used to always buy them. So easy to make a snack with or breakfast, etc. But after realizing how much egg beaters really cost, I have gone back to good 'ole fashion eggs. I take the time to break the egg open and seperate the yoke from the egg white. When you can get a dozen eggs for 69 cents (like I did on Monday) who needs Egg Beaters? One Day, I hope to be able to just pick up a carton of Egg Beaters and be able to enjoy them 'Just Because'.



3. Bottled Water. I know that bottled water is bad for the environment. I know that Bottled water is pointless to buy when you have a sink in your house. But, I love the ease of grabbing a bottle of water before you head out the door! I know you can easily fill a jug of some sort and go, but there is just something about having bottled water on hand. Bottled water just makes things easier!




4. Fabric Softener sheets! So, back at Christmas time my Aunt and Grandmother were telling me that if you cut a fabric sheet in half it still does the same job and you get 2 good uses out of one sheet! Well, I bought a Huge thing of Bounce Sheets at Sams for $9 back in January and I am still using the same box. We have a pair of scissors sitting on the dryer next to the bounce sheets to make sure they are cut in half. I know this seriously sounds corny and all. But, I did spend about 30 minutes the other day cutting Bounce sheets and putting them back in the box so they are ready to go. Ah, to be able to just by Bounce sheets and throw them in the dryer...

and last, but not least...

5. Meat. I would love to just go to the store and buy what ever looks good at the moment. Steaks sound good? ok, let's go get some nice juicy steaks! Stuffed chicken breasts ready to go? Oh, how yummy that sounds! No, instead, I look at the ads each week and see what is on sale and 'stock' up on anything that is GREAT. Otherwise we have noticed that if your recipe calls for a pound of hamburger, you can really use 1/2 or 3/4 of a pound and it all tastes the same. Oh, I miss meat!


So there is my list of crazy little things that would make my life just a little bit easier on a daily basis. But, I stop to think about it now and realize that I am so thankful that GOD lets me pour my dish soap, break my eggs open, cut my fabric sheets, and fill my glass with water, as I get to stay home with my kiddos! I love being here in the morning to tell Kailee to have a good day. I love sitting at swim lessons with Davis, I love being home when the kids come home from school to tell me what they did or didn't do at school.

So, I will pour my soap, I will crack my eggs, I will cut my fabric sheets, I will fill my glass with water. Thank you God!

Thank you Susie for making me see the brighter side of things!

The dog snores!

Yep! You heard right, Alex was snoring like no other last night. At first I thought it was Sean so I keep kicking him a little only to realize it was the dog! I couldn't stop laughing!

Sunday...

What a cold, cold, fall day. I know so many people like fall. The beautiful colors, the crisp air, etc. For me, I am not such a huge fan. To me fall means winter is coming and with that comes, snow, ice, cold, cold, cold, and most people tend to hibernate in their houses for months at a time.

So on this cold fall day, I found myself a little sad...

The H1N1 virus has begun to hit the neighborhood pretty hard. So far so good in our household, but am afraid once the kiddos go back to school this week... I have been drowning them with Elderberry, vitamin C, and their daily vitamins each morning. Especially with Sean gone the next 2 weeks, Kaden getting his surgery, and all the other things scheduled, we would really be ok with skipping out of meeting that virus.

Kailee had a great time at her Girl Scout campout. It didn't get as cold as they thought (27 was suppose to be the low). But, I do think it still got down to 30! Kailee thought I was a crazy mom when I made her wear tights under her jeans and made her put on 2 pairs of socks while packing much much more in case she would need it. I was SOOO proud of her for making it the whole night. She did get a little antsy when the Dad's left, but made it! She was pretty cold when I picked her up and came home to have some hot chocolate and meet her favorite blanket:



Do you ever have those days as a parent when you are telepathically telling your children to just 'shut up'? Today was one of those days with Davis. In fact, he was "bugging" me so much that I told Sean I was going to Target. Guess who wanted to go? So, Davis and I headed to Target to look for a curtain for his bedroom. I warned him in the car on the way there that I was looking at curtains and he needed to be a good boy. He nicely asked me, "Mom, if I am a good boy while you look at curtains can we look at the bikes and toys when you are done?" Sounds like a plan to me I told him. So, we get in the store and he tells me which way the bikes are for after I finish my looking. He then gets in the back of the cart and decides it is time to tell me stories. I am trying to listen, I really am. but sometimes, I just zone out from the kid and usually end of saying, "Uh, Huh. Really? Yes. Ok." Blah, blah, blah... Well, I was getting tired of the constant voice and hearing Mom, Mom, Mom, that I looked at him and said WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? His response?

As nice and quiet as he could..."Mom, you really don't have to keep saying What? What? What?" "I just wanted to talk with you." Ok, so here I am trying not to start crying in Target. Here I am having a day where all I wanted is peace and quiet and my son wanted a day where he could talk and play with me. I felt terrible. So, I quit looking at curtains, and we went straight to the bikes and toys! I got to clean out my ears and hear all the WOWs! AWESOMES! and what not that I could...

What's wrong?

with my poor Kaden?




The little guy has hurt his front leg somehow. Whether he was playing outside, playing with the kids, who knows. He has been limping off and on for the past couple of days and this is how he was yesterday. :( He even by passed a playdate with his best friend, Buster, in order to take a break. He is suppose to have his surgery this week to get fixed, so worse case scenerio they can take a look at him then...

Friday, October 9, 2009

ABC, 123...



Ella and Amanda doing math



Davis doing computer class while Kyra is listening to a story



Kailee teaching phonics.




Ella teaching Alley and Amanda




I still have to say this has been the best investment ever! The neighbor kids all LOVE to play school! The girls have been hard at it for the past three and a half hours and looks as if they are still going stong.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Davis: "Mom, I'm Hungry"

Me: Ok, go see what you would like. Make sure it's healthy.

Davis: AWESOME! I want this.

Me: Are you sure?

Davis: Yep! I love it!

Me: Alrighty then...



A Can of Popeye Spinach...




His new favorite snack!




But he always wants Vinegar on it! Who is this child???!!!! Thanks, Sean, for teaching our kids to enjoy vinegar on their spinach.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Construction Zone!!!!!

What have I done? You all are always hearing me say that I have so much to do and nothing ever gets done right? So, what did I just do...

I just added another massive project on my plate, that's all! So, Davis is ready for his 'BIG BOY' room. I say that since the poor kid has never had his own defined space his whole life. From sharing a room with his sister in Chicago to living with crazy leopards and lions in our current house. It is finally time for him to get his space. His reaction, you ask? "Really? You mean I get to have a brand new room?" was his first response. His next statement was, "Mom, does this mean I get a new BIG BOY Bed?" What?! Hold up a minute, Davis! The current bed you have is perfect (or so I thought). When we moved to Kansas City 4 years ago, we got Davis a Little Tykes Race Car bed. Those big ones that fit a twin mattress. Cool, right? I seriously thought he would be in it 'til he was 8 or so. He informed me today that he was ready to give it to someone else so he can have a big bed like Dad! (Hold a moment for me to wipe the tears)

So, the projects have begun. Davis is going to move into Kailee's Room. Kailee is going to move into the office (which is the other big bedroom in the house), and Sean will finally get his own space and move his office into Davis' old room.

Yesterday, I spent the day cleaning out Kailee's room and moving the furniture out of the way for me to get ready for some construction to begin! Davis' birthday is coming up, so he will get a final surprise of a new complete room.

Today, we started painting. Davis was so excited to help! It was fun at first, but let me just say, I was glad when it was time for him to go to school so I could clean up some of the mess he made. :o)







Good Bye 'Cotton Candy Pink' Room! :(

Sunday, September 13, 2009

WOW! is all I can say. Everytime I go to sit down and update this blog, life just seems to happen. Kailee just ran to play at a friend's house, Davis just sat down to watch Popeye with a can of spinach as a snack (Yeah, I know... GROSS). Sean just left to go meet a friend to catch up. So, that leaves me to do what I have been wanting to do for a long time!!!! I won't talk about the loads of laundry that need done, the dishes sitting on the counter, the toys thrown throughout the house. But, I will try to update all on our very chaotic lives!

I have started training for a marathon. Before you go thinking I am crazy and what not, I am WALKING a marathon. Most of you know that I have always thought running was great and have always wanted to run. At the moment, I just can't seem to get going on the running. I have tried the Couch to 5K thing, etc. I just 'stink' at running! So, I am hoping by walking and entering some marathons I will find the motivation for running yet again. Yesterday was my first unoffical 1/2 marathon with a completion of 13.4 miles in 3 hours and 10 minutes. I have about another 7-8 weeks of training before I complete the marathon. I am also trying to determine which races to enter. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, I can increase my speed more and start jogging some, we shall see!

Sean has been EXTREMELY busy with his new Company. He had a really hard time making the decision to change jobs and now I think he feels he has to work even harder than he already was. He is busy traveling over the next few months and hope that things go well for him. We sure do miss him around the house!

Kailee is also busy in 3rd grade! She has been doing swimming lesson 2/week. I am trying to get her to try out for swim team, but I don't think she is feeling that she is quite ready. Her 'toothless' grin is no longer toothless already! All four holes in her mouth have teeth half way in! She signed up to run for Student Council and spent a lot of time writing her speech for her class. I was so proud of her for working so hard on it. She spent a lot of time in front of the mirror practicing! She didn't make it this time, but she said it was ok, she was proud of her work! WOW! My Kailee is growing up!!!! I am so thankful she is enjoying 3rd grade and is excited about school again! Thank you God!

Davis finally started school! He was getting so frustrated that he had to wait to start! His first week went great! He has 5 kids in his class - ALL boys! Boy, do I feel sorry for his teacher! Davis has also been busy with swimming lessons and gymnastics. He did his first handstand all by himself this past week - very exciting!

We also bit the bullet and finally decided that the poor guy couldn't wait for his birthday and had to invest in a brand new BIG BOY bike! He is so happy to have this! He has needed one for a while and I was trying to hold him off. But, he watched all the kids ride bikes to school and you can just tell he wishes he could too! Well, he is off! Now that his BIG BOY bike is here - he is off!!!

Kaden is quite the character at the moment! He is a big fluff of 7 pounds now! He is doing really well with potty training, etc. BUT has discovered what his teeth can do! He just LOVES everything that is Kailee's! Flipflops are his chewing of the month choice I do believe! :) He has already chewed one of Kailee's flipflops and tried on several over occasions. He just loves to 'sneak' behind your back and get something and take off with it. It is so hard not to laugh.

Alex is doing really well with Kaden. Alex has taught Kailee to growl when he wants something. UGH! We are working on trying to get through with Kaden that when he turns 12 he can do that, but not now! :)The little guy LOVES to eat! He will do anything for food!

Well, Popeye is over and Davis is asking to play a game. He just brought me the AMERICAN GIRL 300 wishes game to play... Hmmmm, maybe a Candyland instead?

Here are a few pictures of the past few weeks in random order:

Cheese!

Kailee's new toothless smile:






This is Kailee after getting 3 teeth pulled! Her mouth is so overcrowded that an expander just wasn't an option at this point. She goes back in another 6 months and will probably still need a few teeth pulled and/or an expander and braces started! Ah, the joys of children!