A day in the life of the Kittelsons

School Daze

2011-08-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

Now that I haven't posted in so long... I finally decide I need to post. LOL

The kids go back to school next weekend. That being said, they still have to go twice for testing (each) plus the Back to School ice cream social/meet the teacher on Friday, so it's like they are already back, wouldn't you say?

I was made a Squad Mom for the Junior Denver Bronco Cheerleaders this year. Yay. No... I don't get free/discounted tickets to the games because my job is to be with the girls... LOL You'd be surprised how often I get asked that. But I work with a great group of girls and a wonderful Big Cheerleader - Lelanna. :) She's great. And now that the football season is upon us, the girls are busier and busier. We have our first performance next weekend at the Saturday Preseason Game. We have practice this weekend at a different time, different place than normal. So much fun...

Thought I'd do a quick update! :) That's all for now.

Ice Fishing

2011-01-18T07:47:00.000-08:00

For MLK day my kids went ice fishing with Daddy and Daddy's cousin Randy and his girls. Arcadia is the only one that lasted the entire time. LOL Ken caught one fish, it was too skinny, they threw it back and he decided he wanted to go sledding with his cousin Kayla instead. Arcadia ended up catching 6 fish. Four of them were either too small or sucker fish... didn't want to keep them. So we had trout for dinner and it was good. :) I'll post pictures and videos when I have them.

JDBC Finale

2011-01-02T16:00:00.000-08:00

We've done our last game. Arcadia did okay for not actually ever practicing except for today. Bad thing about being short is that you're in the front of the line (no one to watch performing)... Good thing about being short is that your in the front of the line (I can video her with no problems).

Here's both videos to enjoy. :)

Now for those of you that actually wanted to follow my Gluten-Free Blog - here's the link:

Gluten-Free in a Gluten-Loving Household

It's nothing much... Just a beginner's thing... but hey it's a start... ;)

Day two of 2011

2011-01-02T05:42:00.000-08:00

Well... I made it through the first day with a lack of sleep type of hangover where all I wanted to do was lie down, but that didn't happen until I had to go make dinner.

Dinner did turn out well... Thank you Tyler Florence. I was pleasantly surprised. I did peel off all of the dough off of mine, but I know I still had a little flour in there also... Oh well...

Today is Arcadia's last Junior Denver Bronco Cheerleader performance. She's still up in the air on whether she wanted to do it again next year. She kept asking me if all her friends were doing it again. I only knew of two for sure, but she wanted to know the third one before she decided.

So I'll be packing up our lunch boxes and head on out this morning at 9:30 AM to be at the bus by 10AM to help check in the other girls. Of course a stop to Starbucks will happen first. I'm a permanent volunteer for the group so we have to be there early. I'm hoping the girls get to sit on the bus and stay warm. Otherwise, I'm putting as many as can fit in my car with the heater on. Her uniform is all ready set out for her for after her shower. I have a few "new" parts to it downstairs. They asked us to have them in a white turtleneck shirt under their leotard and of course, headband (a winter one, not a everyday, hold your hairback one), gloves and scarf. I also have nice thick cotton tights for her also. So we'll see how this goes today. LOL

I'll try and video tape today, but my hands will be full of coats. Guy does have his uncle's seats for the game though and they're right behind where she'll be performing, so that counts for something...

Out with the Old... In with the New...

2010-12-31T05:32:00.000-08:00

So... I haven't posted much here in the past year. I know. It hasn't been the best year so I'm so hoping that 2011 will be a much better for all of us.

I'm going Gluten-Free totally because of a wheat allergy. I have recently come to realize that everytime I eat wheat, my body starts to revolt. I haven't been totally good up to this point, but it's hard around the holidays when starting out. But now my body will start to thank me and I'll start actually feeling better.

The kids are starting their "computer club" with Daddy. They are actually in their first session right now... learning about networks and how things work through the network and internet. They seem enraptured at this time. They're actually paying attention, answering his questions and coming up with their own questions. This may be a good thing for them to actually become interested and learn about the family business.

I'm also going to start making fun lunches for the kids when they take their lunches to school. We'll see how they like it.

Another thing we're going to try is to have one day a week where we make a different dish we've never made before. Today we're trying Tyler Florence's - Beef Wellington. Of course, I'm peeling off the crust and just eating the insides, but it should be fun.

Hope that this New Year finds everyone healthy and happy.

BTW - I'm also starting a new blog to help me keep my Gluten-Free diet in tow... :) I'll post a link here for anyone that wants to read it. But it's mainly to help keep me honest.

Update

2010-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Wow... didn't realize it's been so long...

So... what's up in the lives of the Kittelsons...

Ken and Arcadia have both started back to school. Ken's now in Third grade and Arcadia's in First. Both love their teachers so far.

Ken is now a Bear Cub in Cub Scouts... even though his Den Mother (me) has done NOTHING as of yet to advance him on... so sad...

They are both starting music lessons. Ken takes piano and actually seems to be liking it. I think it has a lot to do with his teacher. She's absolutely crazy, but she makes learning fun for him. Arcadia has chosen to take violin. Unfortunately we are STILL waiting on her violin to arrive for us to rent for her. ugh...

Arcadia is also now a Junior Denver Bronco Cheerleader. She absolutely LOVES it. She gets to do a performance at certain games with 600 other girls. She has a little uniform and everything. She's already performed at a Rockies Game (baseball) , an Outlaws game (lacrosse) and one Bronco Game. She's performing again on the 26th. But this has also opened other opportunities for us. For example, the entire family gets to be part of the giant American flag at the 9/18 game and then we get to sit in the giant Bronco's barn with other families and watch the game and socialize. Lots of fun!

We still have two hamsters, but are now down a fish. Oh well... makes the hall table that much more open without a tank in the center of it.

Missing loved ones...

2010-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Okay... so I haven't posted in a while... but I thought I should...

Lot's has happened since my last post. The biggest being the passing of my Mother's husband Craig. He was a wonderful man, but I'm glad that he's no longer suffering. I'll be going out in June for his Memorial service. We love you Craig!

As for everything else.... nothing seems as important... I'll post at another time..

James Craig McIntyre

1948-2010

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

2010-02-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

My baby girl turns 6 today. I can't believe it... Where does the time go???

I thought I'd look and post some old photos to celebrate...

Newborn (about 2 days old here)

At 6 months

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday (okay, so this one was on Valentine's right before her 3rd... ;))

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

1st Day of Kindergarten

Right Before Christmas

Right After Christmas

We'll take some at her party this weekend... as well as at Ken's also....

Happy Birthday Baby!!! :)

Swim lessons

2010-01-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

Ken and Arcadia have finished their first round of swim lessons. Ken's actually doing much better with his swim techniques. He just really needs to refine his overhand strokes.

Arcadia's doing really well, but she seems to have issues with doing the stuff on her own. She'll do all the strokes and kicks as long as the instructor is holding on to her. The second he let go she started flailing. Guess we need to work on the learning how to do it on her own. Our next round starts next Monday.

Pinewood Derby Time!

2010-01-09T15:05:00.001-08:00

Ken's Cub Scout Pack had their Pinewood Derby. Both Ken and Arcadia had cars in the race.

I'll let you take a gander at whose is whose... LOL

Ken raced the Wolf Den (since he's a Wolf... LOL) Arcadia raced in the Open competition

These are the Cars for the Wolf Division... Trevor's was named the "Swamp Gator". It was cute... it even had googly eyes. Ken's is "Green Lightening"

Here are Trevor and Ken at the finish line (yes, I didn't dress Ken in uniform, bad Den leader, bad)

After three heats, Ken's car was first. No need to continue to two more heats.

Ken got a nice certificate for winning.

Ken went on to race in the finals against the winners from the Tigers, Bears and Webelos. Ken's car won four out of five races. (One race his wheel came off the car, we had to do a quick pit stop between heats).

Here are the top three winners. It was Wolf, Bear and Webelos.

I also thought I'd through in a few pictures for fun from the end of last year.

That's all for now... but there WILL be more... :)

New Year, Fresh Starts

2010-01-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

This new year has been going well so far... Ken and Arcadia started back to school on Tuesday and they are happy to be back (as am I!). Ken's getting ready for his Pinewood Derby this weekend. We worked on the car Sunday and he sanded, painted, painted, painted... LOL I did some detail work to it and then put a clear glossy coat on it. Wheels are on and the car is weighted... let's see how well it works and how fast it will go. Arcadia also built hers (well, okay, so I'm doing most of it)... she picked the colors and painted it... I added stickers and clear gloss coat. Will be putting the weights and wheels on tomorrow...

Ken has a new teacher to start out the new year. He was very heartbroken when he learned his old teacher was moving to California. He really seems to like his new teacher. He was very excited to learn that there were a bunch of different things around.

We started swim lessons this week. Mondays and Wednesdays. We missed last night due to extremely poor road conditions. I know, I know... but I don't think the kids needed to be exposed to sub zero temps with wet hair, ya know. We'll hit the class on Monday.

The kids are also getting excited about their birthday's coming up. Ken wants his at The Denver Hop and Arcadia's having a swim party. I got everything reserved, now to party preps. :)

The tooth is gone!

2009-12-05T17:30:00.000-08:00

Ken pulled out his OWN tooth last weekend... yes... that's right! He pulled it out all him self. He sat and worked and worked on it all Saturday morning because he didn't want to go to the dentist to have it pulled! LOL What ever works!

The countdown to Turkey day...

2009-11-24T17:34:00.001-08:00

Well, the kids are "officially" on vacation from school for the next five days. The entire Kindergarten class (five classes all together) hosted their annual Thanksgiving Feast. Parents were all asked to bring something (from plates and cups to the Turkey itself). There were tons of pumpkin pies, tons of turkey, tons of appetizers... it was actually a really nice feast. Something for everyone. Arcadia's class made the Mayflower and that was on stage as a "centerpiece". They also each made a separate one to bring home. Arcadia, of course, forgot to put her name on hers, so hopefully we didn't steal someone else's masterpiece. That is now our centerpiece of our table for Thanksgiving. I wonder if the clay will actually dry at some point... only time will tell, right?

I have our Turkey almost thawed out. I'm sticking it in the brine tomorrow. Then off to the Fryer it goes Thursday afternoon. Good ole Alton Brown never disappoints! I have potatoes and may actually try my hand at making homemade hashbrowns... yea... we'll see how that goes... HA. The house is all cleaned, just a few little things to put away (like the deliveries that came today).

Thank you Grandma and Aunt Pat for the Holiday doorbell and the Auto disguise. LOL I've always seen them everywhere. Now to go get batteries for the doorbell... Kids used my last C.

Now to sit and actually figure out my menu for Thursday. Nothing too fancy, but still have to shop for it all.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kids and Pets...

2009-11-10T15:59:00.000-08:00

Well, we have had our hamster, May, for one month now. The kids absolutely love her still and shower her with little things when they can or with attention. Ken broke into his piggy bank and bought her a hamster ball. She absolutely loves it and loves to "run" around the house in it. She's basically explored every inch of the first floor. We haven't allowed her on the second floor or the basement for obvious reasons, don't need a loose rodent in the house... LOL

The fish are fine. I never realized how active Goldfish really were, or how long they can live. We did research and it looks like Arcadia could take these two to college with her if she wanted. LOL

Pet update

2009-10-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a full week and I thought I'd do a quick update...

The pets are a big hit. Arcadia runs home after school to feed her fish. We did get another goldfish so the first one didn't seem so lonely in that tank. She's proud of them, but wishes she could have a hamster. We told her that she'd have to wait until she's seven. She understands and is happy to be able to play with May.

Ken is absolutely in love with May. He carries her cage around everywhere. She's figured out the tunnels and is on the wheel most of the time. She loves to be out, but we don't let her go too far, just on top of the coffee table or bed. Ken gets to take her to "visit" the class tomorrow at school. We'll see how well that works out.

Pets...

2009-10-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

After so many discussions and debates, the kids now have their own pets (yes, that's plural).

Arcadia got a goldfish and promptly named her Julia. We got her a cute little pink Mermaid aquarium for the top of her dresser (our old one basically took up the entire dresser and being a girl, we need that dresser top!)

Ken got a hamster. She's a grey Russian dwarf. She's extremely soft and very cute. She also has the neatest cage!

Well... Fall is here

2009-09-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Fall has "officially" arrived. It's been cold and wet and dreary here, but that doesn't stop us. Well... it did stop soccer practice on Monday and it may even stop the one today, but that's fine with me, I prefer not to be out on cold wet evenings.

We did have cub scouts and we worked on knots. Ken can now tie a overhand knot, a square knot and his shoes! Yes, we have conquered the shoe tieing!!! About time!

Wow... Long time no write

2009-09-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well... I'm sooo sorry for the lack of posting...

Lots has been happening...

Ken and Arcadia both started school. Arcadia is blossoming in Kindergarten. Her teacher is a wonderful influence for her. She loves geometry... who knew?

Ken's doing pretty well. His reading scores are high (as are Arcadia's, by the way).

Arcadia and Ken are both in soccer this year. They are both doing really great.

I have pictures of Arcadia right now. Ken's to come soon.

Soccer Photos

2009-06-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Thought I better put these up before someone decides to disown me... :)

Ken's Soccer Team:

Arcadia's Soccer:

Tornados and my experiences with them

2009-06-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Growing up in the Panhandle of Texas and various parts of Colorado and Texas and visiting Kansas every summer, you'd think I'd be used to Tornados and Tornado warnings, right? Hey, when we lived in Pampa at one house we had a siren in our backyard and man was that thing loud! But we heard it... every Saturday at 11:30 (right before Fat Albert, LOL) the siren went off and we'd suffer through the test, hoping that would be the only time we would ever hear the sucker. And at the other house we had a storm shelter. The place smelled of mold and dirt, but at least we had one, most houses didn't at least that I remember. Mom, Clark and I were very lucky not to see one tornado or funnel cloud while we were there, though now I see Pampa featured on the Weather Channel all the time with various tornadic activity.

Then every summer I'd spend in Kansas we'd have at least one warning, if not two and I'd spend the time in my grandparent's basement (remember Grandma). I remember one summer, my Grandparents were at their friend's house in the country and my Aunt and I were at their home. We spent a good amount of the afternoon in the basement because of warnings, watches and the like. At least everyone made it safe through that one. And then the one summer we all spent out in Arizona. Grandma, Grandpa and I were traveling back to Mesa after spending time traveling Southern Arizona when we came across a nice, interesting looking tornado. My Grandparents didn't want to own up to the fact that this was in fact a tornado to me. They were afraid I'd freak out. In fact, I truly wasn't sure myself, having never seen one in person. If I knew, I would of been freaking out. I remember driving through a town where the rain started lightly, then harsh, then hail, then nothing... the calm in the eye of the storm and there it was. It was touching the ground, but was quite see through and then the opposite affect on the way out. I remember someone saying when we got back to the trailer park in Mesa that the tornado destroyed one bar and then disappeared. Of course, this could all be my imagination, but it's a very strong memory so I count it as real.

Since I've moved out here to Colorado there have been very few tornados. Two happened around two or three years ago about 2 miles south of my house and the lake nearby, but I never saw them and we didn't have sirens. We now have sirens (that the city reluctantly put up after those tornados) that never go off, even in a warning. They went off yesterday. It sent silent shivers up my spine, but I was calm. Got the kids in the basement and made sure we had what we needed. Before the sirens went off though, I was outside with the camera. I got a few pictures of the nasty looking clouds and one that I learned later was the funnel cloud disappearing back into the clouds.

Quick Update

2009-05-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd shoot a quick update out. Ken's last day of school is on Thursday and he's very excited (of course). His soccer team did wonderful this year. His coach stated that they were "undefeated", but since we "don't keep score" that's unofficial... ;) We're signing him up for 1/2 day soccer camp this summer to help improve his soccer skills so he's more of an asset to the team next season (August)

Ken has moved on up to the world of Wolf Cubs (as have I, being the leader of the den). The boys did a skit at the pack meeting and had everyone cracking up. They loved it.

Arcadia is officially out (as you already knew that) of school, so has had a playdate every day with a good friend of hers. They alternate between our house and theirs and it makes life easier on me and her friend's mother.

We're also signing up the kids for Vacation Bible School. That starts next Monday. The theme is Crocodile Rock. We'll have to see how they like it. :)

Busy times...

2009-04-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

We've had a lot of stuff going on lately. Geez and it doesn't look like there is an end of site. We have to finish our Cub scout stuff... They are bridging to Wolves at the end of May. We still have four Go See Its to do and a few little extras, but my boys are getting there. And we have to practice a skit to do at the bridging ceremony. I have one in mind, but I need our boys to get involved.

Tonight we're going to the Library (one of our Go See Its and I have to return some books) and then to a curriculem carnival/Kindergarten Round-Up for Arcadia at their new school. I'm still waiting to hear from the other school. They stated that the letters went out this week. Just waiting... and waiting... and waiting... ugh...

Next week is Arcadia's last week of school. Don't know what I'm going to do with a big 5 year old in the house for a month without her brother around to keep her busy.

Well... that's all for now... here's a picture for you...

Teeth

2009-04-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

Welp, he needed assistance from the Dentist, but his two bottom baby teeth are out!

My Creation

2009-04-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Ken was star student this week and we had to take in a "special snack". Since Easter is on Sunday I thought I would make something I found on http://www.bakerella.com/. I love her stuff, but can't ever duplicate it, but this seemed easy enough.

Here's her version:

and here's mine:

The Easter Egg Hunt and Ken's New Bike

2009-04-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

Every year, the City of Brighton holds an Easter Egg Hunt and every year since Ken was 1 we have been attending said hunt. Usually the only thing we ever get from said hunt is a bunch of plastic easter eggs and the caramels and tootsie rolls that are inside.

This year we were afraid there wouldn't be a hunt since the weather was so nasty. Blowing snow, ice, wind... does not bode well for an outdoor event. Fortunately the city moved the event indoors. It was a little better organized chaos than previous years. We went in, went in line, went to the 5 yo table for Arcadia, received her bag of eggs, a raffle ticket and a hand stamp and then proceeded out the door. (Ken was with our neighbors, their son's birthday was that day and his present was to spend the day with Ken which I thought was sweet). Arcadia and I then proceeded out the door to the gym where all the festivities were. The first thing to do was to find a spot on the floor and open the eggs. I found our neighbors and they didn't know about the eggs, so they took Ken and their son to get their bag of eggs. Arcadia and I sat there opening eggs up. In the eggs they sometimes have a "Golden Ticket" for one of those huge oversized Easter baskets. Ken's friend ended up winning one of those. We all thought that was pretty cool. Then we hung around until 1pm. That's when the raffle was held. Kids ate candy, ran around with their friends, etc while extremely loud music blasted through the gym. At 1 we all went over to the "stage". There were bikes there for all the age ranges that participate. The city gets bikes donated from Target, Walmart and Kmart (our local discount stores) and then they called out the numbers. Arcadia didn't win, but I wasn't surprised. All the years we've gone, we never win. Then they called out the numbers for Ken's range. That surprised me... we won! Ken won a bike! It was all very exciting. I took him up to the stage. He posed with his bike for the newspaper and I brought it home. He's been ancy to ride it, but every night it's been either too cold, or we've been too busy for him to try it out.

Here he is on the bike:

Ken's Seven!!!!

2009-03-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

Okay... so I am two weeks late in this one, but better late than never... ;)

Ken had his birthday at Boondocks and he LOVED it!!!

Here are some pics!

She's another year older! When did that happen?

2009-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Arcadia had her birthday last week and it was a big one for her. She's now five! Waaaa... My baby CANNOT be five! Eh... like that's going to stop her from growing up!

We had a party for her at Pump It Up. She LOVED it!!! Said it was her "Best Birthday Ever". Man... now I have to try and top it every year ;) not really... she's easily amused!

Here are a few pictures from the party. She had a ball as did all her friends. We have more pictures, but they are on the other camera in the other car... shall get that out and update later!

Picture catch up day...

2009-02-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

Here's our little man and his Daddy with their Pinewood Derby car - The Green Machine

The Lineup... The Tiger Cars are on the first row on the bottom

And the winners are..... (the boy on the left was the over all winner of the Tigers AND of Pack 109, he had a speedy little car!)

Some Christmas pics

Cardinals

2009-01-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

My Grandparents had bird feeders in their backyard and they had a wide variety of birds visit them. Mostly Cardinals and Swallows, but they did have a mean old Blue Jay that scared all the birds and even the squirrels away. I took a few pictures of the cardinals. I wanted one of the Jay, but it didn't want to be seen by us human folks so he hid on the opposite side of the feeder... the bum!

If you click on the pictures you can see the Cardinals much clearer. :)

Pictures from Grandma's Birthday

2009-01-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from my Grandma's 90th birthday. There would of been more, but as a parent of one of the high energy kids there, I was into wrangling. There were at least 200+ people there and it was a great thing for Grandma to see all the love.

4 Generations of the Farthing women all together

All the cousins (Grandkids and Great Grandkids together)

The Great Grandkids

Mother and Daughter

The Farthing Cousins

New Post for a New Year

2009-01-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Okay... so I haven't posted anything in over two weeks... sorry. :) But here I am... The new year is already flying by (okay... not so much flying, but it is going rather swiftly). My Grandma Swanson is having her 90th birthday this weekend and her friends and my mom and uncle are throwing her a party at her church on Sunday. Arcadia and I have decided to attend also. We thought it might be a good idea to do so. Too bad it has to be in Northern Illinois in the middle of winter. Oh well... not that I'm not used to cold weather and snow, right?

Well... anyways... I'll post some pictures when we get back. I tried to upload some Christmas videos, but they aren't uploading for me well. I'll have to try again.

Frosty the Snowman

2008-12-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

Arcadia singing Frosty with the rest of her school. :)

Sorry it's so dark.

My Little Russian Ballerina

2008-12-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

Here is Arcadia's recital. She's the last one to come in. :)

And a picture for you too. :)

Christmas Lists

2008-12-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

This time of year starts to send me in a panic. People start asking me what I want for Christmas, etc. I used to have answers for them, but I no longer do. Lately, it's just "send me a gift certificate" etc. I never really know what to ask for.

On the other hand, my children have no problem in that category! LOL The annual Toys "r" Us Biggest Toy Book Ever came out in our paper about a month ago. I let them both at it with their own seperate markers (pink for Arcadia and green for Ken) and practically everything is either checked or circled. Guess they made it easy on Santa this year, huh? Arcadia wants a dollhouse... any doll house... as that they were ALL circled in pink, I don't think which one she gets is an issue. She also wants ALL the art stuff listed (no surprise there, she is my little artistic one). Ken wants anything that he can build with - Legos, KNex, Lincoln Logs, etc. I guess they won't be problems (and since we're pretty much finished with their gifts, then that's good... except for the Santa gifts... Guy and I have yet to talk about those).

Then there's Guy. I don't have a CLUE what to get him. What do you get someone who buys what he wants when he sees it? He mentioned wanting a copy of the CM Russell painting his parents have, but the only problem is, I don't know which one it is (Ken, Janet, if you know what it's called, please let me know!). We also need a new pepper grinder. Ours has gone kaput... so a new one is a definate, but that in itself is an issue. Which one to buy? There are soooo many choices out there! I look on amazon.com and there are over 100 choices. Man... I can narrow that down by size, but still it's going to take a while to find the perfect one. And truthfully, that's not enough... I did get him tickets to go see Coldplay in November. That was part of his gifts, but I really want something for under the tree.

I think I have ideas now for Guy, but I'm going to keep looking. I never realized that shopping for someone could be so difficult. Oh wait... yes, I did... I'm that difficult to shop for! LOL

oh... and I still have to take the kids shopping for Daddy... Ugh.

Knock me over with a feather!

2008-12-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

I just got a call from my Mom (Hi Mom!) and she just told me something...

well...

she didn't say it was a secret...

so I'm telling! :p

(Love you Mom!)

You ready?

Huh?

Are you sure?

Are you sitting down?

Positive you really want to know?

Well...

Here it is....

She got married!!!!!!

She and Craig got married on December 7th in a very spur of the moment private outdoor wedding in California. I'm so very happy for her!!! :) Craig's a great guy and we've been wondering when the wedding bells would start ringing for them... :) Just kinda wish we could of been there for her... ;) That's okay... I'll see her soon anyways. (You know I'm horrible at keeping secrets as good as this one, Mom! Don't be mad! Just wanted to spread the joy!)

Congratulations Mom and Craig!!!! We love You!!!! :)

Things I've done

2008-12-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

I stole this from Mommy I'm Home, who stole it off A Day with Twins .

The things I've done will be in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (only as far as they'll let you go now, no longer allowed to the top)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Can you say... Brrrrrrrrrr?!?!?

2008-12-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

It is currently 14 degrees F outside my home today (according to the thermometer on my computer). This morning... before the sun came up it was a brisk 2 degrees, yep, you read that right 2! Talk about COLD!!!! That's okay though, it was a lot warmer IN the house and that's where I plan on staying (except for my ventures to the mailbox and to the school to drop off and then to get the kids). With the sun out though, the snow WILL melt on the streets and sidewalks. It's supposed to reach the 40s today, but I'm seriously doubting that at this moment. Hopefully I will be proven wrong!

As for the shoveling... the only thing my son wanted after shoveling was Cocoa. So that was his payment. I can handle payment in Cocoa! I actually had lots of help with the three kids I had with me from school yesterday! Went a lot faster than I expected it would. Thank goodness for helpful kids! :)

I've been Tagged... by a bookworm!

2008-12-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

OK- I've been tagged by my friend Michele with this bookworm meme. "A meme comprises any idea or behavior that can pass from one person to another by learning or imitation." (according to Wikipedia) The rules are to grab the book closest to you, turn to page 56, type the first sentence of the 5th paragraph.

So... since I'm sitting in our "library" of sorts.. that shouldn't be too hard, right?... Okay... from On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony.

"I am Chronos, colloquially known as Time."

Quite fitting since we're nearing the end of the year...

Now.. whom should I tag?

Um... I tag my friend Lisa, whom I've known for oh so many years since our Freshman year at U of H. And I tag my friend Elizabeth... who I've known a little longer than Lisa... ;)

Updates

2008-12-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Well... we've gotten our first substantial snowfall of the season. The kids loved seeing it come down this morning. I have to admit it is beautiful to watch falling, but after the first few minutes I realize that along with the snow comes shoveling... which I need to do, I'm just sitting here at my desk looking out of the window and hoping that the sun, which has just recently come out, will start it's job of melting the snow. I did have a very nice neighbor come by with his snow blower and cleared off some of our sidewalk. I should of grabbed him and bribed him to do our driveway and sidewalk up to our house. I just don't wanna! Maybe I can get Ken to do it! He's old enough now! Almost 7 counts... he can earn a couple dollars!

The scout meeting went really well this week. The boys really loved making snowflakes and decorating ornaments. They will be getting their Pinewood Derby cars at the next Pack meeting. It's the project that the boys (and their fathers) look most forward to every year. They get a block of wood and four wheels and a set of instructions:

I'll take a picture of Ken as he designs and makes his with Daddy.

Next Friday we have Arcadia's recital. She's doing the Russian dance from the Nutcracker (I really need to buy some tickets to take her to a real production this year, I think she'd like it). Then on Saturday, Ken's in the "Festival of Lights" Parade. We have to get to the site at 3:30 to decorate the float with tons and tons of lights. The parade is after 5:00 (when it starts getting dark here) so Ken gets to actually ride on a float! Pictures will be sure to follow!!!

Arcadia's school party has been moved to the following Thursday which really makes it a lot nicer for our scheduling! Thank goodness. Should be fun.

Then the kids will be home for a few weeks for Winter break. Should be fun... but I will have to plan some playdates for the kids so they don't drive me up the walls those two weeks! LOL ;)

I suppose I should get back to work now.

End of the Month

2008-11-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe it's only 26 days until Christmas! Where did this month go? I certainly don't remember it going by so quickly before. This month was jammed pack with activities and we sure kept busy. Next month looks to be just as busy! Next weekend we plan on having our company party. The weekend after Arcadia has her ballet recital on Friday night OR we can attend her Peace Program for school. They are both on the same nights at the same time. She just has to decide which one is more important to her. Either way the next day is the Festival of Lights here in town and her ballet school will be performing as long as the weather is nice. Ken's cub scout pack is in the parade that night and we start work on the float at 3 that afternoon. Oh and speaking of Scouts, earlier that same week we have Ken's pack meeting where he will get his Pinewood Derby Car... Woot... that's the exciting stuff!

Then the weekend after that we have a Client Christmas party to attend and then that week is Christmas... Geez... enough to do, don't you think? It'll go by quickly, I know...

Hope everyone got their fill of turkey this past Thursday! I know I did. :)

Back in the swing

2008-11-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Finally... after feeling cruddy all last week... I'm starting to feel better.

This past weekend we went to get our family pics taken (yes, Grandma, you'll be getting one... :))

I think it turned out pretty good, don't you?

Tiger Scouts went really well this week. We're starting to fall into a good pattern and the boys stay interested the entire time (for the most part). They started out coloring turkeys and doing mazes. Then we moved into the living room and we started out by going over some new rules that they got to help make up. I then passed out "rounders" to them with their names on them and leather strips hanging from them to tie beads to when they do things. First they get a bead for attending the meeting, then they get one for good deeds done during said meeting (helping with cleanup, etc. it will get harder to earn them as they get older though). The boys then made felt turkeys and had a ball doing it. I even have enough left over materials for Arcadia to make one of her own. We then had some drinks and went over the bobcat materials again... I tell ya... you have to drill it in for them to remember the different things needed, but they're getting it! I want to be proud of my boys at the next pack meeting when they receive their bobcat patches and their instant recognition kits (which they've already earned one bead on, though they officially don't get it until they fulfill all the requirements for the bobcat patch first.

Ken's doing better this week. It's surprising how different each day is with him. We loosened the punishments and that seem to help his behaviour. Weird, eh?

We got our skis this past weekend and the kids are so excited. Guy's taking them on Saturday to the slopes. I'm fine with this since I'm not a great skiier. You wouldn't think I'd be that nervous by now, but... I am!!! Oh well... LOL

Guy and I are going to a concert tomorrow night. This will be Guy's first "real" concert. I was taken to one by my friends when I turned 21, but haven't been to one since then. This is going to be sooo fun!!! We're going to see Coldplay at the Pepsi Center. I can't wait! :)

The Oil Rig or something... (don't remember the name to tell ya the truth)

2008-11-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

This is the kid's version of the ride at Elitch's. :) The kids loved it! I hope you like the video.

Phabulous Photo Phriday - Thursday edition

2008-11-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

I know it's not Friday, but I promised pictures in my post yesterday, so here are some of them... :)

My Pretty Pretty Princess

and her pretty pretty princess hair that I got really good at doing.

Ken and Arcadia and their friends (the girl next to Ken is his little girlfriend and the girl next to Arcadia is one of her best friends and Ken's girlfriend's little sister)

Arcadia and her BF on the roller coaster... The first picture was how we first found her when the coaster started moving... Then she saw us and smiled... :)

This is from the last Pack meeting. We had two SWAT officers come in from the City of Greeley. The boys and dads were very enthralled and continuously asked them questions while the one on the left put on the full uniform. Unfortunately... my camera died, so I have to wait to get the full uniform from one of my boy's mom who fortunately had her camera with her. Whew!!!

I did get these two pics also... then poof...

But the boys were entranced, none the less.

Scout's Honor

2008-11-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

I have received my uniform for Scouting... Now, to put all the pieces together. Who knew how hard it was to do this. I certainly don't remember all the stuff that went into it (okay... so I really do remember... I remember going to JC Penney's with Mom and going to the scouting section of the store and getting all the stuff. I just never had to put it all together... LOL) With Boy Scouting I can either go to http://www.scoutstuff.org/ to get my stuff or I can drive to down town Denver (which really NEVER happens!) to get it... ALOT easier to get my stuff online, I'll tell ya! And I had to go hunt down Navy trousers, do you KNOW how hard it is to find those things in this area??? I finally found two different pairs at Kohls. I stuck with the Lee's since I like those... LOL

As for things on the Ken front... He's on yellow already this week. That boy just can't keep his hands to himself. He's talking and chatting and bugging neighbors and friends across the way. He's already at the front of the room nearest to the teacher when she's at the board. Just never knew that the little boy that wouldn't talk for the longest time is getting in trouble because he's the main talker in the class.

Ken does also have two loose teeth!!! Finally! They aren't very wiggly, but they certainly aren't stuck in place any longer. Yea!!!!

Arcadia is the same as ever. She's doing good in school. We have parent teacher conferences the week of Thanksgiving. She's a real chatterbox, non stop talking here at home. At least she's not like that at school (that we know of... yet).

That's it for now. I have new pictures of the kids and their friends from two weekends ago. It's so cute...

Tiger Scouts et al.

2008-11-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

So... today was our first "real" meeting. I'm sure things will get easier as we go along... We did our Bobcat requirements. I guess I really did make an impact on Ken because he remembers it all from last week! I'm proud. Now to finish our home requirements so he can get his patch at next week's Pack meeting. Oooo... I also need to get the numbers into my Pack leader so we can have the right amount of patches, etc. to have for the pack meeting. I also have to get the rest of Ken's uniform ordered along with my uniform... yep... that's right... I have a uniform too. Whoo hoo... ;) I best get it ordered so we can be dressed correctly for the next meeting! LOL AAAGGGHHHH!!!!

Let's see we colored in Police and Firemen pictures. We worked on our Motto, Promise, Salute, Handshake, etc. We made a Den Sign with the boys Handprints and names on them. Then they colored an American Flag and then went and played. Next week we have a Pack meeting and thank goodness I don't have to do anything for it... LOL I do need to work with the boys about the Flag Ceremony so they can participate at the Pack meeting!

Right now we only have five boys, but I'm sure I can get it to grow! I got four of those five on my own!!!

Crazy Schedules (aka, when do I have the time?)

2008-11-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of craziness for me... This week... I need to finish organizing the living room and basement. I have Tiger Scouts here tomorrow. We're going to study safety and about the town. I have to schedule a visit to the Fire Museum this month so hopefully that will be a fun trip.

Wednesday I have a webinar and I have to do more organizing, etc.

Thursday we have Arcadia's ballet class and Friday we are having Guy's cousins over to look at baby stuff. Yep... we have a new edition coming... not for us, but for Ken's godfather! They're finally expecting and we couldn't be more excited. They're coming over here for dinner and to look at our stuff and to see if they might be able to use it so I have to get the stuff pulled out for them to look it over (and to get it cleaned up and dusted off, etc.).

This weekend I have my annual craft show. I still have more sewing to do for it in my "spare time". Don't know when that's going to happen, but it will!

Updates will happen as I have the time... :)

Phabulous Photo Phriday - Halloween edition

2008-10-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

Some pictures to enjoy for today...

Finally got pics off of Guy's camera and here they are...

First more from Arcadia's party:

Ken and his pumpkin creation

The Fairy Princess getting a heart and rainbow on her face

Time for the cake walk

Arcadia and one of her many "best friends"

These are pics from "Warbirds over the Rockies" These were the only two life size planes and the contrails that they left behind. It was really neat to see.

Pics from one of Ken's soccer games. His team did really really well this year. We were proud. About halfway through the "season" they changed their names from the "Yellowjackets" to the "Pirates". They loved that name and even got "tattoos" for playing well.

Well... that's all for now. We'll be taking pictures tonight for sure!

Have a

Arcadia's Fall Festival

2008-10-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Okay... so these are not the best pics (those are on Guy's camera in the car, I'll get them off later and post them then), but at least it's something... :)

This is Ken and a friend from his class - Tristan P.

Here's our little Fairy Princess. We took off the wings so she could sit and eat her pizza. The makeup is starting to melt a little in the first picture (it was hot in there). So she looks a little on the scary side... LOL I promise, better pictures are to follow!

Phabulous Photo Phriday

2008-10-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

I finally emptied my camera... took me long enough.

I've been a reading a blog called Hair Today and I've gotten a few ideas to try on Arcadia's hair. Here's one of the ones I tried. It's not perfect, but given that I'm working with a wiggle worm with a sensitive head... LOL

This is Ken and Arcadia in the front car for the Kiddy Roller Coaster at Elitch's. It was Arcadia's first time around three full times.

Fun at the Platte River... the kids LOVE throwing rocks in.

And this is the two of them running as fast as they can.... It was quite cute... :)

The Corn Maze

2008-10-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I forgot to post about what we did this past Saturday. Okay... here's our Saturday...

First... wake up have breakfast (that's a duh, right?)

Then... kids watch cartoons (typical Saturday Morning right?) as they were watching those cartoons, I left for ballet and it turned out to be a private lesson as that I was the only one there (besides the teacher)

Came back home, changed into normal clothes and had Ken put on his soccer clothes. He had his last game that afternoon and it was great. He has progressed so much and he was so proud.

Then we tried to go to a pumpkin patch nearby, but it was soooo crowded! Did not look fun at all! So we kept on driving down the street and went to our local campaign headquarters and picked up new yard signs to support our choice for President, Senate, local Congress, etc.

And then Guy has a brilliant idea! We drove past a great looking corn maze/pumpkin patch a few weekends past... sure it was right outside Greeley, but that didn't bother us one bit! It was well worth the drive! We went to Fritzler's Maze. There was sooo much to do.

First we went through "The Creature". It was actually a lot of fun, but it was a maze in the dark! Ken and I got a little turned around and we ended up coming out of the maze too early. Oh well. Arcadia took a little more convincing, so Ken and I went first and let her know that it was fun and not scary at all. After that, Guy saw that they had Helicopter rides. Now none of us have ever been on a helicopter so we thought it would be fun. We had to go two to a ride so Ken went with Daddy and Arcadia went with me. It was a blast! I don't remember ever having so much fun... LOL

We got to see the maze from the air, it was so cool. Arcadia giggled and laughed and screamed the whole time.

After that we went through the 3-D Maze. That was neat. We had to wear special glasses that made the florescent paint stand out at us. Guy and I were impressed, the kids, not so much. Oh well...

Then onto the Corn Maze. Now... if you look closely, you can see at the bottom of the rms in FARMS the entrances are there. We entered through the M and came out of the R. There was a WHOLE other side for us to go through, but that first portion wore us down! We didn't think we'd ever get out of there. LOL

After the Maze, we let the kids play in a corn box (like a sand box, but with corn). They had a ball and Guy was taken back to his childhood on the farm.

Then we went on the Jumping Pillow... lots of fun, but poor Arcadia kept getting knocked down.

They also had a barrel train which I rode on with the kids and they had a blast, and then we went off to shoot corn cobs at targets. The kids loved that too.

I tell you, after that day, I was exhausted!

Parent Teacher Conferences

2008-10-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

We have our Parent Teacher conference with Ken this afternoon. Guy's going because it's at the exact same time as Arcadia gets home and our neighbor is out of town and someone needs to be here to let her in the house, ya know?

I'll let y'all know how his conference goes...

Finding treasures

2008-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

While I was cleaning out the kid's closets I found these shoes:

Aren't they adorable? We got them for Arcadia's first Christmas from one of Guy's cousins. She always finds the cutest things that are made locally. Well... I looked them up and found them online now! The store is called "Monkey-Toes". They now have even cuter shoes and socks and they've been featured on Oprah because of Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise's baby). Gotta love em!!!

I so want to get Arcadia some of these:

There called LUV bug Mary Janes. They also have gift certificates so I can send them to girlfriends with little girly toes running around the house!

Stargate

2008-10-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Guy and I attended the school's open house last night. It was very interesting, but it kind of shattered Guy's and My hopes on Ken and Arcadia going there. They work on a lottery system. First they look at who qualifies, those that don't are out (K&A definately qualify, we found that out last night). Then they fill slots from qualified siblings. Then they go in district and then out of district. Ughh... Nothing like being out of district. They only have 66 openings for Kindergarten and have around 6 siblings that are filling the first slots and they have 90 applications already received over all... now the applications also include all grades K to 8. Oh so much fun. All we can do is finish the paperwork and then pray. The good thing is is that if one of them gets in then the other is definately a shoe in!

Just keep your fingers crossed!!!!

The Scores

2008-10-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

We received Ken and Arcadia's scores today. Oh my, we have a challenge in front of us. The tester has notes and everything within her notes and it's really comforting that both kids are polite and courteous. LOL

Arcadia's a little brighter than Ken per the scores, but that's okay... ;) Ken is supposed to be using a laptop for note taking at school because his mind can't keep up with his writing. I guess I need to install that typing program for him on his computer so he can learn to type huh?

Now let's just pray that the school that we want to get them into will have room! Registration cut off is on January 30th. We have begun the process and are attending the open house on Thursday.

Hey... if all else fails... maybe I'll just homeschool....

So much for my costume ideas

2008-10-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

I don't have the time... nor do I really want to make Wall-e out of a cardboard box. Can you imagine what his costume would be like if it was snowing that night? And he also has to wear it at least two times before that.

And there is NO way I'm making an EVE costume... nope... no way, no how...

And for those of you that aren't familiar with Wall-E and Eve... here are their pictures:

We have talked Ken into another costume (because the official Wall-E costume is sold out everywhere or it's over $100 and that's just ridiculous). I had him sit with me to look online at costumes and he decided on Indiana Jones... Yea!!! and Arcadia's going to be a Fairy Princess or just a Fairy, I don't know. Daddy is taking them shopping right now while I wait on hold with one of our vendors... oh the exciting life I lead. He is then taking them to dinner and I get to go to ballet with no intrusions!!! Woo hoo!!!

I'll post pictures of the two as soon as I can in costume... :)

Hello Fall!

2008-10-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Fall has certainly made it's presence known here! I mean going from 80 degree days to a day like today that only made it to the upper 50s. It's a bit nippy! I have to go through closets now and discard summer clothes that certainly won't fit my kiddos next year. I wonder if we'll have snow on the ground by Halloween again. Last year was great! No snow, just chilly...

Now... to work on those kiddos costumes!

And this week...

2008-10-06T13:54:00.001-07:00

Let's see... quick summary of our weekend. We were on call this weekend. We were all going to go to Elitch's but that didn't happen. The phone kept ringing and so I was unable to go, but at least the kids had fun there with Daddy. Saturday I went to ballet and then came back to the phones acting just as nutty as a normal weekday. I was unable to get to Ken's game (where he scored a goal) and ended up being able to get away really easily in order to go to the grocery store since we were in desperate need of milk and what not.

Sunday we had the usual. Went on a bike ride with the kids after lunch now that Ken's gotten so good at it and did a tour of the playgrounds around us. Kids loved that! Watched a movie with Guy and that's about all.

Now... for this week's line up.... Ken has soccer practice tomorrow night and Thursday night. We have to miss his Pack meeting because of soccer, but they totally understand. Thursday night we also have Arcadia's ballet class. I have ballet tonight, hopefully it will be a really good workout for me...

Ken has spirit week at school. That means.. today he gets to wear Red (and jeans!), tomorrow is picture day, I still don't know what to dress him in, Wednesday is "Blast from the Past" - have no clue there either. I'm thinking a preppy boy from the 80's. We'll see. Thursday is sports day (which is PERFECT since he has soccer practice, he'll wear his uniform sans cleats) and Friday is Twin, Triplet, etc. day where he can dress like friends. I don't think he'll be doing that one, but what do I know?

Arcadia's going to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday. I believe it's an early day for her, but I can't quite remember... her school will send out reminders.

Next Thursday, we (Guy and I) have to go to the new school for their open house to see how we as parent's feel about it. And Friday is Ken's "Harvest Hop" which is basically a carnival for the school. His teacher passes out candy and so the other room mom and I are trying to brainstorm ideas for decorating the door. I asked the teacher if she had any ideas what she wanted to be this year... she's trying to decide. I thought a book theme would be good. I have "The Wicked Witch of the West" costume she could use as well as a Goddess and a peasant girl from the reinessance era. I'm sure I could find books (like Odyssus or King Arthur) to fit those two costumes... we just have to have her make up her mind.... Ohh... I'm starting to get ideas!!! AND I still have to make the kids costumes... I have to find time for a trip to Michaels or Joann's to get what I need!

The testing

2008-10-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

Well... we had the testing this morning. The kids did well. The tester stated that they are both very bright and both very well mannered. That was very nice to know. :) We get the results back in a week or two, but according to the examiner there is a very good chance they'll get into the school. Kepp your fingers crossed!!!

Ken's update

2008-10-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well... so far so good with Ken this week. Hopefully this post won't jinx the good week he's experiencing. His teacher has given him a book to read during the times that he's waiting for the rest of the class to catch up, etc. He has a great attitude and everything. I don't know what prompted the change, but hey... I'll keep it. He did, however, forget his homework today. Lovely... LOL So now I have the fun task of FINDING said folder to take with me when I pick him up this afternoon. Ken also did really well in soccer practice last night... they did some running up and down the field (sort of a race) and he was the fastest. That made him feel really good.

I'm starting to get prepared for our annual craft show coming up in November. My friend and I have a booth. I'm almost finished with two more bibs and I have a bunch of fabric measured and cut to make some notebook/pencil holders to sell. I have plenty of fabric, so I just need to get some binding material to make it a little stronger and not all flappy.

I have a busy month planned. Ken has soccer every Saturday this month and has practice every Tuesday and Thursday nights now until it's over. Ken has a "Harvest Hop" Festival at his school in a few weeks and his teacher asked if we room moms could come up with a "door" theme (each room on the first floor decorates their doors for prizes). I found some inexpensive (read: $1.00) strobe lights at Target so I got those... But I'm not sure what exactly we should do yet. I need to talk to the other mother. Arcadia's fall festival is the week after that and I'm helping out at the game booth. At least I don't have to come up with the games... Just man and decorate the booth. I'll be sure to take pictures. I also have to get Ken and Arcadia's costumes made. What have I gotten my self into!!! LOL Oh well... just pray I can talk Arcadia back into being a Fairy Princess so all I would have to make are wings.

Testing and weekend

2008-09-30T07:38:00.001-07:00

This past weekend we took the kids to a model air plane show. It was neat seeing all the airplanes out there. We actually got to have fly overs by two full sized planes also. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them off of my camera. Ken loved the entire thing. Arcadia, being the girly girl she is, got bored really quickly. We went back to the car and read a book while waiting for Daddy and Ken.

We have gotten appointments to have both the kids tested for their IQ. No time like the present to get that application in at the school. Their appointments are both on Thursday morning. Arcadia's will last about an hour and Ken's will be about an hour and a half. Keep your fingers crossed that they both do well! :)

Is my child gifted?

2008-09-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well... with all the behavioural problems we've been having with Ken, we were starting to wonder if he's really being pushed to his level of learning at school. I looked up gifted educational programs in the Colorado area and have found a few. One is called Stargate School and isn't too far from us. I've heard a lot about this school so I started looking into it. On the application it states we need to get an IQ test done for him to start the enrollment process for next year (it's already too late for this year, but we shall see, maybe I can get both kids in??? It is a free public school!)

Anyways... Looking up where to do IQ testing lead me to this:

Traits of Giftedness:

a good reader - which Ken is the best in his class
learns rapidly - depends on the subject but he's usually a sponge
excellent vocabulary - sometimes... LOL he is 6 so he says things I don't expect
very articulate - sometimes, othertimes not...
intense - often
good sense of humor - laughs at everything and loves to make up jokes
moral sensitive – things must be fair - especially between he and his sister
perfectionist - not so much. It depends on how much he cares for what it is
feelings hurt easily – sensitive - to a fault
curious - loves to ask questions and find things
high energy - umm... yea... this one answers itself!
prefer older friends - his best friend is in third grade
has a range of interests - loves soccer, spongebob, reading, sci fi, etc.
is logical - depends on what this is for, but not always
self taught - he taught himself reading once he understood the concept
questions authority - ALL THE TIME!!!!
has an ability to work things out in their head very quickly - sometimes, but not the majority
has strong views or opinions - very much so
has a lively imagination - you could say that.

So... after seeing this list... I have a definate idea that he would be on the gifted side. I just have to get the testing done... Shall update later on that front.

He's going to the zoo... zoo... zoo... how bout you... you... you...

2008-09-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yea!!! His teacher said that he actually made an effort today!!! That he actually tried being good!!! AND he made two goals at his soccer practice (the later week ones are usually scrimage games for practice) Whoo hoo!!!! He's going to the zoo!!!! And we don't have to punish him!!!! What a wonderous thing that is!!!!

Red Light

2008-09-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ken is on Red Light now at school. He just keeps talking back to the teachers. I'm very surprised that she hasn't put him on blue light yet. I let his teacher know that she shouldn't be afraid to put him on blue light. Of course... if she does that today... he is grounded all weekend and won't be able to go to the zoo tomorrow on the school field trip. That really took him by surprise. He's promising up and down that he'll be good. I'll find out for sure in an hour, but I have a feeling he'll be with me here tomorrow.

Arcadia is out of school tomorrow - teacher inservice day. So she may or may not go out with Daddy and have fun with him working... We shall see...

Fall

2008-09-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

It's officially fall and now the weather matches the season. The leaves are starting to change and the sun sets so much earlier that soon Ken's going to practicing soccer in the dark. Hmm... I wonder what we'll do then? I guess his coach will have ideas. He's really good at defense, but needs some work on offense. He's afraid to take the ball away from the other kids to take it to the goal.

I walk the kids to school every morning and home from school in the afternoons. He's having a blast crunching the leaves on the sidewalk. He is loving fall so far. Now lets just get a rake in his hands so he can jump in a pile of leaves... :)

Arcadia is having a blast practicing her dance for the Christmas Recital. I can't wait to see her on stage... :)

I'll have to post some pictures as soon as I get them off our camera.

Quick update

2008-09-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just a real quick update for you all.

Ken is on yellow light still (this is a good thing, he has NOT been moved yet and it's Friday tomorrow and only a half day!). He's absolutely crazy about soccer now, I have a feeling once he realizes that he can watch it on TV, he will and we along with him. He has his Fiesta tomorrow at school and then is going with Daddy in the afternoon to "help" out.

Arcadia is doing really well. She is constantly spelling out letters from billboards and signs and saying her numbers every time she seems them on signs. I remember Ken going through a similar phase right before things really clicked for him with reading.

We've been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies this past week. (Only a little every night, it's an incentive for the kids to behave, etc. - about 30 to 45 minutes). Ken is absolutely entranced and is LOVING Jack Sparrow. I have a feeling that's what he'll want to be for Halloween... now to go find the costume out there... somewhere... Arcadia, of course, will be a ballerina/princess/fairy... the fairy part being the new thing. I'll have to go to Michaels to pick her up some stuff to make wings and "fairy dust" aka. glitter to decorate said wings. Of course Ken also said he wanted to be WALL-E this year and I could actually make that one!

Arcadia started practicing for her Christmas recital tonight at ballet. Her class is doing a dance to the Russian song from the Nutcracker. Lots of twirling! Perfect for a bunch of four year old girls!!!! Our instructor wants to put the adults into it also this year... we're not sure if we really want to... she keeps shouting "angels - you can be angels!" and then "oooo - marzipan, you can be marzipan!" yeah.... we'll see, don't hold your breath though.

Update on the kiddos

2008-09-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Let's see... this past week has been very full. Ken went down to "red light" at his school. His teacher states that he was almost on "blue" which is the one where he'd be grounded from everything and stuck in his room except for food and potty and soccer. Ughh... we've got to talk more to him about it. I did receive a note from his teacher stating that he needs to be challenged more in school (meaning that the curriculem is too easy for him, thus the reason he acts up) so she's going to come up with some ideas to do so. We'll have to see if that improves his behaviour.

Soccer is going very well. Ken really did well on Saturday. He even got a goal. He was very proud and he also played goalie for a part and he did really really good, even the coach was very impressed. That's a good thing, right? ;)

Let's see... Arcadia is doing great in school. The city had a ground breaking ceremony for the new library and her school was invited. Her teacher stated that she was the best behaved at the ceremony, that she stayed still and listened to every thing. I'm so proud.

Wednesday night we had a BBQ/Picnic for Arcadia's school. That was fun and the kids had a blast. When we got to the park, Arcadia stated that she saw some of the kids from school. Then she saw her teachers and said "Mommy, my teachers are here too!" She was soooo excited and didn't stay still at all the entire time. LOL We all thought it was quite cute.

The kids also "helped" with staining the inside of the fence. They didn't like the fact that it got all over them and they couldn't wash it off. Lovely. They decided to stop at that point... Oh well...

That's all for now.

Ken and School

2008-09-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well... we seem to be doing okay with it all... He's still getting in trouble for not sitting still in class and for talking (hmmm... go figure), so he's mainly on a yellow light the entire time. I am one of the Room Mom's so I go in once a week and help out the teacher with filing, copying, etc. I'm also in charge of helping get the kids parent's that volunteered to remember to help when they state they would - for example, we have a class Fiesta next Friday, so we have parents signing up to bring food, pinatas, candy for said pinatas and bats to break the said pinatas. Also parents have signed up to help that day and they have to be there (my self included) at 9:45 am to help set up tables for the food and get everything up and organized for the kids. They're having a Fiesta in honor of Mexican Independence Day. (Any excuse for a party) and they're only having a half day that day. There's also the field trip to the zoo in three weeks... they are now looking for volunteers to be chaparones for that day... I'm not thinking I'll make it... we'll see!

Oh... and now we're off to our monthly Cub Scout Pack meeting. Boy, I sure hope there are more kids than Ken that sign up... Wish us luck!

The First Soccer Game

2008-09-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well, we've had practice now for the past two weeks and today was the big day! Ken was all decked out in his gear (Guy got a really good deal at Dick's sporting goods) and he was good to go!

Getting some coaching with the team...

Various shots of Ken playing. :)

And, of course... Arcadia enjoying the game. :)

Aren't these the cutiest?

2008-09-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

I found these while looking at some different blogs... I'm thinking about getting some for Arcadia....

Now it's time for my pictures

2008-09-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Pics from my camera

Being a true tourist in the Empire State Building.

I thought this was pretty... :) So I took a picture!

One of the many views... not going to bore you all with all the pictures from the top of the building...

Wow... what's Elmo doing in NYC walking down the street.

Oh... what many New Yorker's do at lunch time... get a hotdog from the Vendors!

Up close and personal with Lady Liberty's face.

My pic of the Lady.

Our hotel room... ain't it purty? and the bed was so soft and the lights came on automatically. Oh and there were "night lights" that came on in the night under the night stand and under the bathroom vanity when you walked around at night so you wouldn't knock over anything.

Just a quick pick of 30 Rock

In Central Park... these skaters were really neat to watch. It was like they were on ice!

My favorite Degas painting.

At the Times Square Toys R Us... these were entirely built from Legos!

New York City!!!!

2008-09-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Guy took me to New York over the Labor Day weekend and we had a blast!!!!
We went to places that we definitely couldn't eat at here (with the exception of Starbucks). We didn't eat breakfast two out of the four days... Friday we didn't wake up until 10:30 and couldn't get moving until 11:30. We did a LOT of walking and took the subway and buses everywhere we could.

Our Hotel on Central Park (Essex House). We couldn't get a room facing Central Park... so we got to look at a construction site out our back window... at least it's better than NOT having a window, right?

The Chrysler Building

Waiting for the #4 Green Line train (I think)

Had to get a picture of the Garbage barge, right? We don't have them here in Denver, so it's a must! ;)

Ground Zero. Lots of construction work going on there.

Ahh... the Empire State Building...
What they don't tell you is that in order to get to the top... you have to wait in a line (for the ticket windows) to wait in a line (for a souvenir picture) to wait in a line (for the elevator to the 80th floor) to wait in a line (for another elevator to the 86th floor) to wait in a line to get outside. Yes, we could stay outside for as long as we wanted to... :) But then we had to wait in another line to get out, sooooo much fun...

Various Views from the top of the Empire State Building

Then we got to meet famous people. :) okay, not really, it was just Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum, but hey.. it was really neat!

The ever needed picture of time square... :)

and Radio City Music Hall

We did finally get to see Lady Liberty on Saturday. It was gray and rainy, but we had fun on the Ferry... :)

The waterfall in the background is some art piece that was put up fairly recently.

The Lady herself

Her original glass torch. Guy has a story about the original torch, but I don't want to mess it up, so I'm not going to tell it at this time... I'll see if I can find it.

Unfortunately, our way to the crown was barred (or glassed off, however you want to put it), so this was as close as we could get. Even with ALL the security to get on the island and then into the monument, they still won't let anyone up to the crown any longer.

That afternoon was spent in Central Park on a nice leisurely walk. (Well, we were looking for the entrance to the Central Park Zoo, but just couldn't find it anywhere).

But we did find the bridge from Enchanted... :)

And an Alice in Wonderland statue with kids climbing all over it.

And the boat racing lake from Stuart Little...

We even found Stuart Little's House

We also found the "Dum Dum Gum Gum" statue from Night at the Museum

Our favorite museum though (we visited a lot - Guggenheim, The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art, the MoMA) we really LOVED the Met... A lot of classical painters were featured there and it took us a good part of Sunday Morning just to maneuver around the museum.

Degas

Seurat

I truthfully don't know who painted this one, we just knew it was the one stolen in "The Thomas Crowne Affair" with Pierce Brosnan.

I have a lot more pictures. These are just a few from Guy's camera. I haven't even touched my camera yet. so... More to come at a later date!

Pictures for you that I've been promising...

2008-08-25T19:52:00.001-07:00

On the Roller Coaster at Elitch's

Would you call this art? This is something I see everyday on the way to school... Who leaves a ladder out long enough for it to be covered in ivy???

My Before/After shot of the fence

One of Ken's favorite areas on the way to/from school. It was supposed to have bushes to use the maze... LOL

Now it's Ken's turn at a fundraiser!

2008-08-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

Except this time we can sell online!!! Yea...

www.abcfundraisinginc.com/store/brochures.php?sID=bro8124

Go here and start shopping!!! Please?

Schedules are getting full around here

2008-08-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with Ken's soccer coach. Practices are Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 7. Games are Saturdays starting on the first Saturday of September.

So... let's see... where does that put us now...

Mondays - I have ballet at 7:15
Tuesdays - Pack meetings once a month (3rd Tuesday) don't have a clue on the den meetings yet.
Wednesday - Ken soccer practice 6pm
Thursday - Arcadia ballet 5:15pm
Friday - Ken soccer practice 6pm
Saturday - ballet for me at 9:00am and soccer game for Ken anywhere between 8 and 12noon (we get the schedule on Wednesday)

oh... and Ken is signing up for the Science club again this year (last year they did bottle rockets). This year there are four different ones throughout the year, Ken's only interested in two of the four, so that's good. First one is "Totally Toyriffic" and it starts mid September on Thursdays from 3:35 to 4:35 after school. The next one he is interested in is "Kitchen Chemistry" in February. I just have to turn in the paperwork.

Big Boy

2008-08-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

My little guy can ride a two wheeled bike now... okay... so not that well, but a LOT better than I did at his age (seeing how I still had training wheels until I was um... in 4th grade, but I digress and shhh... I hear you laughing!).

Now that I have talked to the Weight Management group...

2008-08-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

They gave me lots of options...

1) they have an online program (which I just finished signing up with and printed out my Daily Food and Beverage Diary. Exciting, I know.

2) They have discounts with Weight Watchers... so I can try that out if I want

3) I can pay $75 for a consultation with a dietician. Hmm... not sure about that one

4) I could get a prescription for Optifast... I'm not even sure what that is... hmm... I should look that up, huh? ~~~~~ okay... I looked it up... it's basically shakes, etc.

or 5) surgery... I'm not quite sure about that one, think I'll leave that as an absolutely last resort!

Well... tomorrow will be day one! Wish me luck! I have to work out a minimum of 30 minutes a day... no more than 2000 calories and no more than 67 grams of fat per day. I have to keep a Daily food and beverage diary that lists the calories and fat that I've had during the day and report that every day on my doctor's website.

Here goes nothing!

Diets and whatnot

2008-08-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

If you truly know me, you know that I have fought with my weight for a long time. Different diets, different exercise routines, etc... Well, I had my annual physical yesterday and I took the first step in talking to my doctor about Weight Management. My insurance company has a Weight Management program with counselors, doctors, dieticians, etc. I've already contacted them and am waiting for them to call me back. This is the first step for me and it's a biggie, but I can do it! :)

The Article

2008-08-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

Guy was quoted by our local paper (I know, I know... no big feat seeing that he 1. used to write stories for it and 2. our town is a mite small, but still...)

I was looking for a copy of it on line to show y'all, but nothing no where... So... I may have to scan it... hmm... or type it up... hmmm..... We'll see which one I'm actually up to later on today.

The fence

2008-08-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I did all the staining I could do today. Who knew it would take an entire gallon to just cover one side of one part of the fence. I'm going to go buy more tomorrow. Yuck. I am now cover in speckles of red oak stain. How nice huh? A friend of mine said it looked like blood. Lovely... I am definately showering before bed...

I took pictures also... kind of before and after... but not really... LOL I'll post them once I find my lovely little adapter.

Off to make dinner now.

What I did today...

2008-08-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well, today started out, um... well, early. We received a phone call from a client at 6:10 am. Man, what a brusk way to start the day, but at least it was early enough that the problem was easily solved with minimum downtown to the store. And yes, it was a call that required someone to go Onsite, so off went Guy with his workout clothes on and a baseball cap and he ran out the door.

Things calmed down so I walked the kids to school and walked back. Made a phone call to our phone vendor to get them to help me with setting up our voicemail system (not an easy task, I'll tell ya)... That took an hour in itself.

Did some troubleshooting calls, did some laundry, etc... oh, the joys of working from home...

Then I took the hose and started "power washing" to the best of my ability with a hose and spray nosel the fence. It really, really needed it... and tomorrow... I get to stain the portion of the fence that I got washed. Oh boy... I know you really want to join me, right? ah come on... you do!!! I can tell!!!

Well... off to tuck the little ones in for the night and get ready for another day.

Soccermom

2008-08-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am officially a "Soccermom". We signed Ken up for soccer... sure it's only through the rec center and sure they have cheesy t-shirts for their uniform, but hey... he's now in soccer! He starts on September 6th and has games every Saturday until October 10th. I don't know what times or when and where the practices are... the coaches have yet to meet to decide... but I am assured his spot in Soccer... I have the receipt and everything... now I just have to go buy shinguards... do they even make them that small?

This past weekend

2008-08-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well... let's see... what did we do this weekend you ask... well...

Saturday I had my ballet class and then I came home and rushed to get ready to go to lunch with Guy's Uncle Walt and Aunt Jean and our cousins Kevin and Marybeth at CB&Potts over by Flatiron Mall. Truthfully... the salad was good, the company was good, but the service stank. Poor Arcadia... she only order Mac and Cheese and hers was the last to show up at the table at least a good 10 minutes wait after we were all served. Ken's hotdog was a little burned. Ugh... we only made him eat half of it.

We then came back home and I did some cleaning and some other stuff and then my friend showed up and we went to Bunco at another friend's house. Lots of fun!!!! I even won "Most Losses". Got my $5 and another $5! Woot... First time I've won in over a year! :) I told Guy that and he said... Only in a Woman's game do you get rewarded for being last... I said... "Yep, and I won". LOL

Sunday we had to go to one of our client sites. Thing about IT... you are always working (especially a self employed person). So... went there and the kids had a blast running back and forth with Daddy and then they ended up in the car with me and watched SpongeBob on my phone (Thank goodness for Sprint TV).

Then we went over to Elitch's (I have pictures, but I can't find the right cable to get them off my camera). First we hit the Merry Go Round, then we went to the kiddie roller coaster. Arcadia actually went around ALL THREE TIMES!!! Yeah! (they stop after each circuit to let off any kid that might be too scared). Then we caught the Dog Show. Arcadia liked watching all the doggie's do tricks with frisbees and the weave polls. Then we hit the Tilt-a-Whirl (Arcadia's absolute favorite ride) and then Guy took Ken on the Eric the Red boat (I know it has another name, but I don't remember it right now). Then Ken and I went on the Troica and then went home. Whoo... it turned out to be a very long day.

Oh and that morning I met with the other Andrea and her kids - Jack and Delaney - and we made the final arrangements for car pooling! That started this morning!!!! She dropped off Delaney, picked up Arcadia and headed on over to the school. She didn't believe me when I told her that Arcadia was a social butterfly until Arcadia started telling her Knock Knock jokes and talking to Jack and all. Delaney had a little more issues, but her tears stopped about half way down the block when we were laughing at Ken's antics on the way to school. I pick them both up in about 3 hours and then we have snacks and homework (if any) or play (if no homework) until the next switch. I think this just might work!!! :)

That just wasn't enough photos...

2008-08-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

So here are more...

Phabulous Photo Phriday

2008-08-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Oh... I do have to show this picture now though...

2008-08-14T20:31:00.001-07:00

This is my Father-In-Law and his prize catch. That's a Walleye (I do believe) and it's the biggest fish that he's ever caught. I personally don't know what's bigger, the fish or his smile.

Picture Time and catch up time

2008-08-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I haven't updated like I said I would... Well, let's see, Arcadia has been loving her time in her school. I'm sure we'll have NO issues with her going 8:15 to 4:15 next week. Ahh... the sweet sounds of silence, though she is pretty good when she's home anyways. And Ken is LOVING and I mean LOVING school! He loves having his own desk and his own cubby, etc. It's so cute. Tomorrow his class is having a "Teddy Bear Picnic" so he's taking in his little spotted dalmation puppy he won at Elitches (I can't get him to let go of it at all... LOL)

Now for pictures! (okay.. it's only one picture, I'm too tired to post anymore right now... I'll save that for Photo Phriday)

First Day of School...

2008-08-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's nice and quiet here... Both kids have started school today. Sigh... It's so nice to hear NOTHING... but it's only going to last until 11:15 when I have to pick up Arcadia. She's in their "Phase In" days so the new kids learn the routines of going to a new school. I'll post pictures later on today, but in the mean while... enjoy the silence of no siblings fighting... no yelling at the XBox, no yelling "Mom, I'm hungry" "Mom, I'm bored". Etc.

Oh... and Ken LOVED the Cub Scout Pack meeting last night. He can't wait to go to another one (but that doesn't happen until September). No den meetings until after the September pack meeting, because right now, Ken is the only Tiger scout. But I have people that might be interested in getting their kids involved... so I'm roping them and their boys into coming to the next meeting with me... muahahaha

Meet the Teacher Day

2008-08-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Okay... well... we made it through todays grueling ordeal. I mean WOW! Didn't remember last year being so... well... um... hard... LOL

We arrived at the school and went to find Ken's class. Luckily he knew about where the 1st grade classrooms were because lo and behold I sure didn't know. We found his new teacher Mrs. Brackel and went on in to the room. She had it all set up nicely, now Ken's going to have to learn to sit in his seat at his own desk... wow, what a change that will be, huh?

Anyways... we went in to the classroom, looked around, waved hello to a friend we knew from last year and found our desk with our name on it. We put our stuff down and then started loading his pencil box with pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, eraser and scissors (I hope that was right, eh... we'll find out). Then I sent Ken on a mission to find his cubby, he found it instantly. The teacher then was able to come over and talk to us. She showed Ken his hook for hanging up his backpack, the star student of the week and what that entails, what to do when he arrives to let his teacher know whether he's having hot lunch or cold lunch for the day. Then we went through all the little things, like celebrations for losing a tooth, etc. Let's hope that he does so he can celebrate also. We put all our supplies away, then went out, bought him three new uniform shirts (new logo starting this year... it's really cool), got our Infinite Campus information (a way to log in and find out how he's doing directly from the teachers) and some information about Cub Scouts and PTO.

The Cub Scouts meet tonight at 6:30... so I guess I better get dinner started so that we can attend the family pack night to learn about scouting and see if Ken will enjoy it. Let's hope so!!!

Going Green and fundraising ideas

2008-08-11T19:19:00.001-07:00

Okay... one more thing before I sign off for the night. My daughter's school is trying to come up with ways they can go green at their school. They use a lot of paper goods at this time because they have neither a dishwasher/sterilizer or a washing machine. Now the washing machine/dryer can be taken care of by a parent volunteer, but what about dishes? ughh... who knows... We'll have to come up with some ideas.

Oh... and they're looking for new fundraising ideas to try (besides the lovely plethora of things you see here).

So I'm looking for ideas, suggestions for anything and everything that may spring to mind... so if you're reading this and you have an idea... please, please comment and let me know what you come up with!

Dentist, school, and more school

2008-08-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Okay... this is the BIG week with school starting for both my kids. So, getting all the stuff done that needs to be done... dental appointments for the kiddos... done and done. One cavity between the both of them, not too bad if I do say so myself, and I do. I have to remember to get their new toothbrushes out of my purse before bed time. The dentist did have good news for me though. He (well, actually his assistant told me) that Ken's teeth were progressing normally and that we should start seeing loose teeth within the next 6 months. Keep your fingers crossed! We don't want him to go through what Daddy went through... (had all his baby teeth pulled, yuck). AND they were both EXCITED to go to the dentist. I don't ever remember being excited to go to the dentist... I still dread it (even though my dentist is super cute, right Mom?).

Then after the dentist (who was running 15 minutes late) we ran to Ken's school to get my Volunteer/Visitor badge picture. Now it's not required, but it is a nice thing to have as to not have to wear the stupid little visitor sticker labels all the time.

Then... tonight... we went to Arcadia's Back to School orientation. Wow... Let me say that this was an information packed orientation and that I already have my first fundraiser to do for her school... talk about starting early, huh? This fund raiser has a little bit of everything! Geez... let's see... Zap Snak Pizza, Gourmet Cheesecakes, Cinn-Fully Delicious Cinnamon Rolls, Churros, Chocolate Eclairs, Gourmet Coffee, Cocoa, Fudge, Funnel Cakes, Pumpkin Rolls, Soft Pretzels, Pretzel Dogs, Gourmet Popcorn, Cookie Dough, Braided Strudel & of course... magazines... so... if anyone is hungry... let me know... I'm taking orders and I will deliver/ship to where ever, but I only take cash, check, or paypal... ;) and I'm not kidding either. :) I want to get the $1 for each item sold to stick in my daughter's savings account! That's too cool... :)

Now for the part I'm truly dreading... the first day... Don't get me wrong, I want them both to go, they are driving me batty and they need to socialize OUTSIDE OF THIS HOUSE with people OTHER THAN ME! But... Ughh... I don't know how I'm going to do this, but it shall be done! It has to be Done! Both start on Wednesday at the same time on opposite sides of the city (okay... so that means 10 minutes with traffic, but still... it's a big deal) and both have drop off time at EXACTLY THE SAME TIMES!!! AAAGGGHHHHH!!! At least I ran into a friend at the school that has a son going to my son's school and another son going to my daughter's school AND she lives in my neighborhood (or at least within the area) so we can carpool!!!! Yeah!!!! Sweet!!!! at least we'll see.

Now for tomorrow... we have our first pack meeting for Ken to see if he'll like Boy Scouts. We'll shall see.

Artistic

2008-08-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a bunch of different blogs and came to find that a lot of them have been doing Wordle word art.... Here's mine... :) I think it looks rather cool! :)

Our Trip (and all our excitement)

2008-08-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Now... I have to say that this was a very interesting trip to Minnesota this time around. First we got there on Thursday the 24th. Nothing out of the ordinary... Guy showed his folks how to use the On-Demand that came with their cable and they were excited to see that they could pull up movies at any time... We also went to a picnic that night in the main park. It was hot, sticky, humid... now I remember why I moved to Colorado... Had the same type of weather

Friday, Guy and Grandpa K took the kids fishing so Grandma J and I went walking around downtown Montevideo. Went shopping at the discount stores and had lunch at a nice place called Valentino's, very nice. :)

We were going to go to the Reunion that night, but we were all tired, we didn't really want to go to the hot spot, etc (just toooo hot and it was outdoors).

Saturday we spent in Milan. We were able to go into the school (my first time in 10 years!). Beautiful building, but what I wish that it could be used! It's sad to see only five rooms out of so many being used. Beautiful wood floors in the main building.

We played outside on the old swingset that Guy played on all his school time. We forgot to take our camera on the playground, but had fun just the same.

We all then went into town and went to "Billy's Maple Tree" - a nice shop with a bunch creations from local artists, etc. Always fun to go into. Then had lunch at the "MORE Cafe". We then went back to the school building and played in the gym for a while (We got the key from Ann Thompson at Billy's). Guy found some old books in a closet in the gym and found one of his science books (of course, we took it... ;)) Then back to the house for a nap and to get ready for Guy's reunion that night. Those pictures are still on Guy's camera... will post them when I get them off the camera. It was a lot of fun, I have met a lot of these people at prior reunions and it was nice to see them all. Being that Guy's from a class of 22 he knows all his class, unlike me... class of 998 (give or take) and there's no way of knowing if I do show up to one of mine if I'd know anyone. Doubt I'll ever go...

Sunday Guy went to Canada with his Dad, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and three family friends (men of course) to go fishing at Lake of the Woods. They all had fun and it was a good bonding trip... I didn't go, so I won't be saying too much more...

I was sick with a stomach bug on Sunday so needless to say, I didn't do a whole lot that took me away from a bathroom. Monday, I felt a bit better and we went to the big park with great playground and then had the cousins come over to play...

Tuesday we went to the cousins house... sorry no pictures... just wasn't in the mood. Ken stayed overnight there.

Wednesday, we went to the pool with the cousins. The kids had a blast.

Then came Thursday... We were woken up to lightning and thunder... then hail... then major winds... then a loud crack (I thought it was thunder). Looked outside... saw that the winds were pretty bad... like tornado bad... so we all went down to the basement... lights went out at that same time.

Came upstairs about 30 minutes later (this was about 7:00 am) and listened to the weather radio. Lights still out, etc. We all went outside and found this:

This is where we (meaning Guy and myself) usually park our car when we're visiting. Thank goodness I had parked in the garage since the guys were gone.

There were branches everywhere all over the sidewalk and driveway so we picked up the rakes and brooms and went to work so that the guys could drive up the driveway that night when they got home.

This was Ken's favorite spot to sit... Glad he was in bed instead.

There was a pool there we had dumped it out to clear it out of branches and leaves.

The following are pictures of spots all over town. It was quite interesting to see the devistation that wind could do... no this was NOT a tornado... The weather channel calls them Gust-nados... I would have to agree with that term.

But the kids were not any worse for wear... :)

20th Reunion

2008-07-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Guy's 20th HS reunion is this weekend. Can't believe how fast that went by. I met him the year he went to his 10th. Me... I know I am probably NEVER attending my HS reunions. One reason is because I don't really think my class is that well organized to get it done. We never had a 10 year... well... we did, but I didn't get the invite until the week of because they sent it to my step father's house and not to me. I guess I'll find out for sure in 2011. We're leaving for Minnesota tomorrow (hopefully) and we will be back next week... Off to call my SIL and make some plans for the cousins to play together... :)

The World through My Daughter's Eyes

2008-07-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Arcadia earned a new camera for having two weeks of dry nights. We got her the Fisher Price Kid Touch Camera. I just now uploaded the pictures from the camera and was in for a bit of a surprise... There were almost 300 pictures on it (I'm still curious how many this camera will hold). And, as with Ken... I had to delete a lot of them... She had a lot of pictures of the TV and of the carpet for some odd reason. But surprisingly they were all pretty cute... But you can tell she is a bit of a narcissist. There were ALOT of self portraits.
Here are some of her pictures...

Random Pictures

2008-07-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Just some pictures to get y'all through the day... :)

The Recital...

2008-07-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

We had our ballet recital last weekend. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Arcadia did really well and she looked so cute too.

I was in it also and believe me... I was scared out of my mind... so I just concentrated on my part and didn't look at the audience (except for this one photographer with a great flash and his assistant ;) )

And after her "debut" on stage (okay... so she was also in a Christmas recital, but still, who's counting) she was playing up her movie star status.

The Joys of Camping

2008-06-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

We went camping this last weekend.
It was the kids first time ever so we took it fairly easy.
We went to Jellystone of Estes and the kids loved it.
Unfortunately, the adults mattress lost it's screw top and so the air lasted only so long... as in oh... about two hours. I also grabbed the wrong sleeping bag for the adults and we ended up with ONE... yes, you read correctly ONE sleeping bag for the two of us. If the mattress hadn't gone flat then we would of been okay, but nope... we were tired, grumpy, cold and uncomfortable for all of the night... Oh well...

We did get to play Candy Bar Bingo at the campsite and the kids did get to roast marshmallows over hot coals. So it wasn't too much of a wash out. We did end up leaving early though... I mean how many nights can Guy and I sleep on the hard ground... and we were not going to buy a new mattress in the city of Estes Park where they do not have a Walmart/KMart/Target. That was one of my first purchases when we got back though. $29.99 for a Coleman Queen size mattress at Target and this one has a double lock feature to make sure it doesn't leak! Whoo hoo!

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy:

Ken and Arcadia at our campsite...

Ken on the tire swing... loving it...

One of the picture taking places in the campground.

In the luke warm pool... still too cold for Guy, but I did get in (had to ya know)

Ken trying to warm up in the sun...

Company picnic and face painting...

2008-06-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today was our first annual company picnic (as that this is the first year that we have had more than just us and one other person in our company). We held it at Elitch Gardens this year... We had a lot of fun.. Food was okay... catered by Elitch's, barbeque sandwiches and hot dogs. The girls got their faces painted.

Rollerblades

2008-06-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Okay... so I'm not really one who likes to rollerblade, I'll be the first to admit it, but since it's a growing trend (especially in our family) then I'm bound and determined to do it...

But first, we must teach the next generation... Ken got his first pair of Rollerblades and we went straight to the park to try them out. He was a little shaky at first (who isn't when balancing on four in line wheels, but I digress), but he seems to have gotten the jist of it.

Ken's a Graduate

2008-06-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Okay... so it's only from Kindergarten, but still..

Here's Ken and his little girlfriend Victoria... Isn't she cute?

And here's his other girl Samantha... :) Starting young... I know

This was his class...

And here's Ken with his "diploma" and what not... His teacher is sitting behind him.