Wacky Wednesday

Michael's class is having Wacky Wednesday today, in which the kids can dress wacky. Michael is not the most adventurous dresser as he likes everything to match. After getting dressed in his clothes, then he got a red glitter visor and I spiked his hair a little bit. This was met with much resistance as he does not like his hair to be spiky. Whenever he gets his hair cut, he does not like for the hairdresser to style his hair at all. He did let me do it though and it looked wacky.

Here he is before we left for school (you can't see this but he is wearing 2 different socks under his 2 different shoes).

Tardy

Anyone who knows me well knows that I tend to be late to almost everything. For whatever reason, I thought that I could turn over a new leaf when Michael started kindergarten. I am not exactly sure why I thought that when I could barely get him to preschool on time and it started at 9:00am.

I have good intentions and it can even look like we are going to be early but then one thing happens that causes the whole morning to get off track. It also doesn't help that the first bell rings at 7:45 and the tardy bell at 7:50. I have even considered having Michael take the bus so he could get there on time but realized that there would be no way for me to have him out there at 7am if we struggle at 7:45am.

I just found out that you are considered tardy unless you are in your classroom when the second bell rings. I guess I just assumed that if you were in the building, then they wouldn't mark you tardy.

Since I want to set a good example for Michael, I am going to make every effort to get him there on time for the entire month of March. I am hoping that by posting it here, I will work harder to make it happen. Wish me luck!

Girls' Weekend

This past weekend, 6 other moms and I headed to North Carolina to spend the weekend at Laura's house from various places on the East Coast (and Texas). I was so excited to go and last Friday couldn't come fast enough. I was also a little nervous to go as I have never been away from Katie overnight since she was born almost 3 years ago! I knew she would be in good hands with Todd so off I went.

I was great to see these ladies, some that I had met before and others that I was meeting for the first time. I have found, as I meet more and more women that I know from the internet, that it's like seeing a long lost friend. You already know about their lives but it's still great to catch up in person. The weekend was everything I hoped it would be, which was relaxing, fun and filled with good eating! It was nice to be able to spend more than a few hours together too.

A huge thank you goes out to Laura (and Jon) for opening their house to all of us. Another huge thank you goes out to my wonderful and amazing husband, Todd, for watching the kids and letting me have this time to recharge. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet so many of these women in person and hope to meet more in years to come.

So Random

After all of the excitement from this weekend, I need some rest before I can talk about how awesome it was. In the meantime, I am doing this meme from Laura's blog. Who doesn't love a Starbucks gift card?

1. What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?
Thin Mint, with Samoa coming in a close second

2. What is the one item on which you always splurge?
Jeans

3. What's the best book you've read in the last 10 years?
So many to choose from but I think it would have to be The Help

4. What is your favorite summer drink?
Half and half - sweet tea and lemonade mixed

5. Spring or fall?
Definitely spring because you still have the summer to look forward to

6. If you are not doing your dream job right now, what would it be?
I am finally in my dream job - staying at home with my kids

7. Is there a better movie role model than Maude?
I don't know who Maude is, so I would have to say yes

8. If you had $100 to spend at Target, what would you buy?
Clearance items. I love a good Target bargain.

9. Have you ever tried boxed wine? If it was good, what was the brand?
Years ago and I drank it straight from the spout. The brand was Franzia but
I cannot remember if it was any good.

10. If you could meet one blogger who would it be?
Maya - Musings of a Marfan Mom

11. If I could photograph you doing anything, what would it be?
Having a good time with my family

Batman

Lego has a new series that they released right around Christmas for DC Comics Super Heroes. Michael got the Batman for Valentine's Day. This is not your traditional type of Lego. It uses a lot of pieces that snap together with a ball and clip assembly instead of the blocks. Michael went into his room this afternoon and started working on it. Before I knew it, he came in with the finished product.

He had fun playing with Batman this afternoon. You can get Green Lantern and make a hybrid superhero combined with Batman. What a neat idea!

Valentine's Day

I really enjoy the holidays, even more so since we have had kids. It's so much fun to watch them get excited about things.

It started with Michael working on his Valentine Day cards for his classmates. He had fun doing them this year and could read everyone's name in his class. We put pencils in everyone's card and his teacher had them decorate a bag to collect all of their Valentines to take home.

Today Katie, Michael and the boys I watch all decorated frames with pictures I took of them yesterday for Todd and their parents. It was fun to watch them making their own individual creations.

I made heart shaped lollipops with candy canes and white chocolate. The kids loved them and I sent some home with the boys I watch. There are even a few left :) Guess we know what will be the treat tomorrow!

Todd and I got each other some M&Ms, peanut butter for him and mint for me, which are our favorites. I got a new travel cup, which I use constantly since I spend a lot of time out with the kids. Katie got a book of Dora puzzles and a new Fancy Nancy book. Michael got a new Lego Super Heroes set, Batman.





I feel so fortunate to be able to spend this day of love with Todd, Katie and Michael. I love them more and more every day!

Wordless Wednesday

Another First

This weekend, we traveled to Raleigh for my sister's baby shower. The whole family was supposed to go but Todd had to stay home to study for a certification test that he needs to take for work. It was a good opportunity for him to have uninterrupted time to get some studying done, as well as do a few things around the house.

This was the first trip that I have taken with the kids by myself. We loaded up on Friday night and headed out. Between getting gas and bathroom breaks, we made 3 stops that added 45 minutes to our trip. By the time we got there at 10:30, I was pretty tired but Katie and Michael were recharged after their nap in the car.

Katie and I attended the baby shower with my mom and have a great time. Katie was excited to be hanging out with the ladies and helped my sister open her gifts calmly. I was impressed with her calm behavior. Michael enjoyed some bonding time with my dad while we were at the shower too.

Even though we had fun, we all missed Todd and were happy to get home to him. As we were leaving on Friday night, both Michael and Katie were disappointed that he wasn't coming with us. We go almost everywhere as a family so it was strange to leave without Todd. It will be Todd's turn for a solo weekend trip with the kids in less than 2 weeks to his parent's country house as I get away for a girls' weekend. I know it will go as well for him as it did for me!

4 Wheel Fun

Michael has several battery operated ride on toys. His first one was a Little Quad John Deere. He then graduated to a Harley Davidson motorcycle and now rides a green 4 wheeler. He loves to ride it around the yard and give other kids a ride on the back. Since the weather was so nice today, I let the kids go out to ride it.

Michael was the driver and he drove Katie and Tyler around the backyard, with them taking turns as the passenger. I used to be nervous when he was riding it but he knows how fast he can go without losing control and he is much more cautious when he has the little kids on the back.

This was the first time for both of the younger kids to ride on the 4 wheeler. Katie was a bit scared at first but after one ride around the yard, she was hooked. Michael did a great job of being the driver and he was very proud of himself. Here's to more fun times with the 4 wheeler!

Awareness is key

The heart is a key symbol of the month of February, not only for Valentine's Day but because it is also National Marfan Awareness Month. I think it's so important to get as much information out there as possible about this genetic disorder, especially since it affects Todd, Michael and Katie.

I read this article earlier today and found it to be very interesting and informative. Just knowing that you have the disorder is key to getting the proper treatment and being seen by the specialists that are needed. I feel extremely fortunate that our family is able to get the care that is needed for the best quality of life. I know that everyone is not so lucky.