Hey, Hey, Hockeytown!

Way to go Red Wings!

Another great game, right down to the final 3 seconds. I'm pretty sure I was holding my breath the last minute of that game. Wow!

I'm totally thrilled that they won it last night. Mostly because I didn't want to be flying to Orlando on Saturday evening and not get to watch game 7! Silly me!

Michigan fun

The boys and I had a great weekend in Michigan. Since Chris was in Chicago and we didn't need to be back for him to go to work on Monday or for school, we decided to stay till today (Mon). It made for a fun weekend because we didn't have to leave early on Sunday.

Thanks to Hometown Days in Swartz Creek, it was like we had our own personal entertainment. After a cookout at my dad's Church on Friday we went to a great fireworks show. Then Saturday we had curbside seats for the parade...which was basically a sugar parade. I've never seen so much candy thrown out during a parade. It got to the point that I was motioning for the people to not throw candy at us. I would wager that they had as much, if not more, candy than they looted at Halloween. Saturday afternoon was pretty much spent watching the boys bounce off anything and everything. But, they had fun. We also went to a car show and had a fire in mom's fire pit.

So, it was a busy, fun and tiring weekend. It was nice to spend one on one time with each of my parents. It never seems that I get to do that and it was worth it! I also got my Father's Day shopping done and some last minute stuff taken care of before we leave for Orlando.

I got to watch the Red Wing's game with my dad. That was just like old times. With any luck the Wings will wrap up the series tonight and hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. I'm treating myself to a beer tonight!

Heading..

...out of town to Flint within the hour. The boys are really looking forward to this weekend. I plan on enjoying the weekend and I know Chris is having a good time with his buddies in Chicago. Good stories should follow.

Great weekend

Our family had a great weekend together. Friday night was deck night. We had a fire in the chimnea, snacks for the boys and drinks for the adults. Then Saturday night we got invited next door to Tami's house for basically the same thing. The Wings were also able to win game one on Saturday night. Go Wings!

Our friends, Kim and Ryan, were able to stop by on Sunday night for dinner. Chris pulled out all the stops and did a great smoke. The pulled pork was so good. We also made homemade potato salad and chocolate cake. It was ALL good. The best part was sitting outside on the deck with another fire and enjoying good company with our friends.

Monday we took it easy! Oh, and the Wings won again.

All in all it was a great weekend. The next two weekends hold more of the same. I plan on taking the boys to Flint this weekend. Chris is going to Chicago for four days for his annual "guys weekend". His football buddies have started meeting up once a year for the "guys weekend". Which, I think is great because he doesn't get to do enough stuff like that!

My parents have lots of fun stuff planned for the boys. I believe we are going to a cookout on Friday night followed by fireworks. Saturday should be a local parade and car show. Throw in many trips to the barn, golf cart rides, tractor rides and the boys will be in heaven!

Disney is less than two weeks away. We are all getting excited for that.

Memorial Day

I would like to thank the families of all brave soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to protect our country and our freedom.

If you are a veteran, or a current military family, my family would also like to say thank you for all that you have done to keep our country safe and give us the freedoms that we are enjoying today.

As I watch my boys running around happy in our back yard I do not take lightly the fact that they are safe and we are free to make our own choices.

Thank you and Happy Memorial Day

"You have weird hair"

"You have weird hair"

This is what Connor, in his most polite voice, told the window inspector who visited our home today. (At least Connor didn't tell him he looked like a girl - because I know that is what Wes was thinking)

The friendly, early 30's, young dad type was cool about it and said it was no biggie. I on the other hand, was mortified and wanted to crawl under the couch and join the multitude of matchbox cars already in hiding.

The gentleman simply had naturally curly hair. It wasn't your crazy white-boy-playing-college-basketball-at-Stanford hair...just curly hair.

In my most stern voice, (because I was trying not to laugh and so was the window inspector) I informed Connor that not everyone in the world looks the same and we all have different colored hair that isn't necessarily straight!

As if that wasn't embarrassing enough, the window inspector got whacked in the shin by a flying puck while we were in the basement checking the windows. While Yzerman and Chelios thought they were the bomb and were attempting to show off, a stray puck hit the poor guy in the shin. He took it nicely, considering he had shorts on and I know it hurts like hell!

I'm sure he was a happy man to leave our house! He probably is also grateful to be the inspector and not the installer!

Cavities suck!

It has been roughly twenty years since I have had to have a cavity filled. When I was a kid I swear I had a cavity every time I went to see the dentist. Then, like magic, I just stopped getting cavities.

Well, imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when my flirtatiously cool dentist told me I had a cavity. I actually thought he was joking. Fast forward to last night, and after the third round of numbing shots, he was definitely not joking.

After the first series of shots I couldn't feel the right side of my head. This included my forehead, temple, ear, nose and eye. All cool if you have been drinking too much, but not the general area in which the dentist will be drilling with his loud, large drill. Second round of shots proved to get closer to the general area. My jaw, cheek and some small areas of the inside of my mouth were numb, but still no where near drilling numbness.

Finally, after round three my lower right teeth, most of my tongue and most of my lower lip was numb. So numb that I sat in the chair drooling on myself while the cavity was filled. So numb that the nurse laughed that I couldn't move my tongue at all and so numb that I sounded like I'd gone three rounds with a bottle of tequila and swallowed the worm.

You can imagine the joy upon my arrival home to find my dear, loving husband, Chris, made fun of me for pretty much the remainder of the night. By the time we went to bed, around 10:30, I had gotten feeling back to most of my face/head and my lip and tongue were thawing out.

Today my mouth hurts. Not the tooth where he filled the cavity, but the back of my mouth at the jaw where he gave me all those shots. Nice. Note to self. Brush more often, floss every day, eat less sweets and pray for no more cavities! Because, cavities suck!

Plan Scape

The landscaping is nearly complete. It's fantastic. The actually landscaping is done, but they need to come back next week and try and level off a part of our yard that always holds water. We had the both sides and the back of the house to complete. The front was already done. In addition to the three sides of the house they also added a large pine tree, 2 large red maples and another tree (not to up on my trees).

Plan Scape, did a fantastic job. I am way to picky about stuff and I couldn't find a single thing to pick about! From the way their crew put up with the boys watching them out every possible window to how nicely they cleaned up....they were fantastic! Thank you Phil for a job well done!

Now the pictures. It was at sunset last night and they light is pretty bright, but the general idea comes across. It's raining now, so getting better pictures isn't going to happen today.

So excited!

Our landscaping is almost finished!

Will post pictures soon!

So excited!

Definition of accident

"event occurring by chance or unintentionally"

Wes just cut most of the front of Connor's hair off.

Apparently it was an accident.

I just got done defining what an accident is to Wes.

One does not take out his "pre-school scissors", get Connor to sit and hold still, find the "right" spot and then cut off said younger brother's hair... accidentally.

12:23 a.m.

12:23 a.m.

That is roughly the exact time that the Komets finally won game 7 of the Turner Cup playoffs. We were all there, physically more than mentally, for the end of the game. Connor was asleep in his chair and Wes had finally stopped crying about wanting to go home and go to bed.

It took 3 over time periods for the Komet's to pull it off, but they actually did win. What a long night and an even longer day. I volunteered to go to the zoo for the day with Wes' kindergarten class. That in itself wore me out, but add working out, a swim lesson for Wes and I was done. More like burnt, like toast!

If the Komet's hadn't blown a one point lead with less than one minute in the game, we all could have been home by 11:30...but that would have been too easy. I guess I have until November to recover from last night. It might just take that long before Wes wants to go back!

I was glad we stayed through the overtimes because we got to see them win and enjoy their cool trophy. I admit, I would have been really pissed if we had stayed for 3 overtimes and they would have lost, but that wasn't the case. Chris was pretty happy that wasn't the case either. He knew I would have rather gone home after one overtime, but I stuck it out for him. Now I have to pay further for it today with 2 very, very grumpy boys. I literally had to drag Wes out of bed this morning...and he was NASTY!

The funny thing was that while we were eating dinner Chris suggested driving separately to the game. I couldn't figure out why. We go to games all the time and never drive separately. I usually won't let Wes go to a game on a school night, but I made an exception last night. I never gave Chris' idea much thought because I guess I just didn't grasp how long the game could possibly take, or that we could have possibly still been there at 12:30 in the morning. Good idea Chris, sorry I did listen.

Way to go Komet's and congrats to a great season.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. For some of us this is a day of relaxation, eating a special breakfast, opening cards and gifts or a special dinner. It is a happy day for my family and at the end of the day I always feel appreciated. However, I know there are many, many moms out there celebrating their Mother's Day in different ways.

For those moms who have precious little ones who are sick in hospitals, big children who are possibly spending the day in harms way while serving in the military or for the moms who have suffered the loss of their child...I wish you a day filled with warmth, love and appreciation for your sacrifices as a mom. You may not be getting presents and hugs from your child today, but please know there are many of us moms who are thinking of you and sharing our thoughts with you!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my Grandma and all my "girl friend" moms! I'll have some photos of my weekend and a good wrap up later on!

Mother's Day Tea Party

Today I was honored to attend a Mother's Day Tea Party hosted by Wes' Kindergarten class. It was so nice. They decorated each of the tables with flowers, decorated cups and treated us to cookies they decorated. Wes was very proud of the cookie he made for me...and I was happy to eat it. I couldn't say no now, could I? After looking at the size of my butt in that kiddie chair, it's a darn good thing I only ate one cookie. Maybe it was no coincidence that it was a pig cookie??? I was the pink pig, in case you couldn't tell.



We were also treated to a class cookbook with each of his classmates favorite recipes. The cutest part of that is on the bottom of each recipe was the students own version of how to make it. Funny stuff.

The highlight was the performance of three "mom" songs. Wes does not much care for singing along with a group and you could tell. But he put some effort into it and I had to laugh at the pained expression on his face. It was like Chris standing there looking back at me with a pained "I don't care which shirt Honey, they both look nice on you!" expression.

The moms also got to take home a hand painted tile and our cookbooks. This is another chance to express my gratitude to Mrs. Eckman and the amazing opportunities she gives her students. All of the children were so happy to have us there and proud to show off what they had done for us. Thank you Mrs. Eckman for taking the time to pull all of that together.

And thank you Wes for being such a loving son! He was all hugs today!

No money for you...

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=805049

I was surprised to see Purdue listed in this article. There are certainly others that come to mind ahead of Purdue in the failing to meet academic standards. Could it be a sign of more trouble for the Purdue Basketball team? I'm a firm believer in academics first, sports second.

Study up boys, or no money for you!

I Voted!

I know what you are thinking, "So what, she voted?" This is the first time I've ever voted in Indiana and I've only voted a couple of times prior to that while living in Michigan. So, it's a big deal to me to say that "I voted". I feel good about having gone out to vote! And, I also feel more invested in the outcome of our primary today and who our Democratic party will eventually nominate.



I wanted one of the little stickers that proudly proclaims that I voted, but I was told when I asked that they didn't have them. Darn. That would have made it even better. I pretended it was for Connor when I asked, but I would have worn it proudly.

Now everyone is thinking that I am an degenerate citizen of this great country for not having voted in years, but I can explain that. Mostly I haven't had a candidate who I felt deserved my vote or one whom I detested enough just to go vote against. I do detest our current president and can say that I didn't vote for him or against him. But at the time I had no interest in dragging along a newborn and 3 year old to vote, no matter how much I disliked him at the time of the last election.

While voting today was very simple, I've feared in the past it wouldn't be. My voting experiences prior to today included hour waits in line, equipment that I didn't know how to use and no one willing to explain what to do. Today was so simple. I didn't have to stand in line, a nice volunteer walked me to the voting computer and explained what to do with it and then I voted. The whole thing was a no brainer and I was out the door in less than 10 minutes.

Connor even said to me..."Mom that was quick!"

Now I guess we just wait and watch as the Democratic party devours its own. It isn't going to be pretty folks!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I plan on celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a little margarita action after the boys are in bed. It's the least I can do to show my enthusiasm for the month of May!

We had a great weekend spent mostly outdoors. The weather here was okay on Saturday and gorgeous on Sunday. On Saturday we took the boys to Solfest at Fox Island, an Allen County Park. It's more like a nature preserve, but run by the county. The reason we decided to go was because our friend Mike, Heather's husband, was singing. There were a ton of musicians lined up for the weekend, but we were just interested in him. The boys attempted to sit and listened with us (good thing he only played for a half hour) and then we walked around the park. It was fun. Wes wanted to catch tad-poles that we watched in a big puddle. Of course he wanted to catch them with a stick..and we had nothing to put them in...to Chris' delight!

After completing our required yard duties on Sunday we spent the afternoon relaxing outside. It was a beautiful day. Chris used his smoker to make a meatloaf for dinner. Good stuff. He is becoming rather skilled in the smoking department. I'm still anxiously awaiting my smoked Salmon! Maybe for Mother's Day?

Wes also got a little golf action in. He needs lots of help! Hopefully he will take after his daddy in the golf department. I am hopelessly lost at that game. Connor had to join in the fun too. I think Connor's clubs are way easier to use!

Last day, last place

Today was our last day of bowling...sniff, sniff. Normally I'm ready for our season to be done. We always bowl following the school year schedule but end a few weeks before school gets out.

I wasn't ready for bowling to be done. Knowing that I will no longer get to bowl with Tami made it sad for me. Even sadder to me was that it was the last time Connor gets to go to "bowling school" with Tami's daughter, Zoe. They are such good buddies. According to Zoe, Connor and her will be getting married some day. The kids get to go to an awesome babysitter at the bowling alley while we bowl. Somehow they started calling it "bowling school". The "Grandma" who babysits them is in her 80's. Today was her last day as well. Lots of suppressed tears when we all said our farewells today!

And, drum roll please....we finished....wait for it....in....LAST PLACE! Wow, I guess I don't need to further explain that we do indeed play for fun. Obviously, we suck! But we had lots of fun staying in last place.

What?

The significance of what I'm about to post about may seem lost to most readers, so see the post entitled, "Dog Gone" from March for enlightenment.

My in-laws called to confirm that it was okay for them to bring "the dog" over later in May to stay at our house while they are out of town. "What?" Excuse me, did I just here you correctly? Seriously, after a long pause on the phone the first words out of my mouth were, "What?"

I can't believe they would even consider asking us that question. We tried to politely explain the badness of what had happened during her not-so-long-ago two week stay, but were they listening? Clearly they were not listening or they never, ever would have asked us/me to watch "the dog" ever again.

I can best relate this to a babysitter we had at our house on only one occasion. She was young, hyper and even before we left the house, had the boys running around like little monsters. I knew when we returned later that night when the boys were still up, and still running around like monsters, that "things" had not gone well. From what the babysitter said to us and the look of terror on her face prior to leaving, I knew I would never be able to ask her to babysit again. And, I have never asked or will consider asking her.

It's like that folks! But, instead of our experience lasting only one evening, like it did for the babysitter, our experience lasted for two frickin weeks. And they asked us again. What?

The worst part was his dad, who needs to start using his hearing aides again, clearly misunderstood something Chris said. I was told on the phone that Chris had said it was okay for her to stay here. Smartly, dad-in-law decided to check with me first. That was when he got the "What?" on the phone and "Chris never mentioned it to me."

Clearly, "the dog" is not staying here! I feel really bad saying no. Especially considering how many times they help us out with the boys....but really, shit on my carpet, pee on my carpet, vomit on my carpet, nearly biting my friends daughter in the face and just not liking her are all really substantial enough reasons to say no dog. And, I feel bad for Chris because he has to tell them no. I know he wishes that we had never agreed to watch her in the first place but the reason we did is that we thought two weeks in a kennel was a bit much, even for "the dog". So now our origional attempt at a good deed has gone to the dogs and it biting us in the ass.

Weekend

Our weekend was busy. The boys went with Chris to Monroeville for a car show on Saturday. While they were gone I helped Tami paint her garage. I'm not a fan of painting, but I took pity on her because they are trying so hard to get their house on the market by the end of the week. The garage looked good after a coat of white paint and I had fun helping her! The boys got a big kick out of the car show and Chris seemed to enjoy taking pictures of "Whiskey Tango" and people trapped in the 80's. He is going to get himself in trouble with his new camera! I'll just laugh when he does!

While the boys were in M-town with the grandparents, they decided to spend the night. That meant Chris and I went out to our favorite Mexican hang out for dinner. It also meant the I broke most all of my recent food rules and consumed a large amount of margaritas with chips and salsa. What could I do? We had a pitcher! It was a fun evening! Plus, I worked out both days this weekend, so I earned it.

Sunday was spent in our own garage cleaning out the mess that winter brings. We got stuff hauled outside, things stored in the attic and a good sweeping of the floor. It is nice to actually be able to see the second half of the garage floor.

So, it was just an average weekend. I felt like all I did all weekend was work, but oh well.

I'm stoked about having the second half of our landscaping done this week. I talked to our landscaper this morning and it sounds like he will be here at the end of the week to do the job! I'll have pictures of that, for sure!

"E-I-E-I- Oops!"

Congratulations Wes and the kindergarten classes at Covington Elementary for a great musical show. Our family and many others, were treated to the kindergarten musical last night. G & G came along to watch Wes' on stage singing and one-liner debut.

They obviously had a barnyard theme and all the children made hats/masks to help them represent their appropriate animal. Wes' class were pigs, with girl pigs being in pink and boy pigs in tan. Wes also got to go up to the mic and recite a line he learned. His line was "My name is Old McDonald. I'm a farmer, can't you tell?" Well, no, actually! A lot of the lines were pointless because the children did not wear costumes. Oh well!

Wes was nervous all day about the show, but you wouldn't have known it while watching him on stage. He waved to us many times and was next to his best friend, Ayana, the whole time. I got a couple of tears at one point when I was watching the two of them next to each other on stage. I'm so sad for him that his friend will be moving away. I need to tell him today or this weekend. The for sale sign should be going up at their house and I want him to hear it from me and try and explain it all to him.



Wes did a great job, as did all the children. I was impressed by the fact that the teachers were able to pull this off considering the morning classes never practiced with the afternoon classes, and vice versa. If it had been just singing, it would have been easy, but many of the children had lines to come up to the microphone and recite! Thus, making it very challenging for the children and teachers.

A huge thank you to Wes' teacher, Mrs. Eckman, the remaining kindergarten teachers, the music teachers, art teachers, other staff and volunteers that made last night possible. It was apparent that they all put a lot of time into this show. Also apparent was the amount of effort the students put into learning their music and lines.


(Wes and Mrs. Eckman)

Great job everyone!