Proof!

Not that anyone wants to know, but the last couple days I have had some stomach/gas pains. It made me have no energy and not want to do much. Tonight I mentioned to some ladies that my house was a mess and they didn't believe me. When I got home I was pleasantly surprised that Greg HAD cleaned up the worst area-the kitchen. When we had all rushed out the door for Nathan's last soccer game, dinner and all of its many dishes were everywhere. But when I came home I saw this:

I was so impressed and deeply touched. I did find messes elsewhere that will be left until the morning though. So, as you can see Jonie, my house is NOT always spotless. I am just a normal mom like everyone else.

Free Lemonade

All summer the kids talked about having a lemonade stand and now, at the start of Fall they finally pulled it off. Luckily I already had some lemonade in the fridge when they came up with the idea, or else I am not sure if it would've happened. The boys were SO desperate for customers that they were knocking on people's doors. I don't think they gave much out, but they had a lot of fun.

Soo Nice!

I always forget how much I love this store. Today I drove "all the way" over there just to get the instant yeast for my bread (I originally bought 4 but gave 3 away as I taught my family members). I am so close to being out and I really didn't even think that Macey's would be sold out, but as far as I could see they were. I even made some people wait in line a little while some workers went to look for it. So, if anyone has an extra yeast that they would sell me I would be happy to pick some up for you next time I go.

Over The Top

Last night we went to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I had not been in at least 20 years and it was a first for the rest of our family. I was amazed, as were the kids, the whole night. The tiger and elephant tricks were Annie and my favorite part. Greg really like the ball where they had 7 motorcyclists riding around (I can't even imagine). This morning Ryan said he liked the gymnasts that swung on these long poles and Nate said he liked the trapeze artists. It did go a little too long for all of us, but thanks to a little sugar we made it until the end (9:30). We also got there in time to see the animals outside waiting to get dressed up and the pre-show where all the clowns rotate and do tricks. I was really impressed how well the kids held up, and didn't fuss too much when we got only 1 cotton candy-thank goodness there were 3 colors for our 3 kids. I thought we would have a fight over who wore the clown hat that came with the candy, but in the end they were trying to be the one who didn't have to wear it. I can't imagine us going again anytime soon, but it was a fun night watching "The Greatest Show on Earth" (though I think tonight's premiere of The Office has me just as excited).

OOPS!

I knew it would eventually break, I DID put it in Annie's bedroom. I have no idea how long I have had this musical horse, but I know it has been a long time. Annabelle (and the boys) loved hearing "Babes in Toyland" play and watch the horse go around, but unfortunately no more. Part of me is glad that it was poor Hattie who broke it and not one of my kids. I was probably 100% nicer to her than I would have been to them. I tried to hot glue it back together but as you can see it will most likely end up in the trash. Don't worry Tomie, I am not that sad. If I never had a girl it would have stayed in a box in the basement for years and years.

Never Say Never

I have learned that I am a very different person from my youth. I don't give up on things as much as I did back then (piano, violin, sports). I have said many times that I would never do something, but now, good or bad, do that very thing. Here are a couple:

• I told myself when I was having a girl that I would NOT paint her toes until she was older (5+). Well, Annie was fussy one day and when I mentioned painting her nails she got happy. Wahoo! A quick and easy way to make her happy. Oh well, whatever works.
• Some friends kept talking about how they loved to go and work out in the early morning (6am!) and I thought they were nuts. Well, ever since June I have been going 4 times a week and I LOVE it. I love my muscles (sorry no pic) and I love getting going in the morning. I love pushing myself in the classes and also getting back in the pool. I pray that I will be able to make it all winter.

• Baking bread. I was content buying bread and though I wanted to learn how to make a good loaf, I never thought I wouldn't buy bread anymore, but I haven't for months and months. Thanks to Pantry Secrets I am in love with making bread, and all of their other yummy great ideas.
• Here is a big one. Sewing. I really never thought I would learn to sew more than a button onto a pair of pants or a shirt. Now I can't wait to learn new things. I have been working on my Fall table runner and decided to learn how to piece. I mapped it out on graph paper and then made a few mistakes before I got it right. And then, to top it off, I decided to learn how to quilt using my machine. Thanks a bunch to Holly's support and encouragement! I am so proud of my first project.

I have learned over the years that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and just try. I love trying new things and eventually succeeding in them. I am starting to look into canning a little, but since it is coming on to winter I think I will have to wait for that until next year. I look forward to getting older and wiser I learning more fun and exciting things.

A Night with Peter

Eight years ago I was a junior in college and had sworn off guys. Well sort of since there was this one cute one across the street that wouldn't let me alone. He asked me to a Peter Breinholt concert up at Sundance and I said yes. One thing led to another and that night Greg and I shared our first kiss (don't worry it wasn't our first date).
As a member of Thanksgiving point I always get updates of upcoming events. When I saw that Peter was playing I thought it would be fun to go again. I called some friends (a couple that went with us 8 years ago and also ended up getting married-1 week before us) and us ladies set it up.

If you remember the weather last night I was a little worried that it wouldn't be that fun sitting under the stars, but we were blessed and only felt a couple drops (though it started coming down hard as we drove home). It was a wonderful night. It was great to just relax with Greg and listen to music and cuddle and be together without having to do anything.

Another Plug for Blurb

I just got 2 new books, that I made, from Blurb.com and I thought I would remind all of my fellow bloggers about the awesome opportunity to make your own books, from your blog or just from pictures you have taken. It is so fun and pretty simple. I made one just of my trip home in August and then one of our "Outdoor Adventures" this summer (camping, Bear World). The kids and I love them! I can't wait to do more!

Here's Why...

...I haven't posted in almost a week. My life is crazy. I never have a free day. Some times I do get to stay at home during the day and not run around somewhere, but that means I usually end up doing necessary housework like laundry, vacuuming or the never ending battle of dishes. Or it could mean that my family has an empty refrigerator/pantry because I cannot bring myself to go to the store with the 2 little kiddos, again. I thought school starting would bring the amount of comings and goings down a little, but if anything it has only increased.
Thankfully, not all of the "To Dos" on my calendar all bad (or just not fun). I went to the movies with some friends, have a date with Greg on Saturday and the circus next week should be a blast. I think I have an okay balance, but sometimes I get so caught up with all the STUFF I have to do or go to. I have been reading a book about having more playtime with your kids, and just having more fun with them. It has really hit home in a couple spots for me. Not bragging, but I do think that I do play with my kids a lot. I try to play a game or run around outside with them, but through reading this book I have realized that I need to have fun and be more positive about my time with them. I have already noticed Nathan not being as interested with me as he usually is, though he and his friends are always up for a tickle fight.
I have seen the movie "Mamma Mia" twice now, and absolutely love it. It reminded me so much of my early college years (when I was carefree and unattached) and we would dress up and sing karaoke, go to dance clubs or play pranks on our neighbors. A time where there was a lot more play in my life, though somehow I did manage to graduate from school. Those were wonderful years and watching this movie has made me want to play and have fun so much more. Although, it may not be with the "girls" as much as with my Greg and my 3 kids. I have tried to loosen up a little this past week and have had a lot of fun with it. We were over at Nate's school playing and heard a train coming so we sat and watched for it across the street, and then we counted 105 cars on the train. It was so fun, the kids had a kick out of it. I loved that I could just sit there and I didn't worry about dinner or the house or anything else, just looking and counting all of the different train cars. Then yesterday Annie wanted to wear her princess dress and gloves, and she handed me my old gloves that we found at my parent's house. The she looked at my shorts and told me to find a princess dress. I pulled on my sparkly silver prom skirt and away we went. Dancing around the house. It was a blast! Hopefully I can keep it up.

THE YUMMIEST!

I stole this recipe from my friend Anne-Marie. It is absolutely worth making.

Peach Dessert

40+ crushed Vanilla Wafers, reserving some for top

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1 can Eagle Brand milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

8 oz. Cool Whip

5 cups diced fresh peaches

Combine first three ingredients in bottom of 9x13 pan. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over wafer mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crushed wafers. Refrigerate.

Also on Sunday

We had lots of fun at Grandma Pam's as well. Katie does flips on the trampoline, and so does Ryan. I tried to capture him upside down, but my camera died. The girls all have so much fun together, too. What a great day!!

For you, Grandma Bev

We had a wonderful Sunday morning and afternoon. The boys got up and somehow decided they would start doing puzzles instead of wake us up or fight. One thing led to another and by 9 that night we had completed 13 puzzles, more than 1400 pieces. Greg and I mostly did the 2 big ones, but the boys and even Annie helped with all of the others. We went and visited with Grandma Bev that night and I wish I would have thought to take a picture of her downstairs "Puzzle Room." She has completed many, many puzzles and has them glued together and mounted on the walls. She has one room completely covered in them (I will have to go there soon and get a picture to prove it). Some of the puzzles are REALLY old and cool looking (think 70s orange and green). The kids LOVE to go down there and Nathan wishes that we could mount some of our puzzles onto walls-maybe to the playroom someday. It was a lot of fun working together to create so many pictures, and though Nate thinks we did as many as Grandma Bev, we are far from coming close, but maybe someday.

My Middle Child

I remember growing up and one of my sisters would always comment (complain) about being the middle child. I was one of the oldest, and the oldest girl, so I really thought she was just being silly. Now that I have my own middle child I can already see where my dear Sis was coming from. Poor Ry gets all of Nate's hand-me-downs, plays mostly with Nate's friends, and unfortunately I often find myself expecting him to be as smart or as understanding as Nathan is. And now that Nathan is gone all the time he is stuck playing with Annabelle. She is the "baby" and if Ry makes her scream (and she is a screamer), I get upset at him first (sometimes I back up and she gets in trouble, but my natural instinct is that it is his fault). Anyway, I don't want my Ryan to have a complex with this as he grows up.

I hope that I will be able to help him have just as many opportunities as Nathan and Annabelle. He started both preschool and gymnastics this past week and loves both. I try to make sure that I am just as excited to hear about his day as I am about Nathan's. And I try to play cars with him as much as I play dolls with Annie. I love reading books or playing games or puzzles with Ryan, he is really sweet when it is just him and me. Sometimes I wonder if he notices my hard work at trying to make him happier and feel special, cause he is a tough one to please. It just comes more naturally to talk with Nate or play girl stuff with Annie. But I am trying, so here is to my middle child, I love you Ryan!

Lazy Labor Day

I guess I can't really say we were lazy, but we didn't have our annual family party at our house (thanks to my handing that over to Greg to plan, and he didn't), so I didn't have to entertain anyone but my little family. We did relax though and just enjoyed being home together. We played some Wii, saw Kung Fu Panda at the dollar movie (word to the wise, 15 minutes before is not enough time to get 5 seats together), taught Ry how to ride a 2-wheeler, did some science experiments and some gymnastics. The kids were all impressed by daddy's skills and tried to imitate. We also did a couple family relays and it was fun to work together toward something. I am not sure the kids all got it, but we will try it again soon.

Oh yeah, did I mention we had a HUGE storm in the morning and yes, that IS snow on the mountain!