We've Been Overrun

I've had it!

Not one more living creature from the great outdoors is allowed in MY house!

I don't care if we live in the country now.

I don't care if our old partially remodeled home has more holes, nooks and crannies than I can find.

This is it.

All of you spiders, flies, moths, mosquitoes, frogs, and mice are put on notice effective immediately.

Stay out or else.

How's that for tough talk?

Life After the Flu

I'm alive and I feel human again!

Just thought I'd share a few tips for things to do when you're stuck in bed for 3 days straight:

-Read Eragon (great book!) if you're a geeky bookworm like me.
-Watch endless reruns on Hulu.com.
-Sleeeeeeeeeeep.
-Wish that the flu shot had been available BEFORE I got the flu.

Exciting huh?

Things to do after the flu:

-Clean the house like a crazy woman.
-Wish I could go back to bed and get away from the children.
-Buy a new couch! It's been 10 years and I'm more than happy to say buh bye hard, lumpy futon and helloooo soft, comfy new couch with lots of new pillows!

Here we go again

Noelle came into our room at 2:30 this morning and threw up all over our floor! Ewwww!

Just when I thought we were safe.

I REALLY hope I don't get it. I already have the cold that they so generously passed on to me!

Notes from the Puke Bowl

We ended a fun evening, watching flag football and playing at the park, with Zach throwing up on the street in front of our friends' house! Puke bowl in hand, we made the 30 minute trek home. I have to say that my son has an amazing talent for throwing up IN the bowl every time! It's his special gift to me.

After a long night I believe Zach is on the mend as he is back to building forts and running around like the wild man he is!

Now we wait to see who's next.

Is it vain to hope the rest of us will escape?

1000 Gifts--The Thankfulness Experiment

To see what else I'm thankful for start here. Want to be part of the Gratitude Community?

I am thankful for:

11. friends so comfortable they feel like family.

12. my books.

13. access to clean drinking water. So many people don't; see how you can help.

14. a bountiful garden.

15. my daughter's teacher.

16. God, who understands me completely and loves me still.

17. the sound of my daughter's "ticking" heart.

18. homemade playdough that keeps little hands busy.

19. the pure joy of running.

20. this song:

(remember to pause the playlist at the bottom of the page)

Pico de Gallo anyone?

Yummmmm...

...and so easy! Just dice tomatoes (we had yellow and red), onions, peppers, and cilantro then add a dash of garlic powder and course ground salt. I wish I'd had a lime; it would have been even better! We enjoyed this with organic blue corn tortilla chips.

Just beware that you will be bad breath central. Have your breath mints handy at work the next day!

First Day of School

Here's my big first grader! It's been a rough week; lots of tears from separation anxiety and some behaviors at home that we haven't seen for a while. Plus the poor kid is just tired and trying to get well. We decided it would be best for Noelle if we shortened the week, so she did not go to school Friday and only did a half day on Monday.

I was able to spend time with Noelle in class when I volunteered Monday morning. Her teacher is wonderful and she runs a very quiet, peaceful and organized classroom. This is perfect for Noelle given her sensory issues with loud noises. She liked having lunch at school the first day but she cried in the lunchroom yesterday because it was too loud for her. I'm going to try to find some child size earplugs for her. Another cool thing about Noelle's teacher is that she had open heart surgery when she was a baby and that has been a source of comfort and helped her have an immediate connection.

Noelle is getting stronger and plays harder every day. She's an amazingly tough kid.

Little bro had to get in on the action! He starts preschool next week and is SO excited.
They loved the mini pumpkins at their feet.

Birthday Boy

Here's by birthday boy! I can't believe he is four years old.

He asked for a Monsters vs. Aliens/Batman birthday party. I aim to please.

Boy behaving badly!

He is not happy with mom right here. He wants to eat cake and eat it now. Four year olds excel at patience you know.

Our boy through the years:

I can hardly believe how fast he is growing up. I'm going to turn around and he'll be asking me for my car keys.

BIRTHday. Sweet little man, so new. So longed for and finally here. Such a beautiful, peaceful day we had welcoming him into the world. I'll never forget.

1st birthday! Poor guy had a double ear infection and a big bruise on his forehead but did he ever enjoy that cupcake! 2nd birthday! Chocolate, yum.
3rd Birthday... maybe you can tell by the three chubby little fingers so carefully held up!

4th birthday! I'm loving this massively cheesy grin. He is so full of it! Reminds me of someone else I know... hmmm, who could that be?

He's my sunshine boy. My creative and silly man child. My little punk with the hot temper. He's daddy's boy, he torments his sister but loves her to pieces, he still wants to give me "the biggest hug, mama!".

Happy birthday big boy.

Can I still win mom of the year...

...if I forget to pick up my daughter at school?

Better luck next year, you think?

In my defense, I was really busy at work and distracted and forgetful and... yeah, those excuses didn't work on Noelle either as she stared at me reproachfully and said, "Mom, you forgot me didn't you?".

On a more positive note, after a tearful farewell this morning Noelle did end up having a good full day of 1st grade. Her favorite part? Lunch. Her least favorite? Not getting to play at recess yet. That's my girl!