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NO SCHOOL

So we have a busy week....NOT.....kids are off from school for 3 days this week and unless you are taking a vacation they will be home looking for things to do! I decided let's try baking some cookies, putting up our holiday decorations, cleaning the basement, family ping pong tournament, wow we are busy.....and now what do we do for the other days off?????? Don't get me wrong I LOVE having everyone at home!!!!!!


What did you do with your days off?????

Cozi....

Check it out....a friend sent me this website thought it was interesting for those that go beyond using that every day refrigerator calendar! I think I will print that out each month instead, at least I can read the writing instead of my chicken scratch....and hey Marc will have a grocery list that makes sense! Let us know what you think!

www.cozi.com

Hello, September...

Ok, so here's me 'cause school starts tomorrow.

Now, anyone who knows me can clearly see that this, in fact, is not actually a photo of me. I sure as hell can't jump that high. But check this out...

I can rock climb. Now, I know that I am a brave woman for posting this photo, but I had to share the laughter. This is actually me. As you can tell from the wide ass. What you can't tell from this angle (thank you to my wonderful husband) is that I am standing at the bottom of the wall. And this is as far as I got. And it was difficult. Do you see my calf muscles bulging? Seriously, I don't know how that Spiderman guy does it. Oh yes, we got wild and crazy on our vacation to Western PA...

I shot a paintball gun...

I closed my eyes and allowed my children to pet filthy animals...

Even Mike let loose and relaxed a bit...

And Emily, who started the week like this...(she is so much like me, it's scary!)

Ended the week like this...

Watch out, Phelps.

SCHOOL DAYS ARE HERE...Yeah...not so fast...

We are all so excited school is here....the backpacks, lunches, friends and classes...oh yes learning....so it is very exciting...until.....................get up 5:30, make lunches, laundry, empty dishwasher, feed cat, feed dog, let dog out, prepare breakfast yada yada yada...STOP.....now I remember why I did not want school to start! How did the first day of school get so CRAZY for me? Oh and did I mention the middle school and high school do not get their supply lists until the first day of school?????? SO I venture out after school with all of the 9 million bazillion other nutcases to try and get the what is left of the school supplies...did someone forget to tell the stores it is the 1st DAY OF SCHOOL? How is it they run out of folders, notebooks etc.? If I only had a camera....it really was comical now that I can sit back and laugh....not so fast...my High School Junior has to have his schedule completely shifted because oops the school forgot to give him some important classes (like English) to name one....so all of the supplies I battled to buy will maybe have to go back so I can enjoy another day of school supply shopping....NOT! One more thing, why do we send our kids back to school so that the first day can be a half day? Then the next week they will have a day or two off? All I know is September puts me over the edge...how about you?

Don't blink......

Yes....don't blink! In the course of my daily normal (OK it's my normal and maybe not yours) routine, I have now added a working teenager. I now have to drive him to and from work....yes we hounded him to find a job but now it means more driving for us....well let me re-phrase that he is driving my car to work while I sit in the passenger seat making comments left and right...I knew I could not control myself as soon as I became the passenger. The first week of work was not so bad but last night he worked until 11pm and for those of you that know me...11pm are you kidding me I have to be up at 6am so that I can get my day started....that wasn't so bad because we came home and he did not have dinner so I rassled up some goodies and it was his time to wind down; surprisingly I found myself HAPPY to be up late and spending time with my oldest because alone time with him is hard to get....as I sat there having a conversation with my baby I got emotional and had to walk away for a little while....I BLINKED! There he was a young man with a job, a schedule that I cannot even imagine (and it is summertime), a girlfriend, a big brother who is truly good to his siblings and a son that just makes me proud every single day! Today is another day he is at an SAT course, then he will pick up his football gear only to come home, have lunch and get ready to go to work again....I am going to try and keep my BLINKING to a minimum because as they say (not sure who they are)....if you blink you will miss it!

Party Animal...

My friend Elise is the ultimate party planner. Her kids parties always rock. Spa parties complete with cucumber eye masks...









(yes, she's asleep...but that's because she had
a rockin' time at the spa party.)


sock hops with root beer floats, and poodle skirts




Last night was no exception. She threw a kick ass luau for her 7 year old, Dani. We made awesome cupcakes, and rockin' party favors...









The decorations were totally professional...palm trees, hibiscus flowers...the works.


Here's the problem.


Now my kids want their birthday parties at home. I'm a die hard McDonalds or skating rink party girl. No need for party favors to be "theme" oriented. Whatever they have at the dollar store is just fine by me.

But Nooooo. Now my kids want the all out, totally theme inspired, creative home party.

So this morning my kids started throwing out ideas for their parties. Which are not until December and February. We giggled as we thought of ideas, until...





Jenna shouted..."I want to have a naked party!"





Silence.






Yeah, the teenage years in my house should be great. I'm buying stock in Xanax and reserving my spot at Shady Pines.

Wish me luck!