Happy Halloween!
Below are the cousins posing in their costumes, aren't they cute??!!
Our Wizards . . .
Monday, October 31, 2011
Spellbound
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Growin' Up and Dreamin' Big!
Connor had his fall performance on Thursday night. He's been telling me that he's just going to fake sing. Boy, was I surprised to see him get into it. He's expressive and animated like his Momma. I was so proud of my boy and so entertained!
Later, he confessed that he did mouth the high notes (okay, I'll give him that).
The kids were encouraged to dress up in an outfit that represented an occupation. Connor declined my offer of wearing Paul's scrubs and stethoscope and requested to wear a dress shirt and pants. Later, he told me that he dressed up as a lawyer.
Below is a picture of the children doing actions to the song Hungarian Dance No. 6 by Johannes Brahms. They were drinking tea and eating while demonstrating their manners. When the conductors would turn to the crowd, the children then made faces, armpit gestures, and chewed with their mouths full. The conductors turned back to the kids and they would quickly go back to their manners. I really wished I video-taped it, it was hilarious!
Drinking a cup of tea. . .
Armpit gestures!
Love the mustache!
Later, he confessed that he did mouth the high notes (okay, I'll give him that).
The kids were encouraged to dress up in an outfit that represented an occupation. Connor declined my offer of wearing Paul's scrubs and stethoscope and requested to wear a dress shirt and pants. Later, he told me that he dressed up as a lawyer.
Below is a picture of the children doing actions to the song Hungarian Dance No. 6 by Johannes Brahms. They were drinking tea and eating while demonstrating their manners. When the conductors would turn to the crowd, the children then made faces, armpit gestures, and chewed with their mouths full. The conductors turned back to the kids and they would quickly go back to their manners. I really wished I video-taped it, it was hilarious!
Drinking a cup of tea. . .
Armpit gestures!And I JUST couldn't take my eyes off of this guy from 2ND grade . . .
Love the mustache!Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Mani-Pedi
I got a mani-pedi from a local nail artist . . .
I know you may be a wee bit envious that I got to relax while she diligently worked on my nails.
I know you may be a wee bit envious that I got to relax while she diligently worked on my nails.
I got to relax right on my couch, while our live-in nail artist painted a pallette of colors on my nails.
I already had my mind set not to worry about smears of polish on my skin, bumps, clumps, and asymmetrical coverage.
What I focused on was mother-daughter bonding, shared laughter, lots of compliments to build my girl's confidence, and maybe a memory that has been embedded in our brains.***
(***lots of patience and help from Grandma R., the polish easily wiped off the hard wood floors when it was accidentally spilled)
Pumpkin Faces
Last night the kids got to finally cut and dig into their pumpkins (Paul included). This was an event long-awaited if you would ask them. Grandma M. brought some fresh farm pumpkins down to us in September and ever since then, Miss O has been wanting to dig in!Funny looking pictures, you say? Cool pics, you say? Whatever it may be I'm trying some new things with instagram and finally figured how to upload to an online dropbox and download to my files and transfer over to the blog.
yeah, my terms may be misused and abused; but in the end I figured it out by tooling around and NOT following directions . . . hmm.... I wonder who I take after????
By the way, the photos are from my iphone... our camera's battery was dead and the back-up camera didn't have memory (go figure!) and so the next best thing is that smartphone that is way smarter than me!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Crafty Critters
October is by far the most crafty month for us. We have been enjoying our Halloween crafts and we're excited to share them with you.
The kids, Angie, Grandma, and I painted and paper mache'd plastic and glass jars, turning them into Jack o' Lanterns. After they were decorated, we took battery operated votive candles and plopped them in the containers to illuminate the pumpkins.
This is the paper mache' Jack o' Lantern. Paint the glue on the container, place tissue paper on top and brush more glue and wait for it to dry to paint the face with permanent marker.
This craft took some more work but after Grandma warmed the water and dye into big buckets, it was easy to wrap up rubber bands on the shirts. We did Connor's as a target and it turned out looking like a cobweb. He embellished it with a skeleton skateboarder and some "Boys Rock. . ." The other shirts were wrapped with rubber bands making small circles and then the girls were able to make faces on what looked like pumpkins. Idea courtesy of http://www.familyfun.com/
This one was something we did about three years ago, another courtesy of www.familyfun.com. Take old milk jugs and cut out the printed paper part of the jug. Let the kids make faces on the opposite side. Make sure they make big enough face parts; somehow the kids would make teeny faces. I made a demonstrated jug so they had something to compare theirs to. Then I bought purple string of lights and tuck the lights in the back of the jugs (along with some rocks to hold the jugs down) and at night we have some purple ghoulish ghosts in our front yard.
Finally, the kids have been convincing me that they should make cobwebs in the front yard. So we bought some fake webs and they were busy spinning faux webs this morning.Happy Halloween Crafting!!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Bathroom Banter
Our bathroom experiences have been very interesting lately. . .
It's not the actual experience as it is the talk that happens AND always, it occurs in public!
Last week at IHOP, Olivia spent a good 20 minutes in the bathroom. Now, she insisted that she had to go BAD! We get into the bathroom and she spends about 5 minutes on picking which would be the ideal stall (there's two, mind you!). She had to check to see if there was toilet paper in the toilet, because that would help with the deduction.
She then states that she can't go! Another 5 minutes was used to admire the blue foam soap and topped off with a long time washing hands and drying! (at least she washes!)
In the church bathroom, there was talk about what to call going to the bathroom in public or at home. Another lady chimes in right about when Olivia was going to inappropriately define urination very loudly and states, "powder your nose." That left my little girl speechless for awhile.
At the dance studio was probably the most funniest: she is in the bathroom by herself (because that's a new thing, she's five and can go into the stall by herself she tells me!) I hear her say through the door, that she can't go. I say to finish up then . . . She asks if she has to wash her hands since she didn't go. The dad in the waiting area got a good chuckle out of that one. I reinforce the concept that when she is in the bathroom that she needs to wash her hands. . .
And to finish it off; Fazoli's bathroom got the attention of another bathroom-goer. Olivia had her leotard on and she was taking it off and attempted to take off all her clothes, her shoes, etc. I state, "Honey, you don't have to take off all your clothes just to go to the bathroom." Once she's seated, she kicks me out of the stall. The teenager girl said that she was the same way and that her mom was always telling her that!
I do know that I could put on a fresh face of make-up while waiting for the girl! She takes forever and it is proving to test my patience.
What will life be like with one bathroom upstairs and four people, including one future fussy teenager? We will have to designate the bathroom in the basement for the bathroom princess!
It's not the actual experience as it is the talk that happens AND always, it occurs in public!
Last week at IHOP, Olivia spent a good 20 minutes in the bathroom. Now, she insisted that she had to go BAD! We get into the bathroom and she spends about 5 minutes on picking which would be the ideal stall (there's two, mind you!). She had to check to see if there was toilet paper in the toilet, because that would help with the deduction.
She then states that she can't go! Another 5 minutes was used to admire the blue foam soap and topped off with a long time washing hands and drying! (at least she washes!)
In the church bathroom, there was talk about what to call going to the bathroom in public or at home. Another lady chimes in right about when Olivia was going to inappropriately define urination very loudly and states, "powder your nose." That left my little girl speechless for awhile.
At the dance studio was probably the most funniest: she is in the bathroom by herself (because that's a new thing, she's five and can go into the stall by herself she tells me!) I hear her say through the door, that she can't go. I say to finish up then . . . She asks if she has to wash her hands since she didn't go. The dad in the waiting area got a good chuckle out of that one. I reinforce the concept that when she is in the bathroom that she needs to wash her hands. . .
And to finish it off; Fazoli's bathroom got the attention of another bathroom-goer. Olivia had her leotard on and she was taking it off and attempted to take off all her clothes, her shoes, etc. I state, "Honey, you don't have to take off all your clothes just to go to the bathroom." Once she's seated, she kicks me out of the stall. The teenager girl said that she was the same way and that her mom was always telling her that!
I do know that I could put on a fresh face of make-up while waiting for the girl! She takes forever and it is proving to test my patience.
What will life be like with one bathroom upstairs and four people, including one future fussy teenager? We will have to designate the bathroom in the basement for the bathroom princess!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Mom, what's for dinner????
What's for dinner, Wednesday:
Ravioli Lasagna
Items needed:
refrigerated or frozen ravioli (we like four cheese, but you can use any you desire) 1 pkg.
mozzarella cheese (shredded) 1 1/2 cups
spaghetti sauce 1 jar
9x9 casserole dish
Directions:
spray dish
preheat oven to 350
cook ravioli as directed
cook ravioli as directed
Layer sauce on bottom of dish
add ravioli
sprinkle cheese a top
repeat layers
finishing with cheese on top
add Parmesan if you like...
Bake for 15 min. or until cheese is lightly browned
Easy-Peasy for one of those rushed nights!
Share what you are having for dinner tonight in the comments.....(I need ideas!)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Submerging in Fall
Submerging into Fall is magic to the five senses! Smelling nutty, earthy, and decaying chlorophyll in the air. Listening to crunching leaves underfoot and rustling leaves in the trees above. Tasting apples, pumpkins, and comforting casseroles. Seeing brilliant color changes in a matter of a month and feeling the warm Indian summer sun penetrating our skin! I love Fall and I'm excited to share some of my photos of our Fall outing at the nearby park, today. We were planning to go out west and enjoy a Pumpkin Farm Outing, but this was closer and turned out fun as well. . .
I found a list of Fall photos to take from http://www.tipjunkie.com/, and I decided to roll with it. Some photos I have been taking for years, other photos are new such as the single leaf on a sidewalk. . . who knew?
My favorite one here is the PR + JR in a heart, so appropriate for our upcoming anniversary! And it's also fun to see a single bright leaf in Olivia's grip.
These are some signs of fall in the house, as well as outside. Candy corn and peanuts are a fun combo to eat in the fall time; mmmm. . . very similar to a salted nut roll! The kids and I constructed some fall banners throughout the home, to give it a festive feel.
Finally, the kids take such fun pictures at the park and in the trees. The last picture represents our 2011 Fall, flip-flops in the leaves! Enjoy your Fall!
I found a list of Fall photos to take from http://www.tipjunkie.com/, and I decided to roll with it. Some photos I have been taking for years, other photos are new such as the single leaf on a sidewalk. . . who knew?
My favorite one here is the PR + JR in a heart, so appropriate for our upcoming anniversary! And it's also fun to see a single bright leaf in Olivia's grip.
These are some signs of fall in the house, as well as outside. Candy corn and peanuts are a fun combo to eat in the fall time; mmmm. . . very similar to a salted nut roll! The kids and I constructed some fall banners throughout the home, to give it a festive feel.
Finally, the kids take such fun pictures at the park and in the trees. The last picture represents our 2011 Fall, flip-flops in the leaves! Enjoy your Fall!Chain Two. . .
So in better spirits, I am crocheting a poncho for Miss O. I figured this is something that I can do while lying in flat position and it's like yoga for the mind; thoughts float around and problems get solved as I half double crochet my way down the row. I also reminisce of my Gram while I'm turning, chaining, and single crocheting and Olivia is tugging at the yarn to unravel more from the skein. Twenty-two more patterns to go and little miss will have a new pink, purple, & while poncho to wear this winter!Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Stuck, in more ways than one
This post is to help me sort my thoughts and I invite you to read and give me your perspective or a different, objective view on it.
I am stuck.
I am physically stuck: yes, my bleeping back is on the fritz again and causing me much pain, spasms, and occasionally, I'm literally stuck in a bent over position and can't straighten up. Because of being stuck and in pain, I am unable to do all that I want to do: work, do daily activities around the house, play with the kids, exercise, etc. I think you get the idea. AND then if I am stuck too long and feel bad too long, I dip into a low mood and then I get stuck that way too. It can be a vicious cycle.
I called into work and told them I won't be able to work. Not something that I'm proud of: Nursing is a physically taxing job, especially at the bedside. I love, love, love the patients. I love to take care of people, talk with them and really learn about other people's stories. I love using my brain and critically think about their ailments; problem solve and do or suggest things to make people better. However, I have to use my brawn as well as my brains at work, and well my brawn is dysfunctional (to say the least!). Stooping, reaching, bending, squatting, walking, standing, standing, standing, walking, wiping, cleaning, turning, lifting, tugging, pulling, supporting, holding, sitting for two seconds and then repeat until the end of the shift, where I sit, sit, sit & document and then BAM! Stuck!
Unfortunately, I can't put my body through that for the next two days, not when I'm feeling like this. And then the ugly thoughts come...I can't work, I call off, dear God I'm going to lose my job! Ya, that's how I think (Catastrophize!) If I call off work, I lose my reliability and respect from my co-workers! Will I really? They know how painful it's been for me, I've been in tears when my back spasms and takes me to the floor. Probably not, but that's how I think about this situation.
Then it snowballs, I lose my job, we lose an income, we lose an income, we can't do things that we enjoy, see how I can get low and stuck!
Thank God for my voice of reason: my husband, Paul. He tells me the logic, the facts, and then it's better.
But then I'm stuck because our house gets to looking bad, I can't do housework, can't play with the kids, can't exercise. . . see how this can affect the psyche? But then I need to remind myself that our house is not filthy, or too cluttered, Paul does a great job of doing housework, and the kids are adaptable and we do different types of things together instead of the physical things. . .oh, how easy I can fall into the negative rut!
So stuck! and yet to help myself from this sticky situation is that I need to care for myself. That is a hard thing to do for a nurse! We care for others, not ourselves! (Hence, the vicious cycle!). So, I guess I need to carefully put my foot down and make some time for myself, because I deserve to be healthy, I deserve to care for my back and health, I deserve to take time to rehab my back so I can do the things I enjoy! and I guess my family deserves a healthy wife/mom and my coworkers deserve a healthy cohort.
Wow! I didn't expect to come up with this thinking, but how easy it is to solve just writing and getting some perspective. Knowing I have a support system that may or may not read this is motivating, as well. Meanwhile, I will attempt to stay out of the negative rut and count my blessings!
MRI on Friday, going to see it there's more deterioration in the discs.
Epidural shot scheduled for next week. I'm not keen on the fact that it's been only 8 months since the last shot, but I guess it's better than surgery which is last resort.
Here's to embracing the crosses that I bear, it could be worse right?
I am stuck.
I am physically stuck: yes, my bleeping back is on the fritz again and causing me much pain, spasms, and occasionally, I'm literally stuck in a bent over position and can't straighten up. Because of being stuck and in pain, I am unable to do all that I want to do: work, do daily activities around the house, play with the kids, exercise, etc. I think you get the idea. AND then if I am stuck too long and feel bad too long, I dip into a low mood and then I get stuck that way too. It can be a vicious cycle.
I called into work and told them I won't be able to work. Not something that I'm proud of: Nursing is a physically taxing job, especially at the bedside. I love, love, love the patients. I love to take care of people, talk with them and really learn about other people's stories. I love using my brain and critically think about their ailments; problem solve and do or suggest things to make people better. However, I have to use my brawn as well as my brains at work, and well my brawn is dysfunctional (to say the least!). Stooping, reaching, bending, squatting, walking, standing, standing, standing, walking, wiping, cleaning, turning, lifting, tugging, pulling, supporting, holding, sitting for two seconds and then repeat until the end of the shift, where I sit, sit, sit & document and then BAM! Stuck!
Unfortunately, I can't put my body through that for the next two days, not when I'm feeling like this. And then the ugly thoughts come...I can't work, I call off, dear God I'm going to lose my job! Ya, that's how I think (Catastrophize!) If I call off work, I lose my reliability and respect from my co-workers! Will I really? They know how painful it's been for me, I've been in tears when my back spasms and takes me to the floor. Probably not, but that's how I think about this situation.
Then it snowballs, I lose my job, we lose an income, we lose an income, we can't do things that we enjoy, see how I can get low and stuck!
Thank God for my voice of reason: my husband, Paul. He tells me the logic, the facts, and then it's better.
But then I'm stuck because our house gets to looking bad, I can't do housework, can't play with the kids, can't exercise. . . see how this can affect the psyche? But then I need to remind myself that our house is not filthy, or too cluttered, Paul does a great job of doing housework, and the kids are adaptable and we do different types of things together instead of the physical things. . .oh, how easy I can fall into the negative rut!
So stuck! and yet to help myself from this sticky situation is that I need to care for myself. That is a hard thing to do for a nurse! We care for others, not ourselves! (Hence, the vicious cycle!). So, I guess I need to carefully put my foot down and make some time for myself, because I deserve to be healthy, I deserve to care for my back and health, I deserve to take time to rehab my back so I can do the things I enjoy! and I guess my family deserves a healthy wife/mom and my coworkers deserve a healthy cohort.
Wow! I didn't expect to come up with this thinking, but how easy it is to solve just writing and getting some perspective. Knowing I have a support system that may or may not read this is motivating, as well. Meanwhile, I will attempt to stay out of the negative rut and count my blessings!
MRI on Friday, going to see it there's more deterioration in the discs.
Epidural shot scheduled for next week. I'm not keen on the fact that it's been only 8 months since the last shot, but I guess it's better than surgery which is last resort.
Here's to embracing the crosses that I bear, it could be worse right?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Good Morning!
Our Morning Routine:
8 o'clock: wake up, Connor gets dressed (sometimes Olivia will too)
Shortly after: Connor cracks open the eggs and gets breakfast started
Scrambled eggs & toast are his specialty.
8:30: Brush teeth, comb hair, read
8:45: Bike to School
We really don't have harried mornings like some magazines attempt to remedy but I'm sure it'll be different next year with Miss O. It takes her awhile to wake up in the morning and decide her outfit & comb her hair; it's quite a different routine!
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