Sullivan's cupcake party!

Yesterday we celebrated Sulls! Why you ask? Well, because he has been sleeping through the night for four days now! He hasn't called for me, crawled into bed w/ me, or wanted me to sleep w/ him in four whole days!!! GLORIOUS! I woke up on Tuesday and realized that he wasn't in bed w/ me. So of course I was worried at first, went to check on him and realized that he was fine alone in his own big boy bed. We had to celebrate because I have had interrupted sleep for almost four years because of this boy. I have been waking up crabby for far too long. Now if I'm cranky it will have nothing to do w/ lack of sleep right? lol! We decided to give him a cupcake party, that is his special treat. So Jac took him to the store and he got to pick out the flavor and frosting. He was excited about that alone. Then I came home from work w/ balloons, party favors and hats and we sang, "Good job Sulls" to him. I let him pour the batter into the cups and didn't freak out when it went every where except the baking cup. (good job mumma). Nor did I freak out when I had to clean up the chairs and the rug (again good job mumma). Just this little gesture sent him to the moon, he was so happy and knew that we were proud of him. The little things truly make a difference to our little ones. Thank you to Kristi and Tracey for showing me this valuable life lesson! Cheers to sleep!

Mrs. Mitchell's Valentine's party!

On Wed. I had the privilege of going to G.'s classroom. I got to see the life of a KD including music class and gym class. I loved every minute of it. Typically, I would stay in the classroom and help the teacher get things ready while the students are gone, but this time G. asked me to go with her and I wanted to so I didn't help and frankly didn't feel bad about. I was there w/ G. and that's all that mattered. During music class I actually got a little teary eyed watching her sing and just play w/ her friends. How big she is and I wondered where the time went. She loves school and it shows. Mrs. Mitchell pulled me aside and said that she thoroughly enjoys G. in her class, which of course as a parent makes my heart melt. Can I be doing it right? This parenting thing? I question and struggle with every decision and pray for the best. Oh, how I love her so! A fellow mom helped with quesadillas which were so yummy, I had three! I forgot to get valentine's, but it turned out good as G. thought it would be nice to make them homemade. We read a book about homemade valentine's and that's where she got the idea from. I decorated 30 and she wrote on them and signed her name to every one. It took FOREVER, but it was worth it. They turned out great and from now on we will make them homemade, just to be different. Next year I plan on doing it in increments as a special art project. What a fun day!

Review

This is just odds and ends of the last week. Jac was bored with the kiddies on Sat. while I worked so he took them to our new favorite place... Spring Break in B. Run. Love that place, well worth the $$$. My hubby is extremely tired of not getting real food ever so he decided to unthaw the turkey and have turkey dinner with all the fixings, super yummy, I think we had leftovers for four days, well worth his efforts. He is such a great cook. Like Tracey said, why would I want to learn to cook when I have him to cook and me to clean up the mess. I think we've got a good set up. I think if he knew that I was the only Italian in the world that didn't cook I think he would have considered not marrying me lol! I'm serious. One of his "Love Lang." is definitely food in the belly. Sunday G. and I met Tracey in Clio to listen to HGTV"s "Design on a dime" host Kelly Edwards speak about design tips. Tracey seriously could've taught the class. Didn't learn a whole lot, but it was still cool to get a pic. w/ Kelly & her autograph. She was super sweet and funny. The last pic is of us dancing in the kitchen listening to H. M. Something we do often!

39!

Last Wed. I turned 39. Not so bad actually. Along with becoming older, I've grown to not really mind letting people see the real me; personally or how I look without being made up. The pic of me and my sweets, all of us barely awake w/ sleepy eyes and bed hair proves that. I had a great start to my special day at Bunko where my good friends Kim and Michelle got me a cake shaped like a die (for Bunko if you're not familiar) super yummy raspberry! Loved it, ate it while I watch the biggest loser episode last week lol! So much for exercise. They also blessed me w/ 3 pic of my family for my bracelet. She lifted the pics off my blog and sent them to Oregon! Kim is amazingly smart, both are very generous. Thanks! Jac knew I'd ran out of coffee three days before so he quietly crawled out of bed at 6am and ran to the store to get some for me. I never spend $ on flavored creamers for myself so he got me some of that too. Which rocks! I love the simple things don't I? I just love coffee and he knows that, I love that he knows that about me too. I had been talking about listening to G.'s Hannah Montana cd's when were in the kitchen, but our cd player has been broken for years so he got me an under mount cd player. We love it. In this day and age of tech. this seems outdated even to me, but I don't feel it important to have music on my TV, Ipod/dock, satellite or whatever else is out there right now. For $20 bucks this works just fine! I love my new necklace (one of three) I've been wearing it like crazy and I feel it goes w/ everything. Along with getting older I have to cover my grey more freq..but it gets expensive so I have to box it every so often. I sent Jac w/ a coupon to Rite Aid and he picked the color he liked lol! Although I'm already itching to get to the salon for some high lights. I need some dimension. My neighbor and awesome friend Kristi brought over yummy cupcakes, that was a surprise too. Kim babysat so that Jac and I could go to the movies. Grand Tarino, in my opinion great movie! We went to Applebees for dinner and had a great dinner! Thanks to all! This year I'd like to clear out some clutter, take a cake decorating class, be a better wife, mumma and friend. I'm expecting you all to hold me accountable! I feel very blessed!

Japanese Anyone???

On Friday my friend Nik.D. invited us out to Saganos. I am very glad I went. I want to add that it was made possible because I had free childcare; her husband Aaron babysat for me so I could go. Thank you very much Aaron!!!! I had a riot with her knitting group. The are all very nice. The food was different from what I would typically order, but I went out on a limb and order something that I thought Jac would like too. The sushi was great and the other stuff I had, however I can't pronounce it or spell what I ate lol! Something different is always a good thing right? The company was great and it was fun.

Being good!

We were invited to come along with our friends' to Chuck E. Cheese for a play date because Jacob had gotten a good report from school. Of course the kids' always love to go here and have fun and this day was no exception. The pizza is very tasty there and papa kept them pumped with tokens. Now with that comes the situation that I'm personally struggling with; That by being good they are going to be rewarded in some huge way for doing something that they should already do just because it is the right thing to do. G. Came home with this report and ask, 'What are we going to do?" because her report was outstanding. I said that I wasn't sure because I'm not. I've always given to my kids' for being good, but when do ya stop, when does it get too out of hand? Not saying that going to Chuck's is over the top. It certainly isn't, but our kids' are still little and pretty inexpensive. When they get older is what I'm worried about. Am I over reacting? Should I just say a job well done or do I get all dramatic about good grades? I'm merely asking as a parent because I really don't know, this is not meant to be offensive in any way, So please comment your thoughts.

Can you imagine being 92?

My papa is the sweetest papa in the world. My grandparents have been married for 67 years. I love the picture of them holding hands, that melts my heart! Two cakes and still not enough candles lol! We love you!!!

Can you tell what I do for a living?

As I get older I let alot of things go that would typically not happen in my house. When I was younger and even after having kids' I ALWAYS kept up on my house hold chores. I think I have a disorder because my mind won't function unless my house is in order. I hope that makes sense, to me it does and that's all that matters right now! So I am putting myself out there and letting all of my friends see that I'm not this perfect house cleaner that you think I am. Just kidding, I really am, I just had a bad week. I had to take a picture because really my house never looks like this. Jamie was so irritated because after 12 years he is very used to neat and order. So when it looks like this we argue. It's like the ora in our space is tarnished. It's more hectic and harried to find things and frankly I can't handle living this way. I can only stand it for maybe a couple days and then I'm up cleaning. As you parents' can attest it only takes 2 seconds for it to look this way w/ children, but hours to get it back to order. What do you think? Can you stand that I am a house cleaner and my house looked this way lol!!! I know very brave of me. Can you believe that people actually pay me to clean their homes? I know that my Thursday client is reading this and laughing right now, Hi J. Oh well, I'm over it! Don't judge me Lol! I just noticed a beer bottle in the sink and a can of redi whip on the counter Hhhmm. yeah, really don't judge!

This is for Sarah

My friend Sarah commented on her blog about this facebook questionnaire that's going around. I know sorta what she's talking about, although I am not an avid facebooker. I'm really not interested in it like a lot of my friends are. But I am interested in some facts about some of my friends I've read and it got me thinking about myself. So here it goes:

1. I don't like to cook, but need to learn for my families sake.
2. I would love to be able to knit a blanket or sew something (anything!)
3. My mother passed away when I was 5 months old, hence the reason I don't know anything about 1 & 2. (I could've learned myself but didn't have the drive to.)
4. On vacation I love to do nothing!
5. In May I am supposed to start Dental Hygiene clinical. A quest I have worked hard for for 8 years, but have decided I don't want to do that now.
6. Am still waiting for a sign to drop from the sky to tell me why I'm here.
7. Really sad that my kids' grandparents are gone 8 months out of the year.
8. Would really do anything for a friend.
9. LOVE TO CLEAN!
10. Love Coffee, tried to give it up, but decided against it.
11. My favorite colors are yellow, green, brown
12. My husband is too good to me and for me.
13. He still makes my coffee every morning, scraps the snow off my van and warms it up after 12 years, very grateful!
14. I have tons of grey hair and am 15 pounds over what I am comfortable with.
15. I am too outspoken at times and that has gotten me in trouble, oh well.
16. My daughter and son are the sun and the stars in my eyes.
17. My dad has been married 5 times, therefore my childhood kinda stunk.
18. I quit school in the 10th grade, but went back and graduated. real diploma, not GED.
19. I love to read!
20. I love watching HGTV, but my home doesn't reflect that.
21. Would love to take a cake decorating class with my hubby, he volunteered us a couple years ago, but we have a schedule conflict.
22. Can not wait until my kitchen gets remodeled.
23. Love to Camp and the simple things in life, don't feel I have too bad.
24. Love going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
25. Am hoping that 2009 will be the year I find out who I am.

Celebrating MLK

I'm pretty sure that if MLK was still around he would've love to celebrate his special day at the bounce house in Birch Run!! We had a great time!!! We were the only ones in the whole place and the kids' ran ragged. Jac and I got to play too, but only because the worker was tired at this point and because no one else was around. Jac and I felt like we got some good exercise and the kids were tired from all that bouncing, sliding and jumping around. It was a clean awesome place that we will for sure go back to. They have 5 huge bounce houses and cute patio sets for the adults to lounge on. They offer birthday packages so that's most likely what we'll be doing this year for them both. Check out their website @: www.springbreakinc.net for more info. Super super fun place!!!!!

The joys of Easy Baking

We got Grace an easy bake oven for christmas two years ago, but never gave it to her until this year. The age on it says 8, but both of my kids' love to bake and I feel that Jac will be helping them anyways so I got her a super cute apron and off they went. When I got home from cleaning the other day she gave me a picture that read ( in her sweet learning to write handwriting) : "Mumma thank you for working hard for our family". and with it I got a yummy cookie that she baked. I love that my husband did that for me through them. My kids' ROCK!

Childrens' Museum

Last week we went to the museum for their $$ days, which is such a great deal if your kids' like that sort of thing and we, as parents' can handle the chaos. My kids love the place, they let there imagination run crazy and I think it is so great to see them play. The museum holds $$ days once a month so make sure and check out their website for the day. On this particular day it was so quiet, not alot of kids. So Melissa, Carmen, Nik D., and I got to have some adult conversation while the kiddies were playing which is always nice. We got to see a volcano erupted and we learned why we burp lol! My sweets won a drawing and got a toy, so of course they loved that. We can't wait to go next month. The $3 is well worth.

Here's why I'm not enjoying my basement.

As I sit at my desk I am surrounded by messes, little piles that need my attention. However, I am easily distracted and feel I may need to be medicated to stay on task. I get up to get a cup of coffee and start looking for my calendar, then off to pick up the living room, go to the bathroom and start cleaning it, only to wonder why I got up from the computer in the first place and where is my coffee cup??? Holy Crapper I am old and forgetful. We have been blessed to have been able to spend time w/ many friends and activities going on and happy that Jac has been able to be a part of the fun as he's been laid off an extra week. But all the fun means no basement remoldel!!!! Ugh, that truley makes me mad and sad! We can't say we are lazy, but it feels that way so I went searching for my calendar (Still can't find it!) to see why the basement didn't get done the whole time Jac has been off, some three weeks. The beginning of the month after all the holiday stuff is over Game night and brunch took place, 10 cleaning jobs (FOUND THE CALENDAR, found my head life is good now!!) 3 birthday parties, 4 playdates, McDonalds playdate, 3 babysitting afternoons, museum day, 2 game nights, book club, bunko, coffee & story hour, Daisy meeting, 2 bowling nights, funeral, cleaning the garage and building storage in the garage, (can finally park in there big bonus!) 4 dinners Compliments of T.H.D.B's (thanks), kids' DDS appt, (no cavities yeah!!). Good Heavens the end of the month: 2 bowling, 1 daisy meeting (turned in cookie order), Papa's 92 birthday, Murder Mystery (can't wait for that), Baby shower. Looking at my calendar it looks like I was home and doing nothing on Tues 6th and Mon. the 12th. The day that Thuma's went to Trader Joes and Ikea and forgot about us!!! All of this equals= NO BASEMENT!!!! I have to say that it was worth it all. We had a great time with all of you. However, Feb. looks very boring and laid back. I'm going to be hibernating. See you in March............

Happy Birthday Big Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today my brother Scott is 41yrs young!

This blog is written to you.

I pulled out your baby book out of a chaotic mess of pictures dad had from our childhood and unfortunately the pictures haven't faired well, but your baby book tells a story. Not to be specific for personal reasons, but the hand writing in this book is precious because it is one of the last links to our mom. I love looking at the words, how they are written and reading what was on her mind at the time. She made sure to tape your umbilical cord to the page as as well the baby bracelets like we all do. She took the time to write down all of your firsts and what you like to eat and when. There is no doubt these recordings were written out of love for you. The cute picture of you bathing in the kitchen sink, your first birthday cake, the family pet, pictures of our BEAUTIFUL mom, you at Christmas opening up presents alone because I haven't come along yet, the deer reserve, the cabin snowmobiling and countless other pics when you grew older like your wrestling pictures, Disney, spring break with your buddies, working on the camaro. How you achieved redoing that old car is beyond me. I know it's because you are so very smart and can do and fix just about anything. I know you learned that from Dad. What a relationship you and he have. I picked this picture out of the bunch because I think you both are so handsome! Then you graduated and off you went to the Air Force. I have read the letters that you wrote home and I am so sad that I didn't respond; (In my defense I was young and dumb). You were trying to better yourself, but yet still wanted to be home. You sound so lonely. I am sorry, I should have wrote more often... one of many regrets. You did it on your own though...You have excelled highly in the Air Force and I am proud of you. You are now on your way to retirement which is so hard to believe. Why does life go so fast? You are an AWESOME dad to Sami and a loyal loving friend to many. I have one of your baby cards from a relative that reads: May your Joy be full and may life be good to you always!!! Given to you 41 years ago this prayer is for you. God bless you, have an awesome birthday and a prosperous, healthy year!!!!

Love,

Nikki