tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895952450790172852024-03-05T15:02:16.719-08:00Mom To A Six PackUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-29443276563123259402010-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:002010-10-28T11:02:05.434-07:00Still Alive and KickingAlthough you wouldn't have guessed it from how long it's been since my last post.<br /><br />I really do try to keep up and I don't know what happens?<br />I guess I will try to fill you in as best as I can.<br /><br />Well back in April Dominic got his driver's license. I was super nervous at first but now it's kind of nice having him drive the girls to and from school every day. Of course I still worry. That's my job! <br /><br />Ok, we started a new school year. Dominic is a senior this yr, Victoria is in 9th grade, Shaina in 8th, Alex in 6th and Nikolas in first grade. Gabriella is still at home this one last yr with me and I am really enjoying that one on one time with her. <br /><br />What else? Well we went down to South Carolina and Georgia for vacation again this yr. LOVE it there! I love Savannah! We actually hit a cloudy day down there and were able to walk around quite a bit since it wasn't so hot, you felt like melting. We walked along River Street, went to the square where Forest Gump was filmed, went to Colonial Park Cemetery and a few other things. It was a great day! We also spent a lot of time on the beach and had some really awesome food in South Carolina! When that week is over I think about how much I would love to live there one day. Maybe one day! I can keep dreaming and hoping!<br /><br />Victoria has been doing pom poms/dance team at school this year. She really seems to enjoy it and I love watching her! She does such a great job! She thinks she's going to try out for cheerleading for the next season. I am so glad she has this go for it attitude! I want them to try whatever their hearts desire. Even if they don't succeed, they will know they tried and never wonder "what if"? I feel I missed out on so much because I was so shy and coming from a private school everyone was already taking part in things over the summer, things I didn't even know existed. I want these yrs to be the best years of their lives!<br /><br />Shaina has opted not to do this whole pom/pom thing. She was on stage crew last year and seemed to like that. I think sometimes she wants to do things but she doesn't want to be too much like Victoria. I keep telling her to do whatever she wants to do. She and Victoria are close in age, they are going to be involved in some things together and that is OK!<br /><br />Alex is still Alex. He's still forgetful and carefree! I keep trying with him but I just don't know if this is going to be his personality? He's very sweet and loving though and that I don't want to change. I will accept him and love him for who he is. The kids all came in the one day....one after the other telling me about things that happened in school, test grades, projects presented...even Nikolas! Alex walks through the door and says to me "guess what I learned in school today!?" So now I am excited! Did something click? Did he really want to learn something new!? He then comes over and does this strange thing with his arm and says "I learned I am double jointed!" That's my Alex! Hey, maybe it will prepare him for a career under the big top! LOL<br /><br />Nikolas and Gabriella are growing like weeds! I can't believe that Nikolas is now in first grade and this is Gabriella's last year home before starting kindergarten! <br /><br />Halloween is just around the corner. Just when I thought I was down to buying three costumes the girls came home and said they were invited to a Halloween party. Victoria is going to be a punk pirate, Shaina a lady jailbird, Alex a werewolf, Nikolas a ghoul and Gabriella is going to be Batgirl (the pink version). She really wanted Nikolas to be Batman but he didn't want to be that again this year...but she gave it a good try! She's a very strong willed and stubborn child. I will remember to keep her kindergarten teacher in my prayers next year that she makes it through the year with that one!<br /><br />Well I guess that is it for now! Hopefully I will be back before next year! Next year is just around the corner though (in my defense!) :)<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-40455156353799058602010-05-10T18:16:00.001-07:002010-05-10T18:22:39.749-07:00Amusement Parks/Amusement Parks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdwoC7RemDSNP-f_-_ASP0KhKbDVgCDyZ41LxbYVFAVEpKWqqOy9mbXf1nLE0SSMekdiDttyVmAACPFZdr8XQELMZN941NAvj7hk2N_pTDOucZAIsRkDWgCuTA175F8aBudksYcVwcQE/s1600/100_0790.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469815330398881954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdwoC7RemDSNP-f_-_ASP0KhKbDVgCDyZ41LxbYVFAVEpKWqqOy9mbXf1nLE0SSMekdiDttyVmAACPFZdr8XQELMZN941NAvj7hk2N_pTDOucZAIsRkDWgCuTA175F8aBudksYcVwcQE/s400/100_0790.JPG" /></a><br /><div>We have been busy having some fun at amusement parks. Over Easter weekend we ended up going to Hersheypark and had a wonderful time! We stayed til closing and the kids kept trucking along. I have to say I am feeling older and I am getting tired a lot quicker at the amusement parks but watching the kids enjoy themselves is so worth it! I have such fond memories of going to Hershey every yr with my parents and I love being able to do that with my kids as well. They love to ride and went from one ride to another. Rider of the day award goes to Victoria and Alex....those two will ride anything! They loved the big coasters!</div><div> </div><div>This past weekend we went to Knoebels. It's not as flasy as Hershey but the kids love it there and they do have the most awesome food! We had a great day. I ended up riding quite a bit with the kids. I forgot how much I love those coasters! It got pretty cold so we had to call it a day early but still we got on a lot of rides and had a great time! Nikolas and Gabriella are riding more and more of the bigger rides and I have a feeling that it will only be a short year or two before we are heading to the kiddie section anymore. Once again...it's kind of bittersweet. I love the fact that they love to ride and are willing to try things, love the fact that they are enjoying rides we can enjoy together as a family but I have been going to that kiddie section for 17 yrs now, so it's going to feel odd not to go down there.</div><div> </div><div>On the way home the traffic was backed up because of construction. We saw a sign for Centralia (the mine fire town). Victoria asked if we could go there. She was learning about it in school and they had a guest speaker that came in and talked about it. We took a drive through, didn't really venture off the beaten path but how sad and odd of a place at the same time. I have been reading a lot about it and it's some interesting stuff. I love that we can give the kids all these little trips and experiences. I hope they have wonderful memories of our family times together when they grow up.</div><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-30066229021718674002010-05-10T13:47:00.000-07:002010-05-10T13:57:58.378-07:00Mother's Day and other stuff....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXXHLz-Hqpy2SXREw8nHFIK4XXT44DfGgBXfaCBZTvRxJ-aU7Vxn6fAkLCV4N5IyQLtWd75kF37ilttIwjqWHDvLTZk6MucUkt7YmkJ60TtiSOVblL0yzDF3oOZI0Eyf8U25zKrmB6RU/s1600/100_1002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469748274274065282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXXHLz-Hqpy2SXREw8nHFIK4XXT44DfGgBXfaCBZTvRxJ-aU7Vxn6fAkLCV4N5IyQLtWd75kF37ilttIwjqWHDvLTZk6MucUkt7YmkJ60TtiSOVblL0yzDF3oOZI0Eyf8U25zKrmB6RU/s400/100_1002.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX5OqBf-uO5W5MKaD-u-yZjuqKcjGYNyXFwsCJBdbLScFDAlZiWF7651UV_cMUpn7GTTLw3yjm1UOpSpPkJQx1BfYbaAZZdvVeIP3138mf1uO8oTmQ3_zvW728kngdM0tZZ6ZPigidSg/s1600/100_0972.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469748080042435650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX5OqBf-uO5W5MKaD-u-yZjuqKcjGYNyXFwsCJBdbLScFDAlZiWF7651UV_cMUpn7GTTLw3yjm1UOpSpPkJQx1BfYbaAZZdvVeIP3138mf1uO8oTmQ3_zvW728kngdM0tZZ6ZPigidSg/s400/100_0972.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Yet another Mother's Day is over. I had a very nice day. John and Dominic made a nice breakfast and they also made a nice dinner. They made me eggplant parm., my favorite! Everything was delicious and I loved it so much!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I got some great presents. Victoria made me an ankle bracelet with two little hearts on it, one for me and one for her. I will treasure that! I love it! Alex also made me a bracelet at school. Very cute but he got tired before he finished it....but that's my Alex so I still love it so much! :)</div><br /><br /><div>Nikolas made me some adorable things at school as well. I also got a few books, new Nike flip flops (these I asked for in hopes that this was ALL I would get!), and John got me a new digital camera. Dom got me a new camera case (with his own money he worked for) for my new camera. Minus all the gifts because as much as I appreciated them, I don't expect anything for being a mother....I just love being a Mom and being able to be here, home with them.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We have been busy lately. Doing fun things with the kids since my last post.</div><br /><br /><div>One Sunday John took Nikolas to a car show in NYC. He loved it! He's really into cars! John got his picture taken with a cool car and three models. I laughed when I saw it! He had a great time! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>That same day I took the two older girls into the city. We had a great time! We went shopping, had lunch at Mars 2112 and even took in a Broadway show (Mamma Mia). I love making memoreis like that with them!</div><div> </div><div>Time to make dinner! I will continue this later! :)</div><div>Amy</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-9560527022645052272010-03-07T09:19:00.001-08:002010-03-07T09:25:21.834-08:00Six Years Old!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tOrkb0TZm-3oJYbxJs-KupEc5iJomfQTxKWO7vgaTuaeiZH74N0OKyy7qKfWFzlkSCFzycCdS_GQKbtHXLcVE2QrCws_Iran5DmUz1RsY05XDnKpYknJxeeeY2H5QUZznh73OL5YvBw/s1600-h/100_0534.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445943127119701474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tOrkb0TZm-3oJYbxJs-KupEc5iJomfQTxKWO7vgaTuaeiZH74N0OKyy7qKfWFzlkSCFzycCdS_GQKbtHXLcVE2QrCws_Iran5DmUz1RsY05XDnKpYknJxeeeY2H5QUZznh73OL5YvBw/s400/100_0534.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This is my happy six yr old boy, waiting for his friends to arrive to his birthday party! He was so excited yesterday! I, however, was just looking at him all day wondering where the past six yrs have gone. He's such a fun kid! He has the nicest personality! I am so glad he had such a wonderful birthday!</div><div> </div><div>He had a Transformer's cake. That was his choice! Then we had a party with his school friends at the bowling alley. He had a lot of fun. The kids were all so nice and so well behaved. It was just a wonderful time! </div><div> </div><div>When we got home, we celebrated again with his favorite for dinner.....CHINESE! He always gets the same old thing....chicken with broccoli, white rice and an extra side of plain lo mein. He ate like a little piggie! Then we opened up presents from Nanny and Pop Pop, Mommy and Daddy and the brothers and sisters! He was so happy with everything and he shared everything with Gabriella so she was thrilled because it was like a birthday for her too! </div><div> </div><div>Today we are heading to John's Mom's house and he will have another little cake there. What a great end to a fantastic birthday weekend! He had a great day in school on Friday. He came out wearing a birthday crown, he had a blue ribbon about his birthday, he came home with birthday certificates and pencils, he was thrilled to hand out his juice and donut holes! It has just been an awesome few days for Nikolas! Now to wait a whole other year, but from my experience these days, I will be posting about birthday #7 before we know it! Time sure is flying!</div><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-86527821510845457812010-02-16T06:00:00.001-08:002010-02-16T06:06:42.844-08:00Promises, Promises<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQpHQwAKdUTkJCn1N6B25n8W-e3z1bZGoJVglZzKEZleNhxCGQ363bI5uW-CrXv98hlXmN4UzId_djfhSrUzC72Wf3__kjoUgqjb0qyqcUFB_7OZAaGK0oHp5kWnTnXCzuqmcGIu6ngA/s1600-h/DSC03961.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438842179749063618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQpHQwAKdUTkJCn1N6B25n8W-e3z1bZGoJVglZzKEZleNhxCGQ363bI5uW-CrXv98hlXmN4UzId_djfhSrUzC72Wf3__kjoUgqjb0qyqcUFB_7OZAaGK0oHp5kWnTnXCzuqmcGIu6ngA/s400/DSC03961.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjQTQjmKZRhPvdsQ6YkcTU7CLAIwZ2QsuLg6LIn31P0wgX8k6tQfLU82eOHfAJrJcn5hDjLb0_2D5mStHs0g16Tfq-_pF8hOybu3qE_RN7SMuQ9_iwtvDj_8Va3b631jem9UIBMOpcto/s1600-h/DSC03943.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438841003979673874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjQTQjmKZRhPvdsQ6YkcTU7CLAIwZ2QsuLg6LIn31P0wgX8k6tQfLU82eOHfAJrJcn5hDjLb0_2D5mStHs0g16Tfq-_pF8hOybu3qE_RN7SMuQ9_iwtvDj_8Va3b631jem9UIBMOpcto/s400/DSC03943.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Promises, promises! I know! I have been a horrible blogger lately! I do have all good intentions of getting on here and writing things down and it just doesn't seem to happen. Ok, updates!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well picture to the left shows us having fun outside on our last snow day from school. That was last week. I was king of hoping we would have another today because we had so much fun out there that day, but nothing! It's snowing lightly and there is a dusting on the ground but the roads are just wet. Before we know it winter should be over and hopefully then we will be on our way to a nice warm, sunny spring! I can't wait til summer time! I am looking forward to opening the pool and playing in the yard with the kids. I am sure it will be chaotic, but fun chaotic! This is the last summer that Dominic will be home before preparing for college. I thought about this time for years now and next yr it will be finally sinking in that he is REALLY growing up!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Speaking of growing up, Victoria has been bugging for highlights for a while now. I was very iffy on getting them for her because my fear was that she would look 18 and not 13 and I didn't want that to happen. Well I finally decided to go along with it and let her do it and I am happy with the outcome. It's pretty, subtle and she's very happy! I look at her though and I can't believe this is my little girl! Sorry for the sideways picture but I have to figure out how to put them the right way up!?</div><div> </div><div>What else? Alex has the stomach bug last week. It was horrible while it lasted but luckily was over in about 12 hours. Nobody else got it yet and I am keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way!</div><div> </div><div>I guess that is about it for now. I am really going to try to get better about posting on here soon!</div><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-61590592190521509992010-01-26T16:47:00.001-08:002010-01-26T16:59:48.436-08:00Hellooooo Out Thereeeeee!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-z5zTOafA881IYnpgIKrfZsiRDvne6h88kzm0wTYhDY8H4az0OjH-wRC2c03H75UaOPjYl5XUHgO8nTShXLGdwB72d_QsISJY-pjMCmXaepyTPRKD5HEZqL8MWcs1q1OfjFPi2ar3Es/s1600-h/Victoria's+pictures+099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431215096598061154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-z5zTOafA881IYnpgIKrfZsiRDvne6h88kzm0wTYhDY8H4az0OjH-wRC2c03H75UaOPjYl5XUHgO8nTShXLGdwB72d_QsISJY-pjMCmXaepyTPRKD5HEZqL8MWcs1q1OfjFPi2ar3Es/s400/Victoria's+pictures+099.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Yeah, it's been a while again! Things have been ok, a few little sicknesses, another scare with Victoria but things seem to be OK now.</div><div> </div><div>Oh, I am mother to the kissing bandit! I would rather not elaborate at this time as it is a frustrating subject for me! :)</div><div> </div><div>This week is midterms and everyone must be doing well, they are all happy....except Mom who has to drive back and forth to the school numerous times each day! Tomorrow is the last day....although I have to admit, I am really loving having at least one more home with me at all times. I really do miss them when they go to school but please don't tell them that, it will go straight to their heads!</div><div> </div><div>I am laughing here. This house is nuts! John is sitting on the couch next to Alex who is playing Call of Duty, Shaina yells in from the other room she's going to take a shower and John yells to Alex "get out of there, you are going to die!" Shaina is like what!? Of course John can't hear her yell back but I can from where I am sitting. So Shaina yells, what are you saying!? John yells, "Get out of there, that place is toxic!" So now Shaina is confused but still she doesn't come...she just yells "WHAT!?" I am like Shaina...just take your shower already, your father is talking to Alex....um, DUH! LOL</div><div> </div><div>We got a package in the mail today! If you read back in my posts, you will see that Nikolas has a very special blanket! A good friend made this blanket for him from across the miles. His blanket came home from the hospital with him! It has been with him through sickness and in health, good times and bad....it has been to multiple states! He loves his blankie and there is no substitute (God knows I tried to find one as he's getting bigger and it's really not covering him any longer). I feel bad at night when I would go in, cover him over but he throws that blanket right off and only blankie is still there. So we decided to ask him if we had the SAME person make one, would that be acceptable. He was very receptive and patiently waited and it came today! Thank you Ellyn! You are a very special blankie maker! There is no substitute! His picture is above with it! He was so excited when he walked through the door, saw the box and found out it was a new blankie....although he did say, "I can sleep with both, right Mom?" I said sure...I mean you can't take away someone's best friend! That certainly would not get me "Mother of the Year"! So above is a picture. He loves it. She chose the pattern and it couldn't have been more perfect, he is so happy with it! :) She is such a sweet person and so talented! Thank you so much Ellyn for taking the time to make a bigger blankie! My Mom and I were talking today! The next order will probably come in for a queen sized when he gets married! :) I hope you are going to be up for the task!</div><div>Amy</div><div> </div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-44051813563675605012009-12-26T19:05:00.000-08:002009-12-26T19:11:26.150-08:00Over Too FastWhy do the holidays take forever to prepare for and then they are over so fast?<br /><br />Either way it was another great holiday! Kids had a great Christmas and everyone was happy with what they got. I hit the big stuff under the tree (big in $$, small in size) to see how they would act and they were all very content and happy with what they already got, so when I brought them out they were super surprised and very excited. <br /><br />Dominic got DJ Hero and we have all been having a lot of fun with that. I was worried in recent days as to if he would really like it or not. He wouldn't really tell us what he wanted but the guy at Best Buy said that it was popular and a lot of fun! I am so glad I went with it, he's enjoying it so much!<br /><br />Victoria got a camera. She is really liking that. Me, eh, not so much! Just kidding! She seems to be having fun with it but she's taking pictures of all of us at the worst time! The pictures are quite interesting to say the least! :)<br /><br />Shaina and Alex both got Ipod touches. They are really enjoying them. I know I really like mine. When I first got mine I wondered what I would do with it but I have to honestly say it's one of those things I use EVERY day! Not a day goes by without me using it for music or games etc....I just really enjoy it! <br /><br />The two little ones got a bunch of stuff and they are very occupied! It's keeping them very busy and very happy!<br /><br />So all in all it was another great Christmas! John is on vacation this week so I am looking forward to the whole week with John and the kids! Life doesn't get much better than this! OK, it might be a bit better if we were all sitting on a sunny beach right now, but hey....being together is what it's all about! :)<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-17098514209641141972009-12-10T12:40:00.000-08:002009-12-10T12:51:45.204-08:00Where's Waldo/Amy?Oh gosh, it's been a while, hasn't it? I don't mean to do this intentionally. Sometimes I am really good about getting on here and other times, well not so good.<br />Where do I start?<br /><br />Kids and Illness---Well, the kids have been sick on and off (Dominic and Alex excluded). We have had sinus infections, ear infections, eye infections and just plain old viruses. It stinks. I am getting frustrated yet I deep down knew it was going to be like this. Still no hospitalization and for that I am very thankful.<br /><br />Thanksgiving---Thanksgiving was very nice. We had lots of good food (even though the grocery store screwed up my turkey order and didn't have one for me, we got a different kind and although I didn't like it quite as much, it was a turkey----plus what is the important thing about Thanksgiving!? It's being together as a family...it wouldn't matter if we had duck or chicken or whatever!) and lots of good company! It was just a great day! I got out a little Black Friday but didn't really buy much of anything. I also didn't get up super early like other yrs. I think next yr I might just skip it all together!<br /><br />Christmas shopping----well I am pretty much done! I do want to pick up another thing for Ella but other than that it's a few gift cards and some stocking stuffers. Soon I will be wrapping. I love it when I start but 1/2 way through my wrapping probably looks like a 5 yr old did it! Usually my Mom strolls out and helps me and it's fun because we just talk and laugh and wrap!<br /><br />Christmas Decorations----Well Dominic and Victoria took it upon themselves to handle the outside decorations this yr for the house. They worked on it over Thanksgiving weekend and it took them three days. I do have to say that the house does look very pretty, very bright, but very pretty indeed! Hats off to them because they did a really good job! Much better than I could have done. Of course I have no desire to go out in the freezing cold to decorate either. We put up the inside Christmas tree last Friday. It has been decorated and "re"decorated about 20 times. Ella likes to touch the ornaments! I am getting really old because I said to John, that is something that would have bothered me when the older kids were younger....but now I think to myself..."she's not hurting anything, she's not getting hurt and most of all, she's occupied and quiet!"<br /><br />Parent Teacher Conferences---Everyone loves the kids. All good comments on them. I am starting to think that they have them confused with someone else. Still John and I were so proud of them that they are well liked, well behaved and respectful. They were all very enjoyable conferences.<br /><br />Nikolas and Gabriella----They have especially been keeping us entertained. Nikolas does this Steve Martin impersonation from like Season 5 of Saturday Night Live. It's one with Bill Murry where they stare off into the audience and keep saying "What the hell is that?" It's like with a hillbilly twang and he has that down perfect! He is hysterical! I think he's going to be a comedian when he grows up! He can keep me laughing. He comes out with the funniest things! Gabriella is his little side kick! It's funny but sometimes the two of them manage to really get into things! I have to say when they get into trouble, it's probably a thought from Gabriella. She's so spirited! So spirited but so much fun and just so lovable!<br /><br />Well it's almost time to make dinner! I can honestly say that I am sick and tired of cooking. If I won the lottery tomorrow, one of the first things I did would be hire a chef! I promise I won't be gone for so long this time!<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-10731321429649518162009-11-15T14:11:00.000-08:002009-11-15T14:13:34.921-08:00My Cutie Pie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2KANJSjOXYyRdcxFFcf6qRmMfrjeyxqhjMU0JuDh1uuVQ1JTxlAb4_oEE5HQRnGVr70hDm9MI2ImZAuArvE2iQnxaazJxUYvhWa3W4BKbiwrvYhuL_e1n1HHOtubmLUXq65cu7l0gRk/s1600-h/092709+098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404457001192377522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2KANJSjOXYyRdcxFFcf6qRmMfrjeyxqhjMU0JuDh1uuVQ1JTxlAb4_oEE5HQRnGVr70hDm9MI2ImZAuArvE2iQnxaazJxUYvhWa3W4BKbiwrvYhuL_e1n1HHOtubmLUXq65cu7l0gRk/s400/092709+098.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Just another picture of my almost 4 yr old cutie pie!</div><br /><div>Gabriella Mercedes</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-8474409531536519412009-11-15T14:08:00.001-08:002009-11-15T14:11:26.737-08:00Sunday Stuff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ44j4ehuqmGXfb_1WGG9Wa1pxRv6o7IF-aovMYWAr1O6gfIPxtJ-S6SE3c4SIdUNS_lcO7Aq_RE2a8C5zh9zDtxYNKofxqFV0j8EWkXREEc9LrlLYWVwGZgBC3Vp1ieJV5bn6eq_v1M/s1600-h/092709+106.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404456088212167410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ44j4ehuqmGXfb_1WGG9Wa1pxRv6o7IF-aovMYWAr1O6gfIPxtJ-S6SE3c4SIdUNS_lcO7Aq_RE2a8C5zh9zDtxYNKofxqFV0j8EWkXREEc9LrlLYWVwGZgBC3Vp1ieJV5bn6eq_v1M/s400/092709+106.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today we had Ella's birthday party. Still trying to figure out where the past 4 years have gone! She will actually be 4 yrs old on Tuesday. She had a Barbie cake. She really liked that! Barbie was what she asked for on her cake. She got a lot of Barbie dolls for gifts. She also got the movie Up (which I find to be a total tear jerker) and she's watching that right now. We had chicken queasadilla's and Mexicali corn for dinner. Everyone ate. It is a great day! :)</div><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-6099088132658650902009-11-06T06:31:00.000-08:002009-11-06T06:34:51.210-08:00Magnadoodles and Other Things...This morning Nikolas wrote me a note on his Magnadoodle. It said "I like Mom". That was nice to see. The little things are what makes me happiest. I am also glad at this point that Dominic does NOT have a Magnadoodle any more. I can only imagine what he wanted to write this morning. He is mad, he thinks I am over protective. I can't help it though. It's hard watching them grow up. He wants to go out in a car tonight with someone that just got their license and I am just not feeling good about letting him go. I don't know if I am being too over protective or if I am being right? It's so hard to know sometimes. Gabriella and I are doing laundry and cleaning now. She loves to "help" me clean. I have to say "help" because sometimes it's not really helping at all, but she's happy and she thinks so. I know it will only be a short time before she hides when she hears the word cleaning, if she's anything like my other two girls. Well I guess that's it from here. I realized I haven't posted anything in a while, some weeks are just crazy!<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-19008722857209814432009-10-30T07:40:00.001-07:002009-10-30T07:42:23.065-07:00Rapunzel, Rapunzel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LjcrNmHDTkec7ol4BCxlRHOmlPRzXF-XH8mutPvpYvzUkY8t5zYz7CPj5nxHqVvsbXZrCUcz7manQH7cCshlghp6pwtS0QN7oI6OB9NPm0wrusx3b4Avy1lzcLE5L34onePJAbqDPYc/s1600-h/GabriellaRapunzel+004.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398403396228408226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LjcrNmHDTkec7ol4BCxlRHOmlPRzXF-XH8mutPvpYvzUkY8t5zYz7CPj5nxHqVvsbXZrCUcz7manQH7cCshlghp6pwtS0QN7oI6OB9NPm0wrusx3b4Avy1lzcLE5L34onePJAbqDPYc/s400/GabriellaRapunzel+004.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Let Down Your Hair! Good thing that costume came with some hair as Gabriella still isn't very blessed in the hair department. It's getting better though! I think she's the one that had the least at this point. She will be 4 next month and although she is due for her 2nd haircut, she only had her first haircut a few months ago! So this is my pretty little princess in her Halloween costume. :)</div><br /><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-7132199242559259542009-10-30T06:08:00.000-07:002009-10-30T06:12:48.175-07:00The Good, The Bad and the Sick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqz0HEnPTBWwdpUUyR-FbcmbK29XMy3HPmt7GKT43Vcg6IJdVseTfX-mWoTKorSdXaQVx7xKzNS1u9kRJlhyphenhyphenrdd78mSAGTEwozIFM1ii0B-JJ0Zy-dm0OC0l040oKibLhjb2UnkAYu_Q/s1600-h/Halloween09+005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398380307626603842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqz0HEnPTBWwdpUUyR-FbcmbK29XMy3HPmt7GKT43Vcg6IJdVseTfX-mWoTKorSdXaQVx7xKzNS1u9kRJlhyphenhyphenrdd78mSAGTEwozIFM1ii0B-JJ0Zy-dm0OC0l040oKibLhjb2UnkAYu_Q/s400/Halloween09+005.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAfVuYNRFc6yYRjg5TcUQRWGRsxwT594U_BgoxB4Q1e3nT2wn3Hsen04GF4O3aZhuQtIylvDtxMhQLoTl089Ooa6q-lPOUQCLSbv2uxMV4RgheKle6JwjxEssYduV8KStnk3CfQY4CXs/s1600-h/Halloween09+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398380168622579810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAfVuYNRFc6yYRjg5TcUQRWGRsxwT594U_BgoxB4Q1e3nT2wn3Hsen04GF4O3aZhuQtIylvDtxMhQLoTl089Ooa6q-lPOUQCLSbv2uxMV4RgheKle6JwjxEssYduV8KStnk3CfQY4CXs/s400/Halloween09+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Today is the Halloween parade at the school. The boys got to dress in their costumes all day. Nikolas is Batman and Alex is Darth Vader. I took a few pictures before school this morning. Nikolas is super excited! He is loving all these new experiences. So I sent them off, costumes on and treats in tow. Later I will be going up to see them in the Halloween parade.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Poor Victoria is sick. She has the works again....sore throat, headache, dizzy, stuffy, cough...she just doesn't have the fever. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Gabriella is going to wear her costume to the Halloween parade with me later. Pictures of her to follow in a later post.</div><br /><br /><div>Amy</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-87251185232410407102009-10-27T12:26:00.001-07:002009-10-27T12:33:47.754-07:00Sick of Being SickIs it possible to get something on top of what you already have? I felt sick, felt like I was getting better for a whole day and now I feel like crap again! Poor Nikolas is sick again! He has snot pouring out of his nose! It's not so attractive, I can tell you that! I am just sick of being sick! I am sick of the kids being sick! <br /><br />Dominic is going to the store for me in a few minutes. It should be interesting to see if he comes home with what I want. It's a simple list! He's going to buy carrots and frozen corn. He is going to bake a carrot cake tonight! He's like Gordon Ramsey with his mouth when he's in the kitchen! It makes for an interesting night when he decides to cook or bake! He hates carrots, I hate carrot cake...why is he making it? I have no idea! He broke up with his girlfriend and maybe he's going to bake his feelings away, I can't figure him out sometimes! I was mad when he was gone every night and now he's here every night and bored out of his mind. I know I will be playing a game of Tiger Woods Golf with him tonight...I would be playing Singstar but with me sick, he knows that's not possible so he will settle for Tiger Woods. <br /><br />Gabriella is coloring here. She just got her crayons back today. She finally admitted to who colored on my wall. It was Pop Pop. I should have known. I saw the guilty look in his eye! Now he isn't getting any more crayons! If he can't be trusted with crayons, he just won't use them! This all brought back a funny memory though. When Victoria was about Gabriella's age she was a holy terror! She would get into EVERYTHING! There are so many things I just can't even begin to type them all or my fingers would fall off! Anyway, she used to blame everything on an imaginary friend named Mrs. Duva. I have no idea where she got that name from, it was quite original, I give her that! Mrs Duva was BAD NEWS! She had to be banished from our house! I was thinking for just a minute the other day that Mrs Duva had found our new home and returned! So I was glad to know that it was Pop Pop that did it and Mrs. Duva wasn't back from beyond!<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-73689786253063398812009-10-24T12:28:00.000-07:002009-10-24T12:30:21.028-07:00Who Did It?Someone colored on my wall! I am pretty sure it wasn't John. I am pretty sure it wasn't the four older kids. I know it wasn't me. So after much discussion with Nikolas and Gabriella we figured out who did it. It was BELLA! Yes, that's who colored on my wall. For those of you who don't know, Bella is our Brittany Spaniel. I didn't realize I had such a talented dog here! I could be out making a fortune! Don't worry, I won't forget you all when I am rich!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-29163577865359104982009-10-22T05:20:00.001-07:002009-10-22T05:25:53.790-07:00Sports Day and the Tooth Fairy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScd7GA3t8soIMb1VVQ_n89arch8Jdn6naKyy-3D-eCFd5Ch73Qc1a-q-6_SwfK2YYwN0povSKpjIQRli-ASkcC-KB9TNxY_fClY1R4CZLyhZlCVOwv-Hb1Djw-AQlhQURbPnMWyd_yL4/s1600-h/N&Asports+004.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395398491037356850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScd7GA3t8soIMb1VVQ_n89arch8Jdn6naKyy-3D-eCFd5Ch73Qc1a-q-6_SwfK2YYwN0povSKpjIQRli-ASkcC-KB9TNxY_fClY1R4CZLyhZlCVOwv-Hb1Djw-AQlhQURbPnMWyd_yL4/s400/N&Asports+004.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It's favorite team day today at the elementary. The tooth fairy paid us a visit last night. He was super excited this morning. He pulled out the paper bills and his reply "I wished she left me a nickel." Huh? I asked why? He said, "If you have a nickel, you can put it in the machine at school and get a pencil." I meant to give him a nickel this morning but we were just running a little off schedule, so I have to remember to do that tomorrow! Tomorrow is the pumpkin patch. I am going as a chaperone. I am looking forward to it. I don't think it's supposed to be a great day weatherwise tomorrow, but still I think the rain is going to hold off til after dinner. I sure hope so! Rain and the pumpkin patch so do not mix! I have done it before after a night of rain. I remember one of the kids I had chaperoned getting their sneaker stuck in the mud in the corn maze! Oh those were the days! Well I guess that is it for now!</div><div>Amy<br /></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-36087969288355497112009-10-21T17:59:00.000-07:002009-10-21T18:02:25.947-07:00Breaking News!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihkxiwr_Sl_isgrKLepjJAFSPuiJfjfvnCqwdPqfGbwfhL2ZOXOnO1TTEHHC11BpHT9ysBEbp4fdOrQylGnatZEBxspm-801rmI6J_wrpFIVP5bLowAahp8Zd_BAFIlUVvk5wlgUw5EI/s1600-h/Misc&NickTooth+018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395223123107599586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihkxiwr_Sl_isgrKLepjJAFSPuiJfjfvnCqwdPqfGbwfhL2ZOXOnO1TTEHHC11BpHT9ysBEbp4fdOrQylGnatZEBxspm-801rmI6J_wrpFIVP5bLowAahp8Zd_BAFIlUVvk5wlgUw5EI/s400/Misc&NickTooth+018.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The Tooth Fairy will be making a visit to our house tonight! Nikolas lost his first tooth! He's very excited. We wrapped it up and put it under his pillow. My little boy is growing up! He was only about 3 months old when he got his first tooth. It has been wiggling for a little while, but I didn't know when it was actually going to fall out! Doesn't he look cute!?</div><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-84278175913519019362009-10-21T09:31:00.000-07:002009-10-21T09:38:10.803-07:00Happy Hump DayIt's Wednesday already! This week seems to be going by pretty quickly. Early dismissal today. It was also mismatched day at the elementary school. Nikolas didn't even question why his clothes didn't match this morning or why he had two different colored socks. Should I be worried? Gabriella noticed right away! Tomorrow is favorite team day.<br /><br />I am on strike tonight for dinner. I felt pretty lousy yesterday but still managed to make everyone dinner. I made an eye of the round roast, noodles w/butter and onions and steamed broccoli/cauliflower. Did they appreciate it? Nope! Everyone had a comment about it. So I told them that I wasn't cooking today. I think they thought I was joking. They have been snooping around the kitchen, peeking to see if anything is in the oven yet or if anything is thawing in the fridge. Alex asked me "what's for dinner tonight, Mom?" and I just said "nothing, remember I'm not cooking." Ok, I can't do that to them but I am going to make them sweat for a while. Tonight they are getting breakfast for dinner. They can sweat it out though til later on thinking they aren't having dinner. They complain about everything I make, yet they must be gluttons for punishment because they always look for more!<br /><br />I know I had something else to post but it just isn't coming to mind right now. My memory is certainly failing me!<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-70800850978417664822009-10-20T15:02:00.000-07:002009-10-20T15:09:06.589-07:00I Can Scale Buildings...In a single bound. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, well probably not! Still my son thinks I can!<br /><br />So Nikolas comes out of school today and we are waiting outside for Alex. He points to the smaller roof (it is over the doors where they enter) and asks me how fast I could climb up the building and get on the roof. My answer to him was "not that fast, I am out of shape and I don't have a ladder." So he replies with "well what if they gave you a ladder?" <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, so now I am wondering why he wants me on the roof? I said "well why would I want to go up there?" He then proceeds to tell me that when it rains there is a drip and that they need someone to fix it and I should go and do that. Yeah, right.....with all the tax dollars I pay, I am going to climb up there and fix a drip! Sorry honey, that's not happening! <br /><br />Shaina brought home her shelf she made in wood shop. She did a good job with it! She still has to stain it but this cycle is over and she ran out of time, so it looks like I am going to buy stain this weekend. She has keyboarding next and she's not looking forward to that. Wood shop has been the highlight of her classes at school so far. She talks about it every day. She's going to really miss that class!<br /><br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-70685050441786635872009-10-16T15:22:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:27:25.123-07:00Road to recovery....Hopefully Alex is on the road to recovery. He has a cough medicine and an antibiotic now. He had an ear infection. That was the one thing he DIDN'T complain about! Go figure! Hopefully now that he got the medications he will be on the road to recovery! <br /><br />It's the weekend. I think we are going to take this weekend to just hang around and do nothing. I do have to run to the grocery store for a few things, but that is about it. Nikolas was thrilled he didn't have to eat my crappy food tonight. I got him his favorite...chicken and broccoli from the Chinese <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurant</span>. He loves that and Gabriella does too! <br /><br />We have been watching that show Modern Family! It's so funny! I laugh from beginning to end! Tonight I will be watching Ghost Whisperer and Medium with Victoria and Shaina. Ghost Whisperer is kind of stupid anymore, but they still like it and I enjoy Medium.<br /><br />I guess that is about it from this house! Keeping fingers crossed that nobody else comes down with anything. I am so worried that what Alex has, was different from what the other kids have! <br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-29722596918901353592009-10-15T17:46:00.000-07:002009-10-15T17:50:03.680-07:00Dinner and Dress CodesI am trying to figure out why there is a dress code (uniform). All this week was dress down, next week is dress down and they throw dress down days in here and there all the time. Why not have EVERY day be dress down day!?<br /><br />Then I got a comment on dinner tonight from my 5 yr old. "Mom, this is the crappiest dinner I ever had!" I really think maybe it's time for me to give up cooking! He did manage to eat it though because the anticipation of the snack made it all worth it I guess!<br /><br />Snow tonight! Yay! Yes, that's sarcasm! Hopefully it's nothing, I doubt it will be. Still the thoughts of it snowing already stinks! It's pretty cold out there tonight!<br />AmyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-56911625473248142682009-10-15T05:02:00.001-07:002009-10-15T05:09:20.172-07:00One Little, Two Little, Three Little<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRWwG54fDAIaplKPcVl2dHOWc_1eJW6gr7Ky476gxltZag2lZ-XPKQuqriBWAgv5ugCtD_E4F4xaVkDMtKQ3l9FsAvE5rkGwY1AZVYafdg0Q6pwJ3rdAkqrY4pPMlHZWwPM7sE6dE9zw/s1600-h/HippieDay+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392797542367699378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRWwG54fDAIaplKPcVl2dHOWc_1eJW6gr7Ky476gxltZag2lZ-XPKQuqriBWAgv5ugCtD_E4F4xaVkDMtKQ3l9FsAvE5rkGwY1AZVYafdg0Q6pwJ3rdAkqrY4pPMlHZWwPM7sE6dE9zw/s320/HippieDay+003.JPG" /></a><br /><div>HIPPIES! Yes, it's Hippie day today at the school. I have Alex home with me. No fever but he's coughing like crazy and was up a lot last night. I can't send him like this. Maybe if he stays home and rests today he will start feeling better. He looks fine, he's eating, drinking and acting fine other than the cough. Shaina said they had a pie eating contest yesterday and she really would have liked to have been in it but she didn't want to ruin Dominic's Sixer's jersey. Good thinking Shaina! I don't know what they have planned for today. Victoria was so funny yesterday when she got in the car. She had the biggest smile on her face and said "want to see what I made in home ec?" Then she pulled this pillow out of her bag. It was like a magic act. I have no idea how she had that pillow shoved in her bag! She seems to be enjoying home ec and Shaina loves wood shop. Victoria REALLY loves sewing. It's something I possess no talent whatsoever in at all! I said to John, maybe we should consider getting her a sewing machine for Christmas. If she likes it so much, maybe we should promote it. Then John suggested we get Shaina a saw! It's all she can talk about. She's making me a coat hanger to hang on my wall in the living room. I keep suggesting places that "might" be a better fit for it....TBCon't with that! I am due for a kitchen remodel. Now if only the shop teacher could teach Shaina how to build and hang cabinets we will have something there! :)</div><br /><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-84522309579747085862009-10-14T05:15:00.000-07:002009-10-14T05:29:15.269-07:00Homecoming, School Pics, Sixers and Snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoPHpKAgc6vh0fQgK6Wa9_swY83H6i6JJ3c5fsuRwc0yIJVEy1UDY0TcTio9h5b5pNws3oWTzC0AIvpKIa14xPB3P4YhnwGQxcHSSeelm_dz8BBhW0RRqdGoy2Of23BTM65soxCCCjYg/s1600-h/October14+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392431002271189986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoPHpKAgc6vh0fQgK6Wa9_swY83H6i6JJ3c5fsuRwc0yIJVEy1UDY0TcTio9h5b5pNws3oWTzC0AIvpKIa14xPB3P4YhnwGQxcHSSeelm_dz8BBhW0RRqdGoy2Of23BTM65soxCCCjYg/s320/October14+009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen25LI04fR6SpqBIVCFb_iEfKZdjPkr7T9a-KxGfo0135ouCl9j83HoTor_JvNAV_8wsiKbXxWxz9guZHvu4qZHjEvd97JkSEgnqQRrXm6Qyq0dd3ktD86SDlTiyoKZ7j8znmWM3M-ig/s1600-h/October14+004.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392428463697868402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen25LI04fR6SpqBIVCFb_iEfKZdjPkr7T9a-KxGfo0135ouCl9j83HoTor_JvNAV_8wsiKbXxWxz9guZHvu4qZHjEvd97JkSEgnqQRrXm6Qyq0dd3ktD86SDlTiyoKZ7j8znmWM3M-ig/s320/October14+004.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It's homecoming week this week so all kinds of fun things are planned at school for the kids. Today is dress in your favorite team attire. Ok, Dominic does have a favorite team, as you can see, it's the 76'ers. The girls could care less about sports, but since Dominic has so many Sixers jerseys, today their favorite team is also the 76'ers! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Apparently there are a ton of kids absent at the school. I kind of knew it when I dropped the kids off yesterday. It was like a ghost town there compared to what it's usually like. I know we just got over something but I am dreading the next bout that might hit. I know I can't keep them in a bubble, but still I am a mother and I worry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today is also school picture day at the elementary school. It was also gym day and they want them to wear their gym clothes to school. Well I don't want a school picture in a gym uniform so they have their dress clothes on instead. It's amazing it's also not taco day or spaghetti day! Why not do that on school picture day too? The boys saw Dominic (who always has to close his eyes for pictures, how annoying!) and the girls getting their pictures taken, so Nikolas wanted to be in one too. </div><div> </div><div>Oh and now on to the snow part! Yes, I turn on the news (why do I watch that?) and they said that there might be 2 inches of snow tomorrow. It's too early for this. I also had to scrape my windows this morning. This reminds me of how much I hate fall and winter. I do think the leaves changing are so pretty, but those changing leaves are a reminder of things yet to come. They come so quickly anymore too it seems! I will sit here now and long for the spring because then right around the corner is summer, my favorite season of all! I am about ready to pack up and move south! I would be very happy with the memories of leaves changing and snow falling and much happier with the thought of no more winter coats, no more shoveling and no more scraping windows!</div><div>Amy</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-8239678007359032672009-10-13T10:54:00.000-07:002009-10-13T10:58:06.749-07:00Barbie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvCmMJCK-I3WDo5qOcDBpt8ce5jWIff9bs7dvif1WYm0BsTQPQgqSjOIz04ILoSKjxi98Xq2LT3-4EY8GeA79LRODwF-QGOn8UmTZKLkSgT7d-GiPTd8V_XGWO9ZEdKopHJeiju2mSMQ/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392145270409931746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvCmMJCK-I3WDo5qOcDBpt8ce5jWIff9bs7dvif1WYm0BsTQPQgqSjOIz04ILoSKjxi98Xq2LT3-4EY8GeA79LRODwF-QGOn8UmTZKLkSgT7d-GiPTd8V_XGWO9ZEdKopHJeiju2mSMQ/s320/009.JPG" /></a><br /><div>As you have never seen her before! I don't know why, but Gabriella seems to think Barbie's are better without clothing. She has been playing with her dollhouse a lot this morning and as I walk by I have to laugh to see Barbie doing all these household chores in the nude! She certainly doesn't get it from me. We all wear clothes around here! She was over there playing and the dolls were having a little conversation on the sofa (probably wondering why they had to belong to a child that refuses to put clothing on them) and I couldn't help but snap this picture of her!</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-589595245079017285.post-56274315830693307402009-10-13T05:44:00.001-07:002009-10-13T05:51:58.975-07:00A Bunny, A Cat and a Sick One<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsN9PhDnzljekzEq7De8ZE0S6oI0N5fbWFNXNjrx2l06Pipjagn2Fk7GNqEbF5A7VsheFZVXKG46pIKcrPY_CWWml25sHTanOoQWcVvo_7LbuSFbd9NEgVTL30UjnltYBiTBjAN7_Cgg/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392064822263840290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsN9PhDnzljekzEq7De8ZE0S6oI0N5fbWFNXNjrx2l06Pipjagn2Fk7GNqEbF5A7VsheFZVXKG46pIKcrPY_CWWml25sHTanOoQWcVvo_7LbuSFbd9NEgVTL30UjnltYBiTBjAN7_Cgg/s200/001.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today is the beginning of homecoming week. Got a call from the school around 7:00 last night saying the high school kids should dress up in their favorite costume for today. Lots of time to get something together, right? So we did the best we could. We went simple as they didn't really want anything to call too much attention to themselves anyway. Victoria is a bunny, Shaina is a kitty and Alex is home here with me SICK! He is running a temp over 101. I am kind of hoping this is what the other kids have and he didn't pick up something new on his class trip on Friday. He's pretty much just sleeping and sleeping. Tomorrow is school picture day for him and I am really hoping he kicks this today so he can be in his class picture since it's his first one there. I am a little nervous though because when I brought the kids to school this morning, it looked like a "ghost school". Hardly any kids were standing outside. We were just on time as usual, so that's why I am a bit concerned. Nikolas doesn't have a stuffy nose today, but now that he's back, I am betting by the end of the week he does again! Gabriella usually stays with my Dad when I drop the kids off in the morning so I don't have to get her dressed and take her out too. Well my Dad has something so she was with me this morning. I got Nikolas out of the SUV, gave him a hug and told him to have a good day. I watched him going in the doors (Alex usually walks in with him so this was his first day going in alone) and stood at the corner of the SUV. I heard this screaming/crying coming from the SUV. I had no idea what was wrong. I ran to see and Ella was upset because she thought Nikolas was just going for the ride with us this morning. She didn't know he was staying there. She was crying saying she was calling for him and he couldn't hear her and she couldn't hear him (he yelled good-bye to her). She was so upset! I explained to her that it will be time to go back and get him before she knows it. I promised her fries from Burger King later and we are watching Mama Mia here now. She seems to be OK now. She loves Nikolas and misses him so much when he's at school! </div><div>Amy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0