Washable markers...THANK GOD!!!!

After bath time this evening, I thought I would let the kids do some drawing with marker and paper while they waited for daddy to come home from work. I had them all set up at the kitchen table and they were sharing pleasantly, so my sister and I decided to chat for a few moments in the kitchen. Our attention was diverted from conversation to "WHAT?!?!?" when we heard Allie announce, "I've got glasses!" Sure enough, there were two big circles drawn in brown marker around both of her eyes. Owen piped up with, "I did that!" comment of pride/creative ownership. Which then prompted Allie to retaliate with some doodling of her own on his right leg. Luckily, they were washable markers (we don't own anything but!) and came off after just a few rubs of the wet washcloth. Now comes the irony of this tale. About 25+ years ago in a small bathtub in Osborne, Kansas, a big sister thought it would be fun to take "soap crayons" and draw on her little sister. Only I didn't draw a few circles... I thought I could make her look like Smurfette if I colored her whole body with the blue crayon. This was definitely one of those moments when what goes around comes around. I love my life!!!!

Soccer Season Starts-2010

You heard right! Today was our first soccer game of the season. We got lucky, if you call lucky dropping temperature, crazy wind and eight smiling kindergarten boys running after a soccer ball. However it DIDN'T RAIN!!! Our team is made up of Owen, three of his classmates and four boys we just met this season but are of course Owen's new best buddies!

The Great Date Experiment

The couple next to us at Bonefish was on their "date" too!

We saw other couples walking around the mall with their neon packet!

In the car with our desserts!

Tonight, Jake and I went on a date. But not just any date... The Great Date Experiment #2. Our church is hosting a series called "The Great Date Experiment". It's based on MarriedLife's Big 6 Essentials. This date was focusing on Cultivate Communication. It started at 6:00, when we went by the church to pick up our packet to see what we were going to do. The first task was to select a place for dinner. Here comes the twist. We had to have our server surprise us with our order (with one stipulation). I'm a picky eater, so I had the bartender make me a surprise "fruity" drink. And she did! She just mixed together a few rums, few fruit juices and creme d' banana. The funny thing, she had so much fun making it that she forgot to charge us for it! Jake had the server pick a "flavorful fish" dish for his entree. He got Mahi Mahi and steamed veggies. We enjoyed our dinner and had fun answering some questions from our packet. Next task was to select an activity from this list they provided and answer the next series of questions. We chose to go to the mall. We walked around and answered the questions then moved on to our last task. We went to the grocery store, split up and purchased a surprise dessert for the other that was $2 and had some meaning behind it or something they haven't ever tried. I bought Jake a pint of Ben & Jerry's Boston Cream Pie Ice Cream, for obvious reasons. Jake bought me a couple of brownie bites that had pretty decorative toppings. He handed them to me and said, "Pretty, little sweet things for my pretty, little Sweet Thing." (Isn't he so CUTE!) Then it was time to head home. To prove we completed each task, we were asked to take our picture holding this picture of an exclamation mark that was in our packet. It was fun and different, we are planning on doing next months Great Date Experiment #3.

Where did my baby go?

Today we got Owen's spring pictures. I can't help but look at them and almost cry. It doesn't seem possible that he is this big. I know some would think, "He's only in Kindergarten!" "He's only 5!" But I can close my eyes and see this tiny, precious baby in my arms. The smell, the touch, the sound... it's like I'm there again. But as soon as I open them, this is what I see. A young (NOT LITTLE) man, discovering the world around him without me. I used to be the center of his universe... now his universe has no boundaries. I'm comforted in knowing that I have raised an independent, caring, intelligent, happy child. Who will someday (not too soon, I hope) become a successful, loving, knowledgeable, happy man. I am so proud of all that he has accomplished in these few years and so thankful I have been able to witness them (some from a distance). I am anxious to see what "our" future holds.

Letter to Santa

This morning while eating breakfast the kids wanted to draw. So I got out some drawing paper and markers and let the creativity flow. Allie drew a rainbow. Owen decided he would "write" a letter to Santa. He wanted to make sure it was clear as to what he was asking for, so he even drew a picture of it. I was really proud of him for sounding out the words. I didn't help at all! The brown picture is what it looks like. The little red guy is suppose to be Santa. And I'm sure you can figure out the rest. (He is asking for the wii game, Indiana Jones 1.) He was telling Allie that if she only asks for one thing, she would definitely get it. Then he looked up at me with a concerned look and said, "Mommy, we need to remember to pack this letter when we go to Boston because we will be in Boston at Christmas time." He is so MY SON! He has his letter to Santa all ready... and it's only MARCH!!!

SNOW? Can't beat it, join it!

There was a weird snow storm yesterday/today. So I had to open the air tube sled and blow it up. I can tell you right now, it was bitter cold... but worth every minute we were out there. I took several pictures but the video clips. I'm going to attempt to put them on. If they don't work, enjoy the pics!

Video didn't work, SORRY!

Pinkalicious!!!

Today I took the kids to Crown Uptown for "Dinner and Show". It was actually a "kids" buffet (mac and cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries, etc.) and a musical representation of one of our favorite kid's books... Pinkalicious. My friend Amy suggested we all take our kids there and it was so much fun. We had GREAT seats. The food was what you would expect. The show was very clever. The my kids were restless, but had fun sharing this experience with their buddies. It looks like we might be doing it all again soon... Junie B. Jones, anyone?

Dental SUCCESS!!!

Today Owen had a dentist appointment this morning. As most of you know, this is one activity I (or Owen) like to take him to. The last time I had to put my knee on his chest, hold his arms down with one of my hands and hold his head still with the other. This was all in order for them to BRUSH HIS TEETH! This time Jake was off work, so I sent Daddy to the dentist with Owen. He showed a little hesitation at the beginning, but bucked up and did GREAT! They even took x-rays. So the two boys went to Target to pick out a toy reward. Owen selected the cool rocket ship! The same one he asked Santa for.

Museum of World Treasures

Walk like an Egyptian!

This is Owen's fish face. Looks just like it!

Owen looks a little scared, but I think Allie could take the bear!

Since it is Spring Break and Daddy was not working, we decided to explore a local museum that we haven't been to. It was really cool. They had several different exhibits that the kids got really excited about. Owen loved the dinosaurs and Egyptian. Allie liked all the religious statues from India. There was even a kid play zone. It was the perfect way to spend the morning.

You've got to have FRIENDS

The "ODDS", right before our 10 year high school reunion.

This past weekend I was in KC visiting my two best friends from high school. It was fun catching up, since we only seem to see each other but maybe once a year... if that! We were doing a lot of talking, eating, laughing, sleeping, talking and pedicures. At one point we commented on how fortunate we all were to have each other through the difficult "teenager" phase in our lives. The media is always bringing the worst case scenarios in teenagers today, but the truth is that some of us could have just as easily been in those same situations. Lucky for me I had some friends who, like me, tried our best to stay out of trouble while still having some fun. I was very fortunate to have them in my life then, I am blessed to have them in my life now.

Sing me a song, Piano-man!

Last night I had an amazing date. Jake and I went to dinner with my dad and Karen to this really good restaurant, Sabor, downtown. After a leisurely meal, we went to our selected forms of entertainment for the night. Dad and Karen went to see "Rain-The Beatles Tribute" and we went to hear Elton John and Billy Joel. It was amazing!!! They started the show with about 4 or so songs together. They had two pianos facing each other on the stage. Then Joel's piano disappeared and John gave a long set of classic hits. Then John's piano was replaced with Joel's. He was hilarious! Unfortunately, Jake and I have come to the decision that we are getting "older". Our ears were ringing and a little achy by the time Joel started his set. Then add to this, it was 9:45 when he began singing his second song. We were very tired! So we called it an early evening. I'm sure the music would have been AWESOME, but not worth being exhausted today. I heard on the radio that the last song was sung at 11:15. After Joel did his set, John joined him for 6-8 more duet songs. The encore was a combined effort on "Piano Man". It would have been wonderful to hear, but I enjoyed myself without spending myself. Not to mention I had a "HOT GUY" for my date. Thanks for the wonderful evening, I love you!

Confessions of a S.A.H. (situations are hilarious... SOMETIMES) Mommy

NASA issued diaper.

While working out at my friend Julie's house yesterday, my daughter made a stinky in her pull up. I was going to go out in the car to get another one, when Julie offered a size 6 diaper. It fit and we were good to go. I got home and forgot about her being in the diaper until I started to smell something. I told Allie we would go in her room and take the diaper off and put on a clean pull up. Owen came in after us making little commentary every now and then. I got out the new pull up and put the wipes on the floor. Allie laid down and I grabbed her feet. As I was lifting up her dress I was completely taken over by shock. My daughter had NO DIAPER on and there was some poop on her bottom! Trying to control my laughter, I asked her where the diaper was? She pauses for a while with a, "Uuuummmmm, downstairs in the playroom." SHE HASN'T BEEN DOWNSTAIRS IN AT LEAST 20 MINUTES!!!! Owen jumps off her bed laughing and yelling, "The poop is loose. The poop is loose." as he runs out of her room. I am still laughing and getting her cleaned up and dressed. I go downstairs and sure enough there it is in the playroom. But I haven't found any more poop. Maybe I just got lucky... or maybe I should see if NASA sells a "Allie-proof undergarment"?

Mr. MOM (My Outstanding Man)

This past weekend, I went out of town for a "Girls Trip" to Tulsa. It was a lot of fun and I got some much needed sleep. But the weekend might not have gone as smoothly if I didn't have a wonderful man at home taking care of everything. He took Owen to Tae Kwon Doe and swimming lessons. Got Allie to dance lessons on time. Had a playdate (there were 4 kids in our house). Took the kids to church... all on top of walking the dog and of course making sure the kids were fed and dressed. There was even a trip to the hair place for the kids to get new hair cuts and to the store to buy groceries. He even picked up the whole house before I got home. (He claims is was a "DISASTER AREA" in every room.)

I am a very fortunate woman to have found a man like this to marry and share my life with. I appreciate all he does and will do, for me and the kids. And the funny thing is, I'm doing it again THIS weekend to Kansas City for ANOTHER "Girls Trip". Did I mention how lucky I am?

Girls Tulsa Trip-2010

Julie, Megan and Jolyn

Amy, me, Erin and Angela

Our ring leader

All of us, enjoying good food and good company.

We had a great weekend! As always, it went really fast. I can't wait for the next one!!!