Entourage...

Pose... clique... support system... groupies... FRIENDS!

The definition of friend: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard, a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.

Call it what you want, but last night my friends (that were able to) went out for my last GNO for a year. It was perfect! We went to Final Friday, an art showing that covers a wide spectrum of mediums in various galleries through out the downtown area. One in particular was our favorite! Our dear friend, Julie Price, had her first art showing. She did great! And to add to the cool-factor, she had all her proceeds donated to Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center.

Congratulations, Julie! From your adoring fans (friends).

Take it to the Bank!

For well over 5 years, I have been putting coins in a white ceramic pig bank. I even went so far as to only put silver coins in it. (That made it worth more!) Every now and then I would get bored/curious and open it up and count it. Then over a year ago we decided we would do a fellowship in Boston from July 2010 to June 2011. I took this as a great reason to buy a new bank and save money for this great experience. I bought a 18 inch plastic gummy bear bank. Again, I only put silver money in it. Now you are probably wondering what I did with all my pennies...I had another place for them. I turned a giant pickle jar into my "Penny Bank".

As the day of our impending adventure gets closer, I thought I should take all of these coins to the bank to be deposited into our account. I emptied all 3!

Go ahead! Take a guess! How much do you think I took to the bank?

6 gallon sized zip-lock baggies

60 pounds exactly (yes, I weighed them)

$669.69

Gift Giving, Rule #1

When choosing gifts for others, pick something that you would like to receive.

I was taught this rule while growing up and it always seemed to work. So I passed the knowledge of "perfect gift-giving" on to my kids. This however, did not go as planned.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

The above pictures show a darling little girl playing dress up and having a blast. What the pictures don't tell is that the make-up kit was for a friend's birthday present! Here is how it went down.

Our friend, Addie, is having a party in less than 2 weeks. I thought we could get the present taken care of early and I let her pick it out. This wonderful box was wrapped in plastic and had a colorful picture showing what all the goodies inside looked like. My daughter wanted to stare at the picture all the time. It was almost as if she was memorizing the contents. I kept reminding her not to open it. That it was for her friend. "I KNOW! I KNOW!" was the common response. Then she'd follow it with the explanation that she planned to ask Santa for one for her. I go and work on some laundry...15 minutes later...I go and check on the kids. There I find Allie! With the case open, lip gloss on, rings on, plastic wrapper everywhere and hair in clips. I try to remain calm and ask her why she did it. She tells me we can still give it to her friend. (The handle to the case was broken off. It appears someone got over zealous when opening it!) I tell her I will have to buy another one for Addie. She smiles and says, "Great! I'll keep this one!"

Some how I think that was her plan all along!!!!

Busy Week!

The kids and I took a week to visit my family, before we move to Boston. It was a fun-filled week. We spent Monday and Tuesday night at my mom's (Nana's Farm). Then Wednesday and Thursday night at my dad's (Papa George and Grandma Karen's). The following pictures show some of the highlights.

Allie got some makeup. Then proceeded to put it on.

Owen was breezing through Nana's DS-Lite game.

Baby kittens were born on our last day at the farm.

The kids played on the "traditional blue swivel chair" at G.G.'s.

We ate lunch with Karen Chen-Manning and her son, Owen.

(I hadn't seen her since 8th grade graduation! Thanks, Facebook.)

The kids at Pizza Hut play area.

We toured the Overland Train Station in Topeka.

(They had a Star Wars exhibit!)

The mall had this train that you could ride.

It went all the way around the lower level!

Owen was feeling "cowboy" at the Kansas Historical Museum.

Allie dressed up as Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Aunt Nikki

Uncle Keith

Girlfriends are AWESOME!!!!

So, I have this group of ladies... MY CIRCLE! I love and adore each and every one of them. I love having them in my life and I love being a part of theirs. In 3 weeks, I will be moving to Boston. It's the adventure of a lifetime and we are going to have so much fun! However, I will miss them all very much. Last Friday morning my girlfriends blew me away. Julie and Megan came over with a bouquet of my favorite flower (sunflowers) and told me of a plan that they had been working on for the last few months. To show me how much they love me and are going to miss me, they told me to have an overnight bag packed and be ready Saturday morning by 8:00. Then some of the details came out. It was going to be 8 of us (some of my girlfriends weren't able to make it, but we were thinking of them) in a minivan going to Tulsa for a "Girls Get Away Trip". Aren't they AMAZING!!! We went shopping for 4 hours at the mall (with NO KIDS) and had some wonderful retail therapy. Then we took over a nail salon to get pedicures. They chose my favorite place to eat dinner, The Cheesecake Factory. Then we had an incredible evening back at the hotel in the living room suite drinking, talking and eating desserts in our jammies. Then they each went around the "circle" and told me how they felt about me and what word comes to their mind when they think of me. Organized, Devoted, Determined, Loyal, Spirited, Energized, Perky, Constant and Strong. Julie then gave me this beautiful painting she did for me that included all of these words. Let's just say there were a lot of tears, laughs (wink) and hugs this weekend. They even paid for my portion of the trip (pedicure, dinner and hotel)! My girlfriends are AWESOME!!! I am so blessed.

My girlfriends are ready to hit the road.

View from the front seat.

My pretty PURPLE toes!

We took over the salon!

Julie and Sarah were on the other side of the room with me.

The Renaissance, our party headquarters

The "cooler"!

Sarah, Angela and Amy

Julie and Megan

Erin and Ami

My beautiful painting Julie made me.

First Sleep Over

Owen has been begging me to let him have a sleepover for quite a while. Finally, I caved and said we would do it. Last night was the BIG night! Nathan Price, Owen's first Buddy, was the lucky guest to his first sleepover. Below is a sequence of pictures showing the events as they happened.

We had pizza for dinner.

The boys played some video game.

Post bath snacks.

Set up tent, including glow swords.

Passed out!

Pancake breakfast

Kid Thoughts - "Thanks, Disney!!!"

Today on the drive to take Owen to Kid College, I over heard a conversation between Owen and Allie. (Background-The kids have always had a nickname for each other. His has been Bubba and hers is Baby. She's recently had some issues with him calling her "Baby".)

Owen: "Baby, you can't come to college with me."

Allie: "STOP calling me Baby! I'm 3 years old. (holding up 3 fingers) I'm NOT a child!"

WHAT???? This totally confuses Owen and he proceeds to inform her she and he are both children because they aren't grown ups yet. Yeah, this explanation was falling on deaf ears. After I was able to breathe from the laughing fit, I asked her where she heard that phrase from. "Aerial says it in the Little Mermaid, Mommy." OH YEAH!!!! Thanks, Disney!!!!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

She thinks I ROCK!

The line outside.

As a kid, I remember staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights watching "Night Tracks" with my dad and he would write down the top 20 videos in a notebook. Music videos gave songs and music a new meaning. One of those memory making artists was Pat Benatar. Every time I'm around karaoke, I have to grab the microphone and sing my heart out to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". I LOVE that song!

Well, today I got to meet the woman herself. That's right! I met Pat Benatar. By the way, she is really short! She was signing her autobiography at a bookstore and my sister agreed to watch my kids while I waited from 7:00 this morning until 12:15 when she showed up. (She wasn't scheduled to be there until 12:30. Showing up early only makes her cooler in my mind!) I was the FIRST person in line. I had a relaxing time just reading a book, drinking an iced tea and visiting with the most interesting people who were also big fans. The local paper even came up to interview me. I didn't know what to say when I walked up to her table. "Hi", was all I could think of. She shook my hand and signed my book. She thanked me and I slowly walked away. I sort-of felt like Ralphie after seeing Santa. The woman behind me thanked her for her wonderful music and that her songs meant a lot to her. (DANG!!! That was good!) I wondered through the 50+ people who were winding through the store, almost beaming that I got my autograph before them. (I know... childish :p) Once outside, I saw a line of about 50+ more people just waiting to get in to the bookstore. Boy was I glad I got there early! My sister picked me up and home we went, with my prize in hand.

Kid College-Fun Scientist

Today was Owen's first day of college... Kid College, that is. Butler County Community College offers week long classes for kids that are fun and educational. This week's class is Fun Scientist. Owen is learning about the states of matter... solid, gas and liquid. His buddy, Jacob, is in there too. I love seeing him so excited about not only learning, but wanting to go to college. (The name being "Butler" doesn't hurt either. He laughs every time he says it, "BUTT-ler!")

Key to Imagination

Today was our weekly play date with our friends the Norris kids. The boys went downstairs to play a game on the wii and the girls decided to build a club house in the upstairs living room. I was in the office listening to them turn a pile of blankets and 2 chairs into a club house, car, school and finally headquarters for "super girls". This was all over the course of about an hour and a half. I hope they never loose the key to that imagination!

Party, Party, Party

Today has been one of those BUSY days! Owen was invited (last night, I might add) to a birthday party for an old classmate that was at west side All Star Sports. It was, so I thought, from 1-3. Then both kids were invited to another birthday party for twin boys that were in Allie's Kids Day Out class at The Alley (a bowling alley) from 5:00-6:30. I took Allie to a play date during the first party, which ended up being one of those "rager" parties. The games and pizza went from 1:00-2:30. Then this lady came up to us and handed us bands for the "REAL" fun stuff. Owen got to play a game of laser tag, drive a go-kart and ride in a bumper boat. Then we had to hustle home to pick up Allie and get them ready for the next party. I, unfortunately, had to volunteer at church. So I missed their first time bowling. However, my sister ROCKS and took tons of pictures and even a few movies. It was a BUSY day... but a GOOD day!

Owen at Party #1.

Owen at Party #2.

Allie at Party #2.

Rain, Rain... Go Away!

One more time?

It's Spiderman!

Just swinging around

Yeah, he's "flying".

The kids want to play... OUTSIDE!!! Today was perfect! Some of Owen's classmates got together at the Andover Park. We were there for an hour and a half. There was a good breeze, sun was shining and the kids got aired out. Maybe we'll hit the pool later?

Quarentined!!!

We had a lot of fun on the 4th of July! Maybe TOO MUCH fun? We called it a night at 7:45. The kids came home and took their baths. Then Allie complained of an upset tummy. Shortly there after, she emptied her stomach into the toilet. (I totally appreciate her ability to aim!) She drank a little water and went to bed. She sleep straight through the night. Owen on the other hand, came into my room at around midnight saying he was thirsty. So I got him a drink and he sat on my bed and took a few drinks. That's when and WHERE he decided to blow! To avoid gross and graphic details, I ended up having to change the sheets on MY bed twice and have my bathroom floor and his bathroom floor cleaned. We ended up on the couch at 7:00 am watching TV. The following day he was lethargic and had a fever. I kept him hydrated and he took a 3 hour nap during the day. By Tuesday, he was feeling better. But then Allie started with the puking-rally. Her bug finally disappeared today after she took a 2 1/2 hour nap. I'm hoping this is the end of my tunnel. At least I've been able to get a full nights sleep the last 2 nights and during these "big naps" I've been able to get caught up on some photo books I'm working on. :)

YouTube-Meet the Arnetts

First of all, I apologize that this video is sideways. I wasn't thinking! Second, I hope I can actually post this video. I guess we'll have to see. If not, never mind. If so, enjoy the clip of Owen and Allie singing with Kidzworld on the BIG stage tonight at church. The song is called "Round Up".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyoRI7As26w

Anita Renfroe

Tonight, my girlfriend Megan and I went to dinner (at Il Vicino) and then to see comedian Anita Renfroe. For those of you who aren't familiar... Youtube "The Mom Song" which is sung to William Tell's Overture. She was very funny and some great spoof songs (I liked her version of Taylor Swift's "Love Story"). I really enjoyed the evening out. Thanks Megan and Jen (my fabulous babysitter).

Ultimate "Mommy Trap"

For quite a while now, when play dates with the Price boys would start to come to the time for "Good byes", the kids would disappear and begin building a fort ("The Mommy Trap") of toys, books, blankets... basically anything they can get their hands on in an effort to keep mommies from getting the kids. Well today was no different, but they took it up a notch. Julie and I had been having an amazing conversation that lasted almost an hour, until we heard a cry and realized it was coming from the upstairs. This is a violation of one of the Price rules, the kids can't go upstairs. So I hurry up there to see why someone is crying. The bathroom door (which leads to Nate's room) and Nate's bedroom door are shut. I try to open both, but neither budge. Once we pushed and squeezed through we found out why. The kids had blocked both doors in an effort to keep us out and them in.

Bathroom door

Bedroom door (angle 1)

Bedroom door (angle 2)

The punishment was for the kids to clean it all up and they are now grounded from each other for a week. After we got home Julie texted me to tell me that when she asked Nate what was going through his head, he started crying and replied, "I don't want Owen to go to Boston. I was sure that would work." (I love that little man!) Then Owen walked up to me and said, "Mommy, I'm going to tell the truth about what happened at Nathan's house. I'm sorry I didn't listen to Julie. Going upstairs was my idea. We were going upstairs to get away from the spiders." I told him he knew better. Then he said, "I was having so much fun, I didn't want to stop." You've got to love HONESTY!!!

BTW- Allie was the one who was crying because the boys were squirting hand soap at her. :)