seven

Today, my little boy turned 7!  While that just doesn't seem possible, it also doesn't seem possible that there ever was a day that I didn't know and love this amazing little person.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

 2011

Happy Birthday Ben!  I love you!



Crazy Busy

My list of things to do is so big that really I have no business blogging!!!  The craziness that began at the beginning of February has still not let up! 

Our taxes our done.  Refund is in the bank, but receipts and bank statements are still piled next to the desk. 

My job application has been submitted, my portfolio is mostly done, but all that is sitting next to the tax papers waiting to be finished and filed.  They keep revising the job openings and so I am anxiously waiting  to find out if life is going to change.  I don't wait well....

I have carnival posters and signs and games and tickets and wristbands and stickers and sign up sheets and volunteer lists scattered about.  Our school carnival is next week, and I am in charge.  Of course, this year's carnival hasn't happened yet and already I am thinking about next year.

My house is also been taken over by shoes this week...between the five of us we have worn snow boots, rain boots, tennis shoes, ballet flats, flip flops and everything in between and I don't think anyone (except Chris's expensive work shoes that I am sure have shoe trees in them and are lined nicely under his nicely spaced assortment of suits) has put any away, especially Abby!!!  Shoes scattered everywhere is a big pet peeve of mine.  And did I mention that my central vac is broken now....this is a huge issue for me.  I vacuum at least 3-4 times a day.

Ben's birthday is tomorrow.  His party is Saturday.  He made my day when he told me he just wanted a party where they played basketball!  However, I still have presents to find (I buy them ahead and hide them...just need to remember where I put them!) and wrap ,but I forgot to buy wrapping paper.  I have a cake to bake.  Cinnamon rolls to raise for breakfast.  Ben's Prince of the Pond activities for school to complete. 

Abby's birthday is also coming up.  She wants to have it with a friend this year who's birthday is only a couple days after hers.  Ideas keep popping up in my head for what they could do!  Nothing like planning a carnival and 2 birthday parties all at the same time! Although party planning is my thing.  I love it!  Just wish I had more time between them to make them all as fabulous as they could be!

I have bought 5 new books I am dying to read: three books on teaching the right brained student, one I have been waiting forever for it to come out on paperback, and one for the book club I joined.

Laundry....let's just say that I hope Ben has pants to wear tomorrow....Laundry is not my job.  When Chris and I got married he was so particular about how his clothes were washed and dried that I assigned that to him. However, it looks like I might need to put a load in before bed.

This weekend, after Ben's basketball game, his baseball evaluations and his party, we are going away. That means I have bags to pack and wine to buy!!!  I can't wait for a mini break!!! 

I have also had lots of happy moments in between all of the craziness, including a pedicure, a one hour massage with hot stones, a night at home drinking wine and chatting with friends, eating my favorite girl scout cookies, a quick mini date with Chris and Katy to buy the rest of Ben's presents, Ben scoring twice in one game, Abby's recorder concert, shamrock shakes, dairy queen, sunshine and of course lots of laughs with the kiddos!

I just really wish I could hit pause and enjoy all the fun we are having!!!

when katy grows up

I often wonder what Katy will be when she gets big!  She has such a HUGE personality! 

She has mentioned wanting to be a doctor, a dancer, and a mommy.

However, sometimes I think she will be a comedian, as she always has something funny to say. 

Sometimes I think she will be a movie star, as she loves to be dramatic.

Sometimes I think she will be an artist as she is very creative and loves to color, draw and make stuff.

Earlier today, I thought she should be a lawyer as she has no tolerance for rule breakers and was interrogating her friend into telling her the truth because she thought she was making something up.  

However, today she says she wants to be Justin Bieber's girlfriend...she told me that she wrote this song for him!!!

While I don't think being Justin Bieber's girlfriend is very likely, maybe she could be a songwriter or even a singer!!!  (From the lyrics in this song I am guessing...a country singer/songwriter!!!)

What do you think she will be?

feeling better

Ben is finally recovering from being sick with a fever since Sunday.  Until today, he has been miserable whenever awake.  But now that his fever is gone, he is ready to take on the world!  The only problem is that he has to stay home for 24 hours and he is now going stir crazy being stuck in his room.  He has spent most of his time playing Legos, watching movies and playing his ds!  However, when I went to check on him just now.  He was in there doing his homework!!!  What a wonderful sight! (But, boy he must be bored!!!) 

my little artist

We had a very quiet morning today.  Abby stayed overnight at a friend's house.  Ben has a fever : ( He woke up fairly early and then went back to bed where he has been sleeping all day.  Chris went to the gym and Katy and I have been working!

I have been working on preparations for the school carnival and Katy has been drawing.  Here is her latest masterpiece....a self portrait...

According to Katy, the hearts represent all of the people that she loves and thinks about. 

I LOVE IT!!! 

This will be framed and hanging somewhere in our house soon!  I think I will make Abby and Ben do the same so I can  have a whole set!

the lucky one

Last night at Pizza Hut...
Me: A long time ago, I worked at a Pizza Hut.
Ben: You did?!?
Chris: Yea, I saw your mom there for the first time.  She was cute in her blue shirt and visor.
Ben: So you married her?  Why did you like her?
Chris:  It was the Duke blue shirt.  I only dated girls that wear Duke blue.
Ben: I guess you were lucky mom.
Me: I was lucky?
Ben: Yea, you were lucky you wore blue so dad would marry you.


This story is actually partially true (or so Chris says!)  I don't remember him ever coming in, but he says he came in one night while I was working and noticed me.  However, the guys that were with him told him that I was already "married" to someone from back home.  We began dating over a year later...

what's for lunch?

At school, Katy has been learning about community helpers.  Today's helpers were restaurant workers.  The kids made super cute menus by cutting out pictures of food and gluing them into a file folder. 

Katy brought hers home and at lunch time we played restaurant!  I made the kids their requested macaroni and cheese then added some fruit and carrots to their plates.  Soon after having delivered their meals, Katy says, "Ummm waitress, you messed up our orders.  We did not order carrots."  I assured her that they just come with the mac and cheese and that they are super delicious when dipped in ranch dressing.  She then turns to her friends and says, "don't eat them, she's lying!"  I told her that the chef said that they could get their money back if they tried them and didn't like them.  Low and behold, they tried them and actually ate them!

say cheese!

Today is picture day at BSS!  This is how I sent her!  (She refused to take her coat off so you could see her cute outfit.)Wonder what she will look like by the time they go get their pictures taken!  It was risky sending her in a headband...her hair could be a complete wreck!!! 

welcome march!

I love March!!!  It is the month when we begin to see more sunshine!  It is Ben's birthday month, and it is usually the month when we are getting ready for our vacation.  The thought of buying swimsuits, sunscreen and shorts always makes me happy (just not quite as much as actually buying them!!!) 

This year, we have postponed our vacation, so I am a little sad that my summer shopping will have to wait and that I won't be relaxing here anytime soon.....