An Unexpected Day at Home

Well, Hannah does have the stomach bug and it's been a rough day.  She is quite the drama queen and especially when she's sick.  It's hard to even know how sick she is because of all the drama.  If Grace were to act like Hannah has acted today I'd have her at the hospital.  In between comforting and consoling and plugging my ears and pretending not to hear the whining and moaning and rag holding I managed to almost completely clean my house.  Thankfully I have a small house.  I got both bathrooms scrubbed, the kitchen scrubbed, my room cleaned, the living room de-cluttered.  It really felt good to get it all done.  We really, really need to be home more so that I don't get so behind on all the cleaning.  Not sure what to cut out though...a topic for another day.  Here's what I made for dinner--

This is a veggie sub and it was so good!  Here's what's on it--mayo, oil, and vinegar, tomatoes, spinach leaves, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, black olives, and pepperoncinis.  I made G and J just a regular turkey sub but Ollie and I had the veggie.  It was so good.  I might have to make it again tomorrow.
Please pray for me Hannah, she really is miserable and this momma is emotionally and physically wiped.  It could be a long night...

Seven Quick Takes

I actually have some time to blog this morning.  We are taking the day off of school to go to Disney Quest but it doesn't open until 11:30 so we don't have to rush out this morning. 

1. We have had a busy but productive week.  Our schedule has changed considerably and we are adjusting.  I have taken a tutoring job that is every day from 8 to 9 am for seven weeks.  I am tutoring a friend's son in Pre-Algebra.  The bonus of this job is that my friend is a retired teacher and works with my kids helping them through their schoolwork while I tutor her son.  So, we are up and dressed and ready to start school by 8--we haven't been this on the ball since October.
2. My kids are really, really into the "Little Miss" and "Little Mr." books right now.  We've exhausted our library system's choices as well as all of the books in Ollie's library.  I've read them over and over and over and the girls have read them to themselves, Joe has even read some of them, and they have traced and colored every single cover.  They absolutely love these books, especially Joe.  We actually bought a lot of 19 on ebay last night--it was a great price and after my kids have gotten tired of them we will pass them on to all of my little neices and nephews.  It was weird to buy books, I never buy books anymore--we have soooooooo many and we use the library but this was a special exception.  Joe is so excited that he might make me seriously crazy.  It's only 9 am and he's already asked me if the mail is here yet.  We ordered these last night, and they are coming media mail, it's going to be a long week... 

3.  I saw on FB this morning that there is a website, spokeo.com, it is an online phone book that shares tons of personal information including your address, pictures, credit score, etc.  You can remove yourself by going to your page and clicking the privacy button at the bottom.  Of course I had to go check it out and it's true.  My name came up--and I clicked on it.  It has my address and lots of other information--some accurate, some not so much.  It says that my occupation is professional/technical and that I live in a million dollar house.  It also says that my million dollar house is in a below average neighborhood.  It says that my hobbies are sports, outdoors, travel, and gardening.  The only one of those that is remotely accurate is the traveling.  Even that though isn't really a hobby.
4.  I am loving Pandora on my iPod.  Right now I am listening to "The Weepies" station.  I am hearing all sorts of songs that are alternative and remind me of my college days.  I keep waiting for a Smithereens song to come on.  Maybe I'll change my station to a Smithereens station for old times sake, going to do that now...
5.  Our plans may have changed...Hannah is not feeling well.  Joe had a stomach bug last weekend, Ollie had it on Wednesday, so far the girls and I have been spared--I hope.  Just because Hannah doesn't feel well doesn't mean it's a stomach bug though.  She often doesn't feel well in the morning.  She's got a weird stomach.  We still have at least an hour or more before we have to leave.  Hoping and praying it's not the stomach bug...she has theatre tonight and needs to rehearse...
6.  "Alice in Wonderland" is in two weeks!  I watched a run through on Tuesday and I am so proud of Hannah.  She is a great Alice--she has come so far in her acting skills and confidence.  I can't wait until opening night!!  I can't forget Grace and Joe though--they both have smaller parts and it will be so fun to watch them all.  Grace is a flower and Joe is a lobster and a Royal Cardsman.  I know I'll be taking tons of pictures and video.  I wish I had a good video camera to video the whole thing.  I'm sure someone there will video though and I'll get a copy. 
7.  The other day Joe got all dressed up--shirt, tie, khakis, belt, and a hat.  Oh my, he was cute.  I'm not sure what got into him and why he wanted to dress up but he did and then wore the whole outfit to the park.  He ended up changing when he wanted to play by the creek though.  Anyway, I didn't know how to tie a tie and Kris was here at the time and suggested we find a Youtube video to learn.  So, I sent Hannah to do that and she learned to tie a tie, much better than I ever could.  Here's a picture, I had to get it while Joe was trying to get away from me and my camera.  He said that he will wear the same outfit when we go to Williamsburg and I can take a picture then. 

Two Awesome Posts!

Visit my friend, Julie, at Winchester Academy and read this post.  It is just what I needed to hear today.  Great reminder that life is a classroom!  My favorite was this--
"Keeping yourself healthy, helping friends, yard work, keeping commitments, praying for the sick, visiting with friends and relatives from out of town. THIS is real life! We're doing it! My kids are basically living the same life as I am (albeit with a slightly different perspective), and I think I'm a relatively productive member of society, so then doesn't it follow that they are prepared to be productive members as well?"  I needed that reminder that my kids are living my life with me daily and seeing and experiencing and learning every day.  I was at a coffee shop today sitting outside and Joe wanted a cup of water and so I sent him in by himself to ask for a cup of water.  He did it, all by himself.  For Joe, this was a big deal.  He's shy, introverted, and full of random fears but he has learned to politely ask for a cup of water.
Julie linked to this post as well and I loved it too.  This one is very meaty and something I could stand to read and re-read daily!  This quote was my favorite from that post--
"Eternity is a whole lot longer than a handful of decades on earth. Prioritize accordingly."
Click, read, and be blessed my peeps!! 

Oh and One More Thing

I am tired of having such high hopes of a good, healthy eating/cooking week when I hit the grocery store on Sunday afternoon and so proceed to buy tons of fresh produce that then rots in the fridge.  Yep, happens all the time.  Thankfully the bunnies like wilted greens and the other rotten veggies add to our ever growing compost pile.

True Confessions

• The dreaded puking plague has finally hit our house--well, not the whole house (yet), but Joe is sick and has been throwing up on and off since about 5:30 this morning.  Here's the thing--I don't do vomit.  So, just when my little guy could probably use some comforting from his momma I won't get near him.  I check on him from afar and yell out encouraging words like, "you're gonna be okay," and stuff like that.  I don't remember the last time I had the puking plague and that's probably because I don't get close enough to be too exposed.  Thankfully he has a really good dad who can handle a little vomit.  
• My house is trashed again.  Seriously.  The  mess drives me crazy but it is so hard to stay on top of it.  After spending two days at Disney I have not had the energy to yell motivate my kids to do their part and I haven't wanted to do my part either.  So, it is a mess.  Stuff everywhere.  I've been on the computer for the last hour wasting time putting off tackling the kitchen so I can cook some dinner.  
• I cannot catch up to save my life.  I'm trying and trying not let it stress me out.  My mantra is that summer is coming and with a couple of months off of school surely I'll get caught up.  For now I am putting out fires--doing whatever is most pressing.  So far, the hall closet that is packed to the gills hasn't made it to the most pressing list yet.  Even though it has become the catchall for anything I don't know what else to do with.  I open the door and stuff falls out.  It's bad.  Dinner is getting made most of the time, dishes being done regularly, the house being maintained as well as a 10 year old, a 9 year old, and a 7 year old can manage, kids being schooled, Disney passes getting used before they expire, ...
•  I've been eating horribly!  I've managed to put back on almost all the weight I lost this time last year.  I learned so much about healthy eating in the last year and I've let it all go out the window in the last couple of months.  I'm frustrated with myself and vow to change....soon, for real.
•  I am pretty sick of the daily grind of school and can't wait to usher in summer time!  I have been so tempted to just slam the books and call it a year but I am pressing on and pressing on and pressing on.  My goal as I've mentioned before is to finish everything we've started this year.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....
• Peace out peeps, I've wasted enough time and made myself feel guilty enough to go tackle that kitchen and make a healthy dinner. 

The Happiest Place on Earth??

We went to Animal Kingdom on Thursday and then Blizzard Beach yesterday.  Back when we used our "Give a Day, Get a Day," pass, the sales clerk talked me into paying just $40 per person and upping our pass to include 3 more days at the theme parks and 4 days at the water parks and/or Disney Quest.  Sounded like an amazing deal, I mean, it costs $40 just to go once to the water parks!  The only hitch is that all of these days need to be used by May 25.  So, we went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot back in February but then got busy and haven't been back.  We now have 4 weeks to use 5 days and so we will be at Disney once a week for the next few weeks.  We knocked out two days this week and I guess I'm getting old because it seriously wore me out!!!  Thursday we went to Animal Kingdom and although I was worn out at the end we had a great day.  Well, the kids had a great day.  You see, I just don't LOVE Disney like so many others out there.  The rides give me a headache and I don't like waiting in line for upwards of 45 minutes which we did twice on Thursday!  We never waited in long lines when we had passes and knew we could just come another day.  This time though we waited 45 minutes for Everest and then Joe chickened out so he and I exited.  We later got a fast pass and he and I both rode and I HATED it.  I had a splitting headache the rest of the day.  Joe didn't like it either so he and I sat out and people watched while the girls went on it two more times in the single rider line.  Then we went and waited almost an hour for the Kali River Rapids.  Hannah was dying to get soaked and didn't, I wore a poncho because I didn't want to get wet and still got pretty wet.  Go figure.  My favorite part was the shows.  We saw "Finding Nemo:  the Musical," and "Festival of the Lion King."  So, we mostly had a good day.  Joe spent some of it complaining which annoyed me and lead to Gracie saying more than once, "isn't this supposed to be a happy place?"  Well, I have to say that for the "Happiest Place on Earth" there sure were a lot of grumps there!  :0)  Since I can no longer write in between my pictures (think I'm going to cancel the cool Amazon thing in hopes of getting my blog back to normal) let me take a minute to explain the stroller picture.  I had to take a picture of the coolest triple stroller I've ever seen.  That third seat just bolts right into the stroller frame.  Pretty cool huh??  The lady who had it has toddler twins and a little baby.  One question-- why the he&* was she at Disney???  On a hot day???
Anyway, yesterday we spent just about 3 hours (just enough time) at Blizzard Beach.  Thankfully, some friends who love waterslides came with us and rode all the big water slides with the girls.  Joe and I did a couple of them but also took time to play in the kid area and do the things in there.  I am so not a fan of water parks but nonetheless I had fun.  I think we'll be back again next week, and the next week...

What I'm Reading

I've got a great stack of books just waiting for me.  Last time I went to the library I spent some time browsing in the new biography and non-fiction section.  Here's what I'm reading (a few I've already finished)...As with so many other areas of my life, my choices are very diverse!

This book looks so good to me.  It's got lots of questions that have been answered by people from all over the world.  Here's some of the questions--What is your earliest memory?, What were your dreams as a child?, What does love mean to you?, Have you suffered from discrimination?, What does God mean to you? and so on.  Each question is answered by 5 to 10 people from all over the world and all walks of life.  I am thinking this is one that I'd like to read with Ollie and even read some of them aloud at the dinner table.  I think it's good to get a global perspective.  You can click on this link to see this book at Amazon.com
6 Billion Others: Portraits of Humanity from Around the World

I used to love to watch Regis and Kathie Lee.  I know this woman has taken a lot of flack over the years but I can't help but like her.  So, when I saw this book I knew I just had to read it.  I have no idea what it's all about, I'll let you know after I read it. 
Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities

The author of this book is an advice columnist and I thought that sounded interesting.  Here's what the first paragraph says, "Millions of Americans know and love Amy Dickinson from reading her syndicated advice column, 'Ask Amy' and and from hearing her wit and wisdom weekly on National Public Radio.  Amy's audience loves her for her honesty, her small-town values, and the fact that her motto is 'I make the mistakes so you don't have to.'  In "The Mighty Queens of Freeville," Amy Dickinson shares those mistakes and her remarkable store.  This is the tale of Amy and her daughter and the people who helped raise them after Amy found herself a reluctant single parent."  This book is just begging to be read, don't you agree?
The Mighty Queens of Freeville: The True Story of a Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them

Okay, I'll admit it, I chose this one because she talks about her a*$ looking big right on the front cover and I just couldn't resist.  The whole title is, "Such a Pretty Fat:  One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her A#$ look Big."  Couldn't resist.
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer

I'm not sure about this one, it's super fat--like 4 inches thick.  A friend recommended it so I will at least give it a shot.  It has something to do with a man born mute who raises dogs.  I'll report back on this one as well.  It will probably be the last one I read though so it may be a while.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (P.S.)

I'm reading this now, I just started it this morning and even with a busy day I may finish it tonight.  It's a super fast read and funny.  It's by a mom of 5 boys and I am thoroughly enjoying her candid look at life as a mom of 5 boys.  She has a blog and I read on there that she just had a baby and it's a girl!!  That little girl will be able to grow up someday and write a book I bet!  Here is the link to her blog--Testosterhome.
How Do You Tuck In a Superhero?: And Other Delightful Mysteries of Raising Boys

This was a good read, long and intense but full of history and information about the Fundamentalist side of Mormonism.  I recommend if you like this sort of thing...
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Hannah just finished this book and she really wants me to read it too.  So, it's on my pile as well.  She loved it and learned a lot about the Civil Rights Movement.  The end was pretty scary for her though but when she finally finished it she said she'd never, ever forget the last line.  If that's not a sign of a good book I don't know what is. 
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry [ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY]

Okay, so that's what I've read, am reading, or am planning on reading in the near future.  If you are interested in any of these books and actually click on the link and actually buy the book from Amazon I get something like 10%.  I've joined "Amazon Associates."  Unfortunately, adding this awesome feature of so easily linking to books and the pictures has caused some upset for me in the way my pictures load.  Not sure if it will be worth it.  I seriously doubt any of you, my loyal readers, will actually buy any of these books.  Especially since you know that I got all of them at the library and you could too!  :0)

What Are Those Pictures Of?

Okay, I am really, really annoyed with blogspot.  For some reason I cannot write in between my pictures anymore...ugh!
Anyway, the pictures in the previous post are from Joe's birthday party, Grace's party, and the Powwow. 

Picture Catch Up Thanks to Amy!