Too Long

So we have had several events happen here in the Party City of San Antonio. Fiesta, Guyapalooza Block Party for Cinco De Mayo, Troy and Carolyn came to visit, Harry crooning to me and Jennifer, Migraine headache injections.....wow busy week.

First Fiesta....so we skipped the little parade down town, and the river parade but made an appearance at the most prestiegous parade event around....The Childrens Center Parade....at the kids school....very cute and they loved it. Reid decorated his float a Sponge Bob Pinata on a skateboard. and Macy well....she was a Dora Princess in her charriot wagon.....

Cinco De Mayo.....Guyapallooza.....was a block party. One of our neighbors Guy is in a church band and decided to play a garage concert as a far-the-well for one of his members....they were FANTASTIC....really they played anything and everything and it was good fun.....then across the cul-de-sac another neighbor bought the fight on pay per view and did a garage style viewing on the his Dawn Arrow Garage-tron....so we had music, a fight, and great neighbors to share it with. I still am questionable on the outcome of the fight I thought Oscar had it.

Troy and Carolyn made it to Texas and we got to visit with them.....you do not realize how much you miss them until you see them. And then that time is clearly too short.....seariously Troy there is a Texas Residency agreement in the works.....expect your copy in the mail. Macy, Dale and Reid talked about them non stop and Macy was LIVID when we had to leave screaming for "MY SAM, I WANT MY SAM," who gave her some ear rings that she carried around all day, so Duke prepare yourself for me to pierce your daughters ears.... its coming!

Monday the boys started gymnastics and they LOVE it....Dale was quickly moved up to the Boys level I class b/c of all his inhearited skill....hand stands + cartwheels + foam pit = JOY. Reid is in his own class now and I think his best little buddy Devin is gonna join him which he is SO excited for.

Tuesday a friend of mine Jennifer and her Hubby Shane joined Duke and I to see....brace yourself HARRY CONNICK JR. and he was great.....very smooth and easy to look at.....ahhh so now I can mark that off my lifetime to-do list.....but would do it again! We ate at Acenar....a great place down town....and the food was the best. Duke said it was one of the best steaks he has ever had....and that is Pretty HUGE since he is a conniseur of Beef.

So Wednesday I finally get to see the Dr for headaches.....current one was 2 weeks old this Thursday. It has been tollerable and sometimes unbearable....and Wednesday was one of the worst days. I went and got 2 Rx's to try and turned down the shot to the hip then b/c adding more pain was not my goal but 5 hours later when the rx's had not touched the pain ...I called crying and was given a shot....got home took some painkillers.....waited 3 hours took more....Duke came got the kids and took them to dinner and strangly my kids liked me miserable b/c I did not care what they ate, did, as long as they were quiet and the lights were out....so I am pretty sure a candy feast was had by all, but I really do not care. I am was bed at 8, Thursday I head to work and am sent home....(LOVE YOU LISA) went back to the dr.....got another shot....went home and slept all day, continued with the 2nd rx and it helped a little and Friday was very tollerable and today has been tollerable....I am a little swimmy in my head and if I move to fast I get dizzy, but that is better than the Ice pick in the brain headache. So I am going to see a neuroligist on Monday so that they can tell me that the squirrel that was running my brain quit and left and all I have are a few flies in there hitting the walls.... and have a pained stomach and backache I think from all the meds in my body b/c that much excedrine migraine and pain killers really can't make a body good.....but can make you feel pretty good....or at least let you sleep in my case.

So that has been the last 2 weeks.....whew....and here is a slide show to catch you up!

Send my check to.....

So a freind of mine sent me a link that to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18466753/ it is about the would be salary of an at home mom about $138,000 and then there was a discussion on and opinion board that was related on What do you think? Are at home mom underappreciated?

UUUUHHH Yes....I am so worth more than that for my family, and if they are sending checks I will accapt one but on the other hand it is a choice Duke and I made for me to be there for the kids. His job is not flexable in the realms of sick kiddos and Dr. visits, he works hard and long hours, and we decided that at least one of us needs to be at the disposal of the kids....we had them so we will raise them. Now don't get me wrong I love a break as much as the next tired mommy and all but it was a choice. Also some of the discriptions listed like laundry machine operator and cook....well yes I do those things but so does everyone, even a single man has to eat and eventually clean some underwear. I also drive a car but am not paid like Jeff Gordon is. I am worth more than a dollar amount to my family, I am the glue that makes it a family and the lubricante that makes it run smooth. Preparing our leaders of tomorrow is a tough job but it is not with out reward. Look at the well adjusted, stable, intelligent kids that mine can occasionally be and there is the pay off of plenty.

Yea on that sentimental note....if my happy, adjusted clan has stinky breath blame Macy. Yesterday afternoon she decided to brush her teeth.....I found her in the kids bathroom....on the counter, and there was tooth paste ALL OVER. The counter, the faucets, the soap dispencer, the mirror, and she had 2 dixie cups half full of tooth paste and head to toe tooth paste all over her... funny that there was NOT A TOOTH BRUSH IN SIGHT, and I thought that was essential for brushing teeth... Huh....so we clean....and clean.....and clean....and now their bathroom is colgate mint fresh, crest bubble gum sweet and crest watermellon wonderful! We then went outside to commiserate with other moms and give the house a break.....and her dress was stiff from all the toothpaste on it! NICE that is so preparing her for the world ahead of her.....somehow....counting b/c she used 3 whole containers!
I also came about 24 hours away from loosing all my frozen goods this week......I noticed on Monday my freezer in the utility room was dripping water a little.....I told the boys DO NOT open that freezer only me....it is not sealing right.....more on tues morning.....and by that afternoon I had a half gallon of ice cream that was really soft. I investigate and the dumb thing was UNPLUGGED. I told Duke this that evening and he said....oh I put the box of dog bones n top of it to keep Macy from feeding the dogs the entire box ,and when I left the room I heard something fall....I didn't see anything though....well what he heard and I found was that a flash light fell behind the freezer it and unplugged it.....all is well and minus the ice cream everything is solid again ....so add appliance repairperson to the list of my jobs too....I am JUST about indispensable.

The Great Daniel Debate and other insights

Sooo the great debate around the Daniel house is build or not to build....that is the question? Do we NEED a new home......or want it......is the novelty of picking what you want worth the price? Is it ok to sacrifice on some stuff for the sake of a great deal? So I think we have determined NO....to buy for the sake of a great deal is not really a reason enough alone. I want my next home to be the forever home.....potentially and I do not want to sacrifice when if I wait a year or 2 I can have that home, Duke is wary of the real estate market and its fluctuations at the moment and we have enough room, are happy, love our neighbors, love the school Dale is in and its proximity, and LOVE the freedom that our current situation allows us financially. So I think we are going to do a few cosmetic changes here and hold out. Rock the fireplace, extend the deck and buy some furniture and a new dish washer and call it good for a bit longer. But then again we change our minds about once a week so we'll see if this sticks....if not, I am gonna shut up about it all and come xmas if you get a card from a different address then we moved if not then we did not!
So I have to give a little insight into one of my last evenings here.....we refilled the sand box with sand.....sooo great....the kids are loving it and Reid says lets make angels and next thing you know all 3 on their backs making sand angels....cute huh....well not really b/c fresh sand STICKS in hair and on skin all too well and we ended up with I think half a pound inside.....so at the point that I am cooking dinner I decide I cannot handle the grit under my feet any more and vaccuum.....I am vaccuuming and the noodles on the stove boil over.....I am vaccuuming and moving a pot, and then around the corner comes Macy.......diaperless and says I poopie in the pottie....and I say then get to the potty....still vaccuuming, stirring, and encouraging the potty usage.....that my friend is MOM talent....so I finished, she pooped and peed, and dinner was all ready by the time I was done. However it was a mute point b/c then we ate and dinner was all over the floor and we started back at the grit underfoot and the cleaning again....oh the excitement of it all!
Actually one exciting thing has been Tad....our newest pet....a tadpole from Bepaws pond. Well he is turning into a frog....has back legs and is growing front legs....it is actually really cool to watch it happen....every morning Macy gets on her stool and proclaims I see him, I see him, he is resting, Broder do you see him?Hes in there.....but the day he hops onto the counter I will pass out but until then Tad is pretty neat.

Sunday yucky Sunday

So what is up with the Texas weather.....cold, hot, windy, and rain all in one day. I think Mother Nature is going thru the change and her hormones are way out of whack! We have had a pretty unproductive couple of days.
I worked all day on Thursday and Friday at the DayCare running the office with a friend and I totally know that a full time job is so not for me. From 8:15 to 7:00 pm is a really long day. Dale was MAD when we drove home on Thursday and I said ok we need to eat shower and get to bed and he said WHAT WE DID NOT GET TO PLAY AT ALL! Only to do it again the next day. I have run the office before and tried to over compensate by having the laundry done by wed, and house clean and you would think that just being here to eat and sleep should not cause too big of a mess.....WRONG I had dishes all over the kitchen, junk on the floor from coming in and dumping it all. It was a disaster on Friday at 7:15 when I got home and seariously we had been in the house walking around for less than 5 hours the last 2 days....SHOCKING.
I got a new phone and I think I might be in over my head a little b/c I can't even figure out how to charge it.....no joke....it is cool though now I can email Duke.....that is when ever I figure out how to charge the phone and then get all his info in there and type and send it.....so at this rate could be by Christmas.
I also failed in coaching this spring. I am going to let the boys quit Baseball. This is gonna seem like a total cop out and it is but I will justify it anyway. The league is really unorganized and I knew this going it but.....non the less. Duke now has a big project that will occupy him every saturday thru the end of May.....so I am solo for every practice and game. Which really means I will not be able to watch/encourage the player b/c I will be watching the other 2. Dale's practice is far away in rush hour traffic (huge Hassel) And finally and most importantly it was more of a battle to get Dale to go with an attitude that did not give me a thoughts of locking him in the car.....and I figure that is not good for any one so maybe next year with a different league. Reid could care less really either way but I am gonna play the sanity card this time and cop out!

Too Long, so much to cover

Well since my last post we have had quite a bit happen and been BUSY. So we'll see if I can get it all in.

The Ankle:

I am recovering and in PT 2 times a week .....kinda think it is worthless but I will be a good paitent. It is still weak and this weekend I have a wedding.....and my tennis shoes are NOT in the wardrobe option....game time decision definatly.

Macy turned 2. We had Grandma and Bepaw, MySam, us and my great neighbor Erin over for cake and gifts. The best was that she was excited by clothes....holding them up and beaming.....oh yes she is all girl. Then she got a baby doll in a car seat she can carry and we were done with gifts. It is hard to open gifts while holding a baby. Her dress was too cute and she matched her cake that was SOO good. All in all a great party. Also her sweet teachers gave her gifts that scream Macy....a pink gingham capri set, and squeaky pink shoes! SOOO GREAT. She is so loved! here are a few pics

Easter also happened and the Bunny came and did he ever deliver. Macy had pink camo eggs, Dale had regular camo eggs and Reid had sports ball eggs. Also balls, clothes, movies, toys and nerf dart guns.....because what is the resurection of Christ without firearms! Yea a little sac-religious but none the less. Macy loved finding the eggs but could have cared less about the candy in them.....but strangley loved the ones with money? Dale also lost his very first tooth and the tooth fairy brought him a 2 dollar bill AND let him keep the tooth, we made a special pillow with a pocket for the teeth. He was very excited to be big enough to loose teeth and Reid keeps saying I lost one too.... So now that the chocolate buss has subsided here are a few pics of the indoor egg hunt since it was 40 outside!

Then after Easter and a fabulous sermon from Emmitt at CBC http://www.communitybible.com/this_week/index.html check it out ....not sure if it is there yet but its is great. Then we went to DISNEY PRINCESSES ON ICE with a freind a her daughter. Macy was sleeping beauty and she loved the show and all her glam. Ear rings, neclaces, wands, toole....and poof... what is not to love! here are some pics of that

and to prove that beauty is fleating here is an after shot

Memo to the Universe

So we are sitting around watching Dancing with the Stars last night and my kids are dancing. Dale is tangoing across the floor arms stretched out, Macy is spinning and bopping in circles and and Reid is flopping on the floor like a mamed fish. Duke says Reid is break dancing and Dale stops and looks at Duke and says "is he gonna break dancing for all of eternity?" Yes.....memo to the Universe dancing has now been Broken and will reamin so for all eternity!

So our little princess turned 2 today.....sniff sniff....where did my baby girl go? I said when she was born if I can get through this next year I can do anything....then when she was 1 I said the same thing....now 2....can I use this phrase for the next 15 years or is that too much? Cupcakes at school and a killer cake this weekend and family coming to celebrate...what more could you ask for.

Ankle update....I went to the Dr at the urging of my neighbors and spouse and it is not broken......I just tore all the ligaments.....and have to start physical therapy....and wear this ugly boot contraption.....and it is BLACk from ankle to toes .....a very becoming look for spring!

Ok well off to the CPA ......Uncle Sam is waiting for us this year I am afraid.....oh well guess I should be happy that I have something to pay taxes on right.

Thats what running gets you!

Ok so after agreeing to work today in the office.....I think I should have re-thought it.... I vow early on in the day to a friend I wanna loose a couple of pounds and find my swim suit body.....Murphy heard this and clearly placed another friend infront of me with in the hour with doughnuts.....I ate them.....they were GOOD. So then a bit later an insurance adjuster shows up to look at a teachers car....I go to find and relieve her, she is at the gym....I RUN to the gym....OK curse 2, Murphy sees this and puts a rock under my foot and I TOTALLY wreck my left ankle. My ankle is the size of a softball, and it hurts so bad....I limp to the gym, relieve her, limp back to the office and finish my time and leave.....stop at CVS buy an inflatable cast and get Dale, come home and duke helps me take off the boots I was wearing and then I had to go register Dale for school at what may be his new school....I want to have him registered at his current and possible schools and see what develops with the house....since they are both tight on enrollement I do not want to miss out later. My 6 yr old is helping me walk.....very sweet but pathetic, I opted to skip the grocery store but was going to use a driving cart and might even do so tomorrow....NICE.....Duke offered to get milk for me, so the kids will not go w/o the essentials.....Chocolate and Strawberry milk. MY highlight is that I went to the jewelers and recieved back my wedding ring, IT IS BY FAR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RING I HAVE EVER SEEN! I called Duke and said I am dying.....he said your ankle.....yea it hurts but I am dying because I got my ring back and it is amazing.....now at home my ankle is throbbing and UGLY but we have tball practice tonight and I should take Dale.....Should ....see my brain has allread made up its mind to NOT go and is quickly convincing the rest of me. It is only Tball RIGHT? uggg....so the ugly day has a great end .....and my kids had good days at school which they normally do but since we are pointing out the good here they have GREAT teachers...Mrs Becky, & Mrs Kathy are hands down the absolute best teachers on the entire planet.....they take such good care of Macy .....really I am so lucky to have that .....and a killer ring....and cool car and cute kids.....and great hubby.....ohh see now I am getting confident.....I guarantee it will be short lived b/c when I am done here I am gonna walk across the kitchen to change Macys diaper....which is poo....MURPHY and I am a gimp.......could be entertaining to watch me try and chase her down.........THATS WHAT RUNNING GETS YOU!

Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Anniversary

Ok so today is 9 years for Duke and I....yea....we have come so far in 9 years, seems so short yet also a lifetime. He is an awesome husband and great daddy and the best friend to have....as it should be. So in nine years we have had 3 kids, 10 vehicles, 4 living spaces, 2 of which we owned, 4 great parents, 3 great brothers and 3 great sister in laws and some awesome nieghbors and stable jobs.....I call it a successful 9 years. So Duke suprised me with an heirloom upgrade to my wedding ring that is gorgeous and Sam got me a watch....that is gorgeous as well. We ate at Red Robin with is very casual but then we are pretty casual people since we ate our wedding night at IHOP at 3 a.m. since we failed to eat at the reception and somehow the to-go noshes did not get to the limo for us. So to keep tradition going we are going to IHOP tonight for dinner with the kids to celebrate our families 9th birthday....which is great b/c they eat really well there.

For spring break I have taken on purging my house so I am on my 3 load to the salvation army....My closets and drawers have never been happier but since all of this is hidden behind doors it looks like nothing has changed....BOO HISS....but man o man we had a bunch of crap and still do but now much less....

So tomorrow we have our television debut....Newmark homes is filming a local commercial and we are going to be in it....in the background at a BBQ and cooking....should be interesting and I will let you know how it goes....Macy will color on a wall, Reid will crack open his head, and Dale will be mad that there is no playstation and I MIGHT be in a corner sucking my thumb....ta ta for now I have to fold clothes in my NON Model home.

Conspiracy Theroy

I think that the Health Care industry has tainted the water in San Antonio this year. Case and Point....my kids....they have been so sick this year.....the flu, strep, strep, the tummy bug, you name it. But I think they get worse when being treated....is that possible. Reid was diagnosed yesterday afternoon at his WELL child physical ....positive for strep.....Macy has it today.....no fevers.....no congestion, Reid, a cough, but Macy, nothing. I guarantee in 3 days they will be snotty and congested....GUARANTEE....happens every time. And not to mention the diareaha that will follow the antibiotics and then as a topper Macy will get a secondary infection from the antibiotics...now this all sounds like a picnic right. At this point we are on toothbrush number well into the teens as I have to buy new ones each time strep enters the house, I personally am keeping oral B in business. Duke just got home so thud ends my pc time.....

Do you know what today is?

Howdy Partners, Happy Birthday Texas, Today March 2, is Texas Independance Day.....YEE HAW.

The ONLY reason I know this is Dale is using up some of his 15 mins of fame on the morning announcements at school today. He has to say the above speal....all but the Happy Bday Texas....his freind Jacob says that. He is a little nervous but he is such a ham I am sure he will be fine. Last night he was tossing a cowboy hat and had a goofy accent and all!

So Duke is pretty recovered from the Deer attack.....a super briused side is all that remains.

So we are in the process of hopefully building a new house.....and a kids room decor magazine came in the mail.....my boys decide to pick their rooms.....and then we decided to draw their rooms. Reid has 3 kitchens, a living room, and a bed the size of a peanut, and cars and trucks everywhere. Dale has a spider bed complete with legs, a dinorsaur on the celing eating another dinosaur with a man running away.....black sheets on the walls draped like a cave, and a special dresser for his Action Figure Club.....yea he has his own club.....how rough is it when you can be booted from a club of plastic guys on the whim of a 6 yr old....and he does kick guys out....they meet in the playroom, on the side of the TV armiore in a small cooler/clubhouse.....well they outgrew the bus they traveled in. So anyway back on point with the rooms and decor.....should be interesting when we get to the point of decorating those rooms in actuality.

We have a BUSY day planned today, we have to vaccuum my car b/c then whole fam-damly is coming this weekend and Brad has yet to drive my H2 and am sure he will .....and can't make him drive it with random goldfish on the floorboard, action figures, cars, and baby dolls roaming around it.....I think it would kill the "I'm a BadAss factor," for him....and I have to replace my Chicken on the front at some teenagers at Target stole my latest one.....926 MMD is their plates.....so if you see them around the Stone Oak area in an old little Ford Bronco.....tell them off for me. I swear I had one on my 2 door Tahoe and on one EVER messed with it......and now on the Hummer this is number 3 in a year.....I guess they are jealous of my quirky sense of humor and just have to copy me.....either that or maybe they just freed it and took it across the road? We also have to hit the Harley Davidson dealer to get Bepaw a gift for his birthday.....I am thinking riding chaps.....NICE and a corvette key chain for the keys. Since he is getting a Harley in place of the vette he wants. And the grocery store....yep that is the day and it sounds SO simple but remember I am taking Reid and Macy.....and if you read the Walmart blog there is no telling how much of an adventure it will become, because Reid loves motorcycles and so he will want one or 10 things there....the store has Candy ..... and I am sure all my HELP I will recieve cleaning the car will be WONDERFUL and so peaceful.....yea right...... Life is a CARNIVAL RIDE here.

7 days

It has been a big 7 days for us. One week ago, we departed to Colorado. AHHH but to simply drive to the airport w/o issue is too easy. 15 mins before we depart there is a scream erupting from the back yard. I bolt out the doorway and find Macy crying and my neighbor crying. Dev my lil neighbor buddy is just saying sorry...sorry....and crying and Macy apparently took a bungee chord to the face and is shaking and screaming being held by both Dale and Reid. All I got was there were some trailers made....where they hook the chord to a car and run around.....so fun, apparently he wanted her car and chord and tried to grab it and she protested, they tugged, he lost grip or gave up and the chord retracted and she took the hook to the bridge of her nose and eyebrow. Just tons of gratitude that it missed the eye here.....love the neighbor Dev, and they are kids, stuff happens, thank goodness my kids have fantastic guardian angels working overtime, Grandpa Butch, and all their Great Grandparents in Heaven....Thank You for them, I know they help keep my kids safe. So anywhy I walk Devin home and his mom dies a thousand deaths at the sight of Macy....and Devin is sent inside and crushed. We toss everyone in the car and hit the road, at the airport we get to our gate and I feel as though everyone is learing at me and my beat up kid....at the gate we ate some food, and I notice Macy has bood draining from her tear duct.....yikes I freak a little and try to call the Dr. it is 5:15 and they are closed. I call dial a nurse.....and she says she needs to go to the emergency room.....WHAT.....I explain I am at the airport waiting to board a plane. Ok so now I have the Airport EMS crew in route to examin my munchkin. They are VERY nice and look and find nothing obvious that would require transportation to a local ER.....I thank them, we board the plane and thankfully the remainder of the trip to Colorado is eventless, the car is easy to get, has 2 booster seats built in and off we go.
The condo is amazing, and huge, we have the ski lifts out our windows, we have a run 10 feet from a door leading into our complex, our balcony is slopeside, looking over the run 10 feet from a door....so great and there was a race that weekend and on Saturday night they had fireworks on the mountain top that looked like they were set up just for us with the view we had!
Thursday we get everyone into Ski school and Daycare, check in, get groceries.....
Friday we all ski.....weather is great, mountian is beautiful.
Saturday we go to ski and Duke is basically paralized from the boots down. He hurt his foot and is in PAIN and for Duke to admit pain is HUGE, so I know he hurts. We ski a run or 2 and do what is necesssary to ski to the condo and get him out of boots. At this point he is ready to never ski again and he agreed to snow board lessons the next day. So I set up private lessons and am PUMPED Up.
So on Sunday we get everyone to lessons and daycare and we meet Pete our private instructor from across the pond. Not to brag but I pick it up fast, Duke does not. Pete is showering me with compliments.....I have never had a person pick up this quick.....bragging to other instructors in the lift line, and Duke is sitting on the run on his butt because he requested we do a lap and catch him on the next run. So I pass him and Pete guides him down the slope. He rides up and requests that again do another lap, help Susan ...she obviously is getting more out of this than me. SO we did another lap and both say where is he.....he is at the TOP of the run.....in the snow....where we left him.... growing roots. He decides to walk to the other lift, ride it down and call it a day. Pete and I continue and go on to do runs that he claims he had never taken a beginner on.....says I am at a level way beyond beginner, linking turns, no balance issues....my favorite trick had to be a back roll to stand up....so cool and yet soo easy. So I board the entire morning with Pete, and go join Duke for lunch. The elevator was out so I marched up 7 flights of stairs in board boots to our condo....the first 4 were ok the last 3 kinda brutal. I get to the condo and Duke is walking like the hunch back....he hurt his neck on one of his unintended flips backward and nailed his head and jared his neck. We relax and then go get the kids.
Both boys progressed each day to a higher level, Reid is now skiing down the mountain unassisted, and is so excied to ride the snowmobile train to the top of the runs as they are LIFTLESS at 3-4 yrs in ski school, but he got it and loved it. Dale is amazing. Little man skiied a black on Sunday. Duke asked if the bumps were as big as him and he said No daddy they were as big as YOU. He uses poles now, he has no fear, total control.....AMAZING to watch.
All day Sunday and Monday it snowed HARD....so the drive to Denver on Monday was a little iffy, but again the guardian angels placed a show plow right infront of us all the drive up the pass to the top, I was very grateful and put at ease. We arrived at the airport without issue. Arrived home again w/o issue and made it to regular life again Tuesday. I have a few pics.....but forgot my camera so had to buy disposable and wait for the development......


Tuesday is my Dads 65th Birthday....so happy Bday BEPAW we love you! We call and left the best message in song and all the kids saying I love you Bepaw....awe


Tuesday NIGHT 7:15 I hear Duke arrive home and is BEATING on the door...oops I gave his key to the neighbor to feed the dogs...and they did a great job.....but I failed to get it back.....and I am upstairs bathing the kids.....so as a horrible parent I sprint downstairs and fling open the door and sprint back up to my unattended kids in the tub....no issues there, but Duke walks upstairs and says I have Blog worthy event for you.....I got attacked by a deer. His fore arm is the size of a softaball. Ok he has very muscular fore arms....and there is a half of a softball buldging from below the inside elbow.....and his side is cut and wounded. He starts the story two times only to stop and go get ice and rest. I have to get the kids out of the tub, dry and lotioned up and takea phone call from my brother and finally get to Duke who is laying in a chair downstairs with ice on his arm.....and shirt covered in Buck hair. Only Duke would get attacked by a Deer....but it was a humanatarian effort. Apparently upon leaving a subdivision last night he saw a deer avoid a car and get spooked and try to jump a fence. It failed to clear the fence and was punctured by a post that hung it up infront of its hide leg just behind the belly....so two feet and head on one side.....6 ft fence/ inserted pole and 2 feet on other side. It was making unimaginable noises and Duke and the driver of the other car that spooked it got out and walked over to the buck. Duke reached through the fence grabbed its head and body and lifted as he was stronger than the other guy and the other guy was pulling up from the top of the fence to free the leg.....well it worked and the deer was free....but it wanted gone and fast and in its atempt to run it pushed off of Duke....he being the only solid object it was in contact with....and kicked him in the arm and the side and ran away. So we think he is unbroken....arm is better today just real stiff and side is just SUPER tender but avoided the ribs.....he has promised to go to the Dr if it continues to hurt real badly.......WOW attacked by a DEER...only my hubby.....in a humanitarian effort....what a great guy. Yea he will milk it and yea I will laugh at him....but hopefully the Buck is fine and has a great story to tell his kid and wife.

Things that are good to know.

This morning was very educational for me.
Macy ran in and said "I tee tee" of course she is diaperless, so I investigate and WOW she apparetly took off the diaper, squated peed and pooped right in front of the fireplace. Lessons learned.....even if you think those pants are too hard to get off.....the're not, toddlers are FAST and can strip and poop in the time it takes to make microwave pancakes. Dark carpet is the only carpet to have.
We treck off to the Donation station to empty the back of my truck that is filled with clothes and items we do not use...there is peace in the car, we get to Walmart the next stop....still peace, get into a cart....WHAT PEACE? fighting, crying....pinching, hitting. Lesson learned grocery store carts invoke the evil in kids.
So walmart is giving itself a face lift....so NOTHING is where it was and all is a huge mess....I finally get the stuff and at this point Reid and Macy are walking with me and Macy insists to only wear tights no shoes....at least the feet are covered. Lesson : to be a grocery store trash baby the feet are bare... we had tights
They have new self check out.....no line....ok we will try it. BAD CHOICE with kids, Reid wants to ring up stuff, can't see the bar codes or scanner, and likes to make it beep so I now have multiple items rung up and no multiples of that item....we decide that is MOMMYS job, he can help by handing me items. Macy is a the candy stand grabbing all she can, Reid is trying to wrangle her, I decide OK everyone in the cart in belts....AGONY for all involved arching of the back...NO BUCKLE....CANDY!yells Macy, I WAS GOOD screams Reid through the tears.....I go back to checking out.....Macy escapes and is back at the candy.....Lesson : Dang they are SMART and Fast and determined. Reid says Mommy can I get her......I see the bottom of the cart and say yea you can try. He goes to wrangle all I have are Banannas left....AAAHHH SHE BIT ME. I return to the scene....yep a bite to the knee....and she is at the Candy Again....I go and pry the sweets out of her hands and say girls who bite do not get candy. I hold her to finish and there is no scale....what are you kidding.....so I lifted the banannas. I put them in the cart, paid and left. I figured I paid extra for a couple things and that covers the banannas. I can sleep tonight....and Lessons : Self Check out should be called W/o toddler checkout, and Skip a store when they are doing a face lift!

So I still have to go to Target to get a hoodie for Dale and hopefully a turtle neck for skiing...I wonder what I will learn there today afterschool with all 3 kids......

Tragedy

So yesterday will be a valentines day to remember....Duke comes home we have a heart cake for him, we eat dinner, Duke then walks around the kitchen and spells B I N G O D I E D......F L U S H ? No! I said that I think will be worse every time they go to the bathroom to recall that....burry it. So we sit the boys down and say we have some bad news, Bingo died and is in heaven now. What are you sure they ask, how do you know. Because he is not swimming and will not move if you touch him. So then we have to poke Bingo and prove he is dead. Dale sits for a moment and says He was a good fish..... I need to tell Troy. Troy gave the fish to Dale for his 2nd Birthday, 4 years for a Beta is pretty good. We call Troy and Dale says Uncle Troy I have some bad news.....the fish you got me .....Bingo...he died. Troys response was that is too bad, well he was a good fish right, Dale then says he was really old too. So we decide to bury him in the front yard is best and used a Sweettart box as a casket, as well as a ziploc bag. Dale is going to draw him a picture and we are going to sing B-I-N-G-O at his burial service on Saturday, and Dale is going to tell us how good of a fish he was. Hey we do top notch services here....now if Reid had his way we would probaly sell him in a garage sale.....

Update on the Plague that has hit.....we still have 3 fevers....and nasty coughs and apparently Tamu-flu tastes gross b/c both boys gag when they take it.

There coming to take me away HA HA HE HE HO HO....

To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and no sick kids ah the HAPPY HOME. So we go to the Dr and Macy has strep throat, and the boys have the FLU! Yuck and best part is that the boys can catch strep throat too....so if they get better and then worse ...bring them back. Dale was CRUSHED to figure out this means no Valentine party, he started crying in the examnation room, and continued through the drive home, paused for lunch from Wendys, and is still bummed. I feel so bad for him, he worked really hard on his valentines for his class...oh well it is what it is.
On a good note Dale has outgrown so many pairs of his pants....like overnight....YEA he is very excited.

So much for healthy!

Last night I woke up and had a feeling that told me go check on the kids.....yea I' m psychic nah just mommy intuition. I go to cover Dale and he says no I am hot....is the night over YET....I can not sleep. I feel his head and he is on FIRE. I get him some motrin, and a cold rag for his head and he pleads for me to turn the bathroom light off b/c his head hurts. OK this is my som who is afraid of the dark, wants numerous night lights on. So I make it dark and check on him 30 mins later and he is sleeping and felt cooler. Macy woke up at 5:45 a.m., which may not seem really early to anyone but WOW it is to me. I think from 4:30 until the very last second in your bed before you finally submit to getting up counts triple time in minuites. And I can prove it....because I am much happier when I get to consume those triple min's rather than sit in glider and "rest" and rock a toddler who is giddy and SO excited by the lion on my t-shirt. Yion (Lion) .....pitty(pretty)...yion....rar(roar)....Mommy nite nite.....kiet( quiet).....SHHHH( I am being spit on at this point) Yion....pitty.....Mommy Yion....Mommy....Mommy....(poking my eyes) Mommy upy. YEP MOMMY UPPY....
Ok so I conseed and we get up. Reid then wakes up at 6:30 and has sore throat and we discover a fever as well, and Macy insits that I take her temperature too....so I do; and it is low grade and only a matter of time before she has what the boys already have. So we are all home and calling to get in to the Dr. , calling at 8 am to the pediatrician is like calling to win 10 grand on the radio.....POINTLESS but you keep trying and are so excited to get the ring, the answer and the PLEASE HOLD and wait for forever...."you want in today?" "Yes"..."ok please hold"....no i just wanted wanted to wish you GOOD MORNING....DUH. Ok good we got in at 10:50 .....I guess is strep.....all 3 have a cough, Macy has boogers that make you think she has the sinus cavity of I dunno a mucus monster.
The BAD part is that they all have valentine parties tomorrow....and will all have to miss them if they are contagious and are with a fever for 24 hours....BUMMER Reid and Macy not so bad but Dale will be sad....they all worked so hard on their valentines for their classmates and containers to hold them, and I am room mom so I am supposed to help and kinda can't with sickies....oh well better to be just sick than something worse.

Check out my Slide Show!

Funnies

Ok so we went to Alabama and it was a LONG ride there and home.....16 hrs each way to be more exact....yikes that is crazy stuff. The kids were troopers and did great, Brad pinned on Major and we saw the base and toured a C130 and then saw my birth house....kinda anti climatic but cool. Played a really cold round of golf, sat in the hot tub, socialized and hit the road home. Ok the funnies
#1.
Today Macy ran in the kitchen with one sock pulled up to her knee, a t-shirt....and thats is hollers I NAKED, laughs and runs off. I chase her down and re-diaper....off it comes immediatly, this happens 3 or 4 times and then Reid who is in a Dinosaur costume brings Macy a Scooby Doo costume so we put it on and they wear those all morning, Reid changes to a Power Ranger outfit that he insists he naps in....whatever, so then we get Dale and Reid is still in costume and he is in heaven with all the attention.
#2
Tonight at dinner Dale remarks no one can be 100.
Yes they can Dale.....lots of people are
Yea in heaven.....
No some here on earth too, it is just really old and kinda rare
Like great Grandpa Don
Yea he is old, but not 100
Reid says he should go in a garage sale b/c he is really old.
Well not sure I want Reid securing my retirement future...I might be sold for a dollar or just dumped at the donation station late one afternoon!
#3
Again at dinner Reid says what happened to the other guy we know who was old
uuuuhhhh who?
Don, and Grandpa Butch and the other Grandpa Butch who we sold to the monkeys?
We sold someone to the monkeys
yea that guy and the monkeys....what happened to him?
I have no idea Reid....no idea at all
So if you know someone tell me, because I am CLUELESS.
#4
Outside today Reid screamed something and Macy said before I could....Whats the problem brother? As she walked inside.....Classic the 22 month old to the rescue.
#5
Dale and Reid were wrestling and Reid trips and falls....and cries and runs to me for sympathy, and Dale screams ITS ALL FUN AND GAMES UNITL SOMEONE GETS HURT! so true so true

BB and BB Ball

Last saturday as we ran around Duke said " I was offered Rodeo Gala tickets, but I turned them down" "WHAT, WHY?" "They are for tonight, I did not think we could get a sitter that quick" "Yea I could....I could have tried, Never say no, if we can't use them maybe someone else can!"

So on Tuesday, after I spent all afternoon in the JP Court office, with my phone off as per one of the court rules, getting my speeding ticket paid and dropped....I had 8 calls from Duke. I call back and he says "you wanna see BB King?" "who" "BB KING" "No not really" "Great I get in trouble for saying no and now I am introuble for saying Yes, my Mom is driving down with tickets." "What?" So he explains Sams boss had tickets, can't use them , gave them to Sam b/c he knew she had family in SA and she was driving down to keep the kids. So we tried several people to join us and none could make it, so Duke and I went. It was really good, the tickets were great seats in the 2nd row, it was sold out, a comedian opened and he was REALLY funny and BB was great too.....81 and entertaining for 60 years! His band was amazing and so talanted, I wished my Dad could have come b/c he would have really enjoyed the playing as a music muse. BB is very funny, and has somewhat of a strange following, but we enjoyed it.

Then on Thusday we took the kids to the AT&T center to see the Harlem Globetrotters and had first row tickets. I was a little peeved that our first row tickets were actually the 2nd row, yea someone explain that to me.....and it was not to press it, they were spectators in a row of chairs exactly like ours? But it was great and funny and we all had outfits to wear in red, white, and blue and the kids looked super cute. We got an autograph from a player too. Macy fell through the folding seat, ripped out her hair and bow, took off her socks and shoes, and for a little while looked like frankenstien. Dale spilled the popcorn and he and Reid argued over the sprite and ate a bag of gummy bears, Macy just stuck hers to everything. They were very good and the playing was funny and we all had a good time.

So now that it is Saturday, I feel like we have had a full weekend allready, but it has just begun. Me, Reid, Macy and my folks are going to Albama next week to see my Dad pin on Major to my brother in the USAF. Dale and Duke are going to stay here and go to the movies, gattis, rent some new playstation games...Dale is so excited now he keeps asking when we leave so they can start doing that stuff. So much for him being bummed, that is good though and Duke is happy to have someone stay with him.

ok here are a few globetrotter shots.....

New Mantra

So what is worse than being house bound for 3 days due to ice and snow? Being house bound for another 3 days right after the aforementioned ice days with 3 kids with Strep Throat!
Yep all 3...well turned out Dales knee is not staph it is Strep....and when Macy busted out in a rash and refused to sleep one night, I took her to the pediatrician the next day and kinda felt like an over-reactive parent. Minor rash, but no itching, no fever, no real fussing, no couch or congestion...but did it anyway and sure enough, Strep.....and then picked up Reid from preschool and his teacher said "he said his throat hurts" "well if course it does b/c he has Strep!" It is a good thing I know the teachers well and better that the high ups in the preschool find me somewhat desirable as a staff member and have a sense of humor. So with a RX for all 3 we are now stuck here at home for the next 48 hrs....and then guess what.....the weather for Tuesday is sleet, rain, ice and freezing temps....so if we tack on another house bound scenario to the plot they had better start putting Prozac in the water....or at least mine. I remember as a kid being SO excited for bad weather days and thinking WHY is my mom sighing and have that look of agony on her face....now I know. All in all I will take my lumps and be thankful that at least it will all be done in one swoop and that I have the means to give them Dr. care and medicine to fix it. yea...keep saying that...it could be worse.....it could be worse....new mantra!

Ice Ice Baby

So the ice is finally melting and my hopes of my truck defrosting itself did not happen so I turned it on and let it run for almost 2 hours. I got the windows and rear but the hood still has an inch of ice on it as well as the roof. Talk about an ugly picture today. My Mountain Laurel and Oleanders may never be the same again. Well here is to a bunch of soggy days ahead. I wish we had a truck that could gather all the water and go dump it in the aquaifer to fill it up so we will have plenty of water this summer. Anyway we got the truck cleaned, and the driveway and steps walkable minus the Mountain Laurel laying on the steps and walk.

Any how here are a few more pictures and one of the kids bundeled up watching tv....a once in a lifetime shot or at least once a season. The funny part was that I snapped 3 shots and then when I got them to the computer noticed Macy has her finger in her nose in half of them.....NICE.

Macy Mc Marshmellow

Here are a couple of pics of our winter weather play. I guess it is a good thing I bought our ski stuff early....it came in handy today.

Dales Realization

Yesterday Dale told Duke durring lunch. Daddy I think I love Star Wars too much. I love the movies, games, action figures, ships, tshirts, pants, the plates, cups, bowls...., I think I love it too much. Ahh smart are you young Jedi to know the temptations of the dark side.

So it is icy rainy and yucky here today and schools are closed as well as roads and offices. And Duke went in to work....partially b/c he had some stuff to do but I think mostly b/c he is Duke and has to see what is happening and test his driving skills. So he made it to his office which is only 2 miles away so that is good but still a little crazy in my mind.

Well my kids are starting to make their own fun...which is usually not a good thing so I need to investigate.

BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE

Wow so winter has arrived for the next couple of days here in San Anton.....and it is COLD and yucky. I know for my Northern relatives that 32 is just freezing and compared to their temperatures pretty warm but for us it is a reason to close up shop, cancel appointments and watch the fire burn. So my kids have cabin fever like crazy, and are jumping all over the place. We busted out the legos today to give a new activity, and have done playdo, and next I am giving into the playstation. The worst is the dogs DO NOT want to go out to go to the restroom so I have to take them......yea so much fun but better than the alternative.














I have to include at several friends request my thoughts on my Scooba...the robotic floor mop. So senior scrubito is pretty great. I mean really anything that will clean my floor without me actually doing it is pretty wonderful. It does clean and actually makes several passes over each area. However my floor is not the ideal test area I am sure. I on regular occasion have to scrub and pick at the mystery sticky spot to get it clean. I am not a slob, I just have 3 kids and 2 dogs and a husband that has a Huge Pig Pen gene. So at any given time I have dog hair, mud, sand, food, spilled milk, juice, legos, playdo, crayons.....really this could go on and on. So to let Senior Scrubito loose is really like sending him into battle with a toy gun. But with all of that it does a good job and is better than not moping at all for sure. It however is not as good as moping yourself, as it cannot pick at the sticky spots, and bust out a knife when needed. So it is ideal for the day to day clean but you need to do the real cleaning some too. Which in my mind is fine....it mops 3 times and I do 1, I am good for that. Plus I find when Senior Scrubito mops and the kids spill, I do not care as much since I did not invest the time and energy in the cleaning....which is good for all involved.


On another note we have the BEST dog in the world. Annie asside from protecting all the kids from the day they came home from the hospital, to sleeping in the boys room at the end of the beds, cleaning up what falls from the table...but never begging just accepting what is dropped sometimes intentionally sometimes accidentially. She allows the kids to sit on her and play with her. The best was the other day when Macy put Annie nite nite, and she laid there for the patting and all....that is a GOOD DOG. Here is the proof.

Finally here is Reid and his busted lip....not too bad looking but the inside was the ugly part thankfully!

Murphy is mad

Well I must have upset Murphy and his law b/c after all too many months with nothing happening with Doctors we are back to fullfilling our copay. Reids visit to the Urgent Care Clinic last Friday, Dale to the Ped. today and Duke has a colonoscopy scheduled for Feb.

I covered Reids drama and he is Fine and dandy and back to Reid and was that night. Dale has had a couple wounds on his knee and I found them after they had sat for a couple days unnoticed. They were super UGLY....filled with puss and yucky well after several days of "operating" as Dale calls it his left knee looked fair. But 2 days ago at the bath I saw the other leg that he had not hurt at all and mysteriously there was a sore there...and last night it was UGLY so we operated and left it at that. Today at breakfast I noticed a little sore on his wrist too but it looked kinda exzema-ish. I got a call from the school nurse saying that he was sent by his teacher to have her look at it after Dale was showing off his war wounds in class. They suggested to have it checked by a Dr. which I felt was necessary as well and as in the process of getting a dermatologist refreall from the pedatrician....so I called and we got in late this morning and he has a MRSA Staph Infection...which apparently is the kind resistant to meds so he is on a super yucky one 3 times a day and they drained one sore and sent it off to the lab and results are to come soon. Initially, I thought go figures and then remembered that people have died from Staph infections and although I do not think it is that severe hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Dukes procedure was actually his 35th Birthday gift that he never accepted and now has no other choice but to get it. As much as he does NOT want it I want to make sure he is around long enough to bug me until we are really really old and synical.

Ok I just have to share that right now Reid is Chasing Macy who has a pillow in her mouth and is laughing so hard that she can hardly breath. And I have Star Wars III on for Dale and I think it is so loud that the neighbors can appreciate every battle too....MY Vida Loca....or as Dale calls it my visa loga.

Happy Birthday Reid-o

So Reid had his Birthday today at Lifetime Fitness for a Swimming Party and it was GREAT! They swam for an hour and then had pizza and cake and then we opened gifts and hit the road. The kids loved swimming and they closed the pool just for us. But Duke pointed out later...That is why you paid for it. But the cost was not outlandish....not cheap but hey it is a pool party and pizza, staff and facility. He invited a few friends and Devin, Brewster, Partick, and Ethan came and Dale invited Jacob his little buddy and it was a good time. The weather outside was UGLY but the indoor pool felt wonderful and the staff did a good job entertaining the kids.

Yesterday we had a little bit of a scare. Reid fell off the curb....sounds innocent enough and bit the street....or at least tried b/c he bit thru his lip! Lots of blood, and a scared kid we trucked off to the Urgent Care Clinic just to make sure no stitches were needed and the Dr. said we can if you want to minimize scarring but would only need one and it would be cosmetic since no muscle was involved....so instead of torturing him with numbing shots and a stitch we said decided for a character buiding scar that will be on the inside of his mouth. Then headed back home to show it off and run around a little bit more. So all is well.

We have tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters at the end of Jan and I am obsessed with getting gear for it....not real sure why but I want the head bands and jerseys ...yea get a hobby Susan but I am a dork and we have 1st row tickets and I really want to get Dale and Reid on the court! yea I am a DORK I KNOW THIS....so if you have any idea lemme know.

Happy New Year and Stuff

Ok well Christmas was great....I got what I wanted and one of those things were my UGGS. Yea the uber trendy ugly boots.....well after 2 returns I give up. The first pair were too big and the second are too narrow...and my main interest for them is that the new ones have an interchangable insole....b/c you wear them barefoot and they get PRETTY funky and the classic ones do not have this option, and $130 for a pair of boots for one season of wear is unstomachable. So I am boot hunting and looked at like 1500 boots on Zappos today and found 2 pairs I like so apparetly I am picky when I thought I was not.






In other happenings we attended my neighbors new years party and I hit RARE form. All accounts are that I was VERY happy, and giddy, not crude, but definatly TOASTED. I did a little hair dressing on Elena....my very forgiving neighbor b/c I spilled a drink on her too. I assulted Erin to get up and re-join the party. I also invited a friend and her spouse and kids. I know Jennifer pretty well, but not her spouse and I think I scared him. Duke said he has not ever seen me like that. Then at home when Duke found me....I was marvel of Science....the 9th wonder of the porcelian world. Man o man I recall none of it, Duke recalls ALL of it and was much more active in my getting changed, showered, clean, dry and into bed than most men would hope to be...he contemplated shaving my head bald rather than having to clean my hair. I have to say not one of my finer nights but so so so SO glad that Duke got the worst part of it, b/c I think most of my freinds would have bailed or attacked with Sharpie pens. So the next day was AWFUL .....never had a hang over really but had one then and it lasted until 9 pm that night. Duke again got all star status for tending the kids and letting me re-coup, so my turn is over and I pass the shot glass to someone else.






So anyway 2007 made it here and here is to a great year. My resolutions.....are to hhuummm, enjoy more, spend less, express love more, find more routine. Yea those will do. Reid has his 4th Birthday this Saturday and WOW hard to believe I have a 6, 4 and almost 2 year old. That is NUTS. Dale came home with GT testing paper work today from school, he OBVIOUSLY gets his smarts from his Daddy. Reid now can play the playstation and gets the concept, and Macy well is still my Monsoon but she is a gabby little lady and not a baby anymore. Ok enough mush but here is to a GREAT YEAR. Ok I will attach a few new years photos. BUT NO VIDEO.




Not too bad .....

HMM Asulting Erin in her bed....questionable at best

This can not be good....but in my defense GUY is pouring the shots!

The Christmas Extravaganza

Wow well Santa made it to our home.....a few times. We celebrated the Eychner Family at Disney in early December and that was great. The on the 23rd Troy and Carolyn and Moma Sam came down bearing gifts. It is a good thing Carolyn is tiny b/c I think she had all of 1 sq foot of seat to sit in.....searioulsy! So many great gifts, but the family time was the best. My folks came down Saturday night and I actually cooked some stuff and we had HoneyBaked Ham, thanks Sam, cheese potatoes, stuffing, apple banana salad, green beans, rolls.....Oh it was yummy an eating frenzy. We then played a game of Scene It and Troy and Carolyn kicked our tails, and Dale played Taboo, he thought he was awesome at the game and he kinda was. The boys got a Basketball goal, video games, cars, trucks, guns, some awesome cookie cutters, and sooo much more. Macy got a doll buggy and babys and clothes, and a grill and food. So in short the Christmas quota had already been exceeded. So we have to say fare-the-well to the Troy Daniels and Moma Sam.

So on Sunday we made Reindeer food and used confetti this time and I hear the crew loved it. Made Santa some cookies and read a few books and put the crew to bed and then Santa came sometime that night and left.......a play room of toys. Guns, Cars, dolls, mixer, blender, toaster for Macy, Leapster L max, and games, leapster tv, plus Dale got his Heelies, shoes with a skate in the heel, Reid got his bb gun, pretend one, Macy got a pink retro kitchen, I got my uggs, scooba, and digital picture frame, and Duke got boots and a jacket and some misc stuff. Santa was very generous to us and also Duke bought the boys a 50 cc mini dirt bike that is soo cute. So we have to grab some training wheels for it and we will test it out then. Reid loves it and sat on it most of the day, as well as Macy. Dale was a mute and played the leapster all daylong.
That evening we went to a neighbors for a bit and then came home to rest up.
Now post Chirstmas 2 days and I need to take down stuff and need motivation, but it will come soon I am sure.

Ok well funny thing last night as I put Macy to bed and she resisted....while rocking she says "I cute" "I cute"......we have not gotten the tenses right, she says Hode you, for, hold me and, I turn, for ,My turn, and now I cute.....and yes she is just not at 930 when I want to be finishing up my stuff to get to bed!

Jingle bells Macy's diaper smells..

Jingle bells, Reid just fell, Macy's diaper smells like rotten eggs, her babies are nite nite and Dale is in a playstation fight, and Duke And I might run away YEA!

Christmas Break is here so that means Dale wants to play Playstation 24-7....the other day when I had maids come clean and they cleaned around him like he was a lamp....he never moved, and was oblivious that they were cleaning. Well because on a regular day I guess I let random people in to move my stuff...crazy. So I am limiting his Screen Time...that being Playstation, Computer, TV anything with a screen...but man it is hard b/c it is the best at occupying him.

I used up a portion of my genius brain and have the best kitchen tool now.....I had my secret Santa give me a UT door tag like the clean this room/ privacy please ones at hotels....well I cut the hook off and it is my counter scraper for all the crumbs, and food bits left behind by my 3 monkeys....ok and me too but it works great. Not totally my idea they do it in nice restaurants but I don't go to those so much now....wonder why? But I bet it would work good a pre-school too to clean up rice and mooshed beans...anyway I digress my brain is overworked today, I woke up and remembered where I was so that was my quota for the day the rest is steam and smoke.

I can not get Reid to eat here lately....this is the 3rd day and he has been sitting at the table for an hour now...not eating...and I made him what he wanted....maybe he is sick? Maybe he is just being 3 1/2.

We were sitting out front today and Erin, Todd and I were being mischievous...imagine that...and we did a little holiday decorating I will not divulge what was done but I must say it was beautiful...and the longer it lasts it gets even better. So I now will have to inspect my house daily to make sure I am safe...but all is in fun. I think Erin and I were ment to be friends b/c she so gets me...and that is so scary and viesa-versa.

I am cooking dinner on Saturday night and as of yet the delivery of cooked food is not here...SANTA get a move on PLEASE. I have no idea what to cook...Sam is bringing a HoneyBaked Ham..YUMMY, and I was going to make cheese potatoes alla Penny and Brenda...So good, and then maybe green beans and potatoes for Sam and Duke and rolls and what else....I can feel the smoke in my head so I have to stop there...

and I will say this once and that is all but I THINK Duke might have been right that I overdid christmas. I put all the gifts in one spot....and I started shopping months ago so I forgot a bunch of stuff and WOW I stood in shock for like 5 min's thinking that is a bunch of stuff...yikes do I give it all or return some? I have Reid covered for his Birthday already too...

Christmas 101

I am so excited for Christmas! My house is all filled with Santas and Snowmen and everything that screams Christmas. Duke keeps telling me I am doing too much....But really can you overdo spirit, and expression of Joy ....I think NOT.

I had my girls night party last night to celebrate the ending of the Daycare case and we had a great time...played some aggressive spoons, and good company mixed with a few apple martinis...good stuff. Plus my Fantastic husband took all the kids to Kerrville to spend the night so that we could let loose, and we DID! GOOD TIMES

SANTA Claus was watching us at Reids program last week, the school had Santa visit and Reid gave santa "5" to get a candy cane and told him what he would like...but no knee sit.....Dale pretty much ran up and jumped on his lap, gave him the rundown of requests and Macy did a monkey grip on Duke and hid her head....so no Santa for her this year. Dale asked is that Mr. Juan...and it was but we said No it is SANTA...he said No I think it is Mr Juan.

Well not too much else is new a the moment, all is well and healthy at present, but I have to share that Duke and Dale are Playstation JUNKIES...we ended up with 4 new games after disney and that is all they do....plus they argue with each other like they are the same age...Why did you kill me, come over here, why did you do that? But it is so great that they like to play together...did I say like I meant LOVE to. I am hoping that this will benefit us later on when Dale has killer hand eye coordination and can do laproscopic surgeries! hey we can all dream right!

Florida Pictures

here are a few
pictures from the trip

The BEST Vacation EVER

This is going to be a long post. So here goes, we fly to Orlando. Sitting at the airport the boys are running and playing burning off energy. Macy wants to run too in her mind she is 4...So she runs and MIS judges a marble post 2 feet wide and nails it with her head. Up comes a stewardess with ice, thanks we say and ice the boo boo, Dale does a cartwheel as we are talking....Reid does a face-wheel...yep mid sentence with the stewardess he fails to use his hands on the cartwheel and dives right on his face....Carpet burn and little scratch and Macys ice....At least we had witnesses that it was all self inflicted! On the flight there we hit a little bit of turbulence, and Reid got scared and said "why is it so bumpy? Can I sit with Daddy, is it bumpy on his side? And oddly enough it was not bumpy on Daddys side...good to know. We landed and Dale said I want to live in Disney, all I need is a Playstation....and Money, and a bed, and house....So we land and get the Mini Van and Reid was conserned that we sold the Hummer and was not too happy with that idea but once that was cleared up liked the van. Can't believe I will admit to this but it was a NICE van, Toyota Sienna with automatic doors...really very nice. I still want my Hummer but very nice. All the family arrived safely and we were off. Sam was our jet setter coning from India, and them leaving for Dublin afterwards and us taking her Disney bag with us.
Sunday
We hit Universal and Adventure Island, and ate at the NBA resteraunt. Brad offered to make Reid a hat on the way in......his logic was that this would save some of his energy for later in the day...Brad does not have kids yet, and ok in theory but not so much in reality .....so Reid was a hat all week. Scott and Brad used my kids to take a picture with 2 girls from the Fantastic Four, so they were not creepy old men, just willing uncles. We rode tons of rides, Men in Black was great as well as The Hulk, The Mummy, and Spiderman Rocked. when Dale rode Jaws he was screaming "We're gonn DIE....We're gonna die! and he ment it and was terrified, he was on the outside next to the water....HILARIOUS, also did Jimmy Neutron and Dale wanted to do it over and over. Reid loved Seuss's Landing and rode all the rides in there with Dale and the Sneeches ride was apparently "made for me" quoting Dale b/c he was tall enough to ride. Sams best ride of the day was with Macy in the stroller, since she insisted on being held and Moma Sam was worn out so she sat on her lap and was pushed....all was well. We all learned a new song....a marketing strategy so slick...The Pizza Hut...Kentucky fried chicken and Mc Donalds....I will try to attach a video here...CLASSIC and we sang it ALL WEEK
MONDAY
We went to Animal Kingdom, and ate Breakfast with Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. They sang Happy Birthday to Dale. Reid took pictures with the characters and Macy does NOT like them. Saw a tuft of the lions mane on the Jungle Trek, but the giraffe was awe inspiring...he walked next to the bus and was enormous and beautiful. Dale was in the Lion King Show and looked very concentrated while participating and then after said THAT WAS AWESOME! We rode Everest and Dale was a hair to small and took it very personally and was crushed but the ride ROCKED. We played football that afternoon infront of the condos with Brad, Scott, Bepaw, Me, Dale and Reid....very fun. That night we went to Downtown Disney and ate at the Rainforest Cafe...and the service SUCKED and food was sub-par but the company was FANTASTIC.
TUESDAY
Grandma, Bepaw, Scott, Brad, Jonelle, and Tanya went to Nasa and we stayed at the condo and went swimming. Swimming outside in December listening to christmas music was a first for me. The boys had to stay out of the Acid Water....water jets that sprayed Frigid water. We celebrated Dale's 6th Birthday with a cake from Publix, decorated with Disney Character Key chains... and also had The Eychner Christmas that night. My gifts were wrapped in a soap box, and inside had the gift written on toilet paper in red crayon....only the best baby! I actually took pictures of each gift since they were fragile and will ship them. Scott and Tanya Departed wed. a.m. sad to see them go.
WEDNESDAY
MGM....Dale rode the Tower Of Terror 3 times and LOVED it, he reasoned that he should wear his boots to make him taller so he could ride the rides and it worked....he really took the Everest turnaway hard and said several times I want to go back to ride it and that next time he will wear boots there to ride it. Reid got a certificate for his motionless 3d ride on Star Wars for his personal first class ride. He was too small for the actual ride and they did a special one for him.....very cool. We saw Lightning McQueen and Mater and took pictures which was super cool, and Macy licked a minnie Mouse cookie and made a HUGE mess....black icing not so pretty. Saw an awesome quartet 4 for a Dollar that performed before beauty and the beast. and 5 million Christmas lights and our first Florida Snow...TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH! Really cool light shows to music. To finish the day we went to Fantasmic that was Fantastic...worth the 45 min wait. WOW. We also ate at Hollywood and Vine and the food was yummy but the kids did not LOVE Jo Jo or the Little Einsteins too much.
THURSDAY
Liz and Jordan and Meghan joined us and we decided to go to Magic Kingdom 2 days. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean and Dale was picked to be a pirate with Capitan Jack Sparrow and had a sword fight. We rode The Haunted Mansion, and flying carpets and kept a close eye on the weather for the Shuttle take off. We decided to leave the park at 5 to go to NASA for the launch and then Liz lost her car and I ran around the parking lot and found it 40 mins later...MINNIE 38 commit that to memory. The trip to Nasa was a quick hour and 15 mins, and a SLOW 3.5 hours home. We went 8 miles in 2 hours...however still worth the trip, but clouds kept it grounded. Dale kept asking why does everything say NASA on it.
FRIDAY
We slept in a little bit for what will be a 14 hour day and went back to Magic Kingdom and it was COLD....like 40 and windy. So we funded Disney and bought Mickey Hats, Gloves, Sweat Suits, Blankets to keep warm. Were introduced to Trading Pins when we got pin necklaces for free on the train and traded all day, and bought several more. We had 2 double strollers and one had Dale, Reid, meghan, and Jordan crammed in and the other was Macy's chariot while she slept....other wise she rode her favorite ride....HODE JOU..(Hold you = Hold ME) ...she rode it all week, all day, and even asleep! Brad asked me "So whats' the secret, I am way stronger than you how do you hold her all the time for so long?'' Practice, my friend....biceps come with practice." We saw the Christmas Parade and great fireworks after our dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle. Macy worn her Minnie Mouse ears just long enough for a picture with Cinderella and then out they came. The Crab soup was killer and the lamb and sirlion was wonderful. Dale was sung to again for his birthday and got a little cake, the girls got wands and the boys got swords and pictures with Cinderella and The Fairy God Mother....we also saw who we thought were Cinderellas 2 ugly sisters, and Stepmother! We added a little more insurance to the boots for our height....my Mickey gloves in the socks....worked like a charm, and stocking hats! With that Reid joined us as we rode Thunder Mountain railroad and Splash Mountain. That little trick was used later for Stitches great escape, and for Dale to re-ride Space Mountain. He was turned away and CRUSHED does not even touch it...so we went and sat as Duke, Bepaw, Brad, Jonelle, and Jordan went to ride and I asked him if he wanted to try the gloves and he said they will know, I said who cares you wanna try...ok, and 3 mins later it worked so I called Brads cell phone and they waited for us in line. Dale said thanks Mom for helping me. That was worth it all right then. We stayed for Mickeys Merry Christmas Party that was the BEST. Free Co-co, and cookies and snacks, Tinkerbell flew from the castle all lit up, saw an AMAZING fireworks show, and parade and Christmas shows, and singers, rode rides, saw more characters all dressed for the holidays!
We stayed at the Orange County Country Club which was super nice ,and arrived home safe and sound and only had 2 casualties....Dales Leapster left in the minivan I hope they mail it and MY CHICKEN was thieved from the bumper of my Hummer! But we will be back December 2008!