Woo hoo, last night was the boy’s night to do Saturday Club again. It had been months since we’d been able to do it last and they were so looking forward to it. No tears when we left this time, they had a ball at the Kid’s Museum and even got their faces painted. Came home and they wrestled a little before bed.
While they were gone, Dee and I took a quick trip to the Evil Empire and Home Depot then went to the movies. Saw “Knowing” with Nicolas Cage and it was really good….until it wasn’t. I can watch sci-fi with the best of them but don’t pretend you are a “normal” movie then bust out the sci-fi ending (reminded me of the latest Raiders movie). All in all, it was great to have some time with Dee, we really don’t get too much of that.

To be honest…this started out as a contest I found where I could win a year’s worth of groceries and who wouldn’t want that? Anyhow, it is a little essay writing contest where you write a story about an amazing act of someone you know. You and the person can both actually win.
Anyhow, here’s the kicker…it takes votes. So here’s the link to my essay about Teacher Kathy, I would love your votes but also encourage you to write a little something about someone who has made a difference for you!
http://dev.friendsofelsie.com/SingleSensations.asp?action=readStory&story=37

Last week was our first week back into “routine”. We actually had a full week of school if you can believe it. I’m on my cleaning schedule yet again, and amazingly, it works. I figured out all the housecleaning jobs that need to get done during the week, then sorted it out so I have 2-3 to do each day. Helps to not have 5 loads of laundry all at once and a whole weekend day of cleaning to do. Now if only I could keep the clutter down…
We had baby S back for a few days, she’s 2 months old now and still sweet as ever. It was nice to have the baby holding time as always.
The weather has been so freakish the last few days. This morning we woke to snow…yes, snow. Gigantic flakes, but lucky for us they didn’t end up sticking at all. Then the sun came out as bright and beautiful as ever then the winds kicked up and it rained and hailed sideways. We ended up losing our power but only for a few hours. Dee and the boys took some time out to take a nap while the power was out and I watched War Games on my iPhone. It had been forever since I’d seen that movie, but forgot how low tech the computers were back then. It’s amazing the progress we’ve made in that dept. Would you like to play a game? How about Global Thermal Nuclear War?
Mary, Dee and I had a wild night last night with a few games of Pirate Farkel (thanks, Jenn!!!) and some Skittles Infused Vodka. Goofy times, but so much fun to just kick back and relax. We paid for our fun today but it was well worth it.
Looking forward to another week of swimming lessons, family dinner and hopefully just a regular, mellow week.

an

So, tomorrow’s my birthday…yup, another year older. It’s all relative, I don’t feel like I’m aging but I see everyone around me getting older so I’m sure it’s happening to me. Dee wanted to take the boys shopping today for a present for me but I couldn’t bear not to go along. We loaded up and went to Target and they went their way, I went mine (which was not a good way to go…bought some totally uncomfy underwear, but that’s as far as I’ll go on that topic). Got the shopping done and headed to Clear Creek Nursery and walked around there awhile. The kids loved the Koi Pond there, the Koi are seriously the biggest I have ever seen, they must have been a foot and a half long. The picture doesn’t even come close to showing their size. Finished up there, had a great lunch at Red Robin, where I got my free birthday burger, yum. Did a little shopping at Lowe’s and headed to Coldstone Creamery for a birthday ice cream. What a great day and it’s not even over yet.
Dee got Carolyn to come watch the kids while we go down to the Pub for dinner. What a treat! I’ll admit it, I love my birthday!

So we’re in week 5 of “the cough”. YUCK. I’ve been on antibiotics for a week and I’m feeling pretty darn good, but everyone else is still coughing. Went to the doctor last week and their chests were all still clear. Levi was hacking MORE (if you can believe it) on Thursday so I made him another appt for Friday and took Alice along since she sounded equally bad. With Levi’s asthma I always get nervous that he’ll go downhill quickly so we try to stay on top of it especially. Anyhow, good news/bad news. Good news is that both kids had clear chests, bad news is now we’re on to something new. FUN! They didn’t like that I made them wear face masks in the van on the ride home. But one can never be too safe….

The boys LOVE playing the Wii…this is the Build-A-Bear Workshop game that I won from a mom blog awhile back. It’s pretty great, it’s easy enough for them to follow and feel successful and it gets them moving! I thought it was too darn cute.