I'm bored

This weather is getting on my last nerve. It gets down to the 50s overnight. 50 DEGREES!!!! How in the world is the pool gonna warm up? My kids play outside, but the pool takes up half the backyard. So, they won't go in it, cuz it's freezing. So I have to hear "I'm bored" all the time. They weren't bored in the past summers. Granted, last summer it was super hot, and we put the sprinkler under the trampoline and chilled the kids out. This year's too cold for that even. It's July and I was wearing pants and a jacket today. I am glad that I haven't had to run the A/C very often.

But I'm bored. I want to play outside. I wanna watch my kids play outside. So today after dinner, I grabbed two bottles of Hubs shaving cream. And this is what happened.
















They we're bored anymore. But they were frozen when I had to hose them off before they stepped foot into my house. You would've thought I was beating them with all their screaming.

Wordless Wednesday

Not so wordless today. This is one of the many drawings that Sassy leaves for her daddy when he goes comes home from work. He usually leaves them notes on the board when they are still sleeping and he has to go to work. You'll notice she has a dog(which she wants and "needs") and he has groceries. I love her.

Not me Monday

I haven't done this in quite a while, but, here goes.

I most certainly did not turn the hose on to fill the pool up an inch or so, and then leave for four hours, only to come home to a overflowing pool and a flooded back backyard. I'm not that dense.

Then I totally did NOT have to release the valve to drain the pool and flood the front of the backyard.

I also did not leave the house with all the windows open only to come home with EVERY, I mean EVERY paper product scattered on the floor. I also did not spend 10 minutes cleaning it up.

We were on a vacation, so I didn't have any opportunity to do any more silly things. Maybe next week. Maybe "not."

Wonder again

I wonder how loud do my kids have to talk to actually make my ears bleed? I think they've come close today.

Why won't they go swimming in the cold pool, but they'll turn the cold sprinkler on under the trampoline and then jump?

Why do they always want the last word?

Why did my son think that drinking out of the milk container was a good idea?

Why is Sassy so sassy? I guess she's just living up to her name.

Surprise mini vacation

This will be my second time typing this. It better work. I spent over an hour doing this, then blogger deleted it while I was spell checking. AUGHH!! When you see the amount of pictures, you'll know why I'm mad. :)

Anyways, we just got back from a surprise mini vacation. The surprise was on the crazies. Hubs came home on Tuesday and I suggested we go to Cabela's and then stay at Splash Universe next door. So he looked into the price and they were offering BOGO free!! Then we got the room for $129! Can you believe that?!

I'm not gonna write everything I did the first time. My head and hands are killing me from doing again. But here goes. :)

After we shopped at Cabela's we drove into the parking lot of the hotel and parked. The kids asked why we were there. We told them "Surprise!" They didn't belive us til we opened up the back of the van and they saw all the stuff. They went crazy!! What's funny is that I packed the suitcase and the car while they were right there. Little man was on my computer in the kitchen and Sassy was on the couch watching a movie. I still can't believe they never heard me banging things around. Sassy said that she's gonna have to check the car everytime we go somewhere.

We went swimming right away. They grew up at Great Wolf lodge and Splash Village, so they know what is there and what to do.






They love to go in the lazy river to warm up. Although they aren't lazy in there. They runn while we chase them. I never got to be lazy. I was too busy folowwing them around. Unlike other parents there, I watched my kids. I didn't let the lifeguards do it for me. Anyways....




This is the first year that Sas was able to do the logs. She was very nervous, but she did it. And the look on her face was priceless.




They hotel also has a normal pool. But it was super hot. I mean like hot tub HOT. I could barely reath, but they loved it. She was a fish in there.




Hubs and I kept asking Sassy if she wanted to go down a big slide with Daddy. So I bribed her with $2. She did it!! She was so happy. It was great to see her so proud. Then she asked for her two bucks. I gave them to her in the room. :)




Then she wanted to try the slide by herself. Look at her, going up there all by herself. She's my baby. That's not fair. I'm getting old.



Look at her smile.




We made another trip to Cabela's for toys. No vacation is complete without them.





Yes, I was there also. But I won't subject you to a bathing suit photo. You're welcome. :)




This is the circle Little man would go into when the bucket would dump the water.




Can you see him? He's right in the center of the photo.



The rest is them just having fun. Of course, I'm not having fun. I'm too busy sweating while I'm taking the pictures.






All in all, we had great time. The only complaint was that dinner took over an hour just to get our salads, then another 15 to get our main meals. When we ordered room service, from the same place, the day before, we got our meals in less than 20 min. How stupid was that.

We'll be back, Splash Universe!!!

Wii are not active

My hubby surprised me with the Wii active a few days ago. I guess he felt bad that I had nothing to do on the fourth. I always have something to do when he's at work. But, alas, not last night. I sat on my sore bum all day. Literally.

I did tried the active in the morning, just in case I got a little bit sweaty I could get in the shower afterwards. Sweaty?? I was dripping. ICK!! I tell you, ICK!!Well, let me tell you this, that "game" kicked my bum. When I got done, my legs were shaking. I sat on the couch and they were bouncing up and down. I looked like a freak show. I could've made my own mixed drink. Now, I can barely move this morning. I only hurt on my bohonkus. (Sassy uses that word and there's no correct way to spell it.) It hurts to sit. It hurts to stand. And, if I drop something on the floor, there's no way on God's green Earth that I'm squatting down there to pick it up. It'll stay there til one of my kids walks by to get it for me. Why did I do this to myself? I signed up to do the 30-day challenge also. Am I nuts?! You mean I have to do this again? Hubs is gonna laugh at me today. Can I use the "day of rest" as my excuse today? I don't know why I'm "quoting" everything today. I'm in pain, leave me alone. :)

Independence Day 2009

Another video for you to enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

Do-re-mi

One of my friends on Facebook posted this. I think it is too cool. I wish I was there. You'll have to turn off the music on the side first.

Funday Monday

Well, today we had a great day. We decided to go to the Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. We bought a year pass for half off cuz we're teachers. While standing in line, I was pooped on by a bird...IN MY HAIR!! Ick. So there I am, trying to get nastiness out of my hair, and they call me up to the window. I can tell this day is gonna be great. At that point I wanted to dunk my head in the horse water trough. Oh well.

We love the village and museum. We love seeing the old houses and buildings. We go to the one room school houses, Edison's workshop and offices. Little man's favorite part is the Wright brother's cycle shop. I'm thinking planes are in his future. :) Sassy likes the animals at the farm area, mostly the horses. But everyone's all time favorite thing to do is play the old games. Sassy wants to buy this so bad. But we don't have the space for her to run with it.


We have this game. It's the "Game of Graces." We play that all the time. You use the sticks to fling a ribbon wrapped wooden circle to the other player. They have to catch it and fling it back to you. Very fun.


Hubs is the only one who has mastered the stilts. We have all tried, but with no sucess.


I can't seem to catch that little ball, at the end of the string, in the cup. I have only so much talent, and it is not for these games. Graces is about all I can do.


We HAD to buy snacks, even though I brought enough to feed a pre school class. I got ice cream and made a mess. Please pay no attention to my pasty white legs. I know at first glance it looks like I'm wearing no shorts, but I am. :)


After the village, went hopped in the car and drove to the other parking lot and went to the museum. We must see the planes, of course.


What's so funny to us is that we've been to the museum lots of times, but have yet to see the "Lincoln chair." It's the chair that the President was shot in. We are a morbid family. We've been talking about seeing this chair for forever. We really wanted to see the blood stain. We are strange. :) What's even funnier, is that I'm telling them to smile in front of the blood stained chair. "Look happy." It's like those people who joke, laugh, smile and take pictures in front of the Veitnam wall. Disrespectful. But I don't want to get started on that.




Next was the Declaration of Independence. I've never seen it. Very cool.


Before we made planes we went into Rose Parks bus. I was telling Madeline her story and it was so cool to listen to her responce. When I said that blacks had to sit in the back, she said "That's stupid. Who cares what color your skin is." Straight and to the point.


Then they threw them at a target. Who knew paper planes would make them so happy.




We had a blasst today. And since we were limited in the food department( see previous post), Hubs went out and got a pizza. OK, I need to back up a little. Ever since yesterday Sassy's been upset cuz one of her top teeth was wiggly. So she could only eat soft foods. Pizza seemed to much for her. She started crying cuz it was bothering her. So Hubs was helping her wiggle it more. Thank God he was here. Me and blood don't mix well. Anyways, this is a picture while she was eating. I had to stop her crying first. It's so upsetting when you're hungry, but you can't eat cuz it hurts. I felt so bad for her. The funny thing is that my boy did the same thing. I remember it perfectly. I had to make him eggs(soft food) but they got cold by the time the whole ordeal was done. Then I had to make him another dinner. Atleast she was quicker, and the pizza was still warm.


This afterwards. She's gonna look hilarious for my brother's wedding in September, cuz the other top one is wiggly also. I'll be sure to post it. :) Pay no attention to the pizza sauce.

Let there be light!

We have power!!! That's right people, POWER. I called our house yesterday around 4pm and it was ringing. And that means we have power, Baby.We were out for 48 hours!! I think the only good thing about losing power is that you get a clean fridge and freezer, after you emptied it all out. The bad thing is that we lost 90% of our freezer stuff. Now the downstairs freezer is empty. :( Thank God it's pay week and July 4th sales. Lots of meat, buns chips and such.

Dick and Jane

As I sit here sweating, I wish I was home. But, sad to say I am not. I'm at my in-laws house for the night, and they don't turn their air on. But I am thankful they let us stay. We have no power, again. Last night we stayed at my parents. And today we went to see Transformers 2, so my MIL said she'd watch the crazies. So we figured we'd spend the night, since we're already here. This conversation is going all over the place. sorry. I hate my street. We have bad rain and wind for a half hour, and I have no power for two days. AUGHH!!!! It seems like every summer we loose power for at least a day. Do you know what I'm thinkin'? GENERATOR!!!

OK, back on topic...Dick and Jane...I just hate not being home. I feel like I'm missing something. Yeah, like my bed, my TV, my pillow. Can you tell I'm tired? At least I have my trusty computer and my in-laws have a router. :)I was without my computer last night and I felt like I was missing an arm. Can you say "Obsessed?" Then my parents clock in the kitchen chimes every 15 min. So guess who woke up at 4 am, and then again at 4:15, then 4:30, 4:45, 5, 5:15.... you get the picture. But I missed the chimes at 6:15 and 6:30. So I must've fallen back asleep. But it's not my house, so I'm not used to those chimes. :) Then my dad tells me this morning, on the way to my house to get my food from the fridge to take to his house, that he could've turned them off for 8 hours. :) Funny, huh? This day's getting better and better.

Sorry..Dick and Jane...

We checked out all the Dick and Jane books from the library that I could find and put more on hold. I'm getting frustrated in teaching Sassy to read. We're doing 2nd grade next year and reading is still hard for her. Hard, it's dang near impossible for her. But, when she picked up one of the books, she realized she could read it. She needs help with two or three words and the rest she knows. You should see her face. She is so proud of herself. She gets to write it on her summer reading program paper all be herself. I am so glad I got them. I'm hoping this will encourage her to try and read other things. In the past, she lacks the confidence to even try. She usually gives up after the first sentence. Now she can't wait to read another. She's gonna be surprised to know that when we finally make it home, there are bunches of them waiting at the library for her. She can check them our all my herself, cuz she just got her first library card also.

OK, the power company says I should have power tonight at 1am. Do you think that's too late to wake my kids and take them home? I thought so. So I'm hoping to wake up and go to my parent's house to get my food and then go home and jump in the pool.

In case you're wondering, my hubby was working during all this excitement. He was dealing with down wires, electrocuted houses and people and fires. And tonight he's working overtime at the city fireworks. I think I got the better end of that deal, for once. :) At least I was dry. :) Crazy Michigan weather.

Isn't she cute in her new nightgown reading her book?

Wordless Wednesday

$8 worth of fun

We had a very fun Father's day on Sunday. We went to my In-laws house after church. Keith grilled steaks and we had a "feast." That's what Sas calls a large meal with all the fixins. :) Afterwards my MIL and I went to target to get a slip-n-slide for their house. $8 on sale thankyouverymuch. At first it was too cold for them to go down, but after two times they were old pros.

He's totally ready for it. Little does he know how cold it is.



So much fun.



He was helping them along. :)




They love their daddy.




It's a bit cold.



The usual three generation photo that gets taken at every family function.



Because they had so much fun, the next day I had to go out and buy two more slip-n-slides. You never know what's gonna happen with our pool. So we need a back up water toy. But did I need two? Of course not, but just in case one rips...

Mixed blessings UPDATE

We've decided to keep it up. We thought about it, and the kids are still swimming in it even though it's half full. So, we decided we won't fill it up as high as before. But, that's fine. My children are fish so we really needed it. But, We're still getting a slip-n-slide for Noah. :)


Remember that huge pool that took up our entire backyard? Well, we have to take it down. It is totally un-level. We thought it wasn't a big deal. But, after all this rain Michigan has gotten, it's to the point it's almost overflowing. Keith is just sick to his stomach while he drains it. I'm kinda happy, I get my backyard back. Slip-n-slide here we come. We're gonna try and sell the pool. We are worried about the kids. I know they're gonna be upset, but they'll get over it.

Stacy wanted to see pictures. She has the same one, and is deciding if she wants to go through the trouble of what we just did. Here you go Stac.

chocoholics anonymous

My name is Jennifer and I'm a chocoholic.

I'm wondering if it's possible to eat too much chocolate. I mean, I eat some kind of chocolate each and every day. Muffins, a handful of chocolate chips, candy bar, ice cream, pretty much anything chocolaty. I guess it's my addiction. I don't drink coffee or alcohol, so chocolate's it. It must be the caffeine. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I drink pop also. More caffeine. Hmm......Could caffeine be the cause of my many stomach issues? Or could the lack of caffeine cause my stomach to hurt? That might be a question for my doctor. My tummy doctor diagnosed me with Dyspepsia. Which truly is a garbage pail of issues. I really think it's all in my head. I think I need stronger "head meds." :) Any thoughts??

By the way, do you like my new signature? Alexis told me how to do it. What a nice gal, and I don't even know her. This crazy blog thing is amazing. You may never meet IRL(in real life),but everyone is there to help you when you need it.

Wordless Wednesday

I know this is supposed to be wordless, but I feel it needs a description. He's waiting for the ice cream truck.

self esteem

I have tried a million times to write this. OK, maybe not a million, but a lot. But it's been festering and I need to get it off my chest and write it out. I apologize ahead if I start yelling. This topic gets me going sometimes. So please be patient.

Having a good self esteem is hard to learn and teach. I hope that makes sense. I remember struggling with self esteem when I was a teen. It always seemed to be a bigger deal back then. But I was a late bloomer, and was teased about it ALL the time. I tried to never let it bother me, but it did. Then when I got married, I always said "Who cares what I look like, I have no one to impress, I'm married." Nice attitude, huh? I'm working on it, bear with me. But deep down, I still struggle with self esteem. I HATE to go clothes shopping. I end up crying every time. And, that's not an exaggeration. I don't think super highly of myself, physically. But on the flip side, I'm lazy and I don't want to work on it either.

But, there's a few things that irritate me, to the point that I want to crawl in a hole. Example: If there's a group of us sitting somewhere talking and one starts off by complaining that somethings not fitting right, then another one does the same thing, then I agree about myself. They look at me and say a smart comment to me like "Oh yeah, we feel so bad for you and your size 10." Am I not allowed to feel bad about my self sometimes? I have to just sit there and not say a word, cuz I'm smaller than them. I'm not as small as I used to be, or want to be. But gimme a break. I'd like some sympathy also. But if I'm not a bigger size, I can't complain. If someone says they have to lose a few pounds. I could join in and say that I could lose 5 more and fit perfectly in my bottoms. I get eye rolling or comments. If I start a conversation, I get dismissed. It's like I'm not allowed to feel bad about my body image. It's so irritating. I just stand there in shock. Or women will say "You wouldn't know about this, you're skinny." AUGHH!!! What am I supposed to say after that. "Sorry you're heavier than me, Would you like me to eat more so I can understand you better?" Are you kidding me!!!! I understand. Just because I'm not the same size as you, I have the same feelings. Quit picking on me. I'm your friend/family member and I have feelings also.

OK, that wasn't so bad, was it? I feel better that I got it out. I feel 10lbs lighter. Well, not really, but I'm workin' on it. Thanks for listening. Have a blessed day.

morning people

I used to be able to sleep in. That is, before I had children. It's even worse that my son gets up between 6-7. Most people tell me to make him stay in his room til 8. Why bother, I'm up now. I might as well get up. I pray he sleeps in at some point in his life. I'm shooting for a realistic goal here...7. That's all I'm asking for. But sadly, I fear that will never happen. It's 7:30 right now, and Hubs and my boy are going for a bike ride. 7:30!!! I'd love to go, but my hair is so short it's standing straight up. I couldn't go outside for an emergeny, let alone a bike ride. Well, I could if I wore my helmet, but that's not gonna happen.

OK, I'm back. I am a morning person though. I am up and ready for the day fairly quickly. My boy and I could get all his school done before Sas is even up. We wake up hungry, so we're awake. She gets up and needs to chill for a bit. I think she gets that from her dad. But, we balance each other out, so that's good.

I'm gonna plan a breakfast playdate one of these days. I don't drink coffee, but I'll have to learn how to make it if I was gonna plan something like that. My friends would shoot me if there was no coffee.

OK, this post was all over the place. Maybe I do need more sleep. :)

Wordless Wednesday