Happy Birthday Mom

I'll work my way backwards because I don't think I can recall it all.

Today Rob had to work the Spring Greening event at school. It is local green businesses and workshops and entertainment. The kids and I stopped by and the kids filled bags with the freebies. They got pens aplenty, planted seeds, rulers, highlighters & pine trees. We came home and took a walk to Emily Oaks to play in the park.

Ellie and I have been working on the Cinderella Castle - we almost have the 1st level finished. It keeps changing because depending on which picture you look at the castle looks somewhat different.

We went to Mom and Dad's for dinner. Mom made a tasty beet salad and she bought my favorite potato salad. We watched the first part of Hugo and the kids played for a bit before we cruised home. We have been reading Chitty Chitty Flies Again, so we read before bed.

Yesterday I began the day at a couple rummage sales but nothing stellar there. I came home and we worked on the castle for a little bit. We baked Mom a birthday brownie cake. Rob taped a wedding last night so the kids and I went over to Mom and Dad's to celebrate Mom's birthday. We had an appetizer buffet for dinner and just hung out and visited.

Friday night we all went to see Pirates band of Misfits - cute movie.

Thursday - Nick and I went grocery shopping after school and stocked up. Ellie and Mom went for haircuts after school. Ellie got about 3" cut off and she looks so cute.

My hip doesn't have the stabbing pain anymore. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Blah, blah, blah

Nick picked up my cold. I sent him to school on Monday because all he had was a cough and no fever. We went to Mom and Dad's house after school and hung out for a little bit. The kids had swimming Monday night and Ellie is now in level 6. We picked up dinner on the way home. We ate, watched some Dancing with the Stars and then got the kids to bed.

Luckily, the preschool schedule is different this week and Nick had off on Tuesday and today - so he was able to re-coup a bit. We stayed in and watched tv and relaxed all day. We got dressed in the afternoon and went for a walk. Nick played outside with the neighbors until Ellie got home from jewelry club. I was able to get some of my herbs planted in planters. We had dinner and got the kids ready for bed.

Another lounge around day today. We did sneak out to run to Kohl's because it was the last day for my 30% off coupon. I picked up some slippers for Nick for next year and some crocs for the summer. We came home and lounged some more. Mom and Dad came over for dinner. We had bbq shred sandwiches, brussel sprouts, beets, salad and fruit. The kids helped me make cupcakes for dessert. We watched DC Cupcakes and then got the kids to bed.

So, I am not sure if it is because I picked zumba back up this week or because I did something but I am having incredible pain in my hips. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Earth day

I ended up picking up a cold the last part of the week. We stayed home and I tried not to spread my germs. This morning Ellie and I went to Northwestern for another hour of testing and then the mock mri test while Rob and Nick went to church. Ellie did great - next will be the true mri test. We met Rob and Nick at home and the kids played for a couple hours until we went over to Emily Oaks for Earth Day. It was a cute set-up and then kids enjoyed running through the game.

We went over to Mom and Dad's for dinner. Mom made some good new recipes and some tried and true. We came home and the kids took their baths and then we got them to bed.

Yesterday we also divided and conquered. Ellie and I went to a a rummage sale while Rob and Nick went tool shopping. No major scores. We were included in Tony's school friends birthday party in the afternoon. The kids had a ball. It was in the building where Jo and I took dance classes growing up - funny to see that not too much has changes in 25 years. We had a very quiet night - we put a video in and got our pjs on and just had quiet time.

Thursday and Friday were just stay in pajama kinda days. I had a nose that was running like a faucet and was achy. My nose has slowed down but still is drippy. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

It is Wednesday?

The first part of the week has flown by. Nick had school Monday-Wednesday this week and I think that was part of it. I did grocery shopping on Monday while Nick was in school. It was a nicer day out and the kids played once Ellie got home from school. Ellie aced her Southwest US test! I made chili for dinner and was did all the cooking before we left for swim lessons. The kids had a great time swimming and it gave Rob and me a full 30 minutes to talk without being interrupted.

Tuesday I did a Salvation run while Nick was at school. I ran into Christi there and we walked the store together and got to catch up. I picked Nick up from school and we went to Mom and Dad's for lunch and to play. Dad took the boys to the park to play and Mom and I had some time with Matteo. We came home and the kids played outside. Dinner was re-heats with some freezer clear out items.

Today I went to Michael's and Big Lots while Nick was in school. I picked up a couple things for the Cinderella castle and some food stuff for home. I picked Nick up and we came home to have lunch. We took a drive in the afternoon to CVS to pick up Rob's nasonex and then to Whole Foods. Nick helped me make dinner when we got home. I made a vegan lasagna and a vegan carrot cake. Nick grated the carrots for me and stirred the batter. He also insisted on 'helping me' by washing the dishes.

The kids played outside after school until Mom and Dad came. Dinner was ready so we sat down and ate early. Dad gave Nick a bath while Mom worked with Ellie on the West US state review. We watched DC Cupcakes and then Mom and Dad went home. I got the kids to sleep and Rob got home earlier than we thought he would. Revenge was back on tonight - it feels like it has been months. It is so nice to be able to have the windows open and air out the house.

I am feeling pretty good. Some lower back pain, some hip pain (still). Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Rainy Spring

I forgot to blog on Friday and when I remembered Saturday I thought I would just wait until today. Highlights from the last week...

Monday night swimming lessons - Nick passed the level 2 test and is now in level 3. Ellie is swimming nicely in level 5.

Tuesday night we went to school to Family Reading Night. We got to hear a few stories and learn about a few cultures and their immigration to the US. The kids got to pick a book to take home with them.

Wednesday night we had Millietime. We haven't been together in months. We had some very nice eats and it was good catching up.

I decided to call the phone company about our home service because we are paying way too much. I was told that the only real way to discount our service would be to cancel our current call and begin service under my name as primary. This sounded goofy and complex but I went along because she cut the bill in half. Our phone and internet was turned off Wednesday, it was re-connected by Wednesday afternoon but internet didn't come back on until later in the week. Long story short...what the agent did is against company policy and shouldn't have been done that way. We still don't have our regular phone number back yet - here is hoping it all works.

Saturday morning I dropped Ellie off for a dance clinic at the high school. I stopped by a rummage sale on the way home and ran into Jo, Tony & Matteo. I ended up bringing Tony home to play for a little bit. We all went to pick Ellie up and to see her recital - it was cute. We had lunch and then we dropped Tony off and Rob went to work. It was International night at school and Rob works it but the kids and I go to watch the dancing and eat all the food. It was a nice evening and much to my amazement the kids tried some new foods and liked them.

Today we hit a matinee and saw Mirror Mirror. It was a fun movie - providing laughs and an afternoon of dancing. We came home and cleaned up around here. I had a laundry crisis this week. I didn't realize that I left a load in the washer and needed to re-wash it and then when I went to put it in the dryer...there was a moist load in there. I guess I never started the dryer and I had to re-wash that load too. Anyway, I think I am up to about 10 loads this weekend. Ellie and I started working on the Cinderella Castle. We have the bottom layer walls done and we stopped before we placed the turrets. We played outside with the neighbors for a bit before heading to Mom and Dad's for dinner. We ordered Chinese food - which pleased Nick. We ate dinner and had some cake and strawberries for dessert before coming home. Ellie helped me put laundry away while Nick took a bath. We watched some tv before heading up to read.

We got the kids tucked in just minutes before the thunder and lightening started and we had to re-tuck them in. I've been feeling good. I have some hip pain that hasn't been there before. I am not sure if I did something or if it is the weather - either way, a bit annoying. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

No DSL at Home

We won't have service until Friday...will post then. Too hard to try to type this on Mom and Dad's iPad.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter or Passover. It was a beautiful day (a bit cool but sunny). We had church early and then came back and got the house ready. I had the food prepared, I just needed to pop it into the oven to bake. UB was the first here and we got to visit with him until everyone else arrived. We had a nice spread of food that everyone seemed to enjoy. The kids were fun. It was laid back, Mom and Dad, Jo, Ole, the GGs, UB & Dean (Carrie stopped in for a bit on her way to her sister's). We did the egg hunt in front so the gross tree sticky sap didn't get anyone dirty. I don't recall an Easter where everything was put away and everyone was gone by 4:15...it was sort of nice. We were able to have an easy night. Nick took a bath because he played hard outside today. Ellie watched Cake Boss and chilled out. We had lunch re-heats and then got the kids up to bed.
Yesterday we began with an Easter egg hunt at a local church. It was very nice and free. The kids were divided into age groups and had their own space to search for eggs and it was staggered starts so we were able to watch Nick and Ellie hunt. They had games, coloring and tattoos for the kids. We came home and I went grocery shopping and then came back and did the food prep for today. The kids played outside and enjoyed the weather. I had plans in the evening with 2 friends I grew up with, Laura and Dena. We met for dinner and caught up - very fun remembering and laughing. Rob took the kids to mini golf and ice cream treats.
Friday the kids and Rob were off of school. John's daughter, Natalie, came over for a visit with Ellie. We went out to Al's for lunch - the last of the pepper and egg sandwiches. We made play-doh, the girls did some wii, played some games and made shrinky-dinks. It was great to be able to get the visit in before Natalie had to go back home. We were able to play outside in the afternoon and enjoy the sunshine. I took the kids to Toys R Us. Nick had found some money under a bench and wanted to spend it on a train. Nick picked out a couple trains and Ellie got a lego set. I made some pasta for dinner and that was it.
I cannot recall Thursday - too much has happened since then. I have been feeling pretty good. Small aches and pains - here and there. My feet are the same as always, my knees hurt after standing up all day today. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Slow Week

This is going to be a short post because there hasn't been too much action here. We went to the library yesterday and Nick was able to write his name and got his library card. Ellie completed 16 AR tests this quarter in school - she only needs to complete 2 each quarter. Did some grocery shopping. Did some laundry. Weeded out some more clothes that the kids have outgrown. Mom and Dad came for dinner tonight and it was great that it was still light out when they went home. Tried out a Mexican lasagna and a blueberry crumble.
Really, we have been just spending time relaxing and hanging around at home. I did something to my left wrist on vacation. I originally thought I might have slept on it weird but it is still bugging me - at least it is my left wrist and not my right. I hope everyone has a Happy Easter. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Happy Birthday Nick!

Whirlwind couple of days around here and that brings to a close March Madness. Thursday was Nick's 5th birthday. We did some shopping in the morning and headed over to Mom and Dad's to catch up. Ellie and Nick were able to use some of their birthday gift money to buy the toys they wanted. Ellie is very into the new Lego Friends line and Nick is looking for all the diecast cars he needs to complete his set.


We had lunch at Mom and Dad's and showed them pictures from our trip. The kids played with Dad and Matteo. We came home and Rob had spent the day working in the garage to clean up and organize it. We went to Red Robin for Nick's birthday dinner. It was a fun time and it is cute how he sort of gets embarrassed over the attention he gets.


Friday morning we started the day off at the doctors office for the kids annual physicals. They are both doing wonderfully - neither have had an asthma related flare up in months and allergies seem to be pretty good so far. Ellie is still in the 95th percentile for height and weight and Nick is in the 80-85th percentile for height and weight. They both needed shots - 1 for Ellie and 3 for Nick. They both have rather sore left arms that are bruised and hot. We stopped into the bakery for a treat and then went to Mom and Dad's. We had lunch there and then we took Tony to school.


We came home and the kids played all afternoon. Rob left to go do a soccer game and we went grocery shopping for Nick's birthday party. Rob texted me to let me know the game had been cancelled and he was home. We finished shopping and picked up pepper and egg sandwiches on the way home. Mom called while we were eating dinner to tell us Mistletoe (one of their cats) had passed away. He has been sick for a few weeks and really wasn't doing well the last couple days. The kids and I went over to help them bury Mistletoe in the yard. We came home and got the kids to sleep.


Saturday morning, Ellie helped me make cupcakes and cut up fruits and veggie for the party. The kids played and then we got ready to go. Nick's party was at the local kids play area and his friends from school came. The kids were so fun to watch - running around and playing with the water, dressing up and just being kids. It was such a nice group of kids (and parents) and it was truly an enjoyable party. We came home and put all the party stuff away and I went into organization mode. I cleaned up the basement and then worked on the front closet. I was able to get some laundry done and we ordered a pizza for dinner. Mom and Dad stopped by and took the kids to the corner to get them chocolate milk and cookies.


This morning we went to church for Palm Sunday service. We came back here and cleaned up a bit more and we were able to get Easter put up and St. Patty's day put away. We played with the kids and had some friends from out of town over for dinner. We went to Gulliver and had some great pizza and then we came back here so we could visit and the kids could play. It was a great visit - sad we don't live closer.


I am feeling pretty good. I had a not so great couple nights sleep. Last night was real crappy. I went up to bed a couple times and ended up back downstairs because an hour later I was still wide awake. My right hip Charlie horses are back - pain in the, well, hip. I am sort of surprised my feet don't hurt more than they do considering all the time I have spent standing the past couple days. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree