Look what I did...

Loving photoshop!

Ava the flirt

My cousin Jackie brought a guy-friend with her to the RU game this past weekend. His name is Eben and she had dated him in the past so we all knew him and were thrilled to see him again. But no one was as thrilled as Ava. She totally fell in love. So much so, that I bought her a new baby doll Monday and when I asked her the name she responded....EBEN! Now that is true love.

Ava's crush...she does have good taste :)

It's here!

Yesterday my new laptop arrived! It's been over a month since we ordered it as my birthday gift. I could not wait to get it but I was so busy last night, that I almost did not get a chance to open it. Right before I headed up to bed I broke down, opened it up and fell in love. I love the color, the lightness and the sleekness. I also could not believe how easy it was to set up! I basically turned it on and answered a few questions. I was up and running in like 8 minutes! Super excited. I can not wait to load some photos on and start learning my 2 new photoshop programs.

Thanks babe for my really cool birthday gift!

Happy Birthday Grandmom

Today is my Grandmom's birthday. This year is extra special to me, due to her battle with breat cancer. She has had her surgery to remove it and is doing well, but started radiation therapy last week. My parents are taking my kids over to see her after David gets off the bus and I will meet them there on my way home from work. I am just so very thankful and happy that I can celebrate her again this year.

Happy Birthday Grandmom! I love you.

Quick trip

So we got to Baltimore Friday night right before 11 pm. Woke up Saturday in time to eat and drive to Annapolis for the game. Got to the parking lot had 1 drink and went touring the Navy campus. Came back to shove a sub in mouth and walk into the stadium. Game ended and there was so much traffic, we stuck around the parking lot for it to thin out. Left Annapolis to go back to Baltimore with 2 sleeping kids. Ate dinner at 10:45 pm in our room - not so yummy food. Woke up and packed up the bags. Back on 95 headed for home by 9 am. Ran out of gas at 11:30 am. Home at 12:15 pm.

(all we got to see of the inner harbor)

Note to self: spend less time running around and more time enjoying life.

At the game

Steve, Jackie and LeAnne
Speaks for itself
Don't walk on this!
The Navy fans Marching to the stadium
Ava and Yonny (as she calls him)

David having lunch

Jackie and Eben!

Taking another road trip

This evening we will pack up the family truckster and head down to Baltimore. There are 24 of us - all family - traveling to the Rutgers vs. Navy game tomorrow. We are all staying in Baltimore which is about 45 minutes from Annapolis where the game will be played. We are all excited to go and have a great time. On my way home from work I will be stopping for gas, alcohol and snacks. All the necessary items for tailgaiting! I hear the weather will be beautiful. Enjoy your weekend!

Isn't she lovely?

My little dancing queen!

Lesson Learned

Need to drink more margaritas. Monday when I got home, I poured myself a margarita. The night went so smooth. Last night, no margarita = tough night. Tonight, no margarita = tougher night. Alcohol does wonders to calm the frazzled Mom.

Back to School Night

Today was a sick day for me. Not because I am sick, but the kids are. Or at least Ava is. When I woke up this morning, I decided to take a 1/2 sick day and take Ava to the pediatrician. Well, Steve ended up taking her to the appointment so I could shower for work. Sure enough she has an ear infection and is on an antibiotic. I was about to leave for work and David states that he is sick as well and needs to stay home from school. Now he too had a runny nose and cough since Friday, so I call for an appointment for him and call him out of school. I also called in for a whole sick day. I took him to his appointment and sure enough, he has a cold. Leaving the office, there was still enough time to get him home for the bus, but he insisted he felt bad. So we ran an errand and went back home. A little while later, when Steve was leaving for work, David told me he wanted to tell me something. He also told me I could not be mad or cry. HMMMMMMMMM. Never a good sign. That is when he confessed that he felt well enough to go to school, but did not want to. My first thought was to strangle him, but something popped into my head about him telling the truth and I took that angle instead. I thanked him for being honest and explained that this can not and will not happen ever again. Steve chimed in with the 'boy who cried wolf' story as well. Boy was I PISSED that he got one by me. Later that night when I was at back to school night, I mentioned his antics to his teacher. Just to be sure nothing had happened in class and sure enough nothing had. When I got home, I explained that I was the only Mommy without a letter and picture from their kindergartener. I also told him how I did not know where to sit and that I talked to his teacher. He did not say much but I had to let him know I was disappointed. And here I was looking forward to tonight.

Tranferring

As I posted last month, Steve bought me a new laptop for me birthday. Well, the ship date was 9/5, then 9/12, then 9/19 - so I called. I must have been transfered 10 times before I got it fixed. I was on the phone a total of 45 minutes. It turns out the cover I wanted in back ordered until OCT! So I am now going to be the owner of a green (light) laptop! It was the color I originally chose until I dug around and found the purple flower one. Plus, now Steve can take it to the Fantasy Draft and not look like a fruit!

We'll try anything

Ava was very cranky again today. Again, no nap. Again clingy. I think she is getting sick. David had T-ball this morning at 10 and we all went. Even Tray, Rich and the kids. After we grabbed breakfast/lunch at the diner and headed back to our house for some football! Tray stayed until half time of the Giants game and we tried to put Ava for a nap. UGH - no good. The afternoon flew by thanks for some great football. Steve cooked dinner on the grill and we were all able to sit and eat together. Something I really miss with Steve working nights. After, I got the kids ready for bed and after I put Ava down, Steve and I got ready for the Sunday night game. That was when he realized he had to run into work and turn on the AC! It could not have happened at a better time because Ava woke up screaming. We put the kids in the car and we all took the ride out to school for Steve to do his thing. Ava was out like a light about 10 minutes in and David about 20 minutes in. When we got home, we out them in their beds and got to actually enjoy the Sunday night game. So nice and peaceful.

Men have all the fun

I tried to host a Golf/Scrap event today. It ended up being me, my Mom and my sister in law scrapping and Steve and my brother in law golfing. I hired my niece to babysit so I could get some work done. My daughter was not having it. She was horrible. Whiny, cranky, clingy - you name it. Nothing made her happy and poor Ally could do nothing to entertain her. We even tried putting her for a nap - 4 TIMES! By 3 pm, I had had enough. We all piled into Tray's car and drove over to the Shoppes at North Brunswick to get some shopping in. I had called Steve to tell him we'd meet them for dinner at Bensi in the strip mall and they were only on hole #7. I wanted to crawl in a hole a die. We hit every store and even made a snack stop a the fountain. The boys were being boys and Ava was being a pain in the ass. When I called Steve back at 5:45 pm, they were finishing up hole #18 - THANK GOD. My mom walked down to the restaurant and got us a table outside. There was no way we were eating inside with the raucous our kids would have caused. The guys showed up just in time to sit down. Tray and I finished a pitcher of sangria during dinner and truly deserved/wanted another.

Next time, we'll be golfing in a 4-some. The kids will be on their own!

Loving me some weekend

I worked from home today so I got to put David on the bus and be there for him when he got off. By the time he got off the bus, the rain had come and he hates to get wet, so I was sure to have an umbrella ready. Ava loves having him home. It is so cute to hear her say Hi DayDay. She really loves her brother.

Ava went to gymnastics this morning with my Mom and met my cousin and her daughter there. I think she liked it. My Mom said that neither of the girls wanted to listen, but they had fun being together.

Tonight we'll go to my cousin Jill's and celebrate her 29th birthday. I can't beleive she is 29! That means I am really getting old. UGH! David is very excited to play with his cousin Rosaleen. This will be the first time I am seeing my cousin Michelle since her engagement - YEAH!!

It only took 1 week

David brought home his first fund raiser from school. He is selling Entertainment books for $25. I can not believe that after 1 week of school we are expected to start selling crap. I mean, Entertainment books are good and I am sure I can sell a few, but come on. Can't you give it a month? My sister in law's school district is much better. They ask for a $30 at the beginning of the year to cover each kid and there is NO fundraising. Sounds like a plan to me!

All Star

Tonight was David's 1st T-Ball game. I was so excited for it. He was a little aprehensive about going because he did not have a practice, but my Dad took care of that. He practiced with him in the backyard before we left. My parents went with us to the game - my Dad could not wait to see him play. Once we found the right field and team, he got a red shirt and hat - his favorite color. Everything was a little too big, so we tucked in the shirt and tightened up the hat. Now he was ready. He was #4 on the Muckdogs!

The coach did a drill on ground balls before the game started. David's team was the 1st to bat and David was the lead off hitter. He swung the bat well and hit the ball hard. Down to first base he went. After another few hits, he was the first to score! On the field he played 3rd base but nothing came his way. This time around the line up he batted last - which means his hit cleared the bases. He later told Steve he hit a home run! The bottom of the inning he played left field with a little verbal assistance from Ava.

After the game, I treated him to a Happy Meal. I am so very proud of him. He is my little All Star!

Need lotion?

I think I have mentioned Ava's eczema before...well, she took care of it herself....

Holy Party!

WOW! Last night's engagement party was un believable. I am so glad we went. When we were walking into the restaurant, everyone else was walking out. We were told to stand along the sides of the driveway to wait for the guests of honor. Next thing we know, trumpeteers are trumpeting and a horse drawn stage coach is coming down the street and turning into the driveway! Inside were the guests of honor. The bride to be was in a huge Cinderella ball gown. She was stunning. The party moved back inside for a very lavish cocktail hour. There was not a hor d ouvre missing. From crab claws to pasta station to crudete to italian meats - it was ALL there. There was a piano player for entertainment as well. When it was time for the actual reception, we all took our seats as the parents and the married couple to be were introduced and took their dance. The ballroom was all done up Cinderella style. There was a movie on the screen of the couple through out their dating life. The tables were so elegant and each couple had a gift wrapped and waiting for them. Speeches were made and appetizers were served. Dancing than insued. I had the chicken and Steve had the filet. Everything was very tasty. We danced some more and on the way to the ladies room noticed the handrolled cigar table in the bar. This party was over the top. On our way out, we were given containers to take dessert home. The entire cocktail hour room was outfitted with dessert! Oh, I almost forgot - the cake! There was a cake cutting of the 5 tier castle cake! Nothing was left out. We can not WAIT for the wedding!!

Let there be FOOTBALL

In reality the season started Thursday with my Giants kicking the crap out of the Redskins, but today is the first football Sunday of the season. There are so many good match ups with all the trades and hurt players. I have 2 fantasy teams this year and 1 pick 'em pool. Wish me luck. We'll be watching the 1 pm games and starting to watch the 4 pm games...then we are going to a party. Steve is not thrilled, but with my new phone, he can check stats. I love Football and I love this time of year!

The storm that wasn't

According to the weather reports, we were due to get Tropical Storm Hanna. We did get plenty of rain, but no tropical storm. Needless to say, the kids were truly disappointed. David kept asking us when the hurricane was going to start! When we did decide to venture out to pick up take out, David got nervous. He thought that the hurricane was going to arrive while we were out and about. We assured him that it would not, but even if it did, Daddy would protect us. That was all he needed to hear.

Thank GOD it's Friday

I so am ready for this week to end. It has been an emotional roller coaster. I am so very proud of my baby boy for taking on this Kindergarten thing. He is really doing well. Let's start the weekend!! WOO HOO!

Pants - optional?

I deliberately left this bit of information out of my last post to allow David his due. But I HAVE to tell this part.

After David got on the bus, Steve and I took the classroom supplies and David's medication over to the school. While we were in the nurses office, I overheard David's teacher talking about someone not wearing pants. I did not think too much of it and we walked into the lobby to leave the school. Just then I saw our neighbor trying to get in the front doors, so I let her in and when I turned around...I saw it. There was a Mother without her PANTS! Yes, I said she was not wearing PANTS! Instead, she had on a t-shirt (that did not cover her ass) and a thong. Let me also state that this was not the type of ass that belonged in a thong to begin with - so I now have a burned vision in my brain. I immediately alerted Steve and we left in SHOCK.

I mean, why would you not throw on a pair of pants to bring your child to their 1st day of kindergarten? I just don't get it!

My baby went to Kindergarten

What a BIG day! My baby boy started Kindergarten today. He woke up around 9 am and watched some TV. Then I gave him a shower and he got dressed. I combed his hair real nice and he could not wait to put on his new sneakers. Next it was time to do some homework. He was super excited. He drew a picture of the favorite thing he did this summer. Next he filled out a little questionaire about what he likes and we printed off a picture of him dressed as Indiana Jones to attach. Finally, we all traced our hands on a piece of paper in our favorite color. Dad cut them out and David glued them down. We wrote all our names under our hands and our family name on the top. David even added a photo of our fish Obi Wan. He ate some breakfast and brushed his teeth. Before long, it was time to go out and wait for the bus. He put on his backpack and ran out to see his friends at the bus stop. The 3 of them waited anxiously (as did the Moms, Dads and MomMom) for the bus. I saw him get a bit nervous when it finally did pull up. A nice aide got off to help the kids out which helped. He was on his way.

Steve and I rode over to the school to drop off some classroom supplies and his medication to the nurse. We did not see him arrive at the school - although I was hoping to.

The bus was due back at 3:37 pm but was 30 minutes late! I was close to dying. When the bus did arrive - he did not get off! I asked the bus driver for him and sure enough he came out. I was so excited to see him as was Ms. Ava and MomMom. I asked him how he did and he said he did not like it. I followed up with "Why?" and he said "Because I asked all the kids to be my best friend and they said No." My heart broke. Once we got in the house, I explained that best friends take time, and he should just say that it is nice to meet them and that he would like to be their friend. He said Ok. The rest of the night little bits and pieces came out and by the time he was going to bed he sang me the song he learned.

Overall I believe he had a good day and I hope he does even better tomorrow.

I can't believe he is in KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Change of plans

While we were eating dinner last night, I called my sister in law to ask if we could come a little early. The hotel we were staying in just was not clean. I mean, the beds were ok, but the bathroom was gross. Totally skeeved me out. Of course she had not problem with it, so after Hooter's, we drove to the hotel and packed up in all of 5 minutes! We were on the road at about 7:30 pm and got to their house a little after 12 AM. We quitely snuck up to their beautiful and CLEAN guest room and I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Today was my niece and nephew's first day back to school. We were lucky enough to get them off the bus. Ally came home first because she is now in middle school! I can't believe it. In fact, her 11th birthday was yesterday. David could not wait for Ty to get home. The guys were getting ready to head out for the draft, when Ava went crazy. Ally and I took her for a ride so she would nap and she got about 30 minutes in. When we came back home, we changed her, gave her some Motrin for her teeth and went to a local restaurant. Tracey had the great idea to eat outside. It was a beautiful night and the kids could be a little rowdy without bothering anybody. Well, at least any 'normal' body. I say that because some old woman, her husband and HER DOGS were bothered by our kids. Oh Well! Dinner was delicious. After, we let the kids play a little and then we went back to Tray's. Ally gave Ava a bath for me (HUGE HELP) and Ty played his guitar for David. Once everyone was in their PJ's, the kids entertained each other. It was so cute to hear them all giggling together. Ally and Ty went to bed and soon after Steve and Rich got home. I had already packed up the car and we were on the road back to NJ around 10 pm. It was a long day, but a great day.

Water Country & Hooters

Wave Pool
Safety First
Cheers