The small house that's now in our driveway . . .

This is our new camper. :)

All set for the Science Fair!

I have reviewer folders organized with table assignments, project review assignments, and guides for asking questions. I have student assignments plotted and en route via email to the secretary who will forward to all the teachers. I have table labels that I just need to cut (oh - can't forget the tape). I have pens and clip boards. I have the ribbons and certificates. I have a sticky note to bring my lunch. I have an email out to all committee members. I think that about does it. Just got to send an invite to the guy who did our science assembly (oh - and I have to help both kids finish their display boards).

Speaking of display boards: shhhh - they look horrible! OMG - but (BUT) they did it themselves. They wanted to paint their boards, Joshua wanted to tape paper strips for decoration, etc. I did relinquish control (ugh - how I cringe!) but it's their project. I helped with the science - they take control of the display. Actually - it makes me a good mommy (because I'd love nothing more than to just do it myself! -but it's not my project).

Anyway, all they hear is my praise and see my smiles! :)

Max & Josh

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New House - hahaha!

We now have a small house in our driveway! LOL! Finally got to pick up the new camper. It's a 33 foot 5th wheel w/ three slide-outs. It's so pretty! Sky did remarkably well parking it - especially with all this snow (he couldn't drive in the yard at all to get the job done - I'm going to remember that in the future when the snow is NOT in the yard!). I will post pic's as soon as I can. The kids have already had half the neighborhood here to see it.

Sniff, sniff - I'm having a pitty party!

Today is shaping up to be one of those days where the kids are making me want to cry (or do bad things - very bad things). So - cry it is.

How many times do I have to say, "Be quiet. Daddy's sleeping!"?

And, just where is the common sense? (I'd much rather have this one answered before any others!)

I've said how much I love Sky working nights during the outage - and I do mean it. It's just that weekends are very hard. I don't know why he just can't get a room somewhere.

And, as much as I love being a part of the PTO - here comes the complaining. The science fair is this Thursday, I still have stuff to work on - even at home with my own kids projects. And, because of the upcoming science fair - I'm frazzled. Should I be? No. But, I am - so, I feel and act frazzled for the whole two weeks leading up to it. I'm stupid but that's the way it is.

working on Tyler's science project

 
 
 

I'm a Winner!

OMG OMG OMG!!! I WON I WON I WON!!! Holy crap I won tickets to Cirque DuSoleiel Drailon (okay - just ignore any spelling errors!). Holy Cow! Holy Pickles! Wooohooo!

Okay - I entered a contest via FB. List what you would do to win 2 tickets to the show opening night: I said I'd do 100 jumping jacks on stage - without a bra! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah - then I wroke jk (just kidding)!

I'm totally psyched! Who do I take?? That is the question, huh?

I'm thinking my girl Kimber will be coming with me - but, I suppose I should ask my hubby first - since he is off that night. Of course, he can have a bonding night with his boys, too!

I'm so excited!

Say NO to Moon Dough!

Pic of how I rearranged my living room - I like it b/c I can see out the windows now. Also, Joshua painting the display board for his science project. And,the trouble with Moon Dough and Moon Sand - very messy! And, finally - Tyler took a bath and came to show me his bubble beard. :)

My 6 yr old son is rather intelligent. He has said so many things that I am stunned he has 'figured out on his own.' Like this morning - he was heating up some choc. chip pancakes in the microwave. I pulled out a styrofoam plate for him to put them on once they were done heating on a regular plate. He said to me, 'you can't heat this plate up in the microwave because it will melt.' Okay - common sense to you and me but he's 6! I didn't teach him that and we normally don't have styrofoam plates in the house. I asked him how he knew that and he said, "I just knew."

At any rate, Justin and Tyler were over at a friends house yesterday - parents were not home but the 18 yr old brother was. My kids decided to stay when he left. That made me mad - at my kids, not the other boys. Anyway, when I found out I made them come home. We went and got some McD's and had just gotten inside - (9:30pm; How in the heck did it get so late!?) - got our food divied out, and were sitting down eating when the other boys ShoWed up on my doorstep! Of course they wanted J & T to spend the night. I got irritated with them and told them I was p.o.'d they came over. I said IF you want my kids to spend the night - HAVE YOUR MOM OR DAD CALL ME! I swear - kids conspire and you can't trust it's automatically alright with the other parents. Besides - hearing the parents tone of voice can let you know if they Really want your kids over or not. Anyway, she was totally okay with it. I just feel bad I can't reciprocate because of Sky working nights. So - they're over at the neighbors house. - all done venting now. :)

 
 
 
 
Pic's may be jumbled but there are three of trees (I don't know why but I love taking pictures of trees) and a pic of this weird thing I bought at an antique store that I was kind of drawn to. It's hanging next to the stove. I think I'm going to use it for dish towels. I'd use it for potatoes and onions but I can't put anything heavy in it until I have Sky anchor it - it's not in a stud and that thing - is deceptively heavy. (And, pardon the messy kitchen.)

Okay? I tell you "I love you" and you say - 'okay?' (This was from Joshua, of course.)

OMG OMG OMG! I've got a SITE REVIEW! April 12th. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. It's like the first day jitters! I've only been working for MedAssurant since November. I about gave up the idea I might actually go to the doc's offices to review charts! I can't wait to have the first one under my belt! I sooooo wish I wasn't going alone. But, I CAN DO IT! (being positive)

And, THIS is why I love Wisconsin!

6am - still snowing!

Yesterday the grass was green. Today - it's white. This is on my deck about 2 feet from the door. The accumulation is evenly distributed so I feel this is fairly accurate. Oh, by the way - school IS cancelled tomorrow. :) Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how much we get by the time it is supposed to stop tomorrow afternoon - I left the ruler out there. Right now - we have THUNDER SNOW and lightening, too! It's amazing! I love it! Soooo cool!

My Child is in Trooooouuuuubbbbbllllee!

Yep. He certainly is. I asked him this weekend to put on his coat as he was going outside to play. He said to me, "I left it at school." So, this am he was getting ready for school and I was just going to send him out the door with a heavy sweater over a t-shirt, and his gloves. He said to me, "I have to go get my jacket." I had to remind him that he left it at school.

Well, he said that it was actually in the truck. Well, I heard the statement and declared I don't want to follow through on that and find out that he did, in fact, lie to me. You see - it was time to walk out the door. So, I figured he'd go to school, realize he told me the truth about his jacket being at school and come home saying, 'hey, I DID leave my coat at school.'

Mmm - nope. Got a call from the school. "Joshua must have a coat." Headslap! I should've taken the time to deal with it before he met the bus! I DID find his coat in the truck and had to take it to the school. Before that I spoke with him on the phone and asked him, point blank: "Did you lie to me?" And, he said, "yes."

Poor, poor Joshua. I told him, "you are going to be in a whole lot of trouble when you get home. You think about that all day today. Do you understand me?" "umhmm."

Frustration! But, DON'T tell mama lies.

Oh - and if it ain't one it's the other. I just got a call from the principal and she had me on speaker with Tyler in the room. He was sent to the office at lunch recess because SEVERAL teachers saw him turn his brother around to face him and knee'd him in the groin!!! He said to Mrs. Gracyalny that they play like that all the time at home and "my mom doesn't care." First of all - how embarassing! Second of all - I might know it goes on, I know they're rough housing, BUT if I hear hollars, or crying, or see tears - that's it, it is no longer play. And, I do put a stop to it. Oh yeah, Tyler said Joshua punched him first but the teachers deny that. I'm not inclined to believe my son over the teachers because I know his game. There's always a reason and it usually involves "Yah, but Joshua did if FIRST."

MERCY. I do believe that mama is going to be needin'a drink ToNIght!

Joshua and Devon

Copy and paste the address below to see the convoluted video of the US Hwy 41 & Hwy 29 interchange. Holy Cow! Then, if you click on the project videos to the right - find the video of Cardinal to Taylor St (where Fleet Farm is) - Okay, pretty but insane. I'm SURE it will be a safer solution but it's jaw dropping! Don't get me wrong - I am THRILLED 29 will become a bonafide highway with ramps vs. this cross-street nonsense. But, - just - wow! Enjoy!

http://us41wisconsin.gov/overview/project-videos?video=wis-29-interchange

Well, I've done something I've always touted that I hate. I moved my TV beside the fireplace and I have every intention of hanging it above the fireplace in the, hopefully, near future. You have to understand that we have an entire wall of windows, floor to ceiling. I've always had the couch infront of the windows(one window is actually a door) and the TV across. Two things that have driven me nuts: 1) the glare, therefore we had to have the blinds shut most of the time. 2) i want to look outside and see the birds, squirrels and kids. I have always hated having my back to the windows. So, now it's not as traditionally set up but - it's mine and I am happy with it. It might not look pretty but - what a view looking out! This way I get to watch Spring bloom from inside my living room ('cause it's really still a bit too chilly to watch it blossom from the outside). Now, we need new furniture. Haha! I don't ask for much, do I? (That was a rhetorical question, in case you were wondering.) Anyway, a sectional with a chaise wold be lovely. But, in the meantime - it is what it is. I will post a pic as soon as I get the room cleaned and vaccuumed (which won't be until Sky is up sometime after 2pm).

GRASS! I can see so much of it. Would you believe that underneath all that snow for so long - it sayted green! Well, it is green. But, soggggggggyyyyy! Hopefully it will dry out soon. I want to bring our new camper home. We have to drive through the yard to get it into place. One day (when we win the big one) we'll lay a pad and erect a building to house the camper and the boat. Then again - if we win the really big one. . . . Hahaha!

I've actually had work to do this week! Omg - is it ever nice to make money! The nice thing about working from home is - I can start at 5:30am and by the time the younger boys leave for school - I've got three hours done! Since I only work 24 hours a week I end my work day at 10:30 am! And, since I have plans for next week - I can tackle some of those hours over the weekend! Or, evenings. Heck I could get up at 2am, if I wanted. But, I love my sleep!

Moving on. . .

I can't wait for Justin to start Tennis. Right now, though, he's really enjoying Lacrosse. Tyler starts Running Club Monday and will be aiming for the 5K in the GB/Cellcom run. That will be fun. And, Joshua should start baseball some time in April. I do love my winter and the snow but I am definitely looking forward to spring and summer activities!

 
 
Tyler with his Arrow of Light plaque and arrow. It's a shame he wasn't able to attend the ceremony (all because some snot den leader wanted his uniform to look like everyone elses by me taking patches off his blue shirt and putting them on his tan shirt. Seriously? He did not violate the uniform protocol in any way. They wanted patches on his left pocket - on the tan shirts that pocket is left empty - if you want - because the point is to earn the webelos badge, which he earned at the last meeting. But, the leader was unwilling to give it to Tyler before the last meeting. So, we were not allowed to participate. I had to go pick up his plaque and arrow - and you know what???? They didn't even have his webelos badge! Bastards! That's alright - next time I'm in the area I'll buy him one because he earned it. And, on the plus side, and I never would've said this before, I've got Tyler to agree to give up the scouting - "for now" he says. :)

Then, the next pic is of Joshua measuring Silent Sunflower's growth. So far, it is official - Music Sunflower is growing faster. Of course, Sky is questioning light, etc. Well, to be truthful Silent probably gets much more light although I did try to be equal in their placement. There is no direct sunlight in either room. Silent is in the pool (table) room and there are 5 windows, and he's in the bay window so he's pretty surrounded. Music is sitting in a room with only 1 big window. All in all it's pretty evened out, though. Silent has a tree on one side to block an excess of light. Besides, Joshua is six and in kindergaren. ? It doesn't have to be perfect. The whole point is: Does music help a flower to grow? It would seem so but I'd really have to investigate the science behind that. MOST likely - it is conditioning (room conditions, etc) but, like I said - it's Joshua's project. He's watering, measuring, and will report his findings. It's fun!

Okay - here are pic's of my newly painted hobby room! Being a mother of three boys I wanted a girlie room. So, here are vaious pic's of it. As soon as mama moves in with me I will move the couch in the living room downstairs to the hobby room in that empty space in front of the blue walls. It's a sofa-sleeper so Robbie will be sleeping in there. I think she'll like it. :) Won'tcha? Anyway, I have a cricut station (that needs more cricut stuff - hint, hint;), a paper station where I also keep my albums. Then, all my trinkets are on the bookcases I painted white (which was a pain in my !@#$)*(&^! Moving on - all my tools are in the black & gray drawer thingy. And, on the curtain rod behind my battered table is where I hang works in progress and finished works to admire before putting in the albums. Anyway - that's that. Much better than beige and black! And, considering I don't have any windows it certainly brightens it up. I would have definitely gone for something more sophisticated if I had windows.

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

What a night! Everything was going well. I picked Justin up from Lacrosse, came home and made us fried bologna sandwiches, then took Justin to B&N for Chess. I went and got my hair cut. Then, I realized I left the 50% off coupon to JoAnn's on the island at home! Called a friend (ahem) who told me to go to the library. Brilliant Idea! I was so excited! Well, with ten minutes to spare I made it to the library, got on the computer only to realize that once I access email from Outlook the email is erased from the carrier. So, no coupon. Bummer! Now, it goes from a simple irritation to a damn inconvenience: I locked my keys in the vehicle! Yes. I did. So, the lock picker came and unlocked me, and followed me to the bank so I could 'pay the man.' Fortunately for me - it was only $35. I told him the story of me locking myself out back in '94 in GA - cost $75! I gave the man $40 for being so cheap! LOL! Have mercy. Let's just say - what ever I wind up buying at JoAnn's will be more like a 50% increase coupon! But, I really must hollar my THANKS to the librarian who was kind enough to sit with me - inside - until 8:25 (they closed at 8) since it started snowing. And, go figure - her son lives in Roswell, GA!

My hobby room is done! Yay! I just have one shelf to hang but need toggle bolts and a man to get it done. Haha! I can't wait to take pic's and post them for you all to see. I can't wait to start scrapping! Just so you know - I might be the mom of three boys, but I'm a GIRLIE girl! :) Pretty colors make me happy - and I LOVE pink!

Family Fun Night - I saw more boys having their nails painted than girls!