OH PLEASE HELP ME! Steve is sick and Piper is doing bunches better but she has had a rough week too!!!! Right now, he is teaching her to pull his finger.... and he said she digs it.... great.....

Today we went to see Sesame Street Live. It was awesome! Piper didn't take her eyes off the stage! Then at intermission we got her an Elmo balloon. It is adorable. I wanted to buy her some sort of remember thing.... but man when we got there. They were crazy expensive! Just crazy. So, we just went with the balloon and she is very happy.

After the show, we went to Applebees for lunch and then headed home. The weather is really crappy out today. I hate hauling a toddler in and out in this weather. So, we stopped at the movie rental place on the way home - grabbed 4 movies and we have been home ever since! I am kinda getting cabin fever but now its dark out and I know its cold so for fun we will go to the grocery store tomorrow!

Oh - one other thing..... last weekend Piper had us worked up too! On last Friday - Piper and another little boy at the babysitter decided to put vaseline in their hair!! YES..... and just to let you know - it doesn't come out very easy at all!!! The first recommended thing is corn starch. (see the above picture) We tried that twice, clarifying shampoo three times and then finally just for shits and giggles..... (as recommended on the internet.... a can of pepsi) and yes that did help it BUNCHES! And then finally after a few more washings her hair looks normal.... I think I might have a Steve Jr. on my hands - HELP ME!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you all had a great day and got to spend lots of time with family and friends. We had a great day. Lots of food and family. We were gone from 11 till 7:30 that night but it was all worth it! Well, until 11:30 that night...... around that time Piper started SCREAMING from her room. As a parent, I knew this was not a normal scream..... I ran in there and she had fallen out of bed flat on her back. I picked her up thinking she was just startled and set her on my lap to which she screamed even harder. After a few minutes, she would not let me put her back in bed. I could tell something was wrong with her arm or shoulder area. I put her in bed with us. She seemed to calm down.

At around 3:00 she started to stir around started to scream again!!!! She was was grabbing her shoulder area again. By 4:00 we left to go to the hospital. After talking to the dr. and having x-rays done.... she has fractured her collar bone! Yep! A small fracture in her collar bone. She is in alot of pain. The rest of Friday we slept pretty much all day. Saturday we made it to the couch and stayed awake more that day. But she didn't want anything to do with being moved.

Today she has rested off and on but she isn't laying around as much. She is eating a bit better today and the pain seems to be getting better. But she still hurts quit a bit. We are going to keep her home Monday and prolly Tuesday just to make sure she is doing ok before going to be around all the other kids! Keep us in your prayers - a 2 yr. old in pain isn't a whole lot of fun we are finding out!!!

But on a fun note - we went downtown Wednesday night and saw the Santa get turned on. Piper thought that was pretty cool. It was pretty cold so we just saw that and then went around and looked at a few lights.

I did get my Christmas decorations put up too. Well, most of them. I did something this year that I have always wanted to do - We put a wreath with a red bow on every window. Its looks really nice. Now per the suggestion of my mom we need to get a couple of spot lights and put them on the front of the house at night. I hope we can get that done - it sounds pretty.

Been a week I tell you...... I stayed up till 1:00 on election night and had to get up at 5 the next morning..... so last night I really wasn't worth a crap! I went out for dinner with my girlfriends. I had a great time and drank a few cold ones - so that made me even more tired! Needless to say, I fell asleep putting Piper to bed and then only moved to the sofa to continue that sleeping until Steve woke me up to go to bed!!! HA!

Not really much going on this week at our house. I was very worried about election night. I did not believe for one moment that Obama was going to landslide win the election. I guess I was wrong, which is good!

Now that Halloween is over I have to get all my stuff put away. That is on my long list of things to do this weekend!

ELECTION DAY!!!! MAKE SURE YOU GO VOTE!!


I am ready for the day to be over already. I am so excited to see what happens tonight. We have spent so many months waiting for this day! I told Steve this morning - what are the political shows going to talk about now!!! And what are we going to watch! That is all we have been watching for months now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ASHLEY! Ashley is 14 - yes 14 today!!! I can't believe it. Time has gone so fast...... This is an old halloween picture of Steve and the kids. Everybody hit Ashley's blog and tell her happy birthday please!!!http://ashescrapola.blogspot.com/

Piper has been quite the character this weekend. On Friday afternoon she found these shoes in her closet. And needless to say - she hasn't taken them off only to go to bed. Also, her love for play doh is now matched with the movie Annie! I swear she now eats, sleeps and drinks play doh and Annie!

We have had a pretty lazy weekend. I have done laundry all weekend and Steve swept the house today. We did a bit of errands. Of course the grocery store and Target we hit this weekend. I think we spent Steve's paycheck at the grocery!!

Today I have made a cheesecake and potato soup already. Both just sounded good. I hope the both taste good. I haven't ever made this cheesecake recipe before so we will see.

What a beautiful weekend it was. I can't believe how hot it was yesterday!!! Yesterday my wonderful husband put his 3 coat wax job on my truck! I helped as much as I could (while Piper was taking a nap) but Steve did most of the work and this was after biking!!! He ROCKS! It looks great! I didn't realize how bad it needed it. But while working on this and I started to break a sweat I thought "we will just go back and jump in the pool to cool off" - NO CAN DO- it's closed but it sure felt like summer so I wasn't thinking clearly!!

We had a nice weekend.

Friday night - Piper and I got our hair cut. She sat still like a good little girl. We actually got a good trim job done on her. It's in a bob just below her chin. She still has this little section of hair that needs to grow a bit more to stay out of her eyes - but we are getting there. After the haircuts we went to Cebolla's for supper. OK - it was my idea to eat there - but I am done eating there for quite awhile now. I think it just doesn't taste that good anymore because we have eaten there so much in the past. And while we were eating - Piper got upset about something and she was crying and sticking her fingers in her mouth (which she does sometimes) she stuck them in to far and she pukes everywhere! It wasn't alot - but it was still puke! She was sitting with her dad - so he had to clean it up. But then she wanted to come to me and when I got her - she stunk!!! Nice for the supper table! By time I put her down for bed I was freakin' exhausted from the week. I know we were in bed by 10!!

Saturday we went to the grocery store early to try to avoid some of the people. Piper was alittle cranky at the store 1. because she was off and on awake every 30 min from 3 o'clock on that morning and 2. because we were shopping at Kroger and it's not very busy so I let her out of the cart and she wanted out of the cart but this week we went back to Meijer and it's busier there so we weren't letting her out. So, the grocery store wasn't very much fun! After that we headed home, ate lunch and down for a nap miss grouchy butt went. She slept for 2.5 hours......ahhhhhh nice. I did some of my chores and Steve decided to go take a bike lap over at Franke. So, just I get ready to sit down and enjoy whatever time I had left - Steve's dad shows up - just as Steve is getting ready to go biking - Steve leaves and his dad comes in to visit with me! No nap or reading for me!!

Sunday Piper and I just hung around home while Steve went biking in Warsaw. Piper is really in to stickers and play doh right now (see Steve's blog) So, her and I went over to Michael's craft store to just check things out. We ended up with this bucket of things to use on the play doh. I used the coupon for 50% off a reg. price item and got it for $5! Man - we have got our money out of it already!! But shit - it's all she can think about right now. Even this morning when she came downstairs - she comes walking in to the kitchen carry the bucket and a can of doh! I told her we couldn't play right now and BOY did she turn on the drama - sobbing, big, big tears! I think I am going to have to hide it! I also got her one of those "grow a" - where you put them in water and they get bigger - we got grow a goblin - it's this pumpkin guy. So, I put him in a big bowl of water on the table and she gets up and checks on him and talks to him! That's my kid!

Ashley has a volleyball game tonight. Piper and I are even going to it! I am feeling brave!

Steve and I are talking Christmas presents already - about what to get the kids and everybody! I would like to get it done early this year. So far I have my dad, steve's dad and my niece done! I bought somethings for my mom and all the kids but still have stuff to finish up. We went to get Steve's mom's present Saturday night at Target - we had been watching something on sale. And wouldn't you know - they were all gone! Shit!

Time is just flying by! I am sure you all feel the same way too. I haven't been bloggin' much lately - I haven't really felt like it. With everything that is going on with everything just kinda gets you down some - you know what I mean.

My work is getting to it's busy time. Between now and February - will be some pretty busy times for me. Got to keep my focus and my will on my work some how????

All the kids are doing great! Ashley's volleyball season is almost over. Last games are a tournament on the 18th. I am sure she is not looking forward to it being over. She loves playing it and I think she loves that is keeps her busy and out of the house.

Riley is doing good. He was going to play football - but then changed his mind. We hope that we can get him involved in winter basketball. He has played for several years but didn't last year. It's kinda a pain for us - on our weekends have to make a trip to Albion every Saturday morning from Nov. till Feb. BUT IT IS WELL worth it. He needs all the help to get moving and not be a couch potato he can get!

Piper is getting to be quite the big girl.... she is talking more and more. Still not saying EVERY word consistently but she is doing better and says stuff out of the clear blue sky and you are like holy shit - did you hear that!

Steve and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary in September. We bought our nice tv as our gift to each other - plus he got me 2 purses and I bought him bike grips. He took me out for supper that night. I really, really enjoyed that (even with Piper along) it was a nice evening. I picked the Toscani's downtown and I had a couple glasses of wine -- so I was relaxed! He was going to buy me flowers but he gave me the choice of dinner or flowers and girls.... I will pick dinner every damn time.... TO NOT HAVE TO COOK! I will pick food any day!!

Piper and I had a WONDERFUL 3 days off last week. It was cold so we couldn't do much outside but we still had a great time. I got SO much stuff done. I worked around the house, had the furnance guy do the tune-up, took the dog to the vet, went to the dr., went to my mom's work fall festival, visited with some friends! It was great. Only thing bad.... just made leaving my little girl and coming back to work that much harder. Each time I am home with her I have a harder and harder time coming back to work. I wish I could get my paycheck and stay at home. I just feel like I am missing so much of her growing up.

COOL NEW BLOG! Thanks Jill for the ideas and the website! I have been wanting something like that forever and could find anything!

I am a stay at home mom for 3 days! Yeah! Hopefully get something posted soon!

What a week! I have had all the politics I can handle now with the Republican Convention right after the Democratic Convention. The Republican one was just too much for me to handle. I really can't stand the way the lie. I wanted to watch and make sure I was making the right choice with the choice I have already made. I don't have ANY questions left unanswered and I know without a shadow of a doubt I am ready for November now.

Last night was Ashley's first volleyball game. The won and Ashley spiked the winning point in the 3rd game! She was so excited. I am sure if you check out her blog this weekend - she will tell you all about it! Here is the thing - we get to the gym - and it was hotter than HELL in there. I just don't understand how you can have a volleyball game - with players and people in the stands and expect us to be ok with 93 degree temps in there. Piper was burning up and sweating like she looked like I had given her a bath! It was ridiculous! I mean it - I just want to know why it was so hot in there - they could do nothing - open doors, put a big fan in the door. I just don't get it. About 1/2 way thru Ashley's first game - Piper had had enough of the heat and was getting hungry and restless. I took her outside to play (thank god it was alittle bit cooler outside)but it was sprinkling out too. I didn't care at that point - I just wanted out of the hot gym. Piper was happy to get up and moving around too. We went back inside for the last game (which went really fast) and we got to see Ashley work her magic. After the games were over I was sooooo ready to get the hell out of there. We left (Ashley's mom wouldn't let her come talk to us anyway and Riley only spoke to Piper and I because he came outside and his mom didn't know I was outside!) We stopped at McD's for supper and were home by 8:30...... needless to say, it was a really long night! Piper was exhausted by time we got home. I don't think I will be attending very many volleyball games this year! Steve said we could take turns going - but I really think it's important for her dad to be there and I will go when I can.

Tonight we are doing nothing. Steve is tired(well, I said he is) and he needs to rest after getting so worked up last night. I don't think he slept real well between feeling all hot and sweaty from that stupid gym and working himself up over the republicans! He needs a night of rest.

Tomorrow is our family picture day.... I can't wait! I have such high expectations - I just hope it turns out like I want. And these will be Piper's 2 yr. old pictures. We are taking her pink tricycle to the pictures with us. After pictures hopefully hit the farmer's market - I think this might be the last week for it....darn it! The one in Columbia City goes until the first week of Oct. I might just need to go alittle further out of town. Then after Piper gets up from her nap we are headed to Huntington. I have some stuff to deliver to Huntington and time to see the Grandparents. We didn't get to see them last weekend. They went out of town and we are having withdraws - so we are going for a visit!

Steve got his precious bike back today. It looks pretty cool. I really like the red on it. So, hopefully Sunday he gets some much needed biking time in (see his blog if you don't know what I am talking about) He needs the biking to release some of his issues!

I have been having some issues this week too. I think I might be a control freak and I am driving myself crazy. I want my kids to do things my way, I want them to behave in certain ways, I want my house stuff done a certain way, I want, I want, I think I need to let somethings go.........but I don't know how. All it does is make me grouchy. I hate it. So, starting today..... I am going to try to let it go...... worry about the big things..... not all of it needs to be done my way.....(but my way is still the best and right way!!) Like for example..... Riley's room causes me lots of hard ache.... (lots) and he has absolutely not a care in the world about the room. Awhile back I was just keeping the door shut - I don't care. (I tried to tell myself that) but lately we have been leaving it open for air flow upstairs so I see all his shit laying around, laundry that I did and took my time - thrown on the floor..... I just blow my top! And then when you tell him to pick it up... he just sits there and looks at you.... ok now the temperature gauge is on steam! Ok - lots of you have had kids - some of them have had messy rooms - what did you do to deal with it? And the laundry issues.... what kinds of rules did you have on that kind of thing???

I can't believe another holiday - another free day off work - bites the dust. That sucks. I always look forward to the long weekend and can't wait. Then poof - it's OVER! I told myself before the weekend started that we weren't going to eat out alot and we weren't going to be running around alot. I wanted to stay home, get some things done, swim and enjoy family time....... yeah right.... well, I did most of what I set out to do!

Friday night after Steve picked up the big kids - he calls me on his way home and says he wants Oley's pizza. I can eat Oley's every day of the week - well really I couldn't I would be bound up and not able to shit!!! I did have hamburger laid out to make a meat loaf - but that decision was trumped by the whole family!! After Oley's we headed home and Steve and the neighborhood brats played some b-ball and I put Piper to bed after she played outside for a bit.

Saturday we got up and headed to the farmer's market. I love that. I don't know when it ends I think it is soon - that is such a shame. After the market we needed to hit my fav place - the grocery store.... sucks.. Then it was lunch time - home and eat and put Piper down for her nap. While she was napping, Steve and I started deciding where we were going to put this elipitical trainer we were taking from his brother. This is a machine I mean to tell you. It's the kind they have in the gym. Well, here is the deal, we don't have much space left in our house and I really didn't want this thing in my living room!!! So, we figured out a way to make it fit in our room......but with this idea - we had to get a new tv.....yes a new TV - and flat one so that it could fit on top of Steve's dresser....... So, we ran around looking at tv's. Now remember I didn't want to run around alot or eat out alot....so far Friday Oley's and running all day Saturday...... In the end we bought the new tv from Best Buy because Wal-Mart really pissed me off and I am not buying shit from them again. Now I can't wait for the new Target to open up by my house! We got a 22' Samsung flat screen for the bedroom. So, the machine wasn't as free as we had hoped but it saved us a gym membership and the cost of the 3000.00 machine.

Sunday we had to move the machine upstairs and get all the tv straighten out. Also, we needed to get converter boxes for the kids tv for the digital change in Feb. So, we ate lunch at Arby's and then Steve and Riley went to get the converter boxes. When they got back all the upstairs tv are working and cool! Then later that afternoon we all took a swim. The water was freakin' hot! Steve turned on the pool heater for just a bit... but forgot.... I think he is hanging around me too much. So, the water was extremely warm. It was still nice to hang out by the pool. I made a meatloaf for supper and it was yummy!!! And I had brownies in the oven baking while we were eating supper. Those were yummy too!! The plan for that evening was to play board games after Piper went to bed. Well, Piper didn't want to go to bed. She was a real pill to get to bed that night. I don't know if she didn't feel well or what her deal was - but it took forever and then I was ready for bed myself!! Steve did play pictionary with the kids while I was dealing with her. At least they got some playing time in!

Monday we stayed home all day!!! It was great. Ashley had lots of homework, Riley had some and we just hung around and chilled all day. I am reading a great book by Debbie Macomber again. The third book in the Dakota series and I can't seem to get my nose out of it. Piper took a good 2 hour nap and I did all my laundry up for the week and chilled with the rest of the family!

Ashley has her first volleyball game on Thursday so that was all she could talk about. Riley - well he pushed my buttons a couple of times this weekend and so did Piper.

I hope I don't get a migraine this week. I have been getting them about every other week lately and finally with the last one - I went to the dr. He pulled me off all caffeine. Boy if that isn't fun! I am kinda feeling one coming on today. I hope not. But if I do - I have some new meds to try to keep it from getting too bad hopefully. I am suppose to avoid some of the other headache triggers - yeah right - stress, weather changes, beer, cheese, chocolate, etc., etc., HELLO - It's me Amanda - I can't do all that! Shit- I am going to have a headache!!

Last evening - was a nice evening. When I got home from work - we had no power. Boy, I was counting on going out to eat. Even though everything we did end up eating for supper was cooked on the grill. I still could've used that excuse. Yeah, we shouldn't get in and out of the fridge in case the power is off for sometime......... well, it didn't matter we were home about 15 minutes and it came back on! Shit!

We had a nice dinner. Steak and potato w/onions. It tasted good off the grill. Piper ate her normal aray of veggies and fruit - blueberries, cucumbers, tomato and she had some of the potatoes and at the bun off her cheeseburger!

After dinner we walked over to a near by pond/lake and fed the ducks. Piper loves doing this. Only problem this time was - the ducks were getting attacked by the fish that were apparently very hungry! So, we fed the fish some and then moved to a different spot to feed the ducks. We went for a short walk and back home we went.

Piper needed a bath and it was off to bed. For some reason, she did not want to go to sleep last night. I bet it was darn near 9 before she fell asleep. And she paid the price for it this morning! She was tired. And so was mom - we have been staying up too late this week with the DNC on and the keynote speakers not coming on till 10:45! I finished my Twenty Wishes - Debbie Macomber book while listening to the convention. Tonight ought to be interesting - Bill Clinton speaks and Joe Biden. Make sure to watch if you haven't yet!!

We have Riley tonight for visitation. Ashley has volleyball practice tonight so we don't get to see her. I hope Riley doesn't have a ton of homework!

Yesterday I had a day off work. I had to take Piper to the dr. at 9:00 and then her babysitter wanted her picked up by 2:00 because she had a dr. appt too! So no need to come to work for that little bit of time!

I got up almost at regular time. I needed to get Steve up and once I am awake - I am awake. Plus this was the dr. appt I have been dreading for months. I had to fill out this paper "test" thing they have everyone do at 2 years old - it is an autism screening. So, I got up and did the "test" - I went over a couple of questions with Steve to see how he felt about the question. All in all - my daughter is WAY to social to be autistic! But I am still worried about her not talking a ton. I made a list of the words she uses often and clearly for the dr. I was also dreading the appt. because Piper usually starts screaming when the dr. walks in the room. Really hard to have a conversation about her while she is wailing at the top of her lungs!!! I told her before we went that she needed to be a good girl and of course she understood!

She WAS very well behaved at the dr. office. She didn't cry until he started checking her out. I was able to talk to him and we were able to talk about how she is doing at 2. She was 28.3 lbs. and is 34 inches long. She had to get her second Hep. A shot - that really pissed her off. But all in all he said she is doing great. He wasn't concerned at all that she wasn't fluently speaking every word in the english language. He said all kids are different and she will talk soon enough! If in the next 6 months I am still really worried about it - they can have her evaluated but I really don't think she has a hearing problem. No problem. I did feel better after talking to him. And funny she was picking up new words over the weekend. I know soon she will be telling me off..... I think she does that already but I can't understand her!

After the dr. appt we went to Target. I needed a few things and we were out! Nice to shop in the middle of the week with no body there. I can't believe how much better it was. Piper got a little baby doll for being so good at the dr. We rean in to my Aunt Jill there. She asked Piper if she had to get a shot today and you should've seen it! POUR IT ON DRAMA QUEEN! She started to fake cry and pulled up her shorts to show Aunt Jill her boo boo with the elmo band aid. And then it was on the tears started coming. But ummm stopped when I picked her up! Drama at a young age!

Then I treated her to McDonalds for lunch and off for nap time. She took a really good nap. 2 1/2 hours. I was able to get a few things done in that time. I made a photo book of most of her birthday pictures. I can't wait for it to come. All those online photo places have some of the coolest things.

When Piper woke up it was play time on! We played kitchen, little people, my little ponies, and read books. Man I was exhausted by time dad got home! I loved it though. We had a great time. Just made me thinking about coming back to work even harder! I love this age. I feel like I am missing out on so much. I think it should be a law that a mom has to have so many days off work and can only work so many days. I would love that one extra day every week. I was able to finish up some laundry that I didn't get finished and still have plenty of time to play and spend with her.

We were suppose to go with Steve's day for supper but he didn't make it back to Ft. Wayne in time from taking his sisters to Indy. So, we had a quick supper and then went and visited with them while they ate later in the evening.

We watched the Democratic National Convention. Well, we didn't just sit and watch it all night - it was on. Did you all see the Ted Kennedy tribute and listen to him speak? I loved it. I loved the video tribute. I can't believe all he has done in his life and yet still has time to go sailing? And Caroline Kennedy said he never misses a graduation, baptism, wedding? How in the hell does this man have time for fun things???? I guess he prolly doesn't have to worry about what is for supper, taken out the trash, mowing the lawn, making a grocery list? I guess all those things are what take up alot of our life. But still - he has done so much - he has been in the senate for 46 years! That is unbelieveable. One of my favorite quotes from one of the tv people last night was - "We have seen a Kennedy grow old" Not only am I fascinated with Hitler stuff. I love JFK and the Kennedy's stuff.

Well, all the birthday celebrations are over! We celebrate with cake and her present from mom and dad on her birthday (see pink icing) and then on Saturday with her birthday party with all the family!

It was a great couple of days. The party day was beautiful outside. Lots of people were able to swim ( I don't do a bathing suit in front of a bunch of people) but Piper was able to swim with the kids and Steve got in. We had hot dogs, brats, pasta salad, mac and cheese and ranch beans for lunch. Everybody was able to get something to eat I think (Steve's dad had at least 4 plates of food) And we did cake and ice cream and presents. Everyone was very generous and Piper received a bunch of fun toys and lots of nice clothes!

Check out the new cook in my house! She loves the play kitchen. She is playing with it all the time! It was a good idea - mom!

Today is the day our daughter was born. I remember it like it was yesterday. I loved being pregnant. I had an easy pregnancy because I did nothing and my husband took good care of me! I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. And then before we knew it - it was time for her to be here. Two years ago today the greatest gift I could ever receive was giving to me. I thank God for giving me a healthy baby (and a ornery one too)

I know I will blink my eyes and she will be 13! I just hope that every birthday isn't as teary eyed for me as the last 2 have been.

Tonight we will have cake and she will open her presents. I will have to post a picture of her and her kitchen!

Getting ready for the big day tomorrow! Tomorrow Piper turns 2! Now, if she were only as excited about as mom is...... Monday when I woke her up I told her her birthday was coming up and she was turning 2 - she did the 2 sign with her fingers and said two for me. Today she just looked at me like - get out of my face mom! Can't wait till she is 13~

Weekend was really busy. Friday, Steve moved his brother. See his blog for all the goofy details! When he got home we went to Cebolla for supper and then home to chill and watch movies. We watched Vantage Point. GREAT MOVIE. I loved it. It was over in no time! So check this one out.

Saturday we got the big kids from 10-2 for the VW car show. We picked them up and headed to the farmers market first. Downtown the Barr Street farmers market is really nice. The first time we went we didn't take much cash with us - this time I went prepared! I got tomatoes, blueberries, peaches, potatoes, peppers, and a bunch of flowers! It was nice. I had a great time. If you haven't been down there - you need to check it out! Saturdays 9-1 on Barr Street.

We then headed out to the VW car show. I love VW bugs. I am going to have an old one before I die. I tell my family that all the time. They had a couple of them out there I could've taken home! The kids seemed to enjoy this. Riley is a big "car" fan kid. He knows all the kinds of cars, etc. Maybe it's just a boy thing! Then we took them to lunch at Arby's. Steve dropped Piper and I off so she could nap. Yeah, right nap. After an hour she finally fell asleep and only slept for 45 minutes...... While Piper was attempting a nap I watched the movie Atonement. It wasn't bad - alittle slow.... but not too bad.

After she was up we went to Toys R Us to get her birthday presents. She is getting a play kitchen. I hope she loves it. I can't wait to play house!! After wings and cheese fries for supper we headed for home. We watched the movie King of California! It was freakin' funny. It has Michael Douglas in it. Check this one out too. It was pretty funny.

Sunday was really busy! My mom and Aunt Angie came up to go shopping. We were primarily looking for stuff for them to get Piper for her birthday but of course we bought everything else too!! I got Piper a couple of outfits and myself a couple of outfits too! We are having family pictures on Sept. 6 so I was also trying to color coordinate outfits for all of us. Steve didn't act to impressed with his shirt. I just want him to wear a polo shirt for a couple of shots and then he can wear his t-shirts! By time I got home from the mall we still had to go grocery shopping. So I didn't even sit down and off we went! I was tired by time we got home from the store. I made an easy supper - ham subs!! We did too much eating out this last weekend. But this coming weekend will be better.

On this coming Saturday we are having Piper's birthday party. We don't have a HUGE event. Just Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and 2 of my Aunts. But still enough when you plan a meal! Tonight I have to make a Wal-Mart run and get Piper treats to take to the sitter. Plus order her a birthday cake! Can you believe I don't have that done yet! I will get it done tonight.

I have to wrap her presents tonight and bake a cake for our birthday celebration tomorrow night on her birthday. I decided on her first birthday that we will always (within reason) have a cake and she will open her presents from us ON her birthday. Whether we have big kids that night or not. But I will always have her birthday party on a weekend that they are with us.

Big News FOR ASHLEY----SHE MADE THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM! She is very excited and so are we. Riley is supposedly going to play football this fall. Sign ups are this week. I did remind him that it isn't flag football and he will be tackled..... this may be interesting!

Something else I keep forgetting to blog about...... on our way out of town on Saturday we drove on the road that goes past the Community Harvest Food Bank. You would not have believed the line to get food. I tried looking on their website to see if that was a special give away day or something. But I didn't find anything. I talked to someone who said that they think that is one of their days they give out food. It was UNREAL! I know lots of people are hurting and have lost their jobs, etc. I guess you hear that all the time on the news. But I have never SEEN it. I am so thankful that I don't have to worry about feeding my family. And it seems every agency that is accepting school supplies this year is begging for the supplies. The Salvation Army in Columbia City gathered a whole van full of supplies and it was GONE the first day they were giving them out. Our country is in a sad state. And I just feel like its EVERYTHING! I don't know how we are going to recover.

So, with that said....... there is a barrel for food collection at my work and they are throughout Columbia City. The United Way here is doing a food drive along with their day of caring. PLEASE BRING STUFF TO FILL THE BARREL! Come on - several of us are doing good or better than good with our families. Let's help out the families that are down on their luck right now. Someday it could be us!

Last evening was MUCH better. Piper was in a better mood. And we all know - when the 2 year old is happy - everybody is happy!!! And that is no lie. She started in when we first got home about the pacifier. She climbed the stairs and I was up there changing my clothes and I had already put away the pacifier. She made a few rumblings about it but I was able to distract her with the fact she needed to go help me make supper! So it all seemed to work out (well, for that night)

Quick supper - wings and fries. I wasn't prepared and frankly I didn't really feel like cooking. After supper we took Piper outside to play. I watered flowers. We just all dilly dallied around outside. We did eventually take a walk over to St. Francis and walk around the lake. When we got over there 2 ducks came up to us. They thought we had food. We didn't. I didn't think that far ahead. So being the good daddy he is - Steve went back home and got us some old hot dog buns to feed to the ducks. Piper thought that was pretty cool. I told her we would come back soon and feed them again and we headed home - it was time for a bath and bed! Piper went to bed awesome for me. I didn't even have to rock her. She just wanted me to lay down beside her bed and I did for 10 minutes and I was out of there.

By 6 I was missing the big kids already. They drive me absolutely crazy - but I missed them terribly already. The house was quiet (that was nice), Piper seemed to be relaxing too (which was nice) but they were gone. It will be nice to get back in our regular routine but it will just take a couple of days to adjust back.

They start school today. I know Ashley can't wait. She got a new cool outfit to wear and she is ready for her 8th grade year to start. Riley - I think he was ready. Ready to see all his friends and all his girlfriends! It just seems so early to start. I really don't even feel like we had a summer. We did lots of stuff - tried to take in some places and some restful things - BUT it's over already.

My hubby is still not feeling well. I can't believe it has been all this time and ALL the meds he has taken and he still isn't feeling well. I think alot of it has to do with him not taking time to rest like he should. He thinks he has to be going balls to the wall all the time. So, I nicely asked him if we would at least take the next two nights and kinda chill out. He said he would try and he did a decent job of it last night. I don't mean that he should just come home and hit the couch (he could never do it!) I just mean come home and do a few things that aren't much of anything and chill out. I just really think his body is telling him it needs rest. It's been forever since we had a Saturday or Sunday to sleep in and chill when we got up. He thinks we have to get up and get going somewhere - doesn't care where - just somewhere...

Do you ever have a day you would just wish you could forget? Did you ever have a day that you hope you never have again? Did you ever have a day that put you so down in the dumps that you hope the next day you will be in a better mood? Well, that was today for me. All of the above and more.

Work sucked. Home sucked.

When I went to get Piper they were outside playing. That is always bad news for me. She doesn't like to leave when she is outside playing. She generally throws a nice fit when it's time to leave and that just started off my night. When I got her home - she was drenched and screaming. Steve tried to get her out of the truck and she just cried her head off. I have NO IDEA what the hell her problem was. I got her in the house and got her chilled out and finally she let me fix supper. I really wanted to make a meatloaf but all the hamburger wasn't thawed out. So, tacos was the next thing I was hungry for and that was what we had.

While I was cooking, Piper sneaked upstairs looking for her pacifier. I tell you what. We about had her broke of the paci. It was just a bedtime thing. But lately - she is really addicted to it. It's time to start taking her off it again. Steve caught her upstairs looking frantically for this paci. When he brought her downstairs it was ON! She was a crying brat from that point on. She wouldn't eat her supper and just cried. Steve and I both were about at the end of our ropes. After both of us not having a great day at work, not feeling good and the big kids, well let's just say it's for sure time for them to go back to work and then a screaming 2 year old. I was worried because I thought maybe she really didn't feel well. BUT I am convinced she was just throwing a fit for the paci.

After cleaning up after supper I had a few errands to run. I needed to go get my library book, make a deposit with a check I have had for 3 weeks, return a movie and pick up some milk. I know I have said how much I hate errands in the evenings. But there was no getting around it. We were all going to go and then I told Steve if it was ok - I would just run and get it done. So off I went. I was moving along pretty good until I went to leave the grocery store. I saw a friend of mine from high school. I haven't seen her in forever. It was nice to see her. I gave her my phone number and hopefully we can hook up for lunch someday. She has a 4 yr. old daughter too. I was way past my stay away from home time so I headed back home.

Piper came outside to help me water the flowers. We got that chore done and off upstairs to give the dirty brat a bath! She was in alittle bit better spirits. After bath she went to bed with NO PROBLEM! I could not believe it. I was able to get a bunch more chores done and even sit and blog about my shitty day!!!

Another weekend bites the dust. Man that was a fast weekend.

Friday night we didn't go anywhere or do a whole lot. When we got home from work we just worked in the front flower beds and did a few things. I made a homemade pizza for supper that night. I wanted everybody to get plenty of rest for the big Saturday trip. We had plans to get up early and pick up Steve's dad by 800 a.m..

Saturday was an awesome day. I think everybody had a great time. Piper was well behaved. It took 2.5 hours to get to the Airforce Museum. Steve's dad seemed to really enjoy it. He works on parts for some the the bombers and planes that we saw. He said that never in his life did he think he would see some of those. We got 1/2 way thru the second hanger (there was 3 and a round silo area) and everybody was hungry and ready for lunch. We ate lunch at Quaker Steak & Lube. It was good food and cool atmosphere. If you ever see one - check it out. It looks like an oil change place from the outside!! Steve had wings and ribs, I had wings - and they were pretty good. The pictures up above of us are taken at Quaker Steak & Lube. The other ones - one is a the B52 bomber and the other was my favorite. Being a WWII - Hitler fan - that picture is one of the 2 gold eagles from Hilter and the bust has bullet holes in it and it was in one of his ranking officiers offices.

After lunch we headed back to the museum to finish up. We only had 2 hours left to finish up. So some of the rest of the stuff was seen with a hurry. Every kid got a little something from the gift shop and off we went. Back in the truck for another 2.5 hours. We were talking on the way home about how it was such a nice place to take your family. Not far from home, FREE to get in and you can go there on a tank of gas. You know those cheap vacations - and if you wanted to they had an awesome park there (I didn't know about it) you could pack a lunch and take with you.

Thanks goodness Piper did fall asleep for a little nap. On the way back home Steve's dad wanted to know if we were all up for Coney Island for supper. So we did the Fort Wayne thing and ate dinner at Coney Island. Ok - we were there in April and now in August. I am good for a long time on that one now.

Sunday was a busy day. I felt like I had tons of crap to do. Laundry out the butt. I did laundry all day and THEN Riley brings down the new clothes that we got him for school and ask if I can wash those before he goes back to his mom's on Tuesday.... sure.... We still had some school shopping to do and of course our Target run!

I am reading another Debbie Macomber book in the Cedar Cove series. They have all been good - this one 311 Pelican Court is really good and I can't put it down. During nap time, I was able to read for about 20 minutes before Piper got up. And any chance I could get yesterday I had the book with me. I was up till 11 reading the damn thing! I will finish it today at lunch hopefully and I have to run by the library tonight and pick up a hold book. A start to another busy week. We have to take the kids to their mom tonight and then tomorrow night they go back to her house and then on Wednesday night they come to our house for visitation. The weekend will be here before I know it!

Not really much going on.

Wednesday night we did not take Piper to story time. She was really tired and grouchy. I was tired too. Her and I have both not felt real well this week and you all know that Steve hasn't been feeling well for a long time. So, we passed this week.

Last night we didn't do a whole lot either. It was nice that the weather finally broke and we are having alittle bit cooler time. I was just ready to open the windows and enjoy some fresh air! Steve took the big kids to the movie yesterday afternoon. Ashley's turn to pick - Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Steve and Riley said it was REALLY PAINFUL to watch and Ashley just said it was ok. Sounds like he it some bigger girl issues in the movie. Steve was playing stupid and asking me when they got home - "In the movie - this girl was saying she might be late- what does that mean? Late paying a bill? and what did they mean when they were making out and the guy said - I think it might have broke?" OH BOY! Like he doesn't know. Ashley was running for cover and Riley was laughing his ass off!

We went for a short walk over to Steve's mom's house. She was been canning bread and butter pickles with Steve's Grandma and brought us some home. Piper, Ashley and Steve are eating the crap out of these!!! She also brought us some cucumbers home. And those go like hotcakes at our house too! I think this summer Ashley has learned a valuable lesson on eating fruits and veggies.

I think I might be coming down with a cold. Crap! Wednesday night my throat was so sore. Yesterday it was my throat, nose running and a small cough. I took Nyquil before bed. That is the best shit! Makes me sleep like a baby! The only thing I hate is how long it takes to get out of my system.

Not really much going on this weekend. We have plans to go the the Dayton AirForce Museum with Steve's dad tomorrow. I am sure that will be an adventure in itself! Sunday just a normal work around the house day prolly. Try to fit in all my chores in one day!

I know you were all worrying - I finally found some black shoes... on payless.com... Now I just have to hope that they fit! Everybody can rest easy now.

Ok I am sick of this..... headache! I have had a freakin' headache since Monday evening.... it sucks. It comes and goes - but when it comes - it is bad. I have taken all kinds of meds and they all kinda take the edge off but then it comes back full force! Now I have a sore throat to go with it! I hope we aren't all getting sick. Steve still feels like shit. He went to the dr. again today. The dr. this time told him that he had the pnemonia bad and it will take him 3-6 months to feel better from it. Shit - that is a long time. But at least we know that now. Piper has snot coming out like crazy but yet is stuffed up and has a cough. I can't believe it's summer and we all have cold like stuff.

This week has been busy.

Monday first day back to work - that drove me crazy in itself. Then Monday night we had our neighborhood association meeting. It started at 700 usually last maybe an hour. Well, we had a guest speaker from Wane TV come in and talk about the digital tv change coming in Feb. and alot of the neighbors that attend the meetings are older and they had lots of question. The WANE TV guys left at 800 and we still had a meeting to finish! I got home at 845. I had taken the big kids with me so they could go to the library(meeting is at the library) They are always asking to go to the library - this time they got to go for awhile! Piper went to bed alittle better that night.

On the potty training note for Monday - the sitter tried it with her in the morning. She had pee pants 3 times that morning. I think she understands - but maybe not really.... she has only gone in the pot like 2 times so she hasn't really had the experience and knowledge that that is what she is suppose to do. I think if we keep working with her and get her to potty in the pot all scream and dance around - she will think that is pretty cool and get it!

Tuesday night was National Night Out. I hope you all went to your neighborhood events. At our neighborhood we have a little something at the firestation. We just have snacks and pop and each kid can take a little toy. Last night was a decent night out and we had quite a few people attend. I know some bigger areas have cookouts and stuff like that. Usually we have a clown there to do balloon animals but we ran out of time this year. Still it was a nice evening.

When I got home from that Piper needed her bath and bed. I got that done and I was done. My freakin' head was killing me. I headed for bed. While getting ready for bed I discovered a couple of things.... you know women - we remember how we left things and how things are suppose to be. When I went to put my clothes in the hamper I noticed that someone had rifled thru the dirty clothes hamper. WTF? I came downstairs to ask the big kids and Riley just looked at me like "HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT" He finally admitted that it was him looking for socks. Well, as I explained to him - that is dirty clothes - not to be worn until they are clean again.... I think the big kids learned that I am not maybe as stupid as they think I am. No wait they are teenagers - they still think I am stupid.

All day and tonight I still have the damn head ache! I just had a normal night of laundry. My nice husband had laid out steaks in a marinade for us to eat for supper tonight. That just wasn't going to cut it for me tonight. I talked him into getting pizza from a place just down the street - they have a 6.99 one topping pizza. Pretty cheap. And then he grilled up the steaks for us to take in our lunch tomorrow! Good Lunch!

Back to work I guess. Man - I did NOT want to go back to work already. I am not so sure that a few days off helped me out - I think it might have made it worse!!!

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. Steve went biking and Piper and I went out to Toys R Us. I wanted to go out and check out the play kitchens. We are getting her one for her birthday and I have it picked out. I just need to buy it. I prolly should've yesterday. They only had one white one left - the others are pink. But I didn't do it. So, now we need to go back out and get it. I do that often. I have to think it over.... hell I know what I want why keep waiting! DUH!

Piper took a nap and I tried to watch a movie Becoming Jane. I was watching it and Steve's dad called and said that him and his new girlfriend were stopping over. It was nice to visit with them. I was able to finish watching the movie after Piper went to bed. It was pretty good. Kinda a slow one but a good one.

Every night since Piper moved in to her new room, putting her to bed is an adventure. She does not want to go to sleep. I usually try to put her down between 8-8:30 and some nights its been 9:30-10 before she finally goes to sleep. This is very frustrating. The only good thing was last week (our vacation week) was her first week in her new room so she didn't have to get up super early any day. But this week will be a different story. But on second thoughts maybe that is a good thing. She will be getting up earlier and playing harder at the sitters so maybe our normal bedtime will be back. Every time I have troubles with her I just keep thinking how bad I want the crib back. I don't like the frustration for her and the frustration for me right before bed. It makes her and me not sleep well that night!

I did it! I bought my daughter one of those "leash" things. You know what.... at least now I feel like I can look at something on the shelf and not have to worry as much. I tried it twice yesterday. She seemed ok with it for awhile. So, now I just look like one of "those" parents. And yes, people do stare... I don't give shit. I am responsible for this 2 year old and she isn't getting hurt by the whole thing. The last thing I want is for some crazy to take my daughter. All though some days I might give her away!!!!

I was able to get some shopping stuff done on vacation. I needed to get Piper's birthday party stuff and I got that done. I needed to do some shopping for myself. I got most of that done too. I am still looking for a nice pair of black loafter type shoes with a small heel. SHIT! You would think I am asking for the moon on this one! If I find some that I like - they don't have my size. But most of the time what I am looking for isn't there!!! Maybe they aren't in style anymore? Don't care - they are my style!

We took Ashley and Riley last night to Wal-Mart to buy all their school supplies. They were so excited. I remember those days. Nice new school supplies, new book bag, new shoes - man I remember how excited I was. It was next to Christmas for excitement! Well, the big kids were just as excited. We also got each of them new tennis shoes, shirts and pants. Won't be long now for them. August 13th is there first day. Summer has gone fast this year.

My vacation time is dwindling down... darn it!

Thursday we went to the Children's Museum in Indy. We left home around 7:30 and stopped and had breakfast with the old people...Richards. I think all the kids enjoyed the museum. The big kids had fun but they are getting to the age where its borderline for them. BUT Miss Piper had an great time! She was like a crazy animal in there. There was the room for toddlers its called PlayScape. MAN! Was that place out of control!!!! Toddlers running everywhere - playing with everything - water, sand playhouse, slides. The big kids wanted to go see something on the Bat Mobile that was used in the Dark Knight movie so I stayed in there with Piper.... I was ready to get the hell out of there!

There was a Curious George area that Piper just loved too. There was a cool rocket slide in there. That was her first taste of running around like a wild indian. Riley got to sit an a real Indy car. Piper and I rode the carousel. All in all - it was a fun day. We got there around 10ish and left alittle after 1. We stopped for a late lunch on the way home at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Food was ok. Steve and I have ate there before and weren't overally impressed but decided to give it a try again. Good atmosphere if anything! And good music.....

Yesterday we didn't do too much. Just kinda hung around the house. When Piper went down for her nap the big kids went swimming (well fighting in the pool) and I read my book and laid by the pool. I haven't done that in forever I tell you! I was able to finish one good book and start another. We took the big kids to meet their mom and we went to pick up movies and eat some supper. We tried Moe's Southwest Grill.... YUMMY! We will for sure be going back there! I loved it. I had basically their tacos and Steve had their burritos but they are made with chicken or steak and they just tasted good! They did have a few kinds of beers there and it looked like they might have margaritas. The chips and salsa were both good and the cheese dip was good too. We are for sure adding that to the list of places to eat!

After supper we did a bit of running and they headed for home. After we put Piper to bed we watched Margot at the wedding.. Well, if you ever want to watch a movie that the whole time you keep waiting for things to start acting normal and you kinda get the movie and at the end you say WTF???? This is the movie you need to watch. There were several funny parts but all in all it was just weird!

Today we did the normal. Except we went to the Barr Street farmers market. It was packed! There was all kinds of stuff. Fresh produce, fruit, honey, maple syrup, breads and jewelry and come clothes. Even live music! It was pretty cool. I think we will go back again soon.

My wonderful husband went to the grocery while Piper took her nap. I hate the grocery store and seem to have avoided going now for the last 2 times! SWEET!

We are heading to Huntington for the evening. The grandparents are watching Norah. She is walking now so I want to get her and Piper to play together. They haven't played together since Norah started walking. Better take the camera!

First day of my vacation. I woke up at 5 this morning - but hell no - I went back to sleep! I didn't get up until 8. We are going to Indy tomorrow so I wanted to make sure I got some sleeping in today!

Today was Piper's movie day. We went to see Horton Hears A Whoo. It was pretty cute. Piper has never been to the movies yet. So, of course mom had to take a picture of her at the first movie she gets to go to!!! There was NO ONE in the movie theater. We went at 10 o'clock this morning. We went to the cheap movies. I was afraid she wouldn't like it and I didn't want to be out the price of the expensive movies!! Since there was no one there - I didn't have to worry too much about her disturbing others! She was actually pretty good though. She got up a couple of times and went back and forth between us. But not too bad.

Last night we played Monopoly. WOW! Ashley and Riley have lots to learn!!! Goofball Ashley sold her crooked dad Boardwalk at the beginning of the game and he already owned Park Place. MAN - what a mistake. I knew just what was going to happen and sure enough by the end he had freakin' hotels up on those places..... I am happy to say that I never landed on them. But I did land on some properties that he took from Ashley and he had put hotels on and it cost me! But I was smart. I didn't leave all my money on the table. I was putting it in my pocket so the whole time they were all thinking I didn't have much money. But my husband ripped me off. He landed on one of my properties and I had to make change and he said an amount and I just thought that sounded right and he ripped me off $100. Oh well! It was fun. Lots of fun. I really enjoyed it and I hope we can fit much more nights in before our summertime with them is over.

Tonight is Story Time. I am really hoping to get Piper there. I think Steve is going to go with us again too. I like that he is going. Won't be long and story time will be on our visitation night and he won't be able to go - unless the big kids don't have homework! Yeah right!

I almost forgot! Last night when I put Piper in the tub - as soon as I got her in there - she was fussin' around and pointing to the potty.... I asked her if she had to go and she shook her head yes. So, I pulled her out and put her on the potty. And HOLY Shit! She had to go. She went potty and she told me she had to go!!! YEAH! She got her toilet paper and wiped her butt and back in the bath we went! It was awesome. This is going to be interesting....

The Weekend:

I was really busy over last weekend and didn't get a chance to keep up with my blog.

Friday Night - we went straight to supper after I got home with Piper from the sitter. Went to Cebolla's - had a margarita to kick off the weekend. After supper went to pick up the movies and then headed home. Steve suspected we had another leak with the pool. This time in the yard where the pipes run - because we had a mini swamp in the back yard. The leak guy was coming to our house Friday night at 7:15 so we had to be home. It all worked out good. I had the best intentions to get the girls rooms flipped and Ashley's needed painted! So, Friday night I moved all Ashley's stuff out of her old room and stored it in Riley's room. His room was full by time I got done. I spent from 7-9 moving as much of her stuff out so I could put as much of Piper's in. By time Piper went to bed the only thing left in her old room was her bed, changing table and rocker. Only thing left in Ashley's old room that was Ashley's was her dresser. I had put several of Piper's thing in the room though. Plan was Saturday morning - move Piper's bed and changing table out of her old room and start painting to make it Ashley's room!

Saturday- it was Steve's mom's birthday so he called and invited everyone over for a cook out that night. I really wanted to do it - but I had big plans for the day. So I got to work. I moved the bed and changing table out of the room and started painting. I did a good job - I only had to paint the bottom half it turned out. I was painting her room the yellow color that I had used on the top half of the nursery walls. I thought it wouldn't blend together and I would have to paint the whole walls - but it did! SWEET! By 11 - I was done painting and had my shower already!!

When I put Piper down for her afternoon nap - Steve went to the store for food for that night and I worked my butt off! I got Ashley's room pretty much put together. Bed, with new linens, nightstand, bookcase all moved in her new room. After Piper was awake we moved Ashley's dresser out and the recliner in. By time everybody came over for the cookout - the room was pretty much done except for the closets. I was exhausted. So was Steve, he had to get up at 6 that morning to start pumping water out of the hole where we DID have a leak and work on diggin the hole bigger.

The family came over and we had a cookout for his mom's birthday and had a cake. Everybody went swimming too. Some funnies from the night.... Lilly picked out Gloria's birthday cake - it had a princess crown and wand on it and Lilly picked out Gloria a Barbie princess birthday card! Piper pooped in the pool.

Saturday night after it all chilled out Steve and I watched the movie The Other Boylen Girl. I liked it alot. Steve didn't so much care for it. Friday night we watched 21 ! Awesome movie! Really worth the time!

Sunday - Steve had plans to go biking. He still hasn't been feeling the best but he was determined to go! I called my mom to see what she was up to. Piper and I headed for Huntington. That worked out great. I needed to get her baby bed out of the house. So, I packed it up and took it to Huntington with me. We went down for a visit. We ran over to Wal-Mart to get some fabric for mom's friend to make Piper some pillow cases. I don't like to go to the Huntington Wal-Mart. I see people I know.... and here I was on Sunday in the Wal-Mart with NO MAKE-UP on! I can't believe I went to the HUNTINGTON Wal-Mart period but without makeup - holy shit! After that we went back to my parents and ate some lunch. During lunch I felt a good headache coming on. So, I had to head for home. By time I got home - I made it to the couch and Steve put Piper down for a nap. I slept for 2 hours like Piper did!!

After our afternoon naps, we went to Target. Yes, I was having withdrawl and needed just a few things. With Ashley's big room move she was getting lots of new things, nice new things. I wanted to do something nice for Riley. I told Steve what I was thinking. I was thinking about getting him something we normally would NEVER buy him. The one thing that came to my mind was Guitar Hero game for his Nintendo DS and they had it on sale (if you call that a sale) So, we got him the game.

When we got home from getting the kids, I didn't tell Ashley her room was done - she was surprised when she went upstairs. I asked Riley if he had been in his room yet - and he hadn't. But we heard him when he did go in. He was so excited. He told me he has been wanting this forever! Ashley was very happy with her room but kept telling Piper how big her room was. I think she just meant with all her(Ashley's) stuff out of it. Everybody seemed happy and mom and dad were exhausted!!

Yesterday started the week off for Steve. I just have to work Monday and Tuesday. Since he still isn't feeling good he called and made a dr. appt for today. So, hopefully we will find something out. Him and the kids just kinda hung out yesterday. He had supper cooking when I got home. That was nice and that made our evening feel like forever. We were done eating supper at 6 o'clock! But that was good because we still had to move closets between the girls rooms. I thought it would take forever - but it didn't ! Watched Jon & Kate plus 8 and went to bed! I have Ashley and Riley addicted to the show now!

Not much happened on Thursday. The kids spent the day with their Grandma and their new friends. The stayed up way to late at Grandma's and swam most of the day so they were both very tired last night.

After supper we went to the park (the girls) and the guys went biking. Piper had a blast at the park. She was bouncing in her seat when I pulled in to the parking lot! After we got done at the park we took her over to the pond where all the ducks are. She thought they were pretty cool too! Next time we go over I will have to take some bread so she can feed them. I can't even imagine how much fun she will think that is!

Ashley tried to go biking with the guys. But she broke her glasses Wednesday night and they tried to fix them so she can wear them and it just isn't working out. So, she couldn't really see to go biking in the woods where there are lots of trees!

Took Piper home after the park and ducks and gave her a bath. I always feel so dirty after we have been at the park - I mean I feel she is so dirty. She prolly feels fine - but not mom! I have to give her a bath after park nights. The playground equipment is so disgusting. So rather than flip out while I am there..... I just make sure she gets a good scrub down when we get home. Gross...

Piper had NO bites yesterday at the sitter! YEAH! When I got to the sitter - the mother of the biter was just getting ready to leave and she said she was trying to get out before all the mothers got there. I felt bad for her. That would be so hard. I am not pissed at all - I just don't want my kid bit and I am sure those parents don't want him to bite! So, we all want the same thing -it will work out!

But when I did get Piper last night the sitter was telling me that after her vacation next week - she wants to start potty training Piper. I said lets go for it. At least try and see what we get. Apparently, yesterday Piper went in to the bathroom pulled up her shirt and sat on the bathroom scales. lol.... she does this at home often. Then when the sitter found her - Piper pointed to the toilet and made her Piper noise. I told the sitter I do want to start potty training soon I just figured with a new bed change, and this weekend (hopefully) a new room change I just didn't want to overload Piper with big changes in her life. But she will have a week and then we will try the potty training. Man I can't even imagine not buying diapers.... and wipes..... wow! Course prolly still have to get some pull-ups for night time for awhile. (when this all finally happens) The sitter doesn't want pull-ups at all. She wants panties and the plastic pants that go over top. So, off shopping we go this weekend!

Last night in the middle of the night - I went in to check on Piper. She had apparently fallen or gotten out of bed and was laying on the floor curled up in ball over in front of her changing table!!! She was asleep and stayed asleep when I put her back in bed and covered her up.

Not too big of plans this weekend. I want to get Ashley's new room painted and stuff moved over and Piper moved in to her new bedroom. I am determined to get this done this weekend. I want the change done. The big kids go to their mom's this weekend. So, I won't have their help but I won't have them in the way either!!! I really want Steve to get in some major biking this weekend. He was looking forward to biking last night and things kinda got screwed up so I told him to bike Saturday and Sunday this weekend. And I would like to see my parents sometime this weekend. Hopefully we can fit all that in with a grocery store stop(man these big kids are eating us out of house and home), Target run, JC Penny run(maybe) and laundry and cleaning!

p.s. We watched that movie The Bank Job - I liked it. I would recommended it. If you have bigger kids there is a heck of a sex scene at the beginning and a short one later so just be prepared. But the movie overall was pretty good!

Wednesday July 23

Overall it was a good day. I was busy at work which makes the day go fast.

The original plans were that the big kids go to their mom's tonight for visitation and we were going to have wings for supper and take Piper to story time again. Well, things don't always go as planned and that is ok. The big kids mom called and she wanted to add her 3 hours of visitation on to Sunday (her weekend) because they are going to a party Sunday and she wants to make sure they have all the time they can get there. So, cool - the big kids can go to the library. They have been asking about doing that anyway so they can go to story time and get books too. On Tuesday night when we were talking about going to story time - Riley was acting all bent out of shape that we were going without them - so now he gets to go!

Off to story time we go! When we get there for story time they are having a puppet show! And I don't mean a little puppet show. They had a big stage and cool puppets. I thought - sweet - she will sit still for this. You wouldn't believe the look on her face when the puppet dog appeared! She did really well. She had a cushion on the floor like all the other kids and she would go back and forth from the cushion to my lap. We had one time were she started to walk up to the front by the stage. Other than that - the puppet show was funny and she did pretty good. She didn't want to leave the library when we were done. The big kids were able to get some books they had been wanting too!

Piper got bit at the sitter again today. Just once today. But it must have hurt worse than the 2 times the other day. When I got there and put her on my lap and her babysitter was telling me what happened. Piper showed me where he bit her. It was in the morning and it was still a really good mark on her hand by late afternoon. Everybody is just beside themselves on what to do. I feel for everybody and more so for my daughter!

The big kids went to Grandma Weber's house to spend the night tonight. Grandma's other half is watching his grandkids for a couple of days and they are right at our kids ages. They came over swimming today and all of them hit it off and had a great time. So, the big kids took games and went over to have a sleepover at Grandma's house. They were both excited. Then tomorrow they are going to hang out and swim again.

I got a movie for us to watch tonight. The Bank Job. It has that Jason Statham that hubby had on his blog last week. I will have to let you know how it is!

So, I have already heard from one of my friends that my music sucks.... thanks Keith! Well, I happen to love it!

The big kids have not being doing such a good job at home. They have been slacking on their chores, slacking on their homework and just plain being lazy. They haven't even been getting in their 30 minutes of Wii Fit a day. Most days, Ashley seems to get her stuff done but Riley isn't doing so well with any of his duties. Tomorrow Steve is taking the remote to the tv to work with him!!!

Tonight was a nice evening. I was able to get a couple of loads of laundry done, we had personal pizzas we each made for supper, went for a swim and Piper went to bed with no problem! It was a nice evening.

When we went swimming tonight we tried water wings on Piper. At first we had to do alot of talking to get them on her. Once they were on and I got her in the water and she realized that she could float on her own. SHE LOVED THEM! Of course I was never far from her because being her first time she really wasn't sure of what was going on. But she loved them.

I am so excited - soon it will be time to get Piper's 2nd year pictures taken. I really wanted to at that time get all 3 kids taken together too. My friend at work recently had some family pictures taken and the photographer is really good. They are not all posing pictures. There are alot of candid shots she takes. http://www.kimrossphotography.com/index2.php The only problem is the lady does this as her part time job so she doesn't work alot of days - in other words hard to get in to her! I checked ahead and on Sept. 6th we are going to have family pictures taken and Piper's 2nd year pictures taken. Steve wants her picture taken her tricycle. We might even get a family picture taken with all our bikes! The photographer goes all over the place so now we have to decide where to go get them taken. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to this. We haven't had a family picture taken since probably 2001!

Another Piper funny - well, I don't think it's too funny but her dad does. Steve taught her that when he ask her "What do you think of Strawberry Shortcake" - she sticks her finger in her mouth and acts like she is gagging! NICE! Of course we all laugh - so she thinks it's funny and does it every time you ask her! Well, too late I am getting her birthday stuff in Strawberry Shortcake.

Piper was bit twice at the sitter today. A little boy at the sitter is going thru his biting phase. The one time he bit her fingers (no marks) and the other time he bit her on the arm and you can see his FULL mouth on her arm. The top teeth and the bottom teeth. WOW! It must have hurt. I am so glad Piper never went thru this phase. I don't know what I would've done. I feel for the parents of this kid - but at the same time I wish he would quit biting my daughter. He has actually bit her a total of 4 times. And the babysitter is afraid I am going to pull Piper from her.

Just a quick update on my mom for all that are wondering. She seems to be doing fine. I thought when I talked to her on the phone Monday that she sounded tired. I hope that she is taken it as easy as she can and going home and resting like she should. But I know she isn't! She has made her next dr. appt with the dr. that will now be her family dr. and help get her and keep her on whatever meds she needs.

Check out my music! I put some of my all time favorites over there, some old stand-bys and the current songs I like. As you will see, I like ALL kinds of music. Also, I wanted you all to see what DIFFERENT taste in music I have from my hubbby!

What a Monday! I was tired when I woke up and I'm still tired tonight!! I was busy and accomplished quite a bit at work today.

The big kids were scared from some storms that came thru today. Riley is TOTALLY freaked out about storms. If he sees a storm cloud - he gets out of the pool. He is just freaked out when the wind STARTS to blow. I think they sat and watched the weather channel the whole day today! And Steve received SEVERAL phone calls at work! I guess that they think we just go to work to wait on their calls!!

I just didn't know what to fix for supper tonight. I was just completely drawing a blank... I have plenty to cook - hell Steve spent $230 at the store last Friday - there better be stuff to eat! So, we decided to tacos. Piper ate butter bread, blueberries, mac and cheese and pickles! She loves pickles! Steve eats pickles with every meal and I do mean every meal (breakfast - yes) and now so does my 2(almost) year old!

Even after just going to the grocery store on Friday - we still needed to make a Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) run tonight. I hate going places like this during the week. Our evenings are just so short the way it is and to add to the mix of the evening shopping I would rather not do it. But sometimes it has to be done - so off we went.

The big kids had to go back to their mom's for the evening. BOY - they are always full of some cool information when they come back from there.

Piper was a stinker at bedtime tonight. Steve rocked her for a bit and put her down. I noticed that she was making this certain "noise" so up the stairs I went- sure enough she was standing on her bed looking out the window watching Riley and his friends swimming. So, I rocked her a bit more and she just wasn't givin' in! Finally I had to put her down - Jon and Kate plus 8 was on... so I laid her down and I haven't heard a word since! Hopefully she is asleep all night!

Another weekend bites the dust.....today was a busy day but a nice day. I did laundry all day long I think. I am trying to keep it all up and done with the big kids being here everyday now.

We ran out to the mall to exchange some shorts we had gotten Riley. I hit the sales rack at JC Penny for Ashley. I picked up 2 shirts for her on sale - a great sale - one was 2.97 and the other was 6.97. I wasn't going to get them and then I knew if I didn't I would regret it when it comes time to school shop and I would remember that I passed up those nice - cheap shirts!! We really didn't spend a whole lot of time at the mall. It was lunch time and I was HUNGRY! We had decided not to eat out - spent too much money already this weekend. So I was ready to head for home and chow down. I didn't think hot dogs on the grill could taste so good!!

After lunch I TRIED to lay Piper down for a nap (notice the word TRIED) - Well I put her in bed at around 12:30 and finally at 2:20 I let her get up and come downstairs! I guess she wasn't tired......She was really well behaved the rest of afternoon.

Since she was up for the rest of the day I decided to hit her bedroom and worked on it.... with the coming of the new toddler bed comes also a new era in Piper's life! Ashley currently has the biggest kids bedroom - well, we are going to switch Piper and Ashley's room. With this of course comes redecorating....but really it's time for Ashley - her bedding is from when she was 7 years old. It's still in really good shape but just time to move on to the cool teenager stuff. So, we got her a new comforter, sheets and bedskirt all that match. With her taking Piper's old room - ummmm it's a little nursery like - not as bad as it could be - but not something a teenager is wanting. In Piper's room I had hung a border at chair rail height. So I have to take that down so I can paint the room. Actually the top half of the room is already painted the color that we are going to paint the rest of the walls.... In 1 hour I had the border off! SWEET! Ashley went behind me and cleaned up the trash. That worked out great and then I had her wash the glue off the walls too. So, ready to paint I am. I plan on doing that this coming weekend. She will be at her mom's house - but that is ok - I really prefer to paint myself. I don't mind doing it and I would rather do it by myself! I will post a picture of her new cool room once we get it all done.

After finishing, the boys headed to the Franke park for a ride and the girls stayed home and hit the pool. It was so refreshing.... we swam for awhile and then got out and laid in the sun (well, Piper didn't lay in the sun) I couldn't believe that Steve went biking. He just wasn't himself all weekend. He told me today that he just hasn't felt good all weekend. BUT my goofball husband won't sit and chill very well and he DOESN'T listen to me when I tell him to!

I made chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and corn for supper. Yummy - it was good. Even all the family chowed them down. I never think they taste good when I make them myself. I still think my mom makes them better!

The big kids went to the Three Rivers fireworks with their Grandpa and his nice new lady friend. Steve's dad has met a really nice lady. We joked about how once she mets the real Jim she isn't going to be around long.... anybody who knows Steve's dad knows what I mean! But our lovely son Riley told his grandpa that Steve and I said this and then of course Jim couldn't wait to go tell her! Thanks Riley - I explained to Riley that some things said between all of us are not to be repeated to others!!

Off to work tomorrow. I have to work this week and Monday - Tuesday the next - then it's time for some much needed days off in a row....

Well, today we made it to the WWII Victory Museum and also there is a car collection museum there. Here is a picture of the kids in front of THE General Lee. This area was pretty cool. They had the Bat Mobile and the A-Team Van, and THE Knight Rider. It was fun to see this stuff.

On the WWII side of the museum it was unreal how much stuff they had. The had a huge picture of Hitler there. It was unreal. It was only $25 for our whole family to get in. The have a family package price. Not too bad of a deal!

Then it was lunch time after we got done. So, we headed into Auburn and ate lunch at Applebee's. Eating at Applebee's is so expensive for our family now. The big kids eat big meals now and we have to get Piper a kids meal and we just can't out of there very cheap anymore!!

We got home and I put Piper down for her nap and Steve and Riley went to get their hair cut. While they were getting their hair cut I put the pictures from today on Walgreens. I decided that with all the little family trips we have planned this summer I would make a good effort to get them on the internet and printed out in a timely fashion... so I put today's trip on and sent them to print at Walgreens.

After the guys got home, Ashley and I went to Walgreens. I got the kids little photo albums that were plain on the front and they decorated up and put their pictures in. I think every summer I think about doing this - well hopefully this summer I actually get it accomplished!! We are starting off good!!

We grilled ham for supper. YUMMY! I love ham slices on the grill with barb'q sauce. My fav.... and we have a couple of movies to watch... you all know what we are doing the rest of the evening. I almost have my laundry finished... sweet!

Well, Friday is almost over... I was having trouble at work today staying focused... it's that time of year where I know the kids are home and it would be nice to be home doing stuff with them!

After Steve got off work he took the big kids with him to the grocery store. WOW! I think he spent his paycheck there! I can not believe the cost of food these days. I notice the price increase in gas but I tell you one place I really notice it is at the grocery store. It is unbelieveable how much everything cost at the grocery. If you eat many fresh veggies and fruit - and just try to eat at home a bunch you too are feeling our pain!

The plan for the night was to go to a downtown pizza place called Pint & Slice and then go to the Shriners Parade. Well, we did part of the plan.. we ate at Pint & Slice but didn't go to the parade. Too hot to sit there and wait an hour for the parade and then sit for the parade. So, off to Target we went to get that stuff out of the way. Back to the Pint & Slice place.... didn't really do it for us. It was pretty greasy pizza and just not very good. Now that is the Weber take on the pizza. The beer was good though!

Tomorrow the plans are... to go to the Auburn Victory Museum....http://www.wwiivictory.org/visitus/directions We have been wanting to go so we are heading up there for some fun. I don't think it will take all day but at least we can mark it off our to do list. Plus I love the WWII stuff - the Hitler stuff really interest me. I can not believe he was able to pull off the things he did. Schindler's List is one of my favorite movies and visiting Auschwitz is on my bucket list http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/new/index.php?language=EN&tryb=start&id=675&menu=g.... I want to visit there as much as I want to visit the Biltmore.

The other night we watched the movie Drillbit Taylor... it was pretty good. Check it out. And the hubby is dead on with the Fool's Gold movie... my man Matthew is HOT -but the movie SUCKED!