Christmas Season 2010

Laila's Voice

My girlfriends, family and I have been talking a lot about how cute Laila's voice is. Seriously, it's so cute!

I love when I, on the rare occasion, get to talk to the girls on the phone because all of their voices sound so small when I can't see them.

I did a little recording of Laila today - mostly for me. Of course, Chatty Kathy won't say a thing once I put a mic in her face. This'll have to do for now.

Holy 50 million things at once, Batman.

Bill likes to give me a hard time about my multi-tasking. Of course, to him, sitting on the couch watching sports is a task - so what does he know? :-)

This week was particularly awesome.
Bill was in Kansas for the first part of the week so I had painters come and paint the entryway (a sandstone, orange, kind of color) - instead of what common sense recommended, which is not cleaning until the hour before he gets home.
It looks beautiful, but it left for a pretty hefty clean-up from all the sanding.
But, by the time he got home on Wednesday it was done and the house was sparkling. (haha, good one).

One task I really hate during the winter is hauling the kids around and putting them in and out of their carseats.
Like on Tuesday:
Load 4 kids in the car for school.
Unload 2 kids for school.
Unload 2 kids at friend's house.
Load 4 kids from school.
Unload 4 kids at friend's.
Load 4 kids from friend's (yes, children magically appear throughout the day)
Unload 4 kids.

That's 24 times of in and out in a 4 hour period.
And I wonder why my back hurts.

One task I actually enjoy doing is cooking. Today I am preparing food for tomorrow's "mostly Feske" Christmas party. I am SO excited to have everyone over to eat, drink and laugh hysterically over the White Elephant gift exchange. It is way better than exhanging actual gifts - if you have a good sense of humor.

I hope you all enjoy these days leading up to Christmas and New Years.
We will also be celebrating Cecelia's birthday. More on that to follow.

Yay Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

Shameless

Do your kids ever spaz out and it's so annoying and crazy and you wonder where in the heck they get it from?
And then you take a long hard look at yourself and realize that you already know the answer?

Toys

So, I have come to a conclusion today.
I have been wondering what to do with all of our toys.
Should I still keep them ALL out, or should I rotate them?
I have never rotated the kids' toys. What a pain in the butt that would be.
However, I am constantly cleaning up and re-organizing everything which is also a pain.

So, here's the conclusion:
Kids just love to re-empty out the toy bins everyday.
They don't need them rotated, just put back away so that they can come and open the bin, and dig through it, and make a huge mess.
If I leave the toys out they don't play with them as well.
It's all about the DIG.

They have done a very good job of conditioning me over the years.
They spread the toys from one end of the house to another - I put them where they belong.
Next day, same thing.

It doesn't matter if the toys are put away for a month or just for the night.

Also, they love it if I just move something from one end of the house to another.
It confuses and excites them.

I can't wait to see all the new toys that they will be getting for Christmas for me to put away and them take out day after day after day.....

My 35th Birthday

I realize that my birthday was a month ago, but I realized that I never posted on it - since it was during our vacation.
I wanted to just say thank you to my family for making it so special for me this year.
A surprise segway tour, a fun filled day at Epcot and then gifts and cards in Japan that made me cry.
You guys rule!

35 years old now.
Yeah, baby!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks! to Erik, Melissa and the boys for playing with us all weekend.

Thanks! to Dick for preparing yet another Thanksgiving feast including the best stuffing in the world.

Thanks! to Werner Stellian for bringing me my shiny new refrigerater.

Thanks! (NOT!) to Macy's for having the same display on the 8th floor....again!
but....
Thanks! to Macy's for doing the holiday display for our kids to see every year.

Thanks! for a nice, long, 4 day weekend.

Have a great week!!!

Thanksgiving

Since it is Thanksgiving tomorrow I felt it necessary to stop bitching and be grateful for a second.

The thing is, once I get everything done today that needs to get done I will be a very happy camper for the next four days. It's just getting the "everything done" part moving that is holding me back today.

What I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving is what I'm grateful for everyday:

family
friends
home
food
jobs
laughter
love
health
happiness

These are the reasons I get through the day to day stuff that I maybe don't love so much.
What if I didn't have a home to clean or kids to chase or friends shoulders to cry on or a house to clean or good food to prepare and clean up and work to pay for the food and house.......

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for being in my life. I love you very much.

Piss Poor Attitude Monday

I'm sorry, folks, but with the weather change and all things have taken a turn for the worse.

Today's P.P.A. is brought to you by: my house.
I was laying in bed last night thinking about how much it makes me mad.
It's always cluttered and it seems like I'm always finding a random thing that doesn't look like it's EVER been cleaned (eg. cabinets next to sink with food and water splattered all over them).
It's looked the same since we moved in - 4 years ago.
There's just so much random junk that it makes my head spin.
Nobody else gives a darn about it but me.

So instead of finding the motivation to take care of business, I've decided to play board games with my kids all day.

I did, however, make a to-do list for Bill. :-)

Strep

So, I was supposed to take the girls in to take pictures for Christmas cards Saturday morning, then go get a fridge, then work.
However, Laila was up ALL night Friday night coughing her brains out. We made it through the night only to wake up to 50,000 feet of snow. I finally get through to after hours care and schedule an appt. for all three girls. I figured, if she had something contagious it's better to just test everyone at once rather than have to come back leter.
Sure enough, all three girls tested positive for strep. Laila also had croup. Bill and I tested negative - thank goodness. However, we still had to pay our $20 co-pay (which equals $100 for a family of 5 thankyouverymuch).
So, back through the stupid snow storm for prescriptions (another $100), then back here to nurse the children back to health as they watch, in sadness, the neighbors building snowmen.
So much for pictures and a fridge.
Also, my Dad, Marilyn and my Grandpa were supposed to visit from Fargo for little ViVi's baptism, but between the weather and sick kids they decided to just stay put.

Sunday I did get to attend Vivian's baptism. It was nice to be at church (or anywhere) without having to worry about the little ones. I went to the brunch afterwords at Axel's to congratulate Viv-babes and celebrate Ronnie's birthday with him a little bit. I may or may not have strolled through Pottery Barn before walking to my car afterwords.
My poor husband who, at first, was more than willing to stay home with the sick kids because it had nothing to do with the Vikings being on ended up probably wanting to kill me because we lost our phone, internet and cable during the snowstorm. He watched Disney movies all day instead.
Needless to say, he is going to happy hour today for a little break.

But, this week is already going better. Girls are back at school and daycare is back in session.

Am I the only one already listening to Christmas music?

I think, I like, I know

Taken from Melissa's post...I encourage you to do the same.




I am: A.J.
I think: It's fun to get together w/ other Moms and TALK

I know: If I stay calm my kids respond to me better
I want: a housekeeper
I have: a happy and healthy family that I pray stays that way forever

I dislike: people who like to argue or get other people worked up on purpose
I miss: Rick, my dogs, the "easy" life
I fear: someone hurting my children
I feel: grateful, then guilty

I hear: that other moms feel the same way

I smell: what the Rock is cookin'?. (this is a wierd questionaire)
I crave: Japanese cooking table dinner

I search: for pony tail holders and barretts
I wonder: what my kids will think of me when they're older
I regret: pretty much every time I get mad at my kids
I love: having a good day
I care: more than most people probably think

I am always: whistling
I worry: not too much about little things, but mostly about non-probable horrific things

I remember: very little, very very little

I have: been blessed with 3 perfect children
I dance: as much as I can

I sing: only in the car

I don’t always: brush my teeth before bed (gross!)
I argue: less than I want to (comes with age, I guess)
I write: lists

I lose: my temper

I wish: I was born with a more calm "who cares" personality
I listen: even when I seem distracted

I don't understand: torture

I can usually be found: out and about - like Where's Waldo
I am scared: that my kids won't tell me if something is wrong
I need: attention
I forget: totally what is was like before I had kids

I am happy: when I can be social

Quote of the Day

My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. ~Erma Bombeck

Disney 2010

I'm in my post vacation depression, but that's only because we had SO MUCH fun!

I could tell you all about it, but I think a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

Want to see them? Click here.

5 days 'til Florida!

Yep, that's it. I packed my first suitcase today (for the girls).
Checked out the 10-day forcast on weather.com. Unfortunately, it's supposed to be in the 80's and sunny.
Such a shame.
Also, the word I got from Jim is that it's a go for the shuttle launch on Monday.
We're so bummed.

Maybe we should just stay home.

NOT!!

Visitors

Even though this week is over I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to my Dad and Mare for coming to visit us last weekend.
We love you two!!!

Bleeding Heart

This morning as I was going through Cecelia's backpack I found a pouch (that didn't belong to us) with money in it.
I called CeCe in to the kitchen and asked who she got the pouch with money from. Honestly, I assumed that she traded silly bands for some poor child's lunch money.
Her eyes filled with water and she told me that it was so-and-sos's. I asked why she had so-and-so's pouch of money and she said that so-and-so didn't have anything but water to drink, no milk, no juice, no NOTHING. And, so-and-so only had one pair of pants. (this is a friend on the bus).
Then, she told me that it was her money that she was going to give to so-and-so. I asked about the pouch and she said that her friend gave it to her, she would put money in, and then give back.
My eyes filled up too and I gave her a BIG hug and told her how nice and generous and loving I thought she was.
The whole thing just made my day.

We Heart October

Stolen Blog Idea!!!

1. What is your current obsession?
Teeth whitening.
2. What are you wearing today?
Jeans, tank top, sweatshirt (the luxeries of being at home:)
3. What’s for dinner?
Probably PB & J's: we have somewhere to be at 5:45.
4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Cowboy boots
5. What are you listening to right now?
Under the Sea: Little Mermaid is over.
6. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Florida
7. What is one thing you want to change about yourself?
My temper.
8. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
The bar....haha!!
9. Which language do you want to learn?
Sign Language - am looking in to becoming an interpreter.
10. What’s your favorite quote?
Don't really have a fave. I like "Don't mind the mess, my children are making memories"
11. Would you cook for me?
Yes, I love to cook.
12. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you?
The right way to avoid? Avoid is avoid.
13. What are you afraid of the most?
My children hating me when they grow up.
14. Who do you want to meet right now?
Nate Berkus - so he can redecorate my house.
15. What is your favorite color?
Red
16. Give us 3 styling tips that work for you.
White eyeliner (new new thing)
Clothes that hide what you want to hide and show off what you got goin' on.
Short, painted nails.
17. What is your dream job?
I don't think "dream" and "job" go together.
18. What’s your favorite magazine?
Oh, any of those tabloids work for me.
19. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Brown and cream matching outfits for the girls.
20. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
Tank tops with bras showing. It's not a fashion trend, people, you look like an idiot!
21. Who, according to you, is the most over-rated writer?
Maybe that Twilight person.
22. What brings a smile on your face instantly?
Being outside when it's warm and sunny (with the kids especially)
23. What is one word that you say a lot?
Seriously?!?
24. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
For me? hate them all. I have hair envy.
25. What are you going to do after this?
Put the kids down for a nap.
26. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Cry, drink, talk Bill's ear off.
27. What makes you go wild?
Rides
28. What are your favorite movies?
Twisted ones, like all those M. Night Shyamalon ones.
29. What inspires you?
Other moms
30. What do your friends call you most commonly?
A.J. - duh - Ajers, Age
31. Would you prefer coffee or tea?
Coffee
32. Which other blogs do you love visiting?
Yours
33. What is your favorite dessert/sweet?
Cheesecake
34. How many tabs are turned on in your browser right now?
Just this one
35. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I don't feel like putting on make-up, I'll just wear my sunglasses.
36. What is your favorite season?
Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
37. What is one wish that you really want to see come true?
That all my children live LONG and HEALTHY lives.
38. What breaks your heart?
That my friend Steph's baby needs a liver transplant.
39. What's one thing you really want to do in life?
Travel to Europe

Bill's 34th Birthday

My hubby turned 34 on Sunday and completed his 2nd marathon. Wow.

Somehow he managed to train for the marathon all summer even though he/we was so busy doing other things.

He takes care of the girls weekend nights while I work, instead of hanging out by a bon fire, BBQing, or doing anything fun like the rest of the world.

He does yardwork as well as housework. He makes dinners and gives baths. He mows and organizes the garage.

He is too good for me - and I mean that.

He works hard and is very successful at work. He is patient and a good person.

I really love this guy.

Happy Birthday, baby.

A.J.'s Brain

Remember how I told you I do stupid things?
Today I got to the park and when I went to use the ol' port-a-potty I realized I had an item of clothing on backwards. Tag in the front. Like, what the heck?
Then, as my friend, our total of 6 children, and I were in a mad dash to get to Preschool for pick-up I sat in my running car desperately trying to find my keys.
You catch that?
If you're wonding if I ate paint chips as a child you're not alone.

Self Observations and Questions for You

36 days until Florida. Heck yes I'm counting.

I realized that I am going to be 35 in a month. I mean, I knew it all along, but suddenly I realized I am really, for reals, an actual adult/woman.
So, in honor of myself (yeah, I'm that narcissistic), I would share some things about turning 35 - for me.

1) If I haven't been a "morning person" by now I never will be.

2) I do not like being told what to do, in any capacity. Not even "ideas" or "suggestions" go over well with me.

3) I get the whole: I still feel 21: thing. I still feel 21, but only better. I don't look better, but I have the confidence to pull it off.

That's it for today.

Now on to my questions.....

First question: If you are at a friend's house, or daycare, who gets the final say in rules and consequences?
My answer (but I want your thoughts) is that House Rules. Meaning, you have to follow the rules of the house you're in. There are obvious exceptions, like you can't spank my kid or anything, but generally speaking I think that's the best way to be invited back anywhere.

Second question: How much freedom do you give your children in helping themselves to food and drink in the kitchen?
How I do it (but I think I'm too strict): My kids have to ask for stuff - except for a drink of water or milk. They have to ask for snacks and treats and special drinks like lemonade. As of right now, they are not allowed to just dig through the fridge and grab a yogurt, or help themselves to an entire sleeve of crackers from the pantry.
I'm thinking that seems a little prison-like.

Thoughts??

Recently

Goodbye ugly wallpaper

Hello new paint

Last week of summer vaca cookie party

Laila being "creative"

CeCe's first day of 1st grade

Delaney's first day of 4-year-old preschool

Day after Bill and I went to the Twins game

(notice my outfit the night before below)

Gorgeous night for an outdoor ball game

Fun, fun, and fun

Huds and Jim

Twins win!!

Polish with saurkraut and onions?

Don't mind if I do.

Oh, life.

I yelled at the kids this morning. Two of them, actually. All before 8:00 a.m. I immediately felt bad and apologized.
Then, after dropping Laney off at school I had an emotional breakdown because I couldn't find my checkbook. I had just used it an hour before.
I called Clare and cried to her about it. She totally calmed me down.
And then I found my checkbood. I also found two gift cards that I thought I had lost.
Then I smiled and laughed at myself for being such a psychopath.

I'm still not 100%, but I think it's just a bad case of the Mondays.

The good news? Bill and I got FREE tickets to go to the Twins game with our friend Huds and her new friend.

I think I could use the break.

Snore

My blog's been a real snore, I know, but I also know that ya'll are in the same boat.

I have pictures to upload of the girls' first days of school - as well as some other random goings on, I'm sure.

Things are going great. School is going really well for both the girls. We also started Sunday school and ALL 3 girls stayed in their rooms until the end of the service. Can I get an Hallelujah?!?

Also, I have all the girls going to church to sing in the children's choirs. That is going to be our "thing" for right now. I need to sign them up for something physically active (exhausting, please) but maybe we'll wait until we can't play outside as much anymore.

We still haven't told the girls about our trip. I, on the other hand, have to push it out of my mind or I get way to excited. Speaking of Florida, my Mom and brothers are all arriving at Casa de Feske today for their super, duper fun trip. Of course, this means I will be burning with jealousy for a week while they're together. I miss them, but hope they have a stinkin' blast.

So, yeah, day 2 now of rain, but the 3 little ones here are playing very nicely. It's kind of fun to hang out with just the younger ones sometimes, too.

I will post pictures soon. Hope school is going well for everyone else out there!!

I have a secret.

And it might involve a princess or two.

We're going to DisneyWorld!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT DON'T TELL THE GIRLS!!!!!!

People, I bought tickets to Florida before replacing my refrigerator.
That's how I roll.
Here's why it's worth it:
I get to see my beautiful and perfect niece, brother and sister-in-law who
I haven't seen in a year.
I get to celebrate my 35th birthday with Mickey Mouse.

Life's too short to worry about refrigerators :)

Au Contraire

I really should be careful with what I say - because the universe is indeed listening in!

So, things were actually not ho hum last weekend.

Friday Ronnie, Clare and the kids came over to swim, eat and play. Look at baby Vivian. I mean, is she kidding with how cute she is?? I love her. Like a lot. She's perfect just like her brothers.

We played in the pool Saturday and Sunday because, let's face it, summer is coming to an end and it may have been our last chance to enjoy the lazy days of summer.

Monday morning I brought the girls to the MN State Fair. We had so much fun until the heat kicked in. Then, we almost died. Well, not really, but pushing a stroller with 100 lbs. of child in it in 90 degree weather is a killer. The bonus is that I'm pretty sure I sweated out all the 10,000+ calories I probably ate while we were there. So, we came home for a few hours and then went back at night so that Bill could go too.

And on a totally different note, my house is falling apart. Well, not really, but we need a new refrigerator and just yesterday Roto Rooter had to come snake my pipes downstairs because they were backed up and garbage disposal water was overflowing over the bar sink....again. Remember the whole pipe replacement fiasco?? Please Lord, if I promise to barely use my garbage disposal will you please let it be fixed for good? Thank you. Amen.

Oh, and did I mention we are trying to buy plane tickets to FL and all these added expenses are not helping?

So, there you go. Don't go saying things are ho hum and especially don't say you're bored because now you know that it will just get thrown back in your face.

Ho Hum

So this week and weekend is and will probably continue to be ho hum. Not a whole lot going on which makes me kind of bored.

We have yet to get school supplies and new clothes and shoes, so we'll probably do that over the weekend and I also have to work Saturday and Sunday evening. I was going to try and pick up a Friday shift but I think I'll stay home instead.

I'd like to go to the State Fair on Monday, but I'll have to go by myself during the day and don't really want to bring Laila so we'll see. She can come along when we go back in the evening so she doesn't miss the animals.

I'll probably get scheduled to work all of Labor Day weekend so I don't have anything cool planned for that either. If I do (by some crazy lucky strike) get a day off then maybe we'll host a BBQ. That sounds fun.

So, yeah, pretty boring stuff. If I can think of enough things maybe I'll do a "like" and "dislike" post like Bonnie - that was a good idea.

R & R

Oh, what a weekend! We dropped the girls off at Bill's parent's house on Friday night and had the entire weekend to ourselves! (Thanks Nanny and Papa!)
Friday night we ate dinner and stopped by the Champps patio on our way home to sip and talk. It was fun.
Saturday morning, bright and early, we headed up to Taylor's Falls. We canoed down the St. Croix with our friends Terra and Dave - otherwise known as "Huds" and her "Work Friend Dave" - who are really fun and funny and happy just like us!
Jenn and Beni met us at the campsite later and we did a group dinner around the fire. We relaxed for the rest of the night there drinking and stuffing our faces. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Next day, pack up tents and gear, grap some breakfast, head home to unpack the car, go to get the girls and come home to mow, clean and hang-out.
Bill and I do this trip every summer. It's a staple in our schedule where we say no matter what, this is our weekend to ourselves with our friends.
The girls had a blast at their grandparents house, and now we're all back in to the swing of things.
Next up, State Fair!!!!

I Love You

Menu: Re-Posted

Here's the menu idea post from last summer.




http://heers-abcdh.blogspot.com/2009/07/whats-on-your-menu.html

Baby Clothes

It's been too hard to daily journal, but rest assured, we have been busy.

Today I was putting clean clothes away and discovered that Laila had two bins of hand-me-down summer clothes in her size that I neglected to get out all summer. I was crushed. Pink dresses, rompers, skirts, shorts, tanks, swim suits...all just sitting there.

I have such a hard time every time I have to go through the stuff that Laila outgrows. There was also a bag with a couple pairs of pink baby shoes in it. I cried.
It's not like they're still not here, they're just not those babies anymore. And there's not another baby on the way.
Everything else I can get rid of - hi-chairs and toys and saucers and strollers. The clothes are just so much more special to me. The little buttons and the baby smell. I just die.

There are beautiful things on the other side of the baby phase. Like sitting on a towel and watching all three of my ladies play on the beach and hold hands as they brave the beach waters. I love this part too. A whole lot.

There's just something about letting go of those clothes.

8/12/10

Yesterday went, vaguely, as follows:

You know - waking up and all that stuff that's included such as: bathing, feeding, coffee-ing. You know.
Prep backyard and pool for company.
Company arrived bearing cupcakes. Score.
Swimming, chatting, playing,floating, snacking ensues.
Lunch - today's customers include 5 children and 2 adults. No sweat.
More playing and then Laila starts to indicate, for the group, that they are tired.
Enter daycare child.
Books. Naps.
What is this???? Blue ink pen ALL over the arm of my CREAM colored sofa?!? LAILA!!!!
(good thing she's already in bed).
Futile effort to get pen off of couch. And here I was on a high from getting permanent marker off my wood coffee table but not 2 days prior. I guess I'm not the stain fighting machine I thought I was.
Where was I?
Nap time over. Snack. Enjoy the AC for a while.
Bill got home early bearing whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Or McDonald's. Who cares.
Off to the parade!!
Scorch in the sun for a few hours while the kids go bonkers over floats throwing candy at them.
Once again, Laila lets the whole world know it's time for bed.
Home past bed time, but do baths because of the disgusting combonation of sunscreen, chlorine, bug spray and dirt that is covering their bodies.
Night kids.
Pop in the movie. Make it almost to the end without falling asleep.
Guess the fresh air gets to all of us.

So Fresh

So, I don't know if it's just me or if blogging is really becoming stale.

I still like to hop on and see what everybody's up to and I'm still enjoying what everyone else has to say, but I feel like I need to freshen things up a bit.

Maybe I'll start with a daily journal.

Today:

Slow morning. Laila was up first and somehow none of her pj's were on her body, but thrown on the chair next to her bed. Whatever.
Cleaned a teensy bit (always have to make the beds, it's OCD, plus I have daycare kids sleeping in some of the rooms.)
Got a call for CeCe to go on a play date.
Showered, got the kids dressed, fed, etc.
Dropped CeCe off. Went to the library - not open 'til noon on Wednesday of course. Skip that idea.
Stopped at the gas station for milk - ended up with frozen treats since I had the two little girls w/ me.
Fed myself.
Fed the girls.
Filled up the kid pool and read Parents magazine while the girls ate their frozen treats and played in the water.
Picked CeCe up, returned to greet daycare child.
Change out of suits. Read books. Naps.
45 minutes to myself - laundry, toy clean up, DVR of Chelsea Lately from last night while eating Twizzlers and sunflower seeds.
Big girls up - swim in the big pool for an hour. Come in wait for little ones to wake up.
Now: on the computer.
Guess I'll have to finish this tomorrow.

***Update***
So, to finish up.
Greeted Bill home from work.
Opened a cold beer for both of us.
Made dinner.
Went to the grocery store while Bill cleaned up dinner and gave the girls a bath.
Came home, put groceries away and did CeCe's lotions (it's a production).
Watched Bill mow lawn and kids ride bikes while I drank another beer ;)
Put now sweaty kids after just having a bath to bed.
Too late to watch "Death at a Funeral" so watched something on TV.
Kept up my new regimine of washing my face before bed.

Off to dreamland...

Aside from the two older girls fighting pretty much all day, I'd say it was a pretty successful day all in all. Now, on to tomorrow!

Circus Juventas

My aunt was kind enough to treat Cecelia and I to a really fun show by Circus Juventas. It's a local theater in Highland Park and all the performers are kids (more or less). The ticket prices- even though mine were gifted - are very reasonable given the quality of the show.

If you ever get a chance to go it's totally worth it!

I don't really have a good title for this post so I just left it blank.

Yesterday I was a real crab. The kids were particularly unruly and I just didn't have the patience for it.

I went to bed last night telling myself I would be better today. For the most part, I am.

But what really flipped the script was reading Nitty Gritty's recent posts.

Puts things in to perspective.

If you have time - click on over. It may change your mood too.

House of Blues

I am having one of those mornings where I hate the style, mess, and chaos of my house.

I seriously need someone to come and do an over haul because I don't even know where to begin.

I guess Nate Berkus - that decorater guy from Oprah - is getting his own show. Maybe I should try and send a video and get, like, and super cool and expensive makeover!!

Ya right.



Really though, it's like the only time I like my house is in the two minutes before guests arrive. You clean for hours and hours and then by the end of the day it looks like it did before you even started.



So annoying.

Happy 2nd Birthday Laila!!

Happy 2nd birthday to our sweet, little, crazy, smart, cuddly, hilarious, intuitive, precious, creative, wild and adorable dare devil.

We love you Laila B!!!!

A Full Week

So Bill and I took the entire week off last week. Taking the week of the 4th off is somewhat of a tradition for us and it is highly recommended!

We started off at Lake Ida on the 4th to swim and party it up with our favorite friends - the Tortorice's. I also got to see a dear friend who was up visiting from California. And as luck would have it, her cabin is just down the beach from where we were. The kids had a blast. Heck, so did the adults :)

Then we headed on over to my Stepmom's cabin where we got to fish and go on boat rides. We ate Zorbas and Hotel Shoreham while we were at the lakes and all gained about 10 lbs. each.

The girls had fun, but Laila was quite a handful. She is still very much in to her routine and the combination of fresh air, sunshine, no naps and odd sleeping arrangements left her......a little prickly.

We left for home on Wednesday, unpacked, picked up and waited for my Mom's arrival the next morning.

The next couple of days were spent here at the pool, grilling and relaxing.

Then last weekend my Mom, the two older girls (after dealing w/ Laila at the lake it was decided Bill would stay home with her) and I went to Little Falls to visit my Grandma, aunt and uncle. It felt good to be able to sit in one spot for more than 5 minutes and enjoy a nice glass of wine and funny conversation.

The next day we went to Parker's Prairie to take part in the last day of our family reunion. We visited the house and farm my Grandpa was born and raised in. He was the youngest of 9 children and there are a great many generations that like to get together and celebrate our Swedish heritage. Lefse anyone?

My Mom flew out on Monday morning and, as usual, it was hard to say goodbye. I sure love you, Mom. You're the loveliest person there is.