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.