Monday, Monday

Well, we managed to make it through all the snow of last week- wow! We got hammered- much more than any other area I have visited this weekend. The weather forecast sounded happier for this week until it came, and now it is still dreary and snowier. We just keep busy by baking cookies- they look good, taste good, and make the house warm and smell good!

Nolan is finally feeling better and now Matthew is not well. John has gotten the flu bug too- the more the merrier I guess. That is one of those things when you have a big family, or any family really! Hopefully, I can get Matthew into the doctor today- he wound up with a terrible, horrible diaper rash- poor little man!

Good news in my world- grandma and grandpa are home from Florida! Hooray! They returned yesterday in the late afternoon. You can bet we were there shortly after they arrived. It was nice. My kids were so super excited. Nolan had been waiting every day last week for them to get back! Em asked when they are returning to Florida and I told her after Christmas. She then replied that with that the case, she hopes Christmas doesn't come for a long time! Too sweet!

We have met another parenting struggle... homework!!! We fought with Em all weekend to get it done. She cried, dragged her feet, bawled, stomped her feet, etc. The whole works. She reported to me that she spends all dayin school and is never home, except to eat and sleep. She said she certainly doesn't want to do homework all weekend. I can't say that I blame her. We ended up not getting it all done, but I did send a letter to her teacher to send work home daily instead of all on the weekend. Any thoughts on dealing with this issue?!!?

So, here is a big week- the week of Turkey Day! It seems so late this year, but it is fun because Black Friday is the next day!! Love shopping on that day- so fun and such a rush!

Have a great week all. Happy Thanksgiving!

November chill!

Everytime I look out the window it is snowing again! It is hard to believe how much snow we have gotten thus far. Yesterday I went to the take the boys to Preschool and realized that on my mountain we have far much more snow than closer to town. Funny how that works! Oh, the joys of living in the snowbelt! At this point, the kids have had some fun and are satisfied watching from inside, except when it comes to climbing that mountain of snow from the plow!

I think this household is beginning to feel better. Nolan is the last one to get over it... seems to have come back to him. Sleepless nights and napless days- he seems to have this idea that he's grown out of them. What I would give for a chance for a nap during the day!!! Needless to say, this little dude is a grumpy boy!

So, we're at 27 weeks, Thanksgiving is soon approaching and you know Christmas is right around the corner. I am feeling the crunch on time. 40 weeks seems like a long time, but it is not! I have about 40 weeks worth of things to do before the baby girl arrives... they won't get done. Oh well- I wil try. I have been doing alright on keeping on task and getting some wanted projects done, but I have far too many to claim near victory! So, we'll just take the days as they come and be happy to be alive- looking at the positive side of life! :) Oh, and we've moved on to doctor appointments every 2 weeks instead of 4, another sign we're getting closer! It is neat and exciting though. I love being pregnant... probably the last time though.

So, Daisy Scouts are going well. We have 6 girls, may have 7 at our meeting tomorrow. It is fun and we're enjoying our fun-filled meetings! So far we've earned our Considerate & Caring petal! In order to celebrate the week of World Kindness we had the girls draw pictures demonstrating kindness and displayed them around town. Em's is at the Post Office- so if you're there check it out on the bulletin board!

Another busy run around day today and tomorrow- looking forward to Friday. If I could stay home I am sure I would get so much more done! Grandparents are returning from Florida on Sunday- hooray!!! The kids and I are on a countdown! Pray for nice, decent driving weather so they return safely and on time! Wishing all a great end of the week and nice weekend!

November

The weather that was horrible on Monday has changed to a few nice days- amazing how it works this time of year! And by Sunday it is going to be snowing again. The kids are excited... of course! Unfortunately, not everyone in this household has been feeling great. Matthew, Nolan, and I are sick with colds- getting better, Nolan doing the best. Matthew is super grumpy and extremely clingy... waiting for this to pass!

Went to the doctor on Monday- all is well at 26 weeks. I gained 0.5 pounds in the last month- that's good. When it is a greater, more substantial number I am sure I will be less inclined to share! :)

November is just flying by- it always does after Halloween as we round the calendar to the end of the year. Getting ready for the holidays- my favorite time of year. The Christmas commercials are already out! They are surely much better than the overdone election campaign commercials!!! Thank goodness that is over!

Have a great weekend and then it will be another Monday!

First snow

It is so hard to imagine this as we are enjoying this Indian Summer weather right now, but... while most of you woke up last Wednesday to a dusting of snow... we woke up to a blanket! Over the night we got approximately 8 inches of heavy, wet, white stuff. Nolan was so excited and spent most of his day watching out the window. The adult world was a bit more complex... the milkman tried an hour to get up the hill and the bus had troubles too. Apparently the Department of Transportation wasn't aware of the snow we had received... all were appreciative once they made the realization that life on the hill was a bit different than everywhere else! Thankfully I didn't have to get out in the stuff! That is one perk to being home. John said in 6 years of driving this way to work, it was the worst ever. Once again, nice to not have to get out and drive in it!

Here are a few pics of Nolan enjoying his first time plowing out the driveway with his daddy this season. Not sure which was better... simply riding the JD w/o Jackson or plowing the snow on the JD?!?!

Although this weather is beautiful... it's so true that winter is just around the corner. I think we're pretty lucky thus far, but I remember just a few years back when we had no snow up until January and then got pounded for a few full months. Never know... that is just one of those things living in the north! :) Here's to enjoying this while it lasts!!!!

Halloween 2008- with pics!

Halloween Night 2008

Looks like the two little calves found suckers!! Adelie and Matthew had a great time trick-or-treating and it was easy this year since they got to be pushed all over town! (I made both thier costumes- calves).

Here is the trick-or-treating clan- Adelie (in stroller- back), Emma (a pig), Nolan (a horse), Matthew ( in stroller-front), and Jackson (the farmer).

So, the costumes turned out well. The weather was perfect and we all had a great time! Plus, I was able to upload these pictures, bonus! :)

It has been a long time!

Halloween has come and past- hard to believe it is November already! Sooner than we'll know it, it will be holiday time! I am excited for that- my favorite time of the year. I have passed that excitement and anticipation on to my children- they are just like me in Christmas joy!

Halloween was wonderful. The weather was perfect; we couldn't have asked for any better! The kids' costumes turned out well and they all looked cute. They had a great time trick-or-treating. I just enjoyed walking around outdoors, talking to all those I knew (of course- I love to talk!!), and watching the kids admire their loot. John pooped out before the kids did, but I suppose that was good as it was nearing Matthew's bedtime. It was a fun evening! I tried to put pictures on, but I cannot. Not sure why... but will continue to attempt to defeat this roadblock!

Oddly enough, this week has been busy, yet quiet. I don't know if it is possible to be both, but it sure seems to be that way. It is Thursdsay already- this week flew right by! We've been busy with little things here and there.

Today the boys have Preschool pictures. Poor Jackson's hair is so unruly. He showered and went to bed shortly after last night and it is sticking up like no other this morning! We tried to get it down to look better, but I am not so sure that did much for him. I guess I shouldn't expect any different from Jackson- it is so similar to his personality!

Yesterday I had my glucose tolerance test done. I'll find out how I did on Monday, when I have my next appointment. This means one thing for sure- the baby is getting bigger, I am getting more pregnant, and the due date is approaching at a rapid pace! 25 weeks this week- wow!

So, even though I have very little time, I have decided to read a book. I am sure many of you are familiar with it and probably most have read it- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Excellent book. I started it yesterday and am greater than half way through it. It is one of those hard to put down, wonna keep reading books! I highly recommend it to anyone!

I hope to keep up with my blog better than this past week or so. I am stumped at getting those pictures up. I think it is b/c my Internet connection is too slow. I'll keep trying!