January Storm

We are stuck at home today due to the ice storm that is moving through. Yesterday at 4:30 it started snowing. The flakes were really big. Last night it turned to sleet. You could hear it hitting the window all night. When I woke up this morning we had about an inch of sleet on the ground. The temperature will be only in the
20's for the next few days so the roads will be slick. They said we were going to get 2-4 inches of snow. The kids are disappointed that they can't even play in this stuff.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Thursday was Alex's 8th birthday! Hard to believe he is 8 already. It didn't really occur to me how grown up he is getting until I delivered cupcakes to his class at lunch. I have seen these kids together since kindergarten. As I was passing out the cupcakes I just couldn't get over how tall and mature they all looked. Time is going so fast.

We started the day with a McDonald's breakfast and then had tacos for dinner with a cookie cake. Alex didn't want to have a party this year. He just wanted to go to Great Wolf Lodge which is an indoor waterpark/hotel. Unfortunately due to baseball on Saturdays, we have to put that trip off until the summer. So, on Sunday we are going to the Melting Pot for dinner. It is our kids favorite place! As for the gifts, it was hard figuring out what to buy him. Alex is such a mellow kid, he doesn't care what you get him ever. One of his gifts was a nerf gun which in about a week, will be driving me crazy. It shoots 20 bullets at once. He has entertained himself by shooting it at a wall and seeing what designs he makes from the ones that stick on the wall. He calls them his sculptures. I also got him flannel sheets which is something he has wanted. Jodi made fun of me for that gift, but it was one of Alex's favorite gifts. He did tell me yesterday that I forgot to get him the one gift he truly wanted. A hamper! He has wanted a hamper for awhile, but I told him since the house is for sale, it would take up space in his room. If we ever do move, the first thing going in Alex's new room will be a hamper.

It has been a great 8 years with Alex. He has always been a mellow and fun loving child. He would give you his last cookie or $20.00 if you need it. Lauren loves this quality. :) He is never picky about gifts and rarely asks for anything. Making a Christmas list is something he will never do. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of boy Alex will be in the next 8 years. I hope he keeps his mellow attitude throughout the teen years. Happy Birthday Alex!

The Weatherman

What an exciting week. Larry Sprinkle from our local news channel came to speak to the whole first grade last Wednesday. He talked to the kids for about an hour. They behaved so well. He also told us that Sprinkle really is his last name. The next morning on the news, he held up the basket that we gave him and said that he loved our school and that he gave our behavior a 10+. Every t-shirt he gets from a school he visits, he sends to needy children in a poor country. Our school t-shirt will be sent to Haiti along with a few hundred he has saved.

Alex also got his birthday presents from both Grandma's this week. Money to put in the bank and a few gifts. His birthday is this coming Thursday. He decided he would like to go to the Melting Pot to celebrate. We all can't wait for the chocolate fondue again, yum!

Back to Our Hectic Lives

We have been back at school for 2 weeks now. I am so glad I took some time for myself this past winter break because I have been running ragged. School is going well. My class is just so awesome. Alex and Lauren are keeping busy with their homework nightly and also are obsessed with making movies with the video camera they got this Christmas.

My science subject in school this past week was all about technology. I am not really a technology lover when it comes to computers, calculators, cell phones, etc. I am just not good at remembering which keys to press or what buttons to push unless I do the procedure daily. Thus, I drive my hubby crazy with my computer skills. Last Saturday, we went to the grocery store called Blooms. As soon as we walked in the store this lady pulled us aside and showed us how to put our Bloom card into the computer that was hooked onto our shopping cart. This computer would allow us to see a map of the store, search for items, and I can even download my grocery list from home by just scanning my card. Again, I am sure this makes most peoples lives easier, but frankly I was overwhelmed. I enjoy going to the grocery store and scanning the shelves looking for bargains and what this week's special is. The computer would seem to take the fun out of all that. For me grocery shopping is a stress reliever,( when I don't have my kids with me )this computer thing stressed me out. I guess I will continue shopping at Bi-lo with my notebook paper list which I usually leave on the counter at home.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I want to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2010. Last night we went over to Jodi's house with Jackie's family and had our little new year's get together. We ate a lot of good food and played my new favorite game..Taboo. I love this game, my husband however got very frustrated. It was a team game boys vs girls. The girls kicked butt. We watched Dick Clark's Rockin Eve show and the ball drop. Then it was time to watch some guy jump over a ramp in a car. I think watching golf would have been more exciting. I really didn't see what the big deal was.

Today I plan to put the tree away and figure out my goals for the new year. My first goal will be to lose the 5 holiday pounds I have gained. As for the rest of the year I am going to try to give more time to myself and family. This will be a challenge for me, but maybe by December I will have read at least 2 books, gone to the movies 5 times, and walked 200 miles.