Been Busy and Tired

It has been a busy week, and I have been choosing sleep over blogging - crazy and irresponsible, I know - but sometimes, you just have to let go! Anyway, I decided to update before heading to bed to get ready to deliver Sunday papers.

This week was good, with a variety of things going on. We got to see my uncles Phil and Mark on Monday evening before they left with Rich to go fishing. It was good to see them and the boys enjoyed the new faces!

Wednesday was the big Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. I had planned on taking Thomas to see the show, but Norman said he would like to see them, too. I was going to just buy an extra ticket so we could all three go, but Thomas very graciously said that, since he had seen Delirious week before last, he was fine with Norman using "his" ticket. I dropped Thomas and Benjamin off at Grandma's for the night, and Norman, Max, and I headed to the concert. It was an interesting crowd - lots of 50-60 year olds reliving their youth, often in jeans and Harley-Davidson shirts that apparently fit them back in the day but do no longer, and many 18-25 year olds out in brand-spanking new Skynyrd shirts rockin out. An interesting place to people-watch, to say the least! We ate a hot dog and nachos dinner with Max in the stroller, then let him out to check things out. He stayed right in the vicinity of our beach towel , and played and danced. When the opening band started, he sat down, leaned against my leg, and just kind of rocked back and forth. Between sets, he ran around and played some more. When Skynyrd came on, the crowd went WILD!! They sounded great and it was an AWESOME show. Max danced through the first couple songs, I held him for one, then put him in his sling. The child FELL ASLEEP, at a LIVE concert complete with A LOT of hooting and hollering! I was amazed!! He LOVES his sling, it really is his happy place, and I HIGHLY recommend them to EVERY parent!! Of course, at 35 pounds, holding him in the sling for 50-60 minutes was a true workout, and my back and shoulders felt it the next day! Anyway, the concert was great and we had a good time!

The other great news is that Benjamin spent his first night away from us with Grandma ( and Thomas there as an emotional backup, if he was needed!) and did just great! NO problems and no tears!! Yay! I was very relieved!! The two of them had a good time and enjoyed the time with Grandma.

Thursday was a run errands kind of day, then Thomas had Youth Group at church, and Friday we had our Electives Wrap-Up meeting. I enjoyed seeing some of my friends from Electives again, and there were lots of great suggestions for improvements and changes presented. That is one thing I miss from the "working" world (since I really don't work AT ALL, ha ha ha!!), the creative, dynamic exchange of ideas with real people. I get some of that interaction on my debate and chat boards at breastfeeding.com and nursingmom.net, but it lacks the face-to-face aspect and I enjoyed that on Friday. Plus, I got to hold Amanda's new son!! SO sweet!!!


Today was a family day, running a couple errands, then coming home to clean out the van and work on the yard. I am headed to be now to bed to be ready to go deliver papers at 3:00am! Tomorrow, Thomas and I will be helping in the nursery at church, then doing some more house stuff. Who knows what next week holds?!?! We shall see!!

Breathe, two, three, four...

Whew! What a weekend! Things around here are 100 mph and I am a bit tired from the running! We had a great weekend, but VERY busy, luckily with all fun things!

Friday evening, after making my toy holder (see previous post), I went out back to check on the boys. Norman was out there in his shop, but I like to keep tabs when Norman might be distracted. I found all three in the side yard -
Thomas had made them a "fort" and they were all out there playing. They call it their "Hunting Fort" and you have to pretend not to see them when they are in it. We all hung out in the backyard til long after dark. We have a TON of caterpillars and, upon request, Norman built a bug box with screen for the boys to put some caterpillars in. I have no pictures, however, as all the "pillars" died and Benjamin wants nothing more to do with the bug box. Oh well!

Saturday we spent most of the day (11:30-4:30) at Meadow Farm Crump Park's annual Sheep to Shawl event. They take visitors from watching the sheep get shorn, to cleaning and carding the wool, dying it, and then spinning it! A very cool event. Thomas was there volunteering for the day. Now, you ask, what kind of work could this manly boy possibly do in keeping with the theme? Especially a young man who, the day before, carried ON AND ON about the hard, physical labor of picking up sticks and putting them in the wheelbarrow?!?! What, you ask? Why, splitting logs, of course! With wedges and sledgehammers and axes and log dogs, no less! NO chainsaws, no modern help at all! Sheer physical labor! For 5 hours! Which he LOVED and kept at LONG after all the other young volunteers in his group had moved on! You just never can tell!

While Thomas worked and chatted with visitors, the little ones kept Norman, Grandpa, and I busy...."Come on, let's go! I want to go THAT way!"

"NO, I'm NOT going to smile! I'm being a nasty guy!""Water, or juice? Decisions, decisions!"

We were all tired Saturday evening, and had a very low key evening. By Sunday, however, after doing papers, we packed up our picnic supplies and headed for Kings Dominion for the day! We met our friends there - Kris and her 6 kids; Susan, Brian and their 2 kids; and Cindy and her son! Can I just say that a group of 12 kids, 5 of whom were in strollers, and 6 adults WILL elicit stares from people as you are trying to navigate through the theme park! We all had a great time, lots of sun and fun! Thomas rode the BIG rides he hasn't been anxious to get on til now, like the Volcano and the Flight of Fear, and Benjamin rode a bunch of rides! Poor Max fell asleep after the big kid rides and the Carousel, so he only got to ride a couple things, but luckily, he's too little to understand he got the short end of the stick this time!

The most amusing ride of the day, other than Norman and I's foray into Go-Kart racing, was Benjamin on the kiddie bumper cars. I couldn't get great pictures, but the child just SO didn't get it! He went around and around and around all in a circle, and each time he would get bumped, had the cutest wrinkled brow "What in the world was THAT for?" expression on his face. I was hysterically laughing, it was SO funny! The pictures just don't capture it, but he had fun and we just laughed and laughed!"Oohh! THAT'S gonna leave a mark!"

Max did get a chance to be a passenger in the monster trucks! I think he likes this being driven around thing!

We did stay til close, at 8:00, went back to the van and got the kids changed, cleaned up, and then they had a snack in the van. They fell asleep in the van on the way home and we all headed to an early bedtime!

Today we will try to get back onto our "normal" schedule, and get some of the more mundane tasks of life completed - dishes, laundry, etc. We do get to go to Mom and Rich's for dinner tonight, though, so that will be happy! Hope your day is a great one!!

Thank you Tightwad Gazette!

I have read my copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette numerous times, trying to incorporate as many of the author's ideas as possible into my life, as a way of saving money and reducing waste. This evening, while putting away leftovers (Thank you Susan! We LOVED it!), I was clearing the produce drawer and realized I had a empty mesh orange bag. Well, 10 minutes, two pieces of string and an empty film canister later, I have a self-draining, drawstring closure tub toy bag!! I purchased one of these previously for $12.50, but don't use it, as the suction cups don't stay suctioned once toys are put in it! I am SO excited to be able to use such a practical and easy tip to fill a true need! No more stepping on plastic zebras in the shower!! Yay!

Here is a picture of my toy bag!! NO, it really doesn't take much to excite me these days, huh??

A Day of Mourning

A sad day as we pause to remember and pray for all the lives lost in the senseless and tragic shooting at Virgina Tech. We ARE a Hokie Nation today.

We need some beauty and cuteness

and so, before my crazy busy day starts, I am posting some pictures I took yesterday at the park. Bryan Park is a beautiful place during early spring with the azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. I LOVE Virginia in the springtime - overwhelming pollen issues aside! I will say trying to get the 3 of them to all LOOK at the camera at the same time is a task, nevermind all smiling with eyes open. Oh well, I'll take what I can get!
Have a great day, hug those you love, call someone you've fallen out of touch with, enjoy every moment!

Prayers and Condolences

No cute pictures or witty by-lines today. Just sadness and sympathy for my friends with ties to Virginia Tech. The shootings there yesterday were truly horrific, and I am so sad for the families of those touched by the tragedy. I have friends with kids there who are safe, and can't even imagine the heartbreak and grief of those families who have lost their loved ones. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Our day, in words and pictures...

A BUSY day, and lots of fun! We started by making a surprise visit to Grandma on her final (YAY) day of work. After a quick "HI, congrats, and we love you," we headed off to Kings Dominion, an AWESOME theme park about 25 minutes from our front door. After 25 minutes in line getting our season passes issued, we headed off for fun. A friend of Thomas', Patrick, was there with his family, so after he helped with the littles for a while, Thomas went off to the Big Boy rides. Max and Benjamin LOVED the driving rides....

they drove race cars...

And safari jeeps...
and Corvettes...

helicopters,


and yes, even Monster Trucks...
We had a snack...They kind of look like a commercial for Welch's, huh?

They took some time to look cute....
Then we met up with Thomas -Had a PBJ and string cheese picnic in the van....
And headed home. Thomas came home, packed, and headed off to see Delirious in concert and spend the night with his friend David, and the littles...well....

Kings Dominion's aftermath....

I'm off to cook Beef Stroganoff for dinner before they wake up! Shhhhhhh....

I Do Not Know

what I did to deserve a Spring full of sickness and yuck, but whatever it was, I am SORRY!! Yes, this was, what, round 4, 5, I don't even know anymore! It started Tuesday at 4:30am with Max throwing up all over Norman. (There are SOME benefits to working 3:30am-6:30am :0) ). Norman got him cleaned up and headed to work. Well, Norman was home from work sick by 11:00am, Max slept from 11am-4pm, then 6:30pm til Wednesday monrnig, and I was in bed, down for the count by 4:30. To understand the severity of this stomach bug, please understand that 14 year old Thomas was in charge of Benjamin and the house Tuesday evening and ALL DAY Wednesday. Can anyone say fruit snacks and Wheat Thins for dinner? With juice? Yum, yum! Yes, it was truly a BAD sickness, but we are now all pulling out of it, and I was even able to have a Starbucks coffee this morning! I just hope this is the LAST of the sickies we have for awhile! I think we have paid our dues!!

Well, I am going to try to unearth my den floor from the pile of toys, blankets, and pillows that have accumulated over the past 2 days. Here are some belated Easter pictures, for your viewing pleasure!

Benjamin loves on his Easter treats.

Max is all about the candy!
The Gallaher Guys. A handsome group, if I say so myself!
When asked if he had found any eggs, Benjamin said, "Yes, they are right here!" Hello !!
Each time Benjamin sees this picture, I get a lecture from a 3 year old about not playing in the flowers bed. See, he HAS been listening!
And, yes, a 14 year old will participate in a family Easter Egg hunt, especially with the right treasures in the eggs. Cash, of course! See the smile? He has visions of a new PS2 game in mind!

I'm a WINNER!!!

Of free concert tickets to go see Lynyrd Skynyrd!! Hee Haw!! Yes, while I was delivering my route this morning, I was listening to Richmond's Morning News on 1140 WRVA as I do each morning, and managed to be the first caller in to answer the daily news quiz question and won 2 tickets to see Lynyrd Skynyrd at Innsbrook After Hours! $20 tickets each! I am so excited!!

It used to be that Innsbrook After Hours was a Wednesday evening open air free concert event in the spring and summer and I went A LOT!! It was always a great time, though it sometimes got a bit rowdy (multiple beer trucks often have that effect on crowds!) I even remember going to a Charlie Daniels concert there with my mom and my Granny, and enjoying Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonades that were sold there at the venue! Quite a lot has changed since then!!

Anyway, today the concerts range from $15 to $35 a ticket and I haven't been in YEARS! Thomas likes Southern Rock and is learning "Sweet Home Alabama" on his guitar, so I think I will be treating him to his first concert experience (besides Raffi at age 2, of course!) I am looking forward to it.

Our Easter was good. We had a quiet morning at home, then went to mom and Rich's for a hot dog lunch, and 2 egg hunts - 1 with candy for the littles, and cash eggs for Thomas. I'll post pictures soon! We stayed a couple hours, then came home so I could work Applebee's. It was a slow night, but a few of my regulars came to CarSide, so it was worthwhile, at least!

Well, today is a busy Monday - bank, then a 2 weeks worth of groceries shopping trip to Wal-Mart. Luckily, all my menus are done, so hopefully it will be a relatively quick trip! We'll see!

Happy Easter! (Almost!)

Yes, because nothing screams "Easter" in Virginia like snow. Yes, SNOW, in APRIL, in Virginia! I do not understand, and I can tell you the blooming azaleas and dogwoods must be VERY confused! I was out at 3:30 this morning delivering papers, and it was coming down quite steadily! SO strange. Oh, and by daybreak, there were some mighty hostile looking robins sitting puffed up on low tree branches. I must say that I am finding it difficult to get TOO worried about this whole global warming thing when my 3 year old is hollering "Gloves! I need gloves to go play in the SNOW!" Much more global warming like this and I'll need to invest in a new set of long johns. (Scarcastic weather rant over.)

Anyway, instead of heading out to get mulch for my yard and then to Maymont Park for an Easter Day Family Celebration, we are hunkering down with hot cocca and pancakes for breakfast and trying to find the matching red glove. (No, Benjamin, one blue and one red glove are JUST fine, believe me :o) )

I am making NO plans for tomorrow yet. We could have a hurricane come in, what with this weirdness and all!!

I leave you with some photos of my beautiful flowers and trees, lightly dusted with some Springtime cheer. So very strange......

I believe it's genetic

The whole tool thing. Benjamin and Max both LOVE tools of any size and shape. Tape measures, screwdrivers, no matter. They love tools. Here is Max, hard at work helping Daddy. He cracks me up!!

Just a few photos

I have tons to do today (as opposed to those days I lay around on the chaise lounge being fanned and fed grapes, right?!?!?!), but did upload some SWEET pictures, so thought I would share.....


Tough guy self portrait. Oh, we measured him the other day....6'4"....at 14....my first born...as tall as Norman....hold me, please!
Yes, he fell asleep like this. Yes, we laughed. A LOT!!!

He LOVES being outside. And he told me he is "Practicing my good smile, like Gree-ma said." We've got LOTS of pictures with the "not-good smile", let me tell you!

April?!?! I'm NOT ready for April!!!!

Whew! Another busy, strange weekend has ended and now I am updating my weekly calendar and realizing that it is April! I am NOT in any way, shape, or form ready for April! I am SO behind on paperwork and filing that it really is sad. And with today's forcast for 80 and sunny, I'm thinking it will NOT be a paperwork kind of day. Probably a "let the kids run wild outside til sundown" kind of day. Oh well, the paper will wait, I suppose. Note to anyone expecting anything written from me : It will be a while yet! :o)

The good news in our life is that Norman got home Thursday from his work trip!! YAY! It's hard to say who was happier to see him - me or the kids! He was glad to be back and we are glad to have him here. Thursday evening we worked on cleaning the patio and back yard, getting ready for Spring, and had a lovely salad and pizza dinner! Fun and easy!

The bad news in our life is Max's new illness. He managed to avoid Benjamin's puke-a-thon of last weekend (Thank heavens for small favors!) but had developed a NASTY wet, almost constant cough. We went to the Ped on Friday (for TWO hours! With Ben and Max! FUN times, I tell you!) and they have the poor thing on 5 meds! Steroids for his lungs, a nebulizer for beathing treatments four times a day, antibiotics, eardrops, and Tylenol with Codeine for helping him sleep at night! NOT a fun thing!! Poor little guy, he is SO good and tolerates all the meds and treatment just great, but I hate it when my kids don't feel well! We go back this morning to see how he is doing! Improved, we hope, though he still sounds rough!

Thomas has had a busy few days. Thursday was his Middle and High School Boys' Co-Op class on computer programming. Friday he had Electives, and then helped with yard work. Saturday we did the Home Depot thing, then came home and got my spring herbs planted. Saturday night, Thomas got to go to our friends, The Sjogrens', for a Final Four get together - a number of the Spirit basketball boys and dads all watched the games. Thomas had a great time!!

Well, today will be a busy Monday with a Ped appointment at 9:30, then some house and yard work to do, laundry to put away, schoolwork to discuss, on and on it goes! I think it will be a Crock-Pot dinner night!!