I knew putting that one first would make you laugh.. .
Things around here are down-right spooky. . (Who is that even??? It doesn't even look like my daughter!)
But not because of me. . Because I have not gotten out a single, solitary Halloween decoration. I just can't do it. . . I mean, Where would I put it? Every square inch of surface is taken. Maybe next year. . .There is always NEXT YEAR.
But thanks to Pam, my kids had a lot of fun today. Who is Pam? Wade calls her Grandma, but Pam is Jaxon's respite worker. What is that you might ask? She is a complete and total angel who has been hired (by the stat of Arizona of course) to take Jaxon to and from therapy for me. . .and consequently, she has adopted my kids as her "grand kids" and brings them all sorts of fun stuff. We love her, and if I knew she was going to read this. . (she doesn't have Internet) I would say, PAM... YOU SAVE MY LIFE ALMOST EVERY DAY!
I am finally doing it. FINALLY! I have been putting it off for almost 9 months. I was tired, I was worn out, I didn't want to . . . but the thing is. . . It is time.
I am working out and I am going to lose it. .
Some of it.
The baby weight I mean.
20 lbs.. I hate losing weight. It goes against my natural desire to cook and bake.
I haven't really "tried" since I had Kaylie because I just didn't want to! But I think I am ready. I am sick of looking in the mirror at these 20 lbs. I realized that the people who know me here in AZ pretty much think I look like this all the time. . . Because I have either been pregnant or post pregnant since I have lived here!
Now, I have no excuses. (Except being tired of course) My first excuse was:
I have a newborn! And 3 other kids! And a family crisis going on!!!
The it was: It is Spring Break! My kids are home! I can't do it now!
Then it was: It is HOT outside and I don't have a gym membership and I am MOVING! (I actually did lose a few lbs. during the move, which I promptly gained back)
Then it was: My kids are out of school!
Then: My kids are going back to school!
Then: It is still too hot outside!
Then: My kids are on fall break!
Then: It was going to be: but the HOLIDAYS ARE COMING UP! And before I knew it, it K was going to be a year old and I would be carrying around all the extra lbs. for a year!
I have used it before... after Jaxon was born (or something like that) and it WORKS. It really does!
I found it a few days ago and realized it was just what I needed to get back on the bandwagon. SOME DISCIPLINE and some DIRECTIONS! It gives you a step by step what to do and what to eat and I need that kind of instruction at the start. . . Otherwise, I lose focus and start eating whatever and then suddenly, I am just off my "diet".
It needs to be hard core at first... until I see some results and believe me. This one IS!
Yesterday was my first day. I was hungry.
But today (day 2) I already feel ok, like I am going to make it. Believe me. It is no fun. I don't eat the same dinner as my family etc. But, it is a 6 day plan. . and ANYONE can do ANYTHING for 6 days, right?
Wanna join me? Let me know. I will e-mail you the details!
Have you even felt that way? Like you have thoughts, desires, images all swirling around in your head and you just can't get them to stop? It starts to feel like you are nervous. . . But I am not. Sometimes that kind of feeling can frustrate me. Tonight, I just think it is kinda funny.
I feel like I am on the edge. Of what, I don't know. Maybe tomorrow will tell me. But, right now, I just want to laugh. I think this would be clinically described as: delirium.
Abby: Since when did she become a tween? Ok, she isn't really a tween, but with Peter spending hours and hours studying, she is becoming my "buddy" and on occasion I find myself being lax on rules to let her hang out with me. . . I NEED SOMEONE TO HANG OUT WITH!! Besides, she suddenly acts like she can "hack it" and like she "gets it". Maybe not all the time, but she puts on a good show. She can still put on the master manipulation tactics and try to get what she wants, but Peter finally told her that wasn't going to get her anywhere and she has tried to put it aside. Such a mature thing to do. . . and then she won't share with her two year old brother at a friends house . . . so IMMATURE. She's right on the cusp, and I love it.
Jaxon: Jaxon re-constructed a scene from PeeWee's big adventure tonight without even knowing it. I didn't realize it until Peter re-enacted it to me again. In short, Jaxon was making a "book" the "book" (i.e. pieces of paper cut up with nothing on them) Got thrown in the garbage can by Abby who was told to clear off the table. To express his feeling on the situation, Jaxon drew a picture of ME: in the kitchen, with a smile, looking the other way, and ABBY: picking up the papers to throw them in the garbage. Then, he proceeded to re-tell the story to us and told Abby she was a liar when she denied it. (Think PeeWee re-enacting the stolen bike. . "IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF US, AMAZING LARRY???) I am sorry, but it was nothing short of hilarious. Especially Peter's re-cap. Seriously. I wish I could document all of the hilarity that he brings to this house. . But there just isn't time in the day.
Of course there are the not-so-fun moments as well. Like when he caused a COMPLETE SCENE when we were in a very small room looking for previously used costumes from a theater company for Abby to wear. He and Wade knocked over an entire rack of clothes and . . . never mind.
Wade: Calls me by my last name. All day long. Even when asking for a cup of juice. I guess I see a future QB in the making. I have tried SEVERAL times to explain to him that that is our LAST name, and that my FIRST name is LINDSEY and that his name is WADE and that he can call me mommy and then the next thing I hear when he is on the potty is. . . . LAST NAME!!!! (Sorry, I have tried to not post that here)
Kaylie: Let's just put it this way. The girl knows what she wants. And don't tell her otherwise. Or she is gonna let you know that . . . THAT ISN'T THE WAY SHE WANTS IT! I have no idea where she gets that from. Seriously. Sometimes it makes me laugh. Like, if I am trying to get her to quiet down and I put the binki in her mouth - - in one swoop, she grabs it out of her mouth and chucks it across the room. That girl has amazing coordination for an almost 9 month old. Seriously. She is crawling like a mad woman, and if you thought my kitchen was messy before, now just imagine it with cheerios scattered to every single corner. . the kitty bowl turned upside down (several times a day if she can manage it). . every garbage can tipped over and magazines that were left inadvertently on the floor- torn to shreds.
So, I thought I would let you in on some "deals" that I have found around here!!
We went to the Arizona State Fair tonight. Most people think that going to the fair would be a serious $$$ activity. However, you CAN do it on the cheap! (Just take your parents like I did!) Ok, aside from that.
Check the website for deals! We went during "Happy Hour" if you can get there before 6 p.m. on a Friday, your ticket will be 1/2 price! Mine was $5 and my 2 kids (under 5 are free) were $2.50 a piece. They have other deals on other days, so, make sure to check the website for further instructions.
GET FREE RIDES! The rides at the fair are CRAZY expensive. Of the rides that we went on two had a 7 ticket value and one had a 5 ticket value. Just to give you an idea, 10 tickets is $5. Of course you can get a pass, and get some off that way, but you can also fill out THIS reading pass for each child over the age of 5 and get 3 free RIDES (not tickets) per kid! Some of the carnies. . oh, I mean, RIDE OPERATORS, even let Wade get on free b/c he was riding with Abby.
Use the parking shuttle so you don't have to pay $10 for parking! I don't know how they did it, but my parents actually found a spot for me on the street! (It is easier when you go early)
Feed your kids before you go, or get $1 pizza and take water bottles to drink instead of buying soda.
Have you even been there? SO MUCH FUN! I guess it used to be a Disney's Kid Zone until someone who owns a Football team bought it for his kids to play there. Now that his kids are grown, he has opened it up and my kids thought it was a BLAST! Normally, it is quite an expensive night, but, if you are lookin' for something fun to do, feed the kids and then sign them up for the KID'S CLUB!
You USED to get FREE admission and a FREE shirt, but I guess they figured out that was crazy, and now they just do 1/2 price admission. Still! That is a good deal considering regular admission is $8.50. You can sign each child up and get their own coupon as far as I know!
I know the weather is getting nice, and these places are inside, BUT if you sign up for the Chuck e-Cheese e-mail club you can get a rockin' coupon for 1 Large Pizza and 40 tokens for $18.99! HELLO!!! You can spend that just going through a Wendy's drive through! Go to Chuck E. Cheese and let the kids burn off some steam! And the last time we were there, the messed up our pizza order and gave us 100 more tokens! YIPPEE!!
Ok, now that I have shared my secrets, what are yours? What do you do for fun around here??
I did it. He had NO CLUE. I showed up at his office at 5:00 p.m. and I had harangued one of his co-workers into keeping him at work. . . No, she did much more than that. She got him OFF work, TOOK HIS SHIFT (he normally works Tuesday nights) AND made sure that he stayed there until I got there. (Andrea... really, THANK YOU)
I went to the reception desk and asked the receptionist to please let Peter know he had a student here. . . This is where my lying catches up with me. I am NOT good on the fly, and when she asked my name, I said . . . PEGGY. Yes, I said PEGGY. Why I could not come up with a more normal name, I will never know.
As soon as the receptionist recited that student "Peggy" was there to see him and "Peggy" did not have a scheduled appointment, my cover was blown. . . Not to mention, Peter was given a standing ovation at work as he was leaving. Not something, if you know my husband, that he appreciates. . . ME:Attention seeking HIM: NOT attention seeking (I don't know how we EVER got together..) Anwho. .
I had a video of him leaving from my secret covert undercover agent that she recorded on her cell. It is on my cell, but I can't figure out how to get it here... MOVING ON.
I took him to dinner. I was informed by my "insiders" that it would take about 1 hour to get there. (NEVER TRUST INSIDERS) We chose a little Sushi joint that was doing 1/2 off night. Even though our meal was quick. It wasn't quick enough. By the time our meal was over, Peter had figured out where we were going by asking two questions:
1- Are we leaving Mesa?
2- Are we going to Glendale?
After that, he knew.
We almost immediately hit traffic on the 10 going to Glendale and it was about 6:30. I wasn't expecting to get there on time... After all, Peter was not going to be heartbroken if he missed some of the Black Eyed Peas.
I, however, WAS going to be heartbroken and sure enough, WE MISSED THE WHOLE FIRST SET.
Here is where I release my UTTER DISDAIN for the person who designed the ON and OFF ramps at the University of Phoenix Stadium as well as the PARKING!!! (they should be fired and never hired again to design public use facilities. . thank you) After 2 HOURS in the car... YES.. 2 HOURS... most of which were spent on the 101 staring at the stadium but not being able to move, we finally got to a parking lot and were told THEY ARE FULL, IT IS CLOSED.
Great.
It is now 8:15 p.m.
And believe me, those parking attendants were OH so helpful about where else to park. We finally just gave up and paid someone who lived near by (not really that near by) to park in their driveway so we wouldn't get towed for parking in the neighborhood and RAN. Yes. WE. RAN. to get to the concert. I wasn't about to miss my 6 months of planning by missing the SHOW!
Luckily, we got in, and well, the concert didn't start until 9:15 p.m. I mean, the Black Eyed Peas were long gone, but Bono... He was yet still to come.
The show was phenomenal, and we had a blast. It was a great surprise, and much needed. As we talked at dinner, we realized that we hadn't been to do something "celebratory" or "special" since our trip to VEGAS. Nothing. Just dinner/movies for 1 1/2 years. I am definitely hoping for our 10 year Anniversary we can pull something together!
For your viewing enjoyment, here are some short vids that I took at the concert. I cannot describe the overwhelming feeling it is to be at one of these concerts. Amazing band . . .(seriously, they have been doing this for 30 years!) Amazing show, Amazing sound... Just
AMAZING.
Enjoy.
This is ABSOLUTELY one of my favorite songs of theirs. I have NO IDEA why I didn't record the whole thing!
Be sure to wait for the hook on this one. Amazing light display.
I know my page says Happy Thanksgiving. I like it, so, just get over it ok? And we are 11 days away from staring thanksgiving down anyway, so, why not.
When I was in college. . (I was a wild one in college) a few of my girlfriends and hopped in my White Acura Integra (that had the cool fin on the back. . it was my dream. . I loved that car) and we drove to Vegas.
We had a hot date with BONO.
We had bought our tickets on-line (or was it in-line? I can't remember) and we were pumped... as pumped as 5 or 6 college girls on the way to scream their heads off at a concert might be. I don't remember where we stopped. I don't remember where we ate. I don't remember much of anything. Except, when we got there, we were like wild animals. Pulsing with wild anxiety and excitement. (Was that too much of an explanation? I'll think about that one some more.)
Anywho. We found some friends at the concert. They were in the nose bleed section. We were on the floor. At first, we had no idea WHERE our tickets were. We had to ask several people until we could figure it out, and then we were told they were on the floor. . . 11 rows back from the front. We were screaming. . shouting and clutching each other. . jumping up and down and telling our friends our great stroke of luck.
Just as we were doing so, a guy with a U2 t-shirt on told us to give him our tickets. He insisted. We rejected him and said we would NEVER give up our great seats. He smiled at us. . me, my friends, and my friends with the nose bleed seats and said, "I'll give you front row seats."
I guess Bono wanted to stock the stage with some screaming chicks. We were just the girls he was looking for. We grabbed our new seats and headed down with our friends. To be honest, the 11 row seats were better and next to the cat walk. Bono knows how to work a cat walk my friends. He does. Yes. He. Does. Photo courtesy of some site I just snagged it off of. (Zimbio)
I don't even remember the opening act. I didn't care. Public Enemy maybe? I know. I just wanted to see Bono. The concert was amazing. Seriously. Amazing. I hadn't been to many concerts, but you don't have to stretch your imagination too far to realize U2 is going to put on an awesome show.
Bono walked the cat walk SEVERAL times. I finally climbed the fence. Realizing that my freakishly long arms could maybe grab his pant leg. I am not sure what I would have done with it after that but, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Here he comes... down the cat walk. . . He picks up someones shoe... he is walking toward me. . REACH... REACH... REACH!!!!!
Bono handed me a shoe.
Who's shoe?
I don't know.
I don't care.
I have a shoe bequeathed to me by Bono. It is a miracle. (ok, maybe that is going too far)
Of course there was a major frenzy in the stands where I was. My friends causing the most of it. A few seconds later security approached me. . .
"You have to give us the shoe."
me: NO!
"It doesn't belong to you"
me: SO!?
"The girl wants it back"
me: I don't care! She chucked it up there!!!!
"Give us the shoe"
They were big. I am Mormon. I gave them the shoe.
U2 is going to be in concert here tonight. I bought tickets. . .
6 months ago
without talking to, or asking my husband.
We have never been to a concert together. . . Married 9 years. I know! 6 months ago, when I bought them, I figured we would be far enough past all of our drama to celebrate. I was close. We still have a lot of drama, but I want to celebrate anyway.
Isn't that kinda a record for me? I mean, 11 days since you heard from me. . . and no one even wondered where I was. Or did you? Well, I guess I did mention something about fall break, didn't I? Let me just say, it was CRAZY.
I think it was CRAZY good. But there are always some CRAZY BAD moments as well. I was saved in the middle of the 2 1/2 week "break" (it makes me snort a little inside every time I type that word-Break, what a joke) by Peter's parents coming to visit. I am sure they would have LOVED to see Peter for more than the 4 hours they spent with him... But never mind, they had a great time with US!
As a matter of fact, my head is just kinda spinning... spinning... spinning... and no point in getting it to stop now, because K-lo and G-pa are comin' this way today. . So, let's just keep partyin' people. . (But can the kids go back to school now? Please?)
Oh I am awful. Just awful. I am sure if I didn't have crazy K in the mix, I could be gettin' along just fine, but when your baby decides to have a "fussy week" i.e. waking up at 4:00 a.m. FOR THE DAY, while your in-laws, who are trying to rest after jam packed days with 4 kids under 8, are sleeping just down the hall. It just makes for a tired mommy. . . I mean, glazed... over... nobody is home . . kinda feelin' you know? We made the best of it and had a total blast. Even taking in my first visit to the Phoenix Zoo, and now I am a proud card carrying MEMBER! (They spoil us. . anyone else out there have one?-- Let's go together!)
Anywho... we did so much stuff, I can't even remember 1/2 of it. It is a good thing I had my camera with me to document a few good moments. Like Abby and Jaxon riding on the camel at the zoo!
And a few of our peeps at Schneff Farms.
Kinda looks like fall doesn't it? I mean, for a second, Schnepf farms kinda fool you. . . I mean, they have hay bales, and corn mazes, and pumpkins and for a second. . you feel like it is fall! Even in the desert. . . until you step out of the car and it is 100 degrees! It didn't feel too bad to us, but, it took a quick toll on the grandparents. I think we were lucky to get them out of there standing in an up right position! They spoiled us rotten, like they always do, and we had a great time. I hope they did too! Even with that noisy baby down the hall!
Now, it is back to business(?) and the kids have ONE MORE DAY to enjoy the freedoms of no school. I am on the cusp of a secret that I have been keeping for 6 months... I can't believe I have kept a secret for more than 23 hours. I am amazed at myself. Miracles DO happen. I will let you know how it goes over, but to be honest, I am a little nervous. We will see what happens I guess! Until then, treat yourself to some Butterscotch Sauce in my honor. . . this recipe has even started small obsessions in my old neck of the woods. Try it. You will like it.
I am making Pumpkin Muffins right now. Like RIGHT NOW. Make some. Be sure to put the Cream Cheese Frosting on top. . . Don't even think about leaving it off. DON'T. If you do. . you don't love me.
You will thank me later.
Take the last swig of milk RIGHT out of the milk jug. It is liberating.
I wish they would have spent more time on her. Her story was more 'inspirational' and to me, the other story just seemed plumb tragic.
Fall TV, do you have any new favorite shows? Let me know, because I could possibly provide my ever so charming critique.
I need a nap.
Speaking of which, K woke up upset at about 4:45 (she went back to sleep THANK GOODNESS!). As I walked to her bedroom, I saw the light glowing downstairs. Wade was up watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. . It was on to the second video on the DVD. I am not sure how long he was up, but, he has been asking to go back to bed since 10:00 this morning. So, I guess. . . he was probably up since 3:00 a.m.?
Yes, Wade can turn on the TV, DVD, and even knows how to work the DVR. It is sad/scary, but true.
My house smells like pumpkin muffins.
I don't like the smell of this rental. Except for now.
Applesauce is on sale for $1.75/6 pack at Target. If you buy 5 (=$8.75) they will give you a $5 gift card. . . It is like paying .75 a 6 pack.
I did. I can't believe I did it either. It was after a week of complete chaos too. It was crazy, but I had to meet up with my sisters for our FIRST Girls trip!!
Where did we go?
VEGAS.
Of course!(?)
I took off Friday morning and drive with my other PHX sister to Las Vegas to meet up with my mom and 3 other sisters! No, this family knows no boys... just ones now related by marriage. It has always been kind of difficult to attempt something like this. . . I mean, we realized after we left, that we had left a total of 17 children behind. . . Was that an accomplishment? Or just sheer stupidity. (We still aren't sure) I think all the men made it. . I know my husband did anyway-- and he had it the worst for sure!!
We took in a great show . . Le Reve at the Wynn
and ate some even GREATER food! If you know anything about my family, it is that we LOVE FOOD!
Do we look alike?
We had a great time and it was fun to spend so much time with people I LOVE! Thanks girls! It was a blast! Let's do it again. . . . When Kaylie is a little older -per Peter's request! :)
PS- As I left for my trip, I gave Peter his "list" and jokingly said, Oh, and potty train Wade while you are at it. When I got home, they were on day 3 of potty training! Brave brave BRAVE daddy!
This kid totally makes me smile right now. Like, all the time.
I know you have all seen THIS adorable youtube video right? (Worth the click, I promise)
Lately, Wade has taken to singing and dancing. . He is quite a natural. However, the SECOND I turn on the video recorder he stops singing and does THIS:
Some of my favorite songs that he sings are:
Popeye the Sailorman (Sounds like Popeye the cinnamon)
All the Single Ladies (Sounds like all the single babies)
I Got a Feelin', By the Black Eyed Peas. . I am trying to get it on video, it will be worth it.
You Got a Friend In Me (current Buzz Lightyear addiction)
The theme song to Hong Kong Fooey (yes the 80s cartoon. We have a BOOMERANG addiction around here. . )
I had the HONG KONG FOOEY video taped at one point, and now I can't find the video on my computer! Oh well, I will show you what I DID get. I was a little bumbed that he wasn't singing, but, I think I got lucky with some of the special "moves" he showed me. Especially the 1/2 turn right in the middle. Nice move.
