It's Been a While...

about a year, by my last posting date. Wow! Sorry to all our fans out there. Been keeping you updated by Facebook over the last year. But I've had several requests to go back to blogging, so I suppose I shall indulge you...

Ah, where to begin? Well, let's see...let's start with letting you know that we are all fat, happy and healthy...well, some of us are fat...well, OK, just I am fat, but we are all happy and healthy (for the most part)! We've been lucky enough (so far) to elude the dreaded H1N1 flu bug, though we've had our share of other maladies it seems like! But relatively mild as a whole.

Since we've last visited, my children have grown quite a bit! See above...this is what happens when I try to take a nice Christmas picture...sigh. I did get a couple of good ones though.

Ben is 12 now, going on 16. He's a great kid, but is getting the teenager attitude at times. I so am not looking forward to that!! He stays very active, and wants nothing more than to be bigger than someone in his class!!! He's not small for his age, but is small for his class I guess. Poor kid. Anyway, he plays football, baseball, basketball, and ran track last year, but it really conflicted with baseball, which is his passion. So probably no track this year. I can't say that I'm heartbroken. :-)

Little Greg is 11, and is still our little thinker. Always full of questions... weird, random questions, but thoughtful nonetheless! Most of the time I cannot answer him. He plays soccer still, fall and spring. He also ran track last year, but I don't think he really enjoyed it too much. I'm guessing track is out next year altogether. Oh darn. No more sitting for 4 hours to watch your kid for 4 seconds...again, heartbroken. Although is really is good for them. Oh well...

Alex is 5 this year. I'd say my "little" Alex, but I already used that title for Greg, and Alex probably is almost as big as Greg, so I can't use it for him! Alex is a mover and a shaker. Never sits still, and like Greg, is always thinking...about how he can con myself or Matt into giving him what he wants that is!! He's very artistic and creative. He started kindergarten this year. We had a few rough days the first couple of weeks, but I think he's getting the hang of it now. He even told me last night that he "just lo-o-o-ves homework"! HUH!? Alex will play T-ball in the spring. He is always telling me how he is going to "SMACK that ball in for a touchdown!!" (that would be a quote from the movie Chicken Little, he really does know it's not a touchdown...I think).

And then there is little miss thing. Princess Ellie, or BusyBella as she calls herself. And she'll let you know too. Don't try calling her Isabella. She WILL correct you. "No, it's BUSY-BELLA!" She's a girlie girl, but she likes to play with the boys too. Though she's not really rough-and-tumble. Really she's just very moody actually. But she can also be such a sweetie. She loves drawing on her Magna-Doodle, and she likes to sing and dance (again, if she's in the mood). She also likes to read books to me. It's quite entertaining actually.

Matt and I are still hanging on in the office furniture business. Matt also stays busy with running a Sunday night men's basketball league at our church, and he plays softball, and he does a lot of the running of kids to practices while I tend to the little munchkins at home!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, and are looking forward to a nice Christmas. I got all of the little decorations out, so we are ready to put the tree up...tomorrow. I'm beat! Time for bed!

Love ya

Lisa

Funny Stuff...

Ok, so, for those of you who have been here, you'll know what picture I'm speaking of...for those of you who haven't been here...we have lived in this house for over three years, and have quite an accumulation of kid pictures on the walls. However, in our bedroom, there are five pictures on one of the walls and they have been there the since we moved in. One of these pictures is of Ben and Greg, when they were 2 and 1 year old.

So, a couple days ago, Alex was laying in our bed around 6:30 in the morning. I had just gotten out of the shower when Alex nervously called my name. I came out of the bathroom to see what was wrong. He looked very seriously at me, and with great consternation, proceeded to point to that picture of Ben and Greg and tell me "mom, those little guys are LOOKIN' at me"! LOL! After I regained my composure (Alex was not amused by the way), I explained to him that that was Ben and Greg when they were little, just like you. He didn't get it, and quite frankly, looked at me like I was on crack. Poor little guy. I think he was traumatized. He actually has slept all night in his own bed since that day (he usually comes into our bed in the middle of the night. For those of you who don't believe in the family bed, I know, I know (I used to be one of you, now move on). So anyway, that's my funny story for the day.

On another note, Ben's last football practice was tonight!!! YEAH!!! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! Except basketball practice has already started. But that's not EVERY FREAKING NIGHT like football is, so I can deal. They play the losers bracket of the championship tomorrow. Exciting stuff you know.

Oh, and did you know that kids in 6th date? I said, Ben, what do you mean by "dating" exactly? He said, you know, they meet at Wal-Mart or McDonald's. Whew, that's hot. Sounds like my kind of date...LOL!!!

But anyway, I digress...What in the hell is wrong with parents these days???? Kids are NOT supposed to be flippity-flippin dating in the 6th grade!!!! And I say parents because clearly, if the kids are meeting somewhere, the parents had to take them there, thus encouraging them... unless the kids are sneaking out and catching a bus or something (in the SIXTH GRADE), which leads me to a whole 'nother issue. This is a problem. Oy, I'm getting old.

Alright, I'm going to go. It was a looonnnnngg day at work, and of course, Ellie is sick AGAIN. Just a cold, but all the same, we will be up many times tonight you can be sure. Here she is in healthier days (well, if you consider eating a doughnut 'healthy'...we do around here. In fact I'm sure doughnut is a food group in our home). Love the witches hat!!!

Talk to you soon!
Love ya,
Lisa

To Let Them, or NOT to Let Them...That is THE Question...and more!

So, apparently, my living in denial that my children NEED to use the internet has to go by the wayside. They have reports to write, and the internet is the ONLY place they can go to find the information that they NEED to write said report. Hm, well, not really, but it is the most CONVENIENT place! We all know about the evil that lurks on this wonderful resource we call the world wide web. However, I guess I am willing to risk their internet safety in lieu of making ONE MORE TRIP to the library. What a good mother I am.

However, they have been taught extensively about the dangers of surfing the net...but will they listen? Yes, we do have the parental block capability...ask me if I know how to use it though!?!? Actually, I think that I do have something on here, just not sure how good it is. I better get that up and running, huh?!

Very exciting news by the way...little miss thing FINALLY learned how to jump! Yeah! It's quite possibly the cutest little thing too. She's very excited about it too.

And Alex is getting rave reviews about his behavior at school. My little angel offers to help clean up, and has been taking naps, and follows directions very well. Actually I think they have him confused with some other little boy named Alex, because he certainly doesn't act like this at home!

Had a busy but fun weekend. It was Homecoming for the Englewood Packers! The day started at 6:00AM with decorating floats and vehicles for the parade, and then the parade started at 7:15. Threw in a soccer game for Greg at 9:00, and then came Ben's big game at noon...and they lost...big time. Oh well, Ben played very well. Had fun with Nana and Papa here to watch the big Nebraska game, and then did a whole lot of NOTHING on Sunday!

Sidenote...I need to get my fall decor out. I think I may go do that now. Kids are in bed. Although Ben put in a request for some clean football game pants for tomorrow, so I better get some laundry going first...pain in my a$$!!! However, the fact that he asked for his pants to be washed almost put me over the moon with excitement (he's worn the same dirty practice pants for about 8 days now...hey, he's in 6th grade...he can be resposible for getting his dirty, stinky, smelly, nasty practice pants into the wash! They are not allowed in my house, so he can get them as nasty as he wants!)

Well, that's about all I have for tonight. I shall leave you with a joke, straight from the mouth of Alex (who got it from the Backyardigans...gotta give credit where credit is due)..."Why did the chicken cross the playground?...to get to the other SLIDE!" HA HA HA HA HA

Gotta go wash those pants now...

Love ya

Lisa

It's Been a Looonnnngggg Week...

and it's only Monday.

So, I'm exhausted (good idea, Lisa, play on the computer some more!). Ellie was up from 2:00-3:00 this morning for no apparent reason, other than the 101.6 degree temp, which she had for...no apparent reason. What is up with that!??! Gave her Motrin, rocked for an hour, and that was it. She slept the rest of the night and was fine when I had to wake her at 7:15. She is on about the third round of this cold/allergy/whatever crap. Pretty much has been coughing, sneezing, stuffy/runny nose/draining eyes for about a month now. Think it's time to waste $25 for a Dr. visit? Anyone, anyone??? Opinion/advice please.

Besides that, just had some rotten news from all around. Work is crazy busy, and nothing can ever go smoothly. I just want one job to have no problems, no issues, everything fits...one where we all communicated effectively and did everything right! Think I'll be waiting for a while...? In case you hadn't noticed, I like to do this "..." a lot. Sorry if it annoys you, but I think that's how I talk. Matt says I type how I talk, so that must be it.

Kids are good (aside from the aforementioned issue), although I think that football is already starting to wear down Ben, and the season has just begun. He was up until 10:15 tonight doing homework, which is the second time in a week that has happened. He likes to think that he is a night owl, because Greg is (that kid could hang longer than I ever could!), but he's really not. Ben is a kid who needs his sleep. So anyway, they got mauled in their first game, 32 -0, but Ben played very well, both offense and defense, though I couldn't really tell. I'm too short to see over all those guys, and the top row of bleacher seats was full.

Greg had his first soccer game of the season on Sat., and they won. How couldn't they with a couple of Andre the Giants on his team!?!?!? These kids are 10 and 11, and I'm telling you, there are two kids, a boy and a girl, who are taller than me! Now I realize that's not saying much, but c'mon!!!! Greg didn't even come up to the shoulder of the boy!! What's in that kid's Cheerios???? Can I have some?

They both had dentist checkups today, and got raving reviews...of their behavior, not their teeth! Actually, they did just fine. No cavities to speak of (too bad I can't say the same for myself!), and Ben is brushing well, Greg is not.

Alex is finally adapting to being in Pre-K. He has two friends now, Seth and Brendan, and Seth and Brendan don't like to clean up. And Jessica is only friends with girls, so he can't be her friend. He loves to play bingo, and "lights"(whatever that is), and knows that when I leave him at school, I'm going to the store to buy him a treat, so it's OK that I go. Hey, whatever works I say! He's STILL sucking his thumb, but we are working on that.

Ellie is...still Ellie. Doesn't want anyone near her at school, but she does well with the teachers. She's really starting to talk so well now, but she has re-written the book on manners. She says "oo elcom" when you give her something, instead of thank you. Or she'll say both, "cank oo, elcom". And she knows how to give you "the Look"! It's hilarious, and she can even keep a straight face as we are laughing hysterically! That's pretty good. Last night I told her no on something, and she was sitting on the floor facing me when I told her no, and she promptly turned her body to face the other way, folded her arms across her body, and went "hmph!" and wouldn't look at me...laughing so hard I was crying.

Well, that's some of the scoop around here. Little miss thing is fussing...better go before she wakes the rest of the house!

Love ya,
Lisa

That's What I Get...

For trying to get a group picture!

Now, here's what's going on in this picture...Ben's composed and trying to smile and hold the little wiggle worm, Greg just said "OW" while slouching and trying to smile, Alex is "posing for the picture"..."like this, Mom?" he says, and Ellie's laughing because she just hit Greg on the head with the little shovel thing and he yelled ow, which she thinks is HILARIOUS, and she's trying to get down at the same time! Will I ever get a nice group picture???? Oh well, this makes me laugh...

SO things are crazy here, but nothing new. Football practice (Ben) starts tomorrow, soccer practice (Greg) starts next week, and we have two birthday parties and some fantasy football drafts thrown in there for good measure. And of course school starts on August 25th. Kinda late this year it seems, but what are you gonna do? Well, I guess I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't running around like a chicken with my head cut off! I wouldn't have it any other way...well, maybe some days I would! :-)

Gotta go for now, laundry awaits!
Love ya
Lisa

And We're Off...!

Started work today...just a half day. I was up too early, around 4:30, because I was worried that I wouldn't hear my alarm clock, or that it wouldn't go off, or something of that nature...so I was up, sort of. Drifted in and out of a light slumber I suppose until 6:00. Got up, showered and got ready, and my lovely little children, who usually wake ME up around 6:30 or so, were not even close to waking up at 7:15!!! Mind you, we need to be out the door by 7:30. So of course I had to wake them up, which is just about all of our least favorite thing to do! Grumpy, whiney children. That's what I dropped off at the daycare. Nice, huh? At least I didn't have to deal with them though!!!!

Alex wouldn't let go of my leg, and Ellie was screaming as I handed her off to Miss Teresa, one of my favorites. We gave the ol' daycare a test drive last week, and it went as well as could be expected. So at least we all kind of knew the teachers today. That helped. Alex didn't cry at all while I was gone, and had a lot of fun. Ellie didn't fare so well. She didn't really eat, didn't really play, just kind of hung out and/or cried :-( But I'm sure she'll come to enjoy it...soon I hope!

So back to work was nice, but a little boring. Naturally, as I expected, they didn't have a computer or a chair for me to sit in (this is simply how they have always been, unprepared!), and I arrived there approx. an hour before my boss got there. I did have the trusty ol' pile of paperwork to fill out. That helped pass the time. And here I sit, waiting for software to load on my computer so I can work from home. My boss had something he wanted me to get done today. Glad I only was supposed to work half a day! Oh well, I'm logging my time. At least I'm getting paid!

Talk soon,
Lisa

I'm Just Done...

So, we've spent over $2000 on my stupid mini-van to fix the A/C, and boy is it working great. However, in the last couple of weeks, we've noticed a burning oil or anti-freeze smell after turning the piece of crap off. No smoke, no leaks, no rising temp. Just a bad smell. So I take it in for an oil change today, and had to have a safety inspection (in stupid Missouri, you have to have your vehicle inspected every other year in order to renew your license plates). I also mentioned "the bad smell"...WELLLLLLL....now my van needs another at least $1000 worth of work. Most of it is regular vehicle maintenance. However, after just spending $2000 just on the A/C and a couple of other leaks, it doesn't really seem to matter that it is just regular maintenance! I'm so sick of putting money that I don't have into a piece of crap vehicle that I don't even like! And it won't pass inspection until I spend at least $400 to fix the brakes and the whole tail-light assembly thing. So now I can't renew my plates either. Luckily I have until the end of July!
I HATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.
I'm done now, thank you...
By the way, the bad smell is a leaking valve cover gasket. Nice, huh?