Ok, so I am back out of the swing of things.
Basketball has come and gone. It was fun. Now we are into baseball. All three of the kiddos are playing so it is very busy. I am coaching Tabitha in T-ball this year and Lonnie is coaching Cody. That leaves Tristan on his own. He seems ok with that. I think he was tired of one of us always hanging around. His team got their first win this weekend. They were totally excited. Tabitha has her first game tonight, but it looks like it may rain.
Last weekend was wonderful. The sun was out, we spent some excellent time playing catch, batting and just having fun.
Our anniversary is coming up fast. 11 years. I can't decide if I want to have a quiet candlelight dinner at home, and have to cook, or to go out. I suppose the compromise betweent those two would be take out and eat at home. I am not a big fan of takeout though. It never seems to be as good, and you don't know what you got until you get home. Hmmm dilemas.
Looks like I will be going to outdoor school with Tristan. It is an overnight so I will be in the cabin with the girls. Plan was for Lonnie to chaperone this one, but he is unable to get time off work. We will have to try again when Cody goes.. /should be fun though. They pair up one Mom chaperone with one Dad chaperone, so I will hopefully at least get to share the experience with Tristan then. I remember when I went to Outdoor school. So much fun. This year they are going to be themed "Pioneer Living" They will pan for gold, cook on a bunson burner, build wagons with antique tools etc. That is next month. Then the school year is almost over. Can not believe that.

OMG She is 5!!!

I can not believe my little girl will be 5 tomorrow. She got her ears pierced on Monday. She was so brave. She really is a tough little girl. No crying or anything. Her reaction was actually quite prescious. I was a horrible Mom though. I forgot to take the camara! So I don't have pictures, I am so sorry about that. Her face showed a look of surprise. Kind of "That was NOT what I was expecting". Her big brothers were there with her and they were so excited for her and told her what a brave big girl she was. That in itself made her very Proud.
We talked about the fact that she was not going to have a big birthday party this year because we have the cruise in 19 days. Now that her birthday is tomorrow, she is wanting to get notes out to all her friends to invite them to her birthday. Yikes. That is a heart wrencher. We will have Grandma and Grandpa over and other Grandma, Auntie and new cousin. Hopefully she will be fine with that. She also had Chuck E cheese on Monday. Just goes to show that if the birthday "party" is not on the birthday and with friends it is just not the same. Cupcakes tomorrow at school will hopefully do the trick. Maybe Dad will have to drop off a balloon or two for her.
School Auction tomorrow. So excited. It should be a real good time.

Basketball

We had our first round of basket ball games. I have to brag and say my kids were great. It is nice when someone else says that though. Lonnie had a proud Dad moment this morning. One of his customers had a son on the team that we played, (We lost miserably by the way.) said that the boy on our team with the glasses was really good. I asked him if he told his customer that was his boy. He replyed "Heck yeah!" lol. Cody's team won, and he did extremely well also. Last year when I decided to Manage Cody's baseball team it really helped him and his behavior. He seems to be more serious about playing the sports now. Dad will be coaching him in baseball this year. I will be coaching T-ball for Tabitha. Guess that means Tristan will be on his own.
Tristan doesn't seem to want us to be as involved as Cody does anyway. I think it is an age thing. I get in trouble for even wanting to go on the field trips. I guess that is ok. He has done his time and with three kids and only two parents, we can't do it all!! As much as we would like to.
2 more weeks until the 4th grade auction. I really hope it goes well. It should be a really fun evening.
Count down has also begun for the cruise.
We are taking the kids on a 4 night Mexican Baja cruise. Everyone is totally excited. We are flying to Long Beach and taking the cruise from there. Tabitha has never flown, and I am not sure Cody remembers the last time he did. So it will be very fun. 33 Days to go..

I have a meeting to go to tonight for the school auction committee. Our fourth graders get to go to outdoor school for 3 days and 2 nights. We are having an auction to help with the funds. I have collected quite a few donations for the auction in the area of family activities. I hope it is successful. I am surprised at how generous places have been.

Found out this afternoon that the local bowling alley in Keizer has bowling leagues for kids as small as Tabitha. She likes bowling on the WII. Think she can turn that into real talent? They also can earn points for college tuition. Bowling and scholarship what a deal!! They were nice and donated some free game passes worth about $30.

There really is a lot more to do in this area then we thought. Paintball, swimming, bowling, movies, arcades, and sports. No kid should go bored.

Been a pretty good day, now I am going to try and make clam fritters for dinner. Never made those before. we will see how they turn out.

I saw this posted on a friends facebook page. I LOVE this Quote and wanted to write it somewhere.


"Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came from the man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on .. Not from his head to be superior ... but from the side to be equal! Under the arm to be protected, & next to the heart to be loved!!...."

Lake Shasta last summer.


Tristan and his new friend Sunny. Chocolate Lab puppy.

Clamming with Grandpa, much funner then duck hunting.

Tabitha's "date" to her first Ballet. Sleeping Beauty at the Elsinore.

Catch up

Wow, it has been sooo long since I blogged. I knew I had a pretty boring life, however I am always so busy. How does that factor in? I have logged on to Facebook, but still don't really get into that too much. I use it more as a way to see what is happening in other peoples life. If I was more creative with statements, comments and thoughts I would probably do better.

Kids have grown quite a bit since 2007! Go figure? Tristan is now in 4th grade. That is keeping me busy with school volunteer stuff. 4th grade Auction to send them to outdoor school, yearbook, PTC and not to mention sports. Cody is in 2nd Grade. He is doing real well in a 2/3 blend. I am not sure how he got so smart, but I am very proud of his academics. PE is another story. He is athletic and plays sports, but seems to think PE is play time and gets other children in trouble. We are working on that. My kids are not allowed to get a Needs Improvement on their report card in PE. or lunch for that matter. :) Tabitha is 4 almost 5. Last year of preschool then on to Kindergarten. She is starting to enjoy the girly things in life. Barbie dolls, caring for baby stuffed animals, dress up, singing and dancing. She sings to Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana. I can't believe how well she picks up on the words. She also likes a little Boom Boom Pow Thanks to brothers. I gave her the option of T-ball or dance this spring/summer. She said Soccer! Ha. She will do T-ball, then after T-ball, she can decide soccer or dance. Tristan would also like to learn dance and soccer, so we will see where that leads. Stay tuned.

I am still working part time, love the hours. drop the kids off at school, go to work, then home in time for the kids to walk through the door. Dinner done and whole family at the table by 5:30 at the latest. We are very blessed to be all home by 3:30-4:00. Lonnie works early, so is off early. Very nice. Lonnie is about ready to finish up hunting season. He took the boys with him most of the time, this year so that was good Dad-Son time. Tristan finally got to shoot a gun. He found that very exiting. Cody still has to wait a year or two. There is a mentor program that allows a nine year old to be able to learn gun safety and duck identification. Lonnie and Tristan went Clamming with Grandpa up in LongBeach Wa over new years. He liked it better then duck hunting. Sorry Dad :(

Thanks Amanda for your blog, and me thinking I should start again. Guess I will think of more exiting news and try to find pictures to post.

Ahh Columbus Day

I think Columbus Day is quickly becoming my favorite holiday. Why?, you may ask... I am now working at a bank which means I get all the cool Holidays off , and then some. So tomorrow, Columbus Day, While I am off and the kids still have to go to school what am I to do?? I am not sure if what I am about to say is dedication, or stupidity. hahaha... I will be having lunch with Tristan at school and then joining Codys Kindergarten class for the day. And the truth is I am very excited about it. The next holiday that I have and they dont I will probably do it all over again. I will have to let you all know how it goes.

Yesterday was a priceless football experience.. On the good side, our team won!! YEAH!! Tristan scored a conversion after the touch down, got to start the game by kicking off and .. He got kicked out of the game. How do explain too many fouls to a 7 year old? Basically, he got called for face masking. If any of you know football. This is a common foul, however they don't wear helmets in flag football!!! Yes, this means he got caught "punching" the opposite player.
After talking to him about the incident, I found out he wasn't the only one. Just the one that got caught. The other guy fouled when he pulled Tristans flags un-necessarily. (Meaning he didn't have the ball) Tristan tried to go back in after a few plays, the ref told him he was out of the game. CRUSHED... I hope he learned his lesson.

Yesterday we also went to McMinnville and participated in the Grand Opening of "Scottys Playhouse". I don't know if any of you are familiar with this, but it is a church in McMinnville that just finished a million dollar expansion to their church. They added on an indoor playground for children. It is a huge play area that is open to the public for free on certain days. Basically 7 days a week. They also offer an indoor party area and it is available for rent. The church is The Church on The Hill. I passed that really cool park on the way. So it is in that same area of Mcminnville. Anyway the kids had a very good time and they through a very nice grand opening.

This is opening weekend of Duck hunting season, so I am pretty much husbandless for the next 3-4 months. (on the weekends) Tabitha is hooked on preschool. Everyday, she asks if she gets to go to Lollop tree. She is loving it, and even Marlee noticed her coloring is getting much better at church..
That is my update for this week.
I still didn't realize it had been a week since I had been on. Yikes... It is going to fast!!
:) :) :) :)

Found the post a picture tool..

What fun this is. Cody first day of Kindergarten and Tristan playing Football.

Here is Princess Tabitha. Hasn't she grown? eyiyiyi. Talk about how time flies.. Wasn't she just a baby??

How time flies

My My My, how time flies. That is so true. I have been asked by some to please update my blog!! I will try. It has been so long. Let's see where to begin without making this be to incredibly long.

Summer was great, now it is over.. I had the summer off with the kids and was told by my husband that I better get a job because I was having too much fun. I think he was a little jealous of our day trips to the park, the mall, McDonalds (with a play area), mom and kids camping trips and the zoo. We went to the zoo twice, once he came with us and we also spent some time at the big park up the hill. We had always said we wanted to do that but never had. It was very fun.
Our vacation this year was a week camping trip and the Wildlife Safari.

I think the week we went camping was the only week this summer we had RAIN!!. It wasn't too bad, just constant mist enough to keep everything wet and full of sand. Not wet enough to keep the kids down. We went to the beach. I thought the water was cold, but they were already wet from the rain (mist) so it didn't seem to bother them much. We camp at Garibaldi where there is a big Sand Dune for climbing and playing. Frisbee became a favorite a long with the rope on the OTHER side of the dune. That means two trips up and two trips down.... (pant pant)
The Wildlife Safari was a perfect Day trip. They opened at 9:00 so we left here at 7:00 AM and got there just in time to drive through as all the animals were out for their morning strolls and feedings. It was wonderful. The animals cross the street in front of you and the ostrich looking things, can't remember what they were, actually pecked at the car. I think they have been fed out of cars before... Anyway, we walked through the park, saw an elephant show, rode the elephants, had our picture taken with a Cheetah (kids anyway) and came home. We stopped at Rice Hill for dinner (yummy ( must stop) )and made it home by 7:00. It was just right.

That was summer in a nut shell. All the fun and games came to a sudden halt when low and behold I got a job.
Returning to the work world has been a challenge. Thank goodness that the people I work for are very family oriented and care about the employees. They are flexible and appreciate when I can be flexible to cover them. It works well I work from 8:15 to 2:45. If I leave right on time, I have time to quickly pick up Tabitha from Preschool and be home in time for Tristan and Cody who walk home from school. Lonnie is usually home in time for them anyway. It is a little early for the school, but since Cody is in afternoon Kindergarten, he stays with a friend and she takes both boys for 30 minutes. She is a true Blessing!! I pay her $2 an hour for Cody, do you guys have any opinions on that? Is that enough, is it too much? She doesn't make lunch or provide food, I send him with his lunch. She hasn't complained but I don't think she would either, I want to be fair.
Tristan is in flag football now and loving it.. He plays both Offense and Defense. He even scored a touchdown last week. This week was a little different. They lost and they all looked confused and I think the cold weather affected their little hands. But it is soo fun to watch them play. I wouldn't want to miss it for the world.
Cody is doing very well in Kindergarten. He did undergo additional testing to skip first grade, but by the time they got around it, he was set in his class and didn't really want to go forward. They decided that they would get him ready for TAG by putting him in the accelerated reading and math programs. His Star reading test put him at a 2.1-3.1 level. She encouraged him to check out a book from that level on Library day. He brought home a chapter book of The Boxcar Children.. Haha Do you remember those? I remember reading them. I had actually told my mom to buy those for Tristan for Christmas. Smarty Pants Cody is reading this as I type.. So much for secretive "spelling" etc.
Tabitha is doing very well at Lollipop Tree. She loves her teachers and has made a few friends. She takes her Puppy with her everyday and is happy when Dad or Mom picks her up. She is a big helper to her teachers and even does well at nap time. She has been singing songs, coloring and painting all sorts of things. I think she will be scholastic too. She is also ready to play baseball and football. I still think she is a Mini Tristan. Kinda funny.

I went to the PM MOPS meeting and really had a great time. They are definitely a different bunch of gals. I didn't realize that the coordinator was very pregnant so I will probably help the co-coordinator while she is out. That will be fun. She even works across the street from me so we will have to do lunches.. I look forward to the next meeting.
I think that will be enough of my life for now. Sorry it has been so long, but no promise it will be regular yet.. I will try to read up on all of your posts to see how you all are doing.

Ciao for now..

Oh Missy

The last couple of days I have really noticed some growing up in my little Tabitha. I don't know if any of you have heard her commercial quotes but she does a real cute "Subway --- Eat Fresh!" She started saying that when Cody was reading a billboard sign. I am sure she has heard it on the TV, but that was the first time I heard her and Cody "acting" it out. Way to cute. Ready for commercials. Can she make the big bucks in the family??? Tristan read her a book called Baby Brains - superstar in which the baby sings a song that goes.... "I want my Mommy!!" She is now wearing baseball hats backwards, standing on chairs and tables singing this song. I have to laugh. What can I say, She wants me. :-)
She has started to say more names. Lonnie is working with her on Mommies name and Daddies name besides Mama and Daddy. She also says Tabitha and so grown up like. (sob - sob) Allthough, I think Tristan will always be TT. It has happened oh so quickly. She has always called my best friend Ka -yees Mama. (Kaileys Mom) She even calls her by name now. Alicia is Leeshas.. again so cute. I don't remember this being so cute with the boys. I am sure they went through a burst of words. Is it different in a girls voice and tone? She is also, overnight this happened I swear, completing full sentences!! I usually have to remind her to say please. But she has Thank you Mama and oops sorry (usually with the grin) down pat.

Ahh the good times. I look at the behaviors I am dealing with in the boys, and really hope that it will be different in Tabitha. I don't know if I can do the Mello drama angry little beaver thing again!!! That can be another story.

Dentist

It is funny how you find things in the most unusual places sometimes. I don't know of anyone who may have this issue specifically, but I found this very interesting story while sitting at the Dentist office.

THE TOOTH FAIRY'S SISTER

Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething. - Mark Twain in Pudd'nhead Wilson

Erma had tow daughters, separated in age by about three years. As the children grew older, the eldest started losing her baby teeth. Naturally, these events were faithfully followed by visits from the Tooth Fairy.
It wasn't long before the younger child became jealous of the Tooth Fairy's favoritism toward her older sibling. "Mamma, how come the Tooth Fairy never visits me? It's not fair," she pouted.
Now at the time, Erma was trying to wean her youngest child from her pacifier. Suddenly, the concerned mother realized her daughter's envy could be put to good use. "Honey, Ive never told you about this before, but the Tooth Fairy has a sister named the Paci-Fairy. If you put your pacifier under your pillow tonight, I
ll bet the Paci-Fairy will visit you just like the Tooth Fairy visits your sister. "
The following morning, the youngster discovered a present under her pillow while the pacifier had magically disappeared. "Look, Mamma! Look! The Paci-Fairy gave me some money."
The contented child never asked for her pacifier again -- ever.

This was taken from Chicken soup for the Dental Soul.
Hope you enjoyed...

Some clarification

Terry replied and said that they promised this to our Grandmother before she died, and have been working on it for a year.. Classes and all.

Sounds like a miracle!! PRAISE THE LORD..

Surprise

I received a shocking but wonderful email from my brother tonight. I am confused, so I need to share and see if you gals can shed some light and settle my confusion.

My brother, not known to go to church, participate, or even be spiritual sent me an invitation to his families baptism!! I know my niece had gone and been a part of the youth program, but never have I known my brother and his wife to be spiritual at all. Not to say they lead an extreme sinful life, but I wouldn't say they live a life for or of Christ.
As children, we were raised to believe, but that was as far as it ever went in the home. I went to church on the church bus alone as a child. Our Grandmother was extremely religious.
I asked him if it was a dedication or baptism, but gave him my encouraging words and of course, told him I wouldn't miss it for the world. I have not gotten confirmation on that yet. Would it be the Pastors duty to determine if it is for real and for the real reason, or should I question it more?

I am excited and praying that God has preformed yet another miracle! I welcome any comments and suggestions. My mother was also blown away by this news.

Yea right.

Ok the first day of my experiment came and went. Basically with the business of the day I forgot!! Go figure. He got home about the same time as we did so I didn't have a chance to even do the sweep. Good thing we hadn't been home to mess it up. We will try again tonight. We have two baseball games if we don't get rained out, so dinner will be at 4 ish anyway. Good time to try it.

Tristan had won a lunch at Chuck E Cheese yesterday because he raised $100+ for their jogathon. I had to laugh when he asked me to chaperon because I had just read all the emails from friends and fellow Steering Team members about not going to Chuck E Cheeses. I did not volunteer to chaperon, because I had Cody and Tabitha, however I did tell him that we would meet them there. Let me tell you ladies, this was WONDERFUL! Yes I said WONDERFUL. It was perfect, school was in session so it was not busy. Basically just the 35 kids that came with Tristan, a few parent chaperons and maybe 3 other small families. As long as Tristan or Cody would help Tabitha up the steps with the huge gaps leading up to the tunnel and slide system she was good to go. She loved riding with Barney and in the big truck. She even rode a roller coaster! The virtual kind. She tried to get off of that one by saying "I am done Mom, I am done." I even felt completely comfortable letting Cody just roam on his own. I kept a close eye on Tabitha but with not many people it was not hard.
Today we went to have lunch with Tristan at school (his request). When I told Tabitha and Cody we were going to go have lunch with TT. First thing she said was "Chuck E Cheese??!!" very excitedly. There is Life after Chuck E....

The way it used to be

I have been thinking a bit lately about being home and not working. I am liking it, but wondering what I should be doing different. I have not been unemployed EVER. Except maternity leaves. We all know that while on maternity leave, there is definitely no downtime.
Well, I received the email from Kim regarding the old 1950s house wife. I had to laugh, but then again wonder what it would have been like. Lonnie usually gets home before dinner time, but I can certainly have dinner prepared and ready to go in. I usually do the main room "sweep", however, I have never "prepared" myself or my children to be excited that he is home. I am thinking I will try this in the coming week. Hands and faces will be washed, I will have to buy some ribbons for my hair, and I might have to actually put some makeup on, but we will greet him at the door.. Sounds fun, huh? hahaha.. I think I am just more curious what it was like, and I know he has mentioned many times "The way it used to be". Wish me luck, I will have to post and let you know if he even notices.

There it is my little minute thought of the day. Thanks Kim!!!

It's been a while (again)

Well, it has almost been a month again so I suppose I should write something as to let you all know I am still alive.
Baseball is coming to an end and the full swing of summer is on the horizon. I am sure one aspect will be easing up and another busy schedule will take over. I am looking forward to having all the kids home and being able to do things together. Tristan seems to get a little upset that Cody gets to go to lunch at McDonalds, go to Washington Square to meet the grandparents, play at the park etc. All while he is in school. I have many plans for this summer, but don't really know how much of it will actually take place. Tristan has actual school friends to do things with this summer, so that will bring an interesting twist.
As you guys may remember, Tristan suffered a slight head trauma over spring break. He will be going in for a neurological test in July to determine if his "twitch" was caused by that incident. I have noticed in the few months following the incident that his eye and mouth is making a twitchy kind of movement and we started to get a little scared. Hopefully it won't be anything, but I would rather be safe then sorry.
Memorial Day Weekend, we went crabbing and fishing. This was the first time we were all (except Tabitha) got to be in the boat and actually spend Saturday fishing. Tristan won the prize!!
He caught two barely legal trout. Cody caught one, but it was too little and we had to put it back. Sunday, the plan was to go crabbing with Lonnies brother in law. We were to have our boat, and he with his and to ferry the other family members to the spit in Lincoln City to spend the day on the beach catching crab. Well, our boat wouldn't start. We ended up with just the one boat and camping out on the beach next to Mo's. We actually had a great time. Tristan got to wear his wet suit and play in the ocean. Cody jumped in fully clothed, and Tabitha stayed and played in the sand and flew her new kite. It was a wonderful day at the beach. I am sure we will do that again. We ended up only getting 6 crab, but that was enough for all the adults who wanted some to have a half of one. That was plenty for me. I like crab, but I can only do so much.

I promise, I will try to do better on this blogging thing. I often find my self like one of Leslies recent posts.. Blank, got nothing...

Sleepless

Can anyone say RLS?? Restless Leg Syndrome... I see the commercial on the TV.. Oh My Gosh. I so have that. It stinks.. I must have been in bed tossing and turning for 2 hours last night. I finally got up took some, Ibuprofin and Magnesium. asked the doctor what I could do for it (thinking of the commercial) She just said eat a banana a day for the potasium and extra Magnesium. Reminded me when I was pregnant and had leg cramps. It seemed to work, but slowly.
What do you do? Lay there tossing and turning, or get up get in a swim suit and go out to the hot tub? I like the hot tub, and it relaxes the legs, but it is such a hassle!!

If any one else knows of a good remedy for RLS, PLEASE HELP!!!

Yep, busy...

So this may sound, cliche'ish but now I now why I named this blog busy bee three. I really didn't realize how busy until this week. Sitting at Tristans baseball game, I realized.... Cody's game last night, Tristans tonight, Tristan has another game tomorrow night, Cody on Thursday, not to mention Karate on Mon and Wed.. (We missed it this week) Lonnie softball Mondays, and now he wants to play on the coed team too. As if we aren't busy enough?? whew... Can you say take a breath?
I am really going to be glad to be going to Alidas tomorrow for the pedicure party..
In case anyone is interested, I am hosting a Mary Kay Pedicure Party at Alidas tomorrow. 7:00 Anyone is welcome, just email me or Alida.. Right Alida? I enjoyed the Satin Hands station so much at the last MOPS meeting, that I asked Alida to do it again. Mothers Day is coming and I bought one for my mom..
Back to the games. Cody is getting better.. He actually caught the ball and knew what to do with it. If you have never watched T-Ball with5-6 year olds, you must. It is sooo cute. The kids (co-ed) get so excited to get the ball, that they forget they need to get someone out. Or they want the ball so bad they fight each other for it.. Cody was on first base, he caught the ball and touched his base. The runner was out and he had one good ego booster. He was so proud.. Mommy did you see that? Tristan hit an actual Home Run tonight. He was last batter, which means in AA baseball (and T-Ball) that they run all the bases after hitting the ball. He actually made it to home before the ball did.. Usually the catcher has the ball and is tagging them all as they come in.. He was EXCITED!!

Tabitha is kind of potty training her friend now.. I have a girlfriend who just found out she is pregnant also, so I have been babysitting her daughter (Couple months older then Tabitha) while she goes to the Doctors.. Every time Tabitha goes potty, she asks Kailey to go with her. Kailey is more then happy to oblige. She is actually going at home now too. Way to go Tabitha and Kailey! Of course, her Mom and Dad are doing a great job also, but just being with Tabitha I think helped her spark the interest.
I was able to get a blog entry out two days in a row.. Yeah me. Hahaha