Professor Plum in the library with a candlestick...

And who do you suppose is guilty of tearing apart the Sunday paper???

My Dad

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dad...I find myself thinking and sounding more like my dad everyday. In fact, sometimes, I have to look over my shoulder because I would swear he was there. I've been known to use the phrase "pay attention to business" with the girls. Wonder were I got that.

My Dad taught me some great life lessons like:

"surround yourself with good people and you won't have any problems"

I think I heard "watch those intersections" everytime it was time to drive back to college.

I think one of the biggest lessons was that a little hard work and common sense would get you the farthest. In fact, I think he could appreciate this article

My dad and I in 1977

My wedding day. The last thing he said to me before we walked down the aisle was "You got a good one there". I couldn't agree more! I had a good dad to show me exactly what to look for!
I love you Dad!

No, No, No

We tried all day to figure out if Matthew's new trick was real or just an imitation. I think after supper, it is the real thing. He has learned how to shake his head no. It is cute, for now. I am sure at some point it will get old. I just can't believe how fast he is growing up!

Status Quo

Week in Review:

• Monday was spent at Aunt Betsy's. I think they had a good day. The kids did well according to Aunt B. I just hope Betsy thought so!
• Tuesday was back to Kelly's. Jackson ended up with a stomach flu at noon so the day was short. Grandma R. came to save the day. A big thank you to Grandma! I don't know that we would have survived the school year without Grandma R. and Grandma G.!
• Wednesday was pretty typical.
• Thursday Brandon went golfing with some guys from work and brushed off the dust. Golfed a 51 with 2 pars - not bad after 4 years without golfing. We treated Grandma to some Jersey Freeze while daddy was away. Grandma headed for home after she got to watch some tumbling at the girls' weekly class.
• Friday was a good day back at Kelly's - no illness or injury calls! Hooray!
• Yesterday the house needed a major cleaning so we got that done, played outside, fertilized the grass, and tilled the garden spot. A good day. The pictures are of Matthew.
  He spotted Emma outside the sliding door. We pulled out the walk-behind toy and he walked across the living room. All I did was slow it down so it didn't get away from him. Nine months old on the 21st!

Hallelujah!

Happy Easter everyone! We have had a great day. The Easter Bunny visited early this morning bringing candy and new Easter dresses and shoes for the girls. He also hid some eggs in the basement for the kids to find. They had a lot of fun. After baths and breakfast it was off to Sunday school for more sugary goodness. They each came home with a sack full of candy. After church I helped hand out a small loaf of bread to everyone in the congregation. Then it was home for some Easter ham, mashed potatoes and homemade bread. A good little snooze to top it off and we are set! I hope this Easter found you all exactly where you want to be~ with family and friends! Some pics of the day:

Brandon and his mini-me. They were even dressed the same!

Emma in her new dress. She was mad at me for putting barretts in her hair and refused to cooperate for pictures. Notice the lip - looks rather good and unnoticeable in the shot.

Miss Madie in her new Easter dress. The baby had to pose as well!

And guess what - nobody is ill!!! (Knock on wood!)

Dear Abby

I need help....leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Which would you prefer...
Having your time off all together (ie 10 weeks in the summer) - or having time off throughout the year (work 3 days a week year round)? And why?

On the Mend?

Could it be that we are finally on the mend? Brandon thinks I am jinxing us by posting this and I will take full blame when the next child gets sick, oh, say tomorrow? Anyway, Matthew had his 3rd shot of rocephin and is acting like he feels good again. WooHoo! Emma is doing quite well with her little mishap. She is healing well and getting along just fine. I finally got a good look at the inside of her upper lip yesterday. She made hash out of her labial frenulum (the little thingy that connects your gum to your lip). That may be why she bled so much out of her mouth. We thought a tooth may be loose initially. Anyway, cross your fingers!
The girls were supposed to sing in church this morning for Palm Sunday. Em is quite firm in the fact that she does NOT want to get up and sing...she is embarrassed. "Everyone will look at my stitches". What to do...I think I may be sympathetic on this one.
TTFN ~Ta Ta for Now!

Not for the faint of heart

WARNING: The following image is graphic and may not be suitable for young children!

Well, at 11:20 this morning I get a phone call from the school stating that Emma has fallen and is in need of medical attention. Poor thing was running at recess and got nailed on the right side of her face by a little girl's shoe. The other little girl was swinging. (Remember the "don't walk in front of the swings" rule as a child? This is why) One trip to the ER and 4 stitches in the bottom lip later this is what we have. She is going to be pretty black and blue tomorrow but ok. Grandma is on her way to pamper her to her hearts content. Thank goodness tomorrow is kindergarten round-up so she doesn't have school.

Irony: When speaking with my sister this morning regarding Matthew and his "issues", she told me "don't go looking for more trouble". Oh if she had only known that not 2 hours later....

Mommy Math

I figured that since Emma is working on some simple addition at school, I could do some math of my own. Here goes:

2 kids in school/ preschool + 1 infant = 1 crazy year of illness
10 days of antibiotic that aren't working + 1 ear/ sinus infection = 3 shots of rocephin for little man
2.5 hours up in the night Wednesday + 2 times up at 1am Thursday= 2 adults and 1 baby in the bed Thursday morning
2 adults+ 1 baby in the bed = 2nd horrible nights sleep
2 of my children + 1 other child at daycare = 1 day off for Brandon as Jackson now has the cold
3 sick kids + 190 day contract = 1 stressed out mommy!

I keep thinking about the song "I will survive", maybe it should be my motto. HA!