Snow Day

Well, Spring Break is just weeks away and Winter decided to show up. We've had an inch of snow here and there, but it's been quite awhile since we've seen some. Just 2 days ago I was wearing flip-flops. This has been one of our driest winters so far. I'm pretty sure it's due to us being 100% prepared for it this year. We had snow suits and boots all ready since last October, but no snow. Last year we didn't have any gear, and it snowed every other day. Of course, if it snows once, and you don't have what you need, all the shelves are cleared out, and good luck finding what you need. That is just how our luck works around here.

Reece just loved being out there. He was everywhere. Riley was his usual, cautious self. He took big steps, as though he would've been trying to avoid stepping in the snow. He would get mad if we threw a little snow at him. He needed his sunglasses, because the snow was too bright. Where did we go wrong? The final straw, was when Jake threw some snow on him, while shoveling the sidewalk, and it went down his sweatshirt. We almost had a meltdown. I had to quickly take him into the garage and strip him down as fast as I could. He did NOT like how cold the snow was. That is when he decided he was better off watching cartoons in our warm house. Thanks DAD!

Reece had a blast running and jumping in the snow. Riley didn't have as much fun.

Riley trying to be sneaky with a snowball.

Reece pretending he is climbing a snow mountain.

Introducing Jack

My friend Michelle just had her 2nd little boy, and this picture was just SO cute, I had to show it off. Congratulations Michelle and Jarred, and can't wait to meet you, Jack! If you can't tell, he was a chubby one. 9 lbs. 5 oz. However, that's a whole pound lighter than me when I was born...

Confessions of a 6 Year Old Boy...

The last couple weeks has been very chaotic. Riley took his sweet old time getting over his sinus infection. His fever finally went away, for good, on Saturday. My sister, Jaime, has been out of town for a couple of weeks, so Jake and I have been juggling our jobs and the kids with 2 of our wonderful neighbors, who happen to have kids the same age as Riley and Reece. Valentine's Day seems like a distant memory. This was the day, Riley confessed to have a girlfriend. Her name is Alaina (sp?). As time went by, I forgot about his little confession, and the teasing stopped. However, tonight as we were getting ready for bed, I asked if Alaina was still his girlfriend. His response was just a HUGE grin and a little giggle. He then said that Alaina was still his girlfriend, she just doesn't know it. Oh, I laughed. I think it was 2nd grade when a certain boy started chasing me around. Of course, this was his way of showing me, he had a crush on me. I remember his crush being announced in the middle of class and I blushed so badly, I almost started crying. Oh, the memories. Oh, how I can't believe Riley has a crush!?

On another note, my blogs have been a little boring, and without pictures lately, because my computer is temporarily out of order. Well, I really hope it is just temporary. I have been using Jake's computer and below is a very old picture I found on it. This was almost 2 years ago, when Riley lost his first tooth.

Riley=Anti-School?

Riley just got a 5 1/2 day weekend. His first day he went back was Tuesday, and conveniently, he gets sent home sick with a fever. Due to the school policy, a student can't return until they have been 24 hours without a fever, they knew he wouldn't be able to return the next day. Usually, his fever comes and goes quickly, however on Wednesday we went to the doctor when he still had a mild fever, a cough and a sore throat. He was diagnosed with a sinus infection for the second time in weeks. The doctor wasn't surprised at all. She says she has been seeing the same faces in her office, over and over. We got another round of antibiotics and went home. I was so sure his fever would be gone soon, but knew he wouldn't be going back to school today, due to the 24 hour policy. After he started his medicine, he went to bed with a fever. When the boys are sick they love sleeping in sleeping bags next to my bed. Riley and I both woke up at 2 am, and he was on FIRE. I got him some Motrin and we fell back asleep. We both woke up at 6:30 am, and he was still on fire. I couldn't believe it. This time it was Motrin and his antibiotic. Long story short. He hasn't broken his fever since yesterday. It is slowly coming down, but not gone yet. Here we are at 12:30 pm, and I know Riley can't go to school, again tomorrow. To make things worse, today was picture day. Riley missed his class pictures which makes me really sad. When this is all over, Riley will have had 11 days off! Just so you know, Riley actually LOVES school and this is torcher for him not to be able to go to school.

No More Bedtime Responsibilities!

I love my boys more than anything, but doing the entire wake up/breakfast/brush teeth etc. routine and then ending the day the with the bedtime routine, isn't always the most fun thing to do everyday. Fortunately, I have a "Get Out of Jail Free" card now. You see, Jake purchased HIMSELF, a Valentine's gift. It was his very own lightsaber. Jake has wanted a real lightsaber ever since he was a young boy. That means all 3 of my boys now have their own lightsaber. What does this have to do with bedtime? Well, now before bed, my 3 boys shut out the lights in the boys room, turn on their glowing lightsabers, and have their own battle each night. The boys LOVE it! Jake does too. And I get out of bedtime drama when Jake is home! It's a win/win/win/win situation... The End

Happy Birthday To ME!

It's official...I'm the big 2-7. Blah! Oh, well. Not a big fan of writing about myself, so here is a little about me. It's a birthday quiz I stole from Andrea. Have a great Birthday to me!!

You Are an Introvert
You take life as it is, and you find happiness in a variety of things.You tend to be close to family and friends. But it's hard to get into your inner circle.Making the little things wonderful is important to you, and you probably have an inviting home.You seek harmony with others, but occasionally you have a very stubborn streak.

Your strength: Your intense optimism

Your weakness: You shy away from exploring your talents

Your power color: Jade

Your power symbol: Flower

Your power month: June

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I personally don't enjoy the holiday that much, and think it is a little silly. However, I remember loving it as a kid. Riley got to have his Valentine party at school. Something so exciting about getting so many silly cards. We have a really cool neighbor that gets both the boys little treat bags every holiday. Valentine's, Christmas, Halloween, you name it. They love that and I am currently wearing many silly heart stickers that came today in the treat bag. The funny sayings make them laugh. We got them a new DS game and a couple new books. The game was, without a doubt, a hit. We'll see if the books get some use anytime soon.

There is one reason I do look forward to V-day...my birthday is the day after. While I have reached an age ,where I don't enjoy getting another year older, I still love having MY birthday. Even though it has been hard turning older, I am just thankful for my Mom's youthful looks. Actually, my Mom and Dad's. Neither one looks the age they are, and I still get asked what High School I go to. So, I guess I can't complain yet. Thanks to everyone who has sent Birthday Wishes, I really appreciate them.

We got 2 new fish this week (to replace Fin). The clever names are Fin and Duck. Riley is keeping a tally at how many days they are still alive. Does that seem odd? The tally is 4. YAY! This time Jake was involved and fish are doing well. I learned that Riley also got to name his class fish. Mrs. Simmons drew a name out of a hat, and it was the name Riley picked out. (Drum Roll please) The name was FIN!! Must be his favorite name right now.

We had Riley's parent-teacher conferences this week. Riley is doing so well in everything. Testing above average on everything. We need to just slow down on reading and make sure he comprehends what he is reading. His reading level is high, but if he can't comprehend it, it means nothing. Now when we read together, we stop after each page and I ask what just happened. It will take some work, but we'll get there.

Riley also admitted last night that he has a girlfriend in his class. Her name is Alaina, and he says that he looks for her every recess. Not sure why...maybe he chases her around, like a typical, boy way of showing that he likes her. Too cute. If I would've known, we could have gotten her some special chocolate. :)

Not sure what to say about Reece this week. We did just get him enrolled for preschool. Yikes! My baby is so close to school. Mixed emotions there. I am ready, because he needs all of my attention and can't entertain himself, but sad because he is my baby! He will be in the same class as his cousin, Brevin. Reece tells us he can go to school, because he is getting bigger and bigger. The poor boy can't wait.

Well, it is Valentine's day and Jake is at work. We got to go to a baby shower, for a friend at work, and other than that, it's just a relaxing day at home. I am waiting for the KU/KState game to start. We have to win, because we are coming off a disappointing loss to Mizzou! Boo! I hope everyone has a fantastic day, mine will probably be determined by the game results.

Happy Birthday Grandpa McMillan!

STEELERS SHOUTOUT

This is for Jake and his Dad...CONGRATULATIONS to the Steelers for being the champs of Super Bowl XLIII!!!

"Poor Fin"

Riley and Reece got the chance to go to the school Carnival yesterday. Reece was so lucky to win a goldfish. This was super exciting to the boys. Not as much for Mom, but it could be so much worse. Reece got a goldfish in a bag, and a plastic fish bowl to keep him in. They cleverly named him, Fin. On my way home from work, I stopped by Target to pick up some fish food. Luckily, Target only carries a jumbo size of fish food that cost about $8.00. I was so tired, the jumbo size was going to have to do. I get home, and there is Fin in his bag floating in a bowl of water, adjusting.

After the boys went to bed, I looked at the many directions on the bag. All of the data I collected made me believe it was safe enough to put Fin in the bowl. I did so, and I gave him his first pinch of food. He struggled from the beginning. I thought he was just a dumb fish, because he wasn't going for the food. Nope. I obviously just don't know how to take care of fish. Sadly, Fin passed away a couple hours later. Oops! I felt terrible. The boys woke up the next morning and saw a dead Fin at the bottom of his bowl. Traumatizing, right? Not for Riley and Reece. They said it was sad, but honestly were not bothered too much. Maybe it is all the video games they play, and they are numb to death? Maybe they just weren't too attached to it? The boys helped Jake flush him down the toilet, and all day, Reece kept on picking up the empty fish bowl to say, "Poor Fin."

The boys are anxious to replace Fin, and we will. I will just make sure Jake is around to make better decisions, because I obviously can't handle the huge responsibility. It's amazing the boys have survived 4 and 6 years. R.I.P. Fin.