If you have a Kroger close to you, check out their new website for some cool features (such as my favorite, recipes...).
And want to win a $25 gift card for Kroger? Go here...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday Pictures on Thursday....
I am participating in a recipe thing tomorrow, so I am posting pictures today...
Wii really like the Wii, even Audrey...
That's what happened to my washing machine (which is luckily now fixed...)
Gotta love Target and their shirts...
These are the cupcakes I made for Audrey's party. Just call me Betty.
Me and Audrey at her party. She is ringing a bell to tell everyone that it's time for cake.
Ashley is fine, she didn't throw up anymore at home except once and even went to school the next day. Our plans have changed a little for today as I was going to leave this afternoon, but they are calling for snow in Virginia, so I am leaving this morning. Wish me luck...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Audrey is little...
Audrey had her two year appointment yesterday and she is so not like her sister. Ashley was and still is off the charts for height and weight. Ray's Mom is really tall (6 ft, or really close to it) and so is his brother. We are assuming Ashley is taking after them.
Audrey, not so much.
First off, with her cast that must weigh at least a pound, she only weighs 24 pounds. That's the 17%. And she is only 33.5 inches tall, 35%. Her pediatrician wasn't too concerned, but she wants us to give her more substantial food at snack time. Right now, both of the girls love rice cakes for snacks. That is what they eat on the weekends most of the time. That or goldfish. I guess I need to incorporate cheese, turkey, bread? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
And her asthma. She was diagnosed last spring with allergy induced asthma. But now, we aren't so sure it's just allergy induced. We have a long hallway upstairs in our house, with the playroom at one end and our bedroom at the other, and the girls' bedrooms and bathrooms off that hallway. In the evenings, Audrey will often run up and down that hall. And she often ends up in a coughing fit at the end of it. Her pediatrician also wants her on Flovent breathing treatments twice a day. We had stopped those when we stopped giving her Zyrtec in November for allergies. But I guess we are back on it for good now. She will go back in three months for an evaluation of her asthma.
And I now officially hate winter. Not only was there freezing rain and stuff this morning, but Ashley has a stomach bug. She hasn't kept anything down since around 2:00pm, but she's asleep now. Ray and I will switch off staying home with her tomorrow as a)work is nuts for me right now for no real good reason and b)Ray' partner on his real estate team is on a "blue grass" cruise right now, so Ray is working his clients and his partner's. And of course I am supposed to leave on Thursday for Virginia, so keep your fingers crossed that the great stomach bug of '08 will remain with just Ashley and will end tonight.
Audrey, not so much.
First off, with her cast that must weigh at least a pound, she only weighs 24 pounds. That's the 17%. And she is only 33.5 inches tall, 35%. Her pediatrician wasn't too concerned, but she wants us to give her more substantial food at snack time. Right now, both of the girls love rice cakes for snacks. That is what they eat on the weekends most of the time. That or goldfish. I guess I need to incorporate cheese, turkey, bread? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
And her asthma. She was diagnosed last spring with allergy induced asthma. But now, we aren't so sure it's just allergy induced. We have a long hallway upstairs in our house, with the playroom at one end and our bedroom at the other, and the girls' bedrooms and bathrooms off that hallway. In the evenings, Audrey will often run up and down that hall. And she often ends up in a coughing fit at the end of it. Her pediatrician also wants her on Flovent breathing treatments twice a day. We had stopped those when we stopped giving her Zyrtec in November for allergies. But I guess we are back on it for good now. She will go back in three months for an evaluation of her asthma.
And I now officially hate winter. Not only was there freezing rain and stuff this morning, but Ashley has a stomach bug. She hasn't kept anything down since around 2:00pm, but she's asleep now. Ray and I will switch off staying home with her tomorrow as a)work is nuts for me right now for no real good reason and b)Ray' partner on his real estate team is on a "blue grass" cruise right now, so Ray is working his clients and his partner's. And of course I am supposed to leave on Thursday for Virginia, so keep your fingers crossed that the great stomach bug of '08 will remain with just Ashley and will end tonight.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Who would like to meet me?
This blogging world is a funny little place. We make friends, email with each other when we are having a bad day or just need to bounce ideas off of. And I love it. I laugh at what I read, I cry at what I read. I shake my head emphatically that Yes! That happened to me too!
And every once in a while, I get to meet some of these people I have become such good friends with.
Last summer, I got to spend a few days with her and her. Their kids were fabulous and getting to go out an have a drink with just the girls was fun.
And now this coming Saturday, I get to meet another blogger.
I know exactly where Julie lives...I had a bunch of friends I played softball with that live in her neighborhood. I know where she works, I know the Target she goes to. And now, I get to meet her and her extremely cute kids for lunch on Saturday.
And all I can say?
YIPEE!
I just hope she doesn't think I am a complete dork (shut up Ray). I am who I am on this blog...I type the words just as I would say them out loud, so there shouldn't be any surprises.
Can you tell I'm excited?!
And every once in a while, I get to meet some of these people I have become such good friends with.
Last summer, I got to spend a few days with her and her. Their kids were fabulous and getting to go out an have a drink with just the girls was fun.
And now this coming Saturday, I get to meet another blogger.
I know exactly where Julie lives...I had a bunch of friends I played softball with that live in her neighborhood. I know where she works, I know the Target she goes to. And now, I get to meet her and her extremely cute kids for lunch on Saturday.
And all I can say?
YIPEE!
I just hope she doesn't think I am a complete dork (shut up Ray). I am who I am on this blog...I type the words just as I would say them out loud, so there shouldn't be any surprises.
Can you tell I'm excited?!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Stressful...
So Friday was my regular Friday off, and I had a list a mile long of stuff to do for Audrey's party and just some regular errand running.
I dropped the kids off at school at 8:30, and I was home by 1:10pm. And these are the stores I went to:
BJ's (we really needed toilet paper)
Michaels Craft store (in search of picture frames)
Bed, Bath and Beyond (had some things to return)
Party store (last minute items for Audrey's party)
Toys-R-Us (Audrey's birthday presents)
Starbucks (at that point I had a raging headache and needed caffeine)
The mall where I hit NY&Co (had a gift card from Christmas), Children's Place (got the girls matching clothes for the birthday party because I am a complete dork), Hallmark for birthday cards, Belk to return something and find something for my Stepdad for his birthday since he was coming to my house that day.
Super Target (groceries and a bookcase for Audrey's room)
The cake lady to pick up Audrey's cake
I really know how to get things done when I have a limited amount of time. Oh, and while I was running errands, work called me twice. Fun.
I was also stressing out just because I am really good at stressing out and they were calling for snow on Saturday. In Raleigh where it never snows. And on the day of Audrey's party. Luckily, it wasn't supposed to start until the afternoon and her party was at 9:30am.
And the party was great. It was at a local kids playspace/museum type place, and everyone ran around and had fun. The cake was good, and the cupcakes were cute (I will post pictures of those later).
And it did snow, it just started much later in the afternoon. And it didn't stop Ray and I from going to the movies since my Mom and Stepdad were in town to watch the kids...
And you HAVE GOT TO GO SEE THIS MOVIE. We saw Cloverfield and OH MY GOD, I am going to have nightmares for weeks. But it was good, different, and definitely something you want to see in the theaters.
And now? I am off to bed..too much cake, too much popcorn, I am cooked.
Room-A-Day Giveaway...
From January 28 through February 15, you can win $25,000 to renovate any room in your house. The drawing will be done each weekday on The View with a final drawing to be announced on March 21 on the "Room-a-Day Giveaway" website. You can enter the sweepstakes daily by going here...
This sweepstakes is giving very deserving Moms a great opportunity to "relax, restore and renew" by creating new spaces in their homes. The sweepstakes is sponsored by Kimberly-Clark (you know them by products such as Huggies, Kleenex, Pull-ups, all things all of us use...) and Kimberly-Clark products and brands offer solutions to clean, organize and beautify every room in your home.
So what are you waiting for?? Go enter and watch The View to see if you won (or tivo it if you aren't home..:))!
This sweepstakes is giving very deserving Moms a great opportunity to "relax, restore and renew" by creating new spaces in their homes. The sweepstakes is sponsored by Kimberly-Clark (you know them by products such as Huggies, Kleenex, Pull-ups, all things all of us use...) and Kimberly-Clark products and brands offer solutions to clean, organize and beautify every room in your home.
So what are you waiting for?? Go enter and watch The View to see if you won (or tivo it if you aren't home..:))!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Audrey Rose
Since I have been blogging, I have always written this post on either of the girls' birthdays many days if not weeks before the big day. I don't know if it because I am having such a hard time with Audrey turning two, but I had to force myself to write this one the night before...
If you look back at this year, you had kind of a rough year. It started with tubes in your ears, then being diagnosed with allergies and asthma. You kicked it in high gear at the end and decided to break your left arm. Just because you wanted to end your "1's" with a bang. And add a few hundred more grey hairs on your Mom's head.
You are a picky eater, which is new territory for your Dad and I. Ashley ate (and will still for the most part) anything we put in front of her. She especially loves fruit. You won't touch even the sweetest fruit, and I am pretty sure you would be happy to survive on rice cakes and chocolate.
But I hate to compare you to your sister. I want you to be your own person and develop and grow as Audrey, not Ashley's younger sister. Where Ashley had two and half years with your Dad and I all to herself, you have had to share us since the day you were born. I cherish Sunday mornings when your Dad and Ashley go to Sunday school and you and I have an hour to ourselves. We play hide and seek, we terrorize the dog, we give big hugs and I make you tell me your are Mommy's Girl, not Daddy's Girl.
I am astonished with the rate you are speaking, and the things you are doing. You play your Dad and me. If one of us puts you in time out for some reason, you immediately go crying to the other parent. You cry when your sister looks at you funny because you know it will get a reaction out of us.
Life is moving so fast with you...some days I want to make it stop all together and just sit with you...but then I think of all the good days we have planned ahead and how much more you have to learn and I sit back and I watch you laugh and run down the hallway chasing your sister...I sigh and run after you, knowing I will be doing this my whole life.
Happy Birthday, Little One.
If you look back at this year, you had kind of a rough year. It started with tubes in your ears, then being diagnosed with allergies and asthma. You kicked it in high gear at the end and decided to break your left arm. Just because you wanted to end your "1's" with a bang. And add a few hundred more grey hairs on your Mom's head.
You are a picky eater, which is new territory for your Dad and I. Ashley ate (and will still for the most part) anything we put in front of her. She especially loves fruit. You won't touch even the sweetest fruit, and I am pretty sure you would be happy to survive on rice cakes and chocolate.
But I hate to compare you to your sister. I want you to be your own person and develop and grow as Audrey, not Ashley's younger sister. Where Ashley had two and half years with your Dad and I all to herself, you have had to share us since the day you were born. I cherish Sunday mornings when your Dad and Ashley go to Sunday school and you and I have an hour to ourselves. We play hide and seek, we terrorize the dog, we give big hugs and I make you tell me your are Mommy's Girl, not Daddy's Girl.
I am astonished with the rate you are speaking, and the things you are doing. You play your Dad and me. If one of us puts you in time out for some reason, you immediately go crying to the other parent. You cry when your sister looks at you funny because you know it will get a reaction out of us.
Life is moving so fast with you...some days I want to make it stop all together and just sit with you...but then I think of all the good days we have planned ahead and how much more you have to learn and I sit back and I watch you laugh and run down the hallway chasing your sister...I sigh and run after you, knowing I will be doing this my whole life.
Happy Birthday, Little One.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Decisions, decisions, decisions....
One of the reasons we moved to Wake County, North Carolina was because of the school system. The quality of teachers, the size of the classrooms, the availability of technology in the schools was stuff we had read about and liked. We also liked the choices that were available to us - year round schools, magnet schools, private schools, charter schools.
But it's those choices that are driving me insane.
If we go the regular route, she will attend the local elementary school which is a year round school. She will start some time in July, depending on what track we want. (Basically, the kids go 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off) There are four tracks. The choices start here. What the hell track do we pick? We have heard bad things about some of the teachers on track 3 in first grade, track 4 in second grade. I heard the track 3 kindergarten teachers are great, but are they going to stay in track 3? And do we pick a track based on what her friends are doing? Or do we pick a track based on when we want to take a vacation in the fall?
And tonight, I am going to a magnet school fair. Ray went to one last week, and was incredibly impressed with one of the magnet schools. It is based on Stephen Covey's seven habits of highly effective people. The curriculum and such is based on that, and they work their lesson plans differently. The school and it's curriculum sound great, but we would have to provide transportation to the school (which is really no big deal), but then she will be going to a different school than all her friends in the neighborhood.
This is stressful. And this is just kindergarten. I know whatever decision we make, we will make it work and Ashley will adapt and be fine. And I know if she does get into the magnet school (it's a lottery to get in) if that is the way to go, that her friends on the street will still be her friends.
Have I confused you yet?
But it's those choices that are driving me insane.
If we go the regular route, she will attend the local elementary school which is a year round school. She will start some time in July, depending on what track we want. (Basically, the kids go 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off) There are four tracks. The choices start here. What the hell track do we pick? We have heard bad things about some of the teachers on track 3 in first grade, track 4 in second grade. I heard the track 3 kindergarten teachers are great, but are they going to stay in track 3? And do we pick a track based on what her friends are doing? Or do we pick a track based on when we want to take a vacation in the fall?
And tonight, I am going to a magnet school fair. Ray went to one last week, and was incredibly impressed with one of the magnet schools. It is based on Stephen Covey's seven habits of highly effective people. The curriculum and such is based on that, and they work their lesson plans differently. The school and it's curriculum sound great, but we would have to provide transportation to the school (which is really no big deal), but then she will be going to a different school than all her friends in the neighborhood.
This is stressful. And this is just kindergarten. I know whatever decision we make, we will make it work and Ashley will adapt and be fine. And I know if she does get into the magnet school (it's a lottery to get in) if that is the way to go, that her friends on the street will still be her friends.
Have I confused you yet?
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