Scissor Time

Yes I am guilty of not letting my children cut enough. It drives me crazy all the itty bitty pieces of paper everywhere...and there was my son who decided to cut open a gingerbread house kit one morning when he got up ridiculously early....he was smart, too. He woke his sister up and then they went to the VERY front of the house where they proceeded to eat all the candy....He lost scissors for a yr I think. Anyway, I found the coolest books from Kumon. They get to cut carefully on lines to create something. There is minimal mess, a fun project and they're learning! YAY! I wish I had known about this before. Although, I think 2 is a little young to place scissors in a child's hands. After they cut the first few they glued them on to some papers...that qualifies as art or a project/craft right? We plan to label each one and maybe make a story about 1 of them, too.

Introducing....

Pepe the Chihuahua.....

My mom's new puppy. She needed another dog, because Sugar is getting older. The little people are very attached. We found him and purchased him....and mi madre paid me back. He is very sweet and cuddly. The husband was NOT happy. He thought I was trying to pull a fast one to get him for myself.

Mall of America

Ballet Friend's Birthday Party

My daughter was invited to a birthday party at Libby Lu. It was SOOOO fun I am glad I didn't skip. I REALLy don't like going to places where I don't know anyone. It's just awkward for someone as shy as I am. I wanted to go to this one. The mom has been so kind and there are so many parallels it's like we were meant to meet. The other mom's were very kind and totally not snooty...something I have grown accustomed to in this area. Anyway, my baby girl had a FABULOUS time! I suspect we may be having an all girls party very soon.

I am so very thankful I have a daughter. I told myself I wanted boys, because I figured that's how it'd be. My husband's one of 2 boys, my sister has 3 boys and my husband's brother had all girls...When I had my son I was ecstatic and so in love. His name is the name I have held on to for years. He is a mamma's boy and has a very special place in my heart. When I found out I was having a daughter I cried. I had already suspected, but knowing for sure made me cry with thankfulness. She's not how I imagined. I thought she would have big blue eyes, dark curly hair...but instead God created her so sweetly...with a face very similar to mine, lips like her daddy's eye's that are turning green like her daddy and blonde curly hair. We have no idea why she's so blonde, but she is so beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing about my sweet independent angel.

Annual Trip to the State Fair

It's Official

My 5 yr old, 4 yr old and myself are flying to St Paul next weekend to see my brother and his family. My youngest nephew (I have 6 btw) is turning 1. That is why I like big families and want atleast 1 more baby...it's fabulous to have 6 nephews and 2 nieces...and my parents have 10 grandchildren! They scurry about the country a few times a year going to play and visit. That is so much better than "retirement."

You may ask where will the husband be next weekend if he's not going, too. He is going to be in Tampa this week and stay the weekend. His brother is flying in Saturday and they are going to a Bucaneers game. I found out the trip last weekend (I went with my BF to a game) was pre payment for next weekend...so now he says b/c I get a 2nd trip (to St Paul) he gets another. Boys!

Now the 'fight" begins. Who will get the camera next weekend? I'm sure Nanny (MIL) would agree who ever had Matthew and Sara ;-). Considering it WAS my birthday present and all!

Before I hurt someone's feelings, I did inherit the 2 sweetest nieces when I married my husband. They're all grown now, but I adore them! :-)

I just remembered My husband has a sweet half sister who also has 3 sons, 2 of which are older than me. The other one is 15...so 3 more nephews in the count. The grand total including in laws and halves...9 nephews and 4 neices. That's alot!

A New Phase of Life

So 3 yrs ago or so the husband tried to get a double jogger for me. I refused. I said I have enough trouble walking with the children, much less running with them. Well, we have all gained about 15 lbs since then..and guess what I FINALLY got the double jogger. I LOVE it. We went running as a family tonight for the very 1st time. It was also the 1st time i almost 2 yrs that I have run outside. The last time was Thanksgiving 2006. I ran 8 miles that day, but I struggled. The following Monday I came down with a high fever, but kept running. 2 weeks after that I was very sick and I ended up sick for months. That's when I gained 10 lbs, the other 5 is thanks to building muscle with my jillian book (eye rolling). I can barely run and push it, so my sweet husband pushed it and let me run ahead. Actually the first 1.6 miles he was passing me once in a while, the 2nd half I was WAY ahead. I had to wait at the corners, since it was really dark and all. At one point he was so far behind and a truck drove up...it hesitated at the corner, so I turned back towards the fam. Then the truck turned around and came back, so I grabbed my pepper spray out of the stroller. I could have gone again, but the husband was ready to go home. He hasn't been running but once every 2 mths.

Anyway, I am VERY excited to be able to run with my husband and very excited to have the freedom to get off the tredmill, even if I have to walk it. OH and I ran the first mile at under 10 min/mile pace. The rest was averaging around 11:30/mile. That is much better than I expected...I am glad my husband was there to help me pace better and to calculate my time when I thought I was running 17 min/mile ;-).

Now, I hope I can run the Turkey Trot and the 1/2 marathon. I hope one day to lose the 15 lbs I gained.

For nanny...we will have a pic of the grandchildren in the stroller...they had the top down tonight watching the stars and chattering....and saying "go faster." When I was ahead all I heard was, "slow down mommy!" "Daddy catch up to mommy."