Busy Bees

As always, the winding down of the school year finds us busier than ever. Even more so this year with all the activities surrounding Bubba's graduation and prom.

So far this weekend we've had a track meet, a football game, sent SB off on retreat, and had a family outing to the library and grocery store. Mark is headed to work shortly, and after I feed the kids I might just lay down on the couch and not get up until morning!

As I helped in the Princess' class yesterday, I realized that I have only 4 more days scheduled to help this year. 4 more days of helping in a class where I have a kindergartner. Only 2 more months of having a kindergartner ever in my life. I have mixed emotions about it. I'm glad my kiddos all got through on the half day kindergarten program because I see full day encroaching everywhere. Not our school yet, but if our governor gets her way, it won't be long. And really, don't get me started on the lack of benefit I see from full day. I guarantee you my half day kindergartner reads better than almost any full day kindergartner out there. She's reading 2nd grade chapter books for gosh sakes! But, I digress. I know the Princess is ready to move on in a big way. And I sort of am as well. I love this age, but, as with all the kids, it is so fun to see what big thing they'll do next. What adventure awaits them! It never ceases to be amazing and exciting.

Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia!

Enjoy your day. I know we will!!

It's

the most wonderful time of the year! My brackets are filled out, as are the rest of the families. Yes, we each do one and have every year forever. As soon as the kids can
talk they pick teams!lol!

My beloved Arizona Wildcats play tonight, but I have to record it as we have a prior engagement, but I'll be up late watching after we get home.

Being the Parent

Sometimes being the parent sucks big time. SB's friends called tonight to set up a movie date for all 8 of them tomorrow. They are going to see this. If you know me or Mark at all, you know we are very strict about what our children see. and this movie is not going to fly. Not for a second. What I don't understand is how it gets past all these other parents. These are all good girls from good families. Maybe we're too strict, but really, we feel like the kids have YEARS ahead of them to see stuff that is more adult. Why must they start so young? So, of course, we told SB no after doing our research. And she was sad for a few minutes. But she quickly got over it. Because above all else, I think she knows how much we love her and want to protect her, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. It's just hard to say no.

They're Coming Off!

Sb got the word today that her braces are coming off on April 18th! Woohoo!!

Crazy Dreams...

When i went to bed last night, there were four teenage boys playing Wii in my family room. They were pretty loud, but I was asleep in seconds. I don't even know when they left. They are all good kids though, so obviously I wasn't worried!

My first dream last night was that I saw the HGTV people on my street when I looked out the window at some point. (I actually had forgotten that the house was being awarded last night, but obviously my subconscious remembered!). I was so excited because I was SURE they were looking for me! I waited and waited. And looked outside again. And they were at the house across the street awarding my least favorite neighbor the Grand Prize. Hmph!

Then I dreamed that our water was not working, so I had to go take a shower at a neighbor's house. A neighbor who lived on the next street. Who happened to be our old landlords. Who were in their late 80's when we rented from them over 6 years ago. And I walked over there with no pants on.

After I came back, Bubba told me that his date had cancelled for the prom. But, for whatever reason, Dean from the Gilmore Girls was here and was going to pick up his tux. So I asked him to pick up Bubba's as well. and, while he was there, I got a brilliant idea. That HE could take Bubba to Prom. But, he'd have to change the color of Bubba's vest and tie when he picked up the tuxes. So they would match one another.

anyone care to interpret? On second thought...never mind.

Words No Mother Wants to Hear (in the same breath)

"THAT was AWESOME!!!!! Are you okay?"

My Baby Boy...

Bubba had all four of his wisdom teeth pulled today. They used general anesthetic, so he's been a bit loopy. He's on Vicodin Extra Strength for the pain now, so he's been pretty sleepy. He
was pretty hysterical after the surgery. He was laughing like crazy when I put him in the car afterwards.

Last night I took him to get fitted for his tux for prom. I knew it was going to be a feat, but really, I was not prepared for what an ordeal it was. His shoulders are 53 inches. He has really muscular arms. He needed a size 46 jacket to fit his shoulders and even that was a bit too small in the arms, but with a jacket that size, he could fit his date in the stomach area as well. Apparently all the guys who have shoulders that big are also fat! Finally, after an hour of trying ion different manufacturer's jackets, we found one that he was able to move in, but didn't need to gain 100 pounds to wear. He's going to be mighty handsome for Prom!!

Today was a half day and the beginning of Spring Break! Woohoo! FE has a friend to spend the night, and his first two football games of a new season tomorrow. Plus he and his daddy and one of the girls are going to a spring training game with Grandpa. Life is good.

Are You Kidding Me??

This story illustrates so much of what is wrong with our world these days. It's all about people not taking responsibility for themselves or their children. Therefore schools make asinine rules and there is no tolerance for children behaving like :::gasp::: children!!

The schools and districts feel like they need to police food because lazy assed parents allow their children to sit around watching TV all damn day and feed them crap that makes them fat. Parents don't do their jobs and then government comes in and makes schools take over. Administrators feel the need to live by the letter of the law in order to keep their jobs. The stupidity is mind boggling!

3rd Place!

In only his second track meet ever, Bubba scored a 3rd place finish in the disc throw! Woohoo!!

Oh My Aching...Eye??!!

I had an unfortunate incident with my eye and a fork last night. The story would be funny, if embarrassing, but it hurts. It feels like there is something in my eye. Not all the time, but for great long periods of time. I've looked in it, as did Mark and the nurse at school (between her fits of laughter!) but there is nothing there. It's making me miserable, but I don't want to run to the Dr. quite yet. So, I sit with one eye shut for much of the time. It's quite the look!

One and a half more days of school until spring Break! Woohoo! Bubba has his surgery on Friday. I've picked up his prescriptions. One for an antibiotic and one for Vicodin (I may have to snag some of that one!). He can't be left alone on Friday at all, so Mark is taking the day off to deal with kiddos so I can take care of Bubba. But, before all that, tomorrow night we're going to order his tux for Prom! I wanted to get that done early in case we have a problem with his size. Chatty Cathy (the nickname I'll use for the girl he's taking to Prom) was over last night again, but she actually spent much of the evening talking with me and SB. She's in the Cheer and Dance programs at the high school Bubba goes to (and where SB will go) so she was able to give us some great information. Sb doesn't think she wants to cheer, but definitely dance. And the high school has an awesome dance program so it could be lots of fun for her. And much cheaper than what she's doing now!lol!
Anyway, the other good news is that since Chatty Cathy is on Student Council, she and Bubba get free tickets to prom and free pictures at prom!!Woohoo! I guess he picked the right girl to ask!lol!And Prom is at the Science Center which seems like fun! Better than some boring old hotel or gym!

It is SOOOOO Monday!

SB is sick. Just a cold I think, but enough that I thought she should stay home today. I didn't decide that until we were on the way to school though, so she was with me this morning. I left her and the two little ones I care for in the car while I ran the other two to class. When i came back? My van would not start. ARGH! So, I call my hubby, who is already at work. It will take him over an hour to get and he'll have to drive back to work and use more $3 a gallon gas, so he calls his dad. My FIL is on his way to work, right next door to my kids school, but does not have his jumper cables. He does turn around and go back home to get them and then come start my van. He wants me to take it right then to get the battery changed, which I plan on doing, but then realize that by the time I get to the shop I will need to leave to get the Princess from school. My FIL does offer to pick her up, but sitting in a shop all day waiting for someone to change my battery and charge me $90 just for the battery is not going to work. Aside from the fact of the kids, there is the fact that paying for that battery would mean no grocery shopping this week until Mark gets paid. And that would be bad!

So, I pray that the car will make it the rest of the day. And it does. And when Mark comes home he takes the car to Auto Zone where we got the battery 16 months ago. And it has a 3 year warranty. So, not only do they give us the replacement battery for free, but they actually put it in right there in the parking lot. Now, Mark has replaced a gazillion batteries and could have done it himself, but they offered. And did it for free. So awesome!

SB is feeling better now. Well enough that I sent her to dance since it's recital time and I don't want her to miss a class.

And Bubba has a girl over. A girl who is "just a friend". But he happens to be taking her to PROM!!!

Uh-oh!

I had to post again because I saw my last post was my 666th post. No wonder it was so gloomy!

I feel better today. Nothing has changed except my attitude, but I sometimes need that little pity party. I know we are so truly blessed. And my money issues are not the same terrible money issues that others are facing. I mean really, it seems hard to justify complaining when my girls take 6 dance classes and we have three cars and on and on... Yes, we are strapped right now. The oral surgeon requires all money up front and that's making life difficult, but it doesn't effectively change anything major. Maybe we don't get to go to as many movies as we like or as many dates, but we still have food and gas and our home.

The kiddos seem better. The Princess is back at school today and FE's ear infection doesn't seem to be bothering him after having several doses of antibiotic.

This weekend is our annual spring festival at the school and I am looking forward to that. I'll be working the entire time I'm sure, but SB will be dancing and the kiddos will have a great time.

One of the things that about did me in yesterday? I was on the website for Bubba's school and saw that they have posted the calendar for next year. The calendar that has no meaning to em. Because Bubba will be in college. My son. In college. I'm going to have a college-aged son. Oh. My. Gosh.

All the Stress You Could Ever Want

Where to begin...

I've got

one two sick kids
no money
oral surgery for our eldest and our portion is $820!
a doctor visit making me nervous
a loss of one source of income for this month
too much volunteer work and not enough volunteers


I am really stressed out. And so tired.