Spring Break~

We made it through Spring Break week and I think we wore the kiddos out.  The past day and a half, all my son wants to do is sleep.  Here is a picture of him from Friday, where he spent majority of the day in bed. I have some pictures of myself on Spring Break years ago looking quite the same, but I was passed out in the sand, not in a bed.  Oh, and I may have had less clothes on.  But let's save those stories for another day, this is a family blog people.

Then there is my Grace, who rarely naps anymore.  She passed out on the couch for hours and that is a rarity.  I guess I could have been productive while the kids gave me a break, but I must admit, I was tore up from the floor up also.  So I tossed my "to do" list aside and did what I never get to do anymore:  nothing...

An Interview with my Kids~

I recently sat down with Grace, age 5, and Denny who is 3.5, and asked them a few questions:

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Grace:  A Vet

Denny:  A real power ranger

What is your favorite animal?

G:  Dog

D: Jaguar (which is the Blue rangers animal power)

Favorite thing to do?

G:  Playing with my friends

D:  Play with my power rangers

Favorite song?

G:  Disturbia

D:  Power Rangers

Favorite Movie:

G: Sleeping Beauty

D:  Power rangers

Are we noticing a pattern here?

 

Future Phelps~

G&D have been taking swimming lessons for a few weeks now.  They are kicking ass in class and I am so proud of them.  It took some time to get to the point of where they are though.  The first two classes, Denny cried the entire time.  If anyone would have been crying in swim class, I would have bet the farm it would have been Grace.  My Grace, the little lady who freaks out if water gets on her face.  My Grace, who never would intentionally put her head under water for fear of death.   She had no fear and I know why... She was putting on a brave front for her little brother.   Last Monday was the fourth week of class and both G&D were swimming without fear.  There was no tears, only smiles.  After class, they both talked about how much fun they had and how they couldn't wait until the next class.  Here some pics of the little swimmers:

HAPPY 2009~

Nothing says Happy New Year like a punch in the gut from your buddy in a battle of Hulk Hands...

Or, a nice warm, hug from your sibling to ring in 09...

Wishing everyone the best year ever!

SUCK IT SEARS~

Preparing small children for getting professional photo's done is a long and complicated process.

It takes serious planning and preparation, but if all goes well, you come out with some great pictures.

We took G&D to Sears to get their Holiday pictures taken.  I spent an hour straightening Grace's hair, another hour getting both kids dressed.  Then add in all the mental prep and false promises made to the children.  Especially to Denny, who is now in the "I am not smiling for the camera" stage.

Once we arrived, we were greeted by our "photographer."  Bob and I already sensed we were in trouble.  Once we started our session we learned that she was new, all though there was no need for her to speak the words.  It was very obvious.  

Long story short, on about thirty frames, not one was even close to acceptable.  So we walked out with nothing.  

So this year when your Christmas card collection doesn't include one from the Keeler's, it's not because we stopped loving you.  It's because Sears took a big dump on our holiday cheer. 

DON'T WANNA GROW UP~

The kids are in the kitchen playing with play-dough and Bob and I are playing Cornhole on the Wii.  Play-dough is a special treat for when Mommy and Daddy want to be left alone for a good hour.

 Grace and Denny have the best conversations with each other when they think that we aren't listening.  Here is what I just heard:

G:  Yeah Denny, pretty soon I am going to be five!

D:  Yeah, me too.  Tomorrow I am gonna be five!

G: No Den, I am going to turn five, you are going to turn four.  

D:  Oh, yeah.

G:  Then after five, I will be six.  That's just how it goes.  I will be six!!  Oh my goodness Dennis, I don't want to turn six, I don't want to be an adult!  What am I going to do Denny, I really don't want to be an adult!

LESSON LEARNED~

The other day I dragged the kids through Marc's to get a "few" things, which always ends up turning into a cart full of things.

Anyway, my bribe to them was "if you guys are good, we will get a slushy on the way out."

So my kids behaved like angels the entire hour we were in the store.  

After we paid for our stuff, we all happily walked to the snack counter to place our order.

I thought they would have the classic flavors like cherry, grape, etc.

Instead all they had was Mountain Dew Code Red.

I knew I couldn't go back on the deal I had already made, and there were really no other options.  So I reluctantly ordered two small Code Red slushies.

Once we got home, the kids got crahazzy!  Jumping, running, screaming. 

 Grace literally ran into the glass slider and bounced back about 20 feet.  

Both kids were foaming at the mouth while their eyes rolled back into their heads.

I now know what crazy is, I looked it in the face and I was terrified.

Somehow, someway, I survived.  I AM a survivor.

TURN THE VOLUME DOWN BEFORE U WATCH~

This was not staged. 

 The kids heard me yelling "Obama" after he won Ohio.  Then G&D started doing it so I turned the macbook camera on.   The only thing we asked was for them to yell it a bit louder b/c we weren't sure if it was captured.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

Grace & Denny in the hay maze @ boo @ the zoo

BOO!!!

Happy Halloween to everyone.  If you are going out partying this weekend, have fun and be safe!

If you are trick-or-treating this weekend, have fun and I hope you get all the good candy!

Enjoying The Ride~

The past week I have been checking out preschools and trying to calm my nerves at the same time. I know preschool isn't "real" school, and it is only a few days a week. However, I am still having a hard time believing that my little girl is going to start preschool in a couple of weeks.

I feel like it was only yesterday that she was my sweet little pudgy ball of love. Now when Bob and I look at her, we always say there is no "baby" left in her. It is sad but exciting at the same time.

With that being said, I want the last weeks of summer to kick some major butt. I am looking for new ideas of fun stuff to do. This week we are going to give letterboxing a try. I know Nina and Jen are avid fans of it and it is something we have been wanting to do.

Today I am going to borrow my moms convertible and take the kids for a ride, maybe stop in the Metroparks for a walk and some ice cream.

If anyone else has any ideas, please share them!

Soakin' Up the Summer Goodness~

The babes went fishing today for the first time, and both of them caught a little love. The picture below is of Grace's catch, but she wouldn't hold it up for a picture, so Uncle Pete did the honors.
Denny was a tad more friendly with his fish. Although he would not touch it, he got much closer.
So far, Summer has been treating us well. The kids are really into everything we have been doing. They are at such great ages now that outings are enjoyable for everyone, rather than the years before when it seemed like more work than anything.
Cheers to everyone~

GLORY DAYS~

Here are my babies wearing Bob's high school letter man jacket. I took a bunch of shots and framed them for him for Dad's day.

Speaking of Dads, today Bob's Dad is coming in town from Florida. And, it is Tim's birthday. So today we are going to cook out and enjoy some family time.

On the home front, Bob and I have been re-doing our living room. We ripped the carpet out, cleaned up the original hard wood floors, and moved some things around. The days and nights are so busy, I feel like everything is one big blur.

Did I mention my Sister (in-law) is getting married next weekend?

I know I am all over the place, but my mind is going a mile a minute.

I just wanted to check in with all my bloggie buds and share these adorable pics of G&D~

I'M FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT

Monday was hot. Gross, setting records kind of hot. We've been outside with the kids non-stop for the past week or so. Monday, I needed a day inside with the A/C cranked. With that being said~

Grace and Denny were playing house. Grace was the mommy and Denny was the mommy too. Yes, D was a mama. You see, whatever Grace does or is, Denny has to do the same. So when Grace calmly tried to explain to Den that he was a boy so he was the Daddy, he wasn't having it. She tried to argue it out for a few minutes, but once she realized he wasn't budging, there was two Mama's. That made me happy b/c hopefully when the kids are older and in school, they will actually have friends who have two moms or two dad's.

Anyway, they were playing house for a good 30 minutes in Grace's room. I wanted to sit and observe so I laid on G's bed and told them to pretend I wasn't there. However, all you parents know that doesn't work as planned. MOM! is in the room or DAD! is in the room and you become part of the game. While G&D were being married and taking care of their "so many" kids, G&D started fighting over something. I tried to explain in 4-year-old language about marriage and compromise. Grace totally got it! She handed over Denny the object they were fighting over and calmly told me in her low voice that Denny was annoying her but she still loved him.

Then she got right in my face and whispered...."You know how it is Mom. Husbands can be soooo annoying."

Grace, Mia & Denny @ the Zoo

I know this blog has been extra boring as of late. Trust me, there's a lot going on, I am just suffering from serious writers block. I even missed my last 2 deadlines for the Parenting magazine that I freelance for. It is hard to maintain a certain style of writing once you are out of the work force. When I was "working" outside of the home, writing was never an issue. It always came naturally. Now that I have been a SAHM for 4 years, I notice that my writing comes and goes.


The past week or so we have all been enjoying the weather. Lots of outside play time, swings, slides, sand, trips to the zoo & dog parks, and of course, Cornhole. Come on over and play!

SYRUP, ANYONE?

I am sure you have seen the movie Elf, and if you have not, stop reading this junk and get up to Blockbuster NOW.

Any who, my kids have begun a love affair with syrup. They crave it every morning and yes, I give it to them. I remember being their age and feeling the same way. I recall mornings at the breakfast table, staring at the Mrs Butterworth bottle and waiting for it to come to life and talk to me. Grace and Denny don't get the fancy stuff. They are stuck with Giant Eagle reduced calorie syrup, but they love it just the same. And you know what, it gets the day started with a bang. I drink my coffee, and G&D basically drink their syrup. That's no joke either. You see, they love to dunk their breakfast in the syrup. So as they dunk their waffles or french toast sticks, they also dunk their fingers and/or forks into the syrup and slurp away.

Now we haven't gone as far as Elf...we are not at the point yet of pouring syrup onto our spaghetti. Syrup hasn't made it into our dinners yet. Well, except for the other night, but it was already added by the manufacturer, not the mama. I made baked beans and they happen to be maple syrup flavored. Normally, Grace would not touch a baked bean if it was the last food on earth. However, when I told her there was maple syrup in the beans, she proceeded to eat an entire can.

Disclaimer for this mom of the year....each morning the kids breakfast includes lots of fresh fruit and a vitamin. If they happen to dunk that in syrup, I may happen look the other way.

Today is shaping up to be a better day already, although we are still missing Dad & Precious like crazy. Precious is Dad's dog, pictured above. Grace loves this dog more than she loves our dog Archie. It's no secret, Grace says it everyday since she laid eyes on Precious 10 days ago.

So far today, I slept in until 9am! Denny is a little under the weather with a cough and sore throat (passed on with love from Grace who just got over the same thing.) When he isn't 100%, he likes to sleep in, and mama likes to sleep in, so I make out from his sufferings.

However, before you assume I am a lazy, bad mom, let me tell you how last night went.


Bob and I went up to bed around 10pm and watched TV until midnight. Then the games began. As soon as I turned off the TV and closed my eyes for a good nights sleep, things got goofy.


The dog began breathing so hard it was impossible to fall asleep.


Then Archie was barking to be let outside.


Then Archie would not come back inside.


Then Grace wakes up and wants to know why Archie keeps waking her up.


Then Denny has a coughing attack and needs more ice water to cool his throat.


Archie starts panting again, I look at the clock and it's 3:30am.


Bob was the one who was taking care of the majority of this crap. I think I only got out of bed to get Archie back in the house & put G back to bed once. So although I got to sleep in, he didn't and is probably having a miserable day toady as I am sitting here refreshed, on my 3rd cup of coffee.

Anyway, the sun is actually out and it's 45 degrees. That is most likely what is making me smile right now. That and the goofy dance that Denny is doing while I type this.

WE ARE ALL IRISH TODAY

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

We are hanging low here. I am cooking corned beef & cabbage, and taking our traditional cabbage head photos.

No bar hopping for me today. Although hanging out with a 3 & 4-year-old sometimes feels like I am at the bar surrounded by drunks.

Have fun, be safe!

CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET, HOW TO GET TO...

This weekend was full of goodness.
The best part was going to the theatre with the kids. We took them to see Seasame Street Live, Elmo Makes Music. Their first time in Palace Theatre means the world to me. I love going into the theatre district of Cleveland. It truly is all inspiring. The beauty of these buildings are something you need to see first hand. The kids enjoyed the show. They were bobbing their heads, clapping their hands the entire time.
Friday we hung with Beckie and Pete and I finally saw a pic of Becks wedding dress. Can I just say gorgous!
Saturday after naps we went to Tracy's where Bob did some "stuff" around the house. Then we went shopping for D and came home for movie night. We watched Michael Clayton and it wasn't as good as I had anticipated. Still worth seeing, but I don't understand all the hype.

I finished reading a Twist of Lennon (loved it,) and began reading John, also by Cythia Lennon.

Sunday is always my sleepy day. Bob woke with the kids and took them to breakfast. Then he grabbed the dog and went to Pet Smart for food and other goodies. I slept until 10am and woke to silence. I brewed some coffee, read the paper and waited for the fam to come back home.
I have been battling a crippling headache for the past 2 days. Today I didn't even leave the house or get out of my jammies for that matter.
A new week approaches, another snow storm is heading our way. Let's pray it's the last one for the year!

STAYING WARM DURING THE BIG CHILL

This past week alone, we have made trips to the library, the Rain Forest, Chunk E Cheese and the Science Center. We have gone through countless containers of Play Dough, boxes of crayons and markers, paper galore & coloring books. We are trying everything to keep the weather from getting the best of us. It's too cold to play in the snow, and every day I am feeling the walls closing in on me.

Oh how I miss playing outside. Sitting in my back yard with a good book while the kids play for hours on end. Getting an accidental tan while I "work" through my day. It's always the same every year. January or February we start talking about where we can move that has sunshine all year round, instead of maybe 6 months. We aren't going anywhere, but it makes us feel good to talk about it.

DEAR GOD

My favorite part of the day is the end of the day. Tucking the kids into their beds and saying prayers with them. We don't call them prayers around here anymore though. Denny named it "Dear God's." When he is ready for bed, he tells Bob and I, let's go do "Dear God's."

Denny goes first and he lays in his bed while Bob, Grace, Archie & I kneel next to his bed with our heads bowed and hands folded. He gives us something like this every night...

Dear God,
Thank you for Daddy, Mommy, Gracie & Archie.
Thank you for tacos.
Thank you for Grandma's & Grandpa's.
Thank you for dinner.
Thank you for my Aunties & Uncles.
Thank you for the garbage truck taking our stuff away.
Thank you for Katie & Tyler & Joey & Mia.
Thank you for my windows.
AMEN!

Grace's prayers are a little more serious, but sweet as can be. She usually says something along the lines of...

Dear God,
Thank you for this wonderful day.
Thank you for my birthday and my dance class.
Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Denny & Archie.
Thank you for all my stuff.
Please get Daddy home safely from work.

AMEN!