First Official Sleepover Party

Here is my cute little Gretchen heading off to her first official sleepover birthday party. She was not sure initially if she wanted to spend the night, but after she found out a couple of her Girl Scout friends were going and spending the night, she decided to try it. She had a blast, they had pizza, ice cream, an bonfire with marshmallows, playing outside on the swing set and trampoline, not going to sleep until 2 am and getting up at 6am(really shocking considering she was up at 7 am to get ready for softball practice, softball pictures, Girl Scout field trip before even going to the party) pancakes for breakfast. It was an success!! It was so out of my comfort zone since I had not really met this family, but we all survived, mainly mom. Of course, that was not without many talks before I let her go, Jason swears he is surprised she even wanted to go after I kept having talks with her, well had to have all the bases covered you know. Needless to say after another b-day party yesterday too, she was so ready for bed Sunday night and slept very well! Zzzzzzz . . . .

GNO

Girls Night Out was this past Friday and we had a blast!! I met Lori and Debbie at Lori's house, after Debbie and me found it again, lol. And that sad part is we both have GPS systems, helps to have them hooked up though. So here we are on her street calling her from our phones because we both walked out with address, again doesn't help without an number, but we both figured of all houses hers we could find because it was probably painted black and gold for Pittsburgh colors. No such luck for us. Then we met our friend Tiffany closer to her house and off we went to see Tim Hawkins a comedian in Beavecreek (I know it is supposed to be Beavercreek, but the tickets were printed wrong so we thought that was funny before we even walked in the door). He was a hoot. And it was so funny because some of the things we discussed on the way down that we were laughing about he was talking about and that made us laugh even harder. Needless to say our face, head and stomachs all hurt we laughed so hard! Well we decided that since none of us had time for dinner we would go to dinner at O'Charley's, yummy!! So more laughs were shared by all. Needless to say we all had a great night and can't wait to get together again and we even have others wanting to join us next time because we are some fun ladies!

And the Winner is . . .

So my girls love to color and enter the coloring contests. Gretchen has won some of them before and now following in her footsteps is little Laney Bug. We got a call last night from Frisch's Big Boy saying we needed to bring Delaney in to claim her coloring contest prize. So today Delaney and me ran some errands and she could not wait until we could go claim her prize. Well, she one 1st prize for her coloring for the 4 and under group and got the cute little stuffed animal she is holding and an gift card, so she will be taking us to dinner or lunch soon, lol. Then she could not wait to tell Gretchen, although she was a little disenchanted that Gretchen did not win too. Then Gretchen told her that it was so good that Delaney totally deserved to win. See they can be sweet.

Innocence of a Child

Just had to share. Gretchen gets off the bus today and says "Look, how pretty" and to be honest I am thinking it is cool, wet and not really springlike so what exactly is she pointing at. Then she said come here mom, look at this clover in the grass with the rain on it, the rain sitting on it makes it so pretty doesn't it? And I have to agree it was very green and somewhat glistening. Of course, typically I would just look at the clover and think, ugh, we need to get that out of the yard and if I was feeling positive would say at least it is green. We should all be able to find beauty in such simple things. Go find the beauty in the simple things! What will you find?

Lunch Date

One of our "lunch dates" at McDonalds.

I started a tradition with Delaney this year with preschool that usually 1 day after I pick her up from preschool we enjoy an lunch date together, just the two of us. Usually it is McDonald's or sometimes she will throw in a Taco Bell. On occasion she will ask for us to call Dad, but I have before and she said "it is supposed to be just us 2." Now sometimes Missy, my cousin and me don't want our no kids day date to end so we will pick Delaney up and take her to lunch, which Delaney does enjoy because she has Aunt Mimi all to herself, none of those other 4 interrupting her and taking time away from her Princess self, hiliarious! This is just a cool little thing Delaney and me do since I had time with Gretchen alone before Delaney blessed our lives. And yes I still do have "dates" with Gretchen, but usually they are something more like Girl Scout activity without the rest of the troop we decide to participate in or a lunch or some shopping. Jason does the same, remember skating with Gretchen, but alot of times it is something as easy as running an errand with dad. I really enjoy my one on one time with my girls as much as they do.

Easter!!

Striking a pose in her new sunglasses - styling!

What do I get into first??

The girls were very excited about Easter and even said it was better than Christmas, which I am sure will change when Christmas is closer, but for now Easter is their favorite holiday. They said they get their baskets and to hunt eggs! Well we got up and had to see what that Easter Bunny left and they were very happy with their baskets. New kites, chalk, bubbles, jump ropes were some of the highlights and of course some candy!! Then it was time to hunt eggs, which I have to laugh because Gretchen is all about finding them as quickly as possible while Delaney is more like I get how many and is slow, but sure, no biggie I am guaranteed how many is more the attitude? Hillarious how different they are.

We then went to church in our dressed up attire, which I have to say is something special in itself since our church is very casual and friendly - don't have a church or looking you should give it a try!

Then we went to Easter with my parents. We ate and the kids, including Travis' and his fiances' 3 kids, which happen to be stair steps with my kids, Gretchen will be 8, Kylee just turned 7, Ashlyn will be 6 this month and then Costas and Delaney will be 5 in October like a week apart. So for this it was color coated and you each had 6 eggs. Gretchen did not want any help and was like "That is not your egg put it down" if anyone touched her blue eggs, even if they were just trying to help. And Delaney is just ho hum walking around no big hurry looking for her purple or pink eggs(can't remember what was her color). And then they checked out their goods and played, until the play time had to end because everyone needed to get to bed for back to school on Monday!

Whew I do sometimes wish Spring Break would be the week after Easter or at least that Monday because it is a little crazy getting off the sugar high and Sprink Break/Easter high to go back to school, but we made it and getting back into routine.

Munch & Hunt

Delaney getting her face painted.

We had to get them not on the move!

Saturday was the annual Munch & Hunt at our church. Gretchen got a surprise because her friend Delaney she met in preschool I had arranged to meet us there, neat side bar is that Laura (her mom) and me graduated together. Gretchen, Delaney and my Delaney had a lot of fun hunting eggs, playing in the jumpies, playing corn hole, frog bog, ring toss, getting their face painted, decorating cookies (my station) and just spending time together. We then came home for them to play at the house some more and they can't wait until the next play date or the next Munch & Hunt.

Then we went to Easter at Jason's mom's house. Everyone was there and we had a delicious meal with some great conversation, some internet searching, some Wii playing, some mower fixing all with a little heckling her and there. It just would not be a get together without it. And of course, a discussion of who has what projects going so they boys all know who can help who with which project in between their other committments, softball and fire duty are the biggies right now. I mentioned if they all helped maybe I could get my projects done and said Jason had promised some by Thanksgiving and we are at Easter of course the logical question was did he specify which Thanksgiving ? Aren't you all cards? Ugh they are all alike and brothers, there is no hope! LOL

Good Friday

Of course for the kids it is all about fun, coloring eggs, waiting for the Easter Bunny and this year waiting for the Hannah Montana movie to be released, but don't forget the somber truth is that many, many years ago Jesus waited for his followers/friends to turn against him and hang him on that cross on that mountain so that we could be forgiven for our sinful ways. We are here today because of this somber truth. I remember a few years ago watching The Passion of the Christ and weeping because that is unconditional love at its best. Haven't had the opportunity to watch, please do, you will be humbled beyond belief. I again had the opportunity this Good Friday to have an wonderful rememberance service at church to make me remember what this week is all about. Please have a great Easter, but also remember the ultimate gift that was given to each and every one of us so many years ago.

Spring Break Frock Style!

Waiting for Shiloh & Sushi (otters) to get fed. Aren't they cute?


Reading up on the birds I just saw.

The one and only time my mom wants to see me in "jail."

Well at times this week it sure didn't feel like Spring Break, more like Winter Break, but it did get better, thank goodness. We had appointments during each of the days, but Friday. Eye doctor, dentist, hair appointments and family pictures, but we also had fun in between.

Monday we had lunch after the eye doc and did some errands and then Gretchen got to go play with her friend Alyssa B. and spend the night (big time for Gretchen) since she has not done this before, but we have known them since preschool and she felt confident she could do it. Plus we all have those bedtime things we only trust with our true friends, you know that kind that won't rat us out, that is Alyssa. She is the kindest most caring child I have ever met. All well there. Then to dentist on Tues., which took forever, but another great report - wahoo! Then Gretchen got to hang with one of her Brownie buddies, Savannah, as us adults enjoyed an candle party. Wed. we had an extra special treat Dad was off of work and we got hair cuts, lunch and Boonshoft. I think Jason and me enjoyed the Strange Matter exhibit (new one) as much as the kids, probably explains no pics because of us playing too! LOL

Thursday they had to appease me by getting pictures done. We just went to Walmart, but this was one of the best experiences ever and great pics too! Then we went broke getting Softball gear - ugh!

Then it was the moment they had been waiting for on Friday - Hannanh Montana movie was opening!! We got tics on Thursday because we figured it would be crazy! Which it was! But we got to be one of the first to see the movie, which I have to admit was pretty good! We took this FUN with Travis (my brother), Tiffany (his fiance) and kids, Kylee, Ashlynn and Costas

Now it is off to color eggs, Parents Night Out at the Community Center, Good Friday service, Munch and Hunt tomorrow at church and our Easter festivites the remainder of the weekend, whew!

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday started as a beautiful day outside. We were greeters at church and the girls went to Sunday School, which they love! They go in and recite their verse, learn a new one and do activities around that verse. They also earn Bible Bucks based on this ability and bringing their Bible each week, which they get to go shopping at our "store" at church. Today was extra special because Gretchen was performing, which always makes me so proud of her. They performed (sing and hand motions) to 2 songs with the adult choir. She loves any signing/motions, but it was an extra special treat for me because they performed one of my favorite songs, How Great is Our God, which has become one of my children's favorites. I love the fact that they don't want to miss church or class and want to share their love of our Savior.

Now my soapbox moment. It especially means a lot to me because I did not have a strong relationship with Our God as a child. Jason on the other hand did have this. So we decided when I was pregnant with Gretchen we wanted something more for us and for our beatiful baby. So we started looking at churches and nothing fit both of us, either one liked it and the other didn't or something. And we had visited Troy Church of the Nazerene with our cousins, the Tuckers' to watch their handsome sons perform and it was good and all, but for some reason never thought about attending their on a normal basis, maybe part of it was that we didn't want them to feel like we were invading on their church, which is so crazy, but who knows. Then about 3 years ago several things had happened in my side of the families lives in particular that made me seek something more and this is when Missy called in the big man's helper, Pastor Sam. He was so great to talk with and we started attending more regularly and I was able to attend some women's events and loved it all! Gretchen was enjoying learning and it all clicked. Delaney was just a little over an year old. So we had finally found a home. And I am just truly amazed at how much my life has changed in those few years. God is a normal topic at our house, prayer is a regular happening for all of us, I feel so blessed! I am not saying I don't get discouraged, angry, all of these things, but it is still different now. Pastor Jeff is now our pastor and he is different than Pastor Sam and of course, Pastor Sam will always hold a special place in my heart because he helped with our finding an church home. The Tuckers no longer attend this church either because they needed to find something that fit them now, but again I will always be thankful for them too as they were also a big part in our finding an home. I truly believe that Missy, John and her family was brought back her to Ohio after all those years in Arizona because God had a plan for them, which included Jason and me and our girls. As I blog this I have tears stream down my face because I love them all so and I am so thankful for each and everyone of them and right now because I miss them too as they are visiting Arizona. And just know that I thank God for each of you!

Bike Riding 101

Yeah, beautiful weather this weekend, well at least until Sunday night and Gretchen took advantage of it to learn to ride her bike without training wheels! She did great, still feels more confident on the grass and going downhill to get herself going, but she is doing it! Before long she will be going down our road. Where is my baby going? I want her to be a strong, independent young woman as she grows up, but it just means my baby is no longer a baby. Then you get all setimental knowing not to long ago she couldn't even peddle her little bike because she couldn't reach the peddles - big SIGH inserted here!

Twilight

Okay, I finally got to watch the movie Friday - loved it!! The chemistry was amazing between those characters and now I can't wait until New Moon is released! It promises to be even better! I read the books last summer. Well here was the deal my cousin Missy, said do you want something to read when you go on vacation (Myrtle Beach) and I said sure, so she bust out the first 3 books, the fourth, Breaking Dawn had not been released yet. They were huge, but I do love to read as she does and said trust me you will love these. So actually I believe I ended up reading one book before we left and then could not wait to start the New Moon and was totally upset that my family would not just let me lie on the beach and read - look mom, look - ugh!! So one night I took my book and laundry downstairs and the washer/dryer was very busy and very slow so I ended up reading a great portion of it and was enjoying life again. I did love these books and could not wait until the Breaking Dawn was released and was out purchasing my own copy that day - who could wait so we could all share, although it only took a couple of days and we were all done because we could not put it down. Then the movie release, unfortunately did not get to go to the theatre, but I finally rented it and loved it. Jason even watched it with me and said he would be intrigued enough to watch the next one. Of course he wanted me to tell him what happens next and I told him to read and he opted to just wait until the next movie comes out in Nov. of this year - wahooo!! Probably good if I want some of the house projects done that was supposed to be done months ago so he could now be focusing on outside projects. He is slow, but sure!

The week in a nutshell!

Well, Sunday ended with Gretchen and her daddy going to a school roller skating party. Daddy/daughter date type of thing. Well to be honest Jason and me went roller skating last year to celebrate a b-day of a friend, it was an 80's flashback and it was not as much fun as I remember skating, don't skate like I used to, LOL. So honestly I decided to let them date night it and Delaney and me stayed home, played games, ate popcorn and had our own date night. It was hard in one sense not to be there for the first time she skated and Jason refused to take the camera :( Sorry no pics! But I guess Gretchen just went for it and was a good skater I hear, even from other moms. She had a blast and can't wait to go again. And I guess most of the parents just sit and watch, so way to go Jason for participating! I had to laugh though she said her butt hurt and she fell on it at least 12 times. Persistance was the lesson learned today I guess!

Monday was a pretty productive day, but nothing really exciting!

Tuesday I enjoyed a breakfast date with my friend Kelly. This is how I enjoy my couple hours kid free on Tuesday and Thursday, coffee, breakfast or shopping dates. Sometimes it is just grocery shopping, but so much easier minus happy helpers. What will I do when summer gets here - ugh! And Jason took off for Colorado Springs for work. And me giving in to join Facebook - let this be your warning, blogging and Facebook should have help groups because they become an addiction! Just ask!

Wednesday helped my adorable cousin with a last minute download for an MP3 player for their sunny funny trip to AZ - funny me helping with tech. gadgets - HA! Then dinner, usually me and the girls will go to dinner one night when Daddy is gone to break things up a bit since they miss him so! And off to church for Gretchen to practice for Palm Sunday, which meant I ended up teaching a class for lack of teachers and lots of little children, so much for downtime! Then so much for watching Twilight tonight - ugh again!

Thursday I finished some Easter shopping while the little ones were at school, should probably get that out of my car now that I think about it. And Delaney had a friend from preschool come over at school for her first school playdate. Both girls were VERY EXCITED!!!!! Can't stress that enough. So off to McDonald's for lunch and let me tell you with this 2 cuties it is going to be a long month of April because they said they are going to be pulling tricks all of April for April Fools - crazy girls! They had a great day and got to play, play, and play some more! Off to dinner, got an invite from my dad - wahoo, another night of not cooking. And then a slumber party in my bed since it was storming I gave in. They fell asleep and I watched the final ER. What were your thoughts? I thought it was very emotional, looking back and even the final show, with that dear old man and his love of his life for 72 years - don't you want to be loved like that?

Friday today still a dreary, rainy, windy day, but Jason will be home!!! Hopefully his trip back will be better than going. The girls are super excited because Dad is coming home and today is Gretchen's last day before Spring Break!!! Wahoooo!!! So we will be doing fun things next week and some appts., dental, hair, pictures. Told them they had to do those things in order to do fun. Us mom's have to work our angle, right? Tomorrow Gretchen is supposed to be starting softball practice, but waiting to see because of weather and her gymnastics. Time will tell. Maybe I will finally get to watch Twilight after I do some things, thank goodness I only rented it at Redbox for $1.07 per day.

Spring Break here we come!!