Monday, February 28, 2011

Preschool and Kindergarten

Such a momentous day for me!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a watch pot and have been watching the newspaper for registration for Owen's Kindergarten. Last week we found out Lydia's is March 7 & 8 at Jubilee 830-1130am, so if you know anyone interested, tell them to get in there those dates. The slots fill up FAST!!!

Some moms may think that I am crazy because I am so excited about sending my children off to school. Ohh well. It's because I am so happy for my children. I am excited for them to go experience new things, meet new people, and learn alot!!! So I can't wait to send my kids to school-for their benefit.


Todays' Record Argus article:


Register for kindergarten in Lakeview District

Sandy Lake Township- Kindergarten registration for the Lakeview School District for the 2011-2012 school year will be accepted April 19 and 20 in Oakview Elementary School.

To enter kindergarten, children must be five years old before Sept.1 Families living in the Fairview Township, Jackson Center Borough, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Millcreek township, New Lebanan Borough, Sandy Lake Borough, Sandy Lake Township, Stoneboro Borough and Worth Township are in the Lakeview School District.

Beginning March 15, parents may pick up a registration packet between 8am and 3pm in the Oakview Office or call the office at 724-376-7911 ext.262, to have a packet sent home with a sibling.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Bowling Birthday Party

Owen was invited to a friends Bowling & Pizza Birthday Party this weekend. (they're friends of ours and won't reveal names for privacy-as I dont know if it's ok to post them). They were kind to let us as a whole family come. We had a GREAT afternoon. I was shocked how well the kids were and how much fun they had. They keep talking about it. Owen's decided he'd like to have a bowling party for his birthday, which isn't for another 8 months!!! lol. I took some pictures, which Ive been slacking at using the new camera. So I will post some pictures of us. Hope you enjoy!






cards i've made.....







busy busy busy

I was to post this last week. Sorry. I wanted to add some pictures......

WOW! Lots of stuff to report today!!!! Buckle your seat belts! This may get long.....

Last Friday(2/18) was a disaster for Lydia and I at Mommy & Me! She wasn't herself. She hasn't been herself at Mommy & Me since beginning of December. She wasn't listening or participating, so I grabbed her and our things and WE LEFT! I truly think she's bored with it. So we're deciding what to do next. I'm thinking of 1 day a week sending her to daycare for the social interaction. She will be registering for preschool in a few weeks!!! YAY!!! I still haven't seen anything in the Record Argus about Oakview Elementary kindergarten registration!!! Every other school but ours (CP, Jamestown, Greenville, Mercer, Reynolds). Can you tell I am EXCITED!?!??!?!?!?! 1 kid will go M-F and the other 2 days a week!!! I know so selfish. Hey I'm at home w/them ALOT compared to other mom's who have husbands w/normal jobs! I think I'm entitled to feel this way after all these 5 yrs.

Last Saturday we had a VERY busy day! I hired a sitter to come so I could go and enjoy something I like - KIDLESS .....Penn's Woods Craft Show! I enjoy it every year, but seems to be less and less people roaming around there. The vendors are set up...but the turn out. I really wonder what their turn out is? I missed out on seeing the Keelings sing because of time. Oh well. I'll try for another time. My bff and I had a good time together. We were looking for cheap items to 'country ize' my house because I want to redecorate. The kids and I went to a friends house for a play date for the 1st time and her family room in the basement is EXACTLY what Id like to have my house decorated with. So far Ive decided Bees are my kitchen w/a sage green color, the bathroom is stars, my bedroom is blue w/angels (not cheap looking angels, pretty real human figured ones), the living room (Ive got to leave the autumn Guernsey picture up, so it's a toss up), and the kids room is sage green w/a little bit darker curtains.

Once I got home it was time to get ready for Meem's Surprise Supper at Cianci's for her 50th Birthday. There were 14 of us. We were there what seemed like forever, wasn't 100% thrilled w/food and service. But was a nice time out without the kids with my family. Owen had decided the night before he didn't want to go and thankfully Aunt Anne didn't have any plans and the kids were home, because she was so nice to keep my 2 while we went out. THEN mom thought she had a kidney stone, which turned out ot be a muscle spasm, now a broken rib! She got her stitches out today, but haven't heard yet how that went.

Monday..... All day we'd been preparing Owen (and the day before) for his dentist appt to get a filling. It happened that Troy had to stay home to milk, which I wasn't thrilled about but I put my big girl pants on and thought I CAN DO THIS!!! We talked the whole way to Greenville how important this way, how if we were good we'd go to Dollar Tree and get a special balloon (I can handle a $1 for a treat). We got there, Owen did well.....UNTIL the dentist brought out the needle to put in Owen's mouth.....AND THAT KID WAS OUT OF THAT CHAIR FASTER THAN IVE EVER SEEN HIM MOVE!!! After 25 minutes of trying to bribe, talk things through,etc. I said forget this, I wasn't forcing him into the chair, making him crying, stressing us both out.....we got a referral for a pediatric dentist-which I guess from soooo many people isn't a good dentist!!! I called the pediatrician's office and got another name, and we're schedule in 2 weeks to go to New Castle for a consult! whew what a stressful, embarrassing, trying moment!

Tuesday.....The kids and I picked up a Nan Peterman cake on our way for a visit to see the Birthday girl for her 50th at the Bowling Alley. Joan, Mom, Mary and Billie all bowl Tuesday nights, and have for quite some years. I'll have to check out that number too because I'm curious. We picked up a naughty cake. I won't post on here. Meem liked it though.


Tuesday I made a cake and chili. I'll have to admit that it's not the same as my moms :-( But nothing every matches up to someone Else's cooking.

Today I got Owen's newsletter from school. He has school pictures March 11 (Friday) and March 7 (Monday) Lydia gets registered for next year for preschool!!! What a week!!!

The kids are patiently waiting for Grammie to get here. I said after lunch-she'll be here.

I get to work Thurs and Fri this week! I'm excited. Thursday night I'm going to be committing myself to Zumba and Bible Study every Thursday!!! Saturday Owen got invited to a birthday party at a bowling alley. He's excited. Lydia's allowed to go too.

We also painted Molly's toenails for something to do...


Well enough rambling on or I'll think of 3652 things to tell you about.

Friday, February 18, 2011

YAY for the weekend!

Sometimes I wonder if every weekend there is always going to be something going on....... hmmm I'm sure! that's life, I guess.

Well....I wasn't as sore after Zumba last night, there were 2 dances I just couldn't get into it, get my body to move the way they are teaching us to. But I tried. It's so much fun. Id love one of their tanks. They're great! The pants are even better, but they're over $40!!! Can't justify that!

Bible Study was AMAZING! Emotional as well. It hit home. We have homework and something to read every day for 6 days. So I'm going to try to share with everyone on what I read. I think it's going to go very well. I met another lady that I just keep thinking about her words! The instructor too was awesome. (her son goes to school w/mine!).

Today at Mommy & Me....Lydia was absolutely horrible. She's growing bored with it I think, she doesn't want to participate, I feel like it's a beauty pageant, etc. So I am teetering whether her and I will continue it. I still would like to devote Friday mornings "Ours". We'll see how things go talking to hubbs about this one. I'm just not as comfortable this time as I was last and with Owen.

I was able to get groceries on my own this afternoon after lunch and cleaning! It sure was nice. Went very quickly, but boy am I whipped. I haven't slowed down since yesterday afternoon.

Owen hasn't been sleeping well for about a week now. Last 3 nights he has awaken SCREAMING, CRYING,etc. It's starting to take a toll on mommy. He for some reason started being afraid to go back the hallway to the bedrooms or bathroom alone.....finally a few days later we figured out why....... He's scared of the smoke detector! We have tried to go over and over fire safety and we've determined a meeting place, explained how important it is to have a working smoke detector.

Lydia's been in a goofy mood, like she's not happy or something. She can spell Owen's name! We laughed, because she can't spell hers, but she can recognize her name. Which is good. She knows her colors, if asked. I am hoping to work with her a Little more on her name. Lydia's doing well though. We are growing her hair out, so we're working on being cooperative with wearing barrette's/clips/headbands/etc. She's getting used to it. Mommy's trying to grow her hair out too!!

AND Mollly....Well Owen's decided that he likes to pick her up. Poor thing is so scared, but I can't watch over everyone at every single moment of every single day. She's 18.8 lbs, and I really want to get her to shed some weight before we head back to the VET! Because I know like we did w/Brownie, we get holy you know what for overweight pets! It's been talk that we may get a bunny. The kids and I are game, because we are here most of the time and would care for it. But daddy's not 100% on board. So we are working on it. I have a contact where I can get one from a trusted breeder.

We still have not seen hide nor hair of BINKYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY we haven't had them since Sunday, February 6, 2011. That's such a great thing for our family. Speaking of binky's, mouth area.....Owen goes to the dentist Monday for his 1st filling, we haven't talked about it. But we will start Saturday or Sunday.

Well enough rattling on....that's what's exciting or not so exciting (their behavior) in our lives.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

When I started cooking I ALWAYS messed up my meatloaf ...Well UNTIL I found tihs recipe in the KRAFT magazine.


Easy Pleasing Meatloaf


Prep: 10 mins Total: 1 hr 10 mins Makes: 8 servings

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 Pkg (16 oz) Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken (I use aldi's brand)
1 C. water
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 C Kraft original BBQ sauce, divided ( I use whatever bbq sauce I have)

HEAT: oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients except 1/4 C bbq sauce.
SHAPE: meat mixture into oval half in 13x9 inch baking dish; top with remaining BBQ sauce.
BAKE: 1 hr or until done.

Time for weight loss changes

Tomorrow I am attending 2 new things. I'm nervous and excited all in one.
1. Calf Health & Management Workshop. We had gotten the info sent to us from Penn State and I mentioned to Troy I think Id enjoy it if we could find someone to watch the children. So -we're going!! I'll learn about calf care for animals from birth through 6 months of age, calf health, vaccines for calves and youngster heifers, calf and weaned calf housing, cal and weaning calf nutrition, and animal well being issues. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all day though. Hoping my attention span can last that long.

2. I'll go to Zumba for the 3rd time. It's in the evening after dinner time. I truly enjoy it. Last time I went through a whole bottle of water and could have drank another. SO I'll plan to take 2 w/me.

3. Then right after Zumba I will be attending: Bible Study. "Made to Crave"....It's a 6 wk DVD based study that focuses on satisfying our deepest desires with God, NOT food. Ive heard this is an amazing study. It'll teach:
-break the "ill start Monday" cycle.
-stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale and make peace with the body you've been given.
-discover how weight loss struggles aren't a curse but, rather, a blessing in the making.
-replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripture that lead to victory.
-eating healthy without feeling deprived.
-reach a healthy weight goal while growing closer to God through the program.

I AM VERY EXCITED and hopeful that this will change how to think about things. I know I need to lose weight and according to Weight Watchers questionnaire I took online I need to drop  66-95 lbs and I also got my BMI, I think it was 36 or 38. I can't remember.

I also have the Zumba DVDs infomercial set, I bought last Spring and have used a few times. So am hoping I can get into a routine of doing those at least 2x/wk, then class and now this bible study. I want to at least lose 25 pounds by June 11 when we go to Ocean City, NJ on our Alabran Family Vacation.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Binky's...or there lack of!! YAY!!!!

I keep forgetting to post and I don't know why I keep forgetting because its such a great thing that's happened here!!

WE NO LONGER HAVE BINKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Sunday February 6, 2011 was the last day we saw them in our house. Seriously, it's happened by pure accident. But it needed to happen that way. I knew I didn't have the will power to get rid of them on my own. So....Sunday night at bedtime we couldn't find them and still haven't found them. It's been a pretty smooth transition. But I did tell Troy if he sees one pop up, without telling me please get rid of it!!! The kids aren't falling asleep as well. But we haven't exactly had a great bedtime routine. I know I need to get them into one. But as soon as I do-something happens (time change, holidays,etc).

So it's been 1 week and 2 days since we've seen those ugly things sitting on our kids faces!!!! I knew we needed to get rid of them. Our doctor's and dentist's have been very patient and understand---but until Lydia's 3 yr check up mid January! The pediatrician wasn't nice with me about it, of course I blame it on not having Troy with me. Whatever! They're gone. Owen's not going to have one at graduation or his honeymoon-so no sweat!! lol.

Now-if we can get Lydia back in her bed! We would be so set. But not every family is perfect and I'm the first to admit that I am the most IMPERFECT parent. I know I need to learn patience, take time to relax, but time just doesn't permit it some days. :-(

Well we're off to hopefully make an early Birthday surprise visit to aunt Joan-she will be 58 tomorrow!!!! AND mommy's had it with being couped up all day.

Little piglet sunbathing. She weighs 18.8 lbs. Shes even on healthy weight food :( at least shes enjoying the sunshine.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day - 2011

Happy Valentine's Day !

We don't usually celebrate Valentine's Day, only because our Anniversary is 1 week exactly before. BUT because we have kids (mommy's excuse)....I get them each something small. This year is a place mat for the table where they sit and a bath paint from Avon. I know $3 and they're happy!!!! Daddy gets a sentimental card that he'll throw aside after he sees there is nothing in it. What fun we are. I had plans to decorate the house this year with cricut made hearts and I didn't get that done. BUT St. Patty's Day.....Ive got big plans!!!

This year I had to let my patience help me out......Owen wrote EVERY Valentine out for his class. (I even took pics of a few) he wrote the kids name and his name, he wrote his name on his box and stamped hearts on it too! I think he enjoyed it. I feel like he is growing up so fast!!!  He's really starting to become his own person, interpret things his own way and voice his own opinion to us. (whether we like it or not, well that's tough lol).

 Here he is writing the Valentine's out.

The one side of his box. There is a tractor on each side of the box with a heart in the back wheel, 2 hearts one on each side stamped and the edge of the lid of the box has hearts stamped.

I could have done alot better. Check out the picture below....this is my bff's son's box!!! She's such a great mom!!! and best friend too!!! The box is called the Love Boat.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Writing out his 1st valentine's!

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

7 Years!

Yesterday (February 7, 2011) Troy and I celebrated 7 years of Marriage. It's hard to believe WOW 7, yeah to some it doesnt seem like a long time...but to me every year is even longer, but yet goes by even faster!! Wonder if it's because of the kids, ha ha ha.

Troy and I dropped the kids off to moms, then went on to the Hickory Grille for a nice quiet enjoyable dinner! We even had deep fried pickles for appetizer, salad, bread, we both decided on chicken and we split dessert. Of course you know I HAD to have a coupon. Troy got 2 emails from the Springfield line. One was for a free appetizer for our anniversary and the other was for a free dessert for his birthday, which is Feb 16. We had gotten a very nice gift from a friend, a gift card and only ended up paying $16.42 for our nice quiet enjoyable dinner!!!! YAY me!!!

Afterwards we gased up the car, Troy got cappicino and decided to call it a night, picked up the kids and that was that. Some anniversaries I think are meant to be uneventful. We'd like to go to Las Vegas for our tenth, which would be 2014. Owen will be 8 and Lydia 6. I think they'd do alright with someone else for a few days, Grammie most likely. :-)

We didn't have the weather we had 7 yrs ago, but it was still miserable out there. Ive decided after all the hassle with boots, coats, hats and gloves.....Im starting to get ready for Spring. I just don't like the mud and busyiness it brings for our family.

Well enough rambling...here's to yet another year of marriage......ups and downs..but we made a vow in front of God, to ourselves, friends and family that we'd be together til Death Do Us PART! AMEN!

Happy Anniversary, Troy!!!!

I love when they sit side by side. Owen's teaching her to use his toy laptop:)

Monday, February 7, 2011

This girl is so full of it. She has dog on couch w/plastic container over dog at 1132p.

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Saturday, February 5, 2011

Lydia and my plant......

Yesterday was the first day of Lydia and I's Mommy & Me class together. She was VERY excited to be "going to school", see all the girls to play with and she LOVED playing with shaving cream...good old fashioned shave cream. She was kind of upset when we stopped and had to clean up....but then I told her it was snack time. ha ha That's my girl.





I have great news to announce....my plant that Ive had since Mother's Day 2010 is sprouting it's SECOND FLOWER!!!! I am so excited. I told myself Id try this plant and then Id try an African Voilet.  I am so excited. I change the plants location every month so it gets different lighting, but it seems to be seriously doing VERY awesome on top of our TV!!!




Lydia's been having her own sense of fashion lately. I don't allow her to wear what she wants unless I approve when we're going in public, but at home I dont really care. Here are 2 photos of "get ups" she's sported this past week!! She seriously cracks me up!



Thursday, February 3, 2011

2nd night in a row.

2nd night in a row. kids sleeping & in their own beds by 930... and i cant sleep.i hate seeing 1152pm on my clock :(