Fire Safety Week

Our local fire department visits us each year to do a presentation on fire safety. This year as an added bonus we were able to go on a fire truck ride...too cool! The kids were so excited. Each year there is one or two who is frightened when they see the fireman in full gear, which is a great reason to have them come into our home...this way they can see what they look like and thus get used to it....better to startle them now in a safe way, rather than have them run if they ever god forbid needed to rescued by a firefighter in their home. later we will do a fire drill...gotta love when the smoke alarms go off.... although they may be used to it, since i seem to set them off when I cook :)

BuddyWalk

team "Nick"

Today was the first annual BuddyWalk in south western Minnesota. There was a good sized crowd, and a lot of activities planned for the afternoon. Rose, Cassandra and I joined Linette, Gracie, Brandon, Linda, Jay, and Katie, plus several of Linette's daycare parents. It was great to see so many come together for this great event. Pretty cool to be a part of the "first" time this was held in St. James.

Homecoming

Yesterday was homecoming.... first the parade, Linette and I walked our daycare kids up to watch the parade. It was a little too windy, (thought perhaps a few of the little ones might blow down the street:) It is so fun to watch small ones enjoying a parade....they get so excited. Next up the game of course, (not a big football fan here) the weather was mild, I have sat thru worse. Loved seeing the band perform, and watching danceline....we didn't last much beyond 1/2 time, simply because, Rose and Yahaira were well beyond tired. No st james didn't win, not a surprise there...but all in all a fun night.

and one more

set of pics from our visit to the pumpkin patch. One of the attractions at this pumpkin patch is a section called storybook land. It is so cool, they have this towering shoe, and humpty dumpty sitting on a wall. Jack and the beanstalk, a castle, and pumpkin shaped house. As we wandered thru the displays, I kept saying "this would be so cool" "the daycare kids would love playing in this" "we should do this" (translated into Kevin you figure out how to accomplish this) needless to say he looked a bit concerned bordering on all out frightened. (do you suppose he knows me so well to realize where my mind might be wandering?) He did firmly say we don't have room and no! we aren't going to attempt to make it fit....ummmm well we will see. enjoy the pics, the kids certainly enjoyed the experience.
have a great weekend.
Debbie

NO Pets!!!!!

At first she was a bit uncertain as to what exactly this was, but it didn't take long for Rose to overcome any hesitation. soon she was reaching into the pen trying to touch the goats, honestly I think if we had put her inside the pen she would have been thrilled. no fear, not even a little.

Anthony just loved putting quarters into the food dispenser and collecting the pellets, giving them to the goats was another story, eventually he warmed up, but the "fun" for him was definitely getting the food.

Yahaira wanted no part of this, slowly she came closer, eventually she fed a goat or two. Rose simple loved this part of the pumpkin patch, so fascinated, so excited, so entertained. How fun to experience new things thru the eyes of a 1 year old.

Kevin commented maybe we should get her a pet. "such as?" I asked. "well probably not a goat" he said You think!!!!, dear God the man has become such a softie with these kids. I vetoed the pet thinking quite quickly..."they have a dog" I pointed out "I know" he said "but maybe we should consider getting them another pet" Uh NO! not happening, I'm sure their emotional/social/and whatever development won't be too sorely lacking if we don't go down the path of another pet for them. "hey we can always bring them back to the pumpkin patch, or the pet store, or the Zoo has a wealth of animals" I pointed out. He looked skeptical. "It wouldn't be the same as having it in the house" he said That would be the point, this way we visit, and leave, the key word is "leave" therefore no work, no responsibility, no stress, simple actually. He still looked like he was wavering, "I don't know" he said "maybe we should think about it" I resorted to firmly saying No! No pets! repeat after me......no pets!!!!

The Little Mermaid

We are the proud owners of the newly released "Little Mermaid" on DVD. Insert happy dance here.Naturally I ventured to Pamida yesterday to purchase a copy, actually two, when Linette found out I was going she asked me to pick her up a copy. I have been so excited about the re-release of this movie. I simply love! it. (one could ponder that the release of a cartoon is the highlight of my week, you are a brave person if you care to analyze that) Yahaira first discovered the little mermaid thru a book, it was the one book she always ask to have read over and over. I found another "mermaid" book on cd which she also loves listening to. It was so fun last night watching the movie with her, she didn't move, and her only comments were "mom, mermaid, see?" she was so completely caught up in the magic of the movie.. Cassandra was watching with us, and Yahaira would mimic Cassandra. If Cassandra layed on her tummy so did Yahiaira, if Cassandra laughed so did Yahaira....for as much as these two fight, Yahaira truly does look up to her big sister...so cool to see. I'm so excited that I get to share this movie with yet another little person in my life, when it was first released my girls were at the perfect age for this story, it was so amazing to experience with them and now here we are years later and I get another opportunity...how cool is that? One of the highlights of our Disney trip,several years ago, was getting to see the girls meet the Little Mermaid. By the time we ventured to Disney World they were a bit beyond the first awe of the movie, but they were still excited to visit a piece of their childhood...it was truly a magical experience. Thinking another trip to Florida needs to be planned, just so the new little people in our life can experience the magic for themselves.

Homecoming week

Last night was coronation. Danceline participated by doing the rose archway, somewhat sad to realize that this is the last time (for a long time) that I will have a member of the danceline participate. Senior year is so full of happy/sad moments. this year they wore new/old outfits, these outfits have been around for years (thus the old) but due to the large numbers on the team they were unable to wear them since there was never enough. This year the team numbers are smaller so they were able to wear them. I think I will always like their original high kick uniform...but these did look quite nice. Another beautiful day in the forcast.Today is the day that The Little Mermaid is realeased on DVD!!! I am so excited, can't wait to watch it. yes I have been counting the days, I love! this movie. Honestly I have always been so happy that disney turns out such entertaining movies, after all when you have little ones you are going to have to see these movies at some point or another, I always appreaciated that most of the time a disney movie would actually be fun and not tedious.

Enjoy the sunshine in your part of the world.

pumpkin patch

Saturday we visited Poppe's Pumpkin Patch near Lakefield, MN. A beautiful sunny, warm day. This was Rose's first visit to a pumpkin patch, she was duly impressed. She loved the goats

(will post pics another day of this adventure) Yahaira and Anthony had been to this pumpkin patch before, they had a blast. There is a playground, a storybook play area, a graveyard, a corn maze, (the dead rat was just a little too authentic) kevin sneeking up on us in the corn maze was unecessary also, scared the stuffing right out of me. They have llamas and goats, and of course a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins were just beginning to turn so the field of orange was a bit green in spots, but the kids had fun searching for the perfect pumpkin. Made me want to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" on our way home we stopped in Bergen for dinner, excellent food as always. You will notice the lack of pictures of Cassandra and Yahaira, they weren't in a picture taking mood on Saturday...."Don't want too" was Yahaira's reply each time I tried to take a pic...it's uncanny how similiar those two are. Shaking my head as I type that.

today it's suppose to be in the high 70's, don't you just love fall in minnesota?

Debbie

these are insanely good....

Cassandra and I were watching a food network show a week or so ago. They were featuring food specialty stores in Maine. One caught our eye, so I visited the the Food Network website and found the site for Wicked Whoopies. Naturally once I visited the website and saw that they deliver throughout the country, how could I not order? Well they arrived the other day and they are simply amazing...indescribable. We ordered an assortment and I have yet to find one that isn't delicious. Want to get some for yourself? go here: www.wickedwhoopies.com

and how was your weekend?

Debbie

This Represents....

almost 75% of my Christmas shopping done!
-insert happy dance here-
love shopping online,
no lines,
no crowds,
no hassles,
I can wear my pj's and no one cares!
and bonus! I can shop at 1 am (since I seem to be up at this time anyways)
UPS delivered this yesterday, I don't think they have ever backed into my driveway before.
and the delivery guy was totally nice, despite having to unload half his truck on my doorstep, sweet!
Loving that I won't have to go to the mall or fight the insane crowds at walmart this year. Life is good! The remaining 25% is either ordered or waiting for me to pick up....So so nice!
Merry Christmas to you!
( I guess almost being done with shopping puts me totally into the holiday mood)
have a great weekend, (no I won't be wrapping presents, I will wait until at least the middle of October for that :)
later,
Deb

Halloween.....

is coming..... are you ready?

we are getting there....
costumes: check
candy: check
decorations: sorta check

wondering why I buy candy, since we only seem to eat a large portion of it before the actual day arrives, which means we just end up buying more...good grief talk about no will power.

Costumes , Rose is going to be a pumpkin, Yahaira is a butterfly and Anthony is going to be Lightening McQueen. I find that this time I'm not so stressed about creating the perfect costume, flashback to the kids early years and the quest to create and build the best costume. Yeah they were cool, and unique but I find that now if it's ready made and it's something they want to be why not? who says you have to spend days or weeks making a costume, (only to have it fall apart the night of trick or treating), is the only way to go... ready made, works for me these days...(yikes! perhaps I'm getting wiser with age?)

Decorations: jury is still out on that one, on one hand I feel like I should decorate since the little ones would get such a kick out of it, but on the other hand I remember way to vividly putting all that stuff away after the season, usually in snow and definately in cold weather.... not fun! somewhere there is a happy medium.... did hang a few ghosts and pumpkin decorations from the tree, and the kids were so excited. As for the house down the street all decorated, I'll just drive a different route until the season is over, that way the kids won't have a clue what potential there is for decorating....simple enough. Don't try to figure out my logic it truly would hurt your head. :)

Next on the agenda a trip to the pumpkin patch, this I am actually excited about (wouldn't be that clean up for a pumpkin is throwing it in the dumpster, good grief I'm getting lazy) weather permitting it looks like this weekend we will visit the great pumpkin patch.

Kelly sent the kids some halloween goodies, they were so excited, the play phones are a hit, we may need to discuss with kelly the fact that the sound of those phones has been playing in my head all night long...she must have missed the memo on my lack of sleep.

enjoy your day, the sun is shining here, how can it not be a great day?
Deb

change....

Our neighbor Dennis had an auction this past Saturday, (rather his family did, I don't believe Dennis was in agreement with this) how sad to see. The weather matched my mood, rainy and cloudy, simply miserable. I know that for me it's hard to face that Dennis won't be living next door, after 14 years it's really hard to change, but it's also hard to face that this new path in Dennis life isn't the one he would choose. He is in a nursing home, but to a person in their 60's that is a blow like no other. The MS is taking it's toll on his body, and he quite simply wasn't able to take care of himself properly at home. It's just that a nursing home seems so drastic. I think his family is trying to do that best they can, somehow that may not be the best for Dennis tho. Watching people carry stuff away, was just so sad, I wondered if they knew the story behind that item, or if they even cared to know it....so much history, so many stories lost.
I found myself wondering as I looked around my house, what would you keep, what would you choose to sell? how do you condense a house into a room? I find myself thinking that alot of the stuff that fills my space isn't truly important to me, it's just stuff...so letting go wouldn't be difficult, but somehow I think I would have more than a room's worth of things that would be very difficult to part with, not sure how you would decide, not so sure I really want to think about it.
Now when I look out the window to the west I find myself remembering so many moments and occasions with Dennis, and it feels empty. Wondering who the new neighbors will be, praying that they will be likeable, and please let them be quiet at night, I know it isn't the end of the world we will make new memories, Dennis is only 20 minutes away, change isn't always a bad thing, it just takes some time to get used to it.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It's cold here, 46 degree's.....That is just simply a bummer!

trying to convince myself that in January a temp of 46 will seem tropical, no.....It's not working. The sun is trying to peek thro the clouds.... I turned the furnace on this morning, double bummer!

We had respite this weekend, which in and of itself makes for an interesting weekend to say the least. And it didn't disappoint we had some moments, just a few which is better than endless. A highlight, or low point depending upon who you asked, was trevor getting his finger stuck in the a hole in the car door, priceless (not exactly the commercial kind of priceless but priceless none the less) We attended the Mexico Independence Day celebration in St. James Saturday afternoon, with the parade topping out the activities, kids loved all the candy, imagine that :)Saturday night we did the fire pit, realized we haven't did this all summer, how sad, where does the time go? Sunday was a shopping excursion to Mankato....I've forgotten how time consuming this can be with little people.... Cassandra decided to remember the moment by taking pics on her camera phone of Yahaira's tantrums, in each store, which just made Yahaira madder....Next time I think they can both stay home.

Pulled out some scrapbooking stuff over the weekend, just looked at it a few times, finally put it away, in a rut, nothing creative coming my way.... Being busy seems like such a feeble excuse.

enjoy your day, hope it's warm where you are,
Debbie

Walking like a pro....

tried to load pics earlier....But alas eblogger wouldn't let me...Now it let's me. Reminds me of a two year old I know :) have a great weekend, Deb

Rose is walking....

I will hesitate to end this with a resounding Finally!!! She is 14 months after all, I truly wondered if she would ever move about on those two legs of hers. One could argue why should she walk when all the world is brought directly to her....(it pays to be the youngest in daycare and in the family) It's not like we didn't try, holding her hand and walking her thru the house, of course when she tired (after moments, it seemed) she would plop down on her bottom and refuse to move. Let's not forget the placing her between us and cheering and encouraging, (one would think we were cheering an Olympian) she was unimpressed. Bribery worked, occasionally, she was quite selective on what she would "perform" for and it could work one day and then never work again. Lately she has been displaying a readiness to walk, sometimes I think much to her own dismay, she knew a good thing happening, but the signs were there, pulling herself up, cruising around the furniture, crawling up and down the stairs, (what is that???? Won't walk but she can fly up those stairs and down with little effort) ect, ect.... But she liked to play us, never would she walk when we wanted to show someone, and then when least expected it she would take a few tenative steps....Which left you wondering "did she just walk?" or am I imagining it? Last Friday she took several steps, ones we witnessed, ones that could count as steps, and then she wouldn't do it again...No matter how much encouraging, bribery, attention we gave, she refused to move. On Tuesday she took some steps, some plopping down and standing up in the center of the room moves, real random....(guess she needed to to rest up after her first attempt, said as I roll my eyes here) (if a baby could fight walking, I believe rose is a prime example, she truly doesn't want to give up her status if you will.) On Wednesday she took off, motoring everywhere, doing it like she has done it all her life, over carpet, linoleum, cement, grass, you name, she could navigate it...We of course just stared like idiots, not able to process that she was actually walking, on her own, no bribery necessary...How cool is that???? Wednesday night we tried to capture this on film, I took pics, Kevin video taped...I think we annoyed her a lot! She got a bit crabby with us. So it's official the baby in our family is walking, somehow I'm sure I will be wondering why? Did I want her to do this? But for now loving watching those little feet carry her everywhere, love watching her stand up and take off....Love that cocky little grin she gives us as she cruises by, as if to say, this is a piece of cake....Just simply love having this little wonder in our lives.

September 11

Amazing how a date can be forever etched into your memory. Growing up I often wondered at how my mom could remember exactly where she was when John F Kennedy was killed. I thought it rather weird that she could in detail tell you about that day.... I had yet to experience an event that affected the nation,and myself in such a big way, most of my big days to remember had been completely personal, and quite selfish in nature. Until 9-11, as I watched the day and events unfold, on CNN, I knew it was big, how could I not? we were under attack and thanks to modern technology I was watching it as it happened...later I realized just how significant this was, with much clarity I now understood the ability to remember amazing details about what should have been an ordinary day, this was my JFK, or Pearl Harbor, if you will. As each hour passed and the events unfolded I became connected in a way like no other to millions of other people by the simple fact that this happened here on our soil, we were no longer safe. I remember moments from that day, and I remeber the feelings I experienced, I remember being glued to the TV, and going outside later in the day and looking at the sky that was empty of planes, I remember being thankful my kids were near, and I remember talking to my sister constantly during the day, often just silence on the phone as we both watched events unfolding on tv, and knowing this would change our country in ways still unknown. It's hard to believe it has been 5 years already. Have we changed? of course. But I don't live in fear of another attack, and yet I am more aware of how vulnerable we are.


and on a lighter note, some of our weekend activites....Anthony's birthday party with friends, here he is with the pinata...way fun! and another pic from saturday another birthday party this time for Eve, anthony is participating in the pie eating contest, absolutely hilarous...he had a blast.

hope your weekend was fun and relaxing. until next time, Deb

It's Friday...

and I'm working...................bummer!

love! love! love! having friday's off during the summer, did I do anything great and exciting? no not really...but I do so enjoy that one day off...but now it is time to go back to reality, school has begun and so it's back to a 5 day work week...so sad. ok I'll stop whining....but it truly is a bummer working today.

My day began, or never ended depending on how you look at it. And no this time it wasn't a wee one in the house keeping me up at unhappy hours because they were ready to play and just simply be awake...nope last night it was the trains... I know, I have lived near the railroad tracks most of my life you would think I would be use to them by now, but apparently my body isn't. (note here, thinking sleep is forever going to be an elusive thing in my world) so randomly throughout the night I awoke to the sound of engines running, sounded like low, distant,rumbling, thunder...so once I tuned in and realized it was trains and not an approaching storm I slipped back into sleep...there were a few times when cars were being connected that jolted me, so all in all I awoke quite often....of course the sounds have always been there, the difference...now I have the windows open rather than closed. So I finally fell asleep sometime after 3, only to awaken to the phone ringing at 5am...as I stumble to the phone I'm wondering who is not coming today, when I answer and realize it isn't a parent but rather the police department, I quickly switched gears to "who are they bringing so early this morning" which was quickly replaced by the request of the person on the other end to talk to Rebecca, "she's not here" I say "oh are you her mother" ok most of you are going to know exactly where my mind went, rational clear thought dissappeared, replaced directly with omg what has happened. Condensed version (or as condensed as my rambling ways allow :) They were wondering if I knew why her car, a 99 sunfire, was parked in Lewisville, (ummmmm I"m now wondering the very same thing) so I mention that she attends school in Moorhead, and has been there for the past 3 weeks,with her car, are you sure it's her's? He checks and comes back and says no it isn't her, apparently someone has a 99 sunfire with a license plate identical to Beckie's with the exception of 1 letter, their's has an N Beckie's has an M. So next he say's no worries mam, your daughter is excatly where she should be, this isn't her car...sorry to bother you, have a good day... "ok, thanks I will" of course going back to sleep was pointless, body was completely alert...getting a call like that will do it to you... and why did they need to check on the car at 5am???
Today is the big birthday party, Anthony is having some friends over to celebrate his birthday...he is so excited... trying to match his excitement, but I'm afraid I'm just a bit scared wondering what? am I going to do with a houseful of 4-5 year olds? this should be fun!
enjoy your weekend...
debbie

1st day of school...

Today Anthony began school, he was so excited about going back to preschool. You just have to love the excitement little people have for this event. On Tuesday we went to meet his teacher and check out his classroom, it's the same room and teacher as last year, which made it less scary and just simply fun! He was so excited about riding the bus to school and home from school, had just the biggest grin on his face while waiting for the bus today. It is a bit quiet in daycare today, with everyone back to school, our numbers are smaller, which is an ok thing. I am enjoying the quietness of today. added a new pic of cassandra this time with her eyes open :) have a great day. Deb

She is a Senior....

wow! holy moly! this can't be possible! What????! I'm sure I could fill pages with comments all simply leading to my disbelief that today my baby began her senior year.
She of course was quite low keyed about the whole event/milestone. "Hurry up and take the pic mom, I'm running late" my comment of "do you realize this is the last time I will take a first day of school pic of you" was said to a departing back as she hurried out the door, oh well at least she paused long enough for me to capture a picture.
I find that this time I'm more accepting of the whole senior year, the first time around was tragic for me, just frustrating for Beckie in having to deal with me and my issues. Glad to say by February said issues were resolved and replaced with she needs to leave for college now!, they must have an early entry program somewhere... I beleive God makes them difficult just so you can let them go...with Josh, so hard to compare as with all things with him, it was so laid back simple, some minor bumps but nothing to write home about...the kid is just so easy going his senior year was relitively calm and simple. With Cassandra I'm not sure where I fall, it is bittersweet when your baby reaches this milestone, and yet we are not looking at an empty next in the fall as we would have imagined a few years ago... with three little ones waiting to begin their public school education, we find we are once again back at the beginning, funny how life works isn't it? I'm excited for Cassandra to experience her senior year, so many endings and yet just waiting within reach are so many new beginnings. So perhaps with time I've learned that it doesn't have to be a sad event, but rather an exciting, opportunity to see what she has accomplished and watch where she is going, I think she is a pretty amazing person, quite proud of the young adult she has become, of course I'm mom therefore I'm allowed to have an opinion :) and so today we begin another senior year...I'm kinda excited to see what next she will do. Noticed that once I loaded the pic her eyes are closed, go figure, I take one pic and naturally her eyes are closed, this is so Cassandra...here's hoping you enjoy your back to school moments.Deb

Christmas card photos....

Something I look forward to every year, not!
It was difficult with three, and now with six.....well I think the pictures speak for themselves. Yes I realize Christmas is a few months off, but one has to take the opportunity when it presents itself, meaning, all six kids were in the same place at the same time, and since it's anybody's guess when next that will happen, I figured it's time to get a pic. Assuming by the groans and whining everyone agreed this would be fun...rolling my eyes here. "Are we done yet?" "what do you mean another pic?" was uttered more times than I care to count, let's not forget the crying, I think the photographer may have cried a little also....and so out of 20 plus pictures I think we may have one...which one? guess you will have to wait until Christmas cards come out to see. I must admit that this mom is completely happy that we won't have to repeat that ordeal until next year.