The Royal Blog

If only.....

toothpastefordinner.com

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this week:

1. Everyone made it safely to Florida! (E1 claims the flight to Cleveland was so bumpy her back hurt.)

2. E1 had an AWESOME meet! First place in the all-around and her grandparents were there to watch her!

3. The big kids are swimming in the Gulf at this very moment!

4. I finally signed E2 up for next year's preschool. Good thing I did - I think we got the last spot!

5. Krispy Kreme Kaffe Kreme - good gracious am I tired today!

6. A couple days of slightly warmer weather and spring-scented breezes.

$crooge

Level Four: Season 2, Meet 9

Bars: 9.475  1st
Beam: 9.500 1st
Floor: 9.600 2nd
Vault: 9.375 tied for 8th
AA: 37.950  1st

Season Averages:

Bars: 9.322
Beam: 9.164
Floor:  9.319
Vault:  9.222
AA: 37.028

At The House Of Next Tuesday

E2 and I have had many conversations like this one:

E2: "Is tomorrow Monday?"
Me: "No, tomorrow is Friday."
E2: "Oh, I thought it was going to be Monday, and Daddy, Bubby and Sissy would be there when I woke up.  When will they be home?"
Me: "Um. Monday?"

She is EXACTLY like her big sister at this age (I remember a verrrrrry loooooong train ride to Florida and muttering "No, we will not be there tonight and if you ask me again, you aren't riding the spinning teacups.") and does not, no matter how often I try to explain it, grasp the correct passage of time. 

Everything, and I mean everything, either happened last night or will happen tomorrow. Every.thing. 

Donald

Belle

Cinderella

Minnie

Blergh.

The weekend from Heck (E1 puking, dryer not wanting to work, toilet overflowing, leak under the kitchen sink) has turned into the Monday from Heck.  E1 is still not feeling well, I thought Z didn't have any clean pants (fortunately B found a pair), Z didn't bring home his lunch bag (with ice pack to keep his Boost and yogurt cold - he's still having trouble eating regular food), Z didn't take his excuse note to school with him and E2.....oh that E2.  She had dry heaves this morning and asked me to cuddle her in bed and rub her face.  When she found out she wasn't going to preschool, it was five minutes of "I hate you" and "big fat meanie" and trying to hit me.   Blergh.

China

Rose Garden

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this week:

1. B's arm didn't break and he didn't need surgery. 

2. E1 had a great meet yesterday. So far, her score is 2nd highest overall. (out of 270 level 4's) 10th out of 422 level 4's

3. E1's meet weekend is over.  She felt fine most of the day but around 6:00 got very very sick again.  So she won't compete tomorrow and I don't have to deal with E2 being bored and restless for 5 hours. (I'd rather E1 felt well, but looking for the silver lining.)

4. B is working all nine sessions for the meet.

5. I could put E2 in daycare for yesterday's meet session.

6. Spring will be here soon. I hope.

7. Digiscrapping.

8. Our group of girls (4/5 cTOPs) get along so well as do the parents.  Nice not to have to deal with some of the drama that's going on with other levels.

Main Street, Trolley, Castle

Level Four: Season Two, Meet Whatever

Bars: 9.375 (2nd)
Beam: 9.250 (1st)
Floor: 9.300 (3rd)
Vault: 9.175 (4th)
AA: 37.100 (2nd)

Not bad for a little girl who was a. very stressed about this meet (our gym hosts it, there are three gyms going on at once, lots of people, lots of noise, etc) and b. is now pukey sick. Poor Puma.

Keeping Dreams On Track

Not So Scary Fairies

Good Timing

I am totally down with the Rain Rain Go Away concept. 

 

Snack: Goldfish
Job: Caboose
Story: She didn't. (read a story)
Toys: Race cars, regular cars
Learn: I don't know.
Weather: I don't know.

E2's 2009 Interview

• Favorite drink(s): chocolate milk 
• Favorite food(s):  macaroni and cheese
• Favorite tv show(s):  dora and diego
• Favorite movie(s):  "bzzzzz. a bee movie. that you, me and e1 went to last night" (it was actually last summer and I am surprised she remembered it.  this is the first time she has mentioned it.)
• Favorite book(s):  My Little Pony, since we have that one.
• Favorite song(s):  "I'm slipping into the lava (a Jonas Brothers song) and I Kissed A Girl"
• Favorite video game(s):  No, I don't have one. 
• Favorite sport to play:  Soccer and gymnastics.
• Favorite sport to watch:  E1 do gymnastics maybe. 
• Favorite school subject(what's your favorite thing to learn about at school: A and B and C and K and little b 
• Favorite holiday:  Christmas
• Favorite month/season:  Snow and Spring and Fall. All.
• Favorite color:  Red. Gotta go.
• What do you want to be when you are an adult: Line Leader.
• What is something you wish you could do:  Bite a apple.
• What accomplishment are you most proud of:  Play at Chuck E Cheese.
• Where would you like to go to college: January.
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Um, Ghiggy's house. And Christmas
• favorite animal: "Maybe kitty cat. *gasp* I know! How 'bout a squirrel! That's my favorite animal."
• "And my favorite instrument? Totally guitar."

E2 added the last two herself, and answered all the questions herself.

2008:

• Favorite drink(s):  she says water, Mommy says milk/chocolate milk
• Favorite food(s): she says banana and sandwich
• Favorite tv show(s): Playhouse Disney line-up (Higglytown Heroes, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doodlebops, etc)
• Favorite song(s): she says Hannah Montana.  Mommy agrees.
• Favorite book(s): The Runaway Bunny
• Favorite activity(ies): "Dance is favorite. Gymnastics is favorite. Soccer is favorite."

(Hopefully next year the toddler will be more able to answer questions.  This year's interview went like this: "What's your favorite book?"  "red, blue, yellow"  "What's your favorite color?" "book".  :P  )

2007:

E2's Interview:
Favorite drink(s): Rather fond of Milk.  Daddy has given her sips of his Capri Suns and those are quite tasty too.                                                                                                                            Favorite food(s): Likes almost everything.                                                                             Favorite book(s): Likes the spiral books that were for E1's My First Leappad.                                                                                                                          Favorite song(s): Loves the "Wheels on the Bus"
Favorite sport to play: I LOVE splashing in the tub!  And jumping ("Bum!" is E2 for "jump!") off things, even if they are only two inches off the ground.
Favorite toy: Cellphones, anything Mickey Mouse, dolls, balls.

• Favorite drink(s):  she says water, Mommy says milk/chocolate milk
• Favorite food(s): she says banana and sandwich
• Favorite tv show(s): Playhouse Disney line-up (Higglytown Heroes, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doodlebops, etc)
• Favorite song(s): she says Hannah Montana.  Mommy agrees.
• Favorite book(s): The Runaway Bunny
• Favorite activity(ies): "Dance is favorite. Gymnastics is favorite. Soccer is favorite."

(Hopefully next year the toddler will be more able to answer questions.  This year's interview went like this: "What's your favorite book?"  "red, blue, yellow"  "What's your favorite color?" "book".  :P  )

2007:

E2's Interview:
Favorite drink(s): Rather fond of Milk.  Daddy has given her sips of his Capri Suns and those are quite tasty too.                                                                                                                            Favorite food(s): Likes almost everything.                                                                             Favorite book(s): Likes the spiral books that were for E1's My First Leappad.                                                                                                                          Favorite song(s): Loves the "Wheels on the Bus"
Favorite sport to play: I LOVE splashing in the tub!  And jumping ("Bum!" is E2 for "jump!") off things, even if they are only two inches off the ground.
Favorite toy: Cellphones, anything Mickey Mouse, dolls, balls.

E1's 2009 Interview

• Favorite drink(s):  fruitSprite (when E1 goes to Cane's, B lets her fill her cup with 1/2 fruit punch, 1/2 sprite)
• Favorite food(s):  Papa John's Pizza
• Favorite tv show(s): Suite Life of Zach and Cody. Although I do like Mythbusters and Time Warp.
• Favorite movie(s):  The Day the Earth Stood Still
• Favorite book(s):  Unicorns of Balinor, 39 Clues 
• Favorite song(s):  Love Story (by Taylor Swift)
• Favorite video game(s):  We Ski (for Wii)
• Favorite sport to play: Gymnastics 
• Favorite sport to watch:  Ice Skating and Gymnastics.
• Favorite school subject:  Math.
• Favorite holiday:  Christmas.
• Favorite month/season:  January. And Winter.
• Favorite color:  Hot Pink and Black
• What do you want to be when you are an adult:  Olympic Gymnast.
• What is something you wish you could do:  Turn Invisible
• What accomplishment are you most proud of:  Getting a 38 (all around score)
• Where would you like to go to college:  Ohio State, either that or Hawaii.
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before:  Phoenix, Arizona. Italy.
• Favorite animal: Puma.
• Favorite instrument: An electric Piano.

E1 decided she needed to answer E1's new questions too.

2008:

• Favorite drink(s): Chocolate  Shake from Steak n Shake
• Favorite food(s): Hamburger from Wendy's
• Favorite tv show(s):The Suite Life of Zach and Cody
• Favorite movie(s): Star Wars
• Favorite book(s): Hawkeye & Amy Mystery Books
• Favorite song(s): anything by Kelly Clarkson
• Favorite video game(s): Star Wars Lego
• Favorite sport to plays: Gymnastics
• Favorite sport to watch: Gymnastics
• Favorite school subject: Social Studies
• Favorite holiday: Christmas
• Favorite month/season: January
• Favorite color: Red & Black
• What do you want to be when you are an adult: A Gymnast
• What is something you wish you could do: Fly!
• What accomplishment are you most proud of: Getting three 9's in one meet.
• Where would you like to go to college: The Ohio State University
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Italy

2007:

Favorite drink(s): chocolate milk                                                                                            Favorite food(s): chicken nuggets from McDonald's
Favorite tv show(s): Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parents, Suite Life of Zach and Cody
Favorite movie(s): Stick It and Fantasia
Favorite book(s): Cinderella, All the Disney Princesses, Rapunzel
Favorite song(s): Mulan songs, Hangman (Styx)
Favorite video game(s): SpongeBob Battle for Bikini Bottom
Favorite sport to play: gymnastics
Favorite sport to watch: hockey and soccer
Favorite school subject: writing
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite month/season: January
Favorite color: Purple
What do you want to be when you are an adult: artist
What is something you wish you could do: be good at jazz dancing
What accomplishment are you most proud of: earning a spot on gymnastics team
Where would you like to go to college: The Ohio State University
Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Disneyland
Rank Disney Princesses
1. Cinderella
2. Aurora
3. Jasmine
4. Ariel
5. Mulan
6. Pocahontas
7. Snow White
8. Belle

Z's 2009 Interview

• Favorite drink(s):  White milk 
• Favorite food(s):  Top 5 not in order - pizza, grilled cheese, popcorn shrimp, hot dogs, chicken fries from BK.
• Favorite tv show(s): Suite Life on Deck, Time Warp or The Simpsons.
• Favorite movie(s): Star Wars, Episode II The Clone Wars
• Favorite book(s):  The Seventh Tower series.
• Favorite song(s):  None.
• Favorite video game(s):  Boom Blox and Super Mario Galaxy
• Favorite sport to play:   Soccer.
• Favorite sport to watch:   Soccer.
• Favorite school subject:  Math.
• Favorite holiday:  Christmas.
• Favorite month/season:  July/Summer.
• Favorite color:  Red.
• What do you want to be when you are an adult: A Professional Soccer Player or an Engineer. 
• What is something you wish you could do: Drive. 
• What accomplishment are you most proud of:  Beingnominated for and going to NYSP.
• Where would you like to go to college: Ohio State.
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before:  Italy.

Oops - forgot to do 2008

2007:

Favorite drink(s): milk
Favorite food(s): grilled cheese sandwiches, Life cereal
Favorite tv show(s): SpongeBob and GUTS
Favorite movie(s): Night at the Museum
Favorite book(s): Deltora series and Magic School Bus books
Favorite song(s): don't have one
Favorite video game(s): Super Mario Sunshine and Battlefront II
Favorite sport to play: soccer
Favorite sport to watch: soccer, football
Favorite school subject: math and reading

Favorite holiday: Christmas and Halloween
Favorite month/season: Spring and June
What do you want to be when you are an adult: Astronaut 
What is something you wish you could do: Fly (like Superman, not like a plane)
What accomplishment are you most proud of: scoring my first goal in soccer            Where would you like to go to college: The Ohio State University
Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Japan

My 2009 Interview

• Favorite drink(s):  Kaffe Kreme from Krispy Kreme.
• Favorite food(s):  Tortilla Soup from Max & Erma's or Pasta from Olive Garden.
• Favorite tv show(s): The Soup, Corner Gas.
• Favorite movie(s):  Finding Nemo
• Favorite book(s):  Probably The Keys to the Kingdom series or The Bartimaeus Trilogy.
• Favorite song(s):  right now? Let it Rock and Single Ladies.
• Favorite video game(s):  None.
• Favorite sport to play:  Shopping.
• Favorite sport to watch:   Z play soccer, the girls do gymnastics.
• Favorite holiday:  Christmas.
• Favorite month/season:  Autumn.
• Favorite color: Pink. 
• What is something you wish you could do:  Make healthy food choices.
• What accomplishment are you most proud of:  Losing weight last year and (mostly) keeping it off.
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Scandinavia

2008:

Favorite drink(s): coffee (specifically Starbuck Frappuccinos) and milk
Favorite food(s): pizza and chocolate
Favorite tv show(s): The Soup
Favorite movie(s): Enchanted, Finding Nemo, 300
Favorite book(s): Good Omens, Keys to the Kingdom Series, Percy & the Olympians Series
Favorite song(s): The Way I Are, Stronger, Paralyzer
Favorite sport to play: shopping, digital scrapbooking
Favorite sport to watch: ice skating, gymnastics, hockey, baseball and soccer
Favorite school subject: literature and foreign languages
Favorite holiday: Christmas, Halloween is a close second
Favorite month/season: Fall
Favorite color: light Pink
What is something you wish you could do: keep the house clean and organized.
What accomplishment are you most proud of: three wonderful kids and a very happy marriage
Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Scandinavia (esp. Norway) and Egypt

2007:

My Interview:

• Favorite drink(s): coffee (specifically Starbuck Frappuccinos) and milk

• Favorite food(s): pizza and chocolate                             
• Favorite tv show(s): CSI: Las Vegas and CSI: Miami   Although I haven't really watched either this season. 
• Favorite movie(s): Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Pitch Black, Over the Hedge, Night at the Museum
• Favorite book(s): anything by Jasper Fforde or Jennifer Crusie
• Favorite song(s): Sexyback by Justin Timberlake, Straight up by Sean Paul, When you Wish Upon A Star                                                                                                                                    
• Favorite sport to play: shopping, digital scrapbooking
• Favorite sport to watch: ice skating, gymnastics, hockey, baseball and soccer
• Favorite school subject: literature and foreign languages
• Favorite holiday: Christmas, Halloween is a close second
• Favorite month/season: Fall
• Favorite color: light Pink
• What is something you wish you could do: paint
• What accomplishment are you most proud of: three wonderful kids and a very happy marriage
• Where would you like to go that you haven't been before: Scandinavia (esp. Norway) and Egypt

Rosetta

This & That

B saw the Orthopedic doctor this morning. He has to wear the sling for two weeks, and not dislocate his shoulder again within those two weeks (no problem! I hope....).

After I dropped the kids off at school I realized that I didn't tell E1 she was buying lunch today.  Then I realized that I forgot to send in a check for her lunch account.  So after dance class, I took her Wendy's.  I expected her to be hungry and happy to see me.  I did not expect her to have a lunch tray in her hand and to act like I was the Plague. 

I could not keep my eyes open during E2's dance class, and since she said not to watch her, I curled up on a couch in the lobby.  I opened one eye periodically and checked the clock but with 10 minutes left, I sorta dozed off.  And sorta woke up drooling on the couch.  Niiiice.

Z had his first palate expander check today.  Everything's fine and we go back in two weeks.

A conversation from yesterday:

E2: "You know what?"
Me: "If I hear 'you know what?' one more time, my head is going to implode?"
E2: "No. You know what?"
Me: "ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!"

tink

Iridessa

Friday the 13th? Try Sunday the 15th aka Cross snowtubing off the list aka Now I don't like to talk to B on the phone either

B called way before he and the kids were due to return home from snowtubing. Poor guy, this is how the conversation went: 

B: "You need to shower and meet me at the E.R."
Me: "THE ER? OHMIGOD! WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S WRONG?"
B: "I'm pretty sure I dislocated my shoulder."
Me: "Oh, it's you and not the kids. Phew!!" 

E2 and I met them there and once B was admitted we went home for a bit.

I went home sick to my stomach with worry, afraid that it was a actually a broken bone ("I heard a crunch") and that he'd need surgery.  When he called and said it was dislocated and to come pick him up I was so so so relieved.

 

Didn't know we could check-in at the front desk and be taken back to B's room so we hung out in the children's waiting area.  The funhouse mirror was a big hit:

 

 

E1 loved her big 'guns':

 

This is B's I-knew-she'd-bring-the-camera eyeroll:

 

This is B in his pretty, pretty gown:

 

Apparently they now send you home with your x-rays on disk:

 

 

25 random things about me

A few years ago, a big thing was a "100 things about me" list that everyone put on their blog.  I had one on a geocities page that has vanished for some reason.  That list took about an hour to put together.

Now, thanks to Facebook, the big thing is "25 random things about me".  My list took forever, I don't know why! 

My list ----> http://theroyalblogat.typepad.com/the_royal_blog/25-random-things-about-moi.html

Main Street USA

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this week:

1. Z was a trooper getting his palate expander and it doesn't hurt him - I was SO worried about that.  Hopefully he'll be off soft foods soon.

2. All the kids had fun at their Valentine's Parties.

3. E2 had fun at Open Gym last night.

4. E1 is a super school girl!

5. E2 is doing a great job going potty and is starting to recognize lower case letters!

6. Digital Scrapping and digital templates.

7. My super sweet hubby!

TINK

Sugar Crash beginning in 5...4...3...2...

 

Isn't that cute?  If iPods are still popular when E2 starts school, I may have to steal that idea.

  

E1 got a big kiss from J, this year's crush.   

   

My sweet boy, who is only getting a little frustrated at how awkward eating is with his palate expander. 

I got the impression that this year, parents weren't welcome at the parties unless they were helping. So I stayed home.

Valentine's Party

 

"We played a game. And we got this (sucker) for winning. I won two games! We got in a circle and passed out treats and cards."

Conversation on the way home from preschool:

E2: "I'm sorry I was mad at you earlier. Do you forgive me?"
Me: "Of course! And I'm sorry I get grouchy sometimes and yell. Do you forgive me?"
E2: "No."
Me: "What?!?"
E2: "When you get grouchy at me, you put me in bed. So, no. I do not forgive you."

3Mouseketeers

Mayor Weaver

White Winter Hymn by Fleet Foxes

Swoon!!!

Breakfast at the Castle

 

It would be cheaper to expand his horizons.....

 

Z, pre-palate expander, grumpy and attitudinal.

 

Z, post-palate expander, happy as a clam. The dentist said he did a great job; he is a very good patient.  It doesn't hurt and he doesn't have to limit what he eats very much. Talking is a bit awkward.

 

Looks a bit barbaric, doesn't it?

We have to turn the metal bar in the middle twice a night for thirty days and then we'll get new instructions.  In a couple months Z will get brackets and then he will truly be a metal mouth. 

$5000 this year, and no guarantee that he won't need more orthodontic treatment later. Aye carumba!

My Happy Place

Note to self: Next time, blow E2's nose right BEFORE taking her photo, NOT right after

 

• Snack: Cheerios
• Job: Cup Helper
• Story: She didn't read any stories
• Toys: Race cars and regular cars and sometimes I played with....well that's not the only thing I played there....I played with a small Miss T there! (I assume a little doll?)
• Learned: Well, come see my folder. I don't know what number we learned. We aren't learning letters. (Today was number 14)

In her folder was an invitation to a birthday party!  It is being held at the same place where E1's friend had a party.  E2 wanted so badly to stay and play, and now she can!

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this (actually last) week:

1. Digital scrapbooking!

2. I was feeling a little sad about E1 spending two years at level 4 (she only gets to compete level 5 at one more meet) until I talked with a more experienced gym mom last night.

3. E1's little CTOP group is drama-free and the girlies get along so well.

4. E1 and P had a ton of (noisy) fun during their sleepover.  B took the girls and Z to dinner and a movie. 

5. B and the kids scrubbed the house clean on Saturday!

6. So far (knock on wood) Z seems to be back on track with getting homework turned in.

7. E2 is doing great with going on the potty (except when she puts on skirts that she can't easily pull down :P)

8. A warmish day that got rid of most of the snow AND tomorrow's and Wednesday's forecasted highs of 61 and 62 degrees!!!!!  Sweet!

9. A super-dee-duper husband!

Catching Tinker Bell

The Golfball

Epcot - decorated for Christmas

Cloudy Sunshine

 

Snack: Pretzels
Job: Soap Helper
Toys: Race cars and regular cars
Craft: Cloud
Story: We can't read a story today
Song: Raincloud
Weather: Snowy on the ground (which is really irritating E2 today. I told her the rain would wash most of it away this weekend.)

E2 sounds SO much better than she did yesterday (sniffly sneezy coughing); I hope I'm over it just as quickly.

Italia

Epcot

Wednesday

 

 

E2 was all excited to take a picture out in the snow with her "sled" until she slipped and fell several times (which is bound to happen when you insist on wearing your gold sparkly shoes).

Snack: Cookies
Job: I didn't get a job today
Story: Ummmmm....I don't know...and she didn't read anything to us
Craft: Sled (this month's theme is Seasons & Weather)
Toys: Race cars and regular cars
Did you hug or kiss K: Nuh-uh

Color for February is pink (duh), shape is heart (duh) and the numbers are 14 & 15.

Now we're eating pears and watching Dora.  Next is soccer. I don't think I'm going to sign her up anymore; I'm getting tired of forcing her to go. 

Update: Now it's mandarin oranges and Diego.  We're not going to soccer. E2 said "I'm going to be in a grumpy mood at soccer because I DON'T. WANT. TO. GO."  Sorry B, looks like you're stuck with a gymnast or a dancer or a cheerleader!

Update #2: Of course when it's too late to go, she's all "Okay, I'm ready for soccer!" and "WHAT? WE AREN'T GOING?"  Grrrrrr.

Hollywood Studios

Disney At Christmas Time