The Royal Blog

Gingerbready Goodness

Thank you Gomma! :)

Flashback Photo: November 2005

Flashback Photos: May 2006

 
 

A Blustery Day!

Jack and Jill O'lanterns!

I knew this weekend would be great :)

Because I saw rainbows (or part of them) on Wednesday:

and today!:

 

I call the big one 'Bitey'

Yesterday I had a ladybug that would not leave. me. alone.  Got home, and E1 shrieked "THERE'S A LADYBUG ON YOUR NOSE!!" (which I never felt).  So of course I panicked and swatted at it and of course it bit me.  The red ladybugs are so much nicer. And cuter.
 

Caterpillar

I can't remember the last time I saw one - this dude was climbing up the garage wall this morning:

Lynd's!

Photo Flashback: September 30, 2007

It's a dark and dreary morning, so I decided to take E1's pic after school.  Here's a pic of the kids by the big maze at our favorite orchard.  Fingers crossed we can go this Saturday!

Outtakes: A Daily School Pic from 9/18/08

Photo Flashback: E1's Dance Recitals

I'm sure I've done this before, but here is E1 in her costume for Combo 1:

 

And Combo 2:

 

More of B's Memorial Day photos!

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

Project 365

I tried to do Project 365 (a photo a day) last year and quickly failed.  It really really bugged me that I was starting June 1st and not January 1st, I couldn't think of interesting things to photograph (which isn't really the point of the project) and, let's face it, sticktoitiveness isn't really my strong suit.

Project 365 is VERY big this year (at least in the scrapping world) and I so wanted to join in, but.... I didn't get my camera back until January 20something^th.  Hopefully next January, I will be able to get my act together and participate.  It's just a really neat and easy way to document the year and there are TONS of digital templates for scrapping the photos.

Anyhoo, here's some of last year's attempts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sisters

Everyone thinks the E's definitely look like sisters.  I don't really see it.  Maybe if E2 didn't have Z's coloring? I don't know.  There is a DEFINITE resemblance when it comes to temperment.....

Dance at 3:

 

 

 

 

   

Recently:

Flashback Photos: E2 05-09

Flashback Photos: Christmas 05 06 07

 

 

$241.32

Yikes. I'm almost afraid to use the darn thing now.  Next time I think I'll just save up and buy an new camera body.

Pupcorn

Z, showing off his dog-shaped piece of popcorn:

 

A slightly blurry E1:

 

"TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE OF ME" E1 (also slightly blurry):

Walt Disney World PhotoPass Photos

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I :heart: Disney Character Photos! Heck, any Disney Photo! (Except the blurry ones, or where my skin looks greasy or my hair looks funny(er) or I look pregnant. I'm not. That's period bloat for ya. And squeezing into jeans that are too small. )  I want to go back soooo bad!

Three Cute Kids

Happy Boxing Day!

Best Accidental Photo:

 

Yes, Santa's helpers were hard at work Christmas Eve.  

Best Reaction:

   

Best Thought I've Had Today:

(Well, aside from realizing how lucky and blessed I am)

I get my dRebel back in 29 days!!!!!! I miss my camera <----------this much----------> !

Highbanks Photo Shoot

 

E1 let me drag her around Highbanks for an hour so I could get a few more photos of the lingering color!

Halloween Party

We went to a Halloween Party at a retirement home last night. It was actually rather awkward and depressing but hopefully the residents enjoyed it a little. Dunno.

E1 had a blast - there were about 10 kids from her grade there. Z had fun - there was candy. E2 - well, there were two dogs there for part of the party so my arms got really tired from holding her. 

My favorite shade of blue

My favorite shade of orange

Inniswoods

 

Finally, an animal that E2 was happy to see!

Boo at the Zoo!

E1 went to spend the night at a friend's house last night, so B & I took the other two to Boo at the Zoo.  Z didn't feel well, and E2, as I've mentioned, regards animals the same way most of us think of the Ebola virus or taxes.  We still had a nice night though. And got a season pass so that a. we can go back for Wildlights and #2 I have some place to take the kids when they are bored.  E2 will just have to learn to tolerate the animals. 

Back to Leeds Farm

Another fun, exhausting day! The big kids had SO much fun at Leeds! I wasn't expecting that so unfortunately we didn't get there until a little before 2:00pm.  I had to drag them away a little after 4:30.  The farm was starting to wind down and my hands were freezing! 

We will definitely be back next year!!!!!

A very busy day!

First of all, my public service announcements for the day.  A.  It's a good idea to fill your gas tank up *before* you go somewhere, especially if you may be heading to a rural-ish area. #2 It's a very good idea to actually write addresses and directions down and not just eyeball a map and think "Got it!", especially if you were nonchalant about A.  C. I need On-Star. 

Today was the preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch at Leed's Farm! Once E2 and I got there (only 3 minutes late!) we had a lot of fun.  Well, after the animal portion.  E2 is not fond of animals unless they are in a book, on tv or are about fifty feet away.  We were given pellets to feed the goats and E2 refused so I did it. This is E2 being DONE with the animal portion:

Having fun in the Play Barn:

Trying out the mini zip line:

Going down a fun slide:

Finding out her legs are just a smidge too short for the cars:

Going on a way fun "dragon" (wagon) ride:

Picking a pie pumpkin and three mini-pumpkins:

And, posing for some silly pictures:

It wasn't quite time for soccer but there was no point in going home, so we killed some time at a park:

Time for soccer! Today was the last day of this session so I signed E2 up for the next one.

Finally, time to pick up the big kids from school. We stayed for about 45 minutes to play on the playground:

Turns out E1 got stung on her eye today:

Z was in a good mood until we got home. Now he's in jerk mode.

So today was a good (mostly) day, but now I am exhausted!  Depending on attitudes and behavior, we *may* go back to Leed's this weekend.  It sure was fun!

More Apple Picking, The Pumpkin Patch and A Wagon Ride

Park Hop for Phall Photos

Park #1:

Park #2:

Park #3:

Park #4:

It's going to be a beautiful day!

A Halloween Retrospective

This is for the big kids - they were asking me the other day what their costumes have been through the years.  I could remember some but not all.

1998: Z was a pumpkin.

1999: Z was Tigger.

2000: Z was Superman and E1 was Blue from Blue's Clues.

2001: Z was a pirate and E1 was a ladybug.

2002: Z was a wizard and E1 was a princess

2003: Captain Hook and Cinderella

2004 at WDW: Peter Pan and Wendy

And Sorcerer Mickey and Wendy

2005:

Nick or Treat at King's Island, we had a pirate, Reggie Rocket, and a Z.  I think he had a Spongebob costume but wouldn't wear it.

At the Longaberger Boo Brunch, we had a frog, a Cinderella, and a . . . Z. Spongebob costume, blah blah blah.

At School, we had a Cinderella.  I think Z *did* dress up as Spongebob, but his party was later in the day and I believe the girls and I did not go. (The a.m. kindy kids do their parade in the school and go through each. and. every. classroom.  This is the year E1 shook her fists and said, after each. and. every. classroom., "When will the madness end?!?")

Beggar's Night. Hey, Z actually dressed up!   Wendy and Sorcerer Mickey again.  I had a cute little Snow White costume for E2 but she puked all over it.  She was a frog again and I was torked off.

2006:

At the Longaberger Boo Brunch (and at the school harvest party), we had a pumpkin, a cheerless leader and Darth Vader.

 

And for Beggar's Night, we had a cheerless leader, Darth Vader, and Nemo!

2007:

At the school harvest party, we had a devil, Jason (Friday the 13th), and another devil.  Some very, very appropriate costumes this year.

And the ballerina devil was pretty cute!

On Beggar's Night we had a devil, a princess and Jason.

I just loved this princess costume!

2008: ?

Z has no clue, E1 wants to be a "diva" (hey, I wouldn't even have to buy a costume!!), and E2 changes her mind constantly.  I'd love for her to be something traditional just once - like a witch or ghost - but she doesn't seem to want to be anything scary. 

Adventures at the Car Wash

After school, we went to vacuum out the car and wash it off.

Hey, that's what that fruity smell was:

I didn't realize the Car Wash employed such cuties:

Cute, but dangerous:

We all like the Quad Foam:

Oh, does this piss me right off:

Yes, the window has started leaking.  @#$%^&*~!    

Stupid Dodge. NEVER AGAIN.

E2 slept through the vacuuming *and* the car wash:

 

I am in SUCH a bad mood right now. It is only a matter of time before I am pms-ing three out of every four weeks.  (Come on Menopause.)  And if the big kids don't stop their bickering soon, every cell in my brain is going to implode.  All twelve of them.

I love Apple Picking!

Apple Picking!

Two for Two!!

Before (showing me a ballet move):

We were not prepared for the first day of ballet.  No tights, no dance bag, last year's shoes, a hand-me-down leo from E1 that is still too big, and I forgot to put her hair up.  So we got to the dance studio early to pay for class and buy what we could there.  Good thing too, they didn't have a record of our on-line registration.  We got tights and a leo.  Not sure where to get shoes. The pair she has were okay for today but they are a bit tight. 

Anyhoo, E2 did GREAT at ballet. (I sat in and watched just for today.) She listened, participated, tried to do things correctly, and only ran over to hug me once.  Hooray!  The girlies (only four students so far) were so cute. I just love ballet.  The soft music, the graceful moves, the pinkness. Sigh.

After (happy with dance class, happy with her granola bar, happy with her apple juice, not happy with picture time):

"Cinderella wants to watch the kitty movie"

"And so do I."   

So Minnie is watching the Aristocats.  Again.

And sometimes when I'm very lucky....

she falls asleep waiting for me to finish my shower:

First Day of School!!!!

I asked Z last night if he was nervous or excited.  He responded "A little of both, but I'm not nearly as nervous as I was last year".   He was in a great mood this morning.

E1 was clearly nervous and cranky today.  Didn't like the shirt I picked out, got weepy over being forced to eat "Why are you being so mean to me? It's just breakfast.", and asked about five times whether or not she has EPP this week. (This year in the mornings, she'll go to her classroom for a minute and then head right to EPP - she's nervous about that for some reason.  She also told me today that last year, she skipped what she thought was the first week of EPP, and finally went, only to find out that WAS the first day of EPP.  Ha!)

We were behind her friend A in the drop-off line. E1 got out of the car and A ran up to her wailing "I'm SOOOO nervous, E1!"   It was so cute. 

It's 63 degrees and drizzling. 

What a difference a year makes

Last year, E2 did pretty well at her first day of soccer but more often than not was a draining, uncooperative toddler.  Today? was fantabulous!  Even better, it's NOT a parent-participation class.

Attendance: Well, okay, she stared at Coach C blankly when he called her name.

Freeze song: Still loves it, still hates to stop running around when the song pauses and she has to stop.

Circle time: She did every. single. thing. the coach did without hesitating.  I was in 7th heaven.  Coach C told them to make a 'v' with their legs and she did a straddle that was so good, he said "E2, I'm jealous. Are you a gymnast?" :)

Soccer: The kids were supposed to put their ball on a spot and kick it at five cones to knock them over.  E2 did it!  Not only that, but most of the time her ball hit a cone and knocked it over.

Racing: E2 ran around the cones four laps like she was supposed to, did her best to weave through the cones for a lap when she was supposed to and ran around the cones for three more laps when she was supposed to!

Sharks & Minnows: The shark (Coach) kicks soccer balls at the minnows (kids) and if a ball hits them, they are supposed to lie down until another minnow jumps over them.  Last year E2 just ran around like a nut and ignored the game.  This year she actually (with a little prompting) played the game correctly (mostly).  Fun times!

Meet the Teacher!

Today was Meet the Teacher day at the school.  First up was Bubby's teacher, Mrs. S.   She is actually his homeroom and language arts teacher.  For Math, Science, and Social Studies Z and his class will go down the hall to three other different teachers for instruction.  I brought up the fact that Z was getting more and more bored with school each year, and Mrs S was ALL over it: Can I fill out acceleration paperwork? Maybe we can get him in a sixth grade math class. I've seen his test scores etc etc.  So I have a very positive feeling about this year.  E, the jerkwad that lives down the street, and M, a belligerent trouble-making girl are NOT in his class.  Hallelujah. 

E1's teacher is super sweet and I think E1 is going to have a great year with her.

E2 was her usual disruptive self.  She got lots of attention and everyone thought she was four or five.  (Based on her size I suspect, it certainly wasn't the pulling-her-dress-up-over-her-head behavior.)

Happy Birthday to Me

Ha:

Har-dee-har-har:

Oooh what's this:

Awww, thank you B, my forever sweetheart:

Our Weekend

B dropped us off in Cincy and went on to Tennessee where he picked up E1 on Friday:

Friday, E2, Z & I hung out at the hotel and went to the water park a couple times.  Z hung out with his teammates at the pool and arcade; when E1 showed up she played too.

Saturday Z had two games (they won!):

Back to the hotel for more water park fun:

Back to the field for game #3, a loss:

Back to the hotel to check out, lunch at Cracker Barrel, and we had to get a picture of this:

(and if you're a Futurama fan, you'll understand why the next few minutes were spent laughing over "I'll get my shovel" "I'm three skulls short of a Mousketeer reunion" and "Now no one can ever say I don't have John Laroquette's spine")

Birthday girl was an unhappy crab apple for huge chunks of the weekend:

Time for game 4, a win!  The boys went 3-1 for the tournament; we were soooo happy!

Then we drove home and had cake for the birthday girl (we'll do presents another night; we - especially me and the bday girl - were wiped out):

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

The general theme for E2's summer program is "Ocean" and today specifically they talked about islands.  So E2 got to make a Hawaiin lei:

The other day she was playing with one of E1's old necklaces:

We talked a lot about the letters and I had a bright idea to make her some necklaces of her own.  She can learn her letters and work on fine motor skills (moving the beads around):

Yay! and Ewwww!

I got my cholesterol test results back:

	3/3/2008	8/1/2008
	beg of wk 3	end of wk 23
cholesterol	242	158
triglycerides	155	47
hdl (good ch)	32	54
ldl	179	95

I am soooo happy!  Talk about incentive to stay on a healthy track!

And, for the 10,000th time, I hate summer and I HATE BUGS!

Race Photo

The girl in front of me (with the orange streaks) was my "rabbit":

I shall call him Squishy

Today E2 made a jellyfish:

Miss T made her a balloon dog:

And here's Monday's turtle: