Sunshine!

My day off and the sun is shining!  I even sat out in the sun this morning, enjoying my latest book.  Must spend some time this afternoon working in the flower beds, as they're growing out of control already!

Had a haircut today, so am feeling much better about things, amazing how that works, isn't it?

Kids are doing well, been making fun hair doodles for the girls in their spring sports.  Had the suggestion that I sell them, but I can't decide if I want to do that or if it would take the fun away if it became a business...

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be Amazing today!

My Brain (and my back) hurt...

I just spent a wonderful weekend in Bozeman (and I love getting to spend time in that town...) attending a workshop on early childhood literacy.

Although we spent from 1-8:45 on Friday, 8:45-9:00 on Saturday and from 8:45-1 today attending the workshop, it was a wonderful weekend.

To begin with, the presenters were absolutely amazing.  The coordinators spend a lot of time finding the best in the business to bring to MT (and the one gal was very excited to be here, I'm hoping she had time to explore and enjoy before heading home).  I have so many new ideas for the Books and Babies at the library that I don't know where to begin.

They also provided amazing food all weekend, including more snacks than we knew what to do with.  We had an amazing wood-fired pizza dinner on Friday and a catered "fancy" dinner last night.  I may not eat for a few days...but The Boss is providing smoked pork sandwiches tonight.

Then they put us up at the C'Mon Inn.  It was amazing, we had a balcony in our room that over-looked the interior courtyard.  A total of 4 hot tubs were in the courtyard, and one big swimming pool.  It was amazing to soak the sore muscles, as Bozeman Library has awful chairs (as does every meeting room I have been in).  It was very peaceful and I had 5 pillows all to myself to sleep.  I did make the mistake of sleeping on the wrong side of the bed and kept finding myself side-ways.

 

Here's to a great week everyone!  

Be Safe, Be Happy and Be avoidin' the allergy season!

Who has time to eat?

Dinners in our house can be a bit crazy, as I'm sure many other households find.  I love to cook, but by the time I get home at night, it is often time to head out again or stuff something quick into the hungry mouths (Yes, Dizzy for sure and I think Tater as well are moving into growth spurts again) before homework, baths and reading time.

This week I have tried to combat the grab and run by utilizing my hand-dandy slow cooker.  Things get crazy enough in this house, I own 2.  Unfortunately, the one I love and have had for over 20 years is no longer large enough for my family.  I have kept it for those days where we want to slow cook BBQ pork and have the little smoky sausages in BBQ sauce and coke as well.  Yes, we like our BBQ in this house.  The Boss has a great homemade cole slaw and we've experimented with many different sauces and marinades over the years...Hmm, wish I wouldn't have put in that beef roast this morning, BBQ sounds good now.  Wonder if I can talk my friend into switching lunch venues today???

This week is just as crazy as ever, Dizzy had Middle School Orientation last night.  It was just the parent night, but she was going to go with us until she chose not to leave gymnastics because she was creating her own beam routine.  The Boss and I went, waved to old friends and I can admit snooping about the wonder of facebook and Farm Heroes Saga while they went over everything for new parents.  Hoping she decides to turn in her registration form today...

The band vs choir decision was made (over and over and over again) and band and the flute has won the battle.  She is already trying her darndest to make my old flute make noise and I'll have to break down and get her a basic book to start learning fingerings.  Can't wait to see what she makes of it!

Back to food.  I'm getting smarter by doubling my meals and having an entire meal in the freezer for those insane nights I don't manage to get the slow cooker filled.  Things are slowing down a little, and spring is peaking out of the snow banks, so we'll have access to the grill again (broke that in for the season Saturday night with friends) as well.

I'm off for a reading conference this weekend for work, should have some great stories for you all next week since The Boss has 3 days of solo kid stuff (and some laundry room remodeling to boot).

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to enjoy ice cream as often as you can!

Moving into spring

It`s been crazy around my house again.  One would think that once gymnastics competition season was over, we would have some down-time.  Not so much.  

For one thing, Bean has graduated from crutches and most recently the brace and his physical therapist has had him running on the treadmill.  Big steps, with one more surgery to come in probably June.  This mom isn`t so sure about the no brace, but I have to trust the baby steps towards being back to 100%.  

Dizzy is still gymnastic-ing, moving into summer practice and her enthusiasm is wearing thin, not sure what to think one day to the next.  She`s excited about softball, so we`re buried in practice with games to begin next week.  She visited her middle school today so we`re in the decision-making process for her musical choice for next year.  She`s leaning towards choir, which doesn`t suprise me, as she has sang in the school talent show for the last 2 years and we are waiting anxiously to find out if she is performing tomorrow or not.  

Tater is happily soccering right now, games are going well and mom found her a cheerleader bow to match her jersey while in Washington last weekend (Mom and the Boss went to see old school pals and to see Chris Young and George Strait in concert.)  Her retirement from gymnastics has been a difficult transition for her, but we`re taking one day at a time.  Her bubbly personality is coming back, so  that makes the boss and I happier.  

On that note, the Boss and I had a great time in Washington and the George Strait concert was amazing.  I also am in love with the coast and would happily move there in a heartbeat.  Maybe someday, retirement isn`t that far away, right?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Find something positive about each and every day.

This is last weeks post, helps if I hit publish when I finish!  Stay tuned for this weeks later today or tomorrow!

New Life

Today is Easter, He is Risen!  Such a powerful day in history for those who believe that way.  We have our traditions and there are those we keep and those we adjust.

One is outfits.  I used to search with the kids for the perfect dressy outfits.  These were worn once or twice (more if we had a few weddings to attend during the summer) and that was it.  Last year, Dizzy asked if she could have a capri outfit instead of a dress and we went that direction.  This year, both girls wanted that and we found matching flip-flops as well.  Bean just wears a polo and his good shorts.  There is something missing in the fancy outfits, but they tend to wear the new outfits a lot more and were more excited about them when we went shopping yesterday.

Another is the meal.  I used to spend all day cooking and baking Easter day and the day before.  Then we had gobs of leftovers and ended up throwing out something before it was over.  We have tweaked the meal to keep turkey or ham as the main course, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs (even if I forgot to put them out...), buns and a light dessert.  I also have quit using the good china if it's just us at home. 

I combined the old and the new this year, the old being the platter the ham sat on that was from my grandparents china that we received when we were married.  I paired that with middle-old, using a crystal bowl from Germany we received as a wedding gift and finished it off with the pint glasses we received last summer at a local baseball game.

It was a quiet day, we were pretty laid back (after the scramble to get eggs found and everyone ready to leave by 8 am for church) and I think all enjoyed the pleasures of a quiet Sunday.  Easter is the season of rebirth and new life.  It seems like a great time to make some changes around here, stay tuned...

Be Happy, Be Healthy and find something to laugh about daily!

What is crazy?

Besides my life in the last couple of weeks, crazy seems to be a way of life for many of us.

We survived March, which included a crazy trip across the state on nasty ice-covered roads for a gymnastics meet.

A drive the next weekend to Salt Lake City, UT for another meet.

And snuck in a trip to Chuck E Cheese

and the Hogle Zoo.

Then a valued weekend at home, where we delivered Girl Scout Cookies, Tater participated in the Powderpuff Derby (note the elephant theme going on here...),

 visited the Helena High Science Circus where Bean had a booth and enjoyed some quiet time.

Then was the rush to get Bean off to Orlando for a National Music Festival and to perform at Disneyworld.  He's out of the cast, off crutches and starting to rehab the weak muscles.

Then after the scare/excitement of the three bomb threats in Helena schools that week, we dove into a weekend of State gymnastics and a new member of the family.  Dizzy had a wonderful meet, placing top 5 in all four events and placing third all-around.  She missed her original goal of winning all around, but came through on her most difficult event and is the state champion on the uneven bars.  Now to learn some new skills and she's starting softball again as well.

Tater had a good last meet and has retired from her gymnastics.  It just isn't what she wants to put that much effort into right now and so we're moving on to new sports.  Soccer starts today and she's excited for softball in June.

We got Bean home in time to visit up north and meet my nephew.  It was a wonderful, quiet weekend (except when he was an unhappy baby, he does have healthy lungs!) and we enjoyed time with family and no schedules.

Spring is coming according to the calendar and the tulips.  I hope it brings you all much sunshine, peace and happiness.

Be Happy, Be Healthy and know spring will come.