Facebook is killing my blog

The good news is I haven't been sick or maimed...the bad news is I seem to spend all spare moments perusing Facebook. So if you've been reading my blog come on over to FB because chances are.....that's where I am.

Did I blog about our vacation.....Nope.
Did I blog about what the kids have been doing....Nope.
Did I blog about Easter......Nope

I did however score over 50,000 on Bejeweled Blitz so that's something right?

Here's a little story about Mia that everyone likes to retell. It went down about a month ago.

Mia ALWAYS wants to wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. Everyday. I had her convinced it was winter in Michigan and since there was snow on the ground it was too cold for summer clothes.
When we came back from Florida though she seemed to think differently even though it was still freezing here.
It was a Wednesday(I remember it well) she woke up, got dressed, brushed her hair and brushed her teeth all by herself. I even called Mike at lunch and told him how impressed I was with Mia that she just got up and did it. There was no fighting about wearing pants and I didn't have to tell her to do any of it.

I take her to school everyday and pick her up. She is dropped off in the back of the school at the kindergarten playground and when I pick her up (I'm usually early) Mason and I sit in the front "lobby" and the kids will walk past us to the playground for a "recess" until the bell rings.

So that Wednesday Mason and I are standing there when her class parades by. There goes Mia wearing shorts, tank top and flip flops. I know she knew exactly why my mouth was hanging open since she had this smirk/smile on her face and gave us a big wave. I was standing at the door to the playground looking out the window and say to myself, "I can't believe this" when the mother next to me says, "I know I helped her change." Say what?! "Well, Mia said there was something wrong with her pants and that you said it was OK for her to wear the shorts since she brought them." Mia comes up to us now.
Me: So Mia you lied to Mrs. Cooper because you KNOW you're not supposed to wear shorts to school.
Mia looks at the floor.
Me: Okay, you're not answering me so that means Yes you lied. You know what happens when you lie. You'll be getting soap in the mouth when we go home. Now go change into your pants, you have church class now.

When she's home later that night I put soap in her mouth (I use the bar soap so I can really grind it in her teeth) and she's screaming.....I get so incensed I grab a garbage bag and go into her bedroom. I throw all her shorts, t-shirts, tank tops etc. into the bag, "Now they're gone!".

The next day as we're going to school I look in her backpack and sure enough there is a pair of shorts packed in there.

Friday....I go pick her up from school and there goes the summer parade again. Are you kidding me? So I go out to the playground and drag her back to her classroom to change her clothes. The teacher says, "Oh, are you taking her home early?"
Me: No, if she gets dressed back into her pants she may go outside and finish recess. We've had a problem the last couple of days with her changing her clothes at school.
Teacher: Oh, I was wondering why she showed up today in shorts.
Me: What?! You mean she showed up that way?
Teacher: Yes, she arrived at class dressed in those clothes.
So that means after I dropped her off at the Playground fully dressed she went inside the school and changed her clothes before going to her classroom. You're probably saying to yourself, "but wait I thought you took all her summer clothes." Yes, I did. She was climbing up into the high parts of her closet and getting the stuff I bought (on sale) for her to grow into. So the clothes didn't even really fit.
I was saying to a friend, "I can't believe she thought she was going to get away with it." My friend said, "well, she would have if she would have been smart enough to change back before you picked her up. At 15 she will be." Wonderful!

The next week (Wednesday) again I'm taking her to school and we're in the car.
Me: Oh, I think you forgot to put your homework in your backpack.
Mia: It's in there.
Me: I don't remember you putting it in there. Hand me your backpack so I can check.
Mia: No, I want it back here.
Me: (Not getting what's going on right away) Mia, just hand me your backpack so I can check real quick.
Mia: No, I REALLY want it in the back with me.
Me: (now I get it) Give me your backpack now!
Sure enough there was a pair of shorts jammed in the bottom. I never imagined my Kindergartner would be sneaking clothes to school. Lord pray for me because those teen years are going to be a nightmare.

Back it up

Just some quick pics from the kid's Birthdays since I was bad about blogging then.

On Birthdays, the birthday person is given the option of going to eat at (restaurant of their choice) or having me cook their favorite meal. Since Mason's birthday is Christmas Eve there are no restaurants open in our area (not even McDonald's) so he's stuck with my cooking. He did pick out an Ice Cream Cake though and I have to admit it was quite good.

Mia liked it so much she wanted the same Ice Cream Cake for her birthday. She chose this year to have me make Mike's mom's chicken & dumplings. It's more like a Hungarian chicken paprikash & dumplings and I do make the dumplings from scratch. It's a lot of work. I was a little concerned that her friend, Lainee, wouldn't like it (I don't think she did) but she politely ate a little and refused the offer to have something else. Also, tradition for birthdays is that the birthday person gets to eat off the "celebrate family plate". Entertainment for the night was Madagascar 2. As soon as the movie was over the girls headed up the stairs saying it was time for bed and that they were going to brush their teeth. Say what? it was 9pm and I usually have to fight with Mia & Mason EVERY night to get them to go to sleep. Maybe Lainee should sleepover every night. Since they were getting ready for bed I decided to run out and fill my prescription (steroid for pneumonia). When I came home Mason and Mike were in our bed watching Nemo. I checked on the girls, lights were out in the bedroom and Mia says, "why do we have to go to bed and Mason gets to watch Nemo?" I said, "you're the one who wanted to go to bed. You guys can watch Nemo if you want." So both girls jumped out of bed, ran into our bedroom and jumped in bed with the boys. So now Mike and all the kids are in our bed watching a movie and there was no room for me. I think Mike was feeling a little awkward to say the least.

The following pics were me trying to get a good picture for the Christmas cards.

This was the pic for the Christmas cards.

I know I'm losing ya'

I know my little blog fans are dwindling away.... I swear though I'm not just a hypochondriac....I really have been sick. I'm aware of how often I get migraines but other than than I consider myself to be pretty healthy. Weird stuff going on in the last month or so.
About a month ago I was having my "normal" migraine and had to throw up (again normal), well I just kept throwing up for the next 17 hours. I've had stomach flu and food poisoning before but nothing like that, I was beginning to think I had appendicitis. I could have made a whole blog about that but then the next week I get sick and that episode is just a distant blur. It started with a sore throat for a few days then what I think was the flu. I literally did not get out of bed at all that next weekend. Then most of it went away and I was left with a sinus infection and horrendous coughing fits. Resigned to the fact that it had been over 2 weeks and I wasn't going to get better without medication...I finally went to the doctor. He told me I had a sinus infection at the very least and most likely pneumonia. Great! I am on the upswing but I am still not feeling 100%. I also feel like I've been out of touch for the past month or so. Sure I've been physically going through the motions of every day life: driving the kids to school and classes, cooking, laundry and on the computer checking e-mail. I have found that being sick was a cure for my Insomnia. I've been to bed and actually sleeping every night hence another reason why I'm behind on most other things.

Mia's birthday was last Friday and she had her first sleep over. I will post some pictures soon and get back to my regular "blogging format". It just doesn't feel the same posting without pictures. Anyway, I had to share this conversation during the car ride home from Mia's school last Thursday.
Mia: Nicholas wasn't in school today. (Nicholas is who Mia says is her boyfriend and she has consistently stuck by this for months now)
Me: Oh, is he sick? That'll be too bad if he's gone tomorrow too and miss your cupcakes.
Mia: I really hope he's at school tomorrow because he's the one I want to invite over for the sleepover.

Mind you I had told Mia "maybe" she could have a friend for a sleepover for her birthday. Since I had been sick I hadn't any plans for a sleepover, party....anything.

Me: Ummmm, well boys can't come over for sleepovers. (EVER!) Only girls.
Mia: What???! Why?
Me: Because that's the way it works. Only girls can come over for sleepovers.
Mia: Well, can he come to the party? (Party???!!!)

Now we're pulling into the driveway and the conversation is dropped. When Mike comes home I fill him in on our conversation and how I feel like we've really dropped the ball. I told him, "she's expecting something and she's going to be pretty disappointed there's no party. We need to invite someone over for a sleepover."

Now I'm racking my brain because it's Thursday night and I don't really know the girls in her class that well (she changes who she likes best at school daily except for Nicholas of course) and my friends from Moms and Tots that have daughters her age have told me in prior conversations that their daughters aren't' ready for sleepovers yet. Thank goodness for Lainee. Rachelle (Lainee's mom) is a friend of mine from our Moms and Tots group and Lainee goes to Mia's school (just a year older). Thinking Lainee being a year older is probably ready for sleepovers I log onto Facebook to see if Rachelle's on. Yeah! she is! We chat and a sleepover is set. Mia is very excited and I haven't totally failed on the birthday celebration.
Mia does question Mike over dinner though:
Mia: Dad, how come boys can't come over for sleepovers?
Mike: Because those are the rules. Boys stay with boys and Girls stay with girls.

So clear right? Where's the parenting manual for questions like these?

911

Since I have blogged so infrequently lately I was wondering what I should blog about. Should I blog about coming up with a plan for Mia's birthday? Should I blog about Mason's birthday or Christmas? (since I've yet to do that) Should I blog about me and Rachelle almost getting our a** kicked last night? (not really)
Then I was provided with new material.
The neighbor had come over this morning to get Mike because he couldn't start his car. I hear Mike saying something to Mia before he goes out the door to help, "....that's not good is it? I need to go help him."
Minutes later I'm in the garage foraging the freezer out there for some breakfast food and come in to see Mia on the phone saying, "386 Winterpine Way". She does know how to answer the phone so I say, "Mia, who are you talking to?"
Mia: 911
So I grab the phone and see 911 dialed on the display........I hold up the phone, "Hello".
Good God there is a voice on the other line. "Hello, this is 911."
Me: OMG, I'm so sorry....
911: She said someone was stuck in his truck and couldn't get out...
Me: Yes, my husband went to help the neighbor start his car.....I'm so sorry.....I think she was just practicing...
911: How old is she?
Me: 5, I'm so sorry but we're fine here.
911: OK. Have a good day.

Now I'm trying to explain what constitutes a call to 911 to Mia. Death, Fire, someone really hurt, etc. She got a look on her face like she was going to cry because she thought I was really mad. I told her it's great that she knows how to dial 911, knows her address and I'm really proud that she did it right but we can get in trouble if we call and it's not an emergency....

I'm awake now. All this entertainment before 8am.

Kid Quotes

Mason got this for his birthday:

Harvard Victory II 15-in-1 Multigame Table

As we were opening the box and the kids were seeing what it was...

Mia: DAD! Are you sure you can afford that?!

Mike: I think so

Mia: Wow! You must be rich!

It's a good thing they have a Mom that can find a deal.

Playing the dice game at Christmas.

Mia: SOCIAL!!

Mia: ....and I'm back in the game...

Mason after listening to the kid that was in front of them in line to see Santa tell Santa he leaves out milk and cookies.

Mason: What! He leaves out milk? We leave out beer, right mom!

You better believe it.

Mia bought gifts for from her school which she wrapped herself (decorated self-seal bags) and put under the tree. She got mad at Mike and I for something we wouldn't let her have or do (who can keep track) and she grabbed for us from under the tree and stomped up to her room.

Mia: ...and you just lost your presents.

Of course, I can't remember the really good stuff now that I'm finally posting. You know the stuff that happens and you think, "I gotta right that down so I always remember that." Too late.

Brain Test

My mom sent me this Brain Test a while back. I tried it twice and scored a 24. I'll take that.

More Catch up

So the weekend after Thanksgiving was my SIL's annual wine fest. All my SIL's have great friends (not sure how we, ahem Mike ahem, ended up being so anti-social) and there's always a lot of fun and drinking. We dropped off our kids to my parents house in Jackson to spend the night and turned back north to Lansing. On the way, we were able to stop at ToysRUs in Jackson to look around without kids. The Lego Troll Warship which was to be $79 was our target. I had a 20% off coupon for one item and that was going to be it. Little did I know they were having a weekend Lego sale that day: buy one, get one 50% off. No trollship to be had though. So we looked at all the Legos for what seemed forever! I saw a pirate ship that I thought he would love but seriously $100 for Legos?? I told Mike he needs to get out of Automotive and get into toys.
If I remember right, this is what we ended up getting them: One was around $50 which I used the 20% off coupon on plus I get the other set ($40) for 50% off. So really just over $60 for the two sets. I'm hoping they're OK with what they get. This is what we got for both of them:
A pirate fort with boat and croc
Girlie type legos with horses and a cat.

I get small stuff during the year if I see something they may like but it's had when they're at an age to make lists.

Mason asked Santa for : #1 Batmobile, first thing out of his mouth everytime. A few other times he'll throw in some things that I have NO IDEA what they are but then find out later that they are really expensive items.
Mia wants: Easy Bake Oven, a Wii, A puppy purse toy that I just figured out what it was.

Here's how I think the Christmas Day will play out. They'll like what they've opened but still be disappointed as the aunts that are bringing the toys that they really like won't be seen until Friday after Christmas. So there will be a few days of the questions...." why didn't Santa bring this?'After they see all they've go they'll be ecstatic. Joy and Peace that's what we really want out of this right.

Enough of the toy talk though I digress. I hit the ground running at Col's party. So at the wine party I started out with a nice not to dry wine called Menage a Trois. I had a glass of it and it went down really easy. I REALLY liked it so I had another.....after I killed the bottle (by myself) I realized there were other bottles so I had another glass. Then that wine was gone so I tried something else and didn't like it as much so I started drinking some water. I did graze a little but I realize now when you fill up your plate with a shrimp, a meatball and some crackers. Even 2 and half plates really isn't enough soak;) I got the headache but didn't get sick. Around midnight or so I felt the need to lie down for just a little bit with the intention of getting back up. Eventually Mike just told me to get my pajamas on and get in bed. So yeah we ditched the late crew, I couldn't believe the "late" guests didn't leave until 3am. Luckily Colleen didn't put away EVERYTHING and I could help with the clean-up in the morning. I was feeling super guilty that I went to bed and wasn't able to stay up and help her put things away. It was nice however to not throw up for a change. Of course, like Atlanta, I didn't take any pictures. I'm letting down those fellow Japanese I know.

FYI: A lady in one of my groups went to Birch Run last week and told me they just opened up an Under Armor outlet there. She said there were some really good deals. Too bad it's so far away and not within an hour's drive. Now I have to figure out a way to get me and Mike time alone at Birch Run. We could get a hotel but everyone will want to shop....who will watch the children?
Things to ponder.

Anyway have to sign off. not because I'm tired and re-capped it all but because my brain is just not right. I took an Ambien to get me to sleep and it's starting to kick in. As Mike will tell you, it's like I'm dizzy and drunk. I know I should re-read what I posted so far but screw it...I'm finally getting tired.

Love to the lurkers. (those of you that come to read about my lame-o life but never write comments). I'm thinking of running a contest soon to see if I can get those others of you (that are not my mother) to post. Back me up here. I love my mother but I do have friends right? Right ladies?! Oh for Gosh Sakes Christie go to bed already;)

and I'm off. literally and figuratively.

Thanksgiving Part 2

At this rate I'll blog Christmas next Christmas.

Oh Yes, Thanksgiving was an awesome feast. I probably went through the ads 4 times for Black Friday...made a list and at the end of it didn't get up early (wasn't anything I wanted THAT much) and didn't get anything on my list. My SIL's however had no list and ended up finding things that they wanted. How is that fair?

Friday night they invited their friends over and we drank and rolled dice. We play this game at most of Mike's family gatherings and instead of chips we use dollars. So it's a $3 buy-in to play. What's a little gambling among family. We played 7 games and Mia rolled my dice...
and was the big winner winning 4 out of the seven. She had never seen that much money before and was giggling with her hands over her mouth and eyes bulging. She leans over and tells me she wants the "webkinz backpack". I have no idea what this was but she talked about it non-stop from that point on.
I figured it out after we got home, this is what Mia was talking about:
http://www.jackpopz.com/jackpopzshop.html
Our store only had the Livvie bag in multi-color and the Jackpack in Green. She was set on the Jackpack so I let her get it. I figured she won the big money rollin the dice she should at least get something for it. Mike and I went down early for the night (yes, I hurled yet again) and I think the other adults went out for 2 more beer runs. Mike and I just can't hang anymore.
Saturday afternoon we headed home. Mason stayed up until about midnight and said, "are we sleeping in the car again for real?". Yup, 13 hours later we made it home. The kids do not like sleeping in the car....they can't get comfortable. Soon after we made it home a big snow storm hit so luckily we didn't have to drive through it. That pretty much sums up our Turkey festivities....