This is the garage at the cabin. If you look close enough you can see where Zeb has changed the paint color. 

Our new fire pit. You can't tell but it is actually 4ft by 4ft big. (the pit itself) 

Here is part of the new walking trail at the cabin. 

busy Week

It has been such a busy week. We bought a pontoon boat on Sunday. Played phone tag with the bank on Monday. Went for my long bike ride on Tuesday and primered my kitchen, it was dark blue I am painting it 'Weathered Tin'. (Hopefully today) Wednesday we picked up the boat, Thursday Duner and myDad took Zeb to the Races. He loves those. Friday I got my bike helmet and the paint to do the kitchen.
I have my dreaded 18 mile bike ride today. I am not sure what I was thinking anymore when I signed up. But at least I have my sister in it too to help me finish it. She came up from Madison yesterday and took the boys to Mead pool. I called before I left work and she confessed right away, "I broke your son Reece." Apparently she taught him how to swim underwater for longer distance's and he hit the wall. I think we have all done that in someway or another. He has a cut above his left eye and a black eye. He must have really been moving. He says he didn't think the wall was there 'cause he felt for it but he must have just missed it.

Computer Time

I did it! The kids are actually cleaning when they aren't told to do so! Yesterday they put away the clean dishes in the dishwasher and filled it with dirty ones, made their beds and cleaned the bedroom just be cause they wanted to play for 30 minutes on the computer! I even got them to put away their clothes, clean the toy room and bring up dishes with a little encouragement.
The kids do have a computer of there own but no internet (Thank you Sara)so, that is there motivation. I am glad they are only into games so far and not Instant messaging or chat rooms. That is one part I am dreading. I don't even do that. You hear of all kinds of horror stories about those. I LOVE my e-mail and checking out the internet but that's about it.
Speaking of Computers, I picked one up for my bike so I don't have to hop in the car to find out how far I went on my bike. I do have to get my derailer fixed on my bike hopefully before the ride on Saturday. It is 18 miles and I only have 6 speeds. It sucks when you get going down a nice hill and you can't pedal fast enough to keep your speed up.
Well gotta run!

Well, It's crunch time

I have less than 10 day until my 18 mile bike ride. I went for a 10 mile ride today. I have to go for a longer one yet sometime this weekend. I will probably ride from my house to my work and back. According to mapquest that is a 15+ mile ride. Not to mention the not so friendly hills.
Sigh.
Anyway, as I write this Brock is out on the front porch trying to talk Zeb into coming in the house. Zeb's not biting. Brock is now offering a piggy back ride. It worked! We'll see how long he stays.
Zeb's newest thing is knock-knock jokes. He never has a punch line, but if you don't answer right away with 'Who's there' he will say 'Knock-knock' louder and louder until you respond. Then he says ' Jake' , 'house', bike', car, or whatever else he sees around. He doesn't quite get the concept that you are supposed to say a little more.
If you saw Reece this week you would think he was the saddest kid on earth. He has such a miserable life. He was so upset many times. He didn't understand why we said "No" to lighting off fireworks after a late movie night at the drive in theater. HMMMM. Go figure.
He also thought just because we went to the cabin we were supposed to leave to go swimming. I don't mind them swimming, but Zeb feels I must walk with him as he wades in the water. Never going up to his waist.
Brock has been the same sneaky kid. Picking on his brother until he comes crying to me and then denying he did ANYTHING wrong. I think Reece really puts up with quite a bit from him. Brock's way of cleaning his room is craming anything possible under the bed, and then hiding everything else.
I saw on TV that those bikers in the Tour De France, have to eat 7000 calories a day!!!! I LOVE that!
Well I must go fold the laundry.

We spent the last couple days up at the cabin, so I have be unable to blog. It was nice. It is always sad to leave the cabin after you spend 3 hours cleaning it up just to leave it. We finished the fire pit, painted the garage to match the house *YEAH!* , cleaned a bunch of garbage out of the garage and cut a path through the woods for a walking trail.
They have a parade every year that ends at a baseball field just down the road from our cabin. It was so fun this year, again, of course. We had the boys ready with the garden hose and water guns. We would have had water balloons but we couldn't find any! Next year we will be more prepared, for sure. Some people that we let park in our front yard were very prepared with Water ballons and super soakers. One float from a local hardware store had a HUGE water tank with garden hoses hooked up and they soaked the people on our yard! The driver even stopped to make sure they got em good! Zeb just hung out under some chairs that I had covered with at tarp to protect our boys. He was munching on Reece's candy while he helped Brock soak the floats. I should clairify, the parade starts and ends in the baseball field. The first time they go down our street they throw candy and little water. Then they go down to the end of the road and turn around and come back down to soak us up. They also give away free tickets to give away 72 brand new bikes purchased by the local business' in the area. Our kids didn't win this year. Thats ok. They weren't too heart broken. After that they also give away over a hundred dollars in change by tossing it onto the baseball field and letting the kids go after it. The kids love it.
We ended the day with a movie at a drive in theater. We saw Madagascar and The longest Yard. I must say I was disappointed with both. We started the movie at about 9:45 pm and ended at about 1:15. We got back to the cabin at a little after 1:30pm. The kids didn't understand why we said no to lighting off the fireworks at that hour. Hmmmmm.????
We are hoping to find a pontoon boat perferably used, to keep at the cabin. That way the kids can fish or swim.
Well I have to work in the morning.
time for bedtime....

I am so glad this week is over.

It was too crazy, I hate the week before the major holidays. Everyone is asking 'So what are you doing for the Holiday?' and in the end, I wonder, do they really care? I get so sick of talking about it. I feel like I have so much to do. I am going to do a pretty good bike ride tomorrow. I hope. I don't know what my other half might have planned. I think he has to work, which would be the norm. I only have 2 wks before the 'Tour du fest' and I have only rode my bike 8 miles max. I am hoping to go 10-12 miles tomorrow. I was checking out the times for the people who did the High Cliff Tri run on Sunday and A LOT of them did the bike in one hour or so. That means they averaged 20 miles per hour! I don't know how fast I go, but when I did have a computer on my bike (10 years ago), I would average 15 miles per hour. I have some work to do. I must go prepare....

One more night at the cabin.

Well, we went up to the cabin on Monday for one night. We were able to paint 2 sides of the garage and place the pavers around the firepit. Of course after much complaining from the kids about how they NEVER get to go to Slippery Rock, we obliged and took the swimming at the rock. This time Duner went down with Zeb. He loved it. We even lost one of his hot wheels cars at the base of it. Unfortunetly that was Reece's FAVORITE one! (even though duner just found it when he was digging out for the pavers.) Minor trama there.

The boys are trying to buy time. Our only pet Mittens has issues. She can't walk decent. It has been gradually getting worse. If she walks to slow her butt falls to the right. If she is scared she can hardly run at all. She just keeps falling down. Last time I brought her in they said she is going blind and has a 'neurological' problem of some sort. More testing is required to find out exactly what it might be. I am not the type of person to pay outragious amounts of money to find out in the end we need to have her put to sleep. Luckily she doesn't ever go outside. I like her but I feel that she doesn't have a quality of life she should. It is bad enough that we keep her indoors, but lately I think she is having a hard time going up and down the stairs. Now she is pooping a lot anywhere but the litter box. They now have the job of picking it up if they want her to stay. Secretly I am hoping that she will die on her own. Reece was very upset about us mentioning that maybe we would put her to sleep. The Humane way. I am not about to withhold anyfood from her or water. She has it bad enough.

Opps! We forgot that it is SUMMER and we have the central air on! 

Boy I feel like I ran the triathalon!

I woke up this am at the crack of dawn 4am to go out to High Cliff State Park to be a 'body Marker'. Very fun Job. Who wouldnt like the chance to touch some very buff and good looking people. Much better then my CNA work in the hospital. These people accually take care of themselves. I didn't realize just what I was doing to my quad muscles till I started to walk away. UGH! I felt like I was walking in slow motion, my upper half said 'Come on lets go', and my lower half said 'When do we get to sit down'. Wow. I know they needed the workout but I didn't realize just HOW MUCH!

As if that wasn't enough punishment, I then decide I need to go for a bike ride. I have an 18 mile ride coming up in July that I have to get ready for. So I went for a nice ride out to the local airpot. Which as it turns out is 8.2 miles. So I threw Zeb in the baby seat on the back and took off. I was on my return about one mile in when I could feel a head resting on by butt. Yep, Zeb fell asleep. Everytime I would try to go faster his head would drop, pulling me to that side. I can only hope that part of my struggle is due to the fact that Zebs' extra weight is making it worse. It can only help.

Food
It has been a bad week for food. I have been running the kids here and there, we had a party on Monday, I had a meeting on Thursday. It has just been crazy. I wont' be weighing in on Tuesday, since I will be up at the cabin painting. Well, I have to go get Reece from Soccer practice.

A Busy Week

I know I have been slacking on the blog, I have been busy ok?

Tuesday after the kids went swimming all day Reece had a soccer game. Poor kid. It was a warm day. He was pretty much out of energy when he was done swimming, but he still had to play a soccer game in the warm weather. He was like a champ. He took a nice slap to the chin like a pro. He sat there stunned for 2 seconds then he shook it off. It was a HARD hit. Everyone at the side line I was at moaned when he got it. But luckily there was no long term affects.

Brock and Reece are in heaven. Wednesday night we took them to Mil's Fleet Farm to buy some fishing lures. They loved it. They learned a bunch of stuff from Dad. Brock is more interested in anything other then fishing but he does it because Dad likes fishing I think. Zeb had to get a new fishing pole too, of Course! He got a new Batman pole.

Thursday they went to Grandma and Grandpa's house while we go to work and they got to use there new fishing stuff. When I got there Reece couldn't wait to tell us how Grandpa gave them his fishing gear and 2 poles! The boys are so exited and can't wait to tell their cousins how many fishing lures they have now. They really really liked that! **Great Christmas Ideas!!** Fishing Tackle**

On friday they went fishing again with the grandparents and they got to go to Mead pool again. They are getting more tan and more blonde everyday. I should have taken before and after summer pictures. I wanted to get a 'family picture' but I better wait til fall. The rest of us will look neon compared to the boys.

Today I go to Lunch with my friend Julie. She is pregnant (due in November) and she just found out she is having a boy. I will be bringing the boys with to lunch with her. Yikes, it might be overload for her, but there is no turning back now! She will be a great mom. She is a bit of a perfectionist. Everything is does it perfect. I don't know how she does it all the time. When we were in junior high, I had to wait for 10 minutes while she got her hair just perfect. She is a cutie in that way, but she does ALWAYS have perfect hair.
I must run some errands before I meet with her today.
Later!

Yippee!!!

Today was a GREAT day! Busy but good. I got the paint from the cabin so I know how much and what color to pick up so we can finish painting the out side of the cabin. I dropped the boys at the pool for 5 hours today they had a blast. Duner went to the Brewer/Cub game in Milwaukee tonight.
But the BEST PART was my weigh in this am. I went back to tuesdays for Fat class. It is just so much easier for me. They have a class that it is ok to bring your kids. Well I just weighed in on Saturday, so I figured since I had to go in on Tuesday that I would only be down maybe .8 again. But NO! I was down 1.8 and I got my 5 lb book mark! Now, everytime I go down 5 more lbs I get a star and put it on my bookmark. It is really a neat way to keep track of what is gone. I like the motivation it gives me.
Well I have to work in the am, so I must go...
Bye!
Tuesday points 29 : ]

Lots today

What a busy day. I moved Zeb back out of the boys room. He is now in his own room. It's such a shame to have a bedroom and not use, except to store things. Then we bought sandals for Brock and sunscreen for the boys and dumped them at Mead Pool, the local dunk tank. They have these coupons that you can buy. You purchase 10 swims in advance and you can get 2 for free. The best part is they keep them on hand at the pool, so you don't loose them. Yeah! After the swim I treated the boys to DQ. They all had dilly bars. Brock likes Chocolate, Reece likes Banana and we got Zeb strawberry. He doesn't have a prefrence yet anyway.

Later, we went to a summer party out at Dr Schimke's place. She has a great place for a large gathering. We had a very good time. The boys loved it. There were about 5 other boys there and 3-4 girls there. Dr Al is so goofy. He was going on about how his daughter is a lesbian. But she isn't really, he later admitted. She just a boyfriend that he doesn't care for. He only has one girl but she is the one who likes to push Daddy's buttons. I remember when she pierced her tongue or eyebrow, just because Dr Al didn't want her to. I am so glad I have boys.

Food I don't even want to count. I know I am over. I LOVE taco salad~ they had some wonderful versions there. I won't be going in to details about that today, my bed is calling my name.
Good night!

Sorry Readers, but today was pretty dull. Went to the grocery store, did laundry, dishes, bathroom cleaning.... nothing really exciting to write about as far as the kids go. Although Brock woke up zeb from his nap, by accidentally sitting on him and then it was downhill from there today. Other then that dull.
But...
Yes! Happiness! I was still down one pound, even with the crap from earlier in the week! Yeah! It may be one pound only, but I am gonna take what I can get! I went to the grocery store right after the weigh in today and picked up some Egg Beaters (artifical eggs w/cheese and chives) and finely sliced ham and english muffins and made some egg and ham sandwhichs for breakfast. Yum.
I don't know how I am going to do in when I have to go down in points. Yikes, I will be switching to the core program probably. Basically you can eat 'NON PROCESSED' foods, like baked chicken, fruit, veggies, and wheat based pasta and breads. If I want Mc D's on core then I just put that in the total for the 'extra' weekly points. I hear a lot of people say that they are not hungry at all on the 'core' program. I am not going to do it just yet. I am just starting to adjust to the smaller portion sizes.

Today I took the kids for a walk, or should I say, I walked they rode their bikes. Except for Zeb, he rode in the wagon, at least when he wasn't pulling the wagon himself. We walked down to Lutz Park, or should I say Goose Poop Park. There are at least 6 familys of Geese that call that park home. About the only part of the park free of dumplings was the playground. I can see why.
I pushed Zeb on the swing while Brock and Reece ran from one plaything to the next. They have this pole that spins, and it is hard to hold on with. The kids made it look easy!
It was so cute toward the end of the walk he didn't want to ride anymore but he was in no hurry to get home. I had him dressed in bib overalls and he just strolled along behind me with his hands in his pockets. He just looked all around! So adorable. He didn't seem to be the least bit worried that I was a good 10 feet ahead of him. Mr. Independant.

Food today was my usual, peanut butter toast for breakfast. For Lunch, I had Taco Bell. I went I this really cool web site with WW points for all kinds of resturants. I had the 'value menu' spicy chicken taco and the cheesy fiesta potatoes. According to the web site 'dotties weight loss zone' I had 4 point for the taco and 6.5 for the potatoes total 12.5, when you add my drink, I just don't like Diet soda when it comes to taco bell. I then went to a nearby resturant with the kids for Supper. It was called Larry's. I got their soup and salad combo. They have great soups. I ordered chicken dumpling. I also had a great Raspberry Vinegrette dressing. I love vinegar. I never knew how great it can be! I thought you only cleaned coffee pots and colored easter eggs, but I read a book once call the 101 uses for Vinegar. Who knew what Excellent health benefits it also has. Look it up sometime! I am not going to total up my points today I know i am close, but I went for a nice long walk today so I am hoping that will fix any problems.
Well tomorrow, I go to weigh in. Yippeee! Wish me luck!

As far as the kids go, I have been torturing them by telling them they can not live on my computer. So far the kids have been great at making sure their beds are made and clothes picked up before playing on the computer. I think I will start adding dishwasher duty to their pre-computer time chores. : ]

today was a disappointment for food. I typically like to over estimate on the actual points I use. I ended up over. I had cheese on my sub from subway. That adds 1.5 points, I had extra 2 points for some M&M's that I had for dessert today and I had an apple and peanut butter which I really didn't need for breakfast. I made some poor decisions. I will fix it. A positive additude is the only way to be. Next week I will be able to have 'activity points' which allow you to subtract points from your total. Yeee Haaaa!
Thursday points 30 : {

We had a helper today with a cement project that we were working on. Can you guess who? 

Our little angel left his mark for everyone to see... 

Today on the kid front...

Today on the kid front we fixed a lingering crack in the front porch step. As you can see by the pictures Zeb just loves to be around us and help us out. He loves to put his hand on anything you are doing and say "Help?". As if to say 'do you need help mommie?'. How can you turn him down he is so cute! I know I am a little bias. Oh well. I will be walking with something in my arms and after he says 'Help?' he then says 'Run?'. What motivation to jog. Hey I will take the exercise anyway I can!
Today, after clean the wheel barrow and shovel, I managed to hose down the kids with the hose. They love playing that game. Of course I don't aim for Zeb, the sheer force of water would probably slam the kid down.

As for the food front, I think today went well. It is so hard to count points on 'Drug rep days' at work. Every wednesday and every other friday, we have a different drug rep that brings us lunch from various eatery's in the valley. Today was Applebees. There were Oriental chicken wraps, some kind of spicy southwest chicken wrap and a Southwest Chicken salad. Oh yeah, also some of those deep fried onion chunks. Yikes! I LOVE onion rings! I could have taken the entire appetizer and be perfectly happy. I tried I did to be good! I had a 2 in chunk of each wrap and a cup of the salad, with about one tablespoon each dressing. Ok ok, I HAD to have a little of each dressing, they were for different things. One for the Oriental wrap, one for the other wrap and some salsa and ,just a lit bit, of sour cream.
As an optomist I declare today a success with the apple and peanut butter that I had for supper. And only a bit here or there of the Mac-n-chez I made for the family. I know watch out Wolfgang! Wooohooo!
I must go and enjoy my water and my family....

Wednesday total 24 : ]

KIDS
We had another great time up at the cabin. This time we brought up Reece's friend Jacob. We had to leave extra early on Sunday since Duner wanted to leave right after he got out of work. We left without Jacob and his parents brought him up later. The boys could hardly wait to go to slippery rock and show Jacob. Jacob's mom had been there when she was growing up but hadn't been there since Jacob was born so she knew what we were talking about. The boys showed no hesitation in jumping in the water to slide down the rock. We had some swim shorts slip down a little bit, due to the current. Other kids came and left during the time the kids spent there. They had no lack of imagination when it came to this area. The next time we go we are bring lunchmeat and other snacks and drinks to make more of a day out of it.
Food
Well I have no more extra points left for the week already. Not a good sign considering it is only Tuesday. Sunday we stopped at Burger King since we left too early to make a breakfast. I had the sourdough combo for 16 points. It wasn't worth it. It would have be 15 if I had gotten the croisantwhich but I didn't realize til now. Later that day we went to the Seymour races and that was supper. I had forgotten about Burger King that morning, so I figured I could do the fries with cheese sauce, burger, popcorn, and a slushy. By the days end I figured I had 44 points spent that day alone. YIKES! Then I went on to figure out my total for Monday, We didn't go anywhere, but we woke late that day (yes even Zeb slept in that day) so we had a late breakfast, After swimming more at the rock, we came back to have a late lunch at 3pm. After we got home I made a quick sand which then had some mag citrate for a medical exam I had today for my kidneys/bladder. I didn't count my points for the mag citrate,but the total for the end of the day was 37. Between those two days I spent every last extra point. I so far today had two peaches. (They were too good to have just one)
I have found the secret to eating less points, from now on my lunch will consist of vegetarian food only. (this will be good for a laugh)
Saturday total 26
Sunday total 44
Monday total 37
Tuesday total 24 Yeah! one day down 3 to go...

Kids Update
Yesterday the boys went with Aunt Sara to Mead Pool, it is a local pool that has all the newest options as far as fun in the sun. I completely forgot sunscreen for them and they developed a nice lobster like appearence. Opps. Brock could use some color.

We will be heading to a flag day parade today that one of Reece's friends will be in. We will be meeting up with Aunt Sara and go to the parade with her before she heads up back to Verona. The boys just love it when she comes to Appleton.

Tomorrow we will leave bright and early for the Cabin up north. We will have Jacob with us. He is Reece's friend. He is such a nice kid. We don't mind having him around one bit!
We are going to take him to slippery Rock. His mom said she loved it there when she was a kid. Who knew it was such a well known spot. It is not like there is any signs to point it out. to direct you to it. It is just a path way. They boys will probably make a day of it.


FOOD Update
Yeah! 3 lbs down at this weeks Weigh in at Fat Class. In order to better keep track of my points I might start posting them. I am supposed to have 24 in a day, with any option of 35 extra to use for the week total. (I really like that option) so from now on my blog is going to consist of food eaten daily too. If I have more people to hold me accountable, how can I go wrong. Besides I don't need any extra weight for the triathalon next year.

It is a quarter-mile swim, 15 mile bike (I think) and a 3 mile run (or in my case jog). I figure if I can jog the entire 3 miles at least, that in itself will be a HUGE accomplishment! I wasn't even able to jog/run the one mile that they timed everyone each year of school. I ususally did one mile in 15 minutes. That was when I was in 8th grade. I am very close to it, but considering how young I was back then it is sad. I would like to do one mile in 8 to 10 minutes.

So from now on, at least till I can reach my goal (which I haven't set yet) I will boringly discuss the food that I fight daily. It is just way too easy to clean off my kids plates rather then throw the food away. My husband Duner wants to get a lab puppy. Maybe that will help with the plate cleaning issue. At least it won't be thrown out directly. : }

Yesterday we decided to go spend one night up at the cabin. What a great decision that was. Duner took us to Chute Pond to go fishing and then to a little know rock called 'Slippery Rock'. It is what it says. It is a big rock with water running down it and at the bottom, it is damned it up with smaller bolders. It has one big slide and two others, but the other two hurt your butt, as I am told by Reece. He went down first and bounced so hard Duner felt his pain. We have found a new fun spot. It is about quarter mile walk to get there but it is definitely worth it. Zeb did a great job, just watching and giggling at his brothers. The boys ALL had a BLAST!

The boys also did some fishing. Brock is the Luckiest kid in the world this weekend. First at the fishing tournament he got a fish, while Reece did not, then his name gets picked first out of 325 kids and he gets to choose between a bike or a choice of 50 smaller prizes and he you can imagine what he did. No, he did NOT take the bike!!!! I don't know what he was thinking!! He chose a mix of water guns instead.?????? Every kid got their name called so they all got prizes. Reece chose a fishing pole and tackle set. So he has a new love, fishing. He has gone every day since he got the pole. He even left Slippery Rock early to fish with Dad.

Anyway, Brock wasn't only lucky with the water guns(????), he also caught a fish in ONLY 2 casts on Chute Pond! Pour Reece he didn't cry until about 50 minutes later, when he still hadn't caught anything and tried most of the new lures in his box. He even tried some of Duners too! He didn't give up though and managed to catch a little Rock bass, just like Brock. (Probably the same fish) Duner caught a 2-3 lb largemouth bass and a smaller Northern, which was still pretty big to me. I don't think I ever saw that kind of fish before.

Needless to say we ended the great evening with 2 great movies and headed to bed. We were going to have a fire, but ran out of time.

This is the boys at the Lil Angler on Sunday out at High cliff State park. 

Here is Reece at his soccer tournament on Saturday. The team they played is the purple team in the background.  

On to the next project

Well, since we have now finished coating our deck, which turned out awesome, we will be hopefully finishing the landscaping. Today I dragged Brock with me to the local Walmart to pick up some flowers. I let him pick out some too. He was so happy. He didn't quite grasp the concept of matching colors, but he tried his best. I learned that he absolutely LOVES marigolds. He wanted just about one bunch of each color. What can you expect from a 10 yr old.
The boys have some friends over right now. Greyson and Christen. Greyson is a clown. He just cracks me up. He has so much character. Just about anything he says is funny in some way or another. Christen is quiet. He can be a bully. I like to keep an eye on him. I feel sorry for him. I think he has had a sad life. He is heavy set and his parents aren't together, which I think is why he can be a bully at times. Greyson's parents are also not together but you wouldn't know it. I like when the 3 or 4 are playing together. Greyson is a very fair kid. Brock is too "whatever you say is ok with me" type. Christen walks all over Brock. He is getting better.
Well tommorrow we are going to a Local state park to participate in a fishing tournament. Zeb, our 2 yr old is very excited about it. Well I gotta go, Zeb just woke up and wants my lap.
Later.

Today I bribed Reece with Mc Donalds in order for him to willingly go to a soccer tournament today. He said "I only play games on Tuesdays! I don't want to play today." Until I said the magic word then he was ok. Motivation is a wonderful thing.

Back to fat class

Well, I went back to fat class again. It went well. I wore the heaviest sweatshirt I could. I would have worn jeans too, but it was too nice out side. I really like the Tuesday class, it is called the Mom and Tot class. There were about 4 other kids Zeb's age there. They made some nifty changes to the program that are for the better, I believe. I have every confidence that I will do it again. I can do this.
This last weekend we went up to the cabin. My in-laws had the old camper torn all apart and only the bottom trailer part was left. There were piles of brush and old burned items from a burning barrel that Duners Grandma had. Duner has an Uncle Jimmy that, it seems, liked to burn werid things and see what happens. We actually found a fired extinguisher. Quite the guy. Anyway, we took it apart and threw it in the low spot on the acre so you can no longer see the brush, we are going to toss all of the other garbage out. It is coming around. It is nice to see living trees instead of brush. Duners Dad also built a deck off the side of the house, which is great for getting the sand off of our feet before we go in the house. Yeah less cleaning.
This weekend Reece is in a 'Nutmeg Soccer Tournament'. We have 2 games on Saturday morning and then the boys are in a fishing tournament at High Cliff. I am hoping Duner will be there to help them out. Otherwise I am going to have to recruit Grandpa.

Painting the day away.

Yesterday we painted the front porch, since it is covered we figured in case it rained like they are predicting then it wouldn't be so bad. Well, it never rained. Go figure. I am hoping to do the deck on Monday, when they are predicting no rain. Yes I know it will probably rain. I hate refinishing decks. It only seems to last so long then it is time to resurface them again. but the yard is really coming around. We are getting there.
Our neighbor is putting on a back porch. They were out there in the rain Friday. I came home and they were soaking wet, working. Our neighbors roommate brought over his little brother and sister. His roomate is 21. His sister was Reece's age and her little brother was about 4. They were so happy to have a playset to play on and kids there age to play with. Duner played Frisbee in the back with them while I painted the front porch, which worked out great. I didn't have a problem with Zeb trying to walk on the steps or through any fresh paint. Brock and Reece both at one point almost walked through the front door... Urrrrgggghhhh. It always seems to be the one you don't think you have to worry about.
Well we are heading up to the cabin. I must go get ready.
Later!

A day in the park

Today I decided to take the kids to the park. I am hoping to make it a weekly thing. We brought the wagon and frisbees and played frisbee golf, then I let the kids play on the equipement. I thought what a great way to get some kind of a walk in, especially since we don't have a soccer game on Thursdays like we did last year.
This weekend we are going up to the cabin. Duners parents will be there Friday to Sunday and we will be going up Sunday to Monday. I don't know about anyone else, but Duners brother Cory and his wife will be moving back here in June. The boys just LOVE both Cory and Shannon. That will be great to have them so close.
On Tuesday, I will be starting to go back to Weight watchers. My sister-in-law, Carrie, asked me to do it. We have similar goals and I look forward to the competition/motivation of that. Before I had my last child I was able to lose over 30 lbs. I am thinking closer to not having anymore kids. We are very happy with our boys and we both don't want to start over. I think babies are great, I just have too busy of kids to have the adequate time to spend on the kids.
If fact I must go help Brock study spelling words for a test tomorrow.
Ta Ta for now.

Dr James O'Leary

All doctors show take notes from Dr James O' Leary. We were invited to an Open House today for him. Put on by him and his family. He is a humble, soft spoken and caring guy.
And this just proves it.
They were celebrating 10 years of magical moments. The theme was Irish.
First of all, It was at a country club. Very nice. Valet parking and shuttle buses to your car!
When we first walked in they had a HUGE grab bag for us. It contained a camera(personalized for the occasion, green foutune cookie, a poster of the ABC's of parenting, a personalized pen, and an itenaray for the day. We then walked up to a 'kiddie carnival' in the front yard. There were air jumpers, a caterpiller to walk through, ducks in a water trough to pick for prizes, bubbles with huge wands and sidewalk chalk. There were also coolers with water all over the place (which I loved). There must have been 50 or 60 people helping out with this day all wearing t-shirts that said "Irish by delievery" (No he didn't deliver them).
When we went inside they had clovers all over with babies names and dates of birth, face painters, a caricater artist, pinata's, strawberries, pretzels and nilla wafers to dip into liquid fountain of chocolate, filled personalized root beer bottles, ice cream and all the fixins for Sundae's, Papers of the year the kids were born, and so much else. I could go on and on. Even the kids said "That man must have a LOT of money!" As we left the kids were able to pick 2 toys each from this MOUND of toys! They had a BLAST! I wish more Doctors to the time to do something like this for their patients. We had the kids go up to him before we left and they said thank you. He said 'As long as the kids had fun, that is what matters.'
Definitely one diamond in the rough, as far as doctors go.

The count down begins....

Today Reece had a lovely shade of bumpy pink skin today when I got to my parents house to pick him up. Reece is a boardline hypochondriac. He automatically thinks he will die with the slightest illness. Brock likes to act like band aids have magical powers that once applied the pain instantly disappers. And he also believes that they must be changed hourly. Ok, maybe not that much but I bet he does at least 3 times a day. Zeb has discovered how much attention you can get if you make a HUGE deal out of the slightest injury. Two nights ago he cried most of 2 hrs after he took a digger outside. (He scraped his knee and toe, one of which actually required a band-aid). He is learning from the Brothers, but he just can't get the potty concept from them yet. He now knows the difference (finally) from poop and pee. Yeah!!!
It is less then 10 more days of school left. Now as I remember we NEVER had off the in the month of May, except for Memorial day. Now my kids were off today and Monday, Memorial Day. That is not right! Oh well.
I have this 'chore chart' for the kids this summer. Will also have a 'Reward Chart'. Some of the rewards are staying up late, an hour of TV or Electronic games, Bake something, get a soda or candy. Things that are inexpensive. Last year I tried to have the kids mark on paper like a 'time clock. That lasted all of two weeks, I believe. This year with the rewards I am hoping will be different. At the very least maybe it will be easier with the 'system' I bought it will be different. The kids have to move cards from morning, noon, evening,and extra pegs to the I DID IT holder on the board. For every card moved the get a token (included in the system). They could earn up to 50 tokens per day. The rewards work on a tier system. For 50 tokens they can watch one hour of TV, for 100 tokens they can buy a soda or candy, ect. You get the system... Reece has been Very Interested in it. Brock has been somewhat interested. I had bought one for Zeb, but I am not going to open it unless they seem to take to it. We will see.

Back from Adventure

This weekend I went to Illinois with my sister, Sara. It was Great! We had driven to Schaumberg first. We went to the hotel to check in. First, water features in a hotel lobby are not a great Idea. Before you are able to check in you have to go to the bathroom. Most people are staying at a hotel because they have traveled a from a far. You dont spend 4 hrs traveling and not have to use the bathroom! Why do they tourture their guest that way!
Anyway, Next we went in search of IKEA. How anyone could miss it is beyond me. It is a HUGE blue building with bright yellow letters!!!! Once we found it we also found a prime parking spot!! Great parking Karma, as my sister said. When we entered the place, which is like a 3 floor department store warehouse, we immediately went up to the second floor. I bought a huge picture frame for a cross stitch I did for Brock, a 10 pack of batteries for 2 bucks! (Better then liquidators, Dad!) I bought a clock for our new toy room for 2 bucks. We went up to the 3rd floor and they had kitchen items and living room items. I was kind of looking for a hanging pot rack, but they didn't have one that I was looking for. We also ate there on the 3rd floor. Yea, they had a full on buffet resturant complete with chefs waiting to prepare your plate. I had a Oreintal Chicken salad (I have learned I don't like cilantro, YUCK) and my sis had a bowl of Bean soup in a bread bowl, which looked great. Finished off with chocolate cheesecake, mmmmm.
After eating we ventured to the first floor and checked out.
After that we went to the hotel and decided to see a movie. We saw A Lot Like Love. We both liked that movie.
We then ventured to the Cheesecake Factory. Need I say more. YUM. YUM.YUM. Love Godiva chocolate cheesecake. I have a severe chocolate fix problem.
We had walked to the Cheesecake factory and back so I can justify the 2 cheesecakes for the day. : }
The next day we went to Six Flags Great America. Our high school that we graduated from was having their end of the year trip to Great America that day! It was cool to see all of the kids from our school there. We went on every coaster or ride possible. It was cool!
gotta go!

Yadda Yadda Yadda

Reece has a friend over today he is a really good kid. His name is Jacob. He is in Reece's class at school. He lives just down the street from us. His mom is stripping paint on the out side of there front porch. She is letting him spend the night tonight. Yeah!! I really like how well he plays with not only Reece, but Brock and Zeb too! I am glad to see a kid in the neighborhood again. We had a few good ones but they had moved out. I got some chore boards for the boys. I am hoping to use them during the summer. It seems like a neat system. The idea is to have the kids do things without having to be told. The kids have a great attitude about it so far. I won't really enforce it til summer.
Duner and I finished putting the panelling on the walls down in the basement this weekend. Now we have to put in the moldings, carpet and false ceiling. Now that the better weather is here I dont know how much we will get done inside. Next weekend Duner wants to powerwash the deck and restain it. It could really used a good sanding too.
Tomorrow I leave for Madison or (technically) Verona. I am going to visit my sister, Sara. We are going to spend the night in Illinois at a hotel. We are going to check out IKEA store. In the morning we head out to Six Flags Great America. the hotel even serves HOT breakfast. Yum!
I must go prepare for my adventure.

The confessional

Today Brock confessed to me about something. We got home and he wanted to go to his friend Tim's house. Tim has a trampoline. He wanted to play on it. I said no. The weather is too cold. He tried to do something else but he came up to me later and said, "Mom, I have to confess something." He went on to say how he cheated on his math homework. I asked why he did it and he said it was too hard. Math doesn't come easy for him. I asked him how he should be punished and he almost cried when he said that he should tell his teacher. He is really a very good kid. I didn't feel that I should punish him so I told him that I really don't need to punish him, since his concious was doing a good job of it. I told him that life always works that way. When we do bad things we will get punished one way or another. I believe Oprah said it best when she recently had Tracy Gold on the show. They were talking about how everything happens for a reason. She went on to say how we are to learn from the bad. Those are signals from God, first it might be just one brick, then a few more, and then a brick wall but in the end we will get what we deserve one way or another. I couldn't agree more.

Just a quick note.

I don't have much time, it is very nice and Zeb wants to play out side. The boys went up north this weekend for the annual open of Trout fishing. Duner and his dad caught 2 Brooke trout and 1 Brown. Reece caught a nice Brooke trout out of a stocked pond for kids under 12. He didn't even realize he had a fish. He was playing with his line and lifted it up; Duner told him he had a fish on.
Reece wanted to let it go, about 5 minutes after we kept it, so we tried to put it back. The fish struggled at first but then swam away. I told Reece that he cant be doing that in the future.
Zeb and I went for a nice bike ride yesterday. From our house we went up to bluemound, south to Prospect and North on Story and then home. I hate the hills when you are on your bike but I love them just to make it that much harder. Burn a few more calories. Saturday while the older boys were up north Zeb and I went for a Walk down to Lutz Park. Talk about hills, but I just tell myself think of how great you feel when it is done. I bought some new shoes just for my walks, I am hoping to get in to jogging (if Duner is ever home so I can be without Zeb). Gotta Run!

Exercise Tourture Test

I thought it would be a good idea to get some exercise in today by going to a bike ride with Zeb. I have a mountain bike with a kids seat on it that he can still fit into. I had to go to Shopko to drop off my glasses for new lenses. The old ones were "Zebbed" as my mother likes to say. He got a hold of them before I woke up one day and tried his darnest to break them. He did a very good job of it. He came close. I had a chip on one lense and the other had a scratch; since it hasn't been a year that I had them yet I get new lenses for free. Yeah!
So anyway, I got out the bike from our storage area behind the garage. AKA 'Mice and Mole Mall'. I got out the air compressor and filled up the tires with air and dusted off the seat. After getting a lock and putting Zeb securely in with helmet and safety belts we were on our way.
Well I peddled down the block and one block up to a street light. It felt great. I had to stop for the light, so I waited. When it changed I proceded another 2 blocks or so to the next light. And waited again. While I was waited I had realized just how hard I was breathing. I really don't get to exercise like I should, I do realize but It really didn't seem that far. As I started out I realized just how many muscles I haven't used for a while in my butt. Holy COW! By now they were screaming to go back home and rest but I just kept thinking, Dr Al does 40 or 50 miles regularly! I doubt it was even 5 miles that I biked but the last strides on the way to the store were killers! It is up hill. When I got off the bike I almost fell over. (not really but it felt like I was). I started going to a Triathalon Club this last sunday hoping it would motivate me to get out more. It really does. It makes you think. These people run 5 miles in the time I can do 1. It is nothing to bike 70 miles. For me it is a year long commitment of 5 days a week steady training EASY! You might wonder why I decided to put my self through so much pain? Easy, for my kids. I want to take them on long rides with me, or be able to jog 5 miles with me. I don't want them have issues with themselves for extra weight or lack of energy. They have SO much energy right now. I want to keep it up. I walked in a 4 mile walk this weekend. To kids thats impressive. I want to be able to race them. I used to think "WOW, I did so much today. I need to rest for at least a week!" No more! Dr Al just ran 26 miles in the Boston Marathon! I bet he was back running 3 days later. I know he was a little stiff for a few days but he then goes in August to the Canada Ironman to run for 15, Swim 2 miles and Bike for 110 (Yes, one hundred and ten miles no mistype!). I think I can make 18 miles on a bike by July, at least I hope so. There is a Bike ride at Paperfest that I am hoping to do. I need those for motivation or else I will never survive the "training".

A collar for kids???? Hmmm...

They should invent some kind of collar for kids. Not a shock collar, but one that sounds an alarm when they go out of the house. That would help alot. With 3 kids I never know which kid is coming or going when the weather is nice. Zeb LOVES to be outside, but he is only 2. He also LOVES to go for a walk, sitting in the wagon. Ok, So I go for a walk and he gets a ride. He is also VERY persistant. When ever he hears a train (we live about 4 blocks from the track) he wants to go for a walk to watch it. He loves anything with travel right now. Planes, Trains or Cars. Especially RACE CARS!
I am looking forward to a trip to Six Flags Great America with my sister, Sara. I am thinking I will drive down to her place on Sunday May 15th and spend the night at her place. The next morning wake up and head out to Six Flags Great America. I haven't been there in about 8 years. I went there with my husband and some friends of ours. My husband doesn't do well on Rollercoasters. I LOVE them. We are not taking the kids. They will be in school. They had 2 days of Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Not to mention, the space station, race track and the Ocean (which they LOVED). I don't get to visit my sister as much as I would like. She doesn't have kids so they tend keep her a little on edge. I don't blame her. It is kind of like when you were younger and we would babysit. You always didn't mind doing it, but while you were there after the first hour or so you could think of about 18 things at home that would be more fun. So after that first hour you watch the kids and the clock, waiting til the parents would come home.
My sister also wants to take me to IKEA. She loves that store. She has showed me the website a few times. I like to shop, I won't complain. Maybe only about the money I don't have to buy everything I want but that would be it, Really. Shopping with no kids better yet!! What a novel Idea!

Just wasting time...

We wasted 4 hours yesterday working on electircal that never ended up working. That really takes the wind out of your sails. I think that electricians have it made. It didn't seem like 4 hours. Talk about job security. We did so little in so much time. Anyway we are one more step closer to having a Rec room in the basement. We put up more paneling instead yesterday.
well gotta go the kids are home from school.

Goin' Shotgun...

Brock and Reece have this thing going. They love to sit in the front seat. They are always yelling 'Shotgun' and running to the car. I learned recently that in the old days of the horse and buggy when people would travel they would sometimes have someone driving the stagecoach and somenone next to the driver with a shotgun armed and ready just in case someone would try to rob them with all the people to and from the 'Gold Rush'. That is why when someone goes 'shotgun' they basically want to ride next to the driver.
Well, Zeb has caught the idea with yelling shotgun. It's so cute. His brother can already be in the front seat and he'll yell 'SHOTGUN!' with his little 2 year old voice and run to the front door of the truck. Obviously we can't let him sit shotgun but its funny to watch him try!

From the Basement Blogger..

I don't get much time to write these anymore. Since we had the floors refinished, we have our computer in the basement. Out of sight, out of mind definitely holds true. Zeb has now discovered how to open every door in the house. He know just how to unlock it first, too! I have no hope. Which is why I am doing this at this hour. He is watching Agent Cody Banks with the boys. They love that movie.
Zeb has a nice road rash above his right eye from falling out of the wagon that Reece was pulling him in. He loves a wagon ride. It's great. Every day (weather permiting) he, very persistantly, asks to go for a wagon ride. We have a train track that runs about 4 blocks from our house and he is forever amazed by trains. Any time he hears one he wants to go for a walk to watch it.
Zeb is not quite saying sentences or phrases,but boy when he sees a race car, train, or various others he definitely makes sure you know it. He has his dads NON STOP TALKING!
gotta go...

No need to hire an exterminator...

I know it has been a while since I last written, It has been a busy week. Monday and Tuesday we spent most of our time unloading our Living Room and Dining Room of furniture for the men to refinish our floors. Originally I wanted everything to go in the garage, just in case it rained, but the bigger items were just to heavy. So our sectional couch and my roll top desk had ended up on our front porch. My entertainment stand is now in my kitchen. We will probably be moving those in today.
We lucked out weather wise, it couldn't have been better. We had spent the last couple of days at my parents home sleeping, we tried to maybe come home thursday night but the smell was so STRONG, I couldn't even stay in the house long enough to open a window. I had to keep going out side and breathe, then go back in. I don't know what they used but it was Nasty!
We had our whole house fan on for 2 1/2 hours yesterday with the windows open to help with the smell. It helped a lot, but you can still smell it a little. I know eventually it will all go away. Today I went to my closet and it has lingered in the clothes. They have become very fragrant. The good thing is if we had any mice in our house the would be no more. I don't know if that would work for spiders but if it does, YIPPEE! My sisters used to put centipides in jars with nail polish remover and watch them die and turn color. It was quite neat. They would turn a really neat shade of purple. After thinking about that smell reminded me of the nail polish remover, I am now quite confident our spider/centipide friends are gone. At least for now.

Yes, Zeb is actually sleeping and this is a close up picture of where he fell asleep. 

and another... 

I kidd you not, Zeb is actually sleeping. Reece pointed this out to me. He fell asleep on the couch just today like this 

Busy Weekend.

Duner and I went up to Minocqua for a much needed time away from the kids last night. We had a great time. I got to go for a peaceful walk while he bowled in a tournament with some buddies. One of the guys he bowled with was someone I went to Junoir High with. It was fun. He was one of the boys that you never had a 'crush' on but always fun and nice. He still is. It had been 15 years already since I had seen him. He went to a different high school then me. We stayed a hotel within walking distance to the 'downtown' area. Everyone was able to come and go. No one had to worry about who was driving. I am not much of a binge drinker. I had 1-2 drinks of Cranberry and Malibu, then I switched to water. I believe it is more fun to be the sober one to tell the person the next day, 'Do you know that you did this...?'.
It was funny because 3 of the guys in the group of about 9 guys were lawyers. Two were defense attorneys and one was a real estate attorney. If you would have seen these guys you would have not guessed that is what they do. Maybe just one of the 3.
We treated our selves to the Best room at the inn. Being off season we got it really cheap. We had a couch, fireplace and jacuzzi in our own room. The hotel did have a pool and whirlpool, but we didn't have the kids so we splurged. Besides my OB doctor released all restrictions on Thursday. We felt like we were dating again. The guys at the bars kept telling us to get a room. I just love the fact that after 10 years (and 3 kids) we still have such a strong bond. We have our disagreements but in the end all is good.
It was a rejuvenating weekend.

We Almost have a toy room

We we have 6 outlets and 2 lights all fully funtional in the toy room now! Yeah! That was such a huge hurdle for us. Now we will put up paneling, a false ceiling and some carpet. Amazing enough we generally work pretty well together. Our main problem is Zeb. He likes to move what we need to use. Yesterday Duner was working near our treadmill he put a retacting razor, wire cutter, and wire stripers on the treadmill. Next time he needed them we couldn't find them anywhere! After looking around for a while we asked Zeb what happened to them and he opens up a tool box and says 'Right Here'. What a helper.

What a small world it is.

Reece has a new 'best' friend, Jacob, and he just loves playing with him. I spent the afternoon talking with his mom, Jenny. I learned that our Best Man from our wedding plays volleyball against her Husband, Luke. And our Best Man, Mark also works with her. While we were talking a friend of Brocks, Greysen, came up and started to play with them and then I learned that Greysen's Dad also plays volleyball with them too. What a small world.

Oh the torture

It is now spring break in Appleton. The kids will be home all day; all week long. I like to think of it as a preview to what summer vacation will be like. When I grew up we had no computers, sometimes no cable TV, and the oldest game system ever made. We had our bicycles but little or no spending money to go to the nearby gas station or Drive In. How boring.
Now a days kids have very little of that. My kids have their own computer, TV, Playstation 1 and 2, and Cable. They have nothing to complain about! At least I would think not, but the are kids after all.
Of course they are required to do some house work before going out side. I have some tweaking to do with the summer schedule but we will figure it out.

And Life goes on

I am listening to my 2 yr old throw a fit because he fell asleep down in the toy room and woke up by himself. He has been crying now for quite a while. His brother Reece had tried to cheer him up but he is still screaming. He is SO stubborn. He only has to walk up here and I will pick him up, but there is no reason for me to go down to get him. He is just mad. Reece hates it when he cries. He is our little cheer leader. He always wants everyone to be happy. So we are just waiting for the boy to settle down then maybe we will go get a movie or game.
We went and got a new cell phone for Duner today. His was droping calls alot and cutting in and out. We had to wait for them to activate the phone. I looked at the store while we waited and noticed they dont have alot of inventory. I read in the newspaper how the owners of this peticular company are millonaires. After thinking about it, I can see how they became millionaires. It is the "little fees' that are associated with cell phones. That is why we don't see alot of inventory in those stores.
We also went and bought Brock some new shoes. I can't believe it. He is in a size 7 1/2 now. His feet are bigger then his grandmas. That should be no suprise to me. But he is age 10. Duner wears a 10.5 and I were size 11 in womens. I am thinking that he will be bigger then both of us. My dad weres a size 12 or 13 so it might be closer to that.
OhWell, on with the war....

Baby #4 is no more....

This morning I woke up with not so good news. We lost the baby. I went in to the Dr and they did an ultrasound. It looks like it died at 9 weeks. I was supposed to be 11 weeks along. I am actually doing pretty good. I know that God has a plan. That baby just wasn't in the plan. Everything happens for a reason. We have 3 great, healthy boys. I am very lucky that way.

Spring has Sprung

We just had our final "hopefully" winter dumping of snow before it goes for the season. It is always nicer to have the option of shoveling. With the weather warming up that means outdoor soccer season is soon underway. Reece is excited about it for now. His practices start in April and the games in May. He will have the same coach that he has had since he started and most of the same teammates. There team color will be orange this year. It is much better then the white they had last year. They will have tie dyed socks to match. This year the practices will be sunday nights at 5 pm and the games will be Tuesdays. I like that the games will be on Tuesday's that way Duner can watch. The last few years the games were on Thursdays, and that is Duners golf league night so he missed most of the games. I also have to work on Thursdays til 5pm and didn't get home til 5:30pm. It was alot of running. Hopefully he will enjoy the outside soccer. I am glad I didn't sign him up for Baseball too, with gas prices creeping up there it will be enough running around I think.

A girl Called Rachel.

Rachel was the name of a girl who came to Brock's Birthday Party. At first she was quite but then she opened up more. She was very proud of the gift she gave Brock. She told me, Duner and Brock "That on is from me!" She wanted to him to open it right away, but we waited to open them after the bowling.
We had to give her a ride home because her mom was going to the ER for a toothache. We didn't mind at all. The party was from 3-6pm but we ran out of time to open gifts at the end Brock did it really quick, then everyone went home. We sent all the kids home with a goodie bag of various toys, like a rubix cube key chain, silly bobing eye glasses, foam flyers, gag gum,candy and fortune cookies. She lived near Duners work in some apartments. She had some older siblings who were home.
After we put away everything we got homework completed, checked for any money needed for fieldtrips and various other things, then we went to bed.
When Brock woke up the next day he had a stomach ache. As a precaution I kept him home, since Zeb was sick 2 days earlier. He stayed on the couch most of the day and didn't move, but as he started to feel better he was checking out his gifts.
Rachel's gift was a Rocket the a shot up in the air almost 5 stories. When he opened the box we found only the rocket itself without the accessories that were supposed to be included. Instead there was a coloring book (well worn) all filled in, a couple of perfectly colored pictures from another coloring book, some chocolate covered cherries, and empty crayon/colored pencil boxes. After seeing what was in the box, I am glad that we did run out of time. She was so proud of what she had done, and kids would have maybe said something not very nice about it. I told Brock not to say anything bad about her gift, since that was probably all they could afford. I am glad she came. I think it helped Brock realize how lucky he is. I think she had fun.

Do you know how hard it is to get a picture when the kids hardly ever stand still!! 

Brock was so excited to light the candles. 

All the kids from the Party. (Starting from left back is Rachel,Brandon, Greyson,Ben (Back) Reece and then Brock. 

The Plight of the Sick

I work at a Doctors office. This year in Wisconsin has been peticularly bad for fever, cough and vomiting. We have sanitizers all over the office. We have them for patients and for employees. I try to use it as often as I can since ours has moisturizers in it. I hope I did Thursday or Friday. I just hate the thought of bringing my work home to the kids. Especially Zeb. He is only 2. At that age they are blessed to recover quickly but they don't realize why it is happening. I can only hope he picked up a bug by crawling around on the floor at the resturant we ate at last night.
Well don't read the rest if you have a weak stomach. Last night I woke up to Zeb throwing up right next to me where Dad normally sleeps. (Good thing he is out of town) So, at 1:45am I was changing bedding and putting it in the washing machine. I was too awake to go back to sleep. I had the bucket ready, a towel down and the TV on (for a night light) to be ready for the next time.
I tried explaining the concept of throwing up in the bucket, but that never quite sunk in. Next time he pushed the bucket away and spit up on the sheet. Luckily it was only spit. I figured that would happen so I put some not so favorite sheets on the bed.
I better go off to heal the sick....
Later.

Ok quick update...

I was wrong. It was worse then I thought. The boys had 100 questions. That means we owe 25 dollars to the school for just Brock! I didn't realize they would be giving the kids hints. At Least for Reece we only owe 5 dollars.
And as for Reece, the poor tortured child of mine. We had taken Duner out to the airport yesterday for Baton Rouge,LA. Of Course Reece did NOT want to go with. On the drive out there he was whining about going with us. I told him if he kept whining he wouldn't go to the pizza place we were going after we dropped off Duner. He then asked "What's whining?"
Duner answered " That was what you were just doing"
Reece responed " That wasn't whining, that was a cry for help!"

Poor, Poor, Poor Child.

I think I am in trouble

My oldest son Brock has been wanting to work on the Knowledge a thon questions lately. Which scares me since I said I would pay .25 cents per question he gets right. He has 50 questions. I had put only .5 cents on his brother since he was more willing to learn and doing so well on them. I guess even if he gets all of them right it won't be that bad. It's only $12.50. At least I know of one question he won't get right. He can't name the 7 continents. He only knows Austrailla as the one with Kangaroos. He all together forgets Europe and Asia. He likes to think of Antartica as New Zeeland. At Least that will say .25 Cents. : }

Here we go...

I give up. I am not going to drag Reece to Soccer so I can sit there and watch all the other kids play, while Reece clings next to me. What is the point. It would make things with the boys he is afraid of worse. I believe it just gives them more of an excuse to pick on Reece. Not that they do now, but I don't want to take any chances.
It's not like he is getting off scott free. He is still grounded on Saturday/Sundays through Easter.
In other news, we are busy getting ready for Brocks 10th Birthday Party this year. He will be 10 on the 10th. So he wanted to invite some kids from school to go bowling this year. Yeah. I don't know how to score for bowling and the bowling alley we are using is one that doesn't have automatic scoring. Duner must be there to keep track for the kids.
Speaking of Duner. He will be flying out of the state on Wednesday for a couple of days to Baton Rouge, LA. He likes to go to a National Bowling tournament with some guys from a League around here. This is the first year I am not going with him. (Ha, Ha, Ha) I think it is funny. He is the type of person who tends to take the long way of things. He is not Mr. Navagation. If fact when we have taken our trips in the past I drive. He hates business. He is flying alone. Something he has NEVER done before. Not to mention a plane change in Ohio. It will be interesting. He will come back (if all goes well) on Saturday at 5pm. Luckily that is 22 hours before Brocks bowling party. I hope that is plenty of time. : ]

Life is Good...

Well, Reece spent the weekend grounded. By Sunday night he was watching the clock so he could go to bed at 8:08pm. (I don't know why the :08 part) But he was not grounded come Monday. So since his Brother Brock went shopping for a birthday present with Aunt Sara from all the way down in Verona (near Madison), he wanted to play that game in the worst way. Brock was very excited to go shopping with Aunt Sara. He did it last year with her and Loved it! He couldn't forget it. He was hopeful that she was going to do it again. After they went shopping we had pizza at our parents house and made baby shower invites that was fun. It was good to use some paper punches and scissors I had gotten but never used.
Anyway, Come monday morning at 3:30 am I woke up to hear Reece turning on all the lights and heading down stairs to play the game he patiently waited for SO LONG (thats 24 hrs in 7 yr old terms). Needless to say I told him it was too early and he should get to bed. He waited till 4 am. I heard him trying to be as quiet as possible heading downstairs. I realized it was inevitable. He was going to be awake no matter what.
I yelled at him ' If you insist on playing just eat something first".
To which he replied ' Ok!"
For me it was a very stressful Sunday where we had a meeting about the cabin we have up north. I had email everyone with some issues that we had never discussed and a few people were not happy about it. So I expected the worst. But it went fine. Everything I said was agreed to by everyone. I just don't know why some people were mad?
Then there was Zeb. Over the weekend I had to rewrite a check to the babysitter, AKA Grandma Z, because he chewed the numbers off the bottom. And for apprx. 6 weeks we were missing our check book. I wasn't very worried. It was Zebbed. I had it last and I know I put away in the roll top desk drawer that I always do. I had just made out bills. I never take it anywhere. We knew Zeb had something to do with it we just didn't know where. Anytime we would ask him he would show us his toys. We'll he ended up putting it in some paper that I had in the file drawer in the desk. Life is good. All is well. I know eventually they always show up.

Oh the Perils of a 7 year old

Life is unfair. Especially if you are Reece. He seems think the world has it out for him. Just last night he stomped up stairs yelling "Everyone always bosses me around!", after we told him he was distracting his brother who was trying to study his words.
Today his life sucks because Saturday morning he has to go to indoor Soccer. He loves outdoor soccer. He was fine with it before we got there last week. Now, it is just awful. He says there is too many people there.
I don't think he realizes just how many people are on outdoor soccer. For the last 30 minutes he was telling me how much he would be willing to to just to not have to go. (He still is as I type) Now he says he will brush his teeth everyday. Twice a day even.

Where does the time go?

Brock and Reece's school have been studying for a knowledge-a-thon. They sent home pledge sheets over the weekend. They do this every year to raise money for the PTA. Both kids have 50 questions. I am going to wager 5 cents for every question they get right. I think I could easily wager more for Brock, but not Reece. He is too dangerous. I could do a quarter for Brock. I probably will. He just doesn't care to do this. The answers go in and out just as fast; they just don't stay.
We tried uneventfully to do some potty training for Zeb. I bought him 6 new pairs of Spongebob underwear. He likes to go sit on the potty and pretend something has happened but thats it. Oh Well. We just will have to keep trying.
We were able to cash in on the gift certificate Duner got for working Valentines day. My mom watched the boys so we could go. She watched them all night. Which meant we were also able to watch a movie at the theater. It's been a while since we were able to to that. We saw Hitch. Good movie. It was cute. We saw a preview for Robots which the kids are already talking about wanting to go see.
We have decided to have a Birthday party for Brock on March 13th. He turns 10 on the 10th but his dad will be in Baton Rouge, LA for a Bowling competition so we are delaying it a bit. No surprise that Brock wants to go bowling. I don't know how many kids will show up but hopefully it will be fun for him. We only do parties every five years because of the expense. When it comes down to it after buying food, supplies, party favors, and the event they really add up. Well, I need to go get them ready for school.
later~

Ten Years of Wedded Bliss

I know I swore that Duner was going to HAVE to get me the 3 stone anniversary ring I have been wanting for 5 years, but when it comes down to it, it is just another day on the Calendar. On Valentines day we were officially married for 10 years. What did we do.... Hmmmm. I cleaned the bedrooms in the morning, changed the bed linens, brought laundry down, played with my 2 year old, (who by the way told me I was naughty when I picked up the toys), I took the kids to the dentist, and then out to eat (without the spouse). Why? Because he loves to work. Away from home. Actually it is not the work part so much as it is the money. He works part time at a restaurant. The owner begged him to work Monday night, with the holiday and our 10th anniversary, he must have felt guilty so he gave us a certificate for dinner for 2. So I can't complain. We tried to get one at a fancy expensive resturant in town but he didn't think it was a good idea. Wonder why.?
Well at least I now have 2 walls up in the basement toward our new and improved toyroom for the kids. I guess I can consider that my anniversary gift. Although I did get a nice box of dark Chocolates from Wilmars. I was never in the store before. It wasn't that impressive. I think I was spoiled with Godiva out at the mall. Don't get me wrong the chocolate is great! I just LOVE Godiva. Last year I got a free pound of chocolates for test driving a BMW. Gotta love that!
Must go get the kiddie's to bed , Again!
Bye~

The race is about to begin...

We Starting next week I will again be a Soccer mom. Reece starts indoor socccer at the YMCA. Every Saturday for the next 12 weeks we will be bringing him to soccer indoors then starts the outdoor season with the Appleton Soccer Club. Last year he was in Soccer and T-ball. With 2-3 games and 1 practice each week that was a bit much. This year he will only be in Soccer, which he likes more then baseball. Duner *aka Dad* doesn't like it but he feels board with baseball. My husband just loves baseball. He just doesn't understand it.
Speaking of Races, I just love the Amazing Race, but my husband thinks he would like to do it, too. I have thought about trying for it but the rules say you need to have an active passport and be able to fly at your own expense for an interview to LA. Then later for the 2nd interview , you need to be able to be in LA for up to 2 wks (which they pay for your hotel and flight) but you have to pay for your food. And that is all before you are even chosen! If you get picked, big IF!, you will then have to be off work 30-40 days for the show taping! I can see why it sucks to be kicked off one of the first!

Weekend warriors

We are hoping to sell our home in 2-3 years. We have decided to tackle a job about every weekend so we can have it in ship shape for selling. This weekends project will be fixing the low spot in the basement. We have a home that was built in 1915. When it was first built it had a water well in the basement to hold runoff rain water, I am told. Our basement is partically finished. The laundry room and bathroom are finished. We now want to make the 'Rec room' finished. That is why we need to fill in the low area (where the well used to be). Last night I cleaned up and repainted the wall. Today we will mix the cement and level off the area. I hope we have enough time to do this. Our kids are invited to a birthday party for a nephew of ours, we don't know if we are supposed to be there or not. I don't know what time. Hopefully we will be able to get that done, since next week we hope to get the walls up. And hopefully electrical wire in for outlets too.

Getting ready to go home.... (these pics are in reverse) 

I don't want to get wet Dad!!!! 

Dale Jrs Car at Daytona Raceway 

Here Zeb was talking with some people at the pool telling them all about how much he likes it. 

Reece feeding the dolophins... 

Wow, he sees me! 

Zebs favorite 

The kids favorite part.... 

Space man! 

Amish at Kennedy Space Center 

Back from Vacation

Hi All,
Boy did we have a great vacation!
Thursday we went to Kennedy Space Center. We saw lots of alligators and armodillos. It was very interesting, if you go you have to do the bus tour. When we went throught the checkpoint, we were in line behind some amish. How do they know about space exploration? It was neat. I even took a picture.
Friday we started out on the rainy side but we still went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It was GREAT! I highly recommend the Island of Adventure if you have kids. I had to pull the kids out of Camp Jurassic. They were having so much fun. Camp Jurassic is like a playset at a really big play land made out of rock, cement and rope. There were dark caves, climbing ropes instead of stairs, water guns, water fountation (that if you didn't know they were there you could easily get wet.) Reece went on his first Roller coaster called the flying Unicorn, but since he thinks he will get laughed at for it he calls it the flying Dragon. We also went on Dr Suess Cat in the Hat, Carosel, 1 fish 2 fish, Jurassic Park water boat tour, Posiden's Fury, a very cool spiderman, and the kids went on a scrambler type ride.
Midway thru the day we stopped for a bite to eat. We bought 1 chicken tenders meal and 1 double cheeseburger meal and 2 sodas and it was plenty for 2 adults and 3 kids. That came to 22 dollars. I cant imagine how much money (and food) would go to waste if we ordered one meal for everyone. I wanted to go on a few more rides but my family was too chicken, and with a 2yr old in tow I didn't want to make everyone wait while I went on it myself. Which ended up ok afterall. Just after we left the park I found out that the Incredible Hulk ride got hung up upside down for 4 hours. Which would have been just my luck.
Saturday we went to Universal Studios and back to Islands of Adventure later on. We did Jimmy Neutron, Shrek 4D, Twister (which was a disappointment), Jaws, Men In Black, and a show about how they put on gross make up in horror movies, which was fantastically hilarious!
I wanted to do Earthquake but it was closed for maintnance til the Saturday after we get back.
We finished up later by going to Hard Rock Cafe for Souveniors, and of course Camp Jurassic in Islands of Adventure.
Sunday was Sea World. Very cool, the kids got to feed and pet Stingrays and Dolophins. We watched Shamu (safely out of the Soak Zone.) We saw the budweiser Clydesdales on a stroll with the carriage through the park. Duner had some free beer from Budweiser. I was little cold that day so we bought a sweatshirt for 20.00, which was pretty reasonable.
Monday we went to Daytona Beach Raceway. We took a tour and bought some shirts and soveniors really cheap. We also got to see Dale Jr's actual race car that he won the Daytona 500 with last year! Still had the dirt and confetti on it.
We finished the day by going to Cocoa Beach and walking on the beach, collecting shells and letting the kids freeze there butts off by running in to the ocean. Kind of puts that tsunami thing in perspective.
But all in all , Great trip. I don't care for the state of Florida, they have the longest street lights on earth and tollways every where. I doubt we will go there again anytime soon.

Its the peanut butter in the chocolate Ice Cream that works SO well for your skin! 

I need a vacation!

I know things are Never easy before you go on vacation but this week has been peticularly stressful. First of course is having a two year old. Wow. He learned to many things this week.
He has mastered the baby locks on the cabinets (which will be coming down this weekend). What is the point of me having to push down the lock if he has figured out that pulling them open hard enough they will open.
Next was running. If he takes off running, then throws the object I am trying to get from him, he thinks he won't be in trouble?????
Next was dancing, this I must say was quite adorable. He was copying his brother Reece and break dancing.
Then there was the static shock that his brothers kept trying to do to each other.

The worst of his new found freedoms was in the Kitchen. He now can open the side by side refidgerator. He loves to bring out frozen food and give them to us. He has even figured out how fun it is to change foods to the freezer and to the fridge. Not to Mention other items. Thursday night my husband used our cell phone which is our home phone and thought he had left it in his car. We could not find it any where. We started thinking that we had someone take it out of his car while he worked overnight. This morning, guess where we found it.
Yep, it was in the freezer.
Zeb is now baby gated out of the kitchen. I still don't know how or where he got it and my husband can't remember how it got in the house.
But if you have ever worked nights it is hard to function during normal people hours so I will give him that.
Then the next issue this week was Brock. He was learing long division and did not understand it at all. We worked on it for 2 hours for 2 days. He was crying and very much lacking interest.
I am sure fractions will be a JOY!.

Fun in the Sun

Coming up fast is this time we live for .... winter vacation.
Every year we like to fly somewhere I vacation with the kids. This will be the last year for a while to save money for a new house. So we decided to make it Orlando Florida.
We fly out of Green Bay in 11 days. This will be the first flight for Zeb our 2 yr old. I found out last year that if you 'check in' for your flight on line you can get much better seats easier. So, I will be doing that for sure! My son Brock had be obsessing about his ears popping, which his teachers said was getting in the way at school. I don't know why he was doing that he has been on a plane last year.... he was fine. Anyway, I will be busy trying to find what I did with the summer clothes for all the boys. So I had them make lists of how many shorts, shirts, underware, etc. My oldest, who is almost 10, wrote out his with pictures of a shirt, shorts, pants and that type of thing with the number he would need next to it. Really he can spell. I know he can. I think he was afraid that if he would spell out those words he would forget his spelling words that he had just studied.

A Hunting They Will Go

Every year when the snow comes and Christmas excitement has gone is the official Rabbit hunting season here in Wisconsin. My oldest peticularly loves this time since he gets to hunt with Dad and not have to sit still. Duner says he likes it since we don't have a dog to get the rabbits moving he has a 9 and 7 year old to run around and scare up the rabbits.
Yesterday was the first time this year they got to go. They got a rabbit. They like to pet it. Duner decided to put down the bunny and see if he could find any more. Reece always get tired and goes back to the car early. This year as they were returning to car, they noticed a man talking to Reece who was, as it turned out, trying to find out if Duner had a hunting license and if he had gotten anything. Later he learned that Reece was scared when the man came and was crouched down hiding in the car. Finally the man flashed his badge and then Reece was telling him about how they shoot the bunny in the butt. I don't know if he believed Reece or not. He had left by the time they got there. Which kind of makes me curious if it really was a game warden or not. But all is well .

Man they grow up fast....

I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. The other day I was craving something salty and crunchy, so I popped open a tiny bag of chips.
My Son Reece came up to me and said
"Those aren't healthy for you" and took them away! When he came back he brought me a Banana and said
"eat this it is better for you."
Huh???? When did he grow up? He is only 7.