Snow Bunnies...

Luke is not a fan of weather.  He does not seem to like things too hot... he was a miserable SOB at the beach... he does not appear to enjoy the cold and snow either. Well, yesterday, Scott decided he would perform a little immersion therapy on the boy and take him out into the snow.... try to get him to realize you can have FUN out there.  :-)

We got dressed in our snow gear...

He's still not SO sure about this.....

Poor guy...... Ally tries to get him into the swing of things...

Almost ready... now Daddy needs to get dressed.... Luke finds this part amusing for some reason:

We head outside.... Scott intends to shovel and play a bit.... I am thinking they will be back in the house in like three minutes.... but things appear to be going well...

Luke stays out for at least an hour..... Ally poops out before he does.  :-) The driveway is still not really shoveled, but they had a lot of fun.... and then, Luke slept three and a half hours.... and allowed Mommy to take a Saturday nap too!  NICE!!!!!!

I'm still sick of the snow though... it can go away ANY TIME!!!

Whirlwind Week...

Have you missed me?  This week has been certifiably insane!!!!!!!  It all started with being sick on Monday.  I could not drag myself into work... I was completely out of it all day and night Monday.  I lost that entire first day of my week.  So, that means I have been playing catch up ever since. Catching up at work... catching up at home... mentally catching up!  I still don't know what day it is... which is just SAD since it's Friday and that's a GOOD thing!

So........ I lost Monday.... delerious with sickness and fever.... an entire day, gone!  Ally stayed home with me all day Monday since she had a snow day, and I must say... the girl was an ANGEL!  Mommy was totally out to lunch all day... in and out of sleep on the couch or in bed... and Ally just took it all in stride.  Watched movies, played her DS and read.  Thank you for putting up with me Allison Jane! 

Tuesday, I pulled it together and went to work.  Was still not feeling great, but duty calls...... Wednesday things were getting better... but I was still so tired.  I am not sleeping well at night because a lovely cough keeps me up half the night, but that is now getting better as well.

Yesterday, I went to Kalamazoo because my Dad was having surgery on his back.  He had some vertebrae fused together because of some horrid pain he was experiencing in his legs.  My Dad has a mild form of Muscular Dystrophy, so he had always blamed this pain he has felt for some time, on that disease. It is actually a GOOD thing that it was his back and something that could be FIXED rather than a progression of his disease and something he may have to live with for the rest of his life.

The surgery took far longer than anyone anticipated.... and he took even longer to come out of recovery.... more than 8 hours of surgery is no joke people!  I can't imagine..... :-(  Unfortunately, I had to get back and get the kids to bed before I could see him, but I hear that, while in some pain and having some spasms... he is doing well and his legs are not as painful as they were!  Maybe surgery was a success?  Possibly too early to tell..... but I am hopeful! 

Always scary in my opinion... any major surgery like that..... and there is always cause for some level of concern.  But, my Dad is strong and will come out better for having gone through this. I know that.  Unfortunately, he can't play golf all summer...... and that is a huge bummer for him.  :-( 

I'm back at work today...... and looking forward to going out with some girls tonight to support a friend from high school at an art show she is having at The Bon Ton Room. Totally need this girls' night out!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday everyone.........

Sickness Sucks...

I am home sick today and it truly SUCKS!!!!  Last week, I felt like I was fighting something on and off all week. Scott had a bad cold, horrid sore throat, sniffles and cough. He slept on the couch half the week to try to spare me.  Ally was tired and cranky all week... maybe fighting it.  Luke woke up Friday with the sniffles, but they lasted one day. 

Yesterday, I woke up with a scratchy throat. I was hoping I just needed some water... no such luck.  :-(  Throughout the day I just felt worse and worse and worse.  It is a NASTY little cold I have.  Body aches... sore throat... congestion... headache.... and a low-grade fever.  Truly blows.  I haven't slept for two nights, the aches and pains are just too great to let me get comfortable enough to sleep. This sucks.

It has been a rough winter for us it seems.  We have had some nasty viruses go through our house time and time again.  Luckily (knock on wood) not one of these bugs has turned into an infection for the kids. We haven't had an ear infection or sinus infection.... yet.  If spring could just get here soon and some warmth could make us all feel  a bit better.

All this stupid snow doesn't make me feel any better at all.  Just looking out on it makes me grumpy in fact.  I am sick of winter. I am sick of cold.  I am sick of snow and how "dirty" it makes everything.  I'm sick of my dirty muddy ass garage... and snowy wet dogs dragging all that wetness in... and snow boots.... and.....

I'm in quite the mood this morning, huh?  ;-)  Sorry to be such a downer. We all have our days.....

Keep looking forward! Arizona with Scott is just around the corner!!! And, going part time after that..... spring is sure to follow on the heels of all that fun!

Happy Monday friends........ hope you are all feeling healthy this week!!!

Wacky Weekend...

Our weekend started off with both Scott and I taking Friday off.  Scott had the week from hell last week. Busy at work along with two nights of his masters class and his final! At least his class is over and no matter how he did, it's behind him.  

Of course, next week, he starts a leadership class through work and will be gone two nights... but this class is once every two months as opposed to every week.... ah, but the weekly classes will start up again... just not until May.  It will always be something, at least for a little while.

So, we had Friday off and Luke woke up sick as hell.  Poor little guy. Stuffy nose... just clingy and miserable.  I diagnosed him with a cold and gave him lots of fluids, tylenol and TLC.  He slept for four hours.... and Scott and I just took it easy all day with him. Ally went to school of course.... she and Scott ran errands when she came home, but that evening, we all just stayed in and laid low... the kids went to bed early... everyone seemed tired and cranky and Scott and I had some wine when they went down....

Saturday, Ally had a make-up ballet class.  Her class is usually Thursday evening.  We then had to get a birthday gift for a friend's party and I wanted to get to Gymboree to take advantage of a sale and a coupon I had.  Got Luke's entire summer wardrobe taken care of and got some great deals!!!!!!  Of course, when I got home and tried the shorts on him, they all fell off, so I have to see if he will still be in the same size he was last year... which means getting all his shorts back from the friend I handed them down too (much to her dismay I'm sure!)... but we will see.  He's probably in between sizes.  Those will be too small.. the 18-24 month sizes I got him, too big. 

So, we ran to ballet... Gymboree and picked up a gift at the mall. Ran home because Ally was having a friend over to stay the night! Very exciting for her. The girls ran around like wild animals, played with their American Girl Dolls, their Nintendo DS's, and had a great time.  They stayed up too late and got up too early, but all-in-all, they were really well behaved.

This morning, Grace came over to play... so for a few hours, each of the kids had their BFF's here...  it was wild and messy, but everyone was happy and occupied and Scott and I sat at the table for a couple hours, had breakfast and coffee and broke up a fight now and again....

Now, Luke is napping, Grace went home and Scott took Ally to the birthday party..... I am takin' it easy as I have now acquired Luke's cold.  I hope, like his, it only lasts one day!  Luke was down and out Friday, but yesterday he was back to himself.  Oh to be a kid and rebound from illness so quickly..... my throat will probably be sore all week....  oh well.

I feel like I am rambling and saying nothing really. The weekend was busy and very kid-centered.... Scott and I laid in bed and talked about our upcoming trip to Arizona which is in TWO WEEKS!  And, it got me through the fact that I got no sleep last night..... it's wonderful to have that to look forward to... 

Here are a few pics from our morning with Grace..... these two are just as cute as can be when they're together.... Scott made them a very cute lunch.... that's chicken salad on toast on top of a banana.... little trees... and apple slices.  :-)

In Today's Episode...

... Ally discovers she has CLEAN skinny jeans!  Hip, hip HOORAY!!!!!  Happiness is in the air... but only for a fleeting moment... because then.... (cue the dramatic music...) she learns that she has NO CLEAN TUNICS!!!!  Oh the horror. How will she go on? How will she survive this loss? This devastation?

Good lord.  Seriously.  This morning... Ally woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Once again, she hid under her covers. She came out of her room just grumbling from the start.  "Mommy, where's Daddy?  Why did you turn my light on so early?  What's for breakfast?  Why is Luke already up?"  All said in the snotty, demanding teenage tone she uses so well...

Then, we have to deal with getting dressed.  The happiness that came from putting on her very favorite pair of dark washed skinny jeans was quickly dismissed when she learned that most of her shirts were still in the washer.  Yes, I am the WORST MOM EVER!!!!!  Nevermind I had to pick up the entire house last night for the cleaning lady to clean today and that I had to feed and entertain two kids on my own because once again, Scott was not home until late... to Ally, none of that really matters... cuz I did not do the one thing she wanted me to do.  Make sure one of her favorite shirts was clean. 

Of course, she did not COMMUNICATE this to me at any given moment.... no, I had no idea before this morning, that now, not only do we DESPISE flare jeans and ONLY want to wear skinny... but we also only want to wear TUNICS......... not regular shirts... not sweaters..... no, no, no........ TUNICS.

I swear to freakin' god....... Ally is making this catholic school decision easier and easier every damn morning! (we are still on the fence about what to do for school next year)  Here is your plaid jumper and white shirt..... you have NO OTHER CHOICES!!!!!!!!!!!

After discovering her FAVORITE tunic was dirty.... asking if I could somehow "spot" clean it (which in my desperation for peace, I actually attempted to no avail!)..... three minutes before she needed to walk out the door..... she then, throws herself back into bed.  Shirtless of course.

This time, Scott, the simple, sausage making man had to step in before I killed her. 

I honestly have no idea what she ended up wearing...... he threw some shirt on her and took her (kicking and screaming most likely) to school. 

Ironically................. this was her last night..... happy as can be, dancing in her room.  You never know when she's gonna turn on you.  ;-)

Part Time...

I am almost through all the hoops I have to jump through in order to go Part Time here at work!  You gotta love large organizations that require a lot of 'i' dotting and 't' crossing in order to actually do something... it's still frustrating, but of course, will be worth it in the end.  I have concerns that our health insurance will actually transfer correctly to Scott's name... that I will lose that money I've already paid into our Medical Flexible Spending Account and that I might not get paid correctly at all... but whatever... we will work through the kinks... and end up where I want and need to be!!!

I am officially going to "Part Time" status on March 16!  Very exciting.  During the school  year, I will work four days a week, five hours a day... my typical schedule will be from 9 am - 2 pm Monday through Thursday.  That gives me Fridays off and allows me to be home each day to pick Ally up from school.  I will grab Ally every day and we will go get Luke from Nana and Papa's... and be home a little after 3 pm every day!  WOW!!!!!!

As it is now... I get to my in-laws by 6 or so and then, get home sometime after to start thinking of dinner, homework, etc.  It will be SO nice to have those extra hours every day. It will be like a freakin' gift!!!!

During the summer months, when Ally is off school, I am going to work a different schedule - I will work two full 8 hour days one week, and three full 8 hour days the next week, to average out to 40 hours every two weeks. That gives me a LOT of flexibility during the best months of the year!  Ally usually goes to Y Camp during the summer... but she can choose to take the weeks off that I am only working two days and go to Nana's and Papa's with Luke those days... and then, we can do some fun things on our days off together!

I anticipate many trips to my Dad's to SWIM and lounge around at the pool!!!!!! Yay for my Dad being an adminstrator and Geri being a teacher... they will be around! 

Many trips to the East Lansing Aquatic Center, which I love!  Afternoons at the zoo...... or just one of the local pools........ and some days, we will have to lie low at home and just chill.  I love the array of options.  All of you Mom's out there who like to get out and about like me, let me know... we can plan some dates together!

I think this is going to be such a good, positive change for us and I frankly cannot wait!  I know Ally is really excited about it and I hope it helps her in a good way. I know my glasses are rose colored for now... that I will have my days that I just wish I was back at work cuz my kids are making me crazy.... but adjustments will occur over time and in the long-run, I am certain I will just love the time and flexibility!

Here's to a 20 hour work week......... less than three more weeks of Full Time work for me!  Wow..........  :-)

Here's the Skinny....

Every morning has it's challenges in the McIntosh household. I don't think there is a single morning person among us.  The alarm goes off each and every day at 6:00 am.  Neither Scott nor I get out of bed until at least 6:30 or 6:45.  On a good day.  We despise morning.  The only things that get me out of bed are a) I don't want to lose my job and b) I heard the coffee grind and brew so I know it's waiting for me.

Ally is the worst of all.  Every morning, we turn her light on to entice her to get herself out of bed. Every morning, she burrows under the covers.  You can't hide from morning my dear girl.  Believe me.  I've tried!

This morning, Ally was shocked and awed to discover she had no clean skinny jeans.  To most kids, this might be a minor setback.  Most kids would put on another pair of jeans and call it good.  Not. My.  Kid.  No skinny jeans is an invitation to a complete freakin meltdown.  "I HATE FLARE JEANS MOMMY!!!!"  Since when?  Then, why did I spend hundreds of freakin dollars on multiple pair of precious flare jeans you HAD to have at the beginning of the school year???????? (I of course say this in my head..... to her I promise to wash her skinny jeans so they will be fresh for tomorrow)

Then... THEN... she starts in on how she is the biggest of her three best friends... and how she hates being bigger than Ashlee and Jacey.  WTF????  Are you serious here little girl?  Do I have to start worrying about you thinking about your body image already?  NO!  I am so not ready for that.  You are seven my darling child.  YOU ARE SEVEN!  Add to that the fact that you can't even KEEP YOUR SIZE SIX jeans up..... you are NOT BIG!  Good lord.  Girl drama.  It was just too early in the morning and I hadn't had enough coffee for such girl drama.

You should have seen Scott's face.  He looks at me and says "I made sausage! I am a simple man honey.  I made sausage. You handle this."  :-))))))))))))  He has a hard time understanding a body image problem, let alone a body image problem at seven years of age... at SEVEN IN THE MORNING.

Seriously..... that private school uniform is looking better and better every day!

Me!

For the first time, this morning, Luke looked at a picture of himself and when I said "who is that?"... he said proudly, "ME!!!"

Awe... he finally makes that connection. Up until now it has always been "baby" or "baby boy"... but today, it was a very emphatic, "ME!"

Ally spent the night at my Grandma's last night, where my Mom is staying while she is visiting this weekend.  Yesterday, my Mom and I went to Ally's Valentine's Day party at school.  I hadn't told Ally that Grandma Kathy was even in town, let alone coming to her school!  We walked in the classroom and Ally saw me right away... came running... but because she wasn't expecting her or looking for her, she didn't even notice my Mom standing behind me.... at first... once she did though, it was that look of recognition and pure joy!!! Two big surprises on two days.  There's nothing quite like a big surprise....

After school, we went and grabbed Luke at my in-laws and visited with them for a bit, then headed back to my Grandma's house for the evening.  All of my mom's siblings and her Mom (my Grandma) and her Grandma (my Great-Grandma) live here in Jackson... so many came over last night and we all talked and visited a bit. We made a family favorite dish, caldoonies (actually from my Dad's side of the family, we even had to call him for the recipe)... but fun to make with Ally.  Or so my Mom thought... once we got started, it just was more work than anyone bargained for and a seven year old quickly loses interest in being helpful....

But, still, we enjoyed dinner.... and some time together.  Five generations in one house last night, as my Great-Grandma who is 100 years old, lives with my Grandma... and was there. For the most part, she's in good health.... as good as it can be when you're 100 years old!  :-)  She's not sure who's there all the time, and she doesn't remember the young ones (my kids) as well as she remembers those of us who have been around for a while, but I'd say she's doing damn good for 100!  ;-)

Ally stayed with my Mom last night and will again tonight.... Scott and I are going to a comedy show with Jane and Adam and we are once again, looking forward to an adult night out!

In the meantime, a nice morning and afternoon with ONE kid!  This is a nice change of pace on a Saturday morning..... snuggling with Luke. No jealous looks from Ally.  :-)

Through Ally's Eyes...

I gotta share these pictures that Ally took with my iPhone during a visit to my Dad's house a while back.... I just happened upon them in iPhoto... and started cracking up.........  :-))))))

My siblings and Dad... Geri.. I have no idea how you lucked out and didn't get captured!!!!!

Kellen and Nicola - actually nice shots... the closeness of the others scare me quite frankly!!!  HA!

Special Delivery...

My mom arrived from Las Vegas this morning...

Everyone knew she was coming.  All her sisters in town, her sister out of town, me, and random strangers I might tell on the street. Everyone, that is, except my Grandma.

I picked my mom up around 11... and we drove straight to Starbucks.  Crappy Delta Airlines coffee wasn't cutting it (trying to see who else I can get in trouble around here  ;-) )...

Then, I gave my Grandma a call.  The conversation went a little something like this:

"Hi Grandma!"
"Well, hi Nika!" (what my gma calls me)
"Are you going to be home?  I have something to drop off for you?"
"Yes... I will be here" (she is sounding concerned and confused...)
"Okay, I'm on my way... see you in bit..."

Hee hee... it's a conspiracy I tell ya!

We got to her house and I walked up to the door.  My mom stayed around the corner in the front of the house... I knocked... Grandma came to the door, hug, hug, happy to see me... and I turn around and say "I brought something for you...." and out pops my mom.

Hands down one of the coolest moments ever.  My Grandma could not have been more surprised... and just downright HAPPY!!!!!!!  She hugged my mom for like an hour.... shed a few tears..... and I was just so happy to be a part of that moment of pure joy......

It's not everyday you get a surprise delivery all the way from Las Vegas....

Bear With Me...

I'm trying out new blog layouts and don't like anything... I think I need professional help here. :-)

I think they just keep getting worse........  HA!

Comical Commute...

The snow started yesterday and we all just KNEW it was going to be a snow day for all the kids today. We were right!!!!!

Scott has classes in Grand Rapids on Tuesday and Thursday nights. In anticipation of the storm, he drove up there yesterday morning and worked from GR all day yesterday... and then, after class grabbed a hotel room and stayed there. Smart move on his part as it seems they got DUMPED on even worse toward the Lake.

He said 94 was closed in Kalamazoo... things were not looking so great for him this morning. He is working from the hotel until they kick him out... and hopefully, the roads will be a bit better by then!

I still got up, and pulled my ass into work. Ally was pretty excited this morning for a snow day. That has never happened before. Usually, she hates missing school.... but I think she was excited to go to Nana's and Papa's and play in the snow with Luke and Gracie!

Luke woke up as happy as can be. They both watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in my bed while I got ready. Talk about making it easy on the Momma this morning! Without Daddy to do all the hard work, I was worried I would never make it to work on time. ;-)

We packed up all the snow gear... and made the trek to "Papa's" as Luke calls it... "Nana's" as Ally calls it. They had a little argument over that this morning. Cute.

I hauled ass out of my UNPLOWED driveway. Thank god for all wheel drive! I have a "Cheers and Jeers" list for my commute in though....... it goes a little something like this:

CHEERS for the Concord Village Public Works Department for clearing ALL the roads in the Village!!!!!

JEERS for Pulaski Township's inability to clear their roads... it was treacherous trying to get back to my in-laws house!

CHEERS for Papa who got up at the ass-crack of dawn to shovel his driveway so I could make it up!

JEERS for the fact that my in-laws have to bundle THREE kids up and deal with them to run an important errand this morning. May the force be with them.

CHEERS for the little man driving the golf-cart down M-60 with a plow on the front. I needed that laugh this morning.

JEERS for the Dean Transportation bus fishtailing its way down I-94!!! SLOW DOWN dumb ass!!!!!

CHEERS for making it to work safe and sound!!!

JEERS that my boss wasn't even in this morning to appreciate my effort!

HAHA!!!! I'm here, in one piece and that's all that matters!!!!!!!!! Have a safe, snow day everyone!

Business In the Front...

We bit the bullet this morning, and cut Luke's hair. We had to do something!!! He screamed the entire time. I felt like I was killing him. It was really ridiculous.

Scott tried everything... he kept feeding him Rolos. Made little people out of his blocks and pretended to cut their hair. Did silly things. Silly voices. You name it... to no avail. Still, the boy hated every moment of his hair cut.

But, the deed is done. It ain't pretty if you look really close... so don't look really close. ;-) From a distance, it looks better. Everything but the one bald spot in the back where he jerked and I got him good with the clippers.

It's just hair..... it will grow back!!!!!!!

Long-Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply...

My son is destined for greatness. He might be a rock star. Maybe on the cover of those historical romance novels, you know the guy with the long, flowing hair. Either way... he is obviously going to have long hair because attempting to cut the boy's hair is like attempting to cut one of his limbs off while he's wide awake with no anesthesia!

I dropped Ally off at ballet yesterday, and thought I would run quickly and get Luke's hair cut. I knew it wasn't going to be fun or easy... but I thought we could just zip into Regis and be done with it.

I casually mentioned getting our hair cut. Luke started to whimper. I tried to explain that he needed his haircut (like reasoning with a terrorist I suppose)... and then, started the bribery. Offered candy... told him I would hold him... pretty much tried to set the stage for what was to come, but make him think it was going to be just fine. Mommy would be right there AND you get a bag of SKITTLES!!!!!!!!!

He was excited about the Skittles. Smiles... for a moment. Then, we walked through the door of the salon........ and he started to whimper. Then, he started to scream. Uh oh. This was so not going well at all and no one has even looked at him let alone TOUCHED him.

So, a nice, lovely woman takes us back and Luke really starts to lose it. He's shaking. He's crying that heartbroken/hurt cry. I sit with him and it just goes from bad to worse then, to even worse than that. He's thrashing about. He's completely lost it and freaking. The woman starts to look nervous. Really nervous. She does not look like she has the fortitude to handle this situation, and quite frankly... I'm not sure I can either.......

So, I stand up......... and tell her it's not going to work today............

We walk out........ Luke starts to breathe normally again. And then says to me "no haircut today mommy???" I say, "no haircut buddy"... and he is all smiles.... and I have to say to myself... the long hair is not so bad...... it's surely not worth the trauma that he obviously felt.

I will be investing in a Flobee........ scenes such as those are best played out in one's personal bathroom....... not a public venue!!!!!!!

Who Knew He Had Such a Big Mouth....

Usually I am the one with the big mouth in our family. I despise keeping things that are exciting to me from others. I like to share by nature. It's just who I am. If I'm excited about something, I want to shout it to the world. I love sharing because what I really enjoy is others' feedback. I love to talk to people about all sorts of issues... I just like to share!!!!!!!

My hubby is the exact oppossite - USUALLY! ;-)

Last night, I had casually mentioned to Ally that we were going to go to Chicago at the end of March. It has been AGES since she and I have gone. I have gone without her... our friends have come to visit us... but she and I haven't been there in some time. So, we were talking about - who else - Lanie... and I mentioned we could possibly go to The American Girl Place and have lunch when we went to Chicago... and we talked on and on. Of course, now, I anticipate constant questions about how "far away" Chicago is.... how many days until we go? You get the idea.

So, this was last night. Casual conversation between her and I about Chicago.

Then, this morning CLEAR OUT OF THE BLUE, Scott says "Ally - Mommy and I are going to take you to Disney World in a few months!"

WTF???????? It's three months away!!!!!!! In kid time, that's like three YEARS!!!!! I couldn't BELIEVE he told her! And, in the middle of morning chaos no less!!! ;-)

That is such a ME thing to do!!!! I have been DYING to tell her. It has practically taken all the restraint I have to not tell her the past two nights. It was so out of character that I just looked at him, mouth wide open, and then, noticed the seven year old bouncing off the walls......

God help her teacher today..... ;-)

He must be excited. That makes me smile. She is crazy excited... started firing questions immediately. And, when we told her Luke was NOT coming... more wall bouncing. ;-) Ally really loves her time without her little brother sometimes... and I love to give it to her.

Needless to say, the next few months, will be like trying to tame a wild horse. Ally got her patience from me. She will be talking about this until the moment we walk through that park entrance...

Scott and his big mouth. ;-)

The Good Wife's Guide

Many of you have seen The Good Wife's Guide.. either in email or some other format... it's supposedly from the 50s... and it's pretty funny as a stand-alone.

I went over and looked at WordPress on a recommendation from a reader (as I am exploring my future blog options) and I stumbled upon this blog post...... HILARIOUS!!!!!!!! Laughed 'til I cried....

Blog Etiquette...

Although I have maintained this blog for sometime now, I still wonder what the rules of blog etiquette are? For instance, when someone asks a question via comments left on a post, do I answer them via a comment of my own? Do I just email them directly? Do a write a blog post about it? Or is the question just rhetorical and requires no answer?

Also... I have been considering starting a new blog. One, for my thoughts... maybe my own personal rants and raves... mommy sanity blog for ME... and another for kid updates, etc. Essentially, one would be the real me... read at your own risk... and the other just the kids, whether that be good, bad or indifferent. Hmmm????

I don't really "see" myself as two people. Mom in one moment... and individual "Nicole" in the next... but I recognize that people read blogs for different reasons... and also, I wonder about the fact that so much of this is a record of my kids... and do I really want all that other "stuff" dispersed in with their electronic memory book?

It's quite possible I am overthinking this...... ;-) God knows I have a tendency to do so. ;-)

So, on to answer the questions that got me on this line of thinking in the first place...

Karen - Ally was historically in gymnastics at Joan Boyers a block away from our house in Concord. It was CRAZY convenient and wonderful for her to go to class there. Since Joan retired... we have not had her in any gymnastics class, she has only taken "camps" at the YMCA. She has continually expressed an interest in gymnastics and I would love to get her in a class... I will look into where you take your daughter!!!!

Right now Ally is doing ballet at the Jackson School of the Arts... and loving it. She took an art class too, last semester, but I can't keep that commitment of two classes a night, which my current work schedule, Scott's work and school schedule, and maintaining MY sanity. Things will change as our family shifts and I go part-time... but that change will take some time. Adjustments for all of us!!!!!

Nicole - we are not planning on taking Luke to Orlando with us. Frankly, I never even considered taking him for a minute! (does that make me a horrid mom???) First of all, I am still haunted by the last time I took him on a plane. See previous blog post. Second, we will be staying at a really nice hotel. I think Ally can handle this. I can't see patrons of The Ritz enjoying a screaming toddler. But, really, that's just for mine and Scott's anxiety! :-) Third, the thought of Luke having a fit in Disney and us having to constantly adapt and change to his needs would be a bummer for Ally. I will be alone with Ally much of the time, as Scott will be at a conference, so there would be so many things we could NOT do (rides, shows, etc) cuz I couldn't take Luke. So, Ally would be living in toddler-land Disney.. when she is really old enough to enjoy different parts. And if I have to pay a fortune to get us in the park, I don't want Luke wasting my money..... :-))))))

That's a pretty black and white portrayal... I don't necessarily feel that strongly..... I think I just want Ally to have a great experience and I think the age difference between the two of them at this point, doesn't make it easy to take them. In another few years, when Luke is really old enough to enjoy it and do some more things... Ally will be lucky enough to be that Older Sibling as I was... and go again! There has to be some benefit to paving the way. HA!

Moreoever, my hubby would not even step on the plane with Luke..... to this day, he still can't bring himself to even READ the blog post about my time a plane with him. Just hearing about it makes him want to puke. :-)))))))))))

So..... with that..... anyone taken their kids to Disney? Any tips out there??? I picked up an Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World that I am looking forward to reading. I am not even sure how many days I want to spend at the actual parks themselves. The resort we will be staying at alone will have SO MUCH for Ally to do. A whole bunch of pools, lazy river, adult-led children's activities, guided nature/eco tours, etc. Seems like we will need some down time at the resort... And I think Ally could just swim all day!

Also... which parks are best? I think it's ridiculous to try to do the entire "World" in one trip. Ally will just fall over from exhaustion as will I. I tend to think the Magic Kindgom is the most important World to see. Animal Kingdom maybe too (but come on, it's really just a zoo!!!!). And the one that used to be MGM... seems like they have a lot of live shows, etc... and Ally LOVES live shows......

I guess my point is, I don't want to buy five days of passes, to only really use two. I also don't want to only buy two, to realize we can only do shorter days cuz of the exhaustion level and feel like I wish I had gotten more... cuz more up front is way cheaper than buying more at the gate. I am overthinking again. ;-)

Okay, must stop now. Sushi is calling..................

Feelin' Good....

I booked our hotel for Scottsdale.... after reserving and cancelling MULTIPLE hotels.... and spending more time on Trip Advisor than I care to share... I finally made a decision, booked it, and PAID for it all in advance to save hundreds! I am just so happy to have the decision behind me.

We decided to go with a more budget hotel in Old Town than a more lavish resort. Scott and I are thinking this trip is going to be more about getting out and about and seeing and doing lots, rather than lounging around our room or the pool..... so we are really happy with our decision!!!! The amount we saved by going this route, will pay for our food and drink the entire week... so that leaves extra $$$ to do lots of other things... such as shopping. ;-)

Also... Scott recently found out he has the opportunity to attend a conference in Orlando in May, so we are going to make a family trip around that opportunity and take Ally to Disney World! Something we have been talking about doing and trying to fit into our lives for some time. I have been trying to figure out the "perfect age and time" to take her for a while... and this came up and it just seems like fate! We are supposed to take her this year! May to be exact!

So.... for Mother's Day, I will be in Disney World with my hubby and the happiest seven year old on the planet! I cannot wait to take her!

Growing up, my Grandma Rita took each of her grandchildren when we turned five. COOLEST THING EVER!!!!!! I also got to go when my brother turned five. Benefit of being the older sibling. :-)))))))) So, since Ally turned five, I've had Disney on my mind....

Scott's conference is at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando.... so we will likely stay there. Who can pass up an opportunity to stay at the Ritz? Come on. For free no less. His airfaire will be paid for... I found Ally's and mine for about $200. Not bad. Then, I went to the Disney site and got the shock of a lifetime......... tickets to Disney are FREAKIN' EXPENSIVE!!!!! Holy crap! That's JUST my admission to the park???? I probably have to drop another small fortune to do a bunch of things........... that's craziness. Just crazy.

So, with that, we realize this is as cheap as we will ever be able to do Disney... so we have to jump on it. No lodging costs. Limited airfare and food costs (cuz Scott's meals are covered).... just have to pay the insane admission prices.....

But, I know when I see Ally's face all lit up when we see Cinderella's Castle..... it will be more than worth the price of admission!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ally's 7th Birthday...

Monday, January 25th my baby girl turned SEVEN!! Crazy. It's true. Seven! I am so proud of the girl she is becoming... I truly am!

She was having a "big" party the following weekend with lots of friends.. but I couldn't let the day go by without some fuss... so we had Nana, Papa, Aunt Jane, Uncle Adam and Gracie over for dinner. Allys' dinner of choice: Bacon Sandwiches with tater tots and fruit salad. This girl has a taste for the eclectic!

We picked up a giant "cookie cake" in Ann Arbor that weekend... and that was her dessert of choice....

We gave her our gift, Lanie, the American Girl of the year for 2010. Lanie is a blonde, which curly hair and green eyes and she LOVES the outdoors. Ally was absolutely thrilled to get her. We also gave her some American Girl books and tickets to see 101 Dalmations at the Wharton Center the following weekend. Ally absolutely loves musicals!

She got lots of goodies from family and friends that she opened that day... I think it was great day all around for the Ally-Roo!!!!

At the end of the night, she had a chance to Skype with her Uncle Mark and cousins, Natalie and Evan.... she LOVES that. You gotta love technology!!!!!!!!!

Ally's American Girl Party...

This past Saturday, Ally had her first ever "big girl" birthday party! She invited all the girls from her class, and her "cousin" Alexis who is in Kindergarten. Seven little girls, ranging in age from 5 to 7.... overtook my house on Saturday afternoon.

Ally chose a theme for her party - American Girl of course! She asked all the girls to bring an American Girl doll if they had one, or another doll of their choosing. Almost all the girls had an American Girl doll... some having more than one, so there were dolls for everyone. Ally, herself, has four, two of which we "inherited" from generous family and friends.

We decorated the house with pink and purple streamers and pastel balloons. Her cake of choice, as always, yellow with chocolate frosting and the ice cream, mint chocolate chip. I decided it would be fun to let the girls each make their own personal pizza. I provided them with little crusts and bowls of sauce, cheese and toppings for them to make themselves. It was a huge hit! Everyone loved it!!!!

While we baked the pizzas.. the girls ran wild in the basement. Thank god for that basement and play room! Luke just stood in amazement at the top of the stairs... when he got brave, he called out to Ally. I was so proud of her. She could have easily ignored him and played with her friends... but she came upstairs and got him, took him down and involved him in their play. She can be such a good big sister sometimes.

The girls came up when the pizzas were ready and I got my first taste of the level of noise seven little girls can produce. Everyone just yells. They weren't yelling at me in a rude way... it was just that the answers to my questions of "what do you want to drink" and such, were all answered at once, with all the girls trying to yell over one another! It was insanity!

They ate their pizzas... and back downstairs they went to finish their "game." Never did find out what they were playing exactly.... I just heard a lot of screaching..... :-)

Scott and I stayed on top of the whirlwind MESS and cleaned the kitchen quick while they were gone.... then, we called them up and we played American Girl Bingo. It was a big hit and they all loved it. Then, Ally wanted to play a game she thought up... "Pass the American Girl doll." She created it much in the likeness of musical chairs... the girls passed dolls to one another, there being one less doll than girls... and I played music. When the music stopped, the girl without a doll was out... you get the picture. They squealed some more and played over and over...

Back to the basement... and back up again for GIFTS! The gift opening was hilarious. All the girls were on top of one another, so excited to see what she got. They all read each card... they all just had to be in the midst of the action. The pictures I was able to get don't really do the moment justice. :-)

We had cake and ice cream... and back downstairs they went....

Holy crap... three hours passed already... and parents started to arrive to pick their girls up... a very successful, fast paced, exhausting party!!! A rousing success. Ally was very pleased with everything... and I was more than impressed with how well behaved every one of those girls were. Definitely an event I will look forward to again next year!!

Even if my ears are STILL ringing..... ;-)

Here are some fun shots from the day...