Oh Orlando....

We returned from a whirlwind trip to Orlando Wednesday night!!!  Whew... I definitely needed a vacation from my vacation when I got home!  It was a good trip.  It had some GREAT, amazing highlights... and like any trip with kids... some definite low moments.  But, all-in-all, it was great to go... and I think Ally really appreciated the time with us.  (I think...)  ;-)

We traveled down on Friday.... the flight was a bit delayed, which was a bummer.  I wanted to be able to get to the hotel and chill for a while... let Ally swim and take it easy.  We didn't get in until after 8 or so... once we got our bags and our rental car.  Scott's conference was at The Ritz at Grande Lakes and it was absolutely gorgeous!!!  Just gorgeous!!!  And I cannot say enough all the amazing things they did for kids!!! Scott kept saying "it IS Orlando honey" but still. I appreciated their catering to our little girl... and so did she! She will never experience hospitality quite like that!

We checked in, and Ally "checked in" at her very own reception desk. Where she was given toys and ice cream!  The bellman took us to our room, and was wonderful with her. Turned on the Disney Channel, telling her to sit tight while "mom and dad unpacked!"  He told her she could still go to the pool... that she could get ice cream any time she wanted... the list went on and on.

We went right down to the pool, and were able to order "room service" to be delivered pool side. The pool attendant (Nills - loved him!) also said he could go to the lobby bar and get us drinks.  So.... burgers and chicken fingers... and gin and tonics.... and swimming.... and we were all in heaven!

We headed up to bed at a decent hour... and when I say decent, we were watching The Late Show when we got up there, so really... it was pretty late for the seven year old!  But, we all fell asleep eventually.... and that's good cuz the day ahead of us was a doozy.......

Day 2:  Off to the Magic Kingdom!

After parking, taking a ferry, and then taking a tram... we finally arrived to the gates of the Magic Kingdom... then, we had to wait in a line to have our bag checked out... then, the debacle of actually having our tickets appropriately scanned... then, Scott had to go the bathroom as soon as we got in... and Ally got shit on by a bird.  Yes... that's how the first moments went.  ;)

Ally LOVES Pluto... Pluto is her very favorite... and the ticket she was issued had Pluto on it.... and after cleaning up the bird poo... the first character we saw as soon as we walked into the park, was Pluto himself!!!!! She was pretty giddy in that moment.... then, we had to get in line.

Don't get me started on the lines.  Now, I know Disney is all about waiting in line. I am familiar with waiting in line for rides, for shows, and even to meet characters... but Ally is not so familiar.  So, after about 20 minutes in line for Pluto... she decides she no longer wants to wait.  HAHA!!!!!  Luckily, a parade started (that we could view from our position in line) so she was distracted by that and I got her to wait until we could actually meet Pluto... almost an hour in line.... yep... an hour to meet Mickey's furry friend.

It appeared to be worth the wait... :)  It was for me anyway. I think sometimes I was more excited for her than she actually was.  :-)))))) She kept talking about Pluto all the way down Main Street.... where we went to see Cinderella's Castle.

The sun was getting pretty brutal by this point. We did not arrive first thing in the morning, we took our time... and probably got there around 10 am or so. At first I wanted to be there before the park opened, but after a couple drinks, Scott convinced me to take the more laid back approach.  :-)

The first thing Ally was dying to do was the Dumbo Ride.... so we headed right there.... and much to her dismay, there was a line. This was a theme throughout the rest of the day. Having a small fit every time we got in line.  Ugh. That was definitely a low-point for me. She would get in line... and sink to the ground in a heap.  :-( I know she's impatient, but I guess I expected her to be a bit more tolerant of things... after all, we WERE IN DISNEY WORLD!!!

But, we made it through the line at Dumbo....

From Dumbo... we made our way over to Toontown.... where we rode a roller coaster, took a trip around the park on the train, came back and met Pooh and Tigger, then walked through Mickey's house... and met Mickey and Minnie!

After all that excitement, we needed a cool break for some lunch!  We took a break for some mexican provisions... and some much needed time off our feet and out of the heat!!  Ally's impatience was growing... Looking back on all the pictures and smiles, you would never know that we had moments of pure hell in between....  ;-)

Right after lunch, as we were walking, we "ran into" Donald and Goofy... and autograph book in hand, Ally just had to meet them!!!  So, we waited in a fairly short line this time... to meet the boys in Frontierland!

I think we might have taken another break for funnel cakes at this point. ;-) I do love me some deep fried goodness.  :-)  We rode a bunch of rides.... the teacups..

And, then, we stupidly rode the Pirate Ride... which scared the living crap out of Ally.... nice... so we went on It's a Small World to try to cheer her up. We weren't able to completely accomplish any sort of cheering up at this point. She was getting tired. And grumpy. And she was hot.  So.... I suggested we go back to Toontown to wait to meet the Princesses. It was an air conditioned line.... and I thought this would be a nice break.  This, as it turned out, was a GREAT idea... and we met Aurora, Belle and Cinderella!

The day was winding down... so it was time for us to go secure a place on Main Street to watch the night parade and fireworks.  This was a tough wait time for Ally... but I think it was worth the wait. She enjoyed the parade and the fireworks that followed.... all in all... a nice day at the Magic Kingdom!

That's all from the Magic Kingdom... more to come on the days that followed.....

Leaving on (another) Jet Plane...

So..... tomorrow morning we take off for Orlando!!!!  Just Scott, Ally and I. We fly in tomorrow and plan to just take it easy... swim a little and have a nice dinner.... lie low if possible because the following days are sure to be madness.  ;-)

Saturday, we will head to the Magic Kingdom!!!!!!  We have two-day Disney passes, plus Park Hopper and I'd like to try to see a little of Epcot maybe Saturday too, if Ally is game for it.  We chose to do the Magic Kingdom Saturday because they have their special night parade and fireworks that night, so are open a bit later. Sunday, we will do Animal Kingdom in the morning and Hollywood Studios in the afternoon and evening because they are having Fantasmic that evening..... so it worked out that we could arrange our days to see two great night shows!

We should be absolutely exhausted come Monday....... so, while Scott is in his conference (as you may or may not recall we are tacking a family trip onto his conference), Ally and I are going to lie low at the pool at the hotel all day.  They have a few pools and a lazy river. The word of the day is lazy. ;-)  I plan to rest and read and drink some fruity beverages............. ;-)

Tuesday early, hopefully more of the same!  Tuesday afternoon/evening.. we will head to Sea World!  Scott only has meetings in the morning.........

Then, Wednesday Ally and I will hang again, until Scott is done and it's time to head home!!!!!!!

A pretty quick, but fun trip.

All that said..... I will tell you...... I wish we were going under better circumstances..... and by that I mean, my daughter. She is being an absolute BEAST this week.  I have no idea what her problem is.   Honestly. She wakes up every morning, already angry.  She keeps telling me that she's tired and maybe that's it.... but she is snappy, bratty, mean, and just plan all around AWFUL!!!!!  I put both the kids to bed at 7:30 yesterday..... after a horrid afternoon with them. 

This morning, I just threw my hands up regarding Ally. She was sulking before breakfast. She is SEVEN!  Do we have teenage angst already????  I just hate it because she KNOWS we are headed to Disney.  I feel as if she should be on her very best behavior, not her worst..... and thankful for this trip coming up. But, she just acts like she's entitled to it and like it's no big deal.  It makes me want to both cry and smack her all at the same time!!!!!!!!!

I truly hope that once we get going... once we're on our way... and we're without Luke.... that she will snap out of whatever is going on.  We are going to use this two on one time with her to try to talk to her and get inside her head a little.  Maybe it's just nothing.  Maybe she IS tired. Growth spurt?  Maybe she's fighting a cold?  Maybe she's sick of Luke's neediness. Maybe........... I could go on and on........ but whatever it might be..... it's gotta stop or I'm gonna lose my mind!

Between her attitude and Luke's clinging and whining... I can't get them to bed soon enough this week.  What a week..........

Packing tonight...... and then we're off....... wish us LUCK with this one........................

No Words...

There are really no words to describe to you what my daughter has done today.  No. Words.

I pick her up from school and head over to Nana and Papa's to pick up Luke.  We wait for Luke to wake up from his nap, and Nana graciously lets Ally have a bowl of ice cream.  AFTER giving her the choice of ice cream bar OR ice cream... because when Luke and Grace get up, they were going to have ice cream bars.  So.... Ally picks ice cream. Then, has some cookies.  Life is really tough for Ally right now.  Can you feel it?

Then, Luke and Grace get up and have their ice cream bars..... and Ally LOSES HER SHIT!!!! She wants an ice cream bar!! It's NOT FAIR!!!  She didn't know how big they were. She just runs away and around the yard... and proceeds to have a full on two year old temper tantrum at the age of seven. She is yelling at everyone. She yells at Nana cuz "she gave her the choice!"

I'm sure you can really feel for her now. The poor child has a choice of ice cream bar or BOWL of ice cream... has a bowl of ice cream... and is now deprived of the bar.  GOOD GOD!

She screams... and screams... and screams... I have finally had enough and tell her to get in the car. She is not stopping her rant.

She gets in the car. I wrestle Luke in the car (he doesn't want to go home and is now throwing a fit of his own, not to be outdone by his sister of course!). We start to drive home. She is completely losing it in the back seat. Screaming.  Kicking. Saying horrid things.  I turn on to our street and stop the car and tell her to get out if she is going to talk to me like that. She can walk home. She looks horrified.  I drive on. She starts in AGAIN!  I stop the car.  I take her out of the car. I drive away........... (we are less than a block from home on our street... don't call social services on me!)..... I drive slowly and watch her run behind me.

Okay....... you can judge away people...... if you are lucky enough to have a fabulously well-behaved child... you will not understand this at all.  My daughter is no where on the scale of easy going... she is challenging on a good day.... today, she is beyond a challenge........

She ran home..... and continued to get in my face and yell at me.  Wow.  Just wow.  Impressive.

She is in her room now and has been since we got home. She is screaming and throwing a fit in there. She will not calm down. She wants Daddy.  Obviously he is a better person.  She is lucky her Daddy is not home.

She is yelling at me that she is bored. Wow.  Who knew punishment was supposed to be fun....
She does not give up........

I am having a glass of wine. I am writing this down.  I am releasing this moment........ cuz otherwise I will lose my own shit....................

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Everywhere I look, everyone I talk to, every blog I read... people are overwhelmed and busy right now!!!  Something is in the air, something is in the water... I don't know, but all around me, I see and hear about everyone's schedules of craziness!!!

We are no exception around here, but I have had this odd sense of peace about it all as of late.  Yes, I have about ten zillion things to do for a shower this Sunday, but I love the fact that a whole bunch of ladies are getting together to celebrate what I consider to be one of the greatest miracles I will even witness!  My sis in law having identical twin baby girls!  I have found lately that I am getting REALLY excited about their arrival.... maybe some sort of baby fever of my own that Jane will take care of by having a couple babies!  HA!!! I think it's just so exciting because it's rare... and amazing... and I have watched her go through hell to carry these girls..... So, today I will run around town with my kids and buy wine and flowers and pretty plates so we can all celebrate!  And, the kids will beg for popcorn and candy... and I will try not to bite their heads off...  ;-)

We are heading off to Orlando next Friday... and I have not even started thinking about packing or what we need for that trip.  I do believe that it will be easier since Luke is staying here and Ally is a bit more easy to pack for!  Ally is getting so excited about all of it. Disney. The hotel.  The pool. But, I truly think what she might be the most excited about... is the fact that Luke is not going.  ;-)  I swear to you, she mentions this DAILY!!!! I don't blame her. He has become very clingy lately and is a total mama's boy right now. He is very demanding of our time, especially mine... and she longs for some of that time!

Yesterday, Luke seemed to be fighting a cold, so he stayed with his Nana and Papa while I took Ally to ballet.  Then, Scott went and got him so Ally and I could just come home and get ready for bed. He chatted with his parents for a bit... and Ally and I got some time to snuggle, just the two of us.... when Luke walked through the door... you could just hear and FEEL the sigh come out of her.  She knew that I would have to be the one to put him down (as he will not accept Scott reading to him lately) and her special time with me just ended....

So, I am so very glad we decided to take this trip with just her. She deserves some special time too!

I have to somehow get both of our hair cut in the next week before we go... and I haven't even started to really think of what else we might need for the trip!  Hmmm... maybe I should get on that.  ;-)

Luke is still sleeping... it's after 8..... he rarely sleeps this late unless he goes to bed quite late.  I have been wide away since 6.  Craziness!  Both the kids have dentist appointments today. Good times. That was sarcasm in case you missed it. They both hate the dentist. Doctors of any kind really.  I will be one, hot and sweaty, stressed out mama when we walk out of that office this afternoon!!!! There aren't enough little crappy toys in the world to make them like that place.....  ;-)

Well, I'm off to make one of my famous "to-do" lists.... so I can actually remember all the things I need to do in the next two days.  :-)  Wish me luck......

Monday, Monday...

It has been a really great day..... I will try not to make this one of those posts that make you want to barf or poke me in the eye with a pencil... but it's been a good one!

It's always touch and go... Mondays... you never know what you're going to get.  All-in-all.... working part-time has improved my Mondays.  I never really minded them.  (you can smack me now, I don't care)  Honestly. Sometimes I PRAYED for Monday to come around, depending on how my children were all weekend.  But, most of the time, I enjoy my job... and the work I do... the people I work with even more... the time to be doing something that is mine... and USING my brain!!!!

I will say this though.... Mondays are even better when you're part time!!!! Five hours is as long as my work day is. And four days is the sum of my work week!  (now you can really bring on the smacks!)

I am LOVING part time.  I feel SO MUCH less stressed about everything.  My job is less stressful, cuz well, there's LESS of it!  Things around the house are a bit less stressful because I have some more time to focus on them.  Between me and my cleaning lady, we have this house in GREAT order right now and I feel fabulous about that!

The kids really seem to enjoy having me around more... I feel like I'm making this choice for them and they are rewarding me (most of the time) by acting out just a little less.  This is, of course, not universal... they still have their moments (and WHAT moments they are), but all-in-all... I think they enjoy a bit more focused attention from Mom!

Luke has taken it to an extreme though.  Maybe he would have done this anyway, but right now he is going through an "only Mommy can do anything for me" phase...... and it's SOOOOO tough!  Scott can't put him to bed, feed him, get him a drink, change his diaper... he can't do anything without Luke losing his shit... so I tend to just do everything to save the peace.  This, of course, is not a good way to save my sanity.... but we are working on it.

Sunday, Scott tried to just take the kids ANYWHERE... even if it was to the basement to play... to keep them out of my hair and give me a break in my own house.  I took a nap.... I just enjoyed some Luke-free time!  ;-)  I have learned to do almost everything while carrying Luke... and let me tell you, his two-year old, 29 pound self tends to get a little heavy after a while.....  ;-)  But, it's how I keep my arms in shape I suppose.  ;-)

So....... today was a good Monday. I had a great day at work.... feeling on top of everything I have going on there. I had lunch and coffee with coworkers... got all that good socializing that comes from my job and working with some close friends! And, then, after work and school... the kids and I went to Target and I didn't KILL THEM!  They were actually very, very good and allowed me to get many of the things I needed to get for Jane's upcoming shower and other random items.  God knows there are always a ton of random items you need when you go to Target!!!!!

Then, we came home..... and had a peaceful dinner together. Scott is gone tonight and the kids have been angels. They are now playing outside, together, alone, as happy as can be... and I have the time and ability to write this blog post!!!!!  WOW!!!

I am sipping on a glass of wine.... the house is picked up... the kids are smiling.... I am feeling good right now...... feeling good........

Happy Monday blog friends!

Ally's Surgery...

My poor little girl had to have surgery on her nose again. It is not a big deal, the surgery itself that is. But, it is a REALLY BIG DEAL to her.  She hates everything about the doctor these days.  The last time I took her to the doc, she had strep throat.  She had just had her physical a few weeks prior and she had to get shots.  So, this time, I promised her that there would be NO SHOTS.  I thought for sure we would just be given an antibiotic or told it was a virus.  I learned a valuable less that day my friends:

NEVER EVER PROMISE NO SHOTS WHEN GOING TO THE DOCTOR!

She did have strep... but she was also vomitting so violently, that she had to be given a shot of antibiotics. GOOD GOD!!! I have lied to my child and she now has proof of that lie. I am losing face! My word means nothing!!!!!!!  Shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, needless to say... when we went to the ENT for her surgical consult... she wasn't buyin' anything I was sellin'. She was quite convinced that he was just going to cut her wart right out of her nose right there. She worked herself up into a fit!!!!!!

Then, she HEARD when we actually did schedule the surgery and she got all worked up about it.  Even though we had done this before... last year... she still got all freaked out.  It was almost worse actually that she had gone through it.  The biggest trauma was being alone in that operating room, without us.....

And that part breaks my heart.  :(  Ally hates to be alone or feel alone.  And, I can totally relate.  My poor girl inherited this from me. We are both just so outgoing and social that to be alone is torture... and to do something so scary alone is severe torture!  So.... she was scared..... and there were many tears when we had to say goodbye.....

Ugh. So. Hard.

But, she was a trooper and the nurses at the outpatient surgery center are some of the kindest people I have ever met!!! They seriously just did everything they could to make her comfortable and make her smile. They fell all over themselves to make her happy... and I am so grateful!!!!

The surgery itself lasted less than 5 minutes... it took longer for them to prep and put her under. The anesthesiologist was awesome too... we were told after the fact that they let her take her beloved Duncan (a stuffed dog) in with her... and he held the mask up to Duncan first and put him "under."  He told Ally he was going to repair his leg.  :-)  So considerate...... I'm sure that made her smile. 

She came out of everything just fine... and STARVING. The not being able to eat breakfast thing had to be one of the harder parts....  She got a popsicle, some juice and a chocolate muffin as soon as it was all over....

And lots of TLC from everyone the rest of the day.....

Then, we had some interesting conversation at night.  Good lord sometimes the child scares the living shit out of me. She can act so "old" with the types of questions she asks and the statements she makes sometimes. So freakin' profound... and sometimes, in this case, very sad....

She was crying about getting older... she asked when we were going to die and how old she would be?  WHAT??? WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM????  She asked how old she would be when we turned 100 (my great-grandma recently passed away at 100 so she must think we live until then). Then, she said something that just broke my heart into a million pieces....  She said "Mommy - time is just going by so fast.... I wish it would slow down."

Where the f- did that come from??????  She's SEVEN!!!!!!!! That is such an adult feeling to have.  And it actually breaks my heart that she feels that way! She should be playing and not having a care in the world at this age!  Time should be of no consequence!

I have been racking my brain trying to figure out where this is coming from. She has not experienced any great loss recently..... or at all really.  No one that she is that close to her has died... or gone away.... what am I missing????  Could it have been the trauma and drama of the day wearing on her?  Has she been picking up on anything going on at home or school or anyplace?  I try to recall the past days' conversations that I've had around her.

I know that she doesn't miss a beat. Not a single thing.  I had to work my schedule around her surgery and move my work hours... coordinate with Scott, my in-laws, move meetings and have a quick work call the morning of surgery in front of her.  She says to me "Mommy I'm sorry you had to rearrange so much because of me."  OH GOD...  :(  Do I make you FEEL that way baby girl???  It is SOOOOO not how it is...... I am HAPPY to rearrange my schedule!  Ugh.....

I have to watch what I say and do in front of her. She takes everything so literally, and apparently to heart, that I can't be so quick to have conversations that may seem like nothing to an adult. She is taking things hard lately.......   and it just makes me so sad for her to take everything in such a way.

"Life goes by too fast......."  Such an adult way to feel. Be a little kid my darling girl.... you have far too much time to be an adult...... I promise to work harder to make you have fewer cares in this world...

April in the D....

So, we went to The Fox Theater last night to see Jerry Seinfeld live.  OMG - he was HILARIOUS!  I love laughing for an hour and a half straight. I am convinced it's a great ab workout. :-)  It was a really, really funny show.  He was funnier than I thought he would be... and frankly funnier than Chelsea Handler who I saw a couple weeks ago.  Don't get me wrong... she was funny... he was just funnier... better delivery... just a better stand-up performer....

Other than that... the night didn't quite go as planned.  :-(  We got stuck in some major traffic and construction on the way to Detroit, so we did not have time to have a nice sit down dinner and conversation.  That's my favorite part of date night. So, we didn't get to eat before the show... which sent both of us into a fit of grumpiness... which started us snapping at one another..... ugh. Not a great start to "date night"  :(

The show was great...... GREAT..... but then, after the show, everything was packed and it was an hour wait anywhere and everywhere or we couldn't get a seat place. Seems everyplace we walked into, we were right behind the couple that got the last two seats in the place.  Tensions mounted once again.....

We finally just waited at Hockeytown, after going to our car and realizing we wouldn't even get out of the structure for an hour..... we got some drinks and some food... and things got a bit better.....

So, it was a good night... but I don't think it was the date night either of us wanted or expected.... which is a disappointment because we so needed the time.... oh well... we will just have to plan another night out.  A "do over"  ;-)

Yesterday...

.... all my troubles seemed so far away.......  ;-)  Could NOT help myself. A little Beatles on a Friday for ya.  Okay, I'm a total dork. I realize this.........

So, really... yesterday was my day off this week.  Working today.  And what an AMAZING day to have been home!  It was 82, sunny and just plain gorgeous out!!! Grace came to spend the day with us.... and she and Luke had a great time together.  It was seriously so nice to have her there.  She and Luke played outside together.... played in the playroom in the basement... played in Luke's room... and the favorite place of all, they spent a lot of time in Ally's room.  Ally, of course, was at school... and I think Grace just likes playing with all her "big girl" things. She fell in love with one of her headbands.... read her books.... and just sat on her bed and took it all in.  It was pretty cute........

I had a new cleaning lady (HOORAY!) come over so I could meet with her yesterday and I am so excited for her to get started on my house!  She is crazy detail oriented and is going to ROCK!  She is totally hired...... the kids were eating lunch while she was there and they were pretty good.  I heard a lot of laughing though.  For the first time, I tried the Earth's Best chicken nuggets (out of pure starvation) and damn if they weren't tasty!!!  YUM!!!!  No wonder the kids put them away!  :-)

Kristen and Rhen came over for a little while in the afternoon.... just around nap time, which was nice cuz she and I got a chance to talk and inhale a lot of hummus and pita chips.....  :-))))  I even had some time to do some loads of laundry and pick up the house after she left... and then, the little ones were up and it was time to go get Ally!

We had to go into Jackson for Ally's appointment with the ENT. Good times.  Ally had a wart removed from inside her nose last year, and it has grown back.. or another has grown in the same spot or very near... the doctor was not sure. Either way, she had to have a quick consultation and we had to schedule her surgery.  The visit yesterday was nothing at all. NOTHING..... but Ally worked herself into an absolute FIT!!!!! She was inconsolably crying, so much so, that the doctor didn't quite know how to handle her.  I had Luke with me too, so of course, he freaked out and cried and cried...... good lord. I hate the ENT... I always wait forever in the waiting room... then, forever more in the actual exam room.... then, the doctor is there for like 2 minutes..... then, I had to wait forever for a scheduler to come in and schedule surgery. To which, Ally FREAKED OUT AGAIN when she heard it's next week.  Good god.............. there was no wine waiting for  me when I walked out of there.  Completely unacceptable......... ;-)

After we left... I took the kids fora little picnic dinner!  It was so gorgeous out, we decided to eat outside.. and enjoy the day!  We had time after dinner, and before we went to ballet, so we stopped at the playground at St. Johns (near where Ally goes to ballet) and I let them play for a while..... burn off energy.... kill half an hour.

I took Ally to ballet, got her settled and busted ass to Master Cuts to get Luke's hair cut!  It was a long shot that it was going to work, but I had to at least try!!!!  My time is extremely limited as Ally's class isn't even a hour... but we made it!  We got to the "salon" and Luke started to freak out... but I held firm. The girl we got this time.seemed much more sure of herself and assured me that she has a two year old who cries too.  Luke screamed at first... but I held him to me... and once she started, I think he actually LIKED IT!!!!!  He totally calmed down and he was fine........ so long as I held him tight.  ;-) Either way... he looks SO great!  Old!!!  Like a little boy and not a baby!!!!!!!!!!  Between that and his "big boy" jammies yesterday (no fuzzy footie jammies)... he just grew up in a day!  ;-)

We busted back to get Ally... and then, we went to the Tasty Treat to meet Daddy for ice cream!!!!!!  We noticed it was open on our way out of town, but didn't have the time to stop...... you can't miss out on the opening days of the Treat in Concord.  It's shameful.........  so we all enjoyed our ice cream... headed home for some MUCH needed baths...... and got to bed!  It was a VERY busy, but great fun-filled day!!

Working today.... heading home soon to go get Ally and relieve Traci from the grumpuss that is Luke.  He was not happy this morning when I left.  Traci will be coming back tomorrow evening because Scott surprised me with tickets to go see Jerry Seinfeld at the Fox in Detroit!  We are very much in need of a date night out!  Cannot wait..........

To Ally...

My Dearest Ally:

The other day you said to me that I have nothing else to write about in this blog but you (and Luke).  It made me think about how you perceive me.  My girl... I love you. I love you more than anything on this here earth (except Daddy and Luke of course!), but you are not my entire life.  No... you COMPLETE my life... but you are not MY LIFE.

My life is made up of many parts... many people play a role. That role does not belong to you alone.  You often think you are... but you are not the only star in the show.  ;-)

I am your Mommy... this is true. But, I am also a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a friend and a co-worker to many.  There are many, many people I love in my life.... and I need them all.

I also belong to me.  I have my own personal interests. I need me. I need me time. I need to be alone.  I cannot always belong to everyone... I cannot always belong to you. If I give you everything, what do I have left? What good am I to anyone???

I want you to see all these pieces of me.  I know Daddy feels the same.  We want you to know we love eachother so much that we have to leave you once in a while and remember why we married one another in the first place! Without that love, there would be no YOU!!!

I have to go out with my girlfriends (lots!) cuz they give me something neither you nor Daddy ever can... and I will always come home recharged and refreshed... a better Mommy and a better wife because of that time.  In time, you will understand this.  Remember this Ally, my girl... girlfriends are the soul in your life! They are your rock in times of complete shit... they laugh with you... cry with you... and understand you like no other...

I have things to write about that do not involve you Ally... but that doesn't mean you are any less important to me.... it's those things that make you more important to me.... you will see this in time.

Until then, I might let you believe in your little charade.  ;-)  All this will become clear in time.... and hopefully I will raise you to be the best wife (if you so choose!), mother (if you so chose!), daughter, sister, cousin, friend and co-worker you can be!!!

I love you to pieces,

Mommy

Weekend Happenings...

So, this past weekend, we kept ourselves busy by staying on the go!  I was home Thursday and Friday... and had a couple great days off with the kids. We went visiting friends Thursday and cleaned Ally's room Friday which was no small feat!  That was awesome. :-)  Might have been the highlight of my weekend getting that done...  cuz frankly, it's the UN-FUN stuff that I find a hard time doing.  ;-)

Saturday, we all went to Jungle Java with Aunt Jane and Gracie!!!!  The kids had a GREAT time and it's such a fun place.  Grace and Luke wore themselves out playing and playing... as did Ally for that matter.  Ally was a super big cousin and spent a lot of time taking Gracie on the "big kid" structure.  Grace had absolutely NO FEAR of the hugeness of it all...  or the big kids!  She is one tough cookie!  Luke on the other hand... giant weenie.  ;-)  Took me forever to get him up there, then, we reached a point where he freaked out and we had to "back out" of the structure (going against traffic) to get him out.  Nice.  I was a trooper though.. and made Ally happy by going down both the big slides.  Oh yeah. That's me.  The funnest Mom around!!!!!

If only they served liquor there.....  ;-)  It was fun, not too busy... but LOUD!  HOLY LOUD!!!!  Kids screeching!  Screaming children everywhere!  I swear children do not in any way get the concept of "inside voices"  :-))))  But... they all had a lot of fun!!!!

I think Luke's favorite part was the chocolate milk though:

God, the iPhone camera sucks.... ;-)

After Jungle Java fun.... we went back to Jane and Adam's for dinner.... Crazy Cowboy takeout.  YUM!  Some drinks... some good food... the kids ran around some more!  It was a great day...

At one point in the evening, I looked down and saw this.....

Luke and Scott's shoes, co-mingled.... cute little sight!!!  :-)

Sunday, we embarked upon some Open Houses in town for shits and giggles!  We aren't seriously looking to move just yet.... soon though!  But, for now... we're getting a feel for what's out there.  And, let's just say it ain't too much.  :-(  The two houses we went to were not what we were looking for... but they were two houses we always wondered what the inside of looked like... ya know? So... we checked 'em out.  No way..... not really us.... but it was still fun looking!!!!

It was a nice little weekend... 

Spring Break 2010...

So, we didn't go anywhere.... and we haven't really even DONE anything.... not major anyway. I am kind of feeling badly about that.  I feel like I should do more for Ally's break... but there are so many factors in the way.

First of all, it seems as if Spring Break is always going to be this first full week in April. That is problematic for us, as a family. So long as Scott works in the world of corporate tax... we will NEVER be able to travel this week as a family.  That is a HUGE bummer.  HUGE!  My Dad and Step-Mom, Geri have gone to Anna Maria Island every year for a while.... and I was chatting with Geri  Wednesday, and pretty much had a cottage "mentally" rented down there for next year.  Then, I found out the exact dates... and Scott said no way.  :-(  It's not HIS fault... it's just his job. I could go somewhere without him I suppose.... but it's hard to spend thousands on a major trip that he is left out of!  Long weekends... girl trips... all those make sense... but to take our kids to a beach for seven nights and not have him experience that...??  Can't imagine.  But, who knows.... maybe he will insist.  ;-)

I worked two full days Monday and Tuesday this week, and half a day on Wednesday. I thought that we would spend Thursday and Friday doing things outside.  Not.  So.  Much.  It's freezing. There was SNOW on the ground this morning!  WTF?  I remember one year when I went to Florida in high school with friends and my brother was home.  He built me a snowman and made a sign for it.  "Spring Break 1994"  HA!  So... it HAS snowed in April before. This is Michigan after all!

Ally went to Nana and Papa's Monday and she had a really great day. She and Nana went on a 9+ mile bike ride on the Falling Water Trail!  Wow!!!  More than 9 miles for her first time out!  Impressive little girl!  Tuesday, Ally had a sleep over at a friend's... and then, Wednesday, I was home in the afternoon.  I can't recall what we did exactly.... so it must not have been too memorable!  ;-)

Yesterday, we hung around here in the morning and early afternoon, then went over to my friend, Jeanne's house.  Her kids are older... the youngest girl, Ellie, is 11.... and Ally absolutely LOVED her!!! She is into Hannah Montana and American Girl Dolls and The Littlest Pet Shop.  All things Ally loves!  Ellie was so sweet and patient with Ally.  There is a HUGE difference between 7 and 11... and I know there were times Ellie was probably annoyed, but she took it all in stride.  Even Luke fell in love with her.  He would come up to me now and again just to make sure I was still there... and then, tell me. "I go check on girls..." and off he'd be again for a while.  It was a great night... and Jeanne and I just sat and talked and talked and drank yummy, fruity rum drinks!!!!  They live on a lake and we had a different vision of what the day would be like... too bad it was FREEZING!  We still had a great visit.  Can't wait for summer... we will probably just move in....  ;-)

So far today, we have stayed home. I thought we would go somewhere... but after my morning coffee, I got a burst of energy.... and started in on Ally's room.  Four hours and five garbage bags later... I feel like I just lost a million pounds.  I have been carrying the weight of that DISASTER of a room with me for AGES!  Ally is a slob. Total slob.  And, I don't quite fancy myself her personal maid... so I don't clean up after her all the time.  Just don't!  It was out of control... and the reality is, there is just TOO MUCH STUFF in there. So, to help her keep in clean... we have to keep it simple.  She cannot have a lot in there.... so out it went. Some gone for good. Some into the playroom.  And all the old clothes bagged up for Grace some day.

Feels SOOOOOOO good to have that done.  I did the great clothing exchange of 2010 with my closet yesterday. Put winter away and got out spring and summer. In the process, I filled a couple garbage bags of clothing and shoes myself!  Out with the old!  Clean out some closet space for some spring shopping!

So, a cleaning day at home. The kids have been troopers through it all.  At first, Ally happily tried on every article of clothing to determine if it fits or if she even likes it even. I didn't even flinch when she just said half the time "I just don't like it Mommy".... of course to many, many things she, herself picked out!  But... oh well.  Just taking up space and making a mess in my house... so it can go. I will try to look beyond the sheer amount of money I bagged up...... that's what having kids is all about I suppose.

She's a bit like me in that regard I guess..... that just hit me. I buy shit I don't like after a few weeks all the time. Guess I'm not one to talk here.  ;-)

When the kids got restless and were doing more harm than good in Ally's room... I stuck them in the tub... and I swear to you, they were in there for at least a solid hour.. probably more!  Luke is still sleeping and Ally is watching a movie I downloaded for her as a treat for being such a big helper.... and for not having a fit about everything we got rid of!  I am pushing forward.... since I have the cleaning/organizing bug... I'm still going....

Talk to you when I come out from under all my piles...... it gets worse before it gets better during this process...........

My Future Star...

Ally just wrote a song and gave it to me. It goes a little something like this:

Wait a second for the world
If you wait a second for the world
It will be turnin' around
If you turn around the world
It will be turnin' around with ya and
If ya don't have anything to do
The world will help you
So wait a second for the world
It will help you

Might just be because I am her mom, but I thought that was pretty profound... for a seven year old...

I'm thinking of sending it to Dave.  I'm certain he can build upon this and make a beautiful song out of it! ;-)

An Easter in Pictures...