Welcoming 2010....

I have no idea what she has in store for us - but I am excited to find out........

We had a great New Years weekend. I told the boys they could stay up but nobody made it. Brett woke up long enough to see the ball drop. After I watched some of the show - I made my way to bed. We were going to get together with my sister - who was also home, doing nothing - but with us both having kids neither of us wanted to go out in the cold after midnight. Boring, I know! Then my Dad reminded me that there was years where he couldn't keep me home on New Years....guess that is what kids do to you. I did tape the ball drop to show the boys and out of Dylan's mouth came "that's it....that was boring!"

On New Years Day I took Dylan to BCC to go ice skating. We also went with my sister. Shaun can skate and so can Karly so the 3 of them took to the ice. Dylan LOVED IT! It was his first time and he had a blast. Thanks to Uncle Shaun for showing him how to skate. He used the bar for support and did really well. Wants to go again. So now I'm checking into skate classes as he wants to get into hockey next year. Then we had a great dinner and when the kids went out to play in the snow - us adults had some Wii time! :)

I can't forget too that Cody finally lost his bottom right tooth on New Years day. It was in his mouth when he woke up. Finally it fell out. So the tooth fairy came and he's sporting a new smile!
Saturday we were off to Karly's first basketball game. She is cheering for St. Anthony's and she loves it. Can I just say how weird it is to see her on the court. I remembered back to when it was me. I loved cheering. She did great and they have a great coach and I can't wait for their competition.
Then Sunday came the day of getting my house back to normal. Our toy room looks like a mini toys-r-us anyways and then add new toys from Christmas and I felt like I was tripping. With the tree down, the room opened back up and we feel "put together". Very anxious to get the toy boxes that my dad is making. My lights are still up outside but those are going to wait for warmer weather.

Next up......Brett has surgery on the 12th to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. Plus they are shaving his uvula and trenching his palate. Yah, he's gonna be sore. But even bigger, Cody and Dylan turn 6 in less than 3 weeks. I have NO Idea where that time has gone. So we are busy planning a party and they are super excited.

Wiggles Show

What a fun fun night we had. Kind of neat that it was just Tanya and I and our youngest. That doesn't happen often. We had decent seats for being FREE! The little boys aren't into having all that stuff to eat - so we walked out of there with $15 stuff Murray guitars and that was it. Not bad for a Wiggle concert. Especially when we took Cody and Dylan a few years ago we spent $50+ a piece on the tickets.

It was a great show. Great back drops...lots of acrobatics, not only from the Wiggly dancers but also the Wiggles themselves. And they are getting up there in age. They sang a variety of songs from all of their different DVD's so that was cool. Connor and Tyler had a blast! Tyler said his favorite was Fruit Salad and Connor loved Hot Potato and the drums. They rocked it out together on their guitars while Murray sang "Play your guitar with Murray".

Sam and Murray went around the audience and said Hello's and Sam came right up by us. He stopped by our seats and Tyler got a very personal Hello from Sam. That was very very cool. When Cody and Dylan went, Murray came up by us. I think it's great that they do that for the folks that are sitting up in the seats and not on the floor. Honestly, I was happy we didn't have floor seats. Kids were all over the place and it just looked like utter craziness. But the kids all do have a great time.

Toot.Toot.Chugga.Chugga.....Big Red Car!!!!Tyler with his Murray guitar! (and thank you big brothers for being twins and having 2 wiggles shirts. :)Connor and Tyler dancing to the WigglesConnor doing the "cook-a-doodle-doo"Rockin out to "Play your guitar with Murray"...... All over....awesome show!

'Monster Trucks'

Tonight we all went to the monster truck show. I have a ton of pictures but it is way to late to download them all now. So tomorrow those will come. We got our free gift for being the first 500 in line. They were tattoos - my crew doesn't really like them but Brett is pretty excited as he loves them! He's still a kid inside. :) We went right down to the Pit Party. They had 5 trucks and to our excitement they were some of the same trucks on Monster Jam. And as luck would have it - Predator was there! Dylan just got this truck for Easter. We bought an AMP flag for all the drivers to sign. The driver of Predator even signed the truck. Dylan also got his picture taken with him. They were pretty amazed by it all really. Looking up at those trucks and to somebody who is 3' tall - those are HUGE. All the drivers signed our flag and off to our seats we went. The show was awesome. Loud but awesome! They also had 2 free style motorcycle riders, and 3 guys on quads that performed. They all put on a great show.

After the Pit party and just as the trucks were being introduced we had a minor set back. Cody freaked out. The noise was way to loud for him. He has over sensitive ears and while I thought he would be OK with ear plugs, he was shaking. So thank god for my mother and sister. I try my sister first cause I thought my mom had left to go out of town already. She was in Walmart and said they would check out and come get him. I then tried my Mom and finally got her. They were closer and came and got Cody from us. He was beyond happy to leave. He loved to see it but the noise he could not handle. I felt horrible for him. Guess who is getting a new bakugan tomorrow! :)

As for the other two - they took it all in. Dylan had a smile pasted on his face. And mr. Tyler.............well, he rode in the monster truck! My little 3 year old, I will do it even if my brothers won't.......he L.O.V.E.D it! Brett went with him and I made Brett take pictures. You will see the face is priceless.

Pictures to follow with more stories I am sure. I'm exhausted and feeling a little light headed from sucking in all of those fumes. Check back tomorrow for our awesome pictures and a video!!!!

Some good news....

I got some good news today. Tyler will be discharged from speech. *Yeah* I am so proud of him and what he has accomplished. Just over a year ago we called upon Tish, who I have classified as our family ST to guide us with Tyler. She had done an amazing job with Cody and we loved her. She knew our family, how we clicked and had knows Tyler since he was born. Tish started with our family when Cody and Dylan were 8 weeks old - they are turning 5 next Friday. She said we are her longest running family. Tyler got his tubes and then had his tonsils and adenoids removed and we were off and running. So next Friday we have our meeting to be discharged and for the first time in 5 years we will be therapist free. Tish said Tyler has some errors but they are age appropriate. She said he should continue to improve with the help of school and his brothers. To be a 100% sure we are seeing his ENT next Monday to make sure his ears are clear and open.

Then as I was driving home tonight I was listening to the radio and the announcer said he was giving away a family 4 pack to the BU Bearcats b-ball game to caller 10. I drove a minute and thought - I will never win. But then I said, ah what the heck. Brett and I were just talking about going to a game with the boys so I thought I would call. It rang and he answered. Yeah - I won! We are going to the game on Saturday. Should be fun.

Fun day with Gimmie

The boys had a little extra special day today with their Gimmie. Mom decided she didn't want to just "stay home" so she decided to go pick Karly up and take the four of them to McDonald's for lunch and playing and then onto a park for more fun. They had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed our nice summer day. Hard to believe that school starts next week, football season starts this weekend and Fall is right around the corner.

You 'do' feel better when complaining!

So after my stint with the whole shopping cart issue last night, I decided to write to Kohl's corporate and complain. I am upset over the fact that somebody took my cart but even more ticked that not one associate or the manager bothered to 'help me' during that time. So from their website they have a "comment on your store visit" - so I did. I received a reply back that said I should be hearing from an Executive Team Member within 5 days.

When I got home tonight there was a message on the machine from the store manager. He wanted to call and apologize again. Apparently after reviewing the tapes, a lady and a girl took my cart after exiting the rest room - seconds after we entered. I don't really remember them but then again I had 3 kids with me and I was trying to watch which stall they were all entering. I remember two associates who came in but not this lady. So who knows. I didn't see the tape and this manager isn't exactly on my good side. So they found the cart but still isn't sure if the items have been put back on the shelf or what. I was really hoping it was a different manager so I could complain about his whole "do you want to yell at me" comment. But I'll have to save that for if/when the corporate office contacts me. In today's world - and working in customer service myself - the least they could of done was offer me a coupon or something. Anything would of been better than I got! So we'll see what happens.

It was a warm day today but surprisingly tonight is very comfortable out. Brett and I took the boys to a park. One that is out in the country some. We had access to a creek so Brett had the boys in it walking around. And don't you know I didn't take my camera with me. UGH! They had a blast in the creek bed, picking up rocks. The water was about ankle high if that but in spots a little deeper. Then of course if you drop a rock close enough - you get wet. All 3 of them left soaked from the waist down. They had fun though! Then it was home to the bathtub. I am sure we'll be back and I'll have to take pictures then.

1st Campfire @ the Smith's!

Tonight we had the first campfire of the season at the Smith's! Just the 9 of us but it was fun. I love to sit around a fire. Here are some photos - enjoy!

The Campfire Gang!!

Daddy and Cody sitting around the fire!

The Smore Kids!!Dylan enjoying the fire! (Do you see the Devil horns??)Karly - such a GIRL and a total HAM for the Camera!!!

Birthday party

Today Cody and Dylan went to Alana's birthday party. This is one of their little girl friends from school. They had a bounce house and the kids had a blast. There were 7 other of their school friends there also so it was fun. Alana's parents are super nice and so is her family. At one point her sister came up to me and said "so this is Cody and Dylan". Apparently Alana talks about them a lot. As do Cody and Dylan. Alana's uncle came by also - he is a fire fighter. So he had one of the big trucks and of course the kids loved it when he turned the lights on and blew the siren. I of course now have a little "in" with hoping to get a fire truck for our family day. The weather held out for us and only sprinkled on and off. It started to really rain as we were all leaving so we got lucky. Hopefully tomorrow won't be such a wash out. Brett had Tyler and they went and did the grocery shopping. I had to laugh as they got home because Tyler came in with a new book. Seems Brett caved! :) I always cave and Brett yells at me for doing that. Ha,ha....he did it too!

Last night we went shopping for the birthday present. I had NO IDEA what to buy a girl. The only girl I really shop for is Karly. I'm just used to buying trucks! It was fun though looking at all the girl stuff. We got her a swimming barbie with dolphins. The boys wanted to open it when we got home. It did look like fun. Tyler saw lots and lots of stuff he wanted. He's turning 3 in just about a month.

Happy Friday

TGIF!!! That says it all. Actually was a pretty good day. It was a quite day at work so I got some things taken care of.

On Monday, I had gotten a call from Dr. Kerr. He called home and said he would call me back. I hadn't heard from him and thought it was interesting that the doctor was calling me personally. So I called him today. I should mention he is the PS of the Craniofacial team I am on. He wanted to call and thank me for all that I do. Wow - wasn't expecting that! I guess he had just been at a conference and heard from another parent advocate and realized what they were saying is what we already do. So he wanted to let me know that they were thinking of me. I apologized for not being at the past few meetings. I explained my work schedule has picked up and between that and the boys I just haven't gotten away for a few hours on the day of meetings. He said if there was anything he could ever do about that to let him know. Hmm.. gets my wheels turning because if I could get paid doing what I am doing, I would! So I thought that was so nice and I took the 'atta girl' to heart!

Then I called Debbie and she and I had a nice chat! She gives atta girl comments all the time but it's really her that deserves them. I wouldn't be where I am at without her. I really can't wait for my family to meet her in August.

Yesterday in the mail I got a letter from the school district. It was for Tyler and transitioning him to CPSE. He's approved! Great....however, I find it very odd that I never had to go to a meeting with the committee. With Cody I had to go to 3 to get him in and keep his services. And Cody, was the one born with a birth defect - not Tyler. It does not make sense to me. To me it seems I should have to fight for Tyler - not for Cody.

Also got news today that it looks like Tyler will get to go to preschool in September. Cody and Dylan's teacher said that it was in the budget to accept 3 year olds and the budget was passed. He'll most likely go in the afternoon, and C&D will stay going in the morning. So it will be a lot of running but Brett's schedule allows that. Nothing is permanent yet...we should know a 100% by June.

To end Friday - we all met the Smith family out for dinner and then hit the bike trail. The kids all got to ride their bikes and then play on a really nice playground that is off of it. They had a blast! It sprinkled for a minute but then it turned out to be a great night.

B-ball Game

We had a great weekend. Saturday was the nicer of the two days. The weatherman is promising nicer weather by the middle of this week so we shall see. Saturday, we got around and headed to the BU event center to watch Caleb play basketball. Trisia and the gang were in town as both Taylor and Caleb had games. The boys had fun! They enjoyed the games but I think they enjoyed running, going to the bathroom, and eating the concession stand food better but they are 4/2 and what do you expect. We watched one game and then I took C&D with me to Walmart and Tyler stayed with Brett. Sat. night we got Karly and Connor for a few hours as Tanya and Shaun had a party to go to. The kids had fun. Connor had us in stitches. He is getting big to fast.

I had a first time moment recently. I remember being a kid and wanting to play outside by myself for the longest time. Dylan has really taken to the neighbor kids. All a few years older than them. Well he wanted to go out and play and I really didn't feel like sitting outside and watching them. (When it gets nicer OK) So I let him go...with many strict rules of staying in the back yard with the other kids. He does great and of course I am checking on him every couple seconds. Really can't believe how big they are getting.

Now I just have to complain. I get the mail the other day and isn't there a bill from Upstate. As I open it I am trying to remember why we would be getting a bill from them. Oh yah, Cody's recent speech evaluation. I figure it can't be that bad..............um, wrong! We owe $199 - are you freaking kidding me. UGH! I was there probably an hour with him. Total bill was around $400. So crazy! So annoying. Like I have that sitting around. It would just seem that the cleft teams could do this type of work for free - or much cheaper cost. After all, it's not like we aren't going to go back to them. I see them twice a year - have done that much atleast for the past 4 years. We have oh about 15 more years of this. Then let's factor in seeing them more every time there is a surgery. And considering we are coming upon the orthodontia stage - yah, they are going to see us lots. So I wonder all the time why we don't have a house - then I get a medical bill and remember! Oh well - I was chosen for this life for some reason. Some days it's just really hard to figure out why?

Lunch Time

Brett has every Friday off. So my Mom usually comes for the morning and then leaves early. A nice way for her to have 1/2 day to run errands and whatever. Plus gives Brett some quality Dad time they he doesn't get during the week. So today, the weather was a bit rainy and he called me at work and asked if I wanted to have lunch. Sounded like a great idea to me. So the boys, Brett and I went to you guessed it - McDonald's for lunch. And not just any plain ole McDonald's....but one with a play land. They ate, played and surprisingly enough didn't give us a hard time when it was time to go. It was hard though for me to go back to work. I was ready to come home and hang out with them.