Extremely Proud

Today was one of those days where you wake up feeling good and some how the day just got better. I got to work and today is/was Admin. Professional Day. Every year my office treats us girls super nice. I found pretty yellow tulips on my desk and a nice card. Then my group got me another wonderful card. Plus there was breakfast and a dunkin donuts gift card. A few of the guys that aren't in my office called and/or sent emails. I'm very thankful for the group I work for. And what better way to end a great morning is to take a 1/2 day! :)

After I left work for the day I headed to the school for our parent/teacher conferences. Brett and I met with Cody's teacher first. Mrs. Cluck had lots of wonderful things to say about him. He is doing fantastic and she said she adores him. She would like to keep him behind a year just so she could have him in her class again. :) She said he is a great role model to the students and is a very detailed worker. He's having a little bit of trouble with the 'h', and 'q' sounds...not sure if it's because of the expander or not but she'll just work on them with him. He is right where he is supposed to be and will be ready for 1st grade. Yes, Brett and I left there smiling... We headed down the hall to Dylan's class. Mrs. Matyas had wonderful things to say about Dylan. He too is doing fantastic. He's improved upon lots of different skills since our last meeting. She says she just loves him to pieces and he is a role model in his class. She feels that he has gotten more confident since the start of school and it's showing in his work. He needs to work a little bit harder on some of his sight words but other than that, he too is ready for 1st grade. We are extremely proud of both of them! Both teachers are anxious to meet Tyler and I am hoping that one of them gets him next year. When I register him I am going to ask if he can be with one of them and then just let the school decide as I do love both of those teachers the same.

To end our day, the boys had dental check ups. All 3 go in and line up in the 3 chairs and I am back and forth discussing teeth. That's when I thank god that Cody is the only in-depth kid. Cody went first. He's got one bottom 6 year molar, the other bottom one is trying to come in. He has a loose front top tooth (which we knew and are trying to wiggle it). It was very neat to see her take on the expander and how well it's working. She noticed the expansion right away. Dylan has 4 loose teeth...yep, the tooth fairy is taking donations.....His 2 tooth and his lateral incisors are loose. He has 3 of his 6 year molars. At the next visit she would like to take a panoramic xray and put sealants on the molars. Tyler has no loose teeth. He got some xrays and just got his teeth cleaned. The dentist was very happy with their oral hygiene and the best news of all NO CAVITIES!!!!

I am one very proud mommy tonight!

I am also a very proud Auntie. Karly was chosen to have an art project put on display at the high school. This isn't the first time she has been selected to have an art project on display. A few others have been on display at the districts main office. This one was special, a clay project and there was a little award presentation. Her clay project was a blueberry muffin. I didn't get to go to see it but I can't wait for pictures. Her art teacher said that she is very artistic and a great role model in class. Her old art teacher was also there and when he saw Karly he said "well, I'm not surprised to see you here". So it looks like Ms. Karly Jane got her Uncle Kevin's artistic ability.....she certainly didn't get it from her mother or Auntie. I can't draw a stick figure.

So proud of all of them! I think an Ice cream celebration is in their future!

I am "way" behind....

Wow - it's been just over a month that I last blogged. You would think that nothing has happened in that time. Yet.....so much has happened. I think I got caught up in facebook and didn't post as much as I would of liked to on the blog. So I am searching my memory bank of what we did and the first thing that comes to mind is our birthday present to Dylan. We had gotten him tickets to see a real live Monster Jam show! We saw Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and a few other drivers. This time the show was on dirt and that made it even better. The smiles on the boys faces were priceless and something I'll always remember. Cody didn't come with us, he stayed with grandma. The noise is to much for him.

We've had some snow days finally. Last week we got about 2 feet of snow and it was fun. Brett was home from work, we had family fun out in the white stuff even if it was to shovel out our cars. However, I did reach a breaking point. I went out to shovel and had to start the minute I opened the door. The snow was heavy! I got to the steps finally and realized it was going to take me all day to do this. So I did what any logical person would do - found the nearest kid with a snowblower and paid him to come do the driveway and sidewalk. Yep, that was so much better! :) Sometimes it's just worth it to spend the money.

I am promising to myself to do a better job starting in March. I enjoy writing down what we are doing...it's fun to look back on. Life can be so crazy and weeks run into weeks. So to write it down and read it back later is so nice. Cody has another ortho visit in a couple weeks but I'm not thinking we are making that. His appliance appears to have moved, the wire is in front of his teeth and it's hurting him. So I need to make the call tomorrow and we will need to be seen next week if they can't do it this week. I've tried to bend it back but his teeth are so small, I can't get it to stay. Not to mention he is freaking out when I move it! Karly has her cheering competition this weekend. I can not wait to see their routine complete. Dylan and Tyler are doing great. We've had no more issues with Tyler's hand. Thank goodness! We are going to the St. Patty's day parade this weekend. I love the sound of the bagpipers! Even though we aren't Irish - with the last name of Luckey - how can you not get excited about this holiday! :)

A little behind...

It seems I am a little behind in blogging. I have lots of good intentions to write and update what is new with us. Not so much for all of you that read and follow (thank you for wanting to follow) but for me to have to look back on and enjoy the memories.

I left off about parent - teacher conferences. Still so happy that the boys continue to love school. On Friday, the 13th we received some sad news. Brett's grandma Luckey passed away. She was 95 and really did live a great life. She was a very sweet lady. I remember when I joined their family that she always had a warm hand to lend out to me and always a big hug and kiss each time we saw her. She reminded me so much of my own grandmother that I still miss every day. It was probably that they were a lot a like. Lived in the same small town, were both a farmer's wife, great cooks, made those forever home made items (growing up it was my dolls and clothes and such and Grandma Luckey made my boys each a baby blanket). We last had a nice visit with her over Labor Day when this picture was taken... It now hangs on our wall and will be cherished forever. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Over this past weekend, we took the boys and Karly and Connor to the mall for their pictures with Santa. It is super early and Tanya and I felt guilty even doing it before Thanksgiving. But the time was right and we did beat the lines. So that was nice.

Apparently we didn't get the cropped version of this email to us, I assure you the printed version did come out much better. However, I do need to complain a little about the price of these pictures. For one picture it cost $9. I think that is extremely high! Then to have it emailed to you - they wanted $3 more. CRAZY! I can't imagine how much they make off the holiday season. I do however like our Santa. He looks genuine but he is a hip santa as he was sporting a nice diamond stud in his ear. I am thinking he probably should of removed that for the kids sake but I guess mine didn't see it.

Ah yes, so the Christmas holiday is upon us. I really think we should get Thanksgiving done with first. I have fought the urge to put out any decorations. I haven't even done the outside lights yet. Although I should have as we have had some nice weather. But it's not Christmas without putting lights up in the cold and snow! :) The boys have been compiling their list for Santa and let me just tell you - Santa is still clueless as to what to get. They want "everything"! I just don't feel like they have that "one thing, got to have present" this year. You visit the toy isle with them and they want one of everything. Cody is pretty easy - he wants everything and anything Bakugan. And thankfully that is a popular item this year and shouldn't be to hard to find. Dylan, he wants an air hockey table, boxing gloves (rolling eyes, um NO) and Tyler....well Tyler has come out with that he wants "a boxing ring with bunnies inside".............NO CLUE what that this or where to find it. A boxing ring OK - but seriously I have no idea why he wants that. We don't even watch wrestling! So Santa has some thinking and searching to do.

Today is Connor's 3rd Birthday. So hard to believe he is 3 already. I still remember the day that Karly called me and told me that her mommy was going to have a baby. We all couldn't believe it. After the surprise of Tyler (as he wasn't planned) we never would of thought in a million years that Connor would of come along. So glad he did! He has a great personality and is very wise for his years. I do laugh as he does keep my sister hopping! :) He has a great love for the outdoors as he gets that from his Dad. Tyler and him are best buddies! Connor will do just about anything as long as Tyler has done it or is doing it with him. If Tanya wants him to do something all she has to say is "well Tyler wears big boy underwear" and POOF so does Connor. We call them our blanket boys as they still have a love for their blue blankets. Fleece material on one side and silk on the other. We get to celebrate with him tonight and then Saturday for his party.

Hard to think that Thanksgiving is in 2 days. I am really looking forward to my mom's turkey dinner. She does make the best and I think I should not eat for the next 2 days so I can be sure to hungry for everything. So that won't really happen but it's a thought! Cody had a "bread feast" as school yesterday. The kids made hats and all sat around and sang about 10 jingles of Turkey songs. It was very cute and then we got to feast on all sorts of different types of bread. For Cody this was like heaven (all he was missing was his chips)......he is my bread boy!

Cody's class

Cody's favorite foods!

Halloween festivites / sick kids

The Halloween festivities are all over. We had lots of fun this year with the boys being in school. Tyler had his party on Thursday. He wanted to take cupcakes so I baked em and Daddy frosted them. He had fun with his friends.

Thursday, Cody had ran a temp on and off all day. By the end of school, he came home and hit the couch. I was hoping it would end at that. It didn't! About 11:30, he woke up getting sick. Then again at 2am. No school for him on Friday which also meant he had to miss all of his school fun. He was so sad as he really was looking forward to wearing his costume. I'm a room mom in each class, so I went back to help out in Dylan's class. It was so fun to really meet some of the kids that he talks about all of the time. I over heard one kid ask him "is that your mom"......I remember always loving when my mom could come to school for events. Kids love that! As his party was winding down, Cody's class was just starting. Even though he wasn't there, I thought I would stop down and help. His teacher is so sweet and was shocked to see me. She said she missed him and was so sad he wasn't there. Me too! She rounded up some stuff for me to take home to him. I went back for the parade and got Dylan all ready. The kids looked awesome in their costumes. Brought back so many memories of my parade walking days. As I was standing in front of the van, Cody's teacher came by and was really hoping that I had brought Cody to watch. The kids wanted to stop and say Hi. I love his teacher!

Halloween day was good to the boys. Cody woke up feeling much better, still tired, still coughing but the fever was gone. So they waited as patiently as they could till it was time to go out trick or treating! The Smith's came down and my mom for pizza and then it was time! Costumes were put on and we were off. The got lots of candy and had fun. Brett and I just strolled together as they went from door to door. They have the routine down pat. Connor was a little slow and brought up the rear but he did great. When we thought it was time to stop, Karly, Tyler and Dylan didn't want to stop. So they kept walking while Connor and Cody went back home.

This morning Dylan woke up with a fever. It's been hoovering around 100 and he's been on the couch for most of the day. He's coughing and not eating. I know he doesn't feel good when he doesn't eat. He always eats! :) Tylenol seems to be working but only lasting 4 hours. Just waiting to see what day Tyler gets it. I know it's coming. :(

Today was also the last day of football games. Yeah! I get my husband back on the weekends now. We have missed him! And I must note that he got extremely lucky this year.....he did not have one game in the rain. It might have sprinkled but he never got soaked. Very lucky and probably won't happen again.

So what is up in the coming weeks. ..... Tanya has to have surgery tomorrow as she is getting a partial hysterectomy done. Gonna be a long recovery but hopefully it goes quick for her. Cody goes to Syracuse on the 9th for a meeting with Dr. Tatum and with Dr. Dillingham for an adjustment to the expander. Not sure why Dr. Tatum wants to see him so my nerves are already kicking in. Connor has his 3rd birthday and then there is Thanksgiving!!! Yum, Yum! I love turkey day. I love the food, especially my mom's turkey! And of course...the countdown is on till the big man comes!!!!

Pumpkin Carving '09

It's funny how far we have come with the pumpkin carving. First it's all Brett and I who create, cut and let's face it - just get excited. Ok, maybe just me...Brett humors me! :) Well this year, we supervised. The boys are old enough to do most of it themselves. I got smart last year and put down a plastic table cover on the table. I remember when I was young, we used paper bags from the grocery store. Well now you only get plastic or use recycled. I hate spending the money for the birthday parties on the decorated table covers but if you can re-use them then all the better. So, we lay that down....put all the guts and goo on it and clean up is a piece of cake! Brett cut off the lid and the boys went to town scooping the insides out. Then we drew the faces they asked for and they got the knife. Yes, 3 little boys with knives was pretty scary but they did a great job. They followed our lines and cut out the eyes and nose. After we drew out the mouths, they were "tired" so Brett and I cut 3 mouths. I think they did a great job!

Tyler scooping out his pumpkin..

Everybody is busy cleaning out the pumpkins..Cody and Tyler cutting out the eyes..Dylan is very serious about carving..They are so proud of their pumpkins....Aren't they awesome! Pumpkins all a glow!

Pumpkin/Apple picking

It seems I have gotten a few days behind in the blog. Maybe that's a good thing as there isn't much to report about. Just normal crazy life stuff that we all have day-to-day.

To start our weekend off I was afraid that we would have a trip to Syracuse for the dentist. Thankfully that wasn't needed. As I was putting Cody to sleep Friday night, he says to me "mom, I think I have a potato chip caught in my appliance"......Ok, but he said he got it. Then he asks me what color are his teeth....."um, white"....so he hands me a little piece of something hard. I look at it and is trying to figure out what exactly is it....so yah, I had to put it between my teeth and bite for a quick second - yah, it's not a chip! It came from behind his top tooth, the one that has the nerve almost showing. It isn't bothering him at all and I have the piece saved so hopefully we keep our normal appointment and we'll see what Dr. Scott has to say about it.

Saturday we had another fun day of soccer. Next Sat. is our last day. After that we had high hopes of going to get our pumpkins but this darn NY weather was not going to allow that. It had misted and was so cool out most of the day. Instead we did other stuff and had dinner at my sister's.

Sunday we got to go to the apple farm. We had a lot of fun. It was still cool but when that sun came out it was nice. The kids picked lots and lots of apples. Went on a hayride, enjoyed the petting zoo, found their "great" pumpkin and had some good treats too!

And I must say I love their shirts. It appears we have the entire team spoken for....Offense/Defense/and of course the little Captain!

ENT / Random Update

I took Tyler this afternoon for his last check-up before surgery. All looks good and we are set to go. There is still a lot of fluid on the right ear and the tube is out in the left ear although no visible fluid. So he will get long term tubes put in as this is his 3rd set, they will explore his adenoids for any re-growth and will cut the piece of skin coming from his upper lip to his top gum. Surgery is set for this coming Tuesday at 9:30...which kind of sucks as he can't eat or drink after midnight. He's my first kido to have surgery at this age - where we have to hand him over and walk away. My anxiety is already starting to kick in.

The boys are loving school - all 3 of them. Cody and Dylan are so challenged and are doing great. Writing their names and getting better and better. They did this in pre-school but you can see their "growth" in K. They are in the 100 book challenge and it should be a challenge to complete. Their goal is 100 books a semester. They bring home 4 books A NIGHT! So in my house that's 8. Right now the books appear to be very simple, ex: "Look at the Lizard, Look at the eye"....basic sight word sentence. So the books are super short. At this length, 8 books isn't a problem...if they get longer it will. Then the teachers want them to write the titles themselves....not mom's hand writing and if they kids can't get it we are to dot it out. At first I said "dot this".....I do this alone at night as Brett works. I work and am not home before 5. There is a lot to get down in a couple hours. But we will give it our all and make the best of it.

I thought about rather to blog this but it's just one of those things that I have to write. Cody might not be happy with me in 12 years but he'll get over it. :) So last night as I was getting them into the shower..he gets undressed and notices something black. He yells "mom I have something black on my leg"...now we are talking it's higher up on his thigh. So I yell back "what is it".........to which he says "MOM, I think I'm growing hair"......................O.M.G...................I lost it! How could you not. I assured him it wasn't hair but rather fuzz...Sure enough it came off in the shower. Phew!

Kids understanding pictures

With it being our anniversary, I got out our wedding album and sat down to look through it. I would like to watch our tapes but they are VCR tapes and well we only have DVD players - so I guess it's time I get those switched over to DVD's. I have a couple wedding pictures through out the house of Brett and I but the boys have never looked at the album.

OMG - they cracked me up! I have one picture from when Brett and I went to our Homecoming our Junior year. Yah we were much younger! Brett had a flat top hair cut and I still am not sure what he was thinking with that. :) Tyler took one look at that picture and said "wow, what happened to my Dad's hair?". LOL. So we kept flipping and Tyler says again "Mom, why did you marry so many people?". He saw the pictures of me dancing with different people (who all had tuxes on) and he thought because they looked like Brett did (in a tux) that I married them too! Now usually Cody is my to the point man but Dylan says very matter-a-factly...."So Mom, first you were boyfriend and girlfriend, then you got married and that is how you could have us". EXACTLY! lol. So he looks at Cody and says "Cody if you want to have kids you have to get married first!" On we flipped to the cake pictures. They thought it was pretty cool we had a fountain. Then they had no idea what Brett and I were doing......we smashed the cake. We had a blast. Cake went everywhere! Dylan says "mom when you get married you can smash cake?" I told him only if his wife lets him.

It was so much fun showing them the pictures.

We had a nice anniversary. Our work schedule is different so we went out to lunch today. It was very peaceful to sit at a table together and chat and eat without any interruptions. Something we don't get at home. I got a great card (I love cards) that said all the right things. He finds the best cards.

Up next: He is heading off to the Glen for another year of racing fun. Mommy duty kicks in full time tomorrow. We'll miss him but we plan to have a little fun of our own. Going to a children's museum with friends.

Baking...

Check out my bakers! Aren't they cute? I think so..... We had some scheduling problems for tomorrow and the birthday cake had to get made.....so.....that left me to do it. The boys wanted to help so bad anyways so it worked out. After dinner, I told them they could help. It is amazing at how good of listeners they are when they want to do something. They were huge helpers. Thankfully, the cake recipe called for 3 eggs so each of them got to crack an egg. I think I got out what fell in but guess we'll find out tomorrow. Then they wanted to stir. So each got a spoon and they stirred until their little hearts were content. And yes, I got out my camera. These are some of the best birthday memories in the making.

Field Trip - Part 2

On Wednesday both classes met at Pizza Uno for a fun field trip of making pizza and getting a tour of the restaurant. The kids love this as they can have hands on making their own pizza. And what kid doesn't like pizza! The pizza's were super yummy too! Thankfully the kids share! :)

Mother's Day Breakfast

This morning at school we had our mother's day breakfast. The teachers do a nice job of putting a little something on for us mom's. The boys all drew drawings that were then laminated as our placemats. I crack up looking at them as their drawings are all so different. Tyler's was basically scribble, Dylan's was a little better but not much and Cody's was pretty good actually. I've said it before - Dylan will be my sport kid and Cody appears to be my artsy kid. He'll be in a band I'm sure of it! He drew some pretty good stick people and a tree....Cute! Then we also got a planted flower that the kids decorated the pot. This year they sang a song "I ___ my mom on mother's day", filling in the blank with hug, love. Short and cute! My mom was able to come with us too so that was nice as well.

It is kind of surreal to stand there with 3 kids all in preschool together. Some days I want to pull my hair out with the 3 of them - but days like today all I could do was smile with pride!

Happy Mother's Day weekend as us mom's deserve more than just a day! :)

Back at it...

Tonight we were back to t-ball practice. I just love seeing them on the field, interacting with other kids, some that they know some they don't, a coach, giving high fives, sweating, running, having so much fun. As we leave they are still talking about it and can't wait to go back.

Looking forward to the morning and my mother's day breakfast at pre-school with my 3 preschoolers. Not many people can say they have 3 preschoolers. I can! Most days it's over whelming or heck really most minutes....but on day's like "Mother's Day"...I get to take 3 with me and be proud of each and every one of them. I can't wait to go...see what they made and hear the little song that they are going to sing. I've heard bits and pieces but that's it.

The boys got their spring pictures taken and we received them the other day. I was so happy with how they turned out. Super super cute smiles from all 3 of them. I'll scan them soon so you can see!

Playing Dress Up

A week or so ago we were at my sister's and the kids were playing dress up. We now have a new member of the mafia.....Dylan:and a new member of the Red Hat's:

Priceless!!!

Snow Time

Today is about the first day all week that we have all felt well enough to actually do something. But of course the weather did not cooperate with us. It has snowed all day. We all got bundled and went out to "play" instead. I would of had a few pictures to share but apparently my battery is dead. (Sigh) The boys shoveled, went on the sled down the little tiny hill in the front yard, had a ton of fun throwing snow at their Dad. Dylan was the last one in. He loves to be outside. I really think he will be my nature kid. He just LOVES everything about the outdoors. I guess he takes after his Uncles in that aspect as his Dad is not an outside kind of guy.

So we vegged and it's felt really good. Tomorrow I'll have to make up for it as I will need to do more chores, go grocery shopping and get my house back in order. Tonight though we will go to sleep singing "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"

Kids never cease to amaze me.

I don't usually have many dull moments in my life living with 3 very active little boys. This morning was no different. Every morning Cody need to take his thyroid medication. He knows he has to take it but has started to "fight" me on doing it. This morning we are trying to get out of the house and it's like 2 degrees outside (no joke) so I give him his pill and drink and go outside to start the Van. I come in and he is crouched down in front of our door to go to the basement. Weird! I asked if he took the pill. He says with a smile "yes". Some how I did not believe him. He just had THAT look. I asked if he put it under the door. He says "no". So I go to open the door and he hightails it to the living room. Yep, he put it under the door! UGH - so now I need to watch him every morning take it.

Yesterday I did all of my baking. The boys had parties at school today and we had to take in a sweet treat. So Cody and Dylan took cookies and Tyler took brownies. Well while baking the boys sampled. Then they started to "sneak" a cookie. Well I think Cody had way to much. He ended up getting sick last night. So I told him today he needed to eat more "healthy" food. So this afternoon, I am chatting with my mom and she said they had sampled the cookie platter more. Cody was giving her a fit about eating healthy. I had her ask him if he wanted to talk to me. He said: "No, I already know what she is going to say." Kids, they are cute!

So the teacher forgot to get out the cookies at the party. Dylan was NOT HAPPY! He loves these cookies.

Can't believe it's Christmas this week. Have more wrapping to do but not sure when that is getting done. Only 1 more full day of work left. Looking forward to that.

Merry Christmas!

A little catch up about the boys

So besides the hub bub of Christmas and shopping and all the prep work that goes into it - there really hasn't been a whole lot new with us. That is a good thing. Cody is taking his medication every day and doing really well with it. At times I wonder if it doesn't make him a little hyper but I can't really pin point it to the drug. One thing for sure is he doesn't complain that he is tired. So this is obviously working. The real test will come in Feb. when we do blood work to test his thyroid levels again. Dylan is doing well. I am very curious to see what he weighs in Jan at thier 5 year check up as he is really packing on the pounds. He loves to eat! He's doing well in school although the teacher said she thought he was "guessing" at some of his letters. So we are working on that. The problem is Cody blurts them out before he can get to it. Tyler got great news today from his speech therapist. She tested him and while he is still behind for his age group he has made up about a year loss of speech growth in 6 months. That is fantastic. She said actually she will need to "work with" the numbers to continue to qualify him for another 6 months. Basically keeping him in speech through this first year of preschool. I am very excited for Tyler as this was my hopes and dreams for him. He goes in January for a re-check of his ear tubes.

Cody and Dylan will be turning 5 in another month. Not sure where those 5 years have gone. I have so much reflecting to do on that. Many posts to come on that. In the mean time and on top of Christmas we are preparing for a birthday party. I called the other day and rented the movie theater. We are having a spongebob/pokemon birthday (nice combo huh). But the party should be fun with lots of their school friends.

Post maybe fewer and far between with Christmas coming next week. The Luckey family would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Sick Kids

It seems that the sick bug has made a stop at my house. I thought maybe we were done with it on Thursday when just Cody got sick. But at 4 am my mom peeked her head in my room and said "Dylan's throwing up". Are you kidding! So I get out of bed. Now this really sucks cause I just came to bed at 2. My work Christmas party was last night and well I had a few to drink and we had a good time. I am barely coherent so I take Dylan and we head to the couch for the night. He slept restless - I just slept. He got sick a couple more times, took a long nap and then woke up - FINE. Weird. Same thing Cody did on Thursday. So I thought we were done. Wrong! Cody got sick once more today. Only once though so not sure what it was all about and he has felt fine since. I thought maybe we were done but #3 needed a turn. We did baths, got all cleaned up, went downstairs to snuggle on the couch and it was Tyler's turn. All over the carpet. Eeeehhhh.......thank god for carpet cleaners. I am just hoping and praying we make it through the night.

So today we were going to go see Santa but that didn't happen. We'll go one night this week. Last night Xmas party was fun. I have to say there have been better parties in years past but I won't complain. It was free, there was an open bar, casino tables, Brett and I got our character picture done (it turned out awesome and I'll have to scan it) decent food (years past have been so much better) but we had fun and then went to a co-workers house for more after hours fun. I just wish I could of slept the entire night. Oh well - that is the job of a mom.

Dinner and a Movie

After the Bakugan tournament our afternoon quieted down for a little bit. We got some house work done, Brett went off to Walmart to get groceries, it was a very rainy yucky day out so we just chilled. Brett left around 3 as the football officials all got a bus and headed to Syracuse for the football game tonight. While I am sure the game won't be "wonderful" as SU isn't doing very good at all this year - it's still a fun night out with the guys! I am sure they are having fun.

So the boys and I had plans to go to a benefit dinner. A guy I work with has boys in the cub scouts. They were putting this Spaghetti dinner on for two fellow scouts that have lost their parents. The kids are in the 3rd and 1st grade. I can't even imagine. A very young relative is now the sole care giver for these two boys. So we were happy to go tonight and have a great dinner. A bunch of us from work all met and no matter where we are - when we all get together we have a blast.

Driving home I remembered back to toys-r-us and Dylan really wanting this Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas DVD. So I decided we would go and get it. He was so excited! We got home, got our jammies on and made popcorn. Put the movie in and just relaxed. It was wonderful! Just to sit on the couch, cuddled under the blanket with my boys and watching a cute movie. Priceless!

Bakugan Tournament

Today was the Bakugan Tournament at Toys-R-Us. We got there about 10:30 and the tables were full. They had to bring out more. Cody and Dylan sat down to battle and had a blast. After a little bit Dylan got tired of it and wanted to just go look at the toys with Tyler. Cody moved on to another little boy and battled with him. He said he won "9 times".....I don't think that's true but he was very into it. It was so fun to watch him.

Here they are setting up to play!

Bakugan Battle.

We have Bakugan!

What a day today was. It actually started last night when Brett told me that on Saturday there is a Bakugan tournament at toys-r-us. He had already told Cody and we have to go. Problem is - we don't have the bakugan balls. So I figured hey, if toys-r-us is hosting this tournament then they must have some of these balls in the store. WRONG! Them along with every other retailer does not carry these things. They are all sold out. I spent all day calling all over trying to find these. My mom even went to a store called "Made in Japan" and they didn't have them. I had basically given up. I have a friend in Ohio and she said she would look for me. I found one battle set on craigslist and emailed them but was waiting for a reply. Any way I tried though - we were not going to have these things for tomorrow. WRONG again! I got home and my mom had called one more local store....one I never shop at as it's downtown but that she loves.....and they had them! Yeah!!! We got a 6 pack. We are battling tomorrow.

Apparently though these Bakugan's are being considered the top toy of this holiday season. Unlike most top toy's (in my era it was the Cabbage Patch Kid) these are actually within a price range for families. Starting around $3.00 and going up from there. And as my luck will have it my friend in Ohio went right out shopping for me (thanks Liz) and she found me a 3 pack. Santa is "very" happy. Then the seller from craigslist wrote me back and said the mega battle pack is still available. It's a steal of a price. Yeah! I am soooooooooooooooooo excited!

Tonight though we did another kid favorite. We had a birthday party to go to for a little boy in Cody and Dylan's class at Chuck E Cheese. The minute you walk through the door is instant craziness. They had so much fun though. It was an all boys party as the little boy didn't want any girls invited. And a big step for my kids, they actually like Chuck E. Giving him high 5's and everything. Surprised me. We left and Cody said "I wish we lived here". Yah, I don't! We will have to price a Chuck E birthday party. It's just so crazy there with no real organization. I've got a little bit to think about that.

So we are off to toys-r-us in the morning to have a Bakugan Battle. I will have pictures for sure!