It's been a while since I've really posted!

I feel like I need to catch up or update or something!! We've been home from our trip since Friday, but it seems like every minute has been filled with something to do!

We had a great trip home - full of Grandma visiting, eating, friend visiting, shopping, eating, picture taking, eating and flower girl & "wedding bear" (aka ring bearer) clothes shopping. Jack & Allison got lots of playtime with cousin Hannah and they all seemed to have a blast. Karl actually got to join us for a couple days. We had to leave to soon, but that's always the case.

We had to catch an early flight on Friday (8:40am) which translates into getting up EARLY. The kids were good sports about it and everything went smoothly. I almost have it down to a science. Jack is good 98% of the time and Allison ... well she tries.... Our flight was delayed about 20 minutes, but luckily there is a Starbucks across from the gate and the apple danishes made everyone happy!

We picked Maggie up from the new kennel and she was happy to see us! It cost a fortune to board her there, but it was the right place to put her. She got to run and play and dig and bark. Those are her favorite things! :)

I have my Mother of Preschoolers retreat this weekend. I am working on it with 2 other moms and it's taking up a lot of my "free" time. But, I love organizing ... so it's right up my alley. Karl will have the kids to himself for TWO nights!!! I'll have to let you know how that goes!!!!!!!

We had Stacie and her kids tonight - it's always fun to get together with them! We tried out a new place (well it's not new ... we just haven't been there). It's Italian ... it was ok. It's no Rich & Charlies.........

Jack is gearing up for kindergarten - I still can't believe he's old enough for ALL DAY school. He has all his school supplies and his new backpack. We are going shoe shopping later in the week. Allison will go back to her preschool in September--her little friends from last year should be in class with her again this year. They'll both do soccer through the YMCA and Karl and I are excited about that. :)

Well, I'm going to go eat a brownie and chill out.

we're home!

We're back from our St. Louis trip! It was fun to be home and see lots of family and friends. :) I need to unpack and get back into the routine...

home sweet home

The kids and I are heading home tomorrow to see everyone ... I doubt I'll post while there. Have a great week! :)

Catching up

It's been a few days since I posted anything! The week has been busy with swimming lessons, ballet and of course everyday life! :)

Allison finished up her ballet today - turns out ballet isn't really here "thing". On Monday she spent most of the class under the chair she was supposed to be standing next to and today didn't go much better. She did look REALLY cute in here little leotard, tights and skirt though. :)

Tomorrow is the last day for swimming lessons for both kiddos. Jack has had pretty much private lessons and is doing great - jumping in the 10 ft water and getting to the edge (my whole goal). Allison is participating more this week ... I think this one has to do with the instructor's "technique" last week for the lack of participation ... she really does love pools/water/swimming.

I'm working on getting us ready for our St. Louis trip. I am looking forward to getting home. Yes, after 7 years of not living there, I still consider STL my home. Now to get all the logistics of seeing everyone.

We'll be seeing my Grandparents. They are 92 now and doing ok, but not great We always see them when we get home. My kids love them (me too). :) Grandpa's memory is gone, but he is still fun!! Grandma is frail, but still spirited.

We'll be staying at my mom's ... in my old room ... me and my kids. ha ha. (Karl won't be with us for the first 1/2). It always makes me laugh just thinking about it....

Today we went to our church's splash day and then to Chik-Fil-A with some friends. We put our collective 6 kids at one table and we mamas at another and actually got to talk!! It was fun.

It's been a busy day and I'm feeling tired! Surely this Epstein Barr Virus is on it's way out, RIGHT?! I still am not myself, but certainly ready to be! Hopefully I'll get a good night of sleep and be feeling better tomorrow!! Oh - I have a hair appointment tomorrow- yeah. Two or three hours to just chill....ahhh.

J & A are upstairs playing dress up. Jack must have like 57 layers on right now. He's spiderman and Allison is Sleepy Booty (yes that is how she says it).

I need to decorate some tote bags for my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) leadership retreat, so once the kids go to bed I need to get my creative juices flowing. It will involve a bow I'm sure. I'm excited to have a bigger role in MOPS this year, I'm on the hospitality committee. One other lady and myself are planning/organizing our retreat in August. My MOPS group is actually at our church and between the two I've been able to make some great friends.

If you read this, you know I love Gymboree (kids store) ... they started a big sale today, I have a 25% off coupon and STL will have tax free this weekend. WOO HOOO.

I don't think I have anything else exciting to write about... just a normal week. Oh - I signed both kids up for soccer at the YMCA for the fall. That should be fun/funny!! :)

Our Saturday

Another day, another birthday party! This time it was a 3 year old party. Anyway, they had fun and anytime there is cake involved - they are happy. It did lead to getting home past bedtime ... then still having to get a bath, etc. Oh well, maybe they'll sleep in tomorrow! (Not likely).

I had been feeling almost 100% normal over the past few days, but today I was back to feeling like crap. I was so bummed ... just yesterday I was telling my mom that I was finally feeling like myself again. Oh well - hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better. I plan on doing NOTHING ... except the essentials! :)

I think Allison is fighting some type of little bug - her tummy hasn't been quite right - so hopefully that will go away soon. She woke up a bunch last night and then didn't have a good nap today. When she is just playing she seems fine though, it's slightly baffling!

This one is brief tonight - I'm sleepy and I'm going to bed!

I love Gymboree

Today was my big day with the Gymboree designer!!! As Allison would say, it was awesome! The group consisted of the lead designer for Gymboree/Janie & Jack/ Crazy 8, the district manager, the regional manager and then a corporate big wig from California (headquarters). I was with them the whole time and then 3 other moms were in & out during our conversation. I came armed with a ton of opinions. They really listed to what I had to say and that was so cool! I do ALOT of shopping there and it was just nice to tell them what I like & what I don't. :) One of the other moms that came was snooty and I was glad when she left. :)~ Makes me think *maybe* I might want to look into that area when I go back to work. But, who knows.... then for coming they gave me a great coupon ... which I'll combine and use during the back to school sale and get really good prices - YEAH.

While I was in Gymboree land, Karl took the kids to swimming lessons (Allison participated- woo hoo) and then the library!

I took the kids to their friend Drew's birthday party this evening at Pump It Up (inflatable jumper place). They had a blast, wore themselves out and went to bed without much of a fight!

My house looks like a tornado hit it, but I think I'm just going to leave it that way for tonight. I'm tired and I'm going to bed! :)

It's been another full day! Karl took the kids to swimming today ... Jack did great, Allison didn't participate. {rolling my eyes}

I actually stayed in my pajamas until lunchtime. Ahhhh. Unfortunately one of my bow customers came at 10:30 (while I was in my jammies) to get her bows. Oops....

So we had a little issue with Karl's work schedule which set us in a funk for a few hours, but it's all good now. He has to go to work tomorrow (unexpected and we weren't happy about it) but now he's going to get off for my birthday/Jack's first day of kindergarten. So, that's happy!!

Allison had ballet - her teacher is hilarious. I'm pretty sure she is close friends with a bottle of gin. She's in her 60s and is pretty darn funny. There are 3 teenagers/college kids that do the actual dancing.... Today Allison participated for most of it - woo hoo!!! She's sooooo cute when she's doing it! They played a video of some of the recital dances that the teachers were in and the little girls were mesmerized - heck so were the moms.

Today we have just been hanging out. The kids should be in bed - but for some reason they are in the backyard with Karl. Oh well, whatever....

Tomorrow is my big Gymboree meeting!!! Woo hooo!!! I've been compiling my notes today. :)~ I really am excited for this opportunity...who knows where it will lead me. I am in Gymboree A LOT - not because I'm always spending $$$ but because as part of my bow business, I need to match all the new line colors. I end up buying a small accessory (like socks or something) to start. Anyway, my bow orders then fund my Gymboree shopping. :) Oh and I only buy on sale, or with a coupon. I work at it so it is around the same cost as other stores. Anyway, because I am there alot - they know me. And because Allison always has gigantic bows in and because Jack is a sweet boy that sits nicely and watches their TV. :) I'll post how it goes......

Oh - apparently the kids want me to go outside. Guess we aren't making bedtime tonight. :)
Overall the day turned out ok ... bummer that Karl has to work tomorrow and Friday though. Oh and Saturday and Sunday......

Alright...outside I go!