Recap of March

Okay, I can't believe it's already March..... I will just do a recap, and try to add pictures later. 

• Well, Austin had his play.  He had 3 performances.  We did have a lot of family come to see Austin. Grandpa Rick, Grandma Gail, Dave, Em, Bilette, Paige, Maddy, Grandma Becky, Grandpa John, Jake, and Emily, and then us.  I Love, to see him doing things on stage, it's so cool.  I wonder what the play in the fall will be?  

• Well with me working, I have had to start all of the weeks, by sending Brad a weekly itinerary.  I tell him all the things that I am doing and all the things he is responsible for.  (these have to be done on a weekly basis, as I can't plan much beyond that.)  So, I had gotten into the habit of calling Brad to remind him of things.  And one day, I didn't.  That will teach me.  Brad and Colton missed going to Uniform distribution Night for Baseball.  So, Colton's Coach picked out his uniform.  Problem with that is his uniform doesn't fit at all!!!!  And there's no way of exchanging it.  So we'll have to get Colton new pants, and his shirt will just be a dress, and I will always go to uniform night myself.

• The kids took another trip up to Winter Park, with Brad.  Brad took the kids up on Saturday.  I got to stay home, and catch up on house work.  I am really behind on laundry, and the house in general.  Why is it that when Brad goes away on long weekends he gets to have fun.  And when I get a weekend to myself, I get to clean the house?  Is it just me or is that just not fair?

• We did have Uncle Dave come and visit us for the week.  He taught my kids a wonderful new game.  It has to do with making a hand sign, after you "pass gas".  The last person to make the sign, "ate it".  Oh, Dave.  Thanks for that one.  You're the Best Uncle Ever. 

• On the 17th, we had plans to go see the Music Man, at an area High School.  It is one of my kids favorite musicals.  And I really like having my kids experience the difference between movies, and plays.  Well, we misread the school signage.  The play was only at 2:00 for the students on that day.  And the rest of our week is booked.  So we missed the play.  We were really bummed.   

• Well, Brad and I started a new class this month.  In all of our years of parenting, we haven't really taken any classes, since Lamaze.  So, when our church offered up an Parent-Teen Class, we figured, we really should take a class on this subject.  Now, as many of you who know Austin, you know, we don't feel like we have anything to worry about with him.  He's the Best Kid Ever.  But, as he is entering his teen years, we are expecting changes in him.  And we just want to be prepared for what ever comes our way.  I will say, that will a teenager in the house, I just keep thinking back to all the things I did to my parents, and will any of those things come back to haunt me???  

• March 19th, a Spring Band Concert for Austin.  And Austin is becoming very involved in school.  He's in Drama Club, and Student Council, and some Tri M Club.  We're all really busy right now.  We are looking forward to Spring Break.

• SPRING BREAK*  Yeah, we did have a nice little trip planned, and I will do a better post on this later, once I download my cameras.  

• *BLIZZARD*  Oh Yeah, while we were on vacation, we missed yet another Blizzard.  We were really bummed;)

February

Well this year is flying by...

So here is a recap of February

• Our Friend Shelby Celebrated her 6th Birthday.  Lauren got to go to Chuck E Cheese for that

• Scarlett came to visit, while Grandma and Grandpa went to the Daytona 500, I have a feeling the boys will be taking a trip together there next year. 

• Being homeroom Mom, I had to plan the Valentine's Party for Lauren's class.  Since, this was a busy week at work, it was a very low key party.  We did make all of our Valentines, but they weren't as creative as in years past.

• Our Valentines, I had to work, and both Brad and I bought new jackets.  I found a great purple Columbia at Kohls.  And Brad needed a nice wool coat.  It hasn't been super cold or snowy, and I haven't even used my coat yet.  

• Lauren's teacher has started to let Lauren stay at school all day, one day a week.  So, I have been working on those days all day.  And when she gets home, as soon as she hits the couch, she's fast asleep.  Going to school all day wears her out.... But she has begun to break out of her shyness mode.  She has even started to say "Hi" to kids in the school parking lot as we walk up to school.  One day, she let go of my hand, and walked with a friend up to class!! 

• Brad, Austin, and Lauren had a weekend trip up to Winter Park.  They had a lot of fun, skiing, and sledding, and playing with Gary.... Dave and Em got a new goat, named Gary.  Lauren loves Gary.  Grandma and Grandpa also went up for the weekend.  Colton and I would of loved to of joined them.... But we had baseball tryouts.  

• So this same weekend, I had to work, so my Dad came up to help watch Colton, and take him to baseball tryouts.  There were 4 tryout sessions, 2 Saturday, and 2 Sunday.  The first one got cancelled, due to the field being wet.  (Once baseball season starts, you can be assured that winter is finally making an appearance.)   So Colton went to one tryout on Saturday, and this was to make the Majors.  So his competion is 10-13 year olds .  Now, as many of you know, Colton won't be 10, until April 20th, so he is one of the younger kids.  I didn't know how all of these tryouts worked.  But on Sunday, we went to the last afternoon tryout.  And he wasn't looking good.  After a few times to the bathroom, he yaked on the field in front of everyone, and didn't finish tryouts.  So, we kinda knew he wouldn't make the Majors this year.  

• Well, Colton had another assesment for his AAA baseball team.  We tried to get him on a team with some other kids that he knew, but this baseball league is kinda political.  And even at tryouts, I saw all the guys / coaches on the field working out who wants what kids.  I just hope he has a good year.

• Austin was asked to play a small part in the Spring Play at school.  It was for an old movie, called, Sorry Wrong Number.   So we are looking forward to it, and glad that Austin was asked to help out his teacher. 

• Brad had a trip to Florida, can you imagine why????  He had a lot of fun hanging out with his grandparents.  And got in a few rounds of golf in the mean time.  He really was hoping to catch a shuttle launch, but it didn't happen while he was there.....

• So have any of you ever heard of TWITTER???  Well, Brad is receiving tweets, from NASA.  It really is funny.  He will get updates, for every little thing that has to do with any Space Missions.  He thought it was a good idea, incase there was a launch while he was in FL.  But now, he has to turn off his phone at night, so he doesn't keep getting tweets.   

Sleep Over

Well tonight Lauren had a sleepover,  her friend from school.  And the girls were also in Preschool together.  I can't believe I didn't take any pictures...  But they had lots of fun.  I think they changed jammies 10 times, and it took a while for them to settle down and go to sleep.  She is already planning her next sleepover.  

Work

Well, as some of you know I have returned to work this year.  It's been very nice not having to be super busy from January to April.... But now, since Lauren will be in school all day next year, I have to find something to keep myself occupied.  YEAH RIGHT

Well I have enjoyed getting back into the swing of things with taxes.  It has been a tough year though.  There are a lot of issues with peoples taxes in this economy.  I have enjoyed seeing some of my old clients, and I do feel good when I help people.  I fear that next year, taxes are going to be more difficult.  Due to the new Stimulus, and plans from the new Administration.  

I have had my eyes opened, even early in the tax season.  I have put faces and names to people in our community who have lost their homes, who are going through a rough divorce, and those that are out of work.  That has been a little hard.  

I do hope that Brad and the kids will help out during this Tax Season.  It's a little hard, for Lauren, since she doesn't really remember me working.  And she doesn't really understand that Tax season is only until April 15th.  I really appreciate my Dad, and Bilette for helping me get some hours in.  Thanks

Inauguration Day

Well, today we had the whole world watching us, as we welcomed our 41st President.  I did record everything for the kids to watch.  And it was cool to see all of the places in Washington DC, since, I've been there.  It also confirmed to me that when Colton has his 6th grade trip, we will be taking him to DC.  

Well, the kids all watched the ceremony on TV at school.  I was a little surprised that even Lauren  watched it, I mean will she as a kindergartner remember it?  I did think it was very cool to see our entire country come together, and to see many people hopeful.  I think in addition to being hopeful, that there is a new generation of people who will now be involved with politics and policies.  Which that is a good thing.  I try so hard to explain to the kids that we are blessed to live in a country where we have choices.  I think it's awesome to see the books in both English and History that Austin is reading.  For some strange reason, he's reading a lot of Communist books, or books that were written in that era.  

 We will be closely watching every decision that President Obama makes.  

Best of Luck to President Obama

The long Weekend

Well, on Saturday, Lauren had her friend, Sabrina's Birthday party at Skate City.  She had a lot of fun.  After the party, Bilette and I made our way down to Castle Rock to the Outlet mall.  We had fun hanging out and shopping.   We called to invite Rebecca to dinner, but Grandpa John had just come home from traveling.  So, Bilette, Grace and I ate at Chilli's.

On Sunday, I was able to hit a movie, with my neighbor Rebecca, we saw, Bride Wars.  It was pretty funny.  Rebecca was good, and brought a healthy snack to the movies, so I didn't have any pop or popcorn.  When I came home and told Brad, that I went to the movies, and didn't have any bad snacks, he replied with, "You need to hang out with her more often."  After the movie we hit Starbucks, and did some catching up.    

On Monday, the kids didn't have school, and Grandma didn't have work, so she invited us down to Castle Rock to see a movie.  So we made it down, in time to have lunch with Grandpa, and then we went to see Mall Cop.  It was a pretty funny movie.  So yes, for the week, I made it to 3 movies, that will not ever happen again.  We stayed and had chili for dinner.  And Austin got his present from Grandma and Grandpa..... His very own camera.  I think it's good for him to have his own camera, so now, he doesn't have to keep asking to borrow mine.   He took tons of pictures, and even got out Grandpa's tripod to take sunset pictures.  What a good present!

Brad's New Toy

Well, Brad finally broke down and ordered a new phone.  There was a lot of debate, and research, and he finally decided on a CrackBerry, I mean BlackBerry.   Did you know there is actually a website that is named Crackberry??  Since he has picked up his phone he has been trying to figure it all out.  It took about a week, but now he absolutely loves it, and has wondered why he didn't get one sooner.  He has a picture of Titleist golf balls on the screen, and he has different ring tones, to include the theme song to the Office,  ESPN, and a favorite line from Caddyshack.   He is so funny.