I'm back

I got back from Las Vegas on Sunday night. Our flight was delayed and I didn't get home until 10pm. Hunter really wanted to wait up, so I found Nick and Hunter on the couch watching a movie when I got home. I took him to bed and gave him hundreds of kisses to make up for being gone :) All in all the kids did fine. I appreciate Mark and Emily helping with the kids (and Hannah and Julie)--thank you!! Hunter was throwing up Friday night and once Sunday night (after I got home), but has been fine since. Here are a few pictures from our trip, but I'm waiting for my friend to send me the ones she took with her camera :)

We left Thursday morning and got in around noon Vegas time, so checked into our hotel and then walked around. I won money at the blackjack table right away--yay! Amber and I did a ton of walking b/c she wanted to see all the hotels. We also played slots with the other people we were with, which was fun. Small world, but some of the other women there were from Brighton and we rode the bus together in middle school!! My parents know their parents b/c they brought their cars into my dad's shop too. Crazy!

Friday night we walked by the "Pop Up Wedding Chapel" and watched these people get married. I think it was a 10 minute ceremony. Not my cup of tea, but it was fun to watch!
We took a cab to the Wynn one day and then walked back to our hotel. The hotel is so beautiful. I just love it and want to stay there some day (when I win the lottery??). All these fresh flower balls were amazing too...

We rode the roller coaster at New York New York, gambled, hung out, walked around, had the buffet at the Paris Hotel, saw George Wallace (front row), and just had a good time all in all. I missed my kids and husband a lot and was happy to come home. Thanks Amber for inviting me to be your "date"....it was kind of weird going somewhere with someone other than Nick b/c I haven't done that in about 10 years, but it was fun!! I just missed having a man around to carry my bags, especially with my bad back. No wild or crazy stuff happened...I had a few too many Corona's on Friday night and was not up for drinking at all on Saturday :(

I also got Nick a super cool souvenir, but have been debating if I want to post it or not. It's hilarious, so I want to, but not sure who might see it.

Need to post pictures of kids soon :) Coming home and seeing them makes me appreciate them all so much more!!!

Note to my husband

I'm leaving this note for Nick while I'm gone from Thursday-Sunday. Seriously, this is not a joke and if I had more time, it would be longer.

REMINDERS

No swearing (you better remind Mark), no hitting, no punching, no naughty tv shows, not too much tv, no spitting, keep them warm, fed, safe, and loved please. Don’t leave them unsupervised alone together or someone will get hurt.

Lock back door before bed. Turn porch light on. Turn Jack’s monitor on next to bed! Nick, you may sleep on my side of the bed, but Chopper is not allowed on my side. I think you should wash sheets on Sunday before I get home since I know you will let him on my side :)

Feed dog breakfast and dinner.

Feed fish breakfast and dinner.

Don’t freeze the kids all weekend long while I’m not there to keep it comfortable in the house.

Friday night—Make sure you give Mark bath towels so he doesn’t use the brown decorative towels in the spare room! Be a good hostess. Give him Christmas presents.

Saturday—Basketball practice. Emily is picking Hunter up around 12:45pm and will bring him home around 8:30pm. Please tell her how much you appreciate her helping out.

Jack bedtime—closet light on, shades down, space heater on.

I will leave check for Hannah (Thursday) and Julie (for whole week). Julie, please leave carseats in garage over the weekend so my sister can use on Saturday.

You could be a good person and go to church on Sunday. Hunter has REP from 9-10:30 and you could take Jack to church with toys—and sit by Renee—she will help you with him. Write check for at least $30 if you go.

I love you all and hope our kids are in one piece when I get back. I appreciate you allowing me to have this “girl time” weekend with Amber and I can’t wait to see you all on Sunday. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! Give the kids hugs and kisses from me!!!

What's been going on...

1) I have been MIA for several reasons. First, I got a new laptop last week. I HATE dealing with this stuff. Transferring info from one to the other, figuring out a new version on windows and all of that. I let the computer sit in a box for a week b/c I just didn't want to deal with it. I spent most of my week last week getting things set up. Then on Saturday I dropped my old laptop on the floor and now it's not working. Good thing I set it up when I did. I hope I can fix it b/c the only thing I haven't transferred are my pictures...the most important thing as far as I'm concerned.




2) We were pretty busy last weekend. It was good though! Nick and I were teaching 16 engaged couples at our church about "Money and Marriage". It was Friday night and Saturday. I really enjoy doing this ministry with Nick and also listening to the other presenters. It's rewarding and so fun to meet more people in our parish. Sunday Jack and I went to church alone, but I was fine with that. My clients/friends sat behind me with their little boy. A lady who Jack seems to love sat next to us. She comes alone to church and is so sweet. We are always sitting in the same area, so Jack has taken a liking to her and vice versus. She is a Eucharistic Minister and he gets upset when she leaves to go up and prepare for that. So cute! Then on my other side was a family that I met the day before at the marriage seminar. I am so happy that we are getting to know more and more people at our church. It's fun to go and be surrounded by people we know and like :)



3) Monday we were off work for President's Day. Hunter is off the whole week for mid-winter break. I took Jack to his music class while Nick and Hunter went to Jungle Java for three hours! Then I took Jack with me to the hospital to get my blood drawn and a few other errands. We had a nice few days together for the most part :)


4) I leave tomorrow for Vegas. I'm going with one of my bff's from high school, Amber. Her friend/co-worker is turning 40 and several couples are going. I'm her date since she is single. I'm looking forward to getting away and I know we will have a great time together. However, I am not the least bit ready to leave and am pretty much freaking out right now. Too much work to do and haven't packed, gotten kids/house, etc situated. Not good. I come back Sunday night. This is the first time I've left the kids to go do something fun without my family. I know I need it and so does Nick, so he's cool with it. His brother is coming to stay the night Friday night. Saturday my sister is taking Hunter for most of the afternoon/evening, so it shouldn't be too bad. I have way to much "mommy guilt" though. Nick has left me MANY times for conferences, to visit clients, so I shouldn't feel badly, but I do...I'll miss my kids and feel badly that Nick is having to do so much. Maybe he will appreciate me more when I return? Maybe for a day or two.

5) Well, I will probably not be blogging again till next week when I am back. Wish me luck at the blackjack table! On a happy note, here is a picture of my cutie pie. He hasn't used the potty for real, but he sure looks like he's trying and concentrating here!?!?

I love the expression on his face!!!!!

Valentine's Day Fun

Our nanny, Julie, is SO sweet. She brought goodies over for the kids on Monday morning...she always does way too much for them on the holidays and their birthdays! Jack got a V-day shirt, a fishing pole game, and some cotton candy. Hunter got a V-Day shirt, a 100 piece Woody (Toy Story) puzzle, and some cotton candy. I'm glad she got them shirts b/c I just didn't get around to it this year. I'm sure I would have had one for Jack that was Hunter's at age 2, but I'm not sure I would have found the energy to look for it! She took some pictures with our camera too...We got her some chocolates, a picture frame, Target gift card, and the kids made her a cute card (with my help).

The tux tee-shirt cracks me up!!

Hunter doesn't really know what a "devil" is, even though he can be one. However, he was walking around all morning after I put it on him saying "I'm a handsome little devil!" I'm starting to wonder what Julie really thinks of him after getting this shirt and another with a mean dog on it that says, "Beware of me"...haha. J/k, I know she loves him. I need to give her a brief lesson on using our camera, but in her defense, it's a little complicated.

Not sure if she got this idea from pintrest or if she's just creative, but the kids made these for me with their hand prints and footprint--SO cute. It seriously made my day when I came home from work and saw them. Nick didn't have the kids do anything for me, so he should be thanking Julie :)

Surprisingly, Jack didn't care for the cotton candy....I can't say I'm not a little happy though b/c it's pure sugar, but oh well.
Spitting it out? Playing the fishing pole magnet game from Julie

Hunter, on the other hand, liked his cotton candy. I figure it will last for a while if he has a few bites every time he remembers to ask for it!
Blue tongue!
Silly boy...he is a handsome little devil for real--the shirt was perfect!
Julie also found this cool recipe for taco cupcakes on pintrest, so I bought the ingredients and Hunter and Julie made them for us for dinner on Tuesday. Nick and I thought they were yummy, but the kids didn't care much for them. You make them with these won ton papers (I didn't even know what those were, but they are in the produce section)...they are like the chip. Then you put queso, black beans, sour cream, cheese, etc. in them. Yummy!

Overall, I had a nice Valentine's Day. I stopped at Nick's work (b/c I was right by there for a client lunch meeting on Tuesday) to surprise him with his gift. I got him this money clip that he really wanted. I figured if he didn't get it soon he'd buy it for himself like he always does. He got me 1 1/2 dozen roses and a pandora charm. I also got the kids a few little treats, but I think Julie outdid me...it's all good, they don't know the difference....yet.

No title...

Happy Valentine's Day! I love this "holiday" and have been talking to Hunter about what it means. I just like that it's an excuse to be extra nice to each other and talk about LOVE. I made Valentine's cards for Hunter to take to school for all of his friends b/c they have a party. Plus some goodies for his teachers. I got Nick a cool gift and since I was out in Novi for an appointment today, I decided to surprise him at work and bring him his gift. I saw two dozen roses on his desk, so that surprise was somewhat ruined, but oh well. I know he got me a couple of charms for my bracelet from the kids too. I also got the kids a few little treats too that I'll give to them tonight. Our nanny got the boys some cute gifts too...they both got shirts that they are wearing today. I plan to take pictures of them when I get home. She is so sweet to think of them and get them something (and of course we get her something too!). She also got Hunter a puzzle and Jack a little toy too...so sweet. The shirt she got Hunter says "Handsome Littl Devil", so he kept saying this morning "I'm a handsom little devil"...not even knowing what a devil is, but he can be one, so it's rather fitting.

On another note, Hunter and I did some baking this past weekend....we made these oatmeal cookies on Friday night--they were so yummy. Then we make a fruit pizza on Sunday which was so good. See below. I'm really broadening my horizons...haha. It's been fun and I really enjoy doing things like this with Hunter.

Nana got each kid a Christmas apron. She had Hunter over to bake Christmas cookies, so we wore the apron to make the fruit pizza.

The end result. Isn't it pretty? It was really easy. The "crust" was sugar cookie, the base was a cream cheese and sugar concoction, and then we put kiwi, blueberries, and strawberries on it. So yummy! Plus I just love the way it looks. I got the recipe from my MOPS newsletter.

Oh, Lord, help me. I think I have a child who likes to throw tantrums on my hands. Hunter NEVER did this. Well, once...he freaked out b/c he wanted a green Starburst and when I said there are no such thing, he got very upset. I actually got it on video b/c I just couldn't believe it, but he was never one to do this. Jack, on the other hand, it's his new thing. If he's upset, he throws himself down and cries. I try to ignore it. The best part is after a minute he looks up to see if you are still there and if you are he puts his head right back down and continues crying. It's quite funny, but I try not to laugh. I usually will walk away and hide so he doesn't see me giving him the attention he clearly wants!

Looking up to see if I'm paying attention to him! haha. It is so cute, but I hope it stops soon and doesn't blow up into a full blown issue where he does this when he doesn't get his way.

Well, I hope you are having a great week. My back has been hurting so badly. I have gone to bed super early the last two nights. I am SO frustrated by it all. Ahhhh. You know I'm feeling bad if I go to bed at 8:15pm on Monday night and skip watching the Bachelor. LOL. Hopefully I can get Nick to watch it with me tonight!

A few weekend pictures

Our weekend has been very low key...and for once I'm happy about it! We have been so busy lately, I've been so tired, so it's been nice to go to bed early and just relax (as much as we can with a 2 and 4 year old). Nick let me take a two hour nap yesterday while Jack was sleeping and it was much needed!

Saturday morning while Hunter and Nick were at basketball practice, Jack and I went to visit Gigi. We baked cookies on Friday night, so we brought some up to the hospital. Gigi was happy to see Jack, as always. She looks great compared to a week ago...hopefully she'll get out soon.

Gigi got out of bed and sat in the chair for a big...I love how she is smiling looking at Jack--so sweet!

Jack giving her a kiss good-bye.

Jack played with the buttons on Gigi's bed while she was in the chair...and giving Nana a kiss good-bye. Jack's kisses are the best...he makes this cute noise and I just love it!

Hunter's church outfit. He goes to church pre-school while Nick, Jack and I go to mass.

After church Jack and I went to Costco while Nick took Hunter to get a haircut (next to Costco). I guess they had colored hair gel, so he got some blue hair gel in the front...perfect for the U of M bball game today (Nick and Hunter are going). He will be taking a shower tonight before going back to school tomorrow to wash it out!

Jack looked adorable in his sweatervest today!
He's so stinkin' cute!!!
Showing me how he did a puzzle by himself :)

Playdate with Jacquelyn/Alana and Chuck E. Cheese

I went to see my friend Jacquelyn and her almost 7-month old, Alana. Alana is so cute and growing so fast!! Jack was really good and so was Alana, so us moms were actually able to talk and have a conversation which rarely happens for me, especially when Hunter is around!

Her blue eyes are SO bright. She may be done with the helmet in a couple of weeks--I still think it's really cute on her :)

Jack looks so huge next to her. Jack had fun playing fetch with their dogs in the house...he would throw the ball and laugh hysterically...so cute. When was done, he wanted to play with Alana's toys. He tried to take a few from her--she would get a look on her face like she didn't know what to do. Overall, they did great together!

A few weeks ago we went to Chuck E Cheese with our family, Heather, Connie, and Tyler. We were planning to go to Jungle Java, but it was so busy they were not letting more people in b/c they were at max capacity, so we ended up here. It was busy, but fun! Jack riding in the car with Chuck E Cheese
Nick pretending to have fun on a ride with Hunter. You can see Hunter is taking it very seriously!

My little cousin, Tyler. He is about 1 1/2. Next year will be fun as they start being able to play together more :)

Tyler looks just like his daddy did at this age! Feeding our tickets in the machine was probably the highlight for both kids...funny. They were fighting over putting the tickets in the machine.

Have a great weekend!

My day--just had to post

Overall, my day was halfway decent. Nick stayed home this morning until 7:45am and made breakfast for the kids. Hunter slept in. All was good until about 8:15am...time to take Hunter to school. First, we put the dog in the crate and w/n 10 seconds he proceeds to pee all over! He's never done this before. Nick had let him out, so I don't know why he would do this. I had to let him out, take out the pad/cover from his crate, wipe up pee, get towels for the crate, and get him back in there...all the while the kids are pressing buttons on the washer and dryer, climbing in the washer, not putting their coats on, etc. We finally get out the door and as I'm lifting up Jack into his seat I smell poo. Buckle Hunter in, turn a movie on in the car, and have to go back in and change Jack...ahhh. Almost late for school, but we made it....stressed out by 8:45am. I then had to drive to Brighton to pick something up from my dr office (not related to the below) and went to see a friend and her little girl in West Bloomfield for a bit before heading back to get Hunter from school at 1pm.

I should back up by saying I didn't get good sleep last night. My eye was really hurting and I was rubbing it, it was watery, etc. I thought it might have been my contacts irritating them or something. I woke up at 1am with it still itching and bugging me. Well, this morning they still itch and hurt and it dawns on me that I have pink eye. Hunter's teacher sent home a note saying someone in his class has it and as I'm reading the symptoms--yep, that's what I have! I call my dr who fortunately is cool and she calls in a prescription for me. I started the antibiotics today, so I am not going to be contagious starting tomorrow. The day was all good (besides Hunter not napping), until about 5pm. I put a piece of gum in my mouth and as I'm chewing, a can feel a piece of a filling break off...it made my gum nice and crunchy. Now I have a super sharp spot in my mouth and I know they want me to get a crown, but I was hoping to procrastinate. My good friend is a dentist, they recently moved back to MI, she just had a baby, and is starting a new job in a month, so I was going to switch to her once she starts. I have to talk to her to see if I can leave it as is until she starts her job...if I can handle this sharp spot until then. What a day. At least tomorrow is Friday!! I have three appointments, so the day should fly by. As a side note, one of my appointments is a girl who called our office randomly...she inherited a lot of money. Turns out she recognized me from elementary school. She lived in the subdivision next to me and we rode the bus together. Crazy!! I didn't recognize her, but we all know how my memory is (and if you don't, just ask Nick). PS. If you google "female financial advisor ann arbor mi" my name comes up first...I have gotten a lot of clients this way (and several big ones I might add). I didn't pay for it, it's not a "sponsored" site, but it's awesome that I show up first on the list. Anyway, enough babbling...off to bed. Nick is playing bball tonight, so I play to watch some trash tv such as Teen Mom 2 or something so I can fall asleep easily.

Superbowl 2012

Last Thursday morning at about 6am Nick, while in the shower, (not both of us, just him--lol), suggested we have a small party on Superbowl Sunday. I reluctantly agreed knowing how much work it is to clean, prepare food, etc. However, I knew it would be fun, so I said ok...as long as he would be my slave and help a lot with set up and clean up. We invited all families with young kids. We ended up having five families come, with a total of 12 kids (I think). Two other families were supposed to come, but cancelled the day of due to family illnesses. We really had a great time and I think the kids had the most fun! We had everyone over around 5pm knowing that most would have to leave around 7:30pm for kid's bedtimes. It really worked out well and we had cleaned up and got to bed by 10:30pm!

We set up a bunch of crafts at the table...the kids could make Valentine's Day cards, decorate masks and puppets, draw, color, etc. They had a lot of fun!

It took us a long time to get the kids to sit and eat some dinner...they were all having way too much fun playing!

Michael and Janeel live a few doors down from us. They are so sweet and have three kids. Alex is 6 and might be one of the only boys I know who has as much energy as Hunter. Their two younger girls are so cute and sweet!

Janeel and I have have had a few playdates together and she's so fun to hang out with--and the kids really enjoy playing together too :) I'm so glad they live down the street and look forward to getting them more!

Kate (left) and her husband have an adorable little girl. We are trying to match her daughter and Jack up. I wish I would have taken a picture of her b/c she is SO cute!! Deanna came with her two kids (her son and husband weren't able to come. We are all in MOPS together and sit at the same table this year. I've been so happy this year with our table--we've gotten to know each other, hung out outside of MOPS, and they are such fun moms!

Chris, Angela, and three week old, Travis. They also have a son, Mason, who is Hunter's age. Chris and Nick have been friends since college and we love hanging out with them. Mason is so sweet and is a big brother now too!

Alex lives down the street. Hunter LOVES playing with him and is always asking when he can play with him next.

Hunter, Alex, and Gabby (my new 4 year old friend) decorated puppets and put on a show for us. Hunter didn't quite get the concept of hiding for the puppet show. Gabby is Deanna's daughter and I think she took a liking to me. She was so sweet and she totally makes me want to try for a girl...haha. Deanna said I could "borrow" her any time, so I might have to take her up on that.

We (Hunter) made up a game to entertain the kids...We pretended that the door was "China" and I was "North America". (Hunter is working on his continents in school, thus the idea). I would tell them "crawl to china" or "do the bear crawl to china", etc...this kept them busy for a good 25 minutes. As you will see it started with a few kids and more kept joining in :) It kept them in one place, wore them out, and it was fun to watch them.

Holding hands and "walking to China"...I think at one point most of the kids (besides babies) were playing with me.

I wanted to get a picture of Christian and Gabby before they left and we had some visitors in the picture...haha.
So cute. Christian is three months old and such a good little baby! I'm bummed I didn't get pictures of some of the kids and other adults, but I was too busy keeping Hunter out of trouble and hosting. I love to take pictures, so I always get mad at myself for not doing a good enough job making sure I get pictures of everyone :(
After everyone left, the Duprey Family stayed to hang out for a while. Mason was a little shy while everyone else was there, but when it was just him and Hunter playing, he totally opened up and they had a blast. They didn't want to go to bed b/c they were having such a good time. At one point they were almost out the door and the kids ran upstairs to Hunter's room to delay the inevitable.

Will this be the first of many Superbowl parties? I think so. Next year Nick wants to have our basement finished and have the theatre room done. We'll see about that.