MOTHER OF YEAR - RIGHT HERE!

Ok so it is only the 15th day of 2010 but I am pretty sure that I have clinched the title in the running for Mother of the Year: (NOT)

RING (the phone ringing)
caller id says STARBRIGHT (Quentin's School)

Hope: "NEA Health Plan"
Missy: "Hope?"
Hope: "Yes"
Missy: "It's Missy from Starbright, I have to tell you because you don't know and this is the second day in a row."
My thoughts were holy crap what has Quentin done? she continues:
"The bread that you have made his sandwiches on the past two days is MOLDY"

Hope: red face and speechless "OMG - I am so embarrassed, I had no idea."
Missy: "not a big deal but I wanted to call you so you could throw that bread away.. and don't worry I am making him a new sandwich"

I just don't even know how I am going to show my face when I pick him up today......YIKES!

A Little Piece of Holland....

Welcome to Holland - By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go.

Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.



Thought this was beautiful and really describes how I felt when we learned that Quentin was going to be a LP. Before I actually met my "Holland" however the moment my eyes met with his I knew GOD had made the right "flight change" and I would enjoy "Holland" for the rest of my life and not look back at what "Italy" could have offered.

Christmas 2009

I can't beleive that it has taken me this long to post the Christmas pictures - here they are!

We had a great Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we spent at my mom's house she made an excellent dinner of turkey, ham and all the fixings. After dinner we played the game Apples to Apples which was super fun! We opened our traditional gifts from my mom, every year since I can remember she has given us an ornament that we open on Christmas Eve, then it was time for cookies and we watched a little bit of "A Christmas Story" my brother's favorite movie.

When we got home it was time to leave the cookies and milk for Santa, Quentin fell asleep in the car on the way home so I just put out the milk and cookie for Santa - Sorry Rudolph no carrot this year.

I had the joy of putting together a Kitchen for Adri from Santa since he doesn't wrap his gifts when he comes to our house - it was a must to put the kitchen together. I realized after looking at the pictures that I didn't get any of the damn kitchen....LORD.

I (I mean Santa) filled the stockings and to bed I went around 1 AM, I knew it would be a short sleep I was sure that Quentin would be up EARLY....

Quentin woke up at 7:30 not too bad, and thank goodness not much later as my mom and Ryan and Jasmine were coming over at 8 am for presents and breakfast.

Quentin went through his stocking as I made some much needed coffee....he got some art supplies and a few pairs of Batman socks in his stocking. The Batman socks were a must as he only told Jingles our Elf on the Shelf (like he was testing the poor little elf) thank goodness I overheard him make this request - PHEW!

Quentin had asked for only one thing from Santa and that was a DS - I (I mean Santa) had placed the DS and a couple games on a side table away from the stockings, it took him a few minutes to locate the gift but he was so surprised when he did....I love his face!

I thought it was interesting that Quentin didn't seem to notice the cookies and milk that we had left for Santa, although when Adri woke up at 8 she went through her stocking which contained a FOO FA (from YO Gabba Gabba) doll and some bath toys and a toothbrush, she went right over to the plate where the left over cookie was and had a little before breakfast snack....it should also be mentioned that she didn't even notice her new kitchen....SHEESH!

The kids recevied many nice gifts from friends and family - I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends who remember my kids!

After the presents were opened breakfast was ready so we ate and then it was time to "find the pickle" (DIRTY MINDS remember this is a family blog) so we play as a whole family, usually I am the one who hides the pickle and then everyone looks for it, the first one to find the pickle gets an extra gift - usually a gift card with a $20 value! Ryan, my brother suggested that he handle the pickle this year he was in charge of getting the gift card and hiding the ornament, so that I could particpate this year....GUESS what I WON!!!! You can see how happy I was, even more the gift card was for Target!
(not sure why this picture is so little - I need to replace maybe - maybe not then you can't fully see my bed head!)

The most surprising gift was for the whole family and from my mom - she got us a Wii! This was such a surprise as I had made a deal with my mom that she should not get us a Christmas gift, that we didn't need anything and Christmas is about the kids....well she did not listen....we have needless to say already had so much fun with the Wii!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and were surrounded by loved ones!

I think that I am hooked -

Thanks to my friend Kate I am hooked on this lady!! I went to Barnes and Noble and looked through the whole Cookbook section, and of course they were sold out....BOO!
I ordered a copy of her cookbook and am waiting each day with bated breathe for my phone to ring to alert me that my cookbook has arrived.

I am totally enjoying the website and although I haven't used one of the recipes yet I can already tell that I have gained a couple pounds....LOL!!

I will keep you all posted - thank goodness!

English Muffin pizza IMG00543.jpg

This has got to be the easiest way to make pizza...
Quentin loves pizza and would eat it everyday if I let him. He also likes to "help" which can get messy...
We had a movie night a few weeks ago and I made English Muffin Pizzas.....perfect size for little ones and affordable to make.
Take an English muffin cut in half put a spoon of sauce then cheese and your favorite topping, put in the oven for about 10 minutes at 450 degrees....
Was thinking that this would be a quick and easy idea for those times when Quentin has a friend over for dinner...the kids would have fun and there would be little cleanup for the mama!
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2009 - Year in Review

With 2009 gone and a new year upon us I thought I would recap what happened with the Chavez Family in 2009.

January: I went back to work after being on maternity for leave for 16 week; Quentin was the Star of the Week at School...

February: Joe and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary; Quentin started to pick out his own clothes (I still struggle with this as it is interesting sometimes)

March: Adrianna turned 6 months

April: Adri sat up for the first time by herself; Quentin participated in Spirit week at School

May: Anchorage had record breaking heat for the start of what would be a FANTASTIC summer! Adri started her army crawl - she was on the move!

June: A quick trip to Seattle to see friends and "The Wiggles"

July: Nothing spectacular -

August: I turned 33

September: Adrianna turned 1!! Quentin moved to the FISH room at school; I took a quick trip to catch up with old friends to Las Vegas!

October: Halloween Quentin was a guitar (my favorite costume ever) and Adrianna was a lady bug.

November: I added some artwork to my "collection" in the form of a tattoo on my left foot!

December: Quentin turned 5 (seriously where has the time gone)

I don't know what 2010 holds for our family but I am sure that it will be full of adventures and more new beginnings for some!

I also have a couple of resolutions for 2010:

1) Get into better shape
2) Blog more
3) Do better at "self care" you know take time for myself
4) Take more / better pictures!

Happy New Year!

I got a snuggie! IMG00515.jpg

We had a very nice Christmas! I will post pictures and a proper blog next week, but wanted to share one of my favorite gifts....my BFF Amy sent me a Designer print Snuggie....as you can see I was thrilled!!!
However why the hell did I not think of this?!

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Happy Birthday, Quentin

5 years ago on December 6, 2004 at 2:10 pm at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska Quentin Armando Chavez arrived weighing in at 9 lbs 1 oz 19 inches tall.
The first year was not typical as we struggled with getting a handle on his allergies, but still through weekly doctor visits and painful eczema all over his body he was the most cheerful baby!
Dealing with 4 sets of ear tubes before the age of 4 was also stressful, however allergies and ear tubes are easier to deal with, than the other potential symptoms that can come along with dwarfism.
Everyday has been an adventure with our little guy but I wouldn't change the last 5 years for anything!
The time has flown by, I am blessed to have a healthly boy.
Happy Birthday Quentin, you are such a special boy and a joy to everyone who has had the pleasure to meet you, so far!!

I love you!
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IMG00488.jpg

I am still laughing....since it is Friday and Quentin's birthday weekend, tonight I decided to do anything he wanted for dinner.
He decided on English Muffin Pizza (I am not going to make any other kind from now on). So we did the pizzas they were delicious! Then I had purchased "fun doe" cookie dough from the school fundraiser Quentin has been wanting to make cookies since we brought the stuff home.....so we made them.
First the dough comes in containers that resemble play doh, I cut a hunk off each color and we created....
The picture cracks me up because the doe really plumped when it baked.....

Green blob was a Christmas tree by Quentin

The red snowman
Yellow with red happy face (Quentin made this one)
The red and blue blob on top was a candy cane - I made that one....lol

They don't look that great but they tasted good....next time I will remember to make thinner.....
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I got inked

On Sunday I got my 3rd and final tattoo!!!
I have been wanting this particular piece for almost 5 years now, so to finally have it is just wonderful!

I had my kids baby foot prints (the ones from the hospital printed the day they were born) tattooed on top of my foot.

As many know I have a freakishly high pain tolerance, so the fact that a "normal" person would think that a tattoo on the top of your foot would hurt was not the case for me. If I had to describe the feeling I would say it felt like someone poking my foot with a needle for 40 minutes, seriously once the artist was done my foot felt tingly like it had been sunburned!
I think the artist was surprised too, the part that was most annoying was when the dates were done, for outlining or writing they use less needles than the shading. The artist kept saying are you ok?
I was texting my bff Amy and posting on facebook what was happening...when it was done the artist said ok and I said "WoW that was fast"
I was pleased with the way that it turned out just as I had imagined it. The other nice thing is that they are the exact size, the artist did not have to shrink down in order to fit on my foot....
I was especially happy that the detail was so clear on the tattoo, as I look at my foot compared to the actual prints they match perfectly as if the prints were originally stamped on my foot!
I had the kids birthdays added beneath each print!

As with the sun that is on my right foot (that was done years ago)my new ink is completely original and no one else will have the same one....

What do you think?
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Halloween

A couple of weeks ago I took the kids to the scrapbook store where I crop for a "Spooktacular" Photo shoot.

The pictures turned out so cute.

This week is full of Halloween fun....Thursday will be a party at my mom's office and Friday is Quentin's school party - Saturday of course is the BIG day....Hope you have a Ghoulish time!!

I AM BACK....

I have so been slacking in the blog department – so much has happened since our mini vacation to Washington in July to see our friends the Wiggles. Quentin is still talking about that trip, I am so glad that we did that!

Quentin got a new bike this summer and rode it almost every day!

So what has been happening in the Chavez house you may be asking yourselves….

I have been trying to teach Adrianna how to vaccuum to earn her keep!

In August I had another birthday (nothing spectacular) I turned 33 and found my first 2 gray hairs…LORD I was devastated but have since gotten over it with a little highlight and new cut from my stylist Kirsten.

The weather this summer was SPECTACULAR we spent a few weekends at the Market downtown - Quentin did a little painting....

In September Quentin moved to the FISH room in preschool and what a difference – we had some MAJOR issues with his teacher last year she refused to make adjustments for Quentin and expected him to do everything just like every other “average” 3 and 4 year old in his class, well for OBVIOUS reasons that just didn’t work out. Within a week of being a FISH they had modified a stool so that he can use the bathroom and reach the sink – they have also modified recipes during “cooking class” so that Quentin can participate. His teachers Missy and Jenna are such a blessing!!

In September Adrianna also turned 1 – I started a letter to her but then just got too weepy so I didn’t finish it and obviously never posted it. She is such a joy – I can’t imagine life without her. She is such a different baby than Quentin was – still I am not complaining because I know that every child is different and she is a GOOD baby – as my mom says she is “NORMAL” Quentin was “ABNORMAL” in the fact that he never got into ANYTHING – I turn around for a half a second and Adri already has something torn up or is getting into something. Joe still stays home with her and she is giving him a run for his money – I love it! She is starting to try and repeat words and has been walking unassisted since mid August!

Also in September I escaped to Las Vegas for a girls weekend! I met up with some long lost girl friends on FACEBOOK of all places and we planned the first of many girls getaways! I know that I was truly blessed and made lifelong friends at St. Martin’s but it was proven to me once again as I met up with Amy and Judy who I have not seen since I left SMC in 1997 – the moment we saw each other after we were done SCREAMING with delight we hugged and then it was as if we had just seen one another the day before!

Now as we are gearing up for Winter (I HATE SNOW AND WINTER) I have set my goals to have my Christmas shopping completed by Thanksgiving – I have already started so I may just make my goal.

Halloween is the big topic at the house right now – Quentin will have two costumes – the costume he will wear to school and for the school party is Captain Feathersword (from the Wiggles) and then for the party at my mom’s work, trick or treating and the family party he will be a Guitar – YES I WILL POST PICTURES!
Adrianna will be a lady bug – she loves her costume – although it cracked me up because Joe totally started laughing when I tried it on her – she was strutting (yes at 1) around the house and then when he was laughing she started crying – he must have hurt her feelings.
I have appliquéd (Baker aren’t you proud?) Trick or Treat on an orange tee shirt and purchased a ghost headband that will be my Halloween costume.

We will be getting our condo ready to put on the market and hope to god someone will purchase it quickly so that we can get into a house – we are running out of room as our family grows!
Hope that you are all doing well.
I promise to be better at keeping up with the blog again…sometimes life gets in the way although that is what the blog is for right.

Love to you all!!!

Recipe Time

If you have a hard time finding new ideas for dinner that are balanced, affordable and tasty then you have to try this recipe. I made it last night for dinner and it was a hit with my family! I was able to sneak in veggies that Quentin usually does not like and even TOFU which my brother had no idea he was eating!

Cheesy Stuffed Shells (from Melissa d'Arabian on Food Network) check out her show it is pretty good!!!

Sauce:

Kosher Salt
2 Tablespoons EVOO
1/2 c grated carrot
1/2 c grated zucchini
1 small finely chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
3 cloves minced garlic (I OMITTED THIS BECAUSE OF QUENITN'S ALLERGY)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

Shells:

1 12-ounce box jumbo pasta shells
8 ounces silken tofu, mashed
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 large egg lightly beaten
1 clove garlic, minced (AGAIN WE OMITTED)
kosher salt and ground pepper
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil to cook your shells. Make the sauce; heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot, zucchini, onion and celery saute until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the basil, oregano, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Prepare the shells: Add to boiling water and cook for 8 minutes; drain. Mix tofu, spinach, cottage cheese, parmesan and 1/2 c. mozzarella. the egg and garlic in medium bowl, season with salt and pepper.

Mist a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray - spread about 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the dish. Stuff the cheese mixture into the shells and place in baking dish open-side up. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remainin mozzarella and bake for additional 15 minutes. Let stand and cool slightly before serving.


I prepared mine the night before we actually ate it and put in fridge it was DELICOUS!!

Let me know what you think if you try it!!

IMG00366.jpg

Today I ventured to the Orowheat Thrift store, I had heard that they have discounted bread and other items.
I was pleased to see that they had a good selection, Saturdays are the sale days on the already discounted products because they are closed on Sunday and Monday.
I purchased the following items:
2 loaves of Kirkland Whole Wheat Bread (the same bread at Costco for $4.50)thrift store price $2
1 loaf of Cinnabon cinnamon raisen bread ($3.89 at Freds) thrift store $1.50
1 package of hot dog buns ($3.29) thrift store $1.50
1 bag of Sara Lee mini bagels ($3.89) thrift store $1.50
1 package of English muffins ($3) thrift store $1.50
1 box of Arrowroot baby cookies and 1 box of Cars graham crackers thrift store price for both $2
Grand Total $10!!!!!!
I also went to Fred Meyers today with the coupons that I printed from the online site and combined with in store coupons had a total of $21 to make my total bill after coupons $97......so to feed my family of 4 for the next two weeks it cost me $107!!!!!!
I LOVE COUPONS!!!!!! You know I had to take a picture of the items I purchased at the bread thrift store!
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Coupons on your MOBILE phone....

I love coupons and drive my husband crazy with my clipping on Sunday mornings - I have discovered a few websites that I print from as well - I know that Joe just doesn't like to admit but he loves that I use coupons too especially when he sees the savings amount when I return from a trip to the grocery store and the amount of food that was purchased for the small amount of money.

In Alaska I have to be a bit more savvy or sneaky when using my coupons, as our stores do not do doubling - however I have become quite good at my own version of doubling using store coupons along with manufacturers coupon. Did you know that you can also use those coupons that Fred Meyer prints out for you at any retailer? I almost always use my formula coupons that I get from Fred Meyer or Carrs (Safeway) at Target as Target has the best price on formula and with a coupon it is even better!!!

You can imagine my DELIGHT when I discovered the site Cellfire which is coupon site that you can access from your mobile phone (Iphone, Blackberry etc) I mean HELLO - there have been a few occasions when I have forgotten a coupon at home, well I never (RARELY) forget my cell phone. The way it works is that you can load the coupons onto your mobile phone and then pull them up at the check out and the cashier enters the coupon code from your phone.......COOOOLLLLL!!!!! I loaded some coupons and am going to try it this weekend, the key will be to find a very FRIENDLY cashier who will not be bothered by my techno coupons!!!

The other thing super neat about the cellfire website is that you can load coupons right onto your club card from the store website. Carrs/Safeway for us Alaska folks - I registered my card number and have loaded in coupons on my club card so when I go to the store this weekend I will not have to worry about forgetting my coupons they are already loaded in!! The site gives you the option to print a grocery list which has your coupons on the list so you don't forget what you loaded on your card.

I am just so excited to go to the grocery store this weekend!! I will report back on the virtual coupons experience!!

Happy Clipping everyone!!!

Wiggly Adventure

I can't beleive that this is my first post in a couple weeks, I have a lot to write but I guess just not the time.

As stated in a previous post the kids, my mom and I were heading down to Washington for a mini vacation to see friends but the main reason was to see The Wiggles Go Banana's show which was in Everett Washington on July 17, 2009. We flew down on Thursday the day before so that we could get adjusted and be ready for the show on Friday. Remember also that Quentin did not know we were going to see the Wiggles.

We arrived in Washington had a great flight down, issues with the rental car (a whole seperate blog) and then we had lunch at Red Robin at Southcenter I could not stand it anymore I had to tell Quentin - I told him that we were going to the show on Friday - I guess I was more excited or he didn't understand what I was saying because his response was "OH" and continued to eat his hot dog....I was crushed.

After lunch we went to Target to get some supplies for the hotel and the weekend, food for Adri, sun screen and snacks for the hotel! Then it was off to Everett.

We arrived at the hotel in Everett around 4 O'Clock as we drove into the parking lot of the hotel I noticed 3 very large tour buses parked along the side of the hotel in the back. I just looked at my mom and said "I bet the Wiggles are staying here" her response was a slight laugh along with "I am sure we won't see them if they are"

We checked into the hotel and got to our room. Quentin wanted to go swimming so we all changed into to our swim suits mom and I blew up some floaties for the kids and then off to the pool that we went. We swam for over an hour, the kids both loved the pool. I was surprised that Adri loved the pool she had a floatey that she was able to sit in and she just kicked herself all over the pool.

When we were done swimming it was time to get back to the room and think about dinner, Quentin wanted pizza which sounded good to everyone.

After we all got back into dry clothes I decided to run down to the car to get the rest of the stuff that I had left earlier. Quentin of course wanted to come with me. No problem we waited for the elevator when the doors opened there was a girl in the elevator. We stepped on and Quentin noticed she had a Wiggles Logo on her shirt, I recognized her as being Claire one of the Wiggles dancers. She smiled and talked to Quentin, I asked if they were staying at the hotel, she said yes they had arrived on Wednesday. She asked if we were going to the show and I told her yes that we had flown down from Alaska to see the show, she was very surprised.

The elevator arrived in the lobby and we got off, sitting in the chairs directly in front of the elevator was ANTHONY (he is the blue wiggle) I couldn't beleive it (side note - remember we had just gotten out of the pool - I LOOKED FRIGHTFUL! LORD!!!) Quentin was busy still talking to Claire who was walking towards Anthony, once Quentin saw him he recognized him right away (even out of costume) I wish that I had my camera with me because the look on Quentin's face was one that I will never forget! He talked to Anthony for a few minutes and then we went to the car - on the way back in Anthony and his friends were getting into the hotel shuttle - Quentin all the while saying "hey Anthony! See you later" Anthony told him he would see him tomorrow at the show, Quentin then told him that he liked his tattoos (He has tattoos on his arms, and is VERY GOOD LOOKING! I MEAN REALLY GOOD LOOKING AND THAT ACCENT).

We got back to the room and Quentin could not wait to tell Grandma who we had just seen! My mom could not beleive how lucky Quentin was, although it was so cute becasue she asked if Captain Feathersword was with Anthony, remember that is her favorite character.......

Friday morning we got up and went to breakfast, we slept in a little bit so Quentin was in his jammies and mom and I threw on clothes ran combs through our hair and downstairs we went. After breakfast mom was getting the shuttle arranged for the show - Quentin and I were looking at the fountain in the lobby, behind my mom was Katarina, one of the Wiggles dancers that Quentin and I had met the night before she was with Carl (CUUUUTTTTEEEEEEEEEEE) she said good morning and I responded and asked if they were ready for the show, she said yes and asked if we were going today, I said yes the 3 o'clock show. Katarina then asked if we were going to the meet and greet, I said "no we were not invited to that" Carl chimes in and says "Quentin has to come to the meet and greet. Give me your phone number and name and I will have the tour manager ring you" HOLY COW! This type of thing never happens to me, Joe all the time but me never!

So we get back to the room and I jump in the shower - when I get out of the shower my mom is singing "we are going to meet the wiggles" I said "what?" the tour manager called on behalf of Anthony and wanted to invite Quentin to the meet and greet! YAY!!! He was going to get to meet all of them! Our leasurily morning turned into rushing as we had to get ready for the meet and greet which was at 1:30!

We arrived at the meet and greet and it was wonderful! Quentin got to meet all the Wiggles, my mom got to meet her beloved Captian Feathersword and then we watched the show, it was the beginning of a wonderful weekend! Quentin cracked everyone up when he asked Murray (the red wiggle) if he liked ZZ Top, Murray responded with yes they are a good band, then Murray wanted to know what Quentin's favorite ZZ Top song was, the smile on Murray's face was great, Quentin said "LAGRANGE, Murray you like La Grange?"

You will notice from the pictures that Anthony was not there, he had a sore throat and wanted to rest up for the concert, I am sure glad that we met him at the hotel.

Murray (red) Jeff (purple) Capt. Feathersword (pirate) Sam (yellow) Mom, Adri, Quentin and me. Adri is less than impressed at the meet and greet.

The Wiggles yes a silly bunch of guys entertaining pre-schoolers are such a class act, the show was fantastic, I actually really enjoyed it!

Jeff, Captain Feathersword, Sam watching as Quentin is asking Murray his very important question!

I love the look on Quentin's face when Murray asked him what his favorite ZZ top song was.....

Near Death Experience - At least the EMT's were cute!

Friday July 3 was not an ordinary day at our house, I had the day off from work becasue of the holiday the next day, I got up and went to Weight Watchers then to Starbucks with my friend and fellow WWer Emily.

Went home and decided that I would clean the house so that I could get it done and play the rest of the weekend!

Nothing unusual about this, I cleaned the downstairs did a couple loads of laundry and made breakfast - as I was getting ready to clean the downstairs bathroom and then make lunch for the kids I took a little break and sat on the couch for a minute, Joe had on Cake Boss so I took my break and watched a little bit. My right ankle was itching so I reached down to scratch it and all of a sudden my leg was bleeding, I am not talking a little blood I am talking spraying blood, like when you put a pin hole in a water balloon and there is the constant spray - THAT IS WHAT MY ANKLE WAS DOING!!

So I put my hand over the spray and told Joe, "get me something I need help" he looks over and FREAKS OUT, I mean FREAKS OUT....he runs to the kitchen to grab a towel and starts looking for the "cleaning rags" in the meantime my hand is not able to catch the streams of blood and there is now a puddle of blood on my carpet *few choice words from me about the carpet* and telling Joe to just bring me something.....he brought me a dishtowel - I apply pressure on the area it is still spraying it is now soaking through the dishtowel - I tell him I need another one, in the meantime Joe still FREAKING out grabs me another towel and then starts running from the living room to the kitchen (with his cell phone in his hand) saying "OH MY GOD, BABE ARE YOU ALRIGHT, OH MY GOD, WHERE IS THE PHONE" he did about 4 good laps before I said "Joe the phone is on the counter in the kitchen (where it always is) and you have your cell phone in your hand" He said "OH" and then grabs the phone and calls my mom - "TERRY YOUR DAUGHTER IS BLEEDING I MEAN REALLY BAD, WHAT SHOULD I DO, TERRY SHE IS REALLY BLEEDING....OK YES, OK YES, BYE"

He then says "I AM CALLING 911" I looked at him and said OK, meanwhile I am onto my 3rd dishtowel and have to go to the bathroom - I hop into the bathroom where I take the towel off the spray and not such a good idea - my bathroom looked like a crime scene - puddles of blood on the floor - which I was fine with since it wasn't my carpet.

Joe is on the phone with 911 the man is still FREAKING OUT...I am calm as can be -
"911 IS NOT ANSWERING WHAT THE HELL?" "YES HELLO - MY WIFE SHE IS BLEEDING AND IT WON'T STOP, OK HER NAME IS HOPE UM HOLD ON" he comes over to me I am looking at him "HOPE ARE YOU CONCIOUS?" which makes me CRACK UP! Joe to operator "YES SHE IS CONCIOUS - UM HOPE YOU DON'T TAKE BLOOD THINNERS DO YOU?"
me to Joe, "NO" this is through my laughing.
Joe to operator "OK YES, GIVES OUR PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS - YES, OK YES, OK THANK YOU" he hangs up and tells me that the EMTs are on the way my thought is YES I hope they are cute!!! He then calls my mom "TERRY THE EMTS ARE ON THE WAY - YOU SHOULD COME OVER IN CASE THEY HAVE TO TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL"
Then I take off the towel to assess the situation Joe immediatley tells me "DON'T LOOK AT IT - THEY SAID NOT TO LOOK AT IT'
Whatever - I looked still gushing......
The EMTs arrive about 10 minutes after Joe hung up - AND THEY WERE CCCUUUUTTTEEE!!! YAHOOOOO!!!!

There were 2 of them the REALLY cute one immediatley starts talking to Quentin and Adri the other one who was not as cute as the one talking to my kids, comes over to me, "what did you do?" I just laughed and said "Um I was scratching my ankle" By the time he took the towel off the bleeding had stopped - I have a vein (vericose - I think ) that appeared when I was pregnant with Adri that has not gone away apparently when I was scratching my ankle I punctured the vein which caused the gushing. The EMT said it happens sometimes - WTH?!?!
He offered me a band aide - and had me drink some juice as I was a little light headed from all the blood loss - I also had to sign a paper that stated they offered to take me to the hospital and I declined. Then told me that if it starts up again to give them a call and they would come back out if I couldn't get it to stop and off they went.

My mom shows up right after the EMTs leave and Joe tells her he is sorry for freaking out and having her come all the way across town - she just laughs. We watched a couple episodes of Cake Boss and then my mom went home - we went to the park for a picnic.

Never a dull moment at our house!!!

4th of July 2009

We had a wonderful holiday weekend! I was lucky enough to have a 3 day weekend which was needed and very much appreciated, although as usual it went by way to quickly!

Friday we had a nice picnic lunch at Lake Hood, which is by the airport. It is where float planes take off and land - Quentin loved watching the planes take off and when they came in for landing. After lunch Quentin had a date with Grandma so we took him over to her house. They went to see UP and have dinner and then a sleep over.

Joe, Adri and I had dinner at LaCabana and then went home, Joe got ready for work and Adri and I watched TV on the couch!

Saturday 4th of July - we met my mom and Quentin at Golden Corral for breakfast and then we headed downtown for the Parade and Street fair on the park strip! We watched the parade with my Aunt and her kids and my brother! I love doing things with my family!

The parade was good, the weather was perfect. Quentin's favorite part were the fire trucks and the motorcycles that screamed down the street at the end of the parade. He also loved waving his flag during the parade!

When the parade was over we went to a couple booths on the street fair - It was packed and the sun was blasting down so was really hot.....Quentin got his face painted, I don't think he was quite sure of the gal who was painting his face when he first sat down, but once she started he was fine - he looked so cute!

Adri was not as impressed with the street fair as you can see! Next year will be a different story I am sure!

We left the street fair and went home to take naps - it was a very lazy holiday - we all woke up around 6 and then took a walk and played outside the rest of the day.

God Bless America! Hope you all had a good holiday too!

July - National Ice Cream Month!!!

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

I mean another reason that Reagan was my favorite president!!!

CSA - We got our first box

I was so excited yesterday that I picked up our first box of Organic Produce from Full Circle Farm - I don't think that I have ever been so excited to eat fruits and veggies.

Just check out all that healthy food sitting on my kitchen counter!! We received lettuce, celery, broccoli, tomato, baby carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, apples, strawberries, peaches, grapes and avocados!!!

I loved that they included recipes in the box that we could try using our box contents!!!

Have a great weekend!!