I'm on a roll today!

Wow, I have done a lot of things today that I have been putting off and I feel really good about it! They were all little projects that I had been wanting to do, but just didn't have the motivation.

I gathered all our toiletries and put them into the master bathroom. Most of them were organized into containers, but I had some here and some there. Now, they are all in one place, and I inventoried what we have (found I have too much of some stuff and just about out of other stuff). I also threw out half empty bottles of old stuff and stuff that we've had, but haven't used at all. I just want that stuff out of the house instead of storing stuff we may never use.

I also went through our junk drawer. Stuff that was just junk was thrown way. Junk that was keepable junk is now in nice compartments and organized. Office supply type stuff is all together. Gadgets are all together. Toys too small for Kyle are all in a box. Along with the junk drawer, I went through the kitchen cabinets and organized. I gathered all the loose sippy cups and things together and are all nicely stacked and in its own container. I got all the lightbulbs in the house together and they are organized in a container. I got all the cleaners in the house consolidated into a container under the sink.

The owners left a few things here and there in cabinets and drawers and I finally gathered all that stuff together in one box and have it waiting for their return in the garage.

Hopefully I can keep on this decluttering and tidy kick and get this place finally organized with the "a place for everything, everything in its place" attitude. I hope to get the house decluttered and our house nice and neat. The office is my next big project. I think I may go through all my craft stuff and get rid of stuff that I think I may not ever use. That's the problem with starting new hobbies (scrapbooking, rubber stamping etc) - you get all the cool gadgets, but once you start into the hobby, you find that some of the stuff just doesn't work for you or you find that you just don't like it. I may unload it on eBay. But, I don't know if that'll be worth the trouble. Maybe I'll just Craigslist it or give it to friends.

Okay, back to organizing! (It's more fun to call it organizing rather than cleaning. I love to organize much more.)

L'orchestre de l'Opéra

L'orchestre de l'Opéravers 1868-1869Degas, Edgar 1834-1917

I thought the blog needed a picture, but I didn't have one of the kids that I liked. So, I thought of this one. Keith and I saw this painting at the Museum of Art in Seattle when they had their Impressionist Exhibit a few years ago. There were several beautiful paintings, but I especially remember this one because of the bassoonist. Looking for this picture online, I found some interesting info on the bassoonist. He was Désiré Dihau and was also befriended by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec who also used him in a painting.

Just another day in Paradise

Yesterday I worked on our budget for the year. Our biggest problem areas are dining out and my craft supplies (scrapbooking, rubber stamping & quilting), yikes! They are the categories that I have the most influence on. *sigh* I have my cravings for food and Keith does everything he can to satisfy them. But, I am starting my low carb diet on Monday, so that should help out with the dining out expenses. Even knowing all this, we did go out to dinner last night. We went to Islands.

When we got there, there were a million people waiting inside and outside of the restaurant. I hopped out of the car and put our name on the list 30-35 minute wait. Table for 5 under "Keith". It was cold out and all the heat lamps had quite a few people huddled under each, so we waited in the car with the kids. We waited about 15 minutes and then headed out - just in case they over estimated the wait. Keith went up to the host to see what the status was and the host said that we had already been called. I didn't think that that was right because there were some families still sitting there that were waiting when I put our name on the list. So we were seated. We rationalized that it had to be us because wouldn't it be a coincidence if another party of 5 under the name Keith didn't show up? So, we sat and ordered and Keith got his soup and then we heard it, "Keith party of 5". Hmmmm. So maybe the first "Keith party of 5" wasn't us and actually a "Keith party of 5" that didn't show. Oh well, I guess we got an unexpected break last night.

The kids were playing outside in the backyard while I was typing the above paragraph. But, we sent them back in because Kyle has taken to eating snails. Oh gosh! It is so gross. He crunches down on the things then spits them out. The poor snails are still alive and now have no shell. He's done this three times now, as if they are attractive enticing pieces of candy. Yuck!

Kevin has a new game. SimCity 3000. Like Zoo Tycoon, but here, you build your own city. Keith's co-workers think that it's amazing that Kevin, not even 5 yet, actually plays these games. What they don't realize is that Kevin plays these games and can set up the cities and zoos, but runs out of money. The whole point of the game is to make money. He is the one that figured out how the games work, so I guess that is impressive in itself.

Kaela is still in her whiny, crying mood. We are not sure what is going on, but now she is Momma's little girl and doesn't give Keith his kisses and hugs as readily as she used to. Hopefully she'll be back to her old self.

Keith said that the work week was good and that he got a lot done this week. His little three man department got approved for a $400k budget this year. That'll buy a lot of cool computers and tools.

We don't have much planned for the weekend. We are probably just going to hang out here at home. Which we enjoy doing. Tonight I think Keith and I are going to wait "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow". Lips is going to be in the movie (Angelina Jolie). She's kind of a weird one, but I think she is extremely attractive. Not Halle Berry beautiful, but extremely attractive.

Good bye for now.

Animals Escape from the Zoo

It must be all the Zoo Tycoon playing that Kevin and now Kaela have been doing.

They are in the living room and have their stuffed animals lying around. The seem to have escaped from their cages.

They have their guns too. (Oh my!)

Here's their conversation:
Kevin: "Kaela the animals escaped."
Kaela: "Let's get them!"
Kevin: "Kaela shoot the Panda!"
Kaela: "No Kevin! It's a animal!"

Kaela grabs the stuffed panda and runs. Kevin is chasing her saying that the animals will make the people scream (loose animals in Zoo Tycoon cause the guests to run and scream).

Thought I'd share. Kaela's "It's a animal" line made me smile.

Today, not such a good day *sigh*

Not that it was terrible, but I think my tolerance was low today.

Kaela's potty training, not so fun. I think she was having an off day (Keith noted this when he got home). She seemed to be having just as bad a day as me. She cried and whined about everything. She screamed and bawled every time the poor thing peed on herself. I finally convinced her that she should try the Disney Princess Pull-Ups. She settled for those. But, not only did she cry and whine about the pee, but everything else too. Kyle walked on her. She wanted to watch Dora even though it was Kevin's turn. She was hungry and didn't want to finish her PB sandwich. She wanted cheese instead. She wanted to play on the computer, but Kevin was on. She wanted to wear her Easter dress. She was thirsty. Now, none of this stuff is a big deal, but it is when she immediately starts crying for these things without even trying to tell me in a regular voice what she wants. I swear it was like the girl was PMSing.

Kevin and Kyle weren't so bad. Kyle got whiny when he wanted a bottle and Kevin didn't listen so well when I had him clean up. But, I got over it and feel pretty good now. Granted, it is almost 1am and the house is quiet.

Oh well, maybe I'll have better news to report tomorrow. Good night!

Thursday, Yeah! It's almost Friday!

This week has gone by fast for me, but the days were dragging. I have gotten off my duff today. I have cleaned the kitchen. Back to spotless again. Last night we had take out Indian (I was craving Chicken Tikka Masala), so there weren't enough dishes to run a load and I just left them in the sink. This morning, I unloaded the remaining dishes (from two nights ago) and then emptied out the sink of dirty dishes. I cleared the countertops and the kitchen again looks nice and orderly. I also have a load of laundry going. We are running out of underthings (TMI, I know).

Kaelie has been bugging me for days to let her wear her Care Bear underwear. Well, I finally broke down and put her in them this morning. She went about an hour and a half before her first accident. She screamed when she did it. She really hates to pee on herself. She even cries when she does it in the shower. So, we changed her. Not fifteen minutes later she peed a TON! She must've stopped midstream the last time because there really was a lot this time. She didn't cry this time though. She sat on the potty for a while and gave it the old college try. She thought she had to poop. Well, I told her that we would use pull-ups for the rest of the day, but she asked if she could do underwear again. I said okay. So, we shall see how long this potty training thing lasts. Hopefully not too long.

Kyle has eaten a lot today. Cheerios for breakfast. Later he ate a whole banana, half a peanut butter sandwich and now is eating string cheese. I don't know where the little guy puts it all. He will probably do a bottle for his nap and then when he wakes will be hungry again! This week though he hasn't been eating much at dinner time, but will have a bottle at night. He isn't getting chubby at all. He must have really good metabolism.

Kevin is still stuttering and I noticed that his face muscles are getting tense when he tries to talk. Not a good sign according to the literature I received from the National Stuttering Foundation. The Foundation says that we (as parents) should point out the stuttering and that we should work to help him stop. This morning I sat him down on the counter and pointed out his stuttering, pointing out to him that he said, "I I I I I I I I I'm hungry." I told him that sometimes it is hard to understand him when he keeps repeating words. So, I told him to say, "I am hungry," and we practiced it a few times. I told him to think about what he wanted to say before he said it. Well, I think that was a good thing because he just came up to me and said, "Momma, I have to tell you something. (Pause) I finished my string cheese." I gave him a big smile, repeated "You ate your string cheese (talking slightly slower than I usually do - as recommended by the Foundation). That is great!" Then I told him that I could tell he thought about what he wanted to say and that he said it perfectly and did a great job. He beamed back a huge smile. I think with some encouragement and pointing out that he is doing good should help. He seems to get stuck on the word "I" the most. I still think it's because he thinks faster than he can talk. Maybe these little exercises will help his thinking and talking to line up.

I spent a lot of time yesterday on the phone with doctors and such. Like I said, I failed my glucose test. I have to meet with the dietitian to be put on a special diet and go get instructions on checking my blood sugars (all stuff I already know, but I have to be retold as a formality). Then the following week, I have to go to the fetal diagnostic center so they can look at the baby and make sure she is doing okay. The plus side is I get to see the baby again. Ris will be coming up here four times in two weeks time. Prior to these appointments, she will be here next Thursday for my regular doc appointment and then again the next Saturday for Keith's and my date night. She is so good to do this for us.

Last night we had Indian food like I said. We ordered Keith's dishes "extremely spicy" (as the guy taking my order coined it). It was a bit too spicy for Keith. Usually spicy, hot or "spicy spicy" is too mild for him, but I guess "extremely spicy" at this particular Indian restaurant is indeed too spicy. For our date night we want to go back to the Mexican restaurant we went to the day after Christmas. We both really enjoyed that. We are thinking of seeing that scary looking movie "Hide and Seek". Looks creepy!

Well, my teeth don't hurt like they did two days ago. Sometimes they ache and then the next day it doesn't, then in a couple of months I'll feel it again. I guess I was feeling sorry for myself in my other post.

Oh, I am feeling lightheaded. Maybe I need to get something to eat. I am curious about my blood sugar level. I think I shall check it. So, good bye for now!

???

Hmmm. I'm not sure exactly what to call this post. Nothing really out of the norm went on today. I do find that my creative energy is low. I have no motivation to do much of anything right now except think about all the things I should be doing and all the things I want to be doing.

I guess there is a lot on my mind. My teeth is a big thing. I noticed that the top chewing teeth on the right side were feeling funny. I have been watching them closely while I floss because one of them just didn't look right around the gum area. Well, the funny looking one is slightly loose and the two on either side move ever so slightly. I have been battling bad teeth for years and I knew eventually I would lose them, but geez, I am not even 35 and I may lose more teeth! I always figured that old old ladies in their 70s lose their teeth. Not women in their 30s. I just wish that someone would have sat me down as a teenager and said, "Look, go to the dentist regularly, floss everyday and brush regularly or you'll be taking your teeth out every night and sit them in a glass on the nightstand when you're 35." My kids will be going to the dentist ever six months as soon as they start school.

Another health concern. I failed my glucose tolerance test miserably! I knew that I would fail, but didn't think it would be that bad. 110 is the target number and I more than doubled that at 235. I now have to see a specialist and go on the special diet and get monitored every two weeks. This is the third pregnancy in a row with gestational diabetes. Kyle was a bit on the big side when born, so this time I will be more stringent on the diet and not give up on it. This is definitely the last pregnancy. My body can't take anymore. Not that having kids is a bad thing, nor is it a hassle. If we had the means to (financially and physically), I would want more. But this sweet one shall be the last.

My energy is low. I am always so sleepy. It is probably a result of the diabetes. Maybe I I would just get off my butt and be more active during the day, the sleepiness wouldn't set in. The kids run around all day and have lots and lots of energy. Sometimes I wish I could have as much energy as they did.

Speaking of kids, they have been really really good lately. They play together really well and haven't been fighting. Not that they fight excessively. It's just small little squabbles over toys and things. Nothing that a stern look and a stern voice can't stop. Kevin has just become so grown up. Sometimes I forget that he isn't even five yet. Michaela is starting to act older too. She is definitely thinking for herself these days and has some pretty strong opinions about things. The other day she had a look on her face (my mad face I believe). She crossed her arms over her chest and stated, "Kevin is bothering me. I'm not playing with him anymore." Not two seconds later, they were playing in their room. Kyle, Mr. Smarty Pants, understands almost every word I say and will do the exact opposite. "Kyle come here. Let's change your diaper." His response is to run in the other direction squealing in delight. "Kyle don't touch that, that's Kevin's/Kaela's" His response: Grab it a quick as I can and run before Mommy comes after me. "Kyle time to get dressed." His response: Hand Mommy every article of clothing laying around that doesn't belong to him.

Okay, here's a question. The kitchen was spotless this morning. How come it looks like a tornado hit? It seems every night is the same thing. Clean the kitchen before bed. Keith always tells me to leave it for the morning, but waiting until morning makes the mess look even more horrific. Overnight all the gross things accumulate on the dishes, and they just get so gross to touch. I think I would rather take the time to do it at night.

Well, that's all the comments for tonight. I have to get to cleaning the kitchen! Good night!

Sunny Monday

It's sunny today, but the weather forecast says that it should be raining tomorrow and Wednesday. I have enjoyed the sun and as long as the rain and gloom don't last too long, the rain shouldn't be too bad.

The weekend went fast. It is always so nice to have Keith home. He does hate Mondays. Always dreads the week. I can't blame him. Home is more fun.

Let's see. Friday night was movie night. We watched The Forgotten. A good movie, we thought. It was entertaining. I had seen the commercials for it, so I wasn't surprised by some of the stuff that Keith was surprised about. There was an alternate ending available on the DVD. I preferred the original theatrical ending.

Saturday started off early for me. For once, Keith was still asleep when I left the house. I left at 6:30 to go to my blood test. The lab opened at 7am, but I knew that there would be a million people there. Last time I went 15 minutes before they were opened and I was still like the 20th person to sign in. This time, also being 15 mins before they opened, I was about number 12. I would have been in there sooner, but two older people cut in line ahead of me (even though I was there before them), but I didn't complain. Not like some of the other people that were in line and that came afterwards. I admire the people that work in the lab that hear the complaints day in and day out about the lines. All the other labs I had gone to also had long, long lines and long, long waits. I just expect them whenever I need blood drawn. I bring a book or a few magazines and patiently wait. The lab workers are always so pleasant and patient. I guess they get their satisfaction in the pain they cause when drawing these people's blood! My feeling is, why upset the lab employees, you never know which one of them is going to stick you with that big long needle! There really is no need to be unpleasant with them. They do work as fast as they can.

So, that was my Saturday morning. Keith said that right after I left, Kaela screamed and cried in her bed. She was awaken by the garage door opening and got scared. So, me leaving Keith asleep in bed didn't last long. By the time I got back an hour and a half later, the house was in full swing. Saturday was mostly us hanging out during the day. Kids playing, watching a little TV, them on the computer. We washed the kids up before Ris came to babysit. She showed up about 4pm so that Kyle could feel a bit more comfortable. We didn't want him to wake from his nap, have us be gone and Auntie Ris all of a sudden there. That really would have thrown him off. We did wake him from his name and he was grumpy. He gets that from me. I am a huge grump when I get awaken from a nap. He cried when we finally did leave, but stopped shortly thereafter.

The kids had fun fun fun with Auntie Ris. We did call once to see if dinner got off okay and that Ris didn't need anything. They played Army Men and were marching around the kitchen when we called. Kevin and Kaela talked nonstop about how much fun they had with Auntie Ris.

Keith and I tried out a Persian Restaurant that Keith passes everyday to and from work. We both had kabobs. The kabobs were yummy! It was served with rice. We both found the entire meal too dry for our tastes. Not dry in that the meat was dry. It was very tender and yummy. We prefer saucier foods like Italian or Indian, or even Mexican that comes with some sort of salsa or something. The kabobs seemed like they were missing something, but I guess Persian food just isn't like that.

After dinner, we had coffee. We went to a chain coffee house along the same road as the restaurant. We didn't like it. As much as people knock Starbucks, we would have preferred Starbucks.

After coffee, we drove to the large mall in the area that my friend Julie and I had went to last week. We had more than three hours to kill before our movie. We ended up going to Barnes and Noble and looked at books. Keith looked at (what else) computer books and I (also what else) looked at quilting books. Keith couldn't find one that he liked, but I found a really good comprehensive quilting book. Tips from A-Z. I liked it a lot, but didn't get it. We ended up ordering it yesterday on Amazon along with a few other things. Keith did end up getting a book on Amazon.

After the bookstore, we finally checked out the movie times. We still had about two hours to wait. So, we walked around the mall. It was crowded just like the other night. We went to Dave and Busters and sat at the bar and had a drink and french fries. Keith got a huge Guinness and I had a Long Island Iced Tea. No, I am just joking. I had a coke (okay, two cokes). We stayed there about an hour and a half. We talked about work and the book I am reading. We talked about all the people there and how this just isn't our thing. We decided that we were old. Not old like too old to go out, but old like too old to be bar hopping like we did in our 20s and 30s. Maybe if we went to the more upscale $15 a drink places that they have near the beach. But definitely not Dave & Busters.

We finally headed to the movie. We were there about half an hour early, but the theatre was already 3/4 full! We saw White Noise. We didn't think there would be so many people. There were a couple of families there. Kids not older than 10. Are these parents stupid? Geez. It was an after 10pm showing and the movie was SCARY! I like scary movies and can handle them pretty well, and I thought this was scary. No wonder kids these days are so numb to gore, violence and the horrors of the world. A 10 year old should be in bed, not at a movie like that. One of them even had a baby with them. Goodness. Stay home and put that baby in her bed!

Okay, back to the movie. Scary scary scary. Very creepy. The creepiest movies are the ones that leave you with the "that can really happen" feeling. The ones where the "bad guys" are still out there. It's a movie about communicating with the dead though white noise (EVP). Google EVP and all kinds of things pop up about it. Well, anything that messes with the beyond can be a bad bad thing. Don't do it! I told Keith that our TV or radios will never be left on static for one second. Well, none the less, it was a good movie and definitely a screamer.

After the movie we headed home. Ris left shortly thereafter. Keith and I went to bed after that. Even though I posted mostly negative stuff, it was a fun and relaxing time. Isn't it weird how the negative stuff comes out more than the good stuff? Keith and I did have a nice time together. We love to be able to be alone together. Ris will be back two Saturdays from now.

Sunday we hung out at home. Just a relaxing day at home. Did laundry and the normal house stuff.

The kids right now are all playing in the backyard. Playing, of course, GI Joe. I am blogging and then I am going to start cleaning up the house. I have a quilt I want to finish soon. Okay. That's it. Bye!

Silly Gooses

Silly Gooses

My cutie pies are silly gooses. They had fun posing for the camera in this one. Kaela is between Kevin's legs and Kyle was between hers. Kevin kept tickling Kaela which kept making Kyle laugh. They are always playing together. They are such good friends.

TGIF!

I know that I don't "work", but I am so glad it is Friday. Keith will be home all weekend. It is so nice to just be with him. We have been enjoying our evenings sitting together and watching TV. The new TV season has started and we are finding good shows to watch. Mondays are a problem though. I am really into the new show "Medium". It is about a psychic that helps the DA solve cases. It is based on a real person. I do like the show. I find it all very interesting. But last Monday, another new show started. "Super Nanny". It is about a British nanny that comes into peoples homes and helps the parents to control their children. Monday was the first episode. I am SO happy my kids are good. This show helps to reinforce that.

I was also happy to see that Keith and I utilize some of the same techniques the nanny did to get the kids straightened out. It was so horrible to see how in this episode a little 5 year old girl ran the house with tantrums and meanness. The problem was that the parents let her get away with it! I am not really understanding about how parents let their kids run their lives. Keith and I were raised that the parents were in charge and they were to be listened to. On a message board that I frequent a kindergarten teacher had posted that parents these days need to be parents and not their kids' best friends. This teacher has to spend at least the first month of the school year teaching the kids how to properly behave in class! I hope when Kevin starts kindergarten in September that he doesn't pick up many bad behavioral habits.

Okay, back to the TV schedule. Sunday nights is "Desperate Housewives"; Tuesday nights the "Amazing Race"; Wednesdays is "Wife Swap"; Thursdays are "Apprentice" and "ER". Friday and Saturday nights have been movie nights. All these shows of course, start long after the kids have gone to bed. We just like to relax on the couch and watch some of these silly programs. It sure is far different from the middle of the night romps to Denny's, coffeeshop or bookstore that Keith and I used to do "pre-kids". But, we do enjoy hanging with the kids until bedtime, and this is just the perfect lifestyle for us.

But this weekend will be different. We have Ris coming this Saturday night and every other Saturday night until the end of February. She is going to watch the kids so that Keith and I can enjoy "date night". We are so excited and so thankful to Ris! We aren't sure what we are going to do, but dinner is on the list and maybe coffee and a movie. We haven't been out in this area before, so we are not sure how crowded it is out there. We were thinking about heading to the coast, but I think that's where most of the "partying" goes on. So, it is probably crowded. I don't feel like getting too dressed up either. Jeans, I think, is about the pace I am looking forward too.

And oh! Dinner. I am craving carbs! I stopped having carbs on Tuesday and have been pretty good about it. I am taking my glucola test for gestational diabetes tomorrow at 7am. So, I wanted to try to cut out a ton of carbs (sugars) to try to "fool" the test. I had I had GD with both Kaela and Kyle, and will most likely have it with this one too, but if I am diagnosed, I will have to go to the doctor every two weeks. I just don't have the babysitting resources for that. So, I am just trying to put it off as long as I can for the diagnosis. I am *planning* on just trying to manage it myself for now. *sigh*

Okay, a kid update. Not much going on with them. Same old, same old. Kevin has been wanting to go back to the Zoo and has been spending a lot of time watching Animal Planet. Michaela is taking the opportunity to play on the computer. She is liking her Dora the Explorer program. Kyle, well, I was thinking about when and how to move him from our room into his own bed. I am not sure where we are going to put him. Either in with the kids or in my non-existent craft room. I guess I shouldn't be so selfish to occupy a whole room just for me. I had considered moving the toys into the craft room so that Kevin and Kaela could still play while Kyle slept in their room. Also, I wanted to keep the craft room open as a guest room. It would be hard to have it as a guest room with Kyle sleeping in there along with the guests! Oh well, we shall figure something out. We always do!

Okay. That's it for this session. Until later!

It's so Sad.

I was reading the San Diego Tribune Online. This morning in rush hour traffic, a car overturned and a three year old boy was killed. His twin sister is in serious condition at the hospital. The parents are just fine. What upsets me is that the boy was killed and his sister injured because they were not properly restrained!

Why is it that parents can't seem to use proper restraints with kids? I see it all the time. What is the big deal about a) following the law, b) taking the two minutes it takes to protect your child by strapping them in a car seat, and c) being a responsible parent? Why do some people insist on driving down the road at 70, 80 mph with their child free to roam the car? Don't they know that if their car suddenly stops, the kid will still be traveling at 70, 80 mph when they slam into something?

There is literature readily available for anyone who wants to know about car safety and children. You can't go into a kid's clothing shop or toy shop without seeing something about it. There are thousands of website out there that have info. Gosh, it just makes me sick that people don't do what they can to protect their children. Not everyone is perfect, but geez, use safety restraints on your children!

Sneaky Guy!

I just looked down at my leg and found Kyle's bread lying on my leg. I am sitting at the breakfast bar checking e-mail. Kyle is way over in the living room. He came over to show me a picture he picked up off the floor. When I looked down at him, I saw his rejected piece of bread on my leg. I have no idea how long it'd been there. He had been trying to get me to pick him up about ten minutes ago. All day yesterday he wanted to be my extra appendage. I am trying to ignore him today because I don't want to have to carry him around all day today - again! I guess I shouldn't ignore him that much.

At the Zoo

The Kids at the Zoo

Here are the kids at the zoo. I think the kids are getting tall. Kevin's nose comes up just past the counter top. Kaela is just at Kevin's shoulders. Kyle goes up to about Kaela's ears. Kyle may pass Kaela up in height. I am the shortest in my family. Kaela just may be the shortest in this one!

Okay, I know That I Shouldn't Complain

but it is HOT! Geez. It is January 18th and it is 80 degrees in the house. No, I don't have the heater on. It is low 80s today and because of it, the house is HOT. I suppose I could turn on the air con. The winter rates are cheaper than the summer rates, but this darn air con doesn't really cool the house. Instead, I have all the windows open and the fans blowing. It is hot outside, but it is hotter in here. I am so fickle. Wasn't I just complaining about the rain???

A Fun Family Day

Keith had the day off and we woke at a decent hour today. I made Keith go to bed by 11pm (he was falling asleep on the couch last night at around 10pm). I feel into bed around 2am. I cleaned up the kitchen (we had been eating on paper plates and the dishes piled in the sink were overflowing). I loaded up the dishwasher and even bleached the sink back to its pretty bright white that it has when it is clean!

We headed out at 10am to go the the zoo. It was a tiny, tiny zoo. The kids really liked it, but Keith was a bit disappointed in it. The entrance fee was only $2.00, so I didn't expect much. After frequenting the San Diego Zoo, I don't expect much from other zoos. The SD Zoo entrance fee is, what, like $32? I am not sure because we always bought a yearly pass. This zoo was only $2, so you can imagine the big difference in zoo quality and quantity of animals.

The zoo is run by the county in the large county regional park which in total I read is just shy of 500 acres. There was a duck pond and pony rides and railroad (which we rode neither of). It was a pretty place to walk around and have a picnic (tons of picnic tables). It also had a nice park. So, the kids played for a short time at a tiny play area, then we moved on the to much bigger area. They had a lot of fun there. Can you believe that the temp was low 80s???

After the zoo/park, we went to Denny's for lunch. A late lunch at 1:30, then afterwards we headed to Dairy Queen for ice cream. We really did have a lot of fun, as we all seem to. We do like getting out with the kids. They are easy to manage.

When we got home, I couldn't help but crash on the couch. I am feeling more and more tired these days. It must be this 28 week old baby sucking the life force out of me! As I slept, Keith and Kevin played on the computer (playing you know what).

Now we are about to have dinner. Thai from King and I. Oh! I gotta go and pick it up! Bye!

Joann's Update

Well, I did end up going back to Joann's. I bought even more fabric, even though Mom is right and said that there will always be fabric and there will always be sales. The gift certificates Mom got me for Christmas are officially all used up. Today is the last day of the sale and I resisted going. But, I did feel a little solace as I ran into a woman who was there the day before and there again when I went back. The first time, she was childless and I had all my kids. This time, she had her kids with her and I was childless. We smiled each other, embarrassed, as we recognized each other from the day before. We both admitted we were addicted.

A Really Great Day

Last night (should I dare admit this?) Keith and I stayed up until almost 3am playing Zoo Tycoon. Kyle woke at his usual 7am, as did Kaela. Keith, who can't sleep once the sun is up, rescued me and let me sleep in until 9am. I didn't actually get out of bed until 2 this afternoon.

Keith and I ended up sitting in bed and talked. Really about nothing in particular, but we enjoyed each other's company and talked about almost everything under the sun. We used to spend the entire weekend in bed and just talk, that is, of course, before the kids were born. Usually we talk at night before bed, but since we went to bed so late last night, we ended up talking in the morning. We just kept finding new things to talk about. We both remarked today how this is how it's been like since our first date. On that night we sat until the wee hours of the morning just talking about everything, but nothing in particular.

Well, it has been a good day so far. Tomorrow we are taking the kids to the zoo and *maybe* the park. Keith actually has the day off!

I'm So Addicted!

I am thinking about go back to Joann's for even MORE fabric. It is on super clearance until Monday. Who can beat $0.50 - 2.50 per yard? I have tons of fabric and can make a good number of quilts with it, but I still want more! Ack! Help me!

Last Night

Yesterday my friend Julie came over, and we hung out here at home until Keith got here. I ordered a pizza for Keith and the kids. Then Julie and I headed to the local big mall for dinner and a movie.

When we got there, we knew that we were in trouble when we got to the parking structure and it was jammed packed with cars. I had never been to this mall at night, but it really is one of the bigger ones in the area. So, we decided to leave the structure and park at the end of the mall near Robinson's-May. Well, when the kids and I shop during the day, in the middle of the week, we usually get a space right near the mall, but this time, Julie and I parked way the heck out there. We were so far away that there was a free shuttle to and from the mall. But we, the two big pregnant women hiked it all the way. Of course the Cheesecake Factory was way on the other side of the mall!

Walking through the mall, we noted how many people were there. TONS and tons. There are a lot of restaurants there, a night club and a huge theatre. We waited an hour for a table and sat and ate. We decided not to go to the movie (a 10 o'clock showing) and to head home. We were both really tired.

Anyway, we left the restaurant at 10pm and the mall was still packed! Now, did I miss something, or what? Why do people spend their evenings at the mall? It was like it was like Christmas, but no one really had any packages. It was weird. They were all just walking around. Teenagers, adults, older adults, families. Ten o'clock at night! I must be getting old or something, but I thought it ridiculous to be spending an evening just walking around the mall. I don't get out much in the evenings, but it doesn't really seem like I am missing much. Staying home with Keith and the kids seems a million times more fun!

Off to Joann's

Yippee! More fabric. I am so addicted to Fabric. Oh well, the simple pleasures in life. At least I'm not addicted to exotic cars or big houses. Fabric at 50% off the clearance price is not so bad.