Thanksgiving

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We were supposed to go up to my parent's house near Chicago, but Rachel was sick earlier in the week and they were afraid of getting exposed to anything. So, thankfully, my in-law's wanted us! I'm sure it was a pain to add 5 to the dinner table when you'd already bought all the food, but they never flinched. Even if one of those 5 eats non-stop (that'd be Patrick...)

My parents, of course, had to dole out a healthy dose of guilt when I called later in the day. I was so confused why they were seemingly mad at me when they told us not to come. I got into it a little w/ my dad, before I realized that I don't need to try to win an argument w/ him. He never backs down and never apologizes, so there's just no point. I'm thankful that I have an understanding husband that I can vent to, however!

This coming up week is going to be very busy. Rachel is in The Nutcracker w/ our ballet company and starting today, she has practices every day except Monday, when she has 2 classes. It's all so fun, though! I volunteer on the Sewing Committee (which is hysterical, because I don't know how to use a sewing machine...but there's lots of hand sewing).

Off to pick up Ali at a friend's house, take her to Thornton at church, pick up Rachel, run to the store, then to Nutcracker practice. After that, we decorate the church for Christmas!

You've got to be kidding me

I know that soap operas are stupid. I know the story lines are far fetched. I somehow can look past the stupidity while watching Days of Our Lives. But, today....today they went too far. Here's the story line: Marlena (played by Deidre Hall, quite possibly the worst actress on TV) and John are flying to Canada in a small single engine plane through a heavy snow storm (the reason...well, that's far fetched too, but I don't want it to get too confusing). They start to have engine trouble (while they were making out...). Marlena decides that the only way they can land safely is if they lighten the load by her jumping out and parachuting to the ground. John says no, but Marlena tricks him into thinking she won't do it...but then she jumps out. Ok...stupid enough, right? Well, get this...she lands safely, with just a sprained ankle, and is found in the snow by a man carrying an axe. She is carried safely back to his house. She awakes to find him standing over her w/ an axe. She threatens him w/ a fireplace poker (sure...that'll work against an AXE!). He then takes off his hood and she realizes that he is....none other than....Smokey Robinson! OMgosh...I was screaming out loud at the cat about how stupid I was for watching this show.

But, yep...I'll turn it on again tomorrow.

End of an era

Rachel recently lost a tooth. She came up to me and was kind of hinting around about putting her tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy. It was obvious from the way she was talking that she was trying to tell me something. I said, "Rach, do you still believe in the tooth fairy?". She said, "I want money". She cracks me up!

We only have 1 child left who believes in the Tooth Fairy, Santa or the Easter Bunny.....how sad am I?

15% off

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Yesterday was stressful

I was sitting at the computer in our family room yesterday around 3 when I looked out the window and saw our cat. That's strange...our cat is an indoor cat. So, I got up and opened the front door....no cat. I assumed I was imagining things, so I scoured the house for Ozzie and couldn't find him. I did, however, find a window screen in the sun room that was out. A little background info: We have "lost" approximately 6 cats in the 15 years we've been married. Cats live with us for a period of time and then decide, for whatever reason, to hit the road. We even had a cat walk 10 miles back to our old neighborhood after we had moved to Chatham. So, when I saw Ozzie outside, I freaked. I called Thornton home and we both looked for him until I had to take the girls to dance. While I was at dance Thorn called to report that not only was Ozzie out, but Mia had gotten out too! Stupid dog. Thankfully Patrick can now outrun Mia, so she was caught quicker than usual. Thornton and Patrick had to go to the Hitting Center last night, so we couldn't resume our search until about 7:30 when it was dark out. We finally saw Ozzie and chased him to under our pool/deck. Over the next 2 hours, Thornton and I would spot him, but be unable to lure him back inside. Finally, we were able to get him near the front door, Patrick opened the door and in he ran! Ozzie ran straight to the bedroom, hopped on the bed and started grooming himself like nothing had happened. Did he care that Thornton had spent an hour crouched under the deck with a flashlight or that I had been face down in the leaves searching?? No...he was too busy grooming himself. But, I love that cat!

Alison started dance yesterday. All the way there she asked me if I could watch her. So, when one of the dads stayed for "watch week", I decided to stay too. Big mistake. Apparently Alison doesn't know what she wants, because she just stood at the barre and did nothing while I was there. I left after a few minutes and then I guess she did just fine. She must've really liked it, because she asked me after class if she could come tomorrow. I had to explain to her that once a week was plenty for a 7 year old.

Check out my business profile on http://www.wickedlychic.com . I'm the "Indie of the Week" How cool is that??

She finally caved!

Alison loves to dance. The thing is...she has never wanted to take dance classes. She's really happy with her one gymnastics class, so I've kind of stopped asking her about dance. Of course, every time she dances at home I tell her that she's not allowed to dance unless she'll take dance class...but she just laughs at me. Well, on Saturday, Alison and Rachel auditioned for a local musical (neither got callbacks...so obviously the director has no taste....) and she did really well at learning the dance. I tried one more time...and just asked if she'd like to start dance and she immediately said YES! I called Rachel's studio and Alison starts dance on Thursday. She is so excited now!! It'll be interesting because Alison is so different from Rachel, but I think she'll have a blast.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Yep...saw my first 2 Christmas commercials today. Normally, I would be a little bit upset that the holiday is being rushed so much, but for some reason, I'm in the mood for Christmas early this year. It's such an amazing time of year. We really try hard to focus on the blessings of the season and see the joy it contains. Of course, the fact that Thornton was writing a new Christmas song last night on the piano might've helped put me in the mood. The song is brilliant and so pretty. My hubby is WAY talented!

Trick or Treating was fun last night. I think it was a bit too much walking for my nieces and I'm sure my SIL is sore this morning from carrying Lauren so much. But, all in all...a great time. Dinner turned out nice, too. I made a ton of chili and thought I'd have a lot of left overs. I underestimated how much Patrick would eat!! He even came home from his friend's house and ate more!

No computer table still....

Been WAY too long...

I know, I know...it's been forever since I've posted. Sorry about that. It all started when our computer desk (a really old wooden table) was starring in a play at church (along w/ the rest of the family). My computer has been set up on a chair, and you have to hunch over to type. Not too comfortable. Well, the play has been over now for close to 2 weeks and my table is still at church. Do you suppose Thornton will take pity on me?

Today is Halloween...woohoo! I just finished decorating the dining room. Thornton's brother and his wife are bringing their daughters (ages 3 1/2 and 2) over for dinner, then we'll go trick or treating. Alison is dressing as a cat and Rachel is going as a Deal or No Deal girl (you know...the ones that hold the silver briefcases?). Patrick is just going to hang out w/ friends, since we don't let him go Trick or Treating at his age. He's cool w/ that, especially since Rachel doesn't like chocolate and gives all of hers to him. He makes out quite well and doesn't have to do any of the walking.

Well, my back is cramping....so that'll do it for today!

Huh?

Thornton and I went to McDonald's today for breakfast. We had a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich. So, I told the cashier that I wanted 2 bagel meals, with one of the sandwiches being free. The manager came over and said, "We can't give you the sandwich free in the value meal, because it's already discounted." Huh? At that point, Thornton had to leave, because he was starting to laugh....and I'm sure he was ready for me to start arguing. But, I didn't (aren't you proud of me?) I was like...whatever, just figure it out however you need to so that I get 2 sandwiches and one of them is free. When I got to the table, Thornton was like, "What in the world was she talking about? Technically, if the product you get free is already discounted, then that's a better deal for McDonalds". Yes...but really, who are we to argue w/ their logic??

Feeling blessed

I'm home by myself right now. Alison is at the Lake house w/ Thornton's parents overnight. The rest of the family is at the Glenwood football game. I was going to go, but I have been having a terrible time today w/ allergies and my head is pounding. I've got Nanny 911 on right now and there's a little 8 year old girl on the show who is the most horrific little child I've seen in a while. It's unspeakable the things she says to her parents. It just makes me feel so blessed that our kids are such respectable children. Sure...they have their moments where I wanna pull my hair out, but all in all, I'm so proud of their behavior and who they are growing up to be.

Now...off to enjoy my solitude!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thornton and I went to P/T conferences for the girls yesterday. Patrick had such great mid-terms, that we were probably lulled into complacency, and we decided not to meet w/ any of his teachers. Hope we don't regret that decision! Rachel has 3 teachers, since she's in Accelerated Math and Literature. Well...everybody loves Rachel! Her teachers just gushed about how wonderful she is and how well she's doing. We were a little nervous about this year for Rach, since this was the first year that she is doing the accelerated classes. I guess I can stop worrying....maybe!

Alison...well, I wish I could say we got the same glowing report. I just have a feeling that her teacher perhaps doesn't appreciate kids w/ a wee bit too much energy. I just pray for a good year for her. Alison has so much potential and I hope it can be maximized this year.

3 times!!

It's almost embarrassing, but it was 85 degrees in our house, so we turned the air conditioning back on. Yes, it's October. Yes, the air has been off for a month or so. Yes, I love having the house open. But, come on...it was 85 in the house and I was hot! So, Ozzie, who has been loving sleeping in the open window on the sill, had a very time figuring out that the windows were now closed. Three times in the night, the stupid cat jumped up into the closed window. 3 times!! Then he'd whine and jump onto the bed so he could get in my face and protest loudly. I tried explaining to him that today was going to be 92 degrees, but after that, I think we'll be opening the house back up, as it's going to get cooler. I'm pretty sure he didn't understand me, but at least I felt better getting the explanation out there for him.

But I really needed it!

I took a short nap yesterday afternoon. I *really* needed it, too. I mean, my eyes were shutting involuntarily...that means you NEED a nap, right? But, I paid the price last night. I could not fall asleep for anything. Oddly enough, neither could Alison. Poor little thing...she just couldn't fall asleep. It was strange, then, this morning when I went to wake her up and she was easily woken up...which is totally not the norm. I told her that I needed to hop in the shower and that I wanted her dressed before I got out. I went in the laundry room and by the time I was upstairs again, Alison was in my room naked, wanting to shower with me. Strange! Oh and last night, Thornton told Alison she needed to do her homework (why do they wait 'til Sunday night...and why does the 7 year old have homework over the weekend when the older kids don't? ) Anyway, Alison immediately hopped up, got her backpack and did her homework without whining!! Who is this child?

Rachel got to go backstage and onstage at the local production of Cats yesterday. She can not stop talking about how cool it is. She got to see the performers warming up and getting their makeup on, etc. We don't have tickets until Sunday, the last performance of the run, but neither of us can wait!

Patrick got a call last night from a friend inviting him to go bowling w/ the Beta Club. I told him that was fine and asked what the Beta club was. He said it was all the really smart kids in school. Of course, I then replied, "What are you..the token dumb boy?" Patrick and I laughed ourselves silly. I'm so glad I have a son w/ a sense of humor...because he needs it! And, for the record, he's not dumb...midterm grades were all A's and one B.

Ugh...I really need a nap!

She's a natural

Alison loved gymnastics at her new gym! She's taken gymnastics before, but we wanted to switch gyms because her last place seemed to focus way more on cheerleading and less on gymnastics. After class, I asked the instructor (an adult...yea!...at the other place it was always a seemingly disinterested high school student) how she did. She said, "Wow...that kid is going to be great! Did you see how high she got on the trampoline?" On the way home Alison asked me if she got to go to gymnastics every day. Ummm...let's just stick to once a week for now, OK?

I need to find 7 slim jeans for Alison. She pretty much wears all of Rachel's hand me downs, but I guess Rachel wasn't quite as tiny around the waist as Alison is, because all of the size 7 pants I have are way too big on Ali. She's making due w/ belts right now, but it would be nice to get some pants that actually fit right.

Wife Swap

First of all, I think that is a terrible namef or the show. Sure...the wives/moms do swap houses, but it makes it sound like it's all about husband/wife issues, when it's really a family deal. Anyway, I watched the show last night. Well, I didn't really "watch" it, but it was on while I was working. They always choose families that are obviously very different from each other. Last night, the father and son in one of the families were addicted to playing video games. They never left the house, practically! The other family were athletic kids who were overscheduled and always on the go. Of course, it was hard not to see a little of our family in the overscheduled family. Although in that family, the kids each had 2-3 sports going at the same time, and we stick to just one at a time. And those kids were starting to get resistant to be "forced" to do their sports and our kids beg to do what they're doing.

So...that's my disclaimer for our lifestyle. Oh, and Alison starts back in gymnastics tonight. She's very excited. I've been trying to talk her into taking dance, because she loves to dance. But, she's very resistant to the idea, so we're heading back to gymnastics.

Rachel and Patrick have been really getting along well lately. I don't know what the deal is! I guess I should just enjoy it, because who knows how long it'll last.

Completely random

I just bought our Huskey, Mia, a pig's knuckle to chew on. It's a HUGE bone...more like a pig's kneecap or something. Anyway, she loves these bones and they're about the only bones I can get for her that she doesn't chew up in no time flat. She's upstairs with it now and she keeps dropping it on the ground. It sounds like someone is upstairs moving furniture!

The farmers are starting to cut the corn down now. It is painfully obvious to me, based on how clogged up and painful my sinuses are and how much my eyes burn. Love those allergies! Thornton and I always comment every fall how much the landscape of Central IL changes when the corn is cut down. You get so used to not being able to see around corners, etc. on the country roads, but once the corn is down, it's so wide open.

I was chatting with Rachel and a friend of hers on our way to dance the other day. Her friend is also a soldier in The Nutcracker. Rachel's friend is a not too excited about being a soldier, so I was trying to pump her up. I told her that the ladies working on costumes are hoping to have time to make new costumes for the soldiers and that I'd seen the patterns for them. I told her I couldn't remember them exactly, but they were really cool and the jackets were cut-away, but I couldn't remember if they had tails. The friend says, "WHAT?? I have to wear a tail?" Rachel about peed her pants laughing. She was like..."you know, tails like on a tuxedo, not like on a donkey!"

See....told you these were completely random thoughts!

Alison funny....

When Alison got home from school yesterday, I told her that she, Rachel and Patrick were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house, along w/ their 3 & 2 year old cousins. It was my sister in law's birthday and we were all going out to eat. I asked Alison if she thought Grandma and Grandpa would be OK handling all 5 grandkids at one time. She got very quiet, paused for a long time and then said, "well....maybe if I helped them." That child just makes me laugh! I just told my father in law that story and he said that Alison and Rachel must've decided they needed time away from their little cousins, because they snuck off to the sunroom and played board games by themselves. Patrick and Grandpa ended up watching the St. Louis Cardinal game, which left poor Grandma handling the little girls all by herself. Isn't that the way it always is??

It was nice going out to dinner w/ Thornton w/out the kids. Love the kids to death, but time away is valuable too!

Picture day

Today is picture day at school for Rachel and Alison. I used to obsess about their outfits...making sure they coordinated w/ what the others were wearing, so when the pictures are all together, they match. HA!...not this time! Patrick wore a blue shirt when he had his pictures done. Rachel has on a lilac sweater and Ali is wearing a red sweater. Besides...all of their pictures will have the same fake smile on them that they always have. I figure if they haven't learned to smile normally by now, there's very little chance of them ever learning!

Rachel got her hair cut last night. It's cute! She wanted shorter hair for a while, but I've been putting it off. It's a little shorter than her shoulders w/ a few layers cut into it. And, she can still get it up for dance...so that's good.

I went shopping for jeans for Patrick the other day. Oh my...I haven't felt so old in a long time. The styles for jeans....ugh...they're all ripped up and stained and just plain icky. It was hard finding something that Patrick would like and that I would approve of....that didn't cost more than a car payment. I finally found a pair and he liked them...but they didn't fit! Ugh...they fit in the waist, but not in the thighs. Strange...because it's not like he has thunder thighs or anything. But, if we went up a size, they'd be way too big in the waist. I did find some Hollister khakis at a resale shop, so he has those for now, plus one other pair of jeans. It's crazy trying to fit a kid that's 13, 5' 11" and 145 pounds!

Home sick

Well...it was bound to happen. Patrick is home sick today. He's got a really bad cold. I almost always make them tough it out at school for at least 1/2 a day, but he is just miserable. Hopefully a day of lying around snuggled up in a comforter will help him get better. I need to go run to the store to get some chicken soup. There's just something magical about the warmth and comfort of chicken soup.

Soldier!

Rachel auditioned for our local ballet company's production of The Nutcracker. Last year she was an angel and we assumed she would be an angel again this year. We kind of knew she'd at least get a part, because she's a Trainee w/ the Company and they pretty much all get cast. There's a definite seniority to who gets cast in which roles. Plus, there's the issue of who fits into what costumes. It was the joke around our house all day Sunday (the day of auditions) that Rachel would either be an angel or an angel. So, we were completely surprised when we checked the website Monday afternoon and found that she was a soldier! She's the youngest soldier...but she is tall for her age, so I'm sure that makes a difference. It's definitely a bigger role than the angel....only drawback is that, well....they're soldiers...so they're dressed like boys. But, it's exciting that she's climbing up the ladder and getting bigger parts already!