First Day of First Grade

Olivia's first day of first grade was today! I still can't believe it! Here are 2 pictures, one of the gang and one of her at the bus stop:


When she got off the bus this afternoon, she immediately told me she loves first grade. Although, all she could remember was that they ate smores and watched a movie....uhhhh, okay then! She didn't remember her teacher's name or anything of 'importance' - UGH

In fact, nowhere in the huge packet of papers she brought home was a note from the teacher introducing herself so I don't even know her name! You bet your ass I wrote a letter to her teacher about this.

Last Day of Summer

Around here it's the last day of summer - tomorrow Olivia goes back to school. She is going to first grade. Why am I sad? My little girl is going to first grade! WHAT?!

Am I seriously the only mom on the planet that is NOT looking forward to the kids going back to school? I will miss Livi - I love having her around here. Of course, school means chaos for me. Take her to the bus stop, pick her up, take Dante to pre-school, pick him up - run here, run there GAH!

Tonight the kids took advantage of the beautiful evening and stayed out extra long, they had a blast:


As much as I dislike summer because of the weather - I really will miss these lazy days.

They are singing, "The grass is green, all hail the Queen" - a Pagan song usually sung around Beltane - my little Witchlets ;)

One Downfall to Being an Independent Contractor

One word: Insurance

Working as an independent contractor definitely has it's perks but there are also some aspects that are problem areas - such as insurance.

I'm lucky enough to be on CJ's insurance so I don't have to worry about finding my own. I know of some people who looked into bcbsnc since it is available where they live - not a bad deal.

If you are working as an independent contractor, what do you do for insurance?

Rock Star!

Oh my gosh! I just found this OLD video of CJ and Olivia playing their guitars - back in January of 2007! How cute! Man, she really looks little in this video! You can see Dante 'dancing' too! LOL

She is so funny, always likes to be in the spotlight - yet when she IS in the spotlight, she clams up. In this video she is fine because, well, it was me taking the video. However, she actually quit dace class because she was terrified of having to be in stage for the recital! Her father and I never forced her to remain in dance. We asked to try and keep attending practices but after 2 weeks of uncontrollable crying, there was no way we were going to make her continue to go.

Oh well, if she doesn't like actually performing in front of people, maybe she will have a career with some sort of entertainment production service where she can still be part of the fun!

No Hawaii Trip

Back in July I blogged about how CJ won the T-Mobile PEAK award and the award ceremony is being held in Maui, Hawaii. Well, after many discussions between the two of us, we BOTH decided to decline the trip. Crazy? Maybe...I mean, here is where we are supposed to stay:

That is the Sheraton Maui Resort - the trip includes: round trip airfare from the winner’s location to Maui, five nights of hotel accommodations (one room) and 3 meals per day for 5 days for each winner and their guest. Winners and guests will also be treated to one major activity with other short activities to enjoy throughout the week.

So why aren't we going? Well, because of the following:

1. Flying: We BOTH despise the idea of having to fly. Hell, we drive to Florida every year to avoid a plane ride. That means we would rather be in a car for 17 hours (takes us about 2 days driving from PA to FL since we stop to sleep) with 3 kids than take a 2 hour plane ride.
2. Childcare: The trip is at the end of March. This means all 3 kids will be in school. Yes, my mother lives next door with my grandmother but my mom works 12 hour shifts and there is no way my grandma, who is 87 years old, can care for a 7, 4, and 3 year old. (that will be their ages at the time of the trip) Could my mom take a few days off from work? probably - but since she didn't offer, my guess is that she really doesn't care to watch the kids for an entire week. My mother in law offered to come here and stay for the week - that was a nice gesture. She'd come from Ohio and basically live here for one week - sounds great! That is, until she found out she'd have to drive here. She was under the impression we'd fly her here. Ummm, no. No more crazy talk! Drive your (sort of) new car and enjoy the ride! (I know you're reading this, Fawn)
3. Trip Dates: The trip is from March 26th - March 30th which is over Olivia's 7th birthday (March 27th) and while I realize we could celebrate her birthday the week before, it still feels odd, as a mom, to be away over my child's birthday.
4. Leaving My Children: I have been a stay at home mom since 2003 (with a short time frame of working and having Livi in daycare in 2004) and I am now a work at home mom. Do I feel I NEED to get away for a bit? YES! How about a weekend trip to the shore (2 - 3 hours away) or a day trip with CJ - absolutely! Sounds wonderful! Going clear across the country for a week? NO! I have too many 'what ifs' - What if a child gets sick, hurt or needs me? I know, they'd be in good hands but if an emergency arises, I can't just be back home in a few hours. Will Fawn and my mom be able to handle my 3 kids? Getting them back and forth to school - all 3 will be in school at that time. Who is going to drive Dante and Wyatt? Fawn isn't from around here and my mom may not be able to, so should they just miss school? Will Fawn and my mom be able to keep the house up to par? Cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking meals, etc...That's a lot to do for someone who is house/kid sitting.

In the end, CJ said it best. He said he's never had any desire to go to Hawaii - some people think it's this beautiful paradise and want to go there at least once. While I agree it does look beautiful, it's not as if this is a trip we have always pondered taking and now we have this golden opportunity. He said it's like buying something just because it's on sale. You wouldn't normally buy it but because it's on sale, you'll take it, even though you don't really want/need it.

Then there's the fact that we'd have to go to all these 'events' and CJ, who is NOT a social person, is completely turned off by this. So we'd do what? Check out the beach and the pool, ooooh and ahhh the first day we're there and then...what? We are not 'beach people' so hanging out on the beach doesn't appeal to us. Bordem would surely set in. I mean, we can only hang out and have sex in the room so many times, LOL

The good news? He still gets the award/recognition and $1,000! And hey, if we ever get a wild hair up our asses to go to Hawaii in the future, well since we will be Disney Vacation Club members we will be able to go to the Disney Resort in Hawaii as it is scheduled to open in 2011:

Dante's Birthday is Coming Up

Yes, my 'Dante DooLittle' is going to be 4 next month! FOUR! I know every parent says this but I seriously can't believe he will be 4 already!

So, CJ and I are on the look out for birthday presents. We want to get him stuff he will enjoy and not destroy! Good luck, right? My biggest gripe is when parents let their kids just sit in front of the tv or computer, to watch shows or movies or play games. I don't want 'couch potatoes' for kids!

CJ and I have been looking at baseball gloves for Dante since he really seems to love throwing and catching. He already has a football so maybe it's time to introduce him to throwing baseballs. Who knows, he may even decide to try other sorts once we get him started. Although I'd never push my children into playing any sport but I do believe in at least getting them involved to see if they like it.

Oh My Back!

I know I am getting older, my back doesn't need to remind me!!! Sometimes though, I wonder if it's all in my head? I have heard of people not being able t loose weight, even though they do everything 'right' because there is some deep seeded thought back in the recesses of their mind that won't allow them to loose. Seriously, I read about that!

I did a bit of research and decided to look up Cures for Ailments to see if I could find anything more on our brain power. Check this out: Dr Daniel G Amen, the author of "Change Your Brain Change Your Life" has been widely known for his expertise in the fields of neuro-imaging and adult psychiatry. So there you have it! I think I just might take a closer look into this and pick up the book myself!

I knew there was something going on with me, I'm not getting THAT old...am I? LOL

Working 9 - 5

Well, sort of. CJ is back to working a day shift again. He starts at 9:30 am and the shift ends at 6 pm - not too bad but that is literally an entire day gone! No time for doctor appointments or yard work or grocery shopping (yes, he does the grocery shopping!)

I gt a lot of work done around the house but the I do also seem to find myself doing a bit of online shopping, checking out the latest stuff Apple has and I even found myself the other day looking for Phone Service Comparisons online! It's amazing what you can find online - the internet is full of so much information! Here is what I found; Only the best Internet and phone deals are offered by Spectrotel to all its customers. Check out this Spectrotel profile and learn more of their services.

When CJ was on nights, it seemed I saw him more. He'd come home at 6 am and sleep until noon, then he was up all day and would leave for work at 7:30 pm! Thing is, even though he was home all day with me, our bonding time was always in the evening after the kids went to bed. I really missed that so I am super glad he is back on days!

School Shopping

Wow, I haven't done ANY 'back to school' shopping! Thankfully Olivia has tons of shirts, fairly new sneakers and sandals and a enough shorts, Capris and pants to get her through the first few months or so of school. Jeff bought her 2 outfits - here she is at her dad's modeling them:

She sure is something else! I remember being that skinny when I was her age! My mom used to have to buy me pants that said 'slim' on them! Now I find myself checking out the latest weight loss supplements reviews in hopes of finding some miracle pill to take my ass away, haha!

Dante is going back to pre-school for the first half of the school year, that is 2 days a week. I think I will need to get him some pants but that's about it!

Everyone Come on Vacation With Me!

I can't lie, I am so freaking excited about Disney's Bay Lake Tower - the newest vacation club villa. We will be calling this resort our 'home' resort! You can see some really awesome pictures here: Bay Lake Tower photos

So now that we will be able to stay in a place that can accommodate our family of 5 - and more, I am totally excited that I can invite more family and friends along!

The first person I asked to come along was one of my very best friends, Cherie. Now, Cherie and I together = party girls! She asked if we could take a few days, either before or after the Disney part of the trip, and check out South Beach. I know there are a lot of excellent hotels in south beach fl so I am currently taking this into consideration. If we do this, I would prefer to go there before we hit Orlando.

So, next year Cherie and her son, Damon, will go to Disney World with us. In 2011 I would like my dad to go with us. Anyone want to snatch up 2012? LOL

Trip to the ER

Yesterday was supposed to be another busy day for me, work wise. I had scheduled calls with clients and lots loose ends to tie up before the weekend. yesterday was busy alright - just not with work.

Olivia fell screwing around in the basement and when she fell, she hit her head, landing on her back. She was able to get up and walk but she had limited neck movement. I called the pediatrician and of course they just wanted me to take her to the emergency room. So, how did this happen?

Apparently my children have been swinging from the water pipes that are directly below the basement ceiling. You can see them in this photo:

The climb on the sofa, grab hold of the pipe and then swing on them, of course unbeknownst me. CJ and I have already decided to put video cameras down in the basement.

So Livi and I go to the ER and it was really empty, we were helped right away! I kept whipping out the photo of the ceiling that took wit my camera phone, showing it to everyone who asked what happened. I was waiting for the 'you're a bad parent' speech but never got one.

Once we got in a room, they hooked her up to the pulse ox machine, took her temp and her blood pressure.

She was so nervous, so I was making funny faces at her and got not only a smile

I got a giggle too

She had x-rays done and they were normal. She had a urinalysis done to make sure there was no blood in her urine, possibly due to internal injuries and that was normal. We basically just hung out in the room for a few hours and they kept an eye on her. Thankfully it seems to be just a muscle injury, her neck still hurts when she tries to look up, as in way up, like she's looking tom the sky.

She's playing normally and eating and drinking and just acting her plain old self - I am so glad it wasn't more serious.

Let Me tell You About My Cousin

Ever know one of those people who go to school for what seems an eternity and still, in their mid-30's, do not have a job? Yah, my cousin is one of those people. I don't get it? She is smart - obviously, as she has her doctorate - but alas, she has no job.

She married a guy who has a job - a very successful job and now they have 3 homes. Yes internet, THREE homes. One in Melbourne, FL, one in the Florida Keys and one in Tennessee. Her husband bought HER the house in Tennessee because when she finished up school that is where she had to relocate to and he wanted her to be able to have the dogs with her...

I suppose people may think I am jealous, but it's quite the contrary - I am dumbfounded.

She has friends in high places too; from computer/tech savvy consultants, to Tennessee injury lawyers to even famous Chefs and yet, there she is, jobless.

Ed Hardy Bags and Boots!

Anyone who knows me well knows I am a tattooed and pierced mama. I have a love for the darker side too. I have found my match in the world of apparel and accessories - Ed Hardy

I was browsing online and came upon these Ed Hardy boots and that's when it hit me, I have no winter boots! What do you think?

Of course, I need a handbag to go with those cool boots. Well, I said I love the accessories and I consider everything from jewelry to shoes to purses as accessories. Check out this Ed Hardy handbag I am in love with:

Looks like I will be doing some shopping for myself when I begin the back to school shopping for Olivia!

Kids Buying for Kids

Dante's birthday is coming up in September and Olivia wants to go shopping with me to get something for him from her. Of course, Wyatt wants to come along but every time I take him into a toy store, all he does is play with the barcode scanner you can find at the end of the aisles! Hmmmm, there's an idea for Wyatt's birthday gift! *giggle*

I am actually quite surprised that Olivia wants to get a gift for Dante, I mean, he is her nemesis! Just look:


Oh, please, don't let these photos fool you! These two get along like cats and dogs! I only hope that one day they will actually like each other.