Three Tuesday Tots: Life is Grand When You...

I love my Paint'n' Place plates with the kids handprints on them. Here's Isaac's turkey plate, gooble, gooble. We often move from Halloween straight into Christmas and simply forget all about Thanksgiving. I don't think there's anything wrong with looking forward to Christmas and the events that surround it--and THE FOOD. However, Christmas isn't even on my RADAR right now. Not only was October a BIG month for us this year with fall break, birthdays and Halloween, but November is too (and not really because of the holiday). My mom and Debbie both celebrate their 60th birthdays, and Matt celebrates his 35th. But before I get to the birthday part, I want to take a moment to cover some of last week's events ........

I finished my FIRST scrapbook. I decided to do a sports themed one since I have MANY loose team and individual sports photos of the kids. I am in NO WAY a pro-scrapbooker and really don't intend on taking this up as a hobby; although, I can see why so many people are drawn to it.

Karson made Plano Elementary school's Academic Team as a 3rd grader. She took the test a couple of weeks ago to see if she qualified. We got the news this week. She will be competing in the language arts portion. We're very proud of her but know it will be hard work. She has practice every Wednesday morning at 7:15. Eeek, that's early. Fortunately, her teacher has offered to help get her to school--Ms. T is a God-send, for sure!

Miles hasn't been feeling the best lately. I decided to take him to the doctor on Wednesday when he was complaining about his throat hurting. Fortunately the doctor didn't think he had anything but allergies and maybe a virus? He hasn't had a fever or anything, just feeling bad. 24 Zyrtec and Mucinex were flowing in the ol' household. The picture is of Karson helping Miles with some of the school work he missed on Wednesday. I'm thinking we may need to let her educate him--he responds better to her.

Karson had her first basketball practice last Monday but within minutes jammed her finger. She was kaput and had no interest in continuing. Good thing because her finger swole up and was pretty bruised around the knuckles. While I was at the doc with Miles, I asked him about Karson's hand and went ahead and got the "go-ahead" for an x-ray if we needed it. Her finger was better by the end of the week, but it was touch and go for days =).

Since we were off for Election, Karson's friend Emma invited her do some running around with her family. I knew if she did this, I would never hear the END OF IT with Isaac. My little chicken is always complaining about never getting to play with friends--especially when Karson has them (which is often). I then have to explain to him how he NEVER wants me to leave him with friends and that he's had lots of playdate offers--which he has declined. Tuesday, I decided to take matters into my own hands and invite his buddy Patrick over for a playdate to buffer the Emma-event. He and Patrick had the best time. Isaac told me afterwards that he would go to someone's house if they invited him. We SHALL see.

Yes, that's right, we've been drawing on the carpet. Why, you ask? Because the kids are getting NEW carpet tomorrow. Oh YEAH! I can hardly wait to have their nasty carpet ripped out and replaced with the beautiful carpet we have in our bedroom and living room. Here's hoping the stomach bug won't rear it's ugly head this year!!!!

Karson and Elizabeth's BFF girls on the carpet. Love it!

The boys bunkbed is the hardest to tear down. I kind of like having a "camp-out" on the floor. I miss snuggling with the boys. It's terribly hard to do in a bunkbed.

I got my first SMART phone. My contract was up for renewal back in July, but Matt really wanted (and needed) a Smart Phone for school. We combined accounts for a few months until his contract was up for renewal (last Friday). I've been brand loyal with Samsung for years, but the company is working on a new version of the Showcase and didn't have their new product at the cell company when we went in. I ended up with a Motorola Milestone. The idea of a smart phone simply doesn't appeal to me. I know it's wonderful to have information at your fingertips AT ALL TIMES, but seriously, I think I need a break from technology sometimes, ya know. I'm sure I'll jump on the Smart Phone band wagon, but for now, it's simply my telephone to talk and text on.

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BIRTHDAY #1 ~ November 13

I wasn't blogging when my mom turned 50, but I sure wish I had a post about it. It was pretty comical. We planned a surprise party for her at Mancino's (which is a local grinder/pizza joint). My mom DOES NOT like Mancino's! I'm starting to wonder why we had it there??? Anyway, a new restaurant opened close to her house with a big party room--oh, yeah that's why we had the party there. We planned a menu and secretly invited guests, unbeknown-st to mom. That night, she had a pot of chili going, was in her comfy clothes (aka NON-dressy) and ready to hunker down for the night when dad suggested they go to Mancino's to meet all of us (me, Matt, Shannon & Paul) for dinner. Grudgingly she agreed and left her delicious stew on the stove. The rest was history--SURPRISE--she couldn't believe everyone was there and "in on it". I don't remember much else. Like I said, years ago, and the only pics. I have are hard copies--maybe one day I'll get a scanner?

When this year rolled around, #60, Shannon and I talked about having a party for mom on her birthday which fell on a Sunday (yesterday). We settled on Mariah's for ease and convenience to our downtown church. When we mentioned it to dad, his response, "Let's make it a surprise." So, the wheels were back in motion to pull one over on Mom, AGAIN. I got the invitation together, Shannon mailed them, I booked Mariah's and got a count together. Family and friends RSVP-ed.