Korleen's Comentary part duex

1. We've survived VBS fairly unscathed (the exception being Gauis falling and knocking one of his front teeth back up into his gum, nothing can be done so we just have to wait and see).

2. My van is now legal and safe to drive again! (it had some repairs it needed and an inspection to pass)

3. Marc's car is jealous again. So it decided that it needed a trip to the mechanic on the exact same day my van was scheduled for it's "make over". Turns out Marc's car has more expensive taste then the van does.

4. I saw 2 old friends this week! Lindsey who I haven't seen in a year or so. And Monica who I haven't seen in probably 5 years. Both super fun to chat and catch up with!!!

5. The weather has been in the mid-80's a few times this week!!!!

6. I beat my best time on my 2 mile run by 1 minute and 49 seconds!!!

7. Roo finally finished his prescription, and it only took a package of hot dogs to do it!

8. Did i mention that we're still all alive after 6 nights of VBS?

9. Marc and I are headed to the NY JETS training camp tomorrow! And to see our new niece!!

10. And last but not least. We had our home visit/interview for hosting a Fresh Air Fund Kid for 10 days at the end of August. For the age group we're willing to host it might not happen this summer. But if it's meant to be, God will work it out.

Progress!

Xavier has been trying to learn how to ride a 2 wheeler all summer. He still needs a little incline to get going. But at least we're past the tears and hyperventilating whenever someone even mentions practicing. AND he can cover almost an acre without stopping!

Now to get back to potty training...oy!

P.S. I am now accepting all comments and suggestions on how to get siblings to stop bickering ALL DAY LONG...

The Mama Files: Things I wish I didn't stink at.

1. landscaping- i have no vision for it and no idea where to find it.

2. arguing-(debating?) I hate it and I'm horrible at it and all that ends up happening is I get frustrated and start crying, even if I'm right.

3. Yelling-(commanding attention) I do it because I'm a mom to small children but I would seriously almost rather pull out my teeth one by one.

4. cleaning- I probably wouldn't be so bad at it if I actually had the ambition and drive to get it done-I'm working on it.

5. letting go of body fat- I've been dieting and working out for MONTHS and still can't get rid of all of it...my husband joins a gym and within 2 weeks he's firmed up the tiny bit of fat he has.

6. saying no to chocolate- which could explain #5

7. saving money

8. singing

9. training my dog- I'd really like to teach my dog to stay in the yard (see previous post) and to walk on a leash...but I'd also like to potty train my 2 year old.

10. spontaneity- when ever I try to be spontaneous things go terribly wrong

The Dog Days of Summer

Why is it that our dog breaks his chain/gets loose at the most inopportune times???? (Perhaps it's NEVER convenient for me?)

So anyhow our dog broke his chain (that was supposed to hold a Mastiff)again...right before the big sleepover. I chased him a 1/2 mile down the road before giving up and turning around. He eventually came back and the neighbor caught and returned him to me. But not before puncturing his lip who knows where. My original thought was "well serves him right, i hope it hurts". But then it continued to bleed and excrete pus (yummy!) so I decided a vet visit was probably the best idea. Now that wouldn't have been a big deal except that our dog doesn't walk on a leash the greatest OR like linoleum at all. So we drive the 20 minutes to our vets. Make it into the airlock without incident step onto the welcome matt in the vet's office and Roo decides that's about as close to the linoleum he's going to go and lays down paws sprawled out ready to retreat at the first opportunity. I eventually coax (a.k.a. drag) him into the waiting room while everyone there laughs at us. We sign in and find a seat and then Roo starts getting very excited to see all the other dogs, by whining, barking, blushing (yes he does really blush) like a fool. So as soon as possible can,they stick us into an examining room (repeat the scene of trying to get him into the waiting room). And we wait...for 20 minutes. Finally the vet comes in and tries to just wipe the wound and Roo (being the spaz that he is) wiggles away from her every time. Eventually the vet assistant comes and holds him in the corner until they examine the wound. Which i guess doesn't go all the way through. Gives him a booster shot and some amoxicillin and sends us on our way. So now we're home and expected to give him a giant capsule twice a day for 10 days...oh boy that's not going to be easy.

Ah life with a crazy hyper-active dog.

YO MLS!

if all your soccer players were this cute then maybe you could build a bigger american fan base.just sayin'...

Happy 5th Birthday Leia!

My heart aches when I think about how fast the past 5 years has flown by. Happy Birthday to the sweetest, cutest, bestest little girl in the whole world! We love you!

The Sleepover

The Cake:
The Guests:

From left to right: Alicia (5), Grandma Bonnie (ageless), Emma (3), Kendall (5), Leia (4.97), Maggie (7), Sara W. (6), Allie (5), Lauren (6). Absent from phone: Sarah V. (6)

The Gifts:

The Movie:
The Dad Attack:
The after party:


Well we survived! We had 9 girls (counting Leia) ages 3-7. We did have to run home one at 2:30am. But considering there were several that this was their first sleepover I don't think that's bad at all. We also did crafts and painted nails that wasn't photo documented...I needed both hands for those activities.

P.S. Marc whined and complained up and during the party, but I think he secretly enjoyed himself.

P.S.S. The cake has an edible transfer on the top so that's why it looks professional...I am NOT a cake decorator at all (well there i go giving away my secrets).

The Mama Files

Things that made me smile this week:

1. The discovery of a doll named "Bilingual Betty"

2. The last name Spwank

3. "I smell Leia bacteria"~Xavier

4. "Praise the Lord! I don't have that many dishes"~ Leia

5. Gaius singing the whoo-hoos of the song "Happy"

6. Going swimming almost everyday this week!

7. Marc working the day shift

8. Hitting a softball over the head of a guy who called me a "dribbler" (definition: the ball dropping directly in front of the plate after it's hit)

9. Cuddling a little tiny baby boy!

10. Going out to dinner with my husband, even though Colorado Mine Co.'s waitresses dress inappropriately

What is it about lil girls and their daddy's?

Korleen's Commentary

I have a new nephew! Born at 8:42 this morning!

We're gearing up for a sleepover this coming weekend. Eight 5 -6 year old girls! Oh boy!

Xavier is learning to ride a 2 wheeler...not very willingly. And the fact that he flew into the handle bars and knocked the wind out of himself doesn't help.

Still potty training...'nough said

We're infested with mice... once again (I'm ready to move)

Marc joined a gym and is trying to get buff.

I'm still too young for a mini-van

That is all!

Long day...

I drove over a hour (not counting the extra time it took because I was lost 75% of the time) today to get the $70 dollhouse i wanted for Leia for her birthday for $10. I really REALLY hope she adores it.

I remember playing with a dollhouse, that my cousin gave me, constantly from about Leia's age until I was probably at least 10 or 11. It used to sit on a chest at the foot of my mom's bed, I'd have friends over and we'd play and play in there. The house was blue and it even had working lights, that I think broke before I inherited it. It didn't have any matching furniture or dolls or anything, but I made due. Leia's is going to be a little more deluxe than that, but I hope it still invokes all the imaginary play it did for me.

P.S. Her birthday isn't until the 21st so don't tell her.

He takes after his Dad!

How's potty training going, you ask?

Here's The Score:
Potty- 3 pts
The floor, my exercise ball, my sandal, various pairs of shorts and training pants- about 10o pts

*sigh* We've been potty training for 43 hours and 26 minutes.


P.S. The title MIGHT suggest that Marc isn't potty trained and I just wanted to make sure you all knew he was. I just meant that I'm not taking any credit for our youngest's antics/fashion sense/general craziness.

what 2½ years of Love and Devotion looks like

"What delicious abandon in the sleep of a child."~Frank Herbert

The Frog Pot

Look what arrived today. Yipee...hurray....ya-hoo..... (*sarcasm*)

I guess this means potty training can officially begin. I think its about time we had an easy potty trainer. Although I doubt it's going to be this time since it's taking a lot of persuasion to get Gaius to even WANT to be labeled as a big boy. Here's hoping the frog potty does the trick!

On a, kind of, un-related topic. Today we received a free sample of baby formula in the mail. I think Enfamil is trying to tell me it's time for another baby...I'm not going to listen.

I forgot to make a video again today. So instead I'm going to tell you a little story- full of excitement, disappointment, love and heartbreak...okay it's not THAT great of a story.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting packages in the mail! To me it feels like Christmas even though I already know what's in them. There's just something about ordering something and then finally getting, unboxing and seeing for the first time in real life , that excites me.

Well we've recently become Amazon.com Prime members, which means you pay an annual fee and then get free 2 day shipping on as much as you want. So we've taken to buying groceries from Amazon and it makes me wondering: Is getting cereal in the mail going to kill my package receiving buzz? So far we have packages coming to our house everyday until the middle of next week (we spaced out our purchases since HEY WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR SHIPPING). I guess only time will tell...until then if anyone wants to order something from Amazon let me know and I'll hook you up with some free shipping.

A Moment in the Sun Part 9: Haircut

I wish this video was from my [Korleen] haircut, but alas my hair appointment was rescheduled for next week. *sigh*