Eden's First Day of Preschool!

Today was Eden's first day of preschool at Edison Elementary, where Ollie goes to first grade! This is her second year of preschool since she misses the cutoff date for Kindergarten by about 2 1/2 months. Too bad.

She has been waiting and waiting for school to start. SO HAVE I! Ahhhh... I only have to hear her and Ollie fight starting at around 4 o'clock now! Sweet relief! I'm looking forward to spending some alone time with little Jaren!

She has her own locker and said she made some new friends today! They didn't do much today since she got out of school at 11 am instead of 1 pm. I guess she played with centers and blocks today she told me. I'm sure she will love school again this year!

She said that she misses her old teacher, Miss Jennifer. We stopped by Castle Hill School where she went last year and found out that Miss Jennifer is teaching at a different building this year. But, we did get to see Crystal, a family worker and Miss Mary, a teacher's associate that she had last year. They were both so nice! I had a chance to really get to know them last year when I visited Eden's classroom. So fun! When we left the school Eden was looking at the playground and sadly said, "I miss my teacher, Miss Jennifer. It's too bad she had to pass away!" I laughed and said that she didn't pass away, but she was teaching somewhere else! What a crazy little woman!

"Girl Rockin' Club"

Eden is so funny! Lately she's been pretending that her baton is a guitar and she's been a rocker, headbanging and flipping her hair all over the joint! Here are the lyrics of her latest creation!

"Girls are always right, boys are always wrong.

They go in the dumps!

We Rock, We Rock

Rock Home School! Rock Home School!

Diddely diddely do!!

It's a Girl Rockin' Club!

No, No, Nooo Boooyyyyyssss!

No, No, Nooo Boooyyyyyssss!

YEA!"

"That's the end." - Eden

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!!!

We had our 2nd Annual Salsa Party today! Our last one was two years ago. Last year I let the summer slip away from me. I was late getting Ollie registered for Kindergarden and so we just didn't mess with it! Man, let me tell ya... having parties are A LOT of work. Cleaning the house, running around making sure everyone has what they need, taking photos, and then the dreaded clean up after everyone leaves. I AM POOPED! It was fun though! At least I hope people had fun! We all brought salsa and a mexican dish to share! It was a gorgefest! YUMM!

This year we set up tables in the driveway.

It was the only place to sit in the shade!

Grandma & Jaren.

After we all ate we had a pinata for the kids to destroy! Two years ago, we had a little green mariachi man and this year we had a purple one that was the same little man, mustache and everything! We started out with the little kids and then the parents got a turn to whack the crap out of him!

Our very own Mariachi Man!

Little does he know about what the future holds!

Oliver sending him into orbit!


Eden taking a whack at him!

Krista hit him and the candy started flying out of his crotch! Oh my gosh, it was hilarious! The kids came out of the woodwork and started retrieving their candy by the handfuls!!! I would have been all up in the mix, but I didn't think that it would have been very becoming of me... ya know... crawling all over the kids to get my hands on all of that sugary goodness! I just had to restrain myself!

The kids dashing toward the candy!

Eden showing off all of her candy.

I'll just have to steal some of it when she's not lookin'!

I looked around out in the back yard when everyone had left and discovered our little dismembered mariachi man strewn all over the fresh cut grass. A sad sight to behold!

It's been storming all week long and today was in the 70's and just beautiful! We couldn't have asked for a better day!

Have You Lost Weight?!

It's been a crazy few months for me! While I was pregnant with Jaren, I kind of changed the way I ate. At times, because of pregnancy symptoms and at other times because I wanted to eat healthier foods. The first trimester I felt really nauseus and did not want to eat anything. Then, during the second trimester, Ed was enrolled in The Biggest Loser Competition of the Cedar Valley, here at the local YMCA. They handed out sheets on what you should be eating and how often. I still wasn't really hungry, so at times I would just graze on food throughout the day. I learned to eat several smaller meals and to eat a carb and a protein together. For example, an apple and a piece of string cheese together. I also considered portion sizes as well. If we went out to eat, I would only eat half and package up the rest to take home. As you can imagine, during my third trimester I really didn't have much room to be able to eat much! Jaren was taking up so much room!! During this whole time I was losing weight. I was between 217 and 212 the whole time and then I ended up at 218, one pound more than my pre-pregnancy weight. My highest weight ever was 222 and a size 22. I didn't intend to LOSE weight while being pregnant, it just kind of happened. So far I've lost 28 pounds just by cutting down my portions and watching what I'm eating. I'm down to 194 and I haven't been under 200 in over 6 YEARS! I think I was 190 when I got pregnant with Ollie. I still eat my chocolate and whatnot! It's a lifestyle change for me and so I can't deprive myself of some goodies! I just don't get to crazy with how much I eat! I can't really tell a difference in the way I look, but my pants are constantly falling down! I'm always tugging and pulling at them! Lots of people have been asking if I've lost weight and they say they can see it in my face! I just want to FEEL better! I don't want to be tired all the time and I think my back pain may be relieved by shedding some pounds! I also have knee pain as well. I'd like to start lifting weights and stuff, but that will have to wait until I'm feeling better. I'm still in pain from my gallbladder surgery, but I can still walk! I just need to get my butt in gear and DO IT! I HATE EXERCISING!!! Oh well, I need to start to incorporate it into my life if I want to feel better I suppose! Wish me luck!

1st Grade, Here I Come!

Thursday, August 23rd - Today was Oliver's first day of school. He is in Mrs. Jones' First Grade class this year and he said that he LOVES it! He is trying very hard to be obedient to his teacher and he says that she's really nice and doesn't yell at them! I asked him if he's making some new friends and he's like, "Yeah". I can't really get much out of him! I'm glad he enjoys school, that's for sure!

Kid's Say the Darndest Things

*The other day, Eden was feeding and burping Jaren for me while I tended to my cleaning. She said after a while, "Look Mom, I'm separating his head!" I looked up and figured out that she was SUPPORTING his head... not SEPARATING his head! WHEW!!!

*"Don't let the shotter come in!!!" Eden says while waiting for her shots in the doctor's office.

*The other day we were driving by a cemetery and Eden asked, "Mom is that where people get dead?" I said, "That's where people are buried, yes." "Why can't they go in the front yard?" she asks. "Because you can't just bury bodies anywhere you want to!" I say. "Well, what about their HEADS?" she asked. We both just busted up laughing!

*I was showing Oliver a picture of me while pregnant with Jaren. He then said, "Mom, I hate to tell you this... but... the back of your private parts is still big." I was like, "WHAT? MY BUTT?" He replied, "Yeah." I'm thinking... "What the crap! Thanks alot kid!"

*We were watching "Last Comic Standing" last night on TV and they were announcing who was moving on to the next round. The announcer said, "And the last comic standing is...." At this time Eden, coloring in her coloring book, says quietly, "Stacy Palmer". I looked at Ed and we both just cracked up!

*The other night, we went out to eat and Oliver had to use the restroom. Ed took him and afterwards asked Oliver if he remembered to flush. He said, "Oooops!" and ran back in to the stall to flush. He said, "HEY! It looks like a bat and a ball!" And then he proceeded to flush it away!

*After the kids had taken their baths, I looked at their prune hands and said, "Wow, you guys are OLD! How old are you?" Eden then said, with an old quivering voice, "I'm in my 30's..."

*Ed took the kids for a walk the other day and they didn't get home until about an hour later. I was sitting down at the table and Eden said, "I THINK I'M GOING TO SWELL UP! I'm so tired."

*Oliver was talking to Grandma on the phone and said, "You can only have 2000 calories and then you can stop after that!"

"Master Oliver"

Oliver is sooooo into martial arts it's not even funny! Our friend, Garran, taught him Capoeira (a Brazilian Martial Art) when he was 2 years old and he still spins on his head and tries to copy everything he does. We were thinking of enrolling Ollie in some classes, but now he's found out about TaeKwonDo! His friend, Anton had a birthday party on the 18th and invited everyone to come and try it. Ollie was so focused on the moves they were doing! He was in the zone! He was really good about pointing his toes when he needed to and really got into it! I know this would be something he would LOVE to do!

The Stinky Cheese Man

I love these pics of Papa giving Jaren a bath. He's still so little that he can fit into the dishpans for his bath! He's such a messy eater and he puts his fists in his mouth and then after a while he starts to smell like cheese. I love the way he smells after he gets all cleaned up. He smells sooooo much better!

S - M - I - L - E

Jaren is growing SOOOO much! About two weeks ago was the first time he actually smiled at me! He is just as cute as can be! I love to see him smile!

Man vs. Tooth

On Thursday, August 16th, Oliver came to us and showed us that he had a loose tooth! It was one of his front teeth on the bottom row. A gap had appeared next to this tooth and come to find out, two new teeth were beginning to sprout. It's like they were quoting me... quoting Jim Carrey... "MOVE IT OR LOSE IT SISTER!" Oliver showed us these teeth and Ed said to Oliver, "You aren't a shark! Humans don't have more than one row of teeth!" Ollie thought that was pretty funny.

Friday, August 17th - He woke up this morning and was tugging and twisting and pulling at his tooth. We went to my mom's house and Oliver went to the neighbors to play. Her neighbors are from Bosnia and don't speak a whole lot of English, but they try. The kids, Saandi, Sanda and Amanda speak it pretty well. Ollie and Eden just love those kids to pieces! Every time they leave they all give each other hugs! It's so funny. Anyways... Oliver went over to play with Saandi in his house and a little while later, he came back over to my mom's house and said, "LOOK! The Bosnian Grandpa pulled it out!" He was so excited about losing his tooth! So we put it in a baggy and took it home with us.

Later that night before bed, I asked him if he wanted to keep his tooth or give it to the Tooth Fairy for some money. He said, "Weeelllll... I like my tooth... BUT... I like money better!!!" So the kids went to bed and before Ed and I retired for the night, I peeked in and saw that Eden was still awake. Her eyes were slightly open and she looked exhausted laying there. She said, "The Tooth Fairy hasn't come yet. I've been waiting." It was so cute! Ollie's been showing everyone his smile ever since!

I've Been Tagged...

Okay Meg tagged me... so I guess I'm "IT". I have to fill in the questions that she has posed. So here it goes...

Four Jobs I Have Had

1. Detasseling Corn

2. K-mart Cashier

3. Potato Factory Worker

4. Teacher Associate working with Special Needs Children

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over

1. Pride and Prejudice

2. Grease

3. Sense and Sensability

4. The Lord of the Rings

Four TV Shows I Love to Watch

1. The Office

2. 24

3. American Idol

4. The Wonder Years Reruns

Four Places I've Vacationed

1. California

2. Utah

3. Colorado

4. My Imagination

Four of My Favorite Foods

1. Fettucine Alfredo

2. Chicken Chimichangas

3. Nectarines

4. Pizza

Four of My Favorite Desserts

1. Cheesecake

2. Strawberry Shortcake

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies

4. Pumpkin Pie with Cool Whip

Four Items I Can't Live Without

1. My Digital Camera

2. Slippers

3. Computer

4. Stretchy Pants!

Four Things That Made Me Laugh Lately

1. Ed, always

2. Eden - We just watched the movie, Dreamgirls, and she asked why all of the girls were brown. "Have you ever SEEN a BLACK person before?!?" she questioned us the other day at the dinner table like she just couldn't believe that we said they were black. I did explain that we are all different shades of colors. It was hilarious!

3. Oliver - says that Jaren always pulls his chest hair, of which he has none. Hahaha!

4. Meghan - with her Mart Cart 1200 story

Four of My Favorite Pictures at This Time

I found a cool setting on my camera to make one color stand out. I love this picture of my mom and Willie.

I took this picture of Eden after church and I just love the smile on her face! What a little diva with that little scarf on!

I was taking snapshots of the kids at the playground of Edison School where Ollie attends. He did this little pose on his own... how GQ!

This is a common position of Jaren to be in. It quiets him right down. Daddy has the magic touch! I love his scrunchy face!

Enough Said...

Make Room for Crabby

A few months ago we were shopping at the mall without the kids and we stumbled upon some little crabs. Since Oliver is allergic to cats and dogs and I'm sure other furry creatures, we thought it would be the PERFECT pet for him! The man answered our questions and I was so excited to surprise the kids with their new pets! Ed picked out a green one for Ollie and I picked out a purple one for Eden. Hermie was Ollie's who passed away about a month and a half ago. They can live for several years, but alas, in a house with children, that may not be the case! Emily is Eden's crab and since crabs enjoy companionship, we thought we would get a new crab to keep her company. Max is his name and moving is his game. He is NOT shy at all and he moves like crazy! He enjoys making messes in their home as well! We picked a blue one for him and it was fun to see the two crabs meet each other!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Okay... Summer of Pain... it is TIME to be done, finished, overwith, finito! Sooooooo... all summer... I have been in one pain or another and let me tell ya folks... I'M SICK OF IT!!!

- JUNE: Pains of pregnancy and childbirth. Let me break it down for you... lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, gallstone episodes (including horrific pain in the back and chest and vomiting), headaches, not being able to sleep or catch my breath for that matter, insomnia and the list goes on and on. Childbirth, which was the easiest of all three I must honestly say. I did have an epidural, THANK HEAVENS! Then Jaren went to the NICU, and so I'm "recovering" in a small little "pod" where Jaren resided for the first week of his life. Yeah... I really didn't get a chance to recover much this time. (With Ollie and Eden I desperately needed a week or so of recovery time. I could barely walk or stand or lay down due to many rips and tears and all of that fun stuff.) Nevertheless, I just had a 8 pound 5 ounce manchild pass through my loins! Not a feeling you feel every day! So my body is STILL trying to recover from that.

-JULY: Recovering from Childbirth and Gallbladder Surgery.
Okay... childbirth and having a newborn home... lower back pain, fatigue, various ligaments and tendons popping and stretching when I move in a certain way... weird feeling I must say... I really need to go see my Chiropractor, but I'm still recovering at this time... I must wait. Family comes to visit and I was lucky enough to have some relief at that time. Then... I have my first Gallstone attack since being pregnant... not fun. I threw up and NO relief... so I went to the doctor and got an ultrasound to make sure it was actually gallstones... I was admitted to the hospital in a great deal of pain and I was FULL of GALLSTONES. So... was there, had two operations and four incisions. The morphine really didn't do much for the pain. Life kinda sucks.

-AUGUST: Recovering from Gallbladder surgery, swollen elbow and the flu. So... I'm still recovering and it is the 16th of August. I saw the doctor and asked him why I was still in so much pain. He explained that everyone is different and that the incision that was hurting so much was because he actually stitched it to the muscle to prevent a hernia. Okay........... that explains the pain. Then a week after surgery my arm, around the elbow, started to swell and become extremely painful (not allowing me to sleep). Come to find out, it was the arm the IV was in for my surgery and the doctor told me that it could be blood pooling there or something else, but it didn't seem infected or inflamed. After a week of pain, it FINALLY went away on it's own. Then I get the flu. I've had it for four days now and I still don't feel right. Nausea, explosive diarrhea, chills, fever, headache, weakness and fatigue. NOT FUN! MY BUTT HURTS! Most symptoms are gone, but I still have a bad headache and body aches. AND... Jaren is sick as well. It sucks being sick and then having to take care of a sick infant as well. I JUST WANT TO FEEL BETTER!!! AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH. So I'm still having pains from my surgery and I don't know why. It hurts when I sneeze, cough and laugh. My innards just don't feel right. My stomach turns at times, I feel really hungry, there is a dull stabbing pain in my back by my shoulder blade. Sometimes when I breathe I feel a snagging sensation in my chest and on my side. Hopefully they are just signs of healing. I don't want to trade one pain for other pains. That just sucks.

There you have it. I want to feel better. Normal. Even though "Normal" for me means lower back pain everyday. At this point I can handle ONE of the pains. Not like 10 pains all at once. *Sigh* *Side Pain* *Grimace*