2009

2009 is knocking at our doorstep.  It is hard to believe.  I am hoping....

The first few months of 2009 do not match the snowfall we have had in December.

The last day of 2008 is peaceful and uneventful at work and that they send us home early.  

My kiddos stay healthy.  We have been trying very hard to stay out of the doctor's office but you never know what germs will come home from daycare and school.  Reagan has been really congested for about 3 weeks so we took him to the chiropractor yesterday in hopes that we can kick it in the butt without medication.  A lot of doctors are way too quick to slap a prescription down and get you out of their office.  

Not to miss Madison and Reagan too much when we are in Vegas.  I am always ready to come home after the second day of being gone.  Although I will admit I am looking forward to hopefully 8+ straight hours of sleep a night.  We have a little chocolate milk monster on our hands who wakes up at least three times a night.  

That Netflix will release more Scooby Doo movies.   We watch the same one over and over and over. 

Technology, Christmas and Cleaning

What a combo.  Technology. Christmas and Cleaning.

First, technology.  I am blessed to have a techno savvy husband.  I used to wonder why we needed all the computer equipment, XBox, and so on but tonight it all comes full circle.  I am sitting here on my laptop, wirelessly connected to the internet with Ben and the kids in the next seats.  They are watching a Scooby Doo movie which is through Netflix but playing through the XBox.  In my wildest dreams I don't think I could have figured that one out.  Where in the world was this when I was on bedrest???  

Second, Christmas.  Well our plans changed and we ended up staying in town for the holidays.  Madison and I were a little sad that we didn't get to see grandmas and grandpas but all in all it was a good weekend.  We opened gifts on Wednesday, had dinner with Ben's family on Thursday, and went to Applebees on Friday.  As we were walking to our table, Reagan spotted a man with white hair and a big, white beard.  What did my child do?  Of course, he yelled "SANTA!" and I did all I could to get him to our table.  

Third, Cleaning.  Yup, cleaning.  All the Christmas decorations are down and the bathrooms are scrubbed.  Laundry is just about done and tomorrow's project will be cleaning and "thinning out" Madison's and Reagan's rooms. 

Then back to work on Monday, Christmas with Ben's family on Monday night and Ben's birthday on Friday.  What to get the guy who has everything?  Suggestions are greatly appreciated.  With only three more days to get in any 2008 projects it should prove to be a crazy week.  

Snow Day!

Slap my hand for not updating in almost three weeks.  We are enjoying a snowy, blustery Sunday so it's a perfect time to update.  The temp with windchill is -41 right now and we have been seeing snow for about 18 hours.  It may let up tonight but will still be bitterly cold.  Not sure if there will be school/work tomorrow.  The kids are getting a little stir crazy but are doing well.  I am trying to convince Reagan that a nap would be a good idea right now.  

This past week Ben had his Christmas party.  It was a lot of fun and even better that I didn't have to cook the meal.  I took a mental health day on Thursday to get ready for the party and start Christmas shopping.  I went a little overboard on Madison so I need to shop a little more for Mr. Reagan.  

Madison has her Christmas program and I have my OT christmas party this week.  Should be busy!  It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us.  YIKES!  

Well one crabby boy is telling me that nap time is here so more later!  If the storm hasn't found you, hopefully it doesn't.  If the storm has found you - stay warm and stay safe. 

Oh Christmas Tree...

Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches.  Yup, it's up and before Thanksgiving.  Madison got a little antsy and I love the tree so I complied.  Thank heavens it's a prelit so it isn't hard to put together.  

We are having Thanksgiving at our house so it will be hard core cleaning for the next couple days after work.  The grocery shopping is done fortunately.  Now I just have to strategize on what time all the different things need to get started cooking.  My biggest fear is a super dry turkey and mushy mashed potatoes.  My second biggest fear is having to touch the raw turkey.  I tried to make one when I was pregnant and couldn't touch the gross bird.  My mom will just have to come out early enough to get it ready for me or else tell Ben what he needs to do over the phone!!!  

Madison has conferences tomorrow and I am anxious to see what her teacher has to say.  She is a reading machine lately and is branching into adding and subtracting.  I am glad the homework load has been light.  

Ben and I are picking out new living room carpet this week.  We moved a toy basket last night and discovered a melted RED popsicle on our light color carpet.  It was certainly not a good color choice for kids as the little drips of milk and apple juice have left their speckles all over.  Time for a little darker color.  Three years was a little shorter than we had planned for this carpet to live but oh well.  

It's 8:00 and both my kids are in bed.  Not sleeping yet but at least in bed.  I ran to the clinic yesterday morning and got some drugs for strep throat.  Still a little wiped out but my throat is better.  I forgot how much something as simple as a sore throat can make you tired.  

Here's wishing everyone a great Turkey day, wonderful time with your family and remembrance for the many blessings we can all be thankful for.  

Not Me Monday!

It's Monday again!  And it's already mid-November.  Today....

I did not see a Christmas tree in someone's window.

I did not take a 2.5 hour nap with Madison this afternoon.  She was home from school with a high fever.

I did not stay up until 11:00 last night watching Madison's Nickelodeon movie - igo to Japan.  

I did not see our (old) neighbor's garage full of stuff four days after they sold it.  And I mean FULL of stuff, including a boat.  

I am not trying to catch up on all the laundry that I didn't do this weekend.  

Wonderful Weekend

Ben and I were able to spend a great weekend with the kids.  The major accomplishments of the weekend were getting Madison's room clean, washing the outside of our windows and cleaning out/refilling the hot tub.  

Halloween was pretty uneventful.  Madison dressed up as a HSM character, without the wig.  Reagan went as Hugh Hefner, wore his pjs to daycare.  He wouldn't put on his Elmo costume so I took it back a few weeks ago.  

We were also able to catch a late movie last night.  Fireproof was wonderful and it gives a wonderful message about relationships, marriage and God.  

Reagan woke up this morning with a fever near 103 so we went to church and took it pretty easy this afternoon.  I hope he is on the upside as he has started asking for food.  Earlier all he did was lay in bed and nap while feeling like a block heater.  

Speaking of the little guy, here he is so there I go.  Bye!

Not Me Monday

I found a fun link on a blog I have been following (a mom who can use some extra prayers for a healthy son to be born) - it's called Not Me Monday.  You'll catch on...

My First Not Me Monday:

I did not let my son eat a Little Debbie Zebra Cake, pudding and turkey lunch meat for supper because it was easy and I wasn't hungry.  

I did not wake up Ben in the middle of the night when Madison was having a hard time falling asleep after a bad dream and ask him to sleep next to her in the twin bed so I could enjoy my pillow and fabulous sleep number bed.  

I did not eat more than my share of cheddar bay biscuits at Red Lobster today for lunch.  

(If you want to join McMama's Not Me Mondays, you can learn more at www.mycharmingkids.net 

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry for being so tardy on my updates.  Time gets away from me now that my hours have changed and we do basically the same routine every day.  The kids are adjusting better.  Some of the afternoons at the office are long but most days go by quickly and with much progress on my files.  

Halloween is quickly approaching and I still need to get Madison a costume.  I found the one she wants but they don't carry it in her size and I don't really want to spend more than $25 on something she will wear for only a few hours.  Reagan won't even try his Elmo costume on so I am going to take it back.  

I now have an addition to A & E.  I love to watch The First 48, Parking Wars, Rookies, Dog the Bounty Hunter and Jacked.  I know, it's crazy but I think I have convinced Reagan to watch them with me.  

Oh, and Ben started a project this weekend and I proudly finished.  He went through every piece of clothing he owns and between the two of us, we donated 11 garbage bags of clothes and still have a full closet.  All the garments are hung nicely and coordinated by colors.  Ben claims that his shirts are also coded by type of shirt within the color category!!!

So as Reagan eats a popsicle in the bathtub and Madison is at her first birthday party of the year, I sit her on the toilet (not using it) but checking emails and updating blogs as I make sure Reagan doesn't splash my computer.  And that's the excitement of the evening.  

Monday's Lessons

1.  Making lasagna is easy.  Making lasagna for four adults and five small children can get out of hand.  We weighed our homemade lasagna last night - 16.8 pounds!!!  Safe to say there is over 1/2 of a pan left. 

2.  There are no competency tests for technicians who answer your calls at Dish Network.  Our local channels have been out for 10 days.  On the first day they told me it was their problem and they were working on it.  On the sixth day they said it was our problem and a technician needed to come out.  On the eighth day the technician forgot about us.  on the eleventh day the technician fixed the problem in 10 minutes and we now have two free months of dish.  Still doesn't help the fact that we dealt with 25 idiots before getting someone here who knew what was going on.  How I missed my 6:00 news and my prime time shows.  We won't talk about what would have happened if there would have been a twelfth day!

3.  Our department at work must be awful.  We have lost two paras in the past few months and are new losing a secretary.  Am I that awful to work with?  

4.  I don't need a housekeeper after all.  I would like one but I don't NEED one.  I chickened out and couldn't accept paying someone to do what I should be doing. 

5.  Winter is coming.  Might as well accept it and find the winter gear.  

6.  I apologize to my bridesmaids for making you wear ugly dresses!!!  I apologize to our wedding guests for making you sit in the church for so long after the wedding!!!  No matter when you get married, your dresses will be out of style within, say, 2 weeks.  And when you have 300+ guests at your wedding, it's probably not a good idea to great each and every person before they leave the church!  Ben just had our videos burned to a DVD and I watched them last night.  It was fun and it brought back many memories.  My friends are fun and crazy, I was skinny eight years ago and our wedding consultant, well, never mind.  

Answers to (many) prayers

1.  First and foremost, Madison's surgery went as well as can be expected.  We arrived at the hospital at 8:45, she met with the child life specialist, her nurse (who Ben and I went to school with), the dentist and the anesthesiologist.  Before I knew it she was walking through the OR doors with Grandma Tammie.  After a very 90 minutes in the waiting room, we were able to be with her in the recovery room.  It was still another hour before she woke up but after a great (expensive) nap and her needed dental work, we were on our way home.  She was very excited to be able to eat again and has been eating non stop.  They did have to pull one tooth that was not able to be filled/capped so I guess the tooth fairy is coming tonight.  I am very grateful that she stayed healthy this week and that this is now behind us.

One lesson learned - the night before surgery, do not let your child have a blue popsicle.  It seems that certain sugar free popsicles stain their lips and doctors sometimes panic when they see a patient with blue lips in the OR!  Oops!!!

2.  A housekeeper is starting on Wednesday!!!  She will be coming twice a month and if you can't tell, I am very excited.  Hopefully this will give me time to keep the picking up and laundry caught up and a clean house all around.  I am wondering if I will fall into the cleaning before the cleaner comes 

3.  Working full time is going ok.  I am tired but feel good getting a lot accomplished at work.  I think this will be for a longer time period than I initially expected as we are losing another paralegal in our department.  The kids seem to be adjusting well so this should not be a big deal.  

4.  Only 3 1/2 months until vacation!  Ben and I are heading to Las Vegas for the Home Builders convention.  I am very very excited.  Did I mention I was excited?  Then in April he has a school board conference in San Diego so I am hoping to tag along for that, it will be a combo anniversary trip.  

5.  Our pregnant friends, and there are many, are having healthy babies.  I guess it's time to start baby shopping!  Not for me, silly, for the baby gifts.  I think this Koppelman camp is complete. 

That pretty much sums it up.  I am just so thankful that my big turkey is ok.  She and Reagan have had 3 surgeries and 1 almost surgery in the past two years and it's not a record I want to maintain.  

Off to laundry, have a great weekend!

Help!

Calling all housekeepers - I need one!  There just aren't enough hours in the evening to spend time with the kids, feed everyone, get the laundry done and get the house cleaned to.  Please send me one who won't change $100 per visit.  My house isn't that bad!!!

We are crossing our fingers that Madison stays healthy these next few days.  Her surgery to fix her cavities is scheduled for Friday as long as she doesn't catch any respiratory illness.  I am looking forward to getting it behind us so I am really hoping she can keep the cold bugs away.  And there is no school Friday so that would be great.

Better go, Reagan is trying to sit on the computer.  

Furniture

When we built our house almost three years ago we had the pleasure of buying a new dining room set.  After three different tables were delivered, we finally had one that worked.  Over the past couple of years the corners have warped causing the leaf not to work correctly.  When we bought our table we bought the insurance for three years.  To our surprise they agreed to replace our table.

Today the new table was delivered.  It looks exactly like our old one just with a few hundred fewer scratches.  So when I watched the delivery guy put his metal clip board down on the table I started to cringe.  Before I could say anything he spun that darn thing 180 degrees so I could sign the delivery slip.  Yup, you guessed it.  They dummy put a big half circle scratch right in the middle of the new table.  I pointed it out to him as I don't think he knew he did it.  He went to the truck, got some wood markers and thought he could fix it.  Nope.  So now we call to schedule a tech guy to come out and try to fix it.  I tell you though, if that scratch doesn't come out, they will be bringing me a new table and I guarantee you I will not let the delivery guy set a metal clipboard on it.  

The problem would have been solved if he would have used his head in the first place!  Aargh...  Did I mention they were 1 hour and 20 minutes late to the three hour delivery slot we were supposed to be in???  

Note to self, buy furniture at a garage sale.  Then it doesn't matter when it gets beat up.  

All work and no play

How do I summarize being back at work full time and then trying to keep up at home?  One word, exhaustion!  The first week was pure adrenaline getting files completed at work but it is catching up with me.  I just need to pace myself as I realize how wonderful it was to leave work at 1:00 and pick up the kids!  

If this house cleaning doesn't get more organized, I am afraid a housekeeper is on order.  I'm not superwoman and yet I expect my house to look like it did before I went back full time.

Both kiddos are zonked out in my bed and it is one of the cutest things in the world.  They go go go and within 10 minutes of laying down next to me they are on their way to sleepy land.  Darn, now I have to turn off Spongebob.  I guess Reagan took a 3 hour nap at daycare today so I am impressed that he was sleeping by 9:00.  It must have been the tough work of going to Kohls with his mommy tonight and getting new shoes because he outgrew the size 8 shoes in 2 1/2 months!!!  Anyone have any stock in Sketchers for sale?  

We're back...

And our 2007 business taxes are filed a little (lot) late.  Filing meant that our accountant had my computer for a few days and I missed it very much!!!  But here we are.

It was interesting starting back to work full time.  I have been very productive at work and not so much at home.  It has been going great until tonight, yes of course I will elaborate.  I left work a little late so didn't head home until 4:50 which meant I hit most of the traffic.  When I got to daycare Madison informed me that she had been stung in the arm by a bee at school.  Panic set in as Ben is terribly allergic and carries an epi pen around in his truck.  I called Torey and she thought I should bring in Madison and I agreed.  However on our way to the walk in clinic, I called to see what the wait was - 60 minutes - I don't think so.  Especially not with a toddler.  Then I thought about how long it had been since she had been stung and she hadn't swelled up or had any trouble breathing so I called our good friend/chiropractor, Darrin and ask a nurse.  They both said that since so much time had elapsed and because she had only been stung by one bee, she should be fine.  It's still been a little scary tonight but she seems fine.

Thus, after the detour to the clinic and then to the grocery store, dinner was on the table at 7:15, then dishes were done, it was 8:30 and both turkeys still needed a bath.  One bath and popsicles later, they have green and red mouths and weren't to bed until 9:30.  Tonight reminded me why it was nice to be home by 1:30!  But this isn't forever and I am getting a lot done at work.

Going to go check on the kiddos and give Madison some Benadryl.  

Stats

Reagan had his two year checkup (1 month late) today and we were pleasantly surprised.  Our little man who wasn't ever registering on the charts 2 years ago is now in the 70th percentile topping the scales at 31 pounds and the height charts at 34 inches.  Almost exactly two years ago, Reagan was one sick little boy after completing his first surgery for pyloric stenosis.  Because the condition returned 6 weeks later, he didn't really start growing until he was 4 months old.  Well, one would never know it unless you saw his small scar.  What was so terribly scary then is now a vivid memory.

The best part (not) of the appointment was the Hep A shot.  He was more ticked that a stranger touched him and then put a bandaid on his leg more than anything else.  

Seriously though the best part was when the pediatrician asked me if he was a climber.  As he was asking this he turned around to see Reagan swinging from the edge of the sink which is suspended off the wall.  He was just hanging out swinging his feet back and forth.  Is my son a climber?  What do you think? Dr. T. thought it was pretty funny.  

So way to grow Reagan, we're proud of you!  Just take it easy in the fridge when you get older.  It will help the pocket book tremendously.  

Mix

Madison still enjoys first grade after 2 weeks.  She is becoming more comfortable with riding the bus and loves to eat lunch at school.

Bow hunting has now opened in ND which means Ben is in his tree stand many evenings trying to get Bambii, his mom or dad, neither of whom can be cooked in our house.  I hope we have many friends and relatives who like deer meat!  

I am contemplating going back to work full time for a few months.  One of our paralegals recently left our firm to move back home and my work load, even before her departure, has increased significantly.  Fortunately daycare has openings for Reagan all day and Madison after school so it is just a matter of waiting to see what the attorneys say.

We are enjoying the cooler days with the windows open, getting as much fresh air as possible before it is necessary to turn on the heat.  

Off to Red Lobster, more later! 

Goodbye Karen.

I watched today as a friend was laid to rest.  I watched something I hope and pray I never have to experience, parents attending the funeral of a child.  It was heartbreaking.  It is still shocking.  It was terrible.  Karen was so full of life and always had a smile on her face.  I did not see her that often but when I did she always had that big smile on her face.

I experience families dealing with death every day.  I help dying people make sure their final wishes will be carried out.  But when a 26 year old is called home, it is so very different.  It makes me look at my job differently.  It makes me look at life differently.  On Friday, Karen posted on her Facebook account that she was going to the zoo.  On Saturday, the car she was riding in stuck a semi and she was gone.  Please take a moment from your busy lives and be thankful for not what you have but who you have in your life and make that hug last just a little longer.  

So as the Father said, Karen, fly with the angels and sing in the choir of all choirs.  

My babies

Yesterday Madison started first grade.  She loves going to school and was ready for the full day of new experiences.  When I asked her about the best part of her first day - lunch.  Yup, lunch.  I know she enjoyed the rest of the day as well but she was so excited to eat lunch at school and ride the bus home.  

Then today when I went to pick up Reagan, he was not in his room.  He had been moved to the Preschool Room!  I was a little sad, I guess I just wasn't ready for that although I am excited for the new learning experiences for Reagan.

So there you have it, my babies are officially no longer babies.  (Although I have known that for quite some time)

15 minutes and counting...

My how time creeps by as you sit on the floor while your toddler bonds with the toilet.  Last night during bath time Reagan said potty and climbed out of the tub and onto the toilet.  Nothing happened but it's a start.  Today we bought a little insert for the big seat so he doesn't fall in.  It has Elmo on it so that made his day.  Today we sat for 15 minutes, nothing happened but we'll get there.  I don't know if we're ready for this!!!

Today Madison gets to meet her teacher and bring her supplies to school.  She is pretty excited.  Monday will be here before we know it!  

Clarification

Ok, some clarification.  The vacation itself was fine although we missed Ben's mom.  My son just did not cooperate and when he is like that for more than 24 hours, it is just easier to be at home.  My head starts to ache and I find myself getting short with the kids.  Madison is in a mommy phase right now so she didn't want to stay behind and fish and play games.  

He has been much better since we have been home.  I think the hardest part is that he can't run around outside like he wants to.  The cabin is between a highway and a steep hill to the lake.  Hopefully next year will be a little easier.  He was back to daycare today and seems to be getting back into his routine.

Today we picked up a basketball hoop (Reagan size) so he is starting his Olympic dreams.  Madison and I are bypassing the Olympics are are trying our hand at the game Sequence.  Aunt Becky taught her how to play and she loves it.  Her favorite is knocking your piece off the board right before you are about to win.  

What in the world was I thinking?

Taking a 2 year old on a vacation, even a short, family vacation one hour from our house...I should be committed to the state mental institution.  

I would share more details but I need a shower, some aspirin and some peace and quiet.  

School time!

Madison and I completed her registration today for first grade.  She is really excited.  We got to meet the cook at her school who gave us a tour and also her bus driver.  She was a little apprehensive about riding the bus so I think this helped a lot.  Less than two weeks to go and we'll be waiting for the bus each morning.  Exciting!  (As long as we get out of bed on time!)

Reagan is still in his same routine at daycare.  The big 2 year old.  Today I picked him up and he gave himself hickies all over his forearms and hands.  I don't remember Madison going through that stage.  If I have learned anything about having a son, it's that this time around is completely different than with Madison!  

Big excitement for the day other than registering for school - going to the chiropractor and getting my new car washed for the first time.  

We bought Reagan a pretty cute shirt for his birthday and he's wearing it now.  It says "I still live with my parents."  Hopefully that will deter the girls for awhile.  

August 10, 2006

What a day that was!  After 10 weeks of bedrest and many episodes where Reagan almost joined us way too early, he was finally born at 11:15 am on August 10, 2006.  That day was such a whirlwind and a mix of emotions.  We were so excited to finally meet the little guy who had been taunting us the prior 10 weeks.  I was so excited he was finally here.  We were scared when they took him to the NICU.  We were excited our family was complete.  We were nervous about how we would handle two kids. 

In the end, it's been great.  He's been in his terrible twos for awhile now so that is nothing new.  He is such a talker and loves playing with his sister.  Mommy's favorite is that he is a cuddle bug. 

Happy Birthday Reagan!  

Surprise!

Ok, I love a good surprise.  Although when it comes with a near heart attack, it's a little more memorable.

So, Ben bought a new truck a few weeks ago.  At the same time I was looking at a different vehicle but it didn't work out.  Yesterday after work I was at the grocery store.  I was talking to Ben and he had asked me what I was doing, I told him shopping and I'd see him at home.  I came out of the store and put the groceries in the back of my car.  I put the cart away and then went to get in the car.  When I unlocked and opened the door I noticed a piece of paper on my seat that I knew I didn't put there.  It scared the crap out of me and I stepped back and looked to see if someone was in my car.  Nope, just me.  Then I thought that I put the groceries in someone else's car.  Nope, mine.  By that time I gained enough courage to see what the paper said.  It was a sale tag from a car like the one we were looking at.  I turned around and Ben was sitting in the car in the aisle behind me with a big grin on his face.  

Long story short, I got a Chrysler Pacifica and said goodbye to my Trailblazer.  It was a good car but I was looking for something a little newer and that was a little easier on gas.  It will take a bit to get used to as it's more like a car.  The kids like it, it still has a DVD player and sunroof.  My favorite part is the automatic lift gate.  

So the bad news, when I was test driving it yesterday I went to the mall.  We realized this morning that sometime when I was there someone but a nice big gouge in the front fender.  May the same happen to them!  

What I have learned this week

1. Reagan likes to hide when he goes poo poo, just like his big sister.  When we were in Indiana with Ben's family we actually lost Madison in a JC Penny store because she hid under a clothing rack to go number 2.  The store security was in the process of shutting off all exits to look for her, it was very scary but we found her after a few minutes.

2. I don't like dogs but I need one.  Reagan graduated out of his highchair this past week because he was using it to climb up on the counters.  For some reason he thinks it's fun to put food on the floor while eating.  But, I would rather sweep up food than clean up after a dog.

3. If you give a child a pacifier, they don't want to give it up.  Madison loved her "mi" as she called it.  We had a very long weekend when we threw them all away.  Reagan loves his "paci" and more so loves having three or four of them in his hands at the same time.  I am not yet ready for that long weekend but I know we need to get rid of them.

4. Winter in North Dakota might not be a bad thing.  Every possible road to get to our house is under construction, most of it pretty major work.  You drive slow, your car gets filthy and there is a new detour each day.  

5. Chuck E Cheese stinks.  Literally.  And it is dirty, their food is not good and the people are rude.  But the kids love it so we endure it.  

6. Something is wrong with my watch.  My baby girl is going to start first grade in three weeks.  My little boy is going to be two in one week.  You blink and a week has gone by.  

7.  We need a vacation.  We had a fantastic time in Orlando with Madison last February but Ben and I realized the other night we need a vacation, just us.  I was thinking South Carolina, Washington DC and Ben comes in with Mexico.  Ok, he can win this one.  We are working on booking something in October.  (Yes it's still hurricane season)  Then he has his builders show in Las Vegas in January.  In three years the builders show is back in Orlando and then both of the kids can come with.  

It's here.

Ok, almost here.  Actually, one week away.  But we had our first party for Reagan today with great grandpa and great grandma and it is making the fact that Reagan is turning two quite real.  He was quite content with dumping the gift bags on the floor, tossing the clothes on the couch and going after his tonka trucks.  He fell asleep before the turquoise cupcakes were served but he can have his tomorrow.  Chuck E Cheese and only a 20 minute nap were no match for his tired little self at 6:30 tonight.  

Madison does well with her little brother's birthdays.  No questioning where her gifts are or how much longer until her birthday so that is nice.  I think she enjoys watching him open gifts because she knows that his toys are community property and are under her watchful eye.  

Take an extra moment to hug and kiss your kiddos this evening.  I have been praying for a mom whose unborn son is extremely critical due to a heart condition.  It is easy to take our children for granted and forget there are little ones who need prayer and God's healing.  Reading their story brings back so many memories and reminds me how quickly those we love could be in situations completely beyond our control.  

Big things ahead...

After the high chair was used as a ladder to reach the counter five times in less than in hour it went out the door.  Also gone is the crib and all the baby clothes.  I am excited for what is to come but missing my little baby!  Reagan has been doing very well at his new daycare and is getting ready to start preschool - at age 2!  After trying to eat the finger paint today he did manage to make his first masterpiece for mom.  

Madison is anxiously counting down the days to first grade.  I am so excited for her and for all the new experiences ahead.  Of course we first have to tackle school shopping which used to be one of my favorite times of year.  Now that I am on the paying end, the excitement had diminished a little!

West Fargo High School Class of 1998

10 years.  Wow.  I think what is so unbelievable is how much changes in most people's lives between the day they get their high school diploma and the day they celebrate their 10 year reunion.  College, career, marriage, children, new home, big step from the trials of high school.  

I loved high school.  I enjoyed college but not as much as high school.  It was great to see everyone.  Ok, so not everyone because only about 1/3 of our classmates participated in the festivities.  We tried to plan the events to please everyone but many people just didn't want to our couldn't make it.  

Friday night we had a get together at the Hub.  Now, I don't like going to bars but I must say that thanks to the smoking ban, it was quite tolerable and actually a lot of fun.  Saturday morning there was a golf tournament and also a picnic at the Red River Zoo.  Unfortunately, Reagan didn't want to follow my command at the zoo so we were only there for about 30 minutes.  Saturday night was the finale with a social/dance at the Speedway Event Center.  It all turned out well but it wasn't without it's headaches along the way.  The event coordinator there is awful but the owner made things right.  It was a lot of fun seeing what our classmates were up to and what everyone looked like 10 years later.  

I am very proud of Ben.  He didn't really want to go (definitely not as much as I did) but ended up having a good time.  We were out past 1:00 am both evenings and it only proves to me that it was way to late, especially 2 days in a row.  We were both pretty tired this morning.  

All in all, good time.  Looking forward to the next one.  

"Not In?"

So, I am making dinner this evening.  I am not particularly hungry so I made chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and green beans for the kids.  Madison looks at the stove and tells me, "I'm not really in to what we are having."  

Where in the world did that come from?  

On another note, Reagan has been hacking up a lung for about the past eight days.  His nose is not running and it doesn't seem like he has a cold.  When we arrived at daycare yesterday they were pouring whole milk into his cup.  Silly mom, I didn't even think to tell them he should not have whole milk after our experience a few months ago.  He's now back on 2% and I am praying for improvement.  He did sleep better last night than he has the past week so (cross my fingers and toes) I think it might be helping. 

Madison starts first grade on August 25 so one month and 2 days left of paying double daycare!  Woo hoo!!!!!!!! 

Ben and I have our 10 year class reunion this weekend, unbelievable.  We met during our junior year in high school and started dating on June 1, 1997.  It seems like a long time ago but again it seems like just yesterday.  

Well, time to go pick up green beans off the floor and mashed potatoes off the chair.  

No news is good news

It's been a pretty quiet week in the Koppelman household.  I was under the weather on Monday and the kids were on Wednesday.  Reagan still has a pretty nasty cough and has developed an ear infection.  The past few we have been able to treat without antibiotics, however with his cough and low-grade fever, we went to the clinic for this one.  We'll see how it goes over the next few days.  He fell asleep on my lap tonight at 7:30 so I am hoping he'll get some much needed rest.

We had a fun Friday evening with my dad and step-mom.  We went to dinner at the Golden Corral and then caught the opening night of the Mama Mia movie.  It was awesome.  Not as good as the live show in Vegas but it was the next best thing.  

Here's hoping for another uneventful week!  It's hard to believe that school starts in about a month!  School shopping here we come.  

Movie Stars

Ok, so there were no movie cameras and no director to be found but Ben, the kids and I thought it would be fun to start the sequel to the movie Twister.  We headed out for Wisconsin as planned and heard there were some storms in lake country but didn't think too much about it.  We got to St. Cloud and stopped for dinner.  While there we heard a woman say the storm was supposed to hit St. Cloud in about 20 minutes.  We decided we better get our butts out of there and fast.  We hit rain just outside of St. Cloud and played chicken with the storm all the way to Cambridge.  

While in Cambridge we had to stop for a messy diaper and lost valuable time there.  I don't remember exactly what time it was but it was black and it shouldn't have been.  We hightailed it out of Cambridge and stayed ahead of the storm into Wisconsin.  However once inside Wisconsin, we head up a BIG hill and take a left.  Well that left took us directly into the storm.  The skies honestly looked like what you see on the movie Twister.  

There are three towns on the highway in Wisconsin along a 20 mile stretch before you get to our destination.  First there is Centuria.  When we drove into town, we heard the tornado sirens blaring but it is a very very small town and we know noone there.  We decided to keep going to the next town, Milltown.  When we got to Milltown, we heard sirens, again.  We stopped at a gas station and the clerk told us that we were welcome to head into the cooler because there was a funnel cloud spotted 7 miles away.  In that time we had been talking to my grandma and got directions to someone's house in that town.  We set out looking for the house and couldn't see the side of the road.  

It was at the point that I closed my eyes and just prayed that we would be safe.  When I opened my eyes, to our left was the lights beaming out of the fire hall garage doors with people looking out the windows.  Wow, what a relief.  We pulled into the lot, ripped the kids out of their car seats and ran inside through the pouring rain.  We were all scared, even Ben.  But then I realized there was no better place to be than where we were.  If something terrible were going to happen, what better place than with the firemen and first responders.  And the kids got cool little fireman hats.  

At the fire hall they had a large tv going with the weather reports.  There was a funnel cloud only a few miles away and the storm was moving at (get this) 73 mph.  No wonder we couldn't out run it once we turned up the hill.  I have never been so scared to be in a vehicle in my entire life.  We are so thankful that the fire station was there.  I don't know what we would have done as we couldn't see enough to find the house we were looking for.  

After about 30 minutes of watching the storm pass we were able to finish our trip and arrived at grandmas.  What a relief.  And in other good news, the kids did very well with the cats and dogs.  Reagan loved the dogs but fortunately he has nothing more than a little cough.  

Well that's all for now.  I felt a little under the weather today so I'm going to try and convince the kids it's cool just to relax and watch tv with mom.  Ben is at his first school board meeting!!!

New words

Well, Mr. Reagan's vocabulary is ever increasing.  Some of the new words have been thank you, ice cream, cookie, thank you, eew stinky, please mama, drink and now open.  It's fun to listen to him.  He bumped his head on the cement during his second day at his new daycare but other than that seems to really like it.  The best part...they get him to take a nap everyday which was a challenge for me.  Madison likes it there as well although she tells me she gets bored.  Once she makes new friends, I am sure she'll be fine.  And in 7 weeks first grade starts so she'll have plenty to keep her busy then.  

Madison has also taught Reagan how she feels is the proper way to eat an Oreo.  She twists it apart, eats all of the cream filling and then eats the cookies, one half at a time.  Reagan does it the exact same way only Madison makes each half of the cookie a few bites whereas Reagan stuffs the entire half into his little mouth and then smiles at you with a mouthful of what looks like dirt.  It's pretty cute.  Unhealthy?  No, Oreos are a food group in my family.  My favorite are the new golden oreos.  

July 10, 2008 - the last "month" birthday as I have been told it's customary to count by year after a child turns two.  So happy 23 months Reagan as after next month you'll just be 2 for 12 months.  12 months of terrible two...bring it on.  After watching Baby Borrowers last night where the teenagers had to care for toddlers, I realized that Reagan isn't much different than 90% of other toddler boys in the world.  I seriously think that any teenager who thinks it would be "cool" to be a parent should have to experience a baby in the NICU and also a toddler boy!

In any event, we are headed to Wisconsin to visit grandparents for the weekend and I have all my fingers and toes crossed.  For about the past year every time we have traveled, one or both of the kids has gotten sick.  A lot of it was allergy induced so we'll see how this trip goes!!!

Clean your room!

The three words my daughter may hear from me those most (other than I Love You) are CLEAN YOUR ROOM!  Madison loves to do five things at once which generally lends itself to a messy bedroom after a day or to.  Sometimes we can't even get her into her bed if she falls asleep elsewhere.  So, she was working on her room and I decided to tackle our bedroom.  Our bedroom has a rather messy history at times.  We moved in and it was great.  Then I was put on bedrest and everything I needed was put bedside, filing cabinets, desk, computer, you name it.  I have had it clean for some time but then stuff kept finding it's way back in.  So I am proud to report that my room is clean.  Allowance please?  The only thing left is for Ben to hang the tv on the wall.  

I have been begging him for decorating help and I am going to persist until it happens.  I love our house but it needs professional help.  I am not a decorator.  Sure I can hang some pictures on walls and put pillows on couches but that doesn't mean my  house looks great.  After watching some of the great homes on HGTV and what it takes to get money out of your home, I've decided it's time to call in reinforcements.

Tomorrow Madison and Reagan start at their new daycare.  I am excited but a little apprehensive.   I have a few concerns I need to address with the director and owner but I have heard good reports so I am praying all goes well and the kids are happy.  

Happy Independence Day!

Not just a long holiday from work.  Not just a reason to relax at a lake and stuff yourself silly with grilled treats.  Not just the one time of year some people can shoot off fireworks.  It's the time we remember how great it is to live where we do, how we do and as free as we do.  To be thankful that we can go to school and work without worrying about the burdens other parts of the world face. 

So, I apologize for my lack of posts lately but there isn't much to report from the Koppelman camp.  School is over.  The election is over.  It's just been great relaxing and enjoying time with the kids, and Ben when he is home.  

Tonight was the first night that Reagan fell asleep in his new bed without one of us laying there or without him falling asleep in our bed first.  That is a terrible habit to break so I am trying to avoid it.  This morning Madison was in our bed by 2:00 am and Reagan joined us at 5:00 am.  He woke up ready for waffles (affles as he calls them) and there will be no cooking happening in this house before 7:00 am.  So he joined the three of us in a queen bed which means 2 on each pillow and sometimes 3 on one, generally mine.  When I woke up at 6:45, Reagan was laying half on top of his sister and half kicking his dad out of bed.  It was pretty cute.  There is something about our pillows that go with our Sleep Number bed that he loves.  

My goal for July is to start cooking something different than the same old crap I have been giving my family for the past many years.  I am now a Food Network junkie and my goal is to try at least one new recipe each week.  If it turns out well, I'll post the recipe and a picture.

Well, it's 11:00 pm and I am going to go pull Madison from playing American Idol on the XBox with her dad.  

Toddler steps (frown)

It's official.  The crib has been taken out of Reagan's bedroom today.  He showed me how cool he though it was that he could hike his little leg over the side.  He also showed us that he can climb over child gates, particularly the one going into this sister's bedroom.  He thinks he's hot stuff now that he has complete access to all her prized possessions (minus the crayons, pens and markers).  Madison, on the other hand, does not think this is so great.  

I am excited that he is now sleeping in the big bed but I am also a little sad.  It just shows how big he is getting and how quickly he is growing into a big boy.  I did get to rock him to sleep tonight so that was wonderful, rocking my children to sleep is the best moment on earth for me.  

Dad spent the day putting the tv from our bathroom into his bedroom so that we can use movies to help him stay in bed.  Some people say that putting tvs in their children's bedrooms is a terrible "parenting technique."  These people must enjoy the hobby of spending 2 hours each night putting their screaming toddler back into their beds time after time.  I know Suppernanny would not approve but my theory is that as long as it isn't used every night and they aren't watching tv all day long, it's fine.  Children can also learn a lot from appropriate movies/tv as well.  

We still use the high chair, bottles and pacifiers so those are the next things to go.  I don't remember the move out of the crib being this hard for me with Madison but maybe it was because I knew I would get to do it again.  

Hello weekend

So I went to work this morning with high expectations of being very productive and getting a lot done.  I have many estates that are ready to be closed, a handful of new estates being opened and miscellaneous project in between.  Lets just say it was a crazy day and by the time I blinked it was already 12:00.  I stayed until 1:00 to get a little more done.  I guess I'll just have to try and relax over the weekend and go in on Monday with a clear head and a good to-do list.  I love being busy but not crazy busy.  I think if I get a good to-do list going and stick to it, it will be fine by Tuesday.

So, on the way home I decided to celebrate the end of the work week by eating a Whopper.  Yup, a whole one.  Don't know if I'll ever do that again but it was good.  I think my life is now a tish bit shorter by consuming that many calories in one sitting but I felt I deserved it today!  

Tonight Madison has a birthday party so Reagan and I will hang out in town for 2 hours.  Last night they went to a drop off daycare for a little over an hour so I could go to a reception for paralegals.  They loved the drop off daycare (who also fed them supper) and I won $50 at the reception!  I am one of the unlucky ones who never wins door prizes so I was pretty excited.

Ben is an usher in a wedding this weekend but I don't know that I'll have a chance to go with him.  Just some R&R and house cleaning for a few days.  

Sunny days...

sending the clouds away.  Hello summer.  

A special message to my co-workers....I just wanted to let you know that I missed you all dearly this afternoon.  My job as a mother is tough but someone has to do it.  This afternoon was awful, we were at the swimming pool and it was only 86 degrees and sunny :o)  

Oops!

Sorry all who read this - I normally don't go over a week between posts.  I guess we've been enjoying the sun and nice weather too much.  And honestly, not too much has been happening.  

I am an NBC victim these next few months.  I love Nashville Star, America's Got Talent and am looking forward to Celebrity Family Feud.  

My dirty children are in the tub and I just heard my son making it a jacuzzi, if you use your imagination you'll understand.  Don't know what he ate :o)  Needless to say, his sister is disgusted.  Early to bed for both of them, Madison's ears are in need of a tune up.  

We have a big change coming up in a few weeks.  Madison and Reagan will be moving to a christian daycare/preschool here in Horace.  And come September there will be a daycare bill for only one child :o)  Yeah!!!  Reagan's been at his current daycare for a little over a year and Madison at hers for 3 1/2 years.  It will be nice having Reagan close to Madison when she starts school this fall.  

Happy Birthday Madison!

My baby girl turned six today!  I can't believe how much she has grown up, especially in the past two years.  It is so much fun watching her discover how to handle situations on her own, play with her brother, help me around the house and just learn about life through the eyes of a six year old.  Her new challenge is learning how to golf.  Daddy got her a set just for her.  She's only been on the course two times but seems to like it.  

Yesterday we had a party at Skateland for her friends.  It was a lot of fun and great that I didn't have to cook or clean for it.  All the little girls loved it when Ben got on the rink in skates.  He had four to six girls hanging off his arms and falling on purpose.  And the best part was that my mom and I each got to eat two hot dogs - they are very good there.  She got many new barbies so she was very excited.  Tonight she is spending the night at Grandma Tammies so that made her day.  

Reagan on the other hand did not care for skating.  The second we put the skates on his shoes, he screamed.  That's probably ok, he goes fast enough without wheels on the bottom of his feet.  His other highlight this weekend was working our water machine.  Not quite sure how we'll handle that one yet.  

So, heres to the start of a quiet week.  No parties or big events so this mommy is excited to spend time at home with the kids and getting caught up on the cleaning and laundry.  

Relaxation

6:30 am - wake up with kids and head to work by 7:30

1:00 pm - pick up both kids and be to the clinic by 1:20

1:20 pm - Madison's checkup, keep her from crying about her finger poke, chase Reagan around the clinic, keep Reagan from eating chalk

2:40 pm - race bad storm home, run in the house and sit in the basement for 20 minutes

3:00 pm - spend 30 minutes getting Madison to get ready for swimming lessons and get Reagan out of bed just as he is falling asleep for his nap

4:00 pm - drop off Madison at swimming lessons

4:10 pm - drop off Madisons potty sample at the clinic

4:20 pm - return to swimming lessons to watch Madison for 10 minutes

4:30 pm - swimming is done, try to keep Reagan out of pool and showers while trying to convince Madison to get dressed for gymnastics

4:45 pm - stop at McDonalds for a Happy Meal

5:15 pm - register Madison and Reagan for gymnastics, yes, both of them

5:30-6:30 pm - Boot camp for moms, chasing toddlers around the gym for an hour, jumping on the trampoline with them, jumping in a very large foam pit after them, chase them around some more, jump on another trampoline, run back to the foam pit as many times as it takes to catch Reagan, prove to self how honestly out of shape I am, wish chiropractor wasn't on vacation!

7:00 pm - arrive home and feed children second dinner of the night, waffles and ice cream

7:30 pm - bath time

Now to fit in bed time, ironing Madison's T-Ball shirt for tomorrow, pick up the house for tomorrow's baby shower, make shopping list for baby shower and Madison's birthday party on Saturday

I am used to coming home from work at 1:30 and spending the afternoon/evening at home with the kids.  Today was a little much.  Did I mention it has been raining cats and dogs and blowing cows and semis all afternoon?  

Congratulations Ben!

He kicked butt in the election!  Not once did he fall from the number 1 spot.  Three people all went on the same yard signs campaigning together (which I don't necessarily agree with) and he was able to come out on top of them.  The apples did the trick!  And of course my husband's wisdom and charm didn't hurt any :o)  He put a lot of effort in this campaign and it proves that hard work and determination really does pay off.  

Here's the final results:

Ben Koppelman 2,800+ votes (21% of the vote)

Next board member (18% of the vote)

Last board member (16% of the vote)

There were seven people running for three seats including two incumbents.   The majority of our community is upset at how things have been handled in the past and so we were not too surprised that there are new faces on the board.  

Congratulations Ben!  I'm happy for you and welcome to politics.  

Criminal charges

So, my son is a criminal.  We were eating at Perkins this morning before church.  Because he doesn't sit down, he was standing in the booth.  He had previously made toddler conversation with the two men in the booth behind us.  Before I know it Reagan had turned around again but wasn't talking.  Instead he took his fork and jabbed it into the man's shoulder.  Needless to say I was embarrassed.  All was fine but I would file that under simple assault with a fork by a toddler.  Sorry to the stranger in the Roseville Perkins!  

While we were in Mpls for Caleb's dedication, Reagan decided he would feel under the weather.  Looking back it has proven that every time we plan to go out of town, one of the kids gets sick.    Last night I put him to bed around 10:00.  I had no sooner fallen asleep and I heard Reagan cry.  Ok, it was a scream and it continued for over 2 hours, no break.  Not just a cry, but an all out scream/howl/yell.  About six hours worth and in a hotel to top it off.  I was pretty sure the hotel security was  going to knock on the door to see if anything was wrong.  The good thing was that we had a suite so the living room was separate from the bedroom.  Reagan and I camped out in the living room so Ben and Madison could sleep.  He would not let me put him down.  Holding him did not calm him and laying him down wasn't any better.  I finally pushed all the furniture out of the way and laid pillows on the floor.  He rolled around crying on and off for the rest of the night.  It was awful and I felt so terrible that I couldn't help him.  

We left Mpls early and I was able to get him to the clinic thinking that his ear tubes were blocked.  They weren't.  Ears are clear, throat is clear, nose is clear, chest sounds great.  Dr said it's probably a bug or a touch of the flu since all of my family has had it in the past two weeks.  Poor babe.  Of course when we got home from the clinic he decided he was going to eat and perk up a bit.  One of those doctor visits that you realize was a complete waste of time and money.  I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't something wrong that I could help him with.  He's in bed now and I am praying I can get at least 6 hours of sleep tonight.  3 hours, on and off, most of it lying on a hard hotel floor with a thrashing toddler just doesn't cut it for me.   Sleep number here I come.  

Busy week this week, election on Tuesday, Madison's six year check up on Wednesday, Madison's first filling on Thursday, baby shower on Thursday night, Madison's birthday party Friday night, Madison's Skateland party for her friends on Saturday and Madison's real birthday and Father's Day on Sunday.  I was supposed to be at a seminar these next two nights in Mpls for work but Ben couldn't watch the kids with the election on Tuesday.  Looking at this schedule I am glad that I had to stay behind.  

We had a great time seeing baby Caleb for the first time.  I only wish we had a little more time but it was a hectic weekend.  How awesome it is to hold a newborn again!  We are trying to soak in as much Grandma Lois as we can before she has to go back to Indiana on Saturday.  

A new day

Now that I have gotten over my Travelocity mess, we're off to the hotel tomorrow.  I actually found a better price on Priceline and then Travelocity matched it which was good considering the prior mess.  

Tonight we are celebrating Madison's birthday early with Grandma Karen and Grandpa Bill at Space Aliens.  She will be six next Sunday.  However at this particular moment in time she is having a crying tantrum next to me because she is absolutely convinced that the wind is going to blow over one of our little trees and ruin her swing set.  I don't know how her brother is sleeping through it.  Aargh.  Eventually she'll cry herself to sleep because one can't reason with her and get her to settle down when she is like this.  I could threaten no Space Aliens but then she'd only cry more.  It is a rare occasion she is like this, I think that she is short on sleep and missing the routine of school.  

The big election is next week.  Don't forget to vote!  They ran an article in our paper today and Ben's apple yard signs got the thumbs up.

Oh, and after three months of trying to get away for 30 minutes by myself - I got my hair cut!  Little things make me happy!  

Congratulations Andrea on your new job!

Enjoy your vacation Darrin and Kristina!  

Deal?

Have you used Travelocity?  If you haven't - don't.  It is a big joke and the majority of their room rates aren't any less than what you can get directly from the hotel.  And the best part is that if you have to call customer service you get transferred half way around the world to someone who doesn't understand you and you can't understand a word they are staying.  It is the most awful experience I have ever had when making any hotel reservation - EVER EVER EVER.  And be careful of travel agents, but that's a whole separate post for a separate day.  Let's just say the one we used is being charged with eight counts of theft of property for charging people's credit cards and not making reservations for them. 

Ok, I'm done venting.

Diet, me?

Yup.  What do you get when you cut out high fructose corn syrup from a diet (or at least drastically reduce the amount of intake) - my new diet.  What does that mean?  Pop, processed foods, much of fast food, hamburger helper, frozen dinners - bye bye.  What can I eat since all those are basically my normal meals?  I don't know yet but I'm working on it.   I grew up on meals in a box so thinking outside the box and not being too boring is challenging.  Any recipes would be greatly appreciated!  I have always been proud of the fact that I can eat whatever I want and still weigh about the same but in my upper 20s, weight isn't everything.  I need to be healthy too.  I must thank my mom for my current meal plan.  When she was pregnant with the twins, we would eat at Taco Bell at 9:00 am.  When I was pregnant with Reagan, I would get a hot dog from the gas station at 9:00 am.  Now 9:00 am?  Fruit.  

And for those of you who know me well, know that I HATE fish (and wild game).  Not just a dislike but I don't cook it, I don't smell it and I certainly don't entertain the idea of eating it.  But on the agenda to help with this change in diet is (yuck) fish oil pills (gross).  Dr. Gillette, I know you are the expert but fish oil pills?  Aren't there things like chicken oil pills or soy bean oil pills?  Anything but fish!  I'm willing to try it but the first taste of fish I am afraid it's over.  

But really, this should be a good thing and will help keep me healthier and hopefully feeling better and less sore.  Anytime I sleep anywhere other than my bed or if one of the kids sleeps with us, I feel awful the next day.  I am excited to see what this does for the last few baby pounds as well.  

Keep you posted!

New tricks

So I spent my day off cleaning and watching Food Network.  Did you know that:

1.  Many of the cling wrap and foil boxes have little tabs at the end that you can push in to keep the rolls from jumping out of the box when you use them?  Check it out, even the store brands have them.  

2.  Cooking bacon in the oven is the best.  In a 375 oven, on a broiler pan try it - it is the best.  Less mess than frying it and more healthy too.  I used a thin sliced bacon, not sure how well it would work with a thick slice.  

Back to work tomorrow.  Reagan's daycare was closed today so it was a day off for mom.  Good thing because either Madison or my mom gave me the flu yesterday.  Thanks for sharing!

Ben is running for school board.  So, if you live in the West Fargo School District vote on June 10!  (Reagan really is our child :o)  The blond hair must have been a stray gene)  After stuffing over 400 envelopes in 2 evenings I managed to make an appointment with my chiropractor and stuffing the envelopes was so much fun I get to go back the the chiropractor next week.  Who knew that over 8 hours of the same repetitive motion wouldn't agree with the neck...  Next mailing?  Postcards I hope.  

In other news, summer is here and it is strange not taking the school bag and making sure Madison is school ready each morning.  She is going to continue going to Preschool Plus at least for June and July for the activities.  If she and her aunts are ready, she might spend August with Ashley and Kailey.  

We are spending the weekend getting ready for all the upcoming parties and showers and helping mom finish packing and start cleaning her apartment.  Reagan isn't much of a box mover (more of a mover tripper) so we'll keep it low profile and help where we can.  

The Graduate

I haven't decided what is harder to comprehend.  That my daughter is done with kindergarten or that my daughter is now a first grader.  Today she received her diploma and has one more day of school left.  They had a cute little program.

And Reagan, well I hope they are already preparing his future teacher.  

Cloudy skies

And the first big storm of the season rolls in.  It started this afternoon with Madison being graced by what we believe is the flu bug and is continuing this evening with a pretty good thunderstorm.  The thunder shakes the house, don't particularly enjoy that part.  I am just hoping that the flu doesn't find anyone else in our house, especially Reagan.  He and I took the liberty of cleaning Madison's room while she was down today.  Let me rephrase that, when cleaning takes 4 hours for one bedroom, it would more be classified as renovation.  

I have a great new family picture to share, just having a few issues opening the file.  But we're working on it.  

Second opinions

Sometimes in life you can trust someone with what they tell you.  There are no doubts, no questions and no second guessing.  And then sometimes in life you wonder why some people think you are so stupid.

Last month I was told by a pediatric dentist that Madison has 8 cavities, need 8 filings and 3 crowns at the price tag of over $1,400.  Let's just say I was a little taken back.  I was made to feel that I was a bad parent because of her cavities and they were blamed on her not flossing.  You show me a 5 1/2 year old who flosses every night and I will give them and their parents a medal.  Ben and I haven't yet signed up for dental insurance because we've only had our dental cleanings and an occasional cavity.

So we left the dentist not sure what to do but knowing that something wasn't right.  A few friends and relatives suggested I get a second opinion.  I have never done that before.  I have always trusted our doctors and dentists so this was a little strange for me.  When I was at my dentist a few weeks ago I told him about Madison and the proposed treatment plan.  Well today we had our second opinion from him and it is much better.

Madison only has 4 cavities, not 8, and she does not need any crowns.  This treatment plan will be around $500 which is much easier to take.  She is going to have one cavity filled on June 12 and hopefully the other ones can wait until August when our dental insurance kicks in.

Seriously, my child has pearly whites.  I could understand the first treatment plan if her teeth were rotting and she never brushed.  Moral of the story?  Don't be afraid to question experts once in awhile.  And experts, please don't assume moms are stupid or bad parents.  

No really?

Wouldn't you know it, I fought with a queen size mattress and box spring while trying to clean out the play room and it turns out they won.  A visit to my favorite chiropractor (hi Dr. Darrin) and some painful pressure therapy later I am now feeling great.  Ben get the task of removing them for a second time.  On a lighter note, I had the most fabulous 2 hour nap after my adjustment today.  

Happy spring, oh wait, that's right the forecast calls for frost tonight!!!  What the heck?  And some say we are in global warming.  Maybe they should come to North Dakota. 

Birthdays

Who says you are supposed to relax on your birthday?  Yesterday morning we woke up and Ben cooked some bacon and eggs.  My day consisted of cleaning out both our coat closets, finishing the laundry, washing the floor and vacuuming both floors of our house.  We made it to dinner at Mexican Village and caught the movie "What Happens In Vegas" before ending the day.

This morning when a normal person would relax after a crazy day of cleaning, the kids and I decided to convert our guest/toy/storage room into a toy room.  We cleaned out the entire room, vacuumed and dusted and then one by one, box by box put the toys away.  Our guest bed is now in an empty room and the closet is full of bedding.  The rest of the room is toys, toys, toys.  I am just happy we got it done and Madison and Reagan have somewhere to play in the basement.  After we head to a housewarming party, we will go through their rooms and move some more toys to the toy room.  

And Grandma Karen, I have called every auction within an hour's radius of your house and told them they are not to sell you any more toys!!!!  

Sunshine!

What a fabulous day!  Madison, Reagan and I took a little road trip to North Fargo to our friend Darrin's house for some great food and some fun checking out the koi pond.  Reagan actually preferred tormenting the poor fish and causing a typhoon or whatever you would call an earthquake and tornado in the water!  Fortunately all of the fish survived his torment.  Madison had a great time playing in the dirt and planing flowers.  I have definitely become less stressed when my kids get dirty.  I realize that is when they have the most fun.  

Anyway, it was a lot of fun visiting and eating and needless to say I didn't need to eat supper!  Ben had surprised me at work with Taco Johns and didn't realize I had lunch plans.  Of course I can't pass up food so I had to eat two lunches, darn.  I must say that the second was much better than Taco Johns!  

Looking forward to what is looking to be a nice weekend.  I am hoping to catch some sun and maybe get our patio furniture set up.  Oh yeah, and it's the big 28 on Saturday, officially in my upper 20s I guess.  Hoping to catch a good meal at Mexican Village and maybe a nap or two.  Then it's on to planning for a June birthday for Madison (6) and an August birthday for Reagan (2) - they are getting so big so fast.  I love watching them play together.

And in the middle of all that I am helping plan our 10 year high school reunion.  It is all taking shape and we are hoping for a good turnout  There is also a July 4 bbq in Wisconsin and a week at the lakes with Ben's family in August.  January promises a trip to Las Vegas for the International Builders show - I LOVE LAS VEGAS!  And speaking of Vegas, the movie Mama Mia premiers in mid-July.  Can't wait.  

Skateland

Madison and I had a blast at Skateland on Saturday.  Reagan had fun watching with grandma.  No rumps hit the skating rink fortunately!  Madison can't wait to go back.  

Kids say and do...

Kindergarten.  Such a fun age.

This morning we woke up to 12 wild turkeys in our backyard.  The kids thought it was great.  When we left for school we snapped a few pictures and Madison asked, "Mom, they don't like us do they?"

I replied, "No, they're scared of us."

Madison says, "That's because we cook them." 

----------------------------------

And that was only the beginning.  In school the kids make cute projects for the different holidays.  For Mother's Day, they made an award about their moms.  It lists our name, hair color, eye color, age and favorite food.  Oh yeah, and our weight.  Now they received no direction on this other than most mommies are over 100 pounds.  Well, Madison is convinced that I weigh........205 pounds.  Yep, you got it, I'm a big mama.  Maybe I will let her look at the scale next time I step on so she can redeem herself! 

My mom told me to keep the award and bring it out when Madison turns 18.  Should be good leverage when she asks for a car.  

Madison's Story

It's only fair to Madison to tell her story as well.  

Ben and I were married April 1, 2000.  We were both sophomores in college.  The summer before my senior year at Concordia we decided we wanted to start a family.  Anticipating it would take awhile, we were shocked to learn that I became pregnant less than two months later, coincidentally the week of September 11, 2002.  For those of you who know about Concordia know that "pregnant girls" are generally frowned upon.  I had a wedding ring on my finger so they could all just look the other way.  I graduated the first week of May, very pregnant, and just wanted to wear a sign that said "I'm married."    

My pregnancy was very uneventful, fortunately.  The excitement would come later with Reagan I guess.  I was thrilled to learn we were having a girl and the joke was up until delivery that if they were wrong, it would be one funny looking boy in all the girl colors.  Almost everything (and there was a lot) that I and moms and grandmas bought, and after 5 baby showers I believe, was pink with some purple.  I remember saying after she was born, "Is it a girl?"  I feared that we would have a little boy with nothing to wear home.  

Madison's labor was 13 hours long, not terrible for a first baby.  We got to the hospital and they sent us home because my labor wasn't strong enough.  We had been to the hospital twice prior with pretty decent contractions only to be sent home so this was again a disappointment.  However a few hours later we were back.  So, anyone who knows me well knows I have (had) a major fear of needles.  I was bound and determined that there would be no needle of an epidural and I could do this on my own.  (Hindsight - STUPID!!! They make great drugs for a reason.)  Anyway, my doctor was not on call that evening and we were very fortunate to meet Dr. Dangerfield.  He would later help up through our difficult pregnancy with Reagan.  After 1 1/2 hours of very intense labor at the end, Madison entered the world at 12:51 am on Saturday, June 15, 2002.  Dad, Grandma Tammie and Grandma Torey all got to welcome her with me as I was a little anxious and didn't want our mom's to leave when it came time.  

I will always remember and laugh about the morning she was born.  At about 2:00 am we were all exhausted so I sent Madison to the nursery so Ben and I could get some rest.  Very excited I was up quite early the next morning and Ben was still snoozing in the chair.  I could not get him to wake up and all I wanted to do was walk down and get Madison.  After much annoyance and prodding he finally awoke and we went together to meet our daughter.  

She was a healthy 7 pounds 2 ounces and came home as scheduled.  She had a touch of jaundice but not severe enough to be hospitalized.    

Reagan's Story

I've been asked by someone to move Reagan's story to this website from our Caringbridge site so they can read it - here it is!

In January, 2006 we were thrilled to learn that we were expecting our second child. We had just moved in to our new home the day before we found out and couldn't have been more excited.

In June, we traveled to Wisconsin to celebrate Madison's birthday, during which time I started having contractions. I didn't say a whole lot at the time because I wanted to get home to Meritcare and didn't want to be stuck in a little Wisconsin hospital. I was 25 weeks and knew something just wasn't right. We returned on Sunday and the contractions continued into Monday. When I called our clinic on Monday and told them the contractions were about 2 minutes apart, they told me to come in for monitoring. The monitors confirmed that I was in preterm labor and was sent home on bedrest. This was great at first, someone cooking and cleaning for me, but started to get a little old and very lonely.

When we were 29 weeks, I was admitted to Meritcare so they could administer steroid shots as they really didn't expect me to carry the baby to term. After 3 days I was sent home, still on bedrest, and on medications every 4 hours to help the contractions, although it didn't stop them. I don't think that we truly realized the seriousness of the situation at the time.

Through much prayer and help from our friends and family, we made it to 34 weeks before returning to Meritcare. The contractions had picked up again and had gotten stronger. They admitted me once again and immediately started magnesium, which is one of the most awful drugs I have ever had. But it bought us more precious time for Reagan to grow where he belonged. Ten days later, Dr. Dangerfield returned and we decided to stop the Magnesium and let God take over. I was 35 1/2 weeks and we felt confident that Reagan would be ok. On Tuesday, August 8, I was able to go home to my own bed. I never knew what true bedrest was until I was stuck in the hospital for 10 days.

Two days later, on August 10, 2006, my water broke and we were so excited to know the time was finally here. I was one day shy of 36 weeks and we were just praying for a healthy baby. We arrived at Meritcare a little after 8:00 that morning, I received a fabulous epidural about 9:30 (I was crazy and didn't have one with Madison) and Reagan arrived at 11:15 that morning. It was an absolutely amazing experience and everything happened so fast. Unfortunately, Dr. Dangerfield was in surgery and Reagan certainly wasn't going to wait another three hours for him to get upstairs. The nurse started calling for any doctor available!

All seemed to be well at first. However, his oxygen levels weren't where they should be so they admitted him into the neonatal intensive care unit. He was breathing on his own, but just wasn't getting the oxygen saturation that he needed. The next 12 days were a roller coaster ride of hoping he would come home and then finding out he had to stay longer. He was just small and needed a little extra help eating. One of the hardest times came when we left the hospital without him. But, he finally figured out the eating situation and we brought him home on August 22, 2006.

The whole experience now seems unreal. We didn't really realize how serious the situation was until after he was born and we saw other babies who were born at 25 weeks. We are so thankful for the doctors and nurses who helped keep me pregnant for an extra 10 weeks, who put up with us through our hospitalizations and who watched over and took care of Reagan.

Over Labor Day weekend, when I was actually due, Reagan began losing weight and not keeping his food down. An ultrasound of his belly showed that he had Pyloric Stenosis, which required immediate surgery to correct. The hardest moment came when we had to turn him over to the surgery team as we began which I think was the longest 2 hours of my life. Fortunately the surgery went fine and he came home 2 days later, eating like a champion. We are so grateful for the surgeon who happened to stop in the hospital that day and who was willing to stay, on his day off, to operate on our son.

Three weeks later, the condition returned. The doctors had heard of this happening, but had not seen it before. Surgery was scheduled for the next day, but thankfully the condition slowly improved enough to cancel the surgery. Reagan is now a happy, growing, healthy baby.

Madison is so happy to be a big sister and loves her little brother so much. Ben and I are so thankful for everyone who was there with us on this journey. Life is truly a miracle and we feel blessed to have two healthy children.  We have been asked MANY times if we will have more children.  Unfortunately we do not know what went wrong with my pregnancy with Reagan so we don't know what to do to prevent it from happening again, if there is even anything one can do.  Because of the risk of this happening again and right now having our hands full and our lives busy, we are content with our two munchkins.  (Although I would love nothing more than to get to do it all over again, I think the risk is just too high.)

Cousin It

Cousin It is no longer Cousin It but has been named Cousin Caleb.  Welcome to the world!

Caleb Arden Jay Kleinsasser was born to Ben's sister, Becky, and her husband, Matt, this morning just before 5:30 after 22 hours of labor (yuck)!  He weighed in at 9 lbs 0.6 oz and is 19.5 inches long.  Can't wait to see him!  He joins Charlie, Damon and Aria at home (their pets) and is the third grandchild in the Koppelman family and the first for the Kleinsassers.    

On another note...I am really starting to like my schedule again as it is sunny and in the 70s.  After a short nap with the windows open the kids and I will venture to the backyard.  Hey, someone has to do it.  

(Ok, so the nap never worked out but we were able to enjoy the sun until it rained.)

Cool tractors

Thanks cousin Dane for the cool bed stuff!  I like my tractors.  

Also, here's a picture of Ben's best project yet, our house.  Someone asked me to post a pic so here it is, deck, yard and all!  

Grandma Tammie closed on her townhome today - cool!  Ben and Jim are ripping out the kitchen. 

Ben's sister is currently in the hospital, no baby yet.  Hopefully by the time we go to bed.

A beautiful day outside, spring is finally here - amen!  The kids love it.

2 horror stories of the day:

1.  This morning on the way to school, Madison told me it was her birthday.  I told her it wasn't and that she had another 6 weeks to go.  "No mom, it's May 5 and it's my birthday at school."  Woops!!!  The kids with summer birthdays get to pick a day in May to celebrate their birthday and we picked May 5.  My  memory is obviously gone but she knew exactly what day it was.  After a quick trip to the store, a special delivery to school and 15 minutes late to work, problem solved.

2.  This afternoon we thought we would surprise grandma Tammie at work with a candy bouquet and balloon celebrating her new house.  We were a block away from her office, Madison was holding the bouquet and balloon and telling me how she was going to surprise grandma and roll down her window when she got to the car.  Well, she decided she'd practice rolling down the window and out the window went the balloon.  She was devastated.  I feel so bad that she felt bad that we went all the way back to South Fargo to get a replacement balloon and back to North Fargo to drop it off and then way South of Fargo to go home.  Detour well worth it.  Reagan slept the whole way so he had no clue what was going on.  

Why?

Why is it that when you give a 20 month old a hot dog, he eats the ketchup and leaves the hot dog.  Then when the ketchup is gone, he starts chewing the hot dog and then decides he needs to spit it out.  Hot dogs aren't that attractive to begin with, and are especially disgusting when they are rechewed and reappear on the tray.

Why is it that the same 20 month old also thinks it is fun to watch silverware go over the gate and down the stairs?  

How is it that a toddler knows exactly which boxes of cereal in the pantry have opened bags that are just waiting to be dumped in the kitchen only to fish out the marshmallows? 

And why is it that same child has an internal 5:30 am wakeup call?  

By the age of 5 1/2, they figure out these things are not so exciting any more and are satisfied with questioning everything and arguing about what they don't question.

Because, otherwise being a mommy would maybe be boring!  And then you wonder why you are so lucky to have them after all the mess and mayhem as they lie peacefully in their beds dreaming of the next days adventures.  

Balance

One would think that there would be a balance in a child's life between how many days/nights they are healthy and just fine to how many days/nights they are sick, teething or just don't feel like sleeping.  Reagan will do very well for a month or two and then - slam - no more sleep or napping.  Last night he was up with an ear infection until 12:30 and then up at 5:30 for the day.  This is half the sleep he is used to and much less sleep than I am used to.  One would think daddy would hear the screams and cries after 45 minutes at 12:00 am and wake up but his daddy could sleep through a freight train barreling through our house.  His tubes make it so most ear infections are not painful for him but they must have been plugged last night because he was one miserable little person.  

Fortunately I was very busy at work so I had no issues staying awake.  I had my friday Sandy's donut and Mountain Dew.  Then an hour later Ben surprised me with a Burger King breakfast sandwich and another Mountain Dew.  I spent about 4 hours working through a real estate transaction and completing the settlement statement and HUD - exciting?  Actually it was very interesting.  I love my numbers.  

I have a little wall hanging that says "Babies are God's way of saying you were getting way to much sleep."  How true! 

So here's hoping for a better night and a quick cat nap.  

Cloudy days

Do we still have a sun?  I am hoping we see it soon!  The cloudy skies and windy days need to find another part of the country for a little bit.  

Reagan is still teething.  I think it will be a process that won't be over for a little while.  Until then we just pray for sleep and rest between 10 pm and 6 am.  Reagan has 4 general names in his vocabulary - ma, da, na and ga.  Na is Madison and Ga is his term for anyone who looks like a grandma or grandpa.  Ma and da are self explanatory.  When he wants something I turn into mama.  If you listen closely you can make out Ashley and Kailey.  

Madison has one month of kindergarten left and then hello summer.  It will be my last few months of "double daycare" so we are pretty excited about that.  It adds up!  And Madison, well she could be a poster child for the "Kids say the darndest things" show.  There is a new comment/phrase each day.

Signing off, hoping to catch a nap and then Dr. Phil and Oprah :o)  

Buzz is out.

Finally, we have rest.  Day five of this latest teething episode has proved to be most miserable for Mr. Reagan.  He does not want to sleep and the past few nights he woke up about every half hour screaming.  You can only give a little guy so much tylenol and ibprofin.  After trying on four separate occasions to get my yawning son to nap today, I gave in to his cries and screams.  But about 8:45 this evening, he was three sheets to the wind and is snoring rather loudly next to me.  Unfortunately next to me means in my bed so Ben might have to endure the twin bed that I have slept in the past few nights as I have no intentions of disturbing this little chain saw.  

On a good note his fever did not return today and we saw those feisty little teeth popping through on the top (eye teeth and molars) so we are praying an end is in sight.  With this many days of goopy noses, fevers, no sleep and extreme crankiness, my first instinct is to run to the doctor.  But when you take a step back and look at him, nothing is wrong.  When I talked to Reagan's chiropractor today, he said that teething can take much longer than we think and can lead to goopy noses, no sleep, cold/flu like symptoms, sore bottoms, fluid in the ear and all the other things that a mom's instinct says go to the clinic.  But thankfully we have been able to hold out and are squinting at a little light in the way end of the tunnel.  Moral of the story is (don't keep a very ill child from the doctor) but think twice before running to the clinic because there is more than likely nothing they can do when the underlying culprit is teeth.  Thank you Dr. Brandan for saving me a co-pay and an antibiotic that Reagan didn't need.  And thank you Dr. Darrin for having to listen to me and telling me I'm not crazy!  Chiropractors do way more than yank your back into place, believe me, if you don't have one, get one.  

Please don't misunderstand me.  If my child is truly sick, we go to the doctor.  If I don't know, I call our moms and I call our chiropractors.  I am learning that we are all prescription happy in our society of needing a quick fix to a problem and many times medications do no good or can do more harm than good.  But there are times when they are absolutely necessary and we have been in that boat too.  They key is to understand what time it is.  No one said being a mommy was easy!  

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

One of us was in need of a haircut so dad the barber took action.  See below for way before, before, during and after.  

Fever and rough nights are still sticking around.  I am a little puzzled as if it is teething, it has never been this bad before.  

Still here!

Our hopes that the fever was gone were stomped on tonight.  I got it to go down a couple times but it keeps coming back.  He is really chewing on anything he can put in his mouth so I am leaning more towards teething as being the culprit.  However, if the situation doesn't improve by tomorrow, I might head to the clinic.  He is miserable and there is no other way to put it.  He also does not want to sleep.

By the way, who ordered this snow?  Whoever it was should be severely punished!

The bug didn't fly away.  Reagan was up many times last night and had quite the fever going.  I stayed home with him today and his fever has now gone down and I am hoping it stays there.  I don't know if it is teething or a cold/flu bug.  He even passed up McDonalds this afternoon.    

Last night when we were laying down he was tooting and he would start laughing so hard every time he did.  I couldn't help laughing myself.  I guess that is a boy for you.  

Hopefully he will be back to his normal crazy self tomorrow.  Cold gloomy weather means house cleaning this weekend.  Only three more loads of laundry to go and that part is done at least.  

Under the weather

Mr. Reagan is lying next to me ready to go to bed for the night.  I thought he felt warm this morning and realized after he sat in his bed for an hour not wanting to nap that he had quite a little fever going.  After some tylenol and a night of only wanting to be held, we have been lying in bed watching tv for an hour and he is now minutes from sleep.  Hopefully the fever bug will be gone by morning.  Reagan is normally such a bouncing ball that you can really tell when he is under the weather.  

Well he's now sawing logs (with his four pacifiers within reach) so time to get some work done.  

It's not a dream...

A second day of near 70 degrees, if not above, has proven that yesterday was not a dream.  It was so nice to shut off the heat (after a winter of $400+ per month), open the windows and let the fabulous fresh spring air in.  Makes you feel like spring cleaning doesn't it?!?  Ok, it made me feel like spring cleaning.  

I actually spent a good hour scrubbing my floors.  We have had a painter here finishing up what we didn't when we moved in.  The walls look good but I didn't realize that required leaving drips all over my floor.  We won't even talk about the carpet.  Unless they can work miracles, I hope they are prepared to pay for a carpet cleaning on the steps.  

In other news, we are pretty excited as Madison and Reagan are getting ready to welcome another cousin into the family.  Ben's sister is ready to go and baby should be here any day.  Ben and his parents are already there so hopefully baby Kleinsasser will make his/her entrance before they come back home.  

Well, one of my turkeys is at grandmas and the other is sleeping so this mama is signing off for the night.  

Finally...

Spring is here and we couldn't be happier.  Madison and Reagan love being outside and I must say it's not too bad.  I have always been an indoor person but with the 1/2 days my goal for the summer is to get a tan, for the first time in.....my life.  The bad thing about being outside is that neither of our neighbors have finished their yard so we are surrounded by dirt and mud.  Imagine if you will how much fun that is with a running 20 month old!  

Looking forward to a quiet weekend.  My big kid (Ben) is going to Robbinsdale to help Matt and Becky with their basement.  Baby Kleinsasser is coming any day now and they are anxious for the extra room.  The painter isn't done in our house yet so there won't be too much excessive cleaning this weekend, darn.  I'll just have to make up for it next week.  Maybe I'll take a chance with the playroom in the basement.  

Reagan hasn't been sleeping well so I took him to the chiropractor today.  Hopefully that will help, we are looking forward to hopefully a few nights good sleep.  Last night there was a human H in our bed and Reagan I am afraid had the best of it.  Ben and I got the head and feet in the ribs.  Then about 6:00 am Madison crawled in too, 4 is definitely a crowd.  Madison's new request is to sleep in the twin bed in Reagan's room.  He is still in his crib so that bed is open for a little while.  When he remembers that he can get out of his crib, I am afraid we will need to again tackle the big boy bed and the busy boy crawling out of it.   

So, here's to spring and may you all enjoy the sun and above zero temperatures.  

Silence...

Anyone with busy children knows that silence is never a good thing.  As I was in the kitchen this afternoon, Reagan was nowhere to be seen and nowhere to be heard.  I quicklyy made my way back to the master bathroom and what did I find?  My son with his arms in the toilet up to his elbows.  He had dumped his fruit snacks in there and I assume was trying to fish them out.  I was a little less than amused - he thought it was great.  Fortunately all none of the fruit snacks were consumed after their little swim.  

So, after a 2 hour nap, I decided to take Madison and Reagan in the backyard.  I forgot that the winds were a steady 30+ mph today with up to 45+ wind gusts.  Well, with two string beans weighing in at 27 and 46 pounds, they were a little tipsy.  Reagan was actually blown over a few times.  Reluctantly they came inside and we'll try it again tomorrow - supposed to be 70 degrees!!!  

This Koppelman household is getting it's first round at politics.  Ben is running for the West Fargo School Board.  There are seven people running for three open positions, including two incumbents.  

There is a pan of scalloped potatoes with ham and extra cheese in the oven and I think we'll just enjoy some Monday night television, laundry and stay inside.  

So - dinner is done.  New recipe!  5 peeled and sliced potatoes, ham, mixed with 1 can cheddar cheese soup, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/3 cup of milk, 1/2 onion, 1/2 bag shredded cheddar cheese and salt and pepper.  Bake at 400 degrees for an hour - SUPER YUMMY - cheesy and creamy.  

Technologically challenged...

How is it that a 5 1/2 year old has to teach her mother how to use an Ipod?  Ben must have purchased a new one because Madison is now the proud owner of an Ipod.  After we downloaded the Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack, she is now "singing" at the top of her lungs.   Because she has the earphones in, she doesn't realize how loud she is "singing."  I say it that way because she doesn't have the words down yet so it is more humming/mumbling/yelling mixed into one sound.  It is cute and I am trying to keep a straight face.  

So after a tutorial from Ben and Madison, I have figured out how to purchase songs from Itunes and get them to her Ipod.  Again, I have a college degree yet my main instructor this evening was 5 1/2.  I think that buying songs will be a reward system.   I will need to keep an eye on my laptop as I am sure from watching me tonight she could buy all of the songs she wanted and I wouldn't know until the bill came in the mail.  

On a lighter note, Reagan was checking out the pool of ladies last night.  I had the Miss USA pageant on and he kept watching it.   I tell myself it was the music and not the older girls in swimsuits that caught his attention.  

"No no" is in bed for the night and has been since 8:00.  He decided at 6:3o this morning that he had enough sleep and didn't feel the need to take any lengthy naps.  So after being cranky through dinner with grandma and grandpa, telling all of us no many times and not eating much, he went to bed early.

Now to get Madison to bed without the Ipod...  The main goal for the night is for me to go to bed without the Alvin and the Chipmunks song circling my brain- Christmas, christmas time is here, time for joy and time for cheer....hurry Christmas hurry fast...me I want a hula hoop...we can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don't be late.  I hope it's now going in circles around your brain too!!!! (Yes I am the silly one who bought the songs in the first place, but what we won't do for our kids.)  

And Christmas, please take your time this year.  The snow is almost gone for the umpteenth time this year and I am looking forward to some sunshine!