gratefulhappymom

My dad, the superhero

2012-01-19T14:04:00.000-05:00

This is the face of a Dude about to kick the crap out of cancer:)

On a lighter note...

2012-01-12T06:43:00.000-05:00

Big Cub Scout camping trip this weekend. Four days!! To our favorite, Fort Wilderness in Disney. We are very excited! And Ray has surprised us all with something that will make it a little more, um, comfortable, you could say...

Ugh...just ugh...

2012-01-11T13:32:00.001-05:00

RJ's home sick today with strep. He peed all over me in the middle of the night due to the nightmare he was having because of such a high fever.

My dad finds out the results of his catscan tomorrow morning with his new doctor, the oncologist.

And my father in law has spent the last week being poked, prodded and put under while running through a bunch of tests to find out what his problem is.

My mother in law's beloved 13 year old bichon, Jax, had to be put down two weeks ago.

Also, my sister in law started dialysis a few weeks back.

Did this post make you sad? Sick to your stomach a little? Yeah, that's why I haven't posted in awhile. My mother always told me if you have nothing nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. I got nothin'.

But if you could pray for my family, that would be great. We could all use a few...

I'm trying to stay positive. It's so hard. For me, at least. I mean, I know my dad has a fight ahead of him that I strongly believe he'll win, but why does everything seem to happen all at once? Geez. I am going to get off this computer now and start counting my blessings, because that seems to help when you're in a funk.

And just like that...

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

...it's 2012. What? That just sounds weird, doesn't it? 2012?

Another holiday flown by, and the worst part is I didn't even get to watch some of my favorite movies. Maybe since it's 42 degrees today, I'll do that. It's just not the same though...

The boys had a fantastic Christmas, as usual. Every year we say, "we're scaling back", and every year we DON'T. Well, we did. The grandparents and aunts and uncles DIDN'T. They got a tv, money, custom and non-custom football & hockey jerseys, Nerf stuff, an amazing pirateship toy and Wii games-and that's just from the grandparents, aunts and uncles! Santa brought some great stuff and of course, Mom & Dad supplied the go-cart!

I'll try and post some pics later on today. I spent almost 6 hours taking down and organizing Christmas decorations yesterday and I'm so sore from going up and down into the attic (or it could've been the first spin class in two weeks I went to as well) that I'm not sure what my capabilities are today. Molly just stared me down for her morning walk and I think she could pretty much tell what I was thinking just by the look I gave her.

Lots of stuff happening in the next few weeks...some good, some not. I'll keep you posted.

Vroom vroom!

2011-12-27T10:51:00.001-05:00

Hmmm...

2011-12-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

Can you guess what Daddy got two very lucky little boys????

Just for you, Dad

2011-12-21T07:52:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Claus

2011-12-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

How cute is my grandma??

G'mornin!

2011-12-15T07:41:00.000-05:00

Christmas Party day!

2011-12-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

I smell it, Mom...

2011-12-14T06:51:00.000-05:00

Last night I was making goodie bags for the boys' classes and yes, I may have snitched a Kiss or two while doing it. So as I was tucking RJ into bed last night he shook his head at me and made a very judgemental face. I said, "what's the matter?"...and he said, "I smell it, Mom. I smell the chocolate. Why do you think that's ok?" Geez, like I freed a prisoner or something...

Christmas is in full swing around here! Santa is busy running around trying to make all the little people happy. But the little people keep changing their Christmas lists and adding things to them. That makes Santa confused, frustrated and pissed off. Just kidding. Santa doesn't get pissed off.

I'd like to know what I was drinking the day I volunteered to be homeroom moms for both classes. It's especially tricky around Christmas to juggle teacher gift $$, party $$, party details, crafting ideas, and cranky parents. Thankfully most parents are wonderful. Only a small handful need a kick in the butt.

Decorating our big 'ole tree...we're still not done!

2011-12-08T03:33:00.000-05:00

River Hills Golf Cart Parade

2011-12-08T03:29:00.002-05:00

This was our 3rd year bringing Santa and "his elves" down the parkway in the Tranquility truck. It was by far the most fun. I wish I got better pictures of the truck decorated or that you could have seen it at night, it really looked great! The kids had a blast and so did Santa! The kids threw out over 7,000 beads, glow necklaces and lollipops to spectators!

Ray Turns 40!!

2011-12-08T03:26:00.000-05:00

:)

2011-12-02T17:47:00.000-05:00

Oye ve

2011-11-29T12:49:00.001-05:00

Day 2 of Jackson home with a random virus. And I'll just say the expulsions aren't coming from his mouth, so there's been a lot of time spent in the bathroom if you know what I mean. And so he's not nauseous (sp?), he just spends a lot of time running to the bathroom. So because he's not nauseous, he's basically fine. So we've spent the better of two days catching up on schoolwork, playing wii and resting on the couch. Let's just say after a week of having them home, and then two more days of having Jackson home sick, I'm ready for EVERYONE to healthy and back in school. Sorry if this post is TMI at times;)

Dear Santa,

2011-11-28T12:58:00.002-05:00

i would like a helicopter that flies but only when i make it fly. what'dya call that again? oh yeah...remote control. i also need a new dsi xl to replace the one that was stolen from our car...and that was mom's fault not ours, don't forget. and i want madden 12. that's a wii game. and some legos, but mom says i don't need any more cuz they're taking over the house but i want'em anyway. and a gators helmet and jersey. and a bucs jersey and an eagles jersey, cuz i like all those teams. but mom says no "vick" on the back of the eagles jersey cuz even though he's a great player, he's not appropriate to have on the back of the jersey for reasons she won't tell me til i'm older. and how 'bout, um, just ya know...boy stuff. a guitar too. acoustic. that's all.

love, rj burke...you might have it as "raymond jude"

hi santa,

i would please like to have the following:

~dsi xl cuz ours was stolen and it was mom's fault.

~diary of a wimpy kid (the second book)

~a bucs helmet and jersey. the one from walmart.

~madden 12 for the wii

~a bed that's not a bunk...a bigger one like ryan's

~a go-cart

~a treehouse but dad's already getting that so don't put it on your sleigh cuz it takes up a lot of room so nevermind.

can't think of anything else now but you know me...i'm easy

thanks,

jackson hans burke

p.s. why don't you just come through the front door...it's less messy.

They were so excited while we stood in line. They got pretty nervous once they got on his lap...

but then they relaxed a little...

...and couldn't stop talking to him;)

A few from Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

Us:)

Me, Mom & the bird

Dessert time...you can take a wild guess who the first one at the table was;)

Yep. That's my mom giving Jackson a whip-it

Just pure cuteness...that's all there is to it

Jackson & His BFFs

2011-11-28T12:36:00.001-05:00

Clifford, Jackson & Nikolas

Jackson & Clifford

Clifford lives on our street and he and Jackson have really become close this year. They spend a lot of time together outside of school and Clifford basically lives here on the weekends.

Jackson & Nikolas (Niko for short)

Jackson and Niko have a history. They met back in Brandon Montessori when they were 3 years old and they've been attached at the hip ever since. They weren't together for Kindergarten or 1st grade so when they found out they were in the same 2nd grade class, they went crazy! Niko's little brother Chris just happens to be RJ's best bud, and they're also in the same class...and that equals lots of TROUBLE as you can imagine!

He's baaaaaack

2011-11-25T21:02:00.000-05:00

Skippy the Elf...Season 4

Uh oh

2011-11-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

Ray just checked the bank acct and realized what I spent today! Just kidding...I don't shop Black Friday.

After dinner entertainment

2011-11-24T20:30:00.000-05:00

Jack is playing some Christmas songs for us. March of the Sugar Plum Fairies...it sounds great!

Gobble

2011-11-24T20:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from RJ!

Gobble Gobble!

2011-11-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

Eat without guilt

Drink without shame

Laugh so all your teeth show (even if you're missing one)

Take pictures like you're the paparazzi

Be thankful for the blessings in front of you, around you, and the ones yet to come

Ugh

2011-11-23T11:39:00.001-05:00

And Ray has decided we are listening to the Beastie Boys for the two hour drive. Help.

Danielle's iPhone

Emotional meltdown

2011-11-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

We've been trying to leave for an hour. RJ is having an epic meltdown due to the fact that we are leaving Molly for two days. In her element with my in-laws whom she knows and loves. Two days. Not in a kennel. With people she adores. All of us (Ray, me and Jack) are afraid to do anything. RJ is so in charge of this family.

Danielle's iPhone

Wednesday before Turkey

2011-11-23T06:38:00.000-05:00

Wow. I was really mad at the post office the other day, huh? Must learn to not sweat small stuff. Yeah, everyone says that, but during the heat of the moment, it's not really small, right? Or we wouldn't sweat it. Anywho...

Today I am thankful for many things. I thought I'd take a moment and jot them down so the next time I'm contemplating beating the crap out of the post office lady I can reflect on why I shouldn't risk going to jail and think thankful thoughts instead.

So here we go...I'm thankful for:

my lovely little family

my health

my family's health

friends...new and old

opportunity

second chances

my parents and ray's parents

my sister

my nieces and nephews

my home

molly

optimism and the ones who teach it to me

marguerite and her spirit

the beach and the chance to be there so often

the chance to re-live my youth through my kids

exciting possibilities

bikes and running sneakers

good food and someone to share it with

a husband who "gets" me, even when it's a struggle, and lately it has been;)

realizing what matters

I'll leave it at that for now. We are getting ready to head to my parents today. Busiest travel day of the year. I must get my game face on!

Grrr

2011-11-21T11:40:00.001-05:00

I hate the post office and the beotch that works there too. I'm on board with the US postal service closing it's doors. Who needs 'em? #flatratemyass #goingtotheupsstore
Danielle's iPhone

A few from our visit to the Rivas!

2011-11-20T19:18:00.002-05:00

Isabella checking out an artist in the park

The day is not complete without a football game...

or without RJ crying...

or making an awesome catch...

touchdown!

my handsome man who decided he wants a treehouse

and a random bear dressed as a pilgrim (note: football never leaving RJ's hands...not for one second)

so much money spent on these teeth that are turning blue:)

We had so much fun!

Just another day at the Rivas

2011-11-20T19:10:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving Dinner in the front yard

And Bambi out back...

More pics from the Riva weekend

2011-11-20T19:08:00.000-05:00

Riva/Burke Frontyard Football

Jackson forgetting he was on Dave's team

Strategizing

Dave explaining not to steal his pass this time

She couldn't resist...she is, afterall, a girl. Girls do cartwheels.

Hey!!!

2011-11-20T18:51:00.000-05:00

I know, I know. I don't call. I don't write. I'm being a horrible blogger. Life is getting in the way of my blogging. And my cleaning. And my everything. But everyone is happy, healthy (for the most part) and getting along just fine.

Last weekend we went to Lake Mary for the weekend to see my lovely friend, Shannon and her family. It was so nice to see her and Dave and the kids. I miss them so much. I know it's only an hour or so away, but it feels like she's overseas because she's not around the corner anymore. RJ even said, "We can't ride our bikes to Shannon's anymore...she lives in another country." That's what it feels like. But I'm kind of getting used to it. I make a friend. I decide I love them. They move. Robin. Holly. SHANNON. Anyone else seeing a pattern??? Is it me? Do I offend???? Anyway, we had such a great time. The kids played and played and the adults...had wine...and drank wine...and...opened some wine;) I will post some pictures of the wildlife Shannon and Dave have in their neighborhood. You won't believe it.

RJ started another season of soccer. Jackson is sitting this one out due to what I like to call "an over-achiever's schedule". He'll play in the spring when his life calms down a bit. RJ is kicking some serious butt on the soccer field. I don't mean he's good. I mean he's amazing and he has a freakish talent that I don't know how he got. Well, he probably gets it from his cousins...they're freakishly good at sports as well. Me? Not so much. After scoring 5 goals in the first half of his game yesterday, Ray and I pulled him aside and asked him to please play some defense and help his teammates score. He did. And then scored another one "by accident" according to him. You gotta love him.

OK. That's about it for now...I'm going to try and be more pro-active about the blog since I'm hearing it from the Northerners.

King Crab RJ

2011-11-20T17:53:00.000-05:00

Dentist for Jack

2011-11-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

When Jack was a baby he had a severe trauma to one of his front teeth. He had to have it pulled. When the adult tooth came in, it was yellowish and brittle. Today we are getting it fixed. He's happy but says he'll miss his "gold tooth".

Fort Wilderness

2011-11-03T19:19:00.000-04:00

football is their new obsession

sweetness

A serious game of father/son checkers

"you talkin' to me?"

I don't want to talk about this.

this is the "look ma! no hands!" shot. And he is really riding with no hands here.

First Cub Scout Camping Trip

2011-11-03T19:09:00.001-04:00

Cub Scout Camping

RJ getting ready for pumpkin bowling

Catching snakes

Jack got one too!

Dad has really eased up on what he allows...

Pure cuteness

The loves of my life...no idea what Jackson is eating and why he thinks it's cute to always stick something in his mouth when I'm taking a group shot...

:)

2011-11-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

Is that blue??

2011-10-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

Cmon big blue!! The kids need blue skies for Trick or Treat!

Boo!

2011-10-31T06:30:00.000-04:00

Even my coffee is haunted....

:(

2011-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

It makes me sad that the boys can't fit into the Target "specials" anymore. Reason #467 I want another baby.

Just found this in my phone

2011-10-23T20:45:00.000-04:00

I miss my nieces. And my nephew. And my sister:(

Horses

2011-10-21T16:59:00.000-04:00

Big ones. And RJ made it crystal clear how much they smell.
Cute story: we were walking through the horse area of Fort Wilderness which we've done lots of times. The boys had their first pony rides here and as we were walking by the pony stables they asked for a ride. Sadly, they are both too old for the pony rides now and I jokingly said, "see guys, I told you not to grow up." And Jackson looked at me seriously and said, "well Mom, I didn't mean to grow up. It just happened." Love. That. Kid.

Spiders

2011-10-21T16:54:00.000-04:00

The "con" of camping

Fun!

2011-10-21T16:53:00.000-04:00

We are at Disney! Camping, playing and having so much fun!! What are you doing?

Wonderful Things

2011-10-19T06:52:00.000-04:00

Since I was crabby yesterday and posted some annoying things, I thought I'd balance it out today by posting about some wonderful things...

-Jackson made his AR (accelerated reading) goal almost three weeks earlier than he had to. He was so proud of himself he almost cried.

-My sister in law is out of the hospital and home resting. She is very weak and they are giving her antibiotics for her kidney, but home is better than hospital!

-We are going camping tomorrow and I'm excited. The weather should be beautiful.

-The boys have no school Friday. I love long weekends with them.

-RJ read an entire book last night by himself. And it wasn't a Kindergarten level book, it was probably something that Jackson would've been reading. The look on his face was priceless.

-Our Wii remotes aren't working. Yes, this is wonderful.

-Molly and I saved a kitten last night. We heard meowing from the street on our walk. We (she) were worried because it wasn't a good meow. It was a scared meow. We realized after going closer where it was coming from. It was stuck in the engine of someone's car. I went to the door and told the owner and he came out and retrieved the kitten out of the engine, stating "wow, thanks. I was just on my way to pick up Chinese. That wouldn't have been good for the kitten." Ew. But yay! Kitty saved. Anyone looking for an adorable little kitten???

Annoying things

2011-10-18T21:10:00.000-04:00

-The disaster of a Bronco from 1986 my neighbor decided to buy, park in his driveway with a piece of cardboard underneath to catch the oil drippings on, and start and rev twice a day to see if we are all paying attention. It hasn't left the driveway since he got it here. ANNOYING. And blocking my view of who's coming down the street. Oh yeah, and RJ took a header into it riding his scooter the other day (that last part was RJ's fault, not the Bronco's.)

-The weather man insisting today was going to be a washout and putting me in a bad mood before I even stepped out of bed. Then, when it didn't rain, I got even more angry because I had my mind set for a rainy day.

-Once again, people not scooping their poop.

-The trash men not coming until noon. Why did I run out this morning in my underwear because I kept hearing the truck and I was afraid I'd miss them? OK, not my underwear, but I wasn't wearing a bra. And at 37 years old, that just ain't hot no more.

-Someone beeped at me in carline because I didn't nudge up quick enough. Really?

-Almost everything I had a coupon for at Publix was out of stock.

That's all for now. But please note...this is all in ONE DAY.

Uh oh

2011-10-14T14:13:00.000-04:00

Yeah...I let this happen. And I'm in car line.

Damn!

2011-10-13T15:57:00.000-04:00

Why didn't I think of this before Bethanny???

:)

2011-10-11T13:01:00.000-04:00

The Styx make me so very happy. True child of the 80's here.

5am is the best time of the day

2011-10-09T07:48:00.001-04:00

The house is quiet. No one is up yet. No one is bugging me for the remote or a trip to Dunkin' Donuts. Just me, my coffee, and my blog. Well, normally I'd be in the living room watching DVR but two little people decided they were camping out on the air mattress in the living room last night. Why do kids always want to sleep anywhere but their beds? If I asked them to sleep slumped up against the toilet instead of their beds, they'd choose the toilet. Weirdos. I spend my whole day looking forward to sliding into my bed at night and they look forward to the weekends when it's fair game as to where they sleep.

Speaking of camping, we had a great time and we are excited to do it again. Fortunately the Cub Scouts have trips planned just about every month during the school year. Two big trips even-to Fort Wilderness and Cape Canaveral-are on the schedule. We are skipping the Cub Scout trip this month and going on our own to Fort Wilderness. The boys have a long weekend coming up and it's always fun to be there during the Halloween season. I never thought I'd be a camper, but there's something about that damn fresh air...as long as it's not hot:) If it's hot, I'm out.

On the last campout there was a fishing contest and Jackson won a prize for most fish caught in his den. Of course I don't have a picture (I think Ray has one on his phone) because I was too busy baiting his hook-YES, ME-BAITING A HOOK-and I couldn't touch my camera with worm and fish guts on my hands.

Look what we got!

2011-10-08T18:31:00.000-04:00

S'mores tonight! Do you believe my father-in-law had no idea what a s'more is??? Deprived city folk...

For my dad

2011-10-04T14:40:00.000-04:00

For Dad again

2011-10-04T14:37:00.000-04:00

Mom's Day Out

2011-10-04T14:12:00.000-04:00

At Disney!

Boy's best friend...

2011-10-01T16:17:00.000-04:00

Is now a portable fan

Report from the tent-area!

2011-10-01T16:16:00.001-04:00

The Pack Carnival was this afternoon. Everyone had a great time and the boys are so disgustingly dirty I can't even look at them without gagging a little...but they are having tons of fun and really, what else matters?
Tonight is the big cookout and campfire. Jackson can't stop thinking about s'mores and honestly, neither can I!

Will report more later and hopefully have more pics.

Home sweet home

2011-09-30T19:29:00.000-04:00

At least for the next two days;)

What have I learned in 37 years?

2011-09-30T11:25:00.001-04:00

Today is my birthday. And for a brief moment I actually forgot. Probably because I wanted to. I don't like 37. I don't like getting older, who does? So in order to get through this birthday, and my (hopefully) many more to come, I will think of the positive things I've learned and continue to be grateful and happy for what I have. Here are some things I've thought of...

-Your life could always be worse. Someone always has it harder than you do. Even when you spend your entire day crying on and off, as I have done PLENTY in my 37 years, someone else always has a better reason to cry.

-What goes around comes around, and karma exists. I know this is such an old saying, but I've seen it happen, especially in the last few years. And I don't like to admit this, but sometimes I relish in what karma does to the jerks in this world. Especially when they've wronged you or someone you love.

-NEVER EVER EVER go into business with family. Bad things happen. Brothers & sisters get hurt. Kids get hurt. Parents get hurt. People talk smack. Neighbors whisper. People hold grudges and holiday dinners are never the same, and in some cases (ours) holiday dinners will never happen again. Sad. For everyone involved.

-Teach your children well. They are a direct reflection of you, and if you have any doubt about this, wait until they repeat some of the things you say in front of respectable people who didn't need to know "Mom said she'd rather stick needles in her eyes than spend a day with so-and-so but she had to and that's why she's here."

-Don't be so trusting. But then again, keep your mind open to trusting. It's taken me a long time to find out who I can and can't trust. I've stuck my foot in my mouth a lot. I've been hurt. We all have.

-When you feel like you're about to lose it, get away from your children and anyone you love because you probably are. And you will say things you don't mean and people will get hurt.

-Tell people you love them, and that you care about them. You never know when an air conditioner is going to fall out of a three story building onto your loved one's head and kill them.

-Spend more time outdoors instead of in. It's just better for your soul. Don't lose sight of that little girl or boy you used to be. And if you have children, you're so lucky because you have a chance to be a kid again!

-Try your hardest to be on the same page as your spouse. Nothing good comes from lack of communication. I love my Ray but he's not good at the talking thing. And I talk too much. Find a happy medium. It's taken us a long time to do so, and so many hurt feelings could've been avoided by simply taking ten minutes to TALK. Finding time to do anything is so hard when you have kids. But the best thing you can do for your kids is to have a happy, healthy marriage. That means work. Sometimes people don't want to work. Get over it. And if you're not happy in your marriage, then do something about it. Life is too short to wake up next to someone you want to slap. Life. Is. Too. Short.

And that sentence brings me to my last thought...LIFE IS TOO SHORT. Be grateful for what and who you have. Accept what you're not and love who you are. Try to be more positive (I struggle with this) and turn those molding lemons into lemonade before it's too late and you have to throw them away.

Hmmm

2011-09-26T12:11:00.000-04:00

Is it a coincidence that there's a flask (out of place) in the camping aisle as I shop in anticipation for this weekend's Cub Scout campout? I don't think so...

Strike!!!

2011-09-25T15:14:00.000-04:00

Dad bowls

2011-09-25T14:29:00.000-04:00

RJ bowls

2011-09-25T13:59:00.000-04:00

Go Eagles

2011-09-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

Quack

2011-09-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else see a duck in that cloud? Just dropped both boys off at ccd. What to do for an hour...

Movie quote of the day

2011-09-18T14:14:00.001-04:00

"You have a divine animal right to protect your life and the life of your offspring."

Don't mess with me. Or my kids. :)

Jack's turn

2011-09-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

RJ drives

2011-09-17T15:39:00.000-04:00

Ray is thinking about retirement...

Hmmmm

2011-09-17T14:05:00.001-04:00

Sometimes this Yankee girl really enjoys jamming to a redneck song...

#we'llputabootinyerass
#courtesyoftheredwhiteandblue

2011-09-16T08:33:00.000-04:00

Well that sucks!

2011-09-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Things overheard around the house lately...

2011-09-13T11:46:00.006-04:00

"Slow down, you're eating that like a turkey buzzard eating an armadillo carcass!"

"The next time you cook a GOOD dinner, can we invite company over?"

"The only time lying is ok is when it has to do with parking free at Disney."

"Maybe I'll just take one day off school, to relax and spend some time with you."

"If anyone needs me, I'll be in the top bunk being mad at all of you."

"Can I watch iCarly just this one time? There's no kissing or 'boyfriend' talk in this one!!"

Some recent faves!

2011-09-13T11:37:00.000-04:00

My (tea) cup runneth over...

If you know RJ, you know this is a classic "RJ smirk". Just don't think he can get any cuter.

In broad daylight, these two were so excited over fireworks being tested. Oh, to be young again!

Just like her mother, to know this child is to fall in love with her:)

Jackson & Isabella-young love...and future blackmail material.

Don't know why I love this picture so much. Two of my favorite people. Two people who carry me through the woods when I can't walk anymore. Maybe I like it because it's two of my favorite people sitting in the woods together:)

More recent favorites

2011-09-13T11:31:00.000-04:00

Simply RJ

So excited about his scuba gear

This is RJ's little buddy, Ella. She's such a sweety. I love this picture.

My favorite one from RJ's party! They were just having a blast!

Yummmmm

2011-09-08T12:02:00.000-04:00

There's gonna be one happy birthday boy today:)

Jack and Isabella

2011-09-05T15:11:00.000-04:00

Woohoo RJ!

2011-09-05T15:01:00.000-04:00

Party people in the HOUSE!

2011-09-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

Sorry!

2011-09-04T09:58:00.005-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted. Certain family members were inquiring if I'd fallen off the face of the planet because there were no updated posts this week. I know, both of my kids are in school full time now, but this girl is BIZ-ZAY!! And I'll tell you why. Because both of my kids' social calendars are fuller than mine ever was, is, and probably ever will be. And for some reason I got a wild hair up my butt and volunteered to be room-mom for both kids' classrooms thinking neither of the teachers would pick me, and guess what? Well, I guess I don't have to tell you what!! Yeah, both kids' classes. Me, room mom. I LOVE IT!

Jackson joined Cub Scouts. I'm all about scouting. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. And Jackson is super-excited about this so that makes us excited. We went to the informational meeting last Monday night and they had him at "you get to shoot b.b. guns and go camping-A LOT." And there is A LOT of camping. A LOT. But it's family camping. Which means Ray and RJ are in. And that makes this mama happy because while I'm not a fan of dirt and critters, if my peeps are with me I'm good.

We had a little birthday party for RJ yesterday. Little. Five neighborhood kids, lots of swimming, some hot dogs and a cake. No bouncy castle, no pinata, no games, not even goody bags. And you know what? They had a blast and the party ended up lasting almost 5 hours! Probably spent $20 on food, I made the cake, and we tossed some candy in their hands on the way out the door. They all walked home, our kids went to bed and Mommy and Daddy cracked open the wine. :) Now that's how you do a party!

Bahahahaha!

2011-08-25T19:21:00.000-04:00

One of my Words With Friends opponents used the word "taint"! The fact that it's actually considered a word has me convulsed! Can't stop laughing! I know, I'm so immature.

Danielle's iPhone

Probably not his best angle...

2011-08-25T12:04:00.001-04:00

...but I'd like you to meet Jax. Jax is my mother in law's 12 year old Bichon. Jax is diabetic and has to have two shots of insulin every day to live. He's had a plethora of other issues and would probably be considered-by non dog-lovers-a lemon, or a money-pit. Jax is a drama queen, and his piercing bark could wake the dead. He's very demanding and likes to be coddled like a newborn. He's relentless until he gets his way, much like a toddler. Judy, my mother-in-law, loves this dog more than the air she breathes. He has been her constant source of companionship through many life changes, including out of state moves, my father-in-law's heart surgery, the death of her oldest daughter, the diagnoses and cancer of her other daughter, family turmoil, and so much more. A lot of people question why Judy keeps hanging onto Jax after all his problems and all the money it costs to keep him alive, including her own family members, and yes, sometimes me.

My in-laws are away right now. When they're away, I get to be in charge of Jax. I always joke around that Jax is a different dog when she's not around, and it's true. This time though, Jax has shown me a lot of love. He gives back what you give him. He may be a royal pain in the ass, but now I see why he's worth it. He loves to take rides with me in the car. Sometimes I put him in the basket of my bike and drive him around the neighborhood and he sits in peace while the wind whips through his floppy hair. He scratches on the refridgerator when it's time to eat and follows me around when he wants to be picked up and squeezed. He sits on my desk when I'm working. Yes, ON my desk. If he gets up to move, I can't see the computer so I holler at him to sit back down and he does. He just wants to be where I am, so if that's his biggest request, I can handle it. I even took him in the pool yesterday. He let me hold him while I floated around and he loved it.

The photo is of Jax laying on the floor, so completely content that he "just let it all hang out." That makes me happy, because it makes me feel like I'm taking care of him the way Judy does (minus letting him lay on the table like she does-sorry-not doing it.) So for all the times I've cursed at Jax in the last 12 years, I apologize. Because after these last few weeks, I finally get it.

Back to school

2011-08-24T13:53:00.000-04:00

RJ's first day of Kindergarten and Jackson's first day of 2nd grade went off without a hitch. RJ says he had a great day. He has two good friends in his class so I think that gave him some confidence. He told me he was mean to a girl wearing a pretty dress. I asked him why. He said he didn't know, but that he wouldn't do it again. He loved the computer lab and lunch. Typical. This morning he told me he wasn't sure if he felt like going today. I told him that part of his life was over, and to get dressed. He skipped off into his room and did what he was told. Nice try...

Jackson announced that he didn't like the Eagles anymore, that he was now a Steelers fan. His new teacher is a Steelers fan. I told him to stop being such a follower, that we are Philly fans through and through. He said ok, and then he made me pick out a yellow and black outfit for school this morning. I asked him why not green and silver, or green and white? He said his teacher would get mad because those are Eagles colors and he doesn't want to get an F. Nice try...

Omg!

2011-08-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

I freakin' LOVE coupons!!

Obsessed

2011-08-21T16:02:00.000-04:00

...with Words with Friends. Except I know some of my opponents are cheating. And I know there's a cheater app and I know exactly who has it, because these are people I've known for years and I KNOW they aren't that smart. Just sayin'...

Danielle's iPhone

RJ

2011-08-21T15:41:00.000-04:00

Brother, son, friend, and part-time ranch-hand

Hello, Tuesday are you there?

2011-08-21T14:46:00.001-04:00

It's me, Danielle. You know, Mommy of Jack & RJ. Boo-boo-better-maker, pool-mate, Disney bringer, beach buddy, teller of stories big and small, short-order cook, often mistaken for Diner waitress, laundry-doer, wii partner, sometime butt-wiper, referee, activities director, supervisor-of-a-million-neighborhood-kids-but-never-on -the-receiving-end-of-the-deal, oh let's not forget maid and bedtime tucker-inner, "mom-I-peed-the-bed" fixer, taxi driver and iTunes downloader of Big Time Rush and Pitbull (don't get me started on that one), "mom we're bored what can we do" idea-thinker, quesadilla-maker, and oh...it goes on and on.
Anyway, Tuesday, it's been a really great summer and I'm so lucky to be able to stay home with my kids but could you please hurry up because I'm READY TO SEND THEM TO SCHOOL!
Thanks;)

Danielle's iPhone

2011-08-19T19:14:00.000-04:00

Guess where we are?

2011-08-19T13:13:00.000-04:00

And it may be 140 degrees.

Last days of summer

2011-08-17T14:20:00.001-04:00

The neighbor girls are over. Swimming all morning. Toy Story marathon all afternoon, they actually plan on watching all three. I'm already out of popcorn.

My phone takes SUCKY pictures.

Dizzy beach

2011-08-17T07:39:00.001-04:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diXnRRWVHIM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Danielle's iPhone

Latest Lego Creation

2011-08-16T15:40:00.000-04:00

The Krusty Krab & the Gang. We had fun putting this one together!

Billing day

2011-08-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

It's a family affair;)

It's hot

2011-08-15T12:54:00.001-04:00

Even for the lemonade people!

Molly Loves Megan

2011-08-12T17:48:00.000-04:00

One niece's plane taxi's out...

2011-08-11T20:42:00.000-04:00

And one pulls up:) If u squint u can actually see both planes! So funny!

Waiting for the other one

2011-08-11T20:34:00.000-04:00

Just put Ally, Alex and Matt on a plane. Now I'm at the next gate over waiting for their big sister, my other niece, Megan:) People watching at the airport is good times. I just keep thanking God It's not me flying. Not a fan. Unless it were going to Hawaii.

Danielle's iPhone

Philly-bound

2011-08-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

Gonna miss these crazy kids:(

2011-08-11T20:29:00.000-04:00

Back to school haircuts!

2011-08-11T11:38:00.000-04:00

Probably not the best beach day?

2011-08-10T08:52:00.000-04:00

Too much time on their hands

2011-08-09T11:18:00.000-04:00