Life is SOOOO Crazy BUSY!!!!!

I don't even know where to start with what I have been up to lately. I keep waiting for time to slow down and it just speeds up. I do love this time of year though. I always forget what all our flowers and woods look like when it is green and buds all coming in. I love our yard in the spring and summer. I am a little addicted to gardening. Every spare second I have, I am out weeding, transporting flowers, and cutting back things. It has been a great stress reliever as well. Brett has even called it my therapeutic gardening.

I have spent the last three weekends over in the Detroit area visiting. My dad has had a rough few weeks and I have been trying to give them as much support and help as possible. Last weekend, I was at the hospital with them trying to get some answers. Please pray for both of them. It is really hard seeing them so down and struggling.

I love this picture of my dad. He looks so great here. This was actually taken on Easter. He was outside showing me his flowers and of course giving me advice on my own yard. I love getting their plants!!!! My kids have been amazing. Just this morning I got treated with breakfast in bed. Actually, Madison came in and sweetly told me that she made me breakfast. We have been working very hard on getting our kids to be more independant. I think that it is slowly starting to happen.

I have also been pretty busy with the kids science fair. It is on Earth Day. I am in charge of the whole Early Elementary School. I have about 100 entries. I have written out and alphabetized name cards, gone to many meetings (because I have never been to this in years past), recruited parents helpers, made signs and letters, called and emailed many parents back to give suggestions, and working on my own kids projects. Madison's root exhibit is mostly done. Blake's hasn't even been started. It is this weekends project!!!! We did explode the volcano once though.


Caitlin has been a trooper this week running many errands with me. She is finally feeling better. She actually went running across the backyard and yelled, "Mommy, I'm not sick anymore"! Before, she would have been coughing like crazy if she ran like that. SWEET CHILD!!!!!!!
Madison had a scare at the barn. We haven't been there since February. We took some time off because it was cold and then realized how much she loves it and used it as bribery for her behavior. It is the only thing that matters to her!!!!!! SO, needless to say, she hadn't earned it. This week was the week though. We were all excited. She was able to ride her favorite horse, STORMY! After a long brush, she headed out to the outdoor arena. All of a sudden the wind caught the lid of the garbage dumpster and flipped it over. It made a LOUD bang. The horse freaked out and jerked this way and that. Madison went flying right off the side and fell to the ground. It all happened so fast. My heart sank for a minute as my little girl lay on the ground and her instructor and another lady grabbed the horse. I was at the other end of the arena and could hear Madison crying. I started praying that she was OK. I didn't run over. Madison is more dramatic when I am around. She stood up and I felt much better. They came walking over and she gave me a big hug. We convinced her that cowgirls are very brave and just get right back on and ride. Every REAL cowgirl falls off at least once. She was still crying and not so sure about this. I ended up walking next to the horse holding onto her leg for one lap around the arena. THEN, she was off and running again. I am so proud of her. I would have never gotten back up on that thing. Remember, Brett and I are scared to death of horses.

Did I mention that I am also training for a half marathon????? It is next Saturday. I feel pretty confident and am in much better shape than the last time around. I have several girlfriends and even my brother running with me. Here is a picture of my brother and I running this winter. It has been fun running so many LONG runs with him.

Pajama Day

Caitlin was so excited that it was finally her turn to have PJ day at school. She found out on Tuesday that it would be the next school day on Thursday. She had to have asked me 100 times when it would be PJ time. Wednesday night she wanted to wear the jammies that she would wear to school. She thought that it would be so neat to not have to change her clothes in the morning. She smiled all morning waiting to go. Of course she chose a night gown with PRINCESSES all over it. She was also supposed to bring a pillow. She chose the Ariel pillowcase. I love seeing her get so excited about the little things in life!!!!!!

My Budding Scientist

I am in charge of the science fair at my kid's school. It has been some work, but I am enjoying being back at meetings with adults and doing "school" things again. I have also got to know the principal, secretaries and the other teachers much better now. The actual event happens on Earth Day.

Madison decided to grow plants. We bought a "ROOT VIEWER" so that we could see what the roots look like. She is also making a display board of all the different types of roots. We have been watering, observing and recording the growth. We are growing carrots, radishes and green onions.

Blake wanted to do a volcanoe. It fits him nicely right now - EXPLOSIONS!!!!! Of course I am not letting him off that easy. He is also going to be making a display board of the different types of volcanoes and how they form.

I have always tried to push science a little on the kids and this is a great way to get them started with displaying it. We have also just got our shipment of two bull frog tadpole. More info and pics to follow.

It was St. Patrick's Day - notice Madison's outfit. The green pants that I picked out weren't good enough. She needed her bright green shirt as well. She was cracking me up.

Our final product - now just GROW!!!!!!!

We are so happy that the sun has been out. The kids and I have done some yard work already and been to the park several times. I am enjoying running outside. I only have a few weeks until the half marathon. I am so ready this time. I have done five 10 mile runs!!!!!! I wasn't this ready for the last one. I feel more confident this time around as well. My foot is giving me a little problem again, but nothing a little ice, motrin and extra care can't handle.

Easter Bunny

I have never been one to take the kids to get a picture with Santa or the Easter Bunny. I just never saw the point of waiting in line and spending a fortune for a crummy picture. However, little Caitlin saw the Easter Bunny and wanted a picture. She was so cute. How could I resist that cute little face????? There wasn't a wait either.

Madison was all on board as well. She thought it was funny that we could talk with the Easter Bunny.

Blake however, was not very impressed. He told Brett that he wasn't going to get his picture taken. Brett told him that he wouldn't get an Easter basket then. Blake was a trooper and even smiled and participated very well.

The girls got little bunny ears to wear around the mall, but we didn't make Blake go that far. He was very thankful.

I can't believe that we have a child old enough to think it is UNCOOL to sit with the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny better bring him something great for being such a good sport!

Finding Nemo

This picture was taken at Epcot. Blake loved BRUCE.

The kids and I went to Grand Rapids last night for the Disney "Finding Nemo" on ice. Four other families from our neighborhood joined us. The kids had a blast all sitting by each other. I especially liked sitting by the other moms and visiting. My three wanted cotton candy - YUM!!! I love cotton candy and convinced Caitlin to share with me :)

It was a late show and we didn't get on the road home until 9:15pm. I knew that it would be late. Ten minutes into the trip, Blake had to go to the bathroom sooooo bad. I hate stopping anywhere at night, let alone when I am driving alone with all three kids. I made him go outside in a bush. I did find a quiet, dark parking lot!!!! Madison thought it was funny that he was going outside.

The kids are home today. We have a four day weekend due to conferences. It is going to be sunny and warm today (upper 50's). We are heading out to the park for a picnic and play with friends. I think that summer will be lots of fun. The kids are getting easier and easier to cart around.

Signs of Spring

As soon as we returned from Florida, I was so ready for Spring. It has actually been sunny and pretty warm the past week. I have been outside as much as possible. I really like running outside again. I have already put quite a few miles on outside. My half marathon is coming up quickly - April 24!!!! I am excited to be running with my brother. He and I actually ran a 10 mile run together last weekend.

The girls and I have gone for walks, bike rides, played with chalk, had a picnic (on the driveway because the grass is so wet still), blew bubbles, and started picking up after Zoe - EWWWW, I forget that bad part. The girls were so disgusted :)

Blake had a rough week this week so far. He took a hard spill on the payground and hit his head. The school had me come to get him because they thought he was acting funny - NOPE, that is just him... He also fell out of the school bus and started crying on his way home one day. I think that he was just sooo embarrassed. He also lost another tooth this morning. It is his tooth next to the top front ones. I am hoping that when the new one comes in, it might help straighten the front two. Every time I see his front teeth I just WANT them straight. Maybe he is just growing. He is already quickly catching up to me. I think that he is going to be very tall!!!!!

I hosted a Premier Jewelry show this week as well. I had a great turn out and got lots of goodies. I think that all the neighbors were ready to come out of captivity. Everyone showed up. Madison was so looking forward to the party. She put on a dress and her pearls. She was so cute. She tried on several peices and wanted me to buy them all. I did get her a couple pieces that were so cute. She also is begging to get her ears pierced. I told her that our family doesn't do that. She of course wants to be the odd one and STILL get it done. I sure hope that I can hold her off for a long time if not FOREVER!!!!

On a very sad note, a great friend of mine just found out that her mother has pancreatic cancer. Please keep her family in your prayers. I haven't been able to get them off my mind. Life is just too short. It has made me actually call and get a much needed doctor appointment.

Brett is off to Atlanta and the kids and I are preparing for a very low key weekend. We have been so busy lately!!!! Maybe we will even get to enjoy the weather.

Gator...Gators and more Gators

My kids loved Gatorland. Actually, Brett and I really enjoyed it as well. Maybe it was just the nice change from all the craziness at the Disney parks.

If I didn't mention earlier about all the planning that I did for this trip, I had a very detailed itinerary for the trip including specific days (based on research) to go to which parks, character lunches planned and very little time for a sick child.

Blake woke me up in the middle of the night with a horrible stomach flu. Lets just say that we will probably be charged with a carpet cleaning bill from our rental house. I felt so bad for him.

Our following day was Gatorland and there was NO switching days around!!!!! He was so looking forward to it. We decided that it would be up to him if we actually go. He was begging to go, so we thought we could let him lay low during the morning and then give it a shot. He was very lethargic, pale and didn't eat or drink a thing all morning. Of course I was worried to death. I gave Blake a bowl for the journey. The last thing we needed was a cleaning bill from the rental car company as well. He made it fine UNTIL we got out of the car. I again asked if we should still go. He said that he felt fine.

As soon as we got there, we went right to a "Gator Jumping" show. Blake made his way right to the front where all these kids were and sat down. I was so nervous for him. He of course made friends with all the kids and was giving all the facts about gators. I didn't even watch the show because I had my eyes on Blake hoping that he would feel OK and not get sick on any kids!!!!!

He made it through the whole day.

The kids held a HUGE snake - I stayed as far away as possible, fed hot dogs to gators, wrestled gators, and had a great time walking around and seeing the most gators that I have ever seen in my whole life. I highly recommend Gatorland.

Brett and Blake have a similar picture of them holding a tiger cub when Blake was about 2 years old. Brett has the picture in his office at work. They wanted to do another one to add to their display. Super CUTE!!!!
Like Father, Like Son. These two loved reading as many facts, storys and information as possible. The girls and I just strolled along.


Madison got chosen out of the audience to come up and help during gator wrestling. I think it was because she was the cutest little girl there!!!! She walked right up front with this man - of course with a huge smile on her face!!!!

She was able to choose which alligator he would wrestle. After quite a while of looking at them, she chose a big one - that's my girl!!!!

He then told her to jump in and pull it out by it's tail, for a second my heart sank... Madison just might do it. She isn't afraid of much. She just looked at the guy with this weird face and he said, "Just kiddng, don't really do it". She later told me that she just didn't want to get wet - OR maybe she would have?????

This is the gator that Madison chose and he actually wrestled it out of the water right in front of us.

Madison playing a little shy now.

This salt water croc scared us to DEATH!!!! When we walked up, it was underwater. Brett decided to throw it a hot dog (Yes, that was legal - we bought hot dogs to feed them). The hot dog bounced off of it's snout and we thought nothing would happen until all of a sudden, it made the fastest junp out of the water and we heard teeth snap right in front of us. We were standing just right behind this little fence!!!!! It was a HUGE croc. After the initial scare, the kids loved it and wanted Brett to do it again.
Madison was so impresssed by this talking bird.

We had so much fun and would definitely return again. We ended our day at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Poor Blake just drank a little water. Our kids just loved animals!!!!!!!