Quart Low

HIGH:  Mark was home early and we had some fun outside :)
LOW:  Oliver is not feeling well :(

Today Oliver was not feeling well.  When we were kids my Dad used to say we were "just a quart low" when we were a little off because we were sick.  Well, today Oliver was a "quart low".  He just wanted to be held and sang too.   Even eating was tricky for the poor kid.  

Usually he has a blast playing with his "bugs" but as you can see, even they were no match for his stuffy nose.

Poor kid.

After I finally decided to give Oliver some much needed Tylenol he perked right up.  Claire had a blast serving him tea at their tea party.

He was having a blast.

Think he may have had a few too many.  Apparently no one told him to take it easy on the tea when your on Tylenol :)

Monday, September 20, 2010 SAHM/D Playdate

HIGH:  Playdate with the SAHM/Ds :)
LOW:  Oliver's nose is getting stuffy :(

Today was our weekly SAHM/D playdate.  The kids had a blast.  This week they had a marching band.

After playing on the swings the kids enjoyed a delicious lunch of PB&J.

Then it was marching band time!

Claire got the train whistle but she was more interested in the cars on the porch.  But she still played her part.

Poppy handled the vocals.

The kids had a great time, and so did the adults.  See you next week!!!

Happy Birthday Ella

HIGH:  Ella's Birthday Party :)
LOW:  We missed our local Arts Festival :(

Today was Ella's birthday party.  Ella had her party where she takes gymnastics.  The kids loved it!

Here are all the ladies waiting patiently for their next turn.

Claire concentrated so hard.

She was thrilled to death to see a ball in the ball pit that had Tigger on it.

Look at that form.

Claire and the Birthday Girl.

Even Oliver had a blast playing on the balls.

Unfortunately, because the weekend was so busy we missed my favorite arts festival.  Oh well, maybe next year!!

September 18, 2010 Visit With Auntie Kate

HIGH:  A nice visit with Auntie Kate :)
LOW:  I am BEAT today :(

Today was pretty low key.  We basically rested as much as possible to recover from the wedding!!  Since Auntie Kate is in town she came over to visit and play with the kids.  

Claire had Auntie Kate playing Hi Ho Cherry (after I stepped in and ironed out the rules because Miss Claire was making up some of her own).

The she had Auntie Kate in her bedroom showing her all of her stuff.

Then she had Auntie Kate playing dress up.

Notice that Pete is in the corner of every picture.  Of course, he had to be there too.

Auntie Kate brought Claire and Oliver these adorable t-shirts!!!  Claire loved hers and wanted to put it on right away.

Oliver's shirt was a little big yet, but SUPER adorable.

THANKS KATE!!!

The Balko Wedding

HIGH:  Yesterday was Colleen and Bob's wedding :)
LOW:  I missed my babies :(

Yesterday was the big day!  Colleen and Bob tied the knot!  Colleen looked absolutely perfect and Bob was as handsome as ever.  We had a great day!!!  

Colleen and I got our hair done at her house.  Bridget did a great job!!!

Some last minute fixin'!

Jacqie and I lookin good!  And no we did not plan our hair!!!

Hilary gazing out the window dreaming happy thoughts for Colleen and Bob.  Hilary also gets props for rocking and rolling like a trooper on 2 hours of sleep!

Jacqie lookin hot as ever!

THE GIRLS!

This was one of those rare occasions where all the girls were together.  Usually Kate is in Florida or someone has to work or whatever the case may be.  It was really great to have all of my girls in one place.

BFF's from the sixth grade.  I miss you Kate!!!

I love this picture.  They are soo happy!  It was a perfect day!

The Komos.

Me and the bride. Isn't she lovely?

CONGRATULATIONS COLLEEN AND BOB!!!

Rehearsal Dinner

HIGH:  Colleen and Bob's rehearsal dinner :)
LOW: Crazy day getting the kids' stuff ready for an overnighter at Nana and Papa's for the wedding :(

Tonight was Colleen and Bob's rehearsal dinner.  I spent the day getting everything ready so that my kids can sleep at Nana and Papa's tomorrow for the wedding.  I swear I don't have to pack that much stuff for myself for a week's vacation.  But it will be totally worth it because tomorrow is going to be super fun!!!  I can't wait!!!!!

Nice Day

HIGH:  It was a nice day :)

LOW:  I have no musical talent whatsoever :(

Today was a nice day.  It was just a nice day.  The sun was shining.  We had a fun play date with friends.  I got the kids ready without any madness.  I got to visit with my friends while the kids played.  Me and my friends had a nice lunch.  Mark was home early.  We had a nice family dinner.  Mark gave Claire her bath.  Mark and I chatted away while I nursed Oliver before bed.  It was just a nice day.  Today was a nice day.

Apparently though, on nice days, I don't take any pictures.  I did however, get a video of myself playing the trombone.

I guess that even on a nice day someone can still make 

not so nice music.

And yes, that is my daughter with no  pants on.

Adventures In Grocery Shopping

HIGH:  The girls are coming over to watch the season finale of True Blood :)
LOW:  I had to go grocery shopping :(

Let me start by letting you all know that I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING!!  I don't just hate it, I loathe it.  Usually Mark does the shopping or we all go as a family.  But it's only fair as a part of my new job that I take care of it. 

So today I pull into the grocery store, park, get my cart, and snap Oliver's carseat into it.  Things are going well until I start to push the cart.  I realize at this point, I am waaayyyy too short to see over the carseat.  Oh well, there is nothing else I can do so I start shopping.  Well, within 4 minutes I have successfully knocked over a small display and knocked all of the gift cards off of a rack.  So I decide I should stop and reposition Oliver (who thank God is sleeping like an angel).  I try just putting the whole carseat into the basket part of the cart.  Perfect, fits like a charm.  So that was a fine idea until I had to start putting groceries into the cart.  Ok time to reposition the baby again.  Mind you I have been in the store for about 35 minutes at this point with about 5 groceries in the cart.  So I finally manage to snap the carseat onto the back of the cart, the long way (this sounds pretty dangerous but I promise you he was secure).  Wahoo...success.  Oliver is secure and there is plenty of room for the groceries.  

Now I am thinking ok, everyone is at work so this should be quick.  Well, apparently everyone over the age of 82 goes shopping at this time.  Which is fine, just slowed me down a bit but that's ok.  Until I get to the register and I have the SLOWEST cashier ever!  Oh and did I mention, if you go during the week in the middle of the day, everyone knows each other!  So now the slowest cashier ever (I almost called Guiness Book of World's Records) is chatting with all of her friends.  Fine, I am flipping through an US Weekly, no biggie.  Until Oliver wakes up and decides within a nano second that is he starving!!!    So I am trying to load the groceries on the belt and keep the binkie in his mouth (I am sweating at this point, literally sweating) and this wonderful 80 plus year old woman smiles at me and says, "Oh, he like the binkie huh?".  And I reply (while sweating) "He sure does."  To this she says "Well you shouldn't let him have it because it will ruin his teeth.  My nephew....."  I think you can guess how the rest of this conversation goes.  So I finally get out of the store, get Oliver safely in the car and pop the trunk only to find the double stroller taking up the entire trunk.  Somehow I get all the groceries loaded in, although I cannot see out of my rearview mirror and to other people I look like I live in my car.   Overall, I made it through.  It will get easier the more I go.  Right?!?!

On a better note, Oliver got a new hat today.  And who doesn't LOVE a new hat?!?!?

Seriously, I think he should be a hat model.  Then he will make millions and I could hire someone to grocery shop for me :)

Of course, Claire had to take a picture too.  As you can see, that didn't go so well.

Playdate

HIGH:  We had a super fun playdate AND Claire started dancing :)
LOW: I don't get to dance with Claire this time :(

Today I had two of my buddies from work over with their kids.  We are all taking time off this school year to stay home with our kids, so we decided to get together once a week to let the kids play (and so we can hang out too).

Claire and Jack had fun playing on the swing.  And thanks Tony for reminding me of the good old "underdog"!!!

Mr. Tony was a huge hit when he busted out the doughnuts!!!

Charlie preferred to sit up high so that Pete could not get his doughnut (Pete snatched the poor kid's first one).  Charlie and Pete had a love hate relationship.  Pete loved Charlie and Charlie hated Pete :)

Even Oliver had a friend over today.  And he shared his toys so nicely.  Here is Sam lovin' Oliver's bouncy seat.

Charlie enjoyed playin in the basement.

And the playdough was a huge success!!

Today was also Claire's first day of dance class.  This year she will dance alone.  I am happy that I don't have to strap on my dancing shoes this year but, I am also a little sad that my baby is old enough to be taking dance class all by herself.  She did very well.  When Aunt Jacqie (who is also her dance teacher) said, "Ok girls come with me,"  Claire had her dance bag on her shoulder and was ready to go.   She didn't even look back at me to say goodbye!  Also, this is her new pose when I try to take her picture.  I am not sure but I think we may have a little diva on our hands.

September 12, 2010 Dinner At Grandma and Grandpa's

HIGH:  Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's :)
LOW: One of "those" mornings :(

I was very excited to just relax and lay around all morning with nothing to do but play with my babies.  Well, you know that saying "the best laid plans always fail" yep that rang true for me today.  It was just one of "those" mornings.  When Claire was happy and busy, Oliver was fussy and needy.  When Oliver was content and busy, Claire was grumpy and needy.  The entire morning went on like this.  FINALLY Mark got home!!!!!!!  It was one of those mornings that I just watched the clock waiting for my teammate to get home.  Once he got home we had some errands to run and then headed to a much needed dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Claire had a blast playing with Grandma.

Even if they weren't playing the game right, she was happy just that Grandma was playing her way :)

My babies look a little beat in this picture....maybe they are exhausted from their morning :)

Crazy or not, I love these goofballs more than anything in the world (even more than the coffee that gets me through the day).

September 11, 2010

HIGH: Irish festival :) AND My family birthday party :)
LOW:  The music was too loud for Oliver and we had to sit far away from the stage :(


Today was my family birthday party and the annual Irish Festival.  My cousin plays in the Irish band Emish (click here to check them out) and they play at the Irish Festival every year and we all go and have a blast!!  This year Oliver was just too little to be close to the stage, so we didn't get to hang with the family that much, but we still had a great time munchin on snacks and hanging out.

Nonny and Uncle Bill

Claire and Leah.

After the Irish festival we went back to my parents house for dinner and cake :)

Oliver fell in love with my Auntie Rose.  Everything she said Oliver just laughed and cooed.

Papa slicin the meat :)

Everyone enjoyed dinner.

The kids helped blow out my candles (and Uncle Johnny).

But Claire was the biggest help :)

Me and Greg.

I was so happy that my godparents were home from Florida to come and celebrate my birthday with me.

Wouldn't be a post without a kissy picture. This poor kid.

And an extra special thank you to Oliver who slept two nights in a row :)  Thanks buddy!  Also, I would like to thank Gerber for making the delicious cereal that fills my baby's belly and helps us all sleep.