Katie turns 7!!

Fun Pics

Poppy as Hannah Montanna!!

Grandpa Walter, Ben and Daddy

New Activities

Jason is hoping Ben will be in UFC 1000 MiddleWeight Championship! Seriously, we've been talking about signing Ben up for Karate for about a year. Well we finally did. Jason takes him a few nights a week and its a great bonding time for them!! Isn't he cute!

Katie has just started a 6 week HIPHOP class at the YMCA. She had lots of fun and can't wait till next week. Good, I was nervous, since she didn't want to do ballet/tap this year. Something new and different!

Birthday Party

They are getting so big. I just love these shots of the kids. What great smiles if I do say so myself.
They had fun at their party on Saturday. It was "Ben's" party since Katie will have her "girlfriend" party this Saturday. Ben had so much fun with his friends, he didn't know what to do with them all there at once! Mason, Brody, Liam, Morgun and Nick and Nate Oh My! His newest little buddy is Will. His dad is Jerry, Jason's longtime friend.
It was great to see Aunt Marcella and Uncle Noah. Luckily Uncle Noah was able to avoid a wrestling match. Luckily I had Auntie Amy and Caroline to help me stay calm and take pictures!
Well over on the side I added a few fun photos of the day. Yes, that's my dad with the Hannah Montanna wig on, he'll do anything for Mady and Katie! And yes, that's Liam with the long hair. He's growing up way to fast!!!

Ben turns 4!!!!

Today is Ben's 4th birthday. When he woke up he didn't even say anything, we had to remind him. No big deal to him. He thought his birthday was Saturday since that's when everyone came over. Once we made a big deal of it he was excited to turn 4, but then wanted to be 3 again a few times throughout the day! When we went to the store and he couldn't get something he would say, "for my next home birthday when I'm 5 can I get...", so cute.
Today was MLK day so we all were home. We had a relaxing AM and then surprised the kids and took them to ChuckECHeese for a fun B-day for both of them. Katie's is Thursday. As we turned into the parking lot and Katie said "CEC", Ben said, "yeah, Daddy said maybe we'd go someday" he didn't get that we were going there now! Katie helped explain.
After that we went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch, they both love it there and and always eat good. Today they both liked eating off our salad plates. I tellya. Then off to ToysRUs. They each had a toy to exchange. Well that was fun, it took 4-ever for them to decide!
Tonight we'll give Ben his gifts. That will be fun.
I'll write more later, time to start getting ready for dinner.

SNOW DAY!

OKAY...YES IT WAS A LAME SNOW DAY. WE HAD MAYBE 2 INCHES THAT QUICKLY TURNED TO SLUSHY SNOW AND THE MAIN ROAD WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR.
BUT...WE DID HAVE A NICE EXTRA DAY OFF:)
JUST REMIND ME OF THIS JUNE 30TH WHEN WE ARE STILL IN SCHOOL!

FUN WEEKEND...

This past weekend we had our Girls day in New York City. My sister Amy arranged the day way back in the Fall (I know shocker) and it was so much fun. Seriously, she should go into event planning.
We (My mom, Katie and myself) met Amy and Kelly at a train station down near her. We make the train with 5 minutes to spare (THANK YOU DAD!) and it took about 1 hour and 15 mins. The girls were so excited all the way in. At each stop they would jump up, are we there yet. Kelly was so cute, she made those around us smile.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we walked everywhere.
First we went to American Girl! Yes, we did. It was a very nice store, easy to move around and very well organized. Nana and Poppy wanted to get Katie a doll from here for her 7th birthday. Katie didn't know this was happening today. She took her time and looked at every doll. Some for longer, making sure she knew everything about them before she made her decision. In the end she chose the 2008 doll, Mia. She is an ice skater, and this really appealed to Katie. She wants to skate in the worst way. She will be going in two weeks with Brownies.
So we got her and Auntie bought her the performance outfit for her birthday. Katie was so very excited.
Kelly was great in the store. She has a bitty baby and got a new outfit. She seemed to understand Katie was getting the doll for her birthday and was excited right along with her.
Next, off to the Disney Store in NYC!
Then, off to lunch. Amy picked out a neat restaurant on Broadway called "Ellen's Stardust Diner". The wait staff all sing and want to be on Broadway. Their voices were incredible! It was a fun lunch and we thanked Amy again. It was quite a walk from Disney store, but well worth it.
Finally it was time for the show. We saw, Little Mermaid. It had just opened and was packed. I couldn't believe how many people were in Times Square! WoW. The show was great. The girls were in awe of the lights, costumes and singing. I of course LOVE Ariel, so I was also in awe. I even got myself a t-shirt! I tried to audition, but Katie stopped me, I was embarrassing her! Imagine.
As soon as my sister sends me some pictures, I'll add them. I didn't bring my camera.
For now I took some pics of Katie and Mia. We did her hair tonight. I wasn't so sure of getting this doll, but I think we are going to enjoy her! I like doing her hair too.

Growing Up

Well it's happened. Katie has officially entered the next phase of growing up. She no longer wants to wear her Disney Princess winter hat.
For those of you who know how much Katie has loved the princesses this probably comes as a shock to you too.
For those of you who do not have girls or girls who haven't been totally mesmerized and have parents who became sucked into the purchasing of merchandise, you will not fully understand.
It happened Tuesday morning at breakfast. Katie made the announcement without warning. It went something like this, K--Mom I need a new hat.
M--Why? What's wrong with your pink hat.
K--It has princesses on it. I am the only 1st grader in the whole school who wears a princess hat. It's embarrassing Mom! I mean I am in first grade now. I am not wearing princess anymore. I need a big girl hat!
M--UH, with an open jaw and tears in my eyes.
What? You're embarrassed? Why?
It went on, and knowing Katie, you can imagine the drama that began. Ben sat across the table mesmerized by the Oscar winning performance!

So, I was dumbstruck. I was sad. I had this sad feeling all day.
Why, I mean for the last 3 years we've been Disney, Disney, Disney! Many times I wanted to throw out Princess stuff!
Now, I felt like all I wanted to do was keep her in the Disney phase!

Well, that night at dinner I told Jason the news. Katie of course said, "Mom, I'm getting bigger. I'm in first grade."
First he tries to find out why she's embarrassed. His questioning does not make her budge. She doesn't want to wear it!
So, good ol' daddy suggests Mommy and Katie have a girls night and go get a new hat for tomorrow!
What? Go out, now.
Okay, it will be fun.
Of course she wanted a cheetah hat! Cheetah is in..."fashion Mom" she says.
So off we went. Well the outlets were closed and it was to late to trek down to the big stores so we went to TJ Maxx, well there was no cheetah but she did find a new suitable hat.

I don't know. Growing up is tough for the mom. My little Peanut, is growing up.
Did I mention she's asked me not to call her Peanut in front of her friends!
That will be hard, it slips out sometimes.

Oh well, I'm the mom and I gave birth to her!

Random Thoughts

The television writers strike isn't such a bad thing. Why?
* I am watching less television
* I am reading again
* I'm catching up on the news and random stuff on the web, I never browse.
* I've talked more with my hubby!
* I have time to write random thoughts in my blog.
* I've become slightly addicted to solitaire on the computer. Yes, I still play games on Webkinz too!
* My kitchen is picked up and tidy every night!
* I sit and watch movies with my hubby, yes I still fall asleep half way through
* I actually sit and watch "How It's Made" with hubby and kids....Okay I'm bored!!!
* #1 Reason it's not so bad....No competition when LOST returns January 30th!!!!! And they've already taped a bunch of episodes!!!YEAH!
Let me know how siked you are too:) LOL>

WHY IT's BAD...
* I've haven't been able to veg out and watch my aimless shoes.
* I finally find a new, funny show, Samantha Who, and it's gone in a flash!
* I have to sit and watch documentaries on aimless stuff with my hubby. I do like Gangland though. Very interesting Gang life.
* No new Grey's, until this Thursday. I hope it's not a let down like Desparate Housewives. Was anyone else bummed? Feel a little let down?
* I finally get a televsion for my room and I have nothing to watch! NO FAIR!!

Welcome 2008

Yes it's been several weeks since my last post. We've been very with the holidays and catching up with things around the house during my time off. So here's a quick re-cap:
Week before Christmas:
Walter left to visit his daughter Laura in Denver. Thankfully he was feeling better from his nasty cold.
Ben and I also started to feel better from our cold. I was not to frantic with last minute shopping, but as you all know, I do tend to do a few things last minute!

CHRISTMAS EVE: We went over to Jason's mom's and Phil's. Ryan,Amy,Noah, Marcella and her boyfriend were all there. The kids were excited to see everyone. As you can see from the pics they also had fun doing hair-do's on all the boys!

CHRISTMAS DAY:The kids woke up about 7ish and checked to see if Santa came before coming in to wake us up, "Santa Came!". They were so excited. Katie was so excited to show Ben all of his toys and to point out what Santa brought for them. He quickly caught on and couldn't wait to open more presents. Katie of course organized the gift giving after we first checked our stockings! They went through the presents quickly, but not to quick. They looked at each one. Ben loved his pirate ship and Katie loved her CD player and Disney Music CD (Note: no longer princess music, now its Hannah Montana). Jason was excited to open up his gifts from the kids. They picked him out an assortment of accessories for his truck. He was very surprised to open up his flash-drive mp3player thingie from me. I was thrilled to get a new cozy bathrobe, Katie picked it out, and a new TV for my room.
Around 11 we headed out to my parents house for Christmas Day. We were late. Yes, we were on the late side, but really was there an official arrival time? The kids were all so excited, hooting and hollering to greet each other. Brody and Ben did there usual wrestling moves to say hello and Kelly stood by saying "hi" to Ben until he acknowledged her! Katie immediately went in and put her things in "her" room, knowing we were sleeping over!
The highlights of the day: Nana and Poppy made a delicious meal!!!! Outstanding.
Katie and Kelly letting out EARPIERCING screams when they found out they were going to New York City to see Little Mermaid on Broadway!!! OMGosh!!!!!!!
The boys (Liam and Brody) were siked to get a bike ramp. Ben was in awe of his new larger than life snowglobe that plays 3 different Christmas Songs...Thank you Nana.
Wow...what a day.
Next day... Uncle Chris, Lisa, Christopher and Avery (my mom's brother and his family) all came over. We had a great day visiting and catching up. My cousin Chris is almost 17 and driving! Yikes, when did that happen! What a nice kid though. All three boys were in awe of him because of his size and he plays FOOTBALL!!!

So....That's the quick 411 on Christmas.

New Year's Eve we had a fun time with our friends Kathy and Bob at their house. All the kids got along and made it to midnight. They were nice enough to let us sleepover so that was very fun for the kids and let us relax knowing we didn't have to drive home.