Isn't he cute? He is hard to wake up in the morning!

This is one we did at work when Lisa was tutoring me, so I didn't do it, and hopefully I will remember how she did it. You will all have to bear with me while I'm learning, or please post notes and help in my comments! Like how do I get the wording underneath and not beside?

It's amazing what one can find under their couch!

Ew, have you ever looked under your couch? Dust bunnies, dry cereal, socks (finally, I find the one I've been looking for, and here I blamed the dryer) toys, magazines, books, but, thankfully, nothing alive, or was once alive. =P That's always a plus, right?

And, another week goes by. Not a darn thing exciting going on. I took Monday off instead of Tuesday, and mom, Chloe, Koben and I went shopping. Neither of us came home with much. It seems like there are times I don't find anything I like, and times I find tons that I like. So mom came home with bra's and a shirt I believe, and I came home with bra's and two pairs of capri's. (for any of my fuller figured friends out there, Lane Bryant is running a buy 2 get two free on bra's. Makes them $15.00 a piece, which for them, is a heck of a deal) Not that this is a very lady like thing to discuss, but hey, it's my blog, so I guess it's ok! Besides, there are too many people out there that should be wearing them, and aren't. Ick.

We are still kinda quiet at work. June is never really a big rush for us. The weather is too undependable. We have had dresses go out, and tuxes, and that sort of thing, but not a lot of catering. Most of the inside venues in the area have one specific caterer they use, which is why our catering is so popular during the summer, when the girls are getting married outside, and they can pick whoever they want instead of being stuck with crappy food at way too high prices.

Last night we went to Craig's parents to have my birthday dinner. His mom made me indian fry bread and meatloaf, which probably sounds weird, but is excellent. It is basically a smaller, thicker version of an elephant ear. Horribly bad for you, yes, but excellent. We only eat it once a year. And his mom's meatloaf is fabulous. Both of my children scarfed down their dinner, and Koben is not a meat eater at all.

Tonight my mom is having us over for dinner, also for my b-day dinner ( you would think I was turning 100, but we go through this with everyone in the family. There is always two dinners.) She is making bbq'd ribs. Holy moses, those are good. I really don't want to know how long I will have to spend on my bike this week to burn that off. Oh well. I guess you only live once, right?

Flooring update: The dining room is done. Craig is working on the last half of the living room, which he should have done today, and the hallway is almost done. All we will have left is our bedroom, which may be a nightmare. For those that have not seen our bedroom, we have a king size log bed, that has a canopy-like frame surrounding the top of it, which are connected to big posts. Our room is not a whole lot bigger than the bed. We are hoping we can slide the bed to one side, do that side, and then slide it over and do the other side. I really don't want to have to take it apart. There are some big bolts on that thing. We have also never taken it apart, and we had it delivered and assembled, so we weren't really around to see how it went together. So, I guess we will play that by ear. I love the flooring though. It cleans really well, and it looks good in the house. The dining room may need something though, with the oak table, and oak hutch, and then the wood flooring. The walls are a dark olive green. So, I can either paint the walls, or add some color elsewhere. I keep meaning to put drapes or valances in there, since there are four windows, but it gets a little spendy when you are purchasing drapes and rods, so we will see. I could also put a rug under the table, but isn't that why I put those floors in the dining room? So I wouldn't have icky on the carpet? So, we will see!

I also have a very rough idea of how to put photos on here finally. Lisa gave me a quick rundown at work last week, but you know when I go to try it, I will forget everything she taught me, so I will work on that when I have more time, I know it will take me awhile!

Busy weekend....

Well, the weekend is finally over, and the garage sale went well. I would really have rather been at my cousins wedding, but hey, you win some and lose some. I felt guilty as my mom was recapping about all the family that was there, but sometimes things just don't come together like you hope for them to. Hopefully we will be able to get together sometime this year.

The garage sale was a fair success. We were slammed Saturday morning, and by evening had made about $250.00, so we were happy about that. My big highlight was having a man buy some baby clothes from me and hand me several pamphlets asking if my life could ever be saved, and what will I do when the earth ends and I have nowhere to go because I am not a believer of the Jehovah way. I felt odd for a few seconds, and then decided everything would be ok. Brainwashing can happen quickly I discovered. I'm extremely content in my belief and relationship with My Savior, and I can guarantee you, his pamphlets had nothing to do with it.

Sunday was much slower, which I know it always is, but we still made about $50.00. I would imagine we would have made a lot more, had I not decided to start giving away things for next to nothing. We just had so many kids stuff. The clothing was out of control, between the things I had for my kids, and the stuff Suzi had for hers. So I started telling people if they could fill a 13 gallon drawstring garbage bag with clothes, I would give it to them for $1.00. We had one woman, who had just picked her niece and nephew up, who were probably 2 and 10, and they obviously were going to be staying with her for awhile, and she said they came with only the clothes on their backs. So, I loaded her up and threw in some extra shoes and stuff for her. Then I had another lady show up, who was looking at the stack of really nice baby blankets I had in the grass, and she said she had a good friend who's husband is a minister, and they just took in three children who's parents were crack addicts, and had thrown their infant daughter out a window and cracked her skull. She said she had been praying for a way to help them, but she didn't have alot of money, so she wanted to buy her some blankets for the baby, who was about 6 months old, and the little boys, who were 2 and 3. So, I told her that she could have all the blankets for a $1.00, and I would donate all the rest of the childrens clothes for her friend. She said that they had just started a fostering ministry, so she could use whatever clothing she could get her hands on, so I filled about five bags for her, and threw in all the childrens shoes and toys that I had. She was very grateful, and worried that I wasn't making any money off of her. I told her that I had already decided to donate everything left from the garage sale to the Country Christian church for the youth mission they do every summer on one of the indian reservations, so I was more than happy for her to take whatever she could use. I think in the end, she gave us $10.00, which was unnecessary. But I felt good when she told me I had answered her prayers and would make her friends day.

About that time, my best friend Connie showed up at my house, and told me to get my purse, which I thought quite odd, since she lives 20 miles from us. Apparently she and Craig had been conspiring for my birthday, and he knew I was going to be kidnapped that afternoon. She took me to Sherwood to meet up with our other friend Heather, and they purchased a manicure and pedicure for me, along with a coffee, so I must say, that was a nice afternoon. My feet had really been bothering me, and I haven't had a pedicure in a long time. Later we met up with Craig and Connie's husband Matt, and Heather's husband, Raju, and had dinner and then went back to Connie and Matt's house. Their twin daughters and Chloe watched Koben while we were at dinner. So, I must say, it was a lovely surprise, and we have wonderful friends. Last year they all surprised me with a party, which I must say, I have never had a surprise party, so this year, I really wasn't expecting anything. Craig is getting really good at keeping secrets. Dang him! I think he worried that with the party last year, and the extremely incredible work he had done to my wedding ring, he wouldn't be able to top it, but how soon they forget that anything that surprises me is fantastic. I don't require much!

So, tomorrow, I turn 31. Ickola. I liked 30 better. Because then, you are just 30, but now I'm IN my 30's. Icky Icky Icky.

By the way, Craig is halfway done with both the dining room, and the living room. The floors look awesome!

Respond to comments

Kaysha,
You are extremely correct about the ESD, and early intervention being awesome. Koben has been in their program since he was four months old, due to his hearing loss. And yes, they do cover his preschool and transportation. I love them, and would be incredibly lost without them. My main concern right now is the daycare cost, and feeling comfortable having a child with mild special needs being watched by someone I don't really know. We already pay daycare costs after school for Chloe, and I'm cringing at adding another possible $60-$120 extra each month, especially with Craig driving from Molalla to Gresham every day. I have been able to switch my day off around at work while Koben is in school. So, I really only have one day a week I need to worry about, and mom I think can help me with it once or twice a month, so I slowly am figuring it out.

Thanks for the info, I'm glad Cody is getting the same amount of attention. He sure is a cutie. All three of them are!

I hope the wedding goes fabulously. I am crossing my fingers on the weather for you guys, and for us. Hopefully we can get together later in the summer, or early fall? When the weather is still nice enough to chuck all the monkeys outside. Christmas time is always good, but I would imagine everyones houses will get fuller and fuller over time, so maybe we need to rethink the family reunions to more compliant weather?

Love to all the Robbin's and family additions!

Phew, fathers day is tiring.

Well, we are officially exhausted. I think I have second hand exhaustion, Craig is the one that truly is exhausted. Who says you get to rest on Father's Day?

Ok, so here is our pathetic story.

This morning, we woke up later than usual, around 8:30, which for us, might as well be noon.

We have been a little busy, and I haven't done a major grocery run for awhile, so I did want to make breakfast for Craig, but (lets be honest here Jonna) I didn't put a lot of effort into it. Sad, I know, but we are not weekend breakfast people. We eat the same 'ol granola bars, cereal, toast, blah blah on the weekend as we do during the week. So, I stood in the kitchen debating whether I should try to "whip" something up, or just go to McDonalds. I know, I know, McDonalds is bad, and no, we do not eat there normally. The only thing that goes into our bodies from McD's is breakfast, and I would say, probably three to five times a year. Usually when we are on vacation, or going to the beach for the day, and we've gotten up really early to get out of the house, so we grab it on our way out of town. I have upon occasion, used the breakfast as a treat for Koben. I will drop Chloe off at school and stop there for him. First day of school, major evaluation appointments, etc. He loves the sausage mcgriddles.

Ok, so I decided I did not need to spend money at McD's. It get's spendy, the more kids you have. So, I decided, why not gain a pound and rot everyones teeth? So, I made cinnamon toast. OOOHhhhhh AAAAAhhhh, I know, you are all thrilled. You would think someone who catered for money could whip up something more creative. Let's be honest, I really don't like to cook, and if I had to quit catering tomorrow, and could just sell, I would be a happy girl. So yes, I am a good caterer, but I don't get too creative at home. Who has the time?

So, after our fabulous breakfast, which Craig thought yummy (really, he is not hard to please) he started on the laundry room, which was half done since he had to place some boards in there to finish the kitchen. One would not think that room would be such a pain, but it is so small, that he had to cut each board, and we have that built in desk in there, so he had to cut around that, and then the dryer hose vent. It pretty much took him all day. He did stop to put up a towel rack for me, and get one of Chloe's earrings out of the sink drain though. He's Super Dad.

I, on the other hand, feel like it took me all day, to do nothing. I couldn't do laundry, (aaww, so sad) because he had the washer and dryer pulled out, which kinda sucks, because I have several loads to do. I have kinda fallen behind. I decided I had put the bathrooms off long enough, so I recruited Chloe to help me in there. I've been half way wiping them up for the last few weeks, but I had not done a thorough scrubbing for.........oh, I really don't know how long it has been. Yes, we only have two bathrooms, but our bathroom has double sinks, a stall shower, and a big soaker tub, so really, minus that third toilet, it really is like cleaning more than two bathrooms. I decided it was spring bathroom cleaning time though, and took down all the glass light shades and washed them all. It's amazing how much brighter the bathroom is now. =) My makeup drifts up onto them, so my side had a pinky dust all over it, and Craig's was just dusty. I also de-cobwebed, wiped down walls, windows, doors and baseboard edges, and took down the shower curtain in the second bath to be washed. I feel like it took me all dang day.

By three I took a lovely trip to our only local store that is not grocery oriented, Bi-Mart, and bought some garbage bags, aluminum foil, pull-ups, light bulbs, you know, the boring basics. Then I went out back and sat under the tree in my comfy adirondak chair with a book, something I have been wishing I could do all week as I looked longily out the windows at work.

At 5:30, mom and dad came over to check out the progress on the floor and stay for dinner. We had to eat outside, since our kitchen table is stacked upside down onto our dining room table. Which was fine, we actually got to use the furniture we bought last year for the yard, but have yet to use. Mom planted some lilies she brought over from her yard, and I planted a littel red maple my boss gave us. She also gave us a small leafed green maple to replace one that sadly died in one corner, so I will plant that later in the week. It required a bigger hole, and I wasn't feeling energetic enough to do it tonight, and I wasn't stupid enough to ask my pooped husband to do it.

So, all in all, it was a tiring father's day, but we accomplished a lot. I do not have a day off this weekend, because I am off next weekend because of our garage sale.

Stephen, if you happen at all to read this, I am very sorry we will not make it to your wedding. We have been trying to plan a yard sale since spring, and because I normally work Saturdays, and we are having it with Craig's sister, it was hard to mesh everyones schedules together. I truly forgot what weekend your wedding was until I read mom's invitation, and it was too late to cancel our sale. I'm sorry, it sounds like a lame excuse, and I was a little irritated with myself, because I finally get a Saturday off, which is super rare with my job, and it happens to be on the weekend you are getting married! Jeesh. We would never make it in time to come up after the sale ends on Saturday. We are so sorry, and hope we can somehow get together with the family at some point in the near future. I feel like I haven't seen any of you guys forever, which is sad when we are first cousins. Hopefully we can link everyones schedules together enough to get together soon, we would really like to meet Oksana. We wish you both the very best, and know you will enjoy married life! Law school, on the other hand. I can't guarantee you will enjoy that, but hey, you never know. =P

Koben words

I've decided to post Koben's vocabulary. For no one's interest, other than mine. I'm a horrible mom who does not keep a baby book. So, I figured I'd go new wave and hi-tech, and log some of his words, since I've already got a running tab on his famous dress up outfits. (which, by the way, I found all my camera equipment to post pictures, I just need to figure out how to do it. I figure if I can conquer the"pay to park" at the courthouse, I can do this.)

Koben, age 3 1/2 years

mama
daddy
towey (Chloe)
andma (grandma)
ampa (grandpa)
tand up (stand up)
i yuv u (I love you)
more
move
no
otay (ok)
nowe (nose)
mout (mouth)
eye
ear
hair
up
baby
mummy (yummy)
titi (stinky)
utton (belly button)
hi
bye
ar (car)
uck (truck)
chair
mine
oben (Koben)
ad boy (bad boy)
ood boy (good boy)
pee pee
potty
poo poo
all gone
all tun (all done)
owie
toos (shoes)
tirt (shirt)
ock (sock)
woof (puppy)
meow (kitty)
all (ball)
tatu (thank you)
ease (please)
eat
uh oh
oor (door)
night night
ath (bath)
tonnie (Connie)
aily (Bailey)
tookie (cookie)
poody (pudding)
nana (banana)
chee (cheese)
milt (milk)
anich (sandwich)
unny (bunny)
own (clown)
as you can see, alot of these aren't actually "words." He is having a problem with consonants. His vocabulary has improved massively since he started preschool. He was at a twelve month level at Christmas time, and he has finally surpassed eighteen months and is pretty solidly at a two year old level. So, he is still about a year and a half behind, but we are seeing a great improvement. The speech therapist told me that once he gets the "s" sound, his vocabulary will improve by as much as 15%, which she says is a huge number, and most kids don't pick up that sound until they are about 4. He also has a problem with "k", which they say is not picked up until they are about three or so, so he is doing ok there. If I can solve my daycare problem for him to continue preschool, they will have another specialist come in and check him for autism. There have been several therapists that have mentioned it before, but his hearing specialist, and his teacher, who is a speech therapist, along with myself, do not believe autism is part of the problem. He is diagnosed as being "cognitive delayed" and "passive", but does not show any sensory signs of autism, nor does his speech behavior and pattern match that of an autistic child. He does not speak like a hearing impaired child, nor does he speak like an autistic child. Apparantly there are ways for them to distinguish between it. To me, he is just "Koben", so I am unaware of the patterns. Craig's sister had her son evaluated at school this year by the ESD, because he was having problems at school. They are feeling like Aspergers may be the diagnosis on his end, and she is having him evaluated by a specialist. They mentioned having Koben evaluated for that also, along with the rest of the autism evaluation, but they don't feel like he is showing the symptoms for Aspergers, either. Of course, I go online, and look up all the symptoms, and Craig and I feel like half the people we know, including ourselves could have that, so who the heck knows? All of us are a little different, ya know? I figure that's what makes us all special. What a boring world it would be for us all to be the same.

On a side note: I've decided it is waaaay past time that I learned Spanish. Do I have the time, or money to take a class right now? No, I don't. Does anyone out there think any of the online programs or classes are worth it? I don't want to buy "Wally's world of spectacular spanish" if Wally is going to hose me over. (there is no Wally, but you catch my drift)

Happy Father's Day out there to all the dad's in our world whom we love so much!

Finishing thought

Well, the weird man turned out to be a solicitor. I don't know why they can't read that no soliciting sign on our door. No, I don't want any perfume, framed art, advertising, flowers, cd's, dvd's, floor cleaner, you name it, they sell it. Goodness.

Anyway, finishing my thought, which has since changed six hundred times. I'm feeling strapped in the day care area. This was our fifth daycare provider since Chloe has been in preschool. Exhausting, it is. I wish wish wish wish I did not have to work. Good Lord, maybe I should be starting my own daycare. Oh yeah, I hate to watch other peoples kids. I knew there was a reason.

I ended up only going in for Jury Duty for part of Wednesday. That is an odd bunch of people, the folks that were in that room with me. Odd, odd, odd. Just from watching them try to figure out the self paying ticket parking lot (I'm a country girl, and I figured it out just fine, it's amazing what reading directions will do for you) to finding the right building (ok, so I had to get directions on that, it's not actually in the courthouse) to filling out paperwork, (totally self explanatory, how hard can it be? And then they actually verbally explain it to you, jeesh) to not even knowing if you should be there or not. I must admit, the paperwork they send you is easy to follow. The jury coordinator kept calling out someones number. They wouldn't answer, we were in the middle of a break, and the room was only half full. She called the number five times. Finally, she calls the number again when some guy walks in the room, and says "juror number 624, mechanics assistant from Molalla, are you in here?" and some burly looking guy walks up to her, and she says to him, "sir, you are not listed to serve until July 7th." and he says, "but, I called the message recorder twice last night, and I heard my number." and she says, "yes, but sir, we reuse the numbers, you aren't even supposed to call the number until July 6th. You didn't need to come in today, you can go home, and call back next month" Really, truly, I was in the front row for that one, I really had to hold in the snicker. It clearly states when your serve time is, and what you are supposed to do. Hehheehhehehe. And you know, he had to be there almost an hour and a half before anyone figured out he didn't need to be there. You would think, that when he came in, and they have you initial next to your juror number, the fact that he was not on that sheet would have tipped someone off. Hehheheheheeh. I couldn't believe how many people weren't supposed to be there. They either misheard the number on the recording, or they just really wanted to be a juror. I think there is too many people out there that don't have enough to do. And of course, you know me, being the conservative that I am, I was examining the room to distinguish between the conservatives and the liberals. Really, it wasn't that hard. =) Kooky bunch, I tell ya. But, I only had to be there two hours. They split us into two jurys because they had two possible trials that day. One of them never happened, so they sent all those people home, and then they started to call names for the one trial. Man, I was sweating bullets. I really didn't want to do it. Once they got done calling those numbers, there was only about twelve of us left, and they told us we could go. I was quite relieved, especially since as I left the room, I heard the gal introducing herself, and telling them that instead of a normal two day trial, it was scheduled to be a three day trial. That would have stunk for me. Three days of missed pay. But, with the lovely ten bucks they pay me, and the mileage, I actually will break about even, give or take a few bucks.
Which, reminds me to gripe about this. Why do they still only pay twenty cents a mile when gas is well over four bucks a gallon? Damn government. Always ripping us off.

Friday Friday Friday

Guess what, it's Friday. Now, in a world where people work Monday thru Friday, that is fabulous, Friday. To me, it just means I have two more days until I have a day off. When you work retail, you realize weekends are no big thing, but when you have weekends off, it seems like your whole world. Today happens to be Friday, the 13th, which can strike fear in those who are superstitious. I don't appear to be that way. I woke up this morning, glad it was Friday, and it will be a fairly light day at work, and we have no weddings this Saturday, so it will be relatively easy in the store, depending on how many people come in. The sun was out, the birds were singing, it was a good morning.
I did stop by Chloe's daycare to ask her how much she would charge me to watch Koben possibly one or two afternoons a week, to try and solve the Koben pre-school thing, and I found out she is moving, and Chloe will not have daycare after June. So, that was kinda cruddy. I did find out though, that two of the girls she watches, have a mom that just put in her two week notice, and has decided that she is doing daycare. Chloe has been in daycare with her girls for the last almost three years, so the mom knows Chloe and it may work out. I need to go meet her.

gotta go, weird man in my store.

Grumpy

I'm grumpy. Hormonal? Who knows, just grumpy. Worked 12 hours Friday, and another 11 on Saturday. Last weekend was the big June wedding day. For all those number freaks out there, it was June 7, 2008, or in other words 06-07-08. We had four weddings. So, I am still recuperating.

We finally have the kitchen floor done, and half the laundry room. Whoopty.

Today I find out that Koben's preschool is switching from just Tuesdays (which is my day off) to Monday and Wednesdays starting in July. I have no way to get him to preschool, and I can't afford daycare for him both days, not with Chloe also in daycare. Then I find out the snot I talked to on the phone two weeks ago when I asked about swim lessons was a moron. He said he had no idea when registration or summer lessons started, when in fact, they started yesterday. The girl in the office today told me in so many words I was stupid for not getting his name or calling back to ask someone else. I told her in so many words that he should know what was going on, and how many guys could possibly work there, I've only seen two in the last three years, it can't be that hard to figure out which one it was, and it doesn't really matter, because he should have known better, and this is not the first mis-communication issue I have had with the pool. We build a brand new, very nice pool, and now we have no money to run it, because everyone in Molalla was smart enough to not agree to raise the taxes for it, since there is 500 new people moving in every year, and each one of them pays taxes, along with all the money the city rakes in for permits on these new houses, so now the pool claims they have massive shortage and staffing problems due to budget cuts, so that must be why they hire morons? Who knows.

So, once I pitch my fit, pick up the flier, and get to the car, I discover they are only running lessons during the day this summer, and no evening classes, which is what she has always taken, and is the only time we can get her to them.

Sometimes being a working mom truly sucks. So, today, I let down my son, who is not going to be able to continue with his special needs preschool, when he REALLY needs to be in it, and I also let down my daughter who has been waiting for swim lessons since October. I feel just dandy. Mom is not really into helping me out with the preschool, or the swim lesson thing, so I am feeling SOL, and extremely depressed about it.

And, to top it all off, I have to report to the Clackamas Courthouse tomorrow for jury duty, lose a days worth of pay, and not be able to pick up and deposit my paycheck 'cuz tomorrow is payday.

Jeesh.

Getting used to new set up

I am posting this blog from my new desk area in the kitchen with my new chair I bought today. it is odd to get used to a new set up. Firstly, we had to put the monitor on the right side, when I have been using it on the left for several years. Secondly, since we are cheapnicks, we do not have a flat monitor, so it takes up quite a bit of space. We will be purchasing a new monitor. =) Other than that, I am extremely happy. I have been looking for counter stools for this project for some time now. I checked all the stores like Target, Wal-mart, Bi-mart, Fred Meyer, and I just didn't find what I liked. It either was not quite right, or was not good enough for the money. So, today, on my way into Fred Meyer to purchase the correct mop for this new flooring, and a new runner to go between the sink and dishwasher in the kitchen, I stopped by Martins Furniture, to see if they had anything. I was going to check Furniture Outlet, and one or two other places, but Martin's is on my way into Canby, and I hadn't been there in years. They are not usually high on my list, their stuff is very nice, but is a little pricey, so I wasn't sure what I would find. I sat on several things, not sure if I wanted something with a back, or not. I finally came across a stool with a back and an upholstered seat. It was clearanced for $100.00. It fit my bum perfect, the color was good, and he even let me take it home without paying for it, to see if Craig would like it, and if it would be the proper height. Other than Craig thinking it was too expensive (I've been looking at many a stool that is lesser quality, and without the cushioned seat that runs between $70.00 and $130.00, so I thought I did good) Once I explained that to him, he was fine. Men, they never do any of the shopping, and leave it all to us, so how in the heck do they know what stuff costs?? I'm the only one who uses the computer besides Chloe (and lets face it, she's little, so I'm not worried about how comfy her bum is) so I decided I needed to get what I liked, not what he liked! So, I am quite happy, and excited that our projects are turning out nice. It's like getting a new house, but without the bigger morgage! =P

Now, if only I can convince him we need new furniture! Our couch will look so dumpy next to this beautiful new flooring.

My house is in disarray! Yay!

One would not normally like for their house to be in disarray, but at our house, that means the flooring is finally, finally, going in! Yipppppeeee! Craig worked hard all day, and got half the kitchen done. It took him a long time to pull baseboards and prep the area. Since we did not purchase the flooring with the backing already on it, he has to measure and cut, and then tape seams on the quiet walk we are laying down.

I took Chloe and Koben to a birthday party so Craig could have four hours of peace to blare the stereo and concentrate on his flooring. Then we went to Bryan's house for the twins' and Chloe's bbq for their birthdays. All three kids got skateboards and knee/elbow pads, so we sat around in Bryan's garage/game room and watched the kiddos weeble their way down the driveway. Chloe bit it once, and since she's so skinny, she actually managed to push her elbow pads up her arm and still skin up her elbow because they don't fit tight enough. And they tell you safety is important. What do you do when your kid has spaghetti arms, and she is too big for the little kid pads, and too small for the junior pads. Sillys.

I did get to see Josh while we were there, and I haven't seen him since before Christmas. He will be fifteen in August, and I swear, the kid must be at least 6'4, and he's not done growing yet. Gaingly thing, with shaggy hair and bushy eyebrows, and a smidge of mustache. He still talks with a lisp (since his mother refused to allow any therapy in school when he was little) so he is just funny to listen to. Lewis has the same lisp, and his was never dealt with either. Oh well. I can't understand Koben either, but at least I have people working with him.

I've decided I'm becoming an old biddy. Or, maybe it's just karma, and I'm becoming my mother, who became her mother. Kendra and Caitie both have ickily dyed hair, and it makes me crazy. I had a hard time not saying anything. Kendra used to have fantastic blonde hair. You know, when it's four different shades of natural blonde, and it looks highlighted. The kind of hair the rest of us pay $100.00 for? Well, she wanted it all one shade, so for the last year it has been this gorgeous shade of..........yellow. Just yellow. And Caitie, who is barely thirteen, has hers dyed a just beautiful shade of.....black. I can't stand it when girls dye their hair black. Not very many people have black hair. Super dark brown hair that is almost black, yes, but not pure black. Especially not when you have fair skin and light eyes. And the poor thing already has a mop top of unruly, curly, course hair. Ugh.....I had to purse my lips like an old lady for fear I would say something stupid. I hope hope hope Chloe never does that. But, of course, she probably will. I better start saving my money now so I can afford to take her in and have it done professionally (when she's 18, of course =P) I told Kendra I would take her in and have it done by my hair dresser if she wanted, but no, she thought she and her friends could do it just fine out of a bottle. Whatever.

All in all, the day was good, and Chloe and the twins had fun. Craig is going to continue with the flooring a little each night, and he hopes to have the kitchen and the laundry room done by the weekend, and the carpet taken out of the dining room so he can start on it.