Night at the Museum

On Saturday we decided to have some family fun and celebrate Robyn's excellent grade card so we went to see Night at the Museum. That was the best movie I've seen in a long time. The kids didn't talk the entire movie which is a miracle in itself. The movie was enjoyable for all of us and it even looked like they kept Robin Williams under control by not letting him be "funny" or make annoying sounds. We were pleasantly surprised and the kids are still talking about how much they liked it.

This week is starting out to be busy and hectic and with all the stuff that I hate dealing with taxes, car repair, snow shoveling and appointment setting. Of course Doug is traveling so I get to enjoy all of this alone. I'm counting the days until his program is over in June so we won't have traveling to deal with anymore.

This is a picture of Garrett and his cousin Scott just hanging out at our house a few weeks ago. They get along great. Scott is 8 and he really takes care of Garrett.

Charlotte's Web

Its been hard to find the time to blog lately. For the second time in two weeks the kids have had four day school weeks. As fun as that is for them its hard work for me. We have had a house full with cousins, friends and babysitting kids. We have had lots of sleepovers and playdates. I feel like I spend most of my time in the kitchen feeding kids and cleaning up their messes.

On Saturday I was able to go to the movies with Robyn and Garrett to see Charlotte's Web. I was looking forward to taking them there because they love the whole theater experience, I dreaded the movie though. I already knew the story and I would have rather seen Night at the Museum but we are saving that for when Doug can go. Anyway, we started watching the movie and I really started to get into it despite my annoyance with talking animals. I started getting all emotional and I even cried when the spider died. I couldn't believe that I was crying and my emotional daughter decided to keep herself composed for a change. I even saw Garrett looking over at Robyn for her reaction and she since she wasn't crying this time he didn't either. I guess I'm the only one that can't control herself.

Robyn turned 7!!!!

I can't believe my little girl is 7 already. I feel like I woke up one day and she was no longer interested in Dora or Strawberry Shortcake. She wants to write in her diary and spend hours reading and listening to music in her room.

She had a family party and a couple of girls sleep over for her birthday. Her big gift was going to Build-A-Bear workshop. She loved picking out clothes and shoes for her floppy-eared bunny that she created and can't wait to go back and buy more clothes and shoes for it.

Dogs grow faster!

And I thought kids grew fast!!! She will not be a year old until March 17th and she is already huge. When she lays on our queen size bed now she reaches all the way across. I became such a germaphob when my kids were born that I never thought I would like dogs again but I was wrong. She is my new buddy. I love having someone who follows me around and doesn't talk back. She only wants to make me happy. It will be nice to have such a good watch dog when Doug has to travel now.

Toothless Tuesday!!!!!

Robyn lost her 4th tooth today! The first came out in kiwi, the second Robyn pulled out, the third Doug pulled and this one was mine. Garrett is excited about pulling her next one!

New Year, New Challenges

I have been keeping a lot of this to myself but I figured it was time for me to share some of the things I have been working on and getting ready to face in the next year.

As I talked about earlier, we will probably be moving around July and that has started me thinking about my future. First, Garrett is scheduled to start Kindergarten in September so I would be eligible to work. Second, we have no idea where we will be moving but I wanted to think about a career change that would work anywhere we would move.

Doug will be starting his training tomorrow which means he will be going away to Georgia and Virginia for a week here and there until June. I decided that during that time I will write a book tenatively titled "Parents Leaving Children Behind." This book will defend educational professionals against further blame or responsibilities until parents start preparing their children for school and getting involved with their basic needs (nutrition, sleep, exercise, etc.). This book will discuss ways to prepare your child for school and how to build a strong foundation. I am in research mode now and collecting research statistics from a number of resources.

With regards to my working when school starts in the fall I decided to attain my personal trainer certification. I spent months and years in high school going through physical therapy for my knees and looking back, I realized how much I love that environment and the impact it can have on people. I began thinking that if I had all the money in the world I would open a gym. I will start on a much smaller scale of course. Since we will be moving a few times in the next 10 years I am planning on homeschooling again. With this taking up my days I thought of a great way to incorporate both plans. I will start an after school program wherever we move. It will focus on building a healthy lifestyle. I would like to rent a gym and greet the kids each day with a healthy snack and plenty of fun games that will show them that taking care of your body can be fun. I thought this would be very helpful to working parents especially when adolescent obesity is on the rise. I could also use this opportunity to help build a support system for the kids and witness to them. This would tie in well with the homeschooling because my kids would learn this also and interact with plenty of kids each day. I would also like to move into training people as my schedule permits. I am working on the financing for the certification package now.

Sorry if I'm rambling now. I feel like my head is just filled with ideas now and I can't wait to reach my goals.

Things Are Never Dull!

Yesterday when Robyn came home from school I was starting to look through her backpack when she came up to me with a box. She said she had something to show me and was holding out a pretty gold box VERY close to my face. I was expecting a cute craft from school or a hand made gift from a friend. It turned out to be a dead fish! I was thrilled of course. This was the first time that I learned she had a classroom fish. Her teacher was told that she was not allowed to hold a funeral so Robyn asked if she could take it home and have one.

We all marched out to the backyard and said a few words about Blueberry. Garrett prayed that Blueberry wouldn't die but Robyn quickly reminded him that "he's dead already." We buried him under a pine tree. Robyn spent the next 20 minutes crying over her homework.

I was sure to thank her teacher for the dead fish when I went in to help today.

The Holidays Are Over

We had a great time during the holidays. It was nice and relaxing and it brought out the best of the kids. Garrett even lets Robyn use his train table for her Polly Pocket Rockin' Theme Park. Nothing eventful, just a nice Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at home then a party at my in-laws house at night. It was a lot of fun!

After Christmas we started doing a lot of work on the house since we got Lowe's gift cards. We'll have this house in great shape by the time we have to sell it.

I'm looking forward to the new year. Doug starts his training on the 8th and I think he is really going to enjoy this position. Robyn will be turning 7 this month and has just signed up to audition for her school variety show. Garrett is finally starting to eat better and starting to grow. I'm thinking about a completely different career for when Garrett starts kindergarten in the fall and I'm planning for that.

I love the beginning of a new year and the all the possibilities!