Busy Bees

This weekend was so busy and full of fun that all day Saturday I kept thinking Sunday was going to be Monday. I'm SO glad it wasn't!

Bunco was a blast on Friday night. Alas, I didn't win anything but it was such a treat to have all my pals over and chit-chat, snack away, and enjoy a few beverages. Getting together once a month just isn't enough.

Saturday morning we ran down to the Farmer's Market to browse around and see what was available. I was looking for some fresh corn to put in the freezer but it was too expensive: 2/$1.00! Instead we stopped at a local produce stand and bought a bunch for 5/$1.00. Hopefully it's good corn and doesn't taste like an old sock.

After that we ran out to the house to check on the progress. I hadn't seen the progress that the sheetrockers had made (pictures in a minute) and I was eager to do so. Hubby was going to hook up some of the wall heaters so that when they start mudding & taping the sheetrock, they will have some heat available to aid in the drying process. The sheetrockers were still there working (on a Saturday!) so we didn't stay too long. After relaxing at home for a bit, I started getting antsy so I suggested that we take the kids bowling. We headed to town and bowled a couple games, devouring some greasy bowling alley food in the process, and had a good time. Sam darn near beat me in the first game - he's quite the little bowler and apparently I was not in my groove yet - although I whooped everyone in the second game. Zoë took a couple turns but quickly lost interest. She was much more interested in the Strawberry Shortcake stickers in the vending machine (which was broken).

Sunday morning Josh helped me get the corn in the freezer. Sam & Josh shucked the corn, I parboiled it for a minute, threw it in some ice water to stop the cooking, then Josh vaccum packed it for me. Now we have a few packages of corn in the freezer to enjoy during the winter. After the mess was all cleaned up, the kids and I headed to a birthday party. Sam's friend Brady was celebrating turning 6 and had a fabulous Indiana Jones-themed party. SO much fun.

Back out to the house we went, to do some cleanup. I remembered to take along my camera so I got some pictures of the progress. Can I just say, I am SOOO excited. With the sheetrock being up, it totally defines each space and makes it feel much more like a house, instead of a construction project. I am just thrilled with how things are turning out and every time I am out there, I wander thru the house, imaging where everything will go, how it will look, and I am absolutely filled with awe that I will be living there soon. I just can't believe it.

Ok, now for some pictures:

Standing in the front yard, looking east, we can see our resident mountain.

This is standing at the front door, looking into the "great room", with the kitchen off to the right in the back. I love love LOVE how big and open it is.

This is standing in the hallway door, near the fireplace, looking towards the kitchen (left) & dining room (right). The dining room is defined by the soffit in the ceiling which I love. It totally provides a visual definition of the rooms. You can also see the stairs going up to the bonus room. Our bedroom door is to the left of the stairs.

This is standing in the kitchen, looking out towards the great room/dining room.

My pantry is straight ahead, with the dining room off to the right. To the left of the pantry, down that hallway is my office nook & the laundry room. The garage door is on the far left.

This is the bonus room, standing in the doorway at the top of the stairs. I was so worried it would be dark up here, but the addition of the skylights really brightened it up.

Bonus room again, but standing at the opposite end, by the window. There is a closet on either side of the doorway. We have TONS of storage in this house.
The driveway, front porch and sidewalks are being poured this morning, but you can see the forms in place. In fact, I'm heading out there shortly to go pay our concrete guy, who happens to be the husband of a friend of mine. I can't wait to see the finished product!

So, there you have it. Things are really shaping up and going SO fast. I mean, I've never built a house before or been this involved in the process, but it just seems like it's going fast. I mean, we broke ground on June 6th and for the longest time it just seemed like a big hole in the ground and big piles of dirt. And now? It's a HOUSE. A real HOUSE that, by some stroke of cosmic generosity, I get to live in.

Of course, I also get to pay the mortgage. So there is that.

Preparations

Tomorrow is Bunco night and I'm hosting. So today I'm getting ready, which translates into agonizing over the menu and planning what house-cleaning needs to be done tomorrow. (No point in doing it today when all my hardwork could be undone in a matter of minutes by my resident whirling dervishes.)

I think I've got the menu figured out, and by menu I mean a bunch of appetizers and munchies. The gals don't require anything fancy, mostly just drinks, but I tend to obsess over menus and food when I have people coming over. It's just who I am. Of course, I totally reserve the right to change my mind, and I probably will, considering I'm heading to my boyfriend, Trader Joe's, place in a bit to see what kind of goodies he has to offer.

You should know that I LOVE Trader Joe's. I waited rather IMpatiently for his arrival in our town for three years, having had the insider knowledge that he was coming, even when the Corporate people were still denying it. And I'm not ashamed to admit, I was there on Opening Day, bright and early, to hear the marching band and be one of the first to grace his aisles. I won't, however, tell you that I actually got a bit teary as I was making my way inside. Or that I parked three blocks away and had to tote my purchases, as well as my fussy children, all the way back. And I did it HAPPILY. Again, I'm a dork.

So for now the Bunco menu is this:

~Meatballs in Yoshida's sauce

~My yummy cheeseball with crackers

~Rosemary Roasted Cashews courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

~Olive Bread courtesy of Pioneer Woman

~Cruditès (aka Veggies & Dip)

~Wine

~Hot Apple Cider (I may naughtify it a bit: Goldschlager & Ice Cream...mmmm)

~Cinnamon bun popcorn

~Possibly some cookies, if I can get them made & hide them from the other members of my household

I'm looking forward to having all my pals over tomorrow night. We have such a great group, and we usually end up chatting and yapping for the first hour and then remember we're actually there to play Bunco and finally get started. Should be a fun night and I totally plan on winning - so watch out!

Crime & Punishment

I may have stumbled on the perfect punishment for Sam.

Yesterday, he once again hit Zoë for some unknown reason. He always tries to tell me it was an accident, but 95% of the time, that's not the case. And I know it. So after yesterday's whacking, I sent him to his room because frankly, I was over-the-top frustrated with him. As I'm sure every parent can attest to, I have told him a thousand times "Don't hit your sister." And yet, he continues to do so.

I've tried talking to him about it, trying to teach him empathy: "How would you feel if Zoë hit you?"

I've tried sending him to his room, getting him away from her: "If you can't play nicely with your sister, go play by yourself."

I've tried making him sit in the naughty chair: "You need to sit there and think about what you did wrong."

I've even tried spanking him, although that feels a little hypocritical: "We don't hit!" Smack.

So yesterday I sent him to his room, then went in to talk to him, telling him how frustrated I was that I had to yet again remind him not to hit his sister. I asked him what I needed to do to make him remember, and would a spanking help? Well, duh. Of course not Mom.

Then it dawned on me.

"Sam, I know what your punishment will be. Follow me." A smirk may have snuck onto my face.

"What Momma?" he asked, rather nervously, as he followed me.

Out to the kitchen we went. I grabbed a pencil and paper and sat him at the counter.

And made him do this:

At first, he accepted the punishment and starting right in to writing. After about three sentences, he crumbled. And cried and wailed, head down on the counter, sobbing like I'd run over his puppy. I calmly explained that maybe writing "I will not hit my sister" ten times would help him remember to, you know, not hit his sister. And he was warned that the next time he hit Zoë, he would have to write 20 sentences.

When he was done, he hugged Zoë and apologized, and then came to me for a hug and some reassurance. I held him as he cried, because even though he occasionally whacks his little sister, he is a tender-hearted little boy who is trying so hard to grow up. And finding it quite painful at times.

Quick House Update

It's been forever since I've given you a house update, so I thought at least I could throw some pictures up for your perusal. These actually are a week or so old and more progress has been made. I'm heading out there today so I'll take my camera and see if I can get some more pictures to share.

This is part of the front of the house, showing the bonus room up over the garage.

Here's the back of the house - this is completely sided as of now.

This is the east side of the yard. We had a guy come bulldoze all those big piles of dirt. He spread them out very nicely and Josh threw some grass seed out there, which is growing great.

This is the back door, which leads into the kitchen.

Here's the fireplace we had installed. It's an airtight wood-burning fireplace and will reportedly heat our entire house. While it wasn't cheap, I think we'll save in the long run. We didn't even put a furnace in, just electric wall heaters in each room.

The insulation is all in now too!
This is the kitchen - there's the back door & the window that will be over my sink.

I hear they're unloading sheetrock as we speak, the septic is going in (I'll get pictures of that today) and the siding is almost finished. It's a hive of activity today!

We have our kitchen & bathroom cabinets ordered and tile and carpet picked out. Things are moving along nicely. We really could be in by Thanksgiving!

Not Cool

At the gym the other day I was doing some stretching after a particularly vigorous stint on the elliptical trainer and feeling pretty good about myself. As I was stretching, I got a glimpse of my footwear choices.

I'm such a dork.

Inspiration

You want to know why I'm so inspired about this fitness regimen I've thrust myself into? Because of posts like this and this. Tell me you don't feel like jumping up from your computer chair and doing something after reading those. I dare you.

"If you're not challenging yourself, you're cheating yourself." ~ Linda @ All & Sundry

An "Ah-ha!" moment if I ever heard one: "Instead of focusing on what I could do for me to improve my life, I've worried about why other people have it so good. What is the point in that?... As we all know, there is no answer to this. It just is. The difference here is that I can do something about being heavier than desired, and I have control over the outcome." ~ Pru @ Barren Albion

That's what I love about this blogging community. It connects people who are going through the same struggles and challenges and serves as a good reminder that we are all the same. And while the author may be writing for the cathartic benefits or just simply recording their thoughts, their words can inspire and affect profound change in other lives. I have found so many people who I identify with, who I feel inspired by, who I'm quite sure would become close friends were it not for our geographical locations. I find myself on a daily basis reading various blogs and saying "Me too!" or "Man, I never thought of that."

Isn't that why we're all here on this planet together? To learn from each other, to encourage each other, to help each other? Maybe I'm sounding Pollyanna-ish to you, but I just am so encouraged and inspired sometimes by my fellow planet-mates. And if that gets me firmer thighs and abs in the process, well, so be it!

Growing

Remember these little miracle babies?

Well, look at 'em now! They're six months old already and doing great.
Aren't they just adorable??

l to r: Braydan, Avery, Landan, Addison

Weekend Update

Boy, is it already Tuesday? Man, these days are flying by. STILL. I think we might be settling into a routine though. Of course that routine is pretty much rushRUSHRUSH but I've been told to get used to it so I'm trying.

We had a busy weekend, and even took a break from the house building project. On Saturday Josh went to the Huskies game with some friends, which then freed me up to go shopping have some "me" time. I dropped the kids at Grandma's house and met up with my pal, Michelle. We got our eyebrows waxed, did some shopping (I bought some extremely cute tops), and had a long, chatty Mexican lunch. (Chelle, did you notice the guy sitting across from us? I think he was totally listening to our conversation. Hope he enjoyed it as much as I did!) It was a lovely afternoon and such a treat to be able to do some things on my own. Don't get me wrong - I adore my kids and love having them around me, but sometimes shopping and lunching with friends are just easier sans children.

On Sunday, I decided to tackle my dirty house. Hubby bid a hasty retreat out to the house to finish up some electrical stuff, which left me alone with my vaccum and mop. I made myself a rather lengthy To Do list and managed to get everything done except a couple things. In my defense, I called an audible and cleaned the inside of my oven instead of the fridger. And because I just know that you care what else I accomplished, I will provide you a list:

• Swept & mopped the kitchen & dining room
• Unloaded & loaded the dishwasher
• Wiped down countertops & lower kitchen cabinets
• Vaccumed
• Dusted*
• Picked up the kids' rooms
• Cleaned the catbox
• Five loads of laundry washed & put away
• Kitchen rugs washed
• Changed my sheets**
• Scrubbed the kids' bathroom, including shower
• Hand-washed the kids' bathroom floor & laundry room floor

* Hubby actually did this.
** Hubby helped with this.

So it was a productive day and I feel less disgusted with my house. Around 5pm we suddenly remembered that it was the last day of the Greek Fesitval that was going on at our local Greek Orthodox church. We quickly bundled everyone into the car and headed to town to gorge ourselves on delicious Greek food. Seriously, I wish some lonely, childless Greek couple would adopt me and feed me frequently and then impart their Greek cookery secrets to me. Because boy howdy, do I love me some Greek food. Apparently my son does too because he stole Josh's gyro and ate darn near the whole thing. Note to self: Check into Greek cooking classes.

In Project Get-in-Shape news, things are going well. The scale hates me and refuses to budge from it's current reading, but I'm starting to notice a bit of muscle definition emerging from under the thigh blubber. Most days there is at least one muscle group in my body that is sore from the abuse I've been inflicting on myself. I'm noticing too that my fitness level is improving. I've upped the difficulty and my rpm's on the eliptical machine in order to get my heartrate to it's "target" range. And at times, I get this strange sensation that makes me feel like I could keep! going! all! day! Hmmm...is that that "runner's euphoria" I hear about? Yesterday I didn't make it to the gym but wanted to squeeze in some kind of exercise before going to work, so I put in my Turbo Jam DVD and did the 20 minute workout. I worked up a nice sheen of sweat and got the ol' heartrate up a bit. It was kinda fun actually and went by really quickly. That bodes well for my chances of actually doing it again.

On that note, I will head to the gym for another dose of torture healthy fun. Then I have been commissioned to take pictures of the electrical wiring in our house for posterity's sake. The insulation goes in tomorrow and my resident electrician would like documentation of where stuff is so that he can find it after it gets covered up with sheetrock.

And I swear! A house update post coming soon. Possibly even today. After my torture session. If I make it out alive.

Flashback Friday

Today we're flashing back to 2003. Sam was almost 13 months old and I had very short hair (compared to now). We were both sporting our Sunday best.

Here's hubby and I. Doesn't he clean up nicely?
What was the occasion, you ask?

Uncle Jay and Auntie Mindee's wedding!

Happy 5th Anniversary guys!

Next year at this time you'll have a boy of your own!

I Remember

Seven years ago, we awoke to the clock radio giving us the news. I was further awoken from my semi-conscious state by Josh's announcement that "A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center". He flipped on the TV and thru sleepy eyes we watched our world change. We thought we were seeing footage of the plane crashing when in reality it was the second plane hitting. We watched terrified as people ran frantic thru the streets. The looks of horror and pure terror on their faces will be forever etched in my memory.

I remember saying "Whoever's doing this isn't done."

I remember hearing Jim Miklaszewski reporting from the Pentagon when the third plane hit there and how his voice changed mid-report from informative and fluent to uncertain and unnerved.

I remember hearing of the fourth plane crashing in Pennsylvania, and wondering "How many more??"

I remember wondering aloud "How are those Towers still standing??" and Josh reassuring me that they were built to withstand anything.

I remember watching the Towers fall. And starting to cry.

I remember crying alot in the days and weeks that followed.

I remember the desperation, the fear, the panic and the overwhelming grief so acutely that even now I cry.

I remember all those that were lost on this day seven years ago and I pray that their families and loved ones can remember them with love and a sense of peace.

Settling In

So we're one week into the school year and most of my momma drama has abated. I can't say I love having Sam gone to school, but it is easier to get thru part of the day only dragging Zoë along with me on various outings.

I've become reaquainted with the gym - I went twice last week and I think I may have detached my calf muscles from the bone during a particularly ferocious step aerobics class in which I stumbled and stomped about, trying to follow the routine and failing miserably while my geriatric classmates breezed along, clapping and letting out enthusiastic "Woo!"s. I was hoping to impact the more northern portions of my leg anatomy but instead have found myself limping along for two days now, unable to flex my ankles which makes me look oh-so graceful and has caused me to moan and complain loudly and often.

One negative to this whole school thing is that it has forced me to be productive and energetic in the mornings. This does NOT come naturally to me. I find myself having to actually set an alarm clock to wake up - I haven't done this in approximately 6 years and I haven't missed it. But with school starting at the ungodly hour of 9:00am, I have to rouse my oldest youngin' out of bed, force feed him breakfast, supervise his clothing selection, don clothes myself, pack his lunch and snack, get his backpack together and walk him down to the bus stop. All by 8:30am. Ha! you laugh. I've got it easy, you say. BUT. Remember my pesky job? That doesn't let me leave until 11:30pm?? Yah, you're all asleep by that time, snuggled up in your beds next to your snoring spouses, all cozy and warm. And I'm driving home in the dark, trying to dodge deer and other forest creatures who would cause me to crash into a ditch and not be found for three days. I typically don't get to sleep until 12:30am, which means my chirping alarm at 7:30am is most unwelcome. Kate with less than 8 hours of sleep consistently? Not much fun.

I'm finding that by staying busy it does make the days go by quickly. It seems that I no sooner start to wake up and enjoy the day than it's time to go retrieve Sam from school. Then it seems to be a mere matter of minutes and I'm trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Then it's bedtime and we're desperately trying to stuff the kids in their beds in order to collaspe in bed ourselves. I feel like I've been thrust on this madly spinning merry-go-round, where I'm slightly nauseaous and there's no way to get off it or even slow it down. So I just hang on for dear life and hope to make it out alive.

But we're settling in to this new routine. I'm finding that after a brief hiatus from the crack vitamins, I may need to start taking them again. Although this exercise bender I'm on seems to be compensating for them nicely. Probably healthier too. I'm feeling decently, if at times a little sore and abused from the exercise, and I assume that the longer we keep at this new routine, the easier it will become. I sure hope so, since we've got a long ride ahead of us.

Three

Three years ago a little girl came into our lives.

We were immediately smitten, and stared at her in wonder and amazement.

By the end of the first year, we were captivated by her little-girl sweetness,
her bright smile and her wonder at the world.

After two years, we were addicted to her infectious giggles and found our
days brightened by her silliness and imagination.

After three years together, we find our home blessed by having it's very own princess, who, on a daily basis, graces us with her charm and affections.

After three years, we are still smitten, and watch her with wonder and amazement.

We are still captivated by her little-girl sweetness, bright smile and wonder at the world.

We are hopelessly addicted to her laughter and find ourselves laughing right along with her silliness and imagination.

We couldn't imagine life without her.

Happy Birthday Zoe Grace!

Making Friends

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

The First Day

So it's done. The boy is off to school. The morning went smoothly; I got his lunch and snack packed, got everyone dressed, got to school and situated him in his new classroom. As expected, he didn't bat an eyelash at my departure. I was doing fine and feeling at peace with this new phase of life. That is, until I looked at the packet of information the teacher had handed me. I was barely out the classroom door when I read this:

The First Day!

I gave you a little wink and smile

as you entered our room today

For I know how hard it is to leave

and know your child must stay.

You've been with him for five years now

and have been a loving guide,

but now, alas, the time has come

to leave him at my side.

Just know that as you drive away

and tears down your cheeks may flow

I'll love him as I would my own

and help him learn to grow.

So please put your mind at ease

and cry those tears no more

for I will love him and take him in

when you leave him at my door.

Your child's First Grade Teacher

Mrs. C.

I stumbled out to the parking lot, eyes blurry with tears, head down to hide my emotion from the other parents who were chatting happily by their cars. I am at a loss to explain why I feel so sad and am being affected so profoundly by this, but I have to believe I'm not the only mommy who ever lamented her baby going off to school. I have to trust that this is the beginning of some really wonderful years. But right now it just feels like the end of some others.

Too Soon

So, tomorrow's The Big Day. The day that my Sam starts 1st grade. And I gotta be honest. I'm having a much harder time this year than I did last year, when he was starting kindergarten. While kindergarten was a big step and our first real foray into the world of education, 1st grade seems so much more grown up. I mean, it's like REAL school, not just a couple hours of coloring and listening to stories. (Granted, they did much more than that last year...) He'll be gone ALL. DAY. and will have this whole day full of stuff I don't know anything about. And while I plan on volunteering in his classroom daily as much as possible, it'll still be his own little world. One that I'm not really a part of. Even just typing that brings tears to my eyes. I'm such a dork.

But I can't help it. Sam-o is my first born, my only boy, my best boy and the embodiment of so many of my dreams. And to have him go off, out into the big world, at the tender age of barely six, is just awfully hard. It's just seems so SOON. I'm not ready for this.

Excuse me while I go find some Kleenex.