i-Pod Twin

For those of you who don't know, I won an i-Pod on Stacy Julian's blog! (Thanks to Lynette for bringing this to my attention.) I won it about a month ago and it's really cool. The short story is that Stacy Julian wasn't supposed to give it away, Apple's policy, but since she already picked a winner (me) Apple said she could give it away. Stacy Julian called me to tell me all about this. She is SO very nice and it was like talking to a girlfriend. I told Stacy I was taking two of her classes in November at the Scrapbook Convention in Bellevue. Stacy told me to bring it to her and hold it up to her, so I did that today. It took her a minute to realize why I was holding the i-Pod up to her. She's like you're my "i-Pod twin". So after class I wanted my picture taken with her and have her sign her latest book. She told me to go get my i-Pod and we would take a picture with them. So I did and she asked me to email it to her, which I already did that as well. So there we are with our twin i-Pods. How cool is that!?!

Summer Update

I know, I know, it's been a LONG time since I blogged.

We celebrated Tommy's 7th birthday in mid-July. We took him to Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate on his actual birthday. I was taking Tommy down to the grocery store to pick up a cake and this is our conversation.

Tommy - Mommy, how much do I have to weigh to not use a carseat anymore?

Me - Well, honey, it's not by weight, it by age.

Tommy - How old do I have to be?

Me - You need to be 8 years old or be 4'9".

Light bulb moment for me - oh, NO, he's 7 today, that means in 1 and only 1 year that he legally has to use a carseat!
Tommy - You mean I only have 1 year left to use a carseat?

Me - Yes, but, you aren't the biggest kid, so we will probably keep you in one for another couple of years. But yes, legally after next year, you don't need to wear one.

Tommy - YES!

So the day after his birthday we went to a bouncy place with a few friends to celebrate. A fun time was had by all!

We celebrated Tom's birthday in August at his parent's house with a pool party. It ended up being a nice sunny day. Imagine that in August. According to Tom, it always rains on his birthday. I have absolutely NO sympathy for him as it least there isn't a chance of snow on his birthday. I love you honey!

Tom and I also had our 20 year high school reunions! Neither of us can believe it's been 20 years since we graduated from high school If I had gone to public school, Tom and I would have gone to high school and graduated together. I sometime wonder if we would be married if we went to the same high school, as we probably would not have hung around with the same people. Both reunions went well and it's amazing how after 20 years, things that were a big deal then, just aren't a big deal now. I guess people do really grow up.

Overall it was a fun summer. Play dates, swimming lessons, visiting with Pinkie and PaPa east of the mountains, watching the Blue Angels and just the lazy days of summer without having to go anywhere or do anything was what our summer was about. It definitely was a fun one!

September brought back to school time for Tommy. First grade is a lot of fun, but also a lot more work. One of the first things Tommy said was "they don't have toys in first grade". No, unfortunately they don't. He is glad now that he did a second year of kindergarten and had a chance to be a kid and play.

Two days after school started, we started the Magazine Sale, which I'm helping to co-chair. We set our goal at $95,000, which was lower than the principal wanted, but we felt with the economy the way it is, we better set it lower. As of today, we have raised $114,000. We are definately thankfuly that we did so well. Thank you for those of you who did purchase a magazine, 45% of your purchase goes towards the school! For those of you who didn't purchase one, maybe I'll get you next year. :)

Until next time...

Congratulations Claire & Chris

The weekend of July 11th & 12th, Tom's brother Chris got married to his lovely fiancee, Claire. It was in Leavenworth, which such a beautiful and warm setting to have a wedding.

We got there Friday late afternoon and had the rehearsal, which went well, followed by the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner was at an Italian restaurant, which was delicious. There was so much food, they just keep bringing more and more out. Tommy was behaving very nicely and playing tic-tac-dough with another Mom. I'm so thankful to her for keeping Tommy occupied while I tried to eat and keep Joey busy. She's the best! Joey was tired as he only took an hour nap, so he was all over the place and I just couldn't keep him out of things. Finally, I took him back to the hotel so he could start to settle down and go to sleep. On the way back to our room he fell down and scrapped his knee. Poor guy. Tom brought Tommy back to the room and soon we were sound asleep.

Saturday, Wedding Day!

We went to breakfast with Tom's other brothers, Dan and Tim, along with Dan's girlfriend, Jen. It was good and we just hung out afterwards and Tom and his brothers went to mini putt-putt, while I took the kids into town. After town, I took the boys on a car ride, so Joey could sleep. I dropped Tom and Tommy off at the arcade, so they could play some games while I drove Joey around hoping he would get some more snooze time in. He ended up only sleeping about an hour, which definitely was not enough, but better than nothing. Then Joey and I went to the arcade to join Tom and Tommy. It was a lot of fun!

It was time then to head back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding. Tom and I got ready and I only put the boys' dress pants on them as I didn't want their white shirts to get dirty before pictures and the ceremony (they did have a different shirt on though). When we walked in and I wanted to see Claire. Joey and I headed upstairs in this beautiful house, which is set up for doing weddings and I think it is a B&B as well. Claire was getting her makeup done. How BEAUTIFUL she looked! Everyone was running around getting ready for pictures and trying to stay cool. The staff at Beecher House was so accommodating and helpful, Claire and Chris couldn't have picked a better place to get married. At one point I even asked one of the ladies if they had anything for Joey to eat and she got Joey a banana. I had brought a bunch of stuff for him to eat, but of course he didn't want it. The banana hit the spot along with the lemon water.

The pictures were beautifully done. Wedding pictures are priceless and to have a great photographer is also priceless. The photographer was wonderful with working with everybody, including Joey, especially in the heat. We walked around the grounds of Beecher House, which has apple trees and grape vines surrounding it. The pictures in the fields, I know will be beautiful.

Joey started getting really cranky as I know he was tired and probably hot too, like the rest of us. Joey's job was to be the ring bearer. As the day wore on, I wasn't sure he was going to make it. As the wedding started and they were beginning the proceed down the aisle, is was pretty clear that Joey wasn't going to hold onto the flower girl's hand. So Claire told Tom to go get Tommy. Joey ended up hold hands with and walking in between Tommy and the flower girl. Everyone said they were really cute walking down the aisle. I was busy trying to get to my seat and I had to get Tommy and Joey after they walked down the aisle. Who knows what mischief Joey would have gotten into up at the alter, so it was better that he sat with me and Tommy.

Claire and Chris were beautiful up at the alter. Everyone was sweating as it was 90+ and the alter was directly in the sun. It was beautiful though! They said their vows and then the party started. Claire and Chris were so happy up there and all day long. They are just perfect for each other and more importantly they accept the other as they are and don't expect the other to change. They work together in life, which is so important as well. I truly wish them all the happiness in the world!

CONGRATULATIONS CLAIRE & CHRIS!!

Joey's First Haircut

Joey had his first haircut by a hairdresser this past Wednesday. I've been cutting his hair, but decided for Uncle Chris and Aunt Claire's wedding that I better have it done professionally. Tommy went first, so that we could get Joey excited about getting his haircut. Joey seemed excited until we put him in the chair. He wasn't quite sure about this whole thing. I walked away figuring it would be better for the lady cut his hair on her own without Mom standing right there. He did pretty well considering it was his first time in the big chair and getting his haircut by someone other than me. (Not that he does all that well with me either.) The lady then pulled out the trimmer to straighten the bottom edge of his hair and to do above his ears. He definitely did not like the sound the trimmer made, so I had to help her hold his head still so she could try to get a straight line. Overall, Joey did really well following in Tommy's footsteps of getting a big boy haircut for the first time.

Oops!

Saturday night I went out to help celebrate a Bachelorette Party for my future sister-in-law, Claire. I had lots of fun getting to know her friends at dinner and bowling. We then decided to go to a bar, which considering I probably haven't been to a bar in 10+ years, it's not surprising that I decided to go home. I went to say goody-bye to Claire. She decided she wanted to go home too, so I took her home. It is worth mentioning at this point, I was the only one not drinking.

I dropped her off fine and was backing out of her driveway, when I made a big mistake. I decided to backup just a little further. I heard a BIG CRUNCH! Oh, NO! I had looked back, but didn't see anything, but obviously something was there. So I pulled my car over, got out, looked at the car I had just hit and went and got Claire. Claire came and looked at the car and said that was her friend's car! Oh, whatever had I done. We went back into the house and I wrote a note and put it on the car. I also called the owner to let her know that I had backed into her car and that her front quarter panel would definitely have to be replaced and maybe the door too (it was too dark for me to tell if the door only had a scratch on it or more). I got a hold of the owner this morning and thankfully she is very understanding and I'm not sure if it's better or not, but it's her company's car. I gave her all my insurance information and will just let them deal with it.

My beloved Odyssey's bumper was pushed in a little and Tom was able to get it out most of the way, but you can tell that I hit something. So we will have the repair shop look at it too to make sure there isn't more damage that we can't see.

June update

June has been fun, in spite of the cold weather. I finished up doing the video for Tommy's kindergarten class. Tom videotaped events during the year and I put it together. It took me 100+ hours to do. The parents and kids loved it. Though almost half the people had trouble with their videos, so just when I think I was done with it, I had to burn more DVD's. I told Tom to remind me when Joey is in kindergarten, for us not to sign up for that!

Tommy is out of school and we are back to staying up late and sleeping in, much to my delight! Of course, not Tom's, since he is a morning person and still has to get up and go to work. Summer will be over soon enough, Honey. :)

Tom had a nice Father's Day. We went to the Science Center and Tom and Joey were free! Joey was free because of his age and Tom was free because it was Father's Day. You don't get in free too many places anymore, so that was nice. We had a very nice time and it was sunny that day to make it extra special! The boys got Tom Wii Mario Kart, which Tom likes to play when Tommy isn't playing it.

We also celebrated Uncle Chris' birthday this month. They boys just love their Uncle Chris and can be as goofy around him as they want because he is just as goofy. I think it's important to have an uncle like that and we are certainly glad they have Chris.

May Events

So I know it's been a long time since I blogged! So here's what has happened since I last blogged.


At the beginning of May, my parents came over as Tommy's class was doing the May Crowning Mass for his school. He was very cute and spoke his part well and loud enough for everyone to hear. We are very proud of him for getting up and speaking in front of the entire school!

A few days after the Mass, my brother, Richard, came up here from California for a conference. I haven't seen my brother in 6 years and he hasn't been up here in 12+ years. It was so wonderful for all of us to spend time together. It was also very nice that we have a house large enough that we can have everyone over and everyone gets their own bathroom, much to my Mother's liking. The boys really like spending time with their Uncle Richard and liked attacking him as well. Richard has not changed much, which is nice to see that he is still the same smart aleck that he always has been. He has a quick wit about him and really says things how they are, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad. :)

For Mother's Day, we all went to see my Mom's Mom, GG. She is used to the quiet, so I know having us all over at once is quite a commotion. I know that even though she doesn't love all the noise, that she loved having us all over together. Here's a couple of pictures from that day.

Joey giving GG a kiss. How sweet is that?

It was a very fast paced visit with Richard and my parents here, but I certainly loved every minute of it! I only hope we can do it again sooner than 6 years and next time Richard can bring his son, Evan, for Tommy and Joey to play with. Tommy talks about Cousin Evan quite often and while they have met, Tommy was 10 months and Evan was 2-1/2. So it would be great to get the cousins together and just let them have fun and play.

Other events for May was when it was sunny, Tom broke out the Mustang and picked Tommy up from school. Before he left, Joey had to get in and check it out. Here he is check his hair in the mirror. I'm not exactly sure who he got that from. :)

Tommy continued to have baseball games and he really is turning into a great little slugger who can bat either right or left handed. He is right handed, but we think because Tom is left handed and that is they way he taught Tommy to bat, that is why he bats better left handed than right. A good think either way!

On a sad note for May, my cousin Mark passed away from brain cancer. He was only 51. While I only met him once or twice, I'm deeply saddened. Knowing how wonderful his parents are, I'm sure the apple could not have fallen far from the tree. Rest in peace Mark, rest in peace.

Round and Round Class

Joey had his last Round and Round Class today. He is so cute with his "bumblebee" ball. Joey always picks the yellow balls and if another kid trys to get it, he works his way to the yellow ball and eventually has it in his hot little hands again. He has to call everything yellow, bumblebee, after the yellow Transformer, Bumblebee.





We have been taking a class in which we dance and sing, play with the parachute, musical instruments and balls. He calls it his Round and Round class and he loves going to it. There isn't another one scheduled for a couple of weeks, but I'll sign him up for the next one, but maybe for the 2-3 year olds. He really like to just run around in this class. If I try to catch him, he runs more, so I usually just let him run around and the teacher is ok with that.

Lately Joey has been walking around and "talking" on Tom's old cell phone to different people. The past few days it's been Uncle Chris and Aunt Claire (with an emphasis on the "cl"). If he wants a straw that is pink or red in color he will as for "Mommy's straw". It seems like my baby is just growing up way to fast.


Over the weekend, Tommy had a baseball game on Saturday. Tom pitched for the first time and thankfully didn't hit any kids with the ball. Tommy got on base and is becoming quite a good catcher. Saturday night we had some friends from our old neighborhood over for dinner. It was a great time and thankfully Steve called to remind us to take the wine out of the freezer before it exploded! When I took it out of the freezer only a little spot on it was frozen, but then it all started to ice up inside and it wasn't just on the outside glass. I was afraid if we touched it in the wrong way it would explode, thankfully it didn't.


Sunday was the Mother-Son Scavenger Hunt at school. Tommy and I went and did it with another family. It was so much fun! This year it was planned that you could not solve it, but we had fun running around trying to figure out all the clues.

Don't pass out I'm starting to blog!

So I'm going to try this and see how much I can do without it taking too much time. My wonderful friend Julie H, says it's important to keep a record and I think she's right.

So what has happened over the past few weeks. We went to the Mariner's Opening Day Game on March 31st. We got Tommy out of school at noon and on the way there he took a couple of sips of water and vomited them back up. He proudly declared "I'm feeling much better now!" We thought "oh, no" and told him if he wanted to go home that we could. He said no, he wanted to go to the game and see all of his uncles, grandpa, Aunt Claire and Jen. After paying $28 for parking, which was with the $2 carpool discount we got into the stadium. Tommy was having a blast with his uncles and grandpa, eating a hot dog and red vines. It was colder than cold and even Tom's brothers were freezing and needed the blanket Aunt Claire thankfully brought along. Tommy started shivering and he had 4-5 layers on including my coat and the blanket. So in the 4th, yes 4th inning, we left the stadium. We went outside and it was SNOWING! Imagine that snowing in Seattle at a baseball game. We could only laugh. Thankfully we left the stadium when we did as Tommy got sick in the car on the way home. And my brother-in-laws were making fun of me for carrying around a plastic bag, they will learn that Mama knows best. We got Tommy home and he ended up staying home two days from school. As Tom says it was the most expensive 4 innings of baseball that he has ever paid for.

A few days after that Joey swallowed a penny. Tommy and I were rolling his coins to take to the bank. He ended up having $139.50 in his piggy bank. So Tommy was putting the rest of the change back in his piggy bank and of course Joey put a penny in his mouth. Tommy was on top of Joey's back trying to get the penny out. But unfortunately Joey swallowed the penny. I was just down the hall and when I went in Joey was chocking on the penny and having trouble breathing. It only lasted a few seconds, but it certainly felt longer than that. From then on, I started checking his diapers for the penny. After 10 days and no penny I took Joey to the doctor. They did an x-ray and there was the penny in his stomach. After the doctor consulted with Children's they said it could take up to a month to pass! Good grief, you mean I have to be on Poop Patrol up to a month! What a Mother has to do. So we kept giving him apple juice and finally after 14 days the penny came out. And for those of you who want to know, yes I saved it (after changing my mind and having to dig through the garbage again to get it, so I can scrap it, maybe) and it was a 2006 penny.

This weekend we went to see the tulips up in La Conner. What a beautiful sight! I just love tulips, they are truly my favorite flower! We had lots of fun, got muddy and Mommy got a little grouchy, only to have Daddy calm Mommy down and remind her that they are only kids.

Tommy is doing baseball 3 days a week, either practices or games. Tom is the assistant coach. Tommy has improved in his coloring so much this year and instead of "scribles" is staying in the lines perfectly. He has really made great friends this year, while still having the friends he made last year. I'm glad we decided to have him do another year of kindergarten, though it's been challenging at times.

Joey continues to crack us up. For only being 2, he is developing a sense of humor. Out of the blue he will come up and start tickling you on your belly button. And it has to be on your belly button. He is most definitely 2 and when he gets a time out, he cries and cries, but for the most part he stays on the step we have put him on. When he does get off and we tell him to go back and sit down, he does so while crying like the world is coming to an end. He has a fascination, as did Tommy, with his "Nums" (i.e. pacifiers). He can't live without them. I guess he will eventually grow out of them and not be headed off to kindergarten with them.