All's Fair In Love and War

The kids were invited to Aunt V's house to spend the weekend with their cousins and Eric had a Phi Kappa Theta function in KC, but I had to work this weekend. So Eric took the kids and left me home alone... ALL WEEKEND!!!!

This is the FIRST weekend I've had to myself since Logan was born and OH how sweet it is. This morning I got to sleep in (WOW), cleaned the house before work (BOO), but it was STILL CLEAN when I got home (HAPPY DAY)!

After much internal debate on how to spend my afternoon I decided I would plant some 150 trees/shrubs. Let me give you a little background information so you will understand why I would feel the need to plant such a massive number of plants.

Last month, Eric consulted a tree specialist about our HUGE, BEAUTIFUL, 50 PLUS year old tree. It has been our tire swing tree since we've moved here...
And it's been slowly splitting down the middle. : (

I wanted to somehow salvage the tree... my suggestion was to tie the tree trunks together with cable so it wouldn't split further. Eric (and I as well) was concerned for our children's safety should the tree decide to fall while they were playing under it. Well, the Arborist did not advise us to try and save the tree... it had to come down.

And now this...

... and this is all that's left of my glorious tree.


So back to my 150 trees / shrubs. I figure one 50 plus year old tree is about the equivalent to 150 brand new baby trees / shrubs so I consider it a far trade.

I predict that my poor husband is going to FLIP OUT when he comes home tomorrow and sees where all I've decided these trees / shrubs should go... : )

In my defence, I think it's ridiculous to have an entire acre of just lawn and tall trees (as we had when we moved it). So I'm breaking up the vast expanse of grass and creating small understory tree and flower beds. It's going to be super cute with it grows in but in the mean time, if you see my poor husband around town or at a family event please give him a little sympathy. He has to put up with a lot, living with me. Of course, HE was the one to propose so I guess he made his bed, so to speak. Now he'll have to sleep in it for the rest of his life. Poor, poor Eric.

I bet this whole experience will make him think twice before me makes me cut down another tree!

Sleepy Girl

Yesterday was Mom's Day Out for Amanda and I worked at the zoo. After I picked her up, we needed to head to Wal-mart to do some shopping. We found these cute beach towels for the camper and she made herself a "nest" or "cage" while I pushed her all over the store.

I was talking to my sister on the phone when I noticed that she was asleep in her nest! So CUTE! Awwww. Poor girl. She must have played hard today. : )

I ended up pushing her around the store for another half hour so she could get a little rest. It's been a while since my baby has taken a nap... I had to savor it. Man, they grow up fast!

Tonight's Gonna Be A Good, Good Night

Yes, it's time to party again! Break out the dance music and TURN IT UP! Logan just got home from the Oncologist and still no sign of that nasty cancer! Let's Live It UP! Let's Paint The TOWN!

Time To Reevaluate

Eric is busy tonight with customers in town so I'm flying solo with the kids. After running them to HIS soccer practice and then HER soccer practice, helping with homework and feeding everyone a SECOND dinner. Amanda just told me "It's like you're our servant." Um, no... I don't think so, chick.

Beauty Pageant Trainee

Amanda walked around ALL DAY in a swimsuit and high heals. Eric made a comment about her being in training for the Beauty Pageant Swimsuit Category. I'm not sure how many of those beauty queens haul wood like our little lumber jack does...

But she sure is super cute, FOR SURE!

**Amanda, no matter what you choose to do, I will support you and love you. Even if it rips my heart right out of my chest to do it. ** - Love, Mom

What A WEEK...

and it's only Wednesday!

Holy cow, we've been so busy we don't know which end is up right now.

Monday... I can't even remember because it was THAT long ago.

Tuesday was a marathon day. The preschool asked me to sub (usually my Mom's Day Out day) and while I was running around like a crazy woman getting kids showered, fed, out the door with lunches in tow, I noticed the dog acting funny (following me around with his head down and tail tucked). I asked Eric to keep and eye on him and I would evaluate when I got home from work. Eric ended up taking him to the vet before noon... They had to shave his neck to revel the issue. A HORRIBLE, NASTY staph infection covering the sides of his face and down his neck.

When I got home, I checked over the other dog and discovered he ALSO had wounds on his neck (though not nearly as bad as his brother). Both dogs are now sporting lovely naked necks with gross, oozing, scabby wounds. Both are on high doses of antibiotics, cortisone, and benadryl. And both are miserable as hell. : ( The vet has no idea what causes this, we were just given the vague answer that "Golden's are prone to this."

After rushing home with my sick, sick puppies, I had to drug them up and promptly take off again. Amanda and I had a Starting Kindergarten and Eric had to take Logan to his soccer game. Amanda and I had to skip out on the meeting early to make HER soccer game in time, but I'm happy to report she did MUCH better this time around. Apparently her brother got to go to Dairy Queen after his game (because he tried so hard) and SHE wanted a similar trip... Nothing like a little bribe to get your kids motivated, eh?

After returning home to check on my canine babies I discovered that Casey was exhausted but couldn't fall asleep (even with the help of benadryl!). He was trying to sleep with his head up but he would drift off and let his head drop and when his neck touch the floor it caused him so much pain it would wake him back up. : ( After I realized the problem, I flipped my 85 pound puppy onto his back and he immediately fell asleep. SO SAD! I ended up sleeping with him on the floor all night just to keep him propped up on his back.

I feel like a whole week happened all in one day.

I sure as hell hope it can't get worse than this.

Soccer 'Tude

Well, my mother's curse has officially come true. "When you grow up I hope you have a little girl just like you!" And now it's true. Today was Amanda's first ever soccer game and I had a flash of insight as to what my next 13 years will be like. She is the most stubborn child the world has ever seen (since me!). She has decided (after asking me to sign her up for soccer) that the game just isn't for her. Now I can force her to wear the uniform, I can make her go to the games, but dammed if I can make her actually PLAY! And she KNOWS IT! She just stood there and watch the kids run by her with the ball. Half the time she even had her back to the action... just staring off into lala land, or playing in the dirt, or picking grass... Notice all the other players chasing the ball... that's Amanda in the back of the crowd, twiddling her thumbs.

And her SUPER positive coach... "Hey Amanda, the ball is over there!"

A... "What? Where? What game are we playing again?"