Oh yeah...

big news, forgot to post. Our car hunt finally ended a week ago Thursday. We got a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. As compared to the cars I have driven for years (Mitsubishi Mirage, Saturn, Suzuki Samurai, VW Rabbit) it is ginormous!!!! I feel like I could fit the 20 people in it, really only 7 safely though. The kids love it bc it has a built in DVD system and the cd player works (the cars was broken). Todd is selling the truck which is kind of sad for him but its just not practical anymore. Todd has to take the kids to school some days and jamming everyone in the front of a pickup with lunches, backpacks and the gear changer is not so comfy!

Anyway here's a picture of a van like ours, same color and all!

Field Trip

My mom and Taylor (my brother's wife) and I are off on a "field trip" today to some of my favorite places.

First stop - Starbucks of course. The pumpkin spice latte is out so I can talk even mom into splurging! Next stop - IKEA. No there is not one close, yes I am driving to Orlando to go there, and I can't wait. I love that store. And today I am on a mission to bring home a new twin bed for Tristan. I was so sick of his bunks, a friend is coming to get them today. For his birthday he got a new quilt/room theme and when I bring the bed home we'll get working on the transformation. Last stop - Steve and Barrys. Sarah Jessica Parker has her new fall line out and its supposed to have coats, button down shirts and some new pants all for 8.98.

Back later to share my purchases!

SuperWoman!

Okay maybe not superwoman since I imagine that she does not get tired and I am exhausted but do you ever have those moments when you think - wow I actually accomplished something. Well these last 2 weeks I have...
- been to 6 swim practices
- threw a 6th birthday party
- got a new car
- had two bathrooms completely retiled and one shower/toilet replaced
- read 5 books
- planned and ordered a week worth of red ribbon week events/awards for 630 elementary school students
- gotten both kids passports
- finished the rest of my brownie training
- volunteered 2 days at the school
- worked 61 hours
- cleaned all the base boards in my house (with tons of help from Todd)
- ordered all the inflatables, popcorn machines, sno-cone machines, ponies, limos, hay ride and giant projector for Wii games and negotiated prices for the fall festival in November
- went boating Sunday with my family reviving my almost lost tan
- went on a date with Todd and some friends to Bahama Breeze - gotta love an adult night out

I have been stressed with all the stuff on our schedule lately and I always feel two steps behind and sleep deprived. So I had this huge to do list and it was great to feel like I accomplished most of it which is why I posted. Most days I feel frazzled, overworked, and behind and I had to share my joy with someone. So thanks for listening!!!

Now I am off to enjoy my son's real birthday and the fact that he wants Olive Garden for dinner so I don't have to cook :-)

Birthday Party

Tristan had his sixth birthday party this past Saturday at Congo River Mini Golf. He had 2 friends from church, a friend from school, his cousin Aedan and of course Tori. It was small but fun. Heres a couple of quick pictures.

Charles, Tristan and Caleb in the "Birthday Bay"

A cake fiasco. We ordered this awesome jungle themed Go, Diego, Go with every intention of not putting the Diego on and substituting him with this cougar. Unfortunately when I went to pick up the cake they had no record of it ever being ordered. Thankfully I had my copy of the order form but could not wait the amount of time it would have taken them to make another. So we had to settle for a cake from the fridge and doctor it from there. Of course Tristan could have cared less, but mommy was less than thrilled!

The next generation of PGAers.

Before and After

We finally got our bathrooms done, who knew I could be thankful for a leak? Our tiles were so old that the grout was shot and water was literally going through them into the walls...and onto the floor. This caused water damaged to the edge of the shower as well as the wall behind the toilet. In any event I am a fairly neat person and this bathroom was a nightmare - no matter how many times I bleached it, finazzled it, and scrubbed to kingdom come it would be "moldy" days later due to the leaks. So I got stay goodbye to the hideouse one inch tiles I have endured for almost 3 years as well as the cloudy dimpled glass door I hate with equal passion.

Here's before:


Here's after:

TGIS?!

I have decided to start being thankful for Saturdays instead of Fridays...

Friday is one of my early work days - meaning I have to BE THERE, half hour away, at 6:45. It is also swim team practice and soccer practice which overlap meaning I just drive back and forth and back and forth between pool and field and pool and field. Blah! So I was thinking earlier today well at least tomorrow's Friday but decided that did not make me feel a lot better so in just one more day it will be Saturday!

Woohoo!

Art returns to School

As we all know as budget cuts and class size rules threaten the school system the arts are often the first to go, especially in this age of obesity where PE is a must apparently. While both of my kids do still get once a week art classes I have to say I was VERY impressed by a new program they are starting in October. The magnet school for the arts at Tarpon Springs High will be teaching dance classes - ballet, hip hop, irish, etc - during PE twice a week to those students interested at NO COST. Please understand that while I like the kids school and think they are getting a great education - nothing comes at no cost - so this makes it even more amazing. Needless to say Tristan is not interested but Tori is very excited about taking dance classes again. Maybe they can help her coordination, LOL.

Twilight

Okay I know I mentioned I was starting this book but let me explain to you that these are not just books - these are an addiction. Granted I feel that way about most books but...these were fabulous. I read all 4 in 3 days. If you have not read them - go now - stop reading blogs and get them, read them, love them, and then you can go back to having a life in which you actually get things accomplished :-)

E is for...

Eating out at Einsteins! Todd and I had a lunch date yesterday for our E dates, the schedules have been a bit crazy since school started and so this was delayed but still nice. Todd is apparently not impressed with bagels for lunch but my ham and swiss melt was delicious! And the kids both being at school meant time for just the two us but no waiting until 9:00 and no babysitting fees, what a great concept. So the alphabet dates are back on track.

Here's whats happening...

- Tristan is LOVING kindergarten. He has gotten a couple of "gold notes" for helping,
good behavior and being the best boy cutter in his class (?!?) which was good for his self esteem as Tori has gotten a million of them over the years.

- Tori is still bumming about the lack of friends in her class but is very excited about gifted, they are taking a field trip to the beach this year and working on some clean up project. She is enjoying swim team but proclaims it "so much work". (Honestly it really is, they do like 8 50 yard swims, a variation of pushups off the side, kickboard breathing, etc for an hour straight M, W, F!)

- Todd is still a computer guy. We are officially in fantasy football season. That about sums up his life.

- My job sucks. My schedule sucks. Their is a change of administration from an outside company to the hospital admin itself and to say the transition is not a smooth one is a gross understatement. The rest of my life consists of a ridiculously large amount of chauffering and assisting in childrens activities. I think being a
"suburban soccer mom" may be overrated. I absolutely love my kids and want them to be involved and all but what happened to sports that were one night a week for 3 months of the year!?

- Max is his usual adorable self. Unfortunately he has a barking problem between 3-4:30pm and again at 8:30 pm. Apparently he thinks he should be the center of the universe at those times.

- The car search, not going well.

- The highlight of my week: Thursday our bathrooms are being updated. No more 1 inch tiles. Its like a dream come true. Our walk in shower is going to be all new - tiles, glass doors, hardware, etc and a new toilet. The kids bathroom will just have a new tile floor but did I mention they won't be one inch tiles?!?

- Last, and pretty much least but still fun, I FINALLY got the twilight book. Yep I'm behind all of pop culture but what else is new? Its a little thicker than I had imagined but these things happen

It's back!

Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks. For those of us still in ridiculous summer heat it's the best way to remember that fall really does exist and for those of you whose temperatures are just beginning their descent is a great way to stay warm! They should really pay me to promote them. Yummy!

A couple months more and gingerbread will show...yep the official start of Christmas in my world.

Hilarious and Helpful!

This is such a fun idea and represents a good cause.
Check it out! For more information go to: High Heel Hike