Weekend Wrap Up

Well, the children and I survived our week together. It wasn't without tears and frustration on any of our parts though. Another vacation done. This year our highlight was trip to Rochester to stay with Kurt's brother, Greg and Sister-in-law, Kim. Their two boys, Sterling and Chandler are 19 and 14 (I think). It was nice. Great "hotel". They provided all the food and entertainment. The kids were glued to the TV playing video games, only breaking to eat sweets or get in the pool. The lack of organized meals, limits, and bedtimes was making me crazy. We were there from Friday afternoon until Sunday noon.

On the way up we stopped at Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN. It's one of the top ten caves in the US. Pretty good as caves go. Not that I've been in many. You go on a walking tour down and into the thing. It's like 80 feet underground and then you wind your way back in there a half mile. Christy REALLY loved it. "Take a picture! Take a picture!" I got a little claustrophobic at one point. Kurt was walking in front of me, so he was blocking the little light there was. The walls were only about 6 inches on each side of me. Check it out at www.niagaracave.com

I'll post some pictures as soon as I unearth the camera and get caught up on the laundry!

Feeding the Fish 

Wild Child at Backbone 

The trout are swarming 

Sitting still for once! 

Death By Chocolate 

Adventures

This entertainment director stuff is tiring. Today we just chilled at home. These children have turned me into my mother (again). I just told them to go run around the house. They are banging around and annoying the snot out of me. I just sent the red headed demons to the park. Christy is busy crafting away. She's made a flower, feather, flag and sticker arrangement on floral foam. She's repaired her dagger. Now she is making a shield. I've got blueberry muffins in the oven and am hoping for a nap.

A Visit from Grandpa and Grandma

Kurt's parents are here for the weekend. They came Saturday afternoon while I was at the Cootchie Campout. I premade a lasgne so they'd have something to eat when they arrived. I didn't get home until 9:30pm. Today we had a big turkey dinner, read the paper, and did an Independence mini tour. We spent the afternoon playing Trivial Pursuit and Outburst. Grandpa and Grandma treated us to Pizza Hut tonite. We'd won a free movie from the video store so we rented "Duma". It's about a kid and his cheetah. It was very good.

Tomorrow starts our week's vacation with the kids. Since Kurt switched jobs he doesn't have any vacation so it's me entertaining the munchkins all week. It should be interesting!

Stripping

It's not what you think. I'm stripping wallpaper in our bedroom. The bottom half came off easily in full sheets. Above the chair rail however is awful. I'm using the blue gel stuff and the add in the really hot water stuff. The lady at the paint store told me vinegar water was the way to go. I don't want to stink up the room though. Kurt's parents are suppossed to be coming this weekend so they will sleep in our room. I'd at least like to have it all stripped before they get here. I know getting it painted isn't going to be possible. We have the hearing and school registration tomorrow and Friday I go to the cootchie campout.

I LOVE giving stuff away!

My new favorite website is www.freecycle.org! In the last week we have gotten rid of storm windows, a bookshelf, and dum dum da dum.....the piano!! It's fantastic. I recommend it to each and everyone!

I went to DSM on Sunday afternoon. Marn and I went and "scrapped" today. (We also got some scrappin' in last night while baby boo was napping). I got 13 pages done and I only spent 8.75 at the store. We had breakfast this morning at HY-VEE. It was like a retirement community in there. Wall to wall old people. I have seen my future and it looks like Hy-Vee at 9 am!

My plans for tomorrow are: go to the library and wait for my mom to come pick up the pickle crocks. That's it. :)

Sweet Freedom

My center did in fact close at 9:15pm on Monday the 24th. I am joyously unemployed! I've got so much going on. I'm like those retired people that say "I'm so busy I don't know how I had time to work!"

I PASSED I PASSED I PASSED!!!!

Despite getting WAY below a "F" on my math final (45%). I passed the class. My homework and other test score were much better. Since so many people did so badly on the test (read only 7 out of 25 passed the final) she eliminated the requirement that we pass the final to pass the test. The gods and my genius and loving husband were smiling on me!

Help me I'm melting!

It is so stinkin' humid outside. Yuck. I weeded my gardens that are in the shade. The ones in the sun will have to wait. The quack grass didn't put up much of a fight after all the rain we got last night. The storm managed to knock 3 little tomatos off the two plants I have. I wrestled what is left of the plant into cages. That's it for me outside today. There is plenty that I can work on inside.

Only 3 more days of work. YAY! I called the unemployment office today and spoke with 2 different people. The information they gave me was 100% contradictory. Trying to collect is going to be a real good time, I can already tell.

Before

My beautiful Lewis - all fluffy and furry.

After

I got Mr. Magoo groomed. I was trying to be nice. I swear! I'll never do it again. My poor puppy :(

He can't escape my kisses! 

Seconds later they turned on the fountain! (He's sitting on it) 

Fred turns 19 

I really am short! Kurt, President Truman and me 

Mr. Wedemeier, I'm ready for my close up!