Saturday, August 16, 2008

Aug. 16-Nice days, socializing and more

Hi Everyone! Monday we had a nice day at Marineland. The kids and I have gone a few times (we have season passes), but this is the first time Richard was able to join us. It was really nice. Jayna and I both got our brave on and rode the roller coaster- she enjoyed it, I did not. We fed goldfish crackers to the bears and fish. You can buy food to feed them, but there are no signs saying not to feed other stuff, so we shared our snack with them. We watched the whale show and Jayna was disappointed that we didn't get as wet as last time. After marineland we went to the Hard Rock Cafe to eat. Richard especially thought Andrew would enjoy it because he is so into music and he did. It was very pricey and we probably wouldn't do it again, but it's nice to say we've done it.

Andrew is now with his cousin Conrad (and more family) enjoying the N.C. Beach. I think he'll have a great time. It is quieter here! I have a friend that has said that no matter how many children you have, taking just one of the mix, makes a big difference and I have found that to be true- no matter what child is gone, it just changes the dynamics for the day. I think Andrew will enjoy having another boy to hang around with, and probably the break from his mom too. He'll be coming home next Sunday.

Well I have been able to continue the tradition of taking the kids school shopping. I remember it being special when my mom took us, so I try to make it special for them. I take them one at a time and we just enjoy the day shopping and I take them out to eat - their choice of where- and let them get dessert or whatever, that we may not always do. I've taken Andrew and Whitney so far and will probably take Jayna this coming week. We gave Andrew and Whitney both a budget and told them what they needed to buy with it- after they got those things they could use any extra to buy other clothes, or a backpack or?? Since they had a certain amount of money to spend, Whitney especially was very cautious of how she spent it and opted for jeans closer to $20 instead of $40. Plus I think it made them more aware of how much things cost. It has been a nice day with the kids so far this year, I feel like it is one good parenting thing I do!

As you may know, Richard is not a very social person, and it can cause frustration because I would like to have more people over or do things with friends more ( with him, not just alone) He says we can, but I know it really stresses him out, which then stresses me out, and then we don't do anything. Anyhow, I got it in my head that I would like to have some kind of back to school/end of summer get-together. I had thought about having some of the families from the neighborhood that have kids over, and the other option was the kids inviting 2 families each of their friends- that is the option that has won. Which makes me a little more nervous because the friends Whitney wants to have over-seem to be in a different economic level then us, and although we like them fine and their daughters have been here often, and Whitney there, I just feel a little uncomfortable since it is not like we are great friends. And I plan on being pretty low-key - hot dogs on the grill and everyone bring a dish kind of thing. Plus nervous about the set up- do we have the food inside or out? To me out seems a little more relaxing, but if the kids are playing marshmallow guns, I don't really want the adults to be in the way?? We'll have the badminton net up, but I'm not sure if the grown ups will play or not and then worry about if everyone will socialize and such?? AHH!! If you have any ideas- let me know. I can't stress out on Richard that just makes it worse.

Richard had Friday off too and that was a nice relaxing day too.

Reading now: The Host by Stephanie Myer andThe Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

Just Finished "Flirting with Pete" by Barbara Delinsky

And so it goes... Have a great day! Oh if interested you can now subscribe to my blog-check out the box on the side ( I think!)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Toning

Whoa- nothing lets you know you need to tone your body like shopping for a swim suit! UGGhH!

And so it goes..

Monday, August 4, 2008

Aug. 4- summer

Well, life is always changing, huh? I quit my job today. It just wasn't the right position for me unfortunately. I think I could work with the developmentally disabled population fine, but there were issues with the people working there and just stuff that didn't feel right. I prayed about it and really felt it was best to quit, that the stress of it just wasn't worth it. It was a little hard to accept, I was really hoping it would look good later on a resume, and also give me some money while I'm attending college. But took the leap of faith.

Went to wal-mart tonight and the girls went together to pay for about 1/2 of a slip and slide and I pitched in the rest (Okay, the whole thing was like $7.54). They seemed to have fun on it tonight. Can you believe that Whitney had never been on a slip and slide - that surprised me. Jayna was at a birthday party this weekend and they had one there, so when she saw one she was interested. She is still enjoying swim lessons.

Whitney had a friend over today and Jayna went down the street to a friends house where she did more swimming. Although I put some sun lotion on her before she went, her back looks burnt. Andrew has mostly been hanging around the house watching tv and playing video games, he also spends his time playing his bass guitar. Have been working on getting him a new bass teacher, as his had to quit. Looks like we might not start again until mid- Sept. They've also made marshmallow guns that he and Whitney like to play with.

Richard's parents were suppose to be coming soon, but his Dad ended up in the hospital again. He's home now, but has MRSA, and isnt' feeling very well, so they're not coming. Richard was disappointed. He has been very busy lately.

Hit 40 pounds at my last official weigh in - YAY! Summer has been hard for me- I think with the kids being home and making food for them and they're always asking for a snack, plus maybe the stress of that too. So I haven't lost as much as I'd hope to this summer, but still working at it. Richard has lost around 65 pounds or so, and his mom and brother have also started the program. I've also stopped taking medication for high blood pressure and seem to be doing okay with that. Unfortunately the weight loss hasn't helped my high cholesterol much.

And so it goes...