Something to laugh about

For those of you who read my blog strictly for entertainment purposes (read: Amy), here is one for you!

At Kate's conferences, her teacher was showing us the many stories she has been writing. One was titled, "Sleepover."  It was the story of how she got to sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house during the big December blizzard. She got stuck an extra night, Ryan and Thad were stranded in Minneapolis, and I was with the little kiddies.

On her last page she wrote (completely misspelled mind you): My brother got sick, and my mom got diarrhea.  The illustration to accompany it was of a person sitting on a toilet.

Only my kids....

A lazy weekend

What a thrill it was to not have a hockey game on Saturday! Thad and Ryan are still enjoying hockey season, but I am so sick of it. Seriously. Maybe it's because while Thad and Ryan are on the ice, I am bickering with Kate and Olivia about gummi worms, or making sure Brady isn't too cold, or lugging that heavy car seat across the iciest parking lot in Moorhead (Youth arena). Oh well, soon enough it will be over right?
Saturday morning I went to a brunch/fundraiser. Each table had a theme. Ours was "relax." It was fun to visit, eat a nice lunch, and to get out. Plus I got to take home my very own robe. I don't own one. The plan is to try it out one of these days...or nights.
Here are some pictures of the kids from this morning. Obviously they don't look great, but it's rare that I can capture all four kids--together.

We also have been working on feeding Brady cereal. He hasn't been too keen on the idea of it, but today he started to get the hang of it. Thad also broke out the exersaucer. This dates back to Mr. Ryan....so it's pretty old-school.

I am home with Olivia today as she started throwing up last evening. I had to cancel my appearance at a trivia night at the high school. My team won without me, so there must not have been many pop culture questions! My faithful readers would be proud to know that I made a small (read: particle size) baby step last night with my phobia. I went upstairs when Thad was helping Olivia once while throwing up. I sort of watched from a far distance as her back was away from me. I know, I know, but those of you who really know me, get it. Maybe someday?
Anyway, I should be showering, but I haven't blogged in awhile. I really don't have much to say I guess. Lent is approaching next week. I am horrible about giving anything up. The kids are learning at religion that they should give up something. So far Ryan is giving up Powerade after hockey, and Kate is giving up something that I can't remember, but it's actually giving up something she doesn't like.
My suggestion this morning was that we ALL--as a family--give up Grandpa Wayne's medicine. Grandpa Wayne has a huge container of candy bars, suckers, etc, that we all pork out on. A few years ago, I told Kate she couldn't have any more candy. My dad said, "It's not candy, Bonnie, it's medicine." The name stuck. He comes over a few nights a week with his 'medicine' for us all. In the blink of an eye, I can snarf down six treats. Seriously. Kate said no way to my idea, but I am really going to push for this. I figure if we all can do it as a family, it would teach a lesson. Kate being the unique child she is said, "But that would be too hard to give up." I said, "Look what Jesus gave up for us?" That had zero effect on her.
As I continue to ramble, I have to reflect on something else I heard this week. While I was working out at Healthpros doing my circuit, I was on the horrific stair-stepper when I caught a few minutes of Oprah. The blip that I caught said that many couples spend, on average, only 12 minutes a day having a conversation. That resonated with me, because I can relate. I am embarrased to say that. Between work, kids, hockey, dance, church, and outside obligations, there are many days when Thad and I don't stop to just talk. How sad is that? That is something we need to work on.
If you are a couple who is good about taking the time for one another, I applaud you!

Perspective

I stumbled upon this blog. It is the tragic story of a beautiful baby girl who, less than one month after being diagnosed with cancer, was sent to heaven. Why does God do this?
It reminds me how blessed I am to have not one, not two, not three, but four healthy children.

Some pictures

It is so fulfilling to spend time with people with whom you have so much history. Melissa date back to junior high. We were instant best friends. Elli and I first met in fourth grade. It was at a district spelling bee, and she was flirting with my boyfriend. Overtime we all spent a great deal of time with one another in high school. We all went to MSUM and joined Gamma Phi Beta together. Our friendship evolved from friends to more.
After we graduated high school, Thad, Elli, and Melissa lived together. They decided without consulting me (not that they had to), but in hindsight, it's pretty funny. We have been through boyfriends, broken hearts, proposals, marriage, childhood, loss, family drama, friend drama, work drama, lived together, and through it all remained tight.
After Elli's horrible loss last November, Melissa suggested we all get together. What fun we had. We walked, reminisced, ate like horses, drank a little, play Mexican train, laughed our tails off (I haven't laughed that much in ages), poked fun at one another, and even shed a few tears. We plan to try and do it annually.
In the meantime, I have added more memories of our friendship to my already nostalgic heart. Although many of the pictures are of Brady, really our time was about us. Having him there was an added bonus.

I am back!

Just a quick post to say I am back. I can't even put into words what a wonderful time I had. I laughed for three straight days with my wonderful friends. Brady was absolutely perfect. I just feel so rejuvenated to have gotten some girl time. It took me four kids to do that, but I did it!
More later

Rambling

Today was one of those after school days when things go from good to bad pretty quickly. Here is how:
Pick up kids at daycare. Ryan gets ready, Kate putzes, Olivia flat out refuses, and Brady is sound asleep. Kate and Olivia goth get to a "three" which a timeout in our world. Olivia still refuses to cooperate. So I get Brady loaded up, get Ryan and Kate to head outside, scoop up Olivia, throw her coat on her while she kicks and screams, and carry her to the car.
Get to the car and see child #1 digging in my purse for gum. Another rule in Bonnieworld is to NOT dig in my purse (Erin do I sound like dad? That was his rule too about his wallet) as that is an automatic three. Head home while things are relatively quiet.
Get in garage. Olivia, who had taken off her shoes and socks in protest is now crying because guess what? I will not carry in a child who has purposefully taken off shoes and socks in this weather. Remind Kate that Olivia made the choice, and that she needs to get to her room. Enter house, start supper, send Ryan to his room with homework, send Kate to her room, give fussing Brady his paci, and get Olivia to sit on the steps for her timeout. Set the timer for children #2 & 3.
Continue supper, get it ready, put it on plates, ask kids to wash their hands, remind kids again to wash hands, start getting more frustrated with Kate for not moving as we have to leave for dance in 10 minutes, breathe, take a bite of my sloppy joe, and burn my mouth.
Kate sits down only to start in on how horrible my sloppy joes are. They are supposed to be as good as Jo's. Why don't I make them taste good? Tell her to stop complaining or she can be hungry. I am no maid and this isn't a restaurant.
Get Olivia's supper on her plate and place some unhealthy potato chips on Kate's plate. Instant tantrum because "I don't like those chips." By now my blood is boiling. I am ready to flip out. Then Thad gives Olivia chips. She crys, because, "She didn't want that kind." He brings her cheetos. I take one and the screaming begins. Then Kate whines again about supper, so I took her plate and said, "You are done. Get ready for dance and be HUNGRY."
Then, it was off to dance for Kate and the little ones. Ryan and Thad had hockey. All this fun in under one hour at my house! Have I mentioned that I am leaving for AZ in TWO DAYS???? Whoo-hoo!

If you have gone to Vegas...

...I could use your input. We are planning on going again this summer. I think we have narrowed down our list of places we are debating between. If you have stayed at these, please kindly list your pros/cons, etc.
Here are the factors that our group in most interested in:
--location, number of restaurants/food court, low roller tables (read: $5 or so), and pool.

1. Mandalay Bay--I know of the pool being a MAJOR pro. I feel the location is a con.
2. Caesars Palace--Exactly how huge is this place? I have done MGM...took a few days to get my bearings there. Thoughts, opinions, advice?
3. Mirage--Good location, pool looks nice, etc.
4. Monte Carlo--We have stayed here. There is a great rate, no complaints from us, but it's always fun to try a new hotel.

We have previously stayed at: MGM, Monte Carlo, Harrahs, and Paris