keepin' busy

hey folks,
sorry for the brief hiatus, and thank you to all who have been voting for T, she put up a good fight, but my goodness, some of those people, 4,000 votes in three days?? They must have some sort of way to beat the system! Oh well, I'll keep voting, but I guess I can kiss my spa trip good-bye!

Things here have been great, I was on vacation which was lovely short of a few bumps in the road, a run in with the law, and some stairs that T took a spill down, we have been well! I did work a great deal on my portfolio, though it is not done yet, I am less stressed than I was before! SOOOON.

The kiddos b-day is Tues, and I cannot believe how fast they are growing, T is actually climbing the stairs all "by self" as lil man says. (NO, these are not the steps she spilled down, those where heavily carpeted, and a result of an open door that is ALWAYS closed....)

Lil man is so excited to be turning three it is beyond his realm of normal excitement...he is ecstatic!

I am exhausted...April is a CRAZY month - chels's b'day was the begining of the month, mimi's was yesterday, Campions today, M & T on tuesday and Kate-Emma, Bry, Mindy, and my gram on friday....holy b-days.

Nina, thanks for missing me, makes me feel loved, I am sending you virtual love and kisses.

anyhow all, I will be back soon, gonna go have some yummy pizza and salad courtesy of flatbreads, and some brownies for dessert, we are celebrating our last day of vaca together, and the rain hopefully ending soon....

seed update*** all the sprouts are happy and getting big!

hugs and sunshine to you all!

mama A

a contest...

okay y'all, I don't usually do this stuff, but I entered Teags in a contest, using my favorite pic of her!

so i know this is a repeat, but if you wouldn't mind, it would win teags a savings bond and send mama to a posh spa in the area.....to be pampered....

go onto
http://www.babbalu.com
then to the beautiful baby contest logo on the left
and you can vote once an hour if you feel so inclined!

love you all!

hugs and kisses.

mama al and teags

oh, and a new pic for yah

hey all,
hope everyone is doing well...
here all is good, workin away like crazy trying to get my teaching portfolio done, and be deemed worthy of keeping my job or not. I feel like I must not have even gone to school, and studied, and student taught, and blah, blah, blah....because what it comes down to now is this damn portfolio. URGGGHHH.
It is due the second week of May, though I am trying to finish by April break, so I can have a BREAK.

Lil man is doing great, no accidents today, and he actually asked to wear "big boy underpants" this morning....good deal. He spent the day playing with mimi and pa so I could get some work done, and T-baby slept for 3 hours, then got up and played while I worked....UNHEARD OF!!

Teags is walking...amazing. She is doing really well, and is up and going at every chance she gets. These lil beans grow so fast I cannot believe it.

Chel, happy belated! sorry I didn't get to chat, but I hope y'all are having a super vaca.

Kevin, Happy B-day to yah. Wish I lived closer, your festivities make my mouth water.

Nin, I know I keep telling you, but truly amazing.....you really are.

S.C. - I do really wanna hang, just been working like crazy on this project. Let's chat soon, I have some new mortifying stories for you....I am quite sure you'll be loving them....


anyhow all, this mama is exhausted and gonna go curl up with a good read and some decaf joe. hugs, and tommorow looks like a garden day. so happy

A

happy spring y'all!

cannot get enough of this amazing weather. kiddos and I have been out working in the yard for hours every day. I feel so blessed to have children that truly love to be outside. gone are the days of tv after breakfast while mommy drinks her coffee and picks up the house, we are outside as the last bite of eggies is being swallowed, and usually with toast in hand. delightful! I spent much of the weekend getting the garden ready for seeds and saplings, and I can allready taste the sweet peas and smell the shiny red tomatoes...I LOVE SPRING....

got some crazy mail lovin' this weekend from nina g and her beautiful kiddos....you are an amazing woman. myles says a huge thanks for his gifties, note the little hand in the top of the pic grabbing the play dough he allready opened and is loving....
you guys are so sweet. I have to say, snail mail really makes a girl feel loved! The pin is gorgeous, and the package was fabulous. T baby loves her treats...as does the lil' man - some of our treats didn't even make it in to the photo because they are already crazy in use...and this mama is delighted. You made our week....possibly more! Thank you....

Stephania - we miss you crazy too.....pick a date girl!

lookin' like another beautiful day in the sticks here, hugs and sunshine your way...
A

having a hormonal day here....
overall just not in a great mood. nothing in particular and everything in between...
have been feeling anxious about a project at school and still a bit of stomach icky from that bug - and how interesting that when you have had two babies in three years and then you aren't feeling well EVERYONE and their great aunts are SURE that you are expecting again...

my bubbies are good today. stir crazy still as we are just anxiously awaiting some sun....
we took a nice trip to the garden store nearby and found some wonderful pots on markdown...and bought a beautiful hoya to hang in the new bathroom....

all else is quiet....hugs and sunshine to you all...

oh, and the final result, was

exhausted.....and in love

Been another long day...

night nights y'all.....

hmmmm.....spring my @##....

hey all....it is snowing here this morning, not sure how I feel about it, other than I think I might just jack up the heat, open the windows and "spring clean," the house anyway. I waaaaaaaaannnnnnt SPRING to come already.

kiddos are well on the mend here, I am still a bit off, but will get there soon I am sure.(how could I not with that smile in my midst??!?) Myles and I played outside for a bit yesterday, just to get some fresh air. I had been in the house with Tea baby for SEVEN days. I was catching just a bit of stir crazy.

bathroom is well under way, bry tiled the floor yesterday, and it looks delightful. 1 room at a time, and this house is coming together. The deck goes up in about a week and a half, I think that is what I am most excited about!

OH, and....***there is a birthday party in the making***!!!


hugs to you all.

A

happy spring

oh my goodness, for starters, happy spring to you all. we are STILL battling this doozy of a virus at my house. Hubby got it on saturday night and was down ALL DAY on sunday. I still feel awful, but am fighting it like the plague, as I just wanna be DONE with it.

on other fronts, Nin, what a wonderful surprise that is, for you and yours, I am thrilled for you all. Huge thanks for my virtual latte, as nobody here stepped it up...;} I realize, I have not yet sent you your giftie fun, I promise, just waiting for the warm weather....also, in talks of a trip to woostah...you in??

missed grey's last night...anybody watch it??

dooby, we have lost you in virtual cyber world - what happened, you appear to have been erased...call me, we so loved seeing you.

hugs to all, and happy spring, much love, A

Sickies....

We have been visited yet again by a horrible case of the sickies...
3 solid days of explosive diapers and spit-ups....YUCK.

I cannot believe as a mama how much it pains me to see my babies hurting. T-bo threw up to the point we debated taking her in to the childrens hospital...but alas, this morning she awoke with a smile for the first time in three days. It warmed my soul.

Lil man slept for 12 hours, yes folks, I said 12 hours....amazing, his lil body must be fighting like hell to beat this bug.

I am home for the day, couldn't leave my babies in this state to care for somebody elses healthy kiddos....
nin - I love the skirt, and where did you score those clogs, I have the same pair and I wanna get lil man a pair, and maybe some for baby T as well....

happy st. pattys day, could somebody please bring me a LATTE!!!!

visiting with pals

her smile makes my day.

We have been great here, just a bit busy. Chad and Steve came for a much needed visit yesterday, and I have to say, the feeling you get of comfort from visiting with old friends, just doesn't compare. Sharing old memories, and laughing....together. Joyous.

The kiddos are great, right now, Myles is camped out watching the plumber work(who arrived at 7:15), and telling him all about his tools and he keeps telling the man, "wow, you are a hard working man..." he is too flipping sweet.

T-bo is fast asleep, I don't remember the last time she slept past 6:00, I swear as a mama, I signed a waiver while still in awe of these babies at the hospital, stating I would never again sleep more than 5 hours in a stretch. Nuts how you just adjust to it.

The weather is starting to get spring like which is so wonderful, this little boy cannot wait to get outside and run all day long. This mama cannot wait either, to get a garden going and get her excercise on in the great outdoors.

hugs, and spring-time sunshine to you all,

Al

we're growing a dino in there.....

as lil man would say, "how silly is that."
home with the kiddos today. as much as I do love the human contact of my part-time job, I do often miss being a stay at home mama around the clock.
Got up and excercised again today, that is two mornings in a row, I am commited to getting back into pre-baby shape.
Just looking forward to the warmer days when I can excercise with the kiddos too, walking outside will be great.

Nin, love your new pics of your trip...'specially gracie in the great outdoors. beautiful!

Will probably be a quiet day indoors today, a few errands if it warms up at all...
maybe a project or two to complete, we shall see....

hugs and hot cocoa kisses to you all, A

a cold day in vacationville

hey y'all...
PLEASE tell me you cannot think of anything more fun to do with 8 containers of stinky play dough! (just for those of you that didn't get it, it's a parking garage.) which led to the snooze on the couch....building a parking garage is hard work, don't underestimate!

here all is well, we are down two cars...delightful, and expensivo....
Lil' man has been crazy busy all day whirl winding through this clean house. And T-baby is working to get her walk on, sooooo close.

Chaffer, thank for the visit today, it was great to hang with you guys, and see your peanut smiling away with those big blue ones!

Car, thanks for the chat. I so appreciate your honesty and willingness to take the time to make me get "it." I also love to know that you check this site, it means a whole bunch to know that you care....

anyhow, big hugs and love to you all...tomorrow it's back to work....yucky.

A

longing for spring

sooooo tired of the head colds, stomach viruses, runny noses. I cannot WAIT till spring. the lil mans' pattern has been healthy one week, sick for two, healthy again, sick again....etc. I just want him to be happy and healthy and to play the days away, as he should. I am not wishing away winter, but try this on...fresh garden stuff, long summer days...beach....hmmm. But I shouldn't complain, I know this is small beans compared to what some kids have to go through.

vacation week has been fine, not very relaxing, as I worry about the kiddos so much when they are anything less than 100 percent. mama's any home remedies for these little bugs??

nin, how was your vaca? it sounds like fun, I love that pink hat girl....
kevin....will you join our playdate?

hey, half-thanksgivingers I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyhow off to make some grilled cheese for my lil construction man - big hugs and sunshine to all of you.

A

all smiles

hey y'all!
happy vacation week....minus the report cards that I have to do, and the reports that I have to type, it's all good. kiddos are doing great. Nin, I am insanely jealous that Gracie is all trained....my house is a mess! Have a wonderful trip, I am sure getting away is a good thing. We will get together sometime after you get back. Maybe even in the spring so the kids can really play outside!

I just got a note from a far away friend who may be coming to visit, that I haven't seen in years. I am so excited I feel like a little kid who has a playdate.

Not much new, had a whopping sized car repair...and bill. We will be cutting back on all the yummy Trader Joes treats for a bit! Going over to Joe's for dinner, than home to grade, grade and grade some more. Being a teacher definately has it's ups, and downs.

Dooby....are you coming wednesday???? I MISSSSSSS YOU..................

Anyhow,
hope all is great!

hugs, Al

love...

hope y'all had a happy v-day. mine was delightful. my lil man brought me a rose at school, the baby girl brought me a sweet card and my big guy got me a starbucks card...so I can be a latte gal for awile...he loves me!

here all is as usuall, bry and the lil guy are talkin tools and doing a demolition derby on the bathroom, and I am on deck for painting and tiling! yay!

loving this beautiful weather and sending lots of love and sunshine to all you peeps out there!

hugs, A

happy friday!

gearing up for a snowy weekend!!
bummed that sunday brunch with the fam might be cancelled, but stoked to just chill out and hang with the kiddos. Made a yummy tuna casserole, and have lots of projects to work on...

nin - we will probably give a call while we are snowed in! weekends are always good for us and I also dn't work wed. and thursdays.....what is kev's schedule??

hugs all,

A

guess who went to a fire safety program....

hey all, sorry I haven't posted, been having some computer problems...I LOVE TECHNOLOGY

here all has been hectic, quiet really, but busy. T has been trying to walk, and every time I turn around and expect she is somewhere safe she is trying to balance herself and walk across the hard wood floor. M is also doing wonderful....put his Picasso like qualities to work on our brand new couch - DELIGHTFUL, but hey, we all start somewhere right....we had a nice long chat about how we ONLY write on paper, and 2 hours later, he stamped rainbow swirls all over our playroom wall....and when I looked in on him he said - "we only WRITE on paper." DUHHHHHHHh - you didn't say anything about stamping was just radiating from his aura....i love this lil guy so much.

superbowl sunday was good, good folks and amazing food, thanks y'all....

nin - thank you ever so much for thinking of us, you are so sweet....waiting for a warm day to make yours and send it, m cannot wait to meet "gwacie" he asks every night, "when can i call gwacie and say thank you...." you must hook me up with that #, and I think we should set up a long distance playdate....when are you and kevin free - i would love to see you guys!!!

kevin - sorry bout IC, that is SAD news, but not to worry, I see love in your future....

hugs y'all,

mama A

Not too much to report

Been a quiet week here, Monday was delightful, an extra day off is always nice, and even though I only work a half a day on monday it was still nice to just hang out, we had some friends for dinner...food was yummy and company was nice. Tues. school was hectic, I am working on my portfolio which is proving to be a nightmare....(anybody that knows about the Best program can relate....) Wednesday T had her 9 month appointment, she is still such a peanut...16 lbs, my goodness.
Today I have my first phisical in years and I am a bit nervous. New doctor to me, though my mom likes her so it should be fine. Then home to hang with the kiddos and their great auntie who comes every thursday to play.
Been crocheting a bit and will have a new completed project to post soon!

But first, mommas' I made this yummy spinach side, it is a must try with chix or fish on the side and some crusty bread...
perfect for the kiddos...and the adults loved it too.

In a casserole melt 2 tbsps. butter

in a bowl mix:
2 eggs
1/4 cup of flour
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup of milk
2 cups chedder - what ever flavor your like
1/4 tsp salt

toss in 10 oz. fresh chopped and stemmed spinach

dump into casserole and top loosely w/ foil.
bake at 350 degress for 30 minutes, remove foil, stir so it doesn't get crispy and top with romano or parm and bake another 5-10 minutes...

so yummy....

snow day smiles

who doesn't love a good ole fashioned snowy day? woke up to a 5:45 a.m. phone call..."hi, no school today..." Another perk to being a teacher, I get to relive that childhood joy of snow days and the night before anticipation of them.
kiddos are great today lil man shoveled the driveway with dad and Teags helped mama to clean the house and bake some yummy comfort food. Not much else going on today, supposed to have some friends for dinner, but who knows with the weather what the evening will bring.
need some sewing inspiration, unpacked lots of unfinished projects today, lots of fabric, not enough time...any ideas? Gotta go check on the carrot cake...have a lovely day

sunshine and smiles to you all, Al

simplicity

Had a wonderfully calm day today, hung over at mimi and pa's so the lil man could work on his playhouse with Pa. He does so love to use those tools, and is about the only 2.5 year old that can decipher maple from mahogany...
baby T and I went to the book store with mimi for coffee and some good reads, then spent the remainder of the day crafting with a beautiful new yarn...not sure what the outcome will be, was thinking scarf, but love it so much I may go blanket. So overall it was a wonderful and quiet afternoon.
Kiddos are bathed, smelling delicious and dozing in their beds, and it is only 7:45. Off to excercise, shower, watch DH, Grey's, crochet, read and doze....all by the toasty fire - snow's comin, stay warm all, hugs and sunshine, Al