4th of July 2009

Dad took vacation the week after the 4th of July - which fell on a Saturday this year. We started off our week with a Friday night tractor Pull in Villard. Kari, Matt, Madison & Luke were there along with cousins Ryan and Randy. Ryan and Matt were to pull their tractors in this event. However, we didn't make it that long. We all got hungry so after about 2 hours we left to have supper. It was a fun time and hope next time to make it a little longer. The 4th rolled around with BIG plans. We started off our day by heading to Alexandria to try and get a few groceries.. big mistake! Crazy town! Bought a few fireworks, but because Dad was being CHEAP we didn't get too many. Went to Villard again for the big parade.. Probably about 30 floats this year.. Nothing too crazy for Villard.. Combines, tractors you know the usual. After the parade we sat at Grandma and Grandpa Rupp's house for a little bit and ate a lot of candy!! So yummy! And after all that sugar hit and we all got really hyper, we decided to bring the Hushagens back to our house for supper and a bon fire. Mom and Dayle decided that we needed more fireworks and headed to Sauk Centre for them. Came back with a bunch more and we sat up until past 10:00 watching them! We had so much fun! Mike, Dayle, Tyler and Aron spent the night with us and had breakfast with us as well. We love having them for sleep overs! The rest of the day on Sunday was a quiet day and we all took naps!

Monday started off with a trip to the eye doctor for Joe. Needed to get a check up and see how his glasses are working. One lense has to be replaced with a stronger perscription, but otherwise everything was great! Got home from there and made a last minute decision to head to the Wahpeton, ND Zoo. It was a great trip and had fun, it was HOT, but we had fun. On the way home from the zoo Dad decided to treat us to a dairy Queen dilly bar. It was so yummy! That with a small bottle of water leads to trouble when you are on a road trip. Pete got a little antsy and said he had to go potty. Mom kept driving.... He stated once again that he had to go potty, but since we use that excuse to stop all the time - Mom kept driving. It wasn't until he almost started to cry and rock back and forth that Mom listened. Only problem we had no rest stops, nothing with a bathroom to stop at. Mom took the first exit and we pulled over and had the experience of pee'ing along side the road. Good thing no one drove by!! After Joe stated he had to go too we decided to head to Alex where we all stopped at Menards to have another potty break. We were ever so joyed when Dad said there was one more surprise - we could all pick out a new toy!! Since Menards doesn't have a huge toy selection we all decided to buy nothing more than a new tape measure! We have been measuring everything!! We love them!

Mom and Dad also decided to start a few projects and installed some new kitchen cupboards. Uncle Jason took them out of a house that was doing a remodel and brought them to dad with the thoughts of his garage. Mom looked at them and decided it was a good opportunity to add more cupboards to the kitchen. A few coats of paint and they are in. Makes the kitchen look really big now!

Grandma and Grandpa Dietzmann also came to visit for 2 days while Dad was on vacation. It was fun having them around. We even got to go shopping with Grandma and she bought us new toys! Why do Grandma's spoil us too much?

We are having a quiet day today (Monday) Dad went back to work and we are playing ever so noisily today while Mom is trying to catch up on computer work.. She's been slacking since Dad was on vacation!

Mom's scrapbook day interrupted by the ER.

Well it was supposed to be a quiet weekend. Friday was relaxed and did some yard work and then cleaned the house for a scrapbooking day that has been planned for months. Sam, Dayle, Mom, Abigail and myself were the attendees this time for the scrap day. Bob had the kids going from here to there all morning long. It worked out surprisingly well even with them here. I was worried about that. That however was all broken in the late afternoon when Joe came in from the shop with Dad - screaming and blood spueing from his mouth. I could only imagine the worst when Bob said - "Um Jamie, can you come down here". Me not being the excitable one was more annoyed that I got interrupted from my scrapbooking. I changed that attitude immediately when I saw Joe. My little guy was covered in blood. Who knew a lip could bleed that much. We got the bleeding to stop quite quickly and analyzed the situation and decided to call into the Emergency Room and ask if he needed stitches. It was a 3 corner gash and was over a 1/4 deep. They said we better bring him in. So off I go with the little fart in tow feeling sorry for myself because I was expecting for the scrapbooking day to be over by the time I returned. Got to the ER and the nurse that greeted us took a look and said "oh my buddy what happened". I had to laugh, because we didn't even ask him what had happened. And then you start to get fearful of what the answer is going to be. He just sat and stared at the nurse with the fearfulness of the sterile room. He asked if he was always this shy. I stated "Oh no, Just wait". The nurse chuckled and asked me the question, "what happened?". I said I was ashamed to admit it, but in the craziness of the event we failed to ask. We knew that they were in the shop and they were working at their workbench. Bob had made them their own workbench with a few tools to keep them away from his own stuff and projects. The nurse proceeded to call the doctor on call and say that stitches were needed. I warned Joe that they were going to have to sew up his lip and that he would have to get a shot. No need to scare the crap out of him with the doctor. I have always tried to warn them in advance with shots. I warn them it will hurt, but we have no choices on that matter. Joseph is such a mild mannered kid he just sat there looking over his little rimmed glasses with wide eyes. It took only a few minutes for the doctor to get in and she walked into the room. She was of India descent and had a thick accent. She asked Joe, once again what happened, he couldn't understand her. I had to translate for her and he started to talk.. He said, "well it just happened". Like that clarified anything. She looked at his lip and said that since the bleeding had stopped we could probably try the glue instead of the actual stitches. Joe was relieved. I have to admit I wasn't too excited about them either. One more trip back into the doctors office for removal of the stitches could be avoided by the glue. I was skeptical that it would hold, but so far it has held great and now we are dealing with a "fat" lip. In all the commotion, what did I forget to do? Take pictures to carry on the scrapbooking book. What an awesome MOM huh!! And what was even better is all this only took 75 minutes from leaving home to returning. Whew!! Still accomplished enough pages to feel that the day was well worth it! Hopefully we can do it again some day!

Hair Camera Action!

Wow what a week it's been. We started off our week by Miss Ella having ATTITUDE! I asked her Monday morning to brush her hair and get a pony holder because it was in her face. She was gone a few minutes and then popped up into the office and said LOOK MOM IT'S NOT IN MY FACE!! I was mortified, shocked, overwhelmed.. She cut her hair! She cut everything off on the left side to the back - she basically gave herself a MULLET!! OMG!

Tuesday was a play date with Dayle, Tyler and Aron. I could tell it was one of those days with Pete, but we moved ahead. We met at noon as planned for a picnic lunch at the park in Glenwood. Played for a bit after lunch and hit the skateboard park. They had so much fun running up and down the ramps. Something different and new. Dayle had also brought a soccer ball that we were kicking around. Then it all hit the fan. We woudl kick the ball and tell the kids to run and see who could get it first. Well Pete tends to get so excited and gets way too competitive! He would run and who ever got there first he would rip the ball out of their hands. Which I tried to get after him, but with him he usually doesn't even listen to what I say. After a few DOG PILES.. we have always called it Monkey Pile, but a few kids crying we decided to just play on the play equipment. A couple pushing episodes, more kids crying.. I decided that we needed to head home and Pete needed a break! Yikes!! Dayle and I discussed Tuesday evening that maybe we should skip our previous planned Thursday playdate so the kids could have a break! Dayle came over for supper and we worked on some card making stuff. It was very relaxing and decided we needed to do that more often.

Wednesday was a catch up day here. Tried to get some stuff done. Mowed the kennel got 2 balls and a plastic shovel. Had fun mowing, but then noticed that the kids - who were supposed to be riding their bikes, were into something in Daddy's shed again. Man they just can't stay out of trouble this week! Made them put the bikes away and I actually heard the dreaded words, "Mom you are not nice!".. It kind of hit me odd and happy.. At least I'm being a Mom.

Wednesday afternoon Mom and Abigail came out. They worked with the kids while I cooked supper and they made cards. The kids really had fun. Mom and I started watching the next season of Top Chef Masters. Love that show, but so far not liking this season. Not that I would stop watching...

Thursday we had a big promising day. Got some laundry done and made lunch. Told the kids we were going to Grandma Joy's house for a visit. They were very excited. Got there and after the kid's Movie stunt they were supposed to be grounded from tv until Bob get's home. I made the exception for Grandma's house due to the fact she has no toys.. They did really good for an hour and Pete and Joe got a kick.. It's like the lord reached down and inserted caffeine and a few quarters. They started chasing Dollie who is very skitish anyway. Decided it was time for a walk outside to see the animals. Grandma wanted to show me the garden and Pete got worse. Started running after Dolly and after numerous times of telling him NO - said he couldn't see the goats.. Wow that went over like a cat in heat! He whined, wimpered, and ran over to the goats.. Well being it's Great Grandma's house I didn't do anything besides talk to him from afar, but Grandma could tell that I was not happy. I told her that I think we needed an intervention from the Super Nanny.. She just laughed and said that kids have days like that. I know that she is understanding, but they have always been so good. Got home and Pete had a nice quiet break in his room for an hour. He wasn't happy, but the rest of the day was peaceful and quiet! Bed time today was 7:00 SHARP!

We are supposed to have a nice quiet weekend, but it's turning into a circus once again. Friday we are supposed to go help a friend move a fish tank which was supposed to happen in the a.m., but now is about noon. She said she'd watch our kids so we can go to lunch and do some shopping. I think we are going to pass on the offer to watch the kids and take her up on it when we have a better plan. Saturday I am actually going to play tennis.. Yikes! Not like I play play, but we hit the ball around and get a little motion going. We are also supposed to have a bon fire on Friday night. UFF DA! Maybe we can get up for church this weekend. We need to pray as Bob's job seems to be taking a turn for the better! WE got news a week ago that his dealership was going to lose their franchise and unless they can get a franchise from a different line of cars they would close as of Sept 2010. YIKES! Now the Senate is stepping in and saything that it is affecting too many jobs and maybe GM took too big of a step in closing all those dealerships. I Pray that is the case and we can make it through. OUr plan is to have the kids start school and then I would get a job. And then Bob can move up here for a job. That's the plan, but our plan isn't always what God has in our future. We have to move on with our life and see where it takes us.

In the words of Kate on "jon and kate plus 8" "Today could very well be the day I lose my Mind" - Love that line!!!

Busy Week

Oh it's been a busy past week with the Dietzmann's. We had a quiet start last week with Pete heading to Grandma and Grandpa Dietzmann's in Oakdale. This was his first over night by himself. Which he loved! He was able to go out to breakfast with G & G two days and one of them had pizza for breakfast - Grandparents....... We joined him in staying at G&G's house on Wednesday afternoon in which he was not happy to see us. I think he would prefer to be an only child. TOO BAD! Thursday started off with a few garage sales and then me meeting up with my old co-workers from Winmark Corporation. In attendance was Stefanie Jandro, Heidi Kaliher, Mary Kay Rose - which no longer work there either, Jean Connoy, Katie Eaves, Jen Swenson and Kelly Schoenike. We had a great time chatting about old times and new things with us all. Friday was the first big day of the weekend 'Oakdale Garage Sale Weekend'! We had a blast! Bought a bunch of clothes for Pete to grow into and a few things for Joe and Ella. Saturday we hit a few more garage sales and then headed home. Had a quiet rest of the weekend catching up on the house and spending time outside. Bob tilled up a new garden - way too big, but it will work well - I hope! I was up early this morning heading to Walmart to get groceries for the week. Got home, unloaded and bob took off for work. What a day already. Spent some more time outside with the kids doing odds and ends. Good Day for a Monday.

Another Monday

Here it is Monday again. Bob took off early this week as Pete was having his early sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa Dietzmanns house this week. Ella, Joe and I are planning to arrive Wednesday of this week. So Pete gets to have a little one on one time with them - he will love it!

We are heading into the big City of Oakdale for the annual Garage Sale weekend! Love this as the kids are little enough not to care that we are buying all their clothes there. I must try and get through some of their clothes to see what we still need. I tend to not buy much of anything for them in the stores - huge savings for us! We still spend money, but a fraction of brand new and the age that they are at - they really don't know the difference nor do they care. they enjoy garage sales too!

I am trying to get all clothes cleaned and packed for the rest of us to head out on Wednesday. I am just returning from a weekend away. First all weekend trip in a very long time for myself. It was both relaxing and I am accomplished a lot! I was at a scrapbook retreat in Northfield MN. Great place to share with 11 other women to scrapbook and chit chat. Quiet weekend, not much sleep, but so much fun! I look forward to doing this again. I got a total of 32 pages done. I could have done a few more, but I took my time and wanted them to look nice. I want to get them into a book soon! Must also finish that! I am also looking at a November event and really hoping that Dayle can join, but this is a busy time of the year for her so it's probably a no go for her. I must do an event here soon!

Well Joe and Ella are ready to head out to the store and maybe to check out a park in Belgrade.

Sunday afternoon and all is quiet. Bob has the kids outside helping with his odd and ends jobs he loves to do. This weekend they have been working at cutting some wood for the summer campfires and the winter wood burning stove. Have to work to keep up some of those hobbies.

Saturday evening I went with a few cousins to an adult party. We had a good time to say the least! I had never been to one of these parties before. I guess I am ok with the products, but would rather a purchase be in total privacy - which it's supposed to be, but who really knows. I hope everyone is adult about it and keeps their noses out! Stopped by the bar on the way home, so not into the bar scene anymore. Costs too much to drink out! Can't imagine actually making a night of it. Guess my money goes to more important things, house, kids, scrapbooking!

Getting very excited for the scrapbook event next weekend. Have to make a final run to the grocery store for some snacks and I should be good to go! Sooo excited! This is my first one so I hope it all goes well.

Well we had a busy day at the Hushagens and ECFE. School was good topic today was siblings. I could go on for hours about how to try and work with 3 the same age! And with only one more week left we are almost to the end :( Playdate we had lunch and played outside all day! They had a new 10x10 ft sandbox! Dayle and I hit the volleyball around.. Brought back some memories... Should really try to find a volleyball league to join. We are both getting really excited about our scrapbook event next weekend in Northfield. A whole weekend to myself! If I really like it I might have to start doing it more often! I think we could have some fun!

It's a Wednesday....

I should have started this years ago, but I want to start to journal the everyday happenings that happen with the kids. It started when I read a blog sheet with Ann Swenson and thought it would be a great idea to do myself.

Yesterday we had a funny event. Pete and Joe were fighting over a chair for breakfast. I had to intervene and say that unless your name is written on a chair it is no one persons chair, and I don't see any names so you sit here and you sit here. NO more fighting over a chair. Right? Finished making breakfast and I could only laugh when Pete presented me with the chair with his name on it. Thank the lord it was a washable marker. Who said teaching them to write their names is a good thing?

Today is Thursday and we are getting ready to head to school, lunch at the Hushagens and playing. It should be a fun day!

I hope to blog everyday so I can have something for the kids to enjoy reading in years to come.