A new vacuum...

We got a new vacuum!!!!  Our old vacuum was on it's last wheels :o)  It barely sucked anything off the floor and now, with the cat here, we needed a better vacuum.  The old one was 11 years old so I think we got our money's worth on that one.  It's a little funny that something like a new vacuum could make us happy and giddy :o)  As soon as we got home, Scott pulled it out of the box and went to work.  I have to say, it was very sexy to see him vacuuming the floor with such enthusiasm!!!  I joked that it was a woman's version of foreplay!!!  Now, if I can get him to do all the cleaning ~ I think I might have an idea or two now!!!  HA HA  

Preschool dilemmas

Ben has been at his new school for about two weeks and things haven't been going very well.  I hate to complain when it comes to this stuff (will they take it out on Ben?) so, you know it had to be bad if we scheduled an appointment to talk to the director this afternoon!  I had an entire notebook sheet of paper full of concerns.  I should start by saying Ben's teacher is very nice, very sweet and my complaints are not about her personally.  Unfortunately, as we found out at our meeting, she has only been a lead teacher since the end of December and she does not have any formal education in childhood development...only some experience with children under the age of four...hhhhmmm.  I will spare you the details of the entire list, but we'll just say it was very concerning.  My main, immediate, concerns were the lack of control the teacher had on this class ~ kids, literally, running around and climbing on the furniture...complete chaos each and every time I was there..sometimes I would stay for almost two hours so I could get a good feel for what was going on in the class.  Another serious complaint was that she was not making the kids wash their hands after they use the bathroom!!  If you know anything about preschool/toddler bathroom habits (especially at a daycare/preschool!)...this is a very concerning health issue.  I can only imagine the germs and serious health issues that could come from this...I was very upset since we have had so many issues with Ben's health to begin with!!!  Anyway, our meeting with the director went very well.  She assured us that she would make some immediate changes (hand washing, safety, etc.) and then asked that we give her up to a week to make some other changes and then a little more time to make some changes with regards to some of our other, less serious issues...like I said...I had a whole sheet of paper of concerns/complaints.  I don't want to yank Ben out of that school just yet ~ mainly because we don't have many options...all of the reputable schools in this area have a wait list.  Also, I am not sure I will be staying at my job, so I don't want to keep pulling Ben out of schools...it's very traumatic for him to make such big changes.

On another note, Scott got transferred to another bank ~ it's still FirstBank, but it's another charter further from our house.  Bummer.  His commute will increase to about 35-40 minutes with moderate traffic...more during rush-hour!  But, it's a new environment and a new opportunity for him.  Oh well, we will roll with it, as usual.  What else can we do?

Just some pictures of the kids!

Happy Easter

A low-key holiday with the kids, Holly, Matt, Zach, Richie, and Sarah (and little Phoebe! :o).

We had steak and all the fixings...a little nontraditional...but it's what we like.  We had a good time and lots of good conversation.  The kids hunted for eggs and got lots of candy from the Easter Bunny. We missed the rest of the family and friends.  We hope that some of the future holidays include more family and friends ~ we really need to try to get together more often. I didn't take many pictures ~ I have been kinda down on picture taking...I don't know why...it's not intentional...I just don't feel like pulling the camera out and/or downloading the pictures.

On another note, Ben is sick again.  I am going to keep him home from school just to give him one more day of a sick-free environment (heavy sigh)!

Enjoy the pictures:

The following pictures are a little old, but I wanted to get them posted.

Cailey had to do a research paper about a person from history. Cailey chose Betsey Ross ~ "because she was a girl" and "because she is an independent thinker, just like me"...how cute! Then, they got to present their papers for the parents.  They could choose to dress up or not.  Cailey of course insisted on dressing up and this picture show what she came up with.  She won't ever let me help her...she gets an idea in her head and that's that...no help from us.  It was actually kinda cute. 

These pictures show Ben and Cailey at the bowling alley for one of Cailey's Girl Scout field trips.  Cailey was mad because she didn't have the best score in her group...she is her daddy's girl, after all! :o) Ben was grumpy and didn't want his picture taken, so he has a funny look on his face.  But, he's still my handsome boy. :o) :o)

Crappy weekend

I have strep throat. A nasty case of it, too. YUCK! I have been staying in bed as much a possible because the last thing I want is to pass this to the hubby and/or kids. My throat hurts so bad I can barely take it...I have been popping Advil/Tylenol as often as possible. I went to Urgent Care on Saturday ~ not because I was feeling that bad, but because Scott was paranoid that I might pass this nastiness on to him or the kids. A legitimate concern, mind you...but, I think following behind me all day with disinfectant wipes is a little extreme. You think I am kidding...I am not. He, literally, wiped down everything that I touched or came close to touching. That pushed me to go to urgent care to get antibiotics, stat!! They looked at me a little funny when I walked in, not looking particularly ill or maimed and exclaimed I was certain that I had strep throat and, no, it could not wait until Monday. A short time later, after the rapid strep test confirmed what I already knew, I was sent on my way with a prescription. Unfortunately, Monday came and I felt worse than I did on Saturday...something wasn't right here. I feared I might have an abscess in my left tonsil...yes, it was that bad. After seeing my primary doc (well, the PA anyway...we never actually see the doc...that just isn't right!), I was given a shot in the butt of a super dose of antibiotics and another (stronger) prescription drug. GREAT! But, today I do feel better. My neck is still swollen and my throat still hurts.

The "big" storm we were supposed to get Sunday night didn't materialize. When they say "some" snow, we get a lot and then they say "big" storm and we get 'nothin! Thank goodness I didn't have to shovel snow, though.

Patrick the fish died on Saturday. Scott and Cailey had a funeral for the fish and then flushed it down the toilet. I was up in bed trying to recover from strep throat so I missed out on the funeral. The fish has been sick (dying) for a couple of months now. It was old...we have had this fish for about 3 1/2 years. Cailey wasn't too upset since she is already asking to go to the pet store to buy a blue one (Beta fish).

Ben is doing great with the potty training ~ pee accident free since Friday except this morning when he had an accident because he was watching a show on T.V. ~ ugh! He definitely knows he has to go, he just doesn't want to leave what he is doing to go pee. The poop thing is another story. Ben will not go in the potty. We will stick with diapers for now. I learned my lesson with Cailey and I will not force the poop issue. He will go in the potty when he is ready.

Carrie Underwood/Keith Urban Concert

Another outing for me and Cailey. Our friends, the Emersons, invited us to join them in their suite at the Pepsi Center for the Carrie Underwood / Keith Urban concert. I have never been in a luxury suite, so I was especially excited to see what all the fuss is about ~ now I understand. It was a fantastic way to see the concert and spend time with friends!  Once again, I feel spoiled :o) This was Cailey's first real concert ~ if you don't count Barney or Raffi :o) ~ and she was excited to see Carrie Underwood sing.

Carrie Underwood was up first and Cailey spent the first few songs bouncing in her seat. Then, she joined me up behind the seats and we danced and danced.  The Emersons' left after Carrie Underwood and, by half way through Keith Urban when the other guests left, Cailey and I were the only ones left in the suite! What a treat. We danced, ate snacks and candy, drank soda, and generally enjoyed our time together.  Cailey lasted until the very last song and then requested that we go home ~ we missed the encore, but I was okay with that...she lasted longer than I expected.  We arrived home right about midnight. I let her sleep in today and then took her to school late...shhhh...don't tell her school.  I told them she had an appointment this morning  ~ which wasn't entirely false...she did have an appointment...an appointment with her bed!! :o)

The pictures are really bad, because I took them with my cell phone camera. I was under the impression that regular cameras were not allowed ~ "impression" being the big bold words on the ticket that said "no cameras" ~ but, I was surprised to see how many cameras suddenly appeared throughout the Pepsi Center once Carrie Underwood appeared on stage...hhhhmmmm.

Hamster 1, Cat 0

It was a traumatic Sunday afternoon for our family. 

Since the cat arrived at our house, we have been battling to keep the cat away from Abby the hamster. The kitty is very interested in the hamster (duh!) and we have to shut the door to the office where the hamster's cage resides. Long story short, the office door was left ajar today. We left to go to lunch and shop at Target and, by the time we arrived home, the kitty had noticed our mistake and found her way into the office. Cailey noticed the door open right away and ran upstairs. Suddenly, we heard Cailey screaming and crying that the cat ate the hamster!!!  She was so distraught and so upset and could barely get the words out. I just kept saying, "I am so sorry, honey...I am so sorry..."  Then, I went to investigate the carnage, only to find the hamster cage lying on the floor, split open, and hamster bedding/food spread all over the floor.  But, I quickly realized there was no trace of blood or hamster bits...thank goodness...my stomach couldn't have taken that...and I am sure Cailey would have fainted at the site.  I told Cailey that the hamster must have gotten away...at least at first...because there would surely be blood if the cat got her.  We started a search-and-recover effort...although, truthfully, I wasn't confident that we would find the hamster...especially if it was still alive...it could have gone ANYWHERE in this house. Then, we realized the cat was awfully interested in something behind the couch.  Scott grabbed the cat and put her outside so we could search for the hamster.  Scott pulled the couch away from the wall and...voila...the hamster, alive but in shock, was huddled under the couch.  The poor thing didn't even move when Scott reached down to grab her. She just sat in his hands for a short time...I thought maybe she was injured. But, alas, Abby the hamster is alive and well. No injuries, as far as we can tell.  I have no idea how she got away or how long she was being chased by Mary.  

After a quick clean up of her cage, she is again eating and running on her wheel.  Although, she now hisses and screeches whenever anyone sticks their hand in the cage. We are going to give her a few days alone to recover.  Also, we are definitely going to be more diligent about keeping the office door closed!

Movie Night

Today, I went to the mall ~ by myself ~ to do a little shopping. I intended to go for just a quick trip, but I got there and then felt the need for a little retail therapy. I don't get to shop by myself very often. But, I have a good excuse. Ben and Cailey both went through a growth spurt recently and have out grown a lot of their clothes...ugh!  Cailey needs pants really bad, but she won't were jeans and she won't wear anything that is a little tight on her legs. That means I have to buy a size larger than she needs, but then the waist is too big and they fall down. I have searched and can not find knit pants with a real draw string in them ~ seriously, why would you make pants for kids with a FAKE draw string! Why not put a real, usable draw string in the pants????  Frustrating!

Saturday night, Cailey and I went to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Our group totaled 15!!! Our group ~ the Bergs, Jeannine and friends, Richie and friends, Cailey, our friend Michelle, and me ~ decided to make it a special evening and spend a little extra on tickets and have the ultimate theater experience.  There is a new theater called The Landmark at Greenwood Village. For an extra two dollars per ticket, we can get the VIP experience. This includes VIP reserved seating, free popcorn and soda, and in-seat concession service!  We got a menu that included beer, wine, sandwiches, desserts...our order was taken and then  it was served to us in our seats by a theater attendant!!  We sat in luxury; leather recliner seats.  I was feeling rather spoiled by the time we left. It was fun to see Miss Pettigrew this way...it was a special occasion :o) Plus, we got home just in time to catch Saturday Night Live.  Way to go Amy ~ you were great!

It was a special evening for me and Cailey ~ just the girls. Ben stayed home with Scott. We enjoyed our evening together.

February.

It's been awhile because February has been busy, busy, busy! But, I am finally sitting down at the computer and making a post...finally! I figure I will just make one long post regarding February events. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day (late, of course! HA)

Ben is doing great with the potty training. We officially started on Monday. He didn't have any pee accidents today! He wore underwear all day (except nap). But, he is still not sure what to do when he has to poo. He had two poo accidents, but I am still really happy with the ease this training has been going...knock on wood. Ben runs to the potty when he has to go and then he gets really excited about peeing in the potty. We reward with M&Ms...the only thing he seemed to really care about getting. I tried stickers, but he didn't care if he got one. Oh, well...I tried the non-candy route. He has been a ball of energy the last two weeks and is wearing everyone out. I can not wait for summer to get here so he can run around outside and exhaust some of this excess energy. Funny thing...as I am writing this post, Ben is having a tantrum because Scott won't put champagne in his cup ~ poor baby... so sad :o)

Cailey is starting the last semester of second grade today! Oh, my gosh! She will be a third grader in NO time! We are going to the Carrie Underwood/Keith Urban concert on Sunday with our friends, The Emersons. Cailey is excited to be going to her first real concert! I have to say, I am excited, too. I haven't been to a concert in years. It's going to be a fun mommy/daughter night ~ Scott is staying home with Ben. We just had to pay $50 for Cailey's recital costume...I am still fuming over the cost of a barely-there costume...grrrrr! But, she does love to dance and she gets great exercise. I also know that other families are in this dance thing for a lot more money than we are, so I guess I should be saying we are only paying $50 for the costume.

I started back to work full-time this week and it's been less than smooth. Thankfully, my mom and Rich are here and it's been a little easier with their help. But, they are leaving this weekend and I will be on my own after that (heavy sigh). There just isn't enough time for everything and, once again, I feel pulled in too many different directions. I am not sure what the future holds, with respect to my job. But, we will figure it out somehow. Also, Ben will start at a new school on Monday ~ Children's Choice. We had Cailey there several years ago and we really liked the school. I am sure he will like it, too. Primrose didn't have a full-time opening, so we had to switch schools. I wasn't happy about it, but we made a visit with Ben at CC and he seemed to like the school. We will see on Monday if he still feels the same way.

I got my nose pierced. Yep. It's cute. A little diamond. Nothing overt or scary. I'll post pictures soon.

Our big event in February was our trip to New York for Valentine's Day weekend ~ five nights in NYC! Scott and I left the kids home with my mom and went to play in New York City with Amy and Darren! They were gracious enough to let us stay in their apartment with them and show us how to experience NYC like a local :o). We really had a great time and it was fun to pretend that we were young, childless, and NY fabulous...even if it was for only a few days :o) Ironically, we had more energy than we could ever imagine. I guess we never realized how much energy it takes to raise two kids ~ we actually had excess energy that we spent staying out late and getting up early. We got to spend tons of time with Amy and Darren (the best part of the vacation, since we don't seem to get enough time to spend with family!) Here's a run down of all the things we did while in NY: Nobu Restaurant, walking through Central Park, Tao Restaurant, NYC Museum, a walk through Times Square, a wonderful restaurant in Little Italy for Valentine's Day dinner, limo ride home on Valentine's Day with a stop for malt liquor (classy!), walk along a NYC pier (near Greenwich Village), Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, a respectful stop at Ground Zero, Amy's Oscar dress fitting in China Town ~ where we met a couple of Amy's friends (Tam & Tony) from Minnesota...such nice people, a walk through China Town and Little Italy until we found a random little french restaurant, a walk through the Sex and the City streets (Tribeca, SoHo, etc.), Amy's Miss Pettigrew press junket at the Waldorf Astoria Towers ~ we met some fabulous people (I now have a serious crush on Lee Pace...Scott is learning to deal with it), a stop at the Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes (fans of Sex in the City know this place!), a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant called Tortilla Flats with Amy, Darren, and their friend Jack (funny, funny guy!), a night on our own in the suite at the Waldorf Towers ~ and the whole 29th floor to ourselves since all the press left that evening, breakfast in the Waldorf suite (YUM!) and hanging with Amy and Darren while Amy got ready to do more Pettigrew press stuff, saw our first Broadway play ~ The Farnsworth Invention starring Hank Azaria, dinner at another Mexican restaurant with a big group of Amy and Darren's friends (good times!), drinks at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, and then more drinks at a little bar in SoHo. Not to mention the exciting NYC taxi rides (whoa...they are CRAZY!...Scott loves them!), lots of love from Pipi and Sadie :o), lots and lots of walking (all that eating and I didn't gain a pound), the crazy flight experience out to NY that got us to NY three hours earlier than expected, the flight back home that got us home three hours later than expected (see, everything seems to even out), and seeing a real NYC sewer rat run in front of us at the pier...it's the little things :o) So you can see, we had a full vacation. But, every minute was exciting and fun and I have wonderful memories. Here are some pictures:

Above: Darren, Amy, and Scott ~ humoring me with some pictures in front of the Central Park ice rink.

The hat is purely practical ~ there was no fashion sensibility involved in the decision to wear it...it was COLD in NY!!! I had another cute hat, but it had a brim and I couldn't see up to look at all the buildings :o) :o) We had to buy this one from a street vendor because we didn't go to Central Park (in the winter) prepared...duh! In my defense, we looked for a more fashionable hat, but all the stores had their spring clothing lines out. We found another hat at the end of our trip (too late to use in NYC) that was cute, but it was over $100. I just can't justify that price for Colorado...we go from one heated venue to another...there isn't a lot of city walking going on here!

Amy standing on her man-hole! This is the man-hole that she came out of in Enchanted!!

A picture with Elmo for Cailey and Ben.

Scott holding up the Statue of Liberty ~ what a man, what a man!!!