Merry Christmas!

What a great day! We had a wonderful Christmas morning just the four of us at Jerry's aunts house this morning. The girls slept in so we got a late start. They were super excited though and had a ball. Some of my favorite quotes of the morning came from Ansley. She loved all her gifts but one in particular from Jerry and I was a Nerf gun. As soon as she opened it she grinned and said "now we can shoot Daddy!" Then as I was trying to get the gun out of the package with Jerry's knife she said. "Be careful mommy. I don't want you to get hurt. I love you." It was absolutely precious. She was also super excited about the Home Alone videos. It doesn't take much to make her happy. Ally was tickled to give out her gifts this year. We gave her some money to buy things for the family at the school store. She bought something for each of us and was extremely proud to give them out. I think she enjoyed giving the gifts as much as she loved getting her own. She was most excited about her new camera. I don't think she really believed she would get it and was thrilled. She was disappointed in the fact that it wasn't purple but wouldn't voice her slight disappointment until we assured her that Santa wouldn't be able to hear her because he was asleep after a very busy night. She really does get concerned about peoples feelings. It's super cute. While Jerry and the girls tore everything out of the packages I made a big breakfast. Ally refused to eat my eggs because as she put it they were "disgusting" Daddy apparently makes better eggs than mommy. After some great family down time we headed over to Jerry's Uncle Alan's for an incredible Christmas dinner. He out did himself as usual. The food was amazing. We had a great day just hanging out with family and watching the kids play. Ally the photographer took a million pictures today and has already killed one set of batteries. Ansley loves posing for her. Before heading back in for the night the girls and I stopped over at my Aunt and Uncles and spent some time with my family. It was great to see everyone and catch up even if it was just a short while. We had a wonderful day together. Great food, great family and a wonderful reason to celebrate together. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Eve

So this morning Ally ran downstairs and looked under the Christmas tree and then proceeded to tell me that she must have been naughty because Santa didn't come. It was very pitiful. She was happy to find out that Christmas is tomorrow and there is still hope for presents.

Today was a the start of a few great days off. We lounged around this morning and then baked Christmas cookies with the girls. Afterwards we headed out for some last minute food items before spending the afternoon and evening with my sister and her family and my parents. We had a very nice low key evening together. It was great! The girls loved opening their Christmas presents and spending time with their grandparents. We got back to Aunt Teresa's late so we quickly put the girls in their Christmas PJs and put them to bed. Now for the wrapping. Oh to be a kid again............

2009 Holiday Pictures

 

Today I dragged Jerry out for our annual family pictures. He detests going but I insist. This year we were quite a bit late and I worried it would be mobbed. I made the earliest appointment available and was blessed with a great photographer. She was super quick which was great for 3 inpatient Rice's (Jerry included), she took about 75 shots and she did a great job! If you go to Portrait Innovations ask for Maria.

After pictures I went to Kindergarten with Ally as the helping parent. We made turkeys for Thanksgiving. On the feathers of the turkey the kids wrote what they were thankful for. One of Ally's feathers was that she was thankful for Jesus. Such a great kid. Mommy's feather would say "I am thankful that I am a nurse and not a kindergarten teacher!" God bless teachers!

Primary Program

Today Ally participated in her second primary program at church. She and all the other children did amazing as always. It always astounds me how brave these small kids are to get up and speak in front of a large group of people. Ally's part was Jesus Christ made it possible to live with my Heavenly Father again. She also sang verse 3 of I feel my Savior's love with a few of the other girls in her primary class. Jerry and I got to participate too because we are teachers in the primary. It was a great sacrament meeting. As always, my favorite of the year.

First Report Card

Ally got her first Kindergarten report card today. She did great! She got a Highly developed or Developed for every category. She amazes me more and more everyday. She has even begun reading. It's hard to believe that this is the same child who barely knew all of her ABCs last year at this time. She has been working so hard and really loves school. We are proud of you Ally! Keep up the good work! Soon you will be reading the bedtime stories to Mommy!

Best Day Yet

So Ansley's teacher Mrs. Moss was happy to report to Jerry that Ansley has had her best day at school yet. She was very chatty, even during free play, and interating with her and the other kids during circle and worship time. I don't know who is more excited, Mrs. Moss or Jerry and I. Yeah Ansley!!

Fox Hill Tower

Since the day we moved to Vernon Ally has been asking to go up into Fox Hill Tower. She believes a witch lives in the tower and now has Ansley caught up in the tale as well. Unfortunately we soon found out that the tower is closed most of the year due to vandalism. Somehow we always seem to miss it when it is open. Today as we were shopping we ran into Ms Pat who told us that it was open today for the last day until Memorial Day. So we of course dropped our groceries at the door and ran right up there. The view was great! You could see all of Vernon and the foliage was still decent. Ally loved it. "Mom, you can see the whole world from up here!" It was very cute. I was glad they could finally get into the tower and see for themselves that there is no witch in the Fox Hill Tower!

Crumbs

Tonight during dinner Ansley asked me for more crumbs. I didn't know what she wanted so I asked her again. She again said I need some more crumbs! So I asked her what is a crumb? You know a crumb, for my salad. Ohhhh, you want more crotons. Yes mommy, more Q-tons please!

Ally the bleeder

So Ally has always had this problem with bloody noses. She even wakes up some nights just pouring blood from her nostrils. She is so used to it now that she doesn't even get upset. Today while at work I get a call from Jerry. I immediately knew something was wrong as he started the conversation with, "Have I told you how much I love you?" Followed by "How would you hypothetically of course, get blood out of carpet?" I finally get out of him that Ally had another bloody nose and dripped blood from the living room down to the basement bathroom. So while I am on the phone I hear Jerry asking her if she is OK and telling her to clean up the mess in the bathroom. To which she replies, "This is you fault! If you didn't hit me in the nose with your elbow my nose wouldn't be bloody!" Details Jerry failed to mention and which he found hysterical. My poor girls should have been boys! Girls are not for wrestling with daddy! :) I say you clean up the mess!

Happy Halloween!

The girls and I spent the morning hanging out and carving our two pumpkins. They came out great! When I went to put them out on the front steps Ally got upset. "No mommy you need to leave them on the deck. Someone will steal them again." It's so sad that at such a young age she has already had things taken from her. Thank you again Kandi for the replacement pumpkins! In the afternoon Claudette came over and helped the girls stuff a pumpkin man full of leaves. (It scared the daylights out of me when we got home) Then she took them out Trick or Treating while Jerry and I went to a wedding. I didn't want them to miss out on Halloween and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful friend who would give up her day get them all dressed and take them out. Thank you, thank you, thank you Ms Claudette! YOU ARE THE BEST!! Happy Halloween!

Crazy Hair Day

Ansley

My pants may be on backwards but I've got my duck duck so nothing else matters!

Some Fall Pictures

Today the girls and I went out to Crandall Park in Tolland and took some pictures. Ally did great as always and Ansley for the first time really had fun smiling and posing for pictures. Maybe she has finally realized that it's easier to give in and get finished than fight me. I am relentless.

Happy 6th Birthday Allyson!

I say this every year but I can't believe another one has slipped away. Allyson is 6years old today. She had her first ever friend party. She had a great time. All of the girls dressed up as princesses. I had several games for them to play and figured with cake and presents, 2.5 hours should have been more than covered. I now know that a short attention span is a trait in all 5-6 year olds, not just mine. Three games was no where near enough. Although I think they enjoyed just playing in the playroom more than anything else. After the party, Jerry and I took her out to her favorite restaurant for dinner, Friendly's. Her only request was to go somewhere where they would sing to her. It was great! Not only did the staff sing but all of the tables around us joined in too! She was thrilled. Happy Birthday Allyson!!

A beautiful Sunday Afternoon

This afternoon the girls and I took advantage of some beautiful fall weather and went over to Northeast school to play on the playground. The girls had a ball running around. And mommy was able to snag a couple of great shots!

2 Bushels of Apples

Last year we were fortunate enough to score apple seconds from a man down the road for 5 bucks a bushel. Well this year he called me to see if I wanted some more. I have been so busy but I love to can so I couldn't pass it up. So here we are spending our Saturday among the apples. We ended up with 14 Qts of apple pie filling and 22 Qts of applesauce. Yummy! Thankfully Jerry and the girls don't mind helping. Jerry and I finally finished a little after midnight. Now if I only had the energy to clean the disaster that was once my kitchen!

Vernon Ave

The view of Vernon Ave. The only nice thing about the cooler weather.

6 year Check-up

Today we took Ally in for her 6 year checkup. She saw Dr. Spegielman and all appears well. She is in the 90th percentile for height and 75th percentile for weight. I was impressed with the pediatrician today. He really took time to talk to Ally which she loved because she thinks she is soooo big. He addressed her more than he addressed me. Ansley was a little chatterbox in the office today. I guess she is finally warming up. They both got their flu shots and were absolute champs! Not one whimper from either one. My girls are so brave!! Ansley couldn't wait for her daddy to get home so she could tell him all about it.

The Jam

Well our raspberries have made their transformation from berries to jam. Below is the transformation process according to Ally and Ansley.


First you have to pick em, you pick em, you pick em, pick em, pick em. Then you wash em, you wash em, you wash em, wash em, wash em.


Then you smash em, you smash em, you smash em, smash em, smash em. Then you cook em, you cook em, you cook em, cook em, cook em.


Then you can em, you can em, you can em, can em, can em. Then you EAT EM!!

My girls

Finally some berry picking

I admit it I have been a complete slacker this canning season. We completely missed strawberries and blueberries and I have been really bummed. (Afternoon kindergarten is messing with my already tight schedule) So today before we completely missed every berry we headed out super early to Easy Pickens and picked 7 pints of raspberries. We tried for 10 but 7 was pushing it. Ally was into it for about an hour but Ansley stuck with me for a full 2.5 hours. She is such a patient picker. She would get so excited when she picked up a branch and found even one ripe raspberry. It was super cute. At one point I dropped about a 1/2 pint on the ground. I was really annoyed, especially because the pickens were so slim, but Ansley quickly came running. "Don't worry mommy, I will help you pick them up." Such a sweet kid. Now for the real fun.......JAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Twins

Ally and Ansley love to dress alike. So despite the fact that it is October they are still holding on to this one summer outfit so they can dress the same.

Later in the day Ansley sports my black boots!

Can somebody say Mulligan!?!?

Some days we should just be allowed a mulligan and for me today should be one of those days. Ally, who has been very defiant towards me lately had a terrible temper tantrum about some candy before church. Despite my best efforts at trying to ignore her she just kept escalating. Lets just say daddy had to intervene and it wasn't a good time. At church we seemed to have a turn of events as my primary class was great and even better news Ansley participated in nursery, ate the snack and didn't ask for me one time the entire two hours. (Whoo Hoo I think school is paying off!) After church we came home, had some lunch and I had to follow through with sending Ally up to her room for the afternoon. It was hard but I did it then I headed off to do some visiting teaching. Here the day takes another unfortunate turn, as again not even 2 miles from the house, I had my second car accident in 36 hours. Again my fault, and again the same police officer. When I got back to the house Ally took one look at the car and said, "Ya know mommy, one time is like a accident, two times is something else." That's exactly what the police man said Ally. So today I say, "Mulligan!"

September 18, 2009

Well it was inevitable. Jerry has been talking about it for months. How I have been completely accident free for almost 2 full years. He jinxed it. Today I had another. Thankfully it was pretty minor because the girls were in the car with me. I usually try to look for the good in every situation. And I found it. In handing over my insurance information the police officer I realized I was 3 days delinquent on our insurance payment. So right there at the scene I called and paid my premium. They said it wouldn't be a problem however they have no idea I have had an accident. Now we will cross our fingers and toes and pray that they cover it and don't drop our coverage.

On a more positive note, Allyson achieved green of the behavior stick for the week and was able to pick a prize out of the teachers prize box. Great Job Ally!


Her teacher started a new behavior policy in their classroom. Each week the students start out on purple and then move up or down depending on behavior in class. At the end of the week if they are on Green, the highest level, they get a card and a prize. Today was the end of the first week and Ally got GREEN! She was so proud of her card and her prize.

September 17, 2009

Today Ansley had her second day of pre-school. We had talked after Tuesday about being shy and her fear of choking when Jerry or I aren't around. We assured her that if she were to choke the teacher would help her and encouraged her to try taking smaller bites. I am happy to report that things went extremely well. Ansley spoke several times in class and even ate the snack. She was proud of herself and so were Jerry and I. I think it's going to be a great school year for both of our girls.

First Day of Preschool

Today was Ansley's first day of Preschool. She has been pretty excited to go and did well at the drop off. She was easily distracted by her teacher Mrs. Moss and Jerry and I snuck off. We snuck off for lunch. With two kids at school we just couldn't resist. When we picked her up she was happy and smiling. We did find out though that she only spoke a couple of times and would not eat the snack. (This has been an ongoing problem since choking in nursery several weeks back.) She won't eat without Jerry or I close by. Overall I was pleased with the first day. She was very talkative when we picked her up. She couldn't wait to tell us about her day and show us her project. She even got to go outside and play in the sandbox. Hooray for mommy! Two happy school kids!!

My Girls

So this past week at church Ally was responsible for reciting the 9th article of faith in Primary. Normally we have a few weeks to prepare but this time we only had a week to learn it. As always Ally was determined to do as much of it without help as possible so we have practiced like crazy. I am proud to say that on Sunday she recited it with very little help at all. So today as we were driving back home from BJ's Ansley starts reciting it. Jerry and I were amazed and we praised her for doing such a good job, to which she replied, "You're doing a good job too mommy!" I love my girls!

1st Day of Kindergarten

Today was Allyson's first day of kindergarten. It is incredibly hard for me to believe but it's true and Jerry and I were extremely excited for her. She was a bit nervous so we have been talking it up for months. This morning was a bit of a struggle as Ally, only 5 years old, wants to wear whatever she wants no matter how ridiculous. For example winter clothes in the summer, clothing that is too small and my all time favorite layering all her favorite pieces to make one outfit. While this is fine for a trip to the grocery store I was in no way going to allow her to go to her first day of school looking ridiculous and had warned her of this weeks in advance. It didn't help at all though. Getting dressed was extremely tiring and there was an awful lot of crying. We made it to the bus though which was running quite late. We thought at one point we had missed it. But it arrived. Ally's principal Mrs DeLoreto was on the bus and got off to meet us and to help Ally get to her classroom. I was impressed :) Quite a nice touch. Ally got right on the bus and headed off without a tear. For those of you wondering I was tearless too! School is fun and I am happy for her. She is ready and so I am I. She came home very happy and excited about her new school and teacher. She even got a reward for helping to stack the classroom chairs. She loves to help. The bus was over 45 minutes late getting home and I don't know who was more impatient, Daddy or Ansley. There is a very nice crossing guard at our stop though and daddy did enjoy chatting with her. As for tomorrow I think we'll bring chairs!

9th Article of Faith

Ally was asked last week to be prepared to present the 9Th Article of Faith during opening exercises of Primary today. To learn it we used the children's songbook CD and sung it. Once she could sing it well we worked on just reciting it. It worked like a charm. Even Ansley has been reciting it. Allyson got right up there and recalled it with almost no help at all. I love how our church prepares the children from even the youngest ages to participate in all areas of church including speaking. Every time Allyson gets in front of the Primary she is more confident in herself. Thank you to the Primary for helping to instill some of her amazing confidence.

No camping for the Rice's

So I guess we just aren't supposed to camp. I booked our Labor day weekend site after we had to cancel our Memorial day weekend due to Ansley. Now between the new job, grandpa being in the hospital and 3 sick people in my house camping was once again not an option. I am beginning to think it's just no meant to be. With everyone being under the weather I thought it would be a good day to play school. Ally has been working really hard getting ready for kindergarten. She knows all of her uppercase letters and all but a couple of the lowercase letters. Lately we have been working on letter sounds. Today out of no where she starting sounding out words. I was so proud of her and she was so proud of herself. I love to see her beam with pride when she has worked hard and done a good job at something. She even wrote her first and last name appropriately using uppercase and lowercase in the proper place. Great Job Ally! While Ally and I were playing school Ansley was making a puzzle. Out of no where she just started sneezing over and over again. When she was finally finished she said. "Mommy,you know why you have to keep blessing me? I sick." Yes Ansley you are!

Bandaids

So this morning during breakfast I asked the girls what we should bring up to Great Poppy at the hospital. Without hesitation Ansley replied, "A band aid, He is sick and has boo boos." I guess in the eyes of a toddler band aids really do fix everything so today she brought him two scooby doo band aids.

So Blessed

So I know I have said this before but lately my husband ROCKS! I have been gone 12 out of the last 16 days and Jerry has been amazing! The house is picked up, dinner is usually waiting for me and twice last week (back to back mornings) he had to bath Ansley and change the sheets on the bunkbeds due to bedwetting accidents. He apparently goes about changing the sheets on the top bunk alittle differently than I do. He takes the whole mattress down. Obviously not an option for me as I am usually changing the beds myself. But the girls loved it and Ally has now said that daddy is the "bed master" Sounds good to me. I think Daddy has found himself a new chore. :)

Great Poppy

So this afternoon Jerry and I took the girls up to see my grandfather at the hospital. When we got there he was asleep in the chair so we were kind of left just looking at him. He quickly woke up and the girls just looked dazed and confused. They knew he was sick and have been praying for him. They both just looked very concerned. They warmed up quickly when they realized it was still the same old Great Poppy though. I think it really helped Ally. She has been asking about him everyday and I think it was good for her to be able to see exactly where he is.

Preschool

So today Ansley had a preschool open house where we could drop in and let her play in the classroom with some of the other kids in her class and to spend some time getting to meet her new teacher. As I suspected, she was extremely shy. Her class only has 6 children though and she knows one of them so I am praying she will do well on the big day in a couple of weeks. She acts really excited but she clung to my leg for the majority of the open house. Only time will tell I guess!

I am defiantly grateful for afternoon classes though. I had to wake Ansley up at 9:30 in order to get to the orientation in enough time.

Dinner with Friends

Tonight we had dinner with the Marth's. Ally and Abby had class together last year and get along fabulously. It was great to spend time with other adults who have children the ages of ours. They all entertained themselves beautifully and we were able to sit down and actually have some adult conversation. It was wonderful. Thanks guys. We definitely need to do that again soon!

Grandpa's surgery went well and he looks incredible for what he has been through. I hated seeing him in pain but he really does look great. We love you grandpa! Get better soon!

Mini Golf and Friendly's

So due to the diligence of my hubby this during the month of August the girls were able to earn some prizes for all of the books they read. One of which was a round of mini golf. The girls have never been but Ally has asked about it several times as we have driven by so we decided we would take them tonight to use their passes and then out to Friendly's to use their free sundae certificates. Jerry the serious and competitive person that he is found the kids approach to mini gold quite disturbing and kept telling Ally "take your time, line up the ball and grip up on the golf club." He must have said it 15 times. So at hole number 5 after I had gotten a hole in one Jerry got flustered and had several bad holes. Lets just say we quit counting. The worse he played the more irritated he got and the more irritated he got, the worse he played. Ally could see this, so without missing a beat she said "Dad you just need to take you time and line up the ball." Priceless! The 5 year old is now trying to give her dad pointers. You've gotta love it! It was definitely the highlight of the night for me. Afterwards we took them for a ride on the go-carts. Ansley rode with Jerry and Ally and I rode together. Ally and I got a bad car so Jerry and Ansley lapped up twice. Ansley thought the whole this was hilarious as did Ally. Overall it was a great night out! The ice cream was pretty good too!

Ansley

So lately we are having this problem with Ansley stuffing her mouth so full that she chokes and can't swallow what is in her mouth. Several times this weeks she has gagged herself and had to spit out her food. So today during third hour, one of the nursery workers brought her out with her head on her shoulder. She said she was acting tired and wasn't really talking so she brought her out to us. I immediately knew something was wrong and told Jerry to pick her up. The problem was once again that her mouth was stuffed with food. Even with spitting some out she still had so much stuck to the roof of her mouth that she was crying and gagging. I am about over it. If anyone has any suggestions I would love them. I promise we don't take her food away at home so I have no idea where this shoveling of food into her mouth is coming from. HELP! It's gross and I am over it!

"I said I was sorry!"

So tonight at dinner I noticed that Ally has a bit of a shiner. When I asked her what happened Ansley immediately blurted out, "I said I was sorry!" Jerry and I tried not to laugh but that is so Ally and Ansley. They think that if they say they are sorry it just magically erases all wrongdoing. The funny thing is, Ansley wasn't responsible for the black eye at all.

Aaahhhh

So yet again our awesome neighbors have taken care of us. It is 100 degrees in the condo so they invited us over to their parents house for a dip in the pool and icecream. It was a great way to end the day and avoid our very hot and humid home. Thanks Jeff and Ali, you guys are the BEST!

Grandpa

Today after breakfast we left RI to go down to East Haven and spend some time with grandpa. He is getting ready for a really big surgery and I have been wanting to get down to see him. He looked amazing. We spent time talking about his siblings and what he did in the military and even his time as a teamster. The girls were so well behaved and let us just sit and talk with him. They did invade the meatball dish though. Ally with a mouth full of meatball requested that dinner be ready soon. (I guess she really liked the meatball.) Barb as always was slaving in the kitchen. Not my intent when I invited myself down but she is an amazing cook and everything she cooks is delicious. Before dinner grandpa walked with us down to the beach and sat out in the sun for a while. After only 2 minutes out in the water Jerry was bit by a crab which he found tremendously funny. It only took me a couple of minutes to remember how awful Connecticut beaches are. I easily forget how spoiled I am having been so close to the gulf for so long. Dinner was incredible and we left full and happy for the time we were able to spend with grandpa. Ally told him she was praying for him and we left. It wasn't until we were in Killingworth that I realized Jerry had gone north on 95 instead of south and we were 45 minutes out of the way. UGGGG! That's what I get for assuming he knows what is going on. But as Jerry quickly pointed out. We were all together!

The Beach

So we were fortunate enough to spend the weekend with some friends at their beach house this weekend. The weather was perfect and we had a great time out in the sun. It was a nice break from my crazy work schedule the last 2 weeks. Saturday night Jeff steamed lobster for all of us. It was amazing. It was Jerry's first lobster experience and I have to say I think he's hooked. The girls loved getting to see the lobsters up close and both of them tried some but in the end they ate salmon. Great for me, I didn't want to share mine anyway. I was proud of them for giving it a try though. Jeff walked Jerry through the entire process of eating the creature. I have to say I wish I had a camcorder to record the event. It was pretty funny. Thanks Ally and Jeff we had a great time!

There are moments

So today I was folding some laundry when Ansley walked in to see what I was doing. I asked her if she wanted to help and she of course said yes. I showed her how to fold the wash clothes and then gave her a few. She did pretty well and when she was finished she said, "Thank you mommy for teaching me dat." I love it. I could just squeeze her forever. So to those of you without children who read my blog, yes there are moments that make all the other more trying moments totally worth it!

The 3 year report

So in all of the madness this week we forgot to take Ansley to her 3 year well visit. Fortunately they could squeeze her in today because she really is already overdue. Overall it was a good report. She weighed in at 29.6 lbs which is 50th percentile for weight and was 38 inches tall which is 75th percentile for height. As usual she spoke no words leading the nurse to believe she is a mute. She even asked her about her birthday and what she got. Nothing. Just blank stares and silence. It wasn't until she asked her if she wanted a sticker that she muttered, "and a sucker?" After which she reminded the nurse that the last time she was in the office, "I throwed up everywhere." Yuck, a memory neither I or the nurse wanted to recall. When she was asked what her name was she said "Babycakers". I said no your real name. "Ansley Babycakers." Too funny. We were scolded only once. We bought Ansley a tricycle for her birthday and no helmet. I know we are anxiously awaiting our nomination for parents of the year again, although I never had a helmet and I think I turned out alright. After her checkup they did any extensive vision screening on her where they put electrodes on her head and made her where any eye patch. It helped that Ally really wanted to do it and wore an eye patch too. The test had her naming animals and I have to say she knew many that I didn't think she would know. She passed the test and we headed out. As I was about to buckle Ansley into her car seat I realized that the actual car seat wasn't strapped in. I know double nominations!! So as I am trying to put the car seat in Jerry decides he wants to try the eye patch on. It's at this point that the vision screener comes running out with some paperwork we had forgotten. So here we are Jerry wearing the pirate patch and me putting in the car seat. Pretty embarrassing to say the least. Oh well, as Jerry says it's just enough day in paradise.

The bike saga

So Jerry has been incredible lately. Every day while I work he has been taking the girls to the library to read books on the summer reading list. He even got Ally her own library card which she was thrilled to receive. So today as I am working I get a call from him asking me if $50 dollars was too much to pay for a bike. My answer was simple. It depends, what kind of bike and what shape is it in? His reply was his bike. Now for those who don't know his bike was stolen several months ago and we had contemplated replacing it over the summer but they are just so expensive. Long story short, while driving through Rockville to the town library he sees this bike sitting on the curb and gets out to take a look. He quickly realizes it is his bike due to a notable scratch he put on it when it was new and the serial number and was getting ready to put it in the car when he is approached by a rather large man who wants to know what he is doing with his bike. Jerry tells him it is his bike and then offers the thief $50 bucks to get it back because Jerry is certain he isn't the one who actually stole the bike. (I don't know who is more trusting Jerry or Ally) He even listened to this sob story about how the guy is riding back and forth to work on it and offered to let him keep it. In the end he paid $45 dollars and got the bike back. This of coarse went completely against my better judgement as I would have taken the police over there with the copy of the police report and receipt for the bike with serial number and taken the darn thing back rightfully. But no not my husband. Now we are the proud owners of poorly cared for $200.00 mountain bike now worth $245.00. The crooks parting words were for Jerry to keep it locked up next time. So for all of his flaws my husband has tolerance much greater than I and for that how can I be mad. Not only that the sheer excitement on Ally's face when we got her Daddy's bike back was priceless.

I really do have a wonderful husband

So it has been a crazy week and a half. With orientation last week and then working the days I had booked with the agency before I came home I have been at work everyday but two of the last 10 days. The girls have been beside themselves and so besides being exhausted I feel like an aweful mom. Jerry has been absolutely amazing though. The house has been picked up everyday, dinner has been ready and he has even started taking the girls to the library every afternoon to work on the summer reading list. In between he is trying to finish his master's papers and is even teaching summer school. He even did my Dubli training and downloaded all my software this week. I am really without words. He has totally picked up the slack while I have been crazy and I so appreciate him. You are amazing honey. Thank you so much for everything you do. I am so grateful to have you for a hubby!

Ok, so I lost it

So I admit it, I had a meltdown. I have been trying to get through orientation and getting back into a home routine and I melted. The kids refuse to clean anything up. Stuff is scattered everywhere and they destroy one area just as a clean another. So I lost it. Not completely, but there was some yelling as I tried to explain to the kids that I am not a maid. (Ansley disagreed, "Yes you are momma.") It didn't help the situation at all. So I sat them down and explained that from now on if I find a big mess I am not going to clean it up and I am not going to beg them to, I am simply going to bag it up and take it to the goodwill. Something I have done before. So far it is working. Jerry says that every evening before I get home, Ally rounds up Ansley and the two of them clean up. She even made my bed yesterday. It's been great. I have made it a point to praise them and Ally is so proud. When I got home tonight though Jerry told me that Ansley told Ally, "We don't have to clean up the big toys because mommy can't throwed them away, they are too big to fit in the twash can." While he loved the for thought involved with her rationalization he quickly reminded her that they were not too big to fit into the dumpster. It was all picked up when I got home. :) Maybe I should melt down more often.

So Ally has been asking me to let her shower by herself forever. She is soooo big now and doesn't need my help. I have been reading Marilee Boyak's book, The Parenting Breakthrough, and one of the things kids should be doing independently by age 6 is bathing so we gave it a try. I am happy to report that she did a great job. I don't know who was more proud, Ally or mommy. Excited too! One less child to bath sounds great!

I'm gonna be rich

So Ally lost several teeth over the summer in Georgia and somehow in all the traveling two of them never made it under her pillow. Tonight as she was getting ready for bed I suggested we put them in her tooth box for the tooth fairy. She was super excited (I think she had forgotten all about them) and had the biggest grin on her face. Then she says, "I'm gonna be so rich in the morning." Oh to be a kid again and think a couple of dollars constituted rich.

The broken one

This morning Ansley was playing with Jerry's rolling desk chair (something she knows she is not supposed to do) when she ran over one of her little toes. She immediately started screaming so I run over to comfort her and ask her what happened. "I runned over my toe with daddy's chair." Which one Ansley? Her answer was priceless. "The broken one."

In all of the chaos of the moment Ally notices Ansley's hair and blurts out "Mom Ansley doesn't have bed head! That hair cutter did a good job!" For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, Ansley has had bed head every morning since she was born. It sticks straight up in the back from her laying on it. Thursday I took her for a haircut and had the stylist try to layer it to help remove all of the damaged hair and it worked! For the first time ever Ansley doesn't have BED HEAD! Just a broken toe!

Haircuts

So today Jerry and I took the girls to get haircut before it gets busy with the job and back to school craziness. We have two little girls starting new schools this year. :) Ally of course did great but so did Ansley. She has only really had a couple of other haircuts both over a year ago but she remembered that the apron had frogs on it and was super excited. "I get the thing with frowgies on it!" At first I had no idea what she was talking about and then Ally reminded me. It's amazing what they remember. Unfortunately that could also be a very bad thing. :)

It's Official

So today I went and had my pre-employment physical at Middlesex and it's official I HAVE A JOB! There was some drama surrounding orientation and maybe not having one but I think we have it all worked out now. So to celebrate our good news and a good friends birthday we headed out to Hartford to Brio for dinner. Jerry and I had never been there and on the drive into the city with killer traffic we weren't overly excited but the food was amazing and really not expensive either. We will definitely be back. So Happy Birthday Brenna and Happy day Rice's, we have a job and we will be able to continue eating!

Thank you Teresa! and John

So today was our last day in Georgia for awhile so I had several loose ends to tie up one being my emmissions testing. Thankfully John was home from work and I was able to go sans 4 young girls. I also had a gift certificate for a massage that Teresa gave me for my birthday that I really wanted to use before we go home. I called and they could see me today. The massage was amazing and because it was Monday it cost less than the gift certificate so I was able to upgrade my massage and get my eye brows waxed too!! So thanks again Teresa and thank you John for keeping my girls. I needed it!

I Have a JOB

So it's been a crazy couple of months and despite joining two other nursing agencies and applying staff at a couple of hospitals there hadn't been a singe prospest within 100 miles of CT. Thankfully for us Atlanta has been busy and I have been blessed with enough to get by over the last few weeks. Today I got some great news though. Despite the fact that Middlesex was not hiring I called the unit manager and asked if she could use me per diem. I had been working there as a pool or traveler through a staffing agency and loved it. The people are fantastic and its just a great place to work. She said she could use me but that they weren't hiring but she would she if she could get something posted so I could apply. About a week later there was a posting so I applied and they called me today to tell me I was hired and signed up for orientation. Yeah!! So I am officially heading back home!

Graduation

This morning Ally's took part in her first graduation. They looked adorable in their caps and gowns. Mrs. Oliphant recalled a special memory about each of the children and then called them up by name to receive their diplomas. It was really nice. Hopefully it is the first of many graduations to come!


After dinner we went to the mall to get some gloves and softballs to take camping and to the beach. While we were wandering through the mall Ansley got tired so Jerry had her on his shoulders. Ally and I were up ahead a little ways and I could hear Ansley singing Follow my mommy, follow my mommy, follow my mommy, she knows the way. Very cute and perfectly in tune with follow the prophet.

Sorry

I am sorry I have been a slacker lately. The holidays put me somewhat behind and being away didn't help. Now since coming home I have started a full time contract and am working a ton to make up for the hole November and December put us in. It hasn't helped that Jerry has had a ton to do to get ready for school and is at the computer none stop. So needless to say I have a million excuses for the extended hold on my blogging. Blah, blah, blah!! School is back in session and I will definitely be back in blogging business next week. Hope all is well. There will be new posts below this one as I have a ton to catch up since Nov 17th.

Gina

The End of the Bush Era

We are moments away from inaugurating Barack Obama as the 44th President and first black President of the United States of America and I can't help but be excited for the new and fresh perspective he brings. What an amazing day! I look at the crowds gathered in DC today and can't help but be just a little bit envious. It is truly truly an amazing day!! Hasta W!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 18, 2009

Yet another snowy Sunday morning. It makes getting to church on time interesting being that we have to clean off both cars and move them before we leave. Jerry usually cleans a path to the car for us and carries the girls so they don't get their pretty little dress shoes and feet cold and wet. Such a good daddy!

Fun with our Friends

This evening the girls noticed that their friends were out playing in the snow. Despite the fact that I was already dressed for girls night out in celebration of Lucinda's birthday, I was a good mommy and bundled them up so they could go out and enjoy the snow together. It proved to be a great photo op and a lot of fun!

Ally the photographer

So Ally loves taking pictures and for the most part she really does a decent job of taking them. Any picture of me has likely been taken by Ally as Jerry does not use the camera. Here are a few of her latest contributions to the camera card.