Future Teacher

On Friday, when I went to pick-up Addie, her teacher told me a funny story from that day....

After naps, all the kids go to the restroom, and sit on the round rug before going outside to play. That afternoon the kids were getting a bit wound up while waiting for everyone to finish using the bathroom. Addie stood up in front of everyone, put her hands on her hips and said, "Everyone needs to simmer and sit down!" Everyone listened to her, but she wasn't done. Next, she started pointing to one child at a time, asking them "What's your favorite food?" The kids were totally engaged, sitting and quiet.

Addie's teachers were thrilled and agree with me that she has the makings of becoming an excellent teacher!!

Weekend Fun

We had a blast this past weekend!

First off, some friends gave us their old "car"- and the kids LOVED it! We are looking into replacing the battery- in it's current state, it lasts for 5min.... Still, they both took turn driving, and when the battery ran out of "juice" they would still happily sit and play in it!

They also set up shop to watch the squirrels while they munched on goldfish- how adorable!

We also took them for a bike ride- they are both fully capable of riding so fast that I actually get a work out keeping up with them- yay!!

And I tried to take some nature-y shots....

Love both my kiddos and the fact that we had a fantastic weekend to play together!

Accessory Organs

Al's family is clearly not into keeping their accessory organs- no one has their appendix and many others have had their gall bladders and tonsils removed. We are very thankful for the marvels of modern medicine- and are really hopeful that the removal of Al's gall bladder will lead to a calmer stomach for him!!

Here he is post-op. I didn't get a chance to get a picture of him in his snazzy blue shower-cap as he was rolled into surgery since I literally saw him for a min! Because he needed to be at the hospital at 5:30am, he drove himself and then I got up a bit later and then dropped the kids, along with a dozen Dunkin Donuts, at our VERY dear friend Karen's house. She graciously watched them so I could wait on Al at the hospital. The surgery went well- and around noon, he was stable but not going to be released until 5pm-ish, so I went and got the kids from Karen- they napped at home, I tutored and cleaned- and once the kids were up, we all trouped back to the hospital and collected Daddy.

Addie was THRILLLLLLED to see her Daddy!! I was thankful for the earlier pic- they looked at it on our way to the hospital so they would know what to expect. The medical equipment didn't faze them at all- they just had oodles of questions!

Daddy showing them all his incisions- 4 in all. Thankfully they are not squeamish like their Mom.... They were rather awed that Daddy now had holes in him!

Can you tell she's a Daddy's girl? Alden was happy to be there- but he preferred to sit in the chair across from Daddy, eating snacks....

We are thankful for the good care Al received at the hospital- and the good friend in Karen who took care of the kids and then drove us all back to the hospital Sat morning to collect Al's car! Now we hope and pray that Al will feel a whole lot better without this other pesky accessory organ!!

Random Moments...

I've gotten behind a bit- my apologies.... Here are some random pics from the last few weeks!!

I was able to go on the retreat our church holds for women- and this is what I brought back for the kiddos- they were thrilled needless to say!! I have also been very impressed at their self-control- at the rate they are going, these lollipops will still be around when they graduate elementary school!

My little stinker- notice the snot- she's fighting off a cold and just finishing a little temper tantrum- but the moment I pull out the camera to capture her, she can't help but laugh!!

She LOVES her Daddy- and I have to agree with her =-)

It's bedtime- and they are getting in a few min of TV as I clean the kitchen. It cracks me up that they need to sit on the train table....

We had a freak snow-coating one morning- and they loved running around it- didn't want to run IN it- which was fine with me!!

I Saw The Sun...

This last weekend the weather was beaaaaa-youuuuuu-tiiiiiii-fulllll!!! The kids were thrilled that they could go outside without their coats!! On Sunday, after naps, we headed to our local park and had some fun!!

My 2 on the merry-go-round. It's not the best pic, but they are still pretty darn cute!

Alden grabbed this truck as we walked in, and played with it the entire hour we were there. Here he is pushing it on the merry-go-round. I think I know what the Easter Bunny is going to bring him instead of a basket this year!

An action shot- Alden and his truck and Addie racing down a slide- the girl loves speed!

My little Monkey!!

Sitting still for 1 second- literally- I love his love of life!!

It was a simple weekend but I love the sweet moments we get to have!!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for right now....

1. Karen W- she not only got up before the sun today so I could drop off Addie and Alden, she played and loved on them, fed them lunch, and gave them a super-fun morning! She also is taking us back to the hospital tomorrow, just to get Al's car. Talk about going above and beyond- and all with a smile on her face! Your friendship gives me something to live up to!

2. Dr. M- the doctor/friend who thought Al's stomach issues might be more than IBS, but then we moved away, and once we came back, got Al the "better" gall bladder test which proved his only functioned at 6% and needed to come out. He then set Al up with a top-notch surgeon, Dr. K!

3. Dr. K- for being kind and taking away what has been ailing Al. I also appreciate him telling me Al could go home after lunch and then signing his discharge papers for 2pm (if only the nurses could have read that time....).

4. Al- even though he's been plagued with stomach issues for years, he doesn't complain. Even though he was clearly in pain today- he has 4, 1" long incisions, he didn't complain. When he was finally discharged, he let Addie "help" him leave- and she rode in his lap in the wheel chair, down to the pick-up. He shared his "dinner" of jello and Italian Ice with both kiddos. He's been sure to explain to the kids what's going on. What an amazing father!!

I do have some cute pictures of Al and the kids at the hospital- but you will have to wait- I've been up since 4:30am...

Atlanta Visit

A few months ago, Al found out that his company would be holding a Managers Meeting in Atlanta- and spouses were invited, all costs covered!! I was SO excited!! The Grandparents graciously came down and watched the kiddos- so Al and I headed off for 4 full days of fun (for me) and meetings (for him)!

Thur night there was a large cocktail hour and an intro meeting. It was all totally impressive! Friday morning, I headed off on the Marta to meet a family that I have been tutoring for the last 3 years but had never met face-to-face. After meeting at the hotel, we rode Marta to The Varsity, an fantastic place to eat (but totally horrible for you). Then we headed to World of Coke- yum!

Here we are waiting to start our Coke tour.

Cool display of all the various products that Coke makes- impressive!

Hilarious old sign- 16oz is to serve 3??

The best part of the tour- the Tasting Room! This was by far the nastiest product- and it was a shame since it was from Italy...

This is Coke's new thing- a touch screen so you can customize your soda- I had a Vanilla and Orange Coke that tasted just like an orangecicle- yumm

I was able to do some traditional sight-seeing, too- The Fox Theater!!

Classic Atlanta!

On Saturday I met a childhood friend at the Varsity, again, yummo! From there, we checked out a HUGE Thrift Store- but I didn't get any pictures of that....

The view of Atl from Centennial Park

On Sunday, a handful of Managers went with the Owner to tour the aquarium. It was a neat experience- but extra special since the company Al works for- they did all the carpet installation in it!

Some of the managers checking out the touch-tank

This octopus was all over the place!

Doug Romanoff (owner of company) pointing to the tile to honor their work on the Aquarium. Doug was amazing, humble and totally down to earth- what a great man!

Walking under a shark who has other fish "riding" under him!

More managers- Rick (Doug's brother), Donnie, Al, Hutch, and Sherman- all great men!

It was an amazing time- what a great company Al works for- and I had a great time visiting old friends and making new ones. We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing company!!