25!

The count down in on...

Annie has 25 days until she leaves for her big weekend in Chicago with friends and her first REAL concert experience.

I have 25 days left of school with students.

I started using the kitchen calendar again.  The next two months are busy!

Jake had his Pre-Regional Festival Solo Recital performance this afternoon.  Jake didn't think parents were allowed.  Jack picked him up and was surprised to see parents going in and out. :-(  Bummer!  Jake said it went very well and the guest judges said he needs to do exactly what he made them do... put their pencil down, sit back and enjoy the music.  His directors and lesson teacher were there as well and stood up and clapped.  There were only a few minor tips to make his Saturday performance even better.  :-)    He's excited and confident.

Jack got a new toy in the mail today.  A new knife sharpener.  He wasted no time getting to work on our dull knives.  And even "trained" me in the art - since I will be expected to keep the knives sharp during the prep work of next months Legacy BBQ.  

Serious business.

It's hard to see but he sheared himself a bit.

Smooth as a baby's bottom right in the middle of his forearm.

It was as sharp as any Guinsoo knife as advertised back in the day.

Ha! ha!

Jack and I attended the monthly Band Booster Meeting tonight.  It was packed with lots of information and dates.  Did I say the calendar was filling up?  Well band just added a couple more things each week until school is out.  It's crazy!  As the meeting was winding down the director was making a point and just as he finished Jack's phone made a text notification sound... BOING!  It was loud.  And the timing was perfect.  Everyone in the room laughed.  (Jake had a similar situation earlier in the year during band - much worse of course - like father, like son.)  :-)

xo

sunshine and rain

A few days ago I left the front door open 

and Suzy snoozed in the sunshine all afternoon.

We made our first trip of the season to the dog park yesterday.  We were expecting to see lots of mud - but saw none.  It's so hard to believe just a two weeks ago it was buried under 8 inches of snow.  Suzy loved it but after just one lap she was ready to go.  I love the walk but admit she makes me a bit apprehensive when her old sassy girl comes out and gets snippy with other dogs.  She stops and the hair on her back stands up on her back and she bolts to oncoming K9.  She is so protective.

Caution!  

Suzy waiting patiently for us to catch up..

We went to Grand Avenue Temple this morning.  

After worship we served lunch at Lazarus Table.  It's always a humbling experience.    

The kids were talking to Elizabeth (the youth pastor) about a movie that is coming out soon.  I can't remember the name of it but the premise is one day a year crime is legal.  Annie... she'd eat brownies.  You know, the funny kind.  !?  NOT AT ALL what we expected her to say.   Jake would rob a bank, then change his mind and said he'd burn something down.  He's such a pyromaniac.  He added he thought it meant you had to break a commandment.  We all laughed when Jack said he'd turn right on red at 87th and 69 Highway (where he'd gotten a ticket a few weeks ago.)  I don't know what I'd do, probably just stay home and stay safe!

We returned home and Annie went to a friend's house.  Jack went to the driving range.  I did laundry.  Jake watched tv - then we both took naps.  

We had our first spring thunderstorm this evening.  It started to rain as Jack was taking dinner off the grill.  It was complete with lightning and thunder.  Ahh!  I loved it!  

A picture of severe thunderstorm moving through downtown.

Crazy purple sky.

And finally, a cute picture. 

Goofballs!

(I hope it makes you smile!)

Annie has been camera shy.  I'm hoping to get a picture of her soon.  ;-)

xo 

Big Band Benefit

Tonight Jack, Jake and I went to the BVWest Jazz Big Band Benefit.  It's a special event that showcases the Jazz Bands from the two feeder middle schools, as well as the two high school jazz bands.  It's a big fundraiser for the entire band and helps off set costs of marching band.  There was also a silent auction.  And feature performance by Monique Danielle, a local jazz performer.  She was amazing!  Her pitch was perfect!  It was a bit sad that most in attendance didn't stick around to listen to her.  Jake isn't in jazz band but he really enjoyed the event and made time to talk to Monique Danielle at the end.  A great time was had by all of us.

Annie stayed home and had a friend over.  Jack sent her a text at one point, just to check in.  No response.  I said, don't send her a text message to the home phone, it really freaks her out.  And what do you think he did?  (Ugh!)  Yes, he sent her a text to land line message... it rings the home phone and then a recording speaks the message.  His message?  I'm watching you.  (exactly what I asked him NOT to say).  (eye roll!)  His mission was accomplished and Annie called in no time.  The only saving grace was that I'm watching you - spoken by a machine just doesn't translate well.  Jack talked to Annie and was laughing saying "we" this and "we" that.  I took the phone and put all the blame where it belonged - on HIM!  When we got home and I told her that I had asked him not to, her response was "MOM, you never tell him not to do something!  He has the maturity level of a 5 year old!"  Ha! Ha!

Who's ready for the weekend?

ME!

xo

Oh well.

I decided I need to start cooking with more fresh basil.  When I made caprese appetizers Jack thought the whole house smelled amazing!  I made some mini apps that I had found on Pinterest.  

Super easy and delicious!

I made turkey club, caprese and cheese and pimiento olive.

Here's the link, if you're interested.

 http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/mini-apps/485ddaa8-e8ea-4577-be40-3ccc1fc7b5f4/?WT.dcsvid=NjU5OTQ4OTIyMwS2&rvrin=9E3E1EE4-15A5-4A80-8510-333070BA56AB&WT.mc_id=Newsletter_PB_PB_2011_12_20&nicreatID2=Newsletter_PB_PB_2011_12_20

I thought the girls were coming over at 7:30.  Most of them showed up at 7:00 - oh well.  I had just turned on the oven so several appetizers weren't even cooked yet and I was working on a delicious Snickers dip.  I did my best and everyone rolled with it.  I don't think everyone had been together since Fall, so there was lots to catch up on.  I laughed to myself because I really thought I was right on schedule.  (deep sigh)

Jack and Jake spent the evening at the library.  I didn't realize it until about an hour after they left that Annie was here - in the basement.  She scared the bejeebers out of me!  She came up and had some snacks and then came in a visited when she heard the ladies talking about what they're reading.  She always looking for a good book and had a few suggestions for the group.  She pushed John Green real hard.  "Some of his books are kinda sad, with a little bit of language, but SO good!"  :-)

That's it for tonight - my bed is calling my name!

xo

Back in the swing...

Spring Break is over.  We are all back into our routines - with the exception of the kids now need to be awakened in the morning.  ?  Not long ago they would get themselves up and around.  NOW, Jack or I have to lug ourselves out of bed (several times) in an effort to get them moving.  I don't like it!  It doesn't help that Jake has late arrival on Thursdays and usually goes out to breakfast with Jack.  Wednesday night ends with "don't forget - I don't want you to wake me up until after 7!"  (eye roll)  I can't tell you how many times I've asked them to set their alarms.  Ugh!  We've fallen into some bad habits!  I am open to any suggestions, if anyone has some advice they want to share!

Jack played his first round of golf of the season.  Unfortunately, it didn't pan out like he'd hoped.  He had some great drives but had a tough time with his short game.  :-(  Bummer.  I'm certain it will come around.  It just takes time.

I got an email from the band director about a band leadership meeting.  They are asking everyone to attend, then anyone interested writes an essay and try outs will be a few days later.  I was surprised and excited to hear that Jake wants to try out.  Leadership is made up of one person from each section to act as team leader during marching band.  Jake has said he wanted to be on the leadership team but I didn't expect him to want to do it until his Junior year.  No matter what, I think it will be a great learning experience.

Annie is participating in a program called Girls on Track.  It's a school sponsored group that talks about health and wellness and they run for fun.  They meet twice a week.  Today, Annie ran a mile.  She and her friend, Arden, are the only 8th grade girls.  They joined at the request of the librarian, who one of the coaches and they both love dearly.  At the end of their session they will run a 5k.  I hope I can keep up with her at the Color Run in June.  :-)

In full disclosure - I am on the verge of an anxiety attack.  I am hosting Bunko tomorrow night.  And instead of cleaning or tidying or cooking, I am procrastinating by reading blogs and writing this...

Deep sigh!

Ok, enough said.  Sleep tight!

xo

Sleep

I went to the kitchen sink to wash my hands and found myself hesitant to turn on the water until I knew it was safe.  I couldn't remember it long enough to check yesterday and kept shooting myself with the booby trapped sprayer but I remember today when I'm in a rush?  How sad is that?  I sent a text message to Jack and Jake and I'm pretty sure they both laughed out loud.

I have a couple friends that are battling with fears and worry.  Their imagination gets the best of them and it can be hard to shake it.  Today, while listening to KLOVE I heard a great acronym for fear - False Evidence Appearing Real.  I'm going to share it with both.  Now if I could just find one for worry.

I'm trying out a new sleep schedule.  I'll give you the low down on it tomorrow.   I only have 17 minutes to get ready for bed and fall asleep, so I have to close.

xo

Not a typical Monday

My family LOVES chocolate covered strawberries!  

While doing a bit of shopping at Sam's Club on Saturday I saw them unloading a pallet of fresh strawberries and decided I must get some.  Not far down the aisle I found a sample station with strawberries and this product.     

Ok, I'm sold.  I'll try it.  

We made some yesterday.  And again tonight.  YUM!  Jack's comment was "BEST we've ever had!"  Seriously!  Super easy to make and SO good!

We all had a MUCH better Monday.  My class had a near perfect morning.  (Thank you, God!)  Jack had a good Monday, not great but good.  Jake had a test in Geometry and said it went really well and some the questions were the same as on the practice test.  Annie had a good day at school.  If you aren't aware, Annie hates April Fool's Day... hates it with a burning passion.  One of her friends pranked some boys with toothpaste filled oreos.  (They didn't even know and said they tasted like regular Oreos.)  She did get pranked after school by Jake - with my help.  He had put a rubber band around the kitchen sink sprayer and I asked her to get me a cup of water so I could take something for a headache.  She got soaked and was fuming mad.  FUMING!    

Jake wasn't done with his pranks.  He put tape across a couple doorways.   I told Annie if he got me on something I was going to scream in terror to try to scare him.  We left the sprayer set up - in an attempt to get Jack.  Unfortunately, the only person that got wet was me, TWICE!  Lol!  And yes, I screamed both times because I had forgotten.  Ugh!  (Annie told me I was not allowed to complain.)

My friend, Katie, loves April Fool's day!  She got pranked last year by a girl that set her up to receive fun facts for cat loves via text messages.  She decided to get her back this year and put up Free puppy signs with this girls telephone number.  I told her I'd make a call for her, so we did it as soon as the students left this morning.  I called the number and proceeded to talk as fast as I could about how I really needed a puppy as soon as possible, I would drive to where ever she was and rambled on and on with rapid fire questions - what color is it?  Black, white, brown?  Oh, I hope it's black, but it doesn't really matter, I just really need a puppy and I need to pick it up before my kids get home from school... it was hilarious!  I am a great accomplice. 

I don't usually get into the festivities of April Fool's.  Usually I'm the fool, not the prankster but I did get into it this year.  I sent this picture to Jack... 

My text said; 'UGH!  Not again!'

I don't want to jinx myself, but several months ago I had two lights lit on the dash.  I told Jack, if three warning lights are on I want a new car.  After I sent the text/picture I didn't hear from Jack for 40 minutes, so I sent another text - 'You didn't call, so we're walking home.'  He called 10 minutes later.  I was at Wal-Mart checking out so I had to call him back.  (Which threw a wrench in my plan.)  When I called him back he was mad and confused and full of questions.  I did my best to cover but when I heard the distress in his voice I couldn't continue the joke.  It was too close to reality.  And my laughter got the best of me.

I'm a little nervous about going upstairs to bed.  I won't be surprised if Jake set up another booby trap. I guess I'll just scream and wake everyone up if he did.  Ha.  On second thought, that would put Annie in a foul mood and Jake would probably sleep through it.  

I hope your Monday gave you at least on giggle.

xo