Casting Crowns

 Princess failed to understand how important it was for me to get plenty of sleep on Tuesday night so that I would be well rested for the Casting Crowns Concert.  She threw up endlessly between 2 and 6 in the morning.  She couldn't keep any water down either.  I was starting to wonder if she had a concussion because of her fall.  Daddy stayed home with her during the day and took her to the doctor.  The doctor said she wasn't sure that the throwing up was due to the fall.

Last night Princess and Daddy stayed together while Champ and I went to a free Casting Crowns concert.  Due to the popularity of the band and the price, I wanted to show up plenty early.  Champ and I started waiting in line around 5:30.  We were the second people in line upstairs.  I was a little nervous because the people before and after us in line had tickets.  As I sought out a ticket from a volunteer, she assured me they weren't necessary to get into the concert and that people would be bringing more tickets around.  Sure enough, we got tickets after a little while.  I had brought Champ a picnic dinner to eat.  After he ate, we played Words with Friends on the iPad.  Then the line (which was wrapped all through the inside of the church) started moving as the doors opened to the sanctuary.

As we approached the sanctuary, we put our suggested donation of a nonperishable food item in the boxes.  I could see that the sanctuary was already pretty full.  I told Champ that we were going to try the next aisle over to the left.  Although there were already limited seats available, I was able to find 2 seats together on about the 12th row.  If we had gotten in line any later, we probably wouldn't have made it into the sanctuary.  I was absolutely thrilled with our seats.  Champ and I continued to play games together on the iPad as we waited.

The event didn't start on time.  First a pastor from MPCC spoke.  Then people from Shine radio station spoke.  They were recognizing a supermom.  They also had found a woman and her two children in the last row of one of the overflow sections.  They told her as a service they were upgrading her family to the front row.  We also learned that those of us who got tickets could trade them in for a free Casting Crowns commemorative T-shirt after the concert.

When Casting Crowns finally arrived on stage, they said they were late because they had appeared in each of the overflow rooms to introduce themselves.  My understanding is that there were 3 overflow areas.  The chapel and a large open space were used as overflow in the church.  I understand that a nearby elementary school served as the overflow parking lot.  I also heard that they were busing those guests to the Video Venue, which is located in their gymnasium across the street from the church.

It was definitely a promotional concert.  There were many songs sung from their newly released CD.  There were fewer songs sung that were our old favorites.  I loved all the songs sung, but I wished they would have sung more.  I'm guessing the event lasted about an hour.  The lead singer spoke in between songs.  He seemed really personable and funny.  At some of those moments, Champ would ask if he could play another game on the iPad.  I told him no.  I told him this could be a once in a lifetime moment for him.  Of course, I had to explain what that term meant.

Shine personalities gave out some posters after the event, but we weren't among the people that received any.  We went out of the sanctuary and exchanged our tickets for free t-shirts.  Champ really wanted to go stand in the line to meet the band members.  I showed him where the line began, how it wrapped around the inside of the building, and that it was already 8:40.  He said we could just go home then.

He seemed thrilled by the experience.  He is wearing his new t-shirt proudly to school today.  I'm so thankful for such a great mommy and son date.

Waiting in line

My main man

One overflow room

Waiting in sanctuary

Shine personalities

Casting Crowns

Déjà Vu

Tuesday brought another school cancellation.  I'm sure most corporations regretted that decision since it wasn't as cold as anticipated.

We met my mom at the gym.  We were thrilled to run into the Banks family there.  The kids played well together.  We went to their house for lunch.  Then their kids came to our house to play while their mom shopped.  

We went back to the gym after dinner for basketball practice. I love having a dear friend, Carey, there to talk to at the same time. I'm very thankful that our boys have basketball practice at the same time.  When we were leaving the gym, Princess slipped on an ice patch and fell face first.  She scraped up the skin under nose and has a cut on the underneath side of her upper lip.  We went back into the gym to get an ice pack.

My mom babysat the kids so that Kelly and I could go to Zumba.  

Last January Weekend

Champ went to game night at church on Friday.  He loves those events.  Princess and I went grocery shopping instead.

Saturday morning the kids helped me do chores.  Champ is becoming a pretty good helper.  He even asked to help grade some papers.  After one set though, he laid down and said he was exhausted.

My dad took Champ to the airport Saturday morning to get his haircut.  Dad also took Champ out for a late morning breakfast.  Princess and I went shopping at Macy's instead.  I rarely shop for myself, but I have been busy shopping clearance sales recently.  Princess wanted a picture taken by the mannequin.

I ran 6 miles around the track at my gym on Saturday afternoon.

I met my friends Lara, Melanie, and Cory for dinner Saturday night at Abuelo's.  We spent about 3 hours there.  

On Sunday, we went to church.  I finished my clearance shopping at Kohl's.

First Field Trip

Today was my little girl's first field trip.  She went to a gymnastics place.  I stressed over and over in advance that Princess is fearless.  I was not shocked to learn that she was the first to try the zip line.  

Tuesday night was the first practice of the season for Champ.  I was thrilled to see my friend Carey and her husband there to watch their son.  It was great to socialize with them.  Tuesday night Kelly and I went to Zumba.

Yesterday I ran 4 miles after work.  Our family finished the old movie Shaggy Dog.  The kids laughed a lot when the dog was driving.

Today was a 2 hour delay day.  My parents watched Champ so I could get to work.  I loved getting so many papers graded.  I was only with my students for a short while today.  I went to a meeting in the afternoon.  I used the elliptical machine after work.

Break Again

My coworker has a "let it snow" sign outside her classroom.  I think it's time to retire the sign.  Enough snow already.  We were back in school for 7 days before we got the call this morning for a 2 hour delay.  Soon it was changed to a closing.

After almost 3 weeks off, last week seemed to linger forever.  I don't think we had any extra activities during the week.  We just tried to survive the usual routine after so much time away.

Friday night we traded movies at the library.  Then we went to Chick Fil A for dinner.  The kids stayed home with daddy on Saturday while I ran, went to Zumba, did clearance shopping and grocery shopping.   I was really proud of the deals that I got that got the stamp of approval from my lovely sister in law too.

On Sunday, I gave ourselves a 2 hour delay.  We went to the late service at church.  Then I brought a picnic lunch to eat at the Children's Museum before we played.  

Some of my favorite lines by Princess recently included her request to wear her quacky pants (khaki) and her admission that she loved ponycorns (unicorns).

Being a mom provides lots of smiles when you see your kids growing, achieving, and learning.  However, sometimes being a mommy is hard.  My baby was hurting physically yesterday.  I've learned that no band aide works on mommy's heart when she is watching her kids suffer or when she is trying to make good decisions on their behalf that are painful in the moment.

Some of my bargain finds, but I'm trading the boots in for some others.

Both kids are sporting fairly new PJs that were very cheap.  I love the mathematical challenge of clearance shopping.

I had the carpet in the master bathroom removed, and it was replaced by vinyl.  Love the look!

Champ loves to take pictures.  I thought he did a good job here.

Playscape provides plenty of fun

My girl loves the up and down horses now on the carousel.

I'm proud of my son for often encouraging us to take the steps or ramps, rather than elevators, so we get our exercise.

The kids don't usually choose to play at the train station at the museum, but then did on Sunday.

A girl can really get exhausted at the museum!

I love that my Princess knows how to call a loved one using Face Time.

January Joy

After church yesterday, I headed to Aunt Kathryn's house for Kahleen's baby shower.  It is always good to be celebrating with family.

Princess did some of an exercise video with me.  Champ was more into Broncos game.

Around 2 this morning, Princess snuck in bed with me.  I brought her back to her room.  She cried.  We did this a couple of times.  All the sudden the light goes on in the bathroom.  She got up to go to the bathroom!

My neighbor came over at 5:00 a.m. to exercise to the DVD Turbo Jam with me.  I was exhausted by the end of the warmup.  The people in that DVD have a lot more energy than me.  

I got plenty of things accomplished before the kids awoke.

This evening I made turkey ranch burgers, sweet potato fries, strawberries, and granola.  I added a few chocolate chips and marshmallows to the homemade granola.  Everyone loved it.

Back to a Break

After going to school for one day following a 3 week break, it is good to have a 2 day break, the weekend.  I began the day by taking the new dance class at my gym.  The instructor does an awesome job of teaching a dance to a song, but it doesn't burn as many calories as other classes.  So, I ran 4 miles on the track afterwards.  I followed that run by walking around the track with my fabulous mom.

For our afternoon adventure, we went to the Eiteljorg.  I'd like to thank them for offering both free parking for all guests and free admission for a teacher.  The Jingle Rails exhibit was a big hit, as was any interactive exhibit.  It was good to see old friends, the Petersons, there.  A special treat was having a volunteer show us how to add cars to the trains and how to start/stop the trains.  

 Basket weaving

Learning to play the drums

Exploring a tipi

Making a tipi

Watching a train get repaired

Learning how to operate the trains

We celebrated December/January birthdays in the evening at my sister's house.  Champ loves to play with his cousins.  Princess likes the boys, but she misses Caroline.  

It is good to be loved on by Memaw.

All the birthdays we needed to celebrate.

The boys seemed to like our gifts of Legos.  Princess seems to be a misfit in both these pictures, but I did see her and Cooper in a sweet game of air hockey earlier.

Back to School

We braved the roads and went back to school today.  The main roads were fine, but neighborhood roads were still terrible.  I was thankful that my mom watched Champ during the delay and drove him to school.  

After school, we went to the library to check out our videos for the week.  Then we went to Firehouse Subs for dinner.  Yummy!  Princess and I split a brisket and cheddar sandwich.  Champ had a kid's meal turkey sandwich, plus most of Princess's share of my sandwich.  Although I didn't get Princess a kid's meal, the employee was so kind to give her a Rice Krispie treat like her brother.  In addition, the man put her share of my sandwich on a separate plate to make it look like she was getting her own meal.  I thought Champ looked so handsome today in his new shirt....of course he got Barbecue sauce on it.

After dinner, we went to Chick Fil A in the mall and got ice cream.  Then I let them play on the playground.  While they were playing, I spent about 20 minutes walking the perimeter of the playground area.  Although it was a leisurely pace, I thought it was a great idea.

We determined the order of movies to be viewed by Eeney Meeney Miney Moe.  Princess won.  So, we watched some of her movie.

After I tucked Princess into her bed, she came out of her room and asked me why I was always wanting her to go to sleep.  I almost liked it as much as yesterday's comment.  When I asked her to wear a sweatshirt, she got upset and said she only liked to wear sweatshirts on Fridays and Saturdays.

Break Again?

Schools were closed again today.  We ate waffles for breakfast.  My mom watched the kids so I could go the gym.  I did the elliptical trainer and stair master.  We dined on a carry out Burger King lunch.

I brought the kids back to the gym this afternoon.  It was packed, so Champ was very unhappy at first.  I eventually got a goal lowered for him.  Another younger boy was playing there too.  Princess walked 3 laps on the track.  Champ found a boy to play against in carpet ball.  Champ and I played against each other in ping pong.  Although I won both games, I could tell that Champ had really improved.  We had some great volleys back and forth that he eventually won.

After a dinner of leftovers, we went back to the gym.  The kids played with Daddy while I took a new dance class.  It was less of a cardio workout than other classes, but it was good if you want to learn a dance routine.  Each class will apparently teach a new dance routine.

Will school go tomorrow?  Only time will tell....

Break is Still Going

A two week break was a good idea, but a two week break followed by four consecutive snow days is not my idea of fun.  

I'm very grateful though for the following:

1.  We never lost power.

2.  Our pipes never froze.

3.  My mother in law stocked the freezer with meats during her visit.

4.  My mom encouraged me to stocked up on food.

5.  I have a job that matches my kids' schedule.

6.  I don't need to go to work if it is deemed that the roads aren't safe enough for buses or kids to wait on buses.

7.  I rented new movies at the library before the snow storm.

We have been up to following activities:

1.  Trying different YouTube exercise videos.  Champ does fairly well.  Princess isn't really into it.

2.  We are using technology...iPad, iPhone, TV and going old school with VHS tapes.

3.  I've been cooking and baking a lot.  The brownies below are delicious.  I used the recipe on the side of a cocoa box.  However, I used egg beaters instead of eggs.  I also replaced half the butter with smashed avocado.

4.  We've also eaten a lot.

5.  We've played some in the snow.  Princess loves to eat snow.  Our snowman looks kind of sad compared to our neighbors' snowmen, but we had fun.  Champ also liked throwing snowballs at his mom.

6.  Princess climbed to the top of the toilet today, dropped her stuffed monkey to the floor, and tried to swing down to get him on a towel, like Tarzan.  Unfortunately, a towel rack isn't as supportive as a tree.  Live and learn...