Tuesday 26 November 2013

A Week in Review (November 17-23)

A Week in Review (November 17-23)

Watched: Jack entertain himself with couch cushions. While I was working our annual Parent's Morning Out at preschool, Jack and Nick turned the living room into one giant battle arena.  Jack had so much fun, he just had to show me when I got home.  He spent much of the day rearranging them into various forts and towers so we could battle him.

Read: I am still working on We Are Water. It was one of those weeks where I used my evening free time to do other things besides read and so when I finally cracked the book, it only took me a few pages before I fell asleep. 

Listened: To the most ridiculous dialogue ever written for TV, scripts for The Power Rangers. I had no idea how many variations of this show that there were! However, I am quickly finding out because when I signed up for Amazon Prime, it gave us access to instant video streaming of several episodes.  If your kid hasn't gotten into them, be thankful!

Made: Jack's turkey handprint plate. I used the Pinterest idea of baking sharpie on ceramic so that I can keep them forever. This year, he colored it in homage to his current passion, The Power Rangers Samurai.  There is a picture of it below. 

Felt: Like a bad parent and amused all at the same time. Isn't that weird?  Jack had mustache day for his spirit day on Friday. They were giving out KU mustache tattoos at the West Virginia game so we picked one up. I know he doesn't like temporary tattoos, but I really thought being awesome looking for spirit day would rule it out.  I woke him up and put it on right away. As you see in the picture below, he was pretty upset. We made a deal that he could try to rub it off once the people at school saw it and then Ms Beth would take it the rest the way off. He wasn't thrilled, but the idea appeased him. He instantly got lots of compliments on it when he went to school and by the time he left all but the handlebars had come off and he wanted to leave those on. What a goof! 

Planned: My list of Elf on the Shelf ideas. I do not like that most people make their elf a little naughty. While I don't mind a few practical jokes, I try not to have our elf do things I wouldn't want Jack to do. Plus, I try to keep the ideas so that on average they take me a only a minute to do. :)

Loved: Watching Jack and Barley play together.  It reminded me of Barley's younger years because he looked so youthful as he chased Jack around attempting to beat Jack to the marshmallows.  I did remind Jack that there are very few dogs who can play a game where to take their treat away. I am so thankful for Barley's gentle spirit. He is truly a great dog and I can't believe how lucky we have been to have him for 10 years.  The first picture below I think really captures their moment. 

Here are the pics for the week:





Tuesday 12 November 2013

A Week in Review (November 10-16)

A Week in Review (November 10-16)


Watched: The Jayhawks get their first win in Big 12 play in 3 years.  The students stormed the field and we joined them. It was neat to be out there with them. There weren't very many students so we were able to stay safe. Jack did take off into the crowd and we had to quickly grab him back.  We had some friends with us and it was their first time in Memorial Stadium so it was great that they were able to see a win. 


Read: I finished up The Spectacular NowI was totally enthralled with the story of Sutter. While it took me a few days to get into the meat of the story, I was absorbed once I was there. However, the story just leaves you hanging. I wanted some sort of resolution and it just wasn't there. Of course, I can infer my own ending, but I prefer if the author follows it to conclusion for me. After all my assumption may not be correct. Alas... Not a book I would recommend to others because of the ending.  I was very excited to star We Are Water. I just haven't been sucked into and have found myself filling my night time relaxing with other things than reading. However, I have enjoyed reading The Dumb Bunnies (The Dumb Bunnies, #1)to Jack,. This book was a favorite of my brother's and it's been fun to see Jack enjoy the book too. We also picked up Hi! Fly Guy from the library. It's a cute book that Jack and I both enjoy. We will definitely look for other's in the series. 

Listened: To plenty of people talk smack about the Bronco's. I am so nervous for the game. It will be very intense at our house.  I am really wanting to see them put the smack down. 

Made: Up a fun tailgating atmosphere. Our friends, whose house we've been driving out to for the KU games, were able to make it to the KU v West Virginia game.  While we ran out of propane, we were able to have enough food for everyone. The kids liked all the snack food, so I was glad that I had brought it.

Felt: Like I couldn't just take anymore. During the KU v Duke game, I pulled a muscle during a coughing fit. I thought it might have fractured the rib, but luckily not. Apparently, there is also extreme inflammation area from the infection.  I just don't know how much more I can take. They issued some pain meds to take the edge off. Luckily, by the end of the week, I was feeling much better.

Planned: Jack's Kindergarten Christmas party. I think that they will have a great time. I am so glad I get to share this responsibility with a couple other moms. 

Loved: That I get to be a stay at home mom. Jack is quite fun to be around. He always has something to do. I am glad that he has this one last year of half days for us to be together so much. I can not imagine how much I will look forward to breaks once he is in school full time.  These are the moments I need to remember!

Here are the pics for the week:

Jack had an assignment to camouflage turkey and this is what we came up with. We think he's pretty cute. 



Jack wanted to watch the KU v Duke game so bad, but it started so late. I made the rule that he had to watch it from the couch. He made it through most of the first half. And KU won so it was worth it to have a lack of sleep. 

Jack and Nick head into the crowd. He is the kid on his Dad's shoulders. 

A selfie


Jack enjoys getting to go on the field. 

Sunday 10 November 2013

A Week in Review (November 3-9)

A Week in Review (November 3-9)

Watched: The horrible acting in Power Rangers Ninja Samurai.  Jack found one of the movies at the library when I was looking for things to entertain him in the afternoons so that I could continue to rest.  He loves it and it is so so so corny.  It is just as bad as I remember being when I watched it with my little brother almost 20 years ago.  I just can't believe that it has the staying power to last that long!

Read:  Again, this week was not good for reading.  I did get about 100 pages into The Spectacular Now.  The narrator reminds me of my brother's college roommate and I am picturing him while reading the story.  I am not sure if this accurate or not, but I will have to just wait and see.

Listened: To the doctor tell me that if this third type of antibiotics didn't work that I was going to end up in the hospital with this pneumonia.  My blood oxygen level was a little low so that was worrying for me and the doctor.  I really do think that this dosage and the new strong inhaler made a difference.  I don't hear myself wheezing nearly so often or as strongly.  I go to the doctor for another check on Monday and I think he will be pleased with my progress.  I am down to coughing once only every 10 to 15 minutes.  From what I have read, the cough can really linger after the rest has passed.

Made: Plans to watch the first KU basketball game over at Nick's friends house.  Jack loves playing with his two boys and it is a more relaxed environment than going to a sports bar.  We will go back the next time they have a Friday night game that isn't available to us. :)  We are thankful that they have opened their home to us.  It has made life so much easier!

Felt: Grateful for a slower week so that I could just rest up and focus on trying to get feeling better!  It was nice to have a lot to do.  I am also glad that if I had to deal with this it was before the start of the Christmas season in which I always seem to go into overdrive. :)

Planned: My school's Christmas party.  I am going to try and get this stuff all done and out of the way so that if something comes up, I am not doing things at the last minute.  I need to delegate out more and earlier so that I am not left stuck with it!  This is an important lesson to remember.

Loved: Watching Jack practice at Karate.  He asked me to stay and be a Parent Helper in his class.  Sensei John runs his class very differently from Sensei Tyler.  I like it better, but Jack seems to prefer Sensei Tyler and so we will go back to his class as long as the it works into his basketball schedule.

Here are the pics for the week:

Jack with his awesome football coaches. From left to right, we have: Coach Brent, Tyler, and Mark. Coach Mark was the head coach and he gave each kid a small speech. I've attempted attaching it. Hopefully it works!  Jack loved all these guys and we are thankful for their hard work!


Jack took a tumble last Saturday and he has needed constant pictures to check it's healing. It was pretty intense, but has healed up nicely :).  He does think that his top two teeth absorbed the concrete when he smacked into it. (Haha)


A Week in Review (October 27-November 2)

A Week in Review (October 27-November 2)

Watched: Jack have a great time trick or treating as KU Ninja. His bit plan has been to see his preschool teacher. While we were trick or treating at other houses, he was given Peanut M&M's, and got super excited because he remembered those were her favorite. When he knocked on her door, he proudly presented her with his candy. He was so happy to see her. He also got to stop by Ms. Sally's house and get some pumpkin cupcakes. That was an awesome treat for me too!

Read: Not much. I am so busy trying to keep up with this week's activities that when I finally have a chance to fall asleep, it comes almost immediately.  However, I did finish up Covet.  I picked this book up because I really enjoyed her debut novel, On the Island. The setting is Johnson County, KS where I reside so I frequently found myself wanting to put in various people I knew into the roles. I was expecting a bit more in the way of a climax, but it just told the story of Claire's confusion. I enjoyed the book and will definitely pick up the next book by the author.

Listened: To myself wheeze quite badly. At first, I thought I had croup because that was the only time I had ever heard that rattle. Turns out, I had a pneumonia. And not one that is wanting to go away easily!

Made: It through the perpetration for the school's Halloween party. I had put things off until this weekend never assuming that I would come down with something so horrible. I was proud of myself for pushing through and not letting the kiddos or my fellow teachers down.

Felt: Frustrated with KU's decision to sell out to a network which most cable companies don't carry.  They also made it so you are blacked out from watching the games online. It killed him not to be able to watch the first preseason game. This also effected the KU v TX football game, but luckily his friend offered to let us come over and watch it at his house.

Planned: On just being a normal easy clown for Halloween because it was quick and cheap. However, when I came home with the costume Jack got this idea to make me "Murphy". Now I have no idea where he came up with name or concept, but he had very specific plans for me. He spray painted my hair red (that stained my hair and mucas for days!) and had me where a Chief's jersey. It was fun to see him get so into it.

Loved: That my hubby took very good care of me. I had just enough energy to get through the things that had to be done that I had nothing left to give for things like dinner and dishes. He helped with everything on top of working and doing his PT, both of which keep him quite busy!

Here are the pics for the week:

Jack with his bop bag that I bought him so I could lay and he could get some energy out. It got a hole in it almost immediately, but he still had a lot of fun with it. 


Jack and Nick's pumpkins follow. I didn't ever quite get a pic of mine. 



Here I am getting my red hair

The final product:


Here is a close up of his costume. The blur is the motion of nunchucks. 


Saturday 2 November 2013

A Week in Review (October 20-26)

A Week in Review (October 20-26)

Watched: A cool presentation at the Bug Lady Science Academy. Declan chose to have his 4th birthday party there. The presenter was very knowledgeable and had all sorts of unique animals. I learned that there are many types of cockroaches and only 4 are considered pests. She had Madagascar hissing cockroaches out for touching. They are as creepy as you think.  Jack got pretty used to holding them by the end.

Read: I really wanted to say that I finished up , but it just didn't happen. I haven't made reading a priority and so I'm not getting through my books quite as quickly.  It's still nice to have that way to unwind at the end of the night.

Listened: To the majority of The Ocean at the End of the Lane . It is a book heavy on fantasy. The conclusion of the book will be a maker or breaker as to whether I enjoy the story or not.  I'll have my recommendation for you next week!

Made: I like trying new recipes, but you never know what you are going to get.  I tried THIS recipe for Poor Man's Prime Rib.  I followed one reviewers recommendation and let me oven preheat for 20 minutes before cooking.  My rub was just garlic salt and black pepper.  Yummy!  I'd recommend you try it on a cold winter's day.

Felt: Excited for Jack. He came up with the crazy idea to be a KU ninja for Halloween.  His Grandma Denise did an excellent job making it a reality for him. To make this even more wonderful, he got to walk on the field at half time of the Baylor v KU football game.  Since Charlie Weis took over as head coach, the field has been closed when we have attended fan events. So getting to walk the field, next to Big Jay, and wave to all the people in the stands was a real treat. He also was able to get some high fives from the players and was able to call out a big hello and get a head nod from his favorite player Tony Pierson.

Planned: My punny Halloween costume for Bunco group. I woke up that day realizing that I didn't have anything pulled together because we aren't doing a family theme this year. So I did a quick Google search and came up with a being a Fork in the Road. It was simple since we have yellow masking tape at the preschool.  I was pleased with how it turned out. 

Loved: That the crazy process of dealing with the refi of 2nd mortgage is over. We signed the 100 page document on Friday!  So happy that is over with!

Here are the pics for the week:

Jack holding a Madagascar hissing cockroach. 

Me and my Bunco gals that chose to dress up :)

The tailgate beside us had connections to the cheer team so Big Jay was brought over to them for some pics.  Luckily he was nice enough to come over and give Jack some love too. Got this great picture of the two of them. 


The halftime parade. He is small blue blob in front of Big Jay. Better pics coming soon. Don't want to spoil the Halloween surprise!