My 1st Stampin' Up Club!!!

Last night I held my first Stampin' Up monthly club meeting at my house. We will meet once a month here at 7:30 (after the kiddies are down for bed) and do 3 projects. This month we focused on Valentine's Day and made a card, a candy bag topper and a 6x6 scrapbook layout. Ashli Welsh and I decided on what projects to make together, so we could split the costs of supplies, etc and it makes it more fun designing with someone else. We tweaked things a bit individually - but the theme is the same overall.

4 girls from the Doctor's group (Michal, Carrie, Jessica and Cara) and 2 neighbors (Christa and Beth) make up our club. We whipped out some wine, Christa made brownies, and we just had a fun night with the girls making some projects. I had a great time and want to thank everyone for making my first club a success! I can't wait for next month! Anyone that wants to come can contact me...we will be meeting next on Feb 19th.

I attached pics of the projects we made as well as some of the girls making them...

Fun Day and Fun Night

Yesterday Patrick was super tired from a rough night on call so the kids and I went to the Columbus Reading Festival. It was really fun (although a bit more for older kids) but had characters, authors, games, face painting, etc. I think Gavin was overwhelmed by it and he was pretty content just staying in the stroller. He did, of course, go on the jumpy moon bounce thing! He wouldn't come out! I had to go in and get him - but he was so cute about it that I didn't care. He was giggling so much and it really was fun for him - so what's a little naughty behavior? I guess he caught Mommy on a good day so I played along instead of yelling for him to listen to me!!! I think he responded better to that anyway.

When we got home we ALL took long naps and then had some of our very good friends over. Mike, Martina and Ellie came (until about 8pm) and Cara and Phillip stayed until after midnight!!! We got pizza, chatted, played with kids...so much fun. Then when the Pokablas left, we played boys against girls games with Cara and Phillip. Cara is another super competitive girl - so we made a great team! And we crushed the boys!!! We lost in Apples to Apples (we think the boys were cheating) but beat them bad in Mad Gab and especially in Pictionary. In their defense, they were getting drunker and drunker while we sobered up a bit. But we beat them TWICE - and even gave them a head start! Look out ladies at our 2/7 meeting.... Cara and I are a force to be reckoned with!!!

Mall visit

Today a few of us went to the Tuttle Mall for a little play time and some shopping. I bought - NOTHING!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!?! I was so surprised! I did allow myself to get lunch at Panera even though I planned on going home to save money. But Gavin had a good time - here is a pic of him holding hands with his friend Greg...

Fine Motor Skills

I have been practicing with Gavin to develop some of his fine motor skills. Here he is creating a beautiful pasta letter board spelling his name. Bonus to the activity = he wants to try to eat pasta for dinner tonight (a first)!

some belated christmas pics

Here are some fun pics from our Christmas in PA...

What happens when your kids get overtired

We have had such a great weekend so far...date night last night which included Brazenhead Pub, bowling and touch screen games, slept in until after 7, worked out, had homemade breakfast when I walked in the door after the gym, Patrick got the deck finished, I organized my scrapbook stuff, we all visited great friends... But I knew if we kept the kids out too long it would backfire, and it did. After our visit to the Napoleons, we got home around 8:30. Not too late except Gavin has been outside running and playing due to the nice weather and also playing at the Napoleons in their open basement (meant to be a soccer play area). They also had a mini-trampoline that Gavin was on the majority of the time there. So an hour past bedtime when he is that beat = bad news. He wanted me to carry him in from the car but I had Evie...so Patrick tried to be sweet and carry him. Not happening. So Patrick tried to fool around with him and turn him upside down while walking upstairs to get in the bath. Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Gavin totally started to freak. And not cry-baby, whining freak. I mean, head spinning, eyes bulging, meltdown. The kind that is so scary to watch as a mom, and even scarier to happen to that child. I quickly took him into my room to start the cool-down but was not very successful. So Patrick convinced me just to throw him in the tub, wash him quick and off to bed. Well good thing we made it to the tub because all 3 slices of pizza + dessert came right out!!! Yuck! His eyes are all bloodshot and he broke blood vessels in his face from screaming. I don't remember him ever doing this this bad before. I brought him back in my room and he REFUSED to put clothes on. Kicking and screaming - totally possessed. He eventually hurled some more and then, as quick as it started, it stopped (thank God). We were able to convince him to brush his teeth, drink some water, put on clothes and get into bed. He could barely keep his poor eyes open. What a tragic night for him. Just too much stimulation and fun during the day!!! And bad parents that keep him out too late at night!!!

Graeters Ice Cream Playgroup

Here are some cute pics of this week's playgroup...Gavin got a bit of his own medicine when there was a bigger kid that picked on him and pushed him around a bit. Hopefully he'll start to realize that it is not nice to push people!!!!!

While the eatin' is good!!!

So although I still have so much to do around the house, anyone who knows me knows that I will find any excuse to avoid it. So today we went to the zoo to enjoy the almost 70 degree weather that we have had for 2 days. We couldn't do much on Monday due to doctor appointments and pre-school stuff so I was NOT about to miss the chance to get out with the kids (and get some fresh air myself)! I called the girls this morning and ended up meeting Julie and Mary (by chance). It was great to get Gavin out to run around with their boys (Seth is almost 3 and Greg just turned 3 in Dec) so they were all close in age. The had fun watching the monkeys and seeing all the animals that were out and active. It was a great day (pretty windy though) for the zoo and I am so glad we got out! (PS - Thanks Mary for the pics...PPS - Ignore Evelyn's dried snot nose).

When we came home, Cara and Baby Hailey (not so baby anymore - she's almost 2 but Gavin still calls her Baby Hailey) came over to work on our schedule for the Advocates meetings. It was fun to hang out while Gavin and Hailey played (Evie slept) and just catch up with Cara. Plus, it helped me avoid working on the house more!!!

100

So I think this is my 100th post. I am mad I still have not gotten my holiday pictures downloaded but Patrick and I have been on a purging rampage that has occupied so much of my free time. It all started when we decided to move our computer/desk out of Evelyn's room and put it into our room. To do that, we needed to get rid of his old dresser (where our old tv was and he had 2 drawers of clothes). Since he was getting rid of that, I had to get rid of some of my dresser drawers to make room for him. So I went through my clothes and got rid of anything I haven't worn in over a year, things that were ripped or stained, and things that just didn't (and won't) fit. More than 1/2 of my wardrobe - gone. Shoes too. Then I had to do it for the kids also, since we got clothes for them from Christmas that just wouldn't shove into the closet because it was too full. So 1/2 of their stuff - gone. I have taken my stuff to a used clothing store and am waiting to get paid for some of it. The rest will be generously donated. The kids stuff is being sent to friends with kids that can benefit from them. Then they too will be eventually sold and donated. Patrick is pretty amazed that I am actually doing it, but is also annoyed at how long the process is taking me. He would have had it done - but I have a certain methodology to it - and I knew it would be 2+ weeks. We're almost there.
And since our old tv had to go - we used gift cards and some money from Christmas to purchase a flat screen for our room. It looks cool and we love it. We are really starting to settle in now (after 2.5 years).
Once I download pics I'll post them...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I can't write long as I am in between Christmases (4 of them due to inlaws, daddy working and coming home today, sisters and divorces). So far so good - although I did have to take Santa's gift away since Gavin wouldn't even look at anything else. So for the sake of opening gifts and getting on with our day - the train carnival had to be put in time out... but I think it was for the greater good!

Holiday Party

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Well...it was a hit! The holiday party that I was planning for the Advocates (Spouse) Support Group was on Thursday and was quite a success, even after about a DOZEN last minute cancellations. One of those cancellations happened to be my own husband - so I know that most everyone had really good excuses. He had a huge grand round presentation that he just couldn't finish in time. So he had to bail. He thought I was going to divorce him, but of any group of people at a party, I knew I wouldn't have to explain why he wasn't there. Just say Ground Rounds...and people get it. I was a bit bummed about other people that couldn't come, as I knew how great it was going to be and really wanted them to enjoy it too. The wives work all year trying to support the hubby doctors, and we really needed a nice night to ourselves.

It was at a nice country club and we had butlered hors d'oeuvres, a delicious dinner, OPEN BAR, and desserts. The food was great and the staff was super friendly. Thank you Made-From-Scratch Events! It was a delight to work with you!

I really want to thank some of my friends who knew how important this was to me and supported me through it all! To my friends who watched my kids while I got my hair done, helped me set up, came 9 months pregnant, came without their husbands or brought husbands even if they didn't feel well...it truly means a lot to me! You girls rock!!!

Here are some fun pics! I think everyone had a good time - and it was nice to see people out of "mommy" clothes!!!

playgroup christmas party

Today was our annual playgroup Christmas Party. Unfortunately, Evelyn is really sick so I dropped Gavin off (along with our presents, food, etc) and ran some errands with Evie so she wasn't around the other kids too much. She was actually doing much better this morning since her fever broke, but I didn't want her to come in contact with the other kiddos. So I dropped Gavin off, ran errands and swung back around to pick him up. When I got back, they still hadn't opened gifts or anything so I brought Evie in and strapped her to a feeding chair so she wouldn't play/touch other kids.

Luckily, I did get some cute shots of the kids opening gifts. It was a great day - but Gavin was acting very aggressive. He gets that way in large groups. Alpha Male Syndrome I guess. Anyway, it was so cute to see the kids exchange and open gifts - I can't wait for Christmas morning!

Ornament Exchange Party

This week has been so hectic - yet I feel like nothing was done. But this morning I got to attend the Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange Party held by Nancy Reed. Patrick is working (again) and my sitter was not available so I left the kids with Ashli's hubby, Ian. Much thanks!!!

The kids and I ran errands in the morning before the party and mid-way through it started snowing. Hard! It came down fast and by the time we got to Nancy's, the roads were pretty yucky. But the snow made for an even more festive feel to the party, which was a nice bonus.

Everyone brought some food or drink so we socialized at first, ate some, then sat down for fun. Nancy always does a great job at making up Christmas related games, so this time we played Reindeer vs Snowmen Family Feud. It was a great time as always! We then followed it up with the pink elephant style exchange. The ornament I bought was a large ball with a bell in it (like from the movie The Polar Express). Gavin picked it out since it reminded him of that movie. I ended up with a really cute "joy" ornament that has a crystal in the o. It totally matched our decor...so that worked out well!

I spent the rest of the day finishing up Christmas cards and baking cookies. Laundry, cleaning... typical stuff to do when Daddy is on call. I just got done checking my emails and got an update from my girlfriend, Melanie in Charleston. Her baby girl (almost 4 y/o) just underwent kidney surgery on Wednesday and is starting to make positive progress. She is off the ventilator and asking for food. Her husband donated his kidney to her, so my girlfriend had to watch 2 of the most important people in her life get wheeled to the OR. Please pray for her strength, for her daughter's recovery and her husband's health as he is now at home recuperating.

Super Fun Playgroup

Today playgroup was at my house. We were making up for last week when it snowed so much - and created cards to give to an assistance living home. Ashli did a great job preparing everything and we made super cute cards - one with handprints that turned into Santa, and another with thumbprints that were reindeer. Most of the kids cooperated very well - and some were with the occasional painted hand in mom's face.

We had a large turnout which is great, but unfortunately my house is super small so it got HOT and crowded!!! But the kids all seemed to have a blast, plus it was the first time in a while that the moms sat, drank coffee or water, and talked since the kids were in viewing range at almost all times. Some of the older kids (Gavin's age is now considered older kids - aahhhh!) played in the basement and had fun trashing that area too! At the end we drew names for our gift exchange next week at our kiddie holiday party! Can you believe the holidays aer here?!?!?!!? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh again!

I had a great time and hope everyone else did. One of my girlfriends even stayed late and just hung out with me while Evie slept and Gavin and her son Bryce played...I love girlfriend chat time!

Christmas Card Making BooBoo

For those stampers out there...check this dumb a** move out. I made a sample christmas card. I decided on a pocket card with insert. I got the exact measurements needed. I wrote them down. I cut and scored the pocket, cut the outer color card stock insert, cut inner white insert, mono-adhesived them together, hole punched and put brads in the pocket card. Hole punched and put a brad in for the inner card. I got our family christmas picture taken (thanks Becca) and I got the pictures printed out and cut them to fit on the back of my card. I mono'ed them down. Many, many hours of work put into these...

SO I am almost done and I go to show them off to Patrick, hoping he will be thrilled with my abilities. The fricken' insert is 1/4 inch too wide. But if I trim them, the outer edge of the colored card stock gets cut off. And then my picture also is a bit mis-shapened. I suck. :-(

Allergy Update

For those of you asking about Gavin's allergist appointment yesterday...

We are thrilled that he does not show any more signs of peanut (or ANY nut) allergy anymore! He mostly just has seasonal allergies (as do we all) and allergies to cats and dust. But the Doctor is still amazed at how SEVERELY allergic he is to eggs. He says since he began practicing in 1969 (yes, he is an old doc), he has never seen a case so bad like Gavin's that he can't eat things that are baked with egg (as baking is supposed to kill the allergen in egg) or even get tested for egg in the office as he totally breaks out and needs treatment immediately following the test. He says he thinks he will have his first infant patient to NOT outgrow the allergy by the time he is 5. We will wait until he is 5-6 y/o and get a blood test to show if he will have it probably his whole life or if he will outgrown it. But until then, still nothing with eggs for the G-man. :-( I guess mommy will have to eat all his Christmas cookies....

Santa Santa HoHoHo

So we did our annual trip to the mall to visit Santa today. We've been meaning to do it for a while now and Gavin was set on going TODAY. Even though it snowed 4 inches on Wed and another inch or two last night, we ventured out along with the Welshes to Tuttle Mall to visit the Jolly Old Fat Man.

Once we got there, we noticed a store that said "Christmas Train". We thought it was just some model trains or something but it turned out to be this cool ride on thing. The boys were ecstatic and they got to ride it! It was a good bribe too because we promised if the boys were good, we would come back before we left. Let's just say Gavin did NOT see round two on that thing! He actually wasn't too bad at all - but when we did go back there was a choir singing, so we got to say the train was napping, and he let it go at that (after a promise to play with our own trains at home).

Overall, Gavin was so excited to see Santa, but got a bit shy when we actually go there. When we were in line (like one or two back), Santa was in between kids and looked directly at Gavin, smiled and waved. It was the coolest thing to him! He kept saying, "Santa said hi to me!" When we got up to him, Gavin opted to ride on the little reindeer instead of sitting on Santa's lap - but still gave him a hug. Evie was tired and cranky and just didn't care much to get her picture taken...but it still was cute. Another typical, one kid smiling, one looking away, picture. But that is what is so great about mall pictures. You know that's what you are gonna get!

We did get stopped many times by people admiring Gavin in his tie! He pulled it off just right, looking suave and cool. What a stud!!!!

Starry Night

Saturday (12/1) was our friend Bryce's birthday party as well as our annual Christmas Tree Picking Day. The party was way fun - although Gavin fell asleep for a bit in the car and was cranky while we were there. But they have a kick a** play room so Gavin spent most time in there. Cathy made these cute cupcakes but placed them in ice cream cones - so they were a hit too! Even Evelyn enjoyed some!

After the party we went to the place we went to last year to get our tree. It was the same nice guys again and we fell in love with a tree after a little searching. It was another perfect tree and only cost $40!!! We got home and set it up to let the branches fall before we decorated it on Sunday.

Gavin was so excited for our tree (and decorating it) and really, really wanted to help put the star on top. In the pictures you will see him half dressed as we are in full-on potty training mode again and trying the no pants thing to "catch" him as he is doing it (more on that later).... Anyway, Daddy got a break from his call shift and came home to help. He strung the lights while I put on the ornaments and Gavin was lifted to the top to place the star on the top of the tree. He is still talking about how he did it, and how happy he was that he got to "put the star up the tree". The kids both love waking up and coming down to see only the tree lit and they just lay under it and stare up. I get teary eyed watching the magic and spirit inside them!

Back to the potty training thing...so far Gavin has managed to poop on our floor 3 times, pee on a pillow and also on a dining room chair. But each day is getting better and today he came over to me as he was just about to poop - I ran him up stairs to the potty but he just couldn't hold it anymore and let it go on the hall floor. Thank goodness they are hard little turds that are easy to clean up!!! Sorry for the TMI. But we are trying this for a week. No going out. No gym. No store. Maybe playgroup - but that will be it. It is nice to lay around all day in PJs. But I'll be very happy once this is done!!!