Wondering-

how the kids are handling the first day of school, particularly Chloe. Today was her first day of middle school. I am really hoping Hunter helped her out today... it's nice that they are in the same school again this year.

if I can get all of my last minute nesting done before baby.

how many more chocolate chip muffins I can eat before I get sick to my stomach, hmmm... also, if the chocolate I got on my white shirt will come out.

when I am gonna go into labor, how it will start, how long it will take, and if I can manage without the epidural.

what the baby looks like, if I really want to name him what we have discussed, and if he has hair.

if I will find the mental energy to load the very few pictures I took of the first day back to school.

if my kids realize for the first time in their entire lives that I forgot to put notes in their lunches- it's been a tradition since they started kindergarten. I feel terrible about forgetting....

if Chloe is gonna have a good year. Middle school is when girls become Mean Girls and I can't stand the thought of ANYONE being mean to my Chloe girl.

if Jon will surprise me with the fluffy chocolate brown glider rocker I have been begging for.

if Swine Flu is gonna be as bad as they are saying- kinda scary... supposedly flu season starts in a few weeks. Yikes!

if I can get my last minute errands run before baby.

and lastly- if anyone is reading this and if so are you bored yet?

More things I've learned today...

After 17 years of being a mom, it finally hit me like a ton of bricks: my children really can't clean their rooms very well, they can lose things like shoes rather easily, they will watch you looking for their shoes as if they were at the movies, and they don't listen EVER! Oh, and my "favorite", they truly can't do much without me. Neither can the man I married...

I have been married to Jon for 13 years and he can't find things AT ALL either, he doesn't listen worth squat, and the most annoying: the manner in which he puts things in the refrigerator. Case in point, last night we had burgers and hot dogs for dinner. He oh so sweetly helped me put things away and this morning when I opened the fridge it looked like an explosion had gone off. Condiments wherever they would fit (instead of the door where I thought most people kept condiments), the cheese slices sitting on a plate of leftovers, a baggie of lettuce sitting on a pitcher of juice... I mean, aren't those nifty little drawers there for a reason? Really this made getting lunches packed a nightmare! I should have insisted that the kids only had one option for lunches, the lunch line. Who was I to ever allow them to bring a homemade lunch?

Whew! Put it this way- this morning was emotionally and physically exhausting! I was pulled in more directions than I even knew possible. I even got everyone up early and Chloe still missed her bus, for the 2nd time this week and it's only Tuesday!! If my family would only listen to me they would realize how much smoother things would be if we all worked together. To say I am ready for this school year to be over would be putting it mildly. I am tired of packing lunches, school uniforms, getting up early, getting yelled at by pubescent little turds, etc etc. I am sooo ready to sleep in every day. I long for the lazy days of Summer: ice cream, swimming, sundresses, naps, cookouts, and watermelon just to name a few. Breath Ashley. There are only 49 days of school left.

Wintry Mix

I so wanted today to be a "snow day"... but no such luck. They did do an early dismissal at 2, whoopty doo. All that accomplished was me having to stand in long lines at each school, some of the time OUTSIDE while I waited my turn to sign my kiddos out and show my ID. It was a mad house! Parents everywhere and GERMS! The main office of any school during winter makes my skin crawl, but that's another post.
They only gave us a 30 minute warning, nice huh? And, they neglected to tell us in the message that even though school dismissed at 2, buses would be running from 2:45 til 3:45. Which meant if I didn't get the kids myself I would have been home waiting on the buses, likely a nervous wreck. So, after 1 & 1/2 hours at 4 different schools we headed to Wal-Mart for firewood (sold out) and stuff for dinner. That took less time than the school debacle, we were in and out in 20 minutes! We hadn't been out of the van for 30 seconds when Hunter stood on the mini BMX gate in our front yard and promptly fell on his butt. It was a solid sheet of ice. I've never seen a kid contorted that way before! He just laid there arms and legs splayed out, drink spilled, his bag of jawbreakers busted in the grass and laughed his butt off. We all did. Really I almost wet my pants. The only thing that held me back was the fact that it was below freezing and I didn't want frozen pee on my jeans. We did manage to have a nice dinner: homemade lasagna, salad with my famous Ranch dressing, and garlic bread, yum! It's now 11-ish and I am sitting on my bed with the laptop and a sleeve of Thin Mints. I am refreshing the school closings list every 3 seconds while I listen to the TV. Oh yeah- I am also listening to what sounds like a train in our attic. I thought our heat pump was about to explode, but Jon assured me it's only the attic fans trying to spin but they are too frozen to do their job. Wonderful. Anyway- stay warm and cozy and don't drive if you don't have to. And, cross your fingers that there's no school tomorrow....

Diaper Duty

Ok, so I need more help from you readers! Chloe has a science fair project due on December 11th. And, she is gonna do: Which brand of diaper is most absorbent? So, I need anyone that has a baby/child in diapers to pretty please "loan" us a diaper. Ideally we need one of each major brand and maybe 1 store brand. I am sure most people probably only keep one kind on hand at any given time. And I also know diapers aren't cheap, so I can compensate you somehow... cookies, candy, etc. Thank you! If you are able to help us out, email me or leave a comment and I will get you my address. Thanks in advance!

Meet me at the flagpole...

Yesterday when Hayden got in the car after school he informed me that he got into a fight at recess and that he was in bad trouble. He is grinning the whole time he is saying it so I totally thought he was pulling my leg. Then he showed me this:


So, I asked him what happened and this was his "story". A boy named Johnny (seriously...) asked him to play Ninja Turtles. So, Hayden obliged and they started playing Ninja Turtles. I guess Ninja Turtles is wrestling and ninja moves with a little kung fu/Bruce Lee mixed in. And, evidently alot of punching. Johnny punches REAL HARD according to Hayden. So, Hayden recruited back-up. In the form of four other boys. So, pretty soon 6 little boys were slapping, kicking, and punching each other. At one point they even fell into a massive snarling heap only to jump up and play more Ninja Turtles. Some of the kids took it really serious, while others were still "playing". Eventually the teachers noticed and separated everyone. No one called me. I mean Hayden is a shy, quiet, sweet little boy and is a little goofy and I really feel as if was really "playing". I can't speak for the other boys. Hayden can be a brat, but he would never be intentionally violent or mean. Until he's provoked. So, being as yesterday was Friday and all I got was a note I can only go on what my kid said. But, I do know this: for some odd reason he thought it was funny. I am scratching my head over it because Hayden is so not that way. Anyway, I asked him if he was hurt and he said "not that bad." We are on bruise watch, so far nothing. I never thought in a million years my little Hayden would get in trouble. Ever. He's never had bad behavior at school. So odd. And in 1st grade no less!

Free Ice Cream!

Not for you silly, for Hayden! At Hayden's school they are trying to get as many Box Tops for Education as possible, so they are doing a drive. Box Tops for Education are these tiny little coupons on the tops of alot of foods you probably eat everyday. They are worth 10 cents each for the school, so if every kid brings as many as possible, that can add up quick. The money pays for cool things like field trips, supplies, playground equipment, etc. Last year neither Chloe or Hayden got to do a field trip because of funds. So, we are trying to make up for it. If you have any box tops that Hayden can have, he would really appreciate it. Just clip 'em out, stick 'em in an envelope and send them on!! His class can get a free ice cream sundae party if they collect the most box tops. He has already filled up one whole sheet. The drive ends October 24th, so e-mail me and I can get you my address. And, obviously if you have kids in school send the box tops to their teacher. Every school WANTS box top coupons! But, if you don't have kids in school or just want to be really generous, send them on. Hayden might just share his ice cream with you. Ok, not really. He won't even share with me and I birthed that kid!



Read all about Box Tops for Education and the participating products HERE!

Today's Drama

Well, Chloe found her binder. It was on the bus, in the lost and found bin next to the driver. It was empty. So, whoever took it was nice enough to steal all of her supplies and leave the $15 Trapper Keeper behind. Kid's today are so gracious... And, speaking of the bus driver. Chloe told me he is her favorite bus driver of all. Because he crashes into things, like curbs.
Now, for Hayden. He got bit by an ant. No big deal really. Except where he got bit. I won't tell you where, I'll just let you guess. It's where no man wants to be bitten. Poor baby. I really feel bad for him.
And, on to Hunter, he almost got jumped this evening. Thank goodness he and his very expensive BMX bike made it home safely. We're not sure who they were. Pretty sure it's not the same group of guys who shot at him and his friend's with Airsoft guns the other day. I am gonna have to keep that kid in the house from now on.
Then there's Chan. He had a fairly normal evening. He went to Cici's Pizza with the entire offensive line. He told me they were quite a site. His exact words: "we looked really funny. A bunch of fat guys at an all you can eat pizza buffet." Then he showed me a picture on his cell phone of a tray full of pizza crust. And it was a very large pile. Oh, and then he told me he left his back pack in his friend's car. And I was like "oh no, Channy. What are you gonna do?" And he said: "it's no big deal Mom, the only thing in it is my binder"...

P.S. I just discovered that Jon stepped in dog poop and tracked it in our house. I had been smelling something for about 2 hours. And, it was my husband. I haven't gagged that hard in years.

Oh what a day I am having!!

Chloe's binder is gone. Into thin air. She lost it, who knows where? It was one of the expensive binders that zips, and it was full of school supplies. About $25 bucks worth. The kicker: no Lost and Found at school... Back to Office Depot we go.

Chloe and Hayden have so much homework today. Chloe had 90 math problems and Hayden has reading to do and flashcards and spelling words to study. Needless to say, I am hitting the Advil pretty hard. I completely suck at math. I max out at 5th grade math. Which is sad. Oh well, I have some talents somewhere. Need to find those.
Oh yeah, they also sent home a fundraiser packet today. Yippee! They lasted til the third week of school. Impressive.

My dogs drank beer today. And, not just any beer. Beer that has been in my Cowboy Cooler for 2 and a half months. Not sure why Jon never threw it out? Maybe he's getting a heads up on the Science Fair? Anyway, a bottle broke and the dogs went to town. Let's just say they sneezed and gagged as they continued to lap it up. They are now resting, hopefully they're not hung over. I am pretty sure Coco winked at me... Oh, and they chewed on the broken shards of glass.

My frig is on the fritz again! For like the millionth time this year. I finally bit the bullet and called Sears. Jon has been doing the temporary fix thing (blow drying the frozen coils) for several months. But, momma is tired of this crap. So, Sears will be here between 8 and 5. Nice large window there. I guarantee you they come at 1, which is the same time the missionaries will be here. Let's just hope the repairman wears the right size pants and a belt. Not really in the mood to see "Plumber's, but I'm a Refrigerator Repairman Crack". Unless, he's cute. Ok gag, not really.

And, last but surely not least: My cat keeps barfing. ALOT. His tummy can't tolerate canned or people food. Or too many treats. Mental note to self: talk to kids about spoling and overfeeding cat.

First Day

Today was the first day of school. And, man are we tired. The morning was hectic, with us all running around like crazy and barely making it out the door on time. It ended up taking over an hour to get each kid to their respective schools. Except Chandler. He got a ride from a friend, since he's a JUNIOR in high school now! The afternoon went much smoother, until time to eat dinner, walk the dogs, and bathe. Let's just say I am glad the kids fell asleep fast, 'cause mama is headed to the tub with a magazine. This year is gonna be crazy. Hunter started middle school, and this is the first time Chloe has been at school without Hunter. Not to mention, all 4 of them are in DIFFERENT schools!! Anyway, I got a few photos and once again Chandler is absent. But, since I got one of these, I will be taking LOTS of pics whenever I please!

Hayden, Hunter, and Chloe getting ready for long drive to school


Hunter and Hayden (Hunter texting!!)


Mr. Hayden


Princess Chloe


pretty girl


Hunter


Hayden in class


Hunter, headed to homeroom (1st day of middle school)

'Twas the night before the first day of school...

They'd been hanging out just playing it cool.

The whole family was fed, and their prayers had been said.

Their uniforms were laid out with care, each one hanging on the back of a chair.

The kiddos were snuggled all cozy in bed, each one feeling a sense of dread.

Momma was resting after a day full of chores, while Poppa just rested, a bundle of snores.

The clocks were set and turned on, all so they would ring at the crack of dawn.

Breakfast had been planned and lunches packed, Momma had even made each child a special snack.

She thought to herself, I can't believe it's already here, another freakin' school year!

Morning will be here in a flash, and the Myers' family will be off in a dash.

**have a great 1st day of school!**

P.S. Yes, I know I am a dork. But who cares!

I HATE Wal-Mart!

Oh man... what was I thinking going to Wal-mart instead of staying at church? It is like mass freaking hysteria in that place. On a Sunday at dinner-time the night before school no less. There are no school uniform items left. They were all out of construction paper. And the lines, oh my gosh! I swear it was like the world was coming to an end. Which translates to, hurry to Wal-Mart for Top Ramen and Pepsi! Ugghh! I get the whole concept and convenience of a store that has everything, and that is cheaper than Target. But really, hire more cashiers and keep it clean. And, how come no shirt, no shoes, no service doesn't apply to toddlers? I am NEVER gonna wait this late to shop for school ever again, promise. The only thing that kept me happy in that store was knowing that I got a front row parking space. And, in case you forgot, I really do hate Wal-Mart.

P, B, J 's and 1, 2, 3's

School is coming so fast, 4 more days of Summer to be exact. And, I did something this year I never do: I waited until the last minute to start preparing. There is so much to do. Like teaching Hayden to tie his shoes, persuading Hayden to eat sandwiches so making lunch is easier, taking Chloe to get her booster shots, a few more school clothes and supplies to buy, 2 more Meet the Teacher nights, supplies to label, etc etc. Let's not forget one little tidbit: 4 kids at 4 DIFFERENT schools!! Which translates into 4 giant packets to fill out, 4 registrations, 4 well check-ups, 4 orientations, PTA membership at 4 schools, 3 bus routes, 2 boys who have to be at school at 6 a.m. for football, 3 different start times, hair appointments, and on and on. And, my favorite part: they ALL have to wear uniforms this year! Yeehaw! So, to say I am busy would be putting it mildly. If you see me banging my head on the ground or drinking a margarita at Happy Hour, call for help. ASAP! But seriously, I am looking forward to our Annual Night Before School Dinner At A Nice Restaurant outing. It's sustaining me from going bonkers.... and I am serious.

Con-GRAD-ulations Hayden!

Today was kindergarten graduation for Mr. Hayden. They did a little ceremony where they sang 2 songs, got their diplomas, a special award, and finally CUPCAKES!! Hayden is such a cute, sweet, smart little boy, of course I am super proud and biased. He got 2 special awards: most improved phonics and best penmanship. Only one other kid got 2 awards, everyone else got 1. Go Hayden!! I am so glad this year is almost over, I am looking forward to a fun summer. Here are a few pictures:

They'll be riding home with me from now on...

This afternoon I got a call from Hunter and Chloe. Their school bus was involved in a fender bender. So, naturally I panicked and went to go get them. We had to wait 30 minutes before the police would release any of the kids. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, although one kid did leave in an ambulance. We are still not sure what his status is. My kids were a little shook up, but mostly they all thought it was pretty cool. Needless to say I will be spending the extra money on gas and driving them from now on.

Aloha Nights

Tonight was Hunter and Chloe's first school dance! The theme was Aloha Knights. Get it? A luau theme and the mascot is the Knight. Hunter would only wear the required shirt, jeans, and his precious ball cap (the shirts were your admission in). Of course I had to Maddona-fy Chloe's t-shirt. Chloe was pretty nervous and was a little wallflower all night. Hunter on the other hand was a dancing fool! He even did the Y-M-C-A! Except when he caught me looking, he would stop and get all still. He's too cool to let me see him having fun. You might wonder why I was there. First of all they strongly discouraged just dropping your kiddos off and secondly Chloe's anxiety won't allow me to just drop her off anywhere. I worry that she will miss out on alot of fun things throughout life and even regret that she let her fears get the better of her. We are going to see her pediatrician soon to address these issues. But, she did manage to have an ok time, and she even got out on the dance floor about 20 minutes before it was over. And last but not least, I am always on the lookout for blog material! I am glad I went in, the carpool line was down the block! I did get a few photos, I even got one of Hunter dancing.


Pretty girl



Pink Ladies



Hunter- dancing!!



My babies at their first dance! Awww!



Worn out!



Shoud I go out there and boogie? I'll just hang with mom...

The place they put lost stuff...

Hayden: "Mommy guess what?"
Mommy: "What sweetheart?"
Hayden: "Today at school they almost put my lunchbox in the lost and fountain because I left it on the table."
Mommy: "They did?! In the lost and fountain?"
Hayden: "Yep, the lost and fountain. It's where they put the lost stuff."

Lifestyles of the...

kids who sell a ton of cookie dough. Today Hayden and about 20 other kids got to ride in a limo to Cici's for lunch. Their reward for selling the most cookie dough. They were all so cute waiting patiently in the cafeteria for the limo to show up. It was 45 minutes late, but they didn't care. The minute it drove up the entire cafeteria went berzerk! All the kids were screaming LIMO, LIMO! I took as many pictures as I could, there was only one door on the side they weren't climbing in where I could take photos. I was competing with about 5 other moms. I finally stuck my big butt in and zoomed right in on Hayden's face. He was mesmerized, I am sure this is all he's gonna talk about, at least until Christmas when Santa comes




.

Can I Borrow Some Money?

Seriously though, it's getting expensive to have kids in school. And we're not talking college here. This is just elementary, intermediate, and high school. We are at the beginning of the 5th week of school and so far I have bought or donated the following:
1. a school spirit shirt for Hayden
2. treasure box items for Hayden's class
3. books at the book fair (for us and the classrooms)
4. a jar of apple butter
5. new lanyards (for school id's)
6. a yellow polo and a blue polo (color days at Hayden's school)
7. pencils and snacks for Chloe's class
8. a practice writing tablet for Hayden
9. school pictures for Hunter and Chloe
10. admission and snacks at 4 JV football games
The sad thing is this is just the tip of a VERY large iceberg. Since I have had kids in school, not a single week goes by that you don't buy at least one thing per kid.
I anticipate to spend money on the following things this year: School pictures, 4 yearbooks, fall pictures, at least 4 field trips, a homecoming mum, spring pictures, a group photo for Hayden, snacks (donated to class), t-shirts, spring book fair, more school supplies, project supplies, teacher gifts (for birthdays, a new baby, Christmas, and end of year gifts), fundraiser items, the Angel tree at school, disposable cameras, fall carnival, various donations for parties, and etc, etc.
And let's not forget all the birthday parties and special outfits that come up at a moments notice. I don't remember it being like this when we were younger. I know my parents tried to get as much as possible, but there is no way they could keep up with these demands. In reality all they need each day is a sack lunch, clean clothes, and school supplies. I could say no to all the other junk. But I won't. I'll just rearrange the grocery and bill money and make it work.

Is it monday all over again?

Wow! Can you say morning from hell? I guess I should backtrack a little ... The drama started yesterday afternoon. It took me 2 and 1/2 hours to make it through three carpool lanes at three different schools plus a 5 minute pit stop for gas. I knew when we got home and Hayden had a plate of spaghetti at 4:30 that I was in for a long night. He fell asleep smack dab in the middle of the living room floor at 5:00. Well, wood floors are obviously not very comfortable. Especially when you're a tuckered out 5 year old after you're first day of school. So I knew things would eventually turn ugly. I had seriously hoped he would sleep until maybe 5:00 am. It didn't help when Jon walked in and yelled out "how are my school kids doing"? Hayden promptly woke up GRUMPY!!! He hated the dinner I made so he cried for 30 minutes about how he needed help because I was starving him to death and I didn't love him and I needed to go back to Wal-Mart and get better food. Homemade beef stew isn't that bad is it? Anyway, that little nap had him wired for hours! He finally fell asleep at 11. So, needless to say 6:40 came pretty darn early. And of course he needed a bath because during tantrum described above I AM NOT TAKING A BATH was repeated pretty often. So he cried through the bath because I was freezing him to death. ( I obviously have more power than I realize) So after drying him off and getting him situated I was feeling pretty good about things. Breakfast was in the oven and Hayden was sipping on a glass of strawberry milk. That is until that glass of strawberry milk decided to spill itself on a freshly bathed woke up on the wrong side of the bed little boy. So back to the tub we went. Eventually Spongebob and a warm cinnamon roll saved the day. So, now I sit here in a completely different state of mind than 24 short hours ago: I am completely enjoying the silence and the fact that all four kids are in school!

First Day Of School!!!!

Me checking on my babies in the back of the car.

Heading out...

Me, Chloe, Hunter, and Hayden at the first stop.

Pose for Daddy.

Well it was a bittersweet morning, for today was the first day of school! I am a little lonely since all four kids are now in school. Chandler is in 10th grade and was off to school at 5:45 a.m. for football practice. The rest of us were able to enjoy our traditional huge first day of school breakfast: eggs, sausage, cinnamon rolls, and o.j, then we were off in a mad dash. We all walked Hayden to his first day of Kindergarten where he promptly went straight to his cubby, put his things away, and started coloring a picture. It was like, "ok family you can go now". We then went on to Sue Crouch Intermediate (5th and 6th grades) for Chloe and Hunter's first day. Things were a little more chaotic over there and will hopefully calm down later this week. Chloe and Hunter both seemed a little sad at the thought of going to a new school and leaving Hayden alone, they even got a little teary eyed! This is the first time since Chan started Kindergarten that there wasn't a big kid to keep an eye out for the little ones. I promptly came home and turned on the tv for sound. I will miss them dearly and look forward to 3:00 when we can have cookies and milk and talk about the first day of school. On another note, although I will miss them I will now have a chance to get some projects done. I have photos to put in albums, an I-Pod to get working, organizing, and have even tossed around the idea of selling Avon. I will be at the schools alot volunteering and having lunch . So here's to a new adventure and an exciting journey as well. We have definitely started a new page in our Book of Life.