I Have Not Nor Will I Ever Walk Into a Hooters Restaurant!

Today I am going to rant & rave and I know a lot of people will think I am weird or a little over the top with this blog. But, I have not nor will I ever walk into a Hooters Restaurant. And I like wings but I'm sorry their wings cannot be that great to have to degrade women. Oh, I know those women don't mind being degraded, whatever. That's a load of you know what! And to set the record straight I know I would never be hired there with my body type but that's not why I loathe Hooters. I also know sex sells but that doesn't mean I am okay with that American way either. I will never let my daughters or my son think I approve of an establishment where women have to show off their physical attributes and not their brains, I bet they all still have to write down the orders. We just had one open here and I have already been asked by some girlfriends to check it out. I won't...EVER. I just can't do it. Our bodies are our bodies, a gift from God, for our spouses not for everyone else to oogle at and to help you get bigger tips. I don't know I have a real problem with it. Oh, and I love when you see a little boy wearing a Hooters tshirt. Classy! The funny thing to is that they advertise themselves as a family establishment, I'm laughing just thinking about it. It doesn't help that I know the owner and he is chauvinist, sexist pig either. If I want good wings I'll have my honey make me some. Anyone want to join me for some "family wings"? Come on over

The First Day Went Off Without A Hitch

...well, except Emily was late for school (she wanted a ride) because Benjamin & Mommy slept in late. Her mom, the School Board Trustee, couldn't get her to school on time. Oh, well!!!

Benjamin and I played in kindergarten for an hour and met his teacher, saw his classroom, sang a song, read a story & saw his classmates. Tomorrow is his big day!

Hannah and Emily had great first days. Neither really have "friends" in their classes but enjoyed their teachers and I think getting back into the swing of things.

My Baby's Going To Kindergarten...What do I Do?

Okay, the kids are in bed and school starts in what? 11 hours. The girls are excited and a little anxious, Hannah what line to get in and Emily what homeroom does she have?? They'll be fine, it's that little guy I'm worried about. My little guy is expected, not tomorrow (tomorrow he and I go to school for an hour and meet his teacher and see his class & classmates), but the next day, to get on the bus and ride it to school, get off the bus, get into his classroom, put away his stuff in a locker, sit down and listen, eat lunch, play, recess, go potty, learn, be nice to others...and so much more BUT without me! I am crying just thinking about it!! He is too little! I know this is his dream come true to be just like his sisters and be a BIG boy but this is different. He is my baby. My Baby Boy! My heart is just breaking. What if he runs away at recess and they can't find him? What then? What if he doesn't eat his lunch and then gets hungry 1/2 hour later? What then? How about if he gets off the bus and runs into an oncoming car?? (I know cars have to stop when a bus is letting off kids, but he doesn't. He is only 5) What then?? What if some 2nd grader is mean to him and he starts to cry? What then? (well, I'll have to go to school and open up a can of you know what on that kid and then charges may be filed, I guess). But, anyway,where did my Baby go?? Tomorrow I am not going to work since we only have 1 hour of kindergarten and I was planning on getting some things done around the house after our lunch date at McDonalds but I think I am just going to love on my little boy, play with him, read to him and did I mention love on him and anything he wants. This is our last day, just he and I, like the good old days. I am going to take advantage of it! I am going to spend it with my baby, my boy, my joy!

Here are some pics I have taken of him in the last two weeks at sleep. My boy plays and sleeps so hard these days. But, come on, how can anyone this little go to school all day? This is why I voted against all day kindergarten...this is why

One Last "Splash"

The kids and I headed with the Nolan's (Grace & Benjamin NEEDed a playdate) to Splash Montana for one last dip. It was like 92 degrees out and was just perfect. Benjamin had a blast getting me wet every chance he could on the Lazy River. Hannah and Ellie ended up running into Ellie DeVos too so they all had fun playing. Emily just knew she would know someone at Splash (she is so popular) and she did ~ Abby Bardwick, so they hung out. It was a great time! Kind of makes me sad to see summer go. Today the weather here is going to be 67 and rainy ~ oh, fall is coming.

ATTACK OF THE "TWEEN"AGERS

Thursday night we let Emily have a Movie Night and invite a few friends over. She invited 9 kids and 7 could make it. We thought two and 1/2 hours would be perfect, well, it might have been an hour over our limit. (hee hee) Boy, a bunch of tweens was really no different than the birthday party we had for Benjamin this year with 8 little 5 yr old boys running loose in the house. We thought the first 15 minutes or so we would let them get reaquainted after the summer break and then we had popcorn and soda and tried to get them to settle down and watch "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure". They didn't watch too quietly, Dan & I think they probably missed some really great parts but they were having fun. Afterwards, there was chocolate cupcakes for Connor Corneil's birthday (& girl Connor is celebrating a bday next week) and after the running and screaming through out the house the Mommies & Daddies came and picked up their BIG ones. Phew!! What a night! But, that night as we were saying prayers Emily thanked me for giving her the idea and letting her have the party. She said it was really great!! Made my day!

In Remembrance Of...

Today would have been Mom's (aka Grandma or Mikie) Birthday. Dan's Mom passed away three years ago in December. Boy, it doesn't seem that long ago we were going through so much with her impending death and all the drama of her "lovely" husband.

Here is a photo of her on her last birthday. Dan made her this beautiful cake and we invited family over to celebrate with her. I think she had a pretty special day. I love this picture of her, she looked so happy!

We may not have always gotten along (well, alot of the time) but she is still missed by us all. We go and see "Grandma in the ground" as Benjamin so sweetly calls her every time we head down to Florence or beyond. There are times when I have a stain I don't know how to get up, I think "I wish I could call Mom" or when we are working on a sewing project, Dan always says "my mom would have loved to be here". I just wish the kids had more and maybe, better, memories of Grandma but it's not going to happen. I need to let go of that wish and be glad for the time they had with her. You can't get back that time, life is short and you must remember that. When she was going through the cancer the Tim McGraw song came out "Live Like You Were Dying", when I hear that song I always think of her. I would love for that to be my motto and make the most of every day! Life is short, live each day to the max!

We know you are looking down on us from heaven! Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma! We miss you!

I'm An Original, yep! I just knew it!

I am stealing todays blog from my pal, Angela. She found a site where you can see how many people in the good old USA have your name. I've always been told that I am an original and now it is official!!!! Check it out for yourself it's fun at www.howmanyofme.com

On a side note, groove is in my heart again. I reported that I had lost my ipod at the lake on Saturday. My honey, my hero, my Dan, found my ipod in the back of his van last night under some chairs and water shoes. (I did look, I swear) Thanks honey!

Oh yeah and on another side note, congrats to the Kunik's (my dear friend from Erie, PA) who will be bringing another little one into this world at the end of the year. Kevin, you are making Catholic families proud!!!! Love ya guys!