Quick Post

It's been over a week since my last post...
Ellie was sick one day last week, she threw up once (all over the couch and it's cushions, yuck!) and felt punky the next day too.
I kept Audrey home from school today, she had a slight fever and complanied of a headache.
Grace has a fever this evening, gave her dinner, a bath, and some ibuprofen and put her to bed.
Olivia, so far so good.
Josh is having dinner with a friend and probably drinking some tasty wine, good for him!
I'm good, 32 weeks and counting, my belly is sticking out of all my clothes and my arm fat is driving me crazy, but what can I say? I'm still sleeping well and my back isn't hurting...I have a million (make that 2 million) things to do before this baby arrives, but my energy level is waining. I'm sure it'll all get done right? Never underestimate the power of a nesting mother.

Ladybug Report

The work in progress.

Writing, writing, and more writing.

The finished product, Audrey is so proud!

Audrey has completed her first animal report. Her project is due tomorrow, we've been working on it for weeks, but it is done. We know more about ladybugs than ever. We also bought live ladybugs at OSH today so they can be part of the display. Open House is Thursday and all the projects will be set up in her classroom.

Dream Dinners and Cupcakes

I have to brag about two of my favorite places....

This morning I went to Dream Dinners....have you been? If you haven't, you have to try this... I won't go into too much detail but you can check it out at www.dreamdinners.com. I assembled 12 main dishes in about an hour and a half, while chatting and laughing with Heather and Natalie. Got home, stuffed my garage freezer with all my meals and now I feel some serious freedom from my mundane meal planning. Are you sick of trying to think of stuff for dinner or trying to prepare a meal with children hanging from your legs? This is a wonderful solution!

After Dream Dinners we headed to Cupcakes (Herndon/Cedar) to try one of their yummy cupcakes. I choose vanilla with sprinkles (must be the kid in me), it was so good! If you live in Fresno you have to try this place.

Life Group, Family Night

The resurrection eggs, a kid-friendly Easter activity.

Grace wasn't interested in the fun, she just wanted to feed Scout.

Audrey couldn't get enough of the baby.

Ellie liked holding the baby, but promptly gave up when she started to cry.

Kiara and Ellie smiling next to our masterpieces made out of crescent rolls, butter, cinnamon sugar, and jumbo marshmallows.

Ready to go into the oven.

The finished product, resembling the empty tomb.

Last night we had Family Night for our Life Group and instead of our entire group meeting in one place we split it up...3 different families hosted, the Hales came to our house. Jacinda, the amazing planner of awesome Family Nights (check out her blog if you want ideas), brought the ingredients for a fun Easter recipe to make with the kids, and then we used the Resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story. We had a good time, but I think my girls favorite part was holding baby Vienna. Jacinda thank you for letting them hold and adore your newest daughter, it was good practice! We enjoyed hanging out with Brian, Jacinda and the girls, Brian and Josh were certainly outnumbered.

Spring Parties

Showing off her bonnet.

Ellie and me at her party in k-1.

In the pot of gold, I would like to find... "jewelry and candy."


Alexis, Audrey, and Haley

Ellie, me, and Audrey at Audrey's party.

What a BIG smile!

Today was the day of parties....Ellie's class celebrated with a parade thru all the classrooms (showing off their spring bonnets/hats), an egg hunt, and a party this morning. Audrey's class played games outside, then a party, and then an egg hunt this afternoon. It was fun, but Audrey did have a meltdown during the egg hunt, I'll spare you the details, but egg hunts DO NOT bring out the best in my oldest child. Looking forward to spring break and the rest it will bring.

The Endless To Do's...

Well today I really started thinking about how much time is left before this baby comes...I think there are 82 days til my due date, but my doc has already made it clear I will most likely be induced at 37-38 weeks (I tend to give birth to HUGE babies), so that leaves me approximately 68 days of pregnancy, ahhhhhhhh! That means I have A LOT to do in the next 68 days. In hopes of getting myself motivated and keeping you all on the up and up, I'm going to post some to-do lists.


Getting ready for baby:
Clean out office/playroom
Move Grace into her new room
Paint nursery
Wash and iron bedding
Put crib together
Wash clothes



Stuff to go through:
All baby girl stuff 18 months and younger

Stuff to buy:
paint
newborn diapers
car seat
good nursing bra
highchair (can be done later)

Stuff to pack for hospital:
camera
clothes
magazines
baby outfit
good music

What a week it has been (so far anyway)

Well yesterday on my way to get a much needed cup of caffeine from Starbucks I got pulled over. The officer said I was going 42 mph in a school zone (the speed limit is 25 mph), oops, I guess I was just so excited about that cup of coffee I wasn't paying any attention to my speed. Could I have really been going 42 in front of Bullard High at 8:30 a.m.??? Could his radar have been malfunctioning? I don't know, maybe I was doing 42... Dang it I was just bragging about being ticket-free for the last couple of years. That's what you get for bragging.

Then.... this morning after visiting the chiropractor I was involved in a car accident. Two cars ran into each other after one ran a red light and as a result one of the cars hit mine as I sat at the signal. My van's frontend is damaged just a bit, but thankfully I'm okay. Nothing like a car accident to shake you up. I was mostly concerned and overly emotional because the lady who hit me had injuries and was unable to get out of her car. I think she will be okay too, she was talking and responsive but very shaken up. What good can come from something like this? I think my hope in mankind is restored...so many people came to help, I cried on a stranger's shoulder til Josh got there. There were so many amazing, concerned people, everyone just wanted to know how they could help. I had to visit my doctor just to make sure baby was okay and really just to say I did, but we're good.

Tomorrow I should stay home, don't you think?