Tuesday's Love and I'm Better Off Without Lists...

Love List...

• Jillian calls somersaults...swirly whirls.  No explanation on why I love this is needed.  
• The approaching long weekend...in Chicago with the kids.  Can't wait.
• Today was Jillian's last day of her first year of preschool.  She loved her school year and I love watching her grow and learn.
  
• Tomorrow night Jillian has an end of the year preschool program.  They will be singing farm themed songs.  She has been telling me about her "singing test" for weeks.  We found a jean jumper.  Add in some pink flannel and you can imagine my girl's version of a farm girl.
• Ben has been working on our new deck and it is just about done.  We have a new 500 square foot outdoor living space to enjoy each and every day.  I'll share some photos sometime soon.  We are currently working on our anti-mosquito plan.  They are not welcome in our new space.
• Homemade popsicles.  We've been eating them as fast as I can make them.
• My perennials are coming in heartier and bigger than ever before.  I love to see floral beauty with no work!  Ideal!  Not to mention, I have some annuals that returned again...for the third year!  I have no idea why.
• Myles had a lengthy discussion with Ben tonight about wanting to work with him when he gets older.  He told Ben that he wants to work together so they can spend all of their time together.  Adorable.
• You know that feeling when you find that perfect item that you have looked for for years...and it is on clearance?!?  Yeah, I had that happen last week.  Awesome.  My dining room thanks Pier One for this awesome happenstance.
• It's Farmer's Market season.

I'm Better Off Without List...

• This super annoying dripping noise outside my window after a huge thunderstorm last night.  Drip, drop, Rat, Tat, Tat.  So. Annoying.  I never went back to sleep.  
• Tonight we received a letter asking if we would ever want to sell our house...because they would want to buy it.  I suppose it a bit harsh to put this on this list, but we have never even thought of selling our "forever home" that we have put so much work into (and continue to).  I kinda just wish we had never received the letter, so I would not even have the idea of moving cross my mind...

Thoughts From My Six Year Old...

You may remember this post if you've been around my little internet corner for a while.  Well, I'm a little late, but I have finally completed this year's interview with my Myles Jacob.

What do you love about school?
Recess!!  My teacher.  She is so nice.

What do you like the least about school?
Nothing.  I like everything.

What is the hardest thing you do at school?
Calling up people when I am the teacher's helper because they are always quiet.  I just can't pick because everyone is quiet.  {The quietest gets picked.}

What are you looking forward to in first grade?
Ohhhh.  That's tricky.  Getting to pick even harder books from library.  I got a good chapter book from library today!

What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Fourth of July, because of the fireworks.

Who is in charge of our house?
Mom and Dad.

What is mom’s job?
To take care of me.  Oh, do you mean your work job?  You put together parts of stuff, right? {Not even close, buddy.  I decided not to approach the definition of market development to my kindergartner, for the sake of the interview.}

What do you wish Mommy would do differently?
Nothing, I like everything that Mama does.  {I see he has now learned to suck up somewhere between ages five and six.}

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a police officer....and a doctor...and in the army...and uhhh...a taxi driver...that's it.  Oh, I also want to work at my Daddy's office.

Where will you go to college?
Western.  Cause it is close to home so I can come home and visit.

Why are you going to go to college?
To learn what I want to be.

Describe the girl you think you will marry.
Uhhhh.....  Blonde hair...a dress with flowers...a girl that has a good voice for singing.

Where are you going to live when you are older?
I want to live where we live still, because I want to live with my parents.

How many kids will you have?
Five.  Three boys and two girls.

What will you name them?
Jayden, Kevin, Emily, Mia, and Antonio {All Power Rangers.}

What kind of car will you drive when you are older?
A Toyota Camry.  {I'll take this desire to drive a similar car as a form of flattery.  Ben questioned if he might want a Jeep or a truck.  Nope.  He wanted to be like his Mom.}

What do you think you will do for homework in high school?
I don't know.  Studying.  

What are your talents?
Playing tag, hide-and-seek, reading, math, and baseball.

What is an interview?
I'm doing an interview right now, right?  It's something where a parent asks you a question and you answer.

What famous person would you like to meet?
Miguel Cabrera.  He plays baseball for the Tigers.

What is a blog?
A blog is something that you post on for people to see.  Am I right Mama?  Did you put "Am I right Mama??!"

What age are people considered mature?
32.  Because it's a good age to be grown up. {And, his parents age.  We must have been immature in his early years...}

What is your favorite thing about your sister?
That she is playful.  

What do you like to play with her?
Tag and hide-and-go-seek.

What is your favorite color?
Blue and Red.

What is your favorite song?
Power Rangers Song.  I'm in love with it.

Who is the smartest person you know?
Mama.  Because she is a grown up.  {He wanted to go back later and add...} Miss Stiemsma.  She is REAL smart. {His teacher, of course.}

What is your favorite memory?
Going to Disney World two times! {Some of his Mommy's favorite memories too.  Such a magical place.}

What is your worst memory?
The last time I scraped my knees on the pavement. {Unfortunately, it was not long ago.}

What is your favorite thing to do?
Jillian: Is it to be with your Sissy??  Myles: Playing outside with Jillian.

What do you like to do with your friends?
We like to play Power Rangers, Hide and Seek, and Tag.  Also, chase girls on the playground.  Jillian:  Oh Yay!  I'm a girl!!

What is your favorite food?
Tacos and hamburgers.

What food do you not like very much?
PICKLES!  Mustard, too.  Yuck.

What question do you want me to ask you?
Ask me my favorite Power Ranger!
Okay, what is your favorite Power Ranger?
What do you think?  The leader.  Red Ranger.  Jayden.

Anything else you want to say to anyone that reads my blog?
Hi.  I'll say hi.  Thanks for reading my blog interview.

Jillian:  Myles will you marry me?
Myles: I am not going to marry you.  Brothers and sisters can not get married.
Jillian:  But I am a good singer. {She begins to do singing scales reminiscent to Ariel in The Little Mermaid.}
Myles: Oh, Jillian.  Just stop.

Tuesday's Love and I'm Better Off Without Lists...

Love List...

•  Myles is student of the week this week!  As the first in his class to receive the honor, he has come into instantaneous rockstar status.  As his name was announced on Friday, his whole class cheered.  The love has continued..."Mom, when I walked into class (on Monday), these girls (which I won't name by name) just kept hugging and hugging me...They are just so excited that I am student of the week."  The little family their teacher has created for their class is just too cute.
• Date night on Friday night.  First a tee ball game, dinner with friends, and then just the two of us for chocolate fondue and blues music.  We didn't even stop at a grocery store on the way home.
• Not sure which list this belongs on...but I am officially registered with Michigan State for my first course towards my Master's Certificate in Strategic Organizational Leadership & Management.  Yup, pretty much...scared.  You know, when you are working full time and running around like crazy with two amazing kiddos, you might as well fill your evenings with classwork.  Right?  Right.
• Tonight we ate our first dinner outside on our new deck.  Construction isn't quite complete, but enough of it is done to set up our new table and Ben completed his fourth assembly of the chairs from hell last night, so we were good to go!
• Shopping for fun accessories for our new outdoor eating and lounging area.  It may not be done, but I have already put a dent in my shopping responsibilities.  I like those responsibilities much more than Ben's role in this whole thing...the building part.
• We made a quick trip the the library tonight after work.  We found all of the best books the library had to offer...except one that Myles was after.  Nothing a little Inter-library loan can't fix!  He'll have it by next week!

I'm Better Off Without List...

• Myles's allergies are at an all time worst.  We have an appointment with a specialist next week, but my childhood pediatrician's warning when Ben and I got married is ringing true... "You two are the worst allergy cases I have.  Your kids are doomed."  Not funny.  I feel so bad to see him so miserable.
• The zipper on my favorite jeans broke this weekend.  Maybe the zipper was a bit too stressed lately?  Ugh.  The repair will be complete by Wednesday.  Thanks goodness for seamstresses.
• I have a zit on my face that resembles Texas.  In shape...and size.  Lovely.  I admit, I look like a complete idiot right now.  I searched blogs and came up with a honey and cinnamon concoction that is now dripping from my chin.  It better work.  My husband is laughing.  AND honey is sticky.

Writer's Block and a Day for Mothers.

I've been a terrible blogger lately.  A non-blogger is more like it.  Not exactly sure what the reasoning is for my lack of posts.  I've missed all of you, and this little corner of joy for me, so it's not that.  I guess I really don't have a good reason...but the thing is...the longer I go without writing a post...the rustier I get.  The harder it gets to open the computer and type.  You know it's bad when I had Craigslist open before I started typing tonight...not ideal.  Instead of writing, I've been watching TV, eating things I shouldn't, watching my husband assemble our new patio set that came in 1,000 pieces...and laughing...because each chair built gets at least one F*word before completion.  (Maybe I should have helped instead of laughed??!!?)  Normal things, I guess.  Nothing too out of the ordinary.  I guess this is officially what they call writers block?  I don't really like it.  Here's my attempt to brush it away...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommas that read my blog from near and far.  Hugs to each and every one of you.  I hope your day was as wonderful as my own.  I was treated like a queen, complete with gifts for summertime in Michigan (including new popsicle sailboat molds that "you can make us popsicles in Mom!!"), a lazy morning, a wonderful family brunch, and even a relaxing evening being "mothered" by a four-year-old who was happy that her "baby" was taking a nap.  Perfect.

This weekend I was able to spend time with so many of my favorite mothers.  Friday night was perfect, hanging with one of my favorite friends, who mothers three boys with fun as the focus.  I love that our kids are growing up together and even had their own table at dinner.  The kids loved it...and so did the parents.  Not sure about the wait staff...

Myles and his Aunt Brooke.

Last night my parents came over for a low key dinner.  My mom "grandparents" (a verb) my children every Monday while I am at work, but I love to spend time with them all together.  Witnessing the awesome relationship that my kids have with my parents just warms my heart.

Today we had a wonderful brunch with more food than you could ever imagine at my mother-in-law's house.  At this point in our relationship, it's time to drop that "in-law" status.  She has been in my life for sixteen years and has superseded that "in-law" tag long ago.  Anyway, we had a wonderful time with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even great-grandparents.  Awesome.  How could you possibly celebrate Mother's Day without a fun round of Disney Hedbanz? The kids were in Heaven.  I loved it too - I could watch and enjoy...without even having to wear a pair of silly ears.

You can't peek when you get your card.
We take this very seriously.

Of course, there were several wonderful women that I was missing today.  Some too far to visit, like my baby sister celebrating her very first Mother's Day.  Others, gone from this Earth and on to a better place.  A special hug to all of you mothers missing your own mother today.  I hope that wonderful memories filled your day with a smile.

Hope to see you back on Tuesday at the latest...I better write a list...before you all give up on me!  

Community

I love my hometown.

Absolutely love it.  It's a small town centered around a lake, and it is perfect.  It has a charming downtown park just outside the library steps.  Walk a half a block from the park and you are at the Pub.  Cold beer, great beer fries, and even my tree-hugger salad.  There is another big park and playground where all the Little League teams spend their time.  Kids running around, laughing, parents talking, helping other children, runners running, and baseball fans cheering.  Of course, I'm biased, but I love the community school, with teachers that care and challenge each child to succeed.  What else could you ask for?  Maybe I can only see the town through rose-colored glasses, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else at this point in my life.

Aside from the cuteness of the little town, my whole family loves the sense of community here.  From dance to preschool, tee-ball, Kindergarten, to a visit to the library....we know people here now.  We have established relationships all around us.  We belong.

When we were first married, we lived in Chicago for a while.  We loved it.  We still make frequent visits and my children are growing up knowing the city and all it has to offer.  Anyway, I remember when we lived there that I was perfectly content leaving the house knowing that I would likely not be seeing anyone I knew.  We could spend all day shopping downtown and we quite possibly would not talk to anyone other than each other.  That was totally fine - we were young, in love, and ready to conquer the big city on our own.

With kids, our hometown desires changed.  I love it that I can walk into the grocery store and run into a friend.  When we walk into the library...the children's librarian greets Myles and Jillian by name.  She asks them how school is going and knows who they are.  I exchange emails with Myles's teacher often.  She cares about my child and I love that she realizes how special he is...just like we do.  In the two years that we have been here, we have made so many great friends.  Friends with children that are growing up alongside our own.   You know, we teach our kids everyday, but so does the community around them.  Tonight, I'm in love with the outside influences on my kids here in this town.  It's awesome.  It's home.  It's where I want my children to grow up.

************************************************************************

In other news...

I'm thrilled to announce that Lisa M. has won the Memories on Movies video!  It is a gift that will last a lifetime and I'm so happy for you!

If you weren't the lucky winner, but still want to preserve the awesome memories of a special event or your kiddos cute photos, be sure to visit Memories on Movies!  You won't be disappointed!

Oh - and T.G.I.Th.  Can't wait to get this weekend started!

Tuesday's Love and I'm Better Off Without Lists...

Love List...

• Watching our AAA Reds play their first t-ball game of the year.  Jillian had a certain skipping prance to the bases that I have never seen before.  That girl has a way to make things her own.  I was just happy she was "running" the bases on her own.  Her first at bat...I had to run them with her.  Anything for my girl...but it was a bit embarrassing.  I'm much more comfortable getting the players ready in the dugout than prancing from base to base out on the field.  Myles was so  proud to have fielded three balls during the game.  It is so fun to see improvement year to year.
• Retail therapy tonight after the kiddies went to bed.  Somehow a trip to Target can always make things better.
• Sunshine.  I love warm days.  The hotter the better.  Tonight as soon as I got home from work the kids and I went outside.  We came in long enough to eat dinner and went right back outside...ice cream cones in hand.
• This weekend, Ben started construction on our new deck.  Every night there is huge progress and we are fast approaching relaxing evenings on the deck, dinner with friends outside, and comfortably watching the kids play.   Can't wait!
• Myles is thriving in school and loves every minute of every day.  I can see his little mind working, processing, learning, and absorbing everything that he experiences.  It is awesome to me and I love to look at the world through his eyes...and hear adventures from a book from his reading words.
• Peppermint tea.  I've been chugging it lately.  My voice still sounds like a man (I'm sick), but it still seems to help.
• A magic eraser will remove spray paint from recently shellacked nails.  Proven this weekend by yours truly.
• Last night I came home from work with a dinner plan in mind.  Burgers, hot dogs, corn, and fruit.  Nothing real special...but we had three last minute "guests" that made the meal very special.  It was an awesome, impromptu dinner with family.
• Our pediatrician.  She is amazing.  I called with a crying little girl at 6:02 p.m. assuming they wouldn't even answer the phone.  We were three minutes away.  By 6:06 we were in an exam room.  Remarkable. 

I'm Better Off Without List...

• Three ear infections in our house.  Jillian Kate, Wilson, and I.  Not exactly ideal.  Oh - and running with an ear infection?  Impossible.

Oh - don't forget to enter the giveaway for the free video!  It ends soon!!

A Year in Review...For Jillian Kate and {{Giveaway!!}}

Have you noticed that my kids somehow seem to get a birthday week, rather than just a birthday?  Why the heck not.  Not only are we celebrating four wonderful years with my favorite little girl of all time, but we are celebrating the fact that I lived through the delivery of this 9lb 15.5oz baby girl without an epidural.  Let's just call her 10 pounds.  She really was.  That half-ounce that she was shy?  Yeah, well,  she poo'd in utero, so I think we'll give it to her.

Today I spent such an amazing day with my new four-year-old.  After dropping her big brother off at school, we headed straight to Target to buy a toy.  We had some birthday money burning a hole in her pocket.  Some to spend and some to save.  Anyway, a trip to Target with new shoes and toys in our cart...heavenly.  Add in popcorn to the mix...divine.   After much internal debate, I decided to let her have her nails done.  Pink glitter sparkle and big smiles all around.  A stop at her favorite lunch spot...Fazoli's, and you have a perfect day.  The little birthday girl is napping off her excitement as I type.

My favorite conversation of the day with her occurred in the car...

"Mommy, I'm a little sad not to be three anymore.  I liked being three.  I still want you to rock me, even when I'm four.  Will you rock my when I five and six?"
"If you want me to, Jillian, I'll rock you when you are five and six."  I reassured her.  I was hoping not to have tears over growing another year older.  That is definitely not necessary until you are at least my age.
"Well, I bet my feet will be hanging off the rocking chair, but I want you to rock me even when I'm 100 years old."

All week I have been dropping hints that I was going to show this awesome video from Jillian's past year.  I love it.  She receives one each year on her birthday from her Aunt Brooke and it is always my most favorite gift.  Let's be honest, it is not just a gift for her...it's a gift for me.  It always helps ease that panic feeling I get when I think about the fact that I need to add another year in her photo book and I am already behind.  "At least she has her video..."

Without further adieu...  (YaY!  I said adieu in a post - how fun!!)



Awesome, right?  I am so lucky to receive one for each of my kiddies every birthday.  Honestly, we watch the videos at various times throughout the year and as we approach one of their birthdays, we will sit down with popcorn and M&Ms and pour through all of the videos from birth to current.  Always brings tears to my eyes...happy tears.

I was so thrilled when I found out that Brooke had started her own Etsy shop, Memories on Movies, to help preserve memories for other families.  I was even more excited when she told me last night that she wanted to make a video for one of my lucky readers for free!!

The lucky winner will receive a video with...
~100 pictures
~2 video clips (optional with no maximum length)
~3 songs of your choice
~Basic editing and cropping
~Transitions between photos
~Opening Title and Ending Credits
~DVD Title Screen with music (many options available)
~1 DVD with custom printed label
~1 DVD case with custom printed DVD case
~The option to upgrade to add more photos, videos, etc. for a nominal fee.

To enter...use Rafflecopter below.  Be sure to maximize your entries and earn all of the points you can!!  Good luck!!

You can visit Brooke's shop by clicking on the Memories on Movies button in the side bar or by clicking here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway