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This morning we just hung out at home to make up for a week of being busy busy busy. I felt Katie should enjoy one free morning of her vacation and I just felt like laying low, too. After our lazy morning we headed to our last swimming lesson of the session. I was totally not on the ball and signed Katie up too late, so she and Chandler will be in different classes next session, but I think it will be OK. I will just have to remember to be more on the ball next time!

Anywho, we got the little progress report and Katie is doing really well. I even got a chance to see her swim when I went to get her and Chandler. Usually Misty and I take the younger boys to open Jamboree during swim lessons, so I don't really get to watch her lessons, but I got to see the tail end today and can't believe how far she has come. She is doing really well.

Anywho, after swimming I took the kids to Great Brook Farm for an ice cream and some animal time. It was pretty crowded, I am guessing b/c it is vacation week and it is so nice out today. Katie met a little girl named Betsy while we were there and they sat and ate together and then went and fed the animals.

I have come to the conclusion that Katie gets along best with girls who are a bit older. I think Betsy was probably 5 or so and she was very outgoing. That combo seems to mesh well with Katie's personality for whatever reason. I think it might be b/c the older girls are a little less drama and the calmness really helps her. Older boys are too rough and younger girls seem to clash a lot, so I think the 5-6 yr old girls are a good fit. Not that we know many of those...lol...oh well. Not to say the friends she has aren't great, just saying she seems much more centered with girls in this age range...

Anywho, after hanging out there for about an hour we headed home and are now getting ready to make dinner. Kai is going out tonight with some friends so the kids and I are on our own. I asked Katie what she wanted to make for a "special" dinner and she said chicken nuggets, smiley french fries, and corn...so that's what we are having. I am even going to be a good mom and cook the chicken nuggets in the oven instead of the microwave...haha.

I am hoping to get both kids to bed by 8 tonight so I can enjoy a little mommy free time. Tomorrow we have another full day as we are going to a Webkinz party at the store my sister Becky works at, and then we are heading to my dad's for a cookout and a visit there. Sunday it is supposed to rain so not sure what that day will bring...and next week the weather is just going more downhill...or I guess returning to the usual April weather...so we really have to enjoy the rest of today and tomorrow!

Yesterday we had a really great day. We had a bunch of people over from our pg for a spring party. It was gorgeous out and the kids had a lot of fun playing outside, and even in the sprinkler, even though I thought it was a bit too chilly for that...they didn't care though! Katie was all about wearing her bathing suit and wouldn't hear of putting any clothes on over it!

Ben had a great time playing in it, too. I thought for sure he would be too cold and come over to me whining, but he hung in there. My kids just love the water, I guess.

After our guests left I put Ben down for a nap and Katie and I rested in the family room and ate lunch. Then when Ben woke up we headed back outside.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to have the kids out almost the entire day. It totally threw me back to my childhood when we were pushed out the door in the am and spent the whole day out. Well, we weren't pushed, we WANTED to go!

The thing is, TV wasn't a big thing back then. There weren't really too many video games around and certainly no computers, so we either did pretend play inside or played outside. THIS is what I want for my kids. This is why I refuse to buy a video game set and why we canceled cable. Part of the time I want to just cancel the TV altogether, but there are a few shows I like to watch at night...lol. But I can see life being much richer without any of that. Maybe someday....Kai would be thrilled if I gave him the OK...hmmm....

Kids are way too hooked on electronics these days...it's probably why childhood obesity rates have shot up, too, and since Katie is already on the stocky side, I don't need to help her along...HAHA. Plus, I used to love playing pretend as a kid...making up stories and going on "adventures"...kids don't do that these days...they have their adventures online or in front of a box...I say let's bring back the good ol' days! Get out and play! Use that imagination! Kids will probably be smarter and healthier for it! (off my soapbox for today...haha)

ANYWHO, today it is supposed to be in the low 70's, but then it is all downhill from there. It is going to the low 60's and 50's this weekend, and it is supposed to rain like Sunday through the middle of next week. Blah. I just want the warm weather to come and STAY!!!

Last night Katie had a "sleepover party" at my mom's house and then today we all went to Davis Farmland together. I have never been there but have heard really good things about it, and it def did not disappoint!

They have a really big animal area with a lot of pens that you can go into and touch sheep and goats, and even brush them. You can feed them, too, but I think they get fed a lot and weren't really in the mood to eat anything today...so we came home with 2 big cups of food...lol...oh well! The kids loved it, though! Ben surprised me. I thought he would be afraid of the animals, but he ran right up to them and pet them all...even a cow, which is pretty big in Benland! He was not amused, however, when the cow ate some food off his hand and left it all dirty. He held it out for me to wipe off...lol...it was too cute.

Ben also got him thumb munched on by a goat and he didn't mind that, either! Nor did he mind the duck that was trying to get him through a fence. He was just excited about it all.

Katie, of course, loved it. Especially milking the fake cow and playing in the "fishing pond"...oh, and the pony rides. She got two and loved every minute.

Along with the animals (and hayride...forgot to mention that) they have a huge play area. They have a toddler area, a couple playgrounds, a huge sandbox area, and a kinda town, with a couple houses, a market, and a vet...Katie LOVED that area!

We got there around 10:30 and left at 3, so we had a good, full day there.

Oh, and it was like in the high 80's today...very unusual for this time of year! Thankfully the farm provides free sunscreen b/c mommy forgot to bring some!

After the farm we went back to my mom's for a while where Ben napped and Katie played outside some more. My mom found this peddle-powered backhoe thingy someone put out for the trash and Katie has been non-stop on it. I got a catalog this week with a similiar toy in it and it was like over $200!!! I don't know why people throw that stuff out!

Anywho, after Ben woke up we left my mom's and went to the mall for dinner. Oh, first I had to stop at IPARTY to order some balloons for a spring playgroup party I am having here, THEN we went to the mall...we didn't end up getting home til 8, so I changed the kids into their jammies, did a group book reading, and put them to bed. Ben fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, and after a glass of water Katie was out, too.

Now I just finished cleaning the first floor of the house so that people don't think too badly of me if they come in to use the bathroom tomorrow...lol...and now I am just going to sit back and relax...I have a busy morning ahead of me tomorrow, but I am sure it will be fun!

I am so happy that the weather is cooperating for April vacation this year. Usually it is rainy and cold, but Mother Nature must be making up for the crappy winter she gave us by letting us have nice weather this week!

Yesterday we went to a pg at a friend's house. It was OUTSIDE! Yes, it is nearing the end of April and this was the FIRST time we could play outdoors at a pg...crazy! Anywho, we were there for about 3 hrs, so the kids got a lot of fresh air...meaning I didn't feel guilty about staying inside for a while when we got home! Ben NEEDED a nap, which is fought tooth and nail, but which I didn't give up on. He fell asleep in the car on the way home and I transferred him to bed...he was fine, stayed asleep...I thought for sure I was good...

Well, like 1/2 later I hear him screaming. I go in and his is practically hyperventilating...really upset. I have no clue why. I thought maybe he somehow hurt himself, but that didn't seem to be the case. I picked him up and laid down with him on our bed and he calmed down and went back to sleep. I ended up putting him back in the crib and he slept for a couple hours.

The only theory I have is that he was having stomach issues. Kai took him for ice cream the other night and h e just cannot have dairy. I mean, we just went through this huge ordeal trying to figure out what his issue was with milk, and we have decided he has lactose issues, since he is OK on Lactaid.

Then the night after the ice cream we ran out of Lactaid so we let Ben have a cup of regular milk...um...oops...

SO, he had 2 nights of dairy...and I think that really screwed him up. He now has a really bad rash again (peeling skin and all) and I am guessing his tummy might have been upset, too. SO, now we know for sure...NO DAIRY!!!!! NEVER.....NOT EVEN A LITTLE!!!!!!

Yeah, we are bad parents...

Anywho, today we are having an Earth Day pg here. The kids are going to decorate their own flower pots and we are going to plant seeds in them after. Well, I hope the kids will do this. I see it more as the moms doing it and the kids playing, like every other project we try to make them do...lol. ANYWHO...we shall see.

But, Happy Earth Day, everyone! Make sure to do something good for the earth today!

Lately Katie has been going around the house telling me the walls need to be painted. First she started with her bedroom. The walls are just plain white in there. I have been wanting to paint but haven't b/c 1)she rarely sleeps in her own room 2) the bed she picked out at IKEA has a blue star and moon canopy and she also has star and moon light fixtures, and being that girl=pink to me I have been at a loss as to how to decorate her walls.

Anywho, then she moved on to the downstairs bathroom. After using it one day she called to me and told me we also needed to paint the bathroom. Then she told me we needed to paint the family room. I do want to paint the bathroom, and even know what color I would use, I just haven't gotten around to it, mostly b/c Kai does the painting and I am afraid I would mess it up...lol. The family room we CAN'T paint until Kai build an archway (his plan) between the kitchen and living room so we can use different colors. The back wall is just one big wall that runs between those two rooms, so until they are separated we can't really do much.

I guess Katie got sick of waiting though b/c this morning Kai asked me how nail polish got onto the wall. I looked over and sure enough there was a big streak of purple polish. I asked Katie about it and she told me she did it b/c she wants the walls to be painted! I told her that NAIL polish was meant for NAILS only, and so please don't use it on the walls. She was very exasperated, however, over the fact that mommy and daddy have yet to paint as requested.

Granted, Katie is totally right in wanting us to paint. Almost every wall in the house is white, save our dining room and the wonderful purple color of Ben's room. We haven't done anything to the house since we moved in 1 1/2 yrs ago, which I am sure is pretty bad being that everyone else seems to paint and decorate right away. We just aren't those kind of people. Heck, we still have the same curtains the owners left when the moved...so, yes, the house is overdue for a redecoration....we are just REALLY slow out of the gate...

BUT, maybe I will get the motivation up to at least paint the bathroom(s). Those are the smallest rooms, so they should be easy, right??? I just know I have to do something before my walls are painted with any more nail polish!

For the past couple months I have been getting Harper's Bazaar in the mail. I have never subscribed to this magazine and have no clue why I get it, but whatever.

Anywho, one of the issues has Demi Moore on the cover. This is the conversation Katie and I had after she called me over to see the "pretty lady"...

Katie: Mommy, look at this pretty lady

Me: Whose prettier, the lady or mommy?

Katie: the lady

Me: Well, isn't mommy pretty?

Katie: Yes

Me: But the lady is prettier?

Katie: Yes

I for sure thought she would say I was prettier [even though it isn't true...but don't all kids think their mommies are the best looking women ever?]...but she was honest and told me like it is....it was kinda funny...and kinda a blow to my ego!

We will soon be changing blog programs on our site. This one sucks...the comment section doesn't work...the archive section doesn't work...and it looks quite boring...so Kai is on a mission to fancy it up. He is also going to be adding a brewing blog, for those of you interested...lol....

So be on the look out for a much nicer blog in the near future!

This morning Kai and I awoke to the sound of a mouse chewing on something behind one of our bedroom walls. Upon inspection we figured out the thing was right behind the thermostat in our room. We both got up and banged on the wall a few times, hoping to scare it away, but that didn't work. I told Kai he should take the thermostat off and see if he could capture the mouse....I really didn't think he would do it...but he did!

All of a sudden I heard a yelp and then another yelp...apparently when he removed the box the mouse was right there staring at him...then it jumped from the wall to the floor. At that point I swaddled myself in the blankets to make sure there was no way the thing could get to me! I know they are little and cute, but what can I say...I don't like them, or their gross, little tails!

At this point Kai ran downstairs to get a bucket and the big hand held light we use in the garage to try and capture it. Of course, all of this woke up Ben, whose crib is in our room, but Katie, who was in bed with us, didn't even move. The girl sleeps like the dead.

It took a little while for Kai to get the mouse, and in the meantime Katie did finally wake up and she was excited to see the little rodent. She thinks they are cute and doesn't understand why mommy is scared of them...lol. Anywho, Kai finally caught the thing and put it in his truck b/c he is going to visit a friend today and we figured we could get rid of it far away from here...

Of course, I then started feeling bad that we might be taking it away from it's family, so we ended up letting it go in the woods behind our house....and it is probably already back in the house by now...but that motherly part of me couldn't bare the though of a little mouse family losing it's mommy or daddy...THIS is what having kids does to you....

Anywho, between that, and finding that a mouse chewed through the radio wires in my car, I am ready to sell it all and head somewhere there are no mice...if that place exists...

I heard something SO profound when I finally went to Church last Sunday...something that really made sense...

The pastor was talking about money. He was going over how we should feel blessed b/c God has given us what we NEED...and then some. That we should only keep what we NEED and help others with those extra blessings. Of course what we "need" is open to interpretation...I am sure those living in McMansions and driving Porche's feel that is a NEED...lol...

ANYWHO, I have often asked myself why God lets people live as they do in 3rd world countries...you see the images on TV and can't help but question why, if there is a God, he would allow that. You see the poor here in the US...children who go to bed hungry, who have nothing to wear, and wonder...Why?

Well, the pastor said this (paraphrased, of course)...God has blessed SO many of us with more then we need so that we can help others. Unfortunately, people don't help others. They just keep it all for themselves. If we DID keep only what we NEED and give the rest away, there wouldn't be hunger...there wouldn't be poverty like there is now...He HAS provided for everyone...through all of us...but we not only take what we need, we take what we WANT, and then go beyond that and mortgage our lives so we can get even more!

I had NEVER thought about it that way. And I am, of course, guilty of taking way more then I need and always wanting more. I complain b/c I want a bigger car, but there are those who don't have a car at all...I complain b/c I want new clothes, but there are those who have only the shirt on their back. I have actually complained b/c I think my house is too BIG...well there are those with no home at all.

It is SO easy to get wrapped up in the material world. To take everything for granted and complain even about having TOO much! Or wanting to keep up with the Jones'...thinking our wants are needs.

Seeing that homeless man last night, too, just really made it hit home. I mean, it wasn't the first time I have seen a homeless person...but for some reason is greatly affected me last night. It really opened my eyes...it made me realize how selfishly I live...and how selfishly the rest of the world lives. Sometimes I say I can't afford to give...but if I can afford to eat out, or buy new clothes, or spend money on "extras"...well I can afford to help those in need...

I don't want to be selfish anymore. I want to share my blessings...I don't want to be that girl always complaining b/c she wants MORE...I certainly don't NEED more...I don't NEED anything...I have all I need.

What I NEED to do is realize that and start being grateful for all that I have...and I also NEED to help those who don't more.

My deep thought of the day.

P.S. Even if you don't believe in God or any higher power, what the pastor talked about still holds true. We can help those in need. People don't NEED billions of dollars in their bank accounts. We don't need a bigger and better anything...we just need to help our fellow man...it still rings true, God or not. Saying you can't help, but then taking more for yourself...that isn't right...stop...think...that is how we can change the world.

And I am not saying we have to give up all the extras. Not at all. We just need to remember to give, too...I believe we can still have things that we "want" while helping others get things that they "need"...right? Yes, maybe we don't go out to eat that one time...or maybe we don't buy the biggest SUV out there...I don't know...I just want to give back more...but I am not trying to be all self righteous and tell others how to live...I just need to work on me. We all need to do what feels right for us...I just don't feel right in how I am living at t his moment...

I was driving back from getting the kids new sandals last night when I saw a homeless man walking down the street. He was older, and pushing his bicycle, which was laden with all his worldly possessions.

I felt so sad. And so angry.

Why aren't we doing more to help the homeless in THIS country? Why do people only seem to care about what goes on in other countries?

The freaking Gap has a whole line of clothing to support those with AIDS in Africa. Every other day I get a piece of junk mail from some celebrity wanting me to support Tibet or Dafur or something else.

YET, we have so many homeless HERE. We also have poverty in America. Children in OUR country who go to sleep hungry...who live in squalor...who are beaten and abused.

But no one seems to care. I guess it is cooler to carry around a FEED bag then actually give to a local shelter or food bank.

It is much cooler to wear a "RED" shirt so that people KNOW you are supporting something, then anonymously helping out at home.

I guess unless you can wear it or hold it or place a big bumper sticker on your car, the cause just isn't worth it.

That makes me ANGRY. I think too many people are supporting too many things outside the US when there are people who need help HERE. When there are homeless CHILDREN living on the streets...Veterans who come back from war with mental problems and who need help, but don't get it b/c people would much rather support a foreign cause...

It makes me want to cry.

I just had to get that off my chest. I think the US is too wrapped up in supporting charities for "show" and are forgetting that people need help right next door.

What about that old man? What about him? So you can't wear a shirt saying you helped. Is that what it's really about?

I am sure this post will be met with much controversy...but it is something I felt compelled to write about.

Oh, and I do only support charities at home, in case you are wondering. Not that I don't care about the rest of the world, or feel that what goes on in other countries is horrible, too..but I can't support someone far away when there is a need so close. I must take care of my own "family" first.

A mouse, or maybe mice, has taken up residence in my car. I have found bits of chewed up paper and bits of chewed up food lately...not cool. SO, last weekend I cleaned out the WHOLE car, bought containers to keep everything organized within the car, and put in a trash bag so that food and such wouldn't lie around.

Unfortunately, I think it is too little too late. Kai has now discovered that these rodents are responsible for my radio not working. I had suggested this before, but Kai balked at the idea...he didn't think the mice could have been to blame...nor did he think they had made the Toyota their permanent home...well, now we know otherwise.

SO, now we have to try and flush them out. How? By making sure there isn't even one crumb, one empty juice box, one anything lying about the car. Um, this will be VERY difficult being that I have 2 kids who almost always require a snack when we are out. I also can't have any non-food item in the car, either, b/c they like to chew up paper for their nests, I guess...awesome.

I am not too happy thinking that there might be a colony of mice living in my seats or something. IF I ever saw one running in the car while driving...well, let's say just it's a good thing we sprung for the expensive carseats. I am just hoping we can somehow get these creatures to LEAVE! We are also thinking about getting one of those sonar pest deterent thingys...or maybe we should get the two kitties Katie has been asking us for and let them loose in the Corolla...although I don't really want to find a random mouse head either...hmmm...

BLECH!

Ben needs to take a nap...he won't though. As I type I can hear him in his crib calling to be "rescued". He hasn't napped today and he is being a total pill...why won't he just sleep?! I would love to go take a nap! Trust me kid, you aren't missing anything...except an irritated mommy!

Edited to say: While I was trying to get Ben down for a nap, Katie decided she was hungry and wanted noodles...she opened a box of elbow macaroni and it went EVERYWHERE. I heard the noodles hit the floor from upstairs and cringed thinking about the mess I was going to find..and it was a mess. She apparently opened it in the pantry, so I had to empty everything out to get to all the noodles...then she carried the box across the kitchen...so there were noodles all over the floor...then, out of shear frustration upon finding this, I threw the box and the rest of the noodles scattered all over the counters and pretty much everywhere else in my vicinity. Yes, a weak moment, and one I am not proud of...especially since I ended up making a bigger mess for myself.

So, note to self...don't trust your 4yo alone...just let the nap GO.

I was less then impressed again today with Katie's preschool. Here is my latest issue...

I went to pick her up today and her class was playing outside. I saw Katie sit down on the ground and hang her head, looking upset. Now, there were 3 teachers outside with them and not ONE went over to see what was wrong. Some of the other kids came over to Katie and sat with her and I guess were talking with her, but it didn't seem to help. She briefly got up but then ended up sitting, or rather laying down, on the grass and still looked unhappy. Still, none of the teachers went over to her.

On the way home I got out of her that she was upset b/c another little kid had taken her jump rope. She was very upset about this, and, even though Katie is a pretty outgoing kid, she doesn't always go tell someone when something is wrong...a lot of the times she just gets really sad and goes off alone.

NOW, I just sat down with the OT at school last Thursday to talk about Katie's emotional issues...we talked about how it might be sensory, since she gets overwhelmed easily and is quick to get upset, and the OT gave me all these resources on how to help her, yet apparently they aren't helping her at all with it at school.

You would think since they know Katie has these behavior issues they would be on top of it, and if they see her get upset they would know to help her through it...I can't exactly help her myself if she is at school! I was/am very pissed about this. I guess it is my fault b/c even though we met with her teacher and the OT I didn't have her IEP changed to incorporate the fact that she does have some sensory issues. A part of me is just too trusting that thinking they will help Katie since they know these things about her.

Unfortunately, Katie's regular teacher just went out on maternity and the teacher she has now is just the old asst teacher. She has never been at one of Katie's IEP meetings and wasn't at the meeting with the OT last week, either. I have NO clue what she knows about Katie or if she even know how to help her. I really want to just pull Katie from school for the rest of the year...

BUT, I guess instead I will attempt to get her IEP changed. That should be fun. The fact is, if the OT agrees that her behaviors could be sensory related, she NEEDS help. Whether it is actual OT or just the teachers knowing they need to actually pay attention to Katie when she has these meltdowns...I clearly cannot trust them to help her without it being in writing.

Anywho, at least Katie had a good day at gymnastics. She actually seemed to listen really well and had a good time...so that was nice. Sometimes a bad morning=a bad day...thankfully today that didn't happen.

I know I have been writing a lot lately about Katie's school situation, and I just want to say that the decisions we make are JUST for her. I am not saying public schools are evil or anything, and not saying every kid needs to go to a Montessori or private school...this is just what is best for OUR family. Just wanted to add that in...

After school today Katie had a bday party for one of the boys in her class. It was at his house and the kids had SO much fun playing together outside of school. They had pizza and cake and ran around like crazy people! Since it was SO nice out they also got to play outdoors, which helped getting rid of the sugar rush!

It was really cute to see Katie interact with her peers. She goes to school with them everyday yet I have never really seen her with them. That is one thing that I hate about school...you just don't know what your child is doing. You go from the being home with you all the time, to them being somewhere else, doing something totally separate from you...it's hard to get used to.

Anywho, Katie really seemed to enjoy playing with this one little boy, Liam. Why? Because he had no problem playing "princess" with her...lol. She, of course, was the princess, and I think he was supposed to come to her rescue?? Not sure, but I do know I overheard him saying, Katie, let's play princess! Wonder if they play that at school, too...

It was also nice to get to talk to some of the other parents, too. I have never felt connected to them...most are older...know other parents already...I never felt like I fit in or had anything really to say, so it was nice to be somewhere and have the opportunity to chit chat. Of course, all of the other kids are going to kindergarten next year so we will be starting all over as far as new parents/kids go, but it was still nice.

After we left the party we came home and Ben took a much needed nap and Katie and I just vedged. I was really hoping she would fall asleep on the couch, but no such luck. She is in this stage where she really needs a nap, but there is no way I am getting her to take one. I guess that is good, though, b/c on the days she does fall asleep on the couch it is a hassle trying to get her to bed.

Anywho, I am hoping we have another good weather day tomorrow. I am so ready for SPRING!!!

So, I went on the tour of the 2nd Montessori school this morning. I got to bring the kids with me, which was nice. They were having circle time when we arrived, so they let Katie sit in...and she was great! Even participated! I guess the teacher was talking about how you feel when you get frustrated and angry and what to do when that happens, and she said Katie raised her hand and told her how mad she was that she couldn't find her bat, and that she looked for it until midnight and still couldn't find it...lol. She was looking for her bat this weekend, but I didn't realize she was THAT frustrated about it...haha. Anywho, I was glad that she seemed to fit right in and wasn't shy or anything...not that she usually is, but you never know. She even told me she liked that school better then her regular school.

The school is small...it is in an old Colonial house, so most of the classrooms are bedroom size, but the kids who were there seemed to really be enjoying themselves! I also liked how the kids were able to say what was on their minds without being talked down to. We were in one elementary room and one of the kids asked the director if she could cancel school tomorrow b/c he was tired...lol. He also asked to go out to recess early. The director handled it so well and was totally spoke to him with respect, and said when the weather got nicer they could totally switch around when recess was, but that they would have school tomorrow since they had enough school days this winter! I was glad to see the kids can express themselves without being talked down to or punished. I think a regular teacher would just balk at a kid who asked such things and tell them to stop wasting time and get back to work. Here, what a child says is respected and listened to...like I said in my previous post about it...Montessori's are CHILD centered...not teacher centered.

Anywho, I told them that we would probably be keeping Katie in her preschool next year, but that we def wanted to switch her come kindergarten, and they were fine with that. They told me they usually don't fill up til April or May so there wasn't any rush to register Katie. The last school we toured starts accepting students for the following school year the September before, so I wanted to make sure we got a spot, but apparently this school isn't as busy...it is in the boonies, so I guess that's why...haha. She said to call in Sept or Oct and see what their enrollement was, and if they were filling up early I could register her then.

I do wish I could send her this fall, but it would be a real financial hardship. Some of you are probably wondering how this could be a hardship for us...I mean, we live in a nice house, Kai has a good job, etc...well, we started doing the whole Dave Ramsey thing, which means NO debt...no credit cards...everything has to be paid for with cash...SO, that means we are basically living on cash alone. It is a good idea, I guess...Kai is all for it...I am a little less for it...but he makes the money and therefore the financial decisions right now, even though he tries to make it seem like I have a voice in it.

SO, we could send her next year and just put some other stuff on credit cards or whatever, but that isn't the plan right now. And we have to buy a new dishwasher soon and pay for our Disney trip next spring...SOOO...yeah....finding an extra $5000 CASH isn't as easy as it might seem. Kai's plan is to pay for everything each month and still have money leftover, too...so that is how we aren't looking as well off as others, I guess...or maybe as we might seem to be. Yes, it does suck sometimes...I would love a bigger car and some other things, but I can see that it is smart to not have any debt and to save for our future...as hard as it is right now!

ANYWHO, at least I can look forward to putting Katie in next year. We plan to use our tax refund to pay for her kindergarten tuition...hopefully nothing else comes up in the meantime! But I am pretty set on sending her to the Montessori...it just makes sense to me...and the public school system is just nothing to write home about. So, that's where we are with that.

Thank goodness the weather reports can be SO inaccurate around here! When I checked the National Weather Service yesterday it called for rain all day today and temps in the low 60's...well, it did start out rainy, but the sun came out and it got into the mid 70's!!! I was SO happy!

Anywho, Katie and I took a little shopping trip today. I had to find spring coats for the kids, as well as some pj's. Daddy and Ben took a little man trip to the Depot, too...lol. Kai had to make gates for the porch. But, back to Katie and I...we hit the mall first and didn't have much success finding jackets. I did pick up a couple beach towels from Sears...but I have to return them b/c I found better, and cuter ones for less money at the Disney Store.

I ended up getting coats for the kids at Kohls...BUT, I am going to bring Katie's back. Once she was wearing it, it looked too small. Now, I did try it on her at Kohl's, but she was at the END and so I did it very fast and it looked fine to me when she was just standing there...well, she wore it once we got home and it *just* fits, and if she leans over or anything it totally rides up...so I will have to make a return trip tomorrow for a bigger size.

Oh, I did pick Katie up some shorts at Children's Place today...size 8! EIGHT!!! The 6x/7's fit ok, but I wasn't sure they would last all summer, so I got the 8's. They are a tad bit big in the waste, but I can adjust that...other then that they looked fine! Oh well...as long as they fit!

After shopping we spent the rest of the day outside til I had to go babysit...I am hoping tomorrow is nice, too. I haven't checked the weather b/c what's the point? It was wrong about today, so better I just find out for myself tomorrow!

Oh, on another side note....Kai ended up fixing my car radio so that I can listen to CD's now, but the radio part is still broken...I think we need a new antenna or something. We also need to get a new belt or something, I think, b/c the car is making a whistling noise that is annoying the crap out of me, being I have no radio to drown it out, and was sick of all the cd's I currently had in my car...

It's always something!

Sorta. I babysat for a friend tonight. Well, her son was already in bed when I got there, so I basically watched tv for 4 hrs...which was fine by me!

I just got home and Kai is watching Mad Max...ugh. This, I feel, is one of those movies for an eternal bachelor...and not someone who CHOOSES to be a bachelor forever, either, if you get my gist. Are there any women out there who actually like this move???

So now I am home, awake, and can't even watch tv. We only have our "basic cable" on one tv (of the 2 we own...) so I am stuck now. I guess I could read, but I am not really in the mood. I was hoping to watch some more of the Sopranos DVD we Netflix'd...but I don't see that happening. For some reason Kai REALLY wants to watch that dumb movie...

He, of course, JUST started it, too. I don't know what he was doing while I was gone. I mean, the house isn't picked up or anything, so I know he wasn't doing that...lol...and the kids go to bed at 8-8:30...so he had a bunch of time to watch this earlier!

Not cool...not cool....

Well, I have decided to keep Katie in her regular preschool for one more year. I feel this will really be best for her, and not cause us so much financial stress. We are planning a Disney trip for next spring with the family, and need a new dishwasher, and there are a few other things we need to get done, so in order not to stress ourselves out about money, we are just going to wait.

Plus, I figure it will be good for Katie to spend her last year of preschool in the integrated school in case she does need extra help. Her teacher thinks with one more year under her belt, she will do better at the Montessori come kindergarten. I still really want her to go, but waiting a year is just better for us right now.

It was a hard decision to make. If we were rich I would probably just send her come fall, but I have to do what is best for ALL of us. I sat down and thought about it and realized I was being kinda selfish. *I* wanted her to go, but *I* am only 1/4 of this family...plus, Kai was not loving the idea of me sending her somewhere that costs money next year when she does get preschool for free, but he is more open to us sending her come actual elementary school...so I had to compromise. It's hard. I think she would learn a ton in the Montessori since they follow the child...she is SO ready to read and the public school just isn't going to help her there...but one year isn't going to ruin her...right? And I can always attempt to teach her myself...just have to get off my butt and do it!

Anywho, even though this isn't what I would ideally want, I think it is the best decision for us at this time. Life is hard, eh!?

Today was rainy and only in the 40's...ugh. I am SO sick of this crappy weather! We are heading into mid-April and it still hasn't warmed up! SO OVER IT!!!!

Anywho, today Katie had school, then she had swimming, then we came home. Real exciting. Ben napped for a while today, which was good, and then Katie and I made brownies. I am on this baking kick. I feel more domestic baking everyday. So far I am just doing mixes, but I want to get some actual cookbooks and learn how to do some stuff from scratch. I would much rather bake then cook a meal. I think Kai has been appreciating all my baking, too!

Tonight Kai is going out with some friends after work for drinks. I think that sounds SO pretentious...going out for drinks. Anywho, someone he has worked with for a while is leaving the company, so they are getting together for that. I am hoping he isn't out too late.

We got the second disc of the Sopranos first season from Netflix today, so I am hoping we can watch that tonight after the kids are in bed. We also got Enchanted for Katie...hopefully she likes that better then the last movie we rented for her-Aquamarine-where she freaked out b/c the mermaid had to go home at the end...

Anywho, I have to go figure something out for dinner tonight...fun fun....

On a side note, I have stopped drinking diet soda. I found that I was drinking a TON of it and still hungry all the time. So, now I am just drinking regular soda and find I am hungry less often, don't crave sweets, and have actually lost a couple lbs! Diet soda was totally sabotaging me! NO MORE! And now I will also save myself from those brain tumors artificial sweeteners might cause...yay!

How excited was I that I could wear flip flops and dress the kids in short sleeves?!?!! This nice day has been a long time coming after the LONG winter we have had. Of course, the weather is going to crap out again, with a lot of rain and temps in the 40's, but at least I kinda see a light at the end of the tunnel now...someday it will be warm for a longer stretch of time...right?

Anywho, we took full advantage of the good weather. I was supposed to meet my friend Misty and her kids at MCD's for lunch, but I figured it would be a better idea to meet at a park for a picnic and to let the kids play....thankfully she agreed! I just couldn't see sitting INSIDE MCD's when it was so beautiful out!

We let the kids play for a while then headed over to the Butterfly Place. Katie LOVED this place last year, but not so much today. She was all of a sudden "afraid" of butterflies and told me it was boring and that she wanted to leave after a very short amount of time! It is NOT cheap to get in, either. $16 for Katie and I (at least Ben was free). I think the gift shop was more alluring to her then seeing the butterflies...

I did bring the doggie backpack for Ben b/c I figured he wouldn't want to be stuck in the stroller, but that didn't go as well as I thought. He was not happy that I was holding onto him via this cute little dog, and pretty much screamed the entire time b/c he wanted to 1)touch the butterflies or 2) go where he wasn't supposed to. SO, when Katie started bugging me to leave, I wasn't all that disappointed.

Anywho, we walked through the gift shop, and I let Katie pick out a couple cheap things, then we hung around outside for a bit to enjoy some more fresh air, then headed home. Ben was WAY overdue for a nap, and I could tell Katie was hitting the wall.

Once home Ben napped for about 1 1/2 hrs and Katie and I vegged and watched some Curious George. We had some nice mommy/Katie cuddle time, which she is really into these days.

Kai was supposed to go climbing tonight, so around 5:30 we met my dad, Becky, and Shawn at Friendly's for dinner. The service was excruciatingly slow (the service is ALWAYS bad at ANY Friendly's, but tonight it was REALLY bad), so needless to say the kids got pretty antsy. Katie was all over the place and Ben decided it would be fun to randomly scream...really loud. It was 6:30 before we finally got our food, but thankfully once that came the kids settled down and ate and were pretty good the rest of the meal. Don't these people know you can't keep young kids waiting like that? And of course when the waitress brought our drinks she forgot Katie's (WRONG one to forget), and then when she brought our food she realized they made Ben mac and cheese when we ordered grilled cheese...so the poor, starving kid had to wait even longer. I would have just taken the mac and cheese but he is super picky and I knew he wouldn't eat it.

After dinner we headed back home where we found Kai...I guess his climbing partner canceled last minute, so he got some brewing time in while we were gone...at least I think that is what was set up in the driveway.

Now the kids are in bed and I am watching TV and Kai is outside trying to fix my car radio, which has been broken for three LOOOONG days. I have had NOTHING to listen to while in the car...NOT GOOD!!!! I am hoping he can figure it out and we don't have to take it in...fingers crossed!

So, that was our busy day. But I am just grateful for the nice weather...even if it was short lived!

I just got back from meeting with Katie's teacher, and things went well. The meeting was to discuss the eval we got from Tufts with the OT, but I also spoke with her about changing Katie's school next year. Surprisingly she didn't look at me like I had 12 heads and was crazy! She was like, ok...and then said the only thing she would be worried about is that b/c in Montessori they let the child decide what they want to do, Katie might get overwhelmed by having so many choices, but thought it was a good idea taking the tour and seeing how Katie was. She said she had nothing against Montessori's, but did say that it might be a good idea to let her finish out preschool where she is, then look into it for kindergarten, just to allow Katie some extra time to mature and get beyond some of her issues.

Anywho, moving on to the OT part. Apparently she doesn't really need therapy, just b/c it isn't like she has a constant sensory thing she needs help me, like if she didn't like sand or textures or something, but the OT is going to give me a bunch of info about how to help Katie when she does tantrum. I do have to say her teacher DID look at me like I had 12 heads when I mentioned the part of the report that said Katie was at a 2 yr old level with the needing routines and being overwhelmed easily...so I guess that can be taken as a good thing since obviously she doesn't think it's THAT bad. She did say that Katie does have some issues with it, though, since she is fine at school (routine) and when she does act out it is usually at the end of the day when that routine is ending.

SO, I am looking forward to the info the OT gives me and am hoping to find one book she told me about that goes over whether something is sensory or behavioral...

ANYWHO, I am still going to the tour on Monday. Part of me thinks Katie will like having choices and being able to work on what interests her, but there is a part of me that was concerned how she would react in that type of classroom, too...like if someone was doing something she wanted to do, or how not having a routine would challenge her...so we'll see.

We are going to tour the Montessori in Milford next Monday at 9am. I get to bring Katie along, too, which will be good. Hopefully they will let her play with the other kids so we can see how she does in that type of enviornment.

I am debating whether or not to mention that we are thinking of changing schools to Katie's current teacher. Part of me wants to wait til we see this other school...if we don't like it no point in rocking the boat beforehand, but her teacher is days away from her due date, so I don't want her to leave and then find out later we decided to go...as if I was trying to hide it from her or something. I meet with her tomorrow anyway, so I will probably just tell her about it and get her input. I am pretty sure the school is going to try and sway me AWAY from removing Katie, and it's a confrontation I really don't wish to have...we'll see...

I am going to preface this by saying that I do pretty much reveal the ending of the movie in this post, so if you have it on your list, you might want to skip this til you watch the film.

Kai and I watched that movie last night. I hadn't heard of it til the Academy Awards when it won for best song. It is an independent Irish film. We have actually had it for a couple weeks but I was a little worried it would be boring, and that the song was the only thing I would like. BUT, having nothing better to do last night, we decided to watch.

I have to admit...I thought it started out kinda slow. And I had to REALLY concentrate to understand the actors. I am NOT good with accents and especially not thick Irish ones. Or apparently Russian ones, as the girl in the film possessed one of those. OK, I am not good with any of them, and can barely understand Kai half the time...lol....

ANYWHO, after a while I got into the story a little more. Granted there was no plot twist, or any big explosions...no one got hit by a bus (which at one point Kai and I thought would spice up the movie a bit), but it was charming in it's own way. The music was definitely the best part. Even Kai really liked all the songs. That pretty much made the movie for me.

It didn't end as I wanted, since I am a hopeless romantic who always wants people to fall in love and be together at the end, but I can understand the beauty of the actual ending, and in reality it was the best choice...as opposed to the probable cheesy ending I hoped for...haha.

The thing is, I SO want to enjoy movies like this. I did go through a huge independent movie phase in my 20's (hello Parker Posey and Jason Lee...unfortunately both mainstream now), but as I get older I guess I just don't want to think that much. At the end of the day, when the kids are in bed, I was mindless entertainment! BUT, I am not giving up...I am on a quest to get that funky part of me back.