Don't have much to say.  Or wait!  I think I do!  Too  much, though, and currently no time to say it.  Catching up at work.  Spending the next 2 days at camp with Andrew and a couple 5th  grade classes.  The forecast looks decent.  Anyone know of any rain?  I have our dollar store ponchos packed, just in case!  Missing Caleb's first EVER baseball game.  And he hasn't forgotten it either.  He keeps reminding me that he'll  never have another first ball game.  Ever.  Can I feel any worse?  Yes.  The answer is yes.  If I miss camp with Andrew after going with Caleb last year, I would definitely feel worse.

When I get back, I'll catch y'all up on the bathroom reno, camp, the Madonna party, sports, thumb-sucking bribery and whatever else I am forgetting right now, like my shopping excursions from the past few days.  As Kyle said yesterday...Stinkin' fun!!!!

*Oh, and my high school friend, Laurel, {first play date ever...in kindergarten}moved her family to India and is keeping track of their adventures with a blog that I have added to the right.

It Only Took 2 Hours And 48 Minutes...

Oh, how I long for time.  I sound like a grandma which, coincidentally, speaking of grandmas, my mother so matter-of-factly pointed out the other day that she was my age, 36, when my grandma passed away.  Ouch.  Damper on the day.  What I mean is I long for time to myself.  For stuff.  An empty feta cheese container reminded me of this.  I thought, "No, don't throw it away.  It can be used for storing something scrapbooky since it has a clear container with no label on it."  What is scrapbboking?  I kind of forgot.  Shoot, I'm still using last year's pictures on my header because I don't have time to take anything except sports pics.  Yeah, yeah...feel sorry for me.  But just for 13 seconds.

Yeah, so my mom just kind of blurted this whole 36 thing out Sunday at Andrew's party.  At the time I just thought it was sad and changed the subject.  Monday night, however, I lost my mind.  I flipped the channel to One Tree Hill, which ended up being a rerun.  Glad I decided to watch it again because it got me thinking about the conversation and i cried my eyes out.  I cannot imagine losing my mom.  Ever.  But I can't even fathom the idea of losing her now.  Today.  As I am 36.  Not conceivable.  I love you, mom. {and I called her to tell her that}

Lots to tell, lots to show.  Someday I'll play with PhotoShop again and show fun-ness, but for now, all raw. {I have to use the potty right now but am too scared to because we have a bird in the ceiling trying like mad to free himself and I'm afraid of that thing swooping down at me.  How's THAT for raw?!}

Easter. Went to church, then over to my parent's for an egg hunt and dinner.  I have approximately one gazillion eggs from a scavenger hunt I put together for Andrew's birthday a few years ago, but only have 5 different colors.  We were going to make a list for the kids so all 6 would get the same number, {like another scavenger hunt} but Caleb told me he was too old.  I reminded him it was at gram's and his friends wouldn't see him and stressed to him the contents inside the eggs.  No budging.  Sad. {but I think he was sad, too, so gram made up a bag just for him}

Since September 2007 I have wanted this.  I saved the magazine and referred to it often.  The original is from an InStyle Home magazine from that date.  This one has the lyrics to Heaven by Bryan Adams and is hanging over a couch in Molly Simms' home.  She found it at a French Flea Market.  Hmm.  I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted it.  Not Heaven, though.  And I wasn't planning any trip to France.  The only memory I have of that song  is holding hands with Jeff Noordhoff in 7th grade, skating at Holiday skate rink.  My hands smelled like mustard afterward because Jeff had just eaten a hot dog.  Great memory, but not really appropriate.  I wanted it to have meaning to me.  My wedding song.  Perfect.

I finally commisioned an artist...a real artist...and here is the finished product...

My heart goes pitter patter for this.  Missy rocks!!  Now I need new lamp shades.  Never done white before.  So very new to me. {maybe it could've been a bit wider, but my heart still beats on}

Soccer started Saturday.  Coldest day ever.  Andrew played on a field the size of a football field.  I think I need binoculars to enjoy his remaining games.  It was hard to follow along with both the distance and the cold grabbing my attention.  I didn't take pictures.  I probably will at some point, but really, I am so over sports pictures.  They all look the same.

I did, however, take a few shots of Kyle because it was his first game ever.  And he was playing his rival Ashley.{in more ways than one} He wasn't first in, so I guess he thought he needed to rest up.

My little man did not disappoint.  He's a bit wild and unruley, and he certainly goes full force {extreme sliding and all} but he rocked.

And he scored...

And so did Ashley!!

And then they met up on the field.  At the same time.  It was tough because we would cheer for Ash when she played and obviously for Kyle when he played.  Poor Isaac was confused the first time neither was playing.  He couldn't figure out why we were cheering for the burgundy team!  He thought we should be cheering for the yellow team, like him!  When they were out against each other, all the parents probably thought we were crazy.  We cheered for our teammates by name and threw Ashley in there, too!

Goalie against goalie.  Neither were scored on.  Rockin' good time.

Andrew's sleepover went very smooth.  Kids got little sleep, but I think they all survived.  Mom got little sleep, too.  Andrew had to clean up crumbs and the rest of the general mess, so mom survived after all. ☺  The kid made out like a rock star {thanks, friends} so we are shopping at Target tonight. {mother and son gift cards. Swoon}

Party # 374 was Sunday.  Had the Hoffman clan over for grilling and dessert.  Had yummy buttercreme frosting...the only way to have cake in my opinion...and last, but not least, opened more presents.

Stay tuned for the big bathroom catastrophe remodel.  Part I.

10 + 1...

April 15.  Tax day.  The anniversary of the day my grandma died back in 1989.  Andrew's date of birth.

Happy Birthday, my sweetness.

Andrew, Drew, Drewz, Drewzie, Drewzie Magoozie, Drewz Magooz, Drew Magoo, Andrew McGee...by any name, my second born.  I truly remember that day like it was yesterday.  Or even this morning.  Kristin was my keeper back then and, wouldn't you know it, she went shopping in GR with her girlfriend the night before.  And her phone was turned off.  It was just Caleb and I at home.  Pat was working .  @#$%!&*$#!!!!!  My contractions started and were KILLING me.  I crawled stepped into the shower to try to ease the pain.  I was on my hands and knees crying.  Nothing was helping.  I just screamed and cried.  I finally called Pat to come home.  Can't remember if I finally got ahold of Kristin on her way home or if she made it home, but once she did, I was off to the hospital. 

I have to tell you I have never experienced the kind of pain back labor delivers {pun intended} before or beyond that day.  Andrew was my first natural birthing experience and it was anything but normal!!! 

Aftr 14 hours of nonstop, yucky labor, my little Andrew was born just a tick past noon.  Funky head and all.  {ooh, for polite purposes, I am not sharing the cone head pics with you all...}

{and excuse the strangeness of the pics...my printer is not hooked up so instead of scannning, I chose to take pics of pics...}

We started the birthday festivities early by shopping for class snacks and sleepover goodies last night.  We forgot a couple of things, like birthday donuts and game rentals, but it's all good.  I baked cookies, then sent Keith to pick up suckers.  I tell you, I have the most dislike for my Pampered Chef baking stone.  My cookies ALWAYS flatten right out. Blah.  After dinner and showers, Andrew opened his present from us.  I planned to wrap them all separately {you've gotta know Andrew} but since Keith would be at school by the time Andrew got up this morning, we needed to get 'er done last night.  So bag it was.

This poor little nut wants so badly to fit into "cool" clothes.  By cool he is referring to adult xs vintage fit tees from AE or the like.  AE has a kids line that we shop frequently, but apparently the men's sizes are what it's all about.

Super excited about this tee...must've asked me a trillion times to wash it so he could wear it today to school.

Andrew is a huge skull-n-crossbones kind of guy.  I was thrilled to find this stainless steel water bottle.

{notice the jammie pants?}  Tennie sandals...Tendals?? Sandies??

And, of course, a Skullcandy silicone skin for Andrew's ipod.  I scored this treasure at TJ Maxx in TC. {bad visual} Couldn't wait to give it to him.  He loves him some ipod nano.  He's a video making fool.  Santa is a smart man.  Now both him and his gadget ate ghetto fabulous. ☺

The party didn't stop there.  Name on the board in two different classes.  Suckers for friends.  Favorite dinner at dad and Jen's tonight.  Praying for a thunderstorm so practice is cancelled.  5 friends over tomorrow evening.  Family over on Sunday.  More presents.  Family over shortly after that as well.  More presents.

Ahh...to be 11.

5...

I am jumping out of life's order.  I don't have my big camera to load Easter pics but I do have my little camera to load birthday shopping pics.

I took Ashley shopping for her birthday Monday night.  She looked so cute in her pretty dress and polka dot sandals.  Yummy.  We stopped at Hob Lob for a personal purchase but to entice the young one, we scoped out feather boas as well.  Turquoise.  Perfect.  We walked over to Target and picked up a load in the $1 aisle.  We also picked up a Hannah Montana umbrella and sunglasses.  Before I knew it, we were pennies away from broke and we hadn't yet made it to the sacred Claire's Boutique.  We made a beeline for the register and out the door we went.  We stopped in Younkers long enough to peruse their goods for a photo-op.

{"Bon jour, honey.  Bon jour, beautiful."  I think she forgot about her red hair and white skin} 

Gosh, I love this girl.  She da bomb.

Anyway, we hit Claire's and I remeinded Ash that we only had a little money left and tried to sway her toward the clearance rack since we all know it about the quantity with little girls.  Seriously, when I brought Allison home, we counted how many things she got.  Let me tell you, the clearance rack was much better when I took Alli.  There was nothin' good there this time.  It didn't matter anyhow, since Ashley fell.in.love. with lipglosses disguised as a cell phone and a beautiful pink heart necklace on a long silver chain. Oh, but wait.  The we found out that the makeup is buy 1 get 1 1/2 off.  Oh, goody.  Honestly, I cannot remotely remember what she picked as her 1/2 off item.  Something ghetto fab, I'm sure.

Check out the similarities...

Seriously, if you want similarities, I should find the pic of Kristin about this age, wearing my mama's sunglasses.  Talk about twins...Ashley is her mother through and through, in all ways but right. ☺ 

Happy Birthday, dear Ashley.  May today you feel as old as a mom, {her words} for tomorrow you'll still only be 5, with a long life ahead of you.

Oh, and Anne Geddes ain't got nothin' on me...

Household Update...

Andrew ate a worm yesterday.

Wednesdays Kyle plays at Aunt Kristin's house after school.  Yesterday Andrew was walking home from the bus stop when Kristin was also heading home and she picked him up and he stayed to play.

I got home from work last night and I cannot remember whether it was Kyle or Keith who basically said, "So, did you hear what Andrew ate today?"  Okay, so of all things...and all people...??  I asked him why he ate a worm and he replied, "Everyone says they don't taste too bad."  He had me hooked.  I asked him what the worm tasted like and he said rather simply, "Strawberries."  This coming from the kid who'll walk into a room and say that it smells like lettuce in there or the one who'll comment that watermelon bubblegum tastes like mac-n-cheese.  Disgusting.  I told him to {please} never do that again.

Caleb and I went on a date the other night.  He needed basketball shoes and baseball pants and wanted sliding shorts from gram Stratton for Easter.  He got basketball shoes and sliding shorts, as well as baseball pants for Easter. {the shorts were a bit more than the pants}  We turned it into a date because we never have one-on-one time together.  Someone else is always more needy hoping for a ride somewhere.  I told him the deal was that we also needed to go to Target and Maurices.  Instead I went to Target in the a.m. {Kyle needed lunch} and although I really planned on adding Vicki's Secret and BBW to the list, I only made him suffer through Maurices.  I was fast.  I was only slowed down when he couldn't find me a dress in another size.  I tried clothes on right over my own.  Believe you me, I was fast.  We ended the night at Hobos with a grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and a grilled chicken salad with ranch.  Lovely.

As for today, Kyle is at school for now and then he'll be heading to a fun party at Shelly's daycare for an egg hunt and another fun surprise.  Andrew has soccer tonight.  I hope he really steps it up this season.  I was so proud of him during the winter session.  He felt he had something to prove and he was fab.  I hope he keeps the spirit.

Caleb starts baseball Monday.  I cannot wait.  He's gonna look mighty fine in his ball uniform.  Okay, that's a little sick, but seriously, I love boys in baseball uniforms.  Hate to disappoint, Aunt Kristin, but he may not be what you're expecting.  His pants fit nice in the waist and butt, but his skinny thighs certainly do nothing to fill out his pants.  And he thought his thighs are big...not anymore.  I'm also excited to be hanging out with two  of my girls, Sara and Christine.  What a way to pass the {spring}time.

Hanging with said girls tomorrow.  And their kids.  And my other two girls.  We're packing picnics.  And playing ball.  And catching some rays.  Okay, okay...the kids are playing ball.  We're strictly catching rays.

Skipping ahead, I offered to run over the Easter Bunny.  This way I can buy my kids a little something for Easter and the dumb bunny can quit his day job.  What does he have to do with Easter anyway?  Too much hoopla.  So if anyone feels the same way I do, I'll gladly take one for the team.  My van is paid for but I still have full coverage on it.  If I have to run him over a few times, I will.  It's covered.  I have a good insurance

agent.☺

{In case you are still checking my blog, Warren, this is for you.}

Had a great time Saturday night.  Went to the Chamber to listen to the EduKators.  They rocked.  It was a full house.  Great to see.  Ironically,  had breakfast the next morning at the very same table I sat at the night before.  Where but in Whitehall does this kind of stuff happen?

Outta The Mouths Of Babes...

Randomocity heard in the Stratton home...

{hugging after eating chocolate}
me: kyle, careful with the hands!
kyle: what? my hands are clean, see? {shows me}  i wiped my hands on my coat.

me: i'm taking caleb to the bus stop.
kyle: i'll watch andrew.  i'll keep an eye on him.

kyle: did you toot?
keith: no.
kyle: oh, maybe i did. i don't know.

andrew: i'm going to be on american idol when i'm 16 and a junior.
me:okay.
andrew: so, ummm...i'm going to have to drop out of high school.
me: ummm...NO YOU'RE NOT!!!!
andrew: huh? {clearly bothered by my response}

Also very random...

Ash and Kyle were calling their boyfriend and girlfriend on the phone on the way to school...
ash: hi, honey bunchie. {giggle}  i'm almost to the bank, ok honey?  kyle wants to talk to you.

Kyle has been taking ownership of things in our house lately.  He gets a half piece of gum.  He sticks the other half  in a baggie and writes his name on it.  He also labels water bottles, half eaten granola bars, half eaten cottage cheese and yogurt.  We're like, "Dude, do you really think your brothers will want to eat that stuff??"

And one more...

The kids were all in the backseat, maybe on the way to school one morning, talking about being bad or something and Isaac pipes up and says that if you're bad, you'll go to JUUUUVEEEEY!  It was the funniest dang thing.

{Almost} All Things Girly...

I loaded pics last Friday with the intent of blogging over the weekend.  It's now Wednesday.

The twinsters celebrated 7 years last Friday.  I thought it was fitting to take Allison on her first auntie/niece shopping trip.  As it worked out, the library was also offering fun activities the same night we picked to shop.  We layed out our plans and away we went.  I first introduced Alli to the world of Claire's.  Apparently, this is a store you can only shop with your aunt. {according to her}  First, she took everything in.  I thought she was uninterested, but she was really just scoping out the goods.  Alli had told me she wanted hair stuff, jewelry, makeup, shoes, clothes, purses...  I wasn't sure what to think when she kept going back to play phones and stuffed pets.  I wondered if she just wasn't ready-my kind of ready.  Oh, was she ever...

We were having fun trying on and taking pics...

Until I was snapping her in a Birthday Girl banner.  What are those pagent thingys called?  Yeah, one of those.  We were standing in front of the stock room door, ready to take a pic, when the girl walked out.  I snapped my photo quick like and apologized for being in the way.  The girl then said, "Oh, pictures are not allowed in our store."  Give me a break.  I was so flustered I cancelled the picture instead of saving it.  Dang.

All was not lost.  We still had tons of fun and Alli made out with major beauty booty.  {or is this type of booty bootie??}  A pink feather boa, 20 colored hair pieces, 7 rings and matching sticky earrings, zebra print glasses, tie dye nail polish, green sparkle nail polish, cheetah lip gloss, a kitty bag to put it all in and I think that's it.

We spent our money, glammed all up and headed to the library.  Two of my cheerleaders were there, reading a book about cheerleading and aiding in making poms.  Right up Alli's alley. 

There was a fun carwash set up with people blowing bubbles at the kids as they crawled through and spraying them with a water bottle at the end.  A big hit with Kyle.  There was also a duck, a chicken and a baby hen...

Yes, a real duck, chicken and hen!!!

There was also pizza making...

And airplane flying...

Didn't see much of Kyle.  He was there with Keith and usually in the car wash.

I took Alli home and the others were waiting anxiously for her return to see her loot.  Ash was over the moon with all the gifts and declared, "Aunt Jodi's taking me to Claire's for my birthday, too!"  Isaac, on the other hand, was quite sad.  He interjected, "She always gets more stuff than me."  I felt lousy.  I explained to him that the legos he wanted had tons of pieces but he didn't think it was the same.  Girl trinkets are always in abundance.  I cannot explain that to a 7 year old boy.  What I could explain to him was that I would take him to the pancake breakfast Saturday {with boy cousins, of course because what boy wants to shop with his aunt as a treat?} and then shopping for whatever he picked out at Target.  Game on!!  Two nerf guns and extra {glow in the dark} ammo later, we were all tied up.  Glad I could help.  And from what I hear, I made another family memeber a little green with envy.  I hear my BIL felt the need to get himself a toy, too.  A little bigger and better than his son's...Jimmy, if only you could have waited until your birthday...;) Ha!