Hansen Happenings

Happy Birthday Antie!

2008-11-07T23:50:00.005-06:00

I think most of you have heard that Emma has been having tummy troubles. It is very sporadic, but has been going on since probably the beginning of the year. She gets terrible stomach cramps, throws up here and there and often gets the scoots. It does sound like the stomach flu, but it isn't. It usually lasts 24-48 hours, although she had a 4 day episode in May where we went to the dr. They weren't sure what it was but gave her some acid reflux medicine. (Usually her episodes start in the middle of the night or after she gets up in the morning). She had an episode a couple weeks ago and she had to miss school so we went back in. The doc sent her to a pediatric gastronologist this Weds. He did an initial exam and then they had to do the dreaded blood test. (And of course we kept getting lost in the hospital). They did a bunch of tests including testing for celiac disease (gluten allergy). The women in my family and also some in Steve's family have stomach issues too so the poor thing is probably screwed. Today we went back for an ultrasound and and xray where she had to drink Barium. I thought it was an MRI, but I guess not. They were also checking to make sure the tube to her stomach wasn't twisted. If it is she'd need surgery, although the dr is pretty sure it is probably abdominal migraines. I have never heard of those!

She was a trooper! She asked the cutest questions and was totally adorable. They mixed the barium with Hershey's syrup and she said it was delicious. She did have some trouble getting the pop rock thingies down, but they looked like shards of glass...I wouldn't have wanted them either! After she got all done the child liason lady let her pick a toy. She picked a Beanie Baby anteater..and I will name her Ant she said. We looked at the tag tonight and it's bday is today...how weird is that? Today she drew some ants and cut them out for him and tonight we had a bday party for Ant. She made him a hat and we wore party hats too. We sang Happy Bday to him and we celebrated with slices of cheese with candles in the middle. Of course I didn't have the camera! And she said real seriously to me, "Now Mom, you know I ate Ant's cheese for her don't you?"

We should know the results of everything early next week. The migraines are treatable with medicine (although she would have to have an EKG first, so that's a little creepy) and they also said you can outgrow them. Of course that might not be the problem, we'll wait and see. Right now she's feeling 100 percent!

I'll end this post with a tap dancing unicorn!

We've Made Progress!

2008-10-29T23:12:00.002-05:00

We've had the hole in the back yard for a couple weeks...then it rained....

The cement dudes were finally able to get started and they've been here yesterday and today and this is what the back looks like now. Stay tuned for more excitement!

Halloween Hijinks

2008-10-26T22:59:00.005-05:00

Since it was too windy to go to any Trick or Treat stuff tonight, we tackled the pumpkins. Emma is also excited that we are roasting some of the seeds. Can you tell whose pumpkin is whose? I just can't believe how artistic she is! Parker's was very simple and clean and also very cool.

Here they are in their costumes when we went to Night Eyes Friday night. It stopped raining long enough that we were able to go. We had about a million things to do this weekend (and the flu also hit us during some of the craziness) Emma wanted to be a unicorn or pony again (she's been one the last 2-3 years) but we could no longer squeeze her into it. Most of the little girl costumes were "prostitoty" and she didn't like them anyway...whew! We went with another unicorn. Unfortunately they only made them in small, but since it just sits around your waist we should get another couple years out of this. She gets a new costume and Parker ended up with a 25 cent Frankenstein mask. That is what he wanted to be, so everything worked out ok. Still trying to fit in time to go to LHF, also hitting a TorT thing tomorrow night at a park, and the local college on Thursday - weather permitting. And Steve is gone part of the week so I will be deranged by the weekend. Sprinkle in some TKD and dance and the week will go by in a blur.

Also wanted to post a some bday pics when Parker turned the big 0-8 on the 19th. He got bday muffins in the morning (he totally hearts muffins so that was perfect), wanted UB Funkeys and a Sponge Bob Cake.

I will try to post again soon with more details of other Happenings, but no promises. I've been getting some grief the blog hasn't been updated, but my life is nuts so you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!

Miss Noodle is Six!

2008-09-15T21:33:00.003-05:00

I was going to post a goo goo baby picture of her and then realize I wasn't digital back then! Too much work this late at night to find a "regular" one and then scan. Maybe another day :-)

She has been WOUND up all day from the sounds of it. Apparently bday cupcakes aren't a good idea? Every single person she met today at school, at soccer, on the bus etc. heard it was her bday. I've never had to worry about her being shy.

I would post pics from the morning, but the camera currently hates me and we're having some uploading issues. So instead here is one of her (and her hair) recently at soccer. It was a little cold!

Goo Goo Babies

2008-09-13T22:21:00.003-05:00

The kids were asking today about when they were goo-goo babies and again there was the story of how Parker didn't cry when he was born, but peed all over the doctor and then Emma screamed her head off. Pretty much they are still that way!

Then I jokingly said to them, "What if Mom had another baby?" I've asked before and they very adamantly say NO! Well that backfired on me today. Parker definitely wants a brother or sister. He said he didn't care if they cried and if it was a boy he wanted to name it Josh and if it's a girl Leah. He said you have a belly is there a baby in there? (He's not winning any points here!) He then wants to know how long it takes to get a baby in my tummy, how does the baby come out, etc etc... Emma says, "I know how the baby gets in there. Mom and Dad get married. When they decide to have a baby Mom takes a pill and gets a baby in her tummy. It's like those pills on TV that you put in water and turn into a farm animal." She was very serious as she's mentioned the pill things before...lol.

I told Parker that babies cry a lot and that he would have to help with the diapers. He said that was more of a thing that moms and dads do but he would play with it. I'd better get them the fish they've been asking for to take their minds off this baby business!

He's Got Catitude!

2008-09-11T22:50:00.003-05:00

This time of year seems to come up so quickly...the dreaded annual vet appointment. Actually it's been 2 years. We kept procrastinating and last year it got away from us. When he was a kitten the visit went smoothly. He is now 12 plus, and does NOT like the vet. He never goes anywhere and so the minute he's in the car and them smells all the animals at the dr, it gets ugly. The last few years we've had to medicate him. The vet has a "Panic Attack" note in his chart. The vet would try to wear the leather bird gloves and Cooper would still try to gnaw his arm off. Each year we are given a pill to break in half. One half for this year, one half for next year. One year it was the big half and he would be a little more mellower than the small half year. He would try to hiss but couldn't quite attack. After we'd bring him home with his kitty hangover, you'd have to try to keep him from walking around for a bit since he was totally stoned. Once the buzz wore off, then he was mad at you for a day or two. This time the vet recommended the whole pill since he was pretty violent the last time. I haven't seen Cooper at all today, so apparently he's still sleeping of the 'ludes! Cooper can be a bit stuck up, but he generally isn't mean (well ok most of the time he's nice....). He was once an only child, then put up with two moves, then two kids and we never had any of the peeing, spraying, destroying issues so I'll give him props on that. Now that the kids are older he will let them pet him sometimes and he especially likes Emma. I'm of course his favorite and the minute the kids go to bed, he climbs out from sleeping under the bed and is attached to my side or lap for the rest of the night.

Thank goodness it's another year before checkup and shots! This is always way more stressful than when the kids got them!

P.S. He also doesn't like to wear hats!

So Far So Good!

2008-09-10T23:46:00.004-05:00

I know, I know. It's been forever since I posted. Just busy with life as usual.

I've been getting some heat to post some updated pics of the front porch. Here is where it's at today. Steve has been working hard and got it shingled yesterday. I'm guessing a month or so from now they addition will be started and eventually that ugly siding and trim will be gone! The rooms will be added to the back of the house. Contrary to what someone thought - no - we are not jacking the house up and putting the basement under it. The basement is going in the back with two bedrooms above it. (The back of our house is already partially underground already) We're still in discussion about if we're keeping the rock front or not??

It's almost midnight so I'm off to bed.

I'm Now A Face On The Book!

2008-08-25T00:01:00.004-05:00

Like I'm not online enough the way it is, I joined Facebook last night. I haven't figured out much yet besides the basics. Of course this has cut into my updating the family blog time!

This is a picture of the front of the house this morning. The stinky dog poop smelling bushes (and they smelled that way before we got the dog) are gone! I also can't wait till we are rid of that ugly siding and trim. Of course we haven't gotten the final quote yet, so maybe I will be looking at this ugly siding for awhile longer!

Just the usual kid doings last week. Each had a soccer game. It started to rain during Emma's so it's always fun to sit in wet capri jeans and watch 5 year olds roll around on a soccer field. Although I think they still won by 10 goals or so. Parker's team played a tougher team this week so that took a little wind out of their sails. They ended up tying 1-1.

They started riding their different bus on Wednesday (when traditional school started). The bus comes a little later which is nice since the princess isn't a morning person. She may get that from me?

Well it's midnight and once again I'm still up messing around on this stupid puter.

Thoughts on BB: I think Dan made a stupid mistake.

Thoughts on The Hills: Yes I'll admit I watch that trash. Could there have been anymore commercials on the season opener?

Did You Eat the House Bosco??

2008-08-16T22:01:00.003-05:00

This is what the kids have been asking the dog...lol. He has been known to eat anything that wasn't nailed down, but this is actually Steve's doing. Bosco didn't eat the porch! I snapped this picture Friday morning, but since then the bushes are gone and he's hammered some wood to make the porch roof. I'll try to remember to take one tomorrow to update everyone on the house doings.

Miss E has had quite the week. First her rockstar reading, then she had her first soccer game on Thursday night. She scored two goals! I knew that she had the skills, but in practice she often laid down or did sommersaults, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect :-) The whole team did great! They looked pretty rag tag during the practices, but I think almost every kid made a goal or at least made a lot of contact with the ball. In the other teams defense half of their team was missing so they were getting pretty tired, but E's team still had a pretty strong victory (although you don't keep score at this age, but of course every kids does!) On Friday then she casually mentioned that her art teacher didn't send her project home because he wants to feature it in the school art show. Go Emma!

Tonight Peyton and Rylan spent the night with their cousins. They are all now hunkered down in Parker's room. Emma claimed the floor and Peyton and Parker are in one bed. Rylan is in the top bunk. Hopefully P and P don't kick each other too much! Before they went to sleep Parker explained to him that he likes to get up early because that's the best part of the day and you can get a lot done. He is SOOO like his father!

Thunder Thighs

2008-08-12T20:49:00.003-05:00

We are now officially into the soccer season. The kids have had a few practices and Parker had his first game last night. Emma's first is on Thursday. Parker's team spanked the other team 8-0. Parker was excited when it was his turn to be goalie, but the other team couldn't get anywhere near our side so he didn't get to boot it out of the end like he wanted. He has a really great coach who has been working with them a lot. Now that he's older they play positions too. I so don't understand soccer, but there is offense and defense like there is in basketball.

The Hansens also tackled the State Fair on Sunday. We get there bright and early to we can see the popular stuff like the Big Boar and Butter Cow (Butter Shawn Johnson did not look like her...what's up with her monster thighs? Or maybe it was more her monster shoulders?) We had the usual variety of fried foods and topped it off with ice cream. I get free tickets, food and concert thru work, so it's a pretty cheap day for us...sweet! We did skip the Wynonna concert. The weather was gorgeous in the morning. I really expected to be sweaty. About noon it did get hot (and it didn't help I had to walk a mile to go back and get Emma's missing hat), but we survived the fair once again!

The Hansens house renovation has officially begun. We haven't signed a contract yet with anyone for the remodel, but since Steve has ripped off the front porch, I think it's a go! With the remodel I'm getting a little hosed in the scraproom department, but P and E will get bigger rooms and I'll be a good mommy and put them ahead of my scrapping :-) I'm going to take over their 2 bedrooms (so I guess I have a supply room and a crop room?)

My reality thoughts:

The Mole - although I was wrong about who I thought it was, I was very happy with the outcome. If witchy woman had won I would have been mad! I was glad that Mark won the money - he really loved his family and wanted to help them out.

Big Brother - I'm not sure why this show sucks me in every year. I guess to help me realize I'm not the nutcase like I think I am....when you look at some of those weirdos! Speaking of weirdos, man our WM has gotten skanky lately. When you see a 2 year old named Bubba it makes you go hmm.....

Tres Gracias

2008-08-05T23:43:00.002-05:00

Three things I'm thankful for lately:
1 - was almost sideswiped yesterday and I managed to miss the guy by about 2 millimeters. His big truck with the 8 in the windshield would have won against my Sedona I'm afraid!
2 - Picked up P's nosespray tonight. Hopefully the prescription is finally straightened out. First the insurance didn't like the way the dr wrote the prescription. Then Walgreens was supposed to store in the fridge and didn't. They can't seem to get that part right. I have to call them tomorrow since the last batch they gave us they didn't have in the fridge either. Anyway the good news is that the retail on the nosespray is about $500.. and we pay $10! Yeah for insurance! I guess I'll keep working...yick. Oops this is supposed to be a thankful post...lol.
3 - Some scrap goodies I won came today. See this link to see the shirt they sent Steve :-)

I'm Melting.... (Picture the Wicked Witch)

2008-08-03T19:14:00.004-05:00

Well at 6:00 tonight it was still 94 degrees...and this didn't include the heat index factor! Well the Hansens ventured off after church today to the I Cubs game. I had already bought the tickets and it was Scout Day and I didn't really want Parker to miss it. We had to be there an hour early (were already drenched in sweat just walking from the car - I refuse to pay $6 to park so we had to walk a little) and as usual it was disorganized since it was Scout related! I had broken the I Cubs law and smuggled in some contraband aqua. I put I Cubs hats and sunscreen on top of it and and chatted up the ticket guy, so he just did the quick cursory peek and I was in! Cub Scouts are about honesty and integrity...but for $4 bottles of water, I break the law sometimes.... After they walked out on the field we tried to sit down and wait the next 45 minutes till the 1:05 game started. The seat were literally burning our butts! We tried a couple different places and still it was hot cross buns! I was trying to convince Steve we should sit in the assigned seating in the shady spots, but Mr. Honesty didn't want to get in trouble. So in the end, we left the game and didn't see one minute of it. It was just TOOOOO hot. I still have a headache from the heat. We ended up going to Steph's since G and G White House were visiting. The kids got to play with their cousins and the women hit WM and Dollar Tree to buy a lot of useless knick knacks! A few scrap thing may have accidentally fallen into my cart.

Our last night plans of going to the last night of the Balloon Festival was also a dud. It was so windy that we didn't even bother going. Next year we'll need to get our cabooses out there earlier in the week! We just had too many kid things going on this year.

Miss Emma's Latest Card

2008-08-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

Emma's Latest Creation - pretty cute I think!

Long Time No See

2008-08-01T21:04:00.003-05:00

Schnakees!!! This blog thing is slipping away from me! How can work go so slow most days, yet you look back on life in general and weeks go back in the blink of an eye! Once again I'll need to just highlight our Happenings...and along the way forgot funny stuff since it's been forever since the last post!

* Steve went on the Warren County tractor ride for the fair. He did this last year too. He got her all shined up as usual. He's so proud! I'm hoping we can afford to build some kind of shed/building thingy where he has more room to tinker!
* Took the kids into the county fair last Saturday. Glad we didn't wait till Sunday since it rained (I mean monsooned! We lost electricity for about 5 hours...BORING!) Anyway, the kids loved all the animals and are plotting to get some chickens to raise. Also got them ride wristbands. For once I even thought of it before the fair, so we got them at a discount. For $12 a kid, they can ride as much as they want for 4 hours. I think they only rode for an hour or so and I bet they each went on 15 rides. When rides are $3plus a piece...it's a good deal! Parker got brave and went on some bigger rides. Emma mastered the carousel pretty well!
* Finished up with swimming lessons last week. They got a lot braver as the lessons went and could do more things. They didn't pass to the next level, but to be honest I didn't expect them too. We never get to the pool, so their swimming knowledge so far is pretty basic. I just want them to be comfortable in water more than anything.
* The National Balloon Classic has started and Parker and his Cub Scout troup were in the parade last Saturday. It's about 1/4 the size of the 4th of July parade in my hometown (thank goodness). Emma still collected a lot of candy! Their float involved water guns and as you can tell by the picture he was having a great time! We're going into see the balloons tomorrow night. That's one of my fave things about living in this town...the balloons!
* Both kids started soccer practice this week. Their first practice was cancelled due to tons of water on the fields due to the monsoon like conditions on Sunday. They had practice last night and it was hot, hot, hot! Parker is 7-8 group now and I see a difference in the teams. They are now expected to do more passing, play positions etc. In the 5-6's if no one cries or you actually get a goal...it's a good day! He's got a pretty good set of legs on him and I think he'll have a good time again this year. E had a good time too, even with her head drenched in sweat! She was laughing and giggling so I'll to help her to focus...lol.
* Tomorrow is a neighborhood garage sale...I'm letting Steve tackle that...nuf said.
* Sunday we head to another I Cubs game, this time for Scouts. It's a 1:00 game and it's supposed to 95, plus Heat Index...so Mommy will try really hard not to get crabby! I wasn't thinking and I should have just gotten Daddy and Parker tickets and E and I could have had a girls day!
* This is my 300th post!!!

You Don't Get Any Cabbage Unless You Pick Up Your Toys

2008-07-21T23:44:00.004-05:00

This isn't a phrase you normally hear in a house with kids, but Emma has some weird love affair with green vegetables. If it's green she'll eat it! She was all excited when on her first day of school they had broccoli. We've never had at home, but we had to go to Fareway first thing then next day to get her a bag of it. Daddy also found a cabbage in the garden the other day and she dug into that too (raw....eeeew). She's also been known to eat an entire can of green beans. She doesn't get the green veggie love from me...peas and beans are as crazy as I get...although I will eat broccoli if it's in a cream soup!

The kids have evening swimming lessons this week and last week (they end at 9). I hate doing them this late, but when you're a working mom and apparently most lessons are scheduled for people who don't work in the summer, I make do. They are having a good time although it seems like half the time they aren't in the water - once there was a swim meet, one night I guess a kid pooped in the pool (again eewww) and tonight it rained! Tball is over for E and next week both of them start their soccer practices. It sounds like they both got great coaches, yeah!

I forgot to post something funny Parker said over the 4th. There was a black dog that was hanging around at G & G Blue House that everyone loved (but gma) and Parker said, "He knows my senses. That's why he's staying here."

P.S. I was wrong about the Mole...now I'm stumped! BB - I'd like to root for Jessie since he's a local boy, but he can't stop looking at himself! That's a little freaky.

Penny Pinchers

2008-07-12T18:50:00.004-05:00

Here they are all spiffed up on their first day of school. Of course Parker has hair issues and Emma is making a face...well I get what I get and I don't throw a fit when it comes to pictures!

Parker is excited because they are already learning about science and they also got popsicles on Friday. I haven't gotten too much info out of him so far. Emma sounded like she might have been a little too excited on her first day of school Friday.... she got a green flag which means she had one time of not following the rules. From the sounds of it she was blurting out things when the teacher was calling on other kids. We'll call that a friendly fire and she said she was just sooooo excited. She did get a light speech from mommy. I'll keep the green flag as a first day of school memento!

Here is a goldfinch habitat that Emma made today. It has everything a goldfinch could want. A nest, food (it's in the nest), water, yard decorations and some sticks to perch on!
The entreprenuers got busy again today - this time it was selling Hi-C and apples. They aren't going to be striking it rich anytime soon. Parker set the prices at one cent. I tried to give them quarters and he said no it was a penny and they are trying to save up for $5. Ok, maybe he won't be an accountant like mommy when he grows up? He's not understanding the value of a dollar!

I'd like to go where no man has gone before, but I'll probably just stay in Aurora...

2008-07-10T22:45:00.002-05:00

This pretty much sums up the way our house hunting is going. Basically we have too small of a budget for what we want. They either need a lot of fixing up or are missing one or more of the major wants on our list. There were a couple at the toppiest of our list and I stopped last night to look at the one. It's been vacant for ever, so I did a little trespassing and peeked in as many windows as I could. Looked great! Of course someone defaulted on it and there are now so many liens against it no one will ever be able to buy it...sigh... Another one that's brand new (didn't have time to peek at that one)...the same situation! I'm not sure why I suddenly got the urge to look, when for the most part our house is fine. Of course I wish it was bigger (and had a bigger scrap room) and we need new siding etc, but it does suit our purposes. Plus we bought when the market was a lot lower and now cha-ching! everything is so dang pricey. Even if most of these things have been sitting there awhile they still want a bunch since they had already paid a bunch a couple years ago for them. My house is extremely cluttered right now and if I just purged a bunch, it'd feel like a brand new house! I just hate to declutter and clean.... Oh well now since no larger house payment...I have extra for scrap supplies again...sweet!

In other news, Parker started school Weds and E starts tomorrow. I'm afraid Emma's teacher isn't going to know what hit her! She is more than just a little bit excited! I know she won't be scared, but will probably be mad when she gets home because there will probably be at least one kid crying. Emma is an early reader like Parker so hoping she doesn't get too bored, since a lot of what they will do, she did in Pre -K. I will post pics this weekend of them on their first days. Neither got new duds to wear...oops! That reminds me, need to shovel out Emma's backpack for tomorrow. They didn't get new ones of those either - worst mother ever!

Well so far we haven't had any more monsoons. The kids and I got stuck out in it Monday when we got 5 inches and we were drenched! Also lost our electricity for a couple of hours and I was really starting to get the shakes from lack of technology. Of course my laptop died so I basically just sat in the dark bored out of my mind.

P.S. For those of you too young or too old to know...the title's a quote from Wayne's World.

Fourth Fun

2008-07-06T22:13:00.005-05:00

Parker does some golfing after the parade. He was pretty intense!
Emma won this giraffe on the midway and he went everywhere with her for the rest of the weekend. (He did get banned from the anniversary party though)
All dressed up for the party and she was hamming it up a bit.

Key to lots of candy...master the wave! You can also see cousin Peyton and Rylan across the street mastering the wave too.
My Grandpa Hansen riding the Brayton float.
Emma loved the big slide. Parker did not have any interest at all!
Hitting another overpriced ride!
Steve did a great job with the pictures! Mine would have been blurry.

Marilyn attempts to help with the hamburgers for the BBQ. She was quickly "let go to pursue other opportunities."
Parker learned how to drive a 4 wheeler...thanks Uncle Brad....
Cousin Drake takes his turn at the pinata.
Cousin Laura waits for the parade to start. We were the 1.5 hours early :-) The one time a year the town gets traffic jams!
P and E also wait for the parade to start. By the end they were tuckered out from catching so much candy!

Here is a smattering of photos from our holiday weekend. Sorry I hadn't posted in awhile. I think just the usual stuff happened - baseball and TKD, work and then getting ready for the 4th. The anniversary party went well too. It was held at the local winery and it was a gorgeous place to have it. You can see the guest book I made here. The kids start school on Wednesday. Thank goodness you can buy the supply kit thru the school or I'd be in some serious trouble right now!

That's Some Good Parentin'

2008-06-27T18:57:00.003-05:00

I sit here trying to drown out the screaming and squealing while the kids and I hang at BK. Steve is at practice, plus it's Friday Fun Night so we're living large. Ok so that isn't the best parenting food wise, but we don't come here very often, so I'll defend myself...lol.

While we're sitting here, some parent starts yelling up at the tubes telling his kid to punch another kid in the face. (The dad doing this has a broken hand, so I imagine he hit someone himself.) It wasn't my kid he wanted his kid to punch, but I just can't believe how some parents act. No wonder why so many kids are messed up!

Big sigh......

We'll Throw Those In For Free!

2008-06-26T23:00:00.003-05:00

The other night we noticed something on the tile in the kitchen , but I figured it was a leaf, dirt or something else the kids' shoes brought in. No, there were at least a half dozen baby toads. They were maybe the size of a dime. We didn't quite have all of the trim put back on by the slider door yet and they must have just hatched and come in a tiny hole. I'm not scared of those kinds of things, but I was extremely paranoid I wouldn't see one and then would step on it. We thought we found all we could, but alas the great grey hunter found one. He was staring at something later in the family room and there was a baby toad by the Littlest Pet Shop (apparently looking for Emma's frog). He totally blended in with the carpet. Who knows how many escaped, but I can't imagine you could find much to live on in here! Oh wait...I forgot about all the food crumbs that seem to end up under the couch. They'll wait and get big and then if we decide to list our house, they'll make an appearance at an open house! 4 bedroom 3 bath house, toads included!

Taste the Meat, Not the Heat!

2008-06-24T22:48:00.002-05:00

Bible School has come and gone. And as it does every year, it confirms that fact that I would not make a good teacher. I just don't have the patience, especially for brats and kids that are old enough to know better! Plus it was hot out..I don't like heat either. P and E were quite impressed with my puppet skills, so maybe I could be a puppeteer in a future life?

We are done with Little League and so now E is doing Parks and Rec tball and P is back doing TKD on a regular basis. He should be able to test for his green belt in a couple months. The big city appears to be back to normal after the flooding although I am sure they are still cleaning up in the couple areas that had a lot of water. Some of the other poor cities in the state, not so lucky. Times like this I'm glad we don't have a basement, although.... we are thinking about moving and getting a house with a basement...silly us! I honestly have no idea if we will move or not, but there are a couple houses that have peeked our interest that are bigger etc. The thought of having to get our house ready to show and getting rid of clutter and packing though wears me out, so laziness may prevail!

The 4th of July is sneaking up on me and there are a million things to get ready. Of course there is the Hansen Family BBQ, the parade (no float this year TG), the usual meeting up at the bars in town and also an anniversary party this year. We need haircuts, some new duds and so on. Plus I need to lose a lot of weight by then!! (Ok, that part won't happen in time).

Tonight we had a small miracle, Parker ate a cheeseburger! It was actually a double and he called it a Crabby Patty. They are very into Spongebob right now, but if that is what it takes, then go Bob go! He also ate corn! Emma ate a little, but was not happy about the grill marks. I've been letting the kids stay up to late and it's catching up to her and causing even more 'tude than usual.

Well I guess that's about it. Comments on the latest reality stuff: Top Chef happy with who one, wouldn't have minded Richard either. If Lisa would have won, I would have never watched again! The Mole - totally different vibe than the originals which I figured would happen. Everyone is so dramatic on this one. I think it's Clay the lawyer guy. I am 2 for 2 on the original seasons when picking at the very first episode. We'll see if I make it 3 for 3!

If You Feed Them They Will Come...

2008-06-17T21:20:00.002-05:00

This week has seen a slight deviation in the Hansen schedule - in that I'm off Monday-Thursday to help with Vacation Bible School in the morning. I play a puppet named Nick and am also in charge of games and snacks. You feed them, so they love to see you! In the afternoons the kids are going to Lauri's. I wouldn't care if they were home, but they wanted to go there, so who am I to argue? Parker has been trading Pokemon and Emma is just uber excited to go since she hadn't gone much since last summer. Free afternoons to myself...sweet! Actually I only end up with a couple hours, because it's a busy week of baseball and soccer so I have to get them picked up early, fed and to the fields by 5 or so. I had time to make a few scrap things so check out the other blog if you want to see them.

Man this post is boring....

Scrap Stuff is Moving!

2008-06-15T00:23:00.002-05:00

I've set up a new blog where I'll now post my scrap stuff. This blog will be more just about family doings and pictures, although I still may throw in the occasional card or layout!

My Scrap Creations

4 Band-aids, 3 Stickers, 8 Sticky Lizards and 4 Chicken Nuggets Later...

2008-06-13T21:32:00.003-05:00

The Kindergarten shots are done! From what I hear there was a bit of crying for dramatic affect, but after a trip to Walmart all was well! I'm sure it hurt and she did go around for the rest of the day and say, "But Daddy, it's my special day!" (meaning I get what I want today) She was promised a small toy at WM and Parker knew he wouldn't get one. Emma insisted he get one too though because it wasn't fair to him. They both picked really cheap items, so Daddy caved. Emma picked Sticky Lizards from the party decor section. $1.88...sweet! Of course a couple sticky lizards are already missing. Nothing at our house stays with all pieces attached for long. They also went to BK for lunch and all the kids there learned all about their new toys and Emma's 4 Band-aids. Also learned that Emma was big for her age, but that came as no shock to us. 100 percentile for height and 93 percent for weight, so guess that means her junk in her trunk is gone!

As for the flooding around here, in our area it's fine. Weather has been nice the last couple of days and all the baseball and soccer has gone on as planned. They were evacuating downtown today, but alas we had to stay at work the entire time. Only part of our building and all our parking was in the evacuation zone, so therefore it was a no go on the leaving early. I guess the police/gov't were telling everyone to leave. Of course we would need those cars and open roads to get home, but I guess that would have been our own problem if the water came earlier than expected! Plus hey it's Friday, we want to leave early :-) Nothing happened though and my drive home was uneventful...whew! A number of people are getting flooded out here and across the state, so that is very sad.

On the scrappy front, I got a card picked up for Paper Crafts - Quick and Easy issue today. Here is also a link to another of their special issues that just came out that I have two items in - a headband and an altered pencil cup. Paper Crafting With Kids

Water Logged

2008-06-11T23:04:00.003-05:00

It rains, it stops, it rains, it stops. This has caused a lot of flooding all over the state. Where we live is up higher and we don't have a basement, so we've been water free so far. I work downtown and last night the media was whipping everyone into a frenzy about downtown possibly flooding this week. (The media is so excited about this flood stuff, I swear some of them might wet their pants soon...I find media generally irritating on most stories). I work about 5 blocks from the river. During the Flood of 93 the lower part of our building was under water. Of course that got my brain thinking this morning and was trying to figure out where to park. I normally park in the garage, but if we suddenly needed to leave it would take hours to get out since we'd be leaving at once and I do NOT want to be stranded at work! If I parked on the surface lot I could get to my car, but it might under water or we could get hail. I was lazy and parked in the garage. About noon they showed pictures of Court Avenue (right next to the river) flooding. A friend and I walked down a couple hours later (trying to stay off TV, cameras were everywhere) and everything was dry as a bone. We missed the 5 minutes of flooding! I must admit the news people did a good job of playing that up! I posted some pics from the bridge and there are also some street lights under water in one of the pics. You are supposed to stay off the bridge, but I see some people are being rockstar parents and taking their kids out on it...duh! There has been a lot of flooding on my way to work, but I never think to take a picture. A lot of that is going down, but it sounds like more rain in predicted.

In other news, the kids are having a good time home with daddy this week. Tomorrow Emma goes for her Kindergarten shots...I know there will be drama!!! I know she'll end up talking him out of a treat or something. They also tried to trap dad yesterday. Instead of using tape though, they used push pins. Luckily Steve stepped on some that were point down. The kids had put their shoes on, so they were thinking. I believe this was also taken from Tom and Jerry. Mr. Mean Daddy quickly put an end to the trap!

Tomorrow is my 2nd Pilates class...I think I have a death wish!

Quick, Easy and Unloved

2008-06-09T23:47:00.003-05:00

I went back and looked and I guess it hasn't been as long as I thought since I made my last layouts. I made these 3 back in March for a cover call. They had to be 8 1/2 x 11, simple, bright colors and spring/summery feel to them. Long story short...no love, so I'm sharing!

Parker update: He had said he was tired last night which is unlike him, then he slept till 7 which is not like him, then he took a 3 hour nap which is not like him. He mentioned his ear hurts. Unlike drama queen Emma he hardly ever says anything hurts on him, so we knew something was up. Steve had made a check up appt for him today, so the timing worked out well. He ended up have a really bad ear infection (I think from all the allergy drainage lately). I think his last ear infection was 5 or 6 years ago! In his checkup they also drew blood and had him wizz in a cup and he found both things quite fascinating. Maybe there is a doctor in my future after all????

I can hear it thundering...rains must be coming again....

Brother Can You Spare A Quarter?

2008-06-08T23:04:00.005-05:00

I looked at the window yesterday and see Parker sitting out in the hot sun in the back yard, patiently waiting for customers for his lemonade (it was actually clear Kool-aid...lol). He had put this together all by himself, so allergies and all I headed outside to buy a cup. He only gave you about half a cup and said that if you wanted it to the top it'd be another quarter...quite the business man! I'm not sure where he thought all of his customers would come from since he was in the back yard and also the fact that we only have a couple neighbors, but I have to love him for his entreprenuer skills! Emma then gets into the sales business too. She has me make her some popcorn and gets some bowls and gets some money out of me too! I didn't tell her that the Dept of Health wouldn't go for bowls in the grass! I couldn't stop sneezing so I didn't stay long, but the neighbor girl came over sans quarters and they were nice and gave her some anyway. So they won't make it as CEO's...they are too nice!

I don't think they'd be as successful in the cat trapping business. The other day I could hear them upstairs making a lot of noise. First one would come down for tape, then scissors, then a bowl of cat food. I went to check out things and saw their "cat trap." He had taken scotch tape and put it on the carpet sticky side down. Emma had taken some bright pink yarn and made a pile and she also labeled his bowl of food so Cooper would know where it is. It reminded me of Tom and Jerry, which is probably where they got the idea! Ideally this is how it would go. Cat would see the yarn and food and walk to it, but get stuck in the tape (I didn't mention to him that it should be sticky side up) and when he was stuck they'd put a clothes basket on him. Unfortunately for them the cat did not fall for this or actually I think he was napping so he missed everything. A little while later I sat on our bed and Cooper pops out from under it wanting some petting. Parker came in with the clothes basket for the capture. In the end they were able to trap him after all!

Don't Faint...I made a page!

2008-06-08T12:16:00.004-05:00

To be honest I don't remember the last time I did a page. I discovered a cool blog How Much Is Too Much and decided to make a page for this week's challenge : 5 patterned papers, 4 chipboard pieces, 3 rubons, 2 clear accents and 1 non scrap item. I used the tag from the shirt that Emma has on it the picture. I've already scrapped this picture before, but I had an extra copy of this one due to a WM screwup and I just love this picture of Emma. Plus my options were limited since I haven't printed anything in awhile.

The Sixth Sense

2008-06-07T22:52:00.006-05:00

It just keeps raining. Although I guess it hasn't rained in over 24 hours so that's good, although more is predicted. There are a number of areas flooding. I went up to register Emma for dance today and the highway I take was flooded over so I had to take a more scenic route to get there. I am also seeing water where I've never seen before when I drive to work. I need to remember my camera! I guess this is one time I'm glad I don't have a basement or it'd probably be wet. Now when the tornado comes and gets us, I'll be singing a different tune.

We had baseball 4 nights this week and managed not have a one of them cancelled due to rain. It waits to hit until you try to sleep and can't see a thing outside. One night we did have a little bit of hail. Parker was able to go fishing with his Cub Scout troop Friday night. We had to stop and get some worms on the way there. The next thing I know we are pulling up to a guys house next to a cemetary who apparently sells worms out his garage. Possibly other "things" judging from the area, but I digress. Anyway we pull in and Emma points to the cemetary and says, "I see dead people." She is destined to be in movies! The weather wasn't too bad and the fish were even biting. A little windy, but the kids soon got bored and the adults did most of the fishing anyway. I was the one who kept catching them (sunfish) and so the kids got to hold them and help throw them back. Most of the dads appeared to be fishing novices.

Today was hot and sticky and we finally turned the air on. A hot mommy is a crabby mommy! Plus our upstairs always gets so hot. Steve blew up the pool and they were outside most of the afternoon. They appeared to not get a sunburn this time, whew! They also became entreprenuers, but I'll share that on the next post. We decided to treat the kids to Pizza Hut and seeing Kung Fu Panda tonight. While we were waiting at Pizza Hut, he was reading the kids coloring sheet and it says - If you were president for a day, what would you do? Real mater of factly he says, "I'd be on a quarter!" Of course they nearly blew a gasket when we said we were going to a movie. We don't go to movies generally so this was a big treat for them. Steve showered and gussied himself up a bit before we left. Emma says, "Daddy we aren't going to church. You don't have to look so handsome."

Now I Can Retire!

2008-06-03T22:43:00.003-05:00

I'm a powerball pool with the girls in my department. 10 of us are in on it. I know we won't win, but I pay my $5 a month more as security, because with my luck they would win and I'd be left out and have to keep going to work while the rest of them didn't! We won $100 last week and so I'll live large on my cut...sweet!

Had Miss E's graduation yesterday. There were 40 kids altogether. Of course I thought she looked adorable. The associate is also a photographer so she made the neatest personalized printed digital scrapbooks of what they did this year at school. I also really liked her teacher and I know Emma had fun. Especially with having so many boys in her class :-) I know she'll be sad about not seeing them again until she gets a whole new crop of playmates in Kindergarten. She is also excited about riding the bus (believe me, the novelty wears off). They start back on July 9th, so we only have about a month left. Within that month we'll have VBS, a bunch of baseball, a very busy 4th of July and a week home with dad because of no daycare. We're not planning to take a vacation, but we're hoping to get to Adventureland sometime before school starts.

Parker also had his last day of school yesterday and he called it a party day. I didn't get a lot of info out of him about it, but he excited about being a second grader, because he hears they get homework. He also told Emma he'd help her on the bus and at school if she needed it. We had horrible rain here this morning and it sounds like more the rest of the week. We are supposed to go on a Cub Scouts fishing trip Friday night so we'll see what happens!

It was also our 13th anniversary today and I got a dozen roses at work today. I had even checked yesterday and we weren't getting each other anything. I even forgot to give him his card this morning. I was really suprised because I'm not one of those girls who require flowers on a normal basis...plus I'm a cheapskate! In this case though he's forgiven :-)

What a Zoo!

2008-06-01T23:46:00.004-05:00

I was a little nervous, but the zoo trip went flawlessly! Each parent was put in charge of 4 kids and we had about an hour and a half to tour the zoo. They were so good that I even treated them to food for the fish. You couldn't have asked for nicer weather. No rain and no excessive heat. That probably helped the fact that I thought the trip was a success! The weather stayed nice and so Parker had his game that night.

Friday was fun night at the zoo, but we ended up having fun night at home (after I figured it'd be $6 in gas) and after pizza we kicked the soccer ball around for awhile. Then Emma got distracted looking for bugs and worms in the water in the ditch. Later she did want to play again and wanted us to try to hit her with the soccer ball. This could have gone horribly wrong, but didn't. I think her logic was that she was wearing a bike helmet.

Saturday involved a kite incident. They were both flying their kites in the yard and suddenly Emma comes into the house hysterical. Her My Little Pony Kite had flown away. Steve said it was long gone. My some Christmas miracle it dropped across the road and Steve was able to rescue it. He had also made Emma a Furby bus. (She was getting Furbies out of the prize bucket last week). He built it and Emma decorated it. He was a lot higher on the totem pole than me that day!

Today the kids were able to go swimming at a church friend's house. We screened them up, but apparently not well enough. P's back is crispy and he has red coon eyes. Emma isn't quite so bad, but is red too. I don't think either of them are in pain though (Emma would have let us know I'm sure) so hopefully there isn't any blistering or peeling. I am a sunscreen maniac because of their fair skin. Glad we didn't let them in much longer! Tomorrow is her preschool graduation so hopefully her red coon eyes don't get any worse for pics!

They also made cards for their teachers tonight to give them tomorrow since it's the last day of school for both. Emma has two teachers and luckily she had already started on one a couple of weeks ago. She takes forever! She is a product heavy scrapper and has a vision. Everything has to be just so. Parker is more of a simple scrapper. Title and one embellishment (button). They also wanted to give their teachers pez so that is also included in the card. I'm sure they'll be thrilled!

Figured I'd better get posting since I'll have grad pics to post tomorrow.

Cat Chow Fresh!

2008-05-28T23:20:00.002-05:00

Ran to WM tonight to pick up some food for Mr. Cooper. He even more annoying when he gets down to the last few pieces. He'll follow you around and rub against you non-stop all the while looking pitiful. Tonight I got home and of course he must have smelled it the minute I walked in the door because he about knocked me over. While filling the plastic container I keep the extra in, I managed to dump a couple cups right into the washer. Genius I am - I thought maybe I could just put the cat in there and he'd eat it. (Hey, he drinks from the toilet, I thought he might want to eat out of the washer) He did NOT go for that! I got most of it out, but I have a feeling my next load will be Cat Chow fresh!

The clearance section is right by the cat food so I took a peek. Glad I did! I picked up 11 packages of black Dymo label tape for 50 cents each...sweet! They are usually around $3 a package and I go thru tape like crazy when crafting. Also picked up some metal organizer desk thingies for $1 for scrap goodies and 50 cent adapter for some of the kids' video games. Unfortunately I got stuck to a smelly person while on my treasure hunt, but that's the price you pay sometimes.

Tomorrow I'm off to the zoo for Parker's field trip. We'll see how the weather is. I need to pack us both sack lunches, delish! Also supposed to have a bball game tomorrow night, but that's probably iffy too. E's on Tuesday got postponed. 125 first graders at the zoo...this is gonna rock!

Go Fish

2008-05-26T21:01:00.003-05:00

The "camping" at Grandma's may have been moved inside for Saturday night, but we did manage to get some fishing in. The kids even went and had a good time. Parker was the first to catch a fish...a bass even! Poor Steve didn't get much fishing done, between helping P and E and helping me. I'm not squimish about worms and fishing, so I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but I swear about everytime the darn fish would eat the hook and that I can't handle. We caught quite a few fish. Emma was in charge of the basket, but eventually it got too heavy and she even stepped in the pond once trying to get them out. In the morning Steve and a few others got up early to get a little more fishing in..so at least he did manage to get some decent fishing time in after all.

After the fishing and Smores (Mom had her very first smore) we got a game of Big Bertha in (of course I didn't win) and even played some Apples to Apples. (Of course Steph won). P and E did sleep in their sleeping bags upstairs, so it was like a mini campout. They kept rolling out of their sleeping bags and Emma ended up with her head under the bed and Parker woke up in the middle of the night because he couldn't figure out where he was.

The next day we went to Littlefield's for the usual Hansen Picnic complete with visiting the animals there. The weather was decent, hot even. All Parker wanted to do was see the pig. At the park there are buffalo, goats, turkeys and last year there was also a pig. Parker was so excited he was still there this year. He gets the biggest chuckle that the pig snorts at this leg. The turkeys weren't noisy like last year, but Parker did find a dead toad that he even picked up...eewww.

Today was Great Grandpa's 80th bday party. We went to the Memorial service in Brayton and then headed to grandpas. There are a lot of little cousins and so the kids had a good time. I had another hot dog (my 3rd for the weekend) and Steve's poke and pour cake looked to be a success. It rained a little that morning, but was nice later on so the kids were able to run around outside. Back there and here we managed to miss the wind/hail and other bad weather that has been hitting around here lately.

Excess Baggage

2008-05-24T13:09:00.003-05:00

Well after about 452 trips up and down the stairs...the suitcases are packed and the van is ready to go. Because the weather is questionable over the next couple of days, you couldn't just pack summer stuff, you couldn't just pack warmer clothes. Plus we are planning to fish so you have to also bring stuff that can get dirty! Then we'll come back later on Monday exhausted and depending on how pooped I am stuff may sit by the door for a day or two!

Packing for a trip is very similar to packing for a crop. You bring way too much, you don't know what you'll need when you get there, you trash your room/house while packing and then you have no desire to put everything back when you get home!

Always Low Prices

2008-05-22T21:04:00.002-05:00

I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. Love - that bags of chips are $1 cheaper than Fareway. Hate - there are never enough check out people and when you do get up there, they must comment on everything you are getting. Or telling you how tired they are and when they are getting off of work. (The last comment could also apply to Fareway) E and I ran there while P was at TKD tonight so we were on a strict time schedule. Of course the 3 checkers had people backed up so I braved the self-checkout. I only had around 20 items, although I generally only tackle it when I have less than 5. Last time I got up there to ring up E's flip flops and no tag! This time, everytime I would scan something, the skip bag thing would come on the screen and then say you need to get assistance. Of course the assister was helping the other 3 machines that were also having problems. Then I figured out if I waited 20 seconds, the assistance thing would go away. So what felt like 20 minutes later we were done. I even braved ringing up bananas!

When we pulled into the parking lot Emma says, "Yeah...this is the place with the always low prices!" "Is everything made in China here?" Something she got at school today was made in China and she's asked us about 100 questions tonight on why things are made in China. I left out the nitty gritty crappy details and just told her that there are a lot of places to make things there. At this age, you still sugar coat things a bit.

Tomorrow both kids have field trips to the park, so I need to remember to screen them up. Who knows with the weather here. Today was cold again, yesterday bright sun and warm. The cafeteria is making them sack lunches, so at least I don't have to tackle that!

Stopped for gas today since it was "only" $3.69 here and was higher than that in DM. I'm going to need to get a Le Car at this rate! The van's engine light has been going off and on forever and so we took it in today so Steve took me to work today. All I can say is that gas can be $13.69 a gallon and I don't think we can ever car pool together. I just have to be in control and drive myself! (Plus he's a bit crazy with the brake and steering wheel sometimes, but don't tell)

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2008-05-21T19:11:00.004-05:00

Emma is a daddy's girl. She has picked up a few of my traits - moodiness, craftiness and sleeping-in-ness. She is also an outdoor girl. That, she did NOT get from me! She also loves to garden and plant stuff (not me again). This year she has her own section of the garden. She got to plant all of her favorite veggies she likes to eat - green beans, peas, cabbage, carrots, spinach. She even made herself a sign - how cute!

Sickie update - all appears to be well! After the whole ordeal with one of the medicines and the insurance company only allowing capsules, Monday night she took it in pudding and also a nasty smelly green liquid one too. She slept great that night and woke up ready for school. I really wasn't thinking she'd be ready, because Monday night she still looked awful. Last night she didn't want the pill broken up into the pudding (it must have been nasty) so instead she swallowed it with water. Gosh I think I was 10 or so before I figured out how to swallow pills. She thought she was the cat's meow after that!

Sounds like we have a full social calendar for Memorial weekend. Going back home most of the weekend - camping, fishing, picnicing and a birthday party.

Top Chef is on tonight. The only reality TV show on right now I watch. I'm having serious withdrawl. Can't wait till The Mole starts in June! (Old news, but was bummed that Skankster won Survivor)

Waiting is the hardest part......

2008-05-19T16:06:00.003-05:00

Poor Miss E has been having some "throw up" issues. The whole thing is weird. She has been waking up in the middle of the night and throwing up (but only on the weekends). It's happened a little bit the two weekend before and now this weekend each night she's been sick. During the day then she's been perfectly fine. The poor thing was exhausted this morning and so went to the dr. Plus she is no longer wanting to eat anything. When it was first happening we thought she'd eaten too much junk and maybe upset her tummy. Luckily I was able to get in to see the doc I like this morning. Of course since he's so thorough he's always behind schedule. First we explained to the nurse, then the med student, then him. They all seemed puzzled (but didn't actually say that). She had an x-ray done of her tummy. He wants to hold off on during a bunch of blood work unless it's absolutely needed. They think it might some mucus/drainage stuff or acid reflux that's causing it (That's kind of what Steve and I were thinking). Of course after the xray we had to wait a long time in the exam room for him to come back and in the process Emma fell asleep on the table. Her medicine is to be taken before bedtime so we went ahead and headed home instead of making her wait at the pharmacy forever. She proceded to walk in the door and collapse on the couch. I carried her upstairs and she snoozed for 4 hours and just got up a bit ago. While I was typing, the dr's office called and I guess the insurance company won't give the one medicine in liquid form, only capsule (unless there is proof that she can't take a capsule...duh she's 5!). They said she can take it in pudding. Right now I still can't get her to eat much so this should be interesting. She is supposed to eat bland stuff for the next couple of days (BRAT diet) so I made her some banana chops and toast chops. So far 2 little banana chops down the pipe. She tried to drink some milk, but that did not cooperate. The xrays didn't show anything horrible (I was trying not to get upset and was worrying it'd be something horrible and Emma did so good laying still for it). In a bit we'll run in and get her meds. Yeah for drive up pharmacy! Stuff always happens when Steve is gone..although usually it involves something breaking on my van instead.

Since I haven't blogged in awhile, I'll do a quick recap of the last week's activities. This time of year is the "perfect storm" - to quote Pam from "The Office." May is always the craziest month for us kid-wise.

Sunday - Last day of Sunday School party, then had E's baton/tumbling/dance recital thing. She looked so darn adorable! I was a little nervous that she'd get sick and miss it. I about died when they came out and I didn't see her. But turned out that Cinderella's butt was in front of her at first! They were mice from Cinderalla. She did awesome and kept a smile on her face. Her skills have really improved and she knew the routine. It also helped this was her 2nd year. At the same time of the recital was P's baseball game. Emma's baton part was at the beginning of the recital so Steve raced over to see that and then he and Grandpa Blue House went to the rest of the game. Gma Blue House and I stayed for her tumbling part. E then had a game at 4. The poor thing was pretty tuckered from all the activity, plus she'd been up in the middle of the night! But she was a trooper. She konked out at 7 without an argument.

Saturday - Soccer for noodle in the morning and then P had his Cub Scout picnic where he got promoted to a Wolf Cub. He was so excited I thought he was going to explode. He is already pouring over his Wolf book and looking at all the arrows/points he can earn. Knowing him he will become obsessed with it. He's already talking about one day how he'll been an Eagle Scout. They also flew kites at the picnic (It was very windy!! But they both did great. Those $3 kites from WM rocked! Emma's didn't come down once and she informed us that she is a "Natural Born Kite Flyer." When someone else's kite string broke though and they lost their kite, they panicked and said they were done.

Friday - P had his Olympic Day (Track and Field) at school and I took off work to go. He was uber excited I was there and begged me to stay at school with him all afternoon too. I know one of these days he'll be too embarassed to have his mom around! Olympic Day was only in the morning though and I didn't want to disrupt class in the afternoon. He ran the 100 dash and Mr. Legs won his heat. He's always been a fast kid...obviously getting that from his mother! They don't get ribbons or anything, it's all just for fun. He also did a couple of field events, but when you have bright sun, hundreds of kids in matching shirts, I lost him in the crowds and totally missed them. He doesn't know that though! The thing was extremely disorganized and all the kids were thirsty from running and it was pretty hot on Friday. They had warm Gatorade for the kids but they didn't hand that out till after they ate lunch and gave that to them with their melted ice cream treat. Everyone was sticky! Luckily I had a water bottle rolling around in the van so I hurried out and got it (blocks away). That night then was Miss E's dress rehearsal. Also disorganized! She was supposed to be at 6 and it was 7:30 before we left. Thankfully I brought Gameboys and pretzels to tide them over.

When it rains it pours because also on Monday Emma had her Spring Choir Concert at school. They did Frog and Toad and doing the actions looked to be her favorite part. She was also excited Weds because that was Open House night at her school, so she got to go around see things. Seeing the art room was at the top of her list. Parker also helped with the tour. Rest of the week - the usual flurry of activity - baton, TKD and baseball. I know there are some funny anecdotes to share, but when I wait this long to blog they're gone! I'm on the laptop sitting on the couch with Emma, so later on sometime I'll post a variety of pics from this last week.

I did get some scrappy love. I'll be having some cards and tags in the winter issue of Paper Creations. It's a quarterly magazine. Haven't scrapped since the last crop I went to, but I did tidy up my room a bit while E was snoozing today so I can actually get to the table. Everytime I do that I asked myself why do I keep buying? I have more than enough stuff. I need a 12 step program.....

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa Yellow House!

2008-05-15T21:44:00.002-05:00

Here is a big happy birthday "shout out" to Grandpa Hansen for his 80th bday today! We are having a bash for his bday over Memorial Day and that should be good times!

I should post on what happenings have been happening this week, but to be honest I'm exhausted, so you'll just have to wait until tomorrow....

Have Keyboard Will Travel

2008-05-11T20:44:00.003-05:00

Heading back from visiting G and G Blue House today for Mother's Day. I'm blogging from my new laptop I got for Mother's Day! (Ok, I'm really going to have to start being nicer to Steve!) I've kept a signal the whole time although the bumps are causing me some issues. Somehow I sent a message 3 times to a scrap magazine..embarassing! I had mentioned that I wanted one since I am hardly home and it's be nice to use while I'm waiting at various kid stuff through out the week. He listened! I'm trying not to angry with any tech issues with it!

Almost home and have 3 hours of Survivor to watch tonight and also hoping my old school VCR taped the Housewives...although that show stinks anymore, but I keep watching.

I Just Write The Checks....

2008-05-10T15:03:00.002-05:00

In the last 4 weeks I've written checks for the following kid "stuff"

*Fundraiser pizza cards (although we sold/bought enough that at least don't need to spend $30 on the dance recital DVD this year. Last year we had two different recitals so we spent $60.)
*Flower for recital (I got sad eyes last year when she didn't get one) At least didn't need new $10 recital tights this year!
*Both kids' spring school pics
*Both kids' baseball pics
*TKD Classes (had already prepaid for all of their other sports/dance stuff earlier this year)
*Two Cub Scout camps
*Orange Belt test
*Both kids' book orders x 2
*Two sets of dance pics
*Both kids' lunch tickets
*Parker's shirt for Olympic Day
*Class gift for P's teacher
*Two kid haircuts
*Two pairs of baseball socks and a new pair of baseball shoes for E
*Discounted tickets for Adventureland this summer since we aren't doing a family trip this year
*Daycare - although it's waaayy cheaper now that they are in school

I have two AWESOME kids and so I don't even flinch when I'm always writing a check. Happy Mother's Day to me!

It Once Was Lost, But Now Is Found...

2008-05-06T22:05:00.003-05:00

Parker's missing library book has been driving me nuts! I never remembered seeing it in his backpack, but figured I must have pulled it out and it got lost in the the clutter somewhere. I've been looking everywhere and the teacher didn't see it in their classroom anywhere either. Poor thing didn't a library book the next couple of times he went either. Then the other day he comes home with a new book and I thought that meant the book had been found. Nope, then I get a slip home a few days later (finally - a little irritated that they never sent a note home in the first place, I didn't even know the book I was looking for until I finally contacted the school. The ironic part is it was title Self Discipline) saying it's still out. I checked with the librarian again and guess what? It was on the library shelf all along! I'm guessing he checked it out and then put it back...sigh... At least the mystery has been solved anyway.

Emma had her first tball game tonight. She looked so cute. I haven't gotten any pics yet, but I've got some time. Of course I'll put it off and then wham! The season is over. I was a little worried she'd just mess around most of the time, but she ended up being the kid that paid the most attention. She did bam-bam (they hit a wiffleball) the last couple years so that must have helped. Plus she's surrounded by boys and so I'm sure she wants to impress. Parker had a game last night and was excited that he had a pretty good hit. In his age group, they get pitched to and you can strike out or get out at the bases, but still don't keep score. Everyone gets a turn. We now have a repreave in games till next Thursday.

Got our new carpet yesterday. So soft, stain free and smells so new! We're moving a bunch of our furniture around in the downstairs rooms too so everything isn't so cramped. It'll be nice to see something a little different.

Reminisce Cards

2008-05-04T18:46:00.010-05:00

** Card removed for publication in Paper Creations Magazine Winter 2008 issue.

** Card removed for publication in Paper Crafts - Quick and Easy Special Edition.

** Card removed for publication in Scrapbook Trends - November 2008 issue.

I made some of these Friday night at the Memory Bound crop and some Saturday at Archiver's. They are made with a variety of newer and older lines from Reminisce. On some I added a few extra embellies. Most sizes are either 5x7 or 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, but there a couple odd sized ones as well. The Vegas paper is brand new and coming out soon. Reminisce is an Iowa based company so it's fun to work with something local!

SEI Cards

2008-05-04T18:40:00.003-05:00

I made these last night at the Archiver's crop. I used the SEI Jolie Chocolat goodies that I got in the mail the other day from Paper Trends (for a card I had in their recent issue). I added a few other goodies from my stash too. I added a little bling and I got some good use out of the little ABC Doodlebug rubons I got from the Hot Spot area too. Cards are either 5x7 or 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

Technology Who Needs It?

2008-05-03T23:46:00.002-05:00

Well I haven't been able to blog the last few days since something weird happened with the security certificate on the computer. I couldn't post on a number of websites. I could do email etc, so at least I wasn't totally cut off from the outside world and this kept my withdrawl pains to a minimum. I look to be back up and running so I'll just give you a recap of the week.

The weather here still generally stinks. No snow at least, but a lot of wind and rain. A couple days weren't too bad this week I guess. Parker had 3 tball games and we had the usual usual kid stuff this week. Spent this morning at very WINDY tball and soccer practices. I won't bore you with any more details since one week is generally very similar to the rest. Emma is rockin' the new hairdo though!

I spent last night at the Reminisce crop at Memory Bound and tonight at Archiver's. Both were good times and I actually got quite a few cards made. If the wind conditions go down tomorrow I'll try to get some pics of what I made to share. I also way over spent this week on scrap supplies in general. I will admit I have a sickness and need to do something about it...or I need to actually spend more time in my scrap room using some of this up!

Our new carpet comes this week in the living room...yeah! I am so embarassed at how our old carpet looks. Most things in the living room are now in the family room, so please no one do a pop-in this week!

I'm tuckered out from all this late night cropping so off to bed.

Under the Weather

2008-04-27T22:29:00.002-05:00

I must be because I actually cleaned out the van today (this included dusting and vacuuming). I even put a tub in the back to hold various kid gear. I also did some stuff around the house. The house is of course still in disarray, but since we are getting new carpet soon I'm even more lax. Plus why bother dusting when putting in new carpet will kick up dust anyway! Not sure what my excuse for the rest of the house is. Still haven't won the we need to have a housecleaner argument with Steve....

I survived the extremely long, cold, windy, whiny (Emma) that were baseball pictures on Saturday for both kids. I was in a slightly foul mood as well since I drove all the way into town before that for E's soccer only to find out it was canceled once I got there. At $3.45/gallon for a gas that was not sweet!

I even got their bags and gear packed up for school tomorrow and their activities. Crazy night on Monday and I'm actually prepared!

Thoughts on BB: Since day 1 I kind of figured he would win. It's like I have a 6th sense about stupid stuff like that. If I could only use these super powers for good? I was sooooo tired of Sheila whining about money and about Adam all season. She didn't deserve to be in the final 2 anyway. She hadn't done a darn thing! Besides be carried by Adam. Even if she'd been in the final 2 she wouldn't have won anyway. I thought it was funny Ryan only got 1 vote. One reality show down, one to go (Survivor). Although I have been watching reruns of Top Chef and have to admit I'm hooked. I won't admit to some other reality shows that have caught my eye....too embarassing to admit.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow!

2008-04-25T21:14:00.004-05:00

Emma has been mentioning for the last couple weeks she wants her hair cut. She was in desperate need of a trim, but she wanted to get her hair cut like mommy. (Shoulder length). Mommy is actually in desperate need of a cut too. Anyway, we haven't had time to get in. We did try on Wednesday, but there was a 45 minute wait (we go to Cost Cutters..plus the kids love that they get a toy there), so today Steve was able to get her in. He was home this afternoon and I told him if they did go take pics. He did! I didn't get the greatest post cut pics tonight (she kept striking different poses including some with a flower, so I had a hard time getting a regular hair shot), but all I can say is wow, she looks a lot older. I was afraid of that happening. She tends to look older anyway...now people are really going to be thinking I have a set of twins! She was so proud of herself for getting it cut. Even though Mommy was a little sad on the inside, I have to admit it's very cute! Plus with summer coming it will feel 10 lbs lighter for her. Also included one of all the missing hair. We looked into Locks of Love, but her hair wasn't long enough.

Baseball is now in full swing including team pics tomorrow. Tis the season for chaos!

The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia

2008-04-22T22:52:00.005-05:00

The Hansens were awakened by the thunderstorm this morning. Actually I probably would have slept thru it...but everyone else woke up so I guess I was awake then too. Then about 5:30am Steve realizes the electricity is off. I knew Parker would figure this out in a few minutes. He is obsessed with the clock in his room (we tell him he can't get up before 6:00 most days), so of course when he woke up and it was dark, he came in to let us know. Shortly after that Emma starts screaming. "I don't have a nightlight!" So at 5:30 we were all awake. I am NOT a morning person. They laid in bed with me for about 5 minutes before they got bored. They start talking about Cooper and how he can see in the dark (Cooper seems much better btw) and Parker says very seriously, "I wish I was a cat so I could see in the dark. Then I would be a famous Half Human!" Emma then says she would need to be a grey cat if she was a Half Human. They quickly get bored and head downstairs and then play with flashlights and eat unheated waffles. They loved that there wasn't any electricity. As Steve said - they haven't figured out that every morning it's this dark if you don't turn the lights on! I was waiting to see if I would be going to work or not (yes I could shower, but the rest of me would be disheveled) but alas around 7:00 the lights came back on. The kids were disappointed. So was mommy!

I forgot to mention on Sunday afternoon since the weather was so nice the kids decided to have a "fiesta" outside. They asked if they could have snacks at it and I said sure. Next thing I know they have every snack box out there. Not sure how much junk they ate, but hey it's a fiesta! We had also opened up Squawkers the parrot (got him on clearance for $12, originally $50 - thanks Roni!) so he was the main guest at the fiesta. Of course then the weather yesterday was yucky which meant today (after the storm) it was nice again.

Tuesday is generally our activity-free night, so the kids got their bikes out tonight. Parker has been without his wheels for awhile and to be honest it scares me a little how fast he can go. Emma insisted she didn't need wheels either. This meant Steve did a lot of pushing tonight! She is starting to figure it out so she was uber excited. I attached a video of one of her runs. Of course there was a couple of crashes, but she got right back on. Poor thing. Her rash came back today and was all over her arms. Luckily school pics were done yesterday! It basically looks like hives. It can last up to 2 weeks and is aggravated by sun and heat. I have some skin cream that seems to be helping with the itching.

Forgot to comment on my reality TV from last week - BB and Survivor were actually good last week. I was so glad to see Natatas and Ozzie go!

Pleading the Fifth

2008-04-20T22:54:00.007-05:00

It seems there has been a constant stream of health-type notes going home in the kids back backs all winter. The flu season is finally over, strep throat has hit pretty hard and then there are always the lice scares. The latest now is Fifth's Disease. Well Miss E has it. (I'm glad to report we've missed the throat and lice stuff!) Fifth's sounds way worse than it is. She came home Friday with extremely blotchy cheeks. (They say Fifth's is also called slapped-cheek disease and judging from the way her cheeks looked, I totally agree). Of course guess who has school pictures tomorrow??? By this afternoon it was mostly gone, but this morning when she sang at the Sunday School program she was super blotchy. She isn't contagious, basically by the time they kids get the red cheeks they aren't contagious anymore. We'll see if P gets it. He's been battling a sore nose. I wouldn't say it's a cold or anything, I'm guessing it's allergies and it's making his nose look pretty gross. Luckily his school pics were a few weeks ago.

The sickies are also affecting Steve (the usual head/nose/sinus stuff) and poor Mister Cooper. I didn't see him till after 5 today...which for Cooper that's even a long time to stay hidden/napping. He's 13 years old and so he's not a youngster anymore. I'm thinking he maybe has an infected tooth or gum problem. We'll get him into the vet to see. He was very snuggly tonight though, but I don't think he's eating a whole lot....probably because it hurts. Of course this will mean that we'll need to "drug" him before he goes...since he has panic attacks issues at the vets office. I've actually been very healthy most of the winter, besides my moody back and neck. And even that lately has been cooperating for the most part. Sorry this post ended up being a medical report!

Yesterday was cold and dreary and E had soccer and tball back to back in the morning. With it being damp and dreary I figured she'd be a handful, but she actually did great. I couldn't get her to keep her sweatshirt sleeve out of her mouth, but at least she wasn't whining. In the pics she's in the grey outfit and of course you can't miss the hair. Soccer is 4 and 5 year olds (there was a lot of crying which was starting to irritate her) and tball is 5 and 6 year olds. She's the token girl.

They had their Sunday School program this morning. Poor P woke up with a bad stomache (he never complains about feeling sick so I knew it was for real. Miss E had a tummy ache the day before but with her everyday is an ache or pain so hard to tell) and after he slept a little longer he woke up and felt better so we were able to get in for the program after all. In the movies Emma is in the pink on the right and Parker is in the white/blue shirt on bottom row in the middle. Peyton is nearby in the blue shirt.

That ends this evenings report on the boring details of the Hansen family...Good night!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens...

2008-04-17T22:55:00.006-05:00

Well at least we haven't had snow in almost a week...of course that means rain instead. I still haven't taken the time to find my umbrella so the Care Bear one has been filling in. I look so glamorous...plus pink is my favorite color! I take Parker into TKD tonight for his promotion ceremony (where he officially gets his orange belt) and while trying to get out of the van and get the rock star umbrella open my brand new Creating Keepsakes and Scrapbooks Etc magazines proceed to fall right into a huge puddle. Well actually only one fell and then when I bent down to pick it up without smashing the umbrella, the other one slid right out...dang I'm good! In the mags defense, they must have some strong back covers on those things. They didn't get ruined at all!

Here are his pics from tonight. Can you tell he's a little bit proud?

FYI: No Parker was not going to the TKD studio they busted here in town - it was ran by a man who bilked a bunch of people out of money on the East Coast who then went to jail, then went into the witness relocation program because he had been associated with the mob and testified against them and then bilked a bunch of people out of money around here. In our little town, who'd a thunk? Although it's a sealed indictment, but so far that's what's been in the paper.

PSA: Do not cross the street in front of my building at work...city buses keep running people over...no I'm not kidding! I'm sticking with the skywalks and yeah for being in the parking garage!

Well Since It Snowed Saturday...

2008-04-14T21:08:00.006-05:00

*Card removed for publication in Cards Magazine - December 2008.

I'll go ahead and post some seasonal stuff. I made some things this weekend for some current calls, so ignore the fact that some of them don't make sense since it's April! I'm not sure if I'm loving a couple of the cards, but they are done so we'll see what happens!

Back from a whirlwind of childrens' activities tonight. Off to veg...the laundry will always be there tomorrow!

O-R-A-N-G-E....or is that M-O-U-S-E??

2008-04-12T22:51:00.006-05:00

It's official...he's an orange belt! Steve and I were in awe to watch him. He's one of the youngest ones there and he is so intense. He has been waiting for his test all week. The promotion ceremony is next Thursday so I'm hoping to get some pics. I posted a couple mini videos I took on my digital camera (he's in the middle on the left). Of course I took a bunch more that were better, but I forgot and held my camera vertically so you'd have to tip your head sideways to them! Whatever activity he's in he really does try his best. And he's loved everything he's ever done. I was thinking by this age he'd start not liking some things, so we could start weeding out some of the activities, but apparently that isn't the case yet. He is type A like me though and I think he likes being active.

Took Miss Noodle this morning for her dance pics. Of course I misjudged how long it'd take for us to get ready so we raced to the studio like a couple of crazy people. We were still 10 minutes early so not sure why I ended up getting so spazzed to get there. Her baton costumes are adorable - pink and grey mice, complete with ears and a tail. Of course she wouldn't let me take her pic, so I'll post what I did manage to get. From what I can tell all her professional pics turned out good. Her tumbling outfit is pretty basic since you really can't somersault with animal ears! (to see bigger pics, double click on them)

I must say I'm one lucky mom. They put up with my craziness, they are the best of friends, love to play together and watch out for each other. They are two great kids!

April Showers Bring May Flowers???

2008-04-11T18:23:00.005-05:00

Sigh.... well at least the snow has stopped (I guess there was a touch of it last week), but not the rain has taken it's place. Of course on my way home yesterday it starts downpouring and I can't see anything. By the time I get home the sun is coming out. Baseball practice was cancelled tonight and tomorrow, a game was cancelled and their opening ceremonies tomorrow were cancelled. This did lighten up the load tomorrow, but the poor kids aren't getting to do much at all yet with Little League. Tomorrow we have E's baton/tumbling pics in the morning (of course I'm starting to stress about getting her hair to look decent in a pony tail and hoping she'll be in a good mood) and P has his orange belt test for TKD tomorrow afternoon. He is beyond excited! I'm pretty sure he'll pass, I know he'll be crushed if he doesn't.

Tonight is Friday Fun Night. Often Fun Nights happen when daddy is gone, because Mommy is a lot more lax on things. Today he is home, but we're still being lax! This involved favorite foods for supper (pizza, mac/cheese) on their TV trays in front of the TV while they watch Sponge Bob. Later they'll probably have a sleep over in one of their rooms. For an "appeteazer" (to quote Michael from The Office) Emma had bologna/celery/apple chops and Parker had carrot/chesse/apple chops. "Chops" are something Emma came up. She like to get things cut up small and then all mixed together. Celery chops are her favorite.

Didn't realize I hadn't blogged all week. Can't even remember what happened, but I know we were busy with the usual. I did get an email today from Paper Crafts and had 3 cards picked up for their Card Creations Vol. 6 that will be out later this year. I was just hoping for one...so I'm very excited! There are some other calls ending next week so we'll see if I get any more love. March was pretty loveless! This CREATE sign I made earlier this week using some more of my Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess. I'm not sure if I'm totally in love with how this came out...I'm not loving the jewels and buttons I put on the e's, so we'll see if I change it a bit. Sorry for the poor quality photo...with all this rain...can't get outside to take a pic!

Fundraising Blurb: I think most of you that read the blog I've already emailed, but she is selling pizza cards for her baton school. It's Casey's pizza and if you buy a large you get a medium 1 topping free. There are 10 punches for this"deal" and it's $10, so basically the medium pizza costs you $1 (10 medium pizzas for $10 total). If anyone is interested let me know. Thanks!

God Given Talents

2008-04-06T22:21:00.000-05:00

The other night I overheard Parker and Emma talking. Emma says, "Look Parker. I can burp whenever I want to." I listen and yes she can! She is going to make some boy very happy one day! Parker says, "That's not fair. I can't burp like that." Emma says, "Don't worry Parker, we all have different talents. You can fart and I can't." So he gets all excited and proceeds to do the hand/cheek fart over and over and gives Emma suggestions. It's so nice they are there for each other!

Been really busy with kid stuff and it's only going to get worse now that baseball is starting. He's got a couple more TKD classes before he tests for the orange belt. I was trying to decide if he was ready, but he's doing a lot of the stuff better than the current orange belts, so I think we'll go ahead. Of course the test is on Saturday in DM, when we also have a tball game, dance pictures, Emma's tball practice and opening ceremonies for both of their baseball teams. Waiting to hear when the test is, but logistically I think we'll be ok. We just won't be home on Saturday!

Emma rocked it at her dance camp recital on Friday night. I've included some mini videos I took of the camera. (she's on the left, 2nd one back with all the hair) I was busy doing that so I didn't get much for still pics. (I also included a pic from P's cub scout banquet the other week)Later after it was over I was talking with a friend of mine and Emma disappeared. Finally found her out in the middle of the gym with a few other kids rocking it to the music that was blaring over the speakers. It's a little scary how a 5 year can already shake her booty like that. I hope Steve didn't see much of it!

Happy to report that Bosco didn't eat my latest package I got from Paper Crafts. It also helps that we were home when it came...lol. Even got a few extra scrap goodies in the package including some new Zach's bike and other cool goodies I know I'll use.

The weather warmed up this weekend so the kids got to spend some time outside. I debated with sunscreen, but ended up not putting any on them. I am paranoid with the sunscreen and so I felt bad when P ended up with some pink on his neck and E had pink hands. The weird part is their faces were still pasty white...not sure how that works? It wasn't a bad burn or anything, but apparently it's already time to start lathering up.

You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile!

2008-04-02T23:15:00.001-05:00

Parker is a "bit" of a serious child. Once he warms up he can be silly and goofy and his teachers said he is so funny and laughs alot. But when he doesn't know people or someone is trying to be funny and he doesn't understand he can get a pretty stern look on his face when people talk to him. Last night he was worked up that someone named Cooper (meow!) on the bus or at the bus stop (I think it's an adult helper) keeps telling him to smile. He said, "Mom, I didn't want to smile and he keeps telling me too." I could tell it was bothering him. I figure it's not call-the-school worthy though...what do you say? Excuse me, but quit telling my kid to smile! He also very serious during his TKD, but there you are supposed to be, so I guess half the time in life he's right on the money!

Miss E is busy with dance camp after school this week. It's pre-k thru 6th grade so I imagine it's pretty much mass chaos. The big performance is on Friday. I feel so bad that she missed cheer camp when she was sick, so I'm glad she's getting to do this. She's pretty excited. She also got 2 high fives today (it's a little award for being helpful, nice, etc) and so she got something out of the treasure box. A cool little black and pink wallet. It matches the black and pink baseball shoes I just bought her...also very adorable :-) She put her childsafe ID, a movie rental card, an old insurance card and some bill dollars in there so she is ready to take on the world! She also informed me that I shouldn't call Parker honey, because that is what I call her and that I should call him Bud. That way she won't get confused about who I'm talking to...duly noted!

Stupid Is As Stupid Does...

2008-03-31T20:52:00.002-05:00

I've really been oozing stupidity the last day or so.

Example #1: Get to church yesterday, walk in and sit on the side right in front of everyone. Luckily I move us to a different pew when everyone stood up so people wouldn't see all the "gear" the kids spread all of the pew because later I look down and Emma has a huge paper name tag stuck to her shirt. It's all disheveled since it went thru the washer and dryer. By some miracle (yeah church!) I was able to get it off. I think that's the first time I've ever been able to get one of those name label things off after it meets the dryer. Also lucky that I noticed this before we went up for the blessing. I can't have people thinking the "first lady" at church isn't organized and can't keep the kidlets spiffy. Litle do they know...ha, ha, ha.

Example #2: It was pouring this morning. I find the kids' Care Bear and Spiderman umbrellas and don't bother to think that I might need one. I forgot that when I drop Emma off at school we have to walk outside for a bit...oops! I didn't think it was fair to hog a 5 year old's umbrella, so I flung my bright pink coat over my head and ran (I'm sure I looked graceful like a gazelle). I really hope the principal wasn't in his office or he would have seen my attempt at running.

Example #3: I lost my cart at Walmart tonight. I was apparently so busy trying to keep my brain busy so that it wouldn't make me buy Chex Mix, that when I went to go get something probably 10 aisles away, I just left the cart there. Then I acted like I knew exactly where my cart was without looking obvious that I had no idea where it was. Then I was paranoid I had pushed someone else's cart instead and that half of the stuff I just got was in there instead. Then I wondered if maybe someone had taken it to play a trick. Finally I retraced my steps and there it was in the jeans section.

Another comment on the Chex Mix - I have a terrible addiction to it. That could explain some of the giggle in my wiggle. Anyway Parker is at his Tiger Scouts meeting the other night and they are learning about the food pyramid. One of the foods is Chex Mix and they are to figure out where it goes. Parker yells out so EVERYONE could hear. "My mom always eats the whole bag of the Chex Mix!"

Cheaper By the Dozen

2008-03-30T22:12:00.002-05:00

ETA: Now there are only 11...one will be in the Paper Crafts Card Creations 6 magazine.

I ended up averaging one card an hour during the crop yesterday. I didn't win much, but feel like I got a lot done (for me). I was even happy with how they all turned out and managed to get a little natural light outside today when I took the pictures. It was little windy though so a couple kept blowing over into a leaf pile. If you want to see a bigger pic, just click on it.

After the crop the gang even went out for a margarita to celebrate Steph's bday. I will be posting that embarassing picture another time!

Parker also got his Tiger Scout badge this weekend at his Blue and Gold banquet and he was pretty excited about it. He's wanting it attached to his shirt asap...that is daddy's department!

Pick A Season Please!

2008-03-27T21:29:00.000-05:00

I'll sum up the weather for you today:

First thunder and lightning...then...rain.....then....sleet.....then.....snow....then mud.....

BIG SIGH........

A Hoppin' Good Time!

2008-03-25T22:43:00.001-05:00

Sunday was a whirlwind of Easter activity for the Hansens. Saturday actually was a little bit too. We colored eggs (even glittered some - not as messy as I anticipated) and then they each had to write notes to the Easter Bunny - one on the front door letting him know to come in and one on the fridge letting him know the eggs were in there. Since we woke to a dusting of snow on Sunday morning and the fact that we had to be at church by 8:00 and it was still freezing out, the bunny left them a note with their baskets telling them he hid them inside. They had fun with that and checked out their baskets. E got some Puppies in Your Pockets (her new fave toy for the week) and P got some Pokemon characters. They really aren't big candy lovers (besides gum) so E. Bunny goes light on the sweets and heavy on the plastics.

After church we headed to G and G Blue Houses for dinner. After eating Emma proceeds to fall asleep...sigh... We couldn't stay super long so we woke her up, let her get over being crabby and then headed outside to the freezing winds to go on another egg hunt. At the Blue House, the bunny leaves clues all over the yard leading them to their baskets at the end. After the hunt we quickly went back inside!

Mid afternoon we headed to G and G White House for supper and yet another egg hunt. Emma once again gets tired and I'm worried she's going to nod off. (They were up WAY too early that morning to see if the Easter bunny had been to our house). We usually try to go the egg hunt outside, but it was still freezing and most of the kids are pretty little so we did it inside. We proceeded to hide 100's of plastic eggs all over the house. There were so many that you ran out of places to hide them.

Later we headed back home and of course since the kids had school in the morning and were already tired from a busy weekend, they wouldn't fall asleep on the way home. Last week they didn't have school because of Spring Break and so Monday was a "wee bit" hard getting them up. I think they are both still a little tired. Monday we jumped back into kids stuff - E had baton and P had a Cub Scout meeting. Thank goodness nothing tonight...Mommy is pooped..although I'm still up way past my bedtime, but what's new?

Here are some pics from Easter...enjoy! (and of course couldn't get the kids to let me take their pics all spiffed up for church)

Naked Butts and Naked Feet

2008-03-21T23:33:00.000-05:00

No I'm not talking about the Vegas trip. Although I promise sometime I will actually post some pics and some more funny stories about our doings while we were there.

We got our new fridge tonight. I finally have a fridge with the ice/water thingy in the door. I'm hoping this will help me to drink water. I'm horrible about drinking it and if I do actually drink something during the day it's usually pop or milk. The kids are little water drinking maniacs (remember pop is too spicy for them...sweet) and so we'll have to give them a "how-to" lesson on how to run it. Now that they are a little older this hopefully won't go horribly wrong. I say this because tonight Emma managed to ruin my wicker hamper by falling thru the side of it. It's like mom knew something like that might happen when I kept saying, "You don't play in the hamper."

P does a shower now so he went up after supper to take one and I hear him yelling for me. He's stark naked and says"Something just scared the pants right off of me." I have to admit I chuckled out loud. Since the water had been turned off, when turned on the shower it made a weird sound and the water didn't come out right away.

Other happenings this week included me battling one of my demons - naked feet! Ick! Last night was Maundy Thursday at church and they asked if the Hansen family would be one of the family to go up and get their feet washed. Steve is prez this year so we get to do lots of "things." I'm the "first lady" so I can't make him look bad so I say ok. It didn't go as bad as expected and I survived. It wasn't like our feet were shown up on a huge Jumbotron while they poured water on them. Whew! Parker looked so grown up doing it.

I also got to meet Cooper's namesake this week. My friend at work had twin boys on Tuesday and one she named Cooper. He was the more active one so I can see he's taking after my Coop. Hopefully he doesn't bite like mine does! Both babes were very cute!

Heading back home for Easter on Sunday with double meals as usual. There are also double Easter egg hunts and it's generally mass chaos, so of course lots of fun!

Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey

2008-03-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

We are putting new tile in our kitchen and entry way and so the house is even messier than usual. Tonight Emma says "Wow, mom. We are doing a lot of new things to our house. It's just like Flip That House!"

Tonight Parker is reading me a book about sharks. It mentions that some eat sting rays. Parker says, "I should get a sting ray suit at the store. Then they wouldn't sting me. Wouldn't that be amazing? Or even a shark suit because sometimes they eat people on TV."

I guess I should be paying more attention to what they see on TV...although I don't like Jaws so not sure where he saw that....Grandma Beymer perhaps? :-)

The Quiet is Deafening....

2008-03-16T09:07:00.003-05:00

**Card removed for publication in Paper Crafts' Card Creations 6.

**Card removed for publication in Cards Magazine - December 2008 issue.

Wow it's quiet around here. We are leaving for church in a couple minutes and I'm already ready and not having to pack the snack/activity bag or anything. Sounds like the kids are having a good time. We'll see how much they can talk G and G Blue House out of when they make their usual WM trip when P and E visit!

Had a great time at the crop as usual. They always give you tons of goodies and I even had my name drawn for one of the grand prizes. What's even more shocking is that Roni did too and her's was one of the first! And poor Steph didn't :-( I got a traveling organizer thingy. In theory it should help me bring less to crops....

Here is what I got done. The baby card I put together last minute so it was pretty simple. (The album was mostly completed (8 pages front and back), but I put some finishing touches on it and have just a little bit of journaling left to do). Sorry for the awful pics as usual. I really need to figure out how to run my camera and plus our house has absolutely no decent natural light. One of these days I'll actually be able to take some outside. Plus I was taking these last night so that wouldn't have helped either. The turtle card was in honor of Steph and her bad week.

Crop till you Drop

2008-03-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

Heading to a crop tomorrow with the usual gang. I already know how it'll go! I'll bring way too much stuff, only get a couple things done and Steph will win a bunch of prizes!!

The kids left tonight to stay with G and G Blue House and G and G White House until Monday. Was a little worried they wouldn't be able to go (they were very excited), because Emma woke up under the weather this morning. I guess strep was going around at school and we didn't know if that's what she had. I looked up the symptoms and she didn't have a one of them. After a couple of hours she perked up and ate non-stop for the rest of the day and was feeling awesome. I think maybe she had some drainage issues that made her sick to her stomach? Who knows?

Thursday night took P to TKD with Emma in tow. Emma of course made new friends with a litle girl there and her Polly Pockets and Emma Pets got along fabulously. Parker is just LOVING his TKD and gets so excited and intense about it. Mommy is generally pretty laid back, but I'm a little stressed about the fact that he now needs a mouth guard and a nard guard since they spar (fight). What???? He's 7!!!!!

Fact of the Day

2008-03-12T23:33:00.000-05:00

To burn the calories from one plain M&M candy, you need to walk the full length of a football field.

Losing Time

2008-03-11T19:38:00.000-05:00

As with most families I'm sure, we are trying to get everyone adjusted to the time change. It's like Parker knew it was coming because he had been getting up by 5 every morning for the last week or so. One day I guess it was even 4, but he said he just read a book since no one else was up yet. Of course then last night night he crashed and was extremely emotional. Today my sweet Parker is back! Had Emma's PT Conference last night. Of course glowing comments! She is a little reading maniac and now tries to spell everything too. We also discussed how she is very much a perfectionist especially about her art and that she sometimes will freak out about it if something isn't quite right on it and she'll want to start over. I hope she lightens up a bit! Parker is also very serious about things, but miraculously not really a perfectionist.

Let's see what else has happened since I haven't posted in almost a week! Got the kids signed up for their summer/fall parks and rec stuff... The programs are cheap, but the $ does add up...ouch! They were able to get outside this weekend since it was pretty nice out and even ride their bikes (in the garage). It was in the 50's today here and I thought Emma was going to explode she was so excited. Plus our roads actually weren't even that muddy. Guess we've just been busy with the usual kid stuff. When I don't post, I forget what happens!

If anyone happens to see the April/May issue of Paper Crafts that just came out (I think WM might carry them besides scrap stores), on page 9 there is an advertisement for one of their special issues and it's my black and white picture frame in it.

Time to kiss the kidlets for bedtime and then settle down to watch BB. I already cheated though and looked to see what happened. Boring season in my opinion! (Too much reality TV on right now...it's seriously cutting into scrap time. Plus I have a TV in my scrap room, but it's just not the same!)

Wash Me!

2008-03-05T22:25:00.000-06:00

Ok. The van has been splattered with mud forever, but at least you could tell what color it was. Our road had a bunch of mud spots again today and half the time I forget about them and they about pull me in to the ditch. Lauri was sick today so I picked up P from the bus. I had the "brilliant" idea to go a different way to pick up Emma from school. The road initially looked really great. As soon as I discovered it was too late to turn back, I hit mud, mud and more mud. I knew that if I let up on the gas at all I was stuck in the muck. I told P to be quiet, I tried not to hypervenilate and tried not to think about the fact that Steve is over an hour north of here right now. Luckily this gravel is not heavily traveled since I was all over the road. Plus parts of the road were only one lane because of the snow on the sides. Someone was looking down on me today because I managed to get thru it. At one time mud splashed so hard on my windshield I had to slam on my brakes to get it clean enough to see. (Luckily I stopped on a dry spot). I have cussed the van on a number of occasions (i.e. the numerous flat tires, the moody automatic doors and dashboard warning buttons), but she came thru today. When the kids and I went into town later for TKD and I had a church meeting, we went the usual way....no more brilliant ideas from me tonight! Plus by then the road had hardened (frozen) up a bit. I had to stop at the gas station to squeegee off the side windows and headlights so I could see when it got dark. (That's the second squeegee stop of the week). I was mortified that I was driving this. I broke down and did a quick rinse on the way home at the car wash. We'll see if I can open my doors tomorrow! P.S. My van is usually blue.

Today was Wacky Socks Wednesday for Emma. (They celebrate the birthday of Dr. Suess at school). She wore funky striped tights and looked like Pippi Longstocking. (I told her that and of course she had no idea who I was talking about). And as usual I forgot to take a picture! Maybe I'll dress her up another time just for the pic. Of course when we left daycare today she was in the best mood and even moving quickly and tripped on the sidewalk in her shoes boots and wiped out. She fell right on her hands and knees and I can't believe her hands weren't bloody. She ripped holes in the tights and all she ended up with was a tiny bloodless scrape...which of course required a bandaid and strawberry milk.

My thoughts on Big Brother... duh, like you didn't know that "surprise" was going to happen.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

2008-03-03T23:20:00.001-06:00

Usually winter doesn't bother me much, but this year it's driving me insane. I know I'm not the only one!!! It finally warmed up this weekend, but this caused melting which is reeking havoc on parts of the house. It's also destroying the gravel road and this weekend if you stopped in the road, you were stuck. I just kept the pedal down on the Sedona and hoped I didn't meet anyone (since half the time you had to drive on the wrong side) and made it home. Then last night it gets cold and snows/ices again. Normally my drive takes 25-30 minutes to work. Today over an hour and a half. It wasn't too bad till I got to town. Then the road I take is extremely hilly and I think half of the city was stuck on that road today. I then turned around and went a different way. Still slow going, but FINALLY I got there. I have been taking that road for probably 8 years and have never seen that happen before. There are also areas that are starting to flood..sigh... I also constantly wear mud on the back of my pants. Taking P into TKD tonight I noticed that I couldn't see much of anything on the road in the dark. I was hoping something hadn't happened to the van. (It's been a little moody lately). Got to town and realized that my headlights were covered in mud. Again sigh...

Well enough whining I'm off to bed. Busy week again. Hopefully the kids have a full day of school tomorrow. Emma's ended up being cancelled. They are now both going into June.

Ask and You Shall Be Answered

2008-03-02T17:16:00.001-06:00

Parker is becoming a bit more of the usual 7 year old. Arguing with us more and not listening as much. I still can't complain though most of the time. Going to his Cub Scouts meeting and seeing some of the kids running around and the parents doing nothing, makes me appreciate him even more! Anyway we have begun some home improvement projects around the house (ok Steve has). Our house is 30 years old and most stuff still seem original so it's time for some new stuff before the whole house falls apart. Plus all of this snow, rain, wind, melting we've had has wrecked havoc on the outside. The first job is new tile in the kitchen, entry way and around the woodburning stove. Steve was grouting yesterday and Parker kept walking on it and he kept getting cussed. Steve finally asked him, "How many times do I have to tell you now to do that?" Very seriously P answered. "I know it was less than 50."

Lets see what else has been happening around here. I haven't felt quite tip top the last few days. Or maybe it's like Wayne from Wayne's World. "I thought I had mono once, but it turned out I was just really, really bored." Plus being back in the real world after having a few days in Vegas, it takes you a bit to get your bearings back. I know I promised some pictures! I promise I'll get to it. I'm horrible about doing anything with the camera - this includes taking decent pictures, cleaning them up, resizing, emailing, getting printed etc.

We've just been busy with the usualy kids stuff. Plus I was extra busy with work this week. P has been working hard on his yellow belt (He is so obsessed with TKD) and E has been a creating maniac. I just am amazed at what she draws and creates. I'll try to get some of that posted soon too. Got the official word she's in year round school for K this summer. P has intersession the next two weeks at school.

I got some exciting news on Friday. I got a couple layouts picked up for Memory Makers Readers Idea Book. They kept bouncing back while I was in Vegas so I was afraid I'd missed the deadline. One is about my Grandma Gert (who passed away last summer) and so I am especially excited about that one. Of course in scrap mag world time this won't be out till later in 2008. I wasn't very creative in February, although I did finally clean up my scrap room and even vaccummed, so I need to get back at in March. I didn't get much picked up in February, but I need to get some new stuff done in order to get a chance to get something picked! (Alhtough the pages I got picked up I made probably 6 months ago plus) Going to a couple crops in March so that will help too!

The Hansens Top 10 Vegas Happenings

2008-02-27T01:05:00.000-06:00

10. See the Bellagio fountain and the Eifel Tower from your hotel room.
9. Carrot Top - very funny!
8. Seafood Buffets...twice!
7. We fought the slot machines and the machines won!
6. 50 and 60 degree weather. A heat wave!
5. Judi made a new friend on the bus. (Ask her about it)
4. The limo ride from the airport - surprise Judi!
3. 36 oz margaritas and $1 jello shots from Fat Tuesday
2. Mostly naked Australian men and sitting right in front to see it.
and the #1 thing to do in Vegas is....

Go to Dick's restaurant at Excalibur, wear a hat that says "My legs are like a Super Walmart, open 24 hours" and then proceed to get a lap dance from a chubby man who puts a teal G string in your face. Happy Birthday Judi!

P.S. Pics on #1 will be posted tomorrow...ha ha ha!!!

Stupid Pet Tricks

2008-02-19T22:22:00.000-06:00

One day last week (of course it was a very cold day...but when isn't it lately?) I pull into the driveway with Parker and notice there is some packaging laying on the snow/ice in the drive way. I notice the Paper Crafts logo in the corner. I jump out and glance around to see if anything at all survived the pooch. I find the latest issue in a snow bank with the cover and the 1st 8 pages eaten...apparently then he got bored? They send you a copy if you have an item in the magazine. I already subscribe so Steph and Roni will get the "dog eared" copy :-) I didn't see the card anywhere so if they sent it with, it perished and the dog will be pooping buttons for a week. He of course comes over to us like nothing is wrong and waiting for his usual dog biscuit. He got cussed (not that it will help) and did not get a treat. I went to the front door and the UPS man had even tied it up tight in a very strong plastic bag and had then tied it tight to the door handle. I then notice the front door is open a few inches. Bosco must have worked and worked on that bag to rip into it and in the process opened the door. That is not the first time the dog has eaten a package. I got my Giftmaker magazine in time and he had only gotten into the wrapper. Steve has been promising to build a shelf or box for the package people for a year. I'm going to have to gently remind him! I go in the house and of course the furnace is running full blast and the temp says 53. The house was freezing and didn't warm up forever. I wanted to trace the package to see approximately how long the house might have been open, but of course the dog had eaten the tracing number.

Sigh....if he wasn't so cute he would be forgiven each time!

The Warm Fuzzies

2008-02-18T21:51:00.000-06:00

I hear it's in the 70's in Sin City today... today it was NOT that here! Freezing and snow drifting on the roads everywhere. I take a main county road to work everyday and it was the worst I have driven on the entire winter. You couldn't see the lines, everything was covered in snow, slick, spots, ruts everywhere. My neck will be out of whack for Vegas at this rate! School is 2 hours late again tomorrow.

Just had that my hometown girl's basketball team made it to state. Their first game is Monday at about the same time we fly back home, so timing is just too tight. They'll just need to keep winning and I can go later in the week!

That about it. I'm exhausted so I'm off to bed. I'll deal with the laundry tomorrow!

Pinewood and Yellow Belt Pictures

2008-02-16T21:11:00.001-06:00

Parker's Big Adventure

2008-02-16T20:40:00.000-06:00

It has been quite the week for Parker. We've been pretty busy, so hence the lack of postings! He is very into his TKD and could not wait to get going on his color belt classes. He can be a very intense kid about things (you will see this again later on my post). Wednesday night he went to class and while that was going on they were doing a dry-run for the Pinewood Derby where you could come test your cars. They have been working on his car and P did all the painting. Of course Steve used the tools, but he explained everything along the way. Steve said his car did ok and kind of finished in the middle. Parker can get very competitive (he may have gotten that from me?) and so we've been trying to explain to him that there are a lot of cars and if you don't win, you tell the others good race.

On Thursday he "officially" got his yellow belt. There is a big ceremony about removing the white belt and receiving your new belt. He was pretty proud (I think you can tell from the pictures). Also had his Parent-Teacher Conference. Not meaning to brag, but his teacher went on and on about how great Parker is - learning, being nice to others, being helpful, etc. It makes me proud to hear stuff like that. I have been really happy with his teacher this year. Their school is out for 3 weeks in March and for 2 of those weeks he'll be at intersession and she's going to be his teacher then too.

Friday night I went Vegas clothes and shoe shopping. They will also all become my work clothing (I didn't get anything slutty...plus I can't fit into any of that!). At first I was a little discouraged, but after Gordman's, Shoe Carnival and Penny's I'm pretty much set. Might try to find a couple of walking around daytime shirts. Not sure when I'm fitting anymore shopping in though. Steve is out of town for a couple days and million kids things going on before we leave. (6 MORE DAYS!!!!!) Plus I need a hair cut!

Today was the Pinewood Derby. For anyone not familiar when you're in Cub Scouts you make a car to race down a metal track. There are certain rules on weight, products you use etc. They gave out 1st,2nd,3rd medals for each den (generally each grade level thru 5th). They also then take the top 10 times of all the races (it was double elimination) and then they race and the top 3 get trophies. When Parker saw the medals and trophies he was pumped. We kept reminding him that he may not get one and not to be disappointed because he tried his best. There were 5 racing in his den so we were secretly hoping he'd get some kind of medal (didn't matter what place) just because he'd be so excited. Well...... He ended up getting first place and kept breaking their fastest record. Long story short he got into the top ten (and had the fastest overall time). I was a nervous wreck! Plus I was worried he'd break into tears if he got beat. He's not a fit throwing kind of kid, he would have been upset in private. Well.... didn't have to worry about that, he came in 1st! We couldn't believe it. The only race that was really close was the last one for 1st place. I guess I should give Steve more credit! But he acted like he didn't think the car would do very well, but I guess he went home and tweaked some after the Wednesday practice. The other top finishers were in 4th and 5th grade I think. We now aren't sure how next year will go since you know we won't place at all! Then we made the mistake of letting the adult racers (they had their own race) race against him. They can do a lot more modification and add extra weight to their cars. They were so amazed by his time that they wanted to race the adult winner against him for fun. The adult won by about 1 thousandths of a second. I could tell Parker was upset, but once he got it thru his head that they could do different stuff to their cars etc, he was ok. I said that wasn't a real race and no trophies or anything and that they were so impressed with his racing that they wanted to race him too.

Miss E has is no longer sick so she's back to her old self...sassy! Both kids were busy with Valentine's parties at school and Emma also got to go to a play at the DM playhouse on Friday.

I'll post the pics on a separate post and also included a couple recent ones of E.

Fractions 101...

2008-02-11T22:18:00.000-06:00

On the way to school today I hear Emma say 2 and a quarter. I'm thinking wow I can't believe she knows fractions already. Then I hear - 2 and a dime, 2 and a nickel :-)

All About Me Album

2008-02-10T21:23:00.001-06:00

Here is a mini album I finally finished up. I painted the chipboard pieces last November and finally added the paper and other stuff. The pink paint is a color I use a lot and the Autumn Leaves paper is also one of my faves. I used the UHU Scrapbooker's pen as my adhesive for the paper and I was very happy with it. I'm generally a double sided tape kind of girl and this pen really helped the paper to stick (and fast!) - especially on a painted surface where I have found tape doesn't stick well. I have used the liquid UHU in the past and love it for primas, but had not used the pen. I have another mini album I used it on as well, but needing to get a few more pics for the album printed before I share.

Here is the journaling. The album is about 6x6 inches.

Favorite TV Shows: The Office, CSI Las Vegas, Columbo, Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, Murder She Wrote
Fave Foods: Cheesy Potatoes, Dr. Pepper, Cookies, Chicken and Noodles, Pizza, Chex Mix, Beer Bread
What I Do In My Spare Time: Scrapbooking, Watch TV, Play Piano
My Dislikes: Rude People, Cleaning, Really Spicy Foods, Monday Morning, Close Talkers, Slow Drivers
Names: Jennifer, Mom, Jenny, Mommy, Shenny, Honey, Jen, Mama
Places I Like To Go: Hobby Lobby, Branson, Lake Aqhuabi, Soccer Games, Tball Games, Walmart, Archivers, Crops
My Family: Dog Bosco, Daughter Emma, Cat Cooper, Son Parker, Husband Steve
Work at: Wells Fargo in Des Moines
I Am: Funny, Crazy, Procrastinator, Messy, Type A, Smart, Lazy
My Childhood: Camping, Small Town of Brayton (pop 150), Family Lived Nearby, Playing Games, Lots of Pets, Fishing, Homecooking
Married: Steve June 3rd 1995

You're Purrrrrfect!

2008-02-10T21:12:00.000-06:00

Tonight the kids got busy on their valentines for school. We'll tackle their daycare valentines tomorrow. One of the reasons I went to WM today was to get valentines and candy and then almost forgot because I didn't write it on the list. They both got the same cards and candy...keeps the disagreements to a minimum. Picked up $1 boxes of cute animal ones. They were a hit. They each filled all of their valentines out. I knew Parker would (and could), but I figured E would just want to do her name if that. Nope, she wrote them all out and even did it faster than Parker. They got a big chuckle out of all the cheesy sayings. Neither kid has school on Val Day P's is Weds and E's is Friday. I attached some photos and also a video of the TKD test on Saturday. He's in the upper left hand corner at the front. Also included one of E wearing her cheerleading hair bow right after a bath - so ignore the wet hair part.

Now With A Splash of Color!

2008-02-09T14:00:00.000-06:00

Parker's white dobo (robe) will now be accented with a yellow belt! It's official he passed. We went this morning to test. Before they tested the black belts did a demonstration. I think P was pretty much in awe. They broke a number of different things including concrete and boards on fire. I think he did pretty good and broke his board pretty fast. I was hoping he wasn't nervous and he told me he wasn't. They don't get their actual belt though until next Thursday, but he'll now be in the colored belt classes. It looks pretty fast paced. I didn't get any decent pics today, besides a couple of little movies on the camera. I'll be sure to take one once he's got the new belt on.

Last night was the big Daddy/Daughter Dance in town. Of course Emma proceeded to fall asleep after she got home and then we had to try to get her woke up AND in a good mood. So of course that meant no pics of her with her daddy before they left. I knew she'd have a good time once she got there and she did. They stayed for the whole thing. I guess she was rocking it out pretty good. She was very wound up when she got home. Parker on the other hand told me at 7:30 it was late enough for him so he was going to bed. He is SO like his father!

Tonight we are going out for early Valentine's day. No idea yet what we're doing, but the neighbor girl is coming over to babysit, so I'll need to get some cleaning done asap!

Bologna or Bust

2008-02-06T12:04:00.000-06:00

Emma is far more creative than I am. Case in point, this altered bologna package. She worked on this yesterday after I picked her up from school sick (as you can see she looks to be feeling fine). She had polished off the rest of the bologna and said mom I can use this now to hold my snacks, but first I need to decorate it. She wanted to use some blue glitter stuff that she said was in my scrap room (no idea what that was?) but I found these glitter stickers instead for her. She worked and worked on it...often the tongue even came out to help her out. Of course later the bologna container got stepped on and that ended badly, but this girl has "crafts" in her blood. Give her a year or two and I'm going to have to start pimping her out. I've altered a juice can that will be in a magazine soon, but I had never thought to use a bologna container! Also pictured is P's pinewood derby car. They put some coats of paint on it the other day. How dare Daddy not think to take action pictures?

Technically I am supposed to be at work right now..but alas it was not in the cards. We were hit with a bunch of snow AGAIN and Steve spent over an hour just plowing our drive. I headed out and did fine until I got to the roads that are to be plowed by the county. (It's about 8:30 by this time). When they plowed the highway they pushed all the snow onto the side road and so a Kia Sedona can not battle a mound of snow. Steve was planning to be home anyway so he came and pulled me out. I gave up and am taking another PTO day. Turns out hardly anyone made it to work. Ash Wednesday tonight, but I think we should be able to go. Steve's truck kicks butt. He was in town earlier and said there are cars off and stuck everywhere. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Same "Stuff" Different Day

2008-02-05T22:50:00.002-06:00

The Hansens are still falling apart. Most of us are battling a bit of a cold/cough. Then of course Sunday I wake up and have shooting pains up my back (again). And Steve was gone a good part of the day to a church thing. I did take the kids into Sunday School and even went to church. I'd better have gotten brownie points with the man upstairs - because I was begging him to strike me down it hurt so bad! When we got home the kids were forced to pretty much do there own thing and did very well "on their own." I still have pinched nerve issues at least once a month, but now apparently the middle of my back hates me now too. I have a messed up back/neck anyway, but a good portion of this is caused by 1) my desk job, 2) my scrapbooking (not so much the scrapping part since I generally don't have time day after day to do it) but the computer part of it and the fact that I'm also on the computer a lot for no apparent reason, just surfing and 3) I don't exercise and am getting fatter by the day. I am now down to 2.5 weeks to Vegas and need to try to at least lose a few before we leave. I also need to get my legs on the treadmill a bit so I'm not in total pain from all the walking. I'm definitely taking it easy on my back for a few days before we leave. I am living it up when I get there!

Today at work I get a call about 10:30 - E isn't feeling well and has a bit of a fever (again). I went to get her and she was zonked. She proceeds to wake up and be perfectly fine for the rest of the day. We are in the midst of a snowstorm so we'll see if there is even school tomorrow or not! The sickies are going around and around. I guess there were 10 kids sick at from preschool today...that's 25 percent of the class! Both kids' schools got out early and I needed to get P off the bus, so everything worked out ok... with the exception of me blowing thru my PTO like wildfire!

Got the March issue of Paper Crafts today and my first pub with them is in there. This BABY card. Now that my back is cooperating, I'll get my mini album posted sometime this week I made on Saturday. Also need to reorg the scrap room a bit, before I tackle any calls. I can't get my tote in there right now. It's a "wee" bit messy (again).

102 Degrees in the Shade

2008-02-02T19:37:00.001-06:00

The fevers are still hanging around the Hansen house. This time it has been Steve since yesterday. Backing up to Thursday, E wasn't totally herself, but I thought ok enough to go to school. She was a little tired, but was talking my ear off on the way to school. I get to work and about 10 o'clock, the nurse calls. She's got a 102 fever. I had already worked like a dog the day before at work, since I didn't know if I'd be there Thursday anyway, so I was ready. She pretty much just chilled the rest of the afternoon, but still you could tell from her eyes she was still sick. I had also sent her Thursday because of cheer practice and she was very excited that they were going to get to cheer at the game Friday. Poor noodle didn't get to do it. She stayed home Friday too. We didn't know if her fever would spike again and she still wasn't her lively self. She can always cheer next year! Steve ended up with a 102 fever and feeling yucky on Friday too. Still had one today, but he said he was well enough to run P to basketball and even got the kids in for hair cuts. I see they even started on P's Pinewood Derby car. He said it was fine for me to go to the crop at E's school. I'm the only one that hasn't gotten sick yet. I'll either get it tomorrow while Steve's gone all day for church stuff (I had mentioned I would just have to lay on the couch and he said the kids wouldn't even notice I was sick then...har, har...) or on Monday which is our busiest day of the month at work.

Got another mini album finished at the crop today. This one was about me. I haven't taken pictures, but will post once I do. We have the worst lighting in this house...frustrating for scrapbookers! I had started this one last November and since I forgot the pictures for the other one I was planning to finish up today, this one got finished instead. All 4 of us even won today. I got some cute Love Elsie stuff. It'll look cute on some cards or layouts (been forever since I've done one).

That's about it for the sickie update!

I'm Hideous Look Away!

2008-01-30T20:41:00.000-06:00

P and E love commercials. Of course that's because they see all these new toys and want to hit WM immediately. They also like those mini infomercials. They always seem to think someone in the family needs it. Anything with scissors is for mommy and her scrappin. The other day they were watching one for a skin cream. Emma informed me that I should really get some of that because it will take away all the spots on my face and even the red ones (moles) on my neck. Was I going to order it?

Parker is really growing up and it makes me a little sad. He can now take a shower by himself. That includes turning the water on, soaping up and washing his own hair. I was totally clueless he could do this and Steve informed me he's been able to do it for awhile. When it my turn for bath night, I put them in the tub since they have such a great time in there. Of course they really don't fit anymore, but they will play in there for an hour if you let them. Of course most of there conversations anymore involved butts so it's probably time to split them up.

Both were home today with fevers. There must be something going around since a bunch of people at work were out too with sick kiddos. If they are sick tomorrow I'm on duty. They seemed pretty good tonight, but still very congested. Emma took a huge nap, but of course no sleeping out of Parker.

I'll be glad when February is here...new reality TV! There is nothing on right now. And of course my trip to the city that never sleeps is coming up!

Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah!

2008-01-28T21:00:00.000-06:00

Emma has cheer camp after school this week and is uber excited. They are performing at the pep rally Friday and then at both games Friday night. Ahhh.... a sweaty, hot, crowded gym surrounded by people I don't know...this will rock! Tonight was a smidge busy, but nothing quite overlapped so everything went smoothly. After cheer, E went to baton and tumbling. I took P to TKD so he could practice for this test. (It's in a couple weeks for the yellow belt) and then he had his monthly Cub Scout pack meeting. Poor guy is getting a cold and with his pale skin he doesn't look the best with red eyes and stuffy nose.

Had fun at the crop Saturday. I was even a winner! Won a new cute set of Stampin Up animal stamps. They also do little giveaways all day so you end up with a bunch of smaller things too. There is a scrap store SW of here that has the best stuff and they were there...so I may have done a "little" purchasing... some new Fancy Pants playing card type thingies for cards and more Prima bling. Ok and some other things too :-) I was working on another mini album, but of course didn't get as far as I wanted, but should be able to finish up Saturday when I go to a crop at E's school. Not sure if I'll scrap this week or not. My room is a "touch" trashed and I don't feel like making a path to my desk.

G and G Blue house came for a visit yesterday. It's probably good it wasn't today or they would of had to deal with our horrible gravel road. When temps go from -10 plus to 50 plus, that creates a lot of mud! Try getting a kid in a stark white TKD robe in and out of a filthy van (can't remember the last time it was washed) and past pubbles. He miraculously got there clean. It's a Christmas miracle!

He's Got The Moves!

2008-01-25T18:33:00.000-06:00

Parker seemed better Wednesday night and Thursday morning he was a little quieter than usual, but nothing seemed weird. I get to work and the school has just left a message. Parker yarfed on the bus. I remember when I was little and when someone puked they put that nasty powder stuff on it. I think it was worse than the actual deed. I was worried he'd be embarassed, but at that age things don't bother kids too much yet. Heck he probably thought it was cool. Steve went and got him and he was fine the rest of the day. He said that his tummy felt silly on bus 14 (the one that picks him up) but when he got off to get om "firteen" to ride to his school then he frew up. (He still has trouble saying "th" so it was kind of cute the way he said it). He was bummed since he missed sharing day again and was supposed to get his robe at TKD that night. Since he was totally fine since about 9 that morning we went ahead and let him go. I got there right at the end since I had to work late and just caught him breaking his board. He was loving the robe. Here are some pics of him doing some of the moves. I can never remember what they are, but he's got most of them memorized and loves reading the list they sent home. A lot of them involved leg motions, so the camera didn't catch that very well.

Tonight we are kick back and fancy free since Steve is at a band gig. The other pic is of them playing their Game Boys when they got home (notice E's tongue. It helps her concentrate) Emma said her stomach hurts a little but I'm hoping that's because she ate a ton of bologna and then had generic Oreos for dessert.... They are now kicking back watching Scooby and eating popcorn. I know - I rock as a parent! I need to pack for the crop tomorrow. I just hate packing, because I never have any idea what I'm going to want to use and way over bring. Then I also trash my room in the process. I love getting there though and the one we are going to tomorrow has pretty good door prizes! Plus Steph isn't going so that gives the rest of us a chance to win :-)

Will have to watch the last Miss America reality show tonight. The girl from E's baton place kind of got ripped last week, so we'll see what happens. I guess she won the talent portion of the contest this week. It doesn't suprise me, she's an awesome twirler. The rest of the pagent is on Saturday night.

Under the Weather

2008-01-23T20:58:00.000-06:00

Stayed home with Parker today. He was running a slight fever and just wasn't himself. He didn't have an appetite either last night so we knew something was up. He laid around most of the day and caught up on his Ben 10 cartoons. He woke up quite a bit during the night so was really tired, but he still didn't nap. He's anti-nap like his dad! I am pro-nap! He probably would have been fine to go to school, but you never know. He didn't have any energy so I think it's good he got a chance to rest. He wanted to wrestle tonight with daddy so I think he's a go for school tomorrow. Plus tomorrow night we get the TKD robe!

More good scrappy news today. I will have an altered paper mache box in Paper Trends' June/July issue. That'll probably be all the "tooting" you'll hear out of me for awhile since most of the calls had similar deadlines this month. This blog will return to regularly scheduled programming!

You've Got Mail!

2008-01-22T19:13:00.001-06:00

The day started a little rough. I woke with my neck killing me (My fault because I spent too much time last night on the 'puter trying to put a slide show on the side of my blog...never did figure it out!), then dumped a pitcher of juice all over the kitchen floor and then couldn't get the garage door to shut before I left this morning because of snow stuck to it. Standing out in zero degrees temps not fun!

Stalked my email today since some calls were to be going out. I did get an item picked up for a Paper Crafts Christmas special issue. Yeah! Then Steve brings home this ginormous box from work. I can't ship stuff home since the dog finds cardboard delicious.... Erin Clarkson (who works for Scrapbooks etc, Making Memories and others and does really nice work) drew my name for a RAK of scrap goodies. There was a little bit of everything and many of the things were my favorites including chipboard, flowers and acrylic stamps. Also lots of cool Heidi Grace papers and other cool stuff too many to mention. Yeah again!

Going to a crop Saturday and some of the stuff is definitely going along!

Fareway is Way Fare!

2008-01-21T20:28:00.000-06:00

Stopped there tonight while P was at TKD. I just love no matter how much you dally in there you are always in and out in less than an hour. You can have a cart full of groceries and as long as you don't go too crazy at the meat counter you can keep in under $100. You always end up running into someone you know there. The meat guys are so nice though that when they get you something they say, "And what else can I get for you today." I feel like I'd better order something else! The kids have to make a comment about Fareway EVERYTIME we go by. Which can sometimes be 4 plus times a day. They think it's hysterical when the Y is burnt out so it's Fare-wah. And then P came up with Fareway being Way Fare. Each Sunday they also point out that it's closed. They still try to ride in the front of the red firetruck carts together... When their combined weight is over 100 lbs and they are each almost 4 feet tall...it doesn't work so well! I do feel guilty that someone pushes my cart out. I actually would prefer to do it myself, but it's a Fareway no no. If people do it's code red in there...cart out the door...cart out the door! over the speaker. I don't really like people waiting on me..with the exception of having someone come in and clean my house for me. This is a current "discussion" going on and I seem to be losing.

Parker has been doing pretty well at TKD and has been really wanting to get a "dobo" (robe) and test for his yellow belt. I think we will go ahead and let him. He broke a huge board tonight on one kick....ouch! TBall doesn't start till April so he'll have some time to do this for awhile. The "Master" also said he could just come when he was able during the summer. I think we're skipping spring soccer since it's at the same time as Little League and I already signed him up for that. This year they hit off a pitch, so we'll see how he likes it. He seems a lot better at soccer so now that he's getting older he can start picking what he likes. Everything has been pretty low key so far and it's been nice he can try things out (and pretty cheaply).

Sunday we pretty much just hiberated inside after church. We getting so many cardinals on our feeder I could just watch them all day. Saturday P and Daddy had a good time touring the firestation and movie theater for Cub Scouts and then seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks. E and I hit MHM after the shower and the $ spot at Target sucked me in again. There was a free inflatible slide there and it wasn't busy so E probably went down 20 times before I got her to leave without incident. Of course she skinned up the same eye that she had the tear duct problems with.

On the scrappy front, I haven't really made anything the last few days (I need to dig out my room again), but did get a card picked up for the Aug/Sept issue of Paper Crafts. It was one I had made awhile ago, but it fit the call. I didn't think it was that great, but submit everything, because you never know.

Off to tuck the kidlets in.

O M Double G!!!

2008-01-19T08:14:00.000-06:00

-9 on the tempeture thingy in the van last night just isn't right! The sock hop was as usual...chaos! Going to things like this helps me to realize I'm not cut out for teaching or daycare. You take 6 grades at about 100 kids per grade, add some siblings, some parents and it is loud. Appparently a number of kids aren't taught manners. A lot of kids just run the entire time, running into you and never saying "excuse me." Lots of cool silent auction stuff, but most stuff goes for a few hundred $'s.

A little worried last night that E would have to stay home from the dance and today we'd have to miss the baby shower. Her eye had been bothering her at school and it was gooky by the time I got home. We worried it was pink eye (miraculously the Hansen house has never had before) so Steve ran her into the clinic. It actually turned out to be a plugged tear duct because of a sinus infection. She hadn't been acting like her sinuses had been bothering her, besides the fact that she's been taking naps at school. I'm sure last night people wondering why she was at the dance...I felt like taping a sign on her...not contagious!

Well better get everyone gussied up for our doings today.

36 Days...But I'm Not Counting....

2008-01-17T22:41:00.002-06:00

Posting a few more things I've made lately and a couple of my faves from a couple months ago. (Can you tell I like pink?) I was in a creating frenzy the last couple weeks. I'm waiting to hear back if some of them got love or not. I was excited to get my goodie box from Paper Trends today. My first from them. I got some Scenic Route paper (one of my fave companies) and some really cute bday paper from Around the Block that will look great on cards. Also got some cute embellies. I don't need more supplies, but hey... I can't say no! I put together a huge scrap supply basket last year for Parker's Sock Hop fundraiser, but this year time got away from me. It's a great way to get rid of things. I need to take some of my partially used stuff to the kids' classrooms when I get into a purging mood.

Speaking of the Sock Hop, tomorrow night is the big dance. Each year Parker's school has it for a fundraiser. It's pretty cool and the kids (E gets to go too) dance into sweaty exhaustion for 2 hours while the adults bid on over 100 silent auction items. Saturday I'm taking E with me to a baby shower for a friend of mine who is expecting twins. Yikes! The double yikes is that her daycare is $190/week per kids! They are boys and the cute part is she's naming one of them Cooper. I told Cooper and he proceeded to bite me, so he was excited I could tell! P and Daddy are going on a Go See for Cub Scouts that day. Touring the fire station and behind the scenes at the movie theater and then watching Alvin and the Chipmunks. Our next few weekends are busy, but mostly with fun stuff at least. Tomorrow P is to take 100 items because it's their 100th day of school. I thought about sending buttons, but (Gasp!) what if they didn't make it back home. I might need them someday on a project.....

I think E could turn out to be a crafter. Tonight I came home and she was making her own cell phone. It was a flip and everything. She cut it out of paper, put #'s on it and decorated it. She then proceeded to take phone calls. She later cut out a diaper for her dolly and it totally looked like one...I don't think I could still do that! I did let her use some of my good stuff the other day to decorate a plastic container. I promise not to pimp her out to the scrap community yet.

P.S. Only 36 Days to Vegas!

Hope he's not on steroids...

2008-01-16T20:45:00.001-06:00

Emma on the way to school yesterday: "Mom, if I built the biggest snowball in the whole world could you pick it up?" I said no I'm not that strong. She says, "I know that Jesus could." They have had quite the fascation lately with how strong Jesus must be.

I'm planning to probably set up a separate scrap blog with my creations, thoughts, etc on anything scrap related sometime. Steve informed me I'm probably boring most of you to death. But until then, I will post something I made Monday night. P had TKD and so I sat there and traced and cut the paper out for this. Of course I got some strange looks. (P also broke another board!) It actually went really fast. I decided to put flowers on the "A" because I apparently trimmed the paper on that one too small and needed to hide it...happy accident! I have some other wooden words too for other occasions I might actually tackle since this was easier than I thought. I love to get them at HL when they are on sale. I used the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding line (also got on sale at HL). I have a HL addiction....

Was suprised to find out another bracelet I made will be in Simply Beads in October (stuff also from HL...). They also want me to make another one to go with this one. I totally know nothing about making jewelry, but I'm thinking I'd better start reading up since I've only mastered bracelets so far. Percentage wise I'm doing way better submission wise in the jewelry department...who'd a thunk?

Stay warm and good luck with all the snow tomorrow!

Princess

2008-01-13T23:17:00.001-06:00

Just realized I didn't Stickle (glue glitter) on the crown below...oops!

Had an awesome time scrapping yesterday at a friend's house. She fed us and even gave out goodie bags....better than some crops I've been to where I've paid money! I worked the entire time on this princess mini album I made about Emma. I forgot how long these can take. I was still putting on finishing touches tonight and then had to take pictures and write it up. Submitting it to a few things so we'll see if anyone gives it any love. I'm going to get a big jump ring to put thru the one crown point (no I didn't forget a gem there), although I think I used a whole box of glue dots in the process! Here is the journaling in case you can't read it.

Title: How to be a princess according to Emma
You have a prince charming
Eat what you want when you want
Wear makeup with everything
Wear fur
Dessert for dinner
You don't drink tap water. Only bottled
Be a daddy's girl
Always wear a crown
Have a sweet set of wheels
Your own pony
Toys Toys Toys
Always wear designer shades

Also included are some with stickers. They say:
Being a princess is a hard job but someone's gotta do it
Don't call me a princess, don't call me a queen, just call me the cutest Lil' Princess you've ever seen.
It's hard being the princess...but one day I'll be the queen.

Thanks again to Jill (http://www.jillcornell.blogspot.com/) for the yummy Rusty Pickle papers and stickers. I knew it'd be perfect for this!

Party Girls

2008-01-11T21:22:00.004-06:00

** Tags removed for publication in Paper Crafts Christmas and More issue Winter 2008 and Paper Creations Winter 2008 issue.

**Ornament removed for publication in Cards December 2008 issue.

We are starting to hammer out our Vegas trip plans. We're staying at Planet Hollywood and planning to see a show and do some shopping. It'll be 5 crazy girls in a city that never sleeps! I'll have to be sure to take plenty of pictures of everything - without looking too touristy!

Did end up taking today off. Spent the morning doing a few craft things then I got tired and apparently drifted off on the couch for a bit. Luckily I woke up just in time to get E picked up from school, so I didn't appear to be the worst mother on earth. I didn't get as much crafting done as I wanted (I'm not suprised), but I need to get things packed up for a mega crop at a friends house tomorrow. I'm planning on doing a couple mini-albums...we'll see how far I get!

Here are a few things I made the other week. Haven't taken pics of the stuff from today yet. The Xmas stuff tin is made from the tin the KI Memories kit came in that I bought at Joann's. The tree is actually a paper mache box and the ornament is paper mache too. Sorry some pics are big and some are little, but I'm too lazy to go back and fix.

I'm A Cover Girl!

2008-01-08T23:09:00.001-06:00

I checked my old email address and guess what? A frame I decorated that got picked up for Paper Crafts' "Gifts from the Heart" magazine a couple months ago, will be on the cover! It will be in out in a few months and I'll share once I'm able to. I guess when you don't stalk your email anymore good things happen :-) Hopefully that'll get my juices flowing since there is a bunch of stuff I want to get made by next week. Since I have a new bank of PTO days for the year, I'm planning to take a day off for me Friday. Hopefully I'll feel scrapping that day and not just napping and then Saturday a bunch of the crop gang are going to our friend Jan's house to crop most of the day.

Emma is showing her Danish Lutheran heritage. Sunday was a big day at church because they were installing our new pastor. Even the "bish" (the head bishop for our synod was there - Parker made sure he shook his hand - the peace is Parker's favorite part - very cute) was there. After church we of course had the church potluck. Although they don't do open faced sandwiches here - not enough Danes I guess! For some reason Emma was really pumped about the potluck. There isn't much at these things the kids will even eat. She was going around telling anyone (rather loudly) that would listen to her that "she loves a potluck!" and giving them a big grin.

I think I had mentioned before that Emma said instead of 20 boyfriends she now has 19 because Caleb pushes her and so he isn't one anymore. We got her class photo today and I didn't realize how many boys were in there and a lot of them are even cute. 16 boys and 7 girls. Great odds for Emma - especially since some of the girls are a little woofy. Ok that was mean :-)

Lots of stuff going on this week, but most of it is pretty regular so I won't bore you with the details. I did get Emma registered for Kindergarten tonight. Since P is already in year round, she's a shoo-in so not stressed about that like I was when I registered him. Plus uber excited she'll get full day Kindergarten!

Tale of Two Mittens

2008-01-05T14:32:00.000-06:00

The most frustrating things about winter has been trying to keep track of the winter gear at school - snowpants, hats, gloves, boots...I don't dare send a scarf with..that'd be another thing to keep track off. We've also managed to loose a few things in the off season including a headband of Emma's that was our favorite for her hair. (Her hair is so thick and fine that it is VERY hard to find any that will stay in) Right now I'm trying to hunt down a brand new (sigh) pair of P's gloves that he left on the bus (I checked the lost and found box and didn't find them, but did find one of his hats I didn't even realize was missing) and Emma came home Friday missing a black glove. She also leaves her snowpants there about half the time. I take her to school every morning so I manage to eventually find most of her stuff either in lost and found or in her classroom. We are trying to get both of them to be more responsible for their stuff. Of course I need to work on that myself!

Steve is back home today and so after P's bball practice this morning we hit WM and BK. The fun land was VERY loud! We are now just vegging, but I really need to clean since it looks like a bomb went off in the family room (again). Hoping to do some cardmaking tonight.

Not sure if anyone watched the Miss America reality show that started last night but the girl from Norwalk (who was a twirler from Emma's studio) is on there. They showed her quite a bit and she's in a blue dress in a lot of the shots. She's uber smart and tatented from what I've seen and heard. There is an America's vote at www.tlc.com/missamerica so feel free to vote. They are having a send of party for her tomorrow so I might take Emma. Emma has met her before but of course I didn't have my camera then...sigh....

Well the princess is requesting some strawberry milky so I'd better get at it.

Even Care Bears Get Cold

2008-01-01T21:57:00.000-06:00

Steve snapped these when they were outside sledding and playing the other day. Too cold for me so I hibernated inside...although now kicking myself because I would have taken more pics! Pretty quiet around here with no school or activities. They head back on Thursday and then the craziness with start up again. Not much else to share!

Steve 1 - Blue Crayon 0

2007-12-29T22:21:00.000-06:00

After getting back from Christmas I tried to tackle laundry, putting toys away etc. agressively. I didn't want to, but I tried.... I washed a load of jeans and put in the dryer. Thursday morning I got up, went to pull out a pair and noticed some bright blue one them. Got to looking and every single pair had it on them. I look down and there is a bright blue crayon wrapper that is on the floor. ERRRRRR..... My two decent pairs of jeans (including one I just bought), most of P and E's and also Steve's good jeans all had the good fortune to be in there. I attempted to get off with no luck. Friday Steve didn't have to work and when I came home the jeans were pretty again. It had to have been a labor of love, but I'm glad I wasn't the one doing the labor! I figured that's what I'd have to do this weekend. I'm not very "housewifey" so I guess I'll keep Steve around since I've learned he can now tackle stains in addition to cooking and cleaning!

I bit the bullet and picked up my scrap room a little last night since I haven't been able to get in there for awhile due to the chaos and some recent purchases.... Hey HL had papermache stuff half off, I couldn't resist! Today P and E were best buds and played together a lot so I made some Christmas stuff for a call. I'm actually pleased with everything so far. I'm now burnt out on the holiday so if I do stuff tomorrow I'm moving onto something else! Now I have the exciting task of photographing and submitting. Two of my resolutions for 2008 are to have a better submitting system and to figure out how to run my camera!

Little Pets, Robots and Pokemon Oh My!

2007-12-26T15:55:00.000-06:00

As usual we came home with the van loaded down with Christmas loot. It's amazing how fast Christmas comes and goes! With so many Christmases and late nights the kids did great. Most of the stuff is now sitting by the door and I'm trying to muster up the energy to put some of it away. P is showing E how to play her Game Girl and she's catching right on. On the way home I stopped at Archiver's while Steve ran to work for an hour and picked up some cool goodies. In my defense I had a gift card!

The trip to Vegas in February for Judi's 60th bday is a go. I can't wait. I've never been and it'll be 4 girls loose on the town! The other big news is that Judy 2 (Scott's Judy aka as Uncle Judy by P and E) got a diamond ring for Christmas - cool!

Not much else to report. Back to work tomorrow. Year end is crazy at work. Steve only has to work tomorrow poor guy.

Santa - So Much To Do, So Little Time

2007-12-23T21:05:00.000-06:00

In the Hansen house, Santa comes a day early. Last year he wrote a letter to the kids explaining that he makes a special trip a day early for all the kids who won't be home on Christmas morning. He'll then make another trip to where they will be on Christmas (grandma and grandpas). If I was still a kid, this sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Two nights in a row of excitement and waiting for Santa to leave presents. We had to come up with something since we knew they would start putting two and two together otherwise. We did over hear him tell Grandma Blue House the other day on the phone say that Santa comes a day early to our house. Isn't that a little weird?

There is also another Santa that makes a trip tomorrow night at G and G Blue House...Silly Santa (as Emma's calls him) aka as Krusty Klaus aka Robert. Emma had Santa visit at school on Friday during their school party and Parker asked her if it was the real Santa or the Silly Santa? She said it was definitely the real one! This is the first year we have left cookies, carrots for the reindeer and milk. Emma also made Santa a snowflake, wrapped the whole thing herself and wrote on the package for him. When "Santa" opens it, I'll have to be sure not to rip up her writing. The backwards N is super cute! I'm feeling a scrap page coming on!

Busy today wrapping presents (I hope I hadn't stashed some somewhere and have forgotten) and making grub for the Christmas dinners. Once I can confirm the munchkins are asleep I will tackle theirs. Half of them have been riding around in the back of the van for awhile in a box. Friday night after work I looked for one last thing for P. The crowds were actually comical. I could not believe how wiped out the toy section at Target was. I then stopped at southside WM (hate that store) because I knew the Indy one had what I wanted but I figured while I was in the area I'd stop there instead. People where probably 20 deep at each register. They didn't have what I wanted so I could have just went to Inday and skipped T and WM and saved tons of time. Although I got a ton of cute $1 stuff at Target..it's a secret! This included little metal mailboxes I can alter. I'm about a 90 percent cardmaker/papercrafter, 10 percent scrapbooker anymore.

Last night Steve attempted Abelskeivers in his new pan. I'm pretty sure I have never had one before. Being Danish and all it's probably not something I should admit..although we did eat a lot of frickadillers growing up. They are basically a pancake that is shaped like a small muffin. Parker ate 8 of them and probably would have had more but we had to cut him off. I think E had 6...so they were a definite hit!

Well better check to make sure the Game Girl is charged up. Every day she's been telling people that's what she wants for Xmas. Santa did good!

Third Time Is NOT The Charm

2007-12-20T23:24:00.001-06:00

Well...once again the same tire has gone flat today. 3 different times in less than 3 months. And 3 different holes in the tire...sigh... I actually stayed in a pretty good mood today and luckily it happened on the day that Steve is coming back from KC. None of the times has it happened on my way home and I've been stalled by the road so that's good. This time the tire went down fast. Steve came downtown and put on the spare so I could get home. He's playing tonight so I had to be able to get the kids picked up and P had TKD tonight.

While he was at TKD, E and I ran to WM so she could spend some bday money. I thought I'd seen every toy out there, but I guess not. She bought a Barbie that comes with a dog that poops. You even have a stick to pick it up with...eeeww..... You can also get a Barbie with a cat that poops so of course that's on her wish list now. She's so funny sometimes and such a thinker. Tonight as we were dropping P off she could see some of the guys in their robes. She said, "Mom - I know why they called it TaKwenDo. It's because they "tie" their belts." Tomorrow is her holiday party at school. They are making gingerbread houses and exchanging gifts from the sounds of it. They got their present from Lauri today and they were huge hits. Emma was squealing all the way home.

Where are all of these new Christmas toys going to go in our house? They are only beginning!

Boys Can Scrapbook Too!

2007-12-18T21:48:00.001-06:00

Tonight was Parker's den meeting...this is of course after I remembered at the last minute and we rushed to get there. Christmas is severely sucking the few remaining smart cells I have left I swear. I did remember last week though that I needed to get pics printed for his scrapbook, so I did save face a little anyway. We were in such a hurry that Emma went exactly the way you see her in the picture. I am so embarassed! I probably should have taken an extra minute and changed her clothes, but she's such a dawdler it'd take 10 instead. They made a pinata today at school and she is covered in flour glue. Including her hair...so even if I'd changed her clothes her hair was trashed. She had just eaten some ice cream so she also had a messy face. Man I wish I still kept wet wipes in the van.... Luckily there were only a few parents there and I didn't know any of them.

Their craft for this time was a scrapbook about family, friends, pets, Scouts etc. He did a really good job and wrote some cute things without even being asked. He was excited because he said now he's getting older since he can do things that mommy does. Emma will be wanting to do one too I'm sure. She did really good at the meeting just coloring in her Pets book. No fits about the fact that she wasn't making a scrapbook. I also included a picture of the dreamcatcher he made at the last meeting.

Question of the Day: How can one 7 year old boy with no hips, butt, or an inch of fat on him eat a grilled cheese sandwhich, six fish sticks, a big granola bar, carrots, an ice cream cone and a piece of pizza and then come home from the meeting and say can I have some popcorn? He probably would have eaten more, but we had to leave for Scouts. One day he ate 15 fish sticks. In my defense though on that one...that was Steve's doings!

All Dressed Up With Places To Go!

2007-12-17T21:53:00.000-06:00

Here is Emma in her new Christmas dress. You can't see in the picture, but it even comes with snowflake tights. (Of course the full shot of her is blurry. I'm the worst picture taker ever!) I know E thought she was pretty darn cute in it. Mom thinks so too! She's already giving daddy a heart attack when he thinks of her as a teenager....I didn't get any pics of P dressed up since they were at his Cub Scout Christmas party at the time. I also included pics from her Winter recital that was yesterday afternoon too. She's standing in the middle. I wish I could have gotten a close up pic of her in the antlers :-( But I had to get in there and jockey for a seat in the gym. The recital went well and so did the Christmas program at church. I'll see if Steve got any Cub Scout pics and if he did I'll post some another time. Parker was excited to have a day to veg and play his game boy today. Emma is learning about all the different holidays. Today it was Kwanza and Friday she came home with a dreidel made from a milk carton.

I ran to WM during P's TKD tonight and got a few more Christmas gifts crossed off my list. The freaks are really starting to come out in full force! Steve is going to KC until Thursday and has his first band gig Thursday night. Luckily this weekend we don't have a thing going on so we can finalize all the Christmas wrapping, buying, food making etc. I'm off on Weds and home with Parker so I'm planning to get Xmas cards done that day. I will post some outtakes from those another time.

Got a pleasant email surprise tonight. Something I had sent to Paper Crafts last May was also selected for the kids magazine that I'll have a headband in too. Now I just need to remember where I put it?

PSA: Do not make Peppermint cookies if it involves smashing candy canes. I was covered in chunks from head to toe last night. And in the end I didn't have enough for my cookie exchange and they were crumbling apart anyway, so I ended having to make even more cookies. The recipe was thrown away!

I'll Admit it...I fly by the seat of pants sometimes....

2007-12-15T21:19:00.000-06:00

Long story short, the Hansens are busy!

Last night I went to a girls game night with all the people from my department. Very fun. Played Apples to Apples (love that game) and played Mad Gab for the first time. That one is pretty funny. Especially after some of the people had a few drinks! I had to be good though since I had to drive home and had a ton to do today.

This morning there were haircuts, cooking and cleaning and then we had the final practice for the SS program tomorrow. Steve even has a part. No one every asks me to perform..wonder why...lol. I helped to fill the 100 goodie bags for the kids and finished up stamping them this morning. In my defense though I got about 75 percent of them done earlier this week and so only had to hurry up to finish the last few. Robert, Judi and Brad then stopped by for supper and we also made a quick trip to winery near our house. Steve made all the food...yeah! I'm in the process of making my cookies for tomorrow. I am pooped...so they aren't fancy!

Speaking of waiting till the last minute, I realized that I had the date wrong on a Paper Crafts call earlier this week and it expired that night, not next week. I quickly made a couple things and had one of them get picked up. It's for a Kids issue coming out in June. Also quickly made some things for another call due yesterday, but haven't heard back on those yet. Another call ends tonight so I might zip upstairs and crank out a card or two, we'll see.

Oops this blog has pretty much been about me lately. I need to get back to talking about the kidlets! Mainly the kids are just counting down the days till Christmas. P doesn't have school this week since year round gets an extra week off at xmas. E goes thru Friday.

Happy Holidays!