What the Flach ?!?!?!

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T21:09:00.000-06:00

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!!

WTF'N Weekend

2011-11-02T18:19:00.000-05:00

Watch out...I have inspiration (not to be confused w/ perspiration...which I likely had the last time I blogged in JULY.....it's actually cold out now....and NOVEMBER...over 3 months....sorry.) but for the time being I have blogging inspiration. In less than 24 hours, I will set off for WTF'N weekend….not to be confused with WTF Weekend.

Neither WTF weekend or WTF’N weekend could be possible w/o my careful choice of spouse. I mean if I would have married my first choice Jon Knight….

source

it would have been WTK weekend and WTK’N weekend. It just doesn’t have the same effect…not to mention, I’ve recently discovered thanks to 80's pop star Tiffany that I’m not Jon’s “type”. You need to think about these things before you get married or allow your sisters to get married. If the inital doesn't fit into our acronym....sorry, can't come.

WTF'N weekend.....Wagner, Tucker, Flach, Niebrugge weekend.....Mom/Sisters/Sister in Laws shopping weekend begins tomorrow afternoon. We are meeting in Indianapolis as it is central to all that are going. 2 nights and 3 days of girl time. WATCH OUT INDY, WTF'N is on her way! I'll be back with pictures and I'm sure a few good stories.

Boom Boom Firepower

2011-07-19T20:00:00.001-05:00

This is what swimming, baseball, and running all day gets you.......Check out their guns......

Baseball is wrapping up this week/next week so I may have some time to post in the near future.

42 days

2011-06-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

Yes....It's been 42 days since I last posted. I've had a lot going on the past month plus. Let's see if I can provide a quick recap.

The toothfairy came for Will's first tooth. It rained. Tony and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary (actually May 11th). Proof of said marriage below. (Sorry for the bad picture...this was prior to the digital camera craze)

It rained. We planted and grew strawberries.

It rained. I hosted a Thirty One party for my dear friend Jennie Weber - had a great time and earned some cool items! It rained. Austin, Will, Grandma Flach and I went to Springfield, IL to see my niece Taylor's team (Indiana Magic) play in one of her softball tournaments. (It rained while we were there...during the tournament....a lot....but they still continued to play.) (Taylor is bottom left...Taylor is also in my picture above...flower girl....<>....She's all grown up.)

It rained. We celebrated a nice, long Memorial Day weekend with family. It rained. Baseball season for both boys started and continues to be in full swing (no pun intended).

We have at least 2 games a week...sometimes 2 in one night...at the same time....at different ball parks. But both boys are enjoying baseball and have really improved over the past year so we make it work. Due to all of the rain, there have been several games rained out so baseball will continue into mid-July. I've done several craft/home projects which I'll cover in a different post. We celebrated Grandpa Niebrugge's

75th Birthday!!! (We had a scare several months ago so to see Dad out and enjoying every minute of his 75th Birthday was WONDERFUL!!) His 75th celebration consisted of:

(Doug - I promised not to post this on Facebook..................)

Family, Fishin', Fun and LOTS more....even a talent show! It was a great weekend!

The rain continued throughout the next few weeks......So when the sun came out to play, the boys found a way to make the best of a rainy situation

cleaning up after the mud

4 Wheel Riding

It rained some more. We had a slumber party with Justin (cousin) with all of the slumber party fixin's.

It rained some more. Will lost his 2nd tooth!!! It rained. We had some sort of flu bug hit our house....which we are still battling.

Well that sums up the last 42 days in a nutshell :)

Wiggly No More

2011-05-16T20:11:00.000-05:00

As I mention a few weeks ago, Will has a few wiggly teeth. I took a picture of his cute, little smile a couple of days ago to ensure that I had one last picture of his full mouth of adorable baby teeth.

LOVE that smile!!!!! It melts my heart!

One of his bottom teeth is really wiggly....wiggly to the point that it was starting to bother him. But since this was his first loose tooth, he was hangin' onto that sucker. Every single morning, he would come up to my bathroom to brush his teeth. But before he would brush his teeth, he would take my hand held mirror to inspect his wiggly tooth. Every.single.morning. This morning, he got up, got dressed, ate breakfast and came up to brush his teeth. He grabbed the mirror to inspect his tooth................................................................

and......ummmmmmmmmmmmm MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Where is my tooth?!?!?!??!?!?!' He was shocked, surprised, scared, excited, etc........He didn't know what to say. Thankfully, he didn't swallow his tooth. We checked his bed and found the tooth nestled under his pillow. So the tooth fairy will be making her first visit to Will tonight. He has 2 more wiggly tooth....so the tooth fairy may be broke before the Summer is over!

Iron Chef Flach

2011-04-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

I enjoy cooking and baking when I have plenty of time to do so. Several years ago, I made some amazing homemade cinnamon rolls. A few months ago, I decided to attempt to tackle them again....this time with the assistance of Austin and Will. The rolls were still amazing but now I know why I only make them every couple of years.....they are messy! I always find it funny while watching cooking shows that there is never a mess. So here is a real life look into what cooking/baking is really about (with 2 boys).....bowls get sniffed, flour gets spilled, rolls don't look perfect, messes are made and there is a real clean up. But the rolls were still amazing :)

Cardinal Game

2011-04-25T20:46:00.000-05:00

Grandma and Grandpa Niebrugge were not able to use their Cardinal tickets last week so they offered them to Tony and me.

We gratefully accepted!!! I painted my toes Cardinal red....threw on some Cardinal gear and flip flops......and off we went!

On the way to St. Louis, you always have to be the first to spot the Arch....I kinda rock at this and always win.

We were really excited as this was our first trip to the new stadium.

We enjoyed a great game.....even a couple of home runs! We got to the game really early because we were in the Bank of America section so food/drink begin about an hour before the game. As true fans, we beared the cold weather by grabbing our food and eatting in our seats. The day was gorgeous but cold. My toes looked really pretty but it was soooooooooooo cold....I eventually broke down within the first inning and covered up my toes with a brand new Cardinal blanket. As the game continued I was either totally camera ready or the warm Cardinal blanket was great marketing material but I made it on the big screen not once but twice! The first appearance was just the plain, panning to different people. The second appearance was the 'Raise your Glass to the Troops' shot. Watching the Cardinals win in person was a great start to my Easter weekend! I can't wait to make it to another game!

Wiggly

2011-04-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

Guess what's wiggly? besides my hips, thighs and belly

Ignore the gold glasses.........his glasses broke a few weeks ago so he has been wearing replacement glasses until his new frames come in....hopefully this week!

Give up????

Will's 1st set of teeth! That's right 2 teeth at once.......my baby's got 2 loose teeth!

Me vs Glue Gun

2011-04-11T20:36:00.000-05:00

Me vs Glue Gun.....the glue gun most certainly won! I have a few ideas for different 'wreaths' for my front door. A few weeks ago, I decided to attempt wreath #1 - a very simple, clean wreath. It's basically these little (LITTLE) colored foam things that look like Kix cereal glued to a wreath outline.....easy peasy, right! But wait....I have to use a glue gun - ugh. Me + Glue Gun = lots of not so pretty words. So I made it a kid-free afternoon at my sisters.

Wreath in progress:

tiny little foam balls.........blow away very easily when you breath.....breathing is kinda a necessity....so this was quite the project.

Additional necessary supplies which had nothing to do with my stellar glue gun use:

Final product:

Full house view:

I love the look of spring!

I also spray painted and distressed my first picture frames.............I see a new obsession in my near future!

Happy Birthday, Nick

2011-03-30T20:53:00.000-05:00

Still Here

2011-03-03T20:23:00.000-06:00

Hi! I'm still here :) Thankfully, the ice and toilet are gone! The cooped up Winter Blues are going away as Spring is right around the corner. Life has continued to happen the past month - storm damage, funny kid stuff, work, etc.... It just went undocumented because Winter Sucks ya'll! It's amazing how the change of weather really does change everything. (Change of weather and a swift kick in the rear from my good friend Val - Go on - take a look - She's got a lovely little blog with a SPECTACULAR, witty name that I just may have inspired ;) ) Anywhoooooo, I'm dipping my toe back into blogging.

I'm still keeping up with everyone else's blogs. I've also started following a lot of craft/decorating/etc blogs which has inspired me to do a little crafting of my own. I've slowly started adding more of my touch to our house. I made several things around Christmas time including this for myself. Sorry for the horrible picture...You can't see the funky paper.

I decoupaged scrapbook paper to wooden letters. I've had these made since before Christmas......I finally hung them up a week or 2 ago. I've also made a few other signs...similar to the subway signs....just Flach'ed up a bit. I made 1 for the living room, 1 for the bathroom and 1 for the kitchen. I have the kitchen sign hung up but I'm still searching for the right frames for the bathroom and living room. My signs are printed on 11x13 photo paper:

Kitchen:

Living Room:

Bathroom:

These are the successful crafts.....I've had a couple unsuccessful crafts though. I have several fun vases, bowls, etc....that I've kept ~~part of~~ my collection of wine corks in. But apparently people start to worry about you when said ~~50 gallon fish tanks~~ vases, bowls, etc...begin to overflow with wine corks so I'm looking for something else to fill in some of those spaces. I have a few different ideas.....The first of which was followed by a failed attempt. I'm not oppossed to buying these decorations but thought it may be neat, relaxing and fun to try it myself. Here are a few bad photos of what I was attempting to make:

I mean how hard can it be to glue some twine, leaves, etc...to a foam ball......um HARD! I wish I would have taken a picture of my massive fail because it was quite hilairous! I will likely just purchase these. I also found a trio of these:

The trio I found was in off white and 2 shades of pink. I'd love to try to make this but I have no idea of even how to attempt that so I will likely just purchase some of these. I've also just bought a few funky platters and bowls to try to craft up somehow - not sure what I want to do with these yet.

Saturday, I'm taking a trip to Champaign with my mom and sisters to Target, Hobby Lobby, etc....since Walmart is about the only option I have in Effingham. I have a few other ideas that I need supplies for. I've been looking for something for my front door....I've found a million wreaths that I want to try to make so I need to narrow my choices down and make one. Not a flowery wreath....a fun funky one. So hopefully, I will have some successful craft pictures to show you soon!

Ice Ice Baby....Too Cold.......Too Cold

2011-02-01T19:13:00.000-06:00

All right stop! Collaborate and Listen...........Ice is back with a brand new invention......sorry....I had to do that. But it is EVERYWHERE....and it sucks.

Hocus Pocus

2011-01-24T21:01:00.000-06:00

Hocus Pocus! Ala Kaaaazaaaammmmm! The boys saw a magician during a school assembly. They went to Grandma and Grandpa Niebrugge's house after school today and talked non stop about the magician. Leave it to Grandpa Niebrugge to pull a few tricks out of his sleeve. Presenting the Great Grandpa Niebrugge:

Grandpa Magic from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

The Great Will Flach:

Will Trick from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

The Great Austin Flach:

Austin Trick from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

Note: We have since tried this as home....but in order for the kids to get their hands around the glasses....we had to use taller glasses....taller glasses = ALOT MORE WATER......ALOT MORE WATER = ALOT BIGGER MESS :)

Refuse Shipment

2011-01-19T19:10:00.001-06:00

Back to Aeropostale .......... RETURN TO SENDER!.......REFUSE SHIPMENT!!......FRAGILE!!!

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Amazing what joy 1 box brings to 2 children...

Oh....I guess we will keep him :)

Happy Birthday, Baby Daddy

2011-01-16T22:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Baby Daddy! Enjoy a few of your favorite things:

Deep Thoughts by Uncle Nick

2011-01-12T21:25:00.000-06:00

Tonight, the boys were very into wrestling. We really try to limit this as much as possible....for the fact that we don't want to buy new glasses for Will every week. So we have a contract stating the areas that the boys need to complete (obey, chores, etc...). If the contract is met, once a week Tony will wrestle, play tickle bug (which is not the cute baby tickle bug...boys.are.rough. ugh.) or something of the sort. During tonight's wrestle/tickle bug match, Will screamed while being tickled right in Tony's ear. Fast forward half an hour when it was time to shower. Will is getting undressed when Tony mentions 'Man my ear hurts....You screamed right in it'. Will's quick wit (ahemmm from his loving mother) prompted him to say 'Uncle Nick says that if you get hurt, the only way to forget about it is to hurt something else so you think about it instead.....Want me to punch you in the nuts?'.............................Deep Thoughts by Uncle Nick

Bubblegum

2011-01-12T21:14:00.000-06:00

So apparently this is the coolest song ever for kids right now.........Watch my gangsta kids bust it out. Particularly a little over 2 minutes into it when Will points out that he is in fact chewing bubble gum and the nice pose at the end.

bubblegum from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

New Beginnings of a Wonderful World

2011-01-04T20:17:00.000-06:00

I'm an advice giver. I'm that friend that people go to for advice. I must say...I give pretty good advice. I'm opinionated but I'm not pushy about my opinions. I'm honest because I know that's what you want to hear. I'm sincere because if I'm giving you advice, you are my friend. You get the point....enough tooting my own horn.....What I was getting at is that I need to start taking my own advice.

For Christmas, I gave a framed copy of the below to a dear friend as a reminder to count the blessings that she does have. (Click on the picture to enlarge)

This was my wedding song but I guess it's been awhile since I've really stopped and paid attention. There is a wonderful world around us....it is what we do with it that matters. We often place blame on the situations surrounding us but we control our destiny. I am going to take my own advice. I am choosing to make 2011 the Wonderful World that I know it can be.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, 2010

2010-12-24T23:06:00.000-06:00

May all of your greatest dreams come true. Merry Christmas!!!

With Love,

I Gotta Feelin'

2010-12-22T23:02:00.001-06:00

This afternoon marked the beginning of Christmas Break for the boys. In honor of Christmas break, I was sitting in the living room chatting with my sister while drinking a ~~bottle or so~~ glass of wine while my children played innocently in their bedroom. When suddenly the music became louder.....and I heard a few thuds. So we went into the bedroom to check out the situation to find this. They had a feeling...that tonight was going to be a good night. Ahhhh the excitement of NO SCHOOL and Christmas!

A few things to note:
They must take after me in the karaoke and dancing skills...we kinda rock.
They ARE on the top bunk of the bunkbeds.
To the right of Will, there is something blue on the wall that appears to be bubblegum..........................
What you DON'T see in the background, I'm shaking it better than Fergie ;)

Gotta Feeling from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

Saturday Surprises....HO HO HO

2010-12-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

The big red guy found us again! Austin was quite impressed that he found us all the way at Grandma Niebrugge's house when we least expected it. Saturday was a day of cookie and candy makin'! The Niebrugge women were hard at work.

(yes I'm famous...my shirt says What the Flach)

When suddenly there was a knock at the door.....The big red man found us again!!! We were not expecting the visit so it was great to see Santa! We talked about Christmas Wish Lists (IPAD, venus fly trap, IPHONE....they don't have high standards....), yellow snow, girlfriends, being good, etc...

It has become a bit of a tradition that before Santa leaves the men take a little belly shakin' lesson from the big red guy. Here is this year's edition:

We also sneak to the back of the house to try to catch a glimpse of Rudolph flying off. I was eventually banned from the room due to the flash from my camera.............

Thanks for the visit Santa!!!!

Santa 2010 from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

Let it snow...Let it snow....Let it snow

2010-12-12T20:35:00.000-06:00

Today was the first good snow of the year. Obviously, Austin and Will took advantage of that. Here are a few pictures of their fun in the snow.

Infomercial King

2010-11-18T18:43:00.001-06:00

Let me preface this by saying.....this was completely Austin's idea (minus the shirt and tie...that was mine.....I mean we are going for the real deal, right?!?) He was able to pick a prize at school for a reaching a goal in behavior points. He choose a sticky hand (which by the way will not last long....they leave marks on the walls.) So when I expressed my excitement for the prize choice, he said 'But Mom you don't know what all it can do!'. Then proceeded to do the below. The following is simply a reenactment + shirt/tie for the full effect:

Sticky Hand from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

101 Reasons Why I Love Vinegar

2010-11-16T19:41:00.000-06:00

From the moment I was born up until Sunday 5:00 p.m., I have HATED vinegar. It stinks. The smell of vinegar makes me want to puke....hurts my eyes too. I can't stand when it is used in foods....tastes funny. Ugh...It just really grossed me out. But I happened to have a gallon of it in our house....and I'm not quite sure why.

Fast forward......Sunday was laundry day. I had washed towels, sheets, etc....and I was now on that load...you know the load that had everything in it.....school clothes, jeans, every day clothes, some of my clothes, etc.....the load of laundry. I threw the load of laundry in the washing machine - can't remember what I was doing but asked Tony to throw the load into the dryer later on. Upon taking the clothes out of the dryer, we realized that someone had a hand stamp (like those Lisa Frank things....remember those) in their pocket. I'm usually pretty good about checking pockets but come on....they wear cargo kahkis to school every.single.day. Do you know how many pockets those darn things have.....I can't be that good about doing it all the time. So the day I didn't check the pockets was the day a hand stamp .....the dark blue hand stamp went through the washing machine and dryer on the load. Yes....the load. Ugh. I was practically in tears upon realizing what happened when taking the clothes out of the dryer.

What's a girl to do when something like this happens? Turn to GOOGLE and her Mom. Google said to soak the clothes in warm water, laundry detergent, ammonia (um...what do you use that for? don't have that) and vinegar. Vinegar.....ugh.....ewe.....do we even have any?!? Well...we did have some so it was worth a shot. I mean this was a huge load of laundry....ruined. There were not just blue spots...it was blue smeared all over every.single.piece.of.clothing. So I took the clothes....put them back in the washing machine...added warm water, laundry deterget and vinegar.....How much??....ehhh....just dump the rest of it in there while trying not to vomit from the smell. I don't have ammonia so let's over componsate with the vinegar. Then I called my mom.....who simply laughed....I told her what GOOGLE said.....She said 'Try it...but you may end up smelling like a pickle.' So I let it soak for about half an hour. Then I ran the cycle. I took the clothes out....Are you kidding me??!?!?!?!?!?! It all appeared to have come out........all of it. Vinegar worked?!?!?! I threw the clothes in the dryer while crossing every toe and finger I had.....Upon taking the clothes out of the dryer realized that it really did work. For the 101 pieces of clothing I had in that load of laundry....that is why I now love vinegar. 101 Reasons Why I NOW Love Vinegar

Trick or Treat 2010

2010-11-01T14:49:00.000-05:00

We had an unpleasant visitor for Trick or Treat. Mr. Flu Bug :( Austin and Will were super excited to Trick or Treat.....so excited that I finally let them get into their costumes a couple of hours early. Will made 3 emergency exits from his costume to hit the bathroom in those couple of hours. Austin has a nervous belly so he kept asking Will why he was nervous about Trick or Treating. We had our traditional pre-Trick or Treat dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Flach's house at 5:00. Not realizing that it was the flu bug, I figured a little food in his belly might be the best medicine so we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house and ate dinner. After dinner, Will was ready to Trick or Treat so we headed down the street. We made it about 2 streets before his belly began to hurt again so we headed home. Once home, the vomitting began. Halloween without actually eatting any candy.....no fun. Will had a rough night with vomiting every couple of hours. Today, he seems to be on the mend. Halloween just doesn't seem the same without 2 sugar'd up kids running around. Mr. Flu bug go away....you are not welcome here.

Here are a few pictures of the night.....Army Men and Crazy Illini Fans:

Trick or Treat

Niebrugge Halloween 2010

2010-10-30T21:11:00.000-05:00

The Annual Niebrugge Halloween Party was a smashing success once again......no scary hay rides, etc....this year - just a simple evening by the fire. Let me preface the post by stating that we go for funny costumes for this party. Austin and Will have other Halloween costumes for trick or treating but were totally up for the group costume idea.

Hannah Montanna, Lilly and Hannah's crew

Hunter, Cowgirl Diva and Billy the Exterminator

Witch and The Fairly Odd Parents - Cosmo and Wanda

Toy Story Woody and Puppy

Drag Queen (who was packing...) and Chick Magnet

Hostile Cardinal Fans

Dr and Operation Game Guy

HALLOWEEN 2010 OUTTAKES

This CRACKS me up

Woody getting fresh with Hannah

Hannah's crew running through the field

Boys will be boys

Hannah groupie playin' ball

Cosmo was always loosing his tiara

WTF Weekend Take 3

2010-10-22T19:51:00.000-05:00

WTF (Weber Thoele Flach) weekend #3 takes place tomorrow! Before our milkshakes turn into Ensure shakes, we have vowed to take make the most of these weekends together. We start early and end late.....with all sorts of fun in between.

The purpose of the weekend is to make a dent in Christmas shopping (we are early this year but 3 moms here with busy schedules). In reality, we go for the company. These are 2 of my best friends.....friends I've had a long time.....friends I've had so much fun with.....friends I've been through alot with....friends who have always been there for me.....friends who I've made many memories with......

(I'm pretty sure this was our first WTF shopping weekend....it was back when we were BBN though....Senior Year of HighSchool trip to Springfield)

friends I love and can't wait to make many many more memories with.

WTF Weekend #3 Here We Come!!!

Yep...That's My Kid

2010-10-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

We had parent teacher conferences tonight. We were walking down the halls of the school that are lined with children's art and projects. I stopped to find Austin's pumpkin which states what good thing he is going to do. Here are a few samples: Help my Grandma, Go to Church every Sunday, Pay Attention, Help my Mom, Don't Cuss Like a F#$#% Sailor......WHAT?!?!? Ok.....Not quite in those exact words....more like Don't Say Bad Words........Among all of the good deeds......He chose....not.to.cuss. Thank You Everyone....that's my boy ;)

This is a real picture....not enhanced......his head looks like it is on sideways.........

Cutest Kids Ever

2010-10-20T18:02:00.000-05:00

I may be biased....but aren't these the cutest kids ever.

Tales from My Bedroom

2010-10-19T20:15:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, we were snuggled up in bed.........hold up....backup a bit....I'm a bit disturbed that dispite the title of this post.....you've still made it this far. What were you planning on reading regarding Tales of My Bedroom? That's kinda creepy.....This is not that kinda post........I've told you before.....mind out of the gutter. Austin, Will and I were laying in bed talking. I can't remember why....but I was trying to keep them occupied for a few minutes so I started up a random conversation. We were talking about why I love them so much. The conversation then turned to why they love me. They took turns explaining why:

Austin: I love you because you are nice.

Will: I love you because you are kind.

Austin: that is the same thing...

Will: I love you because you are pretty.

Austin: I love you because you are beautiful.

Me: Ok sooooooooo I'm just nice and pretty?

Austin: I love you because you are smart.

Will: I love you because you are intellegent.

Austin: giggled

Me: Why are you giggling?

Austin: He said intellegent.

Me to Will: Do you know what intellegent means?

Will totally straight faced and serious: It means you have big boobs.

Austin: giggles uncontrollably

Me: Figures...........No it means smart.

Will: Oh...well you do have big boobs.

Smile at the Fireflies and Dynamite

2010-10-18T10:02:00.001-05:00

There are 3 songs played constantly in our house, car, ipods, etc.....CONSTANTLY.

Song #1 Smile :) which I displayed in a previous post.

Song #2 Dynamite....

Ohhhhhh that song...Ok now I know what song you are talking about.....

Song #3 Fireflies - This song reminds me of Summer. Although, I love the fall weather. I miss Summer...I miss the ease of Summer. I have a ton of pictures from this Summer that I haven't posted so I threw some together in this video.

SMILE

2010-10-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

I've been more than M.I.A.....I've been just plain BUSY lately. Hours, days, weeks have flown by.....Work, school, life is just plain busy! I'll get back in my groove eventually :) But for now, I'm just taking what life is giving me and smiling..........

Austin and Will play this on Austin's Ipod 10 times a day while singing at the top of their lungs. I caught one on video. I swear the brotherly love in the middle was real....I simply had out the camera. SMILE :)

Smile from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

Happy 9th Birthday, Austin!!

2010-09-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

Happy 9th Birthday, Austin!!! You've grown sooooooooo much over the years.

Love You!!!

I Know I Know

2010-09-22T20:43:00.000-05:00

I know I know......I'm a bit of a slacker. This summer has flown by. Today is the first day of Fall!! School is in full swing. Baseball is winding down. Homework is homework........ugh. Life is crazy busy!!! Sooooooooooooooo busy in fact......that tonight, Austin looked at the wall calendar and said

"Uh.....Mom.....It's September. Why does the calendar say August?"

Yes.....It is nearing the end of September and my calendar still says August.

Happy Grandparent's Day!!!

2010-09-12T14:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Grandparents Day to all of the special grandparents out there! Unfortunately, I never got the change to know my Grandparents very well. But the wisdom and love that they passed down to my parents plays a huge part in my life.

Austin and Will are blessed with 4 Grandparents and 4 Great Grandparents.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Flach

Papa Jack and Granny Jo Klay (Great Grandparents)

Grandma and Grandpa Flach

Grandma and Grandpa Niebrugge

4 Grandparents and 4 Great Grandparents........that's alot of wisdom. In an effort to tap into that wisdom, I sat Austin and Will down (separately) to ask them a few questions about their Grandparents (Flach and Niebrugge). Let's get to know them:

Grandma Flach

1. How old is Grandma?

Will: Um 80 uh oh

Austin: 70 something still uh oh

2. What is your favorite thing to do with Grandma?
     Will: Go to Rhondas   This is where they swim
     Austin: Go to the movies

3. What is one thing Grandma says a lot?
     Will: Did you learn anything in school?
     Austin: Do you want a snack?

4. What is Grandma’s favorite food?
     Will: Popcorn chicken
     Austin: Hotdogs Really?

5. What makes Grandma laugh?
    Will: Connor Connor Storm
    Austin: Will

6. What does Grandma do when you are not around?
     Will: Go to work
     Austin: I don’t know – watch tv?

7. If Grandma were famous, what would it be for?
    Will: Rockstar Trend to follow....
    Austin: Sleeping hahaha

8. What is Grandma not good at?
    Will: Checkers
    Austin: Staying awake for a long period of time

9. What does Grandma do for her job?
    Will: Nurse
    Austin: Nurse

10. How do you know Grandma loves you?
     Will: She doooos stuff. She does stuff.
     Austin: She buys us popcorn chicken.

Grandma Niebrugge

1. How old is Grandma?

Will: 80 uh oh
Austin: 69 Prize for the closest they came in age.

2. What is your favorite thing to do with Grandma?
Will: Make Koolaid
Austin: Go swimming or just play inside

3. What is one thing Grandma says a lot?
Will: Go swimming
Austin: Alexa

4. What is Grandma’s favorite food?
Will: Hotdogs Really?!?
Austin: Hamburger Helper This cracks me up to....She does make hamburger helper for the boys every once in a while because they like it.

5. What makes Grandma laugh?
Will: Alexa
Austin: Will Trend here....Will is funny.

6. What does Grandma do when you are not around?
Will: Watch TV
Austin: Sew or garden

7. If Grandma were famous, what would it be for?
Will: Rock star
Austin: Sewing clothes

8. What is Grandma not good at?
Will: Computer
Austin: Fishing

9. What does Grandma do for her job?
Will: Work at the cross. They volunteer at the Cross.
Austin: She doesn’t really have a job anymore – she just sews now.

10. How do you know Grandma loves you?
Will: She tells me.
Austin: She makes donuts after school. mmmmmm donuts

Grandpa Flach
1. How old is Grandpa?

Will: 80 Everyone is 80....
Austin: 70 something

2. What is your favorite thing to do with Grandpa?
Will: Tease him about the Cardinals VERY true
Austin: Watching movies at their house

3. What is one thing Grandpa says a lot?
Will: The Cubs will beat the Cardinals
Austin: Cardinals Stink

4. What is Grandpa’s favorite food?
Will: Oreos
Austin: Hotdogs What is with all the hotdog talk?

5. What makes Grandpa laugh?
Will: Me
Austin: Will

6. What does Grandpa do when you are not around?
Will: Go to work
Austin: Watches news or works on the computer

7. If Grandpa were famous, what would it be for?
Will: Rock star
Austin: Cubs player

8. What is Grandpa not good at?
Will: Computer
Austin: Cheering for the Cardinals Funny...

9. What does Grandpa do for her job?
Will: I don’t know.
Austin: You know…I don’t know this one. I think the boys need to visit Grandpa at work.

10. How do you know Grandpa loves you?
Will: He tells me.
Austin: Cause he says Cubs will beat Cardinals. What??

Grandpa Niebrugge
1. How old is Grandpa?

Will: 80
Austin: 84

2. What is your favorite thing to do with Grandpa?
Will: Play with airplanes and stuff.
Austin: Watch tv and play stuff – He doesn’t get in the pool

3. What is one thing Grandpa says a lot?
Will: YES!
Austin: YES! They know who to ask....Grandpa always says Yes!

4. What is Grandpa’s favorite food?
Will: Popcorn   True
Austin: Potatoes   True

5. What makes Grandpa laugh?
Will: Alexa
Austin: Will or me

6. What does Grandpa do when you are not around?
Will: Go to the shop to work.
Austin: Garden or build in the shop

7. If Grandpa were famous, what would it be for?
Will: Rock Star Obviously...the only type of famous person is a Rock Star
Austin: Gardening

8. What is Grandpa not good at?
Will: Computer
Austin: ohhh this ones hard – I would say sewing That's funny to even picture Grandpa sewing.

9. What does Grandpa do for her job?
Will: Work at the cross
Austin: He doesn’t have a job anymore so he just gardens.

10. How do you know Grandpa loves you?
Will: He tells me and builds me stuff.
Austin: He hugs us a lot and tells us a lot and always says YES to everything.

Happy Grandparent's Day Grandmas and Grandpas!!!! We love you!!!

Growing Vocabulary Part 2

2010-09-10T21:15:00.001-05:00

So remember this? Apparently, we still have so vocabulary to work on..... The boys and I were headed to a baseball game. On our way out, my next door neighbor who is 81 maybe 82 stopped me in the driveway to tell me about how he was feeling. We were in a bit of a hurry so I chatted quickly and hopped into the van where Austin and Will were waiting. Will was messing around looking for a toy instead of getting buckled in so I in not so many words...told him to hurry his butt up and get into the car seat or we would be late. Will shot back with 'Why were you talking with Bob about his erection if we are late?' Hoping to hide my shocked WTF reaction I question what he was talking about?!??!?! Turns out he heard the portion where Bob was telling me about his ear infection. What is crazy about this....Austin had the same vocab problem when he was younger. He had alot of ear infections and always called them ear erections. It's not like they know what the word erection is....I don't think....But we've already had the Frank and Beans conversation and we now how well that went. Soooooooo we are just not going to go there for a while.

Willy Man

2010-08-29T19:14:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to post about Will's Kindergarten checkup for sometime now. I guess it was a blessing in disguise that I hadn't got around to this post because now I have pictures!!!! You see....I had a bit of a computer disaster this winter. I lost alot of my old pictures.....devastating. So you can imagine my excitement when Jane found a cd at my Mom and Dad's house labeled 'Sandy's Pictures'. A post of more of these pictures in the near future and by near future I mean when when I get a chance to do it.
Will's kindergarten stats weigh in at 41 inches and 36 lbs which puts in him in the 1% range......no....not 10%....not 11%.....but 1% range. Take a look at Will when he was younger compared to now. BIG difference. I mean look at those cheeks!! Obviously, he's lost his baby fat. Will is tiny but definitely growing...slowly but surely. He is strong....soooooooo strong. In fact, I'm such an A+ mom that as I type this he has climbed up the fireplace without standing on anything. He has mad muscles and not an inch of fat on his body but he eats and eats and eats. He likes yogurt, cheese, milk, popsicles, apples.......things that are pretty healthy. One day, he will hit his growth spurt and I'll be amazed that he was at the 1% range. Just as I'm amazed that he was once my chunky little baby boy.

First Day of School

2010-08-23T19:50:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late for the obligatory first day of school pictures. School started on Thursday. I am now the mother of a Kindergarten and 3rd grade boy. Yikes. Despite my fears of kicking and screaming kids......the first day went GREAT! Wednesday night, bedtime was not a problem....no nerves (who's kids are these?!). Thursday morning, they woke up without a problem - got dressed without a problem - took pictures without a problem (for reals.) - ran to the car to go to school. It was crazy. Thursday and Friday were half day sessions. But they were still ready to go back today so that was good news! Knock on wood.........but school has got off to a great start.

Here's my story via pictures:

Kindergarten meet and greet - they have a SLIDE in their CLASSROOM

Will at his desk at the meet and greet

Austin 'smooth as butter' (as his shirt reads) standing outside of his classroom at Will's meet and greet

First Day of School - Will eating breakfast and watching tv in the kitchen...not sad...just not fully awake

Austin stumbling into his clothes

Boys in front of the fireplace

Mommy and the boys

Austin and Will

Will - Kindergarten.....HERE I COME

Austin - 3rd Grade.....HERE I COME

Mom.....let me go.

Really....I'll be ok. I'll see you after school.

Will - 2nd day

Austin - 2nd day

Austin and Will - 2nd day

2nd day pictures a bit much??? They wouldn't let me take 3rd day pictures......................

Picnic Fun

2010-08-18T19:41:00.000-05:00

The annual St. Anthony Picnic was this weekend. Jane, Graham, Tony and I chaired the Big Wheel Stand this year. The picnic has always been bittersweet for me. I loved it as a child but it always means the school year is right around the corner. Not alot has changed with the picnic so we knew we wanted to jazz our stand up a bit...make our mark. What better to jazz up a stand than glow in the dark paint, neon cut outs, black lights and music?!?!

We had some wonderful help in the stand (Thoele's, Storm's and Tucker's to name a few) and some unexpected visitors (Antisdel's). We appreciated all the help and support !

Austin and Will spent much of Saturday and Saturday night at Grandma and Grandpa Niebrugge's. It was H-O-T! But Sunday the entire day and night at the picnic. They were WONDERFUL! Our stand was right next to the playground so much of the time was spent there. But they pretty much took care of themselves the entire day.

Sunday was a long one..........we left the picnic around 1 AM...with the kids. We decided to grab a bite to eat since we really hadn't had much all day. BUT not before running home to pee in a real bathroom. When we got home, leave it to Will to find a toad.

baby toad

We ended up meeting Jane and Graham for a laaaaaaaaaaaaaaate dinner. By the looks of the waitresses faces, I know we were seen as model parents :) Hellooooooooo, don't all children eat dinner at 1:30 AM?

All in all we had a great picnic weekend. We have bigger, better plans for next year!!

Love your Anut

2010-08-10T20:27:00.000-05:00

I'm blessed to have 2 wonderful God Daughters - Taylor and Alexa. Taylor is lucky enough to share an almost birthday with me. (August 11th Taylor - August 12th Me) Taylor is starting her first day of 6th Grade on her birthday. Happy Birthday, huh?

I can't wait to see you this weekend!!! Enjoy your Birthday video! I love you!!!!!!!!

Love, Anut Sandy

ps. I know how to spell....

Cardinal Friday

2010-08-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday? Monday?? Tuesday??? What day is it? Do you remember those day of the week undies growing up?

Just sayin'.............I always wanted a set of these. I would think that if you weren't sure what day it was....all you would have to do is check out your undies. I guess I'll never know...........

Well, Will has his own version of these undies. We are proud Cardinal fans. That reminds me....I need to do a post on the boys' bedroom. Grandpa Flach is a proud Cub fan. Will LOVES to pester Grandpa Flach about the Cardinals. He even talked Grandma Flach into buying a box of Cardinal Kleenex to put next to Grandpa's side of the bed so Pujols could comfort Grandpa when he had his cold.

Thinking back, I guess I never realized what was going on. Towards the end of the week at shower time, Will always begins to ask "What day is tomorrow?" as he is grabbing his underwear. This has gone on for months!!!!! A few weeks ago on a Wednesday, Austin told Will that tomorrow is Friday. After shower, Will mentioned something to me about going to Grandma Flachs the next day (they go to Grandma Flach's each Friday). I explained that tomorrow is Thursday not Friday. Will set his red underwear on the bench and went downstairs for a new pair of underwear. Of course, I questioned why he had to get new underwear. Apparently every single Friday, Will has worn his Cardinal Red undies............to tease Grandpa Flach. I guess just the thought that he has his Cardinal Red undies on despite Grandpa's love for the Cubs just thrills Will. I know I can be onry........but this boy. Wow.

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you get when.....

2010-08-04T20:43:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you cross a sack of Popsicle sticks with Grandpa Niebrugge? Well....we will get to that. Let's back track to about a month ago.

It was Saturday and the house was in desperate need of a full cleaning. So I enlisted the whole family to help. Tony was working on the living room, the boys were working on their play room and I was working on the kitchen. Fast forward a few days.......Will was eating a Popsicle (a total summer fav... I swear we go through 2 boxes a week....which I would soon know why). He finished the Popsicle, walked over to a potted plant (YA I have 1 plant that is alive!) on a table in front of a window in our living room, pushed back the leaves and broke down into big crocodile tears. We had no idea what had happened. It turns out that he had been saving all of his Popsicle sticks from the entire Spring/Summer (in case you are wondering.........dusting does occur in my house.....occasionally.....like very rarely......but occasionally) and the stash was GONE. The look on Tony's face BUSTED him. He knew he threw them away when he cleaned the living room. Why he didn't question a stack of Popsicle sticks......behind a plant.......well I have no idea. Will was soooooo upset. Austin and Will are both a bit of collectors....junk collectors.....McDonald's toys, containers, sticks, stones, etc...etc.... They want to keep everything! Now that can be seen as resourceful but in most cases I see it as junk....dare I said hoarders. So I wasn't surprised that he had a hidden collection of something but didn't foresee an actual use for the collection. But Will was very upset as if the collection truly meant something to him. It turns out that he had been saving the Popsicle sticks to bring to Grandpa Niebrugge. What?! Yes....to bring to Grandpa Niebrugge. Since Grandpa Niebrugge can build anything (which is very true.....he has built sooooooooooooo much of the furniture in our house. He has SUCH a talent. One that even children can spot.) so he was hoping he could give him his Popsicle sticks for free to build him something. What honestly children have.....He wasn't even going to charge Grandpa Niebrugge to use his Popsicle sticks to build him something.

Obviously, we felt horrible so we allowed a new collection of Popsicle sticks (and helped out with consuming some FudgePops, BombPops, etc...) until we had a sizable collection. Then Will presented Grandpa with "the goods" and his wish for something to be built. A week later (anything for the Grand kids!)......Will proudly comes home with this:

his very own outhouse (puhlease do not try to use this.......reminder to self....tell him NOT to try to use it......)

complete with door hinges and doorknob

moon on the back....stink pipe up top (ewe)....

other side....

the interior view...with (as Will says) 3 toilets....1 for peeing...1 for pooping....1 for puking ( I swear he's not seen the morning after toilet bowl hugging around here......)

Thank You Grandpa Niebrugge!!!! Will loves this more than you will ever know! He is very proud of it! We love you!!!!

Just keep swimming

2010-07-28T20:33:00.000-05:00

When life get you down....You know what you do???? Just keep swimming Just keep swimming Just keep swimming swimming swimming....that seems to be the theme this Summer. Swim.Swam.Swum....we've done it.

Neither Austin nor Will have had technically had swimming lessons. Last year, we tried sending Austin to swimming lessons but he was too shy to do anything. I'm just so talented all around (sha!) that I think my talents have just poured out into them naturally. Austin really got the hang of swimming on his own last year. Will started this Summer with floaties and this is how he is ending the Summer.....like a flipping, kicking little fish! A special shout out to Gene and Rhonda for letting the boys come over to swim soooooooooooo many Fridays! Thank You!!!

Side note: Will needs to gain a bit of weight.....hence him loosing his swimming trunks. Also, totally not sure where they got the 'ninja bow' from before each trick.........they do this all the time.

Untitled from Sandy Flach on Vimeo.

Tie Die For

2010-07-28T19:38:00.000-05:00

I know....I know...I've been M.I.A. for awhile. I'm trying to soak in every last minute of Summer in between baseball games, work, Dr appts, dentist appts, etc.... I'm a busy gal. More on that at a different time....maybe.

Tonight's post is about a project we did this weekend....This project was Tie Die for (to die for....tie die for....you with me....get it?!?!?)! Everyone was home at Grandma and Grandpa Niebrugge's house this weekend. So we decided to do a fun project with all of the grandkids. This is how we do it......

	Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Instructor Aunt Kay....I want boobs this BIG....oh wait....this is about Tie Die

Knot the shirt

Twist it and rubber band

Jump on the table and give a big smile

Pose for Mommy while pushing eachother

Put on some rubber gloves and squirt die

Squirt more die

Smile at the camera, let dry, rinse and wash

This is the final project.

Smells Like............

2010-07-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I was very busy cooking a new meal. I was wrapped up in reading the recipe, cutting up veggies, trying not to burn stuff, etc....when Will ran up to me with a squirty toy like this.....

He immediately said 'Mom Smell this'.....Now don't get me wrong.....in a normal setting no way in hell would I have so nonchalently have smelled that....but like I said I was busy. So I smelled it sniffing in a nice big whiff and responded 'That smells funny' Will responded 'So it still smells like pee....because Austin dropped it in the toliet with his pee. He tried washing it. I guess that didn't work.' I with my hands full of food said 'He what?!?!?!?!?!? For real?!?!?!?!?? He peed on this thing?!?!?!?!? Throw that away?!?!?!?!?!' Will said 'He washed it.'

Moral of story: Whether you are busy or not....never give in to a request of Smell This..........

Side note: It ended up in the trash.

Sound It Out

2010-07-16T19:54:00.000-05:00

Will asked for a piece of paper. He set the paper down in the living room, went into the playroom and came out with scissors (yep...star mom....there are scissors in the playroom...how else can they open their own popsicles without a pair of scissors handy), glue stick (in case they have to glue their finger back on from playing with the scissors) and a pen (to write on the wall....all kids have done this). He sat at the table in the living room focused on cutting the paper into little squares (ending up all over the living room floor). He then began to write/draw on the squares. I couldn't see what he was doing..... He was concentrating very hard on what he was doing. Then he brought me this......

We've never worked on spelling his last name. So I think he did really good at sounding it out!!!

Sticks and Stones Will Break Bones

2010-07-15T18:01:00.001-05:00

Austin and Will are 2 of the older kids at the sitter's house so they often ask to bring something along to play with during their day. (not that the sitter doesn't have toys.....they simply want to bring something of their own) I've always said I'm fine with them bringing something as long as they share with others. I will not allow them to bring a toy into a group of other children without sharing it. So they will often bring a bag of trucks, their DS, mp3 player, etc....They are pretty good with sharing with others (not eachother....but others) so I'm fine with them bringing toys along.

Tony has been bringing the boys in the morning so I normally don't see them as they are walking out the door (while I'm still upstairs 'cause I'm a fly gal getting my nails done and my hair 'did' so I look like a HalleBerry posta Missy Elliott). So tonight, I went to pickup the boys from the sitter.....and they walked out with the toy they brought along......while I held my head with embarassment wondering why in the hell they brought these along?!?!?!

teddy bears......no

water guns......no

cars and trucks.........no

real life Ninja swords......pretty damn close

2 sticks.........yes.........2 rod like sticks.......to play with

Now...no doubt they had fun playing with these 2 sticks all day. But I don't think this was the safest choice of toys to bring into a group of other children. Thankfully, there were not cracked heads today.

Jane Jane That's Her Name!!!

2010-07-07T18:30:00.001-05:00

July 8th....It's my sister Jane's Birthday. It's also my brother Doug's Birthay but he will get a card because he doesn't read my blog....shame on him. Happy Birthday, Doug!! Also, just a heads up I've got 2 more family birthdays in July :)

So anywhooooooooo Jane - Will wanted to buy you a credit card (hells no!) while Austin wanted to buy you a $7.00 birthday card.....we compromised with a blog post. So I sat the boys down and we talked about the things that we like about Jane....Hey, uh huh huh Hey, uh huh huh

	The Romantics - What I Like About You .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

These are things we like about you:

Cause she can do ANYTHING - Will
She will let you play her Wii - Austin
She buys us stuff like Play Doh - Austin
She buys us candy - Will
She lets us play with her MoonSand and Play Doh - Austin
She buys us donuts after school - Austin
She keeps fruit rollups and stuff at her house - Will
She lets us play her...um her....games? - Will
She makes Graham let us play his PlayStation - Austin

Will said ....or you could just say PS2...that's the same thing.

She lets us play with her toys - Will
She is our aunt - Will
She is nice - Austin
She is awesome - Austin
She is cool - Will
She is excellent at reading - Austin
She is good at changing diapers - Austin
She makes us feel better when we get hurt - Will (Austin said...Hey I said that too)
She makes us feel better when we are sad - Austin
She is great at changing pee diapers - Will
She has blonde hair - Austin
She has cats - Austin
She lets us play with her dogs - Will
When the dogs come up to us, she will push them away - Austin

Happy Birthday, Jane!!! We love you!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Will!

2010-07-05T18:26:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July 2010

2010-07-05T15:17:00.002-05:00

Flach

2010-06-30T19:13:00.002-05:00

Good-Bye Mrs. Plain Jane

2010-06-22T19:12:00.001-05:00

The time has come.....to buy a new alarm clock. I've had my alarm clock for years...........I mean......it's not like one of these

.............more like one of these.

That's right...I rock the old school alarm clock...Plain.Jane.Alarm.Clock. But I've been pushing fate by continuing to use Mrs. Plain Jane. You see....Mrs. Plain Jane has been through alot. She's been there to wake me up in time for leaving for trips, college exams, work, going to the hospital to have my babies, etc.... She's been dropped, moved, hit and even weathered several storms. She's been a trooper. But she's fading....Ohhhhhhh how she is fading. She's loosing her first digit and of all pieces of information.....that's the most important piece! I mean....waking up to see my clock say 6:__.....well that's ok.....I know that I have at least 50 minutes to get going before work. But waking up to see __:09.....I could have 50 minutes, 1 hour 50 minutes or 7 hours 50 minutes....You never know! So since Mrs. Plain Jane has started to fade in her <> front digit area, it's time to put her to rest.

Yesterday, I ventured out to replace Mrs. Plain Jane. Holy Alarm Clocks, Batman......Stop the Presses....There are no Plain.Jane.Alarm.Clocks anymore. It's like the Jetsons have arrived! It's all Mrs. Fancy Pants alarm clocks now. So I purchased the cheapest Mrs. Fancy Pants built like a rocket scientist alarm clock...that's right....the alarm is smarter than me!

Mrs. Fancy Pants takes a car battery!!! Ok...well maybe not technically a car battery...but kinda...the battery that is used in keychain-car-unlocker-thingys (totally a word....). It doesn't just have the AA batteries where you can simply find an old toy to steal batteries out of when you need to replace them....you have to make an attempt to purchase these batteries.

Mrs. Fancy Pants also comes along with an instruction manual....yes manual...meaning that it was like 10 pages long.....for an alarm clock.

Mrs. Fancy Pants is a radio/alarm. Ya....that may not sound all high tech....But remember...I was rocking an old school alarm clock.

Mrs. Fancy Pants has gentle wakeup. She's a robot that runs to Starbucks....sets a Venti Mocha next to my bed gently waking me to the smell of my coffee.

Alright.........not so much....but gentle wake is still pretty cool. Mrs. Fancy Pants goes <>beep, beep, beep, <>beep, beep, beep, <> beep, beep, beep, <<@#$@#$@#$@# LOUD>> BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.....How do I know it gets that loud? Well ...as I stated....it's a rocket scientist alarm clock.....so it has LOTS of buttons...that I may or may not have hit several this morning in an effort to turn.it.off.

Relationships take time.....Mrs. Fancy Pants and I are still getting aquainted.

To My Babies Daddy

2010-06-20T12:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day, Tony! You handle the job of baby daddy pretty well :) We've made it through alot....rough times and fun times.....dirty diapers, sleep walking peeing kids, hospital bills, disagreements, etc....times that we've felt like we have nothing yet we have so much.....2 beautiful little boys that love us unconditionally. You add so much to our family. We don't say Thank You enough for all that you do. We are proud of you. Always know that we love you now and forever.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!!

2010-06-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

Yep...another birthday! Birthdays are almost an every week thing throughout Spring and Summer for our family. Today is my dad's. So now that I've sort of got the hang of the photo montage.....here comes one!

Dad,

I love you more than you will ever know. I can only pray to be the kind of role model that you have always been to me. The lessons I've learned from you (including how to be a smart ass, etc...) will stick with me my entire life. As proud as you are of your family, just know that we are ten times more proud to call you our father. Thank You for all that you have done for me!! Love you always and forever! Happy Birthday!

Surprise!!! Happy 70th!!!

2010-06-17T06:53:00.000-05:00

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!! The trip to Kentucky went off without a hitch! Everyone was on time and we successfully surprised my mom. Rewind........Sit back this is a long one.........I'm going to tackle it all in one post.

The Effingham group stuck together on drive there. We stopped in Shelbyville, Indiana to eat lunch, sang a little birthday tune to Emma who happened to have a birthday that day and were back on the road again. The traveling time was not bad for a long weekend trip (about 4 hours). We traveled 4 states (some more than once) in less than 4 hours...talk about impressive! The GPS took us through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and back to Kentucky....it was wierd.

We arrived about 3:30 EST to the property manager still taking care of a bit of business (ahem removing a tiny snake from the pool drain...EWE!). A storm had hit Burlington the night before.....which resulted in some flooding of the house's basement. The property manager was scrambling to clean up it's mess along with the regular cleaning.

The house was huge which is a necessity when you gather my entire family. The layout was kind of different though....and the bedroom situations....well they were just wierd. Every bedroom had some sort of bunkbed set to allow for plenty of sleeping space....even the master bedroom. I had laid out sleeping arrangements for the entire family prior to the trip to make arrival easier as several of us would need to share bedrooms.

So the Effingham group arrived and dropped off our stuff in our respective bedrooms. One of the basement bedrooms which we were set to share with Ang and Nick....only had 2 sets of bunkbeds while the other "bedroom"/living room had 1 bunk bed and a futon...so we immediately knew that there would need to be some rearranging of sleeping arrangements. Ang and Nick opted to sleep in the 2 sets of bunkbeds in Mom and Dad's room. After setting our stuff down in our room, I knew that I would be sneaking off somewhere else to sleep because I spotted 2 spiders in a matter of minutes....so I didn't have that warm, cozy, sleeping vibe. I know I know...call me a wuss...I admit it. I dropped my stuff and we set off to ~~scope out my new bedroom~~ explore the house. A few mintues later, the Indiana group (The Tucker Family) arrived with the Kentucky group (The Niebrugge Family) mintues later. We decided to gather on the enormous front porch for the big reveal. Picture 23 people sitting on the front porch anxiously waiting for their Mommy/Grandma to come up the long windy drive. 1 hour later....still waiting....She is NEVER late....but....ahem 20 minutes late for her "appointment with the homeowner".....they finally pull up the drive to 23 people waiting on the front porch. My dad told her Happy Birthday as they approached the house and all of the grandchildren ran out to ~~ambush~~ greet her. We pulled off the long awaited surprise. It was great! Now....the beginning to a great weekend.

We changed into our swim suits....and pretty much stayed this way for the next 3 days. We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in the pool....had a quick dinner....showers....and played cards in the carpeted garage area late into the evening. When the adults were playing cards, the kids were in the basement playing cards, wii, etc..... I went down to check on them when one of my younger nieces told me to check out something really neat under Aunt Monica's bed....the room right.next.to.mine. Afraid of seeing another spider, I refused asking one of my other neices to check it out (that's right...throw 'em to the wolves). She screamed...."There's a mouse in a trap!" Obviously, I screamed and ran upstairs. I ever so politely mentioned that there was no way in H E double hockey sticks that my ass was sleeping downstairs with the frickin' mouse. So we ended up moving in with Jane, Graham and Alexa for the weekend. (Their bedroom had 2 futons and 1 twin bed....kids were booted to the floor :) )

The rest of the weekend (arrival Thursday...departure Monday) was pretty relaxed....simply lounging in the pool...hanging out....stupid human tricks....

you know....the usual. But we loved every minute of our family weekend.

I threw together a quick video tour of the house if you would like to see......please accept my apologies ahead of time for the random narration and the jerky hand.....just have a puke bag handy.....speaking of having a puke bag handy....Will got sick....pukey sick....the morning that we left.....and was car sick much of the ride home.

I also threw together a photo montage of pictures from the weekend. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed the whole weekend. Once again, Happy 70th Birthday Mom! I hope you enjoyed the weekend!!! We love you very much!!

Finally, I leave you with some random quotes of the weekend:

Nick to Jason 'Dude, Don't zoom your brother in law.'
Will to Me 'Nathan says y'all alot....that means You All...and I don't know why he says that...It's like a German accident (accent....and he is from Kentucky....not Germany) or something'

It's a Surprise

2010-06-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

I've been busy!!! I've always said that I could be a secret agent...like this.....

except for the whole secret thing...I'm not so good at that. But I can snoop around like no one's business! I've now prooved that I can keep a secret. But keeping secrets is hard work yo' ;) As you know, my mom turned 70!!! So for the past several months, we've been brewing up a BIG SURPRISE!!! We are going here

to do this

At this time Thursday night, I will be relaxing with my entire family. My mom thinks she is going to a MLB game which just so happens to be near this house. We set up an appointment for her to 'check it out' as a possiblity for a family vacation in the future. We have managed to keep this secret for months! We are ecstatic to be able to surprise her with the entire family waiting here when she comes for her appointment. I just hope she isn't disappointed when she finds out she isn't going to the MLB game ;)

So today, I've been busy packing .....not only for my family....but for my mom and dad as well. My mom thinks that she will only be gone for a couple of days so I had to pack an extra bag. We also have to bring our own towels, sheets, etc...so that equals ALOT of packing. I didn't inform Austin and Will of our plans until last night as I feared they may spill the beans. But now that they know, they are soooooooo excited to spend the next several days with all of their cousins! Soooooooooo excited that they have been willing to help out with all the small jobs of packing

So you won't hear from me for a few days. But I promise pictures of our Fun in the Sun (I HOPE SUN...) when I return!!!

Oh No You Didn't

2010-06-08T20:07:00.000-05:00

Who's Your Daddy??

2010-06-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

Who's your daddy??? Luke...he's your father.

Will was playing Star Wars. Here's a clip of him playing 'Darth Deters'....that's right....He says he is 'Darth Deters'.

Kazam Damn It Kazam

2010-06-01T18:44:00.000-05:00

Everyone remembers the infamous scene from The Christmas Story....right? If by chance your TV doesn't work in between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day depriving you from watching The Christmas Story, this is the scene I'm talking about.

Take a chill pill.....I'm not talking about the big one...the queen mother of bad words.....But I have to admit....the older I get....the more I swear like a sailor. I don't know where it came from...I really don't. It's ok. Your children can still be around me....It's not like I have Tourette's yelling @#@#@#$@#$@ all the time. I just slip a word every once in a while. Just don't piss me off!! I'm just sayin'. LOL...

So anyway...on with my @#@#@#@#@ story, Austin, Will and I were in the grocery. Will was stopping at every single coupon dispenser in every single aisle to save money so we can go vacation (his words). After waiting on him to grab his 10 millionth coupon ever so slowly, I started walking down the aisle to get on with my shopping. I made it half way down the aisle before he realized that I was not waiting around any longer...so he grabbed the coupon and started running toward me......his foot slipped.....causing him to stumble to the ground.....as he did....I swear in slow motion....he said Damn It. Clear.As.Day. My mouth hung open as I looked at him while Austin let out a loud laugh saying 'Will is in trouble!!!!!!!!' It was like straight out of The Christmas Story. Before I could say anything to him, Will looked at me as if he knew he was in trouble and said 'I said Kazam, Mom. I said Kazam!'. I literally was speakless....more or less because I was shocked and trying to hold back my laughter. Not that I want my children yelling @#@#@#@# all the time, I don't. But I laugh inappropriately...I do. I questioned Will, 'Are you sure you said Kazam? Do you even know what Kazam means?'. He stuck to his story...He said Kazam. So I let it go....simply stating that we need to watch our words.

Oh Kazam.....I have to watch my words.

Puck is on the Loose

2010-05-27T20:49:00.000-05:00

Lock up your daughters, nieces, sisters, moms, etc....Puck is on the loose!

Austin and I watch Glee together. He has been obsessed with Puck from the beginning....ahem as has his mother. I'm just saying.........

He wanted a mohawk. Bad. I agreed that he could have one as soon as school was over. Well...School's out for summer.....School's out forever....School's been blown to pieces.....No more pencils......No more books....No more teacher's dirty looks....Oooops...Remember I mentioned I related to things in song and tend to break out in tune. So.....school is out for summer and I'm a woman of my word. We went for a partial mohawk as soon as we got home from school last Friday. I didn't go too short on the sides as I didn't want him to back out ....or me....half way through. But we've since shortened it up into a full.on.mohawk and let me tell ya....It's given this boy some swagger. He thinks he is Puck....He truly thinks he is Puck. He also thinks that everyone else thinks he is Puck. I have to admit that he is getting several smiles and stares in a good way. He's very cute! But he is winking at these women that are smiling and/or staring at him! I mean...for real....He is 8!!! Watch your daughters....He's quite the man!!

What a Deal!

2010-05-16T20:01:00.000-05:00

Sounds like a deal to me.........

A few notes:
Marley has his new summer hair cut....He kinda looks like an alien.
Notice the Mr Clean in the background....proof that I do clean.

It Finally Happened

2010-05-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Will my dare devil is always jumping, climbing, etc....It finally happened.....It took almost 6 years so that's a plus but it finally happened.....stitches.

Friday night, we had plans for a bonfire redneck style in our driveway. We had hamburgers on the grill while we were waiting for a few friends and family to come hang out for the evening. I had my feet kicked up reading US Weekly with a glass of wine enjoying the weather. Austin and Will were playing ninjas running around in the yard and playing on their scooters/bikes. Apparently, Will stuck his pirate sword because ninjas 'roun here use pirate swords in the front of his shirt and took off on his scooter. He hit a bump and flew forward causing the sword to jab into his lower chin/jaw. A quick call to Grandma Flach to double check that we needed stitches and off to the ER we went. Grandma and Grandpa hung out with Austin while we brought the tough little guy to the ER. Austin was pretty distraught with his brother in pain. But Will was in great hands. The ER trip was actually pretty quick. We had a good doctor and 2 great male nurses who continued talking to Will throughout the entire process several shots, trimming of facial fat EWE and 7 stitches.

As soon as we left the ER, I sent another mass text re-inviting everyone over because this kid can not be held down. He was lying on the ER table asking when everyone was coming over for the bonfire. So we decided to go ahead with the bonfire. Stitches did not even tame Will....he was still bouncing all over the place. What a way to start the weekend!!

I See London I See France Yep That's My UnderPants...

2010-05-13T19:38:00.002-05:00

Dear Joggers Running Past My House,

I pray that you were not carrying cell phones with you on your evening jog. I do NOT need a picture of me dress up floating around. My youngest son simply thought it would be funny to see what mommy would do with a video camera in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other hand (for damn sure not going to set down my wine!) while he pulled my dress up practically above my head and held it there while you ran by. Sorry for the ASStonishing view...........

Spelling 101

2010-05-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

Hells no I don't have an accent! You have an accent! No one thinks they have an accent......until the time comes to teach your child to spell. We've had a few words that apparently we don't pronounce properly. Several months ago, thing was a spelling word....We had difficulty with this because apparently I have a twang and pronounce it thang which prompted Austin to spell it t-h-a-n-g. Go mommy.

When we study spelling words, I say the word - use it in a sentence - then say the word again. That's right...I go all spelling bee style. Tonight, Tony was going through the words with Austin while Will was sitting at the table ~~bugging Austin~~ looking at a book. He said the word dislike. Will chimed in with a sentence Dislike I had candy in my hand. Great.....it's spreading to both children! It's like dis, it's like dat, it's like dis y'al.

May 6, 19UhNotSure

2010-05-06T18:40:00.000-05:00

So I used my New Kids on the Block connection already this week......Sorry. So here's a duo of the next decade's greatest performers wishing Grandma Flach a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Karen! (The one on the left) We love you!!!! Thanks for all that you do!!!

100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

2010-05-06T18:22:00.000-05:00

100 bottles of beer on the wall.....100 bottles of beer.....take one down......pass it around......99 bottles of beer on the wall. This marks my 100th post! Holy Cow! (Has it taken you 100 bottles of beer to get through all of my wisdom?) For my 100th post, I'd like to take a look at what I'm going to look like when I'm 100 years old................ Enjoy.

Sweet Dreams :)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2010-05-04T20:25:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was one hell of a day. Nothing horrible happened....it was just one of those days where things didn't seem to be falling in place and the day just did.not.end. So the huge storm that blew up....just seemed to fit right in. The sky turned an awkward yellow color....the black clouds rolled in......the temperature dropped.....and the rain began to pour down. Thankfully I had made it home by this time. I opened up the front door to breath in the storm smell (love the smell of rain....and on top of that we had freshly cut grass so double the smell!!). The storm was quick and not as bad as it looked like it was going to be. Wake up call....Things aren't always as bad as them seem. The storm resulted in this:

	Katharine McPhee - Somewhere Over The Rainbow .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I don't know how easy it is to see....but it was a full DOUBLE rainbow. It was beautiful. It was still sprinkling but we took a few minutes to sit in the rain and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high,

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow.

Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?

May 2, 1940

2010-05-02T17:43:00.001-05:00

Today happens to be a very special day. Someone is having a birthday today!!! Happy Birthday 70th Birthday, Mom!!! Woot Woot!!!! What better way to chime in another year.....New Kids on the Block would like to sing you a little tune:

	New Kids On The Block - Happy Birthday .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

You mean the world to me. I've learned so much from you and as smart as I am suprisingly I still have plenty to learn from you! I'm thankful to have such an incredible role model in my life. You have been instrumental in making me the person I am today. Thank You for all that you do! I love you! Happy 70th Birthday!!!

Knock Knock

2010-04-30T23:47:00.000-05:00

Soooooooooo I was taking a shower (yea...I do this daily) getting ready to go to a concert. Austin and Will are beyond excited as Austin is bringing a friend along so they have been running around the house like mad (crazy I tell ya!)! So I'm in the shower...door locked (Why...I have no idea....I have 2 kids....I'm used to not being alone....I don't ever even try to lock the door....but for whatever reason......I had the door locked). Will runs up the steps to my room....

As he's running up the steps.....W: Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Me: What?
W: Mommmmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mom?
Me: What?
W: Mommmmmmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmmmmm
Me: @#$@#$#@$@# What???????????
W: Moooooooooooooooooooooom Mommmmmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmmm
Me: What Will?
W: Where are you? Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Me: WHAT?!?!
W: tries opening the door....Mom?
Me: Yes
W: Can I come in?
Me: No
W: Mommmmmm Can I come in?
Me: No
W: Mommmmmmmmmm Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmm Hey Mommmmmmmmm The door is locked. Can I come in?
Me: No - The door is locked. I'm in the shower. I can't open it.
W: Mommmmmmmmm The door is locked.
Me: I know.
W: wiggle wiggle It's ok I can get in.
Me: Will....the door is locked.
W: grabs a coin....jams it in the lock....turns it....Mommmmmmmmmm....I got it! It's ok I got it!
Me: What do you want?
W: Shower curtain pulls back...I found my camera! Click
Me: Will!!! Don't take a picture of me!
W: I also took a picture of dog poop.
Me: getting out of the shower now Give that to me! Delete all pictures.

We All Fall Down

2010-04-27T20:44:00.000-05:00

Austin and Will were playing outside. Austin ran into the house in order to tattle on Will. Austin shouted Will said a bad word!!!!!!! Of course, Will popped in at that moment stating NO I didn't!!!!!!!!!! Austin whispered, He said (spelling it) A-S-S. Will unfortunately knowing how to spell that word (Thanks Aunt Ang), I didn't say that....It had another S. Obviously, I was confused....so I said um What? So Will repeated...I said it with another S.....I said ASSes. I said Asses? Will shook his head saying yes. I explained that even if you put another S on ASS....it is still a bad word. Will matter of factly replied that he was just singing. Again confused, I asked What were you singing? To which Will replied Ring Around the Rosey. Yet again confused, I replied Ring Around the Rosey?????? Will began to sing....Ring around the rosey A pocket full of posey Asses Asses We all fall down. Ahem...I must admit that makes alot more sense than ashes ashes. I mean what else do we fall on?

That's What He Said.....Part 3

2010-04-22T18:28:00.001-05:00

Part 3? I've blogged long enough for a Part 3. Geesh. (FYI this is post #95...I'm gearing up to the big 1-0-0) Anywhooooooooo back to my, That's What He Said moments. The following are the That's What He Said moments from Will and Austin this week.

Will getting out of the shower....shaking his pelvis like Elvis.....flipping and flopping his manhood singing I Like To Move It.

	Zoo Gang - I Like to Move it .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Austin went to a health fair for school. He put on his 'surgery mask' to operate on Will. Will asked him where he got the mask. Austin replied at the Knights of Columbia.

Some people tend to think that I ramble or when I tell stories that it takes too long. Well....apparently Austin has picked up this trait of mine. Lastnight, his story went a little something like this:
Sophie....not Sophia....but Sophie....you know...that girl....Sophie....Mom....Sophie....you know....Ally's friend....the girl that her has the long hair....it's yellow...well kinda.....Sophie. Her mom drives a little car. I think it is grey or maybe silver. Is there alot of difference because I can't really tell the difference in grey or silver? That's not really important. But Sophie.....................................................................................um I forgot. Oh...........she can run fast like as fast as like Justin.

Tonight I was acting goofy with the boys. Will said You are the funniest person I know!!!! Well the funniest big person. I know funnier kids.

Pirate Will

2010-04-20T20:09:00.000-05:00

Last week, another boy at the babysitter ended up having Pink Eye. Ugh. Pink Eye. NOT what we want in this house. Well....Will came home saying his eye was bothering him. When questioned, he said it didn't hurt or itch. Um ok....how is it bothering you? Well, he couldn't answer that.....but it was really bothering him so he kept sticking his darn finger in it....adding to the irritation. I think after seeing another boy with Pink Eye that he felt like he was going to get it. His eye really didn't look bad....more so watering because he continued to poke it saying it was bothering him. Um hello keep your finger out of it! I told him to go out and play assuming that he would forget about it. He came in crying - saying he couldn't see because it was watering with his finger in it. He wanted a wet washcloth on it. So I got him setup on the couch with a wet washcloth. That was fine for a few minutes but he continued to stick his darn finger in his eye - still saying it didn't itch or hurt. I was at a loss......So I jokingly said If only we had a pirate patch! So of course, the only thing that would make him feel better was a pirate patch. Check out my handy work.....poor baby

Ok well don't feel too sorry for him....He really does look pathetic here but it wasn't that bad. The patch lasted...maybe a half an hour. I mentioned calling the Dr the next day to have his eye checked out and suddenly everything was better!! I think the fact that he left his finger out of his eye for 30 minutes cured him :)

I Had a Dream.....

2010-04-15T18:46:00.000-05:00

I had a dream lastnight.....a really wierd. My dear friend Sara was part of this dream. Sooooooo Sara and I were in this race because we like run and stuff all the time....SHA! After the race, we ended up in this large sky rise building dressed very business-like in suits, heels, etc....carrying stacks of papers being very important um because we are VIP.....right?!?! Sara turned to me and very matter of factly (is that a word....) looked me right in the eye ....straight faced....and asked me for GI Joe's phone number. Oddly enough, I had it....and gave it to her. Then I woke up. Awwwwwwwwwwwkward.

Santa Claus I Want That.......Part 2

2010-04-14T18:36:00.001-05:00

Santa Claus I Want That is still happening 363 days of the year. So here our my reviews on the latest products that my children have shouted Santa Claus My Mom Needs That!!!

Topsy Turvy....because they KNOW that I do not have a green thumb so they ask Santa to help me. Wonder if this works?

I gotta admit....this looks really cool!!! But how do you cut pieces of it? I mean...the icing is the best part of a cake.....you have to make sure everyone gets some icing!

Um....in case your fanny pack is full...........

To keep my gravy warm.....hmm does the Topsy Turvy teach you how to make gravy too....I've never made gravy in my life.

$1,00,00 bill ??? Smart Money Clip Deluxe....to hold all of my Benjamins....

Roll Up Electronic Keyboard.....No Thank You....It's not big enough to do the keyboard dance from BIG.

Last but certainly not least....I leave you with the Shake Weight....to which I will leave with a NO COMMENT...because my comments are not appropriate for this one...

That's What He Said....Part 2

2010-04-13T19:19:00.000-05:00

Kids ...Where do they come up with the things that they say?

We had grilled salmon sandwiches for dinner tonight. I was cutting the sandwiches in half....and knowing how particular my boys are...I asked if they wanted their sandwiches cut up and down or diagonal. Austin said he wanted his sandwich cut at an oblique angle.....ummmmmmmm don't confuse me with your 2nd grade knowledge :)

Today, we found out that one of the boys at the babysitter has pink eye. As we were headed home from the babysitter, I told the boys that they needed to make sure that they wash their hands as soon as they get home. As the typical boys they are, they immediately questioned WHY????? I said pink eye is very contagious so if the boy was touching his eye and in contact with them.....we need to make sure they get rid of those germs. Will in true boy fashion said Well I picked my nose alot today so I need to wash my hands anyway...............

A Walk in the Park

2010-04-13T13:18:00.001-05:00

Spring Has Sprung

2010-04-12T18:40:00.001-05:00

Spring has sprung....FINALLY! I love Spring!

Sunday, we spent the entire day outside (minus Austin....he was outside off and on throughout the day as he had caught a stomach virus which consisted of stomach cramps almost all day and evening). My day consisted of:

a lawn chair, blanket to lie on and a magazine. (I am a bit of a GIMP at the moment.....I fell off of the porch at my parents house twisting my foot in order to protect myself from busting my head open so I'm taking it easy....and totally feeling VERY old!)

Austin spent alot of the day here:

in the shade......

During his 'up' moments he did a little:

and a little:

I look forward to many more lazy Spring Sundays.

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

Easter 2010 went a little something like this.......

Oopps...wrong picture...............

I'm Still Rockin' It

2010-04-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

Excuses....excuses....I'm full of them as to why I've been such a bad blogger lately. Here's my top 10 list:

10. The weather has been gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Painted my living room a coffee brown.....which reminds me I haven't shared my cool idea for my fireplace decor. (I'll do that at a later date...I'm kinda in the middle of a top 10 list here)
8. I've been Zumbaing. (Google it)
7. Preparing for Easter
6. Shopping with my sisters.
5. $5 ....$5 Footlong (Sorry.....I've had that song stuck in my head all.day.long. so I couldn't resist)
4. Bike riding
3. Playing at the park
2. Winding down the school year ....so we are really hitting it hard on the AR points, math facts, etc...
1. I've teaching my nieces how to Rock It. Side Note: This was a Saturday project when my nieces were sooooooooooooo bored....wasn't something that I was prepared to do.....We took 2 shots....We didn't prepare for this. I had to dupe the music...and I only took 1 take at that....so more or less. This whole thing was thrown together so don't make fun of it :)

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm

2010-03-25T20:20:00.001-05:00

Now that all of you cool people like me are singing C & C Music Factory....(speaking of cool....my niece tells me that it's not cool if you spell cool....C-O-O-L....it must be spelled K-O-O-L.....whatever.......I'm cool.....and that is totally how Michelle Pfieffer spells cool in Grease 2.....and hello...watching Grease 2 totally makes me cool)

Like I've said before....I randomly relate just about anything to music......Anywhoooo back on track....Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm....with a random questionnaire ....about me!!!!!!!

What is your weirdest "quirk"? Nothing about me is wierd....remember I'm cool. But if I have to say something....I guess the way I pack my grocery cart...I'm anal about it.

Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste? Wet. Dry freaks me out....

Pen or pencil? Pen...Blue

Most frequent song played? I'm Bossy - Kelis....It's my ringtone. A ringtone says alot about you....mine fits me to a T...I'm bossy.

Favorite quote? 'It's better to be pissed of than pissed on'. Dad Niebrugge
T.V. show you secretly enjoy? Secretly...none...I totally admit the juvenile shows that I watch - 90210, Greek, 16 and Pregnant, Glee, you know....good healthy stuff.

Do you use umbrellas? Yes...in fact, it was pouring today. I went to lunch with my brother who did NOT have an umbrella. We walked out of work sharing an umbrella. Sweet, huh....LOL!

If you dont know the words to a song do you improvise? Uh no...I know the words to songs....

Do you blow dry your hair? or just let it dry on its own, or towel dry? Blow dry....I can't air dry/towel dry my hair without looking like a freak.

Do you do dance crazy when no one is looking? I dance like crazy when people are looking so of course I dance like crazy when they are not looking.

Last food that you ate? I may or may not have snuck a Cadberry egg.

Do you have a tan? really......It is March.....talk to me in August and I will say 'slight'

Have you ever drank your soda from a straw? Um what do you drink your drive thru soda from?

Do you like hot sauce? Yes

Do you believe in magic? Cause I hope you do....You always have a friend wearing big red shoes.....If you believe in magic. McDonalds commerical.....

Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up? Scrambled with hot sauce

Where were you when 9/11 happened? Working at an old job in which a rep from NYC called in and filled us in on what was going on. I was MEGA pregnant and scared out of my mind that something like that would happen to me.

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Bagels or Chicken? I swear these are questions I took of the Internet....how random?!?!?! Not even sure how to answer this.... Chicken I guess....w/ hotsauce :)

Would you have plastic surgery? Never say never....but I don't think I would. I'm not into needles and pain....

Have you ever prank called someone? Is your refridgerator running? Why don't you go catch it! hahaha

Have you ever been in a physical fight? I have sisters.....YES!

If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? Not sure if this is meant as in what house...or home as in I have to keep the family that is there....I'm guessing I have to keep the family....I guess Full House even though they are creepy nice.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be? Not Idaho

What's your favorite Cyndi Lauper song? Time After Time

Do you like guacamole? Yes

What's your favorite infomercial? They are all amazing!!!!!!

Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? Thesaurus

What's the sickest you've ever been? Thanksgiving 2004......HORRIBLE! It was known as PukeFest 2004 at my brother's house in Kentucky. It was a lovely 5 hour ride home with a 3 year old and 4 month old.

Did I may you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Balls

2010-03-18T19:35:00.000-05:00

I know I'm the mother to 2 boys but GEESH people get your mind out of the gutter.....I'm talking about baseballs here.

Tonight, we went on a walk. I was pushing Will in the jogging stroller because we were wanting to walk at a faster pace than I expected him to stay up with.....and he was being lazy and didn't want to walk. So instead of walking....he barked orders at me like a drill sergant saying that I walked too slow that I would NEVER win a race. Don't worry dear....I will not be entering any races in the near future. After the walk, we fired up the grill (yay AWESOME weather!!!) and the boys jumped on the trampoline while I drank a couple cranberry and vodkas (yay AWESOME WEATHER?). I walked back to the trampoline where they were kicking soccer balls. One soccer ball went flying out of the trampoline so I went to pick it up. Upon doing so, I bent over to find a baseball that was lost this fall...obviously from my massive batting skills. I picked it up and said 'Boys...I found the lost baseball!!'. They giggled.....and Austin said 'Yea. We saw it yesterday....and Will peed on it.' Marvelous...............

Luck of the Irish

2010-03-17T15:28:00.001-05:00

May the Luck of the Irish Be With You! FYI that was said in my Italian sounding Irish voice because somehow it comes out sounding Italian. Happy St Patty's Day!!!!!!!

Chugga Chugga Chooo Chooo

2010-03-16T19:53:00.002-05:00

Austin and I ran to the library after school to pick up a few AR books before I dropped him off at the babysitter. The weather is BEAUTIFUL right now so I knew he would want to play outside right after I got off work so I suggested that he read one book on the way to the sitters.....to which he politely declined.....to which I demanded he do....to which he whined Ughhhhhhhhhhh Do I havvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve to?????....So like the clever mother I am I used my reverse psychology on him. 'Oh that's right...you can't read a book between here and the sitter....No way you can read 2 books!' So of course, he grabbed a book, said 'Wanna Bet?' and began to read. The babysitter is about 1 mile away....with a train track in between. He was finishing one book as I turned the corner to see the slowest.train.in.the.world. He smiled, grabbed his second book and began to read. I told him that was just my luck....we meet the slowest.train.in.the.world. He simply replied 'No mom....God is just on my side.' Um thanks....God isn't on my side? He read 3 books while we were waiting on the slowest.train.in.the.world and decided to quit and tell me about his day. Needless to say...I lost the bet.....books were read and we were able to play outside after work.

Car Wash

2010-03-09T20:04:00.002-06:00

Car Wash....yayayayya working at the Car Wash......Yeah I'm singing this lil' number.......

	Rose Royce - Car Wash .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Ok ok....stop the disco moves or maybe that is just me......

This morning, Will and I were on our way to ~~Starbucks~~ the babysitter when he began to ~~lecture me~~ talk about how dirty my car is. Conversation was as follows:

Will: Mom your car is sooooooooo dirty. It's Ascusting (disgusting)!
Me:: Well....if my car is sooooooooooooooooo dirty....maybe you and Austin should wash it this weekend.
Will: I don't know how to drive ..... duhhhhhhhhhh (Wonder where he get's that duhhhh from)
Me: You don't have to drive to wash my car.
Will: How am I going to get it there?
Me: You can wash my car yourself.
Will: Oh well I would take it to the car wash because that is how I roll (yes...he is 5 and he says because that is how I roll...again...wonder where he gets that from....) Let's go to the colorful one.
Me: What car wash is the colorful one?
Will: The one by Dairy King
Me: Dairy Queen.
Will: Oh....well Grandma Flach goes there. She orders a #2.
Me: What?
Will: She orders a #2 because a #1 is not good enough but a #3 is weeeeeeeeeeeeallly (really) axpensive (expensive). Do they wealize (realize) how much money that is?
Me: Who says that?
Will: Grandma

Red, Dark Red, Pink, Black, Purple, Silver

2010-03-03T19:36:00.000-06:00

What happened to the simple colors in life? I need to buy some red fingernail polish or black or pink....Noooooooooooooooooooooo that's not 2010.

Monday I took off a day from work as the kids had a day off school (Count Pulaski....which for some reason I always want to say Mount Pulaski...and what he did...not sure.) and among many other things we went to Walmart for a MUCH needed trip. We hit every inch of the store. While in one of the 'beauty' aisles, I was looking ...well looking for something to brighten up my 30 year old skin...anywhooooooooo as I was looking I hear words coming out of my 7 year old's mouth that I have no idea why he is saying them.....So I quickly turn around my head to whip out the Mommy Stare, when I find him reading the finger nail polish names.

Now I'm all for enhancing your vocabulary.....but hearing my 7 year old read the words Strip Tease, Nasty Girl, All Nighter,etc....was not what I was expecting on my Walmart trip. Knowing that he was simply reading nail polish names, he didn't understand why I continued to hush him as people were staring...........Yes a 7 year old is reading inapproriate words to his 5 year old brother as they are talking about what their mommy should buy NOW STOP STARING and throw that red nail polish in my cart so we can go!

Smart...it's the easy word

2010-02-24T19:31:00.000-06:00

I'm a genius!!! Soooooooooo much so that I had to google the proper spelling of genius....What?! It's a hard word to spell! Ironic...ehh?? But I didn't want to accidently say 'I'm a guinness!' and everyone would be all...um you are a beer? Anywhoooooo back to my geniusness......Will has a hard time getting his shirts on the right way. He is a tag free kinda guy so I buy mostly tagless shirts. (Speaking of...Tagless shirt inventors - GOLD STAR....you are genius too!!!) So it's not as easy for him to realize what is front and what is back even though there is the stamped on tag on the inside of the shirt. I often help him correct his shirt on his way out the door. There are also many times that he goes the entire day with a shirt backwards until I notice it after work. Tonight at dinner, I gave Will a high five and said 'Good Job with your shirt today, buddy!' Will replied with a huge smile, 'I know! I have it on right. How do you always know how to put your shirt on the right way? You are soooooo smart, Mommy!' I replied, 'I am quite the genius, Will.'

So if you are having a not so good day....just take a look at your shirt. Do you have it on backwards? If not, cheer up....You are a genius :)

Reasons Not to Smoke

2010-02-22T18:21:00.000-06:00

I'm a big anti-smoker. I just don't like the smell of it....or the feel of it after I've been around it. It used to not bother me at all but as I'm gracefully aging - it bothers me. I'm not around alot of smoke since you can't smoke in a public place in Illinois.....so I'm just not around it very much. On our What Happens In St Louis Stays in St Louis Trip, we forgot about the comfort of Illinois as there was smoking in the bars and restaurants. Austin, Will and I had to make a trip to the library tonight (as we do every other night each week) to get AR books. The outside of the library always smells stronly of smoke. As we were walking out, Will said 'This Weeeeeeeeeeeks (reaks)'. Austin said ' I don't understand why people smoke.....' Here was my in.....So I popped in with a quick 'I know. It's not a good thing to do. So is this a promise that neither of you will ever smoke?' This proper young man....Austin.....

responds with, 'Well I would never smoke. It will make you die. So I would never smoke.' While this little ladies man....Will......

responds with, 'Well I would never smoke because I want to get married and nobody will date you if you smoke.'

Friday Night Videos

2010-02-19T21:18:00.001-06:00

top the Presses ....the BatDance brought back a memory that I had totally forgotten about. When I saw the BatDance video, I immediately remembered watching this on Friday Night Videos. We didn't have MTV growing up....we had channel 3, channel 17, channel 20 and if the weather was just right channel 55....that's it! Life without 100s of channels and DVR...unimaginable right?!?! These 3...4ish....channels still had the VITAL tv shows ....You remember the TGIF lineup like Webster, Different Strokes, Full House, Mr. Belvedere, Perfect Strangers, Just the Ten of Us, Family Matters, Step by Step, etc....and most importantly Friday Night Videos. I was in love with Friday Night Videos. How else is a girl to learn the steps to the Paula Abdul videos? I would watch the videos (often VHS record them.....) then play the songs on my pink cassette player on the back patio while checking out my bad a$$ dance moves via the reflection of the glass sliding door. Straight up now tell me do you really wanna love me for ever...oh oh oh.....Ya I am was THAT good. So Friday Night Videos showed me the way....How to bust out a hammer move in my purple and gold Hammer pants (you can't touch this), how to run just as fast as we can holding onto one another's hands trying to get away into the night

and most of all....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh most of all....allowed me to spend the night with Jordan, Jon, Donnie, Danny and Joey before they were known as NKOTB back when they were New Kids on the Block. I vividly remember this episode

I VHS taped it and watched over and over. I mean how could the by any more cool....with the hair, the tight rolled jeans, the double hoop earrings.....Total husband material....Right?!?! Jon was going to father my children....The kids could hang out at Uncle Jordan's house. Joey, Danny and Donnie would come over for birthday parties, etc....Then they had to go and break up and fall off the face of the earth for years and run my plans for the future. They totally must have been feeling my vibe because they got back together a few years ago as NKOTB. Sorry NKOTB....I already threw out my NKOTB gold dangly earrings, NKOTB puff paint TShirt, NKOTB puff paint white KEDS and NKOTB puff paint acid wash cuffed jean shorts.......I think our chance at a relationship is long gone.

That's What He Said

2010-02-15T19:26:00.000-06:00

Conversations of the past week:
We had waffles for breakfast on Sunday. I asked Will to bring the 3 leftover waffles outside for the birds. Today on the way out to Grandma Niebrugge's we were talking about the massive amount of snow that we have and the conversation went as follows:
Will: I had a dream about birds lastnight. They only ate snow.
Austin: Well they would die in the summer.
Will: Oh guess what I did with the waffles yesterday?
Austin: What?
Will: I buried them in the snow so Marley couldn't get them. (um because dogs can't dig........)
Austin: How are the birds going to get them to eat them
Will: Duh....with their peckers.
Me: I think you mean beaks....they peck with their beaks.
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On the way home from Grandma Niebrugge's today, the boys had spent the day playing in the snow.
Austin: Grandpa made us a pile of snow to play in.
Will: Ya but it had tittles in it.
Me: What?
Austin: Tittles? What are those?
Will: You know tittles....the little rocks.
Me: Pebbles?
Will: Oh, Ya!

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

Lastnight was a rough night. Austin had nightmares so no one slept. He woke up at about 4 screaming....which woke up everyone. Turns out he had a dream about scorpions. Well he swore that he was pinched in the middle of the night. I finally got him to stop crying but he swore that he was bit/pinched. I turned on the light in the bathroom and inspected his leg.....nothing. He even woke up this morning swearing that he was bit by a scorpion lastnight.

Happy ValenTIMES Day

2010-02-14T05:00:00.001-06:00

I don't know any child that says Happy Valentine's Day....It's always Happy ValenTIMES day! Sending our love to all of our family and friends. Happy ValentiMe's Day to you!!!!!!