So many improvements!

I am so incredibly proud of Caleb! He had his birthday party this weekend at McDonalds and everyone came! He interacted beautifully with each child and even finally followed them up into the top parts of the play area. I know, that may seem like soooo not a big deal. But Caleb has never once actually gone into the tunnels all the way to the top. He looked totally typical, like any other 6 year old boy. We almost cried.

Anyway, we had a great time, he got some really great presents, and we got to visit with many of the other childrens' parents which was refreshing. Caleb is so antisocial that we rarely talk to or see anyone. Although since being in kindergarten, we have really been trying to push him out of his comfort zone and get him involved with more social activities. The cake was so perfectly delicious and McDonalds was so helpful. Total success!!!

Headless chicken

That is what I feel like. A complete headless chicken. Although, in all honesty, I should prepare myself for this every year. March Madness is in our house, as well as May Madness, and then followed by December Madness. Those months, always and without fail, turn out to be our busiest, craziest, hairiest months. This year there has been an abundance of babies. I guess those hot summer months are hot for a reason because 9 months later, babies are everywhere. Caleb's birthday, Spring Break, 4 baby showers, 1 tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy, 4 doctor's appointments, 1 wedding shower, Open House, Bunco, The Joy Ride, 3 birthday parties, 2 BBQ's, Spring Cleaning inside and out, preparing for two school Easter parties, and tons of work at both Josh and my jobs is covering our family calendar like a rainbow.

This year, Caleb had two parties. He had a family party, given by my mother in law mainly because Josh's side of the family would not be able to make it to his McDonald's party the following week. He chose McD's as the party place and quickly made his choices for friends to invite. That party is tonight and everyone is looking forward to it. Thank goodness for McDonalds. They provide everything, and we just have to show up and bring a cake.

My dad, who most of you know, is my #1 hero, will be losing his job in April. He desperately needs to have a double knee replacement, but he just won't do it. It is heartbreaking to watch him struggle to walk every day or to get up from his chair. We have all told him this is the time for the surgery, but he is insisting on trying to find another job. I can't imagine the feeling of being so close to retirement (in this terrible economy) and putting of a surgery that could change your life, just because you want to start all over in a new job. That is completely frightening from all angles. My parents are truly amazing!

Josh and I are so blessed. We both have jobs, two gorgeous children, we can pay our bills. We are so thankful and know that at any time, this could all change. I wake up every morning and thank God for all that he has blessed us with...things that we don't deserve but enjoy. And speaking of that....I went to a fantastic garage sale this morning. It was advertised to begin at 9 but Jansen has to be at school at 9 so I was a little late. Then when I got there I realized that it opened at 8:30. The reason I went was because I was looking at an air hockey table and a foosball table....both of which were sold by the time I arrived. But I was able to get Caleb a great new Rock-n-Roll shirt for next fall, a ceramic football bank for Jansen (he starts getting an allowance when he turns 4), a School Memories scrapbook for preschool-graduation, and a couple pots and pans that I had been wanting....all for the great low price of $2.75. My day has started off great!!

Back to Irish basics

I love to color my hair. It's just hair right?! You can cut it, perm it, flat iron it, color it, roll it, braid it. The beautiful thing is that it is never permanent and it will always grow out. Thank goodness for that, as I have had some really really bad hair cuts. Last year, I dyed my hair dark brown with blonde highlights, and then I colored it 4 shades of blonde for a trip to Los Angeles. As the blonde was completed, I almost passed out reading the bill. So it grew and grew until I couldn't take it any more. Just take me back to my typical natural color please. Less maintenance, less expense, just regular old me. Check back with me in a few months when I will be complaining...My face is so white, my hair is too red...I think I will go dark.

Jansen's trip to outer space

Jansen took a trip to space yesterday. Little did we know that he was travelling there, but I am glad he had a good trip. He had his tonsils and adenoids removed yesterday and was not a happy camper. It started with tears from the moment the tried to put that stupid ID bracelet on him, and another bracelet with huge lettering reading, "FALL RISK". He cried whenever anyone came near him: grandparents, nurses, anesthesiologists, doctors, Pink Ladies, you name it, and he cried. Until they gave him some nice loopy medicine, which the doctor described as Apple Juice. They gave him a mask and a mask for his bear and told him that it was his astronaut mask that he had to learn to breathe out of. They practiced together and taught Mommy and bear how to breathe as well. By the time the anesthesiologist came back, Jansen was feeling quite comfortable. He asked him if he was ready to travel to space and Jansen said, "yes!" and lifted his arms to be carried by the doctor. We gave our little astronaut some kisses and off he went into uncharted territory.

Josh, Mimi, and I went to eat a quick breakfast, knowing the surgery should only take about 30 minutes. We came back to the waiting room to meet Nana, Pops, and Vanessa and wait for the doctor to come talk to us. Our wait was short, everything turned out great, and he was being taken to recovery. Within a couple minutes, we received a phone call from the nurse asking for one person to come sit with him as he was very nervous and tearful. I ran back into the room and through the double doors and saw precious Jansen sitting up in bed with a nurse checking his vitals. He instantly lifted his arms and said in the most pitiful voice, "Mommy!". The nurse said that she had asked him if he was hurting and if he wanted medicine and he told her no. She was impressed by how well he was recovering and that his heart rate had gone down after I came in. The anesthesiologist came to give his report to us and said his trip to outer space was great, to which Jansen replied, "I saw the moon!" and pointed to the sky. The doctor told me that he was very active before the put him out, telling the staff that he was going to see the moon and stars, and pointing to various things he saw in the sky.

Then they wheeled him into his own recovery room and told me to get in bed with him and help him eat his popsicle. Then Josh, Mimi, Pops, Nana, and Vanessa could come in. They were all so impressed with how well he was doing. The nurses came to check him and told Jansen that he deserved an award for the best patient, and Jansen just said, "Okay," and fell back asleep. They let us go home and we put a bean bag chair with blankets and pillows on the living room floor for him to doze on while he watched Speed Racer, Iron Man, and Transformers. But he threw up on it, so threw it away and moved the couch with a pot.

The first day and night was rough. He would refuse to drink, so I pulled out some drinking games out of my arsenal of tricks. We read books, and every page we turned, he had to take a sip of juice or a bite of popsicle. He has thrown up about 6 times but he is drugged to high heaven. He was up a lot during the night, and now at 9:45 am, he is back to sleep, thank goodness. I am frustrated though with the weather which prevents Caleb from going out to play.

So while Jansen sleeps, I am having to find activities to do with Caleb...Spring Break and housebound! So far, we have bundled up to draw with chalk on the back porch, we made eggs and cereal, we have drawn masterpieces, played races with Lightning McQueen, watched Madagascar 2, done two loads of laundry, and cleaned his room. What do we have planned the rest of the day? Caleb is going to help me make chocolate chip muffins, we are going to play piano, work on puzzles, clean Mommy's room, watch a movie, play some video games, and eat lots of jello with Jansen!

Viva Las Vegas

Josh and I just returned from a 4 day vacation to the beautiful, exciting, expensive, and thrilling Las Vegas, Nevada. We had such a great trip but I am so tired. We got back at 2:30 this morning and I had to be at work at 7am...so needless to say, I took some time off this afternoon to rest and recuperate.

We arrived early in the morning and ready to go. When we checked in, Josh had surprised me by upgrading our room to a Spa Suite and by having a cart of snacks and champagne waiting. We were ready to get going and start gambling and shopping. Our hotel, New York New York, was perfect! There was so much to do and see. Dinner was at the Nine Fine Irishmen and we actually won a little money that night. Friday night we went walking down the strip and visited the Bellagio to see the dancing waters.

Saturday morning we woke up to take a tour of Tahiti Village and received a gift card to Gallagher's, an amazing restaurant. We came back and had some lunch, gambled, then got dressed for dinner at The Mirage at Japonaise and the Ron White comedy show. He was hilarious...I highly recommend his show. Nascar was in Vegas this weekend and Kurt Busch was greeting people at our hotel. So we waited for him and got some autographs and pictures. Cute picture of Josh with him.

Sunday morning was buffet breakfast at the MGM Grande, visits to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay for the Shark Reef Experience, and then back to New York New York for dinner at Gallagher's and off to see Zumanity. Oh Zumanity, what an experience. This show was definitely for those audiences over 18, but it was fabulous! This dinner was possibly the best dinner I have ever eaten! Josh had a New York strip and a 3 pound lobster! And I had filet mignon and lobster tail with four cheese macaroni and cheese. It was INCREDIBLE!!

Monday was spent walking through the shops a Caeser's Palace and walking the strip some more. We shopped at the 4 story M&M's Super Store and bought lots of stuff for the kids.

I have never walked more, eaten more, and slept less. We had a great time and can't wait to go back, next time with Caleb and Jansen!