GRUMPY

Today I am grumpy. I'm grumpy because I woke up at 6:30 to a crying 3 year old. I'm grumpy that after sleeping for 1 hour last night I was awake until 2 am. I'm grumpy at kids who can't seem to remember to flush the toilet or pick their underwear off the floor! I'm grumpy at kids who forget to feed their pets. I'm grumpy at kids who waste an entire bowl of cereal. I'm grumpy at teachers who only give me 2 days notice on projects. I'm grumpy at teachers who feel the need to call me repeatedly to tell me all of my daughters character flaws- like I didn't already know!! I'm grumpy with my tiny house that has no room for anything!! I'm grumpy at stupid computers that don't work right and their continuous updates and anti-virus junk ( I need a Mac). I'm grumpy at people who complain about me behind my back, but aren't willing to help me do the things they're complaining about - put up or shut up people!! I'm grumpy that I don't have time to do anything that I WANT to do. I'm grumpy that my son isn't getting his Faith in God because his mother is a flake and hasn't done anything to help him earn it. I'm grumpy at people who already have their Christmas shopping done - I've barely started!! I'm grumpy at my almost 3 year old for having NO interest in using the toilet!! I'm grumpy that I don't have anyone to vent to about being grumpy!!! So today, I am grumpy. And if any of you tell me to count my blessings I will be grumpy about that too!!!

Emotional ramblings

Today I am so emotional, and I would love to blame it on hormones but who knows. I have been down on myself all day and really doubting my choices and my capabilities. A few weeks ago I felt so strong, so able to do what was asked of me. Its amazing how a few simple things can derail my self confidence. A few weeks ago I was also content in who I was, in my opinions, and my abilities. Again, today, not so sure. Why do I let others wear me down? Why do I let extemporaneous things effect how I feel about myself? Why do I let others make me feel like I should apologize for being me?

I wish so badly that I could always be strong, confident, and capable. I wish I could say "Stick It!" to those who try to bring me down, or who don't support me, or who criticize me behind my back. I am grateful for my friends and family who are honest with me and help support me. Its so hard to be criticized when all I'm trying to do is my best. I know you probably want to know what triggered all this, and its a bunch of inconsequential little things that just built up to today. I think the final one was someone at work today telling me that I was "too loud for this early in the morning", and I didn't even think I was speaking loudly. When he criticized me for something about myself that I can't change, it really bugged me. And that just opened the flood gates.

So, tonight, I'm a little down. I can't wait for my husband to come home so he can give me a hug and listen to me ramble on and on. And I have a fun evening of games and treats with my kids to help perk me up. But some days, like today, are not so great. I hope tomorrow is better.

State Fair

One of my very favorite things in the whole wide world is going to the County or State Fair. I love them, I love them, I love them!! We had the New York State Fair here in Syracuse in September. It was the perfect thing to end our summer with. The kids had fun seeing all the animals and they loved riding the rides!!

Who doesn't love an adorable, clean baby calf!!

Tess loved every single animal!

These beautiful gray cows were enormous!! And I loved their beautiful color.

I made the boys take a picture in the bunny face too, but I kindly decided not to post those.

Talk about a double chin!! :-)

I really think these Chinese chickens were naturally these crazy colors. I couldn't believe it!! If I'm wrong, someone tell me, but I'm gullible enough to believe that God made them that way - why not?

They had an incubator where chicks were hatching and it was mesmerizing!! I could have stared at them for hours. I just kept routing for those poor little chicks to break out of their shells!

They had a few chicks that they let the kids hold. I'm a little concerned that the chicks never recovered, especially this little guy.

Tess was willing to ride anything that she was tall enough for. The other kids were not as fearless.

The slide seemed safe enough.

It took alot of talking to convince them that the swings would be fun. Eventually they went on, and I even got a turn. I love the swings - it feels like flying!

The ride that the kids were really looking forward to was the bumper cars. They rode them twice. Why don't they do bumper cars for adults? Oh wait, is that a demolition derby?

Oh, and of course we had to have yummy fair food!! We had popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream. I wanted to sing the song from Charlottes Web "The fair, is a veritable smorgasbord, orgasbord, orgasbord, after the day is through...."

Peek a Boo

Where's Tessa?

There she is!!

The Big 7

Emma finally turned 7. I say finally because I have been saying she's 7 for several months now. So now its official. Emmas birthday was a 3 part event. On her actual birth day Ron and I were leaving for a weekend getaway, so we let her open a few presents in the morning. Then when we got back on Sunday, she got her birthday cake and the rest of her presents. Then the following Saturday she got her birthday party with friends. Saturday night at dinner Tyson said "Thank goodness Emma's birthday is FINALLY over!" And I felt the exact same way, Emma however did not. But she had a lot of fun and loved her birthday.


Emma wearing her birthday crown and her new rock and roll t-shirt.


Emma is currently obsessed with scarves so she got 3 new ones for her to enjoy and be "stylish" with.

Grandma made her a beautiful new quilt.

One of two birthday cakes. I didn't take a picture of the cake at her party because I cheated. It was a horse party so it was a horse cake. I didn't take the time to decorate it with the star tip and make it oh so beautiful. I frosted it with chocolate frosting and just outlined it with yellow. It turned out cute, but not up to my perfectionist standards - so - no picture. But they were both super yummy!!

All Hallows Eve

Halloween day was rainy and windy, it was actually quite miserable. The kids prayed all day long that it would stop raining in time for trick or treating. Their prayers were answered and the rain stopped around 4. Ron thought it was funny that the kids were praying that they could celebrate a pagan holiday - but who cares - they had fun!!a> The kids kept changing their minds about what they wanted to be for Halloween. They basically ended up making their costumes from our dress-up collection, which suited me just fine. Tess was the only one wearing a hand-me-down costume. Emma was Belle when she was 3 too, and shockingly the dress was still in great condition. She couldn't wear the shoes that matched because it was too darn cold and there were too many puddles still. We basically put her dress on top of her clothes and added her cute Belle jacket, and she was ready to go! Tyson is a soldier (of course), Zach is a Ranger from his favorite series Rangers Apprentice and Emma is a cowgirl.

Can you tell how windy it was? It was crazy!!

We told the kids to keep Tess in the front of the pack because she was so darn cute that everyone would love her and they would give them extra candy. It worked too!!

I know this pic is a little blurry but I wanted to show how blustery of a night it was. I love that word - blustery - thanks Pooh!

Headed home. Tess' bucket got pretty heavy but she wouldn't let us help carry it. So Ron and I kept taking handfuls of candy out of her bucket and started shoving them into our pockets. She didn't seem to care about that, as long as she had her bucket.

I wanted to get a video of Tess saying Trick or Treat and thankyou. She was so cute about it, and I love her little voice. I ran home in front of everybody so they could knock on our door last and I could get this video of Tess.