Some Things You Need to Know

1. I'm busy.

2. The snow has finally melted.

3. I'm busy.

4. I'm going to Pioneer Woman's book signing tomorrow.

5. SQUEEEEEE!

6. You know the old "birds and the bees" discussion? My little tractor loving boy gave the Little Miss his version, entitled, "The bulls and the cows."

7. Luckily she thinks the cows only date. He actually said mate.

8. But I am fairly certain neither of them know what mate actually is.

9. Last night I was stricken with a bad case of PMS.

10. Dessert pizza, Mydol, and peach Amish wine helped.

11. One of the male subs peed all over the toilet seat, didn't flush, and left the light on in the women's staff bathroom today.

12. I'm going to go out on a limb and also assume he didn't wash his hands.

13. I shall be putting a more obvious sign on the MALE restroom tomorrow.

14. I talked with the BFF today. The non-working, volunteering, shopping and lunching BFF.

15. I'm a little jealous.

16. If I hear "Firework" one more time, I might stick sharp things in my ears.

17. I got a Kindle.

18. I didn't think I wanted one.

19. I was wrong.

20. I love it.

That about covers it. Anything I need to know?

Wiped Out

It's finally Saturday. The sun is trying to make its way through the clouds. I am sitting with a cup of coffee trying to catch up on my ever-growing bloglist, yet my reader (Bloglines) is having issues. So I will catch you up on the goings on at Casa de JDM.

I have spent much of my sleep time up with Little Miss who has been coughing her fool head off all.night.long. And last night when I took her to go potty, she gagged as she coughed and threw up all over me. Big, red, stinky, chunky vomit all down my side and on the rug. (Were you eating breakfast? Oopsies.) She gagged and threw up just a few seconds later and what did I do? Reached my hands over and caught it. Twice. Where was this in the parent manual? No one ever told me I would willingly, instinctively reach for vomit.

School is finally coming to a close. My student teacher's last day was yesterday. (Translation: I actually need to teach all day long again and no more peeing at my leisure.) We have 17 days left plus 2 field trips. And the last few days in June? That's really just crowd control. If Friday afternoon is any indication of the next 17 days? Please pray. Pray long and hard. I'm gonna need prayer to get through it. Oh, and wine. And chocolate. I wonder if there is chocolate wine? That would really save me some time. During our program on Friday, someone asked the students what the teachers do on the last day as the buses pull away. I was fairly confident the answer was take a shot of tequila. But the nice lady from the PTO thought we just waved at the buses. Ha. If she only knew...

I had to pack school lunches for kids the other day as the school menu was beef stew with beets. Seriously? What kid is going to eat beef stew, let alone BEETS?! Anyway, apparently one meal is all I can handle preparing because I had no idea what they were going to eat for breakfast. So we ran to McDonalds on the way to daycare and picked up a couple sausage McGriddles. The man at the window greeted me with, "How are you today, sweetheart?" I know what you're thinking. He must have been some 70 year old grey-haired grandpa.

No.

He was like 30 something. My age. (Yes, I am 30 something, but a very YOUNG 30 something,thankyouverymuch.) Then when he handed me my food he said, "There you go, honey. You have yourself a nice day, sweetie." Bleecccch. Talk about red, chunky, vomit. Am I the only one who gets creeped out by this? It's very condescending coming from someone your own age, isn't it? Is it just me?

Our weekend? Nothing planned, which is good. I look forward to relaxing and catching up on laundry and dishes. We go out for breakfast every Sunday and the nice ladies usually have a flower for the moms on Mother's Day. The kids already gave me their adorable hand-made things from school and daycare. My parents delivered and assembled my Mother's Day gift from them last weekend. Look how cool!

They put it all together for me. It was much simpler than it looks. If you want instructions on how to make one, let me know. I plan on taking a picture each week to see how much the wave pentunias have grown. I can't wait to see them cascading down.

My husband's gift? Don't know about that one yet. But he might be reading this. So, honey, if you're reading, I wouldn't mind a couple hanging baskets for the front porch. Or a pedicure. Or manicure. Or wine and chocolate. Or a beach house in Hawaii. (Just checking to see if he was paying attention.)

Stay tuned this week for another John Deere giveaway. I have some things from these boxes that are dying to come out and play!

Bear With Me

We had Jose neutered yesterday. Once we got him home, he was very happy to find that I had let the laundry pile up yet again so that he could curl up and rest...and most likely wonder where in the hello kitty his balls had gone.

Sorry, buddy. But it's for your own good.

Cole had a visit to the fire station last week with my mom and husband. (Long story-let's just say it was yet another Mother of the Year moment I had while driving around for a school meeting crying as I tried to coordinate someone, anyone, to get my little guy to the fire station.) It all worked out, as it usually does, and he had a wonderful time.


My little town does not have a Target. I know, for real! But, the town about 30 minutes away where I spend the majority of my time does. And guess what? They are expanding their grocery section! This makes me a very happy person. Because now I don't have to drive an hour away for special "Target only"foods like these.And I nearly died on the spot from the cuteness of these raisins. Look how tiny. The box on the right is a little individual size box. The box on the left is like a mini-me box. Like seriously I think it holds 6 raisins. Who knew a box of raisins could be so freaking cute?!

Do you ever get to the grocery store and wonder, "Do we have ______? Or should I pick some up?" You can fill the blank in with anything: a gallon of milk, bread, butter, etc. Appparently I need to open my refrigerator once in awhile.

I give you exhibit A.

Why yes, that is 7 containers of sour cream. Don't ask. I have no idea.

You have 2 (count them...2!) days left to enter my "spring has sprung" giveaway. (What a joke...spring has sprung. It's about 28 degrees!) Nevertheless, if you haven't yet entered for the basket o' goodies, click here.

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to finish Friday Night Knitting Club. It was a little slow going at first, but has gotten better and I am determined to finish it tonight!

Weekend Recap

It was so freaking cold here again this weekend! (It was 11 degrees when I drove to school this morning. 11 degrees. In March. Hello?! Global warming, my a$$.) I am very much looking forward to spring. We all need to get outside and run off some energy!

Despite the fact that we had to stay inside all weekend, we made our own fun! Little Miss decided to "camp out" on the couch with her lantern and Dora "ipod." Cole got to go to the barn a few times to help the guys grind feed. He even came back with his own feed. You'd be surprised at how a handful of corn can keep a little boy occupied for hours! Yay corn!

No weekend would be complete without a little dress-up. Little Miss went out all with a stunning navy evening gown, red Dorothy shoes, and jewels. Here she was hamming it up for the camera while dancing to a Barbie movie.

We also went to Grandma's house where the kids painted little wooden cut-outs. Cole did a great job of painting animals, even shading in and mixing colors to make "just the right shade." Little Miss spent most of her time smearing all the paint on her paper plate, then wiping her fingers off and asking for more.

All in all it was a relaxing, uneventful weekend. Just the way I like it.

This week we are in the second round of our state testing. It was scary hard today. I am hoping for much better things tomorrow during the language arts section.

My husband cooked dinner tonight. Pick yourself up off the floor, ladies. I am serious. I sat on the couch while he cooked dinner. This might not seem like a momumental occasion, but trust me. It was. A girl could get used to such treatment.

And the best news of all? I got my hair cut AND colored today. Phew. It was a little touch and go there for awhile but I made it. :)

Ten for Tuesday...posted on Wednesday cause that's how I roll

1. What is UP with Bloglines? I was all ready to post about how great it is and how I am so glad to be using something to keep track of all my favorite blogs...and then it lets me down. If you posted something new today...I probably haven't seen it! Poo.

2. American Idol is on. The show isn't going very well tonight. Even the camera angles, interviews...all very awkward. But, my fave of the night? Anoope Dog. I mostly like saying his name. But I do NOT enjoy his eyebrows. And who does Kara look like? She looks like someone and it has been driving.me.crazy. Please advise.

3. Ulysses S. Grant is just that. S. Many of you thought Simpson, which is a common belief. His mother's maiden name was Simpson, but the S doesn't actually stand for anything...just like Harry S. Truman.

4. My head has hurt all.day.long. Tylenol, ibuprofen, water, extra caffeine, chocolate, contacts out/glasses on. Nothing has helped. The only thing left to blame is the weather. Well, and the kids.

5. Cole had his first fire drill today. Hil.ar.i.ous. Do you know what he expected? A drill. A tool. Made for putting out fires. That he got to handle. Imagine his disappointment when he had to stand outside in a single file line. With no drill.

6. We watched Amazing Race for the first time last night. So exciting. I don't know how we didn't jump onto this show before, but I am glad we did. Loving the deaf guy with his mom. SO glad the bitchy couple is gone. I think the little stunt guys will do a good job. And the cheese wheels? Now that is entertainment.

7. I am SO in need of a hair cut. And color. I don't know how many more days I can take without hacking on it myself. I would post a pic but I hate to run you all off.

8. Today, Wednesday, my head has hurt even more than yesterday. So much so that I had to call my principal in at 2 to take over my class while I went crying to the nurse's office. I've never been diagnosed as having migraines, but if that wasn't a migraine...I would hate to experience one. I am feeling somewhat better now but can't get rid of the ache and pain from the base of my neck to my eyes. Time to see the chiropractor and/or eye doctor.

9. Today was Parents' Day at preschool. I hadn't told Cole anything about it in case we couldn't be there. I couldn't get off, so the husband was going to try. It ended up that he was the only one at the shop and couldn't leave. The first thing Cole told me when I picked him up, "Today was mudder's day at school and I was the only kid with no mudder there. I was sad all day long."
Insert knife. Twist. Repeat.

10. I think it's going to be early bedtimes all around. Thankfully I planned for yet another headache and have a take and bake pizza ready to pop in the oven. Here's to a better day tomorrow!

And now your moment of zen...

Remember me?

Remember the good old days when I could post something and visit my bloggy friends every day? You know...during those snow days? When I could sit in my jammies and chat with you good people all day? That was the life, man.

Then someone had to go and clear the roads of the snow and ice and I had to *gasp* teach!

So what have we been up to? Besides getting up at the crack of dawn, getting 2 kids to daycare, teaching all day, grocery shopping, doing dishes, laundry, picking up toys, cooking dinner, bathing kids, reading stories, putting kids to bed, eating my dinner, doing a bit more laundry, grading papers, and drinking wine?

There's been a good deal of twirling and posing since receiving new skirts from Grandma.

Another present from Grandma?

Hello, lover.

Little Miss got her thumb caught in a mouse trap last night. It was like a cartoon with a big, red, swollen thumb. I couldn't even get out the N of NO! before I heard the SNAP! Then there was a pause, followed by horrific screaming. What made it all better? Frozen cherries. :)

Cole loves to race through the house on his bike. The other night he said, "Watch this, Momma. I gonna go as fast as I can." He took off peddling yelling, "Look...I'm going HIGH SPEED INTERNET!"

Little Miss has mastered using the mouse and navigating through this website without any help whatsoever. She can choose her game, level, and exit back out to choose a new game all on her own. Thank you, Childtopia. You have made preparing dinner much easier while keeping a certain whiny boss occupied.
We had some crazy weather come through yesterday. It was windy, then rainy, sunny, and then even windier. I did manage to catch a piece of a rainbow. I love rainbows. They're so rare and beautiful.

That's about it. Super busy at home and school. One of these days it will slow down. I hope.

If you haven't entered, you still have 23 hours to enter the movie gift card giveaway!

Random drivel...and a giveaway!

The snow is melting! Can I get an amen?! Maybe we can actually get through an entire week of school without a delay or cancelation. My last full week of school? December 8th.

And while I do believe this will be a regular week with no weather issues...need I remind you about Friday? That's right...it's Friday the 13th. Not only that, but we will also be having our Valentine's Day party. I think it's safe to say we can write Friday off.

Grandma brought over this cutest little barn for Cole. He could not love it more (unless it had come equipped with a real calf and fresh manure.) It even has a separate little overhang with an attached fence for a separate little corral.

All was going well until he found one of those large, decorative straw bales I had gotten at Hobby Lobby on clearance for like 9 cents. Not only did he proceed to open the package and spread the straw all over the floor of the barn, but he piled it all over my carpet. It was an itchy, sneezy mess.

After a lot of sobbing (him) and vacuuming (me), I'm happy to report the straw is gone.

Meanwhile, Little Miss decided the house needed a little flare. She went to work putting Cinderella stickers on every glass surface she could find.

Pretty, no?

I submitted this picture in the Snapfish "What does love look like?" photo contest. It's one of my favorite pictures of the 2 monkeys.

I ordered this print in a 16 X 20 poster size from Snapfish for a blank wall in my dining room.
My sister drove 3 hours yesterday to baby-sit for her favorite niece and nephew. The husband and I? Are you ready for it?

We saw a movie!

The last movie we saw together was in 2003 when I was pregnant with Cole. Needless to say, we were big, excited dorks.

What did we see? What else would 2 big dorks see?

It was actually even funnier than I expected. It was great to laugh out loud throughout most of the movie. I love his stand-up, and he was equally funny in this movie. I definitely recommend it!

And I am even going to pay for you to see it! Well, one of you.

Remember a few weeks ago when I won this movie gift card from my IRLBFF who won it from Kat? You don't? Okay, then click here.

Since there are no Regal/United Artists/Edwards theaters around here...I am paying it forward.

If you would like to win this $25 gift card, just leave me a comment! That's all...easy like a zucchini martini!

You must leave a comment by 9:00 p.m. EST Friday, February 13. A random comment will be picked as the big winner!

Even if you don't have these theaters near you, you could still win and give it away on your blog!

Good luck and happy commenting!

I am going to stop using exclamation points now!

Snow Day!

John Deere Mom here, coming to you live from the family room. Yes, folks, thanks to 5 inches of snow on the ground (and another 7 or so on the way) today is a snow day. Tomorrow looks to be the same. Can I get an amen?!

I have used my morning off to catch up on some much needed picture editing. Oh sure, the dishes are piled up, laundry is taking over the house, but one needs priorities. And today's priority? Getting some weekend pictures put together.

We spent Sunday at my parents' house. My mom made my meal of choice for my birthday...sushi, egg rolls, and potstickers. Oh yeah, Pioneer Woman is so fancy with her own sushi chef...but my sushi chef (try saying that 3 times fast) is my very own MOM! The kids were all too eager to help prepare the meal.

I pretty much ate my way through my 32nd birthday. (Let's see...Noodles & Co, Coldstone, Chilis, steak and baked sweet potato, sushi, eggrolls...and that was just one weekend.) But ohmygosh was that Japanese meal delicious. I am still munching on leftover sushi. SO good.
Okay, the cheese pictures really had nothing to do with that meal...but who can resist pictures of an adorable child cutting the cheese?!

Thankfully the can o' squid was more for fun than anything else. Oh my heavens did it stink up the kitchen. Nasty, nasty stuff it was. But my boy was ready to help. And would you believe he TRIED some?! My mom (who will literally eat anything) tried some and said it was notsogood. It was very difficult to hide my gagging reflex as he chewed it up.
Once the food was prepared, it was dress up time. Grandma had plenty of dresses and wigs to make The Princess happy as can be. And look at that long, beautiful hair! My poor girl has always had hair issues so to see her with that long hair was a sight! And it matched her real hair color perfectly. You better believe that came home with us.

And of course, no day would be complete without multiple clothing changes. Here is the wedding dress rehearsal dress which has become her everyday dress. And by every day, I mean every day.
While Cole was busy chopping up squid, Little Miss and I made a Target run for some essentials. It started to snow a bit when we were leaving and I snapped this pic of her trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. Not a bad pic from my phone. You know, my totally awesome new phone.Now it's time to bundle up and head outside to play in the snow. Snow pics to come later!

Recap

Christmas came and went as quickly as ever. There were presents galore.

Little Miss was THRILLED with every gift she received. Her favorites? Puzzles, sticker books, and Barbies.

Please note that this picture was taken at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Fancy Nancy, indeed.

Cole was thrilled with most of his gifts. The books? Notsomuch.

His favorite gifts? A foam disc shooter, his bicycle, and....oh yeah, TRACTORS!


The kids also got these awesome Fisher-Price digital cameras. They take real pictures that you can upload. They LOVE them. The cameras have 4 buttons and are super easy to use. Obviously, the picture quality isn't great...but the kids love them!

There were gingerbread houses, painting projects, candy and cookies, and Pop Bead creations.

We had a pretty relaxing, stress-free time. Well, the kids and I did. (Except at church.) Daddy isn't quite so used to being home so much. He was giddy to be going to work this morning.

Speaking of church...Daddy stayed home to put the bicycles together. So the kids and I went to 4:30 mass on Christmas Eve. It was PACKED. We got the last possible seats. We even got there an hour early to make sure we got a seat. The kids were pretty good for about an hour but by then mass was JUST starting. It quickly went downhill from there. They were on the floor, standing, sitting, yelling at their friends from across the church...but the funniest moment? All day we had been talking about how we were going to go to church to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Shortly after the music started, Little Miss leaned over and yelled, "When's Jesus gonna get here?!" I am pretty sure she was expecting cake at his "birthday party."

In addition to all the fun things we did together and the family and friends we got to see, I received a few wonderful gifts as well. My favorites?

AND, I took this picture with my NEW CAMERA! Woo hoo! I was in desperate need of a camera. I was down to a loaner from my parents. It was an old camera with like 2.7 Mega Pixels. My new camera? 10! I LOVE it.

And now that Christmas is over and life is returning to normal...it's giveaway time! To celebrate my first blogiversary, I am holding a giveaway of some of my favorite things. Check back tomorrow for your chance to win!