Brooklyn has been asking for the past 6+ months to go to a hotel and go swimming. Well since I have the week off for Spring Break, Chad got some time off, and it's Brooklyn's birthday this week, we decided to rent a hotel room with an indoor swimming pool and take the girls for our own little family getaway. I scoured the internet and found the cheapest place downtown with an indoor pool to be the Shilo Inn. (Brooklyn doesn't care what the room looks like, right...) so off we went. We decided to let the girls take a nap before we left, and of course Brooklyn got out of bed 4 times. We finally made it downtown at around 6:15...
After we finished checking in, I asked the clerk, "Now where's the pool?" "Oh," she replies, "it's broken." Little miss Brooklyn is sitting next to me, heartbroken. You could see the tears in her eyes. I then explain to the clerk that this is the reason we chose this hotel and why we came downtown. She finally admitted that we could use the Hilton's pool which was across the street.
So we dropped off our stuff, and went to dinner. We ended up at the Olive Garden because it was close and the wait wasn't long at all.
After dinner we ventured off to the Hilton to look at their pool. Of course you needed a key to get in, so we were on our way back to our hotel when Mary Beth and Charlie asked us if we wanted to go for a ride. Chad had been saying all week how fun he thought it'd be, and since swimming wasn't working, we sucked up our pride and purchased a carriage ride around downtown. Mary Beth was awesome and Brooklyn loved every minute of it. Her head was sticking out of the carriage the whole time. Charlie even lost a horseshoe as we were on our tour, so she got to see the horseshoe up close. Here's our lovely family shot!
Well first thing we did this morning was go swimming. For all who know me well, I hate to swim, especially when it's cold. This pool was cold, but both Jacee and Brooklyn loved every minute of it! We swam until we had to go eat...we couldn't loose our free breakfast... and Brooklyn kept asking if we could go again. Unfortunately, we couldn't. Walking back and forth across the street and down the road just takes some of the fun out of swimming.
After we ate and showered, we went to the Clark Planetarium. It was a little too old for Brooklyn, but she had fun watching the movie in the dome theater. After the planetarium, we went and got lunch.
By the time we got home both girls had crashed, but we had a super time! (Even if the pool wasn't working... getaways are just what a family needs!)
3/26/08
Our Getaway
Easter
Because I really don't know how to do this, all these pictures are out of order! But you'll get the gist! These are pictures of my girls in their easter dresses. Thanks to grandma, they look awfully cute!
The day before Easter we went to the park by Chad's fire station for an easter egg hunt. I thought it began at 8, so in my mad rush to get out the door, I didn't bring coats. Instead, all I brought was a sweatshirt and found her red jacket in my trunk. It ended up being that the egg hunt wasn't until 8:30, so we spent a 1/2 hour waiting in the cold. We all froze!
3/16/08
Traveling Help
We want to take a trip to Disneyland over UEA (October). Does anyone know the best way to plan a trip? Chad wants to fly. I started looking at rates and they don't look great. When is the best time to book a flight and should we use a travel agent? Is there a best place on the internet to use? Looking for all words of wisdom!
3/14/08
Disney Princesses
First off, I have no idea why this is underlining or in blue font, so if someone knows what the heck I have done, please let me know!
Last night Chad and I took Brooklyn on a special date to see the Disney on Ice, Princesses. Laura, Kenedy would love it!
Our date began at Westminister College where Chad and Brooklyn help me collect old reading books for our district. This left no time for Brooklyn to take a nap, only adding to the excitement and adventure of an already packed night.
We arrived at Gateway, went and exchanged a few clothes then went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. Pizza is Brooklyn's favorite food, much to the chagrin of me, but since it was her special night, I agreed and ordered a salad instead. Everywhere you looked, princesses surrounded us, but this is by far my favorite prince and princess!
We had a few minutes to waste after dinner, so we went to Barnes and Nobles where I got a cookbook that I have wanted since Christmas and got Brooklyn an Easter book. We changed clothes and then went to see the princesses!
Brooklyn really wanted to be Cinderella, but I wouldn't let her since she was Cinderella for Halloween when she was 2. Her dress is TRASHED because she has worn it continously since that day 1 1/2 years ago. She has a beautiful Snow White dress that she wore last Halloween, but instead decided to be Sleeping Beauty. (Ironically Sleeping Beauty is her favorite movie but she never plays in this dress!)
The show has all the princesses perform. Chad took pictures of all of them, but my favorite was Ariel. I just couldn't upload all the pictures I wanted.
As you can see, Brooklyn really just wanted to watch the show. She didn't like getting her picture taken. The show was actually PERFECT for kids. The pacing was fast and the length was perfect. Brooklyn loved every minute of it! In fact before the show began we told her she could pick out a prize. She wasn't even interested in that, she just wanted to get in to see the princesses! I thought for sure she'd want a wand that lights up or a glowing crown, which most girls picked out. Instead she wanted an Ariel necklace. When I asked her if she wanted a treat, she saw the Cotton Candy and asked what it was. I told her and said it is a shame that any 4 year old doesn't know what Cotton Candy is. I forked out the $10.00 yes... the price is true, I couldn't believe it. Lucky for me, she hated it. I guess I won't have to worry about being ripped off again!
Here is a picture of all of us on our little date. Brooklyn tired, and grouchy- but we had a wonderful time together and after the show went and got some Ice Cream. Yes, one day Chad took Brooklyn out for ice cream on a date and now EVERY date must include ice cream. And guess what... my kids actually slept in til 7:30 today. That is the first time since I can remember when that I wasn't out of bed before 6ish!
3/9/08
One Word
My friend Carrie sent this and since I really don't have very many people's e-mail address to respond, I'd thought I'd post it. Besides, I've feelin' no pressure since I spent all day yesterday cleaning my basement spic 'n span and my RS lesson is complete.... So here goes:
1. Where is your cell phone? Charger
2. Your significant other? Chad
3. Your hair? Thick
4. Your mother? Amazing
5. Your father? Joker
6. Your favorite thing? Reading
7. Your dream last night? Lesson
8. Your favorite drink? Water
9. Your dream/goal? Cruise
10. The room you're in? Office
11. Your Ex? Notta
12. Your fear? Failing
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Rich!
14. Where were you last night? WardParty
15. What you're not? Adventurous
16. Muffins? Blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? New Car
18. Where you grew up? Murray
19. The last thing you did? Laundry
20. What are you wearing? Sweater
21. Your TV? Old
22. Your pet? FISH! (I'm not saying it like it's a good thing either)
23. Your computer? sufficient
24. Your life? Fast-paced
25. Your mood? Tired
26. Missing someone? Stacey
27. Your car? Accord
28. Something you're not wearing? Earrings
29 Favorite Store? any (If no kids are involved!)
30. Your summer? relaxing
31. Like someone? Kids
32. Your favorite color? Red
33. When is the last time you laughed? Today
34. Last time you cried? Nana's funeral
35. Who will/would re-post this? Amber?
3/3/08
Tagging-A way to get Jill to update!
It's official... the only way I can remember to update is by a little pressure... So Amber, thanks for keeping me going on this blog thing.
So here's your chance to get to know me:
A- Attached or single: Attached (thank goodness... don't want to be single again for anything! Besides, I love my catch!)
B- Best Friends: I have many! Chad's my VERY best friend but I love my girlfriends too. Shamae, Stacey and Amber, and who could live without their mommy dearest? I'm so lucky to have so many awesome friends!
C- Cake or Pie: Pie (Banana Cream to be specific)
D- Day of choice: Friday; I love not working and having an extra day to get things done!
E- Essential item: Cell phone
F- Favorite color: Red
G- Gummy bears or worms: what... if it doesn't have peanut butter, I really don't love it!
H- Hometown: Murray
I- Indulgences: Lying down and reading a good book for a few hours with NO kids or husband interrupting me!
J- January or July: July... it's warm, need we day more?
K- Kids: Brooklyn (almost 4) and Jacee (9 months)
L- Life is not complete without: My family
M-Marriage Date: November 3, 2000
N- Number of Siblings: 2, A younger sister and brother
O- Oranges or apples: Apples, You can dip them in peanut butter for a good treat!
P- Phobias or fears: My greatest fear is that I will fail or have to sing in front of anyone! and I HATE spiders!
Q- Quotes: "Don't pray for challenges to meet your abilities, pray for abilities to meet your challenges".
R- Reason to smile: Chad, my girls, and no more waking up in the middle of the night!
S- Season: Spring
T- Tag three friends: Cathy, Amy and Holly Strong
U- Unknown fact about me: I hate procrastinating and am unable to "fly by the seat of my pants!"
V-Very favorite store: I have a few favorites, Gymboree and Nordstrom since that is the ONLY store that I can buy shoes from
W- Worst habit: Biting my nails when I get nervous.
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasounds.... I love being pregnant! (Sorry Carrie, you're probably thinking I am pretty crazy right now!
Y- Your favorite food: Peanut Butter
Z- Zodiac: Capricorn
2/23/08
A little catching up...
Sorry it has taken me so long to write anything. You know you're slacking when people blog you to say get on the ball! I keep thinking of all these things to write about, but never do, so you'll hear about a whole bunch of random things at once!
First of all, the most exciting news...
It's a boy! The next picture is of Jacee. She is the BEST baby and one of my favorite things about her is that anytime she wakes up, she pulls the bumper pad down so she can see out. I mean EVERYTIME you to in there, you see this cute little face smiling at you. Most of the time time she's kicking her feet a hundred miles an hour too. There's a permanent crease in my bumper pads now from all the pulling... But seeing her cute smiling face each time is so worth it!
Everyone is seeming to have new bedspreads. I do too! Chad had to work on Valentine's day, so we had a date the day after. We were going to go to breakfast, but we got there too late and since because we had massages, we missed out on breakfast. After the massage, we went to the quilt store at Gardner Village and browsed. I liked this bedspread because it was the colors of my room and truly hated the one I picked before. All of their quilts were on sale, and I thought it was only 89.00. I thought I was getting a great bargain! But of course, with my luck, almost all of them were on sale. Mine wasn't, and I didn't get near the deal I thinking I was getting. I ended spending way more than I planned, but I still like it! Today I even went and bought more pillows and like it even better! Happy Valentine's day to me!
One of the main reasons I haven't blogged for so long is work is crazy! For those of you who don't know, I was supposed to work 1/2 time since school started, but a week before it did start, my partner's husband got transferred. I was working 3/5 time until Christmas when the district found me a new partner. I was so excited to go 1/2 time, (the difference is only 3 1/2 hours a week, but it makes all the difference!) but 2 weeks ago, my new partner quit. I am not sure why, but I am in a quandry about what to do. I think I will try to finish the year 1/2 time, but am clueless about what to do next year.
I have been praying pretty hard about what to do next year... stay 1/2 time or go back to 3/5 time, because emotionally this year has been so hard for me. I finally felt like I got an answer that I was supposed to stay 1/2 time and felt inspired about who to ask to job share with me. It was like the first time this year I have felt peaceful about this whole situtation. Well I thought for sure she'd say yes since I felt so inspired. But on Friday, she called to say as much as she wants to, she doesn't want to move her kids from the school they are at.
I should also mention that the district has made an exception for me to work 1/2 time. They don't let any other teacher do it. I feel pretty pressured to make it work, because I am a little afraid the HR guy won't let me keep doing it with all the problems this year and the exception that has been made, unless I find someone really good. I know of no one!
I feel comforted that at least I finally got an answer to work 1/2 time. Hopefully, it'll work out! I really don't want to have to work 3/5 time!
So these are the main highlights of the past month. I'll try to do better at staying up to date, and if anyone has got any great advice for me, I'll take it!
