Monday, April 30, 2007

Happy Birthday, LLB!

Our LLB is 12 today.

It seems like just yesterday she was toddling around the kitchen... She's grown into quite a lovely young lady.

We have no big plans for her today. She asked for a music stand and an iPod shuffle. Auntie and Uncle came through with 1/2 the shuffle and we sprang for the rest. The music stand - it's big, it's black and it's ugly... It's just what she wanted!! (Her old one is one of those fold up stands that folds up when you least expect it.)

Tonight - after her trumpet lesson (She asked for an extra lesson this week so that her music for Hershey is perfect.) we'll have dinner with the Grandbugs out on the deck. We might even have a small cake complete with candles for her to blow out. :-)

Her party with her friends - Well, she doesn't know what she wants, so she's decided to wait a little bit until she figures it out. She's not sure if she wants a sleepover, an ice skating party, or something completely different. Whatever she decides, is fine with us.

Our LLB is growing up. She's ready - she's got her head on straight and she knows where she's going. What more could we ask?

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Simply Sunday

Today our lives slow down... to a dull roar...

We survived the spaghetti supper. The music was cheezy - okay, it was perfect. The ambiance was that of a little Italian bistro. The sauce was delicious! We made a little bit too much, but we'll sell it at church today. The left over pasta - all 24 boxes of it - is in my pantry along with the boxes I already had. I can have pasta every day for a month and still have some left over... If you get invited to The Crossing for dinner - you know what you're having -- Spaghetti!

LLB received word about her ballet exam - the one where she got the cut on her foot from something on their floor. She passed with honors. She never ceases to amaze me... To be honest with you, I didn't think she did all that well because of the thing in her foot... But, I guess it didn't matter. She's one tough cookie!!

Next weekend is the band competition at Hershey. Our 7th and 8th graders are playing. That means #1 will be playing his last middle school competition that day. LLB is in 6th grade. Guess what she's doing next weekend? She's playing too! (This means that both my children will be on the same stage.) Her band director decided to let her play - he was down a trumpet and she's really good. LLB found out on Thursday that she could participate. She was thrilled. I wasn't sure how she'd react, but she was tickled. That made me happy. She's been working all weekend to perfect the music. Some of it is hard - as in really hard - but she's got it down! I'm so proud of her! So is her brother... he told me so.

Life is good. Life is very very good.

Thursday, April 26, 2007


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. Tonight is the Volunteer Appreciation Reception for our local library volunteers.

2. Mr. and I are going. It's a date. We live large around here.

3. I've been at the school almost every day this week volunteering. I have to leave in a few minutes to help with book fair.

4. Tomorrow I have to help with picture day.

5. Saturday is the Spaghetti Supper that benefits the mission trip. Mr. is going to start cooking this afternoon.

6. My house is going to smell yummy!!

7. I went shopping for all the ingredients on Tuesday. I needed one of those huge orange flatbed cart things at the store. I could barely push it it was so heavy!!!

8. I put a handbell music order in a shopping cart online and then went to answer the phone. When I came back, the store had emptied my cart! Don'tcha hate that? I guess I'd been gone too long...

10. It took me another 45 min. to fill it back up again. This time I got smart and made a hard copy.

11. We dropped some things off at Salvation Army today.

12. I just realized that today was supposed to be scrapbooking day. Fortunately for me, nobody could come.

13. LLB's birthday is coming up. I don't know what to get her. Auntie got her something she wanted, but that was the best thing. Now I have to figure something else out... Any ideas? She also doesn't know what she wants to do for a party... We will worry about that later. We can't do it right now anyway... there's too much going on!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Wordy Wednesday

Our garage door opener has seen a better day. It opened the door last night when I came home with LLB from her dance class. That was it. It will NOT close. It will NOT open. The chain does not move... Nothing.... Nada..... Zip.

It might be time for a new opener. I know we need a new panel on the door - something or someone rolled into it and didn't tell us. It's just dented.. not broken.. I hate it, but I can live with it.

I cannot live with a garage door opener that doesn't open...

I took a picture of it, but I can't find the cable for the camera... I'll post it later - if and when I find that cable.

UPDATE: Grandpa Bug fixed the opener. The chain had fallen off the thingy... I'm so technical, I can't stand it! The opener works. The door goes up and down. Life is very very good!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Dialing for Dingbats

Last night LLB wanted to call her friend S up north. It's a long distance call.
She was supposed to dial 197.... She dialed 1911 and added the digits. Needless to say, she got the emergency dispatch. I told her they were going to call back and she'd darn well better answer.

She answered. She apologized profusely. She handed the phone over and I explained her mistake to the dispatch operator. They took our name and address.... I'm sure we're now on the Do Not Respond list.

I've gotta teach that kid how to dial...

Monday, April 23, 2007

See That?

I'm nearsighted.
I wear glasses.
I wear them from the second I get up in the morning until I hit the pillow at night.
Except when I'm in the shower.
Nearsightedness is handy when I shave my armpits, but when I shave my legs - it's a problem.
The water is hot and the shower is steamy. It's so hot that when I emerge, I often resemble a lobster. I stick my foot up on the edge of the tub. I bend over. I still can't see my leg very clearly - never mind the hair. I shave.... I attempt to inspect. The farther I bend over to try to see, the more awkward I become. If I lean a little too far one way or another I end up with a face-full of water or I fall over, or both.
Shaving my legs by braille has become the norm.
I'm sure you are wondering why I don't just wear my glasses.... It's too steamy and they get so water spotted I can't see anything anyway
So, now that shorts weather is finally here, if you see that I've missed a patch - just ignore it... I'll get it next time.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

I'm Glad That's Over!

We survived our hectic Saturday!

At 8am I left with LLB to go to the Solo and Ensemble Festival. She had one piece to perform and she was first on the list. We arrived and checked in. She carried her trumpet. I carried her mouthpiece in a travelmug of hot water. It's a little something I came up with the night before (We cleaned up her trumpet using hot water. The last thing I cleaned was her mouthpiece. It was warm. I told her to try out her trumpet to make sure the valves were in correctly. She said something like "I love to play with a warm mouthpiece. It's so nice and easy to play." I had a lightbulb moment! Why not carry the mouthpiece in a cup of hot water until it's time to play??) Brilliant?! Yes, I thought so, too!

Where was I? Oh yes... LLB meets up with her accompanist, Ms. B. and they say hello. Ms. B tells LLB that she'll meet her in the performance room. LLB's name is called and we go down. Ms. B. is there and takes her in. I get to stand in the hall and peek through the small window in the door... LLB is calm and cool. She hands the judge her sheet and her music. She stands next to the piano and is ready. They do a little warm up thingy. Then she plays. LLB has never ever played that piece better. It was perfect!! When she finished the judge asked her what grade she was in. LLB told him 6th. His comment, "Wow." When LLB came out of the room with Ms. B., she had a big smile on her face.

We went back upstairs to wait for her score. While we were waiting, LLB's arch nemesis, C, came in. This girl also plays trumpet and wants to be LLB - that's a post for another day. I told LLB to be a good person and to go wish C good luck. LLB did it but when she came back she said, "Mom, I want to puke." (I know they will end up being the best of friends, but until then... I'm rolling my eyes!) We waited a little longer and then the scores arrived. LLB got a 1!! 1 is the best you can get - Superior. Yippee!!

Then, we started running again. We blew home and made a quick lunch. LLB got a couple of things she wanted for the road in the afternoon. Then we ran off and got #1 who had been at the church yard sale with Mr. and the Grandbugs.

I brought the two of them over to their Jazz lesson. I met up with my dear friend R. She was taking the Dancing Princess and LLB to the ballet exam in Maryland. I owe her so big for this favor!! She blasted out of the studio at 11:45. I stayed behind with #1.

#1 and I flew out of there at 12:45 after his lessons were finished. We arrived at the Solo and Ensemble Festival in time for his performance at 1:40. When we arrived, we ran into HP and his dad. We met up with #1's accompanist and private music teacher, Mr. H. They warmed up and waited for their turn. They were taken down to a different judge - the woodwind judge. #1 was a little nervous, but he handled it. I knew that as soon as he played the first note, he'd be fine. He was fine. He was perfect! The only comment the judge had for him was to use a harder reed. Okay... we can do that - actually, we have them... right here on my desk. As #1 was in the room playing, HP arrived - he was performing next. He was a little nervous, but I talked to him a and injected a bit of humor and reason. He mellowed. My best bit of advice - breathe. It helps to breathe when you play a woodwind instrument.

#1 and I went out to the car to get Zebbie and #1 changed into shorts. We then went back in to get his score. We waited about 15 min. with HP and his dad. The scores came up and the boys went in to get them. Both scored a 1! It was a banner day!! 1's all around!

#1 and I then made a whirlwind trip through Wallyworld before heading home. I got exciting things like cat food and shampoo.

Mr. and the Grandbugs spent the day at the yard sale. I can't say that they had as successful a day, but at least the Grandbugs made some cash. They made enough to go to dinner last night. Mr. ended up in the red. LOL!! Our stuff is headed off to the Salvation Army on Monday morning. Mr. has decided to go for the write-off this year. All that stuff is NOT going back in the attic....

We heard from LLB and R at about 5. They were on their way home. They thought the girls did fine and should pass. LLB got a cut on her foot either from something on the floor or from something in her ballet slipper. (I'm going for the floor.) When she asked the judges if she could wipe up her bleeding foot, they said no. I am furious!! LLB was unnerved by that, but I'm sure she sucked it up and dealt. She's a trooper. Needless to say she has a pretty decent sized cut on her foot. I'll be writing them a letter....

Anyway, it seems R and the Dancing Princess hadn't had enough of my LLB and they kept her for the night. They swung by to get some clothes and a toothbrush. I, mother of the year, had all her things ready to go - I even ironed her outfit for church. I gave her a kiss and sent her on her way.

So today, things are slowing down. I'll pick up LLB after church. After that, I'll be doing all the laundry I've neglected this week....

Friday, April 20, 2007

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of bread?

Garlic.... toasty warm just out of the oven... yummm...

Soup
When was the last time you bought a new pillow?

Not too long ago.. maybe last fall. Actually, I'm shopping for a new pillow now. I bought one years ago at Lord and Taylor that was absolutely wonderful. I have never been able to find one as wonderful as that one. I'm still looking and trying. If I find one, you'll know...

Salad
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net?

I'm not tellin'! Actually I don't surf the net as much as I surf my blogroll.... I'd say 14 hours a week to be generous...

Main Course
What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?

103.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: When I see my children, I smile - most of the time.





Thursday, April 19, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. My new handbells arrived at school yesterday! They are gorgeous! They sound as pretty as they look.

2. Our friends from New England came to visit on Sunday. It was so nice to see them again! We chatted and ate and the time went too fast.

3. This time of year is usually brings beautiful weather. Alas, our friends have been touring in wind gusts up to 50 mph, torrential rain, and cloudy days. I hope the sun comes out before they leave so that they can say it does get sunny and warm in DC.

4. The retreat this past weekend was wonderful. We played some great games, had some terrific food, and basically had fun just spending time with each other. It was nice to stop, sit, and chat.

5. Yesterday, I took lunch to my friend Janet who had knee replacement surgery. We ate chinese food, chatted, and watched the video of Episcopal Idol. She loved it!

6. I volunteer at our local library. I'm in the process of a major shift in J Fiction. I hope to get in there today to finish up - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

7. I want to finish up the shift because next week, many people will descend upon the library from the other county libraries to do a complete shelf read. We want them to shelf read J non-fiction. That's the hardest because there are a zillion books and they are all skinny.

8. They will shelf read non fiction only if the rest of the library looks like it has already been read. Let me tell you - J fiction is almost perfect.... It will be perfect when I'm done - I shelf read and shift at the same time. Aren't I the best volunteer???

9. LLB has her ballet exam on Saturday. I had requested Sunday because she also has a Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday. Did they listen? No. Am I scrambling? Yes.

10. I have to ask my friend, R, to take LLB to the ballet exam on Saturday because #1 also has his Solo and I can't be in two places at once. #1 plays in the PM. LLB's was also scheduled in the pm, but I begged the band director to change it for me.

11. This means two trips... One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Ahhh the things I do for my children.

12. I know you are wondering why Mr. doesn't do some driving this weekend... It's the church yard sale. He will be very busy selling all our junque.

13. This is the 3rd year I will be little to no help at the yard sale. I tried to keep it free. I really did. I got all the stuff together to bring to the yard sale. Think that counts? Nah.. me neither.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Snicker... Snort

One of my children was supposed to get up and take a shower this morning because this child ran out of time last night.
The alarm rang at 6:30... It rang again at 6:40.
I did not hear the patter of feet going to the showers...
I went into the bedroom and found said child getting dressed. I said, "I thought you were going to take a shower this morning."
Said child says, "Oh... yeah..."
Said child then lifts an arm and sniffs a pit and says, "I don't smell that bad."

Deliver me...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Need Pot?? Want Pot?

No, not that kind....
This kind:
My sister, Nicole, makes absolutely gorgeous pottery. Mother's Day is coming up - as are weddings, birthdays, graduations and such. Check out Lazy Bear Pottery and buy a piece of pottery or two.

Isn't this beautiful? I want it. But, since I already own about 22 bowls of various sizes.. you can have this one --- unless I get it in my cart first.
This one would be adorable on your table. I have one I use for salad dressing... You can always put a flower in it...

This is her latest. She used to use mostly blue glazes... She's expanding into other colors. This bowl is huge and it's stunning...

Please drop in and purchase a piece o' pot. You won't regret it.

Episcopal Idol

That was the title of our skit for the talent show at our church retreat this past weekend. Grandpa Bug was "The Big Dawg" Randy Jackson. Grandpa is a sweet guy, but he's as "white" as you can get. It was really quite funny to hear him say, "Yo, Dude! That was hot!"
LLB was Paula. She was cute and sweet and oh so funny!
#1 was Simon. I cannot even tell you how funny he was! He had Simon "down". He had every mannerism, every inflection, every sigh... One of his lines went something like this, "If you sang that way 2000 years ago, Henry the 8th would have had you beheaded." Oh and this one, "That was amazing... amazingly awful!"
I was Ryan Seacrest. I thought I was terrific, if I do say so myself...

Our contestants were in the dark about the whole thing. We just told 3 people from the choir that we needed them to sing a couple of lines from a hymn of their choice. It was a little mean, but we had to keep it secret.

Mr. wrote the script. It was a parody on the goings on in the Episcopal diocese here. Everyone loved it. Our resident professional photographer used our camera and videotaped it as if he were the real cameraman. OMG!! It is soo funny! He zoomed in on the poster we made to look just like the Idol poster. (Did you know that if you go to the Idol website, they tell you what font and how to do it??) He panned the audience just like they do on TV.

If any of you want to see it, you'll just have to come visit me at The Crossing. Trust me, it's worth the trip! Just ask our friends from New England... they loved it!

Friday, April 13, 2007

You Question Me?

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

1.) Can money buy happiness?
No, but it sure would help.

2.) Did you know that Mr. Bug was THE Bug when you first met him?
Actually, I thought he was married for the first 6 months I knew him. We met at a company softball game - he was sitting on the bench. I thought he was a very sweet guy. All the other guys were married, so I figured he was, too! HA! He asked me out on my birthday and he's actually my favorite present. I certainly won't be re-gifting him.

3.) Any regrets in your life so far?
Only that we didn't move here sooner.

4.) What's the sexiest part of a man's anatomy?
His smile and his laugh...

5.) What celebrity spends the most time in your bed? (In terms of dreams, of course!)
Hmmm.... I dunno... I don't really think about celebrities like that. I guess Johnny Depp - I'll go for the bad boy. Heck I - Snow White, married Darth Vader...

Friday Feast

Appetizer
When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite?

Blue. Is there any other color??

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?

Umm.... maybe? How about a 5. It would have to be a great job, huge $$, and super bennies.

Salad
Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total?

72

Main Course
Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to?

Yes. I'm not tellin'.

Dessert
Name something you need from the store.

Milk. #1 drinks 5 gallons a week... I always need milk.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. We are off to our church retreat tomorrow.

2. I put the goody bags together the other day. I made hobo bags out of bandanas and put the treats inside. They are so cute!

3. It's supposed to be cold and rainy. I want warm and sunny.

4. I'm going to bring a good book, plunk myself in a sunbeam and read. Or I might crochet. I need to finish #1 Son's afghan.

5. We have a talent show on Saturday night. I think our skit is the best. I'll tell you all about it when we get back.

6. We also have a band. #1, LLB, and I bring our instruments up and play. I just wish the band leader would choose something other than Sousa marches. I'm a flute player and those gazillion black notes make me dizzy!!

7. We come home on Sunday.

8. Friends, who we haven't seen in over a year, are coming to visit on Sunday. They are touring DC next week. I can't wait to see them!!

9. The house has to be spit polished before we leave tomorrow.

10. I can't have them see my house as it normally is... Although, when we lived closer, they saw it at it's worst many times. My friend, though, her house is always neat as a pin. I don't know how she does it...

11. The ladies came over for the monthly newcomer's coffee yesterday. Da President was among them. She was a nervous wreck. Do you think I'm scary? I was sweet and charming - so was Grambug for that matter. You would have been impressed.

12. Zebbie did not like Da President.

13. He's such a good judge of character. I love that dog!!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Stuck Between The Sheets

It's been cold. The calendar says April, but the temperature says January...

I have fleece sheets on the bed. Yes, fleece. They are snuggly and warm and they were a bargain so I love them even more.

The other night I was a bit chilly, so I put on my fleece pajamas. They are lightweight fleece so they are warm, but not hot.

I crawled into bed and crashed. I don't think I moved until around 1 am. 1am? You ask... How did I know it was 1 am? Did you know that when fleece pajamas come in contact with fleece sheets, they stick? I discovered that when they stick it means that it takes every ounce of strength to move even a little bit. It's a good thing that my head was out because, I'd have suffocated before I could move my arms enough to flip the sheet back. Who knew I could get such a great workout just trying to turn over!

The other thing I discovered was when fleece sheets move against fleece pajamas, they generate enough static electricity to light up the whole neighborhood. I had my own light show going. Too bad I was the only one awake enough to enjoy it.

Note to self: fleece pajamas and cotton sheets, fleece sheets and cotton pajamas.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Just Another Manic Monday...

The children are on spring break.
You got any ideas to keep them busy besides eating candy, playing computer or watching TV?

#1 is currently prone on the couch - arms behind head and foot resting on knee - watching some anime cartoon. LLB is still in bed. She's either sleeping or reading. This won't last long... They have chores to do. They doesn't know it yet, but they do... We have floors to wash, rugs to vacuum, bathrooms to clean, and laundry to fold.

Gee, when we get that done, we might be able to do something fun like go to school - I have to teach today. They have been conned -- oh.. umm... I mean convinced to go with me and join the school band for the 45 minutes I'll be in class.

This all sounds like great fun, doesn't it?

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Happy Easter!

Yesterday, we made Easter eggs.


This morning, it seems the Bunny came to visit...
He dropped of a whole pile of loot!

I wonder if he remembered toothbrushes??

Saturday, April 07, 2007

It's a Love - Hate Relationship

Snow...
Love it and hate it.
Love it in the winter.
Hate it in the spring.
Love it when I'm sledding.
Hate it when I'm driving.
Love it when everyone is safe and sound at home.
Hate it when one of us is out in it...

This is what I woke up to this morning...
Check out my poor little yellow tulips.
They have snow caps...
And they aren't even chocolate!

BTW: I started using Google Reader. Thanks to all of you who told me about it. It sure beats blogroll by a mile!!

But, like all things technological... I love it and I hate it.

I love it because I know instantly who has updated and I can read each post quickly - I just click right down the line. It takes very little effort, it loads fast, and I'm a lazy bum, so it's right up my alley!

I hate it because I have to click in to each individual blog to comment. I just want to comment from Reader. Why can't I do what I want?? I don't want to wait for the whole blog to load. Here I thought I was going to be saving time, but if I want to leave a comment... it saves me no time at all. It's kind of a bummer.

Basically, it comes down to this:
As a reader - I love it. As a person who loves comments - I hate it.

I guess I'll just have to deal...

Friday, April 06, 2007

Appetizer
When you travel, which mode of transportation do you prefer?
Airplane - it's quick. In my world, time is money. I hate to waste time driving for hours and hours to get somewhere. I'd rather spend a little more cash and arrive quicker, rested, and ready to go. Mr. tells me that sometimes it takes just as long to fly, but I'd still rather fly.

Soup
Have you ever met a blogging friend in person?
YES!! I met Daisy, Flip Flop, Melli, and Beckie. They are wonderful!!

Salad
When was the last time you were really, really tired?
Huh? When am I not?

Main Course
If you could have dinner with any one fictional character from a book or movie, who would it be?
Stephanie Plum from the Janet Evanovich series... She's a trip!

Dessert
Fill in the blank: One day, I hope to see _______________.
Hmm... Okay... I've got one. I hope to see my children graduate from the colleges of their choice and have long and happy lives with people they love.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. Tuesday I had lunch with a friend who I hadn't seen in quite a while. She is the sweetest thing on two feet and I had so missed spending time with her.

2. Grambug and I have started a walking program that Gram found in Family Circle magazine. It says we can lose a dress size in a month. LOL! I'll believe it when I see it. The first day we walked for 5 min. That got us to the mailbox... The second and third day we walked 10 whole minutes... I'm thinking that dress size isn't shrinking any time fast.

3. Yesterday I went on a field trip to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis with LLB.

4. She took it all in... I wasn't sure what she was thinking until one of the teachers scooped her in her arm and asked her if she could come to LLB's graduation from there. LLB grinned and said, "Absolutely!"

5. I told LLB that if she didn't like it she certainly didn't have to choose to go to school there - she has plenty of other colleges to choose from. Her answer, "Mom, I love it here. I want to go to college here. I don't want to leave. I want to stay here."

6. We saw a mock dorm room. We thought it was very nice and neat. One of the people touring with us is an Annapolis grad. His comment, "That room was not neat. It would never pass inspection. The sheets weren't folded correctly, the corners weren't square, and the cover was wrinkled." My thought, "OMG! I've got a lot of work to do..."

7. I was putting LLB to bed last night and she said, "Mom, will you teach me how to make my bed like they do?" "Sure. No problem. I can do that." I'm not sure 5 years is long enough to be able to teach her how to do that, but I'll give it my best shot.

8. #1 is also interested in the Naval Academy. I think he'd probably do better with Air Force - it seems they are a little more laid back. According to the Navy types I've spoken with, the AF is more like a country club. I'm not sure that's true... I found out #1 can take a summer "try me" course out in Colorado when he's a little older. I'll be saving my pennies for that!

9. His comment, "Mom, I already know how to make my bed and I'm very neat."
"Yes, you are, dear, and that makes me very happy."

10. We were touring the pool area and LLB asked if she had to keep her bun in her hair while she was swimming or could she just wear a braid. LOL!! That kid is always thinking!!

11. Oh - I'm sure you all want to know how many kids I ended up with in my group for this field trip. Umm... 3. What a lovely number! Not 22. Not 15. Ah.. it was a very enjoyable field trip. There were 23 adults for 71 children. Now that ratio is so much better, don't you think?

12. The one thing that annoyed me during the field trip - an Asian man, who wasn't part of our group, kept photographing my LLB while we were touring the Academy. The first picture I thought, "Hmm... that's weird." The second picture I thought, "Hey, knock it off, Dude!" The third picture - I stepped in front of her so all he got was a picture of my oh so attractive torso. He was absolutely thrilled, I'm sure.

13. Next week is school vacation week. The children are definitely ready for a break. We don't have any huge plans so I asked them what they wanted to do. Their reply: They want to go to the spy museum. I think we might be able to squeeze that in.


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Monday, April 02, 2007

Tootin' Their Horns

Just in case you have forgotten, our children play instruments.
#1 plays sax. LLB plays trumpet.

They both tried out for District Band back in the fall. #1 made District. LLB did not. LLB was the only 6th grader to try out and she finished 24th out of 40. We were thrilled that she decided to even try out.

Fast forward to this past weekend. Both #1 and LLB are invited to play at Tri-County Band. They accept.

#1 is first chair sax. This is no surprise. He works hard and is a terrific sax player.

LLB's teacher tells her that she is 4th chair trumpet. This is huge! There are only 9 trumpets. She is the only 6th grader. She plays better than 5 other kids who are all a year or two older and have been playing a year or two longer. She is thrilled!

We picked them up after an all day rehearsal on Friday. Neither one of them could feel their lips. When we dropped them off on Saturday morning, they were ready to play for another 4 or 5 hours.

The concert that afternoon was terrific! #1 had a duet with a flute and nailed it. LLB did a great job, too.

Last night, LLB got her trumpet out to practice her school music. She started to play. When she got to the hard part she sailed right through it.
"Hey, Mom... I can play this now! I think it was all those hours of wicked hard music we played this weekend."
"You think?"
"Mom, I can do all of this AND I can hit a high F."
"Really???"
(There is a method to my madness... I don't make them do all this extra stuff for nothing!!)
She has a lightbulb moment. I can see it turn on in that little blond brain of hers.
"Oh... wow! I get it. Thanks, Mom."
I get a kiss on the cheek and a big old hug.
She returns to her practicing.

Life is good... Life is very very good.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Perfect Post

I found this blogger - she's a new read new for me - Not Winning Mother of the Year. I loved the title of her blog. She's funny. She's witty. She's normal. I love normal...

This post made me laugh. You all know laughter is what it's all about with me.

So, go give her some love!!