mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Wii’ve been busy.

Our household splurged on a Wii system today.  Actually, I stood in line at Target at 7 a.m. and waited till they opened at 8 a.m. to actually go inside and claim my game system.  I had already intended on getting it for David either for Father's Day or for his birthday but he had the same idea and didn't seem likely to wait that long for it.

I was third in line and Target was only giving out passes to eighteen people so I guess I did well to arrive early.  I am positive that there were at least eighteen people in line by 7:45 or so and that all systems were gone at 8.

It was actually kind of nice.  After I paid for the game system over in electronics, I was able to peruse the store sans kids for the first time in a long time.  And, since it was like 8:05 a.m., I practically had the store all to myself.  They even had my size in a few of the tees and shorts I wanted to get so I picked them up while I was there.  Target without kids is such a different experience, I tell you.

Back to the Wii.  Nathan, David and I have had so much fun with this little machine.  I highly recommend it for some fun family time!  We've played all the sports games that came with the system (except we haven't gotten to boxing yet) and I also picked up another game when I got the system.  It's called Cooking Mama and it's a cooking game where you actually chop, dice, peel and cook recipes all while getting timed.  It's fun too.  Nathan really likes using the can opener and chopping on that game.

Nathan and I created our own "Miis" (pronounced "mees") so now we're tracking our play through our made up Wii characters.  Nathan's Mii really does look just like him! I think N8 and I might have to have Janelle and Darren over for a playdate to play some bowling, tennis, or golf.  What's cool about the system is that you can create and save your very own Mii on the Wii-mote and take it over to someone else's Wii system and use it there to play.

I am really getting some practice on my bowling and golf form and the tennis really did get me breathing a little heavy after a long round. 

The Wii is the coolest thing since the slip-n-slide.

Ouch!

Man, and I thought the Hy-vee incident was bad! Take a look at this poor kiddo!

The first step is to admit that you have a problem.

I know now why the BlackBerry is referred to as CrackBerry.  The thing is so damn addicting!  Not that I've ever been addicted to crack to know what it actually feels like, but I am sure I can pretty well imagine it.

Since getting my new BB a few short weeks ago I've become insanely dependent on it.  I've even started using it for my memos (a.k.a. random notes to myself), task lists, calendar, internet browser, and of course, EMAIL!  I've even used it to blog during vacation.  I am now delving into learning more about all of its features and cool stuff I can download and do with it!  It's A-MAZING!

I must admit I was skeptical about using it for a calendar and to keep track of notes and stuff because I am SO a paper and write-it-down kinda girl. But, I am just finishing up reading the most fabulous book on organization that I've started to implement some of the ideas and actually NOT having the paper around helps.  I can carry around all the information that I need at my fingertips everywhere I go without lugging around a stupid calendar the size of my purse (which, by the way, always has random scribbles in it from my kids).  Honestly my new read is the single most useful book I've ever read to date in my LIFE!  I refuse to give it back to the library.

So anyway, back to my addiction.  I recently found out that Gmail, which is what I use for ALL of my email accounts, offers a software download for the BB 8100 (my phone) so I installed it yesterday and it's even BETTER than the regular way I was receiving email on my BB.  SAWEEEET!

One drawback is that Nathan and Will love to play with the trackball that operates as the mouse so I frequently have to fight them for it back.  The upside is that Nathan is delving more into "techknowledgy" (yes, I just made that up and I think it's quite a brilliant term!.......damn, just stopped to Google it and lo and behold, someone's registered the domain name but there's no actual site for it!).

Okay, back to my CB....I...I mean BB.

 

Springtime planting.

While Will was napping today Nathan and I decided to break out my Stack-a-pots and get them planted and growing.  We had a good time putting the pots together and planting.  Nathan of course helped with every aspect, including filling each pot with potting soil, the roots, and then watering and packing tightly.

If all goes well, our strawberries will turn out yum-o!  For now, though, here's what it looks like:

I seriously hope I can grow at least one strawberry.  Gardening is NOT my strong suit, nor am I the type that would give up a fun Saturday afternoon just to garden (mostly because I am just not good at it), but it'd be nice to be able to boast about strawberries and invite people over to help partake of them!

Either way, Nathan and I enjoyed some quality time together so I guess it isn't a total wash.  Next up on the list are my summer collection of all white flowers.  Hopefully we'll get to that later this week.

Earth Day 2007: Find out how you can help.

Take a look at your Ecological Footprint to see what you and your family can do about being more ecologically responsible.  I was amazed at my score and at how many planets would be needed if everyone consumed the same amount of energy that our household did.

I'll admit, I scored an 18 and the survey results indicated that we would need four planets if everyone lived like I had indicated on the survey.  Some things are a-changin' here at this household soon.

The cake is the only thing that saves today.

Today has been so crappy in so many ways.  Firstly, I have never been an allergy sufferer.  I NEVER had allergies when I was living in Texas and most people actually do have them there.  Must be because of my native status or whatever.  Well, for the past two days I have been so congested, sneezy, watery and all out miserable.

Today is worse.  I just can't even relax because I am either sneezing, sniffling, blowing my nose or trying to dry out  my watery eyes.

I thought it would get better as the day went on.  David and I had made plans to make a pineapple upside-down cake this afternoon.  First though we ran to Sam's Club so I could finally get my free spouse card to that place.  David has always had a business membership and I was NOT about to pay a membership fee to that place since I was well aware he could get me a free spouse card.  Somehow, we only managed to walk out with a heaping bag of brown sugar (which we would later need for our cake) and then we corralled the kids back into the car to head out to lunch.

Applebee's has become our family hangout I think.  We sat and had a great lunch and then were going to head over to Hy-Vee for some remaining ingredients for the cake. 

Of course someone had left one of those pretend car carts in the parking lot and naturally Nathan wanted to ride in it.  As we made our way through the store to get everything we needed, Nathan sat pretty quietly and contently in the front car portion of the basket.  Then, just as I am wheeling it through the checkout lane, he must've stuck his head out in an attempt to get out seeing as how we were finishing up our shopping trip.  It was at that moment that we all heard the loud "BOOM" and then the screaming and crying ensued.  I rushed to his aid realizing that his head had hit the side of the checkout lane next to us as he stuck his head out of the moving cart.  I felt like crap.  I should've been more aware of him because I KNOW how he is sometimes.  He is constantly moving about and he usually always wants to help unload groceries onto the conveyor belt.  Initially, I thought this was why he'd made an attempt to get away.

Then, as I had pulled him aside to console him and as David remained at the checkout lane to pay and watch over Will (who was still sitting nicely in the front part of the cart), as he's crying and screaming at the front of the store I realize he's wetting his pants.  Poor thing.  As it turns out, he later tells me he was trying to get out so that he could find the potty.

He literally cried the entire way home while I beat myself up emotionally for the whole thing.  I tried to replay it in my head to see if there was anything I could've done differently.  There probably was - like maybe pay more attention to him while in that thing or strap him into the front part of the ride instead of just allowing him to simply sit in there.  But, nothing to do about that now.

We came home and all rushed inside to take a closer look and I offered Nathan an ice cream sandwich (my mom always offers ice cream to fix a boo-boo!) and then we changed him into dry clothes.  He was still crying and complaining that both sides of his head really hurt.  I put him on my lap to hug and snuggle him when I realized he had TWO HUGE KNOTS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIS HEAD!  I freaked.

We all got back into the car and took him to Children's Mercy South just to be safe.  We ended up waiting there for about two and a half hours before the doc finally came in and gave him the once over.  She checked to make sure that his bleeding (yes, one of the knots - the one on the right side - had blood on his scalp) was only an abrasion.  She also made sure he was alert, aware, checked out his vision and jaw and neck and spine.  Since he wasn't exhibiting any signs of vomiting, dizziness, and never lost consciousness, they sent him home with a nice green apple slushie and pretty much told us to keep an eye on him for the next few hours.

He's outside right now playing baseball with David and is acting pretty normal so I am just thankful that we were lucky on this one because that head bonk was really, really bad.

So, as the title of this post suggests, the cake has been our one thing that hasn't turned out bad today and we've all enjoyed a piece of it.

Anyway, these allergies are buggin' and I need a Kleenex.

Will: One Year stats and first steps.

Today was Will's one year checkup.  All is well and he's progressing fine.  Dr. Tyson gave him super kudos on how relaxed he was during his exam.  I actually have NEVER seen him that calm.  The doc even made a remark about me having given him drugs before the appointment because he was so calm and relaxed.  She said that it was the best 12 month checkup she's ever done!

That is, until the shots. Anyhow, he's healthy and meeting all his milestones and is in great shape.  Here's what he was up to all afternoon, and with legs sore from shots, no less!

 

PS that's Disney's Fantasia 2000 on the TV

I thought 30s were the new 20s - not the new 50s!

So after going through our gargantuan pile of mail today since it was loaded up from us being on vacation, I find an envelope addressed to me from AARP.  I of course started to open it thinking it must be some solicitation for money or some sort of pledge drive for the elderly, etc.

Imagine my surprise when I opened it up only to read that I'd been pre approved for an AARP membership AND they had included a pre-embossed AARP membership card with MY NAME ON IT!  All I was asked to do is fill out the enclosed membership card confirming my information and I could begin using my AARP benefits immediately with my membership card.

Now, c'mon people....what kind of looks do you think I'd get if I whipped that sucker out at the next restaurant or movie while trying to get a senior discount?

I'm pissed.  How dare they send me a card with my name imprinted.  Well, the upside is that most of the Disney resorts offer an AARP rate.  Hmmmmm......

WDW recap - with photos.

There's just so much to say and share I don't know where to begin.  We had a ball in Florida and I think you'll agree when you see the photos.

The kids were amazing and although Will was a little under the weather for his birthday, it was still a fun time had by all.  If you're interested, check out the link to the pics below.

Disney 2007 & Will's 1st Birthday!

WDW Trip: MAGICAL!

O. M. G.!!!! We are back from Florida and can I say, what a truly magical time we ALL had!! Worth every pretty penny we dropped on the place.  I can't wait to get caught up on posts and post my fave pics from the trip...there are so many!

It's good to be home but David and I are scheming up a plan on how/when we can make it back to WDW.  It was even more than I'd hoped for and the kids had a fantastic time.

Buzz Lightyear was the hit of the entire trip though. Not sure who enjoyed him more - the grownups or the kids.