Nothing like 1982!

My long lost friend, Paula, "tagged" me in a photo on facebook and I just had to share it with my blogging buddies. Was I stylish, or what?



Amy (me), Julie C., Amy M., Gretchen F., Paula U., Pam A. and Stacy A. in the back
Field Day, June 1982
William Byrne Elementary
Burnsville, MN

Our newest gadget

We decided to spend the $13 and buy a Neti Pot. Hopefully this investment will pay off in the end by eliminating costly doctor visits and prescriptions. Ethan and I are the only ones brave enough to try it, but so far, so good. Here is a link to the Oprah website showing the neti pot in action. Click here!

It's Here

Due to popular request . . . I edited the picture from my May 10th Mother's Day post to include an old school picture of my Mom. She's a beauty, watch out! You can go directly to the post by clicking HERE.

Ryan is done! Anyone up for some Ice Cream?

Today was Ryan's last day of school. He will return to the preschool in the fall for his final year.

During the festivities today at the preschool center, they called each child up to receive their "diploma" and the teacher stated what the child wants to be when they grow up. Ryan wants to be an Ice Cream Man he grows up, or so he says!

As long as a family discount is part of the deal, I am fully supportive!

Ryan with his teacher, Ms. Tierney

Ryan with teacher aide, Ms. Kayla

Ryan and his best friend/next door neighbor Cailey

Good Golly!

Here is an exerpt from tonight's conversation between Matt and Ryan.

Ryan: "My nose is clogged"

Matt: "It is because someone has been crying too much tonight"

Ryan" "I know, you are talking about Ashton!"

Sneak Peek

Tonight Ethan is going to the Upbeat Cafe to share a Memoir he wrote in school. The owner of the cafe has a daughter in his class. All the other 2nd grade classes did their Memoir readings in their classroom. This is a special occassion to be able to do this on a stage at an off-site location. Here is what he will be reading:



Ethan Clayburn May 28, 2009

My Papa

My Papa always wore glasses. His hair was gray and he always wore a golf shirt. When I picture him in my mind, I see him helping me put on my boots. My Papa also wore shorts, shirts, and socks. When I think of him he is saying, “no bagel, no bagel, no bagel.”

One special memory with my Papa was when we went to the St. Louis Arch. We went to the top. I could see everything from the top of the arch. I could see houses, a swimming pool, train tracks, and even Busch Stadium. My family was with me up at the top. When we rode the elevator down it was kind of scary. It was shaped like an egg. When we got to the bottom there were a lot of people. I got lost but then my Papa found me. This memory is special to me because my Papa and I had so much fun together. Now when I see the St. Louis Arch it reminds me of him.

Another special memory with my Papa is when we went to ride a train. It looked like Thomas the Train. When we got on and sat down it went slow and then fast. We went through the woods. It was getting dark, but then we got back to where we started. We got off the train and got ice cream. It was good! Mine was vanilla. My Papa got chocolate. Finally, we went home and went to bed. I was very tired and so was my Papa. This memory is special to me because we got to ride a train together.

My Papa was so special to me because we had so much fun together. I admire my Papa because he always cheered me up whenever I was sad. He also taught me how to swim. I hope one day to have a good sense of humor like my Papa and to help my children learn to swim.


Enjoy!

Ethan with his 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Chenault

Ethan on stage


Ethan outside the cafe

Pigs are flying in Georgetown

We received a notice today that the Swine Flu has arrived! Unfortunately one student has a confirmed case of it at a local elementary school. Thank heavens not at the school the boys go to, but still. Yikes!

All I Want for Christmas . . . .

Today Ashton lost his 2 front teeth. Our neighbor had the priviledge of pulling them out. She is now 5 for 5.

The Graduate and the Doll!

Here is a picture from my little brother's graduation from college. Congratulations, Matty! And I couldn't resist adding a picture of my adorable neice!

When it rains, it POURS!

... and I'm not talking about the weather!

Several years ago while living in Utah, we took Ethan to an allergist because he coughed all the time. The allergist took xrays of Ethans face and determined that he had sinusitis. He took a round of antibiotics and we had a follow up visit. When they took his xrays this time they noticed both sinuses were still completely blocked. So another round of antibiotics he took. So for our next follow up they again took xrays, only to find that only 1/2 of one sinus cavitie was clear. The allergist said that Ethan suffers from chronic sinusitis and there isn't much they can do. Deal with it, I guess.

This leads us to today . . .

Once again, like every Spring, Ethan has been coughing, coughing and coughing. He has continued to participate on all regular activities and duties. No big deal! Today he had a playdate at a friends house. After he'd been there a while, the dad called to let us know that Ethan had been coughing a lot. We chatted with Ethan on the phone and asked if he wanted us to come and get him. Of course, his reply was I am fine, I want to stay. So he did!

Later in the day, after we'd picked him up I told Matt that I felt we needed to take him to the Urgent Care Center to see if they could prescribe him something for this darn cough. I didn't feel like hearing it all night (AGAIN!)

So off to the UTC - and to make a long story a tad bit shorter . . .

Ethan has WALKING PNEUMONIA!!! Dang! Luckily it isn't contageous and he didn't contaminate the other children today! So he is on another round of antibiotics and cough medicine.

So in the past 10 days:

Ethan - Doctor visit, 1 prescription
Urgent Care Center, 2 prescriptions

Ryan - Urgent Care Center, 1 prescription

Brinley - Call to the Doctor, 1 prescription

All kids - call to the doctor - all on prescription allergy pills.

$100+ dollars later . . . . Ugh!

Will it ever end!!!!!

Bye Bye Baby Girl . . .

. . . Hello Big Girl

This week I took Brinley to get her haircut. Isn't it cute?

Sick Again!

Ryan has had the blah, blah, blahs the past couple of days. I decided to take him to the Urgent Care this evening where they checked him out for the flu and for strep throat. Both tests came back negative, but the doctor said his throat looked like it had strep. The doctor ended up prescribing him medicine for strep. The weird part was the doctor said Ryan could go to school tomorrow. Hmmmmm. . . .

Summer is Comin'

Ryan brought home a handout today with fun, free activities to do in Georgetown this summer.

The Lowes store of Georgetown provides the Build a Workshop program for all families. Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 10:00am in the cabinet department. For more information call Lowes at 502-570-2060
(I think most Lowes stores around the country provide this service)

The Scott County Library provides many summer activities including book readings, and arts and crafts projects for all ages. To find out more you can call the library at 502-863-3566 or go to their website www.scottpublib.org

The Theaters of Georgetown offers free movies all summer long - each Wednesday at 10am and again at 11am. After the movie they have a drawing for prizes. For more information contact the theater at 502-863-0055. The movie schedule is as follows:

June 17th - Kung Fu Panda
June 24th - Journey to the Center of the Earth
July 1st - Space Chimps
July 8th - Tale of Despereaux
July 15th - Mall Cop
July 22nd - Madagascar 2

The last item I have information for is the Summer Feed Program. This year the schools that will be hosting the free breakfast/lunch meals are:

Georgetown Middle School

Garth Elementary

Southern Elementary

Each day, beginning June 8th, any child under 19 years of age can receive a free breakfast (8:00-9:00am) and a free lunch (11:00-1:00pm). The free meals will end on July 26th. For more information regarding the Summer Feed Program you can call Eleanor Hall at 502-570-3035

(Dates are tentative)

Go Cards! Boo Cubs!!

Cub's facts

There have been twenty major events that have occurred since the Chicago Cubs last laid claim to a World Series championship:

1. Radio was invented; Cubs fans got to hear their team lose.

2. TV was invented; Cubs fans got to see their team lose.

3. Baseball added 14 teams; Cubs fans get to see and hear their team lose to more clubs.

4. George Burns celebrated his 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th and 100th birthdays.

5. Haley's comet passed Earth twice.

6. Harry Caray was born....and died. Incredible, but true.

7. The NBA, NHL and NFL were formed, and Chicago teams won championships in each league.

8. Man landed on the moon, as have several home runs given up by Cubs pitchers.

9. Sixteen U.S. presidents were elected.

10. There were 11 amendments added to the Constitution.

11. Prohibition was created and repealed.

12. The Titanic was built, set sail, sank, was discovered and became the subject of major motion pictures, the latest giving Cubs fans hope that something that finishes on the bottom can come out on top.

13. Wrigley Field was built and becomes the oldest park in the National League.

14. Flag poles were erected on Wrigley Field roof to hold all of the team's future World Series pennants. Those flag poles have since rusted and been taken down.

15. A combination of 40 Summer and Winter Olympics have been held.

16. Thirteen baseball players have won the Triple Crown; several thanked Cubs pitchers.

17. Bell-bottoms came in style, went out of style and came back in.

18. The Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins have all won the World Series.

19. The Cubs played 14,153 regular-season games; they lost the majority of them.

20. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma and New Mexico were added to the Union.

-------------------------------------------------
Great quotes in Cubs History!!!

"Noise pollution can't be that much of a problem [at Wrigley]. There's nothing to cheer about."--State rep. John F. Dunn, arguing for the installation of lights at Wrigley Field

"If I managed the Cubs, I'd be an alcoholic."--Whitey Herzog

"There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help."--Bill Buckner

"You get tired of looking at garbage in your own backyard."--Cubs manager Lee Elia in 1983 about why the Cubs got rid of so many players. Elia was fired later that same season.

"The Cubs were taking batting practice, and the pitching machine threw a no-hitter."--Radio deejay

"The only bad thing about being released by the Cubs is that they made me keep my season tickets."--Ken Rietz, ex-Cub third baseman

"Would the lady who left her nine kids at Wrigley Field please pick them up immediately? They are beating the Cubs 4-0 in the 7th inning."--Radio deejay

"One thing you learn as a Cubs fan: When you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth."--Joe Garagiola

"The Chicago Cubs are like Rush Street--a lot of singles, but no action."--Garagiola again

Q: Did you hear about the new Cubs soup?

A: Two sips and then you choke.

Mother's Day 2009 from Ethan

Here is the darling letter Ethan wrote me this year for Mother's Day.



The front of the card I received from Ethan



The inside (notice his lunch request)



The back

Mother's Day 2009 from Ashton

Here are pictures of wonderful items I received from Ashton this Mother's Day. The first 2 items were made at school - the flower pot card and the recipe book. The last picture is from the card he made me at Primary today. His thumbprint made the flower petals on the card. I love each of the gifts and feel so blessed to be Ashton's mother! I love you Ashton!!

(click on any of the photos to make them larger)

Front of Ashton's Card - made at school (Kindergarten)

Inside of Ashton's Card - made at school

Cover of Recipe Book
Ashton's Kindergarten class

Ashton's recipe submission

Cover of Card made at Church

Inside of Card
(notice the cute thumbprint flower)

Backside of Card

Look what I got today!

At church today my little friend Annalise, who is 3.5 years old, brought me a beautiful flower corsage. I was so tickled to receive this. Each year her Mom lets her and her brother pick an "honorary mom" to give a corsage to. I was lucky enough to be the recipient this year. Thank you Annalise (and her super Mom!) It made me feel so special!

Happy Mother's Day, Moms!

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
He molded her heart of pure gold.
In her eyes He placed bright, shining stars,
Her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear Mother to me.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Love You!
(From, Amy)
Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Love You!
(From, Matthew)

Matthew (1.5 yrs) & his Mom Carolyn
(holding sister April)



Amy's Mom Diane, 1975

"Why I Love Mom"

I received this in an email several years ago . . .

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed." She went to the kitchen:
* To make sandwiches for the next day's lunches; * rinsed out the popcorn bowls; * took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening; * checked the cereal box levels; * filled the sugar container; * put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning; * put some wet clothes in the dryer; * put a load of clothes into the wash; * ironed a shirt and secured a loose button; * picked up the game pieces left on the table; * put the telephone book back into the drawer; * watered the plants; * emptied a wastebasket; * hung up a towel to dry; * yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom; * stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher; * counted out some cash for the field trip; * pulled a textbook out from hiding under the chair; * signed a birthday card for a friend; * addressed and stamped the envelope; * wrote a quick note for the grocery store; * put both near her purse. Mom then creamed her face, put on moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and trimmed her nails. Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said. * She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside; * then made sure the doors were locked; * looked in on each of the kids and turned out a bedside lamp; * hung up a shirt; * threw some dirty socks in the hamper; * had a brief conversation with the one still up doing homework; * In her own room, she set the alarm; * laid out clothing for the next day; * straightened up the shoe rack; * added three things to her list of things to do for tomorrow. About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one particular, "I'm going to bed." And he did... without another thought.
Anything extraordinary here...Wonder why women live longer...?
CAUSE WE ARE STRONGER...MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL...

May The Force Be With You, Luke!

Happy 40th Birthday! We love you and miss you!

On this day . . . 3 years ago!

On this day, in 2006, Ashton had his ginormous tonsils removed. I only remember the date since it was my older brother's birthday. So glad we had them removed when he was so young, even though it about broke my heart to see him in his little hospital gown.

Can you Guess?

Can you guess what Ryan picked out of the "good job box" yesterday at school?

What a Gas!

Baked Beans - This is hilarious!

(This one is much too cute not to share. Enjoy! Be sure to grab a tissue; I think you'll be laughing so hard you'll cry!)

One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans.

Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odor of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released ALL the gas.

Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight!"

He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call.

The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.

Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage!!!

Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes.

The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.

My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not.

At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: "Happy Birthday!"

I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(story courtesy of an email Matt sent me today from work!)

The Results are In!

Ethan has strep. Bummer!

Boo!

Poor Brinley has had quite a week. Almost every morning she woke up crying for me to get her. Usually she gets herself out and freely roams the house. When I got her from her crib she said, "scary guy get me". When I put her down for her naps she again freaks out that the "scary guy" is going to get her. After several days I let her know the "scary guy" is gone and no need to worry. Now when you ask her who is in her room she replies, "scary guy gone!" Thank heavens.