Oh what a day!

Last night I went out for a pedicure with friends and had a fabulous time. When I got home, I was still full of energy, so I finished up blogging, posted pictures and posted the thread. I then did a few other things and went to bed. It was 3:00 am. Yamira decided to grace my life with her presence at 7:00 pm. If that didn't just frost my cookies! I told her to go back to bed, but she didn't listen. Before I knew it, everyone was up and screaming and running down the halls and trashing their rooms. Good times had by everyone. Everyone but me of course!!!!! Yamira came into my room to tell me that she broke a brand new light I had bought for her. As far as she is concerned, I snap my fingers and presto, a new one appears. Very frustrating. She said she was sorry, she was trying to wear it as a hat. Really Yamira? A hat? Ugh. I went back to sleep for a short time.

Bill got up and took the girls to Sunday School. Before I knew it, it was time to get up and get ready. Bill had to work at the station today and I was on kid duty. Oh joy. The good thing was that one of my dear friends was coming to visit. Anita showed up around 1:00 pm or so. I was so happy to see her. We didn't get a chance to chat much due to the kids being absolutely out of control. They were like vibrating. They couldn't calm themselves down at all. Very frustrating. Not sure I finished one thought or one story today. I had the kids do two crafts. One is making balls and one was decorating cookies. They liked the crafts, but didn't really want to sit to do stuff, so they kept jumping up and running around. Finally around 5:00 pm or so I threw in the towel and put them in the bath. I was hoping the hot water would relax them. Not so much. Anita left mid bath. I was so sorry to see her go. I got the kids to clean up their toys and then I got them into their pjs, brushed their hair, did their ears and all that jazz. Bill came home and fed them. They are now running upstairs to go to bed. So that is the end of my blogging time. I have to go upstairs and tuck them in and give them kisses. What a day. I have to say that I am very glad they are going to bed.

Hope you had a great Sunday!

Mama Out!!!!!!

Manny and his cookie.

Ping decorating.

Yamira frosting.

Anita and Neesha.

Someone stole my slippers.

School vacation is just about over

It was a good week, but I am happy to know that I will have to deal with less noise when the girls go back to school. I love them to death, but the noise level when the three get going tends to take over and I can't think straight. Not all the time mind you.

On Monday of this week, I did a few errands. We then got in the car and headed down to Hyannis to stay at the Cape Codder for a few days. It was freezing cold when we got there around 3:00 pm. The wind was bone chilling. I literally ran into the hotel with our stuff. I could not take the coldness. Every since surgery, I get cold so fast now. I really can't deal with it. I have always been able to do so, but now I can't at all. I get really almost angry if I am that cold. Anyway, we checked in and got to our room. It was a cute room. It was small for the five of us, be we are on a budget! The girls wanted to go swimming immediately, but we wanted to check into the stuffed animal workshop they had going on. So after unpacking, we walked to the Nauset room to gander a look. Ping wanted to make a dinosaur/dragon/crocodile thingie. Of course she did. Nothing cute and pink for her! Yamira wanted to make a cat and Manny wanted to make a doggy. I joined in on the fun and made a lady bug. After stuffing them with stuffing, I had them all make a wish and we stuffed their wish into the back of the animal. No special wishes like I want to have good health for the rest of my life. What can one expect from kids of these ages. It was more like " I want a new hairstyle." I was willing to guide them to a deeper meaning wish and then stopped myself with some self talk. After all, it's their animal and not mine. Let them do what they want to. A lesson I am trying to learn daily. So there I am stuffing their silly wishes into the back of their animals and Bill closed them all up. Then Yamira and Ping absolutely needed to add an outfit to their animal. So we walked out with a purple dress on a dinosaur/dragon/crocodile thingie. It was really pretty hysterical. Bill and I couldn't stop laughing at it. The cat was cute with her ballerina slippers and hair accessory and dress. Manny was okay with a naked doggy. My wallet thanked him for that.

Once we were done with paying for the new stuffed animals, we headed to the Hearth and Stone for dinner. The kids were happy and Bill was happy. I wasn't so happy. Thought I would get a salad. Hated the lettuce in it, so wasted the entire thing. Felt guilty about that. Honestly didn't think the food was all that great looking or tasting. Oh well. Expensive for a family of five to eat out. We haven't gone out much, so I was a little shell shocked. I wouldn't care, but just aggravated with no checks coming in. Think we have been more than patient with unemployment.

After dinner the kids played in the fun zone for a little while. There was a tiny bouncy house there, but it was mostly all games that had tickets like Chuck E. Cheese. They each played a few games that they could do with our help and then we headed to see the pool. Ping cried because she wanted to swim immediately, but it was late. So after promising she could swim the next day, she calmed herself a little and off we went to the room. We put the kids down, but it was a nightmare. The older kids ran the halls all night long. Thought it was cute to knock on everyone's room door, etc. So the kids literally stayed awake for another 2 hours. That was hell for all of us. Especially me because I don't go to bed early and I couldn't watch TV or even read because I couldn't have the lights on. I went to the lobby, but was so flipping cold I went back to the room. I found the hotel to be really chilly in the main areas and even in our room. I ended up going to bed early.

On Tuesday, we got up after an awful night of hardly any sleep and headed off to the pool. The girls were thrilled. We stayed for about an hour and a half before leaving to change and to head to a craft and face paint event. Well the face paint was fine. There were two ladies doing that. The craft was literally crayons and paper. Not much of a craft if you ask me. Wasn't looking for it to be high tech, but certainly didn't think it would be crayons and paper. They also had stuff to make bracelets and a book on how to do it. Um, sorry but that isn't my thing. I made three bracelets by weaving the stuff, but that was as good as it got. We then headed to lunch at the Hearth and Kettle again. They were all happy and I wasn't bad either. I got a side of butternut squash. That was my lunch. Yippee. I know you are all insanely jealous.

After we had lunch, I took Manny to the room for a nap and Bill took the girls swimming for the afternoon. Manny was desperate for a nap. I decided to join in on it since I didn't sleep the night before. The girls had a blast until Yamira supposedly (according to her) drowned. So she was brought back to the room. I changed her and warmed her up and tucked her in for a little nap. It was way too late, but she needed to be cuddled and warmed. The other two came back an hour or so later. We then headed out to McDonalds for dinner. I just needed a change of scenery and wanted a cheap dinner for everyone. So they were pleased as punch. We don't ever go, so they really wanted McDonalds. I had a side salad that did not agree with me. Man I miss hamburgers!!!!! Once we were done eating, we headed back to the room and put the kids to bed. We had driven uptown to Main Street to see if I could find a store open to buy a sweatshirt, but everything was closed. So that was the main reason we left the hotel. Then we headed to McDonalds and then back. A good day was had by all.

On Wednesday, we got up and headed out to the pool. Around 1:00 pm, we went back to the room to change and to head off to the craft area. The girls each got their full face painted and Manny got a kitty on his arm. We also got them some sword balloons. We then headed off to lunch at Hearth and Kettle again!!!! I ordered a side of steak tips. I had one and it stuck in my throat. It was really good, but just stuck there, so the rest went to Bill. We spent the afternoon the same way we did the day before. Manny and I napped and Yamira, Ping and Bill went to the pool. When they came back, we headed out to see a bubble show. A man that creates all types of bubbles in various sizes and shapes. It was cute. We left that a little early because it was late and the kids had to be fed. We ordered pizza and ate at a table in the lobby. I got a side order of mashed potatoes from the Hearth and Kettle for my dinner. We then all headed to the room so the kids could get to bed. It was nearly 9:00 pm. While the kids slept, I packed our bags.

We got up early on Thursday. We were all going to head to the pool, but I decided that Manny and I would hang in the room and the girls and Bill could go swim for an hour. Manny was cool with watching cartoons and I showered. When the girls got back, they changed. Bill showered and out the door we went. We headed right home. I had a ton of things to do at home, so I was anxious to just get out of dodge.

Once home, I had the fun task of going through all of the mail, listening to all the messages, returning calls and going through 500 emails! That took all afternoon. I had a bunch of things to work on at my desk, so I did some of that and then got the kids upstairs to take a bath. They love their bath time. They went to bed at a reasonable hour.

Friday was chocked full of errands for me. I took Yamira to therapy and then we went to Audette's to get a price on my car. Bill hit the garage door opener while my trunk was up, so he scratched the heck out of the trunk. So I went to get an estimate. We then quickly ran into Price Chopper for a few things. It was awful out. Absolutely awful. The rain wouldn't let up and the puddles were everywhere. When we left therapy, I had no choice but to step into a puddle to get to my car. It went all the way up to the middle of my calf. My legs, ankles and feet were drenched. My pants and sneakers were soaked. I was miserable. Absolutely miserable. So I did the errands I had to do and skipped the rest. I just could not keep going. I was absolutely frozen stiff and hungry. Once home, I changed and Bill headed out the door with the girls. They had a make up session for gymnastics. I worked at my desk while they were gone. Poor Ping fell in the last few minutes of class and really hurt her neck badly. She has two huge red marks on her neck. Poor baby. I wasn't there. I hugged her when she got home.

At 5:45 pm, a man came to get some stuff off of my computer. I have been putting three years worth of pictures together so that this gentleman could make a CD of Ping for us. I should have done it in the first year, but I didn't. Funny how I have to do everything immediately and yet I dragged on this. I feel bad that I did, but it seemed so overwhelming to me. Can't wait to see it. After putting the kids to bed, I did some stuff at this damn desk as always and then watched a little TV. I passed out around midnight.

This morning I woke up to Yamira walking around at the crack of dawn. That wasn't really working for me. I told her to stay in her room and just chill out and read books or play with her stuffed animals. I jumped into bed for a little more rest. Bill followed me up maybe an hour later. At that point, all three were up begging for breakfast. They kept saying "Daddy, please get up, we are starving." The drama! I stayed in bed a little longer and then got up to shower. I had an appointment at the house for 11:00 am. After that appointment, I went to the bank, post office, tile place and then Walmart before running home to meet my uncle for a visit. He usually stays for just a short time, but he stayed for over an hour. We had a great visit. Unfortunately, even though the visit was great, I didn't get to Framingham to do an errand like I was planning on, so I have to do that a different day.

At 6:45 pm, I headed out to the Greendale Mall to meet with my friends Meri, Rebecca and Kirsten for a pedicure. The pedi went way too fast. We then stopped in two shops before moving on to Dunkin Donuts where we sat and chatted for hours. It was so nice to get out and just chat with friends. I had a great time. Mind you it is now almost 2:00 am. I have got to get to bed or I am never going to get up tomorrow.

Mama Out!!!!!!!

Playtown Express.

Cozy Sasha.

View from our room at the Cape Codder.

Our room.

The girls and their stuffed pets.

Ready for a swim.

Dragon.

Fang teeth.

Kitty cat.

Our wondrous three.

Bubble man.

Pool.

Lobby.

Where we stayed.

School vacation week is starting

Well my three have been wild animals the last few days. What is up with that? Is it the cold? Is it because we have not been out? I have had to do a lot of things at home. On Friday, I ran a bunch of errands. I picked up Yamira from school and then took her to her therapy appointment. We then went to Target and dropped off some Girl Scout cookies. I then headed home for a short bit because I had to go back out for a 4:00 pm appointment with my accountant. That went fine. I then proceeded to do a few more errands. The kids had dinner and headed to bed at a decent hour. I spent the rest of the night doing things at my desk.

Yesterday morning I got up early. Well early for me on a weekend. I headed out to the bank and the post office. I also dropped off some more cookies and went and signed up the three kids for swimming lessons. When I got home, I told them I signed them up and they were screaming and jumping around like crazy people. They were so very excited. Swimming lessons is one of the best things you can do for your child. Having them familiar with water is so important since there is water everywhere. So we are looking forward to starting that.

Bill headed out to do a few errands after I got home. The kids did some crafts and then took a nice toasty bath. That was followed by dinner, a book and bed. I stupidly stayed up till 2:00 am. Don't ask me why because I do not know.

It is now Sunday and I am home organizing and cleaning. I had a nice visit with my cousin this morning when she stopped by for her GS cookies. The girls are playing and Manny just woke up from his nap. Bill is cooking and watching the Daytona 500. Do not see the allure in that. Never have. Before I know it, it will be dinner time and bed for the kids.

Off to do some heavy cleaning.

Mama Out!!!!!

Spring Fever

It's amazing what a nice day can do for the soul. I found going out to get gas and picking up Girl Scout cookies tonight a pleasure. It was still light out and while it was a little chilly for no coat, it was nice not to be wearing my coat while driving.

Had a nice day. I took Manny on a play date. The poor kid gets to do hardly anything next to his two bigger sisters. What can I say, he is not yet three. So I took him to an indoor play place and met some other moms there that are part of a group I belong to. We were there for a few hours. We both had a great time. I headed home for 2:00 pm or so. Bill was at the bottom of the hill in the Envoy with Yamira. I pulled in and rolled down the window. He proceeded to tell me he was going to pick up Ping. I thought that was great, but really not necessary since she is out at 3:00 pm. Hey, at least he would have been early. Too funny. So he turned around and came back home. When I got home, my contractor was here, so I was able to go over a few things with him. After he left, I did a few things at my desk and then headed out for gas and the cookies. The minute I got home, Bill and I bagged all the cookies. I want them out of the house. I have nowhere to store them. So they all went in bags and are back out in the car for delivery. The kids then had dinner and we put them to bed. Then I started the arduous task of matching all of my credit card slips to my credit card bill. I hate that task. I really do, but it's a good way to see where your money is going and to make sure you are the one spending it.

After I finished the credit card, I sat down and watched a little TV, ironed something that came out terrible and now I am here getting caught up. I have a few more things I want to do before going to bed. So I am off to do that now.

Hope you had a great spring like day!

Mama Out!!!!!!

What did I do to myself?

So angry with myself. Last night I was having a terrible chocolate craving. I had three little chocolates. THREE! I normally do not touch them at all. I have had a few in the past, but seem to do okay with them. Well not today. Today I suffered something terrible.

Courtesy of Yamira, everyone was up an hour early today. Not that may not be a big deal to others, but it is to me. First of all, just because she is up, doesn't mean that we should have to get up. She can play with the stuff in her toy boxes or leaf through her books. Nope, why do that? Instead she goes into Ping's room and screams at her to get dressed. Thanks for waking up the dragon. Ping is not in the least bit happy. She jumps into my bed telling me she is tired because Yamira woke her up. Well I felt the same way because Yamira came into my room to show me a flipping bow that was in Sasha's hair from yesterdays beauty appointment. Frankly, I could give a rat's tail about this freaking bow. So I tell her to go back to her room. Instead she rallies the battalion. That is Ping and Manny. Manny wouldn't know how to keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it, so he starts yelling and singing at the top of his lungs. Those who know me probably know what is falling out of my mouth at this point. Not pleased at all. I get up and head to the bathroom. Well the chocolates have decided to pay me back big time. Nearly to say, I was hunched over ill. I was wondering if I would ever emerge from this room. I finally did, only to find myself making sure the sinks and toilet hadn't moved in the last five minutes. So not happy. I jumped into bed and told Bill it was time to take the girls to school. He was doing drop off today. I stayed in bed. When I got up awhile later, I didn't feel much better, but I had improved. I got ready and headed off to get Yamira at school. We then headed off to Bridget's house for a play date with Sophie and Ashly and Skyler. I brought Manny with me so he could play with little adorable Theresa. Well my stomach was cramping and my chest was bubbling. Only something a fellow surgery person may understand. It's brutal. Trust me. Bridget gave all of us adults some yummy foccacia bread. I had four small bites. It was wonderful. Well needless to say, that made my already angry stomach that much worse. I should have not touched it knowing it was a tough day, but thought I might be okay. Well between the terrible stomach ache that was making me want to keel over and the bubbling, I was a mess. To make matters worse, I was at someone else's hom and had to get my kids in the car because I had a 1:30 pm appointment with my accountant. I had to lay down first though as I didn't feel like I could make it out the door unless I did. Well I laid down for 1 minute before rushing to the bathroom. I threw up. Wonderful. Something everyone wants to do and more importantly at someone else's home! Shortly after that, I felt well enough to get everyone out the door. Bridget and Ashly were so kind to help the kids get their shoes and their coats on and off we went. I went straight home to drop off the kids and then I was going to head to my appointment. However, I realized since there may be a repeat performance, I canceled the appointment and stayed home. After checking out where the fixtures in the bathroom were again, I headed for the couch. I had no choice in the matter. I spent three hours there before forcing myself to get up and to get stuff done. I have done a ton so far, but I truly still feel like absolute garbage. I have taken Pepto, Mylanta and Gas X. Not sure why I am suffering so badly still, but I am. I just hope it passes before tomorrow.

Well that is my exciting day. Bill took the girls to gymnastics while Manny and I hung here and now Ping is off at a dinosaur drawing class at the library. I put the two little ones to bed and now I am off to clean the bathroom, the kitchen and the dining room. Then I am going to put all of the Valentine's decorations away. I may feel like crap, but I can't let it go. I need to get something done. So frustrating.

Hope your day was better.

Mama Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's already Tuesday and I have yet to update!

We had the busiest weekend. To be honest, I was so tired on Sunday that I could not be bothered to catch up here. I know that is awful, but it's the truth. I have been exhausted the last two days. No clue why except it may be due to taking a knock off allergy medicine. Needless to say I have stopped taking it and I hope I will be more awake going forward from today.

So here is last week in review. Well from what I can remember anyway.

We had a full week of school. That is one good thing. No storms last week at all. A few flurries, but nothing to keep the kids out of school.

On Monday, I slept in while Bill brought the girls to school. I decided to take a few weeks off from swimming since it's been so hard to get there and to get other things done. Other than Daisys in the evening for Ping, it was a fairly regular day. Bill was on call from 6-10.

On Tuesday, the girls has school. After school, I took Yamira over to the library to play with her best friends Sophie and Skyler. I got to sit and visit with Bridget and Ashly and the girls did crafts. We headed home a little after 1:00 pm so Yamira could have lunch. We picked Ping up from school and went to their ice skating lesson.

On Wednesday I did a bunch of errands after taking the girls to school. I then got Yamira and left her home with Manny and Daddy and went to pick up some DVDs that I had copied. They were of Ping during her time in China. Bill was on call again that night from 6-10. He did take the girls to gymnastics once I got home. Just a crazy day of running here and there. I had to have the phone fixed, Bill had to leave for the girls and I had to rush home after getting the DVDs and going to Sherry's House to drop off Valentine's. It was a lot of jockeying around. That is stressful, especially when I kept hitting traffic. However, it all got done!

On Thursday, I had a meeting at the DCF meeting to justify PACT money. That is when you get a little extra money for the children in your care. You usually get PACT if you bring your children to therapy. It's a little compensation. The meeting went great. I also found out before even going that we are legally adopting the kids in the beginning of March. I am overjoyed. I can't wait till they are legally ours. They are already ours, but it will be nice when we all share the last name of Nicholson. Well not me, but everyone else in the family. After the meeting, I did a few more errands and then worked on some stuff at home. At 6:30 pm I had an appointment for a message. It was glorious. I really needed it. She could not get over how much weight I lost. Both her and the receptionist. It was nice to hear.

Friday was a really busy day. Bill dropped the girls off at school. He then came home to watch Manny while I went to Ping's classroom for an hour and a half. I then got Yamira at 11:00 am and off to the doctors we went for a booster shot. She is doing great weight and height wise. She is up two pounds and two inches. After the doctors, we went to her therapist appointment. Then we went to the hair salon and I got a quick cut. By the time we got home, the entire day was over. At 6:30 pm, I headed out the door to pick up Bridget and to head to Meri's for her Usborne party. We had a nice time. I ordered a few books. I took Bridget home at a decent hour, but we sat and chatted in her driveway for forever. Needless to say, I got home very, very late. It was a nice chat though. When I got home, Bill got a call, so he headed out the door and I headed to bed. I could not sleep though! He finally came home and we both passed out. To say we were tired is an understatement!

We had to get up early on Saturday too because we had plans. We went out to South Deerfield with Ayi Meri and Uncle Joe, Lucas and Ryan. We went to the Magic Wings butterfly place. We had a great time. The kids had fun. We then had lunch and went back in for a short time before heading over to Yankee Candle. We spent an hour and a half or so there and got a few cute things. We then headed for home. The kids passed out in the car. Thank god. Two funny things for the day. I got Mylanta all over me. So not cool. So embarrassing. I looked like hell. Also, one of the butterflies really loved me. See the picture for proof.

On Sunday, the girls went to Sunday school and then we all went into Chinatown in Boston for the Chinese New Year. We met a new friend by the name of Cari and her two kids in town. We walked around for a little bit, but to be honest, it was truly freezing in town. We hit a few shops and then headed home after about three hours. It was just unbearably cold. We fed the kids and off to bed they went. They had a wonderful, but a busy weekend.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. It was a decent day. The girls went to school and I stayed in bed. I got up to get ready and went and got Yamira. We then picked up Daddy and Manny and headed to Chuck E. Cheese to meet the kids biological father. We were there for two hours. The kids had a ball. They had pizza and played games, got a cookie and opened their Christmas gifts that got returned to them from the post office. That should never have happened, but it did! The kids were thrilled with their gifts. Yamira got a princess camera and Manny got a few trucks. The biological dad and his wife even bought Ping a gift. They got her a camera too. I thought that was beyond thoughtful and kind. I let them hang out with the kids while I tried to read my People magazine. It was so darn loud, I couldn't read anything!!!!! I didn't want to intrude with his visit. His wife thanked us over and over again for us being so willing to let the kids have a relationship with them. We are more than happy to do so. She also thought the kids looked fantastic and said that she thought we were doing a great job with them. It was so nice to hear. It was a wonderful visit. After we left, I quickly ran into Toys R Us to get the kids some stuff and then we headed to school to get Ping. We came home for a short time and then Bill took Ping to her Daisy meeting where she made some Valentine's. She had a great time. All the kids loved their cards and presents. I got them all candy and a thing that goes on their bureau that bobbles. Got them some dry erase crayons, some colored pencils and a movie too. I gave Bill an introductory scuba lesson. He gave me a card. Oh well. That is my hubby for you. My kids didn't get a card from one of my closest friends because she wasn't in the spirit. Again, oh well, that is her. Disappointed given all I have done for her over the years. One card for three kids is that difficult? Hmmm. I was exhausted last night and literally passed out on my desk when Bill went to get Ping from Daisys. Not long after I moved to my favorite chair. Not sure what my issue was, but I could not stay awake.

I woke up this morning exhausted as well. Probably because I never slept last night. I kept waking up and contemplating going to bed, but it felt like my bed was in China. I was that dang sleepy. I got up this morning and helped Bill get the girls to school and get Sasha in a cage. Bill took her to Petco for a bath and a little extra shaving. Seems that she had an accident and smelled like cat urine. Poor baby! He then came home and before he knew it, he had to turn around and get Sasha and then Yamira from school. I showered and headed off to my sleep doctor appointment. I then did a few little errands before heading home. I was still exhausted, so I didn't do much but putter. We did pick up Ping at 3:00 pm and then headed to the ice rink for lessons. We then did another two errands and headed home. Bill cooked for the little ones and then I put them to bed because he got a call and had to run out. Now I am here catching up. I think I am done!!!!!!

Off to post some pictures.

Hope you have a wonderful week my friends.

Mama Out!!!!

Chinese New Year card from Kirsten, Roger, Molly and Phoebe.

Close up of card.

New addition.

Manny's hair cut.

Yamira's hair cut.

Sasha and Sophie soaking up the heat.

Valentine's for Sherry's House.

Beautiful butterfly.

The place we were at.

Me and Meri.

Sisters.

Happy girl.

Ping and Lucas.

Beautiful tree.

Pretty tile.

My friend.

My friend hanging on.

Yamira and pretty tree.

Pretty tree.

Me and Ping.

Ping.

Me and Yamira.

All of us.

Pretty.

Pretty bird.

Hibiscus.

Santa with the girls making Valentine's.

Santa hat.

Where they should always be.

The best part of our day.

Chinatown.

Lion dance.

The crew with their balloons.

Chuck E. Cheese.

Yamira.

Manny.

Zipper door.

China map.

New cookbook.

Sasha with her bow.