#2 turns 14!!!!!

How has this happened?  First Jake went and turned 16, now Josh has gone and turned 14.  This makes it seriously hard to convince myself that I am still in my 20's! 

Here is was when he saw snow for the first time.  I'm sure he remembers it fondly.  :)

Here he is enjoying his time with Jacob.  Don't ask why Grandma is excercising off to the side.  You never know.  Jake could have just hit Josh and knocked Grandma over.  He's been known to do some wild and crazy things at times.  :)

Jake isn't the only one who loves to pose for pictures.

His love of trains is/was legendary. 

He keeps getting older and older.  Why can't he just stay little? 

No.  He has grown up into a wonderful young man who will surely turn into a wonderful adult.  Of course, I'm sure it will be hard to explain when he turns 30 that his mom is still in her 20's!  Maybe I will have to grow up a bit with him?  Nah.  I don't see it happening.  haha

Spring break fun

Last week was spring break. Mother came to visit.

We didn’t do much, but we had a very good time. :) We went to Kohl’s and found Emma a dress for $10. It fit her really nice also. She made sure to wear it on St. Patrick’s day.

Jake, of course, got in on the St. Patrick's day fun...

We also went to the mall in search of the lunar golf store, which apparently went out of business. Guess that shows how often I go to the mall. Haha

We made pie the night before Mother left. Actually, Mother made TWO chocolate pies Friday night.  She made one with meringue and the other topped with cool whip. The one with cool whip didn’t make it till the next day. It was devoured by the kids, who apparently hadn’t eaten in weeks! Haha The kids absolutely LOVE Mothers chocolate pie. We made another one Saturday morning before she left. As if giving me the recipe wasn't treat enough, she also let me make the one Saturday so I would know how to make it for the kids myself. The kids will be extra happy if/when I make it for them. I can’t guarantee I will be making one anytime soon (especially since we had THREE last weekend alone!), but at least I know how now. :)

No good deed goes unnoticed

Today I was busy. Not with going up to the kid’s school, or transporting some kid to a doctor or anything like that. I mean, I was BUSY! It was such a beautiful day, and I was in the kitchen of all places. I should have just gone to the park or something. :) First, I made these…

They were actually rather easy. Here is the link to the recipe. I have wanted to make them for a while. Mine didn’t turn out as pretty as hers. :)  All the sugar has melted off the top and they don’t look as appealing. I figured I would be nice and have them for an after-school snack for the kids (as well as dessert). I let Emma and Elaina have a few when they got home. They really enjoyed them. The boys just got home and they both enjoy them very much as well.  Elaina and Josh are my picky eaters and they both wanted to eat the whole bag!

I also made these…

I have been eyeing these rolls for quite a while as well. I just haven’t had energy and time at the same time. For some reason, that is important for when I cook. Haha It was a super easy recipe as well.
Here are some pics from the process...

Then as payment for all my hard work, Elaina yelled “I hate you” to me after I continued to whistle a tune while getting dinner ready. I guess it really didn’t help any that I had just told her I needed to be able to see the floor in her room before dinner tonight. Haha Today is a milestone in my life… I have now been officially “hated” by all my kids. Wow. I am doing something right, or else really, really wrong. I’m sure this won’t be the last time Elaina “hates” me. We will just have to wait to see what my next “offense” is. Haha

I did the unthinkable

Yesterday was a day for shopping.  I had a couple of hours to spend, so I went to Kohl's.  I found the cutest outfit for Elaina.  It was marked down 80 % to $11.20.  I was impressed.  She was excited.  I had her try it on, and she wouldn't take it off.  haha

I also found some shirts for myself and Emma.  Unfortunately, they are all the same style, just different sizes.  haha  I got Emma one in black and white, and myself two (one purple and black, the other brown and teal like in the picture).  They were marked down 80% to $7.20 each.  I was quite impressed. 

Then, the cashier made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  I signed up for a Kohl's credit card (don't worry.  I won't use it...  much!) and I got an extra 30% of the purchase.  I bought 4 shirts, 1 pair of leggings and a package of 6 head bands for $27!  I was so proud of myself and ashamed of myself at the same time.  I don't do very well on spending money on anything other than food and absolute crap.  haha  Then the cashier told me the worste news she could have.  I got the extra 30% off any purchase for the day I got my card.  I of course did the only thing any good woman would do.  I took Josh and Emma back up there to see if they could find any shirts.  Josh is starting to get a little nervous about starting High School next year, so I thought a couple of new shirts might help.  Come to find out, he really needs them!  Yeah, double win.  A psychological boost as well as a necessity!  Wow.  That doesn't happen often enough.  haha  He ended up getting 3 shirts (two with t-shirts underneath, so actually 5 shirts).  I spent about $28 on him.  Emma didn't find anything.  That's alright.  she doesn't need it as much as he does, but she did have fun looking.  haha