Thursday, December 29, 2011
Flashback video
I'm working this week, though I'm one of the few in the building. It's nice to be uniterrupted and free of meetings. I'm getting a lot done but I'm also a little bored. Hence, a look back at some old posts. I found this post which included a video of Seeger and oh-my-goodness-he's-the-cutest-thing-EVER.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Grrrr...
I don't understand how it can take one little dog such a long time to find a place to do his business - especially when strange noises are coming from the empty lot next door. 
Roller Skating
My niece and nephew are spending a few days with us and I asked them what they wanted to do. Anna immediately asked if we could go roller skating. 
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Santa Claus
This Santa Claus freaks me out. He used to be located on a shelf in the guest bathroom at my in-laws house. I didn't appreciate him staring at me so thankfully, he was demoted to garage.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Top 10 Things That Happened to Me This Weekend
1. Spent QT with Lindsey et al. while celebrating Graves' birthday.
2. Saw two of my friends who are expecting and got to rub their beautiful bellies.
3. Hung out with some Kubat's during a car ride to Indy.
4. Attended the Nutcracker for the second time this year. This performance featured a HPER student.
5. Coveted my niece's awesome purse - purchased for her by Mia when she was visiting this summer.
6. Had long conversations with with Jess, KJ, Kim, Kirby, and Stephanie.
7. Got asked to make a quilt by a friend. I love that she loves my quilts.
8. Saw Nick's smile when hearing he could spend the week with Mimi and Papa. Saw Seeger's smile when hearing he could have a friend spend the night.
9. Reboxed the Smurf's to watch with Seeger during the car ride from Lafayette to Bloomington.
10. Came home to a mailbox full of Christmas cards.
2. Saw two of my friends who are expecting and got to rub their beautiful bellies.
3. Hung out with some Kubat's during a car ride to Indy.
4. Attended the Nutcracker for the second time this year. This performance featured a HPER student.
5. Coveted my niece's awesome purse - purchased for her by Mia when she was visiting this summer.
6. Had long conversations with with Jess, KJ, Kim, Kirby, and Stephanie.
7. Got asked to make a quilt by a friend. I love that she loves my quilts.
8. Saw Nick's smile when hearing he could spend the week with Mimi and Papa. Saw Seeger's smile when hearing he could have a friend spend the night.
9. Reboxed the Smurf's to watch with Seeger during the car ride from Lafayette to Bloomington.
10. Came home to a mailbox full of Christmas cards.
Friday, December 16, 2011
10 Things I Love About This Week
1. I made MAJOR progress with the holiday obligations festivities i.e. shopping, decorating, Christmas cards, etc.
2. I'm on holiday break from teaching. My class had their final on Monday and I had grades submitted by Wednesday. Overall it was a great 8 weeks of teaching.
3. I attended my first board meeting for Jill's House.
4. I saw the Nutcracker last Saturday and I get to see it again this Saturday.
5. My kids have been exceptionally well mannered lately, as in more helpful and less argumentative. They aren't usually horrible but yes, sometimes they get on my nerves. Every once in a while.... But this week has been great. I'm still relishing the fact that Nicklas folded all his own clothes the other night. (I know I've already mentioned this but seriously guys, he happily accomplished the task and never complained about the chore.)
6. This morning I showered, fed the kids, got everyone out the door, and managed to stop at the grocery store to pick up jimmies for Nick's holiday party at school. I also remembered to have them sign their Christmas cards for their teachers. And I accomplished all of this by 7:15 so we were actually EARLY for school - a rare treat.
(Side note, when I asked the parent who is organizing the holiday party what I should have Nicklas bring, she said jimmies. I told her I was happy to do that but I had to google jimmies to find out what the heck they are. We decided it must be an east coast thing.)
7. I'm exhausted but this is overshadowed by the fact that it's almost Christmas and my boys will be home for the next two and half weeks so I'll probably be getting more sleep that I'm used to.
8. I have arranged to have a friend come to our house when we're visiting family over Christmas. She is going to retrieve all the Santa presents and stocking stuffers that are hidden and put them out so the kids will see them straight away when we get home.
9. My boss just told us that she's giving us all mani-pedi's for Christmas. Super awesome!
10. Not only was my name drawn for a door prize at the HPER holiday luncheon but it was actually one of the first to be drawn. So I got my pick from the loot. I also bid on a few items for the silent auction. I did not win the basketball tickets or the sailing lessons but I did win tickets to the IU Theatre.
2. I'm on holiday break from teaching. My class had their final on Monday and I had grades submitted by Wednesday. Overall it was a great 8 weeks of teaching.
3. I attended my first board meeting for Jill's House.
4. I saw the Nutcracker last Saturday and I get to see it again this Saturday.
5. My kids have been exceptionally well mannered lately, as in more helpful and less argumentative. They aren't usually horrible but yes, sometimes they get on my nerves. Every once in a while.... But this week has been great. I'm still relishing the fact that Nicklas folded all his own clothes the other night. (I know I've already mentioned this but seriously guys, he happily accomplished the task and never complained about the chore.)
6. This morning I showered, fed the kids, got everyone out the door, and managed to stop at the grocery store to pick up jimmies for Nick's holiday party at school. I also remembered to have them sign their Christmas cards for their teachers. And I accomplished all of this by 7:15 so we were actually EARLY for school - a rare treat.
(Side note, when I asked the parent who is organizing the holiday party what I should have Nicklas bring, she said jimmies. I told her I was happy to do that but I had to google jimmies to find out what the heck they are. We decided it must be an east coast thing.)
7. I'm exhausted but this is overshadowed by the fact that it's almost Christmas and my boys will be home for the next two and half weeks so I'll probably be getting more sleep that I'm used to.
8. I have arranged to have a friend come to our house when we're visiting family over Christmas. She is going to retrieve all the Santa presents and stocking stuffers that are hidden and put them out so the kids will see them straight away when we get home.
9. My boss just told us that she's giving us all mani-pedi's for Christmas. Super awesome!
10. Not only was my name drawn for a door prize at the HPER holiday luncheon but it was actually one of the first to be drawn. So I got my pick from the loot. I also bid on a few items for the silent auction. I did not win the basketball tickets or the sailing lessons but I did win tickets to the IU Theatre.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Random Thought Thursday
1. It's 60+ degrees in Bloomington today. I'm still hoping for a white Christmas but I don't think it's going to happen.
2. Nicklas was practicing his cello last night and I actually recognized the songs he was playing.
3. Nicklas also folded all his clean clothes and put them away last night. Usually the Polack and I fold his clothes but I thought maybe I'd let him try to chore. He didn't complain once nor did he roll his eyes at me when I'm asked him to do it. Yay Nicklas!
4. Did anyone watch the series premier of the American Supernanny on Lifetime? The first episode featured a couple and their 9 year old, 7 year old, and 2 1/2 year old quadruplets. While I don't personally know the couple featured, I attended a wedding held at their house over the summer. It was fun watching the show and seeing the familiar setting but woo boy, do those parents need help with some crazy quads.
5. I've sent out most of my Christmas cards but held a few back in case we received some from folks who I didn't send to orginally. It's a good thing because I already have three more that I need to get in the mail. I hope I don't run out cards.
6. I was asked to join the board of a local not-for-profit and my first meeting is tonight.
7. With the upcoming holidays, I really need to find some kick-ass side dishes to make and bring to several gatherings. I think I need to spend some time on Pinterest today.
8. The Polack is planning to do some painting inside the house during his two week break. I'll help as much as I can in between Christmas shopping and work but I haven't quite mentally prepared myself for the project that will likely start on Monday.
9. I think my dog is having some constipation issues. He can't quite seem to finish his business so I'm going to have to figure something out to help him. I should probably google dog constipation relief and see what comes up.
10. Okay, google search is complete and there appears to be some easy remedies for my poor Freddy including feeding him canned pumpkin. I happen to have some canned pumpkin that will never be eaten by my family so we'll try that tonight and hope for the best.
2. Nicklas was practicing his cello last night and I actually recognized the songs he was playing.
3. Nicklas also folded all his clean clothes and put them away last night. Usually the Polack and I fold his clothes but I thought maybe I'd let him try to chore. He didn't complain once nor did he roll his eyes at me when I'm asked him to do it. Yay Nicklas!
4. Did anyone watch the series premier of the American Supernanny on Lifetime? The first episode featured a couple and their 9 year old, 7 year old, and 2 1/2 year old quadruplets. While I don't personally know the couple featured, I attended a wedding held at their house over the summer. It was fun watching the show and seeing the familiar setting but woo boy, do those parents need help with some crazy quads.
5. I've sent out most of my Christmas cards but held a few back in case we received some from folks who I didn't send to orginally. It's a good thing because I already have three more that I need to get in the mail. I hope I don't run out cards.
6. I was asked to join the board of a local not-for-profit and my first meeting is tonight.
7. With the upcoming holidays, I really need to find some kick-ass side dishes to make and bring to several gatherings. I think I need to spend some time on Pinterest today.
8. The Polack is planning to do some painting inside the house during his two week break. I'll help as much as I can in between Christmas shopping and work but I haven't quite mentally prepared myself for the project that will likely start on Monday.
9. I think my dog is having some constipation issues. He can't quite seem to finish his business so I'm going to have to figure something out to help him. I should probably google dog constipation relief and see what comes up.
10. Okay, google search is complete and there appears to be some easy remedies for my poor Freddy including feeding him canned pumpkin. I happen to have some canned pumpkin that will never be eaten by my family so we'll try that tonight and hope for the best.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Stadium by Nicklas
Nicklas had a poetry project to complete this week. I'm so proud of how well he did!
It looks like any building when you pass it on the street
Made from glass and iron, rock and concrete
But once inside you can see a football jersey
Visit the past or see a future player
Feel the ground shake.
Watch the game, tailgate
As your team wins.
Eat popcorn and a hot dog
Hear the fans yell out loud
Cheer for joy and of course try and storm the field.
Yell out loud a scream of glee
Bite off all your nails
Everything the stadium brings you can find inside those walls.
You are there for all to share
When the team calls
You cannot tell its magic by the way the fields designed
But there’s wonderment in it, the wonderment of football.
It looks like any building when you pass it on the street
Made from glass and iron, rock and concrete
But once inside you can see a football jersey
Visit the past or see a future player
Feel the ground shake.
Watch the game, tailgate
As your team wins.
Eat popcorn and a hot dog
Hear the fans yell out loud
Cheer for joy and of course try and storm the field.
Yell out loud a scream of glee
Bite off all your nails
Everything the stadium brings you can find inside those walls.
You are there for all to share
When the team calls
You cannot tell its magic by the way the fields designed
But there’s wonderment in it, the wonderment of football.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Oh Christmas Tree
It seems that the facebook world is inundated with photo's of people's Christmas trees. I'll spare my facebook friends from photos of my Christmas decor but you lovely readers get to partake in my holiday spirit.
We decorated the house, inside and out.
We started with our main tree first. We all worked together to decorate and this year, it was Seeger's turn to put the star on top of the tree.
Seeger also insisted we put the Christmas train around the tree.
Once the big tree was completed, we decided to put up the sports tree. This is a tradition that the Polack's family started when he was younger. A few years ago, his mom gave us all the sports tree ornaments which includes ornaments from all the Big 10 schools (although we don't have Nebraska yet!)
Seeger put the Purdue ornament in the back of the tree.
He was happy when he found the IU ornaments.
We even have IU lights!
Nicklas found an ornament I bought him when he was 2.
The finished tree...
During the weekend, we had our photo taken for our Christmas card and then we met up with a former student of mine for hot chocolate. Meesha graduated in May and then spent several months in Sitka, Alaska with the Americorps program. She moved back to the Midwest a few weeks ago and is planning to spend January through the summer in Bloomington volunteering and getting more experience before entering the Master of Public Health program at the University of Chicago. During her time in Bloomington, we offered Meesha one of the extra rooms in our house and she accepted. Seeger is very excited!
When we returned from hot chocolate, it was awesome to see our Christmas lights lit up for the first time. The Polack and I had quite an adventure hanging them and we had hoped to put more on the second story of the house but that wasn't happening. That second story is even more steep than the first story.
One last Christmas decor item. The other night, out of the blue, Seeger suggested we make a Christmas ornament. I happened to have some clear glass ornaments so I modified a Pinterest idea and had him make some pictures that we cut up and put in the ornament. He is very proud of it.
We decorated the house, inside and out.
We started with our main tree first. We all worked together to decorate and this year, it was Seeger's turn to put the star on top of the tree.
Seeger also insisted we put the Christmas train around the tree.
Once the big tree was completed, we decided to put up the sports tree. This is a tradition that the Polack's family started when he was younger. A few years ago, his mom gave us all the sports tree ornaments which includes ornaments from all the Big 10 schools (although we don't have Nebraska yet!)
Seeger put the Purdue ornament in the back of the tree.
He was happy when he found the IU ornaments.
We even have IU lights!
Nicklas found an ornament I bought him when he was 2.
The finished tree...
During the weekend, we had our photo taken for our Christmas card and then we met up with a former student of mine for hot chocolate. Meesha graduated in May and then spent several months in Sitka, Alaska with the Americorps program. She moved back to the Midwest a few weeks ago and is planning to spend January through the summer in Bloomington volunteering and getting more experience before entering the Master of Public Health program at the University of Chicago. During her time in Bloomington, we offered Meesha one of the extra rooms in our house and she accepted. Seeger is very excited!
When we returned from hot chocolate, it was awesome to see our Christmas lights lit up for the first time. The Polack and I had quite an adventure hanging them and we had hoped to put more on the second story of the house but that wasn't happening. That second story is even more steep than the first story.
One last Christmas decor item. The other night, out of the blue, Seeger suggested we make a Christmas ornament. I happened to have some clear glass ornaments so I modified a Pinterest idea and had him make some pictures that we cut up and put in the ornament. He is very proud of it.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Best & Worst
> Nick's worst - it's Monday
> Seeger's worst - Monday - you have to go through a whole week
> Mike's worst - evidently both boys left their coats at tae kwon do
> Natalie's worst - both boys have colds
> Nick's best - last school Monday of 2011
> Seeger's best - after today, mom won't have any more long days of work
> Mike's best - when it was decided that we're going to Mother Bear's for dinner
> Natalie's best - family dinner to celebrate last day of my class for the semester
>
> Seeger's worst - Monday - you have to go through a whole week
> Mike's worst - evidently both boys left their coats at tae kwon do
> Natalie's worst - both boys have colds
> Nick's best - last school Monday of 2011
> Seeger's best - after today, mom won't have any more long days of work
> Mike's best - when it was decided that we're going to Mother Bear's for dinner
> Natalie's best - family dinner to celebrate last day of my class for the semester
>
Friday, December 9, 2011
Best & Worst
Seeger's worst - didn't get a drawing a drawing from Auggie today
Nick's worst - art class
Mike's worst - getting up with the dog four times last night
Natalie's worst - ate too many sweets at work today
Seeger's best - being home with the family and family dinner at Steak N Shake
Nick's best - tonight - Straight No Chaser
Mike's best - getting a really good review from the principal
Natalie's best - family date - dinner and a show
Nick's worst - art class
Mike's worst - getting up with the dog four times last night
Natalie's worst - ate too many sweets at work today
Seeger's best - being home with the family and family dinner at Steak N Shake
Nick's best - tonight - Straight No Chaser
Mike's best - getting a really good review from the principal
Natalie's best - family date - dinner and a show
Flashback Friday
I decided to use Walgreen's for our holiday photo this year and when I logged in to my photo account, I found several albums from 2007. Apparently I'd used Walgreen's that year to print photos.
It was fun clicking through the albums, seeing photos of the boys when they were younger. I have such cute kids. Enjoy some of my favorites from that year, including a few from the holiday season.
It was fun clicking through the albums, seeing photos of the boys when they were younger. I have such cute kids. Enjoy some of my favorites from that year, including a few from the holiday season.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Best & Worst
Seeger's worst - during pictures, Nicklas was messing him up
Mike's worst - the kitchen is a mess again even though it's been cleaned three times in the last day and a half
Nick's worst - having to get pictures taken and didn't really want to
Natalie's worst - didn't get as much done today as hoped
Seeger's best - we had pictures taken by Mrs. Killion and seeing Meesha
Mike's best - spending the day with everyone and getting the lights up on the house and they look good
Nick's best - getting to go on the roof
Natalie's best - getting lights hung, getting Christmas card photo taken and seeing Meesha
Mike's worst - the kitchen is a mess again even though it's been cleaned three times in the last day and a half
Nick's worst - having to get pictures taken and didn't really want to
Natalie's worst - didn't get as much done today as hoped
Seeger's best - we had pictures taken by Mrs. Killion and seeing Meesha
Mike's best - spending the day with everyone and getting the lights up on the house and they look good
Nick's best - getting to go on the roof
Natalie's best - getting lights hung, getting Christmas card photo taken and seeing Meesha
Friday, December 2, 2011
A Top 10 List by the Polack
The Polack sent this list to me this morning. Hopefully he doesn't mind that I'm sharing it with you:
Top 10 Things I'm Looking Forward to this Weekend
10) No travel/no guests - I love guests, but I'm looking forward to a family weekend.
9) Taco night
8) Getting the outside lights up on the house
7) Getting the sports tree decorated in the loft
6) The Hoosier game on Sunday (I couldn't get tix last night because the box office was closed. I'll call after school)
5) Picking paint colors at Lowe's (oh yeah, that's happening)
4) Hearing the hum of your sewing machine (while I get all caught up on school work)
3) The Friday Song (if you and Seeger are home by then)
2) A bottle of wine (or two)
1) (Edited out of the WWW)
He's a sweetie and put a huge smile on my face by sending this to me. Happy Friday, all!
Top 10 Things I'm Looking Forward to this Weekend
10) No travel/no guests - I love guests, but I'm looking forward to a family weekend.
9) Taco night
8) Getting the outside lights up on the house
7) Getting the sports tree decorated in the loft
6) The Hoosier game on Sunday (I couldn't get tix last night because the box office was closed. I'll call after school)
5) Picking paint colors at Lowe's (oh yeah, that's happening)
4) Hearing the hum of your sewing machine (while I get all caught up on school work)
3) The Friday Song (if you and Seeger are home by then)
2) A bottle of wine (or two)
1) (Edited out of the WWW)
He's a sweetie and put a huge smile on my face by sending this to me. Happy Friday, all!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Random Thought Thursday
1. I'm headed to Indianapolis tonight to meet my new cousin. Mmmmm.... babies.....
2. I love thai food.
3. The window's in my office are really dirty and they never get washed on the outside.
4. We had our first real snow on Tuesday. It had been raining for days and then for a few hours in the afternoon, the rain turned to snow. Seeger was so excited when I picked him up at school. He was packing the snow to see if it stuck together. I had to go back to work and when I returned home a few hours later, he ran to meet me at the door and said in an excited voice, "Mom, are you ready to go outside to play in the snow?" I was the one to break his heart by telling him the snow had turned back in to rain and it all disappeared. He was very sad.
5. Even though I'm bummed that the snow disappeared, it's a beautiful day on campus today. The sky is blue and it's bright outside. I passed so many happy people as I walked back to my office from Kirkwood Avenue.
6. The Polack and I are seeing Fitz and the Tantrums on Tuesday and I will be super excited once I actually find a sitter. Three have already turned me down so I'm getting a little nervous.
7. I have a really big forehead. I feel like it's getting bigger so I'm wonder if I have a receded hairline or something. It might be time to cut bangs.
8. Mia sent us some rice porridge and a marzipan pig for the holidays. I have to remember to bring it with us during our travels so we can find the almond. It's a fun tradition.
9. We're getting a family photo taken on Saturday for our holiday card. I have to figure out the color scheme which always stresses me out.
10. I only have one more week of class and then my students take their finals. I feel like this 8 week course has gone really quickly. I'll start right up again with another 8 week course for the first half of next semester. Luckily I'll have a few weeks in between to prepare.
2. I love thai food.
3. The window's in my office are really dirty and they never get washed on the outside.
4. We had our first real snow on Tuesday. It had been raining for days and then for a few hours in the afternoon, the rain turned to snow. Seeger was so excited when I picked him up at school. He was packing the snow to see if it stuck together. I had to go back to work and when I returned home a few hours later, he ran to meet me at the door and said in an excited voice, "Mom, are you ready to go outside to play in the snow?" I was the one to break his heart by telling him the snow had turned back in to rain and it all disappeared. He was very sad.
5. Even though I'm bummed that the snow disappeared, it's a beautiful day on campus today. The sky is blue and it's bright outside. I passed so many happy people as I walked back to my office from Kirkwood Avenue.
6. The Polack and I are seeing Fitz and the Tantrums on Tuesday and I will be super excited once I actually find a sitter. Three have already turned me down so I'm getting a little nervous.
7. I have a really big forehead. I feel like it's getting bigger so I'm wonder if I have a receded hairline or something. It might be time to cut bangs.
8. Mia sent us some rice porridge and a marzipan pig for the holidays. I have to remember to bring it with us during our travels so we can find the almond. It's a fun tradition.
9. We're getting a family photo taken on Saturday for our holiday card. I have to figure out the color scheme which always stresses me out.
10. I only have one more week of class and then my students take their finals. I feel like this 8 week course has gone really quickly. I'll start right up again with another 8 week course for the first half of next semester. Luckily I'll have a few weeks in between to prepare.
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