Shopping- my favorite

Yesterday we went shopping in Battle Creek with my sister and all four boys. This time of year I get inspired to do some decorating on the blank walls of the house. I think this because I've been stuck inside staring at these walls for the last 4 months. If you want decorating items for your house, head to Hobby Lobby. I'll post some pictures when I've finished.

I also decided it's time to start teaching Jake about money. I started giving him an allowance- $2.00 a week. I haven't had him divide it into spend and save jars yet- but I should beacuse I'm trying to teach him about money. I just feel bad, because if I make him divide it, it will take him a long time before he will be able to buy something worth while.

So, I had him bring his allowance when we went shopping yesterday (we also went to Target). It was a big tease for the poor kid beacuse he only had 4 dollars and everyting he wanted cost 20 or more. He was so sad when we left because he could'nt find anything to buy. I felt his pain. I would be sad leaving Target empty handed. But I don't think that has ever happened. When we got home, I found a saving chart online and made him this (see picture).

I found a picture of what he really wanted- Matchbox space shuttle- and taped it to the chart. Now he can see how much more he needs to save. Next, I made one for myself. No- I'm kidding. I really should though!!

Gender Predictions

One of my pregnant friends told me about this website. Just for fun, let's see how accurate it is. Follow to here: http://www.ovulation-calculator.com/ttc-tools/chinese-conception-chart.htm Both of mine were exact. What about yours?

Great Wolf Lodge

My sister and her husband invited us to join them for a weekend at Great Wolf in Traverse City. We had a lot of fun and it was nice to get a way for a weekend.

Peeking at the waterpark from a window. Like kids at a candy store.

I think we had more fun than the kids!

Jake stuck around the kiddie area until we dragged him to the bigger slides about a half hour before we left. He loved the bigger slides, but only got to go on a few before we had to go. He's on the kiddie slide in this picture.

Thanks for inviting us Peter and Ra!

I'm wiping the dust off the blog

My one reader notified me that my blog is getting dusty. I can't believe it's been a month. The novelty off blogging has worn off. The good news is, thanks to Stephanie, I now know how to make a header so I will no longer have a sheet of paper as my title and header. I'm just waiting for a good picture to post, it might be a while. Hang in there Steph, I will get it done! For now, don't mind the construction or the dust.

So, since I am so behind, I will just give you the happenings of today. This morning I looked out Jake's bedroom window, which faces my dad's house down the road, and I saw large flames and black smoke. I called down there, let it ring 3 times and then called 911 to report the fire. Then I drove down the road to investigate. There was my dad, standing in the driveway to his workshop, burning furniture and junk he hauled out from an apartment his tenants had left. I called 911 back and told them it was a big mistake, but they sent a fire truck and cop out to investigate anyway. My dad, who is also the township supervisor, is a little pissed at me right now. The fire chief told him he could not burn furniture, and everyone in Concord will know about this by tomorrow.

After all this, I decided to take the kids to the big downtown library to stock up for a trip up north on Sunday. Tyler always poops in libraries. Guaranteed. He must feel relaxed there among the books. Did I bring in the diaper bag? Nope. I made him wait till I was finished- I did not want to go 3 floors down and out to the parking lot for the bag. I picked out my movies and books and realized I didn't have a single dollar- even in change to pay for the movies. Now I had 2 reasons to go to the car. So down to the car we went. Get to the car- no wipes, no money. Load the kids in the car, drive to ATM. Get money. Clean Tyler as best as I could with no wipes. Back up to 3 floor. No library card. Back out to car-3 floors down- to get license to get new card. I was at the library for a total of 2 freakin hours going up and down freakin stairs. Lesson learned- Be organized, be prepared. As a mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old, I should know this by now!

I am ready for this day to be done.