Rant

Wow! What a week. I was glued to my television set on Tuesday. What an amazing day in history to watch. There was a line to a song Will.I.am sang at the Neighborhood Ball that night and it said "And Martin wasn't dreaming for nothing". I was laying on the couch with Brooklyn in my lap and tears just flowing. Like I said, what a day in history to watch.
Scott was off yesterday and we were going to grab sushi together but he got called in to the studio to help with a problem another studio was having. This is the same thing that happened on Thursday. Thankfully they were pretty enjoyable days for him
Brooklyn had a friend over last night and the girls spent the majority of the times playing with B's Ponyville land. After dinner I made the girls popcorn and let them watch an episode of Punky Brewster. Man, I still love that show!
I've been doing timed math tests with Brooklyn during homework time this week. Usually we do 1 page of homework, write out sight words and then do a sight words test. I decided to include the timed tests as she gets tested twice a week on them and I thought she could use the help. Wednesday night I gave her a test on her 6's. In five minutes she got them all done except 3. On Thursday I gave her the exact same test but she had had cookies at school about 6 hours earlier because of someone's birthday. This time she didn't even get half of the problems done in the same amount of time and even missed a few she did finish! The next day her teacher gave her the same tests and not only did she finish in time but she got them all right. Things like that make me wonder how many kids are on medicine for ADHD or ADD only the real problem is sugar. It makes me want to go to the schools and discuss with the board about getting sugar out of the schools. I am baffled by this issue. I am also baffled by how many times children are rewarded with candy at school. I have brought in sugar free candies each year but even with that, aren't we doing a disservice to our children by teaching them that eating junk food is a reward?
Okay, off my soapbox. This weekend we are all home so we will be enjoying that. I have a WW meeting this morning and then we will be enjoying the day out together! Hope you all have a great Sat.

It's not a snow day, it's a cold day!

This week Brooklyn and I have been having a lot of fun around the house although we haven't done a whole lot. We all love playing Cadoo so that has been a nightly event. Besides that it's really just been the usual house cleaning, cooking, homework, reading Junie B. Jones books and the other little day to day things. Brooklyn doesn't watch tv during the week so she's usually playing on her leapster, coloring, painting or keeping herself occupied while I am getting dinner ready. My normal daily background music is Dylan. I don't know how many albums are on the IPOD but there are enough to keep me listening all night. I've noticed Brooklyn singing along while playing doing other things and the other night Scott heard her too. I am sure my mom felt the same way I did when she would hear me singing along to Patsy Cline. It's just sweet. Well, on top of singing, Brooklyn has taken to dancing to Bob as well. While cleaning B decided to take to the kitchen and play in the sink. She actually "prepared dinner" and decorated the table for us. Here are some pics I took this week.

This weekend should be a little busy. Brooklyn's school got cancelled because it's cold. (All of those in Indiana and Ohio still going to school in temperatures with a negative sign in front, I'm sorry). Monday is MLK day which mean B and I both have the day off making it a four day weekend! Scott has Sat. and Sun. off which one day we will be taking B to Grimey's record store. She has a gift card from Ben and Katie we have been waiting to use and now is the perfect time. B got an ipod over Christmas so she'll be able to put her purchases on there too.
Along with that card, Scott's mom also got her a giftcard to Target. I heard they have toys half off so I plan on dropping by to let her pick out some more stuff.
Earlier this week Brooklyn fell off some equipment on the playground and came home very sore. She hit her back which knocked the wind out of her. I gave her some tylenol and monitored her but didn't take her to the Dr. Today she is still complaining when she bends over or turns a certain way so I plan on getting her checked out.
Sunday is of course, football Sunday. Sadly both our teams are out but it's still exciting to see the last games of the season and prep for the Superbowl.
The rest of the weekend will be the usual house things, errands and things. After the extra long weekend it's the PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION! So excited.
Happy Friday all!

Mid week frenzy.

Well, things here are busy. I have been trying to get all of my financial information together so that I can fill out my student federal aid and hopefully get my money to finish school! I can't wait to be back in school. I love learning and I really do want to get that degree so I can be working in the science field. Cross your fingers!
Brooklyn got her report card Monday and I was so PROUD. Honor Roll again! I love that she is working so hard in school. She was very proud of herself which made me so happy. She has hit almost every benchmark to go to second grade and it's only mid semester. Learning is something Brooklyn seems to really love too.
Scott has been working a lot lately but has been getting home at a decent hour so I get to see him. Brooklyn has been asleep most of the time so she has really been missing him. Everyday she asks when he will be home, if he's already home or if she will be awake when he gets home. Monday she was pretty bummed he couldn't see her report card so today she has been making up for it. Those two have been connected at the hip all evening. Here are some pics of them selling lemonade on their online lemonade stand!

Grab a chair, it's been awhile.

Happy New Year All! I hope everyone had fantastic holidays! We most certainly did. This was the first year that we have stayed in Nashville on Christmas morning so it was extra wonderful. Brooklyn is 6 now and I want to create those memories of holidays at home!Our Christmas with my mom really was the best yet. I have grown up having Christmas with her so it was fun to have her here to have Christmas with us. I enjoyed her visit so much as we got in lots of girl time. Brooklyn really made out as she brought a santa's sack full of toys for her. Christmas morning Brooklyn ran in and of course woke us up with a "Merry Christmas!!!" I think it was 6 am. Brooklyn is an organized child about most things so she immediately ran to the tree and sorted everyone's presents into piles. I have to say I was so excited about everything Scott and Brooklyn were getting that I hadn't bothered to really guess what I might be getting. I was BLOWN away!! Brooklyn made me such wonderful gifts including a blue christmas bulb with her fingerprints in white which she painted into snowmen. Scott makes me an annual photo book which he has printed up as well as a DVD of the year's Scott and Brooklyn shows. I love these gifts! This year he also got me new pots and pans(YEA!!!!) and tickets to an adventure race for New Years Eve. Plus, Scott's mother got me my Kitchen Aid mixer! I have been wanting one for years. For me, this Christmas was filled with great memories and moments. Plus we've really been enjoying all the gifts. Brooklyn got some great new games that we have been playing about everyday! Cadoo is SO fun. Scott's mom sent us a box of other christmas candy, gifts and stuffed stockings which came late so it was like another day of Christmas! After all of this I thought Brooklyn might need to get rid of all her old toys to make room for the new ones but she still had Christmas at her other Grandparents! Whew. Scott and I met them halfway and B stayed in Indiana for a week after Christmas and came back with SO much more. She had a great week up there.
I always HATE when she is gone but I really tried to enjoy the time. Scott and I went to the movies a couple of times, went out to eat a lot, had a dinner date at home and really had a lot fun together. It was one of those weeks that really rejuvenated our relationship. We spent one afternoon running the dogs at the humane society....actually RUNNING. Those dogs love the moment you open the door, they shoot off like rockets and you better hold on tight! Sadly, I got sick on NYE and we couldn't do our race. Thankfully they are planning on doing another around St. Patrick's Day so we can transfer our tickets.
On Jan. 2 we went to Indiana to pick up B and go to a family reunion. My mom's side hasn't really gotten together since my grandma passed a couple of years ago so it was nice to see everyone. Plus, my aunt and uncle are heading back to Africa so it was good seeing them before they had to leave. They also brought two boys with them that will be going to college in Michigan thanks to some donations. Can you imagine the shock of growing up in Africa to go to the snow in Michigan by yourselves!?! Wow.
Well, this year I have been on a mission to really make great strides in all areas of my life that I have been working on. I don't ever make resolutions but this year I did. So as well as improving on what I am doing, I made a list of those. I always try to be a better me and this year I was to really dig into that. I also want to share that with you while keeping track of it all. So, you can go to www.whole-evolution.blogspot.com for my blog on all of that. I do hope it is something good for you as well! I have already been blessed because of my changes. Brooklyn told me yesterday that I was like a whole new mom. Talk about support! I hope to be that for all of you seeking improvements in your life.
Now to the pictures! Enjoy!