a little scare...

Today I had some medical issues (I won't go into all they yucky details - but severe enough that I called my doctor - which usually I just shrug things away). I went to see my doctor. Turns out everything is ok for now. Will know more when some of the other tests come back. But baby is good. And I am not having contractions (which that was also a concern ).
SO, again I will know more in a couple of days. (I am hoping this does not
result in a kidney stone not wanting to come out!!!)
K really likes my obgyn, he just explains everything to you
and in words that you can understand. We went over worse case and best case scenarios. K said he just felt so much more at peace and understanding with
everything Dr. M told us.
Thank goodness K's Auntie was here, she and our cousins took Pineapple Princess with them so we didn't have to worry about her. Along with spending time with them, she got some yummy Chicago pizza and beach time.
Thanks to those who called me to make sure that everything was ok and being so willing to help out in a pinch.
Along with this, I am so sad that I will be missing out on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing at the Ravinia tonight, especially when I have been looking
forward to this for months! But if the doctor says rest, rest I will.

Tic-Tac-Toe - To -Go from Momready

Boredom Busters : Tic-Tac-Toe To Go
For those of us who live near the shore or visit it often, it's a wonderful way to spend a family day. The surf, the sand, all great entertainment for our kids...for a while that is. Invariably comes that familiar whine, "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." When "go and commune with nature" just doesn't do the trick, here's a boredom buster that kids can make at home and bring along to the beach. Tic-Tac-Toe is much more fun when your beach towel is the playing board. As an at-home art project, have your kids paint a giant grid, creating nine squares, on a solid colored beach towel with permanent markers or fabric paint pens. Now comes another fun part. Once at the beach, have kids go on a hunt to find shells or rocks or sticks or whatever they fancy to use as their playing pieces. Although this is alot of fun at the beach, have kids bring their playing pieces home and you've got a fun game for the backyard as well. Now sit back and relax while the kids entertain themselves...for a while that is. Additional Summer Boredom buster ideas (from sugardoodle.net) http://sugardoodle.net/Summer/Summer%20Boredom%20Busters.shtml

Hooray for Library Day

It's Monday, our weekly trip to the library.
One of my favorite summer memories was my Mum taking me to the library to sign up for their reading program.
I always looked forward to the afternoon at the library with my mum - and my little sisters. I wish I could find some of those books that I would read over and over...anyway now with a child of my own time to start our own TRADITION!
Pineapple Princess is doing their summer reading program. She marked off all of her stars (nine hours of reading.) So along with the weekly prize, she was also able to pick out a new book for her very own! Her choice Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - one that is her favorite. One of our favs too. It is so nice to go to the library each week, just so that we can have a fresh variety of books. Sometimes, I get a bit bored with reading the same book over and over...(um wait wasn't I just saying how much I LOVED to read books over and over again??) I guess that happens with any book, not just library books, right??
So here are some pics from the library.
Hah! and you thought my day was boring : )

Happy reading everyone!

finally saying yes

Today, K journeyed off to an Ukulele Fest. Pineapple Princess and I stayed home. I wanted to get things done around the house which didn't really happen in the end (just wasn't feeling up to it). Our friend needed the use of our van to get some wardrobe boxes. I am glad she asked, I couldn't imagine them fitting in a regular size car! While at U-haul, Pineapple Princess was giving me a bit of a hard time. KM said, why don't you let me take Pineapple Princess for a couple of hours, you go home relax, take a nap. Now, my normal reaction is no, that's ok. And I really wanted to say no, knowing that she has her hands full with packing for their move in a week. But I thought, I know she is being sincere, I know she really wants to help me, and I am going to say YES!
OH, it was wonderful to have an afternoon to myself. I cleaned up (just a bit!) read some of my book, and then took a wonderfully long nap!
When I went back to pick up Pineapple Princess, KM had fed her, bathed her, and I am sure showered her with love. Thank you KM, Miss AM and Momo, it really meant a lot to me! So here is to good friends who know when you need help, and to finally saying YES!
K also had a really great day, he came home on a huge high! I know that he misses is home very much, that is why it is so great that he can get together with fellow musicians, Uke lovers, and just those with Aloha spirit.

tip of the day

Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your

mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more

cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less

sugar/calories per

serving.

You can also add vanilla extract or other extract to give it a

more homemade taste.

Aloha Friday

today was a bit cooler - but that is Chicago weather for you. I am not complaining at all - I think I was meant to live in oh, Alaska. Monday, they are saying 91 degrees for the high. YIKES!
I love playgroup days. Pineapple Princess and I picked up big ONE YEAR old friend SIR G and his mum KS for playgroup at the park. And for once, I was the first one there. Couldn't believe it! It is so nice to sit and chat w/ girlfriends, and the occasional Dad that comes too. After playgroup, Pineapple Princess and I headed home (here is where our exciting day begins hahaha) to do LAUNDRY. I know, so much fun. But for me to actually have the "strength" to do it, as in I am not laying sick on the couch, Is HUGE. Made some breaky for lunch for Pineapple Princess. Watched a little Y&R - thanks KS for getting me hooked. : ) Pineapple Princess wrote out some cards to family and friends, and then we headed to the pool. I kept telling Pineapple Princess it would be too cold. We got there, 68 degrees. But, we had the pool to ourselves! There were 2 other people in the pool - the lap pool about 25 employee's and us. Pineapple Princess thought it was so cool that we were the only ones there! So there you have it friends our big exciting Friday!!

I am attaching some pictures of Pineapple Princess.
She was wearing her swimming smock today, and it made me think of her little blue one that she had when she was one. Just thought I would compare how big she is now!

ALOHA!!!

Pool Time

We had such a great day yesterday - I am trying to make it a point to get outside - forget about being sick. I love playgroup days - Pineapple Princess
enjoys playing in the park and being with her friends.
After playgroup, we met my life long friend Jo-Ro Baby at flat top, one of our favorite haunts - can you tell, I've been there twice this week alone! It was great to catch up with her and talk about everything under the sun. After lunch, Pineapple Princess and I hurried home to say good bye to K, before he flew off. I told Pineapple Princess that we were going to go to the pool. Pineapple Princess ran into her bedroom, put her suit on and then tried to get out our back door. She thought that I was talking about her little splash pool that we fill up in the back yard. But I thought we would try the BIG pool in Wilmette. We ran into some of our friends there, the Downs (Mrs. Downs is a super woman, being there with three kids and a new born!) the Brown's were there also. Pineapple Princess was a little shy, but wanted to play with Miss I, I should have just let them go off by themselves, then Pineapple Princess wouldn't have wanted to come right back to me. Pineapple Princess was just all over the pool.

Can I just add, that I am so glad that she is potty trained this year! Last year, Pineapple Princess had an accident in the pool - poop everywhere. They had to close the kiddie pool down, drain it, clean it, kick everyone out. Oh, I was so embarrassed. The bad part, we had just gotten there. I was still watching NN and CN. So here I am washing off all three kids. YUCK! I called Mrs. N (the boys mom) and told her what happened. At the time it was NOT funny, but now I can look back on it and it is funny. At least, I won't have to worry about it this year - I hope! She is good at letting me know when she has to go. Yesterday, three trips to the potty. At least I know she won't pee in the pool. : ) I look forward to many more hours spent at the pool, hanging out with friends there and at the park. And maybe, just maybe I will hit the beach one time.

puking in the wind and celebrating a birthday

Last week was K's birthday. I took MIss M to Target so we could make a candy bar poster card for him. Half way through our shopping trip I could feel my nausea coming on, I hurried
through the rest of the store and checking out, hoping I could make it home. Well, Pineapple Princess and I made it as far as the doors and proceeded to loose anything that I had eaten that day. Miss M watched on in oh I don't know embarrassment, as she said to me, "Mommy, you can't do that here, you need to be sick at home!" Believe me honey, if I could have waited until we were at home I would have! And can I just say, don't ever puke when it is windy! In my hair, down my shirt, cleavage and so on...
So, K's big day did not get celebrated the way we would have liked to. We did our celebrating yesterday - and it was great fun! K wanted a haircut, so he got one for his birthday - fun gift RIGHT!? Went to lunch at our favorite little Evanston restaurant Flat Top,
picked up some DVD's and then on Pineapple Princess' request, went to Petsmart to look at the fish.
K's birthday - even a week later, was exactly what he wanted. OH and fun for him, he went over to Home Depot bought some things for the yard - he loves his yard and doing work out there. Maybe I should hire him out - do others yard work! :)
OK, enough of our boring day...

FINALLY!!!

Gee - I have been trying to figure out how to add a text to this blog, not just pictures.
I am so not computer savvy!
Today is Father's day, the smell of brownies is all through out our house - oh and the smell of nail polish. Tradition, Daddy paints Pineapple Princess's toes before church. Happy Father's day to him!
Yup, that's are big day, our big
news...maybe KS was right - writing about your day can be boring. I'll have to take her advice and spice it up!!! we can chat about our friend Kathy...enjoy your Sunday!