Feeling the pressure!

Crazy day here at our house. Both of the boys slept in which is great, but it makes is great a really late start. Left the house at noon for Kyle's doc appointment. We had to wait over an hour just for a room. Didn't get home until 5. I'm glad we went though. I think we all feel better about starting his remicade. They recommended 2 weeks of system clean out...no Imuran, then we will go in for his first infusion. We got to see the rooms. They look like tiny hospital rooms or recovery rooms. Nice tv with a dvd player!!

I started trying on clothes to bring to the "hot land". I realized the dress I wanted to wear had a long sleeved sweater!!!! And doesn't look nice without it. I did find some skirts and tops that would do, but don't like the way the look on. I have to take the boys dress shopping in the morning....doesn't that sound fun?!! Say a prayer that the first stop is the right stop!

Help John start packing for camp tonight....getting everything labeled. Oh my!! I wish I could pack myself in his suitcase!

Getting late here and I still have some chores to do before bed.

LOVE!

Where did summer go?

This high today was only 65 and breezy. We wore pants and long sleeves....really weird. It is supposed to be the same tomorrow, but then warm up to 80 for the weekend.

Boys and I ran errands and met Dad for dinner at Outback for dinner. Yum. Took the dogs and boys on a long walk this evening. Planted some more plants in the front. Boys and Dad played "kick the can" with about 10 - 12 kids in the hood tonight. Boys were bummed to be the first called in at 10 pm!

Kyle has appointment tomorrow with GI at 1:40 to discuss how to proceed with remicade. I'll keep you posted. Lots of packing tomorrow as well...for myself and for John!

Oh, and Kyle had a breakthrough with his division. It has been such a battle, but I think he finally got it today! YEAH!

I'm Back!!!

Just remembered how much fun I had with my blog, so I'm going to try to get back into it! First thing I have to say is that is was a simply beautiful day....high in the mid 70s, sunshine and a breeze. I met my friend Kim for lunch at Chickfila where we sat outside to eat. The boys and I then ran to Target and Macy's. They boys had Kumon tonight. John is buzzing along, but Kyle is struggling with division with remainders. We will keep working on memorizing his mult facts a little more. We transition to our new Kumon location next week. Our current one is closing....whaaaa.

Boys played outside tonight with Tim from down the street. I tried to get caught up on the Bachelorette.

Got a phone call from a Grandma in the neighborhood tonight. She tracked me down because she is sending her "live in" grandson to boy scout day camp at the same time Kyle is going. Her grandson is not in our pack and does not attend schools in the area. I have not doubt she is just using the scouts as cheap daycare which really erks me. However, I know I need to dig deep and help her out...... In a quandry..... Guess I'll head to the tub to sort it all out.

Made it home safely

We packed up this morning and ate some leftovers for breakfast. We spent about an hour digging the van out of the snow before even attempting to leave. Success.....no spinning tires!!! Yea. The sun came out just as we were leaving...absolutely spectacular! Good bye New York! The interstate was a bit slick the first 30 minutes, but cleared up nicely. We made it home in about 3 hours. The dogs were thrilled to see us!

Spent the afternoon doing homework, unpacking and going to Kumon. Pooped, sore and looking for my bed and my pillow!

Really, second day of skiing!

5pm here and we just returned from our yummy brunch and 4 hours of skiing. No lessons or ski school for the boys. Kyle stayed on the beginner lift with one adult while the other took John up and down the bigger slopes. It was much colder, winder and snowier! It think the high was only 18 degrees! By the time our 4 hours was up, we were thankful we hadn't paid for the whole day. We were all cold, wet and time to head back to the condo. Kyle really made a lot of progress today. He started to pick up some speed and gained a lot more confidence! He was the only one of us who didn't want to stop today!

It took us about 20 minutes dig the car out of the snow enough to drive. Driving conditions are pretty rough. Scott slid off the road a bit when he was turning in the condo complex. Thank goodness there was a little bridge that stops us for going into the rather deep ditch! Car and bridge are fine! We all decided to walk next door for pizza again. It wasn't all that great last night, but we don't really want to drive anywhere! The only trip we make will be outta here!

We plan to head home tomorrow, but no other firm plans other than that! Gotta love vacation!!!

Miss ya'll

2nd day of skiing

So sorry it has been so long since I have posted. It would take forever to recap the past 2 weeks, so I will just start with yesterday and today!

We arrived in Findley Lake, NY Friday night. It took us about 3 hours to get here...not bad. When we stoppped to check in at the lodge, we stayed and enjoyed a seafood buffet. Yum. Yesterday we put both of the boys in private lessons in the morning. They both got great one on one instructions. Scott headed off for his black diamond skiing, while I hung back and watched the boys from a distance. I was very impressed with how much they picked up. We all had lunch together, then checked the boys into ski school for 2 hours. Since all of my skiing is in the beginner areas anyway, I saw them often!

John is already ranked as a level 5 skier! He skis much faster than I do. We bought him a helmet yesterday! Kyle learned to stop and turn and doesn't ever pick up any speed if he can help it. It was his first day after all. We all had pizza at a restaurant at the bottom of a black diamond run with jumps. Quite entertaining!

Slow start today. Scott headed out to get coffee this morning and the car got stuck in the parking lot. The rear brakes froze up overnight. We have had 16 inches of snow since we have arrived! Finally got things going and moved along fine. Headed out to brunch, then an afternoon of skiing. Boys want to hit the indoor pool tonight and we have plans to tour a potato chip factory tomorrow on our way home!

Wish you were here!

Indian Summer!!

I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself. Yes, it was 63 degrees here in Cleveland!! Just a week ago it was 9 degress. Quite strange!

I spent all my free time today working on excel worksheets for my pta treasurer position. I wish I was quicker with it, but I am getting better. I have a meeting tomorrow to go over the moolah with the executive board.

The boys had Kumon tonight. They are both level testing on Thursday. I'm very proud of their progress. John earned a panther paw from Mrs. Lindgren today at school. She surprised the class with a quick multiplication fact quiz today to see how many facts they knew in 5 minutes. John finished all of them with a 100% in 3 minutes. She was very impresed and so was the Momma!

Kyle also had Hapkido and scout tonight!! We ran from 4:15 until 7:30!

Good bye Christmas decorations

I made huge strides today getting all the decoarations down!! Feels good! It took me most of the day. The boys played electronics this morning, but played outside WITHOUT COATS for most of the afternoon. Really!!! In the 50s today. Scott worked out and we all went out for Mexican food for dinner. Excited about Desparate Housewives tonight. Picking up the Fishers from the airport around 11 PM.

Basketball, but then again, no basketball

Today was opening day for rec center basketball games! Kyle had his first game at 11. So adorable!! He skipped around and waved his arms around. Many of the boys were just clueless to whole the game went. I took some pictures, but they just don't do it justice. John's game was later in the day, but we didn't go. After some soul searching on everyone's part, we all decided that it was okay that John drop out before the first game. The practices have been pretty rough. The kids are really big and fairly aggressive players, which John is not. He just wasn't getting anything out of it and was growing more and more frustrated. He seems so relieved to be off the hook.

I finally started the Christmas take down!!! Spent all day at it; and have another to go. Scott even went out and took down the outside lights and cleaned out the gutters out front. It was downright warm today....40s and rainy!!!

Met another couple and their 5 month old baby for dinner in a section of Cleveland called Little Italy. Adorable stretch of town and tons of old Italian restaurants. Our food was cheap and handmade. Not over the top, but yummy all the same.

Headache for mom and ski club!

I woke up this morning with an ache in my shoulder and a headache. It wasn't a huge one, but annoying just he same. I had trouble shaking it. Finally took some advil and headed out to run to the school's bank, my bank and Blockbuster.

Picked up Kyle from school today and headed straight for Taco Bell. We then headed to John's school to get there early enough to be able to park. John and I perfected the pass of of hot food and ski gear in exchange for school books. They only have 15minutes to get changed and onto the buses that head to the slopes. Kyle and I then went to pickup Tom for a playdate. Scott got off work early and headed for the slopes himself to help "watch out for John". According to Scott, there were a few "peak out" moments, but the report from John entailed how much fun it is to go fast down the slopes! He had a blast! Evidently Scott had a pretty good biff and has a good bruise to show for it!! Kyle and I will go with him next week. Interesting as always!

Love to all!

Love the quiet house

My day started as I expected it to. Cranky, tired boys who didn't want to go to school!!! They had a rough start. Kyle had a lot of tears on the way to school as well. We walked and it was just 9 degrees! I had to carry Nikki the whole way. Apparently, all was well once he reached his classroom. He teacher said he was fine.

I enjoyed the quiet house so much today!! No refereeing arguments and no sick hubby!! Life is getting back to usual. I still haven't begun taking down any Christmas decorations....just enjoying being home I guess.

John's trumpet arrived via fedex around 1:30. It was one cold trumpet after riding around in the fedex truck all day. I immediatley drove it to John's school just in time for band class. Whew! Thanks again Grandma.

The boys are outside playing right now. Time to call them in because it is getting dark and it is time to go to Kumon. John also has basketball practice tonight at 8:45. Both the boys have their first games this Saturday.

Enough of my rambling....

Last day of vacation

I think everyone in the house is pretty bummed about the early wake up in the morning. We are still on west coast time a little bit. Kids slept till 9! The snow plow service came early to dig us out and woke me up (and the dogs). Scott is feeling better, but not great. He decided to cancel his trip to NYC today, but he was on a conference call most of the day instead.

Kids and I headed out to Target and the mall. Still looking for navy ski bibs for Kyle. No luck. I did find John a cheap watch though. He needs one for ski club. Don't want him to miss the return bus! We ate at the Taco Bell in the food court for the last time. Yuck! So slow and watching them prepare the food was disgusting! No gloves. I'm sure the health inspector would have had a field day.

Kyle had a tip test tonight at hapkido and Scott was there to see it!!! What a nice treat for both of them. I had no idea that it was time for that. I stayed home with John and his friend Aswin. Later on, I took John to his private trumpet lesson. The music store was nice enough to lend John a brand new trumpet for his lesson. The store said it was not unusual to lend an instrument out for a lesson. His teacher said he could tell he had practiced over break. Hopefully the trumpet will arrive from California tomorrow. I will run it to school when it arrives. THANK YOU Grandma for packaging it up and mailing so promptly!

Loaded up Scott's photo frame tonight. I think he is really looking forward to taking it to work tomorrow. Still trying to figure out how to view and edit the video from my camcorder. Stay tuned...

Off the the basement for a couple rounds of laundry....never ends!!!

Snow all day - Happy New Year!

The wind really kicked up early this morning, then the snow joined in! Everything is white again. Guess John will be skiing on Friday. He is excited to go. Another super quiet day here at our house. Scott's cold seems to have gotten worse, but I am better and the kids seem fine. He has canceled his trip to NYC for tomorrow and is considering a trip to the doc tomorrow. Poor thing. Lots of TV catch up this morning, followed by bill paying catch up and laundy catch up. Looks like the rest of the evening involves Christmas take down....oh boy! Really looking forward to scrapbooking next week. Love to all!