Pass The Oreo On!!

This was too funny to watch!! Elton would eat the cream off his Oreo and then pass the cookie on to Bingo. Bingo waited quite patiently. It seems they have a system worked out! Thus, Bingo is quite willing to share the dog bed. You can't bite the hand that feeds you!

Love You Forever!!

"Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch is a children's book that I am sure many of you have heard of, but I included the link for if you haven't. The first time I heard this book was at a Childbirth Educators Conference. I then started reading it to my childbirth classes as a sentimental way of ending our series of classes each time together.

Then, when I had Caleb, a coworker gave us a copy to read to him. I started reading it too him a few weeks ago before I went away to Las Vegas. When I got back, my mom said he requested it every night while I was gone. The first night I was home, he not only wanted it read to him, but also wanted me to rock him in the rocking chair while reading it. The next day at lunch he announced "Mommy, when you get older, I will rock you too!". We now read this book every night.!!

Ready For School Too!

So even though Elton will only be 19 months old tomorrow, it would appear that he has decided he is ready for school too. With they boys starting at the Child Development Center at Immanuel Lutheran (daycare) and Caleb starting preschool there they each got their own backpack. When I got Caleb's out for preschool today, Elton was quite upset wanting his too and to go as well. Then, tonight, when I got them out to get ready for tomorrow, Elton insisted on me putting his on him. It was funny to watch because he could hardly hold himself up, but he made it to the door and was not pleased when I told him he would have to wait until morning.

While I am in no rush for these boys to grow up, they are quite determined and are very independant little guys already. It makes me think about what kind of men they will grow into!!

One Year Later ......

It was one year ago yesterday that we closed on our house and a year ago today that we started moving. It was not a large move for us distance wise, but I would have to say the most stressful one I have ever been part of. Things that made it stressful were: our realtor, coordinating the close on the house we were selling and the one we were buying for on the same day, Dan being on night shift and getting extremely little sleep in order for us to get moved in time, me being on a lifting restriction (nothing over 10 lbs), having small children, my car threatening to die in the middle of everything along with probably some other things I am not thinking of right at the moment.

However, that being said, we couldn't be happier with our choice. We love where we live. Our backyard fence is against the Immanuel Lutheran Child Development Center and school where the kids just go into after being on a 2 1/2 year wait list. It is so convenient to do errands now and we save so much time. Our back yard is incredible! We have had a couple get togethers out there. The extra bedroom with bathroom in the basement is perfect for my parents when they come to visit (they usually stay 2-3 weeks). With all of the projects we have gotten done the house feels like ours now. I never expected us to have done everything we have managed this soon.

Back From Vegas!!

I'm back from Vegas and had a good trip. The picture was actually taken as I was heading out to the airport. The conference was good. I learned some about some new stadards of care and got 19.5 CEU's. After the first day of conference, I was getting on the monorail when I started talking to a group of nurses from California. They invited me to dinner with them and I have to say the comraderie of the group made me miss many of the nurses I used to work with in Texas and the good times we had.

I had an interesting "Vegas" experience in which I acquired free tickets to the musical "Menopause". I asked a nurse I met from Florida to go with me. It was hilarious and packed with about 95% women. Anyone wanting an elaboration on my story I will share with over the phone. The pillows at the hotel sucked. It's pretty bad when you are only 33 and can't travel without your own pillows. There was no coffee maker in my hotel room and so I had to cough up $4.50 for a cup of drip coffee at the Hilton coffee shop. I eventually found a good little coffee place at the Venetian with some atmosphere for only $3.50 a cup. It makes me appreciate my regular coffee spot here.

On My Own?

I use this blog very little to post just about myself and so today I am. I am packing to head off to Las Vegas by myself! for 4 days!! What you ask? Work is sending me to the "National Mother Baby Nurse's Conference" to "network" (as I am told by my boss). No husband, no children and no coworkers!! I think it is going to be kind of weird being by myself and in fact can't remember the last time this was the case. However, for all of you that know me, know that I am an independant (or at least used to be) gal and should do just fine.

Nana is here to help Dan with the boys. I have 3 books to read for a new certification work has me completing to start a class called "The Happiest Baby On The Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp. The goal is to have this class kick off by the start of next year and I am hoping to be able to make it a success. If any of you are interested you can look it up on the web to see what it is all about.

So for now I am signing off for at least 4 days!! TTFN!

Shelley's Cafe!

In the past years we have discussed different ideas on what to do with our sunroom and a couple of weeks ago we decided! We have turned it into Shelley's Cafe!! (Yes, I came up with the name) It is a place for us to sit and hang out, drink coffee, ice tea, let the kids play etc. Dan layed some outdoor carpet out there, we got our little bistro set, some plants, a few pictures and we are set! Someday I will find one of those people that do little signs and get one that says "Shelley's Cafe".

I wish that many of you that are reading this lived closer and could come hang out with me for a cup of coffee. I have already found myself thinking of many of you while sitting out there and have even picked up the phone and called a few of you while sitting out there. Everyone has an open invitation to come hang out if the opportunity arises!!

Fair Time!

Yesterday was our fair day as it was "Pal Day" and we could get 2 ride passes for the price of one. I can't believe how incredibly expensive it is, but the kids had so much fun. It was Elton's first year to go on the rides and he absolutely loved it. If you were taking him off of a ride or between rides, he was not happy. I knew that he was going to love it and that is why I new ride passes were essential.

Caleb had been talking about going back on the roller coaster since last year when he went on it with daddy. He absolutely loves it and has no fear. He smiled from ear to ear the whole time on it and was even lifting his arms up. He ran into a friend from Classy Castle in line in which they decided to ride together. I guess their was so much excitement that there just wasn't time to take a potty break, because on the way home he informed me he had wet his pants on the roller coaster, but was not in the least bit concerned. Rides are just more important when a guy has to priortize!! He also got to experience cotton candy for the first time as his fair treat. Elton wouldn't put any in his mouth and just thought it was funny as it was tickly.

Everyone had a great time and it seems like we will have to go back next year!!