Gracie + Zac = BFF

Here Zac is pulling Gracie in for a hug-kiss-love. She didn't mind at first...then she started screaming and let him know how much she didn't like it!

Zac was just hanging out and watching Gracie roll around. (She is VERY good) Then Gracie kind-of "attacked" in a very loving way. At one point there was some "kissing". CJ even looked away!

I know I have posted something similar to this before...it might be a reoccurring post over the years due to the fact that Gracie's mom and I are friends AND Zac and Gracie are so close in age, hang out and seem to genuinely like each other. Today was no exception.
Today, the 32st of January the sun was shining and it was fairly warm and clear...the perfect opportunity for a walk. I texted Amy to come over with her BOB stroller (we have matching ones) and child for a walk downtown. (One of our favorite things to do from our maternity leave this Fall) Once they arrived we hurried off for some errands, purchases and taking in the lovely downtown McMinnville. My mom ended up meeting us and we then had a quick cocktail and appetizer at the always yummy Kame Restaurant. After a very, very cold and very, very quick walk home we let the kids play a bit on the floor. This is what they did. Too cute and too much fun. They really do like each other. :)

Chess for Success

CJ went to a private school to play in a chess tournament. This was his first year playing in any type of chess competition. He has been going to chess club for the past three years though. He was sooo, sooo nervous about today. He went to a school he had never been to and did something he had never done before. Carlos said he had a great attitude and after his nerves calmed down a bit he really got into playing. (I got frequent updates via texts) We are so proud of our CJ! Sometimes I can't believe how old he is and how much he has really grown up these past few years.

24+24=72...or something like that.

So, you are wondering...does she teach math? Why, yes I do, but read on at your own risk to figure out this math problem.

I work at the same school that CJ attends. So whenever there is a problem with him I get a call from the office and get to be Mom fairly rapidly. I like being close. In fact so does CJ. When I was on maternity leave for the first 2 months of school, he told me it was weird and that he didn't like that I wasn't in the building. Ahhhh, shucks! I love my little guy.

So, Monday I got a call that CJ was in the office "not feeling well". I went down there and he was in the health room, head in a garbage can and had just got done throwing up...right in front of the office. He was pale and not looking good. Long story short we got him cleaned up and home. Once home he slept 3 hours then up for a few then back to sleep for a good 10 more. We had everything worked out, schedules arranged and re-arranged for someone to stay at home with him on Tuesday. Tuesday morning he pops out of bed with a "I feel great. I want to go to school." Side note: he has not been tardy or missed a day this year. His doing. So, he went to school and all has been fine.

Tuesday. Normal day. No problems.

Wednesday, 1:30 (I am teaching) I think to myself, uhhh...I don't feel well. Yikes! I got to go to the bathroom NOW. Needless to say I was home in the comfort of my own "facilities" by 1:50. Lots of the same issues as my son. Not fun. I can't remember the last time I actually threw up because of being sick. I barely made it through the rest of the night. My brother and sister were total champs and came to the rescue. Thank you! Needless to say I did not "pop" out of bed this morning ready for work. Must have something to do with my age? Yikes!

So, my blog title? Two 24 hour flu over the course of 72 hours....or something like that. Hang on let me get a calculator. Or not. Must make time for another nap today. (Thanks Sarri for subbing and willing to take on 24 children on PJ day! You are a great friend. I TOTALLY owe you!)

Take Two

Again we are at our local brew pub for Friday night happy hour...beers and burgers are a nice way to wind-down after a long week, chatting and laughing with friends. Zac usually comes along and sometimes even Carlos and CJ. Anyway, Zac is getting passed around the table and he is having a great time when my sister feels for his tooth and WHAT?! She feels his second tooth! I am not sure what it is about this brew pub, but the last two times we have been there Zac has gotten a tooth! When he laughs and smiles now his teeth show! It changes his little baby face so much. My little guy is just growing up so fast.

Been Tagged

Well fellow friends and blogger and stalkers I have been tagged. That means I have to post about what the tagger sent me. So, Sarri here are 7 (not 10) little known things about me.
1. I don't have any cavities.
2. I blow my nose in the shower. Enough said.
3. I love jewelry. Ok, many of you may have known that but this could also be a therapy-tag-blog. My mom worked at a local jewelry store for about 15 years. The obsession started very young...I was dazzled by diamonds at a very early age.
4. Growing up on a farm I had chickens to care for (sold the eggs to said jewelry store ladies), slopped the compost bucket to the pigs, picked up hay and learned to drive the hay truck (many a story there...), many cats and dogs to play with and this farm was the (short stay) home of about 300 veal cows. That is right I washed buckets (thanks Kari and Jamie), washed poop down the drain, fed them and herded them into the trucks for load out (you know to where). It was our family business for over 10 years. It was a huge job for our whole family and provided me with a great work ethic. I can still smell that familiar (icky) barn-cow smell.
5. I just asked CJ, "What is something that not a lot of people know about me?" He said, "They don't know you are a great mother. A great mother to two kids." Well, that is just wonderful and great and a bit scary. Does he mean not a lot of people know I am a mom (lilke at all)? Or that not a lot of people know that I am great at being a mom? Hmmmmm...
6. My friend Melanie has called me "Pooh" for about as long as I can remember. My friend Heather's dad calls me "Book". Others may call me Paigie, Paigie Pooh and Paiger. I like the nicknames and nicknames in general.
7. I have never had a broken bone or have had to wear a cast. Except if you count that I broke my neck and had to wear a neck brace for three months while I was in the 8th grade. Can you say, Are you there God, it is me Margaret? Bad memories. Hated it. Pretty much have it blocked out of my memory. There are NO pictures of me during that time. None. None at all.
There you have it. Seven little-known-facts about me! Let's see, Anna...need to hear from you and Amy...let's here from you! Molly? You out there?

BFFs...Zac and Gracie

Here they are...the cutest and best-est friends.

Roll Over...Roll Over

Well tonight was the big night for rolling over. Wow! What to say? This little guy is really growing up fast! (almost too fast for me) So, with CJ's help Zac rolled over. We didn't get the first roll over on camera, but the second one came in just fine. I do have to tell you that if you listen until the end of the video when CJ says, "ohhhh" I turned off the camera. What you didn't here was "That was some barf!" I totally LOL! (please note the lack of my voice...yeah!)

One Tooth and One Visitor

My sweet baby boy got his first tooth yesterday! It is the cutest, smallest most pointy tooth on the bottom right. It is non-threatening at this point. (No pun intended) But time will tell.

Yesterday CJ told me that he felt Zac's tooth, I was a bit skeptical and didn't believe him or even check Zac's mouth at the time. We had been noticing that Zac was drooling a bit more, chomping on Carlos' shoulder a bit more but really nothing else. He was not too fussy and was fairly normal schedule around here. But after some more drooling and CJ telling me that for real there was a tooth I checked. And then I was so excited...Zac got his first tooth! CJ just said, "Yeah...I know" It was rather funny.

I also put a visitor counter on my blog.

So, there you have it. The exciting and not-so-exciting news for this weekend.

Buns '09

Enough said....

In and Out

In with 2009 and out with 2008...what is there to say? Lots I am sure. Many memories. Fun times. Great family adventures. Friendly conversations. Shopping, eating, drinking...parties. Games, TV, movies and blogging. Snow, snow and more snow.

But really the one thing stand out the most is my family. The new addition to our family. My sweet baby boy Zac. What was life before he arrived? What used to make me laugh? What used to make my heart burst, melt, sing and be filled with so much love and joy? Zac has filled our home with love. He has brought joy to our lives. He has renewed our family. We have additional joy and love and watching CJ with his brother is amazing. He is kind, loving and so filled with love. I have some great kids! I also have a funny, ornery (in a good way), loving, caring and wonderful husband who also just happens to be the best father to our kids!

So, out with 2008 and in with 2009. Bring it on, we are ready for ya!