College Hockey It's A Whole New World

It's hard to say if we've become College Hockey fans or if we just enjoy being a part of such a great atmosphere. Either way, we had a great family outing watching a local college hockey team win. Not even the fact that a minor snowstorm caused it to take twice as long as normal to get to the Arena could dampen our fun.
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Here's a few of the fun/ funny moments from the evening....

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Dad dropped us off at the hotel across from the convention hall as someone in our car had needed to use the "facilities" for over an hour. We have this family trick of using the bathrooms in lobbies of fancy hotels. We just act like guests and no one is the wiser.

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While Miss A was washing her hands, she said; "I love fancy hotels. This might be my favorite part of the whole evening."

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Taking the crosswalk later to the game, Miss M decided to take it up a notch and pretend to be from Minnesota. She even had the "long oooo" accent from Minnesoooota. That way if anyone asked if we were hotel guests, she could say, "Why yes, we are from the Twin Cities ."

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We arrived in our seats and had just sat down when Miss A announced, "OK, what shall I have for my snack?" I asked if maybe we could at least wait for the game to start and she said, "Oh, I thought it had." Guess the fact that there were no players on the ice didn't really bother her too much.

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Miss M announced that she really liked hockey. It's loud, the action is fast, and she really likes it when they slam each other against the glass. She was, however, grateful that they have the glass and net up, she'd hate to take a puck to her face. Yeah, me too M.

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Mr. C was really the only one who really got into the actual hockey game and didn't seem like he was there for the snacks. He was high fiving the guys around us when we scored, he was "hoop and hollering" for the team, and even yelled "fight, fight" when it looked like two players might duke it out. Thankfully, college hockey is too refined for actual fights!

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Don't worry, Mr C did finally get a snack. In fact, there was evidence of his snack for hours later. Who thought powdered sugar was a good idea for a teenage boy? What a mess. Thankfully, he said it looked like snow.

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Miss A and I scooted out a few minutes early and sat by the fireplace at the hotel while the rest of the family insured victory for the team by waiting till the bitter end. Considering it was way past our bedtime, Miss A announced maybe we should just get a room and spend the night. I said our home was only 20 minutes away.

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Her response: "That's what you said when we came here and Mom we both know it took much longer than that to get here. Let's just be real and spend the night. It will look better in the morning."

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Who does she think she is; Eloise!

Miss Piggy proves to be a Top Dog

Friday was a top ten day in Miss A's world. First, it was her first ever Musical program at school and a day the entire student body looks forward. Second, it was her day (finally) to be the "top dog" and share her photos and special things. Miss A woke up with the biggest smile on her face and it lasted the entire day!

The music teacher at our elementary school is fabulous. Each year's program really knocks your socks off. This year's theme was TV shows and each grade sang a theme song from a different television show. The kindergarten classes sang the theme songs from Arthur, The Muppet Show and Scooby Doo. Adorable. Miss A even sang. Usually, she is a bundle of nerves and doesn't really sing the songs or do the actions, but on stage next to her kindergarten buddies, she was an all star.

A few weeks ago, some of moms from Miss A's class got together and we made the t-shirts for the performance. All the girls were Miss Piggy and the boys were Kermit the Frog. Thankfully, the art teacher made up the stencils and all we had to do was paint and glitter. The kids looked so adorable on stage in their shirts.

For those who have told me that it sounds like I'm on a crafting roll, realize that all I did on this project is follow directions and get glitter all over my clothes.

After the morning performance, P and I signed Miss A out of school and took her to lunch at Red Robin. A few of A's friends and their moms were able to join us which made it extra special. Since A has been to a few of the bigger kids performances and knew of this "lunch out" practice, she was thrilled to be the one at the center of the action!

Then between lunch and the afternoon performance, Miss A had the chance to be the Top Dog and share her pictures with the class. Because she was sick last week, her board ended up being up for nearly two weeks.

Really, can it get better than this?

Well stayed tuned because our day of fun was only beginning!

Mismatch and Hodgpodge it's how we roll

Mishmash. It's been a crazy week thus far, two days off school, three projects I'm working on for school or church, and a dinning room that has been taken over by Girl Scout photo boards and now Girl Scout cookie boxes, a bunch of hodgepodge.

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As a result, I'm going to summarize this past week in bullet points. A little bit of this and that so as to free up some space in my brain and to remember these days in the years ahead.

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1. Amazing Race started on Sunday and we are pumped for a great season. We will be picking our teams after this week's edition and I already have my restaurants in mind. I'm thinking this could be my season! It's redemption time for me as none of my old teams were even invited back to race in this season of unfinished business. I'm not even jealous that Mr. C has six former teams in the race, not me.

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2. Roller skating: When our plans for a road trip last week fell through, Miss A was heartbroken so off we went to roller rink to recover a little fun. The girls were having a blast and Miss A finally thinks she can go to the monthly class skating party. Mr. C is not so convinced that racing around a rink with skates on your feet is such a great idea. He told me that once he's old enough to start dating (age 21), he won't bringing dates to the skating rink; it's too expensive and probably dangerous.

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3. Decorating Family Room: The painting continues and now it's time to think about the style. I think I've finally found some fabric for the IKEA fabric squares I'm making. I love the colors, but not sure what all goes together without looking too matchy matchy. Any suggestions?

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4. Daisy Troop Goes High Adventure: Miss A' troop had a field trip to a local inflatable playzone and even though Miss A is still recovering from pneumonia, she scaled the "heights" and made it to the top. This girl has no fear. I loved how the girls cheered and clapped for each other regardless of their success; what a great life lesson.

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5.Girls Plan Fundraising Adventure: Miss A and Miss M have come up with a way to pay for Mr. C's high school years. They want us to buy a vending machine. Miss A thinks we could set it up in our front yard. Talk about classy. Miss M and Mr C think that the Lake might be a better option. We could put it on the dock and catch boaters as they go by. Imagine all those hungry and thirsty waverunners. We might need to invest in both the beverage and snack unit. Genius.

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6. The CSN giveaway winner is commenter number 4, Heather. I'll email Heather and let her know how to redeem her prize. Random number generator picked the winner. I'd love to show you the proof, but I don't know how to cut and paste on blogger. I know, what a good blogger I am.

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See our life really is a bunch of mishmash, but I guess i can't imagine it any other way!

GS Crafting: Over My Head and I'lll Admit It!

Sunday afternoon was Girl Scout crafting at our house. A few weeks ago, I'd taken the Girl Scouts fabric shopping for photo boards and it was now time to make the boards.

This is where I admit I'm craft hindered. I love the idea of a great craft, but the reality of carrying out the finished project leaves a little to be desired. The Girl Scout Photo board is a prime example. My plan was to make a sample photo board last week and have all the kinks worked out before the girls arrived.

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Reality proved that I didn't leave the house for almost five days and that meant the sample board was made on Sunday afternoon; just hours before the big event. It also meant that the project was much more difficult than I had originally thought. The staples were hard to put into the plywood. The process of ironing the fabric, stapling the quilt backing and fabric to the board, and then to get enough ribbon cut and ready was hard.

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The boards are adorable, but the plan to have the girls walk out with finished projects was soon abandoned when we needed to make a run to Michael's for more ribbon (4 rolls per girl) and we needed much more than 1.5 hours to finish.

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Thankfully, these girls are saints, as is my husband for bailing me out of stapling and figuring out how to get these projects done. I've learned that I need to do a better job of planning crafts out step by step. I can't wing it. While the girls had a great time and it was fun to see how the fabric creations are coming together, its disappointing that we didn't finish.

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The finished projects will be great. It's just going to take a little while to get there.

On the Road to Recovery

Today is day five of Miss A's bout of pneumonia and it appears that we've finally reached the end of the line. Today, she woke up with a normal temp. After days of 102 plus, it's nice to see a low number.

We have high hopes that, if we keep her nice and calm today, she'll regain some energy and start to feel more like herself by tomorrow. Just in time for two days off school and some cold temps and snow. We missed all the nice weather of the past few days, but we did get some great snuggling, reading books and watching movies in.

I'm thankful that Miss A had the strength to fight the pneumonia off and that there were some strong drugs to help her battle. I don't take that blessing lightly. I'm grateful to God.

On this Sabbath day, I'm reminded of a verse from my BSF lesson a few weeks ago. Whatever you are facing today, I hope you will have the wings of eagles.

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Don't forget my give away. It ends tomorrow!

Early Spring Means it's Giveaway Time

It was 67 degrees today. We all know it's only February and we'll still have days of subzero temps, inches of snow that will fall on our driveway, and the sun that will be absent for days on end. But for today, it's spring! To spread the spring fever, I'm hosting a giveaway with the help of CSN Stores for a $15.00 gift certificate that can be used at any of their over 200 online stores. From swingsets (perfect for spring!) to cute cookware to fitness equipment, you will find just what you are looking for at CSN stores!

If you'd like to win this gift certificate, just leave me a comment and I'll draw a winner at random on Monday.

Next week, you could be buying some new wall art or an adorable pitcher for Ice Tea on the patio, or maybe a birthday present for someone special. Just leave me a comment and you could be the winner.

Thanks CSN store for allowing me to pass this special blessing to on my readers.

This Top Dog is a Real Trooper

Miss A is Top Dog this week at school. She has a display board filled with 15 photos of her life, thus far and three special items that represent her favorite things. We spent most of the weekend going through photos of Miss A as an adorable baby, toddler, and now kindergartner.

Deciding what 3 favorite things to take was certainly a process. She finally decided on American Girl Ruthie, her soccer medal, and a favorite new barbie doll.

Friday is suppose to be Show N Tell Day. Miss A gets to stand in front of her display and share all the pictures and things with her friends. She was psyched.



Instead, here is a picture of Miss A from yesterday morning; hospital mask and red glassy eyes. At about 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Miss A ran into our room screaming, crying, and gasping for breath.

After we got her calmed down and stripped out of her flannel pj's, she started to breath easier, but with a temp of 103 we knew what we were dealing with. When I mentioned to my husband that at least we know what she's got, Miss A cried "am I gonna die?" No sweetie, it's just another case of pneumonia. A doctor's visit later that morning only confirmed that I should have gone to medical school and saved myself the co-pay.

Thankfully we caught it early (again) and she's on some great drugs that should get her on the road to recovery. Of course, Miss A is devastated about her Top Dog week. Plus, it was cheese breadsticks for lunch today along with gym class. Who cares that she's still running a temp of 101, she wanted to go to school.

Miss A's teacher has told us not to worry. Next week, they have a few days off so, since it's a short week, no one is top dog. Miss A can show off her pictures next week!!

Now, we just need her better by Saturday for a Daisy outing.



I'd say the patient is in much better spirits today. Either that or she was thrilled the I substituted cheese breadsticks (school lunch) for homemade tortilla pizzas. Can't get better than that can it.

Miss A is quite the trooper, no wonder she gets to be Top Dog for two weeks. She'd definitely a top dog around here.