Walking With The Woods

The Walmart Christmas Tree...

2011-11-09T04:24:00.001-08:00

It's a Vanessa ritual...I don't get it but here it is:

Vanessa's 9th Birthday!

2011-11-09T04:20:00.001-08:00

My beautiful 9 year old daughter....

She had a couple of friends go putt-putting with her. Glow-Putt was pretty cool! Missing is a school friend. She had to leave before the final picture.

BOO!!

2011-11-09T04:09:00.000-08:00

Mo was Snow White, of course.
Harley designed the costume herself. She's a monster!
Vanessa is a girl from Monster High named DracLaura. She's a vegan. :-)

A Visit to Renicks

2011-10-03T04:29:00.001-07:00

Two words: PUMPKIN BOOTY!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2011

2011-08-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

Harley lost her first TOP tooth last week. The other one is barely hanging on. I call her Nanny McPhee now. It grosses me out.

Harley on the first day of SECOND GRADE. Her hair had a mind of its own... But she likes it "BIG!"

Vanessa on her first day of THIRD GRADE. 3rd grade.....where has the time gone?

Harley isn't big on touchy-feely affection. Especially from her older sister. Can you tell?

So I said told Harley to stop it and let me take a nice picture of the two of them. Now Vanessa has a "Ha! Mama yelled at you." look on her face and Harley is still creeped out by the half-hug.

Ah, siblings.

Summer 2011

2011-08-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post. We went on our first official family vacation. The girls saw Red, White and Boom in person. Tony spent part of July in the hospital. I entered my last year in my 30's. We checked out the new Scioto Mile.

We started off with a 5-day cruise out of Tampa, FL. We had 2 ports, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. There was a town on Grand Cayman called Hell. Let me tell you, it felt as hot as that!

These are Mayan Indian dancers in Cozumel.

After the cruise we headed to Orlando. We stayed at a fabulous Sheraton resort for 5 days. We went to Disney one day. We ate at Planet Hollywood - I got to see "The Jenny" from my all-time favorite movie Forrest Gump!

Our last stop was back in Tampa/St. Petersburg. We went swimming before getting back on the plane to Ohio. We saw dolphins swimming!!

No pictures of Tony in the hospital. He has cellulitis in his lower leg. I could post a picture of his leg, but I don't want to gross everyone out! (you're welcome)

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. "Not 40 yet!" was the pharse repeated all day. The girls and I went down to the new Scioto Mile. It is SO nice!! I want to live downtown.

School will be starting soon. It's been an action-packed summer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARLEY!!!

2011-05-31T03:56:00.000-07:00

(I have not signed on in a while...whoops!!)

My awesome girl Harley Quinn turned 7 a week ago!!

She is the author of Harley-isms. She is a triple-threat entertainer in acting, singing and dancing. She has such a creative mind. She is a kind spirit. Always looking to help others.

Love her to pieces!!!

The Lord's Day

2011-04-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! If you haven't already listened to it, I suggest listening to It's only Friday, Sunday's a comin' on YouTube. Very powerful.

So I was adventurous Saturday and made a bunny cake. Pretty good for a novice.
Mo

Harley
Vanessa
Goofy Girls...

People Will Start To Wonder!

2011-04-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

So I am going to invest in some professional grade bubble wrap to put Vanessa in every time we go out to play.

RECENT FUNNIES - UPDATE!!!

2011-03-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

Mo: One day recently when it has been nice out the girls were riding their bikes/scooters. One of my neighbors came over to talk to me. While we were talking, Harley runs down and says "MAMA! You know the potty chair you were throwing away? Mo is peeing in it!!!" Sure enough, I go to the garage door to check it out and she had peed in it and was just pulling up her pants.

Harley: "God is bigger than the sun, bigger than a skyscraper, even bigger than a TAXI!!"

Me: "Harley, what kind of dressing do you want on your salad?"
Harley: "salad dressing"
Me: "Duhhhhhh..."

Vanessa: "Harley, if it storms tonight can you make sure I'm not awake?"

(RANELLE, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU...) Harley's take on Geometry: "Awfully big word for a bunch of shapes."

Harley: By the time I'm 48 I'll be known as the S.S. Awesome!

Yet another... "April showers bring May FLOODS."

Happy Birthday Mo!

2011-02-16T05:01:00.001-08:00

She came into the world in a crazy, frenzied way and hasn't slowed down since. She is my baby girl and she will tell you so. There is a reason God saved her for last! She is keeping me moving and God knew I would need that too!

I LOVE YOU ADRIENNE MONIQUE WOODS! MO!

Valentine's Day 2011 - Where's the Love?

2011-02-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

I'm only joking, we have a lot of love in our house. Let me explain our Valentine's Day.

For Christmas Vanessa and Harley received scooters. We have not had a nice enough day to ride them. Mo's birthday (who I will celebrate in a follow-up post) is the 15th and she received a scooter. Monday was fairly nice out so I thought I would let the girls try out their new scooters for a little bit before we went inside for homework and the normal routine. Well it only took a FEW mintues for Vanessa to fall off the scooter and break her arm.

We initially went to a Children's Close to Home. Unfortunately, Vanessa's break was angular and had to be set by an orthopedic doctor. That sent us downtown where 5 million people were sneezing, coughing, puking, etc. in the ER waiting room of the main hospital. Vanessa was warned not to touch anything or anyone and hand sanitizer was applied every 5 minutes.

The doctor set Vanessa's arm by using an X-ray to make sure it was aligned properly. Kinda cool... She was a real trooper. She didn't cry or move. I think the codiene helped, but still she was awesome.

She asked for a purple cast, but apparently the doctors were color-blind and purple turned out to be blue. Thankfully she was okay with that.

So I spent 6 hours in an Urgent Care or Hospital on Valentine's Day. Fun times, fun times. LOL

Let the itching commense!!

2011-02-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

Go ahead and say it, I forgot to put more pictures up. Sorry! I'm sure you are devastated.

I do have some recent funnies though. Enjoy!

Vanessa
(In a Meijer store looking for shoes) "I want strap-ons"

Harley
(in the car) Vanessa said to Harley 'your breath stinks.' Harleys said 'Not as bad as yo mama's!'

(considering what to be when she grows up) 'I want to be so many things. A rock star. An actress. A doctor, a scientist, a chef. Doctors HELP people and I really want to help people. Nah, I'll just be an actress.'

(about me wearing my glasses) 'it's not that you look BAD mama, don't get me wrong. It's just that you look like Velma."

Mo
Runs up, puts her hands on my cheeks and says: 'Marry Me!' I said, 'I'm your mommy, we can't marry. You have to marry a boy.' She says(with a wrinkled nose), 'A boy??!!'

This past Sunday morning Mo stayed home with Tony. During church Tony called my cell phone several times (which was on vibrate of course, I'm not a heathen!). I went out to call him and see what was wrong. Mo answered the phone. She talked to me for a minute and then I said 'bye.' I called the house phone to talk to Tony. He yelled in to Mo and asked her what she was doing. She yells back (with an attitude...) 'Callin' Mama!!!'

Where's the camera?!

2010-12-30T05:45:00.001-08:00

I don't know. Just use the phone.

Hence the quality of picture is not great. Regardless, we had a very blessed Christmas.

Better pictures to come.

Vanessa with her telescope.

Harley with her DSi.

Mo with her baby doll.

Ugh. Merry. Christmas.

2010-11-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

Every year, for some reason, Vanessa HAS to get her picture taken in front of a Christmas tree at Walmart. It's first appearance in the store is apparently tradition in her mind and she needs to have her picture taken in front of it.

This year, Harley happened to be with us when we caught first sight of the tree. As you can see, Harley is not as enthusiastic about the "tradition".

If I didn't have Mo, I promise you this would be our family Christmas card. Cracks me up.

HALLOWEEN 2010

2010-10-29T04:09:00.000-07:00

Vanessa as the Mad HatterHarley as a Zombie Cheerleader
Mo as a Monkey

My nephew, Tyler, joins us every year for Trick or Treat. He was Michaelanglo.

PUMPKIN SHOW - MO DAY

2010-10-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was at Pumpkin Show everyday. It's an addiction, I admit it.

Friday was Mommy & Mo day. Just me and my baby. We had a great time!

Mo BEFORE the ride started. They had to stop the ride in the middle. My fearless little girl apparently doesn't like the feeling of dropping to the ground. LOL

We ran into cousin Olivia. They rode the little ferris wheel together. So cute!
Mo looking down on Circleville from the giant ferris wheel.
The day before I took Vanessa and Harley for rides and fun. We took the obligitory picture with the Pumpkin Man.
(Top secret: the Pumpkin Man's name is Tom. He lived beside my Grandma Louise when I was growing up. It's so weird to see him as the Pumpkin Man now.)

Texas, Y'all!

2010-10-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

I was in Dallas/Fort Worth last week for a Statistics and Data Analysis Conference (try to contain your excitement!)

Highlights of the trip:

Longhorn steer (They still trade cattle at the Stockyard)

Dallas Cowboy Stadium

On my way HOME!!!

UPDATES

2010-09-27T03:37:00.000-07:00

Let's see...

Vanessa and Harley are taking piano lessons. That was Step 1 of Harley's plan to learn all instruments. She was a little disappointed because the student after her played a song for her. The teacher wanted to show the girls how much you can learn in just a year or two. Harley was not impressed. Her critique? "That barely sounded like a song. How long has she been playing? 2 years? Umpf." Who knew I had a 6 yr old music critic?

Adrienne is using more words. That's a great improvement. She wasn't using very many words 6 months ago. Her favorite pharse? "Are you out of your mind?!"

Girls are sweet and lovely. HA!

Vanessa and Harley getting ready to go to school on picture day. They got so many compliments on how beautiful they were. It's odd to see each other out of uniform.

Mo loves to grab my phone and say cheese.Picture of Harley overcoming her fear. She stressed and cried about climbing OVER the monkey bars for an hour before going through with it. I was so proud of her!

1st Day of School 2010-2011

2010-08-30T08:48:00.001-07:00

My big 2nd Grader!

"Mama." "How's this for a pose?"

Vanessa's Class

My big 1st Grader! "Stay out of my picture Mo" "Look how sweet I am!""This is my desk."

"Do we have to hug?"

They had to have the same shoes.

Why can't everyone look the SAME direction?!

Tony has begun the countdown 'til Mo starts preschool!

INFLUENCE

2010-08-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

Why I'm Anti-Social

Reason #33

Vanessa and Harley want to have lip rings like cousin Brittani.

Oh Harley.....

2010-07-02T03:36:00.000-07:00

Why why why

The girls and I were getting ready for bed last night. I went into our main bathroom. I notice some curly locks of hair on the floor. There are only 2 people in the house who has hair that curly, Harley and Adrienne. Adrienne's hair is in braids so by the power of brilliant deduction I go out on a limb and assume they are Harley's curly locks.

I call Harley back to the bathroom and ask her if it is her hair. She looks apprehensive but cops up to the fact that it is indeed her hair. At first she says it just came out when she was brushing it after her shower. See, the past few days she has been brushing her own hair (yea for me!). I also notice at this point that a razor is laying out on the sink. Again, my ingenious investigative skills kick in (it is what I do for a living...) and I ask Harley if she used the razor to cut her hair. She denies it but then I give her the look and she confesses that she used the razor to cut her hair on one side because it was shorter than the other.

She did a fairly decent job, I didn't notice when she came out. We even sat and watched Clean House and I never noticed (no comments!). I told her if she was concerned about her hair we would have gone to the salon. She said she wanted me to save my money. HA!! From a girl who asks for a milk shake every single day.

Then she also said "I should tell you more." Please do. "Feel my arm, see how smooth? I didn't even hurt myself!" Her arm was smooth. It was also hairless. As are her legs now.

Before you ask, yes the razors were put away. After her eyebrow shaving at the beginning of the school year I put them up. Why are my girls so fascinated with hair and hair removal?!

Oh my, whatta day...

2010-05-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

Dateline 2010, 24 May, Columbus, Ohio -

It was going to be a full day. It was Harley's 6th birthday. She was taking cupcakes to share with her class. I had 2 doctor appointments in the morning.

Harley had a spider bite on her upper leg. I gave her benadryl and cortisone cream Sunday and Monday morning. She did not have a fever, chills or aching so the plan was to wait until after school to see if it looked better. It just so happened that the Fire Dept was at the school that day to show the kids the fire trucks. Harley showed the EMT her bite. The EMT sent her to nurse's office and wouldn't let her back with her class. Then the EMT and the school nurse talked about Harley while she is sitting just feet from them. She hears "infection", "can't be around other kids", etc. The school calls and says we need to come and get her because the EMT fears she has a staph infection and she will not be allowed back in the class. She completely missed out on HER birthday cupcakes. She was devastated. She thought she was going to lose her leg!

I took her to our pediatrician. She confirmed it is a spider bite but there is NO staph infection. She gave her antibiotics and said to keep up on the benadryl and cortisone cream.

While we were at the doctor's office, Adrienne went to jump on a bench that was up against a window. The window sill was marble. She jumps and smacks her chin on the marble. Busted her chin open! The doctor looks at her and says she does need stitches. She however, doesn't do stitches on the face. So I had to take all 3 girls to the Children's close to home where they put 5 stitches in my baby's face. She was a trooper! While being stitched up she didn't even move let alone cry. I was so proud of her.

My doctor's appointments found that I will probably have one procedure done in about a month. A tiny one, no big deal.

Also, I will have some IV steroids over the next 4 days. At least I won't h ave to be admitted to the hospital. I can come and go over the next 4 days. I also chose a DMD (disease modifying drug). I went with Betaseron. It has a small needle, the medicine does not need to be stored in the fridge, the drug company will cover my co-pay costs so the medicine will actually be free! I will also be checked to see if I have carpal tunnel trouble.

I'm exhausted today!!

Professional like Pictures

2010-04-15T03:32:00.001-07:00

Vanessa: looks like Grandma Woods

Harley: looks like Uncle Scott (Woods)

Adrienne: looks like daddy!

EASTER PHOTOS ~ 2010

2010-04-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

Aren't they precious?!

PRAYERS

2010-03-29T04:08:00.000-07:00

A friend and co-worker lost their house yesterday to a house fire. The house is a total loss. Her family made it out unscathed and for that we are so thankful.

Please keep the Lansing family in your prayers.

Public Service Announcement: the fire was caused by a Glade Plug-In air freshener with an attached electrical outlet. I removed all plug-in air freshener's years ago but if you have them I suggest removing them for safety.

HARLEY-ISM

2010-03-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

"We've all lived together a long time. I think we need a break, it's getting a little boring."

Standing in His presence...

2010-02-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

with Angels all around.

I was saying our nightly prayers with Adrienne. We said "Amen" and she looked up, gasped and smiled. Then started waving. She was so happy. She tapped my arm and pointed up so I could see too. I smiled and waved. And cried.

I couldn't see what she was seeing, but I saw it in her face. It was so beautiful.

FUNNIES

2010-02-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

#1 - We were in dire need of a dryer. Ours was so ghetto. Everything had to be dried twice. The door was broke so it was propped shut with a shower curtain rod. Pathetic. I ordered a new washer and dryer (You have to buy them together, it's law. Look it up.) from Sears. Sears has gone down hill. They were terrible to work with and I cancelled my order. Snow and sick children have prevented me from really getting out to look. I couldn't stand it anymore and took all 3 girls with me last night to look for a new washer and dryer.

I went to ApplianceSmart. They don't have carts or anything to strap a 2 yr old in. I guess they figure you can't put a stove in a cart so why bother. I'll tell you why they should bother. Adrienne didn't want to be held. When I put her down she would either run or just lay on the floor. The floor wet from dirty snow. I quickly picked out a new set and we went up to the counter to set everything up. Adrienne was bothering the calculator, phone, whatever she could get her hands on. To distract her, I put her on my shoulders. She then grabbed my hair with both hands and yelled, "YEE HAW!!!!"

#2 - We’ve all heard/seen parents rolling their eyes, sighing and walking away. THIS is why we do it. I was reading a bible story to the girls before bed. It had Psalms 23 written in a kid-friendly way. I repeated it several times. I told them to close their eyes and listen to the words. They did. When it I was done Harley opens her eyes and says with a grin “wanna know what my brain was thinking the whole time?” Sure. “it was saying ‘I love chocolate. I love chocolate.’” Rolled eyes, sighed, walked away.

Little Diva is 2!

2010-02-17T03:39:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it?

Seems like just last week it was only Vanessa and Harley. Now my BABY is 2.

LOVE IT!

2010-01-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

So you'll understand when they commit me to an Asylum someday...

2010-01-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

This was conversation with Vanessa and Harley. Try to follow along ;-)

Vanessa: Next Monday a president is going to have a dream!! Me: Um, his name was Martin Luthern King Jr. He wasn't the president. He gave a speech called "I Have A Dream". It's about boys and girls of every color getting along. Harley: I don't like red or yellow kids. M:Yes, you do. H: No, red and yellow kids would be weird. M: "red" is for American Indians. V: We're American Indians!! M: No, you're not. V: Yes we are! Are hats said so! M: that was your t-ball team last year, Indians. American Indians are like Pocahatus. Both: oh. M: "yellow" is Asian. Japanese, Chinese. Like Kai-lan. V: Harley, you love Chinese! H: yes, I do! I love Crab Rangoon! M: No, that's the food. V: It's going to be Martha Loufa King JUNIOR day! And they ran off. By the way...Harley was thinking of the actual colors of red and yellow. I have to agree, that would be kind of weird.

Fast-forward to Monday.

I pick up the girls from school everyday. Monday, Harley's teacher said she needed to talk to me about something Harley said. Oh no. I'm thinking back to our conversation. I hope she didn't say anything about not liking red and yellow kids. Oh no, this was worse.

Harley told a friend that when she and Vanessa are bad, Tony sticks their head in the toilet. Her friend asked if I knew about it and Harley said no, I'm not supposed to know. Harley's friend tells their teacher. The teacher pulls Harley aside and repeatedly asks her if it's true. Harley sticks with her story. The teacher then has to notify the liaison at the school. The liaison pulls Harley and Vanessa out of class separately and asks them questions. They didn't prompt Vanessa so she didn't say anything about toilets. The whole time Harley sticks with her story. (She's very persistent). Her teacher told the liaison that she talks to me everyday and is very comfortable with me and will talk to me about it.

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I first assured her that Tony would NEVER do such a thing. Then I said I would know as soon as I saw them that their hair was different. Hair is a BIG deal in my house! (which she knew) I tried to figure out where she would have got such a story. It hit me in mid conversation............ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS! In the new movie the chipmunks go to school and the school bullies give them swirlies. We had just went to the movies the weekend before.

When we got home, first Harley is grounded. Then I explained to both Harley and Vanessa the dangers of telling lies. A lie like that could get them taken away from us. That made the both cry. After our talk, Vanessa ran and hid under the computer desk so they could never find her and Harley hid behind a door. I got my message across.

Harley has such a great imagination. She can remember lines from movies after watching them only once. I suggested we get a special note pad. She can draw out the stories in her head at home. Once she gets better at reading/writing then she can write her own stories. She really liked this idea. Who knows, maybe I'll have to buy a foo-foo Oscar dress someday because she won for Best Picture!

Whatever the outcome I just hope she stops the lying/story-telling.

THE BRUTE

2010-01-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know that I have expressed just how much like Tony our youngest Adrienne (Mo) is. Well, she is.

To illustrate my point let me tell you a little story about Mo and the baby doll.

For Christmas, Mo got a baby doll that crawls. This baby was in her toy basket. When you got near the basket, the baby doll would start cooing and moving. I asked her to bring me the baby so I could shut it off.

Every time she got near the baby it would talk and move and she would get scared. Finally I said, "You're big and strong, get the baby." With that, she picked up her mallet (used to play whack-a-mole) and stood over the poor baby doll about to beat the doll to death.

I said "Nooo! Be nice to the baby." She put the mallet down, stuck out her lip and marched to the corner as if by not letting her beat the doll with a mallet I had seriously doused all her joy.

It's going to be an interesting ride....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2009-12-31T03:45:00.001-08:00

CHEERS!
Have fun, but stay out of the news!

(Relax...it's just apple juice. They wanted to drink out of my "pretty" glasses.)

A Few Pics...

2009-12-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

School Christmas Party - Friday 12/18/09

Vanessa and her friend Kayla

Vanessa and Karl (isn't he just the cutest little nerd?!)

Vanessa and friends Kylie, ??? and Shamira

Maurice...sits at Harley's table in school. He is drawing me a picture.

Jeremiah, Harley's "boyfriend". He's all of 2 feet tall! So stinkin' cute!

This is Cooper. He also sits with Harley. He drew me 2 pictures and asked that I put them on my fridge. I hung them up as soon as I got home.

Harley...she was the only one in her class who knew all the words to "12 Days of Christmas". All the other kids just yelled "5 GOLDEN RINGS!!!!!"

Christmas Program at Church - Sunday 12/20/09

I was trying to find the setting on my phone to get rid of the border. It messed up the pictures. Sorry about the quality but you still get all warm and fuzzy with the pictures! :-)

The girls decorate their own tree. They are only allowed to hang ornaments has high as they can reach. It's getting higher every year....

Our regular tree with the baby gate. Mo managed to completely knock down the tree onto our TV and break the tree stand. The tree stand was replaced and the baby gate went up. The poor stuffed bears look like they are in prision.

You have GOT to be kidding me!

2009-12-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

House panel passes college football playoff bill

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press Writer – 26 mins ago
WASHINGTON – A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion, over the objections of some lawmakers who said Congress had more pressing matters on its plate.
The bill, which faces long odds of becoming law, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff. The measure passed by voice vote in a House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee, with one audible "no," from Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.
"With all due respect, I really think we have more important things to spend our time on," Barrow said before the vote, although he stressed he didn't like the current Bowl Championship Series, either.
The bill's sponsor, GOP Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, said the BCS system is unfair and won't change unless prompted by Congress.

Seriously?! It makes me want to scream. They're worried about College FOOTBALL?!

SOME FUNNIES

2009-11-19T05:55:00.001-08:00

As I was walking into the school yesterday to pick up the girls I saw a rainbow. On the way out, I looked and didn't see it. I said aloud "aww. The rainbow is gone"

Harley gets dramatic and cries "I NEVER get to see a rainbow!!!!"

Vanessa asks "What colors were in it?" (bless her heart)

I told Vanessa what colors were in the rainbow. The usual, ROY G BIV. Then she says "say it in Spanish." Umm, ok. I got them all but orange and purple. I can never remember them.
*************************************

Harley was in trouble last night. She was instructed to stand in the corner. At one point she turned around to me and said "My teeth hurt because you're making me stand in the corner!"

MY NIGHT...

2009-11-11T04:12:00.000-08:00

First, I get a call from Tony that Mo did this:
Thankfully, no hospital trip. It looks horrible though. My poor little baby.

Then Tony wanted the McRib from McDonald's. I went through the drive-thru and they cashier asked if I wanted to donate a dollar to the Ronald McDonald House. I said 'yes'. Vanessa got excited because she thought that meant we were going to Ronald McDonald's actual house.

I explained to her what The Ronald McDonald House is and why they need them. Then she wanted to go visit the sick kids in the hospital (she's a very sweet little girl). I told her we couldn't just go visit random kids in the hospital, they don't allow it. So she says "We're random and we're kids!"

hahahahahahahahahahahaa

HALLOWEEN 2009

2009-10-30T04:51:00.000-07:00

LET'S GO TRICK OR TREATING!

Here we have my Darth Vader girls and my Dalmation puppy.

Vanessa as Darth Vader. Awesome pose! I like to refer to Harley's costume as Mickey Vader. Mo as a Dalmation Puppy.

My nephew Tyler as a Ninja! Trick or treat!

She's got it easy!

Tyler, Vanessa, Emily (my friend's daughter. She is protecting her head from the lightsabers)

I don't know these boys, but when Harley saw them she said, "Look! They're dressed like ME for Halloween!!"

Office Halloween Fun 2009

2009-10-29T09:27:00.001-07:00

My office decided to dress-up for Halloween today.

I'm OCTOMOM!! Melissa (in purple) is my baby #5.

The lips are FRIGHTENING!

We also had a pumpkin decorating contest. Here are the entries...

Buckeye Pumpkin

Graveyard pumpkin

Gypsy Pumpkin

Jimmy Buffett Pumpkin

Judge and Jury Pumpkin

Motorcycle Pumpkin

And my entry (along with Brandy's help!) ....

Pumpkin Spider

We are SO going to win for scariest pumpkin!

ADDENDUM : WE WON!

Mo at the Show

2009-10-25T12:35:00.001-07:00

Because she is still too little to ride on rides (or camels!) I didn't get many pictures of Mo and the Pumpkin Show. This is one where she is displaying her exemplary drinking skills!

PUMPKIN SHOW 2009

2009-10-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

The 103rd Circleville Pumpkin Show has come and gone. Til next year!

Dr. Liggett won again! 1635.5lbs! A Pumpkin Show record.

The girls met Ronald McDonald. Ronald commented to Harley that if she had red hair he would be out of a job! hahaha

Vanessa feeding a reindeer. The reindeer looked a little loco.
Kangaroo at the petting zoo.
Vanessa jumping. At one point she jumped in the air and said, "Hello Jesus!" She thought she was that high in the air. :-)
Harley jumping.
Our favorite float. Charlie and Chocolate Factory.
Vanessa riding on a camel.
Harley riding on a camel.
Vanessa hugging the camel.
Harley hugging the camel.
A camel kiss.

A Magic Show!

2009-10-19T04:16:00.001-07:00

Vanessa being the magician's helper. Mo is standing right there making sure she doesn't miss a thing!

Harley (aka "Slash" as the magician called her when he put the top hat on her head!) helping the magician.
The kids pose with the bunny that Vanessa made appear out of no where.

Harley loves the bunny.

Mo loves the bunny.

Vanessa wants to sneak the bunny under her sweater and take him home.

Mo was blowing bubbles. I tried to get a picture with bubbles but was unsuccessful.

Pigs in a blanket.

Sign O' The Times...

2009-10-14T12:07:00.001-07:00

It has been a month since I've posted to the blog. Since that day when I posted pictures of the girls in shorts, playing in a park, fall hit. I love fall so I'm okay with it. It just got cooler sooner than expected.

Everyone in the family has been sick with a viral bug. I took Harley to the doctor at lunch today and they immediately put the mask on her. They are not playing around with the H1N1. Nor do I think they should. It was just a little odd having to put a mask on her. Even after confirmation that she just had a cold she wanted to wear the mask. It made her sound like Darth Vader when she breathed. She'll probably ask to wear it to school tomorrow.

Speaking of the H1N1, my conspiracy theorist husband came to the conclusion that the government is behind it. They are trying to scare us with the H1N1 so that we'll buy into this Health Care Reform. Go ahead, discuss amongst yourselves.

AT THE PARK...

2009-09-12T12:45:00.001-07:00

Mo put Vanessa's hat on and Vanessa said "She looks like Uncle Matt!!"

I tried to get them to do the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil but Mo refuses to follow directions. Maybe I'll get her in line in time for Christmas cards.

Harley

One went to look and they all had to go look.

2009-09-09T02:58:00.001-07:00

Why, oh why is Tony not a millionaire? I really don't want to work....

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL 2009

2009-09-01T05:41:00.001-07:00

1st Grade

Kindergarten

When I went to pick them up, they didn' want to leave.....

One cute picture, One funny picture

2009-08-27T17:40:00.001-07:00

CUTE
FUNNY

Mo's first pigtails...and Harley tried out my razor. Most of one eyebrow is missing.

PLAYING WITH SEPIA

2009-08-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

************************************************************************************

Can I just say, I am worried. Worried about family. Worried about going out tomorrow. Worried about giving a presentation in front of Law Enforcement in a little over a week. Worried about Tony with school/job/health. Worried about money. Worried about our old, clunker cars.

I am trying to give it to God but for some reason I'm having trouble letting go of it. I feel like all I do is worry. Please pray for me.

IN THE GARDEN

2009-08-03T04:40:00.001-07:00

I was at my mother-in-law's twice this weekend. I got my camera phone out and took some pictures.

These ducks CRACKED. ME. UP. I'm not sure the reason for them but it's kind of creepy. They have one eye missing, lookin' all crazy.

Now before you go and call Children's Services, let me explain. I tried to help her out. I tried to show her the door. She is independent now you know. She can do it herself. So I just took a picture. It was a slow, methodical climb out of the playhouse, not a quick, painful fall.

The Best

2009-07-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

I would like to share with you all one of my favorite pleasures. I know that a "good" mother is supposed to put the baby to bed and let the baby go to sleep on their own. It's in all the books.

However, I am here to tell you I think that is the biggest bunch of hooey. One of my fondest memories will always be of rocking my babies to sleep. There is nothing sweeter. I'm not going to be old someday sitting around thinking, "Gee, I wish I hadn't held my beautiful babies. I wish I had put them in a crib and let them cry themselves to sleep."

It was different for each of my girls. Vanessa, nearly from birth, had to play with my wedding ring while she was being rocked to sleep. She would turn it over and over. She even preferred to have her head in my right arm. She could hold my left hand and play with the ring. Harley had to see that I was going to sleep too. So I would rock her and close my eyes, pretending to be asleep. She preferred to be on my shoulder instead of lying across me. Adrienne likes to have her arms stroked. She likes a gentle, finger-tipped stroke. If I don't do it, she'll do it to herself.

It's amazing to me how they were all different and yet the same. I still rock Adrienne to sleep. I will for as long as I can. I think it is one of life's sweetest treasures!

Mo Singing the Spongebob SquarePants Theme Song

2009-07-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

T-BALL

2009-07-15T10:04:00.001-07:00

Last day of t-ball season for 2009. Their coach took them all to DQ. They received their trophies then too. You have never seen 2 more excited girls!

MMMMMMMMM..........cheesecake

2009-07-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

This story is more of a visual, but I just had to share.

Last night I was eating a piece of cheesecake topped with strawberries. Harley was sitting on my lap helping me eat it. Adrienne was standing beside me and I was giving her little bites. When she wasn't chewing, she had her mouth open like a baby bird.

At one point I apparently wasn't feeding her fast enough. I looked down to find the plate in her mouth, tongue licking up whatever was near it and her big eyes looking up at me to see when I was going to notice.

Cheesecake is just good stuff.

2009-06-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Harley and Vanessa went to the Franklin Park Conservatory for Day Camp. Harley is showing me one of many leaves she collected. She claims to have collected leaves from PEPPER trees, CHEESE trees, Guava trees, Peach trees, Berry trees, a DISCO tree and banana tree.

She also saw "wrestling" leaves.

She always amuses me!

SCHOOL

2009-06-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

This post is for Future Vanessa. I know you won't believe it, that's why I'm putting it on the Internet. We all know that if it's on the Internet, it HAS to be true.

Your cousin Amanda graduated from high school a couple weeks ago. Her gradutation party was this past weekend. You and Harley wanted to make her a card. Your card was a 2-line letter. It read:

"Dear Amanda,

I am sorry you are out of school. I will miss you when you go to college.

Love, Vanessa"

See what you will find amazing in the future is that you truly were sorry she was out of school. For you, that's a very sad thing. You miss your teacher and your friends. It's extermely sweet. I somehow doubt though that in 12 yrs you will feel the same way.

Harley-ism

2009-06-09T03:45:00.001-07:00

Harley's words of wisdom last night: Maybe when you think someone is talking to you but they're not, it's really God talking to you.

Zinger

2009-06-09T03:39:00.001-07:00

Harley is known for many things. A quick example of her quirkiness, Friday she gets a popsicle from the freezer, walks over and asks me, "Is this BBQ flavored?"

She is also known for being extremely messy when it comes to eating things like pudding. Yesterday when I got home she tells me that she was helping daddy all day with Adrienne. She even fed her pudding. I asked if she made it in her mouth or was it all over her? Harley and Daddy both said she did an excellent job. I asked how she could feed someone else and not make a mess but get it all over herself? Vanessa pipes in: "Maybe you should have Adrienne feed YOU."

wah, wah, waaaaah

Baseball, slides and Moon Sand

2009-06-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Unofficial Team Photo

Harley playing 1st Base

Vanessa's 1st at bat

Harley's 1st at bat

Mo's first time on the slide

All 3 girls love the Moon Sand

This one is not a picture, just another Harley-ism thrown in for good measure.

After my niece's graduation yesterday we went to a Mexican restaurant. Harley says, "What language are they speaking?! I don't know!"

MY BIG GIRL

2009-05-28T11:19:00.001-07:00

I just have to tell you about my big girl Harley. Today was her 5 yr old check up. This is the first time she has had immunizations since she was 18-months or so. I warned her that she would get shots. I tried to explain that it hurts worse when she falls down or Vanessa hits her than it does to get a shot. However, she saw Vanessa getting blood drawn and the HORRIBLE time we have with her (screaming, hyperventilating, being held down, etc.). So I'm not sure she was buying it.

I told her to close her eyes tight, put her head in me and she would hardly feel a thing. She even remembered to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth.

She was SO good. Not a peep! I am so incredibly proud of her!

By the way, she's 47in tall. WAY off the charts!

Memorial Day Fun

2009-05-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

Mo enjoying a cupcake. Licking the fingers is so freakin' cute!Harley pulling Mo' in the wagon.

Vanessa climbing the big tree.
SUCCESS!!

Get Your Picture-Lookin' Goggles On!

2009-05-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I don't get pictures developed like I should and for some reason, uploading them on the computer also poses as a major chore! Enjoy some pics from the past couple of months.

Silly baby!

Love the dress, she's so cute!

Vanessa and Harley say the Lord's Prayer in front of the church:

Little Mama

"There's a WHAT? WHERE?

Where to?

One of these days I'm going to get all 3 of them to look in the same direction, at the same time.

I swear I am!!! It is my mission in life!

A little lion porn for your viewing pleasure!
Harley and her penguins

Totally cool bubble wands!

Make the airplane go THAT way!

Giddy-up Daddy!!
Way back to February! Adrienne's first ride in her big girl car seat!

Easter 2009

Ready for church!

Close...

Big 'tude, Big 'fro blowin in the wind!

Harley can give such good attitude!

Can you get any more comfy than flannel PJ's and bunny slippers?

Vanessa at Ballet...

Harley at ballet...

15-MONTH CHECK UP

2009-05-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

She now weighs 22lbs and is 33.75 inches long.

What do I owe??

2009-05-04T04:24:00.000-07:00

My girl Vanessa, who eats crumbs for lunch and dinner, has racked up a $94 food bill at school.

$94.00

Apparently, not only is she eating breakfast at home but she is eating breakfast at school too. All year long.

Ninety-four dollars.

OMG

2009-04-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Remember the headband sunglasses?!!

Skating is HARD!!

2009-04-17T03:46:00.000-07:00

They know how to "walk" in skates. They just haven't got the gliding in skates down. I can't figure out how to explain it to them. I showed them what my feet do (no, I wasn't wearing skates) but telling someone how to skate is kind of like telling someone how to walk. You just do it.

Poor Vanessa thinks she should be able to do everything perfectly the first time. Saying 'it takes practice' does not comfort her.

whew......

2009-04-10T19:47:00.001-07:00

So let me try to explain what just happened.

Earlier in the evening Vanessa was upset because the colored egg she made to leave for the Easter Bunny had cracked. We made other arrangements for the Easter Bunny and then we told her put the egg in fridge and we'll deal with it tomorrow.

Tony and I were sitting in the living room watching TV. Vanessa and Harley had camped out in the playroom for the night. They had both been asleep for nearly an hour when I look over and Vanessa was opening the fridge and getting the egg out. I asked her what she was doing. She didn't answer.

Then I see her pull down her pants and sit on the chair in the kitchen!

She thought she was sitting on the toilet. I hurried her off to the bathroom before any accidents.

Not completely sure why she got the egg. I know she was upset that it was cracked but the sequence of events is just bizarre.

Man, I haven't seen anything that funny in a long time!

SLEEPING BEAUTY

2009-04-02T03:49:00.001-07:00

She's actually asleep. It made me laugh.

New Specs

2009-04-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

The biggest compliment to me? "Are they prescription?" Asking someone who is blind as a bat if their glasses are prescription is a huge compliment!!

Of course, everyone loves the lilac too!

Harley-ism

2009-03-25T03:53:00.000-07:00

Monday night the girls went to bed at their usual time. 10 minutes or so after they went to bed, Harley comes to the banister all excited.

"Guess what!! You're not gonna believe this!" she says.

"What?" we say in unison.

"It's so cool" she emphasizes.

"ok." we say, wondering what could be so exciting when you are supposed to be going to sleep.

"I hear MUSIC in my head!!" Harley says with a squeak.

After we stopped wheezing from muffled laughter and wiped our eyes dry, we agree that's really cool.

I asked her if she has heard the song on the radio. Nope. Did she hear it on TV? Nope. It's a brand new song!

"Shhhhh! I'm going back to bed to listen to it!"

She really is going to be a rock star.

VANESSA

2009-03-21T17:28:00.001-07:00

HER THINKING FACE

Playing at Grandpa's

2009-03-17T04:47:00.001-07:00

Vanessa and Harley Sleeping

2009-03-13T03:58:00.001-07:00

When I go to bed at night, I always check in on the girls. This was what I found when I checked on them last night.

ADRIENNE'S 1 YR OLD PICTURES

2009-03-13T03:37:00.000-07:00

Today was picture day for Mo. I left work early to avoid the weekend rush and high school kids trying to take my children's pictures. It sounded like a smart idea. So much for that....there was one lady working. I don't know if it was the lady and her son in front of us that took so long or if it had been a domino effect all morning, but we had to wait over an hour for our scheduled appointment. By that time, Mo was tired, hungry and not in the mood to sit still and smile. So our adorable baby girl who is ALWAYS smiling, barely smiled at all for her pictures. Here some of the better ones and a couple to show you what our time was like.

Tony and I were exhausted from trying to get her to sit still, chasing her around the room and trying to get her to smile.

Mo Playing Outside

2009-03-09T03:51:00.000-07:00

GORGEOUS weather this weekend!

Nice Winter Day

2009-03-06T03:40:00.001-08:00

Toof-less in Groveport

2009-02-25T04:06:00.001-08:00

My baby's 2 front teeth are missing! How adorable is she?! I can't wait to hear her talk more!!

Actually, she has 3 teeth in total missing and one more about to come out.

Harley-ism

2009-02-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

I stopped the channel yesterday on an episode of America's Next Top Model. Harley was in the room so I asked her if she still wanted to be a Top Model.

She said: "NO. They don't let them eat!"

Scott Woods, your genes live on!

2009-02-20T03:45:00.001-08:00

The girls wanted to play with their make-up. They were gone for a little then Harley announced they were ready to be seen. This is what they looked like when they came out:

I asked if that is what they thought make-up looked like. Harley's response: "No, we're ARTISTS."

(and I'm trying really hard not to make any comments about Vanessa's look with the school uniform shirt buttoned all the way up and one front tooth missing!)

PARTY PICTURES

2009-02-18T03:36:00.000-08:00

The following pictures were provided my friend Kathy. She's more on the ball than I am uploading pictures of my daughter's birthday party. How sad on my part!

Jacob LOVED this purple Tinkerbell chair of Adrienne's. Unfortunately for him he kept thinking it was a recliner and fell back once or twice.

Adrienne's 1 yr Check Up

2009-02-17T07:03:00.001-08:00

Baby girl weighed 22lbs. That's exactly average for a 1 yr old. She was right at the 50th percentile.

However, she is 31 inches long. That put her OFF THE CHART in height.

Look out Tyra Banks! There's a new Super Model in the house!

Happy Birthday Adrienne!

2009-02-17T07:02:00.001-08:00

February 15, 2008

February 15, 2009

Vanessa's Valentine Party

2009-02-17T06:59:00.000-08:00

I left work early on Friday to volunteer at Vanessa's Valentine Party at school. Wow. I'm so glad I never became a Kindergarten teacher! I would be on so many psych drugs I alone could keep the economy a float just by paying my co-pay.

HARLEY

2009-02-17T06:57:00.001-08:00

To know her is to love her. Check out how she wrote her name on her Valentine Cards.

MY GIRL, ADRIENNE

2009-02-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Turns out the little one likes U2. Especially their new song "Get Your Boots On". I turned the TV to the Grammy's and U2 was playing. Adrienne started clapping in rhythm and twisting back and forth. I came over to the computer, played the video and she started rockin' out again. Girl's got taste!

Then Justin Timberlake came on the Grammy's to introduce a montage with Al Green and Adrienne blew Justin a kiss.

We're gonna have to watch this one.

Houdini

2009-02-03T04:04:00.000-08:00

Check out what my sweet little baby did to her play pen.

Look closer..............she's already crafted an escape route.

So comfortable

2009-02-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Can you get any more comfortable than flannel PJs and bunny slippers?!

She moves constantly so getting her to sit still for a picture is nearly impossible.

Mmmmmmm, ribs...

2009-01-19T04:30:00.000-08:00

This was Harley's first experience with BBQ ribs. She fell in love.

Notice the sauce dripping from her chin.

Say What?

2009-01-15T05:45:00.000-08:00

Vanessa and Harley were playing Barbies last night. This is what I heard Harley say:

"she didnt do anything wrong! dont take her to jail, just take her to juvie for awhile!!"

Curse you iCarly!

Christmas Day 2008

2009-01-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

BEFORE

AFTER (kinda looks like Toys R Us exploded in our house!)
ADRIENNE'S PRESENTS FROM SANTA:
VANESSA'S PRESENTS FROM SANTA:

HARLEY'S PRESENTS FROM SANTA:

VANESSA'S "ROBOT DOG WITH A REMOTE CONTROL"

HARLEY'S NEW ROCK GUITAR

HARLEY'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH A CHOCOLATE PENGUIN

POOR LITTLE GIRL WAS SO SICK...

ADRIENNE'S NEW CHAIR

JUST A SWEET PICTURE:

Kids Christmas Tree

2009-01-07T05:13:00.000-08:00

We have a "kids" Christmas tree. Vanessa and Harley decorate it. Tony and I do not touch it. So the ornaments go only as high as they can reach. Each year it is getting higher and higher.

(and no, we do not let the girls watch Family Guy. The shirt was a gift to Tony. It's too small for him.)

The FUNNIEST picture of the Christmas Season:

Playing in the Snow

2009-01-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

I think I'll do a Recap too!

2009-01-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

1. The BEST and most exciting thing that happened this year was on February 15th. Adrienne was born! My beautiful, content little girl came into the world in a whirlwind by emergency C-section. Hard to believe she'll be 1 in just a few short weeks.

2. Tony got a job after being out of work for almost 7 months.

3. Harley finished her 1st year of preschool. She is now in her 2nd year of preschool. She's a smart and clever little girl.

4. Vanessa started Kindergarten in the fall. She is reading several words and doing a great job of sounding out words she doesn't know. Harley is trying right along with her.

5. My brother graduated from mortuary school.

6. Me? Well, I have survived having a spouse out of work for several months, had a baby, helped with school, dealt with the unbounding energy of 2 young girls, worked a full-time job and have managed to keep a shred of sanity.

I can't wait to see what 2009 holds in store for us!

What's "My Father Up Above's" Name?

2008-12-05T03:58:00.000-08:00

This is a long story, but the pay off is GOLD.

My conversation with Harley started off with her singing a church song. She was singing "be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down below...".

She asked me what her Father up above's name was. I said God is your Father up above.

"So my Father's name is God?"
"Your Father in heaven IS God."
"My Father is God? What about Daddy?"
I explained a little more.

Since my Granddad passed away last summer Harley has been keeping his memory alive by having conversations with him, claiming he showed her how to do something, etc. She refers to him as her 'grandfather'.

So immediately after the God is your father conversation she asks what her Grandfather's name was.

I said "Bob".
"Bob is a name?"
"yes, it's pretty common."
"My Grandfather's name is Bob." "Do they name sheep Bob?"
"I'm sure someone has named a sheep Bob."
"Baaab" "Baaab" "Baaab the sheep"

I had to stop and lean on a wall to keep from falling over laughing.

Gold.

Vanessa the Artist - Part Deux

2008-12-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Vanessa brought this picture home from school. She made it in art class. I asked what it was. Her answer: "a masterpiece"

PICTURE WITH SANTA

2008-11-17T04:02:00.000-08:00

This is the REAL Santa too!

BAD MAMA pt. 2

2008-11-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

I am not one to spread things out and make them last longer. I am a 'DO IT ALL, DO IT NOW' kinda gal.

Why draw out the damage I do to my children when I can do it all in one day? I'm efficient if anything.

I started out being a good mama on Sunday. I took the girls to see Santa and get their picture with him. Yes, it's only the beginning of November but Santa is busy and has lots to do. Hush.

When we got home we were all getting out of the van and I shut the door on Vanessa's fingers! The door actually closed and locked. She screamed for me to open the door, I'm freaking out trying to get the door open as fast as possible. I got the door open, did a preliminary check of her fingers and we moved quickly inside. She is crying the whole time saying "I don't want to go to heaven! I don't want to go to heaven!" I try to calm her down and explain she will die from this, it's going to be okay. She didn't break any fingers. We got ice on them and I gave her Tylenol for pain. Through tears she says, "You should have been paying attention!". She was absolutely right. It broke my heart.

A few hours later, she was feeling much better. Her fingers weren't as bruised as I thought they might be, not even very swollen. That was good. She and Harley were in the playroom watching cartoons. They were playing rough and Harley hit/bumped/whatever Vanessa in the stomach. I brought them both out to explain that it was very dangerous to hit someone in the stomach. Harley, being 4, and being Harley, started repeating the same word over and over loudly and wasn't listening to me. I told her to go to her room. She wouldn't. I gave her swat and she went to her room.

Several minutes later, Harley comes down stairs with her backpack loaded up. She tells me she is leaving. I don't need her anymore, so she is going to leave. My heart broke again. I told her that I do too need her. Just because she got in trouble doesn't mean I don't love her or need her. She was insistent though. She had packed a change of underwear, a t-shirt, some toys. Then she went to the kitchen and got a pudding cup and a spoon, fork and butter knife. I reminded her it was dark out. She said she was going to "Mr. Ravioli's house." I asked who she was talking about. Our neighbor across the street is Raphael. She was going to his house but called him Mr. Ravioli instead of Mr. Raphael. I wonder why she thought he and his wife needed her and I didn't?

I called Tony at work and told him she was leaving and told her to tell her daddy good-bye. He suggested she sleep on it and we'd talk about it in the morning. She agreed. She slept with me last night.

This morning, she gave me a hug and said she would never leave me and she was wrong last night.

What a day.

GRADUATION

2008-11-07T10:27:00.001-08:00

In September my brother graduated from Mortuary School in Cincinnati. It's taken me a while to post the pictures, but here they are:

Our dad and Scott

Scott, Vanessa and Harley

Harley in the windowMe and the girls trying to pose for a picture. I love Harley's expression!

Scott and Adrienne

Show the love!

HALLOWEEN 2008

2008-11-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

THIS YEAR THE GIRLS WENT AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE.

WE HAVE MARTIAN MANHUNTER, HAWKGIRL, WONDER WOMAN:

OUR NEPHEW, TYLER, WENT AS SPIDER-MAN.

Trick or Treating in Groveport is really nice. The people go all out to decorate. The funeral home gives out big candy bars, and the firemen give out hot dogs, popcorn and punch.

It's only wrong to shake a baby, right. Not a 4 yr old?

2008-10-31T03:53:00.000-07:00

Oh that Harley. She is going to be the one that causes my hair to turn gray. Or fall out. Or both.

I got home from work yesterday a little later than usual. I got dinner in the oven, told the girls to go pick up their Polly Pockets, and started cleaning the living room. Adrienne was fussing so I decided to sit down for a minute and watch Ellen (I DVR her show...).

I see a police car pull up in front of our house. I assumed they were going to our neighbors house as usual (long story). Instead, the officer walks across our yard and up to our front door. I answered and he said that he was responding to a 911 call from this address. I asked him if he was sure, was it #3918? He said yes. I was a little confused. I said it must be a mistake. He asked if I was okay, he said I seemed a little nervous. I explained that I was just fine but was wondering if one of my other 2 young girls called.

I called Vanessa and Harley down. I asked them if one of the called. Originally they both denied calling. Finally Harley fessed up. The officer talked to her (very nicely). He asked her if she knew when to call 911, she gave him the right answer. He asked why she called. She didn't know. He told her that if you call and nothing is wrong it will keep him from helping others. He told her never to lie to her mom.

She was a little scared.

Good.

Boy, you just never know what to expect at my house!