Feeling the Need

I don't know if it is because today is 9-11 or because I'm feeling a sense of disconnection but today I woke up feeling like I need to do more. I need to volunteer my time. I need to do something. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day and forget that there are others who are much less fortunate than we are.

So right now I'm going to pledge that this year I will choose an angel from the Angel Tree and I'm going to look for a local charity or volunteer group in which I can include my family. Something that the children can participate in. It is important that children see that there are people who do not have the privileges that they do. To understand how lucky we are.

I'm open to suggestions for things apropriate for a 5 and a 3 year old...

Diaper Free!

I almost forgot to tell! Hannah is using the potty! I am so close to being done with diapers I can smell it (yes I intended that pun, forgive me). We explained that she can't go to pre-school if she doesn't use the potty and, whallah, she's potty trained. Go figure. I am sooo looking forward to NO MORE DIAPERS!!!! Yippee!

First Day of School

It's finally happened...my baby has gone to school. Where did the time go? He's just so grown up all of a sudden. He anxiously waited for the bus to come, understandable since it was 20 minutes late, and let me hug him goodbye but not while the bus was in sight. Then he calmly walked up the steps, chose a seat, and away he went. No tears, no hesitation, just curiosity. I'M SO VERY PROUD OF HIM.

O R I O L E S !

Phil and I took the kids to their very first ball game. Sounds exciting doesn't it? And it was untill the heavens opened and the rain came down. We got to sit in our seats but that was about it. We ended up running back to the car and heading home. The game ended up starting but there was no way we could've sat there for 2 1/2 hours with the kids. Not without spending our mortgage payment on stuff to eat. Any way, here are the 2 pictures I took before the deluge hit.

I SAW KEITH URBAN IN CONCERT!

Last Friday Melissa and I took the trek to DC to see Keith Urban in concert. I knew we were in for a good show but WOW! Not only is this man hotter than hot but he sings like and angel and rocks out like I remember the classic rock artists used to. I haven't seen a show that good since I saw U2 in college. I mean, this man can play guitar! I was mesmerized.


I clapped so much that my hands were sore the next day and I screamed so loud that I was hoarse. I felt like a teenager again.
So, for your viewing pleasure I put some of my fav shots from the show up here. Didn't I say he is hot?

Party Time - Hannah's 3rd B-day

Mommy watched the grilluntil Daddy took over. Lots of hungry people to feed!
Sydney showed us some of her cheers.

The Extra Special Dora Cake was a huge hit!
Everyone Sang Happy Birthday
Hannah opened tons of gifts
Ben & Jake had a great time swimming

Vacation Pictures for your viewing pleasure

Nostalgia - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I've been discussing High School memories with a friend of mine who ironically is a friend from college not High School. Apparently he had it very rough and was asking me if I ever thought "I remember that jerk! I should go back and take him apart!"

That totally was not me. I was a very shy kid that was convinced that no one ever wanted to waste the time talking to me. So usually my stuff is more like ‘oh why was I so shy! I should’ve talked to more people’. I still have to force myself to approach people. I’ll talk to anyone but I won’t make the first overture. I never want to put people out, which includes having to talk to me. People thought I was stuck up because of it. I found out years later that I was considered 'the biggest snob in the school'. It would comical if I didn't remember that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach from just making eye contact wih someone. What made it even worse it that I would have died if someone had realized how shy I was. I was supposed to be poised, in control, a leader. Yeah well.

Luckily I went to college away from home where nobody knew who I was. I could be someone totally new...and I was. I was out-going and friendly. I felt like I belonged and that people wanted to spend time with me. I've since regressed a bit and fall back into that 'shy' crap. It takes lots of practice for me to be out-going and if I'm not forced to work that 'muscle' I lose it.

So now I've bared my soul and my High School self wants to fall through the floor. But it's all about learning and growing right?

Celebrating in Style

Hannah has decided she'd like to have a 'Dora Pool Party' for her 3rd Birthday. I can't believe my baby is going to be three! As usual I'm pulling out all the stops. I've made the invitations (with the help of a jpg from NickJr), purchased most of the 'Explorer' goody bag treats and started my list of food to serve. Now all I need is an idea of what my darling daughter would like as a gift...oh and ordering the cake...can't forget the cake! I'm a busy busy bee but '3' is just so very special. We're gonna celebrate in style!

My favorite picture from 2007

Found a Picture

Found a picture of Jake at about 2 yrs old. Just had to put it up here because it's just such a great photo.

Now just to be fair to my little princess...

I know they are old but aren't they just delish?

Dream or something else?

Ever had one of those dreams where you aren't quite sure if it was actually a dream? I had one last night about Miss Angie. We had been talking about her at dinner last night, so part of me just thinks it was my subconscious talking. But it was so real and yet surreal. In the dream I knew she was an angel (or ghost if you prefer). She was hanging out of a window and having a debate with a man inside that I couldn't see. She asked me a question, which I cannot remember, and I answered. She turned to the man and said "I told you I was right" then turned back and asked me how I was. I said I was just fine. Then she asked when the baby was due. I told her I wasn't pregnant and she gave me a look and said "I Know". That's when I woke up.

So I ask you....dream or something else?

Mom? Can we get a dog?

We're back from vacation. Had a really great time in the sun and the surf. I'm mostly de-stressed now although nowhere near ready to return to the real world. I forgot to download the pictures so you'll have to wait another day for those but I did come back to find a very cute picture in my email. I'm calling it "Mom? Can we get a dog?"

It was taken when Melissa and Snoopie watched the kids during Uncle Ken and Aunt Jenni's wedding.

Vacationitis Part II

It's that time again. Time for the Coombers to head north to the wilds of upstate NY. I'm really looking forward to some fun in the sun with the kids. They are both finally old enough where we can go for a few hours and they'll entertain themselves with a sand castle and make friends on the beach.

It's also time for the Wheeler family reunion so we'll get to see everyone that we never see too.

Hopefully I'll return refreshed and full of great stories and pictures to post. I really need this vacation. I'm only half joking when I talk about being commited to a mental institution. I need some MAJOR stress relief.

You must go here and make a MushyGushy!

http://www.mushygushy.com/ or if you want to view mine...and it's still available go here http://www.mushygushy.com/view.aspx?gid=B742F36DBC814043A81CF40E5E404BD0

You'll laugh till you cry!

Dad's Day at the Coombers

Says it all doesn't it?

Forgot to post the graduation!

My baby boy has just graduated from preschool! I am officially the mom of a kindergartener. Here he is with his teacher Miss Sarah. You can see how proud he is in the picture.

The ceremony was just too cute for words. They did a skit on Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and then sang a song about five friends. They each received an award too. Jacob got the junior builder award. No suprise there since he is constantly building something: tents, bridges, k'nex, legos. He comes by that honestly that's for sure.

So now its on to kindergarten and a whole new world. My 'no change is good' self is apprehensive but my 'go out and conquer' self is cheering him on. Go Jake!

Singin the Blues

I woke up this morning
With a cat on my head
My children insisted
That I get out of bed

Made me some coffee
Left it sit in the house
Now I have nothing
to get rid of the grouch

I'm really grumpy
and dragging my feet
Why won't anybody
let me go back to sleep?

I'm singing the early morning blue ooos.

Another one bites the dust

Ok, I just had to share. My baby brother has tied the knot. Never thought I'd see the day but there you go. Happily married to a wonderful woman name Jenni. I'm very happy for them both and couldn't have asked for a better SIL.

Back from the Looney Bin...Sort of

Sorry I've been so remis in posting. I promised Halloween pictures and then....nothing.

Well here are Superman and Rella getting ready to take the town for every piece of unattended candy, and I do mean EVERY piece. Those little treat bags were seriously full.