Forever 29...

Thank you to everyone for all of the birthday calls, messages cards and e-mails. I had a wonderful day with my family. I started the day (at 12:00 am) up late sewing. You know when you are reading a great book and you just cant put it down? It was kinda like that. I was working on this fab skirt and I just had to keep going. I did finally get to bed by 3 am. I was up and out the door to the dentist by 7:30. Probably not what most people want to do on their birthday but its exactly what I wanted to do. Recently I have developed a dark staining on some of my front teeth that completely creeps me out. The dentist could not figure out the cause of it as I am a smoker,but I rarely drink pop or coffee, and I do not use any of the mouth washes that she said could cause it. (Really it bothers me so much that if she would have said that it would go away if I didn't eat chocolate anymore, I would do it!) Anyways I am glad to say that it is removable an my teeth are white again! (ok~more like off white) Hopefully it does not come back anytime soon.

I spent the afternoon at the hair salon with Sena. We both got our hair cut and I got mine colored. Sena loves hers, me not so much. I went in asking for blonde and came out way darker than I was. (at least it covers my grey) I think I will be going back in next week for a fix.

We spent the evening at the Mall of America. We ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe the kids thought that that was fun. Chad had mentioned that its kind of like being at Disney with all the action going on in there. Kristian of course told them that it was my birthday so they all came and sang to me~ he just wanted the free ice cream. We walked around for a bit and I went into all of my fav stores. We also walked around what started off being Camp Snoopy then changed to The Park, and now has become Nickelodeon. Rilynn though that was great even though we didn't actually go on any rides.

The best part of the day was when Rilynn first woke up in the morning and said "happy 29th birthday mom!" That's my girl!

It was an exciting week around here. Not only did we find out that Kristian made varsity but we found out at the first game that he was a starter! Often times when freshman make varsity they don't come off the bench. Kristians first game he played the whole 90 min! That game they lost to Bloomington 2-1. The second game was against AV and they lost 7-0. That was rough! It is so weird to see my little guy ( I know hes not really little anymore ) with all these big boys. I hope they dont teach him too much! It looks like the season will be filled with loosing games hopefully they wont get beat 7-0 every game.

Sena went to the cabin for the weekend so Kristians friend Jenna took her place. Yesterday we took them to a little lake to catch sunfish. Kristian wanted to catch a little turtle but that didnt happen. Rilynn loved the big park that was next to the lake she is into parks lately. Jenna does not like to have her picture taken if you cant tell!

Announcement

See this handsome kid? You are looking at the only freshman to make the VARSITY soccer team here in Hastings this year! Pretty sweet! His first game is tomorrow here in Hastings, vs Bloomington, which one of Kristians buddies from his traveling team is on. (T-Square) It should be a good one! Saturday he plays in AV at 5:00 pm. Later I will list his schedule for the season for whoever wants to come.

STRESS

The last couple of weeks have been very stress filled for me. I remember how much I used to love summer when Kristian and Sena were little. We would go to the park and beaches and run through the sprinkler all day long if we chose to. Now its just crazy. Kristian had tryouts for "his" team, other teams that he considered, and for high school soccer. It was so much stress and confusion and running around. At one point I climbed in the very back of our moving SUV (Chad was driving) to cry with my biggest kid. I hate to see him hurting, it just kills me. He did make "his" team and has accepted the spot, we just have no idea how we are going to pay for it. I know that we will find a way, I am determined.

RiRi Designs has been just as stressful. I really dont know what I was thinking trying to start a business with three kids and a soccer coach for a husband. I am not super woman. Although I wish I had some "super-powers" about now. Sewing is very time consuming and does not pay well.

Little Ri is definitely 3. She is no longer my sweet little 2 yr old. Lately she has been being naughty, yelling hitting throwing stuff. I know that she is just needing more attention. Today I took her to the AV waterpark. Her and I must have climbed the 50+ stairs and went down the BIG waterslide a dozen times! She loved it! She is also learning to swim underwater! She says that she can swim like a dolphin. She crashed in the car on the way home I moved her to my bed, and when she woke up there was blood everywhere! She had somehow cut her toe open and I hadn't even noticed! (mother of the year award here!) Poor baby.

Big announcement coming in the next day or two... so stay tuned. (no I am NOT pregnant)

Toffee Bar Crunch Pie

1/3 cup butterscotch sauce

1 packaged graham cracker crust

1 1/2 cups cold half-and-half or milk

1 package (4 serving size) vanilla instant pudding mix

1 container Cool Whip topping, thawed (8 ounce container)

I cup chopped toffee candy bars (heath)

1. Pour butterscotch sauce onto bottom of pie crust. Spread gently with back of spoon to cover evenly.

2. Pour half-and-half (or milk) into bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well blended, about 2 minutes. Let stand about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.

3. Stir in Cool Whip and toffee bars very gently with a rubber scraper until mixture is all the same color. Spoon mixture into crust.

4. Put pie into freezer for 6 hours or overnight. Let pie stand at room temp for about 10 minutes before serving.

*

We brought this yummy pie to Kristians end of the year soccer party. I added rolos candies to the top because that is the coaches favorite candy. My kids just love this easy frozen treat!

pics from last week

learning to bat
playing ball at grandmas house
eating gummy worms with Kristian
Ri and Sena at the neighborhood party
National night out block party

To Do List

check e-mails
clean house
do laundry
weed garden
make breakfast
call dentist
feed bunny
do laundry
wash dishes
run to Target
change cat litter
wash floors
play polly pockets
feed cat
do laundry
sew
make lunch
drive kids here, there and everywhere
stop at the bank
read books
wash dishes
make dr. apts
mow the lawn
shop for groceries (bag them, haul them up a full flight of stairs, put away)
do laundry
water flowers
work out
take Ri for a bike ride (she finally learned how to pedal)
make dinner
do dishes AGAIN
change laundry one more time
brush teeth
give baths
put Ri to bed

Do you ever feel like getting lost in a corn field, alone, just for a while? I am exhausted.

hot summer days