Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I won!!!

I can't believe that I won a prize. I am so excited and feel so fortunate to even have been a part of the Project 320 idea. I donated money because I feel that it was an incredible cause...and winning prizes was just an added bonus!!!! I can't believe the effect this great idea will have on people and what it has had on me. So YAY!!!! I am so excited and can't wait to see all the goodies in real life. (For those checking it out I won bundle #4)

And thank you to all of those who donated and especially to the kind, beautiful ladies that set the whole project up.
Heather G
Erin
Julie
Heather M
Marta
Mel
Santa should put something extra special in your stockings this year!!!

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Christmas Spirit

'Tis the season for Holiday memories and lots of fun. This Saturday we took Ella and Tyler to go visit SANTA. It was UNbelievable to see how EXCITED Ella was to see Santa this year. She is 2 1/2, so it is really the time where she understands the concept of Santa, that he leaves presents under the tree for good boys and girls. I will say I have been preparing her by watching Polar Express OVER and OVER again and I think it helps.
So, as we waited in line she was literally JUMPING up and down and kept asking, "is it MY turn?" It was THE CUTEST. Santa yelled, "Ho Ho Ho," when she was next in line and it was GAME OVER then. She was hooked. She sat on his lap and didn't even wait for Tyler to get settled before she was talking to him like they were BFFs!! HILARIOUS. So, when I get time I will have to upload the video of her telling Santa that she wanted a "big girl bed like Mia and Sophie's." Her favoritest big cousins!! She is obsessed with them.
Here is a picture of Daddy and Ella outside the Santa display in the mall. It was the perfect day!!
Hopefully everyone else is getting in the mood for Christmas and is in the giving spirit. If you haven't gotten there yet maybe this link to PROJECT 320 will help. Make a donation to help build a well. You could win prizes also!!! Save some childrens' lives!! Merry Christmas to all.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

LOVE THIS QUOTE

I read the following quote on Little Miss Crafty Pants blog today and couldn't stop thinking about it all day. It really rings true for me and I just wanted to share it. Have a Happy Day!!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Decorations and Traditions

The decorations are finally up! And we are TOTALLY in the Christmas spirit at our house. Jimmy and I had to get a new tree this year because the OLD one crapped out. I would LOVE to get a real tree, however the size of our room does not allow us to get a small measley little tree. It would look so miserable and sad in there. So we have a 12 foot pre-lit tree which we LOVE!!! So, here is our before picture as we are getting set up...

After picture with the tree lit and ornaments ON! Ella was obsessed with putting the ornaments on...which was nice, but she literally put all of them on ONE branch. It was hilarious. There IS more than one branch on the tree Ella!! ha ha
Here is a close up of the tree...
Ella posing in front of the tree...
And some other Holiday decorations...the stairway...
And the mantle...
And YES that is the lamp from the Christmas Story movie on the left...our FAVORITE Christmas decoration of the year. One of our newest and most fun Christmas traditions we started this year is the Elf on the shelf tradition that we have started this year. It is the cutest thing. The Elf (that comes with a story book) works for Santa. His job is to watch your children every day and report back to Santa at night when the kids are sleeping. The elf flies back to the North Pole every night and shows up in a new place in your home every day. Ella is OBSESSED. The first thing she says in the morning is "Where's Wiggly??" That is what she named him, Wiggly. It is the CUTEST. So if you are looking for a fun new tradition I suggest the elf on the shelf...which can be purchased at Walgreens!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Holidays are HERE


It's official...the Holidays are here. We are about to celebrate the first fantastic Holiday of the season and I couldn't be more excited. I am going home this year, which is always the best part of the Holidays. I know that HOME is only 2 hours away, and I can pretty much go home whenever I want...but there is NOTHING like being at a Viefhaus family gathering. The food, fun, games, and conversation are UNFORGETTABLE every year. I have the greatest family in the world and feel so blessed to get to bring two more munchkins into our fantastic family. They are going to learn so much about family and love and I am so happy to be able to show them. I am also so excited to host New Year's Eve this year. My family is coming to our house and I am so pumped. Ella LOVES when her cousins come to visit. They are always so caring and sharing when she goes to their house and she loves to return the favor when they come in town. She talks about it for WEEKS. First thing she says when she wakes up in the morning, "Mia and Sophie are coming today." Then I have to break her heart and tell her to wait a few more days, but the excitement in her eyes is ADORABLE. (Poor Gracie gets left our of her statement...but I think she still looks at her as a baby.) And she is really starting to get excited for her ONLY boy cousin Meade. Ever since Tyler was born she has sort of made a connection that Tyler is growing up just like little Meade. She loves to smooch him and "take care" of him...which honestly I think she annoys him most of the time. But, it's adorable either way. LOVE. THE. HOLIDAYS!!! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving...eat way too much and feel good about it.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

WINTER INDOOR (or outdoor) FUN

We all have our area of expertise...Mine may not be sewing, or other crafts. My expertise is in getting kids up and active, and I have a great idea for you and your little ones to keep busy and moving in the long winter months.
Most kids know SOME exercises. If they don't you can teach them some basics...such as push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks. There is the ever important running in place, squats, wall sits, or basic balancing on one foot...if they like dance, plie squats or other dance moves can be turned into exercises. If they are in school ask them what they do at school. The options are endless. Well you can make a FUN easy game out of exercises.
Here is what you do:

You need a large piece of paper or posterboard (you can use regular paper too, but BIG sizes are WAY more fun)
A marker
Exercise Ideas
Dice


You want to draw a 6 x 6 set of squares with the #'s 1 thru 6 across the columns and rows.
Then fill out the squares with exercise ideas (don't forget to add a # or amount of time for each activity). You can use the same activities over and over again with different times or numbers! Here is your chance to be creative. If you have very limited space chose activities where the kids can remain close. Maybe you are going to play this game outside or with more room to roam...then you definitely want to add in laps of some sort...everything from walking and skipping to galloping and hopping on ONE foot!! They will enjoy the walking break. Challenge your kiddos. You will be surprised at what they can do!
Now all you do is roll the dice and where the 2 numbers meet...that is your exercise!

And don't forget to join them. This is a great way to keep activity in your home!! As a PE teacher I know that childhood obesity is on the RISE! Stay healthy and active over the Holidays!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My first project :)

I would like to present my first sewing project...a cute easy skirt for my daughter, Ella! She even wore it to daycare today!!! I had to redo the bottom part once, but that's it! Overall, I would say it was a success. However, I definitely learned a few things about fabrics. The bottom fabric was NOT stretchy feeling UNTIL I washed it. Then it was like sewing a rubberband. :) But, it still worked out okay. I am going to attempt another one tonight. The new one will be a pink base with a lavender damask trim! I am so pumped...as Jimmy said when I got home last night, "You are obsessed." Well I am proud to be obsessed!! How did I do??

Monday, November 16, 2009

Officially CRAFTY

I am officially beginning my adventure as a CRAFTY mom. I have purchased a sewing machine and I am ready for some challenges. Oh wait...challenge #1 was getting my sewing machine to work. I messed with that thing for I think 18 HOURS...STRAIGHT to find out that there was something wrong with it. Many things lead to finding this out.
1. I am an idiot and didn't really READ the labels on the thread when I picked it out. I just grabbed a few spools and threw them in the cart. White, black, blue and so on. Well it was UPHOLSTERY thread!!

Who does that? I was just about ripping my hair out because the machine was getting jammed up over and over again. Well...that is what happens when you try to use upholstery thread in a regular sewing machine! ha ha

2. After I got real thread it was still "bubbling up" underneath my fabric. So, I called EVERYONE that I knew had a sewing machine to ask them what I was possibly doing wrong. I am sorry...the directions were CRYSTAL clear...so I didn't think I was an idiot when it came to threading the machine and the bobbin. So, I called in the big guns.

3. Mother in law came over to help. Now, any one that knows me knows that I MUST have been desperate at this point :) hee hee. But, after speaking with her on the phone she told me that I must be doing something wrong and I felt that I was in the RIGHT. So, she came over...re-threaded everything herself...did one stitch and she knew there was something wrong with the machine.

THANK GOD it wasn't me!!! However, I did waste about 18 hours of my life messing with that stupid machine. But, I exchanged it and am glad to say the new one is up and running BEAUTIFULLY!! Now the projects await!

Hopefully I will be posting one of my successes soon! Stay tuned!!

Friday, November 13, 2009

SISTERS

I will first start off by saying, "no offense" to anyone who has brothers...I just can't really speak from that point of view since I ONLY have sisters. But, to me, sisters are the GREATEST things on earth. I look back at my childhood and miss it so much. I want to go back in time when we shared a room and cuddled in the same bed.
Maybe it is also because I am a twin, but life could NEVER be the same for me without my sisters. I was thinking today about Ella, and how I will feel so bad as a mom if I can't give her a little sister. Part of me wants to be done having kids. We have 2 amazing munchkins, Ella and Tyler. But the other part of me is DYING for Ella to have a sister. Someone to go through everything with...like we did. Now, again, I know she can do many of these things with a brother...but there is NO comparison to a sister.
And, I am not saying I would be disappointed in another son, but if I could 100% pick out what I was having next, I would be pregnant again in a heartbeat. I just feel like we will DEfINITELY only have 3 kids max, if we have another one, and I desperately want it to be a sister for Ella...is that wrong? Well, only time will tell. I just know that having sisters has shaped my personality in the same way that I want to help shape Ella's. It helps create a bond between women...not just my sisters. You fully learn to how to accpet women for who they are and to be truly happy for them...almost like you are secretly rooting for them in a good way. We have learned very recently who our TRUE friends are. And we have noticed that the women we get along with best...usually all have great sisters! So thank you to all the SISTERS out there who know how to care for and take care of all their girls!!!
These pictures are from Adie(far left)'s bachelorette party! We had such a blast at our Murder Mystery Dinner theater. I was jealous of all you wine drinkers since I was about 3 months preggo!!! But, another great night to add to our memories as sisters!! Love you girls. Can't wait to move back to STL to be with you guys again. :) Whenever that will be!!!!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

LET CRAFT TIME BEGIN!!!


We are LOVING this fall weather. Now that it has finally stopped raining for five minutes we can actually get outside and enjoy our Southern Illinois weather. I took this picture yesterday and almost FAINTED when I saw how long Ella's hair is getting. This is not the little girl that was born with JET black fuzzy hair 2 1/2 years ago! No way can she be getting this grown up.
Ella could not be more in love with her little bro Tyler. She always tells mommy that she is "taking care of him." So adorable. I think she likes him MUCH more than she likes me right now. We are at the fun age of "I am gonna challenge mom in everything she says and does." Awful. She tells me that I'm NOT going to get her something to drink and I'm NOT going to hold Tyler. Hopefully this will pass soon.
I am so excited to start on my next adventure...let the CRAFTS begin. I am buying my first sewing machine to start on little projects that I have been wanting so badly to start. I have always loved clothes and thought it would be fun to make clothes for my little muchkins. Sadly, I know that making girl clothes is usually more fun than boy clothes (sorry Tyler) but I will do my best to make cute things for him too. I just may have to get some cute ideas from other moms out there. So, if anyone has any input on a good sewing machine...send it my way. I am flying blind here!

Happy Fall!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Blog Envy...

So after following many new bloggers I have accepted the fact that I have MAJOR blog envy. I love to read other people's blogs and they always seem to have such important things to write about and to share with people. I most definitely feel like my blogs are BORING and nothing more than informative to my family as to what is going on with my life. I just LOVE to find inspiration in what so many of you out there are doing and sharing with your family and friends. I have found myself very inspired to be a better mother and to try and find more hobbies for myself. I know for a fact I BETTER be getting a sewing machine for Christmas...however I find myself not wanting to even wait that long. I want to start on so many projects already. After seeing the cute t-shirt dress that Marta made for Mia from lilblueboo and to see the cute flower headbands that JoysHope makes it really inspires me to find something creative that I can do. It really would be the perfect activity to take up some much needed down time. My hubby works a lot of nights and weekends...and when I don't go home to visit my fab sisters I am the most BORED human ever after my kids go to sleep on Fri and Sat nights :) So, thank you to all of you cute mommies that give me inspiration and more to look forward to :) I hope to make you proud someday soon!!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

This weekend...

I can't wait for a FANTASTIC weekend with my family...starting tomorrow night. I miss my girls so much. And REALLY can't wait to see Maggie's pictures from her Halloween costume this weekend. You will be the BEST Beyonce EVER!!!! Put a ring on it. (As Molly said, "Someone WILL put a ring on it if she is wearing that out all night.) ha ha. I am so excited to see all my nieces and nephews dressed up. And Ella is so pumped to test out her adorable ARIEL costume. I will have to post some pics. My friend Molly made it for her...it is the cutest. It is lined with Ariel felt to make it warmer...who even thinks of that? And her tail swings around and hangs on her wrist. Tyler is still pretty boring. We are going as Miss Piggy and Kermit the frog. It's not REALLY a Kermit costume...just a random frog, but since I am Miss Piggy, it fits. Just wanted to check in and say hi to all. I hope everyone has a SPOOKtacular Halloween.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

School Days...

I love working at a school. MOST of the time. I mean, knowing that I am going to be able to teach my own children for 3 years out of their life is AMAZING!!! The sickness I could go without. My hands are raw because I am a psycho about NOT giving my kids the swine flu since EVERY kid at my school has it, and Kindergarteners and 1st graders are SO good at covering their mouths and wiping their noses...NOT. ha ha. But, I do get so excited when I see the little Pre-K class walk by knowing that Ella will be in my building next year. CRAZY! Where has the time gone?? Now, I know I could choose to send her to a different Pre-School if I wanted to, but I love that I will get to see her almost every day. At age 3, our school does half day Pre-K every day. She will be there from 8am to 11am EVERY day that we have school. Seems a little intense for a 3 year old, but I know that Ella will be in Heaven...meeting new friends and learning what school is all about. It is just amazing to picture these kids and know that Ella will be THAT big next year. Kind of takes my breath away. But, she will be ready and so will I.


I hope everyone is getting outside and enjoying this beautiful fall weather. It won't last much longer and the cold will be here to stay :(

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Mmmmm...Sausage


'Tis the time of year for yummy food and tasty wine. We just headed up to Augusta, MO for our annual Sausage Supper and winery weekend and it was a BLAST!! My kids were great...can't ask for anything better than 2 well behaved children. The wine was delicious and the food was SPECTACULAR!!! We had such a good time. The saddest part was definitely that my twin sister, Adie, couldn't make it because her and her little munchkin were sick. Then, my older sister, Marta's, littlest munchkin got sick too...even ending in a visit to the ER with pneumonia and flu. Poor kiddos. I will be in shock if my kids don't get the flu because basically my whole family has had it...and before we knew what it was they were all together. But, let's just hope we got lucky and it skips us! But, we did have a good time! Thanks to Marta and Steve for setting everything up and making the reservations. I LOVED Chandler Hill. I hope we can go back again next year. If the weather is a little more cooperative hopefully there won't be as much separation of the groups like the sissy group inside. ha ha ha. I miss my family so much after an event like that. We all get together and laugh our butts off and just enjoy each other. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends.
Jimmy's Bday is just around the corner and Halloween too!!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

HALLOWEEN = CRAFT TIME

It's that time of year where all the crafty people LOVE to show off. Us every day go getters are jealous and wish we could do some of the cool crafts that so many people create. I LOVE Halloween and am excited because one of my friends, and Ella's bestest bud, Molly, made the most ADORABLE Halloween costume. Its a made from scratch Ariel costume that EVERYONE will be jealous of. She even made the cutest seashell headband to go with it.
People like Molly make me want to be creative and make things, not only for myself, but for my kiddos. I have decided to invest in my first sewing machine. Not sure what kind to get or what I would need...but something pretty basic to start off. I am scared to say one of my first projects may be a T-shirt quilt using all of my old SIU softball t-shirts. Nothing like jumping in feet first right away, but I figure if I screw it up, at least I tried. I may have to head over to Jimmy's mom for help because she is a pro when it comes to quilting!!! I can use all the help I can get.
But, good work to all you crafty moms...and feel free to send any cute ideas my way. I did, however, make some ADORABLE Halloween cards last night for my kiddos. I will have to post a picture of them for you when I get back home today!
Last day of September! Happy October!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

ADORABLE

Ella has been doing the CUTEST thing lately. As soon as we walk in the door to pick her up at daycare she runs over and says, "I missed you so much today, Mommy/Daddy." I thought my heart was going to melt. Ella has been so flexible when it comes to daycare and bouncing around wherever we go. We go up to St. Louis a lot to visit family and never throws a fit about needing to sleep in her own bed or not getting the things from her usual routine. I am truly so lucky when it comes to that. There is nothing harder than a child who is so stuck in a routine and then trying to take them out of it.
We just booked a trip to Michigan for the Michigan vs. Ohio State football game this fall. It will be my first trip leaving Tyler and I must say I am a little traumatized already and the trip is still 2 months away. So sad to leave a 5 month old!!!!! I know Ella will do great. She loves Mimo and Grandpa...and hopefully she will get to visit her favorite cousins while she is in town too! But, I am sure leaving Tyler will break my heart! Which you would think it would be nice to get away and sleep in and not have any worries...but moms are not built like that. :) At least I am not. I am sure once I get up there it will be relaxing, but pulling out of that driveway...the tears will be flowing...kind of like the first day back at work. Oh well, that is just one of the hardest parts of being a mom...and I love EVERY second of it!!

WOW...

I don't know if my students are just that out of shape or if EVERY single kid has exercise induced asthma, but the coughing in my class is going to drive me nuts. How can every kid in all my classes be sick with a cough?? After any amount of running I have to YELL my directions to my students because they are coughing so much I find myself forced to yell OVER them. All while making me nauseous thinking of how the swine flu is most likely floating in the air straight toward my face. AWFUL!! I am the furthest think from a hypochondriac, but this swine flu has me on edge. Mostly because I have two kids at home...and one is rather fresh, so I am scared to death that even if I don't happen to catch it or show symptoms, they will get it FROM me. That would be the biggest guilt trip EVER. You gave your children swine flu.
So, sadly, as a P.E. teacher, I am just hoping my kids are that out of shape. Especially since I woke up this morning with a sore throat...please hope I am not getting sick!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Men...

Why do guys let this face win? I think it is hilarious (sometimes) that guys are willing to fall for this face! If she can do it on command then why is it that they think she is really pouting when she wants something. Maybe my husband is the only sucker, but when Ella puts on her "pouty face" Jimmy is putty in her hands...or toys in the shopping cart. ha ha ha. I LOVE to watch Ella do her "pouty face." However, she knows that it only works on Daddy. Who knows...maybe Tyler will have a face that only mommy falls for. We will see :)

Pee Pee in the Potty


Ella has truly MASTERED the art of potty training. She has only had 3 accidents in the past 3 weeks and I am so impressed. She has really shown mommy that she is a big girl and I couldn't be more proud. Thanks to my sister, Marta's, ideas of potty treats she has always loved using the potty and tells us every time she needs to go. I really thought it was going to be harder than this. We have even tested her in social events...such as visits to restaurants and going to the grocery store. STILL tells mommy or daddy. Jimmy had his first potty time in the men's room with Ella because I wasn't around. I was DYING when he told me. So congrats to Ella! Keep up the good work!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Good Friends

Well today I found myself in a major jam...I received a phone call at 5:51am from my childrens' child care provider informing us that her son has a 103 temp and that she thought it would be best if we found another place for Ella and Tyler to go today. So, I finished feeding Tyler at 6:15am and then started on my mission for alternate babysitters. My husband COULD have watched the kids if we absolutely had to...but he works late nights (usually getting home around 3 or 4am) so he would be going on about 2 hrs of sleep for the day, and there were quite a few things he needed to get done today...big "Pimps and Hos Party" tomorrow night. (My husband runs a bar if you are lost) So my good friend Rebekah offered up her services and I can't thank her enough. I don't have any family where we live, and Jimmy's family is limited...so I can't say enough about how nice it was to have a true friend step up and be there for us. Normally, I would be so lucky to have one of my fabulous sisters do the deed for me...but since the closest one is 2 hours away, that wasn't going to happen this morning!!
Just makes you think about how important family is...and the people who act like family when they are most needed. So thank you Rebekah...you made my day today!!

Oh...and for a school note...I had to drag a student down a handicap ramp by his feet this morning because he refused to leave my class when he was in trouble. Just a little glimpse into what I deal with in this town!!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

What is wrong with kids today???


So, because this is my first week back at school, I must say that I am SHOCKED to see what kids are like these days. Last year I worked 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade, and this year I have been stuck with Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd and I am RAGING!!! I LOVED the kids I taught last year. They loved coming to P.E. and they could listen and follow directions. This year I want to shoot myself because I am surrounded with kids who literally have NO ability to listen or follow directions. I mean is asking the kids to "sit on the bottom step" really too much to expect from 5 year olds? I had kids on the top 4 steps...the ground...and 3 of them were still standing while everyone else is sitting. You would think even if they DIDN'T hear the directions themselves they could at least figure it out by watching everyone else. Maybe I have too high of expectations. My 2 year old listens better than them.
I find myself watching Supernanny every night in order to get ideas and techniques to help me control the OUT of control kids that are in my classes. They are really just like the psychos that hit and kick at their parents...only I am their teacher, unable to fight back! Things have in no way gotten physical, but I do feel like that is where it is headed with some of these students. I have already set up the "naughty corner" for the kids to go when they don't follow directions. Thanks Jo...Supernanny. They need to have a "Superteacher" show nowadays!!!

Maybe this is what I need...
School Kids Threatened With Tasers? - Mobile Police Mobile County School Board - WKRG.com

More P.E. stories to come...

I am officially a BLOGGER


I am now officially a blogger...not sure how often I will be doing this, but I hope I can do it at least a couple times a week :) I am a busy mom of two and love to spend time with my little munchkins, Ella and Tyler.

I just went back to work after baby #2. I had him June 20th, and since I am a teacher I only had to take 4 weeks of maternity leave which was definitely NOT enough...but really NO time would have been enough. I had to go back, and now we are getting back into a routine. My two year old, Ella, is THRILLED to be back at day care. She loves her provider, "Miss Love." I never worry about her at all during the day! I think she is happier there than at home sometimes because she is OBSESSED with playing with other kids. Good thing she has a brother growing fast for her to play with!! Well, this will be my first post for now. Gonna add some pictures and other fun stuff now. Happy Thursday!