Happy Blizzard-y Holidays

Today is the day of Christmas Eve, and it feels just eerie with a nasty blizzard creeping its way toward our lovely town as we sit in wait, watching all kinds of cancellations pop up on the 'Closings, Cancellations and Delays' newscast. Work-wise, I've already updated a client's website to reflect service cancellations, and yet our own parish hasn't budged - nor do I expect they will, as we're Catholic and belong to the largest parish in the state of Nebraska and canceling any service would result in complete turmoil for everyone involved.

So in the meantime, the peeps are just hanging out at the homestead, watching/listening to the snowy wind blowing around outside, playing video games, reading books, snacking on Hickory Farms cheese & sausage on crackers, and keeping an eye on this scary image as we pray for Santa's safe visit later this evening:


Have a safe & Happy Christmas Eve!

Gift Swap Bounty

Like last year, I tossed my name into the ring for Becca's Spectacular Christmas Gift Swap, and WOW did I ever strike gold with the goodies received from Angie this time around. So with a big THANKS for organizing this fun activity, Becca! here are a couple pictures of the sweet treasures I received:


Just out-of-the-box...


Unwrapped!

Texas scarf & ornament, violin in chair & photo ornament, cooler mug, 6 journal books, 6 hot cocoa mixes and an LED duckie on a keychain. How fun is that? Thanks Angie for taking time to send all of these goodies to me.

Happy Holidays!

Cabin Feverish

Hey Blog,

Yep, me again. Strangely, one little word pops into my mind in thinking back over the week: SNOW. Weird, but true. In fact, this week's white stuff will go down in history as one of the worst snowstorms I can remember. And you know what? Certain peeps will have a hard time forgetting those 3 EXTRA SNOW DAYS off from school, during which time they stayed home and played video games until their thumbs were numb. I am so not kidding: Numb. Thumbs. And, of course, I'll reflect back with happy thoughts of sleeping in past 6 a.m. each day. Can you say heaven? HEAVEN.

So then Friday we were back in the business of shuttling here, there and everywhere as school activities resumed which, I must add, was made possible by a strategically planned visit to Sears where I, yes I actually did this, bought brand spanking new tires for the Mom Mobile. And now I can attest to the fact that there's absolutely nothing like zipping around on snow-packed streets with wheels that have actual tread and are guaranteed to keep me shuttling for another 80,000 miles. Breakfast in bed doesn't even hold a candle to the feeling. Not even a good foot massage. Ok, maybe that's going a little too far - but I still call it: Warm Tire Fuzzies.

Finally, going back to Crazy Secret Santa work, don't tell anyone but... job almost complete! Just a few more items to cross off the list such as gift cards for the cello teacher/catechist/aunts/uncles/cousins and, possibly, a new acoustic guitar for that Special Man in my life. But being musically impaired, I'm relying heavily on Special Man's input, which might be more of an issue than the 5 foot tall Santa paper wrapped gift currently sitting under the tree. Fingers crossed there.

Feeling less overwhelmed & with not-so-heavy eyelids,
Chief Peep from Orchestra Mom Chair

P.S. Sorry about the nonexistent photo updates. Priorities. You understand. Wait, here's a snow pic for good measure:

Christmas Ho

Well hello again Married with Peeps Blog,

I know I mentioned previously that “We need to stop meeting like this” and yet here we are again, meeting like this. So what's been happening with the Peep Family? Turkey Day for one. Over the holiday we stayed home and took advantage of our warm cozy digs and played Wii games while consuming leftovers until we couldn't stand to even look at that stuff anymore. I mean seriously. If a green bean/stuffing/mashed potato/turkey so much as sneaks an appearance onto my plate within the next several months, you'd better believe it's going directly out the window after I stomp all over it. But I digress. The main thing is that we had an amazingly-comfort-filled-Thanksgiving-style time and were grateful as all get out for our blessings while doing so. Who could ask for a better Thanksgiving? Not us, that's for sure.

So what now? This: Crazy Secret Santa work, and I've unofficially been appointed to carry out the duties of the position. This Crazy Secret Santa job basically involves shopping shamelessly for bargains and, subsequently, being all sneaky with the boxes Mr. UPS Man leaves on the Peep Porch. Not only that, but the Crazy Secret Santa job requires Total Poker Face, because when big huge presents start finding themselves beneath the tree, CRAZY SECRET SANTA KNOWS NOTHING. Nope, no idea how that 5 foot tall present wrapped in Santa Claus gift wrap made its way into the house and under the tree. Nothing.

And guess what? Crazy Secret Santa's job only gets more difficult each year, because Peeps attend school and are getting smarter in the process. Those people are not idiots. I try to remember that little fact when questions start flying like “Mom, did those big boxes left on our porch yesterday have anything to do with the presents under the tree?” Because the answer, “No, those were just a few things for Dad – shhh! Do NOT say a word or you'll be jinxed and Santa won't bring you anything!” don't seem to cut it. But that's Crazy Secret Santa's story for now and I'm sticking with it, at least until something better comes along.

Meanwhile, this week's weather forecast presents a bad omen called Snow Day. Crazy Secret Santa's job is about to take a turn for the worst.

Dreadfully,
Chief Peep from Orchestra Mom Chair

P.S. You need some updated photos here on this blog. How about if I send you a few? No more cat pics, just fresh content. Must work on that during my Crazy Secret Santa down time... wait. Never mind.

Thankfulness Abounds

Finally I sit down to post a blog about the splendiferously magical Thanksgiving the family and I enjoyed together, all to the sounds of the oldest playing her heart out on the cello next to the Family Christmas Tree. And what comes to mind most as I reflect back over our holiday is the I'm most thankful for prayers we shared, and it just makes me smile all over again at how hubs and I are raising such well-grounded, gracious people.

Not an easy feat, that's for sure.

As icing on the cake, Cello Playing Peep presented us with a letter that would make even the grizzliest Scrooge of all time shed an actual tear. She even allowed me to post an excerpt on this blog for all the blogosphere to see, even though she's the humble type and would never have the audacity to brag so openly like her shameless mother:

Dear Mom and Dad,
I am thankful for all you do... Mostly, I am thankful that you decided to give birth to me in the first place... I am thankful that you bought me instruments... and that you always take very good care of us, that you buy us food and cook for us, that you clean the house... have jobs to make money for our family and pay the bills. I am mostly thankful that I am here on this earth and that it is all your doing.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank YOU!!!
P.S. I didn't even mention all the things you do for us. :)

Feel the love. *sniff* (New piece is still a tad rusty, but I thought the giggles were cute.)

Personal Letter to MWP Blog

Dear Married with Peeps Blog,

We need to stop meeting like this. You've taken a backseat to my other online haunts, namely Facebook & Twitter, but to no fault of your own. The reason, I think, is the sheer fact that by the time I post something on you, it's already old news. That's right – been there, done that. The world has already moved right on past that information and is yawning about the outdated material! Such is the difference between instant Twitter/FB updates vs blogging, I'm afraid. You understand.

Not to imply that I'm ditching you. Oh no – so not happening.

Instead, you should be happy to know that I'll continue posting here indefinitely because, if anything, blogging really does help me keep my head in the game of what is also known as LIFE. And being married with peeps requires a person to clearly focus on the bigger picture and, hopefully, find meaning in all of the running that goes on every. single. day. Plus, having a log to refer back to is pretty darn handy when trying to remember what we did and when we did it. Twitter and Facebook are not helpful in that way, unless you get a kick out of sifting through streams of mini-140 character sentences.

No thanks.

So how to close out this letter? Ok yes, let's continue meeting up here; I'll send you my updates, a visitor or two might stop in and comment, I'll have my log of events for future reference, everyone leaves a happy camper. Sound good? I knew you'd agree. Such a nice blog, you are. ((hug))

All Best,
Chief Peep from Orchestra Mom Chair

P.S. We're celebrating Thanksgiving at home this week! Isn't that great? Seems like we haven't done that in at least 3 years, so I'll be sure to send you more details about what happens. Be excited about this news. :)

i is in teh pile being ur branches.

The State of Peepdom

Just when I thought last week couldn't possibly get any more overloaded and jam-packed with events, it actually did just that. From the youngest's band concert and the oldest's strings performance with the schlepping of huge instruments to/from events and lessons in between, to communal reconciliation service with the 7th grade CCD'ers and Big Hot Date with Hubs in celebration of our blessed 16th wedding anniversary. *Whew!* Can all that actually happen in one week with life puttering along as usual? Apparently yes, and it was amazing as ever.

Side note: Big Hot Date involved attending school band concert (free!), eating lunch at Chilis, and topping the date off with sky diving (Wii Sports Resort-style). We old timers really do know how to party it up good. *cough*

But the crazed madness is not quite over yet. Geez, I had to go and say that, now didn't I?

So as I sit here in my famous Orchestra Rehearsal Mom Chair blogging on my cute lil Dell mini, I bravely decided to pull out my planner to sneak a peek at the upcoming weekly schedule. What's this? 2 more concerts, client web work, and a visit to the salon - an appointment originally scheduled for last week but changed when my lovely stylist contracted H1N1. Speaking of, I'm thinking a few more lighter face-framing highlights would do this person good, maybe brighten up the Fall dreariness. But there I go digressing again.

Pampering makes the world go round.

Cardinal Rule

No matter the year, all mornings of wedding anniversaries should start with The Card Swap. And as you can see, we did just that which tells you there will be no Dog House Time this year for either of us:

Hollow WHAT?

Seems like November jumped right out from behind the sofa screaming SURPRISE! at us, which basically means hubs and I need to get moving if we're planning to celebrate that wondrous time in our lives known as the 16th Wedding Anniversary. But hold on just a minute. According to my trusted online sources, traditionally, only 5 year increments are gift-worthy after that 15 year mark. In other words, starting this year we're supposed to hold off from giving those special kind of gifts on years 16, 17, 18, etc. and save it for the all important 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, etc.

Four words: Homey don't play that.

Needing backup support, I dug further and found this site with modern day wedding anniversary gift ideas for those 'in between' years. So now guess what? Year 16 puts us with holloware, and I'm all What the heck is holloware? More research, and now I've got the perfect gift idea for the hubster: a $900 silver BOWL.

Wait... let's see, braces for child's teeth vs. big shiny bowl that might get used once a year.

Homey's rethinking the situation.

Peeping Tom

Or rather Peeping Cat captured here in digital form peering at the oldest child who is finishing her math homework. And look out - she actually looks a little miffed after being interrupted from her Neighborhood Watch Operation:

Now Ann Takes a Turn

My peepsters are just loving the latest Today Show series called Today Gets a Laugh, and being a parent who strongly supports fun, cool, make-you-laugh-out-loud kind of stuff, I couldn't resist posting yet another video from the series, this time with Ann Curry:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Fast Food Funny

What better way to start a Monday-after-Halloween-weekend than with a video of Today Show's Meredith working the McDonald's drive thru. Hilarious!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Jokes is Jokes

Hubs forwarded this one to me from the office and it screams to be posted here. Go ahead and laugh, I won't tell!
___________________________________________________

The Halloween Kiss

*A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring.

He replies: "I have a question to ask, but I don't want to offend you."

She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."

"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me."

She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that -
1) you have to be single and
2) you must be Catholic."

The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!"

"OK" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley."

The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.

But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.

"My dear child," said the nun, why are you crying?"

"Forgive me, but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish."

The nun says, "That's OK. My name is Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween party!" *

For Grins: Halloween Blog Quiz

Your Monster Name is Behemoth Fiend

You Feast On: Fingernails You Lurk Around In: Wal-mart You Especially Like to Torment: Hipsters

What's Your Monster Name?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Competition

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Funny Faced Peeps

And now for something even more crazy/happy with a couple photos from our family trip to LEGOLAND California, because one can't get enough of seeing people make funny faces while riding roller coasters:

Time to Get a Grip

Here we are in the aftermath of my grandmother's passing, and life's still a little foggy. To be expected - we trudge on. And now I'm finding all kinds of goodies in our mailbox thanks to relatives sending things Grandma wanted us to have; family photos, letters handwritten to her by the kids and me, dinosaur pictures our son drew while in preschool, rosary/beaded necklaces, etc. Interesting what Grandma treasured while she was alive, and now those treasures belong to us. Simple things can carry such golden memories - I get that now more than ever.

On with parent/teacher conferences and Fall Break over the previous week. Meetings with the kids' teachers involved rave reviews and big high-fives to both hard-working “conscientious” students. So as reward, we allowed extra screen time and kicked in a Wii Sports Resort game with more family togetherness included. There's absolutely nothing like an afternoon of Wii skydiving and water-skiing to celebrate a decent report card, let me tell you. Unfortunately the long weekend ended on a sour note with Hubs falling victim to the latest flu bug circulating the area, which basically goes to show you just can't win 'em all. We're still giving it our best shot anyway.

Now for something uplifting from memory lane:

Sister (left), Me (middle), Santa (right)

In Memory

This week will go down in history as one that carried major milestones for me and the family with the biggest being my Grandmother's passing on Hubs' birthday. The unfortunate part of it all was the fact that Hubs' work sent him out of town, impacting plans for attending Grandma's funeral. But I didn't put funeral attendance out of my mind completely, especially with my parent's willingness to do whatever they could to make sure I made it there in one piece. Mostly, the issue I faced was the sheer lack of last-minute backup support for transporting the kids to/from school, etc. Ugh.

So I missed it. There. But guess what? My folk's Blackberry turned out to be the saving-est grace of all time, as they sent actual PHOTOS of Grandma to me in real-time as the viewing took place, then more images of her estate as family sorted through items that had no designated home. Not only that, but they also sent pictures of distant relatives whom I hadn't laid eyes on in years, making me feel like the fly-on-the-wall that I wanted to be. Technology saves the day, once again.

Yes, I'm forever disheartened about not attending Grandma's funeral. However, despite the physical distance between us over the years, I will always be proud to have actually been present for Grandma while she was alive by remembering her all year long with cards, family photos, clothing, holiday/birthday checks to help supplement her income, etc. The peeps and I visited, not as much as she would've liked, but we made the trip to her apartment in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and spent real-life time with her. So in a basic sense, we'll always be glad for keeping her in our thoughts & prayers, taking the time to remember her properly, making the extra effort before she was called to new life.

Grandma left behind a legacy; and when I focus on describing her as a person and the life she lived, a few words spring into my mind: faith-filled, dignified, gracious, lived a simple life and loved her family. Grandma is in Heaven now, reflecting on memories with Grandpa, enjoying time with Pudgie, the pet dog they owned many years ago, watching the fuss centered around her possessions, smiling and shaking her head at it all and patiently awaiting the day she reunites with the rest of us again.

I will miss Mary Patricia Green, my grandmother.

Grandma, Me, Mom (@1989 in Bradford, PA)

Pieces 'n Parts

Deja vu. That's what I'm feeling right now while sitting in my Parent Orchestra Chair listening to the group rehearse. Ok, and I just had an epiphany... wouldn't it be cool if I had a name tag here at my 'lil place? I mean, the kids all have name tags on their music stands, so why not? We parents have names, too! Anyway. In the meantime, I'll just keep quiet and do my blog thing, nameless.

So what's been up over the past week? On with List Time:

• School – two words: FUNDRAISERS OVER. And let me tell you, I couldn't be more relieved about those two words. Why? Because we have absolutely NO family members living nearby to hit on for support in this arena, which basically means we have to open up our wallets and hand over as much as we can part with so the kids get some sort of prize for participating. No, we don't have to do this, but schools push sales and we're just big fat suckers when it comes to these things. Erg.

• CCD – this past week the class enjoyed Outside Time after completing the lesson at lightning speed. Amazing what can be accomplished when rewards are to be had. Really, who would've thought GOING OUTSIDE would be so motivating? I guess being couped up inside a middle school building all day does that to a 7^th grader. We grown-ups forget about little things like that.

• Music – remember that additional orchestra I mentioned last week? The new one the oldest applied for recently? Well, it's now in full swing and eating up our Saturday mornings, but in a good way. This particular orchestra group is GINORMOUS with what appears to be @100 musicians. I know! And before knowing this, I actually volunteered to help on the first rehearsal day and ended up directing @100 families to the rehearsal hall. “Up the stairs, straight ahead down the hall, and in the cafeteria on the right.” I felt like Vanna White sans the evening gown and turnable letters. Great, now I'm all famous and important. Cool beans.
  

• Consulting – guess what? Client who requested that website makeover held a meeting over the week and decided they actually LOVE the redesign prototype I created for them. Yay! This means more serious crazy busy-ness to come in the near future as we re-launch the site with the new look & feel. (I'm trying very hard to contain my excitement on this topic, as you can tell with all of the exclamation marks, right?! Yay, again!)

• Miscellaneous - reading is going on like gangbusters at our house, with me finishing 2 more novels and with the youngest and I halfway through our newest series. Speaking of which, another cool thing in progress involves eBay and several online auctions with children's books and toys taking up way too much space in the Peepstead. Sadly, Fisher Price toys and board/picture books really don't have a place in our home these days, hence the auctions.

Leaves falling, tans fading, temps dipping... October just about here? Seems like time is screaming past us at the speed of light. Or maybe it's just the espresso talking? Probably not.

Duly Noted Stuff

Friday here at the Peep Homestead, and guess what? I'm finally sitting down with 30 minutes of FREE TIME to myself before the afternoon Kid Shuttle. So what to do... I know! After uploading random photos/video from the family camera, here are a couple blog-worthy bytes to keep this here website fresh:

Yes, this is a view of that lovely, make that blinding, sunrise we've been experiencing each morning during our morning commute:


And to close this blog post right, snicker along with me at this video of Hubs' exciting discovery while mowing the lawn earlier this week:


Ahhh Fall Fridays.

Creatures from the Deep

Oh man, yesterday. I've got too many words to describe it, let alone wrap my mind around the entire list of events, thus Oh man, yesterday. But I'm giving it a shot quickie-blog-style, so here we go:

First, the family and I had our annual photos taken in the local park by a good friend/photographer. Next, the Peeps played around at the school end-of-fundraiser bash while I stayed home and finished up some client web work. And finally, the nation and I witnessed a much hyped-up football game between our NU Cornhuskers and Virginia Tech, which basically left us with our heads completely deflated after experiencing the devastation of losing in a very bad wicked way.

So here's a bright spot to lift Husker fans from that dreary black hole of defeat:

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' - Keep Those Doggies Rollin'

Back at orchestra rehearsal and with fellow parents sitting a chair away from me on either side. Must be careful not to blog about them – I'm nice that way. Anyway, so what's up with the clan these days? Let's see... oh yes, that handy bulleted list helps like nobody's business:

• School – besides Pre-algebra kicking the oldest in the pants, she's musical and literary and wants nothing to do with something so trivial/abstract as math even though it's in her blood to be amazing at everything she does, both kids are doing so well in school they're bored silly. Yes, the gifted programs challenge them to some extent, but still. Why so much reteaching every August? That's what they want to know. Unfortunately, that No Child Left Behind plan forgot the gifted peeps, so we deal with system as best we can.

• CCD – still loving this whole 7^th grade CCD teaching experience, and with students actually showing an interest in scripture. How odd is that? But it's true. My people are finding their way around the bible without breaking down and asking for specific page numbers (gospel, book, chapter, verse!) plus they're actually getting what it's all about. In fact, I'm so proud of those folks that Oreos will be making a special appearance at the end of class this week.

• Music – is keeping us so busy it's just crazy. The youngest is reaping the benefits of having private baritone lessons all summer by leaving fellow bandies in the dust, and the oldest has applied to participate in yet another orchestra, as if she doesn't have enough to do already, right? Crazy. Busy.

• Business Clients – involves more crazy busy-ness, but technology is near and dear to my heart, so I'm perfectly cool with it. In fact, I'm in the process of overhauling a client's website and feel like a kid in a candy store, or maybe IT person in Best Buy is a better comparison. The web redesign experience is like hosting a “What Not to Wear” episode, only web-style. It's like I'm Clinton & Stacey pulling outdated clothes out of the closet and dumping them into the trash, replacing them with spiffy-new-modern digs. Ooo-aahhh.

• Stylin' - amidst all these fun and exciting activities, I broke down and had a good hair chopping which basically gave me a refreshing new look & feel, probably due to the fact that my head is 10 lbs lighter, or something like that. A girl's gotta do what a girl's got to do.

Did I mention our Huskers are back in the game?

Life. Is. Good.

Free To Be

We're finally settled into a routine after all that back-to-school ruckus, so now what? Here's what - Me Time is back! Only now I just need to figure out exactly what that involves, because Me Time disappeared at about the same time summer break started, which basically feels like a century ago. So I'm kicking it off with this fun 'lil beach video:

That SMELL is in the Air

Ah, the crispy coolness of the air always brings back that long-loved feeling that is FOOTBALL SEASON! I clearly remember those fall high school pep rallies and Friday night football games... lining up on the field in full cheerleading uniform while the team came bursting onto the grass as the band blasted our school song to the tune of "Anchors Away":

The purple and the white, stands for blah-blah-bleeeee...
colors of our school and emblem, of our faith in you
GO Blah Blah!

But come on now, isn't it a little early to go tearing down goal posts? I'm just sayin'.

Getting a Grip

With August 2009 ending tomorrow, here I sit at orchestra rehearsal thinking back over the month while attempting to wrap my head around all of the goings-on, hence this blog. The biggest happenings popping into my head involve school, CCD, music, and business clients – but not necessarily in that order. So now a blurb or two about each just to show the extent of the whole head-wrapping process:

• School – both Peeps have us going all crazy as we run between 2 different schools all week, yet everyone's adjusting way better than expected. The youngest is especially content with having the oldest's former teacher, one whose teaching style we appreciated repeatedly in the past. Basically, that guy absolutely rocks the Elementary School Teacher Department, and we thank our lucky stars the principal welcomes student placement requests from parents. Hubs and I were all over that.

• CCD – I'm teaching one CCD class this time around, and coincidentally, the oldest child is in it. (Actually that's a giant perk in volunteering to teach, along with not having to pay tuition.) The biggest difference in the classroom this year? A co-catechist signed up to be my side-kick, helping with whatever the class and I need. So I've appointed her as Disciplinarian Co-Catechist, aka that SCARY-person-whom-CCD'ers-must-visit upon acting up making my teaching life difficult in class. And let me tell you, Scary Disciplinarian Co-Catechist has stricken complete fear in the eyes of at least 5 boys, the same guys who've enjoyed testing me over the last 2 years. Ha! The joke's on YOU now, dudes. :)

• Music – this year we have only one stringed instrument player in the family with our youngest dropping viola and taking up baritone and with the oldest continuing on with cello. The bad news? Now we've got not one but TWO big huge instruments to lug about town. Actually, that's really not such bad news if you consider the strength-building opportunities involved and, of course, free concerts throughout the year. Total win-win situation for everyone.

• Business Clients – keeping me busy outside all of these wonderfully fun family activities is business work with existing clients and also... a new one! This client is a former colleague with a business startup but without an online presence – fancy words for SHE NEEDS A WEBSITE. Not only that, but another new client is in the works. More later, don't want to jinx it.
  

So much for head-wrapping. Why does it suddenly feel like I'm wearing a turban?

Freakish Bouncer

Words cannot describe the kind of feelings this video evokes in a mom's heart... or can they? Nope. Speechless Mom here.

Triple Stuff

You just never know what kind sugary snack you'll find in the Peep Household, and this one in particular doesn't disappoint. Nope, not in the least:

Cats... Bags... Huh?

After that last post, I don't feel like I can do this blog justice with just any old post. However, catching a shot of the Peep Cat sitting on what she has commandeered as 'hers' begs for attention:

Getting to Know

Last week, the oldest child's Language Arts teacher sent home a request for parent input, specifically asking us to write a note describing what makes our child special. Since my response will likely not see the light of day after the teacher reads it, I thought, Hey! Why not post it here in bloggerville?
So here goes!
(Name replaced with "PG" for "Peep Girlie".)

Fiddles on Fire Once Again

Today was all suck-it-up-and-forget-about-the-stinkin'-illness because YOUTH ORCHESTRA TIME IS HERE! That's right. Remember the area-wide strings orchestra Girlie Peep performed in last year? Well, she auditioned for another more advanced group last spring and was selected, sending us off and running to more rehearsals again this year.

Total ear candy all over again - gotta love that!

Ok, so giddiness took over just then. *cough* That's what happens to a person blessed with musicians in the family - you just go completely silly about it. Or maybe the nasal spray is just messing with my head? Nah. This is serious talent, nasal spray or otherwise.

Stay tuned for more music posts!

Wacky for School

Yes, so today my sweet Peepsters were raring to go for their first day of school, as witnessed here in this photo taken on the front porch just before taking off in the Mom Mobile:


Faces only a mom could love, don't you think? ;) What a perfect way to start a new school year!

Feeling Bullseye-ish

The Peeps and I absolutely LOVE shopping at Target, which is a good thing because we're there so often that we might just as well move into that place. However, this morning as we made our usual trek to that favorite store of ours we were greeted by an extremely odd scene: parking lot barricaded off with red & khaki clad Target employees, police officers and fire fighters standing around, a sight that would cause most people to turn around and head back home. But not us. We're steadfast Target shoppers, so we turned the other cheek and made our way into the store to do our shopping. *pfft*

So we're shopping like it's just a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, but then as we found our way into the snack aisle there was this loud-choppy-thumping noise, and I'm all, "Dude. A helicopter is landing on the roof." Eyes rolled. Mom so exaggerates, right? But then who's rolling eyes after finding this in the parking lot:


I'm just asking the question, Peeps.
(No worries - it's Target's kick-off for National Night Out.)

Bunch of Croc

Every summer, well actually all-year-long, my peeps and I choose a day to see just a few things at the zoo, because that place is so incredibly huge that you'd have to be crazy to attempt everything in one visit. Zoo passes are nice that way - we can come back as often as we want throughout the year without having to pull a big Marathon Zoo Day!

So what did we choose today? Kingdoms of the Night and the Budgie exhibit, drippy wet rain and all. The best part? By far, those Caiman crocodiles looking all sneaky with their heads peeking out just above the water and bodies hanging all loose below the surface. Total coolness.

Pampered Reader

There will be a day when this whole reading-beside-the-pool experience gets extremely old. Today is not that day. (And yes, that pedicure seems to keep getting pushed down the 'To Do' list.)

Fourth of July Blooper

Here's a video of Peep Son getting a little ahead of himself while chasing after a parachute that had ejected from a home firework: