Our "Peaceful" Sunday

I accidentally just published my Sunday post and didn't even finish the title. I'm sure the 3 glasses of wine I've had has nothing to do with it. I took the boys to church this morning and what a fiasco that was. Nick has to sit in church with me for about 20 minutes before sunday school starts and he simply can't do it. It usually requires me giving him the evil eyes and squeezing his hand a few times to get him to behave. At one point he loudly asked me, "Hey mom, did you bring enough cash for donuts after church?" During children's time today, the minister asked the kids if there was someone in their family who is just hard to love. Jay's hand immediatley went up. It was like a scene from "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," and Nick played the part of John Candy and Jay was Steve Martin. If Nick wasn't bugging his brother by poking him in the neck, he was giggling in his ear and being obnoxious, proving that to Jay, Nick is the person hardest for him to love in our family. I'll give Jay credit, he never once turned around and let Nick have it.
While we were having dinner tonight, Jay excused himself first and went to check on his gerbils. All of the sudden we hear Jay frantically screaming, "Minnie is bleeding, Minnie is bleeding." He was beyond hysterical and running down the steps with his bleeding gerbil and Yes, he was getting blood everywhere. He carried her to the sink and about 1/4 of her tail was bitten off. We surmised that Mickey (the other gerbil) bit her but we can't figure out why. I put Neosporin on Minnie's tail and she seems to be doing okay. Jay and Mike went to clean up all the blood in his room, cat walk, steps, etc.... and I cleaned up the nasty sink which had blood and gerbil poo in it. Meanwhile, Nick got his stool so he could see all the action going on in the kitchen, which I proceeded to trip on! When I looked around the kitchen I could see small splatters of blood all over my tile floor. That's when I started drinking!
So, here I am 2 hours later, perhaps a little lit but Minnie is recovering nicely, the boys have had their baths and I'm ready to call it a day!

Our "Peaceful

Pinewood Derby

Last night for the second year Jay participated in the Pinewood Derby with his Cub Scout troop and for the second year in a row Jay came in third place. He worked really hard on his car so it was good to see his hard work pay off. He designed the car himself and Mike cut it out for him and helped him do some of the sanding but Jay did 90% of the work himself. He had to do something with the axils. I have no clue what but it had to do with getting his car to go faster and he spent a lot of time with the axils. Our entire family came which Jay really enjoyed.

Even Mike got in on the fun. Adults could also make a car and there were no rules. The money they spent to participate went to Cub Scouts. One gentleman put a fan on his car so he smoked every car out there! The boys enjoyed watching their dads race their cars.

A Night With Brad Paisley

I'm writing this blog in the early morning hours, on very little sleep but it was all worth it. The concert last night with Justin Moore, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley was amazing! I haven't been to a concert in probably 15 years. I'm just not a fan of concerts but when I heard Brad P. was coming to town, I put my girlfriend, Jenny, on the job to get us tickets and did she ever come through. We got us floor seats (row 20)! My feet hurt this morning from standing almost 3 1/2 hours and I will need a lot of caffeine to get my through my day but what a night! The sad thing is I think I easily took 50 pictures of Brad alone - Ridiculous!

Sarah, Jenny, Leta and me! What a night! Us 30-something mom's out for a good time!

Miss Miranda singing her heart out!

Our Weekly Wrap-Up

We had a really nice week. Jay is really enjoying his gerbils and purchased some toys for them (with his own money!). We have started a weekly allowance for Jay and so far, it's going good. I plan on opening a savings account for him at our local bank and he's required to put $10/month in his account. That way he can see his money grow and I've told him that money is his down payment for his car someday. He seemed excited about that! By the time he's 16, he should have almost $1,000! Jay and I also saw "The Blind Side" last night as our monthly activity (Aunt Mimi is taking his ice skating for his birthday). It was a very inspirational movie and to anyone who hasn't seen it, I highly recommend it. Jay liked it too. It prompted some questions from him but they were questions I was happy to answer.
As most people know, Nick is crazy about penguins! He has asked me to take "Mary" penguin to work with me so this week. I relented and actually took her with me one day. My co-workers and I had a ball with her. We positioned her all over the office and took pictures of her getting the mail, working on the computer, answering the phone, etc.. I sent the pictures to my home computer and Nick loved it! He told me he wasn't surprised, he always knew Mary was a "weally, weally hard worker." That is the great thing about Nick, he really brings out the "silliness" in our entire family. However, he is proving to be a challenge at school. When he returned to school after Christmas break he told me he was "done with school." This week he told his teacher he doesn't do work in the mornings. Amazingly enough when he realized he couldn't participate in play time until he completed his work, wa-la, it got done. We never know what Nick is going to say. He got up this morning and told us his baby penguin was sick because she ate an abominable snowman???!!!!
I am off to see Brad Paisley tomorrow night, front row tickets!! I'm going with Jenny, her sister, Leta and our other friend, Sarah. I can't wait. I'll post pictures next week.

The End Result

As a mother there are certain qualities I want my boys to possess but everyday it's a work in progress. My mother continually reminds me, "Amy, think about the end result, don't focus or label the boys based on their day to day interactions." She would know this best because had she "labeled" me in elementary school, she would have been shocked to discover I would be a completely different adult. As a child, I was high-strung, dramatic and sassy as hell and gave my mother a run for her money almost daily. I exhausted her. Now, I'm just the opposite. One of my goals has always been to instill thoughtfulness/concern for others within Jay and Nick.
This morning I had taken the day off work. The boys were happily watching T.V. so I went to take my shower. When Mike isn't home, I always keep the door cracked so I can hear the boys and they can hear me. I swallowed some water that went down the wrong tube. I started choking so hard and so loudly I literally thought I was going to throw up, not to mention it sounded like I was choking up a lung. When my choking fit was finished I waited for one of the boys to check on me, to make sure I was alright. I heard footsteps coming up the steps and I thought to myself, "Gee, they really do care." Abruptly, Nick opened the door with his hands on his hips, his face scrunched up and his mad eyes broke out (People that know and love Nick can picture exactly how he looked) and demanded to know where his lego tractor was! I peered out of the shower and glanced over the cat-walk to witness Jay playing Wii. Neither of my children were even fazed that I could have needed medical attention. Apparently I still have a lot of work ahead of me. May the force be with me!

Birthday Pets

Since Jay's 5th birthday we have taken a "winter retreat" to Grand Bear Lodge Water Park to celebrate! I tried to find a picture of Jay on his 5th birthday at the Lodge but I couldn't find one. I remembered why.......we stayed in the hotel the first year and we learned we didn't have enough room (and b/c we stayed in the hotel, I didn't bring a cake, we had one at the restaurant). We now stay in the villas and bring our own dinner so we don't have to take the kids out. This picture is of Jay on his 6th birthday. Look below and see how much he's grown in 2 short years.

Happy 8th Birthday, Jay!

Lauren was so much fun this year. Last year she still required a nap and wasn't walking. This year, Kim improvised and skipped the nap and she has always loved the water. She had a ball. She especially loved the blue frosting on Jay's cookie cake, which I just posted a picture of her with blue frosting all over her face and accidentally deleted it. Oops.

Nick, Mimi and Lauren enjoying the Merry Go Round at the indoor amusement park.

Birthday hugs for Jay on his 8th birthday!

Birthday giggles with dad!

And Featuring the new additions to the Siebert house:

Minnie, the gerbil

Mickey, the gerbil

After Kitty died (R.I.P. Kitty) Jay really wanted a pet that did more than just, well nothing. I went to bat for him with Mike (Mike is allergic to anything with fur) and Jay got two friendly gerbils on Friday. We bought two females because we read that gerbils are very social animals that prefer to be with their friends. Jay is over the moon for them. He has built up "homes" for them in their cages and is happily playing with them. On Friday night he fell asleep in front of their cage.

Happy 8th Birthday, Jay!!

More to come.........We have 2 new additions to the Siebert family.......Stay tuned!

The Four Wheeler Santa Sleigh Dilemma

For Christmas this year Jay asked Santa for three things: A computer, a go-kart and a four wheeler. Christmas morning instead of a high priced electronic or a death trap four wheeler he found a light sketching table for his car sketching. Santa did his best to explain why he was getting the sketching table instead of a go-kart or four wheeler. He explained that his sleigh simply wasn't sturdy enough to carry a go-kart or four wheeler. He didn't provide an explanation about the computer and Jay never questioned it.
To Jay's credit, he didn't complain about Santa not coming through for him. As New Year's came to an end it was obvious to me his light sketching table was not his favorite gift but he never alluded he was disappointed until about a week ago. Our conversation went something like this:
Jay: "Mom, I don't get it. How is it that Santa can deliver presents to every child in the world but he claimed his sleigh wasn't sturdy enough for a go-kart or four wheeler?"
Me: "Precisely, Jay, he is delivering packages to the entire world. Imagine how a go-kart or four wheeler would weigh his sleigh down."
Ever persistent, Jay continued and this time I could detect a little anger in his voice, "Well I just don't understand how he could use that as an excuse."
Truthfully, I was dumb-founded and I let the conversation end at that. Jay's heart was really into Santa this year. I just hope it didn't crush his "Santa spirit" for next year.

Almost Perfect

As the first week of my resolutions comes to an end I have to say, I didn't do too bad. I walked 3 days and although I didn't meet my goal of walking 30 minutes or the 4 days, I at least got off my butt and walked 15-20 minutes. I scrapbooked not one but two full page lay-outs in my mom's xmas album. I haven't taken Jay ice-skating yet but the month isn't over yet. It amazes me how I am becoming more and more like my mother every year. For the first time I ordered Guideposts Daily Devotionals. I received it yesterday and first thing this morning I eagerly started reading the devotionals that began on January 1. I love Guideposts. The stories inspire me and make me want to be a better person so I'd say spiritually I'm headed in the right direction. I'm certainly not perfect but in terms of my resolutions, the week wasn't half bad.

And Happy 1 year Anniversary to my blog! I have really enjoyed writing this past year. I am using my favorite blogs in my scrapbook album.

Our Snow Day

We got a lot of snow overnight so the boys did not have school today and me driving into work would have been a joke. Mike left for work at 3 a.m. so I would have been going solo, something I just wasn't up for. The boys and I headed out in the snow this morning. It was a light and fluffy and not the best sledding snow but they made the best of it.

Although you can't really see it in this picture, Nick is upset and crying! By the time we were about ready to head inside he had had it with the cold!

2010 Resolutions

I admit it, I usually don't make new year's resolutions but this year I did. I try to make resolutions that are reasonable and something I really want to improve on. I'm going out on a limb this year because I'm actually putting them down in writing which holds me accountable at the end of the year to see how I did.
My 2010 resolutions include:
-Growing in my spiritual journey. This is also one area where I really lack as a mother. I do not have the boys in church, learning about Jesus, nearly enough. My goal is to make it to church 3x/month. I also want to branch out a little bit and try some new churches.
-Watch my finances. I want to be more aware of anything I'm spending money on that I don't need. My impulsivity and money have improved leaps and bounds compared to even 5 years ago but there is still progress that can be made.
-I want to work out 30 minutes 4 days/week. I haven't quite decided when I will do this. The reality of this is I won't get up in the mornings. I have the best intentions but when the alarm goes off and I think about going down to my cold basement in the dead of winter, let's just say I'd rather have a root canal. I should work out over lunch but that would require a gym membership (which contradicts my 2nd resolution). I'm still mulling this over so stay tuned.
-I want to do one activity one-on-one with each one of my boys each month. During January Jay has picked to go ice-skating so I'll be heading out to the rink, just Jay and I. These activities don't have to cost money. Today, I sat with Nick and played play-doh and he was happy as a clam.
-I want to scrapbook a one-page lay out per week. I love to scrapbook but I have gotten so far behind. The thought of selling off my scrapbook stuff actually crossed my mind recently but the bottom line is I love to do it and it brings me a lot of enjoyment. I just need to devote more time to it.

So, here's goes to my 2010 resolutions! Hopefully I can stick to them.

2009 Re-Cap

Happy New Year. On Jan. 9, 2009 I started this blog. Nearly one year later I am pleased with how I've utilized it and I like to think I've developed my writing skills. I printed off my favorite 2009 blogs for my scrapbook album. Some of the stories will hopefully bring some entertainment to the boys and I in the years to come. Time flies by so fast I often forget little details that encompassed so much of my life, whether it was which one of my boys said what or what "thing" they were into. This blog has been a good way for me to document their actions/sayings in a fun, humorous way.
2009 was a really good year. Here's what happened:
-Jay turned 7 in January, Nick turned 3 in April. I celebrated my 35th birthday in May and came to realization that no matter how much I spend on facial products, I will still get zits.
-We made the most progress on our home. We got a yard established. Mike finished our breakfast bar and started the difficult job of designing our fireplace (more to come on that).
-It was the wettest spring, summer and fall I can ever remember.
-Jay got his tonsils out in August. It was the best thing for him. He hasn't been sick a day since he got them out.
-Nick's obsession with penguins reached its peak this Christmas when he added his GIANT penguin to his family of 4, Giant made it a happy family of 5. People bought him penguin xmas ornanments, bath toys, etc...
-I worked in Public Affairs from April until the end of November. It was refreshing to write and work with new people. But I'm happy to be back working claims. One thing I learned was writing is truly my passion. I would love to write a book one day. But I also learned there is something to be said about coming to work, doing a good job and not thinking about it when you go home.
-Mike started working crazy hours and picks Jay up from school everyday. Father and son are like two peas in a pod. I am in awe of Mike on almost a daily basis. Everything he does he does with a positive attitude and such calmness and he has been Jay's rock (and often mine) when it comes to school work.
-Nick started going to Pre-K in October. He goes to the same school as Jay now. This is one of those details I don't ever want to forget. There is something so sweet putting your 3 year old on a school bus every morning.
-We went to Disney in December. It was a magical vacation and I look forward to going again - one day.
So here's to 2010!