it's been awhile, i know, and christmas is already here ...

but i've been busy, busy, busy ...

and if you were to ask me "doing what?" i would have to think about it awhile before answering you.

i've been working on my house, working AT my house, working with the kids, and working at work (ok, maybe not working at work, but i've BEEN at work, WHICH, is a job in and of itself).

so, i've been very busy.

right now, i'm tackling the daunting task of buying christmas gifts and making sure that the kids don't see them before i get them into the house. NOT an easy task because i have very nosey kids.

fortunately (or perhaps, UNfortunately, i haven't yet decided), i always have a messy car. so what i've been doing is hiding bags under the mess in the front seat. i've even taken to putting black trashbags in the trunk area of my car, so when i buy something, at least the kids won't see a big ass TOY R US bag. instead, they just continue with the belief that their mom is rather messy and that she's transporting trash around the city (sigh).

anyway, every year i try to figure out what to get them, and this year, i would really like some suggestions. i haven't yet gotten to the dollar store, but that's next on my list (nothing stuffs a stocking better than things that cost a dollar ...)

so, i have three kids (in case you're just tuning in) that are 8 (boy), 7 (boy) and 4 (girl).

send me your gift suggestions (since i'm so busy and since i WORK so much, i welcome your ideas).

thanks!

i got her on the screamin' eagle ...

yay!



so, we went to six flags yesterday. and it was good.



fright fest, wasn't all that frightful -- well, maybe the PRICES were, but all else was expected. there was a haunted house that was an extra $5 to enter - and we all entered. which, was interesting, b/c you bought the tickets, then walked through this line "maze", and THEN, the ghoul at the end asked for your ticket. AFTER they got your ticket, the one that you paid for, THEN they tell you that kids under 12 might not want to enter. WELL SHIT, why didn't they tell me that prior to me purchasing the damned ticket? regardless, i had heard that the haunted house was a bit hokey, so i wasn't worried, or anything, just a bit outdone by the trickery.



we didn't go on the haunted hayride (another $5 each) but did ride the "terror train" (which was free, and honestly, SHOULD have been free - it was pretty awful. AND cold outside).



but the most exciting part of the day for me, was ...



my sweet little four year old rode the screamin' eagle roller coaster! and she didn't scream, or cry, or otherwise! she just held on to my arm and enjoyed the ride! i was so proud of her.



unfortunately, the roller coaster nazi wouldn't let her ride again. the second time we tried to ride, they did a height check on her. turns out they think that she was 2inches too short (a different ride said that she was half an inch too short - next time she'll have lifts).



we expected this, so she wasn't too heart-broken.



the boys, of course, were fine to go by themselves.



all in all, a good day.

the girly-girl ...

this is my last post today, i PROMISE!

my daughter is turning into a girly-girl (i think).

seems as though, even though she endlessly tortures her older brothers (and me, see earlier blog on how they are all trying to kill me), she is still more girly than i may be comfortable with.

for example:

- she USE to love swimming, and now, she won't even get her face wet.
-she runs like a girl.
-she thinks that shaking her little butt is cute. (and yes, i'm working on that)
-she tries to talk baby-talk to get her way, or when acting silly. (again, working on that)

i am just not sure what's going on. the boys were (and probably still are) trying to make her more boy-friendly. she can almost pass gas at will, and she thinks burping is the greatest thing ever. whereas i don't approve of that, it's really distressing that she doesn't want to swim anymore.

granted, she's three now, and she might just change her mind ...

see? she's FICKLE!

sigh.

he's in the army now ... well, almost

yesterday, i drove my 7 year-old (almost 8 year old) to military camp.

no, he's not a "bad" child and i was not trying to punish him. it's a really fun place where boys (and only boys at this particular military academy) rappel 40 ft walls, swim, learn archery, camp out, and shoot rifles (among other wonderful things).

when we got there, we went through this really organized sign-in procedure where he was "issued" his uniform. the uniform consisted of a military hat, camouflage shorts, and a t-shirt with the name of the school across the front. they were ALL TOO FREAKIN BIG FOR MY LITTLE BOY! which, of COURSE made it all the cuter!

i think that he's going to learn a lot of cool stuff while there. i'm so very excited for him. and of course, i sent him a letter (mailed it on saturday so that he would get it today).

my worry? is that the older and/or bigger boys might be mean to him. sigh.

anyway, i'm really excited for him, and can't wait to pick him up on saturday -- oh, i almost forgot to mention -- there's going to be a "ceremony" on saturday. i can't even IMAGINE what that's going to entail.

i'll be sure to take pictures and post them.

that's right.

i'm actually going to POST a picture.

UPDATE: i just called the school. yes, i did. and was told that he had an opportunity to call on tuesday. so, the only LOGICAL thing for me to think now is that a larger boy prevented him from calling me. or that he was last in line, and larger boys took too long on the telephone and when it was his turn, it was too late. yeah. i think that's the ONLY explanation that's feasible. the good major is supposed to call me back with a report of some sort. i'll keep you posted. damned larger boys!