Snout or Death

Zander has always been the kind of kid to join in. He hates being left out. No matter what. This attitude has always made him the center of attention. His latest experience is no different. He hasn't felt well for a couple of days, but nothing serious. Just tired and worn out. Then he felt a little warm to me one morning. This morning happened to be the second-to-last day of school, FIELD DAY, he wasn't about to miss it. So he didn't. That day I received an e-mail from the school announcing that they have had a case of Swine Flu. Oh great. Zander came home from school and felt great. However, the next morning his fever was pretty high and he told me with a quivering lip and tears welling in his big blue eyes "mom, I don't feel so good, I don't think I'm gonna make it to school today". I knew it was serious, this was the LAST day of school! Who misses that? One sick little boy, that's who. We made the 20 mile trek to see the doc, H1N1. Well, a 95% chance of having the H1N1 virus. Bummer.

So he knows he's sick and he knows how to milk it.

This is my little sicky enjoying the spoils of being pampered. Food in bed, videos, unlimited tv, cool rags on his forehead. Aah, the good life.

Aunt Ashley brought him a fun little care package. Piggy gum, a piggy puzzle and a cute piggy card.

The only problem with this is, we hadn't used the term "Swine Flu" in front of Zander yet. The only thing he and Vinny knew about it was what he had seen on the news. Scary warnings and people dying. So, they read the cute card from Ash and their faces fell. "Is it true?" Vinny asked. "Yep" I answered much too nonchalantly for his taste. Vince canceled his pending playdate and went straight into big brother protective mode. He swapped out Zander's cool forehead rags, brought him snacks and drinks, fluffed pillows, anything he needed.

Then he created signs for all of our doors to protect any visitors.

It wasn't until later that night when Zander asked "So, when am I going to die?". WHAT?! Good grief! My boys actually thought that Zan was on his literal deathbed. Poor babies. He was in pretty good spirits considering he was sure he was terminal. Jerm and I assured them that everything was going to be just fine and Zander would get better soon. They were totally relieved. Then Vinny asked one last question.

"So, are you sure he won't grow a pig-nose?"

Happy Birthday Ash! 

I hope you have a really fun day and get to do something you really wanna do.

 This pic was taken on your 7th b'day. I wonder why you opted for the pink kitties in lieu of anything green? weird. Those are Angie's acid washed jeans in the background. sweet. I don't remember what I gave you but, I'm sure it was something cool. Because when you turned 7, I was 16 and you thought everything I did was cool. Those were the days my friend.    *sigh*   Now the roles have changed and I think you're cool and wish I could fit into your clothes. hee hee. 

They may have voted, but they were wrong.

WHATEVER!!

I did not see that coming. What's wrong with you, voters of America? Why are you choosing people that may be able to sing well, but have no sustainability or entertainment value? Have we not learned our lesson from the dying flame of Diana Degarmo, Mathew Roberts, Jessica Sierra etc. etc. I could go on. All made it in to the top 12 and all completely forgettable. Degarmo even came in second place! Where is she? who cares.

Okay, I'm over it.

Now on a truly sad musical note, Steven Page has left the BARENAKED LADIES

I've got what I want,and that's rid of you

Goodbye

And it's not 'cause I'll be missing you

That makes me fall apart

It's just that I didn't mean to break

No I didn't mean to break

No I didn't mean to break

Your heart

Well, too late. Heart broken. Okay a little dramatic, but BUMMER!!

Most fun concert ever, Hangin' out with my two cool sisters, dancing and singing along to my favorite songs. Buying T-shirts.

All over.

"Barenaked Ladies" may as well be the "Half Dressed Middle-Aged Men" without him. Oh well.

By the way, do you see the resemblance? (Steven Page, Drew Carey, Kevin James)

I love these guys! Jereme asked if he should get some blond highlights. hmm. Maybe just glasses :)

Aunt min's Valentine Spectacular!

We did a lot of stuff this weekend. Uncle Jerm allowed us all to defy gravity.

Zander went first to demonstrate.

Belle went the highest.

Vinny Screamed the loudest.

Gigi laughed the hardest.

Lincoln was the bravest.

(most of them were caught)

We also went ice skating.

Gigi was initially excited to wear the "fancy ice dancer" shoes. That enthusiasm immediately vanished when she tried to stand up.

Zander attempted some tricks and landed right on his face after this one.

Belle had bragging rights being the ONLY one, including the adults, that didn't fall down.

Vinny impressed us all with his coordination. This is him prepping for a double axle.

Unfortunately, I don't have any great pics of Linc. He did make it around the rink twice with me right by his side. He told me to check my watch, I did- "7:34 why Linky?" "So I can tell my parents when I learned to skate by myself!" However, I didn't trust my abilities enough to take my camera out onto the ice. :(

He & Gigi enjoyed the rest of the time watching the big kids and playing with our phones.

We baked cookies too. 

They went quick.

I made "Romantic Chicken Pillows" with "Romeo & Juliet" beans.

Not a hit.

Jerm and Zan were the only 2 that even tried it. The rest of the gang opted for cold cereal or quesadillas over my lovely love-themed culinary creation. Whatever.

Jerm thought they were scrumptious. Thanks babe.

We even had time for games.

Almost everyone slept in the basement after watching some fun flicks.

We had a great time.

Happy Birthday Jerm!

So I'm totally copying my sisters' creativity but here are 35 reasons Jereme is so cool.

1. He loves everything I cook 

2. He could beat up a burglar if he had to 

3. He wouldn't beat anyone up even though he could 

4. He tells me I'm beautiful no matter what I look like 

5. He makes up funny names for me like "Myhotness Ghandi" 

6. He let's me paint our house any color I want 

7. He builds the coolest snow forts

http://clips.ksl.com/_One-of-the-Coolest-Snow-Forts-Ever/VIDEO/135299/5124.html?widgetld=5366 

8. He's a good scout 

9. He tucks his boys in every night 

10. He kisses the boys every morning before work 

11. He kisses me before he leaves the house, every time 

12. For a big guy he doesn't sweat too much 

13. He never has b.o. 

14. He doesn't gamble 

15. He never swears 

16. He watches TV with me 

17. He likes to go to movies 

18. He thinks I'm really talented 

19. He's not picky, about ANYTHING 

20. He's competitive 

21. He plays a mean Guitar Hero 

22. He is our hero 

23. He's freakishly strong 

24. He'll move your piano single-handedly 

25. He's always willing to help 

26. He does his home teaching 

27. He usually has something to say in Sunday School 

28. He ALWAYS has something to say to someone he runs into 

29. He has an extensive history of old "girlfriends" that he's friendly with 

30. He still has every friend he's ever made 

31. Everybody's mom likes him 

32. He's not shy 

33. He let's me put my cold feet on him in bed 

34. He can sleep anywhere, anytime but doesn't so he can go to school full-time and work 2 jobs starting at 3am to better our family 

35. He loves me as much as I love him.

I Love TV

It's true. I don't drink, do drugs, wear tube tops, swear, smoke or spit. But I do watch tv and plenty of it. Say what you will, I don't care. I watch all kinds- comedies, dramas, cops & robbers, reality, romance, cartoons, news and game shows- love 'em all. I've been in between semesters for about a month so, I've had fair opportunity to catch up on my programs. One lovely winter morning I flipped on the tube for my morning routine (Matt Lauer then Drew Carey "come on down!") No TV. There was however, a message from the cable company flashing across the screen telling me to pay my bill if I want to continue service. hmm. I know Jerm and I were discussing ways in which we could save a few bucks, and I sort of remember cable TV coming in to the conversation. Nothing was clear in my head, I panicked. I called Jerm on his cell (thankfully we still had service), he confirmed the cable being shut off. Bummer. He didn't have the same urgency to remedy the problem as I did.  After subtle hinting and a little nagging he built me an antenna. He made this thing out of tinfoil, cardboard and a spare 2x4; stuck it in the attic and tada! mama has her stories.

Now, I'm still adjusting to my lack of cable. Some of my favorite shows are no longer available to me. The list is too long for this already lengthy blog but here are a few:

I'll see you soon Mr. Monk. I'm not willing to give you up completely so I will be downloading you on to my iPod.

There's nothing like the soothing sound of Lennie Briscoe in the middle of the afternoon when your folding laundry. I may miss you the most. Buh buh. 

I've been filling Lennie's void with a combination of Ben and Judge Judy. eh.

Oh how I love reality marathons. America's Next Top Model, Top Chef & Project Runway.

I was just getting into reruns of 6 feet under and Leverage. They had better put Dexter back on NBC, and I feel ill when I think of all the old movies I don't know I'm missing.* Done ranting*

There is a glimmer of hope. I've heard there's a local channel that airs my friend Tom at 10. 

I haven't found him yet but I haven't given up. Jerm might have to crawl up in to the attic and add some more sawdust to his magic contraption.

The worst part? No DVR. I've been a DVR advocate since day 1. I should get a commission from TiVo for all the people I talked into it! Simply the best invention since cable itself. The joy of coming home after a long day, putting the kids to bed and watching all the stuff I missed. Ahh. 

Those days are GONE sista! If I want to watch something later I'm going to have to figure out how to work the VCR again! And will someone please tell me what in the heck I'm supposed to do on Thursday nights when The Office, Ugly Betty and Survivor are all on at once?!

I'm living in the dark ages here folks.