Stupid people, once again!!

This morning Ella and I took a trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things we needed - diapers, wipes, shampoo, milk - you know, the essentials. It was actually going well until time to check out. Ella was losing her patience, so I thought I would go through the self-check line to save time. Boy was I wrong!! As I checked out, Ella started crying and begging to get out of the buggie. As any mother knows, this makes your patience disappear! I got all the items checked out and was pushing the buttons on the screen to pay when something weird showed up. It said "Visual verification required". I pushed the go back button, but nothing happened, so I pushed the help button. By this point Ella is pretty loud. The lady at the little desk didn't come. I looked over and she was talking to someone and playing with that person's baby. My patience is gone, and my mad was increasing. She finally came and by this time Ella was very loud - people were starting to look! She pushed the go back button. Surprise, it didn't work for her either! She entered some code and asked me about pants. I said I had bought pants. She said, for $14.83? I said yes. Ella is now almost at full volume. The lady asks to see the pants, so I show her the bag they are in, and she proceeds to pull them out, dumping the entire contents of that bag in my buggy! She says I did not ring them up. I asked her how did the computer know I had pants that cost $14.83 if I did not ring them up. She said again that I did not ring them up. I am feeling wrongly accused by this point! I told her I did not mean to not ring up the pants and could she check. She pulled up my order on the screen and began to look for the pants. She said, see you did not ring them up. I tapped the screen with my finger and said LOOK! they are right here, I DID ring them up! By now Ella is at full volume with tears and sobbing. She punched in another code and walked away. Did she apologize? NO! Did she help me repack the bag she dumped out? NO! By the time I left the store, I could have rung that woman's neck! It just makes you wonder what they say in the interview process that gives the impression that they have any common courtesy! So, to try to make me and Ella feel better, I hit the McDonald's drive-thru. After talking to Les, I decided to call and speak to the manager to let him know why I will NEVER shop at that Wal-Mart again. I called. It rang 15 times before someone picked up and said "who are you holding for". I asked to speak to the manager and was put on hold and then cut off! I thought the www would be a better voice! So, if you are reading this and you live in the Charlotte or Fort Mill area, I am talking about the Wal-Mart on S. Tryon. Help me with my protest and use a different Wal-Mart! Moms UNITE!!!

We love you, Daddy!!!

Orange - the final chapter for 07

Well the orange are finished for the season. We had to forfeit both of our tournament games due to not enough players. I guess that's what you get when you create a team full of mommy's and the tournament doesn't start before the first day of school! It was a great year and I can't wait for next season!

The family comedian!

Ella is so funny! She says some of the cutest things. This morning, Les came back after taking the kids to school to grab his computer, and he called Ella downstairs to tell her goodbye. She leaned over to give him a kiss and said "Rough". He asked her if his face was rough, and she said "Yes", so he took her hand and rubbed his cheek and she said "Better". We just laughed! She won't be 2 until October and she talks like most 3 year olds! Her favorite trick is when it is time to get her PJ's on for bed, she runs away. Not out of the room, just from her bed to Grace's. She thinks it is soooo funny! Mommy really doesn't !

I' m funny, right Mom!

2nd day of school

It is amazing how fast the newness of something can wear off. This morning I went in to wake Grace up for school and she wasn't as excited as I thought she would be. More like had absolutely no interest at all in getting out of the bed!! I woke her up at 6:30am and at 6:55am I was still trying to get her out of the bed! Then she turned on the tears and the "I don't want to go to school". So I go into "Mommy mode" trying to figure out why the sudden change of heart. I start asking, why, did someone do something, was somebody mean to you, did something happen- you know all those questions that we ask to figure out who wronged our child and so we know who we are going to rip from limb to limb. She looks at me and says "I'm tired! I just want to sleep." I just shake my head! I try my best to assure her that she will be alright and she finally gets moving. After getting dressed, eating breakfast, and getting her hair fixed, she is brushing her teeth and decides that she is awake and has enough energy to go to school. I am very scared to see what puberty brings! What am I saying, puberty nothing, who knows what the 3rd day of school will bring!

ORANGE UPDATE

The Orange was victorious Tuesday in the first round of the tournament. Unfortunately, we will not have enough players and will have to forfeit our next game. I guess we will have to fight our way to the championship through the loser bracket. :)

Our next appearance on the field will be Monday, so to be continued . . .

First day of school - part 2

Here's a few more pictures. Grace getting settled in her class. Hanging up her backpack, and reading books with her new classmates. She is such a big girl and she makes me so proud!! I tried to go and take a picture of Jonathon in his class, but the batteries died in my camera!

First day of school!!!

Today was the first day of school for 2 of my 3 kids. Jonathon started 4th grade and Grace started Kindergarten. I can't believe they are possibly that old! They were both excited and ready to go - not sure I can say the same about Mom.

Time to go. Kindergarten, here I come!!!

Mom, Let's go!!!

Outside the school, ready to go in and start the first day. Don't they look like two great students?

This picture makes me sad. I can't believe my baby girl is "walking on her own". Sorry. I am feeling a little sappy today.

It seems like just yesterday Grace was Ella's age! Here she is, ready to go in class!

Orange lives on . . .

Even though it wasn't for certain, Orange's season is not over!! The tournament starts Tuesday. We play at 6:30, so everyone wear your orange and cheer us on!! I'll let you know how it goes! Go Orange!

Here's a shot of me in action. Don't you love the socks! This is a 630 game because I am wearing a visor, not my orange do-rag! My theory is if I wear enough orange, it will distract the batter. Not sure it works, but anything is worth a try!

Bedtime Blues

My kids really don't like to go to bed. They would much rather stay up. They each have their own ways of stalling, which are pretty comical at times.

Ella is all about routine. She wants things done in the same order every time. Last night she added something new - she wants to sit in a box during her bedtime story. Les and I tried so hard not to laugh as she was moving the box exactly where she wanted and climbing in. I wish I would have had a video camera!

Finally in bed- after the box, a fight to put on PJ's, picking which green blanket she would be covered up with first and finding the right things to sleep with (book, M'house, cup of water, etc.)

Jonathon really hates going to bed because his favorite show -MYTHBUSTERS- comes on at 9pm. Last night he was really bummed because it was a new episode. He looks pitiful, doesn't he? (Notice the nice blue paint, thanks G-Pa!!)

Grace is the best at stalling. She uses things like brushing her teeth for 10 minutes and then needing to floss, or going to the bathroom, or getting a drink or her new favorite "My tummy hurts". As you can tell from the picture, she is NOT asleep. It was well after 9:30 before she went to sleep last night.

What am I going to do with these 3? Kiss them, hug them and send them to bed!!

Beauty Queen

I think God gave me Grace because inside I really want to be a girlie girl, but I just can't pull it off. Grace loves anything to do with beauty! Hair, nails, make-up, jewelry, dresses, she loves it all! Today we were messing around and I curled Grace's hair with hot rollers. The results were way cool!

To quote Grace "I look so cute!!"

We are in sooooo much trouble in a few years!!!

Women pay good money for highlights like these!

I have the most beautiful child, on the inside and out!

The Great Outdoors

Recently, I have been trying to create a play area in the back yard. So far I have a sand box, a climbing slide, and a small table and chairs. As you can tell, the kids think it is a hit!

Their favorite thing to play on the slide is pirate ship. It has a steering wheel, so they can guide the ship. We bought it 2nd hand off a neighbor. We got a good deal, but the real story is how we got it home - just picture it on top of the van with yours truly holding on to it, standing in the open sliding door of the van. Can you say "redneck"? Of course we saw 3 of our neighbors during the 2 minute ride!

Whee! Ella!!

Ella loves the "band box"! She will take the top off by herself if no one will help her!

The sand box is now a boat. Row, row, row your boat, Grace!

So sweet!

Bathing Beauties!

Update:
I removed the pictures off this post because of searches that make me uncomfortable.

The girls usually take a bath together - it save time and my knees! The other night, they were both in a good mood, so out came the camera!

Two of the cutest mermaids I have ever seen!!!

"Hi, Gracie! Don't you just love taking a bath? Don't we have the best mom in the world!" (she really could be saying that! :)

"Do I get to put the bubbles in my hair, Mom?"

Bath time is the best!!!

Our Last Game

Last night was the last game of the season, and unfortunately, we lost. It didn't help that it was 102 when we walked on the field or that we only had 9 players (we could have used you Mrs. Wade!) or that we had to play extra innings. It is bittersweet. I love to play, but am kinda glad when it is over. We still may have a tournament. The AD for the complex where we play left in the middle of the season, and the fate of the tournament is up in the air. No matter our record at the end of the season, the thing I enjoy the most is the ladies on the team. They are great! Until next season, GO ORANGE!!!

Bandanna Day

Today, for reasons unknown, we all wore bandannas. Maybe it is the heat affecting us or the endless amount of children in my house everyday, who knows? So what else do you do when everyone is wearing things on their heads, but take pictures. Here they are!

I am really proud of this shot, because I figured out how to use the timer on my camera and didn't cut any one's head off! :) The whole gang- Charlotte, Jonathon, Grayson, Ella, Me, Grace and Victoria

Ella- if only she would look at the camera!

Can you tell who is the "diva" in the group? Everybody looks too cute !

Orange update

Can you say UGLY? We played so bad our last game I am surprised they will let us back on the field. The amazing part is we only lost 9 to 6. If we would have had a good game, we would have creamed them! Next game is Thursday, so we will try again!

Tagged!

I got tagged on Jen's blog, so here goes!

4 jobs I have had:
1. Director of childcare center
2. Receptionist at home building office (this lasted 1 week! much better with kids!)
3. Wife of Les and mother of Jonathon, Grace and Ella(trust me, this is a FULL time job!)
4. In home preschool operator -aka teacher, owner, nurse, etc. :)

4 places I have lived:
1. Seneca, SC
2. Elgin, SC
3. Fountain Inn, SC
4. Fort Mill, SC

Favorite TV Shows:
1. Lost
2. CSI (any of them)
3. most of HGTV's line up!!
4. The Cosby Show

Favorite Foods:
1. Any type of pasta
2. Cheesecake
3. Oreo cookie blast from Sonic
4. Chips Ahoy cookies
5. Cheeseburgers!

Places I'd rather be:
1. Lying on the beach with a good book
2. In SuperTarget without kids and without a spending limit with a buddy!
3. Hanging out on the deck with my family (we don't have a deck, yet, so this is a friendly reminder to my hubby :)
4. At my grandparents house listening to really cool stories about when they were growing up!

Favorite Movies:
1. A Knights Tale
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
3. High School Musical
4. Pearl Harbor
5. Father of the Bride 1 and 2

People I tag to do this:
Anyone who wants! It is kinda of fun to stop and think about these things!

Happenings

I am officially a terrible blogger. I just can't seem to find time or 'want to' to blog. Here's whats been going on around here lately.

Saturday, Les and Jonathon went to Fan Fair at Panther stadium with our friends Chris and Bradley Bott. They had a blast! They got to hang out, see a practice, get their face painted (Jonathon and Bradley, not Chris and Les), and get autographs. Jonathon is now a die hard Panther fan! While the boys were sweating to death in the heat, Grace, Ella and I hit the mall with the other half of the Botts-Laura, Emily and Julianne. It was tax free weekend! I racked up at Gap Kids, getting 8 articles of clothing for only $55. I was very proud of myself! The kids were very good and both the babies fell asleep in the stroller- at least for about 15 minutes!

Over the last couple of weeks, Cindy and I have been exercising in the mornings. We do a walk/run course in our neighborhood. Right now, we do more walking than running, but we are getting there! The other day, I drove it in the van to see how far we go - it is 2.5 miles!!! I know you must be impressed!! I don't get to go every morning because Les goes to the gym, but Cindy goes and gets more running done when I am not there :)

School starts in a little over 2 weeks and I can't believe Grace is going to kindergarten! Now I know what my mom was talking about when she said, 'you blink and they are grown'. It is bittersweet. I am so proud of the big girl she is, but I miss her being little. For example, this morning at church, she came to the door of my SS class (I teach 3rd grade) and said she had lost her earring. Doesn't it seem like she is too young to lose an earring? (We never did find it!)

Ella is growing by leaps and bounds! She can talk so well. Tonight she picked up the phone and had a conversation with no one. She said 'allo Grandy. What you doing? Bye, love you' It was too sweet! (Mom, you can wipe that tear off you cheek now :) She is so independent and set in her ways! Things have to be with who they belong to. One day Les was using my cell phone because he couldn't find his -big surprise :), and she had a fit! Mommy's hello! she screamed until he gave it back. She also has a certain order to do things. Each night, she has to pick which blanket goes on her first. (It really doesn't matter because they are exactly the same!) I wouldn't want her to be any other way!! One day those strong will qualities will come in handy!

In the last week, I have rearranged my bedroom (looks great, a lot more room!) and hung curtains downstairs. Do you think someone is watching too much HGTV? Probably, but whats a girl to do !!

Orange update

After a week off, we played last night and lost something bad (17 to 2). The team we played is a new team this year. They were good. They could hit! We had 2 innings where we played poorly in the field, and it killed us. Oh well, we play again Thursday.