Happy 21st Birthday Beaner!

My littlest sister, Colleen, turns 21 today! Wish we were around to celebrate! Here's what we would sing! Hope you have a GREAT Birthday Beaner!

The Disney Experience

We just got back from five days at Disney in Paris, France. We left on Wednesday morning and were in the car, ready to go at 8am. Our expected arrival time was noon. The trip started out with Erik ripping on me, because I went the Euro Store (Dollar Store) and bought "too much crap" for the trip. I was just anticipating having to entertain the kids for four hours or more. Plus, who wouldn't want a googly eyeball that lights up, or a slinky with slime on the ends?

When we got into Belgium, we were stuck in the biggest traffic jam of our lives. (This is after traveling through Chicago, to get home from Indiana, for five years!) Two semi trucks collided 10 miles ahead of us. They erupted into flames and burnt the highway and we were unable to travel on it. It was such a mess, that we were stuck on the highway for NINE hours! (Whose making fun of the dollar store now!)

We were STUCK, and not moving at all. It was horrible! Erik and I were SO crabby and the kids held up better than we did. There was NO where to go to the bathroom, and nothing to do because it was raining out. The trip finally ended after I had to go to the bathroom in the kids sippy cup twice, Curtis wet his pants once, Erik and I were ready to throw Johnny out the car window, and ready to get a divorce! (:

The rest of the trip was WONDERFUL! Weather was great, about upper 50's and sunny. The kids were at great ages to visit Disney. Erik was WAY into the free food at the breakfast buffets. It was the fastest I ever saw him get out of bed in the morning. I was WAY into being the first person in the park and enjoying it for 2-3 hours before it got crowded. The kids loved the hotel and the pool! It's a trip I'd take again in an instant and will never forget!

Old Mc Johnny

You'll have to hit the pause button on the music- bottom right of the web page, to hear the videos!

Three Cheeky Monkey's Video

My 30th...

Today was a day I thought would NEVER come. My 30th Birthday! I remember when my mom turned 30, we decorated the yard in "Over the Hill" stuff. 30 was SO old! Then when my cousin Theresa turned 30- I remember thinking, MAN that sounds old! Erik turned 30 a few years ago. I gave him SO much crap (AND his friends)- because 30 was OLD! Now, today I'm thirty....and I can't believe how YOUNG thirty is!

We had a great day. It started bright and early with Curtis going under the bed to find the present he "hid" from me. (He must have told me what it was, and where it was hidden 30 times this week.) We went to lunch at a mom's house from Curtis' class. All the mom's there were British- and they will take ANY excuse to party...so they broke open bubbly at noon! I ran the kids butts off this afternoon- and they were asleep by 6pm. Now my friend Lynn is headed over with take-out and wine! We will sit and enjoy it, and the sunset this evening has brought! (Picture above) It was a great day...and I now think 50 is young!

Thanks to all for the cards, messages, and e-mails! You made my day extra special!

Those Crazy Brits...

One thing I've noticed since I've been here, is all of my British friends know how to party! I always tell them that they are "Crazy Brits." Here are a few reasons why;

• On Friday afternoons, we meet with a group of six moms and their kids on the beach at a restaurant. The moms all have a drink or two- wine, beer, or mixed drink. The kids play. It's a great way to start the weekend. Can't say I've ever done this in the USA.

• Last Tuesday we went to a 3 year old boy's birthday party. It was for my friend Sarah's son. They are from the UK. Anyways, I didn't even get through the door, before they asked me what I wanted to drink. I told them I'd have a glass of tea. Sarah said, "That's all?" I looked around, and everyone is drinking beer or wine. It's 2:30pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I told Sarah I was fine with just tea for now. The party was a BLAST, and we learned many new games that they play in the UK at parties. As the afternoon went on, and five o'clock rolled around, a few more glasses of wine were had by the mom's and the party went crazy. The music started...first it was just the Hokey Poky...but eventually, there was a HUGE Congo Line going around the house, mom's and all! It was the CRAZIEST kids birthday party I have ever been too! Curtis was absolutely LOVING it! He was in his glory in the middle of the Congo line with a huge smile on his face! Of course, I forgot my camera at home.

• On Thursday night, Curtis' school had an open house. I went with my friend Lynn, who I have really gotten to know and like. (I met her at a park in May, and her daughter is in Curtis's class.) I swear, she could be the fifth girl in my family! Anyways, Curtis goes to the British School here. Lynn and I were dressed up more than normal...meaning out of yoga pants, and into jeans, a nice sweater and boots. We walk through the door and the principal greeted us. She turned and said, "Please, have a drink from the PTA, and then find your child's classroom."

The PTA had a long table set up across the lobby of the school. On the left side of the table, were cans of Heineken Beer with a glass on top of each. In the middle of the table, were glasses of red wine, and on the right side of the table, were glasses of white wine. I am DYING and can't believe that they are offering us alcohol in school. I whispered to Lynn, "Are you kidding me?" and she was giggling. We walked to the classroom, and it's a darn good thing they had wine for us. It was like cocktail hour at a wedding! I turned to Lynn and whispered out of the side of my mouth, "Did someone forgot to send us the memo that little black dresses and hoochie boots were required?" Then took a big sip of my wine!

Johnny Be Good...

Johnny has been the BIGGEST crab-apple lately. After many days driving me insane, I looked in his mouth and saw that his two year molars were coming through. At least now I know it's teething. (His LAST four teeth, THANK GOD!)

I put him down for nap today and he wanted to sleep in his old crib. I didn't argue. He was quiet for 45 minutes and I just assumed he was sleeping. I learned that he had other ideas, when I poked my head in to check on him.

He opened the bathroom door, and found our "bath" crayons. They were up on the right side of the picture above, near that roll of toilet paper.
He made a master piece of himself and the crib.
Although I acted mad, I had to capture this on film.

Earlier this week, the boys had their "Bob the Builder" tool belts on and were playing. I was making dinner and heard them hit something. I looked and they were hitting the glass paneled wall in our apartment...and put a big spider looking shatter in it! So, between that panel that is broke and the red crayon on the bedroom wall, we are sure to be tops on our land lords "Hit" list!