This was a very big week. And you can tell because I didn't get to my blog Sunday night. Basically the entire week was getting ready for Bryn's Prom and Confirmation. Picking up the garter.

Thursday morning the dentist put on my permanent crown. I'm really surprised that the entire process was pain-free. Paige had a track meet in Cedarburg that afternoon that we opted not to drive out to.

Friday I took Paige over to a friend's house after track practice. Then Jeff and I went to Bryn's track meet. The meet was called the "Pre-Prom Invitational" and all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers got to stand on a podium and received flowers. I thought that was very appropriate for a girls meet. Bryn's 4x800 relay team placed first and therefore was awarded flowers. We returned home waiting for Paige to call for a ride home. No call by 9:30pm, so I searched for the girl's phone number. Unlisted. My only choice was to just drive back over. The house was completely dark. The mom answered the door in her bathrobe looking at me quizzically. I explained I didn't know what time to get Paige. She let me in and there I discovered Paige in a sleeping bag. "Oh! It's a sleepover!" News to me. I explained I'd pick Paige up in the morning. The mom was totally understanding.

Saturday morning was Little League Opening Day. Paige had to be there by 7:45am. She was too perky at first. Once we got a donut in her from the concession stand and her friends showed up we were good. We helped Miranda's mom push her car out of some pretty deep mud with the help of a good Samaritan who had a tow rope and big truck.

Meanwhile Bryn went with Kendal to Confirmation rehearsal. Then to lunch. I met up with them at the hair salon to see Bryn's updo in progress (and pay for it of course). Kendal helped Bryn with her makeup before she went back home. We hosted Bryn's date and parents for a few pictures at the house, then met another couple at the park for more pictures. It was warm enough out, but a little too breezy. From the park, everyone headed to the high school for the Grand March and more pictures! The kids then boarded the coach buses to the country club for dinner and the dance. We headed out for margaritas with the Seeds! We were not able to stay up til Bryn came home (about 2:30am).

Sunday morning my Dad and Jeff put up the martin house in the backyard. This was my parents' and my Dad cleaned it up for our yard. Because we have such open space, we really should attract martins. The note from my Dad on the house said "Happy Bird's Day!" My Mom and I prepared the food and ran and picked up some that I had ordered earlier. We were all set when the guests arrived at 1pm. Mass was at 4pm and was really nice. Bryn was a giftbearer. I can't say how pleased I am with Bryn choosing Kendal as her Confirmation sponsor.

Beautiful week all around.

Bryn is officially going to her Junior Prom! On Tuesday, she came home with the announcement that she has a date! The tickets have been purchased. Thursday we scheduled the updo appointment. Bryn bought her dress at the mall Friday shopping with her friend - so cute! Saturday we ordered the buttoneer from the florist. Now she just has to let us know where to show up for pictures next Saturday and we're all set!


Bryn and Paige both had track meets on Wednesday so Jeff and I had to divide and conquer. I went to Paige's home meet. She first ran the hurdles with great form. Her hurdles coach for this year isn't too experienced in the event, so he called over a high schooler from another area school who commented that Paige "is going to be wicked!" Paige also ran in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. This meet was a developmental meet, so they were just racing against themselves. Paige's next meet is tomorrow (Monday)! After the meet we dined at Cousins with her friends. Jeff went out to Brookfield to watch Bryn run at the Lady Spartan Invitational which hosted 16 teams. Bryn took 3rd in her heat of the 300M high hurdles and placed 3rd with her relay team in the 4x400. She also ran earlier in the 4x800 relay, but said they didn't do too good.

Friday I excused Paige from track practice and picked her up when school let out to drive her out to La Crosse for Little Siblings Weekend. The college did a good job of collecting names to set up carpools, but let's face it: who's going to let their kid ride with complete strangers for 3.5 hours? Bryn ended up bowing out of the event, seeing as she was already committed to playing with the band for the high school musical and participating in a retreat with her Mission Trip gang. So Paige and I rode up on that hot, sunny day only to see it disappear into the clouds before our eyes accompanied by radio interruptions by the National Weather Service. We never did experience the rain though. We dropped Paige's stuff in Abby's room, collected a few things of Abby's to take back, and headed off to register Paige and eat dinner. Abby's friend, Sadie, treated me to a burger and fries in The Cellar. Abby and her friends had just come back from a Powderpuff Football practice. The tournament was to be held Saturday afternoon. I'll have to find out if the weather cooperated. Jeff is headed out to La Crosse today to bring Paige back home and to take the futon out of Abby's room - making the move back home a little easier.

Bryn spent the night at church Friday with her Mission Trip crew, eating pizza, playing games outside. Saturday they were scheduled to participate in yard service with a larger group. The rain kept it from lasting the entire day, but they worked hard outside raking throughout the downpours until noon. She came home, took a hot shower and a long nap until dinner. Jeff and I went to see the high school musical, "Back to the 80s," Bryn was in the band for. It was really good! I, of course, embarrassed her and went on stage afterward to take this picture of the band.

With all the girls busy for a day, Jeff and I started to seriously clear out the basement for our upcoming rummage sale in May. It's so nice to be able to do it together. Jeff unearthed quite a few long-forgotten items and today while he's gone, I'm going to see what I can make presentable. After lunch, we took a break and headed to Sears where we finally purchased a new front-loading washer! We went in knowing we'd only be purchasing a washer, but of course, the model we choose comes with free pedestals ONLY if you order the pair (washer and dryer)! We finally decide too bad. We like the washer, so we'll just pay for the pedestal. But when it rings up, the pedestal "zeroes out" - so we still get it free! The salesperson was even surprised! It'll be delivered a week before the rummage sale so we can put the old one out to sell.

I called the dentist repeatedly on Monday hoping to schedule my appointment to fix my broken tooth. Apparently the office had the day off so I had to wait til Tuesday. They got me in first thing Wednesday morning and after determining that the root was not dead, continued to take a mold and sand down my tooth to prepare for my crown. Of course, as I walk out I see Ali's sisters in the waiting room and my entire left jaw is numb! So I can only give then a nod and a dorky half-smile. When I got to my car I decided to call in to work to explain that I was absolutely NOT going to be doing any talking at the 10:00 meeting that morning and embarrass myself further.

Paige and Bryn were off school all week for Spring Break.

Paige got a sleepover in (at someone else's house) Tuesday night and then a dad took them over to the Little League complex for some playing time. Nice.

Bryn's first outdoor track meet was held at Menomonee Falls on Wednesday. Because it was during Spring Break, it was termed a "developmental" meet where coaches are able to try girls out in events with no pressure to score. Bryn ran the 300 hurdles for the first time and came in 2nd. She also ran in the 4x800 relay which I arrived too late to see. But I did get to see her 4x400 team win! It was just warming up on Wednesday so it was perfect weather for a meet.

Bryn had to drive Paige to her 8:15am orthodontist appointment Thursday. (I already missed enough work this week.) Paige got invited to go bowling in the afternoon where I then picked her up and took her straight to Tae Kwon Do. Jeff and I spent the entire evening online and in AAA books making reservations for our way out to Banff this summer. These hotels are not even open yet and don't take reservations online so I did that Friday.

With Friday being the end of Spring Break, I hoped to entice my lounging daughters to help get the house back in order. Paige was anxious to jump on the trampoline so I recruited her to rake/thatch the lawn in that area. I took a turn when she was done. That is hard work! Paige and Bryn both went to see the movie "17 Again" with Zac Efron on opening night last Friday. They went at different times with different friends. They couldn't wait to see it and said it was good.


Saturday morning was beautiful!!!! Paige had softball practice and said she thinks she'll be playing 1st base alot and pitching! She's really excited about her team this year. I accompanied Bryn on a Marquette Open House tour. They offer a 6-year Physical Therapy program which saves her a year or two. The campus is beautiful of course. Bryn liked it. I commend Bryn on picking such a dedicated and competitive major. Marquette said about 1000 freshman apply to this program and 62 get in!!! We made grilling plans with Seeds Saturday night and let Bryn and Paige go out by themselves. It was nice to relate to parents going through the same stuff.

Jeff went to watch Bryn compete in the Indoor Track Conference meet on Wednesday where her 4x800 relay team placed 2nd, and she placed 5th in the hurdles.

Thursday Paige surprised us by showing up at our house with 2 girlfriends all prepared for a sleepover! Thanks Paige! They behaved knowing Jeff and I had to get up for work Friday.

Abby arrived back home Friday afternoon and took off on a bike ride when Jeff and I got home from work. Her girlfriends came over with birthday presents for Abby that night.

Saturday morning Paige had no problem bundling up for a chilly softball practice. It's easy to see what kids really like to do. Then that afternoon Abby came along to Paige's Tae Kwon Do testing. This testing lasted longer because Paige was going for her black belt. Unfortunately, she didn't break her board, but she'll do it at the next one! I spent most of the day with Abby's laundry.

Easter Sunday we all dressed up and met Kristin, Carlo, Bella and Lucy at Elmbrook Church. Then we had a really super yummy brunch at Kristin's after! Kristin makes really good quiche. My girls hid (maybe not too hard) eggs in the backyard, then helped Lucy and Bella fill their bags. Lucy was so cute - she'd just point whenever she spotted the next one and would put on that surprised face of hers! We had to leave Waukesha early afternoon in order to get everywhere we needed to go yet that day. We first headed west to get Abby back to La Crosse. We took her out to the Olive Garden (yes, it was actually open on Easter Sunday) and celebrated her 19th birthday. From La Crosse we headed east to Stevens Point where we had a campus tour scheduled for Bryn the next day. So Jeff and I checked in to our hotel, but Bryn and Paige were treated to an up close and personal dorm experience by staying with Ali and Kendal.

We met Bryn and Paige at the dorm lobby Monday morning and joined the ViewPoint campus tour group. Really enjoyed the tour. One of the best I've been on. I met up with a college friend of mine who was touring with her son and had fun comparing notes. We got back home around 4pm, and were extremely tired.

I'm going to see the dentist tomorrow morning as I chipped a molar sometime over the weekend and will be investing in my 2nd crown. Yea!

This week was pretty much all about Miss Bryn.

Because she scored so high at Solo & Ensemble a couple weekends ago, she was able to play her solo again at State which took place Monday evening. She again played beautifully, this time to a much smaller audience—me and the judge. (Lots of her friends come in to listen to her at Solo & Ensemble.) Best scorers at State win scholarships. Not sure when we find out the results.

Tuesday was Kevin's birthday at work and thank goodness for moms! Kevin's mom had him bring in an ice cream cake for our large office of 4, complete with birthday napkins, plates and silverware! It got an "Aww..." from me, as Kevin predicted. So yummy! No candles or singing though.


Wednesday Bryn competed in the 400, 4x800 and 4x400 in a very large indoor meet. Her 4x400 relay team was ahead til the last girl. Darn!

I wasn't able to switch our vacation week, so Bryn had to make a decision. She'll be attending Badger Girls State in Oshkosh while the rest of the family treks out to Banff, Canada. Of course I'm disappointed, but I was more upset by the speed in which she made the decision! We'll have to work out all the details when it gets closer.

Bryn also received a letter this week that announced she was accepted in the National Honor Society. Then another that she's been nominated to tour Europe in summer of 2010 with with Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music. C O N G R A T S B R Y N !

Friday night was a planned early night. And I was well aware of it being the 1st Friday of the month, which means church fish fry! I called Kristin & Carlo because I know they're usually up for it. We got to play with Bella and Lucy for a while before and after. Lucy was her crazy self at the fish fry making all kinds of faces!

Paige got to practice with her new softball team Saturday morning. She's excited because her 2 coaches this year are both college-age girls! Meanwhile Bryn was sitting in school taking the ACT. She was pretty nervous. I realized we hadn't filled in what 4 colleges to send her scores off to. Here are her choices: Iowa State, UW-LaCrosse, UW-Madison & Marquette. We've scheduled visits to UW-Stevens Point and Marquette over her spring break next week. And I just scheduled a visit to Madison in May. We'll probably visit Iowa in summer. Bryn wants to go into Physical Therapy or Athletic Training.

Bryn is off playing laser tag tonight which is a fundraiser for her summer mission trip. Paige is going to watch the CMA awards with me.

Back to the wedding last Saturday (21st). Jeff drove with Abby and Paige up to Appleton and was able to be at Chad & Robbyn's wedding ceremony. There were lots of pictures afterward. Jeff was invited for a drink at Cleo's downtown with his family, but didn't quite know what to do the girls so declined. Bryn drove me up after her two band ensembles, we arrived about 3:30pm and met Jeff, Abby and Paige at the hotel where we got ready. From there it was on to the reception out in Freedom. I was not disappointed with dinner, as they had yummy broasted chicken! and a lot of it! Chad & Robbyn's wedding cake was actually cupcakes! They were color-coded by the flower on top: red for carrot cake, blue for chocolate, etc. So good! The girls danced up a storm with cousin Kayla and Mitchell's girlfriend, Sam. The pic is of the father-daughter dance – Jeff had his arms full!

Abby's spring break ended as I drove with her back to La Crosse Sunday and Jeff went back to Milwaukee with Bryn and Paige. I took Abby and 2 of her good friends out for Chinese because they've never been able do Chinese yet. It was fun just soaking in their conversation. Monday I spoke at UW-La Crosse to a senior graphic design class about a typical day on the job. I have to admit my presentation was a little dry. But it's hard knowing what to share and what to edit out! Needed more interaction with the students. Obviously my job is not a professional speaker! I returned home to happily attend my BodyFlo class. My body needed stretching after all that weekend driving.

Jeff's little CRV is still on the mend. Jeff still want to try (God bless him!) one more thing! Some gasket that's on order. The car is certainly drivable, it's just a bit noisy.

I got to see Bryn win the hurdles and her 4x800 relay at her track meet in Cudahy this Thursday. Go Bryn! Forgot the camera though - I know Bryn was disappointed. She also ran the 4x400, but I didn't stay to watch. They placed 2nd. In the meantime, Paige and a few other students went with her Science teacher to help at an elementary school Science Fair. They held animals for the kids to pet.

Paige got her Little League draft call and will be playing on the Cardinals again this year. Her best friend, Miranda, got on the same team for the first time in their softball careers! Miranda was over all day yesterday making an extra-credit movie to accompany their Oregon Trail journal for social studies. They used puppetry and it's pretty cool. If Paige doesn't go into some sort of video arts for a career, I'll be surprised.

Bryn has been selected to Badger Girls State! What an honor! It just happens to take place the same week as our trip to Banff (June 21 - 16). Poop. I'll be on the phone with our timeshare company working that out this week. I really hope we can move our vacation. Bryn played with the high school Wind Symphony at Menomonee Falls Junior Miss Pageant last night. I asked if she got a lot of flak for not being a contestant. She said she'd never do that physical fitness routine the contestants did.


What a difference a day makes! Yesterday I see the promise of spring as I see my crocuses popping up and today it's back to the winter doldrums with 4 new inches of snow! Subsequently, I'm making homemade chicken and dumplings.

Well here I am in the UWL Library typing this week's blog entry. That's right. I'm staying overnight tonight in Abby's dorm room tonight. She's off with a girlfriend to make an appearance at a back-from-spring-break party. I actually thought ahead to have her drop me off here so I could blog and maybe do a little reading.

So this past week we've had Abby home all week. Not quite as crazy as when she was home over Christmas, but still very hard to adapt to having an additional schedule to incorporate into our lives. Abby was very fortunate to get scheduled to work over 20 hours at Hallmark this week. We all know college students need money! But of course working requires a vehicle to get there and back so we had to do a little rearranging with Bryn's car.

Tuesday I went in and got my passport picture taken. It only took 6 pictures to get it right. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me or my eyes. Abby got hers taken on Thursday - in 1 try. Then we went together to the post office on Friday to officially apply for our passports that we'll need for our trip to Canada this summer—and Abby will use again when she goes abroad one semester for school.


Bryn had her first indoor exhibition track meet on Thursday at Mequon. She looked excellent coming in 2nd in the hurdles (which I didn't get to see), 1st in the 400 and then ran in a 4x400 relay.

Paige stayed home from school Friday just to be safe. She went to bed at 6:30 Thursday night, wasn't hungry, complained that her tummy hurt. When I woke her Friday morning, she said she felt "like a noodle" and had a headache. Better safe than sorry with such a big day Saturday. Kristin brought Bella and Lucy over to see their cousin Abby. Bella let us know she was shy and asked not to be tickled. Bryn had a pasta dinner with her track team at the high school so I invited Abby's friends who were also home on break over for homemade mac n cheese dinner. The week went so fast that they really didn't get to spend great lengths of time together. They made up for it today. After dinner, they were off to their old grade school to see the annual Hoops Night, then topped the night off by having a big pajama party.


Saturday was a big day all around. Bryn and Paige started it off with performances at the school district's Solo & Ensemble. Both played beautiful solos. They rehearsed so hard and their accompanist did a great job. The only disappointment was that Paige's solo was cut short (actually in half!) by the judge due to time restrictions, which we had never heard of before. We commented to the parent helper and word found its way back to the band directors who got Paige in to perform and finish her piece. The disappointment was in the fact that Paige did not get to perform that 2nd time with her accompanist that she had practiced with so hard and so beautifully! :( Bryn got a 1* (highest you can get) on both her solo and her quartet which means she'll be playing it competitively again. While I stayed with Bryn for her later performances, Jeff took Abby and Paige up to Appleton for Chad and Robbyn's wedding in Appleton for the ceremony. And that's where I have to leave off because I haven't gone through the pictures yet!

Wish me sweet dreams as I lay on my futon tonight amidst piles of Abby's clean and dirty clothes! I speak to UWL tomorrow!