February 28, 2010

What's crackalackin, this is Paige. My mom is at a StuCo meeting and she probably wouldn't have done the blog anyways if she were here because well, she's been slacking. Remember when she updated it every week?!
Anyways, happy late Valentine's Day!
Bryn went up to watch her best friend Natalie Misasi compete in a state skiing race. She took 5 in the state!
So Bryn had a band concert a while ago. Also, she's been busy with a lot of art projects. Apparently tomorrow is the start of "Spirit week" and I don't mean spirit like pep, I mean the teacher. I had a Pop's Concert like last week, it was okay. Upside: I got a shamrock shake! Downside: We had to wait like a half hour to get it because they ran out of syrup in the machine. At one point, they said they were out and I just about died inside.
I went to the dermatologist and they made me take a pregnancy test. It was quite awkward. Not like they thought I was pregnant or anything, it's just required because if I get put on this pill which I'd prefer not to start after reading the BOOKLET of side effects, if you're pregnant it gives your child serious birth defects. Like they have probably 0-1% of being SEMI normal. So yeah. That was just...interesting. Didn't think I'd be taking a pregnancy test at 14 years old.
Bryn can jog now, that's pretty cool. She'll be able to run by track season! I'm doing track until softball tryouts, and then I'll be playing for the Freshmen softball team (JV if I just suddenly become a beast during tryouts) I get to pitch at the open gyms, and I have to admit the first time I did I was basically freaking out since it was the first time I pitched since my lovely little hit to the face last summer. Well my big news is...I GET MY BRACES OFF TOMORROW!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY. You're probably not excited, but I've been counting down the days for a month now. After being told at age 3 that you were getting braces, and then going through the process of 2 years of headgear, spacers, bands, chains, and rubber bands, I think you'd be pretty pumped. If you've never had braces, you do NOT understand. Wow, our family's pretty boring. (Story of my life since Abby left.)
We had a big snow storm but of course no school cancellations. Theo really loved running around in all the snow.I was very dissapointed when I found out college spring break is only a week. What?! Let's be realistic, that is not enough time for a college student's spring break.
During MFHS's spring break Bryn and I are going to New York! It's gonna be sweet. And joy! Mom and dad are also going...the same week.
Mom dragged me along to clean her work and lied and told me she'd give me $15. I never received any money...what is this.
So we went to Tazino's to eat tonight. I. am. so. full. You go and get tons of food, eat it, and then you feel like 50 billioin pounds fatter. Sick. At least the food was good.
I went to my friend Becca's house with my other friend Jamie yesterday because we had to make a History video about WWII and Women entering the workforce. Gotta say, it was pretty dramatic. For real. Like there were two crying scenes. I mean, that is intense for a 3ish minute video. And to add to this greatness, I look like a stud in a suit with extra broad built in shoulders.
So uh, I guess that's pretty much it. Livin the Saunders life can be a little blah sometimes. It pretty much consists of: One Tree Hill, school, sports, Bryn & I making fun of mom, Bryn being sarcastic, Mom smiling, Dad farting and saying "whoops", missing Abby, and Theo spitting in random places and farting such horrible smelling farts that we need to evacuate the area. But ya know we have our fun times. After all we are the Saunders! haha. I feel like I talked about myself too much during this. I'm sorry. Have a wonderful evening all you cool cats reading this!

Superbowl Sunday! I've got a time limit to blog today! Jeff is upstairs cutting up sausage and cheese for part our feast.

I drove Paige to her orthodontist appt Monday morning. She's been really good about wearing her rubber bands and was rewarded for it today! They officially scheduled her braces removal for March 1st! Paige wrote it extra big on the calendar. So she will have had her braces for just over 2 years. I reminded her that since she's only 14, she'd better wear her retainer as the orthodontist tells her because her teeth could move right back. Then after school I accompanied Paige to the high school Softball team meeting where they distributed information on open gym practice and tryouts (end of March).

Jeff returned home safely from Virginia very early Tuesday morning and went on his way to work and meetings. He commented on how lucky he was that his trip was in the beginning of this week, considering the recent snowfall dumping they've taken! Tuesday evening I attended a parent meeting for Paige's WorkCamp and found her our t-shirt design was chosen for the front of the shirt and I worked to finalize another girl's design for the back. Yea! All us parents also received our invoices for WorkCamp payment #1, and Paige has done such a terrific job fundraising, we don't owe anything yet!!! She still has a flower sale and a couple more volunteering opportunities.

Bryn went back to see the podiatrist Thursday morning where he took another xray and assures us she's healing well. He wants her now to walk without a crutch and without the surgical boot - which means regular shoes. She made it 3 hours during school on Friday - much more restrictive in a regular shoe!

Saturday morning Jeff escorted Bryn downtown to Marquette University to take scholarship tests in the school she would be enrolling in: Health Sciences. She also received a letter in the mail from Marquette that same day announcing she has been awarded $8000/yr for her academics and service. Nice. But need a lot more to make Marquette a player. Bryn's still waiting to hear from Marquette whether she's been accepted directly into the 6-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. While they were downtown, I baked communion bread for church all morning. We all Skyped Abby, then watched LOST (from Tuesday) together last night.


Today we had Generations of Faith at church this morning where we packed lunches for a homeless shelter. Then we had to find a swimsuit for Paige who has swimming in school (gym class) starting tomorrow. I bought a few black pieces at Kohls seeing that as of Feb 28th all us employees will be required to wear all black: no stripes, no polka dots, no colored shirt underneath. I've had on my blue and white all day to cheer on the Colts tonight! The local grocery stores are even in on in and I bought a big Colts cookie to celebrate later! I sent the picture to Meg who's in Miami living large this weekend!

So our little school district has made the national scene! While the school dance discussion has made the local papers and TV news, Menomonee Falls High School has also been mentioned on Jay Leno! There's a great divide about not allowing "grinding" at school dances so much so that students themselves have organized an alternative dance off school property. Sounds like there'll be a very low attendance at the upcoming Turnabout Dance because of the new rules.

I dug deep into finding the best deals on our prescriptions. It turns out our mail-order pharmacy really does better than even WalMart's low-price prescriptions! But boy, did that take a lot of time on the phone.

Doing better at changing my shopping routine to include gift cards purchased through Scrip to earn $ toward Paige's WorkCamp. Best use of the gift cards is for the grocery store. Paige gets a percentage of the gift card $ amount toward her WorkCamp trip fund. I just have to think a week ahead!

Paige is getting ready for another TaeKwonDo demo. She has been flying around in the piano room trying to perfect this crazy new kick. Master Cory just announced the music they will be using so Paige has found it online. Her demo will be March 13th, but the routine has not been choreographed yet so she doesn't know exactly what her part will be. Paige is saving up in hopes of a new dog. She pulls Jeff over to the computer to view what's available at the Humane Society. Hmmm......

Bryn continues to train 3X/week after school in the weight room, determined to strengthen her right leg. We are pressuring Bryn to narrow down her 4 college choices. I'm thinking we'll go back to visit a couple to help her along. I think we have made our final choice for Bryn's Senior Sendoff picture! Senior Sendoff is a section of the yearbook where families can write a "good-bye/good luck" message to their graduating senior and include a baby picture.

Seeds got a new kitten we got to see and hold and play with on Friday.

I've had a full week without working at Kohls. It was really a nice break. Jeff and I took advantage of my weekend off and went out on a date to the movies to see Up In The Air, then to dinner afterward. We had a gift certificate to Panera to use and it was delicious! We came home to find out Bryn and Paige had Skyped Abby while we were out. We played a little Scattergories with Bryn and Paige. Jeff flies out to Washington DC today and is gone through Tuesday. He will be going out east about once a month because of a big hospital his company is working on in Charlottesville, VA.

Monday Bryn and Paige had off school for MLK Day. Too bad Abby had to work. I had to have one picture of Bryn with her blue boot that she's been modeling for the past 4 weeks. This is her spot in the living room so she can keep her foot elevated. She's really come a long way: now she can even do the Wii Fit and walks around the house without crutches!

First day of final exams was Wednesday at the high school. I ended up having to drive Jeff to work so we had enough cars for the kids to get everywhere! Paige only had one final exam today so Abby drove her back and forth to school in the morning, then Bryn had to take Paige to her haircut when Bryn was done with finals in the afternoon because Abby had a dentist appointment! Paige brought in a picture of Abby for her haircut.

Abby and Mark ventured out ice skating Friday night. They had plans to skate outdoors at Red Arrow Park downtown which rents skates and has a cool Starbucks that overlooks the rink. Wouldn't you know it but a wedding had it reserved! So they drove over the the Petit to skate indoors.

We're noticing Theo getting older. He still loves to catch the frisbee, but when he gets up from somewhere he sure is slow moving!

Jeff and I began shopping for airline tickets to New York for our long weekend in April. Jeff spent most of the day Saturday trying to put back together the skid plate underneath the new Mazda 3 and now taxes has become a daily chore for him. We're very motivated to finish though, because then we can file the FAFSA for college financial aid! Saturday night all of us enjoyed family movie night complete with popcorn popped on the stove. We watched He's Just Not That Into You.

Abby packed up and headed back to La Crosse yesterday. She was able to find a ride. I was concerned that we really should drive her because of the amount of stuff she had, but her ride was someone who knows Abby well. She opened her trunk and exclaimed, "See Abby! I left it all for you!"

No pictures this week. I think I'm not used to my new camera yet and Jeff's been taking my place at a lot of events with my extra jobs. I had to work til close (10:30pm) at Kohls 2x this week for the first time ever. It's a lot of work getting the store all straightened up before leaving!

I'm seriously considering stopping coloring my hair. It can't be good for your body. This will truly test my vanity. We'll see how long I hold out.

Paige started attending Softball Open Gym held once a week by the senior members of the high school softball team. The older girls give the younger attendees tips and just some good practice on their skills hoping to prepare them for team tryouts. Paige is all signed up for Little League for this summer whether or not she plays for the high school. Today Paige bowled to earn money to attend workcamp this summer with church. Thank you to all who donated. Paige was recognized for her fundraising efforts.

Bryn checked in with the podiatrist again Thursday morning and was given the OK to drive again. Boy, was she excited! She's to walk with one crutch (like a cane) for 2 weeks, then begin to try walking without the crutch. Her bone is healing well. She's also been encouraged to add cycling to her workout routine to strengthen her legs to be ready to run track. Bryn's big assignment now is writing scholarship essays. This should keep her quite busy for a while. She's also considering applying to Viterbo because they're really seeking her out.

Abby's been piling on the hours at Hallmark and looking for a possible internship for the summer. She'll be officially changing her major to Communications, so I immediately relate it to Public Relations. And of course, I'm helping the search.

We've all been utilizing the Wii Fit still. It really is a nice tool to have right at home to do some good core exercises.

What a great week! Back into a routine and only 6 hours at Kohls!!!!

Tuesday night Jeff and I worked Booster Club concessions during the boys basketball game. We invited 2 other couples to work with us and we were quite a team! Abby and her boyfriend went out for dinner to celebrate their 6-month anniversary. Awww.....

Bryn and Paige were hoping for some more snow days this week as we accumulated about 10" over Thursday and Thursday night. The snow is really pretty and fluffy and nice to shovel.

Friday I had a beautiful day first attending my regular step class, then staying home and cleaning the rest of the day. My house really needed it after all those extra holiday hours working at Kohls! We met Kristin, Carlo, Bella and Lucy at St Anthonys for their monthly fish fry that evening to celebrate Carlo's 40th birthday. Jeff even bought him a birthday beer. Abby went bowling with a group of friends and invited Bryn along. Bryn said they helped her to throw one ball.

Saturday I did spend most of my day at Kohls and took a little extra time after work to go through those loaded clearance racks. The kids stayed home and cleaned at my request. Jeff had a big pan of mostaciolli ready when I came home! Abby's boyfriend went to the Purdue/Madison basketball game compliments of Abby's Christmas present. Abby was disappointed when her boyfriend announced he had finally found someone to take to the game. She assumed it would be her! He did invite her over to dinner afterward. All is good.

Today I grocery shopped, then baked and cooked. Abby and Paige went to church, then to the mall to spend some of their Christmas loot. Bryn had a friend over to tutor her in BioChem. This friend did well in the class and is now studying pre-Pharmacy at UWMadison. We're now focused on paying enrollment & housing deposits and finding scholarships for Bryn for next year. And the dreaded FAFSA! I'm getting better on my Wii Fit, but it says I really need to get on it more often!

I tried eCards for Christmas this year and am pretty pleased. I think it gave everyone something fun to view, was "green", and very economical. My kids were disappointed with me changing our tradition, but I think our eCards will only improve year after year.

Abby's home from college til Jan 24th. Already she's been to Minneapolis and back to a CRU conference. Now Abby will fill her time with a lot of work hours from Hallmark.

Bryn had her bunion surgery on her right foot on Dec 18th. She was in a lot of pain for about 4 days. I'm really glad we timed it like we did: she only missed 4 days of school and I feel she's really ready and capable to go back tomorrow. She has a ride to school and helpers set up to carry her books as she's on crutches for at least another 2 weeks.

Paige hosted a New Years Eve party here and had a ball. All the guests brought a treat to share and they had fun watching the ball drop, DDR-ing, Wii-ing and playing air hockey.

I was so excited for this weekend: my first 4-day no-work weekend in a LONG time! Then I catch a whopper cold that spoiled it all. Needless to say, I did not make it to midnight New Years Eve. I did go in to Kohls for 4 hours on Friday, but had to blow my nose every other customer. Kohls did ask me to stay on after the holidays and I agreed.

Jeff has been stepping in doing a lot of the grocery shopping and running the kids places with my extra work. The super-cold day yesterday reminded us to purchase a new battery for the van. And another riddle for all us parents "What's with teenagers not wearing winter coats anymore?"


Last night, Jeff set up my new Wii-Fit and Jeff, Paige and I had fun seeing what the Wii thought of our weight and fitness status (did not match what we thought!) Hope I can stay disciplined and use it daily! All of us attended our family program at church this morning where Paige participated in Let's Make a Deal! and won the top prize of all 7 Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Everyone got a chuckle out of her as all the other contestants blandly listed the actual city they were from when they were asked, but Paige had to be different and was from "Switzerland." We de-Christmas-ed the house this afternoon. Couldn't stand the needles anymore.