Bryn was buried in paperwork early this week as she wrote numerous essays and filled out applications for several scholarships that are run through the high school. The packet was due Wednesday, so she began printing Monday night. I was so proud I had remembered to purchase another ream of paper. So of course, we run out of ink! Back on track Tuesday night, but Bryn had a track meet so Jeff and I had to collate all 20 sets consisting of 1 application form, 9 pages of essays, and 2 letters of recommendation EACH.

Paige endured 4 days of softball tryouts Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the teams were announced and she made the freshman team! She will be 1 of 2 pitchers for the team. Yay Paige! Her first game is Wednesday already!

Bryn checked in with Dr Barczak on Thursday and he recommended she not do the hurdles til after spring break, but was good with Bryn running whatever other event she was comfortable doing. Bryn's been participating in all the practices and at meets she's been helping coach and taking times.

Maggie and Terry came down to visit Saturday. We're so terrible about getting anywhere besides our own events, it's nice people take time to come to us.

Saturday was also my final day of work at Kohls. I really did like working there. It did get to be a lot to juggle schedule-wise though, and I just couldn't put anything in the way of attending all Bryn's track meets and Paige's softball games this spring. They really hate it if I'm not there to take pictures.

I entered a team into our local Incredible Trivia contest that took place last night. We hosted the team, Random House, at our home. Jeff and I have both participated in Lawrence University's trivia weekend back in Appleton. We were able to recruit 4 families and shared dinner and snacks throughout the contest which ran from 4 - 9 pm. We had access to 3 laptops and 1 iMac. The contest even included a "road rally" portion which was kind of a scavenger hunt that we sent the kids on and they had a blast bragging how they had overtaken the "ladies in the green van" to take 1st place! The kids also were very quick googling and calling in our answers. Toward the end of the contest, we received a phone call that our team was one of the top 5 finishers and we needed to come to the studio! We were then announced as the 4th place team and made our television cable access debut! We all really had a lot of fun and think we'll do it again next year.

Bryn was supposed to do some testing for the UW system today, but opted not to as she has eliminated UW-La Crosse from her list of college prospects.

Back to me blogging. Won't be as clever as Miss Paige.

Paige was a good little girl wearing her rubberbands 24/7 throughout February and was rewarded by getting her braces off March 1st. She had them on a little over 2 years. She now has a clear retainer she only has to wear at night.



Bryn turned 18 on March 9th and when I asked her about having a party, she replied "I'm not supposed to know about it!" So I went with that and sent out evites to 20 of her closest friends for a surprise party. I had to have an inside man, so I relied on Natalie to help me out. Natalie and Paige both helped me make the guest list and get in contact with those I couldn't via email. Natalie's main job was creating a diversion for Bryn to get out of the house while all her guests arrived. Natalie's birthday is close to Bryn's, so Natalie got her to Fuddrucker's for dinner on Friday, March 5th. All the guests got here before Bryn and Natalie got back and did an excellent job parking far enough away from the house. When Bryn came downstairs, she was actually scared at first and jumped back when everyone shouted "Surprise!" Only 2 couldn't make it so it was a great turnout. They had cake and ice cream here, then were treated to bowling.


Paige participated in another demo, The Best of the Best, for Tae Kwon Do on March 13th. I wasn't able to go again (working at Kohls), but Abby was home for spring break and my mom and dad were down too so Paige had plenty of spectators. Paige played a part in the demonstration early on, then took 4th place in breaking a board and showing her form.

My parents stopped in last weekend on their way back from Florida. Unfortunately I had to work at Kohls everyday. Good thing having Mom here though: my laundry and ironing is all caught up! Dad and Jeff got to watch a lot of basketball. Craig (they stayed in Chicago with him before coming here) and Bryn both caught the flu germs they left behind though.

So Abby was home this past week and got to enjoy the beautiful spring-like weather. Hallmark got her in to work where one of her tasks was creating a Facebook fan page for the store. Abby got to see Mark play intramural soccer at MSOE, take Bryn to a movie for her birthday, take advantage of my Kohls Associate shop day (extra 30% off!), and get a massage, brow wax and haircut. We all got to spend some quality time with her this week which was really nice.

We're really pressuring Bryn to make a decision about where to go to college next year as many due dates are coming up fast. So to help her along, I took her out to Carroll Friday afternoon to visit their Physical Therapy department. Bryn has been offered a generous financial aid package there, so Carroll's very worth considering. She has to name one college on her school scholarship package that she'll turn in on Wednesday....



This past Saturday was Solo & Ensemble where both Bryn and Paige participated in several events. Both the girls seem to attract large audiences when they play which is unusual in this particular situation. Bryn will go on to State for both her solo and a trombone duet.

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.