the weekend...

was perfect! We had a great time Saturday with Aunt Mooshie, Pop Pop & Grandmom planting trees at Thompson Park! Then we got to come home & Red, Tyler & Trevor came for a visit & lunch! Brandon got to show off his bike riding skills to the 3 of them he is now flying around the driveway like he was born knowing how to ride a bike & Tyler is quite the little man on his bike too! It was so sweet to watch them play! Katie sat with the girls...& talked to "Baby Cheva"...she just loves a baby...I know she's going to be an incredible Mommy one day!

Aunt Red bought Brandon & Katie new Converse...Kate has little pink hi-tops...GORGEOUS!! & Bran got new black low tops! And...she got me...FLIP FLOPS! She spoils us rotten!!! Oh...& she got Kate a shirt that says Princess of the Castle...isn't that the truth!

Sunday Barry got to play with the kids all day & he managed to mow the lawn too...I got my nails done with Moosh after breakfast at the Colonial, ran into Red & Steve at Babies R' Us while Margie helped me pick up my gift for Tara's baby shower, came home, got ready for the shower...went & had a lovely time...then I came home & we all washed my car! It looked like I'd been off-roading from the previous morning's trip to Thompson Park!

The kids were worn out & Barry & I got to have a quiet night snuggling on the sofa & watching The Sopranos...we loved it! Perfect end to a beautiful weekend! Hope you all had weekends as fun filled as ours!

Can you BELIEVE today is the last day of APRIL?? Time is certainly flying...school is almost out...Brandon gets to enjoy the LOVE of his first Summer break... I remember that feeling of excitement counting down the last days of school!!! I can't believe how quickly it's gone by!

OK, I'm off...heading home for lunch with Barry & Katie...one of my favorite things about Monday!! :)

Happy Monday!

so excited...

I am probably more proud of Brandon than I ever thought possible! He is doing so well in school, Mrs. Nicely just can't get over the change...she actually called him a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY...I know, it's probably genetic! :) But he has just changed so much from this shy little boy to this incredibly popular, life of the party kind of kid! I asked her if she wasn't sure she wanted to stay teaching for a few more years...if she could change Bran into Mr. Popular guy...maybe she could quiet down the little princess...LOL! We had a great laugh over that.

She said he did so well in their little musical number they did for Music in Our Schools (for the older kids) ... he held her hand tightly on stage & his eyes filled up with tears...but he NEVER CRIED & when she asked him if he was OK or if he wanted to go sit back stage...he wanted to stay & perform! She's hoping he does the same at their end of year show for the families! We all know Brandon's history of performance anxiety...must be something he gets from Barry...I'll be the center of attention any chance I get! :) Bran is going to be a cat in their show...& he has a line to say...all by himself...are you ready???? He'll be saying, "I saw three calicos!!" She figured babysteps were best for him! :)

The new carpet is absolutely GORGEOUS & squishy...Grandmom got to lay downstairs & get PAPS from Katie on it last night...that little one is just the sweetest thing ever...& she loves GANMOM to pieces...it makes me so happy to see! I love a tea party, dress up, let's play babies Grandmom...the kind I always wanted!

It was a perfect night...although Barry's getting sick...he wasn't his usually pleasant self this morning...there isn't room in our house for 2 people who can't do mornings! LOL! I hope he feels better today!

& I hope Red calls me back...she called as we sat down for our conference w/ Mrs. Nicely...after I told Barry make sure your cell phone is off...Chris Daughtry was singing in my purse...I felt like I was going to get sent to the Principal's Office! :) So I just shut off the phone...& since it was Thursday...she was watching Survivor & then Grey's Anatomy when we got home...I miss my girl!

xoxoxo...Happy Friday!!!

well...

the new carpet is being installed today...& we've got a parent-teacher conference tonight with Mrs. Nicely, can't wait to hear all about Brandon doing so well in school!

Looking forward to family planting day at Thompson Family Park on Saturday at 8:30 a.m....hope to see some of you there!!!

nothing new...

at the Club...the carpet is being installed in the basement on Thursday, we're looking forward to it! Something else to check off on our list of things to be done in the house.

Went to the dentist yesterday...the cost of a new smile is about the same as a new car!!!!!!!!!! RIGHT!!!

Happy Tuesday! :(

the best weekend ever!

This weekend was just gorgeous! The weather was perfect, the kids & I enjoyed a lovely Saturday afternoon at the park, we played kickball all weekend...every free chance Brandon got! It's the best thing in the universe to hear the 2 of them giggling! Katie got to sunbathe on a picnic blanket...with her babies...she's completely me! :)

Yesterday...Brandon learned to ride his bicycle with NO TRAINING WHEELS! He totally thinks he's hot stuff...& so do we! :) We had a fun...yet relaxing weekend at the Club!!! Hope you all did too!

xoxoxo- Happy Monday!!!

doing my Friday dance over here...

yes, it's finally here...FRIDAY! I'm so looking forward to a beautiful & relaxing weekend! The weather's going to be absolutely perfect...planning on wearing the kids out in the amazing fresh air & sunshine all weekend!!! No idea what's on our agenda yet...but it's going to be incredible whatever it is...I think Spring may actually be here!!!

Go do something fun this weekend...play frisbee... run around barefoot in some soft grass...teach someone how to do a cartwheel...or to ride a bike with no training wheels...whatever you do...LOVE it...life's too short not to! I can't wait to get out of work today...I feel like a kid staring at the clock waiting for it to be 2:45 & school's out for the summer!!

Whatever you do, enjoy yourselves...& think of the people that lost their lives this week...have a little extra fun for them...I know we will! :)

obsessing...

ok...I admit it...I'm obsessing over the news WAY WORSE than I normally do! This entire Virginia Tech thing has me glued to the Fox News Channel! I am just completely shocked & horrified that this is the world I'm giving to Brandon & Katelyn! These children were at school...they weren't in gangs, they weren't in the inner city (not that I'm justifying violence there either...but it's a fact of life there for some reason!)...they were at school, educating themselves...to be productive members of society! And they were slaughtered...I can't begin to imagine their fear...or that of their parents upon seeing those police officers on their front steps...NOT MY BABIES is all I keep thinking...PLEASE...not my babies!!! I couldn't possibly want to live a second without either of them in this world!!!

& yes, I'm a girl who has guns in her house...AGAINST MY WILL...but there should absolutely be laws restricting people from getting them...maybe then I'd be able to get rid of the ones in our house! Guns scare me...I don't want to hear, it's the people, not the guns...if you're trained to respect them you're careful & these things don't happen...THESE THINGS HAPPEN...we've all seen it, very closely...it's just something else that makes me think of that awful January day...when that beautiful, brilliant boy I just loved to pieces left this Earth...it makes me sad for him & his family all over again...not that I stopped...it just brings me back to those moments...hearing Barry tell me he was gone...& I couldn't help any of them...I still can't...I still don't believe it some days...that I'll never hear that laugh...or smell his smell...or hear him tell me to "Let It Be!"

Guns & your every day run of the mill Joe Schmoe don't mix! If it requires me giving up some damn right that people thought we needed over 200 years ago to make sure there is ONE less thing out there trying to hurt my children (aren't there really enough other things to worry about???) I'm willing to give up my STUPID Right to Bear Arms!

My sister argued that it was our right to them...in case we the American People disagreed with the government...we could have guns so we could overthrow the government...can a 9 mm. Glock beat an ASSHOLE named Bush with NUCLEAR weapons??? I think not...how about we get some gun control laws so there's one less thing parents have to worry about...

then we'll work on what to do with pedophiles.... :)

SANJAYA FINALLY GOT THE BOOT LAST NIGHT...I SLEPT A LITTLE BETTER AFTER THAT...but I did keep seeing this face of this sick bastard that slaughtered all of those innocent people while I was sleeping...maybe a little less Fox News tonight!!

Pardon my ranting...it's just insane, all of it!! God bless & keep you all safe...I love you to pieces!! xoxoxo & God Bless the families of these victims...& the victims themselves...give them all the strength to feel the love & prayers of people they do not know...who are crying with them & hoping that prayers will eventually lessen their pain!

I gotta go to church this weekend...I feel like my spirit could use a swift kick in the rear...or maybe a little love!

Happy Thursday!

Thompson Family Park...

is holding a communtiy planting day on 4/28 at 8:30 a.m.- the Thompsons in my house will be there... & you get a free baby tree to plant at your own house...let me know if you're interested!

Things are drying out at our house...& Barry has a new toy to play with...a jackhammer to rip the bathroom floor apart! Gary, Tara & Jake stopped by to drop it off...& we got to see the 3D ultrasound pics of their little lady! Tara looks great & is feeling very good! Little Mckenzie Sandy will be here soon! Jake is so tall...he's taller than Katie Kate! He's a real little sweetie pie!

Brandon went to his buddy Josh's house after school yesterday...he has a trampoline & Brandon is trying to perfect his backflip...he's bummed by the fact that the only other person there who "might not be able to do one" is Savanna, Josh's 2 year old sister. She might be able to though...that's his thinking...LOL!

Looking forward to a warm weekend...& casual day tomorrow! Happy Wednesday!!

we've got a swimming pool...

IN OUR BASEMENT! All of Barry's hard work in the bathroom has been ruined...when it rains it pours! At least this happened before the $1700.00 worth of carpet was installed...but it's still a complete NIGHTMARE! Happy Tuesday!

bad news gets worse...Mom & Dad T. have also been flooded...as well as Mike & Trish...WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS!!!

We're all a bunch of ducks...swimming in our houses!!! QUACK, QUACK!!!

snow in april??

picking up where I left off on Friday...Mike got a clean bill of health on that day...Happy Friday the 13th to the Hallers!! :)

Saturday morning Steve came over to install the lighting in the basement...which he finished in just a few short hours! Mooshie picked up my mother before she had to go to her nephew Jake's 3rd birthday party...we went to the Amish Market...a place I just adore! Had a lovely stroll & some eggs! We went back to my house & Red, Tyler & Trevor were there amusing Brandon & Katelyn! My children are so amazed by hers...Katie loves baby "Cheva" & Brandon & Tyler can run each other insane for hours!!

Barry came home to an empty house (I was taking my mom home) & saw the fantastic job Steve did...he's just so impressive! Pop Pop had split 85 million logs...there's a mountain of firewood now! So it was a very productive Saturday!

Red & I went shopping that night, Old Navy...got the kids some stuff...hit 99 for some dinner & some catching up with an old high school friend! We ran into this guy Scordo...who said we looked exactly the same! YAY us!!! Then we ended up at the usual...a Saturday evening wouldn't be complete without a little bartender watching at the Swedes!!! LOL! The night clearly needed to come to an end when a 20 something girl wanted to start trouble over her man trying to hit on us both! Meanwhile, we were showing him pictures of our kids & discussing the fact that we knew his older brother! Girls are just DUMB! It was nice to know that before he thought we were "old ladies" he wanted to hang out with us! LOL!

Sunday was movie day...the Thompson fam watched Charlotte's Web & The Wizard of Oz, then took a nap...it was a super lazy day...we did order the carpet for the basement...it should be in by next week! It's going to be comfy enough to sleep on! Other than that...we laid around in the basement toasting ourselves with the roaring fire Barry had created & relaxing...it was a perfect weekend!!! :)

Happy rainy Monday!!

running late today...

it's been a busy Friday the 13th! I've been celebrating one of my favorite dates all day!! Had a great lunch at the Colonial & have been super productive at work!!

I love how everyone gets freaked out because of a date...then they give me the psycho face when I tell them I was engaged on a Friday the 13th (by coincident I'm sure...Barry's not one for remembering the odd things about me!) & that I then was married one year later to the day on Saturday, September 13, 2003 (has it been that long ago already?)...which in turn leads to...how could you get married so close to 9/11...which isn't really something I ever considered in the midst of our happiness...call me rotten!

It's just a #...one I happen to love...maybe because everyone else seems to find it creepy :)...Barry was born on Friday, August 13, 1975...Brandon was due on Friday, October 13, 2000...I dig the # 13! Call me crazy...but it's just excellent & has been very good to me!!

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend...Steve is coming over tomorrow to do the lighting in the basement & then we're all done the family room except for carpet!!! We'll be partying full time at the CLUB by the time the warm weather gets here...WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT'LL BE AT THIS RATE! I want 70 degrees & sunny already!

Happy Friday the 13th...go do something crazy for me tonight...howl at the moon or something! I'll be having a few glasses of wine for all of you! CHEERS!!!

things...

So...Brandon got his 3rd marking period report card yesterday & it's even better than the first 2!! I am so proud & excited at how much he's enjoying school...& hoping that he feels that way forever! I always loved school...learning new things, making new friends & the fun stuff you got to do every day!

I hope he's one of those people that looks back on their childhood with fondness when they're adults...I want it to be a time in his life that he grows to appreciate. Aside from the amazing friends I still have to this day & the times I shared with them & my sisters...I can't really do that. Our childhood was bizarre to say the least! I know Barry can...he loves talking with his boys about the things they did as children...he was a happy child. I want that for Brandon & Katelyn!

I really only got that once I was a teenager...those years were great...but if Bran & Kate are anything like their parents...we're in for a wild ride! LOL!

Although, Barry & I were talking last night about Brandon (& Kate...& the massive differences between them...LOL...but mostly about him) & we are completely amazed at the incredibly sweet, smart, loving & generous little man he is. I'm not really sure how we managed it...but we're really raising quite an incredible person!

Now the trick there is to get Miss Katelyn to turn out the same way...we have come to the conclusion that she needs a little more "guidance" than Brandon did in a few areas...she said SHIT twice last night & knew exactly what she was saying! Bran was the child that if you told him not to do something...he didn't...Kate does it & giggles at you as she runs from the inevitable swat on the tail! She amuses the heck out of me!!!

It's so funny how they can be so different...how I can love them so differently...he is & will always be my man...the love of my life...& she is my sweet (even when she's being rotten) little ladybug...the little lady I always knew I was meant to know & love...my reason for being!

I'm so thankful for them both & I love my family with all that I am...& I wouldn't have any of it without Barry...I'm one lucky girl!!!

Thanks, Red...for taking me to that dirty bar in July '99...& making all of my dreams come true! I'll never, ever be able to repay you for that!!! That has been the best gift anyone has ever given me...& THANKS Mom & Dad T.~ for raising such an amazing man!!!

so...

I saw my first 3D ultrasound picture yesterday...thought I'd share with you all...it is pretty cool!! So...we've kinda met Barb's new nephew...he's adorable & quite flexible (he is sucking on his toes in his photos)!!

Kelly & AJ called last night...they were working on gifts for his students that will be graduating...& got to drinking & playing games...& then they drunk dialed me! It was completely hysterical! I love it when that happens!

The kids are great, the hub is excellent & I'm back to not sleeping at night...anyone have any suggestions??? It's been 2 days & I've had about 3 hours sleep...yes, I'm feeling quite stunning & rather pleasant if you're wondering! :)

But...I'm down 3 pounds...so, you win some & you lose some! :)

Happy Wednesday!!

the diet starts MONDAY!!!

First, we went to see the Easter bunny on Saturday...we had the most amazing hayride at Duffield's with Aunt Heatho, Uncle Kurt, & Aunt Mooshie! It was freezing cold...which was stinky...but the kids just loved the tractor ride & I think the grown ups did too...except for me...I HATE the cold! They weren't fans of the bunny...they enjoyed the candy the bunny gave them...but not the bunny so much! I'm thinking we'll probably do Brandon's birthday party at Duffield's next year...what's better than a hayride & a pizza party? No mess & then it's over!!

The bunny was very good to the Thompson kids...guess they were good! Daddy even got stuff from the bunny...Brandon wants to know what I did to get nothing from the bunny...I told him I asked the bunny to give all of my stuff to him & Katie! So, Barry slacked & Mommy looks like the hero...I love kids!!! :)

The egg hunt went well...we all got to see A.J. & Kelly (who we just don't see enough), Heath survived her first holiday cooking...(& so did we...LOL!) She did her best...I've got to work on getting the Kath out of her...but it was pretty darn good for a first attempt!

Then we went to my amazing in-laws where Margie had stood Pop Pop up! & there was plenty of food lying around...I couldn't wear my favorite gray pants this morning...I was afraid I'd kill someone with a flying button...so, it's Monday & as I always say...the diet starts Monday...I can't have beautiful teeth & be fat again...so IT'S ON! No more Pepsi...back to water & real fruit juice...salads & NO CAKE!!!

It'll be worth it when I can run around the yard in shorts this summer & not have to worry about starting a brush fire with my thighs!!! Happy Monday...hope Easter was perfect!!!

Happy Easter...

Things went well at the dentist yesterday...going back on 4/23 to get things started!! Mom went yesterday too for her cleaning...they were all excited to be seeing 2 Thompson women in the same day!

Kate is in her glory...has the day off today to play with Brandon & Pop Pop and she'll get to see Grandmom...her new thing is crying when Pop Pop turns right instead of left on Tomlin Station...she wants to see Grandmom every day! Pop Pop may be Brandon's hero...but Grandmom is the love of Katie's heart!!

Tomorrow, Aunt Heatho, Uncle Kurt, Aunt Mooshie, Mommy, Brandon & Katie are going on a hayride to the Easter Bunny's house & maybe for some pony rides after our Easter egg hunt...hoping it warms up! It's cold outside today!

Hoping we get to see The Choyce family at some point this Easter weekend...we miss them a lot! Looking forward to Easter dinner at Aunt Heatho & Uncle Kurt's house...& then visiting with Mom & Dad & hopefully some other Thompsons...maybe even a trip UP TO THE FARM to see Grandmom & Grandpop!

I hope you all have a beautiful holiday & that Spring finally comes to stay!!!

it's official!!!

My baby is a big boy...Brandon lost his very first tooth yesterday! The tooth fairy stopped by last night & left him $6! He's just gorgeous!!! & so excited to be the fourth person in his class to join the Lost Tooth Club!

Kate thinks it's great & too funny that he can drink a juice box thru his teeth!! When she found out a fairy had visited...she wanted us to "take hers too!"

I cried for about an hour last nite...can my baby really be growing up this quickly? I'm not ready for this!! I remember that tooth coming in just like it was yesterday...& now it's in a box in the safe! His new tooth coming in...is GORGEOUS!!! Looks like he may have Thompson teeth after all...THANK GOD!!

Happy rainy Wednesday...I'm off tomorrow...going to visit Dr. Vanaria...so he can look at my teeth too! :) It's been a toothy few weeks at Club Thompson!

just talked to Trish...

Mike is perfect...just like I knew he was! THANK GOD!!!!!

still waiting...

to hear how Mike made out at the doctor today...I'll keep you all posted...say a little prayer!

We love you Mike!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

the piggies are loose...

ahhhhhhhhhh...the fresh air & the sight of a beautiful pedicure...wearing open toe shoes today & loving the freedom that comes with them! i feel like a new woman!!! & what's better than pink glittery toe polish??? NOT MUCH!!!! :) Happy Monday, my lovelies & GO PHILLIES!!!!!

it's gonna be a long one...

So...things went beautifully with Dr. Vanaria, I go back on Thursday! I'm preparing to go broke over straight teeth...it'll be worth it!

Friday night I'm sitting home watching the t.v. & Barry's working late & there's a knock at our front door (which no one uses)...I hide the kids & try to peek out the window as I frantically call Barry...because he can see who's at the door from Deptford, I guess...? It's dark & I can't see a damn thing! After about 10 mins. of cat & mouse...it's my lovely sister-in-law Trish!! I invite her in...give her the tour of the updates...you need to come back, he kicked out a gorgeous bathroom in the basement this weekend. Painting is done, sink, flooring & toilet are in & the mirror is hung..he git's r done!

We had a lovely visit...although she told us that Mike is going to have some tests run on Tuesday because something is wrong with his heart...so all of you...keep him in your thoughts as you go about your busy days on Tuesday...he means the world to all of us Thompsons! We're sending him lots of love & really good wishes..& we know he'll be just fine!

Saturday morning I'm up bright & early for what I've been dreaming about...a day of TOTAL pampering! Mani, pedi, waxing, paraffin..just a complete ME day with my Mooshie & ...the best part, it was FREE! Now, I know...you're thinking NOTHING GOOD is free...I did have the BEST pedicure I've ever gotten in my lifetime...as far as the rest...you're absolutely RIGHT!!!

5 hours in this place...where we did in fact hear a man get told by his hairdresser...let me go get a teacher, 'cause I can't fix this!! HOLY CRAP!!!! I would have run from the building like my head was on fire!

I got the world's worst manicure in my lifetime! Margie had the NERVE to ask should we tip her...NO, her tip was then spent today at my regular nail salon where I had the embarrassment of explaining why my hands looked like I'd shoved them in the garbage disposal & turned it on! Margie not only suffered severe loss of blood at the hands of our Saturday manicurist...but then had the pleasure of getting chemicals poured in the open wounds on Sunday! So...I sit here typing with beautiful nails & the knowledge that NOTHING GOOD IS FREE! (unless there is a gay man named Roji & a foot bath nearby!)

Today, we took a family trip to the Depot...our second home! & then we went to Dippy's for our free April Fools Ice Cream Cones...Brandon was right...although he cracked Barry, Trish & I up on Friday by telling us this as his April Fool's joke...he thought he was the funniest thing going...& so did we! But...got my free cone & loved every second of it! Then, we hooked up with the carside to go for dinner & since I was at Applebees...I got a quick cup of my favorite coffee in the universe! I felt so much love from that cup of coffee...I could live off of that stuff for the rest of my life! The perfect end to a lovely weekend!

Hope you all had weekends that were as much fun as mine!!! Tomorrow is the Phils home opener...it will be a long, boring day for me...& I'll want to be at the game enjoying the sounds & smells of baseball...I'll be at work wanting a win for my boys in the worst way!! Go Phillies!!!