While Mike's away, the girls will play (or paint)!

The Paint fumes are getting to my head!

Props to Korie, our pregnant painter!

Allyson say's I have a bee in my bonet, but I think there might be a whole hive! I got this great idea to paint my 1800sf garage, why? I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time, until the electric paint sprayer I bought didn't work and the rental at home depot was gone. I had already started and therefore was committed to finishing the job, especially before Mike got home from Annapolis. That's when I called "the girls"! This is when you really know who your true friends are, when they come to help you with even the crappiest of jobs, like painting your garage! After 10 gallons of paint, some laghter and probably even a few tears, we finished the job.

Keep the Surprise Alive!

I guess word got around that I love surprises, NOT! Last night Mike did his darndest to keep the secret about my surprise 30th, but he is such a sucky liar that I knew something was up. We were suppose to go to a 4:55pm showing of the Mummy, but somebody got the time wrong and it really started at 4:20pm. Since my kids don't even get off the bus from shcool until 4:30pm that caused a slight problem. This is where Mike started getting funny. I suggested we go to the outlet malls and then see a later showing, but he acted like he just wanted to go home. I was like, seriously, we have a babysitter, we can find something to do! So we headed to the mall where suddenly he was interested in every store? We were there for a couple of hours and by this time I was starving and ready to eat at Hacienda where we had planned to have dinner. He said he needed to go to the bathroom, again, and then we would leave. So I take a seat on the bench outside the restrooms where I was approached by a very persuasive homeless man. He kindly asked to see my wedding ring and if I would take it off for him. Right, like i'm gonna fall for that one! I had a great conversation with him about where he was from, how long he had smoked for and even where to get a good beer! Meanwhile, Mike is pretending to pee (for what seemed like forever) in the bathroom in an attempt to keep the surprise alive! Finally Mike reappears and I was like, let's jet. So we head out of the mall where he decides that the 10 min. drive to the resturant is too long to go without a drink, so we have to stop at the gas station for coke and nuts? By this time I was starting to lose my patients. So we FINALLY head to Hacienda and there is only a five min. wait, which never happens. I head off to the ladies room and when I come out Mike says "Allyson just called and thinks Bella broke her leg on the trampoline, we have to go". Really? So we speed home because apparently Allyson is just frantic! I wasn't too suspicious until we turned down our street to get to Allyson's house and Mike stops dead in the road and turns around. So I am thinking, they all parked in front of my house, but then I started feeling guilty in case Bella really was hurt. After the road detour we finally get to Brett and Allyson's house where I am prepared both for a surpise or an injury! But luckily (I think!) I was welcomed with a big SURPISE! As much as I don't care for these kinds of things, it really was a fun night with friends, food and games. Thanks to everyone who put such an effort into making my BIG 30 a birthday to remember!

Chassé (sa·shay)

Today was Bella's first dance class, watch out Clara and the Nutcracker! She did a combination of ballet, tap and tumbling. She learned how to stand in first position, skip and of course chassé. She said her favorite part was making a pizza (you would have to see that one to understand!). So far so good for our new ballerina, keep up the good work!

Memoir of a 3 year old, Act I

Mom: Bella, time for bed.

Bella: I'm not tired.

Mom: too bad, get in bed.

Bella: (action) crawl into mom and dads bed!

Mom: Ethan, turn out the hall light please.

Ethan: (action) turns light off.

Mom: Good night Ethan, Love you.

Ethan: Love you.

Bella: Turn on the light.

Mom: NO! It's time for bed.

Bella: Turn on the light, i'm hot.

Mom and Dad: Huh?

Bella: I'm hot, turn the light on.

Mom: Take your blanket off.

Bella: NO! I'm hot, turn the light on.

Dad: How come your are hot with the light off?

Bella: Cause I can't see the fan.

Back to School, already?

Where did the summer go? Today was the first day back to school for Ethan and Abbigayle. Madison however got to experince her first day in Kindergarten! She was so excited to finally go to school with Ethan and Abbigayle. She was a little nervous when we got to school, but once she found her preschool friend Leah, she couldnt have cared less if I was there or not! After I dropped the kiddos off at school, they had a little pow wow for parents at the java guru across the street. It's a great way to get to know the new parents as well as catch up with some of the familiar ones. It's funny to listen to the first time kindergarten parents who get all teary eyed and emotional when they leave their kids for the first time.For me however, I booked the first babysitter I could find for Isabella and Gabrielle and went to lunch with a friend. You get over it pretty fast! I think Bella adjusted fairly well to the change today as well. Before I knew it she had her own little posse of Renaissance siblings to kick it with, you go girl!

The first day back to school went well for everyone,

with the exception of Madison missing her bus ride home! But hey, a few glitches are always expected, right? I am sure we will work out the kinks in the 170 days left of school. Let the fun begin!