Pampered Camper

It's going to be quite an adventure this weekend. My family of five will pack up the mini-van and head east to canoe, fish and camp in our first outing of the year. We typically get in 2 family camp-outs each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. (I can't handle summer camping. It's way too hot!) This weekend, we're going with a couple of people who've never pitched a tent before. Their husbands have camped, but the ladies have not so I imagine it will be an interesting couple of days.

I can promise there will be some pampered campers this weekend. That means we'll all be bringing items that probably shouldn't go on a campout. I think one family is even bringing a DVD player, not for the kids but for one mom who may need a break from nature in the afternoon. Hey. Don't judge. I have to give her credit for going on the trip, in fact, she's even agreed to go canoeing.

The weather is also shaping up to provide some excitement. The forecast includes possible thunderstorms, high winds and hail. Oh boy!

Enjoy your weekend.

Camping: the art of getting closer to nature while also staying relatively close to the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet. -Unknown

Last Day of Freedom

Today is my last day of "freedom" for some time. Summer vacation officially begins for my four-year old as pre-school ends this afternoon. My 6-year old daughter is done tomorrow and my second-grader finishes up Tuesday morning. Even though I'll lose some "me" time, I'm looking forward to spending some time with the kids during the slower days of summer. We'll go to the pool, watch my son play baseball, and hit some balls at the Golf Learning Center in Peoria. Even though gas prices are sky-high we'll also do some traveling to visit family and friends. Yeah .. I'm looking forward to summer vacation. Ask me how I feel in about a month. :)

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
David Burns, Intimate Connections

A Relaxing Night At Home

I can't wait for dinner tonight.

Like many people with children, we've been running every night with soccer, baseball, dance, piano and end-of-the year school stuff. We've been so busy that I can't remember the last time we sat down and had a dinner with healthy food. Last night, the kids had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The night before it was chicken patties out of the freezer. On the menu tonight will be "Alice Springs Chicken." It's my version of a dish from Outback Steakhouse. It's chicken with bacon, mushrooms and cheese melted on top. MMMMM. I'll make mashed potatoes, salad and peas. MMMM. I'm hungry already.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

Mother of the Year

Just call me "Mother of the Year."

NOT!!!

I am horrified and embarrassed about an incident that happened last Friday.

Here's the story.

My oldest son (8) and daughter (6) were taking part in a lip-synch performance at school on Friday and I promised to be there. The problem was that it started at 1:00 pm and I couldn't be there right when it began. I teach a BodyPump fitness class from noon to 1:00 on Fridays. My daughter was very upset at this news because her class was performing first. I promised her that I would rush right over after class and, hopefully, I would get there in time. So class finishes up and I literally run from the fitness room to the car. I book over to the school and run from the parking lot into the gym. I see my husband and a friend and take a seat next to them on the bleachers. After about 10 minutes, something doesn't feel right and all of a sudden it dawns on me that my youngest son, Logan (4) is not there. I blurt out to my husband, "Where's Logan?"

OH MY GOD! I left Logan at the health club. Now, mind you, he was in the nursery so he was in the care of professionals. But still. I LEFT MY 4-YEAR OLD SON!!

I booked it out of the school gym and headed to the health club. Five minutes later, I gave Logan a big hug. He didn't even know that I had left the building but I felt so guilty.

To make matters worse, I missed my daughter's performance because I was too late and then I missed my oldest son's performance because I had to go back to the health club. Like I said, just call me "Mother of the Year." :)

"Mothers are all slightly insane." ~ J.D. Salinger

Gearing Up For A Get-Together

Spring in here and that means it's time to fire up the grill! We're having lots of friends and even more children over to our house this weekend for a cook-out. In fact, I think there will be 20 kids. They'll definitely outnumber the adults.

What this all means is that I'm in planning mode .. BIG TIME. It's something I love to do: invite people over to my house and put my husband to work. He's a patient man and doesn't complain when I get out of hand. And I do get a little out of hand. I've got a honey-do list for him that's getting quite long. But make no mistake, I have a list, too. Today, I'm staining our outdoor table and playset plus I have to go get supplies, clean the house, plant flowers, etc., etc, etc.

John Riley calls me "manic."

He's coming this weekend, too, so I may have some new pictures to post on Monday. Nothing too crazy but we'll see. :)

"It is better to have burnt and lost, then never to have barbecued at all" - William Shakespeare

Mother's Day Highlights

Okay .. this is a few days late but I had such a wonderful Mother's Day. Here are some highlights.

Slept in .. until 8 am (that's late for me)
Shared a huge breakfast with my family, including my mom, dad and mother-in;
Went to the Lakeview Museum and had fun with the kids
Saw Speed Racer with Bruce and the kids
Topped off the day with a burger, fries and ice cream at Culver's. YUM.

AAAHHHH. :)

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

When Mommy's Your Name

Mother's Day is this Sunday so let's celebrate the women who've made a difference in our lives. John read this on the morning show today and I think many of you will relate.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day.


When Mommy's Your Name

- by Jacey Reynolds


The telephone's ringing, the TV is blaring.
Sister is crying' cause Brother's not sharing.
There's a spill on the carpet that no one will claim.
There's no time for sitting when Mommy's your name.

The laundry is folded but not put away.
The dishes you just washed are from yesterday.
Without any warning your relatives came.
There's no getting caught up when Mommy's your name.

You drive to the market, you drive to the school
You drive to the cleaners, you drive the carpool
You drive yourself crazy, it's really a shame.
There's no time for resting when Mommy's your name.

To your bedroom you sneak to find peace for a minute,
but your minute is over before you begin it.
Your little one finds you and thinks it's a game.
There's no time for hiding when Mommy's your name.

At night as you kneel to thank heaven above you,
An angel creeps in and says, "Mommy, I love you."
You may not know glory or fortune or fame,
but what does it matter when Mommy's your name?

What I Dread These Days!

I know I'm preaching to the choir but I just filled up "Betsy" my tired-old mini-van on Monday and (YIKES)$75 dollars later I was on my way. That one hurt. Usually, I'm pretty upbeat but today I'm going to tell you about a few things I'm irritated about.

#1 Going to the gas station
#2 Paying my Visa bill (it's HUGE)
#3 My husband's snoring (I slept like crap last night - even with ear plugs)
#4 Swimsuit season (It's fast approaching)
#5 I have to repeat my request at least three times to get my children to do anything I ask
#6 My messy garage

MORE TO COME

By the way, John is sitting right here telling me not to whine and that I have no right to complain about what he calls my "pampered" life. Stuff it Riley!!!