Subway, Victoria's Secret, and Chattanooga TN

I have to start this post with a huge THANK YOU to my husband. He stayed home with the boys this weekend while I got away with Meredith to Chattanooga for a much needed break. It was a really fun time of shopping, watching movies, girl talk, and of course eating!! :) I love you Meredith.
Now I need to go back to Friday before I left for my girls weekend. I have to admit that I watch the Supernanny because it makes me feel so much better about me and my kids. Not that we are perfect- far from it as you'll see as you read on. So I want to share this next story with all of you mommies out there because I think it helps to know that we are not in this thing called parenthood alone and as Saundra said, "This too shall pass." :) We went to play at this wonderful place called Monkeys Treehouse in Bellevue on Friday with our friend Saundra and her kiddos. Afterwards, we decided to stop for lunch at Subway. This Subway had those really tall tables with the bar stool type chairs and my boys for whatever reason get all excited about that. So, while I'm ordering in line the boys are sitting at this table. Above the table hanging down from the ceiling is a light- just the right height for little hands. I look up as I'm waiting in line to order to see Aidan pushing on it and it swinging a little. So I yell over (ok I didn't want to get out of line) and tell him to stop touching it. I have to say something again and then I walk over to tell him face to face to stop. The cashier is ringing up my order and CRASH - I look over and Aidan has pushed the light so hard that he's swung it into the front window of the restaurant and the globe has exploded into pieces. I am so embarrassed and I'm trying to squash ugly mommy down so I don't just go over there and lose my mind on him. I apologize profusely and offer to pay for the globe- the manager is very nice. Oh- lest you think it- it doesn't stop there. I make Aidan sit with me in a booth and he starts losing it yelling, kicking, screaming so I pick him up and head to the bathroom- having to pass the ten people standing in line with him crying and yelling, "No mommy! No Mommy! Don't spank me!" So I finally get him straight and we sit down in the booth at the front door to eat. This lady with her child is walking out and I hear her say, "Yes honey that's the little boy who broke the light." :) So, yeah I was REALLY ready to go on my weekend away. Sorry Saundra that you had to endure that with us.
So I decided that I needed to be fitted for a bra. Its been a long time and since I didn't have two little boys with me I went into Victoria's Secret Saturday with Meredith. Now I'm having some bra issues which I won't get into here just in case any men are reading but lets just say that having babies and breastfeeding and just getting older has created some whole new issues. Typically I buy my bras at Target- I know, I know. Ok so I walk in to Victoria's and this sweet little girl greets me. Ok- she's not a little girl- I asked her age a little later on and she's 19. She measures me and I have so totally been wearing the wrong size bra. So I tell her my issues and she walks to the back of the store to get me these gel inserts-- ok- I'm almost 37 and NOW I have to start stuffing my bra?? Then she says, "Oh don't worry about it. My mom has to do this too." And Meredith leans over and says, "You know we are old enough to actually be her mother." So she's walking around choosing different styles for me and lets just say that she was really thinking in terms of 19 because some of the things she wanted me to try on- well you see what I mean. So I make my purchase and walk out feeling very 37 and very much in need of weight watchers and a personal trainer. So Meredith and I decide to head to Carrabas for some no calorie Chicken Marsala and a huge honkin' piece of cheesecake. :) I really do have to say that Hannah (she's the one who helped me) at Victoria's Secret was the sweetest, most helpful person and when I joke about her age its just that- joking. She was an excellent sales person.
So today I'm heading to the Y to burn off that cheesecake. :) Hope you guys had a very fun weekend!

Alas, Good Customer Service Is Not Dead

How appropriate that yesterday was my 100th post and it was a rant about people who don't use their manners.
Well, I had to post this today because I wanted everyone to know that Regal Cinemas at Indian Lake made things right with me. As I posted yesterday, I took the boys to the movie and the guy behind the concession stand charged me $4 (the regular price of a small soda) for a cup of water. I had already paid $8 for me and Avery to have a soda and was asking for a cup of water for Aidan who doesn't drink anything carbonated.
After I posted on my blog yesterday, Jim (my husband) called me. I was telling him my story and he decided it was ridiculous (I had decided that too). He asked if I asked to speak with the manager-- uh-no- I had two small children with me and we were already late to the movie. He called Regal Cinemas and spoke with the manager who apologized profusely. He stated they do have what they call courtesy cups for water and that should have been offered to me. Now, that my friends would have been enough. In today's society just getting an apology can be like pulling teeth so whenever customer service at a company freely gives one, I'm satisfied. However, the manager at Regal Cinemas Indian Lake also gave us four free movie passes. Now that is customer service!
Anyway, I just wanted to post this since I ranted against the movie theater in my blog yesterday. So, if you want water (and you don't want to pay $5 for bottled water- yes I said $5) remember to ask for a courtesy cup. :)

Were You Raised in a Barn??

I have to admit that I just woke up grumpy today. I took the boys to see Horton Hears a Who at the new Hendersonville theater. Typically I put those caprisuns in my purse and snacks so that I don't have to mortgage the house to buy a small coke and a box of M&Ms. Today I forgot the drinks so we actually had to buy them. Aidan won't drink carbonated stuff so I bought me a diet coke, Avery a sprite, and then asked for a cup of water for Aidan. They charged me $4 for a cup of water- isn't that crazy!!
Ok- I just went off on a tangent. Sorry. My reason for this post is to rant about people who have no manners or choose not to use them. I really do try to teach my boys to be courteous and to use good manners. I try to practice it myself. How hard is it to say thank you to someone who is holding the door for you or to wave at someone for letting you over in traffic. And if you're in your car driving, its pouring down rain and you see a woman with two kids and a basket load of groceries- its not going to kill you to stop and allow her to cross the road.
Why is it that our society has become all about "ME?" When did we lose sight of other people's feeling and needs?
Reading back through this, my father would tell me to go back to bed and get up on the right side this time. :) Maybe I'll take some Midol and do that. :)

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Ok, so I don't have to ask what your first thoughts were when you viewed the above picture. George Michael may not have toured in over 15 years but he has certainly kept his name in the public view. He's had some very public, very memorable (not in the ways you'd want to be remembered) run ins with the authorities over the years. I feel quite certain that he would be much happier to be remembered for his music rather than the incidents in his private life.
Putting those aside, I have to say that George Michael holds a special place in my memory. In my younger years I absolutely LOVED Wham! Do you remember them? I had pictures of them - well mostly of George Michael plastered all over my walls in my room. My cousin and I owned several VHS tapes (yes I said VHS) of some of their live performances and we would watch them endlessly, dancing around and using the remote for a microphone. We always wanted to see them in concert but never did. Then... George Michael went solo. Now my parents were never fond of Wham but the Faith album sealed the deal for them. Especially the I want Your Sex song- that was the end of my walls plastered with pictures and the end of me being able to listen to George Michael in our house.
Now I know Wham! was just another pop band with a lot of fluff songs. I still loved every minute of it and Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go still brings a smile to my face. So whatever you think about them, you have to admit that George Michael has some legitimate talent- he really can sing and some of his much later in life lyrics are deeper and more pensive.
Will I go see him when he starts his tour here in the US? I have to admit I have always wanted to see him in concert ever since his Wham! days. It would have to be with a friend or my cousin because wild horses couldn't drag my husband to his concert. :)

Sleepover

Drake spent the night with us last night and it was a boyfest! :) The boys had fun playing games. You can see their rousing games of Flippin' Frogs, Piranha Attack, and Clue Junior. They played hours on the Wii and then took breaks to play with the superhero action figures. Both Drake and Avery said they stayed up all night. Yeah, I'll let them keep thinking that. I came in at 11:30 to cut off the tv and both were snoozing away. I see an early night for my boys tonight- they are worn out!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from the Waters. For those of you who know my boys, you know just how difficult it was to get Avery and Aidan in collar shirts and vests! We hope you all have a very Happy Easter.

And the angel said, "Don't be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here! He has risen, just as He said He would!" Matthew 28:5-6

Saturday Fun With Friends

We had a fun afternoon/evening with our good friends the Traywicks. The boys enjoyed an egg hunt and just playing around with each other. I love the picture of the four boys together with their full baskets where Tucker and Justin are each shaking an egg- could there be money in these eggs? We're rich! And look at the one of Aidan pouting in the background. I have another picture but I won't publish it here (Hope you stay on my good side Dennis- just kidding!) Thanks for having us guys- we had fun!

Good Friday Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

We have had an egg hunt with the Smiths and some other neighbors for a couple of years in a row now. Its so much fun for the kiddos and the adults too. We always seem to have a massive amount of eggs but even with that the actual hunt is over in minutes. All the kids were expert egg hunters. Our friend Saundra and her kiddos, Erin, Elise, and Caleb came. Our new neighbors- very new- they just moved here from California yesterday also came with their little girl. The Rouths came with Annie and Maddox and our neighbor Stacey was there with Darryan and Darrell. After the hunt everyone had to open the eggs and check out their treasures. Ashley refereed some races and everyone loved playing on the Smiths gigantic playset.

Some Easter Humor

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

Look at this adorable bunny basket Aidan's Mother's Day Out teacher made for each of her kids. Its made out of a milk jug, cotton, pipe cleaners, ribbon and googly eyes. How sweet and what a neat craft idea. Thank you Ms Carol!!

Never Say Never

Do you remember some of the things you thought about before you had children? My first job right out of college was working investigating child physical abuse and neglect for the Department of Children's Services for Davidson County. It was a difficult job on so many levels and boy could I tell you some stories. But beyond that, part of my job was to actually work with families, parents on learning a better way of discipline. The question always came as I was working with the parents, "Do you have any children?" And I didn't- I was 22. So I'd say no and they would look at me as if to say, "How is it that you are going to be able to teach me something I can really use, something that will work if you've never been a parent?"
My point is, I thought a lot about what I would and would not do as a parent. What I would and would not allow as a mother. I just laugh at myself when I look back at how young and naive I was and how when you're young and you don't have kids of your own yet you don't know that you should never say never...
My children would never have a pacifier.
(Both boys were very attached to one before we even left the hospital)
My children would never sleep with me.
(Both boys as babies slept with us when there was no other way to get sleep- you do what works in those first few weeks)
My children will not sit in front of the tv- ever.
(I can't tell you how much tv my three year old watched last week when I was so sick I could barely get out of bed much less take care of him)
I will never raise my voice to my children.
(Ok as much as I'd like to type this and then say I've never yelled at my boys, I can't. I have had my moments of insanity where I could not here one more shrill scream or one more whine)

I just have to laugh when I think about all of those expectations I set and just how quickly they were tossed out the window. I think what I learned most about having kids is that you go with what works and finding what that is - is a work in progress.
Did you ever say never about something and wind up eating your words?

Back in The Saddle

For those of you who know me, having to cancel on someone or miss an obligation just kills me. I try to hold myself accountable when I schedule things with people. These past few weeks have just been crazy. Aidan got the flu first, followed by Avery who had strep and flu, followed by Jim and Aidan with a version of something, and then me with the flu. I have never had to cancel so many activities, volunteer obligations, so much life as I've had to in the past few weeks. I am so thankful to all of you who were so understanding when I had to call or e-mail or send my husband because I was too sick to function to cancel plans.
And thank you for calling to check on us and for offering to help. We are truly blessed with some amazing friends in Christ.
I am very thankful to be on the mend and can say that today is my first day back in the saddle. I am actually going to get out of the house today- woo hoo!!
And praise the Lord for his healing hands!

I'm No Dr. Seuss

I Do Not Like Strep and Flu

I do not like strep and flu
I do not like them I told you

I would not like them with my one that's three
I would not like them with me

I could not like them in grade one
I could not like them in anyone

I do not want that swab in my nose
And I do not want that swab down my throat

I would not like them with amoxicillin
I do not like them- I'm not kidding

I do not like you strep and flu
So leave my house- I warn you

I will not try them with alka seltzer cold plus
I will not try them on a bus

I do not like my nose that's red
I do not like this pounding in my head.

I can not drink, I can not eat
I at least better lose some weight!!!!!!!!!!!

So listen up I'm telling you
I'm bustin' out the lysol and the germ x too

I can not wipe one more nose
This is not the life I chose

Pack your bags you're time is done
No more spoiling our family fun

I do not like you strep and flu
I would not like you in the fall
I would not like you in the mall
I would not like you, my dear
I do not like you anywhere.

This has been brought to you by two weeks in the house with a sick six year old and three year old (a sick mommy) and way too much over the counter medication. :)

Can you have Strep and the Flu at the same time?

According to the nurse practitioner at CVS Minute Clinic- you can and poor Avery has them both. They did the flu swab thing when we went yesterday afternoon and said he had the flu. They also did a quick strep test which was negative. The NP then did another one to send to the lab overnight and they just called 30 minutes ago to say it was positive for strep. Poor guy. Here's my little man resting. I know he feels really bad because he said he didn't feel well enough to play Wii with his brother.

How is the date of Easter Sunday decided?

My friend Lori e-mailed this to me. I always wondered how the date was decided for Easter Sunday. This was really interesting.

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) than it will be this year (2008) but that is pretty rare.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early previously (95 years old or above!) And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:

1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than that.

Basil Tomato Fettuccine

I haven't tried this yet. It came in a magazine I got over the weekend. It sounds yummy so I thought I'd share.

4 cups water
7 medium tomatoes (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil minced
1/2 cup parsley, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Using slotted spoon, place tomatoes in one at a time for 30-60 seconds. Remove and immediately plunge tomato in ice water.
With a sharp knife, remove tomato peel. Seed tomatoes, dice pulp. Place pulp in a colander over a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let stand 1 hour
Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Meanwhile in a small skillet saute garlic in olive oil till tender.
In a serving bowl, combine the basil, parsley, pepper and pepper flakes. Add tomato pulp. Drain fettuccine, add to tomato mixture. Add garlic mixture and toss to coat.

CD Warehouse

If you're like us, you have many DVDs, CDs, or video games that have been carried around by little hands and have numerous scratches on them. Just recently we had a problem with two of our Wii games. Neither one of them would play anymore because someone (I won't mention names but he's three feet tall) got a little crazy with them. My husband called Gamestop and the man there referred him to CD Warehouse in Rivergate.
We took our games and several DVDs from our neighbors there to get them resurfaced. The charge per CD/DVD/video game ranges from $2 to $3. They are located in Rivergate right next to Old Country Buffet. The people were extremely nice and even charged us less because they didn't feel they got some of them to the quality they wanted them to be. Just thought I'd pass this along- it was definitely worth it.