My Mom the Rock Star

We are all recovering from the Retirement Extravaganza for my mom. Last night started with a wonderful open house at one of her schools. People from all over the area came to give her their best wishes. Then we had a very nice dinner at the Vernon Manor. Lots of people got up and said the most wonderful things about my mom and her impact on the lives of children with disabilities in southern Ohio. Chris leaned over during dinner and said, "I never knew your mom was a Rock Star."

As Mom heads for her last days of working, I think about all the great things that will happen for us. I KNOW that the quality of meals will increase because I am sure she will be cooking all the time. I now have a sick day babysitter. Best of all, my Mom gets to take time to do the things she WANTS to do! Yeah, Mom!!!

Home Clean Home

I have been spending my Thanksgiving weekend gutting and cleaning my house. I am happy to report the upstairs is complete. Now starts the downstairs. I told the kids we couldn't put up the Christmas stuff until everything was clean. Talk about a motivator!!! Looks like we will be spending tomorrow putting up out tree.

Today was the 1st Black Friday in years that I have not been out with my mom at a ridiculous hour. Last year, we went with the Jones' to the outlets. We waited 2 hours just getting off the exit! Talk about making a memory! Mom asked me at 8:00 pm if I wanted to head to the mall. I think she was afraid we were missing something!

Happily Ever After

We had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Chris's cousin Kellie this weekend. I know that I have not seen many other wedding where the bride and groom were any more in love. They were very sweet to watch and she was an absolutely beautiful bride!

Chris's other cousin Meghan also had a big romantic weekend. She thought they were meeting her brother and sister in law for dinner on Fountain Square in the middle of downtown Cincinnati. Really, her entire family and her boyfriends family was watching them from the hotel overlooking the square. While they were waiting, the jumbo-tron t.v. screen starting showing a video of pictures of her and her boyfriend growing up and together today and ended with a marriage proposal. Needless to say there was a big party at the hotel across the street afterwards!

Congrats to Kellie and Meghan!!!!!

Go Cats!

This weekend I took Alex and a friend to the UC/Connecticut game. It was a gorgeous November day. Our seats were in the upper section in the middle of a bench. After feeling a little claustrophobic, we moved down to the empty seats down by the band. These were much more fun (although out of the sun and much colder). UC played an awesome game and made it even more fun to watch. Alex LOVED the college football atmosphere. After sitting near the band and students, he decided he wants to go to UC. I told him all colleges with football teams had this kind of energy, even though I would love to have him this close to home.

Grandparents Day

Who is that grown up girl?!? I have hard time remembering that Abby is a 4th grader. She had a speaking and singing part in this year's program. Her Little Papa and Granny Smith came to see her show (Papa was even treated to Sloppy Joe's for lunch). The show was a great success. Abby ditched her hat for the 2nd and 3rd shows (she was having a hard time dealing with keeping her knees together ad keeping the hat on). She did a great job and made us all proud.

Mom Rocks!

OK, so we gave Alex his birthday present yesterday. He got the new Guitar Hero III. Now, for those of you who don't know, this is a video game that lets you simulate being a rock legend. You play songs on a play guitar by famous musicians. Alex has played the game almost nonstop since he got it last night. Those of you close to me know that I have been very sick these last couple days. Yesterday, I made the mistake of taking Tylenol Sinus, which keeps me up at night. Needles to say, I rocked until the wee hours of morning. I beat both Chris and Alex's high scores. Right now I am waiting for Alex to go to his soccer game so I can play again. MOMS ROCK!