Fabulous Five on Friday

It's the end of another week. I'm tired. But then again when am I not tired? So here's what I've done this week:

1. I punched in our tax information (which really isn't that complicated) and our return has been filed. Next year our return will not be as nice, since we'll make more money. I didn't realize until now that after we get back the tax we overpaid the rest of the money we recieve is government subsidies. So a small percentage of our country pays the taxes for everyone else. Interesting fact. No wonder we're in billions of dollars of debt.

2. I completed another level of Angry Birds.

3. I successfully completed five days of better eating habits, including two workouts and two pounds lost!

4. I got a printer for my desk at work. There is nothing better than new office equipment and supplies.

5. I cuddled a lot with my favorite new puppy. I don't love animals much but I sure do love my pup.

Kayley's Party

Kayley's birthday was a lot of fun! The party at my parent's house. They have a small playground and lots of space to run around. We set up the play tents and put out lots of sports equipment and let the kids play. The kids had lunch, opened presents and ate cupcakes. Kayley only had a "K" on her cupcake since she doesn't like frosting. Fun times were had by all and the weather was perfect!!

Thanks to Jo, Tommy, Krista and my parents for helping us with both parties!

I couldn't resist adding this one. Having a puppy is like having a baby. Tyler was on doggie duty.

Ten On Tuesday Wednesday, Kiddos Edition

1. Happy Birthday to Kayley and Cole!

It's so nice to have children who are as weird as I am. I guess it makes me feel like weird is normal. What is normal anyway? Whatever, I love my kids so much.

Kayley is so sweet and such a tomboy. At her party a girl said "lets go play hair salon." That is a term I would never hear my daughter say and I love it! Kayley is so smart. She can bomb through one of her Magic Tree House books in two days, one if you leave her alone long enough. She is such a good student and loves to be a helper, too. To the delight of her father, she enjoys spicy foods and puts Tapatillo on everything! She loves animals (a trait we do not share) and could play with Hartley all day long! She came early, was so tiny, fussy and unpredictable but has turned into a beautiful, cooperative, obedient little lady (even though she would rather be a boy) and I love, love, love her!

Cole is a cool kid. He is all boy and loves to fart, burp and laugh like it's the greatest thing on the planet. He's the best little guy a mom could ask for. He loves to do his homework pages and is getting really good at making letters and numbers. He could consume a huge meal and five minutes later ask me for food because he's starving. He loves his dad and loves to wrestle and build Legos with him. He loves his friends, especially Audrey, and is very sociable. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a million friends later on. He was a fat little roly poly baby, super smiley, and a charmer for sure. He's not fat anymore (he's got abs of steel), but he's still all silliness, smiles and cuddles. He makes this momma's heart happy.

2. Both kids got McD's gift cards for their birthday so we went there for breakfast this morning. They paid for their own food and were so proud of themselves!

3. We're going to Sky High Sports this afternoon. I'm leaving work early so we can go have some fun!

4. I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner tonight and, of course, Kayley said sushi. We're going to go to CPK instead so everyone can get something they want.

5. Kayley's new thing is to add air quotes to everything she says. Last night Cole was taking a bath and she came out and said "Cole is (insert air quotes here) kissing the shampoo bottle." She's so stinkin' funny! And don't ask me why he would be kissing the shampoo. It's Cole we're talking about here.

6. The birthday girl!

7. The birthday boy!

8. We gave the kids pillow pets for their birthday. Kayley got a ladybug and Cole got a penguin. They're so snuggly. I want one!

9. I have pictures of the kids birthday parties that I will post sometime this week. It was so much fun!

10. This isn't about the kids but I just have to say how much I love my husband. He does such a fabulous job of making me feel special! I love you, babe!

I really need new pictures for my blog. Kim, come visit me!!!!

Hello (almost) 5pm!

This week has been the longest week ever. Busy at work, busy at home. We got a new dog, I'm working more hours, we planned and prepared for the parties and now it's off to a preschool event. Looks like another day where my heels won't come off until about 9pm!

Here's a little video Kayley took of Hartley. Please disregard the fact that she keeps calling the dog Harley.

Ten On Tuesday

1. It has been a busy few days!

2. We got a puppy! Hartley is the newest member of the family. She's an 11 week old bassett hound and she's adorable! She is already crate trained and last night she slept all night without a peep! The biggest challenge is potty training. She goes mostly outside and sometimes inside on the potty pads but still has some accidents. We've only had her two days so I think she's doing great.

3. Hartley is the perfect dog for our little family. She's a puppy, but not super wild. By the time 9pm comes along she's beat! Tyler has been great with putting her on a schedule, too.

4. There are a couple of birthday parties coming up. Am I prepared? Absolutely not.

5. More work hours come with a nicer looking paycheck :)

6. We're selling Valentine's See's Candy for Cole's school. If anyone would like to order some please let me know. The order will come to the school but I could mail it to any of you who want a See's fix but don't have a store nearby! And it would support Kid's Corner!

7. Cole likes Michael Jackson. It's hilarious to watch him dance to his music.

8. I coughed so hard I pulled a muscle in front of one of my ribs. I equate the feeling to when I was pregnant and Cole would stick his foot under one of my ribs.

9. I'm done. I can't get to ten today. I give myself a pat on the back for actually posting this on Tuesday. Pat, pat.

I know I already shared that I had my review and I was given a raise yesterday. What I forgot to mention was that I also became a full time employee and am now eligible for benefits, including vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, health insurance, dental and vision!

I think I'm the most excited about being able to take time off when I'm sick or to work in the kids' classrooms at school and not lose money because of it.

I'm feeling blessed today!

Ten On Tuesday Wednesday

1. Monday was a really busy day. Yesterday and today, not so much.

2. My one year review was today. It went really well! I got an unexpected raise!

3. Plans for the kids' birthday parties are underway. We are having two parties on the same day at the same place but a half hour apart. It will be a busy day!

4. Tyler was gone all weekend and the kids were super wound up.

5. I do believe that this is the fourth week I've had this darn cold. Now I'm coughing a lot and it hurts. I saw the doctor yesterday and now I'm taking antibiotics.

6. We are coming to the end of season one of Glee. And when I say we I mean the person who watches it with me who is obviously not Tyler.

7. I think we're getting a dog. One of these, I think.

8. I'm excited to get our tax return!

9. Yesterday, a very rude lady turned around to see who was coming in the front door. A nice looking man walked in and she said to him:

"you're wearing shorts? What are you, twelve?"

This would have been acceptable if she were talking to her brother or a friend but she had never met the man in her life. It's a good thing the man had an easy going personality or there might have been some problems up in here.

10. Mr. Cole decided to climb a tree and almost gave me a heart attack. Can you spot him in the first picture? That's him heading down. He was much higher up!

Snow Day!

The kids have wanted to go to the snow for a while now so we thought we would take a little trip. We all bundled up and headed to Frazier Park. Cole kept saying "I can't put my arms down!" from A Christmas Story. It was hilarious!

We arrived around 1:30 and spent a couple of hours playing. The temp was around 35 and there was almost a foot of fresh, powdery snow!

I'm annoyed with the pictures that came out kind of blue but at least we got some!

Excited to go sledding!

We went up the road a bit and went down super fast!

The videos are short!

We had a great family day! It was the perfect way to end winter break!

Ten On Tuesday

1. It's a beautiful day! I'm back to work and excited for the year to come!

2. We rang in the new year with some fun times with friends and there was only just a little banging on the ceiling because we were playing Rock Band too loud.

3. There's enough weirdness around the office lately to make a reality show that people would watch. Seriously.

4. We had a nice time in Corona for my mom's family gathering. I always have a grand time talking to my cousin Jeanetta about kids and life. I love how Tyler just hops right in there and talks with the family. We also met up with Joanna, Tommy and Catie for lunch that day since it was Joanna's birthday. Panera Bread is a tasty and satisfying place to eat.

5. Kayley lost her third tooth!

6. These are my goals for 2011:

*Reach my goal weight (this seems to be a never ending goal!)

*Make it through tax season without quitting the gym or going overboard with fast food

*Read at least three books (don't even compare your goal with mine, Krista)

*Get a facial

*Have a girls night out with all my far away friends

*Read my Bible every day

I have others but I'm not going to list them here.

7. We took the kids to the snow yesterday. Look for the pictures and videos in a separate post.

8. It turns out Taryn is pregnant too. I guess we'll be having two new Batten kids toward the middle of next year!

9. Tim leaves for boot camp a week from today. I'm excited for him!

10. Last year on this day I started working at HDP. Hooray for one year!