Money, Travel, and Stuff

I'm not a blogger but someone once said we are lucky to get to travel. Yes, we are so lucky. They also commented something along the lines, must be nice to have money to do it. Yes, again, it is nice. However, we give up a lot of things in order to travel. We NEVER eat out, we don't shop a lot, we look for deals, I cut coupons, I shop sales, etc... Even when we travel, I usually bring stuff so we don't have to eat out 3 meals a day. I think everyone can travel and see the world. There are deals and places for everyones budget. We are on a budget because again, I would like to remind you that in 4-5 years (hoping, praying, it is this long) Danny won't be playing soccer anymore. And, then what? We have no idea but we are trying to prepare ourselves. Health insurance is probably my biggest worry.

Anyways, we are lucky, I am lucky to be able to show my kids the world. I didn't get that opportunity and I want to do it for them. Seeing their faces and listening to the questions they ask is priceless. The next time you just have to have that special thing... save the money and take your family someplace instead - Like to PA to visit us :)

Fashion Designer??????

We bought this "creative drawing" book for Paige when we were in Denmark. It was packed away so she is just now getting to use it.

Hard to see but there are a ton of blank pages with people on them.

I was really impressed and quite surprised how good they look.

Paige definitely has her own sense of style - gets it from her Daddy.

Even added a purse and a hat!. I love it. Maybe she's ready for FIDM at the age of 6?

What's Up?

So, we've been here 3 weeks now. Here's what we've been up to:

Soccer - Paige and Blake both started soccer last Saturday. Blake scored the first goal for his team and Paige scored 3 for her team. Danny made it in time for Paige's game. We were both impressed how well she did. She was dribbling and lifting her head up to see the goal. So proud! Blake did well at the beginning and then by the end he was fading out. He is playing with U6 so he's technically young but he looked like he fit right in.

Makin Music - We started a class called Makin Music today. It actually reminded me of the music class in Aalborg that we went too. All 3 kids had a great time - even Jude! It's mainly for him but since they only have morning classes we all go. It's on Thursdays each week.

Jude - He finally started to take to toys - for maybe 30 seconds instead of 10. All I hear is NO JUDE, or MOM, JUDE IS BREAKING MY TOY. He's a little terror and is into everything he shouldn't be. Just today he ate: chalk, rocks, a branch low enough that it was still on the tree, mulch at the playground (along with his bar that dropped in it), and Blake's star wars guy head. He did however entertain himself for almost 20 mins with some sort of pipe that he found under our sunroom. I didn't care. I don't know what to do with him.. any ideas???

School- Paige is doing fine in school. I think she is finally wanting to read. It's so frustrating though. If she can't get it right away she gets so mad. I know mom, it's just like me. However, I am trying to explain how important reading is. I think we are getting somewhere. Blake is just a ham at his school and already had 2 girls "fighting" over him at lunch. He has Spanish once a week and was the only one to get a few words right. Thanks Dora and Daddy! He loves going. I wish he could go everyday.

Neighbors - The kids are busy busy with friends. We are either at the playground or in the backyard daily playing after school. I absolutely love that the neighbor kids come over and ask "can Paige or Blake play". Ahh.. I love it!

Me- I'm keeping busy! So want my husband and chef back. I'm over cooking and cleaning up. I've met some friends in the neighborhood and am enjoying meeting new people. I love the iphone app with Notes on it. It's full of peoples name, kids names, recommendations of things to do, etc.. Next on the list - art class for Paige and a gym pass for me. Summer is right around the corner and since it doesn't look like I'm going to be getting a tummy tuck anytime soon, I better work on it.. ha ha! Had a few downers this week which make me sad but able to bring it back up with a few upcoming trips I just planned - Hershey, PA, NY, Houston (to finally meet Jude's girlfriend Jocelyn), and Boston in July. Love the East Coast!!!

Danny - just had his first game in Seattle. Decided to let it be known he is back in the MLS with a yellow 2 mins in.. Ahhh... how he likes to stress me out. Aside from that, I thought he did ok. I didn't watch the 2nd half. I couldn't. They ended up losing 2-0 and were a man down the 2nd half. They are a young, inexperienced team, and the weather was garbage. They have a lot of work to do but my friend Amy said it best.. it's a long season and a lot can happen! Let's hope so :)

Blake in 2010!

More from the Funny man!

Blake: Mom, I need to get something.
Me: What?
Blake: My tan. We have to go to the beach. I am so white.
Me: (thinking) Seriously - you're not even 5!!

We're jumping on the trampoline today and of course he only has his underwear on. It was in the 60's but he was soooo hot!
Me: Blake, you are so long and skinny. Kind of like a snake.
Blake: You're so... (thinking)... long and chubby. That is a nice way of saying fat.
Me: Well, thanks for using your manners.

Blake - I'm teaching Jude so many things: How to put on his socks, how to pick his nose, and how to play with his penis. Am I such a good big brother?

Paige

My big girl takes the bus everyday to school. I was sooooo soooo nervous about her taking the bus. Now, I love it! It's is so easy, safe, reliable. And, best of all, she loves it. She's met all the neighbors and gets dropped off and picked up in front of the house everyday. Betty is in the am, and she is such a sweet "old" lady. Been driving for over 40 years so you do the math. Rick is the afternoon and from what I can tell, he's a happy guy just driving the bus. Blake will take it next year which will make me sooooo soooo nervous all over again!

My New Car!

I've NEVER EVER EVER had a new car. I have been looking for the past 3-4 months. I saw this car this past summer and loved it. Ford has been trying to find one for me for months and I finally got it. I drove it yesterday and it's amazing. I'm really not a big car person but this thing ROCKS! -

Really??

So, Jude is starting to do this. What's even funnier is that Blake was sooo excited that he said, He gets that from me. Seriously.. why do they always copy the bad stuff?

Danny is 30!!!

Today is Danny's bday! (St. Patrick's Day). Not just any birthday though - he's 30! He's not too excited because he knows the older he gets the sooner his career is over. I say to hell with it. I can't wait for my 30's!!

Danny is in Florida with his team preparing for the new season. I don't get to throw him a party, give him a hug, give him 30 nasty spankings, nothing. I'm sad. :( I'm sad for him because he misses us. We miss him too.

The kids insisted we make a cake. So, we did. And I am glad we did. Danny deserves a cake, recognition on his 30 fabulous years of life. I have been with him for half his life.. crazy!!!

Danny - today, tomorrow, and yesterday, I love you because you are a very fun daddy, a hard working husband, a sensitive man who most people don't get to see, and my best friend who has taught me, encouraged me, and shown me the world.

I have a feeling this year is going to be great!! Can't wait to share another exciting year with you.

I love you because you love me. Me
I love you because you sing to me at night. Paige
I love you because you wrestle with me. Blake
I love you because you play with me. Jude

sledding video #1

Yes, that is Blake wearing a pink snow suit. I thought I packed him one.. guess not!

sledding videos

All About Media, PA

At the playground

Eating the last bit of snow. Seriously, even if it was dirty he ate it.

Our house

Sledding on the Saturday we arrived

I am not one to blog. I like to take up space with all the pics. Plus, my kids are too darn cute so why not. However, I have received many emails with a ton of questions from all of you asking how life on the East Coast is. I am going to jot down my thoughts by person.

Danny: I kept him busy for the 5 days he was here. He's had to be a dad again - forgets that Jude needs a diaper change every once in awhile. He tried to put together a desk from Target (didn't work out so well) but successfully put together another trampoline which the kids are loving. He's back in his element cooking for us. Got to go through boxes and boxes of old clothes. His closet is much fuller than mine.
Left today (Thursday) for 11 days. He'll be celebrating his 30th with his team on St. Patty's day. Sad I can't spend it with him.

Me:
My to do list and list of things to buy is never ending. It's amazing the stuff you need when you have NOTHING. Paige needed neosporine yesterday and I didn't have any. Danny is insisting on picking out our pots and pans so for now I have 1 pot and 1 pan that I am washing and re-using. We also have no knife set. Another thing he insists on buying. I seriously don't have a knife to cut the cantaloupe we just bought. This should be good - Hey, neighbor, can I borrow a knife? Bet it's going to be the first time they've been asked that.
Also, loving this neighborhood. So many families with a ton of kids.
Loving that Delaware is so close. NO SALES TAX! It is awesome.
My vacuum cleaner rules! I use it everyday. I consider that my daily form of exercise.
Everyone seems to know about the Union which is making it really cool. I'm hoping we get some perks from it :)
The association here (we pay like $250/year) organizes Easter Egg Hunts, 4th of July activities, Halloween Parade, etc. They even do a movie night in the summer where they rent a huge projector and watch movies outside.
My plan tonight is to sit on our big comfy couch and relax. I haven't even watched TV yet!
I found some great things for the kids which I am excited about. Already booking summer camps for the kids!!
Danny and I are also planning a trip to Hershey the end of this month.

Paige:
Loves taking the bus to school. I must say it is so convenient. And super cute seeing her run to get on and run to get off.
Her teacher is very nice (although I never see her which is really odd) and has the same system as VPE. She's gald the playground is much bigger.
We got a tour of her school and it's great. It was re-gutted from a Jr. High in 1991 so everything is new and big. Everything is indoors, they have an awesome cafeteria and a gymnasium with bleechers, etc... Oh, and a cool computer lab, art room, and even a science room which she'll go to next year. The classes average 16-19 kids. This school is a blue ribbon and the top 5th Elementary in the state. (PA is 10 in the country)
She loves her room. Just waiting on a desk now...
She rides the bus with 5 neighbor girls. We already have playdates set up for this weekend because of the rain. So far, we've met about 15 kids (6 families).

Blake:
Loves his room too. All his Star Wars stuff is in there so he'll often play alone which is so nice. (hint for 5th bday in June)
We found him a school. It's M W F part time. He'll start Monday. I really like the school because they meet with the district and find out what they are doing in K and work on those things. He'll have a letter of the week, a homework folder, Spanish lessons 1x a week (love this), a music and art class 1x a week. Oh, and they have a cool library which they can borrow a book from weekly. The playground wasn't great but that's OK. He has been great at home but he needs to be around other kids/teacher.
When we first arrived on Saturday we had a little snow. Enough to go sledding which was so fun. He was the first to ask and the first to go down our enormous hill. I didn't think he would ever sled again after his first run. He ended up going backwards and then tumbled down after falling. It was awesome!
He loves going pee outside just like in Denmark he says.
There is a playground super close that we have been riding razors too. This is where we have met so many kids. It's been a lot of fun. I really love this neighborhood.

Jude:
This little guy is busy! He loves running on the hallway into all 4 rooms and then back out again.
He learned how to go down the stairs on his belly in just 2 days. Now I am not so stressed.
My bathtub is huge and he loves it.
He took a pretty good tumble down our hill and got his first ouchy in PA. Come to think of it, I think it was his worst one yet - it would not stop bleeding.
Still loves being outside and runs to the door anytime we open it.
Refuses to play with toys, watch TV or have books read to him. I swear if he was the first we might not have had anymore. He is on the go constantly!

For now, I have nothing but great things to say about everything. Ask me in the winter.. I'm sure I'll have a different opinion.