Well it Wasn't Vegas, but...

Yesterday was Chris' birthday. And of course I feel terrible because, I didn't schedule a Happy Birthday post for him. But, I have a good excuse. We were out of town this weekend in Michigan City @ The Blue Chip Casino!

On Saturday afternoon we divided up the kiddos and headed out. Thanks by the way to the wonderful friends and family that kept the kids so we could get away. Reagan went to stay with Gina and Matt, Dee Dee went with my BIL Miah and SIL Rachael, and Jack went to my mom and dad's. We went with some friends of ours, Ben and Jill. Now, keep in mind that Chris and Ben have been friends since they were little. Seriously, they went to elementary school together and have stayed friends all these years. I just think that is amazing! Ben's birthday was last week and the boys always try to do something to celebrate together. This year us wives tagged along. Here are Ben and Jill enjoying some shrimp when we stopped to get lunch after we checked into the hotel.

After lunch the boys headed to the poker room and Jill and I went to the outlet mall. Wow, did I get some serious shopping in! Let's just say the kids are pretty much set for spring/summer clothes. After our shopping adventure we went back to the hotel and I enjoyed a nice long uninterrupted shower. Who would have thought that this would have one of the highlights of my trip. Those of you who have or have had young kiddies realize what I am talking about. I can't remember the last time I had a relaxing shower when nobody was screaming at me to hurry up or wanting to stand there and talk to me! I dried my hair and did my makeup and was ready for the party to begin. I met Jill downstairs and we headed to the casino (where we got carded :) thank you nice security guard for making me feel young!) and we hit the slot machines. I must say at first I found it pointless, but once you get the hang of it and figure out which ones you like, slots can be really fun!

This was Jill's $5, which she turned into $75. Not bad for a night's work. I was down $47 and then hit on some fruit machine for $47.22, I cashed out and called it a day!

Unfortunately the one similarity with any casino is that it is very easy to lose track of what time of day it is. We ended up eating dinner around 10:30 which was actually 11:30 to us. I of course had a few drinks and maybe sent a few drunken texts to some friends, sorry guys! This is Chris and I at dinner, drink number one...

This is drink number two... I don't remember what it was called but boy was it strong!

Drink number three was a green shot that tasted like mouthwash and drink number four didn't get a picture. By then this momma need to go to bed. I stayed up while Jill made some more money on the slot machines and then hit the sack.

The next morning we did the buffet breakfast and the boys played some more poker while Jill and I went back to the outlet mall to spend her winnings! All in all it was a very nice weekend. Some good time away, with good friends. Of course by the time I got back into town and picked up the kiddos I had a major cold coming on. I crashed in my bed fully clothed around 6:30 last night and slept straight through till 11:30. My hubby even managed to tuck the kids in @ 8:30 all by himself, on his birthday. Thanks, babe! Hope you had a wonderful birthday, as for Ben and Jill... we are so on again for next year!

Mommy's Little Helper

Most little boys aspire to be daddy's little helper. Not mine, he loves to help his mommy. Especially in the kitchen. One of his favorite activities is helping unload the dishwasher. Its a daily activity. Lets face it, with five people in the house and all those sippy cups the dishwasher gets run at least once a day. The funny thing about Jack helping to unload it is that he really does know where everything goes. I took this little video of him the other day. It is short cuz the memory on my camera was full, but it is still really cute. Please excuse the fruit snacks, hair tie, and other crap on the floor. Hey, we're just keepin' it real around here.

Haircut, Shmaircut

Don't know why it seems that a haircut is always deserving of a blog post,it is just a simple haircut. But around here it is big news. I have been growing Reagan's bangs out since the beginning of last summer and they were finally long enough that I felt like it was time for her to have a actual hairstyle again. So last week I made an appointment with my hairdresser and took her today. I love it! I thought I would miss all of the length, but I really don't. I have a feeling it will be much easier to manage. I took some before and after pictures. Then tonight I decided to take a picture of the side view, sorry if the exposure is a little off. Hope everyone else thinks it is as adorable as I do!

Before

During

After

the side view

What Do You Do on a Rainy Day?

We take silly pictures, squeeze each other, and laugh until our tummies hurt!

Cerrado al Publico

Well because I'm still in a movie mood from my Academy Awards post, and because I don't have any cute kid pictures to share, I decide to share this. It is a short film (5 min) I found on Facebook. The guy in this movie just happens to be a guy I went to high school with. We acted in numerous plays together, worked together at Arby's and he actually dated my best friend for a while. Personally I think he is pretty darn talented and I think this video is hilarious. So if you have five minutes to spare please watch it. But, you might not want to watch it with little kids in the room.



Cerrado Al Publico from Poet Zero on Vimeo.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy... UPDATED

OKAY PEOPLE, I MUST SAY I AM DISSAPOINTED. WERE MY QUESTIONS JUST TO HARD FOR YOU? ONLY THREE PEOPLE ANSWERED AT ALL. WELL THE WINNER IS SARA, AND I MUST ADMIT I'M NOT SURPRISED! GO PLAY HER TRIVIA TODAY, IT IS A HOOT!ANYWAY, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE ARE THE ANSWERS...

I LOVE award show season! All the celebrities and the beautiful (or not so beautiful) dresses. And it all culminates this weekend with the broadcast of the Academy Awards on Sunday night. I'm a big fan of movies and of actors, so it only makes sense that I like to see them honored for their work. Though my knowledge of more recent movies is probably a little scarce, I used to be a big movie trivia buff. So I was doubly excited when I won the Tuesday Trivia over @ Just sayin' this week. The category was Oscar trivia and I was actually surprised at how much of it I knew ( I only got one wrong). In order to celebrate my accomplishment I am doing what I did last time I won, and passing more trivia along to you. Please play!!! The more the merrier, even if you don't know all of the answers and even if you have to de-lurk to play. I promise it will be worth it. I am not sure what the prize will be yet, but I will try to make it good!

So, here are the rules. Don't cheat! No googling! Leave your answers in the comments and I will review them. I will not post any answers until the end of the contest which will be Sunday night. Good Luck!



1. There have only ever been two women have won Best Actress Oscars for their portrayal of country music legends. Can you name one of them? Reese Witherspoon/Walk the Line and Sissy Spacek/Coal Miner's Daughter

2. Only 8 foreign language films have ever been nominated in the Best Picture category. Can you name any of them? Grand Illusion (1938), Z (1969), The Emigrants (1972), Cries and Whispers (1973), The Postman/Il Postino (1995) Life is Beautiful (1998), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)






3. Kate Winslet is nominated for Best Actress this year for "The Reader". It is her 6th nomination and she has never won. Two of her previous nominations came for films in which she played a younger version of a character whose older acting counterpart was also nominated. Can you name either one of those characters and/or the films? Rose DeWitt Bukater/Titanic and Iris Murdoch/Iris




4. There has only been one director in Oscar history to direct both his father and daughter to Oscar winning performances. Who is he? John Huston. His father was Walter Huston/The Treasure of Sierra Madre and his daughter is Angelica Huston/Prizzi's Honor




5. What is the most recent film to win Best Picture that also took home the awards for Best Actor and Actress, and who were they? ("You make me wanna be a better man") As Good as it Gets, Joack Nicholson and Helen Hunt

6. I love Oscar fashion. Who wore this dress and what movie did she win her Best Actress statue for? Julia Roberts/ Erin Brockovich (2000)

7. One of this year's nominated actresses has the most nominations in Oscar history. This is her 15th nomination, and she has won twice. Who is she? Meryl Streep

8. In the entire history of the Oscars there have only been 10 awards given to African American performers. One actor has two of them. Who is he? Denzel Washington, he won best supporting actor for Glory and best actor for Training Day

9. This year Heath Ledger is nominated for his role in "The Dark Knight". If he wins he will be only the second actor to receive a posthumous award. The first was Peter Finch for his role in what movie pictured here? Network

10. He won back to back Best Actor awards in 1993 and 1994. Who is he and what are the names of the movies he won for? Tom Hanks, Philadelphia and Forrest Gump

BONUS* I will award bonus points to anyone who answer this simple question. What is your favorite movie. One answer only please!

In the Kitchen

I love to cook. I truly do enjoy it. I love to bake too. Even though I do appreciate a good meal out (like I had on Valentine's Day) I am trying to cook at home more. We have our staples of course; tacos, homemade pizza, spaghetti Mondays. But, I also look forward to trying out new recipes and getting a thumbs up or thumbs down from my hubby. I always ask him, "Can I make this again?" He is usually honest with me because he has learned over the years that I don't want to waste my time making a meal that he doesn't like or won't eat. Well this winter I found a new recipe that he just loves. According to him, it is his new favorite meal. It is for a Loaded Baked Potato Soup, and I have been wanting to share it for a while now. But, you won't be seeing it here. Because a few months back, Chris' cousin Krista started a blog of her own called Krista's Kitchen. She is a former "Home Ec" teacher turned stay-at-home mom and an excellent cook. I have always admired her gingerbread cookies at holiday get-togethers along with all of the other goodies that she brings. She makes simple, well balanced meals that taste great. I have been following her from the beginning and have made quite a few of her recipes. Today I have the honor of being her first guest "chef". So, if you would like to see my recipe for Loaded Baked Potato Soup, you'll have to drop by Krista's Kitchen and check it out there!

Speaking of cooking, my kiddos love to help me cook. Sometimes they want to help so much that they just get in the way. But, I try to find little things for them to do like pouring pre-measured ingredients into a bowl or stirring something. They are constantly running to see who can climb up the lazy Susan the fastest and help mommy. Many days I just wish I could cook in peace and get dinner on the table. But, I try not to be too quick to push them away. I know the day will come when they no longer covet that spot next to me on the kitchen counter. Until then I will continue to let them help as much as possible. Even if that means that after pouring the milk into the mashed potatoes, Reagan hands the measuring cup to Jack and lets him drink what little is left.

Sleep... a Valuable Commodity

When you have three children under the age of five you are used to not getting much sleep. I am forever getting up in the middle of the night because someone is sick, scared, thirsty, or wet. It also doesn't help that all three of our children have now decided they would rather sleep in our bed than in their own. Oh, they all start out in their own beds, they just don't stay there. They begin to trickle into our room around 3 a.m. starting with Reagan first. I have a hard time turning her away and I fully admit that it is my fault she wants to sleep in our bed. I started co-sleeping with her as an infant and never had the heart to make her give it up. Plus, she shares her room with her sister and if I make her go back there crying , it will just wake Dee Dee up and then I am dealing with two kids awake instead of just one.

The problem is that sometimes Dee Dee wakes up alone and gets scared. Not every night, but it seems to be happening more and more. So, then she ends up in our bed and we are up to four people in our bed. Now Jack... he used to be my great sleeper. From the time he was 3 months old he started sleeping through the night. When I say through the night I mean 12 hour stretches! I was in heaven. But, ever since we put him in his big boy bed (a regular twin, moved up from the toddler) he wants to come sleep with us. We moved him at the beginning of December and he has just never quite adjusted. I keep thinking it is going to happen and it doesn't. That brings the count up to five. Five people in one King size bed, which means mommy doesn't get much sleep.

So yesterday when I took the girls to school (they had a make-up day b/c of the snow) I was surprised to find that Jack was asleep when I got home. I had left him with Chris and he had fallen asleep on the floor in front of the computer. He never naps at this time of day, it was noon, and he usually naps after school around 3 or 4. So, I now found myself with two whole hours to myself. What did I do you might ask? Laundry? Clean the bathrooms? No, I laid down on my bed by myself and fell asleep. Man, was it wonderful!

*And now gratuitous pictures of sleeping children....

Dee Dee napping on her bed after school yesterday

Jack, who fell asleep last night in his cowboy boots and nothing else. Adorable.

Reagan and Dee, peacefully sleeping. If only this lasted all night.

Welcome to the World Baby Dane!

I spent my entire evening coming and going from my computer, hitting the refresh button! I was waiting to hear news of baby Dane's arrival. He is finally here! Dane Paul Hatten weighed in at 8lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. Dane's mommy just happens to be Chris' cousin and she's a fellow bloggy friend. She and her husband Cameron have spent many years struggling to have a baby, and now after many ups and downs they were finally welcomed their first son today! After all of the waiting they did over the years, he still kept them waiting on his arrival and was a week overdue! I am so happy for them I could just burst. Please go visit them @ Hatten Living and tell them congratulations! That or you could just go to look at adorable newborn baby pics!

Happy Valentine's Day...

Give away your heart (even if its only made from paper and paint, its the thought that counts)

Reflections...

I am reflecting today. Yes, that is my reflection in the mirror. It seemed an appropriate way to capture what I am feeling right now. I am reflecting because a year ago today I started this blog. My very first post was short and sweet. Yet, it still is a time capsule of our lives. Not much has changed since that first post, sick kids and school parties are still par for the course. But in a way, it seems everything has changed. I could never have imagined a year ago what this blog would become for me. I started it as a scrapbook. A way to keep track of all of the happenings in our lives because my "actual" scrap booking had become very much neglected since Jack was born. I thought it would be a good way to share stories and pictures with family and friends who were far away and those who were a part of our daily lives. I has helped me stay connected to some of those people and to reconnect with others. It has become an outlet for me, both creatively and emotionally. I know I can come here and speak my mind and share my feelings and not feel judged. I have "met" so many wonderful people this year I can't even begin to list them all. They have all touched my life in their own ways. By reminding me not to sweat the small stuff and to live life in the moment. Their stories of triumph and heartache have rocked me to the core. As I took a look at my life today, I realized that this blog and this blogging community have made me a better person, and for that I am truly grateful. So if you are reading this today, whether for the first time or the fiftieth... Thank You.

Its Like a Heatwave!

I don't know if it is global warming or maybe just a fluke, but yesterday it was 65 degrees here! Can you believe that?! 65 degrees, in Indiana, in FEBRUARY! I am tellin ya, that is just not normal. It was sunny and warm and all the leftover snow and ice just melted away. Of course that left some huge mud puddles in our backyard, but beggars can't be choosers right? It isn't supposed to last though. Today they are calling for rain, and tomorrow is expected to be back to 35 degrees and more snow. But, it was nice to have a little reminder of what spring is like to give us something to look forward to. So on a whim yesterday, I decided to take the kids to the park after picking Reagan up from school. I figured because the park is mostly asphalt and rocks it wouldn't be too muddy, and I was right. They had such a good time, running and playing with each other. It proved to be quite a workout for me too, chasing three kids around the park who all want to go in different directions! One wants to swing, one wants to slide and one wants to climb the jungle gym. It was worth it though, even Reagan took a nap when we got home, and she never naps anymore! Of course I forgot my camera, which is very unlike me. I almost always have my camera with me and love to annoy people with all of the pictures I take. But alas, it was at home on the charger. I did however capture the outing on my cell phone, thank God for modern technology!

Reagan climbing away...

Not the best shot of Dee Dee, but the only one I had. As you can see, it was really windy!

Jack, smiling as always

The Important Things in Life

Reagan, (my first baby) is growing up too fast. One of the new developments in her life is a love of "big kid shows." She loves Drake and Josh, Hannah Montana, and especially iCarly. Well apparently this weekend there was a new episode of iCarly on w/ David Archuleta and she didn't want to miss it. Earlier tonight she came into the room to inform Chris and I that it was coming on and she wanted us to watch it with her. We told her we would, but in a minute. This was her response...

"But dad, THIS is my whole world, and the most IMPORTANT in my life!"

Of course this was said with a touch of sarcasm and with her hand on her hip. Chris and I couldn't help it. We just looked at each other and busted out laughing! Oh, to be young again!

Playing Catch-Up

Life is busy here at our house, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I wanted to try and catch up on my blogging, but now I can't even remember what I was going to write about. I have a feeling there were all these stories floating around in my head that I wanted to write about and now I can't remember any of them. We spent last weekend preparing for the annual Polk Equipment auction (another post to come soon). We celebrated cousin Dominic's first birthday on Sunday, and then we had the flu. It was quite an eventful week and those are just the highlights! Though I may not have too many specifics, I wanted to share some pics from the past week.

Apparently when you are 15 and a freshman on the swim team, it is customary to go along with the peer pressure and bleach your hair. I guess J.C. thought his would turn blonde like everyone else's? I don't know why, but Chris said it should help him with the ladies. I personally don't find orange a very attractive color...

This is my favorite picture from before the auction. All four of the Polk grandkids sitting on one of papaw's tractors. Aren't they just too cute!

Cousin Dominic (Kiki) enjoying his first birthday cake. Oh, how I wish my babies were still little like this!

Jack has been very generous with his kisses lately. He gives daddy a kiss every morning, and then when he walks out the door Jack turns to me and says, "Daddy no go bye-bye." He seems so sad to see him go every day and so happy when he comes home. This picture is of him giving kisses to his Nini. I think it is just too precious!

The flu made its way through our house this week and even though It only lasted 24 hours, and Dee Dee didn't get it, it still took its toll. Reagan had it the worst and actually fell asleep sitting up because she was so exhausted. (please excuse her outfit, at least she was comfortable)

That about sums it up, though I have a ton a pictures from the auction that I want to share later. Until then, hope everyone is well. See you soon!