Are you real?

So lately everytime the TV is on Brooke asks "is this real?"

Like the news will be on....Brooke: is this real? Me: Yep, real life stuff. Brooke: Really real? Me: Totally real. Brooke: Ok

Or House hunters....Brooke" is this real? Me: Yep, they are really going to buy outrageously expensive "vacation homes" because apparently everyone can afford to buy 550,000 homes in Belize to vacation to twice a year.

Okay, maybe I didn't say that...maybe I did. Probably under my breath though.

As I flip through the TV tonight, after the house is picked up, clothes in the dryer, dishes in the dishwasher (thank GOODNESS for the dishwasher). I digress, as I am flipping through the TV guide deciding if I should watch mindless TV or just go to bed I think...no wonder why she's confused! All this reality tv vs "semi-reality" tv vs sitcoms....poor girl has no idea what is real or not!

Myself, I enjoy a little reality TV. (a little). But I think how much the tv channels have changed since I was younger. Who would have thought people would watch shows like: Basketball Wives, Swamp People, Ice Road Truckers....weird. We are weirdly entertained by these things aren't we?

So then I think....why couldn't I have thought of shows like these!? I mean, I'm not sure what that would be...and I'm about the least creative person ever....but come on! 18 Kids and Counting...I totally could  have had 18 kids....or not. Not anymore anyways!

Okay...so that's what was on my mind tonight.

On a good note we get to meet the girls teachers tomorrow. They are both very excited...which is good! Hannah had a NIGHTMARE teacher last year...so it's a huge relief to know that her teacher this year is nice, kid friendly, and organized! Don't even ask what happened last year. Brooklyn's teacher was wonderful last year...Brooke loved her and she understood Brooke's quirky little ways. I was worried her teacher this year wouldn't match up...but I have heard nothing but wonderful things about her, so that eases my mind!

This year I will have two full time students! What happened to my babies?

Maybe I can start a show about mom's who go crazy when their kids grow up...I'm almost there. Two years and Hannah will be in the "high school"....lock me up. Lock her up? Someones gonna be locked up!

Summers end girls day!

Yesterday I took a vacation day. It was great. Ryan, of course, is out of town and has to work today as well. (He's going on 70 hours this week so far!) So I decided I'd take the girls school clothes shopping while he was working (that way he wouldn't have to spend his one day off running around from store to store with a bunch of girls). See how nice I am?

So we got up, got ready, and headed out to Riverdale. Hannah spotted a Justice there last weekend and just knew that was where she wanted to go shopping. School clothes shopping gets a lot more difficult when you have two girls with their own individual styles.

We shopped til we dropped (around 3pm for lunch) and then headed to do our grocery shopping and get that done while we were out.

Then we came home and tried on all the clothes in outfits...according to order they will be worn. Please someone just slow the aging of my children down! They are just such little adults now!

Today I am supposed to be sanding the stairs. So far I've managed to bring the sander in. Baby steps. I'm hoping to get a few things off of our "to do" list so that Ryan and I can have next weekend completely free! Woo-hoo!

Don't Worry!

I didn't die in a tragic earthquake accident

Admit it...this is funny.

I live in Minnesota...they only way I'm gonna die here is by all the friendly mosquitoes!

I know all three of you who follow me are gonna be so relieved that I am blogging again.... I can't really give any excuses...obviously everyone is busy. I just haven't felt like anything was truely "blog-worthy". Therefore I spare you. Don't you see how much I love you? (all three of you).

Nothing too big happening in the Shaw home. Ryan's been working a tooshy-load of hours (usually 12-13 a day)....which means nice pay, tired Ryan. My job hasn't changed, except for I have less money now. My program was cut $35,000 for 2012....guess that means it's time to get creative!

The girls have been busy, busy, busy! They spend 2 days a week with my sister and 3 days a week a daycare. Hannah's at the age now where she thinks 10 is waaaay too old for daycare....the funny thing is that when we were that age we were! Times have changed! They are all ready and EXTREMELY excited for school to start in a little over a week. They are rounding out the summer with a 5 day camping trip with Grandma (which means date nights for Ryan and I!)

I've been checking into finishing my degree....I'm leaning towards U of M Crookston...they have the program I want online, which will help big time with convenience! We'll see how far I get before I talk myself out of it...I seem good at that!

Well there's a quick-sy update.  See ya in another 2 months.

toot ~ toot~ SQUEEK!

Hannah has started band practice. She went up to the school and picked up her beautiful ($700) clarinet on Tuesday. Two of her good friends are also in the "woodwind" group. Lets just say she's finding her tune....

toot ~ toot ~ SQUEEK ~ toot ~ toot ~ SQUEEK. repeat....all day...all night.

Am I a bad parent if you try to think of things for her to do so she doesn't practice? I mean practice is for babies right? Oh, not a good thing to tell her? Well good....but I thought about it. After hours of jumping everytime there is that ear piercing SQUEEK!

Is there a quieter instrument? Please? Would you like her to come seranade you???  Please? Pretty please? Maybe I'll record it and send it in Christmas cards this year (yes Ryan, I WILL send out Christmas Cards this year....all the way, not just fill them out and forget about them....)

It makes me wonder what that band room full of woodwinds sounds like when they are in this stage.

Also, funny Brooke conversation:

Brooke trying to explain what a "nackin" is to the neighbor boy.

Brooke comes in shortly after....

Brooke: Dad, I need a nackin.

Ryan: Why?

Brooke: Because Joey doesn't know what a nackin is.

Ryan: Maybe that's because it's a NAPkin.

Brooke: (holding up napkin to neighbor boy)

Joey: I knooooow what that is.

Oh, the minds of two 6 year olds together....too entertaining.

Shutdown time!

So in 2 days Ryan and I will know if we are done working for awhile....I shouldn't have any excuse of not blogging then right? Or wrapping up our house projects?

It's bizarre that this shutdown would affect Ryan and my jobs as we do completely opposite things and Ryan doesn't even work for the state but the private sector!

In other news...Hannah and Brooklyn have both turned another year older....Why does this keep happening? I swear years are getting shorter!! Hannah is in a artsy mood and has been coloring up a storm lately.... Brooklyn is just Brooklyn....she's just a firecracker! She is a class clown just like her dad...she keeps me quite entertained! Here's a recent conversation Brooke and I had:

Brooklyn: {while watching Jurassic Park} Are dinosaurs dead?

Me: Yes they are.

B: Did they die when I was born?

Me: They have been dead for thousands and thousands of years....way before you were born.

B: Oh, so they died when you were born?

This kid is hilarious!

Hannah on the other hand asked me recently if "darnit" was a bad word and if she could say it. I had to giggle, but told her it was not a bad word...but not a polite word and she could probably think of a better word to use.

I tell ya...kids are never ending balls of excitement!

Speaking of excitement. I came home today after work to the girls sitting in the yard and the sprinkler running (no one in it of course). When I ask my sister how long it's been running, she begins to count the hours....no a good sign. Of course she's always lived in the country so water is a never ending "free" thing to her. To me...well let's just say I'm not looking forward to the water bill this month.

Rain...rain...go away!

So after all the predictions of the educated weather people...this morning started off with quite the little rumbling storm. Don't get me wrong! It heated up to a nice 90 degrees (did you know the computer does NOT have a degrees sign??) but was a tad humid for my liking...or the liking of my hair.

Luckily Ryan has been able to work and hasn't gotten rained out yet...and believe it or not, he actually got notified on Thursday that he was going to work Saturday, which is amazing in this job...normally they'll let them know Friday at around 3.... Oh, you have plans....too bad....Oh, you have family....too bad....Oh, you want to be able to make plans....that's just silly.

The rain has had some effects on our little lake though...it's actually quite pretty being so high, the last few years it's been so low, but now it's the highest I think I've ever noticed it!

Oooh ~ Aaah...come on...I know you're saying it!

"Road Under Water"

The lake is up to the big trees...it's kinda hard to see...

I know that Ryan's grandma and grandpa have witnessed it being much, much, much higher than this before! But it's still fun for us to watch!

Miley was having fun playing outside while I was shooting pics of the lake....couldn't resist snapping a few of her!

I'm so pretty...oh so pretty...



Yes, she is sitting on the step here. I made her sit pretty so I could get a pic of her by my hostas!

Weeeeee........

Let's quit looking at the lake and jump in already!

She usually is on a leash or in her kennel...so she enjoyed the freedom...although she has no clue that the road is a dangerous place for her (number one reason she's always on a leash or in her kennel when we are outside!)

We have a busy weekend ahead of us, and with Ryan working it tends to make it a bit more stressful, but we'll make it! We always do!

XOXO,

Erinn

Big encouragement!

So I'm all about having to keep myself motivated (when I am actually on track) for dieting or exercising....The saying that a diet is a certain percent diet, a certain percent exercise, but mainly your mind...that totally makes sense to me! (Sorry, I totally can't remember the actual percent...although, I doubt it was drawn on doctor proven facts...so I think you're okay). I am the first to talk myself into (or out of) something if I really want to. Or the first to tell myself that I can't....the other saying "we are our own worst critics" (apparently I'm all philosophical today...ps...I really don't know if philosophical is a word, or if it is the right word to use there BUT I never said I was an english pro)

I digress, I am definitely my own worst critic! I am the first to tell me self the things I can't do...or things my body can't handle! I think that's why running is so hard for me. Apparently my brain is smarter than my body and can manipulate my body into thinking it's too hard or I can't do it....Something I need to recognize and get over!

Well, I was getting off my dreaded treadmill last night and Brooklyn (my 5 year old) says, "Way to go mom...you are so good at exercising!" Holy Schmoly!! I was so proud of her at that moment! And I really needed to hear it too, so I'll take it where I can get it...even if it's from a 5 year old!

Did I pay her to say it you say? Nope! Didn't even bribe her with a fruit snack!

In other news....the state shutdown rumors keep looming! I try not to get wrapped up in it, because you NEVER know what will happen! But then yesterday I hear that according to our union contract this means that they will cash out all of our vacation and sick time. Great for one lump some of money that the government is going to tax the CRAP out of....but then I come back to 0 balance of sick and vacation time! I have been saving for what seems like forever!! I have over 500 hours of combined sick and vacation time!! This leads me to believe that if this shutdown happens I will NOT be voting for ANY incumbent members of congress! So easy for them to vote on cutting my funding...yet they sit there and get nothing done, and get paid for it! Psh!

Okay, if anything, it will be a nice (non-paid) vacation the beginning of July! We'll have to see what happens!