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December 31, 2005
Thank you!
Youngestwas so thrilled to read all of her birthday messages. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment for her.
Husband and his dad bought all the sheetrock for the addition (50+ sheets) and the girls and I will bea heading to my Mom's place for a couple hours to visit. This way, the menfolk can do whatever they need to do while we are gone.
Ciao!
Posted by Cate at 09:47 AM | Comments (3)
December 30, 2005
Happy Birthday Olivia
Dearest Olivia,
Today is your sixth birthday. I can't believe that it's been six years since your birth. I know you are one tough little girl. I've seen you go through several medical issues in your six years and you've tackled them head-on, not letting them slow you down in any way whatsoever. You are doing great in gymnastics and you have so much fun in Girl Scouts. You started kindergarten this year and you are at the top of the class already with reading and math. Daddy and I are so very proud of you. We've watched you grow up to be such a beautiful little girl. You are wonderful and loving daughter and we love you so very much. I hope you have a very special day today.
Love always,
Mommy and Daddy
Posted by Cate at 08:16 AM | Comments (14)
December 29, 2005
A Decree
I declare today as the offical "Pajama Day" of the Christmas break.
Who will join me in this noble quest?
Posted by Cate at 09:38 AM | Comments (8)
December 27, 2005
Santa must have been crazy...
He brought this thing into our home:
Polly Pocket! Totally Bead-Iful Jewelry Maker
I Santa must have had a huge brain fart to allow this in the house. Perhaps I he was weakened from the sad cries of the youngest daughter, begging to have this toy of Satan wonderful toy brought to her.
Is it too late to smash it with a hammer?
Posted by Cate at 02:42 PM | Comments (8)
Recovering
Well, we survived Christmas! The girls got so.much.stuff! They loved everything, of course, so it was totally worth it. The big winners - Youngestgot a camera and a game boy sp. Eldest got Ugg-ish boots as well as an mp3 player. Both girls also got Tamagotchis and I have been having a lot of fun playing with them too.
One of my favorite gifts (from my Mom) was this dvd set:
Woohoo! The Muppet Show! The girls and I already watched 10 episodes yesterday. I was cracking up - all these old stars - Harvey Korman, Lena Horne, Husband Williams, Connie Stevens... it was like watching The Love Boat with Muppets! Man - I remember watching all these shows. I can't believe I was only seven when a lot of them aired. Man, I feel old....
We have our insulation inspection happening tomorrow. Once we get approval for that, we can start sheetrocking and doing the floors. Paise the Lord! When the house is finished, I am having an open house, just so people can come in and look at my house.
Ooh - almost forgot about something happening yesterday. While taking a break from cleaning out Eldest's room, there was a knock at the door. Imagine my shocked face when I realized it was my neighbor's husband. They moved to North Carolina in August. Her husband, who is the nicest guy around, and her eldest son just decided to jump in the car and drive up to Jersey to visit people. Boy, he totally surprised me! We chatted for about 30 minutes before he had to leave and visit a couple other neighbors. That was really a bright spot in my day. I've got to email his wife... I really miss them...
Well, I suppose I should feed the children today. I'll be back!
Posted by Cate at 08:46 AM | Comments (7)
December 24, 2005
'Tis the Season
To all of my wonderful family and friends near and far -
Posted by Cate at 11:37 AM | Comments (12)
December 22, 2005
Feelin' better
Eldest is much better. Thanks for all the well wishes. She enjoyed reading them. She did go to school today (woohoo!) and, in about an hour, I will be heading into Youngest's classroom for the Christmas Holiday party. They will be playing Pin the Nose on Frosty, the Dreidel game, Pass the Candy Cane (like hot potato) and I have a popsicle stick craft for them to complete as well as a coloring page. Food is going to be simple - cookies, juice, popcorn... the easy stuff. Tomorrow I am helping in Eldest's class. I am looking forward to that. I don't get in there much because I am the class mom for Youngest's class. Eldest is thrilled I am coming in - lol. Silly kid. She's lucky she's cute....
So - I'm off to party with the kindergartners. Woohoo!
Posted by Cate at 12:34 PM | Comments (6)
December 21, 2005
Not Like The Other
Anyone remember when Sesame Street did a segment called One of these things is not like the other The child had to choose what word didn't belong in a group of four words. I'll give you an example if you are not familiar with this game:
apple
banana
orange
car
Now, obviously, the word that does not belong is - car. See how easy this game is? Let's try it with a new set of words. I'll make it a little more difficult by using phrases instead of single words.
Christmas lights
Christmas cookies
Christmas presents
Nine year old daughter waking up at 230am and vomiting.
Can anyone guess which phrase doesn't belong with the others? Oh yeah, I bet you can!
Posted by Cate at 07:50 AM | Comments (11)
December 20, 2005
What Kind ...
(snagged from the lovely Deb)
of Crappy Christmas Gift Am I?
| You Are a Losing Lottery Ticket! |
 But in the end, a cheap letdown. |
Posted by Cate at 05:38 PM | Comments (3)
Almost made it
I wrapped for a couple hours and almost got it all done. I still have to finish my Mom, Dan, Husband, a couple of things for the girls and my niece and nephews. Yeah, it takes me a while to wrap. I prefer gift bags.
OH! The last of my Christmas cards went out in today's mail. I ran out of stamps and didn't get any until today. So, please forgive me
Posted by Cate at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)
Five days til Christmas??
Luckily, all I have left to do is to wrap... and wrap.. AND, wrap somemore. But, that's all that I have on my agenda today. I hope I get it all completed.
This weekend just passed by with lightening fast speed. The tree is up AND decorated. Unfortunately, the outside of the house did not get decorated, much to the childrens' chagrin. I think Eldest is most disappointed. But, I hope to make it up to them tonight by driving around the neighborhood to see the lights. I'm going to set them up with hot chocolate in travel mugs and then we'll be off!
So - where the hell have all you guys been? Are you done shopping?.
Posted by Cate at 10:17 AM | Comments (3)
December 17, 2005
SNAP!
Mom arrived at my house at 945am this morning to swoop up the girls for the afternoon. I am going to pick them up around 330 and then bring them to Husband's parents' house so they can do some shopping. I will be able to get the tree and the decorations out of storage, maybe decorate it and possibly (ohpleasepleaseplease) wrap some presents.
So, why am I hanging around here yapping to you guys?! I'm outta here!
Posted by Cate at 10:16 AM | Comments (6)
December 16, 2005
Presents
I ordered my assigned Secret Santa her gift last night. It should get to Texas by Monday. I hope she likes it!
In other news, I am getting my hair cut/colored/styled this morning. Woohoo - I really need this cut.
Off to get the kiddies moving for school.
Posted by Cate at 07:02 AM | Comments (1)
December 15, 2005
Support
Please help support the Kids With Food Allergies (KFA). There is an incredible amount of support to be found on that website. If you are interested, read the information in the extended entry.
Every little bit helps.
Dear Member of Kids With Food Allergies,
Asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis. The diagnoses for my son, Matt, left me feeling both frightened and overwhelmed. I knew no one who had a child with severe food allergies until I started to find other parents on the Internet in the mid-1990s. I didn't understand the real value of those online connections, though, until one day when Matt had an anaphylactic reaction at school in first grade while I was out running errands.
I returned home that day to find the following message on my answering machine:
"Mrs. Mitchell, this is the school nurse. Matt's had a severe allergic reaction at school, and we've called 911. We've been unable to reach you. Please contact us immediately."
My heart sank. This was only the second week of school for my first grader - my baby - and I was not home when the school needed to reach me! My cell phone had been in a bad reception area as I ran errands. I called the nurse, who told me the paramedics had arrived and were ready to transport Matt by ambulance. I was told to meet the ambulance at the hospital.
I was devastated to think he was going through this without me. I raced to the hospital and met up with my wide-eyed, frightened 7 year old as he was whisked into the Emergency Room.
Thankfully, the school nurse, paramedics and hospital treated him expertly, and we went home later that day. Within a few days, Matt was as good as new and back at school. I was still reeling from the stress of his having such a bad reaction, though, while away from me and out of my care. I feared for his safety and health.
At the time, I had no local support group, and knew no other parents who had children with severe allergies. I was shaken for weeks, and could barely talk about it with anyone except my immediate family and close friends. I felt very alone and afraid for Matt.
A week or so later, I logged on to an Internet allergy message board and posted, in heartfelt detail, my story and concerns about Matt's anaphylactic reaction. I checked back the next day, and found a number of other moms with severely allergic children who offered kind words and a sympathetic ear. They understood how frightening it was to have a child have a severe reaction like Matt did, and then send him back to school. They even suggested some ideas for helping me to make better school plans for the future.
It was then that I realized how online support could truly be a lifeline to a family raising a child with food allergies- if only to find other parents who understand.
Years later, this experience was the inspiration for founding Kids With Food Allergies: to make sure that any parent who wants to connect with other parents of food-allergic children can do so- in the comfort of their homes, just by going online. Having a place to go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to share recipes, parenting tips, coping strategies, humor and stories makes such a difference. KFA is also a place to find helpful articles, news and tips reviewed by our Medical Advisory Team.
If you have read this far then you probably already know how valuable a resource KFA can be for families like ours.
I now ask you to step up to help KFA meet its fundraising goal of $100,000 for 2006.
Launching and maintaining KFA has been a labor of love made possible by the kindness of its many volunteers, with work completed on a shoestring budget, and donations received from a small number of families and corporations. Yet it has not been enough for us to do all that we need to do to keep KFA thriving.
Please join us so we can keep KFA alive.
A lot of us are on tight budgets, having to pay for expensive formulas, doctors' visits and more.
However, let's try to put a price on how much KFA is worth. Is it $10, $20, $200?
Has KFA saved you from worrying needlessly, and eased your fears and anxieties about having an allergic child?
Has KFA helped you and your child have a happy first birthday party or his first safe "ice cream" treat?
Did KFA assist you in helping to find the right preschool or doctor for your child?
Has KFA taught you to ask the right questions when you take your child to the doctor?
If your answer is yes, I urge you to give today - $10, $50, $100 or whatever you can give (raid the change box!). One hundred percent of your gift will go to keeping KFA running, and since KFA is a 501(c)(3) charity, your donation is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
Please help us reach our goal by sending your gift of support today.
You may donate safely online, by going to:
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/donate.html
You may also donate by postal mail, by sending a donation to:
Kids With Food Allergies, Inc.
73 Old Dublin Pike, Ste. 10, #163
Doylestown, PA 18901
Together, you and I can work together so that families raising children with food allergies don't have to feel alone. Please help us stay online to be here for families.
Thank you and warm wishes for the holidays,
Lynda Mitchell
P.S. I encourage you to reach out to friends and family- please ask them to make a donation, too, to help support something you need for your child and your family. Help us achieve our goal with generous donations from you- and your friends and family!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I want to keep Kids With Food Allergies thriving!
Here is my donation for
_____ $50 ____$100 ____$250 ____Other _________
Name: ______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
City: ________________________________________
State: _____________
Zip: ______________
Telephone: ___________________________________
KFA Username: _______________________________
E-mail Address: _______________________________
You can mail your generous donation to:
Kids With Food Allergies, Inc.
73 Old Dublin Pike, Ste. 10, #163
Doylestown, PA 18901
All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
You will receive an acknowledgment of your donation by mail.
Thank you for supporting Kids With Food Allergies!
Posted by Cate at 11:07 PM | Comments (1)
December 14, 2005
Revisiting Christmas Past
For some reason, the picture isn't coming through with the best quality. Yesterday, I brought the girls to the mall so they could visit with Santa. Ocean County Mall has an awesome Santa. We've been visiting him for quite a while now.
Check out some photos below of previous Santa pics. I love how, each year, the girls are seated the exact same way with Santa. I chalked it up to Youngestwalking over to Santa first so she would sit on the right whereas Eldest would meander over and sit wherever.
This is the girls 2004 photo with Santa:
I love this one 2003:
Here's 2002:
Youngestwas afraid of Santa in 2001:
Posted by Cate at 09:17 AM | Comments (15)
December 12, 2005
It pays to write
As most of you may know (or not), I've switched to drinking decaffeinated coffee and tea over a year ago, ever since Husband was diagnosed with his ulcer.
Several weeks ago I wrote a letter an email to Bromley Tea Company. I had purchased a large box of their tea in the local supermarket. When I opened the box, I discovered many teabags that were not completely closed, lots of loose tea in the bottom of the box, and even teabags that were somehow attached to another tea bag. So, I did what any normal person would do - bitched and complained about it for about a week. Then, I decided to send an email to the company, informing them about the item I had purchased. I wasn't in it for money or to be pissy. I just thought, as a large company, that they should know if their product has a significant problem. I received an email back from a customer service representative saying that she would pass this on to quality assurance, thank you very much. I didn't think twice about it.
Today, I opened my front door and discovered a box that must have been delivered and left on my doorstep. I opened the box and found, to my total surprise, two boxes of tea! Thank you Bromley! You now have a dedicated customer for life.
Posted by Cate at 02:09 PM | Comments (5)
Which Reindeer?
You Are Rudolph |
 Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you! |
Posted by Cate at 01:38 PM | Comments (1)
We have a winnah!
Strep with a side of scarlet fever vs Amoxicillan and Motrin.
There's gonna be a smackdown today.
Posted by Cate at 11:19 AM | Comments (8)
Good morning.... or is it?
Poor Youngestis still out of sorts. Luckily, she hasn't vomited any more since Saturday *knocking wood* Her throat is sore and, when I peeked in her mouth last night, I noticed some tiny red and white spots. Hmmm, that doesn't seem right. Plus, she has this crazy rash all over her body. It's raised and red. Infact, they look like tiny little hives and it's making her crazy. She's itching and scratching, my poor baby. When I called the pedi, she got right back to me and, after a long discussion, determined that Youngest's body is most like producing extra histamines. The doctor suggested giving YoungestZantac in order to stop the histamine production. Husbandand I were doubtful but when we researched it (thank you Google!), a lot of very helpful info came up about it. This particular link explained everything for us. Very interesting indeed.
I am still concerned about the sore throat and continuous fever. She woke me at 530am to tell me that her throat really hurt. I dosed her up with Motrin, gave her a cup of ice water and she was able to go back to sleep. I hope to God that Youngestdoes not have strep. I know there was a little girl in her class that was diagnosed with strep on Friday. Oy. I've got to stop reading WebMD. I'm freaking myself out!
I barely got Eldest off to school on time this morning, the poor kid. She didn't want to go to school and I almost didn't send her. But, Christmas break is not far away and she can hang in there. She's a toughie.
Will update later with the full details.
Posted by Cate at 07:50 AM | Comments (4)
December 10, 2005
Puke Central
Youngestmust have picked up some kind of stomach bug. She's vomited three times today, the poor baby. Her last episode was about 30 minutes ago. I've just tucked Eldest into bed and Husband is sitting with Olivia, having some Daddy/Daughter time.
I hope you are all doing better than Olivia!
::11pm update:: Another episode. I hope she's able to sleep tonight.
Posted by Cate at 10:22 PM | Comments (5)
Spud Passing
Wanna pass a potato? Sure you do. Click here so we can send it to all 50 states. It will make Garrett's day.
Posted by Cate at 01:07 PM | Comments (2)
December 09, 2005
Woohoo!
No snow... just rain!
Posted by Cate at 07:46 AM | Comments (3)
December 07, 2005
So far so good...
Today I managed to:
Get the oil changed in the Santa Fe
Go to the gym
Return library books
Make a desperately needed hair appointment.
Go to the chiropractor for a much needed (and two months late) adjustment.
I've still got to hit the Dollar Store for ornaments and hooks for a tree lighting ceremony. My Junior and Daisy Girl Scout troops are representing the township. Go troops! Plus, I've got to pick up a few ornaments that some of my girls made for the ceremony too. I've got good girls : - ) Then, I get to decorate the tree! Wheeee! It's got to be done before tomorrow night's ceremony. I can't do it in the morning because I've got a PTA meeting (hi Lauren!) in the morning and I've got to get the oil changed in Husband's car. Good times, my friends..
Catch ya later!
Posted by Cate at 12:12 PM | Comments (3)
Back In One Piece
I snagged this quiz from this old bastard. I'm glad to read that he's doing much better. Lordy, I lurve me some Jean-Luc.
Posted by Cate at 11:55 AM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2005
He's da MAN!
Husband is in the process of fixing my washer. God, I love this man.
Posted by Cate at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
Card Exchange
I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and offer to exchange cards with all you fine blogger folk out there. Just drop me an email with your info - I do have to post a slight disclaimer and say, with regret, that I must know you through your blog or through other means.
Hope to hear from some of you!
Posted by Cate at 10:35 AM | Comments (2)
Two Hour Delay
Woohoo! No snow day!. Yeah baby.. oh yeah..
Posted by Cate at 09:05 AM | Comments (3)
December 05, 2005
Let it snow.. let it snow... let it sn...
Crap - it's really snowing outside. We are "supposed" to get anywhere from 4-8 inches of snow. There's a storm moving up from the south. I don't know if it's going to hit us badly or not. According to the Weather Channel, it won't be that bad, just messy in the morning.
In home improvement news, we just had our new fence put up today right before it started snowing. It looks SO much better now. At least our messy back yard is now hidden from view! Husband is hustling along with putting up the insulation and the part for my washer arrived! Yippie! I am SO sick of the laundromat although the past two times I was there, I got whistled at by one of the guys who work at the car wash, which is in the same parking lot. Heh - thanks lil buddy.
The girls had a very busy weekend. Friday night, they were both invited to a birthday sleepover for my niece at my sis in law's house. Youngesthad a Daisy event on Saturday morning at 930am and another birthday party at 330pm. She was grumpy when I picked her up and she was really out of sorts at the Daisy event. She conked out during the card ride home. When I carried her into her room, she didn't want to take off her coat and hat. Okie dokie with me. I pulled off her sneakers and let her nap for almost 2 hours. We had a hard time waking her up- she was so sleepy! But, once I got her to her party (one of her most favorite of friends!), she perked right up and took off with the rest of her running mates.
Did I mention that Youngesthad another party on Sunday too? She *had* to go to this one too. Another special buddy. It was a cute party. The mom hired a woman to come in as "Sleeping Beauty". I spoke to the mom at one point during the party and mentioned to her that she was, in fact, raising the bar for kids parties. We had a good laugh about it but I am already planning Youngest's party for January 14th.
Off to watch Adult Swim, if I can stay awake.
Posted by Cate at 10:55 PM | Comments (2)
WTF?
Oh my God.
I haven't blogged for ::gulp:: four days??
How is it that I don't blog and my stats are up through the roof?
I wish I had time to blog right now but I'm sitting here, at my lonely lil computer, yawning. I've got to get some sleep. Remind me to write about the three parties over a two days period.
Yes, really. Three parties.
::yawning::
G'night.
Posted by Cate at 12:18 AM | Comments (6)
December 01, 2005
To Look or Not to Look
It's probably not work safe but it is funny, in a scray creepy kind of way.
Posted by Cate at 10:19 AM | Comments (5)
It's all about the shoes
I finally bought myself a new pair of sneakers. They are very comfortable. I can't believe I spent as much as I did on them but my Sketchers bit the dust and my Polo sneakers (a gift from Mom) didn't last long either. So, I splurged. I supposed I should have waited until Christmas but I needed them now.
In fact, I've got to run - headed to auto inspection and the gym. Woohoo!
Posted by Cate at 07:48 AM | Comments (4)