Jimmy and Isaiah

Party Day

The Halloween party went great today and all the kids had a blast. At the last minute I decided to purchase silly string and we gave it to the kids at the end of the day and let them go at it. It was so much fun watching them and of course we had Gannon to keep us girls entertained with jokes and all the silly things he does. Being the only man who actually showed up he did a great job grilling for us. Eric got stuck at work late and has yet to get home. I hate inventory weekend but at least he will be done this evening.

First thing this morning, the kids and I still in our jammies, headed over to Teresa's for coffee and muffins. The kids played and watched TV while we sat outside and talked over coffee and cigarettes. Teresa and I decided to do some shopping while Greg (her brother) watched the kids. We ended up just buying a few pairs of jammies but it was nice to get out for a bit. Today ended up being great and thanks to all who attended, we really enjoyed to see you all.

Getting Ready to Party

We have two Halloween parties in a row, one tonight and we are throwing one tomorrow evening. Taylor and Jimmy are so excited for both of these and the kids and I have been baking the last few days and even had Isaiah come help us decorate cookies yesterday. Hope you all enjoy the videos of the kids that I posted, I figured everyone would like to see them. I had to help them talk, it's like once the camera is on they can't find things to talk about but when the camera's off they can't be quiet.

Jimmy has been thinking a lot about Christmas lately and cannot wait to sit on Santa's lap to tell him what he wants. After much consideration of what he was going to ask for, he decided to make it easy and is planning to tell Santa he wants every toy avilable. He wants a four wheeler the most and is really hoping to get that, a blue one so it will be like Scrambler, the four-wheeler from Bob the Builder.

Taylor just wants the rest of her Tinkerbell bedroom accessories and a pair of rollerblades. She really wants some "Heelies" but since she is now wearing a size 7 shoe in women's they don't make them that big so she will settle for the blades. I cannot believe my daughter is wearing the same size of shoe as me and she is not even 9 yet.

I will be posting pictures of the parties and wish you all could be here to see the kids and how much they are growing. Thanks to all who sent cards for birthdays and Halloween, the children and I are very greatful that you took the time to do that. The kids enjoy getting things in the mail and were very excited when they saw they had their own. We love you all. xxoo

I want to let everyone know Taylor had her test in American Heritage yesterday and got every answer correct, I was so proud but not surprised. She absorbs every detail of that class because like I have said h=before, she loves that class.

Jimmy asked me to take his training wheels off again for the first time in several months and he was off without any problems at all. He rode for hours but I had to make him come inside for awhile. I don't know if he just had a hard weekend and he was wore out but he was crying over everything and he was being so mean to his friends. I have never seen him like this and even Teresa thought maybe he wasn't feeling good. I made him come inside for about 30 minutes and I put Over the Hedge on for him to watch until Daddy got home. When he heard Eric's truck he was out the door to show Daddy how good he did on his bike.

Eric decided he wanted to go out to eat again, this is getting old and as we were driving to the restaurant I told him this is the last time for a while, I need home cooked food which seems like it has been forever. It was different when it was just him and I but with two kids it costs at least $50 to go out and we have been eating out for the last week. I am planning on having stuffed pork chops tonight and they will be ready before he gets home so the suggestion can not even come up. Taylor is so excited to try these pork chops and the reason I think is because she knows I cook them in beer. She had asked me if they make you drunk and I had to explain to her the what happens when you cook alcohol. I started making this dinner when I was around 14-years-old when we were vacationing in Madeira Beach, Florida and everyone went to the pool and I stayed home to watch my soaps. A cooking show came on before they started and this was the recipe they were making and I wrote it down and cooked it for my family for dinner. It makes me think of the condo in Florida and how I felt so "adult" going to Publix with my mom and picking up the ingredients and cooking for everyone and they liked it, it became a meal we ate often. I haven't had it in awhile because Eric hates stuffing, but I decided I am making it anyway and he can remove the stuffing if he doesn't like it.

The kids got their costumes yesterday and Taylor still is being a Gothic fairy, go figure. I had to order Jimmy's off the Internet because he wanted to Diego, but changed his mind when he saw a Bob the Builder costume he liked much better. The costume actually comes with a tool belt and talking tools and should arrive Friday. We got all the accessories to go with Taylor's and she should look great. We are having a Halloween party Saturday evening with the kids in the neighborhood. Everyone is so great in pitching in so my children can have a Halloween party as well since they don't get a school party. We are having goodies, games and party favors and the kids will dress up in their costumes. It should be fun and I will post pictures of the party.

Jimmy Being Goofy

Everyone who knows Jimmy, knows that he loves to make goofy faces all the time. Most of the time I do not post those pictures but he looks so cute in these one. He also wanted me to get a picture of him reading his new Dora book that I bought him the other night. For some reason Jimmy loves stacking the couch pillows up on one side of the couch and laying on them. He looked so cute doing that I pulled out the camera and his silliness came out and he would not let me get a picture of just a smile.

Taylor in School

Here are some pictures I snapped of Taylor during school. She is working on her favorite subject American Heritage. If it were up to her this would be the only subject she did all day. She begs me to let her read ahead every night. I finally had to ask her to look up so I could get a picture of her pretty face.

Taylor and Jimmy had each of their friends Emily and Jon spend the night Friday and that went great. Emily, of course has spent many nights here but Jon tried one other time without success, but Friday turned out great and the two boys went right to sleep at bedtime. Emily decided on staying Saturday night as well and Jon opted to head home Saturday afternoon.

We took Emily, Taylor and Jimmy to Chili's last night for dinner and like always the food was great. We are used to getting chips and salsa for an appetizer but decided to get hot wings, Southwest Egg rolls, fried cheese and chips/salsa and it was great. Jimmy let us know when we sat down that he didn't like food or drink "many more", so I shared with him and he was surprised to learn that cheese sticks were actually a food. Later in the meal a man came to the table and made the kids balloons, Jimmy got a motorcycle, Emily a hat and Taylor a butterfly. After dinner I dropped Eric and the girls at the house and decided to take just Jimmy out, which doesn't happen too often. We headed to the bookstore where I got a new Stephen King book and I let him play with the Thomas train set they have out in the kids area. He not only played with the train but sat and watched some Dragon Tales. When he was finished he picked out two Dora the Explorer books and I picked two up for Taylor. I have been telling her about a set of books I used to read when I was her age called Amelia Bedila and I found some last night so I picked one out for her. She loves poetry as well so I found a book hard cover book of silly poetry (what she is learning in school right now) called "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and she got a kick out of that. I was also able to find her something for Christmas that she will love.

I am glad that my two kids love books as much as I do and we enjoy going to the bookstore where we can stay for hours. Eric is not a reader and hates going with us but every once in awhile if we are out I will tell him to stop at one and he will, but he doesn't enjoy the browsing and letting the kids do their own thing in the kids area. I figured last night would be perfect for some alone time with my son and let me tell you, he was absolutely great. I told him the rest of the night how proud I was that he was able to listen and by not throwing any fits when I said it was time to go.

He has been playing outside with Isaiah all morning and is now at his house playing trains. These boys are so good and so much a like. As Eric was leaving this afternoon and found out where Jimmy was he said, "It's so cute to watch them hug, they are great friends." That is true, I am glad Jimmy has someone like Isaiah to play with, he is a wonderful little guy and he has such a cute voice.

Taylor and I have already started planning our Thanksgiving dinner and we are so excited to start cooking. Last year was our first year without family for holidays but we started our own tradition and no matter what I am going to keep it. Taylor and I woke up early last Thanksgiving and started cooking, Tay helping me with everything and I love that memory and decided that from here on our holiday's will be spent at home with Tay and I as the chefs. We are having company this year on Thanksgiving, the more the merrier, but it will be us in the kitchen and I can't wait.

Wasp Nests

These are just a couple of the wasp nests that Eric tore down yesterday, the biggest one is still attached to the bush but he will work on getting that one out. The two in the picture were side by side in the same bush. We have several hundred dead wasps lying around now and we will be working on clean up this afternoon.

Bell At Sleep

I have been having a little problem with Bell and my purse. If I leave it on the floor she will pull the contents out and then climb inside for her nap. The kids had decided to have a picnic outside for lunch so we walked to the back yard and sat up where I sat and watched the kids eat. I had left my purse on the kitchen table, where the cat is not allowed. I walked in from outside to find a couple recipts outside my purse and a sleeping kitten inside of it. I had to snap this picture because she looked so cute. I guess I will have to start keeping my purse in the closet.

This is what you see in our house every night after Eric gets home from work. He comes through the door and picks up Bell and sits on the couch and this is where they are for almost the entire evening. Most of the time they are both sleeping. When bedtime rolls around he goes in search of her (if she has gotten off of his lap) and brings her to the bed and says "Here's our Baby." I think he means his baby because ever since I have brought her home she definately favors Eric. He buys her toys and has even brought things from work that have red laser lights on them to play with her. He finally has a cat that loves him.

Jimmy and Isaiah

These two are so cute to watch playing with each other. I have made good friends with Isaiah's "Nini" (Grandma Teresa) and mom (Jennifer) who live in Tim, Tonya, Clayton and Hanna's old house. We spend a lot of time outside with these kids. These two are very loving little boys, they are constantly hugging and saying, "I love you Friend." Isaiah is a 11 month younger than Jimmy but they get along so well, I'm glad Jim has someone to keep him busy.

Wasp Issues

You may have to click on the picture to get a better look but we have been infested with wasps outside in our bush. Eric brought home some mega wasp spray from work to take care of these suckers and it kills them immediately and even causes the larvae to drop from the nest. After spraying the huge nest in the bush (I will post pictures of the nest after Eric takes it out tonight) hundreds of wasps started falling from the bush. I took this picture but it doesn't show the complete amount, it was unbelievable see that many in one place. We have had problems with people getting stung who come to visit, they have been everywhere.

This is what happens to a little boy when he has a sister. He did not like the wig one bit and tore it off after this picture was snapped. He still looks like a boy to me, but he is a spitting image of his mommy.

My Two Girls

Bell and Gabby enjoying their "goodie" for the day.

Busy Weekend

I haven't had a chance to post in a few days, it has been very hectic around here since last Thursday. Not only was I working on teaching my children but I was also fighting with the damn cable company to get my work order taken care of. They sent another guy out not letting him know that we needed the new wires. I could understand this if I was working with a different person each time but I am working with one guy who knows the situation, so I was starting to get very angry that it wasn't taken care of by now. Finally, I called Bright House myself and let them know that I need wires and to get someone out by Saturday for the install. That was all it took, they were here Saturday morning and now I have cable, phone and internet once again.

You would think our worries were over, not even close. Eric started hooking all of his electronics to the TV when it slipped and crashed to the floor screen down. Not good, not only did it break our receiver, but our DVD player is now toast and it pulled the new DVR front off (we were able to fix that one), now we needed a TV. So, Saturday evening I spent a lot of time on the computer looking for who had the best TV and one that we could agree on. Sunday morning we got up and headed to Best Buy where we were on the search for the one we found on the internet when I saw the TV I had wanted for a long time, a rear projection, these are very hard to find and the one I found was a great deal. I don't know if they are planning to eliminate these because of the flatscreen projection that everyone wants on their wall but I was so happy. It is a 52-inch LCD widescreen and they have really eliminated the bulk of the rear projection, so this TV is perfect. Eric really wanted to watch his shows from the wall (I don't understand it) but he liked this one as well.

Taylor took this opportunity at Best Buy to show me the iPOD that she wants for her birthday. If anyone can tell me what the use is for this product please let me know. I asked Taylor why she needed this little contraption and her answer was, "Because none of my friends have on," and had a look on her face like, duh Mom. I do not know what they are for, I am guessing music but really I have no clue. They sell them with the MP3 players (another item I don't understand). Taylor wants everything Tinkerbell for her birthday and Christmas, she is a Tinkerbell nut, but I like her still having some sort of cartoon character that she likes. Now all I ever hear her say is, "Mom, come look, the guy is on that I think is cuter than Chad!" This is a every night thing, I have told her several times that I don't need to look at him nightly. We are again taking her to Orlando for her birthday and will have a day full of FUN! Hopefully she will be happy this time around and not complain. There are so many parks to Orlando and we have only visited 3 of them so we like checking out the different places.

Jimmy has been doing great as well, he just plays with Isaiah everyday and they are so cute to watch. We are having a little issue with Jimmy and that is bad words. We try not to say things around him (of course, they slip here and there) but he is constantly getting in trouble for this. Last night when he used the f-word several times to Taylor I sent him to his room and followed after him and collected every Bob the Builder thing he owned and put them in a box and told him he lost them until he can talk better. I also included he will start losing his toys everytime one of those 4-letter words escape his mouth. When Eric got home he went straight to his room and had a talk with him. I will also take advice on this subject, but please don't ask me to wash his mouth out with soap, that is a disgusting thing and I could never bring myself to do that. He is such a good boy and I know he has been with people that forget they have children around, but I am really scared he may say these words around one of his friends and the parents won't let Jimmy around. This hasn't happened yet, but I don't want to take the chance. I really don't have too many problems with Jimmy, he listens really well for his age and he is very loving and caring about his family and friends and the boy shares everything, which is great and makes me so proud.

I spent last night with the neighborhood women sitting outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. I have found a neighborhood of women who are a lot like I am, we are stay-at-home moms/grandma's who like to talk and smoke and it got us in trouble last night from our significant others, yep, we were outside pulling our lawn chairs to a yard and of course our drinks, cigarettes and ashtrays (lol) from about 9 pm to 2 am we talked and laughed, keeping our husbands awake. A few of the men (including Eric) came out wondering what the hell was going on. We live around great people and we all get along which is great. We had a new couple move in last weekend and yesterday we did the welcome wagon and invited their 6-year-old to come play with our children. The new couple sent him out and sat on the curb to watch in front of my house but they really didn't talk too much. That's fine, I am sure they will come around as well, especially when they see us out every evening laughing. Eric just talks to Gannon and will say "hi" and "How are you?" to my group of friends but then he's inside watching TV, if him and Gannon aren't making a date to play video games.

Hope everyone is doing well and I will post some pictures quick. Love ya all!

Taylor's Tinkerbell Bedroom

Stand Up for America

I am not usually so political on this site but I have had a few things that have just really been bothering me and what I am about to talk about is one of them. English as the American language. I think that if you can't speak English you either need to learn it or you're S.O.L. Do you really enjoy having to look at a book of directions to put something together only to spend ten minutes trying to find English? I don't think you should be able to come over to this country and get free aid, free loans, free medical care and so on, without knowing our language. I am sick of paying for foreigners, I don't care who you are, get a job and become an American citizen or leave, period. We are Americans and we need to save our language and our country.

The Picture above is my Grandpa Salvatore Maucelli who came to Ellis Island from Comporeale, Sicily and guess what, he had to learn English (at least enough to get by), he had to work and still did not get any special treatment just because he was from another country, he worked his ass off. He raised his 3 sons and his daughter by himself and even though he spoke broken English, he made damn sure all his children spoke great English. Why can't that be now? I refuse to let my children learn Spanish, I could care less how many people speak it in America today, I am an American and I will speak English, only English, if you can't understand me TOO BAD!

Why have so many American men and women lost their lives over the years fighting in all the different wars? For you and me, our freedom, our Constitution, FOR OUR COUNTRY and OUR LANGUAGE! I get very upset when I read that our congress is actually voting on bill whether to keep English as the United States of America's language. What the hell, if they change this we are not America anymore, we are a third world country and our freedom is over. Do what you can to fight this, do it for your children, write letters and do research on your computers what these men and women have voted for and against to determine how you vote in the upcoming elections or start learning every language in the world because before long that is what we will have to know so we can survive in America. Sucks doesn't it?

Celebrating A Holiday

Today was a no school day in honor of Columbus Day. Of course, he was our first study in Our American Heritage and Taylor said he was the most interesting so far. I have a huge belief in Columbus Day with him being an Italian and I am very proud of my heritage.

We had a very relaxing day today and enjoyed our day off, but I felt like I was not being productive. I did some laundry but just had that "something is missing" feeling. After having a day all alone yesterday (yes, no kids and no husband) I was actually bored out of my mind and ready to start Monday. Last night I worked on lesson plans and have been working on getting a Halloween party going. I figured my kids should still get to enjoy a party with all their friends even though they aren't in public school.

Speaking of public school, with everything that has been going on in the last couple weeks I am so glad that I chose homeschooling. I would not feel any better with my kids in a lock down; what keeps a shooter from shooting through class room windows? I can't believe someone was so messed up to go after the Amish community as well. I think they need to figure out a way to keep those children in a safe enviroment at all times, I would pay the extra tax for that. Do you really feel safe sending your children off to school everyday not knowing what kid is pissed off at them or a teacher or some sick perverted man is after a room full of little girls or boys and decides to execute them when he's done? I feel totally safe everyday, I know where my kids are and what they are doing, I know who they are hanging out with and who their friend's parents are. I am in control of my children's lives and know everything that is going on in their lives. I am not saying that every parent needs to home school, that is not possible, but at least know what is going on in their lives--EVERYTHING! There are way too many people who don't care about what happens to their kids and I think that needs to be addressed. If you feel it is okay to send your 6 week old infant to a daycare just so you don't have to care for him or her, you should not be a parent. I am not speaking to the one parent households, I am talking about the family that brings in a good income and can live on one salary.

If you find it necessary to work, why not find a job when your spouse is at home so their is always a parent in the home with your child. I look at myself, my cousin, my friends, my mother and grandmother who chose to spend their every waking day with their children and not to let some complete stranger raise their child. Thank you Mom for spending all the time you did with me, making me who I am today. Thank you Alisha and Greg for spending your days raising your gorgeous little girl, she will thank you for that one day. I feel their are too many people out in our world who do not deserve to be a parent, everything in your life comes above your child!

Do you realize that todays children would be so much more respectible if parents took time for them and to teach them values. I want everyone to think about that, it's our future, our children's and grandchildren's future, they deserve everything we had as children and everything we didn't have. Do you know why we grew up poor but didn't realize it, because our mom's were home everyday and did everything she could to make sure we still didn't do without. We as children did not know our parents hardly had a pot to piss in. These days kids need $120 shoes, a cell phone, DVD players and all 20 video game consoles, guess what, you can say NO and they get over it. I learned that, I always thought no matter the price if Taylor wanted it I had to get it and now I have come to discover I created something that is very hard to nip in the bud...tantrums, crying, screaming and name calling. We work on that everyday and she knows that I can't get her everything she asks for and she has done very good with that. Now I walk into a store and I tell both her and Jimmy what I am getting and nothing else, doesn't mean that they don't hint, but there are no hard feelings when they walk out empty handed.

All I am saying, give your kids your time, even if you are tired from a full days work, ask how their day was, what they did and laugh with them. Can you name all your children's favorites, if you can't I am sure they would be happy to tell you. Love your kids the way they love you!

Pool Pictures

More Party Pics

Nick's 1st Birthday Party

Today we enjoyed a day at our neighbor's celebrating their son's Nicky's first birthday. His birthday was actually last Tuesday. They had many games (bingo, pin the web on Spider-Man, pin the tail on the donkey) where the children won prizes. They had pizza delivered, made individual Jell-O cups, individual cake in the shape of hearts and stars with cookies 'n cream ice cream. After the eating the kids spent about an hour in the pool and they had a blast. Nick was pooped out and all the flashes from the cameras seemed to make him cry, he even cried while we sang "Happy Birthday". Hope you enjoy the pictures from the party.

Still Waiting on Cable

At the end of last month we were suppose to have our cable hooked up along with Road Runner cable and digital phone, and it still has not been completed. I have to have my satellite shut off by Monday if I don't want to pay another ridiculous bill, but the installers showed up last Friday and hooked Taylor to basic but never installed the cables through the rest of the house. Last night Eric brought in the mail and what did I find, a cable bill. I was on the phone for about 30 minutes trying to get this taken care of. In the end she appologized and said we should've had our cable by now and when the installers finally get the job done to call back and she will credit me a month of service. That would be great but I still have a problem, my phone is being turned off Wednesday for the new service, if it is not complete I will not have TV, internet or phone. I am not a happy camper right...I mean, how do you live without INTERNET???

Everything else has been going good, I finally got some rest and we are meeting up with Susan, TJ, Emily and Jon today for a play day. We have not seen the Thompsons since we have been back and the kids are very excited. Tomorrow we have Nick's 1st birthday party and I plan on getting pictures to post. We are also planning on buying Halloween costumes this weekend as well. Jimmy has decided on Spider-Man and Taylor decided on some Goth Girl costume. She is really into the "Goth" look, why? I do not know but I am hoping that she grows out of it.

Alisha and Greg, I love the marshmallow idea for Izabel, I think that would be adorable!

Eric will be working again all weekend but I don't mind this time around. He gets out of another birthday though which he is pretty happy about. Hopefully he will be done Saturday night so he has Sunday off.

Jimmy was still sick today running a fever, but the Motrin kicked in and the boy wanted to run wild so I spent most the day trying to keep him calm. Whatever Jimmy had he has passed on to me, I have had sinus problems all day along with a slight sore throat. School went great today. Taylor had 3 quizzes today that she did very well on.

Taylor has been spending most of her free time on Pogo playing the games and working on getting as many tokens as she can to purchases clothing and backgrounds for her Pogo Mini. She also enjoys looking through everyone's myspace (including Chad's) and laughing at peoples pictures. She cannot wait for her birthday and has asked me today what everyone was buying her, when I explained that her birthday was still over a month away and no one but her was thinking about it, she did not like that comment. I told her I would never forget it because SHE WON'T LET ME! lol

Hope everything is going great for everyone and hopefully will have more to post in the next few days. I have been so tired and am in need of so major rest. Love ya all and miss you.

Wore Out

I am so worn out and it is only the beginning of the week. I had a long week last week ad really thought the weekend would help...it didn't. Yesterday and today we were working on school until 5 P.M., so I have decided we are going to allow only 45 minutes for each class, if the work isn't done it becomes homework. Between school, housework, cooking and any attention my children need I really need things to change, I also need help from the other three people that share my home with me.

Well, I have a little girl who will be nine next month and I can't believe it. It has gone by so fast and she is growing up and I have figured out that I can't stop it ...sniff sniff. She told me today that she wants to get her ears pierced for the second time and I told her I would do that for her for her birthday, four holes in her ears, like she needs anymore holes in her head. She is not asking for toys, she wants bedding, chair and piercings, I wanted all the Barbie's I could get at that age. I haven't seen her sit down and play with toys for so long, she is either on the computer or drawing with her rock music blaring.

Jimmy has not been feeling his best and I finally gave him so Mortrin after he woke up from his nap this afternoon. He has been running a low fever and has a stuffy nose. He actually asked me if I would ground him so he didn't have to go outside. Hopefully he is better this weekend for Nick's birthday party, Jim has been so excited to go over there are swim for the party, he would be bummed if he missed.

Hopefully the rest of the week goes smoother that it has been and our new schedule works out better. I am actually heading to bed early this evening and will post tomorrow.

Maw Maw's New Home

Nani and Poppa have moved Maw Maw into there basement and after talking to Nani last, I hear she is doing great. She is walking and in very high spirits. I am very happy someone is there to watch over her, she is an incredible woman and a very special person in my life. Thank you Maw Maw for all you have done for me throughout my life, I love you so very much. Not only was I your birthday present but I was your side kick while I was young. You are the best great grandma anyone could ask for.

A Night at Neverland

Taylor with the 14-year-old actress that played
Peter Pan and she was amazing.

This young lady played Wendy.
Jimmy with his favorite of the play, Tinkerbell.
Taylor with Tinkerbell.

Eric and I took the kids to the play Neverland in Valrico, Florida this evening and it was very good. The kids really enjoyed it and Jimmy had everyone laughing with his outbursts. At one point in the play Tinkerbell drinks a potion that was suppose kill Peter Pan and she falls on the stage, Jimmy stands up and yells, "I'll help you Tinkerbell!" Something else that made me laugh was during intermission, I walked outside to have a cigarette and Eric and Jimmy followed me out. There was a little boy around Jimmy's age out there and Jimmy walks up to him and says, "Hi, I'm Jimmy." They are talking for a few minutes when I hear the little boy ask Jimmy what he like to play and Jimmy says "I like to play with my Bob toys." The little boys says, "No, like sports, my dad and I like to play soccer." Jimmy isn't in to sports and shows no interest at all and what I heard come out of his mouth was so funny, he says, "No, I don't like soccer, I play golf," and starts mimicing swing a golf club to prove to the kid he knows how.

Taylor left us after the first act and found a front row seat with some kids she met during intermission. Both of the kids loved the play and got some pictures with the actors. It was a great evening that we all enjoyed.