LIFE IS ONE BIG PARTY...

And Alex and Allegra had their fill of parties today...me too!

First...they had a Pajama Party at Preschool today since it was Mr. Philips birthday
All of the kids came dressed up in their favorite pajamas and they also had to bring along their favorite toy. Alexandre' already knew that he wanted to wear his Spider man Pajamas along with his Spider man underwear, Spider man house shoes, and his Spider man stuffed "action figure"...of course we say this for him instead of "doll"
Allegra on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. She wanted to bring her Tweety bird stuffed doll but was upset since she did not have any Tweety bird pajamas or slippers...now since she has just started this Tweety bird fascination, I have not had the time or even thought about getting these things since I thought she was still in the Dora/Princess phase. After a little negotiating and making a Pinky Princess Promise (that is another story) that I would find some Tweety Bird pajamas, little Miss Allegra settled on wearing her Dora pajamas, Dora underwear, Dora slippers, and Dora stuffed doll. Since we are still in the dead of winter, I had them wear their pajamas under their school clothes. The kids were so excited to have on their pajamas for the day and to bring their favorite thing to sleep with. As it was Thursday...I stayed to volunteer to help out in the class room. So I did go and buy a Walgreen's one time use camera...this will be my option for a while. Not the greatest of photos but at least I am getting some shots...


So along with the pajama party, the kids also had a pancake party since it was Mr. Philips, the assistant teacher's birthday. Ms. Graham had it all together as she has the recipe written out on a big piece of construction paper and she had all of the ingredients. The children took turns adding the ingredients as they made the batter for the pancakes and they also took turns stirring the batter. Another mother, Marie stayed to help out too and she was on pancake turning duty, as Ms. Graham even had a electric skillet. Now not only did the class have a pajama party, and a pancake party, but they also had library day (all of this in a 2 1/2 hour time period) and we accomplished all of this.









So once their day at school was over with, I dropped them off at my mother's house.
We were pleasantly surprised by another party...a TEA PARTY. My mother had promised Allegra that she would give her a tea party and she picked this day to do it. I was too cute as my mother had her best China dishes and the twins drank tea and ate cut up oranges and tea cookies. My mother even bought me a couple of Walgreen's cameras to use since she knew that I broke my camera...gotta love her for that. I stayed for a little while at my mother's with that twins and had tea...Allegra was so happy with her tea party and Alex was busy eating the tea cookies. I had them spend the night at my mother's house that night because I had a focus group to attend the next morning. I also had to work the crop on Leap Day so Rick has to pick up the twins once he gets off from work. This evening will also be a relaxing evening for Rick and I, since the twins will be at my mother's...gotta love her for that too.
Here are a couple of photos from the Tea Party



I was totally tired once I returned home from dropping them off. I took a buubble bath and relaxed watching television with Rick for the rest of the evening

Hugs & Kisses
Me

I MISS MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really do...
Now that I do not have my camera anymore, I realize how much I really depended upon it.
The past couple of days have been the norm...nothing too exciting.
I hate that I will not have my camera tomorrow. The twins are having a pajama/pancake party at school tomorrow. I will be staying as it is my day to volunteer. I will have to make sure to at least journal about the day without taking photos....BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not to much worried about Rick's birthday weekend for I know his mother has a camera and I will be able to use it while I am over there.
I have laid out Dora pajamas and accesories for Allegra and Spiderman for Alexandre'.
They already asked me if I was wearing pajamas with them but I do not think that I will.
I am very excited to be teaching a private class next Wednesday, so I have been preparing for that. I really do hope that they enjoy making the project that I am working on now...I plan to be able to post photos of it soon.

Off to bed

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Manic Monday...

Where I wish it was really Saturday...

I woke up early, as always and I successfully was able to register Alexandre' for his basketball class online. With it being a Chicago Park District program, it is always hard to register online for they only have a few slots available and if you do not get in online, you have to go the Park District that you are interested in and register for the program you want. I was lucky and got him in. He really enjoys basketball and I am just glad that I did it. He has been going as soon as he turned 3years old and he is good for his ripe old age of 4. Here is a photo of him at his first class last year...
Alexandre' is great at dribbling the ball and he plays defense very well. I plan on keeping him in this program until he turns 6 so that he may learn the fundamentals and then we will look for something more advance which equals to something that is more costly.

I still need to get Allegra situated with her Ballet classes...she really enjoys doing it...not sure if she just likes to wear the pink tutu and all of the accessories...that is one reason why we have not invested alot into classes. We want to make sure that they are going to really like doing the activities before investing alot of money...kiddie classes can get really expensive, especially when you have twins, and everyone does not offer the "Two-for" deal. So I just have to be sure.
Here is Allegra at her first ballet class last year...
Allegra does enjoy doing any type of dance and she loves to perform around the house already. I really want to put her into Mayfair Academy or something along those lines...just want to be sure before we invest in it.





I dropped the twins off at school today and went to Windy City. We were pretty busy for the most part. I realized that I forgot to set our TIVO to record "A Raisin In The Sun" so I had to call Rick to ask him to do it for me. I also want him to put it on DVD as I am sure that this movie will be one to add to our collection of African American movies. Once I got home, the twins were up for me to read to them and say prayers and of course...I am staying up late.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Today was

an ordinary Sunday for me

No matter what time I go to bed the night before (2am)...I always manage to get up at 7am without the assistance of an alarm clock.

Woke up...did a couple of loads of clothes before the rest of my household got up. Of course Allegra was the first to rise...She can stay up all night and wake up early just like me.

We had our usual DIVA/PRINCESS conversation...I tell you, that little girl cracks me up with her little dainty self. We are DIVAS forever and we are always doing the PRINCESS PINKY PROMISE...she is my Girly Girl and I would not change her one bit ...even though she can be over the top. Rick says she is a MINI ME...I beg to differ as she reminds me of my mother and how dainty she is.
I fixed a quick Sunday breakfast for everyone before heading off to work at Windy City. Work was normal as always...and I am glad that I finally go the Design Team packets completed and available for everyone to pick up. I really want to concentrate of updating layouts and projects around the store...I have so many ideas but not enough time...story of my life.
I finally emptied out all the photos on my camera card and put it away. Rick told me to save up and we will invest in a better camera and to not even send it in for repair.
Here are the last few shots that I took last week during the party at Brookfield Zoo...

I was happy that my mother cooked for me as I was not in the mood to cook dinner and I was actually kinda of tired. Once I got home, I warmed up dinner for everyone and we all went to bed early.

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Happy Birthday Daddy

My daddy would have been 78 years old tomorrow, February 23rd, if he was still here with us.

I always say that he would have been so in love with Alexandre and Allegra and they would be spoiled rotten...just like their Mommy.

I have made sure that they know about GRANDPA AL. They always say a prayer for him every night before they go to sleep. I still can not believe that he is not here with my physically even though I know he is always in my heart. I also can not believe that it has almost been 10 years since his death..this year will be the 9th year.

This is one person that I have yet to make a scrapbook page about. I still get very emotional when I think of him and of our relationship. I have some photos of he and I together along with my mother...not many but at least I do have some. I need to scan them and make a book about him...that is one scrapbooking and personal goal that I will set for myself.

I wondered why I was feeling alittle depressed and feeling like I really wanted and needed my daddy...because he birthday was approaching. I always get this way near his birthday, father's day and holidays. There are still many things in our house that I have purposefully kept to remind me of him. I was truly a DADDY'S GIRL.

Nothing else to recap or anything as I am just feeling alittle down.

I miss you Daddy...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

THE BEST MOMMY...

Is what my Allegra said to me tonight as she ate her dinner...out of the blue

Her exact words were:

"Mommy, you think of everything and do everything for us...Mommy, you are the best Mommy...right Alex?"

and his reply was, as he ate his corn on the cob:

" Yes, but Mommy, I do not like butter on my corn cob"

I was deeply touch but those comments made by my babies tonight...I hope they will always feel this way about Rick and I...especially when they get older. I want them to be as close to us as Rick and I are to our parents.

Today was an interesting day. I woke up early as to make sure that their clothes were ironed for the day and we would be ready to leave out early for I had a leadership meeting for my Mocha Moms group. Let us just say that dealing with a group of mommies can be really interesting...we not only deal with the everyday stress of being the perfect wife/mommy we also have to deal with working mommies vs. sahm and secure mommies with those who are not secure and so forth. Actually, I feel that within any social group, one has to be secure with themselves in not only who they are but what they have and don't have and not feel intimidated by that. They also should be able to function well within that group, without any insecurities. I for one know that I do not have this problem for whatever group I may be a part of, I am secure and with that I am a very active person. I also feel as though this goes with a person's personality and I feel as thought I am an extrovert and pretty much a go getter. I took Alex and Allegra with me for the 1st half of the meeting but had to drop them off at school. I was suppose to stay to volunteer today as it was SOUP DAY where the kids were asked to bring a vegetable to put into their soup they were making. Here is the moment where I really hate that my camera is still broken and I have not even taken any steps to see about getting it repaired, so I do not have any pictures of their class cooking project...bummer. After I dropped them off, I went back to the meeting to try to resolve some of the issues that were at hand...sad to say, in my own opinion...there was not a resolution. I can only pray for the best for the whole organization.

Once we got home...we all took naps. I am glad to be off from Windy City for the next 3 days so of course...I can CLEAN HOUSE...in which we all function better when the house is clean.

After waking up, I started dinner and that is when my Allegra said those comments above that just made my heart melt. Allegra is a child that is really in touch with her feelings...Alex is too as they both always tell me they love me so much and that I make them happy...I guess they get that from me as I am always hugging on them and telling them how much I love them and so forth. When Rick got home, we caught up on events of the day...I tell you...my husband is really something else. We have been in a serious HONEYMOON phase and I am LOVING IT and HIM. I am not sure if I should attribute this to him turning 40 in another week or what but I have been blown away by him for the past few days...I guess all couples go through this.

Here are a couple of photos of us in 2006 for his 38th birthday...We spent the weekend downtown at the Chicago Hilton Towers for the Chicago Bears Fan Convention...courtesy of yours truly and had a great time as we met some of the Chicago Bears players, went to Dave and Busters and played games like we were in Las Vegas, went to a comedy show, went to a party where they played house music, and had a family dinner at his mother's.





This year for his 40th, so far I don't have too much planned as he just started his new job and going out of town is out of the question. He already told me that he wanted to keep things low key and just spend it with family. He will definitely get that wish as his mother has already planned for us to come out to her home and we all have dinner with family and I may call some of his friends and invite them over as well.
Well, this "BEST MOMMY" is headed off to bed.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Accidents Happen...

and I am glad that eveyone is okay...

First, I broke my camera a few days ago and I am totally devasted, it can be replaced...Accident #1

Second, Alexandre' had an accident in the bed last night. We were doing good without the pullups at night but I know he will do better...Accident #2

Third, I was almost in an accident tonight, while driving home from work. I would not have been directly involved. If I would not have responded accordingly, I would have been that innocent car on the side that would have suffered from the initial crash...I was on the Dan Ryan where all the splits happen with Dan Ryan, Lake Shore Drive, I-55, and 18th Street. Someone decided they did not want to be getting off at 18th street on the right and tried to move all the way over to the left...without even looking behind them. Well, the crash happened on my right hand side, right in between the front passenger door and the back passenger side. I was really lucky...Accident #3

I was kinda shaken up by the accident...and I happened to be on the phone with Darvi when it happened (with my ear piece)...just glad that I was not hurt and I did not stop to see about the others.

I kinda jumped all over the place on this post but the day was normal as I dropped off and picked up the twins and they went to my mother's. She went out earlier in the day to go and get her hair done...my mother loves to still look FLY and she will be 83 next month.
Work was okay at Windy City as I tried to finish getting Design Team packets together, and there was a Quickutz meeting. All in all, it was a good day.
Again...I am glad to be here and glad that I was not in that accident. I have been in a few in my life time but nothing terrible where people died or had to be hospitalized.

Going to bed early tonight

Hugs & Kisses
Me

I feel...

so BLUE without my camera...

I have not even contacted Olympus to see what can be done if anything to fix my camera that I broke over the past weekend...

Oops, that is right...I have not posted in a while (what else is new) so I need to back track...


Friday, February 15th...
A regular Friday...I did not get up in time to attend my Mocha Mom's meeting...hate that I missed it since I missed the one in the beginning of the month...I will be so glad when this weather breaks because I really think that it has me in the dumps.

Did the regular drop off and pick up but I did not have to work at Windy City so that made it a great Friday night with my family.

I cooked tacos for dinner, which is Alex's favorite and I think it is a great way to get the twins to eat lettuce and tomatoes without having to bribe them. We ended up watching "Zoom", which is a Disney movie, with the kids and once they went to bed, Rick and I just watched the news and I stayed up a little to lurk on the computer...reading others blogs.





Saturday, February 16th...
We did not go to basketball this Saturday...it is really hard for me to get up early on Saturday mornings...this winter, I have to get a jump start since Alex has not been attending regularly as he should...I am glad that it is just a Chicago Park District program but we still need to have him attend since he really enjoys it and I also have to get baby girl Allegra back into ballet.


We did have to get dressed to attend my girlfriend/scrapping buddy LaTosha Mayes son's 3rd Birthday Bash at Brookfield Zoo and might I add...we had an awesome time...only thing...HERE IS WHERE I BROKE MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We started the party day by attending the dolphin show, where I was able to take a few pictures. We walked past the bears, both brown and polar, where I took a few more pictures. We went to the Children's Play Zoo and this is where my tragedy unfolded. There was an area for children to decorate hearts and you know that my Allegra, the artist, had to stop here and create...Alex did too. After being there for a while, we decided to leave but not without washing hands since they were using glue. As I was helping Allegra dry her hands and bent down to pick up her fallen paper towel...my camera dropped out of my bag...I immediately picked it up and checked it...it was okay. We continued through the play area and Alex wanted to go and pet a guinea pig and a hamster...I was surprised that he was not scared...Allegra was not feeling this. After petting the animals...I had to take them to the restroom to wash hands again and to use the restroom...Alex was having a hard time pulling his pants up and in bending down again...my camera fell again, but this time...a little piece went flying somewhere and this time...it was truly broken as my lens would not even open anymore...so I was bummed for the rest of the party on the inside but I had to maintain my composure on the outside. We went to the Monkey house to see the various monkeys and apes and then we had to go back to the party room for the rest of the festivities. It was a really nice party as both the children and the adults had a sit down buffet...we ate on white table clothes...used china and silverware and had servers. We had bread with butter, a fresh tossed salad, baked pasta, chicken fingers, french fries, and pizza. The kids were entertained by a face painter (which Alex had a full Spiderman face and Allegra had a full butterfly face...no pictures for me) and also a person dressed up as Venom, who played games with the kids. The adults were able to sit back and enjoy each other's company...especially if you did not have a young child to attend to. I love that Alex and Allegra are independent children and I do not have to make a fuss over them...for the most part. We stayed for the whole party and I may have paid for it in the end for the twins were really cranky towards the end since they did not have a nap. I had to tease LaTosha and asked her where we were cruising too when her son Elias, turned 5...she really outdid herself and I know everyone had a great time.


So...while driving home, I realized that this was suppose to be date night with Rick and I was truly tired myself, but I was going to suck it up and get ready as Rick and I needed some alone time.....Well...it did not truly happen. My mother, who was suppose to watch the twins was not feeling up to par and when I told Rick before he came home from work...he was kinda glad for he shared with me that he was tired too. When he got home...he brought my Valentine's Day gift home...a lovely card, some chocolate and the movie, "Why Did I Get Married" by Tyler Perry and for himself..."Transformers". Once we put the twins to bed...we got comfortable and looked at both movies...and then reminded each other of the reasons "Why We Got Married"...at least one the reasons (devilish grin here)



Sunday, February 17th...
I worked at Windy City where as I taught a Basics class in the morning and stayed for the remainder of the day. I got the call from my mother that I love getting on Sundays..."Come and pick up your dinner...I cooked for you guys"...My mommy still spoils me, and I LOVE IT!



Monday, February 18th...
Twins did not have school for Washington's Birthday and I had an appointment downtown to go to before I went to work at the store. It went well and I went to Windy City. Regular day at the store as we are just continuing to make room for the new and even still doing inventory. Once I got home the twins were still up for they were waiting for me to come and read to them and say their prayers with them.



Tuesday, February 19th...
This was Rick's day to drop off and pick up as I just had to make sure I laid their clothes out and I made sure to braid Allegra's hair tight so that Rick would not have to deal with hair. I worked during the day and I had to teach once I got off. I do not mind teaching after my shift at work...It actually works well for me...especially on Tuesdays.

I had a great class as it was 5 people and they all seemed to enjoy learning about scrapbooking and the whole process. I was even flattered when one of the young ladies who took my class complemented me on my blog and that she was a reader of my blog...that really made my day. I do truly write for myself as not to forget what goes on in the COLEMAN CRIB...but I have found that my MIL and FIL read my blog to keep up with us and I really do want my blog to eventually bring out my creativity.



So there...the demise and fall of my camera along with our recap. I really feel lost without it especially since I tend to take at least one photo a day. I hope to replace my camera REALLY SOON!!!



Real quick...I can not wait for the twins to be able to enjoy the sun...come on June (This is Alex and Allegra June 2007)

Hugs & Kisses

Me

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY...

I had a great Valentine's Day
I wanted to originally get up early to go and visit Grandpa Rufus at his school so that he could see the twins but we started off the day slow as always...I am so glad that I laid out their clothes the night before and I had everything out for Alexandre' and Allegra to do their cards for their classmates.
Alex had Spiderman themed Valentine's cards and Allegra had Disney Princess...so appropriate for them. Since I forgot to find out the correct spelling of the children's names in their class, I made the "To" part of the cards generic by saying YOU and the "From" part had the twins names. The little kit had sticker hearts which was great for them to be a part of the creating process. I would have had them actually create cards from scratch but I did not have enough time.



Allegra was so fast in sticking her hearts on that she ended up having to help Alexandre' as he is not as crazy about stickers as she is.

While we were doing the cards...we had a surprise visit from my mother. She had gotten out early to drop off her Valentine's to us. She brought me a half dozen beautiful pink roses along with a card with money in it and she gave the twins a card each with money and some peppermint. I will tell you...Our total of $7.00 came in handy for the day...I actually put the money in their piggy banks so that we could go to Borders at the end of the month...we have been saving up loose change that we find and I told them that we could go and buy a couple of new books after saving up for a couple of months. We are close to $18.00 so far.
She stayed over for a few minutes to give Alex and Allegra hugs and kisses to go along with her cards then she had to leave to go and visit a sick friend...she truly adores her grand babies and they adore her.


This was my volunteer day at the school and so I stayed and helped out for the day. All of the parents brought some type of card or little treat and so I helped pass those out...they actually went into the children's mailboxes so that they could get them after class...some parents did not follow directions as Ms. Graham, their teacher, asked for us not to bring candy but some did anyway. She wanted to focus on what it meant to be a good friend showing love and respect for one another and so that was her subject for the day. One parent,who was snack mom brought Valentine's Day cupcakes, which was great for them...a few kids,including my own, tried to eat snack twice. I helped the kids as some wanted to paint for the day, read books, or play blocks and Lego's. Thursdays are also Library Day and so we also went there to listen to a story and to check out books. While in the library, I received a little Valentine's card from one of the students that attended the school which I thought was very thoughtful of the little girl. My kids actually bring home two books/week as they bring a book home from the school's library on Thursday and they bring a book home from the preschool library on Friday and believe me...we read those books on top of the ones I have been collecting for them every day. I actually enjoy reading to the twins as they really get a kick out of me changing my voice for the characters and how I even do sound effects. Here are a couple of photos from preschool...one of Allegra and her friend Peyton enjoying cupcakes and the other is of Alexandre' and his friends Julian and D'Avanni playing with Lego's.


Once we got home from school, I pulled a June Cleaver move and made heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and gave the twins hot chocolate for lunch. Afterwards, I had the twins take some quiet time in their room while I prepared a Valentine's Day dinner. One of Rick's favorites...Broiled Steak (seasoned by me and cooked to perfection), baked potato, along with broccoli with cheese, tossed salad and garlic bread. Rick came home to the house smelling good...he had actually stopped off and brought the kids candy. He just gave me a wink since we knew our Valentine's would be over the weekend. He immediately took a shower and got comfortable as we sat down and had a nice dinner. I stayed up just a little bit as I wanted to spend time with MY MAN...I hope everyone had a pleasant Valentine's Day as I did

Lotsa
Hugs & Kisses
Me

So Exhausted...

Is all I can say
I am utterly exhausted...
I have had trouble sleeping over the past few days...going to bed at 2am and getting up at 6am or 7am...not because of the Rick because he has been off these past couple of days and the twins have not had school in the past couple of days so I have had a bad case of insomnia and the worst part is I have not been productive in doing anything like cleaning or rearranging anything...just up on the computer checking out scrapbooking blogs/websites/galleries or flipping television channels.
Maybe it has to do with me working 3 days in a row in this will be my last day. I guess working 4 days and being off 3 days like Rick is not bad at all and besides...it is doing what I love to do. I just need to take the time our to make it more profitable for me. I have to come up with more class ideas, maybe get into the tutoring and doing custom work.
So for the past couple of days I have had to work at Windy City Scrapbooking and I have been catching up on my TIVOed shows...Grey's, Desperate Housewives, All My Children and One Life to Live...matter of fact, I had a focus group this morning about OLTL. Focus groups have been a great way for me to make extra money. I start doing them when the twins were about 6 months and have been doing them ever since. I really love it when they overbook a group and they send you home with pay still...those are the best. Well I did not get sent home because I was one of the only African American ladies and I am sure that they wanted my thoughts on the show. I do love soap operas but I just wish they would have more African American characters...I remember when there was an all African American cast with one soap opera but that show did not last too long. But none the less...I enjoy my shows and I have been catching up on them.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I did not get Rick a gift or a card. We agreed not to exchange gifts or anything for we are going to celebrate over the weekend...for Rick, all I have to do is wear something sexy and put on some lipstick...he is so visual which makes it easy for me as I like to do that for him. So I am going to have to go in my drawer of naughty and pick out something he has not seen in a while for I know it will not be on for long.
I am going to bed early tonight since I am so sleepy and I have to get up early in the morning so the twins can get their Valentine's day cards together for their classmates.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Baby It's Cold Outside...

Too cold for me and again...I am going to move somewhere warmer (this is something that I always say each and every year that I am in Chicago during the winter season)
I had a good weekend, for the most part. Here is my recap:

Friday, February 8th
Regular Friday as I took the twins to school and picked them up. They went to my mother's house after school since I was scheduled to work the crop at Windy City. I enjoy working the crops at the store for it gives me a chance to interact with other scrapbookers and help them create their pages...it is also a great time to do work in the store whether it be receiving new product and rearranging sections, which can be a challenge sometimes. Christina and Susan are still in Anaheim purchasing new product for the store. I am glad they both got to attend the show and I am glad that they trust us to take care of Windy City. While they are gone...we decided to have a little sale to help move product to make room for the new and I hope it goes well for the store.
Rick picked up the twins and took them to his mother's house for the night. She actually asked to keep them overnight for she wanted to take them to a McDonald's grand opening celebration by her house on Saturday. I spoke to the twins a couple of times while I was working the crop and they were really excited about being over Grandma Dot's house...especially since she had company over and were letting them pretty much get away with anything.
Rick stayed up until I got home from the crop...I think he is still spooked about me being held up last year too and he is more protective then ever. We stayed up just alittle chit chatting but fell asleep.

Saturday, February 9th
Rick woke me up to kiss me goodbye as he headed off to work...he told me to enjoy my day to myself.
Oh my goodness...I have the house to myself...no hubby, no kids...but I have pain...alot of pain. I hate when my cycle comes...it really knocks me out. I spent the majority of my morning in the bed...flipping channels, not kiddie channels, grown up channels...I even watched a few videos on BET. I received a phone call from my dear MIL letting me know that my kids wanted to come home...WHAT???????
This could not be. I was suppose to have a relaxing Saturday to myself...no hubby, no kids...well...when she took them to the McDonald's grand opening, there were McDonaldland characters there and let us just say that my kids did not take to the Hamburgular to well. She told me she would try to soothe them so they could stay. Let us just say, that at 2pm, I was awaken by the voice of my daughter outside laughing...yes the joke was on me as my MIL brought them back home. They were telling me that they missed me and wanted me...gotta love that and they even made me get well cards and brought me a couple of pairs of pajamas (from my MIL)She told me that she really felt bad since she really wanted to spend time with them...oh she should not worry for she will get her chance again. She claimed that they were sleepy since they went to bed the night before at midnight and they had not had their nap...so as soon as she left...we all took naps. I was in so much pain that I pretty much let the twins have run of the house once we woke up from our nap.
Rick was surprised to see the twins home early as I did not call him to tell him how my day to myself was shortened. I guess I should feel loved since I know some kids love being away from their parents.
For the rest of the evening, I was pretty much a bum since I knew I had to be at work the next day and I just needed to try to relieve myself of my cramps. Rick ended up taking over and cooking dinner...gotta love him

Sunday, February 10th...
So as stated before...Baby, it's COLD OUTSIDE!!!
I had to work at Windy City and I really thought that it was going to be slow due to the weather...boy was I wrong. Deanna and I was busy the whole day where I really did not get a chance to sit down...great for the store, bad for me. I started to feel alittle better as the day went on and boy was I glad when my mother called me to come and pick up dinner. I love when I work and dinner is prepared for us where I do not have to even think about what to cook.
Since the twins are off from school for the next couple of days...we let them stay up late.
Plans are for me to work those two days they are off and Rick will do Daddy Duty.


Hugs & Kisses
Me

Playing Catch Up...

Is the story of my life so far this year
Good intentions...I just have to focus on following through.
Here is my recap...

Friday, February 1st...
This was Rick's official first day at work at his new job as he was off yesterday. He went in at 6am and I was up with him as I prepared his lunch. He is used to working 12 hour days for he use to do it when he was with General Motors/EMD. I really miss him working there but I know he will only get better in his craft where ever he is. I had origianlly planned on attending my Mocha Mom's meeting this morning but the weather has really put a dent in things and the twins woke up kinda late and we just had a lazy morning. This was also my first day of not wanting them to take them to school...hoping and praying for a SNOW DAY since we got so much snow. I called the school and of course, Murray was opened. I even called my girlfriend Geri, whose son is in the morning preschool class and she told me she had just dropped him off...so striving for perfect attendance, I got us all dressed and made my way through. I had to carry the twins to the car since the snow was so high. They really got a kick out of that. After I got them to school, I went back home as I have been trying to reorganize our basement. I would like to start having company over more often but I have to purge of the clutter that has grown over the past few months. They say cluttered space=cluttered mind and I do believe that...that is probably one reason why I can not stay focused and get motivated to scrapbook...too much clutter. After I picked up the kids, I let them play in the snow for alittle bit and they had a ball...we came home, had hot cocoa and graham crakers and took naps (yes I did feel entitled to one too after trudging through all of that snow.)

Once Rick made it home, I made dinner and got everyone in bed at a decent hour. I was glad to do so and I ended up hanging out with a few of my dearest friends from my Mocha Moms group. We had a blast as we sat around and drank wine, ate Chinese food and caught up with each other. We talked about everything from our kids, discipline issues, MILs, and even did some questions about our different levels of friendships and things that we wanted for ourselves...I really enjoyed myself and I really needed some good girlfriend time. Everytime that we get together we always have a great time. I love the fact that not only do our children have relationships with each other, we do to and I value all of them and I hope that they will continue to grow as we grow as mothers and as our children grow.

Kay, Geri, Nicole, Shonda, and Dorcas

Dorcas, Me, Tabby, Rae, and Kay

I had so much fun that my decent hour of getting home and in bed was 3am. Rick just rolled over and kissed me said "Good Luck tomorrow"...so yes, I would be solo with the twins tomorrow since he had to work all day...lucky me...I wonder how I will do on just few hours of sleep and we had a full day planned for Saturday.

Saturday, February 2nd...
I was a walking zombie...
I already knew, when I laid in the bed at 3am that Alexandre' would miss basketball practice...I am also glad that I put the kids clothes out along with mine the night before. I was so tired that I do not even remember Rick kissing me goodbye once he left for work.
Alex and Allegra were up and ready to go...I just knew that I had to get them dressed and ready for we were going to have lunch with friends at Leona's and going to see Lyle, Lyle Crocodile on the North Side of Chicago...lunch was at 11:30 and we had to be done and at the theatre by 1pm. So I did make it to Leona's on time and the twins and I along with Kelly and her daughter Claire, Nicole and her son Avery, Radiah and her son Spencer and daughter Ryan enjoyed a nice lunch at Leona's. Nicole even brought the book so that she could have a little story time before our meals came...it did not work for the kids were too excited to see each other but I do love that she tried. After eating, we hurried to get to the theatre on time. I must admit...despite the two bathroom breaks that I had to do with both Alex and Allegra for only a one hour play...it was really cute and I do look forward to another outing like it. I can not remember my parents taking me to plays as a young child and I am glad that I am able to expose the twins to outings like this. After the play, we met with the cast and even got a couple of autographs. Since we were interferring with nap time, Alexandre' started to get a little whiny where he did not want to take pictures with the cast but I was able to get few shots...

Alex and Allegra on stage

Claire, Spencer, Baby Ryan, Allegra, Alex and Avery

Allegra, Baby Ryan, Avery and Claire with cast from Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

Once we got home...we CRASHED and BURNED ...I think we slept for about 3 hours, just a little bit before Rick came home from work. We had dinner and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Sunday, February 3rd...
Was a LAZY DAY...since I was off, Rick was off and the kids were acting off, we all stayed in our pajamas and relaxed ALL DAY. The television was on in every room as everyone watched what they wanted. The kids watch Noggin all day as they played games, Spiderman, Barbie, read books and colored...Rick watch ESPN and all of the sports channels and I watched alot of Food Network along with HGTV, SoapNet and VH1...I just flipped channels. I really enjoy days like this where we do not have an agenda to follow or a place to go. We had a nice dinner of the kids favorite...spaghetti with side salad and garlic bread and for deseret, strawberry ice cream. I stayed up kinda of late as I read emails and checked out some of my favorite scrapbooking websites and blogs. I really need to stop being on the computer so much and get to creating...I plan on really soon as I have a few projects to complete...especially for design team. Even though I am design team coordinator, I still have to step up whenever one of the members on the team can not complete a project in any given month.

Monday, February 4th...
I got the kids ready for school and dropped them off. Since Rick was off today he will do pick up and Daddy duty. He hates when I tell him what to do with the kids, like what to feed them or what they should wear, etc...I am glad that he is an active father with the twins for I know alot of fathers who are not hands on with their own kids...such is not the case in the Coleman household.
I worked at Windy City today and the buzz is CHA as Christina and Susan are preparing for their trip to Anaheim, CA for this big event. They will be placing orders for all of the latest and greatest being released in the scrapbooking industry. I really wish that I could attend this one as it is usually bigger than the one in the summer here in Chicago...I am grateful that I am able to attend the one in Chicaago...one day I will have to make it to CA. Once I get off from work, I am going to have to jump in the bed and fall asleep quickly for I am working on Super Tuesday with the Primary election. I have been fortunate to be asked to be a supervisor for the exit poll interviewers. I have actually worked as an exit poll interviewer for the past two big elections and the company that hires me out, Edison Media contacted me to do it again but this time as a supervisor. I was glad to do it as I feel as though this a very important election and I am also glad that I did early voting so that I may work for Edison Media on Super Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 5th...
SUPER TUESDAY!!!
I had the pleasure of being a supervisor of those who did the Exit Polls...this is just some freelance work that I have been doing with this company called Edison Media Research and they contacted me to work for them again this year. I was a supervisor as opposed to being an acutal exit poll interviewer. I just had to visit a couple of locations to make sure that the interviewers were stationed properly and that they had enough supplies and if they needed anything. I was great being a part of history as people really ROCKED THE VOTE. I am glad that I did my voting early enough..this is really going to be a tough race for the Democratic Nomination. I traveled that day from the south side all the way to the south suburbs and my man...Obama, seemed to be the favorite. Once I got home, Rick and I were glued to the television as Obama was the winner in Illinois. I am so glad to see history being made...my father would have gotten a kick out of this and he would be right there with Obama and his campaign helping out. When I was younger, both of my parents were VERY involved in politics in our ward...always doing somthing for an alderman or attending some type of black tie function.

Wednesday, February 6th...
I hate that I missed getting my ashes today as it was Ash Wednesday...other than that, the day was routine as I took the twins to school, picked them up and took them to my mother's to spend the night as I went off to work at Windy City. This was the first day for Christina and Susan to be gone from the store as they traveled to Anaheim CA for CHA...a trade show. They will be gone for week and I will be at the store to help out more.

Thrusday, February 7th...
I had an important meeting to attend this morning but it ended up being rescheduled due to the weather. I went to pick up Alex and Allegra from my mother's and take them to school. This also marked the first day of my volunteering at their school where I have decided to volunteer on Thursdays. This will be good so that I can go to the library with them as Thursdays are their library days and I just want to be an active parent where ever they attend school. After school, we went home and just played a few games, read and practiced phonics and printing letters. Once Rick got home I finished cooking and we all retired to bed...I really wanted to scrapbook, but our bed was calling me...my friend will be visiting soon and I was starting to feel it. I am going to do what my friends have suggested and start taking Aleve earlier so that I will can bear the pain more of my cramps.

Hugs & Kisses
Me