Like winning the lottery and Christmas...almost.

How is it Thursday already?  And Thursday afternoon at that?

I spent Tuesday morning at the Verizon store with my parents helping my mom to get a smart phone!

A smart phone!  My mother!

That's something I never thought I would ever do.  Although we did that the day after I helped her set up a Facebook page which is another thing I thought I would never do.

A Facebook page!  My mother!

And since I never thought I would win the lottery, I guess I better go buy a ticket because don't things like this always come in threes?

So that was Tuesday and then yesterday was Student Appreciate Day at school and I spent the whole day there volunteering.

Student Appreciation Day is always held during Catholic Schools Week and for my kids, it now ranks right after Christmas.  Seriously, Sarah had been looking forward to it for weeks and had even been counting down the days.

They got to spend the whole morning moving from activity to activity (on their own without teachers!).  The activities included Wipeout, tie-dying t-shirts, paracord bracelet making, basketball, field hockey, spa, cheerleading, bingo,Tai Chi and many more. 

Then they all had pizza parties in their rooms.  After lunch grades K-3 watched a juggler perform and then had an ice cream sundae party.  And the older kids went roller skating.

See?  Almost as good as Christmas!

One of these days...

The kids were dismissed early from school on Friday thanks to the sleet and their basketball games were cancelled on Saturday morning as well.   It's too bad because I really do love watching them play. Although, sleeping in was really nice too!

We used our free Saturday wisely though. Both kids practiced their musical instruments.  Sarah worked on her reading project and her science project.  Peter did his music homework. And Peter and Dan worked more on their Pinewood Derby car. And we went to confession.

Sunday afternoon we kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a ziti dinner and bingo at school.  The ziti was delish and the bingo was fun even though we didn't win any money.

After the bingo, Peter wanted to drive around the city.  The city is Winston-Salem and while technically a city, other than a handful of tall buildings, it's really nothing to get super excited about - especially when we go to Boston at least once a year.

But Peter's been on a big-city kick lately so we drove around downtown for a little bit.  Lately all he talks about is wanting to live in a big city and going to visit New York.

His dad has no desire to visit New York so that one is going to take a little convincing.  But I think we'll be successful in convincing him because I want to go too. It's just a matter of when.  Peter wants to do it RIGHT! THIS! MINUTE! But I'm thinking in 2 or 3 years.

So it was a nice weekend all in all.

And then this morning as I was checking Facebook, I realized that our county and the one the kid's school is in were delayed two hours because there was a possibility of freezing rain this morning.  Of course, when I checked the thermometer, it was 37 degrees and while the driveway was wet from an overnight shower, it certainly was not icy.

But the nice thing about not being a county school is that we don't have to do what they do so we went to school on time this morning.  However, I waited until the last possible second to get the kids up in case we got the phone call.  The phone call never came so we were in hurry-up mode until they finally got in the car and pulled away.

And of course, Peter's last words were, "I've got a big math test today and I forgot to study." And somehow in his mind, it's my fault.

I've been stewing about that all morning.  That boy is super smart and I think he'll do okay on his test.  But I don't want him to do okay, I want him to do great.  Plus, I know he didn't "forget".

And also, I'm kicking myself for not paying closer attention to the teacher's webpage where she noted there was going to be a unit test in math today.

One of these days, I'm going to get it all together.  Today, however, is just not that day!  

WIWS - The even more casual than normal edition.

It's Sunday!  And I know everyone is excited to see What I Wore!

So here you go:

Jacket: Kohl's
Shirt: Target
Cords: Target
Boots: Target
Scarf: Coldwater Creek

 Here's a close-up of the scarf.  It's an infinity scarf and I happen to think it's very cool.  And I'm hoping it's going to be pretty versatile.

I know my outfit is a little more casual than normal today but this afternoon we are heading to the kid's school for a Ziti dinner and Bingo fundraiser and I didn't want to have to change clothes.  So lazy - I know!

For more Sunday best, head on over to Fine Linen and Purple!

7 Quick Takes Friday

--- 1 ---

Last Thursday night, school was cancelled for Friday because they were anticipating 3-4 inches of snow throughout the night.  We woke up Friday to a light dusting and nothing more.  It looked almost like God had decided he didn't want to ice the cake so he just sprinkled the front yard with a little powdered sugar and decided to call it good.  I don't know about you, but when there's cake, I want frosting - not powdered sugar.

Fast-forward to last night.  The all-knowing and usually wrong weather forecasters have predicted sleet and freezing rain today starting in late morning.  The majority of the area school systems decided last night to go ahead and make today a half day.

We got the call this morning that our school would have a half day at 5:24 am.  Yes.  AM.  That's 36 minutes BEFORE my alarm goes off.  I was not a happy camper because once I'm awake - I'm awake. Anyway, I've got to be quick because I'm going to have to race out of here in a little to pick up the kids.

My prediction - we get no ice/sleet/freezing rain/snow.

--- 2 ---

But if we do, even get the slightest bit, I am certain all the basketball games will be called of tomorrow. And they have promised that if they call them off, they will decide this evening.  Which means tomorrow Mama may get to catch up on the sleep she missed today!

--- 3 ---

 Move over Words With Friends, I have a new game addiction! RUZZLE!  It's like Boggle only some of the letters have different point values.  The BFF plays it.  Even my husband plays it on Peter's tablet!  My kids love it too.  If any of you guys play it, let me know your user name and you can admire my mediocrity!

--- 4 ---

Am I the only person on the planet that doesn't watch Downton Abbey?  I must be since most people blog about it frequently.  I wouldn't mind watching it, but when Dan and I watch tv, we watch together.  So whatever we watch has to be mutually agreeable to both parties.  (Although I will admit that Dan does watch Top Chef even though he doesn't really want to.  That's love, y'all!)

There's no way I could get him hooked on a British soap opera.  That's what it is in a nutshell right?  A British soap opera?  If I'm missing something let me know but from what I can tell, it would have zero interest for him except for the fact that it appears the seasons are based around historical events. (The sinking of the Titanic, WW1).

--- 5 ---

We have been watching American Idol and I must admit I am enjoying it more than I thought I would.  (Dan watches it because he knows I like it and because our DVR is pretty empty at the present.)  I will have to let you guys in on another secret - I had no idea who Nikki Minaj was. (Although after checking her out on Wikipedia, I realized I was a fan of her song Starships but I only know that song because it's on Sarah's Kidz Bop CD.)  My age is showing through here!

I am enjoying the "friction" between Nikki and Mariah Carey.  It's not like it was hyped up to be but you can tell they certainly don't enjoy being around one another.

--- 6 ---

Well, I guess that's it for me.  Seems I'm all out of quick takes. I need to get dressed anyway because before I know it, it will be time to get the kids. 

--- 7 ---

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

That's my girl!!

This is Sarah's 4th year playing basketball and I think she finally understands what's going on!

She is becoming more aggressive in terms of trying to go after the ball and she scored THREE baskets during this game this Saturday. 

THREE!!!!!

Indulge me a little gushing please as I recount my favorite play of the game:

With 35 seconds on the clock and her team up by only two points, she stole the ball from a girl on the other team, dribbled down the court, took a shot and SCORED!

It was the best thing I have seen in a long time.

I was screaming when she took the ball, screaming as she dribbled down the court, realized oh my gosh, she's gonna shoot, and then started taking pictures.

She shoots!

We all held our breath!

She scores!!!!

I was jumping up and down!  I turned to my mom in disbelief and this is what I saw:

My mom was on her feet with tears in her eyes.  (This picture was taken by the league photographer).

And my dad was on his feet too!

And after the game, Sarah got a big hug from Daddy!

So proud of my girl!

WIWS - Heading to the O.K. Coral after Mass?

"You going to play cards in the wild, wild west?"

Not exactly how you want to be greeted by your husband after he sees you in the outfit that you are wearing to church.

But that's okay.  I thought my outfit looked pretty good so even his comments weren't going to sway me.

"Why don't you wear a thicker belt with slots for your bullets?" my husband asked with a smirk.

"If I was going to wear a thicker belt, it would hold my poker chips and not my bullets!" was my witty retort.

And then we left for Mass chuckling at how funny we thought we were.

So, here's my outfit (photo taken by cute 8-year-old):

Jacket: Kohl's
Shirt: Lands' End
Pants: Target
Belt: Target
Shoes: Target

And here's a recent purchase that added a little bit of color to the outfit:

Necklace: Target

I wish you could see the really cute feature of the jacket.  There's a little rim of plumage (I think that's the technical designer term...if not, please let me know the correct term so I don't look like a total fashion dolt) running around the bottom quarter of the of the jacket.  Not plumage as in feathers but plumage as in three very non-ruffley ruffles.

I know that doesn't make much sense but it's cute...adds some flair to the jacket and makes it look more hip and less Wild West.

For more knowledgeable fashionistas and certainly less gun-slinging, poker-playing ones, head over to Fine Linen and Purple.

Happy Sunday y'all!

I'm not a horse, but I was prancing!

The only reason I left the house yesterday was to pick the kids up from school.  It was a rainy, dreary day (third one in a row) so I was okay with wearing jeans, sweatshirt and sneakers all day.

Today, the fourth day in a row of wind, rain, and general dreariness and with snow in the forecast tonight and the knowledge that with even the tiniest bit of snow on the ground the schools would be closed tomorrow; I decided I was getting out of the house this morning.

As I reached for a hoodie and my sneakers, I decided NO!  Not today.  I will not let this weather and my general laziness dictate that I look like a slob today.

I put on an actual shirt, with my shoe booties and even a scarf to add color and interest.  And then I went one step further.  I pulled out my yellow trench coat.  And voila! 

I felt fabulous running my errands this morning.  And truth be told, I felt more than fabulous, I felt proud of myself for not looking like the rest of the ladies in Target this morning.  No hoodies or yoga pants for me!  I felt superior to these other mothers.  That's right - superior! Because I thought I looked better. I think I may have actually even been prancing around Target.

Prancing. (I blame the prancing on the shoe booties.  These boots are made for prancing!)

Yikes.

I think you know where this is going.

God doesn't like pride.  And I will admit, I was full of it this morning.

So He decided one of those wind gusts that turn your umbrella inside out was just the thing I needed.  I may have looked pretty snazzy in Target but I looked like a  half-drowned puppy in Lowes and Home Goods and Walmart.

Nothing like a lot of wind and a lot of rain to remind me that no one is superior to anyone else and pride really does goeth before the fall...

Even if that fall is just your hair and make-up!

WFMW - Sometimes simple is brilliant!

Jennifer came over on Friday evening to pick up her kids who had been playing at our house.

As she was leaving, she exclaimed, "That's brilliant!"

She was referring to this note that I had posted on the garage door, the door that my family always uses to enter and exit our home.

I had to take snacks to Sarah's basketball game the next morning.  Anytime I need to remember something like that, I always post a note on the back door.

I've tried posting notes in other places but that usually doesn't work for me.  If the note is in the office or by the telephone, I'm going to see it 20 times before I leave for the basketball game, but that's not going to mean I'm going to remember the snacks as we are rushing out the door in an attempt not to be late.

I've tried putting the things I need to take with me on the kitchen table or by the telephone (which seems to be my station for all things important - or at least where important things pile up!), but typically if they have been there for a while, they become part of the landscape and I tend not to see them, which means I forget them.

So what works for me is a note on the back door so that it is the absolute last thing I see as I leave the house!

I know it's simple, but sometimes simple is brilliant!  ;)

For more Works For Me Wednesday tips and tricks, visit Kristen at We Are That Family.

Don't touch Jimmy!

I was at the grocery store this morning and saw a woman wearing a pair of these shoes:

I laughed out loud but luckily she didn't hear me.

And now, I can not stop saying "Jimmy's sweet on Elaine" or "Jimmy doesn't like misunderstandings" and every now and then, just to spice things up, "Hands off Jimmy! Don't touch Jimmy!"

I really do miss Seinfeld!