The Hering Family

My new hobby

2010-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Blue Bonnets

2010-04-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Every year, crazy Texans get their kids dressed up and take their picture in the fields of spring Blue Bonnets. Of course, all of these fields are along side busy roads. Amazingly-- there were many families taking pictures of not only kids, but their pets and the adults. So, I had to join the Blue Bonnet group!

American Girl Day

2010-02-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Paige and I went to the American Girl store for her birthday today. For her present, she was able to pick out whatever doll she wanted and a few outfits. Initially, she wanted Josephina Montoya, but after we got to the store and wandered around, she chose Kit. I found a Just Like You doll that looked a lot like her (pigtails and bangs), but she had already made up her mind on Kit.

We picked out a Spring outfit for Kit, an American Girl Dallas shirt and skirt, and Kit's dog, Grace. Then we went to the Bistro to have lunch. Amazingly, the food was delicious-- I had the coconut chicken salad w/ a orange vinegrette and shevra-- possibly the best salad I have ever had in my life. Paige enjoyed her mini hot dog and fruit and veggies. Then the servers brought her a scoop of ice cream and sang Happy Birthday to her!

It was a very special day!

What is it about animals?

2010-02-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

So... I just saved a bird from my evil cat Allie. I heard my cats meowing up a storm and I went to check on them. Then I saw the feathers. And I knew there was a bird in my house. I grabbed a minnow net and a towel and tried to find the bird before Allie did. And hiding behind some wood blinds, there was the little black sparrow. It didn't fight and let me catch it in the net and release it back into the wild...

So far, I've saved 4 mice and 2 birds inside my house from Allie the hunter cat.

Parker's 3rd Birthday Cake!

2010-01-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Trip back "Home"

2010-01-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

It's SNOWING!!!

2009-12-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

I woke up and was shocked to see an inch of snow on our Texas grass. Paige was so excited to go play in the snow and have a snowball fight. Unfortunately, it was all melted by 11 am.

Feeding Baby

2009-10-21T08:26:00.001-07:00

Okay... here's some baby advice for everyone w/ little babies.

I used to keep my baby food and rice/wheat cereal separate from each other in little bowls when I feed my kids. Then I realized, it all goes to the same place and now I just mix them together. I also have taken a jar of baby food and added it to spaghetti sauce to add a bit of vegetables for my big kids as well!

And, you can check out alice.com for some great baby food deals!

Fall pictures

2009-10-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pictures of the kiddos enjoying this fabulous fall weather!

Cowboys Game

2009-10-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

Aaron received 4 tickets to the Cowboys Monday Night game from his work. So, we invited our friends Joe and Maddie and headed to the new Coyboys stadium. It was pretty awesome. The TV is the biggest one in the world and our seats were directly across from it. The Cowboys won the game and it was cool seeing fellow my EIU graduate, Tony Romo, play again.

Tanner's Dedication

2009-09-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

It was a fun day, but not without its surprises. I left Tanner's diaper bag at home with his back up outfit. Usually, that wouldn't be a big deal, but today his poopy diaper leaked all over his overalls and I didn't have a change of clothes. So, we cleaned it up and had a very stinky boy during the dedication. I then changed him into a onesie I found in the car. I have a feeling this boy is going to be the one who keeps me on my toes.

A few new pictures of my silly kids

2009-09-21T10:07:00.001-07:00

Paige and Coach Aaron

Their new favorite game.

Parker not happy about the dress.

Paige trying to climb a tree.

Alice.com

2009-08-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

I found some great deals at alice.com this past week!

I prefer clicking on the tab "Other ways to shop" and then searching for the best deals. Today, I got a 30 ct. package of diapers for 3.49. That's awesome.

Use my referral code and get $10 off after you spend $50. http://www.alice.com/referral/711B4A12

style="height:240px;width:120px;"
scrolling="no"
marginwidth="0"
marginheight="0"
frameborder="0">

Butterfly

2009-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Just a neat shot of a butterfly drinking some nectar on my flowers.

Tanner's photo shoot

2009-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out my new fancy camera and here's some tanner pics.

Jamie

Accepting the Lord

2009-07-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

During dinner, Paige just accepted Jesus into her heart. She knew exactly why Jesus died on the cross for her and how she needs Jesus. What a blessing that with the faith of a child she believes in God and Jesus. I hope that her faith comforts her throughout her life and that she never turns away from God. I'll pray that her attitude is always in awe of what an awesome God we serve!

4th of July and a few extras

2009-07-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

Branson!!!

2009-06-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

We had a really fun time in Branson besides both boys having a high fever. Everyone is better now! Here's some highlights!

Big storm/tornado

2009-06-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

I only had time to get one picture. The clouds were definitely rotating over me. We're okay but Aaron's grill is worse for wear.

Cheeseball!!

2009-05-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

This picture just makes me smile. On a side note, Tanner who rolled over from front to back at 10 days old, has officially rolled over from back to front at 10 weeks. Seriously-- maybe he'll start crawling next week.

Shamu--- what a show!

2009-05-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

That's right-- it's April.

2009-04-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Come on down-- the water is getting warmer and the weather is getting pretty hot!!!

All three kiddos

2009-04-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

I snapped this picture today (of course after I just ordered Tanner's birth announcements a few hours earlier). But, it turned out so well I wanted to share it!

Time with the Grandmas!!!

2009-03-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

Julie requested some more grandma pics, so here they are! We had a great visit with both grandmas! It was fantastic to have them both here since I don't think I could have managed without them. Tanner is still a great baby--- he slept 5 hours last night and is getting over his horrible thrush!

Tanner

2009-03-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tanner Gregory

2009-03-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Paige and Parker

2009-02-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a few pictures of Paige and Parker on their respective birthdays! I'm postponing Paige's birthday party until this summer since we're still in the process of making friends. On a side note, only 3 weeks until Tanner arrives!

Paige is my helper.

2009-02-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

What I love about my almost 4 year old...

She can put in a DVD and start it.
She can unlock the back door and let Cassie out or Allie the cat in.
She takes her dishes to the sink.
She gets dressed all by herself.
She loves to play the game of "speed pickup."
She can get her own ice pack from the freezer.
She likes to fist bump before she goes to bed and always goes to bed without arguing!
She is really good at sharing her toys with Parker.
She loves me-- even though she admitted she loves her preschool teacher more.

Ft. Worth Zoo

2009-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

This was the coolest zoo exhibit I've seen. It's all these parakeets and canaries that eat the seed of a popsicle stick that you pay for. It was so neat!

Seriously... what's with the hair?

2009-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm close to turning 30, I swear I am getting those "old lady" hairs on my chin and lip. They're not fine, soft "peach fuzz" hair. They are like stubble-- thick little hairs that are driving me crazy. I have a small mole on my chin that is the home for three little hairs-- once I pluck one, another one shows up. I pluck them the minute they are long enough, but I'm thinking electrolysis is in my future if my eyesight gets any worse.

He's all good!

2009-01-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

Parker is all good. His surgery went well and the doctor said his ears were full of a thick fluid. His adenoids were also enlarged. But, he's acting better now and I just have to figure out the secret to giving him his medicine since in the last two weeks, he's learned how to spit it back out.

My sweet boy and his crummy ears

2009-01-14T06:10:00.001-08:00

On Friday, Parker is going to get tubes in his ears again. He had tubes put in November 2007, but his chronic ear infections and fluid have persisted. He is also going to get his adenoids removed, which should help prevent the need for getting tubes a third time. I strongly believe that Parker's speech delay is because of the fluid in his ears. He also has a mild hearing loss in both ears, which hopefully will improve after the tubes are in.

I just want my sweet boy to be able to hear and start saying a few words! If you could pray for him and his recovery on Friday morning, I would appreciate it!

Dinosaurs Alive

2009-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

On New Years Eve, we decided to visit a nature museum and dinosaur exhibit. Little did we know the dinosaur exhibit was outside, and although it was chilly, the dinosaurs were very cool. Parker and Paige also really liked all the snakes inside, but I wasn't as big of a fan. Each kid picked a small gift from the gift shop and both chose a small wooden snake that "slithers" when you hold its tail.

I'm just really hoping I don't see any snakes near my house this summer. I think I would run in the other direction!

Surprise!

2009-01-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

Paige received a package in the mail and as she was carrying it to the living room, she started screaming. Turns out-- this slug wanted somewhere warm to stay for the night. It was huge-- probably atleast 4 inches long. Ugh!!!

Christmas Pics and Julie's visit

2008-12-27T18:16:00.000-08:00

It was great to have Julie come and spend a few days with us. After a few delays and an unexpected overnight layover in St. Louis, she finally got here! We relaxed, played Scrabble, and had the world's best pedicure. Julie was a big help-- I even caught her straightening up a few times (which I LOVED). Paige was sad to see her go, but Grandma Linda is coming down in three weeks, so it'll be great to have another visitor!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T20:40:00.000-08:00

I've been so blessed this year, but the biggest blessing of all is the grace that God extends to us day in and day out. My prayer for this Christmas is that we continue to remember the first Christmas throughout the year-- and not just on December 25th. God sent His son, fully knowing what would happen to him and how he would suffer for us because he loved us!.

So, I give thanks to God for the first Christmas and for all the grace I have lovingly received in my life.

Merry Christmas, friends!

Our Polar Express Train Ride

2008-12-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

We took the kids on Grapevine's Polar Express train ride. Parker was in a foul mood for some reason, but the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. I don't think we'd go back next year since the train basically goes 2 miles down the track and then goes backwards-- passing the beautiful expressway, a nice trailer park, and corporate buildings. Santa did run through the train cars, but it was just an okay experience.

What's for Dinner?

2008-12-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a favorite (and super) easy meal.

You just take some chicken breast (or thighs, etc.) and sprinkle Lawry's seasoned salt on them. Throw in the oven for 35-40 min at 350. I grew up eating this and it's probably one of Aaron's favorite things I cook. I add a quick bag of veggies on the side and voila-- a home cooked meal that everyone seems to enjoy.

What are you having for dinner?

Rules of a Cookie Exchange

2008-12-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

I want some feedback here. I recently participated in a cookie exchange and it seemed that more than half of the cookies were either store bought (in their plastic containers) or "break and bake" cookies. I made (from scratch) my Coconut Macaroons and was disappointed when out of the 24 cookies I brought home, about 16 of them were store bought.

What's your thoughts on this?

Christmas is around the corner

2008-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Here's some pics of our tree(s) and of my big belly! Paige also took the picture of Aaron and Parker. She's become quite the photographer.

Batting .500

2008-12-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

Needless to say, Parker was freaked out. Paige, on the other hand, waited patiently in line, smiled for the picture, and told Santa what she wanted (a fairy land-- not sure what that means).

2008-12-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

Feeling Lonely

2008-12-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

I decided to take a chance tonight and do something new. The Dallas Kappa Delta Alumnae Group was having a holiday party, so I got ready and headed to Dallas to meet some new ladies.

I should have known that maybe I was out of my element when the neighborhood was probably the fanciest neighborhood I have ever entered. We're talking BIG houses-- I later looked it up online and they sell for well over 1.5 million in this prestigious gated community. But, I figured, what do I have to lose as I was cleared by the security guard.

I arrived at the open house holiday party and no one greeted me. I have never been more uncomfortable in my life! I didn't know a soul and my only bond with this group is that I was a Kappa Delta in college. I tried to mingle and make eye contact with a few ladies, but that was it. I then decided to try some of the catered food and maybe join a conversation. I was literally stared at (and not in the nice, inviting way). I didn't know who the hostess was but I was able to figure that out by checking out a picture. But, she never greeted me either.

After about 25 minutes and a Diet Coke later, I made my way to my purse (Coach-- nonetheless) and jacket and headed out the front door.

Maybe it's just my midwest upbringing, but I've been taught to mingle at parties and to chat with those who don't seem to know anyone. And for those of you who know me, I'm a chatter!!!

I will admit that I cried a bit on the way home. But, on a positive note, I'm attending a playdate with a meetup group (The Real Housewives of Denton Country-- hee hee) on Monday. Hopefully, that'll turn out better.

I've been Tagged!!!

2008-12-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend Amy for tagging me! When you are tagged, you need to post the 4th photo in your 4th folder. Here's one of Parker from Halloween. I am tagging Jessica and Kristina.

Parker's new bed

2008-11-29T21:14:00.000-08:00

Since Parker is now in a toddler bed, he has a little more freedom as to where he chooses to sleep. On Thanksgiving, he decided to curl up in his glider and fall asleep. I was able to turn the light on, take the picture, and chuckl-- all while he slept.

He has also slept on the floor in front of his door. I have a feeling that when he and Paige share a room, he'll end up in her bed every once in a while.

This is what made me giggle....

2008-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

On my way to Toys R Us on Saturday morning, it was a mild 45 degrees here in Texas. No wind, no clouds, and lots of sun. As I was driving along, I saw a man walking with a ski mask on. I just started laughing since anyone from Wisconsin or Illinois would get made of for 1) wearing a ski mask when it's 45 degrees and 2) wearing a ski mask at all.

Halloween....

2008-11-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a picture of the kiddos for a while, so here's a shot from trick or treating. Things are good here-- the kids seem to be adjusting and I can actually turn off my GPS once in a while and not get lost.

I'm praying to meet some new friends-- that's probably the hardest adjustment. I've meet 2 new moms who are really nice, but I would love to make some more new friends. It gets pretty lonely when you don't have someone you can share a cup of coffee (or sweet tea) with or just hang out together and chat while the kiddos play.

Oprah Show Freebie

2008-11-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you watched Peter Walsh on Oprah, but there's a special giveaway! If you go to Oprah.com and click on the Peter Walsh/Organizing link, you can get a coupon for a free photo book from Snapfish (a $30 value). The catch is that you need to get the coupon by midnight on Friday and then redeem it by midnight on Sunday. I'm working on my book right now. It's basically a hardbound scrapbook without the mess! But, it is a slow-moving project so give yourself some time!

It's definitely absolutely a boy

2008-11-12T14:04:00.001-08:00

Today's ultrasound confirmed it! We're definitely having a boy. No doubts this time! We're excited and I think Parker will love having a boy to pal around with since Paige is pretty much all girl.

My first week as a Texan

2008-11-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick recap of my first week as a Texan.

It all started when the "Flower Mound" was mowed and there was a mass exodus of mice running from the tractor. Unfortunately, about 12 of them ran into my pool. At first, I saw only one and then when I checked it out, there were 5 more floating in my pool. And they were BIG! I keep thinking of the movie The Secret of NIMH and poor Mrs. Brisby who was trying to save Timothy. I think Timothy died in my pool.

The, we had the dead rabbit in the garage and the fire ant incident.

Today, I was vacuuming and saw something move. I jumped about a foot and realize that it was a small gecko in my living room. Luckily, Aaron caught it with the kids' minnow net and released it back into the wild.

I've also decided that my indoor cats are going to become outdoor cats. Allie, our perfectly healthy kitty, has brought her peeing in piles of clothing habit to Texas. Most of our neighbors' cats are indoor/outdoor cats, so Allie and Zoe will have to make new friends. I'm going to train them to use the pet door once my order for flea treatment arrives. I love them but I don't want fleas.

It's just too stressful to have 2 kids with 1 more on the way and then have to deal with cat pee on my clothes. So, I'm sure Allie and Zoe will have a great time chasing our mice. I feel guilty, but it's the best for my sanity and I'm sure both cats will enjoy their new freedom.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

2008-11-08T07:59:00.001-08:00

A neighborhood cat has been hanging around our garage lately. After Aaron moved some boxes, we found out why: a dead rabbit. It was cute and furry, but very dead. It must have been another victim of the big mow. The big mow is when the Flower Mound is mowed and all the little critters escape by running into our neighborhood. I've scooped 10+ dead mice from my pool (think soup can size) and now Aaron shoveled a dead rabbit from our garage.

Fire Ants....

2008-11-06T12:05:00.001-08:00

My neighbor warned me about Fire Ants and it took Paige 2 days to find them. She was collecting leaves from our trees and stepped on a mound. She started screaming as she endured 5 ant bites. She got off lucky!

Fire ants look like normal ants except if bothered, they swarm and bite. Read this description of what they do...

"The venom of a fire ant sting causes stinging and swells into a bump. This can cause much pain and irritation at times, especially when stung repeatedly by several at once. The bump often forms into a white pustule, which is at risk of becoming infected if scratched, however if left alone usually go down within a few days. The pustules are unattractive and uncomfortable while active and, if the sting sites become infected, can turn into scars."

Welcome to Texas, huh?

A week without technology

2008-11-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

Our internet, cable, and phone services were hooked up today! Praise the Lord! On election night, I had a radio next to me and listened to the results. So, I am ready to get back online (re: facebook) and watch Oprah. What have I missed during the past week?

We are here!

2008-10-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

After 20+ hours in the car, we are in Texas and staying about 10 minutes away from our new house. We'll get there tomorrow after we check out from the hotel. We're not in a huge rush since the former owners hired a cleaning service to clean the house tomorrow morning.

Here are some of our thoughts and observations from our long car trip...

1) A dog with diarrhea is not fun in the car.
2) A son with diarrhea is not fun in the car.
3) Cats who meow constantly are not fun in the car.
4) We saw 37 oil pumps.
5) We have never seen more cattle in our entire lives.
6) Missouri is the prettiest state we drove through.
7) Texas is warm! It was 78 degrees at 7 pm.
8) We still love each other but were very happy to get out the car tonight!

Pumpkins and random thoughts

2008-10-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

I want to start off by saying I don't know how single moms do it-- or moms whose hubbies are overseas for extended periods of time. I am soooo tired of being the only adult in my house since Aaron is down in Dallas. My pregnant body hurts, my patience level is at an all time low, and my kids have decided that their 8:00 pm bedtime no longer works for them. Not to mention that my car broke down, I have a cold, I had a migraine for 2 days, and my daughter has taken her whining to a new level!

By the time I get them ready to bed, I'm ready for bed myself. And I can't go to bed because I'm moving in a few days and I have lots of things to cross of my list-- Laundry, Organizing, and Packing.

But, I have relief! After my niece's dedication at church, my MIL is taking P and P for 2 nights! And my mom is coming up to help with the last minute things before the packers come on Monday.

I know I'm whining, but I do enjoy my kids! After their naps, they woke up happy and eager to paint their pumpkins. Paige even painted a little pumpkin for baby Tanner (due in March). It was a day that started off rough but got better. I think I had a few grandparents praying for me after a pathetic phone call from me. : )

LOST Preview

2008-10-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

Only the greatest show EVER!

I am pumped!

Our Good-bye Gathering

2008-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who could make our good-bye party! It was a lot of fun to hang out and I think the guys enjoyed watching the Packers win (I was pretty oblivious to the game).

We leave in a little over one week. It's a bit sad. I know that this is an adventure, but my family all lives very close to one another and I'll be the odd man out. So, I cry a little bit daily, but next week will be tough as we say our final good-byes to each other. I'm already stocking up on waterproof mascara.

Saying Good-bye (with wings and football)

2008-10-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

We are having an informal "Good-bye" gathering of friends and family on Sunday, October 19th at 3:00 pm at Buffalo Wild Wings in Kenosha. Aaron and I figure that our friends, the Packers game, and Buffalo wings would be the perfect combination before we head down to Dallas.

We officially hit the road on Oct. 29th. The packers come on Monday the 27th, they load the truck on the 28th, and we'll start the long drive down on the 29th. But, Aaron's already working down in Dallas, so this will be his last weekend at home.

We'd love to see you there-- even if you can't stay!

It's a BOY (well, we're pretty sure...)

2008-10-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

My wonderful OB did a quick ultrasound for me and we had strong visual confirmation that it is a boy. Now, the nurses mentioned that he's not 100% accurate, but there was a definite "circle" in between the legs on the butt shot.

So, I'm excited to have another boy and a bit bummed that Paige won't have a sister. But, Parker is very active and will certainly enjoy a partner in crime.

By the way, his name will be Tanner.

Our New Home (for the next 3-5 years)

2008-10-04T17:35:00.001-07:00

Well, we found a wonderful home to purchase for our 3-5 year relocation to Dallas. I went out with our realtor and looked at lots of houses-- some good and some bad-- and then came across this house. We both love it and after some back and forth, we agreed to a price.

I think the kids will love the pool (don't worry-- there's a security gate) and I'll love having a master bath (especially when I'm very pregnant). We close Oct. 28th and we'll move in Oct. 31st. What a perfect time to meet the neighbors!

We are in Dallas!

2008-10-02T08:58:00.001-07:00

We've arrived! I'm meeting with the realtor this afternoon! Off to find our dream home for a low, low price!

Saving Money with Family Video

2008-09-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

We are big fans of Family Video stores since you can rent kids movies for free. And with a 16 hour car ride ahead of me, I'm trying to buy a few new movies for Paige and Parker. I found that Family Video has Refurbished Used DVDs for sale--usually for $4.99. And shipping is around $2.00. So, I was able to get a few movies for super cheap. I even got Enchanted for $4.99 and it sells for new on Amazon for $19.99 so yeah for me!

It's a Girl???

2008-09-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

My friend and I did the necklace test tonight where you dangle a necklace of the pregnant mama's palm and see what it does. For her, it went back and forth which means she is having a boy (which she is!). For me, it went in a circle. Maybe this confirms my hunch that it's a girl. I find out in 3 weeks.

The Texas Update

2008-09-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

What a rough week for us! First Parker caught a stomach bug, then me, and now Aaron (who is snoring loudly on the couch). Hopefully, Paige won't get it-- we've gone though half a bottle of hand sanitizer in the last few days.

We talked to our realtor today and since the market has tanked, we're not going to make very much money on our Kenosha house. Basically, we are asking what we paid for it. Yuck!

Aaron heads down to Dallas for a few days for the next three weeks until he starts full-time on Oct. 13th. Needless to say, we're not quite sure when I'll be heading down there to look at houses or permanently.

It seems that Allstate covers all of our moving expenses-- actually all the expenses-- related to this move. We just need some more details so we have a timeline.

That's all for now! Off to play Dr. Mom to my sick family.

We're moving.... to DALLAS

2008-09-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

So, we found out that Aaron might be relocated with Allstate to Dallas-- well, it's pretty much official and it all happens within the next three weeks. He starts heading down there next week for a day or two and starts full-time on October 13th.

I'm shocked and have lots to do before then. Thank goodness Allstate provides the movers and packers and covers all the bases. I couldn't pack up my house that fast.

I'll keep you posted.

Parker's Great Laugh

2008-09-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Parker has a great belly laugh. Here's a short sample-- make sure your volume is up because it will make you smile.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-09-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? The Tan Man is officially 66 years old! He doesn't look a day over 40 though... I'm glad I come from such good stock.

We spent Sunday with Papa Jim and MorMor (also known by her non-Swedish name, Sue).

Lots of fun and lots of Lou Malnati's Pizza!

Paige's First Day of Preschool and Ballet

2008-09-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

Our "baby girl" Paige is now old enough to fun "big kid" things! She had her first day of ballet lessons on Tuesday and today was her first day of Preschool! She attends at St. Mary's Lutheran Nursery School and I think she will have a fun time! She was very excited to go to preschool and she can't wait until her next class when she doesn't have to bring along mom and dad.

Why Target Drives Me Crazy

2008-09-01T18:43:00.001-07:00

Here's what drives me nuts at Target! I went there today because little girl shirts and leggings were advertised in the flier on sale for $4. But, the shirts weren't on sale-- they are always $4. It seems that Target throws around that sale word quite loosely.

Another example is that Swaddlers diapers were on sale for $10.39. When I flipped up the sale price on the shelf, the regular price is $10.79. That means their sale price is less than 4% off-- a big .40 price break. That's not a sale-- that's a typo.

Target does this all the time. They put on the special "ON SALE" plastic price covers on the shelf in front of the item and when I flip it up, it's the same price.

I'm a girl who likes a bargain but I wanted to share Target's deceptive practices with other money-savvy moms out there.

Great America

2008-08-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at Great America with our friends Angela and Elizabeth. Angela's daughter Audrey and Paige get along great despite the 1.5 year age difference. The two boys were born two weeks apart and are pretty much oblivious to each other.

We had a great time and the kids lasted until 3:30-- which was a few hours beyond what I expected. Paige and Audrey laughed and laughed on most of the rides although Audrey is more of a veteran when it comes to roller coasters. Angela took the girls on one (small) ride and Paige did not enjoy herself except the last rotation when she let out a half-hearted whee.

We saw lots of MOPS friends there-- who knew it was an unofficial MOPS day?

Paige...

2008-08-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here's Paige and her Auntie JuJu on Gramma's boat.

Paige and her cousin Muira hanging out.

Paige, Parker, and their favorite lady, Miss Kate! This was taken at the Demien family lakehouse in Fence, WI. Google it-- it's way up north and in the middle of nowhere.

Paige and Daddy in the famous "Club 100."

On Gramma's Boat

2008-08-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

Parker sailing away-- and probably wondering where the watermelon is.

Julie and her friend who happens to be a boy. They're awfully cozy for "friends" aren't they?

All of us when we finally convinced Papa Dave to park the boat so we could swim.

Paige taking control. She might have as much boating experience as the rest of us.

My First Bald Eagle!

2008-08-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Like many of us, I have a "life list." Although it seems that some of the things on my life list are things I can't really control-- like seeing a wild Bald Eagle! So, there we were Sunday morning at the lake house when all of a sudden we see a Bald Eagle swoop down and go fishing in the water-- about 30 yards from where we were standing! It was amazing! My friend Erin took this picture after we all raced to get our cameras ready.

So, I can cross off seeing a Bald Eagle. Not too bad for a weekend up in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin!

Miniature Golfing

2008-08-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

We took the kiddos mini-golfing when we were camping. Here's how it worked: Paige would put her ball about two inches from the hole and then putt it in. Parker carried his ball and club the entire time. It actually worked out so Aaron and I could kind of golf. One day, we'll take the kiddos to the golf course so they can see mom and dad in action, but that time hasn't come yet.

Camping

2008-08-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

We spent the rest of our camping adventure going to Noah's Ark, visiting the Deer Park (very cool), and hanging out around the campfire. The weather held out after Sunday's thunderstorms and we had a great time! Paige keeps asking when we can go camping again.

Circus World (Day One of Camping)

2008-08-09T06:44:00.001-07:00

We had a fantastic time at Circus World in Baraboo, WI. I went there as a kid and P & P enjoyed it even more than we thought they would. Paige was able to be the tiger and the elephant in the kid's circus. Parker loved the dancing elephant in the "real" circus--- we even got to take her for a ride! This is something we will do again next year!

2008-08-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we set up our tent and had a "practice" camp out. The kids' favorite part was jumping on our air mattress and running around in the tent. Parker didn't want to fall asleep in his Pack n Play, but other than that, we had a good time. Pray for good weather as we go camping next week. It's supposed to be in the 90s with scattered thunderstorms EVERY DAY we are camping. Yikes! Hopefully, it won't storm the whole time. I'm already making a list of things to do indoors at the Dells.

Tight rolls?

2008-07-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

I don't care if she is Katie Holmes (or Mrs. Tom Cruise), but she has tight rolled her jeans-- circa 1991. What is she thinking? This look doesn't work for anyone-- just a simple cuff would have sufficed.

Go Cubbies!

2008-07-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes me happier than watching my first place Chicago Cubs beat up on the Brewers for a third night in a row! And nothing makes my husband crazier than watching his Brewers fall to the Cubs and Alfonso Soriano having a great game (Aaron's Public Enemy #1).

We went to the game last night and Aaron was trying really hard to be a good sport. But, the guy we sat next to is the world's biggest complainer! We have a 4 pack of tickets, so we've sat next to him every game. He's loud, obnoxious, and only sees the negative side of anything. We joked that the Brewers could have hit a walk off Grand Slam and he would have found something to complain about.

So, Brewers fans-- quit your complaining! At least you have Favre to cheer for-- oh wait! You don't!

Rehab-- here I come...

2008-07-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

I am addicted to Scrabulous, an online Scrabble game on facebook. I love Scrabulous. I play it every day and have vastly improved my Scrabble skills. It seems that Hasbro sued the creators of Scrabulous for copyright infringement and now Scrabuluous is no longer available to play (at this point). There is an official Scrabble game on facebook that just launched, but I've only read poor reviews of the program. But, here's the big question: Do I boycott the new Scrabble or do I need to get my "Scrabble" fix so badly that I'll take the new and crappy version?

At this point, my whole universe is in limbo. Scrabulous is what keeps my mind sharp when I'm watching Clifford the Big Red Dog (over and over and over). This is going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Thanks Hasbro.

Fern Drive Reunion

2008-07-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

I grew up on Fern Drive in good old Elk Grove Village. There were four other families we were close with and we just celebrated our 2nd annual Fern Drive Reunion. Here's a few pictures.

It's fun seeing everyone that I spent my entire childhood with. We always have funny (and embarrassing) stories to share-- mostly about Julie painting Carolyn's Cabbage Patch doll with red lipstick. Actually, most of the embarrassing stories involve Julie in some way.

Here's the butt of all our jokes, my sister Julie (on the left), Erin (our old neighbor) in the middle, and me on the right. You can't help but notice my mom in the background. What a dork.

Scrubbing Bubbles

2008-07-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

When my grandma died last fall, we learned how much she was obsessed with rebates and coupons-- we knew it was bad, but she had multiple boxes of Saran Wrap from the 80s that she probably kept since she got them for free. (Not to mention thousands of coupons organized in shoe boxes in her basement.)

One of the things she would often get on rebate from Walgreens was Scrubbing Bubbles. I grabbed a bottle from her house and decided to try it out. Scrubbing Bubbles is one of the greatest cleaners EVER!!! It makes my kitchen sink shine and my bathroom counter tops look great. I am now hooked. I have since purchased the Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom wipes and I just bought the automatic shower cleaner. I'll let you know how I like that in a few weeks.

The Empty Nest

2008-07-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

The other day, this young Robin perched on my patio chair for around 15 minutes. It actually let me stroke its feathers, which made me think he was hurt. He didn't even mind that I let Cassie (our enormous Golden Retriever) outside. But, when I looked again a few minutes later, he was gone.

This reminded me of the birds' nests my children have outside their windows. Each of their bedroom windows has an awning- something I'm not really a big fan of, but I don't take down because of the birds. Every Spring, a Mama Sparrow makes these nests a home for her baby birds. Then after they fly away, another bird comes and uses the nest. Each awning houses one nest and we've had two sets of baby birds in each nest.

It was a very sad day in my house when our first batch of baby birds flew away. They would stand on the edge of the nest, stretch their wings, and take a leap of faith. Amazingly, they all fly away within one day of each other and they never return (unless as a mama bird to have babies).

Can you believe that one day my children are going to spread their wings and take a leap of faith as they enter the world-- and I will be left with an empty nest? I can see why parents suffer from Empty Nest Syndrome-- I suffered from it just when my birds left. But, I have faith that God will help me prepare my kiddos for the world-- whether it's for preschool this fall or heading off to college. But, I still think I'll miss my nest full of my babies!

2008-07-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Angie, Sue Ellen, and I brought the kiddos to the Kenosha Public Museum. It's pretty much impossible to get six kids (5 and under) to sit still for a picture with all of them facing the camera. In every picture we took, someone had their head turned! But, it's cute anyway.

My love/hate relationship with a bleach pen

2008-07-15T20:40:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, I accidentally knocked an uncapped Clorox bleach pen into the dryer-- ultimately ruining half of my children's clothes I was drying. It was a sad day for me-- I looked into the dryer and saw white dots over their beautiful Gymboree outfits, the jeans that Paige lives in, and all the special outfits I had purchased on clearance last year (with a coupon) for Paige's upcoming year in preschool. I was so upset that I went upstairs, poured myself a large glass of wine, and cuddled up with a good book-- far away from my laundry room.

I was crushed--- and couldn't believe my bad luck. Now, I've had some great successes with a bleach pen as well. Fruit punch comes right out of a white t-shirt with a quick flick of the wrist-- dried vomit (I know-- gross) is no longer visible. Unfortunately, if the bleach even comes within inches of a color collar, the collar will also fade to a lovely shade of peach.

I haven't tried the Tide pen yet, but I've heard stories of its power. So, use the bleach pen carefully-- its powers are great and wide.

2008-07-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

What a weekend!

2008-07-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend- going down to visit Auntie Julie (and Mom and Dave) and pick her a dresser and then heading up to Milwaukee to have a BBQ with the Herings and the Petricks. After spending two days with two of our three sets of grandparents, I realize how lucky my kids are to have grandparents that love them unconditionally. All of their grandparents are always available to watch the kids if mom and dad need a night out and truly cherish the time spent with Paige and Parker--even if Paige shares her germs and gets Grandma Linda sick.

Sometimes I daydream about what type of grandma I will be when Paige and Parker are grown up. And now I know that all I need to do is look at the grandparents in my children's lives for a wonderful example to follow.

Cubs or Brewers?

2008-07-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

Before Aaron and I were married, we had to make a very important decision-- a decision that could ultimately change our children's lives. Which sports team should they cheer for?

Since Aaron is devout Green Bay Packers fan and I am a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, we decided that those would be the teams of choice for our children. We made a pact to purchase only Cubs or Packers merchandise for the kids and never cheer openly for the Brewers or the Bears. That being said, I have purchased Parker a few Brewers things, but never-- not once-- even after the Bears won the Superbowl, did Aaron surprise Parker with a Bears jersey. I must be the bigger person.

So, that's why Paige is wearing her Chicago Cubs hat when she went on a daddy and daughter date to the Brewers game this week. Like all Cubs fans, we can only hope to see them win the World Series by the time our yet-to-born great grandchildren are on this earth. Although I keep telling Aaron (to quote Ron Santo,) "THIS IS OUR YEAR!"

I thought it would be warmer...

2008-07-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Trying to tucker the kids out in hopes of a long nap, we visited a small (very small) spray park in Kenosha. It was a bit chillier than I thought it was going to be, but they didn't seem to mind at all. Even Parker who scurries away from our sprinkler seemed to have a good time. And guess what? They're both sleeping upstairs. Praise the Lord.

4th of July

2008-07-08T10:59:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new Hering blog! After realizing I always check my friend's blogs to get updates on their families, I thought it was now time to start doing it myself. The grandparents (re: my mom) occasionally complains that I don't send out enough pictures, so I thought this might help.Paige enjoyed playing with her sparklers.

And Parker liked throwing rocks into the water.

Paige and Grandma waiting for the parade to start.

I love this picture of Aaron and Parker. This is the only time Parker wanted to sit still.

We had a great and busy 4th of July weekend! Despite a touch of a stomach bug, Paige was a trooper and loved the fireworks! We watched them on beach at Lake Michigan-- it was a perfect setting for a wonderful night. Mom and Dave joined us for the Kenosha parade on Sunday, which was great except for the lack of candy.