A Broken TV and Some Crazy Kids

Like the little TV in front of our big TV??? Unfortunately, on Monday our TV blew (another) bulb. The bulbs have to be ordered and are over $100 a piece...and so...

While we wait for our new bulb (should be here today!!!) we moved mom's TV from her bedroom out to the living room. Dad says it looks like his "picture in picture" fell out of the TV














Nolan was not letting anyone watch the inauguration on Tuesday...

And these are my crazy kids using their Webkinz snakes as lassos...

Yee-haw Kendall!!!

A Project And Another Photo Shoot

This week, Kendall had a project due in her kindergarten class. She was supposed to make a snowperson. She decided to make a girl. Her favorite color is purple, and so is the hat. Didn't she do an awesome job?The photo-shoot:

Mom survived her 1st week of school with no problems!!!

Photographers: Natalie and Kendall

We got kind of silly towards the end (the girls LOVE taking pictures of silly faces)

Visits With Friends

Over the holidays, I managed to have some awfully fun get-togethers with friends. Here are some highlights...

Lunch at Tonino's with my high school friends

Stan and Shannon came over to play the Wii

Lunch with Jenn and Grace at Olive Garden (yummy)

My good friend Melissa came into town from North Carolina. We had an awesome time visiting and catching up.

My friend Kasey and I had a girls night at my house, here we are being silly!

It was really nice to see friends from present and past. I have some really fun friends!

A Scholar in the Making

Do I look nervous??? Nah, it's determination you see (okay, maybe a little nervous)! Today was Mom's first day ever at college. After many years of consideration, I finally decided to go for it. I am going to attempt to become a nurse. I imagine it will be a few very tough years, but in theory, the rest of our lives should be easier. I finished high school with 13 college credits, which made fulfilling my prerequisites for the Nursing Program at Corning Community College (offered only in the fall semester) much easier.
My schedule is as follows:
9-10(MWF): Biology (I am retaking from high school because after 10 years it doesn't count...not even my 94 regents score)

10-11(MWF): Sociology (which I took in high school, not a college level class though)


11-12(MWF): Responding to Emergencies- will be certified in CPR (for the 3rd time in my life) and will be certified to use a defibrillator

12-1(MWF): College Composition (I like to write, in case you haven't noticed)


1-2(MWThF): Algebra- this is another class that I took over 10 years ago...passed that with a 98

I tried to set up a non-overwhelming schedule to help transition myself back into the whole school thing. Feel free to vote in my school-related poll on the left.


My friend Shauna and I are on a very similar schedule this semester ( due to careful planning, not coincidence). We both go to classes from 9:00 to 2:00 (Natalie and Kendall catch their bus at 7:40 and get home from school at 2:50). 3 of my 5 classes are with Shauna (who is not a new student and has helped me through the entire process) which made it a much easier situation for me. Shauna is also trying to fulfill her prerequisites for the nursing program. Kevin is staying home to take care of the children while I pursue college and go to work. We decided it was important to us that we raise our children, even if it means less income. It's a very hard (and often frustrating) job to be a stay at home parent, and I appreciate his sacrifice.

So far, I really enjoyed my first day. I like all of my teachers and the class itineraries look reasonable and interesting for the most part...Hopefully I won't be singing a different tune after a few classes!

Natalie and Kendall love the fact that while they're at school so is Mom...

Nolan will have to adjust to Mom leaving during the day (on top of work 3 nights a week and a double every Saturday). When he gets older I think he'll not only understand, but appreciate what I am doing. My goal is to lead my children by example, and hopefully(at least on this one), they'll follow.

Disney on Ice

This weekend Natalie, Kendall, Mom, Gammy, and Grandma Cruise went to Disney on Ice...and it was totally AWESOME!!! Kendall hardly sat down the entire show. We sat all the way on the top row right in the middle, and we had a great view of all the excitement. The pictures are definitely low-quality, but I gave it my best shot.

The first act was introduced by Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Chip and Dale. Goofy helped fix their "broken" Zamboni.

Then, an awesome Aladdin performance of "You Ain't Never Had a Friend Like Me."

Followed by Finding Nemo

Beauty and the Beast

The Disney Princesses (Kendall's favorite)

Toy Story

It's a Small World

Intermission...Yummy

Mickey and the Band

Pinocchio

Mulan (Natalie's favorite)

The Incredibles

The Lion King

Grand Finale

We all loved it and enjoyed the show. It was AWESOME!!!!