What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't blog about what I am thankful for?
So many things!
I am thankful for:
NOT being on bed rest this year for Thanksgiving- that was SO hard.
Kidz Bop on pandora, it has turned my wild beasts into the sweet little children I know they all can be during art class.
having two healthy boys- even if a day with them consists of them fighting, ganging up on me, fighting, ganging up on me.....
my job. I know in this economy there are lots of people who don't have one simply because their company couldn't afford to pay them anymore.
my boot camp class. I am in the best shape I have been in for a long long time. I am still wanting to lose more weight but I am definitely stronger so I am okay with my progress.
JBF Sales. This is the way to go if you have kids. They have two sales a year and you can get all kinds of stuff for super cheap. I bought some Christmas presents and Caiden's whole winter wardrobe for $120.
our babysitter and Boone Preschool for taking such good care of my little ones and teaching them important things.
I'm sure there are many other things I am thankful for but right now I have a little one who is refusing his nap. Duty calls!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Artsonia Artist of the Week!
Every week www.artsonia.com has a contest on their homepage where they pick (at random) student's artwork to be part of a contest called Artist of the Week. This week, MY student was chosen and SHE WON! This is a picture of her artwork that got 1,737 votes!
I am so proud of her! Even though the artists are chosen at random, they couldn't have found a better student to be a finalist for AOTW. For winning, she won a $50 gift card to Blick Art Materials and our school won a $100 gift card from there as well. There is so much I could do for my students with an extra $100 and I know she will get plenty out of her winnings too. Shavon30 was published over the summer on the cover of a magazine, I wish I knew which one. Art is a very important part of her life and she is well on her way to becoming a skilled and devoted artist.
Thanks to everyone who voted for her!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Dentist
I went to the dentist today to get a cavity filled. At first, she thought it was small but once she got in there she realized it was much worse than she originally thought. After three shots of anesthetic and 1-1/2 hours in the chair we had to keep going even though she could not get my mouth numb. She said I had a condition (She couldn't think of the name and I don't know what she is talking about) where when a person is nervous, they somehow reject the pain medication and send it to another area. I have only had 1 filling so far in my life and it was super small so I didn't feel a thing. What I do know is that after 3 shots in my gums she told me I would be numb until 5:00 today. (Everywhere BUT where my cavity was of course!) That is exactly what anyone whose job is to stand in front of people all day long wants to hear! Anyway, since Halloween just past, I had this story in my head and thought I would share. I read this book to Caiden and even took it to school and read it to some of my classes. It is super cute!
The Dentist by Adam Rex
(from the book Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Other Stories You're Sure to Like, Because They're All About Monsters, and Some of Them Are Also About Food. You Like Food Don't You? Well, All Right Then.)
Poor son of Dracula. He's just a dud.
His daddy is famous, but his name is mud.
For how much blood
could a bloodsucker suck,
if a bloodsucker can't suck blood?
Ahem.
Everything's fine if he sucks on the throat
of a dog or a hog or a cat or a goat.
But a cold-blooded thing like a lizard or snake
makes his head start to hurt and his fangs really ache.
Frankenjunior was shocked. "You'll have to go see
the worst monster of all! She's much worse than me.
Her fingers are hooks! Hooks, needles and spears!
Her voice is a high buzzing whine in your ears!
Instead of a head there's BIG GLOWING EYE!"
The Frankenboy said with a shuddering sigh.
"She doesn't sound scary," said Dracula's son.
"Not scary like crosses, or stakes or the sun."
So he made his appointment for just after dark
at the New Transylvania Medical Park.
"It's awful," he whispered. "So cheery and bright!
You'd think it would kill them to turn off a light.
They need some nice coffins. It's really a shame,"
young Dracula said as the nurse called his name.
He followed inside, and before he could hide,
the dentist was standing there, right by his side!
A note to the timid or just faint of heart:
This story has come to the frightening part.
Stop reading! Now put the book down! This is scary!
Peligro! Use caution! Beware and be wary!
Still here? Very well. Little Drac stood in terror.
He knew now he'd made the most horrible error.
If he weren't undead he'd have wanted to die.
She was terrible! Awful! She smiled and said hi!
Her voice was a sweet lilting song in his ears.
Her fingers were fingers, not needles or spears.
That big glowing eye, was lamp, not a head.
It was all so much worse than that Frankenboy said!
Young Drac couldn't move, so she forced him to sit.
"Open wide now," she told him. "This won't hurt a bit!"
"You aren't flossing," she scolded, and Dracula blushed.
"And honestly, when was the last time you brushed?
You really must brush after every bite.
See? A cavity's formed in this fang on the right."
"It needs to be mended. And so, if your willing,
I'll patch it right up with a small silver filling."
A filling? With silver? Drac wanted to shout,
the werewolves will hate me! I've got to get out!
He changed to a bat-he flew up and away.
The dentist said, "Fine. We won't do it today.
"But get it fixed soon; you'll be glad that you did.
Now here-take a sucker. You've been a good kid."
He flew from the office, and homeward he raced.
He sucked on the sucker, but gagged at the taste.
He'd hoped it was flavored like blood or like liver,
How scary! It's CHERRY! he thought with a shiver.
Drac knew it was true as he spat and he cursed,
My dad may be bad, but the dentist's THE WORST!
Little Drac- I couldn't agree more.....
The Dentist by Adam Rex
(from the book Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Other Stories You're Sure to Like, Because They're All About Monsters, and Some of Them Are Also About Food. You Like Food Don't You? Well, All Right Then.)
Poor son of Dracula. He's just a dud.
His daddy is famous, but his name is mud.
For how much blood
could a bloodsucker suck,
if a bloodsucker can't suck blood?
Ahem.
Everything's fine if he sucks on the throat
of a dog or a hog or a cat or a goat.
But a cold-blooded thing like a lizard or snake
makes his head start to hurt and his fangs really ache.
Frankenjunior was shocked. "You'll have to go see
the worst monster of all! She's much worse than me.
Her fingers are hooks! Hooks, needles and spears!
Her voice is a high buzzing whine in your ears!
Instead of a head there's BIG GLOWING EYE!"
The Frankenboy said with a shuddering sigh.
"She doesn't sound scary," said Dracula's son.
"Not scary like crosses, or stakes or the sun."
So he made his appointment for just after dark
at the New Transylvania Medical Park.
"It's awful," he whispered. "So cheery and bright!
You'd think it would kill them to turn off a light.
They need some nice coffins. It's really a shame,"
young Dracula said as the nurse called his name.
He followed inside, and before he could hide,
the dentist was standing there, right by his side!
A note to the timid or just faint of heart:
This story has come to the frightening part.
Stop reading! Now put the book down! This is scary!
Peligro! Use caution! Beware and be wary!
Still here? Very well. Little Drac stood in terror.
He knew now he'd made the most horrible error.
If he weren't undead he'd have wanted to die.
She was terrible! Awful! She smiled and said hi!
Her voice was a sweet lilting song in his ears.
Her fingers were fingers, not needles or spears.
That big glowing eye, was lamp, not a head.
It was all so much worse than that Frankenboy said!
Young Drac couldn't move, so she forced him to sit.
"Open wide now," she told him. "This won't hurt a bit!"
"You aren't flossing," she scolded, and Dracula blushed.
"And honestly, when was the last time you brushed?
You really must brush after every bite.
See? A cavity's formed in this fang on the right."
"It needs to be mended. And so, if your willing,
I'll patch it right up with a small silver filling."
A filling? With silver? Drac wanted to shout,
the werewolves will hate me! I've got to get out!
He changed to a bat-he flew up and away.
The dentist said, "Fine. We won't do it today.
"But get it fixed soon; you'll be glad that you did.
Now here-take a sucker. You've been a good kid."
He flew from the office, and homeward he raced.
He sucked on the sucker, but gagged at the taste.
He'd hoped it was flavored like blood or like liver,
How scary! It's CHERRY! he thought with a shiver.
Drac knew it was true as he spat and he cursed,
My dad may be bad, but the dentist's THE WORST!
Little Drac- I couldn't agree more.....
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Paradise Park
Last weekend we went to Paradise Park for their Haunted Hayride. Really, there was nothing scary about it which made it perfect for the boys. During the actual ride they told ghost stories, which were really hard to hear, so I have no idea what they were about. Halfway through they stopped and we had a bonfire. There we roasted marshmallows, ate s'mores, drank hot chocolate and played games. After about 30 minutes or so the hayride came to pick us up and take us back.
Mom showing Caiden how to properly roast his marshmallow.
Our only family picture. Too bad Jay is squinting and Caiden is blinking.....
Me and Caiden on the hayride.
Seriously, I take their pictures all the time. You would think they were better at this by now! 
It was a nice night and a great family weekend.
Lincoln acting cool for the camera.
Lincoln acting scary for the camera while Caiden is in a sugar coma.
Yum! Hot Chocolate!
Locked, loaded and ready to roast!
Mom showing Caiden how to properly roast his marshmallow.
Our only family picture. Too bad Jay is squinting and Caiden is blinking.....
Me and Caiden on the hayride.
Seriously, I take their pictures all the time. You would think they were better at this by now!
A cute little pumpkin and a silly ghost.
More Halloween posts to come!
More Halloween posts to come!
WE
LOVE
HALLOWEEN!
Hatrsburg Pumpkin Festival
This actually happened a few weeks ago but I am just now getting around to blogging about it.
This has become a family tradition for the Ahrens family. Pumpkins, shopping, hay mazes, pony rides, wine tasting, hayrides, more pumpkins. It makes for an amazing day! This is just a few shots that I took. I am trying to keep it short since I have a lot to post about from October.
By the time we got there, the pumpkins were pretty picked over but we got a couple cute shots of the boys sitting in the truck.
This day was filled with so many "firsts" for Caiden. I really wish Jay could have been there to see them all.
Caiden's first pony ride. His pony was named Daisy and she was so sweet. The rides lasted a loooong time too. We really got our $5 worth and Nana made sure to get plenty of pictures.
Caiden's first Hay Maze. This wasn't very long but it was kind of scary! They had turns that lead to nowhere and it was super tight and dark inside. We were both given flashlights and we met up with a couple of girl scouts inside who helped us get out. Even though Caiden was a little scared he managed to keep his cool and keep going. He did NOT want to do it again though.
Caiden's first "Tractor Ride". As we were leaving my parents spotted a "pick your own pumpkin" farm that was selling pumpkins by the wagon load. It was a great deal! They got about 15 pumpkins for $25 AND they delivered them to the car in a Gator. We had another pumpkin to pick up from another farm so my Dad and they boys rode the gator and my mom and I walked. Caiden was very excited although all he was showing was his cautious face. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me telling him 100 times not to stand up or move while the vehicle was moving ;0)
This has become a family tradition for the Ahrens family. Pumpkins, shopping, hay mazes, pony rides, wine tasting, hayrides, more pumpkins. It makes for an amazing day! This is just a few shots that I took. I am trying to keep it short since I have a lot to post about from October.
By the time we got there, the pumpkins were pretty picked over but we got a couple cute shots of the boys sitting in the truck.
This day was filled with so many "firsts" for Caiden. I really wish Jay could have been there to see them all.
Caiden's first pony ride. His pony was named Daisy and she was so sweet. The rides lasted a loooong time too. We really got our $5 worth and Nana made sure to get plenty of pictures.
Caiden's first Hay Maze. This wasn't very long but it was kind of scary! They had turns that lead to nowhere and it was super tight and dark inside. We were both given flashlights and we met up with a couple of girl scouts inside who helped us get out. Even though Caiden was a little scared he managed to keep his cool and keep going. He did NOT want to do it again though.
Caiden's first "Tractor Ride". As we were leaving my parents spotted a "pick your own pumpkin" farm that was selling pumpkins by the wagon load. It was a great deal! They got about 15 pumpkins for $25 AND they delivered them to the car in a Gator. We had another pumpkin to pick up from another farm so my Dad and they boys rode the gator and my mom and I walked. Caiden was very excited although all he was showing was his cautious face. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me telling him 100 times not to stand up or move while the vehicle was moving ;0)
This little man wasn't as impressed by the tractor ride. He slept through the whole thing. Bumpy, stinky and full of turns. It didn't even phase him.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
We Did It!
We did it.
We have been talking about it for awhile now.
We got rid of our cable!
No more DVR.
No more High Def Channels.
No more pause, rewind, fast forward.
No more clock in the living room (I didn't realize how much this would bother me!).
Welcome five very fuzzy channels.
We had been having trouble with our cable company for awhile. Every time we would have the same problem and they would tell us what it was, then they would show up at our house and give us a new box. This, of course, didn't fix the problem and instead made us have to reschedule all of our shows and lose the ones that were recorded.
They didn't really act like they cared if we left them and went to a new company either. They didn't apologize or offer us some kind of discount. In fact, they tried to lie to us about when our contract was up. My husband had called about six months ago and tried to cancel our cable and they told us that is would cost $250 to break our contract which wasn't up until October 25, 2010. When I called a week or two ago the lady tried to tell me it was already renewed all the way through October 2013.
Interesting tactic!
But it didn't work.
Jay returned the boxes first thing yesterday morning.
We are going on Day 2 of no cable.
So far, so good.
Hello again Life!
We have been talking about it for awhile now.
We got rid of our cable!
No more DVR.
No more High Def Channels.
No more pause, rewind, fast forward.
No more clock in the living room (I didn't realize how much this would bother me!).
Welcome five very fuzzy channels.
We had been having trouble with our cable company for awhile. Every time we would have the same problem and they would tell us what it was, then they would show up at our house and give us a new box. This, of course, didn't fix the problem and instead made us have to reschedule all of our shows and lose the ones that were recorded.
They didn't really act like they cared if we left them and went to a new company either. They didn't apologize or offer us some kind of discount. In fact, they tried to lie to us about when our contract was up. My husband had called about six months ago and tried to cancel our cable and they told us that is would cost $250 to break our contract which wasn't up until October 25, 2010. When I called a week or two ago the lady tried to tell me it was already renewed all the way through October 2013.
Interesting tactic!
But it didn't work.
Jay returned the boxes first thing yesterday morning.
We are going on Day 2 of no cable.
So far, so good.
Hello again Life!
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