Elijah Earned a Stripe!

Elijah had karate today and he earned a stripe! The instructors said he is doing very well! He has been working so hard to earn a star that he did not know about the stripe. He was so proud to have it on his belt -- I was so happy for him!

Two weeks until this class is over! Then it's econ! Other than that, the week is almost over!

Beautiful Day

Today was such a nice day, I can't believe it is after 8 p.m.

We started the day with a visit from my friend Becky. We worked together years ago. She brought her two boys and we (Elijah and I) headed out with them for a visit to Jungle Java. It was nice because we got there right after it opened and no one was there. Not long after two more kids arrived, but it was still nice. For about two hours we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was a fun time and we wrapped it up by going to lunch at Big Boy. Becky's one son, Owen loves the Big Boy and even held up his burger to look like him!

From there we headed back for an afternoon of play and movies. Elijah crashed hard for a nap, so I snuck out for a pedicure and manicure -- very nice and relaxing. Instead of reading magazines, I opted to read more about marketing. I figured I may as well be a little productive.

Impressive 8th Graders

I spent my morning today at O. E. Dunckel Middle School helping out an old friend from my jr high/high school days. (he's the one on the right in this pic). They were preparing a group of 8th graders for job interviews. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. All of the students were professional and well dressed. They made eye contact and for the most part, spoke well. I really enjoyed it and I hope I helped them. They certainly made an impression on me.

After that it was back to work. Pretty un-eventful day and now I am off until Tuesday! School break, work break, what more could I ask for?

Enjoy your weekend!

Break Time

I'm on a one week break from school . . . yahoo! Although I'm still trying to do some work so maybe I won't feel so far behind. Class ends June 12!

Elijah is doing well with karate at East-West Martial Arts. He started participating three classes ago and seems really excited now when we go.

A gymnastics group has been coming to his "school" once a week (TumbleBunnies), for an extra fee of course, but he has been enjoying that as well!

Did anyone watch the end of Alias?

Happy Birthday Aunt Linda Gail

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Linda Gail. She doesn't like to be called this, but Aunt Linda doesn't sound right! I hope you have a great birthday! (She's having a big one today!).

Busy day tomorrow: karate, birthday party, and homework! I'm on break starting Tuesday (yipee). Once again, this class is kicking my you know what! I'm tired and will be happy when it's over!

Have a great weekend!

To All You Mothers Out There

Happy Mother's Day!

Elijah got me a very pretty necklace (or as he calls it neck-a-lis), and a card that says: "There's just one way to feel about having a mom like you . . ." When you open it, you hear James Brown say "Wow, I feel good!" It's really cute and Elijah dances when the song plays. He told me Happy Mudders Day!

To everyone I know that's a mom, Happy Mother's Day!

Congratulations David and Aaron!

Congratulations to my nephews Aaron and David! They made their first communion today. It was a very nice mass and they both were very handsome! Lunch was great! If you are ever in Woodhaven, check out the Big Bear Lodge on Telegraph (South of West Road).

Thank you for lunch Chad and Janinne -- especially the quesadillas! They were great!

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

I told myself I wouldn't do it on the blog, but I am! It's time to whine! This class is kicking my you know what! I thought taking Monday off of work would get me back in the groove, but it didn't. On everything else, I got some interesting feedback from the professor on a project. I say interesting because he repeats himself in the feedback three times and there are characters missing in the comments (so you see a bunch of ? in the middle of words), etc. If I had read the feedback before the grade, I would have guessed that I got 30 out of 50 points, but instead he gave me 46 out of 50. I know, it's not too bad, but I get a little "funny" about these things!

Today it looks like I got 47 out of 50 on another project, but no comments! Ugh! I don't get it!

At least tomorrow is Friday! TGIF! On Saturday my nephews, Aaron and David are making their first communion! Saturday night and all of Sunday will be the usual: homework! How exciting . . . NOT!

We're Back!

We are back in Michigan! After a 30 minute flight delay, we actually made it in relatively good time. Getting to the gate and getting our bags was a different story! We had to sit on the runway to wait for a gate-- how it is possible that there is not a gate ready at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday night in a terminal that is only for the airlines we are on, it beyond me. I think it took another 30 minutes for the bags to come out! Needless to say, but the time we got home and somewhat settled, it was about 10:30 p.m.

To add to the drama of sitting on the runway, once we pull up to the gate, everyone is anxious to get off the plane (nothing new). Well, Elijah has to go potty. Now we all know that is not going to happen since everyone is in the aisle and is not going to move anywhere but forward and off the plane. I was convinced he wasn't going to make it, but he did! Although he had to go so bad that he was pulling his pants down as he's walking into the stall. I think he mooned a lady!

Today has been spent unpacking, getting settled and doing homework. Elijah has been playing outside and watching "Hoodwinked" and playing with his toys.

Have a great week!

I almost forgot . . . if I told you we would send you a postcard, don't look for it! I never got around to sending them! Sorry!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

As I am writing this, I can hear fireworks outside. It's a party around here! I don't think many on vacation need an excuse to have a celebration, but Cinco de Mayo helps! Disney even went out and took the traditional mouse hat (with the ears) and threw a sombrero on it!

Today we went to Magic Kingdom. Elijah has a routine down at this place (making me realize he has been here a lot for his age). We start in Tomorrowland by assisting Buzz Lightyear in defeating the Evil Emperor Zurg. After that we have to venture on the Tomorrowland Transit for a stroll around the area. Our new routine for Tomorrowland ends with a race on the Indy Speedway. Elijah is too short to reach the petals, but he does pretty well behind the wheel!

He went on the Mad Hatter Tea Party for the first time. I sent Grandpa on with him because I didn't want to risk spinning too much! Another first was the Haunted Mansion. Elijah kept asking why the ghost was in the car with us and is he going to really follow us home. Other rides we did included Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Snow White, and It's a Small World. We didn't go to Frontierland this year -- it was getting really hot and the boy needed a nap! After a short nap, we shopped in Downtown Disney. Elijah got his face painted to look like a superhero. At first he asked me to call him Elijah, Galaxy Defender, but then he changed his mind. He is now Superhero Elijah. He wouldn't wash it off, so I am anxious to see what he looks like tomorrow! I have a feeling we will be going back for another painting before we go. (he really wants Grandma & Grandpa H to see him)! We also did the outlet shopping and I made my annual trip to the Coach Outlet - Yippee! I made some stellar purchases! Elijah also made out with some stuff from Tommy Kids and the Stride Rite Outlet.

What a day!

Another Day at Disney

Yesterday we went to Disney MGM and Epcot. At MGM, we did the usual Playhouse Disney and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. From there we stumbled across the Power Rangers. Unfortunately we did not get any autographs, the lines were too long and they had to run off to save the world. We did play some games at Pizza Planet, and met Kim Possible! Elijah went on the Star Wars ride with Ray, Jennifer and Kiara. (It makes me motion sick). After we caught a bit of the parade before heading off.

At Epcot, we left another legacy. Elijah and I took a picture together. We also looked up Gary's as well as Elijah's that are already there. We also got to see Ray and Jennifer's. Kiara and Jen also left another legacy. We'll see all of them next time we visit. We also got to ride Soarin'. That was a great ride. The kids loved it and in fact got their second wind as a result! As we were walking off the ride, the fireworks were starting. We saw some and then headed off for a late dinner and for me, more homework!

Elijah & the Yeti

Tuesday we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom. We saw "Festival of the Lion King" and went on the Kilimanjaro Safari. Elijah really wanted to go on Expedition Everest, the new "roller coaster" at the park. I was a little concerned -- more that he would not be tall enough to ride. We go there and he just made it. He was so excited. They stamped his hand "Yeti" so no one else would question his height.

The entire time we are in line I kept telling him to have fun and it's okay to be scared, but just remember the ride is meant to be fun. We get on the ride and he asks me to hold him, so I put my arm around him. Since you only see a small part of the ride from the outside, I had no idea what to expect. We take off and proceed around a bend and it looks like we are going uphill, but then the track is broke! What do you do? We start the ride backwards! Then we are in total darkness going around turns. All of a sudden we are moving forward and you see a shadow of the Yeti tearing up the track. We go through more twists and turns, along with some hills. Near the end, we go around a turn and see the giant Yeti swatting at us. The end. Elijah said he liked it except for the part when we were going backwards. The boy rode is first grown up rollercoaster!

Soak up the sun

Well, I spent yesterday on the patio doing homework. Some may think that doesn't sound like a vacation, but sitting on a patio (screened so there weren't bugs) with view of a man made lake and mini beach, is something I would not get back home! Everyone else did various things such as nap, walk around, do laundry, watch movies. In the evening, we went to Downtown Disney and had dinner at the House of Blues. After dinner, we walked around and made a few small purchases.

Today the plan is to hit Disney! We are still materializing our plans, but it should be a great day! My friend Ray has a blog and he also has pictures if you want to check them out! www.thepridelands.com. I'm not a savvy as him, so I'll get to my pictures sooner or later (probably later)!

Searching for my lost shaker of salt - Sing it Jimmy!

I'm down in sunny Florida! Currently I am sitting on the patio, looking at the water, and wondering where is my Margarita! I wish! I am on the patio, but I'm doing homework!

Yesterday we spent the day at Universal Studios. It was senior day (not senior citizen day, high school senior day). We rode the Jimmy Neutron ride, ET, Woody Woodpecker's Roller Coaster, Men in Black, and then we crashed (at least the kids fell asleep in the car)! By the time we checked into the condo, went grocery shopping, and ate dinner, it was 9 p.m.! Thanks for the great dinner Jen! Needless to say we are a little tired today. We opted to do the timeshare tour and earned some Disney dollars. No one bought, but I really like the Horizons by Marriott down the street. It is really kid focused. We figured we would do an early evening visit to Downtown Disney and start fresh tomorrow. Hopefully the kids will get back on schedule and not be so cranky! I guess lack of sleep does that to you! :-)

Wish you were all here!

Vacation . . . have to get away!

I keep singing that GoGo's song! It doesn't help that they put it in a commercial! What's that called again JAS? :-)

Later today I am off to Orlando! Elijah is very excited! I'm doing laundry and packing as I write this. I have my checklist and of course I need to squeeze in a quick shopping trip before I go! It looks like nice weather in Michigan this coming week, so I don't feel too bad about leaving you all behind!

There's supposed to be internet at the condo, so I may be posting while I am there. I sure hope the internet works because I have homework to do! They of course have fee-based internet in the lobby, but who wants that!

I may post again before I go! I have more customer service issue stories from yesterday! Yikes!

Is Superior Service Gone?

I'm irritated and thought I would vent. On Saturday, I took Elijah to the shoe store to get his "Spring/Summer" shoes as well as some sandals for our trip to Florida. We always to go this shoe store in Garden City because they have Stride-Rite shoes and "the boy" always needs a wide shoe. So, I've been going to this place since 2003 and we get shoes 3-4 times a year when you count the Winter boots, sandals, etc.

So Saturday we go and a man helps us. He measure Elijah's foot and adjusts the side part (indicating wide), and proceeds to go get the shoes Elijah picked out. He tries them on and I ask the man what size they are: 13! I mention the wide foot and he agrees. Needless to say we buy two pairs and leave. I get home and happen to be looking at the box and notice it says 13M, not 13W. So I grab the other box . . . same thing! At this point I'm ticked because they are closed and are not open Sunday.

Yesterday, I call the store and another man says to bring Elijah and the shoes in and he will check them. I rush home from work, get Elijah and the shoes. When we get there, the man that helped us Saturday is there along with the other man I spoke to on the phone. The one that sold us the shoes seems to have an attitude and comments that the shoes are velcro. The other one proceeds to measure Elijah's feet and points out to the other guy that his foot is clearly wide. In the meantime, another customer walks in, so the one that sold us the shoes is busy with them. The other guy says that the shoes will work for him because he has plenty of room. I indicate that considering he has had wide shoes for the last three years, that had the other guy had a conversation with me that the medium would work, we wouldn't be here today. He agrees, but no apology, no nothing! Now I wasn't expecting something free, but an apology would have been nice.

If anyone knows of a kids shoe store that sells Stride-Rite in the Canton area, let me know! I'm looking for a new shoe store!

Elijah's Good Deed

I just had to post again today. Elijah went to the grocery store with Grandpa Hayse and while they were there, an older lady dropped some change. Elijah ran up and picked up all the coins for her. She was so tickled by his nice deed that she gave him a quarter. He is so proud of it and asked me to hold it for him. He also asked Grandpa if he could buy me some flowers. Isn't that sweet!

Jiu-Jitsu Anyone?

Elijah is officially a martial arts student! We have been "shopping around" to see if it is something he wants and is able to do. Last night we signed up! He looks so cute in his uniform! Prior to signing up he had a one on one class with the instructor. He got to block punches, throw punches and kick! He has a good punch, so look out! He was so cute saying "yes, sir!" My hope is that he will not only learn some self defense skills but also build his confidence.

Spring Fever

Elijah was sick so we stayed home today. I've been fighting something myself, but I don't seem to be as sick as him. Anyways, I was watching the news and they showed that some parts of the country are still getting snow! WHAT! Please don't let it snow near me! I just packed up Elijah's sweatshirts! Did I mention we are going to Florida in NINE days!

This is the last week of my accounting class. I received the info on my marketing class . . . another team project! This time we get to pick our teams! My first reaction each time I read a syllabus for one of these classes is 'how am I going to do this?' So far I have been very blessed with great professors and good grades. I hope my blessings don't run out anytime soon!

Did anyone catch Alias last night? WOW!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I hope you have a wonderful day!

I'm waiting for Elijah to wake up and see what the Easter Bunny brought him! Yesterday we did an Easter Egg Hunt at Auntie J and Uncle Chad's house. He had so much fun playing with his cousins! (He also took a very good nap after! :-))