The Little Man

As much as it makes me sad to write it, my little man is growing up! He's almost done with his first official school year. He went to the dentist on Saturday and was such a grown up -- he got x-rays, he's starting to get a loose tooth, and he let me put sealants on the two adult molars he has. A big change from a year ago!

Also, the big news . . . he joined the Cub Scouts! He'll be a Tiger Cub in the fall. Today we went and got his shirt and baseball hat. He looks so grown up!

My Sweetie

Elijah's teacher sent me an email that Elijah did something very nice the other day. Apparently another classmate was opening her applesauce and dropped it on the floor. I had sent two containers of applesauce to school so he could have one as a snack. Well, he took one of them and gave it to her. How sweet is that. I was so proud of him for doing that without even being asked to do so.

Tired

Well, so far I can get into the system for school. The bad news, all my previous work has been wiped out. So I'm hoping that the professor knows all the grades because my sanity could not handle redoing all those quizzes! He gave us until tomorrow to finish the course. There goes that break I was supposed to be on!

I took the day off today. Originally it was because Elijah's summer camp ended yesterday. Now I realize that I did it to keep me sane. Yesterday I worked 14 hours and still have work to do. I'm trying to figure out how I can squeeze in some time to go in today.

Tuesday is the big day: Boy starts school. I'm starting to freak out a little. This is going to be tougher than I thought -- I figured since he's been in daycare since he was 3 months old that this would not be much different. It is.

If you pray, say one for me please. I need strength to keep putting up with the massive volume at work. I need strength to finish this class and my last class, and I need some strength to send my sunshine to school on Tuesdays. Thank you.

Time Flies

August is moving about even faster than July. Where does the time go? This is my last weekend of this class. The last class starts on Tuesday. It's hard to believe that almost two years of graduate school is close to an end. I'm starting to feel the pressure of the last time I graduated: what now? Do I want to stay where I am? Could I move out of state? What do I want to be when I grow up? Ugh . . . the pressure! :-)

Speaking of school. I'm still scratching my head on the methodology behind this one. About two weeks ago they posted a note that they were going to upgrade the system we use to participate in class, submit assignments, get grades, etc. Now we will be on break starting August 28, but for some reason they decided to do this upgrade on August 14 and keep the system down until 6 p.m. yesterday. My first thought is why wouldn't they just wait until we are on break? It would seem to be easier because then if there is a problem (I know we all like to think that there won't be problems, but I've been through enough system upgrades to know that there is always some sort of problem), it wouldn't interfere with our studies. Well, as my cynical mind thought, there was a problem. Now the system is still down and they expect us to be able to get back on at 6 p.m. tonight. There was also a note that our instructor would extend our assignments. That sounds great, but class ends on MONDAY. Do you think we can get an extension on ending the class and postpone starting the new one? Whoever approved this upgrade during the last week of classes needs to get their head examined. What was the big rush that couldn't wait two weeks?

Work was psychotic again. I spent the last three days working 12 hour shifts. It will look nice on the paycheck, but I am tired. I also missed saying goodbye to my brother-in-law because of it. He and his wife are off to new ventures in Houston. I didn't see them often when they were here in Michigan, but it seems strange that they will be so far away.

Not much else is going on. Less than three weeks until Elijah starts school. Orientation is less than two weeks away. His karate instructor said that he will be testing for yellow belt in September. He is also going to start taking swim lessons. Needless to say I think September is going to be busy between me finishing school and Elijah getting used to school.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Summer Colds - No Fun!

I've got a summer cold. Yuck! I stayed home yesterday because I felt lousy. I couldn't breath or sleep last night so I ended up getting ready for work at 5 a.m. It was nice to leave work earlier than usual, but traffic stinks.

Elijah is trying to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. It's pretty interesting because he doesn't feel confident yet. This would have been up Gary's alley, but alas it's me, the not so outdoor enthusiast. Oh well I suppose.

Marriott's New Venture

Yesterday, Mr. Marriott appeared at a press conference where he was introduced by none other than SPONGEBOB! The announcement was that Marriott is partnering with Nickelodeon to open Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott. At the end of the press conference, Mr. Marriott was hit with the green slime! You can catch the podcast if interested. It's a little long, so if you actually want to see the slime action, go to about 28 minutes into the press conference. On the down side, the first resort won't open until 2010.

In case you don't know, Mr. Marriott has his own blog. You can read his thoughts on the new venture and being slimed. Check it out!

One More Down, Three to Go!

I finished my Financial Reporting and Analysis class! Overall it was a great class, but the quantity of homework was way over the top. I spent 18 hours on Monday finishing up projects and homework. Needless to say I am exhausted.

Of course the next class has already started: Auditing and Fraud Detection. I get to do an audit of a company (pick from a list). I'll be doing mine on Starbucks. It should be interesting. Wish me luck!

Not much else is going on. Work is busy. I'm tired after a weekend of massive homework. I can't believe that the holiday is almost upon us. Where is the year going?

Elijah is staring in the advanced class in karate. He seems very excited about it. He had to get sparring gear, so that's really cool to him! Other than that, he's about to graduate from the whole daycare thing. I can't believe he has been at the same place since he was three months old! Time does fly!

Elijah Story

After karate we were heading home and saw some cows out. I pointed out the cows to Elijah and he said "yummy!" I asked him what was yummy (I was a little mortified), he replied "They have delicious milk!" Too funny!

A guy I work with in Kentucky said that his daughter and wife were driving and saw some cows. His daughter said that "those are new cows." When his wife asked why they are new, she replied: "they still have the tags on!"

Open House

Today we went to an open house for the school that I hope Elijah will be attending in the Fall. I went on a tour last April, but it was nice to walk around again and actually meet some teachers. I think it looks good, but we will not know until April. Elijah seemed really excited while we were there, but later on he said it was boring. Since they have library, computer lab, art, gym, and science once a week, I don't see how it could be boring compared to what he does now! We shall see . . .

The Week in Review

Sorry I haven't had a chance to write before now. It's been a busy week. There were a few birthdays this week: my dad, and my nephews: Aaron and David. I hope all of them had a great birthday!

Elijah is testing for a new belt next week, that should be fun! This weekend we have a birthday party today and the ballet tomorrow (my niece and Goddaughter has a part in it). It's also the last week of class.

As of Tuesday, I'll be starting a statistics class. Normally I would say 'yuck' but since it is using Excel, hopefully it won't be too bad. I looked over the syllabus and I have to do a paper, as well as some team projects. The nice thing is that I'll get a two week break for the holidays! I can't wait!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Elijah and his class went on a field trip to a senior citizen home for a Halloween Parade. He was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. It was his first time riding a schoolbus. He said he had a good time.

Tonight he will be a red Power Ranger. The only reason he was a TMNT was he needed something that was easy to get in and out of while at school.

Book It!

Elijah's class participates in Book It! with Pizza Hut. If you make your reading goal, you get a coupon for a free personal pan pizza. Elijah earned his for the month of October. He was so excited. He was holding his paper all the way to school and even said "Mommy, I'm so excited!" We went today and got the pizza. He was so cute as he held it up and showed the server.

It's been a rough week from a work and personal standpoint. Hopefully it will start to get better at work, but I don't know when it will on the other front. If you are one that prays, I ask that you say a few for my family.

Don't forget to change your clocks tonight!

Elijah updates

Elijah is doing very well in his class. He seems to be enjoying school and is learning a lot. He now does number games like "I know what 5 and 6 are: 56!" It's cute to see him figuring things out!

He's also doing well in karate. He did some good deeds and read some books to earn two more stars for his Gi. He now has 5 stars for his Gi!

He's also excited that he's almost met his monthly reading commitment for school. If he makes it he gets a PizzaHut coupon for a free personal pan pizza. At first he wasn't excited because he said he can't read. Finally he realized he doesn't have to know all the words to read the book! (Is that what those pictures are for?!).

Yesterday he went to Carnival Cuts for a "wash and cut." He lets the hairdresser use the electric clippers on him. He looks like such a little man! His pictures from school came in, so I probably owe you a wallet photo!

Saturday the 14th

I don't know if any of you remember this spoof a movie back in the 80's. It was part comedy, part mild scary movie that made fun of the day after Friday the 13th. Each time the 14th falls on a Saturday, I think of it.

Anyway, not much is going on. Finishing up finance, getting adjusted to having another dog in the house, etc.

Elijah has been learning about the President this week. Yesterday he asked me if I knew that the president lives in a white house? I asked him if it's really big, he said yeah and it's all white! He's also learned about muscles and he told me that our hearts are not shaped like a heart you write on paper.

Today in karate he helped out the teacher and earned another paper star. That was the last on he needed to get another blue star for is Gi. He was very excited!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Stay warm!

What's new

Let's see, I keep realizing things that were in my stolen wallet - membership to The Henry Ford, stamps, you know -- things that you don't think of until you go to use them!

I spoke with a detective in one of the cities -- in fact the one where the most fraudulent charges occurred. One of the stores has video surveillance. They are working on burning it on a disc to show me. I also discovered yesterday that there were more charges on one of my credit cards, than I was originally told. I hope they catch whoever did this.

On a fun note, it looks like we are getting another dog. Her name is Sasha and she comes from a Rottweiller Rescue group in the area. Elijah is very excited. She's a little over a year old and very sweet.

Elijah went to the dentist today and did very well. I was so proud. He also is doing well in karate and earned another stripe!

Have a great weekend!

Too Tired to Only Be Tuesday!

It's only Tuesday!? Too much going on! Tomorrow is picture day for Elijah and I can't wait to see how they turn out with his new haircut!

Not much else other than juggling work, school, parenthood, and extra-curriculars -- ahhhhhh life in the fast lane! Not quite the fast lane I would have predicted years ago, but ya gotta love it!

The First Week

Elijah did very well for his first week of school w/o a nap! He seems to be having fun and learning a lot!

On another note, I took him up to the mall today and we did some clothes shopping. He's hit a growth spurt, so this was the first time we went in a dressing room and actually tried on clothes!
After buying some outfits, I walked him over to Carnival Cuts. If you don't know, Elijah does not do well when it comes to haircuts. Well, I just marched him in and told him it needed to be cut. He got to sit on a horse and watch Buzz Lightyear while he got a haircut. The stylist also used the electric clippers on him. He looks so grown up. Pictures for school are next week, so they should be nice!

My big boy

Elijah had his first sleepover last night. He stayed at Aunt Laurie's and hung out with Madison. This was his first night away from home without me. Needless to say I think he slept better than I did! He didn't come home until after 4 p.m. today! He said he had fun and I think Maddie had fun too!

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!

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!