Shoot Me! 17 of 52

Today is week 17 of 52 in the Shoot Me challenge sponsored by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans. This is your chance to step out from behind the camera and post a photo of yourself alone, with a spouse, or with friends or family.

Today's photo is a of Justin and me dancing. Lately, when you ask Justin who his friend is his response is "Mommy". Currently he is no one else's friend except for me, but we will see how long this lasts.

Take care,
Michelle

Telemarketers

Yesterday I was sent an e-mail with an attachment of a conversation between a telemarketer and the person called. This person really dislikes telemarketers and decides to get a little revenge on the telemarketer. Listen to this and then tell me what you think. This is one of the most hilarious conversations I have heard in a long time. I understand that these people are only doing their job by contacting us, but they sure do call at the wrong time.

Take care,

Michelle

Where did spring go?

Where did the spring weather go off to? The weather here the last few days has NOT been spring like. It has been foggy, windy, dreary, rainy and most of all COLD. Yesterday the temperature was only in the 40's. The girls got upset when I told them that they had to wear pants and coats to school. Therefore, I decided to post some spring pictures from another day when the weather was warmer and nicer.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 16 of 52

It's Thursday again and time for my photo for the Shoot Me challenge sponsored by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans. It is your chance to step out from behind the camera and post a photo with you in it.

This photo was taken last summer at my high school class reunion. My best friend, Kris, and I are standing in the front row on the far right. This is not the best picture, but it goes with my quote of the day from my 365 Stress-Free Moments for Women calendar that I look at every day.

Today's quote was "There are some friends you know you will have for the rest of your life. You're welded together by love, trust, respect, loss - or simple embarrassment." *** "Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." Proverbs 18:24.

When I read this quote this morning, I instantly thought of Kris. She will always be my best friend. We don't see each other often or talk often, but we each know to just call if we need something. Kris lives in southeastern Missouri and I live in northeastern Nebraska - so, there are many miles between us. But miles don't take away friendship.

Take care,

Michelle

Our Little Rockstar

Yesterday afternoon Justin, Ashlin and I were making chocolate chip cookies when Justin decided to play his little guitar. He knows how to turn it on and what buttons to press for songs to play. He climbed up on the bench (he thinks this bench is his stage) that goes around our fireplace and started playing. He was bobbing his head to the music and smiling really cheesy. At one point, he looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm a rockstar". I just started laughing and then took his picture to remember this moment.

Take care,
Michelle

Burning Question

My burning question this week is "What is the one comfort food that you turn to when you are down and just need to be comforted?".

I have given this question lots of thought. Like I have said before, when I am exercising my brain thinks of lots of weird stuff. My answer to this burning question is homemade mac-and-cheese. Growing up we very rarely had the boxed kind, my mom always made the homemade kind. If I tell my kids that we are having mac-and-cheese, the first question they ask is if it is the boxed or homemade kind. They prefer the homemade kind. I love how cheesy it is and it just gives me comfort.

I don't let myself eat it very often though because it is a huge diet breaker. I would hate to guess how long it would take to burn off the calories from even a few tablespoons of the stuff. But, every once in awhile I just need to have some.

Take care,
Michelle

Kindergarten Round-Up

On Friday afternoon Ashlin, Keith and I headed off to Kindergarten Round-Up. Justin had to stay home with Grandma Korth for the afternoon. The Kindergarten class to be was divided into three groups: monkeys, elephants and lions. The theme was a safari. Each child was given a safari hat to wear. Ashlin was in the monkey group with Mrs. Bowder. Erica had Mrs. Bowder for a Kindergarten teacher. The students each made a puppet out of a brown lunch sack, learned a song and an Eric Carle story while the parents met with Mr. Berryman, the principal, and Mrs. Hughes, the school nurse. Then at the end of the afternoon the students came in and sang the song they had learned about animals and performed actions while Mrs. Hammond read the Eric Carle book.

Ashlin in Mrs. Bowder's room with her safari hat and monkey puppet.

The students all lined up and ready to sing an animal song.

Ashlin doing some actions.

Take care,

Michelle

The Stuff Kids Say

Erica is a funny girl. She can come up with some of the funniest things. The other morning Erica got up on the wrong side of the bed. She struggled to get dressed for school, she struggled to put her shoes on and brush her hair. She cried and whined through the whole process of getting ready for school. At one point she looked at me through her tears and said, "I don't understand why you signed me up for school. You should have asked me first before you just signed me up for school. I don't like school and I don't want to go anymore." Erica goes to school for social purposes, not educational purposes unless it is the subject of math.

I know that she got this comment from her Dad because Keith made the comment the other day that maybe the girls were signed up for too many activities this spring. Plus, the girls know that once they start an activity they are not allowed to quit. They must see it through until the end.

I did tell Erica in between outbursts that morning that she had to go to school because it is the law and that if she stayed home the police would come and pick her up for school.

Take care,
Michelle

Shoot Me! 15 of 52

It's Thursday again and time to post a photo for Carin's Shoot Me challenge over at Forever in Blue Jeans. The requirement for the challenge is to post a photo with you in the photo. It is hard to believe that we are already on week 15 of this year long challenge.

Ashlin took this photo of Justin and me this morning. We are both sporting new haircuts that we got yesterday.

Take care,

Michelle

Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung here in Northeastern Nebraska. We have been having above normal temperatures for over a week now, but the wind blows as always here. Along with the change in weather here, the kids have started spring time activities. Cara is playing spring volleyball at school. She practices twice a week. Erica started spring soccer at the YMCA last night. Ashlin was going to participate in youth track, but at the last minute changed her mind (which I am thankful for). We have been spending a lot of time outside playing. There has been quite a bit of grumbling at night when the kids are told that it is time to come inside for the night.

Ashlin swinging today after lunch.

Justin loves to swing. The sun was too bright so he wouldn't look up at the camera.

Ashlin, Justin and I have been watching these tulips for days. A few days ago they were still buds and I asked Ashlin what color she thought they would be when they bloomed. Yesterday, a few of them had opened and today all of the buds were open. Justin had to be reminded NOT to pick the pretty flowers. We'll see how long he remembers not to pick the flowers.

These flowers (pansies I think) out front of our house are volunteer flowers. I had pansies in a pot out front last summer and the seeds must have been transplanted to the rocks. Keith almost pulled them because we thought they were weeds, but then a few started to bloom. Each day we have more blossoms. I am so glad that he didn't pull them up.

Take care,

Michelle

A Question

It is totally amazing what all goes through my mind when I am working out at the YMCA. Usually, the first thing that I think about is "What are we going to have for dinner tonight?". After that my mind goes from one topic to another.

This morning as I was walking the track at the YMCA this was the burning question that my brain had, "Who lies about their weight on their driver's license?". This question was prompted I'm sure by a comment Cara made about my driver's license. The other day she was looking at my driver's license and she remarked on how awful my picture was and that I didn't look like that anymore. My current driver's license has a picture of me when my hair was quite a bit longer and I was 8 months pregnant with Justin. I even remember joking with the guy at the courthouse about if I should list my current weight or what I would weigh after the baby was born. He didn't think it was funny.

But seriously, who really tells the truth about their weight on that laminated card! After losing weight, currently I weigh less than what it says on my driver's license, but I know that I usually lie about my weight on it by at least five pounds. Maybe this is just a woman thing, not accurately proclaiming what our weight is. Do guys lie about their weight as well?

What do you all think? Another burning question related is "How come all driver's license photos look so awful?".

Take care,
Michelle

Mrs. Hochstein's Birthday

Cara's teacher, Mrs. Hochstein, celebrated a birthday over the Easter break from school. Cara's third grade class celebrated Mrs. Hochstein's birthday on the Wednesday before Easter break. The class presented Mrs. Hochstein with a Gerber Daisy plant as a present and a card signed by the class. In honor of her birthday, they celebrated with brownies and juice pouches. We played one game to see how well they knew Mrs. Hochstein. I had thought of ten questions to ask them. Some of the questions were: How many children does Mrs. Hochstein have?, What is her husband's first name?, What other grade has Mrs. Hochstein taught besides 3rd grade?, How many years has Mrs. Hochstein taught at Sacred Heart School?, What is her middle name?, What high school did Mrs. Hochstein graduate from?, etc. Some of the questions were easy for the students and some they did not know.

Mrs. Hochstein helping Mason with a math problem.

Cara and Callista passing out a brownie to Brooke.

Mrs. Hochstein and her 3rd grade class.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 14 of 52

Today's Shoot Me photo is from last April when Cara made her First Communion. I know some moms that are busy getting ready for First Communions, Confirmations and Graduations and it makes me relieved that I don't have to mess with that this year. But, next year I will be getting ready for Erica's First Communion. Check out other mom's photos over at Forever in Blue Jeans. Carin is hosting this year long challenge.

Take care,

Michelle

Husker Volleyball

Last Saturday Cara and Erica were invited by our next door neighbor, Alice, to attend the University of Nebraska Volleyball team scrimmage held at Wayne State College. The Wayne State volleyball team held a fundamental/skill camp in the morning and then the Nebraska volleyball team held a scrimmage in the afternoon. The girls had a fabulous time. I let Cara take my camera along to get some pictures of the day.

The group of girls and one boy listening at the fundamental/skill camp in the morning. Cara thought it was strange that only one boy participated.

Erica listening on how to bump the ball from Nicole. This Wayne State player happens to be an alumni of the catholic school that the girls attend.

Cara practicing setting the volleyball.

The volleyball scrimmage.

The Nebraska Head Volleyball Coach John Cook was wearing a microphone during the scrimmage. Cara said that he would explain rules of the game and techniques during the scrimmage between plays.

The girls had a great day! After the scrimmage the kids could get autographs from the players of both teams. Thanks Alice for taking the girls!

On a side note, today is my 100th post! I cannot believe it! When I started blogging last fall, this post seemed a long time away, but it crept up on me. I was going to do a giveaway, but I haven't found just the right item yet. That will come at a later date!

Take care,

Michelle

Easter

Easter Sunday dawned bright and early at the Leader household yesterday morning. Our children are not late sleepers anyway, so, why would they sleep in when they knew that the Easter bunny would be arriving. The three girls were up and waiting for Justin for wake up before 7:00. Justin's reaction when he saw his new bubble mower from the Easter Bunny was priceless. Erica broke his last bubble mower and the Easter Bunny knew that Justin could not go a mowing season without a new mower. He could not wait to get his new mower out of the box. Ashlin received new sandbox toys from the Easter Bunny. Erica received a kickball set complete with ball and bases. Our backyard is the neighborhood kickball yard and bases were needed (now trees and flower pots will not be needed for bases). Cara received a volleyball. The kids thought that the Easter Bunny did a really good job this year of knowing what was needed at this Leader household for spring/summer entertainment.

Before they could hunt any Easter eggs the three girls all had to take a bath and start to get ready for church. The Easter egg hunt in our house took about two minutes and then it was on to breakfast. Church was at 9:30 and then we went home quick to change clothes and grab our food before heading to Bloomfield to Grandpa and Grandma Leader's house. There was so much food and it was so good. I got to eat dessert (strawberry shortcake) and I also had a few pieces of candy after making it through Lent without sweets.

Justin and Kamree ready for the Easter egg hunt. Justin wouldn't look at the camera because the sun was so bright and it would shine in his eyes when he looked up.

Waiting for Grandma Leader to say it was time for the hunt to begin.


There was a prize for whoever had the most eggs. This is Justin counting his eggs. After he took each one out of his bucket and counted then he would put the egg in the line. He can count to 12 all by himself. He had so much fun this year going to Easter egg hunts. He would hunt for eggs all by himself.

Erica and Justin on Easter morning.

We came home from Grandpa and Grandma Leader's tired after a fun-filled day. There was no school today so everyone had time to play and rest up. Justin got his mower out first thing and mowed many miles already. I told Keith when he came home tonight from work that Justin mowed most of our yard, most of Tyler's yard (two houses down) and most of Ryan's yard next door. He knows to go one way in a straight line and then turn around and mow a straight line back. He went back and forth all day and it was a struggle to get him to come inside for the night.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 13 of 52

It's Thursday again! Today is Week 13 of 52 in the Shoot Me! challenge hosted by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans. This is your chance to step out from behind the camera and post a photo of yourself. Head on over and view the photos of other moms.

My photo this week is a photo of my husband, Keith, and I on the balcony of our hotel in Cancun from a few weeks ago.

Take care,

Michelle