Music Suggestions. . .

As promised. . .

Here is the list compiled by everyone. Thanks so much for the hints everybody! I'm actually looking forward to running again this week. Hurray for new GOOD music! Feel free to add more to the comments . . .

Single Ladies (put a ring on it)- Byeonce
Survivor - Destiny's Child
Let's get it Started - Black Eyed Peas

Check Yes Juliet--We the Kings
That's Not My Name--The Ting Tings
Others that are CLOSE to my go to songs:
I Gotta Feeling--Black Eyed Peas
Womanizer--Britney Spears
Mercy--Duffy Rockferry
Down--Jay Sean

Kelly Clarkson: Since U Been Gone, Never Again
Pink: So What, Sober
Maroon 5: Makes Me Wonder, Harder to Breathe
Melissa Etheridge: I Run for Life
Christina Aguilera: Fighter
Madonna: 4 Minutes
Lady Gaga: Telephone, Bad Romance
Bon Jovi: Have A Nice Day, It's my Life

Natasha Bedingfield - Pocket Full Of Sunshine
Always" by Lisa Dalbello
U2 - Beautiful Day

We Like to Party - Venga Boys

You Wear Flowers - Peter Breinholt
Treadmill (nothing to do with running) - Cheri Magill

Stronger – Kanye West
The Hardest Button to Button – The White Stripes
Sabotage – Beastie Boys

A-Punk by Vampire Weekend
Love and Memories by OAR
Spotlight (Twilight Mix) by Mute Math.

Bruises by Chairlift

One Step at a Time by Jordin Sparks
99 Times by Kate Voegele
Just Dance by Lady Gaga
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
Hey Ya (radio mix/club mix) by Outkast
Semi-charmed life by Third Eye Blind

Viva la Vida

I run to you- Lady Antebelum

Sheryl Crow, soak up the sun

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

Joy Ride - the Killers
Wolf Like Me- TV on the Radio
Chase this light- Jimmy Eat World
Mr. Brightside- the Killers
Somebody Told Me- the Killers
Spacemane- the Killers

Tune in. . .

Attention loyal readers! (I think there are three or four of you) I need your help. It's finally that time of year again when I can step out the front door before the kids are up and have a run. Outside. Heaven! So what's my problem?

My playlist has gone stale. I need some new tunes! So, here is my request. . . I will share with you my favorite 3 songs to run by, the ones that get me through that last mile every time, and you share yours! 50 points to anyone who responds! And if you don't run, how about your favorite three songs you think I should give a go. . .

Here are my top three:

1. Say Hey (I love you), Michael Franti (Just try and walk, you won't be able to)

2. My life would suck without you, Kelly Clarkson

3. Black and White, Michael Jackson

Alright folks, add them to your playlist. And trust me on the Michael Jackson, you won't regret it. You'll be be-boppin' down the road in no time. :)

And please don't be shy about your favorites, I run with everything from classical to the king of pop. :) I'll accept anonymous comments!!! When we're done, I'll email out the list of everyones suggestions if you'd like me to. . .

YOUR TURN!!! Don't let me down!!!

And now for a little something from Chandler. . .

Here is my very special mothers day card and poem, by Chandler (delivered today because he was sick last week and missed school).

Let me zoom in there for you, so you can read his fine poetry. . .

I love it. And I love this kid!

I've smiled about a hundred times today when I think of the "and mom does lipstick" line!

No School, time for an adventure!

The kids are out of school for the next couple of days, so I decided to be brave and take them on an adventure! So, we hopped on the MAX this morning and rode the train to the underground station at Washington Park, then hopped off. . .

And spent a couple of hours wandering the zoo! I'm not sure if they liked the train better or the zoo, but the train definitely made it feel like more of an adventure. And, Chandler got to be the family ambassador and talk to every single person who he crossed paths with on the MAX. Every. Single. Person. "HI! I'm Chandler! I'm 4! We went to the Zoo! Do you like baby elephants?"

And I think I will say, the zoo is not my favorite place to be. I used to love it, when I only had one or two children, but the last few times I've been, it's been as a chaperon for a preschool or Kindergarten field trip (which is kind of like trying to herd chickens through a complicated corn maze). Or in one case, when I was given the 120 lb. super-sized kindergartner who tried the whole day to run away (you know, "the runner") in which case I was literally DRAGGED through the zoo while I death gripped the sleeve of his jacket, because he would not under any circumstances hold my hand. I was sore for days. And, I'm scarred for life. This was much more pleasant. Just my kids, nobody else I was trying to talk to, just me and my kidlets. We may even do it again someday.

Licensed to Write!

Ethan started writing his name in cursive in kindergarten, after Grammy showed him how. In first grade he was told to "stop it!" with the explanation that he didn't have his cursive license. We've been being told by teachers ever since then to quit it with the cursive until he was issued a license. I thought they were just being dramatic, or silly, but guess what Ethan came home with today!

That's right guys, this kid is now legally allowed to write whatever he likes in cursive. He is fully licensed!

Spontaneous Snuggles

Gotta love it when your child's favorite toy is little sis, or big bro. It's not always the first choice, but it is sure sweet when it is!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers day to my own beautiful mother and my dear Mother in law Ann. We love you both so much.

And thank you to my own husband and quartet of beautiful children for all the cards, poems, letters, hand prints, hugs, pictures on the porch, coconut cream pie, chocolate, and thank you's! You are my sun beams and make being a mother a joy!

Croup - Don't panic, he's fine now!

But he did give us a bit of a scare last night. Went to bed without the slightest sign of illness at 7:30. Woke up at 10:45 with a severe case of croup and gasping for breath, in and out. After 25 minutes in a steamy sweaty bathroom, he was considerably more comfortable than the initial attack, but still really struggling to breathe and the consensus from the nurse on the phone was to go to the E.R. or call 911 if he got the slightest bit worse again. So, off we went, with lumpy and teddy in tow (in the van, not an ambulance).

By the time we got there 10 minutes later, things were considerably calmer breath wise, but he still was a bit wheezy and frightened. So, since it had been so severe before, he did a breathing treatment and they checked him out for a few minutes. Then a big dose of steroids and off we went for bed.
Chandler was very cheerful at the hospital and even told the nurse that it would be okay if he had to have a shot because he was "very brave." Luckily, he got oral medications so he didn't have to prove that. :) So thankful for modern medication, steamy showers, and especially, my sweet little guy. Get well soon!

We did get him checked again this morning (at the pediatrician this time!) and they said this was just a bad case of croup. Sometimes it just gets CRAZY!, especially the first night for some reason. Today, you wouldn't even know he is sick. Not coughing or anything. That's probably the steroids that have kicked in. . .

Wolf Cub

Last night our little bobcat became a Wolf. This is a big accomplishment almost a year in the making and we are mighty proud of our little wolf cub! When they called him up, I was also called up so he could "pin me" and Emilee would not be left out, so she wandered up, so Gordon followed, and before I knew it the whole family was standing there! Scouting is a family affair I suppose!

Ethan presenting me with my mothers pin. Am I seriously old enough to be this boys mama?
Ethan also received the leave no trace award, world conservation, fishing belt loop and segment, Good will/Good turn, and several arrow points. Phew! He has been one busy boy, and I have been one busy Akela.

Congratulations Wolf!

"teddy"

When Chandler was about one, my mom commented that we should have named him Theodore. WHAT? Then she said, "He would have made a great Teddy!" So true! I love this kid. He's just a big, sweet, cuddly teddy bear right now.

Yesterday I did a really good job of wearing him out with long walks and visiting with Grandma Ann.
And my teddy fell asleep at 4:00 on the couch.
And he was unwake-able, unshake-able! I tried to wake him up 3 times until about 6:00, when we just gave up, tucked him into bed, worried he'd be up at 4 in the morning.
But this sleepy little bear slept until after 7 this morning, with only one wakeup at 1:30 requesting PJ's. I think we need to take a few more long walks! It made for a very peaceful night of sleep, and a very happy Teddy this morning!

the Carnival!

I just love it when my kids get involved in a project all on their own, come up with all the ideas, and follow it through to the end. Today it was the Carnival! They came up with rides, games, a system for purchasing tickets, and (temporary) prizes. We were instructed that we must give them back at the end of the day. :)

Here is the airplane ride:

Ski-ball

Chandler's contribution, we're not actually quite sure what this was, but we played along and he had a good time. . .

a toy walk instead of a cake walk. . .

And general cuteness with a ruffle on top.

Thanks for the carnival boys! We had a great time!

Emilee Sings

This is a rather long snippet of Emilee sweetness. Lately she's taken to singing to us, and I willingly admit I love it! She is such a sweetheart, and also enjoys playing it up with a bit of drama. As you can see in the video, she is working on her "grumpy face." It usually doesn't last too long though, so we don't mind too much! Enjoy. . .