Happy Birthday, Friend!!

I wanted to take a minute to wish my friend, Mandi A., a super, special HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I know you've got a lot going on in your life right now, but be sure and take a few minutes for yourself today....you're a special lady!

Big birthday hugs to you!!

Hugs&Smiles!

Kim

So many things to tell you...

and no time to do it! But I will share a couple of quick things!!!

First...Sammie is Student of the Week this week for her class. She's pretty thrilled with that. Me, well, not so much! LOL Only because normally we would get this info on Friday (there's a form to fill out, and then she gets to take in pictures and stuff), but since Friday was {another} snow day (or freakin' cold day! LOL), she just brought the info home this afternoon....and has to take it back tomorrow! :o( Mind you, we had Syd's first basketball game of the season and didn't get home until 9pm...so I still need to dig everything out before morning! Grrrr! Put on a happy face, I know! LOL

Second, Syd had her first basketball game tonight. I'm tellin' ya...I don't know what got into that girl, but she was an absolute BEAST on the court! I have never seen her play so aggressive in 4 years of basketball!!! She only scored two points....and she fouled out of the game with a minute to go, but WOW...she rocked! She took a charge like nobody's business, too! {Brave if you ask me! LOL}. All of the girls were a nervous wreck since this was their first game..and because they all get nervous before EVERY game...hehehe...but they played quite well. Unfortunately, they lost, but it wasn't for lack of heart, that's for sure. I have a feeling they will be quite a team this year and probably end up with a pretty great record. I think the final score was 47 to 36..or something close to that. The opposing coach even complimented Syd (through Syd's coach) for doing such a great job and keeping their leading scorer below her usual 18 point average! I think Syd's coach was a little shocked to see her be so aggresive...and also a little thrilled with the possiblites for this year!

I have so much more to post about and even a few pictures to show, but I've also got a huge pile of work that is sitting right here waiting to be done...so for now....

Hugs&Smiles!
Kim

Happy Birthday, Sweet Madelyn!!

Gotta give a shout out to my sweet little niece who is turning 7 years old today! Happy, happy birthday, Madelyn!! I'll have to add a cute picture of you a little later, as I don't have the right memory card with me today! In the meantime, I'll put a picture of your favorite celebrity! I hope your birthday is truly special and that all your wishes come true! I love you! Your birthday card just went in the mail today, so hopefully you'll get it tomorrow! Sorry I was late!!!



Hugs&Smiles and lots of birthday kisses!
Aunt Kimmy

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Well, for the first time in a LOT of years, I had to work on Christmas Eve. I wasn't too happy about that...just because. It really shouldn't have bothered me and after I really got in the spirit, it didn't bother me at all. After our long drive home the night before (see previous post!), we got ourselves to bed because we knew we needed to get up early. The girls and I were up and out the door by about 6:15am. The roads were still a little slushy and there was still some traffic, but at least we were able to drive near the speed limit! We got to my office about 7:15am and got everything ready for the big Santa breakfast! Sydney was excited to be Mrs. Claus again this year, and Sammie was thrilled to be "Santa's Little Helper"...complete with apron and chef's hat! Our original Santa bailed on us because the pants were a little short for him, but we got a quick fill in! Jim did a GREAT job! The picture above also includes my nephew, Jason! He came by to see how things were going to and grab some treat bags and candy. He claimed it was for his kids, but I'd like to know if they got candy or just coloring books and crayons! LOL



The morning went very well. It was never very crowded and rarely was there a line to see Santa...that was nice!



After we were all finished, we got changed and headed into downtown to get something to eat. We decided The Spaghetti Factory sounded good, but after walking a couple blocks in the rain we were greeted by a sign that said they were closed for the holidays. Dang! It didn't take long for us to decided to go on into Circle Center Mall and have lunch at PF Chang's. Mmmmmm! As we finished up lunch, Roger called and decided to drive down and meet us. It was fun to walk around the mall and just see everyone hustling to finish their shopping. After a while we decided it might be fun to go see a movie, but we weren't sure how late movies would be playing. I called The Rave in Metropolis and found out that, if we hurried, we could make the next showing of Four Christmases. (And last showings were at 8pm, if you can believe that!) We got there just in time and I was shocked to walk into an almost full theatre. Didn't these people have shopping to do???? For once, I was done ahead of time...even almost entirely wrapped. And I thought to myself...'wow, this is how it's supposed to be!' The movie was FANTASTIC and I HIGHLY recommend it. I think it's rated PG-13, and there are a couple of racy parts, but they were pretty much over before we thought to cover the girls' eyes and ears! LOL I laughed all the way through this movie. I can't wait until it comes out on DVD so I can watch it again!

After the movie ended, we walked around Metropolis for just a bit. Went in Aeropostale to see what the "$5 Riot" was all about. I wasn't really impressed! Then went into Claire's where Sammie quickly snagged on to a pair of knitted boot-type slippers! I picked up a few little stocking stuffers for $1 each, too!



Then, of course, we were hungry! I'm not really sure how in the world I was hungry as I'm 99% sure that I ate the whole large bucket of popcorn we bought at the theatre. Man, I love movie theatre popcorn..it's my most favorite part of the movie! LOL Anyway, we went to Applebee's at Syd and Sam's request and, luckily they were closed because Roger and I really wanted Chili's instead! It's nice to get our way once in a while! We just had some appetizers and then headed home. It was a nice, relaxing evening. Santa, as predicted, delivered new jammies to the girls. (I think I got pictures, but I'll have to find them and post later!). I dozed off on the couch around 9pm and napped until about 10:30pm when the girls decided to go to bed. I decided I better get up and get the house in order because I always remember Mom telling me that Santa doesn't come to a messy house! Luckily, by about 3:30am, everything was neat and tidy so I went to bed!



Without fail, the girls were up extra early. I think they came in our room around 5:15am. Once they are up, they're up. So Roger and I crawled out of bed and made our way to the couch to watch the festivities! It was a great day! I'll try and post more about it later! I hope you and yours had a very special Christmas!



Hugs&Smiles!
Kim