Spring?

Supposedly it is Spring here in Mankato but it sure isn't feeling like it! We went from having fabulous weather in the middle of March to snow on its way tonight. The past couple days haven't been too bad and we've made it outside but still have warm jackets!

Things are starting to wind down around here. Blake finished hockey last Sunday with a jamboree. They got their names announced and then got to scrimmage while some of the Mavericks players helped with the games. They also were awarded medals and got to have a pizza party after the games. They have had such a great year and the entire group of Level 1 kids improved so much this year it has been quite a transformation to watch this year! Here are a couple pictures that the local photo place took:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=08FK03F2000611&po=611

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=08FK03F2000619&po=619

Avery also finished his skating lessons today. This year they gave the kids an assessment at the end of the session. He took two sessions of skating lessons this year and he improved from the first 7 week session assessment through today. He seems to think he will play hockey next year so we will have to see.

The past week we have spent lots of time riding bikes and now playing in the sandbox as Mike got them out of the attic for the kids. I can't wait until the weather improves!

Good news too...Mike is back to 40 hours at work for the time being. It is saving a lot of stress for me and I have also filled a couple daycare spots although I am looking for a couple more. Things are starting to look up around here. I am now trying to convince Mike to go on a trip with me for my 30th birthday!

I will try to post some video of the hockey and skating lessons. Also...the Oprah show we attended will be airing on Monday. Tune in!

Chicago/Oprah Trip

So I am back...and completely wiped! We left at 2 pm on Tuesday and returned to Mankato at 11:30 pm last night. It was such a fun trip. I had never been to Chicago so it was exciting to get to see it all.

I started out having to rearrange everything and find people to come sit with the kids so that we could leave at 2 pm instead of 3. We managed to make it to the airport with PLENTY of time to spare as the roads weren't that bad. Once we got on the plane we sat on the tarmack for an hour as first the runway was icy, then they had to de-ice the plane and anti-ice the plane then finish the inspection of the runway. We were finally on our way for the 1 hour flight and got to Chicago Midway in one piece.

We took the train to the hotel we were staying at and finally got there around 11 pm I think. The train ride was pretty fun...not busy but nervewracking making sure we didn't miss the stop and could get off in time. At one point I pulled out some cookies I had brought because we needed a snack. Just as my mother-in-law (MIL) took her second bite I heard an announcement that there was to be no eating on the train. So being the rule follower that I am I put both our cookies back in my bag. We all had a good laugh as it felt like they were watching us!

We had to be at Oprah's studio by 7 am so we were up at 4:30 am (mostly because we couldn't sleep) and got ready to go. We got breakfast and made our way via taxi to the Harpo Stuido. Once there it was so much like being in Kindergarten. They make everyone be in a single file line to get into the building and then once in you check your coats and and then they search through your purse...I mean search it! They removed my note paper, a paper with our hotel info and my cell phone. I am not sure why they take out the paper but I wasn't going to question them. They check it and you get it back after the show.

So then after they search your stuff they put you in a 'holding' room where you wait for your name to be called. I am not sure what order they call people in but we were one of the last groups to be called so didn't get our choice of seats but we could still see Oprah and the guests on the show.

I know you are dying for me to tell you about the show...but I can't, I'm sworn to secrecy...Just kidding. It was a show about the "Truths about Motherhood" full of confessions real moms via Skype, co-authors of a book about being a mom (not sure of the title or authors names as I couldn't use my note pad to write that down) and Cheryl Hines, who is on the new show "In the Motherhood" on ABC. We do not have any date that it will air right now. We were just told to watch her website for more details.

Oh, and she gave us all Flip Video cameras that say 'mOms' them! They are about a $150 digital video camera for those of you who don't know. I had actually looked at buying one not that long ago.

To be continued.....

Headed to Oprah!

After posting some funny stories about my kids I got a call from the Oprah show that they wanted to give me some tickets to the show. So I am headed there with Mike's Mom, Sue and his cousin's wife, Carrie. We leave next Tuesday after work and get back late Wednesday night. The show is about Moms so I had to pick two other people who are moms to come with.

Can't wait...I am so excited. Never been to Chicago before either so it will be a great trip ~ even if it is a whirlwind! It is worth it to go to see the Oprah show! I think this is just the pick-me-up that I needed to get back in the swing of things and out of my funk! Thank you Oprah Show!

Will let you all know when the show will air!