Costco

Saturday we went to Costco. While we were there, they were demo-ing Dippin Dots ice cream (except it was not Dippin Dots brand - it was Kemps). The sign on the demo stand said Dippin Dots for $7.69. But the lady was giving out Kemps, which were for sale for $8.99. I asked her if the brand she was giving away was for $7.69 and she said yes. I asked her this twice. So we decided to get some. As we got in line to pay, I knew we were going to have an issue - I just knew it. So the cashier rang up the Kemps (dotted ice cream) and low and behold it rang up for $8.99. AS IF. So I explained the dilema to the cashier, who then called a person to go back and check it out. So we waited for what seemed like 15 minutes but was more in the neighborhood of 4-5 (which when you are standing in line just waiting - seems like forever). So the girl who went back to check had still not gotten back, so Greg decided to go back and help. In the meantime, the "rocket scientist" that was sent back to check came back and informed us all that the Dippin Dots were $7.69 and the Kemps brand were $8.99. Oh my gosh - really?!?!?!? I am almost certain that this is what I just told the cashier. Rocket-girl left out that the sign did not match what was being demo-ed. HENCE - THE PROBLEM. Then Greg came back with the sign (which he had to fight with the lady at the stand to get) and threw it on the counter and said "There. Now you can give it to me for free!" Which of course, they completely ignored. So they finally changed the price to what was advertised. However the EXTREMELY RUDE lady behind us managed to pipe up with "all that for a dollar?" I immediately turned around and said to her face "It is MY dollar." She then said "I would have given you a dollar to speed this up." Then I just wanted to punch her in her sweet little face, but God being the One Who Is ALWAYS In Control - made me keep my mouth shut. And of course, I thought of a bunch of wonderful comebacks once I was in the car. Better that I didn't say anything and set a bad example for my kids. I let that precious lady behind me do that. So much for family friendly shopping.

More Boo-Boo

I had to take "Boo-Boo" to the doctor today. She is still having trouble with her ear - it looks like it is going to fall off. And is rotten and junky. So the doctor said it is a strain of strep, just like Jacob had on his butt and Grace had in her throat. How are we getting strep in such weird places? I might not want to know the answer to that question. So as we were leaving the doctor, Boo-Boo walked straight into the metal door frame and ended up with a nice welt on the side of her face. Oh glory! Then as we were driving home she told me she was thirsty for pop (which I had). I told her she could not have it and she said to me in her cute little 2 (almost 3) year old voice, "Please, Mom? I will be your best friend?" It almost made me want to give her my pop, but it certainly made me laugh! She is so darn cute!

Mainly .......updates

My, my, my...it's been awhile. And a ton of stuff has happened, but I can't remember a thing. However, the most recent thing is that Jacob is going through "Spencer withdrawal". He has been struggling with his cousin moving up north. Tonight he was upset because his grandma was going up north and now he "was going to have no one fun to play with". Oh, how my feelings were hurt, but I did not let it show. I did say to him "I hope your kids love me as much as you love your grandma." I think he thought I was nuts - what with talking about HIS kids. So, tomorrow his friend, Cole, is coming over to play. Hopefully he will forget about his sorrows. It is hard to see him so upset.

And....we are waiting STILL.....to get back together as a family. God is working His plan and we are hopeful to be reunited soon. Besides which, Greg is tired of being a "bachelor" and I have had it with being a "single mom"....so we know we are being pushed back together. Doesn't this paragraph make you think we are separated? Well, technically, we are, but not in the sense that this makes it sound. Our marriage is doing quite well, even getting stronger, I would have to say. Although I just informed Jacob tonight that his dad will start setting a better example for him on how to act on a date...namely opening ALL doors for the lady and treating her like the special flower that she is.

Child #3 has recently had a name change. We no longer call her Jadyn - she is now known as "Boo-Boo". I'm sure you are not asking why? Are you? Boo-Boo is ALWAYS falling and getting hurt. She is never seen without a scratch or scrape or cut of some kind. Just yesterday, she was trying to tell me that she wanted to play with her neighbor friend and as she turned to look out the sliding door, she must have forgotten that the door was open and she fell out the door and landed on the concrete steps. Needless to say - there is significant "scrapage" - her chin, her wrist, her elbow, of course her legs. I think she likes her new name - it certainly fits.

Grant is crawling like a champ (and is in to everything). He is especially fond of the pantry, the tupperware cupboard and the cup drawer - not to mention ANY door stop. Oh yes - he also can't keep his 1 year old hands off the box of Wii gadgets and games. But the good thing is that he does listen well. If I tell him "no", he usually listens. He may look at the forbidden object of his desire, then look to me, then back at the object and decide he probably shouldn't cross momma. He's smart that way.

And Grace.....still sweet as ever. Always helping and considerate of her brothers and sister. She loves to visit her neighbor friend and "swap" clothes. There is never a time that she goes to her friend's house that she does not leave in clothes that are not her own. I guess that is one of the perks of having a friend, that is your neighbor and is your same size. It doubles your wardrobe! Man, she is smart, too! Her 6th birthday is right around the corner and the ONLY thing she wants is an American Girl doll, and one that looks just like her no less. I guess it is a good thing that her dad just ordered one for her, right dad? Boo-Boo's birthday is 2 weeks before Grace's and when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she responded with "cake, I just want cake". That's not helpful. I like it when they tell me EXACTLY what they want - then I do not have to think and I know they are happy. Man, that sounded terrible. Unfortunately, it is the truth. I am not that parent that is way into birthdays. Don't get me wrong I like to celebrate but I am not one for going overboard.

Enough of my gabbing...it's past time for bed.

What I forgot to tell you....

We were driving home from Illinois on Tuesday and I had just gotten on the expressway and Grant started pooping. So I had to get off at the next exit to change his diaper. Back onto the e-way I got and then all of a sudden I started to feel sick. For those of you who know me.....when I get nervous, I get sick and HAVE to go to the bathroom. Why I was nervous, who knows? I had to look for a bathroom and NOW! So I stopped at a gas station/convenience store. I had to wake up a sleeping Grant and have the rest of my kids follow me into the bathroom. This place only had the kind of bathroom that is a one person room sort of thing, so I had to take all my kids in with me. There we were....me pooping my brains out and my kids all watching me. I tried to have them turn around but that did not work so well. Jacob was holding Grant and eventually started to complain that he could no longer hold him and he wanted me to hold him. Me?!? Are you kidding me? I am hovering above a gas station toilet - pooping!!! To alleviate the complaining, I took Grant and held him while I went to the bathroom. It was a fabulous experience - really. When that was all over, we got back on the road again. About five minutes later, Grant decided to poop again. For real....

Bloomington, Illinois - Father's Day Weekend 2009

Pawlak kids in Bloomington, IL - Tipton Park Spray Park

Jacob and Grace working together at the spray park.

Jadyn "taking a drink"

Grant just being cute.

Jadyn rubbing Grace's feet - How do I get in on the action?

This is where they "chose" to sleep. What is with my kids and their choices for where to sleep?


Goofballs

Such goofy kids!


Dinner at the Flattop Grill





We also looked at a house - one Greg has been eyeing for awhile. While I was out looking at the backyard, Jacob asked the man selling the house, "So, are you selling this house for 2 million dollars?" To which the man said not exactly. Jacob said, "4 dollars?" The man said somewhere in the middle. Then Jacob said, "This backyard is not big enough to play soccer in. Maybe we can move this fence out there to the tree." The man told him he would have to take that up with the city. Where does this crazy kid come up with this stuff? As we were driving away, Jacob told us that he really liked "the house with the basketball court behind it". But his first choice was "the one for 249". He meant $249,000 and it was the big old farmhouse with "the closets that we could sleep in". Seriously? How does he remember this stuff?

Relay for Life 2009

This past school year a classmate of Jacob's lost her 3 year battle with brain cancer. Last Saturday, Jacob's class all walked together in memory of Erin and in honor of another classmate with leukemia. Here are my kiddos with Jacob's teacher, Mrs. Kellet, and some friends, Macy and Drew.

Here they are walking....



Grace, Jadyn and Grant bringing up the rear :)

It was a beautiful day and we give God the glory for it!!

The Follow Up to the Night in the Closet

Here they are sleeping in the closet

And when they woke up, they dressed in Greg and my clothes. So silly.