Tia and Conner's "After School Schedule"

So after the kids got home from school today I asked if they wanted to watch American Idol together from last night. Apparantly Tia has created a "After School Schedule" for her and Conner, and I was informed that they don't "deviate from it". Hmmm... Guess I better make sure dinner is ready at 5:30! Actually I'm just thrilled that she is getting Conner to sit down and read for half an hour without all the nagging I usually have to do to get him to do it!

Relaxing after a busy weekend..
We were all happy to have KJ home again after he was gone working out of town in Menasha all week. Friday morning KJ and I went shopping for a new mattress, and then met Tom and Shari for lunch at BD Mongolian grill. Grandpa Butch got back from his vacation to Daytona and came over in the afternoon to pick up his dog (yahooie!!!), and shower the kids with a million new race shirts.

Kayla babysat Friday night, and then went see the movie "When in Rome" and hung out with her friends on Saturday. Conner went to a birthday party and the circus. Tia had her friends over on Saturday for birthday fun - ice skating, cake decorating, hot tub, pizza, and games.

KJ went to see a couple bands Saturday night while Helena and Alicia stopped over with the boys to hash out putting together Josh's new construction website.

Sunday after church the kids made a double batch of puppy chow, and Kayla made a Greek Horiatiki salad for a project at class - it turned out really good.

Horiatiki Salad:
2 cucumbers, 4 large tomatoes, 1 cup Kalamati olives, 1/2 cup onion, 2 tbs olive oil, oregano, parsley, and salt/pepper to taste. You can also add cold rotini noodles if wanted.

Tia's 10th Birthday

Tia asked for cake decorating supplies for her birthday, and made her own cake this year. Apparantly it was "plate licking good".

Party for the Playroom of Hope Party

Took the kids to "Party for the Playroom of Hope" which was put on by Matt and Jamie Wallace to raise money for a playroom at Milwaukee Children's Hospital in honor of their baby Nevaeh Rae Wallace who died from HLHS last easter. (the same heart defect Conner was originally diagnosed with). They ended up raising $13,000 at the benefit!

They had a silent auction, raffle drawings, spaghetti lunch, face painting, games, bounce houses and more. The kids had a great time and helped a great cause.

Happy Day!!

After waiting for almost 3 years, KJ finally put up the lights in my craft room closet. It's a big walk in closet that we've been trying to navigate through without lights.. Low and behold, once I got him down there to do it, it only took him about 10 minutes. Go figure! I've now been able to find things I forgot we even had!