4 years? What can I say, I've been busy? Nobody wants to hear a bunch of excuses, but to my defense I am in my last semester of graduate school and will get my MBA in May, hooray! I need to update my layout, and for God's sake get some recent pictures up!
Anyway, this post is about Valentines Day. Anybody who knows me, knows I go all out on holidays. I love most holidays, decorating, cooking, crafts with the kids, etc. Valentine's is no exception; however, I will say I do NOT like Valentines Day. I never have, but I participate for the kids and try and make it special for them.
Valentine's is a made up holiday and an excuse for people to buy candy, which makes them fat, and flowers which die in a couple days anyway. Diamonds are OK; however, why should we have a holiday to force men buy jewelry for women? Diamonds are acceptable any day of the year! I have never been a flower person. I told my husband from day one, do not buy me flowers for special occasions, though anything from Tiffany in a little blue box is acceptable :-) I think flowers are a total waste of money; but I am a hypocrite this morning. I went to Kroger to grab last minute items for our Valentine's celebration tonight (more on that later) and bought a small bouquet of flowers for my dining table. So I bought my own flowers for valentines, but for pure decoration!
The last week Jerry and I have been scrambling to get the kids crafts done. Matthew is in fourth grade and had to make a valentine robot and 22 valentine's for his class. I headed to Pinterest to try and find ideas for the robot and to Etsy for something crafty for the valentines. While I was browsing Etsy, my 16 year old daughter said she wanted to give out Valentine's too, what? I agreed, but only with the promise she would help put it all together!
Hubby was put in charge of the robot, and I did the valentines. So this past week we made numerous trips to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Staples, Target, Walgreen's and Kroger. Last night we were scrambling to get it all done and we finally finished it all about 8PM. Bad mom moment, I didn't even take a picture of our masterpieces! Masterpieces is a bit of an exaggeration, they were far from it, but they were done!
This morning I had every intention of making valentine heart pancakes, but had to actually get ready and put makeup on because I had to go into the school to drop off supplies for the class party. Yoga pants and fuzzy slippers are not acceptable this morning! I did not plan my morning well and ran out of time! Ugh another bad mom moment, but I will make it up this evening.
Hubby and I don't celebrate Valentines Day by doing fancy romantic dinner out. We always make it a family holiday. I will admit, with the hustle and bustle of work, kids, school, graduate school, etc. we do not do a lot of sit down dinners as a family. I know this is really bad. Valentines day is the exception. I set the dining table with Valentine dinnerware and fancy wine glasses for all. I usually cook something fattening and rich and bake some yummy desserts. Dinners of the past include anything from steak to a fondue bar. This year I'm ordering pizza and not cooking. I just don't have the time. We are ordering hubby's favorite pizza , Grimaldi's in Grapevine, which will require me to travel about an hour round trip to pick it up. I bought chocolate covered strawberries and red velvet cupcakes for dessert. Hubby and I will drink a bottle of Caymus with our pizza, and the kids will drink sparkling grape juice from the fancy wine glasses.
The kids love this tradition and look forward to it every year. So even though I don't like Valentine's Day and what it stands for, I love making the memories with the kids. I only have one more year and my oldest will be off to college and will not be here to celebrate Valentine's, which makes me sad :-(
So Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Monday, June 13, 2011
Happy 14th Birthday to Bianca
OK, I know. It's been almost 2 years since I updated the blog! I thing I will start blogging again and keeping this updated:-) But as tradition goes, here is Bianca's video :-)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Back to School!
This week was back to school for all of us. Matthew started Kindergarten, Bianca started middle school (7th) and Jerry and I back to graduate school. I'm usually sad to see summer go but I was so ready to get back into a routine! It was a long summer vacation and I get excited for fall my favorite season. I can't wait til that first cool morning when I can open all the windows in the house :-)
The week has gone smooth so far. Matthew was so ready for Kindergarten! We held him back and started him one year later since he was a summer baby and boy what a difference! He does not want me to take him to school, he wants to ride the bus. But he can't because we live .1 of mile too close to the school. After 2 weeks I can call the bus service and see if they have room for him and I can pay for him to ride it. We shall see!
Bianca was a little scared about starting middle school. Athletics, changing classes, etc. But she is doing well and I think she likes it pretty good. She has acutally made quite a few new friends too. But she is a social butterfly, if only she would put more effort into her classes :-)
We have a very busy fall coming up! I'm going to Houston to visit my BFF Jennifer the weekend September 12. Jerry is going on guys trip to Chicago and to see Notre Dame game weekend of September 19. Then Jerry and I are off to Vegas Weekend of October 2 for the first installment of his 20 year reunion. We then have the actual reunion Thanksgiving weekend in Riverside, CA.
Here are some pictures of the kids first day of school :-)
The week has gone smooth so far. Matthew was so ready for Kindergarten! We held him back and started him one year later since he was a summer baby and boy what a difference! He does not want me to take him to school, he wants to ride the bus. But he can't because we live .1 of mile too close to the school. After 2 weeks I can call the bus service and see if they have room for him and I can pay for him to ride it. We shall see!
Bianca was a little scared about starting middle school. Athletics, changing classes, etc. But she is doing well and I think she likes it pretty good. She has acutally made quite a few new friends too. But she is a social butterfly, if only she would put more effort into her classes :-)
We have a very busy fall coming up! I'm going to Houston to visit my BFF Jennifer the weekend September 12. Jerry is going on guys trip to Chicago and to see Notre Dame game weekend of September 19. Then Jerry and I are off to Vegas Weekend of October 2 for the first installment of his 20 year reunion. We then have the actual reunion Thanksgiving weekend in Riverside, CA.
Here are some pictures of the kids first day of school :-)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Florida Vacation
We just returned from a 2 week vacation to Florida. First stop was Disneyworld for 7 days at Pop Century with Jerry's sister and the kids. We had an awesome time. It was a bit hot not what we are used to at Disney World since we usually go at Christmas or during cooler weather. Not sure I would do summer again. We are already planning our return for Christmas 2010 :-)
Jerry was only able to spend the first week with us and then had to go back to work. The kids and I then headed to New Smyrna to a condo with my parent's. We practically did nothing all week. Went to the beach, swam in the pool and ate lunch and dinner. We visited with my Aunt and Granny too. The kids had a blast but we were really ready to get home. 2 Weeks is a long time. It was the first time I took 2 week together but I have tons of vacation accumulated (6 weeks) so needed to use it. I'm ready to go back to work, can you believe it!
The next few weeks will be spent getting everybody ready to go back to school. All of us start the same week. 2 big milestones this year. Bianca goes to Middle School and Matthew to Kindergarten! Jerry and I continue on with graduate school.
We have a trip planned to California for Thanksgiving for Jerry's 20 year (gulp) reunion! After that not sure might go back to Florida between Christmas and New Years since my parents are moving there this month. Kind of nice to have both parents on both coasts now. Very cool places to vacation and visit :-)
Jerry was only able to spend the first week with us and then had to go back to work. The kids and I then headed to New Smyrna to a condo with my parent's. We practically did nothing all week. Went to the beach, swam in the pool and ate lunch and dinner. We visited with my Aunt and Granny too. The kids had a blast but we were really ready to get home. 2 Weeks is a long time. It was the first time I took 2 week together but I have tons of vacation accumulated (6 weeks) so needed to use it. I'm ready to go back to work, can you believe it!
The next few weeks will be spent getting everybody ready to go back to school. All of us start the same week. 2 big milestones this year. Bianca goes to Middle School and Matthew to Kindergarten! Jerry and I continue on with graduate school.
We have a trip planned to California for Thanksgiving for Jerry's 20 year (gulp) reunion! After that not sure might go back to Florida between Christmas and New Years since my parents are moving there this month. Kind of nice to have both parents on both coasts now. Very cool places to vacation and visit :-)
Happy Birthday Matthew!
A little behind in posting, I will be posting several updates over the next couple of days :-)
We celebrated Matthew's 6th Birthday earlier this month. We did a movie theme birthday and watched Ice Age 3 at Colleyville Cinema.
Here is a little bit of nostalgia and a few pictures of birthdays past for Matthew:-)
We celebrated Matthew's 6th Birthday earlier this month. We did a movie theme birthday and watched Ice Age 3 at Colleyville Cinema.
Here is a little bit of nostalgia and a few pictures of birthdays past for Matthew:-)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Summer Fun!
Oh how I love summer. My second favorite time of year with the first being fall.
School is finally out, activities are over and now it's just the lazy days of summer. We got our NRH20 passes this weekend and will be chilling by the pool and the waterpark for the next 12 weeks :-)
Jerry and I just returned from Cabo. A nice little getaway for just him and I. We had a great time. Lots of R&R. Luckily only 5 more weeks to our family vacation in Disney World which gives us something to look forward to :-)
We have celebrated Bianca's 12th birthday (3 times). I dont even want to celebrate my birthday once any longer but she gets 3. We always do her friend party end of May since her birthday is middle of June and many people are away on vacation. Then on her actual Birthday June 13 I took her and 2 friends to NRH20 for the day. And then yesterday the 14th we barbecued burgers and ate yummy chocolate cake for the family at our house.
Now its on to planning Matthew Birthday in July and getting ready for vacation.
Here is a slideshow I put together for Bianca's first 12 years of her life. I've finally got all my pictures organized and working on getting the scrapbooks up to date. My next project is to get all the old videos off cassettes and onto the computer. That is going to be a chore! But I will be glad to get it all done.
School is finally out, activities are over and now it's just the lazy days of summer. We got our NRH20 passes this weekend and will be chilling by the pool and the waterpark for the next 12 weeks :-)
Jerry and I just returned from Cabo. A nice little getaway for just him and I. We had a great time. Lots of R&R. Luckily only 5 more weeks to our family vacation in Disney World which gives us something to look forward to :-)
We have celebrated Bianca's 12th birthday (3 times). I dont even want to celebrate my birthday once any longer but she gets 3. We always do her friend party end of May since her birthday is middle of June and many people are away on vacation. Then on her actual Birthday June 13 I took her and 2 friends to NRH20 for the day. And then yesterday the 14th we barbecued burgers and ate yummy chocolate cake for the family at our house.
Now its on to planning Matthew Birthday in July and getting ready for vacation.
Here is a slideshow I put together for Bianca's first 12 years of her life. I've finally got all my pictures organized and working on getting the scrapbooks up to date. My next project is to get all the old videos off cassettes and onto the computer. That is going to be a chore! But I will be glad to get it all done.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Catching Up!
I can't believe a quarter of the year is already gone! This is just crazy! We have been so busy and the next few months are going to be even crazier!!!
So what has the Monter Family been up to. A LOT!!!
First I wanted to post pictures of our trip to American Girl Store in Dallas in February. This was my niece's Christmas present. I know a little late but I gave her a gift card for Christmas but wanted her to pick out her doll. We had so much fun! Bianca came with her Doll "Marisol". We bough Ashleigh her doll "Chrissa", We had the dolls hair done in the salon and then ate lunch in the cafe!
We had a great Valentines day! We have made it a tradition to stay in for Valentines. I bring out the valentines dishes (yeah I know) my good stemware and set the formal dining table which is a rare in this household! I cooked steak and lobster courtesy of Central Market and then we had a chocolate mousse for dessert and then later chocolate covered strawberries and of course lots of WINE!
The last couple months for Bianca has been playing basketball. The Buckeyes did really well this season. This will be her last year of Rec basketball. She goes to middle school next year! That is absolutely crazy! The team has been together for 3 years and the girls have grown so much as far as skill and they have they most awesome coaches. The girls were sad that this is the last year. Next year they will all be at different middle schools playing against each other! Buckeyes were undefeated in league play but lost in the last round of the tournament! They lost to a team they already beat. It was very disappointing to the girls but the bright side is they were asked to play in a Keller Select Tournament. The girls did awesome! They beat out 2 Select teams but lost in the final round. It was great experience for them!
Jerry started grad school which is very stressful. He has 4 classes. The good news its only for 6 weeks and he is half way through! I have 3 classes and I'm almost half way through. How do we do it I do not know. But we are both taking the summer off for R&R.
We had a nice relaxing spring break. We did nothing. Well not nothing, the kids and I played outside and Bianca and I had our annual spring clothes shop-a-thon! That was a lot of fun and we look forward to it every year!
Matthew started swim lessons last week. We are trying to break the habit of him holding is nose when he goes under water. We can thank Bianca for that one!! How is he going to learn to swim with one hand? LOL
Coming up we have Easter! which will be a nice relaxing 3 day weekend! I love 3 day weekends :-) We will be going to Savannah in May for 4 day weekend which will be nice to get away for a bit.
Summer!!! Only 9 weeks left until summer vacation! I love summer vacation. No school, no rushed mornings, no kids activities just FUN!!! We will get season passes to the water park and we swim ALOT. Just about everyday. Bianca will have a couple basketball camps but that is it. Jerry's nephew is coming to visit for a few weeks in June/July and we will most likely take them down to Austin/San Antonio for a few days. Then in July we are off to Disney World for 1 week and then 1 week at the beach for R&R.
Jerry and I wanted to try and get away for a long weekend just the two of us (VEGAS maybe, :-)) but I'm not sure we will have time to squeeze it in before graduate school starts back up in August. We will see. Maybe in the fall but that is harder because the kids are in school so finding somebody to keep the kids for 4 days is a bit of a challenge.
I'll be back around Easter to post pics of all the goodies Easter Bunny brings us :-)
So what has the Monter Family been up to. A LOT!!!
First I wanted to post pictures of our trip to American Girl Store in Dallas in February. This was my niece's Christmas present. I know a little late but I gave her a gift card for Christmas but wanted her to pick out her doll. We had so much fun! Bianca came with her Doll "Marisol". We bough Ashleigh her doll "Chrissa", We had the dolls hair done in the salon and then ate lunch in the cafe!
We had a great Valentines day! We have made it a tradition to stay in for Valentines. I bring out the valentines dishes (yeah I know) my good stemware and set the formal dining table which is a rare in this household! I cooked steak and lobster courtesy of Central Market and then we had a chocolate mousse for dessert and then later chocolate covered strawberries and of course lots of WINE!
The last couple months for Bianca has been playing basketball. The Buckeyes did really well this season. This will be her last year of Rec basketball. She goes to middle school next year! That is absolutely crazy! The team has been together for 3 years and the girls have grown so much as far as skill and they have they most awesome coaches. The girls were sad that this is the last year. Next year they will all be at different middle schools playing against each other! Buckeyes were undefeated in league play but lost in the last round of the tournament! They lost to a team they already beat. It was very disappointing to the girls but the bright side is they were asked to play in a Keller Select Tournament. The girls did awesome! They beat out 2 Select teams but lost in the final round. It was great experience for them!
Jerry started grad school which is very stressful. He has 4 classes. The good news its only for 6 weeks and he is half way through! I have 3 classes and I'm almost half way through. How do we do it I do not know. But we are both taking the summer off for R&R.
We had a nice relaxing spring break. We did nothing. Well not nothing, the kids and I played outside and Bianca and I had our annual spring clothes shop-a-thon! That was a lot of fun and we look forward to it every year!
Matthew started swim lessons last week. We are trying to break the habit of him holding is nose when he goes under water. We can thank Bianca for that one!! How is he going to learn to swim with one hand? LOL
Coming up we have Easter! which will be a nice relaxing 3 day weekend! I love 3 day weekends :-) We will be going to Savannah in May for 4 day weekend which will be nice to get away for a bit.
Summer!!! Only 9 weeks left until summer vacation! I love summer vacation. No school, no rushed mornings, no kids activities just FUN!!! We will get season passes to the water park and we swim ALOT. Just about everyday. Bianca will have a couple basketball camps but that is it. Jerry's nephew is coming to visit for a few weeks in June/July and we will most likely take them down to Austin/San Antonio for a few days. Then in July we are off to Disney World for 1 week and then 1 week at the beach for R&R.
Jerry and I wanted to try and get away for a long weekend just the two of us (VEGAS maybe, :-)) but I'm not sure we will have time to squeeze it in before graduate school starts back up in August. We will see. Maybe in the fall but that is harder because the kids are in school so finding somebody to keep the kids for 4 days is a bit of a challenge.
I'll be back around Easter to post pics of all the goodies Easter Bunny brings us :-)
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