So apparently the Saginaw Chuck E Cheese will have a hired police officer on sight on Thursday - Sunday. For us personally this is about 7 years too late. But first of all, how ridiculous that a children's establishment would have to have police presence at all.
You can read the local article here. The article is rather lame, it's the outrageous comments that make you laugh right out loud.
Joe and I vowed never to go to Chuck E Cheese ever again on a weekend or even late on a weeknight after getting to witness one of these "family spars" back in January 2004. I had infant Austin in a booth and Joe had almost 3 year old Tommy playing out in the game room when all hell breaks loose and people come running to the back of the restaurant claiming someone has a gun. It was scary but nothing ever became of the incident and who knows if there was even a gun there but it was still enough for Joe and I to say "never again." I remember dragging a heartbroken Tommy out of the place as our fun family night was abruptly put to an end.
Joe worked there in high school/college and said that every year there was one birthday party that always ended up with police called due to Baby Mama Drama. Once a year. Now it's a once a week thing. Totally disturbing.
Now about those LOL comments. I probably shouldn't be laughing. The decent person in me knows that there are bad apples in every bunch that ruin everything for the good majority. The human nature in me thinks something much more dastardly that I know is wrong so I won't voice it.
I will just sum this up by saying if Chuck E Cheese's new police presence every weekend does not curb the violence I'd honestly rather just have them close it down. I'm just waiting to read in the news about a homicide of some innocent bystander at CEC of all places. Simply incredulous.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Potty Training the Monster
Overall it's going well. I'm doing Lora Jenson's 3 day training deal and I know I have a bunch of doubters out there but day three is here and we've just about conquered.
Ashley threw away all her diapers on Tuesday morning and there's been no looking back. She mastered peeing on the potty yesterday and has been dry all day today. She did however resist going poop on the potty and since she hadn't gone since Monday I knew today she had to go. It's been a day of up/down, up/down, probably about 30 times an hour at times but she'd say "potty" we'd run get on, panic, get off and then repeat over and over. Finally, we just camped out in the big bathroom upstairs and she did go on the potty and has been such a pleasant little girl ever since. I definitely think we are on the way.
Tomorrow we will try our first trek out and about. Austin has therapy at 11:00 so she'll either go with us there or she'll go to daycare for a few hours. We'll see. Then Honeybees & Church on Saturday. Lots of nice short outings in the coming days. I'm sure she'll have a few accidents and maybe a setback or two but I'm cautiously optimistic at just how well this has gone three days in.
Ashley threw away all her diapers on Tuesday morning and there's been no looking back. She mastered peeing on the potty yesterday and has been dry all day today. She did however resist going poop on the potty and since she hadn't gone since Monday I knew today she had to go. It's been a day of up/down, up/down, probably about 30 times an hour at times but she'd say "potty" we'd run get on, panic, get off and then repeat over and over. Finally, we just camped out in the big bathroom upstairs and she did go on the potty and has been such a pleasant little girl ever since. I definitely think we are on the way.
Tomorrow we will try our first trek out and about. Austin has therapy at 11:00 so she'll either go with us there or she'll go to daycare for a few hours. We'll see. Then Honeybees & Church on Saturday. Lots of nice short outings in the coming days. I'm sure she'll have a few accidents and maybe a setback or two but I'm cautiously optimistic at just how well this has gone three days in.
Fingers crossed!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Austin's Hockey
Well after much anticipation (remember we first heard about this in September) Austin finally started hockey in Ann Arbor. Today was week five, and honestly to say it's going well would be an overstatement. It's been a very rough and shaky start with many tears (mostly Austin's) and very minimal progress. Honestly after watching video from the first week and comparing to today I'd say he's actually regressed. I guess one positive is that he continues to go out there and he does not seem any worse for wear emotionally after it's over. God Bless his lovely coaches and the doctor who coordinated this because for many of the kids it's been wonderful and I'm still hopeful that Austin will find success with this.
I guess my biggest heart ache is I'd figured a special needs hockey team would put Austin on a level playing field and it's just not happening. He is the youngest one out there and there are some kids that are 5-6 years older than him. Many of the other kids are doing super and I'm so happy for them but Austin just can't skate. He is scared of falling and can barely move out there. I will say one positive is he can pass about as good as anyone. That is thanks to all those mini-stick games in our living room. He's got great accuracy. I just need to get him skating. Joe took him to Bay County Friday night for open skate and said he did well. Maybe he just doesn't perform well for me. Our next step is to try and get him out on the ice more locally and hopefully get him moving.
His PT does think it's helping his right foot strength which is another positive. He's seeing movement and flexibility in the foot now so that is another good thing. It's just hard when it looks like everyone else improving exponentially and Austin is still stuck at square one. We'll stick it out for the duration though which right now I don't know what the duration is so we'll just have to wait and see. Will keep you posted on the progress or lack thereof but hopefully soon we'll have a breakthrough.
I guess my biggest heart ache is I'd figured a special needs hockey team would put Austin on a level playing field and it's just not happening. He is the youngest one out there and there are some kids that are 5-6 years older than him. Many of the other kids are doing super and I'm so happy for them but Austin just can't skate. He is scared of falling and can barely move out there. I will say one positive is he can pass about as good as anyone. That is thanks to all those mini-stick games in our living room. He's got great accuracy. I just need to get him skating. Joe took him to Bay County Friday night for open skate and said he did well. Maybe he just doesn't perform well for me. Our next step is to try and get him out on the ice more locally and hopefully get him moving.
His PT does think it's helping his right foot strength which is another positive. He's seeing movement and flexibility in the foot now so that is another good thing. It's just hard when it looks like everyone else improving exponentially and Austin is still stuck at square one. We'll stick it out for the duration though which right now I don't know what the duration is so we'll just have to wait and see. Will keep you posted on the progress or lack thereof but hopefully soon we'll have a breakthrough.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Where I've been...
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Top 10 Events of 2010!
Again a rather tame year but one of the best yet! Here is my 2010 Review
10. Ashley's Honeybee's - Hard to believe we already have her in organized classes. She loves it and I love going with her when we don't have hockey. Thankfully she always gets to go as her Godmother Julie or Miss Jill & Tiffany will get her there if we are busy. She is really getting mobile and verbal these days. Love her to death!
9. The Blizzard Bus Trip to Notre Dame - I think it was the coldest weekend of the year but we thoroughly enjoyed this trip to the beautiful campus of Notre Dame. My Dad came with us to visit with an old army buddy so that made it even more pleasant. The Basilica is just beautiful and mass was very wonderful. It was The Baptism of the Lord weekend, so the church was still decked out for Christmas. It was a very conservative mass; neat experience. The Grotto is so beautiful too.
8. Kid's Sports - Tommy's hockey team won 4 tournaments and was runner up in 2 tourneys. His baseball team didn't fare as well this year but we enjoyed playing in a couple of travel tournaments. His coed basketball team did awesome only losing one game which I think they could beat that team if had a chance to rematch. His class is going to be awesome. Austin's coach pitch - Another super year for Austin. He loved it!
7. Washington DC Trip with my students- I'll just say everyone survived and I think most people had a good time. ;) I sure did!
6. Our Northern Adventure - We dusted off the camping gear for the first time in years and roughed it in the Brethauer backyard up in Interlochen. The kids loved swimming in Lake Michigan and seeing the Blue Angels at the Cherry Festival was a very unique experience. Would love to go again!
5. Chicks with Sticks - I'm still loving my ladies hockey. We've taken 2nd place in my two seasons we had in 2010 but it's always a great time. I scored a few goals in the winter season but none this fall. Hopefully I can remedy that soon. I'm a very clean player having yet to receive my first penalty. My big accomplishment in 2010 is I can change on the fly even jumping over the boards. boo-ya! I'm hoping in 2011 to be able to lift the puck on my backhand.
4. Tommy's double overtime goal in February - Tommy had rarely scored ever, in fact he only scored 3 goals all season last year all in February. However the big game taking us to the finals at The Joe Louis Arena is one we won't ever forget. 3 on 3 in double over time and Tommy bags the game winner. I think I cried (which is dumb). The 2001 Bay County Blizzard then went on to win the finals at The Joe in March 7-6.
3. Austin's 1st Reconciliation - Hard to believe he is of age for sacraments. This year will be such an important one for him.
2. Our family room in the basement - Joe and his step-dad Jim put in a lot of hours of hard work converting a room in our old and yucky looking basement into a fabulous family room. Joe and I often remark that we built the house wrong with our huge bedrooms and small living areas. Well we remedied that this fall. We've also become "that family" putting a 58" TV down there to boot. Joe and I have his and her recliners and I've already napped down there numerous times. I think we've become my Grandpa and Grandpa. It's wonderful and I'm so glad we finally took the plunge and did it. I put hours of sweat equity into it doing the paint job but Joe did most of the grunt work.
1. My brother came home - and he is doing awesome!! We are so blessed that Jeff has been home for almost a year now and is thriving. He has a wonderful girlfriend and along with her daughter I think they would be a welcome addition to the O's family. He was given a chance with a job at hotel doing housekeeping and is one of their most reliable workers and is doing great. He and my younger brother Scott just moved into an apartment here in town together and I can only see good things in the future for both of them. He's proof positive that people can and do change. And honestly how many of us have done things in our lives we aren't proud of? Way to go Jeff! Keep up the good work!
Honorable Mention
10. Ashley's Honeybee's - Hard to believe we already have her in organized classes. She loves it and I love going with her when we don't have hockey. Thankfully she always gets to go as her Godmother Julie or Miss Jill & Tiffany will get her there if we are busy. She is really getting mobile and verbal these days. Love her to death!
9. The Blizzard Bus Trip to Notre Dame - I think it was the coldest weekend of the year but we thoroughly enjoyed this trip to the beautiful campus of Notre Dame. My Dad came with us to visit with an old army buddy so that made it even more pleasant. The Basilica is just beautiful and mass was very wonderful. It was The Baptism of the Lord weekend, so the church was still decked out for Christmas. It was a very conservative mass; neat experience. The Grotto is so beautiful too.
8. Kid's Sports - Tommy's hockey team won 4 tournaments and was runner up in 2 tourneys. His baseball team didn't fare as well this year but we enjoyed playing in a couple of travel tournaments. His coed basketball team did awesome only losing one game which I think they could beat that team if had a chance to rematch. His class is going to be awesome. Austin's coach pitch - Another super year for Austin. He loved it!
7. Washington DC Trip with my students- I'll just say everyone survived and I think most people had a good time. ;) I sure did!
6. Our Northern Adventure - We dusted off the camping gear for the first time in years and roughed it in the Brethauer backyard up in Interlochen. The kids loved swimming in Lake Michigan and seeing the Blue Angels at the Cherry Festival was a very unique experience. Would love to go again!
5. Chicks with Sticks - I'm still loving my ladies hockey. We've taken 2nd place in my two seasons we had in 2010 but it's always a great time. I scored a few goals in the winter season but none this fall. Hopefully I can remedy that soon. I'm a very clean player having yet to receive my first penalty. My big accomplishment in 2010 is I can change on the fly even jumping over the boards. boo-ya! I'm hoping in 2011 to be able to lift the puck on my backhand.
4. Tommy's double overtime goal in February - Tommy had rarely scored ever, in fact he only scored 3 goals all season last year all in February. However the big game taking us to the finals at The Joe Louis Arena is one we won't ever forget. 3 on 3 in double over time and Tommy bags the game winner. I think I cried (which is dumb). The 2001 Bay County Blizzard then went on to win the finals at The Joe in March 7-6.
3. Austin's 1st Reconciliation - Hard to believe he is of age for sacraments. This year will be such an important one for him.
2. Our family room in the basement - Joe and his step-dad Jim put in a lot of hours of hard work converting a room in our old and yucky looking basement into a fabulous family room. Joe and I often remark that we built the house wrong with our huge bedrooms and small living areas. Well we remedied that this fall. We've also become "that family" putting a 58" TV down there to boot. Joe and I have his and her recliners and I've already napped down there numerous times. I think we've become my Grandpa and Grandpa. It's wonderful and I'm so glad we finally took the plunge and did it. I put hours of sweat equity into it doing the paint job but Joe did most of the grunt work.
1. My brother came home - and he is doing awesome!! We are so blessed that Jeff has been home for almost a year now and is thriving. He has a wonderful girlfriend and along with her daughter I think they would be a welcome addition to the O's family. He was given a chance with a job at hotel doing housekeeping and is one of their most reliable workers and is doing great. He and my younger brother Scott just moved into an apartment here in town together and I can only see good things in the future for both of them. He's proof positive that people can and do change. And honestly how many of us have done things in our lives we aren't proud of? Way to go Jeff! Keep up the good work!
Honorable Mention
- $100 Dinner Dance - We didn't win anything but looked great in our Roaring 20's Garb.
- A couple of rocking 40th birthday parties - Bryant in February, Jill in June
- Disney trips - one in the spring; we spent a great day at Animal Kingdom with the Dreyer family. In the summer my Mom brought her young family. We love Disney but don't plan on going in 2011.
- JoDa - 13th Anniversary - yummy Gengi
- Coed Softball - always a good time, the Mud Bowl was especially comical.
- Reese Varsity Volleyball - Made it to the state semi-finals first time ever. 3 of my former students were on the team!
- Todd & Julie's wedding - Absolutely stunning couple.
- Ashley's 1st Birthday - Too bad she had a cold and wasn't feeling the best. She was rather grouchy.
- Tommy's 2nd place spelling bee finish for the K of C and 4th place finish in the Lutheran/Catholic battle. Darts to homonyms. peace/piece & ceramics.
- Christmas Play - Tommy had a pretty decent part as California boy Aaron. Loved his orange spray tan. :) And the boy can sing.
- Austin's improvements - He's reading well now and his extra therapy is definitely strengthening him.
- Cedar Point & Michigan's Adventure - Always a blast!!
- Skiing
- Bojo pool parties
- Halloween - Boo, Sully, & Mike were a real hit!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Another Austin Accomplishment
He was only successful that one time but needless to say we were both thrilled!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Well why don't you cry about it?
Life does happen sometimes you know.
I often get perturbed when I have a crazy bad day and someone will throw at me, "could be worse." Of course it could be freaking worse! I know those are good words to live by and yes life "could be worse" but darn it sometimes I may have a blue day and it's not the end of the world. Life isn't always sunshine and roses (even at Christmas time). However, again if I get down in the dumpsy I'd appreciate people just acknowledging it and letting me move on instead of the whole "appreciate what you do have."
This week the stupid couch wouldn't go down the basement. I have beautiful new furniture upstairs that I'm thrilled with. Downstairs I was planning on sending down our ratty 10 year old plaid set down and I bought two feasible lazy boy chairs that aren't the trendiest of items but match said plaid set nicely. We now have 2 ugly yet extremely comfortable chairs and I hath been given permission to buy new furniture; a real wife would be thrilled right? We ended up at a clearance center for another loveseat as we know they'll fit. So we have a power reclining loveseat waiting to be picked up. We'll see how lovely it looks. I keep telling myself it's just a basement. The whole couch deal really flipped my lid. I just didn't want to spend another $800 for a piece of furniture that I didn't want or really need in the first place. But that's life.
2nd piece of crap deal - Tommy has the flu fierce. He's been puking all morning. So now on Christmas Eve's Eve we have to worry about everyone getting sick. Could be worse right?
Joe and I were supposed to go out today and finish our shopping. He took the day off, I signed the kids up for childcare. It was going to be great. The whole day together. Once Tommy puked a second time I just saw the life sucked out of Joe. He was so depressed. Somehow Joe and I will get back in sync either both depressed together or so happy together and hopefully by some miracle no one will be sick the next few days. It's not looking too good though is it?
I guess maybe all I can do is cry...but I won't because it's not worth crying over because truly it "could be worse."
I often get perturbed when I have a crazy bad day and someone will throw at me, "could be worse." Of course it could be freaking worse! I know those are good words to live by and yes life "could be worse" but darn it sometimes I may have a blue day and it's not the end of the world. Life isn't always sunshine and roses (even at Christmas time). However, again if I get down in the dumpsy I'd appreciate people just acknowledging it and letting me move on instead of the whole "appreciate what you do have."
This week the stupid couch wouldn't go down the basement. I have beautiful new furniture upstairs that I'm thrilled with. Downstairs I was planning on sending down our ratty 10 year old plaid set down and I bought two feasible lazy boy chairs that aren't the trendiest of items but match said plaid set nicely. We now have 2 ugly yet extremely comfortable chairs and I hath been given permission to buy new furniture; a real wife would be thrilled right? We ended up at a clearance center for another loveseat as we know they'll fit. So we have a power reclining loveseat waiting to be picked up. We'll see how lovely it looks. I keep telling myself it's just a basement. The whole couch deal really flipped my lid. I just didn't want to spend another $800 for a piece of furniture that I didn't want or really need in the first place. But that's life.
2nd piece of crap deal - Tommy has the flu fierce. He's been puking all morning. So now on Christmas Eve's Eve we have to worry about everyone getting sick. Could be worse right?
Joe and I were supposed to go out today and finish our shopping. He took the day off, I signed the kids up for childcare. It was going to be great. The whole day together. Once Tommy puked a second time I just saw the life sucked out of Joe. He was so depressed. Somehow Joe and I will get back in sync either both depressed together or so happy together and hopefully by some miracle no one will be sick the next few days. It's not looking too good though is it?
I guess maybe all I can do is cry...but I won't because it's not worth crying over because truly it "could be worse."
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