Junk Drawers

When D and B's dad picked them up this afternoon, he offered to check my bike tires (one tire is flat and I can't get my tire pump to work). I showed him the pump and mentioned that I had unscrewed something from it. He asked to see that part, so I started to search. Of course, I didn't remember where I'd put it (even though I'd done that less than a week ago). I searched my kitchen "junk drawer" three times before I found it in there. Gotta love junk drawers...a great place for everything you have nowhere else to put. I've noticed that there are several websites devoted to junk drawers...websites telling how to organize junk drawers (mine is not), photos of junk drawers, and even ideas for giving junk drawer organizers as gifts.
What's in your junk drawer???????

If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 is the "Year of the Hare". In my world, it's the "Year of the Malfunctioning Appliances". Since the beginning of this school year, it has been:
the dryer (Sears repaired it for $$$)
the refrigerator (still paying for a new one)
the clothes washer (still paying for a new one)
the dishwasher (I'm still using it, even though it leaks all over. I've discovered that bath towels are great for mopping up indoor rivers and lakes.)
Is that a long enough list? Evidently not, because this morning, the dryer quit... again!!!! : (
I called Sears right away, expecting to be told that it would be next week before a repairman could come. Surprise...surprise...someone came within two hours! What convinced the Sears rep. that this was urgent? Was it that I mentioned that I have an in-home child care business and rely heavily on my dryer? Was it the fact that I was holding a fussy baby the whole time I was on the phone? Or, was it the two-year-old, tugging on my leg, repeatedly repeating, "I have to go potty"? Whatever it was, it worked. And, luckily, I had the good sense to buy the over-the-phone warranty that she offered (or it would have cost twice as much).
And so, to finish continue the list:

the dryer (Sears replaced the motor for $$$)

I'd like to think that that's it for this year but, there are ten weeks left!!!!!!

Do you know...

how to calibrate a thermometer? I do. It's just one of many "amazing" things I learned tonight at my nutrition class (a required course for child care providers who participate in the Food Program).

Happy Birthday, Marco!!!

More Ideas

In yesterday's comments, Dave mentioned Cedar Rock, the Frank Lloyd Wright house at Quasqueton (not too far from Waterloo). I had forgotten about the house...if anyone's interested in architecture, this would probably be worth the trip. I also just remembered the Bily clock exhibit at Spillville. We took the kids to visit this museum years ago...I was very impressed. You can check out both of these attractions at the following websites:

cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov
bilyclocks.org

Hope you're all having a great week so far! : )

Grown Up Stuff

Yesterday, I listed lots of things to keep the kids entertained while here in Iowa. There are also "grown up friendly" things, too. There are many, many options, so I'll just throw out a few ideas:
Guys' Day Out...We have several fantastic golf courses...tennis courts, too. Also...John Deere offers an interesting tour of their factory.
Girls' Day Out...A spa day would be fun if anyone out there wants or needs to be pampered. And/or lunch at "Barn Happy", shopping on the parkade in downtown Cedar Falls, and cupcakes at Scratch Cupcakery.
Waterloo and Cedar Falls have great bars and clubs for night life for anyone who's interested.
We also have a casino for anyone who wants to lose some money!!!!!!! : (
And, of course, there will be great conversation and delicious food!
The Wellers, Nugents, and "The Royal Family" are committed to seeing that everyone has a great time, so please let us know what you'd like to do while here!

Happy Birthday, Aaron!!!

Kid Stuff

FYI...Here's a sample of "kid" friendly places and/or activities that are possibilities for June's visit to WaWa. (These are not listed in any particular order.) If you want more info.about any of these, just ask me or google them!
Lost Island Water Park
Sunrise Exchange Petting Zoo
bowling
miniature golf
Go-Karts
movie theaters
Phelps Youth Pavilion
city and county parks
swimming pools
Hartman Reserve (nature center and hiking trails)
bike trails
Dan Gable Wrestling Museum
Bluedorn Science Imaginarium
Grout Museum of Science and Industry
Sullivan Brothers' Veterans Museum
museums at the University of Northern Iowa
Ice House Museum
Renssalaer Russell House

Congratulations to Jenn!!!!!!!! : )
From now on, the Waverly Wolffs will be known as The Royal Family!!!!!

Things That Go Bump in the Night (Day)

On a typical day, I have one or more kids standing on the bench by the kitchen, watching me as I prepare lunch. Today, three of the kids were standing there when one slipped on a cushion and bumped his nose. The bridge of his nose became instantly swollen and ended up black and blue. I called Mom at work to let her know (didn't want her to walk in after work and faint when she saw him). He wasn't really hurt but, man, did he look wicked. When his mom saw him, she laughed. I apologized and said to her, "You should see the other guy!". All in a day's work.

Happy Birthday, Jon!!!!!

K

A couple of funny "K" moments today:

Usually, while the kids are playing, I follow them, picking up the toys they've left behind...a crazy thing to do since, immediately, they get everything out again (hey...I have to have something to do). This morning, while picking up toys, K approached me and asked, "What are you doing, Sheryl? Organizing?"

This afternoon, K was lying on the floor...B (who just turned one) crawled on top of K and proceeded to lick her. K jumped up and shouted, "Hey, I'm not food!".

Happy Birthday, Lucas! Big celebration tonight at Trax???!!!

I'm Not...

a morning person. In fact, I have three alarms set for the sole purpose of getting me out of bed every morning. Alarm number one is my cell phone. It is set to ring at 3 different times, starting at 5:30 AM. The second is my radio which I have set to play (very loudly) from 5:50-6:20. The third is an actual alarm clock that starts beeping at 6:15; it won't stop until I physically get up out of bed, walk around my bed, and reach under my bed to shut it off. I almost always hear all three of these alarms...this morning I completely slept through the first two!!! Maybe if I didn't stay up so late reading, I'd be able to wake up on time!

A New Old Game

This week, we've started playing a new old game...Musical Chairs. The kids enjoy playing; however, every time the music stops, I have to remind them to sit down. And, I have to make sure that there are always enough chairs so everyone can sit down. It's funny to watch them walk around the chairs...there's always someone going the wrong direction!

Another Baby...

is on the way. One of my families is expecting a baby in October. At this rate, I'll be retiring when I'm 250!!!!!!

Birthdays Missed

I missed seven birthdays while the blog was down...that's a lot!!!!!!!! So...here goes....
Happy Birthday to Michele on February 18
Happy Birthday to Kelley on February 19
Happy Birthday to Bev on February 24
Happy Birthday to Wendy on March 2
Happy Birthday to Clayton on March 6
Happy Birthday to Dave on March 10
Happy Birthday to Kyle on March 12
I hope that all of you had great birthdays! : )

Trip to the Museum

Today, Jaime, Tyler, and I went to Iowa City to visit the Iowa Children's Museum. We'd never been there...we were impressed (lots more to see and do than we had expected). Tyler especially liked the City Grocery (he "shopped" with a little shopping cart), the ambulance at the CityWorks Children's Hospital (this time he was the driver and not the passenger), and ImaginAcres (he fed the cow and planted vegetables in the garden). He had so much fun that he didn't want to leave...we had to bribe him with ice cream!!!

Just a Typical Friday Night

Had dinner with the D Wolffs (Tyler was his usual silly self), made strawberry Kool-aid playdough, and fell asleep on the couch while watching "Say Yes To The Dress". So much excitement packed into one evening!

A Quiet Week

It has been SO quiet here...almost too quiet. I know I'll regret that I said that as soon as my house is filled with kids again!!!

Tax Season

This week, I'm trying to get my tax paperwork organized. Tax prep was certainly a lot easier before I had a childcare business!

Halfway

I'm already almost halfway through Spring Break. Have I accomplished at least half of the things on my list? Not even close. I wonder if I can request an extension...another week or two?!?

Sound the Alarm!

This afternoon, I noticed a very pungent and unusual smell drifting through the house. I immediately thought, "Oh great. Just my luck...now, something's on fire." Then I remembered...I'd set the oven on the cleaning cycle. Obviously, since I didn't recognize the smell, it's something I haven't done for A LONG TIME. (Don't need to since I never cook!)

Spring Break

It's Spring Break week here (even though it didn't feel like spring today), so I don't have kids this week. I have a very LONG list of things to do...we'll see how much I get accomplished!!

The Aftermath

I'm back. I apologize for taking such a long break from the blog. When I started it, I had fully intended to post every day without fail. Strange how the world as we have it planned can come to a halt, as it did the day that Ty was rushed to the hospital. Since then, it has been one thing after another. I think I know how it must feel to find yourself drowning, to come up for air, only to have someone shove your head under again...over and over (sounds like a scene from a horror movie). Over the past few months, this has happened to me...repeatedly. Anyway, I'm anxious to hear from all of you and to continue our plans for this summer.
PS...Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers for Tyler...he's doing great! : )