Only in St Cloud...

....do you see a man and wife driving their kids to school in a beat up pick-up, baby on moms lap while she is smoking....did she get her parenting advice from Brittney???

Its good to live in St Cloud....

What an exciting morning! It started by waking up late to take Hana to school, we got there right as the bell was ringing. Said our "Love you's" and we headed back home. Almost home and a cop came right up behing me...I thought it was trying to pull me over...spead past me, turned around, spead past me again, turned around again....it did this 3 times...I turned down our road (for those of you who are not familiar with it, we live right off the main road in St Cloud) and there were 2 cops blocking it. They would not let me through till I told them they were parked in front of my house....I thought maybe there was a hit and run, I didnt see any other cars, so I didnt think much...till more cops came...and detectives....and then fire trucks....and ambulances....and the BOMB SQUAD! I turned on the news after 2 hours of this....didn't think of doing it earlier because nothing is ever on the news regarding St Cloud...supposedly a bomb was found...or so they said...I looked out the window later and there was nothing. All the cops were gone. Phew! Oh wait...they evacuated the cops down the road a ways...but not me!!! Then I saw these guys in my yard and in the street...(this was taken after they took off the helmets...at least other important places are protected!) They must have given the "all clear" because then every cop and unmarked car was in the road again... There were more after this...I think I counted 20 vehicles in all (including the bomb truck...not including the news cameras.) I saw the news again...I guess someone planted a fake bomb on a gas line across from my house...it had a timer on it and everything! They cant figure out why someone would do that....hmmmm....neither could I till I left to take Maddie to school at noon...cops everywhere around the school....bank taped off....school on lock down....someone robbed the bank and got away...right next to the girls school!!! Could they have been the ones placing a fake bomb? Maybe they were trying to get the cops all in one place....so, now we are at home, watching the newsmen trying to figure this out...because they are the real detectives here!!! Meanwhile, Maddie is sad that she cant go to school and Hana is stuck in class...no lunch...no recess...no PE...wonder if I can pick her up??? I keep calling and they are still shut down....my my my.....such excitement!!! At least Hana likes school...she wont be upset to stay longer!

I found a picture the other day of my horse, Joe, when I was Hana's age. Yes, that is me in the blue snowsuit...loved those things! Anyway, just thought some of you would enjoy this again!!

Just a short post...I had a fun weekend with the girls at Bryan's parents house. It was short, but sweet. We were able to stop by my moms on the way home and have some lunch and play time. The girls got new clothes (of course) from mom and had to wear them. Then, they got obsessed with her camera and took tons of pictures. Here are just a few!!! I have the cutest girls in the world...even when they look like raggamuffins!!

riding the horses!

Hana's Sunday school teacher came over again with her horses. This time, we were able to spend a little more time riding in the back. Hana was able to get in some good riding time. She is doing great. She is a little pro! Today, the horse, at one point, took off and she held on tight and didnt freak out! She learned a lot about control and leading it. Maddison did it by herself too, which was never done before. And, of course, Chloe had to get up and ride for a while. Our friends came over from next door with their son and he got up with all the girls. I took a ton of pics, here are just a few!Hana and her teacher out riding.You cant tell real well here, but Maddison had insisted that she wear this nice Christmas dress while she rode (the princess in her) and she had smeared her face with dirt before she got up on the horse! Hana with Austin poking out from behind her!He likes to think they are buddies...she is not so sure of him yet!!Time to clean up!!!

So proud

Hana came home yesterday with a report of a test she took last week. They test the kids for literacy placement, and they will do it at the end of the year to see how much they have improved during the school year. So, I dont know what they expect for a 5 year old, but Hana's report said that in all areas, letter recognition, letter sounds, word recognition...she scored way above what they expect at this time! This is a big deal for me because, first, she never went to preschool...and, I am not one of those moms who sit at home and try to teach the kids how to read or letters or anything. I read to them every day, but as far as pushing them to learn before school, I never did that. I figure, they go to school long enough and they will learn it eventually. Hana was basically self taught. She learned how to write her name when she was 2 by just copying me. She sees something and takes it in so fast!!! Maddie on the other hand, still has problems with her name. But, she is in preschool and will learn eventually. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how proud of Hana I was!!! Then she came home and read 3 books to me last night!!!

I am going to throw up!

So, we have this adorable puppy...who has a problem. He thinks his crate is where he is supposed to poop. I will let him out and no more than 5 minutes later, he poops in his crate. He is getting better, only once a day now. The only problem is, if I dont know he does it...he will eat it. Many times I have come to the crate and he is licking the last of it up (sorry for the gross post here). Any suggestions? Isnt there something that you can put in their food that makes them stop? I am so disgusted!!

This was the conversation on the way to take Maddison to school yesterday... Maddison "why do daddys work?" Mommy "So mommies dont have to" "Oh, so they can stay home and take care of sweeties, right?" "right" "why do sweeties have to go to school?" "so you can learn things and be something someday" "be what?" "you can be whatever you want to be" "like a star?" "sure, if that is what you want" "I am gonna be a star....just like Hannah Montanah" At least she didnt say Britney!!