Keeping up with the Granstroms: October 2008

Thursday, October 30, 2008

I thought exercise was good for the brain......

So I decided this week to start an exercise routine. I wasn't going to tell anyone because I am not a good follow through person. I wanted to do this for myself and when I was done, then tell people that I did it. I know, I'm weird, but we all have our idiosyncrasies.
So, yesterday was my 2nd day to do my little program. I didn't really want to go, but knew I had to do it and needed to get it done. I came home from being out and locked myself into the house while I changed clothes and got ready to go. Once ready, I grabbed my water bottle, iPod, and sunglasses and headed out the door. My routine takes about 30 minutes and then I was back home.
I was so tired and ready to just be home but when I went to open the door, it was locked. No problem, I thought to myself, this is why we keep a key hidden in the garage. Went to the secret key spot but no key.....oh yeah, I used it the other day and still have it in my purse. Went around the house and tried every other door just to find that they too were all locked! Okay, now what? The house was locked, my truck was locked, and I had no cell phone on me!
When Jason started traveling a lot for work we gave Stephie a key for both the house and my truck just in case I needed an extra set she would always have one. So, I went to my neighbors house (who was thankfully home) and asked him to drive me to Stephie's school so I could get some keys.
Got to the middle school, found Stephie, asked for the keys but guess what? Stephie just changed out purses and when she changed out purses, she left her keys in the other purse! So, NO KEYS! I started envisioning a mega bill from a lock smith because I didn't know what else to do.
While I was in the school, Chris (my neighbor) called his wife to tell her what was going on. She said, I think we have a key to their house. I was like, "No, I've never given you a key to my house" But Tammy was insistent that they had one and since I had NONE, it was worth it to go check it out.
Chris got the key and brought me back home and guess what? They did have a key for our house! YAY! Chris made sure to take the key right back home so I didn't lock that one in the house too! Thanks neighbor!
Thankfully there was a week this summer where Stephie stayed at the neighbors house while we were in Greenville. I faintly remember giving them a key so that if Stephie needed anything they would have a key too. Then when we got back, I told her to just hold on to it! I am so glad she did!
Today Stephie made sure to put her keys in her purse, I got the extra key back in the garage hiding spot and the neighbors have my key back down at their house! I should be covered now! All of this just so I could go exercise, which I thought they said helped with your brain power!?

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

My day with Lexi

Lexi brought home a note about a month ago asking for permission to go on their first field trip of the year. I was SO excited for her, ice cream, a farm, and then to a pumpkin patch. How much more perfect could it get!? I quickly sent in the $6 needed and permission to go. I attached a note and said that I would love to come along too. The teacher sent home a note the same day saying, "sorry but we no longer bring parents on field trip." No longer bring parents on field trips? What kind of stupid rule is that?! The notes between the teacher and I were daily, all though friendly, the teacher was not the one who made the policy but was left to enforce it. Finally I decided that Alexis would not go. Her teacher said she would keep the form and money in case we changed our mind, but my mind was made up. I was going to boycott the field trip and keep Lexi home that day.

So that Lexi would not feel punished I told her it would just be a day for her and I to do whatever she wanted. With four kids and a husband who works out of town, I thought it would really be a good chance for some alone time with just mom and Lex!

Well today was our day and I am SO GLAD I kept her home and we could be together.
First she took a long bubble bath, all by herself. No brothers barging in on her, no mom telling her to hurry up because others need shower too!
Next she watched a little TV where mom caught this picture of our big girl in one of her "baby moments" :-)
After mama was all ready, it was off to the nail salon. Alexis knew what she wanted and that was to go get her nails and toes done! She picked a bright purple color and all though we had talked about matching nails, I decided to go with a dark purple instead. :-)

Next it was out for lunch, here choice of course! She chose Taco Bell! That girl could eat Nacho's and cheese 24 hours a day! We loved it! Even gave $1 to help feed the hungry and got a Mariah Carrey download for free. Woohoo!

Even though you could get a form of dessert at Taco Bell, her next wish was Ice Cream at Dairy Queen. We just had a DQ open here in our town last weekend, so this was an extra special treat! :-)

After that mama's plans had to take a slight presidence and we went to buy groceries! No one would be happy without some food on the table later tonight! :-) Lexi actually enjoys grocery shopping and it was nice to have one child to keep me company instead of being there all by myself.

Finally we went to get into pick up line and pick up her brothers from school! I think she forgot how "fun" it is to sit in pick up line....you can tell how thrilled she was with this process!

All in all it was a GREAT day! I enjoyed being able to focus all my energy on just Alexis for the day and not feel one bit guilty about it. Next week Nicholas's class is going on the same field trip and of course, no parents are aloud there either, so he is staying home with me. Not sure what we are going to do yet but I can guarantee it won't include the nail salon and will include Dairy Queen!