Here’s my new blog!

I got a call from my mom last week.  She wanted to go camping and had invited us along.  I didn’t talk to Marcus about it until Friday when she called to ask if Caleb would like to go up to the site early with “Papaw”.  I guess that was when we just made the decision to go camping! 

We got up there Friday night and roasted some marshmallows by the fire.  By the time Alec was ready for bed, I went and zonked out with him.  I guess I was pretty tired myself.  We got up early the next morning.  When you have no clocks and the sun is up and you are outside where you wake up tot he sound of the birds chirping, it’s hard to sleep in.  The morning went by pretty slow, but we had breakfast, got dressed and played a few rounds of Ladder Ball.  Actually, I’ve heard this “game” being called all sorts of things, (including BlongoBall) but this is the name that I’ve heard that suits it best IMO.  

As dinner approached, we packed up to head home.  We only stayed the one night and for most of the day on Saturday because we were expected to be at Reston Town Center early the next morning to participate in the March for Babies walk.  The ironic thing about that is that just before dinner, my mom told me that my cousin Monica, who was due this next Thursday had just lost her baby in utero.  I was pretty upset to hear the news.  I raised just under $300 for our walk and I walked in the pouring rain for babies born too early.  Some live and some do not.  It’s so heartbreaking…

I got the results back from my EEG.  Turns out it wasn’t seizures at all (like myself and many thought it wasn’t…)  But I do have what’s called a Neural Mediated Hypotension.  Also known as Neurocardrogenic Syncope.  I guess all I really know about it is that I don’t need any further medical treatment.  I just need to increase my salt and water intake and I have already learned how to control the episodes that happen, so I can just continue to do that.  Basically… I have low blood pressure while I’m standing up… but It’s completely normal while sitting or laying down.  The docor said the word “gravity” a lot.  Umm… ok… so that’s it. 

I took the kids to the National Cherry Blossom festival on Friday.  We had lots of fun and the kids were all worn out by the end of the night.  It was supposed to be partly cloudy with some showers, but it was sunny and highs in the 80’s!  Of course we all got sun burned.  Ack…  Caleb enjoyed climbing trees, even though I’m not sure he was supposed to.  Bean enjoyed walking around int he flower garden. 

We had a picnic on Saturday with great weather AGAIN even though we were expecting rain, and then we took the leftovers to my moms on Sunday and had a BBQ.  My sister was here for the weekend so the kids got to see her which was nice.  The weekend went by so quickly, next thing I know it’s MONDAY and I hadnt finished reading my book for book club.  Luckily no one else was finished either, so we moved it to Thursday!  It’s actually a really good book called Three cups of Tea.  I’ll be writting about the book when I finish it. 

… what?  there could be nothing wrong with me. 

About a month ago, I filled out a preschool application for B.Bean to attend Hope Preschool, which is a really great school just 2 blocks from our house.  I’ve heard a lot of great things about it and we went on the tour of the school.  It’s a great place, the staff was awesome and they have a special program that B.Bean would be in called the “Gift of Timers” which is basically kids who have made the cutoff for Kindergarten but are not starting this year. 

I’ve heard from several people that it’s a hard school to get into.  Basically, they choose students from a lottery instead of the first come first serve and no one (except for students returning) are guaranteed a spot.  All of B.Bean’s friends had applications there and while 2 of them were returning (so guaranteed a spot) one of them did not make it.  :(  I was bummed to hear that because that would have been nice.  I did not put applications in anywhere else, so this was basically his only chance of going to a school.  I went by today to give them a copy of his birth certificate and to sign some papers.  I also requested to switch schedules if any space opens up for the morning classes.  Right now we got picked for the afternoon classes, so hopefully something will open up.  If not, it’s fine!  I’m just glad he got in! 

Thank you Mom!  BB loved finding all of the eggs!  Bean could care less really, he just liked walking around and have everyone follow or chase him. 

On a side note… I got my portable EEG today.  They glued these things to my head, and they burned!!!  and now I have to carry them around until Wednesday night which is fine I guess except that it hasn’t been 6 hours yet and it’s itchy and heavy and annoying…  In the back of my mind I just think this is silly like they wont find any seizures.  Marcus thinks the same thing of course.  If I have to wait another 3 weeks for the results of this test I’m just going to say forget about it… I’ll live with the dizziness.  After all I’ve lived with it for 16 years now, right? 

I’m going to eat a chocolate covered strawberry now…. I wonder if the doctor will be able to tell how happy I am while eating it! 

About a month ago I took Bean to Target to get a gift and card for Marcus and a few of his friends who had upcoming birthdays.  We were in the card section reading cards and laughing at the funny pictures.  I was reading a card and Bean was standing right next to me and got really quiet.  I set the card back and Bean says, “Uh… mommy?”  I look down and he was staring at a Card that from my point of view, looked like this:

He pointed at the picture and said…  “Does that lady have monkey feet??”  HUH?!?!?!  I kneeled down next to him and couldn’t help laughing because from his height, this is what he saw: 

I haven’t missed a season yet, so why would I stop watching this season?  I actually think that this season has brought the biggest talent yet!  I have several favorites and it’s hard to choose just 1 Idol this year.  I have some that I wouldn’t be upset to see go, and I  have a handful that I would like to see make it!  Here’s how I see the Top 12 as of right now.

Amanda - I originally like her and thought she was a great singer.  I liked the way she could rock it out on stage and I loved her sound, the way she put her own twist into her songs.  However, after the first few weeks, I’m just not digging it as much.  It’s just the same thing week after week and I always know what to expect from her.  I also get the feeling like she just isn’t wanting to be there like the other contestants.  Maybe she just had a bad week last week, but I think most people could tell that something was up. 

Brooke - One of my favorite singers in this season.  Actually I think she is my favorite girl singer in this season.  She’s got a great voice and she really puts her heart into her songs.  I love that she has been able to pick up the guitar or play the piano and still sound just as great!  I look forward to hearing from her every week. 

Carly - I like her alright and I’m sure she will make it to the top 6.  I’m just not sure how far she will really go yet.  She can sing and she’s really a cool gal.  I guess I just don’t connect so well with her.  I don’t have much to say. 

Chikezie - This guy is a fun loving guy with a great voice and smile.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him where he’s NOT smiling.  He has fun on the stage and he really can sing.  But he’s one of those one’s that I just don’t connect with I guess.  This first week of the top 12 though he really did a great job!  I think he will probably make it into the top 6 as well.  One thing I have to say about him though is that I think he looks a lot like Forest Whitaker. 

David A - He is one of my favorites as far as the guys go.  He really does have a good voice and he reminds me SO much of one of my best friends, Jason.  (I know I keep saying that…)  He’s talented for 17 and he’s done such a great job getting to the top 12!  That being said… even though he messed up tonight, I think he will be back tomorrow because he’s got a large fan base already.  I’m not sure he will make it to the final 2, but probably the top 6. 

David C. - Simon said something tonight about Cook being ‘the’ American Idol.  He really is great and I’ve liked all of his song choices so far!   Last week he sang one of my favorite songs, “Hello” by Lionel Richie,  and he did an awesome job on that song!  I do think he could make it down to the top 2.  Only time will tell for sure, but I have a good feeling about him! 

David H - Not a big fan.  He’s had a couple of good nights on the stage, but I just wouldn’t be upset to see him go home.  He’s not a bad singer, I just don’t get it half the time.  It’s down to the final 12 and there are better singers than him up on that stage.

Jason - I really love how different his songs are from any other contestant on AI.  He’s a unique singer and he’s done some of the slower paced songs and I guess some people could say the same thing about him that I said about Amanda.  But I just like all of the songs that he’s chosen to do and I like his style.  I think he will also make it into the top 6!  Really looking forward to what he does in the next few weeks!

Kristy Lee - Another contestant that I just don’t get.  I don’t even think she knows what kind of music she can or wants to sing and she’s just going with the flow.  I really think that tonight’s performance was just horrible.  She totally ruined that song!

Michael - Another great voice that will make it to the top.  The stage suits him well and he’s showing it all off for America to see!  He’s got a great voice and has made excellent song selections!  I’m interested in seeing which rocker (him or David C) will advance furthest!

Ramiele - She really does have a great voice and she can sing!  She’s played it safe too many times though and honestly, her shiny lip gloss is starting to annoy me.  I know that’s a stupid reason to not like someone, but I hate watching her sing.  Based on just her vocals though, she’s great!

Syesha - Has great vocals and could probably be in the lead on the girls in this season.  Although, I do find that her songs are forgettable and she just hasn’t made a big impression on me.  I wouldn’t be upset to see her go home either. 

We were on our way home from dinner with my mom and step dad and I’m not exactly sure how the conversation turned to this… and it may not be word for word, but I just HAD to share the conversation that happened between Marcus and Bean.

(Marcus was driving…)
 
Daddy:  I once hit a rabbit by accident
Bean:  Did the rabbit die?
Daddy:  I dont’ know if it died, I might have broken his leg.
Bean:  And he couldn’t hop around anymore.
Daddy:  Well, he probably went to the bunny hospital.
Bean:  Dad, there is no bunny hospital.
Daddy:  What makes you think there’s no bunny hospital? There could be!
Bean:  Yeah, but they wouldn’t have any glue!
Daddy:  Glue? What would they need glue for?
Bean:  Because the bunny’s leg is broken!