Playin' Hooky

On Monday, I played hooky from...well, um, my house--no laundry, no dishes, no cleaning, no running errands, no eating leftovers.  Instead I went with Dave to the northern suburbs.  He had a business meeting and lunch in Schaumburg at Shaw's Crab House which happens to be right across the street from the biggest mall in Chicagoland. 

Can you see where this is going?  I drove up with Dave and while he was at his meeting, I was at the mall.  I actually hadn't been to the Woodfield Mall before.  Fortunately, I didn't buy much it was more about me just looking around and walking all over.  I seriously ended the day with two blisters on my feet.  I didn't realize I would do so much walking or I would have worn different shoes.  After Dave finished his meeting, he picked me up at the Corner Bakery where I ended up eating my lunch, then we drove home.

We got home a few minutes after Ashley was dropped off by the bus.  She has a key and so had to let herself into the house.  When she realized I wasn't at home, she called me to make sure I was okay.  Isn't that cute?

My Thai Kitchen

Last weekend we had a Thai Kitchen House Party.  I entered a contest and got a kit from the company that makes the Thai Kitchen brand of products.  I spent the weekend cooking up a storm and we had 15 friends come over and eat some Thai food.  Our menu included fresh spring rolls, larb, chicken satay with peanut sauce, som tum salad, garlic stir fry, yellow curry, and pad thai. 

Of course, I didn't get any pictures of the food or the actual eating because I was busy cooking.  These are the after pictures, which really aren't that good.  We had tons of food, as far the Thai Kitchen products, my favorite was the Pad Thai sauce.  I also made two desserts--an almond coconut gelatin and mango with sweet sticky rice which were both really good.  Although the kids preferred the ice cream brought by some of the guests!

After eating, we were entertained by college football, or I should say the guys and Ashley were.  The ladies just visited, and the kids played dress-up and all kinds of games in the basement.

 

We even put up a display of all our Thailand souvenirs. It was a nice evening to share with friends, I may not be the best cook but hopefully I did well enough to give everyone a taste of Thailand.  

Rock the Vote

Ashley was elected to the student council at her school.

Honestly, I am not sure what this is going to entail but she sure is pleased.

Say Cheese!

Here are the girls official portraits for this school year.  I like to have a picture of them every year but have finally decided once and for all to forgo school pictures.  At least when I go to a portrait studio, I can see the pictures, make adjustments and pick ones I will be happy with.  Plus, I can also have a picture of the girls taken together.  The final motivation is price.  School pictures are so expensive nowadays, it's cheaper to go to a studio, it costs me half.

I am pleased with the pics this year, what cuties!

Back on the Soccer Field

This past weekend was the official opening day of the fall soccer season.  Both the girls are playing.  I don't have any pictures.  It was pouring rain during Paige's game and although it was only sprinkling and misting during Ashley's game, I couldn't carry/protect the camera along with the chairs, blankets, umbrellas, and jackets I was already packing on the field.

So even though there are no pics.  I wanted to document the girls first games, especially because Paige in her first real soccer game scored the game winning goal!  The ball popped out of the pack and Paige dribbled it from the half line to the opposing goal and was able to kick it in!  Her team won 5-4.

Ashley's team also won in a close game, 2-1.  Ashley played all over the field and did a good job although she still has a little rust to shake off after not playing all summer.  Her team looks really good this season, so it should be lots of fun to watch her upcoming games.

GOOD JOB girls, way to kick it!  

Disney on Ice - Princess Stories

Dave surprised us with last minute tickets to Disney on Ice - Princess Stories.  It goes without saying that Paige was thrilled.  Just four days before Sept. 15th, it was a big deal for Dave to be able to leave work for a few hours to take us to the show.  It was on a Saturday, but Dave was working so we drove into the city picked up Dave from work, then drove over to the United Center together.  After the show, we had to drop Dave back off at work and drive home on our own.  He is literally that busy! 

The girls were very happy to see Dad and what made this even better was that the tickets were from Dave's company for their box suite.  So not only did we get to see the show for free but we did it in style, along with a few other of Dave's colleagues and their families.

This was the first time the girls got to sit in a box suite and I tell you Paige had no problem enjoying the goodies.  When we first got there, she went out found a front row seat and then came back to start loading up her plate.  Hot dogs, chicken tenders, popcorn, fried mac n cheese, fruit, veggies, soda, ice cream and cotton candy--kiddie food heaven!  She and Ashley also got fancy light up wands and mickey mouse ears crowns.  

The show was all about princesses with fireworks and fancy dresses.  It was a very nice show.  I sat by Ashley and watched the show; she is quite the mature girl nowadays.  She had a good time but the thrill of Disney princesses is pretty much Paige's domain now.  Paige has been wearing her princess costumes non-stop since we got home.  She is going to love Disneyworld in October.

It takes a little getting used to

Well, we have finished week three of school and all seems to be going well.  Although certain things are taking a little getting used to.

I'll start with Ashley.  She likes middle school very much.  So far the class work hasn't been a problem, but she is having to learn to be a little more organized.  She is definitely learning the hard way how to be responsible for keeping track of her belongings and moving from class to class.  She has already left behind her gym shoes, umbrella, library book, and trapper keeper.  She is definitely on a learning curve when it comes to this, fortunately, she has always been able to go back and find what she left.  Good thing, I'm not planning to buy replacements.

She is also enjoying the social aspect of school, this is the area that mom has to get used to.  She has already been asked multiple times if she is on Facebook--the answer is no because her parents won't let her.  She has also been asked for her cell phone number by boys who want to text her--no again, thanks to her parents.  Of course, all this socializing has resulted in her catching the yucky cold that is going around the school.  She then passed it onto Dave who at this time of year has to go to work whether he is sick or not.  Funny, but I have no idea how Dave caught the cold because he hasn't been home much and has gone days without seeing the girls. 

Now onto Paige, she too is doing well, as long as you don't count lunchtime.  She still isn't eating too well at lunch.  She is being so picky and also struggling to eat fast in the short amount of time they are given.  I am going to curriculum night next week and will talk to her teacher then.  Otherwise, she aced her first spellling test and wrote this adorable little story about her summer.  This is a mom bragging moment-sorry, but I think the pictures are so cute and the adjectives she uses are so funny that I just had to share:

(I accidently cut off the words, it reads--I went to thailand on the other side of the world.  I went swimming in the sea!!  Fun

Fortunately, homework has been light so far--thank goodness because between the two girls we have soccer 5 days a week right now.  Lots to keep up us busy!