Back in the saddle again.

The holiday break is officially over. I started school this week and it is going to be a heavy quarter. Not too hard, just a lot of busy work/reading/organization. (Right up my alley!) I am happy to back and just need to get back into a schedule.The calendar is my best friend! The kids seem to be getting back into routines too. Liam has regressed a tad about going to preschool. Having two weeks off, being sick again and being home with me, has set him into crying jags when I drop him off. My poor baby!
Avin got his grade card, yea! He did great again. They want to test him again for the Horizons program. It is a program for children that are gifted in areas of Math and Reading. He participated last year, and did not want to go this year. But we really think he needs to go to keep him stimulated.
Devin got accepted to University of Toledo for next year. Wahoo! We are pretty dang proud of him. He is still going into Psychology and has looked into other schools for his graduate work. Will this be the Dreier's best year?

What did we do in a snow storm?

Living in Northwest Ohio you never are really sure if you are going to get the snow. Most of the time it hits Lake Erie and goes to Cleveland and Buffalo. However, we definitely got hit. We had a level 2 snow emergency, which left us home bound. I have to admit it was nice to be all cozy. So instead of looking at the downside of this, we joined in the wintry fun!

After my third time shoveling, (that counts as exercise, right?) I finally got smart and "hired" Avin to shovel. We got the kids all bundled up and walked down to our local park and went sledding. It was a blast! Brian pulled Lavinia and Liam on the sled which they loved. After a few times, going down the hill Liam was ready to go. Lavinia on the other hand is a big snow baby. Every time we went down she laughed so hard, jumped up and drudged up the hill for another turn. Avin is always ready for adventures. I did a snow angel, bringing back some more memories. The hardest part was walking back home while wet and cold. Hot chocolate anyone?

The kids also made sock puppets and had a puppet show. They set up Lavinia's dolls as the audience.

After dinner I decided to break out a 750 piece puzzle. I always remember my Papa and Gram doing puzzles during bad weather. I forgot how much I missed doing puzzles. Brian and I stayed up until 2 am doing it and then spent about 3 hours today. Just when I could not take it, and swore "there are pieces missing!" Another one would fit and the will to continue was born again.

Needless to say, Brian just found another one to put together. Hmmm.......

Calm Days

Just when I thought it was never going to come, the kids went back to school. Do you hear the rushing sigh escape from my mouth? I love these little people I call my own, but two weeks cooped up was enough! I think I have fulfilled my duty as a stay at home 24 for 7 parent. Not only am I happy, but the kids seem to enjoy being back into their normal schedules.
Yesterday Liam could not stop talking about the "clean mud" and the Jell-o they made in his classroom. Lavinia is happy at her usual social self. She has a love/hate relationship with a little girl in her room. Ask her who her favorite friend is, she will say Laila. Ask her who makes her day the hardest, you will get the same answer. Actually, they are so cute together. Yesterday, Laila gave her a "friendship ring."
I have two more weeks until I start back, so I hope to have alot accomplished before then. But until then I AM enjoying the sounds of silence.

Another year down!

Despite our ups and downs this year, and boy did we have alot! I want to say that through it all there have been great blessings.
When one door opens, another always opens.

My children have grown and despite our two months of "illness" have been healthy.
Brian is working...even though he hates his job.
The sword business has been a great financial help.
I am rocking in school.
I got a nephew this year, and a niece is due in April. (Maybe my birthday?) hmmm...
We moved out of the "ghetto!"
We have a new, used van.
Old friends have come back and stronger in my life, I love the Bunco Chixs!
My hubby and I are going through a great and wonderful transition in our marriage.
Therapy is awesome! LOL!

The list goes on and on. I am not one to really set New Year's Resolutions. But this year Brian and I have decided to make a "plan" for the next year. If we accomplish all that we want, then that would be awesome. We are being realistic though, habits are hard to break. The will is there.

We hope that for 2009, that all our family and friends have a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

Creepy Crude, Don't Bring Me Down!

Believe it or Not, we all have suffered numerous bouts with the "Crude" for the last three months. It start in October with Liam. Then it shifted to me. Then to Lavinia, then me again. Avin suffered, Liam again, Brian and me, and it is lingering in the very chapped and worn noses of my children. *Sigh* Despite my continuous efforts, doctor trips, chicken soup and saltines, this has been the worst our family has been in a long time. The problem is this, the "Crude" is never the same, Here is how it has manifested itself, beware!


1. Viral throat infection

2. Common cold

3. Bronchitis

4. Common cold

5. Strep Throat

6. Lingering cold

7. Flu Bug (Stomach kind)

8. Sinus infection

9. 24 fever, puke, body aches

10. The forever ever snot fest (I should buy stock in Kleenex!)



Now I have reflected much as to how this is all happening, and have a very proactive stance on the whole bit. I am a "Germaphobe" I clean, therefore I am!

This past Wednesday, I turned off the heat, opened windows for eight hours, bleached every possible surface, washed all bedding and changed the furnace filter. Yes, we are clean, maybe too clean if that is possible. However, the fact that the preschool, and elementary schools are not is most likely the issue here.

Now that Christmas break has arrived, the kids can maybe heal and the creeping crude there can die. And DIE it should! Last night when my beautiful babies walk in the door, but what to my "wondering ears should appear? The sudden sound of "splat" and puke hitting the floor. Thankfully, Lavinia did this only once and knock on wood all is well. Out came the bleach, masks and gloves, and here I am cleaning...again.

So for all of you out there, beware, the creepy crude is everywhere!