Mr. Thrifty (LOL . . . )

OK - Here is a clear blog violation that I just have to share (oops - the violation is based on my first post (please read the "ground rules" if you have not - http://wishiwasntasingledad.blogspot.com/2010/04/so-who-am-i-and-why-am-i-doing-blog.html) in that this "post" has not set for two days before being shared. But - as the kids are still in bed (yes, it's 12:00 on New Years Day and they are SLEEPING (everyone except Knoah who has already beaten me at Wii Resort Bowling four times!) - guess that is what happens when you don't get in bed until after 3:00 am! ! (oh, well, we had fun and I will share the pictures once I write a post - although they are already up on Facebook).

So - what I am I sharing? How about this; what does 42.00 get you at Value World when you have a 50% off coupon?



How about:

1 Pr American Eagle Jeans (Jacob)
1 Pr Urban Outfitters Jeans (Jacob)
1 Nike Michigan Pullover (Jacob)
1 Detroit Tigers Hoodie (Jacob)
1 CCCP Zip Up Jacket (Jacob)
2 Pr Justice Jeans (Hannah)
1 Pr Levi's Jeans (Hannah)
1 Pr Doc Martin Zip Up Boots (Hannah)
1 Pr Kid Tech Shoes (Hannah)
1 Pr US Polo Association Jeans (Knoah)
1 Pr Nike Tennis Shoes (Knoah)
1 Pr Lands End Boots (Knoah)
2 Button Up Children's Place Long Sleeve Polo Shirts
2 Pull over Children's Place Sweaters (one v neck, one zip up) (Knoah)
1 Ralph Lauren long sleeve polo (Knoah)
1 Carter's Children Wear Pull over striped sweater (Knoah)
1 Pull over zipper sweater (Knoah)
1 Old Navy sweater vest (Knoah)

and . . . .

6 Beanie Babies (Hannah)
1 board game; History of the United States (Jacob)
2 "Shake and Rumble" cars from Fisher Price (Knoah)
1 Little Tykes "rock n ride" pony (Knoah)
Video Toy Story 2

WOW . . . . what an awesome shopping experience! ! !

Merry Christmas 2010

Here it is. It has now "officially" been one year and there have been so many changes in my life and the lives of my Children. I have written, re-written and then deleted this post three or four times and after all of that I have come to this: I am at Peace and Happy with who, what and where I am and where I am going. Life is not what I expected but it has become more than enough and I am hopeful, happy and excited.

I miss my Children every second that we are apart and I can't think of what it would be like if I was only able to see them every other weekend as some divorced fathers do, truth - I would stress, cry and be a total emotional wreck!

So - Merry Christmas to the greatest Children walking this earth - Jacob Matthew Reagan, Hannah Noel and Knoah Franklin - I adore, admire, cherish and love the three of them more than they will every fully understand until the day that they become a parent. (and if your a parent, you get that).

Here is the 2010 Christmas in words and pictures:



2010 Christmas Banner.



Santa's footprints (something we started years ago . . and did you know that North Pole Snow is edible . . taste just like powdered sugar!).



The 2010 Christmas Booty at Dad's House.



Knoah opening his gifts.



Jacob and Hannah opening gifts.



Mr. Happy . . . Knoah Franklin.



Knoah helping me open my present from the kids.



Jacob "schooling" Knoah and Hannah on Mario Kart!



Playing "don't break the ice".



Knoah the "victor".

Merry Christmas to all and may 2011 be the year that I have been praying for - it's starting off wonderfully already and I pray that it continues. God Bless everyone.

Lazy . . . . weekend for "Wii", they and me . . .

After last weekend's "birthday" extravaganza in addition to the last several "weekend" birthdays and Thanksgiving, I think the kids and I were both just kinda "tired". So after discussing what to do for the weekend (17 - 19 December) we settled on simply spending time together playing games (Wii and or one of the ten or twenty board games we have amassed). Considering Christmas was so close and I still had not finished shopping this was fine with me.

We spent Friday as a family playing "Wii" bowling . . . which of course as a rule, I am required to lose; mostly because I sux! Saturday was spend playing with Thomas, The Artin Race Track (which I received as a Christmas present about ten years ago), playing Connect Fours, Blues Clues, and Harry Potter Chess! We did decide to dress during part of the weekend and made it out to Tecumseh to pick up some "snacks" from the local Bush's Grocery Store and of course - Knoah was his normal "clown" self once we returned and he felt the need to run around in Hannah's winter boots . . which of course Hannah tried to act "upset" about until I pointed out that she was the one that helped him "put the boots on".



Hannah "helping" Knoah put on her boots.



Knoah "Hamming" it up in Hannah's Boots.

We enjoyed a "quiet" Saturday night followed by a quick and early Sunday morning as the kids had a birthday party to attend for one of there cousin's. Dropping them off and saying good-bye I don't think will ever be easy and driving away will always be heartbreaking but at least I know that I will see them again soon and this time it will be to celebrate Christmas! Until then I can keep some wonderful "peaceful" images in mind.



Knoah "sleeping" on the way to the birthday party.



Jacob playing with the "Lego" Iphone application.



Knoah, Hannah and Hannah's new "friend" Allie . . . sleeping on the way to the party (although, I am not sure "Allie" was really asleep!).

At home . . . to play . . .

So . . . here we were with another weekend and I was feeling . . . BEAT. Jacob - once we got on the road headed west announced that he was feeling "sick" and so we quickly stopped for medicine at Wal-Greens. The whole - "I don't feel good" became a theme for the weekend (3 - 5 December) as we simply stayed put in the house - playing Wii, making cookies, watching Movies and of course napping! Sadly - not much to report but that even spending "down time" with the kids ROCKS! in amazing ways! I love them so very much.

Fall Blues . . . . . Homework . . . (blah . . . . ).

We were ready for another great weekend (15 - 17 Oct) but had to temper it with the reality that a lot of the time would be spent doing "homework" as Jacob and Hannah are both far behind in school. Jacob seems to be struggling more than Hannah and honestly has me very concerned for him. So - we knew that we would not be all "play" this weekend.

Friday we were invited to a "Taco Dinner" and play date with William and Quinn at Erin's house. I have become very thankful for Erin, William and Quinn. It is awesome that the kids get along so well with them and I enjoy the adult company and conversation with Erin. So - the four of us made the journey to Erin's on Friday night and had Taco's, played, X Box 360 and played outside. Erin lives "way - way" off the beaten path so the yard is huge and the kids had a ton of area to play in. This is new for them as although my house is large there really is no "yard" to speak of. So it was a great joy for me to go out and have fun outside with them. They enjoyed playing on the swing set. Hannah loved playing with the boys dog, Reese (yes, he is named after the peanut butter cup).



Hannah, Quinn and Knoah playing on the slide.



Jacob (foreground) with William (background) playing on the swings.



Knoah and the slide!

After playing outside we all ventured in for Taco's and games which mostly meant X Box 360. Jacob and Quinn are really enjoying playing together while Hannah and Knoah are having a hoot playing with the many thousands of Lego's! We all had a good time but needed to venture west to my home. We arrived at my house just before ten and of course, Knoah was fast asleep. I put him in my room only to find that he would be coming out of to the living room to join me by 11:00. I am not sure why but the kids have been really needy over the last several weeks and have spent a great deal of time wanting to sit on my lap or hug me. Part of me is really cool with this because I am a very affectionate (translation - touchy / feely) kinda person so I was good with it. But, I am growing a bit concerned that Knoah has gotten to the point that he now does not sleep anywhere in my house except on my chest. Hannah is making it a point to always hold my hand and always be in the same room with me - which is a really good feat inside my house as it is a pretty big rental. Jacob, well - we will get to that later.

Saturday Morning came with some not so good surprises for me (see blog post; Go to a happy place, go to a happy place . . . below for more details) and some wonderful surprises for the kids! I was able to find Jacob's Halloween costume on Amazon and that was ordered so he was happy but that now means we had to go out and find him a Ninja Sword. After breakfast and a bit of homework we all dressed and set out to find the swords we would need for Jacob.

I had decided that we would start out looking for his ninja sword at Value World (honestly - because if I can get a good deal . . . yeah, that's what ya do). We set out and made the trip to Ypsilanti and began shopping. Sadly, we were not able to find his sword at Value world but - OMG! What we found was awesome. We found three Ralph Lauren sweater vest for Knoah (total 3.00), the game "silly golf" (2.00), a pair of Timberland boots for Hannah (4.00), a pair of Children's Palace saddle shoes for Knoah (2.00), three Coach belts for Jacob (2.00), Harry Potter board game, Candy Land Boardgames, trouble tracks play set, dress up dolls (wooden play set), power kicker play set and Thomas the Tank Engine board game (7.00) and walked out of Value World with a huge hall for only 20.00! Yeah! !



We then went to Wal-Mart and found Jacob's swords for his costume. By this point the kids were ready to eat and so we decided to grab a quick bite at McDonald's. We then had an appointment to meet Quinn, William and Erin at one of your favorite places; Jungle Java!

If I have not been more forceful with saying this I will do so now - if you live near Jungle Java and have young children - you have to go! The food is awesome; organic, reasonable prices (for Ann Arbor - keep that in mind) and the best part is that you can sit for hours as the kids play. On site free Wi-Fi and a terrific atmosphere, what more could you ask for.

We found ourselves playing until they closed at 8:00 which is always and awesome thing. I have really found that I love rolling on the floor and goofing around with Knoah! Sadly, I really need to lose some weight so that I can get back up into the big play area with Jacob and Hannah more often. Oh, I can fit but I just feel a bit more "sluggish" than I should!



Playing with Knoah in the "Toddler" area!

Hannah had a bit of an attitude Saturday night at Jungle Java. I think much of this was because she was enjoying playing with some of the "girls" that were there instead of being surrounded by Jacob, Knoah, Quinn and William. Hannah darted from place to place with her "new friend" and then at the end of the visit asked if she could, "give your telephone number to her" . . . yeah - no - she didn't quiet get the idea but it was cool to at least have Hannah playing with some girls for a change and she obviously loved it.



Hannah and her "new" friend.

Jacob enjoyed running and playing "tag" in the upper play area including the tree house. It is so cool to see Jacob running, playing and smiling - he is such a wonderful young man and I can't really express how much I love that guy!



Jacob - playing in the large play area at Jungle Java.

We ended up leaving once Jungle Java closed down at 8:00 and made the 40 minute drive to my house where the kids all quickly went to bed. Knoah has been doing this thing the last several weeks where he does not want to sleep in the bed but instead will only sleep laying with me. The cool thing is that I am good with it and it gives me a great chance to simply be with him and spend some quiet time.

Sunday came way too early and sadly was set aside for Lions football tailgate - which has become a staple of our visits and more homework. Jacob was able to finish nearly everything that he had brought with him for work and of course the Lion's win steak ended at one thanks to Eli Manning and the NY Giants!

We then headed east and met up with Mommy at 7:00 pm and it was time for the weekend to end. Leaving them is always hard and I keep praying that it will get more and more simple but - I am nearly sure that it wont! The good news was that come Monday afternoon (18 October) I get to go to Monroe and hang out with the kids for the evening. I am working sixteen hour days on Tues, Wed and Thurs so it will be awesome to see them during the week.

It's cool . . . because it's random . . .

Happy things that I found around the house (and one outside the house) this morning before the kids awoke to face the day.



Hannah's "sailing painting" in the bathroom.



Hannah's "Popsicle" book marks.



More of the "Popsicle" book marks by Hannah.



Hannah's "Lion's Rule" drawing.



Hannah's "Tiger's Rule" drawing.



Hannah's "Bull" drawing.



Hannah's "Rainbow Lion".



My car door - Thanks to Hannah!



Hannah's "Blue's Clues" for Knoah.



Jacob and Hannah drawing from Chuckie Cheese.



Knoah and Me drawing from Chuckie Cheese.



Good memories.

Not so "Happy Hump Day" . . . again . . .

So - here we are . . . 6 October and another chance for a mid - week visit missed on work! Oh well - there is no way to be happy about it but I can at least think about something good - Jacob, Hannah and Knoah preparing for Halloween 2010.

Mid Week Visit . . . What a Happy Hump Day - Again ! !

So after this past weekend (3 - 5 Sept) I was really missing the kids and so I took the chance on to arraigned a dinner meal on the 8th of September.

We met at Buffalo Wild Wings in Monroe. Yeah, I know not the most wonderful restaurant but they do have good food a cool enviornment and on Wednesdays a clown that does balloon animals!

So - the short of it; we had alot of fun and it was awesome to see them. Now - here are the pictures:

Bye, Bye Summer . . .

A couple of weeks back (30 July) the kids and I went to the Monroe County Fair which has traditionaly been the "end of summer" for folks in Monroe County. But as they have moved "fair week" back from mid-August to early August it just isn't the same - end of summer deal as it once was. So, I decided to come up with some other "end of summer" ideal that would help fill the bill for a kinda - back 2 school kinda thing and so this weekend (3 Sept - 5 Sept)was focused on those "transition" activities.

The first activity was each to pick - Hot Dogs! ! Not just any hot dog mind you, an end of summer hot dog from the greatest place for weiners in America - Monroe's Original Hot Dog's and Rootbeer. Monroe's Original has always been one of our favorite places and with me living so far away this would be a special treat for me! The kids have always loved hot dogs and as you can imagine they were happy to humor me in this endevor. For those unfamilar - and if that is you, I am sorry, you really are missing out, Monroe's Original is a traditional type of place straight out of the 1950's with young girls coming to the car (car hop's) to take your order then deliver your food on a platter that hangs on the glass of your door. The cooliest part of the meal (ok - other than the terrific food) is that you have a great opprortunity to sit in a captive enviornment with your family to laugh, joke, talk and just be together.



After our meal we made the normal trip for snacks and then out to my home for the weekend. It isn't that I live forever away from Monroe but normally the hour drive is not something that I look forward to but with the kids in the car I really adore the drive as it gives us time to not only talk but do some of the silly things that I miss so much - like singing Ramones songs as we go down the road!

Friday ended with the normal movie and then our typical arguing over who would sleep with Knoah. I normally like this argument because Knoah has really taken to sleeping with me and to be fair - I love that. I so miss him when he is not with me and every second that I am with him is one that I want to spend close to him!

Saturday we had a wonderful breakfast and then set out to find some more odd and end items that they may need for school. This was fun as it allowed us to go shopping and mostly browse for items. Hannah, while we were shopping, came up with one of the better ideas for us which was to purchase some "crafts" that we could build together. This has become something that we normally try and do at least a couple of times a month and this weekend was no different.

Hannah picked a wonderful Birdhouse for herself, Knoah decided he needed to do a sailboat and Jacob was estatic that they had a "race car".



The kids grew hungry before we headed home and so we decided to stop and pick up something to eat. We settled on a place that none of us had ever eaten at in Yspsilanti called Sinbad's Koney Island. While the food was pretty good and the service was excellent the one thing that Sinbad's gave us was something we never expected - a trip in a time machine! Well, maybe not exactly but once we sat down Jacob noticed that the chandiler hanging above us in the resturant was the very same chandiler that used to hang in our home on South Macomb in Monroe. Seeing the lamp hang above me was both a good thing and a bad thing. It was cool that Jacob's memory is so wonderful but it was a bit uncomfortable to be reminded of happier times. Still we had a good time at the resturant and everyone seemed to enjoy there food. Hannah seemed the happiest as she not only finished her pasta but also tow of Knoah's chicken strips and my salad!



Saturday ended again with another film and the promise of another awsome day on Sunday. With sunday's arrival we decided that we would build our "crafts" so we spent time putting them together. Of course, since this involved painting, Hannah was the most aggresive at doing this and the happiest.



Thankfully though Knoah seemed to enjoy doing his "sailboat" too and we were able to finish it before making the journey home. Again this week the separation was, for me, difficult at best but it was made somewhat easier by knowing that in just a few days we would be meeting for dinner. Still, leaving the most important people in your life is never easy but is something that I am finding I have to learn how to deal with, at least for now.




http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monroe-MI/Monroes-Original-Hot-Dog-Drive-in/276884238561

http://www.manta.com/c/mmj9080/sinbad-s-koney-island

If you build it . . . we will play . . .

I knew that the weekend would be hectic (30 Aug - 1 Sept) but I really had no idea some of the "silly things" we would do!

After picking up the kids and doing the normal "snack" shopping we decided to get something to eat. I really try to let the kids pick where they would like to eat and don't really fuss too much when it comes to whatever selection of restaurants that they have made. For me, going four days without seeing them means that I can tolerate someplace that I may not really want to eat just so long as I am with them. There selection this week was no different! They decided that it was necessary for us go to Pizza Hut! I am as much a pizza lover as the next person and really don't have anything horrible against pizza hut it's just not the place that I would have picked. Thankfully, anytime you are with "Jannob" it can always be fun if you let it.

Jacob and Hannah had ended "summer school" earlier in the day and were excited to tell me about all the cool things they had gotten for "point reward". Hannah was most appreciative and happy with what she was able to get. She did not care that she had earned enough points to get a backpack or that she had earned a new book. No - Hannah was happiest that she had gotten "vampire teeth"! Her obsession with the little plastic "vampire" teeth is really nothing new and every year around this season she begins "craving" them! The funny thing here is that Hannah is scared by "Halloween" and does not like anything with blood or gore! Which makes me wonder - she knows that when you are going to "drink someones blood" there is "gore" right? Hannah was able to get several pair of her beloved "vampire" teeth and willingly recruited Jacob and Knoah into becoming part of her clan before we ate! Honestly, I am not sure who was more amused by them - me or a former co-worker that we ran into while at Pizza Hut. The best part came when they agreed to a group "vampire" photo!



After dinner we decided to begin making the trek to my house but not before stopping at the Goodwill in Monroe to see if they may have any "board games". This has become a new thing for us and something that I have really grown to enjoy; board games! We have found that looking for new games anytime we are near a second hand store is always fun - first because the games are usually under 2.00 and secondly because each time it is always a surprise! I normally try and avoid the Monroe Goodwill (long story but let's just say that several years ago a "manager" there decided that it was OK to mistreat my self and my family . . ) but as the parking lot was nearly empty (meaning . . her car was not there!) and it is right next to Pizza Hut we decided to "check it out"; good thing too! We found an awesome game called - "Rhyme N Climb" (which was a 3D Dr. Seuss game). It was our other "purchase" that proved "troublesome" for me!

Jacob has grown an odd obsession with the "Titanic" which I guess I can understand as when I was younger and Dr. Robert Ballard "found her" and photo's were broadcast around the world, I became very fascinated with the ship and the legend. So much so that I still have the National Geographic from that time and have even read; "A night to remember" by Walter Lord. Jacob decided that he needed to expand his Titanic knowledge after finding the film; "Titanic" - you know the James Cameron 3 hour and 14 minute epic starring; DiCaprio, Winslet, and Zane! Yea - that "Titanic"! Look - I am not a hater but . . truth told I just did not think that he would sit through the film and more importantly I was scared that if he did it would become a "Jacob Obsession", which is to say that he would grow so attached to the film that it would not leave the player for days, weeks or months! Still, he wanted it and it was only 50. cents so I took the chance. Bad - bad, move! Once we arrived home Jacob ran straight to my bedroom and put the film into the player - which is where it remained until Sunday night (thank you, very much).

Saturday morning was the normal - Knoah up early with me and he and I playing games. We put the "new" game together - "Rhyme n' Climb" and began playing. After a few rounds I noticed that Knoah was doing his normal thing of grabbing his head and saying, "ahh, man . . " when something happen but that this time it looked different. This time his fingers were nearly touching! This is kind of a big deal for kids that have achondroplasia (to be able to touch there hands on top of there heads) and I became very excited over it! Knoah really did not get what all the fuss was over but was able to get excited after he beat me at the game!



Once Jacob and Hannah awoke and joined us was "plotted" the day. Earlier in the week I had stopped at TJ Maxx and had found set of Bocce Balls for only 6.00. Of course, I picked them up as I figured that anything with a ball and throwing could be something that Knoah would love. I asked the kids if they were interested in "building" a bocce court out of PVC pipe so that we could play. They were so we knew that a visit to Lowes would be in order. After breakfast we gathered ourselves together and set out for the Adrian Lowe's to get the items needed for our bocce court.

Next to Lowe's in Adrian is a re-sale shop which again - is "way too difficult" for us to simply pass up! I am glad that we didn't as we found an art easel for Hannah along with a new game; "Mator's Tractor Tipping" all for four dollars!

We than decided to make our way to McDonald's for an early dinner (and because the kids LOVE the play land in Adrian - mostly because of the video games) then made our way home to set up the bocce court.

While Knoah and I were working on the bocce court, Hannah decided to "draw" on her new easel (oh, Jacob was watching Titanic, just in case you were wondering). Hannah kept her subject matter close at hand and once finished announced that we needed to "come see" her newest work. I know that everyone thinks there kids are the most gifted, prettiest, smartest, fastest, strongest, happiest and most wonderful children ever. But, in the case of Hannah and her creativity and ability to draw - it's true! I could not help but smile when she showed us her "newest work" and I can't help but "share it"!



Knoah and I were then able to finish the bocce court and even able to play for a while before we decided to finish the night with a bit of a "dance" party; brining out the disco strobes, turning on music and having fun. We were even able to get Jacob away from Titanic long enough to join in the festivities! (Course if you notice he is on the right and is standing still! He joined us but only long enough to ask; "OK, can I go watch Titanic now?").



Sunday morning came as it normally does - way too quickly! But, we all rose early, which is to say that Jacob rolled out before we hit double digits! We then had a nice breakfast of Pancakes and both Jacob and Knoah received a new "hair cut". Hannah had her nails done and then we decided to really break in the bocce court by playing together.

Jacob became disillusioned early in the tournament as he does not like doing things that he is not immediately good at - normally this occurs when the game is something that Hannah or Knoah can beat him at and bocce proved to be Hannah's game! (who knew?).



Hannah and I then finished an Oreo Cream Pie that we made for them to take home and then began our trek to Monroe for ending of our "weekend". Saying, "good bye" always sux's but this weekend it was not so bad as I knew that in just a few more days we would be together playing again!