A nice Christmas...

It was a nice Christmas! Lots of family and fun! Bradlee was more than happy to just chill out on his new bean bag chair (from Gramma and Boppa) and cuddle with his new blankie (from Nana and Beepee)! :)

Merry Christmas!!

Oh my goodness...I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve!! Amazing! Where did the last month go!?

We started the month with a treat. For Emma's and my birthdays, my mother-in-law and Lynne took us (all four of us) to see Donny and Marie Osmond's Christmas Show in Detroit. It was Emma's first concert and she had a blast! :) The best part was when she recognized the songs they were singing...especially when Donny sang "Close Every Door" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

That same weekend, I had 3 concerts in 3 days...the first one was at Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc. It's quite the fancy hospital and they have a huge lobby area that is not quite perfect for performing groups (I was in the Flint Youth Symphony when the hospital opened and we performed for the grand opening!), but we enjoy playing there for the staff and patients. Plus, we look pretty good next to that poinsettia tree, don't you think?! :)

Emma and I went (for the third year in a row) to a cookie exchange at my friend, Courtney's, house. Courtney and I met at Interlochen in 1995 and have remained friends ever since! Although we only see each other about once a year, we've been able to stay in touch and friends. She lives south of here, in Macomb Township, so it's not that far of a drive, either! Anyway, Emma wanted to get her "own" tub of cookies, so I told her she had to take some to share. We got some break-and-bake cookies from the store and she put them on the cookie sheet and took them off when I brought them out of the oven. She did great! Maybe it was the Christmas apron she wore from HER great-great-grandmother! :)

Tony and the kids have been on Winter Break since Monday, and Monday and Tuesday was a little rough for the kids...they were typical brother/sister, but just not listening to directions, either...so, "magically", our own Elf appeared! He brought his own book to explain what he's all about. He is how Santa know whether the kids are being good or not...he watches all day, and then at night when the kids are in bed, he goes back to the North Pole and makes his report to Santa. The catch is that if he is touched by a human, he may lose his magical powers! Plus, Angel (that's his name, Bradlee's idea!) likes to watch from different locations each day...he's been on the bookshelf, hanging out of the cupboard and even from the chandelier!

The attitudes and behavior have slightly improved...Usually just when they remember he's there!!

I found out early this week that I received a promotion / new job I applied for within the bank! I am moving to a full-time position in the accounting department, basically doing the same thing, plus some new things, that I am currently doing. We are re-vamping our department, and this just seemed like a logical "next step" for me! I am really excited for this, and along with the pay raise and "Senior Accounting Specialist" title, I got to move to a bigger (and more private) desk! I start my new hours on Tuesday!

On Wednesday, our friends, Sara and Justin, came over to give the kids their Christmas gifts....Emma got some craft books, and Bradlee got the "bestest spaceship E-VER!" :) Thanks, Uncle Justin and Aunt Sara!!

Bradlee has also been very proud of his Rudolph picture he made in school. We even had to pull out the paint at home so he could show me how to do it!! This is one of those art projects I will treasure...and Emma made one in preschool, too! Thankfully, the school laminated them before sending them home, so I can have them forever! :)

We also went to see Santa this week....thankfully there were no surprises: Bradlee wants a drum and Emma wants a microphone! We'll see what Santa brings!

I hope you have a very wonderful Christmas and are able to spend it with those you love.

Waiting for the laundry...

Well, I'm waiting for the load of laundry in the dryer to finish so I can go to bed, and thought I would update this real quick...

Took Emma to the doctor's today for her 7 year physical. She's grown 2.5 inches in the past year (I think about 2 of them were since June!) and is only 16" shorter than me!! YIKES! :) I remember the day I was "officially" taller than my mom...LOL

Doctor said she's doing well. No serious concerns, although Emma has been saying her eyes have been crossing a lot more frequently lately...that's an issue for the eye doctor, though! :) Emma's weight is a bit high for her height/age, but we're going to work on that (actually, we're ALL going to work on that!!)!

So, she's growing well, doing well and is happy! What more could a mother ask for?! :)

Amazing...

Wow. Seven years ago, today, my beautiful baby girl was born. It is so amazing to me to think that Emma is already seven...SEVEN!! Where has the time gone?!

While putting her to bed tonight (the evening of the 7th), Emma asked me what we were doing 7 years ago when she was still in my tummy. I told her how I visited the doctor and she told me to come to the hospital the next morning. I told her how Daddy (Tony) and I went to church for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Gramma and Boppa (my parents) and then went to Red Robin for dinner! That's why we always go to Red Robin for Emma's birthday! So when she wanted to know what we were doing at 8 at night, and I told her I was in bed, getting ready for her, she laughed! :) Man, she has no idea! :)

It's so amazing to look at these pictures and see how little she was...6 pounds, 12 ounces! Now she's an amazing big girl...just amazing. There is nothing she does that surprises me anymore...for example:


We were going somewhere on Sunday in the car and we were talking about how Tony's birthday was the next day (the 5th). Emma responded that only 3 days after that was her birthday and she won't be 6 anymore! Bradlee said that on his next birthday, he was going to be 6. Emma was quiet for just a minute and said, "No, Bradlee. You won't be six until I turn nine." <> WHAT? Yes, she figured it out in her head. I'm telling you, amazing.

Emma has really grown into a mature, intelligent and caring little girl. She's the kind of kid everyone wants to be around, everyone loves, and who loves everyone!

Another story...I was commenting on what a mess the bathroom was. I said something like, "Man, I just can't win. There's always something in this house that needs cleaning!" I took Bradlee into his room to get him dressed for bed and I hear the sink in the bathroom running. Emma comes in a few seconds later and says, "Mama, I'm on your team...I just cleaned the sink out." Bradlee turns and looks at me and says, "Yeah, Mama...now you CAN win, right?!" :) I love those two...

Happy Birthday, Emma! I love you so much!!!

*sigh*

Man, I'm tired! Here's why...

Halloween was great! The kids had a great time at the "trunk-or-treat" at church, their school parties and Halloween night!! My little Buzz Lightyear and Kit Kittredge (American Girl) were awesome!!

Last weekend, Tony and I planned to have a family weekend. We all took Friday off of work and school and headed up to Traverse City to the Great Wolf Lodge. We hadn't told the kids anything, and they were SO surprised!! Emma had been there before, but Bradlee had not. It was so fun hearing them think of the places we could be going...Bradlee was convinced we were going to Zehnder's Splash Village (in Frankenmuth), even when we were past Mt. Pleasant...and when we went over the Zilwaukee Bridge, Emma was convinced we were going to Canada! LOL We had a FABULOUS weekend and even took the kids up to Mission Pointe Lighthouse and to see Lake Michigan! :)

Emma and I went to a Ladies Night Out in Downtown Holly with her friend, Allie, and Allie's mom, Sara (also the Daisy Troop leader!). We had a great time! It is so fun to see Emma make friends...and a great one at that!!!

Bradlee and I stopped by Gramma and Boppa's house on Saturday and found Boppa painting the upstairs hallway. Bradlee HAD to help....and both Gramma and I were SO surprised at how patient Boppa was with Bradlee's "artistic" abilities! :)

Back to the grind! I'm busy with Wind Ensemble and have a few Christmas concerts headed my way...plus I'm playing in the Saginaw Eddy Concert Band's Christmas concert on November 26 at 7:30pm at the Dow Events Center in Saginaw...if you're in the area, come and listen to some great Holiday music!! :)

Yep, still alive!

What's this? A new post?? :) You got it! I'm still alive...finally things have slowed down a bit!!

Back on October 15th, my sister, Kat, was married to Garrett...what a beautiful wedding it was! The ceremony was my absolute favorite part of the entire day - here are a few pictures from the day!

The kids were both sick the last few weeks...Bradlee started the weekend of the wedding and was home from school the week following...then it was Emma's turn, she was off of school last week! Now they're feeling better and we went on a field trip with Emma's Daisy troop today to the Indian Springs Nature Center. It was pretty neat, and each of the kids got to collect leaves on their nature walks and make a leaf book. Bradlee had a great time collecting leaves (and sticks, and acorns...) and Emma had a great time just being back to normal and with her friends!

After the nature hike, Tony and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch to (finally!) get their pumpkins for Halloween! We tried out a new one we learned about and even though it's the day before Halloween, they still had quite a few decent pumpkins to choose from! It's also the last day they were open for the season, so we got the last batch of cinnamon donuts! :)

When we got out of the car, I noticed Emma was drawing in the dirt on the van (there are a lot of dirt roads on the way to and from school each day!)!! I was about to get after her for getting all dirty...until I saw what it was she was drawing on the side of the car...how could I get mad at her for this???

We got home and immediately started carving the pumpkins! Bradlee was okay washing off the outside of the pumpkin, but wanted nothing to do with touching the "guts"...so he enjoyed his donut while Emma and I worked on the pumpkins...Emma was so proud of herself for using the little knives to cut out her own design!!

Here are the finished products...I used Bradlee's pajamas for inspiration for his pumpkin!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

The King and I!!

Well, the first weekend of performances of "The King and I" by Flint Community Players is over....WHEW! After a week of rehearsing until 11:30pm and then three performances, not to mention other rehearsals, football games, and the first week of school, we were ALL THRILLED to see Sunday! :)

Emma and I (I'm playing in the orchestra pit) had rehearsals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last week. It was the first time they had costumes for the show!! Emma gets to wear a wig (since there aren't really any blonde Siamese princesses!). She was SO excited!!!

Then you add the costume, and she was hooked!

Although the nights have been long, and getting up for school in the morning has been hard, she's done really well in the show...

Opening night, Thursday, I decided to keep her home from school during the day so she could sleep...and boy did she ever! She FINALLY woke up at about 12:30pm when I yelled upstairs that she had a delivery!! Tony, Bradlee and myself sent her this! :) You can see I woke her up!!

That night, she got flowers from some friends, Ron and Pat, and we missed the delivery of flowers from Aunt Kat and Uncle Garrett!! Here she is....what a drama queen! :)

Friday night, the conductor of the Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Roy, came to see her...and sent her flowers backstage before the show!!

She thinks it's SO funny that our living room and dining room is turning into a flower shop! :)

Saturday night, my parents came to see the show, and Emma just giggled when Boppa asked her for her autograph!!

This last picture pretty much explains it all....

There are four more shows this coming weekend, Thursday-Sunday (8pm Thursday-Saturday, 2:30pm Sunday)...call 810-237-7333 for tickets!!! :) Flowers are NOT required! :)

It's getting closer...

My sister, Kat, is getting married October 15th....less than 2 months away!!!!! We're really getting excited for her, and we had the shower for her and Garrett this past Saturday! I think we did a pretty good job, considering one bridesmaid lives in Mt. Pleasant, one lives in Homer, and the other two live in Flint...plus the bride lives in Clinton Township!!! We met once to put everything together and relied on texting, Facebook and phone calls to make it all happen. It was excellent, and I really think everyone had a nice time!

We had the shower at our old elementary school...in the social hall (also our church, St. John Vianney). It was a big hall, and we were only expecting less than 30 people, so we used the pillars in the hall to our advantage and made it cozy looking...

Carrie, the Matron of Honor, was in charge of the cake...there was a new little bakery in her hometown (she's the one from Homer), and they did an excellent job on this carrot cake! Cutting it was another story...

Emma was so excited to go to a "wedding party"! I bought her a new dress to wear, since she's grown so much the past few months! Look how old she looks?!!?!?!??!!?

When everyone was dressed and ready to start the party...naturally, we all had to pose for some pictures!! Here is the "women's side" of the bridal party!!! (L to R: Tarah, Kristy, Kat, Karyn, Carrie)

Here are the "Kozloff Women" :) (L to R: Emma, Kristy, Kat, Karyn, Mom)

Of course, there had to be a "sisters" picture!!

Emma wanted her own picture with Aunt Kat, so she got one...in front of one of the pom poms she helped put together!!! (it's now hanging in her bedroom!)

We played one game...and it was a blast! We had everyone write down a "Newlywed Game"-type question....we read them out loud to Kat and Garrett, who had dry erase boards, and had to write down their answer...if they were wrong, they had to put on an item from their opposing team! (Kat went to CMU, Garrett went to WMU!) Garrett started it off right with having to wear a CMU hat!! I personally think it looks pretty good on him! :)

Of course, there were some questions that Garrett had NO idea...like, "What was the name of Kat's favorite elementary school teacher?"....here's his answer:

In the end, they were both EXCELLENT sports and even posed for this picture! Garrett definitely had more CMU gear on that Kat had WMU...he even *got* to sit in a CMU chair!! :)

So, like I said, it was a great party to celebrate Kat and Garrett...we're so excited for the BIG DAY! :)

All About the Birthday Boy...

I am the mother of a 6.5 and a 3 year old....how the heck did that happen?! :)

Bradlee turned 3 on July 29th. What a day it was! He got a phone call from Winnie the Pooh that morning, wishing him a Happy Birthday...and many other phone calls throughout the day. We went to Red Robin (his choice!) for dinner and he loved having the workers sing to him! I think he loved his ice cream sundae even more...

In order for Bradlee to attend preschool in the fall, he has to be potty trained. We have known this for a while, and also known it was going to be a challenge with him, since he's so stubborn! :) When we were in Disney, he would ask to go potty and would go when we'd take him. I don't even know the last time I had to change a poopy diaper! That's how good he's been doing! So, we made a rule, when we got back from Disney, that Diapers are only for night time...and he wore pull-ups during the day. They were still wet, but he would still ask to go potty.

He kept telling us that when he turned 3, he would wear big boy underpants...so on his birthday, he wore them all day until I got home with no accidents! We'd put a pull-up on when we would go out. He's been wearing the underpants a little bit each day...and then on Monday, he wore them in the car! We just went to my parents' house a few blocks away, but it was a step in the right direction! He wore them the whole time we were at my parents' and then I took him to Barnes and Noble to get his birthday cookie. Then all the way back home, and no accidents!! He had one accident yesterday when we were in the car, but he had just woken up from a nap while I was putting him in the car, and instead of taking him back into the house to put him on the potty, I just put him in the car and left...my fault. Other than that...NO ACCIDENTS! :) This evening, Tony had the opportunity to teach him how to use a urinal! LOL He (Tony) said it was easy and he did a great job!

We went to Lake Orion last night to have dinner with my grandparents and my aunt, in town from Connecticut. Papa was the only one to get dessert, so naturally, he and Bradlee were buds!!! :)

This afternoon, I took Bradlee to the doctor's for his 3 year check-up/back-to-school physical. He's 31.7 pounds and 37 inches tall! What a big boy!! Dr. Banerjee froze a little wart on his hand and sent him home with approval to go to school in the fall! He's doing well! :) I'm so proud of my little big boy! :)

Busy busy!!

Who ever said summers were for relaxing was never a mother...

I don't remember if I mentioned this, but back in June, Emma auditioned for her first theatrical performance!! Flint Community Players is kicking off their season with "The King and I" and Emma auditioned to be one of the Children of Siam! :) Here she is, singing for the director...ALL. BY. HERSELF. :) She did awesome!!!

A week later we got a phone call that Emma made it in the show! She's been going to rehearsals 3-4 times a week since we got back from Disney and has really enjoyed it! She's learning her songs and her "choreography" and practices at home all the time...so much so, that Bradlee knows her parts, too!! Here she is in rehearsal:

One day, about two weeks ago, we told Emma to get her shoes and socks on (they have to wear shoes and socks to each rehearsal, no sandals!), these are the socks she put on...we just let it go! :)

So, unfortunately, this past week, both kids, guess what? Developed spots on their tummies...yep, you guessed it.... THE CHICKEN POX STRIKES AGAIN! This time, though, they are definitely chicken pox...and are now in the blistering and crusting phase. Stupid vaccine. I'm thinking, though, that since Bradlee hasn't had the booster for the chicken pox vaccine yet, that this will be it for him. Emma got the booster when she was 4 (I think), so I have no idea what her body's doing to her. Poor kids...they are all over the trunks of their bodies and the upper arms and upper legs...none on the face, head, hands or anywhere else, so it is definitely less than when I had them...but still...it sucks being quarantined when it's summer!! We had a nice family movie night tonight, though, so we're still trying to come up with a few fun things!!

Emma's big concern was the show. I told her that there is a chance the director won't let her be in the show, depending on how many rehearsal she misses. Her response was "But they already measured me for my costume!!!" *sigh* When we told the director about the chicken pox, he said we'll just take it as it comes and see what happens. "She's a smart one and learns quick, so I won't be too quick to count her out" (that's what he said!)!!! :) WHEW.

If you're interested in coming to a show, you can click on the link above for more information! The shows are in September...

In other news, I'm playing with the Saginaw Eddy Concert Band again this summer for the second half of their season. It's a pretty decent gig, rehearsing Tuesday and Thursday, then a concert Sunday night. I get a check each week I play, so that's nice, too! Plus I just get to play music! The kids and Tony love coming to the concerts...and this week we're playing "Selections from The King and I", so Emma's REALLY excited to come! We'll just have to make sure she sits far away from anyone else!!! :) Although I've been playing with this group for several years, this is the first year I've been considered a "regular" (instead of a "substitute") since I was at CMU! To solidify it, they gave me an *official* shirt to wear for concerts! :)