It's going to be a busy day today. I have 6 schools to visit for work and still have to spend some time at my office because I really need to enter some data into the computer and the program can't be accessed from home. Tonight we have a dinner to go to at 6:00 and then the kids have their party club from 8:00-9:30pm.

Tomorrow we've been invited to a PowWow, that will last most of the day, and then Dh is going out with a friend to a concert. My nephew is sleeping over and I'll be taking 6 kids swimming after dinner.

I NEED Sunday to hurry up and come. It'll be a day of rest...and grocery shopping...and cleaning bathrooms...

I'm tired just thinking about it!

My friend ended up treating me to lunch yesterday so I didn't spend any money there. We went out for Japanese and the meal was delicious!

I took ds13 for a haircut...the cut with tip was $15...and that was the only money I spent yesterday. So many of his friends have longish hair, but he truly looks better with it short, and I like that he prefers it that way. When the stylist asked him how he wanted it cut, he told her 'short'. She asked how short and he said 'very'. So she did. It looks good...he's a cute boy, if I do say so myself!

The girls and my youngest son and I went outside after dinner and jumped rope for about an hour. I chatted with a neighbour for awhile and then taught the girls how to skip on an individual rope at the same time as they were skipping in a long rope being turned by two other people. They got the hang of it quickly and then we practiced double dutch...we still need to do some work there. The little guy wanted us to play helicopter, so we did that until everyone was dizzy and then went inside for baths and bedtime.

I was up at 5:30am today...typical for me ...put on some laundry and will go get the coffee started in a minute.

There are dance classes this afternoon and Cadets. Girl Guides has been cancelled for this evening. We're having frozen pizza for dinner because by the time I get everyone home from dance it's 5:00 and we leave for Cadets at 5:45. I really hate Thursdays--way too busy!

I am working from home today. Well, as you can tell, I'm actually SUPPOSED to be working from home. I worked for an hour and am now taking a 15 minute break. There are far less distractions here than in the office, so, hopefully, I'll be able to get lots accomplished today!

Dh is working late today. I will be picking my nephew up after school with my own 3 kids, and after he goes home, I will be taking the boys for haircuts. The weather is beautiful (haven't had rain in 4 days) and the kids will all be playing outside for most of the afternoon.

We're having roast chicken and potatoes for dinner...easy, easy, easy...pop it all in the oven in one big pan and let the yummy smells fill the house. I'm going to go out for lunch with my best friend and so I'd better go finish some work before I leave for that...

My boss is away for the next three days and everyone is doing a happy dance! She's very chatty and freaks out about little things...she means well, and is extremely kind but she is soooo dramatic. One of my coworkers told me yesterday that at least now we'll have 3 days to just get our work done.

We're taking one of our volunteers out for lunch today because it was her birthday last week. She mainly volunteers with my program and I don't know what I would do without her. She is such a huge help and definately deserves a surprise treat lunch! It will be fun to go.

We had leftovers for dinner last night. I actually sat down and planned a week's menu on the weekend, went shopping, and mainly stuck to my list. Of course, I had Dh with me and he adds stuff into the cart that I don't think we need, but as long as he eats it and the food doesn't go to waste, I don't really care. I've been so busy lately that I've been just scrounging meals up at 5:00 and I really can't stand the disorganization anymore!

Spring Break is over so it's back to school for the kids and back to work for me. It's too bad...we had such a busy and fun break and now I'm really looking forward to summer. I'll have 9 weeks off from the time the kids get out to when they go back. I can't wait!

The bills are all paid for March and I can't imagine that I'll need to buy anything else this month...aside from a birthday gift for my brother...so we're well ahead going into April. That's always nice!

Our 3 month emergency fund is almost back up to where it should be. I had to take some out when Dh purchased his new to us vehicle in January...once I receive my tax return, we'll be over in that account. My new kitchen countertops may actually happen this year!

My 26 year old niece is pregnant...with twins...girls! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. They are due to arrive in July and she and her dh only live about 20 minutes away, so we'll be able to see them often.

I have an extra special great aunt, and I hope to be one to these two girls. My dd is 10, so there will be one for each of us to hold while babysitting!

I love spring break...the kids are home and I'm home. The one thing that I really appreciate about my new job is the flexibility. I'm contracted out to work 1000 hours between September and June. I can choose the hours and where I want to work (the office or from home). If my kids are sick, I stay home. Winter break, I stayed home. Spring break, I'm home...I don't know if I should chance giving this up!

Yesterday, my friend and I took my 3 kids along with two friends, and her 3 kids to Science World. It cost $51.00 for me and my kids to go for the day, so I renewed our 2 year membership ($205) and now we can go as much as we want for the next 2 years. We'll be ahead if we go more than another 3 times in the next two years. My kids love Science World and would go every week if I agreed. The only problem is that it's about an hour commute, so time can be a factor!

Oldest ds is at a sleepover, dd had a friend sleep over, and youngest ds is going to play at a friend's house this morning. I'm going to go grocery shopping and I told the girls I would take them to the mall today. My dd has a gift certificate from Christmas that she still hasn't used...she's 10 and fairly picky about what she spends her money on. Good habit to have.

I'm working a little bit from home this week, so I think I'll go do that for a bit before taking ds to his play date...

I haven't posted in a really long time...work has been absolutely nuts! My contract runs from September to June and then I'll be re-hired in September. I'm not sure if I will come back. The stress of this job is annoying me (although I tend to put most of the pressure on myself!), but the hours and flexibility may win me over. I'll wait and make a decision in the summer when I'm not in the office.

I went in for a visit at my old job last week. I am so glad that I left there. All the reasons that I quit came flooding back and, for the most part, it's quite a negative work environment, so I know that I made the right choice on that one.

Ds turned 7 last week and we had his party at home. We had a drive in theatre...the kids made cars out of boxes, drove them to the family room, 'bought' candy, popcorn and drinks at the concession stand and watched a movie. Then they had cake and the little guy opened his gifts. The kids were very well behaved, but I still prefer having parties outside of the home...easier on my energy although not on the budget.

Dh's job is not going full time, so we're still ticking along on two part time jobs. He bought a new-to-us car in January...a 1998 Saturn. It's in excellent condition and he looked for almost 3 months before settling on this one. Sharing a vehicle was just too difficult with our schedules and the three kids' schedules. We paid cash, and are now working on building our emergency fund back up to 3 months of expenses. I will end up with about $2400 in tax returns this year, so that should cover the remainder of what we need. After that, we'll start saving for the hot tub to be repaired, and I would LOVE new kitchen countertops...ours are a dusty rose colour...yep, think 1980!

Well, that should catch me up for now. It's good to be back and I've enjoyed reading up on what you've all been doing.
Cheers!