ALEX'S BIG SURPRISE

Today when Alex got home she was surprised with a new home for her Barbies!! She was jumping up and down she was so excited. I am so happy for her and hopes there are several years of Barbie playing before the new townhouse becomes her bookcase.

Just leaving Robbie & Jacki's wedding reception...the girls are thoroughly wasted from a good time & a whole lot of candy. Here's hoping they sleep in tomorrow!

MOMMY/DAUGHTER & DADDY/DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT

Tonight we each spent some one-on-one time with the girls.

Derek and Alex spent the evening out and Lauren and I spent the evening in.

I can't believe how different they are when they are not competing for attention. Lauren helped me cook dinner, we celebrated another successful day of pottying with popsicles, then cuddled while we sang songs and played a little with her babies. She really wanted to go shopping, because that's what she likes to do...however, it was getting late, so after bath, we decided to shoe shop online. She had a blast. She was in love with every pair she saw and had a new adjective for each one...I think she is addicted at 2!

She's changing so much, I can see some crazy traits coming out in her. But we had a good time together alone and she wasn't ready to stop cuddling with me. It was a nice evening.

SILLY SILLY LAUREN

I am going through my photos getting ready for a crop and I came across this one I took a couple of Saturdays ago.


I am on the Reward & Recognition Committee at work, and one of my responsibilities is to order our monthly award. As a result, I get to keep the mega bubble wrap that the award is packed in. The girls LOVE jumping on the big bubbles. It drives Derek crazy because it sounds like a major shooting going on in our house...but I'll take giggles and glee over whining and fighting any day.

Anyway...after we finished popping every last bubble, Lauren climbed into the box and I pushed her around (something she also likes to do with the laundry basket). Her smile made me smile and of course I had to capture it!

BLOOD DRIVE

I gave blood again today. I am always excited to go and do something that could save lives. I had my 2nd fastest time for emptying a pint: 4 minutes 38 seconds.

The theme for today's blood drive was 'And The Beat Goes On.' I got a cool shirt with the Music & Life design, which is about as cool as my 'I Rock' shirt.

The Red Cross trademark is "The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give Blood."

I hope you will consider joining me in donating your blood as well.

*****************************************************************************

Here are some interesting facts about donating blood:

One donation can help save the lives of up to 3 people

The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood

More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day

One out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood

Total blood transfusions in a given year: 14 million (2001)

The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints

The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O

The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs

Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives

More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.

TEST

This is a test... I think I figured out how to blog from my phone! Cool huh?

WE ARE IN!

Today we received our letter from the district that Alex got into Maize Central. I am so relieved. I can't wait for her first day of kindergarten to arrive now. I know it will be here sooner than I think.