Team Ausman

~Ive been avoiding posting about it, because it's kind of embarrassing, but the fundraiser didn't go as well as planned. A few wonderful people showed up and bought stuff which was awesome! There were some really legit reasons why a few people couldn't be there, but other's just flaked on me. It kind of makes me sad that I try to support other people's events (and have been to their party's where they get free stuff), but didn't get a better crowd when I really wanted to help this family. A big THANK YOU to Erin and Missy for helping me out and even though it didn't go as well as planned. What we were able to raise was better than if we had sat back and did nothing at all! (thanks for letting me get that off my chest :O)

~A few friends that did come over Monday night brought their kids. Which is great, my girls love having other kids over. The girls had SO much fun. Mackenzie was Brooklynn's babysitter, she fed her, gave her a bottle and even held her while she slept. Thanks for the help Kenz! Elijah wanted to have Al spend the night at his house, and Ellie couldn't stop talking about Madi. Max and Ellie still have their differences, but it's a love-hate relationship. Anyway, that night Ellie was up E-V-E-R-Y hour crying. She said her ears hurt and her head, so in the morning I took her to see Handsome Hodapp. Her ears were fine, but...she had pink eye. I felt so bad that she had been around all those kids the night before. I called Katie to tell her, she texted back that it was no big deal. Then I called Jamie to tell her, left a voicemail that I wouldn't be bringing the kids over on Wed. (she was going to watch them while I went to a Drs appt). She called back and her exact words were "I'm not afraid of a little pink eye!" How cool is that?! I already had canceled, but they both made me feel better about exposing their kids. I was feeling a bit guilty even though I had no idea :O)

~Hodapp said that it was highly contagious, so Ellie has been getting drops 4 times a day and the other two once. You would think I was trying to put needles in their eyes by the way they react. It's insane how bad they fight it. I wish their Dad was here to help at these times.

~We received a package from Grandma Karen today. Mail, especially boxes with bubble wrap, are always a big hit with the girls. I can't say what was in them because it is a favor for the girls' at Al's party this weekend (if the Moms approve ;o)

~ I finished my advent calender. It turned out really cute, but a lot more work than it looked. (I'll have to take a picture later...it's too dark and it's not turning out) Next projects are some homemade ornaments and I was thinking of trying to sew some stockings. I REALLY want matching stockings for all 5 of us but at $15-$20 each, I cant afford it. If I wait till after Christmas sales, I'll never find 5 matching that I like. So maybe I'll hit up the fabric store soon. Its just so hard to sew with three little ones crowding me.

~Brian hasn't had to go to Reno since before his first surgery in February, which also happens to be before Brooklynn was born. This week he had to head back. I forgot how hard it is to do this alone. Especially with three and with sickies. It was only a couple of days, but I'm glad he will be home today :o)

~We are going to SoCal for Christmas! I am so excited, as are my parents. We were going to stay home because its nice to be home and have our own traditions and not be traveling. But, I felt that we really needed to spend Christmas with family this year. And lucky for me, Brian agreed. My parents need us and the kids around, and we are long overdue to see them. My wonderful husband is going to drive out with me on the 18th for his family party, fly home on Sunday, and then fly back on Christmas Eve, while we stay for the week. Now we just have to decide what to do with our presents...do we lug them out there, just to bring them back. Or wait till we get home to open them, or open them early???? decisions decisions.

~I am going to wrap presents for Make A Wish foundation a week from Sat. If anyone wants to help, let me know and I'll pass along the details. I'm hoping it will get me in the mood to wrap my own gifts!

~My training has hit a wall this week. With Ellie having pink eye, I cant take her to the childcare at the gym, so I can't run. The contagious period is only 24-48 hrs, so she should be fine to go to school later today and I will hit the gym. I'll run 3.5 today, 3.5 tomorrow and 5 on Saturday.

~Saturday is Brian's company Christmas party. So Jamie and I will be sittin back watching everyone make a fool of themselves. (like every year!) I bought a new outfit, the girls helped me accessorize it on Monday night, Brian's parents are coming to babysit, and we have a room at the Palms for the night...should be a great and much needed night out with the boy. (If, he isn't one of the ones Jamie and I are sitting back watching...which now that I think about it, is likely)