Going to Work

By the title of this post, I am sure you think that I am again going to bore you with how work has been going lately and why I haven't had time to post.... But the little story I share below will give you all the perspective you need, as to how my work days have been going this past week.

Tonight at dinner the monkey began by stating in her very grown-up voice (that I might add has taken over her 3 1/2 yr. old body these days):

Monkey: I am not going to work anymore!
Daddy: Well where have you been working lately? (She recently told her daycare teachers she works at the hospital .. just like daddy)
Monkey: I work at Caterpillbur
Mommy: Well, why don't you want to go work anymore?
Monkey: Because... Those people are just crazy at my work!!!
Daddy: I agree :)
Monkey: I know, I think I want to work at the new Caterpillbur and I am going to put the people outside and shut the door!

What perspective the Monkey has, don't you think... Mommy's sentiments our exactly the same these days!!! It amazes me what kids can pick up on. I think Mommy and Daddy may need to save some of our daily work discussions for after the monkey hits the hay:)

Anyways, the monkey and I truly enjoyed our time off together last week visiting family and friends. Again, I hope to post some recent pictures, but while away the monkey got to attend the Sleeping Beauty Ball with her Mimi and Umpa at the children's museum, go to bounce and play with mommy, and play at the park.. It was a great little getaway and even though I am so thankful I still have my job, I would be lying if I didn't say that I am looking forward to the next rolling layoff week in July, just a little!! The monkey is growing up so quickly and it is so much fun to spend this extra time with her...

It's the most wonderful time of the year......

Happy March Madness everyone! You can't beat the lovely sunshine, spring right around the corner and of course march madness basketball. If you know us, you know we (Ry and I) both took off this afternoon to watch our favorite teams. Unfortunately, we have already seen the bulldogs take a tough loss, but we've still got the Boilers to redeem our brackets. I will be off next week and am looking forward to more basketball, spending time with the Monkey and updating our blog with some recent pictures and birthday celebrations. For now, gotta get back to the games. Happy watching everyone :)

Layoffs

Well there hasn't been as many posts as I would have liked in the last month or so. As you notice the title, layoffs have been a constant theme in our household conversations. I'm sure you are all hearing about the numerous companies facing similar situations as mine. I have been quite busy at work with managing temporary and rolling layoffs since the holidays, as well as looking at creative ways to help our division manager continue to cut our HR budget:(

Enough about work, let's talk about the important things.... What's up with the Monkey? I know your wondering??? She is quite busy these days. She started swimming lessons a few weeks ago and is doing quite well after just two weeks. Luckily, daddy has been taking her on the weekends to practice and just have some fun in the water. The Monkey has also made her rounds to birthday parties and visiting with cousins. This weekend we hosted the "Mag" and Uncle "Keg". The girls enjoyed swimming and jumping in the inflatable bouncer with their favorite... balloons!! Needless to say, a good time was had by all. We hope to post some fun pictures soon, when I have time to load them. Our favorite line from the past week went a little something like this, while enjoying dinner:

Monkey: If I eat all my dinner, can I have a treat?
Daddy: We don't get treats every nite, just because we eat our dinner.
Monkey: "Are you kidding me?"
Mommy: Left the room trying not to laugh...
Daddy: With as serious of a face he could muster, "No, I am not kidding you"
Monkey: Ok, Daddy, Waddy, Crabby!

You just had to be there, were not sure what she will think of next. But, since then everything is "Are you kidding me?" Well gonna sign off for now, we hope to be back with pics and more updates soon!

The Monkey's Favorite Things

Random Questions asked to the Monkey and her Responses:

1. Favorite Color- Pink and Purple

2. Her Best Friend- E- Bear and Katy

3. Favorite Toy- Polly Pockets

4. Favorite Food- Pasta

5. Favorite Drink- Water and Apple Juice

6. Favorite TV Show- Barack Obama

7. Favorite Movie- Princess Diaries

8. Favorite thing to do with Mommy- Build a tower out of legos

9. Favorite thing to do with Daddy- Build a tower

10. Favorite Snack- Fruit Snacks

11. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go- Pizza Hut

12. Favorite Cereal- Cheerios

13. Who do you miss right now- Mimi and Umpa, Cece & Poe

14. Favorite Game- Candy Land

15. What do you want to be when you grow-up-TinkerBell

16. Favorite Nickname- BoBo

17. Favorite Sport- Skateboarding

18. Favorite Word- Gross A-Roo (From Punky Brewster)

19. What will you do this summer- play in the water with Cookie and play with Spiderman and Princesses. Cookie can have the boys and I can have the princesses.

20. Favorite thing Mommy says- Ummm Monkey Moo

21. Favoite thing Daddy says- Hey Punky Brewster

22. Favorite thing to do with MiMi and Umpa- play Polly Pockets with them

23. Favorite thing to do with CeCe and Poe- go to the store and get a new Polly Pocket

24. Favorite thing to do with Mag- Play with Kitchen and make food

25. Favorite thing to do with Cookie and Ms. Bee- Pretend were going to the store to get food, and letting Bee push the cart for us.

Sending Out Love

Well we had a wonderful Valentine's at the Hooker household!! Ry and I got to go out for dinner and a movie, while the Monkey got to spend time with her new favorite babysitter Megan on Friday evening. Yesterday, we made our first trip to "Build a Bear" and I must say they have some crazy outfits for those bears. Check out the shot above. We ended the evening with Ry cooking dinner for us and since he is such a good daddy he even painted the monkey's toes so she could sport her new monkey flip flops!! Just want to end the week by sending love out to all of our family and friends. So, Cookie and Berky Bee per your request, check out your special message below. Love you all.

Under the Weather

Well we know it's February at this house!! We have made it thru most of the winter without the typical flu or cold infecting Mommy or the Monkey. Only Dad had been our weeble one, with a few stomach bugs... But late last week leave it to me to bring a horrible head cold into our warm home. It started with the sniffles and has now morphed into the Monkey getting Strep Throat and as her Dr. called it Scarlet Fever. Not sure if it is truly the Scarlet Fever of the olden days, but she advised since she has a fever and rash, the strep is doing it's job on her system. She also told us we get to look forward to her skin peeling. Doesn't that sound like fun. Anyways, the Monkey and I have got to spend lots of quality time together watching Season 1 of Punky Brewster, coloring, and creating the best valentines cards yet... The bummer is the weather here has actually warmed up to the 50-60 range and we haven't gotten to enjoy it much. Hopefully, spring is right around the corner. The best part has been how much the monkey loves to cuddle when she is not feeling well and we get to spend time rocking like we used to, who wouldn't enjoy that :) I believe I hear her waking up.... back to mommy duties. I think Daddy is on call tomorrow!

One More Time

This is a little late in getting posted, but it's a quick follow-up to the post Steeler's Super Bowl victory. Hope you enjoy. Check out that helmet Daddy is sporting it was his official Steeler's helmet from when he was little. How cute:)