I have one more final to go and… SCHOOL’S….OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!!

I am so ready. This semester has been loooong and not an easy one. I don’t have all my grades yet, but I am fully expecting straight As. I was pleasantly surprised with an A I received from the professor from hell. I was 1.5 points shy of an A. I guess attendance counted for something because she gave me an A. I was one of just a couple in the class. Woo hoo! I’m not taking any summer courses this year because the ONE class available was that same professor and I don’t think I could survive taking another class with her so close to just ending one with her. Ugh. So in the Fall I will take 12 hours and in the Spring my last 3 hours– which is actually just an internship. I can see the light!!!!

I met my weightloss goal of 35 pounds. I actually hit 36 pounds last Thursday. I am proud of myself because I have worked hard. It’s kind of funny and sad at the same time, but I can put on the jeans I wore at my first “weigh in,” zip them, and then pull them down and off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. They are ginormous. I can’t believe I fit in them before– and had to do squats to get them loose enough so I didn’t look like white trash. lol

I turn 36 this Friday. That’s so weird. I remember when 30 depressed me and 40 seemed freakin’ old. Now I’m almost there…. lol I’m so happy with my family and life that 36 doesn’t seem like a big deal.

Be a summer bookworm!!!

Library Reading Program Allows Kids to DREAM BIG and Earn Circus Tickets!

As a parent, over the summer I try to keep my kids entertained and keep their brains from turning into summer mush. I think this program can help!! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and area libraries will be hosting some serious fun with Reading with Ringling Bros.! All branches of the Dallas Public Library System will be participating, along with many of the outlying suburban cities.

The reading program is easy and fun for kids to participate. The best part is that kids can earn a  Ringling Bros. circus ticket by simply doing their library reading!  Children from ages 2-12 simply need to enroll with the librarian, who will give kids everything to start their library reading.

For more, visit www.ReadingwithRingling.com.

Want to learn what it takes to soar on the flying trapeze or just what goes into those cream pies that the clowns throw?  Or maybe learn some fun facts about one of the more than 100 cities the mile-long circus train visits or how to teach your old dog a new trick?  It’s easy!  Just visit your local library and enjoy the magic of reading.

As a child I am sure all of us at one point or another thought about joining the circus. Now as a mom I feel like I live with the circus on a daily basis!!  Well now your kiddos can have a chance to “run away to the circus” for a week to LONE STAR CIRCUS SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP!!  LONE STAR CIRCUS SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP is a day-camp experience designed to introduce children at any level of physical development and skill the excitement of circus arts including aerial silks, aerial ring, trapeze, juggling, contortion, rolla bolla, trampoline, clowning and balancing.

For more information or reservations, please call 214/206-1449 or visit www.lonestarcircus.org.

For more information or reservations, please call 214/206-1449 or visit www.lonestarcircus.org.

WHERE: The Palaestra
4335 N. Beltwood Pkwy
Farmers Branch, TX 75244

WHEN: June 11-15, 2012
9:00 AM – Noon

COST: $45 per day or $205 per child for the entire week

MORE ABOUT LONE STAR CIRCUS:

Lone Star Circus is the performing arm of Lone Star Circus Arts Center, a Dallas-based non-profit organization, whose purpose is to promote circus arts through training, performance and community outreach.  Its Founder is Fanny Kerwich, an 8th generation circus artist of French descent, who started teaching circus arts several years ago at Dallas International School, and in her own studio, The Expressionists. Lone Star Circus Arts Center was incorporated in 2006. Its circus school, Lone Star Circus School, organizes recreational and professional training in circus arts for children and adults.  They also provide circus-themed entertainment for fundraisers and corporate and civic events.

So… here’s what’s been going on around here the last few months…

• In 2010 I did the HCG diet to lose weight and I did lose. I lost 21 pounds in 6 weeks. It wasn’t a horrible six weeks even though I could only eat 500 calories a day and couldn’t drink Diet DP. I felt good after I lost the weight and I looked good too… for about 3 months. Then I gained all 21 pounds back. I knew I wanted to lose the weight again, so I had a pre-diet party for about 6 months. You know, the time when you eat and eat because you’re going to start a diet “soon.” Yeah, 6 months later and 15 more pounds on my arse I knew I needed to do something. But I didn’t know how or where to start.

That’s when Sei forwarded me an email from the city he works for. The city was offering to pay for employees and their spouses to participate in Slimming World for 12 weeks.  Sei prefaced the email with “Don’t read too into this Babe…” But I knew that he knew I was unhappy. I just didn’t realize how the email would change my life!! I decided I’d give this “Slimming World” a try. I didn’t have anything to lose but about 35 pounds... haha So, Jan. 2 I went to my 1st meeting and weighed in. I learned more about the program and was stoked to see I could still eat pasta, potatoes, and other faves. Unlike other programs I don’t have to weigh or measure anything, or in very rare instances I may need to count how many pieces of something I am eating.

Welp, as of today I have lost 30 pounds in 14 weeks. I’m 5 pounds from my goal– and my goal was to lose 35 before Sei and I go to Hawaii in June. I am amazed. This was waaaay past my expectations! And because I wasn’t expecting much I didn’t take any “before” pics, so this one from Halloween will have to do….

And what I am most excited about is that I really have changed my eating habits. This isn’t a quick fix. I eat so much better now and I don’t crave the old crap I used to crave. I also haven’t been deprived. Sei and I go out to dinner every week– and I have chips and salsa. I’ve eaten cookies, not on a daily basis, but I’ve eaten them. I’ve had candy, birthday cake, fajitas… I’ve just learned to eat in moderation! Who knew, right? I’ve also been exercising a lot more. I actually do “Just Dance 3″ on the Wii for about an hour a day. It’s so fun and doesn’t seem like exercise. But believe me, I work hard and get a good workout.

• Tristan turned 17. SEVENTEEN!!! How the heck do I have a 17 year old?!?!?!!? This weekend he is taking a lifeguard certification course because he’s hoping to work as a lifeguard this summer. He’s a good kid and believe it or not, he hasn’t given me any trouble. And he LIKES me!!!
  

  SEVENTEEN!!!!

• Isabel turned 13. I now have THREE teenagers in my home. Crazy. She just finished track season where she ran the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles and the 800m relay. She’s freakin’ fast. She chose to have a slumber party tomorrow night with like 4 million of her closest friends. Help.
  

  Izzy and Seiuli after the last game of her bball season

• I have 4 weeks left of this semester and I am SO.READY. This has been a loooooong semester with a lot of papers to write and group projects to do. I loathe group projects. I decided to skip taking a summer class, so in the Fall I will take 12 hours again and in the Spring I will only be doing my practicum (internship.) Then I GRADUATE!!!! And then a month later my oldest child will graduate from high school… lol
• Sei quit his 2nd job. After working 7 days a week for a year and a half, he was pretty burnt out. But that job was such a blessing and helped put us in a much better place financially. I am thankful he was willing to work that much for so long. He’s awesome.
  
• To be continued…

Last night the family went to Disney on Ice. We love Disney on Ice and were excited to go last night!! Dare to Dream featured Princess Tiana from ‘Princess and the Frog,’ Cinderella and Rapunzel from ‘Tangled.’ The show didn’t disappoint at all!! The skating was amazing, the music was great and the entire atmosphere was so fun!! Livie was in heaven and loved watching Rapunzel fly through the air, but her favorite part was when surprise guests came at the end… (SPOILER: Other Disney princesses!!!) I took pictures, but they didn’t turn out all that great. That’s what happens when you forget your camera and try to take pics with an iPod Touch. You’ll have to excuse the lame photos…

 

It’s not too late to get tickets to the show. Here’s the info again… I promise you’ll love it!

WHERE

American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219

SHOW TIMES

Wednesday, March 28               7:30pm
Thursday, March 29                   10:30am, 7:30pm
Friday, March 30                       7:30pm
Saturday, March 31                   11:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm (SPANISH Performance)
Sunday, April 1                         1:30pm and 5:30pm

Ticket Information

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $75 (Rinkside), $45 (VIP), $30 and $15.  All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.  Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster Retail Locations or at the arena’s box office. There is a family discount available to the general public — $4 off ticket price for any performance by entering the code MOM4 at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/98723/1599972.

To discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit them on Facebook and YouTube.

My family is so excited because Disney on Ice is coming to the American Airlines Center in Dallas in just a couple weeks!!!! We have enjoyed shows in the past and can’t wait to relive memorable moments from Tangled, The Princess and the Frog and Cinderella as a cast of world-class skaters brings the romance, humor and adventure of the films to life in this contemporary skating spectacular. I am so so stoked to see Flynn Rider, Maximus, Prince Naveen and Prince Charming!!

WHERE

American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219

SHOW TIMES

Wednesday, March 28               7:30pm
Thursday, March 29                   10:30am, 7:30pm
Friday, March 30                       7:30pm
Saturday, March 31                   11:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm (SPANISH Performance)
Sunday, April 1                         1:30pm and 5:30pm

Ticket Information

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $75 (Rinkside), $45 (VIP), $30 and $15.  All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.  Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster Retail Locations or at the arena’s box office. There is a family discount available to the general public — $4 off ticket price for any performance by entering the code MOM4 at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/98723/1599972.

To discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit them on Facebook and YouTube.

Thanks to Feld Entertainment I have the opportunity to host another great giveaway. I am so excited that one of my reader’s will win 4 tickets to the Wednesday, March 28, 7:30PM show.

It’s super easy to enter, but 1st-

• PLEASE make sure you can attend that time and date: Wednesday, March 28, 7:30PM
• There are FOUR tickets available. I cannot get you more, so please don’t enter hoping to get a few more.
• The winner’s tickets will be held for you at the WILL CALL window to be picked up with ID.

Ok, here’s how to enter!!! Don’t forget- I’m giving you several ways to score more entries. Take advantage of that!!! It isn’t hard to share the link to my giveaway on your blog for a few days in a row.

Here’s how to enter:

Main entry, post an answer to this question:

• Out of Tangled, Princess & the Frog, and Cinderella, which is your fave? I love, love, love Tangled, but I’m old-school too and really have always loved Cinderella… Disney just pretty much rocks!!

Extra entries are as follows- post a comment for each one:

Subscribe to my blog. Let me know if you’re already subscribed. It’s in the top right hand corner.

Fan SWAMPBRAT on Facebook. If you’re already a fan that counts also… Just let me know.

Fan Disney on Ice on Facebook.

Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook or tweet it… Leave me a URL link of where you post it. You can do this daily. It’s easy to share the link on Facebook and Twitter. You can copy and paste this if you’d like:  There’s a great giveaway for Disney on Ice tickets!! Check it out: http://swampbrat.net/2012/03/18/disney-on-ice-presents-dare-to-dream-giveaway/

This giveaway will end March 24 at midnight. Good luck!!!

 

 

It’s MONSTER TRUCK TIME!!!

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam (monster truck competition) will be at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, February 25, 7PM.
Featuring: USHRA Monster Trucks including Grave Digger® driven by Dennis Anderson, Maximum Destruction® driven by Tom Meents, Monster Mutt® Dalmatian driven by Candice Jolly, El Toro Loco® driven by Marc McDonald, Mohawk Warrior driven by George Balhan, Advance Auto Parts Grinder driven by Frank Krmel, Superman driven by Sean Duhon, Iron Man driven by Lee O’Donnell, Son-uva Digger driven by Ryan Anderson, Avenger driven by Jim Koehler, Wrecking Crew driven by Steve Koehler, Bounty Hunter driven by Daron Migues, Iron Outlaw driven by Ben Winslow, King Krunch driven by David Smith, El Matador driven by Daron Basl, Black Stallion driven by Mike Vaters, Iron Warrior driven by Trey Meyers, and Monster Energy driven by Damon Bradshaw!  (Subject to change without notice.)

• Ticket prices are $45, $40, $35, $30 with a limited number of Total Access Passes available for $140.
• All kids’ seats are half price.
• Tickets may be purchased atwww.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800/745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster Retail Locations or by purchasing them at the stadium’s box office.
• All seats are reserved.
• Visit www.monsterjam.com/Events/2012/02/25/Arlington,_TX/ for coupon, locations, and Pit Party pass info.

The MetroPCS Party in the Pits is on Saturday, February 25 from 2:30PM to 5:30PM. The pit party gives all fans a chance to meet the stars of Monster Jam up-close while taking pictures and getting autographs. Pit Passes available at participating MetroPCS locations from 2/3/12 through 2/24/12 while supplies last.

Now the giveaway!!!!

I have the opportunity to host a giveaway!!! One Swampbrat reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam at Cowboys Stadium!! This is for Saturday, February 25, 7PM. Winner will need to pick up tickets at Will Call with a valid photo id.  Please only enter if you can attend. I will email the winner and I need to hear back from you within 24 hours. If not, I will need to pick a new winner. Sorry!!

Ok, now that we have all that out of the way… Here’s how you enter:

Main Entry:

• Leave me a comment telling me who you would take to see this awesome event!!!

Extra entries are as follows- post a comment for each one you complete:

This giveaway ends at 11:59 pm CST on February 19. That’s coming up really quick!! And again- PLEASE make sure you can attend the Sat., Feb. 25.  show BEFORE entering. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!!

Congrats to comment #1! You’re the winner! I will be emailing you with info.

Our family is super excited to attend the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship race, on Saturday, February 18 at Cowboy Stadium! We can meet the riders and get autographs at the Pit Party Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 12:30PM – 6:00PM.  And so can you!!!

Tickets are available at the Cowboys Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster retail locations including Macy’s and Fiesta stores, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available at participating Yamaha dealers.

• Club Level tickets are available for $55
• Price Level 2 (near Goal Line) $50
• Price Level 3 (End Zone Area) $45
• Price Level 4 (Upper-Level) $40.

All kids tickets are 50% off for ages 2 to 12. (Limit of four (4) Kids’ tickets per one (1) Adult ticket purchased.)

And if you’d like to attend the Pit Party, just bring any empty Monster Energy can to the Pit Entrance for your free admission to the Pit Party with a valid Saturday, February 18, 2012 event ticket. Check out: http://www.supercrossonline.com/Events/2012/02/18/Arlington,_TX/ for all the info you’ll need!!

And get this… I have the opportunity to host a giveaway!!! One Swampbrat reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to the Monster Energy Supercross at Cowboys Stadium!! This is for Saturday, February 18, 7PM. Winner will need to pick up tickets at Will Call with a valid photo id.  Please only enter if you can attend. I will email the winner and I need to hear back from you within 24 hours. If not, I will need to pick a new winner. Sorry!!

Ok, now that we have all that out of the way… Here’s how you enter:

Main Entry:

• Leave me a comment telling me who you would take to see this awesome event!!!

Extra entries are as follows- post a comment for each one you complete:

This giveaway ends February 11. That’s coming up really quick!! And again- PLEASE make sure you can attend the Sat., Feb. 18.  show BEFORE entering. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!!

The tragedy in Ogden, Utah, where 6 police officers were shot, killing one, has weighed heavy on my heart. Maybe it’s because we lived in Utah for 7 years. Maybe because there were SIX men shot at once. I don’t know. But something changed in my head and heart. I worry more about Seiuli. I’ve always worried and stressed, but it’s different now. And it’s not just me. I feel like I have taken a little bit of innocence away from my almost-6 year old…
This is a video tribute someone made for Officer Jared Francom.

I was watching it with the older kids. It’s a beautiful tribute. But when Livie came in and asked why there were so many police cars in the “movie” I told her, “Because a policeman died and they are there to honor him.” Then she asked, “Why’d he die?” I have a horrible habit of being VERY honest with my kiddos. I looked at her and said, “A bad man shot him.” I didn’t think much about it until I found these pictures she drew and folded up in her little purse:

 

Bless her little heart. She also cried. She also begged Seiuli not to go to work and has told me repeatedly, “I don’t want Daddy to work anymore.” I don’t know how to comfort her really because I don’t know how to comfort myself. I have bad nights when I am crying in bed just praying that Seiuli comes home. The other night I talked with another police wife who’s husband works on my husband’s shift. She lives near where our husband’s work and could hear the sirens and helicopters flying over her house. They were hunting an armed robber. Holy stress. Then I receive a call from Seiuli- HE caught the robber, at gunpoint, after running down a dark alley and jumping a fence. Yay for catching robbers. Boo for making my heart stop as he told me the story. But I digress.

I feel like a loser mom for being so honest with Liv. I should have given a more thoughtful answer. Instead my big mouth spoke before I let myself think it through and now she’s scared and worried about her daddy… I’m old enough to work to my emotions and handle the stress. I feel horrible that she is feeling even a tiny glimpse of what I feel every time Seiuli straps on his duty belt… and even worse because it’s my fault.

I can’t really call myself a “tree hugger” per se, but I do what I can to help by recycling. The city gives us a big recycle can to fill each week and fill we do (and over fill!!) To me it’s not hard to throw the paper we aren’t using, the plastic containers we are done with and the cans we have opened, into a separate container. My 2 youngest have recycling contests at their school. In fact, right now they are competing to see which classroom can bring the most newspapers and magazines. A couple months ago they were collecting plastic bottles. I think this is a great way to encourage recycling because I am sure I’m not the only person who DOES NOT like lose!! haha

One thing I do encourage my children to recycle probably embarrasses them right now. I have children in middle school and high school that participate in sports. Have you ever looked at the bleachers after a sporting event? They are a mess with trash. After every game I roam through the bleachers and pick up the Gatorade and water bottles left behind. I place them in the recycle bins right next to the exit doors. (Why the people who left the bottles in the bleachers couldn’t just toss them in the bins is beyond me!?)

Another way I recycle is hand-me-downs. Most people may not think of this as “recycling,” but it is. My sister and I rotate clothes between our children. Often I get a box of shirts from her for my 8 year old and I can remember my 16 year old wearing it years ago.  My older daughter is 7 years old than my youngest so often when she outgrows clothes I either pass them to someone I know, or- this if my favorite thing to do- my husband will take them to work with him. He’s a police officer and often will go into homes where there is 4 or 5 children, sleeping on the floor of a one bedroom home. They have nothing. When that happens he will return with a box of clothes, toys, whatever, from our home and ask if they know anyone who may need them. Every time the family has been so grateful!! It makes us feel good that the clothes went to someone who needed them. The last family he took 4 bags of clothes to said they also had family in Mexico they can send what they don’t use to. Recycling at it’s best!!

You can recycle cell phones, ink cartridges, eye glasses and so much more.  Using eco-friendly products, such as printer ink available at CastleInk.com is another way to help our world. What ways do you reduce, reuse, recycle?