Popcorn

We recently celebrated the 100th day of school. For a math lesson I had my mom come in and make old fashioned popcorn like they used to make in the 80s. My class says that all the time and it makes me feel so old. I nicely remind them that a long time ago was like in the 50s or 60s NOT the 80s.

Anyway, mom brought the same pan that she popped it in for me as a kid. Yes it is still in one piece and no it is not an antique.

We counted kernels and then the popped corn and then we ate it of course. It was so delicious!! It is one of those foods that bring back memories. Like the drive- in movies or being able to see the state school fireworks from our front yard. Now the trees are to high and we have to get closer to see. Even better, watching Dukes of Hazard and Dallas on Friday nights after we had been treated to frozen pizza.

Popcorn made on the stove is something that kids these days have not been exposed to. We were reading a Little House on the Prairie Book and they talked about what a treat it was when Ma made them popcorn on the stove. One of my kids said, "Well how do you do that?" So I decided it was time they knew how it was done way back in the 80s. It turned out to be quiet the lesson and now the lost art of making popcorn on the stove is out of the vault.

Is a week to long to celebrate your birthday!

I celebrated yet another

birthday on Tuesday. Like

Christy Heying I like my birthday

still. I like to look at it as my birthday week

instead of just 1 day.

Well this year mine started Thursday. My

long lost sister Carri surprised me with a visit.

She has recently moved to DeSoto, Mo and I

only get to see her like once a month now. So

she was like the celebrity that kicked off the

"Opening Ceremonies" to my birthday week.

The next special birthday event happened Saturday morning. Two of my bestest teacher friends in the world from Sedalia called me and wanted to take me to lunch at my favorite place in Sedalia, Patricia's. I love the Chicken Chimmichonga.It is so yummy and not to mention the spectacular way they arrange it on the plate. ( Amy, Mindy and Shawna know what I'm talking about). Anyway , It was so great to see Amy and Mindy and catch up and talk about old times. Amy and I always compete to see who has better drama in their life. I think I won this time!

Plus they paid for lunch and I got fried ice cream because it was my birthday week.

Okay so now I am full and enjoying the sunny drive back to Marshall. "What a great week to have a birthday", I thought. I get home and everyone is relaxing, napping or playing the Wii.

The evening was approaching and that meant dinner. Jeremy wanted to go to Brunswick to Sherri's for seafood but you know guess what? I don't like see food and it is MY birthday week so we decided on Applebee's. I wanted to go there mostly because I might get another free dessert. I love dessert!! sing to me all you want just hand over the chocolate when you are finished. Well, I guess the waiter thought Jeremy was kidding when he told him it was my Birthday because they all came out singing with this delicious martini glass filled with ice cream and sprinkles and chocolate syrup and they passed right by our table. Can you believe it?Me neither! Actually I was pretty full from lunch still so I just let it go.

Well, the night was young (just like me) and we were headed to Sister Cherri's to play cards or games, I thought. When we got there I was shocked to see some of my closest friends (including my BFF, Crystal) and family gather to surprise me. At first I thought wait a minute I'm NOT 40, am I? No of course not. I am still 29 (right?!?!?!?!?) Seriously, I was thrilled that everyone was there just for me. Do you know what the best part was?.......well I'll tell you. My 14 year old daughter planned the whole thing. I tell you she is an amazing young lady!!! She did it all. If you don't already have a Macy in your life you really should get one. Mine is NOT FOR SALE!

We had a great time playing Apples to Apples, Catch Phrase and the guys even played a little poker. The food was delicious and the party was awesome. Thanks Macy, LUVS!

So the big day was right around the corner and I truly could not have asked for anything more. But there was...........more. I started the day off with a fresh from the oven, warm, made-with-love-by-Patsy cinnamon roll. (Yes I know your mouth is watering) It was almost better than S#X. Then Jeremy came and ate lunch with me at school. The kids at school sang happy birthday at least 10 times to me. It was like being the Queen for a day!

Okay, are you wondering about the cupcake at the beginning of this ever so long blog?????

Well, my sister Cherri delivered this cute little box to me after school and it had 6 of these little darlings in it. Pinch me! Am I dreaming? I have died and gone to chocolate heaven. I am sure you will take my word for it that they were delicious, delicious, delicious!!! She picked them up in Sedalia from non other than "The Cake Lady". She has her own bakery now. I am not sure what it is called or where it is and that is probably for the best. By the way, if you don't have a Sister Cherri in your life you need one of those too. Her heart is so kind and she is just an amazing person. If you don't know her you need to meet her because your life will be better with her in it. Mine is!!!

Well as the evening approached we went and had a couple of drinks with my little brother at his favorite hang out. He fills another place in my heart that no one else ever could. I'll Blog about him another time. After drinks Jeremy made supper (Fried Tenderloins and french fries).

The we got the kids all to bed and watched Fireproof. If you haven't seen it, see it. It hit very close to home and reminded us how lucky we are to have each other.

All I can say now is that it will be pretty hard to top this Birthday Week.

Thank you to everyone who called, came by, sent a card or email or message, thought of me on that day, cooked for me, or planned anything. I am very lucky to have all of you in my life!

CHARACTER ANXIETY

This is Regan. She is the middle child.

Ever since she was a toddler she was

terrified of people in costumes. You know

Santa, Easter Bunny, Smokey the Bear,

Bugs Bunny, Even the tooth fairy. She

would not put the tooth under her pillow.

She put it in a baggie on the kitchen table.

She did not want the tooth fairy anywhere

near her room. Well, last week KC Wolf visited our school. She thought he was the funniest thing. She 1st volunteered to hold a sign that represented the food guide pyramid. When they were finished with that she took a huge bow for the audience. Then when it was time for questions she asked if she could try his costume on....... what is this child with character anxiety thinking???? Either she was going to have a huge panic attack once she started to put it on or she was cured of her disorder. As it turns out she had a blast wearing the much over sized costume and the crowd thought she was hilarious. The shoes were so big she had to be laid down to put them on. Size 22 I believe. So the KC Chiefs might not have had a winning season but KC Wolf did an excellent job in winning Regan over.

She's ALIVE!!!!

Hello! My name is Kendi Deal and I have not blogged for 6 months and 15 days.
I am ashamed and have on excuses. I thought I would be a better blogger but
obviously not.
SOOOOOOOOOOO..... here I go! Starting over and attempting to be a better blogger
in 2009!
Let's Catch up......
I am a Mom of 3, wife of 1, 2nd/3rd teacher of 8, b-team cheerleader sponsor, student council sponsor and I
do Parents as Teachers part time. That might shed some light on why I haven't blogged for so long.
The Deals' had a fairly quiet 2008. We went to The Great Wolf Lodge in Feb. The kids always enjoy swimming in the winter. We spent most of our summer at the pool and relaxing once summer school was over. Last fall was pretty busy for me because I had to go to training for PAT a couple of different times. One training was in St. Louis for a week and the other one was in Springfield for 2 days. I thought it was great but my kids and Jeremy didn't feel the same way. Life isn't the same when Dad is in charge.
The holidays were here before we knew it and we had a great Christmas. The kids got a Wii from Santa and that was a big hit. Jeremy and I spent New Years in St. Louis at a bed and breakfast. It was our 3rd Anniversary and our 1st time staying at a Bed and Breakfast. It was different. I don't know that we would do it again. We weren't used to not having a T.V. , radio, clock, shower and a bathtub at the foot of the bed. It was definitely an Anniversary that we will remember.
It is hard to believe that January is almost over. The years seem to go by much faster as I get older.
Well, Happy 2009 and I'll be talking to you sooner than you think.

Everyday is a gift!
There was a terrible accident in my neighborhood
yesterday afternoon. Three teenagers were driving what
appears to be over the speed limit and lost control and hit a tree.
Two of the teens died. One was 15 and the other was 18.
You know what they say about things happening alittle to close to home.
Well this was literaly to close to home for me because it was 3 houses down
from me. I pulled into my driveway to find my street closed and emergancy
vehicles lined up at the scene. A lady across the street was the first at the scene
and was pretty shaken.
My heart goes out to all the families. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through
right now and for the rest of their lives.

If you are a reading my blog please take some time and say a prayer for these families as they go through this tragidy that none of us ever want to have to go through.
Also, let this remind us that everyday is a gift and we should not take the moments we have with our children forgranted. Tell them that you love them everyday and thank God for blessing you with a family.

Logan and Nathanial sliding and Connor is running
back to go again.

Quick take the picture so we can go play!

Logan slippin. Regan and Connor laughin

Oh what fun it is to slide under Nathanial's legs!

Summer has officially started at the Deal house

As of 3:00 Friday afternoon I am officially on summer break.
It is time for me to sleep in and the kids try to wake me up.
Our plans are to swim, swim ,swim!!!
I have made a list of 10 things I would like to accomplish around
the house this summer. If I write things down I do a better job of sticking
to them.
Macy and Regan both have June Birthdays so we rapped them up with a family dinner
tonight. It was delicious thanks to Billy the BBQ master. He grilled chicken that was awesome.
And he made homeade ice cream. It was sooooo good.
Regan got a slip-n-slide and the kids had an absolute blast playing on it. Even my nephew that is a senior busted out his trunks and took his turn slipping and sliding. It is amazing what a big piece of plastic and some water can do to entertain kids.
I will try to add some pictures tomorrow.

Well that's all I got for tonight.

Mornings

Since I have had the privilege of teaching summer school we
are still getting up early. Everyone has adjusted to it except for
little Miss. Regan. She still fights it every morning. Logan is up
ready to eat or fart on someone, Macy is quiet but up but oh not Regan.
I have to set her clothes out, turn the light on, turn the light off because it
is to bright, listen to her complain about the clothes I picked out, hear
her scold me because the capris she wants are not clean, find the right comb to fix her hair...
It goes on and on!! It ends up me yelling at here because her ride is waiting for her. She leaves
screaming and crying and I need a drink and it isn't even 7:30.
She goes gets in the car with Crystal and all is great. She is calm, happy and ready for
a great day. Seriously, if all the drama is for my benefit, I can do without it!!!
So one day last week we were really having it out. It was time to go and she was not ready.
First she couldn't find her shoes. Then she found them and didn't want to wear them. Next she needed her bag. Then her markers and crayons. This went on and on. I was doing the whole yelling her full name thing "REGAN ELIZABETH DEAL" come on now!!!!!
Well I guess Logan had all he could take so he started mocking me but he didn't quit get the whole name thing out just right. He said, " Regan Elizabitch" ! I just about lost it.
He was so serious and had no idea what he had said.
Only 3 more mornings left then we will be sleeping in and it will be me that the kids are yelling at to get up. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

The Deal Families' June Newsletter

Here's the truth. I check everyone elses blog almost daily to see

what is going on in their life and I get disappointed when I find out that they haven't blogged in like a month or so. I never check my own. Why would I ? I know what is going on in my life.

I figure I blog once a month and that is plenty for me. My life isn't that interesting. Then I think is that what all those other bloggers that I check daily think? I live for the laughs and pictures that all the others have to share. Is there anyone out there that is as lame as me and follows this same daily blog checking routine only to not post my own?

Here is The Deal Family newsletter for June.



June 2 Summer school begins.

I am teaching pre-K kiddos. Regan is doing an arts and crafts class and a books are fun class .

Macy is working with 3rd graders doing her A+ hours. Logan is spending his day with his older cousins just hanging out.

In the evenings we are at the ball field watching either Jeremy play slow pitch softball or Macy

play optimist softball.

On the weekends we swim every chance we get.

Oh yeah, My sister Cherri and I started walking every night ( okay almost every).

June 15 is Macy's 14th Birthday. She is having a sleepover at her Dad's ( Praise the Lord!!!)

Last year she had 12 girls spend the night. They ate everything, sang loud and off key, took showers after they had a huge mud and sand fight, stayed up all night.... need I say more?

I am thinking we will have a small family dinner on this end and a costco cake of course.

June 15 is also Father's Day. Isn't that the day the kids get to spend the whole day with their Dad's doing Dad things? I thought so!!

Regan's Birthday is June 27. She will be 6. She wants a sleepover again. We had one last year and they partied like rock stars till about 3:00am. I finally had to make them put in a movie and go to bed. I think we will take some girls to Libby Lou instead this year. She doesn't know this yet. Maybe it can be a Surprise! Like SURPRISE you are not having a sleep over. YOU have to understand that this child is a social butterfly and she makes the plans and I usually just taxi her around.

The last day of summer school is also June 27. Then we will really be pool rats.

Well that's all I got for June. If things get more interesting I'll be sure to BLOG IT. Yeah right.You can hold your breath if you want to but I wouldn't.

Take Time to Make Time

Hello! It's me again. I hope no one has hotlined me for blog abuse.
I could say I've been busy but the truth is I've been lazy.
DISFUNCTIONAL or NOT?
My oldest daughter Macy is getting ready to graduate from middle school.
She has told everyone she has come in contact with that she wants a surprise
party and gifts. Lots of gifts. I decided that she was right she did deserve to
celebrate the end of her middle school years and the beginning of a new era.
So we planned the party a week before graduation. She would be spending the
weekend at her Dad's and he could bring her in and she would never suspect
a thing. Her Dad and I have been divorced since she was about 4 so part of the
surprise was that both sides of her family had gathered together at one place in
her honor. We have not been together like that since her third birthday.
It turned out to be an amazing day as disfunctional as it might sound. We all
ate, played volleyball,shared memories, ate some more and enjoyed the beautiful day!
Macy is a very special young lady and her family is very important to her so this day was
one that I am sure she will remember the rest of her life.
When parents get divorced it is important to remember that when the dust settles the kids
are still standing there loving both parents the same. It is up to the parents to work through
their own problems and make a life for the children that shows them that you still respect
each other as adults and can work together to raise them even though you are not living
in the same house. The step parents also have to be understanding and compassionate
when it comes to the children.Their attitude is just as important as the actual parents.
I do realize that every situation is different but the kids are still just kids.
They didn't ask to be part of a divorce or any other drama that parents have in their live.
I am thankful that Macy knows that she can always count on her Mom and her Dad no
matter where we live or what is going on in our lives.

April Fool's Day
April Fool's Day is always a fun
day for those of us that like to have
a laugh at others expence.
My oldest daughter, Macy pulled one
over on her Aunt Cherri and let me tell
you she was pretty proud of herself!
She called Cherri afterschool and told
her she had twisted her ankle in gym
class and when she did she heard it pop.
Of course, Cherri being the caring person
came right over to assess the situation.
When she got there Macy was jumping up and down
cracking up and said, "April Fools!!!"
Cherri was about to beat her!!!
I wonder where Macy gets her sence of humor???
Earlier that day I told my 2nd and 3rd grade class that
we were taking naps. They all got comfortable
spread out all over the classroom. I turned off the lights
and was quit comfy myself. After about 5 minutes I said,
"We don't take naps in 2nd and 3rd grade, APRIL FOOLS!"
Later that night my Mom called and I answered the phone
"Super 8" She was fluster and said she had the wrong number.
When she called back I was cracking up.
She was not impressed!
I have to tell you about the best on ever.
April Fool's Day fell on a Sunday.
I have 4 nephews that were and middle school and high school at that time.
I started by calling Cody. I told him that I had heard on KMMO that a water main broke near the school
and there would be no school tomorrow. He was soooooooo excited!!!! He got off the phone and started calling all his friends. I tried to call right back but the line was busy for a while. When I finally got him I was laughing so hard I could hardly talk. I said April Fools and he hung up on me. He was soooo mad at me. I still get tickled when I think about it. He still does think I am funny at all.
I love to make people laugh especially myself!!

The Diet

On January 2, 2008 I made a promise to myself that I
would start a diet and stick to it. I decided to go
with Weight Watchers because I have done it
before and been successful. I decided to not
spend the money on going to the meetings because I had all
the information that I needed and I seriously didn't
think that weighing in front of someone else was going
to be what gave me the strength to stick to it this time.
I was determined to make a change!!!
It is now March and I have lost 18 pounds.That is the total amount of all 3 of my kids when they were born.
So no more excuses of carrying around baby fat.
Feel free to Clap, cheer ,Hoop and Hollar, email me, call me, tell everyone you know!!!!!!!
I am sooooo proud of the will power that I have found. I have no idea where
it was hiding ( probably under one of the 4 backs that I USED to have) .
I feel better, eat better, like getting dressed more in the morning ( now I have
more choices of what to wear. They are old choices but I haven't seen them in a while),
and people are noticing and applauding my hard work and that feels great!!!!
I still enjoy food don't get me wrong. I just manage my menu better.
Like for example I have eating at the Olive Garden and I ate what I usually eat salad,
bread sticks and Fet. Alfredo. However during the day before I go there I eat light.
I try to keep my points down by eating free stuff. I don't starve. I just make smart choices
so I can enjoy my dinner. Here's another tip. Did you know you can get a salad with your
extra value meals at McDonald's. You can! And they have a really good Italian dressing that
is 0 points. A plain grilled chicken extra value meal is only 7 points. That is a treat!
Don't forget the Special K protein water. It will hold you over if you are hungry.
I like the strawberry one the best.
If you want any more info on the diet email me and I will be happy to share all my secrets.
I almost forgot. I haven't started exercising yet. So this 18 pounds was all about how I ate.
I do plan to start walking soon. REALLY!!!! I WILL!!!!
So to those of you struggling with getting into that swimsuit this summer it can be done!!!!
I have only been on this diet for 8 weeks and look what you can do if you stick your mind to it!!!!
12 weeks till school is out!!!
Good Luck!!!!

The Baby

This is Logan. He is the baby of the family.
He was the best baby in the world!!! Seriously!!!
I was amazed at how content he was with all the
caos in our house. Keep in mind we had a 10 year old,
a 14 month and a newborn.
Now I look back on those days and it is all a blur.
I mostly think about holding him for hours after supper.
I spoiled him I know but I needed that time for myself.
He was so little and life was so crazy. It was as if the whole world stopped when we were snuggling.
Logan is 4 now and he loves playing the drums and guitar, riding his dirt bike, golfing with Dad, playing basketball and baseball and hanging out with his much older cousins. He is extremely active but at the end of the day he still has time to snuggle with his Mom.

The Oldest Child

This is Macy. She is 13 and in 8th Grade.
As a little girl she was very shy and reserved.
Her teachers would always comment on what
a good role model she was for her peers.
Last summer she became a teenager and
she entered into a new stage of her life.
Her teachers still say she is a good role model but now they comment on what a great sense of humor she has developed and the how compassionate she is in everything she does.
Macy is not a "groupie" or "click" type of girl.
She looks past the shell of people and into their soul.
She finds good qualities in everyone and that is why
she is so special.
Macy is my daughter and my teacher. My teacher of parenting, life,friendships, hope and growing up. There is no place I could go to learn the things I have learned from being her Mom.
She will always be my first love!!!!!!!!!!!

The Middle Child

This is Regan.
With her, what you
see is what you get.
She loves being active.
She dances, cheers, sings,
plays basketball, does laundry,
plays mother to everyone and offers
advice even if you don't need it.
Regan is the one we will depend on to keep
everyone in line when it comes down to it.
She is the one that might actually hear the words
"Your Going to Hollywood!" someday.