"It's like trick-or-treating!"

This is what Alaina said to us as we walked around the food show for Jason's work yesterday.  Funny, since she has never been trick-or-treating, but okay, whatever.  She was right...it was, only better, because you got to eat as you went instead of having to wait until you got home to try all your yummy stuff!

We were at this hockey arena and all these different food companies were set up in booths trying to lure all sorts of people in to order from them. The people who were walking around were from schools, hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, really anywhere that sells/provides food.  Jason was purchasing for our school and we got to tag along. All diets were off for the day as we walked around sampling everything and putting all the free goodies like candy bars into our bags.  It was really quite impressive...everything from Oregon Chai (YUMMY!) to fried chicken to prime rib.  All there for our sampling pleasure.  There were pizzas, and doughnuts, and cereals, and ice cream, and coffee, and candy, and soup, and wings, etc. etc. etc. Craziness!  It was all really yummy but my stomach didn't really appreciate the assault.  Not only do I not usually eat ANY of that stuff on a regular basis I certainly do NOT eat it all on the same day and all together!  But we all had a lot of fun as a family and Jason found some great new stuff to serve at the school so it was a success.

The night before, however, was not nearly as successful! We got into town around 5:00 and went to check into our hotel room.  There was no reservation.  After a few phone calls the found a room for us (the company was supposed to have booked it).  The kids thought it was great because it opened out into the pool area that was HUGE. After we settled we were anxious to get to the dinner that was being hosted by the food show.  Jason had been told it was at another hotel so we got everyone in the car and drove over there.  However, it WASN'T at that hotel.  So, we drove back to our hotel to ask if anyone knew where the dinner was.  Turns out it was at OUR hotel, right in that pool area the kids were so excited to be close to.  So everyone gets out of the car and goes back to the room and then we go to the pool area that is quickly filling up with people  (and smoke, yuck!)  So, we get in there and start standing in line.  Then, in true Janet fashion, I decide to go look at what is being served.  I am a pretty picky eater and I like to know what all my options are.  All I can say is GROSS.  I hate being so picky but WOW.  One thing we have seen over and over here in Nebraska is a fondness for chopped and barbecued meat...beef, pork, whatever.  Looks like slop to me.  Add the potato salad to the mix and I knew none of us would be happy.  So back to the car we go to go out to eat.  Then Jason and I disagree about the plan of finding somewhere to go and no one can decided.  Alaina chooses McDonald's (which we had passed long before) so we turn around and drive back.  On the way, we see a sign for Little Ceasar's pizza  for $5.00 large pizzas.  Perfect....we wanted pizza anyway and then we could bring it back to the room since all the drinks were being provided at the hotel.  Only problem is that we can't find the place.  We drive up and down and no Little Ceasar's in sight.  So, back to the McDonald's plan, which turned out great because Ronald McDonald was there for some teachers night.  Alaina ran up to me while I was in line and screamed, "Mommy, Donald is ALIVE."  Yes, she calls him Donald. 

When we get back to the hotel is is really bedtime for the kids but they hadn't gotten to swim yet so we let them stay up and swim for a bit.  I stayed in the room and checked in to my work stuff and then went out with them.  Then it was bath and bed. The only problem was that little did we know when we got the room that the huge after-party was also in the pool area.  Imagine if you will, hundreds of people, a LIVE band, and three bars with free beer all outside your hotel room.  Not a fun concept.  I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep so I went to the fitness center and after a few minutes on their piece-of-junk tread mill I switched to the bike and watched America's Dream or something equally as corny sounding.  I'm not really into all these shows so I don't know if others are good, but this one was pathetic.  BORING.  Anyway, after my workout I go back to the room and of course the kids are not sleeping (except for Levi).  Jason is in bed with the other two trying to keep them quiet when all they want to do is giggle.  So, we decided on the divide and conquer routine and I took Caleb in bed with me (he kicks less than Alaina :) and Jason took Alaina.  After about 15 minutes they finally fell asleep and so did we. The party raged on outside our door but other than a few moments of loud cheering and deafening bass, we slept through the chaos.  Phew.  Not quite the night we were expecting but good to get away nonetheless.

Okay, hadn't planned on writing a short novel this morning.  I will quickly show you a few things I picked up when I went to Target.  I hate having my nearest Target over an hour away.  It definitely saves me money but really, what a pain!  It was BLISS yesterday, though, to go out and shop ALONE.  I didn't get anything (since when did shopping for myself become so depressing.  I can't find ANYTHING that fits and isn't showing parts of my body that I don't want to be showing off.  Ugh. Anyway, at least Alaina is easy to shop for.  I picked up her Easter dress and a few pairs of summer shoes. I wanted to let her wear a summer dress last Sunday to church but she had no summer shoes to wear.

Well, that's all for today.  I just got off the phone with a lady who will be leading an evaluation for Caleb.  Since he is approaching three and his language is STILL not really developing I think it is time to be evaluated and treated if necessary. I need to set up a hearing screening and then figure out when to do a home visit, etc.  I also have some new templates I need to finish up and then do something about the tornado that swept through my house when we got home yesterday! 

I do have one layout for you.  I did this for the Fashion Show going on at Scrapbook Graphics.  Michelle and Berna are two new studio Interns and Maya, in a stroke of genius, asked a bunch of scrappers to work with the interns products. What a great start to a designing career...can you imagine having people like CD Muckosky, Jodi Perry, Gina Miller, and a WHOLE bunch more work with your first kits?  Every designers dream.  And while I am no celebrity scrapper I was happy to add to the gallery .  I used Berna's Milliofiori kit.

The credits can be seen HERE.

Have a great day!

Comments

[Liz]

Glad you guys had a good time! I heard about the torandoes this morning hope everything is ok by your area? Janet guess what!! I got into a guest CT position! Just talking about it days ago and after so many letters of rejection I finally get a good one!

[MandaKay]

What a good night away - although sounds ike quite a story about the noise. :( Cute easter dress and shoes!!! The LO is stunning! I love the doodle going over the photo and the opaqueness (sp?) of it! Have a great day!

[KellieP]

Wow! What an adventure you all had. I want to go to a food tasting show! Yummy!! (and I know it's only 10 am, but I'm really craving some wings now!)

[Rona]

Fab Easter outfit for Alaina! Sorry to hear about the not-so-very-good-start to you trip, though :( Hopefully it gets better!

[Shabby Miss Jenn]

OMG mommy twin! LOOVE that dress!!! Where did that come from? Say target and I'm gonna yell! LOL Looove it!

[PaulineLucille]

Oh man--I think I'd flip out if things went that way for me on a trip! Although my DH would have had to stay for the barbecue and potato salad-ROTFL!! That's his kind of food! SO funny--when I moved south I couldn't figure out why people asked me if I wanted BBQ--like it was an noun. Where I grew up it's an adjective--BBQ chicken, BBQ corn, BBQ steak--LOL. ANd I always wondered what that chopped up mash was too-hahaha. I've since figured it out:) Hope all goes well with the testing for Caleb! Praying it's something easy to fix! --Hollie