Mommapooloza 2010

I was only able to go to the Mommapooloza from about 4-10pm yesterday. I wish I could have stayed the whole weekend but it didn't work out that way. First the Lambs have colds so we decided to take them to the chiropractor yesterday morning. I got a later start than I wanted. The drive was slow with school buses, construction on some bridges, and farm equipment on the back roads where you can't pass. Without all that it took a little more than 1 1/2 hours. I was the one that asked people to come early and most were there when I got there. Kristi came the same time as I did, Glenda, Wendi, and Angie came after me.

I'm one of the strange ones that doesn't have a fancy phone (in fact I don't have any cell phone) nor do I have a laptop nor do I do Facebook, so I had to wait until I was home to post this!

I knew almost everyone from last year's Mommapooloza, but I had never met Wendi or Angie or Michelle. Wendi and Angie came from WY. They had a long drive but they made good time and were able to join us for supper.

Melanie made supper for the first night. We had potato leek soup, homemade bread, and wine. This is some of the wine that was brought. We tried several of these last night! Melanie made tiramisu too. She claimed it wasn't the best she had made, but it was delicious. There were jokes about the difference between college and a Mommapooloza is now we're legal and we have much better liquor for this slumber party!
It's difficult to get photos when everyone is talking. I think it is funny how many of these photos someone is talking with their hands! I took these photos so I wasn't in these.
Wendi, Kristi, Michelle, Charity, Glenda.

I forgot to take a photo of Melanie the host and cook!

Angie, Gina, Wendi, Kristi, Michelle.

This photo was taken last year of Chick 5 and Lamb 1. They were both still nursing so they both attended the Mommapooloza last year.

Chick 5 still needs a little Mama's milk so she attended this year. I had a difficult time getting her photo because she is so busy. She played with dolls for a long time.

Wendi, Gina, Angie

Glenda, Suzanne, Kristi

Melanie, Michelle, Charity, Glenda

I came home with some treats. Wendi gave us some beans (with the motive that we will buy some from her after we try them!). Kristi sold me some meat. I got home a little after midnight.

A few will need to leave today and a few may pop in today, but there were 10 of us last night. Ram has a meeting all day today that he couldn't miss so I had to come home. I was glad I went last night even though my time was short.

Today's plans (that I have to miss) include staying in their pjs most of the day and cooking a meal for tonight from from Julia Child including boeuf bourguignon and TWO desserts-creme brulee and chocolate almond cake. I know they are having a great time!

Mama's break

In the past 24 hours I discovered Lamb 1 did these 3 things.

1. Got into the sprinkles and hid them in the living room and they got spilled all over. Goodbye Easter sprinkles. I find it hard to believe that Lamb 1 did this without any help from the other Lambs, but he claims he did. He had to vacuum the living room after this, although he likes to vacuum and I'm not sure it was the best punishment.
2. On Sunday he stole a silk flower out of the church cemetery and brought it home. He had to write an apology to the trustee and he'll have to deliver it on Sunday.
3. During rest time he cut threads out of my sofa. Threads all over the floor and sofa more ruined than just being old. I have no idea what kind of punishment to give for this!

Ram is generous enough to let me go to the Mommapooloza today. Unfortunately I have to come home even if it is late tonight because Ram has a meeting all day tomorrow. I am looking forward to the car ride ALONE both ways and to get an afternoon/evening away from the mischievous Lambs. I'll try to post photos from my fun evening soon.

IA Mamapooloza 2009

I had a great time meeting the Loopers. I stopped in Brookings for lunch and shopping at Walmart. Then I drove to Sioux Falls. First I got gas. I thought about it and I don't think I have bought gas since Lamb 1 was a baby 5 years ago! Ram takes care of getting gas for our vehicles. Then I stopped at Stride Rite and had Lamb 3's feet measured and found out I did have him in the correct size shoes. I wanted to make sure he was in the right size with all the walking he does. I "had" to stop at Starbucks for a mocha and to feed Lamb 3. It was really busy and took me longer than I planned. Then I drove to Suzanne's house. She is so nice to host all of us in her big farmhouse.
I was actually one of the first ones to arrive. So we snacked on the hummus that Ram made and on Glenda's delicious homemade salsa while we waited for everyone else to come. We had a delicious supper of french onion soup and salad made by Gina and Charity. Then Suzanne had planned a few pencil and paper brain games. I didn't get to do much of them because I was chasing Lamb 3 as he walked around their house exploring. Then we sat around and talked and drank wine and mead and ate chocolate. We did devotions out of the Treasury of Daily Prayer and then went to bed about 12:30am.

Glenda (left) and Melanie (right)
Melanie (left), Tami (center-Melanie's friend), Charity (right)

Kim S. (left), Suzanne L. (right)

Rhonda (left), Gina (center), Kristi G. (right)

For breakfast on Saturday Kristi made a delicious egg casserole. Then we did some sightseeing in Sioux City. We enjoyed seeing the Lewis and Clark center.

The whole group (except Melanie took the photo) at the Lewis and Clark center.

Chick 5 and Lamb 3 were the babies to give the mamas a few chances to hold a baby. Here's Lamb 3 checking her out. This was taken at the art museum. Lamb 3 didn't want anyone besides me to hold him. He did enjoy walking around with Tami at the art museum. Chick 5 let lots of the Mamas hold her. Kristi and Gina were great at holding the babies for the photo.

Here's Chick 5 checking out Lamb 3. Will there be a Looper child romance in the future? He is 6 months older-but nearly the same size!

Melanie with Chick 5. We had a snack of cinnamon rolls and coffee at the art museum cafe and then we looked around a little.

Then we saw a wooden

life size sculpture of the Last Supper.

Then we stopped at the candy store and stocked up on chocolate and treats! I bought the Lambs and Ram a few treats since they were so nice to let me go to the Mamapooloza. Many bought treats for their children's Easter baskets.

Then it was time for me to say goodbye. They ate at a restaurant that even had a martini bar. I stopped along the way a few times to have a break and take care of Lamb 3. I was glad to be home and tired after all that driving in 2 days.

I'm really glad I went and met so many Loopers after e-mailing with them for a few years. It was great to put a face with a name. Some of them have blogs so I had seen photos and a few I had met before, but most I had no idea. It was a lot of driving for a few days, but it was worth it to me. I don't know if I will try to attend the Mamapooloza every year, but it was nice to go this year and meet everyone.

Ram did fine with the Lambs. Lamb 1 was sick with a cold the whole time I was gone. They were thrilled to get out their play grain bin and real corn. They aren't allowed that with Lamb 3 as he would eat the corn. They went to library storytime on Saturday. I left the kitchen a mess and Ram cleaned it all up. Ram made bean soup for supper last night and we ate leftovers today.

Mamapooloza here I come!

Ram was nice enough to agree to watch Lamb 1 and 2 so I'm going to take Lamb 3 and go to a Mamapooloza in IA today and tomorrow. It is a group of Lutheran homeschool moms getting together for a weekend without husbands or children (with the exception of nursing children). I am going to have to come home on Saturday night as I have to take the Lambs to church while Ram is pastor. I am really looking forward to it. I feel bad for the moms that wanted to attend but can't. Lamb 3 is still nursing quite a bit so he has to go along with me. I'm sure the other mamas will enjoy seeing a baby. I called a friend in our town to be a backup in case Ram has an emergency as pastor. Lamb 1 and 2 are looking forward to spending some time with Ram as he has been really busy during Lent. I didn't know if the weather was going to let me go, but it looks like it will be ok.

I have quite a bit to pack. This is my checklist.
clothes (and diapers) for Lamb 3 and for me
sleeping bag (I'm not sure if she has enough bedding for all of us)
Pack N Play for Lamb 3 to sleep in
stroller for when I stop for shopping on the way there and for our sightseeing on Saturday
Treasury of Daily Prayer (for devos)
biscotti (thanks Ram's mom)
surprise treat for the moms
mead (made from honey from our town)
homemade hummus (thanks Ram!), crackers (thanks Ram's mom), carrots, and celery
some misc. items I'm trying to give away like duplicate Thomas pieces as I'd rather give it to them instead of Goodwill
lots of chocolate (thanks Ram's mom!)
food for Lamb 3