Winter Fun

FINALLY!!! Snow and temperatures that we can go outside in for the afternoon!!!

Zach 

Ben

Liz and Matt

Liz

Mona

Zach trying out a snowboard- he got the hang of it!

Thursday 12/5/13

Liz at her holiday concert... looking so thrilled!

Ben couldn't contain the music inside himself!



Mona and Colynn acting like they don't see me with the camera.



Riley and Zach- browsing for Christmas deals

Ben and Cody enjoying a game of checkers.





Visit to the Precious Moments Chapel in MO on the way back.

We had a great time the last few weeks with Liz and Ben's Christmas ... er... holiday concert and then drove down to visit Miekka in Arkansas over Thanksgiving.  The kids really got along well and it was nice enough to play outside each day which helped with everyone's sanity.  The boys and Liz each got a small marshmellow shooter- pretty good hunts were going on and marshmellows got everywhere in the yard!  There were some intense chess matches between Zach and Riley, the cat got ultra spoiled with Liz and anyone else that might get a second in edgewise.  We decorated ornaments for the family's "cousin's gift exchange" and they turned out awesome!  Everyone had a different plan of attack and they all turned out pretty cool.  Miekka and I got in a lot of sister time and it was sad to get going only because of the length of time until we see each other again.

On the way back, we stopped at the Precious Moment's Visitor Center/Chapel north of Joplin, MO and I was surprised at #1 how much the kids liked it and #2 how much I liked it.  I don't know if I'd ever go back, but after 13 years of passing all those signs in MO, I'm glad we stopped.  

A few more pictures... cause I can!

Nice photobomb, Miekka!

Monday, 11/18/13

I really wish I had some pictures to post- there's been so much going on and the kids are incredibly spastic anymore!  I think this cold weather has taken away their ability to be NORMAL!!!

We got to go to Ramona's Honor Band concert Saturday- she did great!  I told her we could hear her above everyone so that's good, right?  They announced some awarded places in the all-Iowa MS Honor Band for this spring and she didn't make that, though.  We were driving home and I told her about the girl that was bawling to her mom about not being chosen and Mona looked over and said, "I don't know, I was kind of relieved I didn't get it!"  THAT'S my under-acheiving over-acheiver!  Be good, but not tooooo good, I suppose?

Zach has been very emotional lately as his dear beloved GB Packers have a 3 game losing streak.  It was a hard game to watch, but really, maybe I should make appetizers to soften the blow next week.  Poor guy, he just loves them so much.  Ben seems to be taking on the supportive brother role by cheering for the other team in a very obnoxious way everytime something goes against GB.  And, it might not have been helpful that I couldn't stifle some cheers for my NYGiants that are on my fantasy football league.  Poor Zach... against the world!

Ben?  Well, I am thrilled to report the last three school days he was marked "Great Job!" on the behavior chart from his teacher.  This is month 3 of getting marked down constantly and never getting better than "Good Job" at best.  He's just loving reading so much and hides books in his desk and doesn't do his work (well, it's boring apparently???) and doesn't get to play anymore cause 2nd grade isn't fun.  *sigh* it's a tough life when your teacher doesn't put up with your crap anymore!

And then poor Liz and the eardrum saga.  A week ago, she came home with an earache that wasn't even there that morning and by the time her 2:00 appt came with the doc, her eardrum was "seeping and bubbling" infection.  That girl had a lot of pain going on.  After a day of rest, and a week of medicine (so far) she is back to normal.  She reminds me to do her drops (she's a bit tougher than Uncle Nick used to be) and get her "bubblegum" medicine.... smart cookie. 

We are gearing up for a trip to see Miekka, so a replacement camera is in the works to capture some memories.  More details on that after Thanksgiving!

November... ALREADY?!!!?

Halloween went off without a hitch- I would post my picture, but my camera doesn't like to focus anymore.  You would see a blurry bunch of blobs.  Blech.  I should have taken out my contacts and plastered them on the lens, I guess. 

Zach was a Skylander Giant (don't even ask.  I have no idea what it is), Ben was a Hawkeye football player, and Liz was a fancy cheetah.  I bit breezy and cool, but definitely not the coldest trick-or-treating we have ever done :)

Last night we got to go to our niece's bday party and use the costumes one more time.  This time Mona got to reuse the "Thing 2" costume from the football game posted in October.  Always a good time with the "big" family get-togethers.  Even in the midst of harvest, they do pause to celebrate the important stuff!

A couple weeks ago we got to go to another niece's bday on my side- 1 year old!  That was fun to visit with everyone there and see some people I don't get to see very often- and they were celebrating getting an ultrasound of their baby #2 on the way- cool, cool! 

Lots of family fun, wish I had pictures in FOCUS to post!  OH well.  Everyone keeps telling me it's time to get an iPhone.  I don't know about that, but I am needing something soon.  These blogs aren't a lot of fun without a little color and some smiling faces. 

Fall Fun October 2013

Mona led the middle school band last Friday during half-time of the HS football game!

Ben resting in-between plays at his flag football game.  I love the last name on the back of his shirt!  He played center and a few other positions, but also ran the ball 30 yards for a TD!!!

Matt serving up Fireman's Chili at the local Chili Cookoff.  Beautiful day, delicious food!

Sunday Sept 22

The kids' school council members voted this year to create their own local fundraiser and dedicated all the proceeds to Diabetes research!  Saturday night, they held "Walk 2 Hours 2 Cure Diabetes".  The honorary co-chairs for the walk were Mona and another student in her class with the same diagnosis.  They held a banner on the first lap around the track and their families followed.  Then... we walked.  and walked.  and walked.  Each lap around, they gave you a bead to add to a bracelet string- it ended up being a great way at the end to measure how far we walked. 

Mona walked with friends, Zach ran a lot of the first laps (wow!), Ben walked in flip flops until he got a season-ending blister between his toes, Lizzie walked quite a ways and then hitched 4 laps on Dad's shoulders- I was so impressed by the distance they logged!  There was music over the PA system and "fun laps" with different things to do (the chicken dance is surprisingly hard to do while walking) and they had tailgate games set up in the middle for rest breaks.  T-shirts, concession stand, donations... they had raised $2700 by the end! 

Pretty proud of my community right now, and inspired to get involved in more of their fundraisers for other's causes.  :)  I hope the kids learn the same lesson too. 

Sunday 9/15/13

Sunday afternoon after we got back from camping up by Humboldt, there was a lot of laundry and a lot of resting and movie watching and cleaning out the camper (I am so sad to have it put away for the year already!!!).  HOWEVER...

since it was so beautiful out, I had Ben put on his long pants, long-sleeved shirt, helmet, and knee/elbow pads and head outside.  I had promised him (and myself) this was the summer that he would be taking off those training wheels and it seemed like summer was coming to a close.Any of you that know Ben understand when I say this has been a lot of years of trial and error and him getting more and more worried about crashing on a bike.  I had finally broke down and got him some knee/elbow pads so he had NO EXCUSES anymore.  He got suited up, and he wheeled his bike over to the garage.  We ceremoniously took off those stupid training wheels that he was SO embarrased about this year.  GONE FOREVER!

and 15 minutes later- perfection!

So Ben suggested that maybe Liz could do it too, and an hour later, (after I called in Matt for some reinforcements cause she and I weren't getting anywhere) I got an excited Liz coming to pull me outside to watch the magic...

I am so proud!!!

Saturday 9/14/13- Flag Football



Zach (in the red shorts) on defense



Liz and friends at the game

Hawks vs. Cyclones

Thursday 9-5-13

When I don't worry about the next thing that needs to happen or the next day that is just as busy as this one, I really, really enjoy my days.  Here's Thursday's run down that I thought would be horrible and was dreading:

1.  Matt's on a trip, so I stayed home a bit later this morning and helped the kids get ready for school (picture day :) which included a bath for Liz, hair styling, and a small fashion melt-down, a re-do of Ben's button fiasco, practicing smiles, handing out picture orders, quick hugs and a scramble out the door.

2.  Work- no details necessary!

3.  Drive to my home, then drive 15 minutes more while getting details about Z,B,&L's day at school.  Get to the elementary to pick up Mona from volleyball practice and have a pretty cool talk with her on the way home.

4.  Drop off Mona and Liz, hustle boys for flag football practice while grabbing water bottles on the way out the door.

5.  Stay in town to watch football played by tons of local kids TK thru 4th grade (AWESOME!) who are thrilled to be running around in the beautiful weather as it cools down.  Have a cool time with some friends who were also hanging out watching the show.  Have a cool time with Ben (while waiting for Zach to finish) walking to Caseys for some Gatorade and talking important stuff. 

6.  Snuggle with Liz so she can tell me the story she learned in Kindergarten "If you give a mouse a cookie" with her puppet.  She's got a steel trap memory, by the way!

7.   Finish the night with a little light music- Ben is my favorite little guitar player in the entire world!

It's been a great day.

Sunday 8/25/13

Things are definitely gearing up to be a busy fall.  The boys mutually decided to forego the cub scouts this fall in favor of being able to try flag football.  This ought to be interesting!  Zach has asked for years, and was thrilled; Ben- well, he didn't hesitate either on the decision.  I'm sure this will help in Zach's career goal of playing for the Wisconsin Badgers and then the Green Bay Packers. 

Ramona starts volleyball practice Monday, and I just wrote down all the games on my calendar.  It should be a little easier for me to get to them since the 7th grade plays first.  Last year I had to leave work early to get there even 1/2 way through her games.  She also has confirmation (last year for Mona!!!) starting in a couple weeks. 

I don't know that I enjoy all the "busy", but I do like having a schedule moving us along.  The kids seem to have adjusted already, not too many 1st week problems- with the small exception of Liz growing out of her shoes that fit JUST FINE not 2 weeks before!  That girl is growing as we speak!  Matt and I have vowed to stop feeding her until this stops.  :)

Off to School! 8/20/13

The first day of school- and Lizzie's first day of kindergarten!  There wasn't a lot of complaining after they got home- except for the ball that hit Zach in the face and the locker that wouldn't open for Ramona.... everything went really smooth.  Liz was singing a new song already- Hickory Dickory Dock- with some tongue clicks that she had perfected.  It's been a good day.

Last of the Summer Days

Wednesday 8/14/13

We drove up to Fort Dodge tonight for some celebratory ice cream at the Dairiette.  It's a Fort Dodge Tradition (spoken in my best Forest Gump voice).  Mona's unofficial anniversary was today... 7 years since she was diagnosed with her diabetes.  More years with it than without it now.  I was texting her while I was at work telling her I was proud of the choices she was making the last year and how much she's grown up and I'm proud of her... she writes back something about a unicorn and diarrhea... ummmm... what do you say to that?  I finally wrote back that she needed help and that I was also proud that she could spell diarrhea. 

I think we wore poor Lizzie out; she still falls asleep in the car on the way home if it's a bit late.  I love to see her sleeping still.  Pretty sweet... pretty and sweet. 

Taco Bell Cool Ranch flavored Dorito Locos tacos are overrated. 

Monday 8/12/13

My kids are all readers- Liz is still up in the air, I guess, but she loves to be read to.  It makes me so happy to see them enjoy one of my passions.  Zach and Ben fighting over a Pokémon book at the library wasn't the highlight of my night, but I love their enthusiasm?

I hope soon there is a time that they realize their fighting is only hurting themselves.  I hope VERY soon.  After a summer of non-stop together, it's definitely time to get back to their lives at school.  One more week :)

Sunday 8-11-13

Zach came down SO excited this evening.... "Mom!  I ALMOST beat Dad!"  Apparently shooting hoops with Matt has been getting to be an evening past-time; Zach is getting better and better.  He only lost by a point tonight in 21.  Go Zach! 

He bears a road-rash type scratch from the rough edge of a huge archery target that randomly fell on him today in Walmart.  He accidently knocked over Liz who was crying then; Zach just bore the pain in silence.  He's so sweet; he was hurt, but not wanting to get in trouble over the accident with Liz. 

I weeded the bushes we just planted around the house for the first time in forever... I can say it's not my thing, but I just get other things on my list that I like better.  So it looks good again, and I'm hoping the bushes and flowers all survive through the first winter and flourish next spring.  We are just trying to keep them alive through a very dry summer.

Matt just left for an emergency call for an accident; someone hit a tree after going in the ditch.  They will definitely need the jaws of life that only GFD has.  I'm really proud of Matt's volunteer work with the GFD.  It takes a lot of time away from us, but he loves it a lot.  He rarely talks about the affect it has on him mentally and physically... just bears it in silence unless I ask.  I have considered the EMS group, but don't want to compromise more time from the kids.  They have enough on their plates with Matt gone so much and me working so far away.  What we have is enough.

We bought a camper this weekend from M&P.  It was totally out of the blue, but we have been wanting one and this sleeps all 6 of us.   We are planning an inaugural trip next weekend already... the last thing we need still is some awesome folding chairs.  Mine must be perfect for reading books.  MUST BE! 

Ben had a tiny toad he found- and brought in to the house for us to see.  He named it Tyrone and trained it to jump off the brick he kept putting it on.  What a card!

I'm planning on running in the morning.  My back has been out since Wednesday night, but it's finally feeling normal.  I've got a 5K close by on the 31st that is gonna be a hot one.  I'd better not cheat on the training until then. 

I have noticed I don't hate Sunday nights anymore.  I used to spiral into a funk and it would ruin the whole afternoon.  I don't dread my work the next day.  It's still worth the 75 minute commute to not feel like work is changing me into a bitter, negative person.  I like that. 

How to remember little details...

Joining the 21st century in baby steps today.  Again.  I had to step away from Facebook after realizing it wasn't my style.  Just a bit too casual and like seeing into someone's house and watching them eat supper.  Seeing into their mind more than should be allowed!  Holy cow!  But what clinched this blog re-starting was a coworker mentioning wanting to turn his wife's blog into a book.  YOU CAN DO THAT???????!!!!!!
Wow.
A simple idea that launched me into the cyberworld again.  I struggle with remembering a lot of little everyday details.  I have tried diaries, journals, one-sentence snipits about each kid at the end of each day, and even baby books (epic failure on that one).  I wish I were a scrapbooker, but it isn't in my gene pool. 
But 2 things:  I have always wanted to write a book, and I want to remember the kids as they grow up.  It may work, it may not.  I'm not worried about it anymore.  What will be will be.