Pumped Up

My girl came home talking a mile a minute.  Not only did she have her favorite guest teacher in class today (a close and dear friend of mine ~ lucky us) but a high school student came in to talk about and encourage students to think about the future class of Speech and Debate.  I could not follow all of the details about why the student was at the fifth grade level, but the high schooler was inspirational to my girl.  

The fifth grade students were given a chance to try out Speech and to try out Debate.  Eventually my girl had enough courage to give it a try and went up to the front of the class to give her speech. A student was chosen to give my daughter a topic, and then my girl had four minutes to get her thoughts in order and to complete her speech.  The topic was to give a speech about the Justice for Girls clothing line (my daughter's favorite store and majority of her clothes).  My girl took that topic and made a good twist choosing to make her speech about taking our materialistic goods for granted (comparing the United States to countries with less) in the way in which we view clothes and clothing stores. 

I asked her if given an opportunity to enroll in the class (again, I'm not sure when this is available to them), and her response was quick and with out hesitation ... YES!!  

It has been so fun to see my girl grow this year.  She has really been challenged in her current class; academics to some degree, but more so with looking out for herself with a group of dominant boys and girls who may not take academics as seriously as she does.  Learning to overcome the disruptions and not being convinced to join the crowd, she has soared despite the mix.  The class is not full of bullying or misfits, just a group of very loud and disruptive tweens.  If her inner drive was not so high, she could have easily been knocked down a rung or two on her academic expectations.  

While I only have a month and a half left of seeing my girl in elementary school, I am actually looking forward to perhaps a more structured and quieter classroom for my girl in Middle School.  Am I naive?  We'll see ... 

Got Her Groove

I've been swimming.  Lessons every-other-week, and lots of practicing in between, has been my April focus.  At first, I started off in the shallow end with kids.  Dodging all the young ones, I got in my comfort zone of being in the water with my head submerged while moving.  I have sense graduated to the Lap Swim section of the pool from Noon to One.

There are six lanes, each with a posting of either Slow, Medium or Fast.  The Slow lanes are bookends, so that the wall and exit stairs are most handy.  But because there are only about six or seven maximum attending during this time of day, no one really cares about the lanes (except for honoring the Slow lane).  A few times I had to practice on the inside lanes.  For those times, I would just do what I am most confident in; Back Stroke and exercises with the kick board.  When a Slow lane would open up, I would be the first to head over and claim for the remainder for whatever time was left.

Wednesday I had the Slow lane all to myself for the full session.  It was fantastic!  After my warm up, I decided to practice the Crawl Stroke non-stop.  With a slight panic that I could not waste this golden opportunity to have been awarded Lane 1 for an hour, I swam my muscles out.  My cardio is good, my muscles are tired.

I broke down the crawl stroke in its simplest form.  Working on the side breathing with the kick board was the biggest help.  Making sure that I truly stretched and turned my body sideways to get a good breath.  Also, I did a lot of mini swims; meaning I would mark a spot to purposefully stop.  If I succeeded, then the next round I would mark a distance farther.  If I couldn't make it (ie: grabbed the wall) then I was disqualified and had to swim back and start over.

By the time my hour was up, I had swam one lap with out stopping!!!  I was so proud of myself, I almost lost it at the end, when I started laughing with excitement under water.

I think Elle J has Got Her Groove.  It wasn't necessarily pretty, but it was an accomplishment that I am so proud I completed!!  I am ready to return today, and the day after, and  ...

Zoo Field Trip

The rain held off until the last thirty minutes of our zoo field trip yesterday.  Going to the Zoo is a big ordeal for our school because it means that we take a fifty minute bus ride one way, to have two hours and fifteen minutes at the zoo (which includes stopping to have lunch) before we have to board the bus to trek back fifty minutes to be home by 2pm so that the buses can then zip over to the other school campus' that get out within that hour.

Both of my children have been on a zoo field trip during their second grade year.  It was just a whole lot of hurry.  So when it was announced that the third graders were going back this year, my son and I were a little bummed. We love the zoo, but it is a long way for such a short excursion.

However, I am happy to report both my son and I had the best time!  There were no have to's about the trip; no scheduled tours, no scheduled lectures, no scheduled break for lunch.  We got to roam free with our group of four and that made all the difference.

A handful of times my son leaned in to whisper to me, "We have the best group!" and I couldn't have agreed more.  The girls were the leaders with the zoo map, and they took into account all of the Must Have To See lists from the group.  Not persuading anyone from one thing or another, we got to see exactly what each wanted.  And the most impressive part was that they took time at each stop along the way.  To the point when I was privately thinking, "Okay, can we move along?" but they kept talking and sharing their knowledge about what they were observing and read to each other some of the literature posted.  It was fantastic.

The down pour came at the new Penguin exhibit so we admittedly rushed through that to get to the Bug House.  Although warm and dry from the outside elements, it was my very least favorite.  Bugs.  Ughs.  Once the storm had passed to a more reasonable shower, we high tailed it back to the bus to head home.  A successful trip!

Students were allowed to bring cameras, so here are some of the pictures snapped by my son:

Thin Mints ~ I want one

Compliments to Saturday Night Live for this editorial on Girl Scout Cookie Sales.  My son and I are off to the zoo today for a field trip with the entire third grade population ~ six classrooms x average 25 kids per class equals 150+ students, a handful of adults, hipped together on many, many buses, possibly in the rain and wind which is scheduled to arrive in two hours.  Yes, I COULD use some Thin Mints to get me through my day.

Friends, Fishing, and Family

Yesterday was a very beautiful, sunny day.  The kids played out side in the afternoon with a never-ending game of Capture the Flag.  Just when I thought the neighborhood was great, it keeps getting better.

While we have a lot of children on our street, there are pockets of ages.  A group of teen girls, a group of tween girls, a small handful of boys ranging from pre-K through 4th grade, and a small handful of girls in the same age range.  However, they are all finally of age to look out for each other and be able to handle being in the front with out immediate adult supervision.  Get any two families together and you have a handful of kids; get four houses together and you have a dozen.

The boys versus the girls, that is how the game was played yesterday.  Their first attempt at Capture the Flag. I am not sure which child had the idea, but it is a brilliant classic.  They can not wait until summer.  I have a feeling this will be the main hit under the summer sun with water balloons and sprinklers being woven into the mix.

The boys had almost won the first game, until the Pre-K cutie gave away the boys' hiding place once he was captured by the girls.  Too much pressure for that sweetie to keep quiet when surrounded by five beautiful, and older girls.  Round two went longer as he had by now fully understood the game.

Opening day of fishing began on Saturday, but it was logical to put on the fair weather fisherman's hat and not venture out in the stormy rain on that day.  So my husband and son went dock fishing yesterday after dinner as the sun was setting.

However, my son summed up the evening with my husband, "It was embarrassing."  Everyone else around them were catching fish.  And apparently they really meant Everyone.  Some of the tips they were learning from others were the same ones they had been doing, but no fish takers on their line.

And the kicker is, my son's newest thing is just catch and release.  If only the fish had known that he just wanted to take a look and a quick touch, then they'd be back swimming.

A great day.  Friends, fishing, and family.

A Good Dilemma

Yes, there is such a thing as having a good dilemma.  We received a letter this week from the school district notifying us that our girl is being recommended for math acceleration at grade 6.  Multiple points were of focus to determine this placement; her 4th grade math state test scores, her 5th grade math core assessments, teacher recommendation, and her Algebra Prognosis test score that she recently completed.

We are so very proud of her and know that the accelerated program would be a perfect fit for her sixth and seventh grade academics. However, the rest of the letter is very clear that once in the program students are expected to continue in the accelerated path through high school graduation.  Which means, that she will be taking Calculus AB as a Junior and Calculus BC as a Senior.  I do not know what that really means, other than it is a big deal from the Seniors that I know who have been in the program.

Charting my daughter's academic path as an eleven year old student is a dilemma.  After discussion with her teacher, she feels my child will be bored in the standard math track.  I agree with her now, but I am more worried about the future.  If she enrolls, she is stuck in a sense, because to opt-out in the future (I'm not even sure what qualifies a student/parent to be granted an opt-out) would mean she'd be repeating the same class for two years. Then we'd be right back to the bored factor.  If she sticks with it, but is completely stressed out and needs tutor help, would it be worth it? Or maybe she goes in the accelerated program from 6th to 12th and shines.  Or she opts for the standard path and finds it challenging enough as she continues to higher grade levels.

We will only know the correct answer of our choice when it is all said and done on high school graduation night. Until then we will need to think smart.  We have two weeks to decide.

I joked with her that if she wasn't so responsible, such a hard worker, serious student with smarts, then we wouldn't be in such A Good Dilemma!

Sunscreen ~ Check!

In recent years I have been faithful in seeing my fantastic dermatologist for a yearly mole-check.  I got scared into it when I saw one beginning to change, having it removed, and then rejoicing when it was "nothing".

I was the one growing up that always got burned by the sun.  Red, red, red skin was common for me at least once or twice during the summer. I would like to say that during that era, sunscreen and skin cancer were not heavily talked about, but I would be lying.  My mom talked plenty about it; enough for me to know better.

Now that I am a mom, I am vigilant about adding sunscreen to my kiddos every. single. day. the sun shines during the summer (because prior to that, either the sun doesn't shine here, or they are not consistently out in it). Unfortunately, last summer on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico the four of us burned with sunscreen applied. We were enjoying the beach, and it is true that the closer one gets to the equator the sun is more intense.  We just didn't think about it.  We applied and reapplied, but for the amount that we were outside enjoying the salty sea crashing it's waves around us with the boogie board, we did not think to reapply more frequently.

We were soar and tired that night.  The first night is the worst.  The aloe could not seep in deep enough to relieve the pain.  We were all quiet that night at dinner, the only ones with jackets on to cover us from the evening sun until it set.  It was miserable, but we all held it together until we had to crawl into bed and lay down on our pain.  Lessons learned.

When I was at the dermatologist appointment yesterday morning she cheerfully said, "Oh, you've recently been someplace warm." I was embarrassed to admit that the faded tan line on my back was from last summer on the Gulf of Mexico.  Her excitement fled fast to disappointment. Having a tan line nine months later, with my white Scandinavian skin, obviously points to sunburn.  Sigh, I know, I know, reapply.

Sunscreen ~ Check!
Happy Doctor ~ Check!
Longevity ~ Check!

Two Friends

I spent the evening with girlfriends last night at a local restaurant.  I think that if the outside world, or even other close friends, were to look at the three of us, they might be surprised that we are a close-knit trio. And sometimes I wonder too and sit back and put the pieces of the puzzle together that God has carefully mastered, and enjoy how life works; who has been brought into my life, how they have been brought into my life, why we choose to stay connected, and what makes it work? In many ways I am very different from these two, and in many ways we are the same.

Vibrant and energetic, my friend can talk to every one, including strangers into her world for that moment to connect and make the experience a complete package.  A smile that is worth millions, she is a beautiful lady that captures the fun out of life. I have not met a more genuine people-person, who can truly capture the essence of connecting with people, any person, whether it is through humor, or serious good conversation and advice. A conquer-the-world mentality that brings the "fun" and brings out the best in others.

A wise and independent friend is good for the soul too.  My other friend is so wise; she is very good at communication and getting her point and ideas across the first time.  Succinct.  She knows what she expects from others; her family, her friends, herself, and she holds tight to those values.  She is also my friend that has opened my world to reality ~ I do not hold back the twisting and turning of my shoulders and neck in squeamishness as she describes her life as a 911 Law Enforcement Dispatcher.  She is the calm, this is reality and I need to help, personality that we need in our society, and for that she is really an amazing person.  A confident, trustworthy woman, who would drop everything to listen.

Our connection with our Christian focus, our family values, the true love and appreciation that we have for each other's children, always right there to help the other with life, keeps our relationship real.  The bonus that keeps the relationship a must-have is that we are all quick witted in our unique way, making ourselves laugh often to tears, knowing how to put life in perspective to make the journey  successful together.

My dear friends, S & T, thank you for being part of my life!

Sportin' Around

Out of the blue, an acquaintance of ours from Taekwondo class, asked if we would be interested in using two of their season tickets to the Major League Baseball game that was happening later that night.  The number one sport that our family enjoys, as a family, is baseball.  So, knowing I'd be scoring points with the hubby and son, I accepted.

While my daughter and I were at the dance studio, my son and husband went to the baseball game.  I didn't know if my son would be excited to go, since it was not the best of weather, and while he enjoys attending, would he enjoy the game?  And there is a difference; he likes to be places as a family, he likes crowds and people watching, eating cotton candy, and saying he's been to a game, but does he really enjoy the game?

Recently we have noticed when a sporting event is on the television, that he is the one rooting louder and more frequently than my husband.  Okay, let's back up, my husband is a loud sports viewer.  Not obnoxious, but he's the one that talks to the TV, and will stand up with an exhilarating holler if something is going in his team's favor.  If things are not going well, he will speak of that too, but thankfully it is kid-appropriate.  My husband is a true fan that gets into the sports he watches in person, and via television.

Once buckled in the car from TKD class, I shared the ticket news with my son.  He about flipped out of his seat with excitement.  I wish that my husband could have seen it, but he heard it when my son called him on the cell phone screaming, "Let's go to the ball game tonight!".  With only thirty minutes to spare, my son had changed his clothes, scribbled together this poster-sign to hold up during the game, and was out the door with my husband for a night of Father-Son-Baseball time.

I got a text message about 9:30pm saying that our son, with sign, had just been shown on the stadium's Jumbo Screen!!  A dream come true for any boy, and one that many work hard at achieving.

After tucking the young fan into bed just shy of 11:00 pm, my husband said that our son was a rooting, hollering, chanting baseball fan.  He has reached the level of enjoying the game.  What a cool experience for my husband ~ father and son sportin' around at a ball game.

Homework

Now that my son is getting to the independent age of processing his academics with less and less input and help from me, it is fun to observe how the two of my children work.

My daughter is the go-get-em type that goes above the requirements.  I wish I could take credit for that, but really it is her doing (okay, my genes are in her) but she is who she is because of herself.   My son gets in and gets out with his homework.  Not one to mess around with time, he just wants to get it done, and finds the most efficient way possible to accomplish the task.  Both styles work well; one works hard, one works smart, and they both get successful results.

They both are good in retention of the facts.  While my son can share specific math facts about any animal (height, weight, life span), my daughter can share specific facts about the details of how things work (electricity, volcanic eruptions, cloud formations).

My daughter has great penmanship and accurate artistry, my son is working on the penmanship, but has a creative and fun "cartoon-like" artistry.

Unfortunately, this week the kids have projects that are due on Friday and we have limited number of after school hours to get that accomplished.  Any other week, and I think we would have been able to spread it across multiple days.  Today, however, has become all about completing the project.

For the last hour and fifteen minutes they have been sitting opposite each other at the kitchen table; crayons, pens, papers, research notes, and mugs of cocoa are spread between the two.  Hearing the silence, and some banter between the two about their day, or about their project, or about the dog, or what's for dinner, or who called on the phone, or Whatcha Doing Mom? .... has been most entertaining.

It will be interesting to see how the two change and stay the same during the next seven years when they will continue to be under the same roof doing their homework.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

It has been awhile since I have read an entire book in 48 hours. Last weekend I did just that with the book The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.  Her writing style captured me; the kind where you can see, hear, and feel the words as if you were right there. Her descriptions can be simple, but so vivid she obviously chose the perfect words the first time.  I loved it.

Set in the early '40's, the main characters are women in America and an American woman in London.  The women in America are the new kids of the block in a small Cape Cod town; one, the wife of a doctor, the other, the Postmistress in charge of the Post Office.  The American overseas is a radio broadcast journalist who follows the war through London, Germany and Paris.  She is trying to capture the essence of the people; the people the Germans are striking conflict with; starting with Londers, ending with the Jewish population.  But the American Government and its people have not entered the war yet, and they are going about their business back in the States; cluing into the broadcasts of this woman, but just not "getting it".

The three women eventually collide lives through a letter.  What it entails and how it effects the lives of these three women, living very differently from each other, yet embraced in the same War and Times will keep you captivated as you read The Postmistress.  Truly a book that I enjoyed from page one to the final chapter.

What would happen if the Postmistress decided not to deliver the mail, the Radio Broadcaster chose not to deliver the news?  Lives change like a domino path; one action effecting another action, and another, and another.

Don't have time ....

I am very frustrated with my computer.  It is running so very slow.  It brings me back to the early years when home computers were a new idea.  Being the hard working school girl that I was, complaining that my older brother never had the same quantity of homework and reports to complete like I had (a common perspective of siblings), I remember the day when my dad purchased our first home computer just in time for me to type up my ten page paper on China. Yes!  No more typewriter, no more long hand.

The machine was huge ... it took up the entire desk top with its square monitor that blinked it's orange cursor as it waited to connect to ... itself.  There was no internet, it was just trying to wake up and did so ever so slowly.  But we didn't know any better and so to us, it was no big deal that we just sat and waited.

Then I went to college and my roommate had a MacIntosh and her computer seemed lightening speeds faster. She allowed me to use it, but I always tended to go to the computer room on campus because I didn't want to break hers (I had a way with that even back then).  Not knowing much about computers, I could always manage to find myself in a place that I could not escape out of; breaking a computer owned by the University seemed easier to apologize for than to my roommate.

Entering the workforce post college set me in front of even more computers, still all networked in-house, still no internet, it too seemed to click along faster than the home computer, and the previous school computer.  Marring a man who was, and still is, in to computers found ourselves buying one about every 18 months during the beginning of our marriage, when it was almost cheaper to upgrade with a new computer than buy upgrading parts.  That has sense died down with the better technology.  But there was a time when working from home with my speedy computer was easier than working from the office.

We have three computers in our house now; two are my husbands for his job and one laptop for me.  While I have direct connect and it can go instantaneously when it wants to, the days when it chooses not to, really tries my patience.  I have so much to accomplish today, both on and off the computer, that I really do not have time for slowness of technology.  The waiting is killing me.

Today is one of those days when I have to remember the blinking orange cursor of our first machine; and just keep waiting patiently like the old days. Sigh; seems like I've been here all too recently. I really don't have time ...

Sunday Worship

We have been looking forward to this day at church for about a month now.  We have had an adequate sized community from Nepal/Burma coming to our church services.  On Sunday's during the time of worship when we would stand to greet one another and connect with friends, our Pastor would teach us a new greeting from the Nepali language to use with each other.

The guests from Nepal/Burma took up a nice section of our church pews, spoke little English, and would study not only English, but the bible and God's word in many different groups with in our church.  When it was announced last month that 16 of the Nepali/Burmese church population had accepted Christ and wished for Baptism, it was a cause to celebrate.  Two additional people from our church also had accepted God's calling and were part of today's baptism; their stories of faith were just as awesome.

The sermon today was given by a Pastor from Nepal that is one of our church members.  He came to America in 2002, and he and his wife settled here in 2006 with their two young children.  A group of our church members, along with our Pastor, and this Nepali Pastor, traveled back to Nepal recently to do some Christian Conference Work. The service today was most interesting, because the Nepali Pastor spoke in his native language; and then wrote an English script for one of our Church Leaders to read to the congregation. It was fantastic; very cultural, educational, and yet the same, due to the Christian Beliefs that we now all share.  Having never traveled outside of the United States, it was fantastic to hear another language spoken so long and eloquently in the form of a Sermon (even though I had no clue what he was saying).  Very cool.

Hearing the testimony of the eighteen new believers was amazing.  Seeing their smiles and pure heart for God was inspiring.  The entire church, Sunday School Classes of all ages, joined in the Worship Center to celebrate the Baptisms today; the church was packed.  A standing ovation concluded the ceremony and it was bone chilling, songs of Worship chosen perfectly for the celebration, tears falling from so, so many.  My kids loved it ~ as did I.  It was just what we needed today.

And ... to top off the joy of new believers ... the sun is out in full force with 70+ degree warmth.  God is surely felt today in the lives of many.

American Girl Fashion Show

My daughter and I had a great afternoon together with friends, but my only regret is that I did not take enough pictures.  Now that the day is done, I am wishing I had taken some photos of the beautiful table, the food, and just miscellaneous, candid fun.  Today we were guests at a table at the American Girl Fashion Show.  

My daughter has "grown up" with American Girl dolls, we've been to the AG Store in Chicago, and we've been to a similar American Girl fashion show when my daughter was about age five.  I am glad that my girl has continued her passion for the dolls and this company, and she was so excited to attend this event. 

My dear friend invited us; they had purchased a table that sat ten of her friends and family members; among them were four fun girls who were into their dolls.  We purchased professional photos of the girls on a faux magazine cover, and when that is mailed to me in a few weeks, I will see if I can get it uploaded to my blog.  It will be a very cute photo!

Eating finger sandwiches, sipping tea and strawberry lemonade, having scones and mini cupcakes, fancied up for a parade of girls showcasing the outfits found in the American Girl Catalog, the two hour event was very well planned and executed.  The bonus is the proceeds benefit our local Children's Hospital.  

What a fun way to spend the afternoon with my girl, and our friends. 

Thank you, J.H.!!!

Beautiful Karlene

Writing is an escape, in a way, for me. For all sorts of emotions, writing is my support, my cure, my expression, my release.  There are times when I just have to put it on paper.  Tonight is one of those nights.

While my husband picked up the kids from school, I met my son at Taekwondo after a very long, but painless, procedure at my orthodontist.  My son showed his best confidence and strength in class, I enjoyed watching him; it was actually like my own release from my long day of sitting.  I drove home in the sunshine with my boy in the backseat (my husband and daughter were at the gym getting exercise) and we were laughing and having good conversation.

I opened up my computer when my son went to change out of his uniform.  Immediately the crashing weight of sorrow fell upon my shoulder, my gut tightened, and tears fell.  I saw the news I had not wanted to read; in my mind I saw her beautiful face, her children and husband she left behind by her side. Tears I could not hold back, my son came back in the room and asked me what was wrong.  My friend lost her battle to cancer. 


42. That was all.  The healthy eater at the lunch table always dressed in her slim, stylish, business suit, who could tell a great story, and was in on all the fashion and entertainment scene.  The woman who walked into our department with an education background, and rocked the insurance world with her independence and smarts.  A mom to two beautiful children who will miss her now at every birthday, holiday, celebration, and all the normal days in between. A wife that was a perfect match to her husband; they not only looked amazing together, they were a great team.  A sister of a sister; sibling bonds are amazing. A daughter; parents worst fear of outliving their children has become reality to her mom and dad. The woman who was a friend; trusted, loyal, compassionate. 42.

Thankfully, I can't get her smile out of my mind.  Even in her final months injected with medicine to help save her life, to help make her comfortable, to help her keep going even a few days, weeks, months more ... her smile radiated the world.  I have truly, honestly, sincerely ... never seen anyone look so Beautiful with no hair and battling a painful and sorrowful disease. However, it was her eyes and smile that said enough ~ confident, caring, loving; to the very end.  She fought hard and was so very strong.

With all my heart and all the tears left, I pray for her children and husband, for her extended family she left behind, for all the people she knew and made a difference to ... that the essence of what made Karlene be who she was for all of us ... stay with us, and that God's mighty hand will be at work.

Missing you, Karlene!  

A-F-R-I-C-A

The best elementary concert of the year is hosted by the third graders.  The curriculum for this grade level is the study of Africa through reading, social studies, music, and science.  The teachers go-all-out and it is so much fun for everyone.

Leading up to the music concert last night, the students got to make their own tie-dye tshirts, a ceremonial African hat, and lots and lots of artwork displayed around the gym.  The display behind the cute blond teacher standing, who is my son's fabulous teacher, is just a smidgen of what was on display.  I am always impressed with the quality of work these teachers get from their students.  Not sure my third grade year would have been to the same level.

We have six classrooms that make up our third grade; so three classes were grouped to make a 6:30pm concert, and a 7:30pm concert.  We have two music teachers for our campus and my son's teacher let her three classes make up their own drum beat ~ kids are creative!

My son and his friend were chosen to make the choreography that went with the song Lion Sleeps Tonight.  A different student was chosen to be the lion, who danced rhythmically on the stage in front.  What a cute song; and my son and his friend created neat movements for the classes.

I took video of the songs, if I can manage YouTube, I just might post it to share the beautiful music and African songs.  So cheerful and upbeat ~ it made me want to get up and join them.  We had a lot of fun last night.

Jumpin'

We spent the good portion of our past Saturday outside.   The kids played with friends, my husband played with landscaping, and I read a fascinating book (more about the book later).  Towards the end of our day, my husband found a tree frog; one of my children's favorite outdoor critters around here.  While my daughter won't touch the things, she enjoys looking at them crawl all over my son.  Playing around with his camera, my husband got these amazing photographs. Perfect shots!

Tree Frogs remind me of Easter time.  We had bought our first house in 1995 fresh from the builder, which meant back in "those days" it came with no landscaping in the backyard.  My husband had an interest in landscaping and gardening, so he went to work.  He designed and installed the backyard, and he did the same with our current house when we purchased from a builder again (with no backyard).

With the help of family, he installed sod in our backyard for an instant lawn.  It was a lot of hard work that took an entire Saturday.  That first backyard was large, even after we broke up the lawn by having a half court basketball installed and extending our patio the length of the house and extra wide into the yard.  It still left a substantial lawn that was private and gorgeous.

It was the day before Easter when the project was almost complete.  With no kids in our house yet, I decided to add plastic Easter Eggs on our fresh yard for my husband to enjoy when he woke up Easter morning.  Knowing that he was not really going to go for an egg hunt, I just scattered them around the new green grass for fun.  In his yellow rain gear, laughter and smile attached, he gathered the eggs while finishing up the remaining chore before Church.  It felt awesome to have the new yard, to finally see green on Easter, versus brown rocks and dirt.

Busy in the kitchen making breakfast, I heard my husband knock on the sliding glass door.  He had put an egg on the back step for me.  Awww, I shook it being funny.  And to my surprise it made a kathunk, kathunk, heavy noise.  Odd, I didn't even fill the eggs.  What's going on?  My husband grinned and told me to open the egg, it was a surprise.

Out JUMPED a tree frog just like the one above. I screamed and threw the egg ... and then belly laughed the rest of the morning (the frog was completely unharmed).

So while my daughter won't touch the things, my son and husband will, and every time I see these little critters about, I think of plastic Easter Eggs.

Growing Up

While I was on a break from blogging, I grew up a little, by a year to be exact.  We celebrated with a festive day at an indoor water park.  Never mind the fact that the sun decided to shine that day, we had our plans set and I could not disappoint the kids (okay, or myself).

While this location is about three years old, it was all new to us.  We decided that we will be going back to enjoy the water slide, lazy river, lap pool, water basketball game, and diving board. And yes, I had an immediate appreciation for my new swimming excitement that had me going here in the first place, and for participating going down the water slide (among other adventures I might not have done prior to this year).

My husband bound another blog book for me; my first year of writing in 2008.  I love having the blog captured on paper; knowing that nothing can erase it.  The kids love to pour over the book too, since they don't read my blog online. A very thoughtful and wonderful gift (thanks, Honey!).

Upon coming home, my husband and children made hand tossed pizza dough for pizza and bread sticks. One of my husband's first jobs as a teenager was working at a pizzeria that was known for their hand tossed pizza's.  He proved that it was a skill that he didn't leave behind when he moved forward to college.  The pizza turned out so YUM!  It was the best.

Relaxing all weekend with my family was the best way to celebrate my growing up.
I love you, Family, so very, very much!!

Spring Break

Since I have been writing during Spring Break, I thought that I would actually take a Spring Break and not write for a couple of days.  This week has gone magnificently slow and relaxing and I tend to keep it that way to the bitter two days and some odd hours remaining.

I jumped on my husband's computer to find some pictures. Browsing around landed me in 2006 when my daughter's hair was almost pure white and my son could fit inside a box.  I enjoy looking at old photos because you appreciate the cuteness so much more when they were just turning eight and six.

In no particular order and for no reason, here are some of my favorites from a folder titled Fall Dump 06; which means it is random of a little of everything.

Memory Lane

My son has been wanting to visit the University that I graduated from for a couple months now.  Luckily, their Spring Break did not coincide with our Spring Break, so it was the perfect week to go for a walk about campus.  Having the students there and the buildings open would be fun.  Having a break in the rain was a bonus.

As I was pulling up to the main parking lot to dump the car, my son asked if I would be taking pictures of the "blooming trees."  I knew what he was referring too; the Cherry Blossom trees, but he had the wrong campus.  The popular Cherry Blossomed tree campus was about sixty minutes away in the opposite direction.  Explaining this, he said, "Well, then, where are we going?"  He thought all along I was a graduate of the other University that he visited last Spring Break and he was looking forward to going back there.  The excitement just died right then and there in the backseat.

Oh well ... I would just have to find ways to jazz up this adventure.  The kids were full of questions once we got onto campus and went into some buildings.  I was amazed how much the buildings had not changed in eighteen years.  Especially the library.  They had the same chairs; the old fabric ones that make me wonder how many germs are crawling on top, and when were they last steam cleaned?!  I spent many of hours in the library researching and studying for exams.  The one true guarantee of quiet.

The only building that we went into that had been updated was the University Center.  The place where all the kids hang out because that is where the food is served.  It looks very different; and to my surprise, I was actually sad about the update.  I know, after my experience with the library chairs, what was my issue?!  The old way was just my way and so no rush of memories came flooding back.  While it looks more hip and more inviting, and actually like the food would taste good; I still like the old way better.

 To my surprise, dorm life suited me well and I had so much fun with my wing-mates. I lived here on this side of the building for three years.

The only hill on campus that I climbed to and from my private piano lessons, or back from any physical education classes, or sporting events.  The Upper Campus was more "educational", the Lower Campus was more "party" and sports minded.

My kids are walking my path from my dorm room to the Communication Arts Building (at the end of the path) that all of my major classes were held. Such a small, cozy building, but many fond memories of great professors and great education.

My son dancing in the main gym.  This is where I graduated, but I can honestly say I remember two things about that event: 1) getting pictures taken with my family outside and 2) lining up in the field house before the main event.  Actually walking across the stage to get my diploma or sitting in my chair waiting ... not a memory.  I started to get worried about that, and decided the tour needed to keep going. We walked to the new bookstore and bought a souvenir.  

It was fun to travel back in time as I love, love, love my University days and campus (even if I can't remember the actual moment I graduated).

Girls and Boys

Yesterday while my friend was off serving our legal system on Jury Duty, my other friend and I kept her children for the day. I had three fifth grade girls playing at my house, while my friend had four boys ranging from kindergarten to third grade under her wing.  Hmmm, I wonder who got the better deal? 


My creative and energetic friend had a plan; she was going to strap them in the car for an hour drive to a zoo of reptiles.  My son was Beyond-Excited for this day to arrive.  This is something just up his alley; anything hands on animal related and he is good to go.  He got to hold snakes, he talked to the owners of the zoo, and he explored the caged and non-caged critters too.  He was loving his adventure with our friends. 

The girls were happily busy creative playing all sorts of adventures back at our house.  I settled in with them for lunch and it was fun hearing their stories and connecting with the girls.  A very fun trio, I am proud my girl has stuck close to these two friends. 

We met back up at Taekwondo where all the boys joined in on the class, the girls continued their talk and giggles on the balcony, and the moms got to share about our day with each other's children. 


Enjoying our Spring Break; with reptiles, creativity, and friends. 


Thank you, SK, for hosting a Terrific Tuesday for my son and sharing your beautiful daughter with me!!

School Zone

One of my children's favorite activities when they go to my parent's house, on any occasion, but especially on Piano Mondays, is playing in the School Zone.  A retired teacher, my mom has a wonderful display of school supplies and decor which fosters imaginative play, education, and hands on fun that she has set on the landing of their staircase.  According to my mom, my daughter certainly has the look and say of a teacher; she is really paying attention to what is said during class time as her lingo is right on target!

On Mondays, my mom will always play with them, and my dad will get asked to join too.  When he plays, he takes on the role of the "bad kid"; which I hear just cracks my kids' up as he plays it to a tee (and that's not who he is, he's so gentle and fun).

In addition, on Piano Mondays, my daughter has also taken it upon herself to "teach" my mom all about her fifth grade math curriculum (including homework assigned to my mom) and history (my mom had her CBA History project due last week, and I am happy to report she got an A+ from my daughter-the-teacher).  My mom is a great sport!!

When the cousins come over, all the kids play and take turns in their roles as teacher, student, principal, class pet ... their creativity runs wild from the names of students, to the behavior of each character being role played.

Here are some photos my husband took at random on Easter.  Although we had not talked about it prior, we were on the same page that we wanted this area documented just to have.  The school desks were purchased when I was little and I "played school" growing up too in our basement's playroom.  Although it was nothing compared to my children's collection of school-fun, I do remember those desks.