Thankful Tree 2012

On November 1st each year, we put together one of my favorite traditions, our thankful tree.  I think we started it when Macie was about 3 and the kids really enjoy it. 

This morning as I passed by it a couple things dawned on me... First, given that I have been REALLY lazy on updating my blog, posting photos of some leaves might be a good (easy/quick) overview to our year.  And second, I did a really poor job ironing the tablecloth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Kickoff: The Hennings Visit Normal

Early June started with a visit from our best friends, The Hennings. They were kind enough, and presumably bored enough, that they made the entire trip from Virginia to No-where, Illinois. We had lots of laughs, LOTS of drinks, good food, visit to a dairy farm, golfing for the guys/pool time for the moms, the required smores fire, tons of icecream, an adults only dinner date and a daytrip to Chicago.  We feel so blessed to have them in our lives, regardless of the miles between us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their visit was a great start to summer.  The next couple weeks in June were spent mostly at State Farm pool, PONY baseball games for G, playing with our friends in the neighborhood, and preparing for our most anticipated trip to Washington/Oregon.

Train trip to Chicago

In looking back I realize that I never posted about our fun daytrip during Spring Break.  We didn't do much that week, so requested that we take at least one day and do something fun with the kids.  We woke the kids up super early and surprised them with a train trip to Chicago.  It was a fun, LONG day!  I was really impressed with how much walking the kids did, (and Macie with a sprained ankle). 

 

We didn't go with any plans, so when we arrived at the train station we grabbed a cab and had them take us to Shedd Aquarium.  When we arrived we realized the line was too long, and decided we would come back later.  So we started walking along the lake.  We walked, and walked, and walked.  We ended 2 miles later at Navy Pier, with a promised ride on the ferris wheel and a well deserved lunch for the "starrrrrrrvvvvvvving" children.

 

 

 

 

After lunch we started walking again.  This time back towards Millinium Park and the Bean.  Of course the kids took the opportunity (like everyone else) to lay on the filthy ground, underneath the germ covered bean.  I kept a save distance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soon after The Bean the whining started.  So we slowly made our way back to Shedd, stopping for breaks along the way.  Once there we had a half hour wait in line and the kids were more than happy to find a bench.

 

 

 

 

The aquarium was beautiful, however we probably all would have enjoyed it more if we had done it earlier in the day.  When we were there they had an amazing Jellyfish Exhibit.  The exhibits were lit with rotating colors, maybe blacklights,...Whatever it was, coupled with my own exhaustion, it was mesmerizing. 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great day!.  However, we learned a couple things...

 

#1.  Kids, at least ours, are capable of walking long distances when bribed with ferris wheel rides

#2.  People will lay on the ground of Chicago, under one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, and think nothing of it.  GROSS!

#3.  Kids find things to complain about, even in the midst of  new, exciting adventures

#4.  It doesn't matter if you are in a car, plane or train, kids always ask "how long 'til we get there" a million times...UNLESS, you totally wear them out for the ride home

 

Calvin

 

July 11, 1999 - Sept. 14, 2012

On September 14th, just over 13 years old, we had to put down our sweet, often smelly, always furry, forever loyal friend.  When we were visiting Washington this summer, really anytime we drove south on I-5, Eric and I talk about the September evening we picked up our puppy in Pe Ell, (Exit 77 - one of the odd facts forever imprinted on my brain). 

A month later and I still get choked up writing this.  It was the hardest, most heartbreaking decisions we have had to make, but as soon as we did we knew we had done the right thing.  He had a rapid growing tumor on his mouth that was not operable due to the large blood supply.  On top of it he had the general ailments of any 13 year old dog - bad hips, constant sleep, losing his hearing & sight, weight loss, and more than normal hair loss.  Another midwest winter would have been brutal on him.



His favorite pass time & entertainment for us...biting the slider

Always center of the holiday festivities

He was our first baby.  He was our companion in the years before we had children.  He was there on holidays, camping trips, beach trips, weekends spent on yard work, and lazy days before our focus became children.  However, with each baby, he welcomed his new sibling and eventually became their first best friend.  He watched over his kids and knew just when we needed loving attention.  In the 13 years he was with us our lives evolved - we expanded our family and moved multiple times, but he was our constant. 

 

 

I still envision and miss the big brown dopey eyes, cocked head, kid tolerant, and always ready for attention, exploding furball.  It is a loss that was felt deeply by each of us.  We certainly won't forget him and there is no replacing him. 

 

 

A New School Year Brings Changes

(Due to my late posting) my babies are all well into the school year. 

G loves kindergarten, and apparently his teacher too.  One night at dinner, soon after school started, I asked G what he thought of his new teacher, Ms. Hart.  He thought for a minute and then announced, "Her smile.  She has a nice smile." (Pause)  "And I like it when she wears high heels."  Hmm...  Well, he got a big thumbs up from his dad.

G & his best friend Rayna comparing new school shoes.

The girls jumped back in and are doing well.  Laney has a good 2nd grade teacher, and I think she will learn a lot this year.  We are still waiting for the "love of reading" to kick in with her.  Macie is already feeling challenged in some subjects, simply because she wants to give minimal effort.  I think she got a little too use to school coming easily.  I am struggling between intervening and or taking a step back and holding her more responsible (as directed by all the 5th grade teachers at orientation).

 

With a new school year, and my baby beginning kindergarten, it brought changes for me too.  I would say I am still a stay-at-home mom, but I do have a workplace I must report to (for 2 whole hours a day).  I am a Recess Supervisor at one of the nearby elementary schools - thankfully not my kids.  I work from 11:30-1:30, which is perfect.  I really struggled with what I could do.  Something that would still allow me to get the kids off to school, be home after school, be home on inservice days,  holiday breaks, late starts, and summertime.  I like the other supervisors and the kids, well for the most part, they are typical kids.  It gives me some insight as to what is happening in certain grades, (ie, attitudes, boy crazy, sneakiness, attitudes, back talking, flirting, attitudes, makeup, attitudes,...).  It has provided us a lot of dinner time conversations.  Some of my work skills have been put out of use while I stayed home with kids for 8 years, but not my ability to monitor kids on a playground.  I am a pro at that.  I have often wanted to discipline other peoples kids at parks and playgrounds, and now I get paid to do it...(insert evil laugh here).    I actually really like it...remind me of that again come November-February. 

 

 

Add to the list...

Add to the list of updates to come...Calvin, my 20th high school reunion (that I did not attend) and our 15th Anniversary.

Hmm, I should probably get started on all these posts pretty soon.

Coming Soon...One HUGE Recap

While on my blog hiatus (aka laziness) I have missed sharing some pretty big events...

Macie's 10th birthday, Valentines, Spring Break, Easter, Mother's Day & Father's Day, the long desired Deutsch-Rock baby, end of school/start of summer break, a visit from dear friends, Mike & Sarah's wedding, Washington & Sunriver vacation, Laney's birthday, the start of a new school, re-entering the workforce, ...just to name a few. 

Where to begin?  I might need some more time to think about it. 

More Depressing Revelations

In addition my haircolor revelation, there is also no longer denying that my baby is really growing up.  Last Thursday was his last day of preschool, and Friday night was his graduation.

I clearly remember his first day of preschool.  For that matter, I just as clearly remember the day we brought him home from the hospital.  Probably the fastest 5 1/2 years of my life so far. 

1st day of preschool - 9/2010

Last day of preschool

Today he zooms around without training wheels, plays baseball, flips it back to his sisters, and reminds me far too often that he is going to ride the bus next year.  Thankfully today, he also still loves to cuddle and grabs my hand to hold.

At graduation his teacher shared that when he grows up he wants to be an astronaut, police man, and a rockstar.  And that he is most looking forward to kindergarten because...he gets to ride the bus!  Oh, my breaking heart.