Ten on Tuesday

1.  First up - Happy Birthday to our oldest nephew, John, whose 7th Birthday is today!  We love him so much and loved getting to spend some of the weekend with him and his family.  Happy birthday also today to Aunt Suzi -- the chef of the Rouse family!  (Our family has tons of birthdays from Jan 20-March 9 so several birthday buddies). 

Photo credit goes to State Senator David Holt

 2.  We also celebrated George Washington's 283rd Birthday on Friday evening at Dust Bowl with the GW Oklahoma Alumni network (these are the kids of the alumni, obviously).  It was probably our best GW alumni event so far.  We had lots of fun, food, and great conversations.  All of the alumni present are lawyers which probably helps us find things to talk about rather easily :)

 3.  Then, after attempting and failing to go to sleep early, Brent and I woke the kids up just before 5am on Saturday for the drive to TX.  We banned electronics, books, and really anything for the first two hours in hope they would go back to sleep.  I even played their lullabye CD.  I think they got some sleep, but not enough.  Come 7am, E got to have some video for the first time and was very confused that it wasn't a touch screen. We dropped Brent off at a summer camp fair by 8:30am and were off to visit the Joneses.

 4. I really like looking down from the second story at Jamie's house.  It is beautiful and this little guy is so very curious.  He had an awesome time with his cousins and all the toys, but had to be banned from the kids sleeping room for keeping everyone awake way past bedtime (we did return him to his air mattress after he fell asleep in our bed).

 5. I had no idea we were going to John's basketball game while we were there, but it was great fun.  It was pretty fancy as grade school games go complete with a run in through a tunnel into a mostly dark gym when their name was called with pulsing music in the background!  John played a great game and the other kids behaved pretty well as spectators!

 6.  After lunch, M & B went to John's birthday party at the climbing gym.  E took a nap in the car while I went to pick up Brent and then we met them there.  Climbing was kind of hard for the kids, but they gave it a try and seemed to have a good time anyway.

 7.  This guy ate his Italian Ice in tiny bites like this for about 45 minutes.........

 8.  We made it back the next day in time for Ro's 2nd birthday party.  It was a woof woof themed party and full of fun, big dogs and little dogs, black and white dogs, etc.... It was also nice to see my siblings who I have seen very little this month!

9.  Monday, everyone went to school and then an unexpected amount of snow arrived.  These two loved playing in it and helped me clear off the driveway.  B joined them when he came home and they all rejoiced about having a snow day today.

10.  For the first time in this training cycle I missed a run --- shocking I know given how busy and exhausting my weekend was.  I was back on schedule today, but it is shocking how much I do feel it when there is a gap in my training.  Sigh.  It is going OK.  As usual, running is a largely psychological game for me.  That said, last Thursday's run was totally awesome so there will be good days.

This weekend I am celebrating my birthday with family and friends.  Thanks to all you readers who follow our journey and encourage us in this crazy life.  Love you!

Ten on Tuesday

 1. M has been doing some room reorganization again.  In an interesting turn of events she has recently discovered that she likes organizing things and setting them up just so.  Sadly, organizing them seems to require that they be organized neatly all over the floor, not, for example, put away in bins.  We had to stage a small intervention to get at least a portion of the things put away so B can reach his clothing......Also, enjoys writing and reading in her journal.  Thanks Grandma! (As an aside M needs her Grandma.  She craves their alone special times and when it doesn't happen crazy sometimes ensues.  I am so glad they get this time together).

2.  Friday night, Tracie, Mom, and I went out to dinner with one of Tracie's friends and then enjoyed the OKC Ballet's production of Romeo & Juliet.  Some parts were fabulous, particularly the beginning of Act III, any part involving Ronnie Underwood (I'm a fan), the sets, costumes, the principal ballerina, etc...  There were some thematic issues as Romeo & Juliet is largely about the words, it is Shakespeare after all and as lovely as the production was it didn't conquer the lack of language.  Also, the lead male dancer had quite a few partnering issues, but was a good actor.  Anyway, it was good fun, great seats, company, and music.  I'm looking forward to next season as well as Giselle and Peter Pan are coming!

3. I wandered in from the ballet around 11pm completely ready to go to sleep.  Luckily Brent reminded me that we needed to find and set out the trail of hearts.  M had been looking forward to it all week and especially the evening before. She (and I) would have been crushed if I forgot to do it.  After the annual frantic digging for where we put the hearts we set it up and she was suitably very enthusiastic when she woke up.  The added twist this year is that she can now read all the hearts, which added tremendously to the fun. 

4.  Valentines didn't work out as planned.  This is the wonderful world of parenting.  Two months. Two planned dates outside of our home.  Zero success in those endeavors.  This time, E woke us up Valentine's Day morning sick and proved he was serious.  We cancelled all plans, mourned, developed a somewhat overly complicated plan B. And enjoyed our time together anyway.  We are becoming pros at the "at home" date.

 5.  See? Sad puppy who needed lots and lots of snuggles all weekend.

 6.  We were home a lot over the last four days.  We tried to include as many non-electronic options as possible including a lengthy train playing session with all three kids.  We have a great set of trains and E got a new one (Charlie #14--- obviously) for Valentine's Day.  E rallied to get right into the train fun.

 7.  On Sunday after church we went to visit Brent's parents and celebrate his dad's birthday with his sister and her kids.  E had a very good time talking to Grammie (in less good news, many people at this event were later sick too....ooops?? So sorry).

 8.  Brent remains totally adorable with babies and Grayson enjoyed the company as his mom packed up for the trip home before the winter storm that was heading our way.

 9.  While at Grammy's, E discovered the harmonica and was a huge fan.  He played it for a very long time.  Mostly the same notes over and over.

 10.  M developed her very own raspberry muffin recipe with the tiniest bit of chemistry help suggestions from me. Very tasty.  She now wants to enter the county fair in the summer, which sounds lovely.

Bonus cuteness - these kids had today off as well for winter break.  After naptime I found them like this watching Care Bears.  Too cute.

Also - not much about B in the above.  He won the "Safety" award for his class for this nine weeks.  As far as I can tell it is one of the "Dophin Three" values and, in part, about making good choices, which I'm all for.  He and I continue to read Percy Jackson books at a very good clip.  This week we're on to Son of Neptune, which I admit I am loving.  Also, B wants to let you know that he lost his 9th tooth on Sunday.  He hadn't lost one in a while so there was much excitement. 

A day full of Birthday Love

Today, was a very good day. I think it may possibly have been exactly the sort of birthday B would have dreamed for himself.  I am a little teary thinking about the whole of it with the promise of a work day coming soon so I'm going to share the photos here and write birthday letters and other musings later.  There are a lot of photos.  Here is our day in the life, January 20, 2014 - B's 7th Birthday.

First things first, presents.  I made him promise not to open them before I got up and I got to sleep in the latest of everyone this morning-- 8:30!  As soon as we were all up he dove right in.  Lots of Skylanders, books, games, a puzzle, and a LEGO clock so he'll be able to tell when he can get up in the morning more easily. Obviously, M & E helped with the presents. 

Being born on inauguration day has meant that B gets to miss school on his birthday more often than most.  His birthday has fallen on inauguration day, weekends, and, as today, on Martin Luther King Day several times.  Long weekends around his birthday are his happy norm and I love it.  A lot of his day was spent like this playing Wii U. 

Brent & I worked together to make him his preferred Star Wars pancakes for breakfast and then I made him our favorite chocolate chunk cookies for lunch/snacking while they played board games. 

After loving Castle Panic during our recent visit to the Wainrights' Brent bought it for B's birthday.  This lovely threesome played it successfully while I made cookies and E napped.  (It was thankfully shorter than the 5 hour Monopoly marathon of yesterday, which B eventually won). 

There was some counting of Skylanders and considering which ones he likes best as well as more video games while M played a strategy game with Daddy, I read, and E napped.  Yes, little bro occasionally takes up his older brother's excellent napping skills. 

Then it was time for the long awaited ice skating trip.  We had some trouble getting there as streets were still blocked off from the parade, but we made it.  Due to E's age and my problematic feet, we watched from the side lines, but had an excellent time dancing to the music, watching, and snacking. 

 E is a great cheer leader and wants to be in on the action.  He loves his big brother and I love all three of my guys.

This photo was taken accidentally with my phone. I couldn't see a thing due to the glare, but I love it.  Random bonus!

Brent was so careful and patient with them.  B did not want help.  M definitely did.  All of them improved as they went around and round. 

Brent likes ice skating, me, and being a Daddy :)

Close together, my older two who have been through so much of their adventures thus far together. 

Seven, definitely seven.  When reminiscing with Brent about his birth this morning we were discussing that one of the first things Brent told me after B was born was that he had my elf ears (I have bumps on the outside of my ears that my parents refer to as such).  B has them too.  He has little bits of my look even though he mostly just looks like his dad, which is a good thing indeed. 

There needed to be some resting while the zamboni went around as skating is hard work and several people's feet were getting sore. 

Brent "might" have managed to get some of E's snacks.  It is somewhat possible that my kids are mostly made up of these yogurt granola bars I always have in my bag. 

Not to worry, E found some pretzels too and went back to dancing and watching the skating. 

B grew more confident and stable as the rounds passed.  I love that he seems to truly enjoy ice skating even though it is clearly hard for him.  He persisted, and did not get frustrated with the many slips, tilted ankles, or balance checks. Just kept sliding along with a good attitude (win!)

He did take some tips from Brent.  It is a good thing at 7 to still listen to your Dad's advice about how to improve and tackle the current challenge.  After this, we went to Toys R Us so he could spend his gift card, and exchange one Skylander for another.  He got two more Skylanders and  a Hero Factory LEGO.  Then, home for chicken nuggets from Chik-fil-a and more video games.  

We wrapped up the evening with his annual birthday interview, which will appear here soon, and another 1/2 a chapter of A Wrinkle In Time.  Sprinkled throughout the day were calls from his Grandparents, Aunts, and cousins that were all very fun and enthusiastic. As the day wound into night, I got a very big 7 year old hug, sang him Happy Birthday a few more times, and finally, per his request, sang him "Go to Sleep My Brendan" his lullabye as a baby, as his bed time song. 

It seemed fitting and very cyclical.  I love you sweet boy.  You have  grown in so many ways this year and I am so very proud of you.  I love this day we spent together as a family and wish all our birthdays could be like this.  For now, we'll savor this one relaxed lovely day and wish you a wonderful year to come.

Love,

Mama

Ten on Tuesday

1.  Adorable boy in his hat + sword picture as promised.  He rocks it, right? (I'm sure you all spent the week wondering how the quest for a baby hat picture would end up, right? No?? Shocking)

2. Of course Lady M, then needed her picture taken too by her art gallery.  Somehow this wall now has washi tapped art added weekly.  Seems to be doing ok with the new paint. 

 

3. This picture is technically not from this week, but is pretty much what B wants to be doign in free time now -- wearing footie PJs and playing Wii U.

4.  B is very talkative this week with an odd tendency to repeat what he says twice much of the time.  I guess so we can fully appreciate the awesomeness of his pronouncements? I'm not sure. I like that he's talkative and am trying to gently steer some of the talkativeness away from the details of video games...

5.  B's birthday is next Monday which means we have lots of parties in the next seven days.  I will frankly admit that as this is our first 'not at my house' friends party I haven't really put much focus into preparations.  Then again, not really focusing until the last few days is sort of how I roll so I'm fairly sure everything will work out and soon my baby will be 7!

6.  E has a baby cold and is feeling sad.  Not surprisingly, none of our kids were sick for the 16 days of Christmas break, but E is now immediately sick once he returned to school.  I am plying the older kids with vitamins in hopes of keeping this at bay. 

7.  Lady M has been watching Angelina again and adopting an Australian accept.  This drives her older brother crazy.  The accent doesn't bother me as much as the strange mannerisms, but she is just performing and will be on to new escapades soon, I'm sure.

8. We finally took down all the Christmas decorations this weekend.  And put most of them in nice boxes that Audra would fully approve of.  We always make it a goal to have them down by B's birthday.  If not for all the birthday's I'm not sure when it would get done.  The living room looks very empty now.  

9.  Have you tried the Romano cheese powder on popcorn yet? It is delicious and I might have convinced my kids it is better than Pirate's Booty popcorn.  (I can't bring myself to by popcorn in bags when delicious, fresh popcorn is so easy to make. 

10.  I am still on a restricted diet, although admittedly I've let a few things in.  I miss sugar still and drinking things other than water, but the weight is coming off and the headaches have eased.  I have a long way to go, but only a few more days on this very limited regime. We shall see.  We did make it to the gym a few times this week and my beloved's arms are sore.  We're on our way to strong in 2014. 

PS - Scrapbooking miracle -- I am caught up on Project Life after largely neglecting it during December Daily.  I need a new album and a title page for 2014, but otherwise, everything is set!!

Christmas Tea Time

This is the crew from this year's Christmas Tea celebration. (Able joined us a bit later and isn't pictured).  Taking the annual Christmas Tea picture is a long standing tradition, but many things about this picture aren't.  For one, it is probably 4-5x bigger than the tea once was AND see all those men/boys in the picture? We have started inviting a few of them in because we love them and they they are our family and friends.  (Also, there are few girls in this generation of my family/original Christmas tea ladies).   You'll also see that some folks have ornaments.  That is part of our ongoing ornament exchange.  Everyone got one as miraculously Audra and I somehow managed to buy the perfect amount of extras for those that forgot.   There was also an incredible amount of food, and a few crafts.  I'm hoping the photos of them might be on Audra's camera as I lost mine a few times during the day. 

The ladies in this photo are more the group that might have been at a Christmas Tea roughly 20 years ago (we were all younger).  Another five or so years before that it would just be Audra, Emily, Gina, and I with our moms and Able occasionally joining us.  It was so amazingly delightful to have the Hladik ladies join us this year for the first time in my house!  Thank you all so much for making the drive.

A lot of the Christmas Tea looks like this.  People standing around chatting, eating, and laughing in small groups.  (I think photo credit here may be due to Corwyn, age 3, --whose mom is in the center of this photo watching the camera-- or possibly to his helper B

This was our very youngest guest, Jakub, who is only two months old and slept through the first several noisy hours of the party.  SO cute!

There is alos a bit of this.  Uncle Brent/Daddy is very popular, particularly with the 4-5yr old ladies, and often finds himself being tackled or involved in tossing them around. 

As the guests thinned out these two boys that have only met a couple times before bonded over Skylanders.  A new part of an old tradition.