Snow Day Two - Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011

Wednesday morning we woke to several inches of snow on top of granular snow on top of ice. And wind.

[Truthfully, we didn't receive as much snow as we expected - North of us, the snow fell heavily and South of us, freezing ice covered everything]

We started to shovel the driveway, down to the ice layer.

Yeah, I really don't mind shoveling snow as long as it's not too cold.

Later on, our neighbor, Bob plowed the cul-de-sac and all the driveways. What a great neighbor. Even better, he mounds all the snow by our driveway so the kids can use it for snow forts, sledding, snowball fights, etc.

The kids also like to slide off Buck and Jill's backyard deck, after covering it with snow.








They enjoyed the fun while they could because it was back to school on Thursday.

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325/365 - Pickles and Glee

We love the comic strip, Pickles (does that mean we are getting old and can relate?) and I love the show, Glee, so imagine my delight when the two are paired up today.



Ah, so much fun. I wish life could be as fun as Glee sometimes, breaking out into full song, with a full orchestra accompaniment.

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Day 266 - Soccer, More Legos and Fall Festival Recap

It's Saturday, which means soccer. This morning's game was scheduled for 8:30, so I didn't get my long run in this morning. The weather was perfect - a crisp 50 degF and sunny.

I positioned myself along the Teams' side of the field, which is the east side. So much better for taking pictures of the action.


The green team won again, 4-0. Erica had a couple of opportunities to score on goal, but it didn't happen - she played the wing position towards the end of the game.

After the game, Brian set out to complete the Medieval Market Hotel. Once he finished, he set up market square scene and we took a picture of it. Oh, I stand corrected - Brian took the picture. We set the camera on the tripod and he clicked the remote control.


Last night, Brian's school held its Fall Festival Fundraiser. Games, dunk booth, inflatables, silent auction, raffles and lots of goodies. Erica served as a Middle School National Honor Society volunteer all night, working several of the games, and the Face Painting Area.

And she coerced Brian into her Face Painting area so she could paint a skull on his cheek. I was amazed by their cooperation!

And the finished product -

It was a great event and lots of fun!

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261/365 - Party Remnants

Well, not 100% true. These discarded balloons are scattered on the grass because of the winds Saturday afternoon, before Brian's party. I had planned on a water balloon toss contest, but when the wind took them away, I punted on that plan.

But I liked how colorful they looked in the grass. And that glob of light green was some silly string from the party - a gift from George.

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Day 259 - Soccer, Silliness, Cake and Dating Perspectives from a 5th Grader

Another Saturday in September, meaning another day chock full of activities.

I got up and ran 6+ miles.
Then I cleaned out the pond - I didn’t work on it last week, so this week there was a lot more to clean out.
Scott and Brian went to the football game.
I took Erica to her soccer game. In today’s game, she acted as one of the Team Captains (meaning she and two other Team Captains get to observe the starting coin toss). During the game, she played defense and wing positions, giving her ample exposure to the ball. The team won 3-1 against a strong opponent.


After the game, I vacuumed the basement, family room and kitchen, in preparation for Brian’s big bash later on. Then out to the store to buy treats, food and (most importantly) the cake. I ended up with two cakes – an ice cream cake and a chocolate sheet cake. How I ended with two cakes would take too long to explain – just chalk it up to my poor planning skills and a picky birthday boy.

Before you could say “what time is it”, the doorbell started ringing with parents quickly depositing their kids at my door. The reality chaos of eight boys running around hit me like a tornado. Thank goodness for that bounce house! And the plethora of stuff we have in the basement. At least boys don’t go around screaming like girls do. Sometimes they will even sit still long enough for you to take a serious picture:


As long as you let them goof off, too:

They make the most interesting faces at this age – no “trying to be a cool teenager”. Adorable.

What I enjoyed the most was the conversation the boys engaged in as I drove them to the Laser Tag place.

“I heard that Alec is crushed because Emily broke up with him!”
“Were they going out together?”
“Yeah – for 15 minutes! Then Emily broke up with him…..”
“I would like to go out with Olivia, but I am WAY too scared to ask her. What if she says no? I’m just too scared.”
I, of course asked the question “Are you guys going out on dates with these girls?” and the answers I received: “Oh, we’re not old enough to go out on a date! We can’t even drive! In 5th grade, you get to hold hands and hug. In 6th grade, you might get to kiss on the cheek. I can’t imagine kissing a girl on the lips – I think that’s what you get to do in 7th or 8th grade. Eww!”

Ah, out of the mouths of babes.

As the Laser Tag attendant (a young, cute 17 year old lad) so succinctly summed up, “Things were so much simpler at the age of 10.”

Yes, indeed.

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258/365 - Start of A Fun Weekend

Neighbor Bob is so nice to allow us to use his bounce house this weekend. The special occasion – Brian’s 11th birthday party. Somehow, I got roped into hosting 8 boys (including the birthday boy) for a sleepover party. I’m expecting nothing but high energy from the group, so hopefully, the bounce house will help them work it off.

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246/365 - End of Softball Cookout

Buck and Jill hosted an end of the softball season / Labor Day cookout. The Medicine Balls Softball Team ended up with a 7 and 7 season, worthy of a fun gathering. As usual, there was plenty of great food, great friends, lots of kids (big and small), games, running around and general fun.

The kids played badminton, volleyball before the "big kids" joined in.


Things degraded to a game of "Keep Away". That's big kid Dan (and the Medicine Ball's top hitter) winning. This started the Dodge Ball games, held in the front of the house so the Moms couldn't watch their kids and husbands get pummeled.



A most fun way to end the summer season.

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243/365 - Shenanigans Afoot

I caved last night and let Brian pick out a water balloon kit. This includes the filler (conveniently threaded to use with your outdoor spigot) and a large assortment of balloons, ready for filling and ensuing water battles.

He has the filler already set up outside. Just as long as he doesn't involve me or any open windows!



The sad thing - the weather has cooled down considerably, so any water activities would be result in cold and shivering kids. Of course, that won't stop them.

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August 21-24 Photos - Days 231-234

I'm starting to skip more days as I head into the last part of year two, taking a picture a day. Really, I'm feeling a bit "pictured out". I'm pretty sure, however, that the feeling is temporary, and with the onslaught of fall, school, soccer, football and other "fall" things, I'll snap out of it.

But on to pictures captured last week.

Saturday, August 21, Day 231

Another "normal Saturday" of running, yard work, and housework. Oh yeah, Erica experienced her first "rock concert" - she went to see Selena Gomez perform at the local State fair. She had a great time, but didn't take any photos!
Brian took advantage of his sister not being around to get into a water fight with the boys next door.

I'm not sure who has the upper hand here, George or Will.....


Sunday, August 22, Day 232
Hey, who's that in the mirror? That would be me. I love the morning light in the bathroom.



Monday, August 23, Day 233
Baseball game tonight. Brian's team won easily (at times the innings seemed to go on and on and on). Scott started a new "tradition" of taking the crossword puzzle to the games. We work on them together, and it's quite interesting some of the answers we come up with. (Like tonight's "Woodland Creatures" - Scott insisted the answer had to be "bees". Umm, I don't think so!).


Tuesday, August 24, Day 234
I drove out of my way this afternoon, but picking up the first batch of Honeycrisp apples and an apple pie was totally worth it! So yummy and a great harbinger of the fall season just around the corner.

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189/365 - Monopoly Time

Uncle Jeff came over today and we played what must have been the longest Monopoly game in our family's history. Over 4 hours, with five players, two final winners (team of Scott and Grandma Fay) and two very stubborn runners up. We knew that Grandma had it wrapped up, but we still played on until the very bitter end. At one point, Grandma had to go out to retrieve dinner, so Scott filled in, creating a whole new dynamic to the game.

By the end, all the hotels were in use, with Scott / Grandma covering 5 monopolies. Brian hung on until the bitter end.



See, the race car wins!

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188/365 - Beach Amusements

After our nice dinner in air conditioned coolness, a cold front whipped through the beach area, leaving behind the coolest temperatures we've seen in over a week.

We wandered along the beach amusement park, the kids rode some of those rickety rides and we went to play "Fascination", a cross between bingo and skee ball - roll the little rubber ball across the 5x5 game board. The ball will eventually drop into a hole and you need to get 5 across to win. Sounds easy, right? We didn't win a single game and we played 20 of them!

I love the game hall because of the old, worn wood, the old games and the overall antique feel. Like something out of the 70s.

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Day 161 - Rouge Mega Slide Operations

Our neighborhood picnic was scheduled for today at 4pm. A picnic in the park, with burgers and hot dogs, deserts and salads brought in by our neighbors, a DJ and large inflatables. In previous years, the picnic has been scheduled during the late fall, and the cold weather has always been a challenge. So moving it to summer should be a eliminate the weather issue, right?

Well, wrong, as a humid, tropical air descended upon the mid-west. And when you have hot, humid air, you have severe thunderstorms and torrential rains. Of course, one of these severe rain cells passed through our area right as the picnic was scheduled to start.

We rescheduled the picnic for tomorrow, but once the storms passed, and the skies cleared, we decided to unfurl the MegaSlide Inflatable for some unauthorized inflatable action.



OK, we're not supposed to operate the inflatables without the official operator from the inflatable company. But, hey, we're a bunch of rule breakers.

And the kids had lots of fun sliding down the MegaSlide.


Including the "big kids":

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160/365 -The Triple Lane Slip and Slide

If having the pool wasn't enough, Scott purchased a Slip-N-Slide last night. Another popular, yet fairly fragile water element.

The boys next door are about to run down into the slide. Note that swim suits are not really required to enjoy this ride. And also note that this year's model includes a triple lane configuration for more fun!


And guess what - by the end of the night, the boys punctured a hole in the bottom of the slide. Fortunately, it's been raining here, so the slide is constantly wet. We'll have to patch it up with some duct tape in order for the streams of water to spray on the lanes.

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91/365 - Opening Day

Not baseball, but Six Flags Amusement Park. It was a perfect, summery day. But crowded! Imagine all the people on Spring Break or off for Good Friday. Put 10,000+ at the Park, offering "Double Rides" (for the major rides, you get on once and ride two times in a row). That was OK until the wait times doubled. We waited over an hour for the Mr. Freeze ride. About midday, they suspended the Double Rides due to the long wait times. But we still had fun.

And what's more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day:

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90/365 - April Fools

Brian's April Fools "disguise" for school. He's been planning this for several days now. Today's alter-ego: Eugene Westbrook.

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64/365 - Climb Up

George had the coolest birthday party today - at a local climbing wall. All the boys took turns at the 3 story wall. George made it to the top on his first try. Brian tired about half way up on rope number 2, but then was successful on rope 10.


George:


Will:


And Henry:

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I ♥ Faces Photo Challenge - Hilarious Outakes

This week's I ♥ Faces Photo Challenge theme is Hilarious Outtakes, so I get to share some pictures of the kids goofing around while I try to set up our annual family picture.

Erica is performing some sort of "dance"


Brian whacks himself with a walking stick


And finally, we all strike a silly pose:


There's lots of funny outtakes at I ♥ Faces Photography - go and check them out for a laugh or two (or three).

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Friday Fill-Ins for This Gloomy Friday

I don't think we've seen the sun since Monday. You'll notice that theme throughout today's Friday Fill-Ins.....

1. So are we going to get some sun soon? The clouds and rain are starting to take their toll!

2. The unknown is what's up ahead. Just be ready for the ride!

3. I love to sing and create beautiful music.

4. The gloomy weather has put me in mood of some sorts. I think I need to employ some retail therapy to perk me up.

5. I walk a fine line between organization and utter chaos. Yesterday’s Baby Blues comic strip illustrates our morning routine perfectly.


6. Being happy with what you have is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to our book club’s lively discussions, tomorrow my plans include soccer game watching and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day!

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283/365 - Pleasant Surprise

I was talking to a co-worker yesterday, sitting at her "guest chair" in her office, when I glanced over and was surprised to see Hello Kitty smiling at me. Immediately, I had to smile back.

I have fond memories of Hello Kitty from my childhood, years before she became popular in the US. I remember buying some Hello Kitty puffy stickers during our trip to Taiwan when I was in 3rd grade. I treasured those stickers for years because they were so different (and Hello Kitty is just SO cute).

Hello Kitty still makes me smile (Erica thinks I have a weird obsession with her). I hope she brings a smile to you today.



[And Hello Kitty isn't simply imprinted on the eraser - she is formed through the entire eraser - how cool is that!]

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260/365 - Balance Beam?

Not really - Brian and George are walking along what used to be George's play set, newly dismantled from a big structure into pile of wooden pieces.



Why is it so much fun to take things apart?

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