Frost and Shorts?

This past 5 days we had 3 different sleepovers. It takes me a day or two to recoup from that. The kids are overtired and John is overworked between finishing the porch and doing ABCS appointments and his normal work and commute. So, we are just surfacing now.

I have a few things to post. One of them is what I witnessed yesterday as I dropped off David, Noah, and Naomi at school. Not just 1 kid, but at least 3 boys wearing shorts. Big deal right? Well maybe if it was August, but that morning I had to scrape my windshield in order to see those kids. The ground was a blanket of white at the school and they were wearing shorts.

Only in WI do you see kids in shorts at the same time as there is frost on the ground. I tell you for the most part I like to be an optimist but the 35 years of winter are wearing me thin on how much I enjoy this season. Ok, I will just come right out and say it. I HATE IT! (We are not allowed to use the word hate in my house so hopefully David won't read this anytime soon and remind me of the "rules".

I hate it already and it is only the second time I had to scrape my windshield this year.
As the day progresses Caleb begins to talk about snow and getting our Christmas tree. Even he knows it is coming. (Could that be because when we go shopping the stores are already tying to sell Christmas stuff? Can't we just skip winter 1 year? sigh.

Our Anniversary

Yesterday John and I celebrated 14 years of marriage. I can hardly believe that much time has gone by already!

We went to a beautiful resort in Galela IL the 1st weekend in October to celebrate. We were actually gone 26 hours with no children. It was so wonderful to get away together. (fireplace, birds singing, amazing scenery)

Last night we went out for dinner and had a wonderful time. During our conversation we realized there was really very little we would have changed if given the chance to go back with hindsight 20/20 knowledge. It truly has been 14 good years.

As we looked forward to the next 14 years we noted that David will be out of the house and Caleb will be on his way out, Nathan would be in High School. We will be approaching the empty nest stage in our life. I am careful to not "wish away" these years with our boys but yet the thought of having John all to myself is exciting.

I wouldn't trade this man or these boys for any corporate success the world has to offer. I feel so blessed to have been able to make our house a home with my full time effort.

I thank God for his wisdom in choosing just the right mate for me. Even though I was aware of his character when I married him, I am still amazed at the gift God gave me the day I married John.

So hears to the years to come!

Kid Who Lies

I am picking up David and his buddy from school. I hear some interesting banter in the back seat of the van.

"Did you see that boy who was next to me at recess?"
"Yeah, You mean that one that LIES?"
"Yes. That is him. I pretend to be his friend, but really I am not, because I don't want to hang around kids who LIE!"
"Yes. You are right. Me NEITHER! But, I will still be nice to him."
"Yeah, me too"


Well I guess I don't have to go over that lesson again. Both David and his buddy have figured out for themselves what to do when they encounter a kid who is not telling the truth.

It sure was interesting to be a fly on the wall when they said those things.
It made me smile.

Apple pickin'

The boys and I went apple pickin' with Aunt Brenda, Zach and Sam today.
Check out the video - we sure had a good time.
Now I am off to make my grandma's recipe for apple pie!

Carving our pumpkins

Yesterday, Caleb is negotiating with me to get something he wants. I can't even remember what it was. He decided to use one of dad's favorite lines.

He says to me. "OK mom. Here's the deal..."

"Here's the deal?" I say back. Are you kidding me? "Here's the deal?"

He flashes the usual dimple grin. I laugh out loud and say a silent prayer for the wife he will have some day.

I actually get him saying it on tape later on while we are carving pumpkins.

AND if that is not enough - after carving his pumpkin he lovingly looks at it and says
"I wish I had a pumpkin like that."

Listen to him on the clip it is soooo funny because the pumpkin he wishes he has, is actually his pumpkin!

Nathan's crawling styles

A quick clip of Nathan getting around.

For some time he has been "army crawling" but after an evening with Naarah Hionis, he figured out that she was moving much faster than him!

"How does she do that?"

So, now he is up on all fours motoring around after a ball.

I apologize for the "NOISE" on the 1st part of the clip. The boys were watching Incredibles in the background and it just happened to be on a hero fight scene. I admit it is normally loud at our house, but I felt like I had to defend myself and clarify that was not actually my kids fighting.

David Rides the Bus

Most of the time, I take David to school in the morning. But, once a week, he takes the bus. He loves this because his buddies across the street go on the bus.

I asked him the other day how he felt about the bus and he said: "I love it. But you know what? The bus driver starts driving away before we are even sitting down AND there are NO seat belts!"