When you're outnumbered, even at just three to two, it's good to have kids that can police them a little.
Yesterday, Bob and I were putting laudry away in the kids' rooms when Delaney zooms in saying, "Uh-oh, UH-oh, UH-OH!". We follow her back across the house through our bedroom and into our bathroom, the whole time hearing "Uh-oh, UH-oh, UH-OH!" Apparently she turned the water on in the tub and couldn't get it shut off! She was so serious- pointing and "uh-oh-ing"- that it seemed like she thought for sure she was in deep trouble.
No harm was done since she came and got us right away. The new handles are easy to turn, but the spout is on the opposite side of the tub and, unless she'd actually been in the tub, she couldn't reach the water. I think we're pretty safe because neither Delany nor Claire is a big fan of the tub since I let them try it out. When I turned on the bubbles for the first time, it scared them and they couldn't get out fast enough. They eventually got back in, but the bubbles, even for Kevin, are a no go.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Whew!
Last week was busybusybusy. I went down to Des Moines on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for State Wrestling. I haven't driven that much in a year! Trevor wrestled on Wednesday and got pinned in both his matches so he was done pretty quick. He didn't wrestle poorly, but the competition was pretty good. Still, for just starting as a freshman, Trev improved dramatically over 4 years and just qualifying for state was quite an accomplishment. Plus, he's just a good kid overall and what aunt wouldn't be proud of that?
Bob and I took Kevin down on Friday for both sessions and ended up staying overnight at the same hotel with Sharon and the PV bunch. Kevin had a blast running around with Brett at the tournament and then getting to stay at the hotel and swim. We took the boys to PF Chang's and even talked Trevor into testing out a bite of calamari. It didn't kill him, but he only took one bite;) It was pretty fun getting to hang out out with my nephews for a while. Since they've gotten into jr. high and high school and I've been busy with babies, I haven't gotten to do that too often. They're sure way easier to take to a restaurant than the my little bunch!
We went down on Saturday for the finals- we were up in the top level, but we could see everything. Unfortunately, Trevor's teammate Travis lost his bid for back to back championships so it took some of the fun out of the evening. There was still some good wrestling, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Kevin likes it.
Bob and I took Kevin down on Friday for both sessions and ended up staying overnight at the same hotel with Sharon and the PV bunch. Kevin had a blast running around with Brett at the tournament and then getting to stay at the hotel and swim. We took the boys to PF Chang's and even talked Trevor into testing out a bite of calamari. It didn't kill him, but he only took one bite;) It was pretty fun getting to hang out out with my nephews for a while. Since they've gotten into jr. high and high school and I've been busy with babies, I haven't gotten to do that too often. They're sure way easier to take to a restaurant than the my little bunch!
We went down on Saturday for the finals- we were up in the top level, but we could see everything. Unfortunately, Trevor's teammate Travis lost his bid for back to back championships so it took some of the fun out of the evening. There was still some good wrestling, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Kevin likes it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Well, that was fun.
I don't know where January went, but let's just move on.
Yesterday was quite a day. Mom and I loaded up Kevin, Delaney, and Claire and headed over to watch my nephew Trevor wrestle at the district tournament for a trip to the state wrestling tournament. Trev's a senior, but had never wrestled before his freshman year and just getting through sectionals to districts was a little bit of an upset. Of the other 3 kids in his bracket at districts, one was ranked #3 in the state, one he'd already lost to 3 times this season- including at sectionals, and one he'd never wrestled before. He lost to the ranked kid, beat the unknown, and ended up in a wrestleback for 2nd place and a trip to State with the one he'd wrestled against before.
He ended up finally beating this kid for the first time! He got a reversal with just a couple seconds left in the match to go to overtime, then got a takedown 13 seconds in to OT for the win.
It was just the best match I'd ever seen:) Claire and Delaney weren't so sure. Sitting in the middle of a bunch of clapping, cheering, screaming fans was a bit scary for them, but once it was over, they were out like a light.
Trevor's state meet starts Wednesday and, unfortunately, Bob has to work, so it'll just be me going to cheer him on. Hopefully he'll still be in by Friday so Bob and I can go down together and watch. Two of Trev's teammates also made it so there'll be plenty of cheering to do!
Yesterday was quite a day. Mom and I loaded up Kevin, Delaney, and Claire and headed over to watch my nephew Trevor wrestle at the district tournament for a trip to the state wrestling tournament. Trev's a senior, but had never wrestled before his freshman year and just getting through sectionals to districts was a little bit of an upset. Of the other 3 kids in his bracket at districts, one was ranked #3 in the state, one he'd already lost to 3 times this season- including at sectionals, and one he'd never wrestled before. He lost to the ranked kid, beat the unknown, and ended up in a wrestleback for 2nd place and a trip to State with the one he'd wrestled against before.
He ended up finally beating this kid for the first time! He got a reversal with just a couple seconds left in the match to go to overtime, then got a takedown 13 seconds in to OT for the win.
It was just the best match I'd ever seen:) Claire and Delaney weren't so sure. Sitting in the middle of a bunch of clapping, cheering, screaming fans was a bit scary for them, but once it was over, they were out like a light.
Trevor's state meet starts Wednesday and, unfortunately, Bob has to work, so it'll just be me going to cheer him on. Hopefully he'll still be in by Friday so Bob and I can go down together and watch. Two of Trev's teammates also made it so there'll be plenty of cheering to do!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
An interesting Christmas giving concept
On one of the forums I participate in, a poster gave her friend's idea for giving gifts. I thought it was a very practical and meaningful way of remembering the gifts that the Baby Jesus was given.
"My good friend... told me how she and her husband give their children gifts every Christmas in a way that reminds them of Jesus. They each get 4 gifts symbolizing gold, frankincense, myrrh and swaddling clothes.
Gold -- whatever they really, really want. A toy, video game, etc. Whatever is in your budget but it is only one thing.
Frankincense -- a scent... perfume, cologne, bubble bath, toiletry set even
Myrrh -- myrrh is a symbol of suffering and used for embalming. As a gift to the Christ child, it was a practical gift since He was to suffer and die. So this gift is something practical that they will need in the upcoming year. New clothes, shoes, backpack, school supplies, a book, etc.
Swaddling clothes -- pajamas, slippers, or a robeI thought some people here would be interested in a more Christ-centered gift giving plan. "
We've done some of those things. I've already gotten the kids new Christmas PJs, socks for the girls, and peppermint smelling shampoo and body wash, but I think I might try to follow this next year. Hopefully Kevin will be able to understand the meaning and it will help restrain the urge to over-indulge.
"My good friend... told me how she and her husband give their children gifts every Christmas in a way that reminds them of Jesus. They each get 4 gifts symbolizing gold, frankincense, myrrh and swaddling clothes.
Gold -- whatever they really, really want. A toy, video game, etc. Whatever is in your budget but it is only one thing.
Frankincense -- a scent... perfume, cologne, bubble bath, toiletry set even
Myrrh -- myrrh is a symbol of suffering and used for embalming. As a gift to the Christ child, it was a practical gift since He was to suffer and die. So this gift is something practical that they will need in the upcoming year. New clothes, shoes, backpack, school supplies, a book, etc.
Swaddling clothes -- pajamas, slippers, or a robeI thought some people here would be interested in a more Christ-centered gift giving plan. "
We've done some of those things. I've already gotten the kids new Christmas PJs, socks for the girls, and peppermint smelling shampoo and body wash, but I think I might try to follow this next year. Hopefully Kevin will be able to understand the meaning and it will help restrain the urge to over-indulge.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
'Tis the season!
Nope, not Christmas. It's wrestling season! My nephew, Trevor, is a senior this year and Trev
s brother, Brett, will be starting wrestling once basketball is over. Trev had a double dual tonight and won in OT in his first match, then got a pin in the second. The first match was big because he beat a kid who had beaten him before and he'll have to wrestle again down the road. The kid he pinned was a JV filling in for a highly ranked (top-ranked?) teammate who was injured so what could have been a huge challenge for Trev turned out to be an easier match, but he wrestled well. It's great fun seeing how Trev has improved since he started wrestling as a freshman. Kevin will probably start wrestling a lot earlier than his freshman year of high school, but I hope he's as good of sport as Trevor is.
Kevin had a funny tonight. Bob asked him where his liver was and Kevin started off that it was on his toe and he gets them from stepping in the sharp grass. He thought Bob was asking him about a "sliver" instead of "liver"!
s brother, Brett, will be starting wrestling once basketball is over. Trev had a double dual tonight and won in OT in his first match, then got a pin in the second. The first match was big because he beat a kid who had beaten him before and he'll have to wrestle again down the road. The kid he pinned was a JV filling in for a highly ranked (top-ranked?) teammate who was injured so what could have been a huge challenge for Trev turned out to be an easier match, but he wrestled well. It's great fun seeing how Trev has improved since he started wrestling as a freshman. Kevin will probably start wrestling a lot earlier than his freshman year of high school, but I hope he's as good of sport as Trevor is.
Kevin had a funny tonight. Bob asked him where his liver was and Kevin started off that it was on his toe and he gets them from stepping in the sharp grass. He thought Bob was asking him about a "sliver" instead of "liver"!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Oh, where to start?
Las Vegas was great. Lots of food, amazing shows, a nice hike in Red Rock canyon, some time with Bob, what's not to love:) We stayed at Mandalay Bay and saw KA at MGM and La Reve at the Wynn. Both were terrific. KA freaked Bob out a little. We were in the front row so the platform and heights got him a little nervous. La Reve is diving/water type stuff and quite beautiful. The theater is round so there's not a bad seat.
We ate at Strip Steak at Mandalay on Friday. Yum. Anyplace that can make french fries that make you want to lick the plate and even better steak is worth the $$. Saturday night we ate ate Diego at MGM. It was good, like a B, but compared to Strip Steak and then Aureole on Sunday night, it placed 3rd. Aureole was delish. We did the 7 course tasting menu and the only course that wasn't wonderful was the cheese course, but that's mostly because I don't care for strong cheeses. The tuna tartare was really excellent.
Speaking of food, the girls decided that weaning wasn't on the menu yet so we're still at it.
Thanksgiving was nice even though Bob was on call. He wasn't too busy and was around all Thursday while everyone was here. We had, as usual, plenty of food and lots of visiting. We're going to do Christmas at Beth's the Friday after Christmas so it looks like our Christmas Day is free since Becky is having Bob's family's Christmas the Saturday after Christmas.
Our bathroom still isn't even started, maybe the beginning of the year...I hope. We have everything except the labor.
Christmas shopping is basically done. A few toys and books for the kids, practical stuff for mom, the bathrooom and an Iowa t-shirt for Bob. I gave it to him early in case he wanted to wear it to the UI-ISU wrestling meet- won by Iowa:) - but he declined. Gift cards for the boys. Pretty basic.
Kevin has his pre-school program Thursday. They're singing "Away in the Manger", "Jingle Bells", "Mary Had a Baby Boy" and "Happy Birthday". I hope he behaves:) We made Christmas cookies with icing today. He's been hot to do that for a few days now and even though it's a great big mess, it's kind of fun and he loved it. He said that toys used to be his favorite, but now it's food (meaning candy!) and he really wants a lollipop for Christmas. There's a picture of a big, multicolored lollipop in one of his books that really caught his fancy. I found a green and white one at Target for his stocking, but I'm going to keep looking to see if I can find one that will fit his image.
The girls are getting new clothes. They are getting into a lot of 18 month stuff already. It seems like they should still be my little babies instead of my little climbing monkeys! Nothing is safe in the house, but they're sure fun to watch!
ETA: Delaney's in the red, Claire's in the black:)
We ate at Strip Steak at Mandalay on Friday. Yum. Anyplace that can make french fries that make you want to lick the plate and even better steak is worth the $$. Saturday night we ate ate Diego at MGM. It was good, like a B, but compared to Strip Steak and then Aureole on Sunday night, it placed 3rd. Aureole was delish. We did the 7 course tasting menu and the only course that wasn't wonderful was the cheese course, but that's mostly because I don't care for strong cheeses. The tuna tartare was really excellent.
Speaking of food, the girls decided that weaning wasn't on the menu yet so we're still at it.
Thanksgiving was nice even though Bob was on call. He wasn't too busy and was around all Thursday while everyone was here. We had, as usual, plenty of food and lots of visiting. We're going to do Christmas at Beth's the Friday after Christmas so it looks like our Christmas Day is free since Becky is having Bob's family's Christmas the Saturday after Christmas.
Our bathroom still isn't even started, maybe the beginning of the year...I hope. We have everything except the labor.
Christmas shopping is basically done. A few toys and books for the kids, practical stuff for mom, the bathrooom and an Iowa t-shirt for Bob. I gave it to him early in case he wanted to wear it to the UI-ISU wrestling meet- won by Iowa:) - but he declined. Gift cards for the boys. Pretty basic.
Kevin has his pre-school program Thursday. They're singing "Away in the Manger", "Jingle Bells", "Mary Had a Baby Boy" and "Happy Birthday". I hope he behaves:) We made Christmas cookies with icing today. He's been hot to do that for a few days now and even though it's a great big mess, it's kind of fun and he loved it. He said that toys used to be his favorite, but now it's food (meaning candy!) and he really wants a lollipop for Christmas. There's a picture of a big, multicolored lollipop in one of his books that really caught his fancy. I found a green and white one at Target for his stocking, but I'm going to keep looking to see if I can find one that will fit his image.
The girls are getting new clothes. They are getting into a lot of 18 month stuff already. It seems like they should still be my little babies instead of my little climbing monkeys! Nothing is safe in the house, but they're sure fun to watch!
ETA: Delaney's in the red, Claire's in the black:)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Daylight savings time, holidays, and the Halloweenies
I used to love "falling back" to CST. Unless I had to work that night, it meant one more hour of sleep. Then I had babies and the extra hour was lost in the turmoil. Last night we put the kids to bed a little later than usual and they slept to about their normal time, which was fine until they all decided that they wanted lunch at 10:15am! Oh, well. They were satisfied with toaster strudels and a side of their favorite green beans. I, on the other hand, have been out of sorts since this morning has seemed extraordinarily long. I've watched Claire learn that throwing herself off the couch onto the blanket is great fun, Kevin cry really loudly when he got his finger pinched in a book, Delaney discover "hair" equals the stuff on our heads, and the Backyardigans discover that you can shake chocolate milk in the absence of a stirrer.
Even though November is still, technically, autumn, once Halloween is over, it just feels like winter. I'm thinking about roasting turkeys, prelit fake vs. real Christmas trees, and how amazon.com is trying to screw me over on their 4 for 3 promo. (Pssst, Amazon....splitting my order into 2 so it doesn't meet the eligibility criteria should get you a lump of coal in your stocking.
The kids did a good job trick or treating. Bob was on call so I loaded the girls in the wagon and Kevin walked until he could hitch a ride in Katherine and Samantha's wagon. We just went around the cul de sac and then up to visit Bob, which was just about right. Kevin was a lion, Delaney was a polar bear, and Claire was an elephant (all costumes Tom Arma- love them!)
Even though November is still, technically, autumn, once Halloween is over, it just feels like winter. I'm thinking about roasting turkeys, prelit fake vs. real Christmas trees, and how amazon.com is trying to screw me over on their 4 for 3 promo. (Pssst, Amazon....splitting my order into 2 so it doesn't meet the eligibility criteria should get you a lump of coal in your stocking.
The kids did a good job trick or treating. Bob was on call so I loaded the girls in the wagon and Kevin walked until he could hitch a ride in Katherine and Samantha's wagon. We just went around the cul de sac and then up to visit Bob, which was just about right. Kevin was a lion, Delaney was a polar bear, and Claire was an elephant (all costumes Tom Arma- love them!)
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