This Guy

I'm shaking my head about this guy. This man I chose to marry. I'm doubting the wisdom of that decision at this moment.

I was in the middle of a discussion of one of the kid's district assessment results and a conversation I'd had with her teachers today. You know, one of those important "how do we help our child reach her full potential" conversations.



This man I married burst out with an exclamation about said child choosing a slice of pepperoni pizza for dinner, over cheese. Making sure his son, who told him his sister never ate pepperoni pizza, saw that she did indeed chose pepperoni. He announced that he was FOY - Father of the Year for saving pepperoni pizza for her! And, topped it off with an exuberant "Bam, what!"

His son informed his dad that he was watching too much Disney Channel.

The education conversation was completely forgotten. I'm glad "Bam, what!" Gets you Father of the Year and being concerned about their academic success makes you the boring parent. Yep, shaking my head.


Jenn

I Just Don't Know What to Think about This

Eliza Claire's class did an assignment where they had to make campaign posters. Several of the children had slogans about being able to get you friends, being nice, being good students, being able to get you what you want. This is Eliza Claire's poster:




In case you can't read it, it says, "I'm willing to do anything, Vote for Eliza!" How do I interpret this? She's willing to lie, cheat and steal for your vote? She'll pay you for your vote? She'll be your friend for your vote? She'll do your homework for your vote? Not exactly what you want to see on your seven year old's school work. I can't wait to ask her what she meant by this. I'm sure it is something much better than what I'm thinking. And, if not, I'll start explaining why this is not what you want to say or do to win elections.

Jenn

Snowpocolypse

Today was our second day this year to have school closed due to weather. This time the call announcing the delay did not come until I had already woken everyone and made breakfast. I made lunches being optimistic that they really would end up at school. An hour or so later school was canceled and those lunches were quickly stored in the fridge so no one would eat them and i wouldn't have to make lunches tomorrow. Yep, I'm sneaky and lazy like that.

Then I came upstairs to catch up on Downton Abbey and promptly fell asleep.
I slept until 1:00pm. I have no idea what the kids did during that three to four hour chunk of time. I do know they fed themselves Mac and cheese for lunch and were even nice enough not to eat it all so I wouldn't even have to make my own lunch.




Before I could make dinner I had to run to the store. I needed milk and bread. I thought it was very humorous that I actually ran out of both during the Snowpocolypse.

Of course when I returned from the store and told the kids that the electronics had to be turned off and homework and chores had to be done things got ugly, fast. I seemed to be short on patience and they seemed to be short on action. Not a good combination. At this point I was cursing the Snowpocolypse, dreading February break and wondering how in the world we would ever survive summer.

We received a letter from the superintendent apologizing for not call school off more quickly. I kind of feel bad for the school officials today. The only way they weren't going to receive a mountain of complaints was if the had called off school yesterday afternoon and we had woken up this morning to three feet of snow. Any other combination and someone was going to be annoyed that it was called off too soon, not called off soon enough, etc.

Luckily, we all survived. The weather cleared up, thank goodness, which means I don't have to be the horribly,mean,slacker mom tomorrow.

Jenn

Sleep Is Overrated

We seem to have a round of colds hitting our family. At the moment, Charlotte and I seem to be feeling the worst.

Charlotte has been having trouble sleeping for the last few weeks. I think it is mostly because she is really enjoying reading more and more and has a hard time winding down after reading.

The best way to get her to go to sleep for the last several weeks has been to lay down with her and snuggle. She is usually asleep in five to ten minutes.

Tonight, I offered twice to snuggle and she refused. Finally, about an hour ago she decided it would help. Between her cough and falling asleep on me, it took me longer than usual to extricate myself from her room.

Within five minutes of getting back to my bed, I heard footsteps in the hallway. I'm pretty sure, from the sound of it, that the footsteps included a trip downstairs. Sure enough it wasn't long until another sleeping princess arrived in my room.

This time it was Eliza Claire. She was apparently sleep walking as when I asked her what she needed she said, "I'm finished."

"With what?" I inquired.

"Washing my hair," she informed me.

Alrighty then. I helped her go to the restroom. On the way back to her room, she tripped over a chair in the hallway. You know, that chair none of the wonderful children ever put back all the way under the desk? Yep, that one. Not fun to trip over, especially when you are sleepwalking. Needless to say, it took a while to get her calmed down enough that I could leave her room.

So now I sit, ok, who are we kidding, lay here blogging instead of sleeping. My guess is that with the next 30 minutes Ruby will be in because she had a bad dream, or Charlotte's cough will wake her up, or some one will have an accident, or Michael's snoring will be loud enough to keep me from drifting off.

Such is the life of a mom. I recognize that this is but a season. One that will be gone too quickly. One I will eventually look back on and miss. Right now, I'd just like a good night's sleep.

If I look like a zombie tomorrow or any other day, you know why.

Jenn

Random Saturday Happenings

Ugh! I just had a post completely written. I needed to add pictures and it was done. When I tried to do so the app crashed and I lost the post. Grrrr! I'll take a stab at rewriting but I'm sure it won't be as witty and chatty as the first go round.

Charlotte and Eliza Claire both had basketball games this morning. The Ninjas and the Smurfs both had good games. Charlotte had a really nice basket toward the end of the game. I think this is her first basket of the season. I enjoyed hanging out on the sidelines with the other three kiddos at each game.




This evening Ruby and Eliza Claire had a bit of a misunderstanding. Ruby came running toward Eliza Claire to giver her a hug. For some reason Eliza Claire thought she was trying to hit her. Eliza Claire pushed Ruby who fell and hit her head. Both girls ran crying to their rooms. All is well now and no one was injured.

I was working on the back of one of my quilts tonight. I finished the front a few weeks ago. I decided to use the scraps from the front to make the back. I had it laid out on the floor trying to decide what to add next. Ruby and Eliza Claire came in and wanted to use it to play hopscotch on. They said it looked just like a hopscotch board. Neither one was happy when I told them that wasn't a choice.







No sooner than I had the girls away from the quilt, Pearl came in and promptly laid down in the center of it! When I complained, Michael reminded me that I was the one who wanted dogs and also the one who wanted to quilt. I told him I needed a design wall to keep my quilts off the floor. Of course that would require me to have an actual wall to hang the design wall on.

All in all it was a typical day in the land of mayhem.

Jenn

Why?

Please tell me why my girls can not use toothpaste neatly? It is constantly all over the counter and sink, caked on their toothbrushes, on the floor, on the cabinet fronts, everywhere. I noticed yesterday, while laying on the bathroom floor with Ruby, who was mad about something and refusing to go to bed, that there is even a spot about the size of a pencil eraser on the ceiling! It is just gross, disgusting, and drives me crazy!



I'm seriously considering taking away the toothpaste and making them just brush with water for a while.

Jenn

Snow Day

We has sleet overnight and below freezing temperatures. I, like my kids was hoping for a snow day.

We got our wish and spent the morning lounging around in our pajamas watching tv. It was the best day ever - according to the kids.

Of course the kids spent about a half a second outside running around admiring the ice. During that time Ruby managed to run into a tree with her face. I never have heard the full story on how that happened.



That lasted until lunch when I informed them that chores had to be done before more free time. Wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued.

One child laid in the laundry room crying for over a half hour and then moved to her room for more of the same.

Another hid in the restroom for over an hour watching TED talks. When reprimanded, he tried to excuse it because it was educational.

Another insisted that I sit in her room and help because she couldn't do it by herself. Everything I mentioned that needed to be done was met with whining.

The last child, bopped up to her room, cleaned it, came downstairs and did her other chore and was done in 20 minutes.

After the drama I made rainbow loom bracelets with two of the girls while Rehm made chocolate chip cookies.

Of course all of this occurred while Michael was trying to work from home and had multiple calls. At one point he was using the home phone for a conference call and Ruby interrupted trying to call her friend Jolie. Oops!

All in all it ended up being a pretty good snow day.

Jenn

Report Cards

The girls all brought home their report cards today. All three had great reports. I'm especially proud of Ruby who is finally reading on grade level for the first time! It was wonderful to see how proud she was of her accomplishment. She has worked really hard and it shows.

I am so thankful for the amazing teachers my girls have. Teachers who are truly invested in them and encourage them. We are so blessed.

Jenn

My Newest Hobby

The last two years my new hobby was sewing. This year that is morphing into quilting. Something I said I had absolutely no interest in doing.

What changed? I'm not really certain. I think getting more comfortable with the basics of sewing helped the most. Then going on the quilting retreat with my mom in November seemed to be the catalyst that made me decided to actually give it a try.

This year I've signed up for a block of the month. Each month you take in the previous month's completed block and receive instructions and fabric for the next month's block. At the end of the year you decide how to set them and finish the quilt. Here is January's completed block:




Tomorrow I start a modern block quilt club. For this one, you actually bring your machine and work on blocks while at the shop. Mom bought a copy of the book we will be using when she and Dad were visiting. The book is Tula Pink City Series 100 Modern Blocks. She suggested I try a couple of blocks before I went to "class." Here is what I've done so far. The photos have the picture of the completed block in the book on the left and my completed on the right.









And here are Mom's blocks so far. She is using this as a way to use up some of her stash. Notice her block on the right; it is the same block as my first one with the snake, just different fabrics.




Jenn

Skate Night

Wednesday night was skate night for our elementary school. All three girls had fun. I'm glad they are all getting more comfortable skating and don't hug the rail all night long.


















Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Why Does This Child Always Injure her Mouth?

Yes, Eliza Claire has done it again! She has chipped/broken her front teeth. Permanent teeth. Permanent teeth that came in undamaged even though she fell injuring the baby teeth in a way that we were concerned would also damage the permanent ones. This girl seems prone to always injuring her mouth. I don't get it.






Honestly, I'm just glad this injury seems to be primarily cosmetic and not overly painful.

I just realized that I didn't mention how she did this. She was riding her scooter and hit a crack. She must have fallen tooth first into the sidewalk. I'm shocked she didn't bust her lip or injure anything else.

Jennifer

Art

Several pieces of art came home this week. Here are my favorites.

Ruby's:







She must have been asked what she would do to make the grinch happy. Her answer, "I would tickle him."

Eliza Claire's:



Her answer, "I would sing to the Grinch."

Charlotte's:






Jennifer

For My Dad

Eliza Claire did this at school for Veteran's Day. It just came home this week.



It says, "Veteran's Day is important to me because my Papa was in the military. I think he fought in World War II. I really love him."

He actually fought in Vietnam. World War II was over before he was born. I guess the good news is she knew he fought in a war, even if she didn't know which one.


Jenn

Ruby's New Reading Buddy

Ruby gets the privilege to read to a dog named Cowboy at school on occasion. Cowboy played Diego in Beverly Hills Chihuahua. She loves reading to Cowboy.

Yesterday Ruby decided she should read to Baron. Baron was not being as attentive as she wanted. She told me she was going upstairs to find a cat to read to.

When she came down she informed me that she had read to Pearl and what a good reading companion Pearl is. At the time I didn't think anything about it and was just glad that Ruby had finished her reading and was in a good mood.

A few hours later, I started laughing. It finally sunk in that Ruby had read her book aloud to our deaf dog and was thrilled by how well Pearl listened. It has yet to occur to her that Pearl did not hear a word she read. Pearl is a great snuggler and I'm sure was just happy to be getting some extra attention.

In the end, it is a perfect situation for both of them. I may have the only deaf literacy dog around, but she does her job well.

Jenn

Surprises

I found these pictures on the tablet I'm currently using. I never know what I'm going to find on the cameras. It always makes me wonder what they were thinking or trying to do when I find these.













Jen

Mac and Cheese in the Crock Pot.

My family loves homemade maccaroni and cheese but it takes forever to get it in the oven. I've been trying crockpot recipes and finally modified one that pleases my entire family. The original recipe can be found here.

I love how simple this recipe is. It take five to ten minutes to get it ready, including clean up time. And even better, the only thing that has to be washed is a measuring cup.






Crock pot macaroni and cheese

16 ounces of pasta shape of choice, uncooked
4 cups of milk
One stick of butter melted
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon of ground mustard
One half teaspoon of cayenne pepper
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
One 12 ounce can of evaporated milk
Two eggs beaten
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in 6 quart crockpot. Cook on low for four hours. Top with toasted breadcrumbs before serving if desired.

I used speech to text to "type" the recipe. So much quicker than actually typing, especially on a mobile device.


Jenn

I'm Lucky

I have an awesome husband. He did the grocery shopping for me tonight. This is after taking Eliza Claire to basketball practice and, of course, working a full day. He didn't get home from grocery shopping until after 10:00 pm. Not only did he bring all the groceries in, he also put them all away.

Grocery shopping is right up there with laundry on chores I dislike. It was a lovely gift to not have to deal with this week.

Now if I could just get him to come around on the "lovely" 70s hamburger chair I would like for my sewing room. You know, the sewing room that doesn't exist...yet. Maybe this grocery store trip was just bribe. Maybe I should have done the shopping after all.




Jenn

Bingo

We had lunch with the grandparents today. Bingo was the pre-lunch entertainment.









Everyone was enthralled. You would have thought they were playing for prizes or money. They weren't.

I love continuing my family's Sunday family lunch tradition. I think it is good for all three generations involved.

When we left it was raining. This is how my kids reacted.








In other happenings today, I was very proud of Charlotte. She helped Michael lead worship at the 8:15 service. Getting up in front of 60 or more people can be daunting. Charlotte read the call to worship and the prayer of adoration. These are not easy things to read when you are ten and have a learning disability. She totally rocked it.

Eliza Claire came through the house practicing her zombie walk. According to her the key to an authentic zombie walk is dragging your right foot. Dragging your left foot is a dead give away that you are a zombie imposter.

The girls spent the entire afternoon running around outside with the neighborhood kids. I love that Texas winters typically allow for lots of outdoor time. I guess it partially makes up for the six months of the year that being outside is unbearable.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Saturday

It's been a good and productive day. My little girls spent a good bit of the day running around playing with different kids from the neighborhood. Rehm rode his bike to meet his Boy Scout patrol for a social gathering. He loved having the new privilege.

Charlotte finished her second Harry Potter book - Learning Ally is awesome. I highly recommend it for kids with reading difficulties. It requires a paid subscription. We are blessed that our school provides the subscription for my to dyslexic children.

Michael started digging out a new garden bed. He also moved several furniture pieces around to make room for the new to us pieces my parents brought us.

I got some chores done and got to spend some time sewing. I finally got some mending done I've been putting off for weeks. I hate mending. Now that I sew, my family expects me to mend. They don't seem to understand that it is a chore not a hobby. I'm hoping to finish piecing a quilt today. This is my first completely on my own, without any help top. Once I get it done, I have several other sewing projects I want to start, including a top for Ruby, my block of the month block, a zippered pouch and some other things I'm not remembering right now.

Happy weekend all,
Jenn

Interpretation

Michael turned on Star Wars this evening. Not sure which movie. I'm assuming the first one since Michael didn't clarify. A scene came on that was on the millennium falcon.

Charlotte: Who's the drunk guy? (Referring to Han Solo)

Michael: He's not drunk.

Charlotte : So what is he?

Me: He's swashbuckling

Charlotte: What's that mean?

Rehm : He's drunk.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Conversation with a Middle School Boy

Rehm walked in the house after school.

Mom: Hey, Rehm! How was school today?

Rehm: Good.

Mom: What was good about it?

Rehm: Well, it was good because nothing bad happened today.

And that, my friends, concludes all I learned about his day.

Jenn

I've lost my mind

I must be crazy. I have now officially signed up for two different monthly quilting activities. A block of the month and a modern block club. I have never taken a beginning quilting class. The only knowledge I have is by watching my mom. I'm probably in way over my head. My plan is to have fun, hopefully learning something and end up with a finished product I'm not embarrassed to show.

I know getting out of my comfort zone is good for me. It stretches me. Now I'm hoping I enjoy it and stick with it for the whole year.


Jennifer

Going back to school is hard work

Someone is tired and has conked out on the couch.



Jenn

Blessings

In transcribing the kids' answers to their end of the year survey last night I was struck by how many people have been a blessing to them.  I am so grateful  for all the people in my parenting village.  Below is a list of the people that showed up on my kids surveys:

The other families that we celebrate New Year's Eve with.  Each family in attendance has at least one baby in heaven.  The hosts lost their baby on New Year's Eve.  More than anything on New Year's Eve were are celebrating their son and all the children we have in heaven and that we have learned to have a meaningful life after such a profound loss.  Not only do the adults support each other, but the kids also enjoy knowing there are other kids like them that have a sibling (or more) in heaven.

Boy Scouts.  Rehm is not an outdoorsy or sporty kid by nature.  He loves scouts and all the skills he learns there, including shooting.  I am so thankful for the adults and other teens that spend their time encouraging and teaching each other.

Band.  Being part of band at the middle school has be amazing.  Rehm loves his band director and his band director from last year, whom he helps out during his lunch with the 6th grade double reeds.  Band is definitely his most challenging class at school. His directors encourage him to do his best even when it means working hard.  

The girl who has made my son realize that girls are not horrible creatures.  Having three younger sisters he does not always think highly of girls as they tend to annoy him. I am grateful that he is learning that girls are funny, smart and kind, even if he still does not recognize these traits in his sisters. 

Johnny Football (Manziel).  Rehm is not hugely into any sport but he loves watching Johnny.  Who can blame him?  Johnny is a wonder to watch.  I love seeing Rehm developing an appreciation for sports, even if he still has no desire to play them.

All of the teachers who continue to inspire and encourage my children to love learning.  I am in awe of teachers.  It truly takes a gifted person to teach.  We have been blessed with many wonderful teachers this year and honestly, every year we have been in school.  A special shout out to Ruby's teacher who made her list as the best thing in 2013.  

All of my kids coaches.  Especially Eliza Claire's softball coaches.  They have done a great job of teaching and motivating her.  She loves playing softball and that is most certainly due to her coaches. 

These are by no means the only people who have blessed us in the past year.  However, I was overwhlemed with gratitude when I realized just how many people outside of our family bless us on a daily basis.

We are truly blessed.  Thank you all for being part of our journey.  We couldn't do it without you.

Jenn

Year in Review

I asked the kids to fill out theses work sheets for the start of the year. I was surprised that none of them complained about doing them.



Name:  Rehm
Age: 12
Favorite Color: Gold
Favorite Food:  Bacon Alfredo
Favorite Activity: Playing Minecraft
Favorite Book:  The Lord of the Ring Series
Greatest lesson learned:  That girls are not all crazy and it is possible to love one.
Hardest thing this year: 7th Grade
Favorite Memory:  The New Year's Eve party this year.
What I loved about 2013:  Johnny Football
Want to learn:  I don't know
Want to get better at: Shooting
Goals for 2014: Get A's in all subjects and stay first chair



Eliza Claire's got trampled, or rather slept on by the dog. So it is a bit harder to read. I love that she was practicing her cursive "M" on the top of the page.

Name: Eliza
Age:7
Favorite Color:  Red
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Activity:  Sports and reading
Favorite Book: Magic Tree House Series
Greatest lesson learned: Science:  Learning solids and Reading: The New Field
Hardest thing this year:  Writing: Stories
Favorite Memory:  Playing Softball
What I loved about 2013:  Staying with my family:  Mom, Dad, me, Ruby, Rehm, Charlotte
Want to learn:  Cursive
Want to get better at:  Being nice to Charlotte
Goals for 2014:  Reading at the end of grade reading level.

I was thrilled to see that Charlotte wrote in cursive. And her "looking forward to 2014" cracked me up and warmed my heart all at the same time.

Name: Charlotte
Age: ten years old
Favorite Color:  Neon Green
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Activity: Reading
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Greatest lesson learned: How to Cook
Hardest thing this year: Taking care of my ears (she got her ears pierced for her birthday)
Favorite Memory:  Getting my ears pierced
What I loved about 2013:  Spending time with my family
Want to learn:  How to get along with Eliza
Want to get better at:  Get along with Eliza
Goals for 2014:  Get along with Eliza


I thought it was cute that Ruby made a place to write her name at the top of the page. I'm sure she did that before reading anything on the page. She worked diligently on hers and did not ask for help. It is hard to read but I was proud of her for doing it with a good attitude and independently.

Name:  Ruby
Age: 7
Favorite Color:  Neon Pink
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Activity: Art
Favorite Book: Tea for Ruby
Greatest lesson learned: Cursive
Hardest thing this year: Reading and Writing
Favorite Memory:  My Birthday!
What I loved about 2013: Miss Zuniga
Want to learn:  How to do a hand stand
Want to get better at:  Writing
Goals for 2014:  To not get my letters backwards



Jenn

Aliases

Ruby has started a new thing. Wh e you say something to her or ask her to do something and use her name in the request she will say, "I'm not Ruby, I'm _______!" She always picks a different name, typically from a list of I've memorized. Of course, if you list off all the names as part of your request she will come up with a new name. This sounds really annoying but it is actually extremely adorable, especially since she always has a big smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye during these exchanges.



Her current list of names includes, but is not limited to:

Ralph - this was her first and most popular choice
Phillip Johnny Bob - this is from the Junie B. Jones series. PJB isnJunie's stuffed elephant
Olaf - from Frozen
Gus
Simon

A typical conversation with Ruby now goes something like this:

Me: Hey, Ruby!

Ruby: I'm not Ruby, I'm Ralph!

Me: Hey, Ralph!

Ruby: I'm not Ralph, I'm Phillip Johnny Bob!

Me: Hey, Ruby, Ralph, Phillip Johnny Bob, Olaf, Simon, Gus, whoever you are!

Then she giggles and says, "I'm Table" or some other such nonsense.

This girl always cracks me up and keeps me on my toes. I'm so lucky to be her Mom.
Jenn

Weekend fun

I'm enjoying having my parents in town. I wish we lived closer to each other. It is so nice to get to spend time with them and for my kids to get to enjoy them.

Today Papa went to A&M with Michael, Rehm, Ruby, Eliza Claire, Michael's parents and Jessica (Rehm's girlfriend - yes I know he is young to have a girlfriend and I try not to overly encourage, but if they are hanging out with our family it allows us to get to know her and see how they enter act with each other). It was Grandpa's idea to see if she wanted to use our extra ticket.

Charlotte had some one-on-one time with Cici and I. Then, she left for a sleepover.

Cici and I had a fun evening going to the movies. We saw Philomena. We both really liked the movie and then went to dinner. I don't get to have dates with my mom often and it was a nice treat.

I'm trying to think of some funny or insightful thing that happened today to add to this but apparently it was just a good old boring day. I'll take it! Sometimes boring is good.

Jenn

Friday

Today has been another fun and laid back day.






I've officially lost my mind and started a block of the month quilt at a local quilt shop. I didn't know what has possessed me. I hope I'm not in too far over my head. At least I'm trying something new and getting out of my comfort zone.

Shoe shopping with Rehm was not torture today. I'm so glad he has settled on a brand he likes. Now we can be in and out in half an hour. And they didn't cost a fortune.

Ruby told Cici at lunch "to be responsible" when Cici asked her to do a cartwheel in the restaurant. Of course, Cici was joking.

Papa took Charlotte and Eliza Claire fishing today. Eliza Claire caught her first fish. At least, she says it is her first. I think she has caught some before but if so,Nashe doesn't remember. If the anglers are anywhere near accurate (truthful), the fish was a two foot long carp. Charlotte was not so lucky. She didn't even get a bite!

Papa called Charlotte "Cheese Bob" this afternoon when she was wearing a stool on her head. He meant Sponge Bob but didn't come up with it. Charlotte is now calling him "Cat Head" because Phineas is sitting on the back do the chair he is sitting in.

Jenn

At least it arrived

This was in my mail box today.






It's a shame the return address and signature are both missing.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

A New Year

2013 is in the books. I'm really not sure where the year went. I did such a terrible job of blogging last year I can't even look back to see what kept us so busy. Here's to a better blogging year in 2014.

The maniacs are definitely getting older. We kept them out until 11:30 last night and they did great. No one had to nap today and they weren't tired, whiney messes. So lovely!

My parents are in town for a visit. Today my dad, Michael, Rehm, and Eliza Claire went to play golf. The rest of us ran some errands, went to the park and hung around the house. A great family day to start the year

Happy New Year,
Jenn