* Staying up until 1:30 is simple when I'm motivated to solve a problem.
* Staying up until 1:30 makes me craby and tired the next day.
* You can't break the computer. Don't be afraid to try.
* I love checking in on friends & relatives' blogs.
* I feel bad if I don't leave a comment on every blog entry I read.
* I can't comment on every blog entry I read, or my family would never eat.
* I view my day in a whole new light. "Could this be potential blog material?"
* I've rediscovered my camera. (I even considered taking a picture of my filthy kitchen floor to post.)
* I'm self-conscious knowing other people are reading my writing.
* My friends & relatives have great outlooks on life.
* Sharing a fun hobby with others can be addicting!
6.30.2008
6.29.2008
The Office
Do you enjoy "The Office"? Brian and I do, although we hardly ever get a chance to see it. Well, we had an opportunity to visit "The Office" when we went to see Papa at work. The boys have been asking where Papa works, and we thought it would be fun to take them to his building.
They may have a slightly skewed vision of what corporate America actually is. They were greeted with toys from several of the women in the company, a chance to watch the fish being fed, original "Schrute Bucks", a story from Martin the boss about filling someone's cubicle with 250 balloons and then popping them all, and tours of a fancy bathroom and the breakroom with vending machines.
They may never understand why adults often complain about going to work!
The One and Only...Dwight Schrute
Shrute Bucks (Click on picture to enlarge the $)
The Fancy Bathroom & Drinking Fountain
A Ways Up
Inside "The Office"
Thanks for the fun tour, Papa! We had a great time!
They may have a slightly skewed vision of what corporate America actually is. They were greeted with toys from several of the women in the company, a chance to watch the fish being fed, original "Schrute Bucks", a story from Martin the boss about filling someone's cubicle with 250 balloons and then popping them all, and tours of a fancy bathroom and the breakroom with vending machines.
They may never understand why adults often complain about going to work!
The One and Only...Dwight Schrute
Shrute Bucks (Click on picture to enlarge the $)
The Fancy Bathroom & Drinking Fountain
A Ways Up
Inside "The Office"
Thanks for the fun tour, Papa! We had a great time!
6.27.2008
Money! Money! Money!
Ben and Matt have been quite interested in REAL money lately. They love to find it, count it and take it from our wallets. In fact, Ben completely wiped us out one afternoon and later that evening, he lost a tooth. Please don't tell him this, but the tooth fairy had to steal from his piggy bank in order to leave him a little cash. I wonder if she could go to jail for that?
The boys recently set up a store in the basement. They've done this before, but the difference this time was that it was with real money. Ben, being the leader of the game, chose himself to be in charge of the bills, and Matt was delegated to the coins. Matt didn't seem to mind...but give him a few years and he just might!
Their sign for the store:
Toys R You
You Sped (Spend) Your Money Here
The boys recently set up a store in the basement. They've done this before, but the difference this time was that it was with real money. Ben, being the leader of the game, chose himself to be in charge of the bills, and Matt was delegated to the coins. Matt didn't seem to mind...but give him a few years and he just might!
Their sign for the store:
Toys R You
You Sped (Spend) Your Money Here
6.24.2008
The Trampoline
The story behind the trampoline:
We have talked about getting one for a while, but I have always been much more hesitant. I guess it's a mom thing. I was gone at an all day workshop today, and literally as I was walking out of my seminar on the differences between the male (impulsive) and female (rational) brain, Brian calls to tell me that he's in Sam's Club ready to purchase a trampoline. Granted, it wasn't completely impulsive, since we had talked about it a little bit, but I just wasn't quite sure. As is typical in most female brains, I wanted to come home to talk and discuss, weigh the pros and cons, have a dialogue about where it would fit best in the yard, get opinions from my sister, mom, neighbors, and process together what color netting we should choose...okay it wasn't quite that bad, but I thought waiting 24 hours would be a reasonable time to wait.
It wasn't.
We love it!
Play Ball
For the 2nd year in a row, Brian is the head coach of Ben's baseball team. This year, they are the Cardinals, and once again, Ben is number 5.
Ben is becoming a true baseball fan, asks all kinds of questions about the strategies involved in the game, and has begun collecting baseball cards. Brian of course, is thrilled!
Matt, Adam and I make it to just about every game and practice. The rule of thumb is that while Ben's team is batting, we watch. When Ben is in the outfield, we head to the park and play. They do pretty well with this arrangement.
This is a K-1 league. The coach pitches 7 balls and if the player has not made contact, the ball is put on the tee. This ensures success for everyone. An inning consists of batting once through the line-up, and no score, strikes, or outs are recorded.
The boys, big and small, seem to love it!
Pre-Game Pep Talk
Uh Dad, I Mean Coach, I Have a Question
Swing Batta Batta
Watching My Big Brother
Ben is becoming a true baseball fan, asks all kinds of questions about the strategies involved in the game, and has begun collecting baseball cards. Brian of course, is thrilled!
Matt, Adam and I make it to just about every game and practice. The rule of thumb is that while Ben's team is batting, we watch. When Ben is in the outfield, we head to the park and play. They do pretty well with this arrangement.
This is a K-1 league. The coach pitches 7 balls and if the player has not made contact, the ball is put on the tee. This ensures success for everyone. An inning consists of batting once through the line-up, and no score, strikes, or outs are recorded.
The boys, big and small, seem to love it!
Pre-Game Pep Talk
Uh Dad, I Mean Coach, I Have a Question
Swing Batta Batta
Watching My Big Brother
6.23.2008
A Day With Marvin
Brian works with high school special education students. Marvin, a former student, has developed a special bond with Brian. So special in fact, that Marvin and his girlfriend, Shenice, have asked Brian and me to be their baby's (due in November) godparents. We haven't committed to this idea yet, but it hasn't been ruled out either.
Marvin got in touch with Brian one day last week and asked if he would like to hang out for the day. Brian agreed and the plans were made. Our whole family spent the afternoon with Marvin at our house playing basketball, Wii, and hanging out. Later that night, Brian and Ben picked up Kyle, a friend of Ben's, and Shenice and headed to the Twins game.
Shenice had never been to a Twins game before and she had a great time. Brian treated everyone to all of the Dome food and treats they could eat and enjoyed explaining the game of baseball to the whole crew.
Marvin and Shenice are great kids and we enjoyed spending time with them. I'm confident there will be more outings together in the future.
Shenice & Marvin
Ben & Kyle
One-on-One with Marvin
Marvin got in touch with Brian one day last week and asked if he would like to hang out for the day. Brian agreed and the plans were made. Our whole family spent the afternoon with Marvin at our house playing basketball, Wii, and hanging out. Later that night, Brian and Ben picked up Kyle, a friend of Ben's, and Shenice and headed to the Twins game.
Shenice had never been to a Twins game before and she had a great time. Brian treated everyone to all of the Dome food and treats they could eat and enjoyed explaining the game of baseball to the whole crew.
Marvin and Shenice are great kids and we enjoyed spending time with them. I'm confident there will be more outings together in the future.
Shenice & Marvin
Ben & Kyle
One-on-One with Marvin
6.22.2008
Bloggin' Buddies
9 times out of 10 Adam prefers to be with Brian over me. Tonight while I was working on a blog was that rare occasion when he wanted to snuggle with me. It usually doesn't last too long, but at least he let Brian snap a quick picture.
Dew Days Run
Brian, Jason, Dad, my friend Sheila, and I all ran in the Dew Days 4 mile run on Saturday. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect, the course was flat and scenic, and there were enough people to make it a fun atmoshphere, but not so crowded that you felt like you had to spend the first mile jockeying for your position. Everyone did well!
Brian, Jason, Sheila and I all had our personal bests. Dad, who is just getting back into running after taking some months off, ran well and didn't face any nagging aches or pains. We had a great time and hope to do another run this summer.
Brian, Jason, Sheila and I all had our personal bests. Dad, who is just getting back into running after taking some months off, ran well and didn't face any nagging aches or pains. We had a great time and hope to do another run this summer.
6.19.2008
Funky Plaid Case
Brian finally admitted he needed glasses and made an appointment with the eye doctor. After a thorough exam, it was determined that his left eye is pretty much useless, and his right eye could use some correction. I'm glad he's decided it's time to see clearly.
I was not with Brian during the appointment, so he made his frame selection on his own, with help from the saleslady of course. When he came home and told me the hefty price, I was a little shocked, but realized it has been several years since we've purchased adult glasses, and figured that was the going rate.
He then told me that the saleslady gave him a funky plaid case for his new specs. I didn't think too much of it and we went about our busy nightly routine.
The next morning I took the car and noticed the "funky plaid case" sitting on the seat. Insert gasp and laughter here:
For those of you who may not be familiar with the Burberry brand, this plaid is their signature trademark.
I bet we paid more for the "funky plaid case" than the lenses themselves!
Too bad my $9 Steve and Berry's sunglasses don't fit in the case.
I was not with Brian during the appointment, so he made his frame selection on his own, with help from the saleslady of course. When he came home and told me the hefty price, I was a little shocked, but realized it has been several years since we've purchased adult glasses, and figured that was the going rate.
He then told me that the saleslady gave him a funky plaid case for his new specs. I didn't think too much of it and we went about our busy nightly routine.
The next morning I took the car and noticed the "funky plaid case" sitting on the seat. Insert gasp and laughter here:
For those of you who may not be familiar with the Burberry brand, this plaid is their signature trademark.
I bet we paid more for the "funky plaid case" than the lenses themselves!
Too bad my $9 Steve and Berry's sunglasses don't fit in the case.
6.18.2008
Book Club
Oprah's book club idea has caught on in our neighborhood...with 6 and 7 year-old boys! 4 boys and Ben meet every Wednesday at a different house, read their book to the group, swap books for the week, enjoy a treat, and then play together for a while. We were hosting for this, the 2nd week, and it was a lot of fun to watch the boys have fun with their reading.
Today's selections included:
"Fly High, Fly Guy"
"Corduroy"
"Star Wars"
"Arthur's Reading Race"
"Big Daddy, Frog Wrestler"
Today's Picks
The Crew
Treats at the End
Today's selections included:
"Fly High, Fly Guy"
"Corduroy"
"Star Wars"
"Arthur's Reading Race"
"Big Daddy, Frog Wrestler"
Today's Picks
The Crew
Treats at the End
6.17.2008
Dam to Dam
A couple of weeks ago, the 5 of us headed to Des Moines to visit John, Kate, Meghan, Lane, Ava and Amelia. We were celebrating Ava's 5th birthday, and John, Brian and I were signed up to run in the Dam to Dam race. Brian and John ran the 20K and I ran the 5K.
Brian completed his race in 1 hour 50 minutes. I finished the 5K in 27 minutes. It was a personal best for me and I even finished 15th of the 225 women in my age group.
We are both signed up to run the Rambling River 4 mile run this Saturday. These organized races are a fun atmosphere to be in and keep us motivated to continue exercising!
Brian completed his race in 1 hour 50 minutes. I finished the 5K in 27 minutes. It was a personal best for me and I even finished 15th of the 225 women in my age group.
We are both signed up to run the Rambling River 4 mile run this Saturday. These organized races are a fun atmosphere to be in and keep us motivated to continue exercising!
Life With Boys
Living with 3 young boys is wonderful and exciting, but I must admit, there are times when I feel completely outnumbered and just have to roll my eyes and go with the punches. On any given day, the conversations in our house may include:
buttocks, butts, or booties
poop
farts, toots, buffers
You're beginning to get the idea...
Ben has been into looking up words in the dictionary lately.
(Don't ask why because I don't know. However, as a teacher, I know this a great skill for kids to develop, and one that many kids struggle with, so I'm glad that he's enjoying it for now.)
Well, tonight before bedtime I told him he could choose 3 words to look up.
1. diarrhea
2. puke
(had to replace with vomit, but I guess he learned a new vocab word, right?)
3. unite
(VERY random but I'm guessing it stems back to his former passion of all things patriotic and USA related. Oh, what I would give to go back to reading the atlas every night.)
Nothing like some peaceful reading before bed to calm the soul and mind.
I love them, even though I don't always "get" them... My 3 Sons!
Note their hands on this shot
buttocks, butts, or booties
poop
farts, toots, buffers
You're beginning to get the idea...
Ben has been into looking up words in the dictionary lately.
(Don't ask why because I don't know. However, as a teacher, I know this a great skill for kids to develop, and one that many kids struggle with, so I'm glad that he's enjoying it for now.)
Well, tonight before bedtime I told him he could choose 3 words to look up.
1. diarrhea
2. puke
(had to replace with vomit, but I guess he learned a new vocab word, right?)
3. unite
(VERY random but I'm guessing it stems back to his former passion of all things patriotic and USA related. Oh, what I would give to go back to reading the atlas every night.)
Nothing like some peaceful reading before bed to calm the soul and mind.
I love them, even though I don't always "get" them... My 3 Sons!
Note their hands on this shot
6.15.2008
Father's Day
We had a nice Father's Day! The weather was BEAUTIFUL! Brian worked on redoing a retaining wall much of the day (his choice, not mine!), and for supper we grilled with Nana, Papa, Holly, Jason, Max and Anna.
Enjoy these snapshots of our day.
Anna & Her Chosen Outfit
Supper
A New Recipe
(Swiss Cake Rolls and ice cream...yum! Mine didn't look this good, but it tasted great.)
We All Enjoyed Dessert
The Little Boys ADORE Papa!
Dads and Their Kids
Enjoy these snapshots of our day.
Anna & Her Chosen Outfit
Supper
A New Recipe
(Swiss Cake Rolls and ice cream...yum! Mine didn't look this good, but it tasted great.)
We All Enjoyed Dessert
The Little Boys ADORE Papa!
Dads and Their Kids
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