2016

Happy New Year!

A new year, and a few resolutions ...

Get back into blogging.
Spend less time on my phone.
Be more organized and get rid of clutter.

I feel like I should be able to handle these.

And how was the end of 2015?

We are all sick and quarantined and spent New Year's Eve at home. I made party food (spinach artichoke dip and Mexican bean dip), and we watched football (Roll Tide!) and Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve. Baby G declared it bedtime after she watched Taylor Swift's new video premiere, but Bean Dip was determined to stay up to watch the NYC ball and the Nashville music note drop.

And he made it!

Here's to a year of reunions, adventures, peace, health, and happiness.

First Day of School

They are so thrilled.

Oh, the possibilities ...

The reward for school supply shopping? Checking out the LEGO section in Target.

Friday Night Movie Night

Camp Invention

This week, Lem attended Camp Invention. It was a week-long day camp sponsored by the school system. It is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program, and with an only $20 registration fee, I had immediately signed him up.

On Friday, there was an "open house" so the families could see what the children had been up to all week. It was great, because although Lem had been telling us all about it all week, it was hard to visualize exactly what he had been doing.

So, there were four classes that they attended each day, taught by local teachers. The kids were divided into groups led by high school interns. So, in the first class, the object was to invent a device that will make everyday life easier, build a prototype, and then "pitch" the idea to their parents. So Lem came up with a hoverboard. He said it would help you get around faster, wouldn't pollute the earth, and cost only $500.

Hoverboard prototype

The next class was all about taking apart their Take-Apart Item, which they were required to bring from home. Lem brought in an old stereo. Once they took it apart, they were supposed to design a video game called Mazeworld, using those parts. They each got a cardboard board on which to build their games. They also came up with a player, and a villian.

In the third class, they learned about different inventors, and then in groups, built some of those inventions. They included rockets, defibrillators (a word Lem cannot say, hahaha), tower buildings, and deep sea data collectors.

The last class was called Cartwheels, and that was everyone's favorite. Small groups built gokarts, and then they got to race them through an obstacle course that included water balloons and wet sponges. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the gokarts, as they had had to take them apart, but it clearly was a lot of fun.

Lem loved it. He was talking a mile a minute when we got there yesterday, trying to tell us everything in one breath. And at full volume, as well. He already wants to attend next year. He's realized how much fun summer camps can be.

For more information: Camp Invention

Yesterday, we attended a FRG pool party. A FRG member hosted it at her house, and we had a blast. The kids swam nearly the entire time, until their lips turned blue and their teeth chattered from the cold. Both of them went off the diving board, too, for the first time. Gwyn was the first. She came up to me and said, "I'm going to jump off that thing." And she did, with no fear, as you can see above. She yelled, "Cannonball!" and leaped off. With her floaties on, she popped right back up and was ready to do it again.
And Lem, he did it without much fanfare, but without much hesitation either. And no floaties for him. There was one boy at the party his age, and they played the whole time. Gwyn was the only girl that wasn't an infant, and she gravitated toward the big girls -- the hostess's teenage daughter and her friend who helped keep an eye on all the little ones in the water.
The food was great, and the day ended with snocones for the kids. A great way to kick off the summer.

Lem finished up British Soccer Camp yesterday. It ran all week, from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. The weather on Friday was the complete opposite from what it was on Monday -- Monday we were all in sweatshirts and rain jackets, and Friday, we were slathering on sunscreen and seeking shade under umbrellas.

Lem had a blast. He is already talking about attending next year. He got a great evaluation from his coach, who said he has great skills and great character. He praised him that he never had to tell Lem something twice, and he he always played hard. Lem was named MVP of his team several days. And his team represented Italy in the week's "World Cup." And the best part, Italy won the World Cup.

Lem took on a leadership role in his team, as well. He said, "Everyone seems to think I'm the captain. If I tell them to play a position, they do it." He seemed OK with it, though, and would spend the car ride home each day strategizing how to make his team play better -- who should play goalie, etc. And it sure seemed to work, since they ended up being champions.

Gwyn and I didn't stay to watch all the camp. We ran various errands and met up with friends. But Friday, we stayed. We came prepared to camp out with backpacks full of snacks and entertainment, chairs, and umbrellas for shade. We had a pretty good time hanging out.

And perfect timing -- the Women's World Cup kicks off today. We will be watching and cheering -- Gwyn and I for team USA, Lem for Italy.

It's no secret that Lem talks a lot. Tonight at dinner, he got on a roll and just would. not. shut. up. Gwyn and I were both finished eating, and he was still talking and talking. And it was all non-related facts. Such as, "Did you know that the continents were all connected?" to, "You know that myth that if you eat a watermelon seed it will grow in your stomach? Well, that's not true, because plants need light to grow." And on, and on, and on.

I finally said to him, "Hey Lem, why are you spouting all these random facts?"

And he said, "I don't know. I have to spout them to somebody, or my head will explode."

Well, alright, kid. We can't have that. But what about my head, that's going to explode from the nonstop talking?

Today at lunch ...

"Lem, are you finished eating?"

"No. I'm having a staring contest with a beheaded sardine."

We came home to a garden that had exploded in our absence. The cucumbers are taking over, the lettuce had bolted, and the potatoes are flowering. And the lilies! These were here when we moved, I am beyond excited to see them blooming. They are gorgeous. Everything else is blooming as well. I am loving all the color, this is what I wanted in a flower garden. Now, to mow, weed, clip, and clean up everything.

Oliver!

First day of summer, and we zoomed up to the Farm to see Oliver, Paul, and Lindsay. They were visiting, on their way back to Minnesota from their epic sailing adventure.

The cousins took to each other immediately, particularly Gwyn and Oliver. It was great to see Paul and Lindsay, too. Lem, of course, immediately challenged Uncle Paul to a game of chess, once he heard Paul claim that he could beat him in four moves.

Mike and Johnna came over in the evening, and Dad grilled pork steaks. We all sat out on the porch for dinner, Lem monopolizing the conversation from the head of the table.

The only person missing was Win. 

Spring Soccer '15

Soccer is in full swing, and the kids are doing great. Bean Dip had games Friday night and Saturday morning. This year, his age bracket is now on a bigger field, and they have referees for the games. It is really fun to watch them play, because not only is his team really good, they actually play positions, pass and have good runs at the goal. BD has found his spot as a defender. It's a natural position for him, and he loves it. And because he always wants to be a defender, he has played 100% of all the games so far. He has also decided he loves soccer and is already talking about playing next season. A big change from last fall, when he didn't want to play at all.

Saturday's game was our day to bring the snacks. I was so proud of Lem. After all his teammates got a snack, he actually went around and found the younger siblings of his teammates and offered them a snack as well. It was so sweet. And after his other games, he always asks if he can grab an extra snack for his sister. And on Friday, as we were walking back to the car after his game, he realized he had forgotten to thank the mom who had brought the snack. They happened to be parked next to us, and he walked right up and said, "Thank you for bringing the snack." 

(I would totally recommend bringing extra snacks along, if you can, to share with the siblings. Even the older ones always want a snack, too.)

G is doing great as well. She loves practices, games not as much. With the exception of last week, she gets out there and sometimes actually attempts to kick the ball. I think she is just not aggressive enough for the games, but that is totally fine. She got a throw-in ball right to the face on Saturday. It smashed her nose pretty good. But after I helped her calm down, she perked back up and even when back out to play. She even got to do a throw-in. I don't know if soccer will be her sport, but she is happy playing and that is all that matters.

Spring Field Trips

Both kids had field trips this week. I wasn't allowed to tag along on Lem's, because they went to see a show at the Cybersphere (I think it is an Omnimax theater near Nashville), and there was limited seating. He said it was "not good at all," which is a disappointment. He said they watched Zula Patrol, a PBS cartoon. I am sure it was educational in some way, but why wouldn't they show the kids something more amazing? Like pictures from Hubble? Or a Planet Earth episode?

I did go to Gwyn's. They went to the Nashville Zoo. She really wanted to ride in the car with me, not the bus, so she did. It worked out great because we were able to stay at the zoo a little be longer. It was a good field trip, but totally chaotic and stressful keeping track of 19 kids that continually scattered like rabbits. Luckily, there were plenty of parents along to help Mrs. McKinney keep track.

Mrs. McKinney had red shirts for all the kids to wear, and she had them bring their backpacks with a change of clothes and their lunch. I thought that was a great idea. We had lunch first, a picnic on the green in the center of the zoo. Then we just wandered around, seeing the meerkats, the birds, elephants, giraffes, and the reptile house. The kids loved the reptile house, but it was dark and crowded and hard to keep track of all the kids. But they were so interested in seeing all the exhibits that it was worth it.

After that, the class headed for the bus. All Gwyn wanted to see were the flamingos, so after a quick break of cotton candy to revive both of us, we went to see them, She was so happy. We watched them for a while. They were pretty entertaining because clearly there was a squabble going on, and they were really loud. When Gwyn was done watching them, we headed home. She was asleep before we were out of Nashville.

And ... we are now on snow day #7 for the kids. The last time they were in school was Feb. 13.

It seems so long ago.

They aren't even excited anymore when I tell them they are off again.

This has been the longest winter ever.

Snowmaggedon '15, Day 3

Win ventured out today, finally, to get a few supplies. He came home with this water heater drain pan. That's what they were selling at Lowe's for sleds. The guy told Win it worked, like Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation.

And guess what, it does. We found a nice little hill at the end of our street. It ends in a chainlink fence and thorn bushes so it was perfect. Lem named it Nosebreak Hill.

Also, while Win was gone, the mail lady came. She got ended up getting stuck at our mailbox. I ran out to invite her in while she waited for help, but one of our neighbors came out and dug her out. Very exciting!

Last week I posted a "perfect" picture: delicious hot chocolate and a peaceful boy quietly reading his book while he slurped hot chocolate.

Well, here's the real story.

I told the kids we could have hot chocolate ... after a walk outside. Gwyn was game, but for Lem, it wasn't so easy. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth as he tried to make the "hardest decision ever." He didn't want to go for a walk, but he knew if he didn't, he wouldn't get hot chocolate. He finally made his decision, and stomped unhappily outside. He started complaining almost immediately, and finally wailed out, "I could have been inside practicing my hand-eye coordination!"

As unpleasant as the walk was, it made the hot chocolate all that much sweeter. The poor kid's hand-eye coordination may have suffered, but at least he got some fresh air and exercise.

After a forced march outside in the cold, nothing is better than hot chocolate ... 
and a book (The BFG).

Bean Dip's birthday party was this weekend, and I am pretty sure it was a success. My mom was here, and Katherine and Collins came as well. We also had the neighbors, Alex and Mary and the kids, and Ivy came as well.

We kept it simple this year. We did pizza for the meal and I just bought mini cupcakes for the cake part. My cherry cake for his actual birthday was enough baking this week. I also had fresh fruit and veggies and hummus as well, something healthy to balance out the delicious pizza. My mom was a great help in that she did all the food prep while I tore around the house cleaning up.

We had the pool and the slip'n'slide and games set up in the backyard.  BD and Ivy picked up right where they left off and and ran around playing all afternoon. G and Cameron spent (quite literally) hours in the pool. They came out only for the science experiment, food, and presents. And the occasional cupcake. They swam until 7 p.m.

We did the silly putty experiment for all the kids. I also just had that as the "goody bag" for the kids. They got to take home the results of their experiment. Basically, we mixed glue, water, and borax to make a wonderful goop like silly putty. The sound of the kids saying "wow!" all together when the mixture came together was priceless. It was fun, a little messy, and a lot of fun.

After that, we ate, opened presents and had cake. This year, I got all the birthday stuff wrapped up fairly quickly, and then I could relax! We spent the rest of the evening hanging out. BD put together all his new Legos, finally quitting at almost 10 p.m. when he couldn't function any more. Win had to help him with his last one. It was a great party, and I know BD was really happy.

Silly Putty Recipe: http://pagingfunmums.com/2014/06/13/frozen-silly-putty/

Bean Dip's birthday was really nice. We didn't do a whole lot that day -- swimming lessons in the morning and cake in the evening. But he was happy all day, and not horribly impatient about getting to open his presents. He's maturing in that aspect, and it is wonderful.

Swimming lessons went well, even though I forgot their goggles. On the way home, I asked BD what he wanted for lunch, and he picked Subway. Perfect. He ordered his sandwich, much to the delight of the workers and the old guy behind us. The sandwich he picked was: roast beef on Italian bread, no cheese, heated, with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, olives, yellow peppers, jalapenos, and steak sauce. He ate the whole thing and said it was delicious.

We did a little science experiment that afternoon. We made silly putty. It was a project Win found on the Internet. Basically, you mix glue, water, and borax, and it turns into the crazy goop. We used clear glue and added food coloring and glitter. It was super easy and so awesome to watch it change from liquid to solid. BD has been into chemistry lately, so this was a fun, easy experiment.

We went out to dinner at Olive Garden that night, a nod to BD's "Italian" heritage. Olive Garden is the most "Italian" restaurant in Clarksville. We had a great time, and the food was delicious. Baby G ordered spaghetti with marinara sauce and shrimp, and BD chose one of the small plates off the adult menu -- polenta with shrimp, olives, and capers. It was really good -- we traded plates after a bit so he could eat the rest of my risotto while I ate his polenta.

Bean Dip had decided he wanted a party on his real birthday. We settled for sharing his cake with the neighbors. So after we got home from dinner, we got everyone together (that included Scott yelling across the cul-de-sac to Earl) for cake and ice cream. This year, BD requested a cherry cake. I ended up making a vanilla cake layered with homemade cherry filling, homemade vanilla butter cream, and fresh cherries on top. It turned out amazing -- I think I've finally mastered buttercream (the secret is to have the butter really soft). So we all had a little party in the driveway, and BD also got to practice his skateboarding.

We got him a skateboard for his birthday, which I think was a complete surprise for him, and he loves it. He also finally got his much-wanted alarm clock, a Lego Darth Vader one. And of course, more Star Wars Legos.