GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!

Last week Vincent went to Coach Chico's soccer camp.  He had such a great time and (I may be a biased mother) he was really pretty darn good on the field.  On the last day of camp the kids were split into three teams and had a little scrimmage.  Hilarious!  A bunch of 3, 4 and 5 year olds running in a mob up and down the field = priceless!!  Here is a video of Vincent scoring TWO goals (he scored two more later in the game).  

Four Weeks into Summer Vacation...

As week four of summer vacation comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on my top moments of the summer thus far:

1.     Summer School.  Yes, I worked summer school for a week.  A drag to start summer vacation by going to school every morning.  But, Vince came with me everyday – which alone made it worth it (most of the time, when he wasn’t the “class discipline issue”).  Each morning Vince woke up, got himself dressed and began bugging both Bekah and I to hurry up and get ready.  He was always so excited to go to “reading camp school.”  Let’s just hope he is this excited when he is older!

Bekah in Reading Group with Mrs. Dotson

Vincent and Bekah in the listening center

2.     Vince and Bekah had to go with me to Wooster High School and pick up my new computer.  While the 1.5 hours it took to make the trade was not something I want to remember, the conversation between the kids was priceless.  On the way out Vince to Bekah that “when the get smarter they would be able to go to school here.”  That’s right, not older or bigger – just smarter!

Vince and Bekah walking the hall of Wooster High School

3.     Bad storms.  At the beginning of the month we experiences some terrible storms.  Vince was always the brave big brother that would tell Bekah that “God was bowling” and “the angels were lighting fireworks.”  One night, I allowed the kids to crash in my bed.  This is a picture I took of them passed out… they were just too cute to move:

4.     Hartzlers!!  Sure, I may use it as my “if you behave while mommy gets all her shopping done” bribery too.  But, really, I want ice cream just as much as the kids do!  And, I looooove taking home delicious chocolate milk too.

5.     Swimming in the backyard.  (Well, swimming in general).  My kids are water babies.  Since they were little they have LOVED the pool.  Maga’s pool is their favorite.  But I find it hilarious that even in the backyard “kid pool” the kids feel the need to get out the water wings, dive sticks, kickboard and all the other toys we take to Maga’s big pool!

6.     Trips to the park.  I love watching them interact with the other children they meet – they are such outgoing kids!  (Sorry, no pictures with this one.)

7.     Parades.  We started out the parade season by attending the Blue Tip Parade just a few days ago (a 2 hour long parade, by the way!!).  My kids love parades.  Honestly, I think that they love the candy.  But, I do love a good parade!!

Shouting "CANDY" everytime a float passed by

 8.     Train Rides!  Wait, another bribery tool.  Hmmmm.  Does that make me a terrible mother.  I am ecstatic that there is a train at the outlet.  And, during the week, one ticket gets you unlimited rides.  Perfect for bribing kids.  Shop, eat, ride the train, shop some more, ride the train again… it’s the perfect tool to get kids to behave while on a summer shopping trip.  However, this past visit took the cake.  On our third (YES THIRD) ride on the train, Vincent fell asleep in my lap – PRICELESS!

This was on our first ride around the tracks!

And... what rocks the most.... Knowing that I have SEVEN more weeks of summer vacation!  

While a few weeks of that is sans-kids, I am hoping that the weeks do not go by as fast as the last four weeks have.

Cheers to Summer Vacation!

I cannot believe that Vince will be FIVE in September.  Where has the time gone??  I should also mention that Bekah will be THREE in October.  How do they grow up so quickly?

I now know what "seasoned parents" mean when they tell "new parents" to enjoy every moment.  Moments really do go by so very quickly.  I feel that I have allowed too many moments to pass me by.  But, I can honestly say that this is the first summer that I have sat back and just enjoyed.  My time with my children is not spent running around like a crazy-must-get-it-all-done-mom (OK, most of the time this is not in our routine).  Rather, we have swam, played every game known to man, read, hiked, ate, swam some more... and it is fabulous.

So... Cheers to summer - to dishes in the sink - to a lawn a bit longer than the neighbors - to laundry overflowing in baskets.  Cheers to my two amazing children... may the next 6 weeks be FABULOUS and FUN FILLED!

Hello Again, It Has Been Awhile!!

Oh blog, how I have neglected you.  Life has gotten in the way of posting.  I am sorry.  But, now that school is out, I have no excuse.  So, I promise to take some time out every now-and-then and write.  (Uhhhhh, did I just talk to my blog??)

So much has happened since my last post.   First I must brag about the kids – they are amazing.  They teach me each day to be patient.  They also show me what unconditional love really is.  Even in the most frustrating moments I find myself wanting to just grab them up and snuggle! 

I have also learned a lot about myself.  It is amazing to think how much life changes over a year.  I can honestly say I have grown stronger, more independent and much smarter over the year.  I have found my true friends.  I know, totally cliché, but it is so true!!

So, Blog, I am back… and will return with more later.

But, before I sign off, here are some kid pictures:

First, Bekah being Bekah – she love to pick out her own outfits… and this was a staple in the spring. -- she wore the tutu and rainboots everywhere!

Next, Vincent playing on the tractor.  Such a boy!

Snow Days - Snowpocalypse February 2011!

I know I've said it before, but it would have to take a "snowpocalypse" for Wooster City to call off school -- well it happened.  Along with almost the entire United States we got a snowstorm to remember.  Snow, then ice, then more snow, followed by more ice.  It was AWESOME!  The news is showing some amazing videos -- cars abandoned on highways, people ice skating down the middle of the streets, millions without power, stores out of the "essentials" --- and they news is even calling it snowpocalyspe and snowmageddon. Luckily we did not experience any power outages nor did I have to travel anywhere - I just got two "ice days" off of school.

Day three and the the sun is now shinning and school is back in session.  But, I wanted to share some photos from our snow-day-fun-days!!

Bekah felt the need to get out the car -- it does not have snow wheels!!

Making Snow Pizza

Vincent sledding with his ladies (this was actually the day before the big ice-storms)

Since we were getting new carpet, we pulled out the paint and went to town... 

should have gotten a picture of the floor after we were done!!

Snow stew... yummm!

Bekah liked the ice chunks in the snow stew.

I actually had to kick the layer of ice off the snow to get snow that could be eaten with a spoon.

Happy New Year!

I got the following as an e.mail from a few different people the last two weeks, so I finally figured I should read the entire message... and turns out it is pretty good.  I am not one to make resolutions and goals - but I think these are good goals to try to follow:

Health:

1.       Drink plenty of water. 

2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 

3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5.       Make time to pray. 

6.       Play more games.

7.       Read more books than you did in 2010.

8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.       Sleep for at least 7 hours. 

10.     Take a 20-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile and enjoy the outdoors. 

Personality:  

1.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 

2.    Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control, invest energy in the positive present moment. 

3.    Don't overdo. Give yourself the benefit of margins. 

4.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 

5.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. 

6.    Dream more while you are awake 

7.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

8.    Forget issues of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. 

9.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Don't hate others. 

10.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil your present. 

11.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 

12.  Smile and laugh more. 

13.  You don't have to win every argument…

Society:  

1.    Call your family often. 

2.    Each day give something good to others. 

3.    Forgive

4.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6. 

5.    Try to make at least three people smile each day. 

6.    What other people think of you is none of your business. 

7.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

8.    Put your efforts into things that will last over time.

Life:

1.    Do the right thing! 

2.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 

3.    GOD can heal.  

4.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 

5.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 

6.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.