The kids are in bed after a busy, but very funny evening.
We went to Bakers Square for dinner, all of our favorite restaurant. I had grilled cheese and tomato soup. They changed the soup, but it was great! It had huge chunks of roasted tomatoes and tons of basil. Mmmm! A perfect match for the chill in the air tonight.
After dinner, we went to check out Bee Movie. The boys won the vote. Madison and I wanted to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. She thinks it looks cute, I think Jason Bateman looks cute! I must admit, the boys picked a winner. The movie was very cute, funny, and unusually clever for an animated film. The boys fell asleep in the car on the way home, but managed to stay up for the whole movie. That's how we know it got two thumbs up from the Jackson & Baby critique.
Yesterday we spent the evening at the kids' Harvest Festival at the Natatorium's hall. It was fun just like last year. It is an annual event to raise money for a new gymnasium. They have met their million dollar goal and will begin tearing down the old gym soon. It's sad because I have a lot of memories in that gym as a child...pep rallies, cheerleading tryouts, basketball, talent show, spelling bees, gym, waiting endlessly for my mom to pick us up after school~lol! But they really do need a bigger gym so we can host other teams and stop having to travel so much to other locations for meets and games.
Anyways, there was good food, smores for dessert, a dj for dancing and games. The kids had a wild time. Jack hit the floor once he heard the chicken dance come on. They hid a scarecrow and had the kids find it. Baby won! You should have seen his face. He was in total disbelief. He naturally has a pessimistic view on life and competition (like father, like son), so it was hilarious. The dj loved him and his hair. The boys wore suits because Charlie had his on from work, so when the dj called his name he said, "The winner is a little man named Charlie Hughes, and wouldn't you know it, he won best dressed too."
I love it that everyone knows the kids and even Charlie. Ahhh, the benefits of a small, private school.
There were also about 50 baskets to bid on through silent auction. We won a couple of them. One was a sled that Jackson and two friends from his class painted and colored a winter scene on. The other was a basket of coloring books and crayons that Baby couldn't take his eyes off. We had to rebid a couple times on that one, but it proved to be a good purchase. Not only did the money go to a good cause, but the kids played with its contents all evening once we returned home.
I also am very excited at my latest undertaking. I have been very unhappy at work lately and feel like I'm missing out on so much of my kids' lives. Everyday passes so quickly. Too quickly. And here I am working like a dog to pay bills. When one sits back and looks how crazy this life is and thinks about why we do what we do, it is amazing, and appalling at the same time. Anyway, so I heard that Mr. Jones needed a coach to lead the fifth grade girls basketball team. I volunteered to do it and couldn't be happier about the decision. Where will I find the time??? Who cares, I will make the time. This is something that I really want to do. I love basketball. I love teaching children. Madison will be on the team, so this will be quality time spent just with her, no boys. Charlie has offered to help as much as he can, which is welcomed and appreciated. I just think it will be really fun and challenging and meaningful. I'm on the endless quest for meaning and every once in a while it slaps me in the face. Wish me luck...and patience...and most importantly, babysitters for the boys!
Off to bed, though, with a racing mind!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Bragging about the Brats!
Well, the first semester is over. I was suppose to have a 2 hours a day to myself...to read, to exercise, to bathe, to do my hair, to watch my soaps. I have read nothing but school newsletters. I have exercised walking back to the car after Jack forgot his lunch--twice! I barely bathe. I cut my hair with kitchen scissors last week. And I have no idea what Nick and Sharon are doing, or if they are even alive for that matter.
Madison got straight A's. No minuses. She was the only child to accomplish this in her class. We are so very proud of her. I knew she would do it, I just didn't realize how soon or that she would be the only one to achieve this in her class. This reassures me about making the decision to move her up a grade. She has always known she was ready for more, I just didn't want to let go. But it looks like I saved myself almost $4000 (one year of tuition). Because of this accomplishment, Madison also gets her name in a drawing to win two Cleveland Cavalier tickets to a game! Go Cavs!
Jackson also got all plusses and one check. The check was in Spanish and his teacher told me that all the children got checks in Spanish because it is brand new to all of them and how couldn't they have room for improvement. He was adorable at his conference. He pretended to be working diligently on the computer, but Mrs. Grulke and I would catch him peeking at us and listening. Mrs. Grulke also said that Jackson is a little Romeo. On the first day, he was "petting" Erin's hair and cheeks. Mrs. Grulke said she couldn't tell him to leave his hands to himself because he was being so sweet. So, instead she called over the assistant and the preschool teacher from next door to watch. She said they picture him laying down his jacket for Erin to walk over puddles. I told her this was of no surprise to us because all we hear about is Erin, Erin, Erin. She is a cutie, though. Jackson has also just learned to tie our shoes too. I asked if he was going to show Mrs. Grulke and he said yes. Then he said, "Mommy, can you buy me shoes with strings so I can learn to tie my own." I told him of course.
Baby is still in school and hasn't been kicked out yet. All the teachers think he's adorable with his crazy hair. He hides his face with his hands whenever they bring out the camera. What a faker. He is the biggest ham in the world. He too has a girlfriend, Bayleigh, who he lovingly refers to as Billy. Although, I think he just likes Billy because her dad is a fireman.
Big Charlie just passed his grill at work and applied for Assistant Manager at the Tallmadge Avenue store. He got the position and is very excited. I'm excited because he's close to Longhorn now for lunches with the wifey! HOO HOO BOBBY!
Madison got straight A's. No minuses. She was the only child to accomplish this in her class. We are so very proud of her. I knew she would do it, I just didn't realize how soon or that she would be the only one to achieve this in her class. This reassures me about making the decision to move her up a grade. She has always known she was ready for more, I just didn't want to let go. But it looks like I saved myself almost $4000 (one year of tuition). Because of this accomplishment, Madison also gets her name in a drawing to win two Cleveland Cavalier tickets to a game! Go Cavs!
Jackson also got all plusses and one check. The check was in Spanish and his teacher told me that all the children got checks in Spanish because it is brand new to all of them and how couldn't they have room for improvement. He was adorable at his conference. He pretended to be working diligently on the computer, but Mrs. Grulke and I would catch him peeking at us and listening. Mrs. Grulke also said that Jackson is a little Romeo. On the first day, he was "petting" Erin's hair and cheeks. Mrs. Grulke said she couldn't tell him to leave his hands to himself because he was being so sweet. So, instead she called over the assistant and the preschool teacher from next door to watch. She said they picture him laying down his jacket for Erin to walk over puddles. I told her this was of no surprise to us because all we hear about is Erin, Erin, Erin. She is a cutie, though. Jackson has also just learned to tie our shoes too. I asked if he was going to show Mrs. Grulke and he said yes. Then he said, "Mommy, can you buy me shoes with strings so I can learn to tie my own." I told him of course.
Baby is still in school and hasn't been kicked out yet. All the teachers think he's adorable with his crazy hair. He hides his face with his hands whenever they bring out the camera. What a faker. He is the biggest ham in the world. He too has a girlfriend, Bayleigh, who he lovingly refers to as Billy. Although, I think he just likes Billy because her dad is a fireman.
Big Charlie just passed his grill at work and applied for Assistant Manager at the Tallmadge Avenue store. He got the position and is very excited. I'm excited because he's close to Longhorn now for lunches with the wifey! HOO HOO BOBBY!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Holiday Hoopla!
You spend 12 months thinking of the perfect gift for important people in your lives. No, not every waking minute, but when you see something, you take note..."That would be perfect for..." It's all over in a day, or two. Gone, until next year.
I thought that was what bothered me. All this anticipation and planning, and it is over so suddenly. The older I get though, I'm learning more about myself and why the holidays make me so sad.
I love Thanksgiving. It is good food, good people, and good times. Everything is low key. Everyone is involved. No gifts involved that cost money, maybe your time though.
Christmas is chaotic. People don't teach their children why we are celebrating. It is just all about what did or didn't I get.
We got a whole 'nother year to be with our mother, father, brother, sister.
We got time to sit and laugh with each other.
We got to enjoy one another.
We got to reflect on the previous year and important events.
Christmas is the end of a year and the beginning of another. Naturally, that reflection is going to bring up things I wished I had done, things I was going to do differently, but never did, friends and loved ones that I have lost, lost moments, lost laughter, lost love.
I procrastinate every day of the year, but in December. I mail out cards a month early. I wrap gifts weeks early. And, apparently, I make my New Year's Resolutions. December seems like the only month that I can focus. Focus on the important things. I rush through every other month watching one calendar page after another turn until December. In December, I mentally get things done. I take time to think about all the things that take up to much energy to think about in May. I think that extra time to focus on myself and my mind happens because I focus more on my spirituality at that time more than any other. I think how blessed I am. I think about Jesus' birth and what that means to me and to my children. It's this huge, unmeasurable amount of love and I don't think Christmas will every be happy until I know that they know. By 'they,' I mean Madison, Jackson, and Charlie.
I conscientiously make an effort to teach them, and more importantly show them. But so much is out of my hands. They have these little personalities and even more frightening, their own little minds. I wonder if I do a good job. I hope that I do a better job. And, I pray that I do a great job. Raising kids can really be scary if you take a minute to look at the job we have undertook, and are we really all that qualified to have a life in our hands, and not just this life but their afterlife. I guess my resolution for this year is to go easy on myself and trust that I have good intentions. I want to enjoy the holiday and that time I GET with my family.
Dr. Seuss has a saying that I will try to follow until then..."Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
I thought that was what bothered me. All this anticipation and planning, and it is over so suddenly. The older I get though, I'm learning more about myself and why the holidays make me so sad.
I love Thanksgiving. It is good food, good people, and good times. Everything is low key. Everyone is involved. No gifts involved that cost money, maybe your time though.
Christmas is chaotic. People don't teach their children why we are celebrating. It is just all about what did or didn't I get.
We got a whole 'nother year to be with our mother, father, brother, sister.
We got time to sit and laugh with each other.
We got to enjoy one another.
We got to reflect on the previous year and important events.
Christmas is the end of a year and the beginning of another. Naturally, that reflection is going to bring up things I wished I had done, things I was going to do differently, but never did, friends and loved ones that I have lost, lost moments, lost laughter, lost love.
I procrastinate every day of the year, but in December. I mail out cards a month early. I wrap gifts weeks early. And, apparently, I make my New Year's Resolutions. December seems like the only month that I can focus. Focus on the important things. I rush through every other month watching one calendar page after another turn until December. In December, I mentally get things done. I take time to think about all the things that take up to much energy to think about in May. I think that extra time to focus on myself and my mind happens because I focus more on my spirituality at that time more than any other. I think how blessed I am. I think about Jesus' birth and what that means to me and to my children. It's this huge, unmeasurable amount of love and I don't think Christmas will every be happy until I know that they know. By 'they,' I mean Madison, Jackson, and Charlie.
I conscientiously make an effort to teach them, and more importantly show them. But so much is out of my hands. They have these little personalities and even more frightening, their own little minds. I wonder if I do a good job. I hope that I do a better job. And, I pray that I do a great job. Raising kids can really be scary if you take a minute to look at the job we have undertook, and are we really all that qualified to have a life in our hands, and not just this life but their afterlife. I guess my resolution for this year is to go easy on myself and trust that I have good intentions. I want to enjoy the holiday and that time I GET with my family.
Dr. Seuss has a saying that I will try to follow until then..."Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
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