Summer Baseball 2015

The 10U boys played a great tournament and came in second place in Allouez. Earlier in June, they played a great tournament in Shiocton. They won two games and the third was rained out. It was determined, based on runs scored etc, that Seymour came in second place. Plus, the team came in second place in the Denmark tournament at the end of May. One more tournament in Pulaski and the summer baseball season will be over for this great group of boys.

The Silent Treatment

Welcome to my hysterical life.
Last night Riley had a bit of a crying, messy, sniffly meltdown because her beloved brother was sleeping with her "favorite" blanket. Noah has been sleeping with this fuzzy, red blanket for who knows how long. He wraps himself up like a burrito and falls asleep peacefully every night. Mind you, the blanket is mine. However, in reality, nothing is mine in this house. If the kids like something, they take the item for themselves. But, the blanket is mine. I received it from a student as a gift at Christmas, 2013.
Needless to say, I calmly and forcefully explained to Riley we would solve this problem in the morning. She was not thrilled with waiting until the morning, but she was too tired to argue. She was asleep in minutes.
Fast forward to this morning, I walk in Riley's room thinking she was asleep. To my surprise, she was awake, lying on her belly in the only speck of sunlight that happened to be streaming through the slightly open curtain/blind. My initial thought was how peaceful and lovely she seemed in her room. She was at peace, being still, enjoying some alone time.
I boldly walk into her room to find she is not at peace. She is giving me the silent treament. She happened to be hard at work writing on a whiteboard, "The silet tretment to Mom." Please forgive the spelling errors. She is a writer in progress.
This was not a peaceful, be still moment. This was a strategic manuever to get the blanket back from Noah.
My reaction was to laugh heartily at her ingenuity and creativity. She was not pleased.
My second reaction was to grab a picture taking device (camera, ipod, phone). At this point, I wanted to find the closest device because I was afraid she would erase the writing. The phone was located first.
Back up the stairs I race to find she had, indeed, erased her writing.
Bummer.
My third reaction was to help solve her problem. I located the red, fuzzy blanket in Noah's room and gave it to her to cherish and adore.
I still have not figured out how to negotiate with Noah the temporary change of blanket ownership.
To be continued...

Baseball, Pickles, Bars and Medals, Oh my!

Baseball, baseball and more baseball.

I am beginning to enjoy this sport. Noah's Seymour team participated in a tournament in Denmark, Wisconsin and took second place. They had fun playing the game they all love so much. Two things cross my mind when I reminisce about the tournament in Denmark.

1. Noah was stuck in a pickle
2. Riley explained, on the way home, that she is not able to go in bars.

In regards to Noah being stuck in a pickle, it was shocking and funny. The players on the the other team were throwing the ball back and forth, as if they were playing catch in their front yard. Noah was eye-balling their strategy and waffling back and forth between first and second base. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Noah, one runner crossed home plate while he delayed the game. His nimble legs were carrying him back and forth, and his giant helmet head was turning left, right, left, right, to determine his next move. The game of catch continued. Noah's competitive edge kicked in and he was determined to win this battle. As I am standing, cheering and going nuts, Dean is laughing so hard he is crying. With the a bit of strategy, and a good eye, Noah successfully slid into second base. The pickle was conquered and runs were scored.

The other interesting story took place on the ride home. Riley explained that she is not able to go in bars. I immediately think...of course you can't go in bars. You are too little.Where does she come up with this stuff.

"No, Riley. You cannot go in bars." I respond.

"I know. I can't go in bars." Riley shares in a very matter-a-fact voice.

"You can't go in bars until you are much older. Twenty-one years old, to be exact." 

"I know. It is hard to do the bars when your hands hurt." Riley shares.

When your hands hurt? How are bars and hands hurting connected? Oh! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Riley spent most of the day playing on the monkey bars, while the boys played baseball. Her hands hurt because of her isane monkey bar workout. My daughter is not interested in frequenting the bars at the ripe old age of seven. She is disappointed because her hands hurt and she can't play on the monkey bars. 

Pickles and bars on a Saturday afternoon at the ballpark. Oh, and did I mention, Noah's team came in second place at the tournament.

Happy 10th Birthday

Happy Birthday to our competitive, quick witted young man. Welcome to double digits.

Lucky # 7

Happy 7th birthday, Miss Riley!

You sparkle and brighten our days.

Life is a whirlwind.

I have put this blog on hold for a bit. Okay, I am kidding myself. This blog has been avoided for a long time. When I think of writing, I think of being a "truth teller". I read other women's blogs that seem to make the ups and downs of daily life with kids hilarious, yet honest. I haven't figured out how to be funny or honest about the ups and downs of life lately; therefore, I have avoided the blog.
As I process how to dive back into being honest about life, I decided to share a few pictures of our life. It has been a whirlwind ride since Christmas. We were lucky enough to travel and visit my dad, brother and his family during the Christmas holiday. We have not spent Christmas with my dad, brother and family since 2009. Needless to say, it was fun to be in a "snow free" zone in the middle of winter.
The pictures are sequenced appropriately... I think.

This is our attempt at a normal family picture.

This is a better representation of our life. 

Winter involved Dance Camp for Riley and weekly dance classes.

Weekends and Thursday nights were dedicated to basketball.

Plus, Dean was an assistant coach for the team.

The boys earned third place in the Hortonville Tournament.

Celebrating Dean at the Future 15 Young Professionals Dinner

3/27 was the recital; wrapping up all of Riley's dance lessons for the school year.

The girls' performance was fabulous.

Riley's assistant dance teacher.

Riley's dance teacher, Ms. Shay.

Riley is not shy on the stage.

Friends and classmates

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To say I am a chicken would be an understatement. My daughter wants to get her ears pierced. One might think she would be nervous because it is painful; however, I am the one struggling with this new adventure.

This chicken started to cross the road. We went to the mall because that is where one goes when they want to get their ears pierced. My stomach was in knots and my brain was second guessing this decision. Riley is only getting her ears pierced, yet I am acting as if she is participating in a life altering event.

We walked through the mall, holding hands. Eventually, we found the store that has the famous princess teddy bear Riley’s friends have held when they took the leap of faith and had their ears pierced. “Mom, the bear,” squealed Riley.

That dang bear was sitting in the “ear piercing” chair with a smile on its face. It looked so innocent, yet I knew the truth. First, it is earrings, then another piercing, then a tattoo. When does it end? This chicken started to back up and return to the safe side of the road. This chicken was not ready to take a risk. However, my little chick was 100% committed to getting her ears pierced.

Somehow, some way I was going to figure out a way to convince Riley into waiting.

I calmly, yet pleadingly stated, “I don’t think we should do this today.”

“But, I want to. I want the Frozen earrings. Wait, I want the Hello Kitty earrings.” Riley responded.

“Those are pretty. What do you think of the pink flowers? I like the flowers. They will match with everything.” Now I am bartering with her…Unbelievable. This chicken needs to figure out how to get out of the store.

“Fancy! I want the flowers.” Riley agreed.

“Well, here is the deal. I think we should wait a few more days and get your ears pierced after we talk to dad. You can get the pink flowers, as well as hold the princess teddy bear when we come to get your ears pierced. But, I don’t think we should get your ears pierced today.”

As I expected, Riley was not keen on the idea of waiting; however, I worked my magic. This chicken convinced Riley to wait a few more days.

Sometime before Thanksgiving, we are going to cross the road together, chicken and chick. I am going to give Riley the freedom to make a decision for herself. She is going to teach me to let go a little bit.
We haven't crossed the road yet, but we will soon. 

The Green Screen

Dean and a new toy for work, the green screen. Each picture was taken with proper lighting and a green screen in the background. Once the photos were uploaded, all Dean had to do was insert a background of his choice. Riley was his helper and they had fun. 

One Hundred Pounds of Gold

“A child's giggle is worth one hundred pounds of gold.” 
― Amy Leigh Mercree

I agree with this statement 150%. Noah and Riley can laugh and giggle for significant chunks of time. I hear their laughter and it melts my heart. We might be driving in the car and they are singing a song in a silly voice. Genuine laughter follows their silly behavior. We might be at home and they are throwing stuffed animals back and forth. I don’t even bother asking why they are throwing stuffed animals. What is interesting is the genuine laughter that is never ending. If throwing stuffed animals is amusing, who am I to put a stop to the fun?

However, a child’s giggle can also create a boat load of stress. It is like someone flipped a light switch because the kids transform into miniature monsters. Mischievous laughter by one child means he/she is purposely irritating or annoying the other for no apparent reason.  Evil, conniving laughter by one child is followed by squawks, yelling and, “I am telling Mom,” by the other child.

My response is the typical teacher response, “How can you solve this problem?” Of course, in my perfect world, the kids understand that one sibling needs to say, “Stop being annoying.” The other kid needs to listen. Simple, right? HA HA!

Unfortunately, my world is perfectly imperfect and I usually have to coach the kids through a problem solving process, or give a direct order for them to relocate to separate rooms. This coaching/direct order process is hard and frustrating because both kids are stubborn. Giving in symbolizes losing and my kids can be sore losers when they are angry and irritated. Lucky for Dean and I, the kids typically save their miniature monster behavior for moments when we are at home. Is laughter worth one hundred pounds of gold? Not if the laughter is evil and conniving.

Most of the time Dean and I enjoy a hundred pounds of gold in laughter from our kids. However, we always make sure to save a bit of gold for days that are perfectly imperfect.

Closure

Some need closure regarding a relationship with a significant other or family member. Some need closure regarding a friendship. I just experienced closure regarding where I was born and raised. I had an incredible opportunity to return to Anchorage with my dad and fourteen year old nephew. After moving away from the place I called home for twenty-five years in the year 2000, I chose to return. My life after I moved away has been blessed. I married the love of my life, gave birth to two unique and curious children and have experienced numerous adventures.

Is it possible for one to go home, after moving away from “home”? I always said no because home is where one is surrounded by people who love and cherish them. Home is where one can celebrate, cry, or laugh about the ups and downs of life. Home is not a location. It is a feeling of love, comfort, and security. When my brother moved away from Anchorage, one piece of home moved away. When my parents moved away from Anchorage, two more pieces of home moved away. When Dean moved away from Anchorage, the final bit of home moved away with him.

Upon my return to Anchorage this summer, I realized I still knew my way around. Furthermore, I still cherished the majestic mountains, rushing rivers and laid back lifestyle of Anchorage and surrounding area. However, I also experienced closure. I appreciate and cherish growing up in Anchorage. I love the memories, the friendships I established while living there; however, home is where my family resides.

With that being said, I enjoyed the trip thoroughly. I am so lucky to have been born and raised in such a unique and inspiring place. Because I was living in Anchorage, I met Dean. Because I was living in Anchorage, I established life-long friendships with numerous friends. Even though we live thousands of miles apart, it is like no time has passed when we have an opportunity to meet and catch up. Because my parents took a leap of faith and moved to Anchorage to further my dad’s career, my brother and I enjoyed an amazing childhood. I don’t know if closure is the correct word to define how I feel about my relationship with the city of Anchorage.

One thing I do know is I am establishing a safe a secure home with Dean and the kids. My kids will someday contemplate what it is like to come home. However, that is many years down the road. No need to rush that component of my life. 

Downtown Anchorage

Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK

Homer, AK

Russian Orthodox Church, Kenai, AK

Resurrection Bay, Seward, AK

Sea Otters

Gray Whale

Sea Lions

Anchorage, AK

Twenty-two mile bike ride on the Coastal Trail. Momma moose and her baby made an appearance, Anchorage, AK

Mount McKinley from Anchorage

Mount McKinley, south view point

Mount McKinley, north view point

Mount McKinley from inside Denali National Park

Polychrome Pass

Caribou

Momma bear and two babies

Red fox

Moose

Moose