Summer Sports

This group of 2nd and 3rd grade baseball players look extremely tough. Love it!

Riley and her U6 soccer team.

 

 

Noah's basketball team. I realize this was a winter sport; however,
it was necessary and important to inlcude with the sports photos.

Checking In

Kids ate breakfast, check!

Kitchen is cleaned up, check!

Next chore on my list for the day is …

“Hey, look! It is a cardinal.” Dean says, interrupting my train of thought.

I respond, while moving to the kitchen window, “Where?”

“No, look out the slider. The cardinal is on one of the deck chairs.” States Dean.

Shuffling over to the slider, I am completely surprised by what I see. “Oh my goodness! I don’t think I have ever had the opportunity to see a cardinal. It is so red. Beautiful!” I respond.

Both Dean and I watch the cardinal as it looks in every direction, including through the slider door into the house. I am in awe of the bold red feathers, the stunning beauty of this bird. Additionally, I am stunned by the bird’s curiosity about what is going on inside our house.

Dean quietly states, “When I see a unique bird like that, I feel like it is your mom checking in on us.”

Tears begin forming in my eyes, “Really?” I am speechless. The cardinal, my mom, checking in on us? “We are doing well, Mom. Thanks for checking.”

And, the cardinal is off, as quick as it arrived; leaving me emotionally raw. We miss you, Mom.

Strawberry Picking at Glendale Farms, Clintonville, WI

My kids loved picking strawberries. Noah probably picked 10 pounds of berries. He picked berries, ate berries and picked some more. Riley picked a few berries, but lost interest in the berry picking process quickly. She was more interested in carrying the orange flag up and down the aisle of the strawberry patch. I don’t think an official strawberry farmer would call the soil between rows of strawberry plants an aisle, but visually, the word aisle works for me. Forgive me for my lack of knowledge when it comes to strawberry patch vocabulary. Anyways, the work with strawberries continues at home. Twenty pounds of strawberries equates to lots of strawberry jam, strawberry desserts and strawberry smoothies. Yum!

Emily, Bonnie, Riley, Alissa, Hunter, & Bria picking berries.

 

Glendale Farms, Clintonville, Wisconsin



Noah beginning the process of picking 10 pounds of berries.

Emily was the only other person who overheard the kid yelling, "Stop throwing strawberries at me."

Noah and Hunter debating whether to eat the berries of place them on the flat.

The tractor ride is one of the best parts about strawberry picking at Glendale Farms.

Success! Although, I think Riley is still debating if the trip was successful.

 

Modern day phone technology in the middle of the strawberry patch.

Stop Throwing Strawberries

“Stop throwing strawberries at me!”

You don’t hear that every day; however, I was fortunate enough to witness this odd statement of frustration while picking strawberries over the weekend. Luckily, my children were not throwing strawberries at each other. This statement of frustration and rage prompted my brain to visualize the many frustrating moments my children have with each other.

“That was my seat on the couch!” squeals Riley.

“You got up, so now it is my seat.” States a very smug Noah. Another moment in time where my kids are purposely throwing strawberries to irritate each other, as well as everybody within ear shot.

 

“I was playing with that toy.”  Yells Noah.

“I had the pink puppy dog first. You took it while I was in the bathroom.” Cries Riley. Mind you, the pink puppy had been neglected for weeks on end. If I am willing to accept the reality of the situation, Riley was making the choice to figuratively throw some strawberries at Noah.

 

Why do siblings love to taunt each other relentlessly? It causes anger and tears, as well as a massive amount of frustration for parents. My brother and I are terribly guilty of taunting each other. In my perfect world, I remember my brother taunted me, and I was a perfect angel. I know that is not true because I am guilty of irritating my brother on purpose. I just wasn't very good at it.

As kids, do we learn problem solving skills by overcoming these moments of frustration? Do we gain a “thick skin” so when strangers throw strawberries we are protected emotionally? I don’t have the answers, but realize Dean and I are not the only parents who struggle through these frustrating and pointless sibling conflicts. Hopefully my kids are stronger emotionally, socially and physically because they have each other to sort out some of these problem solving skills.

Happy 8th birthday, Noah!

Dear Noah,

So many memories come to mind when I think of your birthday. I remember calling your dad at work and saying, “Come home immediately after work. I think I am having contractions.” Mind you, my phone call to your dad was 16 days too early.

Dean came home after work and found me wandering around the house, gathering items to throw in my hospital bag. I felt as if I was a dog chasing my tail. Every time I stopped to gather an item, I had a contraction. Needless to say, the pain erased my short term memory and I forgot what Item I was going to throw in my hospital bag. Plus, I was roaming the house wearing running shoes that were not tied. I was unable to reach around my belly to tie my shoes. I clearly remember sitting at the top of the stairs and watching Dean tie my shoes. All the while, he was saying, “I will get your bag. I will get your coat. Please go get in the car.”

Fast forward to the hospital, Dean and I entered the hospital through the Emergency Room because every other entrance was under construction.

“Do you want a wheelchair? The doctor said you should get a wheelchair when you arrive at the hospital.” Asked Dean.

With confidence I responded, “No, I can walk.” My ‘I can do everything myself’ attitude came into question when I realized we had to walk miles and miles to get to the maternity wing.

The nurses admitted me to the hospital, your dad and I watched ESPN News all night long and you were born at 7:45am. Your birth was surreal.

Dean and I were thrilled and overwhelmed. You were 16 days early. I called Grandma Pat and Papa Roger. Grandma Pat was overjoyed and so was Papa Roger. We didn’t call anyone when we left for the hospital at midnight, so your birth was a surprise to everyone we called. Again, you were 16 days early. Who wouldn’t be surprised?

Grandma Pat said, “If you had called and told me you were going to the hospital, I would have stayed up all night worrying.”

Grandma Babe was concerned we were playing a joke. She even told Daddy Dean, “You don’t joke about these things. The baby is 16 days early.”

Your birth was not a joke. It was a beautiful surprise. Your competitive nature to accomplish everything well and first continues today. We love you! Happy 8^th birthday, Noah!

Love, Mom and Dad

 

Noah's First Communion

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

 

Who would not enjoy a week of birthday celebrations? As our family embarked on Riley’s birthday week, I realize celebrating for week might be the best way to go. First, we hosted Riley’s birthday party on Easter Sunday, since the entire family would be together.  The food, which Dean and I worked very hard to prepare, was appreciated by Riley; however, she had more important things on her mind. The purple princess cake was a priority. It was fancy enough for our little princess, as well as very tasty. Of course, in Riley fashion, she ate the frosting and left the cake on her plate. Who doesn’t love a little birthday frosting?

Finally, the presents… She was so excited for the presents. How do you teach a five year old to realize that birthday celebrations don’t always have to involve presents? Whenever someone spoke of her birthday, she rattled on about her birthday present list.

“I have a birthday list. Do you want to see it?” Riley would inquire, in a very matter-of-fact voice.

Of course, Dean and I would follow up Riley’s inquiry with, “Just because it is your birthday, does not require people give you a present.”

“I know, but I do have a birthday list.” Riley would innocently respond.

Yes, Riley’s logic is sound, but our original statement remains true. Just because it is your birthday, does not mean people are required to give you a present. Could you imagine Dean and I, as adults, sharing our personal birthday lists with friends and family? The unsolicited presentation of a birthday list would be weird, as well rude. Back to the original question, how do you teach a five year old to realize that birthday celebrations don’t always have to involve presents? Well, at five years old, her behavior comes across as very cute to everyone, so we have time to work on helping Riley understand the concept that birthdays don’t always require presents. Now, if she is 30 years old and presenting her birthday list to friends and family, I will be a bit concerned. Riley did appreciate the presents she received from friends and family, and has been playing with the toys all week, as well as dressing up in all her new clothes.

Of course, a birthday would not be complete without an opportunity to share treats at school. Riley helped bake birthday cupcakes for her classmates in 4K. In actuality, she dumped the ingredients into the mixer and moved the mixer knob; mixing all the ingredients together. I took on the responsibility of filling the cupcake pan with batter, as well as frosting all the cupcakes. The best part was presenting her classmates with the cupcakes and wearing a birthday crown at school.

The birthday week continued with a trip to Build-a-Bear with Riley’s Godmother, Emily. Riley returned home with a bunny, dressed in fancy girl clothes. Furthermore, she named her bunny, Frosting in Spring. Not Frosting, not Frosting Leisgang, but Frosting in Spring. Go figure, Riley has a mind of her own. She has spent the days following the Build-a-Bear experience dressing and re-dressing her bunny.

Finally, April 5^th, her actual birthday was very quiet. Everyone spent the evening at home. Noah was sleeping on the couch, trying to sleep away an unexpected illness. Riley continued to dress and re-dress her build-a-bunny. Finally, Dean and Riley wrapped up the evening to visit Riley’s birthday twin, Aunt Eileen.

Celebrate your birthday for a day or week, which is better? I am not sure. However, if you ask Riley, she would respond that her birthday week was extremely special.