Merry Christmas 2022

 It's Christmas Day 2022 and we had a lovely time.  I was just reading my post from last Christmas and it's nice to have most of us back together although Covid still casts a shadow over our plans.  But let's talk about Christmas. 

Reina's favorite Christmas present is without a doubt her VR thing.  VR headset?  I don't know how exactly to refer to it but she loves it, it was #1 on her list and we might have lost her to the void.  We've all tried it out and it's actually really cool.  She can't wait to save up some money to get more games because her only game right now involves her working different jobs in the VR world and that sounds too much like real life for me.  

Glenn's favorite present his bipod which is a fancy way to describe this two-legged thing that he attaches to his hunting rifle blah blah blah.  Lucy also got him an ancestry DNA kit so that we can see if we are related and some sardines from World Market.  

Lucy's favorite present is a lens cap for her camera that is super sturdy.  (For the record, this was one of those years where I didn't really need anything and I bought myself some stuff on sale before the holidays so I said let's just call it good.)  Glenn did an excellent job filling up my stocking with candy so that was awesome.  

Will's favorite present is his airpods - which are noise cancelling so I think that's his answer from his room with the door closed.  He also got a massage gun to help with his training and some Wyo clothes.  And a stocking filled with authentic ramen from World Market (guess where Lucy did some last minute shopping?)   

We spent Christmas morning with the Fry family and Grandma and Pop-pop and it was sweet.  It's still fun to see Christmas through the eyes of the younger family members and especially sweet to have us all back together.  We got a surprising white Christmas too - we woke up to a few inches of snow on the ground and had fluffy white snowflakes coming down during the morning.  After everyone left, we napped, walked dogs, ate a bunch of delicious leftovers, watched football and played with our new toys.  What a nice Christmas.  

The Last Day of 2020

I don't have it in me for a long, emotional post about this year.  It is what it is.  We are all still here, along with all of our grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.  We still like each other a lot - we've survived all of the togetherness, home-schooling, working-from-home, weird schedules, canceled vacations and loads of stress.  I know that the turning of the calendar won't result in drastic changes for 2021 but some days it feels like maybe just maybe there's light at the end of the tunnel. 

In 20 years, when I look back on this year, I hope I remember all of the sweetness, too.  The daily walks with dogs and Glenn and a kid or two.  Will and his games on Madden that became our sports when there were no other sports to watch.  Reina and I reading The Ickabog and Glenn and I watching videos of hunting on Instagram.  Yes, I really did that last part.  Zooming with friends and walking outside in the cold with Vicky and cousins.  Hikes - so many hikes when Alena and then Ben came out West.  Reina asking me during a work presentation if she could have hot dogs for breakfast - the consensus of the group was a resounding "YES."  Glenn ironing fabric for me while I made masks and the little assembly line we had with Vicky and friends to get the masks made and delivered to the Foundation.   Our twice a week takeout dinners to help local restaurants and fine, some chain ones too.  Sometimes you just really need soup and salad from Olive Garden.  Socially distanced baseball games and watching the men in the family pace when Will came up to bat. Group texts with friends that helped me see it was normal to want to cry over Jr High math.  Will's elaborate back stories for all of our pets that change daily (Charlie used to be a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, our cat worked at the ball drop in NYC, Tootsie was in Isis....) 

I have many other things to be thankful for but I'm done writing because I plan on ending this year with Netflix and the Ipad and some brownies that are just out of the oven.  Here's to a boring 2021.  

Day 165 and the one with all the ear wax

Tomorrow is the last day of summer vacation and I have a lot of thoughts about it.  But first, let's talk about the second to last day of summer vacation.  Tuesday night, Will and I were up watching the Rockies game and I started to have a bad headache.  It turned into one of the worst headaches I've ever had and I even woke up Glenn to get some help.  My forehead was aching and I felt so queasy and of course my brain went immediately to "I have a brain tumor and there's brain fluid leaking out of my nose."  I'm pretty rational at 11:00 p.m.  The next day I realized that I probably had a sinus infection. I tried a bunch of over the counter stuff yesterday but was still feeling droopy so I went to the doctor today.  It turns out, you have to have two weeks of a sinus infection before they will prescribe antibiotics so I have 10 more days to go. I did pick up some more OTC meds that are helping.  While I was at the doctor's office, the PA discovered that one of my ears was completely blocked with wax.  Does this blog get anymore glamorous?  So after two rounds of ear wax treatment and an unspeakable amount of wax pulled out of my ear, I'm happy to report that I can hear everyone grumbling and complaining about the lack of snacks in our house so much more clearly.  I still have a headache so the ear wax isn't completely to blame for my condition but at least my ear canal is clear.  And who knows, when I get on the scale tomorrow, maybe I'll have a lost a pound or two.  Of ear wax.  How's that for a visual?  

All grumbling about snacks aside, we have had a pretty sweet week together.  It's still hotter than necessary for the last week of August in Cheyenne but we had some rain today and the forecast shows things cooling off.  Will is tired from football practice and Reina has had some time with aunt and cousins this week and she and I tried to make a doll's outfit on the sewing machine yesterday.  Let's just say that we hope outfit #2 turns out better.  

Glenn and I walked Charlie tonight and talked about this summer wrapping up.  As hard as it's been with everything going on in the world and the worries about getting sick or someone we love getting sick and all of the TOGETHERNESS, this has really been one of my most significant summers of being a parent.  I feel like I've really gotten to know the kids on a different level.  Maybe that would have happened if it had been a normal summer.  13-yr olds and 11-yr olds are pretty cool - there's a lot of good stuff going on there.  We've developed little patterns - Will and I watch baseball, Reina and I take Charlie out for what she calls his midnight walks.  It's more like 8:15 p.m. but who's counting.  Will keeps me updated on his fantasy football team and Reina and I read the same books.  Glenn's here too - practicing tackling drills with Will in the backyard and letting Reina stay up until 10:00 p.m. watching a documentary on Nefertiti.  We've cooked more meals than I care to count and the dishwasher is always running.  

It's not all peaches and cream - there have been fights about electronics, differing opinions about the role of the police (really) and most nights end with me saying to one or both of the darling monsters, "I love you but I really really need to not talk to anyone right now." But we have made our way through it.  

The kids go back to their school buildings on Monday.  Most 'experts' (other parents, teachers and the nurses at the doctor's office today) agree that they probably won't be in school long.  I've read the school district's plan for keeping everyone COVID-free and I'd say there's a pretty good chance that they'll be online-schooling from home sometime this fall, but on Monday we will embrace a little bit of normalcy, even if it's just for a day.  

A Letter to the Birthday Boy

We interrupt this diary of a semi-quarantine to bring you another blog tradition.  Quick Day 5 update:  It rained overnight and snowed most of the day so our outside time is limited.  Glenn is now working full-time from home.  We worked with the kids to make a list of things we have to do everyday (read for 60 minutes, exercise for 30 minutes, play a board game, etc.)  and the list was received with only mild complaints.  The city and county have closed all restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, etc. for two weeks .  Lucy is hoping to be able to work from home soon.

Dear Will:

Today you are officially a teen. Let's face it, you've been acting teenager-y for a while so it's not a huge shock but when I write it down, goodness.  Thirteen.  At the doctor's office a few weeks ago, you were officially 5'4" (I think) so just a few inches shorter than me.  Your shoe size is officially bigger than mine but not as big as your dad's yet.  Your sarcasm is way above grade level and your sense of humor is delightful, when it isn't hanging out in potty town.  You are getting good grades and while we still think you could be doing even better in school, we are proud of your effort.

For your birthday, you wanted AirPods and a thousand other things but we settled on said AirPods, a weighted blanket and a fancy rubix cube.  You also were gifted a bunch of $$$ from your generous family members so you can buy fancy baseball sunglasses (please don't lose them, sit on them or scratch them until baseball season at least starts) and whatever else is on your wishlist.

Even before all of this Covid chaos, you had chosen to forego a birthday party in lieu of a cash buyout from your dad.  We'd planned on watching basketball tonight but you are resilient and picked a movie at home instead.  You ordered 25 hot wings for dinner and you've made short order of them.  Cake and ice cream await and I need to dig up thirteen candles.

Will, you are such a cool kid. You have some good friends but you don't like hanging out in big crowds.  You love your sports teams and you found the silver lining in the cancellation of  NCAA March Madness by remarking that at least Carolina won't break their streak of making the tournament.  You love to beat me to the breaking news on ESPN and sometimes you even manage to get the scoop before I do.  You are working hard in baseball and as soon as this snow melts, you'll be back outside throwing a ball against the fence or shooting hoops.

This morning as I was leaving for work, I made sure to point out to you that at that very moment, thirteen years ago, I was yelling in the car while your Dad drove me to the hospital (he parked in the parking garage and made me walk all of the way to the emergency room, a sin I clearly haven't forgiven) and a few rather painful hours later, you made your arrival into the world.  Since then, you've been a mute little toddler, a preschooler obsessed with fireman, pirates and Legos and now a full-blown sports nut. Through it all sweetie, you've been a boy that we can be proud of.  Will, you were the first one to call me "Mom" and that's something I'll carry with me no matter how grown-up you get.  Just slow it down a little, for me?

The birthday boy and his airpods

A Letter to the Birthday Girl

Dear Reina:  Today you are eleven.  11!  I asked if we could start counting backwards again so that you could be 9 again but you vetoed that plan.  So eleven it is.  You had some friends over for a little party on Saturday night and the girls stayed for a sleepover.  You and I are both still feeling the effects of the late night but you had a blast.  This morning, you unwrapped a bunch of art supplies, another LOL doll and Dad surprised you with horseback riding lessons this summer.  I brought Arby's to school for lunch today and then came back a few hours later with cupcakes for your class.  What a day full of celebrations!

Dad drew a picture of your horseback riding lessons.  I hope you'll wear pants for your actual lesson.  

Dance rehearsal for your hip hop class.  

Reina, you are growing up before our eyes.  You are a busy kid - you have three dance classes a week plus piano lessons and you are mostly enthusiastic about all of it.  At school, you have some good friends and you keep me updated on all of the classroom details that I never heard from your brother.  You are a hard worker and art is probably your favorite class.  Your drawings are a delight and my office is littered with your latest contributions.  You love your pets and you are happiest when one of the cats curls up on your bed for the night.  You finished up the Harry Potter series this year but you are still collecting all things HP.  Your current books range from old Nancy Drew series to other mysteries and what I can only describe as 'young gothic' (ghost stories except maybe it's not a ghost in an old house but wait maybe it is!)  You watch the discovery channel with Dad and chick flicks with me and 90's comedies with the whole family. 

Mom and daughter ridiculous selfies

Reina, you and your brother can argue about the most ridiculous topics but if I don't make a big deal out of it, I can hear you two laughing about something or briefly playing basketball together.  He has a bunch of advice he wants you to take and you definitely don't want to do that but don't rule out that he might have something valuable for you to learn every once in a while.  Maybe he'll learn from you that girls aren't an alien species.

Happy birthday sweet girl.  You are a whirling, twirling ball of energy and I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Merry Christmas 2019

Another Christmas is winding down and we had a really nice day.  The kids mostly respected our 6 a.m. wake-up time, Reina came in at 5:56 a.m., close enough.  We opened our family presents and then the rest of the Hansen/Fry clan came over for breakfast and more presents.  After everyone left, the kids played with their new electronics and Glenn and I jogged and then napped.  It was a delightful day.  

Here's my annual interview with everyone to memorialize the highlights of their day.  

Will:  His favorite present was Madden 20 and he and his friends have big plans to form a franchise. I know what each of those things means in the real world but the details are a little fuzzy in regards to the Xbox.  But he's having a great time.  

Glenn's favorite part of the day was the church service last night.  He says he also really loved brunch and the tripod that he picked out himself.  He's also really excited about his new GPS and a shirt that I bought him.  I think he added that last part because of the increasingly negative look on my face as I type this.  

Reina's favorite present was an Echo Spot that Glenn picked out for her.  Reina has been talking to Alexa all day and frankly the rest of us are a little thrilled that she has another "person" to ask questions - "Alexa how old is the oldest person in the world...." 

Lucy is considering this the Christmas of Footwear.  I unwrapped slippers, cowboy boots and some super comfy flats today.  Now I have to decide which ones to wear to work tomorrow. I guess the slippers are out.  

We had a great time watching the little cousins unwrap presents and jump off the stairs.  We ate delicious mostly prepared by Uncle Matt and everyone was stuffed by the time the morning was over.  The pets were also spoiled this year.  Coco got a head start on the festivities by opening some cat presents in the middle of the night.  Soxy was equally delighted with all of the wrapping paper and cardboard boxes and we realized that this might be her first Christmas in a house.  She made the most of it. 

Cat toy Christmas

Yep, it's still dark out.  This was taken right before the unwrapping frenzy began.  

Reina and her new Sven-from-Frozen2 jammies

Will surrounded by Christmas excess 

Will and Glenn picked out some new running tights for me.  And a big bag of chocolate.  

Reina surrounded by Christmas excess 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

First Day of School

Reina's first day of Fifth Grade and Will's first day of Seventh Grade 

The big day finally arrived. Summer 2019 is officially finished and the monsters are back at school.  I've thought about this day since the last day of school and I admit that I've dreaded it a little bit.  It's hard to believe that our little Bronco Baby is headed off to Junior High and Reina is a fifth grader!  I think I say this on the first day of school every year but I have to repeat it again.  The days are long but the years are fast.

We all woke up early this morning and since I had taken the day off of work (so I could cry at home and not at my desk), I made pancakes and bacon.  Will and Glenn left early because school starts at 7:30 a.m.  Yikes!  Reina and I hung out for a while and perfected her hairstyle (the picture above is pre-hairdo) before I dropped her off.  After I left Reina's school, I golfed with my parents for a few hours and then came home to a quiet house and did a bunch of random chores before picking up R.  I admit to thinking about them both as the day wore on and hoping that everyone was having a good day. 

Reina was super enthusiastic about Fifth Grade and while we were still in the car on the way home, announced that she couldn't wait to go back. She likes both teachers, she has a lot of friends in her class, she likes the book they are already reading, her lunch was yummy, etc. etc. etc.

Will had football practice after school so he came home tired and hungry.  Once he had a plate of spaghetti in his gullet, we heard a few details about his day.  He likes his teachers, lunch was way better than elementary school, he didn't bother with locker, etc. etc. etc.

So on to the second day of school tomorrow.  I think this is going to be a great school year for both of the Bronco Babies.

A letter to the birthday boy

Dear Will:  Today you are TWELVE.  Officially a tween, not yet a teen and growing before our eyes.  You told me tonight that this was one of your best birthdays and that made me and your Dad really happy.  You woke us up around 6:15 this morning to open presents.  We surprised you with a fancy new controller for your X-box, some clothes and socks (!!!) and a cookbook just for teens.  Reina picked out a Fortnite pinata for you and when you were done opening everything, Dad gave you your first hunting rifle.  I think your Dad is just as excited to have you hunt with him as he's been for any of his solo hunts.  You and I had lunch at school together and then at the end of the day, I brought donuts to your class.  All 40+ kids in both sixth grade classes serenaded you with "Happy Birthday" and I believe it was the long 90 seconds of your year.  

Opening presents in the wee hours of the morning.  

Will, we are really proud of the young man you are becoming. I know that sounds like something super old to say, but it's really true.  You have a marvelous sense of humor, you are super sweet to your cousins, you and your sister have days when you really have fun together, you are a terrific teammate, you hustle on the field and the court, you are paying more attention to your schoolwork and take pride in your good grades and you love beating us in card game.  In case I'm making you sound too angelic, you love a good prank, you are crazy competitive in video games and many card games end in someone (you?) screaming and you grumble when you have to feed the dogs even though you love your Tootsie girl and she loves you too.  You are getting more interested in cooking and you'll see videos of people cooking on Youtube and you try it out at home.  The ramen dish topped off with american cheese was a big hit with you and Reina.  I thought it sounded a little bizarre but I applaud your creativity! 

A boy and his dogs and the sunlight streaming in.

Don't forget the cat.  I did tell her to smile for the camera. 

 You are gearing up for Junior High.  Every moment of sixth grade feels like "the last..." Today was the last day I'll bring you lunch at school for your birthday.  Well actually I'll probably bring it next year but I don't think I'll be invited to stay.  We've had your last elementary school basketball game and soon we'll have the last track meet, school program and sob sob sob. 

You picked Taco Johns for your meal and I only forgot the queso sauce.  We ate in the hallway because you said the cafeteria was full. I think the other sixth graders just aren't ready for my awesomeness.  

You thought the previous picture was too cheesy and you prefer this broody teen look.  You sure are cute.  

You asked to postpone your birthday dinner until the weekend so that Reina can join us - she had dance tonight.  You asked for homemade spaghetti tonight and we celebrated with a homemade chocolate cake with oreos in the frosting - that you had requested earlier in the week.  You actually wanted a giant oreo cake but I didn't have that creativity in me just yet.  Maybe next year? As we ate cake, we watched the videos that your dad took 12 years ago in the days leading up to your arrival and our time with you at the hospital.  In the video, you hollered when Dad and the nurses gave you a bath and when you are storming around the house now, I can see flickers of that squealing little almost 8-pounder from 2007. It brought tears to our eyes to see your cute little face and big blue eyes.  It's hard to believe that little guy is almost as tall as me and can almost beat me in a game of Horse.  Almost. 

Happy birthday big kid.  I hope 2019 is filled with winning sports teams, good books and some terrific adventures. 

A letter to the birthday girl

A girl and her phone

Dear Reina:  Today you are 10.  Ten!  How in the world did that happen?  I think I start all of your birthday letters with that phrase but this year it rings especially true.  You are taller every day and I can still tuck you into my armpit (does that sound weird?) but probably not for long.  You are still a few shoe sizes smaller than me but that window is rapidly closing too.  You have fabulous taste in shoewear so I don't think I'll mind sharing when the time comes.  You are so excited to be double digits and your enthusiasm has rubbed off on the rest of us.

This morning, you unwrapped a doll and some stuff for your dollhouse.  You also received a movie and a phone charger.  I hid your phone in one of the cupboards and tried to get you to believe that we weren't sure it would arrive in time. I called your phone while I was pretending to take your picture and your eyes lit up when you heard it ringing.  You told me a few days ago that you've been waiting for your phone since Will opened his a little less than two years ago.  You have a snazzy phone cover picked out by Aunt Vicky and you are ready for this new piece of technology. 

Reina, what can I say about the last year?  You are one of my favorite people to hang out with, when we aren't rolling our eyes at each other.  You are a good friend and you have a nice bunch of girls and a few guys who you like to hang out with.  You are still enjoying your dance classes and you are less grumpy about practicing piano (most of the time).  Your drawings and doodles are ever present in my purse, car, on top of the kitchen table, your desk, etc.  In the evening when I'm washing dishes, I'll play old songs on my phone and rather than roll your eyes at my 80's and 90's classics, you'll often sing right along. 

Dad and I often talk about your big heart.   We tried watching a nature show the other night but we had to turn the channel when wolf pups were in danger.  You like to help others and you've been a great babysitter when we've taken care of your little cousins more the last few months.  You cried when I told you about Aunt Vicky's diagnosis but you've prayed for her and held my hand when I was sad and you've been such a trooper. 

You've discovered a love of musicals and chic flicks and you still have a delightful sense of humor. You still love a good cat video and giggle like crazy during America's Funniest Home Videos. People falling down is still hilarious.  You are crazy competitive at card games and Uno often ends in someone screaming.  I taught you and your brother how to play Speed this weekend and you picked it up in a flash. 

Reina, you have so much to be excited about as you turn 10.  You are rocking 4th grade and we have some fun things to look forward to this spring and summer. Keep that wonderful sense of adventure.  We love you Reina girl.  Happy birthday! 

Grown-up Cousin Visit!

Last weekend (how was it already a week ago!) we had a visit from our amazing Grown-up Cousin.  The baby and toddler cousins make many appearances on this page so it is with delight that we get to see Will and Reina's grown-up cousin Alena.  She graduated from college last spring and is headed to the Peace Corps in just a few weeks.  We were thrilled that she could squeeze in a trip to see her little cousins before she's heads off to awesome adventures.  And thanks to the government shutdown, Uncle Mark made the trip, too!  Yah for the government shutdown!  (Not really, the whole thing makes the Broncos Baby Mom angry but that's a story for another time.  Or a story for never because this is a FAMILY BLOG.)

What did we do with our Grown-up Cousin? What didn't we do?  We shopped, we jogged, we watched tv, we ate and ate and ate and ate.  She and Uncle Mark even helped babysit the little cousins so that we could celebrate Uncle Matt's birthday at a grown-up establishment.  Some of us showed Alena our prowess with video games.  Some of us choreographed complicated dance duets and had our hair braided.  Some of us thought about kidnapping her and keeping her in Wyoming - there's Peace Corps stuff to do here but didn't ultimately carry out a plan.  All of us had a great time and made some memories. 

We didn't take enough pictures and the visit was too short but everyone had to get back to work and school and international travel.  We are so glad that she came out to see us.  What a great start to 2019. 

Trying to get cousin pictures and the dogs couldn't stop getting in everybody's business. 

Will micro-managing the picture and hey that's Coco.  

Awwww... a little blurry but awwww.

Reina  and her fabulous braid and I snuck away to see The Sound of Music.  I bought the tickets months ago and almost forgot about it.  It was a great performance and all week Reina and I have been listening to different songs.  Her favorite?  Doe a Deer.  Mine?  Climb Every Mountain.  

Stuff that we are thankful for

It's Thanksgiving evening and I'm stuffed with turkey and pecan pie.  Reina is upstairs watching a video, Will is playing a video game and Glenn is tidying the kitchen. I'm feeling guilty but also content to sit here on the couch with my feet up and tackling this blog for the first time in weeks.  We have a lot to be thankful for but first I have to address my lengthy absence. 

I've sat down to write about Halloween and the rest of football season and all of the little delights that occurred in November a few times lately. But our family has been dealing with a lot this month and I can't write about all of our foibles without talking about some tough news.  Our delightful Aunt Vicky, frequent contributor of funny stories and birthday pictures on this very blog, has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  We've all been blindsided by this news but she has good doctors who have already embarked on an aggressive treatment plan.  She has a huge network of friends and supporters who are keeping her and Matt inundated with meals and visits and support.  She has all of us who do our best to keep her spirits up and help wherever we can.  She has a hard road ahead but we are keeping her in our prayers and holding her close to our hearts and we are hopeful that she'll come out strong on the other side. 

So it's Thanksgiving.  We had a fun day with extended family and old friends and some new ones, too.  I asked the kids earlier what they were thankful for and here you go:

Reina;  Family and her friends, one friend in particular. 

Will:  His family

Awwww, what's going on with these kids?  Good behavior because they know I'm Christmas shopping tomorrow?

Glenn:  His family, his family's health and being able to live in Wyoming.

Lucy:  Today, I'm most thankful for my sister's radiologist who saw something suspicious and didn't dismiss it. 

This space will soon be filled with funny pictures and mildly inappropriate kid anecdotes soon enough.  Tonight, hug your family and keep ours in your thoughts. 

First Day of School and also some stuff that the parents did this past weekend

Well, we made it to the First Day of School.  Both kids popped out of bed bright and early.  Outfits had already been decided on the night before.  Backpacks were mostly packed and while there was some slight indecision, concerning footwear, everyone was dressed and ready to go about 45 minute before we normally leave the house. I don't expect that to happen again for the rest of the year.  

Obligatory 'stand in front of the flowers on the front porch' picture.  

What's a first day picture without Coco?  Will briefly thought about grabbing Tootsie and Trigger for the photo but then figured that would get out of control quickly.  

 Will seems excited about his teacher and 6th grade class.  He reminded me several times this morning that it was his first last day of elementary.  (Muffled sob.)  I did not need to be reminded. I've also already made plans to take next year's first day of junior high off (preemptive muffled sob.)  He has several friends from last year in his class and flag football practice starts tomorrow already.  Bring on 6th grade! 

Reina has the same fourth grade teacher that Will had and she also has several good friends in her class this year.  She had a little attack of the nerves this morning but was slightly mollified when I told her how I threw up on the first day of school a few times and a little anxiousness was perfectly normal.  Or runs in the family at least.  She was full of stories tonight and enthusiastically attacked her homework so she's off to a good start, too.

On an unrelated note, but before I forget to post these pictures - Glenn and I ran a trail race this past weekend.  We did this same race last year and had so much fun that we decided to give it another go.  This year, I ran the 4-mile course and the much faster Glenn took on the 8-mile.  We were both happy with our times and didn't break any bones.

Isn't this a great picture of a handsome man?  I didn't take this picture - this is from the official race photographer. I was miles away when this picture was taken and probably breathing so hard I couldn't have stood up straight.  But look at Glenn attacking that hill.  He's a natural.  

And then there's me.  I have a remarkable flair for always looking like I'm standing completely still in races but hey, I'm ahead of that older guy behind me!  

Our weekend in a nutshell

What a whirlwind of a weekend!  Reina had three (3!) dance recitals, we had a bunch of rain that put a damper (ha!) on gardening and baseball activities, some of us watched the Royal Wedding so some of us also napped and then we had the last day of Sunday School, a classmate's birthday party and so many chores.  So let's recap quickly.  

It's a TRADITION for Vicky and I to watch royal weddings together so I hauled myself out of bed at 4:45 a.m., popped from frozen scones in the oven and waited for the guests to arrive.  It was strictly a pajama affair, although we had big dreams of making our own fascinators.  I did wake Reina up right before the ceremony started so that she could see the dress.  She was glad I did even though she asleep within the hour again.  Dancers need their rest!  

Coco was incredibly unimpressed with the getting up out of bed early and preschool guests arriving in the pre-dawn hours.  That's right, Preschool Cousin joined in on the wedding adventure too!  

 Reina and I got a few more hours of sleep and then launched into the second day of dance extravaganzas.  Reina took Ballet 3 and Jazz 1 this year.  Ballet 3 performed in a Friday and Saturday night performance and Jazz was during Saturday afternoon.  It was a lot of dancing but a lot of fun too.  I think my bun talents improved with each show. 

Reina and her Jazz 1 class. They danced to a song from Mary Poppins - they were chimney sweeps!  

Look at that ballerina!  Her ballet class danced to the theme from "Up."  Yep, I got a little teary-eyed.  It's a pretty piece of music and the dancers were balloons floating through the air.  It was really well done.  

I could watch her dance all day.  

 Today the sun came out during the afternoon and while the temperature wasn't warm enough to garden, we did get to spend some time outside.  Our lilacs in the backyard have gone crazy this year. 

Purple!  Green!  Allergies! 

Gratuitous shot of chicken girls.  

We only have a few more weeks of school to muddle through and then it's officially summer time. We are ready! 

A few things that made me smile on Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, I didn't wake up to breakfast in bed, I woke up to chickens shrieking to be let out of their coop at pre 6:00 a.m.  By the time I did get out of bed, I had to hustle to get my run in before it was time to leave for church.  Sunday mornings can be ridiculously hectic sometimes.  While I was tying my shoes, I was showered with cards and a giant box of chocolates. 

Reina's hand drawn card. That's the two of us.  Yah, I got a little teary.  

A close-up of all of our amazing-ness.  I'm on the right.  

 Actual text of the letter for posterity's sake:

Dear Mom,

Thank you so much for putting food on my plate.  Also for washing my clothes.  Without you I would be smelly and scatry (editor's note, still haven't asked her what this means but I'm thinking something along the lines of her version of 'hangry')  If you weren't there Coco would not be happy anymore.  Thank you so much for everything.  Though now that is almost mother's day I think that I should bake cookies with you and play with your hair.  Thank you for bringing me to Mexico with you it was very fun.  Also thank you for letting me do dance. So for letting me do dance, I will let you do your leaps (I always threaten to ballet leap across the street when we are walking to dance class. I guess know I'm free to do it!).  So thank you, thank you, thank you so much. 

I LOVE YOU!  Love, Reina

Awwwwwww. 

A lovely card from Will in which he points out it should've been a cat card.  

From Glenn 

It was a lovely Mother's Day. 

A letter to the birthday boy

Dear Will:

Today you are 11.  Eleven!  Officially tween-dom around here and I still can't wrap my mind around that.  You were bummed earlier in the year when you discovered that your birthday would land on a Monday but I hope we made the best of it for you.  Your party was yesterday and I'll post more picture of that later.  You invited a few friends, a sister and her friend and little cousins to play laser tag and have pizza.  Much fun ensued but let's get back to your official birthday.

You woke up this morning when it was still dark but you watched ESPN and waited patiently for us to get up and going.  Once everyone was in the kitchen, you opened presents including a Larry Nance Jr jersey (that you wore all day), headphones for the Xbox, a mini basketball hoop and basketball, a sweatshirt and  a "church" shirt (that your sister picked out and you actually liked it!) and some stuff that's arriving tomorrow in the mail (Legos).  From grandparents and aunts and uncles, you got a lot of giftcards, a jacket and cash that you already have big plans for.

Early morning big birthday smiles and new jerseys. 

Will, it's harder for me to write these letters when I know you can read what I'm writing in just a few clicks.  You don't like sappy, so I'll try to contain myself.  Kid, you have a delightful sense of humor.  As you get older, there are more things that I think are funny that you also think are funny but you are also still susceptible to potty humor every now and then.  Your sarcasm is coming along nicely as well, okay I really shouldn't type that but it's true.

You were bored while we were shopping and created your own entertainment.  

Sports are still a big part of your day.  Which one is your favorite?  Well, what season is it?  On these nice March days, we find you outside shooting baskets (sometimes with your sister) or throwing a baseball around.  The bad weather just moves the game inside and my rule of 'no bouncing the basketball in the house' was long ago forgotten, especially since we just installed your mini hoop in the hallway.  Football is still high on your list along with shooting sports and maybe even a little golf.  You watch highlights, re-runs of old games, draft analysts and whatever else happens to be on.

Yes, it's a sideways picture.  But it's also a picture of siblings shooting hoops.  

Will, your dad and I are so proud of who you are growing up to be.  We have our moments of course, but you are a good kid.  You were proud to start Communion at church, you are kind to your cousins.  Preschool cousin still wants to marry you, by the way.  You take good care of the pets.  I think Tootsie will want to go to college with you.  You and your sister can find amazing things to fight about, but when you need someone to play balloon volleyball with in the living room with all of the breakable knick-knacks, she's right there.  You are still a voracious reader and you work (somewhat) hard at school.  You have a big group of friends and I think that will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Happy birthday big kid.  I hope 11 is full of game-winning shots and lots of adventures. 

Taken at the doctor's office last week but still a sweet smile.  

Will's First Communion

Today Will took Communion at church for the first time.  I didn't get any pictures because I wasn't sure he was going to make it to church until five minutes before we headed out.  He has one of his bad coughs brought on by slightly warm weather and then cold weather and not enough jacket-wearing AND a Friday night sleepover where little sleep actually happened.  So Will's a bit under the weather but that brings us to Sunday morning.  

Even though I didn't get any pictures, for the record, Will was wearing a nice polo shirt and khaki pants that are actually blue.  So blue slacks basically.  He looked droopy but sharp.  At the church we attend, fifth graders take a separate communion class for a few weeks and then next year, he'll go through confirmation.  So there wasn't a lot of fanfare today, but it was special for our family. 

Since we didn't get any photos, Reina drew this picture of me when we sat back down after communion.  I don't know why I don't have arms but the rest of the picture is pretty accurate, including my omnipresent bun.   

A letter to the birthday girl

I started this letter on Sunday night but our wireless was wonky and then it was wonky again on Monday night and then Tuesday night we had volleyball so here it is Valentine's Day and Reina's annual birthday letter Day.  
 

Dear Reina:

Yesterday, you celebrated your 9^th birthday.  Nine years ago this morning, I woke up, dropped your brother off at daycare and drove to the hospital with Dad and your two Grandmas.  After a few hours delay, we welcomed you into the world and my life hasn’t been the same since.  All weekend, I’ve been struck by the thought that in nine more years, we’ll be celebrating your 18th birthday.  But let’s not go there yet, okay? 

On the morning of your birthday, you came busting in our room at 6:30 and announced that you could get up now because Dad said you had to wait until 6:30 and it was 6:30 and let’s open presents!  I told you to go get my phone and bought myself a few more minutes reading you previous letters I’d written to you on your birthday.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t talk you into going back to sleep.  We all

got up, you opened your presents and we headed off to a birthday breakfast.  I hope on your 18^th birthday, I can read all of these letters without bawling my head off, sweet girl. 

Reina, you are such a delight. There’s really no other word. You firmly march to the beat of your drum and you surprise me every day with some funny comment, interesting observation or fashion choice. You have a wide variety of interests. At school, you’ve read books about everything from Anne Frank to the Loch Ness Monster to cartoon cats from Japan. You like cartoons, murder mysteries, wildlife documentaries (as long as none of the animals die) and are developing a slight interest in chic flicks on the Hallmark Channel. (I blame/credit Grandma H for that one.)

Reina - you fill up my camera with Reina selfies like this one.  

Marching to the beat of your own drum in these snazzy purple glitter boots you tried to talk me into at Target. Instead of tennis shoes.....  

You are a good little sister and big cousin. Your patience for your little cousins is a little more endless than the patience for your brother but that's probably how it should be.  You and Will have invented your own game involving a balloon, the rug in the living room and a complicated scoring system that seems to usually benefit Will but you don't mind and your giggles fill up the house, along with the sounds of breakable stuff hitting the floor.  

A few weeks ago, you woke up on a school morning a little earlier than usual and came running in to get me to wake up and look at the moon.  You said it was amazing!  I tried to buy a few more minutes of sleep by suggesting that you get my phone and take some pictures.  You took about 10 of these shots before you came back to get me and said that I needed to see it in person.  Reina, I hope you never lose that unbridled enthusiasm for weekday morning moon sightings and everything else that appears outside your window.  Happy birthday sweet girl, you are so loved.  

The Moon by Reina

Christmas piano recital - a little late

Last month, last year, feels like quite a while ago, Reina played the piano at the mall to help promote the Tree of Hope ceremonies.  She played last year, too.  This year, I think she was a little less nervous, but not completely nerve-free. She played three songs as duets with her teacher.  Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop and my favorite, Silent Night.  She did a great job!  She was very poised and serious but played beautifully.  I'm amazed at how much she's learned and she's raced by what little piano knowledge I had.  I usually have to google base clef notes to even begin to help her out.  She's working on reading notes in both base clef and treble clef, learning sharps and flats and the coolest part (to me) is that she's getting that left hand to play along.  It's not always easy to get her to practice but boy do I love to listen to her play.  

Reina and her piano teacher 

My favorite piano girl

Twelve

Reina says that I had "love eyes" that day.  I think she's right.  

Yesterday, Glenn and I celebrated our twelfth wedding anniversary.   We went out to dinner the weekend before and Glenn surprised me with a gorgeous pair of super sparkly earrings.  I see that the traditional gift for 12 years is silk or linen but I'll take my little jewelry box instead!  Glenn didn't want anything for the anniversary, we are in the midst of redoing some stuff around the house and even bought new toilets so apparently, he's good with that?  

At breakfast, Reina drew a picture of our wedding on the envelope of the card that my mom gave us.  Between my veil and long dress, Glenn's dapper suite and the googly eyes we are making at each other, I think Reina captured the spirit of that day very well.  And our hair looks fabulous.  

Veteran's Day Concert or A Series of Pictures of Will Looking Uncomfortable

The fifth-grade classes at Will's school performed in a Veteran's Day concert last night.  The students were instructed to dress nicely and Will agreed to wear his suit jacket "one last time" because it's getting a little too short in the arms.  I bought that jacket in late January and he has grown like a weed.  He wouldn't agree to a tie, just a button-down shirt.  Also, a little gel in the hair completed the look. 

It's a well-known fact on this blog that Will is not a fan of singing, singing in public, being on a stage, smiling while on a stage, or any of the rest of it.  He told us about the concert a few weeks ago and when I asked him Monday night what songs they would be singing, he replied with "songs about American, Mom."  Duh right?  The kids sang The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, Amazing Grace and My Country Tis o' Thee.  A few of the kids recited some lines about the branches of military service (Will opted out of that project).  It was very patriotic and a good reminder of what Veteran's Day is all about.  

I had my zoom lens on my camera but the light was a little low so these pictures are blurry.  But I think they appropriately chronicle Will's experience.  

Glenn and I started giggling right away. Will was in the back row, smack dab in the center and looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.... 

He did sing, or at least mouth the words.  

Is there an escape hatch on the stage floor?  

Wait, I believe that's somebody singing!  

Oh buddy. 

The students were given battery operated candles for "Amazing Grace" (tangent - mom crying alert) and Will's flickered on and off which led to him shaking it aggressively whilst not singing.  Good stuff.  

Let's go ahead and file this one under "things that will make him angry at me in the future" but oh Will, we love watching you sing, even if you are hating every minute of it.  You look so grown-up up there and I appreciate you participating in something because it's the right thing to do, even if it's way outside of your comfort zone.  And thanks for helping us remember what Veteran's Day is all about.