The Munson Minute

If you build it..........

2012-01-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

THEY WILL COME.......

Well maybe they will come......if it would get cold......so the one year we are on the ball and Chris got the boards up, the tarp ordered and laid out, the goals built, and the skates sharpened we spent the better half of December and January waiting.........it has been one of the warmest winters that I can remember and the first that we have been praying for freezing temps.

We thought about an outdoor hot tub if we could install a heating tank.....

But then finally it came! The below freezing temperatures came, and left, and came and left....and came and left.....So we have been skating and waiting and spraying down, and then skating and waiting and spraying down. Mother Nature is making Chris work for it this year.

But they definitely come in loads when the ice is out there. The kids have had a ball and their skills are improving!

Poppa taking a whirl at Goalie....

Brooke going for a spin.....she likes to give chair rides to the little ones.

She loves to be out there skating, hockey or just sliding.......it is the perfect winter playground.

Brady and Dad facing off....

Dad living the dream.....

The girls snuggling on the ice.

They love night skating under the lights........

school night - what's that? "can we go out and skate" & "10 more minutes"

We recruit any help we can get -funny enough this gets shoveled before our driveway at this point.....

apologies to all their teachers homework time has been officially replaced.

Here is Brooke making up a new sport blade ball........

So cross your fingers for a cold finish to the winter......we need the prayers......forecast for tomorrow almost 50 degrees......boo hoo........

KIAI..........

2012-01-24T17:52:00.001-08:00

Our Ninja warrior had one request this winter. Karate. Brady is constantly pretending to be a ninja, more along the lines of the mutant turtle or the Lego ninjago, than the disciplined concentrated type. So we went off searching for Karate classes for five year olds. We spent one morning "viewing" a class at a Karate "Academy", and thank goodness we did. The class had 9 year olds, 40 year olds, 6 year olds, 30 year olds, and they stretched and did slow mental poses for a good 45 minutes straight and as Chris and I caught wind of the quiet concentrated class doing their business and the five year old in the toy corner doing side kicks and yelling He-yah at the top of his lungs while doing a dive roll back to the viewing section, we gave the head nod to each other that we are all set here, this is not for one Brady Munson. We thought perhaps Karate isn't for five year olds we should wait, these "academies" are monthly membership types and not what we were looking for. Luckily a flyer came home in his backpack one day and what do you know a Karate class sign up for 5-7 year olds and its for eight weeks.

JACKPOT!!

And Boy was it ever........."Kiai", I quickly was corrected is the official "grunt" for Karate not the aforementioned "he-yah". And we heard it loud and proud the first night!

KIAI!

This one hour class was the single most amusing thing I have watched in a long time. Brady was in his element he couldn't have been more excited and thrilled to "be told" to act out these moves and yell like he has done a million times at home.

The get up kills me.......

The cherry on top..... his good buddy from young fives was surprisingly also registered for this class......so the sparring begun.

I will make sure I put my camera in action mode next time!

The class has approx 30 kids.....yep....30 I and yes I thought the same thing .....utter Chaos. But kudos to this woman who runs the program she had all 30 kids sitting fully concentrated for an hour straight and yelling Kiai on cue. Shes loud, she yells a lot and they were in utter compliance to her every word.....hmmmmm.......I yell .....I am loud......and in control ......I am not ......must remind this lady to put on a seminar for the parents!

Brady and a few buds from his class!

Here are a few videos of him in action......I tell you what I don't know who is more excited to go next week him or Chris and I. We had so much fun watching him and laughed for an hour straight.

These were a few memorable quotes from the Ninja himself after class on the way out to dinner.

1. That was really the beeeeessssst night of my lllllliiiiiife...... said very dramatically.

2. I am going to sleep in my costume tonight.

3. Do we go to Karate tomorrow

4. While in chipoltle......KIAI..........KIAI........KIAI........KIAI.......

So Jackpot indeed!

Sweetheart Swirl - 2012

2012-01-19T18:51:00.001-08:00

Brooke and Dad attended another daddy/daughter dance a few weeks ago, and my most proud moment wasn't when she walked out the door with her dad to dance the night away but rather on our shopping excursion to find "the dress" She of course twisted my arm and requested that we go see what kind of dresses were out there, I complied, shopping for dresses.....I am in. We headed to the mall found some awesome dresses, I told her they had to be age appropriate. She understood. Some she would try on and she would say this is too Nicole and inappropriate (meaning Nicole Scherzinger from X-factor not you coco.) she was making good choices and then she finally found one and fell in love with it. I did as well since it was on the 75% off rack. We took it to the counter and the lady said that will be $45. I looked at the lady and said isn't it 75% off she told me it must have been misplaced on the wrong rack. I saw Brooke's eyes go sad but she just looked at me and said "Mom, that is too much money to spend for one night, even if I used it for dress up" I replied "Yeah I think your right, hon." (insert proud money management mom moment) She was bummed but she agreed it was the right thing to do. The next week she came home with a bag after playing at our next door neighbors house and said "Mom you'll never believe the bargain I found" "Bargain...okay I am all ears" "Ms. Nikki said she had some extra dresses that I could look through to borrow for the dance and one of them looks kinda like the one I wanted to get." "Wow Brooke that was really nice of her, so do you like it" "Yes I love it, and the best part Mom, is it is FREE" (insert second proud accountant mom moment.) So off she went to the dance with her Free borrowed dress from Luci to dance the night away with her dad.

Beautiful and economical.

Brooke and her Date.

Group picture with Luci and Hannah.

This year the dance gave the girls a pearl bracelet.

Welcoming 2012!

2012-01-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

Another year is behind us. And I would have to say it was a good year! Kids continually make us proud and can't wait to see what another year brings......We laid low again this year and it seems to work out just great......Chris and I figure we only have about 5-7 more of these where they won't be begging us to be somewhere else with other people so we are taking advantage of it while we can. We had a neighbor family over for a low key night of crab legs and games.....

Brady seemed to understand what the holiday was for this year instead of just another gathering.....he was listening intently all day to his sister bragging that they could stay up until Midnight if they wanted tonight and even watching his 8 year old sister lay down for a nap in preparation for the event......I am sure he was confused as I didn't require him to rest since I didn't even consider him staying up as he is always my early bed time man.....but low and behold we were at some neighbors and noticed it was 10:30 and he was still going BANANAS and we thought - wow he just might make it.....and I could see he wanted to keep up with the older kids as well as his big sister.....

Crab legs for some......Pizza for others.....Tomato....TOEmato......

Okay the kid bubbly was out of hand it was as if these kids would not go on breathing without another cup of the sparkling grape wonder - so between four kids they downed I think 5 bottles.....

So here is my bugs at 11:30 and finally realizing he was going to make it......So as we turned on the orange figure that resembled Dick Clark for the final countdown I had to look away, not because of the extreme orange-nish but to watch my boys face sitting on his dad's lap seriously grinning from ear to ear as he shouted 10....9....8...7...6....5.....4....3....2......1 I MADE IT! It was a sight I will remember!

Earlier in the night there was lots of dancing and gaming happening!

Next year I will just hook up an IV drip for them.....

Getting ready for the countdown!

So happy he was a part of it.....but also so happy he was done with it.....He stayed like this until 10 a.m. the whole Munson household SLEPT until 10 am......A FIRST!!!!

Is it time yet??????

2011-12-28T18:31:00.001-08:00

Is it time yet? I heard this phrase coming out of the mouths of my kids as well swirling around my own head quite often over this past week. Is it time to do our envelope activity, Is it time for Santa to come, Is it time for snow finally?, Is it time for Santa, Is it time for making cookies, Is it time for Santa.....You get the picture.....
The most memorable "is it time yet?" will have to be a little Blondie Munson entering our room on Christmas MORNING and saying " I don't feel very good ....and in the same breath.......Is it time yet?" and when I finally decode what my husband has mumbled to me as "it's 4:09 A.M!!" I just tell her to hop in and fall back asleep because as sweet as the excitement she felt was....."nope it was not time yet!" So Three hours later she finally woke back up and insisted "Is it time yet?" and to my shock, my brown haired Munson was still sawing logs.....so poor Brooke had to do her best to make noise in order to wake him up....at 7:40 I called off the dogs and let her go wake up her brother and her dad......I think 3 hours and 45 minutes of mental waiting was enough for any 8 year old!
So Yes it was finally TIME!

Time to prop up our gingerbread house with a plastic bowl as one wall has caved in hours after making it!

It's time to get in our xmas jammies (the matching is a must until they fight me on it!)

It's time to get that anxious face on .....that says we have been watching the Lions game all day is it time for gifts yet??

It's time to distribute gifts to P & P and Greg on Xmas Eve.

It's time to celebrate being a XMAS ninja with my new sword.

It's time for tearing into boxes with the store name Justice on it......

It's time to lay out cookies and milk for Santa

It's time to pretend they are sleeping in hopes we let them sleep here to see if Santa does arrive....

It's time for a family photo......

It's time to remember how exciting Christmas Eve is!!

It's time to get brother in on the plan of waking up extra early the next morning......

It's time to say "Holy Cow!"

It's. just.time
FINALLY he is awake......well barely.....eyes are still straining from the light...

It's time to notice that Little Nicky was watching to make sure no one headed downstairs before everyone was up!

It's time to dig in.......

It's time to finally get that ice rink functional!

It's time to celebrate with favorite Logos!

It's time to face the Ninja Warrior......

It's time to hang the school scheduler up and act out the school day!

It's time to admit I am head over heals in love with the adult footie jammies! Like I need another reason to fall asleep!

It's time to not play favorites with what hero you are....Green Lantern meet Red Ninja.....

It's time to escape the opening madness to get ready to skype with Gma & Grandpa and DVI in AZ, and head out to Grandma Munsons for some more opening madness!

It's time to remember them at this exact age!

It's time for awkward frozen smiles from Mr. Bugs.....

It's time for round number three at Grandma Munsons!

It's time to see if there is one last present in that huge stocking......

It's time to enjoy a crazy cool sunset over the lake....

It's time to snuggle and share toys....

It's time for good eats and treats!

It's time to snuggle up to Grandma at the end of a long day!

It's time for Calgon to take us both away......

It's time to remember the joy and excitement!

It's time to remember what peace and quiet feels like......

It's time for Christmas to be over and start a new year!

Countdown to Christmas.....

2011-12-21T14:36:00.001-08:00

The countdown is on.....and lets face it, it has been since December 1st.....We started a tradition of a family activity every night. Little did we realize that every night meant every night.....But the kids seem to enjoy it as they search for the envelope each day to find out what we are doing that night (trust me they are all not fireworks.....think plop down on the couch and watch the Grinch) But I have come to like not only doing them but coming up with new ideas each year (thank you Pinterest) So we have only a few more days and a few "make ups" since plans change and not every night works out (insert balmy 50 degree weather days and no snow!) So here is how we have been spending our countdown.....

The search for the days envelope.....

Going and walking in the Santa Parade. Brooke got to walk with her Brownie Troop again.
Hanging Balls of Holly ....Falalalalalalalala.

Hitting the light show at 5/3rd and visiting Santa......

Discovering what Naughty Nicky is up to every morning....

No school = Play dates and sleepovers!!

and wrestle dance mania.....

Class party celebrations = lots of good eats.....

and present hot potato.....

Which is HIGH-larious to one little Munson...

Always stationed at the snack table.....ALWAYS.

Lucky enough to join them on their celebrations.....

Cooking good eats, and treats!

So in between all the crafting, and baking, and movie watching and Xmas cheer there is also special time at Grandparents houses that allow us to hit the town! (thank you a million times over!)

So four days left we are in the final stretch.......

What's Missing......

2011-12-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

ME!

YAHOOOOOIEEEE!!!!!

It has been eight years that I have accompanied my children on Santa's lap and I thought this year was going to be no different, why would it be? But we went to visit Santa on two separate occasions and there was not one hesitation from either of them.......THIS WAS THE YEAR! Brady complied and was actually pumped about it! He confirmed with Santa, his list of wanting "Aisle 5" in Toys R Us by telling Santa he wanted "Everything" Brooke also tried to squeeze in some hi-tech Apple products and luckily Santa was on the same wave length as her parents as he replied "oh that's a tall order, I don't think I can promise that!" AWESOME!

So there they went off on their own, its what I have been wishing for these past eight years. Finally I won't have to worry about plopping myself on Santa's knee and aggravating his arthritis I could stand back proudly and snap photos and listen from a far.....but when Mrs. Claus suggested that we hunker down with the man in red I wasn't about to give up my opportunity to tell him the 1,000 new items I have "pinned" on Pinterest!

Reason #287

2011-12-10T10:54:00.001-08:00

That I need to step up my game in the kitchen and start delivering some June Cleaver home cooked meals......What 8 year old requests restaurant gift cards for hamburgers?!$%

A "Weird" Thanksgiving.

2011-11-29T12:12:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was Turkey day and it’s all about giving thanks, I am thankful I have this memory to log into the ol’ noodle for the long haul.

Before our big feast Grandpa Dennis read some scripture from the bible, said Grace, everyone replied with an “Amen” and then in the deafening silence my religiously challenged bugaboo just YELLS …….”WE-IRD, they aren’t even talking my language” and heads off to the kids table in the kitchen……… The kid makes me smile and shake my head all at the same time 24 hours a day.

Along with that one here are a few more.

Snuggling with cousins that they don’t see nearly enough.

Catching up with the Wades.

Games with Cousins......

Hanging out and catching up with our Illinois Family.

The horror and shock that my “little” cousin can grow full facial hair in an effort to win a bet with his friend.

The chance to watch a football game from start to finish because the cousins are in full “reuniting” mode.

Playing angry birds with Pampy.

Singing Manamana…..nonstop in my head ever since we went to go see The Muppet Movie, quite a trip down memory lane for the grown ups.

Elastic waistband pants that were a requirement after a nice feast Jenn and Tom delivered!

Avoiding Black Friday all together and having Rachel pick up what I needed.

Now the relaxing dream comes to an end as we fire up for full Christmas Holiday frenzy.

Letters

2011-11-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Brooke is becoming everyone's pen pal lately and these are just a few I want to remember....She has a way with words.......or at least she knows her audience.

For example see below.......she knows just what buttons to push (or butter up.....)

Sweetly enough she used her own money went to the book fair and ended up getting a power ranger book for her brother because "I just couldn't pass it up.....I knew he would love it!"

HAHAHAHAHA! Funny enough he is.....he won't know it until later.....but he is.

A nice little ditty to come home to after a night away....

It's always nice to receive a thank you with out it being prompted!

Pinocchio.

2011-11-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

Brady has earned a new nickname……and it it Pinocchio! I tell you what he is going to be a candidate for Rhinoplasty if this continues. This kid o’ ours I honestly don’t even think he knows he isn’t being truthful, he just says the first thing that comes out of his mouth even if it is the EXACT opposite of what he is doing…… Sometimes I just feel like it is pure lazyness and he will say whatever this person wants to hear so he can me on his way of what he was doing......So we did sit down and watch Pinocchio and try to explain why he shouldn't lie, or at least show some guilt or remorse if he does, he claims he is nothing like Pinocchio because he already is a real boy with real skin and a little nose....oh boy is he EVER! Here are some cases in point that bring us to some deep breathing and mouthing OMG a few hundred times.

M – “Brady go wash your hands for dinner”
B – “I did”
M – “When?”
B – “Just now.” As he hasn’t moved from the spot where I first told him to wash his hands.

His teacher wrote me an email saying he fell off his chair and bumped his head in class today. Brady told me he didn’t must have been the other Brady.

M – “what special classes did you have today?”
B – “Gym and Art”
M – “What did you make in Art?”
B – “nothing mom you don’t make art in Music class”

B - “I am super full I can’t fit anything else in there, there is no way I can eat this chicken roll up, I am full up to my neck”
M – “oh that’s too bad I will have to have to make those caramel apple slushies and eat them by myself”
B – “Well I have room for that it’s slippery.”

M – Brady go up and get your jams on and brush your teeth
B – Okay
M – 10 minutes later when I get upstairs – Brady why don’t you have your jams on and your toothbrush is still dry.
B – I do have them on (still standing in jeans and a shirt)
M – and your teeth?
B – I dried the toothbrush off on the towel.

M - Brady what is in your mouth?
B - Nothing
M - Did you forget Mommy see everything
B - no way you do not have eyes on that side of your head
M - Brady take the paper and plastic figurine out of your mouth
B - I did
M - Brady?
B - looks away and spits a wad of paper and a plastic figuine out of his mouth.
B - I still don't think you have eyes back there.

So as you can tell there is still some hand holding and directing of traffic with this little wooden boy. The whole Gepehetto family knows he understands the difference between truth and fiction but to get him to focus and hone up to what is actually currently happening.....well I am still hoping to "believe" it will happen one day but until then we just call him Pinocchio when he gets caught in a lie and it usually sets him straight because of course it gets his goat when now his sister plays along too! He's lucky he has a smile that will melt you.........

Halloween Happenings.....

2011-11-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here is how we spent the better half of Halloween "week"

Dad helping Brooke carving her pumpkin.

The finished product...

Brady still isn't into the getting his hands dirty during the carving however he enjoys the finished product......let's just call him the idea man with his worker bee parents.....

A hayride, notice we are the only ones on the wagon without an umbrella, smart passengers because 2 minutes into the 25 minute hayride it was a downpour and we were drowned rats....including the dripping hair dye Brooke had in her hair for Crazy Hair Day......lesson learned ....check the weather, you know like all the other moms did!

We dressed up for Trick or Treating....

Brooke was a Mixed Matched Witch and Brady canned the Justin Beiber idea out of embarrassment and went with a Red Power Ranger

My Witchy Woman......

Go Go Red Ranger.....

Loving life.....with his super powers....

As you will notice they were ready way early this year, since they were dressed for school so we had some time to kill with a photo shoot.

Some neighborhood friends....

Group Chaos.......

The little guys......

Mr. Paul this is for you........make sure you check the video at the end.

The witches.......not slowing down.....

I was also able to attend the kids school parties which were hilarious for a multitude of reasons.....the kids are so funny and cute and some of the volunteer moms are a "bit into it" which is pretty comical too!

I think I counted 13 Super Heroes and no repeats......Brady is lucky to have a slew of boys in his class, and randomly just a few girls so it is game on every day for these boys.

So Happy!

Brady marching in his parade.

Brady and Reggie mowing on doughnuts.....

Remember those moms who were super into it.......and don't get me wrong they do a lot of planning and work and its appreciated, but I came in early to help cut up q-tips for the craft and then was repremanded for cutting the rib to long....."it looks like a shoulder" REALLY??? Did I just skip a work meeting to be told I don't know how to cut Q-tips in correct bodily proportions??? As you can imagine most kids were checking the length......oh vey. So I look at bugs doing the project and I am appalled by the misshapen ribs....hahaha!

Hanging with my boy.

Lucky boy getting to make a caramel apple.

Worth the wait!

Then off to Brooke's in the afternoon......

Brooke and Mrs. Meyer!

Me and my gal.

Brooke and her girls - there were a lot of witches......

There were five stations at her party - I don't think she ever left this one.......She would have stuck her face under the chocolate fountain if she could.

Brooke and her Principal......The Angry Bird.

Oh Yeah and Mr. Munson, couldn't skip out on the party........

I swear Paul we didn't even prompt him.......

Metal Mouth.....

2011-10-25T11:55:00.001-07:00

Brooke has officially become a metal mouth! She just got her top and bottom expander put in last week and let’s just say there is a lot of the following going on………

Sluuuuuuuurrrrrppppping……it’s super annoying, I know it’s only been a week and she is producing a lot more saliva with these things in but it seriously sounds like she is swallowing Lake Michigan.

Excessive chunks of food on the bathroom mirror and sink due to some inexperience with the water pik.

She sells sea shells by the sea shore….......its like we reverted back to being 4 years old in the speech department, however it seems to be improving each day.

Hunger strikes…….now I can be sympathetic, trust me the first few days were all applesauce and pudding, but as I see her leave snack wrappers empty and inhaling doughnuts and a salmon dinner at a neighbors house I know things are getting better but if there is something she does not like at our dinner table its now “ugh mom I really can’t eat that with the expander its just too hard” this included white milk the other night……..I reminded her that was NOT on the do not eat list! Oh expander please don’t take my “good” eater away!

Enough saliva on her pillowcase to warrant washing it every day!

A LOT of absences from school for ortho appts……..wish we would have started this in the summer.

I know it’s only been a week ……what am I complaining about? There are only 358 more days until we get them out, but who’s counting!

Here is a picture to remind me why I must put up with the listed items above.

I do think it is unfair how early they start them now, they will have no idea what it means to be an awkward teenager with braces or crooked teeth. I know I know.......its the ol' walking uphill in the snowstorm to school story but seriously

Gained Three .......Lost 7........

2011-10-22T16:39:00.001-07:00

Our Baby Girl tucked another year under her belt as she turned 8 last week!

Surprisingly this year Brooke passed on a Birthday Party, she requested that all she wanted this year was for her Best Friend, Sydney, from Illinois to come for the weekend. DONE AND DONE! You can only imagine our delight as we traded stuffing goody bags and planning party games for a girl day that Brooke and Syd planned themselves! It must be her maturity showing through, you know now that she is eight and all.

Our first stop was Kootsiers, a kid favorite still, for some fall activities. Luckily the boys were able to scam in on some of the fun!

Her birthday wish - Brooke and Syd.

They painted pumpkins......

enjoyed a hayride......

picked pumpkins.......

acted like silly boys......

Pretty much smiled and laughed all weekend long!

Brooke and Syd snuggling in their jammies, waiting for day number two to start.

Brooke upgraded to a "big girl" bike!

Rollerblades........

Then these two turkeys conjured up a girls pampering day of hair and nails.......Brooke actually came over and said they were going to go get their nails painted and matching haircuts and it was going to be short.....ARE YOU KIDDING ME.......no party and she finally is cutting her mane, something I have been requesting for two years? Whose birthday is this anyway.....sort of felt like mine!

So we went and I am not going to lie I was a bit sad to see it go, because as she sat there and it was combed so nicely it really is beautiful hair, but then I snapped back to reality and remembered that it is a cause of a daily battle for her and I so I quickly got over my sentimental feelings.... I guess I didn't realize just how long it was .......The cut off 7 inches!

Syd getting her do done.....

snip snip snip......

And just like that I got my little girl back..........she looked younger immediately!

The pampering continued as they got their nails painted.......

And feathers in their hair.....

So even if the seven inches that you cut off makes you look younger deep in my heart I know I can't stop you from growing up, you measured another three inches taller on the chart for the year and if that continues we might just have to give you a crew cut next year! Happy Birthday to our not so little girl!

The Wall.

2011-10-12T12:00:00.001-07:00

I have heard people complain about it, there isn’t a running publication that doesn’t write about it, but I never have come in contact with it……until now……..what I am speaking of is “the wall” this is described by others as a roadblock in a running race when you just lose it. It could be a physical, mental or even emotional breakdown when you bonk into this wall but there is no doubt you will know when you come in contact with it. The best way that I have heard it described is as follows……
"It felt like an elephant had jumped out of a tree onto my shoulders and was making me carry it the rest of the way in.”
Well unfortunately the elephant landed on my shoulders around mile 16 last weekend while running the Chicago Marathon…….and yup….BONK…..I hit the wall. This was a new experience for me, I have never in any of my training runs experienced this, yes of course I was exhausted and tired from running plenty of times but never felt like I was taken out of the game entirely. So there it was “the wall” and I am not talking about any ordinary wall I am talking about the big brick one that the smart third little pig built….. So I huffed and I puffed……and I walked …….and I sprinted….and I huffed…..sometimes the huffing wasn’t even due to the lack of breath I had but the utter frustration I was experiencing. This is the thing last time my body gave out, completely, hurt leg, absolute misery, but here I was walking and I didn’t have an ache on my body. I mean the cardinal sin is to walk, that means next comes cramping, aches, and numbness, I didn’t get any of that…..but I was still walking…..My mind and my body were at total combat with each other and I couldn’t talk either of them down from this standoff. It became sort of comical now that I look back….. I mean I would walk just because the heat and my head had a fueled debate about how it could be 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky in October and it wasn’t right what it was doing to me….. then my body would kick in get mad and I would full on sprint for a mile to make up for the stupid wall that I could not blow down……So the huffing and puffing continued for about five-seven miles and then finally the big bad wolf came to my rescue at mile 24 and blew it down. Take that little pig! So all in all I did finish which should be enough, but honestly for the training that I had I wanted more, I wanted the time I had set in my head, I wanted the victorious feeling of Yes, that is exactly how I wanted it to happen. But with marathon running I am now learning that I am not sure that you can ever control ALL the variables enough not to say…..”I wonder what it would be like if the ____________ cooperated” the blank could be filled with (the weather, my body, my shoes, my digestive track, my iPod, my attitude, my food intake, my liquid intake, my sleep patterns) So people constantly ask “why?” Well I think the answer is besides trying to get all the “variables” lined up, it’s the fact that when I run these races its possible for me a, normal Joe, to participate in the same event that an elite unbelievable athlete can, and that is pretty cool. Think about it if you had a chance to join MJ on the court or Babe Ruth on the diamond or even Yzerman on the ice, you would give it a go wouldn’t you? I say yes.
So am I done? The accountant in me still says I can make the formula for all those variables work......so I guess not.
Here are some pix of us enjoying the expo, the race and a well deserved night out on the town:

Up before the sun ......getting ready to line up......its absurd that I had a fleece on and 4 hours later it was a great day for the beach.

We got to see the guys about 4 times this is early around mile 6 since I am still smiling.

Chris ran with me for a while at mile 12........

Nikki powering past Forest Gump.....

Okay so the legend is created......Long story short ...my running partner finds out at 8:30 pm the night before the race that she forgot her running shoes......I KNOW.......its not a typo....she forgot her shoes..........and she is running a marathon in less than 12 hours......So the boys spent the better half of the night banging down store fronts on State street when one woman finally opened up the store (they were ALL closed) and said they could buy a pair for cash since all the registers were closed........So $120 later Nikki who was probably one in 49,000 runners who wore a pair of Step Up Sketchers for 26.2 miles......Bless her heart! And bless her feet....This is why runners shouldn't forget their shoes!

SITTING and celebrating after the race.

This was Nikki and a homeless guy teaching each other how to dance like Michael Jackson....And I am the one who apparently hit "the wall" I beg to differ! She is sometimes in her own "sketcher world"

Marathon behind us ......a night out in Chicago ahead of us......

I literally think we were using each others head to stay upright.....we had to if we laid down it would have been all over.

We needed some assistance from some 5 hour energy drinks......

Luck would have it our college buddy Drew owns a bar in Wrigglyville and it was Karaoke night.....Perfect!

Here is a link to the professional pix if you care to view.......just enter name and event.

http://www.marathonfoto.com/

Florida Five Day Mini Series - Day 5 - The Ocean.

2011-10-04T18:51:00.001-07:00

The last day of our trip we had all these fun ideas planned, water park, aquarium.......but everyone was soooo whooped that we all decided that we would instead have a low key day and show the kids the ocean. We headed out let them taste the salty water and have lunch in the wharf before heading to our plane!

Walking the beach......

Brady said the water tasted "disgusting" I would have to agree!

Watching the storm roll out.....

Lunch in the Wharf.

We had a late flight anyway, but ended up getting delayed - Brady didn't even know we landed in Baltimore stayed and hour and got on another plane.........He was out cold. The poor kiddos got into their beds at 1 A.M. and then got up for school the next morning! I was waiting for the meltdown all week, but it never happened, I guess they both decided that the trip was worth it.

Florida Five Day Mini Series - Day 4 - Magic Kingdom!

2011-10-04T18:38:00.001-07:00

This was the kids reluctant effort to get ready after I woke them up to tell them we had another day at Disney........Just five more minutes both of them said......bless their hearts!

Eventually they pulled up their boot straps.....when they realized we were off to Magic Kingdom for another day! And when I say a WHOLE day I mean a whole day. When we checked it we had a lovely lady tell us that it was a special night and they were extending the hours until 11 pm tonight, not 10pm as expected.....Brooke's eyes went wide and was all smiles ....Our little night owl. Here are the turkey balls heading into the park.

Happy to wait in the shade while Dad went to go get a stroller, remember that picture in the bed.....We thought we would get a few places faster with a little assistance today!

This was the first ride, Slash Mountain, and the kids loved it......Most would save the water rides for the afternoon to cool off - well 10 am we were ready to get wet (recall temperature report from earlier) We went on it continuously to cool down, it was also one of the kids favorites!

We couldn't resist...... when you look at their faces you would think that we forced them into it but both of them jumped off and screamed that was AWESOME! I love that Brady looks like he is holding on for dear life!!

Jungle Cruise with my boy...

Brooke thought the tour guide was hilarious.

One of the many sights on the tour...

Dad and the kids enjoying "sitting"

The kids watching the magic happen on the flying carpets......so stupid I couldn't exclude it!

The castle. Brooke was so funny, she would say things like "its just so impressive" "It really is beautiful" but then I would ask her do you want to go meet some of the princesses she would just go "nahhhh......"

We hit the parades....

enjoyed the landscaping...

They loved the Buzz Lightyear ride.......

Dad and Brady shooting away!

Locked up in Jail.

Dad and the kiddos....

It was fun to capture all their looks of wonder and shock on the different rides....my favorite was during the Monsters Inc. comedy show, where Chris was picked to be on the big screen and part of the comedy show.......They couldn't believe it.

Again back to Buzz - they couldn't get enough of it....

Disney and the Munsons.

The castle starting to light up for the night time festivities.

Brooke still bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Brady taking in the electrical parade......he goes like this "Seriously who comes up with all these great ideas?" .....I guess the answer is a man named Walt.

The lights and production were out of this world!

Disney at Night.

Everything was decorated for Halloween, it was like you walked into a pumpkin patch! And I have to tell you we are on our way to do some souvenir shopping because of this little ditty.....

Dad wanted to go back to the haunted mansion to ride at night - Brooke decided to stay out with me so she was asking me what I wished for during the shooting star during the parade and I told her that I wished that we could take another family vacation again soon. So keeping with the conversation I asked her "what did you wish for?" and this swear to God was her response. "Well my wish already came true about 7 years ago?" "It did, what was that?" "To get the best parents ever!" Now I know it was sweet and I should have been standing there with tears in my eyes and my shoulders shaking from crying as the magic of Disney was falling on us......However I smiled and said that was nice and then I waited for it............it took about 2 minutes........"Hey best mom in the world....don't you think it would be great to go to Main street next on our way out and buy a souvenir to remember this by?" And there it is......sweet but well thought out. Kudos to you Brooklyn, so we went shopping just for the fact that she was sooooooo smooth in her delivery!

Florida Five Day Mini Series - Day 3 - Hollywood Studios!

2011-10-04T18:27:00.001-07:00

Our first Disney park was "Hollywood Studios". We got there as the park opened and didn't leave until it closed. The kids were crazy on the go and soaking it all up. The crowds were amazing, didn't wait more than 15 minutes for a ride so that was a huge payoff for the heat wave we endured. The park was great, honestly it was a lot less overwhelming than I expected it. The kids were fine walking the entire thing, things weren't as spread out as I imagined. So it was fun, we bought our tickets, got our first timer buttons and headed on in to let the magic hit us smack dab in the face!

Grass Mickey: luckily for us this was as close to the characters as my kids wanted to get......MOM: "Hey Brady there is Buzz over there you want to get an autograph or picture?" Brady: "Why would we wait in line for a picture when we can go ride more rides?" Dad and Mom thinking silently: "YES, BLESS YOU!" BROOKE: "Mom I don't get it... why would girls wait all that time to just stand with a princess? Don't they know its not really them?" HaHa..... The despise of the dressed up human didn't even falter in the Magical world of Disney......That's my girl! So my homemade autograph books went empty until a little tic tac toe happened on the plane.

Kids and Sorcerer Mickey....

This was their favorite ride here - Toy Story. It was interactive so they both thought it was the greatest ever.....

The night before we were reading a book about Hollywood Studios and I was explaining to Brady that you get to see and meet the Power Rangers, well short of exploding Brady was ready for his moment. Little did I know that the book was from 2009 and yup no more Power Rangers......So he saw some guy with a PR face paint and said that would be better anyway....good. So the kids got face painted.......That will be $35 please?!$%^ are you kidding me.....now I know I am supposed to be in the mystical magic land that is Disney but I am not going to lie I could not turn my accountant brain off. Not so much for the fact that I minded spending the money, more for the fact that I couldn't stop tabulating what kind of cash flow was churning in this place in every nook and cranny.....I mean if I had my ten key with me I would have been in hog heaven. And we were there at the lowest season. Unbelievable.

Here is Brooklyn's face paint....a glitter star is born.

Brady's Red Ranger, check.

Now what we didn't really think through or anticipate was that is was a sweltering 90 and humid as all get up.....so this awesome face paint pretty much melted off within minutes.....lesson learned.

We laughed so hard because Brady would forget he had it on rub his face constantly bump into people when he was walking, and this was a strangers shirt that was the victim of Brady's power ranger face.......whoopsie......

We watched the Disney Rocks show with music from all of Brooke's favorite shows.

This was me after the stupid star wars ride.......it was as if someone dumped a bottle of water all over me as I experienced some wicked pre- nausea sweat......lets just say dad went this one alone next time......

Brady in the Honey I shrunk the kids yard........

Brooke and Dad somewhere in San Francisco.

Walking the streets o' Disney......

This was the 3-D Toy Story ride.

Green Army Guy!

The tower of Terror.......Brooke chickened out because she knew what it was all about, but bless Brady's heart he had no idea what he was stepping into.....its a ride that drops 13 stories......Luckily Chris took him on it because when I swapped out with him (how cool is it that you can do that and not wait in line again!) and rode by myself and pretty much grabbed a complete strangers leg out of surprise and fear.....all I could think of the whole time is "I am so glad I didn't ride this with my delicate flower....." I thought he would be a basket case....but he just walked off and said "Mom that wasn't my favorite ride, I don't need to do it again" haha! I wish I could of had a picture of his face when it dropped.

We saw a bunch of shows, Beauty and the Beast being one of them.

Mom and Dad's favorite Ride.....Aerosmith's Rock and Roll Coaster.......

This was a repeat request from the parents!

We sat through and American Idol audition process.....Brooke was in awe....

The family viewing the nighttime Fantasia laser light show.

This was Brady 10 minutes into the ride after a good 12 hours at an amusement park......Out Cold.

Sister followed suit........

Until tomorrow when we do it all again......

Florida Five Day Mini Series - Day 1 & 2

2011-10-04T18:23:00.001-07:00

Be warned the amount of pictures is a bit overwhelming so I decided to split this up into a five day mini series. We mixed business and pleasure and took the kids down to Florida for Chris' annual trade show. We decided it would be a great opportunity to have the kids get their "Disney Experience" The kids were excited, even though day one and two had nothing to do with Disney. We parked it at a nice resort where the trade show was being held and soaked in some sun before the real fun began.

Brooke and Brady celebrating that we finally made it after a 4:00 am wake up call to catch our plane!

Heading out to the dinner banquet hosted by the show.

The kids were a bit culture shocked that the banquet didn't serve burgers and nuggets.....They made due with some Flank steak and some Caesar salad. Brady still managed to belch out loud at each and every meal including the awards breakfast during the Star Spangled Banner.....Let's just say we inhaled out eggs and bacon and slowly escorted ourselves to a less civilized venue.

Brooke and Dad.

I included this one just to capture the steam on the camera lens.....oh yeah did I mention it was 90 degrees and 95% humidity!

Therefore the weather forecast made us spend the days doing this......

Poolside Slushies..........ummm beats taking a spelling test!

Waiting on our grub poolside.

Maxing and relaxing.....

Brooke "helping out" at the Trade show! (ie.....Looking for free stuff people were giving out!)

Surprise!

2011-09-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Chris and I held onto this "secret" for a few months and it was so fun to finally share it with them! Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDXMI-UPp6s

Indian Summer

2011-09-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Camping in September, it was risky who knows what mother nature would present us with. We ended up giving it a go and experienced great summer like days and cool nights, nothing that a campfire and some cozy tent time couldn't solve. But apparently we were the only ones giving it a go, we were literally the only ones at the campsite that night. I guess September is really the best time to travel! We got to enjoy Pentwater and had a great time with Poppa and Penny!

Brooke actually volunteering to do dishes, each and every meal.......note to self .....buy plastic camping tub for our kitchen at home!

Our Campsite.

Relaxing with my girl.

Beach time with the skin board.

Finding skipping stones....

Brooke on the skimmer.....

Our fun find - a baby turtle that just hatched.....The kids loved him....

Dad trying to teach Brooke.

Jumping for Joy!

Another successful camping trip with the kids.

Thanks for the great company and good eats P & P!

And last but not least I finally got to experience my first letter boxing hunt, at a graveyard no less.....

First Day Facts.

2011-09-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

The kids were bananas about starting school!
I was so proud of them for being so excited!
Brooke has become a mother hen. i.e. “Now Brady let me walk you through our morning of Big Kid School…..we have to get downstairs and eat breakfast, then get dressed and then brush our teeth by 8:00, don’t worry I will help you with everything today”

Brooke FINALLY getting to wear her first day outfit she picked out and has been sitting on for a month!

Brady not even complaining about me dressing him up for chess club, too excited!

Brady could have cared less that they switched his teacher AGAIN three days before school started and after he had orientation.
Brooke was excited to wake up and find out that she didn’t really grow a monkey tail and monkey ears, as I told her might happen now that she is a Meyer Monkey.
Wondering how I just became a parent with two kids in school?

They both were nervously acting cool and asking me to stop taking pictures as they are sitting at their desks. Brady even whispered to me as I was giving him his 1,000^th kiss…… “Mom….Whatever…..I know you love me” ha-ha.

I was a little lonely driving to work by myself for the first time in 5 years.
I was a little happy that I was listening to what I wanted, even if that was pure silence as I drove myself to work, something that hasn’t happened in 5 years.
I wish I could have froze time as both of them came off the bus running and smiling ear to ear!

Brady talked to us about his day for a full 20 minutes straight, more than he has discussed his last five years with us. He even proclaimed as he came home “I am not even watching TV, I have so much to tell you guys” For those of you who know the addict that is huge.
First day of school is exhausting, after his 20 minute rant about his day and Brooke started in on hers, I wondered where the heck did Brady go? This is where he went……

Brooke initiating that we have to get upstairs and start her reading and homework.
Two happy, lucky parents with the first day of School behind them and both kids in one location for the next three years!

It's happening.....

2011-08-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

My little man is taking up new residency in a week and I am not sure how I feel about it. He has been occupied in a nice rental at the building next door to me for the last 5 years and I have LOVED it. But now he is a big man on campus and needs to upgrade to a six year lease, larger square footage, a gym, bigger backyard, and better furniture. This guy, who does he think he is, getting all grown up on me?? You see Brady is one that I always have worried about, I don’t know why…. he always seems to step up to the plate when it matters, maybe because he is my youngest and my last, I don’t know, but I continue to treat him delicately because “I” think he needs it……Well………I think the start of school may be harder on me than him since he is starting to make “me” see that he isn’t such a delicate flower after all……..

Case in point – Y5 Orientation last week……..I took time off work, because he needs me there right (well for other reasons than the obvious transportation) – he will need me to introduce him to his teacher, point out his new friends, give him the lay of the land right??

Well we show up he held my hand in the parking lot and all the way to the classroom and then let go and he goes like this to his teacher:

“Hi my name is Brady and you don’t have orange hair!” (Now let me remind you this is the same kid that hasn’t spoken to an adult on his own free will in the last five years) (Oh yeah and the orange comment, his teacher got switched last minute and we kept telling him she would have orange hair)

Then it continued – he went on his scavenger hunt to find things in the classroom and school and did it with enthusiasm and passion.

He introduced himself to a few buddies in class and started giving hi-fives to them, saying how awesome it was going to be, especially that there was another Brady in his class.

He rode the bus with his hands up in the air like he was on a roller coaster and just turns to me and says “This is fun, but I still think the Mac Dune Ride is better”

He opened his locker and immediately told me what each shelf and hook will be used for.

He ran out to the playground and I heard him yell to a kid “Do you know they have a computer lab here, pretty awesome huh”

It was a relief and a proud moment to watch him be so confident and happy about the start of something new. I hope we can enjoy this ride all year long.I still did take off of work for the first day of school, Just in case I need him………I mean if he needs me ………..

Silver Lake

2011-08-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

This year we tried somewhere new for camping, and really loved it. We headed out to the Yogi Bear Campground in Silver Lake, It was fun to experience a new town and all that it had to offer, our only down fall this trip was a Storm like NO OTHER that occurred on Friday night. Luckily we were able to enjoy the full day but come 11:30 p.m....... WATCH OUT.....this storm was fierce, Chris and I laid awake for the better half of the night trying to guess which tree would fall on our pewney little tent, so besides a bad night of sleep and a few drips a rain a the foot of our bags (I say this because when I saw the campground the next morning we were the lucky ones.....) we had a great time, did some new things, enjoyed some great company, and had dry weather the rest of the trip!

The kids really got a kick out of the Yogi Bear festivities, I have never seen a more active and crowded campground.....but lets just say they were entertained more that they imagined.....Wagon rides, pools, arcades, concerts, face painting ......you name it Yogi had it planned......

The big draw at Silver Lake besides the water, both Michigan and Silver lakes is the sand dunes. They are vast and wide and the thing to to there is climb them and ride them like you are on a roller coaster......So we did. These are the portals.....

The kids were hyped as you can tell.....

The girls waiting for their ride!

All aboard.....

The kids had a blast, they hooted, they hollered, they held their hands up like they were riding a roller coaster.....It was hard for the adults not to do the same......

The tour guide stopped fro some photo ops......

The camping gang 2011......We loved having the addition of a few more families!

This picture sums it up.....yup it was worth going......

Back to the campground and the 101 activities that they were having.....here....face painting..

We climbed up the lighthouse - some 130 steps.....and then Chris and I ordered the kids to immediately climb back down..... seven kids .....that high......with only a tiny little bar to hold them back.....wasn't my idea of comfort.....especially when the kids thought it was cool to stick all their body parts through the bars........"Great view....yup its purty.....now lets head down..."

So they headed down.....phew.....

We hit the beach next, enjoyed some sunshine and some water!

The Dad's hanging.....The kids hit the pool at night to rinse away the day.....they called it fun....the parents called it a shower.......

Airborne.....

We had two families host a dinner each night......this was the Allen and Doyle's Mexican fiesta that put our salmon to shame.....It was delicious......

The kids all got along so well......then again what is there to be mad about.......

Ms. Beth brought along a surprise - Rock n Roll make over kits for all the kids......Here is my little Ke$ha.....The girls thought it was the best thing ever.....

Three little rock stars......

Dad wasn't as "impressed" with the look.........

Betta get used to things like this Daddio.....

Somehow the kids came up with this "great" idea to make over the mommies......I think they went a bit overboard .....I am not sure when a full mustache stood for "Rock n Roll" But we went with it.....

The crew getting ready to head down to the yogi bear concert at the pavilion.......face paint and all.......I can't even imagine what the other campers were saying......

But we didn't care......we boogied and danced the night away.......

We capped off the trip with some Craig's cruiser time .......conveniently attached to the campground.......you really couldn't escape it.....

And topped it off with The Chicken Shack.....starting out at a joke and then realizing we would all drive the hour and a half back just for these wings.......Brooke included......who knew......

Good times......thanks Allens, Doyles & Damuths!!

Trying out T-Ball....

2011-08-24T18:13:00.001-07:00

Brady decided to give T-ball a whirl this summer. I am not going to lie, it was sometimes painful for Mom and Dad, just for the fact that the game is soooooo slow. Then you add 15 kids with the attention spans of fleas and the ability to only advance one base at a time, lets just say sometimes it makes for a long hour. Despite the pace, Brady seemed to enjoy it, he hit the ball, he would throw to first base, he would laugh with friends, and he would run his heart out, that part was easy to watch......

And then sometimes that attention span thing I mentioned would set in.......and funny enough this stuff was also pretty funny to watch...... It included eating gravel, talking to his mitt, being the funny guy for friends, climbing the dugout cages.......

And that my friends is T-Ball with a five year old.....

Pure Michigan

2011-08-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

In the week that Grandma and Grandpa came to visit we went on a whirl wind West Michigan Tour. In a matter of a week, we hit Torch Lake, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, Traverse City, and Holland. All such great beach towns within a day trip radius. So as the commercial goes we…..set our compasses to all these beach towns and found ourselves in the magic and the moment of ……Pure Michigan…….

Grandma and Grandpa who came in for a visit and prompted the WM tour....

Annual Boating trip in Torch Lake with neighbors...

A Beautiful day on the lake with friends!
The infamous "Tippy Tappy Toupe game that turned into Tippy Tappy Tackle"
Then we were off to Grand Haven to spend some good beach time on Grandma's lake!

It always surprises me how much time these kids can spend in the sand....

Out to Blueberry Hill to pick some of the best berries I had all summer.

We froze 7lbs of them to enjoy them all winter long!Only 1/3 of the berries made it into his bucket - open mouth insert berry.

Off to Saugatuck for some shopping and lunch out on the water.

Back "up north" to Traverse City for some shopping, sight seeing and wine tasting......

Everyone takes their kids to wineries .....right?

Off to Pirates Cove to ease some of the adult activities for Brooke.

Then finally out on a boat tour from Holland to Saugatuck with some friends.The guys climbed and climbed and climbed while the girls made sure their life insurance policies were up to date.

The payoff running down......and straight into the water!Another beautiful day out on the Lake.

All all of this right at our fingertips, within a few hours of each other..........
Pure Michigan.

Two Decades.

2011-08-11T13:36:00.001-07:00

That is the time that has passed since I walked across the NCHS graduation stage and left my Redskin ways behind. As I ponder where the time went, sometimes I can accept that twenty years has gone by……College, Marriage, Career, Colorado, Kids, Michigan. I mean I guess it adds up, but then sometimes I can’t accept it. I feel like it was just yesterday when I spent everyday with these folks that I literally haven’t seen in decades, except a few solid friends that you hold on to dearly. So this summer I was faced with the daunting invite of my 20 year reunion. Rachel and I were on board 100%, our husbands however needed a little coercing. It went something like this: “You have to go, you just do, I can’t show up by myself…..you just have to take one for the team.” Rachel did not help the cause when she added “come on guys you will have each other to hang out with and it’s not like we won’t talk to you ON THE WAY OVER TO IT” Haha…….got to love her for it. So they complied and took one for the team, and in hind sight we didn’t need them there anyway.

So the night before we (meaning Rachel and I) studied our yearbooks, we argued about how we remembered things, We laughed about how Rachel thinks she hasn’t changed one bit, we wondered how did we get here from there. It was fun. We went on a tour of the school, I promised Brooke I would show her my old locker etc……well I didn’t recognize one hallway, it’s all very hi-tech and different. So my locker is somewhere in there in spirit…… There is now a pool so these poor kids don’t have to bus over to the neighboring high school for first period swimming after they got up to at 6am to hairspray their permed rats nest just so they could look good on the bus, go swimming and re-spray and defuse that perm after first period for the rest of the day(I don’t know who did that, but I heard a rumor someone did!). The night was full of familiar faces (thank goodness for name tags) because against Rachel’s wishes we have ALL changed! It was fun to talk and see what everyone is doing. I sort of relate it to speed dating a little…….
“Hi”
“What have you been up to? Where do you work? Are you married? Do you have children?”
And then on to the next…….

So after 20 years I have added this for you Rachel, Hopefully we have changed a bit (at least for the sake of the ozone layer!)

Twenty years later........

Why the shirt dribble Rach?

Beiber Fever......

2011-08-06T16:07:00.001-07:00

To put it lightly, we have the feva for the flavor of a Beiber. So much so that I am contemplating medication. It all started back during the school year when Brooke proclaimed, "I don't like Justin Beiber!" So we went through the whole parenting mumbo jumbo about you don't just dislike someone without a reason. (Her reason was he was cocky, and when I asked her what cocky was she just shrugged her shoulders and said I dunno") We decided to take her to see the "Never Say Never" movie and if she didn't like him after she watched it, well then fine we would let it be. So Chris and her went and since then we now own the movie, they have watched it 996 times, we own the trading cards, the posters, the doll, Brady tried on a girls purple and pink 5T Justin Beiber shirt at The Gap today, and PLEADED with me to buy it for him for the first day of school, we haven't listen to a non Beiber song on the radio since the day they went and saw the movie, we know he was born on a Tuesday, we know his inspiration is MJ, we know his favorite color is purple (guess who elses is too now.....) So you get the picture. It's Beiber 24/7. Their are nightly concerts, dance moves being experimented with, Brady frequently changes his name to Justin and introduces himself as Justin to friends he meets at the pool. Chris and I are just praying that he comes out with a new album soon just so his EIGHT songs will stop playing in our heads ....nonstop. But as a parent I guess there could be worse things.....because secretly after watching the movie myself .....I can't lie I wish there was "One less lonely girl"....... Here are some items to prove the ridiculousness of the current obsession.

There are posters everywhere, store bought and homeade.

And here are some of those links to the daily concert occurances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azDlJK0H130

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtnxFrjVtj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW4DBfQAH2E

Five Fingers.

2011-07-13T20:10:00.001-07:00

Yup that's right our little man is now holding up all fingers on one hand! Brady turned 5 this past week and celebrated with a SpongeBob Squarepants water fiesta in the backyard! When I asked him if he felt different now that he is five, he replied "Totally". And in an attempt to make sure he will stay my cuddly snuggle bugs I also asked him if he will still cuddle with his mom now that he is five and he replied, "Mom I will even cuddle with you when I am a grown up" and as weird as that is to picture, I am not going to lie I kinda like the idea!

Happy Birthday to our not so little guy.....

Brady and his SpongeBob Cupcake Cake!
Brady anxiously awaiting for his friends to arrive.

It was a hot 90 degree humid day so we thought 200 water balloons should keep these kids occupied and cool all afternoon, what we didn't anticipate is that those 200 water balloons were thrown and popped in a mater of 9 minutes.

Bikini Bottom......(that is where SpongeBob lives not the required attire!)

I had all these organized games to play and these kids could have cared less give them a foam sword, a pool, squirt guns, and a slip and slide and there was no organized games happening!

I even suggested some snacks and all I heard "Nope Mom, I just want to run and be crazy" and so he did......

Chris somehow became the main target amongst the water games, he was the silly one that showed up in his swimsuit, silly boy.

Brady Bugs getting Dad!
Maxx and Brady getting tricky with their attacks....

Dad getting the last laugh......

There were lots of these diving rolls in and out of the pool while imitating some super hero...

Here I come to save the day.......

Brady and his Power Ranger Bud Max.

Four SpongeBobs coming at ya......

Brady's friends must know him well as he received all his favorites: Bakugun, Power Rangers, Beiber.....He was one lucky boy!

Ohhhhh ........Ahhhhhhhh........

Luckily enough he got his number one item on his wish list, yup that is right it's a Justin Beiber doll, Never.Say.Never.

Another prized possession was his Megazord......

Finally he got a big boy bike (hopefully bigger soon as we loose the training wheels) and a new Captain America suit that he rode around the neighborhood for an hour like he had something to prove.

Brady we measured you tonight and you grew three inches from last July 11th, but in my mind you have grown leaps and bounds beyond those few inches. You have really come out of your shell and showed us your true colors with what you are capable of this past year. Your have become the family jokester and you keep us laughing all the time, even when you don't necessarily mean to! You still are one of the sweetest little things that I know and I hope you keep riding through life without a care in the world. We love you up to the moon and into outer space!

The 4th.

2011-07-05T17:54:00.001-07:00

Fireworks,
Family,
Friends,
Cookouts,
Late nights,
Pancake Breakfasts,
Bonfires,
Laughs,
Parades,
Smores,
Carnivals,
Swimming,
Yup that about sums up this past weekend

Neighborhood trying to stay awake until 10 for the fireworks!

Boys just reading up on Beiber before the parade starts....

Girls all decked out....
Snuggling for the works......

Dad and his lil' guy....

I just like this one because one Brooke had her claws into the "older" kids and she was acting all cool with a can of pop.......
Laughs with friends....

Off to event number 985.

Brooke on the bungee ride again......and again she says it wasn't worth the wait...hopefully she will remember next time!

Soccer Summary.

2011-06-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

Soccer seasons are finally complete! We had a great spring season with both kids playing.....Brooke continues to improve her skills, she is starting to look to her teammates to pass and get a bit more aggressive when she needs to be. Her team went undefeated this year, the girls have been playing together for 3 seasons now and seem to gel quite well together. Brady finished his first season and did well, he loves to win, doesn't like to lose to well even though it happens often :) he seems to be happy out there but sometimes would lose focus as he would dive roll out there and pretend he was a Power Ranger, until we would all yell to him "Get up you're at Soccer" haha..... Here's a few photos to document Spring Soccer 2011.

Brady taking a corner kick.
High fives Griffy after a score!

Team Photo - Good job Green Dragons!

Buds.

Remember what I said about him being a little distracted? Not that the girls don't either.....when they are sitting out......but at least they are sitting out while they are goofing off!

Break away....

Coach Gail and Coach Munson........

Brooke really seemed to like playing goalie......

Go Brookie (aka Willie Nelson) Go.....

Great Season Fireballs!!

Dad's Day.....Well sort of.......

2011-06-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day started out like a typical day to celebrate Dad.........breakfast made and served by Brooke, homemade gifts worked on, presents opened, hugs and kisses etc.etc.etc........But said Dad decided to surprise his two kiddos with a day of adventure......now let me remind you Brooke and surprises don't mesh real well..........It literally drives her BONKERS not knowing every detail of EVERYTHING.....so as we pack up our bags, fill the cooler, apply sunscreen and plop them in the car she maybe asked us to tell her what was going on .....hmmmmm I'm gonna say about 3,469 times.......Chris didn't cave, I begged him just so we could save our sanity during the drive, but nope......we hopped in the sedan and heard about 5,321 guesses of where we might be going, she thought she had us pegged for going to Grandma's beach but as we passed her exit, I could just watch her brain develop the next set of 7,543 questions before we got there. Finally as we rounded the corner the kids spotted the Shivering Timbers wood coaster.....and went

B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!! We figured as much from Brooke but feared Brady seeing the "big ones" from the parking lot would set him off, but he just stared hootin' and hollerin' as he saw his sisters big eyes and excitement and wanted to follow suit.

Little did I know that you apparently need a full sleeve of tattoos to enter this amusement park, but since it was Fathers Day they were kind and accepted our cold hard cash and still let us enter sans ink........Wow all that people watching and the added bonus of some rides.....I think we were all fired up for a great day!

We had the best day, only waited in one line all day, had great overcast weather and two HAPPY kids! Brooke's favorite ride was the funnel of fear at the water park, and Brady's was the Big Dipper roller coaster. By the end of the day Brooke was considering the corkscrew coaster and Brady was going on Water slides by himself.......I feel like we are getting one step closer to Six Flags or Cedar Point, fingers crossed! Here are some photos of the day......

Cruising Be-Bop Blvd with my bugs....

Dad and his girl .....

Ha Chris is in this boat by himself because we both got stuck and couldn't fit and I had to do the walk of shame to the boat in front of the kids.....I don't think this ride was made for 38 year olds...

Up up and away....

Brooke taking a break with Charlie Brown.

Brooke has always loved the Frog Hopper......and then hated the Mad Mouse that is in the background, she got off and gave it a thumbs down as she felt like the car was going to go off the track.......

Dad and Brooke on Mad Mouse........Chris didn't like it either......

The water park was fantastic we did water slides, the lazy river, splash pads, the tidal wave pool, and the coveted Funnel of Fear......Brooke is already asking when we can go back.......

This was Brady's favorite, the Big Dipper......we went on it about 15 times.....no lie there was no line so they would literally just stay on the ride!

This one I love because if you look in the corner at Big Man on Campus, riding by himself, arms up in the air, like he just don't care.......
All.Smiles.All.Day.Long....
So Happy Father's Day to a Dad who always puts his kids first!

First Grade Farewell....

2011-06-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

First Grade:

It was a hit. It went fast. She learned to read. She learned to spell. She learned to write. She became more confident. She made new friends. She got involved in everything. She excelled. She also as always got attached to her teacher. Mrs. G, as I like to say because seriously after the entire year I still have trouble pronouncing it, was a sweet, kind soul that let Brooke help out and run the show in her absence. From the first day off the bus she raved about how nice she was and I want to be a teacher just like her and on the last day of school as I was thanking Mrs. G for all she has done, her last words to me were, thank Brooke for me some days I didn't even need to be here, she is cut out for this line of work! So with the attachment comes the mourning of said nice teacher. It only happened twice this time both at night, but the sobbing and tears came as she expressed how much she will miss her and she doesn't want any other teacher but her. I just laid with her and admitted how much it stinks, but reminded her that it stunk last year when you left kindergarten, and the year before when you left young fives, and the previous four years when you would change classes at preschool....it always stinks but each year you get these fabulous teachers each one being as great as the next. Its okay to miss someone, it is natural and she will always be there with open arms to give you guidance if you need it when you are across the hall in second grade. She agreed and that was that.

The last day of school she was all smiles and a face full of sugar - what was there to be sad about?

Brooke and Mrs. G....

Another reason that the last day of school was so great was she participated in the school talent mock rock show. This is the same girl that literally froze in front of a gym of strangers during her dance recital a few months ago. Maybe a gluten for punishment or maybe having a solid friend by her side made all the difference. Madison and Brooke worked really hard on their performance and had a blast performing it. Here it is......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4KRzE_XONk

As the principal was interviewing all the participants about what their favorite part of their year was and as everyone gushed about their teachers and how they are the greatest things ever....this is what Brooklyn had to say......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKRECGgdS38&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

apparently the mourning is over and Summer is on!

What is a Veteran?

2011-05-26T13:17:00.001-07:00

This is one of those topics that I like to categorize in “I’m not quite sure how to explain that to a four year old and seven year old” We tried to explain Memorial Day to the kids and have them understand that it is not just a day off of school and a bounce house in our back yard. We went to the flag placement for the Veterans yesterday which helped some of the concepts we were trying to explain but according to the conversations below I’m not sure they get it yet……

Brady – When are we going to get to cemetery?
Brooke – Wow Brady that’s a big word for you.
Mom – Do you know what a cemetery is?
Brady – I know, it where graves are.
Brooke – And Dead people.
Brady – I don’t know any dead people
Mom – You’re lucky you don’t
Dad – I do.
Brooke – Who?
Dad – My Grandma and Grandpas
Mom – Yep
Brooke – No mom they are just birds now, remember Grandma Novacek’s mom and dad are. (Mom you have her convinced too!)

Mom - Well this cemetary is full of soldiers that fought for our freedom
Brooke - Why?
Dad - Do you know there are other places people live that they aren't allowed to do a lot of things. We are pretty lucky here that our leaders allow us to basically do what we want.
Brooke & Brady- just silence (not sure if they were thinking about it or just totally zoning us out)
Mom – Now when we get there let’s be respectful
Dad – Yes, the headstones are not rock climbing walls Brady, we don’t run and misbehave in the cemetery.
Brady – Why?
Mom – Because people are going there to visit their loved ones and it's respectful to not let them visit in peace on this special day and some people may be sad
Brooke - Like Mom – they freak her out.
Mom – why do you say that?
Brooke – Because I know it does. (which it does…)
Brooke – Hey mom turn up the radio this it Gaga, I mean “The Lady”
And that was our lesson on respect haha.

Anyway we did the best we could explaining soldiers, war, respect, and graves with the audience we had. They may not have understood everything but I still think it was important to try. Their were 5,000 flags put out and we couldn't’t believe how fast they all went up, there were so many volunteers that it was neat to see it come together so quickly.

The Graduate....

2011-05-22T17:56:00.001-07:00

It is truly hard to comprehend that I dropped this kid off 4 years ago to his Daycare/Preschool......

There were plenty of anxious feelings over the years: Are they feeding him what he needs? Is he sleeping enough? Did I remember to bring diapers? I miss him! Are the providers caring to him? Is he making friends? I miss him! Is he starting to talk? I miss him! How will the transition to the new room go? Does he know his letters and numbers? Is he participating? I miss him! Does he miss me? Is he kind to his teachers and friends? Is he a leader? Is he a follower? Does he come home happy? I miss him.

And now 4 years later I am staring this straight in the face and just can't believe it.........

Because YES he did eat enough. He did sleep enough. I sometimes remembered to bring diapers. The providers were caring to him. He did make friends. He did start to talk. The transitions to the new rooms were fine. He does know his letters and numbers. He does participate He is kind to his teachers and friends? He surprisingly is a leader. He did come home happy. Finally, I did miss him every single second of every single day, but as I watched him grow and flourish each and every day he went, I was okay with missing him, and he was okay with it too. However, I never once hated picking him up and hearing his high pitch scream go "MOOOOOMMMMMM" and do a running dive hug EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!

I am so grateful to this school that gave him a happy loving environment that I never worried about him in (albeit that I was within 10 steps of the building) for the last 4 years. It is bittersweet as he goes through graduation and will no longer be across the parking lot from me but in elementary school, but I think he is ready, he has broken out of his shell this year, become the class clown, loves his new desk in his room and requests to do homework often.......so as much as it pains me ......gulp .......I think he is ready. So our hats off to you bugs......congrats on moving to the next step.

Receiving his diploma from his teachers.......

His pencil box gift was green......awesome!

Remember what I said about being the class clown.....

Oh yeah and the class Pirate.....Ahoy Mate...

One happy boy with a face I could eat.....

Finally, Mom and Dad trying to hold on to what ever little four year old we have left.....literally look at me grasping him to take the picture....haha.

Bridging....

2011-05-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

Brooke had her first bridging ceremony. I didn't know what it was either, however I quickly learned it is the ceremony where the Daisy's "bridge" over to the next level, Brownies. They each get to read lines as part of the ceremony to determine what values they learned as a Daisy and what it means to become a Brownie. She was really excited to move to the next level, because if you know Brooke she is ALWAYS excited to move to the next level and prove that she is older and one step closer to all the older kids she looks up to so much, along with the real bonus they get to loose the smock and wear the SASH, next year! I on the other hand demand for all this "bridging" to stop! I am not ready for her to continually get older and always have to be moving to the next level, especially at the speed that it seems to be happening. All of a sudden my Daisy has left the building and I have a Brownie and an almost second grader on my hands, how did that possibly happen so fast? Yikes! But as this is only one thing in a sea of many that I will not be able to control when it comes to my kids, I at least can sit back and watch and be proud as they advance to the next great thing........

Brooke her last day as a Daisy.....

Brooke and a classmate no doubt planning their upcoming mock rock performance (its all we talk about right now.....song selection, dance moves, rehearsal times......oh vey!)

Her Troop!

The Girl Scout Law......

This one you may have to turn the sound way up......they got a bit quiet when it was time to read their lines....

Apparently a timeless classic as each and every mom sang along and the girls all questioned us later ....."Mom how do you know that song too?"

Musical Moments....

2011-05-10T15:26:00.001-07:00

Brooke just had her first grade musical, here are a few highlights......I didn't have the patience to load the videos so just follow the links, its a quicker process on the front end! Enjoy!

Performance - Don Gato.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWTmAoxsGb8

Performance - Ram Sam Sam......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaM85gJFQlY

Performance - Alley Blley......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cv__hvMKJc

Performance - Whacky Do Re Mi.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmOM2A3m9m4

Performance - Folk Dancing......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAG19GKaPuk

Performance - What a Wonderful World.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4amNl5JDfVw

Underestimated.

2011-05-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last fall Brady declared he wanted to play soccer in the spring, he has been going to Brooke’s games for years now and I think he finally was like I can do this too, right? Of course I said, “absolutely” but inside I was like oh boy, the shy kid wants to try a team sport, hold onto your hats…….because as I have witnessed the tears shed every time his sister or anyone else takes the ball away from him (even though that is the point of the game) …I think maybe we should start with something else…..so I introduced the thought of T-ball to him (ie. …not a lot of struggle, everyone gets a chance at batting , advancing to all the bases etc…..) His reply….”Nope mom I want to play soccer.” So this winter we had him do a sports sampler class and it was a huge hit, he loved it all but always when asked which sport he liked the best he always went back to soccer and when I ask why it is “because it is what Brookie plays and I am super fast”

So last weekend was our first game (no practices at this point ...smile...) On the ride over there we reviewed some guidelines……..
1. It’s okay if you don’t know everyone, these will be new friends
2. Listen to your coach; even though you never met him, you do what he says he’s the boss.
3. Don’t get upset if you get the ball taken away, you just try and get it back.
4. Don’t get mad if your jersey isn’t green (he prayed for it to be green) – you get what you get and you don’t get upset.
5. Be a good sport
6. Have fun.

Again…..his reply “MOM…..I already know all that!”

So we get there we find his team, meet his coach, get his new GREEN jersey, find out their team was going to be the “green dragons” He was literally jumping for joy for so long before the game started and bombing out with the ball that I had to inquire if he had to go to the bathroom….he replied “No I just love soccer” He did great and I definitely underestimated my little man. He ended up scoring 5 goals his very first game! Chris and I said it will be a proud parent day we will always remember, something clicked with this little man that day. However, the pride doesn’t stem from a goal scored or a win under their belts as a green dragon but for all the following reasons instead:

1. Our little man was ENTHUSIASTIC about an activity and joined willingly!
2. Our little man greeted the team and his new coach as if they were his new best friends
3. Our little man screamed “This is the BEST DAY EVER” as he came over for halftime. (at half time he also declared that he will be sleeping in his soccer uniform)
4. Our little man took turns and cheered for his team LOUDLY when it was his turn to sit out.
5. After our little man scored a goal he bolted to the side line and I asked him what he was doing he said “I scored….. it’s kissy and cuddle time mom!” (this one might rank highest on my list)
6. At the end of the game he just looked at Chris and I and said “Do we come back tomorrow to play again?”
7. Seriously, most of all is that our little man is maturing, breaking out of his shell, trying new things and enjoying them – there is nothing better to watch than that!

I am going to go out on a limb and guess that Brady’s favorite part besides everything listed above was that his sister was FINALLY watching what he was doing!

However there are two things we still must work on........

1. Being Humble - perhaps shouting at the top of his lungs "can you believe it is 10-2" isn't his best choice

2. Cherry picking is usually frowned upon (hence the five goals.)

Decisions....

2011-05-01T16:50:00.001-07:00

As if life isn't stressful enough ......My poor 4 year old has to tolerate tough decisions each and every day..... The anxiety it must cause him is mind blowing, I mean first he must wake up every morning and carefully decide which superhero shirt to wear, and there might be days like this one where 50% aren't even available for choosing since they need to be laundered .........

And then once he finally gets him self dressed he then must contemplate which of his 894 plastic figurines will make the cut that day, and be found on each level of the house as well as in the car and in his school backpack......
Then on top of all this stress related decisions he must then choose what costume to place over his superhero shirt and fight all the evil plastic foes.....I honestly just don't understand how he does it.

Wouldn't it be unreal if this was what was plaguing your mind each and every day?

Easter Weekend

2011-04-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

The Wades paid us a visit this weekend to celebrate Easter and have the kids hang out. It was a great weekend where the kids played and played and played.......They are both on such even playing fields that it is nice to see them get along so nicely! We tried to capture the holiday spirit and color eggs, fill eggs, find eggs, eat eggs.....you get the picture......

Coloring in full swing.....

It takes a very steady hand....

Mixing and creating.....

Our friends hosted a great hunt for the kids.......240 eggs.......needless to say it is looked forward to by all...... Here are the kids breaking free after the adults caged them for a fair start.........

And their off..... I love how not one of them waited until the garage door was fully opened....

Brady bugs breaking in the opposite direction of the crowd.....smart thinking!

I love that her eyes are looking for the next one as she barely can concentrate to pick up the one she has in her hand.......

Brady boxing out ......

Everyone came out victorious, how can you not with 240 eggs! Thanks Calcateras....

Brady checking out his loot......

Brooke always comments to me "Mom isn't it weird that our best friends are from the same family" Sydney and Brooke get along famously and have determined that they are best friends, Rachel and I have known each other since 5th grade so it is really cute to watch their friendship blossom even though they don't see each other often. We just recently found out Sydney did a speech in her 2nd grade classroom all about her best bud Brooklyn. Cute. I hope they can always remain friends.

Fast forward 30 some years........

Anyone wondering where the boys fit into all this? I forgot to mention Paul and Chris also get along and bond over sports (do they really have a choice? Rachel and I aren't breaking up at this point.....) So they have been trying to get to a Tiger game for YEARS but scheduling and long drives it never seemed to work out until this weekend. Paul bucked up after a 3 hour drive to visit us he hoped in the car again for 2 more hours to land in Detroit and watched the Tigers play the White Sox.........

So yeah they were super bummed that they missed the Annual Calcatera Easter Hunt however hob-nobbing and sitting in front of Chris Chelios wasn't a far second choice.......Yeah I said sitting "in front" of Chelios.....I am sure those were Chris Munson's ORIGINAL seats........haha.

A few more years and these boys will be joining their dads ...........I don't know if it is as easy to scam seats with 4 people.....Maybe that is when Chris will finally buckle down....I doubt it but maybe!

We had our own little "jammie" hunt on Easter morning.......the kids getting ready to go on the search.....

off to the races.....

Counting the loot and making trades....

Ahhh Candy!

Nothing like a jelly bean and peanut butter cup breakfast!

Buckeye Break - 2011

2011-04-17T08:06:00.001-07:00

We headed out west again this year for Spring Break to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We welcomed the sunshine and warm climate after a long Midwestern winter! We relaxed and took in the great outdoors as much as we could. The kids had three requests when we asked them what they wanted to do when they got out there:

Brooke & Brady = The Pool EVERY day.

Brady - Wanted to Golf.

Brooke - Wanted to go horse back riding

Luckily we were able to fill every one's requests including mom and dad's that included a night away in Sedona and a southwestern meal full of beans and cheese!

Here are a lot of pictures from the trip.......Thanks again Mom and Dad for hosting!

First morning: there the kids up early with a 3 hour time change, jammies on and were outside soaking up the vitamin D!

Brady immediately found some mischief...... Park time before the pool opened......

Ahhh Finally Mike and Emily made it to the Pool! (their new names for the entire trip!)

AHHHH I wonder what my classmates are doing in School???

Happy as EVER.......

Well Brady's wish came through, we got to golf, play basketball & mom and dad tried their hands at Pickleball.

Tee Time....

Getting some snuggles as we watch the golfer go.......

Golf soon was taken over by a lot of silliness.......

Look Grandma - No Hands! Brady loved these fat noodles they have......they were his security blanket in the deep blue yonder......

Relaxing with G'ma & G'pa poolside....

One of the 486th "Mom Look at me" moments........

Who knew - in the middle of the desert.......

Lake Pleasant......

Heading out for some grub.......

Dad and Brooke dockside....

While Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to the zoo, Chris and I headed to see the Cliff Dwellings, drop some $ at the Casino, Visit a creepy ghost town Jerome, and shop and explore Sedona.......

Red rocks as far as the eye can see......

Also random sightings on our walk home from dinner.......still not sure what this is all about....

Our Hotel........beautiful scenary.......sunshine galore......and morning yoga on the lawn.....Nobody was mad.....nobody.

We got to go see a Coyotes game.......funny how Chris always seems to squeeze these in....

As we walked up to the field to watch Grandpa play

he hits a inside the park homer! He's still got it...... Rounding first.....

Again the main event........Brady was so brave and comfortable in the water......let's hope it continues this summer!

My wet little man!

Here we were fulfilling Brooke's request as we headed to the ranch to take them horseback riding.

Just as we were signing in this woman happen to catch and behead a rattlesnake....neat.

Apparently one little girl didn't mind holding it's skin while his head sat in that white bucket....

Here they go.....Brooke's Horse was named Tango and Brady's was Peanut.

As you can see and only imagine Brady wouldn't let go of my hand so I had to walk with him for a little while......

But than surprisingly he let go and went at it alone! The guide tried to talk to him and you can just guess how that went over.....complete silence.....he was white knuckled holding on.....but he was doing it alone.......

Heading back to the ranch......

Brooke and Tango....

Wagon Photo.....

Tango all tuckered out......

The festivities continued with an early Easter Egg Hunt.....

More pool fun....

This little man o' mine is too much ......he would spend hours talking to imaginary people in the water, karate chopping them, making escape plans for the rest of his power rangers.....he is just too much.....Oh that Mike........

Brooke posing per usual.....

Saying goodbye to Oscar.....

Maxing and Relaxing....

If only I could bottle it up.....

Again with the posing.......

Flowers in bloom.....

Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa for a great time and memories to boot!

Opening Day......

2011-04-08T17:59:00.001-07:00

The Tigers home opener is always a coveted event for dear hubbie, however it didn't really play out like it was supposed to ........ #1. He wasn't at the game as Ticketmaster makes it nearly impossible to get a ticket. #2. He was working, as it was a Friday #3. He was pulled away from his hot dogs and rusty old tiger seats that were all set up in our basement to spend most of the day at a body collision shop with a crunched up car. Luckily for the power of technology and a DVR he was still able to watch the game, not with a bunch of friends inhaling beers and hot dogs and commenting on every pitch, catch, and RBI. But instead the kids and I tried to recover any sort of take me out to the ball game atmosphere we could........sometimes ya gotta take what you can get. I can't say we added a whole lot of input on the game but we tried.

Our Little Miss Sunshine.....

2011-03-27T13:06:00.001-07:00

If ever we felt our life was like the movies it was this weekend......I am not sure if you have ever seen "Little Miss Sunshine" (if not I highly recommend!) Brooke had her first Hip Hop dance competition this weekend and it was so cute and funny all at the same time. Chris and I felt like we were Toni Collete and Greg Kinnear cheering on our little Olive. The only thing missing was the dead body in the trunk as we of course were running late and speeding to get there, we had listened to her song in the car 431 times by now and I was praying I would never hear it again, and Brooke was showing nerves as a SOLO performance she signed up for loomed ahead.......if anything the event was going to bring some good laughs.......

So here is the event, notice the 50 tumblers and dancers salivating over the trophy table.....

Brooke trying to act cool and calm and Dad watching just as nervous as she was..... She felt some sense of relief as other girls from her class and her teacher showed up to gain some sort of organization to this free for all......Brooke registered for 4 events......the first one being group dance, they split her class into groups of three.......Here you go I had to upload it to YouTube since it was too long for this bloggy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apIc87rAI84

Best Leap event.....

Best turn event.....

So the group performance and turns and leap were no big whoop.......but the nail biting and shirt chewing began immediately after as she was set to do her group performance that she has been "throwing" together in the basement with not one routine being like any other one she did before that, basically winging it.....we thought it would be better that way she wouldn't stress about remembering the moves and she certainly didn't have trouble making up moves for hours on end in the comfort of our own home.....but the nerves were still there....making it worse we found out she was one of two people doing the "solo" event and the other people were a "group" of four.....don't ask me how that is considered a solo, but it was......Bless her heart...... Here is our little Olive, Kudos for her getting out there in front of a hundred people or so in the gym and at least giving it a shot, unfortunately she "froze" literally. As hundreds of eyes loomed on her she just froze, poor baby even worse her Toni Collete and Greg Kinnear didn't jump up on stage with her we just watched and waited......wah wah wah. The teacher gave her a shot to try again but she declined. She had a good attitude about it and laughed saying she couldn't remember what to do, and we told her stuff like that will come easier as she has more practice and she said, "yeah I know...." and that was it......

Here she is accepting her medals she placed first in turn, 2nd in group, and third in leap.....and wait for it ........wait for it......2nd in solo (remember when I said there were only two people signed up)

One happy girl with a lot of hardware to take home. Good job Brookie!

For those of you who haven't seen Little Miss Sunshine I thought I would include this....It is so great! http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXtLsFsB70c

Earning her keep......

2011-03-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

Brooke's daisy troop has been working a lot on responsibility lately, and I struggle with how to handle chores. Not with the fact that they should do them, that is a no brainer. I struggle with the fact that she thinks that she should get money for doing them. This is my struggle. I say NO. I say chores are part of learning responsibility not earning money. I say chores are things you do to make the family function and work on an every day basis not a way to get things. So my little whippersnapper comes back to me with this one tonight....."Well mom don't you get money for doing your job".......son of a gun.......but I am standing my ground, I am not handing out cash for clearing the table and cleaning her room (Mom and dad you can wipe your smirks off of your faces.....) I still say those are things that make this family run and it's just part of the job of being a Munson.......so she will have to watch as her friends have big bank rolls and make wish lists of all the things they can afford while our little orphan Annie is paying her way this way........It's a hard knock life for Brooke........

Now I am not opposed to reconsidering my train of thought when she can operate a lawn mower or drive to the grocery store .........haha!

Sincerely,

Ms. Hannigan.

Not Old....Just Older.

2011-03-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Dear old Hubbie finally caught up to me and father time today. He always has those two months that he stays a different number than me and reminds me of it often. Well time is up, we both are 38 (he will argue that I am 38 and two months......) I will let him have his two months, I think he got a complex today as his sweet dear daughter presented him with these too winners un-prompted my me......

The card reads "I love you even though you are the oldest man on the planet, go Cuckoo..... P.S. you are so so so old ha ha ha ha on you and you are so stinky." Can you feel the love?

So happy birthday to my "younger" man, I know today wasn't filled with bells and whistles, hopefully we can make up our lunch date when this stomach flu passes :)

So as you blow out the candles for another year passed.....Just remember your not Old....Just Older.

Duck Tape Fixes Everything....

2011-03-06T05:12:00.001-08:00

It's been known as the fix it all cure and now I am starting to believe it.....it has even cured the winter boredom that is setting in.....See below.....

Brother bound and silent and sister is all smiles......

two pretend broken legs coming up........

Brady as always treating Uncle Greg with love and respect.....

22 more days until vacation.....can we make it??

My Funny Valentine.....

2011-02-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

I think my kids have officially watched too many episodes of Americas Funniest Videos. It is one of their favorite shows right now, they laugh hysterically at anyone falling, getting hurt or running into something. So when I asked the kids what should we get Dad for Valentines Day.....My four year old says this......

Mom we should get a pie and put it in a box with a spring at the bottom and when he opens the box it pops out and goes into his face. I thought, good for you..... a boy after my own heart, I think Mom can arrange that.

Seriously these kids worked so hard on this, and were literally peeing in their pants laughing every time they discussed how it was going to go down.......We didn't necessarily get the logistics of the original plan with the spring, but we came close? Here are my two little funny Valentines at work (well one of them anyway, Brady spent all his creative juices on the idea and made Brooke execute the plan which she was happy to do)

So then I go to get his real gift and my greedy little daughter says .......I am making another one.......little did I know she went upstairs to make another and comes after him with another I didn't have the camera ready for I didn't know her plan.....but I got the end where Fast hands Dad wasn't so slow this time.....

And my daughter learned her first lesson in Greed.......

So their final question of the night was .....do you think we will win the $10,000 from AFV? Ha!

Winter wrap up.......

2011-02-13T11:57:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy and fun winter......here is a quick update on what we have been doing........

Chris was able to make it and enjoy, despite a nasty cold and a bout of laryngitis, his most coveted weekend with his college buddies. His cold didn't delay his late night jam sessions, hockey games out in the bitter cold, and usual early fall out of the poker tourney. He may have paid for it in the following THREE weeks that the cough/cold stuck around for.....but given the choice again I don't think he would have changed a thing. Here is the "glory day" group.....

I also wanted to include some photos of the Blizzard of 2011 otherwise known as Snow-pocalypse 2011. It came fast, people spoke only of it for two days straight as businesses closed, school was closed for two days, roads took days to get plowed, and driveways took basically all day to shovel. We got a reported 16 inches and snow drifts beyond belief.....

And so we start....I love this picture as Chris looks at the snow plow thinking it would take this guy 30 seconds to do our drive if he was willing.....unfortunately he wasn't so it took us 4 hours.

The kids had a field day.....powder of fun, as far as the eyes can see.....

Literally snowed in!

Trying to save our deck from the weight of 16 inches of snow.

Coco living the dream in Chicago .....love the street parking.

Grandma's house with the lake effect drifts.

My Brady man is taking his first sports sampler class and it started out a bit rough, not knowing anyone, new teacher.......not being the kid to accept new situations.....but we held tough....it was really only the first class that he was unsure of......ever since then it has been.....Mom is sports class today??......last Friday he even was ordering me to drive faster as he didn't want to miss one minute of class. They have messed around with basketball, soccer, floor hockey, kickball.....he is loving it, and so am I since he has voiced an interest to play soccer this spring, hopefully this will be a nice transition.

Rounding the bases.....

The teacher commented....."looks like someones dad plays baseball" as he felt it necessary to slide into home plate!

So yeah some things are new for my little man ......but then some are not......still the struggle to get that first piece in his mouth.......oh it is painful......and it kills me because more often than not if I FORCE the first bite (because of course it looks odd and not like a pizza or hamburger) he usually ends up liking it and finishing the rest by himself. ABSURD. Look familiar Ma?

My Brooklyn is also trying some new things this winter she is currently taking Hip Hop dancing.....haha.....parents are not allowed to watch so no pix yet.... will have to wait for the performance. She also started piano and seems to like it, we are still trying to instill the will to want to practice a bit more. She seriously at 7 knows more about music than I do at thirty........something........ So dance and Piano and ...........

THE PHONE!

I say it as an extra curricular activity because it is she is obsessed. She calls Arizona for at least 30 minutes a day to talk to G'ma & G'Pa (thanks for always willing to talk!) I have parents calling me saying "Brooke just left us a message" SHE DID? We tried to tell her that "back in the day" we would have to pay for each "long distance" call and you have to pay for each minute you are on a cell phone. She didn't get it........I fear if Chris doesn't work out of the house at some point and doesn't get free phone service and this one becomes a teenager.....WATCH out......

She is a talker!

She is also super independent lately.....making her self breakfast, getting dressed by herself, bathing.......we are seeing the light. She even cleaned and re-arranged her room on her own (the clean really only lasted a few days)

Brooke also continues to loose teeth......she has five gone now.....This was the letter she left for the tooth fairy.....I mean it only makes sense (to her) to get $5 for her fifth tooth gone......Funny enough the Tooth Fairy didn't think it made sense.

Sweetheart Swirl - 2011

2011-02-08T17:36:00.000-08:00

Brooke and Dad attended their second annual Daddy Daughter Dance this past weekend and had a great time. She loves the process of getting dressed up, dancing and hanging out with friends from school and the neighborhood, and of course the ice cream (her self proclaimed favorite part!). Hopefully she will retain this as a fond memory of her childhood and of her Dad!

Now I will have to admit that I felt a little like a mom from that show Toddlers and Tiaras as I took Brooke, a seven year old, to go get her hair done. But I got word that a neighbor friend of hers who is two years older actually wasn't going to the dance this year because it wasn't "cool" anymore....... It made me sad and I wanted to soak up every ounce of her excitement about hanging out with her dad and have all the fixings to boot. When I told her what we were going to do she was a toothless grin from ear to ear.....All I told her is that we were going to go get her hair done fancy at a salon and this was her response......"OMG mom okay I think I should get highlights, and some streaks of black and then curls and then sparkly barrettes" I told her it wouldn't be that elaborate and the only person in this house getting highlights would be me! She was great, sat in the chair for an hour and asked the lady tons of questions and repeatedly told her how much better she was at this than her mom, which I responded "that is odd because it seems like you are much more patient and willing for her....." haha..... I could tell she felt important and enjoyed every minute of it........

Here is her $10 super-cut red carpet do.......

Checkity checking herself in the hand held mirror and every mirror that she came in contact with after that......the rear view mirror....the entire way home and then every single mirror in our house until it was time to leave for the dance.....I think she liked it.
Ta-dum......Mom she kept saying take one for Grandma - I promised her on the phone today....

Our Baby girl not looking so much like a baby anymore.....

Cue the closeup......

Now even more than the hair she couldn't get over the shoes......she begged.....she pleaded.....she talked about how grown up they were and how much they looked like Moms......but also saying to me don't even think about borrowing them......

There is a whole lot of something behind that smirk.......God help us!

If you didn't guess.....sequins were the theme! The shiner the better!

Dad and his girl.....

Brooke and Luci getting ready to head out....

Some neighborhood shots.....

And off they go......to dance the night away....

A New Game.

2011-02-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Now I will preface this, before I have each and every grandparent calling, that the kids did enjoy it and it was requested to do it over and over and over....and it IS laughter you hear....... I think the winter monotony is setting in..... I present to you "Try and get up......"

Mountains Of Memories.....

2011-01-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

We headed "Up North" last weekend, and hit the slopes. We continue to do a lot of snow plowing, pizza slices, and sweating.....but the kids continue to enjoy it and mom and dad got a few hours to ski on our own too (thanks Jen!) Brooke is getting braver, and tries her best to keep up with cousin Lexi, I think it makes her a better skier. Brady still loves going komakozi style, as fast as he can over the bumps, however this year it was a bit easier because his spine became upright and in turn so did our backs! It was a great weekend with the Novaceks and Warners here are some photos of the events.......

The clan on top o' "the mountain"

Let's just say you don't pack lightly when skiing.....

Our condo....

Brady taking a ride on the magic carpet to get his ski legs on.....

Cousins hanging in line for the lift......

Self portrait of "crazy Uncle Tom"

Tom Circuit 1991......nothing changes......oops except for his landing hehe......

Wooh hooo.... Spring Break Boyne 2011!

Jake the Rad boarder!!

Dad and Brookie on the lift....

Go speed racer ......Go speed racer.....Go.....

Brooke wasting time waiting in line.....

Some zoned out kids after a long day on the slopes.....

Here's some videos of the kids in action.....

The kids got word that there was a "hot" pool outside that was at our disposal......Most kids were 100% in.....EVERY adult was 100% out.....When asked after if it was worth it....they all responded "NO" haha no warm pool is going to offset temperatures in the teens! Needless to say there were some hot showers happening that night!

Brooke racing to get in.....

Rolling around in the snow....and jumping back in to see if it was warmer.....

Remember when I said most kids were into the outdoor pool........well the ONE kid who had his wits about himself was Mr. Brady....he decided to stay layered up and enjoy a skate around the rink while the other kids swam......smart choice!

We had a great time and had some good quality time to spend with family..........Thanks Tom and Jenn for setting it all up!

Snow much fun!

2011-01-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

Finally.

The snow is finally coming.........I am that person who is wishing for....wanting.....giddy when it happens...snow. Most people cringe and complain, but I say the more the merrier. (perhaps it is because I only have a six mile commute) I mean it is a dismal, cold, and long winter no matter which way you spin it, so why not have it snow so you can play! Play. We have been trying even despite its lack luster snowfall early over the holiday.... It started out over Christmas we had this fantabulous idea to build our own ice skating rink.......Chris shoveled, he built......it melted. We are attempting round two at it now that it is finally cold enough and are realizing it might take the Atlantic ocean to fill this so called rink......Chris may have bit off more than he can chew, but we will keep trying.....it might be a bumpy skate......but we will make it happen.

So until the Munson rink opens we have to make due at the baseball field! Brooke is becoming Chris' little ice companion......I think she is vying to stay up late to go to his hockey games :)

Brooke and I had a chance to go up to Caberfae on Xmas break and spend a day skiing.....she is getting there.....pizza slice.....pizza slice.....pizza slice.

Not to say that there weren't many falls and collisions......no fault to the girls this one was the grown ups fault.......

Riding the lift. Still have white knuckles.

Chris attempted snowboarding on Jake's board.......

Sledding with Cousins.

Uncle Tom giving an extra nudge!

Dad and Bugs ready for launch....

The need for speed.

Even I gave snowboarding a whirl......

As you can see..........

It didn't go well.........

So I think I am all set with the board........I'm old school I need skis, I need my legs to move independently of each other, I need skis, which I am looking forward to have strapped to both my feet this weekend as we head up north to Ski for the weekend. So as I look outside as the snow falls and they are predicting blizzard like conditions for Saturday.....I can't help but smile........
Winter. It's long. It's cold....but it is

SNOW MUCH FUN!

Happy New Year - 2011

2011-01-02T06:02:00.000-08:00