The Big 4-0!

Another one bites the dust.

Chris was the next fallen solider in the long string of 40 year olds we will know this year! So about two months ago I went to work, planning a surprise party, looking into weekends away however Chris revised all my plans as he told me numerous times he didn't want any big hub bub and just wanted to hang out with the kids. So I granted his wish (well kind of) we headed out to dinner with some friends, inhaled a large meal and then drove him over to a trampoline park to tell him he was about to play dodge ball with all his friends. (I figured if I incorporated a sport into the surprise it would fly) He just looked at me with a pained look and said "why would you let me eat my face off like that if you knew I was going to be jumping all night?" my reply?

"What are you 40? come on it will be a challenge!"

 

Here we are finishing "eating our faces off"

We all suited up and got our game faces on.....

game on......

There was a lot of time spent falling.....

as well as catching our breath.....40 becomes apparent quickly when you jump for a hour straight.

But they tried to endure.....

It was just as fun to watch as it was to play.

Man down....

I just like this one because there is zero activity except for a random giant leap from Rob.

Folks got into into it, sweatbands on, tramp shoes to boot, and then there is this guy......who really made an effort.

We couldn't let the boys have all the fun.....

We gave it what we had but lets be honest throwing against these boys we were never one of the last ones standing.

Again random jumping by one person....what is with those Damuths?

It was a great way to get some aggression out after a long day at work!

I am going to assume that grin means he was okay with the surprise.

Took a break to do some slam dunks...

Got to catch our breaths a bit and talk with old friends after at Gippers.

Happy Birthday to my 40 year old husband, I tried to comply with your wishes but I just knew dodge ball was so much up your alley that I couldn't ignore it!

I did make good on his other request, spending time with his kiddos. We got outta town for the weekend and enjoyed a water park with the kids.

The kids couldn't have been happier that Dad was getting old!

This was a gift in itself, Brady braved all the slides on his own, and was able to swim without mom and dad being in constant panic mode!

Happy as pie.

no words needed.

The toilet ball was their favorite....I think Chris and I were dizzy by the end of the day from swirling constantly in this with them.

The hotel had activities every hour to join in on....cookie decorating......

Roping classes.

Got em.....

caffeine breaks for exhausted water logged mom and dads.....

face painting.

and bull riding.....

yea haw......Brady hated me being on it, he thought I was going to get killed.

Brooke gave it a whirl and did great!

Back for round two on the toilet bowl....

hanging on for dear life....

line dancing with my little guy.

Thanks for joining me on the ride down the hill. Happy Birthday Hubbie!

February.

At this rate, I may only end up with 12 posts in 2013. Well you guessed it, another month here and gone in a blink of an eye. With birthday celebrations, a large construction project for work, tax returns on the side all coming to a close, I am finally trying to get caught up from the whirlwind that was this last month. Here is a quick run down of our month of February.

 

Valentines day parties at school.

A kindergartner who still gets excited for his mom to come to those parties.

Annual hockey and hold em weekend in Illinois.

Chris and Todd braving the ice.

We introduced a new event this year Whirly ball. Think Lacrosse on bumper cars.

It was of course hilarious and fun.

See the backboard you had to get it in there with a track ball flipper all while people ram into you.

The gang 2013.

I mean this is really Chris' weekend that I tag along for.....and for 7 years running I finally got my payday, this was my loot at the end of the night after 14 fallen soldiers.....the best one being Scott!

February also means running on ice......ouch this one put me out for over a week. Probably not a great idea when I cut it open within the first quarter mile and then continued to run on it for 10 more miles :(

Brooke finished up her basketball season and had a great time with these girls.

Had to say goodbye to a friend and neighbor that will be missed dearly.

We continued to take advantage of the rink as long as the snow keeps falling.

Another two snow days off from school in February. I love it when they fall on a Friday!

They love it when it happens anytime...Brooke and Ruth making music videos

Concerts with friends and "extra tickets"!

We FINALLY wrapped up Odyssey of the Mind. This was Brooke's first year, and it was an eye opener the commitment and patience it takes. They worked on their problem from September until now, there is absolutely no parent help, as much as I tried to persuade them to ideas I was shushed by their coach. All in all they did really well, took 5th place and have a better understanding of what it is all about.

They were presented with a problem that they had to demonstrate "odd" behavior in a normal setting and then another setting where the "odd" behavior becomes normal. So in a nutshell they had a pizza parlor where the people sang and danced all the time "odd"  I honestly thought about including the video but after 6 months of being face to face with it and still not completely understanding it, I didn't think it would be worth the effort.

Her group.....out numbered, but she held her own with all these boys!

Awards and trading banquet.

Brady and I hit our first Mommy/Son dance this year!

He had fun with the boys....

It was more of a game night then a dance, think minute to win it games all night.

Of course suckered into the photo booth.

Brady also made some "waves" by finally letting the teacher let go of him and swim on his own! He was very proud and his parents are very relieved that his is actually getting it 2+ years in swim classes.....oh vey, this guy likes to take his time!

 Way to go bugs - hes ready to move up to the next level! Perfect timing for Grandma and Grandpa's pool in a few weeks!

 

 And that my friends was the better half of February.

 

Camera Shy.......

Remember that little guy who used to hide behind my leg and need time to warm up to everyone? Well he has unwrapped his grip, and is starting to get comfortable in front of the lens. Here he is testing out some moves to the different ring tones to his "pretend phone". Essentially it becomes the same move just to a different beat. Sorry about the side view and the amount....they just make me smile.

 

 

 

 

Here he is with a buddy doing slow-mo action fight scenes.....

January.

In an attempt to catch up on all things that were January.....I realized just how behind I am and how busy we continue to be. So here is what we spent the last month or so doing.....

 

Sledding with cousins.

 

Removal of hardware and completion of phase one orthodontic plan.

Cashing in on some fun Christmas gift cards......Brooke shared her pottery painting one with her brother who concocted this.....

Participated in crazy hair day at school.

Continue to shovel the ice rink for hours until our neighbor just let us know they have a snow blower and have since graduated to that with all our snow fall as of late.

 

Night time skating parties....

 

After school skating play dates...

Participated in Winter sports......Brooke loves indoor soccer, even more than outdoor she proclaims.

She continues to hustle and enjoys both offense and goalie at times....

Brady also joined in on indoor soccer this year.

He's a bit of a cherry picker still....but has his moments on defense.

Those lil' chicken legs have some gas in them when they choose to.....

Brooke also tried basketball for the first time this winter, and seems to be really enjoying it. It's fun to watch her learn something new.

She takes the man to man defense to heart. Literally won't leave her girl she sticks to her like glue, even when she is on offense, again still learning.....we will get there.

 

Just try and get past me......

 

Oh no you don't......

The dribbling is a bit high and uncontrolled but practice makes perfect. These poor girls (insert short Munson) have to shoot on 10 ft. rims so most of the play is within 2 ft of the basket.

We took advantage of a Friday snow day when mom is home and hit the slopes.

 

Oh yeah and I almost forgot......

 

I TURNED 40!!

 

Chris and I spent the weekend downtown Chicago celebrating. We shopped, ate everything in site, went to a show, went to the signature room at the top of the Hancock building, and managed to hobble around the city with Chris' injury.

We saw Blue Man Group, very interesting, and very different from what I expected.

we were in the splash zone seats and then got to meet the guys after.

Oh and then I was lucky enough for this guy to come and sing to me at work in front of 50+ patients and 30+ co-workers.......for not one but THREE whole songs of good ol' fashion country music and dancing. It was horrible! He continually asked me to sing and dance with him, I told him I normally would but since it is 10 AM (yes 10 AM and only a orange juice under my belt) and for the fact that I don't know one country song, and his colone drenched body suit was making me nauseous, I declined. Imagine that. So as you can guess I have now nominated myself to be the head of all birthday planning party committees and everyone who is close to a milestone birthday at work will rue the day they ever crossed me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I mean I did end up with a signed 4x6 what more could I ask for.

 

So I am really EM "BRACING" turning 40, LITERALLY this is what came in the mail as I rounded the midlife corner......are you kidding me. Timing was impeccable. In all honestly I am really fine with it, as an accountant,I round up and have been calling my self 40 ever since I turned 35, I am healthy happy and looking forward to the next decade of my life and that trip to Costa Rica that we want to make happen!

And that my friends was January.