SNOW!

We are having some major snow flurries right now...pictures to come!

Here we are (again)

Yes folks, that is right...another News Register (local newspaper) article about one of my students in my classroom!  The fall of 2009 was good for us!  With this kind of coverage I should look into some hair/make-up each morning for all my students!  HA!

December 2008

Last December we (in the PacNW) were hit with a ton of snow.  It covered the ground.  Filled the streets.  Blanketed the trees and shrubs.  We were in a winter-wonderland for 2 solid weeks.  Some really hated it.  Some love it.  I am in the "loved it" category.  Here is why. We all slowed down last year.  We had to.  Driving was almost impossible.  Going outside had to be planned (mittens, hat, scarf, jacket, boots).  The everyday noise outside was reduced dramatically.  Watching the snow fall silently was peaceful and sweet.  The Christmas spirit was easy to catch and easier to pass along.  The five snow days we had to make up in June were not a problem for me at all.  It was easy. 

This year? 
No snow.

Christmas spirit? 
No comment.

Reaidng my blog posts from last December and seeing those pictures brought back some of that spirit of fun and excitement. 

Think snow.

Why is it...

that when I am up late watching TV


...I find the commercials witty and great to watch?

...I find blogs that can make me laugh and cry?

...I read blogs that I will soon forget about and even sooner forget how I got to that blog?

...I find some random movie/show that I HAVE to finish watching no matter what time it is? (ie Xanadu)

...when I reply on friends' blogs, I think they think I am crazy for being up so late.

...I reply on random blogs and feel weird about it.

...I get soooo thirsty and wonder why I am not thirsty when I sleep?

that when I am on Winter Break

...I feel so completely disconnected from my classroom?

...I am happy to not leave my house for days on end?

…I think of about a million things I want to do?

And why is it that I can't find the spellcheck on my blog?  I never feel more complete then when I am hugging my boys?  That seeing my boys smile and looking into their eyes can make me tear up with joy?  That watching TV that has food (that I think is gross) will make me gag?  And why is that that thoughts in my head always seem more profound and deep while they are in my head and seem to get lost in some sort of typing-translation?  I think it is time for me to go to bed.

Merry, Merry Christmas

It has been a fabulous day filled with love, laughs, naps and toooooo much food and drink!  My Aunt Vicki and her two girls came up for the day and we have been talking non-stop and laughing since they arrived!  My mom (as usual) has made some yummy food and Carlos has been mixing up the drinks.  All the kids got some great and thoughtful presents from family and friends.  A very special shout-out to my sister who gave me a great Starbuck's cold drink cup!  So cool.  All in all it has been a great Christmas day.  Hope you and your family have enjoyed your time relaxing and spending time with your friends and family. 

Anna and Tramaine coming in...all smiles!

Check out the look on my brother's face!  What the heck is he thinking?

Here are my cousins enjoying my mom's tasty breakfast!

Cole and Zac enjoying some play time...with a gun.  (Nerf)

After eating, after playing, after opening presents...just the two cousins chill'in. 

Merry Christmas!

*A HUGE thanks to Ethel for all the pictures!*

OSU

I took all the kids to the OSU bookstore down in Corvallis. We had a great time! We shopped a bit and then walked out in the MU quad and asked them (made them) to pose for some pictures. They were so great and I was happy to get some great shots. They loved watching Zac and making sure he was involved in everything they did. Such a great big brother and Taylor and Cole are awesome cousins!

I love these three shots. Zac wanted to do nothing but sit on the steps. I was very content to let him and watch as they interacted so lovingly. Taylor and Cole started to clapp and sing and Zac joined right in...notice the look on his face. Pure love and joy for his cousin!

I am not sure if he could be any cuter! 

My boys on the steps of the MU. 

What trip to Corvallis would be complete without hitting the American Dream Pizza, Co? 

Then we went make a very short visit to Audrey and her baby Powel.  So cute and they have the best play room for the boys.  After a very quick catching-up we went to our 4th stop of the day...my Aunt's house across the great city of Albany.  We didn't stay long because we will see her all day on Christmas and we needed to make our final stop fairly early.  We met up with Beth and Brian and their kids at an Albany hotel for some good conversationi and swimming.  What a fun and very busy day! 

Here is  my favorite shot.  I got quite a few of them walking hand-in-hand back to the car.  They were laughing and trying to stay in somewhat of a line so I could get them all in the picture.  I had just said, "Please, don't turn around.  I like the pictures I am taking."  At that very moment Zac turned around and gave me this hilarious look!  We cracked up!  What a ham.

Reader's Theater

Here are kids from CJ's 4th grade class doing a Reader's Theater in Spanish! For those of you who don't know, he has been in a Dual Language class since Kinder. He does great and really enjoys learning...in English and Spanish. These kids have all been together since Kinder (and some before) and they are really good friends. I love seeing him doing this with some of his closest friends! Love these kids!

Thankful and Hopeful

I am so thankful for my wonderful boys and fabulous husband. I am also thankful I am a teacher...I do love it for many reasons:
-being around kids
-teaching
-my wonderful colleagues
...and of course CHRISTMAS VACATION! 

I am hopeful for a great two weeks with my family and friends.  Doing what we want, when we want and how we want to do it!  Bring it on two weeks! 

(Anna...I was going to blog this even before I read yours)

...and again we are in the paper!

So, I was featured in the local paper for writing a grant and implementing a PO system at our school.  Fun and a school-wide thing, but get this....

Here is one of my students featured for volunterring at our local community garden!  Way to go RoseLynn!
http://web.newsregister.com/news/results.cfm?story_no=256000

Then we had an Artist in Residence come to our school and teach the whole entire school Chinese Brush Art.  It was such a great time and we all learned so much.  Guess what?  The local paper came and took pictures during my class's session!
http://web.newsregister.com/news/results.cfm?story_no=256724

Finally, one of the educational assistants that come to my room daily and is the MOST FABULOUS ever was asked to talk about her life as a child in Ecuador AND (you guessed it) they came to take a picture of her while she was in my classroom!  (You can see my whiteboard in the background...a little TOO big if you ask me)
http://web.newsregister.com/news/results.cfm?story_no=257041

All in all it has been great to have so much coverage, but I am looking forward to some time out of the spotlight!  HA!  My kids have been thrilled and we have multiply copies of the paper brought to us and we put them in our newsbook each time! 

What is next?  Not sure.  But we will be ready and smiling!

Post Office

I wrote a grant last fall with three other teachers, it was fun.  I have never been the lead grant writer on a team so it was nice to spearhead the whole project.  Also, three out of four us on the PO team were on maternity leave, so we had time to chat on the phone and bounce ideas off one another. 

The grant was to implement a post office within out school.  We went for the real street signs, post office area for gathering and sorting mail and of course each classroom had their own mailbox outside their room.  Upon my return from maternity leave, hitting the ground running and balancing work and home the PO did not make it off the ground last year.  We had planned for the spring, but it just didn't happen.  Then on the last day of school I ordered all the materials and spent all the grant money in about an hour and a half!  The easy part of done!  Fast-forward to August of this year and the PO committee met and with an agenda and some very organized teachers and extremely effecient team-work we got the bulk of the business done!  Yeah. 

PO area set: complete with sorting station, color-coded hanging baskets for the street names and a delivery tub!  Too cool.  (I had named the halls after the cougar habitat, but after a staff meeting at the end of the year last year, the staff from those halls came up with their own...and better names.  Really fun to get their input and buy-in and all their individual ideas!)  So, the street signs came in and went up, hanging from the end of the halls...looking reall official and cool. The individual mailboxes were hung outside the classrooms, the real mailbox was by the main office and two maps were made (for the office and the PO/letter carriers).  We were set AND before the first day of school!  Yeah.  The plan was to be up and running for the first day and we did it!  There were many other details that went on and it was very fun, overwhelming and exhausting, but well worth it.  And now, a few months later with the PO running smoothly and all the kinks ironed out, it is a really great and authentic way for parents, students and teachers to communicate with each other.  Fun. 

We did have the local newspaper run an article on us http://web.newsregister.com/news/results.cfm?story_no=254615 and they then ran it in the associated press.  We went national in a few weeks and started to get letters from post-masters!  Our local post-master ordered us an official stamp to cancel letters with, complete with our cougar logo!  We are rocking and a rolling and loving it!  Thanks to the McMinnville Education Foundation for the grant money and all the hard work and dedication from our staff!  It has been a great experience.  I am glad we did it and I am more than happy it is up and running and I am oh-so thrilled that that amount of time and energy has been well spent.

No I didn't...Yes you did (Repeat 5 times)

Sometimes being a teacher also means I have to be a referee.  And sometimes those arguements are really hard to figure out.  Take today's example...

We are making a mural backdrop for our reader's theater performance coming up in a few days.  We have invited parents and other classrooms.  Every year I do this 2-3 times.  It is a big deal for me and especially for the kids.  We usually have a great time and acting in front of the class always brings out the best in the students.  They are always so awesome!  Anyway...today two students thought messing around with the mural would be funny, ie adding some poop to a drawn tutle.  Childish, rude and I didn't think funny even for 7-year olds.  (And I can laugh at some good poop humor, usually)  But this was just not cool.  But the part that got me the most was that they both lied to me.  To my face.  More than once.  Now I know most kids (and even some adults I know) will lie rather than be caught at whatever they did wrong.  I just don't get it.  Why lie?  I mean...I know why people lie...but...why?  It will always come back and bite you in the butt...and not when you are expecting it.  Karma always remembers and knows where to find you, no matter how young or old you are.  Anyway, after telling the kids exactly how I felt and my no tolerance policy about lying then walking them down to the office I calmed down just a bit.  And, by the end of the day all was right again with the world and we agreed that tomorrow would be better ( as per the great book, Lily's Purple Plastic Purse) but for the record I really, really, really hate the "No I didn't...Yes you did"

Breaking My Neck

I did break my neck.  I have never broken any other bone in my body before or since that one spring day in 8th grade.  Where did this come from?  A teacher friend broke her wrist last week during a routine fire drill.  Bummer, I know.  We started about bones we had broken and their stories.  Of course I had to open with, "I broke my neck once."  HA!  Sounds funny now too.  Anyway, I know you are dying to hear the story and of course I will tell it. 

I was int he 8th grade, in PE class and the teacher went down to hang the attendance slip.  Do you even remember when the attendance was hung outside the room?  Crazy.  Now we do attendance on the computer in about 2 seconds while in the classroom.  Much safer.  So, of course when the teacher went downstairs a few of us started doing flips...running as fast as we could, jumping on the vault and flipping over the horse.  What fun!  As I was telling this to my colleagues I was cracking up: #1 This was not just PE class, it was PE in the special gym for gymnastics.  It was a full gym with tons of gymnastics equipment...and super fun.  #2 I had to imagine doing these flips in my 8th grade body and mind!  Whew!  I know I can still run and jump on a vault...but go into a hand-stand and flip over?  Yikes!  So, back in time to 8th grade...I run.  I jump.  I go into a full hand-stand and then fail to flip over.  I land on my head on this side of the horse.  Apparently inches from the corner of the vault, but that was never really confirmed except by my 8th grade friends at the time.  I crumpled into a ball.  The kids gatherer around.  The teacher returned.  I was then instructed to walk to the guidance room and call  my mother.  Believe it or not?  Well, sad but true I did walk there with a friend and called my mom.  What happened after that was I went for x-rays and they found that my 7th vertabre almost pulled completely apart.  Break?  Well, the doctor did say that I did the most damage without really doing any real damage.  Scary.  three weeks in a full neck-brace, hating life, then a few more weeks in a smaller neck-brace.  Totally hated every second of it and remember throwing it in the garbage can! 

So, fast-forward a few decades and I still worry that the scar tissue will cause me some problem in the future, that something will cause it to "break" again or worse yet...I will have a desire to run and jump and do a flip off a vault!  HA! 

What have you broken lately?

Parade and a Christmas Tree

We went down to our local parade and watched Santa arrive on the firetruck.  It was fairly entertaining.  Of course Aunt Vicki was up for a visit.  We do love our Auntie visits, she is so fun and CJ loves (loves) playing games and hanging out with her.  Here are the boys and Auntie on a horse-drawn carriage ride.  Too fun! 

The next day we went to get our Christmas tree at a place where they have some fairly interesting statues.  Well, here Zac is checking out a small buffalo!  Not sure what he is hoping to find, but really?  Checking out the tail?  Ha!

 My boys! 

More time or is is just different time?

So, since the deactivation I have been busy.  I do have more time to do more things.  Are these things better than roaming Facebook and reconnecting with people from my past?  Not sure.  But I do know this...as I tell people that I no longer have a FB account I am getting some of the same responses.  Here are the top responses:
#1.  "Why?"  (I then tell them and they still don't get it and think I am crazy)
#2.  "Really?  I have been thinking of doing that too." (Then we have a conversation about how to d it and how FB really does not want you to leave and how creepy that is)
All in all a week has gone by and I am doing fun fine.  I do think about my former love and how much fun we used to have and I also think about all the useless information I used to gather daily and then quickly forget.  Which brings me to another top response, #3.  "Why delete it?  I just go on there to see what people are doing.  I never post."  Well, that is just creepy too.  I have thought about some of the people that can no longer contact me easily but I am not too worried.  Our paths will cross again.  It is a small world.  I don't think I need FB to bridge that gap for me.  So here I am off on week two of FB freedom.  We will see how it goes. 

Using a Straw

That's right folks...Zac used a straw for the first time today.  Is this blog-worthy news?  Not sure.  But in light of my recent break-up with Facebook I had no other outlet for such a breaking news release.  So here I am blogging about my little guy using a straw for the first time.  I think it is pretty cool.  It does make life simplier on many levels.  When going out to a restaurant he can now drink from a straw rather than me hopefully remembering his sippy cup and if not then he is stuck with me helping him drink from a glass and getting his shirt soaked every  time.  So this could be a great adventure for him.  Time will tell.

A huge big thanks to Kari who took the time to teach Zac.  They had a great time.  Thanks!

50 minutes and revitalized

It was a bit like going to the spa. 

I have been thinking about things for awhile and after sloughing and scrubbing out the not-needed part in my life I am back to the basics.  I start this post just 50 minutes after deactivating my FB account permanately and revamping and renaming this blog of mine.  It feels like having newly painted toes and a clean shiny face from going to the spa.  My pores are cleansed and I smell great!  Although this change did not hit my pocketbook it might hit other parts of my life. Time will tell.  I do know that after a fabulous trip to the spa it is a bit harsh reentering the world when first stepping out into the bright sunlight.  I expect the same during this transition.  But ohhhh, I am so excited. 

Deactivated

"Too much. Too tired."
I have deactivated my Facebook account. It was coming. I knew it was. I was ready.
How do I feel right now? Fabulous. Free. Ready for time to do something else.

Here is something interesting. When you go to deactivate your account you have to give a reason. You can't just deactivate by selecting "other". I tried. I may have forgotten, but I don't recall Facebook needing a reason I joined but here they are feeling like a wounded friend and requiring me to tell them why I am leaving. Argh! So I put, "I don't have time" and guess what? Another window popped up and told me how Facebook can help with my problem. I was floored. Facebook really wants me so badly that it was negotiating with my decision? At that point, deactivation was not coming fast enough.

Good bye to my new friend. You knew the 2D version of me and I am ready for some 3D action, face to face. You knew me as a few short lines of post, often sarcastic and venting and often highlighting only one thread of my life and I am ready for some real conversation with voice, intonation and reflection. I am ready to return to my former life.

I wonder when I am going to pick up a journal and pen again? Blogger are you up next?

Whew...

I had a great day at work. I really do love teaching. My kids are great this year and I am enjoying each and every day. They are a really fun group of kids. Nothing to complain about there. They were particularly funny today and rather full of energy. Whew...sometimes 23 2nd graders can wear me out! My favorite quote of the day went to sweet G (can't tell you the real name) who let me know that, "Mrs. Lomas. I got it all figured out. I get life now." Then she proceeded to tell me, and the rest of the class, how it all just came to her today. It was so sweet, authentic and real that I am hoping she will remember it for the rest of her life. I know I will.

I love spending time with my boys and learning new things about them. Today I went to Portland and in the hour plus car ride CJ and I talked about so many things. He is such the chatter and always has so many things to say. I am usually amazed at what is going on in his head and what he is thinking about and today was the day I had time with him along and got to hear it all. We chatted about him being bi-racial, 9/11, the war and MLK. Just a few light topics to pass the time. Whew... a fabulous, intellectual conversation can be exhausting. He reminded me how a 9 year old can look at the world so innocently and still be smart and insightful.

Some friends are just the cat's meow. (Whatever that really means, not sure but I know that it is really, really good) They get me. I mean really get me. I don't have to do a lot of over-explaining. They can read-between the lines really well. They say just the right thing at just the right time. Some friends (thanks B & B) are really good cooks too! Some friends provide just the right oasis at just the right time. Whew...I needed that today!

I taught my last class of the term today for the university. Whew! What an interesting roller coaster ride that has been. Up...down...loopy-loop and back again. It has had its really high points and a few really low points. I have learned a lot and can see how I am growing as a teacher of adults. (FYI, 2nd graders are way more forgiving. Might have something to do with they are not paying $1000/term. Go figure.) Whew...they wore me out today. Now I get to grade papers. Yeah.

At the end of the day, relaxing and reflecting on a very long day, and realizing that with the great and good of the day there is also the bad and the ugly. Not always is there both and some days lean towards the good more than the bad (and visa versa). Part of life right? So why is it that after such a full day of good and great and fun and exciting and moving in a forward direction that at the end of such a wonderful day that part that is replaying over in my brain is the one tiny bad and ugly? Maybe I need to ask my 2nd grader that has it all figured out.

Together Again

The mighty hunter has returned without firing a shot. Year after year he tries this hunting thing. And another year has passed with him returning empty handed. Bummer. I do feel for him. He puts so much in and gets little return. Of course I say "little return" because what happens while hunting, well it never leaves the mountain. (Thanks goodness. I sure don't want to know!) This is a culture that I have never been a part and am perfectly content staying on the fringes and watching from afar.
After a week of elk hunting hubby has returned and all is right in the world again. I am not cut out to be a single mom. It is hard work! To all you single moms out there...past, present and future...you have my up most respect. Again my family is here to lend a helping hand with the kids, provide me with some adult conversation and just knowing they are around is a comfort. My aunt Vicki came up to stay with us for four days! Four days of a loving aunt watching my kids, playing games (CJ was overjoyed) and making sure they were safe and happy while I worked and their daddy was away. I am truly blessed.

A Time to Remember

I love when I remember something about my grandparents. It can can be sparked by a smell, sound, word, phrase, locale and/or picture. You know what I speak of...it is crazy how even the smallest, tiniest memory can bring a flood of emotions. All of my memories of my grandfather make me smile, giggle, laugh, chuckle and feel warm and cozy. He was a great man. He was so helpful and kind to everyone. He volunteers for so much and gave his time freely. He was always willing to help out. I remember asking him to help me with a project my senior year in high-school (drawing a cartoon) He not only did it, but explained the background, gave insight and was happy to help me out. He let me drive when I had my permit...those were fun times. He let me use his truck to drive into town when I needed (wanted) to visit my friends. He understood that sometimes it is nice to just sit and be still. He loved butter! He ate it on everything. He knew how to have a good time. He always had a funny joke to share. My mom made him lobster dinner for his birthday every year. He always wore a hat. He loved my grandma very much. He thought us kids were sometimes too wild and crazy. He liked to sit around and talk. He was smart and loved to tinker with things, figure them out. He could take apart anything and put it back together...cleaner and running smoothly. I love that my son CJ is so much like him. I love when I see CJ working on a project and using so much detail, it reminds me so much of my grandpa. I love when I see CJ helping others and being kind. He really is so much like his (middle) namesake, Jules E. Utterberg, my gramps. Today is a day to remember all that you did for your family and for your country. You loved Veteran's Day. I loved seeing you in your uniform, hat and pins. You were so self-less and gave so much to so many. You will always be remembered in my heart.

The Miracle of Friendship

It makes me laugh to know they all flew 3,000 miles and then come to sit in airplane seats and watch a video on the Spruce Goose.

It truly is a miracle. I am not sure why there are some people who I meet and instantly we are friends for life. Is is the time we meet, the what-we-are-doing and what-we-have-in-common? Is it the circumstances of our meeting? Combination? Why is it that some people have to "grow on ya" and then finally you are friends? For whatever reason this friendship started and now has stayed for 19 years is amazing. We met our first term at OSU and she left the following term. Those two short terms were packed with excitement, drama (more than I care to remember), laughs and the sleepless nights of studying and partying as only you can do your freshman year of college but they sealed a friendship. She moved to NYC to become a nanny.

I went to visit Katy back in 1996 for a fabulous 10 days in NYC. She was the perfect hostess and took me all over the city. Country mouse had met city mouse. I loved every second there. The city that never sleeps was a giant playground of fun. We had some good times in those days. She came back home to OR for a visit here and there over the years. We talk on the phone and now with texting and Facebook, well it seems we are more connected than ever. I do love hearing her talk though...she has a bit of a NY accent.

She came to visit her sister and we made plans to do dinner. Her hubby and two boys were coming for a family vacation. I was so excited! We met at the Evergreen Museum, home of the Spruce Goose, did some tourist stuff and then headed back to our house for some dinner and let the boys play. My 9 year old and 1 year old had a blast with her 6 and 4 year olds. Four boys and lots of toys all over the house was perfect. Can I just say she has not changed a bit in 19 years! All in all is was a quick visit but perfectly wonderful. The husbands met (and got along), the boys all played together and Katy and I got to catch up. I am hoping that I can blog soon about a trip to NYC!

Happy Halloween

What a busy, fun day! My aunt came up again am for a visit and we walked downtown to window shop and get out and about. We left before the downtown merchants put on their Halloween celebration so we missed about 1,000 kids waiting in really long lines for candy. Whew! My little Tigger was so cute! He also knew he was cute. I am not even kidding. First of all he let me hold his hand for about two blocks (small miracle) then he would catch his eye in a window, run towards it and growl. It was so stinking cute! We were totally cracking up. Of course everyone who did see him in costume let him know he was adorable, cute and so sweet. I am sure he understood every word too! CJ was Anikan Skywalker (aka Darth Vader before he turned to the dark side) which is pretty sweet since last year he went as Obi-Wan. (used the same costume two years in a row...sweet!) My mom stopped by on her way to a Halloween party...go figure, the 60+ year old has plans on a Saturday night! She went as a cowgirl, Lynda as a witch and Ross as Neo. They were so cool! So, all in all Halloween was fun and exhausting. All had a great time and all my little monsters are home relaxing or snoozing.

Out for a walk

I went for a walk. Just Zac and I in the stroller. I thought he would take a nap. He had only slept for 30 minutes earlier that morning and with a nice walk...I thought he would snooze for a few hours. It did not work at all! In fact he was wide-awake, laughing, smiling and talking the whole time. The only thing I can think of is that he too thought it was too beautiful to sleep and waste the day away. I thought the last bright sunny days were over but then...OR weather makes a turn for the better (again). I can't remember the last time I took pictures of nature, but it was such a gorgeous day I felt the need to stop, look up and snap a few of the colorful leaves against this blue sky. I do love trees! My camera and lack of photography skills do not do justice to the spectacular, vibrant colors, but you can get the idea. There was not a cloud in the sky! Gorgeous.

Park (cont)

Here is the rest of the gang...The kids are in the play boat, all pretending to go for a ride, the swings were a favorite and Maddy (now 5 years old) wanting to sit in the baby swing, which lasted about 3 seconds cracked me up...she was soooo not comfortable! Carlos ended up showing up for about 5 minutes (enough for me to get a picture of my boys!) and my mom stopped by for a bit too. Again, we had a real nice day. Back at the house Brian and I were on the front porch while the kids took naps and played on the wii and this is the conversation that has a still laughing almost 2 weeks later!

Me: (looking down the street at a girl walking her dog and watching her dog leave poop on the sidewalk...not picking it up!) Geez, she is not going to pick up her dog's poop.
Brian: I hate that.
Me: Yeah. Gross.
Brian: (yelling) PICK IT UP!
Me: Shhhh...geez. (laughing)
(Enter lone walker. Male. Directly in front of my house. Hears Brian yell, PICK IT UP!)
Lone walker: This is all I've got in me.
Me and Brian: (3 second delay) Roars and roars of laughter...
(2 weeks later...still laughing)

(the last) Sunny Fall Day

After a stormy, windy, rainy, thunder-storm and lightening weekend...I thought I would finally post some pictures of (maybe it was the last sunny day of fall) us at the park with our friends: Brian, Miles and Maddy (Beth was at home). It was a great day of just hanging out, laughs, pizza (and beer), ice cream and a really long walk. The kids did a great job. We even made it to the best toy store ever, Hopscotch. I did go overboard a bit on this first collage with only pictures of Zac...but I seriously could not resist all those pictures. I guess it is just a natural consequence of taking so many pictures.

Auntie Anna is 30!

My seeeeeeeeeeeeestor, the best auntie to my kids, a great sister-in-law to my hubby and a wonderful human being to boot! She is so much the ying to my yang and the tall to my short. She makes me laugh, lets me vent (at any hour...day or night), always returns my calls and loves me unconditionally. She is clever and witty. We have our own secret language filled with private jokes and "remember whens". She loves board games, cards and games. She is competitive on and off the many courts she plays and coaches on (tennis and VB). She is smart and understands the educational field. I love that she lives near me so I can smother her with love, laughs, my kids, my life and my questions. HA! She is 30 years old! I can't believe it. There is nothing like a sister. We get each other. We get each other through the thick and thin. I love how our sister roles have changed and evolved over the years...it is nice and comforting. Warm and fuzzy. Sweet. Happy Birthday Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeestor! I love ya!

Zac the Swimmer

That slide is super-slippery! He just shot right out of there. Good catch Carlos.

This one cracks me up. He is just playing with his feet and laughing.

Zac has crossed his legs for as long as I have known him...saw it for the first time in the ultrasound picture. Too cute!

Going under...and loving it!

Hi Mom and Brother! He gave us the huge-est wave when he saw us. He was totally showing off his swim stuff.

I took Zac to the first three swim classes and then Carlos has been doing a great Daddy job at taking on the last four sessions. They both love it. It is fun to see Zac interact with his Dad in a new location. They were both laughing, swimming and having a blast.

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

Aunti Vicki, Zac and the soccer player

Zac...looking too cute in his hat! Check out last year (right corner, Zac on Carlos' shoulder)

I little late on the "hey, soccer is here", "check out the rain..must be soccer season" and "soccer mom-isms", but here some pictures. If you are wondering why I have not been blogging about soccer practice and games it is well...because I try really hard to stay away from soccer. (just kidding...a little bit) Soccer is not my favorite. I like it. It is OK. But I prefer baseball and basketball. CJ has been playing soccer for five years, I am still not sure about all the positions on the field or who can or can't be off-sides. I can tell you I love watching CJ play soccer. Run up and down the field and listen to him talk soccer with his Dad. I do get excited for him when he does well and I can do all the necessary talks when it was a not-so-great game, but I just don't enjoy the game itself. Sidenote: I am in for many more years of soccer because baby Zac (not sure how much longer I can call him baby...sorry, small birdwalk) was trying to put on CJ's shinguard. So, so, so cute. Anyway, soccer is going well this season. Good team, great coach and the first year of the big field.

My aunt came to visit this weekend and as we were driving down into Joe Dancer Park this is what she said to CJ, "There are your foes. There is the team you are going to beat. Be aggressive. Win. Play hard. Don't let them intimidate you." I am sure the competitive side is alive in well on my side of the family! HA!

Sunday Afternoon

The Ryan Family, Eitzen Family and the Lomas Family all got together for a bit of food, fun and frolic in the Fall weather...(sorry, couldn't help it!) We ate some great food and chatted and laughed and watched the kids play. I think the first highlight of the afternoon was watching Carlos, Steve and John play a bit of the Rockband (see center picture of the rockers) Later it was a friendly game of football between the dads and boys. Miraculously not one single injury, no crying and no arguing. It was fun to watch and see them have so much fun. Hopefully next year we can do it all over again! Fun times!

Before a Week Goes By

Whew! This week has just flown by. How about you all? Crazy around here. I am crossing my fingers, doing a keep-the-sick-away dance and anything else I can do to NOT get any sickness in our house. I know it will come, but I am not ready for anything prior to the end of November...anything before that might just put me over the edge.

We have officially started soccer season. CJ now plays on the big field with 4th, 5th and 6th graders. (I will see my first game tomorrow) He likes it and come home from practice really, really tired. He has settled well into the first weeks of 4th grade and loves, loves his teacher. She is a friend of mine who has been over to our house many times so he knows her personally and now as a teacher. She has high expectations and is a really caring person. It is going to be a great year for him. He also has gotten soooooo tall. He is filling out and of course has this attitude that is most unpleasant. But...it can be/will be NOT happening too much longer. Let's just say some consequences have been put in place.

Carlos has been working as a handyman here and there for friends and family. It has been a relief these past few weeks. He is so good with household projects and working for people. I feel so blessed to have a handy-guy!

And of course my baby Zac...he is such a fun kid! He laughs, runs, plays peek-a-boo, chases, "talks", his attitude is cute (most times), past the baby food, might start giving up the bottle soon, takes "swim" lessons with Carlos or I on Mondays and Wednesday and is into everything we leave out, in his reach or near him. He can destroy our house in about 5 minutes.

So, now you know why we are so busy, why I have not called or made lunch plans with you! I have been so busy at work that when I am home I just want to be home, in my own space with my kids. (Hopefully some soccer pictures soon and swim ones too...hopefully)

Playground Fun

Stevie and his brother Jakie...Stevie was acting a bit like a bear and Jakie was free as could be!

Zac had a blast in the gravel...he would put in on the slide then Jakie would slide down and wipe it clean. They had a great time!


Here is my big guy...and he wanted me to take the picture.

This is just too cute...I wish you could see he is wearing shorts and short socks with white tennis shoes. He looked so preppy! Super cute...my baby Zac.

Friday nights can sometimes be a bit of unexpected fun. Bethany and her boys came over for a bit of fun at the school playground. It was a warm night for the end of September, but you could smell the Fall air...just a bit of rain coming. Love that smell. Zac thought he was one of the big kids! He ran, jumped, slid, teeter-tottered and kicked the ball like he had been playing on a playground his whole life. I was amazed at his willingness to just get in there and explore and also a bit sad...he is not a baby so much anymore. We might be moving into toddler hood! Yikes!

Vrooom! Vrooom!

There was a play date planned...very last minute but still planned. It was going to be the regular crows: Amy, Davey, Brianna and a new face Samantha. As the Saturday morning weather went from lots of rain, to a little bit of rain to bright blue skies (only in OR folks) the play date group kept texting to cancel (not feeling well, still shopping and out with friends) so the newbie Samantha came over and we took the kids to the park. They had a blast. Big brother CJ also rode his bike down with us for some fun in the sun. It turned out to be a very nice day with a quick trip to the park. Here you see Emma watching Zac take the "car" for a spin. They had a great time and it was fun to catch up with Samantha.

City Fair

After watching the police dog do a demo on attacking...I was not too sure about CJ going in for hello and pet the dog!


Jakie and CJ getting quite the show and tell from the firefighter. Way cool!

We went to the fair and had a marvelous time! I am not sure if that is from a movie or not, but it sure sounds familiar. It was a gorgeous day in old Mac, sun shining, no clouds and a blue sky. CJ, Zac and I headed to Discovery Meadows for the City Fair. Firetrucks, police vehicles, water/light booth with free water bottles, hot air balloon rides, free hot dogs and ice cream, recycling news and electricity demonstrations and much, much more! Way to go city of McMinnville.

First Day of School

I was not ready. This time last year I was at home with a newborn. Not worried about anything at school. Loving the fact that I was home being a mom. Did not miss the hum of a new school year at all. This year it was a slow denial that moved into a forgetful denial and this morning when my alarm went off I was in full memory lapse..."what is that sound?" So I was very surprised when I actually got to the school and saw all those bright and smiling faces, classroom ready for them and all my teacher friends greeting me with smiles and seemingly so happy to be back at school. The day started well and finished well. I have a great group of kids! They are awesome. I think they are ready for me and I am more than ready for them...it might just take a few more mornings for me to be out of the summer-fun-fog. As for my giant, super smart, witty, social 4th grader...he is loving it! He finished his first day HW on his own (and did marvelous writing and responding in his journal). He was so excited to see his friends and really liked his teacher. To brighten my day just a bit...Carlos brought me lunch! As for my little baby boy? He spent the whole day with the sitter. Don't get me wrong. He loves her. She loves him. Her whole family loves him! They really do have a great time together. But when we packed him in the car this morning and he was crying...let's just say that I was ready for some more summer days with both my boys! So another first day has come and gone. Day two (and three and four and...and...) I am ready for you with a smile on my face. (There are no pictures but my boys did look great today) CJ is classic khakis with blue t-shirt and tennis shoes and Zac in his new Nike shorts/running outfit from Auntie Anna! Tooo cute!!!!! Love my boys!

Last Day of Summer

CJ and Cole

Taylor and Zac
Taylor and Cole walked over for a quick visit today. The cousins have not been together for quite awhile and it was great to hear their laughter and hellos coming down the street as they neared our house. Cole and Taylor immediately got all over Zac "he is so big", "we missed him", "he is so cute" while CJ and I got the "hi", not even a "how are you?" so typical and so cute. I love how they love and spoil the youngest cousin. Carlos took them all for a walk downtown for some pizza then it was boardgames, card games, wii and riding bikes. Taylor is the BEST sitter! Zac just loves all the attention and she loves giving it to him. They are a good match for each other. She even changes diapers and feeds him. We did do a little change of clothes for this pictures (1st b-day Nike outfit from Auntie Anna we had to use for the photo shoot)! Today was fun, low-key and relaxing around the house with all the kids. I loved hearing their laughter, conversations and overall excitement in being around each other. School will start in a week and I am sure that with soccer schedules, homework, new/old friends and Fall craziness it will be a bit before we are all together again.