Last week I posted about how we might just get some snow. The great news is that it came. The kids had school canceled on Tuesday and they haven't been back yet. It started snowing late Tuesday and so Wednesday was a day full of sledding and going out and coming in and a ton dirty wet socks and pants that needed to be washed and cared for.
It was awesome to finally get to see my kids go sledding for real. They were so focused on that they didn't build a snowman (plus they did that a week ago in the half inch of snow we got) or get into a snowball fight. Wednesday was fun and awesome. Thursday we headed to a nearby park with some great hills and the kids went sledding again. It started to warm up a bit on Thursday and things started to melt, so on Friday there really wasn't any snow to play in. But still no school. It was like the kids got an official winter break, even though it was unscheduled.
I think nearly everyone is dreading heading back to school this week. Every day should be a snow day. Since it is Ground Hog's Day, and it has been predicted that we have six more weeks of winter. So maybe we'll have another snow day this year. When I told Caleb he scoffed at me, and told me I was silly for thinking about it. But it's what makes life fun, right?
I just got called to be the Beehive Advisor. It should be fun to work with Beth. I really like everyone I'm going to be serving with and it is going to be fun. So far Beth is cool with it, excited even, but I keep waiting for the moment that I'm no longer cool to be around. (I hope it doesn't happen, but I was a fickle teenager, very fickle.)
The kids had a great relaxing week at home. Rob even stayed home on Wednesday, and he made pancakes. They were great. It's been a good week overall, really focused on family without the stress of homework or other silliness!
Have a great one!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Study Hall, Juggling and Managing Three Busy Kids
True confession time: My kids are night owls, and I struggle to get them in bed by 10:00 every night. Caleb hates homework and fights me on it consistently. Jacob has the attitude of just getting it over with and will rush through, and Beth is a procrastinator. She likes to start her homework around 8:30 or 9:00.
Since the boys get to sleep in until 8:00, I'm not overly worried about their bedtime. They still average about ten hours of sleep at night, which is adequate. Beth is getting up at 6:30, so she's pushing the getting enough sleep thing. I am not going to lie, I dread early morning seminary. I am not a morning person.
So in an attempt to deal with the homework fuss, and possibly bedtime, we are establishing a study hall. For at least an hour, it will be time to do homework or read. no TV, no video games, no nothing else distracting. I will report back on our success and (I'm sure) failures as we try this out.
We may have some snow this week, and the kids are super excited. I'm not going to lie, I'm excited too. I'm hoping that it's enough for them to build a real snowman instead of the furry blob that was a result of the snow in the middle of last week, which only warranted a two hour delay. I may update this post with a picture of it. Beth took it, and she will have to email it to me.
The birthdays went well. Jacob celebrated with chocolate cupcakes, orange chicken and loved his new bike. Caleb celebrated with oreo ice cream cake, Taco Bell and loved his new bike. The boys are both growing up so fast. It blows me away with what they can do, and how much fun they are having along the way.
Hope you enjoy the week--and that we get snow!
Since the boys get to sleep in until 8:00, I'm not overly worried about their bedtime. They still average about ten hours of sleep at night, which is adequate. Beth is getting up at 6:30, so she's pushing the getting enough sleep thing. I am not going to lie, I dread early morning seminary. I am not a morning person.
So in an attempt to deal with the homework fuss, and possibly bedtime, we are establishing a study hall. For at least an hour, it will be time to do homework or read. no TV, no video games, no nothing else distracting. I will report back on our success and (I'm sure) failures as we try this out.
We may have some snow this week, and the kids are super excited. I'm not going to lie, I'm excited too. I'm hoping that it's enough for them to build a real snowman instead of the furry blob that was a result of the snow in the middle of last week, which only warranted a two hour delay. I may update this post with a picture of it. Beth took it, and she will have to email it to me.
The birthdays went well. Jacob celebrated with chocolate cupcakes, orange chicken and loved his new bike. Caleb celebrated with oreo ice cream cake, Taco Bell and loved his new bike. The boys are both growing up so fast. It blows me away with what they can do, and how much fun they are having along the way.
Hope you enjoy the week--and that we get snow!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Jacob Is Seven! and Caleb Will Be Nine!
Today is Jacob's birthday! I can still remember the day he was born. He is my awesome little guy and so full of life and happiness. He's the one that has taught me about overcoming difficulties through hard work at a very young age. He is also my happiest and most easy going guy. I can't believe how fast he is growing up.
In addition to the trip to Great Wolf Lodge, he got a bike for his birthday. He also got chocolate cupcakes for his treat.
Caleb's birthday is on Friday. He will be nine, and he is another awesome guy. He is someone that is always aware of others and how they are feeling. He doesn't like injustice, and he is very sensitive. He is also very compassionate and will got out of his way to protect someone and to make him feel better.
Caleb decided on a new bike too. I haven't found out what type of cake he wants yet, but I know I will hear something soon.
Overall, the week was pretty quite. The end of the quarter for the kids, and we have two days off of school this next week. Beth and I were both chanting to ourselves Four days! Four Days! Four Days! all week last week. Four days of not getting up at 6:00 is a good thing. It's exhausting. I don't know what we are going to do when early morning seminary rolls around. Truly. I don't think it's healthy to have the kids up that early. If the kids weren't aiming for BYU, I don't know that we'd even do it. But I didn't have that great of an experience with seminary when and I went, and I know that Rob was hit and miss with it too.
This next week is the Pinewood Derby, and Rob is frantically trying to set up track and get everything done. Hope you guys have a great week!
In addition to the trip to Great Wolf Lodge, he got a bike for his birthday. He also got chocolate cupcakes for his treat.
Caleb's birthday is on Friday. He will be nine, and he is another awesome guy. He is someone that is always aware of others and how they are feeling. He doesn't like injustice, and he is very sensitive. He is also very compassionate and will got out of his way to protect someone and to make him feel better.
Caleb decided on a new bike too. I haven't found out what type of cake he wants yet, but I know I will hear something soon.
Overall, the week was pretty quite. The end of the quarter for the kids, and we have two days off of school this next week. Beth and I were both chanting to ourselves Four days! Four Days! Four Days! all week last week. Four days of not getting up at 6:00 is a good thing. It's exhausting. I don't know what we are going to do when early morning seminary rolls around. Truly. I don't think it's healthy to have the kids up that early. If the kids weren't aiming for BYU, I don't know that we'd even do it. But I didn't have that great of an experience with seminary when and I went, and I know that Rob was hit and miss with it too.
This next week is the Pinewood Derby, and Rob is frantically trying to set up track and get everything done. Hope you guys have a great week!
Monday, January 13, 2014
Great Wolf Lodge and Growing Up
As I begin this post, I know I should have pictures, but I don't. Rob's the camera guy, and he said the flash was not working. He snapped a few photos and took some video, and I may just link to that when he edits it together. But I did want to keep writing more this year on the blog. It's one of my goals that I haven't written down, because basically I haven't written any down this year--which is not the norm for me. I've got to get on top of it. Never ming that it's the 12th.
This week we pulled the kids out of school for a few days and hauled them out to Great Wolf Lodge. It was such a blast! The kids voted to do this instead of birthday parties this year, which was nice. It was great to spend some time with the family just us, and then Casey and Chloe hung out with us on Friday.
Caleb and Jacob adored the wave pool. I think Jacob liked it more than the slides. And Caleb was just an inch shy of being tall enough to ride the slides by himself. He still had a lot of fun. Again just as big of a hit was Magiquest. The kids did both Shadowquest and Magiquest this trip. They were EXHAUSTED when we headed to Hickory.
It was interesting at Great Wolf Lodge during school days, it was full of preschoolers and toddlers. It was fun to watch them all, but it also reminded me that we aren't in that stage anymore. Life keeps happening and moving around us, even when we want to freeze time for a bit.
We got to go to church in Hickory, and it was the ward conference there. It was a great meeting. I have been missing Sunday School and Relief Society a lot, since I have been a Primary teacher for more than three years. It was great to go the lessons and to feel the spirit. As I look back at my life, I can see the Lord's hand guiding me through so many decisions. Life hasn't always been easy. We've had some really rough years, but as I look back, I can tell that he has been there for me and my family. I know that He loves me, and that He knows the struggles that I face. I know that he does the same for each of His children no matter where they are or the choices that they have made. He loves each one of us perfectly.
Hope you all have a great week!
This week we pulled the kids out of school for a few days and hauled them out to Great Wolf Lodge. It was such a blast! The kids voted to do this instead of birthday parties this year, which was nice. It was great to spend some time with the family just us, and then Casey and Chloe hung out with us on Friday.
Caleb and Jacob adored the wave pool. I think Jacob liked it more than the slides. And Caleb was just an inch shy of being tall enough to ride the slides by himself. He still had a lot of fun. Again just as big of a hit was Magiquest. The kids did both Shadowquest and Magiquest this trip. They were EXHAUSTED when we headed to Hickory.
It was interesting at Great Wolf Lodge during school days, it was full of preschoolers and toddlers. It was fun to watch them all, but it also reminded me that we aren't in that stage anymore. Life keeps happening and moving around us, even when we want to freeze time for a bit.
We got to go to church in Hickory, and it was the ward conference there. It was a great meeting. I have been missing Sunday School and Relief Society a lot, since I have been a Primary teacher for more than three years. It was great to go the lessons and to feel the spirit. As I look back at my life, I can see the Lord's hand guiding me through so many decisions. Life hasn't always been easy. We've had some really rough years, but as I look back, I can tell that he has been there for me and my family. I know that He loves me, and that He knows the struggles that I face. I know that he does the same for each of His children no matter where they are or the choices that they have made. He loves each one of us perfectly.
Hope you all have a great week!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
In Lieu of a Christmas Card
Wow! 2013 was a big year full of milestones. It was also another year, where I didn't get Christmas cards sent out. Since I love getting cards from friends and hearing about how their lives went over the last year, I thought I'd go ahead and update the blog. Hopefully, I'll be more on top of it next year and actually send out a card.
News on Rob. Rob got a promotion this year. He is now an instructional designer at the School of Science and Math, here in North Carolina. The promotion really came out of the blue--at least it felt that way to us. He is doing a lot more managing of projects and people and a lot less time with video or film. He is also the Cub Scout committee chairman and has been helping out the Cub Scouts as the program has been through quite a few transitions in the last few months. Rob continues to love boardgames, and gaming. As he mentioned several times over the holidays. "I really am a gamer." He really is.
News on Mim. I've been plugging away. I feel so blessed to be able to work from home, and I've also been blessed by having plenty of work to keep me busy. It has left me a bit frazzled at times, and I'm not always on top of everything housework wise, but I do love the flexibility it offers and the fact that I'm here when the kids need to be home.
News on Beth. Wow! Elisabeth has quite a few big milestones this year. She finished up elementary school and started middle school at Martin Middle School. We had to choose and apply for schools and as she was looking, we were praying about the right school and we both had a really strong spiritual impression while at Martin. So far's it's been a great school. Beth's pulled off her first 4.0 and looks on track to do it again next quarter. She also moved up to Young Women's this month. (So grown up and old) and she is heading on her first temple trip next week. It's so neat to watch her grow up! (She also squeaked in and earned her Faith in God award just in time.)
News on Caleb. Caleb chose to be baptized this year. He was baptized in February and it was a great experiences. My parents and Matt came out and Matt got to be a witness for the baptism, which was really nice. Caleb also started going to Scouts. He went to Cub Scout day camp over the summer during the rainiest week of the year. He is having a good third grade and is managing to get his school work done and he is learning and growing every day.
News on Jacob. Jacob loved his year of kindergarten and he is simply thriving in first grade. Jacob is constantly smiling and happy. He also loves video games, board games and anything to do with imagination. Currently he is on a kick of getting up early to squeeze in a few episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender each morning before school. He then acts out all of the fight sequences throughout the day. Jacob also learned to ride a bike last week. He decided he wanted the training wheels off and was riding without falling off in just minutes.
The kids discovered Minecraft this year, and that is honestly how a good portion of their time is spent. This summer they designed worlds and played games and got along great along with our trips to the pools. They can find and set up servers and do all kinds of other stuff.
The kids, Beth especially, also adore Dr. Who. I mean adore. Some huge fans that watch multiple episodes in a sitting, that have gone back to pre Matt Smith Dr. Who episodes, who are eagerly awaiting the next season. Personally, I'm super excited for the next season of Sherlock which comes out on Wednesday.
Other highlights this year--We loved our trip out to Utah to see the family. It was super fun, and a great time for all. The kids adored Lagoon--since they all got to ride the roller coasters. They also loved spending times with aunts and uncles and Grandpa and Nana. It was a great experience and Rob ran into someone that he taught on his mission who just happened to be in Utah visiting from Australia.
We had some great times with the Caldwell side of the family too. A fun trip to the beach over Spring Break, a week there over the summer and a fun time visiting Busch Gardens during their Halloween thing. It was also a great week over Christmas.
Here's to a great new year in 2014! (And hopefully a regularly updated blog.)
News on Rob. Rob got a promotion this year. He is now an instructional designer at the School of Science and Math, here in North Carolina. The promotion really came out of the blue--at least it felt that way to us. He is doing a lot more managing of projects and people and a lot less time with video or film. He is also the Cub Scout committee chairman and has been helping out the Cub Scouts as the program has been through quite a few transitions in the last few months. Rob continues to love boardgames, and gaming. As he mentioned several times over the holidays. "I really am a gamer." He really is.
News on Mim. I've been plugging away. I feel so blessed to be able to work from home, and I've also been blessed by having plenty of work to keep me busy. It has left me a bit frazzled at times, and I'm not always on top of everything housework wise, but I do love the flexibility it offers and the fact that I'm here when the kids need to be home.
News on Beth. Wow! Elisabeth has quite a few big milestones this year. She finished up elementary school and started middle school at Martin Middle School. We had to choose and apply for schools and as she was looking, we were praying about the right school and we both had a really strong spiritual impression while at Martin. So far's it's been a great school. Beth's pulled off her first 4.0 and looks on track to do it again next quarter. She also moved up to Young Women's this month. (So grown up and old) and she is heading on her first temple trip next week. It's so neat to watch her grow up! (She also squeaked in and earned her Faith in God award just in time.)
News on Caleb. Caleb chose to be baptized this year. He was baptized in February and it was a great experiences. My parents and Matt came out and Matt got to be a witness for the baptism, which was really nice. Caleb also started going to Scouts. He went to Cub Scout day camp over the summer during the rainiest week of the year. He is having a good third grade and is managing to get his school work done and he is learning and growing every day.
News on Jacob. Jacob loved his year of kindergarten and he is simply thriving in first grade. Jacob is constantly smiling and happy. He also loves video games, board games and anything to do with imagination. Currently he is on a kick of getting up early to squeeze in a few episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender each morning before school. He then acts out all of the fight sequences throughout the day. Jacob also learned to ride a bike last week. He decided he wanted the training wheels off and was riding without falling off in just minutes.
The kids discovered Minecraft this year, and that is honestly how a good portion of their time is spent. This summer they designed worlds and played games and got along great along with our trips to the pools. They can find and set up servers and do all kinds of other stuff.
The kids, Beth especially, also adore Dr. Who. I mean adore. Some huge fans that watch multiple episodes in a sitting, that have gone back to pre Matt Smith Dr. Who episodes, who are eagerly awaiting the next season. Personally, I'm super excited for the next season of Sherlock which comes out on Wednesday.
Other highlights this year--We loved our trip out to Utah to see the family. It was super fun, and a great time for all. The kids adored Lagoon--since they all got to ride the roller coasters. They also loved spending times with aunts and uncles and Grandpa and Nana. It was a great experience and Rob ran into someone that he taught on his mission who just happened to be in Utah visiting from Australia.
We had some great times with the Caldwell side of the family too. A fun trip to the beach over Spring Break, a week there over the summer and a fun time visiting Busch Gardens during their Halloween thing. It was also a great week over Christmas.
Here's to a great new year in 2014! (And hopefully a regularly updated blog.)
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Over the last few weeks, I've actually gone back and looked at the blog, and it's helped me remember a lot of what has happened over the last few years. I know I used it mainly as tool to update my friends and family about my family, but it's also reminded me of the little things to be happy about and the big steps that my family has gone through over the last few years. it made me decide, yes I need to keep this up. Even though I'm likely not going to have tons of pictures on it (unless Rob gets inspired), it's still worth remembering the little stories and moments along the way.
This has been a year of milestones. Jacob's in kindergarten, and really loving it. He is happy, and loves school most of the time. he came home from school on Friday with a low grade fever, and we kept him home from church today, and I think he's ready to go back tomorrow. I'll check on him in the middle of the night to make sure it doesn't spike up. He's just my happy kid that always has a story that's going on inside his head.
Caleb has made huge progress in the last little bit. He brought his report card home, and both his regular teacher and his math teacher have commented on his increased focus and ability to get work done at school. He doesn't fight about homework anymore. It's like something just clicked with him. He went to a birthday party this weekend, and the dad went out of his way to tell me how thoughtful Caleb is to the kids around him when he's at school. He's just such a good guy.
Beth had a great report card too. She's doing really well, and I think coming into her own academically. We registered her for middle school classes this week. We went to a big parent/orientation meeting, wandered around the halls so that she wouldn't be lost all of the time, and sat through a meeting. Beth told me she thought the meeting was boring, but that the school was fun. I really think she's going to love it there. Here's hoping--middle school can be rough, especially for girls.
Aack! How am I old enough to have a middle schooler? I don't feel that old yet.
We don't have any grand weekend stories. Rob was at a TedX event for his school. And Jacob was sick, so we hung out at home. We are counting down the days for our Roo cups to go on sell. We haven't had them before, But Beth's friend's family get theme very year, and it means I can get each of the kids a slurpee/icee for only a quarter all summer long. This is must have to survive the summer and errand days.
Have a great week!
This has been a year of milestones. Jacob's in kindergarten, and really loving it. He is happy, and loves school most of the time. he came home from school on Friday with a low grade fever, and we kept him home from church today, and I think he's ready to go back tomorrow. I'll check on him in the middle of the night to make sure it doesn't spike up. He's just my happy kid that always has a story that's going on inside his head.
Caleb has made huge progress in the last little bit. He brought his report card home, and both his regular teacher and his math teacher have commented on his increased focus and ability to get work done at school. He doesn't fight about homework anymore. It's like something just clicked with him. He went to a birthday party this weekend, and the dad went out of his way to tell me how thoughtful Caleb is to the kids around him when he's at school. He's just such a good guy.
Beth had a great report card too. She's doing really well, and I think coming into her own academically. We registered her for middle school classes this week. We went to a big parent/orientation meeting, wandered around the halls so that she wouldn't be lost all of the time, and sat through a meeting. Beth told me she thought the meeting was boring, but that the school was fun. I really think she's going to love it there. Here's hoping--middle school can be rough, especially for girls.
Aack! How am I old enough to have a middle schooler? I don't feel that old yet.
We don't have any grand weekend stories. Rob was at a TedX event for his school. And Jacob was sick, so we hung out at home. We are counting down the days for our Roo cups to go on sell. We haven't had them before, But Beth's friend's family get theme very year, and it means I can get each of the kids a slurpee/icee for only a quarter all summer long. This is must have to survive the summer and errand days.
Have a great week!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Fun Week
This week we made it to the pool a few times, and it barely rained at all. Yesterday, I realized that I missed the sound of the thunderstorms rolling in every evening. July was full of thunderstorms, big loud clashing rumble the house thunderstorms.
Swimming wise the kids are doing great. Beth's been swimming all over the place for some time now (a couple of years), but Caleb and Jacob are a bit more reluctant. On Monday, Caleb swam three quarters of the length of the pool. He swims under water, and pops up for a breath every five feet or so. He's still not strong enough that I trust him to go into the deep without an adult. On Friday, Jacob started swimming without his life vest. He is up to about eight feet, and he can swim on top of and underneath the water, which is great. We are planning on hitting the pool at least three times this week, if the weather holds up.
Unfortunately, Jacob is sick. Rob has some kind of cold, that he pulled out all of his medicines for and managed to get over. I got a little bit of it, but not as bad as Rob. It's hit Jacob full force. He's got an awful cough, stuffy nose, and has run a fever off and on. He has to get better before we hit the pool, but I have faith that he will pull through it. I really think he can make it.
Rob got his promotion/reclassification or whatever it is. We just have to make it through August, and then we will be much better off. Much better off! The frustrating thing is that August is our second most expensive month of the year. But we've already got our school supplies, just down to shoes and lunch boxes. I'm proud of all of the work that Rob's done. He's a hard worker and he does so much to provide for the family.
22 days until summer is over. I'm trying not to count it out loud. I'll miss the kids, but I've already got plans on how I'm going to spend my time with no one home during the day. It'll be so nice to work without feeling guilty and then being able to focus once everyone is home from school. That is the plan right now.
I'm planning on publishing my book sometime in the next few days. Here is the cover:
Swimming wise the kids are doing great. Beth's been swimming all over the place for some time now (a couple of years), but Caleb and Jacob are a bit more reluctant. On Monday, Caleb swam three quarters of the length of the pool. He swims under water, and pops up for a breath every five feet or so. He's still not strong enough that I trust him to go into the deep without an adult. On Friday, Jacob started swimming without his life vest. He is up to about eight feet, and he can swim on top of and underneath the water, which is great. We are planning on hitting the pool at least three times this week, if the weather holds up.
Unfortunately, Jacob is sick. Rob has some kind of cold, that he pulled out all of his medicines for and managed to get over. I got a little bit of it, but not as bad as Rob. It's hit Jacob full force. He's got an awful cough, stuffy nose, and has run a fever off and on. He has to get better before we hit the pool, but I have faith that he will pull through it. I really think he can make it.
Rob got his promotion/reclassification or whatever it is. We just have to make it through August, and then we will be much better off. Much better off! The frustrating thing is that August is our second most expensive month of the year. But we've already got our school supplies, just down to shoes and lunch boxes. I'm proud of all of the work that Rob's done. He's a hard worker and he does so much to provide for the family.
22 days until summer is over. I'm trying not to count it out loud. I'll miss the kids, but I've already got plans on how I'm going to spend my time with no one home during the day. It'll be so nice to work without feeling guilty and then being able to focus once everyone is home from school. That is the plan right now.
I'm planning on publishing my book sometime in the next few days. Here is the cover:
I think Rob did a great job on it, and I'll let you guys know when it is available. I hope that you are all enjoying your summer!