Rubber Bander

Simon is playing t-ball.

Practices only so far.

Pictures and first game on Saturday.

He is a River Bandit.

River Bandits feed into the St. Louis Cardinals.

Norah calls him a "Rubber Bander".

He looks so adorable in his shirt, hat, and t-ball pants.

Easter

Easter was lovely. I did a super fast most of the house clean up the night before. I have this crazy need that the house must be in perfect order (tables, counters, flat surfaces, dishwasher and floors clear of clutter) and items in their place. Kitchen, living-dining room, family room, and bathroom were straightened, dusted, vacuumed, steam-mopped, and cleaned. The kids' room was clean minus dusting and vacuuming. My/our bedroom, is always last on the list and never gets done. Just shut the door! Then the baskets and eggs had to be filled and hidden. This year, the kids decided the E.B. was coming. I have never uttered the word "Easter Bunny" in this house. Not a fan, sort of creepy. But somehow he was a-comin' on over. So we decided the baskets were from us and left on the table at their spots. Eggs were hidden outside, by the E.B. And the kiddos were beyond excited and thrilled. I still have yet to really utter E.B.'s name, still not a fan. So the break-down of the day went like this:

1. awake early, peruse and enjoy baskets
2. shower and get ready to leave the house by 7:40 a.m.
3. arrive just on time for the 8:00 bells warm-up with church to follow
   
4. church is grand and lovely and moving and beautiful and my favorite day of the whole church year, our church knows how to have a festival Easter Sunday
   
5. breakfast downstairs by the youth - yummy!
   
6. a quick stop at Grandma's on the way home
7. a family picture taken by Grandma, as Simon has been asking since Palm Sunday for a family picture
   
8. the outdoor egg hunt - Norah opened her pink and white eggs as she went along, Simon opened his blue eggs after he found them all. She is impulsive and he is orderly in how things are done.
   
9. make, bake, and eat resurrection rolls with ham and cheese for lunch
10. quick nap, awake lil' miss early to arrive to the family destination on time
    
11. arrive at 3:15 to eric's brother's house as dinner was strongly declared to be between 3:00 and 4:00
12. didn't sit down for dinner until close to 6:00, not the best situation
13. Norah declares nearing leaving "I gonna miss my cousins"
    
14. desserts and more play time and home by 9:00 p.m., later than hoped for
15. talked to my mom
16. finished the great hawk's game with a win
17. off to bed

A week's worth of junk

of junk pickin' that is! Yep, our next town over had their annual free week of garbage removal. That town gets only 1 container of garbage removal per week, so for this past week it was a free for all of goodness. My children have learned that "other people's trash is our treasure". Now people truly do put aside treasures in hopes that someone will find a new home for it. Others put out a true pile of trash. So for several evenings we drove up and down many streets along with the junk trunks. Not my competition, as they are searching for metal. Us, just plastic passes our fancy. We don't even mind if it is faded. My children have learned some great tricks. Exclamations of "pieces missing, don't take it", "can I get out", and "yuck, it's too dirty that's trash". Or 30 minute screaming tantrum of "I want that tricycle" when in fact it was a baby scooter, and we were cruising way past bedtime. Last night Eric and I brewed some choice coffee, loaded up the kids, and enjoyed some family togetherness. It ended up at Wendy's for frosty's. Quality time together, doing what I love.

Here is a list of treasures rescued and reasons why:

• a big wheel (we have one, but two kids who enjoy doing the same thing at the same time, possible rummage sale item as Simon no longer needs training wheels)
• a beautiful and large play kitchen (to replace the freebie one we already have. The new one sits against the wall instead of the awkward two-sided one. Old one already in the rummage sale pile)
• a doll crib that had 2 dolls and bottles inside (because it was free, and it made Norah happy)
• a frog garbage can (because it is fun - possible item to take to school)
• a wooden abacus (Simon used it to count my turns and stops)
• a wooden letter flip-a-roo abacus like thing
• two little kid plastic outdoor chairs (because one is not enough, and they entice little buts to stay seated. Different colors though, cause ownership confusion)
• a convertible coupe car (because Norah will enjoy it)
• a cozy coupe (in great condition. I never see these at rummage sales, I can sell it. We already have two, and one of those will be added to the rummage sale. I had to pass up another cozy coupe as my kids were already buried to their noses in trash, oh - I mean treasures)
• a large plastic storage bin (for our stuff, somewhere)
• a three drawer plastic organizer thing (for construction paper, lined paper, and coloring books on the project table)
• the game Crocodile Dentist
• a Norah sized panda bear (VBS theme this year is Pandamania, and as co-director I am panda minded. Norah beloved it immediately post washer and dryer and has named it Pola -thinking it was a polar bear. So we now have Pola, the panda bear that MUST be shared with VBS)
• a velcro ball dart-like game (awesome for home or school)
• a plastic bowling plate (that holds our already owned plastic bowling pins in place)
• a six foot tall backboard-less Little Tykes basketball hoop (since Simon outgrew the little one, anything can be fixed)
• half of a six foot tall hoopless basketball hoop (hoping to fix above item, can be tossed in recycle if it does not work; we do not have a one can limit in our town)
• a Little Tykes backboard (hoping this will make the fix it job even easier)
• two baseball tees (to decide which one is better and sell the other one on the rummage sale)
• a T.V. tray (I was hoping to find more, but successive trays were all broken)
• trainer roller-blades (little kid roller-skate like roller-blades that fit over shoes)
• girl roller-blades (for friends with a bit older girl who may enjoy them - totally not trash)
• two red and yellow wooden chairs (one without a seat, easily fixed and added to our yellow and red accented basement)

One thing I did not do is change my mind and dump my items onto someone else's trash pile. I also did not break up a set that was completely intact. Seriously, why take just the chair seat?!?!

Overall, another year of success at junk pickin'! We all enjoyed our time and found some great treasures that we would never pay full price for at the store. Nothing like a bit of soapy water, elbow grease, glue, or screws to make it like new. And I can safely say that I have had my fill! If only I had a trailer . . . .

A Shout Out to E.B. Loan

Have you ever known a published author?

I had a lovely experience during this school year to work with an author. Yep, a true author with her name printed on the book cover and all words written by her. She was a fantastic assistant to an incredible student of mine. She brought such great knowledge and kindness each day and made this student as successful as possible each day of school. She has moved on to the next phase of her life focusing on her family and her writing.

But she is published, did I tell you?

Her name is Elizabeth Loan and it looks like her latest book may be published, it was not just a few weeks ago. It is entitled "Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom". She has a few other books that sound just as thrilling! Check out her site, if you are a reader and looking for a new read, consider one of her books. She could be the next author in your book club!!!

How exciting.

I know an author!!!

Recent Blessings

There are so many things to blog, with so little time. Welcome to IEP season in full force! I have no idea where the time goes, but by the end of the day there is no energy to deal with pics and posts. Seriously, the memory card is full so I NEED to carve out some picture time. Recent events filled with blessings:

1. Norah's birthday was a day filled with joy! It was a Mommy day, her first birthday where I did not have to work. We went to her "Little Class" all decked out in her shamrock wear. Then we picked up a Shamrock shake and small fry to share for a little treat at home. Simon loved her up when he came home from kindergarten. We had lunch and went to the park, as it was a warm day. We climbed, swung, slid, and flew kites. All while wearing a green tiara! Then home for naps, presents and a lovely breakfast dinner. With cake for dessert. She loved her doll house, snap-n-style dolls, and rain coat. A very lovely day to turn 3!!!
2. Watching my sister and her husband deal with their life turning completely topsy-turvy in Japan due to the natural disaster. Seeing how God protected and took care of them every step of the way.
3. Being able to take a small family vacation to truly relax and have some fun. St. Louis was a great vacation spot. Great deals made it all possible! Highlights included City Museum, the best zoo ever, Turtle Park, the hotel pool, and the Arch. Incredible amounts of fun.
4. Having Grandma at our house for several days was just magical. Not one ounce of hesitation, separation anxiety, or unsured-ness. Just pure joy and love.
5. Watching the confusion on Simon's and Norah's faces when "the other" Grandma was with us and Grandma. They rarely have 2 Grandmas together and it was just neat to have that experience.
6. Norah's family birthday party with so much love in the family. Simon and Norah are at the age to really know and enjoy time with cousins.
   
7. Knowing that despite what last year brought, we really are okay and will be okay and can handle anything with God carrying us and helping us to make the best choices with what we have.
8. A meal with Grandpa in Milwaukee. So odd to say hello, eat, then say good-bye. We are so used to days on end before we depart. We already used the trail-a-bike he found and brought for us (since it was 83 degrees today), such a fantastic way to bike as a family.
9. Mail in the mail for the kiddos in the playhouse!
   
10. Warmer weather!
11. Two kids who truly love each other and enjoy each other. So many moments of sibling hugs, hand holding, kisses, giggles, reading together, and taking care of each other. They are both sweet on each other.