Bowling PINZ

Jack looks good in bowling shoes, doesn't he?

We had a family fun night tonight at PINZ. It is a new bowling alley (and more) in Oakdale. It was great. We enjoyed dinner at their restaurant then headed to the lanes to bowl a few frames. The staff was awesome. Very friendly and helpful. It made Jack's first bowling experience a great one.

They brought us our shoes and balls. They kept our beverages full. They even gave Jack a ramp to push his ball down. It was a great night. And the sweet family next to us had to leave early and wanted to give us their extra half hour - so the manager allowed them to be transferred to our lane. It was a great place to have a family fun night. Check them out! http://www.pinz.com/

You know you are a mom to boys when...

while playing at a park your son brings you a stick. It sort of looks fuzzy to you. No, maybe furry. As you take a closer look, you notice that it used to belong to Bambi!!!

Run for the Hills!!!

Jeremy finished his third marathon on Sunday.

The inaugural Stillwater Marathon.

He finished in 3:38:01

He was 9th in his age-class and 91st overall.

It was certainly the hilliest marathon in the world.

Jeremy is now referring to it as the "Hillwater" Marathon!

He is now looking forward to gearing up for the Chicago Marathon in October.

Our friend Mark assured him that it is, "Flat as a pancake!"

You know you are a mom to boys when...

...you go to shine the refrigerator and you find dried boogers stuck to it!

(The best part to this story is when I was sharing my blog entry with Jeremy. I told him the title line, "You know you are a mom to boys when..." and he started laughing! Then he said, "I know what you found. You found that booger Jack put on the fridge didn't you?" Jeremy said that he saw Jack put it there the night before, but they were on the way to bed so it was just left there. I have to tell you it was a fun surprise the next day when I was cleaning - and a great reminder of my sweet boy - who is indeed all boy.)

Date Night

Friday night has long since been a traditional date night for Jeremy and I. Our friends, Dave & Tami Bostrom, gave us some great advice before we got married: Never stop dating. So, we have tried very very hard to keep that tradition alive. It hasn't been every Friday night, but it has been a consistent part of our marriage and we are so glad it has.

Last night I went on a date night. It wasn't with my husband though!

Jack send me an email invite this week. We had dinner reservations for two at 5:30pm on Friday night at Chino Latinos. Yum!

On Friday night he rang the doorbell and handed me a beautiful bunch of blossoms (he and daddy had collected - my favorite spring blossoms!). He then told me he was here for our date. Daddy went over some instructions with him (regarding some money in his pocket that he was to give to the waitress) and we were off.

It was a great date. Here are some pictures from our night.

Beautiful flowers that Jack brought me

Jack ordered chocolate milk - and they even garnished it with a monkey!

For dessert we roasted marshmallows right at our table!

This was Jack's very favorite part!!

I am so blessed to have such a thoughtful husband. He has noticed that most of my time has been given to Mitchell lately, so he arranged for this special time for just Jack and myself. It was great to go and just give my time completely to Jack. Oh, and while Jack and I were gone, poor Mitch had a tummy ache - and he screamed for two hours straight. I think Jeremy gets a night out next!!!

Pomp & Circumstance

May 14, 2009

University of Minnesota

College of Education & Human Development

Master of Education

Curriculum & Instruction

Major: Secondary Social Studies

Independence Day

Alright, so I knew this day was coming. I just didn't realize how fast it was coming.

I had hoped that Jack would become more independent before Mitch was born (playing by himself more, etc). The day is here. This morning he woke up all on his own and came to visit me while I was still sleeping in my room (7:30am - I know, I know...I was sleeping in!!). I asked him if he wanted to climb up in bed with me. He said, "No. I am going to go downstairs to play."

There you have it. He is a boy who knows what he wants! He will be getting his own breakfast before I know it. Potty training isn't very far away now, is it??

Talking Twos

Last night in the blustery wind one of our Aspen trees broke. Daddy declared that the tree was dead. Jack followed up with, "The tree is dead and only Jesus can fix it tomorrow."

Ping Pong

Do you ever play ping pong? My parent's have a ping pong table. We played growing up and still do occasionally on holidays. I have always enjoyed the game. One of these days I want to get a ping pong table for Jeremy. He is really good at it!

These days I feel like I am playing ping pong! I literally bounce back and forth from one kiddo to the other, and occasionally bounce to getting a household project done.

---
Ping: Mitch wakes up, eats, gets dressed

Pong: Marlene QUICKLY jumps in the shower and gets ready

Ping: Jack gets up, dressed and eats breakfast

Pong: I may or may not get breakfast dishes done

Ping: Mitch needs cuddling

Pong: Jack is now about to climb onto the oversized chair with cream cheese or peanut butter all over his fingers - Alas, a wet paper towel and mad dash towards him becomes imminent
---

Sometimes during the day, especially at about 5pm, I feel like I am playing "Round Robin" all by myself - running round and round trying to keep the ball on the table! The funniest part is that this is generally when Jeremy calls to tell me that he is on his way home. Usually in the background he hears one child crying, one child now loudly begging me to play, and my stressed voice because while these boys are both vying for my attention I am trying to prepare dinner for our family. I try to reassure him that this "Round Robin" only occurs for about 45 minutes of the day. The rest of the day is pretty normal and relaxed.

There are a lot of needs that a wife and mother does her best to meet. Needs of her husband, of her children and of her household. On top of all of that there are also the needs of extended family and friends. It is a lot of pressure - and some days I am sure I am slowly going crazy.

I know that these "Round Robin" moments won't last forever. They are hard sometimes - but just part of life. I do want to try to make it less stressful for Jeremy to come home to though. I can't imagine that his day is very easy and I am sure he doesn't want to have chaos when he comes in the door. Maybe more slow-cooker meals would help!! ;)

Here is an example of some real ping-pong playing that is highly regarded, worthwhile, and obedient:

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

Happy Mother's Day

The boys who make celebrating this special day possible!

And, this Mother's Day was extra special because it was also our 6 year wedding anniversary!

Transition

Sleeping is ________. I think everyone has a different word they could fill in the blank here. For me sleeping has been "rare" (not due to children, rather my brain's inability to shut down at night). For others, "necessary" might be the right word choice. Last night, "non-existent" would we the word I would have used to describe sleeping!

In December Jeremy and I decided to purchase a new bed for Jack as he would need to transition into it from the crib once our new baby came. The bed was delivered in early January. As my size increased, a new range of symphonic sounds began coming from my nose... this new bed (a full size) became very inviting to Jeremy. Before long it was his new home at night.

We welcomed Mitch just seven weeks ago. He began sleeping in the baby cradle next to our bed. Before long it became apparent that Mitch loved being near mommy. He insisted (through various baby ways) that he sleep next to mommy in her bed. Each night he would inch his way in my direction and before I knew it his long and slender arm was holding tight to my own arm. Yes, we were co-sleepers. (I know this is so against everything American's would say is right...but I have dearly loved this time.)

Jack has done such a great job over the years sleeping in his crib. 8pm to 8am since he was only a few months old. Perfection! :) Knowing that Jack is a busy boy I was not sure I wanted to test him being free from this "cage" we call a crib. The problem in this is that he has become so big that he no longer fits in his crib well. He actually kicked out one of the crib slats a few nights ago. A sure sign that he is ready for his big boy bed.

All this time I have been enjoying my own bed, my boys have all been displaced. It was high time to make a full transition for all of us. The first night of the transition was last night. It was highly amusing.

Jack was tucked into his big boy bed. After many stories, songs, drinks of water, prayers and kisses the lights were out and the door was shut.

I nursed Mitch one last time. Jeremy set him in his cradle in his new room. Lights out, door closed.

Jeremy came to bed - in his real bed!

Mitch fussed.

Jeremy got up to put the pacifier in Mitch's mouth.

Jeremy back to bed, this time with ear plugs.

Mitch cries. I lay still. "He needs to cry it out," I say.

Five minutes later, as the crying continues...I get up and nurse him again. This time from the rocking chair in his room. He is sleeping, back in the cradle.

I head back to bed. Jeremy asks, "Do you mind if I sleep on the couch?" No problem. I completely understand!!!

One hour of sleep. Mitch wakes. I nurse him and he is back to bed.

Mitch fusses. I put in the pacifier. I head back to bed. I pray, "Lord, please allow me to get a little bit of sleep!"

Mitch is sound asleep. I am sound asleep.

THUD. Crying.

Jack has fallen out of his new bed. I rush to his room to find him laying on the floor in tears. Jeremy rushes upstairs to find out what has happened.

We discuss if he should go back in the crib or in the bed as we comfort Jack. It is decided that we will not disturb Mitch, so back into bed for Jack. I ask him how he got on the floor. I ask if he rolled out of bed or if he was trying to get down. He told me he was trying to get down. We decide to read some stories. Jack tells me that he wants to go outside and play. I tell him that we can play outside when the sun comes out.

Mitch cries.

I leave Jack with some books to read in bed, nurse Mitch, put Mitch back down to bed, then head back to tuck Jack in one last time.

All are sleeping.

Mitch wakes for another feeding. Done, sleeping again.

THUD. Crying.

Yes, Jack fell out of his bed again!!! This time I rush in and find him wedged between the bed and his night table. He tells me he rolled out. We both laugh. This time I decided that we would try him sleeping with me. He decides that he wants to be inquisitive. He asked a lot of really great questions. Questions that I would loved to have answered, but it was four in the morning. After about a half hour of questions it was back to his bed for him.

All sleeping. (except at some point Jeremy did wake up to get ready for work)

Mitch wakes at 7am for his normal feeding. This time I take him into bed with me. He nurses and we all sleep in until 9:30!! When I went in to get Jack we cheered because he didn't roll out!!

Tonight is night two of the transition. We will see how it goes. We have two changes to the plan tonight: Jeremy is in our bed again and Jack now has a bed rail. :)

In other news...

In December of 2002 my good old reliable Oldsmobile Royale was hit and totaled while it was parked outside a friend's house. It was a tragic day. That Olds got me through the end of high school, my undergraduate years of college, and almost my first year of grad school. It hardly had any problems. I paid $3,500 for it and actually ended up coming out with more money in my pocket than had ever been put into the car (it was totaled out twice!). :) Jeremy and I even planned a special date night with the Olds when it hit 100,000 miles. What a great car!


After the accident I had to get a new(er) car. I never thought I'd find a car as great as my Olds. As we were engaged at the time, Jeremy and I purchased my next car together. A 2000 Honda Accord. It has proven to be a great car too. It got me through the rest of grad school, a short teaching career at North High, and a new baby. Recently it has become solely Jeremy's car as I graduated to a hauler for two kiddos!


Just yesterday Jeremy, Jack and I had a special date in the Honda, as it it 100,000 miles. It is fun to have had two great cars that marked such an achievement.