Kindergarten Readiness and Final Jeopardy

Why the heck do I have a blog if I can't brag about my kids?!?!

First of all, Patrick got Final Jeopardy this week.  Not on the celebrity show.  Not the college show.  Not the kids show.  For real Final Jeopardy that only 1 of 3 contestants got correct...  See if you know the answer/ question (It's at the end of this post)

A 2005 study reported that this animal named for an island has, pound-for-pound, the most powerful bite of any mammal

Second, Keith is very aware of numbers.  We play a complicated game of Slug Bug (without the violence) that includes double points, minus points, and restarts.  He keeps a running score all day.  The other day he was sitting at the counter randomly counting.  I wasn't paying attention to the numbers but he seemed to be repeating numbers.  Eventually, he declared, "Someone doesn't know how to count!"  I thought he was talking about one of his friends.  Turns out he was reading the numbers on the coffee maker 2-4-6-8-10-12 I get the biggest kick out of this kid.  I am so very excited that he is starting Kindergarten in 11 weeks.  I will miss him but I am happy for him because he is so incredibly excited about it.

And Lauren!  Well she is studying for the SATs and making her way through Tolstoy (audio of course, she can't read).  She says "Mama," for everything but seems to know how to run a household.  And next week she wants to start violin lessons. 

So, how much did you win in Final Jeopardy?  I didn't......



Tasmanian Devil

Happy Mother's Day

One of my favorite verses in the Bible the story of Mary and Martha.   Although this verse has special significance for my life as a mom, it is applicable if you are a mom, a wannabe mom, or just a busy person.

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself ? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I will admit that I am often a Martha and I forget to even try to be a Mary.  My lists, my scurrying, my need to get it done and do it right drive me all day.  And I will admit that if Jesus in the flesh was coming for lunch, I would drive my family crazy with the preparations (I think we would have fresh salmon and homemade bread and squash from the garden and wine of course).

Sometimes, I stop and I take the time to focus on that "one thing."  Other times I work my tail off when the kids are sleeping and at school so that I can allow myself to take the time.  It is a struggle but I realize that the fight is one I create in my own head.

For me Mother's Day is less about me and more about my family.  The day makes me grateful for the life I have.  I love to live in this world we have created.  Now I just need to remember to enjoy it.

KFC Milestones

As my boys have gotten older, the big milestones are few and far between.  This is a sneaky time in the development of a boy.  Changes are subtle and small until one day you wake up to a pair of little men.

For those of you who know Keith, this one is big: he told a stranger his name.  Keith's speech impediment has kept him from saying his name to anyone he doesn't know.  That means my social and talkative boy is suddenly rendered silent when a stranger asks his name.  It was heartbreaking to see him so obviously embarrassed.

Last week, I assumed my perch at the top of our driveway and Keith began to make his way up and down the street on his bike.  He spotted the little girl across the street (his age and his disposition) about two houses down.  He of course asked to cross and ride on the other side.  This was a rouse for meeting neighbors, the girl and her dad.  Keith was chatting animatedly with the father and I heard the father ask Keith his name.  And my Keith confidently said, "KEITH."  And the father repeated it back!  He actually understood what he said!

We still have a long way to go but this little bit just makes me so happy.

The long way to school

The distance between school and our house is less than a mile.  It should take less than 5 minutes to deliver Patrick to school.  However, as every parent knows, school traffic makes the commute twice as long, on a good day. 

I consider it one of the luxuries of Stay-At-Home-Motherhood that I can deal with the drop-off traffic (pick-up taxes my patience) without rushing.  I also don't have to figure out the best time to leave the house to avoid traffic or the best drop-off spot.  I just leave when I want and we take the long way to school. 

And the gift of waiting in line behind the parade of SUVs is time with my three littles.  Every morning as we wait our turn, I pray over my kids.  We pray together.  It's a simple prayer that reinforces three important things: 1) It's God's way, not our way; 2) I love them and God loves them; and 3) Mom needs God's help too (patience please Lord!).

The best thing is that they remind me when I forget.  Lauren grunts and slaps her chubby little hands together at the same spot every day.  If I forget, Keith usually remembers after we have already dropped Patrick off but we pray belatedly any way. 

Most mornings I pray and some mornings Patrick prays but it usually follows this path:
1) We thank him for his gifts and blessings
2) We pray for our sins and ask for forgiveness
3) We tell him what we want (wisdom, strength, fun)
4) We pray for those around us in need (e.g., babies without mommies and daddies and mommies and daddies without babies).

And all you have to do is ask, we will pray for you too!

Adventures in Fondant

When Keith decided that he wanted a Ninjago party, I was planning on making it really simple and easy.  And then I started planning and Keith had his input and the next thing you know.... I'm. Making. Fondant.

My original plan was to order a sheet cake from Von's and putting the Lego Ninjagos on top.  Add candles and fire and VIOLA!  Keith requested a Mom-made cake instead.  So down the path we went and here is the finished product.

As it turns out, marshmallow fondant is really easy to make.  And you can make it in advance.  I made a three layer chocolate cake (from scratch) and chocolate frosting.  Covered it with fondant and you have a Ninjago.  Jay the Blue Ninjago.  Keith's former favorite Ninjago, prior to the information that Jay likes the girl Ninjago Nya.  At which time Keith ditched Jay for Cole (the black ninjago).  He was still happy with his cake, wrong Ninjago and everything.
For my first adventure in fondant I thought it turned out pretty well. 
 
While I was making a cake I decided to go ahead and make some Lego topped cupcakes.  You can buy a mold but I did them by hand.  I used a cookie cutter to shape the squares and rectangles and made the tiny circles with my icing tip. Labor intensive but appealing.

 I also made Rice Krispie Sushi for the goodie bags.  Cute and easy.

 Here's our set-up.

 Patrick made the pictures of the Ninjagos for his brother.  I printed 5x7 at Costco.

 A super happy boy!

Keith, My Five Year Old Wonder

Dear Keith,
Mama is a bit late with your birthday post, but she is kind of glad that she is.  Today, a mere four days after your 5th birthday, you learned how to ride your bike without training wheels.  You had your doubts, you had your complaints, but you couldn't fight your will and ability.  I may have had to force you a bit, bribing you with lemonade and high fives but you did it.  That's the thing about you my son, you are always surprising. 

You drift through your day asking a million questions and telling me the same thing a million times.  That's why I love you, you have a passion for life.  You are excited to live 99% of the time and (much to our chagrin at times) you live loud! 

As we spend our last months together before Kindergarten I pray that it isn't rushed.  I pray that I get a chance to enjoy you during this time.  You know why?  Because Mom might tell you that you are a big boy but you are still my baby.  Until further notice, one of my top five favorite things to do is still cuddling with you on the couch. 

I love you my Keithy.  Happy Birthday.
Love,
Mama Lou

Keith and his 5 year old hair cut

A Happy Birthday to Me

I didn't ask for a spa day.  I didn't ask for new clothes.  I didn't ask for a fancy dinner.  I didn't ask for a new purse.  I asked for a garden and a half-marathon.  And I got both!

Right before the Tinkerbell Half, my sister-in-law invited me to run with her and her running partner, Mary in Santa Cruz on my birthday.  I accepted the invitation.  Here are my results.

Santa Cruz Half-Marathon 
Distance: 13.01 miles
Time: 2:03
Avg Pace Per Mile: 9:34

Mary, Me, and Katie

 It was an absolutely beautiful run along the coast.  There was a high surf warning and the waves were crashing high on the coastline.  The day before was rainy, cloudy and windy but it was perfectly clear for the run.  We stayed at Chaminade in Santa Cruz and had a fun time laughing and having conversations without kids interrupting!

My time was ok. Officially it is a Personal Record.  I'm disappointed because know I could have done so much better.  I definitely needed to train more.  There were other factors too.  Part of the course that was really a trail run.  For over 2 miles we puddle hopped over uneven terrain.  It was less running and more avoiding falling in single file.  That was an 11:00 minute plus mile.  Then there were hills.  Blech. And then there was my head.  I hit a mental wall at mile ten/eleven.  I couldn't bob and weave through the crowds, I couldn't reconcile the remaining mileage, my toe was blistering and it was just bad.  That was a 10:00 minute plus mile. 

My shoes now have over 300 miles on them and I was seriously considering hanging them up after this run (as in for good).  Now I want to break through that 2 hour wall (and make sure I GLIDE my toe!).

My new garden.  While I was in Santa Cruz eating huge hamburgers and chocolate cake, Kevin and the kids were building me 64 sq. ft. of happiness.  I am so happy to once again have a garden to produce all kinds of wonderful produce.  The weather is great and seeds are going in the ground this week!!!!