Around Here Week 15: 04/12-18

 A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this moment. 

photo cred: Becky C

Hug machine money raised! Way to go Violet & Ella!

photo cred: Mrs. Roman

photo cred: uchie

selfie cred: Gemmi

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 69+ hours (of 1000)
Mowing! Weirdly happy to get on the tractor for the first time this season. The kids and I are very attuned to the smell of cut grass. Randomly while driving someone will shout out, "SMELL THE GRASS!" while we all take exaggerated inhalations. 

Reading The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough and Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson

Listening to Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Reluctantly grateful for living in PA's winter. No one complains and whines about it as much as me...I literally regularly ask, "Why do we live here?" when it is March and still snowing and freezing. But honestly, this week is why. Because only when we are finally out of the snowing and blowing and the blooming trees are gorgeous, and the grass is long enough to be mowed for the first time, and the breeze has the warmness of spring, do I realize there is so much darn natural beauty and I have been starved enough for it that I can actually appreciate it. Reddy and Livy had their hands out the windows in the car shouting, "This is my dream life!!!" and yes, gosh. it is. 

Both vehicles went in to have the winter tires switched out and get a little tune up. It is always a little hectic trying to juggle when the cars are at the shop. Grey hates to drive Lucille the Studermobile (the 12 passenger van) to school and he absolutely never thinks it's funny and B and I tell him that Lucille will be his car when he gets his driver's license. It is endlessly funny to us though. 

Big week for Violet as she was captain for the reading competition (they did not place this time but still had fun), she also was part of the school news announcements (her and her friend Jayce have such a blast being goofballs on there), and she and her friend Ella raised enough money through a dress down fundraiser at school for a hug machine for the special needs classroom!! This girl is insatiable in life and I both love and fear that as her mom. On Saturday, we attended the PA Maple Festival to see Violet's quilt on display in the quilt competition! She earned second place in the children's division! We walked around the Maple Festival with Kuma, Kitty, and Bryan and got to try Spotza. 

God Bless GameChanger. honestly. I can't be in more than one place at once (um, hello inventors - how have we not figured this out yet for moms?!) but I can stay up to date with three of my kids' games at one time in spring sports season and I am so grateful for that! I was cracking up this week when I got three separate requests in gamechanger to approve the 'aunties and uncles' of Grey who were all local friends. Each separately mentioned to me that when they went to sign up to follow our Varsity team, they searched the list of players and thought, "Oh, I can be an aunt/uncle of Grey!" Hhaha, YES!! I will always joyfully accept encouragers as our sports family! And lots of fans are following our Varsity baseball team as the boys continue to go undefeated! 

Burst of panic when after five days from the surgery, Nova started to act very lethargic and stopped eating. Of course the internet made it worse by suggesting maybe he was on the brink of death. Brandon took Nova in to be checked out on Thursday and they determined that he was dehydrated and gave him Subcutaneous fluids and he was back to zooming around and eating again in 24 hours. 

Rusty took his baby book in for show & tell so the night before I spent some time adding new photos and details into his book to get it fully up to date. Updating the kids' baby books is a task on my 100 small things list this year - so I was happy and glad to do it. Such a squeeze to my heart though to look back through the book and all those photos of my Rustman. my Mr. Handsome; then and still. 

Signed off on the state testing exemption for the kiddos at school. 

Fishbrains. These boys in my house. All they can think about is fishing - especially the youngest boy Reddy who is absolutely obsessed with fishing. Reddy begged enough on Sunday, much to Grey's joy, to get some time in the creek at the girls' soccer games (God bless my husband who packs all the fishing gear up!) Saturday was an all day fishing tournament at Wilmore which Brandon, Grey, the Conn twins, and Pappy all headed over at 5a to get started. Reddy got to go over at lunchtime to hang out at the creek too (the only thing he could think about all morning!) 

Time with family and friends: Reddy got some time in the dugout with Pappy when he was volunteered by me (oops!) to help out at the game. Reddy was so excited though and said, "I'm going to tell all my buddies,' you see that old man? that's my Pappy!" Hahhha, the sweetest! Rusty went to his friend Brody's birthday party at Slinky's Action zone. Rusty and Violet both took the bus to Abba and Chum's house on Monday and then Chum got them to and from their practices that night while Brandon and I were both tied up in other things (thank you!!) Violet got a sleepover at Uchie's house and Gemma got the afternoon with Abba and Chum and went out to dinner with them and had Peyton over for a playday on Saturday (they made brownies!). Grey had a double sleepover at our house with Bryce and Reed (all the kids thrilled because they are truly bonus big bros to all of them) for two nights in a row for the fishing tourney.

Teaching and watching Ferdinand in my elementary school classes. We are reviewing all the Spanish words that are in the movie (even though it is in English - we still get lots of Spanish words, and not that you're listening for them it's like your in on the jokes! They have been having fun listening for them and shouting them out when they hear them). Spanish Expo took their map test at the end of the geography lessons this week. Spanish 1 closed out their location preposition phrase week and worked on their photo assignments. Spanish 2 finished Robo en la Noche and took their final book test. 

Sporting with one 6U AYSO practice for Olive and Coach Momma. Reddy had two baseball games, and Rusty had two baseball practices. Violet had one Sparks soccer practice, two 12U AYSO practices, and one Sparks soccer game. Gemma had three softball practices, two softball games, and one Gators soccer game. Grey had two baseball practices, two baseball games, and attended the school board meeting and delivered a speech at the podium to support his friend and teammate Eddie in our football co-op. Brandon also attended the school board meeting for the co-op and gave a speech at the podium - thank you to Becky C who sent pictures, videos, and messages to keep me posted on the meeting while I was at Reddy's baseball game (grateful for and love you!) I got Grey's baseball fundraiser turned in, washed a million uniforms, added money to the kids' venmo cards for post-game food, and braided lots of hair for game days. 

Making meatloaf with roasted potatoes and carrots, copycat Olive Garden chicken pasta, sheet pan chicken fajitas, sloppy joes and shells & cheese, chicken/ biscuit/ veggie casserole, smash burgers with roasted potato fries, and take out pizza. For dessert, I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Around Here Week 14: 04/05-11

 A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this moment. 

photo cred: Uchie

photo cred: Tausha

selfie cred: B

photo cred: Becky C

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 53+ hours (of 1000)
The weather has been hit or miss this week. Some days gorgeous, sunny, and warm and other days rainy/misty and downright cold enough for a winter hat. Things are definitely getting greener though! Red and Olive wear winter coats to school and by the afternoon, the puffy coats are shoved into their backpacks with the zippers straining against the load. Sheesh, am I ever anxious for no shoes, no coats, no problems weather. 

Reading and finishing The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. It was actually funny (I laughed multiple times) and also dark and surprisingly tender (true to the title!) I appreciated the author's note at the end how she was inspired to write the book after every terrible fear she has had after becoming a mother, but also making it funny; because...well, Life. It was excellent (thanks for the recommendation my Katie!) Then I read and finished The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez. My friend and co-worker Elizabeth accidently ordered two copies and gifted one to me because she remembered me mentioning how much I enjoy her novels (the sweetest and most thoughtful - thank you Elizabeth!!) I finished the novel in under two days and loved the characters and the story line. Jimenez is just so good at weaving real problems into a yearning love story. (I like her too much!! I ignore my family to finish the book - hah!). 

Listening to Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser. obsessed.

Celebrating Easter with family! The Easter bunny made it to our house and the kids were excited to check their baskets in the morning. We all got dressed and out the door in time to make it to mass on time (just barely) but had to split up into three pews because there is just too many of us - LOL. Lunch at Abba and Chum's house to be with our Adams family. Delicious food and games and an Easter egg hunt outside. The boys all got to head down to Benscreek to fish and I took a much needed nap on the couch - someBunny was tired, lol, I was zonked out! Then it was to Mimi's house to be with our Studer cousins with another fun game and lots of more delicious food. We were filled to the brim with food, desserts, and most of all love. 

Sending out a prayer for Grey's best friend Reed who got surgery this week. We love you Reedy!

Proud of our 16 year old! Grey's birthday was this week and he passed his permit test! He is thrilled and I am in disbelief and awe. The passing of time is truly incomprehensible. We had a huge table at Tollgate after the baseball game with family for wings on birthday eve and B took him to his driver's test right after school on his birthday. Does your momma still ice baseball threads on donuts for your teammates on your birthday at sixteen years old - yes, Booboo, she does. We had his favorite dinner (Pioneer Woman Lasagna) and I made Tandy Kake to sing at our house. We measured him on the doorframe and it is officially above Dad's original mark. The wonderment of getting to watch your baby grow - cannot believe I get to do this. (love you forever and ever, booboo). 

Passenger princess all the time now that we have a practicing driver. Grey is eager to get in driving hours every chance he can and now that we have someone who has to learn all.the.things, I am reflecting on all the random stuff that I want him to practice while we can talk through it together. We went out for a little night drive this week to practice high beams and back country roads with deer crossing. So many random things that I take for granted now after driving for so long (what to do when the window is fogging up, how to pull to the top of a gravel driveway so you don't spin out, etc) Grey is doing so great though and is a cautious driver who asks lots of great questions. Proud of you, Grey. 

Nova, the cat, got her neuter surgery on Friday and did great through it. He was home by Friday night and wanted all the snuggles. 

Bridal shower with the girls to celebrate our soon to be cousin Becky. The shower was lovely and we got to visit with our girl Gilmore cousins too (who we adore). Becky was so sweet to invite all my girls - even Olive who was so honored to be the tiniest guest there and even won a door prize! Becky and cousin Butter will be married this June and we are all so thrilled for the wedding. B is a groomsmen and Becky asked the girls to help in the morning decorate the venue and hang out with the bridesmaids (they are swooning). 

Time with family and friends. Rusty got to go to his friend Liam's birthday dinner. Violet had Evaley over for a playdate and then hitched a ride with the Feathers to Sparks practice on Tuesday. Grey squeezed in his physical required to take his driving permit test right under the wire thanks to Pappy who got him there in the middle of the school day (thank you Pap!) and thanks to Becky C for letting me know he even needed one (LOL, I'm clueless - grateful for you, my kids' bonus mom!) B and the boys took advantage of no school on Monday to go fishing (naturally) and B took his annual Football Coaches' golf trip on Saturday

Teaching about Spain and started Ferdinand at the elementary school. Expo finished up week 2 of their classes and Spanish 1 learned about location prepositional phrases and got to learn how to play Spoons - Spanish verb conjugation edition. Spanish 2 read chapters 7-11 of Robo en la Noche. We are moving along and I keep glancing back and forth between the calendar and the curriculum map and the assembly/ field trip/ state testing calendars to figure out how we are going to get everything in before the end of the year. Down to the last 7 weeks now! 

Sporting with spring sports crossing fingers everyday that the weather cooperates. Olive and Coach Momma had one 6U AYSO practice. Reddy and Rusty both had one baseball practice. Violet had two 12U AYSO practices and two Sparks soccer practices. Gemma had one Gators soccer practice, three softball practices, and a softball game (our first win of the season!) Grey got a massage from Miss Emma at Peak Performance therapy, had two baseball practices, and two baseball games. Brandon got the youth league boys to their team pictures on Saturday and I got Gem signed up to attend the AYSO Ref training event.  I delivered our youth league concession stand donations (Ranch dressing, paper towels, and coffee) to the fields and I dropped off an assorted chip box and 2 dozen cowboy cookies with another softball mom to donate to the softball fundraiser at Forbes Trail Brewing on Sunday. 

Making ground turkey tacos, Pioneer woman skillet lasagna, instagram chicken with roasted broccoli, grilled burgers with roasted potatoes, sauerkraut and kielbasa in the crockpot. For Saturday breakfast I made banana bread for breakfast. For Easter I made two strawberry sheetpan shortcakes (for Abba's and Mimi's houses). We went out to eat for Grey's birthday on wing night at the Tollgate with family and I made Tandy Kake for his birthday cake and iced glazed donuts like baseballs to deliver to his baseball practice on his birthday. I also made Cowboy cookies for home and to donate to the Softball fundraiser.